The Nation October 25, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Eagles face Zambia in Cup of Nations

Auchi Poly students held for rape, murder

NEWS Page 63

NEWS Page 58

•Ethiopia, B/Faso also in Group C

•‘Victim buried in shallow grave’

www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 2289 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25 , 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Ribadu Panel’s report: N86.6b oil cash missing ‘Final’ report a draft, says Alison-Madueke

A

FEDERAL Government committee headed by former anti-corruption agency chief Nuhu Ribadu has unearthed a cesspool of fraud and corruption in the oil industry.

About N86.65 billion earned in 10 years by oil giant Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is missing, according to the committee’s report.

Billions of dollars of revenue is missing in unpaid debt from signature bonuses and royalties, the report said.

It recommended, among others, that the NNPC be partially reorganised or scrapped, according to Reuters, quoting part of the Continued on page 2

THE FIGURES

$183m N137.57b

•Signature bonuses missing

$1.5b $5b

•Debt said to be owed by Shell for gas sold

•Unpaid royalties, allegedly owed

by Addax

•Revenue said to have been lost between 2002 and 2011 from oil sales to NNPC

•Widows and children of the policemen killed by robbers in Ogun State on Monday during the presentation of N500,000 to each of the families…yesterday

•PAGE 10

Tears as Ogun gives N7.5m to families of slain policemen

Pope names Onaiyekan Cardinal

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OHN Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, is now a Cardinal.

Pope Benedict’s surprise announcement yesterday made Archbishop Onaiyekan Nigeria’s fourth Cardinal after Francis Arinze and Anthony Olubunmi Oko-

gie. Dominic Ekandem, Nigeria’s first Cardinal, is deceased.

Pope Benedict named five other cardinals.

All six are under 80 years old and thus eligible under Church law to enter a conclave that will one day choose Benedict’s succes-

sor. Members of the ultra-elite group are known as “cardinal electors”.

The other cardinals are from the United States, Lebanon, India, Colombia and the Philippines. The ceremony to install them, known Continued on page 2

•Archbishop Onaiyekan

•SPORT P23 •EDUCATION P25 •POLITICS P43 •N/HEALTH P45 •E-BUSINESS P47

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THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

NEWS Pope names Onaiyekan Cardinal Continued from page 1

•Minister of Education Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, his wife and founder of Empowerment Support Initiative(ESI) Judith, and former Minister Oby Ezekwesili at the opening ceremony of the 3rd National Conference on Kindergarten Education Organised by ESI in Port Harcourt…yesterday

Eid-el Kabir: IGP places AIGs, CPs on security alert

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OLICE have tightened security nationwide to prevent violence during tomorrow’s Eid el Kabir celebration.

Worship centres, recreation spots and other places are to be fully protected.

Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar has ordered Assistant Inspectors General of Police, (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police, (CPs) across the country to be on security alert during and after the celebrations.

A statement by police spokesman Frank Mba yesterday said Commissioners of Police had been directed to personally ensure that key and vulnerable points are adequately secured.

Mba listed places of worship, recreation centres, resorts and other public places as areas of primary concern, requiring all-round security coverage.

The statement reads: “In a similar vein, Zonal AIGs and

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja and Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

CPs have also been advised to ensure the provision of 24 hours security around all government installations, facilities and other related vulnerable targets.

“The IGP warned officers who will be deployed during the period, to ensure that they comport themselves within the confines of the law. They must be firm but polite, civil and professional in the discharge of their assigned roles, giving due regard and respect to the fundamental human rights of citizens at all times.

“In addition, commanders of police highway patrol teams have been directed to ensure that motorised patrols on our highways targeted at crime and accident prevention, are intensified to ensure safe, secure and peaceful celebrations.

“Policemen deployed on our highways have also been directed to render necessary as-

sistance to travelers and road users, especially accident victims and those who may suffer vehicular break down.

“The IGP seeks the prayers, support and understanding of Nigerians in the battle against crime and criminality and prays that the Almighty Allah grant the country’s leaders the wisdom to lead the nation aright” Kano Police also warned Muslim faithful against coming to the mosque with bags, parcels and other containers that are capable of concealing weapons.

Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Idris, who gave the warning, called for a hitchfree Ed-el-Kabir. He warned that loitering around the mosque during Sallah worship would not be tolerated.

Worshippers coming to the mosque on Sallah day must remain there until the close of worship/prayers. He appealed to Muslim brothers to report any strange object in

and around the mosque to security operatives for appropriate action.

He also urged preachers to avoid inciting comments or sermons.

The Kano police during the week arrested one Ibrahim Adamu of Sayasaya village in Albasu Local Government for allegedly raping the widow of his uncle, while she was harvesting some vegetable in her farm.

During interrogation, the suspect, according to the Commissioner confessed to committing the crime, pointing out that he would soon be charged to court after investigations.

Also, the Command arrested one Princess Obi for human trafficking. She allegedly deceived three young girls from Togo and brought them to Kano with the pretence that she will offer them job in her restaurant only to introduce them to prostitution.

as a consistory, will be held on November 24, the pope said in a surprise announcement at his weekly general audience.

President Goodluck Jonathan hailed the announcement.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said: “President Jonathan believes that Bishop Onaiyekan’s elevation to the highest echelon of the Catholic Church by the Pope clearly shows that the exemplary diligence, dedication and commitment with which he has gone about his labours in the Lord’s vineyard since his ordination in 1969 has been recognised and appreciated.

“The President notes that with Bishop Onaiyekan’s elevation, Nigeria now has three members of the most eminent and distinguished College of Catholic Cardinals.

“He welcomes this as an indication by the Vatican of its continuing recognition of the immense contributions of the Church in Nigeria to the Worldwide Catholic Movement.

“President Jonathan prays that God Almighty will grant Bishop Onaiyekan continued good health and the strength, wisdom and Divine Guidance he will require to discharge his new responsibilities to the Glory of God and his fatherland.

“He wishes him a very successful tenure as Cardinal.”

The pope is a conservative on matters of faith and sexual morals, such as birth control, homosexuality and the ban on women priests. Each time he names cardinals, he chooses men who share his views and can shape the Church’s future.

Beatitude Bechara Boutros Rai, 72, the patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church in Lebanon, and Archbishop Onaiyekan, 68, are from countries with significant Muslim populations.

The pope’s decision to raise the two to the highest rank in the Church short of the papacy indicates his concern for rela-

tions between Christianity and Islam.

The pope visited predominantly Muslim Lebanon last September and called on members of both faiths to work together to build peace in the Middle East and beyond.

Cardinals are the Pope’s closest aides in the Vatican, where they run its key departments, and around the world, where they head dioceses to administer the 1.2 billion members of the Roman Catholic Church.

Only one of the six new cardinals, Archbishop James Michael Harvey, an American, is based in the Vatican and, in a break with past consistories, none is Italian.

Harvey, 63, whose title is Prefect of the Pontifical Household, looks after world leaders visiting the Vatican and arranges the pope’s audiences. A native of Milwaukee, Harvey has worked in the Vatican for more than two decades.

Benedict was criticised in some Church circles last February when, in choosing his previous batch of cardinals, he elevated many from the Vatican’s central bureaucracy. He was accused of neglecting the needs of the developing world.

Another new Cardinal, Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal, 53, the major archbishop of the SyroMalankara rite in India, is on the front line of inter-religious dialogue with Hinduism.

The other two come from predominantly Catholic countries - Archbishop Ruben Salazar Gomez, 70, of Bogota, Colombia, and Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle, 55, of Manila in the Philippines, which is the largest Catholic country in Asia.

After the consistory, the number of “cardinal electors” will rise to 120, the maximum allowed under Church law. The total number of men in the college of cardinals will be 211.

Benedict has now named 67, or more than half, of the cardinals who will elect his successor from among their own ranks. The other 53 were named by Pope John Paul.

Continued on page 59

Ribadu Panel’s report: N86.6b oil cash missing Govt studying report, says Minister

Continued from page 1

141-page study, carried out at the behest of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

The 21-member committee was set up as Revenue Task Force by President Goodluck Jonathan among adhoc bodies set up by the government following the removal of subsidy on petroleum products in January which was greeted by protests.

The report provides new details on Nigeria’s “long history” of corruption in the oil sector.

Mrs. Alison-Madueke told Reuters on Tuesday she received the report last month, but that it was a draft and the government was still supposed to give input. The one seen by Reuters was labeled “Final Report”.

The report concluded that oil majors Shell, Total and Eni made bumper profits from cut-price gas, while Nigerian oil ministers handed out licences at their own discretion. This, while not illegal, did not follow best practice of using open bids. Hundreds of millions of dollars in signature bonuses on those deals were also missing, it said.

“We have not seen this report and are, therefore, un-

M

INISTER of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke yesterday said the government was studying the report of committees investigating certain areas of the oil and gas sector, including the 21-member Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force headed by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

According to a statement last night by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Fidel I. Pepple, the Minister said such reports are not normally put in public domain until the government has made its input.

But there are fears that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources is uncomfortable with the findings and recommendations of Ribadu’s panel.

The statement said: “The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke has provided some clarifications on the report of the committees set up earlier in the year to investigate certain areas of the oil and gas sector. able to comment on the content, but we will study it if and when it is published,” a Shell spokesman said.

The report alleges international oil traders sometimes buy crude without any formal contracts, and the state oil firm had short-changed the Nigerian treasury billions over the last 10 years by selling crude oil and gas to itself

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

“Speaking in an interview with Reuters recently, she stated that the report was in its final stages and will be presented to the President soon.

“The following are excerpts of the interview: The report is not normally put in the public domain until the government’s complete report is finalized. What normally happens when you set up a committee is that when the committee hands in its report, a team is put together by the arm of government or agency that set up the committee in the first place. That has already happened. That team consists of people with relevant experience in the area.

“So, it is not just about the Revenue Task Force. The Revenue Task Force handed in its report sometime in September. But there were also the Governance and Control and the Refineries Task Forces which have all sent in their draft reports. We have set up a team that is looking at them across

below market rates.

There was no suggestion that the oil majors or traders had done anything illegal, but the report highlighted a lack of transparency in their dealings.

“It is a draft,” Alison-Madueke said. “There will be some areas where the government ... may have a slightly different opinion ...

the board to see if there is a difference in opinion or a difference in perspective.

“This team will complete its work and submit a comprehensive report in the next 10 days. It is only after then that government will talk about implementation and the issues that you mentioned will be addressed. Government will decide on where to draw the line on any issue that is not in conformity with its policies. And some of the points you have raised are, in fact, not as they have been presented. I am very careful not to comment on the report until it has been finalized. There are areas that have already been handled by these committees because they are not the way they were presented. That is why I’m very careful not to comment before we finalize. “There are some areas that I thought should be addressed because they come up very often in the media, such as the issue of discretionary awards.

I have not given any discretionary award

(and) will put its point of view to the committee.”

She said she expects the final report to be with President Goodluck Jonathan within two weeks.

“The estimated cumulative of the deficit between value obtainable on the international market and what is currently being obtained from NLNG, over the 10-year peri-

Continued on page 59

od amounts to approximately $29 billion,” the report said.

It also said foreign oil firms had outstanding debts.

Addax, now a unit of China’s state-owned Sinopec, owes Nigeria $1.5 billion in unpaid royalties, part of a $3 billion black hole of unpaid bonuses and royalties owed by oil firms.

•Ribadu

Addax did not respond to requests for comment, according to Reuters. But the report noted it disputes owing the signature bonuses.

Shell owes the Federal Government N137.57 billion naira ($874 million) for gas sold from its Bonga deep offshore field, the report said, Continued on page 59

ADVERT HOTLINES: 08023006969, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 01-8962807, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

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THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

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NEWS RAGE OF FLOODS Z

Lamentations from From Rivers to Zamfara and others, all is gloomy for flood victims who are suffering because of inadequate relief materials, among others, report BISI OLANIYI and CLARICE AZUATALAM

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HE Rivers State Government is angry with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), it emerged yesterday. Reason: inadequate supply of relief materials for victims of flooding in the state.

The Chairman of the Rivers State Flood Relief Committee and Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru, at a news conference at the Government House, Port Harcourt, said eight flood victims died in Ahoada East Local Government Area.

Ikuru said he was not sure of the casualty figure in the three other flood-affected Local Government Areas, such as Abua/Odual, Ahoada West and Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni. Some sources put the casualty figure at no fewer than 20.

The deputy governor said the Rotimi Amaechi administration had spent about N300 million to provide relief materials for the victims. He said the N300 million promised by the Federal Government is still being expected.

The relief committee chairman said the Rivers government spent over N24 million to buy wrappers for the victims.

Ikuru said: “After many weeks of •Ogun State Governo Ibikunle Amosun (right), exchanging documents with his Lagos State counterpart, Mr. Babatunde battling with floods in Rivers State, Raji Fashola, at their joint meeting at the Government House, Oke-Igbein, Abeokuta...yesterday NEMA, a Federal Government’s agency responsible for emergency situations, only donated 500 mattresses and 200 bags of assorted food items. I insisted that a list of relief materials NEMA brought must be provided, for the figure not to change later.

“The relief materials donated by NEMA to flood victims in Rivers State are grossly inadequate and ridiculous, given the level of devastation in the state.

“Officials of NEMA are now going with cameras to camps we opened and running. This is absurd.

We are mostly concerned with providing relief materials for our people in Rivers State.

“We have been told that NEMA claimed to have set up camps in Rivers State. While we do not intend to take issues with the agency, we make bold to say that all the existing camps in the state are the ones set up by the Rivers government, through the committee. To the best •From left: Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Dakuku Peterside, members of of our knowledge, nobody or the committee, Ogbonna Nwuke, Emma Ekong and Segun Odebunmi during the commitee’s oversight visit to Delta State organisation has set up any camp anywhere in the state.

“If anybody is doing anything anywhere in Rivers State, we welcome such contributions, because as a government, the welfare of our people is a collective responsibility.

Hence, if anybody is doing anything, we will like to know who is doing what in our state, so as to be on the same page.

“From our assessment and the reports we are getting, there is more to be done. We still need more relief materials, as the water is yet to dry up and there are more predictions that the experience of the last few weeks are not yet over, as water levels are expected to rise in the impacted areas.”

NEMA’s Southsouth Coordinator, Mr. Emenike Umesi, denied the allegations leveled against the agency.

He told The Nation on phone: “NEMA has been working closely •Federal Road Safety Commission’s Chief Executive Osita Chidoka and Senator Margerie Okadigbo during the New Yam with the Rivers State government.

Festival/Ofala in Obosi, Anambra State The allegations levelled against • Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan inauguratin 50 Marcapolo buses in Asaba...yesterday . With him are Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochie (right) Commissioner for Transport Ben Ibakpa (second left) and NLC Chairman, Delta State chapter William Akporeha ( left) ,

NEMA are shocking.

“NEMA was the first to do assessment of flooded areas in Rivers State and we took officials of the state government to the affected areas. Rivers government runs the opened camps, while NEMA provides technical assistance. The relief materials were provided based on the assessment made

by NEMA officials.”

Ikuru said 183 communities were affected by the flooding, adding that the figure of Internally Displaced Persons had risen to 830, with some staying with their relatives in safer areas.

He noted that the ravaging floods either submerged, destroyed or completely washed away property worth billions of naira.

He said the committee has opened 26 resettlement camps to accommodate the displaced persons.

Ikuru said: “Just on Monday, the committee members embarked on an on-the-spot-tour of the six camps in Ahoada East LGA: Ahoada, Edeoha, Odiabidi, Ula-Upata, Ogbo and Okporowo-Ekpeye to access the situation and as a clear indication of the committee’s commitment to deliver on its mandate.

“We shall do the same for the other camps in the other LGAs, within the period of the Sallah break. So, to the members of the committee, there is no holiday, until our people regain what they have lost to floods.

“The visit to Ahoada East camps also afforded us the opportunity to come to terms with some challenges being experienced in the different camps, which range from indiscipline among inmates of the camps, uncooperative attitude of some of the victims and of more serious concern is the overwhelming number of people going into the camps.

“It is absurd for chiefs and leaders of some communities to bring their chieftaincy and communal problems to the camps and engage in the willful, illegal, favouritism and criminal diversion of relief materials meant for the floods’ victims.

“Such acts of criminality will not be condoned henceforth and defaulters will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”

The deputy governor also urged the displaced persons to cooperate with the relevant agencies managing the camps.

Like Rivers State, the Kwara State Government has said it is yet to receive the N300 million flood disaster fund from the Federal Government.

The Special Adviser to Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed on Emergency and Relief Services, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi, spoke in Kaima Local Government Area of Kwara while presenting relief materials to flood victims in the area.

He condemned insinuations in some quarters that N25 million released by AbdulFatah Ahmed for the purchase of relief materials for the over 7, 000 victims of the flood was part of the N300 million being expected from the Federal Government.

Abdullahi assured the victims that they would still receive assistance not only from the Federal Government but from wealthy Nigerians and spirited organisations.

He advised the victims to keep-off from the river banks to forestall future occurrence.

The governor’s aide later presented 100 bags of rice, 100 bags of cement, 100 mattresses, plastic materials and other valuables to the local government chairman,

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

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NEWS RAGE OF FLOODS

Rivers, Zamfara, others over flood victims’ fate

•A cross section of Displaced Persons at the Nkst Wadata Camp during President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to Benue State ...yesterday

•Army medical team providing medical attention to flood victims in Ahoada

Alhaji Abubakar Sidiq.

Receiving the items, Sidiq expressed appreciation to the governor for the kind gesture.

He assured that the relief materials would be distributed to genuine flood victims in the local government.

In Zamfara, crops worth N1 billion have been lost to floods in seven Local Government Areas.

The Director of Information, Zamfara Emergency Management Agency (ZEMA), Alhaji Bello Na-Allah, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gusau that the destruction occurred between August and October in Gummi, Shinkafi, Maradun, Gusau, Maru, Kauran Namoda and Anka local government areas.

He said that crops in nine farming communities were completely submerged or destroyed by the floods and listed the crops as maize, millet, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, cotton and soya-beans.

“The disaster had devastating effects on the people of the affected communities, who were left without food and shelter,’’ Na-Allah said.

He said, for instance, in Gutsura community in Gummi Local Government Area, farmers lost up to N300 million worth of crops, in addition to losing their houses.

He said the flooding was caused by the collapse of some earth dams in the area, which caused rivers to over flow their banks.

•Ikuru...yesterday

•Internally Displaced Persons receiving medical attention at Bishop Crowther Primary School Camp in Onitsha ...yesterday

Jonathan promises improved seedlings for displaced Benue farmers

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has said the Federal Government would distribute a variety of improved seedlings to farmers displaced by flood in Benue.

The President spoke in Makurdi yesterday while on an assessment tour of the flooded areas in Benue.

He said funds for the purchase of the seedlings would be released to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture by the coming week to enable the displaced farmers get back to their farms as quickly as possible.

The president regretted that some of the seedlings that were distributed to farmers failed to produce the desired yields because they were incompatible with the soil texture He, however, assured that the seedlings to be purchased would be of such high quality that their yield would not be in doubt.

Jonathan said the calamity might turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Nigeria.

He also assured that the Federal Government was committed to ensuring that the sufferings of the displaced persons were ameliorated.

The president said it was in furtherance of that obThe director said the state government and National Emergency Management Agency responded quickly to the emergency in the state by providing relief for affected communities.

The director said that the state gov-

PHOTOS: NAN

jective that the Federal Government set up a technical committee to carry out an assessment of the damages caused by the flood across the country.

He said the Federal Ministry of Health has been directed to carry out fumigation of all flooded areas in the country to mitigate the effects of disease outbreak.

Jonathan said the government fully identifies with the pains of the victims but assured that proactive measures to prevent a re-occurrence the flood had been taken.

He said one of such steps would be the construction of dams, where necessary.

He also said the government would fast track the completion of the Kashimvilla dam as a means of accommodating the flood waters.

The president commended donors both local and international for their assistance in addressing some of the basic challenges of the displaced persons.

Governor Gabriel Suswam commended the Federal Government for its prompt response in tackling the flood crisis.

He also assured President Jonathan that the N500 Million grant in aid of the flood victims would be strictly utilised for that purpose.

ernment had taken proactive steps to manage future floods by mounting awareness campaigns through the radio and television.

He said the measure was to educate flood-prone communities to re-

locate from “danger zones“ if the need arose.

The director further said that ZEMA in collaboration with traditional rulers had consistently campaigned against people building on water

ways.

“Gutsura, Jangeru and Birnin Yero communities in Gummi and Shinkafi local governments are among communities provided alternative places for relocation as part of the state government’s efforts to stem occurrences of future flood disasters,“ he said.

And no thanks to the floods, prices of food items have risen sharply in Awka. A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who visited some markets in the state capital on Tuesday, reports that prices of staple foods such as beans and gari had increased by more than 77 per cent.

The survey showed that a measure of beans which sold for N900 before the flood had risen to N1600 while the same quantity of garri now sells for N500 instead of between N250 and N280.

According to Mr Charlse Odum, who sells food stuffs at the Eke-Awka Market, the negative consequence of the flood in the state had started manifesting in the hike in prices of food items.

“The prices of food stuffs have gone up generally, beans and garri are the most affected. Before now, we sold a cup of beans for between N40 and N45 depending on the type but now the cheapest you can get a cup is N80 for the white variety.”

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THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

NEWS Three held for alleged piracy From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

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HE Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC) yesterday arrested three suspected illegal broadcast signal operators in Kaduna State, for allegedly hacking into the signals of Multi-Choice Nigeria, operators of DStv. Director of Enforcement Augustine Amodu said the exercise was part of the Commission’s commitment to the anti-piracy campaign.

He said neither intimidation nor harassment could deter the NCC from carrying out its statutory functions.

Amodu said there was no going back on the commission’s resolve to stamp out piracy in the country.

The NCC official warned that the commission would clamp down on any organisation/individual that indulges in piracy.

“Some of those arrested are not accredited retailers of Multichoice. We are bent on fighting illegitimate broadcast business and that is why we are in Kaduna today.

“We are using this opportunity to tell Nigerians that it is better to go the correct way. Buy your decoder from Multichoice and go and pay your subscription and get Multichoice signals. These people passed through the backdoor to increase Multichoice signals to houses.

‘Respect moratorium on death penalties’ From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

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HE European Union (EU) yesterday called on Nigeria to respect existing moratorium on executions put in place since 2006.

A statement in Abuja by the Political Officer, Human Rights and Situations of Fragility Delegation of the EU to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Chadi Sidhom, said the organisation is urging Edo State to stay action on imminent execution in the state.

The EU delegation, which issued the statement in agreement with the EU Heads of Mission in Nigeria, appealed to Governor Adams Oshiomhole to allow all legal appeals to be carried out on the two pending cases of execution in the state.

The statement reads: “The EU Delegation urges the Nigerian authorities to respect the existing de facto moratorium on executions, in place since 2006.

“The EU Delegation is deeply concerned about the information it has received concerning the reported imminent execution of two persons in Edo State.

“The delegation calls on the Nigerian authorities and, in this case, Governor Oshiomhole, to allow all legal appeals to be heard and to halt the execution of these two inmates.”

Cynthia: Fed Govt to ban Rophynol

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HE Federal Government may ban the use and sale of Rophynol.

It was the drug administered in the ‘Facebook murder’ of Cynthia Osokogu.

Rophynol is a powerful sedative that is illegal in the United States but is used elsewhere for hypnosis and anaesthesia.

It is popularly known as the ‘date rape’ drug because of its ability to cause unconsciousness and memory blackouts.

The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chuckwu, said the drug has been banned in most countries due to similar cases.

He said the appropriate authorities have been asked to guide the Federal Government on the position to take.

The minister spoke to reporters at the end of yesterday’s Federal Executive

•FEC approves N671m for East-West road From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo.

President Goodluck Jonathan was on a visit to Benue as part of his tour of flooded states.

Chuckwu said:“There is a different body that decides which drugs can be used in Nigeria; this agency is not the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

“The law that empowers that body allows it to decides which drugs should be banned or used in Nigeria.

“Right now as the minister, I have directed the appropriate bodies, which are the Nigerian Essential Drugs List

and National Drug Formulary Committee, which is established by a separate law, to look into whether or not we should ban the drug.”

The drug he said has been banned in some countries.

The FEC approved the Nigeria National Pharmacovigilance Policy, which will proper management of adverse drug reactions.

The policy is to assist government to monitor and deal with issues of adverse effects of drug reactions in the country.

The policy, which will be implemented by the National Pharmacological Centre, located within NAFDAC, has been approved by the National Council on Health at its 55th meeting in July.

According to the minister,

Aviation Minister, Ms Stella Adaeze Oduah and Managing Director, Med-View Airline, Muneer Bankole at the inauguration of the remodeled General Aviation Terminal (GAT), Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

Jonathan visits Benue From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said his administration would turn the flood ,that has terribly ravaged some states, into a blessing.

The President spoke in Makurdi, the Benue State capital,when he visited some victims.

He said he would release funds to the Ministry of Agriculture to see how farmers can improve their seedlings.

Jonathan also promised that the Administration would ensure that the project for construction of the Kashimbila Dam is completed next year.

The President urged Governor Gabriel Suswam to ensure that the N500million donated to the state is wisely used.

Suswam thanked the President for visiting the state. The presidential jet landed at the Makurdi Airport five minutes after 10am, with the President spending less than 30 minutes .

‘Why we’re targeting Nigerians’

By Aminat Oyeleye

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IGERIANS have been described as hardworking and intelligent with potentials that could move the nation into one of the world’s largest economy.

The Marketing and Sales Manager, Chinese Europe International Business School (CEIBS), Kofi Dafoor, said this at a public presentation on the school’s activities at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.

CEIBS is a not-for-profit joint venture established in 1994 under an agreement between China and the European Union.

“CEIBS has its main campus in Shanghai, China, while its international office is located in Barcelona, Spain. It is accredited by the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

“It has international exchange partnerships with over 40 leading business schools, including Harvard Business School, The Wharton School, London Business School, IESE Business School, Columbia University, Ross Business School, Tsinghua, and many more,” Dafoor said.

‘Accelerate passage of bill’

By Precious Igbonwelundu

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HE Chartered Institute of Certified Secretaries and Reporters (ICSR) has appealed to the National Assembly to fast track the passage of the bill to empower the body to regulate the activities of the profession.

Its Secretary General, Samuel Ozomah, made the appeal in Lagos at a briefing ahead of ICSR’s silver jubilee.

Ozomah said the bill was first sent to the Assembly in 2000, adding that legislative bottlenecks delayed its harmonisation till 2007.

“We sent the bill in 2000 but because of legislative bottlenecks, it was not harmonised till 2007. Then after the National Assembly harmonised the bill and forwarded it to the President for his accent, due to the logjam in the executivelegislative relationship, former President Olusegun Obasanjo did not assent to it.

the policy is to ensure that adverse drug reactions are properly managed.

Also yesterday, the council approved N671million for consultancy services and the design for the extension of the East-West road.

The contract is for Phase Four work; from Oron, Akwa-Ibom State to Calabar, Cross River State.

The Minister of State (Niger Delta), Hajia Zainab Kuchi, said when completed, the proposed dual carriage way would reduce the journey time from any section of the East/ West Road to Calabar.

She said the road would also help open up access to riverine areas and communities and leveraging their full economic potentials.

Osinbajo to National Assembly: limit court’s jurisdiction F

ORMER Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) has called for the limitation of the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to end delays in the trial of cases.

This, he said, is in line with federal principles.

Osinbajo said the court’s jurisdiction has drawn extensive controversy and led to a waste of time.

The former commissioner said the proper observance of federal principles could invariably mean that the federal high court’s jurisdiction should be “extremely limited” since state high courts exist.

He spoke at the multistakeholder forum on civil society’s viewpoint on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution in Lagos.

It was organised by the State Accountability and Voice Initiative (SAVI) and the Lagos State Civil Society Partnership (LACSOP).

Osinbajo said: “It is now proposed that the civil jurisdiction of the Federal High Court should be limited to federal revenue, admiralty and intellectual property matters while its criminal jurisdiction should cover only offences created by an Act of the National Assembly.

By Joseph Jibueze

“The current situation where the inclusion of a federal institution or agency as a party in an action is frequently held to confer jurisdiction on the federal high court even where the subject matter is obviously not suitable for its jurisdiction should end.”

The ex-commissioner said the proposal to terminate all interlocutory appeals at the Court of Appeal is to reduce the extensive

delays in our trial process.

The law professor said Nigerians must ensure that federalism is a non-negotiable basis of a new constitution.

The effect, he said, is that the courts can be compelled by express principles in the constitution to interpret its provisions to give effect to the principles of federalism.

Osinbajo proposed two exclusive legislative lists – one Federal, the other State.

On state police, he said: “Our proposal is that estab-

lishment of a state police force should be on the states legislative list.

“The federal police will have jurisdiction over federal offences and cross-border criminality while the state police has jurisdiction over state offences.”

A Steering Committee member of LACSOP, Ayo Adebusoye, said the 1999 Constitution was full of paradoxes and ambiguity.

He argued that the constitution in its present form cannot guarantee fundamental rights nor a vibrant legislature and dynamic executive.

Two killed in Lagos accidents

By Jude Isiguzo

T

WO people on Monday were killed in road accidents in different parts of Lagos.

It was gathered that while one of the victims died on the spot, the other died at a hospital.

According to the police, at about 6:20am on Monday, an unidentified driver knocked down and killed a man, who was later identified Wasiu Aliu, on Funsho Williams Avenue, Surulere and escaped.

It was learnt that the victim died on the spot and the body was later removed by traffic policemen, who deposited it at the Isolo General Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.

Also, on the same day at about 10:15am, a Toyota Hiace Bus driven by Denis Tilekaa ran over Tajudeen Ogunbiyi .Ogunbiyi was rushed to General Hospital Gbagada, where he later died. The body has been deposited at the

hospital mortuary for autopsy.

Both cases are being investigated at Bariga and Ojodu Divisions.

Twelve robbery suspects have been arrested in different parts of the metropolis by police operatives. Operatives also recovered five locally made double barrel guns and over 15 live cartridges from the hoodlums.

Police spokesperson Ngozi Braide confirmed the accidents and the arrest.

She said: “On October 21 at about 0355hrs, policemen attached to Bode Thomas Division, acted on a tip-off and arrested one suspected robber with bullet wound.

“Also on October 17 at about 2100hrs, policemen attached to Ilasa Division arrested one Ikechukwu Eze, Obeha Celestine and Godwin Jacob with two stolen Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) transformers loaded in a fiat lorry.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

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NEWS ONDO ELECTION Criticism trails governorship poll From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

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HE Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) yesterday criticised the process which enabled Governor Olusegun Mimiko to retain his position with 260,199 votes at last Saturday’s election in Ondo State.

Briefing reporters in Abuja on its preliminary report, TMG’s Publicity Secretary, Eddy Ezurike, said its 1,200 personnel, who were on ground during the poll, discovered many flaws.

According to him, the malpractices that have characterised elections in Nigeria from 1999 to date were witnessed during the election.

The group faulted the wide gap between the winning votes of 260,199 for Governor Mimiko and the three million estimated population of the state.

It said: “Several of the challenges and malpractices that have featured in elections since 1999 were present during the poll. “These include late arrival of election officials and materials at some polling units, resulting in the late commencement of the phases of the election. Difficulties in the accreditation of registered voters due to the disappearance of their names from the voter register.

Buying of votes and other attempts to influence voters and snatching of ballot boxes by unidentified persons.

“In respect of substance, the election gave troubling indicators of a disturbingly low level of citizens’ participation in the selection of those who are responsible for the governance of their collective affairs.”

It went on: “The number of persons who participated in the determination of who should manage the affairs of the state was slightly above a third of registered voters. Considering that this is less than one-sixth of the registered voters, the implication is that the new government stands on a very thin stilt of electoral support.”

Adebayo greets Mimiko

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HE Military Governor of the defunct Western State, General Adeyinka Adebayo, has congratulated Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko on his victory at the Saturday election.

Adebayo, in a statement made available to The Nation, said Mimiko’s victory has shown that the Ondo State people appreciate his efforts at ensuring meaningful development.

He said: “Mimiko’s victory in the just-concluded poll is well deserved.

“The people of the state, particularly the electorate, had, through the election, shown their appreciation to Mimiko for his selfless service and efforts at ensuring meaningful and all-round development.

“The people have shown the culture of free and fair election and have given other Nigerians great confidence for the future and a moment of history for President Goodluck Jonathan in his advocacy for free and fair election.”

Adebayo, who wished Mimiko well, noted that the governor is a fine gentleman who is doing his best to ensure good life for the people.”

Four in police net for ‘absconding with’ election fund T

HE Deputy DirectorGeneral of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) campaign team in Ondo South Senatorial District, Mr. Femi Johnson, yesterday debunked a rumour that he was arrested by the police for absconding with the party’s money meant for last Saturday’s election.

Johnson, an ex-Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to former Governor Olusegun Agagu, confirmed that four chieftains of the party that absconded with the money meant for the poll are now in the police net.

He said the four suspects include a former special assistant to a minister, a lawyer in Ilaje Local Government, one party chairman in a local government in Ondo South and a chieftain of the party in the area.

Johnson, however, refused to mention the amount the suspects absconded with, but

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

assured that the party would recover the money from them.

The Deputy Director-General, while speaking to reporters in Okitipupa, said the money for the election in the senatorial district was handed over to the suspects.

He decried their decision to abscond with the money.

Johnson said the suspects are being interrogated at the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Akure.

He said it would be unfair for any member of the party in the state to frustrate the efforts of the ACN national leadership, particularly those of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to accomplish the integration of the Southwest.

The ACN chieftain, who flayed the high level of ma-

nipulations during the poll, appealed to members to be calm. He assured them that justice would be obtained at the election petition tribunal.

Johnson said the money released through him six weeks to the election was disbursed without any rancour, adding that he addressed reporters over the issue to clear his name.

“It will be unfair and undemocratic for any member of the ACN in Ondo State to frustrate the efforts of the party’s national leader to integrate the Southwest states.

“It is, therefore, important to let the public know the true position of things as regards the campaign fund for the election.

“An adage says, a good name is better than gold and silver. I’m a politician of high

repute and I will never do anything that will tarnish my image.

“I want to confirm to you that the money for the election in the Ondo South Senatorial District was not given to me.

“The one given to me six weeks before the election was judiciously disbursed.

But the one released for the election was not disbursed through me.

“I was a member of the Agagu campaign team in 2003 and I never stole any money. The same thing in 2007. Why should I steal or abscond with the party’s money now that I’m the Deputy Director-General of the Aketi Campaign Group?

My name is more precious to me than gold and silver,” he said.

Police spokesman Aremu Adeniran said he would comment on the arrest after he has been briefed.

Party chieftain calls for probe of poll

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CHIEFTAIN of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Oshati Olatunji Maxima, has urged the national leadership of the party to probe the outcome of Saturday’s election.

Oshati, a federal constituency campaign director of the party, wondered why a party prepared so much in terms of mobilisation and lowered its guard at the 11th hour.

According to him, there

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

must be a sabotage somewhere by some party leaders in Ondo State.

He said: “Although there were irregularities in the election, it would not have been enough to stop Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu if we had done the right thing at the right time.”

Oshati likened the situation to throwing players, even if they are professionals, on the

field without football boots, knowing the poor condition of the field.

He promised to submit a report on what he felt was the cause of the poor performance of the ACN at the appropriate time to the national leaders if called upon.

The ACN chieftain, however, hailed Akeredolu for exhibiting a strong character in the management of the party.

•Akeredolu

Kwara PDP, govt shameless, irresponsible, says ACN

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HE Kwara State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to bury its head in shame and be remorseful for the “failures and irresponsibility” of its government, rather than busy itself attacking the opposition.

The party was reacting to a statement by the Kwara PDP Publicity Secretary, Masiud Adebimpe, who claimed that ACN’s defeat in Ondo State is a sign that the party stands rejected in the Southwest and Kwara State.

ACN’s Chairman in Kwara State, Mr. Kayode Olawepo, said in a statement in Ilorin that the PDP ought to be bothered by the ineptitude and failures of its administration as

•Council workers declare indefinite strike shown in the protest against its land policy and inability to pay workers for three months.

The statement reads: “Months after shouting itself hoarse that the opposition does not exist in Kwara State, we are glad that finally Kwara PDP can no longer issue a statement without acknowledging in principle the threat we pose to their government built around a political ideology representing underdevelopment, poverty, deceit, oppression and corruption.

“As the PDP was issuing its baseless statement, the suffering council workers have declared an indefinite strike to protest the non-payment of their salaries for three months.

“While Kwara workers are groaning under excruciating poverty and denial arising from the non-payment of their salaries, the PDP, rather than bury its head in shame over the failures of its administration, still finds time to attack the opposition in the guise of congratulating Ondo Governor-elect Olusegun Mimiko whose opponents incidentally include PDP’s former legal adviser, Olusola Oke, who, typical of the lawless nature of the PDP, was arrested in the early hours of Saturday roaming the streets against the restriction order.

“We leave the public to judge who is being rejected by the Kwara people between

the ACN and the PDP whose government has recorded uprising against its policies and is on record to expose the state to national disgrace almost on a monthly basis; from a laughable oil discovery claim to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) blacklist, burglary in the state’s Ministry of Finance and theft of documents relating to the issues over which its leadership is being investigated, and of course, incessant workers’ protests over non-payment of salary, etc. As we speak, Kwara local government workers have embarked on an indefinite strike because the government has continued to invent lies to deny workers their entitlements.”

From left: Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe; Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Environment, Uche Ekwunife; Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment, Sen. Clever Ikisikpo; Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State and President Goodluck Jonathan during the visit of the president to victims of flood disaster in Benue State... yesterday.

Group wants probe of Amnesty Office From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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NON-POLITICAL group, the Niger Delta Amnesty Watch, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to probe the source of expenditure made by the Presidential Amnesty Office before and during Saturday’s governorship election.

The group threatened to institute legal processes to compel President Jonathan to probe the Amnesty Office at the expiration of seven days.

It said it was surprised that Mr. Kingsley Kuku had turned the Amnesty Office into an arm of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State when he did not get his appointment on the platform of any party.

A statement signed by the Chairman of the group, Comrade David Aiyetowon and made available to reporters in Benin City, said N249,250,000 was spent by Kuku on the poll.

The statement gave a breakdown of the expenses as: purchase of seven buses at N6 million each, four 200HP Yamaha engines at N2.5 million each, four speed boats at N1 million each, first instalment fund for PDP candidate which cost N20,000,000, two Toyota Hilux vans at N6 million each, 10 Nanfang motorcycles at N100,000 each, among others.

According to the statement, “the Presidential Amnesty Office now needs to be examined and probed to achieve the desired result.”

Solomon empowers 850 Lagosians

By Emmanuel Oladesu

S

ENATE Minority Whip and the senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, has empowered 850 residents of the senatorial district in continuation of his empowerment initiative.

The empowerment, which was done through bank drafts and the third in the series, however, extended to such beneficiaries as students, women and the aged, to assist them in their education, businesses and welfare.

Three persons each benefited at the 186 wards that make up the senatorial district.

Solomon said the initiative was his response to the needs of the people and that it would be a continuous exercise.

“We realise indigent students need assistance to fulfil their educational desire. We are giving women cash to assist them in their businesses, while the elderly in the society need our care.

“This is not the first time we are doing this and I want to assure you that it will not be the last,” said the former chairman, Senate Committee on Capital Market.”

•Solomon

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THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

NEWS ‘UN committed to peace in Nigeria’

Obi hails Onaiyekan

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

ANAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi has congratulated the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Rev John Onaiyekan, on his appointment as a cardinal.

Obi said: “I have just heard the good news. On behalf of the Government and people of Anambra State, accept my felicitation.”

The governor said the elevation was a divine favour and recognition of personal merit.

“No one can contest that in your capacity as a cleric; you have shown great devotion to your calling. And as a religious leader, you have displayed sensitivity to the mood and makeup of our society in the handling of religious issues.”

Obi said going by Onaiyekan’s antecedents, he was not surprised at the appointment.

He said this was a

‘Report oil spill stories well’ From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

THE Vice President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Southwest Zone, Dele Atunbi, has called for improved coverage of oil spillages in the Niger Delta.

Atunbi made the call to reporters who participated in a three-day training on using the Geographical Information Science (GIS).

He said anyone who visits victims of oil spillage would realise the magnitude of suffering of the victims.

Atunbi urged reporters to take advantage of new technology top beam searchlight on the plight of the victims.

The three-day workshop with the theme “GIS and Journalism: Serious Tools for Serious Story telling” was concluded in Ibadan yesterday.

The workshop was organised by the Poverty Alleviation Network and Self Dependence Initiative (PANSDI).

NB partners foundation

By Adeola Ogunlade

NIGERIAN Breweries and the African Artists’ Foundation will present the 12 winners of the fifth annual National Art Competition Exhibition tomorrow at the Civic Center, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Human Resource Manager/Project Coordinator, African Artists’ Foundation, Ms Evelyn Aluede, said this yesterday.

She said the theme of the competition is “Consequence” and is dedicated to supporting artists who reflect on the political, social, economic, environmental, and personal consequences of our actions in Nigeria today.

Aluede said the 12 finalists have been chosen to explore the interpretation of the theme through a variety of mixed media and installation practices.

A

•OSUN EID-IL-KABIR FREE TRAIN RIDE: Passengers alighting from the Lagos to Osogbo free ride at the Railway Station, Osogbo...yesterday

EFCC to re-arraign Doma, six others

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may re-arraign exNasarawa State Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma and six others on November 9 for alleged N15billion fraud.

A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said the re-arraignment followed the transfer of the former judge, Justice Marcel Awokulehin.

The statement said: “Justice Agatha Anulika Okeke of the Federal High Court sitting in Lafia, Nasarawa State has fixed November 19 for the arraignment of

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

former Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma and six others being prosecuted by the EFCC on a 17-count criminal charge of laundering state funds totaling over N15 billion.

“Others accused persons tried alongside Doma, who was arraigned on October 18, 2011, are Senator John Dangoyi, Abdulmumin Jibrin, Timothy Anthony Anjide, Dauda Egwa, Suleiman Ibrahim, Broworks Limited and Green Forest Investment Limited.

“This arraignment followed the recent transfer of

Federal High Court judges which affected former trial judge, Justice Marcel Awokulehin. ”At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, Justice Okeke announced that the case will start Denovo ,which is usually the case for any criminal matter starting before a new judge. ”But before adjourning proceedings, one of the defence counsel, S.I. Ameh, SAN, challenged the representation of the duo of Barristers Sesan Ola and John Ovie from the chambers of Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, as prosecution counsel.

He argued that the Attorney General of the Federation’s fiat in respect of the case was issued to Kemi Pinheiro in person and therefore not transferable.

“Ola, however, countered, as he argued that the fiat issued to Kemi Pinheiro’s chamber covers any lawyer from the chamber until the final determination of the case.

The judge, while adjourning the case, urged the prosecution counsel to produce the fiat as evidence of the document as issued by the Attorney-General of the Federation.”

Address religious extremism, urges Mark From Onyedi Ojiabor, Canada

•Mark

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IGERIA yesterday demanded immediate and sustained global action against religious extremism in some parts of the world.

Senate President David Mark made the demand at the 127th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Quebec, Canada.

Mark said steps should be taken to address the crippling effects of ethnicity.

The Senate President said tackling religious extremism and ethnicity would help to reduce divisive tendencies in some parts of the world.

He reiterated that “though tribe and tongue may differ,

in brotherhood we want.”

He restated that more than ever before humanity has come to understand that despite language, ethnic, cultural, race, religious, gender as well as political inclination and economic diversities, it is in brotherhood that progress could be achieved in the world.

Mankind, he said, has also come to appreciate the more that no community, whether local or international, is an island to itself.

The Nigerian High Com-

missioner, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, said the crippling insecurity in the country can be resolved.

Maduekwe noted that with a vibrant parliament, option for peaceful resolution of the country’s challenges remains bright and potent.

He said the Nigerian National Assembly is the most robust, the most visible and the most structured indication that democracy is not only surviving in country but will also transform the nation.

Abuja court strikes out Bakassi suit

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FEDERAL High Court, Abuja, yesterday struck out the suit by some indigenes of Bakassi in Cross River State, seeking to void the Green Tree Agreement which Nigeria signed with Cameroun in 2006.

The agreement followed the ceding of the oil rich peninsula to Cameroun in 2002 by the International Court of Justice, Hague, Switzerland.

In a motion ex-parte by their counsel, Festus A. Ogwuche, the applicants sought an order of mandamus that would compel the Federal Government to repossess, occupy and take full legal and administrative control of the Peninsula.

The suit was endorsed by

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

nine executives of Free Bakassi Association, Prince Imoh Ukpa Imoh; Godwin Ukpong; Chritian A. Umoh; Anthony Achibong Ukong; Kingsley Edu; Etim Ekpeyong Ndong; Offiong Anying Ekpeyong; Bassey Okon Osua and Bassey Ikoedem Antiga.

Delivering ruling on the motion ex parte, Justice Gabriel Kolawole held that what the applicants were seeking for were more of political considerations.

He said it was clear that the applicants’ counsel had a misconception of what he was pleading for.

The judge added that the

grounds stated by the applicants were not that of public administration but of politics.

Justice Kolawole further held that the exparte brought by the applicants was not supported by any affidavit and this made the application incompetent.

He held further that the reliefs pleaded in the application bordered more on political doctrine rather than that of public policy.

According to him, “applicants’ motion ex parte is incompetent because issues brought are political which this court does not have jurisdiction to entertain.

“The application is hereby

struck out for lack of jurisdiction.”

The applicants are seeking an order of mandamus, compelling the Federal Government, President Goodluck Jonathan and the Attorney General of the Federation, to “unilaterally resile from, withdraw, rescind, repudiate and/or revoke Nigeria’s obligations under the Green Tree Agreement entered into between Nigeria and Cameroun in Green Tree, New York, USA on June 12, 2006 The applicants, argued that the ICJ gave its judgment based “on archaic and anachronistic colonial declarations, and communications between colonial officers.”

S the world marks the 67th anniversary of the United Nations (UN) Day, the UN System in Nigeria yesterday reiterated the commitment of the global body to promoting peace and security in Nigeria.

UN Resident Representative and UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Daouda Toure gave the assurance during a flag raising ceremony at the UN House in Abuja, themed ‘Peace: A Prerequisite for National Development.’

In a statement by the UN Communication Unit, Toure said only good governance through principles of transparency and accountability, equity can ensure peace, security and prevent communal conflicts in Nigeria.

He said: “We gather to reflect on our collective achievements and the challenges to better adhere to the fundamental principles of the UN: promote Peace, Justice, Human Rights and development for all.

“More than ever before, the UN is needed most for maintaining peace and security, providing humanitarian assistance including capacity for disaster preparedness and mitigation where required, deepening democracy and promoting sustainable development.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs Olugbenga Ashiru, who was represented by the Director of International Organisations, Abdullahi Omaki said Nigeria will work with the UN to promote global peace and security.

“Nigeria will continue to work closely with the UN to promote peace and stability in the world wand to tackle the rising waves of Small arms and Light weapons, piracy as well as terrorist activities in the sub-region.”

Amnesty for 12 prisoners From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi yesterday granted amnesty to 12 prisoners.

The gesture, it was learnt, was in exercise of his constitutional powers to mark Nigeria’s 52nd Independence.

In a memorandum by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Peter Afuba, the government said the beneficiaries were serving jail terms in Enugu, IbiteOlo, Onitsha, Awka and Aguata Prisons.

The government said Ikechukwu Nwafor, who was on death row in Enugu Prison, had his sentence commuted to life imprisonment and Emmanuel Izuchukwu Nwaziri from the same prison was released.

Chinagorom Eze and Onyeka Okona were released from Ibite-Olo Prison; Jude Okolo, Joy Audu, Chukwudum Nwasogu, Ngozi Chukwuasonibe and Felicia Asonibe were released from Onitsha Prison.

Awka Prison’s singular beneficiary is Peter Chukwuka Asonibe; Ogbonna Okeke and Emeka Ukpabi were released from Aguata Prison.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

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THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

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NEWS Oyo empowers 99 women

Lagos gets 500 hectares of land in Ogun for agriculture From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

OGUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday allocated 500 hectares of land in Eggua, Yewa North Local Government Area, to the Lagos State Government for agriculture.

Amosun gave the Letter of Allocation to his Lagos State counterpart, Governor Babatunde Fashola at a meeting in his office in Abeokuta.

He also handed over the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of the Iju Water Works to Fashola.

Amosun said the reconnaissance of the Adiyan Water Works land area is on-going.

Amosun and Fashola reaffirmed their commitment to the regional integration of the Southwest.

They confirmed the report of the Joint Boundary Committee of both states, co-chaired by their respective Deputy Governors, on issues relating to 15 border areas on the corridors of Sectors A and B. The communities are Iragbo, Agbara, River Ilo, Iroko Village, Isheri, Emuren, Ojodu Akute, Ajuwon, Mojoda, Ogijo, Agbado, Alagbole, Iju, Ilogbo and Eremi.

In a statement at the end of their meeting, the governors said the boundary dispute between both states have been resolved.

They said their deputies will soon begin the joint signposting of the boundaries that have been agreed on.

Amosun and Fashola said issues concerning Sector C, specifically Ode Omi, will be addressed at a later date.

They said both states have agreed to maintain the status quo pending the decision of the National Boundary Commission.

On taxation matters, the governors said the basis for Personal Income Tax payment is the Residency Rule, which stipulates that taxes should be paid to the state where the tax payer resides.

They said both states will reconcile the number of tax payers resident in each state that work in the other state.

Tears as Ogun gives N7.5m to families of slain policemen T

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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T was a tearful event yesterday when the Ogun State Government presented N7.5 million to the families of the five policemen, who were killed by robbers on Sunday and Monday.

Their widows were given N500,000 each to bury their husbands.

A million naira is to be given to each of the slain policemen’s next of kin through the Police Command.

The deceased are Inspectors Christopher Ugwu, Istfanus Day and Josiah Ehodah; Corporal Nwachukwu Udoka and Sergeant James Adejor.

The government described them as “courageous men and heroes”.

A 15-man robbery gang killed two of the policemen in Ibafo on Sunday and the three others in Abeokuta, the state capital, around 2:30am on Monday. Some others were injured.

The widows of the slain policemen, Mrs. Chinyere Ugwu, Mrs Ene Ehoda, Grace

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

Adejor and two others were accompanied to the Governor’s Office by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye; Mr. Mohammed Abdulkadir and O/C Mopol, Mr. Baba Audu.

Mrs. Ugwu, who was there with her 16-month old daughter, Asumpta, broke into tears when she received the money from the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa.

She has four children.

Adeoluwa described the killings as “unfortunate and regrettable”. He assured the bereaved families that the government would stand by them.

He said the policemen’s death would not dampen the resolve of the Governor Ibikunle Amosun administration and the police to secure the lives and property of residents.

Adeoluwa said: “The government and people of Ogun

State salute the bravery of these gallant officers, even in death. We remain grateful and indebted to them and to the Police Command. At this point in time, our thoughts and prayers are with the widows, children and the immediate families of these fallen heroes.

“We will not be discouraged. The police have been directed to bring the perpetrators of these dastardly killings to justice. They have assured the government that they have become more determined to ensure security in Ogun.

“To the families of our fallen compatriots, we share your pain. There is nothing we can do to bring back the dead. We pray that God will accept their brave souls in His bosom. Be sure that our prayers are with you in this difficult time. The Great Comforter, our Lord Almighty, the creator of all and the owner of life will strengthen and uphold you all.

“As a Government, we

Woman still missing From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

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RS Ime Abasi Pius, who was kidnapped on Monday from her home in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, is yet to be found.

It was learnt that the gunmen are demanding N50 million.

Police sources yesterday said although her whereabouts is still unknown, they are searching for her.

Adeboye urges lawyers to defend poor

By Adeola Ogunlade •A procession of Enugu State University lecturers at the institution’s 18th Inaugural Lecture...yesterday.

Oye-Ekiti not friendly to varsity, says VC

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ICE-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Chinedu Nebo yesterday said the people of OyeEkiti have been unfriendly with the institution.

Speaking with reporters in his office, Nebo said the cost of property and accommodation tripled soon after the institution resumed academic

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

activities early this year.

He said: “Imagine a piece of land, which was selling for between N40,000 and N50,000, going for a minimum of N250,000 and an accommodation which ordinary should cost N50,000 going for N150,000.”

Nebo said the school is

planning to build staff quarters on the campus through a special arrangement with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to cushion the effects of the high cost of rent.

He said according to statistics, wealthy Nigerians now spend as much as N400 billion on their children’s education in Europe and Ghana, while Nigeria’s universities

Uduaghan inaugurates 160 buses

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ELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has inaugurated 50 Marcopolo buses, 100 Toyota Hiace buses and 10 Tata buses to enhance transportation in the state.

At the ceremony in Asaba, the state capital, Uduaghan said the investment would make transportation cheaper and comfortable.

deem it fit to support the families as they prepare for the burial of their loved ones. Mr. Governor has approved the payment of N2,500,000 million cash to the five families to assist in the burial of our slain heroes. After the burial, the Next of Kin of the fallen officers will get N1 million each, totaling N5 million.”

The SSG said the government would pay the medical bills of the policemen that were injured by the robbers.

He said: “We thank God for sparing the lives of those injured. We are happy that they are responding to treatment and wish them quick recovery. Mr. Governor has said the state will bear their medical expenses and will continue to monitor their recovery.”

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. David Ayoku thanked the government and prayed that the state would not experience such a loss of again.

HE Oyo State Government has trained 99 women across the 33 local government areas on catfish rearing, processing and marketing.

The women, mostly unemployed and physically-challenged, were trained for five days by the Ministry of Women Affairs.

At the closing of the program, various equipment were presented to the women.

Commissioner for Women Affairs Mrs. Atinuke Osunkoya said the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration will continue to embark on profitable ventures that will alleviate poverty.

Mrs. Osunkoya said: “The 99 participants will be grouped based on their localities and 33 smoking kiln will be provided for each local government area.”

She said each of the participants will be given a take-off grant of N20,000 and 2,500kg of table-size live catfish.

Mrs. Osunkoya urged the participants to manage their businesses well and become employers of labour.

One of the beneficiaries from Ona-Ara Local Government Area, Miss Mariam Oyedokun, thanked the government for giving her a source of income.

He said the investment is part of his Human Capital Development agenda to touch lives in rural areas.

Uduaghan said: “Every Deltan deserves to move around in a good and affordable vehicle. These buses will get Deltans to their destinations comfortably and at a reduced cost.”

He said majority of the

Marcopolo and TaTa buses would be run by Agofure Transport Company.

The governor said 50 of the Toyota buses would be operated by the National Union of Road Transport Workers, adding that both organisations have performed satisfactorily.

Uduaghan said the buses would be used within major

cities in the state.

He urged the end users of the vehicles to maintain them.

Commissioner for Transport Benson Igbakpa said the investment will create jobs and make transportation easier.

Igbakpa assured the governor that his Directorate will monitor the operators of the vehicles.

remain underfunded.

Nebo disagreed with the believe in some quarters that there are too many universities in the country.

He said of an average of 1.5 million youths who write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination yearly, only 400,000 get admitted.

Nebo said: “The 1.1 million who could not secure admission show that more universities are needed in the country.”

He said the high patronage of foreign Institutions by affluent Nigerians is the greatest challenge against the growth of Nigerian universities.

Nebo said the proposers of free tertiary education are the worst jokers. He said most of the advocates of free tertiary education spend fortunes on their children’s education abroad.

T

HE General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has urged lawyers to defend indigent citizens.

Adeboye spoke at the church’s headquarters in EbuteMetta, Lagos, during the Special Thanksgiving and Prayer Service for lawyers.

The theme of the programme was: ‘And I shall be your Solicitor’.

The programme was attended by over 100 lawyers, magistrates and judges from Lagos and Ogun states.

Adeboye said the number of prison inmates, who were being held without cause and have no one to defend them, is rising.

He said: “My joy knew no bounds when the Lagos State Attorney-General released thousands of inmates, who were detained illegally.

“We ministry to prisoners and know that many people are still being detained illegally, while those who should be in prison have successfully perverted justice because of their affluence.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

If we see investors who are ready to put in their funds, we can put in our funds and buy equity into the investment, but it must operate in Rivers State, so it can create employment opportunities for our people.

- Rotimi Amaechi, Governor of Rivers State

Naira firms on Mobil dollar sales

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HE naira strength ened slightly against the U.S dollar on the interbank market on yesterday, supported by dollar sales by a unit of ExxonMobil and some offshore investors buying local debt.

The naira according to Reuters, closed at N157.30 to the dollar on the interbank market, firmer than the N157.35 to the dollar it closed at the previous day.

Traders said Mobil Nigeria, a unit of ExxonMobil, sold $58.3 million to some lenders, while flows from offshore investors buying Treasury bills also provided support for the naira.

"Demand for dollars remained strong in the market, but dollar flows have continued to help reduce the pressure," one dealer said.

Dealers said many importers had taken advantage of cheaper dollar prices to bring forward their foreign exchange obligations, which would curb any further rises in the local unit from more dollar sales going foward.

"We see the naira maintaining the present level next week because of the expected month-end dollar sales by some oil companies," another dealer said.

The financial markets closed untill Monday because of a two day public holiday to celebrate a muslim festival.

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

-N6.503 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion

RATES Inflation -10.5% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending -22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $35.8b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

• From left: Executive Director (CII&T) Mr. Phillip Ikeazor; Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mrs. Funke Osibodu; Chairman of the Board, Mr. Richard Dick Kramer and Company Secretary, Mr. Somuyiwa Sonubi at the 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Union Bank of Nigeria PLC held on Tuesday at le Meridian Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo Akwa Ibom State.

N220b fund for women coming

Money laundering: EFCC calls for political will T T

From Nduka Chiejina,

HE Executive Chair man, Economic and Fi nancial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Lamorde has called for a strong political will to tackle anti-money laundering and terrorist financing in the country.

Speaking during an antimoney laundering training programme in Lagos, yesterday, Lamorde said promotion of an enduring political will is key to the realisation of the objectives of antimoney laundering crusade in the country. The event with the theme: “Fighting Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing in Nigeria: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” was organised by DataPro Nigeria Limited.

Lamorde, who was represented by an official, of the

By Akinola Ajibade

Financial Intelligence Unit, EFFC, Hanafi Baba-Ahmed, said lack of political will is one of the major problems facing the country today.

He said absence of a centralised statistical data on Anti-Money Laundering/ Control of Financial Terrorism investigations, freezing, seizure, forfeiture and confiscation, are responsible for the dismal performance of Nigeria during the mutual evaluation process conducted by the Inter-Governmental Agency Against Money Laundering (GIABA), in 2007.

He listed others as the nonexistence of a comprehensive

anti-terrorism legal framework, lack of proportionate sanction regimes, weak national and international coordination in anti-money laundering regime and absence of a centralised authority with the responsibility for the implementation of terrorist financing.

He said freezing and confiscation measures, as well as absence of explicit requirements in the laws for reporting transactions relating to terrorist financing or terrorist acts, are other drawbacks.

The Managing Director, DataPro Nigeria Limited, Abimbola Adeseyoju said there is need to put in place competent agencies with

requisite legal backing to freeze , seize and confiscate any laundered property or proceeds, including instrumentalities used or intended to be used for money laundering or terrorist financing.

Adeseyoju said the country must imbibe best practices in dealing with offenders as contained in the 2012 review of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) principles. “ Today, it is no longer required for an offender to demonstrate lawful origin of the property before it is confiscated. Once the offender’s known source of income cannot provide the basis for such property, it should be enough room for confiscation and conviction,” he said.

NBA backs CBN governor in autonomy battle

T

HE Nigerian Bar Asso ciation ( NBA) yester day, in Abuja, rose against moves by the National Assembly to remove the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN) from membership of the bank’s board NBA President, Okey Wali (SAN) made this call during the inauguration of three Standing Committees at the NBA Secretariat in Abuja.

He said: “ I can’t imagine how you can have a CBN Board without the Governor, it is unimaginable; it is like having a Na-

By John Austin Unachukwu

tional Judicial Council ( NJC) without the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

The National Assembly is currently considering a bill, which seeks to remove CBN Governor from being the chairman of the board of the Bank. This move is seen by many as a reaction against the perceived excesses of the Governor.

Wali stated that although the NBA called for the removal of the incumbent CBN Governor from office sometime ago, it was be-

cause the NBA felt that his position then was against the interest of Nigerians.

He however, argued that a situation where you now constitute the board of the Bank without the governor would not be in the interest of the institution, adding that the National Assembly should deal with institutions, not personalities.

The Chairman inaugurated three committees, which he said could wait till November when other committees of the association would be inaugurated.

The inaugurated committees are those on law-

yers Welfare Trust Fundwith Chief Ken. Njemanze (SAN) as Chairman, M. A. Abubakar, alternate Chairman and Linda Bala, Secretary.

The NBA Database Committee, which has Chief Augustine Alegeh (SAN) as Chairman, Liman Hassan (SAN), alternate Chairman and Effiong Ekong , Secretary. The Legislative Advocacy Working Group has Chief Paul Erokoro (SAN) as Chairman, Chief Arthur Obi Okafor, alternate Chairman and Elachi Agada, Secertary.

‘Only SMEs can rescue rising unemployment’

D

IRECTOR General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), Mr Mohammed Nadada Umaru, has has said only Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can rescue thousands trapped in the unemployment bogey in the country.

Mr. Umaru appealed to Nigerians to embrace and explore the many possibilities in entrepreneurial development to escape the trap of unemployment.

SMEDAN boss spoke through the Director of Strategic Planning and Policy of the Agency, Mr Olawale Fasanya in Ado Ekiti, capital of Ekiti state yesterday at

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

the opening of a 5-day small business opportunities fair at the Trade Fair ground in the State capital.

He urged state governments to put priorities on improving the sector for sustainable development to be attainable in the country.

He noted that “the development of small scale businesses is a cardinal focus of President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda.”

Umaru described the rate of unemployment among graduates as disheartening,

saying all efforts should be made to ensure that the youths are exposed to skills acquisition and entrepreneurial programmes. This, according to him, is the only spur the independence among the youth.

He assured that SMEDAN was focused on giving sufficient support to those youths who are favourably disposed to the idea of setting up small businesses.

Speaking at the event, State Governor Kayode Fayemi, represented by Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi, stated that the state government has set in motion processes to make

the state investors friendly.

The governor disclosed that the fair “was organised by the Southwest States to fast-track the industrial development of the zone and make it the economic hob of the nation”, noting that the role of industrial development in any society cannot be overstated.

According to him, government had shown “seriousness towards the development of SMEs in the State through the provision of funds for interested youths to set up their own small businesses especially through commercial agriculture.”

Asst. Editor

HE Federal Govern ment is working on a N220 billion fund to guarantee financial inclusion for women.

Addressing journalists on the recently launched Nigerian National Financial Inclusion Strategy in Abuja, yesterday, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, said the fund provides that 60 per cent of the amount would be targeted at businesses owned and managed by women.

The fund, which would be launched before the year, has the objective of helping women get long term funding at single digit interest rate with specific incentives for women.

Visafone launches CDMA BlackBerry services

By Lucas Ajanaku

N

IGERIA’s leading code division multiple ac cess (CDMA) service provider, Visafone Communications Limited and Canada-based makers of BlackBerry smartphones, Research In Motion (RIM), yesterday seal a deal in Lagos that will see the first CDMA Blackberry roll out in the country, more than a decade after liberalising the telecommunications sector.

Sector analysts say the launch of the service is a feat that marks first-time availability of CDMA BlackBerry smartphones in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, and it is a first in Nigeria.

A press statement endorsed by the two firms said the services will be available in the BlackBerry® Curve™ 9310, the BlackBerry® Curve™ 9370 and the BlackBerry® Bold™ 9930 from all the Visafone shops for prebooking from Monday, October 29. It added that the launch will benefit any Visafone customer that wants access to email, Internet and social networking apps, including BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™), Facebook®, Twitter™ and Social Feeds.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

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BUSINESS NEWS

NEXIM disburses N85b to 900 export projects

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HE Nigerian Export Import Bank, NEXIM yesterday disclosed that it had disbursed over N85 billion to support 900 export projects in the real sector.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr. Roberts Orya, stated this in Enugu at the Exporter Enlightenment Fo-

From Chris Oji, Enugu

rum organised by the bank at the Nike Lake Hotel.

He explained that the money was used mostly in Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, noting that apart from creating and sustaining over 300,000 direct and indirect jobs, the bank would also help in generating over

Southern Electricity denies NCP’s allegation

$1.2 billion in foreign exchange earnings for the country.

Orya added that NEXIM bank, as an official Export Credit Agency of the Federal Government, is working hard to justify its mandate of “diversification of the Nigerian economy through the provision of finance, risk bearing and policy support to the non-oil export sector.”

His said: “Giving our ef-

forts to develop the high growth sectors and increase employment generation in the country, we have also recently developed a funding programme for the creative and entertainment industry, in addition to a special scheme for SME exporters in the ECOWAS region”.

He called on the SouthEastern states to utilise the activities of small manufac-

turing industries in the region to contribute towards increased value added exports in the country.

He noted that Nnewi is regarded as the Japan of Africa in view of its industrial significance, stating that the Ariaria market in Aba, has grown to become the major hub of manufacturing, while Onitsha is a trade hub together with Enugu which has become the ma-

jor centre for the production of movies.

Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, in his speach, commended NEXIM for organising the event in Enugu.

Chime, who was represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Godson Nnadi, said the state has provided an enabling environment for economic activities to thrive.

• BPE insists rules were breached

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HE Southern Electric ity Distribution Com pany (SEDC), which was shortlisted alongside Vigeo Power Consortium for acquisition of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), has debunked allegation of fraudulent bid by the Technical Committee of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP).

But in a swift reaction, the BPE insisted that the SEDC contravened the bidding rules.

Head, Public Communications, BPE, Chukwuma Nwokoh, said: “SEDC in their statement admitted the charge of submitting two bids and going by the provisions of the RFP that is a contravention of the bidding rules. The BPE is at a loss as to what they have refuted in their statement.”

The NCP has said last Monday that SEDC failed in the bid for the Benin Disco from the beginning having contravened the rules and requirements of the Request for Proposal (RFP) by submitting two bids for one asset.

But a statement issued by SEDC yesterday refuted the allegation of cheating lev-

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

elled against it by submitting two different commercial bid proposals.

It said: “SEDC would like to state categorically that at no time did we did submit two different bids. In compliance with the investment schedule guidelines from the Request for Proposal from Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and the NERC directive on metering rollout, submitted one technical and commercial bid, but with two scenarios laying out different capital investment schedules.

“The scenarios were clearly laid out in the executive summary, with additional details on pages 52 and 53 of our technical bid (business plan). The technical bid, which was carefully studied and evaluated by the BPE was adjudged first, with a score of 898, without any complaints.

“The two scenarios proposed are: scenario one, which considered the CAPEX to be the same as in the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission multi-year tariff order (NERC MYTO), which is uniform year-onyear for the five years as required.

GUS 9 Records First Evictee

• From left: Emma Esinnah DGM, Corporate Comunications; Emeka Obiagwu GM, Lagos Branches, Janet Nnabuko, Head, PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA Ebanking, at a press briefing on Fidelity Bank PLC Cars and Cash Savings Splash promo.

Dutch votes 26m euros for agric

T

HE Agricultural Trans formation Agenda (ATA) of the Federal Government received a major boost as government of the Dutch Republic, Netherlands unveiled plans to support the agricultural sector with over 26 million euros.

Dutch Ambassador to Nigeria, Bert Ronhaar disclosed this in Abuja during the visit of Princess Maxima of Netherlands, to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.

The support, which includes a five-year programme, is targeted at promoting the cassava and co-

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

coa value chains expected to create over 100,000 jobs.

Ronhaar said: “The Dutch government is supporting the cassava industry and smallholders cassava growers in Nigeria with a contribution of 6 million euro developing the value-added chain in cassava, which result in creating employment and income for approximately, 100, 000 Nigerian farmers and families.

“At the same time, we are supporting the cocoa growers in the country in the cocoa industry and also the

value added chain in the cocoa industry and the total amount invested in debt programme, which will last for over 5 years is approximately 20 million euros.”

Describing the financial support as important, he noted that the ideas, philosophy, drive and experience Dutch is willing to offer should be seen more significant.

He said his government will soon commence a Public Private Partnership (PPP), nationwide programme next year to support stakeholders in agro processing and horticulture. The initiative will be implemented by the Interna-

tional Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) in partnership with local companies.

Earlier, Princess Maxima said her purpose of visit was to propose a National Strategy of Financial Inclusion for the country. The initiative, according to her is aimed at advocating agricultural financing for rural farmers.

She said: “The whole reason of being here is to propose a national strategy that will be of importance for Nigeria and the advocacy to really get as much as possible stakeholders including everybody involved in agriculture rural financing.”

Lagos schools to get e-learning centres

I

ofya Brown, the 25 year old Computer Science undergraduate, is the first evictee in Gulder Ultimate Search 9. Kofya, last night, had failed the first test by Gatekeeper Christopher Okagbue, and thus got the boot.

K

expressed his joy at getting the bar of soap. For failing the test, Kofya Brown’s Golden Key was withdrawn; thus her expulsion and consequent exit of the camp. Incidentally, she was also a half of the pair that lost the task the previous day.

A mental endurance challenge, the test required contenders to cross a lake, using a canoe as a bridge while memorising a set of symbols in the process. They were then required to replicate the arrangement of the symbols on a workstation using replicas placed at different spots on the ground.

Teary-eyed Kofya had a few words for her seven year old daughter: “…Jessica, don’t mind my tears, mummy loves you. Just know that even if I’m out here, I’ll still continue to do my best to give you what you deserve in life…”

Upon completion, each contestant’s work was inspected by the Gatekeeper.

If arranged correctly, the contestant makes task. If not, the exercise is repeated until he or she gets it right.

After several attempts by all, Ogbuefi Michael came tops. His reward was a bar of soap. The winners of the previous task got food as their reward, but the grin on Michael’s face

Earlier, Chidi Mokeme paid a surprise visit to the contenders.

He was disappointed that the golden keys were placed on the camp roof. He ordered them to construct a totem to hang the keys and keep the camp beautiful.

GUS 9, dubbed “The Gatekeeper ’s Fortune” continues tonight on AIT, African Magic World (DSTV) and Real Star (Star Times) at 10pm.

N line with its desire to make inormation com munication technology (ICT) the cornerstone of the development of the youths of the state, Lagos State government said it has concluded plans to establish elearning centres in all the schools in the state.

Mr Adebiyi Fatai Mabadeje, Commissioner for Science & Technology, who disclosed this Tuesday while conducting ICT editors round the magnificent state of the art E-Learning

By Lucas Ajanaku

Centre, said the world is now a knowledge driven one and Nigeria must not be left behind as knowledge in virtually every human endeavour is propelled and galvanised through ICT. According to him, as part of the state government’s ICT in Schools ptoject, elearning centres will be built, though not in the magnitude of the one built for concessioning, in every local government area and lo-

cal development councils across the state but will start by building one each of senatorial district of the state since “resources at the disposal of the state government is not infiniet.”

“We are looking at replicating the e-learning centre on a samller scale in schools across the state. We are trying to do this using the school as a hub.

We will begin with about 15 schools cutting across the senatorial districts, we are moving library from the physical to the elctronic,” he said.

According to him, the Lagos e-Learning Centre built ooposite Bookshop House at the Central Business District, Lagos Island, will be concessioned out to a private company. He added that before the year runs out, a credible firm that will manage the centre will emerge.

“That is why it is still not opened for public use. School children now come on excursion to the centre to inspect the facilities. It will be opened after due diligence has been conducted,” he assured.

Spills: ‘Oil firms evade compensation’

C

HAIRMAN Senate Committee on Envi ronment and Ecology, Senator Bukola Saraki, yesterday berated oil companies operating in the country for hiding under weak laws to dodge compensation arising from oil spillages.

The former Governor of Kwara State, who spoke at an interactive session with stakeholders, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and environmental activists in Abuja lamented that 50 per cent of oil spills

• Says negligence responsible for menace From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

results from corrosion of oil infrastructure.

He said this was against the claim by oil companies that 70 per cent of oil spills are caused by sabotage.

Mr Saraki added that the purpose of the meeting was meant to get the input of the stakeholders to the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) Act 2006 amend-

ment Bill 2012 which has scaled second reading before its final passage into law by the Senate.

He said: “The attitude of the average spiller to compensation is that of unwanted irritation because the extant framework for compensation for oil spillage under the Oil Pipelines Act is weak, ambiguous and ineffectual.

“Responsible parties for

oil spills have continued to hide under this ambiguity to escape liability.

“Instead of receiving adequate compensation, in most cases (if the people even get what is derogatorily termed palliative), they would rather give a few monies to angry youths, settle loud chiefs and pay no attention to the very weak and voiceless in these communities; whose farms and livelihood receive the heaviest hit by the spill.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

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THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

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INDUSTRY

UNIDO to invest N4.98b in industrial sector T

HE United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) is planning to invest N4.98 billion in the nation’s industrial sector .

Disclosing this during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ikeja branch, in Lagos, UNIDO representative in Nigeria Dr Patrick Kormawa said this is expected to develop the sector.

He added that the money would be used in poverty reduction, trade capacity building, energy and environment upgrade, which would involve building laboratories where goods produced in Nigeria would undergo testing before being exported to other parts of the world.

Stories by Toba Agboola

He said UNIDO decided to invest in Nigeria because it believes in the Nigerian economy and the growth of the manufacturing sector.

Kormawa said: “UNIDO thought it wise to provide this fund because of abysmally low contribution of manufacturing value added in GDP of only four percent in recent years, about the same level at independence in1960, much below average capacity utilisation for than two decades, the de-industrialisation of the economy due to massive closure and exit of several firms to neighbouring countries and the insignificant contribution of the sector to employment generation following massive downsizing in em-

ployment which accompanied persist low capacity utilisation.”

He said the economic success story of emerging economies of Southeast Asia, China and Brazil, which is evident in their upscale in global economic ranking, was essentially driven by their manufacturing success. “ If it happened in these countries, we, at UNIDO, fully subscribe to the view that the same success is also possible in Nigeria.

“Therefore, we will fully support all effort of the government, the industry and other stakeholders to achieve the much desire goal of making Nigeria one of the world’s major manufacturing centers in the ultimate quest to achieve sustainable industrial development,” he said.

Kormawa pointed out that if the desire is to see manufacturing as the main driver for unlocking sustainable wealth creation and prosperity, Nigeria would require a major paradigm shift from the calculus in the sector, especially if the sector is to achieve the over 30 percent share of Gross Domestic Product that is projected.

For this to happen, he said, the Federal Government must continue to pursue regional integration and global partnerships for accessing technology, creating a strong infrastructure base and utility services, and market for manufactured goods.

He said the inability of the government to extract optimum benefits from international trade agree-

ments further make the environment extremely unfriendly for manufacturing, resulting in smuggling, dumping, unemployment, poverty, insecurity and dwindling Foreign Direct Investment, adding that infrastructure challenge, high cost of funds and policy inconsistency prominently upset industrialisation efforts of successive governments and have restrained the sector from attaining the desired performance level to the detriment of employment generation and wealth creation for the nation.

To reverse this trend, he said the government at all levels, with the co-operation of the private sector operators, must come to terms with the realities and collaborate to take steps that would bring the sector out of the woods.

Vision 2020: ‘Govt should empower women in non-oil sector’

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OR the Federal Government to achieve the Vision 20:2020, it must empower women who are engaged in the non-oil sector, the Chairman, Institute of Exports , United Kingdom (UK), Mr Douglas Tweedle, has said.

He spoke at a workshop organised by the Nigerian Association of of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Business Women Group (NAWORG) in Abeokuta, Ogun State,.

He said if the Nigerian government was serious about boosting the nonoil sector, there was the need for it to assist the women.

He added that the country has to align with the global trends by diversifing its economic base from oil to non-oil sector.

Tweedle said women empowerment would ensure the growth of the economy and help in actualising the transformation and Vision 20:2020 agenda.

He lamented that Nigerian products were not doing well in the international market, like those of other African countries. “ I don’t see most Nigerians products in the UK as expected. We see mostly products from Ghana, Senegal and some other African countries.

I think the government need to focus more on the non-oil sector and women should be the main target,” Tweedle said.

He said this was the best way the country could acquire wealth and better the lives of it citizens.

He advised women who are into the exportation of non-oil sector products to understand the business well.

“You need to understand the market you are going to. You need to understand the various policies of the government of the country you want to export to, their foreign exchange and other things. “ You products need to be well-packaged and you need to consult with people who are already into it. Its very important,” Tweedle added.

The Chairperson, NAWORG, Iyalode Alaba Lawson, stressed the need for the government to overhaul the

existing export incentive regime for efficiency, including introducing new industrial incentive.

She said the government should carry the Organised Private Sector (OPS) along in its exports and exportrelated policies and activities through a sustainable Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) arrangement. She added that the government should ensure appropriate standardisation of export products, especially sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues for agricultural products.

“There should be establishment of border markets at some strategic locations. There should be adequate funding of non-oil commodities; development of infrastructural deficiency; provision of logistics to support supply value added chain; increase in dominance of primary commodities and high productive capacity; empowerment of small and medium scale enterprise through entrepreneurship; development of agro-allied industrial; packaging and labeling standards of made-in-Nigeria products; and focusing on the comparative and competitive advantages,” she said.

The President, NACCIMA, Dr Ademola Ajayi, urged the government to formulate a policy that would make it unlawful for foreigners to employ expatriates in retail businesses in the country.

“We have observed that majority of Nigerians today are engaged in micro and small businesses, especially retail trade as source of livelihood to reduce the present high unemployment level. With this development, we believe the time has come when certain jobs, such as retail distribution need to be reserved only for Nigerians to be self-employed, as well as avoid competing with foreigners in the local environment who may have better organisational skills and resources”, he said.

Ajayi lamented that despite the various strategies and initiatives of governments to transform the sector and boost productivity and investment in the sector, food sufficiency and security were yet to be increase.

From left: Wife of the Ogun State Governor Mrs Olufunke Amosun, Mrs Lawson, and Tweedle at the event.

From left: Vice Chairman,New Partnership for Africa’s development (NEPAD), Mrs Nike Akande; Chairman, NEPAD Group, Mr Goodie Ibru; Chairman of the occasion Dr Uduimo Itsueli at the second NEPAD Business Group-Nigeria Annual Ganeral Meeting (AGM)/Conference held in Lagos.

LCCI seeks concessionary import duties sustenance

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HE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has called on the Federal Government to sustain its policies on concessionary import duties and other charges in the automobile industry to make new cars cheaper.

Its President, Mr Goodie Ibru spoke at the Automobile and Allied Products Sectoral Group of the LCCI symposium tagged: Maintenance challenges within Nigerian automobile industry, at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.

He said the sector is the lifewire of the distributive trade sector of the

economy, adding that it was yet to attract the needed labour and finance to it.

He said the chamber acknowledged the efforts of the Federal and Lagos State governments in fixing the roads, but that they were yet to deliver the desired quality and number of road networks in the country.

Expressing his concern over the collapse and sub-optimal performance of automobile plants in Nigeria, Ibru said if the right policies were made, the plants could be revived, adding that instead of putting more burden on Nigerians buying

new imported cars or fairly used cars, policies on concessionary import duties should be sustained and this would enhance new cars market and reduce the burden of maintenance of old cars on the citizens.

In his keynote address, the Commissioner for Transport, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mr Kayode Opeifa, praised the transport sector, adding that the government was planning its future.

“There is no way our vehicles will serve the purpose it should serve without we doing the foundational work we ought to do. Our vehicle is

our asset. If we can maintain ourselves, we should be able to maintain our vehicles. This is the reason why we need to build auto garages to maintain our vehicles,”Opeifa said.

He said there was need to have auto shops in every corner of the state and train technicians, adding that it is one of the reason the Lagos State government put training colleges under the Lagos State Technical Education Board, restructured them and appointed engineers.

“If we can invest in these our colleges, it will be of benefit to the economy”, he said.

The Chairman, Automobile and Allied Products Sectoral Group of LCCI, Mr Oseme Oigiagbe, emphasised that the failure of the two-car plants and fourtruck plants which are almost in extinction has been a great challenge in the automobile industry.

He said the original purpose of secondary transfer for skill acquisition, employment generation and industrial development has been misguided by various policies in consistent regime, hence, the country is largely a fully built nation importing 350,000 units with over 80 per cent of used product as against local production.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

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INDUSTRY Firm introduces fibi sausage roll

From left: Mr Ojo; and Deputy Director-General, Oba Michael Adeshina, National Vice-President NACCIMA, PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS during the chamber’s briefing on its forthcoming national education summit in Lagos.

RAPIDO Foods Limited has introduced the fibi beef sausage roll into the market.

Speaking at the launch of the product in Owerri, the Imo State capital, its Executive Director, Mrs Ngozi Nneji, said fibi has natural beef, yummy texture and nourishment with pure indigeneous spices that distinguish it from other brands.

She said the objective to make fibi succeed in the market inspired the firm to formulate indigenous spices which were blended to make the unique recipe of fibi to excite consumers.

“We believe that fibi will have an edge over other brands of beef sausage roll because of the ingredients, the natural beef and the Nigerian spices. From the inception, we

wanted a brand of sausage roll that is truly unique and will appeal to Nigerian consumers in a way that consumers will continue to enjoy and look forward to it as distinct from other beef sausage rolls in the market and that is what you find in fibi beef sausage roll,” she said.

Also speaking at the official presentation of fibi to consumers, Mr Isijola Oriade, Business Development Manager of Rapido Ventures, said fibi sausage roll is produced with the Nigerian consumer in mind.

He said Rapido Foods Limited, makers of fibi, is aware that Nigerians cherish quality products and more so packaged foods, and as such, fibi beef sausage roll is designed to meet the desire for high quality food among Nigerians.

THE Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN)has said the development of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sub-sector will enhance the economy.

The Director-General, Alhaji Muhammad Nadada Umar, made the assertion when the Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation, Josephine Washima, visited the headquarters of the agency in

Abuja,. He said the neglect of the sector over the years had led to the high rate of unemployment in the country.

Nadada, who sought collaboration between the agency and stakeholders, said such cooperation would assist in providing sustainable jobs in the country through relevant programmes that would enhance entrepreneurial development.

SMEDAN canvasses SMEs development

Fed Govt to boost non oil sector through border markets

T •Guest speaker Victor Banjo (mn); Area Manager, ITF Lekki Office Ayoade Igbeyi; ITF Director- General’s representative,Director, Research and Curriculum Development, Ayo Alabi; QMBuilders,Head Operations, Funmi Bakare; Chevron Nig.Plc. Manager, Organisation Capability, Lande Mosuro and ITF Lekki office, Head of Training, Ajibola Ladokun at the Interactive Forum of the Lekki Area office recently. PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

NACCIMA calls for more vocational training HE Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) is set to revamp the educational system, especially technical and vocational training to have more employed youths.

Speaking at a briefing, the National Vice President, NACCIMA, Mr Michael Adesina, said the aim of the summit was to create a forum for public-private dialogue to address the dearth of technical and vocational education graduates with appropriate training.

He added that the problems of technical and vocational education were

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Stories by Toba Agboola

responsible for poor operation and maintenance of infrastructure in the country in the power sector, telecoms, agro business, construction, among others.

This limitation, he said, had resulted in poor quality of production and an oportunity for foreign investors to bring into the country thousands of lower and middle level technical manpower, thereby depriving the nation of job opportunities for its teeming youths.

“In the past, we had technical colleges that adequately addressed these issues, but in the modern era of information technology, these colleges are not up and doing which is the reason

foreign investors are not employing our youths. In fact, there should be a legislation guiding the foreign investors and whom to employ”, he said.

Adesina enjoined public and private sector stakeholders to financially support the summit through collaboration or sponsorship to reshape the future of educational system and the development of the nation through jobs and wealth creation.

He said some issues surrounding technical and vocational education would be addressed in the forthcoming NACCIMA National Education Summit entitled: “Technical and vocational education as driver for economic development and job creation,” billed for Abuja later in the year.

Tyre marketers to quit Idumota

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HE Association of Nigerian Tyre Marketers (ANTM) is to relocate from Idumota to its permanent site at the International Trade Fair Complex on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in May 2013.

The President of the association, Alhaji Issa Akanbi Mohammed, who disclosed this at a briefing in his office, expressed satisfaction with the rate of work at the new site, which is under construction. He invited tyre

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dealers and members of the public who wish to join the association do so.

According to him, the new tyre market will be called African Mobility Centre.

“The tyre edifice was named African Mobility Centre because all the facilities and infrastructure are of world standard. ANTM is the wheel of Africa; therefore, we cannot compromise our quality and objectives.

The mobility centre will provide adequate space, freedom, security, quality services and affordable prices for the shopping pleasure of all tyre dealers anywhere in Africa.

We hope to complete and move into the first phase of the centre by May next year, while construction will continue on Phase Two of the project. I invite all interested tyre dealers to come on board and own a shop there by registering at our secretariat,” he said.

Tata unveils vehicles

ATA Nigeria has unveiled a new range of its commercial vehicles, Tata Daewoo. It also launched a comprehensive warranty policy, benchmarking its industry by extended its warranty to enable its customers to get the best value from its products.

Speaking during the launch in Lagos, Mr Anil Shakar, said the warranty launch included repairing buses free.

“Since commercial vehicles are sub-

ject to more rigorous use, we have decided to extend the warranty period even though our vehicles are very durable. We want to give our customers the best, thereby making us the global market leaders in private and commercial vehicles in Nigeria.”

Tata has engaged local engineers in training and has over the years focused on the tractor segment, with a range of products, offering sales, ser-

vices and spare parts.

Shakar said it would pay keen attention to investment opportunities in Nigeria. “Our global full ranges of products are fuel efficient, convenient and modern style according to Nigerian need. We have big expectation for Nigeria because Nigeria has a big possibility and opportunity with young and large man power. We have partnered with the standards organisation to provide quality and assured products,” he said.

HE Federal Government has concluded plans to establish international border markets in six locations across the country.

The Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Mr Samuel Ortom, disclosed this in Abuja at a briefing on the third Nigeria Non-Oil Export Conference, Exhibition and Award (NNECEA) 2012.

His message was delivered on his behalf by Malam Abubakar Aliyu, an Assistant Director in the ministry.

The minister said the measure was part of its strategy aimed at checking smuggling as well as enhancing the non-oil export growth.

He said the measure was to serve as a means of formalising the informal trade.

“The ministry will be working with all the stakeholders so that the quantum of trade in the sector will be captured. With the measure, Nigeria will be better off,” he said.

The co-chairman of the Joint Planning and Implementation Committee of the conference, Mr Femi Boyede, said there was a need for an aggressive development of the nonoil export sector.

He said the three-day conference, scheduled to hold between November 4 and November 6, was borne out of concern that the nation’s survival could no longer be anchored solely on crude oil export earnings.

Boyede said the conference, which would be attended by foreign companies across the globe, would also

help to teach the participants about the products’ currently being exported and those with high export potential.

“NNECEA 2012 is not a talk show and that is the reason the conference is not on the classroom presentation format. The format adopted is actually an interactive forum approach,” he said.

Director, Special Services, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, NEPC, Mr Olajide Ibrahim, said it was organised by the NEPC in collaboration with Koinonia Venture Ltd. He said it aims at expanding the country’s revenue base by focusing more on non-oil products to reduce the dependence on crude oil.

According to him, NEPCKoinonia collaboration conference is a synergy with stakeholders in the sector which included NAFDAC, the Customs Service and other regulatory agencies.

Ibrahim also said a major component of the conference would be the Presidential Export Awards which was incorporated to support performing companies and encourage upcoming ones to work judiciously to boost the economy.

“The award is not a social one; it is performance recognition as a tool that has been used by countries that are at the top ten of the world’s economy.”

“The company which gets the best exporter award will be a challenge to other companies in the sector,” he said.

Funding bane of solid minerals development MINISTER of Mines and Steel Development Mr Musa Mohammed Sada has identified poor funding as a major problem of the minerals and metals sector.

He said a better method of funding was necessary if the government must achieve its objective of diversifying from oil and gas to solid minerals.

Sada spoke during the visit of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, led by its Chairman, Senator Abdulahi Adamu, in Abuja.

Sada, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Linus Awute, said: “Until there is a consistent funding window built on equity and justice for the development of solid minerals sector of the economy, the desired results can hardly be achieved.”

He said as at September, this year, N340 million had been released to the ministry, of the N834.57million appro-

priated for 23 capital projects. These include drilling of boreholes, procurement of geological equipment, consultancy services for reclamation of abandoned mines among others.

“With regards to the 2012 budget, the ministry has 23 capital projects all of which are in progress,” he said.

Sada said payments for completed projects had been made and the projects execution had reached 73.24 per cent. He assured that the ministry would achieve 100 per cent project implementation by the end of 2012, if funds were disbursed promptly.

He attributed the delay in project execution to the late release of funds, saying that the ministry was proactive in addressing various problems confronting the nation’s minerals and metals sector.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

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COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

National shame

• Federal Government should not leave our ambassadors stranded in foreign lands

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FFICIALLY, Nigeria may not be broke, but its foreign missions in Europe and the Americas are.

Right now, they are insolvent and therefore cannot pick their electricity, water and telephone bills and pay for sundry expenses. Salaries have been unpaid for about two months. Countries most affected are Switzerland, Italy, Geneva, Canada, the United States and Germany.

This is saddening because, in a sense, it is washing the country’s dirty linen not just in public, but abroad. Amidst this maddening development, it is instructive to note that the embassies and missions dare not fail to pay their non-Nigerian staff. This speaks volumes of the respect these countries have for the dignity of labour, compared to the situation in Nige-

‘The Federal Government should move swiftly to save the country’s image. It is in Nigeria that government agencies use all kinds of facilities and refuse to pay; abroad, you either pay for the services rendered or you are cut off. It would be disgraceful to shut down any of our embassies or high commissions on account of their inability to pay their bills. So, the government should, in the short run, collate whatever arrears we are having on all these foreign missions with a view to clearing them immediately’

ria where workers can go without salaries for months. So, even as the Nigerian staff seem helpless in spite of the humiliation that non-payment of salaries attracts, they are compelled to pay the salaries and allowances of their local members of staff from proceeds from visa applications which ordinarily, they should not have tampered with.

A report describes the situation succinctly: “We have lost the chance of enjoying credit facility of any kind in Geneva because they know that as a Nigerian, you will definitely default in payment. What Nigerian Embassy officials do is to use Ghanaians as go-between to access credit facility and rent apartments.

That person is usually the front otherwise, if you present yourself as a Nigerian, you’ve failed from the outset.” It is so bad that long-standing staff resort to use their credit cards to do what should ordinarily be done from embassy funds.

Things got to a head last week such that Ambassador Ojo Maduekwe, the high commissioner to Canada, had to run home cap in hand, to discuss the matter with President Goodluck Jonathan who, in turn, reportedly referred him to the Minister of finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mrs. Ngozi OkonjoIweala.

But why would the country put itself in this avoidable embarrassment? It is unpardonable even for any Nigerian to bring such shame upon himself, not to talk of the country. Could this be an extension of

our inability as a nation to plan? Are we not overreaching ourselves in terms of the number of embassies and high commissions we maintain (or cannot maintain) worldwide? Is the country not aware of the age-long maxim: ‘cut your coat according to your size’?

The Federal Government should move swiftly to save the country’s image. It is in Nigeria that government agencies use all kinds of facilities and refuse to pay; abroad, you either pay for the services rendered or you are cut off. It would be disgraceful to shut down any of our embassies or high commissions on account of their inability to pay their bills.

So, the government should, in the short run, collate whatever arrears we are having on all these foreign missions with a view to clearing them immediately.

In the long run, however, we should start thinking of ways to reduce the number of such missions. There is no basis to have them in some of the countries we presently do. What the government should do is to evaluate the missions visa-vis our foreign policy objectives and prune them accordingly.

What this implies is that the pork from ambassadorial postings may have to be reduced to reflect the economic realities.

But that is the sensible way to go because some things may be politically expedient but economically foolish. Ambassadorial posting is one of such things. We don’t have to expose our ambassadors to temptations in foreign lands.

A traumatic idea •What the country needs is integrated emergency response, not new trauma centres

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T cannot be a bad idea if, to better cope with future emergencies, the federal authorities are initiating moves to put in place “six more first-class trauma centres”, in the geo-political zones in the country. That is at least some positive reaction to the crippling floods that just sacked the nation.

But it is moot point if that is the smartest way to react to the country’s emergency challenges – investing in brand new trauma centres, instead of improving upon the quality of the present ones; and better integrating the various subsets of emergency response and control.

Speaking at a health management delivery workshop in Jos, Plateau State, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, health minister, said the envisaged trauma centres, to be in place before this year runs out, were part of a comprehensive supply of stateof-the-art equipment for emergency health services.

The minister decried the present nearuncoordinated situation which, in his opinion – and rightly so – should give way to a fully integrated emergency management, spanning all the six components: anticipation, risk assessment, prevention, preparation, response and recovery.

Speaking through Dr. Michael Arene, director of special projects at the Federal Ministry of Health, the minister pledged to “put in place structures, processes and procedures that would address health emergencies from household, community, local government, states to the na-

tional levels.”

This bottom-up approach, with a special eye on prevention, which in any case is better than cure, is laudable and welcome. But it is strange how this laudable step necessarily translates into building six brand new trauma centres, even if the minister, to be fair, also stressed the compelling need to improve the quality or adequacy of the present trauma centres.

Inasmuch as new trauma centres are no anathema, a more pressing need should be working on the integration of the present ones; as well as on every part of the emergency response chain. That would be cheaper, more responsive and more effective. If after all these had been attained, and there is still the need for investment in new trauma centres, then the government can go ahead.

These points are made with the best of intentions and with every sense of responsibility, given the penchant of the ruling elite to conjure fresh (and most times, needless) expenses in reaction to disasters, most of which are avoidable in the first place. On the face of it, it would appear a reasoned response. But really, it is another cynical show of throwing money at a public problem for private profit. It is the classical Nigerian way of splashing cash just to put up a show that a problem is being solved. In most cases, it ends up as empty grandstanding which achieves the double jeopardy of emptying the till for a dubious cause, while genuine and pressing problems stay unattended to.

Indeed, the minister himself alluded to the burning need for close integration when he talked about the Integrated National Emergency Ambulance Service (INEAS) under which all ambulances in the country, for emergency relief, are coordinated under one roof for maximum efficiency and effectiveness. That is a good idea. But it does not mean the government needs to buy new ambulances to make coordination possible.

Let the minister therefore concentrate on the integration question. That itself, if successfully done, would serve as scientific audit to recommend what areas of the country need new trauma centres.

That would appear a reasonable path to tread in managing scarce national resources, except of course it is golden way to crooked means, which is quite a possibility.

‘Inasmuch as new trauma centres are no anathema, a more pressing need should be working on the integration of the present ones; as well as on every part of the emergency response chain. That would be cheaper, more responsive and more effective. If after all these had been attained, and there is still the need for investment in new trauma centres, then the government can go ahead’

In third debate, candidates agree on more than you’d think

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ITT ROMNEY ENTERED Monday night’s debate trailing President Obama in polls on foreign-policy aptitude and wanting to demonstrate that he could be a sober and competent commander in chief. He began by striking an elevated tone — only to encounter an aggressive and slashing opponent.

Republicans who expected Mr. Romney to renew attacks on Mr. Obama for his handling of a terrorist attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, were disappointed. Instead the GOP candidate chose to address broadly the turmoil across the Middle East, calling for policies to “try to get the Muslim world to reject extremism” and congratulating Mr. Obama on the killing of Osama bin Laden.

Mr. Obama responded with the first of a number of attacks, telling Mr. Romney, “Every time you’ve offered an opinion you’ve been wrong” and assailing “wrong and reckless leadership that is all over the map.”

“Attacking me is not an agenda,” Mr. Romney answered.

That set the tone for a debate in which — ironically — the candidates agreed more than disagreed on substance. Mr. Romney joined Mr. Obama in swearing off U.S. military intervention in Syria; they agreed that Egyptian strongman Hosni Mubarak should have been pushed from power. They concurred that the United States would back Israel if it were attacked, and that China’s trade abuses should be checked.

Both candidates promised that U.S. troops would be out of Afghanistan by the end of 2014, and neither mentioned ongoing talks between the U.S. and Afghan governments over a residual force. Mr. Romney backed Mr. Obama’s use of drone strikes in Pakistan and added that he did not fault the administration for the deterioration of U.S.-Pakistani relations.

On Iran, Mr. Obama sought to head off Mr. Romney’s accusations of ineffectiveness in stopping Tehran’s nuclear program by delivering one of the strongest statements he has made about his willingness to use force: “The clock is ticking,” he said. “If they do not meet the demands of the international community, then we are going to take all options necessary to ensure they don’t have a nuclear weapon.” He first denied that bilateral negotiations with Iran were planned after the election, then later thanked Mr. Romney for supporting the possibility of such talks.

But Mr. Obama repeatedly sought to put Mr. Romney on the defensive, at one point accusing the Republican of having wanted to keep troops in Iraq while denying that the White House had supported a stay-on force. In fact, as Mr. Romney pointed out, the administration tried and failed to negotiate an agreement with the Iraqi government on such a force. When Mr. Romney offered a well-worn indictment of Mr. Obama for weakness, saying he had conducted “an apology tour” abroad, Mr. Obama called that “the biggest whopper of the campaign.”

One significant difference emerged, on defense spending, where Mr. Obama repeated his charge that Mr. Romney was proposing $2 trillion in budget increases that the Pentagon had not asked for. Mr. Romney argued that the Navy and Air Force has been allowed to shrink too far; Mr. Obama sarcastically responded that the military also had fewer horses and bayonets than in decades past.

At times, and despite the best efforts of moderator Bob Schieffer to keep the discussion on foreign policy, the candidates veered into domestic policy, from the merits of smaller class sizes in schools to the auto bailout to the familiar but still unanswered question of how Mr. Romney would pay for his planned reduction in tax rates. The domestic discussion broke little ground, but the emergence during the foreign policy debate of what Mr. Obama called the importance of “taking care of business here at home” underscored the degree to which the economy remains the dominant issue of the election.

– Washington Post

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THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: An appreciable progress was made in the privatisation programme of PHCN with the emergence of successful bidders for five generation stations and 10 out of the 11 unbundled distribution companies on September 25 and October 16, respectively.

This journey even though a tortuous one has put paid speculations that privatisation of the power sector may not be feasible this year. For the drivers of this agenda of government: the National Council on Privatisation and the Bureau of Public Enterprises it calls for celebrations.

As usual, the exercise has polarized stakeholders in the sector who have been speaking for and against the process leading to the eventual selection of the preferred bidders. The dust raised is yet to settle and will not settle in the near future.

First, the value of the entire PHCN as against its present market price of 200 billion naira has been faulted by the in- house union of PHCN which claimed it was prodigal to sell an asset worth two trillion naira at such a giveaway price. Second, transparency of the privatisation programme was also called to question by the governors of Delta, Edo, Ondo and Ekiti States whose governments or their personalities are backing Southern Electricity Distribution Company which failed to clinch Benin Distribution Company.

The governors granted a press conference alleging backhand deals. They vowed to stop Vigeo Group the preferred bidder from taking over the Benin Zone which Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State claimed they have been spending money on its distribution facilities and transmission networks.

These governors in their capacity as state executives or as individuals cannot lay claim to be the only ones that have contributed to the growth of PHCN. What of the

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What next after PHCN sale? monies spent or contributed by spirited individuals, communities, companies, corporate bodies, banks and Non-Governmental Organisations in buying poles, transformers, cables, fuses, repairs of transmission networks or transformers and other accessories all in the bid to ensure that their businesses or localities get supply?

Should they equally ask for refund or become an obstacle to the process? According to reports, the winner offered 21.78% while Southern Electricity backed by the governors offered 17.78%.

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The lone voice of reason by key stakeholders has since been drowned and overtaken by events in the perceived non-performance of PHCN itself. The opinion of most Nigerians no doubt has tilted in favour of what the drivers of the programme promised in the aftermath of the process. To that effect we all forget that it is our collective responsibility to know how and why our patrimony should be disposed at such ridiculous prices. The allegation made the governors even though weighty cannot cast any

meaningful doubt on the process because it was done in bad faith. It was selfish. They only raised alarm because they were outsmarted.

These governors and others are free to register companies to bid and run public utilities on their behalf for the good of their states because the expected revenue will improve the lots of their people.

They are also free with all intent and purposes and with due respect too to cry wolf if there was any.

But this hullabaloo is typical of Nigerian leaders in all its ramifications. Nigerians are

Among those that received other awards at the event are the governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji and three Police Commissioners from Nigeria.

‘Security Watch Africa’ is an organisation that sets security agenda for African leaders and is at the forefront of celebrating Security and Safety Excellence in Africa.

It is worth recalling that the administration of Senator Amosun inherited serious security problem where armed robbers operated with effortless ease which many times forced banks operating in the state to lock their gates against customers for fear of attacks. But the governor responded positively importing 13 Armoured Personnel Carriers(APC’s) from the United States; bought 125 patrol vans fitted with communication gadgets, purchased 1000 AK-47 rifles, 500 bullet proof vests,500 bullet proof helmets as well as two million

rounds of ammunition for security operatives to be able to combat the hoodlums.

The state government also instituted a Security Trust Fund headed by former Director General of the State Security Service,Col. Kayode Areh as well as secured approval from the Presidency to raise a joint military police patrol team code named ‘Operation Mesa’ At the launch of the security equipment, the governor had told the gathering that the state government had to airlift six of the APC’s from the United States because of the urgent security challenges the state was facing.

Governor Amosun, who explained how the state came about the stateof –the art APC’s said, “we spotted the APC on internet at a security trade fair in US and we immediately contacted the manufacturers who were very elated that immediate order was

advised not to be hoodwinked by this saintly posture of these governors. Where were they when some stakeholders, the unheard voices of PHCN staff were at one time opposing this entire process and lately advocating transparency?

What next after the privatisation of PHCN should be the question.

Do these qualified bidders actually have the needed wealth of experience and technical know-how to transform the moribund power sector? Will they be able to provide Nigerians with the expected quality and efficient non-stop power supply everyone yearns for?

Will electricity be affordable to an average Nigerian when government eventually hands off?

These are what should bother Nigerians.

• Sunday Onyemaechi Eze Samaru, Zaria

Amosun: A honour well deserved

IR: For those versed with developments in Ogun State, the recent award to Governor Ibikunle Amosun as the “Best Security Conscious State Governor in West Africa” by Security Watch Africa, was not unexpected. The award was recognition for excellence and commitment to a strongly held ideal.

The Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Security Watch Africa, Dr Theresa Oppory Beeko, stated that the awards were instituted to encourage governments across West Africa to confront the challenge posed by insecurity, as businesses could only thrive in a peaceful environment.

Beeko singled out Governor Amosun for deserving the”Best Security Conscious State Governor in West Africa” because of what she identified as his achievements in the security sub-sector since May, 2011 when he assumed the leadership of Ogun State.

being placed for their product. We ordered 10, but the manufacturers told us they can only get six immediately. So we decided to fly them in because of the urgency involved”.

Interestingly, since the intervention, crime statistics in the state has crashed significantly and fatality among policemen have equally reduced. Hoodlums suddenly found the state unsafe for their nefarious operations as policemen backed by soldiers either kill or maim robbers that dared to venture into the state.

Even some kidnappers that seized the spouse of the Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly and decided to hibernate in Ogun, had a bitter story to tell in the hands of men of the state Vigilante Serviceanother Amosun creation to tackle the problem of insecurity.

• Olusola Balogun Abeokuta, Ogun State

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

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COMMENTS

Racial factor in US election

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HE election of Barak Obama four years ago was a victory for non-racial democracy. Obama is therefore a transitional leader that is taking America from its racist past to a glorious future where it will be the quality of one’s mind and not his race that would be the objective measurement of one’s character. In the 1920s, President Harding was virtually driven out of office because rumours had it that his skin colour was changing and that he probably had black blood in him. Whether true or not, the poor man died apparently in frustration and desperation.

It would have been unthinkable some decades ago for someone with Obama’s look to even aspire to be a senator not to talk about being the President of the United States.

In the 1960s, Obama would not have been able to freely have a cup of coffee or a meal in a restaurant in the southern part of the Unites States unless he went to a black restaurant. He would not have been able to sit anywhere in a bus except at the back because the front rows were reserved for whites. If he was pressed, he would not have been able to ease himself in any toilet in a restaurant as whites would normally be able to do.

When James Meredith was admitted to the University of Mississippi, he had to be protected by federal troops sent in by the Kennedy administration because the then governor of Mississippi said James Meredith would only be admitted on his dead body. In short, as a result of President Lyndon Johnson’s reforms of the 1960s and the activism of the supreme court of the United States, Americans of all colours do not only have rights under the law but these rights are justiceable. What the Obama elections represents is the triumph of reason over imbecility in American social and political life.

There is still racism in the United States sometimes this is hidden and sometimes this is open. The so called Tea Party Movement within the Republican Party is openly racist and sometimes depicting Obama as a monkey and asking him to go back to Africa where he can have as much bananas as he likes. Sometimes the expression of freedom of speech in America can go to the extreme, the kind of extreme that makes it possible to ridicule Islam on the recent film on Prophet Mohammed that created a lot of problems globally for the American government.

The former President Jimmy Carter said that white Americans have suddenly woken up and realized that they elected a black man as president and they are very scared and many of them see the coming election as a way of changing the situation. This is an uncomfortable truth but it is no less the truth. The Financial Times of London owned by the Murdock group that also owns the rabidly conservative if not racist Fox network in an editorial opinion sometimes in August 2012 said that this coming election is the last chance for white Americans to take back political power. It came up with some crude statistics that the number of Blacks, Latinos, Asians, and native Americans by the next decade would outnumber those of the whites and that a coalition of this visible minorities may in the foreseeable future dominate American politics.

This is of course nonsense but it is remarkable that a prestigious newspaper like the Financial Times would give vent to this crude racism. Mitt Romney, the republican candidate dismisses Obama’s supporters as government dependents, that is, those who cannot do without government support while his own supporters he will want us to see as the real Americans of the traditional American dream. That is those who build themselves up by their boot straps. Ordinarily if Mr Obama were a white person, he will easily be re elected especially running against a man who is a bishop in the church of the Latterday Saints otherwise known as the Mormons, a sect that many Americans see as strange.

Apart from that, Romney has a lot of skeletons in his wardrobe especially centring around sharp business practices and underpayment of taxes. Obama inherited from President George Bush two wars and a doddering economy that was on the verge of collapse. The iconic motor industries of Detroit particularly General Motors and Chrysler had to file for bankruptcy before the Obama administration intervened and saved them. If they had collapsed, millions of American jobs would have gone down the drain. The same thing can be said of American banks and insurance companies involved in the mortgage scandals that were rescued by the Obama’s administration yet 8% of Americans are unemployed but it could have been worse. In the area of foreign policy,

Obama is winding down the war in Afghanistan after he had done that in Iraq. He is trying to avoid being sucked into another war in Iran and Syria and his use of drones has saved many American lives who would have had to be sent across the boundary of Afghanistan to Pakistan to fight Jide the Taliban. His Osuntokun administration has managed to stay on the side of the people in the so called Arab Spring Movement.

He has not been able to bring peace to Israel and Palestine but if re-elected, he may be able to do this because he will no longer be constrained by the power of the Jewish lobby.

Personally I wish he will be re-elected. This is for psychological reasons from seeing a black man in the most powerful position in the world. But in reality, we Africans have not benefited much from the Obama presidency. The only benefit if at all is psychological.

‘It came up with some crude statistics that the number of Blacks, Latinos, Asians, and native Americans by the next decade would outnumber those of the whites and that a coalition of this visible minorities may in the foreseeable future dominate American politics’

Tried, yet unbruised and unbowed If a political party does not have its foundation in the determination to advance a cause that is right and that is moral, then it is not a political party; it is merely a conspiracy to seize power. Dwight D. Eisenhower

F

ROM a non-existent, comatose status, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) hitherto non-existent in the political firmament of Ondo politics suddenly sprouted some five months back.

For a state that had been ruled by the PDP for six years straight under Agagu and later under the jackboots of Mimiko of the Labour Party for four years, it would be almost unthinkable for any party to want to contest for power. But not the ACN and its leadership.

Convinced that parties are set up contest for power no matter, a right no one can question, satisfied that the party had a sellable ideology and formidable platform and determined to change the face and direction of Ondo politics, ACN threw its hat in the ring.

Thus, in less than six months, the party energised its base and changed the political temperature of Ondo politics. With both hands on the lever, the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Tinubu led the charge to rebuild the party. Deploying many of his traditional political associates to pound the ground in Ondo, he employed his strategic prowess to put the party back in gear and into reckoning. What followed was a flurry of activities that soon turned the political battle in Ondo into a battle royale. What seemed like a walk over for Mimiko became a battle for his political survival.

Having parted ways with those who paved his way to power, and pelted stones at those who stood up for him when it mattered most, Mimiko with power, money and the coercive instruments of the state in his hands become a demi-god-a

By Sunday Akin Dare governor turned Sheriff. For Mimiko, Ondo State was his farm and no one else dare attempt to take it over. But every student of politics knows that one of the very elementary lessons of politics is that the competition for power is constant, fierce and atimes can be brutal. Parties and politicians are in business to contest for power, to seek to unseat their opponents or even members within their party, to take advantage of their opponents and seize on opportunities.

Hans J. Morgenthau captures the essence of power when he said “The struggle for power is universal in time and space and is an undeniable fact of experience. It cannot be denied that throughout historic time, regardless of social, economic and political conditions, states have met each other in contests for power. .. all politics, is a struggle for power.”

The game of politics is not a game for the lily-livered. It is not one for the sentimental or the nonrisk taker. So when people complain about ACN or any other party challenging Mimiko for the governship seat of Ondo, I wonder what planet they are from. It is well within their right.

That the Action Congress of Nigeria, entered the race, stomped the grounds in Ondo, articulated a party manifesto and competed according to the rules of the game should be enough to earn it kudos. Any other argument about ACN and Ondo falls by the way side and on stony ground. Why do some people feel Mimiko or any other governor for that matter cannot be challenged at the polls when election time comes? The mere fact that a time limit is set for the tenure of elected officials at the expiration of which they must return to the electorate

to earn a new mandate suggests that others that desire to hold such positions must be given the chance to compete. Therein lies the most fundamental ingredient of democracy which is the right of the people to either vote in or vote out representatives they do not like. There is no morality about what party, which individual or group can enter the race to contest for power. There is also no questioning of the rationale or the right or motives of such persons or parties to enter the race.

What suffices is that the party or individual fulfils the requirements to compete.

In Ondo, we have seen our democracy benefit from very spirited political campaigns, debates and multi-party exposure. The ACN brought a new spark, glamour and excitement to the governorship race.

But more than that, it brought out the issues and forced all those in the race to compete for the votes and support of the electorate.

The Ondo election has come, but it has not gone. In the next few weeks and months there will emerge evidence of vote manipulation, rigging, and other infractions that occurred that may form the basis for legal action. The gloss over the election will wear off. The maximum use of thuggery, the criminal acts of ballot snatching, the perpetration of violence and scare mongering that characterized the Ondo elections no matter how much they try to hide them will soon be revealed.

It is sufficient for now to accept the fact that a winner has been announced in Mimiko, but to claim he won a landslide, that he was the preferred choice of the people and that he was politically invincible by breaking the second term jinx is to stretch the Mimiko narrative too far into the realm of the ridiculous. For instance, Mimiko’s victory is neither resounding nor a landslide as we are being made to believe. With

only about 1 in 6 voting for him in the election and with a 41.6 per cent of total votes cast in his favor fell short of getting a majority vote.

However, in the combined 51 per cent scored by the PDP and the ACN, it is evident that the Ondo people voted more for a change than for Mimiko.

I must return momentarily to the antagonists of the idea of Southwest integration for development.

When the media spinners, pundits and a tribe of political charlatans seek to pooh-pooh the idea of the South-west integration by referring to it as a thirst for territorial expansion and political hegemony, one is left to wonder where they were when Awolowo united the Southwest and marched the region forward in bold steps towards development. Of course all was well until the most classic political betrayal yet in the annals of political history occurred and Akintola broke ranks with Awolowo. There is nothing wrong with the push for regional integration or South-west integration. It is not a crime in our books for parties or individuals seek to unite their people or region towards rapid development. It is purely legitimate. That is why we have the South-south states beginning to integrate. The north under the Arewa Consultative Forum and Middle Belt Forum are all attempts at regional integration which no one dares question. To now seek to question the move towards the South- west integration as championed by Tinubu and the ACN governors reeks of political bad blood and opportunism. That they seek to win more governors or persons to their cause is also very legitimate.

The Yoruba have in Asiwaju Tinubu a dogged fighter for the race. It is on record that perhaps after Awolowo and Abiola, no other single individual has invested in the Yoruba cause. We ask pointed of those of the Afenifere and their co-

horts who claim to be more Awolowo than the rest of us what is it that they have done to advance the cause of the Yoruba nation. The people do not know or reckon with them. They are the ones who eat the three course meal meant for the people and give nothing back. They are the ones in whose influence does not extend beyond the street where their house is situated. We saw their likes at work during the times of Awolowo and Abiola. It can be no different for Asiwaju Tinubu. In the unfolding developments around the Ondo elections, the Yoruba nation is yet exposed as intolerant of successful political leaders and too much in a hurry to demonize them.

Now that the Ondo election as thrown up these issues once again, we must proceed with care and reasoning devoid of parochialism. The ACN from being a mere onlooker in Ondo politics now has a foothold, a stake and political actors now and future elections at all levels must reckon with the party. The party has lived true to the assertion made by H.L Henry that “Under democracy one party always devotes its chief energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule - and both commonly succeed, and are right.”

Definitely, the last has not been heard of the Ondo elections. The last election is just one battle and there will be several more. The war is still afar off. The ACN for one will continue in its dogged pursuit of ensuring that the process of election is transparent and the playing ground is levelled. It will seek to send the message that the party is willing to concede defeat only when it is sure that no advantage was accorded its opponents either by the powers that be in Abuja or by the umpire, in this case INEC in the October contest.

Those that seek power by all means must also be ready to answer when the roll is called up yonder.

• Dare is media adviser to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

22

COMMENTS

W

ITH the spate of virulent attack on President Ebele Jonathan even from his own South-south constituency over the ceding of Bakassi home to about 300,000 Nigerians to Cameroon, it is difficult not to sympathise with him. The final phase of the Bakassi tragedy could not have come at a worse time for a president facing the crisis of legitimacy from the whole of the North-east and that of identification from the South-west that has sustained a principled opposition to nearly all the policies of a president who has equally responded by shutting out the area for appointments to sensitive positions in his administration.

It is of little relief to the president’s critics including his cousins who have called for his impeachment over the Bakassi national tragedy that his role was no more than that of a caretaker long after the deeds had been done by other state leading actors such as Balewa, whose naiveté was exploited by Ahmadou Ahidjo, a fellow northerner with roots in Nigeria, Gowon who panicked over the threat of Ojukwu, his friend and rival to the unity of Nigeria and Obasanjo, who having tasted war, opted for diplomatic settlement following unfavorable ICJ ruling against Nigeria.

Jonathan, who those who have become immigrants in their own country had thought should be most touched by their plight on account of being from South-south, was deemed to have performed less gallantly than former state actors such as Shehu Shagari, Murtala Mohammed and even Sanni Abacha.

It was Shehu Shagari who for instance told his Cameroonian counterpart “that the existing Nigerian border at the sea coast of Rio Del Rey was protected by the OAU Resolution of 1964, respecting the inviolability of inherited colonial boundaries”. It was also Murtala Mohammed who consigned the Maroua declaration into the cooler insisting no part of Nigeria will be ceded to appease supporters of Nigeria during her civil war, while Abacha on his part called off the bluff of Cameroon over the disputed Bakasi peninsula.

One can therefore understand why Cross River State that has half of its Efik population forcibly removed from their ancestral homes felt betrayed by the Nigerian state for failing to appeal the ICJ ruling especially after its Attorney General had provided seven additional grounds for an appeal.

The ruling itself was a travesty of justice,

T

HE partial removal of the oil subsidy sparked off nationwide protests. The act was seen as sledge-hammer against the common man. Federal Government explained away that the proceeds, as savings, should be used to build critical infrastructure by all tiers of government.

The envisaged infrastructure would benefit immensely the common man in totality of their daily lives. Skeptics were wary that such had remained government rhetoric.

Since the arguments and riotous actions abated, not much has been heard, or perhaps the same common folk accepted and resigned to fate! It is not docility for silence means careful expectations from governments on their words.

Governor Wamakko of Sokoto State has broken the silence to stir people up to the issue. Recently he announced to the public, and especially Sokoto State citizens that his government received N1.152billion as

‘The poverty reduction policy of the administration demands provision of critical infrastructure such as roads, electricity, potable water, improvement of health care delivery services, provision of quality education to boys and girls, empowerment of the youth through the skills acquisition and generation of employment etc. The governor has performed tremendously well to the consternation of critics. His open door policy has endeared him to the citizens as the people’s governor’

Bakassi and tyranny of Nigerian State an international conspiracy of the offspring of those who exploited our pre colonial antecedents and post colonial division they created for the purpose of pilfering our resources to cushion the social problems in Europe. Otherwise how can the ‘Yaoundé II Declaration’ of 4 April 1971 and the ‘Maroua Declaration’ of 1 June 1975, products of unratified agreement between two self-serving African dictators and the Anglo-German treaty of 1913 take precedence over a treaty of protection of 1884 between Britain and Obong of Calabar? It is curious how, in the wisdom of the ICJ, fraudulent horses trading between European fortune seekers carry more weight than the fundamental human rights of about 300,000 indigenes that are to be uprooted from their ancestral homes.

But beyond President Jonathan, currently every body’s whipping child, this betrayal of the fundamental human rights of the Efiks of Cross River State has once again demonstrated the failure of Nigeria state that has since independence constituted itself in to an obstacle to the self-actualization and aspirations of most of our over 250 federating ethnic nationalities.

Most of the groups have always striven to preserve their respective cultural values, religious beliefs and indigenous languages as supported by the United Nations Charter.

Our founding fathers for political expediency failed in London in 1959. The social engineering efforts of the military brigands in creating states had been self-serving. Some of the current state actors both in the executive and

legislative arms behave like hoodlums with little or no allegiance to the state they have repeatedly raped.

Deformed and rendered dysfunctional, the state has today been reduced to an orphan by those who are expected to show more concern for her health. The children of those who have repeatedly raped the state in the last 30 years, caring very little for her health have followed the footsteps of their parents. Obviously neither the fathers nor their thieving children see the state as their own. After all, no thorough born of a father deliberately sets out to destroy his father’s estate.

The tragedy of Bakassi and its 300,000 citizens occupying an area of about around 665 km² is the tragedy of Nigerian state that has always physically or metaphorically killed the best of its own rising ‘sun’ such as Isaac Boro,Saro Wiwa, Professor Awojobi, Fela , Vatsa, among many others as well as suppressing by force, groups that demand for self-actualization.

For instance, a United Nations brokered accord between Cameroon and Nigeria specified that on taking over the peninsula, Cameroon should respect the rights of the Bakassi people, who should be free to remain in their homeland. The Bakassi were expected to either become Cameroonian citizens, or retain their Nigerian nationality and be treated as foreigners.

We have also been told by experts that the collision of warm and cold oceans has built in Bakassi submarine shoals rich in fish, shrimps and amazing variety of other ma-

Wamakko and oil subsidy money

By Lisa Olu Akerele its share of the oil subsidy money. He stated that his government has lodged the amount into Skype Bank.

He further announced constitution of a committee to manage this money. A former governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Yahaya Abdulkarim is heading the committee.

Members are drawn from organized labour, civil society organizations and other major stakeholders. Governor Wamakko mandated the committee to judiciously apply the money with principle of equity, probity and accountability to the people. The committee is expected to take into cognizance yearnings, needs and aspirations of the people.

Every environment has its peculiar needs to accelerate development. The spread and application of resources determine good governance. The committee, therefore, has the uphill task to identify critical areas of need of the people and fashion out projects that would justify the sacrifice of the oil subsidy removal. It is the only way to attenuate the fears and pains generated by that policy. Members of the committee represent a broad spectrum of the society that needs meaningful projects to be executed with the money. They should take along the aspirations of their constituent interests that shall eventually call them to account.

Governor Wamakko has once again demonstrated his avowed commitment to the principle of accountability. He has told

the people where their money is, and appointed personalities of impeccable character to manage it. He still remains a governor that strongly believes in transparency and accountability as a personal philosophy to delivery of democracy dividend.

The people’s governor that believes government is about positive impact to the masses. The governor to date remains the only one among his peers that has publicly declared the receipt of the oil subsidy money, and explains modality of its management.

Our message is showcasing a man of immense probity; a man that is committed to good governance with adequate focus to execution of projects that have direct bearing to the entire citizens. Since becoming the Chief Executive of the state, the governor has not discriminated against any section or interest group, based on political difference or otherwise, in locating of projects. He has taken Sokoto State as a constituency in development strides.

Prior to his election as the governor, he promised free hand to local government administration. On election to the office he fulfilled that promise. He ensured prompt release of statutory local government funds and made certain the councils are accountable to the electorate. He pays unscheduled visits to the projects executed by them to assess how they conform to the people’s desires, especially with due regard to the constitutional responsibilities of local administration. On every inspection Governor Wamakko corrected observed anomalies that woke up local gov-

rine life forms which makes the area a very fertile fishing ground, comparable only to Newfoundland in North America and Scandinavia in Western Europe.

We therefore had an opportunity in the last 10 years to have changed an adversity to an advantage since the ICJ judgment itself only asked Nigeria to transfer possession of the peninsula, but did not require the inhabitants to move or to change their nationality.

But for those 10 years, those that have taken over the state have been too busy fighting over what they could take out of the state to worry about the economic potential of Bakassi. Economically empowered Bakassi would have become an indispensable ally of Cameroon even if they are regarded as foreigners on their own land.

Similarly for 10 long years, none of the state actors was resourceful enough to scheme about exploiting the spirit of the judgment through turning the area to a new haven for its Nigeria inhabitants. But for the greed of the actors, we have enough resources this 10 long years to build schools ,provide health facilities and other infrastructures that would have set out Bakassi Local Government area as a Nigerian ‘new London’ within a rusty Cameroon territory.

‘For 10 long years, none of the state actors was resourceful enough to scheme about exploiting the spirit of the judgment through turning the area to a new haven for its Nigeria inhabitants. But for the greed of the actors, we have enough resources this 10 long years to build schools ,provide health facilities and other infrastructures that would have set out Bakassi Local Government area as a Nigerian ‘new London’ within a rusty Cameroon territory. ernment administrators to their duties of providing good governance.

Governor Wamakko right from inception of his administration declared a partnership with the citizens of Sokoto State. The partnership is to listen carefully to the people’s aspirations and within the available resources try as much as possible to meet such demands.

The poverty reduction policy of the administration demands provision of critical infrastructure such as roads, electricity, potable water, improvement of health care delivery services, provision of quality education to boys and girls, empowerment of the youth through the skills acquisition and generation of employment etc. The governor has performed tremendously well to the consternation of critics. His open door policy has endeared him to the citizens as the people’s governor.

We salute the courage of the governor in frequent dissemination of information about the monthly allocation to the state, and their utilization. That is the surest means of accountability to the people. We still ally with his resolve as he stated: “The global economic down-turn has definitely caused hiccups in all nations of the world. As no nation is an island unto itself, we cannot be immune from the unfolding processes in the global village.

However, by Allah’s infinite mercies, we have been able to manage the situation.

Through judicious utilization of and adherence to principles of accountability and transparency, we have ensured continued execution of our programmes and projects, despite the economic melt-down.”

The impact of the administration in all sectors of the economy justifies the preceding declaration to which legacy posterity shall continue to relish.

• Umar is President Sokoto Liberal Democrats Media Foundation

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Falcons will Emenike sad to retain AWC —NFF miss Benfica clash Pg. 24

Pg. 41

Sport Thursday, October 25, 2012

PAGE 23

Man United to get £1 billion Nike kit deal M

ANCHESTER United are set to sign a £1 billion kit sponsorship deal that is the biggest in the history of sport, according to Wednesday's papers.

The Daily Mail reports that negotiations have begun with Nike over a new deal. The old agreement, which was worth £303 million plus a profit of sales over 13 years, expires in 2015 but the paper claims that negotiations are about to get going for a similar long-term deal. Nike have an exclusive six-month window for negotiations that officially begins in February.

United are expected to press for the stratospheric 10-figure deal on the basis of two things: first, that their shirt sponsorship deal has risen six-fold since the old agreement was signed, and second that Rory

McIlroy alone is to be given £156m for a 10-year deal to wear Nike clothes and have the company's logos on his clubs.

Tottenham are looking to make a bigmoney signing from Celtic - but it's one of their back room staff rather than a player who is under consideration.

Spurs want to bring in Celtic's chief scout John Park as their director of football, the Daily Mail reports. But the London side will have competition: after unearthing gems such as Victor Wanyama, Park is considered one of the best talent-spotters in Europe and will also be courted by Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool.

The ongoing race row that has rocked English football takes up plenty of space in the back pages, with Jason Roberts - whose

decision not to wear a 'Kick it Out' t-shirt prompted several other players, including Rio Ferdinand, to follow suit - speaking to several papers.

"I wasn't trying to lead a protest. I was speaking for myself," Roberts explains in the Daily Mail.

"I speak to players who are exasperated by the suggestion that the fight against racism has been won, simply because bananas are no longer throw and monkey noises aren't made.... Yes, (that marks) progress. But we can't decided that it is good enough."

Roberts also defended the players including Ferdinand - who have looked into creating a separate black players' union, even though he himself has not been involved in that. "It shows that the existing union is not

doing enough," he says.

It seems that the very threat might prompt the action that is needed, however: the Guardian claims that football's governing bodies are desperate to prevent the creation of any such separate union, and reports that the FA is reviewing the severity of punishments given out for racist abuse in the wake of reaction to John Terry's four-match ban.

Everton may have to do without the services of Landon Donovan in the second half of the season, according to the Daily Mirror.

The American striker has been a big hit in his loan spells at Goodison Park and has an open invitation to sign up once again in the New Year.

24

41

NATIONSPORT THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

AFCON '96: We could have won — Amuneke

S

EVERAL Nigeria top stars have said they would have won the 1996 Nations Cup in South Africa but for a boycott.

Nigeria won their second AFCON at Tunisia 1994, but failed to defend the title two years later in South Africa after the government of late General Sani Abacha withdrew the Eagles from the tournament, citing security concerns following a political spat with the host government.

Considering the array of the Eagles' stars, from Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha to Sunday Oliseh and Daniel Amokachi, many have argued that Nigeria would have successfully defended its title.

Ex-Barcelona winger Emmanuel Amuneke told MTNFootball.com that Nigeria would have won the tournament but for the government that stopped the team from going.

"We would have won the trophy in 1996 because we were a very good team. We were one of the favourites and we had trained well and were ready to go, but we were stopped,” lamented the 1994 CAF African

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

•Okocha Footballer of the Year.

“It pained us that we didn't go because the government said there were security issues, we thought they would change their mind. But in the end what we got was a ban from the 1998 African Nations Cup. “A good South African team won it in our absence but we would have given them a good fight to defend the trophy we won in 1994.

“We showed what could have been by winning the Olympic soccer gold in Atlanta. We made history.”

Striker Jonathan Akpoborie also agreed that no team would have stopped the Eagles in South Africa 16 years ago.

"We would have won it easily. We would have won everything available with that squad. It was a team full of qualities. Even our bench then was world-class. It was a pity we didn't go," Akpoborie told MTNFootball.com.

"I don't see any team that would have stopped us from winning, we were a star-studded team. We were perfect,” added Atlanta 1996 gold medalist Tijjani Babangida.

S

•Nkwocha

S

PARTAK Moscow ace Emmanuel Emenike has said he is disappointed injury has ruled him out of Tuesday’s Champions League tie against Benfica.

The Nigeria striker Emenike, who missed the weekend’s league game against Anzhi due to a waist compliant, earlier told MTNFootball.com that he is fit for the game but the team medics felt otherwise hours to kick-off.

"I was in line for the game after our training on

Monday, but on Tuesday after examination, I was told I am not fully fit and they don't want to risk it,” he said.

“I felt I could play but they felt otherwise. I am sad and disappointed, but I am behind my team to win because it is crucial to our qualification to the next round of the competition.”

Spartak have lost their first two group games to Barcelona and Celtic and are bottom of their group.

T

•Emenike

•As team rounds off Ghana tour with big win •Leave for Equatorial Guinea today

T

Equatorial Guinea.

“My target is 15 goals. I’ve been training and practising hard for this tournament and I believe I’ll score goals for my country,” she enthused.

The four-time African Player of the Year recalled her disappointment at finishing on 19 goals for her Swedish club, Sunnana SK, a performance that helped the division-two side gain promotion to the top division.

“In my club in Sweden, I scored 22 goals in 20 games last season. This season I only scored 19 goals for my club. That was not good enough for me. ”I should have scored more than 22. I have to improve every year and that’s exactly what I plan to do at the AWC. I have to score more than the 11 I got in 2010. ”If I don’t get the goals, I’ll be happy for someone else in the team to get the goals while I get the assists. The important thing is to win our games and retain the title. We play as a team, we score as a team and we win a team,” she said.

The lethal finisher will lead the Falcons’ attack in Equatorial Guinea as the team fight to win the title for the seventh time.

The Falcons will play their first match against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon on Monday, October 29.

for next year’s African U-17 Championship in Morocco.

The Nigerian cadets missed the last two African U-17 Championships but an impressive tally of 83 goals in 18 matches, including friendlies, have marked the Class of 2012 as a squad to watch.

Nigeria won the first leg 3-0 in Calabar on Sunday, 14th October.

The Guinean Federation has confirmed that the second leg match will take place at the September 28 Stadium in Conakry on Sunday, starting from 4.30pm Guinea time (5.30pm Nigeria time).

R

Falcons will retain AWC-NFF HE Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) has reiterated its conviction that the Super Falcons will go all out for a record 7th Africa Women's Championship (AWC) crown in Equatorial Guinea when hostility begins on the 28th October, 2012.

Speaking exclusively with NationSport from Ghana shortly after the Falcons' final warm up encounter with a club from Sekondi which the Nigeria's senior national team won 6-1 yesterday, the NFF Director of Competitions, Dr Mohammed Sanusi opined that the hard work put in by the team thus far showed they are determined to make the country proud again.

Dr Sanusi noted that with the discipline in camp and the girls sheer willingness to succeed in Equatorial Guinea it would be only the Falcons that would deny themselves the golden

•Stella Mbachu

From Tunde Liadi,Owerri opportunity to add to the 6 victories recorded in 1998 through 2006 and 2010.

"The team has taken shape. I think they are good to go in the competition.

They are playing very well. There is cohesion, team work and discipline in this team now and those are the ingredients necessary to fashion out a winning team.

"By the grace of God, Nigerians should pray for the players to be in good form and be free of any injury so that they could do well for the country."

It would be recalled that their 3-0 whip lash of Immigration team of Ghana which has about 9 Black Queens players in their fold Falcons rounded off their residential training in Accra with another 6-1 annihilation of a Sekondi based team also in Ghana.

Injury rules Yobo out of Fenerbahce's trip to Cyprus

N

IGERIA skipper Joseph Yobo, due to injury, has been omitted from the Fenerbahce squad which faces Cypriot club AEL Limassol on Thursday in the group stage of the Europa League.

Aykut Kocaman , manager of The Yellow Canaries, has named a 19 - man squad for the trip to Cyprus.

Yobo has not played an official game of football following his injury against Besiktas in

Eaglets fly to Conakry from Cotonou HE U-17 National Team, known as Golden Eaglets, will fly into Conakry, capital of Guinea from Cotonou, Republic of Benin on Friday, officials have confirmed.

Eaglets’ delegation of 18 players and technical and administrative officials will travel to Cotonou on Thursday and fly to Guinea aboard an ASKY Airline flight on Friday afternoon.

Already, the Nigeria Football Federation has put the Embassy of Nigeria in both countries on notice, as the Eaglets chase a spot in the last round of the qualifying campaign

Chibuike relishes Metalist clash

Emenike sad to miss Benfica clash

Nkwocha targets goal feast UPER Falcons’ striker, Perpetua Nkwocha said she is targeting 15 goals at the upcoming African Women's Championship (AWC) in Equatorial Guinea.

The 8th edition of Africa’s premier tournament is slated for Equatorial Guinea from October 28 to November 11 and will see eight teams fight for the title held by the Nigerians.

Nkwocha, who scored 11 goals in the last edition in South Africa won by the Falcons for a record six times said she has resolved to up her goals against the 2010 feat.

“As a striker, I always want to score goals. My focus is on scoring for my team. Last time in South Africa 2010 I ended up with 11 goals. I have to top that in

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE

EKO 2012:

Athletes, officials assured of standard accommodation by LOC

A

S part of its effort to ensure that officials and athletes taking part in the 18th National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012 put up their best at the game, Chairman, Accomodation and Welfare Sub-Committee of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Erelu Angela Adebayo has assured that the best of accommodation facilities would be offered with University of Lagos most of the athletes during

the festival, Adebayo said: “We believe that athletes should be comfortable so that they can give optimum performance during the games.

That is why we are giving them the best.

Majority of the athletes will be camped in UNILAG while Yaba College of Technology and the Federal College of Education will accommodate the remaining athletes.

She added: “We have renovated the

the 7th round of games in the Super League. He had to be withdrawn in the 70th minute of that encounter.

Thus, the experienced defender missed the Super Eagles 6 - 1 mauling of Liberia in Calabar on October 13, and Fenerbahçe 1-1 draw with Bursaspor a week later The Super Eagle has made two appearances in the Europa League, against former club Marseille and Borussia Mönchengladbach.

accommodation venues and this is a plus for the schools because when the students return, they will enjoy better facilities in their hostels.”

Secretary of the sub-committee, Uthman Okunu, stated that they had held a meeting with the security sub-committee to ensure that there is 24-hour security during the duration of the national showpiece.

He said representatives of 18 states would inspect the festival facilities on Wednesday, adding that the accommodation/welfare, venues/facilities, catering/feeding and transportation/traffic control sub-committees would conduct the states round the facilities.

Also, a member of the sub-committee, Abiodun Ogunrinde, added that, “beds, •Victor mattresses have beenMoses replaced at the accommodation venues. We observed that we need to power electricity at these venues and possibly leave that as a legacy after the games.”

OSENBORG of Norway forward, John Chibuike is brimming with confidence ahead of today's Europa league fixtures at home against Metalist of Ukraine.

Chibuike told NationSport that Rosenborg have what it takes to improve their chances of qualifying for the next round at the expence of Metalist despite losing their previous Group F match against Bayern Leverkusen.

"We will bank on our home form to tackle Metalist. We can't just wait to qualify, that is my target for the team.

After that i believe we can dream more.

"I will not like to underrate Metalist on the pages of newspaper but I think we are ready for the clash. My debut was a good one despite losing to an experienced team like Bayern Leverkusen but it gives me more exposure for the next game. It was a delight and I wish to get more of that." said Chibuike The 23 year old reflected on their 2-0 home victory against Sandness UF in the

By Innocent Amomoh

Norwegian league last weekend to take Rosenborg to the top of the table afte Molde play 1-1 draw with their opponent.

"Staying at the top at this time in the League in Norway is very important, I can't say we're their yet but we will keep fighting till the end.

Molde regretted their draw and they will need to work more harder to top us again," he said.

•Chibuike

•Michael

Napoli's Europe form scares Odibe

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NIPRO's Michael Odibe says his side will not be taking onform Napoli lightly when they clash in today's Europa League match.

Juande Ramo's team are currently top in Group F with six points from their opening two games, and Odibe believes Dnipro must respect their much respected opponents after the Italian outfit beat AC Milan in a league game last weekend.

"I have great respect for Napoli.They have good records, the play good football and they have world class players but we will give them the fight," said Odibe.

"When you are playing a team like

By Innocent Amomoh Napoli, you have to be at your best, they sharp and intelligent attackers both on the pitch and bench but all we need is three point."

"We want the maximum points and to keep the clean sheet so that we have more opportunities to qualify for the next round.

"I know we are going to qualify for the next round but beating Napoli is on my mind."

"We lost our last league game while Napoli beat mighty Milan and that does not mean we would loss again even for the fact that Napoli look threatening.

Super Sand Eagles' coach talks tough

S Ike Uche focusing

•Says Nigeria wants to be world No. 1 UPER Sand Eagles' Chief Coach Audu Ejor has said it loud and •Targets Dubai Tourney Trophy clear that he would lead his team From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja to beat all teams to win the Dubai, United Arab Emirate’s 8 Nation Soccer and we want to use the Tournament holding in Dubai on Dubai tournament to shoot up to world October 30th to November 2nd, 2012.

No. 1 and this we are capable of doing.

The experienced Beach Soccer Coach I have experienced and talented players said that he planned to use the in the team who can hold their own think it is something that tournament to push Nigeria’s rankings against any team in the world”, a ILLARREAL striker will come. Now I focus only in the world to number one having been confident Ejor told NationSport Ikechukwu Uche is on Villarreal and all I can ranked as the sixth best country in the yesterday. guaranteed a spot in bring to the team. I think it world presently. The eight teams that The Coach also said that he has Stephen Keshi's roster to next must be so, approach each would campaign in the competition replaced Kano Pillars striker, Gambo year's African Cup of Nations game as it comes at a hundred includes Group A teams namely hosts Mohammed with Ayo Aina Festus of in South Africa. percent, and what you think United Arab Emirates, defending Owidesede Club. “Gambo Mohammed He would miss five should be in every moment,'' Champion Russia, United States of is the only player missing from this matches in the Segunda Uche told Marca.

America and Haiti. Nigeria is in Group team now. He is absence due to division against Barcelona II, Post the 2010 World Cup, B which also has other top teams like sickness but I have called up Ayo Aina Almeria, Real Madrid, Uche is widely regarded as five time world cup winner Brazil, Sabadell and Guadalajara if Nigeria's most prolific scorer England and new comer Japan.

Nigeria qualifies for the semi after notching nine goals in “I am leading my team to Dubai to -finals of the competition. nine matches for the Super win the competition. We are not going ''At the moment I do not Eagles. there to play second fiddle to any team be it the defending Champion Russia, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FALLOUT former Champion Brazil who has won the world cup more than five times or nay team. We want to win the Dubai tournament to up our world rankings to number one and no team can stop our ambition.

•Gambo “My team is ready and the mood LDERSON Echiejile But they hit back with two and spirit in camp is great and very admits that Manchester goals from Javier Hernandez high. The boys are raring to go. We are United were the better in between one from Jonny sixth best country in the world in Beach side after they rallied from Evans to secure their third two goals down to beat his win of the group.

AFRICAN FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR Sporting Braga 3-2 in “It was a very good Tuesday's Champions League team,” Echiejile conceded. group game.

“Even when they were two Two goals by Braga goals down we knew the captain Alan, with the Nigeria game was not over. We tried left-back involved in the to do our best and stay in the build-up to the second, had game, but they were really the English giants reeling. good.”

By Femi Shittu

only on Villarreal

V

Echeijile shows respect to Man United

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Kanu tips Mikel •May get 5-year Chelsea deal

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•Echiejile

ORMER Super Eagles’ Captain, Nwankwo Kanu has tipped Mikel Obi to win the most coveted crown of the African Footballer of the Year. Kanu who has won the honour t wice:(1999, 1996) believes the Chelsea star was in a blazing form considering his recent performance which saw Chelsea winning the Champions League last season. "Mikel played in the Champion's League final. I believe he can do it again. Mikel was one of the most influential players in last season’s campaign which saw the club to its first ever champion's league trophy as well as the FA Cup trophy," he said. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a list of 34 players who will be vying for the 2012 African Footballer of the Year

award. Nigeria’s John Obi Mikel, John Utaka and Victor Moses are amongst nominees. Meanwhile, European champions Chelsea will reward the consistency of Mikel Obi with a new, improved five-year contract, his agent has announced.

“Mikel will soon sign a new five-year deal with Chelsea. He will sign a new five-year contract with obviously an improved salary,” said the player’s agent John Ola Shittu. “We are just about finalising the details of the deal and it can be announced anytime soon by the club. “He has a year left on his •Perpetua contract and Chelsea has decided to add four more (years) to it.”

However, Shittu refused to disclose the financial aspects of the new deal for his player, who is reportedly on about 80,000 pounds a week.

25

THE NATION

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

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

INSIDE

Teenager inspires revolution in Edo schools

email:- education@thenationonlineng.com

Plateau State pupils are roaming the streets. Weeds are taking over their schools’ premises because of the protracted strike (now six months old) by their teachers over the minimum wage. YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU examines the causes and effects of the crisis.

-Page 28

UNN to host UNESCO centre THE United Nations E d u c a tional Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has confirmed the establishment of an international cen- •Prof Rufa’i tre for biotechnology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

-Page 37

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

Gunmen unleash terror on UNIJOS

Students flee as bomb rocks Maiduguri •Final year student’s body found AFTER a long lull, the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) has been gripped by fears with explosions in a community populated by students. There was no report of any casualty when CAMPUSLIFE visited the scene, but four days later, a student was found dead on the campus.

-Page 29

•Some pupils during one of the education summits in Jos

Plateau pupils caught in wages crisis A

LL is not well with the teaching profession in Plateau State. Teachers have spent more time outside the classrooms in the past five years. This is largely due to frequent strikes by them over welfare issues.

At the moment, teachers in stateowned primary and secondary schools have been out of the classrooms since May, due to the strike declared by local government workers’ union – the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Plateau State chapter. All appeals to get them back to work failed as they insisted that something concrete must be done about the 18 per cent minimum wage.

The Executive Chairman of the Plateau State Universal Education Board (SUBEB), Mrs Lyop Mang, insists teachers have no business embarking on strike because they are enjoying the best times in their career under the administration of Governor Jonah David Jang.

Nevertheless, the state has witnessed more strikes during this administration than in the past.

Jang himself acknowledged this

fact recently while addressing stakeholders in the Government House in Jos. He said at the meeting: “There is no governor in the history of the state that has taken care of workers’ welfare than I have done, yet no administration had witnessed the number of strikes witnessed under my administration. Something must be wrong and I want to know.”

In his five years as governor, Jang has trained 52,122 teachers at various professional levels between 2007 and 2012; implemented 27.5 per cent teachers’ salary allowance as well as employed 500 teachers of English and Mathematics in secondary schools.

On assumption of office in 2007, Jang was said to have paid a backlog of teachers’ leave and transport allowances to the tune of N636 million, owed two years before his tenure. The governor regularised payment of teacher’s salaries by ensuring promotion of teachers are released timely.

To improve the school environment, Jang renovated 175 primary schools, constructed over 500 classrooms, and distributed about 50,000

•Jang

•Mrs Lyop

plastic chairs/desks. He established 19 new nomadic schools in seven LGAs while 1,395 sets of dual desks, seven tables and 20 pieces of universal furniture were provided for physically-challenged learners.

Also, over 400,000 copies of English, Mathematics and science textbooks with additional 290,000 other books were distributed to schools.

The state ensures the 1,033 schools receive instructional materials yearly.

In addition, 67,264 registers, lesson note books, weekly dairies and assorted books were distributed to schools. Most importantly, the governor purchased 34 motorcycles for the 17 LGEAs. All these were possible after the convocation of several education summits between 2007 and 2009.

However, the current strike is the result of a disagreement over the implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage introduced by the Federal Government in 2010. The

government told workers it would pay 50 per cent of the wages initially and would increase to 100 per cent if the allocation from the Federal Government increases.

At the end of Jang’s meeting with the stakeholders, it was agreed that a committee of elders be constituted to mediate between the aggrieved workers and government for an amicable settlement of the disputed wage. The high profile committee is chaired by a former military administrator of the state, Rear Admiral Samuel Bitrus Atukum (rtd).

The elders committee held several meetings with the striking workers. The issue of minimum wage was resolved and the government reached an agreement with NULGE and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) to pay 55 per cent of the N18,000 minimum wage.

• Continued on page 26

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

26

EDUCATION CRESCENT FILE 115 graduate A TOTAL of 115 graduands have been awarded Bachelor degrees at the 4th Convocation of Crescent University, Abeokuta.

The institution also honoured the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona (the university’s chancellor) and Governors of Kano and Katsina States, Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Dr Ibrahim Shehu Shema at the event.

All the honorees were conferred with Doctor of Science (DSc) in Political Science and International Relations (honoris causa) of the institution.

In his convocation address the Proprietor, HE Judge Bola Ajibola said he was elated that this year’s valedictorian, Fatimo Adebukola Adeniyi, was a female of Accounting, stressing that the occasion was the beginning of the fulfilment of his dream of founding the university seven years ago.

“I am fulfilled because by successfully training a woman, we have trained a nation. I am fulfilled as part of my dream of founding this university with passion for developing women of knowledge and sound character is being realised. I am fulfilled because we are gradually contributing to nation-building by nurturing the minds of our youths particularly women”.

SANs donate buildings TWO Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) Dr Femi Okunnu and Yusuf Ali, have endowed buildings for the Law library and the administrative unit of Crescent University College of Law. The commissioning of the two buildings was part of activities marking the fourth convocation of the institution.

Appreciating the two donors, the Proprietor, HE Judge Bola Ajibola enthused that the inauguration was a very important occasion in the life of the young university.

In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kehinde Okeleye said the institution’s College of Law was the fifth faculty and had been seriously enhanced with well equipped e-facilities by the donor, Mallam Yusuf Ali. On his part, Okunnu said he was inspired to give to the university based on the tremendous work of its proprietor to commit all his assets to impact on humanity.

Female is valedictorian AT the head of the 115 graduands of Crescent University, Abeokuta last Saturday was 21-year old, Fatimo Adebukola Adeniyi who graduated with the highest Cumulative Grade Points Aggregate of 4.58 in Accounting.

The valedictorian was one of the three that finished with a FirstClass. Twenty-three other graduated with Second-Class Upper; 52, Second-Class Lower division, while 37 made Third-Class grades.

In her speech, Adeniyi, described education as a very vital aspect of life, implored leaders to look into youth empowerment and “lifeenhancing opportunities”.

Delivering his address, the ViceChancellor, Prof Kehinde Okeleye said that the university was able to execute some capital projects including the completion of the College of Law quadrangle (comprising the ultra-modern administrative block, classrooms, moot court, Law library and student and staff common room) and a 120-bed female hostel.

‘Councils should not disrupt varsities’ finances’

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HE Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, University of Ibadan, Chief Wole Olanipekun (OFR), has warned universities governing councils against interfering in the financial activities of universities.

Olanipekun spoke on Monday while inaugurating some projects including the Faculty of Dentistry Office Complex and Auditorium; Large Animal Theatre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Faculty of Arts’ Library and UI Water Factory.

The Pro-Chancellor explained that the duty of a governing council is to ensure that the institutions are well maintained to support research development and growth of education.

He said: “The way we can assist is to give the university unimpaired freedom. It is not the duty of any member of council to interfere or poke nose.

The universities deserve some degrees of liberty.

“How the universities are run should be the management’s duty.

Qatar Summit to address unemployment

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

Our duty as council is to ensure that the university is well maintained. We also ensure that due process is followed on how projects are awarded to contractors” The SAN promised to ensure that credibility is maintained in all activities of the institution, adding that the council will not tolerate any act of corruption from the principal officers of UI. In his welcome address, the ViceChancellor, Prof. Isaac Adewole, thanked the council for giving the managment free hand and enabling environment to perform.

Adewole said: ”This project is the testimony of that. We shall support the Faculty of Dentistry beyond the donation by making it work within the next four weeks.”

In her address, the Dean of Dentistry, Prof. Modupe Arowojolu, expressed gratitude to the Council for facilitat-

T •Olanipekun

ing the project funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).

The dentistry building project started in July 2011 with the approval for the additional works on the building given in February.

Also during the inauguration of a water project worth over N40 million, the VC said it was established to generate revenue for the school reduce over-dependent on government funding, while providing vocational training for students.

HE role of education in preparing young people for the world of work will be a key theme at the fourth World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE).

The summit, billed to hold in Doha, Qatar, between November 13 and 15, will among other issues, address the appalling unemployment rate globally vis-a-vis how well education is equipping students for the labour market.

A debate on the topic will be moderated by Michael Trucano, Senior Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Education Policy Specialist of the World Bank, who conducts research on the issue. He is also the principal contributor to the World Bank’s influential EduTech blog.

Plateau pupils caught in wages crisis • Continued from page 25

However, schools cannot resume because NULGE wants salaries owed during the five months strike paid.

Its state Chairman, Emmanuel Loman said:“A lot of meetings have been held, but these workers have continued to stand in the way of amicable resolution. The elders’ committee has even gone as far as promising the workers additional five per cent to the 50 per cent they were originally offered, which the workers rejected. They insisted on 100 per cent payment of the minimum wage which we chairmen cannot obviously afford to pay due to continued reduction in our monthly allocation.

“Everyone has been expecting the workers to call off the strike but they came again insisting that the salaries of the last five months of the strike should be paid before they call it off. This, again, is another stumbling block because we operate on “no work no pay rule”. This is a rule NULGE is aware of long before now.”

The issue of no-work-no-pay rule is not a new policy in Plateau State.

Medical workers who went on strike for months resumed work without any payment of salary arrears. The same condition applied to teachers of state-owned tertiary institutions who were on strike last year.

However, teachers insist that their welfare suffered a severe set back under the Jang administration, saying renovations and construction of new classrooms does not translate to improved salaries.

Joel Mathew, a primary school teacher in Jos North LGA said: “The present government deceived us at the early stage. The governor cleared the backlog of salaries owed us by past administration and we applauded him then not knowing that he will be the worst. Now, it is clear to us that the governor was not sincere with the welfare of the teachers.

“How can you say you care for teacher’s welfare, yet you allow them to go on strike due to your failure to treat us like our counterparts in other states? For instance, the latest reason for our strike, the governor agreed to pay the minimum wage, but we are on strike because

•One of the new school structures built by Jang

he failed to implement his own agreement.

“A governor that claims to have the best welfare for teachers will allow teachers to be on strike for five good months. What sort of welfare package is that?” queried Ayuba Gyang, a teacher in Riyom LGA. Another teacher from Jos South LGA, Laraba Joshua, also claimed the governor’s act of solidarity at the beginning was deceptive.

“This government does not care if Plateau children go to school or not.

We are highly disappointed because Governor Jang at the initial stage declared a state of emergency in education in the state and raised our hope; we thought he was going to do something serious. He now appear to be the worst governor in education because if he can allow teachers to be on strike for six months, it shows he does not care for education in the state” Yohana Pam, a teacher in Jos North had this to say: “I’m currently looking for a job. We are not complaining about conducive working environment; we have that already but the

governor should know we deserve better pay like teachers of other states.”

However, Mrs Mang said teachers were involved in the strike out of sympathy not because the government has not done enough.

She said: “The truth about this strike is that we don’t have a problem with our teachers in terms of provision of welfare and conducive working environment. The present governor is second to none in the country in funding of education. My teachers are on a sympathetic strike because they fall under NULGE union; it is NULGE that is on strike here, not NLC. But NLC has to join in solidarity; this is the truth.”

She went on:“The issue of salaries of local government workers has nothing to do with state governor because local governments receive their allocation directly through the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs “Education has been enjoying a lion share in annual budget in Plateau State since the state governor declared a state of emergency on its educational

‘

If workers who refused to go to work for months are asking for salary arrears, who will pay school children that has been loitering at home within the period? Who will pay parents who have lost loved ones as a result of the strike? I don’t think their demand is reasonable

’

sector in 2007. The records are there to show and the projects are there for all to see.”

Mrs Mang said to avoid such unnecessary closure of schools, the Federal Government should allow SUBEB to handle teachers remuneration.

“This is why I am of the suggestion that if the Federal government is interested in an uninterrupted education system, teachers should be removed from government ministries and handed over to SUBEB all over the federation, so that they will not be forced to join general strikes by NULGE as we are witnessing.”

Mrs Mang also faulted the insistence that the government should pay the workers for the months they were on strike.

“If workers who refused to go to work for months are asking for salary arrears, who will pay school children that has been loitering at home within the period? Who will pay parents who have lost loved ones as a result of the strike? I don’t think their demand is reasonable.

“I, therefore, appeal to the workers to drop their pride and resume work. I want them to consider the fact that the effect of children not going to school due to strikes will be on us adults because if they turn out to be criminals tomorrow, all of us, including these teachers, will face the consequence of mass illiterate children turned criminals.”

So far, there is the state will resume soon even as the first term is already half way. At the moment, private schools are having a field day in Jos, exploiting frustrated parents who could not afford to keep their wards at home because of the prolonged strike.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

27

EDUCATION ‘How intellectuals failed Nigeria’

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•The Nation’s Education Reporter Mr Adegunle Olugbamila (right) receiving a meritorious award from the ViceChancellor, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Prof Aize Obayan to mark the university’s 10 th anniversary at the university’s cafeteria last week PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

LASU Transport students gain international exposure T HE 20 pioneer students of School of Transport, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, will remain grateful to the state government for sponsoring them for a one-week international excursion in the United Kingdom.

As included in their curriculum that the students must visit Europe before the end of their programme. The students were taken to different transport control rooms in the state.

At the end of the tour, they were given opportunities to return to the UK to work after their programmes.

The students who spoke to The Nation through the association’s president, Master Aniebue Edwin Ekene, said the experience was different from what obtains in the classroom.

His words: “I say a big thank you to the Lagos State government. We learnt a lot apart from what we leant in the class room. We started with a training delivered by the National Training Institute (United Kingdom); we had interactions with transport experts, entrepreneurs who told us what they do.

We had comparisons with what we have here in Nigeria. They have a higher carriage capacity than we do here.”

The association presented a thank you card to the university.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof John

By Seun Olalude

Oladapo Fafunwa said the knowledge acquire will bring about a better transport system.

His words: “I know they have experienced a lot and gained so many things. It wasn’t for fun but to improve the situation at home, transforming the mega city.

“The transport over there is unique.

No police to collect bribe and all your data can be assessed. Occasionally you come under bad roads but construction is always going on. They are always working on their roads. The Lagos-Ibadan expressway has become a nightmare. We have transportation problem in this nation but with the graduate of school of transform, things will move forward” He urged the students to reciprocate the kind gesture.

“Let us reciprocate whatever the state government is doing for us, you help the state by moving the transport system forward,” he said.

Obafunwa commended the Lagos State government for the support rendered to the students.

Acting Dean, School of Transport, Dr Bawa Allah said Lagos State holds the

answer to the transportation problem of the country.

His words: “The school started in 2008 with 20 students. In the curriculum, it provides that the students should visit an international state to see how their transport system works.

They have all been given leadership position abroad by 2013” “My intention for these ones as the first set of the college is to see them attaining the peak of their career and come back to the institution to lecture.

The future of this nation belongs to Lagos State as far as transport is concern.”

He urged other universities to come and see the realities of transport witnessed in United Kingdom.

The Team Leader to United Kingdom, Prof. Sena Bakre shared their experience.

“We embarked on the journey on September 29, taking 11 male students and nine females. It wasn’t a fun, it was a working week. We learnt so many things about their transport system.

We majorly concentrated on sea and road transportation. Everything is controlled by computer. There was stable source of electricity. For us to come to that level, many things needs to be done, one of which is stable power supply. The citizens are law abiding,” she said.

PROFESSOR of Political Science Adele Jinadu has attributed the failure of partisan politics partly to the inability of some professionals and intellectuals who refused to practise what they learnt.

Jinadu spoke at this year’s lecture of The City Club, Lagos, where he was the guest lecturer.

Miffed by the inability of some of his colleagues to impact the political class for the benefit of the larger society, Jinadu, whose lecture was entitled: Governance and development: Whither Nigeria?, said being more knowledgeable because of their education and training, the former were in a vintage position to help build a greater Nigeria, where the people’s welfare would be provided.

He said: “The intellectual vocation and professionalism seem to have been sacrificed on the altar of crass materialism, collectively shying away from their social responsibility and more regrettably, collaborating, in many instances and unconscionably so, with the public authorities in the rape of democratic policies in the country”.

He noted that intellectuals should become a force to boost the little dividends of democracy and devel-

By Joseph Eshanokpe

opment.

He recalled that in saner societies, professionals and intellectuals played a major role in checkmating politicians to do the rights by ‘becoming politically active’ in the broadest senses of the term through organised public engagement on public issues.

He said since 1999, when Nigeria returned to democratic rule, it has been at a crossroads, which was why it embarked on endless debates on its future.

He praised the country’s founding fathers for adopting federalism.

He said: “The foresightedness remains the strength of the country’s constitutional political architecture, in spite of several years of authoritarian rule. The foresightedness is underscored by the rising popularity of federalism and its hybrid forms, such as political devolution to address governance and development issues thrown up by resurgent ethnicity worldwide.”

He canvassed a people-oriented democracy, reformation of Nigeria‘s legal system, legal education, and party system and of agencies, such as the Code of Conduct Bureau; ICPC and EFCC.

NSE donates software to 12 varsities

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HE Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in partnership with MIDAS Software has presented 12 universities with licenses of MIDAS Engineering Software applicable in civil, structural, geotechnical, mechanical and special projects.

The universities are: Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Unversities, Bauchi, University of Maiduguri, University of Illorin, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Others are: Federal University of Technology Owerri, Bayero University Kano, Ahmadu Bello Univesity, Zaria, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, and University of Benin.

The NSE President, Mr Mustafa Shehu, at the presentation ceremony, urged other universities that have not benefitted to work towards getting their own from MIDAS Engineering.

He said, “NSE has selected 12 Ni-

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

gerian universities across the six geopolitical zones as centres for training, application and research of these Midas software applicable in civil, structural, geotechnical, mechanical and special projects.

“Midas IT is donating 25 license of the software to each university, worth over $1.7million (N272m), for training and research programme.

This is special and should be part of history both for the NSE and the Nigerian education sector in promoting engineering education and learning as well as enhancing professional competence and development of Nigerian engineers and students of engineering.”

The Regional Manager, MIDAS Software, Ravi Kiran said they want to use this medium to expand their business in Nigeria.

“It is basically a Korean software which we are introducing into the market, we intend to start with the universities because they need it the most right now,” he said.

ICAN endows scholarships, donates laptops to ABUAD •Legal Council praises Law programme

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HE Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), and the Nigerian Legal Council have made separate inspection tours to the Afe Babalola University AdoEkiti (ABUAD).

Led by its President, Mr Adedoyin Owolabi, the 40-member delegation from ICAN was received by the founder, Aare Afe Babalola and top management staff of the university at the council chambers.

ABUAD Vice-Chancellor Prof Sidi Osho described the university’s evolvement as an intense story of determination, courage, sacrifice, empowerment and transformation, inspired by Babalola’s desire to establish a model university.

“This visit marks a landmark in our quest to showcase the inherent qualities of our staff to the accountancy body.

We call on you (ICAN) to explore ways of partnering with ABUAD,” she said.

In his address, the Provost, College of Social and Management Studies, Dr Yekeen Lawal thanked ICAN for approving ABUAD as an examination centre. He also said the university desires to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with ICAN to facilitate its

By Adegunle Olugbamila

B.Sc. Accounting programme and translate same to a combined B.Sc/ ICAN degree.

According to him, the MOU would remove the rigours of going through the cumbersome ATS (Accounting Technicians Scheme) route to professionalism.

On behalf of ICAN, Owolabi presented accountancy quarterly journals and student journals to the university, in addition to four laptops uploaded with relevant accounting packages and books.

He announced a scholarship awards for brilliant students. Under which scheme, anyone with first class in Accountancy will be sponsored to write the professional examination, while any student wishing to pursue a PhD in Accountancy will receive a grant of N500,000.

Thanking the institute, Babalola challenged ICAN to do even more.

He said: “Over the years, Nigeria has a cause to show appreciation to you (ICAN) for your contributions to national development but I urged them to do more. For me, ICAN is the most powerful group in the economy of Ni-

•From right: Pro-Chancellor Dr Ibrahim Usman; Obi of Onitsha and Chancellor, Kogi State University (KSU), Anyigba, HRM Nnaemeka Achebe (second right); Kogi State Governor Idris Ichala Wada; Aare Afe Babalola (SAN); his wife Yeye Modupe; ABUAD VC, Prof Sidi Osho and KSU VC Prof Hassan Isa, at the conferment of a doctorate degree (D.Litt honoris causa) on Babalola at KSU ‘s fourth convocation held at the university’s stadium.

geria hence you should be the directors of Nigerian economy.”

Dr. Inefidon who led the legal council team expressed surprise at the well-stocked and up-to date Law Library, adding that no other university in Nigeria can boast of

current Law journals that ABUAD has.

Secretary of the team Mr Bala Bello said their visit was to assess the quality of teaching facilities and staff in the College of Law. He said the university can cope

effectively with more students than its present enrolment, judging by its facilities, conducive environment and the strength of its faculty staff.

He was particularly impressed with the acquisition of the latest Yale and Harvard Law reports.

28

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

EDUCATION Kogi SSG seeks emergency intervention in education

U

•Oshiomhole inspecting the attendance register in one of the schools.

Teenager inspires punctuality revolution in for inspections.

•Oshiomhole sacks 30 Edo schools Oshiomhole said the sack was the teachers for late coming outcome of continuing performance

A

SIMPLE plea by a Senior Secondary School pupil, Amarachi Uchendu, to Governor Adams Oshiomhole to prevail on teachers to be regular in classes, especially at the Junior Secondary School level, has led to the sack of teachers in Edo State.

It also uncovered a high level of indiscipline among teachers and students, negligence of duty and high absenteeism rate among teachers.

After Oshiomhole landed his sledge hammer, more than 30 teachers in primary and secondary schools across the state were sacked, others are to forfeit half of their salary. Also, 41 Zonal Inspectors and Chief Inspectors of Education including Local Government Education officers were sent packing. The Vice-Principal of New Era College, Mr S.E Akhabue, was demoted from Grade Level 15 to 14 for being a perpetual latecomer.

Trouble started for the teachers two weeks ago when Oshiomhole visited New Era College along Upper Mission to inspect the on-going construction of ultra-modern classroom blocks. The school had closed for the day and the pupils thronged out to see the governor.

In the course of his interaction with them, Oshiomhole asked if they were happy. Amarachi, a sickle cell patient, raised her hands and pleaded with the governor to provide more chairs in the renovated classroom blocks.

She told the governor to prevail on their teachers to be regular in classes, especially in Junior Secondary Schools, because their absence was affecting pupils academically.

Two weeks later, Oshiomhole paid a surprise visit to some primary and secondary schools in Benin City, including Western Boys High School, Asoro Primary School, George Idah Primary School and Esomerie Primary School.

He discovered that the Principal, Vice-Principal and seven teachers were absent at Western Boys High School. He immediately announced their dismissal from service to pave way for others willing to work.

Besides, Oshiomhole queried some teachers for not being properly dressed to work and his check through the attendance register showed some teachers came late to school.

At Asoro Primary School, 17 of 24 teachers were present. However, two teachers whose names were in the register were not present in school.

A probe by Oshiomhole revealed that the names were written by the Assistant Head teacher of the school, Comfort Ogbeide.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

The Head Teacher of the school, Best Ehiman, was immediately queried for arbitrary absence from duty post and presence of fictitious names on the attendance register.

Oshiomhole was further shocked during interaction with pupils of primary three when they could not pronounce the name of their class teacher.

During his continued inspection of schools in Edo North, he frowned at pupils coming to school in mufti. He, however, gave some money to buy uniforms and one week to sew the uniforms or face being sent out of the classrooms.

Speaking at the schools visited, the governor vowed to strictly enforce the compulsory Universal Basic Education and warned that parents and guardians who failed to send their children and wards to school would be prosecuted.

Oshiomhole noted that the state government has provided suitable environment in the schools as well as ensured that teachers are paid good wages and inducement allowances and as such teachers must deliver He said: “These beautiful classrooms are useless if teachers don’t teach the students. Government will sack and replace teachers who do not show good attitude to work.

“We have to make sure people earn their pay. No politics in school. If people do not submit to your authority, when you punish the person, find out if the governor will intervene. If you excuse the person, then I will punish you.

“Any time a teacher does not show up in school, the students will be wasting their time. The head mistress will also be queried because she has the responsibility to explain to me why people are allowed to sign fraudulently on the register when they are not present.: He continued:“I am not happy with some teachers who are not punctual and are in the habit of not coming to work. The government will take disciplinary action against them.

“Teachers who are absent from school will be dismissed because we cannot continue to pay them. We will employ those ready to work to earn their wages, while those who are late will forfeit part of their pay.”

Zonal Inspectors, CIEs and Local Government Education officers attached to schools were sacked after last week’s State Executive Council (SEC) meeting. Their plea to be forgiven was rebuffed.

One of them said he did not check school registers whenever he went

audit to sanitise the education sector, adding that explanation by the officials showed that they have breached their basic duties to monitor schools and file reports.

He said the state government has lost millions of naira of taxpayers’ money because of their failure to do their duties.

According to him, “You are guilty of negligence of duty and even abandonment of your duties. I believe that, most times, you don’t even come to work. We do not need this set of Zonal Inspectors of Education, Chief Inspectors of Education and Local Government Education Inspectors.

“The days are gone when people don’t do their jobs. It’s shocking that you recognise that you are supposed to have written reports, yet you fail to do so.

“I am happy that parents and guardians are returning their children and wards to public schools as a result of the massive investment we have made in the education sector, yet, you who are to ensure that teachers work do not do so.

Oshiomhole added:“I’m not hiding the fact that only those who are willing to work will keep their jobs.

Everybody must be accountable. I am accountable to the Edo people, the House of Assembly is accountable, and so if we are accountable, who are you not to be accountable.

“It’s a new Edo, everybody must be put on notice to work and justify their pay. I have a duty to remind you that when you have abandoned your job, you have also lost it,” he said.

Reacting to the governor’s action, State Chairman of All Nigeria Conference of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Comrade David Ikidi, said Oshiomhole did what others refused to do.

•Amarachi

NLESS the Federal Government declares a state of emergency in the education sector and completely re-drafts, from the scratch, its national policies on education, its dream of being among the top 20 economies by the year 2020 may not be realistic.

According to the Secretary to Kogi State Government (SSG) Prof Olugbemiro Jegede, who made this observation in Abuja while speaking at the 25th anniversary of the Galilee International Management Institute, Israel, re-building the educational system in the country is the key to driving national development.

While urging the Federal Government to prioritise capacity building in science, engineering and technology, the former Vice-Chancellor, National Open University, stated that the goals of the 21st century could not be achieved without a sound education.

Jegede said the Federal Government must focus on capacity building at the higher education level to produce critical mass and employable graduates.

He cautioned that the failure of the government to educate the mass of illiterate people across the country would be a catastrophe for the country lamenting that Nigeria, with all its quality policy documents has failed over the years to target the right kind of people to build critical mass in the country.

Prof Jegede, who carpeted the Federal Government over its approach to the Vision 20:2020, argued that the government has no clear cut ways of getting to the vision noting that other countries which Nigeria aspire to beat or join in the league keep pro-

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

gressing while Nigeria contends with mediocrity.

He maintained that except the Federal Government takes drastic steps in addressing the dearth of lecturers and researchers across the nation’s tertiary institutions, 1.5 million lecturers and researchers would be needed in that level of education by the year 2015.

This was as he added that a total of 750,000 teachers would be needed in the secondary school level in the year 2015 noting that Nigeria has thrown quality into the dustbin and now celebrates mediocrity.

While prasing the Israeli institute for its capacity building role in Nigeria over the years, he said Nigeria should be in creative partnership with Israel in many sectors such as agriculture, military, security, education and tourism.

•Prof Jegede

Fashola urges Corps members to be self employed

G

OVERNOR of Lagos State Babatunde Raji Fashola has urged the outgoing NYSC Batch C Corps members to depend on themselves and not white collar jobs for employment.

He said this at the passing out of the Corps members last week, at the National Youth Service Corps orientation camp, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.

Fashola, who was represented by the Director, General Service Department, Ministry of Special Duties, said the problem of youth employment has become worrisome and a source of concern to all. However, the government is doing so much to curb unemployment, but a lot still needs to be done by private entrepreneurs and yourselves. You need to look inwards because the days of white collar jobs are over.”

By Medinat Kanabe

According to him, corps members should not hesitate to put into practice the experience they gained by setting up their own enterprise, no matter how small.

Saying that by their participation in the NYSC and successful completion, they have contributed immensely in all facets of the economy, Fashola praised their focus and resilience in bringing positive impact to the education, agriculture, health care delivery and environment as a whole.

In her own speech, the Lagos State NYSC Co-ordinator Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, congratulated the corps members on the successful completion of their service year as she saluted their courage, doggedness and strong will.

Lagos, British Council partner on capacity building

T

HE final workshop in the “School Leadership Mentoring Programme” aimed at building and improving the capacity of headteachers and education authorities on school leadership and creating a system of mentorship and coaching on school leadership and development was held last week in Lagos.

Speaking at the occasion, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, said the workshop was a partnership between the British Council and the Ministry of Education; it will assist in improving teaching and learning in Lagos public schools.

She said the school system would be aligned with new trends in entrenching ICT into the teaching methodology to enhance performance and promote administrative efficiency, thereby. bringing Lagos schools to world standard.

She added that the state government in its quest to promote ICT education has provided facilities in 110

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

schools, while 35 secondary schools were provided with e-tutor software in addition to other necessary infrastructure such as furniture, laboratories and books for the rapid development.

Earlier in her address, the Executive Chairman of Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Mrs. Gbolahan Khadijat Daodu, appreciated the British Council for its continuous efforts towards the development of education and enjoined the beneficiary school principals and Head teachers to rededicate themselves and show more commitment in their leadership styles in their day to day activities.

Both Mr. Alan Curry, Regional Director, British Council, Sub-Sahara Africa and Mr. David Higgs, Country Director, said the School Leadership Mentoring Programme started with a gathering of relevant stakeholders and policy makers to discuss school leadership..

29

Abia varsity boils over fee hike Page 31

*CAMPUSES New *NEWS dawn *PEOPLE at *KUDOS& KNOCKS Last week, all hell wasUNILORIN let loose at the Ekiti State University (EKSU) following the death

of a final year student of Accounting, Teslim Adebola Ibrahim. OLATUNJI AWE reports. *GRANTS Page 34

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE 0802-4550-354 email: ladycampus@yahoo.com THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

All is tense at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) following the discovery on the campus of a student’s body and the multiple blasts that rocked its host community. TAIWO ISOLA (200-Level Human Anatomy) reports.

Visually-impaired Gbenga Akinbolade surprised his peers with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.7. The 300Level Mass Communication student at the Adekunle Ajasin University, AkungbaAkoko (AAUA) represents the physically-challenged in the parliament of the Students’ Union Government (SUG). He spoke to MICHAEL OLUWANIYI (classmate) on his activities on campus.

‘There is ability in our disabilities’

•The UNIMAID main gate

Students flee as bomb rocks Maiduguri •Final year student’s body found A FTER a long lull, the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) has been gripped by fears, with explosions in a community populated by students. There was no report of any casualty when CAMPUSLIFE visited the scene, but four days later, a student was found dead on the campus.

Gwange is one of the host communities of the campus of the university. All was calm in the community last Wednesday evening as students returned from their daily routine.

Some were relaxing in their hostels after strenuous academic engagements; others were trekking to their abodes.

Suddenly, deafening reverber-

ating explosions hit the community. The blasts were followed by sporadic shooting by men of the Joint Task Force (JTF). There was stampede as students and indigenes fled the scene for safety. The bombs were said to have been planted in a building occupied by indigenes of the community.

When the news got to Mairi, another host community of UNIMAID, which borders Gwange and where majority of students living off-campus reside, there was confusion. Students quickly left their hostels and moved, in their numbers, into the school for fear of being attacked.

As they were moving to the cam-

pus, they called their colleagues to leave their rooms for safety on campus.

Last Sunday, occupants of Muritala Hall on the campus woke up to discover the body of a female student at a dumpsite behind the hostel. The deceased, whose name was given as Yeleruby Birgamus, was a 500Level student of the Fisheries Department.

The incident heightened the fear of students, who were still dazed by the explosion that rocked the university’s host community.

The student was said to have left her hostel to read at night on Sat-

urday but was found dead Sunday morning. A 200-Level female student, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “We woke up this morning to discover the wrapped body of the student dumped on this site.

We saw beside her a Bible, a mobile phone and books, which made us understand that she was coming from night class. We had to notify the management, who in turn invited soldiers and medical personnel to evacuate the body.”

There were speculations that she might have been raped on her way back to the hostel but the Director of Information, Mr Mohammed Ahmad, said the rape story was false, confirming that Yelerubi’s death was suicide.

•Continued on page 30

•Gbenga •Story on page 30

•Fayemi’s wife makes case for women •Drama as student puts to bed in hostel-P32

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

30

CAMPUS LIFE UNIABUJA, BSU and undergrads’ plight

T

Pushing Out with

Agbo Agbo

WO issues will engage my attention this week because of the repercussions they have for both present and past undergraduates of the University of Abuja and the Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi which has to do with the controversy surrounding the accreditation of certain courses. Last month, the Special Visitation Panel set up for the University of Abuja by the Federal Government recommended that unaccredited courses currently being run in the 24-year old institution be discontinued. This, according to Mr Theo Chike Osanakpo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Chairman of the 45-member panel, is against the backdrop that they did not follow laid down rules and guidelines.

Some of the UniAbuja unaccredited courses are Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Engineering which were established in 2005 against the advice of the National Universities Commission (NUC). If the recommendation is accepted and implemented, it would invalidate the certificates of many graduates of the institution, while some of the students currently studying at the school may have to seek transfer to other schools.

The big question will remain what happens to those that have already graduated if their certificates are invalidated for an action that is totally not of their making?

The situation in BSU is quite different, in 2003, the College of Health Sciences of the institution was established, and eight years down the line it is yet to be accredited by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). The Teaching Hospital, which is one of the core conditions for the establishment of the college, is still under construction and the university managed to only get the accreditation for pre-clinical courses in 2005. This development has delayed the graduation of pioneer students, and has kept

08052959489 (SMS only)

•aagboa@gmail.com others in the college without promotion to another level of study. While trying to get accreditation, authorities of the college were said to have merged students in higher levels in order to admit fresh ones. The failure of subsequent accreditation exercises led to the accumulation of batches of students in 400Level since they could not proceed any further. There are presently about three batches of 400-Level students’ saturated at the top.

In order to know where they stand, medical Students of BSU in February this year besieged the Benue State Government House to register their frustration over the inability of the government to prevail on the accreditation body to certify the courses. But eight months after reassurances from the government that the hospital will be ready in time for accreditation, the students’ patience has been stretched to the limit as they barricaded the two entrances to the College in their bid to drive home their point which forced the authorities to send them on a two week “vacation” to enable the management “sort out the problems.”

The MDCN, on its part, has threatened to close down the college if it is not invited by BSU management for accreditation. Whichever way we look at it, it is apparent that students may spend 10 years and above for a five or six years course because certain policies were not adequately thought through by those in authority before implementation. What, one may be tempted to ask, is the rush to establish a medical college which has to pass through stringent accreditation because of clinical issues when proper feasibility studies with timeline are not adhered to? Medicine is

not a course that should be treated like others because human lives are involved here and prospective Doctors must be adequately trained psychologically, mentally and academically for the challenges of the profession. What manner of Doctors are we training when they spend the better time of their studies agitating for accreditation?

Back to UniAbuja; the panel, in its report, observed that many of the facilities in the institution are unbefitting for any university as only six percent of the institution’s master plan has been achieved; the master plan ought to be fully attained by 2025. Let’s hear the Chairman on this: “Having done an overhaul of the entire programmes in the institution, our findings and recommendations to government is that programmes that are not duly approved for the university should not be run by the university. Besides that, we also looked at governance and administration, we x-rayed the administration starting from the first Vice-Chancellor Isa Mohammed through to the current Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adelabu and we also looked at governance by the respective governing councils from inception till date.”

Armed with this the panel declared that financial mismanagement and administrative lapses contributed to failures at the institution. The panel’s audit showed that the university has received N35 billion in incomes since 1988, but found that sound accounting was lacking at the school and that “financial prudence must be enthroned in the University of Abuja” as it noted that “the university’s vice chancellor was not being adequately benchmarked by the governing council.” It lamented the situation of the school, stating that it suffers from a deficiency in governance structure, which has negatively impacted the growth of the institution which it blamed on poor governance structure and the financial impropriety in the institution which is the bane of its growth.

In the wake of its investigation of projects at the institution, the panel also described the mini campus was “a mockery of the university system”, because it didn’t have hostels, the facilities were poor, lecturers did not have space and students did not have any sporting facilities. Yet this is a university that has con-

Students flee as bomb rocks Maiduguri •Continued from page 29

Speaking to our correspondent on telephone, Ahmad said: “The substances found with Yelerubi’s body showed that she committed suicide and the corpse had been handed over to the police.

“We discovered that she wrote some phone numbers with a message on a paper, which she placed in the Bible found with her lifeless body. The message read: ‘Call these people when I die and tell them that we shall meet there’. So, I can confirm to you that Yelerubi committed suicide.”

Ahmad declined to comment on Gwange bomb blast, saying it was outside the university’s jurisdiction.

When our correspondent visited the hostel of the deceased, one of her roommates, who pleaded anonymity, said the late Ruby may have died as a result of frustration.

“Ruby had complained to me several times that she was getting frustrated having spent seven years in school because of carryovers that have prevented her graduation over the years,” the student said.

A student, who fled his Gwange residence, told CAMPUSLIFE: “I just returned from school and was contemplating on what to prepare for dinner when we heard multiple blasts. I rushed out of my room to know what was happening because it was unusual in the area. The sound of the explosion was reverberating and very close.

Immediately, I sensed danger. I was still reflecting on what to do when I saw students running from all directions and heading towards Gate 5. At that point, I didn’t need to be told that there is fire on the mountain. I ran to my

room, picked my bag and joined in the race to the school.”

The student, who is now seeking refuge in Ado Bayero Hall, added: “Due to the size of the Gate 5, there was a stampede as we all struggled to enter the small opening of the gate at the same time.”

At the sight of their fleeing colleagues, students living on campus were worried and confused because of fear of infiltration by Boko Haram members.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that those who went to read in lecture halls and classrooms returned to their rooms while various associations’ meetings scheduled for the night were cancelled.

At the time of this report, the commercial area on campus was still being occupied by the fleeing students.

A 300-Level student, who identified himself as Marvis, said he was writing his assignment in a classroom when he heard the explosions. “I heard 11 explosions within minutes; I rushed out of the class to know what was happening. Students in the adjoining classroom also ran out. I packed my books immediately and left

for the hostel,” Marvis said.

Emeka Simon, a medical student, who was reading in a class when the incident happened, said he left the class with other students.

Narrating his experience to CAMPUSLIFE, a 100-Level student, James Chidozie, who lives off-campus, said he was riding in a taxi to his hostel when the bombs went off.

He said: “I was about to alight in front of the University Teaching Hospital when one of the soldiers attached to the hospital spotted our taxi and shot in our direction. He probably thought we were on a negative mission. The taxi sped off but the driver dropped me at a safe location and told me to trek back to the hospital.

“But for fear of stray bullets and the crisis in that area, I was confused because I didn’t know who or where to run to. Luckily for me, I met a lady, who spoke kindly to me. After listening to my predicament, she spoke to her parents and they allowed me to pass the night with them. Since I had no option, I passed the night with an unknown family.“

‘We discovered that she wrote some phone numbers with a message on a paper, which she placed in the Bible found with her lifeless body. The message read: ‘Call these people when I die and tell them that we shall meet there’

sistently admitted students to study capital intensive courses like Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Engineering without the requisite equipment and facilities to back it up.

Even if it’s only on paper, I’m pleased that the Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyatu Rufa’i said government was “disturbed by systemic rot (at UniAbuja) and the failure of its (accessory organs) to discharge their roles of repositioning the university.” She should go beyond this and ensure that the students are transferred to other institutions if it becomes apparent that the courses will not be accredited, the same goes for BSU students.

I’ve written in the past that the hub of any industrial and economic development of a nation is its education through which the citizenry could harness the material and human resources for nation building. For Nigeria to achieve its vision of becoming “one of the leading 20 largest economies in the world by the 2020,” the nation must be able to harness the potentials inherent in its creative and resourceful citizens and not continue to pay lip service to an important and critical sector like education.

This is the main reason why particular attention should be paid to the nation’s university system, given that universities are established for the generation of new knowledge to support economic growth and competitiveness. Nigeria, no doubt, has remained largely a consumer nation because of lack of skilled manpower and commitment of the government to invest in the right type of education. A situation where students spend more than 10 years for a five years course with no clue whether they will graduate is psychologically traumatizing, both for the students and their parents or guardians.

We are living in a rapidly changing world where knowledge is fast becoming one of the most important and prized commodity for advancement to the detriment of natural resources in its raw form. The onus is on the government to explore avenues where our universities are encouraged to fast track the establishment of Entrepreneurship Study Centres which was first mooted in 2006 as a direct response to the need to impart entrepreneurial skill to undergraduates in universities across the country, not only to ensure self-reliance but to also provide basic skills for optimal performance in the workplace and beyond.

‘There is ability in our disabilities’

Y

OUR recent public lecture tagged Behold My Ability was touching; what was the motive behind it?

My passion for the welfare of the disabled remains the driving force.

I observed that they face a lot of challenges to compete with their able colleagues. They are challenged in terms of meeting deadlines for the submission of assignments, carrying out researches on the Internet and also looking for helpers to take them around in wheel chairs. We, therefore, needed facilities like computers, printers and other gadgets that will help them. This was the reason we thought of organising a public lecture to source for funds.

Were you born blind?

No! I was born as a complete human being. My sight problem started when I was in Primary 4 and all efforts to restore it proved abortive. This halted my education for four years. Then, I summoned the courage to go to the school of the blind at Owo. I had to start all over again. It was there I was taught how to use Braille. Through the use of this, I learnt how to read and write with fingers and also how to work on computers with Job Access With Speech (JAWS).

What other things can you do aside that?

I can also sing. Students fellowships within and outside the campus always invite me to sing for them.

Do you see your condition as a limitation for you?

Absolutely not! However, it is a challenge. I only see it as a chance for me to prove my worth to complete men, of what I am capable of doing

without eyes.

How do you cope with academic challenges?

God has been helping me. With my previous knowledge on how to use Braille, type-writer and computers, I have been coping.

Why did you contest for the post of the physically-challenged student representative?

Ever since I gained admission into this school, I have been nursing the ambition to have a platform to represent my fellow disabled students and give them voice to table their yearnings.

What do you think the authorities can do to help the disabled?

They should take matters pertaining to the disabled very serious by giving attention. We need them to create a special unit in the hostel service that will cater solely for the needs of the disabled. In the hostel, we need potable water supply and they should provide more computers for us to complement the ones that have been donated. We will be glad if the government increases the scholarship opportunities for us.

What is your advice for disabled youths in the society?

We have seen disabled men and women who have added values to their world. I will advise my fellow disabled that their predicament is not the end of the world. Life must continue. Our predicament is not in any way a limitation against our dreams. We must see it as a challenge to prove to the world of able men that we are capable of achieving greatness despite our disabilities.

Being physically challenged does not make us to be mentally weak.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

31

CAMPUS LIFE

Abia varsity boils over fee hike For the fourth time in four years, the management of Abia State University (ABSU) has increased tuition fees payable by its students. The latest of such increments led to a violent demonstration.

The university was shut down indefinitely. PASCAL OKEZU (300-Level Mass Communication) reports.

ECTURES have been suspended indefinitely at the Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, following a violent protest by students over an increment in tuition fees. The students said the management has increased the fee four times in four years.

This is the second time the university has been closed down in three years.

Our correspondent learnt that in late 2007, the school fees being paid was N27,000 but by mid-2008, it was increased to N30,500. There was no protest because the students felt the increment was minimal.

However, in 2009, the hiking of the fee from N30,500 to 60,000 sparked a

L

•Students during the demonstration that left many property of the school destroyed

demonstration, which led to the closure of the state-owned university for six months. Students later resumed when the fee was reduced to N47,500.

In 2011, the school fees was again raised to N50,500, an increment the management explained was as a result of an inclusion of faculty dues of N3,000. Students reacted that the faculties’ dues had been included in the initial figure of N47,500 but management disagreed and had its way.

However, in January this year, a new regime of fees was introduced. Faculties were required to pay different exorbitant fees. Fresh students in faculties such as Law and Nursing and Optometry were asked to pay N120,000 while their colleagues in higher level will pay N100,000.

At the Faculty of Humanities, freshers will pay N100,000 while students in higher levels were asked to pay N90,000. In the faculties of Business and Education, it is N90,000 for the freshers and 80,000 for other levels.

Though the management gave the students the grace to pay the fees in two instalments. But trouble started

when the authorities discovered that majority of the students had not paid the new fee. This made the management to issue a statement directing students to pay the whole amount before writing their second semester exams.

The students rejected the directive, saying they could not afford the new fee. This led to an outrage among students of the Faculty of Education, who were billed to start their exams last week. Majority of them have not paid the complete fees, and thus were not allowed to write their papers.

Students went on rampage, chanting various solidarity songs to register their displeasure over the fee hike.

They besieged the campus, paralysing all activities. During the violent demonstration, staff vehicles, louvres of offices and facilities in the school auditorium were vandalised. A statue at the front of the Faculty of Law was destroyed.

The protesters also tried to vandalise the school’s generator but were repelled by soldiers attached to the school. In the process, the diesel being used to fuel the generating set was spilled by the students. The soldiers,

who have been stationed at the school’s main gate since last year, did not fire a shot during the demonstration but prevented the protesters from destroying more property.

Reacting to the protest, the school authorities closed down the institution indefinitely.

Adiele Chidozie Oluwafemi, 400Level History and International Relations, said: “It is not a thing of joy that the school has been closed down because it is not in anybody’s interest.

But, for me, the school should not be opened until the fees are reduced.

There has been a steady increase in the school fees over the last four years.

When I was admitted, I paid N32,000.

Now, they want me to pay N90,000, which is quite unfair. There should be a steady fee, at least, for over the next five years, instead of this obnoxious increment in fees all the time.”

A protester, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “They have been increasing the school fees without anything to show for it. It is not as if there has been a turnaround in the infrastructure the school has; in fact, most of the buildings being put up in the school

are either through the Education Trust Funds (ETF) or by private individuals.

What are they now doing with the money?”

Some of the protesters felt there should be a complete overhaul in the school administrative system.

Chidiebere Mbataku, 300-Level student, said: “I am one of the student leaders and, as it stands now, we are angry with the Vice-Chancellor and Governor Theodore Orji. When did it become a crime to go to school? Are we going to kill ourselves because we attend ABSU? Even if they re-open the school, there is no assurance that we will still not go on protest because what all students are saying is that management should revert the school fees to 50,000. That is all we want.”

For Ogechi Iroha, ABSU management has overstepped its bounds and “we also want to show them that they can’t get away with the increment this time around.”

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the University Mr Acho Elendu did not pick calls and reply text messages when our correspondent contacted him.

Achieving growth through Free Markets and Justice

F

OR African countries to achieve prosperity and economic growth, the concept of free market must be the cardinal point of their economic policies.

This view is contained in a book presented, last week, by African Liberty Organisation (ALO) in conjunction with the Network for Free Society and Atlas Economic Research Foundation, a United States-based global network.

The 129-page book, entitled Free Markets and Justice and forwarded by Nigeria’s former Minister of Solid Minerals and World Bank’s Vice President Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili, was unveiled at Aduke-Thomas, Oshodi office of ALO. It is an African version of The Morality of Capitalism written by Dr Tom Palmer, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, which was geared towards educating students on benefits of capitalism.

According to Mrs Ezekwesili, a World Bank research carried out in over 100 countries over the last 30 years showed that economic freedom, civil and political liberties are the reason some countries achieve and sustain better economic outcomes while others do not.

She said freedom to produce, to trade or to consume goods or services that one acquired without the use of force, fraud or theft was one of the characteristics in African countries that achieved prosperity in recent times. She said failed policies that caused the famine in Somalia and governance challenges that created the precursor to the policies were similar in outcome to ones

•From left: Akinwale, Thomas, Titilayo Echete and Jimoh during the presentation of the book.

By Wale Ajetunmobi

that engendered bad governance, corruption and armed conflict.

Mrs Ezekwesili posited: “The freedom from regulation or other dictates from government or the authorities in economic matters make the capitalist system of economic freedom a means for efficient allocation of resources. Economic freedom helps coun-

tries to produce the right leadership and good governance. It helps to achieve inclusive growth and, above all, economic freedom helps citizens remain at the centre of every economic activity.”

In his paper entitled Looking for Answers to Economic Growth, the publisher of the book and Director of Outreach, ALO, Mr Adedayo Thomas, noted that socialists often criticise the concepts of

capitalism and free market as an amoral economic system because of the magnitude of prosperity individuals could achieve with their ability.

Thomas said: “Far from being an amoral ideology, capitalism is highly structured by ethical norms and rules, which reject looting and grabbing of wealth common in socialism and communism.”

He said most African countries in-

cluding Nigeria practise “crony” capitalism, which was why there had not been any meaningful development in Africa. “In Nigeria today, if you know the president or governors, you will be given concession to manage any privatised government enterprise even if you are not competent; this is not capitalism, rather it is this kind of crony or phony capitalism that is putting capitalism in bad light,” Thomas said.

He added that the book, which is divided into four sections with 13 chapters, contains workable solutions that could catapult many underdeveloped African nations from the realm of the third world to first world nations.

Palmer noted that the market system referred not just to exchange of goods and services, which had been existing from time immemorial, but also to the system of innovation, wealth creation and social change that has brought to billions of people prosperity that was unimaginable to earlier generations.

While reviewing the book, Alhaji Alowonle Jimoh, a US-based business man, said the book, apart from being a guide to political leaders, should be made available to students of Economics in secondary schools and higher institutions. The book was presented

by Hon. Sunday Akinwale, a liberalism advocate.

Participants at the programme included professionals from private organisations, government officials, business men, students and Corps members.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

32

CAMPUS LIFE Drama as student puts to bed in hostel

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•Mrs Fayemi and Prof Dipo Salami during the programme

Fayemi’s wife makes case for women HE wife ofthe Ekiti State Governor, Mrs Bisi Fayemi, has called for increased representation of women in government.

She was the guest at the plenary session of the Faculty of Arts’ Annual Conference held last week.

The conference was tagged Re-enacting leadership in Nigeria: The place and role of the Humanities.

Mrs Fayemi, an alumnus of the institution, said the Beijing 1995 conference on the status and role of women in the society was yielding success with many women occupying leadership positions across the

T

From Nurudeen Lawal OAU

world.

She said some of the achievements of the conference included awareness on gender equality, formulating legal policies and constitutional framework to strengthen the rights of women. She also listed some challenges facing women rights advocacy to include religion and culture and lack of political will, among others.

Mrs Fayemi disclosed that November 25 to 30 of every year were set aside for activism against women oppression, urging the par-

ticipants to join in writing the Nigerian legislators on the need to domesticate charters on women’s rights.

She said if the laws were domesticated, women would have the right to participate fully in governance without necessarily lobbying through political godfathers.

At the end of the session, Mrs Fayemi was honoured as a distinguished alumnus of the faculty. She was later accompanied by Prof Oladipo Salami, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and other guests to lay the foundation stone for Bisi Fayemi Center for Gender and Social Policy Studies.

OW did a student give birth in a hostel? This was the question many asked when a student delivered a seven months old pregnancy last week at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko. When students got to know what was happening, they rushed to the hostel to confirm the “unbelievable story”.

The mother of the baby is an ND I student in the School of Business.

A student in HND II, who claimed to have witnessed the delivery, told CAMPUSLIFE: “I was in my room when I heard the scream of students from other rooms. I ran out to know what was going on. When I got to the room, I was surprised with what I saw.

The placenta was dangling and the baby was crying which shows that the girl was standing while delivering the baby.”

The source said the mother of the baby confessed to have used a drug to remove the pregnancy but it did not work.

The source added: “The girl confessed that she took various abortifacients but each time she took the drugs, the foetus refused to go. She admitted to have gone to many places for proper abortion but she was asked to pay between

From Geraldine Okolie OKO POLY

N40,000 and N50,000, which she could not afford. She told us that she went to see a nurse who injected her. She said it was the last medication that actually pushed the pregnancy, resulting to the birth of the premature baby.”

Another student, who witnessed the incident, explained that when the student arrived from the nurse’s place, she was restless and her roommate suspected something was wrong with her.

“Her roommate discovered that she was restless and sweating profusely.

They asked her what went wrong but she replied she was okay. They left the room only to return to see a baby crying on the floor while other students struggled to separate the placenta,” the student said.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the mother and the baby were immediately taken to Oko Community Hospital. Her family members were reached immediately. When our correspondent got to the hospital, a doctor, who declined to say his name, said the baby had been placed in an incubator.

Acct Dept gets head

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HE management of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has appointed a new head for the Department for Accounting in the Faculty of Management Sciences. He is Dr Bassey Bassey. He took over from Dr Akabom Asuquo, whose tenure expired last month.

Before his appointment, Bassey was the examination officer of the department and at the faculty.

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, he said his administration would focus on developing students through seminars and conferences, adding that exposing students to such programmes would make them compete with their counterparts across the world.

“I will equally reduce the time being spent on processing and compiling of students’ results and other administrative processes,” he said, adding that he would use his office to provide an enabling environment in addition to sourcing books and equipping the resource room to increase the access to Internet materials.

He admonished students of the de-

•Dr Bassey From Stanley Uchegbu UNICAL

partment to be good ambassadors by sustaining its high academic and moral standards. He advised them to be serious with their academic work.

The President of Nigeria Universities of Accounting Students’ Association, UNICAL chapter, Isaiah Ugwueke, described the appointment of Bassey as putting a round peg in a round hole. He said the don would bring his academic experience to lift the department.

Bank donates generator to faculty

T •Abdullateef (left) handing over to Ajibola... last week

A

S the 2011 Batch “C” Corps members completed their mandatory service last week, there were handing over ceremonies in various Community Development Service (CDS) groups. The outgoing president of the Press CDS in Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State handed over to a president for the group.

Speaking at the ceremony held at Radio Gotel, Yola, the Local Government Inspector, Mr Garba Shendam, admonished the serving youths to rededicate themselves to community service. He stressed the need for continuity in CDS groups, assuring that he would continuously give support to move it forward.

CDS gets executive From Anuoluwapo Alani YOLA

He said: “CDS is the most interesting part of your service because that is the only place you can interact with the society, interact with the community. So, the group is important. I hope you will continue with the good work of your predecessors because continuity is the keyword.”

Earlier in his remark, the outgoing president, Abdullateef Aliyu, noted that his executive was able to discharge the mandate of the group. He said: “You will recall that we promised to use our lever-

age with the sister CDS group in Yola to come up with a more professional publication and to God be the glory, we can say that we have been able to achieve this.”

Abdullateef urged the incoming executive led by Ajibola WandeKayode to keep the flag flying, saying, “we have no doubt in the ability of the present executive to carry on with the noble ideals of the CDS.” He praised the management of Gotel Communications for its support and encouragement to Corps members. Responding, Ajibola promised to move the group to the next level.

O make learning easier for students on campus, FirstBank Nigeria Plc has donated a generator to the Faculty of Social Science at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

The donation was made possible through the efforts of Prof Omololu Soyombo, the Dean of the faculty.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the don had a partnership with the bank before he became the head of the faculty.

While receiving the generating set, Shoyombo thanked the bank’s Managing Director, Mr Bisi Onasanya,

From Tosin Adesile UNILAG

for fast-tracking the faculty’s request.

He said: “The generator will enhance academic excellence and bring better output from the students of the institution.”

The generator was dedicated to the use of the faculty by representatives of the bank. At the presentation were the sub-Dean, Dr Kemi Lawanson, head of Psychology department, Dr Agiobu Ibinabo, Faculty Officer, Mrs Ebun Godfrey, and Dr Seye Ajuwon, a lecturer.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

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CAMPUS LIFE Awards for graduating students

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TUDENTS have been advised to remain steadfast and pray to overcome rough times instead of praying for an easy way out.

Nbilamut Gamno, a member of the Plateau House of Assembly, gave the charge while delivering a keynote address during the dinner and award night of graduating students of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Television College (TV COLLEGE), Jos. The event was held at the college’s auditorium.

Nbilamut urged the graduates not to shy away from the realities of life because the rough times were inevitable.

He said: “I pray for the rough part for you because, in life, one cannot escape this rough part and what makes it interesting is that the rougher the struggle, the sweeter the victory.”

He also advised the students to follow the tenets of journalism, saying it

•Some of the outgoing members at the event

WOTCLEF holds send forth for outgoing Corps members

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T was all fun when the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF), Oyo State chapter, organised a send forth and welcoming party for the 2011 Batch “C” and 2012 Batch “A” Corps members.

The event, which took place at KS Motel, Ibadan, was attended by the state coordinator of the foundation, Alhaja Adijat Malik; the secretary, Alhaji Suleiman Raheem; Schedule Officer of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Vanguard, Mr Austin Okoroafor and Corps members.

From Tunmise Oladipo NYSC IBADAN

Okoroafor congratulated the outgoing Corps members for a successful service year, praising them for their selfless service and immense contributions to promoting and projecting the aims and objectives of the Vanguard.

He said: “Let me use this opportunity to thank the Batch C corps members, both the executive council and floor members, for helping to pilot the affairs of the Vanguard for a year. Without your contributions, this Vanguard would not

have been where it is, presently.”

Alhaja Malik praised the Corps members for using their service year to serve humanity. She implored the Batch “B” Corps members to maintain the good legacy their outgoing colleagues left behind.

Ezinne Anonyuo, who will be through with service today, said joining WOTCLEF opened her eyes to modern day slavery.

“Enlightening people, especially those at the grassroots on child labour and human trafficking, was full of challenges and, at the same time, fun because I have passion for it,” said Oluwatosin Jemiyo.

Varsity gets SUG leaders

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HE members of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), who were recently elected, have been inaugurated. The SUG officials led by Osifo Osasere were sworn in last week in a ceremony held at the varsity’s Central Administrative Building.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Osayuki Oshodin, who came in the company of other principal officers of the university, assured the union leaders of his administration support. The oath of office was administered on the officials by Chief Magistrate Nosa Musor, who repre-

From Dutse Suleiman TV COLLEGE

would lead to a positive change in Nigeria.

The event featured musical and dance performances, keynote address and presentation of awards.

The audience was thrilled by the performances of Veezluze, a Hip Hop artist, and the dance steps of the Fly High crew.

The Best Graduating Students award went to the duo of Cecilia Okeke, Journalism Department, and Jemimah Jack, Production Department.

Also, CAMPUSLIFE’s Johnpaul Nnamdi was awarded the Outstanding Reporter. The Best Lecturer in the Production Department went to Mr Olaniyi Oladokun while Best Lecturer in Journalism Department went to Mr Chris Kwaja.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Kwaja thanked the students for the honour and urged them not to relent in their endeavours. On behalf of the government of Plateau State, Kwaja gave N100,000 each of the best graduating students.

The Rector, Dr Ayo Fasan, wished the graduates luck as they step into the larger society.

From Osato Edokpayi UNIBEN

sented the Chief Judge of Edo State.

Other members of the SUG leaders sworn in are Margaret Odia, Vice President, Hope Osarodion, Attorney-General, Suleman Aliyu, Secretary General, Peter Okolie, Assistant Secretary General, Osariemen Okuonghae, Director of Welfare, Emmanuel Ogbomon, Director of Information, Simon Peter, Director of Finance, Sylvester BayeOsagie, Director of Sports and Adegbenga Adeleye, Director of Socials.

Members of the parliament of the union also elected their principal officers. Godfrey Ameh became the Speaker while Donald Abuah became the Deputy Speaker. Others are Valentine Ikediashi, Clerk, Chinwe Odiaka, Deputy Clerk and Godwin Eromosele, Chief Whip.

Group sensitises public on environment

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•Dr Okei-Odumakin with some of the participants after the event

Group, activist make case for girl-child

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O ensure a girl-child does not lag behind in the changing world, the United Nations declared October 11, every year, the International Day for the girl-child.

In commemoration of the day, a programme was held in the main auditorium of the University of Lagos (UNILAG). Its theme was Health empowerment right.

The Chief Executive Officer of Live Well Initiative (LWI), Bisi Bright, spoke on how proper health care should be made available to the girl-child. She said a girl-child must have the right to qualitative health care just as she must have the right to education.

The representative of the Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs

From Tomiwa Bello and Mariam Akingbala LAGOS

Olayinka Oladunjoye, Mrs A.K. Musa, charged the participants to plan for their future.

“In Lagos, the opportunity given to a girl-child is different from that given to a boy-child, even it has been known in schools that when it comes to cleaning exercise, they always call on the girl-child,” she said, urging them not to be afraid to share anything with their parents.

In her lecture, Dr Joe OkeiOdumakin, a civil right activist, harped on how to stop violence and discrimination against girl-child. She

defined a girl-child to be any female human, from birth through childhood, including unmarried women.

“A girl-child is essential and vital in a family as they go through a lot of encounter. In a recent research in subSahara Africa, women faces a strong condition of death at childbirth. It is also known that in 76 countries, less than half eligible girls enroll in school,” Dr Odumakin said.

She concluded that the only way out was education, good health care and empowerment.

At the event were Oluwabukola Awoyemi of Arugba fame; Touchi Eze, a social entrepreneur; Morounfoluwa Atilola, a writer; Grace Okon,and a film producer, among others.

HE Green Law Society (GLS), a students’ group at the Faculty of Law of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), has held an awareness programme to sensitise the public on the need to preserve the environment.

The programme was held in the moot court room in the faculty and was well-attended by students, lectures, and lawyers including Barrister Victor Ayeni, who was represented by Mr. Alonge Opeyemi.

An environmental expert, Dr Olakunle Olatunmile, who spoke on Changing the world: A collective responsibility, said the problem of environment was global, emphasising the need for everyone to contribute to the effort to save the environment from degradation.

He said: “Individuals have degraded the environment so much so that if care is not taken, our

From Temitope Apanisile AAUA

planet earth may run into more disaster. It therefore places a demand on everyone to save the environment and by that, saving the future generation.”

He further stressed the fact that, all hands must be on deck to reduce desertification, deforestation, bush burning, overgrazing, overharvesting, improper disposal of waste, biodiversity extinction, over-exploitation of natural resources among others.

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE after the event, the president of the society, Sope Adeyanju, said the mission of the group was to educate people from the campus to the street on need to protect and nurture the environment. A participant, Ezekiel Adeshida, said his personal awareness about the need to protect and nurture the environment has received a boost.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

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CAMPUS LIFE A Corps member, Grace Ushang Adie, who was killed by suspected members of Boko Haram in Maiduguri, was remembered by the alumni association of the University of Calabar (UNICAL). EMMANUEL AHANONU (400-Level Political Science) attended the event.

•Dr Amadi

W

HILE serving in Borno State in 2009, Miss Grace Ushang Adie, who was a graduate of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), was murdered by suspected members of Boko Haram sect. She was shot in broad daylight.

Pained by the circumstance surrounding the killing of the promising Corps member, members of the UNICAL alumni, under the leadership of Kennedy Dike, held a memorial lecture in her memory.

Held last week, the lecture was the second edition.

The programme took place at the new Senate Chamber. It was graced by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof James Epoke and Pro-Chancellor Dr Roland Ehigeamosea.

Others in attendance were Appolo Goma, who chaired the

•Cross section of participants at the memorial lecture

A memory forever event; Prof Austin Obiekezie, Deputy VC (Academics); his Administration counterpart, Prof James Utsalo; Dr Julia Omang, Registrar; Dr Chike Ekeokpara, member of council; Dr Ezi Ihiegbunam, who represented the Ministry of Education; Prof A. E. Odock and Mr Okorile Okorile, head of Calabar chapter of the alumni body and members of the deceased’s family.

That Corps members serving their father land become victims of brutality, Dike said, showed that ethnic hostility was rife in the country. He stressed the need for government to strengthen security in the North and protect the lives of

Nigerians, who dwell in rural areas.

Ehigeamosea said unless the security agencies were ready to guarantee the security of Corps members in the troubled states of the North, the youths should not be mobilised to northern states. He urged the Federal Government to arrest the violence against the defenceless youths.

While paying tribute to the deceased, Epoke observed that members of the Governing Council temporarily suspended their meeting to attend the memorial lecture. He praised the alumni for remembering their fallen colleague, who fell

to criminals’ bullet in Maiduguri.

The guest lecturer and chairman of Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr Sam Amadi, who graduated from the university, noted that Nigeria was not yet a liberal state. He said Grace was a victim of mutual distrust between ethnic nationalities in the country. He decried the growing threat of religious fanatism among Christians and Muslims, querying the impact of religion in contemporary Nigeria.

Amadi urged politicians to dissociate religion from governance, saying it was the only solution to curb the menace of fanatism in the sys-

tem.

Ray Adie, the elder brother of the deceased, told the gathering that the National Assembly members passed a resolution to compensate the family, but said nothing had come from the chambers. He eulogised his late sister through a poem, which reads: Don’t blunt at my grave and weep; I am the gentle showers of rain. I am the spark of light of the night; I am in a quiet room where there is not trouble. Do not stand at my grave and weep for I am out there and I do not die.

Maxwell Ebe, National Secretary of the alumni association, gave the closing remark. The programme was preceded by a tour to the site of the one-storey alumni building.

Dike charged the members to put resources together in order to complete the building before next year’s meeting.

New dawn at UNILORIN Excitement and happiness pervaded the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) when the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, transferred the baton to the incoming helmsman, Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali. WALE BAKARE (300Level Zoology) writes.

L

AST Monday, the five-year term of Prof Ishaq Oloyede as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) ended. On the same day, Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali was sworn in as the eighth ViceChancellor.

During the handing over, which took place in the auditorium, students, who were joined by eminent personalities across the state, academics and journalists were excited to witness the hitch-free change of guard.

The emergence of the new VC was greeted with controversies, with some of the contenders claiming that the selection process was not free and fair. This elicited a series of comments in the media and also resulted in a litigation by one of the contestants.

Against this backdrop, students expressed fear over the development, which they said may affect the steady academic calendar the university has maintained for close to 10 years. But the management allayed the fears of the stakeholders, saying the programmes of the school would not be affected by the litigation.

In his address at the handing over, Prof Oloyede said he believed the incoming VC would use his academic acumen to consolidate the gains of his administration.

“He applied the first time but he was not appointed. Prof Ambali was appointed the second time because he was the best among those who contested for the post. I appeal to the university community to give him the necessary support to continue the good work,” Oloyede said.

Speaking on his tenure, the outgoing VC said: “Since inception, the past Vice-Chancellors have tried their best in making UNILORIN a good citadel of learning. During my tenure, I did my best. The university witnessed a lot development which included projects such as introduction of Computer Base Test (CBT), which has been adopted by 80 per cent of Nigerian universities.”

“On the academic front, we established Technical and Entrepreneurial Centre (TEC), Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies (CPSS), National Centre for Hydropower Research and Development (NACHRED), Counselling and Hu-

•Prof Oloyede (left) handing over some documents to his successor, Prof Ambali... last week

man Development Centre, Centre for International Education, Stem Cell Research Centre, Ilorin Centre for Alternative Technology (ICATECH) , UNILORIN FM, and School for Preliminary Studies, Fufu.”

“The university successfully hosted the 13th West Africa Universities Game (WAUG), created a portal for staff and students, was ranked among the best in the country. It secured some property in Lagos and Abuja to generate income, created more programmes in addition to constructing a walkway in the zoological garden.”

After the change of leadership, Prof Ambali waved extended an olive branch to his opponents, urg-

ing them to embrace peace and support his administration’s resolve to take the school to another level.

“I thank Almighty Allah for His mercy. I appreciate my predecessor and I thank everyone present to witness this ceremony. I also implore my opponents in the race to support me to move the university to the next level.”

After the handing over, staff and students, who were present at the occasion, congratulated the new helmsman. CAMPUSLIFE spoke to some of them.

Titilope Akogun , 400-Level Law, who is also the Public Relations Officers (PRO) of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), said: “This is a new dawn for

UNILORIN and we hope the tenure of the new VC will bring more development to the school.

Prof Ambali has a very credible credential and I believe he is up to the task to make the university a model among its peers. I wish him success as he assumes office.”

Sodiq Aroyaya, 300-Level Zoology, said: “Oloyede’s leadership ability and passion made him to succeed. I will advise Prof Ambali to display such passion to succeed.”

A student who spoke on the condition of anonymity said: “All I believe is that Oloyede has ended his journey as our VC. I will like the new VC to learn from Oloyede’s mistakes.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

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CAMPUS LIFE

Celebrating Nigeria’s true heroes

By Philips Ogbaje

I

F people should remember and celebrate Nigeria’s independence at 52, it should be ordinary Nigerians. Yes, those Nigerians we see on the streets, who toil hard to get daily bread and who bear the brunt of the reckless policies of the government.

It is this group of Nigerians whose

unkempt houses have been washed away by the flood ravaging the nation. Their means of livelihood have been liquidated by the rage of this natural disaster. The lives of their family members, relatives, friends, brothers and sisters are cut short daily on Nigerian roads, which have all become slaughtering slabs for promising Nigerians. Yet, they still hope for a better tomorrow.

It is this group of Nigerians who queue under the scorching sun to vote their choice candidates and who, at times, die in the process with the same hope and prayer that there will be change, only to be visited with the same story of lie and deceit while politicians smile to the bank at their expense.

It is this group of Nigerians who rots away in jail without trial. They die in detention while awaiting trial. Some of them may not even have committed punishable offences, but because they were unfortunate to fall into the hands of our ruthless policemen with no money to secure their way out. They rot in jail without trial.

These are the Nigerians who have

heard, seen and experienced the brutality of the political class, whose main aim includes stealing the country blind while millions of their compatriots wallow in penury and abject poverty. They are the Nigerians who have had to endure the high-powered sleaze on the corridor of power - Ettehgate, Hembegate, Otehgate, Faroukgate – and who will still live through many other gates that are yet to unravel.

They are the Nigerians whose family members were roasted to charred barbecue when the thirdhand airplane that plied the Nigerian skies went up in flames. Their woes are compounded when airline officials play politics with the manifest. The grief notwithstanding, government will still hold on to the charred bodies as though they are its properties.

I can go on and on; suffice it to say that Nigerians are extremely resilient. For, it is only in this country that suffering people still remain cheerful with the hope of a better tomorrow. This is why this set of Nigerians must celebrate the

country’s independence, at least, for surviving the harsh policies of government, if not for anything.

And we have survived the hardship for 52 years; it is quite a feat. It is no mean feat that a country with a population of over 150 million people could generate a paltry 4,500 megawatts to power the houses and industries on its landscape. Billions of money in local and foreign currencies have been invested in the sector, yet Nigerians sleep in darkness.

What is more, we still import resources we have in abundance in the country. Is it any surprise that government pays huge cash to oil importers even when we have refineries? A country as small and as poor as Niger Republic has a functional refinery. Yet Nigeria is the largest producer of oil in Africa and the sixth largest producer in the world.

For all the noise about job creation, record shows that unemployment is not only on the increase; in fact, Nigeria has the worst youth unemployment rate in sub-Saharan Africa - 21.1 per cent in 2010 to 23.9 per cent in the current year, according to the 2012 release by the United Nations body,

African Economic Outlook.

With all these problems and more, Nigerians have remained steadfast, cheerful and hopeful of a better country. Even when their relatives and friends who escape the bullets of armed robbers on the highway are mercilessly cut down in their numbers in churches and mosques with bombs and IEDs, their faith in the entity called Nigeria has not wavered.

These Nigerians are the true heroes of Nigeria at 52. Not those celebrated Nigerians who have fed fat and are still feeding on the country; who steal from the country to maintain ostentatious life styles. Not those Nigerians who cash in on the collective sufferings of Nigerians to make themselves richer. Ordinary people are certainly not the Nigerians the government will confer with national honours or invite for the independence celebrations in Abuja. But we know who our true heroes are.

Philips, 400-Level Information Technology, MAUTECH YOLA

Lessening the burden of admission seekers

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RIOR to independence, Nigeria had only a university, which was the Premier University founded in 1948 as a college of the University of London.

It later gained autonomy in 1962.

Other universities were founded years after independence in 1960 except the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) founded just before independence.

They are Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), formerly known as the University of Ife and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Some were established in 1970 and since then, more institutions have been added to increase the number of government varsities.

It is a good development that the increasing number of the universities is helping to eradicate illiteracy and has placed the country as the destination of foreign students, who want to learn more about African literature.

But this number of tertiary institutions cannot accommodate the increasing number of people striving to go to school. The emergence of private universities gladdens the heart of only the few elite who could afford to pay the exorbitant fees just to get a degree for their wards. What becomes of the poor masses?

A lot of applicants wrote the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Exam (UTME) several times and scored above 200. They even

be provided across the country.

More federal universities can be built in strategic locations agaonst the approval of more private universities which are unaffordable to the masses.

Even state governments are not left out They can as well reduce the fees and create opportunities for those who are thirsty for knowledge to have a chance to fulfill their dreams.

Through this, admission seekers will stop harbouring feelings of hatred against the schools that had denied them admission, and education will stop being a competition but a means to an end which is the acquisition of knowledge.

Oyindamola, 400-Level English, OAU

Tackling hitches of RUGIPO’s online registration

Grammar of the Nigerian graduates

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HAT university graduates in Nigeria cannot express themselves properly in English tells us the low into which our education system has sunk. Alas, this has also contributed to the increasing rate of unemployment.

Employers advertise that they need graduates who are confident and articulate in their communication, who will relate with customers perfectly and their colleagues. During the interview, they watch the applicants’ grammatical abilities, regardless of the job they apply for.

A friend told me sometime ago that a recruitment officer said to him: “I have found that people, who make blunders in their construction of grammar, also make mistakes when they are doing something completely unrelated to writing such as stocking or labelling parts.”

In other words, the officer believed that people who are diligent and speak correct grammar tend to be diligent at work and whatever they do.

Also, reading a copy of New York Times lately, John McWhorter, a columnist, argued that good grammar was an essential gift in any work place.

He said grammar was not indicative of intelligence or being attentive to details but rather a product of one’s education and upbringing.

As a result, McWhorter said those from disadvantaged communities are disproportionately excluded from jobs because of their bad grammar. Apart

passed the post-UTME and surpassed vArious cut-off marks of universities but without admission. Why? The number of students seeking admission yearly is more than those admitted into all the universities. Gone are the days when the government would select the best students in government-owned secondary schools, send them abroad to study on scholarship.

Though the number of beneficiaries seemed small, but a large number of students would have been offered a place if five pupils were selected from 200 schools across the country.

Alternatively, the infrastructure that could help to increase the capacity of federal universities can

I

By Olaitan Ajao

from this, the writer equally argued that, for many professions, grammar was not an essential skill to make one productive. For instance, doesn’t a computer programmer need to know the difference between “discrete” and “discreet”?

Obviously, grammar is important for one to get a job, especially in the media, but McWhorter suggested it may not be important for every job.

In anyway, I urge education policy makers in Nigeria to focus more on communication skills in the early years of a child’s life to the university level. This is because education without basic communication skill is like building a house without a solid foundation.

Olaitan, 400-Level Industrial Relation and Human Resources Management, LASU

NFORMATION Communication Technology (ICT) has brought unprecedented development to every sector of the economy - agriculture, mining, health, security, education and others.

The effect is felt more in the education sector and the role of ICT to engendering a robust education system cannot be overemphasised. Aside helping to facilitate effective teaching and learning, it also helps in students’ registration, payment of school fees and other exercises, thereby bringing an end to the manual registration which was ladened with a lot of stress, giving room for everything to be done online.

These advantages of ICT may have prompted the management of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO) to introduce online registration last year.

According to the Rector, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, ICT was introduced to make its activities comply with 21st century realities.

There have been commendations from many quarters for introducing online registration, at least, for the first time in the 31years of existence of the institution. This made students to nickname the Rector “21st Century Don.” Prior to the introduction of online registration, students had always

By Richard Ilesanmi

been subjected to rigorous manual method as they would have to travel to Owo before they could make any payment. Besides, students would have to submit themselves to the rules of banks as they queued under the scorching sun to obtain bank drafts, sign their course forms and perform other activities.

However, their hope was dashed as the exercise could not bring the expected hope, but aggravated their suffering. Students encountered some difficulties in getting themselves registered. For instance, returning students of Ondo State origin who were supposed to pay N19,000 as their tuition had to pay N22,000 or more for late registration.

Some could not even register their courses online because of the unfriendly nature of the portal. These

By Oyindamola Fadimu

and other difficulties made the management to direct students to go back to the manual registration because examination was approaching. Throughout the 2010/2011 academic session, the exercise was a mirage as it could not yield the expected result.

Reports had it that as academic activities commenced for the 2011/2012 academic session last March, some students could still not register and make payments online one month after resumption. This was as a result of the persistent problematic nature of the online registration exercise.

The Acting Director of ICT, Mr Alex Akinola, said the problems faced by students when the online registration was first introduced had been surmounted and that the institution was set for full online registration this session. He also said the era of manual registration was gone.

It is a well known fact that when a new invention is first introduced, the expected result may not be accomplished within a short period. Therefore, there is the need for the management to improve on the exercise. Experts should be consulted on how to make the portal friendlier to do away with over-invoicing and the likes.

The institution is fortunate to have a world-class academic at the helm of affairs. The rector should deploy all resources needed to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the portal and make it student-friendly.

This will surely bring an end to the recurrent problem of over-invoicing and make registration easy for the students. RUGIPO O ni baje o!

Richard, ND II Mass Comm., RUGIPO

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

36

CAMPUS LIFE Editorial CDS group elects new executives From Gerald Nwokocha NYSC ABUJA

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•The winner of AfricanLiberty.org/The Nation newspaper Essay Contest, Moses Oluwanifise, after he received his cash prize of $1,000 and a return ticket to Kenya from the Editor of the newspaper, Mr Gbenga Omotoso.

PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA

HE Editorial Community Development Service (CDS) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Abuja chapter, has elected new executive. The open-ballot election took place under the supervision of NYSC officials.

Before the election started, the CDS supervisor, Mrs Esther Bitrus, addressed the contestants and voters to elect people based on credibility. When the result of the poll was announced, Hussani Dikka was returned as the president.

Others were Olusola Similoluwa, Vice President, Kenneth Mudia, General Secretary, Asta Yahaya, Assistant General Secretary, Chinwe Madubuike, News Editor 1, Mobolaji Oyeyipo, News Editor 2, Emmanuel Abimbola, Provost and Som Tochukwu, Technical Manager.

Hussani thanked his colleagues for voting him and promised to discharge his duties accordingly.

In his address, the outgoing president of the CDS, Idongesit Udoh, thanked all the Corps members for their support given to his administration.

• A student posing with the dead snake

Student kills snake in hostel’s premises

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EW weeks after the residents of Awolowo Hall in the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) killed snakes around the hostel, another snake has been killed by students around the area.

The serpent was killed at the front of Block 7.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the snake which was killed last Thursday had been lurking around the Block 7 lawn where students always spread their clothes for drying. A student, who went to pick his clothes, saw the snake and alerted his colleagues immediately.

This degenerated into chaos as students ran away from the scene.

But a student, Gideon Ogunniran, waited and pursued the snake with plank. He killed the serpent after a about 10 minutes search. It was af-

From Taofeeq Adebayo OAU

ter this time that other students came around to catch a glance at the dead snake.

They, however, discovered a lizard being swallowed by the snake before it was killed by Gideon. The students later left the scene for other halls of residence to perform Aro (campus joke) with the dead snake.

They laid the dead snake on the pathway to the female hostels to cause fear.

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE on the incident, Surajudeen Mutairu, 400Level English, advised his colleagues to be vigilant.

It should be recalled that similar incident happened same hall and Adekunle Fajuyi Hall where a snake was found in a room recently.

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

•Members of the group painting culvert on a road on campus... last week

Students give campus facelift

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GROUP of students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) under the banner of Generation Next (G-Next) have embarked on cleaning exercise on the campus to give the school a new look. The students also painted the stretch leading to the campus.

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Moses Eromonsele , who is the Assistant Publicity Secretary of the group, said: “We are set of students who make up our minds to be agents of progress. We have come out to let the management know that students can also contribute to the development of the university.

We bought 20 drums of pain to do this exercise without sponsorship from any quarter.

From Taofeeq Adebayo OAU

Monehin Adelu, who is former Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Students ’ Union, commended the initiative, saying: “I believe this is one of the ways students can contribute their quotas to the development of the school.”

He, however, said that the management should see the initiative beyond the beautification and know that the students also can be a developmental partner to the university.

While commending the students for the exercise, Tony Olumide, 400Level Psychology, the exercise would serve as example for students that want to do meaningful projects on campus.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

37

EDUCATION

Students did not burn houses in Aluu, says NANS

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HE National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has denied the allegation that students committed arson during their protest against the horrific killing of four undergraduates of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) penultimate week.

In a press statement, the Vice President of NANS, Comrade Moreno Ehimemenn, refuted the claims that the students burnt about four houses in Aluu, saying the protest was peaceful.

“The protest lasted over 12 hours.

We, the leadership of NANS in the zone, ensured that it was violence-

From, Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

free. None of our students were involved in the burning of houses.

The arson was committed by indigenes of Aluu to gain sympathy from people,” he said.

The group, however, accused the Federal Government of paying lip service to the indiscriminate killing of students across the country and warned that they would take to the streets if the killers were not brought to book.

“The Federal Government has failed the Nigerian students for not addressing the incessant killing of

students in the country. We have resolved, if drastic measures are not taken to fish out the killers of the over 40 students at Mubi and the four from UNIPORT, we would shut down the educational sector of the country for one week through a peaceful demonstration,” he said On his part, the NANS Zone B Secretary General, Comrade Richard Ekutu, blamed the gruesome killing of the four UNIPORT students on inadequate hostel facilities on the campus.

He said over 75 per cent of the university’s students reside off campus.

The students called on the Federal Government and management of the institution to provide more hostel facilities to avoid a reoccurrence and put a stop to majority of its students residing off-campus.

Meanwhile, NANS has thanked the management of the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma for its final decision to conduct the poll on Thursday contrary to insinuations that the election might not be held this academic session.

The Vice President of the apex students’ body, said officials of the body would monitor the election to ensure it was free, fair and credible.

Soludo for AUN’s Founder’s Day

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NE of Nigeria’s leading economists and former Central Bank Governor, Prof Charles Soludo, will be the keynote speaker at the seventh Founder’s Day celebration of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola on November 24.

The Founder’s Day programme recognises the achievements of the entire AUN community, and looks forward to the future.

Its high point is to honor former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for his unalloyed commitment to youth education in Nigeria and Africa.

Mr. Abba Tahir, AUN’s VicePresident for Public Relations & Communications, said Atiku was deserving of honour because of his generosity.

“The AUN community has a responsibility to pay tribute to a

T

worthy patriot for founding, continuously funding and sustaining Africa’s premier development university. This day of recognition is the only way we can thank this man for his boundless generosity. It is our token of goodwill.”

The celebration will begin on Friday, November 23, with Yola Community Day, another peacebuilding initiative sponsored by AUN.

•Prof Soludo

Elizade Varsity offers scholarships

HE Founder of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Chief Michael Ade.Ojo has announced a scholarship of N100,000.00 for each of the 250 pioneer students of the institution.

According to a release signed by the Registrar of the Institution, Mr. Omololu Adegbenro, the scholarship is to assist the students.

Meanwhile, the university has

concluded arrangement to introduce internship and work-study programme for its students so as to give them practical experience in their chosen disciplines.

Adegbenro added that the students would be attached to reputable industries for holiday jobs during long vacations to expose them to the work-place even before graduation.

He said the university will also give priority to mentorship as a way of grooming them for future leadership roles.

The Institution’s post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) holds on Friday 26 and Saturday 27, on its campus, while the resumption date for the pioneer students is Sunday January 6, 2013.

•Prof Kucha

UAM gets VC From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

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ROFESSOR Emmanuel Kucha has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, (UAM).

Kucha, a professor of mechanical engineering, will take over from Prof Vershima Uza, whose troubled tenure ends next month.

Since the announcement was made public, the entire university and host communities have erupted in jubilation because of the choice of the new Vice Chancellor.

Minda, the host community had poised for war if Kucha, a son of the soil, was not appointed the next Vice-Chancellor. This is the first time the community will be producing a Vice-Chancellor for the university.

Kucha, born August 1950 in Guma Local Government of Benue State, he obtained his bachelors, masters and Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering. Mechanics from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and the Michigan Technological University, Michigan,USA.

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VC bags Fellowship THE Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB), Prof Olusola Bandele Oyewole, has been conferred with the Professional Fellowship of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST).

The award was conferred on Oyewole during the opening ceremony of the 36th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the institute, held at the University of Lagos Conference Centre, Akoka, Lagos.

Acknowledging the tremendous contributions of the Vice-Chancellor to the advancement of Food Science and Technology, the President of the Institute, Dr John Obiora Onuora, decorated Oyewole with the award insignia, thereby conferring on him, the title, right and privileges of the Fellowship of the institute.

Five other Nigerians were also honoured at the event, including the President of the university’s Alumni Association and Head of Department, Food Science and Technology, Prof Oladimeji Lateef Sanni.

Responding on behalf of the recipients, Oyewole appreciated the leadership of the Institute for the honour, with a pledge to live up to the expectation and also ensure the development of the profession.

Commencement Lecture THE FUNAAB Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olusola Oyewole, has explained the need to institute worldclass traditions as the rationale behind the introduction of the Commencement Lecture by his administration.

Delivering his speech at the maiden Commencement Lecture for the 2012/2013 Session, held at the Professor Yakubu Mahmood lecture theatre, Oyewole said it is typical of world-class universities to start a new academic session by tapping inspiration from the wealth of knowledge and experience of a great leader as the guest lecturer.

“One of the traditions of worldclass universities is that of commencing their academic year by giving opportunities to their communities to be challenged by a great leader of their time and generation,” he said.

Justifying the choice of the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dimeji Sabur Bankole (CFR), as the Guest Lecturer, the Vice-Chancellor said he has significantly contributed to the growth of the university through his endowment of various infrastructure.

Librarians hold workshop

•21-year old Fatimo Adebukola Adeniyi graduated with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.58 to emerge the overall best graduand from the Crescent University, Abeokuta at its convocation... last Saturday.

UNN to host UNESCO biotech centre HE United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has confirmed the establishment of an international centre for biotechnology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

UNESCO and Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the centre last Monday in Paris – with UNESCO Director General Mrs Irina Bokova and

FUNAAB FILE

Nigeria’s Minister for Education Prof Ruqqayatu Rufai signing foreach the duo.

The MoU was based on the approval of the International Institute for Biotechnology by the 36th session of the UNESCO General Conference held in Paris in June 2011.

The conference “welcomed the proposal of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to establish an international centre for biotechnology in Nsukka,

Nigeria under the auspices of UNESCO, done in conformity with its principles and guidelines and authorised the Director General to sign an agreement for its establishment.

The UNESCO International Institute of Biotechnology at UNN would conduct advanced training, education and research in biotechnology with emphasis on food security, bio-resource conservation

•Prof Rufa’i

LIBRARY personnel have been charged to upgrade their knowledge of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to efficiently discharge their duties.

A Fellow of the Nigeria Library Association (FNLA), Dr Taofeek Mabolaje Salisu, gave the charge in his keynote address at the sixth annual workshop of the Nigeria Library Association (NLA) held at the FUNAAB International Scholars and Resource Centre (ISRC).

Worried by the sharp decline in the quality and productivity of Library personnel Salisu, who is the pioneer Librarian of FUNAAB, blamed the development on the apathy of librarians to upgrading their knowledge of ICT. The don who lamented that an average librarian is not ICT compliant fingered them as been the bane of the downward trend in the output of Library personnel in the country.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

38

EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS

EKSU FILE

APPROACHING DEADLINES

Reparation fee reduced THE Ekiti State University (EKSU) has reviewed downward the reparation fee to be paid by students following the destruction of properties in the institution recently.

The new fee is N6,500 instead of the N10,500 earlier announced.

A statement by EKSU Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Relations, Ajibade Olubunmi, pre-degree students and those on Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) for the second semester of 2011/ 2012 are excluded from the payment.

Payments are to be made to designated banks nationwide as earlier announced in the dailies.

Students are equally advised to comply with this directive and keep away from the university premises until further notice.

The Senate of the university will meet to decide the resumption date. The deadline for the payment is tomorrow.

‘Create ethical centres in state’

2012 Cardiff University Country-Specific Undergraduate Scholarships, UK Study Subject(s):Courses offered by the University Course Level:Undergraduate Scholarship Provider: Cardiff University Scholarship can be taken at: UK Eligibility: -You must be confirmed as an Overseas Student for fee paying purposes.

- You must have either a conditional or unconditional offer and must have accepted Cardiff University as your Firm choice on the UCAS system, for study during the 2012/13 academic year, -These scholarships are only available to selffunded students.

Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes Scholarship Open for Students of Following Countries: Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Nigeria, USA ,Vietnam Scholarship Description: Cardiff University offers a range of scholarships to international undergraduate students from specific countries.

These countries are:Applications are welcomed from students from each of these countries.

There are six scholarships available each academic year (one for each

country).Scholarship holders will receive a tuition fee reduction to the value of £5,000 from their undergraduate degree at Cardiff University.

How to Apply: By Post Scholarship Application Deadline: 15th July 2012 END 2012 TWAS-icipe Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme for Developing Country, Kenya Postdoctoral Fellowship in Animal Health, Human Health, Plant Health, Environmental Health, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Behavioral and Chemical Ecology, Entomology for Young Scientists from Developing Countries (other than Kenya), Kenya 2012 Study Subject(s):Animal Health, Human Health, Plant Health, Environmental Health, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Behavioural and Chemical Ecology,Entomology Course Level:Postdoctoral Fellowship Scholarship Provider: TWAS-icipe Scholarship can be taken at: Kenya Eligibility: -apply for the TWAS-icipe Postdoctoral Fellowship within 5 years of completion of their PhD qualification; -be nationals of a developing country (other than Kenya); - must not hold any visa for temporary or permanent residency in Kenya or any developed

country; - hold a PhD degree in a field of the natural sciences; -be regularly employed in a developing country (other than the host country) and hold a research assignment there; - provide evidence that s/he will return to their home country on completion of the fellowship; - not take up other assignments during the period of his/her fellowship; Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes Scholarship Open for Students of Following Countries: Developing Countries (other than Kenya) Scholarship Description: TWAS-icipe Postdoctoral Fellowships in natural sciences are tenable for a minimum period of six months to a maximum period of twelve months at the departments of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) in Kenya.icipe will provide a standard monthly allowance which should be used to cover living costs, such as accommodation, food and health insurance. The monthly stipend will not be convertible into foreign currency.

How to Apply: Email, Post Scholarship Application Deadline: 15 September 2012

A PROFESSOR of Sociology in EKSU, Adeola Olaogun, has suggested that the Federal Government should,, as a matter of urgency, set up centres for ethics in all states to curb the increasing social challenges.

He made the suggestion at the university’s 34th inaugural lecture.

He said: “The government should, as a matter of national emergency, create at least one centre in each state of the federation for the study of ethics. The specific mission of the centre should be geared toward promotion of ethics in Nigeria by emphasising ethical decisions, guided by moral principles and values, such as respect for persons, justice, and compassion.”

Balogun was of the opinion that the centres should specifically focus on cultivating and nourishing the heart, to form, cherish and reward good behaviour.

NGO trains prefects on leadership

By Mariam Sanni, Abeokuta

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O fewer than 500 prefects of secondary schools in Ogun State have received leadership training and human relations skills that would assist them become more effective and influential in future.

The training was by Wisdom Training Centre (WTC), a non-profit making organisation, which aims at helping youngsters discover and develop their talents.

The event, which took place at the WTC complex in Abeokuta, the state capital, was attended by various secondary school prefects including: Asero High School, Rev. Kuti Memorial Grammar School, Macjob Grammar School and Catholic Comprehensive High School (all in Abeokuta) among others.

Addressing the participants, one of the resource persons Mr Wale Adejuigbe, said any idea being espoused by students should benefit others.

Adejuigbe said as prefects, they should ensure that they influence others by inspiring them positively.

“Leadership is by influence, the influence can be by desperation for students to be the best, they must prove themselves in any area”.

He cited as an example, a young scholar, 13-year old Amiya Alexander who often makes presentation at conferences on how one can stay healthy and active.

•Cross section of the matriculants

College matriculates professional diploma students

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HE management of Topmost College of Education (TOPCOED), Ipaja, in affiliation with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), has matriculated a new set of students into her Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) programme.

In her address, the Provost, Dr Adewale Odunayo, said the matriculation was in fulfillment of the promise the college made to the Chief Executive of TRCN, Prof.

Addison Wokocha, to thoroughly train the maiden students of the programme.

She praised the 22 matriculating students for their seriousness, maturity and discipline.

The Provost assured the gathering

By Adegunle Olugbamila

of the institution's intention to continue to dish out the best curriculum in line with the TRCN's benchmark. She reaffirmed the support of TOPCOED Governing Council towards getting rid of unqualified teachers.

Mrs Odunayo also called on quacks in the teaching profession to embrace the opportunity provided by the college to become qualified teachers.

In his speech, the Lagos State Coordinator of TRCN, Mr Gbolahan Enilolobo, said TRCN and the college have been partnering to ensure the successful implementation of the teaching standard set by the council, praising the college for demonstrating seriousness in

meeting the standard by providing qualitative learning facilities.

He added that the PDE programme dates back to 2003 when the National Council for Colleges of Education (NCE) necessitated its establishment in a bid to meet up with the 2006 deadline slated then for all unqualified teachers to get the requisite teaching qualification or leave the education system.

Enilolobo said: "The TRCN in exercise of its power under Act 31 of the 1993 Constitution collaborated with esteemed stakeholders to come up with the professional diploma in education( PDE) as Post Graduate Programme by teacher training institutions with prior accreditation from the National Universities Commission ( NUC) or NCCE.

Since the PDE national standard was released by the council, Enilolobo noted that several teacher training institutions have successfully commenced the programme.

Highlighting the basic features of the programme, he said it promotes professionalism through specialisation, fast tracks the production of more teachers required for the education system, raises the quality of teachers as well as increased the level of state participation in teacher education.

One of the matriculating students, Mr Akin Afun Akinigbagbe, assured the management of the college of the commitment of his set to remain obedient and hardworking throughout their stay on campus.

President’s aide seeks monitoring of education budget

S

PECIAL Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Youth and Students’ Affairs Jude Imagwe, at the weekend in Benin, called on Nigerians and stakeholders to ensure the proper monitoring and implementation of the N426.53 billion vote to education in the 2013 budget appropriation.

Imagwe, who spoke to journalists in Benin, Edo State capital, during a reception in his honour,

From, Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

praised the President’s commitment to transforming the sector.

He also expressed government’s determination in partnering with the private sector in the provision of hostel accommodation for students on campuses, this he said would forestall the incessant killing of Nigerian students.

According to him, “I want to com-

mend the President for giving priority to education in his 2013 budget presentation last week to the joint session of the National Assembly and Nigerians. It is now the responsibility of all to ensure that the money is properly utilised for the purpose it was meant for.”

Expressing concern over the insecurity of students following the Mubi killing in Adamawa and the mob action of four University of PortHarcourt undergraduates, he

said the private sector should be encouraged to build hostels on a build and hire basis for students.

“Students must be accommodated within university campuses as part of measures of preventing them from further attacks. The killing of students in Mubi and the Aluu four in Rivers State all happened outside campuses. If students are sheltered within their institutions, the incidences may not have taken place.”

39

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

EDUCATION

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WEBSITE to boost professionalism among teachers has been launched by the Standard Mandate International (SMI), an organisation that focuses on capacity building for all cadres of workers and pupils.

SMI Chief Executive Officer, Pastor Nelson Ayodele, said the website, which made its debut on October 5, World Teachers Day, would showcase Nigerian teachers to the outside world, in addition to providing them a platform to share their experiences and exchange ideas.

In an interview with The Nation, Ayodele said over 1,000 teachers have registered on the websitewww.nigerianteachers.com.

Firm launches website for teachers

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

He said SMI would partner with local and foreign organistaions to provide content and other professional development opportunities for teachers.

Urging teachers to register on the site, he spoke of the importance of teachers uploading content to contribute to the world knowledge pool and tell African stories.

“We are trying to partner with organisations across the country to promote our own breed of teachers. You can upload your own sto-

ries and photographs on the website. There is no effort to put together stories of African teachers.

Most of the books in existence contain stories of foreign teachers. We need to start writing our own stories. If you impact on a child, you can tell your story and post it on the website,” he said.

Ayodele also said the desire to enhance the pedagogical skills of teachers, was what informed the organisation of a symposium by SMI to commemorate the World Teachers Day.

Held at the main auditorium of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the symposium discussed the theme: The Facilitation of Learning: Strategies, Risks and Opportunities.

Lead Paper presenter Chief Kaoli Olusanya, who runs Kith and Kin Educational Schools, Ikorodu, told the teachers that they should disabuse the thought that they are more knowledgeable than their students. On the contrary, he urged them to facilitate learning, which entails helping learners to explore rather than forcing concepts on

them.

“Teaching is defined in terms of the facilitation of a lasting process of meaningful learning which is deep and pervades the learners’ life and behaviour. The teacher’s role is defined as facilitator of learning. Facilitation is about helping people to explore, learn and change,” he said.

Other speakers, including Mrs M Malaka, Administrator of Deeper Life School; Dr Femi Ogunsanya, CEO of Oxbridge College, Ikeja, who was represented by Mrs Akin Ajayi, made contributions to the topic.

Winners of Robotic competition for Malaysia

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INNERS’ International School, Bayelsa and Alofos Foundation, Surulere, Lagos, will represent Nigeria at the World Robotic Olympiad in Malaysia, next month.

The schools defeated 45 others that competed at the national level competition held at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Winners’ International school emerged winner in the regular category for Elementary schools while Alofos Foundation School won in the Open and Regular Categories for Senior High schools.

Tayo Obasanya, managing director of Arc Light Limited, the firm that organised the competition on behalf of Lego, noted that the essence of the programme is to engage children aged 0-19 years in robotic education to promote their knowledge of science and technology which will make them more competitive in future.

He said: “Whether you like it or not, in the next few years, the world is going to be different and one of the changing factors will be science and technology. Today our children are exposed to science and we are hoping that with events like this, we will grab their minds and engage them early.”

Commissioner for Science and Technology, Lagos State Adebiyi Mabadeje while commenting on the programme said the competition

By Adegunle Olugbamila

which cuts across the three arms of school, primary, junior secondary and senior secondary, stimulates pupils to get ideas on how they can do things creatively, adding that it will improve their reasoning and thinking.

Mabadeje said Lagos State would support any initiative that stimulate pupils scientifically.

“The government will always be in support of any cause that is geared towards developing the knowledge base of the children. One of our focus is to strengthen the educational sector and this is one way we hope to do that. We partner with the private sector to do so because government cannot do it all alone,” Mabadeje said.

On her part, General Manager, Arc Light Limited, Adebusola Adeniyi said pupils should ditch rote learning for practical skills.

“The students should not just cram to pass. They should be able to build things and solve problems. They should know the solutions to these problems without having to cram.

This is what Lego education is doing.”

She called on corporate organisations to support disadvantaged children participation adding, that there are more potential competitors in public schools but who have no sponsors

‘The students should not just cram to pass.

They should be able to build things and solve problems. They should know the solutions to these problems without having to cram. This is what Lego education is doing’

•Pupils filing to the hall for the reception

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School seeks funding at reception

EWLY-admitted pupils of Holy Ghost College Sankera, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State were treated to a reception by the founder and principal of the college, Rev.Fr. Kuha Indyer, last Saturday.

The reception for the new pupils of the school named after Holy Ghost fathers and brothers, also called spiritans, was to thank God, ask for his blessing on the new pupils as well as allow parents and guardians interact with teachers and pupils.

A mass was anchored by Rev.Fr. Richard Awange, with Fathers Kenneth Koughna and Idyer as co-celebrants.

The pupils, dressed in their

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

white tee-shirts, knickers with sandals to match, promised to be obedient.

In his welcome speech, Father Indyer traced the history of the college, which he said started in September 2006, with one fourclassroom block, that also served as a dormitory.

He said the college is the child of a project Spiritans In Integral Development named after Holy Ghost fathers from Europe and American who came to plant the Catholic faith in Nigeria. It is run

by Holy Ghost fathers and brothers of the Northeast province.

With 30 pioneer pupils, Father Indyer said the school enrolment

stands at 250. He said from one block of four classrooms, the school now has a sick bay manned by a competent nurse, science laboratory library, staff quarters, school hall, generator room which is in a dilapidated state and therefore needs replacement.

He said the greatest problem facing the school was electricity as the school was being run on diesel.

He appealed for support from the public to help the college hook on to a natioinal powere grid less than a kilometre away.

When The Nation visited the college the pupils were constructing an 800-siting capacity hall through direct labour

Caleb College celebrates awards

C

•Some of the participants at the competition

ALEB College, Magodo, Lagos State, is to roll out the drums to celebrate its achievement in the 2011 May/June West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

One of its students, Adeola Oluwaseun Akeju,was the second highest achiever in the examination; the school was also named the second best private school in the state.

Adeola Akeju scored A1 in English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Science, Geography and Economics, while she had B2 in Physics and Yoruba Language.

Speaking on Akeju’s feat, the Director, Dr Ola Adebogun, said the college competed favourably with notable schools in Lagos State to emerge the second best, adding that the college, like every other school, was assessed based on general performance by the students registered for the examination.

Adebogun, however, expressed

the management’s appreciation to parents for their support in driving the school’s vision ‘to raise Godly leaders who will achieve a consistent record of academic and moral excellence’. He promised that the college will sustain the standards attained by maintaining its facilities.

Adebogun, who informed the parents and students that the college had also been nominated as one of the top six schools to be honoured by the Lagos State government and Ministry of Education, congratulated Akeju for making the Caleb family proud, and the staff and students for being outstanding ambassadors.

In a related development, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Lagos State chapter, has honoured Akeju and Caleb College for being the second best student and second best school in the 2011 May/June WASSCE. The awards were presented to Akeju and the school during the 2011 conference of the society, held at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, on October 10.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

40

EDUCATION EDUTALK

Firm creates result-processing program for schools

B

ETTER days are here for primary and secondary schools interested in computer programming. A new application has been developed by Think First Technology Ltd. It is called Remarks.

The application processes results in primary and secondary schools and can adapt to any grading system.

Speaking with journalists recently in Lagos, its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Akinyele Victor Olubodun said what distinguishes the application from others was that any school can just log on to it. Besides, there is a trial period interested partners can use before paying.

Akinyele, a 2007 graduate of Pure and Applied Mathematics,at the University of Lagos, said he had a bias for programming while in school. He said another feature the application has is the back-up.

“Our server is in three countries and can be replicated. If one fails, another one can replicate it”.

Contributing to world knowledge pool

By Bode Monogbe

Speaking on the unique features of the application, Akinyele who won the World Youth Summit award in November last year, said: “There is free registration and instant setup, you can start using it from the very first day, it has graphical result rules with definition setup and cheapest student result access rate; it has customised report and access areas; it enables schools to create a detailed debtors list; it has easy to read and understand user manual or guide; you can choose your student access mode; you can pay for only the number of students you want to access the result.”

On the mode of usage, he said the schools will determine whether they want to use scratch cards for the results of their students or be given pin to log in.

“The school sends notification to parents after publishing the results of their wards.

N •Akinyele

They will check the link and follow instruction and after that, they can access the results of their children.

“The inherent advantage is that they don’t have to visit the school of these children before knowing their level of performance” Akinyele has plans to develop another application for tertiary institutions as well.”

21-day hand hygiene campaign for Lagos schools P

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

taught the pupils when to wash their hands and the techniques to use.

Some pupils were selected to demonstrate the techniques.

Communications Consultant to Reckitt Benckiser Mr Israel Opayemi said care was at the heart of the school hand hygiene initiative. He said since 2009 when the company started the hand hygiene education, millions of children, families as well as teachers have been availed the right knowledge which they need to know to be free from germs and diseases.

“To increase participation of kids and families and make the habit of hand washing a way of life, Dettol encourages children to wash their hands regularly and keep good hygiene to prevent illnesses that can

stop them from being active,’’ he said.

Commenting on the initiative, Head Teacher of the school, Mrs. Victoria Oluropo, praised Reckitt Benckiser for teaching the pupils to imbibe a good habit in an interesting way.

She said: ‘‘We love the fun-filled initiative that we have seen here today because it makes hand washing a fun that kids will love to practice.’’

Speaking in a similar vein, when the Dettol team reached Queensland Academy, Okota, Mrs. Iyabo Olopade, affirmed that health education was integral to grooming children.

Therefore, this hand hygiene programme by Reckitt Benckiser is in line with our commitment to making our pupils live healthy. Dettol’s presence here today reinforces our message that good health is indeed in our hands.’’

UNILAG hosts campus exhibition

T

HE University of Lagos (UNILAG) campus exhibition event tagged “2012 Campus Exhibition & Trade Fair” will hold from November

26 to December 5, at the Sport Centre.

The trade fair. organised for the benefit of students, staff and others, is aimed at bringing their

OBODY can deny the potency of the information revolution that advances in Kofoworola Information Communication Technology (ICT) has caused the world over.

It is difficult to imagine that just Kofosagie@yahoo.com 12 years ago in Nigeria, cyber cafés 08054503077 (SMS only) charged N600 per hour to browse the internet while sim cards and the first set of quite ugly mobile phones cost as high as N30,000-N50,000.

Desktop computers, not to talk of laptops, were scarce commodities.

However today, the average adult, educated or illiterate, owns a mobile phone. It is almost impossible to enter a corporate organisation without a computer; desktops can be found in the living area of many homes, and laptops are becoming common place items owned by students even in public tertiary institutions. iPads may currently be the preserve of the rich but very soon it will be found in the hands of the general public. All these tools enhance prompt exchange of information.

With internet connectivity via computers and mobile phones, everyone is sharing knowledge. At the click of a mouse button we can learn about any topic in known areas of human endeavour, find out the latest news in other countries of the world, transact businesses, and even go to school. It will be overstating the obvious to say that we are living in a global village.

The Internet is where we run to for information. In my job as a journalist, apart from checking my email box to collate stories from various sources, I also use search engines and visit many websites to verify information, and search for photographs. On a personal note, I use the internet to learn about the development of my baby and how to care for him. Teachers, lecturers use the internet to update their notes, while students get materials for assignments and projects. The social media – Facebook, Twitter and other such networking sites provide users with platforms to share fun information about themselves, debate on various issues, and find long lost friends.

But how well is Nigeria contributing to the world knowledge pool?

Are we making optimum use of the internet to develop ourselves?

From my experience, I have found that there is so much useful information about others on the internet than about our country, heritage, traditions, culture, and experiences. Like in the real world, in the virtual world, we are still a consuming nation. We are not producing enough content to enrich the global knowledge pool. When students are given assignments, they browse, copy and paste and submit to their lecturers.

Yet, there is so much we can upload.

I am yet to find the website of any Nigerian tertiary institution that beats those of their counterparts in the United Kingdom. I have visited websites of Nigerian universities and polytechnics that have links to blank pages. Is it any surprise we lag behind in the rankings of the best universities in the world? From my desk at work, I have visited the website of many of the world’s best universities. They provide so much information about registration, courses, programmes, accommodation, and research output. But many of our institutions fail to completely develop their websites. If you click on some links, you are told ‘page cannot be found’ or page under construction. Some institutions fail to update their news – posting old stories online for ridiculously long periods after the events have held.

I look forward to the time when research results into areas that affect our lives are available at the click of a button. While I know what the Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention, Atlanta, United States, says about the use of stored breast milk but I do not know what the Federal Ministry of Health says about it.

The website of the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja, still has news about the Education Minister condoling the family of the late Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Adetokunbo Sofoluwe, who died in May, yet what she said about the gruesome murders of students of the Adamawa State Polytechnic, Mubi, and the University of Port Harcourt two weeks ago is conspicuously missing from the site.

We need to be more productive in putting useful information out there for the world to see. Right now, we are more popular online as internet scammers. We need to change this image and provide the world with our own stories.

Belo-Osagie

•Ms Kemi showing a pupil how to wash his hands

UPILS of Ire Akari Model Nursery and Primary School, Isolo Lagos, joined about three million school-aged children that Reckitt Benckiser Nigeria Limited, makers of Dettol anti-germs soap, has educated about hand hygiene in the past four years.

Many more are billed to join in what remains of the 21-day hand washing campaign flagged off last Monday – on the Global Handwashing Day (GHD).

The organisation employed the fun method to attract the pupils’ attention in learning the six steps of handwashing.

After Project Manager for Touch Point Ms Omowunmi Mumuni addressed the pupils about the significance of handwashing, another facilitator, who introduced herself as Ms Ronke to the pupils, and a cartoon character modelled after Dettol soap,

with

needs to their door-steps at a discount.

The exhibition is organised by Soliy Entertainment & Ice Dew Entertainment and Event.

From my Inbox Re: Arise O Compatriots (Thursday, October 18, 2012) Nigerian leaders must promote patriotism and nationalism for things to change. Feyi Akeeb Kareem.

Re: Battling child abuse Hi sis Kofo, I read your write up on battling child abuse in The Nation newspaper.

What i want to add to that write up is that its not only the girl child that are always abuse. Boys too are being abuse sexually. I came acrose a video clip where girl of about 12 or 13yrs old, maybe she is an house , having sex with a boy of about 3 or 4 yrs old, even making the poor boy to suck her private part. Can u imagine that. Mrs adewumi osho.

Mushin, lagos.

"I think Ade has done extremely well in the games where he has come in for the squad, certainly he is in contention for games where we play with two strikers.

"At the moment we haven't found the comfort in that formation yet but in the future, when we use it, when we rotate the strikers, he will be back in contention."

42

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Tottenham Hotspurs boss, Andres Villas Boas explaining why Emmanuel Adebayor has not been used in important matches recently.

Lampard doubtful to face Man Utd F

RANK LAMPARD is expected to learn on Thursday whether he will be fit to feature in Chelsea's topof-the-table game with Manchester United on Sunday.

Lampard, 34, lasted just 18 minutes of his team's 2-1 Champions League defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday before suffering a calf injury.

•Lampard

Villas-Boas dismisses Adebayor exit talk

Alba: Barcelona deserved to beat Celtic

T

J

OTTENHAM boss Andre Villas-Boas insists that Emmanuel Adebayor remains part of his plans despite the striker failing to start a game since completing his permanent move from Manchester City.

S p e c u l a t i o n suggested the 28-yearold has grown frustrated at falling behind Jermain Defoe in the pecking order and could seek a move away in January.

However, Villas-Boas praised the ex-Arsenal striker's displays when coming off the bench and assured him that his opportunities will arrive over the coming weeks.

"Obviously, every player wants to play, at the moment we are using the structure of one striker and Defoe has been doing extremely well," the Spurs head coach told Sky Sports News.

"I think Ade has done extremely well in the games where he has come in for the squad, certainly he is in contention for games where we play with two strikers.

"At the moment we haven't found the comfort

in that formation yet but in the future, when we use it, when we rotate the strikers, he will be back in contention."

The former Chelsea manager downplayed suggestions that Adebayor wants out, replying: "No, I don't think so. I don't think the club will be willing to let anyone go."

Adebayor scored 17 times last season while on loan at White Hart Lane but has yet to find the back of the net so far in 2012-13.

J •Villa-Boas

Injury fears may steer Bolt away from long jump

U

preparation for the event could make him more susceptible to knee injuries.

"The plan is (to compete in the) long jump maybe before the Olympics, but I have talked to my coach a little bit and he's shown some concern about the fact that long jump can bring some problems to the knee," Bolt said on Tuesday at a news conference in Rio de Janeiro.

Bolt, who became the first man to successfully defend

ORDI ALBA and Javier Mascherano felt justice was done after Barcelona grabbed a lastgasp winner against Celtic in the UEFA Champions League.

Celtic's disciplined performance at the Nou Camp looked set to earn the Scottish champions a famous 1-1 draw after Mascherano's own goal had been cancelled out by Andres Iniesta's equaliser before half-time.

However, in the fourth minute of added time, Alba stole in at the far post to divert in Adriano's cross and give Barca a 2-1 victory.

•Alba Alba said: "This team has shown that even in the last minute you can win a game. It is a well-deserved victory.

"This team has shown that even in the last minute you can win a game. It is a welldeserved victory.”

Buffon angry with Juventus result

BRIEF...BRIEF...BRIEF...BRIEF...BRIEF...

SAIN BOLT is not sure whether he will try competing in the long jump because he doesn't want to risk a serious injury that could keep him from defending his sprint titles at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The Jamaican said he is still evaluating the possibility of taking on the long jump, but is concerned that his

The England midfielder will undergo a scan which will determine whether he faces United at Stamford Bridge.

"It's a recurrence of an old injury," said Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo.

Lampard was ruled out of England's World Cup qualifiers earlier this month against San Marino and Poland with a calf problem.

"He was training with us fine and there were no alarm bells before the game," added Di Matteo.

the 100- and 200-metre titles at the London Olympics, has been going back and forth about whether he will try competing in either the long jump or the 400 in Rio.

•Bolt

UVENTUS assistant coach Angelo Alessio was grateful for Mirko Vucinic's late equaliser as they were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw with Nordsjaelland in Group E of the UEFA Champions League.

Despite dominating throughout, the Italian giants fell behind when Mikkel Beckmann lashed an excellent free-kick past a helpless Gianluigi Buffon in the 50th minute. Juve continued to pile on the pressure but a combination of excellent last-gasp defending and poor finishing looked like it may secure a shock win for the Danes until Vucinic lashed home from close range nine minutes from time.

What might be sufficient in Italy is not enough in

Europe. There are no easy wins in the Champions League.

And while Alessio felt his side were more than worthy of a share of the spoils, he admitted their profligacy nearly came back to haunt them.

He said: "We created so many chances, at least 14 or 15, but we couldn't put the ball in the back of the net.

Thankfully Mirko got the equaliser at the end, otherwise we might well have suffered a shock defeat.

"We lacked a cutting edge in the first half, especially in front of goal. We were much better in the second half and the lads performed well. It's a shame we've only drawn but we need to roll up our sleeves, keep going and try to win our coming games."

43

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Just two years in the saddle as governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi has taken steps to translate his administration’s eight-point agenda into evident development in many areas of people’s needs, writes SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN.

Ekiti: The journey to better times F

OR about seven months after assuming office as Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi carried ‘the slow governor’ tag. Obviously, out of desperation, many had expected him to wield the magic wand to change their story overnight, especially as regards the decrepit infrastructure across the state.

The roads, easily the closest to the people and which are among the indices of people’s assessment of government’s performance or non-performance, either rightly or wrongly, had worsened from being bad to the impassable.

The situation had topped the list of other reasons on ground for critics and cynics to hurl expletives at a governor popularly acclaimed at inauguration as “the messiah”.

Unfortunately, according to the deputy governor, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka, “the roads didn’t go bad suddenly; dilapidation has always been a process; a process that had survived at least seven years before Fayemi assumed the leadership of the state.”

The Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation in the state, Hon. Funminiyi Afuye equally noted: “The governor never lost sight of the evident degeneration of the social infrastructure or his election avowal of more abundant life for citizens. His focus on and interest in planning would not make him engage in any haphazard project execution however urgent or politically attractive it might seem.”

The redoubtable literary critic and poet, Odia Ofeimum, supported the view. He said: “The reason for Fayemi’s initial slowness could be understood, given the scale of work to be done (on roads and other areas) and how to reach for more fundamental course to engender reversals without raising unnecessary dust among the establishment, even while massing up needed quantum of resources to launch changes decisively and without disruptions”.

The governor himself summed it up, saying: “The imperatives of transparent and purposeful governance require a creative overhaul of the subsisting system which has to advance traditional expectations of the public beyond bland demands for food, clothing and shelter.”

This probably explains why, early in the campaign period, he came up with an Eight-Point Agenda meant to provide answers for the myriad malaise which “commonly bedevils existence mostly where governance runs foul of legitimate and popular yearnings.”

But two years after, how far has Fayemi gone in delivering what Afuye described as “the ideal type governance” as summed up in the Agenda?

In fact, the eight points, including governance and infrastructural development; modernising agriculture; education and human capital development; healthcare services; industrial development; tourism; gender equality and empowerment, have become popular lately, not just as refrain in speeches and comments of ranking officials of the state but “for representing/summing government actions on evident programmes and projects.”

True to the avowal of the governor himself as complemented by the Information Commissioner’s statement that the “the year (2012) would be one of consolidation”, it’s easy to take general stock of several achievements now rather than a trickle flow it essentially was in the first year. To the administration, the Agenda is the plinth upon which every other item on the agenda is based; the spirit that drives the administration.

Quite often considered “a stickler to perfection and a fearsome humanist who has transcended the pettiness of partisan conducts in spreading enduring/useful effects of governance among the citizenry”, he has shown it in all project executions ranging from road among other infrastructure; agriculture, free health missions, social security scheme for the elderly, tourism development to educational advancement drives.

Transforming the capital city Beginning with tasteful completion of all the structures hitherto at various level of decay across all parts of the state, which were ‘abandoned’ by past administrations, the government has since moved on to revamp Ado, the state capital with all-

• Dr Fayemi

‘Mention has to be made particularly of the direct economic intervention in the lives of about 20,000 elderly individuals in the state who have clocked a minimum of 65 years through the now popular social security scheme in which beneficiaries are paid N5,000 monthly stipend... a move popularly acclaimed as first of its kind’ encompassing road constructions alongside street/traffic lamps. It is through what is now known as the state’s revolutionary urban renewal initiative.

Most inter-township roads embarked upon by the administration across the 16 local government areas of the state have been significantly completed, aside the five-kilometre roads he has been constructing in council areas. Simultaneously, he has been busy attending to some decrepit federal roads across the state.

No fewer than 17 roads totaling approximately 157 kilometres have been completed in the state while 30 others, about 1,900 kilometres in length are ongoing. Government has since commissioned 12 of the completed roads.

Besides, the administration has begun laying cyber-optic cables in the ICT sector, which, at completion, would ease tasks and reduce costs of transacting all manner of internet-aided businesses. Samsung has located an engineering academy in the state while an airport is said to be underway with the recent submission of a comprehensive report on same by the Chief Afe Babalola-led panel.

Well over 20 communities have been connected to the national grid and over 200 electricity transformers distributed among communities, including Irele, Oke Ako, Iyemero, Itapaji, Ilemeso and others that had remained married to darkness for ages.

The completed renovation of Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado, perhaps lends credence to Fayemi’s avowed commitment to enhancing sports development in the interest of youths in the state.

Restoring pride to Agriculture Efforts to modernise agriculture have seen the state engage the youth in commercial farming with the successful launch of the Youths in Commercial Agricultural Development (YCAD) in which 150 youths were launched into various specialties of agricultural production with a grant of N500million, each getting N1.4 million for rice, cassava, oil-palm and cocoa production. The initiative, according to sources, is intended to generate 1,500 direct and about 10,000 indirect jobs between now and the end of next year.

Government has equally been up-to-date in paying counterpart fund to other formidable participants in the sector including FADAMA and African Development Programme (ADP), while focused support through training and provision of requisite input, including fertilizers, has been sustained in aid of the Association of Farmers of Nigeria (AFAN).

After the merger of three state-owned universities, namely University of Ado Ekiti (UNAD), University of Science and Technology, Ifaki Ekiti (USTI) and The University of Educa-

tion, Ikere Ekiti (TUNEDIK), government has furthered targets on ‘education and human capital development’ with the renovation, including re-roofing and quite often wholesale reconstruction of some buildings. About 120 secondary schools out of the existing 180 have benefitted from the programme.

It has also launched a series of unprecedented training and retraining of teachers, at both primary and secondary schools, seen as “core to the intended changes critical to educational advancement in the state.” Also, the state College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti has received a generous dose of attention as evident in improved infrastructural development in the school of late.

The government has also distributed 36,000 units of solarpowered net-book laptop computers free to students out of a target of 100,000 - 11,000 to teachers at minimum cost and another 100,000 units of school bags to public school pupils.

Basic texts in English and Mathematics alongside those of the sciences, Fayemi has said, would soon reach every student as a necessary and complementary icing on the cake of unprecedented reversals in learning and education in state schools.

Clearly a core focus of the administration, ranking fifth on its agenda, ‘healthcare services’ has seen the renovation of structures and upgrading of facilities in the state Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), and the general hospitals/primary health centres across the local governments.

While one state-wide free health mission held January and three-zones follow-up missions which followed last year in Ekiti North, Central and South, yet another round of mission took off again in December last year in Ekiti North.

A combined minimum of 300,000 individuals in all parts of the state have been attended to in an exercise which, according to the Commissioner for Health, Professor Sola Fasubaa, has gulped over N400 million.

Also ongoing are free health services for pregnant women, children under five years, the physically challenged and elderly citizens, aged 65 and above.

Primary health facilities across the 16 local governments have been substantially upgraded with improved staffing combined with encouraging missions. The primary health centres have yielded unprecedented patronage from local peasants unlike before.

The result has come for the state in having not only the highest life expectancy at birth in the country today, but even the lowest in HIV infection besides a zero-rate prevalence of polio cases. To the governor, “we must have been doing something right to achieve these feats.”

Industrialisation and tourism Industrial development has gained commendable focus from the administration through the resuscitation of the moribund Odua Textile Limited and Ire Burnt Brick Industry to complement achievements at the Ikogosi Bottling Company.

While several other private initiatives are equally springing up across the state, the administration has set up in the three senatorial zones, enterprise development centres currently being built in Ilupeju (Ekiti North), Aisegba (Ekiti Central) and Ijero (Ekiti South). It has also completed the renovation/ beautification of the Oodua Enterprisse Development and Skills Acquisition Centre, Ado. The state has also set up the solid minerals development company while production of cut stones has started in Efon Alaaye under the supervision of Fountain Holdings Limited. It is equally a state government initiative which is undertaking and super-intending several other joint partnerships.

Tourism development which ranks seventh under Fayemi administration’s EPA has since assumed a prominence perhaps more than as envisaged possible within two years.

The successful celebration of the maiden Ekiti festival of Arts and Culture in which about seven states participated represents enduring height of several other turn-around measures aimed at lifting the sector.

These initiatives include but are not limited to the effort to repackage many age-long artifacts buried in the recesses of the traditional palaces and grooves from Ado, Ikere, Efon Alaaye to, Okemesi, Ijero and other towns. It is an effort being spearheaded by the governor’s amiable wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi.

A major success, however, is the wholesale rejuvenation of the Ikogosi Warm Spring in partnership with the Mantis Group of South Africa alongside efforts to harness well over 200 potential tourism sites spread in almost every major town and villages in the state. The Ikogosi may soon assume a prominence that will confound many pleasantly across the country.

Although, ‘gender equality and empowerment’ ranks last in the administrations EPA goal, its essence resonates in almost all others as manifest in the massive employment generation through initiatives in tourism, agriculture and industrial regeneration.

Specifically, with the launch last year of the Ekiti Youth Volunteer Aids Corps in which 5,000 able youths across endeavours and academic qualifications were employed, several others have been engaged and trained by the State Job Creation and Employment Agency and Ekiti Enterprise Development Agency (EEDA), which has combined both to employ and empower a minimum of additional 3000 youths.

Some of the employees take home not less than N10,000 monthly and have been engaged in the civil/public services or through state supports and attached to other private concerns while, according to Mr. Oskar Ayeleso, Director-General, EEDA, those who have benefitted from skills/trades’ acquisi•Continued on page 44

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

44

POLITICS

Lessons from Ondo election, ‘2013 budget must be people-centred’ by rights groups T T

By Dada Aladelokun, Assistant Editor

HE October 20 governorship election in Ondo State has raised serious concern about the future of democracy in Nigeria, Civil Society Coalition for Mandate Protection (CSC-MAP), a non-governmental body, has said.

According to the CSC-MAP which monitored the election in the 18 local government areas, the electoral process was marred with monetary inducement of voters, late arrival of voting materials, outright lack of opportunities to vote in some areas, especially in Idanre area, and violence at some polling booths.

The group listed the riverside communities as some of the areas where voting materials did not arrive until 2pm, at a time many of the voters had been disillusioned and had retreated back home.

“The last election raises serious concern about the entire democratic process in Nigeria. We saw people being given money; several people voted because they felt their immediate

By Musa Odoshimokhe

pecks and privileges were met while the turn-out was not remarkable,” the group’s General Secretary, Sulaiman Olubunmi Sanusi and Public Relations Officer, Ajayi Inuejalawo jointly stated at a conference held in Akure, the state capital.

Sanusi claimed that out of the 1.5 million registered voters, less than 700,000 people voted. According to him, this situation was influenced by many factors, some of which are the militarization of the state with the presence of soldiers on the streets; the possibility that fake voters were registered; the feeling by some of the voters that the election was predetermined due to perceived federal government’s influence and, possibly, the loss of confidence by the electorate in the entire democratic process.

The group therefore urged the police and the Independent National

Electoral Commission (INEC) to probe alleged instances of ballot stuffing by law enforcement agents during the election.

“It is a sad thing that Nigerians still need to be guided to vote at gun point and the election won at gun point. Nigeria is perhaps the only democratic country in West Africa where, on Election Day, voters were watched and intimidated from the nozzles of armed soldiers’ AK-47 rifles. Nigeria must raise the electoral bar to a level where people can vote out of their own conviction but not in a situation where voters were goaded by bullets. This situation fuels voters’ amnesia and it is a far cry from the basic elements of democratic principle. It is a system that puts the incumbent at a great disadvantage and to the detriment of the people,” Sanusi added.

The group, CSC-MAP, which has 65 affiliate members, believes that the outcome of the Ondo election does not in any way reflect true democratic practices that meet global standards.

Ekiti: The journey to better times •Continued from page 43

to Afuye, attention would be better directed at the provision of water and electricity, while ensuring that none of the ongoing projects suffers negligence.

tion drives spearheaded by the agency are now profitably self-engaged; some with a retinue of mentored support staff.

According to Director General of the Ekiti State Job Creation and Employment Agency, Mr Folorunso Aluko, while the state has sustained the payment of the monthly stipend which has gulped over N600 million since inception, the target of 20,000 jobs in four years appears achievable.

The initiatives in areas of agriculture, industry and tourism, along with efforts of the EEDA have lately spurned avenues for useful engagement of nearly 10,000 individuals, with potentials to quadruple that figure within four years.

Social welfare for the aged Perhaps mention has to be made particularly of the direct economic intervention in the lives of about 20,000 elderly individuals in the state who have clocked a minimum of 65 years through the now popular social security scheme in which beneficiaries are paid N5,000 monthly stipend.

A move popularly acclaimed as first of its kind not only in Nigeria but in whole of Africa, South of the Sahara, the scheme now costs the state not less than N100 million monthly.

The governor explained: “It is a social democratic agenda, acclaimed for being non-discriminatory, consistent and credible. No one asks for your party card. About 20,000 are enjoying it now and we keep improving on the figure as we do update every six months.”

However, aside the developmental programmes coming under the clearly delineable compartments of the EPA are several other efforts which consolidate the agenda as found across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

These other efforts are inclusive but not limited to the successful turnaround in tax administration in the state through the electronic (e) receipt system. They include the recent overhaul of the state fire/medical emergency services which has witnessed recruitment and training of 153 staff, purchase of five firefighting engines, six sophisticated ambulances, three water tankers along with the renovation of the three existing Fire Stations at Ikere, Ikole and Ijero.

The greatest achievement of the

What next?

• Dr Fayemi

administration as affirmed by the governor and supported by Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, is perhaps the entrenchment of the culture of law and order. Falana had said: “That people can move freely and transact their businesses without fear/ hindrance as typical of some past administrations in the state is an accomplishment which ranks prime among others.”

Teachers, LG staff up in arms The administration has nonetheless been facing unrests from labour, specifically the local government staff and the teachers who clamour not for wage increase as the state is always the first to pay its workers, but for the “sustenance of a tradition graft and complacency.”

While the local government staff are up in arms against official moves subjecting them to “staff audit” meant to ascertain actual figures of genuine staff, the teachers are opposing the Teachers Development Needs Assessment which they claim is meant to ultimately lead to retrenchment.

Although the staff audit is about being completed, getting the teachers to write the TDNA has not been successful, as just about 100 teachers three weeks ago, wrote a test in which over 16,000 were the target, creating a stalemate in which government’s well justified stance appears to be matched by teachers’ unbelieving stubbornness.

What is the direction of governance in the New Year? According

The commissioner said: “The coming year will witness water, water and water everywhere as obsolete equipment in Ureje Dam has already been completely replaced and the water distribution points in Okela and other areas have been fixed. I want to say that government has also finalised arrangements for an Independent Power Plant (IPP) project which will focus mainly Ado-Ekiti as an industrial/commercial hub of the state.”

The commissioner added: “Let me assure our people that at the end of Fayemi’s first term no project however massive in terms of size and cost will be an abandoned project. It is to the eternal credit of the governor that so many efforts have been sustained on all fronts, at high pitch standards in every section and segment of the state.

“It could be contended that the administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi which gained ascendancy exactly October 16, 2010, has done its bit to justify confidence as expressed by people through popular but now quaint ‘shouts of Fayemi we want’ in the days of struggle. His performance has won him the Governor of the Year Award

by Leadership Newspapers, affirming Ekiti as the best governed state in the country.”

O Dr. Ifeoluwa Abiose Arowosoge who represents Ekiti South West/ Ikere/Ise-Orun Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, any budget proposal without the people as its focus is useless.

Though he commended the early presentation of the 2013 budget, Arowosoge said the House would ensure accountability, transparency and full implementation of budget, adding: “The House is currently reviewing the performance of the 2012 budget before passing the 2013 Appropriation Bill. Without good performance of the 2012 budget by the executive, it would not be wise for us to pass the 2013 budget. As we speak, budget is just at about 35 per cent implementation level which is a very poor performance.”

He therefore maintained that President Goodluck Jonathan deserves both praises and knocks over his 2013 Appropriation Bill, which he said, was being considered by the legislature.

He expressed delight that the “Budget of Fiscal Consolidation with Inclusive Growth” gives lion share to the security sectors for the second year running, saying: “It is a good idea to give priority to the security sector in view of the high level of insecurity in the country. The remote cause of insecurity in the country is unemployment of the teeming youths which should be addressed equally.”

The second highest allocation of N426.53 billion to education, to him, is fair as according to him, education is the bedrock of the future development of the nation. However, he lamented that the amount fell short of UN/ UNESCO recommendation for education.

He described as inadequate, the N1.54 trillion (33.3 per cent of total budget of N4.92trillion) allocated for capital expenditure, owing to the urgent need for infrastructural development in all sectors of the economy. “Though it is an improvement over the previous years, it is not enough to guarantee positive socio-economic transformation that will improve people’s welfare in the present-day Nigeria.”

“The removal of import duty and Value Added Tax on all imported commercial aircrafts/spare parts; agricultural/solid minerals machinery/spare parts and completely knocked down components for mass transit buses, of at least 40-seater capacity, are good incentives for economic growth of these sectors. It is commendable and Nigerians should seize the opportunity to invest in these areas,” the lawmaker further said.

The agricultural sector, he said, deserved more than N81.4billion (a mere 5.23 per cent of total capital budget) allocated to it because it is the sector that can guarantee food security and an employment opportunity for the nation’s teeming youths. He maintained that “the sector should be on the priority list of the government, if we are to promote agriculture.” “We are all aware of the unprecedented floods which ravaged many parts of our country, causing massive destruction of farmlands that may result in food shortage in 2013. Therefore, more funds should be provided for the agricultural sector to meet the flood recovery, food production plan and the creation of 3.5 million jobs proposal of the federal government. Without jobs opportunities/food security, no meaningful development can take place at the grassroots. United Nations recommends at least 10 per cent annual budget for agriculture and many African countries are meeting this target,” Arowosoge explained.

Appreciating the seeming improvement in the power sector with the ongoing reform, he expressed the hope that the ongoing privatization of the generation and distribution companies would spur improved performance in the sector, noting that if the feat was improved upon, it might be the beginning of the nation’s economic revival.

He also expressed the readiness of the House to pay urgent attention to the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) currently awaiting consideration.

“We will ensure that the bill brings major reforms and ensure accountability, transparency and efficiency in the sector. We will also encourage and support the government in cleaning up corruption from the management of the petroleum industry,” he said.

• Arowosoge

• From left: Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Chairman, Southsouth Traditional Rulers Council Dr Edmond Dakoru and Olu of Warri HRM Ogiame Atuwatse II, when members of the council visited the governor in Government House, Asaba.

45

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

THE NATION

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

‘Establish 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 herbal, orthodox medicine board’

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HE Federal Government has been urged to establish a Joint Herbal and Orthodox Medicine Board (JHOMB) to move the country’s health care delivery system forward.

According to a Consultant Pathologist and Toxicologist, University of Ibadan (UI), Prof John Anetor, this among other recommendations will ensure the development of the health care system.

Anetor spoke at the seventh biomedic week of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Chapter.

The theme was Enhancing herbal remedies by scientific evaluation: prospects and challenges.

He said: “Whether we like it or not , there are clearly some benefits but we also must know that there are clearly some adverse effects and it is good if the two semi-autonomous bodies come together to look at the strength and weakness and come out with something that will be beneficial to all.”

He said about 80 per cent of Nigerians patronise traditional and alternative medicine.

The don added: “Indeed, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said in some of its documents that about 80 per cent of the world population employ herbal remedy as a source of taking care of themselves, in terms of health or as a means of looking after their health.

“Therefore, this called for thorough scientific analysis or evaluation to be sure that these remedies are safe for the consumers, that they do not inadvertently, create more serious health problems that may be difficult for orthodox medicine to deal with.”

On toxicity and efficacy, Anetor said, a thorough scientific analysis should be conducted to embrace every aspect of scientific evaluation. “All aspects of risk assessment including the possibil-

Workshop for practitioners

P

RACTITIONERS in Complementary and Traditional Medicine will have their hands full at a one-day workshop at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Lagos Study Centre in Ikeja.

The event, organised by Hermon Development Foundation in collaboration with NOUN has as theme Creating wealth through product value addition and entrepreneurial skill development in the practice of traditional medicine and natural products development.

Officials of the Product Development, Honey Medical Group, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Entrepreneurial Development Centre, among others, will speak at the event.

Ma

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Stories by Wale Adepoju

ity of the herbs causing other complications such as the possibility of heart problems and cancer, children born with defects, diabetes, hypertension and other disorders should be looked into.

On how traditional medicine is perceived, he said, the reason for the negative perception is because of the awareness of the fact that they are not sufficiently

subjected to adequate scientific evaluation. “In terms of thorough scientific analysisan in which a good judgment can be based, they are still very far off from what we have. In orthodox medicine,” he added.

On the role of medical laboratory scientists, he said, it is to follow up the treatment of those who have used herbal remedies.

They can look at the steady

population with a thorough scientific analysis, Anetor added.

Chairman, AMLSN, Lagos State chapter, Mr Olawale Oladubu said medical laboratory scientists are involved in the management and post-management tests of the patients to know how they get well. This, he added, is evident in the tests being carried out in the certified laboratories across the country.

Nigerians urged on recreation, nutrition, others

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IGERIANS have been urged to engage in outdoor recreational activities, wellness and nutrition to reduce cardiovascular diseases.

This, according to the Managing Director, Indulge Nigeria Limited, Dr Bisi Abiola, will ensure better health status for the country.

Abiola spoke at the Feel good

festival organised by her company at Jhalobia Garden in Lagos.

She said the event was to encourage family unity.

She said the annual event was a wake up call for the people to engage in healthy lifestyle. “Let Nigeria own, what is their own such as a programme on outdoor recreation, wellness and medical

checks.

Mrs Abiola said it was high time the country re-invent the wheel and safeguarded the health of the people through laudable programmes.

She said the country has always relied on programmes initiated by organisations in the advanced countries, saying it should have its own

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What is the best treatment for heat rash?

T

HE best treatment for heat rash is to provide a cooler, less humid environment.

Keep the affected area dry. Dusting powder may be used to increase comfort.

What is psoriasis?

The most common type of psoriasis is called plaque psoriasis. It causes a thick, patchy, red rash with silvery, white scales. It can appear anywhere but most often occurs on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. The condition is not contagious, and it's fairly common, affecting two to three per cent of Americans. Psoriasis is more common in adults than children.

Institute to train members, others

T

HE Research Institute of T r a d i t i o n a l a n d Alternative Medicine (RITAM) is to train associate members to set up their herbal/ traditional medicine practices.

According to its Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr Johnson Idowu, practitioners can be on their own or take up employment at any Primary Health Care (PHC) centres at the end of their training.

He said this was in line with the integration policy of the government to include traditional medicine in health care delivery system.

Idowu said the programme is not open to everybody but only those with the right qualification. “The minimum qualification is West African Senior School Examination (WASSCE) and/ or requisite training and certification by the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB) or the National Association of Natural and Traditional Medicine Practice (NANTMP). They will be trained on general healing,traditional midwifery, bone setting and psychiatry, among others.

He said forms are already on sale at the instituteoffice in Ikeja for adding that successful candidate expected to pay N5000 for the programme, which runs for three to six months, depending on the area of expertise of the practitioner.

Idowu said further that the institute has developed three categories of training curriculum.

They are good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and certificate programme.

He said: “The practitioners are encouraged and required to have proper training in both traditional and conventional medicine. The training skill will affect the quality, safety and efficacy of their treatment. Also, the training will develop traditional medicine practitioners, as a they will also undergo two years internship in Teaching and General Hospital across Lagos State.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

46

NATURAL HEALTH

‘Hepatitis and escape routes for its ‘Walking Corpses’

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ANY people are "walking corpses" but do not know they are. By the "walking corpse" or "walking dead", I am not referring to "Coward's Delusion Syndrome" or to the monthly "Walking Dead", the black and white post zombie Apocalypse fiction comic service created by writer Robert Kirkman, artist Tony Moore and published by

going out of control that the doctor is contacted who may diagnose hepatitis.

NAUSEA is not often immehately linked to hepatitis. The tendency is to assume quesiness in the stomach and prescribe stomach calmants or settlers such as Basil, Mint, tea, Stomach EZ, Vervain, Marigold and other antispasmodics. But an experienced physician would see a stomach disturbance as a digestive system malaise, in which one organ is probably the first reporting station to tell of a nasty situation, or is reporting it in its own peculiar way. After all, even gallbladder stones, in the gallbladder right inside the liver, sometimes causes vomiting and nausea! Sometimes, too, trouble in the liver may signal in the vomiting of blood!

Image Comics.

I take my bearing from a great column written about 20 years ago or more by the legendary columnist ALLAH DEY (Alade Odunewu) at the Daily Times newspaper of the 1960s and 1970s under Alhaji Babatunde Jose. I do not remember the details now.

But I guess Alhaji Odunewu went to see his doctor over what he may have considered a "minor" complaint but which the physician must have considered life-threatening. If my memory serves me right, the prevailing health problem of busy business executives in those days was elevated blood pressure often refined to as hypertension. The doctor must have admitted Alhaji Odunewu for urgent treatment and observation, and he must have returned to his editorial desk soon after to write his column titled WALKING CORPSES or something like that. If I remember well, also, that column wondered if many people who were ravenously pursuing business and money every day thought of themselves as WALKING CORPSES, since they could be hypertensive and hypertension was a "silent killer" because it often gave no signs until it was ready to deal the death blow. In other words, many people were out in the streets, wining and dinning and making merry, unknown to them that, inside of them, they had been dying instalmentally and the remnants of their bodies in which they still hopped around were mere "Walking Corpses".

I remember the "Walking Corpses" always when I behold how many people make Walking Corpses of themselves without knowing what they do. I once had a professional colleague who saturated himself with Cognac and, Cuban tobaccos as early as 10 in the morning. He used to tease us "queer" people that the skin of Africans was so thick it blocked all of the problems known to easily kill white-skinned people. The last of him I heard was that he was stricken by Cirrhosis (hardening) of the liver; He emaciated severely and died eventually. Another well-sung writer cast in similar mode became a neural (nerves) and hypertensive wreck before death took him away. I remember, also, a former pilot who later became an aviation correspondent on a popular newspaper.

He was a heavy smoken and drinker One day, he was found dead, slumped on a water closet toilet at home. We have heard of motorists who stopped their vehicles when the traffic light beamed red, but who were found slumped and dead when the green light came on. My uncle, whose terminal bout with diabetics this column reported last year, had a special prayer room in his house where his family gathered every morning for prayers. One day, his wife failed to turn up. When he went to her room to fetch her, she told him she could not lift herself from the bed. In the night, she had had a stroke unknown to her. She was to die five months after the passage of her husband, whose younger brother had gone ahead of him about six months earlier, also of diabetes' causes.

All around us, these cases abound. Yet it does not seem to matter to us that almost everyone past the mid life ( 40 or 45) is a potential walking corpse who needs to pay attention to the health of the vital internal organs lest death strike sonner than it should. When I find my friends slouching beer or some other alcohol, when I find people rely heavily on drug medicine rather than nutritional supplements which may work better and safer, when I see young men and women relish cow skin in sauce or pepper soup, I wonder if they know they are making walking corpses of themselves. One day, I asked members of one group if they all knew health-conscious people did not eat the skin of chicken and fish for such reasons that should have made them avoid cow skin, which was more complex and could be deadlier to health. They all just stared at me!

Boluke Chemists Thanks to Boluke Chemists, many people in Agege neighborhood of Lagos now realize they are "walking corpse" and have begun to do something about it. A few months ago, I was surprised to find a crowd at the diagnostic laboratory where, every month, I check my blood sugar and, sometimes, the electrolytes and cholesterol levels. Busy and stressed people sometimes suffer electrolyte imbalances which could present bodily biochemistry disorientation in various symptoms. On this day, my sodium level was slightly elevated, and my potassium level was slightly down. My blood sugar, like my blood pressure, was low as well. But my chloride was normal. That suggested I had to reduce Sea salt and biochemic sodium cell salts intake, increase intake of potassium cell salts and potassium-rich foods.

The latter could. Which can be a tricky matter for a diabetic in my because of their sugar profile. Maybe one way to accommode such potassium- rich foods and fruits as yam, plantain, banana , orange, watermelon, pineapple, lime and lemon in this plan is to take with them food supplements as Chromium, Bitter melon, Fenugreek and Kyolic garlic, for example, which improve the body's sensitivity to insulin and, thereby, diminish the cellular resistance to insulin and improve insulin potency. This scenario reduces blood sugar level to normal status. Another way may be to improve thyroid and adrenal glands functions by taking supplements such as Iodoral, Sea kelp, Dulse and thyroid Essentials for the thyroid gland and Moducare's Plant Sterols and Sterolins for the adrenals. Good, also, are Amazon Adrenal Support and Swanon's Adrenal Essentials.

Not to drag this matter of Boluke Chemists, a chain of pharmacy outlets in Lagos, I asked what the unusual crowd was all about. As I said, Boluke Chemists was in a public enlightenment campaign to educate the public about hepatitis, a liver damaging disease, and to help people discover, at no cost to them, if their livers were inhabited by the virus (es) which cause viral hepatitis. The campaign was financed in many laboratories in the neighborhood. From my laboratory, I learned that about 70 percent of the clients tested positive. The ratio was close to that among the staff who undertook the test at the branch of my bank nearby from where some of the laboratory client came. Some of the people who tested positive to the disease had progressed to

Loss of appetite The liver may shut down some services or, better still, embark on skeletal work when impaired and battling for its life … and yours. We do not feel like eating, yet feel the need to eat. Weight loss is apparent in such circumstances. I have seen many people who will do practically everything to eat but just don't have the appetite. Such people are usually underweight ad skinny and appear malnourished. When one finds oneself in a situation such as this, it is better to immediately run liver function tests to at least rule out hepatitis or any other hepatic problem.

Jaundice near critical stages. Some other people were mere carriers. That meant the hepatitis virus was inactive in their livers and blood, but could cause harm to other people whose immunity may not be able to overpower it Hepatitis Viruses There are about six types of them, named Hepatitis A, B, C, E, F, and G. Hepatitis A is contagious and Lurks in fecal sources, food and raw shellfish, for example. That's why I do not like to eat periwinkle still in the shell, which isn't disemboweled and properly cooked. You may ask me: why hasn't eating periwinkle in the shell depopulated the South-South of Nigeria? Well, long population exposure to a certain environment stimulates immune response which unexposed people may lack. Don't West Africans stand the mosquito bite better than Europeans? And don't South-West Nigeria stand red hot peppery sauce better than other Nigerians? Hepatitis A, which may also be sexually contracted, often produces acute effects. Hepatitis B is usually blood and sexually contracted, and may inflict chronic liver damage. Some hosts with immunity powerful enough to inactivate it are chronic carriers of this virus. Hepatitis C, the most common form, and usually contracted from the transfusion of unscreened blood, may predispose about 10 to 20 per cent of the hosts to cirrhosis of the liver, according to population studies, and liver cirrhosis may develop into cancer of the liver. Hepatitis E is water borne, may be resolied in four to eight weeks, but may progress in five to 10 per cent of cases to Chronic Hepatitis B. Hepatitis is still sweeping through the world, in some cases in epidemic proportions. The reasons are not too difficult to discover. The liver is the major organ for removing poisons from the body. It is also the pantry where the body stores most of the excess nutrients, which, someday, say in emergencies, will be released for use as needed, just as grains reserves are released during bad harvests or a famine. The liver does far too many other things than can be mentioned here. Among some of these is the production and storage of bile in the gallbladder for the digestion of fats and detoxification of some poisons. It also conjugates the remains of dead red blood cells so that the yellow aspect, biluribin, poisonous to the brain in very high levels, does not mass up in the blood and skin. The liver may also be eaten up by worms, especially the flat worm named faciolopsis hepatica, which causes liver cancer, Candida, other yeast, viruses, bacteria and other microforms. We are limited here to the hepatitis virus.

The symptoms The body speaks to us always. But we do not often understand its language and , so, do not heed its serious warnings. Three of the easiest ways the liver speaks to us are through (1) discoloration of a part of the tongue to which the liver is connected, going by acupressure and acupuncture medicine. These points, and how to activate them, like electricity switches, are well explained in the two books of Dr. Devendora Vora and the one by Dr. Kenyon, which were reviewed in this column a few weeks ago.

(2) the colour of the stool and (3) the density of the stool… that is , does it float or sink in the water closet? Some of the other symptoms of Hepatitis are (1) Fatigue (2) nausea (3) loss of appetite (4) weight loss (5) clay colour stool (6) fever (7) diarrhea (8)elevation of liver enzymes in the blood (9) jaundice (10) enlargement and tenderness of the liver and, sometimes, of the spleen.

Fatigue Every one feels run down one time or the other through overwork and stress, metabolic disturbances or disease, such as hepatitis.

The liver produces many essential compounds for the body's metabolic and biochemical balance. Without these compounds in the right quantum, a state of disequilibrium occurs. Some parts of the liver do not function optimally in hepatitis, leading to poor energy output. Even the little energy available is used up largely by the immune system to help the liver deal with its assailants.

Unfortunately for many people, the culture around here isn't a lab test to determine the cause of fatigue which may have origins in underfunctioning thyroid gland, digestion and absorption problems, heavy microbial load in the system, mitochondrial failure, due to destruction by mercury in tooth fillings or food or other heavy metals in food, air and water, adrenal fatigue or insufficiency or simply nutritional deficiencies from junk diet. Often, people go first for energy drinks which are laden with. Caffeine, an energy waster. It is only when the matter has reached a head or is

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

This is often a tailend signal that all is not well in the liver. As stated earlier, the liver processes dead red blood cells into their simplest component parts for recycling or elimination of any excess. One of the troublesome components is biluribin. If the liver is too weak to handle it, bilurbin piles up in the blood, and may soon appear as yellowish tinge under the skin, in the nail bed and in the eyes. If it becomes too much and crosses the brain-bloodbarrier which prevents substances in the blood which may disturb or harm the brain from getting into it from the blood circulation, biluribin may damage the brain. That's why babies born with neonatal jaundice, or who develop it soon after birth, become "vegetables" when biluribin runs a violent or stormy riot into their brains.

Beating Hepatitis Many people are upset or depressed by the news that they have viral hepatitis.

They recognize it may lead to cirrhosis (hardening) of the liver and, perhaps, cancer of the liver, and, so, are frightened that it may eventually kill them. But they brighten up when they learn this condition is reversible.

The first step on the road to recovery is to learn, as in all ailments, the causes of this problem so that, while they are receiving treatment, they do not continue with those precipitate lifestyles.

Hepatitis not of viral origin may be caused by alcohol or drugs or chemicals. People who drink lots of beer and other alcohol without consciously caring for their livers dig their own graves thereby.

Alcohol is a poison which the liver must detoxify to protect the entire body. Ever seen firemen putting out a raging fire without fire-fighting equipment and special non-flammable shoes and uniform? That's what happens to the livers of people who take alcohol, who are dependent or toxic pharmaceutical drugs, who are exposed to many chemical preservatives in food and who are exposed to chemicals in mosquito coils, sprays and dish washing soaps, laundry detergents and bleaches, bath soaps and body creams and lotions, and tooth fillings, to mention a few sources of chemical exposure, which must include fertilizer grown foods Some escape routes The first steps is to watch the diet. Food, like the liver, speaks to us. In a liver disorder, the liver cannot tolerate saturated fats and fried foods. In fact, one of the symptoms of a liver malaise is that we cannot stand the sight or the smell of fatty and fried foods, according to Dr. H.V. Vogel in THE NATURE DOCTOR. He says, also, that a disordered liver hates fruits or fruit juices, especially orange juice, because it cannot easily digest fruit acids. If these foods are forced on the ailing liver, they get undigested properly and the poisons they produce as they begin to get rotten in the system are sent to the skin and kidneys for elimination. As Dr. Vogel says, this is why severe itching of the skin is a sign that the liver is not working well. Of course, one thing leads to another. Poisons in the body affects the cells and nerves, every molecule, and end up making us break down emotionally, another symptom of liver disorder, sometimes to the point that nothing seems to cheer us up. Therefore, treatment of liver troubles should start with foods that do not add to the problem. The liver profits from unsaturated fatty acids, such as Flax Seed Oil or the proprietary Udo's Oil. Meat and if possible, fish should be out of the diet. Proteins can be obtained from Free Form Amino Acids such as in the proprietary brand AMINO BALANCE or Bragg's Liquid Amino. They hardly need digestion, so the liver is saved a lot of hassle. Whole grain meals, especially brown rice, are good. So is vegetable brooth and green powder drinks which are now plentiful in Nigeria . I hover from Spectragreen and Superior Green to Beyond Greens and Green Fusion, my latest toast which comes with abiut 30 billion friendly bateria (probiotic) cells per jar. This morning (Tuesday 22 October) my breakfast will be Bob Jill's organic whole grain steel cut oat, Green Fusion Powder, (ayenne, Forever Aloe Lite and liquid amino plus, of course, my regular food supplements… Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Grape Seed Extract, Parasheld.

PARASHIELD, for a shield against parasites, including hepatitis viruses, reminds me it is time to draw up a battle plan against these unwelcome quests worrying the liver. So, here we go. The "war" objectives are: (1) Elimination of the hepatitis viruses with antivirus with antiviral herbs (2) Detoxification of the liver (3) Regeneration of damaged liver cells (4) Boosting of immunity

Tel: 08034004247, 07025077303

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

47

THE NATION

e-Business Riding on the heels of the telecoms revolution, the introduction of mobile money into the country, experts say, holds huge prospects for banking and job creation. LUCAS AJANAKU reports that mobile money agents are still not enough to make an impact on the economy.

Where are the mobile money agents?

W

HEN a Nigerian-based financial sector development organisation, Enhancing Financial Innovation released the result of its survey earlier in the year, it made shocking revelations. According to the report, 52.8 million out of Nigeria’s adult population saved money regularly while only 20.5 million of the 52.8 million went to the banks to save money. The firm added that majority of the 23.8 million people, who kept money at home, were doing so with friends, families, through informal associations, and community-based associations. These findings confirm the belief that only 22 million Nigerians own a bank account out of a population of 167 million people.

With telecoms subscriber base put at 105 million by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), there are indeed limitless opportunities for the country to achieve financial inclusion by bringing the large numbers of the unbanked to the banking sector through a press on the keypad of their mobile phones. The initiative to drive this process is however, currently being spearheaded by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), using the bank-led model of mobile money payment (MMP).

Prospects

Deputy Governor, Operations, CBN, Tunde Lemo, said over the next few years, the focus of the CBN will be to strengthen the institutional and regulatory frameworks that would facilitate the financial inclusion of the unbanked and promote more usage of electronic payments as clearly enunciated in the Payments System Vision 2020 (PSV 2020).

“In particular, the following are expected to drive the usage of electronic payments in the near future.

“The application of mobile technology for financial services especially in rural areas will ensure that a large percentage of the population outside the formal banking system would have access to financial services using one of the three models of card-based, account-based and virtual account,” Lemo said.

There are four types of MMP models recognised globally.

These are operator-led model, bank-led model, collaboration model and peer-to-peer model. The CBN chose the bank-led model in which case a bank deploys mobile payment applications or devices to customers and ensures merchants have the required point-of-sale (PoS) acceptance capability to carry out the transaction. Mobile network operators’ network merely serves as vehicle through which transactions take place.

This is based on the regulatory framework for m-payment services issued by the CBN in 2009, which disenfranchised them from operating mobile money. But they are currently entering strategic partnerships with licensed operators.

“They are not licensed to offer financial services. Telcos are licensed to offer telecoms services. That is why MTN is partnering with GTBank to roll out mobile money in Nigeria,” said Razak Olaegbe, a mobile money analyst. According to the industry analysts, the decision was made because the CBN does not regulate telcos and if the telcos are allowed to lead mobile money, it will mean putting two critical segments of Nigeria’s economy in the hands of a few companies. This, they believe, portends great risk for the country.

Fortis Mobile Money, UBA/Afripay, GTBank Mobile Money, Pagatech, eTranzact, Monetise, Eartholeum, Paycom, FET, Ecobank and Kudi are the firms given provisional licence to do mobile money business in the country. They have since entered into partnership with the telecoms firms.

Nigeria is a key market in emerging markets and according to reports, the number of mobile money subscribers in these markets has been projected to grow from 133 million users two years ago at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40 per cent to hit 709 million users in 2015. The report also projected that the total value of mobile money transactions will equally grow at a CAGR of 54 per cent from $25 billion in 2010 to $215 billion in 2015 with Asia-Pacific becoming the most important regional market, accounting for about 50 per cent of user base.

According to figures from the World Bank and other organisations, the global remittance market has grown rapidly over the past decade. In 2010, remittances through formal channels amounted to US$440 billion, of which, developing countries received an estimated $325 billion. The majority of these transactions are still cash-to-cash transactions, but the share of digital transactions is steadily increasing. Driven by

•Lemo the development of mobile money systems in emerging markets, experts estimate that US$16 billion worth of international money transfers will be received with mobile phones in 2015.

Challenges

The scheme has however, been beset by an avalanche of problems, which range from infrastructure to legal framework.

According to the CBN, “The draft National Payments System Bill, which is undergoing legislative passage, is expected to address the legal barriers to electronic payments such as the admissibility of electronic evidence in the law courts.”

The CBN says it is also mindful of the infrastructure and the security challenges posed by this ambitious programme. “We have therefore progressed in forging effective partnership with telecommunication companies with the cooperation of the NCC while ensuring that structural impediments such as uninteroperability of payments networks of stakeholders are removed.

“Specifically, in the area of electronic fraud, we have recently set up an industry wide Nigeria E-Fraud Forum (NEFF), which will serve as an official body to represent the industry on fraud related issues, while enabling a forum for payment stakeholders to collaboratively share data on fraud attempts and proactively tackle these issues, with the objective of minimising fraud attempts and limiting losses,” the CBN deputy governor said.

He added that it recognises that innovations in payments system require institutional support; hence, the issuance of relevant rules and regulations in order to provide a level playing field for all stakeholders in the retail payments industry.

“Consequently, the CBN has commenced the review of the following guidelines: guidelines on Transactions Switching, regulatory framework for mobile payments,” Lemo added.

Managing Director, Mobile Money Africa, Mr Emmanuel Okogwale, agrees that there are still challenges. According to him, most of the companies licensed to do mobile payment are yet to have accredited agents who will reside in urban, semiurban and rural areas. He argued that without well trained mobile money agents, the implementation would not be seamless as agents with the requisite tools and handsets are the infrastructure needed to deliver the money to the customers.

‘The application of mobile technology for financial services especially in rural areas will ensure that a large percentage of the population outside the formal banking system would have access to financial services using one of the three models of cardbased account-based and virtual acount.

But most of the companies licensed to do mobile payment are yet to have accredited agents who will reside in urban, semi-urban and rural areas’

•Point of Sale Terminal (PoS)

Advantages

But Managing Partner of One Network, Mr Sola Bikersteth, a structured agent management organisation recognised by the CBN, says Nigerians should give the scheme more time, arguing that it took time for Global Systems for Mobile communication (GSM) to become something being taken for granted.

It took two years before GSM became ubiquitous in the country. He said the same thing is happening in the mobile money sector, insisting that the 16 licensed operators have started acquiring customers.

He said a number of them were doing serious transactions already, operating in a closed community. He said that some church members use mobile money services now to pay tithe while some are focusing on campuses and some are extending their platforms to existing bank customers.

According to him, when these numbers are added together, there are about between three and four million active mobile money account users and by any industry standard, that is a very good. He added that Nigeria needs about 160,000 mobile money agents all over the country.

He said it took five years for Kenya to get to where it is now.

It took two years after mobile money was launched in Kenya for people to start knowing that something was happening in Kenya. It took five years for mobile money to become felt everywhere in the country. According to Ignacio Mas and Amolo Ng’weno, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, three key success factors are responsible for the MMP magic of Kenya with 43 million people. These are Brand: Safaricom built a very strong service brand for M-PESA, which rode on strong customer sense of affinity with and trust in the operator.

Channel management: Safaricom effectively leveraged its extensive network of airtime resellers to build a reliable, consistent store network that served customers’ needs. The last is pricing: Safaricom designed a pricing scheme for both customers and stores that provided incentives for both to join M-PESA early on. Bickersteth says people may think there is no noticeable progress but there is a lot of progress. The advantage that Kenya has was that it was practically a monopoly by Safaricom, he said, adding that there are 16 operators.

The NCC is expected to design the regulatory framework on the technology and mode of interoperability to be adopted by the operators for seamless operations, The Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, said critical success factors for mobile payment in the country are the integrity and security of the end-to-end transition during a payment transaction process. “The chain of transaction must be secured from initiation to authentication. Therefore, confidentiality and integrity of the data transition are critical factors in mobile payment,” he said.

He noted that it is possible for hackers to intercept transactions and alter the intended recipient while the initiator actually receives a confirmation that the transaction was done.

He identified confidentiality of content and data integrity as vital factors to be considered particularly how the industry would provide mechanisms that guarantee non-repudiation of transaction by the initiator.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

e-Business

•Vice President Namadi Sambo, with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof Viola Onwuliri, and Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Dr. Eugene Juwah at the Nigerian Day, at the Nigerian Pavillion at the just concluded ITU World, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

NCC maps out strategy for broadband development R EGULATOR of the telecoms sector, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has maped out strategy for the developmnnet of broadband infrastructure in the country.

Dr Eugene Juwah, executive vice chairman /chief executive officer of the commission, said the growth of the telecommunications sector in Nigeria and indeed in sub-Sahara Africa in the last 10 years has been impressive.

He added that replicating this penomenal growth in voice telephony penetration to data penetration requires a new strategy as well as learning gained from the rollout of the voice telephony services.

According to him, the economic impact of broadband penetration has been found to be quite impressive as World Bank studies showed that in low and middle –income countries such as Nigeria, every 10 percentage point increase in broadband penetration accelerate economic growth by 1.38 percentage points. He added that this impact is greater in mid to low income countries than what is obtainable in high income countries and equally greater than the impact of any other telecommunication service.

E

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

“Notwithstanding the benefits that have been associated with broadband, in developing countries it has to be understood that broadband for all is a medium to long term strategy and the main beneficiaries, in the short term, of the broadband revolution will be businesses. Because broadband networks need to generate traffic to lower their costs and increase their profitability, and in light of the fact that broadband is an ecosystem in which users play a central role, stimulating demand is very important as this will provide the means for further expansion of broadband services and increase penetration,” the NCC boss said.

Because of the importance of brodaband to national development, he disclosed that the commission will embark on strategies to ensure its ubiquity in the country, the first strategy is to have a national roll out plan with political backing at the very top levels to ensure ease of rollout because it will ensure that bureaucratic bottlenecks

and access rights are speedily addressed “All ministries and government departments must work in a synchronous manner while the required spectrum is made available, especially spectrum that provides the biggest advantage in terms of coverage, capacity and wide adoption across the globe to provide the biggest economies of scale advantages for devices and equipments utilising these spectrums and the potential to make devices affordable for low income households. Also, innovative means of licensing spectrum to balance need of governments to raise revenue versus requirement to increase broadband penetration need to be devised,” Juwah said.

Other strategies include the public partnering with the private sector and the use of Universal Service Funds; devising regulatory frameworks that ensures non-discriminatory access to back-haul; deployment of different technologies as appropriate for different situations and putting in place, parallel initiatives to stimulate demand like providing netbooks to primary and secondary school students, creating awareness on the benefits of broadband services.

Samsung deepens smart phones penetration in Africa

LECTRONICS and mobile phone maker, Samsung Electronics, says it plans to push smart phone penetration in Africa and further expand its share of the smart phone/devices market across the continent.

This, it said, in line with its strategy to bridge the continent’s digital divide.

Vice-President/Chief Operating Officer, Samsung Electronics Africa, Mr George Ferreira, disclosed that Africa is the second largest and fastest mobile phone market in the world after China, with Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Ghana leading the pack in smart phone sales.

Ferreira said that smart phone

penetration in Africa is led by Nigeria with 41 per cent and followed

by South Africa with 31 per cent and Kenya seven per cent. He explained that usage has grown from a base of 90 million in 2005 to a estimate of 450 million handsets this year.

According to a statement from the firm, he spoke at the Africa Regional launch for the new Samsung Galaxy Note II and Samsung Galaxy Camera, in Cape Town, South Africa Mr Emmanuel Revmatas, Samsung Electronics West Africa’s Mobile Business Leader for Nigeria, said the advent of new privately owned submarine cables and their

landing on the coast of many East and West African nations including Nigeria has significantly reduced cost of internet access and increased the adoption of smart phones on the continent.

“Mobile broadband penetration has increased tremendously over the last few years and all across Africa, we are witnessing continued investment in infrastructure by most of the network operators making it possible for telecom subscribers to take full advantage of the world of endless opportunities that smart devices like the Samsung Galaxy Note II offers,” said Revmatas.

F

OR rapid economic development in the country, private individuals and organisations have been urged to support government‘s efforts to boost technology transfer by investing in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

The Director of Information, Lagos State Ministry of Information, Alhaji Tayo Lawal, made this call at a roundtable with reporters at the inuguration of S.B. Selem ICT Centre, Ansar-Ud-Deen High School, Surulere, Lagos.

According to him, building technology capacity is a top priority for the government, lamenting, however, that the resources are not enough.

Specifically, he noted that building ICT capacity large enough to support functional education required huge amount of money, as such private sector assistance is necessary, This informed the alumni association’s decision to make the donation of computers to the school.

Lawal, who is also the National President of Ansar-ud-Deen Old Students Association (AHOSA), said the group donated the centre in conjunction with Ibeji Foundation, a Lagos based non-governmental organisation (NGO).

He called on other interest groups to mobilise resources to

T

O help alleviate the plight of victims of the flood disaster in the country, MTN Foundation, the corporate social investment vehicle of MTN, has donated relief materials to affected communities.

The relief materials, worth millions of Naira, include beddings, cooking utensils and food.

According to Ms. Nonny Ugboma, Executive Secretary of MTN Foundation, the first phase of the donations being made to several communities in 13 states where thousands of families were displaced by the flood, addng that more communities will benefit from the gesture in the weeks to come.

“The scale of suffering that has been caused by this disaster is simply unprecedented and as a publicspirited corporate entity. We want to contribute as much as possible to

Expert seeks investment in ICT

By Josephine Owede support government’s infra-structural development campaign, adding that it would impact positively on the citizenry and society in general.

Earlier in his keynote address at the ceremony, the President declared that the Ibeji Foundation and AHOSA gesture was in honour of the immense contributions of the school’s foremost Principal, Alhaji Babatunde Selem, to the school.

The Chief Executive of Ibeji Foundation, Alhaji Abdul Rafiu Adisa Ebiti, in an interview disclosed that the ultimate objective of the NGO was to bring education to the “fore front” and eradicate ignorance in the society. He stressed that development could reach the grassroots provided individuals and groups de-emphasize their class, tribal and religious differences and work together to move the country forward without waiting for the government to attend to the people’s needs.

MTN donates to flood victims ameliorating these problems,” she added.

A ststement by the telco said in addition to its structured initiatives in such critical areas as education, healthcare and economic empowerment, the MTN Foundation has also been one of Nigeria’s leading players in corporate philanthropy. This intervention joins a long list of public spirited philanthropic interventions by MTN Foundation over the years.

The foundation has been supporting the treatment and rehabilitation of dozens of infants and children, afflicted with life-threatening heart and other conditions, and contribute materially and financially to hospices in the country.

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CITYBEATS Lagos cancels Our position on Okada riders, by Fashola Saturday’s Sanitation Court grants operators accelerated P hearing over ban A 08033054340, 08034699757 E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

LAGOS State Government has lifted the order restricting movement of people during the Environmental Sanitation on Saturday.

The move, according to the state government, is to allow free movement of persons and easy access for those traveling for the Eid-ilKabir festival.

Commissioner for the Environment Tunji Bello said the move would ensure hitch- free celebration.

The commissioner said since ‘cleanliness is next to Godliness’ we cannot but encourage cleanliness in all aspects of human endeavour and therefore enjoined all and sundry to ensure that the festival is celebrated in the cleanliest environment possible.

He urged Lagosians to clean their homes and environment irrespective of the lifting of the restriction order which is only for this month as the monthly cleaning will resume next month. Bello admonished Lagosians to bag their refuse properly to allow for easy collection and disposal to designated dumpsites by LAWMA and PSP operators.

The Commissioner assured Lagosian that LAWMA would deploy men and equipment to ensure quick evacuation of waste generated during the festive period.

He reminded Lagosians that the rains are still here and Lagos as a coastal state is susceptible to flooding.

“As a result, we should desist from dumping wastes into canals as the consequences of massive flooding being experienced across the nation is enough warning to discourage us from dumping into drains and canals,” he said.

ROPONENTS of unregulated commercial motorcycle operations in Lagos State should visit hospitals and emergency centres to see the havoc wreaked by their activities, Governor Babatunde Fashola has said.

Fashola, in an interactive session on Law and Order with members of the Metropolitan Club in Victoria Island, Lagos on Tuesday, said the hospitals and emergency wards are filled with “those who have lost limbs, arms, and those who have lost children or those who have become orphans by the recklessness of the okada riders”.

He said a lot depended on the citizenry in ensuring an orderly society, saying, everyone must build a consensus that the idea behind the new traffic law is one that involves the quality of life of everyone, the protection of the assets of every resident of Lagos and their businesses.

Tracing the various well organised public transport systems that had existed in the past like the L.M.T.S and L.S.T.C, the governor said it should agitate the minds of citizens and members of the Club how the state arrived at its present state in terms of the unbridled operation of commercial motorcyclists.

According to him, in less than two decades, Okada has gained so much prominence that it has become a phenomenon which should not have

LAGOS State High Court, Ikeja, yesterday granted accelerated hearing to a suit filed by commercial motorcycle operators against the Lagos State Government for banning their operations on some federal highways in the state.

Justice Aishat Opesanwo who granted the order, however, dismissed an application for interlocutory injunction filed by the claimants.

They were praying the court to restrain the government from implementing the new Lagos State Traffic Law. The suit was filed by Mr. Bamidele Aturu on behalf of the commercial motorcycle operators under the aegis of the All Nigerians Autobike Commercial Owners and Workers Association (ANABy Seyi Odewale

been allowed in the first place. He stressed that the elite are culpable as many encouraged their workers and employees to use Okada to run errands.

“The only way to stop the business from flourishing is by not patronising them. It is a business that if the income from it dwindles, the business proposition of those in it will change,” he said.

Conducting an overview of various facets of life in the

COWA).

Joined in the suit as defendants are: the Lagos State Government, House of Assembly and the AttorneyGeneral, Mr Ade Ipaye.

When the matter was mentioned yesterday, Aturu told the court that they were withdrawing their application against the government for the court to hear the substantive suit in an accelerated manner.

“We believe that there is a need for the court to urgently deal with this matter because it is in the interest of the generality of the populace.

Many of them have been suffering from this draconian action of the state govern-

ment which restricted the motorcyclists from operating on federal high ways. We are therefore, asking the court to strike out the application and grant us an accelerated hearing of the substantive suit,” he said.

Mr. Ipaye, who is the third defendant and counsel to the government, informed the court that the law was already in force.

“It was in reaction to its enforcement that the claimants on Monday went on the rampage in Lagos. The law in respect of which the state was sued had been in force since August 2. My Lord, please take judicial notice that the law came into effect on August 2,” he said.

state, Fashola explained that he had to lead by example by shunning the use of siren to escape from the traffic, adding that as a governor he has always fought against attempts by Very Important Personalities (VIP) to close roads and people must be ready to fight against behaviours and conducts hazardous to healthy and secure existence.

The Governor said there should be concerted effort by all to ensure that Nigeria does not reach the notorious sta-

tus of Bangkok in terms of traffic because Bangkok city according to him loses about one million dollars every year to traffic congestion.

Urging business executives and corporate leaders to have a rethink on the types of ventures to support, Fashola said tricycles known as Keke Marwa represents the sign of India’s age of poverty, which the country is striving hard to move away from as it is now busy manufacturing TATA buses and wondered why Nigerians are now embrac-

By Adebisi Onanuga

Lagos to host Ojukwu’s posthumous birthday TO immortalise the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, the Igbo community in Lagos State will organise a posthumous birthday for the Biafran warlord on November 4.

The event, according to its Co-ordinator, Eze Christian Udechukwu Nwachukwu, would serve as a welcome party for Ojukwu’s wife, Bianca, who would visit Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other party stalwarts.

He said: “We, Ndigbo in Lagos State, are here to keep the memory of our great leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, alive because his life was devoid of greed and acquisition of material wealth, as most wealthy Nigerians do. He was a leader who enthroned the virtues of selfless service to the people. He sacrificed his life and father’s wealth for the good of Ndigbo and Nigerians. These are some of the legacies he left behind.”

•A busy Ram market at Mangoro, Agege, Lagos... yesterday.

PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI

You ‘ve a case to answer, DPP tells driver

T

HE 34-year-old Lagos bus driver, who has been in detention for seven months over attempted murder of a Lagos Judge, Justice Adeniyi Adebajo, has been denied bail.

The decision followed the advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

The DPP said he has a case to answer.

Magistrate A.O. Adegbite, who read the DPP advice in parts, ruled that the matter be transfered to the High Court for trial.

She said: “The DPP’s advice got to the court on (Monday), and from the advice, Kasali has a case to answer.

“Since the DPP has advised that Kasali has a case to answer and going by the offence he was arraigned for, this court lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter.

“I therefore rule that the matter be transfered to the

•Wife begs Lagos judge

By Precious Igbonwelundu

appropriate court (High Court) for prosecution.”

Kasali was on March 5, arraigned before Magistrate M.A. Ladipo at Tinubu, on a count of ‘hitting Justice Adebajo with an intent to kill him’, to which the magistrate ordered that he be remanded in prison custody.

The matter was subsequently transferred to Magistrate Adegbite. At this point, the police amended the charge against Kasali and was re-arraigned on a fivecount.

According to the charge sheet, “Kasali on March 1, at about 11:20am at Moloney Street, being the driver in charge of a commercial vanagon bus marked XA242KLK, drove in a deliberate manner thereby attempted to unlawfully kill

Justice Adebajo when he was crossing the road.”

It said the driver unlawfully intended to harm the judge by hitting him with the bus which caused him injury and grievous harm.

A tearful Kasali’s wife, Habiba, at the court premises, appealed to Justice Adebajo to forgive his husband.

She told The Nation that life has been unbearable for her and their new baby since her husband was arrested on March 1, adding that Justice Adebajo should for the baby’s sake, have mercy on Kasali.

“Things have not been easy for us. I just put to bed and I am not working. We have virtually been feeding from hand to mouth since his arrest.

“I am begging the judge in the name of God, he should just look at my baby and have

mercy on him.

“I do not know who to run to or where to go for help. I do not even want to know whether he did it or not, the judge should please forgive him and let him return home to his family.

Kasali was also accused of dangerous and reckless driving on the public highway, without drivers’ licence and without due consideration of other users.

His alleged offence was said to have contravened Sections 228(2), 242, 243 of the Criminal Laws as well as 29 and 7(1) of the Road Traffic Laws of Lagos, 2011.

Although the defence counsel, Adedotun Isola-Osobu on several occasions applied for Kasali’s bail, Adegbite did not oblige as she maintained that she lacked jurisdiction to admit Kasali to bail and insisted that she will only take an action after the DPP advice was ready.

ing it wholeheartedly.

He added that the same applies to motorcycles which originated from China, saying the Chinese are currently making fast trains for their usage while Nigerians are helping their economy by patronising their Okadas.

He noted that those breaking the law with impunity are aliens with no respect for rules and regulations.

According to him, over 100 people from Niger Republic have been sent out of the state in the last 24 hours.

Fashola, who spoke on the topic: ‘Freedom From Fear,’ explained that the presence or absence of law and order in any society is what determines whether the people will live in fear or without it.

He added that while the Constitution guarantees many rights, there is no right classified as right to be free from fear in the Constitution because freedom from fear seems to have been the forgotten freedom.

Free bus ride for Lagosians •LAWMA’s 1m trash bags for Sallah

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O ensure easy movement during the Eid-El Kabir, the Lagos State Government has promised to provide free bus ride for Lagosians tomorrow.

Also, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) is releasing about a million free trash bags for waste collection during the celebration.

The free ride, according to a statement by the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, and signed by its External Relations’ Specialist, Kolawole Ojelabi, will enable Muslim faithful get to different praying centres across the state.

The free bus service which began in 2008, Dr. Mobereola said, had helped in reducing congestion and accidents on the roads during festive periods. He added that the service would run for 13 hours starting at 7.00am and end at 10.00pm.

The First BRT Cooperative, operator of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), according to the statement, will offer free services on Mile 12 – CMS; Mile 12 – Obalende; Ajah to National Stadium; Ajah – Obalende; Mile 12 – National Stadium; Mile 2 – National Stadium; Oshodi – Obalende and Oshodi – National Stadium routes.

On the Bus Franchise Scheme (BFS) corridor, free services will be offered on the Ikotun – Ikeja – Maryland; Iyana Ipaja – Maryland; Ikotun – Iyana Ipaja; Igando – Iyana Ipaja; Igando – Ikeja and Igando – Maryland routes.

A statement by LAWMA said the 350 Private Sector Participants (PSP) operating in the state have been mandated to rid the state of waste through the distribution of bags to ensure that refuse are properly bagged and disposed in covered bins. The statement which was signed by the Head of Public Relations, Mrs Shade Kadiri, said the festive season is usually charecterised by large volume of waste but that they are determined to rid the state of waste no matter the volume.

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 24-10-12

Equities lose N133b in three days amidst improved earnings

M

Market capitalisation of equities quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) dropped by N133 billion over the three-day consecutive bearish market, in spite of appreciable improvements in operational earnings by quoted companies.

Aggregate market capitalisation of all quoted companies closed yesterday at N8.564 trillion as against its opening value of N8.673 trillion, completing a threeday period of decline orchestrated by profit-taking transactions and liquidity trades arising from preparations for the Muslim’s Eid-ul-Kabir.

The downtrend worsened yesterday with a loss of N109 billion as investors rushed to close trades ahead of the twoday holiday declared by the Federal Government in celebration of the Eid-ul-Kabir.

The benchmark index, the All Share Index (ASI), also

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

slumped to 26,876.07 points as against its opening index of 27,217.27 points, representing a drop of 1.25 per cent.

The decline yesterday depressed the year-to-date return at the stock market to 29.65 per cent.

This week saw the release of several interim reports and account for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012, but the bears had resisted the positive impacts of the largely impressive earnings.

Market analysts said the third quarter earnings might still have considerable influence in the rebound expected after the holiday as investors put earnings and dividend expectations into market considerations of equities.

Impact analysis showed that the market balance was unsettled by losses by some highly capitalised stocks in

the breweries and banking sectors. Guinness Nigeria led the decliners with a loss of N7.01 to close at N263. Nigerian Breweries followed with N3 to close at N1.35. PZ Cussons Nigeria dropped by N2.93 to close at N26.57. First Bank of Nigeria lost 79 kobo to close at N16.21. Ashaka Cement fell by 72 kobo to close at N17.06 while Zenith Bank declined by 60 kobo to close at N17.50.

However, CAP rode on the back of interim dividend of N1.25 per share to gain N1.57 to close at N33.09. Presco followed with a gain of N90 kobo to close at N14.90 while Beta Glass added 50 kobo to close at N10.50 Investors traded a total of 267.382 million shares worth N3.109 billion in 4,234 deals.

The financial services sector remained the toast of investors with 224.046 million shares worth N2.299 billion in 2,413 deals. Other sectors with relatively high turnover included consumer goods, conglomerates, industrial goods, oil & gas, healthcare and services with 20.504 million shares, 6.918 million shares, 4.550 million shares, 4.217 million shares, 3.813 million shares and 2.005 million shares respectively.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 24-10-12

THE

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

55

MONEY LINK

Banks’ assets hit N20tr

B

ANKS’ total assets and liabilities for the first time this year, hit N20 trillion, data from the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN Economic Report for August released yesterday showed. This indicates an increase of 0.8 per cent when compared with the level at July ending 2012.

The apex bank said the funds were sourced mainly from mobilisation of time, savings and foreign currency deposits and disposal of Federal Government securities.

The report said that N12.5 trillion banks’ credit to the domestic economy fell by two per cent, when compared with the level in the preceding month.

On a month-on-month basis, banks’ credit to the private sec-

Stories by Collins Nweze

tor rose by 0.4, while credit to the government fell by 14.5 per cent relative to the level in the preceding month.

Also, CBN’s credit to the banks fell by 18.9 per cent to N275.7 billion at end of August 2012.

“The specified liquid assets of the banks stood at N5.2 trillion, representing 39.0 per cent of their total current liabilities. This level of liquid assets was 2.6 percentage points below the preceding month’s ratio of 41.6, but 9.0 percentage points above the stipulated minimum ratio of 30.0 per cent. The loan-to-deposit ra-

tio was 45.7 per cent and was 34.3 percentage points below the stipulated maximum target of 80.0 per cent for the industry,” it said.

At N1.3 trillion, currency in circulation rose marginally by 0.4 per cent in the review month, in contrast to the decline of 0.1 per cent at the end of the preceding month. It said the development reflected, wholly, the 0.4 per cent increase in currency outside banks.

According to the apex bank, relative to the level at end-December 2011, currency in circulation fell by 12.6 per cent. Also, total deposits at the CBN amounted to N6.8 trillion, indi-

cating a decline of 1.5 per cent below the level at the end of the preceding month. It said the development reflected, largely, the fall in Federal Government deposits.

“Of the total deposits, the percentage shares of the Federal Government, banks and 67.2, 24.6 and 8.2 per cent, respectively, compared with 70.1, 22.1 and 7.8 per cent in the preceding month,” it said.

The report noted that the money market experienced tight liquidity condition during most of the month, following the review of the cash reserve requirement and the net open position (NOP) of banks in for-

volved in examination malpractices among others.

He said that after the comments were sent, they were put to vote on facebook. Thereafter, comments with highest number of ‘likes’ got blackberry phones and Samsung phones while the first 100 entries got free movie ticket at Silverbird Galleria. He said the campaign started in last week of September and ran for a week and 10 days before the winners emerged.

Atilola said the Facebook

campaign is ongoing and will be conducted in series. He said the bank has decided to expand its campaigns from products and services to include issues that are germane and dear to lives of the citizenry.

Sterling Bank had in recent months been rewarding its loyal customers under its ongoing Savers promo. The bank had two weeks ago, gave out cash prize of N2 million to four of its savings customers in the third monthly draw.

eign currencies.

Growth in the key monetary aggregate remained sluggish at the end of August 2012. On month-on-month basis, broad money (M2) rose by 2.8 per cent, due largely to the 3.3 and 0.5 per cent rise in foreign assets (net) and domestic credit (net) of the banking system, respectively.

Relative to the level at endDecember 2011, M2 grew by 3.5 per cent, owing, largely, to the rise in foreign asset (net) and other assets (net) of the banking system. Narrow money

S

write on ‘1,000 things I can do for my country’, and post their answers in the social network.

He said that participants in the exercise sent comments on what they can do as individuals to improve the image and perception of the country both locally and internationally.

Some of the answers posted on Facebook by participants were:’ I will stay out of crime; I will not be involved in bribery and corruption, I will abide by rule of law, I will not be in-

Govt releases YOUWIN cash

T

The projects coordinator, Supo Olusi, yesterday said that with the payment, some winners have now received at least 50 per cent of the total grant sum.

This is in line with the programme design, which is explicit that payments shall

HE Federal Government has begun payment of the second tranche to winners of the first cycle of the national business plans competition, Youth Enterprise with innovation in Nigeria (YOUWIN).

the pre-agreed milestones don’t get their grant until our monitors can physically verify, after visiting their premises, that they have made the kind of progress that reassures us that the buinesses are sustainable,” he said.

be released only after certain pre-agreed milestones have been reached by the entrepreneurs.”

It’s a precautionary measure taken to ensure that the winners are steadfast with growing their businesses.

Those who do not make

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

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 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 24-10-12 SYMBOL

AIICO A CADEMY BAGCO PRESCO DETAGLAS CAP WEMABANK UNITYBNK CUTIX NASCON

O/PRICE

0.60 3.75 4.75 14.00 10.00 31.52 0.61 0.62 1.48 5.75

C/PRICE

0.66 4.10 4.88 14.90 10.50 33.09 0.64 0.65 1.55 6,00

CHANGE

0.06 0.35 0.13 0.90 0.50 1.57 0.03 0.03 0.07 0.25

O/PRICE 29.50 1.23 3.54 1.75 8.05 4.10 6.30 1.68 11.97 17.00

C/PRICE 26.57 1.12 3.23 1.60 1.65 3.90 6.00 1.60 11.41 16.21

CHANGE 2.93 0.11 0.31 0.15 0.40 0.20 0.30 0.08 0.56 0.79

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

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

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

LOSERS AS AT 24-10-12

SYMBOL PZ FIDSON DNMEYER STERNBANK ARBICO SKYEBANK CCNN MAYBAKER CACPROP FIRSTBANK

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

terprises, finds that from June 2011 to June 2012, 28 of 46 governments in Sub-Saharan Africa implemented at least one regulatory reform making it easier to do business—a total of 44 reforms.

Burundi, with four reforms, ranks among the 10 economies worldwide that improved the most in the past year across three or more areas measured by Doing Business—the only lowincome economy on the list.

The report said that despite these achievements, much more can be done to enable African economies to build a strong and competitive private sector.

For instance, the region’s average ranking on the ease of doing business is 140 out of 185.

Mauritius and South Africa are the only African economies among the top 40 in the global ranking.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

OBB Rate Call Rate

T

HE new report by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank indicates that of the 50 economies making the most improvement in business regulation for domestic firms since 2005, 17 are in Sub-Saharan Africa.

In an emailed statement, the World Bank said this year’s report marks the 10th edition of the global ‘Doing Business’ report series and over the life of the report, Africa has consistently recorded a high number of reforms. It said Rwanda stands out as having consistently improved since 2005.

“A case study in this year’s report features Rwanda, which since 2005 has implemented 26 regulatory reforms as recorded

by Doing Business,” it said.

The report tagged, Doing Business 2013: Smarter Regulations for Small and Medium-Size En-

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

(M1) fell by 2.5 per cent below the level at the end of the preceding month.

‘African Economies making progress’

Sterling Bank Facebook Campaign produces winners TERLING BANK Plc yesterday rewarded five winners in its ongoing Facebook Campaign meant to promote patriotism for the country among Nigerians. The winners were: Breezy Jumbo, Akinyere Uko, Timothy China, Ajayi Olabambo and Abanbola Olaniposi.

Group Head, Corporate Development, Shina Atilola, explained that the bank had through Facebook, requested from members of the public to

•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE 9.17 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE 126.78 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 126.95 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.79 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.10 BGL NUBIAN FUND 0.93 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,738.57 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 10.45 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 9,223.00 THE DISCOVERY FUND 193.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

9.08 1.00 126.47 126.33 0.76 1.10 0.91 1,732.32 9.94 1.33 1.80 0.00 191.08 1.62

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

56

NEWS Oritsejafor to Muslims: pray for peace, security

Osun ACN urges prayers From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

T

HE Osun State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has urged Nigerians to pray for the nation.

In a goodwill message to Muslims on this year’s Eid-elKabir, by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Kunle Oyatomi, the party said Nigeria needs prayers more than before.

ACN urged Osun State residents to join Muslim to thank Allah for His mercies throughout the “turbulent rainy season and the successful performance of the Hajj”.

The party advised Osun residents and other Nigerians to renew their faith in God and the possibility of the human spirit to re-engineer their environment.

It noted that the nation has been devastated by corrupt leaders and visionless politicians.

The statement added: “People of the State of Osun should give praise and thanks to Allah for providing a leader of the calibre of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who is doing everything possible to bring joy and hope to homes and families through his unprecedented delivery of services that are impacting on the people’s lives and deepening their faith in God.”

NSCDC chief calls for peace From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

T

HE Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ade Abolurin, yesterday urged Nigerians to celebrate the Eid-elKabri in peace.

He vowed to deal with anybody found disturbing the peace during and after the Sallah.

A statement in Abuja by NSCDC spokesman, Emmanuel Okeh, reads: “The Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ade Abolurin, in rejoicing with the Muslim community, extends his goodwill wishes to all faithfull who are celebrating the Eid-el-Kabir.

“Salah is an important month on the Islamic calendar and it is perceived to be a period where devotees are spiritually and morally empowered with remarkable turnaround in their situation, therefore, it is not a lifeless and thoughtless ritual” of killing rams but an opportunity to give alms and gifts to the less privileged in the society.

Police warn vehicle owners

T

Obi demolishes kidnap suspect’s homes From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

A

NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi yesterday intensified his battle against kidnappers.

He led a team of policemen to demolish buildings belonging to a suspected kidnap kingpin, Emeka Ezekude in Uli, Ihiala Local Government Area.

The demolition was carried out by heavy cranes supervised by the governor and the police.

Obi restated his administration’s determination to make Anambra State uncomfortable for criminals, but comfortable for residents especially during the yuletide period.

According to him, “our policy is to eradicate crime in the state by implementing death sentences on kidnappers as required by our law”.

Obi said aside from demolishing kidnapper’s property to serve as deterrent to others, government would revoke the

•Top: The debris of the demolished building...yesterday. Obi (right) with other government officials inspecting the place where arms and ammunition were hidden.

The Deputy Commissioner of police in charge of operations, Mr Ayole Abeh, who accompanied the governor to Uli for the exercise, explained that the suspect confessed to being an armed robber and a kidnapper during interrogation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that one of the buildings, a nine-bedroom executive bungalow, was at the finishing stage. The other was a four bedroom bungalow.

The suspect was said to belong to the kidnap gang led by the Olisa Ifejika, whose mansions were demolished at Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government two months ago.

Ifejika was said to have named

Ezekude as a member of his gang while being interrogated by the police and investigations led to the discovery of arms and ammunition in his house at Uli. Items recovered from the house included, one rocket grenade, three grenade propellers, two A.K47 riffles, zero six riffle, 27 A.K47 magazines, 170 rounds of live ammunition and nine chains used in restraining kidnap victims.

The arms and ammunition were hidden underground in plastic containers in his premises.

The demolition brings to three the number of demolitions already carried out in the state.

EFCC opens trial of Lagos Speaker

T

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday began the trial of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji for alleged money laundering charges.

The commission called its first witness, Adebayo Adeniyi, who told a Federal High Court in Lagos that the EFCC investigated the Speaker’s financial dealings following the receipt of a petition against him.

Adeniyi, an EFCC operative, said he was part of the team that investigated the

By Eric Ikhilae

Speaker’s alleged money laundering deals.

But he was silent on the author of the petition.

The EFCC operative told the court, presided over by Justice Okechukwu Okeke, that during investigation, the commission obtained statements and documents from Assembly officials and some important members.

Led in evidence by the lead prosecution lawyer, Godwin Obla, the EFCC witness tendered 19 statements which the

court admitted as exhibits.

Adeniyi was about tendering some documents, which were described as the cash register, when Obla said though it was certified, the document was not properly paginated.

Obla sought an adjournment to enable the prosecution take necessary steps on the matter. The court granted the request and fixed November 6 for continuation of the trial.

The court admitted some statements, including two by Ikuforiji; two by his aide, Oye-

bode Atoyebi and by other lawmakers, during their interrogation last year.

The other House members whose statements were admitted include John Adeyeye Ajibola, Akande Lola, Bolaji Yusuf Ayinla, Kolawole Taiwo Musibau, Abiru Rotimi and Abdurrazaq Balogun.

The EFCC witness also tendered the statements by civil servants among the House officers. They are: Adewale Taiwo Olatunji, Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru, Toyin Atekoja, Latona Folashade, Tijani Maruf and Lambo Abosede.

Fayemi felicitates with Muslims

T

HE Lagos State Police Command has warned owners of accident and abandoned vehicles parked at Ojodu Grammar School and Onireke police station to remove them or lose them to members of the public through auction.

The vehicles are BMW HU 423 AAA, Honda DJ 630 JJJ, Vanagon bus XJ 712 LSD scan car AS 837 BWR, LT 35 bus BE, unregistered Trelin 33-head T3 Fiat traler and blue vehicle MP 983 EKY.

land upon which such buildings are erected, and transfer same as government property.

He said high grades of arms and ammunition were recovered in the kidnapper’s houses and dens.

Police spokesman Raphael Uzoigwe said Emeka Ezekude had been a high profile criminal in the state. He said he was involved in kidnapping a traditional ruler.

He said the arrest of Ezekude was possible following a tip-off.

Before his arrest, the suspect was a local building contractor in his community and environs.

A source said: “We didn’t know he was into criminal activities until his arrest. He is a known local contractor who supplies sand to people for building”.

“It was later that we discovered that while doing his contract jobs, he was spying on people with the intent to kidnap their parents and relations for ransom,” he said.

E

•Dr. Fayemi

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has congratulated Muslims for this year’s Eid–el-Kabir.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, the governor urged Muslims in the state to imbibe the lessons of sacrifice and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah.

He advised Muslims to pray for the peace, stability and prosperity of Ekiti State, which he said is on the path of rapid de-

velopment in all sectors.

Describing Sallah as a period for sober reflection, Fayemi advised Muslims in Ekiti to celebrate the festival with moderation.

The governor said Prophet Ibrahim’s readiness to obey Allah’s command to sacrifice his son, Ismail, was a dramatic turning point in the worship of his Creator, who provided a ram for the sacrifice.

Fayemi said: “This has lent credence to one of my oft-re-

peated maxim which says that there can be no gain without pain.

“Taking a step to sacrifice one’s only son in obedience to the wish of Allah could be very painful and traumatic but the Prophet gained a lot by choosing to obey Allah and damn the consequences.

“We should always be ready to make sacrifices which may be unpalatable at present but very gainful and sweet in the nearest future.”

HE President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, yesterday urged the Muslim Ummah to use the advantage presented by the Sallah celebration to pray fervently for peace, security, good governance and development of the country.

A statement in Abuja by his Special Assistant, Media and Public Affair, Kenny Ashaka, said: “The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, rejoices with the Muslim ummah on this joyous occasion of the celebration of the IdirKabir Sallah celebration.

“He wishes the PresidentGeneral of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Saad Abubakar 111 and indeed all Muslims a happy celebration.

“At a time like this, your prayers should center on the re-establishment of the pillars of love and tolerance for which Islam is known. You should shun harshness and bigotry which are attributes that are alien to Islam and use this occasion to understand the Prophet (SAW).

Glo celebrates with Muslims

L

LEADING telecommunications company, Globacom, has wished the Muslims in Nigeria a joyous Eid-elKabir celebration.

The company congratulated those on this year’s Hajj for standing on Mount Arafat in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

It prayed that the blessings of Allah will transform Nigeria’s political, social and economic existence.

In a statement in Lagos, Globacom’s Executive Director, Mr. Adewale Sangowawa, urged the Muslims to pray for the peace.

The company advised Nigerians, irrespective of their religious leanings, to work for the unity, peace and progress of the country.

Sangowawa said: “Globacom wishes all our faithful Muslim brethren a very happy Eid-el-Kabir and we pray that the Almighty will grant their prayers for peace and progress.”

Orji calls for peace, unity From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

A

BIA State Governor Theodore Orji has urged Muslims to pray for the peace and unity of Nigeria to enable the country to stand well.

In a Sallah message in Umuahia, the state capital, through his Chief Press Secretary, Ugochukwu Emezue, the governor advised Muslim to pray for the country to remain an indivisible entity.

He noted that the country is facing serious security challenges with the floods in several states.

Orji said floods have washed away homes, farm lands and crops, causing a shortage food production and supply.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

57

NEWS

Illegal varsity proprietor sentenced T to five-year imprisonment

T

HE National Universities Commission (NUC) has recorded a major feat in its fight against illegal universities.

Francis John Agbo, the proprietor of illegal Middle Belt University and North Central University, was convicted on a two-count charge of impersonation and forgery.

He was sentenced to five and a half years imprisonment without an option of fine by Mr Ali Tari Changbo of the Upper Area Court, Keffi, Nasarawa State.

Agbo was said to have posed as the Director of Research and Innovation of the NUC. The convict also claimed

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

to be a senior academic official of the Nasarawa State University, Lafia, and defrauded unsuspecting admission seekers.

A bulletin of the NUC made available to The Nation yesterday by the commission’s Chief Information Officer, Mrs. Bukola Olatunji, listed the evidence tendered before the court by the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Aaron Zamani, a Legal Officer in NUC. These include fake admission letters and fliers advertising the Nasarawa State University, Lafia; testimonies of witnesses, including

victims; the accused’s claim of being the Coordinator of the university’s Nyanya Study Centre; tellers of a new generation bank as well as those of Aso Savings and Loans, Oturkpo branch, Benue State, bearing his name and that of his wife.

The prosecution tendered 12 exhibits and they were admitted by the court.

The accused had jumped bail granted him during trials on related charges at an Abuja High Court and the Chief Magistrate Court, Oturkpo, Benue State. This prompted the issuance of bench warrants against him.

The presiding Magistrate said the evidence against

Agbo was glaring, including those by Blessing Peter, one of his victims.

Miss Peter said she met the accused at different locations, such as Nyanya Primary School, as he had no permanent address.

He had also failed to issue receipts to the victims for the payments they made to him.

Agbo was said to have collected between N8,500 and N45,000 for admission forms and school fees from his victims.

The evidence showed that more than N100,000 was extorted from four victims, who testified before the court.

Abuja demolition: Falana denies minister’s claim of due process •Lawyer demands compensation for victims From Bukola Amusan, Abuja and Precious Igbonwelundu

•Falana

R

IGHTS activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), yesterday refuted the claims by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, that the demolition of 372 housing units on Airport Road, Abuja, followed due process.

The lawyer, who is counsel to a property developer, Minanuel Investment Limited, challenged the minister to show evidence of notices served on his client.

He stressed that the demolition of the houses by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) was done without the issuance of a stop work, quit or demolition no-

tice.

Falana urged the FCDA to apologise as well as pay “adequate financial compensation” to his client for injustice to be done.

In a statement in Abuja, the popular lawyer said: “Our attention has been drawn to the statement credited to the Honourable Minister of the FCT to the effect that the demolition of our client’s 372 houses lying and situated at plots ED 1425, 1427, 1428, 1429 and 1430 on September 29-30 by the FCDA followed due process.

“We wish to state categorically that the illegal demolition of our client’s properties did not follow due process, as the stop work, quit and demolition notices were not served on our client prior to the demolition, as alleged by the minis-

ter.

“We are, therefore, compelled to challenge the FCT Minister to produce the evidence of the service of such notices on our client.”

Falana noted that by virtue of the express provisions of the Recovery of Premises Act, Abuja, Cap 544, Laws of the Federation, no government, authority or person has the power to eject any person from any property or demolish any property in the FCT without recourse to the rule of law.

“Since the demolition was not carried out by officers of the High Court of the FCT following a judicial determination of any dispute between the FCDA and our client, the demolition is illegal in every material particular.

“Even under the military dictatorship, the Supreme Court warned governments in the case of Military Governor, Lagos State vs Ojukwu (1986),

and AG, Lagos State vs AG, Federation, to desist from resorting to self help in the resolution of any dispute between them and citizens.

“In the light of the foregoing, we wish to submit without any fear of contradiction that the demolition of the 372 housing units belonging to our client by the FCDA through self help cannot be justified under the current democratic dispensation.”

PDP calls for rededication

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves for nation-building.

The party advised the people to reflect on the lessons of the Islamic festivity which centres on sacrifice and total submission to the will of Allah.

It admonished all to allow the lessons to manifest in their lives.

A statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, hoped the lessons of Eid-el-Kabir would endure beyond the celebrations.

The statement added:

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

“We hope the lessons will reflect closely in our daily lives, more especially in those elected and appointed into positions of authority, so that sacrifice for our dear nation and love for one another shall always prevail.

“This is a period that has seen the manifest commitment of the Federal Government gradually easing the teething challenge of insecurity and this is also a period that is witnessing a devastating fury of flood in our communities.

Police arrest ‘rapist’ in Kano

T

HE Kano State Police Command has arrested Ibrahim Adamu of Sayasaya village in Albasu Local Government Area for allegedly raping the widow of his uncle when she was harvesting vegetable in her farm.

Police Commissioner Ibrahim Idris said during interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to committing the crime.

He said the suspect would be charged to court after investigation.

The command arrested Princess Obi for alleged human trafficking.

Police tighten security for Sallah

T

The Kano State Police Command yesterday warned Muslims to avoid attending prayers with bags, parcels and other containers in which weapons can be concealed.

Addressing reporters in Kano on the command’s preparation for the Sallah, Police Commissioner Ibrahim Idris warned that the police would not tolerate loitering around the mosque during

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

worship.

He urged worshippers going to mosques or praying grounds on Sallah day to remain there until the close of worship/prayers.

The police chief appealed to the residents to report any strange object to security operatives for appropriate action.

Niger signs MoU on Minna Five-Star hotel

T

HE Niger State Government will build Nigeria’s first Five-Star hotel in Minna, the state capital.

The project is coming on stream four years after the government committed N500million to it.

The 305-bedroom hotel will be executed through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement for the Design, Build, Operate and Transfer (D.B.O.T) at a concessionary cost of N19.6billion.

The government and private developers

• A cross-section of the 99 women trained on catfish rearing by the Oyo State Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Community Development and Social Welfare.

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the project.

The Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Cooperatives, Alhaji Yahaya Dansalau, signed on behalf of the government.

He said the hotel would be constructed within 24 months and managed by the developer for a maximum period of 25 years before handing it over to the state.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

58

NEWS Fire guts 30 shops in Edo From Osagie Otabor, Benin

MORE than 30 shops on the Dumez Road Market in Ikpoba-okha Local Government Area of Edo State have been razed.

It was learnt that the fire started from one shop around 8pm and spread to others.

Hoodlums, who pretended to be helping to put out the fire, stole goods from shops that were not affected by the fire.

According to eyewitnesses, Edo State Fire Servicemen came to the scene, but said they did not have enough water.

An eyewitness, Nosa Agbonavbare, said some youths put out the fire with flood water.

He said many goods were looted by, thieves, who pretended to be helping the shop owners.

A victim, Franca Ekhator, said all her goods were destroyed by the fire.

Christy One said the fire did not affect her shop, but hoodlums looted it.

Kidnapped Turkish still missing From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

THE whereabouts of a Turkish expatriate, Mr. Baram Karakus, a Supervisor with a construction company, Rivigo JVC Nigeria Limited, is still unknown.

Karakus was kidnapped on Tuesday by masked gunmen while working on Unity Road at Nkoro, Rivers State.

The incident occurred a few days after the Commissioner for Power, Mr. Augustine Wokocha, was freed by his captors.

It was learnt that Karakus’ kidnappers shot repeatedly into the air before taking him away in a Mercedes Benz 190 car.

The kidnappers are yet to contact anyone.

Police spokesman Ben Ugwuegbulam said policemen are on the trail of the kidnappers.

River Two Auchi Poly students held Cross unveils tourism brand for ‘kidnap’, ‘rape’ and ‘murder’ C T HE Edo State Police Command has arrested two students of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Henry Onoriode Edewo (21) and Emmanuel Isiekhuieme, for the alleged kidnap, rape and murder of Miss Mercy Peters (21).

The late Mercy was a student of Auchi Polytechnic and was in the same department with the suspects.

She became missing on July 29.

It was gathered that the late Mercy was abducted by the suspects and taken to a forest at Ugbor in Oredo Local Government Area, where she was raped.

She was said to have been killed four days after the abduction.

The suspects allegedly buried her in a shallow grave in the forest and started demanding ransom from her family.

Police sources said the family paid some money to the kidnappers, but the hoodlums insisted on N1 million.

Police spokesman

ROSS River State will today inaugurate a tourism brand at the Wheat Baker Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Expected at event, which is aimed at reaffirming the state as a tourist’s destination are eminent personalities in tourism, the media, investors and other operators in the industry, The Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism Development, Mr. Wilfred Usani, said: “The inauguration of this campaign demonstrates the Cross River State Government’s commitment to growing tourism to boost the economy, create wealth and jobs, as well as develop infrastructure.

“This campaign is the first in Nigeria and is targeted at generating in-bound tourist travel as opposed to outbound, which is currently the norm.”

•The suspects From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Anthony Airhuoyo said the suspects were arrested on October 17.

Airhuoyo said the suspects took the police to where they buried Mercy.

He said her remains

had been exhumed for an autopsy.

A third suspect, simply identified as Charles, is still at large.

Baby found dead in Calabar From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

Flood victims won’t go home empty-handed, says Uduaghan D ELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan yesterday assured flood victims that they would not go home empty-handed when the water recedes.

He gave the assurance when he visited the camp at Oharisi Primary School in Ughelli North Local Government Area.

Explaining that life must continue after the camp, Uduaghan said the victims would be given some money, no matter how small.

While hosting members of the Southsouth Traditional Rulers’ Forum, led by the Chairman, Dr. Ed-

PUBLIC NOTICE CLOSURE OF IGANMU OVERHEAD BRIDGE This is to inform all motorists that the Iganmu Overhead Bridge leading to the National Theatre will be closed on Saturday October 27, 2012 and Sunday October 28, 2012 between 7am – 12noon.

It is to allow for the erection of pressurised beams for Lagoon Bridge structure over Eric Moore.

All motorists using this overhead bridge are requested to use alternate routes during the hours.

Management China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

•Governor slams official for ‘misuse’ of funds •630 schools submerged From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

mond Dakuro, in his office in Asaba, the state capital, on Tuesday, Uduaghan said 630 primary and secondary schools were submerged.

Lamenting the damage done by the floods, Uduaghan said: “It has not been easy taking care of the victims. The state lost 450 primary schools and 180 secondary schools to the floods. They have all been submerged.”

He thanked the Federal Government for approving N500 million for the care of the victims and said the state government had set up a committee to manage the funds.

The governor thanked the traditional rulers for their role in maintaining

peace and security and urged them to sustain the effort.

Dakuro said the purpose of their visit was to partner the government in tightening security and to find out how the problems caused by the floods were being managed.

Also on Tuesday, the governor ordered a government official to refund money he collected for the management of Illah rehabilitation camp.

Uduaghan gave the order at the Government House, Asaba, during a “Flood Situation Review” meeting with political office holders.

He directed the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Tony Nwaka, to enforce the order.

Uduaghan said the offi-

cial, who was deployed in the camp from the Bureau for Special Duties, should be removed from the camp immediately.

“I am surprised that the man was allowed to remain in that camp for so long,” he added.

The governor decried the mismanagement of funds meant for the management of relief camps.

He said: “Any official misappropriating camp money, flood will run in the person’s stomach. If you enrich yourself at the expense of the victims, you will regret it.

“It is inhuman for anyone to deprive the victims of food. People doing this will reap the reward. If it does not affect you now, it will do someday.

“You cannot shortchange the flood victims to make money for yourself.

Such money will never be useful to you. Henceforth, I will be announcing the figures allocated to each of the 24 camps openly at our meetings.”

Students protest non-refund of money

S

TUDENTS of the College of Education, Ekiadolor (COLBEN), Edo State, yesterday protested the non-refund of N5,000 from their school fees by the institution’s management.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole, in July, announced a reduction in the fees and instructed the management to refund N5,000 to the students.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

The peaceful protest disrupted examinations, which were to begin yesterday.

President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) Augustine Oriakhi said the authorities were yet to refund the money.

Oriakhi said some students would be graduating after the examination

and may not be able to get the money.

The Provost of the institution, Prof. Amen Uhunmwangho, said: “The refund is a promise, which the government will keep.

I urge the students to remain calm and write their examination, which is the primary reason they are in school. The management is on top of the situation.

We are sure reason will prevail.”

A

N abandoned baby was found dead behind the Medical Students’ Hostel on Moore Road, near the Office of the Wife of the Cross River State Governor in Calabar yesterday.

Speaking with reporters at the scene, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Health/ Non-Government al Organisations (NGO) and Special Projects, Dr. Regina Ejemot-Nwadiaro, said she came to the scene after she was notified by an anonymous caller.

She said she contacted the Calabar Urban Development Authority (CUDA), which informed the police.

Condemning the abandonment of babies, Dr. Ejemot-Nwadiaro said: “It is disheartening that in spite of the consistent efforts by the governor’s wife, Mrs. Obioma Liyel-Imoke, in the past five years to fight such acts through her project, Mothers Against Child A b a n d o n m e n t (MACA), people still dump babies.”

Ejemot-Nwadiaro said MACA aims to prevent teenage pregnancy and child abandonment.

CUDA Executive Secretary Gabriel Egari said he would get clearance from the police bef o r e h i s o f f i c e could bury the baby’s remains.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

59

NEWS Airtel celebrates 60m customers in Africa

Why senator gave Adoke’s phone number to Boko Haram, by SSS

M

R James Ineh, an Assistant Director with the State Security Services (SSS), told the Federal High Court yesterday that Senator Ali Mohammed Ndume gave Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mohammed Adoke’s telephone number to the Boko Haram.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Senator Ndume, from Borno is standing trial for allegedly having links with Boko Haram.

The accused has, however, said that he established the link to facilitate peace as a member of the Presidential Committee on Security in the Northeast Zone.

Ineh, who was the Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel (SIP) set up to investigate Ndume, said a former spokesman of Boko Haram, Ali Konduga, revealed the information to the panel.

Ineh said Konduga informed the panel that Ndume obliged him with the GSM telephone number of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation.

The witness said the number was used to bargain a governorship petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Borno state.

Ineh said Konduga had testified that the calls to the AGF were threats to spur him to influence the governorship Elec-

tion Tribunal members to cede the election victory to PDP or risk mayhem in the state.

He explained that the name of the AGF was dragged into the panel report submitted on Nov. 25, 2011 on the grounds that his GSM number was found in Konduga’s telephone set.

Ineh said Konduga’s transaction with the AGF was a threat to the Minister’s life, adding that the accused facilitated it by giving out Adoke’s telephone number to a senior official of Boko Haram.

Ineh, in his testimony, further said that the items found in the accused’s telephone were indicative of his close connection with the dreaded

A •Ndume group.

“The fact that Konduga was tried and convicted of terrorism acts is enough to show that the accused is also liable,’’ he said.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole adjourned the matter to Nov. 1, Nov. 5 and Dec. 11 for continuation.

Pope names Nigeria’s Archbishop Onaiyekan Cardinal be good but he has been looking frail recently and has startItalians are still by far the larg- ed using a cane. est group of cardinal electors, Popes usually reign for life with 28 members. but in a book in 2010, Benedict The pope’s health appears to said he would not hesitate to beContinued from page 2

come the first pontiff to resign in more than 700 years if he felt no longer able “physically, psychologically and spiritually” to run the Catholic Church.

The last pope to resign will-

ingly was Celestine V in 1294 after reigning for only five months. Gregory XII reluctantly abdicated in 1415 to end a dispute with a rival claimant to the Holy See.

N86.6b oil cash missing, says Ribadu Panel’s report Continued from page 2

while oil majors owed $58 million between them for gas flaring penalties. They were also not adhering to newer higher fines.

The probe also said Nigeria was the only nation to sell all its crude through international oil traders rather than directly to refineries, adding that such trades were often opaque.

It said some international oil traders who were not “on the approved master list of customers” had been sold crude oil “without a formal contract” so little could be obtained about the details of these deals, which can be worth hundreds of millions

of dollars.

“This logically will serve to reduce margins obtainable on sale of crude oil,” the report said.

But Alison-Madueke disputed this, saying there are no informal contracts and there is “an official tender put out every year”, which can be seen by the public in newspapers.

The NNPC gets an allocation of 445,000 bpd of crude oil to refine locally but it has been selling itself this oil at cut-down prices, a practice which costs Nigeria $5 billion in potential revenue between 2002-2011, the report said.

“NNPC buys at international rates,” Mrs. Alison-

Madueke retorted.

The report said the NNPC made N86.6 billion over the 10-year period by using overly generous exchange rates in its declarations to the government. There was no sign of the money.

Nigerian oil ministers between 2008-2011 handed out seven discretionary licences but there is $183 million in signature bonuses missing from the deals, the report said. Three of these oil licences were awarded since Alison-Madueke took up her position in 2010, according to the report.

“I have not given any discretionary awards during this administration,” Mrs.

Mrs. Alison-Madueke told Reuters, although she added that the president had the right to do so instead of using bids if he saw fit. “That is entirely up to him,” she said.

Among the report’s recommendations were that parts of NNPC be reorganised or scrapped, an independent review of the use of traders be set up and a transparency law be passed requiring oil companies to disclose all payments made to Nigeria.

U.S. regulators put new rules in place in August that will require U.S.-listed oil and gas companies to disclose payments they make to foreign governments like Nigeria.

LEADING telecommunication service provider, Airtel, yesterday celebrated its 60 million active customers in Africa.

Airtel which said it added10 million customers across its operations in 17 African countries in less than 12 months, having crossed 50 million active subscribers, has in recent times, rapidly expanded world class 3.75G high speed data services across 11 markets.

The operator’s Chief Marketing Officer, Africa, Mr. Andre Beyers, said Airtel has since its launch in 2010, experienced a steady growth path, adding that the company remains committed to ensuring that continued innovative and relevant communication solutions that will positively impact on lives were provided to all its subscribers.

By Precious Igbonwelundu

“Access to telecommunication plays a crucial role in driving economies within Africa. This includes access to both voice and data services. The biggest transformation on the continent is in bridging the digital divide and connecting the continent to the rest of the world; this remains Airtel’s commitment to the communities that we serve.

“Our mobile platform, Airtel money, which allows communities to conduct a range of financial transactions quickly, is now live in 14 countries with the recent launch in Madagascar and Burkina Faso,” he said.

Beyers said the company has undertaken a series of environment friendly initiatives to include a reduction in its carbon footprint in order to remain committed to the wellbeing of the environment.

Govt studying report, says Minister Continued from page 2

since the inception of this administration. What normally happens with discretionary awards is that they are part of marginal or major bid rounds.

“It is in the President’s power by law to grant discretionary awards or to go with competitive bidding or to go with a mixed bag when you have a bid round, and it is entirely up to him to decide which way to go.

When the next marginal or major bid rounds will be done, they will be publicly announced.

“We do expect that within the next couple of months, the marginal bid rounds will be announced. We hope that the major bid round will follow before the end of the year.”

But there are fears that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources is uncomfortable with the findings and recommendations of Ribadu’s panel.

A highly-placed source said:

“The Petroleum Revenue Task Force actually submitted its report to the Minister late August and members of the panel have been awaiting invitation from the Minister for a formal presentation of the document.

The committee would have used the presentation of the report to draw the attention of Nigerians to some highlights in the report.

“The question Nigerians should ask is: Why can’t the Minister allow the committee to formally submit its report before studying it? They are trying to put the cart before the horse.

There are speculations about the likelihood of tampering with the report under the guise of analyzing it.

“Up till now, the team has not got any words from the Minister. Members of the Ribadu panel want more transparency in line with the assurance they had given to the international community, especially the IOCs.”

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

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lease my wife is making life difficult for us. We have two little children now and we need help to take care of the kids and the house. But my wife refuses to get help. She says she does not trust these young girls who will come and snatch her husband. I come home sometimes and there is no food. My wife says she is too tired to cook.

I cannot live like this – Mike Dear Mike, it is not just you. Women generally don’t trust other women around their husbands. I know this can make life difficult but a lot of men truly do have sex with their house girls. I think the best thing both of you can do is to get a house keeper who comes and goes at the end of the day. The house keeper should also be married with children and she must be 45 years old and above. That way, your wife will be comfortable with her presence and you will get the help you need. Start this way and with time she may no longer care what type of house keeper comes in. This is really about earning her trust – Uche Please what supplement can couples use to increase libido in both and give strong erection for the man? Also I need a supplement to reduce pains during intercourse for the woman. Thanks – Onyebuchi Hello Onyebuchi, you and your wife can use Hot Rawks supplement. It is good for lifting women’s libido and good for men’s erections as well. Regarding the sexual pain you are talking about, if it is pain that results from vaginal dryness, then all you need is a lubricant, not a supplement. Climax Burst Lubricant is good for this – Uche Sometimes my wife urinates on me during intercourse. I have told her to urinate before sex and even when she does, it still happens - Eric Hello Eric, she is not urinating on you. She is actually ejaculating. Some women reach orgasm and ejaculate sometimes. Just change your sheets afterwards or use plastic sheets during intercourse – Uche

My hubby always complains of being too tired for sex. He is a man and the men I know always want to have sex. How can I get him to have sex again? Or is he having an affair? Laura Dear Laura, anything is possible. A lot of men and women are too tired for sex after work. But there are also some people who have affairs outside and come home too tired for sex as well.

Before you conclude he is cheating, I suggest helping him by getting him to take a shower after work and giving him a massage.

Massages are relaxing and arousing. Massage gels like the AntiStress Massage Oil and Pheromone Arousal Gel are infused with pheromone scents that make us want sex. Adult movies also help get us in the mood instantly so you can try watching some movies him. And finally, he can always take an arousal drink like the Libigrow Libido Shots. It arouses and gives energy for hours of intercourse – Uche I have been married for five years and still can’t last up to 2 minutes in bed. It is terrible – Isa Isa this is a big problem for men. The best solution still remains using delay creams. Apply the Power PLus Delay Cream before intercourse and you will last longer – Uche Thank you for the Mega Me Penis Enlarger. It is working and I am so happy - Fred How often should I take Sex Voltz and is it really good? Bernard You take Sex Volts every two to three days. It is really good for strong erections, stamina and back to back multiple performances – Uche The names of the people featured here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08191978308 or 08027901621 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com.

Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria.

For enquiries, send your emails to custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

60

FOREIGN NEWS

U.S. election: Efforts intensified to misinform, pressure voters

•Obama

I

N Florida, Virginia and Indiana, voters have received phone calls that wrongly told them there was no need to cast a ballot in person on election day because they could vote by phone.

In Ohio and Wisconsin, billboards in mostly low-income and minority neighbourhoods showed prisoners behind bars and warned of criminal penalties for voter fraud, an effort that voting rights groups say was

designed to intimidate minority voters.

And across the nation, some employers - notably David and Charles Koch, the billionaire brothers who helped fund the conservative group Americans for Prosperity - are pushing their workers to vote for Republican Mitt Romney for president.

Two weeks before what could be one of the closest presidential elections in U.S. history, efforts to mislead, intimidate or pressure voters are an increasingly prominent part of the political landscape.

Analysts say tactics typically seen in the last few days before an election are already in play.

“We’ve seen an up-tick in

deceptive and intimidating tactics designed to prevent eligible Americans from voting,’’ said Eric Marshall of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, who manages a coalition that has a telephone hot line that collects tips on alleged voter intimidation.

Democrats have been more vocal in complaining about such antics.

They also cite groups linked to the conservative Tea Party movements that are training tens of thousands of people to monitor polling places on Nov. 6 for voter fraud.

The controversial plan has been criticised as an attempt to delay or discourage voting.

Republicans have also been

behind some of the complaints, which have been focused largely on the eight or so politically divided swing states that are likely to decide the race between Romney and Democratic President Barack Obama.

Kurtis Killian, a Republican from St. Augustine, Florida, was among those in three states who have reported receiving calls that encouraged them to vote by phone so they would not have to go to the polls.

Killian said he received a call from a man who identified himself as an employee of the Florida Division of Elections.

He also said he refused the caller’s offer to cast his vote by phone then reported the call to local elections officials.

Israel kills gunman in second day of Gaza strikes

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SRAEL killed a Hamas gunman in its second round of air strikes in as many days on the Gaza Strip yesterday, responding to rocket fire at its southern towns that wounded three people.

Separate raids by Israel on Tuesday killed three members of the Islamist group in control of the coastal territory. The Israeli military said the strikes were in response to a total of 60 rockets that were fired at

Israel this past month.

The strikes followed a visit by the Emir of Qatar which broke the isolation of the Hamas leadership of Gaza, dismaying Israel and rival, Western-backed Palestinian leaders.

Witnesses in Gaza said at least 10 rockets were fired at Israel on Wednesday alone, although Israeli police put the figure at 40.

Israeli paramedics said three people sustained

shrapnel injuries as a result of the rockets, which also damaged a house.

Israel kept schools shut in communities near the Gaza border and residents were urged to remain indoors.

Two loud explosions shook Gaza City shortly after the attack that killed the Hamas gunman, witnesses said, adding that Israel had apparently targeted militants firing rockets.

There were no reported casualties. Israel had no immedi-

ate comment.

Hamas officials also reported Israeli tanks firing into Gaza. A military spokesman confirmed that report.

The cross-border violence has escalated since a bomb blast wounded an Israeli officer on patrol on Tuesday.

Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007, issued a statement claiming responsibility for that attack, jointly with the Popular Resistance Committees.

Army pushes into Bani Walid as Libya marks anniversary

T

HE Libyan army and allied militias have seized control of strategic buildings in the former Gaddafi stronghold of Bani Walid, a military spokesman has said.

The government statement is coming as Libya marked the first anniversary of its “liberation’’ from Muammar Gaddafi.

Thousands have fled the violence in the isolated hilltop town, which was one of the last to surrender to rebels last year, and has been at the centre of a bloody standoff this month between rival militias whose ferocity has underscored the extent of instability in the North African country.

Col. Ali al-Shekhili said the army, which was backed by a group of militias known as “Libya’s Shield’’, a group loyal

to the defence ministry, had pushed into the centre of Bani Walid 170 km south of Tripoli.

“Our forces have reached the centre of the city and are in control of the airport, hospital and other important places,’’ he said.

“We faced very little resistance, and shelling of the city will only continue if there is resistance.’’

Pro-government forces moved up to Bani Walid this month after rebel fighter Omran Shaban died after two months in detention there.

Shaban, from the rival city of Misrata, was the man who found Gaddafi hiding in a drain pipe outside Sirte.

Libya’s congress ordered the Defence and Interior Ministries to find those suspected of ab-

ducting, torturing and killing Shaban, and gave Bani Walid a deadline to hand them over.

The siege of Bani Walid highlighted the government’s inability to reconcile groups with long-running grievances, as well as its failure to bring many of the militias that deposed the late dictator fully under its control.

“The militias have entered the suburbs with bulldozers and have begun to demolish homes without reason,’’ AbdelHamid Saleh, a member of a Bani Walid civil society group, said by phone.

“A woman called me yesterday screaming they have come for me, they have come for me’ in fear. The city is falling on our heads.’’

Libya was declared “liber-

ated’’ a few days after Gaddafi’s death on Oct. 20, 2011, and while its new rulers have held elections, they have struggled to impose their authority on a country awash with weapons.

“Our happiness is not complete because there are still some cities that are not fully liberated,’’ said 27-year-old Benghazi shop assistant Baset al-Sharif.

“But Oct. 23 is still a great day and we will celebrate. We will use this occasion to say Benghazi has not yet been given all its rights.

The government still has problems to deal with.”

Hundreds of people filled Benghazi’s streets celebrating the anniversary but also want the eastern city, the cradle of last year’s revolt,

Police break up human trafficking ring

T

HE German police yesterday said they had broken up a human trafficking ring from the Balkans, alleged to have smuggled 50 girls to Western Europe.

Four suspects aged 18 to 57 were arrested on Tuesday during raids on 14 addresses across Germany. There were also raids in France and Belgium.

The girls were forced to work as housemaids without pay, according to a statement from police in Stuttgart.

Police said one 14-year-old girl was found living in “slavelike” conditions in a suburb of the city. She is now being cared for by a charity organisation.

Authorities said the group had smuggled girls from successor states of the former Yugoslavia to Germany, France, Belgium and Scandinavian nations.

Police stumbled upon the group in September, 2011 when they searched a home in Konstanz and found a 15-year-old girl who had been beaten and sexually abused by her captors.

Syrian bombardments create new refugee wave

H

UNDREDS of Syrian refugees have poured into a makeshift refugee camp overlooking the Turkish border, fleeing a week of what they say are the most intense army bombardments since the uprising began 19 months ago.

In the past two days, 700 tents have been erected in a sprawling olive grove on a hill just inside Syria and all of them have already been claimed.

Dozens of stranded families struggle into the camp to find no shelter, but are afraid to return home to the horror of constant shelling.

Nabil, a pale 20-year-old with dark rings under his eyes, watched dozens of women and children who came with him from his mountain village of Jabal al-Zawiya cram themselves back into the truck that brought them, hoping to find refuge in a nearby village.

“Some of the bombs were so big they sucked in the air and everything crashes down, even four-storey buildings. We used to have one or two rockets a day, now for the past 10 days it has become constant, we run from one shelter to another. They drop a few bombs and it’s like a massacre,’’ he said.

Myanmar imposes curfew after new violence in northwest

A

UTHORITIES in Myanmar have imposed a night-time curfew in at least two towns in northwestern Rakhine state after renewed deadly unrest between Buddhists and Muslim Rohingyas in an area where more than 80 people were killed in June.

The earlier violence was a setback for a quasi-civilian government that has won international plaudits for its political and economic reforms since President Thein Sein took office in March 2011, ending almost 50 years of brutal military rule.

Official media said on Wednesday that two people were killed and eight were injured in violence which erupted on Sunday, while 1,039 homes had been burnt down, just as unconfirmed reports from other sources put the death toll higher.

Up to 800,000 Rohingyas live in abject conditions along Myanmar’s border with Bangladesh. Neither country recognises them as citizens. Bangladeshi authorities turned away boatloads of Rohingyas fleeing the violence in June.

Most people in Myanmar regard them as illegal immigrants from South Asia. Even Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel peace laureate who led the fight for democracy, has sidestepped questions on how to tackle the problem.

Hla Thein, spokesman for the Rakhine State government, told Reuters curfews had been imposed in the townships of Minbya and Mrauk Oo from Monday and some local sources reported reinforcement of armed police in these towns.

Second Darfur rebel group joins peace talks with Sudan

A

•From left: Managing Director, Nexim Bank, Mr. Robert Orya; representative of Enugu State Governor, Mr. Godson Nnadi, and Sen. Gilbert Nnaji, during Nexim Bank’s enlightenment forum in Enugu...yesterday.

SECOND Sudanese rebel group in the western region of Darfur has agreed to start Qatar-sponsored peace talks with the government in Khartoum, officials have said.

The development is the first attempt by mediators to revive the stalled peace process.

The move is unlikely to end a recent upsurge in violence in the region where mainly non-Arab tribes have been fighting the government for nearly a decade in a conflict the UN estimates has killed around 300,000 people.

But diplomats hope it will inject new life into Western and Arab efforts to mediate a peace settlement.

Qatar last year brokered a peace deal between Sudan and one small rebel group, the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM).

Unlike previous failed peace deals, this agreement is open to other rebel groups to join and promises significant development aid.

Qatar plans to hold a donor conference soon to kick-start development in Darfur to win over more rebels and choke off support for groups who refuse to lay down weapons.

On Tuesday, a splinter group which broke off this year from the large rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) said it would start peace talks with Sudan in Doha next month.

“We are committed to the Doha forum as a place, and the Doha agreement as a basis for future negotiations, but not as a final agreement,’’ the group’s Vice President Arkou Suleiman told a news conference in the Qatari capital.

“There are still problems with the agreement), particularly regarding refugees and internally displaced people. The security situation

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SPORT EXTRA AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS DRAW

Serena, Venus Williams arrive Lagos Tuesday

Nigeria to face Zambia in Group C A N

IGERIA will face champions, Zambia when the African Cup of Nations kicks off January after being drawn in the same group C with the East Africans at the draw held in Durban, South Africa Wednesday evening.

Also in the same group with the Super Eagles are Burkina Faso and Ethiopia.

Hosts, South Africa was pooled in Group A and will face a tricky qualification campaign with Angola, Morocco and Cape Verde, the ‘giant killers’ who denied

Cameroon the Nations Cup finals ticket.

The Group B sees Ghana tackling Mali, Niger and DR Congo

Champions League Results D. Zagreb 0 - 3 Paris S.G. FC Porto 3 - 2 Dynamo Kyiv Arsenal 0 - 2 Schalke Montpellier 1 - 2 Olympiacos Zenit 1-0 Anderlecht Malaga 1 - 0 AC Milan Ajax 3 - 1 Man City Dortmund 2 - 1 Real Madrid

HE management of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, LLTC, has applauded the standard of the ongoing 2012 Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Club.

President of the club, Barrister Sam Egbuchunam said that all members of the LLTC are glad to be part of the success story of

for one of the two quarter-final tickets, while beaten finalists from the last edition of the competition in Gabon and Equato-

Enugu agog for Glo Soccer Academy

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HOUSANDS of young football loving youths have besieged the Globacom Regional offices in Enugu to formalise registration for the Glo Soc-

cer Academy selection exercise which holds at Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium this weekend (17th -28th October).

The programme is opened to boys between 14 and 17

hosted by Lagos State, the Director of Sports in Ekiti State, Benjamin Olukayode Adewunmi has said that the target for the state is to surpass previous performances.

The sports administrator said with the athletes set for closed camp in two weeks time, coupled with the level of preparations so far, it is only natural that their hard work will translate into success at the festival.

“The athletes are in high spirit, we have resolved to put up a

years and they are expected to text their name, age and preferred screening location to 3836 to register for the academy.

S part of a planned African Tour, International Tennis Champions, Serena and Venus Williams are scheduled to visit Lagos, Nigeria from Tuesday 30 October to Friday 2, November 2012 as part of the first leg of the recently launched ‘‘Breaking The Mould’’ (BTM) campaign, a women’s empowerment initiative that has already garnered international support.

Lagos Lawn Tennis Club commends standard of 2012 Governor’s Cup

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the ITF pro circuit sponsored by FCMB Plc and Etisalat Nigeria this year, adding that the club ensures that it put in place world class facilities for the Local Organising Committee, LOC to run a smooth championship.

“Part of what we did in the beginning was to ensure that we had a Grand Slam arena ready for this year’s Governor’s Cup

Ekiti will surpass previous performance at ITH barely 37 days to the National Sports Eko 2012, —Adewunmi magnitude easier.

Festival (NSF) to be

W

rial Guinea, the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire has to contend with Tunisia, Algeria and Togo in Group D

good show this term. We are only waiting for the government to approve funds, as soon as that is done, we can meet up with the financial demands and put finishing touches to our preparations,” he said.

Adewunmi expressed confidence that Lagos will host a landmark game owing to the degree of facilities on ground, as he added that also to the advantage of the state is the recent development going on which will make the hosting of an event of this

“I just received a letter asking us to come over to Lagos to inspect the facilities before the festival. I don’t think Lagos should have any problem with having the right facilities. I think that if other logistics are taken care of, Lagos will host the best festival in its history,” he enthused.

He further revealed that though other States have poached not less than five of his athletes, the vision of the state to move up the ladder in terms of position will not be deterred.

and I’m glad that even the foreign players and their parents testified to what they seen this year of the facilities at the club,” said Barrister Egbuchunam.

“The success of the Governor’s Cup this year is a glory to us, the hosts. All members of the club are happy to be part of history that took place this year and we are all looking forward to the final ceremony on Saturday with high expectations.

“I believe that the foreign players we spread the good news of the Governor’s Cup that Lagos is a friendly city with good people. This I know we pull more players to the 13th edition of the Governor’s Cup next year,” he said.

Meanwhile, second round casualties were recorded Wednesday by the remaining Nigerian players in the second leg of the competition. Nigeria’s number one male player failed to shine as he was sent packing by tournament’s number three seed, Japanese Kento Takeuchi in straight sets of 6-1, 6-1. Number two seed,

South African Ruan Roelofse beat Clifford Enosoregbe 6-1, 6-1, while Sanni Adamu lost to Sherif Sabry of Egypt 1-6, 6-3, 2-6. Top seed in the Women’s Singles defeated Fatimah Abinu in straight sets of 6-1, 6-0. Blessing Anuna bowed to South African Chanel Simmonds in 0-6, 1-6 game.

In order results, Number one seed in the Men’s Singles advance to the next round at the expense of Egyptian Karim Hossam who he defeated in straight sets of 6-1, 7-5 to set up a quarter final duel with Lopex Perez of Spain on Thursday. Egypt’s Karim Mohammed Maamoun was able to scale the hurdle of Zimbabwe’s Mark Fynn in straight sets of 7-6, 6-1.

In the Women’s Singles, Madagascar teenager, Zarah Razafimahatratra lost to Chinese Jia-Jing Lu 3-6, 1-6. Swiss Conny Perrin defeated Slovak Anja Prislan in 6-2, 6-2 game, Tadeja Majeric of Slovakia beat Alexandra Romanova of Russia 6-1, 6-1 to set up a quarter final match against Chinese Lu.

While in Lagos, the dynamic duo will inspire, motivate and mentor a broad range of audiences through a series of supporting initiatives which include a gala dinner, a tennis clinic and an exhibition match which will also be the first time the sisters will pitch their strengths against each other on the tennis court anywhere in Africa. The intent of Breaking The Mould initiative is to recognise and acknowledge the role that women play in shifting perceptions and encouraging development at all levels across the African continent.

Breaking The Mould is an inspiring mechanism to help women at various life stages to embark on a journey of selfbelief so that they can know that indeed they can achieve anything once they set their hearts to it. The message of the African Tour by the Williams sisters will resonate with African women as a whole. Serena and Venus are role 'Mould Breakers' having gone through the crucibles of life to become what they are today. As ‘Champions of Change’, they are coming to Lagos to encourage more women to break moulds that have stood between them and their potentials.

We invite you, therefore, to come and attend the outlined activities which will be attended by accomplished and aspiring professionals from diverse walks of life.

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www.thenationonlineng.net

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

FROM THE SUMMIT dapo.fafowora@thenationonlineng.net

Nature and dynamics of insurgencies (III)

•The late Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf

educated Northerners despise their Northern leaders for the widespread corruption in the country, including the North. They have a vision of a society based on the Sharia, the Islamic legal doctrines. Boko Haram is also able to recruit easily from the ranks of the poor, the talakawa, who abound in the North.

The talakawa have nothing to lose by joining the insurgency which promises them a better life and equal economic opportunities. It is from this group of the poor that Boko Haram has continued to receive its local support. The insurgents seek the overthrow of the established authorities for political reasons. In most cases, this type of insurgency is tribally or ethnically based. It is a product of a colonial legacy in which different tribes and ethnic groups were brought together under colonial rule.

RIPPLES

At the moment Boko Haram is not known to be operating outside Nigeria. It is local in origin and outlook, with a single specific objective; the destruction of the old established order and its replacement by a new order based on Islamic laws and strict Islamic doctrines. It is limited to the Northern part of Nigeria. Al Qaeda, the fundamentalist Islamic movement, based in Pakistan, but with tentacles all over the Arab world is an example of an insurgency whose operations and activities cut across the entire Moslem world. Nigeria is a multi-religious country. The country’s constitution guarantees to all its citizens the freedom of association and freedom to practice their religion.

Boko Haram is opposed to this. Where the North is concerned it wants the creation of Islamic states. This is why Churches and the Christians are the main focus of its attacks. The insurgents resent the spread of Christianity in the North. They want the Hausa- Fulani North to be wholly Moslem, to be governed strictly according to Islamic laws. The problem is that it is not only the immigrants from the South that are Christians. There are large numbers of the Hausa-Fulani who, over the years, have converted to Christianity. The new generation evangelical Churches in the North have achieved remarkable success in extending Christianity to the largely Moslem North. The fundamentalist Moslems in the North feel beleaguered by this development which they fear threatens their way of life.

So far, the Nigerian security forces have failed to effectively tackle the Boko Haram terrorists. They have stepped up their activities and operations in the North. The authorities have attempted without much success to counter Boko Haram by the application of military force. Dialogue may offer a way out of the insurgency but Boko Haram has not yet committed itself to this. At the moment, there is very little room for maneuver on either side

HARDBALL

JIDE OL UW AJUYIT AN OLUW UWAJUYIT AJUYITAN

of the dispute. The issues involved in the insurgency are so fundamental that any negotiations at this point in time are unlikely to succeed. There is a distinct lack of trust on either side. The group has persistently ignored the pleas of the Northern leaders to abandon their terrorist acts and operations. Instead, Boko Haram has intensified and widened its insurgency. There is a complete deadlock between the two sides. What is likely to happen is that the insurgency will gradually run out of steam and external support. This will make it easier for the Nigerian state to manage and contain the conflict. The federal authorities need to be more proactive in tackling Boko Haram. A sustained programme of public enlightenment on the danger to the state of Boko Haram should be started. This should be complemented by a more sustained and determined effort by the federal government as well as the Northern governments to invest more in providing easy access to education and jobs in the North.

The security forces will need to do much better in intelligence gathering to pre-empt terrorist attacks by Boko Haram. A greater infiltration of the sect by the security forces for intelligence gathering is also called for. In this regard the federal authorities are looking for international support and assistance in intelligence gathering and equipment. The US government has been reported as being willing to offer some assistance on this. The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, was reported as making this offer during her recent official visit to Nigeria. Britain and other western countries will also be disposed to offer similar assistance.

It is doubtful whether the Nigerian state has the capacity to neutralize the insurgent groups.

Ethnic and religious divisions compound the security problems of the Nigerian state. Poor police and army intelligence makes it far too easy for Boko Haram agents to operate in the North. But it has to be admitted that there is also some support in the North for the principal aim of the sect, which is to make most of the North theocratic, instead of being secular.

It will also be necessary to take practical and effective measures to cut off the local and foreign financial and logistical support for the insurgency. The CBN and the local banks have a huge responsibility in this regard. Without funding and logistical support Boko Haram will lose local support and become less effective.

•Summary of a paper delivered on August 29 at the Eminent Persons and Expert Group Meeting, at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, near Jos. •Concluded • For comments, send SMS to 08054503031

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Boko Haram, senators and turmoil in the Northeast

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...and I guess one day WE’LL IMPORT SAND

VOL. 7, NO.2,289

DAPO FAFOWORA

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WE’VE NO BUSINESS IMPORTING FUEL- Lamido Sanusi

‘For 10 long years, none of the state actors was resourceful enough to scheme about exploiting the spirit of the judgment through turning the area to a new haven for its Nigeria inhabitants.’

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

•Continued from Thursday,October 11 OME of the leaders of the insurgency have University education which accounts for their vastly improved organization. They are familiar with the terrain in which they operate and have wide social connections in the region. In addition, there is some evidence of both local and external support in terms of funding and training for the insurgents. Some senior government leaders and politicians in the North are under investigation for giving the insurgents financial and logistical support in their operations. The full extent of such collaboration by a few of the leaders in the North is not known. But there is little doubt that some Northern leaders secretly support the insurgents for political reasons. These leaders want political power at the centre to return to the North.

The skills of the insurgents in producing lethal home based bombs, and other weapons of mass destruction used in the massive suicide bombings of their targets indicate some external support as well for the sect. One of the fallouts of the Libyan war is the proliferation of arms in the Sahel, some of which have found their way into Nigeria and other states in West Africa. The recent attacks on Mali were facilitated by the easy access of the insurgents to some of the weapons from the Libyan war. The insurgents do not seriously appear to lack access to arms and ammunitions or to considerable financial and logistical support. The open terrain in the North and the wide dispersal of the local communities are conducive to the type of insurgency being waged by Boko Haram in the region. There is some evidence that the insurgents enjoy the support of some law enforcement and security agents. This accounts for their good intelligence which keeps them a step ahead of the security forces. The Churches, main targets of their attacks, are clearly visible and, in view of their large number, cannot be fully protected by the security forces, already overstretched by the security challenges they now face.

Some of the leaders of the insurgents are believed to have received their military training in the use of arms in Pakistan and the Yemen.

Certainly, the insurgents have received considerable financial and logistical support from Al Qaeda, the formidable terrorist group based in Pakistan and the Yemen. Mutallab, the University educated, well bred young man, involved in the attempted bombing of a US bound plane is a good example of young educated Northerners who have turned their back on the Northern establishment into which they were born, but from which they have become totally alienated as a result of the social and economic inequalities in the region, far exceeding those in the South where education provides the basis for social and economic advancement, including access to job opportunities. These young

TODAY IN THE NATION

T is an understatement to say the war on terror in Nigeria is not going too well for Borno State and the Joint Task Force (JTF). In spite of the deployment of considerable ordnance in the Northeast, the sect is no nearer to being subdued today than it was at the beginning of its revolt some three years ago. Worse, the war is getting messier, with highly placed public officials and legislators dragged into the war in very unedifying ways. The latest example is Senator Ahmad Khalifa Zanna (PDP-Borno Central), who is alleged by the JTF to have harboured at his Maiduguri home a wanted Boko Haram terror suspect, Shuaib Mohammed Bama. The senator, however, immediately denied the claims and instead explained that the suspect was in fact arrested at the home of former governor Ali Modu Sherrif. Sherrif has in turn denounced Zanna’s allegation as spurious and escapist.

The Boko Haram problem has unfortunately graduated from an uncomplicated terror war to a much more complex revolt that seems to defy categorisation and rationalisation. In

response to the invitation extended to him by the secret service, Zanna alleged that the JTF had by engaging in extra-judicial killings breached the military’s rules of engagement. He cited the instance of a group of 15 schoolboys shot in cold blood recently in Maiduguri by the JTF and the razing of a row of buildings in retaliation against the killing of an officer. He also claimed that the JTF tactics had been intimidatory and unfriendly. In addition, the JTF failed to consult with the people of Borno and wouldn’t take advice, he said. It will be recalled that in July last year, and again many times this year, Borno Elders criticised the JTF and called on the government to withdraw the military task force from Borno State on account of indiscriminate killings that are exacerbating the revolt.

Though Zanna’s alleged links with Boko Haram are still being investigated, it is not too early for the army to examine the complaints of Borno Elders and the allegations of extra-judicial killings levelled by the senator against the JTF. If indeed the objective of the state and the JTF

is to quell the revolt and restore peace in the northern part of the country, they must be amenable to suggestions that will help them gain the confidence of the people on whose behalf they claim to be fighting.

Surely, going by the festering of the Boko Haram revolt, no one can claim that the affected northern states are enjoying more peace today than they did in 2009, when this problem first reared its practical head.

The allegations against Senator Zanna are truly disturbing and should be investigated diligently.

But his counterclaims against the JTF are also deeply unnerving. These too must be diligently investigated without cover-up.

The consequence of ignoring these allegations, especially against the security agencies fighting Boko Haram, is to encourage the problem to fester the more until it becomes unmanageable and the sect’s leaders begin to nurse territorial ambitions as Northern Mali has shown. The Boko Haram menace is a potent enough problem; the government must not add the hostility of an alienated citizenry to its many headaches.

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos. Telephone: Switch Board: 01-8168361.

Editor Daily:01-8962807, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. Port Harcourt Office: 12/14, Njemanze Street, Mila 1, Diobu, PH. 08023595790. WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net ISSN: 115-5302 Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO