The Nation November 10, 2011

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

News Bayelsa: PDP leaves out Sylva, Alaibe, Ben Bruce P2 Sport I was never away from Super Eagles, says Enyeama P41 Business Pipeline fire forces Shell’s 25,000bpd crude shut-in P11 www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 1940 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Jonathan gets legal advice on SWF

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

A MARCH FOR EDUCATION IN LONDON

•States may not get refund of $1b From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has secured the green light for the controversial Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), despite the huge opposition from governors and other stakeholders.

After getting the all-clear legal advice from Attorney-General Mohammad Bello Adoke, Dr Goodluck Jonathan will soon meet governors on the grey areas in the SWF. The legal advice may be tabled before the National Economic Council, which is being chaired by VicePresident Namadi Sambo, with the 36 governors as members.

But there will be no refund of the $1billion seed capital already deducted from the share of the 36 states in the Federation Account.

Besides, the Federal Continued on page 2

•Student demonstrators carry banners as they march against cuts in tuition funding in London ... yesterday. Story on page 59.

PHOTO: AFP

Those who died in Boko Haram attacks, by Police THE DEAD

65 36 11 11 7

•The number of those who died, as of Nov. 9 •Suspected Boko Haram members •Civilians •Policemen

•Soldiers, FRSC, Immigration, Civil Defence and Customs

Govt: we‘re not losing ground in anti-terror battle

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ORE facts emerged yesterday on the casualty figures in last weekend’s Boko Haram attacks in Yobe and Borno states.

The police said they lost 11 men. The sect lost 36 members, they claimed.

In all, 65 people died, according to the police. Unofficial sources put the number of deaths at about 150.

The police gave the figures in a statement by their

From Gbade Ogunwale and Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

spokesman, Chief Superintendent Yemi Ajayi.

The statement reads: “The Nigeria Police Force wishes to commiserate with the victims of the unwarranted attacks that took place in Yobe State on Friday 4th November, 2011. The incidents are regrettable, as innocent lives and property were lost.

“The Nigeria Police and other security agencies

hereby offer their condolences to the families of the victims, government and good people of Yobe State over the callous and criminal acts.

“The Nigeria Police Force is using this medium to assure Nigerians of its continued determination to protect lives and property and also to urge members of the public to always cooperate with the Police in its quest towards reducing crime to its barest

minimum in the country.

“For the avoidance of doubts, the Nigeria Police hereby confirms 65 deaths as casualty figures as at date 9th November, 2011. The breakdown is as follows: 11 policemen, two soldiers, two Civil Defence personnel, one Immigration personnel, one Customs personnel, one FRSC personnel, 11 civilians and 36 suspected Boko Haram members.

“The Nigeria Police, once

again, wishes to reiterate the need for all Nigerians and non Nigerians alike to be more circumspect, alert at all times and to report any suspicious movements, strange gatherings and untoward behaviour to the nearest police station or to other security agencies nationwide.”

Also yesterday, the Federal Government said it Continued on page 2

•POLITICS P15 •SPORT P24 •EDUCATION P25 •NATURAL HEALTH P43

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

NEWS

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•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; flanked by (from left) Deputy Governor Mrs. Titi LaoyeTomori; Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; Head of Service, Segun Akinwusi and Director General, Office of Economic Development and Partnership, Dr. Charles Akinola, at a Retreat with the theme: Delivering on the Osun Development Agenda, at the Avalon Hotel, Offa, Kwara State ... yesterday

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday cleared three more aspirants to participate in the Bayelsa State governorship primaries billed for November 19. Four aspirants were cleared in the first batch.

Those cleared yesterday are: Francis Doukpola, Fred Ekiyegha Korobido and Austin Febo.

A statement by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) signed by publicity secretary Prof. Rufai Alkali, said the review continues, until all issues concerning the aspirants are disposed of.

The four aspirants earlier cleared are: Orufa Justine Boloubo, Henry Seriake Dickson, Enai Christopher Fullpower and Kalango Michael Youppele.

Eleven aspirants bought the nomination forms.

Among the aspirants still

Bayelsa: PDP leaves out Sylva, Alaibe, Bruce again From Yusuf Alli and Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

waiting in the wings are Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva, former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Mr. Timi Alaibe and former Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce.

Intrigues continued yesterday in the search for a candidate.

President Goodluck Jonathan consulted with former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and some stakeholders on who to choose among the top four contenders.

But, the search took a new

Jonathan gets legal advice on Sovereign Wealth Fund Continued from page 1

Government may continue further deductions of the states’ cash from the Federation Account into the SWF. The legal advice from Attorney-General of the Federation Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) has foreclosed any plan to either dump or make the controversial Fund optional.

It was, however, learnt that the Presidency is trying to woo all the governors, especially those from opposition parties, such as Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Labour Party (LP), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) to buy into the SWF. A top government source said: “The President has got legal advice that his actions and steps on SWF are constitutional and justifiable under any law. By implication, the Federal Government will not go back on the maintenance of the SWF. “The option left for any state or any aggrieved party is to go to court to test the constitutionality of the SWF. “But the President is trying to stave off recourse to legal matter. He believes he could sit down with the governors

to resolve grey areas.

“The President is of the opinion that issues arising from the SWF could be managed through peaceful talks, irrespective of the legal advice.

“I think so far, only governors from the opposition parties are strongly against the SWF. According to a copy of the legal advice obtained by our correspondent, the SWF “may be regarded as promoting a system of deferred distribution of a portion of the Federation Account, which may not necessarily be in conflict with Section 162 of the Constitution”.

The advice reads: “The primary source of the National Assembly’s legislative authority is Section 4(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers it to make laws for the ‘peace, order and good government of the Federation or any part thereof with respect to any matter included in the Exclusive Legislative List.”

Although the establishment of the Fund is not an item specifically listed on the Exclusive Legislative List as to bring it within the legislative competence of the National Assembly, recourse may be to the provisions of Section 16 of the Constitution, which sets out the “Economic objectives” of the Nigerian state as follows:

“In the light of the objectives of the Sovereign Wealth Fund as outlined in Section 3 of the NSIA Act, it can be posited that the said objectives of the Fund are reasonably within the economic objectives of the state.

On the controversial $1billion seed capital deducted from the states’ share of the Federation Account, the legal advice ruled out any refund.

It said: “There are two sources of funding under the Act, namely, the initial seedmoney in the sum of US1billion under Section 29 of the Act and subsequent funds from the Federation Account as provided under Section 30 of the Act. Section 29 of the Act provides that the initial funding of the NSIA shall be the Naira equivalent of $1billion, which is already earmarked pursuant to the decision of the National Economic Council authorising the setting up of the Fund.

“This amount is deemed to have been contributed by the three tiers of government in the proportion of their revenue sharing under the Allocation of Revenue (Federation Account, etc) Act. This is encapsulated in provisions of Section 29(1) of the NSIA Act.” The Attorney-General of the Federation advised the government to go ahead with the SWF.

He said: “In the light of the legal principles highlighted above, Your Excellency is kindly invited to note that: •the National Assembly is empowered by Section 4 of the Constitution to legislate on matters on the Exclusive Legislative List and the Concurrent Legislative List; •while the issue of the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund is not specifically listed on the Exclusive Legislative List or on the Concurrent Legislative List, the objectives of the NSIA Act may be reasonably regarded as coming within the confines of the Economic Objectives of the State as outlined in Section 16 of the Constitution; •item 60(a) of the Exclusive Legislative List empowers the National Assembly to establish authorities for the Federation or any part thereof for the purpose of enforcing the observance of the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy; and •the Supreme Court had in the past validated an Act of the National Assembly made to actualise the aforesaid Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy; •the action of the National Assembly in enacting the NSIA Act can therefore be rationalised as being within its

legislative competence.

The advice went on: •the major objection of the Governors to the funding arrangement for the NSIA is that it is in conflict with Section 162 of the Constitution, which directs that proceeds in the Federation Account should be distributed to the three tiers of government; •the funding of the National Sovereign Investment Authority through receipts from the Federation Account as provided in Section 30 of the Act can be rationalised on the basis of the rider to Section 162(3) of the Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to prescribe terms and manner to guide the distribution of the proceeds of the Federation Account; •since the NSIA Act does not seek to permanently deny any of the Federation units of its share of the Federation Account, it may be regarded as promoting a system of deferred distribution of a portion of the Federation Account, which may not necessarily be in conflict with Section 162 of the Constitution; and •that the present funding arrangement in the NSIA Act can be regarded as complementary to Section 162(3) of the Constitution and not necessarily inconsistent with that provision.

twist, following pressure on the President by some stakeholders to adopt the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Ambassador Godknows Igali, as the party’s candidate.

Although it was speculated last night that Igali has resigned, the aspirant merely described his joining the race as “a good thing”.

Since Tuesday night, there has been intense horse-trading on who to pick among the leading aspirants.

The aspirants are: Sylva; Dickson; a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Timi Alaibe; and Igali.

It was gathered that under a power sharing arrangement being discussed, Alamieyeseigha is to nominate the deputy governorship candidate.

But the game has been changing in the last 48 hours, with some PDP leaders in the state divided on the fate of the four aspirants.

While some strategists of the President prefer SeriakeDickson, others have opted for Igali.

A source said: “With the entry of Igali, we have four leading aspirants jostling for our party’s ticket. Igali is expected to be screened by the National Working Committee any moment from now.

“Some hawks within the party are desperate to stop the governor. The plot is to put Sylva permanently in check. The party is certainly not keen to clear the governor.”

Contacted on his reported ambition, Igali said: “I think, it is a good thing; don’t you think so?”

Asked whether he has resigned, Igali merely replied: “Go and read the Constitution on what it says on how a civil servant can join the race for any political office.”

Those who died in Boko Haram attacks, by Police Continued from page 1

was not losing ground to terrorists and Boko Haram’s insurgency, Minister for Information Labaran Maku, said yesterday.

According to him, the government has the political will to tackle the Boko Haram (Western education is sin) menace.

The government has been under fire over its seeming inability to battle the sect. Opposition parties have also called for the resignation or firing of top security chiefs.

The Islamic fundamentalist group has claimed responsibility for attacks on government and private institutions, including the suicide bombing of the Police Headquarters and the United Nations (UN) House in Abuja.

Many people were killed in those attacks.

Speaking yesterday after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the

State House, Maku said: “A lot is going on, deployments are being made, arrests are being made, and there is a manhunt for all those involved. So, if the President calls on Nigerians to pray, it is not because actions are not taking place, but the truth of the matter is that we also need prayers. Everything is being done to bring this dispensation we have come into under control.

“All of us in this hall should be familiar with the fact that in the last couple of months since the President was sworn in, nothing has taken the attention of government than the issue of insecurity in the country.

That is brought about mainly by the anti states groups’ attack on innocent citizens.

“Almost every week, the President has held meetings with security chiefs. And let me also say here that the recent attacks in Yobe and Borno, the National Security Adviser

(NSA), Patrick Azazi, addressed the media and as at yesterday, not only has there been counter offensive but arrests have been made and those under arrest are in detention for proper investigation.

This also has been made available by the security agencies to the media.

“There has been ongoing security operations in the Northeast, particularly in Borno and surrounding states. In Yobe State, there has been security deployments; this also has been done and the media is also aware of these developments.

“Talking about consistent fight against terror, all of us know that wherever terror raises its ugly heads, it is not a conventional war, where the military of Nigeria will go one side and the terrorists group on the other side for a confrontation. Terrorists use undercover attacks, what you call guerrilla welfare. They do not

operate under the light of selfproclamation of who their identities are. There are several countries like Algeria and Pakistan and several others that have come under terror attacks for almost over a decade and in those countries till today, you still have isolated attacks, in spite of all the deployments that has taken place.

“What is going on is a new phase in this nation. Neither Nigerians nor the government nor the security agencies is used to a situation where innocent citizens will be attacked for a cause that is clearly difficult to reason with or to explain.

“Let me say that since this terror attacks started, this administration has been working round the clock and sometimes there are achievements we cannot just go and proclaim on the pages of newspapers.

“Let me give an example, all those who carried out the terrorist attack of October 1, 2010

have been arrested. All the vehicles they used, all the channels they used, all the individuals associated with it are in the custody of security agencies and are being investigated.

You will also find out that in many places where similar attacks took place earlier, arrests have not been made even in countries that you can say have greater sophistication in terms of technical capacity.

“Our security agencies are working round the clock. Yes, there are issues and challenges but I want, as a Nigerian, not just as Minister of Information, to appeal to our people that what we are facing is a new phase of life. Government has been doing everything and if you go to Borno on a daily basis, you are hearing of houseto-house search to recover weapons.

“Also, part of the things we face is that these people live among us and we have been campaigning and calling on

•IG Hafiz Ringim

Nigerians to understand that the way to go about it today, is that we must all come together as a people to address this issue by way of cooperation.”

The Minister blamed political opposition and people who just take statements out of context to create confusion and he said this is not the time to politicise what is going on. “It is the time for all of us to put heads together as a people to ensure that we overcome the threat of anti-state terror,” Maku said.

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

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

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NEWS

Fed Govt ties contract payment to performance

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HE era of consultants getting full payment for projects before completion is gone for good, the Federal Government said yesterday.

Henceforth, payments would be tied to performance, government added, even as it announced the establishment of a team to work on a template that will reduce contract cost.

These were some of the decisions reached at the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday.

Briefing reporters at the end of the meeting, Minister of Information Labaran

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

Maku, said the issue of uncompleted projects has become a source of concern to the president who had directed that no contract will come to the council without an agreed and verifiable transition plan, to ensure all projects are awarded and completed smoothly and on time.

He said: “Another issue was that of uncompleted projects that has continued to be a source of concern to Mr. President and all Nigerians. “He directed that for the period he is in power, he will want to see all the projects initiated and awarded by his adminis-

tration are completed on schedule, within the period of his administration.

“He directed the coordinating minister of the economy as well as the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Minister of Finance, to ensure that no contract will come to council without an agreed and verifiable transition plan, to ensure all projects are awarded and completed smoothly and on time.

“The consequence of uncompleted projects is that money is tied down and Nigerians are not benefiting from the services that those projects are suppose to offer.

In addition to that, contractors keep coming up with aug-

mentation plans, once execution time plan for a project is exceeded.

“So, this matter has become a very serious problem not just to the Federal Government but nationwide, but Mr. President believes one of the quick ways of tackling it is to ensure that onward we can make a remedy.

“So, all contracts every minister is bringing must be proved and backed up with a financial plan that will be smooth and timely exist from those projects.

“It was agreed that there is no need starting something that will not be completed and Nigerians will not benefit.

“As you do know part of the strategy of this budget is to complete existing project awarded by previous administrations, that unless we carry this project to completion, the huge investments in them running to trillions of naira will be wasted,” the minister said.

On contract cost, Maku said the President is also worried that various measures put in place have not been able to stem the tide as contract cost soars against normal norms.

Government, he said has still not been able to arrive at what could consider to be universally appropriate valuation of projects in the public sector in Nigeria.

LASU fees: Govt seeks parents’ understanding LAGOS State government yesterday revisited the challenge of funding the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, urging parents to embrace the new cost-sharing formula proposed by the institution’s authorities.

Government also reiterated its commitment to improved funding for the 30-year old university to tackle infrastructure decay and boost the morale of academic and non-academic employees and students.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy Lateef Ibirogba and Special Adviser Lateef Raji told reporters in Lagos that the new regime of fees introduced by the authorities was motivated by the compelling need to frontally confront the institution’s financial predicament.

Raji explained that government endorsed the new fee increment from N25, 000 to N250,000, following considerations for reality on ground.

He however, clarified that the new increment will not affect the returning students, stressing that it would only take effect as from 2011/2012 session.

Raji said: “Only fresh students coming into the varsity in 2011/2012 would be affected by the increment. Old or returning students would continue to pay the old school fee till they graduate.

What we are doing is to sensitise the in-coming students to the situation on ground”.

•Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (second left), Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr Funminiyi Afuye (left), House of Assembly Speaker Dr Adewale Omirin (second right) and Chair, Assembly Service Committee, Mr Bayo Idowu at a four-day retreat for legislators at Iloko-Ijesa…yesterday.

•National President, Islamic Affairs, Abia State Chapter Eze Ali Musa Emeh (left) speaking during the traditional Salah homage to Governor Theodore Orji (second left) by the Muslim community in Umuahia. With them are Deputy Governor Emeka Ananaba and Minister for Labour Emeka Wogu

al-Mustapha: Parties to adopt final addresses today

By Eric Ikhilae

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UDGMENT day seems to be near in the trial of former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late Gen Sani Abacha, Major Hamza al-Mustapha as parties in the case are expected to adopt their final written addresses today. The court will thereafter fix a date to give its verdict. al-Mustapha and Lateef Shofolahan, described as an aide to the late Kudirat Abiola, wife of deceased politician and businessman, Chief Moshood Abiola are standing trial on charges of conspiracy and the murder of Mrs Abiola in 1996. They were arraigned in 2000.

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere had, at the conclusion of the defence’s case on August 17 picked November 10 for adoption of parties’ final addresses.

Sofolahan, who on August 17 testified for himself as the last defence’s witness, denied culpability for the offences for which he was standing trial.

He denied knowledge that the late Mrs Abiola was shot dead on June 4, 1996, but said he only learnt she died in her car. He also denied ever working with any member of the Abiola family.

He spoke on his relationship with the Abiola family, saying it never went beyond serving as a protocol officer in the late Chief Abiola’s campaign organisation in 1993.

Sofolahan, accused of acting as an informant to the late Gen Sani Abacha’s government, told the court how he worked for the transmutation agenda of the late Gen Abacha while Abiola was in custody. He also said he later worked in 1998 with the campaign organisation set up by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Earlier in his testimony, al-Mustapha had denied committing the alleged offences. He denied ordering the torture of anybody and challenged anyone with contrary claims to come out and say so. The former CSO’s testimony lasted for about eight days.

The prosecution, led by Lagos State’s Solicitor-General, Lawal Pedro, (SAN), led evidence and tendered documents to convince the court that the accuseds committed the said offences.

Why NDA should withdraw degrees from Akpabio, Alison-Madueke, by ACN

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday called for the withdrawal of the honorary doctorate degrees given to Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio and Petroleum Minister Diezani AlisonMadueke by the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in September.

The call, according to the party, is to preserve the tradition of the institution and the integrity of the awards.

In a statement in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said after a painstaking research on the NDA

By Sunday Omoniyi

awards, it has found out that the two awardees do not deserve to be honoured by the foremost military institution, going by its tradition. ‘’We found out that all past honorees have made direct contributions to the NDA, and were thus deserving of the honours bestowed on them by the military institution. But the same cannot be said of Akpabio and Mrs. Alison-Madueke. ‘’We are therefore compelled to ask the authorities at the NDA to recall the awards so as not to compro-

mise the tradition and antecedent of the NDA as a military institution,’’ it said. ‘’These people may have recorded some achievements in their own rights, but they are not known to have contributed anything to the growth of the NDA.’’ ACN listed deserving past honorees as including Prof.

Ukpabi Asika, the first provost of the NDA who oversaw the institution’s transition to a degree-awarding institution in 1991, former Defence Minister Theophilus Danjuma and former President Olusegun Obasanjo. ‘’Prof. Asika (not to be con-

fused with the former Administrator of the defunct East-Central states), despite his huge contributions to the growth of NDA, was not honoured until 2008, years after his retirement. No one can contest the honour done to him by the institution he served so diligently. ‘’Gen. Danjuma, as Minister of Defence, intervened to preserve the French language laboratory at the NDA. Added to his well-known contribution to the military, he is deserving of the NDA honour ‘’For Gen. Obasanjo, no matter what anyone may say,

his contribution to the military cannot be ignored. So, any honour bestowed on him by the NDA is well deserved,’’ the party said.

It said there are other Nigerians who have contributed immensely to NDA’s development but are yet to be honoured, listing some of them as David Ejoor and Adeyinka Adebayo, both past commandants of the NDA. ‘’If deserving Nigerians like Ejoor and Adebayo have not been honoured by the NDA despite their contributions to the institution, one can therefore reasonably question the motive of the authorities at

the NDA in bestowing their much-cherished honors on people who have neither made any direct contributions to the institution nor even complete, unscathed, their duties as elected or appointed political office holders. ‘’It is this kind of hurried and questionable recognition of serving political office holders, many of who may later turn out to be undeserving of the honours bestowed on them, that has helped to degrade once-respected honours in Nigeria, and the NDA must not toe that path,’’ ACN said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10 2011

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NEWS

Tourists throng Nigeria’s first plastic house For many people, used plastics are good for nothing.

But you are bound to change your mind after visiting Yelwa, Kaduna, where a house has been built with plastic bottles, writes BBC’s SAM OLUKOYA •A boy (left) making money from stocking the plastic bottles with sand for the construction of the house

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IGERIA’S first house built from discarded plastic bottles is proving a tourist attraction in the village of Yelwa.

Hundreds of people - including government officials and traditional leaders - have been coming to see how the walls are built in the round architectural shape popular in northern Nigeria.

The bottles, packed with sand, are placed on their side, one on top of the other and bound together with mud.

“I wanted to see this building for myself as I was surprised to hear it was built from plastic bottles,” said Nuhu Dangote, a trader who travelled from the state capital, Kaduna, to see the house.

“They were saying it in the market that it looks like magic, that you will be amazed when you see it, that is why I have come here to feed my eyes.

“The whole world should come and look at it.”

The real beauty of the house is its outside wall as the round bottoms of the exposed bottles produce a lovely design.

But for those behind the project, its environmental benefits are what are most important.

Twenty-five houses, which will be available to rent, are being built on this estate on land donated by a Greek businessman and environmentalist.

Each house - with one bedroom, living room, bathroom, toilet and kitchen - uses an estimated 7,800 plastic bottles.

This “bottle brick” technology started nine years ago in India, South and Central America, providing a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly alternative to conventional building bricks.

Yahaya Ahmed of Nigeria’s Development Association for Renewable Energies, estimates that a bottle house will cost one third of

what a similar house made of concrete and bricks would cost.

“Compacted sand inside a bottle is nearly 20 times stronger than bricks,” he says. “We are even intending to build a three-storey building.”

The bottle houses are also ideally suited to the hot Nigerian climate because the sand insulates them from the sun’s heat, helping to keep room temperatures low.

And because of the compact sand, they are bullet-proof - which may also prove another attraction in more insecure parts of the North.

A firm concrete foundation is laid to ensure that the structure is firm and stable - and the sand is sieved to make sure it is compact.

“You need to sieve it to remove the stones, otherwise it will not be nice and it would not be able to pass through the mouth of the bottle,” explains Dolly Ugorchi, who

has been trained in bottle house building.

Some have expressed concern about the amount of sand needed for the new houses.

“My fear is that this building method will increase the demand for sand and even lead to an increase in the price of sand,” says Mumuni Oladele, a mason in the southern city of Lagos “At the moment people looking for sand to build houses dig everywhere to get the sand. You can imagine what will happen when the demand for sand goes up to build bottle houses.”

According to market research company Zenith International, most water in Nigeria is sold in small plastic bags, but it says the bottled water market is growing - accounting for about 20-25 per cent of official sales, the equivalent of up to 500m litres a year.

This means discarded plastic

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By Joseph Jibueze

interests, identify and prosecute corrupt officials, and end the climate of impunity.

“President Jonathan showed great vision when he appointed Prof Attahiru jega to head the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Prof Jega was willing to endure criticism and calumny, but led INEC with distinction, creating conditions which permitted Nigerians to vote peacefully and massively in the most credible elections since the return to democracy in 1999 and perhaps in this country’s history as a nation.

“I hope Mr President will demonstrate a similar courage and vision in identifying an individual of equal credibility and integrity to take on the challenge of corruption. When he does, the United States will stand ready to help.

“But be advised, this fight will not be easy. However, with the right anti-corruption leadership, strong political will, and a coordinated effort among international partners, this is a challenge that Nigeria can overcome.”

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fahola (SAN) described the culture of impunity as frightening, saying attitudinal change at individual level is needed in the fight against corruption rather than expecting institutions to do it all.

The governor, represented by Attorney-General and Commissioner for JusticeAde Ipaye said the police have “very little” investi-

bottles are actually sought after in Nigeria where they are often used for storage or by street vendors to sell produce, such as peanuts.

The bottles for these houses are currently being sourced from hotels, restaurants, homes and foreign embassies.

The project is also hoping to help to remove children who do not go to school from the streets.

“I don’t want to be a beggar, I want to work and get paid - that is why I am doing this job,” says 15year-old Shehu Usman, who is working on the building site.

“When I grow old I want to build myself a house with bottles,” he says.

After the 25 houses have been completed, the next construction project for the Development Association for Renewable Energies will be a school on the estate, which street children like Shehu will be able to attend.

Fed Govt urged to implement UNEP Report on Ogoni

How to attract investors to Nigeria,

by US Ambassador NITED States Ambassador to Nigeria Mr Terence McCulley yesterday advised teh Federal Government on how to attract investors into the country.

He said investors would come to Nigeria if the right conditions are created, adding that they “require a safe habour for their investments,” as well as a place where the rule of law obtains, where contracts are respected, and where all companies enjoy a level playing field.

“Absent these conditions, investors are reluctant to engage, economic growth is less robust, and opportunities to create jobs are lost,” he said.

Speaking on The challenges of Law Enforcement in Nigeria: Taming the Culture of Impunity at this year’s Annual Lecture of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Programme in Lagos, McCulley said anti-graft agencies need stronger leadership.

He urged President Goodluck Jonathan to appoint persons with courage and vision to lead the country’s anti-corruption agencies.

He said Nigeria must effectively address graft to foster the stability, security and prosperity of its citizens as well as drive the “laudable” transformation agenda intended to redress decades of bad governance.

“Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies need strong leaders of unquestioned integrity and credibility who are willing to take on vested

PHOTOS: BBC

•McCulley

gative capacity, with scientific methods of crime detection virtually absent.

Fashola reiterated the call for a state police and prisons, so that states can fund and organise the force to their taste, rather than the present practice in which he said there is “a mismatch of administration.”

Chief Judge of Lagos State Justice Inumidun Akande, represented by Justice Ayisat Opesanwo, said the culture of impunity is promoted where the rule of law is ignored.

“The culture of impunity has become institutionalised in our country. The rule of law is still being subjugated,” the judge said, adding that desperate men with no intention to serve but to loot the treasury parade the system.

She said: “Where the judiciary is independent, the days of impunity are numbered. Impunity has no role in any modern society.”

ARTICIPANTS at the fourth National Environmental Consultation (NEC) yesterday urged the Federal Government to implement the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoni.

The consultation was organised by the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN).

In a communiqué issued at the end of the consultation, which ended in Benin yesterday, ERA/FoEN seeks a $100 billion clean-up fund established for remediation in the Niger Delta.

The communiqué reads: “The Federal Government should come out with a holistic environmental policy hinged on the protection of local livelihoods and local economies aimed at driving a green economic recovery.’’

Continuing, it said: ‘’There should be an immediate end to gas flaring and compensation to communities impacted by years of gas flaring; a clear Nigerian Position for COP 17 be developed with quality input and participation from local communities and nongovernmental organisations.’’ ‘’African leaders’’, according to the communique, ‘’should stop playing politics with climate change and muster the political will to confront the problems’’ by implementing ‘’the recommendations of the UNEP Report on Ogoni and extending the Audit to cover the entire Niger Delta region with mechanisms established for immediate remediation of impacted are-

By Olukorede Yishau

as and the setting up of a $100 billion clean-up fund.’’

It went on: “A new committee made up of local communities and non-governmental organisations be constituted for the effective implementation of the UNEP report’s recommendations.

“Government should expand the scope of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) operation to cover the enforcement and monitoring of compliance to national and international environmental standards in the oil and gas sector.

“Local communities should be the fulcrum of environmental governance at community levels through the formation of Community Environment Defence Committees (CEDC).

“A halt to the planned increase in the pump price of petroleum products and other neo-liberal economic policies, including deregulation, privatisation of public services, and incessant increases in electricity tarrif. The PIB should be thrown open for unfettered public debate and genuine input from civil societies and local communities.

The Nigerian government weans itself from fossil fuel-driven economy and invest in renewable energies, with a timeline towards a post-petroleum Nigeria. The Nigerian Biosafety Bill pending before the National Assembly should be fully opened for public scrutiny and input.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

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NEWS

Mothers relive experience These days, Caesarean Section (CS) has become the fad.

Some women ask for it, even when they can have their babies naturally. It has also emerged that some private hospitals advise women to have it for purely financial gains.

Women, who have had CS, have mixed tales – of pleasure and resentment –to tell, writes JOKE KUJENYA

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OR years, Mrs Mojisola Aderinola and her husband trusted God for children.

They had sessions with fertility doctors and endured timed intimacy. She became pregnant a number of times, following the doctor’s advice. She lost every of the pregnancy, but the last one.

Unlike Aderinola, Ms. Abiola Adelade found herself pregnant at 19 when her mates were in tertiary institutions, trying to get a degree.

On delivery date, the two of them were told by doctors they could not have their babies naturally. They both consented. Adelade’s turned out good. But, it was fatal for Aderinola. The baby she had through Caesarean Section died less than 72 hours after. She also lost her womb to what she believes was a medical error.

Aderinola, in an interview with The Nation in her home, said: “During the waiting period for my son, I started having cramps in my belly. I thought it was the CS pains.

So, I just told a midwife while trying to keep my confidence at the same time. I guess she told the doctor who ordered that I should be returned to the theatre. Well, to cut the long story short, I knew about 72 hours after the initial C-section surgery that a fatal medical error had been made which had cost me my womb. Consequently, I lost my first and only baby and, to cap it, I won’t be able to conceive with my womb again. That is my CS predicament.”

Adelade, who had her CS at a private clinic in Meiran, a suburb of Lagos, said: “I was told that I didn’t have enough water in my body for the baby to survive in.”

Two weeks ago, the young woman was operated on to birth her first child. “I am very angry. I am not happy at all. Nothing is wrong with me. I know I could have had my baby instead of these pains I am now subjected to. We had to go and be begging for and borrowing money to pay up the N120, 000 medical bills. The same doctors that told me I needed CS, which I did not prepare for, closed their eyes when it got to the talks about money. I did not tell them that I wanted it.”

The case of Bola Ayelabola is different. Ayelabola, 33, had travelled to UK within days of discovering she was pregnant. An emergency NHS scan showed she was expecting four babies.

Owing to the size and complexity of the birth, she underwent a caesarean section 32 weeks into her pregnancy on April 28.

During the procedure at Homerton Hospital in East London, doctors discovered there was a fifth child. She gave birth to two boys, Tayseel and Samir, and three girls: Aqeelah, Binish and Zara.

Mrs Ayelabola said: “I had already had miscarriages and couldn’t bear the stress another pregnancy would cause. So, I decided to visit my family in London. I thought I would stand a much better chance of avoiding another miscarriage in a calmer

family members to do most of the things I needed to get done. It was so difficult for me to either get up or move about because the portion of the operation, mine was horizontal, made it hard for me to stand upright for a few days. The stitches were in the lower abdomen. The doctor was the first to help me up, and then, others took over thereafter. My return to walking up-and-down was quite systematic. It was a gradual thing. I eventually left the hospital six days after my delivery. Which means that altogether; I spent about 12 days at the hospital. And for the whole of the treatment through the period; I think we paid

just a little over N50, 000.” he added: “My second child, a girl, was also through Csection in 2008. I would like to say that my second C-section could have been avoided. But I guess they allowed it for their personal gains. As at that moment, I started labour about 6.00am. By 2.00pm, the labour pains had subsided. And I was really feeling sleepy. I had felt that the labour ought to have progressed to the stage of the baby being ready to come out. Later, they requested to see my husband. He went in for a long while. And by the time he came out, he was looking downcast. Though the baby was breath-

S

•From top: A pregnant mother; Peters; Olajide; and quintuplets, whose mother - Mrs Ayelabola - was on a visit to London when she had them through a complex CS for safety reasons

‘Why Caesarean Section at times goes wrong’ Dr. Ayodeji Oluwole, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), who has operated on many women since December 1993, speaks on instances when Caesarean Section should be prescribed as a means of delivery for women

A

T what point does an expectant woman need a CS? C-section can come up at anytime. Many years back, many pregnant women tried to have the traditional normal deliveries, and they ended up either losing the babies or the women died. Then, the ones that lost their babies ascribed it to some abikus, but we all know that there is no abikus anywhere. The fact is there are conditions that could happen during pregnancies or during labour that may warrant the Csection.

The CS can be due to the reasons of the mother or the baby or both, being saved. If a woman is shortstatured, for instance, she is bound to have a very narrow pelvis. And so, the baby will not be able to pass through alive. Yes, a baby can pass through it, and she could be in labour for three to five days. But the baby will pass through it eventually after it may have died. But if such a woman wants a healthy baby without any brain damage, it is safer to do a C-section for such a woman.

Caesarean Section used to be a strictly medical measure. But the trend seems to have been altered to profit-making or social status drift than for medical reasons. Why is this so?

Yes, you are right and I agree that to some extent, there is an increase in the trend of C-section over normal delivery. In the case of the teaching hospitals, I can attest that most of the cases are for genuine reasons. But I would say that we still have more vaginal normal deliveries than CS, at least, judging by what we record at LUTH. Our figures are there. In LUTH at present, we have an average of about 2, 800 deliveries per year. Out of this figure, at least 2,000 are through normal deliveries. And I can say this for both teaching and other government hospitals. And you cannot just recommend CS for any woman without strict need for such here because the money is not going directly into your pocket, anyway. So, it wouldn’t make any sense. For us at the teaching hospitals, there are always doctors on calls. For the hospitals where CS is becoming habitual rather than a real need; the first question for the woman to ask is, ‘is the doctor attending to them a specialist?’ Every woman has to know this wherever they go.

What then can be responsible for casualty in the event of a specialist handling the CS operation?

Yes, casualties do occur. And the greatest cause is haemorrhage, that

place with friends and family.”

A nursing matron, who had served with the medical unit of the Nigerian Navy for over twenty years, said CS is a medical procedure pregnant women should always think may arise. She said many women merely dream to ‘push, and then a beautiful baby bounces out of their underneath,’ but the reality is not always that easy.

“Many women are not often certain how their labour and delivery would turn out. Everyone hopes for the best and the less strenuous, but it doesn’t always work out that way. And it is some

of these uncertainties that make doctors to schedule C-section for several women,” she added.

Mrs Morenikeji Olajide, 38year-old teacher who had her two through CS, said the medical procedure comes with a lot of pains, which could knock off a weak woman.

She told The Nation: “My son, the first child in 2006, five years ago. I had him through CS. I had him at the General Hospital, OkeOdo, Ile-Epo, on a Saturday. I got to the hospital about 4.00pm that day with labour pains for the next six days. Then, the doctor attend-

is massive bleeding. Let’s cite an example: a woman delivers the child through a C-section and her womb refuses to contract. The uterus also refuses to contract. So, you try your best to make sure the uterus contracts, you give all sorts of injections, tablets and medications . Yet, the womb could refuse to contract. You will now have to rush the patient to the theatre. By the time you get to the theatre to remove the womb to save the life of the woman, she may have bled so

much that there is no enough blood to replace what she has lost. So, she may die. And there is nothing one could do about that, even as a specialist. For reasons like this, blood banking facilities are vital and that is why a woman needs to be really cautious who performs the CS on her. Another point is that some of the cases may have been mismanaged before they are brought to the hospitals. So, by the time they are brought to the medical doctor either at the private or a teaching hospital, the situation may have been critical. And you still have to section them to deliver the baby. For instance, a woman who has enclampsia, that is, high blood pressure (hypertension) plus convulsion, and is now in a coma, and from wherever she is being brought from; has been given ‘cow’s urine’, and other stuff as a form of local treatment, and on getting to the specialist already has renal failure and struggling for life, you have to suture her almost immediately. Now, you may save the baby but she may not come out of the coma alive. So, this would not necessarily be the mistake of the doctor that attended to her. So, most times complications arise out of the conditions already surrounding the patient.

ing to me recommended for me to be operated on. By the sixth day, the breathing level of the child had become so low and it was discovered that that wasn’t normal again.

And prior to that time, I had been tutored during the ante-natal period about our babies’ breathing levels; so, my husband and I gave our consent to have the CS on me.

“I was then injected at a particular spot on my back. Also, a portion on my spinal cord was also injected, which they said, was meant to deaden the cells from my lower abdomen to my upper part.

So, with the doctor’s explanation

of the procedure, I realise that I didn’t feel so much pains but only felt the touches of whatever was being done at that time. And by the virtue of the CS, I was confined to the bed for about 50 hours in a particular position. I was cautioned that if I don’t do as they said, I could suffer severe headache for many months to follow. I was sustained by nutrients from the drips I was given. Then, after the 50 hours, the pains started coming. I guess by then, the pain reliever I was given had waned.

The first two days wasn’t easy for me at all. I had to be helped by my

•Dr. Oluwole

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

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NEWS

under the obstretician’s knife

ing in my belly, you know, a little movement here and there, but not as frequent as it ought to be.

So, I was operated on, I think for about 35mins or so.

“My son’s head was already hanging between my legs and it as obvious I could not bring him forth. He was not coming out and the pain I was going through was so much. So, when they suggested CS, despite so many arguments between the medical officials, I knew I was left with little choice.

“After the CS, they told us that the placenta came ahead of the baby, which was considered abnormal. And besides that, she had her umbilical cord around her neck; and that it was because I was strangled inwardly that I could not feel any pains. They said she was being hindered two ways and that it took them a while to bring her back. Well, that was their explanation.” rs Christy Peters, 42, ca terer, who had all her three children through the C-section, said her first CS was faulty and made her have the second one through the same procedure.

She said: “For my second child, I had her through C-section because the first operation was faulty. Yes, the doctors admitted there was a problem. They suture broke down even before I was pregnant with the second child. I had an horizontal operation and the stitches inside opened on its own. They said that the place was weak.”

She said the cost of having a CS affects one’s family than can be imagined. You know, couples are often not prepared for the finan-

M

CS factsheet

35 Percentage of women for CS in US

90,000 1500 50

A mother may be on a bed for these hours

CS can cost this much or more or less

The year the first successful CS was done

32

2800

2000 800

No of weeks Ayelabola’s quintuplets ‘arrived’

No of average annual deliveries at LUTH

The no of average regular births at LUTH

cial costs of CS operations.

“We paid about N200, 000 for my first child. I was at the hospital for over one month due to complications with the delivery pack and medicines for my treatment. My second child, we spent about N75, 000 and for my last baby, we spent close to N80, 000, if not more.”

Men whose wives have had CS also shared their thoughts. A husband, who prefers anonymity, said: “What they do in Nigeria with CS is that they butcher women in the name of operations and it is largely for gains. I still feel for my wife each time I see that she cannot extend her body reflexes as other women who have their children through natural births. My wife’s stomach is so joined with stitches you cannot imagine this is a female’s body compared to if the operation is done in more advanced countries where you will barely notice the spot of the operation.”

In a Facebook questionnaire posted by The Nation, Mr. Adekun-

No of annual Caeserean Section at LUTH

le Mao, an engineering consultant, said: “I lost my first child to stillbirth and a serious complication after due to negligence and strike in a state-owned hospital in Ibadan. So, when my wife got pregnant again, we settled for UCH and two weeks to expected date of delivery, the doctors discovered that my wife could not be delivered of the pregnancy as the baby was very big . The activist in me ask the doctors the alternative to save mother and child and said CS. Today I am happy to tell you I am a proud father.”

Mr. Alex Kalejaiye, a journalist, said: “I was told there was a breach and that lives of mother and baby could be in danger, if CS was not carried out. In the case of my friend, he didn’t want the wife to go through the pain of child birth.

He asked for it twice.”

Caesarean Section is fast becoming a common operation in obstetric practice, especially in private health outfits. CS has become the

fad these days the world over.

While the likes of Adelade are angry they were made to go through CS, many women, especially in the developed world, ask for it to escape the pains of dilating.

It involves an obstetrician cutting into a woman’s uterus to extract the infant. According to reports, CS, at times, results in the death of the mother. The first successful CS was in 1500.

Today in the United States, Csections is said to be scheduled for over 30 per cent of all births. It is occurring at a range of 5 to 25 per cent of expectant mothers.

In Nigeria, there are no up-todate statistics. A World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria Country Profile, ‘Analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys DHS Nigeria 1999-2008 shows that “Caesarean section is one of the life saving emergency obstetric care when complications occur during childbirth. The latest data indicated that 1.7per cent of the overall births were delivered by C-section with a higher percentage of 5.2 CS births in the urban area against 3.1 CS births in the rural areas.”

A five-year appraisal result tagged: High caesarean section rate: a 10-year experience in a tertiary hospital in the Niger Delta, Nigeria, with the background ‘Caesarean section rate is rising worldwide and Nigeria is no exception’, stated: “The total delivery for the period under study was 5,153 and the total number of caesarean deliveries was 1,777 giving a caesarean section rate of 34.5per cent.

There was no definite trend in the yearly caesarean section rates. Majority of the cases were aged 25-29

(32per cent). Grandmultipara constituted 26.4per cent of the patients while 70.1per cent of cases presented at a gestational age range of 3742 weeks. Majority of the patients (59.5per cent) were unbooked for ante natal care. Dystocia (27.1per cent) was the commonest indication for caesarean section. Emergency abdominal delivery constituted 63.3per cent of cases while the common complications included wound breakdown, anaemia and endometritis. There were a total of 25 maternal deaths giving a case fatality rate of 1.4per cent. The leading causes of deaths were haemorrhage (36 per cent), infections (24 per cent), severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (24 per cent), cardiac arrest (12 per cent) and anaesthesia related complication (4per cent).”

Olajide counselled against CS for profit’s sake. She said: “I think they should limit CS to when a woman and her baby’s life are in danger. CS shouldn’t be something merely prescribed for women on frivolous excuse.”

Mrs Peters said: “I will advocate that women should be allowed to go through normal delivery as much as possible. The pains of CS are usually unbearable. In normal delivery, a woman forgets the pains once the child is born; but in CS, the woman goes through excruciating pains. It is hard for her to get up and carry her child, let alone, do other things. My baby would be crying; I would be looking for somebody to help me with her. I could not even stand on my feet. To breastfeed my baby was a hard task because I was instructed that I could only do that on a fixed position for many days.”

Fed Govt urged not to aggravate Niger Delta’s environmental challenges

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HE Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/ FoEN) has warned the Federal Government against aggravating the environmental challenges in the Niger Delta.

ERA/FoEN caution, in a statement issued in Benin to commemorate the 16th anniversary of the murder of the Ogoni leaders, said new oil fields were capable of instigating the kind of crisis which led to the killing of the Ogoni leaders.

The anniversary coincided with the

release of a new report by Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) en titled ‘Memory, Truth and Justice for Heroes in the Resistance against Mining Oil and Gas’.

The report exposes the murders of many human rights and environmental activists all over the world for defending their rights and natural resources.

ERA’s Executive Director Nnimmo Bassey said: “Ken Saro-Wiwa died because of the world’s addiction to fossil fuels. His words still ring true in our ears today. This is

why we set November 10 as a day of remembrance of the victims of mining, oil and gas. We demand that those who have orchestrated the murder of people for the sake of profits should be held to account.

We also demand environmental justice and an end to fossil fuels: be it crude, tar sands or coal.

“It is so absurd that in spite of the misery inflicted on the people of Ogoniland by Shell, this administration is yet to demonstrate the political will to bring the violator to book. It is no wonder that three

months after the submission of the United Nations Environmental Programme Assessment (UNEP) of Saro-Wiwa’s homeland in Ogoni, there is nothing to show that government will compel Shell to clean up its mess. This is simply outrageous.”

Coordinator of the Resisting Mining, Oil and Gas programme of Friends of the Earth International,Romel de Vera, said: “We condemn the fact that many governments favour and protect the interests of extractive industry

corporations instead of the right of communities to land and resources. The list of community rights defenders, environmentalists and social activists killed in the course of their struggle against mining, oil and gas continues to grow even longer. On November 10, remembrance actions are held all over the world to commemorate their heroism and celebrate their lives and struggles, as well as to condemn the culture and cycle of death forced upon us by the extractives industry.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

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NEWS Doctors’ licences won’t be renewed

‘Fed Govt not doing enough to curtail bombings’

By Oyeyemi GbengaMustapha

By Joke Kujenya

THE President, Association of Industrial Safety and Operators of Nigeria (AISSON), Dr Ona Ekhonu, yesterday criticised the Federal Government’s non-chalance over the spate of bombings in parts of the country.

He noted that the government’s strategies at curtailing the activities of the Boko Haram Islamic sect in the Northeast are ineffective.

The security expert said to combat the activities of the sect, the government needs effective knowledge-based, terrorism-combating tactics.

In a statement in Lagos, Ekhonu said there is need for the government to conduct detailed risk analyses and operational risk management strategies to deal with known threats.

He said: “Force protection measures must be put in place to protect law enforcement officers from assassination by the Islamic sect.”

According to him, it is because the Boko Haram menace is incorrectly assessed that security agencies are misinformed about their activities and politicians underrated them.

Ekhonu said: “Government’s security forces must engage experienced and credentialed security consultants to develop and conduct detailed risk assessments in order to provide technical and procedural counter-measures to provide adequate force protection measures.

“The Boko Haram members have shown, by the high fatality rate they have caused, that they are hell’s angels on a mission to kill innocent Nigerians. With the death toll of about 200 people, that’s too high to bear. “

Army promotes 25 Maj.-Generals, 43 Brig.-Generals From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

THE Army has announced the promotion of 25 BrigadierGenerals to the rank of MajorGenerals and 43 Colonels to the rank of BrigadierGenerals.

Among the new MajorGenerals are the Director Army Public Relations, Raphael Isa and the Commander of the Anti– Kidnapping outfit in Abia State - OP Jubilee, Sylvester Audu.

The others are: the Commander, 3 Brigade, Kano, Emmanuel Abejirin; and the Director Military Intelligence (DMI), A.T. Jibrin.

A statement by Colonel Usman Abdul of the Army Headquarters said the promotions were in line with the transformation agenda of the Goodkuck Jonathan administration.

The statement reads: “In line with its new ORBAT and in pursuit of the ongoing Nigerian Army Transformation Agenda, the Army Council has approved the promotion of 43 Colonels to the rank of BrigadierGenerals while 25 BrigadierGenerals have also been promoted to the rank of Major-Generals.”

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•From left: Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Audu Ogbe; Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; and Rev. Fr. Godfrey Nzamuyo, the Director of Songhai Centre of Excellence, Benin Republic, after a presentation to the governor on how to revive agriculture in the state…yesterday

Fuel subsidy: SSS detains youth leader over planned protest T HE State Security Service (SSS) yesterday detained the President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), James Olawale Ajani, over plans by the group to protest the proposed removal of oil subsidy by the Federal Government.

Ajani arrived the Abuja office of the SSS by noon and was questioned over tomorrow’s protest against subsidy removal.

NYCN Programme Officer Comrade Success Olayemi confirmed the detention of Ajani, saying Nigerian youths would still go ahead with the protest.

Olayemi said he deliberately accompanied Ajani to the SSS office but decided to stay within the premises since they had envisaged that he might

•’Why youths will go on hunger strike’ From Yusuf Ali and Bukola Amusan, Abuja

be detained.

As at the time of filing this report, the NYCN leader was still being held.

Ajani had said youths would go on hunger strike tomorrow to show their displeasure over the fuel subsidy removal.

He told The Nation yesterday in Abuja that the Federal Government should jettison the planned subsidy removal and face other pressing issues such as the Boko Haram sect that has been killing innocent Ni-

gerians in the North.

Ajani said: “The hunger strike is a peaceful protest Nigerian youths are using to show their displeasure and shock over the planned demonic removal of fuel subsidy. Nigerian youths are saying they are already hungry, and we are going on hunger strike to protest and kick against it.

“It is painful to imagine the untold hardship the fuel subsidy removal will cause. Nigerian youths will stand together on the 11th day of the 11th month of Year 2011 to say

‘NO’ to fuel subsidy removal.”

But the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) described the arrest as a move to intimidate Nigerians not to resist the withdrawal.

It urged the Federal Government to prepare its detention for more activists, who are expected to be arrested over the matter. A statement by the President of the TMG, Comrade Moshood Erubami, said: “The arrest is the first signal of what await the Nigerian activists under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration since it is definite that Nigerians will react to the various painful impositions lined up to be unleashed to increase the burden of the masses.”

ROM next January, doctors who do not attend the Continuing Medical Education Programme (CMEP) or score a mandatory 20 points will not have their medical licences renewed with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), the Guild of Medical Directors said yesterday.

The Chairman of CMEP, Dr Festus Oshoba, addressed reporters on its forthcoming 19th national annual general meeting with the theme: The Business of Public/Private Healthcare.

He said the guild, which comprises medical directors of private and public hospitals, took the decision to ensure that patients get quality healthcare services from physicians.

Oshoba said: “This is why the MDCN has said all medics should attend continuous education programmes and score 20 points and another five points from participation.”

The Chairman of the guild, Dr Oluwatoyin Oredugba, noted that the essence of the CMEP is to guarantee that physicians are rooted in their areas of specialisation to keep abreast of developments.

He said: “Some (medics) have been found out that they do not update their knowledge in the face of drug resistance and emerging and re-emerging diseases.

“As healthcare providers, we want to encourage doctors of various fields to come and update their knowledge in the management of patients at this annual general meeting.”

‘N8.6 billion stalls primary health care projects’ BOUT N8.6 billion primary healthcare projects have been abandoned, a former Acting Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Emmanuel Abanida, said yesterday.

Abanida spoke in Abuja when he handed over to the new Executive Director, Dr. Ado Muhammad. He said budgetary delays and non-release of funds have been the major challenges militating against the completion of the projects over the years.

Highlighting the challenges

A

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

he faced during his tenure which lasted three months and three weeks, Abanida said many state governments were not fully committed to the polio eradication and immunisation programmes.

To change the trend, he suggested a written agreement among federal, state and local governments so that each party would know what is expected of it.

Abanida said: “We have challenges that are supposed to be technical but they are

political. This is an evidence of what we inherited for a long time. Since 2001, we have had projects scattered all over the country with various degrees of completion to the tune of N8.6 billion.

“Each time we go to the National Assembly during budget defence, we have a huge impress because of this and it becomes difficult. Even if money is available, the money comes late at such a time when it is impossible to do anything.

“So, the money has to be returned to the treasury. And when it is returned, the projects

become abandoned.”

On the supports from various parties, he said: “We had challenges at times with collaboration with governors.

In the area of polio eradication, the political leadership at the federal level is very high and at the global level, we have received almost maximum support. At the state level, the story sometimes is good and sometimes bad.

“Most of the governors don’t support except on the pages of newspapers. As a result, we had a lot of challenges. There should be an

agreement among the federal government, state governments and local governments to show what the state governments are supposed to do and what the local governments are supposed to do.”

Muhammad promised that his team would build on the achievements of his predecessors and tackle the challenges of the agency.

He said: “We would continue to push for the interruption of the wild polio virus transmission as a national priority, alongside expanding and sustaining the midwifery service scheme.”

NDLEA arrests two Togolese, five others at cannabis farm

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FFICIALS of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Oyo State have arrested seven suspects, including two Togolese, for cannabis cultivation.

They destroyed a cannabis plantation measuring 80.93 hectares.

The farms, which were uncovered following an intelligence report, are said to be located at Tola village in Akinyele Local Government Area. It shares borders with Ijeerun village in Ido Local Government Area.

The suspects were reportedly arrested inside tents at the cannabis plantation.

The NDLEA is also on the trail of other major cannabis

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

farmers in the state.

It was learnt that the plantation is the largest ever discovered by the Oyo command of the anti-drug agnecy.

The state Commander, Suleiman Jadi, said the command was happy with the discovery and destruction of the farms.

He said: “We are very pleased with this operation, considering the size of the plantation. It means that supply will be drastically reduced. What we have done is to attack the source of supply.

Seven major cannabis farmers, including two Togolese, were arrested in connection with the plantation. Nine oth-

‘We are very pleased with this operation, considering the size of the plantation. It means that supply will be drastically reduced’ ers are also on our wanted list.”

Jadi gave the names of the suspects as Ali Wasiu, 23, a Togolese; Kojo Benjamin, 25, another Togolese; Godwin Liwhu, 56, from Cross River State; and Lawrence Akeh, 35, also from Cross River.

Others are: Raphael Abejide, 33, from Kogi State; Gabriel Okedotun, 30, from Oyo State;

and Sylvester Indo, 47, from Cross River State.

The challenges facing the command, according to Jadi, include lack of operational vehicles and funds.

He said between January and October, the state command arrested 213 suspected drug dealers and seized 15,243.582kilogrammes of cannabis.

Thirty-two of the suspects, he said, have been convicted while other cases are pending.

Jadi said 63 cannabis users have been counselled while others are undergoing counselling and rehabilitation.

Two cannabis plantations were earlier this year destroyed in Oluyole Local Gov-

ernment Area. One of them at Ibuso Forest was about four hectares and the other at Gambari Forest Reserve was 20 hectares.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Ahmadu Giade urged the public not to withhold information about drug barons, saying nobody is immune to the activities of drug cartels.

He said: “Cannabis cultivation affects food security in the country. I, therefore, appeal to all stakeholders not to withhold information that will enhance our operations. Imagine the negative impact if those farms were not discovered by the agency. Our economy will not only suffer, even innocent citizens will ultimately be affected.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

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NEWS Ogun tribunal upholds PDP lawmakers’ election From Dada Aladelokun, Assistant Editor

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HE National and State Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, yesterday nullified the election of the member representing Remo North at the House of Assembly, John Obafemi of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN).

It declared Samuel Osinmade of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the election.

The tribunal said 300 votes cast for the PDP were recorded in favour of Obafemi. Osinmade polled 4,080 votes against Obafemi’s 4,045.

Also, the panel, chaired by Justice Elizabeth Karatu-Abebe, upheld the election of Yemi Harrison (PDP) in Ogun Waterside State Constituency. Harrison’s election was challenged by Yomi Harrison of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

It also upheld the election of Bowale Olayinka Solaja (PDP) representing Ijebu-North 1 (Ijebu-Igbo) .

Solaja’s election was challenged by Sylvester Abiodun Adeniyi (ACN), who claimed that the respondent had not attained the age of 30 as stipulated by the Electoral Act.

Oyo to increase IGR to N5b From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

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HE Oyo State Government has concluded plans to increase its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N1.2 billion to N5 billion in the next six months.

It said it has taken steps to block loopholes in the system.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Taxation, Mr. Femi Awakan, spoke with The Nation in Ibadan, the state capital, yesterday.

Court rules on petition against Ajimobi today T

HE Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, will, today, deliver judgment in the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) petition challenging the election of Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

PDP claims that Ajimobi was not qualified to contest the election because he allegedly possesses the dual citizenship of the United States and Nigeria.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was also joined in the petition.

Counsel had earlier adopted their written addresses before the threeman panel, headed by Justice Muazu Pindiga.

Counsel to the petitioner Nathaniel Oke (SAN) said none of the respondents called any witness to debunk the claims and urged the tribunal to declare the PDP’s candidate, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, win-

•Party: no case against governor

‘

All they brought to this tribunal indicated that the first respondent is a Nigerian and I urge this tribunal to dismiss the petition with cost

‘

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

ner of the election, having scored the second highest number of votes cast.

But Ajimobi’s counsel Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), said the petitioner did not

show any proof in support of its petition.

He said: “All they brought to this tribunal indicated that the first respondent is a Nigerian and I urge this tribunal to dismiss the petition with cost.”

Also, the leadership of the Action Alliance (AA) has said it does not have any case against Ajimobi.

The National Chairman of the party, Senator Suleiman Salawu, said the candidate of a leading opposition party in the state had gone to the tribunal to present a petition the AA had withdrawn, adding that the opposition party had no locus standi to do so.

Salawu spoke yesterday, when he visited Ajimobi. He was accompanied by the

State Executive of the party.

Salawu described those who went to present the petition as “pull-him-down politicians and anti-progressive elements.”

He said Ajimobi ranks among the 10 best governors in the nation, adding that the decision of the AA to support Ajimobi was borne out of his popularity among the people of the state.

Salawu said the Ajimobi administration is focused and people-oriented, and urged other opposition parties to support the governor in developing the state.

He said AA has found a soul mate in the Ajimobi administration and would never support attempts to pull down a progressive government.

Ajimobi said AA’s support would strengthen the relationship between his administration and progressive-minded politicians in the state.

Mimiko’s ex-aide joins ACN

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FORMER Special Adviser to Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Mr. Saka Lawal, and his supporters have joined the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

They were received on Tuesday by ACN leaders at Okeagbe, Akoko North Local Government Area.

Lawal and his wife, Oluranti, were registered by the ACN Chairman of Ese-Afin Ward, Mr. Raphael Fadunmiye.

Lawal, one of the six men who pioneered the Labour Party (LP) in the state, said he left LP because the party had no structure.

He said: “If the governor offends you, there is no leader or organ to report to; it is a one man show. But ACN is a progressive party with responsible leaders, who always listen to the people.

“As you all know, I started my political career in Alliance for Democracy (AD), a progressive party. So I retraced my steps back to the progressive fold, after seven

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

years of sojourn in political wilderness.

“I have come to join hands with fellow progressives in the Southwest to strengthen our regional integration.”

Lawal lamented that the LP government has, in the last three years, been working on only Oba Adesida road in Akure, the state capital, at the expense of other communities.

He said: “The love for my community precipitated my defection to ACN. Immediately Mimiko was sworn into office, I told him Akoko roads must be repaired, but till date, they remain the most deplorable in the Southwest.”

Lawal urged ACN members to put their ambitions aside and concentrate on strengthening the party’s structure.

The Chairman, ACN Contact and Mobilisation Committee, Mr. Ade Adetimehin, who represented the State Chairman, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose, said: “Lawal’s declaration for our party is a home

•Lawal (middle) and his wife (left) receiving the ACN symbol from Fadunmiye....yesterday coming for a progressive. He is one of the biggest fishes in the LP ocean that ACN’s net has caught.

“I promised that the party leaders will do everything

Amaechi for Ekiti workshop

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ACN assures Lagosians of security

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HE Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has assured Lagosians that the State government will guarantee their safety.

The party said the Governor Babatunde Fashola administration has put security measures in place to ensure the safety of people.

In a statement, ACN’s Publicity Secretary Joe Igbokwe condemned the failure of security agencies to curb insurgent groups.

ACN said: “We are aware of the serious danger Nigerians face in the rising incidences of insecurity, which have so completely overwhelmed our security agencies that Nigerians only await the next case.

“We assure Lagosians that the government has put in place adequate measures to forestall any threat to Lagosians and we urge residents to cooperate by providing information about any security threats to security agencies.”

event included the party’s Chairman in Akoko Northwest, Pastor Dayo Bello; Chief F. I. Ayegbusi; former Commissioner for Works Erastus Akeju; and Dr. Tunji Abay-

omi.

Others were the state Woman Leader, Erelu Modupe Johnson; State Youth Leader Mohammed Enas; Mr. Otito Atikase; and Mr. Olugbenga Omole.

Fayemi condemns abuse of budget process

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

IVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi will deliver the keynote address at a two-day workshop of the Ekiti State Peer Review Mechanism (SPRM) today.

The programme will be opened by Governor Kayode Fayemwi at Adetiloye Hall of the Trade Fair Complex in AdoEkiti, the state capital.

possible to make ACN habitable for Lawal and his followers, who have retraced their steps home from political slavery.”

Other ACN chieftains at the

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KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has blamed Nigeria’s underdevelopment on misplaced budget priorities.

Fayemi spoke on the subject: “Understanding Budget Process and Contemporary Issues in Ekiti State,” yesterday at Iloko Ijesa, Osun State, during a workshop organised by the British Department for International Development

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

(DFID) for members of the Ekiti House of Assembly.

He regretted that over the years, the budget process has been abused, while lawmakers take advantage of such abuse by processing appropriation bills to include projects that could hardly be supported by the state’s revenue.

Fayemi said transparent budgeting would make government accountable and aid development.

He urged the lawmakers to take advantage of the workshop to make the 2012 budget and subsequent ones pragmatic, responsive and implementable.”

The governor said: “I urge you all to allow the social and infrastructure demands of

your constituencies to provoke your creative disposition in meeting current challenges and ensure a focus on revenue generation that will support the development direction of this administration.”

Fayemi thanked DFID and promised that his administration would continue to provide leadership that guarantees transparency and development.

ACN slams Ogun PDP over claims of neglect

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ogun State has debunked claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the Yewa people were left out in the state government’s Rapid Youth Employment Scheme.

In a statement, ACN Publicity Secretary Mr. Sola Law-

al said the claim lacks substance, adding that no administration in the state has created jobs for youths more than the Governor Ibikunle Amosun Administration.

Lawal said: “The PDP administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel, at its weird best, executed irregular appointment of school leavers in the

twilight of its eight years disservice to the people.

“At its worst however, the Daniel administration armed misguided youths against each other and against opponents.

“In an economy suffering from poverty and unemployment, the creation of 10, 000

jobs by any administration, less than six months in office, is no mean feat.

“In this kind of scenario, the noblest thing for the PDP in Ogun State to do is to bury their head in shame for the avoidable jeopardy brought on the people for eight years.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

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NEWS Ex-militant gets South African job

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N ex-militant was yesterday employed in South Africa after a successful training in earth-moving machine operation.

The Southern African correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Amos Malumi was offered employment as a crane operator, having undergone a six-month training at Wal Training School, Cape Town, South Africa.

The Chief Executive Officer, Summit Crane Hire of South Africa, Michael Grant, told NAN at the graduation of the 21 ex-militants that Malumi was employed because of his maturity and understanding of crane opera-

tion.

The beneficiary commended President Goodluck Jonathan for giving ex-militants the opportunity to acquire the skill.

Malumi said: “We thank God for a successful six months training.

“Our appreciation also goes to the President and the people for the privileges given us.

“What the government has done for us is highly commendable; we are given opportunity to have a second chance for a decent future.’’

Twenty-one ex-militants were trained in mobile crane, folk lift, digger ladder and tower crane operation under the Federal Government Amnesty Programme.

Activists caution Jonathan From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

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HE National Coalition for Good Governance (NACOGAD) yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to allow a level playing field in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary in Bayelsa State.

The group said failure to allow a level playing field portends grave consequences for Bayelsa State and the stability of the country.

Addressing a conference in Abuja, NACOGAD’s National Co-ordinator, Musa Ahmed, said the group is worried that President Jonathan’s “hard-earned reputation is under threat and on the threshold of being abused by crass opportunists and political warlords who are bandying his name, right, left and centre.”

Musa said the group is also worried about the internal affairs of the PDP in Bayelsa and the President’s perceived role in the crisis engulfing the party in the state.

He said: “The office of the President is a sacred national institution that should never be profaned.

“These colourless characters, by the way and manner they are acting, stand to do this. We cannot watch idly by for them to succeed, hence this open letter to you.”

Fake policemen held in Akwa Ibom

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HE police in Akwa Ibom State yesterday paraded six suspected armed robbers at its command in Ikot Akpan-Abia.

Three of the robbers posed as policemen and the rest reportedly posed as drivers.

The Commissioner of Police, Solomon Arase, said the three ‘fake policemen’ were arrested with the help of youths of Mbak Ikot Ebo in Uyo Local Government.

Arase said the command found a black Vento Volkswagen with number DS 758 ENG that was used by the gang.

Items recovered from the ‘fake policemen’ include one Police Identity Card; one Police Helmet and a Police Photograph.

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

His words: “Ndifreke Nkereuwem, Samule Effiong Okon and Aniedi Mfon John who pose as policemen and extorted money from Asuquo Ekpenyong of Mbak Ikot Ebo villag have been arrested by the command with the help of the youths from the village.

“Also arrested was a three member-gang which specialises in robbing passengers.

Two women and a man from Enugu State.

“Ugochukwu Ani, Chioma Okoro and Anita James were arrested at the Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Corporation on Calabar/Itu Highway.”

Bus drivers protest in Rivers From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

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ANY commuters were stranded yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as commercial bus drivers kept their buses off the road to protest frequent arrests of their members by the police.

Workers and school children, who resumed after the twoday public holidays, trekked to their schools and places of work.

It was gathered that the protest followed a clash between the drivers and men of the Rivers State Police Command at Mile 3 on Ikwerre Road, Port Harcourt.

Yesterday’s protest was not the first time drivers had clashed with the police.

But the situation was aggravated when the drivers learnt that three of their members had allegedly died in detention.

There were no buses on many roads in Port Harcourt, especially between Mile 1 and Mile 3 axis.

But the drivers were seen singing protest songs. They called for the intervention of the government.

The drivers alleged that three of their members,who were arrested by the police, had died in detention.

The drivers were also aggrieved that some policemen always demand N200 from them everyday for parking in prohibited areas.

•From left: Accounts Director, Lowe Lintas, Ms.Elo Iyayi; Executive Director, Client Services, Lowe Lintas, Ottah Kalu; Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Nicolaas Vervelde; Marketing Director Jacco Van der Linden and Executive Vice Chairman, Lowe Lintas, Erabor Emokpae, displaying trophies won by Star and Maltina Television Commercials at the Lagos Ideas Festival (LAIF), held at Civic Centre, Vitoria Island, Lagos.

Edo actor allegedly killed by wife

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Benin, Edo State, actor,Daniel Iyamu, has been re-

portedly murdered in his sleep by his wife.

The incident happened at their No 1 Agonse Street, Ugbihoko Quarters, Egor North East Local Government home.

Iyamu was also the Public Relations Officer of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

He was found dead in his bed after neighbours forced his door open.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Sources said his children alerted neighbours that their father was yet to get up at about 10am.

They broke the door and found Iyamu injured on the head.

The late actor’s daughter, Faith, who is a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, told reporters that their mother was suffering from a mental illness, which their father had been treating since last year.

The late Iyamu’s wife, Grace, was arrested by the police after she reportedly confessed that she hit her husband with a pestle.

She was found unconscious in another room and was revived before being taken away by the police.

The policemen prevented angry residents from lynching her.

SUBEB Chairman Sir Joseph Emoabino confirmed the death, describing it as regrettable.

He said the police should be allowed to conclude their

investigations.

It was gathered that the police have arrested several suspects in connection with the murder.

Police spokesman Ahwara Ejiroro confirmed the incident.

He said: “It is true that somebody was killed and the case has been reported.

“We are still investigating.

The wife is also being questioned.

“We will let you know what we find out from the investigation.”

‘Federal Govt must clear Saro-Wiwa, others of murder’

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S Ogoni people mark the 16th anniversary of the hanging of renowned environmentalist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others today, the Federal Government has been urged to clear them of murder.

The Convener of the Ogoni Civil Society Platform (OCSP), Mike Karikpo, made the call yesterday at a news conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

OCSP accused President Goodluck Jonathan and the Federal Government of nonimplementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Pro-

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

gramme’s (UNEP’s) report.

The report was submitted three months ago.

It implored the Federal Government to contract UNEP, set a clear timeline for the rigorous implementation of the recommendations, especially the cleanup of Ogoniland.

It said the report review committee, headed by Petroleum Minister Deziani Alison-Madueke, should be disbanded.

The group pleaded with the United Nations to prevail on the Federal Govern-

ment to urgently address the critical human health crisis across the Niger Delta, caused by hydrocarbon/ crude oil pollution.

To show the seriousness of the issues raised, letters were sent to the President and the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon.

Saro-Wiwa; Barinem Kiobel; John Kpuinen; Baribor Bera,; Nordu Eawo; Saturday Doobe; Paul Levura; Daniel Gbokoo and Felix Nuate were hanged on November 10, 1995 during the regime of late Gen Sani Abacha, while struggling for justice in the Niger Delta.

•Late Saro-Wiwa

The group reminded President Jonathan that the Ogoni, other communities in the Niger Delta and posterity would hold him responsible if he fails to take action to stop the avoidable deaths, in the face of the damning report from UNEP.

Ijaw National Congress leader removed

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HE President of the umbrella organisation of Ijaw people, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Atuboyedia Obianime, has been removed.

Obianime, who is a lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), hails from Okrika, headquarters of Okrika Local Government of Rivers State.

The impeached INC president was recently attacked by unknown gunmen near UNIPORT and was flown abroad by the Rotimi Amaechi-led administration for more treatment.

INC’s spokesman Victor

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Burubo, in a text message yesterday, said Obianime was impeached for gross misconduct.

Burubo said: “The impeachment was carried out at a sitting of the highest Ijaw legislative body, the National Representative Council (NRC).

“The body impeached Prof.

Obianime after it adopted the recommendations of a panel of investigation, made up of all former presidents of INC and prominent Ijaw leaders, which investigated various charges of gross misconduct against him.

‘The gathering of Ijaw leaders also accepted the panel’s recommendation that Obianime should refund the money’ “The panel’s report and recommendations, which were read out by the Chairman (of the panel), Prof.

Kimse Okoko (Obianime’s predecessor ) were accepted

at the NRC’s meeting.

“When the leader of the NRC, Mrs. Marie Ebikake, asked for a counter motion to Obianime’s impeachment, none was forthcoming.

“The gathering of Ijaw leaders also accepted the panel’s recommendation that Obianime should refund the money. “ The leaders also called for further investigation of the national treasurer.”

Burubo, later in a telephone interview, said INC’s Vice President Joshua Benamesia would be the Acting President.

Obianime could not be reached for comments.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Naira weakens as CBN intervenes

25,000bpd crude shut in as fire guts Shell‘s pipeline

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HE naira weakened against the United States dollar at the interbank yesterday, after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) failed to meet the demand for the greenback at its bi-weekly auction, dealers said.

The naira, according to Reuters News closed at N158.30 to the dollar on the interbank market, down from Friday’s close of N157.50.

A separate intervention by the bank after the auction helped lift the naira up N157.51 to the greenback during trading, but was not enough to offset the supply gap, dealers said.

The bank sold an undisclosed amount of dollars to some lenders during that intervention.

At the auction, the apex bank sold $100 million at N152.82 to the dollar, short of the $417.18 million demanded.

Last Wednesday, it sold $180 million at N150.73, short of $262.96 million demanded.

MTN Group to spend $1b on 3G wireless stations

There should be a policy that will encourage oil and gas, telecoms and agric companies, among others, to come into the market to further boost recovery drive.

-Oscar Onyema, CEO, NSE

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PIPELINE fire, which broke out yesterday on the Okordia/ Rumuekpe oil pipeline belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), has disrupted production of about 25,000 barrels per day (bpd).

Shell’s spokesman, Mr Precious Okolobo, confirmed to The Nation that the fire on the pipeline in Ikarama, Bayelsa State, started a day after the company received reports of an oil spill there.

“SPDC confirmed reports of a fire incident this morning on the Okordia/ Rumuekpe line and has effectively mobilised a fire-fighting team to the site. Some production has been shut down,” he said.

He declined to disclose the volume of production that was affected, but a reliable company source said the capacity of Okordia-Rumuekpe line is about 25,000barrels per day.

“I can confirm to you that the fire has burnt out even

Stories by Ayodele Aminu, Group Business Editor

though the community youths prevented out fire fighters access to the site,” he said.

Okolobo, however, said a joint investigation visit planned for tomorrow (today) would determine the cause, impact and implication of the fire.

In August this year, 33kilometre Okordia – Rumuekpe pipeline suffered six oil spills.

A fire broke out at one of the six spill sites on August 18, but was later put out by the company.

Shell said the August spills were caused by “hacksaw cuts by unknown persons”.

The six leaks had been repaired, before the latest incident, though there were speculations that the crude oil was not properly cleaned up.

The 33-kilometre line receives crude oil from two flowstations, which were shut down as SPDC worked to repair the leaks.

The oil company is facing increasing attacks and other acts of sabotage, which had subsided, after the amnesty programme organised for repentant militants.

There is increasing incidents of environmentally devastating oil spills across the Niger Delta.

In many cases, oil output is disrupted by sabotage attacks on facilities and by bunkering - the tapping of pipelines to steal oil.

Local community leader Washington Odoyibo told Reuters he had contacted Shell about the Ikarama oil spill on Monday, and that the fire had actually broken out late on Tuesday night.

He said he had received reliable reports that local youths sabotaged the pipeline.

“I can say this is sabotage ...

And as member of this community, I don’t like it,” he said.

“The boys, who did it, are protesting that a surveillance security contact was given to

a company owned by exmilitant leaders,” he added, referring to the Niger Delta militants who made peace with the government under amnesty in 2009.

He said local youths were also upset at what they saw was too low a fee for some surveillance work they had done for Shell.

The company blamed pipeline sabotage for a force majeure it placed on exports of Forcados oil in October, the same month it lifted a force majeure on exports of Bonny Light after a spate of hacksaw attacks on pipelines.

Force majeure excuses a party from liability if some unforeseen event beyond its control prevents it from performing its obligations under the contract.

Nigeria’s high-quality oil is 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.

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COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$115.3/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N6.503 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -10.3% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.8% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $32.820b CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

-

FOREX

0.2954 208 241.00 150 1.9179 236 39.9152

From Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor

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GGRIEVED M-tel creditors are set to protest at the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) for the bureau to pay the N500 million owed contractors.

The group’s leaders, Kabiru Musa and Sylvester Onwuna, said M-tel creditors have resolved to embark on the demonstration because “BPE has squandered the seven-day period of grace given it by our members, which expired on Friday, October 28, 2011, adding that “any moment from now, our members will embark on sustained protests at different locations within the capital city to compel the BPE to pay us our money,” they said in a statement yesterday.

The M-tel creditors have also decided “to mobilise and co-opt for joint action, about 347 counterpart creditors who executed contracts for NITEL about the same period, but who are still being owed by the BPE as well as solicit the sympathy of Nigerians who share in our distress and who abhor man’s inhumanity to fellow man, to join us in the protest to demand for justice,” it said.

‘Helios’ll not run Multi-Links for long’

TN Group Ltd. (MTN) plans to spend about 8 billion rand ($1 billion) to increase the number of thirdgeneration wireless stations for faster data transmission in South Africa, and may install quicker technology if the government approves a license next year.

“Data is the future,” Lambo Kanagaratnam, chief technology officer at the South African unit, said in an interview at the AfricaCom conference in the southern city of Cape Town. “Within the next two years we will more than double the 3G base stations in the country.”

DATA STREAM

M-tel creditors to protest N500m BPE debt

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• From Right: Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga presenting a gift to China's Vice-Minister for Commerce, Fu Ziying at a meeting in China ... yesterday.

S&P revises Nigeria banks’, economic risks

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TANDARD & Poor’s (S&P), one of the world’s leading credit rating agencies, has revised its Banking Industry Country Risk Assessment (BICRA) on Nigeria to group ‘8’ from ‘9’.

It is also revised the country’s economic risk score to ‘8’ from ‘9’ and assigned an industry risk score of ‘7’.

These positive developments came less than two months after foremost rating agency - Fitch Ratings - revised the country’s rating to stable from negative and just about two weeks after it amended the Lagos State’s long-term foreign currency rating outlook to stable from negative.

A BICRA analysis for a country covers rated and unrated financial institutions

that take deposits, extend credit, or engage in both activities. It is scored on a scale from one to 10, ranging from the lowest-risk banking systems (group one) to the highest-risk (group 10). Other countries in BICRA group ‘8’ include Argentina, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Kazakhstan.

In a statement yesterday, Standard & Poor’s said: “We have reviewed the banking sector of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (B+/Stable/B) in light of our updated BICRA methodology. Our criteria define the BICRA framework as one “designed to evaluate and compare global banking systems.

“Our economic risk score of ‘8’ reflects our opinion that Nigeria has a “very high risk” in “economic resil-

ience,” a “high risk” in terms of “economic imbalances,” and a “very high risk” in “credit risk in the economy,” as our criteria define those terms.”

Justifying the new score, the credit rating agency noted that Nigeria is a country with high political risk, low Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, and large infrastructure needs, all factors that contribute to a volatile and risky operating environment for banks. “Nigeria has large natural resources, low government debt, and high economic growth potential, which partly mitigate these risks. The slow recovery of the domestic economy has slowed credit growth and kept the stock market muted, limiting economic imbalances.

“In our view, credit risk in

the economy is very high because of Nigeria’s low wealth levels, the banks’ track record of relaxed underwriting standards, industry concentrations, and a weak payment culture. Nevertheless, financial support from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON; not rated) helped reduce credit risk.

AMCON was created to stabilise the financial system by buying up non-performing loans from Nigerian banks. It bought $9.5 billion of nonperforming loans since it was created in mid-2010.

“Our industry risk score of ‘7’ for Nigeria is based on our opinion that the country faces “very high risk” in its “institutional framework” and “competitive dynamics,” and “intermediate risk” in “system wide funding,” as our criteria define those terms.”

ELIOS Towers Nige ria, the firm that bought South Africa’s Telkom stake in Nigeria’s Multi-Links for $10 million, said yesterday that it does not expect to keep operating the company in the long term.

According to Reuters News, the Nigerian unit of Helios Towers Africa - which builds, buys and rents towers used by mobile operators - partly owned MultiLinks together with Telkom, but blocked the South African operator’s attempts to offload its shareholding in the loss-making venture to a third party earlier this year.

“We wouldn’t become a network operator because we’ll end up competing with our customers, which is something not to do,” Charles Green, chief executive of Helios Towers Africa, told a conference.

“So, our ownership of the assets that came along in the debt equity swap is a matter of convenience. We will end up having another operator who operates the assets.”

Telkom, which paid $410 million for Multi-Links, had decided to shut down the business, Green said.

Multi-Links is one of the few CDMA operators in a market dominated by the rival Global Systems for Mobile communication (GSM) standard.

“It has just been a financial transaction to allow Telkom SA a graceful exit from Nigeria,” Green said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

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MONEY LINK

Nigeria has highest consumer optimism, says BBC poll

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IGERIA has the highest pro portion of consumer opti mism, a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) survey, has shown.

The exercise, done as part of a 25-nation poll, and conducted by GlobeScan for BBC World Service, indicated that the economic sentiment in the African countries, surveyed, including Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria, is the most positive overall, compared to other regions.

The poll of 25,438 people, was conducted between July and September, this year. Respondents were asked to say whether they expect good or bad economic times in the next year, and also over the next five years.

Globally, consumers in many of the world’s major industrialised economies are pessimistic about economic prospects in their countries, while those in emerging economies are much more upbeat.

On average, 59 per cent of African respondents predict that economic conditions during the next 12 months will be “good” or “mostly good,” while only 14 per cent, said they expect bad economic times. This optimistic sentiment is found consistently in each of the four African countries surveyed.

Nigeria, is the country with by far the highest proportion of optimists among all countries surveyed (72 per cent), and the percentage has increased by 11 points since 2010. Respondents from the three other African countries surveyed, also have majorities who think their country will experience “good” or “mostly good” times in the year ahead, above the proportions in any other surveyed country: 57 per cent in Egypt, 55 per cent in Kenya and 53 per cent in Ghana.

Like Nigerians, Kenyans and Ghanaians are much more upbeat FGN BONDS

From Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor (Abuja)

about economic prospects in their countries compared to 2010 (24 per cent more optimists in Kenya, 13 per cent more in Ghana).

most three in four (74 per cent) saying they anticipate “continuous” or “mostly” good economic conditions.

They are closely followed by Nigerians (73 per cent, up 10 points

The longer-term picture also showed buoyant sentiment among Africans, especially in Egypt and Nigeria. Egyptians are the most positive of all the countries surveyed about business conditions over the next five years, with al-

China to make Nigeria major manufacturing zone

N

IGERIA is set to become a ma jor manufacturing zone for China’s key industrial enterprises as both countries yesterday agreed to partner.

The agreement between them came on a day it emerged that the trade transactions between these two countries reached over $13.3billion in the last one year.

The Director, Chongqing Liangjing New Area, China, Mr Weng Jieming, in a statement, stated that Chongqing has five key industries, including automobiles and motorcycles, petroleum and natural gas, equipment manufacture, new materials and hightech industry.

He disclosed this when the Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, visited Chongqing, the largest and most important industrial city at the upper reaches of Yangtze River

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has pegged maximum Personal Travelling Allowance (PTA) sale to intending pilgrims at $1,000. This is based on a flat exchange rate of N135 to a dollar. This applies to pilgrims travelling to Israel, while those travelling to Rome/Greece will get a maximum of $750.

The Nation investigation showed that the first batch of pilgrims left last Sunday, while another batch will be leaving today. The last batch is expected to leave next week.

The apex bank has also chosen six

trade imbalance between the two countries and create jobs for Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government and the Chinese government have agreed to ensure that the Lekki Free Trade Zone starts full operation in 18 months.

The President, China Railway Construction Corporation Limited, Mr. Zhao Guangfa, during a meeting with Aganga, urged the Federal Government to remove the bottlenecks in the Lekki Free Trade Zone project, noting that similar projects elsewhere had been completed.

Consequently, a committee, made up of representatives of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

and Southwest China.This is where China’s major Free Trade Zones, which contribute about 20 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), are located.

Jieming noted that the largest investments in Ghana were made by companies from Chongqing, adding that fostering such a relationship with Nigeria would be beneficial to both countries.

Nigeria’s Trade and Investment minister had said, during a meeting with his counterpart at the Ministry of Commerce, China, Mr Fu Ziying, that making Nigeria a major manufacturing zone for most of China’s products would help to correct the

•Picks six banks to handle exercise

By Collins Nweze

grim should be denied the travel allowance on the ground that he/she has no Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC).”

The approved schedule showing the states and the designated banks that will handle the sales of the PTA for the first batch of states, showed that Keystone Bank will sell PTAs to 401 pilgrims travelling from Niger State, out of which 13 are travelling to Israel, while 388 are for Rome.

Also, Oceanic Bank is to handle 1,200

commercial banks to handle the exercise. They are Keystone Bank, Oceanic Bank, Zenith Bank, United Bank for Africa, Fidelity Bank and Skye Bank.

The apex bank, in a circular signed by the Director, Trade and Exchange Department, W.D. Gotring, titled, ‘Year 2011 Christian Pilgrimage Purchase of Pilgrims Travelling Allowance,’ urged the banks to sell the PTAs with or without Tax Clearance Certificates (TCC) to the pilgrims, stressing that “no pil-

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) Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 9-11-11 SYMBOL OANDO NAHCO OKOMUOIL IKEJAHOTEL GTASSURE IBTC UNITYBNK FCMB AIICO AIRSERVICE

O/PRICE 25.60 5.61 20.34 2.38 1.36 8.00 0.57 4.01 0.53 1.97

C/PRICE 26.88 5.89 21.35 2.49 1.42 8.31 0.59 4.10 0.54 2.00

CHANGE 1.28 0.28 1.01 0.11 0.06 0.31 0.02 0.09 0.01 0.03

LOSER AS AT 9-11-11 SYMBOL WEMABANK ENAMELWA WAPCO CAP CAPHOTEL ETERNAOIL CILEASING PAINTCOM STERNBANK PRESCO

O/PRICE 0.60 38.09 38.50 15.95 7.50 4.20 0.85 0.68 1.30 7.80

C/PRICE 0.57 36.19 36.58 15.16 7.13 4.00 0.81 0.65 1.25 7.50

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS

Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

pilgrims travelling to Israel from Lagos State; while Zenith Bank Plc takes care of 178 others from Ekiti State to Israel. UBA plc is scheduled to sell PTAs to 476 pilgrims travelling from Osun State to Israel.

Fidelity Bank will be selling to 1,000 pilgrims from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) out of which 918 are travelling to Israel, while 82 are billed for Rome. Zenith Bank Plc will also sell to 302 pilgrims from Ondo State, among them 289 will be travelling to Israel, while 13 will be observing theirs in Rome.

DATA BANK

Amount N

OBB Rate Call Rate

and CRCC, was constituted to resolve the issues to complete the project between 12 and 18 months.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive of the Nigeria-China Business Council, Chief Matthew Uwaekwe, ha said out of the $13.3billion trade transactions between the two countries, over $9billion was in favour of China while about $4billion was in favour of the country.

He explained that the trade imbalance was in favour of China because the Asian country exports more products than what it imports unlike Nigeria, which relies more on importation of goods than exportation.

Uwaekwe said the government is exploring ways to improve the relationship between the two countries from trade into viable investments that could create jobs for teeming youths.

• Trade between countries hits $13.3b

CBN pegs maximum dollar sale per pilgrim at $1,000

Tenor

NIDF NESF

since 2010). Ghana followed with 60 per cent (up 14 points since 2010).

Kenyans are less upbeat, although a near majority predict good business conditions (48 per cent), and that percentage has increased by 12 points since 2010.

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 1.00 118.85 100.28 0.77 1.03 0.89 1,639.36 8.24 1.39 1.87 7,351.90 193.00

9.08 1.00 118.69 99.71 0.74 1.03 0.88 1,634.12 7.84 1.33 1.80 7,149.37 191.08

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 0.03 1.90 1.92 0.79 0.37 0.20 0.04 0.03 0.05 0.30

• 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

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

13

14

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

15

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The battle for the Sokoto State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket for the 2012 poll has gained momentum, precipitating a storm that has further factionalised the party. Governor Aliyu Wamakko is seeking a return and his arch rival, Senator Umar Gada, says he is determined to effect a change. ADAMU SULEIMAN surveys the field and reports.

Sokoto 2012: It’s continuity versus change T

HEY both belong to the same party, but, when they speak, they are portrayed as foes. The incumbent Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, is set to square up against Senator Umar Gada. They talk tough, they act tough. The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) primary for next year’s governorship contest promises the thrills of an epic drama.

So far, a pall of fears and anxiety has fallen on the caliphate’s political environment, thus spurring heightened challenges, especially in the PDP. Gada has vowed: “I will never give up,’’ while to Wamakko, “the sea shall never go dry for my support.’’ But Gada, whose support seems to be getting robust, particularly within the old PDP (Mai tagumi) is noted to be on course for the launching of his campaign office at the Sultan Dasuki Road, Sokoto, an edifice that hosted the Goodluck/Namadi Sambo state campaign office for the 2011 polls.

That could be suggestive.

Victory will not come easy. Weapons were filed out by supporters from both camps, thus stampede on streets around the area, a situation likened to a boat mishap.

Moves to prevent Gada from staging the much-celebrated rally has not reduced the tension in the ruling party. Political muscle-flexing is on between the eastern and central senatorial zones, leaving the southern axis where Wamakko’s deputy, Mukhtari Shagari, House of Representatives’ Speaker Waziri Tambawal and Senator Umaru Dahiru Tambuwal belong free for the governor.

Wamakko has, in recent times, been roving between Sokoto and Abuja for reasons which may not be unconnected with the tussle, thus sending jitters down the spines of key stalwarts, followers and sympathisers of the party.

Hostilities and political divisive measures by those aspiring to pick the ticket, particularly within the ruling PDP, are now the order of the day as stakeholders are marking time ahead of the primaries.

Gada’s bold move to defend the old PDP and largely, people in the caliphate, stirred up deep-seated political face-off between those loyal to Wamakko and those rooting for him (Gada).

Two weeks ago, the battle-line appeared brawn when Gada was billed to launch his aspiration soon after arriving in Sokoto via the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport from where hostile rival party men appeared set to unleash their arsenal of hatred against him with consequent use of weapons against one another.

The clash had hardly ended when it was observed that scores of supporters, including innocent persons, were caught in the crossfire. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Almustapha Sani, said: “Gada was given permission to open his campaign office. The command did not give him the permission to hold rally as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had placed embargo on campaign till January; but he acted in defiance and passed routes he was advised not to.”

A number of vehicles were vandalised while one was burnt to ashes at the scene of the clash which was a few metres away from the Gawon Nama personal residence

•Wamakko

• Gada

‘We need people like Wamakko who has the interest of the majority at heart and who is ready to work for the advancement of the state. Senator Gada will continue to remain a joker because he lacks the will and spirit to take the state to its promised land’ - Waziri

‘I am not disturbed by the power of incumbency enjoyed by the governor as it is God who gives power to whom He wishes. The mammoth crowd of party members that accompanied me during my short rally in Sokoto has shown that the people of the state are desirous - Gada of change’

of the governor, an area where he enjoys the support of majority in the neighbourhood.

The development, is threatening the peace in the ruling PDP besides, it has strengthened the opposition in its bid to effect change the state.

The strength and use of machineries of power to curry total support of the people have propelled Wamakko loyalists into active campaigns through press conferences.

However, the seeming divide-and-rule political formula in the state has not been taken with kids gloves by the incumbent governor. At a point, party executives from Gada local government area, Gada’s home front, decided to disown and distance themselves from Gada’s governorship aspiration. His offence: Lack of due consultation with his constituency.

However, when the former Senator who is from the Sokoto Eastern zone, formally declared his aspiration for the party’s ticket, with the conviction that the state was being systematically jeopardised in terms of development. “The people of the state, both home and outside, are desperately in need of change,’’ Gada said, adding: “We must all fight against the

institution of immoral insinuations with attendant decadence fast divorcing the interest of people in the state from realities of time.”

Gada’s spokesman, Sadiq A. Umar, also said: “The Senator is a bona fide member of the party in the state. He registered his membership at the ward and local government levels, a move which cannot be dented by faceless interests.’’

Notwithstanding the heat stirred against Gada by some prominent PDP stalwarts from his zone who are believed to be drumming support for Wamakko, the spokesman insisted on tracing the political milestones of his mentor at various times of his ambitious dream. “He was a running mate to Ambassador Wali who contested the governorship in 2003 against then Governor Attahiru Bafarawa. Gada was later invited to contest the senatorial seat in 2007 and he won resoundingly. The same man has been invited today by his people to contest for the party’s governorship ticket,’’ he explained.”

Now, rumour is flying everywhere that Gada has been suspended. But a source said the rumour as a ruse.

However, a blow to the efforts of Gada and his spokesman came in the voice of the former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Senator Bello Jibrin Gada, a die-hard loyalist of the governor who, at an emergency press conference, reiterated his support for the governor as he alleged that Gada “is not in touch with people of his constituency, thus his aspiration for the party’s ticket has been jettisoned.”

Before then, according to the former Minister who is one of the PDP stalwarts in the state, a meeting of stakeholders was held on the issue and a decision was reached that since Gada never consulted with his constituency over his political ambition, he would not get their support.

In the same vein, the local government party Chairman, Amadu Masuki, at the same press conference, noted that the suspension order earlier slammed on Gada by the party’s leadership at both ward and council levels, remained effective.

He said: “The issue of Senator Umar Gada’s membership has not been resolved, nor has he been cleared by the party’s national headquarters since he was suspended from the party for anti-party activities, which further denies him the right to seek any elective position on the platform of the PDP.” Wamakko has dramatically carved a space for himself in the circle of the mainstream opposition parties with an unprecedented declaration of support for him by a DPP chieftain and former Senatorial candidate of the party, Alhaji Abdulkadir Waziri, who said: “We need people like Wamakko who has the interest of majority at heart and who is ready to work for the advancement of the state. Senator Gada will continue to remain a joker because he lacks the will and spirit to take the state to its promised land.”

But Gada who dismissed the allegations as false, said the constitution of the party did not allow anybody to suspend any member without due process. He noted that he enjoyed the support of many members of the PDP in the state. “Someone who has been suspended would not have such experience in view of the large crowd that received me upon my arrival at the Sokoto Airport,’’ he boasted.

“I am not disturbed by the power of incumbency enjoyed by the governor as it is God who gives power to whom He wishes. The mammoth crowd of party members that accompanied me during my short rally in Sokoto has shown that the people of the state are desirous of change after suffering a lot from the hands of the present administration in the state,” he added.

Gada said it was not true that he lacked the support of PDP members in Gada, his home and local government area, as according to him, his ward chairman and his executives were solidly behind his candidature.

But just recently, a group under the aegis of Sokoto Democratic and Mobilisation Vanguard extended its support for Wamakko while articulating reasons including his quality leadership that has encouraged a number of developmental projects with direct impact in the lives of people of the state.

As the development remains dicey over the yet-to-be-conducted primaries, Gada hold onto his stand for change while Wamakko is determined to return. Now, the choice seems to lie with the delegates who will decide in a matter of time.

16

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

17

INDUSTRY

T

HE rehabilitation of Dangote Integrated Steel Rolling Mill, formerly known as Osogbo Steel Rolling Mill, is expected to cost over $70 million (N11.2 billion), the Managing Director, Bharat Lal, has said.

So far, over $62 million (N9.9 billion) has been spent by the company on renovation and upgrading of facilities.

Speaking with reporters during a facility tour in Osogbo, Lal said the company would begin steel production as soon as it gets billet from its supplier in India.

According to him, the on-going process of reactivating of the former steel rolling mill, was to re-invent and re-package it for operations.

Lal listed non-availability of input materials, frequent and prolonged equipment failures and inadequate supply of spare parts, as some of the reasons why it took the company so long to roll out its first product.

He added that operational prob-

Osogbo Steel’s revival to cost $70m Stories by Toba Agboola

lems due to lack of technical knowhow, managerial skills and responsibilities and proper work culture, were identified as part of the challenges being tackled by the company.

“We also face serious challenges from scarcity and high price of low pour fuel oil, lack of working capital, frequent power failure and high electrical energy cost from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

“It is part of our strategic plan of action to re-start the plant operation with the original product mix of the mill by producing primarily reinforcing and general purpose structural steel for the construction and wire industries

•Starts operation next year “It is true we acquired Osogbo Steel Rolling Mill in 2005. Our inability to begin production is due to some logistic problems, which we never thought we would encounter. Right now, we are trying to reactivate the mill and make it functional; and I am sure by early next year, we will start producing,” he said.

Speaking on production capacity, he said the company is expected to produce 310,000 tonnes per year, starting from next year.

He said the company’s plan is to ensure that it produces quality products similar to the ones produced in Brazil and Ukraine.

He disclosed that the Nigerian steel industries were not produc-

ing up to the required standard.

“The industry is producing steel using automotive scrap, lack refining facilities, lacks modern system of production of reinforced bars, and does not conform to any standard in size, profile, composition, strength, elongation, rib size height and angle. When this type of materials are used for building, it may suffer collapse”, he added.

He listed ministerial/ beauracratic interferences, underfunding, misuse of fund, over-costing of inputs, under costing of products, lack of industrial work culture and inconsistent governmental policies as some of the rea-

SON destroys 60 trailers of sub-standard tyres

T

•From left: Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Dr. Joseph Odumodu; 1st Deputy President Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Mr. Ayuba Ibrahim; Chairman of the occasion, Mrs Stella Okoli and President Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Mr Azubike Okwor, during the society's 84th Annual General meeting in Enugu.

sons why the steel sub-sector has performed poorly.

The Osogbo Steel Rolling Mills was established by the Federal Government in the 80s as one of the three inland rolling mills under the then integrated steel development scheme of the government.

It has an installed capacity of 210, 000 tonnes of steel a year and was privatised on August 27, 2002, with Integrated Steel, a division of the Dangote Group, emerging new owners, while the share purchase agreement was signed in December, 2005.

The steel roll was taken over in 2005 by Kura Holdings, a subsidiary of Dangote Group.

HE Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has destroyed 60 trailers of substandard tyres , worth millions of naira at the Shagamu dumpsite in Ogun State.

The Head of Enforcement, SON, who led the destruction , Mr Louis Njoku said Nigeria can no longer be buying products that would gravely endanger the lives of the citizens.

"I have been told by professionals that when you stack tyres in containers, you are destroying them, even if they are new. This is why the government banned these tyres because we want to save lives. We cannot sell death to survive," he said.

He said SON no longer only seizes the bad products but also arrests the owners and prosecutes them in the court of law.

"We do not make empty threats. The importers said we would go to sleep after three months but we are actually getting stronger. We are no longer only impounding but we would also look for the importer or marketer responsible for bringing in these products and prosecute them. This is our new full enforcement regime.”

"We must do our jobs but we should also be thinking of what happens to the level of investment some poor people are going to lose but at the end of the day we have to do our job.

The Federal Government has made policies and we have to carry out those instructions," he said.

According to him, if there was no longer market for substandard tyres, the likes of Dunlop and Michelin would have no choice than to rush to the country to resume production.

"We need to create jobs but we cannot create jobs for people to kill other Nigerians. We need to create jobs that would have a multiplier effect on improving the quality of life

index and I do not think this is the way to that. While I sympathise with them, I think we need to focus on the productive jobs that we need in this economy", he added.

According to him, some of these marketers have entered into these businesses without having any knowledge of it.

"Somebody picks any kind of job because he is jobless and at the end of the day he sells and makes good money, so he does not care about what happens to the ultimate user of the product and that is where we have the problem," he said.

He said to tackle this menace, SON would soon start a mass sensitisation programme, to tell people what kinds of jobs are not accepted in the environment.

"Whenever you are not clear about goods that meet quality, come and ask us; do not do things because you want to make money," he said.

"Government banned used tyres and that is exactly what we are looking at and any tyre that you see there is over four years old. So, by any standard, that product is not fit for use," he added.

"Since the Federal Government's order removing some regulatory agencies at the port, we will be tackling these substandard products just the way we have impounded these ones. We are increasing the level of enforcement," he said.

"If the government gives a directive, you must comply. By Sunday night, all staff of SON have been instructed to leave the port in compliance with the government's directive. I have also decided that we must increase our enforcement team. We have a target of about 500 and when we have about 500 people, which warehouse are we not going to enter?" he said.

RMRDC to establish cashew clusters •From left: First winner of a giant deep freezer, Mrs Deborah Sanni (middle), with workers of Unilever Nigeria Plc at the Knorr Rice Festival held in Lagos.

Rivers Investors Forum to support MDGs

T

HE Rivers State Investors Forum is set to organise a forum that would help douse threats to the energy security of the world, open each economic hub to attract more investors and address the feasibility of petrol subsidy removal.

The Chairman, Organising Committee, Rivers State Investors Forum, Atedo Peterside disclosed this at a press briefing in Lagos.

He added that the forum entitled "Change that works", would be a catalyst for development of oil and gas , promotion of Foreign Direct Investment, in a more friendly atmosphere.

He also said that since the amnesty programme was able to yield desir-

able results that enhance national development, the forum would also attract entrepreneurs and investors within and outside the country to invest in other areas of economic activities such as agriculture, infrastructure, service among others relieving the oil and gas industry of its onesided income means.

Also speaking at the forum, the Secretary, Organising Committee, George Etomi, advised that developing our environment should not be left to the government alone because they are most times overburdened.

He said the objective of the forum is to create a platform to attract po-

tential business players into the country so as to generate jobs, up the standard of living of people and to develop the nation generally.

"In terms of employing youths into the labour market, oil and gas is not enough. There is the need to develop other areas to solve the problem of unemployment", George said.

Other members of the organising committee, who were present, assured Nigerians that the issue of building more refineries and reviving the dead ones as well as the feasibility of petrol subsidy removal and its judicial use for the country will also be deliberated upon.

T

HE Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMDC)has started the establishment of cashew processing clusters in the country.

The cluster, first of its kind in Nigeria, is to encourage organised local processing of raw cashew nuts and allied productive activities that could enhance the quality and export value of local cashew.

This is in line with the transformation agenda of the Federal Government to create jobs and emphasise agricultural production.

This information was unfolded at an interactive session with reporters by the Director-General of RMRDC, Prof. Peter Onwualu, during the unveiling of the National Cashew Summit, which comes up in Lagos on December 1, 2011.

The summit, which is to promote sustainable development of cashew Industry is being put together with some stakeholders that includes Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), Bank of Industry(BOI), Nigerian ExportImport Bank, Nigerian Export Promotion Council(NEPC).

The Summit will bring together stakeholders in the cashew sub-sector of the economy to restructure the industry to realise the potential of this economy crop for sustainable development.

The summit has received the technical support from the African Cashew Alliance (ACA) at its recent sixth Annual Conference in the Gambia with its President Mr Iddrissa Kilangi, a renowned cashew farmer and processor from Tanzania set to deliver the keynote on the occasion.

The summit is expected to draw participants from local and international cashew sector.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

18

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

Stock market reopens on negative note

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 9-11-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name

No of Deals (N) 1 9 10

FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

0.50 7.50

5,000 164,568 169,568

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

2.00 5.89

216,100 212,927 429,027

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

0.50 1.62

77,000 79,781 156,781

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

5.20 3.28 1.80 4.10 1.72 10.01 14.61 8.31 5.00 1.25 3.00 0.59 0.57 12.40

5,836,024 136,840 335,279 1,042,803 6,380,682 34,111,986 41,919,669 1,095,462 5,391,954 494,917 22,522,995 1,444,670 612,884 31,598,675 152,924,840

2,500.00 1,235,223.10 1,237,723.10

AIR SERVICES Company Name

No of Deals (N) 17 30 47

AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

421,280.00 1,184,825.68 1,606,105.68

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name

No of Deals (N) 3 19 22

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

38,500.00 128,123.48 166,623.48

BANKING Company Name

No of Deals (N) 134 22 28 41 82 685 527 48 125 21 244 20 18 316 2,311

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

29,245,281.78 427,490.80 613,728.84 4,278,806.60 11,106,045.65 347,092,955.05 605,757,411.62 8,905,048.54 26,679,911.74 624,935.80 66,814,563.38 826,378.16 357,045.88 394,843,224.70 1,497,572,828.54

BREWERIES Company Name

No of Deals (N) 64 2 213 279

GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

210.00 6.00 91.51

787,234 3,000 1,180,100 1,970,334

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

15.00 5.01 103.50 36.58

424,566 3,360,855 204,397 1,501,636 5,491,454

165,287,972.75 17,100.00 107,965,116.36 273,270,189.11

BUILDING MATERIALS Company Name

No of Deals (N) 44 14 17 47 122

ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

T

HE Nigerian stock market reopened yes terday after the Eid-ulKabir holiday to a tinge of bearishness as two out of every three stocks that had price changes ended on the downside.

The preponderance of losers as well as the inclusion of many highly capitalised stocks on the losers’ list pushed aggregate market capitalisation of all equities down by 0.19 per cent from N6.516 trillion to N6.503 trillion.

The All Share Index (ASI) also slipped from 20,532.41 points to 20,491.51 points, indicating a decline of 0.20 per cent. With this, the year-todate return at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) worsened to -17.27 per cent.

The downtrend was particularly rampant in the banking, food and beverages and high-cap groupings. The NSE Banking Index dropped from 296.06 points to 293.99 points while the NSE Food and Beverages Index slipped from 618.77 points to 616.53 points.

The NSE 30 Index, which tracks the 30 most capitalised

6,355,432.67 16,805,779.01 21,157,531.24 56,910,353.34 101,229,096.26

No of Deals (N) 17 27 6 6 56

BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC DN MEYER PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC Sector Totals

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 9-11-11 Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

9.45 15.16 1.09 0.65

142,759 407,337 109,799 160,800 820,695

1,295,438.32 6,180,154.96 125,130.91 104,520.00 7,705,244.19

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name

No of Deals (N) 26 26

RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

2.30

1,632,500 1,632,500

3,605,850.00 3,605,850.00

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name

No of Deals (N) 10 10

NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. Sector Totals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

8.45

52,730 52,730

467,715.10 467,715.10

CONGLOMERATES Company Name

No of Deals (N) 3 49 1 48 115 58 274

A. G. LEVENTIS (NIGERIA) PLC PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC SCOA NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

1.90 30.00 6.11 0.57 30.49 26.50

3,000 514,353 1,000 2,738,255 6,770,880 481,966 10,509,454

5,430.00 15,386,383.37 5,810.00 1,579,858.75 202,989,022.93 12,745,373.07 232,711,878.12

CONSTRUCTION Company Name

No of Deals (N) 12 3 15

JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC ROADS NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

38.43 7.17

69,360 9,433 78,793

2,533,456.16 68,269.60 2,601,725.76

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name

No of Deals (N)

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

CUTIX PLC Sector Totals

3 3

1.70

38,099 38,099

65,268.30 65,268.30

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO Company Name

No of Deals (N) 19 25 74 82 56 7 16 103 4 386

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 UTC NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

48.00 14.00 5.22 5.00 60.00 3.25 4.26 401.00 0.50

79,314 116,507 527,283 2,190,428 479,598 56,285 199,124 266,863 21,000 3,936,402

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

1.42 27.00 2.40 1.65

238,542 36,608 88,666 23,500 387,316

3,807,073.10 1,587,787.43 2,723,997.85 10,988,180.04 28,811,729.71 182,434.25 855,061.84 106,849,993.92 10,500.00 155,816,758.14

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

No of Deals (N) 15 12 9 2 38

322,420.70 939,391.90 205,135.48 36,895.00 1,503,843.08

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name CAPITAL HOTEL PLC IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals (N) 1 19 20

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

7.13 2.49

1,000,000 1,111,139 2,111,139

7,130,000.00 2,750,260.20 9,880,260.20

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name B. O. C. GASES NIGERIA PLC NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC VONO PRODUCTS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals (N) 5 3 13 1 22

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

7.10 36.19 5.87 2.88

25,000 94,365 62,400 497 182,262

179,411.00 3,415,069.35 349,382.00 1,431.36 3,945,293.71

AIICO INSURANCE PLC.

No of Deals (N) 55

CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 5 CORNERSTONE INSURANCE CO. PLC. 1 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC 11 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC 13 GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC 39 GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. 1 CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC 2 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 1 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. 2 LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. 6 LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC 2 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC 4 N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. 4 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. 1 REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 1 SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC 1 STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC 15 UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 1 Sector Totals 165

No of Deals 7 7

33,954 5,000 86,469 2,589,720 9,375,992 380 7,379 155,000 4,070,343 354,905 100,200 5,004,864 78,000 1,500 110,000 68,000 14,000 706,535 29,046,715

32,937.22 2,500.00 251,504.79 1,377,246.60 13,141,302.10 190.00 3,689.50 77,500.00 2,035,171.50 177,652.50 50,100.00 2,502,432.00 39,000.00 750.00 55,000.00 34,000.00 7,000.00 353,267.50 23,495,662.60

Quotation(N) 0.81

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 12,159,957 9,849,565.17 12,159,957 9,849,565.17

Quotation(N) 0.71

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 11,938,011 8,363,053.93 11,938,011 8,363,053.93

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1,000 500.00 1,000 500.00

MARITIME Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 59 59 MEDIA

Company Name AFROMEDIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

MORTGAGE COMPANIES Company Name RESORT SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 730 365.00 730 365.00

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Company Name CRUSADER NIGERIA PLC. NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 15 16

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.87

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 100 50.00 635,008 552,456.96 635,108 552,506.96

Quotation(N) 1.71 12.71 13.28

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1,247,238 2,122,773.36 500 6,040.00 1,000 12,620.00 1,248,738 2,141,433.36

PACKAGING Company Name NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC BETA GLASS CO. PLC GREIF NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 37 1 1 39

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

No of Deals 1 11 21 30 10 10 268 7 358

Quotation(N) 0.50 63.86 35.00 4.00 10.04 141.00 26.88 200.00

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 200 100.00 15,686 951,669.62 43,081 1,450,888.75 738,688 2,954,062.73 12,931 136,292.74 3,168 459,633.10 2,641,057 66,121,138.70 2,049 389,574.51 3,456,860 72,463,360.15

PRINTING & PUBLISHING Company Name LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 11 12

Quotation(N) 4.20 3.79

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 20,000 79,800.00 158,270 599,843.30 178,270 679,643.30

Quotation(N) 12.35

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 112,372 1,388,900.04 112,372 1,388,900.04

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

No of Deals 13 13

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Company Name SKYE SHELTER FUND Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 100.00

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 10 1,000.00 10 1,000.00

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares

0.54

6,284,474

Overall Totals

3,354,418.89

0.95 0.50 2.91 0.53 1.42 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

LEASING Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals

INSURANCE Company Name

stocks, also inched downward from 914.99 points to 913.73 points.

However, insurance and petroleum subsectors were bullish as gains by Oando and Guaranty Trust Assurance coloured the sectoral outlooks.

The NSE Oil and Gas Index improved from 237.74 points to 241.14 points while the NSE Insurance Index rose from 151.93 points to 153.44 points.

Market analysts said the generally negative market was due to financial demand that resulted from the Eidul-Kabir celebration.

Lafarge Wapco Cement Nigeria topped the decliners’ list with a loss of 192 kobo to close at N36.58.

Nigerian Enamelware followed with a loss of 190 kobo to close at N36.19.

Flour Mills of Nigeria lost 100 kobo to close at N60.

CAP dropped by 79 kobo to close at N15.16. UAC of Nigeria lost 51 kobo to close at N30.49. Capital Hotel fell by 37 kobo to close at N7.13. Zenith Bank lost 35 kobo to

close at N12.40. Presco dwindled by 30 kobo to N7.50 while First Bank of Nigeria dropped by 24 kobo to N10.01 per share.

On the positive side, Oando led the advancers with a gain of 128 kobo to close at N26.88. Okomu Oil Palm trailed with a gain of 101 kobo to close at N21.35.

Dangote Cement rose by 50 kobo to close at N103.50.

Stanbic IBTC Bank gathered 31 kobo to close at N8.31.

Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) added 28 kobo to close at N5.89 while Ikeja Hotel gained 11 kobo to close at N2.49 per share.

Turnover stood at 240.52 million shares valued at N2.43 billion in 4,355 deals.

Banking subsector topped the activity chart with a turnover of 153.63 million shares valued at N1.50 billion at 2,311 deals.

Insurance subsector recorded a turnover of 29.05 million shares worth N23.05 million in 165 deals. Leasing subsector ranked third with a turnover of 12.2 million shares valued at N9.85 million in seven deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

CHEMICAL & PAINTS Company Name

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

No of Deals 11 11

Quotation(N) 11.69

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 74,401 839,763.42 74,401 839,763.42

4,324

239,743,566

2,413,162,156.70

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

A bloody holiday •The Boko Haram sect continues its orgy of bombing

J

UST when Nigerians and indeed, the entire world community thought the bloody Boko Haram sect in Northeast Nigeria was beginning to listen to the voice of reason, the sect unleashed a cataclysmic salvo of bombings across three states last Friday, less than 48 hours to the Eid el kabir. Why the sect would choose a period so close to the Muslims’ most important celebration to strike remains curious but the well-coordinated bombings that took place in Damaturu and Potiskum, both in Yobe State, and in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, its traditional base, may be the deadliest so far, with reports claiming that about 150 people may have died.

The bombing in Damaturu was particularly devastating, with about six

‘Why the sect would choose a period so close to the Muslims’ most important celebration to strike remains curious but the well-coordinated bombings that took place in Damaturu and Potiskum, both in Yobe State, and in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, its traditional base, may be the deadliest so far, with reports claiming that about 150 people may have died’

churches and a police station said to have been razed. And they have threatened more explosions as they beat their chest and claimed responsibility for the savagery and wanton shedding of the blood of innocent people. As if to confirm that it is no empty boast, the United States Embassy in Nigeria has warned her citizens in Nigeria to stay away from highbrow hotels in Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja, as it fears imminent attacks on them.

The Boko Haram bomb fest which has claimed no fewer than 850 lives this year alone has continued to attract condemnation from all over the world, having gained worldwide attention last August when it bombed the UN Headquarters in Abuja and the Police Headquarters earlier in the year. The UN Security Council had condemned the recent attacks in strong terms, describing it as ‘criminal and unjustifiable’ even as it called on its members to help Nigeria fight the incipient terror. UN’s SecretaryGeneral, Ban Ki Moon and the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI, among others, have lent their voice, appealing to the Boko Haram sect to have a rethink and shun the use of violence in its agitations.

As this newspaper had stated before, the sect must realise by now that the wanton killing of innocent people and the destruction of property and worship places can never be justified under any guise. No matter what their grievances may be, it will eventually have to be

settled at the dialogue table. Just as all well-meaning Nigerians, including the Sultan of Sokoto and notable Muslim clerics have lent their voice of appeal; we say to the Boko Haram sect that the path of honour remains the path of truce and peace.

By the same token, we call on the leaders of the North of Nigeria to intensify efforts to stop the current march into a state of anomy. While many may think it is not their business or even gloat over it, this evil egg that has been laid, if allowed to hatch, will surely not be a chick of innocence. It will be a monster of Frankenstein’s mode. As we are wont to say, we do not have another country; therefore, we must resolve to return the country from the brink.

Above all, the Federal Government and its security agencies have failed woefully in handling the Boko Haram crisis. Since 2009 when it erupted, they have been on what may be considered a bungling binge. They could not nip the uprising in the bud. They claimed to have arrested some of their kingpins, yet the ritual of blood and death persists. It means they have failed to arrest and prosecute any of its key members just as they have not been able to initiate a viable peace process. Other than sending troops and more troops to the troubled areas, nothing else has been done to save the situation or stem the tide of bombings. Again, President Goodluck Jonathan must do something definitive now.

The Baba Suwe saga • There are lessons to be learned from the drama between the comedian and the anti-drug trafficking agency

A

FTER more than three weeks of drama and suspense, freedom finally came the way of the popular Yoruba comedian, Babatunde Omidina a.k.a Baba Suwe, when a Lagos High Court, presided over by Justice Yetunde Idowu ordered his release from custody last Friday. He had been guest of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) since October 12 when he was arrested before boarding the Air France Flight AF3051 en route to Paris, on suspicion of ingesting wraps of hard drugs. The agency had claimed at his arrest that a scan on his body revealed “multiple hyper-dense nodular particles in the upper gastro-intestinal tract, consistent with large amount of drug ingestion”.

The drama, however, would not start until a week later when the NDLEA airport commander Hamza Umar announced to Nigerians that “there is reasonable ground for suspicion and that the actor is currently under observation”. By this time, the agency had not found any trace of the illicit drug in the suspect’s excreta.

Although the agency later explained that this was not unusual – that it had in similar cases recovered drugs after the fourth excretion – there was palpable disbelief notably from the comedian’s primary constituency, the entertainment industry as indeed many Nigerians. This soon turned into outrage, days after, when no concrete evidence of the presence of the hard drug in his system was presented. To save itself from utter embarrassment, the NDLEA ordered another scan; this time to enable it

hold the suspect for another 15 days.

With no traces of the drug found still after, the court asked him to go home – but after mandating him, at the request of the NDLEA, to report back on Friday, November 11.

Was the NDLEA needlessly hyperactive or overzealous? The answer is – we do not think so.

Naturally, given the calibre of the suspect, the arrest was bound to generate public interest. But to accuse the agency of harbouring ill-motives against the actor in the circumstance would not only sound far-fetched, it would certainly be ridiculous. To the extent that the agency – like other agencies all over the world – has to be seen to do its job while relying in equal degree on technologies which are not necessarily fool-proof, it cannot be expected to feign indifference after its scan revealed an extraneous substance in the comedian’s system.

Could the agency have done better in the handling of the accompanying publicity? That, we do not deny as there is clearly room for improvement.

Moreover, it goes to the heart of the saying that a suspect is presumed innocent, until guilt is determined by the courts. The truth of course is that the mere excretion of a substance would hardly have sufficed to pronounce a verdict of guilt without the court’s final pronouncement.

Having said that, could the agency have proceeded to undertake any of the procedures in utmost secrecy without courting the typical Nigerian cynicism? It seems entirely doubtful.

For the agency therefore, it seems more

of a choice between Chablis and Scylla – an unenviable one.

No doubt, lessons would have been learnt on both sides. First is the factor of the supremacy of the law.

We are delighted that the NDLEA neither attempted to mock or twist the law as if to ensure conviction at all cost, nor did it ride rough-shod over the rights of the suspect while in their custody. Contrary to what has now become the standard operating procedure of security agencies, we saw an agency, striving at great pains, not to vitiate the rights of the citizen even in the difficult and embarrassing circumstance it found itself.

We expect the NDLEA to take another look at the detection technology currently in use; time also to examine the procedures which threaten to be in conflict with the rights of the citizens. That is the only way for the agency to save itself from future embarrassment such as we saw with Baba Suwe.

‘We expect the NDLEA to take another look at the detection technology currently in use; time also to examine the procedures which threaten to be in conflict with the rights of the citizens. That is the only way for the agency to save itself from future embarrassment such as we saw with Baba Suwe’

In China, putting a price on democracy

C

HINESE AUTHORITIES must have thought they had cornered the dissident artist Ai Weiwei, who is renowned for his avant-garde productions and for his willingness to speak up for human rights. A week ago they presented him with an enormous tax bill — 15 million yuan, or about $2.4 million — and ordered him to pay it within 15 days.

Should he fail to do so, his lawyer said, he could be returned to prison — where he suffered 81 days of harsh and unjustified confinement earlier this year. This time, authorities could claim that the artist was being legally punished.

Imagine the surprise of the security apparatchiks, then, at what has since happened: Thousands upon thousands of Chinese — 18,829

by Monday afternoon, according to one report — have voluntarily and spontaneously contributed money to help pay Mr. Ai’s fine. Funds have flooded in by mail order and the Chinese version of Paypal. After the artist’s microblog account was shut down Sunday, people began traveling to his studio in Beijing, where they have been throwing contributions over the walls, sometimes attached to fruit or folded into paper airplanes.

By late Monday, Mr. Ai told the Agence France-Press news organization, he had collected 5.29 million yuan, or $830,000, more than a third of what he owes. It’s not clear that he needs the money; the artist has sold many works abroad. But Mr. Ai rightly is choosing to accept the payments as loans — and as a remarkable demonstration of solidarity. “This shows that a group of people who want to express their views are using their money to cast their votes,” he told the Associated Press. “It shows that in the Internet age, society will have its own judgment and its own values.”

That is just what Chinese authorities are worried about. Panicked by the popular uprisings for democracy in the Arab world this year, they have been trying to silence anyone who might inspire a “jasmine revolution” in China, starting with Mr. Ai. After arresting him in April, they held him incommunicado for nearly three months and subjected him to what he called “mental” tortures — such as being forced to stand for hours with guards inches away from him. When he was released in June, Mr. Ai was warned to stop speaking out in public.

The blatantly trumped-up tax case has caused the artist to return, courageously, to giving interviews and sending out tweets. “Speaking out is golden, and silence is death,” one posting said. He may yet be sanctioned for his behavior; that will be the first instinct of Beijing’s political cops. Already an editorial in a staterun newspaper has suggested he may be investigated for “illegal fundraising.”

Communist authorities would be wise, however, to take a lesson from the popular reaction to Mr. Ai’s persecution. Perhaps the time isn’t yet ripe for the pro-democracy revolution the regime fears so much. But if the party would like to tempt fate, putting Mr. Ai back in jail would be an excellent way to do it.

– Washington Post

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

S

IR: The desire of Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State to right the wrongs, assuage the pains and redress human rights abuses inflicted on the good people of the state between January 2003 and May 29, necessitated the setting up of the five-man panel otherwise known as Ogun State Truth Commission.

The governor inaugurated the Hon. Justice Pius Aderemi-led Truth Commission on September 14, to inquire into the death, disappearance, assassination, kidnapping and physical torture of persons, and wanton destruction of properties suspected to be state-sponsored in Ogun State during the period under review and other sundry matters contained in the terms of reference.

The commission, which also has as its members Hon. Justice Abdullahi Mustapha (rtd), Hon. Justice Dolapo Akinsanya (rtd), human rights activist, Barrister Bamidele Aturu, a nominee of Ogun State branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Barrister Tunji Onabanwo and Lanre Suraj as Secretary, is expected to complete its assignment and submit its report on or before December 13.

The establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission is not a strange development the world over. The hope of redressing wrongs, or abuses, or conflicts which occurred in the past is the growing factor that usually leads to the setting up of a truth commission.

To Governor Amosun, the inauguration of the Aderemi-led Truth Commission was a demonstration of not just a desire to fulfil his campaign promises but also an acknowledgment of the wrongdoings and ensuring justice for those who lost their lives or suffered injuries during the period under review. The ultimate end is to avert a future reoccurrence of such ugly scenario(s).

The establishment of the commission was immediately applauded by very many people in the state. In fact, former governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel in a statement through his Media Assistant, Adegbenro Adebanjo “wholeheartedly” welcomed “the idea,” and said “from the initial composition, we notice that the commission is composed of men of proven integrity capable of ensuring justice in this sensitive assignment.”

The statement further said: “Otunba Daniel wishes to confirm his full participation and his per-

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Who is Afraid of Ogun’s Truth Commission? sonal attendance at the hearing. We however believe that to do justice, he will require at least one week to give his testimony with opportunity for multimedia presentations, and live coverage of the proceedings by both the local TV stations and at least a national TV. It is also important that all of the proceedings and testimonies should be conducted openly, with all issues allowed for discussion.”

But the song later changed. The former governor suddenly jettisoned his earlier position and took the commission to court through his counsel, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, seeking the leave of the court to declare

illegal and unconstitutional the constitution of the commission. He prayed the court to prohibit and restrain members of the commission from proceeding and requested an order to restrain the members from further investigating, making findings, recommendations and or sanctions in respect of the activities of Daniel and his aides.

The former governor further justified his case in a statement by one of his lawyers, Yemi Oke, that “going through the Tribunals of Inquiries Law of Ogun State, the commission has no power to investigate crimes. Investigative powers have been given to the Nigeria Police

Force (NPF).”

It should be noted that the Commissions of Inquiry Law gives powers to a sitting governor to set up a commission of inquiry to investigate and inquire as such governor deems fit. According to the Commissions of Inquiry Law’s Section 2 (1), “The Governor may, whenever he shall deem it desirable, issue a Commission appointing one or more Commissioners, and authorising such Commissioners, or any quorum of them therein mentioned, to hold a Commission of inquiry into the conduct of any officer in the public service of the state, or any chief, or the manage-

ment of any department of the public service, or of any local institution, or into any matter in respect of which, in his opinion, an inquiry would be for the public welfare…”

It is a statement of fact that Governor Amosun has only acted within the provisions of the law and he has not run foul of the laws of the land by setting up the Aderemi-led Truth Commission. The case of Kabirikim vs Emefo as decided by the Supreme Court also lent credence to this undisputed stance.

On the issue of whether Governor Amosun has powers to “investigate crimes,” the former governor and his team of lawyers would need to do a lot of legal work to convince both the court and the entire good people of Ogun State that the commission was actually set up to try Daniel and his aides. Otherwise, there was no basis for this legal firework which would only amount to a diversionary tendency.

• Temitope Oluwole Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Griping over Olubadan as Oyo Obas’ chair

S

IR: Chief Gbade Ishola, former Senior Special Assistant to former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, who is standing trial on charges of embezzlement of the people’s wealth, is undoubtedly a hurt man. He has told whoever cares to listen that the decision to fling him out of the Ibadan traditional council which he occupied before now was “anachronistic, unfair and illegal.” I listened to his tirade on a recent Splash FM interview with Edmund Obillo and you could not but pity him. He was unsparing in his condemnation of the Ibadan traditional council which alleged that, having participated in politics, in flagrant disregard for the Olubadan’s injunction, he was no longer fit to be on its council. There was no expletive that Ishola did not spit on the Olubadan and the Ibadan elders on that programme.

Ishola has since discovered that even tomes of expletives would not make the Olubadan-in-council change its principled stand on his arrant disregard for the revered monarchy. He has sought every opportunity to have the Olubadan eat his golden words but the monarch, a very principled Oba, has stuck to his guns. Tired of having expended all the tricks in his pouch, Ishola has since reverted to what is called disguised enemy assault. Simply defined, this strategy is aimed at currying the favour of a hurt

principal by attacking his supposed enemy on his behalf.

The former aide to the former governor recently embarked on the first phase of his disguised enemy assault tactic in a piece he wrote in the Nigerian Tribune of November 9. The piece, entitled On removal of Olubadan as Council of Obas’ Chairman, is a quintessential foray into this strategy. In the piece, Ishola tried to evoke sentiments and provoke enmity between the Olubadan and the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, by thumbing down the decision of the government which asked all parties to the suit against government decision to make the Olubadan permanent chairman of the Obas in the state to maintain status quo ante until court pronouncement on it. Ishola’s proffer is a litany of the might-is-right lawlessness that his principal, AlaoAkala was renowned for in his neveragain four year suzerainty in Oyo State.

The truth is that Alao-Akala, griping at his defeat at the April elections, and believing that the Alaafin of Oyo was instrumental to it, set off to pay back the Iku Baba Yeye for his generally applauded decision to show Oyo’s Belzeebub the way out of the Government House. In his legendary fury, the bejeweled former governor assembled some Yes-men lawmakers and in less than 48 hours, a law

that is critical to the well-being of the people of the state was promulgated, barring the Alaafin from a suzerain role that he had assumed for centuries! Of course, the Alaafin went to court and all parties to the suit have been ordered to maintain status quo ante.

But the Isholas and fellow travelers in the boat of brawn will not have that. Why can’t their son-of-the-soil governor reverse this, in defiance of the law, since he has powers, like the Oyato exponent used to do? Ajimobi’s only fault is his lawful disposition and his maintenance of his vow to God, humanity and the people of Oyo State, sworn to at the Liberty Stadium on May 29, that he will do good to all manner of people – lowly and the highly placed; that he will not subvert the course of justice. He has said that if today, the courts pronounce that the most unknown Oba is chair of the Obas’ council, the fellow becomes the chairman immediately. But to Gbade Ishola, who is coming from a governmental pedigree of lawlessness and subversion of common good, this is an aberration. He wants the governor, being an Ibadan, to ‘use his position’ and call the bluff of the law!

Even the greatest fool knows the immense contribution of the Olubadan, the Ibadan Council of Elders and the people of Ibadan to the emergence of Ajimobi. But that

should not be a license to lawlessness on the part of the governor. The mere fact that Ajimobi has refused to buckle from his defense of the law to support base tribal sentiments should make the Isholas of this world to applaud him as the Messiah that Oyo had salivated for ages. If the law is tilted on the side of the Olubadan, he will damn everything else and stick for it. This is was moves a nation forward. But the Alao-Akala dirty politics has rightly blinded his former aide from seeing things from this prism.

Ishola disparaged Ajimobi for being ardent at reversing Alao-Akala’s policies. Yes, he should! Ajimobi has paid pensioners’ 142% increment in salaries that the bejeweled governor would not pay because, according to the pensioners’ chairman, “they were looking for money for elections”. He has recalled unionists at Ibadan polytechnic and Emmanuel Alayande College of Education sacked by AlaoAkala; he has reduced tuition fees of school students increased by Bayo Billionaire. He should please do more!

We Ibadan indigenes believe that the Olubadan should be the chairman of the Obas’ council but this should not be done through the backdoor.

This is certainly the gospel Abiola Ajimobi is trying to spread.

• Dauda Obisesan, Ile-Aperin, Ibadan.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

Revulsion on the murder of Muamar Ghadafi

I

FELT a personal sense of revulsion seeing Colonel Muamar Ghadafi killed like a chicken after he had been apparently wounded by a missile fired by a French bomber. The NATO military operation in Libya raises in my mind several troubling thoughts. Let me say from the outset that I am opposed to the tendency common in Africa of rulers perpetuating themselves in power.

Perpetuation always comes with authoritarian or even totalitarian tendencies.

In the case of Ghadafi, it was some kind of benign authoritarianism. He tried to elevate himself in his ¬Green Book to some kind of philosopher at par with Karl Marx whom he rather condemned because of his atheism. Yet he went ahead to preach some form of Arab socialism the kind championed by Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser the former Egyptian nationalist leader who was his hero.

Ghadafi saw himself almost as a carbon copy of Nasser.

His retaining the military title of Colonel even though he could have promoted himself like others in Africa as General or Field Marshall was copied from Nasser who remained for ever Colonel Nasser.

Somehow in my own opinion Ghadafi was more successful than Nasser. Apart from fighting Chad briefly over the Aouzou strip, he concentrated all his efforts in building Libya after the failure of his Pan-Arab unity with Egypt and Syria earlier in his regime. He inherited from Muhammed Idris bin Senoussi, the then King of Libya a ramshackle kingdom with strong separatist regional identities in Tripolitania, the Fezzan and Benghazi only bound together by the Senoussiyyyah Tariqa or brother-

‘But for the excesses of his intelligence people who murdered his opponents and committed unforgivable atrocities such as killing a female police officer in front of the Libyan embassy in London and the murder of innocent passengers in civilian aircrafts, he could be forgiven’

T

ODAY is the 16th year that renowned playright and Ogoni leader Ken SaroWiwa was killed by the state. I have deliberately avoided using the word, executed, because that was not what happened in this case. It is true that Saro-Wiwa and eight of his kinsmen were sentenced to death by a special tribunal set up by the late General Sani Abacha administration but the legal process was not exhausted before he and others were hurriedly killed.

Why the haste in killing them and in secret too? I have not ceased asking myself this question since that dastardly act was carried out under the guise of executing the judgment of the tribunal, which was headed by Justice Ibrahim Auta, now the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court. Saro-Wiwa and co had the right of appeal, but they were not allowed to exercise that right before the state brutally murdered them. Could it be that the state was afraid that the Court of Appeal would free them?

We may never know what informed that irrational decision, but an educated guess may be that those in power then were afraid of what a living Saro-Wiwa could do. So, the best thing was to kill him and, perhaps, kill the Ogoni struggle.

But they were wrong on that score.

The Ogoni struggle did not die with Saro-Wiwa. Rather, it is waxing stronger. Even up till today, the struggle is still alive. The Ogoni people have not disappointed their leader in death by abandoning the struggle.

Saro-Wiwa himself hinted of what may happen after his death.

As if he knew the plan of the en-

hood founded by Sheikh Senoussi who was regarded as a mystic possessing some kind of ¬barakah. When Ghadafi at the age of 29 took over the country, Libyan national identity was merely geographical. But the mercurial Colonel gave Libya a living identity.

He also negotiated right price for Libya’s crude oil and built several refineries so that he could export value added hydrocarbons to Europe. He forced the Italians to pay reparation for the cruelties of colonialism and land seizure and eviction from ancestral lands by Italian colonists planted in Libya. His other foreign policy adventures were disastrous especially the blowing up of American plane over Lockerbie and a French civilian plane over the Sahara in which Libyan intelligence was implicated.

He also supported characters like Charles Taylor in Liberia, Forday Sankor in Sierra Leone and possibly Sankara in Boukina Faso. He made himself “African King” and he was largely instrumental to transforming the Organisation of African Union (OAU) to the Africa Union (AU).

He was an avid supporter of the liberation movement, particularly in South Africa for which Nelson Mandela and his successors remain grateful. But to the ordinary Libyan, he provided shelter and modern infrastructure.

He saw himself as some kind of Arab Sheikh but was increasingly seen as a Pooh-Bah by his people who saw him elevating himself and his children in the typical Arab fashion to a dynasty. But for the excesses of his intelligence people who murdered his opponents and committed unforgivable atrocities such as killing a female police officer in front of the Libyan embassy in London and the murder of innocent passengers in civilian aircrafts, he could be forgiven. Ghadafi towards the end was like a proverbial village fool who entertained his people by his gaffes and sense of unreality and illusion of grandeur.

He apparently loved his people and could not appropriately assess the danger in the gathering international storm which saw through the rebellion in Benghazi a long awaited opportunity to get rid of his troublesome presence.

Did he deserve to die in such horrible and horrific way?

My answer is No. If left to his people alone, they could not have defeated his forces and if not because of Western complicity they could not have captured him not to talk of killing him and his son in such dastardly fashion. He

overstayed his welcome no doubt, but on balance he did more to transform his country than a thousand democrats have done in other African countries. Unlike Nigeria which suffered the double jeopardy of military dictatorship and underdevelopment, Libya’s dictatorship under

Jide Osuntokun

Ghadafi led to the material transformation of the country.

Finally, NATO’s intervention led by France, just like in the Ivory Coast is very troubling and one hopes this is not a paradigm that will be followed in future when dealing with problems of civil insurrection in other African states on the pretext of saving or rescuing suffering humanity. We are yet to see the same standard and strategy applied in other parts of the world with the exception of the defunct Yugoslavia.

I had wanted to write this piece several weeks ago even before the hypocritical western world felt it could not identify with daylight murder when it started criticizing the NTC and asking it to probe the murder of Ghadafi.

Happily a probe has been set up but as far as I am concerned, the deed cannot be undone. What can only salvage the situation is for Ghadafi’s body to be released to his family to bury him according to his wish in his family’s resting place. This needs to be done, whether his followers turn the place into a shrine or not.

He made himself “African King” and he was largely instrumental to transforming the Organisation of African Union (OAU) to the Africa Union (AU).

Ken Saro-Wiwa, 16 years after emy was to kill him, he told them pointblank that his death will change nothing about the struggle. ''I am a man of ideas; in and out of prison...my ideas will live,'' he said then. Has his prophecy not come to pass with what is happening in Ogoni today? Eventhough things have changed alot in Ogoni, SaroWiwa's spirit still marches on in a community which has become the face of environmental despoilation by greedy and callous oil companies, especially Shell.

It was in Saro-Wiwa's bid to stop these companies from milking Nigeria and despoiling our environment that he was killed. What kind of country will sacrifice its citizen(s) to satisfy economic interest? It is a shame that our leaders do not place premium on the lives of citizens. They are always ready to sacrifice us to please their foreign masters all because of the help they get in stashing looted funds abroad. Will our leaders ever learn? Foreigners will only help them as long as there is something in it for their countries. And of course themselves.

To Shell and other oil firms, the Niger Delta region is a cash cow and they are not ready to allow anything to stand between them and their pot of soup. All the money they make in the region they take to their countries without a damn about what happens to the goose that lays the golden egg.

Shell has made and is still making billions of dollars from Ogoni and other parts of the Niger Delta where

it operates without giving anything in return and it expects the people of those communities to keep silent.

Saro-Wiwa chose not to be silent but with the connivance of these oil firms, the state silenced him forever under the hangman's noose on November 10, 1995. He was hanged in Port Harcourt Prison in the wee hours of that day,cutting short a life in its prime. Saro-Wiwa did not go down without a fight even after his lawyers led by the late irrepressible lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, withdrew because of the tribunal's open bias against the accused.

If Saro-Wiwa had not been killed, he would have had cause to celebrate this year. He would have been 70 on October 10, precisely a month ago. But then Saro-Wiwa died well compared to how some of his antagonists, especially Abacha ended up. Call it the law of God or the law of karma, no evil deed will ever go unpunished, no matter how long it takes. For other major players in the killing of the Ogoni 9, it is just a matter of time before nemesis catches up with them too.

‘We may never know what informed that irrational decision, but an educated guess may be that those in power then were afraid of what a living Saro-Wiwa could do. So, the best thing was to kill him and, perhaps, kill the Ogoni struggle’ •The late Saro-Wiwa

When Saro-Wiwa in his last statement to the tribunal spoke about the despoilation of the Ogoni environment and its long term consequences, he knew what he was talking about. ''I repeat that we all stand before history. I and my colleagues are not the only ones on trial. Shell is here on trial and it is as well that it is represented by counsel said to be holding a watching brief. The company has, indeed, ducked this particular trial, but its day will surely come and the lessons learnt here may prove useful to it for there is no doubt in my mind that the ecological war that the company has waged in the Delta will be called to question sooner than later and the crimes of that war duly punished. ''The crime of the company's dirty wars against the Ogoni people will also be punished. In my innocence of the false charges I face here, in my utter conciction, I call upon the Ogoni people of the Niger Delta, and the oppressed ethnic minorities of Nigeria to stand up now and fight fearlessly and peacefully for their rights. History is on their side. God is on their side. For the Holy Quran in Surah 41,verse 41 says: 'All those that fight when oppressed incur no guilt, but Allah shall punish the oppressor'. On trial also is the Nigerian nation, its present rulers and those who assist them. Any nation which can do to the weak and disadvantaged what the Nigerian nation has done to the Ogoni, loses a claim to independence and to freedom from outside influence...we all stand on trial, my Lord, for by our actions we have denigrated our country and jeopardised the future of our children.''

In 2009, Shell agreed to pay the bereaved families damages. But then, it is not all about damages. It is about doing what is just and right in the company's area of operation.

Lawal Ogienagbon

lawal.ogienagbon@thenationonlineng.net

Make the oil communities conducive and treat the people as human beings. That was Saro-Wiwa's campaign and I don't think he was asking for too much.

The Boko Haram menace Last Friday, Boko Haram struck again, killing and maiming. No fewer than 200 persons are believed to have been killed and property worth millions of naira destroyed in Yobe State where the Islamic sect struck. Boko Haram appears set in its way. It seems it has made up its mind to wage war against the larger society. If not, it won't be bombing areas where even the suffering masses live or earn their living. No matter what we write or say, the ball will always return to the government's court. What is the government doing to curb the sect's menace considering the group's resolve not to listen to the voice of reason? Can we rely on the government to be terror to this evil considering how it hastily shifted the National Day celebration to the Villa, following Boko Haram's threat to bomb Eagle Square, to protect us? I pity the government over this delicate issue, but it must do what needs to be done to rein in the Boko Haram elements.

SMS ONLY: 08056504763

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION SITA Chidoka, Corps Marshall and chief executive of the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC) has just given us some unnerving statistics. Nigeria ranked 191 out of 192 countries of the world’s ‘unsafe roads’. Nigeria equally accounts for highest number of road accidents as162 persons per 100,000 Nigerians are victims of ghastly road accidents annually.

Chidoka has also confirmed what most Nigerians already know; that there is little to show for all the billions of naira purportedly expended on roads since 1999. From the picture painted by Chidoka, it is apparent that Nigerian roads are in such state of disrepair comparable only to those of war ravaged nations- a testimony to the inept leadership of PDP government in the last 13 years.

But PDP’s response to what requires a public apology to Nigerians is setting up toll gates across the country’s broken and dilapidated high ways. The Minister of Works, Mike Onolomemen said this much before the Senate Committee on Roads last Thursday. According to him, ‘the outcome of recent tour of the six geo-political zones by Ministry of Works has shown the extent of damage to the federal roads’. And PDP government’s disingenuous solution includes setting “in motion the necessary machinery that will lead to the maintenance and rehabilitation of federal government roads through formation of roads maintenance policy’. This according to him will consist of raising a bill that will gradually lead to the rehabilitation of our roads…by reintroducing toll gates across the country. In other words, the minister is saying Nigerians must pay if they want the broken high ways to be fixed. If tax returns through toll gate are inadequate, government according to the minister ‘would introduce other fines for the violation of traffic on the highways’ to ensure more funds ‘ is moped up for the maintenance and establishment of federal roads.’

I’m not sure Nigerians have any problem paying for what they consume. After all, we generate our own electricity. We depend not on government for water but on our own bore holes. We provide for our own security through contributions of residents associations. I think what Nigerians detest is asking them to pay for the inefficiency of a PDP government whose leading lights both at national and state levels have been known more for misappropriation and misapplication of funds meant for alleviating the sufferings of the people. Nigerians also want to know why ‘crooked’ logic of crooks takes precedence over reasoned alternative options proffered by other credible stake-holders in the Nigeria project. Nigerians are troubled that it is only PDP’s view, no matter how warped that matters, so far it satisfies the greed of its members.

O

S

HOCKED by the sheer progress of governance in a short space of time, Governor Godswill Akpabio once exclaimed in one moment of excitement: “so, government can work”?!

And as a constant reminder to leadership accountability, he has made it a consistent reference to sensitise public consciousness and compel acknowledgement of the contractual deal that exists between government and the governed. Now, at every exciting moment, it pops from the masses: So, government can work?!

Recently, there was another platform for the assessment of that refrain. Though Akpabio had sought to make the celebration of Akwa Ibom State ’s 24th anniversary low key, the outstanding achievements of his administration combined to rob him of that wish. He had to play host to a huge number of celebrated Nollywood stars, business moguls, politicians from across the country, friends and admirers of the state, etc.

True. The administration of Chief Akpabio, even in its modesty, could not escape the flurry of activities which somewhat helped to define the robust relationship between the governor and the people, including outsiders who have come to see the governor as a metaphor for responsible governance and leadership. Hence, visitors from different states and outside the country thronged the city of Uyo to celebrate the hope in tangible form made manifest these past five years.

Even the elements shared the joyous mood of the day. It was under this convivial atmosphere that the soft spoken governor of Anambra State , Dr. Peter Obi and his wife arrived. Along came the Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly and some members of Anambra State Executive Council. Interestingly, the wife of the governor of Anambra State is from Akwa Ibom State . So for Mrs Obi, it was all joy with what she had come to see in her home state – an Akwa Ibom that is working Governor Godswill Akpabio has always

New toll gates, evidence of PDP’s inept leadership When the price of diesel jumped from N50 to N180 after a secret deregulation, they had argued their target was the urban middle class that depend on diesel to run their generators.

But we now know that such anti-people policy contributed to the collapse of our tyre industries in spite of abundance of raw materials.

The party has not been able to exhibit the grace to admit that its liberalization policy which turned Nigeria to a dumping ground for substandard, disused and expired tyres has also contributed to the unprecedented carnage on our roads.

Alternative views have been expressed to the ongoing debate about the planned removal of phantom fuel subsidy. This paper’s columnist Olatunji Dare in a well reasoned argument few weeks back called attention to British Parliamentary study during Babangida era to prove there was indeed no subsidy.

Mohammed Haruna has called attention to Olu Falae’s argument back in 2009, that ‘the prices of oil at international market has little relationship to cost of production’; that we will not talk of subsidy if our refineries are working at full capacity since Guinness for instance sells the same bottle of its product for N260 in Britain and N130 in Nigeria and still smiles to the bank in Nigeria.

Haruna also referred the President to Professor Sam Aluko’s views advanced in October 9, 2000 and his conclusion that ‘as long as we import fuel, it will not work….because there is a cabal made up of importers who cause the problem.’

The professor then wondered why our four refineries will collapse at the same time or why Total PLC that manages 17 refineries all over the world could not fix our own. Haruna, like many others, while wondering why government cannot just remove the ‘cabal’ it has

fingered, has also called attention to cost of governance and the profligate consumption of our leaders. But PDP response is to dismiss those superior view points with a wave of hand. President Jonathan, who claims not to be Pharaoh nonetheless, insists ‘there is no going back on planned removal of fuel subsidy’.

This attitude of ‘PDP is in power’ perhaps explains why, with the characteristic PDP perfidy and disdain for Nigerians, the minister did not think he needed to apologise for the N300 billion appropriation that ended as misapplication for fighting electoral battle in the South-south and South-east in 2003 and for paying touts to destabilise Lagos State government within the same period. The carnage daily recorded on the broken Lagos Ibadan and Sagamu-Benin Expressways among others, is part of the casualty of PDP misapplication of funds.

The minister also ignores the fact that it was the clueless PDP government under Obasanjo that in an effort to justify the removal of phantom fuel subsidy in 2004, that allegedly awarded N10 million contracts to demolish each of the toll gates erected across the nation. PDP spent taxpayers’ money to demolish structures built through taxation efforts of the people. Now the inept PDP government wants the same overtaxed Nigerians to pay for rebuilding the same structures.

If PDP is at war with Nigeria, the government institutions it controls like the Police, the Directorate of Road Traffic Services otherwise known as the VIO, and even the FRSC have all become parts of the conspiracy against Nigerians, contributing in various ways to the carnage on our road. Illegal road blocks mounted by the Nigerian police to exhort money from motorists have been

So, government can work?

By Joseph Ndedu said that he is confronting development with anger, noting that his response to the savage criticisms of his detractors is more and more development. It was, perhaps, why he decided to celebrate the anniversary of the state’s creation with the commissioning of projects which is an index of development.

This time, it was the commissioning of the state-of-the-art Banquet Hall facility complemented with guest houses that have the trappings of modernity.

According to many of the guests, before now, they have been of the impression that Akpabio was squandering Akwa Ibom money. And yet here they were, beholding the magnificent spectacle live and in a state that was not long ago considered pedestrian and bare of such historic facilities. To them, Akwa Ibom people should be proud for having a diligent leader, who has suddenly turned the state around to that of destination that all roads lead to. Is it not said in the Holy Book that a man who is diligent in his work shall stand before kings? Akwa Ibom is today; leading the league of super states and giving its people a historic pride of place.

In the words of Governor Peter Obi, who has visited the state recently thrice, there is always something new to see in Akpabio’s Akwa Ibom. “Every time you talk about development in Nigeria , you must talk about Akwa Ibom”, he added. The governor who is married to an Akwa Ibom daughter described the rapid development in Akwa Ibom State as superlative, affirming the fact that Akwa Ibom is, indeed, working.

Here, the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, agreed. Before cutting the tape to commission some of the special government guest

houses, Tambuwal acknowledged Akpabio as one governor that is doing well, stating that was a nationally accepted position.

He referred to a Kaduna event where a professor described Governor Akpabio as the Iroko of Nigerian politics, noting that he was in the state to affirm that verdict. The speaker expressed surprise at the figure of 717 projects completed by the governor in 12 calendar months. For him, such a record is not a mean feat and should be emulated by other governors. He asserted that the story of Akpabio commissioning projects into the deep of the night bespeaks two important facts – availability of security and the fact that the governor is loved by his people.

Akpabio’s media aide, Usoro I. Usoro, would further add that the governor has surpassed all his campaign promises. Usoro who is the Senior Special Assistant on Print Media and Research, told some guests and journalists that his boss’ numerous awards, nationally and internationally, are an indication that truth can never be ignored; hence his good works are better seen than heard.

True, in recent times, Akpabio has been applauded by the various credible institutions and countries as the centre-point of hope for Nigeria. Even the American whistleblower, Wikileaks, said Akpabio should be understudied for the secrets of good governance. Following that, the 18th Congressional District of Texas honoured him with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition, because, according to it, his ‘shining example of leadership is truly worthy of respect, admiration and commendation of the United States Congress’.

There again, his selfless efforts at reposi-

known to lead to carnage on our high ways.

The VIOs only show passing interest in the ‘road worthiness’ of vehicles. They are more interested in “tokunbo’ imported cars. The body is currently at war with the FRSC over the power to license drivers. As for the FRSC, instead of providing trainings for drivers, as stated in the statute establishing it in 1988, the body is more interested in generating huge revenue for government through issuance of licences to drivers and procuring plate numbers for motorists. It is today obsessed with how to surpass the Board of Internal Revenue in revenue generation through taxation of Nigerians.

Some of the leading members of PDP federal government have demonstrated they are deficit in honour and character to manage our highways. What we have to show for their past efforts is more taxation and more carnage on our roads. But I think the alternative does not lie with the substitution of the federal government with the states as has been canvassed by the governors. Contracts at the state level are like at the federal level based on political patronage. The quality of state roads all over the country has not recommended the states as alternatives to the federal government in the management of our high ways.

But once again, we don’t need to invent the wheel. In the US, from where we copied the template for our federalism, federal roads are not given out as patronage for political support. Intergovernmental agencies manned by experts, professionals and headed by credible men subject those who handle special projects to thorough scrutiny. Thereafter the press keeps tab on progress and quality of work done. Nigeria has professionals and patriots.

The press also now has the Freedom of Information Act. The only missing link is PDP that has been unable to give leadership as a result of greed of its members. And in this regard, if President Jonathan is afraid of ‘a cabal’ he has already identified as saboteurs of the critical areas of our economy, he should by pass PDP and seek General Muhammadu Buhari’s help. I am sure, the author of ‘Nigeria has no other country but Nigeria’ will not disappoint Nigerians.

‘When the price of diesel jumped from N50 to N180 after a secret deregulation, they had argued their target was the urban middle class that depend on diesel to run their generators’ tioning Akwa Ibom State; his uncommon transformation agenda did not go unnoticed…leading the exclamation: So, government can work?!

Describing Akpabio as an enigma, Usoro is of the view the governor is a divine gift to Akwa Ibom State, so that God’s will must manifest now. For him, Akpabio “is deeply passionate, a quality that influences some of his policies like the free and compulsory education; the free medical care for children, pregnant women and the elderly, etc. He is visionary and foresighted, as seen in his style of leadership. Projects like the concentric flyovers; the Ibom Tropicana; the Ibom International Airport ; the Gas Plant; the firstin-Africa pipe-jacking underground drainage system; the e-library, etc can only emanate from a great mind. Personalities with Akpabio’s sort of cognitive mind are rare and they come seasonally. If you study the ancient philosophers, you would come across a few of them in each epoch. Akpabio is not only meticulous, he is prudent and focused.

Above all, he is very godly and very forgiving to a fault”, Usoro added.

From the mouths of many witnesses, as asserted by the Scriptures, the truth of Akwa Ibom really working was confirmed. The vision of the administration of Chief Godswill Akpabio which is turning the state into a destination was made manifest with the dignitaries that thronged the state. From Nollywood stars to captains of industries, Akwa Ibom had become a behive for these movers and shakers of the Nigerian society.

Who says vision does not have wings? Governor Akpabio has not only conceived a vision for the state, he has given it wings to fly; a flight that has truly turned the state into a destination. Today, the common exclamation remains: So, government can work?!

• Ndedu, a public affairs analyst, writes from Itu, Akwa Ibom State

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

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NATION SPORT

Lecce’s Ofere ready for first cap

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ECCE forward, Ofere Edward has expressed his opinion following his recent invitation to the Super Eagles ahead of this month’s international friendly matches against Botswana and Zambia.

Edward who has played 5 games for Lecce in the 2011/2012 Italian Serie A season has never been capped at international level.

The attacker is however full of positive emotions ahead of the games against the Southern African opposition.

“Actually it is a good thing to be here in the national team. I will say it is a dream for me to play for my national team and I am very happy to have fulfilled that dream,” Edward told SuperSport.com.

The 25 year old, previously on the books of Swedish side, Malmo FF was also quick to dispel notions that he was only in the national set up ‘to warm the bench’.

“I am not here to warm the bench.

I am here to play. “I trust the judgement of the coaches. I will give my best and the rest is up to (the coach). I am here to play,” Edward said.

Edward also revealed that he never lost hope that he would one day get the call to represent Nigeria.

“I never gave up. I waited patiently and now I have the call. I am pleased to represent my country,” he concluded.

NATION SPORT

Every match is important—Keshi S

UPER Eagles’ coach Stephen Keshi says the upcoming friendly matches against Botswana and Zambia are ‘extremely important’ games.

The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea and fans of the national team have generally expressed lukewarm sentiments following the news of a double header against Zambia and Botswana.

Keshi is, however, drumming up support for the Eagles stating that the games, even with just national pride at stake, are important games.

“Every match is important whether it is a friendly match or a qualifying game.

There is a flag that we will need to defend and that flag means a lot to all Nigerian people so we have to go out there and do our best,” Keshi told SuperSport.com.

The former Togo and Mali coach also voiced his sentiments on the reception he received from the players following his first training session in Abuja on Wednesday morning.

“Honestly, I can’t say how they (the players) took to me as new Super Eagles coach.

It is for the players to say (how they took to me) but we had a training session this (Wednesday) morning and all went well,” he explained.

The team is expected to have another training session this evening.

LONDON 2012 QUALIFIERS

Igiebor to join Dream Team V in Morocco

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IGERIAN Olympic team star Nosa Igiebor will not be part of the training camp in Ghana and would rather join up in Morocco ahead of the final qualifiers for London 2012.

The Hapoel Tel Aviv of Israel midfielder told MTNFootball.com he will team up with the Dream Team on November 20 in Morocco.

“I won’t be in Ghana and so will join the team in Morocco on November 20,” he said.

The team is due in Morocco via Nigeria

by November 17, nine days before their opening match against the host country in Tangiers.

Coach Austin Eguavoen has insisted that

You must avoid mistakes,Cooreman warns Keshi

AHEAD EAGLES/ BOTSWANA CLASH

Keshi relishes players’ turn out A

full house was what new Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi had on his first day of training with the Super Eagles.

A total of 27 players were present at the session, with the only absentee being Victor Moses, who is no longer expected after speaking with team officials.

Keshi took the team through possession and pressing drills on the artificial turf of the FIFA Goal Project Centre.

Two players, John Mikel Obi and Obinna Nsofor, who are nursing various injuries, did not train with the group.

• Keshi

• Victor Moses opts out • Mikel, Nsofor injured Mikel trained on his own on the natural grass of the National Stadium instead, while Nsofor sat out the session.

The squad trained again at 5pm on Wednesday and will travel to Benin, venue of the match today.

PLAYERS IN CAMP Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim Joseph Yobo, Yusuf Ayila, Taye

Taiwo, Chibuzor Okonkwo, Efe Ambrose, Ugo Ukah, Dele Adeleye, Gege Soriola, Elderson Echiejile, Kalu Uche, John Mikel Obi, Joel Obi, Fengor Ogude, Nosa Igiebor, Dickson Etuhu Chinedu Obasi, Ekigho Ehiosun, Brown Ideye, Ahmed Musa, Jude Aneke, Edward Ofere, Emmanuel Emenike, Obinna Nsofor, Ike Uche.

foreign-based players who are not playing regularly for their first team have to be in Ghana to prove themselves they can make his final 21-man squad for the competition.

Igiebor has been the standout star for the Olympic team in the previous rounds of the qualifiers with five goals.

The former Lillestrom of Norway is on the verge of making his full international in the Super Eagles’ forthcoming friendlies against Botswana and Zambia.

The Dream Team set up a training camp in Accra last weekend with mostly players from the Nigeria Premier League (NPL). Players based in Europe are due to start arriving Ghana from Wednesday.

V • Ofere Edward

Dream Team V to face Ghana FA Champions

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IGERIA National U-23 side otherwise called the Dream Team V, will on Thursday square up to Ghana’s 2011 FA cup champions Nania FC in its first warm up match since arriving Accra at the weekend.

Nania FC, a division one side owned by two-time African Footballer of the Year, Abedi Pele, beat Kumasi Ashante Kotoko, in July to lift the Ghana FA cup.

The Game would be decided at the East Legon stadium of the FA Cup champions.

Meanwhile, day three morning session of the Dream Team V at the Lizzy sports complex was on accuracy on the ball, short passes and shooting from close range.

25 players took part in the session as 36 Lions Ezenwaka Ugonna watched from the sidelines due to feverish conditions.

Enyimba’s Eneji Otekpa and Kano Pillars Theophilus Afelokhai returned to action on Wednesday morning after ill health ( Afelokai) and slight knock ( Otekpa) forced them to pull out of Tuesday evening practice session.

year. I’m also still sad because everyday I keep asking myself what we did wrong in that game (against Guinea).

“But that is football for you though this one is painful. Now we just need to move on and focus on the future and give our best in these games (against Botswana and Zambia).

“I’m really looking forward to playing under the coach (Stephen Keshi) and giving my best if I get the chance (to play in the games). It is important that we give our best and win these games so that our fans will start to have confidence in us again,” Musa said.

The former Kano Pillars and Juth attacking winger has made 10 appearances for the Super Eagles and scored a goal.

SUPER FALCONS JOB

Nigerian female coach slams exRSTWHILE assistant Super Falcons’ internationals Coach, and the most likely the first

E

known female Nigerian female, Joy Nnena Etim has slammed exinternationals who have shown interest in coaching the Super Falcons following the dismissal of Coach Uche Eucharia as Falcons coach few weeks back by the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF).

Etim who worked with former Super Falcons Coaches, Sam Okpodu and Ismalia Mabo spoke with Nationsports on her reservations for these ex-internationals whom she claimed were not matured enough to handle the girls.

According to Etim, she claimed that some players were of the same age with the some of the ex-internationals applying for the exalted position. She said: “They shouldn't pick any coach based on their playing abilities. Rather they should look at the experience and qualifications of a coach. It is not about playing across the globe. We don't want ex-players that don't have the technical savvy of a coach. What matters most in coaching is the experience and

By Stella Bamawo your achievements as a coach."

In the same vein, she advised the NFF to ensure that they give a free hand to who ever is appointed as Falcons Coach: "Super Falcons’ Coach should also be allowed to pick their assistants like the Super Eagles’ Coach has been given the freedom to pick their assistants. They should allow them pick assistants that can deliver.

Coach Nnena Joy Etim also believes that a woman would be the best bet for the Falcons job.

“There are lots of things required in coaching. It does not end on the field of play. NFF should puck a motherly figure, someone that understands the girls. Left to me Eucharia is okay if she can be given a second chance, I am also capable. After all, during Mabo and Okpodu we won gold. It is not about coming from Europe," she said.

mistakes that (Siasia) made. Don’t fight with the players and see that everybody is in a good mood,” Cooreman told SuperSport.com.

Keshi had a tumultuous relationship with Tottenham’s Nigerian born striker, Emmanuel Seyi Adebayor when he was in charge of Togo and Cooreman says Keshi must be diplomatic in handling the players if he is to succeed as Nigeria coach.

“You must be diplomatic and certain issues should never be made public (as was the case with Siasia).

“If you don’t handle things properly, you can’t achieve anything,” Cooreman concluded.

I was never away from Eagles —Enyeama

S

Musa still haunted by AFCON miss

VV-Venlo winger, Ahmed Musa says he is still haunted by missing the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations but will give an arm and a leg in the friendly games against Botswana and Zambia.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles face Botswana’s Zebras on November 12 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

Three days later, the Super Eagles and Zambia’s Chipolopolo will be locked in a battle at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.

Musa, 19, told SuperSport.com that he is ready to give his best in the games.

He added that he would not mind seeing the Super Eagles defeat Botswana and Zambia in convincing fashion.

“I know our fans are very disappointed that we won’t be at the Nations Cup next

C

OACH of Nigeria Premier League (NPL) club, Kaduna United Coach, Maurice Cooreman believes sacked Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia made ‘several mistakes’ and has been quick to warn the incumbent, Stephen Keshi to avoid the same pitfalls.

Siasia had well documented spats with several members of the Super Eagles’ team with Fulham’s Dickson turning down an invitation to play against Ghana in a botched friendly in London before declaring that he would never play for the team whilst the coach remained at the helm.

Cooreman has now moved to issue ‘words of wisdom’ to the new Man, Keshi insisting that handling players in the ‘right manner’ is an important ingredient for success.

“He should not make the same

• Enyeama

UPER Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama has spoken on his return to the squad after missing out on the team’s last three matches.

Enyeama was dropped by former Coach Samson Siasia for the 2012 Africa Nation’s qualifier against Madagascar on September 4 in Antananarivo after he raised complaints about the team’s travel arrangements.

He also missed the team’s last two games against Argentina and Guinea last month.

Following the sacking of Siasia, Enyeama has now made a return to the team for the upcoming friendly matches with Botswana and Zambia.

The OSC Lille Metropole keeper was, however, quick to state that he was ‘never away from the national team’.

“I don’t understand why people are saying I am just returning to the team.

I will want an explanation for that because I was never away from the team,” Enyeama told SuperSport.com.

He then expressed is mind on missing the Eagles’ last three games against Madagascar, Argentina and Guinea.

“I missed those matches but my heart was always with the team,” he said.

The former Enyimba man was however quick to quash speculations on the actual details of his fallout with former coach, Siasia.

“I don’t want to go into that; it’s in the past now and it belongs to the history books,” he said.

Super Eagles to receive royal blessing • Amodu to roll out Team Oshiomhole

A

s part of the regeneration of the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles who are expected to arrive Benin City, this Thursday for their international friendly against Botswana, the team is expected to pay a visit to the Benin Monarch, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Erediuawa 11 in his palace.

Team sources told reporters that during the visit, the Benin Monarch is expected to bless the team and also, pray for the future of the team, especially as new handler of the team, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, is regarded as a son of the soil.

Edo FA officials led by the Chairman, Chief Abel Ehigie, have been making arrangements to ensure a smooth game on Saturday, even as all relevant committees have been put on alert. “We’re making proper preparations and because this is a grade A friendly involving the richest national team in Africa, security has been beefed up in and around Benin City”, declared Edo FA Vice Chairmen, Frank Ilaboya.

Already, indications have emerged that the Edo youth team, comprising U14 and U15 managed by veteran Shuiabu Amodu, will set the tone for Saturday’s game, when it

displays it skills before the Super Eagles encounter.

The Amodu tutored side now styled Team Oshiomhole, will be made to play against themselves on the day.

Two Senatorial districts are expected to file out in the curtain raiser to the Super Eagles-Botswana encounter.

“The Comrade Governor is excited and ready to make Saturday, a day to remember, because it falls on the day of his inauguration, and he wants to make the best of the ceremony”, Edo FA Media Committee Chairman, Ben Alaiya added.

• Oshiomole

Oyo government assures on Ojebode’s health

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HE family of former captain of IICC Shooting Stars football Club of Ibadan, now 3SC, Samuel Ojebode can now heave a sigh of relief over his state of health as Oyo State government has taken up the case.

Ojebode is in critical but stable condition at the University Teaching Hospital Ibadan (UCH), where he was diagnosed to be suffering from a heart-related ailment.

In a chat with Nationsport, the state commissioner for Youth and Sports, Honourable Dapo LamAdesina disclosed that the state has taken up the responsibility of ensuring that Ojebode received the best treatment.

“I’ve been to the UCH and I’ve seen him and I’ve reported back to my boss. And as you know, the Senator Abiola Ajimobi-led Oyo State government is committed to the wellbeing of its citizens and will not allow the country to lose one of her heroes. Chief Ojebode has done a lot for the country most especially Oyo State where he played and captained then Shooting Stars for so many years. He has brought honour and won laurels for this country during his playing days.

“Now we are working on his health issues. We have spoken to the management of the hospital, but

• Awaits UCH report

By Akeem Lawal because I was not around, not much could be done. Now that I’m around, I can assure you that something tangible will be done by the state government”, he assured.

Asked if the state might fly him abroad for further treatment, Adesina said, “What we were told is that the ailment has to do with his heart and I believe God is in control.

Until we have the medical report from the UCH, that is when we can determine if they can handle it or not, but so far up till this moment, they are in control.

Sam Ojebode captained Shooting Stars football Club between 1974 and 1980. He was left full back for both club and country through that period and his attacking runs down the left flank were a beauty to watch.

In 1976 he led Shooting Stars team that had the likes of Segun Odegbami, Muda Lawal (late), Best Ogedegbe (late), Kunle Awesu, Otolorin Moses, Idowu Otubusin (Slow Poison) to victory in the Africa Cup Winners Cup and made history by becoming the first club side in Nigeria to win a continental trophy.

Lagos table tennis league enters second week

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HE eight-week Lagos table tennis league enters week two today as over 50 players across the state converge at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre in Rowe Park.

The competition, which is being organised in collaboration with the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) will afford the players the opportunity to be part of the seminar put together for athletes.

According to the technical coordinator of the championship, John Peters, organisers have made frantic efforts to encourage female players to be part of the tournament following the low turnout in the week one edition.

“There is no doubt that more male

By Innocent Amomoh players are coming for the competition but our concern is the female players because this will surely help the glamour of the event.

We are hoping that more female athletes will feature in the week two edition as we have encouraged some of them to participate,” Peters said.

However, some of the junior players have vowed to upstage the senior players following the performance of some of them in the week one edition.

It will be recalled the Union Bank Sports Club dominated the week one edition with Jide Ogidiolu and Aminat Fashola emerging champions.

Ogidiolu overcome his teammate,

Sola Oyetayo 3-2 in an entertaining final, while latest discovery in women category, Fashola dismissed experienced Fatimo Bello to become the week one champion.

For Peters, the turn out of players really showed that with such tournament, it would help the athletes to be in top form for major championships.

“I think this is a very good development for the game in the state especially for the state in its preparation for the next National Sports Festival. We believe that when the competition ends in December most of the players will surely be in good shape for any tournament”, Peters explained.

25

THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

It is a six-year programme, but they spent 10 years to complete it. This is the story of the 49 medical students who graduated from the Delta State University School of Health Sciences, Abraka, last week. Their graduation fuels the hope of the current medical students that there is light at the end of the tunnel OKUNGBOWA AIWEREI writes.

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

email:- education@thenationonlineng.com

•Main Gate, DELSU, Abraka Campus

A long road to graduation •10 years after, medical students leave school

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HEN the first set of 49 medical students of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka enrolled in the School of Health Sciences, little did they know that the six-year programme would take them 10 years to complete. Full of hopes, they enrolled for the programme during the 2001/2002 academic session.

Six years after, they were in school when they should have graduated. They grumbled, but they soldiered on. Last week, their patience paid off-after 10 years.

Twenty-five of then are luckier than others. They were offered automatic internship by the Delta State government.

But for their automatic employment, the question would have been: who will compensate the young doctors or, better still, their parents, for the financial and emotional investments of the extra years?

Aside the rigorous training associated with medicine, the road to self-realisation for these recently-qualified doctors was long and tourtous.

For the 10 years the programme lasted, they endured the pangs of frustration, uncertainty, self-doubt and near hopelessness as the years rolled by. However, with the first set of doctors already graduated, there is an air of optimism in students and lecturers.

But what prospect for the medical students currently in the system when viewed given the unsavoury experiences of their predecessors?

Recounting his experience, Adja Harrison Ejiroghene, a 400-Level medical student, who spoke to this reporter at the medical school in Oghara, lamented how the predicament forced many medical students into certain activities which any medical student would least consider.

Using himself as an example, Ejiroghene, president, Students Union Government for the 2006/ 2007academic session, recalled how the situation forced him into unionism.

He asked:“Where in any Nigerian university have you seen medical students partake actively in campus politics? My aspiration was due to lack of serious academic work.”

The paucity of funds, which fallout was the non-accreditation of some of the medical programmes, constituted a major headache to students.

Ejiroghene recalled how protests to reverse the trend in the past, led to brushes with the management.

“We had lots of protests. The most challenging was the one in 2008, which culminated in the scrapping of Delta State University Medical and Dental Students’ Association (DUMDSA) .But I will say that protest forced the government

•Prof Igweh

•Ejiroghene

to release funds for the final accreditation that we now enjoy.

Thank God, we have come to the point of graduating medical students. I must say it was due to the protest in 2008 that the accreditation came to be.”

He continued: “If you enrol for a four-year degree course, one is expected to have wound up academic activities after the years, but when this is not the case, tongues would start wagging. It was a trying moment for us as friends, parents and foes alike

kept asking us questions. We were traumatised and frustrated. Some 21 students were rusticated after the 2008 protest.”

Owing to backlogs, Ejiroghene said the medical school now parades two sets of students at each level “Apart from the 600-Level students who have just passed out, we have another set and two sets of 400level students – A and B – same with 300-Level. We hope the school will •Continued on Page 26

• 27 CASUAL WORKERS SEEK PANEL’S INTERVENTION - PAGE 28 • GROUP URGES FED GOVT TO REINSTATE VC, OTHERS - PAGE 37

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

26

EDUCATION Church launches scholarship scheme THE Wisdom Group of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) City of David (CoD) Parish, VI will hold a fund raiser dinner in support of its Scholarship Scheme for bright and talented young Nigerians from financially-challenged homes.

The event is scheduled for tomorrow, at The Incubator, Victoria Island extension, Lagos.

The event will start at 6pm under the Chairmanship of Mr Bisi Onasanya, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, FirstBank Plc. According to the Chairman of the Scholarship Board of Trustees, Adebisi Omoyeni, “Driven by the growing number of applicants, The Wisdom Group thought it wise to invite other noble and endowed Nigerians outside of our fold to share in the joy of helping young Nigerians fulfill their dreams and God-ordained destinies by helping to raise the next generation of Nigerian leaders who, without support, may just waste away.

The Wisdom Group in The RCCG (COD), which initiated the scholarship two years ago, comprises members aged 50 years and above committed to people empowerment and advancement of societal good.

Pupils protest poor facility in Ebonyi model schools

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UPILS of Girls High School, Azuiyiokwu and Model Comprehensives Girls Secondary School Ugwuachara, two out of the 27 pilot boarding schools established by the Chief Martin Elechi-led administration have protested lack of amenities at the model schools.

The students, who made the protest during the inspection of the model schools by the Commissioner for Education, Prince Chibueze Agbo, regretted that they lack the amenities that should ensure a good learning environment in the unity schools.

One of the pupils who spoke to our correspondent, Miss Chinyere Chukwu stated that the number of pupils accommodated in the different hostels is outrageous. She said up to 200 pupils cram a hostel, which ordinarily should not take beyond 100 pupils.

According to her, “we are going through untold headship in this model school. The school is not conducive for learning like other model boarding schools in other states. Here, instead of about 100 pupils in a hotel,

From Ogbonnaya Obinna Abakaliki

we have more than 200 people.”

“There is no power here, no water, nothing at all to show that this is a special school. We are suffering, and our health is not secured because you don’t have access to good water to bath or do other things. We are calling on the state government to urgently provide the necessary amenities so that we would not contract diseases”.

Another pupil, Miss Okwuchukwu Oke, noted that the intention of the state government has been defeated. “For me, I believe that the intention of the state government have been defeated because if what we have now was the original plan of the state government for a model school, then we don’t have one.”

“The state government, when they came up with the idea of a model special school, some of us

who could not gain admission into the Federal Government model schools felt we now have an alternative. But when the job for the construction of the hostels commenced, we were excited, but regrettably, what we have here is not better than a community school.

“The government is supposed to cater for our feeding, but we don’t even have food to eat. Some of us have to sneak out from the hostel to beg for food. The state government recently said that it spent about N40 million on our feeding.

We don’t know if it is the attendants that are hoarding the food or that the government does not make provision for the feeding,” she said.

But Prince Agbo, said that the government is doing everything within its powers to ensure the provision of all necessary facilities that would better the pupils’ lots in the affected schools.

Agbo, who called on all and sun-

• Gov Elechi

dry to assist the state government in the provision of amenities and renovation of schools in the state, added that a good learning environment would help reduce the number of failures witnessed in both the West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) exams.

DVC challenges new students FRESH students of Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, have been urged to embrace the principle of delayed gratification. Prof Samuel Oyewole, Deputy ViceChancellor of the AAUA, gave the admonition while welcoming them.

According to the don, it is beneficial in the long run to make some sacrifice now and reap the benefit later. It is better to have your gratification delayed than to have it now and suffer later,” he said. Prof Oyewole advised them to “spend less time on social interactive sites.” He also implored them to take their lectures seriously, be active participants in tutorial or practical classes, seek clarification when necessary and be team players.

From 2nd left:Vice-Principal, Anglican Girls College, Ijanikin, Lagos, Mrs Racheal Ogundele; Principal, Revd Canon Alfred Adefoluke; Chairman, Diocese of Lagos West Education Board of the church, who was Guest of Honour, Mrs Nike Ademolekun and some pupils of the school during its Second Inter-House Sports Competition.

A long, tortuous road to graduation •Continued from Page 25

do something about the backlogs and quickly too,” Ejiroghene added.

Miss Diolu Judith, another 400Level medical student, is optimistic the future is bright and that her studies will end at the stipulated time, despite the inconveniences and trials suffered by her predecessors.

She also said the two sets of students at each level is one hurdle the management must cross to lessen the physical exertions of students which makes them unable to do serious studies after school.

According to her, the second batch of 400-Level medical students, who are supposed to have resumed at Oghara campus for their course and examination, could not because of their Batch A counterparts. The first batch of 400-Level students still commute from Abraka campus to Oghara Teaching Hospital daily for studies.

Her words: “We are supposed to be in Warri as 400-Level students, but we are unable to go because the current 400-level students are occupying the hostels at Warri. Besides, they have not written their examinations to enable them go to Oghara for their 500-Level courses, so we have to wait. The last three

months have been hectic as we have to commute daily to Oghara for introductory postings. This daily commuting by bus is really stressful.

Each time we come back in the evening, we are unable to do any serious study as we are tired from the journey.”

But the Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, College of Health Sciences, Prof. John Igweh, regretted how dearth of funds contributed to the non-accreditation of the School of Health Sciences by the National Universities Commission (NUC), despite government’s best intentions.

He said: “Medical school, you know, is expensive to run. It requires lots of funds to set it up and get it going. Another factor is the problem of recruiting quality staff.

So, when you set up medical school, these sort of teething problems are bound to arise. I cannot think of any medical school that did not go through this problem at the beginning; and we all know how government runs. Government is faced with several problems daily and it has to prioritise. Our funds kept trickling in and it eventually built up to the point that got the school matured enough to be accredited. The challenges are enormous but they are

surmountable.”

Igweh admitted that the emotional scars of the long academic sojourn cannot be wished away, describing same as a blessing in disguise.

“I will see it more in terms of compensation for having stayed in medical school longer than they should. Students graduate from medical school across the country, but spend such a long time looking for a place to do housemanship. Even the ones that qualified to go for residency equally spend a long time without finding one. So, it is a major plus for the students and the College of Health Sciences.”

He acknowledged that there are backlogs of students waiting to be graduated.

“Yes, we do have some kind of spillover,” he explained, “ I imagine that in the next six months we should be graduating another set of doctors because there are a number of them in queue. It poses some challenges, no doubt about that.

But, in the next one or two years we will have normalised the situation.”

With the accreditation palaver settled and the students bubbling with renewed spirit and with the

state-of-the-art medical facilities at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, Igweh hoped, all things being equal, that students of the school should graduate on record time.

“The (medical) programme is supposed to run for six years. We have accreditation, the students are ready. There is no reason we should not graduate them in records time,” Igweh said.

“ ... And students indict government for MASS NEGLECT of schools!”

27

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

EDUCATION

My vision for AOCOED, by provost The seventh provost of the 53-year-old Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Otto/Ijanikin, Lagos, Mr Olalekan Bashorun, has promised to work for the college’s upgrade to a university during his four-year tenure, writes ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA

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HE Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Otto/Ijanikin, Lagos is set for greater heights under its new provost.

As a teacher-producing institute, the college, over the years, has blazed the trail in fulfilling some of its mandate which include “providing instruction for diploma certificates and other distinctions in education and producing an adequate supply of well-qualified non-graduate teachers in accordance with the requirements of both the federal and state ministries of education; providing special training courses in educational or related subjects, taking into account the requirements of federal and state ministries of education; conduct research, with particular reference to research in education, as well as arranging conferences, seminars, courses, study groups and such activities improving instructions and learning in the state schools.

Over the years, AOCOED has produced teachers that are worth their salt; and with the seventh Provost Mr Olalekan Bashorun now in the saddle, the management says it has what it takes to be upgraded to a university of education.

Bashorun boasts that not only is he committed to making the college a world class, but he would also realise his vision to upgrade it to university of education in due course.

His administration, Bashorun stressed, will operate an all inclusive and open-door policy. He assured that as an insider who joined the service of the college since 1998, and rising through the ranks a robust relationship between the management, staff and students is guaranteed.

“By the time I’m through, this college will have been transformed into a world-class institution of interdisciplinary education in teaching, learning, research and community development having social, moral character and ethical fulfillment.” Said he: “Of all institutions in Lagos State, we are the oldest; and for a college which over the years, has transformed from a Grade I to Grade 2 and now to NCE, I strongly believe we have what it takes to be upgraded into a university of education; and this will be one of my key objectives.”

Bashorun said age and facilities in the 53-year-old institution put it in a good stead to move into a university.

He said the college will embark on wide consultations with all stakeholders on its current move, vis-à-vis seeking ways to upgrade and enrich its curricular.

The college came into being as a child of necessity on Monday, January 9, 1956 in Lagos, to cater for the army of unqualified teachers that then manned many missions/government schools alongside providing training for craftsmen, who could help teach practical skills to pupils during the colonial era. The college then called Lagos Day Training College located at Okesuna area of Lagos Island, had 90 pioneering students, with seven academic and two non-academic staff, as well as one Mr S. Dawodu as its first principal. Incidentally, the burgeoning population of the

students compelled the college, which then issued Grade 111 certificates to its graduates, to move to Surulere. Subsequently, it was rechristened as Government Teacher’s College and later, the Advance Teacher’s College, Surulere.

In 1973, the status of the college was again elevated to an NCEawarding institution, in affiliation with the then Institute of Education, University of Lagos. The first NCE graduates passed out in 1976.

In 1982, the college moved to its present site at Otto/Ijanikin, Lagos.

Another remarkable turning point was reached when the Military Administrator of Lagos State, Col. Muhammed Buba Marwa officially renamed the College after Otunba Adeniran Ogunsanya, an illustrious son of the state who, until his death in November 1996, had contributed immensely to the provision of quality education in Lagos.

Bashorun whose appointment was announced by the Lagos State Government - owner of the college in August promised to leverage on the legacy of his predecessor Mr Hakeem Ajose-Adeogun.

Bashorun promises to add more infrastructure to the ones already on ground, embarking on more training and retraining of staff and improving on skill acquisition and entrepreneurship educating in line with recommendation by the National Council for Colleges of Education (NCCE) its regulatory body.

This, Bashorun added, is in addition to the revival of academic journal; regular and periodical seminars and conferences, improvement in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), book publications, annual college profile and reference books as well as banishing cultism on campus via a revival of scholarships to worthy and deserving students, among others.

As another way of increasing the college internally-generally revenue, Bashorun a graduate of Agricultural Business&Economics from Virginia University, United States vowed to sustain the college linkages with national, regional and international institution and agencies, such as Ekiti State University (EKSU), Havering College UK, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia; University of Education, Winnebar Ghana, and University of Wisconsin, among others by approaching same for grants and exchange programmes.

He also planned to revive the now rested NCE evening programme and reshuffle the Student Affairs Division; the Library Unit, and Staff School.

A member of Nigerian Association of Teachers Technology and Science Teachers Association of Nigerian (STAN), Bashorun unveiled plans to track legions of graduates from the college, to put back into their alma mater, something Bashorun noted has been lacking for years. Already, a Centre of Advancement is being structured to start a database of all its graduate “I wish to establish a Centre for Advancement to create more opportunities for the college. The centre will be saddled with tracking thousands of many of our graduates and following them up to give back to their alma mater. The centre will also reach out to relevant agencies,

•AOCOED...still waxing strong after five decades (inset) Bashorun

•Mrs Akran declaring open the college e-library last week, with Bashorun (middle) while the college Librarian, Mrs Omotayo Oluwole, looks on

•AOCOED newly completed ICT Centre

and private organisations who are capable of endowing physical, and social and capital projects for the development of the institution.”

A scholarship package, Bashorun continued, also awaits hardworking and morally upright students. Bashorun said a scholarship scheme is underway to reward industrious students, retain them as teachers to the college upon graduation or better still recommend them to government agencies and

other stakeholders for onward employment.

At present, the college has completed a two-storey School of Language Complex and another twostorey ICT Centre, while another two-storey School of Vocational and Technical Education and the college Health Centre are ongoing.

With a responsive Governing Council headed by Mrs Victoria Akran, a seasoned administrator and a retired permanent secretary

in the Lagos State Civil Service, a staff of approximately 900 (academic and non-academic) and students whose population approximately stands at an enviable 10,000, one is left without doubt that the over five decades-old college has lived up to its vision: “to be a leading teacher education characterised an inclusive and enabling valuedriven professional culture recognised globally for academic excellence and a focus on quality.”

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

EDUCATION

27 casual workers seek panel’s intervention

EKSU FILE Bisi Fayemi advocates mentoring WIFE of the Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has appealed to Nigerians to start mentoring young women to that nurture and prepare them for the harsh world of family business, politics and public life.

In doing this, she said, women associations will set an example for young women because they would practice what they see and not what they hear.

Mrs Fayemi delivered a lecture titled: Recreating Identities the role of feminist theory and practice in creating agenda for transformation at the yearly conference of the Ekiti State University branch of the National Association of Women Academics (NAWACS), which took place at the Main auditorium of the insitution.

Varsity approves new professors THE Governing Council of the Ekiti State University, has approved the promotion of some senior academic staff of the university to the status of professors.

Their confirmation was made at the last meeting of the Governing Council.

Those elevated are Dr J.A. Olaogun and Dr. O.A. Ibitoye of the Faculty of the Social Sciences; as well as Dr. M.A. Abdul- Raheem of the Faculty of Arts, whose promotion took effect from October 1, 2008. That of Dr. S.B. Adeyemo of the Faculty of Engineering took effect from October 1, 2007.

Fed Govt advised on researches THE Federal Government has been told to find ways of making internal researchers particularly in technology as a basis for internal dependence.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Ekiti State University, Prof Dada Adelowo, made the call at the Annual Conference of the Nigerian Association of Mathematical Physics at the university.

Adelowo, who was represented by Prof.

Gbenga Aribisala of the School of Postgraduate Studies, noted that this would aid the nation to fast- track its development.

He, therefore, urged the association to brace up to the challenges facing the country in the area of technological development.

T

WENTY-seven casual workers of the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo have appealed to members of the Visitation Panel set up by Governor Abiola Ajimobi to look into their plight and absorb them into the institution.

To reposition the college, Ajimobi, had two weeks ago, sacked all the principal staff of the college and inaugurated a visitation panel to advise the government on the state of affairs in the institution.

Other tertiary institutions owned by the state government also got the hammer, except the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).

The appeal came on the heels of protests to state government to regularise their appointment, having spent over 15 years in the service of the institution without any condition of service.

The workers, who are attached to the Directorate of Degree and Part-time Programmes, said the action of the governor would pave way for the needed reformation of the institution and end

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan, and Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

needless confrontation among the management and members of the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) and casual workers.

The management of the college under Dr. Amos Alabi had several times denied the existence of casual workers, despite documents tendered by the affected workers.

In a letter to the governor, a copy which was made available to The Nation in Ibadan, the workers expressed confidence in the administration of the governor to right the wrongs of the past by intervening in the crisis of leadership rocking the institution.

“More worrisome was the decision of the provost to employ 67 new workers the ma-

jority of whom were relatives and members of the family of the principal officers against the directive of the then Governing Council of the college to absorb into the main stream the 27 casual workers in the college. “ The management under the Provost, after ignoring the directive to regularise the appointment of those who have spent 12-15 years without condition of service, employed the 67 workers on the order of the former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala four days to the end of Akala’s administration,” the workers alleged.

The excited workers recalled that despite the effort of wellmeaning individuals in the state to ensure that the illegality stopped, the college, under the management of the sacked provost, remained adamant in their quest for the

regularisation of appointment.

With the removal of the principal officers, the workers said there would be a return of peace and order, while the long sufferings encountered by the workers would be over.

Similarly, human rights activists and stakeholders in education have jointly called on Governor Ajimobi to reinstate the four lecturers of the college who were sacked by the Alao-Akala administration.

The lecturers include former Chairman, Amnesty International, Dr. Simeon Abiodun Aina, also chairman, College Academic Staff Union (COEASU).

The three others were Aina’s deputy general secretary and assistant general secretary of the union.

The affected workers were

‘The management under the Provost, after ignoring the directive to regularise the appointment of those who have spent 1215 years without condition of service , employed the 67 workers on the order of the former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala four days to the end of Akala’s administration’

dismissed for opposing and protesting the tax policy of the Alao-Akala administration, which they referred to as ‘killer and obnoxious’ Disturbed by continued delay of their reinstatement, the Justice Development and Peace Movement (JDPM), an arm of Oyo Catholic Diocese waded into the feud as part of its monthly interactive forum.

Addressing reporters in Oyo town at the end of the meeting, Head of the Department of Human Rights and Political Education of the group, Mr Dominic Taiwo, urged the governor to upturn the decision of the previous administration.

“As a man of peace, and one committed to the well-being of people of the state, the forum passionately appeals to the governor to consider the plight of the lecturers, who were victimised, intimidated, and persecuted by the AlaoAkala administration for championing a just cause,” he said.

Taiwo stated that the sacked lecturers have families and relations to cater for, pointing out that delaying their reinstatement would further aggravate their situation, and make lives unbearable.

C&S raises N5b for varsity today

By Jude Isiguzo

HE Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church is to establish a Not-for-profit university as part of its social responsibility in the next 12 months.

According to the church, the proposed university with about N5billion projection, is expected to create room for children of indigent members of the church, who desire quality and moral education, at affordable and moderate cost.

A fund raiser for the project will hold today, and is expected to attract important personalities such as the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola; his Deputy, Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire and Hon Dave Salako.

The institution, which will be named Moses Orimolade University, will berth at Omu Aran in Kwara State.

The project is being supervised by a committee, headed by Most Senior Apostle Dr Solomon Adio, a one-time member of the Inter-religious Committee set up by the administration of former president Olusegun Obasanjo.

Speaking on the new university, Adio said the church is on “the threshold of opening a first class university, to be funded by its members and their well -wishers, in the name of the torch bearer of the church, the Late Moses Orimola Tunolase.”

T

•From left: Guest Lecturer Mrs Bamidele Adetutu Awere; Chairman, Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (ANUPA), Mr Olayinka Kayode-Owotutu; and former registrar, Lagos State University (LASU), Mr Oluwatoyin Oshun at the body’s second professional lecture at the University of Lagos.

Plateau Poly matriculates 4,170

T

HE joy of over the 4,000 students of the Plateau State Polytechnic knew no bounds when they took matriculation oaths last week.

The institution had been shut for over a year as a result of a strike by the Joint Union of Plateau Stateowned Tertiary Insitutions (JUPSTI)).

The institution’s Rector, Dauda Gyemang, called on the new students who cut across various schools of the institution to settle down and take their studies serious to regain the time lost during the long period of strike.

The Rector assured that the institution would strive to maintain the high academic standard it is known for, urging the students to take their

From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

studies serious and shun evil company, which could tarnish the image of the institution and scuttle the future of the students.

Gyemang said more than 7, 000 applied to study in the polytechnic, but based on national Board for Technical Education (NBTE) recommendation, which takes into cognisance existing facilities, only 4,170 students were offered admissions.

Acknowledging the forthcoming local government elections in the state, the rector cautioned the students against dabbling into politics and making themselves ready tools in the hands of greedy politicians who may want to use them to perpetrate violence.

His words: “Today, we matriculate 4,170 of you out of over 7, 000 who applied.

While congratulating you for the opportunity to study in this institution, I urge you to tighten your belts and take your studies serious as

‘Today, we matriculate 4,170 of you out of over 7, 000 who applied. I urge you to tighten your belts and take your studies serious’

the institution is poised to recover all that was lost when the academic activities were halted for a session as a result of the strike.

“May I warn that you should not indulge in any social vice like examination malpractice as anyone caught will be expelled. The local government election is by the corner.Let me warn that you must steer clear of politics and do not allow yourselves to be used by politicians as political thugs,” he said.

He appreciated the efforts of government and other donor agencies who are partnering with the institution. He called for more corporate participation to donate study aids which would enable the students graduate to become self-employ.

29

Gains and pains of e-learning

Fee hike fever hits Auchi Poly

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

Page 33

Page 31

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE 0805-450-3104 email: ladycampus@yahoo.com THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

•The venue of the show after students left in anger

When a show turned awry On October 29, students of the University of Port Harcourt gathered for a show by a wavemaking artiste. But things turned awry when the artiste failed to show up. CHRIS OKAFOR (400-Level Microbiology) reports.

“G

OOD morning, ladies and gentlemen, we apologise for the late commencement of this show and, candidly, solicit your understanding as we proceed.”

These were the words of the Master of Ceremony at the beauty pageant held at the gymnasium centre of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).

The pageant, organised by the Student Union Government (SUG), started about 12:15am, with a large crowd of youths and students of UNIPORT and other institutions eager to watch the much-publicised guest artiste.

Although several local artistes took turns to perform, the audience eagerly anticipated the arrival of the rave of the moment, Whizkid.

After a few performances, the contestants took the centre stage.

They were dressed in colourful attires and full of “pure” smiles.

There were five male contestants and 10 female contestants. One after the other they came on stage to display their culture, intellectual and artistic prowess. The men spiced the parade with a brazen display of muscles which sent the crowd into ecstasy.

While the parade went on, some

•Male contestants being surrounded by students

sections of the audience intermittently began shouting “we want Whizkid”. Aware that they had got the attention of everyone in the hall, they started throwing sachets of water, fruit juice cans and every thing they could lay their hands on.

Although the rage subsided after a few minutes, there was still tension.

With the contestants done with the parade, attention shifted to the judges, comprising three men and a woman, for the final results.

One of them was about announcing the result when news filtered in that Whizkid had announced on his Twitter page that he would not make the show.

From that moment, things turned awry. The students began throwing anything in sight at the

SUG officials and guests on the high table. The arena became rowdy as the guests and SUG officials ran for dear lives. Everyone went into hiding and the venue was deserted.

A student, who did not want to be named, said the reason for the tumult was because the students thought the SUG deceived them.

“They told us that he is coming to UNIPORT but as at 2am there was no Whizkid, until we heard that he posted on his Twitter page that he has no business in UNIPORT that day so I personally went mad,” he said.

CAMPUSLIFE learnt that Whizkid agreed to come to UNIPORT on October 21, for the Mr and Miss UNIPORT beauty pageant after he was paid N1.5

•Whizkid

million but failed to turn up.

SUG President Oworkhire Rhino said: “The students wanted to see Whizkid and so we contacted him to come. We paid him N1.5 million which he demanded so we went on with the publicity for the event but he disappointed us. At 10:20pm, they called to tell us that they had collected their boarding pass and were about •Continued on page 30

•Water scarcity rocks campus- PG32 •Suspected student-robber held- PG33

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

30

CAMPUS LIFE

Fads and dangers

I

sexual fantasy. The conversation does take many forms, including candid expression of sexual feelings or discussion of very personal and sensitive sexual topics.

Phone sex exists both in the context of intimate relationships (e.g., among distanced lovers), and as a with commercial transaction between a paying customer and a paid professional. There are pimps on and off campus who link the girls with the 08054503104 paying customers.

(SMS only) One of the reports I got, which was confirmed by my visitor, added that •campuslife@thenationonlineng.net girls now take naked pictures of •ladycampus@yahoo.com themselves and send to their boyfriends. In some cases, to complete the Christian faith has come under severe strangers.

According to these misdirected attack by postmodernists who question sagirls, once they do not show their faces in the cred truths of the Bible.

Now, what does this have to do with phone photo, they were safe.

One of them retorted that phone sex was sex? better than engaging in the real sex as it proI got a story once, about two years ago, from one of my students about the ludicrous tects her from the many complications that lengths girls and boys on campus go to in could arise from going to bed with the the name of satisfying their sexual urges. stranger.

The idea that any and everything is allowed Phone sex was the thing. Not that it was my first time of hearing of the term, but some- is what irks me. Now, the issue is no longer how I refused to believe the claims in the between what is right and what is wrong; it is story. And being as it is with such stories about what each individual considers right. where none of the respondents wanted to And no one wants another to tell them that reveal their real names, I decided to drop their choice is wrong.

Maybe if we didn’t profess Christianity, or the story.

But recently, other reports have come in. other religions, which clearly frowns at the These ones are even more disturbing. Then lascivious lifestyle, maybe if our African valin the course of our discussion during a visit ues do not totally abhor these behaviours, last Sunday, one of my correspondents dwelt maybe just maybe I wouldn’t be too pained on the same issue. He promised to do his own with the debauchery going on all over the report on it and send it in. I told him to go place.

Just last week some papers carried the story ahead.

So, what is this growing fad and why are of four girls who were beaten, stripped naked and made to walk round a hotel and the our young people caught up in it?

Phone sex is a type of virtual sex that refers surrounding streets in Akure, the Ondo State to sexually explicit conversation between or capital. This was on the orders of a man they other persons via telephone, especially when jointly slept with the previous night. The sum at least one of the participants engages in of N9,000 was missing from his money after

Pushing Out

T is a fad; one of those fads that affects mostly young people. Like many fads in vogue today, it is rooted in the spirit of the age. It has its origins and even practice in the postmodernist’s worldview. I am talking about what is more commonly known among students as “phone sex”.

Postmodernism, in layman’s terms, posits that nothing is certain. In effect, it allows the individual person to define his or her belief, values as well as what constitutes right or wrong. It also says that no one has the right to dictate or preach to another what rules or values should guide their personal conduct.

According to the online encyclopedia, Wikipedia.com, postmodernism says “that many, if not all, apparent realities are only social constructs and are therefore subject to change. It emphasises the role of language, power relations, and motivations in the formation of ideas and beliefs. In particular it attacks the use of sharp classifications such as male versus female, straight versus gay, white versus black, and imperial versus colonial; it holds realities to be plural and relative, and to be dependent on whom the interested parties are and of what their interests consist”.

The site added that it supports the belief that “there is no absolute truth and that the ways in which different people perceive the world are subjective”.

This prevailing culture has affected a lot of things including literary criticism, sociology, linguistics, architecture, history, anthropology, visual arts, music, social relations and even religion. Sadly, in the West,

Ngozi Agbo

‘People and God motivated me’

Hammed Jimoh, alias Xplorer, is a studentcomedian. The 200-Level student of Zoology at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) is the presenter of Talk d Talk on UNILORIN FM. He told his classmate WALE BAKARE why he loves comedy.

‘Nigerians don’t laugh easily’ RE you naturally a comedian or you stumbled on it?

It is by God’s grace. When I discovered I am talented and gifted for it, I knew the next thing for me was to utilise what I am endowed with.

Is Talk d Talk your concept or that of the station?

It is my concept. It is an idea I discovered long time ago when I was thinking about how to make students happy, despite carry-overs and other academic problems.

Where have you performed?

I worked as an assistant comedian at a top radio station in Lagos before I gained admission. I performed also at HIV/

A

•Continued from page 29

boarding the flight. At 10:50pm we tried his number and it was switched off so we thought they had really boarded the flight only for them to call us at about 1:02am that Whizkid is sick and that he cannot come. This was after he posted on his twitter page that he could not make it,” said.

The Director of Socials, Jason Baritoesae, said:“The SUG paid Whizkid N1.5 million under the contractual agreement for our Mr and Miss UNIPORT beauty pageant. After paying the required amount, we booked some hotel rooms for him and his crew, bought business class flight tickets for them from Lagos to Port Harcourt and their return ticket to Abuja but he dis-

AIDS seminar at Ikoyi Polio Club, Knoxfield Comprehensive School valedictory service, Street jazz in Lagos, UNILORIN burn fire, dinners and lot more.

What obstacle have you faced as a comedian?

The main obstacle I face is making people laugh because Nigerians don’t laugh easily.

The other is money; people would invite you to grace their shows for peanuts.

How do you cope with your studies and comedy?

I know I am into comedy with a passion. I also have a lot of things I combine with my academics. I believe God has been helping me to combine does things.

•Hammed

After graduation should we expect to see you as a zoologist or a comedian?

For me, being a Zoology student is accidental because I never wanted it. So, after graduation I wish to be a well-known comedian, MC and presenter.

That is what I have passion for and I want Zoology to be my second choice.

When a show turned awry appointed us.”

When CAMPUSLIFE contacted Whizkid, his manager, who simply gave his name as Segun declined to comment.

He later sent a text message which reads: “Good evening, please send an account number for us to refund the N1.5 million; we have apologised for all inconveniences and have committed to refunding the full fee. Please, send an account number so we can pay the cash. Thanks.”

In their reaction, some students expressed disappointment over Whizkid’s unprofessional attitude. Kenneth Ndubuisi of the Faculty of Humanities said: “Initially, I thought they deceived us but now I am sure the deception

the night of sexual orgy, so he ordered his boys to deal with the girls who he accused of stealing the money.

I will not bother with the question of why the man did not stop when a search on the girls did not produce the money.

Already, rights groups are calling for the man’s head.

I choose to limit my bother to the mindset that made the girls agree to sleep with the man. Clearly, this was a married man. Now, in the first place, what was a sensible girl doing in a hotel at 1am? What were four girls doing in one bed with one man?

I will not be surprised if some of the man’s goons who beat and stripped the girls are students. Why would young men sell their souls to a libertine just because he could guarantee a meal ticket for the time being?

It is the postmodern spirit. The end justifies the means.

I will not be surprised if, for my views, I am labeled “rigid”, “holier-than-thou”, “judgmental” or even worse. It is the way of postmodernism. Its very ethos attacks the very foundation of the Christian and agetested values.

In Nigeria, we have not got to the stage where homosexuals and lesbians openly campaign for acceptance; as a matter of fact Senate President David Mark was livid in his choice of words while denouncing them when the bill against gays passed second reading recently. But our open practice and acceptance of corruption, opposite sex immorality and injustice do not make us better than the West where gays are accepted.

Emerging fads are not necessarily better.

Personally, I am always suspicious of new fads. It is only when I or other people I trust have checked it out very well and okayed it that I usually get involved. At the risk of sounding arrogant, I urge our youth to imitate me in this.

Ciao

came from Whizkid himself. He is too young for this. He insulted his fans that gathered in UNIPORT to see him.”

Although the 2011 Mr and Miss UNIPORT beauty pageant remains inconclusive, the SUG President has promised that once the issue is settled the event will hold. Baritoesae said the SUG lawyer has sued Whizkid.

In our story titled “Money link in campus love” published in our last week edition. One of the accompanying pictures captioned as “A couple on campus” was used in error. We hereby apologise to the students who appeared in the photograph.

Ikechukwu Jacob recently graduated from the Department of Mathematics and Applied Statistics, Ebonyi State University (EBSU).

He launched Mathematics on DVD to assist students who cannot pass the course. DANIEL LAWRENCE (300Leve l Applied Biology) met him.

H

OW did you come about Mathematics on DVD? It started when I visited my uncle in Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT) and we discussed it. So, before I knew it, I came up with the idea.

Why DVD instead of conventional books or paper?

It is because we are in the technology age. I discovered that most of the students are freaks about what they see on screen; you know they spend time to watch movies and the rest of it. So, I decided to bring it in this form to add fun to learning.

What is your conviction about

•Ikechukwu

the patronage of this DVD by the students?

I must say the market was already there before now. I have been organising tutorials in the past four years in the university and I discovered that the demand was very high and I can’t satisfy everybody. So, coming up with this idea has really salvaged the situation. The patronage is wonderful.

So what motivates you?

To whom much is given much is expected. By this, I mean that the expectation from me is very high.

So, I try to not let the people down, especially those who look up to me. In other words, the people around me and God motivate me.

Will you go into academics later in life?

I am already in it and as soon as I am done with my youth service, I will be fully involved because this is where my heart belongs.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

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CAMPUS LIFE

Fee hike fever hits Auchi Poly Students of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi (AUCHI POLY) are agitated over rumours that tuition fee may be hiked. TOSIN AJUWON (ND II Mass Communication) writes.

•Auchi Poly entrance

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HERE is an uneasy calm among students of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, amid speculations that the management may increase tuition fee in the 2011/2012 academic session. The management has, however, denied the claim, insisting that the current fees will be retained.

According to a source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the management met last week with members of the Students Union Government (SUG) to deliberate on

the matter.

The source said: “The student leaders were able to plead with the school authority to maintain the status quo. The management acceded to the plea.”

Some students who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE expressed delight with the decision of the management not to increase the fee.

Joy Imoruoime, a Computer Science student was full of praises for the SUG officials for fulfilling their promise of always fighting for the

students.

She said: “I am very happy to hear this positive news. It is a testimony that the Rector understands the plight of our parents who struggle to pay our fees.”

Commenting on the meeting between the SUG officials and the management, the union’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Comrade Abdulazeez Umaru, confirmed the union’s effort in making sure there is no increment of the tuition fee for the 2011/2012 Academic session.

He said the decision was a fallout of the meeting with the school management last week “We had a meeting with the management and it was further revealed that the school fees should remain intact without increment after much deliberation. We appreciate the Rector, Dean of Student Affairs and other members of the Academic Board for their understanding and sensitivity on the matter.”

Umaru also assured the students of meeting their demands and promised

a better working, smooth relationship with the students and the SUG. He also disclosed that the management has begun a massive renovation of the hostel with the construction of a basic health centre at the Philipha Idogho Campus which houses students of the School of Business Studies.

Meanwhile, names of students who wrote the entrance examination and were offered admission has been pasted on the notice board of the school.

“Arise and Shine” is a trick students use to obtain money from their parents and guardians. GILBERT ALASA (300Level, Foreign Languages, University of Benin) reveals how the ploy works.

A

TEXT message reads: “Daddy, I have been barred from attending lectures since yesterday. Our lecturers asked us to buy some books and only students who have the books are permitted to attend the classes.

The names of the books are Geomenasotomy (N5,000), Physiognomic (4,500) and African Witchcraft Encyclopedia (4,800). Our HOD also said we must pay N10,000 for registration fee before the end of the week. Please, endeavor to send down the money soon as the lecturer insists we buy from him. I am missing a lot in class… I have also exhausted my foodstuff. Love you dad, Bimpe.”

This message elicits laughter and confusion from whoever receives it. Laughter, because of the absurdity of the titles, and confusion as the medical terms seem to be rather weird and vague. But then, the weird medical terminologies used by the sender would surely grab the attention of even the most gullible parent.

Among students in higher institutions, these are common refrains used to obtain money from parents or guardians under false pretence.

The stories usually come in various forms, depending on the tale that easily catches the attention of a parent. A student could feign sudden illness that requires expensive drugs at the hospital. Sometimes, the cost of rent, textbooks and school fees could be inflated. At other times, spurious requirements and bogus dues in school could be used to deceive parents.

Of course, parents would not want their wards to be subjected to trauma by missing lectures and practical classes. Hence, without further scrutiny, the money finds its way into the bank account of such a student even when he needs the funds for other reasons.

CAMPUSLIFE investigations revealed that many students from less-privileged backgrounds demand money from their struggling parents with bogus claims.

“Do they sense a rush of pleasure in their guts when they impose such demands on their parents? Can they comprehend the pain of putting their parents in such tight corners amidst the declining standard of living,” asked Israel Oseghale, a stu-

How students ‘Arise and Shine’

•Students at a campus show

•One of the boutiques where students buy expensive clothes

dent of the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

A final year student of English at the Imo State University (IMSU), said: “Before now, I had been a “what’s up” guy. I remember clearly how I got broke after organising a gig on

my birthday, partying and having fun with friends. To salvage the situation, a friend suggested an idea. He advised I call home that my landlord had threatened to throw my belongings out of the house. At first, I was skeptical about the scheme. But when

I sent the message, my mum was very worried. Of course, the following day, I got an “inspiring” alert from my bank. Thank God, I am responsible now.”

But what is wrong with spending such money on acquiring textbooks

or learning a part-time trade?

In the view of a 200-Level student of Foreign Languages, Precious Ibekwem, there would have been no problem using the money to attend self-development workshops on campus. Rather, many students often lavish such money on frivolities. For the boys, the money is either spent on drinking alcohol or buying trendy wears, designer shoes, accessories and phones.

A female resident of Hall 2 at UNIBEN spoke to CAMPUSLIFE in confidence that her roommate was one of such students that spent money on expensive wears. She said: “In school, Amaka (her friend) wears expensive and revealing dresses but as soon as holidays come calling, she would drop such wears with a friend and go home with her conventional outfits, pretending to be a Mother Teresa. Of course, she does that to avoid being scolded by her parents.”

Stephen Giwa, ND II Office Information Management, Federal Polytechnic, Auchi said: “Most of my friends on campus usually intimidate me with their lavish tastes. For me to join the trend, I had to devise a means to help myself. “Scoping” my parents to get extra cash seems to be the only legitimate thing I could do. Sincerely, it is not the best thing to do but no guy wants to be “out of touch”, especially when it comes to fashion.”

A 200-Level student of Urban and Regional Planning, said: “My father could spend his life savings to drink beer in the bar with his friends. Yet, he finds it difficult to send me a paltry N2,000 for a full month. Sometimes, I don’t even get the monthly allowance. How do you want people like me to survive?”

A businessman, Mr Nkem Emeka, who owns a boutique on Edo Street in Ekosodin, a campus community around UNIBEN, said many students often bring their girlfriends to shop in his boutique. He, however, expressed fears over their sources of income as “some of them usually spoil their lovers with expensive items.”

When CAMPUSLIFE visited a bar where students hang out every night, one of the bartenders said they make as much as N52,000 everyday, selling beer, roasted meat, cigarettes and pepper soup to students who always come to the bar in the evenings.

32

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

CAMPUS LIFE

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Student journalists hold congress

TUDENT journalists at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have held their last meeting in the academic session. The congress was aimed at preparing the members to challenges the body may face in the next academic session.

President of the body, Gilbert Alasa, 300-Level Foreign Languages, urged members to make use of the opportunity and distinguish themselves among their fellow students.

From Valor Iduh UNIBEN

“The press club is aimed at changing students’ sense of reasoning. In this age, students no longer depend on their certificate. Hence, this association seeks to facilitate the overall competence of students,” Gilbert said, adding that that the group would launch a campus newspaper, Campus Eye, that would serve students of UNIBEN.

•Mr Otunfodunrin (third left); Mr Omotunde (fourth left); Mrs Madaki flanked by the corps members

NYSC Editorial CD group visits The Nation

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ORPS members have been advised to be creative as they prepare to go into the labour market.

A senior Editor with The Nation newspaper, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin gave the charge when members of the Editorial Community Development group of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Lagos State chapter visited the corporate headquarters of the paper last Friday.

“Corps members encounter so many things during the service year but it depends on individual to utilise what he or she learned and convert it to ideas that will be useful to the society at large,” Mr. Otufodunrin said, adding that CAMPUSLIFE, a weekly pullout in The Nation, was the first of its kind in the history of Nigeria media and was brought to existence by “powerful idea of Mrs Ngozi Agbo” who he said did not study Mass Communication in the university.

The corps members, who were accompanied by Lagos NYSC Edi-

From Olawale Ajetunmobi LAGOS

torial Group Coordinator, Mrs. Joyce Madaki, and a Staff Adviser, Mr. Oviedje Abiodun, were led into the news room and the press hall of the company. The corps members, who said The Nation newspaper was widely read across Nigeria, wondered how the publications are circulated across the country daily. Mr. Otufodunrin replied: “Vintage Press has three printing machines in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. Everything we do here is transferred into a central server that connects the three printing machines. The papers are printed simultaneously to serve each region.”

The Editor further said newspapering was a money-sinking investment that could take years for investors to recoup their investments.

He said the advent of Internet has remained a great threat affecting the sales of newspapers. Mr. Otufodunrin

said: “Behind-the-scene events and incisive analyses by columnists are new developments that sustain newspaper today. These are things nobody can see on the Internet.”

He enjoined members of the Editorial crew, who wanted to practise journalism, to see the CD group as a learning ground, citing his personal example in 1985 when he served with the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

He said: “I was part of the Editorial CD group and Fayemi was then freelancing for The Guardian.

I never knew fate would bring me to this profession I have now practiced for more than 20 years.”

The corps members thanked the editor for bringing them to the practical aspect of journalism. They commended The Nation for always defending the masses. They later presented the different editions of Lagos NYSC editorial weekly pullout to Mr. Otufodunrin and Mr. Soji Omotunde, General Manager in charge of Training and Development.

•Nurudeen and Toyin displaying the phones

Students win mobile phones

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WO students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), last Friday, were rewarded with smartphones after emerging winners in the Google competition held in the school. The students are Toyin Aladeyomi, 500-Level Mathematics, and Nurudeen Ogunsesan, 500-Level Electrical

Varsity inducts engineering graduates

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•Mr Etim handing over power to Miss Violet

T

HE Rotaract Club, University of Uyo (UNIUYO) chapter, has installed a female president to steer the affairs of the club for another academic session. She is Banigo Violet and is the 21st president of the club. The event took place at the Conference Hall of the UNIUYO Law faculty and was witnessed by a large turn out of students and other dignitaries from within the state.

Rotaract installs President

The immediate past president, Etim Aniefiok, while handing over the baton of leadership, urged the new administration to continue from where he stopped and promised to support the new leadership with “my wealth of experience whenever I am contacted on any issue.”

The new president sought the

From Daniel Lawrence UNIUYO

cooperation of members and promised to work with the theme of the club. The event, which was spiced up with jokes, rotary songs and choreography, also witnessed induction of new members of the club.

Water scarcity rocks campus TUDENTS of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), last week, suffered from shortage of water supply in the campus.

Two wells at Angola hostel have dried up, making the situation to become worse. Students queue for over two hours to get water.

The dam, which is the only source

S

From Sikiru Akinola OAU

of water for the OAU community, was said to have over-flown its banks. This resulted in shortage of water supply to the campus. Students have been complaining about the situation which many of them

described as unacceptable.

Johnson Adamolekun, 400-Level student of Philosophy and Economics, said: “There is a need for more funds to be injected into the OAU water project to reduce the pain students go through whenever there is a scarcity of water.”

HE University of Ibadan (UI) last Wednesday inducted its graduates from the Faculty of Engineering Technology in a elaborate programme, which took place at Trenchard Hall of the institution.

The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. I.F Adewole, who was represented by the Provost of College of Medicine, Prof. Olusegun

From Seun Oke LAUTECH

Engineering.

Ijeoma Nnachi of Google Corporation used the occasion to show how students can use software designed for academic work.

Gifts were also presented to participants who responded to questions.

From Ismail Adeoye UI

Akinyinka, while congratulating the newly inducted engineers, said engineering was the fulcrum on which the economy of every nation rested.

In his welcome address, the Dean of Engineering faculty, Prof. A.E Oluleye, urged the inductees to be focused and always give their best to the environment.

The guest speaker, Dr. Saka Matemilola, a Mechanical Engineer, advised the inductees to always contribute their quota to the environment no matter how small.

Mr Olumuyiwa Ajibola gave the oath of office and inducted the new graduates. The occasion was witnessed by dignitaries from all walks of life.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

33

CAMPUS LIFE Associations mark week

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HE different associations at the Uthman Danfodio University have marked their week amidst fanfare. However, while other students wore different tribal attires and danced across the campus, the National Union of Campus Journalists (NUCJ), marked the week with a lecture on insecurity.

With the theme Insecurity in Nigeria: The role of youth”, the event featured awareness rally, drama, trees planting and awards to differ-

From Mubarak Ibrahim UDUS

ent campus writers.

Other associations that marked the week with lectures included National Association of Agricultural Students (NAAS), Federation of Oyo State Students (FOSSU), Offa Students Union (OSU), National Association of Ebira Students (NAES), National Association of Osun State Students (NAOSS), and The Junior Chamber International (JCI).

Medical student launches book •Mrs Treasure displaying the plaque given to her by the students. With her are some of the students

Journalist urges students to develop themselves

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ASS Communication students at the Surulere campus of Lagos State University (LASU) have been urged to develop themselves through reading and mentorship.

The advice was given by the founder of Media Mentoring Initiative (MMI), Funke Treasure,when she presented books to some students last week.

The presentation, which marked the end of a mentoring programme organised for Mass Communication students by MMI, was attended by dignitaries from the academia and other walks of life.

On the roll was the Dean of the institution’s School of Communication, Prof Lai Osho, the Head of Department of the Public Relations and Advertising Department, Dr. Wale Olatunji; Mr. Charles Nwabiko from the Lagos Business School , media practitioners and students of the institution.

Addressing the gathering, Osho praised MMI for coming up with the initiative to mentor young people. He decried the lack of prac-

From Vincent Nzemeke LASU

tical knowledge in the curriculum of many institutions and called on students to take advantage of information at their disposal to build themselves.

He said: “Students must take advantage of the information at their disposal to develop themselves. It is the only way to prepare for the life ahead. While growing up, we didn’t have this kind of opportunity.

That is why mentoring programmes such as this one organised by MMI must be commended.”

On his part, Mr. Charles Nwabiko charged the students to invest in their future by reading books.

Nwabiko, who spoke on the theme: Preparing for Life After School’ stressed the need for students to take the development of their careers as a personal responsibility.

“Your life is a personal responsibility. It is up to you to develop yourself to survive the competition out there.”

Sharing a personal experience of his life as an undergraduate,

Nwabiko, explained that even though grades are important for students, it is not the ultimate in building a career.

He said: “What you made in school is not a guarantee of how your life will turn out to be. It is up to you to prove yourself when you leave school.”

In a chat with reporters after the presentation, Mrs. Funke Treasure, said the mentoring initiative was borne out of a desire to develop a new crop of seasoned journalists for the media. She added that the book presentation was a charge to the students to invest in their future through reading.

“The presentation is a wake-up call to our mentees to invest in their future by reading. What we are trying to make them understand is that reading is the bedrock of journalism. Reading gives you content which makes you very confident as a journalist because you can’t give what you don’t have.”

Mrs Treasure also disclosed that the organisation is making plans to extend the mentoring programme to institutions outside Lagos.

J

OSEPH Mamfe, a 400-Level student of Medicine, has launched a book entitled Living a Fulfilled Life. The launch took place at the College of Medicine auditorium last week.

Chairman of the occasion and Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom, who was represented by Rev. Akpen Leva, appreciated the author for the work well done, adding that he knew the pain involved in book writing.

The book reviewer and lecturer with the Department of History, Dr. John Agaba, recommended the

From Msonter Anzaa BSU

book to “all who want to live fulfilled lives.”

Dedicating the book to God, the chaplain of the Good News Chapel, Pastor Ezekiel Hanior, said the book which was neither academic nor a record of historical events, was written by inspiration. He likened the project to the story of John in the Bible when God specifically instructed him to write what he saw to the churches. Joseph said writing the book was not easy and thanked those that stood by him.

•Ekene

Suspected student-robber held

A

•The Bonny graduates after one of the seminars

Graduates lecture youths on economic potentials T HE economy will receive a boost when its youths unleash their potentials and channel their energies towards useful ventures, the president of Bonny Graduates Forum (BGF), Jumbo Ipiriala, has said. He spoke at a mentoring programme organised by the group for secondary school pupils in Bonny Local Government, Rivers State.

Jumbo said about 60 per cent of the workforce and entrepreneurs are youths. He said the economy could only be redeemed when youths develop ideas on ways of revitalising the economy. “The mentoring programme is part of BGF’s goals of empowering youths

From Godswill Odeku PORT HARCOURT

with skills and opportunities in various sectors of the economy in order to address unemployment in our society and give hope to the less privilege.”

Branch Manager of Guaranty Trust Bank, Dabota Godswill, who was the guest speaker spoke on Teenage pregnancy and indecent dressing. She lamented the high rate of teenage pregnancy and its effect on the economy. She said teenage

pregnancy always lead to unplanned parenthood, abortion, truncated education, calling on parents to rise up against the trend.

Fubara William, an instructor with the Bonny Vocational Centre, spoke on Choosing career path. He highlighted the role of parents and stakeholders in guiding youths on their choice of career. Bara Kabaka of the Ibanise HIV/AIDS Initiative, urged the students to imbibe positive health habits in order to ensure a hitch-free academic journey, and warned them on the dangers of unprotected sex and health habits that expose them to sexuallytransmitted infections (STIs).

300-Level student of Computer Science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Ekene Anasieze, has been arrested for alleged robbery. He was allegedly trying to dispose his neighbours of their property when he was caught.

Ekene, who is also known as Eminem, visited the rooms of students in Odenigwe Hall of Residence in company of another student with a locally-made pistol.

The suspects were said to be masked when they stormed the residence of the victims at 1:00am.

The suspect confessed he was a member of a secret cult after he was caught. He also said he hails from Oyi in Anambra State.

Investigations by CAMPUSLIFE

From Olusola Alegbeleye and Oladele Oge UNN

showed that the suspects entered the house without any impediment as the main door was not firmly attached to the wall. After their entry, Ekene who was allegely holding gun, ordered the occupants to lie face down. However, one of the students used a blanket to cover the suspect’s face and disposses him of his gun.

It was learnt that the other suspect immediately took to his heels.

Occupants of the house beat up the suspect and handed him over to UNN security operatives.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that Ekene was detained for two days before he was moved to the police station.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

34

CAMPUS LIFE Chibuzor Nwowike has graduated from the Imo State University (IMSU) in a department where no student finishes as scheduled. He is also an upcoming sculptor with many works to his credit. OYINYE NKWOCHA (just finished from English, IMSU) met him.

I

MO State University (IMSU) has graduated an upcoming sculptor from the Department of Fine and Applied Arts. He is Chibuzor Nwokike, 29, who hails from Ndiokwu Owere, Ebiri Autonomous community, Orlu Local Government Area of (LGA), Imo State. He broke the jinx in the department by being the first and only student from sculpture to graduate as schedule.

Surprisingly, Chibuzor started with science when he was in secondary school, but the art blood, no doubt, runs in his veins. His creativity in sculpture brought him in contact with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof B.E. Nwoke; Imo State Commissioner of Agriculture, Mrs Veronica Ijezie and the Archbishop of Owerri Assumpta Cathedra A.J.V. Obinna among others.

Commending Chibuzor, Nwoke expressed admiration for the refreshing talent of the young sculptor. He urged him to produce artworks that will emphasise morals and cultural heritage.

Chibuzor’s most-recent work, which has earned him accolades on campus, is his degree project entitled “The Dignity in Labour”. This is a

A sculptor with big dreams sculpture of a farmer measuring about 20 feet in height. It earned him an enviable ‘A ‘, and has brought new visitors to the pre-degree campus where it is mounted.

Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE the young sculptor said the inspiration for his mega project came from the realisation that today’s society has substituted agriculture which originally was the source of man’s existence for oil and gas and white collar jobs.

“I decided to promote agriculture

through my art, using a farmer as a sculptural icon to pass the message to Nigerians that we have to go back to agriculture, because it is the backbone of our economy,” Chibuzor said.

As part of plans to encourage the talented young man, Nwoke promised to engage his services in adorning the university with sculptural works in strategic locations.

Chibuzor said he aspires to be as good as and even better than veteran sculptors such as Ben Enweonwu, Francis Ikwuegbu (his lecturer) and Victor Uwaifo.

‘I decided to promote agriculture through my art, using a farmer as a sculptural icon to pass the message to Nigerians that we have to go back to agriculture, because it is the back bone of our economy’

•Chibuzor standing beside the sculpture of a farmer he designed

Gains and pains of e-learning The advent of electronic registration in higher institutions ended long queues of students trying to register for their courses. But it is at a price.

MICHAEL ADEBAYO (200-Level Computer Science, University of Ilorin) writes.

A

LMOST all institutions in the country have websites and eportals. Some are even equipped with e-libraries and other e-educational facilities. An eduportal is an online tool used as an interactive and transactional interface between a school and its students. Payment of fees, registration of courses, result-checking, update on students’ information, printing of receipts and latest news are some essential features on it.

Like the eduportal, a school website is used in disseminating information about the products and services of the institution but, unlike it, a login identity and password is not required to access the major contents of a school website.

To make the portal more accessible, all school websites have a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) to the portal. The eduportal is used basically for academic purposes.

In the meantime, online registration has replaced the endless queues of students in banks to pay school and other registration fees. Thanks to the Internet which makes the cumbersome process less clumsy.

The feats notwithstanding, many students have complained about the shortcomings of online registration and e-learning.

As at the time of filing this report, students of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) were biting their fingernails over their inability to get their e-card pins generated for fee payment. Some students have even wrongly paid into old card number and cannot effect the fee payment online. This development has brought fear among students who are not sure whether the registration deadline would be extended.

Many students said this was not

the first time the problem would be surfacing. They said registration trouble occurs every session since UNILORIN adopted the eregistration a few years ago.

“The school authority has not deemed it fit to lighten our burden because whenever students encounter problems of e-registration, especially when trying to generate e-transact pin, we spend beyond our budget. It hurts when we calculate how much we expend on the whole registration,” said a 300-Level student of Sociology who pleaded anonymity.

If the happening in UNILORIN is said to be disturbing, the experience of students in other federal universities, that have adopted eregistration, is worrisome. A student, Matthew Olalekan, told CAMPUSLIFE about a particular institution who exploited prospective candidates for admission by selling different e-cards for postUnified Tertiary Matriculation Exam (UTME) registration, result checking and admission status. At the end, the institution smiled to the bank but most students were not admitted.

In 2007, students of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, protested t h e website,www.myadoekitipoly.com, created by Socketworks, an IT company contracted by the school for e-registration. The complaint was that information was not being updated on the website and that all the registration done by students on the website were redone manually, thereby duplicating the activities. However, it took the institution three years to open a new website for e-registration.

But, despite its deficiencies, students still believe e-registration is

•Students on a queue to register for courses

•EKSU students during a registration

not to be compared with manual.

They spoke to CAMPUSLIFE. Valentine Ogunnaka, 400-Level Library and Information, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, said: “Registration through electronic means is one of the best things happening to the education sector in Nigeria. Schools around the world have adopted it and we

cannot be left behind. Though, it has its problems but it is still better because it takes little time and boosts one’s understanding of computer.”

Olabode Adebayo, 100-Level Religious Studies, Ekiti State University (EKSU), said: “The e-registration and other electronic products

of an institution puts such school on the world map.” Abdulrahman Alawaye, 200-Level Education Technology, UNILORIN, said: “Registration has been made easy, thanks to the portal. Information is also accessible. I believe the government can take a cue from the portal system to get an accurate database for its citizens.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

35

CAMPUS LIFE

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IBERESIMA Lillian Enebimo was your name, but I chose to call you princess. I did not mind that you

were born and raised in the slums of Okirika and had no royal blood running through your veins. Neither did I care that your father is a retired soldier (not a king) and your mother a petty trader at Sagana market, Port Harcourt. To me, you deserved to be a princess.

Calling you any other name would have been an aberration. You were beautiful like an angel, gentle as a dove and innocent as a child. There are only few people in this wicked world today who can boast of the virtues you possessed in abundance. You were a great girl, the type every man desires for keeps.

You were different from every girl on campus. You were svelte; light skinned and had the eyes of a newborn child.

Although you never admitted it, your rich black hair and long legs gave you the looks of a run-way model. You were absolutely endowed, but you never flaunted your assets. You were my Miss Delsu, although the judges thought otherwise when you contested.

Even in death, the memories of moments spent with you still lingers. The things we did and shared are irreplaceable. I am not a pessimist, but I know the vacuum created by your departure can never be filled by anyone else.

I whimpered like a child when I heard the news of your untimely death. Davidson, the bearer of the bad news, put his hands on my shoulder and asked me to be a man, but I could not. How can I be a man without you? How can I be a man knowing that you who shared my hopes, dreams and fantasies is no more? How can I be a man when the cold hands of death snatched you in the bloom of youth?

I once read that a friend indeed is one who walks in when

F

OR the past two years, students of the Lagos State University (LASU) have been basking in the euphoria of relative normal academic life compared to the past when academic activities were disrupted by staff industrial action.

The battle of supremacy that marred the tenure of former Vice Chancellor, Prof Abdul-Lateef Hussein, who fought both academic and non-academic staff unions, ended when the present order assumed leadership.

The institution experienced two consecutive academic sessions without any internal strike except the one the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embarked upon few weeks ago. The students thought there would be no disruption in academic activities after recommendations of the visitation

Elegy for a lost love

By Vincent NzemekeValor vincentmaga@gmail.com

every other person walks out. You were that friend. You stayed with me through thick and thin sharing moments of triumphs and defeats. You sacrificed time, energy and everything you had just to make me smile. You were too good to die.

I will remember you Lillian for many reasons. I will remember you as the beautiful girl with a super brain. I will remember you as the girl who wanted to study law, but was offered English and Literary Studies and made the best of it. Not many people knew you as the best student in the Faculty of Arts, but I will remember you for that.

I will remember you for your humility and willingness to learn new things. I will remember the bets and cerebral arguments before every examination. Even though I read more books, you always edged me when the results are out. You had promised to tell me the secrets of your success on graduation day, but death called you at the last lap of your academic race.

I don’t want to cry for you Lillian, but tears fill my eyes as I write these words. You meant so much to me and the thought of living without you breaks me. Each time I reminisce about the way we lived, I curse the death that stole you from me. I curse the doctors and the nurses who were too busy to notice that you were dying. I curse government officials who fill their bowels with funds meant to equip hospitals such as the one where you passed on.

I will miss you my jewel of inestimable value. I will miss the

wry smile that sits on your face every time you make me wait and we both go late to the fellowship. I will miss holding your hands and watching the sunrise in your eyes when we go to Mudi Beach. I will miss your hearty laughter anytime I plunge into the pool at Abraka Motel. “You Lagos people can’t swim like us’ were your favourite lines. Why did you die?

Friendship with you was the best gift I ever got from anyone.

You knew me like the back of your hand just as you were always willing to defend me. You shared the pains of missing scores; bore the agony and shame of losing elections and you never complained. Death is wicked!

I long to see you again Fiberesima. I long to serenade you with that ‘there can be miracles’ song that brings tears to your eyes. I long to hold your hands and walk around Ethiope Square with a smile on my face, while my rivals grind their teeth in envy.

I wish I could turn back the hands of time. I wish I could bring back the moments and tell you those things I have always wanted to tell you. I wish you were here with me.

I know we all must die someday, but you died too quickly.

You said goodnight when the day was still young. Your death hurts to the marrows because you had a promising future.

I will not forget you my dear. I will hold on to the memories we shared and the promises we made. When this life is over for me, I will see your face and hold you in my arms again.

Rest in Peace.

That LASU may know peace panel set up by Governor Babatunde Fashola have been implemented.

Though, the panel recommended so many solutions that would help smooth academic running in LASU. The students in their numbers saluted the selfless service by the committee headed by Justice Olasinde Silva.

But part of the recommendations offend the sensibility of so many students. Section 4.0.3 and paragraph (vii) states that the government should accept the recommendation of the panel and direct LASU Governing Council to implement the increment of the tuition fee with about 725 percent. Though, hike in tuition fees is not new in tertiary institutions but that the percentage with

which it is increased is outrageous and is seen as an attempt to ridicule the good work Governor Fashola had done so far in Lagos State.

From N25,000, the tuition fee was increased to between N193,750 and N348,750, depending on the faculty and discipline. Haba ! And did I hear anyone say the institution is meant for indigene and indigent students?

What is painful is the calibre of the members of the committee that made this odious recommendation.

I wonder how a committee membered by Justice Olasinde Silva, Prof Itse Sagay and our lovely mother, Mrs. R.F. Okunola could recommend an increment in school fees; these are men and women of integrity in Nigeria.

No remedy has been muttered by the committee members to solve students’ problems in terms of accommodation, academic facilities and other basics. Rather, they emphasised and focused on a recommendation that can totally paralyse academic activities.

I implore LASU authority and the government of Lagos State to reverse this recommendation because the increased fee is, in every way, against the students, most of whom are children of petty traders and low-income civil servants. This is the only way peace would be totally returned to LASU. Governor Fashola should save our soul for a better rewarding future.

Tackling mass failure in public exams

By Tunmise Oladipo miseauthentic@yahoo.com

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OLA: Old boy, hope your NECO results was fine this time around Philip: It’s still the same old story…I failed mathematics again and managed to get a D7 in English Language. Mathematics and English language are just too hard subjects In fact, I HATE them because they both suck.

Please, just a second (flipping through his handset) Mass failure in public examinations conducted by NECO, WAEC and UTME is gradually becoming a trend. For instance, last year, less than 25 percents of the total number of candidates that sat for the NECO June/ July 2010 SSCE obtained credit passes in English language and mathematics. Also, the results of the last NECO examinations like the subsequent ones, reveal that only 2,229 or 0.18 percent came out with a distinction in English language while 22.26 or 6.40 percent passed. The same also ap-

plied to mathematics in which 3,356 or 0.28 passed with distinction and 295,961 or 24.86 percent got credit passes. Other core subjects like physics, chemistry, literature in English among the others were not exempted in this failure.

The 2010/2011 west Africa examination council(WAEC) results, even though a little bit better from the previous ones conducted by the examination body and even better off than this year’s NECO results, recorded that only 789,288 candidates (51.7 percent) obtained five credit and above from which about 472,906 (30.99 percent) had credits in five subjects including English and mathematics.

This continued fall in the standard of education which apparently has been leading to mass failure in external exams can been attributed to the students, parents, teachers and government. Students on their part lack seriousness. Majority of the students find it very difficult to study their books, rather they prefer listening to music and surfing the internet form one social cite or the other. It is very rampart these days to find secondary school students’ visiting cites such as Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo mail, 2go, space, Hi 5 amongst others while they have cultivated poor reading culture and study habits.

This therefore, leads to inadequate coverage of the syllabus before writing examinations. G.S.M text language has in one way or the other contributed to the increase in the low performances of students most especially in English language. it is not uncommon

these days to see students write “2moro” instead of tomorrow, “wif” for with, “l8ta” for later among the others. Also noteworthy is how students most especially, the male counterpart have developed so much interest watching football premier leagues and the ever abundant seasonal movies which will not be of benefit to them.

Parents have also in one way or the other contributed to this menace. Some parents not only buy blackberries for there children but also indulge their wards in examination malpractices by buying “orijo” (exam question papers) or registering their wards to “parise centres”(special centres). Some of the parents or guardians who do not indulge in these are always busy with their work which therefore makes it so impossible for them to spend quality time with their wards.

Teachers on their part are not really dedicated to their work and this is so because, some and in fact, if not majority of them become teachers out of unemployment so how do you expect some one who do not have passion for teaching impacts good knowledge into the students? Of course, it is not possible. in fact those that are even ready to work are not motivated because of lack of good implementation of the teachers’ salaries scales by the governments.

Governments at the federal and state levels have failed to inject adequate funds into the education sector. Majority of the secondary schools most especially, the public owned ones are characterised with

bad infrastructural facilities such as good class rooms, well equipped science laboraties, well stocked libraries, among the others, which I belief are basic to effective teaching and learning. Students are most likely to perform better in a classroom consisting 30-40 than the ones consisting 80-100 students.

To build these cracked walls from total collapse therefore, appropriate measures must be taken. Governments, both at the federal and state levels should endeavour to eject adequate funds into the sector. By so doing this, good class rooms can be built, libraries, libraries among others can also be furnished. Improving the teachers’ salaries scale will encourage the teachers to perform their primary assignment and also organising the teachers training and seminars periodically will not only enhance their teaching skills but also enable them to adopt the best teaching method in the classroom. Parents should endeavour to checkmate their wards by following their day to day activities in school. Not only that, they should be conscious of the type of phones they buy for their children. In child in the secondary school should not be allowed to use a black berry phone.

Children must as a matter of fact change their attitude toward reading and learning. They should not have the mindset that a particular subject is easy while another is difficult as this will affect their attitude to subjects.

Tunmise, recently finished from English, UNILORIN

By Adeyemi Onikoro prinades4life@gmail.com

Adeyemi, 200-Level Diploma Law, LASU

Orientation for management students From Muritala Hameed UNILORING

THE Educational Management Students Association (EMSA), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) chapter, last Thursday, organised an orientation programme for the new students.

The president of the association, Olawale Oladeji, said the orientation was organised to sensitise the newlyadmitted students on rules and regulations of the school and to guide them in their course.

While congratulating the students, Olawale urged them to make good use of the opportunity. “Hard work, discipline, sacrifice and determination are required to cope with the academic stress in this department. Many students do not realise their purpose of being in school until they are rusticated for poor performance,” he said.

Fellowship sends forth final year students From Dayo Ojerinde AAUA

THE Redeemed Christian Fellowship (RCF), Adekunle Ajasin University, has organised a send forth service for its final year students.

The three days programme began with a picnic and a variety night at the university sport complex. The thanksgiving service was held at the fellowship center. Chaplain of Government House, Akure, Pastor Victor Akinfiresoye, spoke on A fulfilled life and urged the students to identify the will of God for their life.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

36

CAMPUS LIFE

Leadership secrets for young people

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HAT is leadership and what does it connote?

L - Leverage: Leverage is when the leader learns or possesses the skill of harnessing and exploiting the skills abilities and powers of those he leads. It is a powerful trait true leaders have. They have the uncanny ability to harness and deploy the human resources around them. It is the ability to take the advantage and make a difference with the resources at the Leader’s disposal.

E - Empathy: The leader will never be effective if he cannot feel the pain of the people he is accountable to. This is the place of Empathy. It allows the leader identify with the pulse and heartbeat of the people he leads. Leaders without empathy end up becoming tyrannical and oppressive and eventually forget their commitment and pledge to serve the people they lead and begin to execute their own agenda.

A - Articulate: Good leaders must be able to disseminate their vision in very clear and lucid patterns. A good leader has followers who truly and totally understand what the leader is trying to do at all time. This is very important as leadership is accountability and if the leader does not know how to be clear and articulate then he leaves room for a lot of speculation and rumor.

D - Determination: So many things happen in the life of a leader. So many points of view, so many distracting opinions, much opposition and several avenues to dissuade distract and disorganize him. He must therefore be resilient and determined. It is to him that the mandate has been given and so he must be focused and resolute in his determination to see the vision to an end. He must also be careful to ensure that his focus and determination will not be selfish and personal but should fully reflect the desire of those he leads.

E - Engaging: The leader who truly wants to make impact must be attractive to those he leads.

This is what it means to be engaging. He must captivate them .He must not be too mysterious or feared incomprehensively. He must have a persona that draws those around him and he must be the type of person that others would willingly have and repeatedly vote in as their leader. This leader must have excellent people skills and must know how to attract and keep the attention of his followers.

R - Resourceful: The Resourceful leader will always be the leader with the advantage. So much knowledge is available in this century.

The leader who has learned the necessary skills needed to exploit the knowledge resources around will always stand out. He must be a reader. He must be one familiar with the internet

On and Off Campus

By Uche Ogbonna marketingcommunication@fidelitybankplc.com uche.ogbonna@fidelitybankplc.com 08055061278

and one who has no issues with asking questions and seeking counsel. One who works well with others and recognizes the expertise of other human resources.

S - Service: Leaders are primarily called to serve others by being in front of them and directing the flow of ideas and resources. It is a place of servant hood. This is why certain leaders have tagged themselves as “servant leaders”. Leadership will immediately go wrong where the leader forgets that his calling is to serve from the front. When he misses this then all other things may most likely fail.

H - Helpful: When a leader cannot render any type of help to the people he leads then it becomes safe to say that the leader needs to be removed. There is a nature of helpfulness that helps those being led to know that this leader cares enough about their needs and issues. He must be a helper; this is his mandate. To help the people plan their resources such that future wealth is guaranteed or t help the people prepare for a difficult time ahead. Whichever it may be he must never forget that his calling is to help those he leads.

I - Inspiring: True leaders are an inspiration to many. A leader must by his presence and speech spur those he leads to immediate action. Leaders with this understanding enter into a world of possibilities as those he leads will all but willingly surrender all of their abilities to the leader. This will in turn make them captive to his will. This is why many leaders who have derailed have been yet able to do so with a pack of rampaging wolves all loyal to him. But where the leader gets it right an army of loyal right minded people suddenly appear on the fore and suddenly great things begin to happen.

P - Principled: Many today have come to the wrong conclusion that power and position are the licence to greed avarice and shameful plundering of resources. This is not the way we think at Fidelity bank. Leadership is reserved for those who have real values which they desire to protect. It is the bedrock of all real decisions and bears a question which all leaders must ask themselves: do I have values that cannot be compromised? If we cannot answer this then the journey may still be long.

•Members of the electoral committee being sworn in

Niger Delta students inaugurate electoral committee

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HE Niger Delta Students Union Government (NIDSUG) has inaugurated an electoral committee to conduct its forth coming national election. The inauguration took place at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST).

Members of the committee are drawn from the universities in the Niger Delta region.

They include Kokoettte Samuel, who is the chairman and Joy Oby, Secretary. Others are Elvis Lourkumor, Paul Itua, David George, Obianme Basoene, Oluwole Olulsoga, Ifurueze Victor and Oruntie Oluwasan.

Inaugurating the committee, national

From Emmanuel Shebbs UNICAL

president of the union, Genesis Jeremiah, urged the committee members to discharge their task creditably in to set a good precedent for the union.”

The students deliberated on different issues from various schools, among which was the closure of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) arising from the protest by the students. Commenting on the development, Genesis called on the National Universities Council (NUC) and the Federal Ministry of Education to look into issue.

Co-ordinator visits corps members

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HE Anambra State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr Solomon Ocheim, has visited Onitsha to check the wellbeing of the corps members serving in the zone. They met at the Obi of Onitsha’s palace. The corps members trooped in to welcome the coordinator.

Solomon urged the corps member to remain good ambassadors of the scheme, saying “this is one of the best zones the private and public sectors have given credit to you”. He also dis-

From Jasper Dada NYSC AWKA

cussed the various problems facing the corp members which include accommodation and to which he promised to proffer solution.

In Ocheim’s entourage were the Anambra State NYSC Public Relationd Officer, James Oyegoke, Mr. Chris Onwuasoanga, Assistant Director and Ngozi Akuagbogu, Head of Community Development Service among others.

This article is sponsored by FIDELITY FLEX YOUTH ACCOUNT. Do you have the flex factor?

By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

•Leaders of the SUG parliament taking the oath of office

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SUG parliament sworn in

HE Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) has inaugurated the legislative arm of the union. The event took place at the Central Administrative Block of Ugbowo campus. The oath-taking was administered on the students by Edo State Chief Magistrate, Nosakhare Ehigiamusoe.

He urged them to take the oath serious as every pronouncement was binding on the students.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Osayuki Oshodin, was represented by his deputy on Academics, Prof E.A. Onibere. He enjoined the students never to allow personal interests take over their zeal for service. Presi-

From Gilbert Alasa and Valor Iduh UNIBEN

dent of the SUG, Eniwake Orogun, extended the arm of cooperation with members of the parliament.

Reacting, the elected Speaker Erayanmen Unuigbe pledged to cooperate with the executive arm of the union and asked for increment in their statutory allowance which, he said, have not been reviewed in the last 10 years.

The other elected officers are Godfrey Ameh, Deputy Speaker; Theodora Osagie, Clerk; Oluchukwu Udeorji, Deputy Clerk, and Olaniyi Odina, Chief Whip.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

EDUCATION FUNAAB FILE

Group urges Fed Govt to reinstate VC, others A GROUP, Oil Mineral Producing Areas Stakeholders’ Fo-

rum (OMPSTAFOR) in Effurun, near Warri, Delta State, has urged the Federal Government to wade into the crisis at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE) by ensuring that the vice chancellor, registrar and the bursar allegedly suspended by the school Governing Council are reinstated.

In a statement signed by the group’s National Co-ordinator, Prince Maikpbi Okaareme, it recounted how the council members, at one of their meetings, suspended the trio without any reasonable offence committed.

The statement said the Governing Council had met at a hotel outside the institution and suspended the officers after the Federal Government had on Wednesday, October 19, this year, announced the dis-

From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

solution of all boards and parastatals.

The statement further said it was then that the vice-chancellor was replaced with by his deputy, which the statement also alleged, was smuggled into the meeting to take over from his boss.

While appealing to the Federal Government to declare the decision the Governing Council took between 19 and 20 illegal, the group urged the government to direct the Minister of Education Prof Ruqayyatu Rufa’i to reinstate the affected members to complete their tenure which, the group says, would lapse next year.

Reacting to the allegations, the Acting Dean of Students Affairs, Dr. Akpofure Rim-Ruke, said there

was no time the affected members were suspended.

Akpofure said while the vicechancellor was directed to proceed on his accumulated leave, the Registrar who was earlier suspended, was later recalled following the intervention of the Minister of Education. Rim-Ruke said the Registrar was later asked by the council to take his accumulated leave since the both of them had six months left to complete their tenure.

On the dissolution of boardsand parastatals by the Federal Government, the don said the university’s Council was neither singled out nor mentioned in either the print or electronic media.

He added that the Council’s decision asking the two principal officers to go on leave came ahead of the dissolution of the boards and the parastatals of governement’s institutions.

Faulting the group’s claim that

Varsity to open feeder roads

•Prof Rufa’i

the council took its decision at an hotel outside the school premises, Rim-Ruke said right from inception, council had always held periodic meetings outside the university premises.

School rewards staff VI-CENNA International Schoo has rewarded long serving members of the teaching

staff with various gifts ranging from TV sets to washing machines.

The Chairman of the school, Mr Darwish Foudeh, and the Principal, Mr David Ogburn, congratulated the staff for their efforts in raising the academic achievements of the school during the past session, resulting in the best ever set of Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) results the school has produced.

According to Ogburn, 99.67 per cent of all pupils successfully passed their courses, with 80 per cent of those achieving grades A to C. He said the school has since resumed for the new academic session with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to continuous improvement

•Mr Olubajo (second right) receiving a gift from Mr. Ogburn (middle). With them are Mr. Foudeh (left) and Mrs Adesanya, head of primary school,.

‘Business education needs funding’

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ATIONAL President of the Association of Business Educators of Nigeria (ABEN), Dr Joseph Odemuyiwa, has called on the government to rise to the funding needs of business education in the country.

Speaking at the 23rd annual and Second International conference of ABEN, with the theme: Emerging challenges in Business Education, he said business education must be attended to especially as entrepreneurship is now in vogue in the country.

“The first thing business education has to do is to move with the trend of the global economy because everything has to do with being computer literate. Unfortunately, our government has not been rising to the funding needs of business education probably because we are seen as teachers of typewriting and shorthand. There has to be more funding, especially now that entrepreneurship education is in vogue to teach our children to be self-reliant and be employers of labour,” he said.

He emphasised the need for the introduction of entrepreneurship education at all levels as entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial education fall within the purview of business education.

He said the theme of the conference was chosen because of the ever-increasing and changing role of business education worldwide.

“As more challenges are emerg-

More buses coming MANAGEMENT and the Students Union executives of the FUNAAB, have resolved to buy four brand new 60-seater luxury buses to boost students transportation and health care services in the university.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun, had during a meeting with the executives said the management was yet to come up with a proposal for welfare intervention. He, however, listed some options which include procurement of a new ambulance and four 60-seater buses, rehabilitation of the union building and the general overhauling of the existing ambulance.

Responding, President of the SU, Abdulkareem Bamigbade, said: “We appreciate the vision of the VC. This is even an intervention that was not expected and as such, we agree totally with the VC’s views”.

By Temitope Fatuase

A

THE management of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has decided to open-up feeder roads that could serve as alternative routes to the badly damaged AseroCamp portion of the AbeokutaIbadan highways.

The decision was reached at an emergency meeting attended by the management, deans and directors, unit heads and representatives of staff and Students’ Union, last Thursday.

The meeting also agreed to effect necessary repairs on the road leading to INHURD from the FUNAAB’s permanent site at Alabata Road, saying two other earth roads on the CampEleweran road would be considered.

By Temitope Fatuase

ing for business education in Nigeria, government at all levels need to encourage the practitioners to rise up to these challenges through an up-to-date curricular, provision of sufficient facilities, provision of adequate funding and professionally qualified business educators at al levels,“ he said.

Immediate past president of ABEN, Dr. Basil Nwosu, said the business education sector is facing so much challenges in the 21st Century.

“Business education has to focus on these challenges as the world is already a global village. Research is the centre of progress and development. We are looking at how Nigeria can be positioned to move ahead with other nations hence, the need to come together to review the curriculum design and quality control

through accreditation exercises’, he said.

The National Vice-President of the association, Dr Titus Umoru, said business education has to move with the trend in the world.

His words: “The theme is coming at a time when technology is driving the global market. Unfortunately in Nigeria, we are still doing things the way they were done before, we must log on to what is happening in the world. It is our belief that business educators should be aware of the role that technology has to play in teaching this generation business education. We have to be very much at home with technology to apply them in teaching our future leaders.”

The one-week workshop attracted academics from all the states.

ABEN is the only professional association for teachers of businessrelated programmes of education in the country.

‘The first thing business education has to do is to move with the trend of the global economy because everything has to do with being computer literate. Unfortunately, our government has not been rising to the funding needs of business education probably because we are seen as teachers of typewriting and shorthand’

•Prof Ojerinde

JAMB Registrar chairs global exam body

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EGISTRAR/Chief Executive Officer, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof Dibu Ojerinde, is presiding at the on-going meeting of the International Association for Educational Assessment, (IAEA) in Manila, Philippines.

The IAEA is a global forum for those involved in educational assessment –in primary or secondary schools, colleges or the workplace. Its members include examining bodies, university departments,research organisations and government agencies from more than 50 countries on all continents.

Ojerinde was elected President of the body in March, this year and is leading a conference of the global association in the Southeast Asian country.

‘Why education is failing’ THE poor performance of the economy since 1982 has been identified as a major cause of the sharp decline in the nation’s education.

Prof. Bolanle Idowu AkeredoluAle of the university’s Department of Communication and General Studies said this while delivering the Second College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD) Lecture Series entitled: Acquiring good education for what? opportunity structure and motivational perspectives on the declining standard of education in Nigeria.

“Prevalence of corruption and the reduced emphasis on merit as acondition for assessing opportunities in higher education and for securing employment in the University system and the public service,” she stated.

Varsity gets new bursar THE Governing Council has approved the appointment of Mr Moses Olusola Ilesanmi as the substantive university bursar.

According to a statement, signed by the VC, Prof Balogun, Council approved Ilesanmi’s appointment at its 68th meeting.

Ilesanmi who, until his appointment, was the university’s acting bursar, studied Accounting at the Ogun State Polytechnic, now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and graduated in 1982 with distinction.

His appointment, which had already taken effect from September, this year, is for a term of five years.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

38

EDUCATION Celebrities mentor AUN students WO celebrated youth models, Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu and Ms Tolu Sangosanya, will be at AUN on Saturday to share their success stories in social entrepreneurship and running a community-based organisation.

While the former is of Smallholders Agricultural Foundation, the latter promotes Lots Charity Foundation, both on non-governmental platforms.

The proposed talk entitled: Nigerian young leaders forum, is a programme of AUN’s Society for Ethics and Leadership (SEAL), a student organisation.

Mr Huzaifa Jega, vice-president of SEAL and chair of the club’s program committee, said the two celebrities would interact with students and share their experiences at giving back to society from their learning.

Ikegwuonu is the Executive Director of the Smallholders, a social development body founded in 2003 when he was 21.

The Smallholders Foundation has successfully provided thousands of rural farmers in Imo State with information that aids them to carry out sustainable agriculture, while improving yield and income.

The radio stations set up by the foundation, called the Smallholders Farmers Rural Radio (SFRR), have successfully used technology to not only improve the livelihood of families, but also made the organisation a profitable one and example of successful social entrepreneurship.

Tolu Sangosanya is the Executive Director of Love on the Streets (Lots), a charity body founded in 2008 when she graduated from the university at 23.

Lots Charity Foundation, has taken under its care over 100-children in Lagos State. The foundation’s most prominent project is called Dustbin Estate, shops for poor Lagosian especially those whose houses are built from refuse scraps.

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SCHOLARSHIP APPROACHING DEADLINES Scholarships Master’s Researcher Positions at the Structural System Laboratory, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kunsan National University, South Korea Study Subject(s): Civil and Environmental Engineering Course Level:Masters Scholarship Provider: Kunsan National University Scholarship can be taken at: South Korea Eligibility: Based on several grants, including Brain Korea 21st Century (BK21) grant, our team is inviting sincere international applicants for master degrees. Monthly stipends and settlement supports, incentives depending on performances as well as tuition fees will be supported based on the laboratory financial supporting system. Applicants should have enthusiasm in research, and excellent skills in English communication (written and verbal) are highly preferred. We prefer applicants who are able to publish international journal papers ranked as SCI or SCIE during his/her appointment in the laboratory with their own creative research topics.

Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes Scholarship Description: The Structural System Laboratory (SSL) in the Department of Civil Engineering (specially Structural Engineering), Kunsan National University, has established itself as a leading laboratory in South Korea with continuous developments in the relevant engineering researches in the field of Civil Engineering. We have been undergoing for several research projects by the South Korean Government. Through stable financial supports for the SSL members, our aim is to make the selected research teams as world-leading research groups.

How to Apply: Interested applicants must submit their curriculum vitae with a brief research plan to Prof. Dookie Kim (kim2kie-at-chol.com).

Scholarship Application Deadline: 18th November,2011 Read more: Master’s Researcher Positions at the Structural System Laboratory, KNU, South Korea : College Scholarships, PhD Scholarships, Postdoctoral, Graduate International Scholarships Fellowships http://scholarship-positions.com Scholarship Programme: China Government Scholarship ‘Nanjing University Master and PhD Program” Course Level: Masters and PhD Degree Programme Scholarship Taken at: Nanjing University, China Scholarship Description: Chinese Government Scholarship is a scholarship set up by the Chinese government to facilitate students and scholars from all over the world to conduct their study and research in Chinese universities. The scholarship aims to increase the mutual understanding and friendship between people of China and people from the rest of the world and to develop the communication and cooperation between China and the rest of the world in the field of Education, Technology, Culture and Economics.

Qualification: 1. Academic Background: Applicant must have completed a four-year undergraduate degree for master degree pursuer and a master degree or equivalent for PhD degree pursuer.

2. Chinese Language: Applicant must be willing to learn Chinese language, if applicable, and receive education in Chinese language.

3. Health: Applicant must be mentally and physically healthy.

Open for International Students: Yes How to Apply: Applicants must log on the on-line application system to do an on-line registration and application (laihua.csc.edu.cn). After fill in

the application form on-line (facility code for Nanjing University is 10284), applicant must click the “submit” button and print out application from the application system. After the on-line application is complete, applicants must submit the following documents to the Scholarship Coordinator (address below) by the required date. The submitted documents will not be returned.

(1)?Printed Application form with recent photograph (2)?Certified true-copy of Academic transcript and Diploma of highest degree obtained (English Translation is need if transcript and diploma were in language other than Chinese and English) (3)?Two recommendation letter from adviser/professor of the last school attended (4) Medical certificate (Download) (5) Printed “Code for International Scholarship Students of Nanjing University” with applicant’s signature. (Download) The above documents must be written in English. Any document written in any other language must be attached with an English or Chinese translation.

Application Deadline: Applications are accepted from October 15th 2011 to December 15, 2011. Notification of successful applicants will be posted on the official web site of the Institute for International Students Nanjing University in March 2012. School year starts from 1st of September, 2012 http://scholarship-positions.com The Center for the Study of Law and Society invites applications for visiting scholars in the Field of Law 2011-2012 Study Subject(s):Law Course Level :Research Scholarship Provider: The Center for the Study of Law and Society Scholarship can be taken at: USA Eligibility: 1. Applicants normally must possess a Ph.D. or J.D. (or foreign equivalent).

2. Applicants must submit a full curriculum vitae.

3. Applicants must submit a letter describing their proposed program of research or study, specifying the time period they wish to be in residence at the Center. Applicants must pursue a program of research or study which is of mutual interest to faculty members at the Center for the Study of Law and Society.

4. Applicants must indicate their source of funding while visiting Berkeley, e.g. sabbatical pay, scholarship, government funding, personal funds, etc.

Unfortunately, the Center cannot offer stipends or other financial assistance. Monthly minimum requirements for foreign exchange scholars are: $1,600 per month for the J-1 scholar, $500 per month for the J-2 spouse, $200 per month for each J-2 child.

Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes Scholarship Description: The Center for the Study of Law and Society invites applications for visiting scholars for 2011-2012. The Center fosters empirical research and theoretical analysis concerning legal institutions, legal processes, legal change, and the social consequences of law. Closely linked to the School of Law, CSLS creates a multidisciplinary milieu with a faculty of distinguished socio-legal scholars in sociology of law, political science, criminal justice studies, law and economics, legal history, law and psychology, and legal and social philosophy, along with visiting socio-legal scholars from the United States and around the world.

How to Apply: By post and online Scholarship Application Deadline: November 14, 2011 http://scholarship-positions.com

Bank upgrades schools’ facilities

Foundation marks anniversary with book launch From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

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AGOS Progressive Schools, comprising a primary and secondary school in Surulere, Lagos are wearing a new look courtesy of Stanbic IBTC Bank. The bank handed over the facilities last week after a comprehensive facelift.

Managing Director of the bank, Mrs Sola David-Borha, said the rehabilitation included construction of toilets, painting of buildings, provision of water, installation of air-conditioning units in the principals’ offices and provision of white boards in all the classrooms.

She promised that the bank would continue to maintain the facilities.

She counselled the pupils to be focused on their studies to reciprocate the gesture.

“We will keep up the maintenance of the school. To the pupils, you have to play your own part, which is to work hard and excel in your academics. Each of you has potential. The future governor, president could come from Lagos Progressive Schools. You have to work hard, keep your dreams alive and remain focused,” she said.

In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Fatai Olukoga, who represented the Education Commissioner, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, urged the pupils to maintain the facilities.

“Please, don’t destroy what has been given to you. If you see any-

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•From left: Mrs David-Borha, Otunba Olukoga and Mrs. Shobajo at the event

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

body trying to remove the railing, report. It is the money that people like your parents pay that was used for the school. By the time we come next year, we want to see the school in good shape,” he said.

Lauding Stanbic IBTC Bank’s investment in the schools, the Deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire, who was represented by Mrs Morenike Sobajo, Head of Planning, Research and Education, Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and

Poverty Alleviation, said the initiative was in line with the modernisation initiative of the state government for public schools.

“We thank the management and staff of Stanbic IBTC Bank for this exemplary gesture. We look forward to having more of its kind in the future,” she said.

Principal of Lagos Progressive Senior Secondary School, Mrs Maria Obioha, said she was overjoyed by the face lift which she said has turned the school around, especially

coming at a time when the government’s Eko Project has provided grants for the school to improve teaching and learning.

“We are, indeed, very happy about this development. On behalf of the pupils and teachers of Lagos Progressive Schools, I say a very big thank you to Stanbic IBTC Bank. We assure you of our commitment towards making the initiative a benchmark for private-sector intervention in educational institutions,” she said.

HE Ike Ibe Foundation has celebrated its eighth anniversary amid fanfare.

Its President and founder, Hon. Ike Ibe, also launched his book entitled: What Obama told me.

The event, which took place at the Rockview Hotel, Abuja, witnessed, the rededication of the foundation to the service of the less-privileged and needy.

Minister for Labour and Productivity Emeka Wogu, represented by a Director, Paul Okwehile, challenged Nigerians to rise up and contribute nation building.

“I must say that the Ike Ibe Foundation has been exemplary in the provision of support and livelihood to the needy.

“Through its educational, medical, infrastructural and financial supports, what we have seen is a practical example of how spirited Nigerians could aid in the advancement of human cause.

“I commend the Foundation as well as ask for continued support to it,’’ Wogu stated.

The founder thanked guests who had come to honour him, saying the struggle to uplift the lives of the citizenry is a collective one and not the sole responsibility of the government.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10,

39

2011

EDUCATION Association to partner FCT on MDGs

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•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajumobi cutting the tape to open St John Grammar School, Igboloyin, Ibadan donated by the Adegbite Foundation. With him is the donor and former Managing Director of WEMA Bank, Chief Samuel Adegbite PHOTO FEMI ILESANMI IBADAN

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27 school buses for girls in Kano

O boost girl-child education, the Kano State Governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has launched 27 60-seater buses to convey female secondary pupils to and from school.

Kwankwaso spoke at the launch of the buses, and inauguration of 255 traffic attendants, 100 satellite dish technicians, and passing out of 340 fire service officers at the Government House in Kano.

Kwankwaso said: “The move is part of deliberate efforts to ease the transportation problems of the pupils and enhance the enrolment of female children.”

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

Kwankwaso said his government attached greater importance to the education of the girl-child, in view of her position in the society, pointing out that the initiative, tagged Kwankwasiyya girl-child buses, would encourage female students to acquire education and make more meaningful contributions to nation building.

According to him, the rationale behind the school transportation scheme is predicated on the realisation that most female pupils are from economically-challenged

backgrounds and, as such, usually found it difficult to get to schools on time.

He appealed to parents to support the government to ensure the success of the transportation scheme for the girl–child as well as other initiatives of the administration aimed at resolving the problems of the education sector.

The governor also cautioned school principals to maintain the vehicles rather than using them for personal purposes. He warned that any school administrator that defaults would be sanctioned appropriately.

Firm identifies education challenges

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HE Lagos State chapter of the Civil Service Organisations (CSO) on education has identified six key major challenges facing educational.

These are: Infrastructure, teachers under which there is lack of adequate teachers and teachers’ welfare, funding, community participation, retention under which there are students loitering during school hour and the high rate of drop-outs.

A forum organised for CSO members and journalists created a platform for participants to speak out their minds on how to tackle the aforementioned challenges.

One of the participants, Mrs Kikelomo Ifekoya, a journalist with the Radio Nigeria, says more collaboration between the media and CSO would help improve basic education.

“This forum is to enable us engaged in improving the basic education and to establish a sustainable relationship and partnership for addressing education issues,” she said.

The Communication and Knowledge Management Co-ordinator for Education Sector Support Programme (ESSPIN), Mr Bankole Ebisemiju, said more still need to

By Seun Olalude

be done, especially in the face of successive failure by candidates in major examination education.

His words: “In the recent report by the United Nations concerning the West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC), we discovered that we did not score well. This tells us that we still have a lot do on the education system of this country. Money is spent every day on education, but is it being utilise appropriately and yet not enough” Ebisemilu also spoke on some of the identified challenges, urging the need to empower community participation.

“Community participation needs to be empowered because they keep government schools and properties on the move,” he said.

Mrs Wumi Sina-Olulana from the Centre for Health, Education and Development Communication (CHEDCOM) urged school principal and head masters to identify their peculiar challenges when approach the education ministry.

Her words: “The principals and head teachers should be bold enough to approach the concerned ministry when requesting for anything, you discover that many chal-

‘The principals and head teachers should be bold enough to approach the concerned ministry when requesting for anything, you discover that many challenges facing the schools in the statethe ministry is not aware of them’

lenges facing the schools in the state, the ministry is not aware of them and that is why they have not been receiving government attention.”

Another participant, Executive Director, Female Leadership Forum, Mrs Comfort Ogunye, seeks more empowerment of the School Base Management Committeeas the schools law enforcement agency.

“The government should empower the SBMC, they will help in monitoring schools properties and ensure that pupils’ loitering during the school hour is reduced,” she said.

HE National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, has called for collaboration with the FCT Administration (FCTA) to enable private schools to benefit from Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) projects.

NAPPS President Mrs Bukola Dosumu made the call when she addressed reporters on the NAPPS Day Celebration in Abuja.

She said private schools’participation in education has helped in improving the quality and efficiency of public schools, and so they should be seen as partners with the public sector in attaining the Vision 20:2020.

Mrs Dosumu, who disclosed that the association had, since 2008, set aside October 12 yearly to bring together stakeholders in private sector education, also appealed to the Federal Government to create a means to partner with private schools with MDGs facilities to enable them benefit from projects such as borehole or electrification of schools in the rural, sub-urban areas so as to really serve the Nigerian child.

She also suggested that the FCT administration should sum up all charges on private schools to an-

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

nual payment and disburse to all necessary bodies.

Mrs Dosumu lamented the high interest rates of 19-24 per cent that commercial and microfinance banks charged them before they could access loans at a very shortterm. This, she said, puts pressure on the schools’ financial system, saying that it often translates to high tuition fees.

Her words: “The society has a false impression that the money generated is fully ours. Any school being funded by loans is actually generating money for the banks. We need a bailout.’’

She appealed to the FCT administration to come to their aid in order to enable them access funds from the banks.

Mrs. Roseline Umana, Director, Directorate of Policy Implementation of the FCT, said her office has been interacting with the association to ensure that the standard in the system are kept.

“We recently sealed up 370 schools in the FCT that did not meet up to the requirements stipulated by the Ministry of Education, and we are not just stopping at that as we will go as far as we can until the minimum standards are adhered to’’ Umana added.

300 schools for tax competition

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O Fewer than 300 public and private schools in Lagos State are to research tax issues for an essay competition with rewarding prizes. The competition is being organised by the Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS).

Flagging off the competition at a briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, Mr Tunde Fowler, the Executive Chairman of LIRS, said the exercise would acquaint the pupils with how taxes are an important source of revenue for the government to provide for the needs of the people – with the underlying objective of grooming them to become tax payers as adults.

“We started this programme with the objective to introduce the youth to importance of tax administration. Lagos State has come quite a distance with taxes and to continue that momentum, we need to educate future leaders so that when we leave they will not abandon the mission. For us to have the kind of infrastructure found in other countries from government, we need to fund that government,” he said.

For the 500-word essays, Junior

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

secondary pupils will write on one of three topics: “Payment of Tax is an Investment in our Future”; “To make our Dream come true, our Parents and Guardians have to Pay Taxes”; or “Millennium Development Goals cannot be achieved in Lagos State without an Effective Tax System”.

Senior pupils on the other hand can choose from the topics: “Tax Compliance is the key to Social and Economic Development”; “Internally Generated Revenue is the mainstay of any Economy”; or “Millennium Development Goals cannot be achieved in Lagos State without an Effective Tax System.”

To ensure they did not get help in writing the essays, the best essayists in each category will have to defend their work before the LIRS top management and other select judges during an oral presentation that would hold November 22.

Prizes ranging from N150,000 to N250,000 educational grants will be presented to winners during a tax conference to hold in December.

•Pupils displaying notebooks and other stationery given to them by the United Kids Foundation, a not-for-profit body, as part of the NGO’s Back-to-School programme in Lagos.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

EDUCATION EDUTALK with Protect national archives, historians Resumption urge govt T pressures HE President of Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN), Prof Olayemi Akinwumi, has urged government and other relevant institutions to pay attention to national archives because of their importance.

Akinwumi, who made the call at the 56th Annual Congress of HSN at the Osun State University, Osogbo, said it is important to pay attention to the study of history if must regain its pride of place in national development and professional relevance.

He said: “Council is working towards improving standards in research, teaching and disseminating historical as well as the development and inculcation of best practices for historians in the country.

By Musa Odoshimokhe

“In doing all these, there is the need to pay attention to, among other things, the state of our existing national archives and strive to ensure that more archives are established at the state level.”

He expressed the desire of the association to enhance the quality of history graduates.

“HSN will take urgent step, to ensure that the quality of undergraduate programme in history in Nigerian universities and colleges are standard bearers in preparing future historians and manpower for the country,” he added.

He stated that HSN being the oldest professional academic association in Nigeria could not afford to deviate from the aims of the founding fathers which are “to promote by all possible means work connected with the study of history in Nigeria.”

Prof Siyan Oyeweso, who responded on behalf of members, noted that Nigerian historians led by the Ibadan School of History, contributed immensely to nation building, sociopolitical development since the 1950s.

He said: “People in this category include late Prof K.O Dike, Saburi Biobaku and the living legends, such as Profs J.F.A. Ajayi, Tekena Tamuno, E.A Ayandele, Abdullahi Mahdi, Omoniyi Adewoye and our own Sola Akinrinde.”

•Deputy Director-General, Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Topo, Badagry (left), presenting a certificate to Mrs Biade Akinyele, one of the senior civil servants who graduated from the college.

Unity Schools to brainstorm on education

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VER 1,000 alumni cutting across the 104 Federal Government Colleges (Unity Schools) nationwide will converge on the Federal Government College of Education, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, for their 21st plenary homecoming on November 91.

The plenary will feature the Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyatu Rufa’i and Prof Fidelis Odita (SAN), an alumnus of Federal Government, College, Warri, Delta State, as special guest of honour and the keynote speaker.

Addressing reporters on Lagos, President-General, Unity School Old Students Association (USOSA), Mr Albert Okumagba, said the theme of the plenary/homecoming “Preserving the labour of our heroes past”, is meant to prod participants to deliberate on the state of education in Nigeria and how to find a lasting solution.

On the choice of the venue, Okumagba said USOSA was amazed at what the Federal Government College, Ogbomosho Old

By Adegunle Olugbamila

Students Association (FEGOCOOSA) has done for its alma mater, and intends want to use the latter’s contributions as a model for other alumni associations.

“Aside the plenary, which basically will be used to discuss the challenges facing education in Nigeria as well as seeking solutions to them, we also want to use FEGOCOOSA as a model because we appreciate how the alumnus has helped to contribute enormously to their alma mater.

“We believe this is something we should all do as Nigerians.

Many of us graduated from our primary and secondary schools many 20 or 30 years ago, but how many among us have gone back to see the deplorable state of facilities in those schools? I think it is high time Nigerians started putting something back, however small to these schools that made most of us what we are today. We

wish to use the plenary as a wake up call to the entire Nigerians to show patriotism to our alma maters,” he said,.

Aside varying papers that to be presented on various facets of education from basic to tertiary levels, Okumagba described the plenary as a reunion of graduates of Federal Government Schools who are doing well in their chosen disciplines.

“Over the years, Unity Schools have produced lawyers, accountants, senators, governors and other successful individuals. This plenary is just like homecoming of Unity Schools family. Besides, we will seize the opportunity to discuss peculiar challenges facing individual schools and seek solutions to them,” he said.

Okumagba, also the Group Managing Director of BGL, lauded the efforts of the plenary planning committees, as well as Federal Government College Oyo and Federal Government College Ilorin which also co-host the forthcoming event.

Lawmaker offers 600 students scholarship

A

MEMBER of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Bashir Baballe, has offered scholarships to about 600 students in his constituency.

Baballe, who is representing Minjibir/Ungogo Federal Constituency, told reporters in Kano that the gesture would be continuous to uplift the educational standard of his people.

According to him, his obligation is to ensure that the people in his constituency reap the dividends of democracy by ensuring that they are

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

not left behind educationally.

Baballe disclosed plans to purchase Joint Admissions and Matriculation (JAMB) forms for secondary school leavers, promising that he would encourage the youth in his constituency to acquire tertiary education.

He noted that, in a democracy, the people should be allowed to decide the direction of government policies and programmes, hence the need to evolve an avenue though which the people’s voice can be heard.

•Hon Bashir

I

WAS in a boutique at the same time with a mother and her two teenagers, a boy and a girl. The girl had tried on and selected several items before I came in which setback her mother’s pocket by a substantial sum. I later learnt from the shopkeeper that she was shopping in preparation for resumption in one of the private universities. I remarked that the girl was lucky that mummy could take her shopping for clothes – something that is not a priority on the list of many parents struggling to raise funds for tuition fees, accommodation books and upkeep allowance (if it is on it at all).

Students face a lot of pressure when it is time to return to school for a new semester or session. I can imagine many of the girl’s classmates in school making similar preparations. They have to get new clothes for the new semester and other image-boosting gears that may not be compulsory but would make life a bit more comfortable or luxurious. Clothes are a general concern for all students.

However, unlike the girl at the boutique whose mum had an extra budget for baffs, many students don’t have such privilege.

They either have to work during the holidays or depend on the good grace of siblings, relatives, family friends, and sadly, sugar daddies, to earn the cash to buy anything extra – including clothes. And students in this category are luckier still than others who have to sponsor their education themselves. They have nobody responsible for picking the bills for tuition and other school requirements not to talk of clothes.

Beyond looking good, another thing that students focus on is in making their humble habitations classy. For private universities students who are mostly resident on campus and those in hostels of public universities, the pressure is less. Given space constraints and lack of total privacy in hostel rooms, students resident on campus don’t need to worry about getting a lot of things. Each person may decide to rug their corners, put up wallpapers, or posters, get CD players and fine sheets on their beds, and for the more endowed in public universities, add refrigerators and they are good.

But for those students resident off-campus, it is another ball game entirely. And I advise them to handle the pressures associated with their situation with caution.

They have to decide where to stay – which is usually a factor of how much they can afford for what I consider to be exploitatively exorbitant rents. Students are forced to pay unthinkable amounts as rent, especially in many of Nigeria’s more developed cities.

For instance, self-contain hostels around the University of Lagos go for as high as N300,000 – an amount that families struggle to pay to rent three-bedroom flats in many parts of Lagos. At the University of Benin, students pay up to N130,000 or more for self-contain apartments (consisting of a room, kitchen, toilet and bath) which many of them increasingly prefer to the face-me-I-face-you accommodations. But many are forced by finances to rent rooms only and share toilets, baths, kitchens and a long corridor.

Kofoworola

Belo-Osagie Kofosagie@yahoo.com 08054503077 (SMS only)

Whether rooms only or self contains, students are taking more care to make their quarters look smashing. They are getting unsatisfied with furnishing their rooms with just mattresses, carpets, a clothes rack nailed to the wall, reading tables and chairs, fans and a small CD player, which was the rave in our days.

The present-day student’s offcampus accommodations have evolved to become equipped with the latest comforts and technology of the day. Any student with just the above listed items in his room will likely feel intimidated if most of his student-neigbours have ‘upgraded’ their rooms – replacing carpets with rugs, clothes hanger with polished wardrobes, CD players with home theatre systems, added to beautifully painted walls with the colours carefully selected to match the 4” by 6 mattresses of the required thickness, flat screen TVs, and even air conditioners.

In their mini kitchenettes you find fridges or freezers, microwave ovens, and gas cookers (the ageold kerosene stove is too primitive for such modern setting).

I understand if students buy a fridge because of its usefulness for preserving food, however, there is no defense whatsoever for wanting to equip a room with a television, state-of-the-art or not, and air conditioners. These are luxury items that cause more distraction than good. I was amazed to learn from a sibling that students are actually paying for LCD televisions that cost upward of N60,000. Air conditioners cost at least N30,000. The latest is for graduating students to sell the items in their rooms to their juniors, demanding for up to N100,000 cash. Where students get the money to fund such extravagant lifestyles is beyond me.

But I know it is certainly not from their parents. Many full-time salary earners have to save for months to afford these things.

The pressures of ‘belonging’ makes many students dabble into activities they should not. It is not surprising that many such boys get into many shady deals, while girls give their bodies for money to maintain such false status. Students should realise that the campus world is a world of make belief. It is not the real world. The NYSC scheme is the first step into the world of reality. Then when afterwards they have to spend months roaming the streets folder in hand job hunting, they will learn that the life they once lived was one of fantasy.

Students must remain focused on their studies and learn to live within their means so they can survive without cutting corners outside the four walls of the tertiary institution.

42

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

43

THE NATION

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

CLINIC DAY

The search for cancer cure health care system, the Western world is fast turning to the Traditional system under the guise of CAM after recognising the failure and inadequacies of the so-called modern medicine.

The Chief Executive Officer, Health Forever Products Limited, Ikeja, Nigeria, OLAJUWON OKUBENA, who has handled such cases with impressive results, answers the question from his office.

The role of antioxidants in cancer treatment

Introduction

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ESTERN medicine, in contrast to at least 6,000 years of natural medicine, treats the body as a collection of parts instead of as a synergistic organism. When it comes to treating broken bones and injured body parts, mainstream Western medicine is unequalled. When this same approach is used to treat illness and disease - fixing or repairing the parts where the symptoms of underlying illnesses manifest themselves, modern medicine fails miserably.

In the instance of cancer, instead of addressing the causes of cancer - toxins and a weakened immune system - we see instead treatments that either slash, burn or poison away the tumors and cancer cells, which further weakens an immune system that cancer has already defeated and only worsens the conditions that led to cancer to begin with.

Even if initially, it successfully gets rid of existing cancer cells and tumors, the end result is a weakened body which may have major organ damage and which is more susceptible to the reappearance of the original cancer, as well as other forms of cancer and diseases.

For half a century or more, we have been told that a breakthrough or cure for cancer is just around the corner, yet the death rates for cancer remain virtually unchanged.

Meanwhile, effective natural and alternative treatments, which address and correct the actual causes of cancer continue to enjoy much greater success than the largely failed mainstream treatments, even as they are suppressed and come under increasing attack by the medical establishment.

Consider that since 1971 when the “War on Cancer” started, about $2 trillion had been spent on conventional cancer treatment and research. Yet, despite the government and private sector’s work to put a positive face on cancer survival rates, they have not improved. The latest statistics show more Americans dying from common cancers than ever before. For example, the January 10, 2002 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine stated that 20 years of clinical trials using chemotherapy on advanced lung cancer have yielded survival improvement of only two months.

Cancer in Modern Times Cancer was thought to be a disease that was prevalent in the developed countries where the incidence has been increasing as modern civilisation advances. Of recent, the news of cancer in Nigeria has been alarming with the report of many celebrities who have been victims representing the proportion of Nigerians going through this ordeal. While the western world has been coping with the perfection of their treatment system which celebrates survival of five years post treatment as cure, the developing countries seem to be in dilemma. Health establishments are illequipped and the treatments are outdated.

Our forefathers inherited remedies that were able to tackle all types of health problems but with the coming of the western civilisation, we are made to believe that such knowledge was primitive and

• Okubena should not be encouraged. Thanks to the World Health Organisation (WHO) which after several years of research has come to the conclusion that: Traditional medicine refers to health practices, approaches, knowledge and beliefs incorporating plant, animal and mineral based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose and prevent illnesses or maintain wellbeing. Countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America use traditional medicine (TM) to help meet some of their primary health care needs. In Africa, up to 80 per cent of the population uses traditional medicine for primary health care. In industralised countries, adaptations of traditional medicine are termed “Complementary” or “Alternative” (CAM).

While in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, we are yet to come to terms with the role Traditional Medicine could play in our

In Nigeria, our forefathers have been using Sorghum bicolor leaves to treat various types of disease including cancer, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, alzeihmer’s, parkinson’s diseases, sickle-cell anaemia etc., The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has only of recent researched to discover that Sorghum bicolor contains the highest Antioxidant value of all plants. In the introduction to the publication “USDA table of antioxidants”, it was stated: The development of various chronic and degenerative diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and neuronal degeneration such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease may be attributed, in part, to oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress has also been implicated in the process of aging. Although the human body has developed a number of systems to eliminate free radicals, such as reactive oxygen species from the body, it is not 100 per cent efficient. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables are considered to be an excellent source of antioxidants. Some minerals and vitamins have a role as dietary antioxidants. These include vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E and its isomers (tocopherols and tocotrienols), and selenium.

Data for these nutrients are included in the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR). USDA has also published some Special Interest Databases on classes of components, some of which may also act as antioxidants. These include: Carotenoids (now merged with SR); isoflavones, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins.

A dietary antioxidant is a substance in foods that significantly decreases the

QUESTION I am a 34-year-old teacher and have just been diagnosed of prostate cancer. I believe in natural healing, but the oncologist handling my case said I should not fool myself, but rather stick to orthodox treatment that has better hope. Please who can you refer me to in herbal world?

- Jokotola Ajayi, Ibadan, Oyo State adverse effects of reactive species, such as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, on normal physiological function in humans.

Primary antioxidants delay or inhibit the initiation step of oxidation, while the secondary antioxidants slow down the oxidation by removing the substrate or by quenching free oxygen radicals. Although the definition was initially applied to the oxidation of lipids, it is extended to the oxidation of proteins, (DNA), and carbohydrates and includes all the repair systems which do not necessarily involve antioxidant activity.

Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity (ORAC) assay measures the degree of inhibition of peroxy-radical-induced oxidation by the compounds of interest in a chemical milieu. It measures the value as Trolox equivalents and includes both inhibition time and the extent of inhibition of oxidation. The assay has been used to measure the antioxidant activity of foods.

The method developed by Prior et al. measures both hydrophilic and lipophilic ORAC (L-ORAC) for water soluble and fat soluble antioxidant compounds respectively.

Okubena could be reached on e-mail: okubena@health-forever.com

Jobelyn: An antioxidant for treating cancer

W

E have confirmed through laboratory studies in the United Sstates that our Sorghum bicolor derived from JOBELYN contains the highest ORAC Antioxidant of all food plants in the world with rating of with total rating, of 37,622 ORAC (ìmol TE/g). Prior to the confirmation of this rating we have accumulated evidences of the efficacy of JOBELYN in some cancer patients as shown below: An American, whose wife is an associate professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, Boston University, Massachusetts, USA had Acute Myeloid Leukemia, refractory type M-O. He received three courses of chemotherapy between October and January 1996 -1997. Two weeks after the last chemotherapy, his leukemia relapsed.

He subsequently underwent a bone marrow transplant, but the leukemia relapsed later. He went for another protocol in which he received lymphocyte infusion (helper - T cells) followed by three weeks of interleuken 2 injections. In spite of all these, his blasts continued to increase and the haematocrit kept going down. He was transfused with two pints of whole blood every other day. He also received multiple platelet transfusions. His case was dismissed by his doctors at Dana Farber Cancer Centre ( one of the best

two cancer centres in the world) as irredeemable. He was given two days to live after discharge from hospital.

His wife, Elsie, placed an order for Jobelyn capsules through the internet.

Though the patient is now deceased, his condition while on this therapy could best be summarised in the spouse’s own words: “The Jobelyn treatment definitely stabilised his haematocrit for as long as he took it and it may have prolonged his life a few weeks. Having been able to keep him alive for a month after they thought he was going to die was worth it”. For full details about the treatment, please visit: http:// www.afritradomedic.com/ Vergara_mails.pdf (ii) A middle-aged woman diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when it was at the terminal stage was treated with Jobelyn capsules at a Nigerian University Teaching Hospital and got full remission within a period of six months. For details please visit: http://www.afritradomedic.com/ lymphoma_patient.pdf ( iii ) Another testimony was from Niyi Owoyemi, father of 26-year-old leukemia patient whose ailment had defied chemotherapy and who was on the verge of receiving a bone marrow transplant. He came to Nigeria from America to procure the remedy for his son and returned four or five months afterwards to say that his son had been discharged from hospital as a result of complete remission. http://

www.afritradomedic.com/tell_cancer.pdf We have been using Jobelyn for more than 20 years for the treatment of cancer.

It was only in the last 10 years that we discovered that it was the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers that were responsible for its efficacy.

The issue of dosage is also being addressed over time and we came to the conclusion that the more Jobelyn consumed, the faster the result in the treatment of diseases like Cancer.

We are also confident that a dosage of approximately four capsules three times a day could provide full remission for Multiple Myeloma, Leukemia and Hodgkins Lymphoma within a period of three months.

QQWEBreast Cancer is a more difficult, but we thank God that in the last couple of years, we have come to the realisation that the hormones have a lot to do with women problem, such as fibroid, ovarian cyst, menstrual disorders and breast cancer.

We have developed a therapy for fibroid which had proved so successful that we have been having references from orthodox medical practitioners whose patients refuse surgery.

The treatment regime includes hormonal treatment, liver cleansing and detoxification and we have now included this in our breast cancer treatment. This approach has been producing exciting results for our breast cancer patients.

44

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

NATURAL HEALTH

Useful hints for cancer patients T

O further support the solution for the problem of cancer would be found through the natural means, I found it interesting to present to readers the following update from Johns Hopkins of the USA: After years of telling people chemotherapy is the only way to try to eliminate cancer, Johns Hopkins is finally starting to say there is an alternative way.

Hence all should know that: • Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion.

When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

•Cancer cells occur between six to more than 10 times in a person’s lifetime.

• When the person’s immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumours.

• When a person has cancer it indicates the person has nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, but also to environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

• To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet, to eat more adequately and healthy foods, four to five times a day and by including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

• Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidlygrowing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage,

• Fruits like these help fight cancer cells

like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

• Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

•Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumour size.

However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.

•When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

• Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and

difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.

• An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.

Cancer cells feed on: •Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses, but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour better alternative is Bragg’s aminos or sea salt.

• Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off

milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk cancer cells are being starved.

• Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little other meat, like chicken. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

• A diet made of 80 per cent fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment.

About 20 per cent can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach

down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells, try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts are okay) and eat some raw vegetables two or three times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).

• Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer fighting properties. Water is the best drink. Purify or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water.

Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

• Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines becomes putrefied and leads to more toxic buildup.

• Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body’s killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

• Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, un-forgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

• Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment.

Exercising daily and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level.

Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

Source: Health Forever products

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

45

NATURAL HEALTH

Possible causes of blurry or failing vision (2) W

HAT is the eye? The answer still appears shrouded in mystery. We all know it enables us to see. But that may not be its only function. German researcher Gisella Reiners suggested in the 1980s it could be, also, a conduit for the environment to pass energy into the body.

This thought influenced the upbringing of my children in respect of how near to the television screen they sat if they must watch television, and of how long they watched. Gisella said the flickering of light when the cameras switch from one scene to another excites eye structures to absorb more energy from the light glare than they otherwise would do in a different setting, and that the energy so inducted is passed to the hypothalamus, an organ somewhere in the middle of the brain, which distributes it to nerves through the spinal fluid.

Gisella Reiner’s hypothesis suggests that children who watch television for too long, or routinely, or sit too close to the screen risk the dangers of too much energy flowing through their eyes into their bodies. We consume energy with food, water and air intake, and from sunlight through the skin. In respect of this, the Arabs seem to know better. They wear thick clothes and wrap their heads with heavy clothing in scorching desert sun! Gisella Reiners said too much energy caused rapid growth in young people, of which their parents were often proud, unknown to them that these children were damaging their nerves and organs, and hurrying through life’s processes towards their graves. The example that dayold chicks raised in overhearted cages and not under the feathered wings of their mothers are sickly and live shorter lives than those naturally brought up lends some credence to this assumption. So does the notion of strength of materials in engineering regarding capacity of an electrical cable, for example, to bear the load of energy passing through it. If it cannot, the cable melts, the appliance is damaged. Similarly epilepsy occurs when the nerves cannot bear the load of electrical outburst in the brain.

There are more ways than Gisela Reiner’s to see the eye not just as an organ of vision. A growing understanding in Natural Medicine is that the eye opens not only into the liver, or into the kidney, but into all parts of the body. This definition cannot be ignored from the view that all cells and organs originate form a single fertilised cell, the zygote, which differentiated into about 100 trillion cells in the average adult, each cell interconnected to the others, affecting them and being affected by them. The success of Reflex Zone Therapy of the Palm and Foot and Accupunture testifies to this. So does Iridology, the idea that • Every part of the body is represented in the eye, • Biochemical changes in any part of the eye suggests ongoing or imminent disease pattern in any part of the body connected to that part of the eye, • Biochemical changes in any part of the body will ultimately negatively affect that part of the eye it is connected to.

If it would help make the picture I am trying to paint clearer, let me give an example. Mrs. Folake Ogunje, my niece, is a natural health enthusiast. She telephones me one day to ask what could be wrong with a woman about 50 whose ankles always swelled painfully. There could be a thousand and one causes for this. But the one which I intuitively sensed was trouble in the womb!

What connection is there between the ankle and the womb?

You wonder. Well, there is a route from the ankle which navigates past the ball of the foot on the way up the lower limb to which the reproductive organs respond. The balls themselves represent the ovaries or the testes. That’s why women who have menstrual difficulties or impending ailments in this area scream when this area is massaged, as if nails or knives are driven into it. I asked Mrs. Ogunje if the woman had just had surgery to remove uterine fibroids. She didn’t know, and promised to check with her. A few minutes later, Mrs. Ogunje reported that she had had her womb removed. Apparently, the surgery may not have healed, or she may be troubled by “ghost pains” in the site of the evacuated womb area.

Ghost pains? Yes, ghost pains! Orthodox medicine gave this kind of pain this name because it didn’t understand what was happening. There are people whose lower legs were amputated from the knee. To their surprise, many years after, they still felt pains in the toes and foot as if they were still there. They told their doctors. And their doctors referred them to psychiatrists, as a woman told me last week three Nigerian doctors had done in her case. I checked her tongue. Like that of another man who was to have undergone prostate surgery about two months ago, her tongue was heavily coated. That’s candida, in her case, more likely systemic candida, because it had crossed to the blood from the intestines, where, together with other parasites, it causes abdominal bloating, gassing and pain. If present in the blood, organ distress is as feasible as nerve irritation which, as in staphylococcus aureus affliction, may present those crawly sensations all over the body. This woman experienced relief in three days while on AMAZON A-F, a combination of eight herbs with clinically proven anti-fungal properties. Using Amazon A-F to lower the fungi load in a breast cancer case compounded by pain and insomnia enabled the woman and her husband resume their normal sleep routine. Last week, she came to Lagos from Owerri and found me out… just to express her gratitude.

These cases and many others, which have responded well to Amazon A-F, encouraged me to believe that doctors would do a lot more to help their patients if it were possible, on mass scale, to offer affordable live blood, dark field microscopy diagnosis. In this diagnosis, one can actually see the candida population vis-à-vis those of white and red blood cells et.c. It may very well happen that there are more candida cells than are red blood cells. Such a person would be anaemic,

no doubt. But giving iron pills or transfusing blood may bring no permanent solution. Killing the candida probably would. As candida feeds on sugar, and as many people have elevated blood sugar without realising it, can blurry vision not be traced to fungal activity, especially as diabetics suffer from vision damage? These are questions which require further investigation.

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S I said last week, blurry vision may have a thousand and one causes occurring independently or in combinations. Addressing them all is beyond the scope of a column such as this. Even in the use of natural or nutritional supplements which help visual acuity, it is important first to obtain expert advice from an ophthalmologist. An ophthalmologist, Prof. Bukunola Adefule-Oshipelu, of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) helped to save my vision about 1999. I come from a family disposed to glaucoma. At 45, I saw the rainbow one evening while giving a parlour talk in a room lit by candles.

As I drove back home, car lights formed rainbows on my car windshield. My vision faded into a white mist after about 15 meters. And I couldn’t drive at night as car headlights formed into a white wall. Shortly before this experience, my health appeared normal, save for inflammation and pain in the right shoulder, especially which made the right arm so weak that I couldn’t use it to wind down the passenger car window glass.

A doctor diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis and an orthopaedic doctor gave me steroid drugs. He changed the prescription to corticosteroid drugs after one month, when the milder steroids did not appear to help me. I was not told the implications of these drugs, and, like many other patients, I did not ask. Prof.

Adefule-Oshitelu asked me which drugs I took recently. When I narrated my experience, she caught it. I was later to discover myself that corticosteroids, which many people consume as if they are as safe as Vitamin C tablets, can actually induce glaucoma and blindness. Happily, she didn’t think I was a surgery candidate. I wouldn’t have agreed, anyway, given what I went through while trying to clear a blocked nostril. I elected nutritional medicine, and believe I took the right decision. That decision has led me through a forest of visionenhancing food supplements. I learned to budget for them every month. Lately, I have found that Moringa Oloifera tea sharpens my vision and clips that heaviness in the eyeball.

That’s limited now, though, to only the right eye ball which I banged on the edge of a wall in a dark room about one year ago. I suspect it is because Moringa is a green herb with lots of chlorophyll. My sister, who is two years younger than I am, reported seeing images on television she couldn’t clearly see hitherto when she took Spectragreen, a chlorophyll-rich powder blend of 42 green herbs. Come along with me on a journey through parts of this huge forest.

Aspartame Aspartame is silently making many people go blind. When table sugar became a curse word, the sweetening industry gave the sweet tooth aspartame. Check the label of any product, including some nutritional supplements, and you’ll find it listed. It came into the market in the early 1980s, is about 180 times as sweet as sugar without any calorie, but it produces two dangerous chemicals in the intestinal tract, phenylalanine and methyl achohol/formaldehyde or wood achohol, which Dr. Hulda Clark says feeds parasites which cause all kindsof cancer.

Debunking claims that methyl alchohol is rendered safe by the liver, Dr. F. Batmanghelidj says in one of his books, OBESITY, CANCER, DEPRESSION: “Formaldehyde and methyl alchohol have been cited in medical publications as producing eye-nerve damage to the point of blindness. The recent rise in macular degeneration and retinopathy even in the comparatively younger sector of our population is being blamed on the excessive use of artificial sweeteners. Other secondary complications of the use of the sweetener aspartame are tumour formation in the brain and secondary neurological disorders. Dr. H. J. Roberts of West Palm Beach, Florida, has done much research on the adverse effects of aspartame. He has identified a number of ‘aspartame disease’s’ in his June 2002 article published in Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Dr Roberts listed

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

a number of problems that have been produced by aspartame.

He has a collection of 1,200 patients who developed neurological complication through the use of aspartame: 43 per cent had headaches; 31 per cent had dizziness and unsteadiness; 31 per cent had confusion and memory loss; 13 per cent had drowsiness and sleepiness; 11 per cent had major epileptic convulsions; 3 per cent had minor epileptic attacks and ‘absence of the mind’; 10 per cent had severe slurring of speech; 8 per cent had severe tremours; 6 per cent had a typical facial pains. He reports that, after cutting off aspartame, these people improved. As you might know, methyl alchohol and formaldehyde damage to the brain cells and the optic nerve is, unfortunately, irreversible”.

I crave your pardon to veer a little from the eye to the breast. Many women are coming down with breast cancer.

My maternal grandmother aged 76 died of it in 1980 so soon after shifting from the natural food seasoning ogiri ijebu (made from locust bean) to a popular monosodium glutamate (MSG). We have now been told MSG excites the brain and nerves to the point of damaging them. Dr. Batmanghelidj says in this book that aspastame does so too, in fact, raising prolactin level. Many women have elevated prolactin level.

Last week, I saw a man due for surgery this month for swollen breasts. He has elevated prolactin and estrogen levels. Dr. Batmanghelidj says aspartame excites the reproductions organs, the breast in particular, and adds: “A constant stimulation of the breast glands without the other factors associated with pregnancy may be implicated in the rise in the case of breast cancer. I have no doubt that the aspartame – induced excess prolactin production plays a major role in the increased frequency of breast cancer in women.”

Were Dr. Batmanghelidj alive, I would have asked him: “Doc, can we say the same of women who give their breasts to men to suck for sexual pleasure?” Nature gave the breast, in my opinion, to babies, not adult men. I haven’t seen animal males suck breast. So prevalent, like masturbation, has this practice become that a musician preyed on it, asking: WHO OWNS THE BREAST; THE CHILD OR THE HUSBAND?

Vitamin C

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NOWN long ago to stop bleeding gums and reduce the severity of cold, it is now used extensively in HIV and cancer therapy, but in much larger doses than most people consume. Dr. Shari Lieberman, “featured columnist in Health & Nutrition ‘Ask Dr. Shari’, and author of THE REAL MINERAL & VITAMIN BOOK says in the book: “Unlike most other animals on this planet, we are incapable of producing Vitamin C in our bodies. Neither can we store it for very long. Therefore, we must depend upon our food to supply us with what we need every day. Many researchers argue that optimum intake of Vitamin C is the amount that would be synthesized by humans if we had the enzyme necessary to snake Vitamin C Animals that produce their own Vitamin C… synthesize the equivalent of 3,000 to 19,000 miligrammes per day when calculated for a human weighing 154 kilogrammes. In humans, maximum body pools _________ the highest level of a substance that the tissues can absorb until they are saturated ________ have been estimated at 1,500 miligrammes per day but have been reevaluated by others at 5,000 miligrammes of Vitamin C for a 154 – pound person”.

In 1976, Dr. Edwin Cameron and Dr. Linus Pauling, twotimes Noble Prize Winner for his research on Vitamin C who died at the age of 103, researched 100 terminally ill cancer patients, and concluded that those who took Vitamin C supplements lived between 42 and 20 times longer than those who did not. A follow-up study in 1990 by Dr. Abram Hoffer and Dr. Linus Pauling researched affects of Vitamin C in high dosages (12 grammes or 12,000 miligrames on patients whose cancer was progressing despite conventional therapy.

This therapy included “surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation” in addition to “large doses of other nutrients, including 1.5 to 3 grams of niacm, 250 miligrammes of Vitamin B6, other B Vitamins, 800 international units of Vitamin E, 30 international units of beta carotene and 300 to 500 miligrammes of selenium”. The cancers included those of the breast, ovaries, uterus and cervix. Thirty-one patients who received nothing formed the control group. Says Dr. Liebermann: “Of those patients who did receive the supplements, 80 per cent were considered to be good responders, with a mean survival time of 122 months for patients with cancer of the breast, ovary, uterus and cervix; and 72 months for patients with other forms of cancer. Even the 20 per cent ‘poor responders’ lived twice as long, on average as did the unsupplemented cancer patients”.For the eyes, Dr. Pauling found that the repair of wear and tea and drainage in glaucoma is well facilitated if Vitamin C suffused the eye tissue. A high dosage aids collagen formation and health. Collagen collapse is a major cause of blocked drainage and glaucoma.

Vitamin C prevents blood vessel leakages in the eye which deprive the eye of adequate blood flow and encourages tiny compensatory capillaries growing across the white of the eye, reddening it and blurring vision. At about 0.5mg of body kilogramme weight, Vitamin C lowers eye pressure considerably.

I take a minimum of 3,000mg of buffered or Alkaline Vitamin C every day. Vitamin C, as ascorbic acid, is acid and may irritate the stomach in large doses. But when it is buffered with minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and manganese, it is alkaline, well tolerated and gentlier. The better it is when it is combined with bioflavonoids which also have a salutary health effects in the eyes.

Tel: 08034004247, 07025077303

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

e-Business Technology is the driving force behind all businesses. It allows organisations to expand quickly and efficiently.

Whether bringing data together, engaging customers, or trying to decrease cost and increase revenue, staying abreast of key technology trends that provide solutions to specific needs is essential in an ever-changing economy.

What are these trend and how they be achieved in the short- and long-term? ADLINE ATILI asks.

How technology will shape the future

Mobile and wireless Today, phones are not phones anymore; they are a little computer. They may be tiny, but they are getting more powerful.

With the proliferation of more and more smartphones, creating and deploying applications that allow the use of a phone as a mobile office, may become absolutely necessary.

With thousands of new applications coming online and more people using phones to send text messages and update their social network sites, analysts say there's the need to manage this.

They, however, say there is dearth of adequate tools to manage this and position mobile and wireless for virtualisation.

The next years, according to Gartner, represent a critical timeframe for developing strategies that will support mobile applications and position mobile apps as critical enablers of interaction and satisfaction.

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NFORMATION technology (IT) is a critical infrastructure in many organisations. It is also emerging as an effective contributor to organisational performance. IT has removed workplace boundaries that hitherto limited business expansion.

IT strategists note that over the years, businesses have become dependent on technology so much that if technology is taken away, virtually all business operations across the globe would come to a halt.

The experts argue that key technology trends, such as virtualisation, green IT, staff retention, social networks, unified communications, legacy migrations and cloud computing will change the face of IT over the next decade.

Managing Vice-President at Gartner, an IT research and advisory company, Raymond Paquet, said these are "disruptive trends that are reshaping the information technology and business landscape," adding that organisations must identify the disruptive technologies that will impact on users and their businesses and develop plans to address them.

Paquet defined disruptive technology as one that drives major change in business processes or revenue streams, consumer behaviour or spending, or IT industry dynamics

Virtualisation Virtualisation is the creation of a virtual (rather than actual) version of something, such as an operating system, a server, a storage device or network resources.

A basic way of explaining virtualisation is the creation of folders on the desktop to partition, for example, document. This 'frees' up space for the user for other things.

There are lots of benefits to virtualisation, especially desktop virtualisation, chief among them, power savings.

According to Gartner, the average server uses 65 per cent of its power just sitting idle.

Virtualisation helps reduce the number of servers used, decreasing power consumption.

Use of desktop virtualisation is predicted to grow significantly in the next two years.

Research indicates that the major drivers behind desktop virtualisation are cost reduction and security. Virtualisation is an emerging IT paradigm that separates computing functions and technology implementations from physical hardware.

Cloud computing, for example, is the virtualisation of computer programmes through an Internet connection rather than installing applications on every office computer. For SMBs, moreover, virtualisation affords incredible ease of migration.

Data deluge It is said that data, when handled properly, becomes intelligence-and intelligence makes us better at our jobs, which makes the world a better place.

According to Gartner, the amount of data

Complex resource tracking produced across the world will grow by 650 per cent over the next few years, and 80 per cent of it will be unstructured. The research firm adds that 40 exabytes of new data are expected over the next five years which is greater than all the data of the past 5,000 years.

Making sense of it all is going to be a challenge, to say the least.

IT managers will have to respond to this in a couple of ways. First, they need to focus on data storage. There will, therefore, be the need for more server space, data bases, compliance, backup, audit, and security.

For IT, this means complexity will continue.

To stem the tide, experts say organisations must virtualise storage quickly, evaluate all data inputs, keep only what is essential, and segment and prioritise data.

Energy and green IT The European Union (EU) is coming up with regulations for technology and power consumption.

This could impact organisations. Power will become a focal point, forcing a review of IT efficiency.

As the power issue moves up the food chain, corporate social responsibility will also become a central concern. How will this affect organisations? Gartner says there will be an increased awareness and focus on power and new Key Performance Indicators (KPI) based on efficiency will be developed.

Consumerisation and social software It is a known fact that social media is significantly changing the way organisations and individuals work and embrace technology.

Analysts contend that as technology moves from the realm of the geek programmer into the hands of laymen, employees are going to want to do more with it.

They say as the line between personal and professional use of technology tools like Facebook blurs, organisations need to know how they will respond and set clear guide-

lines and policies for employees. You should also be thinking about what this means for your stakeholders.

According to Paquet, "As IT manager at your organisation, you need to think about how your organisation can best use technology to meet your mission. If every one of your clients will have a smartphone in the next two years, what can your organisation do to take advantage?"

Unified communications In the past, all we had to deal with was the phone and fax. Then came email; then Instant Messenger. And now there's VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol), SMS, Twitter, and more.

Paquet said: "We're moving to a place where a phone call can become an email and an IM can become a phone call. Unifying communications so that users can route communications to their preferred device-and change that device preference whenever they need to is going to save us all a lot of time and headaches."

General Manager, Microsoft Solutions, Dimension Data, Mr Jide Agbaje, at a unified communications workshop in Lagos , said: "Unified communications means every means of communication that you have, from office chat, to video conferencing to calls and emails, everything can be combined to work seamlessly from one single and unified platform. This can truly revolutionise the modern business environment."

According to Gartner, organisations need to make certain applications providers have a strategy for taking advantage of unified communication and identify other unified communications business scenarios within the next two years.

Research says there are 6.7 billion text messages sent every 24 hours across the world.

This calls for integration of communication applications such as text/SMS, IM, email, wireless, VOIP, mobility, Presence, and workspaces.

‘It is a known fact that social media is significantly changing the way organisations and individuals work and embrace technology.Analysts contend that as technology moves from the realm of the geek programmer into the hands of laymen, employees are going to want to do more with it’

As focus is now on decreasing energy consumption and increase access to data and critical applications, managing networks more efficiently will become highly important.

This means creating more automated systems for managing network resources. This includes monitoring energy consumption, visualising power consumption of resources, automating energy usage to optimal levels, and learning how to dynamically move workloads.

System Density The report notes that: "As we use servers for an increasing array of things storage, memory, input/output? we're going to need more of them. That's going to increase power and cooling requirements, even as the price of the hardware continues to drop."

Mashups and enterprise portals This means data sharing for security purposes. In the next years, according to the report, focus is going to be on systems that make it easy to push and pull data from various data silos and development of policies and regulations that protect various kinds of data rate that the opportunity for foul play does.

Cloud Computing Cloud-based software is not going away.

Cloud computing is characterised by scalable and elastic IT-enabled capabilities that are delivered to customers using Internet technologies.

Cloud services are now widely available, can help reduce operating expenses, with private clouds expected to improve agility, dominate, and force IT to focus on service levels.

In the next years, organisations will need to evaluate commodity services to see what can be moved to the cloud, evaluate the cloud delivery model for internal use, and categorise applications and services based on Service Label Agreements and risks.

Gartner noted that cloud computing has fuelled renewed interest in outsourcing, resulting in enterprises reassessing their IT service sourcing strategies.

According to the research firm, IT organisations will invest more on private cloud services than on external cloud providers due to low barrier to entry, the elastic and scalable nature of the cloud, lower cost and 'pay per use,' increased agility to customers, ease of migration, and reduced risks.

The research firm believes that the next years will greatly define developments in mobile cloud computing, as most of the forecasted traffic is expected to be driven by cloudbased services.

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e-Business

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ROADBAND in telecommunication is a signalling method that includes or handles a relatively wide range of frequencies; the wider (or broader) the bandwidth of a channel, the greater the information-carrying capacity, given the same channel quality.

Since 2004 there has been a lot of focus on Africa from global business players resulting in huge demand for Internet bandwidth as well as dedicated international circuits. But the continent could not deliver on this demand, making data transmission via cyberspace either impossible or agonising and tedious where available.

Critical business information used to be totally paper-based and transactions limited by space. Data were either faxed through an epileptic telecom infrastructure or mailed through a snail speed and, in some cases, corrupt postal services-the Internet being a novelty with limited capacity.

Africa was in the backwoods of the cyber world; dependent on foreign infrastructure even for its local communication. There was no standard broadband facility, leaving people grossly under-connected to the world, with Internet penetration of less than six per cent. This situation made business slow and discouraged foreign investments.

Then in 2001, Nigeria opened up its telecommunications sector to private sector investment. Players came in from the rest of Africa to buy into the new opportunities created by the sales of GSM licenses in the country.

Contrary to the report of bookmakers, the Nigerian telecom sector boomed, flourished and garnered in telephone-hungry subscribers in the millions. Now, the national subscriber figure stands at over 80 million.

Operators responded to subscriber enthusiasm and demand with service, infrastructure investments and technology. From 2G (and 2.5G in the case of Globacom, the third entrant), the sector is now testing 4G infrastructure.

From voice services, the sector has grown to emphasise data services, with subscribers lapping up all available network space for mobile calls, mobile Internet and tracking, BlackBerry, chat and other voice and small data services. Nigeria became the fastest growing market in the African region and began to dictate the pace of technology advancement on the continent.

However, despite all these, qual-

Airtel introduces low international call rate Gloing with submarine cable T O provide Nigerians with innovative and relevant services, Airtel has introduced new international call rates and bundle offer.

According to the company, the offer is designed to enable prepaid customers increase talk time to destinations like the United States , Canada , United Kingdom, China and India .

With the offer, Airtel customers can call for N8.33 per minute to any of the destinations.

In a statement, the company the international call bundle offer is structured into three categories: N500, N200 and N100.

Chief Operating Officer Deepak Srivastava, said the decision to lower call rates to the selected lo-

Zinox, Bayelsa donate computers to curb exam failure

Z •Submarine cables

Stories by Adline Atili ity and capacity remained a big challenge.

Video calls, Internet services, mobile banking and such capacity-dependent services were still epileptic. Teleconferencing, teletasking of any kind and transference of heavy data was impossible because of bandwidth issues.

It was in the midst of all these that some indigenous firms, such as MainOne and Globacom came in to make investment in submarine cable infrastructure to connect the continent with the rest of the world via undersea fibre optic cable.

Hitherto, a multinational undersea cable called the SAT 3 cable, carried traffic for about 36 countries including Nigeria . But in September 2009, the continent made a giant leap when Africa 's first submarine optic fibre cable to be built by a single individual company, landed in Lagos .

The 9,800km-long cable called, Glo 1, was built by Nigeria 's indigenous telecom giant, Globacom, with Alcatel as technical partner.

Glo 1 is an undersea cable system connecting Lagos to London with landing stations in 14 African countries, further extending connectivity to all major countries in the world for fast, reliable and cost effective services.

Others playing on the intercontinental fibre optic turf include Surburban which is built on multiple cables and SAT-3. It traverses West Africa on terrestrial cables from Multi-Links and Benin Telecom, with the wet portion provided by SAT 3 and Tyco.

There is also the MainOne Cable?an independent cable system from Portugal to Johannesburg with landings along the West African coast.

Coming up fast too is the West African Cable system (WACS) which links West Africa with Johannesburg and has landings in Namibia , Angola , Congo , and Cameroon in East Africa.

MTN has interests in WACS along with Portugal Telecom, Telcom SA, Vodacom and other operators in Southern and Eastern Africa .

Together, these mega operators provide close to 40,000kms of fi

Boost for cashless banking as Altech opens card plant

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LTECH West Africa, a card manufacturing company, has opened a high-tech smart card manufacturing plant in Lagos.

The plant, expected to serve the West African region, is in support of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) creating employment.

According to the company, "The importance of the local production of smart cards is important to the successful operation of the cashless scheme. This will not only lower the cost of the card per unit, it will also radically reduce the go-to-market time for the production of cards. At present, it takes a minimum of three weeks to order smart cards from factories in Europe and Asia.”

Chairman of the firm Mr Michael Ajukwu noted that the choice of Nigeria as location for the plant in West African region is due to the enormous growth potentials in the country and the quest to create social, economic and political opportunities for Africans through investment in Pan-African economies.

He said: "This state-of-the-art factory reaffirms Altech's confidence

cations is to remove barriers to full communication by customers.

He explained that pre-paid customers, who purchase the N500 bundle will have 60 minutes talk-time at N8:33 per minute.

The N200 bundle, according to him, will enable a customer to make calls at N10 per minutes for 20 minutes call time; the N100 bundle, N10 per minute for 10 minutes.

He added that to use the service, customers are required to dial *789*60# to subscribe for the N500 bundle; *789*20# for the N200 bundle and *789*10# for the N100 bundle, with a validity period of 15 days.

in West Africa and Nigeria in particular as a growth market worthy of this large-scale investment and in keeping with the vision of achieving a global strategic position in telecommunications, multimedia and Information Technology.

"Altech's Nigerian investment is also in line with its pursuit of globalisation through excellence in all its chosen operations while empowering and enriching stakeholders. In an age of globalisation and an increasingly small world, Africa can no longer remain that wild, harsh place in the distance; as this beautiful continent is so often stereo-typed by western nations.

"One-10th of the world's population is African. There have been significant economic, political and social developments to dispel the label associated with Africa . There is tremendous potential in Africa opportunities abound for growth powered by natural and human resources. At Altech, we believe we can make a difference in helping Africa create social, economic and political opportunities for its

people through this investment in Pan-African economies.

"This factory expansion is symbolic of Altech's goal to become a truly global organisation and our growth strategy, which is to ensure that the Altech Group has a global footprint."

According to him, the card plant can manufacture and personalise various types of cards including smart cards with contact, contactless and magnetic stripe; adding that the cards can be used in various applications such as banking, with chip and PIN, loyalty cards, identity cards, gift cards, health cards, membership cards, discount cards, hotel keys, promotional cards and marketing cards.

The cards, which can hold an individual's biometrics, including pictures and signatures, have been certified by VISA, Interswitch, eTranzact and MSCC. ALTRON Executive, Mr Johan Gellatly, stressed that Altech West Africa aimed at bridging the gap between the technologically informed and the uninformed, through stamping its presence in the IT sector.

INOX Technologies and wife of Bayelsa State Mrs Alanyigi Sylva have donated the Zinox Whizkid computers to secondary school pupils teachers and principals.

According to Zinox, the Whizkid described as a wisdom bank, is a high-tech computer loaded with about two million e-books, 23,000 audio books in MP3 format covering all subjects, and over 100,000 past JAMB, NECO, WAEC and post-UME simulation questions.

Managing Director of Zinox Computers, Mr Emomine Mukoro commended the First Lady for complementing government’s efforts at halting recurring poor performance of pupils in entrance and certificate examinations and the passion to revive the dwindling reading culture in Nigeria .

Responding, Mrs Sylva emphasised the power of sound education, urging students to leverage the opportunity given them to perform excellently. She called on other organisations to support the venture to curb the

menace of exam failure in schools.

She noted that access to tools of knowledge will result in a more resourceful and confident citizenry.

Chairman of Zinox, Mr Leo StanEkeh, noted that the adoption of the would lead to changes that could be compared to a miracle. He explained that the high failure rate in examinations, led to the development of the notebook computer.

He said: "What Zinox is doing with the Whizkid is to help governments at all levels to provide tools that will force a return to the reading culture on a digital platform.

“The computer has over two million books online, with over 100,000 simulated exam questions and answers. Any child who manages to go through 60 per cent of the questions and answers will score at least 80 per cent success or get a refund of the cost of the software. The 100,000 past questions and answers can be accessed without the Internet."

Smartphone sales dominate market

I

DC and Strategy Analytics said that worldwide mobile phone sales grew in the third quarter, with global smartphone sales claiming a large proportion of those sales. Strategy Analytics noted that Samsung surpassed Apple to become the world's largest smartphone vendor by volume with 24 per cent market share.

IDC said the overall global handset market grew by 12.8 per cent yearover-year in the third quarter of 2011 as vendors shipped 393.7 million units in the third quarter, compared with 348.9 million in third quarter 2010.

But IDC noted that smartphone growth declined in mature markets such as the U.S. and Europe as consumers waited for products such as the Apple iPhone 4S, which was released after the third quarter closed.

Nevertheless, IDC noted that smartphones continue to make up a larger proportion of devices shipped by vendors.

Meanwhile, Strategy Analytics reported that smartphone shipments grew by 44 per cent annually to reach 117 million units in the third quarter. And research firm, ABI reported that smartphone shipments grew 33

per cent year-over-year to reach 28.8 per cent of total handsets shipped.

Strategy Analytics noted that Apple slipped behind Samsung to second position after spending just one quarter in the lead in smartphone sales. In the third quarter, Apple had 15 per cent market share and its growth rate slowed to just 21 per cent annually in the third quarter, its lowest for two years.

Strategy Analytics Director, Neil Mawston, attributed this to the launch of the iPhone 4S in the fourth quarter as well as tougher competition from Samsung's popular Galaxy S II model. Strategy Analytics ranked Nokia as No. 3 with 16.8 per cent of the smartphone market share.

According to IDC, Samsung ended the quarter with 87.8 million units shipped and 22.3 per cent of the market, followed by LG with 21.1 million units shipped and 5.4 per cent of the market. ZTE is No. 4 with 19.1 million units and 4.9 per cent of the market followed by Apple with 17.1 million units and 4.3 per cent of the global market.

VConnect bags award

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OCAL search engine and information services provider, VConnect Global Services, has bagged this year’s RIMA Foundation award in the Personalised Information Product of the Year category.

The award was presented to VConnect in Lagos at the RIMA awards for individual and corporate organisations in the record and information management sector.

President, RIMA Foundation, Mr Oyedokun Oyewole, said the award was given to VConnect in recognition of its venture into the

local search engine business which is rather novel in Africa .

He said the service is helping Nigerians access information and also establishing contact between suppliers and consumers.

Marketing Co-ordinator, VConnect, Mr Albert Ogunmola, said: "VConnect has a vision to provide reliable information about products, services and businesses in Nigeria. I believe we are receiving this award because we have applied professionalism in all our dealings, demonstrated potential and high capacity for growth."

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

NEWS

Onitsha robbery: MASSOB claims responsibility for suspects’ death

Ngige vs Akunyili: Tribunal adjourns adjoins till hearing Nov. 14

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From Chris Oji, Enugu

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HE Appeal Tribunal sitting in Enugu yesterday adjourned till November 14 the appeal filed by the senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for Anambra Central in the last April election Prof. Dora Akunyili.

Mrs Akunyili is challenging the election of Senator Chris Ngige of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

The APGA candidate had gone to the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Awka to challenge the election of Ngige but the tribunal struck out her application on October 20 over the failure to file vital documents.

Not satisfied with the verdict, the former Minister of Information and Communications went to the Appeal Court.

Ngige had prayed the court to adjourn the appeal on the grounds that some vital information contained in the proceedings of October 13 at the tribunal were incomplete.

He argued that continuing with the application filed by the appellant without comprehensive documents of the lower tribunal may not give him fair hearing.

The ACN Senator prayed the court to give him 24

•Akunyili

hours to provide the vital documents missing in the records of the tribunal.

Ngige insisted that the three-man panel of judges may not be properly guided if the documents were not provided.

But Mrs Akunyili opposed the application for adjournment, insisting that the missing documents did not justify the adjournment of the appeal.

She prayed the court to allow the parties adopt their briefs while waiting for the missing documents.

Justice Abdulkadir Jega adjourned the matter till November 14 and ordered Ngige to provide the missing documents before November 11.

Enugu debunks CLO’s claims

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HE Enugu State government has again faulted claims by the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) that it was responsible for the incarceration of labour activist Osmond Ugwu.

The government described the claims as frivolous and baseless.

The government was reacting to a report in a newspaper in which the leadership of the CLO in Anambra State accused the government of being behind Ugwu’s travail.

A statement signed by Chukwudi Achife, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Sullivan Chime, said the government was appalled that organisation misrepresented facts relating to Ugwu’s incarceration, adding that it had also made references and comparisons that were unfounded.

Achife noted that the labour leader was being remanded in prison with respect to a case he has with the police in Enugu and not the state government.

He said the charge of attempted murder arose from the accused person’s alleged attack on a police officer.

Court warns against appointment of ANSIEC chair

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HIGH Court in Anambra State yesterday warned that the state government cannot appointment a new Chairman for the State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) until it determines the suit before it on the sack of the former chair, Prof Titus Ezeh.

This followed a prayer on an ex-parte application, urging the court for an order retraining the respondents from appointing a chairman for the electoral body, pending the hearing and determination of the matter by Nnamdi Ibegbu (SAN), representing the plaintiff.

Prof. Titus Ezeh was sacked by the House of Assembly on September 6 following an au-

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

dit report submitted to it by the state government.

But Ezeh challenged his dismissal at the court, saying his dismissal was unconstitutional.

He prayed the court to declare his purported sack by the House of Assembly as null and void and declared him as the authentic Chairman of ANSIEC. Justice H.O. Ozo of High Court 3, the state AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, who appeared for the respondents, said his client would not appoint another chairman for ANSIEC. The trial judge adjourned the case till November 16.

Community leader for burial

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adam Dora Olukuyon Rone is dead. She was 69. She was a devout Christian, community leader and philanthropist. The late madam Rone is survived by her husband, Chief Sunday Rone, the Obazuwaye of Warri Kingdom, relatives and children. Among whom is Julius Rone, Chairman/CEO of UTM Oil and Gas Limited. Her remains will be buried on December 10 at her ancestral home in Orugbo, Warri South.

HE Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) yesterday claimed responsibility for the death of two suspects in last Monday’s robbery incident in Onitsha, Anambra State.

But the police had dismissed the MASSOB’s claim, saying they killed the suspects in a gun duel.

A suspected robber and another member of MASSOB reportedly died after the robbery, bringing the death toll to four.

MASSOB’s Director of Information, Comrade Uchenna Madu, and the Regional Administrator of MASSOB for Onitsha Region, Vincent Ilo yesterday addressed reporters on the development.

They stated that they lost two of their security men.

According to MASSOB, the

P

suspected armed robbers were confronted by members of the group whom he said were ready to protect Igbo traders and their customers in Onitsha.

They said the other victim whom the police had earlier said was a member of the local vigilance group was their member, adding that the deceased was the first person who confronted the robbers.

“What we are saying is that the police are not saying the truth, the actual thing that happened was that MASSOB security men saddled with the responsibility of providing security for Igbo traders noticed that there was a robbery going on at Ifejika street.

They went there unarmed and the deceased held one of the robbers when others

shot him.

“Apart from the deceased, Philip Uba, MASSOB also lost another member, Abel Obeka, during the robbery attack because our security men confronted them before they shot two of our men,” the group said. The group said one of the suspects was lynched by members of MASSOB, contrary to the claim that he was shot by the police.

“When they shot two of our men, MASSOB members went after them and luck ran out on two of the suspects as our members got one of them and lynched him. The other escaped with severe injuries through Nwangele River and was later confirmed dead at Fegge.

“The rifles recovered from the robbers were handed over to the police by MASSOB members and it beats my

Ebonyi PDP Legal Adviser escapes attack

EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) Legal Adviser in Ebonyi State Ben Nwokpokwu yesterday escaped an attack by unknown gunmen in Ogboji Ezza North Local Government.

Nwokpokwu said he was trailed by a motorcycle to his village in Ogboji community.

“As we approached a junction, the two gunmen on the bike started

Ekwueme, Soludo: resolve Anambra PDP crisis From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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From Adimike George, Onitsha

ORMER Vice-President Alex Ekwueme, former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Prof Chukwuma Soludo, Senators Annie Okonkwo and Onyeabor Obi have called for the resolution of the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State.

Also seeking a speedy resolution to the crisis are Nicholas Ukachukwu, Mrs. Josephine Anenih, Mike Nwakalor,Jerry Ugokwe, Stella Odua, Chudi Offodile and Tony Nwoye.

The PDP chieftains are expected to brief President Goodluck Jonathan on November 16 on how to move the party forward.

The Nation learnt that the group is projecting Prince Kenneth Emeakayi as the party chairman after the expiration Ben Udeozor’s tenure on November 16.

Emeakayi had organised a three-day prayer retreat at the party secretariat at Udoka Housing Estate, Awka, to seek God’s intervention on the crisis.

The retreat was attended by many PDP faithful in the state.

The party spokesman, Ngozi Agudosi, confirmed that the leadership of the party is seeking an end to the crisis.

“We cannot continue like this, PDP has been in crisis for long and it is tearing the party apart. The leadership of the party wants a speedy resolution of the crisis.”

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

shooting sporadically.

“Alarmed by the gunshot, I increased the speed of my car to escape from the hoodlums. But the hoodlums continued raining bullets at the car, shattering the glass completely. When I got near the two other

occupants and myself ran into the bush,” he said.

Nwokpokwu added that the hoodlums ransacked the vehicle, saying one of them allegedly said: “The target has escaped”.

The police confirmed the incident.

According to them, the hoodlums were armed with AK 47 and pump action rifle.

imagination that the police could be playing politics with the death of our two members who lost their lives trying to protect their Igbo brothers,” the group said.

He urged Governor Peter Obi to compensate the families of their fallen heroes and pleaded that their bodies be released to MASSOB for proper burial.

Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Muhtari Ibrahim, dismissed MASSOB’s claim.

“How can you believe that MASSOB members killed the robbers? Does it mean that we now have MASSOB police? All those things were forged by them. We have the person whose office was attacked and you even reported that my AC OPS was also at Onitsha. So, it is not true,” he said.

Church holds ordination MEMBERS of Motailatu Church of Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide will hold its annual ordination in Ondo on Saturday at the international headquarters of the church to ordain deserving members.

The venue is the church cathedral, Oke-Iwosan, Ademulegun Road, Ondo.

The Primate, Founder and Supreme Head of Motailatu Organisation, Archbishop I.M. Akinadewo, will preside at the event.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

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NEWS Water hyacinth threatens Kwara communities •N100m needed to clear weeds From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

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WATER hyacinth has taken over a river in four Kwara State communities, threatening the affected areas. The weeds spread across the three senatorial districts.

The affected communities are: Imoji in Oke Ero; Afon in Asa; Alalubosa in Ilorin East; and Ambalia in Moro local government areas.

The weeds are said to have covered about 100 kilometres of water surface of Asa River.

During an inspection of Asa Dam River in Ilorin, the state capital, the Chairman of Alalubosa community, Mallam Abdullahi Jubril said the challenges confronting the community include inadequate manpower and equipment and shortage of funds to remove the weeds.

He said N20,000 was being expended daily to remove the weeds, adding that over N100 million is required to remove the weeds.

Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Samuel Bamisaye said traditional rulers should encourage collective efforts to remove the water plants.

The Federal Government and African Development Bank (ADB) are collaborating to remove the weeds from some Nigerian rivers and for conversion into organic manure.

Bamisaye, who was represented by the Deputy Director (Forestry), Evang. Timothy Oluwaponle, said it required the efforts of the federal and state governments to end the problem.

Praising the steps taken by the Federal Government, the commissioner said Kwara is one of the benefiting 22 states.

Curfew in Kafanchan as man’s body causes tension T HE Kaduna State Police Commissioner Bala Nasarawa yesterday said a curfew has been imposed on Kafanchan and surrounding areas following protests over the discovery of a man’s body in the area.

He, however, said the situation was becoming stable.

The violence comes days after the killing of two women at a church in a nearby town, causing riots.

At least 500 people were allegedly killed by Muslim rioters or Christians carrying out reprisal attacks after April polls led to the election of President Goodluck Jonathan.

There was tension in Kaduna State following the discovery of the body at Ungwan Katsit, near the palace of the Emir of Jama’a, Alhaji Muhammadu Isa Muhammadu.

The discovery of the body, said to be that of a Hausa Muslim, reportedly led to violence in Kafanchan, in the Southern part of the state.

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

Security has, however, been tightened in the town to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

As at the time of this report, it was still not clear what led to the death of the young man., but youths in the area have begun to mount road blocks and set bonfires on the streets.

The absence of security men, who have been drafted to Zonkwa, was said to have caused increased tension in the town.

It was learnt that soldiers on security patrols ran for cover when violence broke out but later restored order in the town.

Police Commissioner Ballah Magaji Nasarawa said: “I can’t tell you anything now because we are still investigating the

fact of the matter.”

The Nation learnt that the tension, which began early yesterday, later worsened as those who went to work could not return home due to the security situation in the town.

The emir’s palace was said to have been heavily guarded by security operatives to prevent the youths from attacking it.

Southern Kaduna youths were said to have surrounded the palace, threatening to raze it.

A source, who spoke in confidence, told The Nation that the deceased was a man the youths had declared wanted for his alleged role in the April post-election violence.

The Emir said the Area Commander of the Nigeria Police in Kafanchan informed him that a body was discovered behind his

palace.

Efforts to get Police spokesman, Aminu Lawal, a Divisional Superintendent of Police (DSP), to react to the development proved abortive as his phone was switched off.

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Affairs (Christian Matters), Rev. Joseph John Hayab, the government urged the residents to live in peace with one another.

The statement reads: “What we have achieved with peace cannot be equated with the loss of our dear state and Northern region at large has lost to violence. It is important for our people to note that we are facing critical challenges to our coexistence as a people, irrespective of tribal or religious differences. We must strive harder and restore our glorious days.

Supreme Court restores Kebbi governorship petition

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HE Supreme Court yesterday restored the petition filed by the governorship candidate of the Congress for Progress Change (CPC), Mallam Abubakar Abubakar, to the state Election Petition Tribunal for further hearing and determination.

Abubakar had challenged the decision of the Sokoto Division of the Court of Appeal, which dismissed his petition against the April 26 electoral victory of Governor Saidu Usman Dakingari of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Justice Francis Tabai, who led other four Justices of the apex court, said: “Paragraph 14 (1) of the Third Schedule of the Electoral Act 2010 subscribes the type of application that comes by way of motion.

This application was filed before Paragraph 47 (1u) of the Third Schedule of the Electoral Act was enacted.

“There is a conflicting judgment handed down by

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

the Court of Appeal in this matter. This appeal succeeds and, therefore, sets aside the ruling of the Court of Appeal. I, therefore, order that the matter be restored back to the Election Petition Tribunal in Kebbi state.”

The petitioners had, during a pre-hearing session at the governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State, filed their case via a letter.

The tribunal allowed it on the grounds that the provision of the Electoral Act, which does not support the procedure, came after the process had already been filed.

But the Court of Appeal ruled otherwise, saying the application for prehearing notice ought to be through a motion.

Adopting their brief of arguments, the petitioner’s counsel, Kola Awodehin (SAN), urged the court to allow the appeal.

• A medical expert, Dr. Okechukwu Obiorah (left) attending to widows during a cash-support and free medical services for 360 widows in Ifitedunu community, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State...yesterday

Police arrest Benue council’s DG over alleged murder T HE Benue State Command of the Nigeria Police yesterday said it has arrested the DirectorGeneral, Services and Administration, of Gwer Local Government Area, Salem Atsehe, over the alleged murder of a retired fire of-

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

ficer, Thaddeus Luka Ayabam.

The arrest is coming on the heels of the burial of the deceased, last Saturday, in his family compound at TseNduul, in Mbaanyam Ward of Ushongo Local Government Area.

The late Ayabam was killed in his Gboko on October 30.

Atsehe was arrested based on a letter the family of the late Ayabam wrote to the Police Commissioner that they suspected the council’s DG of complicity in the murder.

The letter was signed by T.

Oscar Aorabee, the Managing Counsel of Elohim Chambers in Makurdi.

It said some armed persons broke into the home of the deceased, located behind the Federal Government Girls’ College, Gboko, and after informing him and his family that they did not come for his money but his life, shot him in the head, neck and stomach. The shooting led to his death.

The letter to the Police Commissioner reads: “Our clients strongly suspect Salem Atsehe, who is the only person that has a dispute with the family, whose arrowhead is the late Luka Ayabam.

“This suspicion is height-

ened by the antecedents of Atsehe, who had publicly threatened the lives of the deceased and other members of the family, including Tyoor Stephen Nduul and Andrew Ayabam.”

Chief Stephen Nduul is the District Head of Mbaanyam in Ushongo Local Government Area, and Andrew Ayabam is the Chairman of the Benue State Internal Revenue Service.

The letter also alleged that Atsehe has a case of attempted murder reported against him by the former Benue State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Joe Abaagu.

The Police Area Command in Gboko has confirmed that Atsehe was arrested last Friday and detained in Gboko.

Tribunal upholds Taraba lawmakers’ elections

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HE Taraba State Election Petition Tribunal yesterday upheld the election of the Speaker, Istifanus Haruna Gbana, as winner in the April House of Assembly poll.

Ali Emmanuel Yakubu of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) had challenged Gbana’s victory on the

From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

grounds that the election was fraudulent. But Justice S. O. Irasunima held that the petitioner failed to prove the case of “electoral fraud” beyond reasonable doubt.

Yakubu said he would consult his lawyers on whether to appeal or not.

Gbana, who was elected

the third time on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said he dedicates the victory to his Donga constituents.

He said: “I am happy that God is in my favour.”

The tribunal also upheld the election of the Assembly’s Majority Leader, Charles Maijankai, of the PDP.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

FOREIGN NEWS Liberia runoff: Sirleaf set for new term VOTES were being counted yesterday in Liberia’s presidential run-off which has left Nobel Peace Prize Ellen Johnson Sirleaf poised for a second term and the opposition crying foul.

The election had been expected to consolidate peace and confirm Liberia’s democratic credentials, but a boycott call by challenger Winston Tubman and a deadly shooting poisoned the west African country’s second post-war vote.

Initial results were due on Thursday but Tubman has already made it clear he would not recognise them, after charging that the first round was riddled with irregularities favouring the incumbent.

“Reconciliation, sorting and counting of votes cast commenced immediately following the close of polls and the process is still ongoing,” read a statement from the electoral commission.

Reprieve for Angolan teenager facing deportation AN Angolan teenager who has come to symbolise the struggle facing asylum seekers in the Netherlands has been granted a temporary reprieve by the Dutch parliament allowing him to stay in the country.

In a parliamentary debate, legislators granted Mauro Manuel, 18, permission to remain in the Netherlands on a student visa.

NEWS Five killed in Bayelsa ‘cult clash’ From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

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IVE persons were reportedly killed yesterday in Yenagoa, the

Bayelsa State capital, during a clash between suspected cult groups.

The clash occurred at 8pm near the main motor park in the Ekeki area.

Those killed were said to be passersby who were caught in the exchange of fire between the rival cult groups.

Eyewitnesses said one of the rival cultists ambushed the other at the motor park and began shooting. In the melee, passersby in the busy park were hit by bullets.

The police reportedly erected a road block where vehicles and Okada riders that passed the place were frisked.

The residents retired into their homes early as a result of the shooting.

Police spokesman, Emokpae Egwavon, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), could not confirm the incident.

He said many people had called him over the shooting, promising that he would get details today.

A similar shooting occurred last Sunday night in a bar near Okutukutu, Yenagoa where five people were killed .

Protesting students in London... yesterday

Students protest rising varsity fees in London

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HE police are out in force as thousands of students march on central London.

Some 4,000 officers are on duty, as demonstrators march peacefully in a protest against higher tuition fees and “privatisation” in universities.

After the violence of last year’s major fees protest, the police had warned they might use plastic bullets in “extreme circumstances”.

Some people broke away from the march and set up tents in Trafalgar Square.

But they have now been moved on.

The crowd was aiming to march to the City of London, where a protest against corporate greed has been taking place outside St Paul’s Cathedral.

Financial district BBC correspondent Mike Sergeant was with the protesters as they neared St Paul’s and the City.

“The march is moving slowly, sedately even. It is quite extraordinary the way it’s being policed,” he said.

“It’s the most tightly-controlled march through London that I have ever seen.

Very little opportunity for protesters to break away - an enormous contrast to last year.”

The student protest, organised by the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts, is against the government’s plans for a market-driven higher education system and the rising tuition fees.

“We are being told by a cabinet of millionaires that we will have to pay triple tuition fees,” said campaign leader Michael Chessum.

Student protest organiser, Michael Chessum: “Police intimidation is unacceptable and irresponsible” As a warning against any outbreaks of violence, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police had said that one

of the tactics available was “the authority to deploy baton rounds [plastic bullets] in extreme circumstances”.

As police and news helicopters hovered overhead, thousands of protesters set off from Malet Street in London’s university district.

Protesters carried placards which read “Scrap Tuition Fees” and “Free Education” and chanted “No ifs, no buts, no education cuts” and slogans criticising the police over rubber bullets.

They are now making their way through the capital.

BBC Education Correspondent Sean Coughlan is at the march. At 1325, he said: “Chanting student protesters are going through London’s Theatreland, lots of noise, lots of cameras and lots of police.

It feels less predictable than last year’s protests, but so far no trouble.”

As the demonstration moved through Trafalgar Square, some protesters

broke away from the march.

They set up about 20 popup tents at the base of Nelson’s column, but have now been moved on by the police.

The police had said they would arrest those who refused to move, on the grounds that they had broken away from the authorised route of the march.

Earlier, one of the campaigners, Glynn, told BBC News he had come from another camp in London’s Finsbury Park, to protest against a “corrupt government” which was fuelled by “corrupt money and bankers”.

The rally is being supported by the National Union of Students, but it is not being organised by them.

Much of the anger is over tuition fees, which are set to rise to a maximum of £9,000 a year at England’s universities next year.

Universities in Wales are also raising their fees up to

New coalition govt formed in Greece

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NEW coalition government has been formed in Greece after three days of power-sharing talks between the two main political parties.

The move was announced

by Prime Minister George Papandreou who is stepping down as leader to make way for the new administration.

He did not say who would be heading the coalition although it is expected to be parliament speaker Filippos Petsalnikos, 60.

“I am proud that, despite the difficulties, we avoided bankruptcy and ensured the country stayed on its feet,” Mr Papandreou said in an address to the nation.

“I would like to wish every success to the new prime minister and of course the new government. I will stand by them and I will support them with all my strength.”

He added Greece will now implement the £110bn (130bn euro) rescue package on offer

from Europe and do its utmost to remain in the euro.

Approval of the deal will allow the release of an £6.88bn (8bn euro) loan instalment, without which the country will go bankrupt before Christmas.

Mr Papandreou’s statement

came after intense negotiations between his socialist PASOK party and the opposition conservatives, led by Antonis Samaras.

He had agreed to step aside once the power-sharing deal was reached.

Berlusconi confirms plans to resign, lashes out at ‘betrayers’ S soon as the stability pact is approved in Parliament, I will resign. And seeing as there are no other potential governing coalitions, the only possibility I see are elections in early February — elections in which I will no longer be the candidate.”

In the words of the man known as “Il Cavaliere,” Berlusconi’s decision to step aside is complete and definitive. “The centerright candidate will be (current Freedom Party chief and former Justice Minister) Angelino Alfano. He is accepted by everyone and it would be a mistake to taint him now in trying to imagine a new (transitional) government headed by him.”

It seems impossible to imagine that Silvio Berlusconi is really ready to pull out definitively from politics, but he confirms it to me several times, as he did earlier in a private meeting with the President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano, who considers the resignation already handed in.

“A

The latest crisis in Greece was triggered by Mr Papandreou’s surprise announcement last week that he would hold a nationwide referendum on the rescue package.

to that maximum level from autumn 2012 - but only for students from outside Wales.

In Scotland, Scottish students will continue to pay no fees, but fees of up to £9,000 a year will be charged to students from other parts of the UK. Daisy Robinson, a London student, is among the marchers. £9,000 will price out most students” End Quote Annette Webb, Student “It is just not fair, education should be available to everyone,” she said.

Annette Webb, studying at Portsmouth University, said: “I was against it when they raised fees from £1,000 to £3,000, but to go up to £9,000 will price out most students.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to notify the general public that the original copy of Certificate of Occupancy No 62/62/1996 belonging to Vincent Tunde Adedeji Of plot 202 Layi oyekanmi Street Off Isolo Road Mushin Lagos State is missing. All effort to retrieve it proves abortive. General Public Take Note.

PUBLIC NOTICE DESTINY BROTHER’S PROGRESSIVE CLUB The general public is hereby informed that the above named Club has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

NNAMDI UDOKA DURU 2.

EKEJI FERDINAND 3.

OGBONDA ENWUKWE STEPHEN 4.

JOSHUA CHRISTIAN LELESIH AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.

To build unity and love among members of the Club.

2.

To help one another financially or physically.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2011

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NEWS

As Violet Odiso “SBC” Obiora goes home

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F we take arts as an independent barometer of value for the society, a telling measure of Mrs Violet Odiso SBC Obiora (1933 – 2011) standing would be her repeated invocation as a poet’s delight by popular musicians such as Charlie Boy and Osita Osadebe. In a musical selection entitled: “People’s Club of Nigeria,” which Osadebe released in the early 1980s, the maestro paid tribute to her as one of the critical players behind the club which was a strong social network in Eastern Nigeria at a time when such a forum was a serious aggregation of communal interests as opposed to the individualistic commodification of interests that was beginning to take hold. Her recognition, regardless of the patriarchal underpinnings of Igbo culture, captured the beauty of her self-transcendent dedication to her community in particular and humanity at large.

Ogbuefi Odiso Obiora is widely acclaimed as a rolemodel for all, especially widows. Married at the relatively young age of 18 years, she supported her husband to attain good education as a lawyer, build up a successful career, and obviously grew an enviable marital relationship. Unfortunately, her matrimonial bliss was disrupted due to the civil war at the end of which her husband succumbed to a protracted illness that resulted in his death in 1973 when she was only 40 years old.

No one could imagine how this young mother of nine children, ranging from ages 21 to five years, would be able to carry on, let alone make ends meet. To survive such a tragic blow and reestablish her footing to the point of engaging in social/philanthropic endeavors of the kind that earned her popular admiration of renown artists such as Osita Osadebe is not the function of random

By Adagbo Onoja

luck for winning a lottery, but speaks volumes of the character in question.

With the demographic challenges that mark Africa’s predicament, it is not flippant to say that an African who lived up to the age of 78 years was indeed blessed with long life. However, Mrs Violet Odiso Obiora will be sorely missed. Born on March 20, 1933 to Ogbuagu-Oshiiji Orjiako Nwakuche and Oguefi Ogbuzuru Ntianu Anene, Mrs. Obiora had six siblings of whom she is only survived by her brother, Ogbuagu Gogo Nwakuche. She attended primary school in Jos and obtained a diploma in Home Economics in England. She was married in 1951 to Sam B. C. Obiora and they were blessed with nine children before his untimely death in 1973. The reputation and accomplishments of the children is today her biggest testimonial as a wife, mother and citizen. There is her daughter, Professor Leslye Obiora, a patriot, a one-woman antipoverty squad and an Africanist who happens to be a tenured and full Professor of Law in the United States as well as a former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, son Alex – a psychiatrist, daughter Esther and son Noel who are both lawyers in the US, son George – an engineer in the U.S., daughter Juliet – an Accountant, daughter Ngozi who is a pioneering fashion designer and daughter Nkechi, who is talented artist. She was predeceased by her first son, Sam, an entrepreneur whom she loved most dearly.

There is a sense in which it could be said that Violet saw herself essentially as Samson’s wife, taking no credit for anything she did but doing everything for the love of her life. Notwithstanding her own Herculean undertakings and accomplishments, it spoke of her modesty and respect for

•The late Madam Obiora

the husband that she primarily defined herself as his wife to the subordination of all else. It was interesting to discover that, after close to four decades of being a widow, one of her two most frequent exclamations remained “Sammy, duwu mu o!” which hailed her husband. The other exclamation was “Ine mu Amede!” which acknowledged the maternal grandmother whose valueorientation must have imprinted on her indelibly.

It is the society’s appreciation and celebration of the life she led and the vacuum imposed by her loss that will be the comprehensive burial rites with which kith and kin, friends, community and nation will welcome her body from the US on November 7 th , 2011 till her burial on 11/11/11 in Oguta, Imo State, the hometown of Flora Nwapa – Africa’s first published female novelist who was her sisterin-law, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa –the acclaimed legal luminary who was her cousin, and many such other illustrious persons. She obviously lived up to her name, Odiso, which meant “Worthy of Emulation”.

When the full story of her life is told, she would, indeed, turn out exemplarily worthy of emulation in fortitude, productive loyalty, virtue, inner strength, philanthropy, religiousness and, above all, cultural authenticity.

•Onoja works in Government House, Dutse, Jigawa State

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, Director, World Health Organisation’s Centre for Health Development, Mr Alex Ross (middle) and chair of the session, Prof Shigeru Omi after the opening of the 15th meeting of the Advisory Committee of the WHO Centre of Health Development (ACWKC) in Kobe, Japan...on Tuesday

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

63

NATION SPORT

NFF unveils Keshi today T

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will today in Abuja formally unveil the new Head Coach of Super Eagles, Mr. Stephen Keshi at a colourful ceremony inside the National Stadium complex.

The event, which will take place at the Media Centre of the Stadium as from 12 noon, will last exactly 90 minutes the regulation time for a football match.

• As Zebras of Botswana arrive Keshi, the longest-reigning captain of the Nigeria senior team in history, was on Wednesday last week named the new Super Eagles’ Head Coach by the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, following a recommendation by the Technical

Sub-Committee.

‘Big Boss’ as he was fondly known in his playing days, has already named former Eagles’ Captains Sylvanus Okpala and Daniel Amokachi as his assistants, with Ike Shorounmu, Nigeria’s first choice goalkeeper at the 2002 FIFA World Cup fi-

2011 GLO-CAF AWARD

Gyan, Drogba, Eto’o, Toure, Ayew shortlisted T

HE nominees for the 2011 African Player of the Year and African Player of the Year (Based in Africa) were today unveiled by the Confederation of African Football in Accra, Ghana.

Speaking at the occasion, the President, Ghana Football Association and member executive committee of CAF, Mr Kwesi Nyantekyi stated that there are ten nominees each for the two categories based on the performance and contribution of the players to their clubs and national teams during the year under review.

He stated further, “For the first time, there are 10 nominees for the African Player of the Year (Based in Africa), contrary to the five for last year” According to him the choice of 10 nominees for players based in Africa is in response to the rising trend of the performance of local-based players in competitions such as the African Nations Championship (CHAN), Orange CAF Champions League, Orange CAF Confederation Cup, the qualifying series for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations amongst others.

The nominees include Andrew Ayew of Marseille, Samuel Eto’o of Anzi Makhatchakala (Russia), Didier Drogba of Chelsea, Asamoah Gyan of Al In (UAE), Yaya Toure of Manchester City,

• Enyimba's Kalu Uche makes African list

Kevin - Prince Boateng of AC Milan, Seydou Keita of Barcelona, Yao Koussi Gervinho of Arsenal, Moussa Sow of Lille and Adel Taarabt of Queen Park Rangers.

For the African Player of the Year (Based in Africa) the shortlisted players include: Ayoub El Khahiqi of WAC (Morocco), Banana Yaya of Esperance of Tunis (Tunisia), Edward Sadomba of El Hilal (Sudan) Idrissa Laouali of ASFA (Burkina Faso), Jerome Ramatlhakwane of Vasco da Gama (South Africa) Kalu Uche of Enyimba (Nigeria), Oussama Darragi of Esperance (Tunisia), Samir Aboud of Al Ittihad (Libya), Youssef Msakni of Esperance (Tunisia) and Zouheir Dhaouadi of Club Africain (Tunisia) Mr. Nyantekyi said the lists were compiled through a vigorous exercise by the Technical, Football and Media Committees of CAF, taking into account the performance of the player for his national team and club from January to November, 2011.

“The winner will be decided by votes from the Head Coaches or the Technical Directors of the National Associations affiliated to CAF,” he

Uganda confirms for Obudu, seeks second men’s title

U

GANDAN mountain runners have thrown down the gauntlet for the rest of the world and African nations who will be coming forthe 7th Obudu International Mountain Race and the third African mountain running championships holding at the Obudu RanchResort in Obudu,Cross River State on Monday,November 28.

The Ugandans,who supplanted Ethiopia last year as the overall men's title winners at the second edition of the Africannations mountain running championships in Obudu were the highest ranked African nation at the 27th World M o u n t a i n RunningChampionships held in Tirana,Albania last September.

Led by the irrepressible Kibet James who placed 8th in the individual race won by USA's King Max,the Ugandans chalked up 119 points to place sixth in the men's team ranking and are clearly the favourites to retain the title they won last year.

The Ugandans will, however, have to spare some thoughts for Eritrea who have confirmed participation for

the championships andwho,only two years ago dominated the individual and the team events at the 26th World Mountain Running Championships in Kamnik,Slovenia.

Also confirmed for the event are Egypt and Kenya, while Cameroun,Ghana and Ethiopia are yet to submit their entries althoughAthletic Federation of Nigeria secretary general,Maria Worphil is convinced the trio will send in their entries for theNovember 28 championships.

Meanwhile, Cross River state Commissioner for Information,Patrick Ugbe has expressed happiness with the performance of Ugandaand believes this year's team events will be keenly contested.

'This is good for the race.It will now make it more competitive and I believe this year's edition will be the best ever interms of performance and attendance. The Ethiopians will now have to redouble their effort if they are desirous of regaining the title they won in 2009 as well as make a clean sweep of the individual titles like they did last year.',said Ugbe.

added.

He also commended Globacom for their support in the successful organization of the CAF Awards, adding that the awards has witnessed many pluses since 2005, making it one of the biggest events of the African football calendar.

He stated that the Awards Gala will be held on Thursday, December 22 in Accra; adding that the Ghanaian capital had earlier hosted the annual event in 2006 and 2009.

nals, as goalkeepers’ trainer.

A welcome address by NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari will be followed by the signing of the contractual agreement between the NFF and Keshi, with the NFF and Nigerians expecting the new Head Coach not only return the Super Eagles to the top drawer of the international game, but also to qualify Nigeria for the 2013 African Nations Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals.

Also today, the Senior Team of Botswana, otherwise known as The Zebras, will fly into the country for Saturday’s international friendly match against the Super Eagles at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

The 32-man delegation (23 players and nine officials), which will fly into Nigeria aboard a Kenyan Airways flight at 20:40 hours, will sleep over in Lagos before connecting an Arik Air flight to Benin City on Friday morning.

The Chipolopolo of Zambia, who take turn against the Super Eagles at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna in another international friendly on Tuesday, will arrive in Nigeria on Sunday.

YSFON ELECTIONS

Gawuna kicks off campaign in Kano

S

PORTS Administrator and the immediate past Nassarawa Local Government Chairman in Kano State, Alhaji Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, yesterday in the ancient of Kano kick started his campaign to contest the post of the president of Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON).

Gawuan, spoke to Sports Writers in Kano yesterday said that his vision, if he eventually clinches the pos is to

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano take the federation to an enviable height, whereby Nigerian youths will be engaged in productive activities.

According to him, Nigerian youths have for so long been neglected over unjust reasons, adding that his agenda is to pursue an aggressive talent hunt across the country, so that Nigeria can take its rightful place in Youths sports development.

PUBLIC NOTICE GLORY AND POWER BIBLE CHURCH

This is to inform the general public that the above named church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission to be registered under part C of the companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES (1)To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ through vigorious use of the Bible.

(2)To teach morality, evangelism and promotion of God’work through the instrumentality of the bible.

(3) To convert souls to Christianity through sound teaching of the words of God using Jesus Christ as a reference point.

(4) Wholesale dissemination of the words of God. (5) To promote charity and chastity as instructed by God through Jesus Christ.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) Pastor (Arch) A. Felix Ohiambe - G.O (2) Pastor (Mrs) Esther Ohiambe - Deputy G.O (3) Deaconess Glady’s Aihie - Member (4) Deaconess Morayo Daluk - Treasurer (5) Pastor Dan Sunday - Secretary Any objections to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General of Corporate Affairs Commission, I\buja, with 28 days of this publication.

Signed Patrick O. Ezike Esq. 48, Ishaga Road, Surulere, Lagos.

Tel: 08023102425,08066240448

Tomorrow in THE NATION

www.thenationonlineng.net

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 7, NO.1,940

‘‘In all of this, the biggest loser is the Nigerian working class. Despite their impoverishment and sheer oppression by the ruling elite, they have no other choice but to gird their loins and acquiesce to the devastating effects of the government’s planned removal of fuel subsidy come 2012’’ OLATUNJI OLOLADE

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

•This is a paper delivered at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos, on Nigeria’s Foreign Policy on October 7.

DAPO FAFOWORA

FROM THE SUMMIT

•Continued from October 27 All the major powers and the UNSG were always eager to seek Nigeria’s views on the issue. This was Nigeria’s finest hour in her diplomacy. When President Nelson Mandela was released in 1997 from prison in South Africa by the apartheid regime, Nigeria was one of the first countries he and his former wife, Winnie, visited in appreciation of Nigeria’s support for the ANC. As a result of our strong moral and diplomatic support for the anti-apartheid struggle, we now have over one million Nigerians living and working peacefully in both South Africa and Zimbabwe, many of them highly skilled professionals working in the Universities and hospitals in Southern Africa. These Nigerians went there freely to seek new economic opportunities and escape the poverty trap in Nigeria. The financial rewards to Nigeria in terms of home remittances in foreign exchange and acquisition of new skills by these emigrant Nigerians cannot be quantified. Yes, a few of those Nigerian emigrants fall foul of the law in their host countries. Some of them have been convicted and jailed. But these are less than 1 per cent of the total number of Nigerians living and working in the region. If they committed the same offences here in Nigeria and were caught they would suffer the same penalty. We cannot, and should not, ask their host countries not to apply their local laws.

Yes, there is some hostility in South Africa to Nigerian immigrants there. But this hostility is not confined to Nigerians only. Africans from other countries suffer the same treatment. And this should be expected in a country still dominated by the whites, with a high unemployment rate particularly among the black youths. This hostility is not shared by the South African government, which has continued to maintain friendly relations with Nigeria. It has not led to a mass expulsion of Nigerians from South Africa. In 1982, the Nigerian government expelled some ECOWAS immigrants from Nigeria on the ground that they were putting pressure on social services. It was an unwise decision as it portrayed Nigeria as a country that lacks humanitarian feelings for fellow Africans. Many ECOWAS countries have not forgotten the bitter experience.

Third, there is the question of consular and other assistance to Nigerians living abroad.

The truth of the matter is that a minority of

dapo.fafowora@thenationonlineng.net

Nigeria’s foreign policy: Gains and losses

Foreign Affairs Minister Olugbenga Ashiru

these are illegal immigrants. These are the people giving Nigeria a bad name abroad and we should understand that foreign governments, particularly in Europe, are genuinely and legitimately concerned about the mass influx into their countries of elements they consider undesirable. We may be right to think this concern is discriminatory. But it is their prerogative to apply their local laws to those who enter their country illegally.

Because of the terrorist acts of Boko Haram here we are thinking of expelling some immigrants from our neighbouring countries.

Most Nigerians living and working abroad are decent and law abiding emigrants. Of course, a few Nigerians abroad need consular assistance when they get into trouble in

RIPPLES NIGERIA HAS NO BUSINESS IMPORTING FUEL–Cleric

...PLEASE, DON’T TELL ANYBODY

their host countries. This costs a lot of money.

But the Nigerian government is not minded to fund the MFA and its foreign missions adequately to take care of the consular needs of Nigerians who get into trouble abroad.

The MFA is treated in funding like any other home Ministry. It gets less than 1 per cent of the budget of the FG, despite its special needs and responsibilities abroad. It can also be argued that some Nigerian diplomats serving abroad are indifferent to the plight of Nigerians abroad. But these are a minority, as most Nigerian diplomatic staff abroad are dedicated and committed to their professional duties, including consular assistance where necessary. In any case, though important, there are other aspects of traditional diplomacy, such as intelligence gathering, that should also be properly evaluated.

The fourth criticism regarding the cost benefit analysis of our foreign policy is that Nigeria does not get the support of other African countries when it vies for posts in the various international organizations. This is simply not true. In most cases we have.

But we should not expect that on every occasion that we vie for a post abroad, we should get the support of every African country.

They have their own national interests to promote and are also entitled to seek such posts. Since joining the UN in 1960, Nigeria has, with the support of the Africa Group at the UN, produced four Under Secretaries General (Chief Adebo, Professor Adebayo Adedeji, Amb. Uthman Yolah, and Professor Gambari). No other African country has matched that feat. It has had strong representation on the International Court of Justice (Elias, Ajibola) and the International Law Review Commission (Akinjide). It has pro-

HARDBALL

I

F there was anyone left who doubted Boko Haram’s viciousness, last Friday’s attacks on Damaturu and Potiskum, Yobe State, that claimed some 150 lives should serve as eye-opener. The scale of the violence was grand, and the brutality of the coordinated bombings and gun attacks were unprecedented, far in excess of the August bombing of Abuja UN building. And if the federal government thought it could hurry itself into negotiations with the sect, the militants’ demands and the nature of their violent attacks on the establishment should by now have caused the hearts of officials to sink. But if the government is capable of rethinking its approach both to the sect’s activities and the nation’s security policy, the time is here. Indeed, it seems clear now where the sect and its sponsors are heading, a fact that should make us begin to look at the worst-case scenario.

Even though the federal government has talked itself out of panic by making light of US warnings of future bombings in Abuja, it has, however, worked itself into frenzy by virtually shutting down the federal capital city under the same terrorist threats. Why the government thinks these knee-jerk responses are adequate to counter the grave threats the country faces in the hands of religious extremists is hard to explain. It is not only the US that has issued warnings, even Boko Haram itself has promised, as it has

duced the first African Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organization (Obasi). Nigeria is also well represented at the WHO, UNESCO, UNIDO, among other UN bodies. The fact of the matter is that these posts are filled on the basis of international quotas agreed by all its members, including Nigeria. The truth of the matter is that, in most cases, Nigeria has exceeded its quota.

When I served as Ambassador at the UN I was satisfied that Nigeria was not under represented in its various organs.

Very often, we encounter opposition from other African countries because we submit our candidatures late (e.g. WMO, ILC) very late; in some cases when the Africa Group has decided on an African candidate other than Nigeria’s. When we try to muzzle our way through this causes resentment among other African states. It was with considerable difficulty that I succeeded in getting the candidature of Chief Richard Akinjide for membership of the International Law Commission, and that of Mr. Obasi for the WMO through as the Africa Group at the UN had agreed on other African candidates. They had to give way under pressure to Nigeria.

The truth of the matter is that Nigeria’s representation in international organizations, including the UN and the AU, is one of the highest among African countries. The case of the ADB where we lost to a candidate from Rwanda as President of the Bank is always cited. This particular case is sui generis and does not reflect any undue hostility by African countries to Nigeria. In any case, it would be naïve of us not to expect that there will be fears of Nigerian domination among the small and weak African states, which also seek representation in international organizations. Nigeria was not decisive enough on the ADB matter, and when it finally decided on a candidate it did not give him enough diplomatic support for reasons of local politics.

If we are not punching our full weight in our external relations, this should be attributed to the damage done to the nation during the long period of military rule, particularly under the regimes of Babangida and Abacha, when we lost considerable influence, respect, and prestige in our foreign relations as a result of misguided domestic policies, particularly persistent human rights violations, as well as our lack of economic and military strength, values which are highly regarded abroad (China and India.)

•Concluded • For comments, send SMS to 08054503031

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Boko Haram and worst-case scenario always done, that more attacks would follow.

Sadly, the government seems to have run out of ideas. Under previous governments, when the sect was loosely and mockingly described by the media as Taliban, security officials spurned reasonable and lawful solutions by applying heavy-handed and extra-judicial tactics. Then when the sect’s leaders were arrested, they were summarily executed. And when the sect responded with its own daring and ferocious attacks, the government became strangely unsure whether to negotiate or fight. While it vacillated between strong-arm tactics one day and peace overtures another day, the militants correctly read the government as weak and ineffective, and applied more violent pressures that culminated in the kind of horrendous attacks we witnessed in Yobe State a few days ago.

We must of course hope that while the government glibly dismisses warnings of future attacks as nothing new, it is secretly formulating intelligent and effective responses. It is clear that Boko Haram is no longer an aberration, or a mere reaction to prevailing economic and social problems.

The sect knows how to raise money by suasion or force, and it understands how

uncoordinated and inefficient the security services are. It will not negotiate, it says, until all its detained members are set free, and it will not compromise on the declaration of Sharia in the northern states. More importantly, it will not declare a ceasefire, for as it says, it is a fight in which one side must be defeated.

The first step to defeating terrorism is for the government to even make up its mind to fight. Then it must follow this with intelligent fighting, not brutal and indiscriminate repression that alienates the local populace, or gangland-style executions that ridicule the country. Some reports suggest that the government has promised to publish names of terrorists and their sponsors. Nonsense. Let the government arrest them instead and leave the publishing to the media.

It is painfully becoming clear that President Goodluck Jonathan has not really assembled a convincing team that can help him govern well and secure the country. Worse, it even appears this weakness escapes his notice. Yet, from all indications, we are running out of time to tackle the grave issues confronting us. The cold truth, in fact, is that the president has even much shorter time than the rest of us to put a lid on the madness afflicting the country he was elected to rule.

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