The Nation October 6,2011

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

News Crisis in PDP over governorship election primaries P4 Sport Eagles star Mikel Obi fined $5,000 for coming late P41 Business CBN in fresh probe of seven banks over forex deals P12 www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

VOL. 7, NO. 1905 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

N150.00

Akande dismisses pan-Yoruba conference From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

A

CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Chairman Bisi Akande has explained why some political leaders will boycott today’s Pan-Yoruba National Conference in Ikenne, Ogun State.

Chief Akande told reporters in his IlaOrangun, Osun State home yesterday that there was no basis for forging a common direction for political leadership in Yorubaland.

The meeting’s conveners are the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade and Chief Hannah Dideolu Awolowo, wife of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo,.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has also faulted the meeting.

Akande is interested in Yoruba unity within the federation of Nigeria, but, according to him, the unity of the leadership is not the same as the unity of the people. He said the people expressed the direction they are heading to through their verdict in the last general elections.

“With the results of the last elections, the majority of Yoruba have signified their unanimity towards a direction. And that is the direction the Yoruba people are interested in.

But, as for leadership, there are various groupings in professional arrangements, like intellectuals, religious, political, business, traditional and many other spheres of life.

Continued on page 4

•Members of the Body of Benchers at the ceremony ... yesterday

PHOTO: NAN

CJN to launch rescue mission for judiciary

C

HIEF Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Dahiru Musdapher is set to convene a stakeholders conference to address the crises in the Judiciary.

The conference, which will be organised in collaboration with

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), is part of the CJN’s efforts to tackle his inherited challenges.

Besides, the heads of courts,

under the auspices of the Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), will meet next week to iron out some issues affecting the Judiciary.

Justice Musdapher spoke yesterday at the Call to Bar of 3,050

lawyers in Abuja.

Among the new lawyers are those who wrote the re-sit examinations in April and the regular students who wrote Continued on page 4

Oil subsidy crisis looms Labour, parties, others kick against govt’s plan WHO SAID WHAT Subsidy withdrawal is a fraud, It will not be allowed because anti-people and anti-God. Govern- standard of living will drop. If ment is not a commercial entergovernment thinks it is doing prise. It is not only about naira and what it should do, we will also kobo. There is a moral dimension do what we should do as responto governance – David-West sible citizens – Esele

T •Omar

HERE was outrage yesterday over the Federal Government’s plan to remove subsidy on petroleum products from next January.

Labour leaders, opposition parties and prominent citizens described the plan as ill-advised. They urged the government to change its mind.

In his letter to the National

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja, Tony Akowe, Kaduna, Bisi Oladele,

What is the use of government if it cannot provide welfare and protection for the citizenry? It is in this context that the NLC has advised government to rethink its poverty-inducing policies – Omar

to phase out the fuel subsidy, beginning from the 2012 fiscal year.

Ibadan and Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu This will free up about N1.2 trillion Assembly spelling out the in savings, part of which can be government’s financial deployed into providing SEE ALSO safety nets for poor outlay for three years, President Goodluck PAGES 2&3 segments of the society to Jonathan said: “A major ameliorate the effect of the component of the policy of fiscal subsidy removal.” consolidation is government’s intent The Nigeria Labour Congress

(NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) rejected the subsidy cut plan.

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) vowed to resist the plan and advised the President to shelve the idea.

Continued on page 4

•SPORT P23 •EDUCATION P25 •POLITICS P43 •NATURAL HEALTH P45

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

2

NEWS

• Jonathan

• Esele

• Omar

Outrage over plan to remove s O

UTRAGE yesterday greeted government’s plan to remove subsidy on petroleum products from January.

Labour leaders, opposition parties, prominent citizens describe the plan as misadvised and urged government to change its mind.

In his letter to the National Assembly which spells out government’s financial outlay for three years, President Goodluck Jonathan said: “a major component of the policy of fiscal consolidation is government’s intent to phase out the fuel subsidy, beginning from the 2012 fiscal year. This will free up about N1.2 trillion in savings, part of which can be deployed into providing safety nets for poor segments of the society to ameliorate the effect of the subsidy removal.”

But former Petroleum Minister Prof Tam David-West questioned the existence of subsidy on fuel.

“There is no subsidy on fuel. It is a lie and fraud. God has put crude oil on our soil and Nigeria is the sixth producer of oil in the world. Nigeria produces over two million barrels of crude oil per day and the total capacity of our refineries is 45,000 barrels per day. If our refineries are working 80 to 90 per cent of installed capacity, the country would have enough petroleum products for local consumption and excess to export,” the professor of Virology at the University of Ibadan said yesterday.

David-West urged the President not to attempt the plan, which he described as “a fraud, anti-people and anti-God.” The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) yesterday vowed to resist government over the proposed removal of fuel subsidy.

It advised the President to drop the idea of fuel subsidy removal adding: “That is abandoning the Washington Consensus economic model and embrace the Nigerian Consensus. The subsisting national consensus is in favour of the prevailing fuel price in the market; indeed some Nigerians query why petroleum products are not as cheap as in Venezuela and other OPEC member countries?

“The puzzle has been why has the successive government since our return to civil rule failed to build new

‘Nigerians subsidising govt’

• Mr Femi Falana

THERE is no subsidy whatsoever.

On the contrary, Government has been subsidising some big boys and girls who are importing petroleum products. He also suggested ways in which the Government can make petroleum products available without removing fuel subsidy.

If Government wants to be honest, there are alternatives if they don’t want to build refineries. These include refining crude oil in neighbouring countries that have refineries.

Alternatively, they can engage in trade by barter, by exchanging crude for petroleum products.

But if Government is taking loans to pay scandalous salaries to political office holders, there can be no excuse for not building refineries.

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja, Tony Akowe, Kaduna and Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

medium refineries in spite of the unprecedented oil receipts? This school maintains that new refineries will not only provide petrol, kerosene and other derivatives; but provide employment to our teeming unemployed youths.”

•Comrade Isa Aremu

• Mr. Festus Okoye

NIGERIANS are subsidising the government. We subsidise by having our own electricity generator, we buy diesel at deregulated prices, we subsidise by building our boreholes and well, in the absence public water supply, we subsidise by looking for money to pay our children’s school fees in private schools because of absence of public schools. We subsidise by getting private security because for whatever reason, the Police are not coping with the challenges of security.

We are the people who need sympathy. We are the people subsidising the government. And the only way the government will pay for our subsidy is to make sure they don’t add additional burden on us by removing fuel price subsidy.

THE issue of impending removal of fuel subsidy is coming at the wrong time. There is already an atmosphere of insecurity all over the country accentuated by the issues of kidnapping, terrorism and so on.

Government should not impose an additional burden on the Nigerian people that will also create additional insecurity. The people are already poor and are suffering from acute poverty, there is already unemployment which is fuelling the atmosphere of kidnapping, destitution and terrorism, and so if you hike the price of fuel again, what you are saying is that you want to create an additional army of angry people in this country.

So, I think that the government should take these things easy.

The CNPP statement was signed by its National Publicity Secretary Osita Okechukwu. It said Nigerians have lost confidence in Jonathan and public officers.

The statement added that Jonathan’s ability to fight corruption is in doubt.

The statement reads: “On the vexed issue of removal of fuel subsidy, the CNPP with uttermost sense of re-

sponsibility, highest consideration for the survival of our fledgling democracy and the need to save the little Nigerians benefit from our God endowed oil Resource; candidly appeal to President Goodluck Jonathan to drop the idea of fuel subsidy removal.

“We are not unaware that the fuel subsidy is bleeding blood heavily on our national treasury; however

it is our considered view that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) -led federal government lacks the moral high ground, credibility and indeed the political will to prudently utilise the savings to provide the safety nets or provide critical infrastructure.

“The intendments of the withdrawal notwithstanding, may we remind President Jonathan that Nigerians have lost confidence in public officers generally and his capacity to wage the war against corruption ; therefore the crisis and social unrest which will follow the subsidy removal, will outweigh whatever economic considerations or the intendments of the Economic Team, because of the following reasons:- Nigerians regret that between 1999 and 2010 over $2 billion was spent on the rehabilitation of the four refineries and yet they are producing below 40% of its installed capacity of 445,000 barrels per day.

“Nigerians bemoan a scenario where the PDP led government without any patriotic justification since 1999 abandoned the Nigerian Consensus and adopted the Washington Consensus which abhors government investment; a scenario which breed monumental corruption and made it impossible to utilise our huge oil receipts to build new refineries.

“Nigerians are fully aware that between 1999 to date over $5 trillion was earned from oil and gas sales; yet there are no commensurate results in the provision of critical infrastructure? For example the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) between 2004 and 2007 lost $1512.13 billion, because FGN Equity Proceeds in Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) is not paid into the Federation Account. Only God knows how much we lost since then. {Source Minutes of Federation Accounts Allocations Committee 8 September 2009} “That the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, under Haman Tukur, took the Federal Government and indeed the NNPC to court over fraudulent practices and the withholding of oil proceeds? The same fraudulent activity of NNPC was re-echoed few weeks ago.

“That a Federal Government,

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

3

NEWS NLC, TUC, PENGASSAN kick

T

• David-West

ve subsidy which awarded contracts to dualise - Agege–Ota–Abeokuta, IlorinIbadan, Maiduguri-Kano, Maiduguri-Gombe, Owerri-Onitsha, LagosBenin, Benin-Lokoja, Lokoja-Abuja etc roads from 2000 to date and have been unable to complete any; lacks the moral high ground and the requisite antecedents to tax and extract more funds from Nigerians.

“That the Federal Government which spent over $16 billion for the supply of electricity will find it difficult to convince Nigerians that they can manage our resources prudently. Or is it not paradoxical that the same President Jonathan whose campaign was funded largely by the cabal who import refined petroleum products and who knows the leakages in the import chain; will instead of plugging the leakages, impose sufferings on Nigerians, which the fuel price increase will engender, hence double jeopardy?

“The CNPP will join hands with the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and other progressive patriots to resist the withdrawal and protect the little benefits we drive from our God given Oil Resource David West said the President should not listen to his Minister of Finance who is behaving as if she is acting the scripts of the IMF and the World Bank.

He insisted that those in government deliberately sabotaged the refineries to pave way for importation of the products which are undertaken by cabals in government.

He added that fresh revelations from the government have shown that about a quarter of Nigeria’s budget goes on importation of petroleum products by the cabal.

He said: “Government is not a commercial enterprise. It is not only about naira and kobo. There is a moral dimension to governance which is more important than the commercial dimension.”

Lagos lawyer Mr Femi Falana condemned the plan. He said: “With $2billion, Government could have built about five refineries, to meet our domestic needs and earn the country some revenue from export. What has happened in the petroleum industry is the first illustration of kalokalo economic system, endorsed by the World Bank , who on

two occasions leased Mrs Okonjo Iweala to assist in ensuring that our economy remains in the firm grip of imperialism.

“Let Nigerians not be deceived that by the campaigns that the money realised from the so called removal of subsidy would be channelled towards improving the economy.

When Nigerians dashed $12 billion to London and Paris Club to pay our fraudulent debt, we were told that the $1billion set aside annually for servicing the debt would go for infrastructural improvement. Nigerians were also told that incessant increases in the prices of petroleum products products would fetch Government the money that would be saved to provide social services.”

The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) also said subsidy withdrawal will amount to high cost of production of goods and services. Its Director-General of NECA, Mr Olusegun Oshinowo, urged Federal Government to repair the existing refineries in addition to building new ones.

“There is nothing wrong with deregulation, there is nothing wrong in government promoting a policy where a producer will determine the prices he will sell his products, but that of petroleum products is different. Petroleum products affect the lives of Nigerians. We’ve got to be careful. The removal of the so-called subsidy should be premised on the institutionalisation of certain report.

We should first make our refineries work. Currently, we are importing fuel, we cannot continue to rely on external source for our fuel. As long as we do that, the price of fuel will be subjected to the vagaries of the international economy, like the price of crude oil, like the possible devaluation of Naira.

“We cannot create a model where a key product in the economy will be subjected to those indeterminable variables that could go up at any point in time. Let Government create an environment where the refineries will work, other investors will be able to establish refineries. The argument that the current regulated atmosphere has prevented investors from coming in does not simply resonate with us. Let us start with the privatisation of the existing refineries.”

HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have vowed to resist Government’s planned withdrawal of Petroleum subsidy.

NLC President Abdulwaheed Omar, in a statement, said the NLC will mobilise Nigerians to resist the removal of petroleum subsidy, one of its officials said yesterday.

NLC Chief Economist Dr. Peter Ozon-Eson, said the plan is going to impose a lot of pains on the citizenry.

Besides, the economist noted that it will fuel inflation, result in unemployment and a leap in the cost of living.

He advised the Federal Government not to crush the economy. “It is going to impose a high cost of living on the people.

It will cause inflation, unemployment, closure of factories. We hope that government will not crush the economy.”

He said: “We have always said the NLC is opposed to it. Besides, we will mobilise Nigerians to resist it.”

The congress questioned the essence of government if it cannot provide welfare for its populace, stressing that government should have a rethink.

NLC President Abdulwaheed Omar said: “What is the use of government if it cannot provide welfare and protection for the citizenry? It is in this context that the NLC has advised government to rethink its poverty-inducing policies such as the proposed astronomical increases in the prices of petrol.”

The NLC said Nigerians are subsidising government because they generate their own electricity, produce their own water and pay for their own private security.

The TUC said prices of goods will sky-rocket after deregulation.

President-General of the TUC, Comrade Peter Esele said removal of fuel subsidy will not be allowed by Labour because

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu and John Ofikhenua, Abuja

The Figures •Between 1999 and 2010 over $2 billion was spent on the rehabilitation of refineries.

•Refineries producing below 40% of its installed capacity of 445,000 barrels.

•Removal of subsidy expected to yield N1.2trillion the standard of living will drop.

“Anyway, if government thinks it is doing what it should do, we would also do what we should do as responsible citizens. He vowed that the TUC will not allow it.

The Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Employers and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) said Government will cause crisis with subsidy removal. He said people are already living below the poverty level and Government will later talk of palliative measures after impoverishing them with high cost of petroleum products. He said no palliative measure has ever worked in the country.

Some stakeholders in the oil and gas industry on Wednesday advised the Federal Government against plans to remove subsidy on refined petroleum products

by January 2012 .

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Lagos that the time was not ripe for the removal of the subsidy.

Mr Folorunsho Oginni, Chairman of Lagos Chapter of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), said government should not to remove subsidy without first putting in place some palliative measures.

Oginni said that removal of the subsidy would amount to imposing further hardship on the poor Nigerians.

He urged the government to ensure that adequate measures

were put in place before embarking on total deregulation of the sector.

“If you want to remove subsidy, palliative measures should be put in place for the common man.

“What the Federal Government has been saying is that we want to provide infrastructure; we have been hearing that all these years,” he said.

He said that the Federal Government should be interested in improving and reviving the nation’s refineries to meet up with the demand.

Mr Thomas Badru, Executive Director in Secof Nigeria Ltd., said that removal of subsidy would lead to inflation, adding that government was shying away from its responsibility.

Badru said that government should repair the nation’s refineries to refine crude oil for domestic consumption.

“If the country is producing oil and refining it for Nigerians, there will be no problem.

“But, government is only interested in the foreign exchange it earns from crude oil export, thus subjecting Nigerians to economic hardship,’’ he said.

Alhaji Dele Tajudeen, President of Ogun Branch of IPMA, urged the Federal Government to ensure that the nation’s refineries were working optimally.

The issue of fuel subsidy removal has been contentious over the years with the citizens saying that the removal of subsidies will further impoverish them.

According to the pricing template of the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency as at Aug.15, 2011, the landing cost of a litre of petrol is N129.21.

The margin for transporters and marketers was put at N15.49, while the expected pump price is N144.70 as against the current pump price of N65 per litre.

•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi shaking hands with former governor of the old Oyo State, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo during the former governor’s visit.

4

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

NEWS

•Mr. Felix Akintola representing Globacom chairman Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr, presenting a cheque for N150m to the Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria, Prof. Bartho Okolo (right), being Dr Adenuga’s donation for infrastructural development in the university ... on Tuesday. Watching are officials of the university and Globacom.

•President Goodluck Jonathan shaking hands with some members of Nigerian Community in Rwanda on his arrival in Kigali. With him is Rwandan President Pual Kagame.

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Akande dismisses pan-Yoruba conference Continued from page 1

“Our traditional rulers are our local leaders in our various traditional localities. I think if there should be any concern for unity in Yorubaland, the Ooni should start from the traditional rulers and not bother about political unity. He is not a politician. The unity of traditional leadership, I think, should be more of concern to him than the unity of the political leadership.

“About 10 years ago, I was very worried and concerned about disunity of the traditional leaders in Yorubaland.

But then, I thought I was not strong or respected enough to call the traditional rulers to a meeting for the resolution of their differences, I appealed to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the then President, to join and as-

sist me to settle the differences among Obas in Yorubaland.

“Initially, Obasanjo was not enthusiastic but at the end suggested that the Ooni of Ife, the Alaafin of Oyo and the Awujale of Ijebu-Ode should be allowed to meet and coordinate other obas. So, the trio were invited to a meeting at Aso Rock; without me or Obasanjo at the meeting.

They were left alone to deliberate on the unity of the Yoruba traditional rulers for two hours.

They came out happily, throwing banters and we believed all was well, after all. But today, everyone knows the situation with the traditional rulers in Yorubaland,” he said.

Akande said it would be unfair for a group of people “with an ulterior motive” to gather to trouble the peace of an old woman like Chief HID Awolowo over an agenda which will not produce any

fruitful result.

The former governor of Osun State said the idea of a meeting about political leadership, unity and mainstream politics for the Yoruba did not catch his fancy.

He said: “Are they saying I should drop my vision for others? My vision is different from yours and that is why we are politicians. In the US, UK, France or many advanced democracies, there is nothing like politics of unity, except among a group of imbeciles. But the direction of the thinking of the Yoruba can only be realised when there is free and fair elections.

“I believe the old woman (Chief Mrs. HID Awolowo) should be allowed to enjoy the peace and grace of old age. She is aging gracefully and should be allowed to enjoy her last days. They should not hang around her neck the

problems which they themselves know are unrealisable and which they themselves can’t resolve. We all cherish the old woman and will not want any trouble for her.”

Akande insisted that he could never surrender the vision of his party, the ACN, which says “when you are in power, it should be for the service of the people and not to amass wealth and punish the people”.

He said if anybody wanted to advance the cause of the Yoruba, it should be on how the Yoruba will rule themselves within a true federal structure.

Akande insisted that the orientation and promotion of an idea of “mainstreaming” and moving to the centre to share the largesse should be discouraged.

He said he and some Yoruba leaders would not be part of any group wanting power for

personal aggrandisement and spirit of “sharing the booty”.

In Akande’s view, some Yoruba leaders calling for a unity meeting are possibly looking for a platform through which they will be closer to President Goodluck Jonathan and secure favour for contracts.

He will never make himself available for such a selfish agenda, he said.

According to him, what made the late Chief Awolowo to stand out among his contemporaries and to remain relevant till today is his spirit of selfless service to the people and not championing movement into the centre to struggle for largesse.

Akande said it is shameful that many politicians go about professing Awoism when the spirit to help the poor is lacking in their actions and characters.

Crisis in PDP over governors

A

LL is not well within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with governors and the leadership of the party quarrelling over plans to conduct fresh primaries for some governors.

Due to face elections are Timpre Sylva (Bayelsa), Aliyu Wammakko (Sokoto), Liyel Imoke (Cross River); and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa).

The governors are suspecting a plot to drop one or two of them to pave the way for some party chiefs’ favourites.

According to them, the fresh primaries will violate a “gentleman’s agreement” of automatic re-election tickets for all PDP governors struck ahead of the party’s presidential nomination for President Goodluck Jonathan.

Governorship elections are scheduled for the five states

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

as follows: Kogi (December 3, 2011), Adamawa (January 14, 2012); Bayelsa (February 11, 2012); Sokoto (March 10, 2012); and Cross River (April 14, 2012).

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Most of the PDP governors are unhappy that the PDP leadership is not keeping to the agreement it reached with them over automatic re-election tickets.

“The governors are querying the rationale for fresh primaries when they had gone through similar process in January and secured fresh nominations of the party.

“What if some of these governors go for primaries and they lose out? Will their loss amount to keeping to the agreement with the party?

“Some governors also feel that fresh primaries in their

states will reopen new wounds which may lead to cracks in the party.

“Some governors are saying that conducting fresh primaries is a waste of time and unnecessary as their affected colleagues may end up spending more on primaries than the actual election.

“There are fears that the party does not want one or two of the four governors to secure second term tickets.”

A governor, who pleaded not to be named, said: “I hope reneging on the agreement with the governors for automatic tickets will not have any backlash for the party.

“As the ruling party, we should be seen as a group that keeps to our word. Why should these governors go for fresh primaries?

The source however claimed that the PDP leadership has rejected the argu-

ments of the governors.

A member of the National Working Committee said: “The party insisted on fresh primaries in order not to run foul of the law after the judgment of the Court of Appeal that the tenure of the governors will end in 2012 and not May 2011.

“Some aggrieved party members may go to court, asking for reliefs that the PDP did not follow due process in nominating the governors.

We want to be fair to everybody.

“More importantly, from the time we had the last congresses in the five states, a lot of factors have set in, such that we need to conduct fresh primaries in these states.”

The source added: “You are talking of a previous agreement with the governors, but you have forgotten that one day is long in politics.

•Sylva

“Certain dynamics have made the primaries compelling. We have already conducted a fresh primary election in Kogi State; do you want us to shelve primaries in other states?

“We will try as much as possible to make sure that the party goes into the governorship poll united in all the states.”

Oil subsidy crisis looms Continued from page 1

Former Petroleum Minister Prof. Tam DavidWest even questioned whether there is any form of subsidy on fuel.

He described the government’s plan as “a fraud, anti-people and antiGod”.

Lawyers Femi Falana and Festus Okoye also took a swipe at the government’s action.

NLC President Abdulwaheed Omar said: “What is the use of government, if it cannot provide welfare and protection for the citizens? It is in this context that the NLC has advised the government to rethink its poverty – inducing policies, such as the proposed astronomic increase in the prices of petrol.”

NLC Chief Economist Dr. Peter Ozon-Eson said the workers’ body has started mobilising Nigerians to resist the removal of subsidy, which is billed to begin in January.

TUC President-General Peter Esele said: “If the government thinks it is doing what it should do, we will do what we should do as responsible citizens.”

Removal of fuel subsidy, say its opponents, will automatically send fuel prices rising. This, they note, will affect the cost of other goods and services.

Besides, many believe the idea of subsidy is “a huge fraud” which allows some privileged few to steal.

But the government maintains that the subsidy is of no benefit to the poor. If it is removed, says the government, the cash will go into rebuilding infrastructure.

CJN Musdapher to launch rescue mission for judiciary Continued from page 1

theirs in May. Five of them graduated with first class; 132 made second class upper; 717 got second class lower and 2196 had pass.

Of the students, 70% passed their Bar examination and were presented to the Body of Benchers, headed by Justice Musdapher, by the Director- General of the Nigeria

Law School (NLS), Dr. Tahir Mamman, as fit and proper persons to be called to the Bar. The CJN advised the new lawyers to shun sharp practices.

On the crises in the judiciary, Justice Musdapher said he had adopted a multi-faceted approach to tackle the problems.

He said: “The Heads of Courts, under the auspices of

the Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute, will also be meeting on the 13th of October, 2011 and we will not shy away from taking a comprehensive look at deserving issues, irrespective of their sensitivity or depth.”

“As you can see, different strata in the justice dispensation system will be involved in the judicial reform agenda. It is hoped that the discussions that

will be held at the various fora will garner additional support for the reforms process and inspire a holistic change, which will be sustained in the future,” the CJN said.

Justice Musdapher said the judiciary was considering sending a bill to the National Assembly for constitutional amendment to make the judiciary more independent.

“We are working in collabo-

ration with critical and knowledgeable stakeholders to guarantee that our resultant policies are effective and not mono-dimensional. In addition, experienced and reputable resource persons have been contacted to provide opinion and possible support to the constitutional amendment process, which we believe is crucial to further institutionalising the independence of the judiciary.

The NJC, on August 18, under the leadership of the immediate past CJN, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, suspended the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Ayo Isa Salami, from office for failure to apologise to the former CJN. Justice Salami was accused of lying on oath that Justice Katsina-Alu asked him to meddle in the 2007 Sokoto governorship tussle.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

5

NEWS THE JACKSON TRIAL (DAY 7)

Court hears dramatic tape of slurring Jackson

T

HE jury in the trial of Michael Jackson’s former doctor has heard a tape of the singer slurring his words in a conversation with Conrad Murray.

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The audio recording from May 10, 2009 - just weeks before Jackson died - was recovered from Dr Murray’s iPhone.

The court also heard from detectives who investigated the case.

On Tuesday, the court heard that Conrad Murray had ordered 255 vials of the sedative Propofol.

The drug was delivered to different addresses, including that of his partner.

Medical supply representative, Sally Hirschberg, continued to give evidence today.

She told the court Dr Murray’s office in Las Vegas asked her to ship equipment and drugs to an address in California.

The day after Jackson died, she said received a call from his office asking for an order for medical supplies to be cancelled.

Ms Hirschberg also said it was “unusual” for a cardiology clinic to order Lidocaine, a common local anaesthetic, and IV bags.

Dr Murray is accused of giving the singer a drugs overdose. He denies the charges.

The focus of the trial is focusing on Jackson’s health in the weeks before his June 25, 2009, death and whether Murray was qualified to administer the anaesthetic propofol.

Deputy District Attorney David Walgren, in his opening argument, played a recording of Jackson slurring his words while apparently under the influence of a substance.

Jackson speaks slowly and mumbles, sounding incoherent at times.

Mr Walgren said on another occasion, June 19, “Michael showed up for his rehearsal and he was not in good shape, he was not in good shape at all”.

He added: “He had chills, he was trembling … he was rambling.”

He went home early that evening and didn’t rehearse because of his physical condition.

The next day, prosecutors said,

there was a meeting called about the 50-year-old’s health.

A few days later he was able to practise in a much better condition, Mr Walgren said.

The first witness called by the lawyers was Kenny Ortega who was the director of Jackson’s comeback This Is It tour and a long-standing friend of the artiste.

The court heard a number of examples of what the prosecution claim was Murray’s gross negligence.

They include the fact the doctor left the bedroom to make phone calls and was not present when the singer stopped breathing.

Mr Walgren said Murray had ordered vast quantities of propofol - which Jackson called his “milk” - claiming that it was for his clinic. The clinic did not exist and it was for Jackson, the prosecution claimed.

But the defence has not folded its arms too. Up until yesterday, it insisted Jackson was addicted to painkillers and sedatives and gave himself the fatal dose of propofol believed to have killed him.

Defence lawyer Edward Chernoff said Murray was trying to wean the singer off propofol and only administered 25mg after Jackson begged for it after 10 hours of restlessness.

Mr Chernoff said Jackson told Murray: “If I don’t sleep, if I don’t get some sleep, I can’t complete my rehearsal. If I can’t complete my rehearsal, I can’t complete my show … and I will fail.”

He added that Jackson knew when he asked for propofol that he already had other medications in his system - he had already taken eight 2mg tablets of Lorazepam.

Jackson went to sleep after getting the propofol, and Murray checked his vital signs, which were good, the lawyer said.

He told the jury that Jackson gave himself another dose of propofol when the doctor left the room.

Mr Chernoff said that Jackson was “desperate” around the time of his death.

He told the jury: “There was no medic, machine, or doctor that could save him. He died so rapidly so instantly he didn’t have time to close his eyes.”

•From top: People hold placards in the rain outside the courthouse during the continuing trial of the late Michael Jackson’s doctor in Los Angeles... yesterday; Chernoff holding an IV line as he questions prosecution witness Sally Hirschberg.

PHOTOS: AFP

Israeli scientist wins Nobel for Chemistry

•Daniel Shechtman

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ECENT Nobel prizes have generally split credit for scientific advances among two or three people, but this year’s chemistry prize and accompanying 10 million Swedish kronor ($1.4 million) went to a single scientist: Daniel Shechtman, 70, a professor of materials

science at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. Dr. Shechtman is also a professor at Iowa State University and a researcher at the Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory.

The citation from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences states simply, “for the discovery of quasicrystals.”

Such regular but nonrepeating patterns, defined by precise rules, have been known in mathematics since antiquity, and medieval Islamic artists made decorative, nonrepeating tile mosaics, but it was thought impossible in the packing of atoms.

Yet Dr. Shechtman discovered the same type of structure in a mix of aluminum and manganese.

During a sabbatical in the United States at the National Bureau of Standards, now known as the National Institute of Standards and Technology, he took a molten glob

of the metals and chilled it rapidly. The expectation was that the atoms would have been a random jumble, like glass. Yet when he examined his metal with an electron microscope, Dr. Shechtman found that the atoms were not random.

His notebook recorded the exact date: April 8, 1982.

Scientists believed that crystals in materials all contained repeating patterns. For example, a square lattice has fourfold symmetry. Rotate it by 90 degrees, and it looks identical. A repeating lattice with five fold symmetry, however, is impossible. On that morning in 1982, the electrons Dr. Shechtman bounced off his aluminum-manganese alloy formed a pattern that indicated tenfold symmetry. Dr. Shechtman himself could not quite believe it. He wrote in his notebook, “10 Fold???”

While a periodic lattice could

not produce that pattern, a quasicrystal could.

It took years for Dr. Shechtman to persuade others.

During the announcement, the Nobel committee noted that one colleague said, “Go away, Danny” and that he was even asked to leave the research group.

Many scientists — notably Linus Pauling, the Nobel-winning giant of chemistry — argued vehemently that Dr. Shechtman’s data could be explained by defects within ordinary periodic crystals.

“That must have been intimidating,” said Nancy Jackson, president of the American Chemical Society. “When he first discovered these materials, nobody thought they could exist. It was one of these great scientific stories that his fellow scientists thought was impossible, but through time, people came to realise he was right.”

Even the definition of crystal had

to be redefined. Previously, a crystal had “a regularly ordered, repeating three-dimensional pattern,” according to the International Union of Crystallography.

The new definition, adopted in 1992, states that a crystal is simply a solid with a “discrete diffraction diagram” — that is, something that produces patterns like Dr. Shechtman saw.

That leaves the door open for yet more different kinds of crystals in the future.

Quasicrystals have since been found in many other materials, including a naturally occurring mineral from a Russian river. Materials scientists have been exploring quasicrystals because of their distinct properties. One kind of highly resilient steel, consisting of hard steel quasicrystals embedded within softer steel, is now used in razor blades and thin needles for eye surgery.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

NEWS NNPC chief Ladan dead

Cameron: without us, many Nigerian babies •Alison-Madueke, would be dead Oniwon pay tributes B FORMER Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Malam Shehu Ladan, is dead. He was 59.

Ladan, who was at the helm of affairs at the oil corporation between April 6 and May 18, 2010, died on Tuesday night in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, after a brief illness.

His body will arrive the country today for interment in Zaria, in accordance with Islamic rites.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke described the late Ladan as a dedicated public servant.

She noted that his death is not only a great loss to the oil and gas industry but to the people of Kaduna State and the entire country.

The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Austen Oniwon eulogised Ladan after signing the condolence register opened at the NNPC Towers, Abuja in honour of the late NNPC chief.

Oniwon described Ladan as a committed colleague, administrator and public spirited individual who did everything possible to improve the lot of the oil and gas industry and humanity at large.

Retraction and apology VINTAGE Press Ltd printer and publishers of The Nation Newspaper and Messrs Gbenga Omotoso & Dele Adeosun, editors of and Chris Orji, writer, in the said newspaper (all together call the publisher) wish to and hereby retract the allegations and imputations to Hon Justice A.O.N. Ezeani and Chief H.N. Ezeani both of Umunri Neni in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State contained in the following publication of the said paper: “Woman beaten, stripped naked for seeking redress over inheritance”, published at page 59 of the 17th April 2010 edition of The Nation Newspaper and on the internet.

“Woman beaten, banished for going to court,” published at pages 38 & 39 of the 23rd April 2010 edition of The Nation Newspaper and on the internet “Retired judge, perm sec deny beating woman over inheritance,” published at page 6 of the 15th May 2010 edition of The Nation Newspaper and on the internet.

The publishers further state that the allegations and imputations in the said publications were wrong and false in every material particular and hereby apologise to Hon Justice A.O.N Ezeani and Chief H.N. Ezeani and regret the damage caused to them.

RITISH Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday recounted an ordeal he had in a vaccination clinic when he visited Nigeria.

Cameron, who was speaking at the Conservative Conference in Manchester, said what he saw at the clinic shows that his country must not stop giving aid to help save babies.

He also painted the picture of an health sector in need of serious help.

Cameron said: “A few months ago, I was in Nigeria, on a trade mission. While I was there, I visited a vacci-

By Olukorede Yishau

nation clinic. It was very hot, pretty basic and the lights kept going off.

“But to the rows of women, cuddling their babies, this place was a godsend. One of the nurses told me that if it wasn’t for British aid, many of those beautiful babies would be dead. In four years’ time, this country will have helped vaccinate more of the world’s poorest children than there are people in the whole of England.”

He added: “Of course, we’ll make sure your money goes to the people who need it most, and we’ll do it in a way that’s transparent and accountable. But I really believe, despite all our difficulties, that this is the right thing to do. That it’s a mark of our country, and our people, that we never turn our backs on the world’s poorest, and everyone in Britain can be incredibly proud of it.”

On his support for Libyan rebels, he said: “When it came to that decision to help

the Libyan people, something dispiriting about the debate here at home. It wasn’t that some people thought we shouldn’t do what we did – of course it’s everyone’s right to disagree.

“It was that too many thought Britain actually couldn’t do something like that any more. And you hear that kind of pessimism about our economic future, our social problems, our political system. That our best days are behind us. That we’re on a path of certain decline.

“Well, I’m here to tell you that it isn’t true. Of course, if we sit around and hope for

the best, the rest will leave us behind. If we fool ourselves that we can grow our economy, mend our society, give our children the future we want them to have. If we fool ourselves that we can do these things without effort, without correcting past mistakes, without confronting vested interests and failed ideas, then no, we’re not going to get anywhere.

“But if we put in the effort, correct those mistakes, confront those vested interests and take on the failed ideas of the past, then I know we can turn this ship around.”

Police: we’re on robbers’ trail •’Hoodlums’escape suspicious’ From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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•Teachers at the World Teachers Day celebration in Kaduna...yesterday

PHOTO: NAN

‘How Daniel allocated choice lands to Judge, aides’

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EMBERS of the Ogun State House of Assembly Committee on Land Matters heard yesterday how choice landed property in the highbrow Ibara, Abeokuta, the state capital, were allocated to a Federal High Court Judge and aides to the former Governor Gbenga Daniel.

The plots, allocated between 2008 and May this year, were given out at give-away prices.

The committee may invite the former governor to appear before it over the matter.

General Manager of the Housing Corporation, Mr. Anthony Ladega, who appeared before the Committee, which began a probe into the sales of

•Ex-governor may appear before panel From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

landed properties under the guise of Ibara Urban Renewal Scheme, said no fewer than 160 plot of lands were allocated to cronies of Daniel.

Ladega also alleged that the Housing Corporation allocated 108 hectares at Ogere, valued at N450 million to a private university almost at no cost to the institution.

Addressing reporters, Committee Chairman Remmy Hassan, who read the document by Ladega alleged that former controversial Speaker, Soyemi Coker, the deputy Governorship candidate of the

Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) during the last election, Mrs Jokotade Odebunmi had a hand in the deals.

Others mentioned in the controversial land deals included Daniel’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Isiaq Salako, the Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Otemolu Adepegba, former Chairman, Ewekoro Local Government, Iskilu Makinde, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Ayo Von and former Chairman Abeokuta South Local Government, Yanju Lipede.

Hassan hinted that the former governor might be in-

vited to defend his alleged action.

Hassan said: “The former governor does not have any immunity. When he had immunity, maybe there were constitutional constraints, but as at today, he does not have.

“If he has questions to answer, he will be called. And if he is not ready to come, the relevant sections of the Constitution would be invoked and he will be brought here.

“The foundation was faulty and it cannot stand, because of the irregularities in the deal.

Imagine somebody gets allocation of land worth N12.7 million for N1.2 million, two days after the controversial judgment was delivered.”

HE Edo State Command of the Police yesterday said it was trailing armed robbers who attempted to rob an old generation bank in Auchi, headquarters of Estako West Local Government.

The command’s Assistant Public Relations Officer, Ahwara Ejiroro told reporters on phone that they would make their findings known after concluding investigation.

However, the escape of the robbers from the bank surrounded by police and soldiers have continued to generate suspicion.

Some of the robbers had gained access into the bank after blowing the security doors with dynamite while others waited outside.

Those outside took to their heels abandoning their get away vehicle when they heard that a combined team of soldiers and policemen had stormed the bank premises.

Those inside the banking hall were trapped officials.

After waiting for several hours, the security team went into the bank and did not find any of the robbers who apparently had rushed out of the bank with customers and officials.

The Nation was told that the robbers might have also escaped through the rear exit into the bush.

An Auchi resident who pleaded anonymity said one hunter claimed to have encountered the fleeing robbers inside the bush and that they were dressed in police uniforms.

Kogi governorship poll: PDP risks double nomination

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HERE is anxiety in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following fears of double nomination of candidates for the December 3 governorship poll in Kogi State .

The party has presented Capt. Idris Wada to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its candidate for the poll.

But its previous candidate presented to INEC, Mr. Jibril Isah Echocho, who won the ticket, has refused to withdraw his nomination.

Investigation by The Nation revealed that the PDP has been caught in a legal web over its governorship candidate for the

•Echocho refuses to withdraw nomination From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

December 3 poll.

It was gathered that the party has a challenge over the interpretation of Section 33 of the Electoral Act (as amended) 2011.

The section says: “A political party shall not be allowed to change or substitute its candidate whose name has been submitted pursuant to Section 32 of this Act except in the case of death or withdrawal by the candidate.”

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “PDP is taking a

double nomination risk which may pave the way for any opposition party to win the governorship poll in Kogi State on a platter of gold “Unlike what the Action Congress of Nigeria did, the PDP is yet to formally prevail on its previous candidate, Jibril Isah Echocho to withdraw his candidature for the poll.

“You will recall that the Action Congress of Nigeria elected its governorship candidate in January. But the candidate has formally written INEC withdrawing from the race in favour of Prince Abubakar Audu, who is the new candidate of the ACN.”

The source said: “Echocho has refused to withdraw his nomination because he is banking on the decision of the Supreme Court on October 13 on the tenure of the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris and four others.

“If the governors’ tenure had expired on May 2011, then Echocho will remain the validly nominated candidate of the party for the December 3 poll.

“Any primary after May 2011 would amount to a nullity as the case with Wada. They have been begging Echocho to write INEC to withdraw his

nomination for Wada but he has refused.”

As of press time, most members of the National Assembly on the platform of the PDP from Kogi State and major stakeholders are backing Isah Echocho.

According to findings, most of the National Assembly members told Wada at the residence of one of the legislators on Sunday night that “the ticket of Wada/ Yomi Awoniyi was dead on arrival.”

They said that apart from the reports of irregularities in the largely boycotted primaries that produced him(Wada) and the fact that there was no cogent reason to jettison a sellable brand like Echocho.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

7

NEWS Adenuga gives UNN N150m THE Chairman of the Mike Adenuga Group, Mike Adenuga Jnr, has presented a cheque of N150 million to the University of Nigeria (UNN) Nsukka.

At a ceremony in Nsukka, Adenuga said the donation was a goodwill gesture to “this great citadel of learning that has produced leaders in the public and private sectors, chief executives and managers of multinational corporations, successful entrepreneurs of this great country and beyond.”

He said the donation would boost the university’s capacity to mould graduates who can compete favourably anywhere in the world.

“As an indigenous group with global footprints, we believe that institutions of higher learning should be funded by both the government and the private sector to improve academic standard, research and development,” he said.

‘Be productive’

Three vessels impounded in Rivers T •Six illegal refineries destroyed F •43 suspects held ORTY-three suspects, have been arrested on Bonny Island in Rivers

State.

Three vessels with 3.5 million litres of crude oil were impounded.

Also, six illegal refineries were destroyed in the state.

The Commander of the Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB), Bonny, Navy Capt Tanko Yakubu Pani, said the illegal bunkerers had caused the Federal Government huge losses in revenue.

He said: On August 24, the FOB conducted maritime interdiction patrol, which led to the destruction of the illegal oil refineries at Karibama.

“Nine suspects were arrested. A 800-ton barge, containing crude oil, two water

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

pumps, welding machine and a heavy duty generator were impounded.

“Plastic drums, tents, hoses, trenches and local refined products were set ablaze during the raid.

“On August 27, a patrol team arrested MT Arcturus No. 2; a 75-metre barge containing crude oil and a tug boat, named MV Lady V. “The vessels were arrested together, while carrying out transshipment of the crude oil around IPCO platform.

“Seventeen crew members

of MT Arcturus No. 2 and 17 others involved in the illegal transshipment were arrested.”

The commander said the person who chartered MT Arcturus No. 2 gave the owner false information.

He stated that some of them would get approval to lift unavailable products, but would use the vessels to obtain products from illegal sources.

Pani noted that the illegal refineries are three times the size of a football field, stressing that three weeks after naval personnel destroyed the illegal refineries, the crimi-

nals returned.

“In compliance with the directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ola Saheed Ibrahim, the sustained patrol by the FOB, Bonny, in checking economic crimes and other nefarious activities around Bonny waterways is yielding results.

“The base has continued to ensure zero tolerance to illegal activities and their perpetrators, in spite of inadequate platforms and logistics.

One of the suspects, Michael Mudiaga, said he was hired from Lagos to load Low Poor Fuel Oil (LPFO) in Bonny, adding that at the time of arrest, the vessel was empty.

Pani denied this.

ACN UK condemns Tinubu’s trial From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

THE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the United Kingdom (UK) has described the trial of the party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as a misrepresentation of law.

In a statement by the group’s Public Relations Officer, Tunde Ajayi, the party decried the seeming selective focus on certain individuals, which is also aimed at maintaining a vicious hold on the judiciary.

ACN said: “The politics of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not only embarrassing to the nation as rightly observed by Prof Tam DavidWest, but also a politics of vendetta.

“The seemingly selective focus on certain individuals is viewed as crass misrepresentation of the rule of law, political adventurism and a poorly calculated attempt to stifle the opposition and maintain a vicious hold on our judiciary.”

NDLEA DG advises officers

By Kelvin Osa- Okunbor

HE Director General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Femi Ajayi, has called on officers to be dedicated to their duties.

Ajayi made the call when he visited the Edo State Zonal Office.

He urged narcotic operatives to sustain the drug war that led to the removal of the country from the Drug Major’s List by the United States last year.

His words: “We are committed to the welfare of officers because this is a very risky assignment.

“The reward for drug control must be now and adequate. More resources must be provided for the Agency.

“The N84.5 million capital budget is a far cry from what is required. This is why we are here to meet with you and request your partnership.

“On our part, we shall continue to be dedicated to the fight against drug trafficking cartels.”

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NEMA to end clashes THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has brought together stakeholders from Benue and Nasarawa states to find solution to the conflicts between farmers and herdsmen.

NEMA’s Director-General Muhammad Sani Sidi said in Abuja that the conflicts must be resolved so the parties can co-exist peacefully.

Represented by the Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, Edward Maigida, Sidi appealed to the federal and state governments to provide grazing reserves and migratory routes for the herdsmen.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the two states as well as officials of the National Livestock Development Project and NEMA.

HE Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, has called on Nigerians to develop the productive mindset for the country’s sustainable economic development.

The minister made the call at the inauguration of the Enugu Office of the National Productivity Centre.

He said the nation’s desire to be among the 20 largest economies in 2020 could only be achieved if a sustainable increase in productivity level is attained.

Represented by his Special Assistant, Mrs. Godson Dinneya, the minister said the establishment of the office presented an opportunity to bring the message of productivity to the grassroots.

•Some of the suspects paraded....yesterday

PHOTO:BISI OLANIYI

INEC disowns website’s job listing

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HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday dissociated itself from a job application announcement on its website.

In a statement yesterday, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman Kayode Idowu urged the public not to act on the announcement.

Idowu said the process for recruitment has not been concluded.

He said the process of restructuring that would determine the commission’s per-

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

sonnel requirements and composition is still on-going, adding that when it is concluded, adverts will be placed.

He said: “The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to a job application announcement on its website.

“The commission hereby affirms that the announcement and the forms uploaded on the site were in error,

because the processes for the recruitment are not yet concluded.

“Already, the commission has pulled down the said announcement.

“While the commission appreciates the interest of many to make a career in its system, the process of restructuring that will lead to the determination of its personnel requirements and composition is on-going.

“When the time is ripe, the commission will announce as appropriate and will

Jonathan, Dangote on African tour

P INEC Chairman Attahiiru Jega

sufficiently alert the public on this.”

First-line charge for vaccines sought

A

CTING Executive Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Dr. Emmanuel Abanida is pushing for vaccine order to be given a first-line charge in next year’s budget.

Getting first-line charge means that the agency would access the funds directly once the budget is passed.

Addressing reporters in Abuja yesterday, Abanida said it takes between six and eight weeks to receive

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

an order from the manufacturers.

He said the present mode of releasing funds for vaccines is not convenient as vaccines could only be manufactured after an order is placed.

The Acting Executive Director also attributed the shortage of vaccines to the United Nations (UN) building bomb blast and diversion of vaccines fund for measles campaign.

He said: “We are engaging the government to see if it can put vaccine funds on the

first-line charge so that we can always have vaccines in supply.

“What we are working on is that vaccines should now be on the first-line charge.

We do not have to wait till capital funds are being released.

“We are working to ensure that we don’t have shortages again. We apologise to mothers, children for the inconveniences caused.”

To ensure that there is no shortages of vaccines from now till the first quarter of next year, he said funds available for other things are been paid to UNICEF for the vaccines.

On the diversion of funds for the measles campaign, he said: “Some of the funds we wanted to use for vaccines were used for the measles campaign which was not budgeted for. If we had not done the measles vaccination this year, we would have lost thousands of children.”

To stamp out meningitis in Nigeria, the CEO said the agency would soon start immunising everyone below 29 in phases till 2013.

He said Nigeria would introduce new health prevalence vaccines next year, which is one vaccine containing five Antigens

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday left Nigeria on official visits to Rwanda, Ethiopia and Ghana.

In Rwanda, he would hold bilateral talks and sign a communiqué to formalise agreements between Nigeria and Rwanda.

In Ethiopia, he will also hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, address a joint conference and meet with the Nigerian community.

Jonathan, in Ghana, will be conferred with an Honorary Doctorate degree by the Institute of Management and Public Administration.

He will be hosted to a state banquet by President John Atta-Mills at The Castle, Accra.

He was accompanied by Sen. Andy Uba; Ibrahim ElSudi; Minister of Foreign Affairs Olugbenga Ashiru; Minister of Information Labaran Maku and Minister of Trade and Investment Olusegun Aganga.

Others were Managing Director of Access Bank Aigboje Aig-Imokhuede; Aliko Dangote of Dangote Group, founder of Visafone Jim Ovia and Tony Elumelu of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

He is expected back on Saturday.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

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NEWS Lagos Award for Excellence HE Lagos Award for holds today Excellence will hold

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today at White House Guest House on Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos, by 4pm.

The award, organised by Dayo Osinowo Initiative (DOSI), celebrates professional excellence and contributions to the development of the state.

Recipients of the award include Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development Prince Adesegun Oniru; Deputy Chairman, Lagos State Market Development Board, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo; the Registrar,

Lagos State Polytechnic, Princess Adetope Kosoko; the General Manager, Environmental Protection Agency, Adebola Shabi; and the Executive Secretary, Technical and Vocational Education Board, Olawumi Gasper.

Others are the Executive Chairman, Lagos State Public Works Corporation, Gbenga Akintola; the General Manager, Radio Lagos, Mrs. Tinuade Aina-Badejo; and Mr. Bolaji Oreagba of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA).

Ajimobi urges pilgrims YO State Governor to be good Abiola Ajimobi has

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•Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, receiving a gift from the Mayor of Belo Horizonte City, in Brazil Mr Rodriguo Perpetuo during the governor’s meeting with representatives of Brazillian business community in Minas Gerais State, Brazil

urged intending pilgrims to Mecca to be good ambassadors of Nigeria.

At the Hajj Camp in Ibadan, the state capital, yesterday, Ajimobi urged the 1,618 intending pilgrims to shun acts that are capable of tarnishing the nation’s image, such as drug trafficking.

He urged them to abide by the laws of the holy land and pray for peace and progress in Oyo and Nigeria.

Ajimobi said: “You must be

N17b equipment lying obsolete HE Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Professor Temitope Alonge, has said medical equipment supplied to the hospital in 2005, under the N17 billion Federal Government/VAMED hospital project are obsolete.

The project, which covered eight teaching hospitals, included rehabilitation, design, procurement, supply and installation, training of health personnel and five

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From Joseph Okwuofu, Ibadan

years maintenance of the equipment.

The project, which was awarded to VAMED by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was commissioned on December 5, 200.5 Alonge spoke while receiving 800 fibre glass pillows donated to the hospital by the founding Reverend of Business Church, Lagos Rev. Tope Bola.

He said the equipment were supplied six years af-

ter the agreed time.

The CMD said of the eight hospitals, to benefit from the equipment, UCH was the first to be supplied.

He said: “The government, before procuring the equipment, did consult with experts, but between the period and the time they were supplied, there was a gap of six years. The VAMED project is a good one.”

On the donation of the 800 glass fibre pillows, Alonge said: “I must say that today marks a real landmark in my service as the CMD in UCH

to have men and women of God address the physical needs of the people. “The donation could have come in form of complaints. This brings me to the issue of what Nigerians should be doing. Nationhood does not rest on governance alone.

UCH had an unfair share of negative publicity for over three months. However, your gesture today is like a balm to our hurting pain.

Many of what we do at UCH are not usually publicised, because we believe it is not necessary we make noise

about it. Unlike others, we have decided not to publish beautiful magazines to prove stunts.”

Rev. Bola said he felt the need to present pillows to some hospitals and following his experience while on admission at the UCH. He said: “At that time, I did not find it funny at all, as I had to make do with the available pillow. At first I wanted to complain but God ministered to me to buy the pillows for the use of patients in the hospital rather than complaining.”

Govt give two Ekiti star teachers cars

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HE Ekiti State Government yesterday presented cars to two teachers during the World Teachers’ Day celebration.

The recipients are Mr. Ayeni Emmanuel of Ipoti Junior High school, IpotiEkiti, and Mrs. Rachael Olusola of St. John’s Anglican Primary School, Erinmope.

Emmanuel (43), who was the best secondary school teacher, received a Toyota Yaris, while Mrs. Olusola (53), the best primary school teacher, got a Kia Picanto.

Fifty other teachers got prizes for their outstanding performances.

Governor Kayode Fayemi, represented by his deputy, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, said the entitlements of teachers would be paid soon.

Fayemi urged teachers to continue to support his government’s efforts at ensuring gender equality in schools.

He said: “Gone are the days when women were restricted to certain careers and professions, groomed only for marriage and their roles limited to the kitchen.

“I urge you to give all pupils equal attention in advising and monitoring. Revise the curricular, if necessary, to include women.”

•Mimiko urges teachers to shun strike From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti and Damisi Ojo, Akure

Also yesterday, Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko urged teachers to shun strike and always press home their demands through dialogue.

He said negotiation should be the best option for conflict resolution.

Mimiko spoke during the World Teachers’ Day celebration in Akure, the state capital.

He restated his administration’s commitment to the provision of quality education, saying a lot had been invested in the sector.

Mimiko said: “We have already put in place teachers’ empowerment; wage re-

view; conducive teaching and learning environment; promotion of private school participation; equipment for school libraries, laboratories and workshops; as well as overseas training of head teacher for better school managment.”

The governor, who was represented by Commissioner for Education Remi

Olatubora, reiterated the importance of gender equality in schools.

He said the government would continue to improve the quality of teaching and learning with adequate incentives.

Mimiko said his administration has been paying grants to schools, abolished tuition fees in primary and secondary schools, trained and retrained teachers and provided infrastructure in schools.

Ogun slashes salaries of political appointees

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GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has slashed the salaries of political office holders and appointees.

Amosun spoke yesterday at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, the state capital, during the 2011 World Teachers’ Day celebration.

He said the slash would enable the state save funds for infrastructural development.

Amosun said: “In spite of the poor financial position of the state, we pay salaries and were the first to pay the new minimum wage. We also added N250 to it to show that we love our workers.

“The least you will expect is that the workers would be

dedicated to their duties and pay all levies and taxes stipulated by the law. Tax has a law that governs it and it must be obeyed. We are all affected by it, politicians are not left out.

“Never in the history of this state have political office holders and appointees collected so low as salary. When I discovered that we needed a lot of funds to develop the state, I sent a bill to the Assembly to reduce the salary of political office holders and appointees.

“All of us are affected, even I. As we speak, my commissioners don’t have accommodation and cars, and workers know we are making all these sacrifices to make this state

great again.

“When people pay tax promptly, we will use it to construct new roads and workers will use the roads too; we will use it to fund education and their children will attend these schools.

“We will use it to fund healthcare sector and workers too will benefit. With all these, the least you will expect is that your workers cooperate with you and not taking instructions from outside to cause problems for the government. No responsible government will allow that and I won’t allow it.”

The governor said his administration plans to build 50 model schools across the state.

•Amosun

Commissioner for Education Segun Odubela said the government is working on ways to motivate teachers.

Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Chief Mufutau Ajibola said the government has approved the payment of two of the five years accumulated leave bonuses of teachers.

godly than being religious. To be godly is different from being religious. If you are merely religious, you may not be able to serve wholeheartedly.”

Chairman of the state Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, Alhaji Taofeek Akeugbagold said the first batch of 505 intending pilgrims left the state yesterday evening, while the second and last batches would leave on October 11 and 17.

Erosion threatens Oyo town From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

ROSION may sweep away over 4,000 buildings at Koso and Oroki in Atiba Local Government Area of Oyo State, if the government does not act fast.

Drains in the areas have been blocked by refuse, preventing a free-flow of water.

Many of the buildings are sinking as a result of heavy rainfall.

The Asipa River, which flows around the areas, has also become a dump site.

Showing reporters round the erosion-threatened areas, the council’s Director of Works, Olaniyi Oludiran, said about 40 culverts and bridges would have to be built as an interim measure to check flooding.

Oludiran said the council has started sensitising residents to desist from dumping refuse carelessly, adding that the dredging and channelisation of two streams would begin at the end of the raining season.

E

Akala denies N20m gift From Bisi Oiladele, Ibadan

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ORMER Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala has denied contributing N20 million towards the funeral of the lateformer Governor Kolapo Ishola.

Alao-Akala’s spokesman Prince Dotun Oyelade said his boss did not make such a donation.

Oyelade said the late Ishola’s children are successful and do not need to rely on anybody to bury their father.

Spokesman of the Ishola family, Pastor Amos Ishola said he is not aware of the donation.

He said: “I don’t know anything about it and can’t talk about it.”

Ishola’s funeral rites, which started with a service of songs at his Ikolaba home on Monday, will end tomorrow.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

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NEWS Decay in education painful, says Kwankwaso

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ANO State Governor Musa Kwankwaso has lamented the state of education in the state, saying: “I weep each time I think about the decay in our schools.”

Kwankwaso, who spoke yesterday in Kano at the opening of the World Teachers’ Day celebration, said the nonchallance of stakeholders, including parents and the government, has brought about a downward trend in the state educational standard.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, noted that relevant stakeholders have not shown sufficient commitment to the advancement of the sector.

Kwankwaso said it is disheartening to know that over 74 per cent of teachers in primary and secondary schools are unqualified, a situation he noted, is partly responsible for the falling standard of education in the state.

“I shed tears whenever I think of the problems in our school system. We seem not to be concerned. The parents are not concerned. The teachers, due to the economic hardship are discouraged and therefore not concerned, the

INEC begins voter registration update in Kogi, Adamawa From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

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HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday said it is updating its voters’ registers in Kogi and Adamawa states in preparation for the December 3 and January 14 governorship elections.

A statement by its Secretary, Abdullahi Kaugama, said the registration would hold in Kogi State from today till October 13, while that of Adamawa State holds from October 15 to November 22.

INEC said it has installed a modified Open Voter Registration software in selected Direct Data Capture Machines (DDCM) for Kogi State and trained its workers for the exercise.

The statement reads: “The Continuous Voter Registration exercise is a prelude to the governorship elections that would take place on December 3 (in respect of Kogi State) and January 14, 2012 (for Adamawa State).”

“In preparation for the exercise in Kogi State, in particular, the Commission has installed modified Open Voter Registration software in the selected Direct Data Capture Machines (DDCMs) to be used and has trained the staff to carry out the Continuous Voter Registration exercise.”

One killed in Jos attack

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From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

authorities are not concerned and we have seen that over the years.

“The government alone cannot solve the problem in our schools. There is need for attitudinal change among all of us.”

According to him, two basic factors, bordering on quantity and quality, militate against the smooth operation of the state’s education system.

He said the quantity aspect has to do with the enormous enrolment of pupils in schools, while at the same

•Kwankwaso

time several other pupils are yet to get enrolled into schools, the governor that this burden cannot be shouldered by the government alone.

RTESIDENT of Kajol, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, was killed yesterday in a midnight attack in Jos. Another resident, who sustained gunshot injuries, is receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the University of Jos Teaching Hospital (UJTH).

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Pam Ayuba, confirmed the attack.

He said the attack took place when the residents were asleep.

“But I can confirm to you that nine of the attackers have been arrested and are

in police custody at the police headquarters in Jos. They will be charged to court ,” he said.

The state Security Council said it has met over the security challenges in the state, adding that peace is returning to Jos. The council urged security agencies to tackle what it called “isolated cases of attacks” in the villages.

Commissioner for Information Yiljip Abraham, who addressed reporters after the meeting, said: “The Security

•Some miscreants scooping fuel from a damaged tanker at Apogbon Bridge, Lagos Island...yesterday.

Council hails the renewed inter-agency cooperation among the security agencies. We also note that winning peace requires sustenance of dialogue at all levels by communities, religious groups, youths and women leaders.

“We also call on the communities to cooperate with the Special Task Force (STF) and other security agencies to achieve peace in the state.

“The state government is determined to bring the full weight of justice to bear on anyone caught in any act capable of truncating the peace in the state.”

PHOTO:SSOLOMON ADEOLA

Zamfara raises panel over 480 uncompleted projects

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HE Zamfara State Government has constituted a panel to probe some 480 uncompleted projects started by the previous administration.

The committee will probe the genuineness of the projects, determine those with direct bearing on the residents and make recommendations to the government.

Governor Abdulazeez Abubakar Yari addressed reporters in Gusau, the state capital, on his 100 days in office; 12 years of Sharia implementation; and 15 years of the creation of the state.

He said the uncompleted projects cost N42billion and that N15.2billion has been paid to contractors.

The governor said the committee is expected to submit a report and advise the government on what to do about the remaining N26.4billion.

Yari said despite his administration’s problems of funding, it would provide basic amenities and deliver key projects to the residents.

He said the government would boost water supply in phases, starting from Gusau, the state capital.

The governor promised that Gusau, Kaura Namoda

and Talata Mafara towns would begin to enjoy constant water supply in the next few weeks.

Yari said his administration’s quest for rapid transformation made him to revisit the Gusau township bypass, which was awarded for N1.3billion by the previous administration, with the contractor reportedly paid N250million in advance.

He said the contractor was summoned and the contract reviewed to N750million, adding that the state had paid the contractor the N500million balance to complete the road project.

The governor said his ad-

ministration has fulfilled his campaign promises by providing affordable fertiliser at a subsidised rate of N1,000 per bag to be repaid after harvest.

Yari said he would sign the law for the amputation of those convicted by a Sharia court in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area.

According to him, any Muslim who contravenes the Islamic legal system would face the law because Sharia is God’s law, not his.

On security challenges in the state, the governor assured that the government would put the situation under control.

Kaduna South youths give conditions for Hausa/Fulani return OUTHS in Zonkwa, Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, yesterday gave some conditions which Hausa/Fulani residents must meet to return to the town.

The Hausa/Fulani community was displaced, following the April post-election violence.

The youths are angry that the government has given N6 million to the displaced Hausa/Fulani residents, while the locals, who they said suf-

Y

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

fered losses during the crisis, have not received any compensation from the government.

In a letter to the Interim Chairman of the Zango Kataf Local Government Area, Dominic Yahaya, which was also to security agencies and traditional rulers in Southern Kaduna, the youths said returning Hausa/Fulani must have their families to avoid suspicion.

The letter, signed by Pastor Isaac Makama, Mr. John B. Naman and Mr. Dimka John, reads: “We shall not trade the peace of our children, our people and the entire community for incessant attacks and threats still being meted out to our people.

“Therefore, we wish to state that we welcome the return of the Hausa/Fulani on the following conditions: •all attacks upon our people must stop; •Hausa/Fulani, who want to

NDLEA arraigns 10 drug offenders in Bauchi

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From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

HE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday arraigned 10 suspects at a Bauchi Federal High Court.

The Bauchi State Assistant Commander of the NDLEA, Mohammed Bashir Ibrahim, said of the 23 suspects arrested, 10 were arraigned yesterday.

The other 13, he said, will face trial today.

Ibrahim said: “The suspects were charged to court because they are prosecutable cases. The first group has been taken to

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

court to face charges while the case of the other group comes up today because the court could not take all of them.”

He said the suspects were arrested with 576kilogrammes of cannabis and psychotropic substances, adding: “One of the suspects was arrested with 406kilogrammes of drug, which was the biggest seizure by the command in recent times.”

The Assistant Commander urged members of the community to help the command with information.

return, must be ready to work and respect constituted authorities in Zonkwa; •all returnees must have their entire families to aviod suspicion; and •they must retract all false and malicious allegations against our people in newspapers, on the Internet, radio, television, among others.

“We are calling for a meeting of stakeholders and the Hausa/Fulani community to ensure that these conditions are met.

“Finally, it has come to our knowledge that N6 million has been given to the Hausa/ Fulani community without the same gesture being reciprocated to our people who were affected during the crisis. Chairman Sir, we call on you to also extend same gesture to our people, who were also affected.”

He regretted the killings of 20 people at Dansadau Emirate, saying policemen and soldiers had been deployed in the area to fish out the culprits and maintain law and order.

Contractors may face sanctions From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

THE Chairman of Gada Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Alhaji Abubakar Altine Kyadawa, has given one week ultimatum to contractors handling about N75 million projects to return to site or refund the fees paid to them.

Kyadawa said the council would take legal action against contractors who do not make the ultimatum.

He told reporters in his office in Gada, the headquarters of the council, that the projects include a hospital, upgrade of dispensaries, mosques and Islamiyya schools.

The council chairman said seven contractors have failed to complete their jobs, adding: “We know them, and they have been directed to go back to site or face appropriate action.”

According to him, the council will not allow breaches of contracts to continue.

“After all, they have collected 70 per cent down payment; yet they could not complete the jobs. They either go back to site in one week or refund all payments made to them or face legal action,” Kyadawa said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

10

NEWS Cross River ready to host 42nd NCI meeting

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HE Cross River State Government is ready to host the 42nd meeting of the National Council on Information (NCI), slated for October 10-14 in Calabar, the state capital.

Commissioner for Information and Orientation, who is also the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Patrick Ugbe said Governor Liyel Imoke will open the meeting at the Main Bowl of the Cultural Centre Complex.

He said there would be a two-day retreat with the theme “National Vision 20:20:20, Sharing in the Vision,” on October 10 and 11 at the Main Bowl of the State Library Complex, Calabar.

Minister of Information Labaran Maku; his National Planning counterpart, Alhaji Shamshudeen Usman; former Ministers of Information; permanent secretaries; Chairmen of the Senate and House of Representatives’ Committees on Information; Commissioners for Information; chief executives of Parastatals in the Information Ministry; media heads; Directors of Information; and professional bodies, among others, are expected at the meeting.

Akpabio’s aide’s father freed

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THE Police in Akwa Ibom State yesterday rescued Elder Edward Ekong, father of the Special Adviser to Governor Godswill on Security, Captain Iniobong Ekong.

Elder Ekong was abducted on Sunday around Lutheran Church of Nigeria (LCN) in Ikot Akpatuk, Nist Ubium Local Government Area.

An eyewitness said the kidnappers, who came in a black Mazda car, shot into the air to scare away passersby and forced their vic-

From Kazeem Ibrahim, Uyo tim into the boot of their car.

Elder Ekong spent four days with his abductors before he was rescued yesterday.

It was not certain if any ransom was paid by the family.

Police spokesman Onyeka Orji said: “We have just rescued Captain Ekong’s father and have made some arrest.

He is in good condition. He was not hurt in any way.”

Suspected thieves, pirates held in Bayelsa

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WO suspected car snatchers and three pirates have been arrested by the Police in Bayelsa State.

Parading the suspects at the command headquarters on Wednesday, Commissioner for Police Aliyu Musa said two of them were caught after snatching a Honda Accord Car at gunpoint. He said the Honda, two other vehicles and three AK 47 rifles with 107 rounds of 7.63mm prohibited ammunition were found in the suspects’ possession.

Musa said the suspected pirates were arrested by the Joint Task Force (JTF) and handed over to the police.”

PUBLIC NOTICE

FEDERAL COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, MOOR PLANTATION, IBADAN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. This is to inform the general public that the above named Non Governmental Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr.bankole Emmanuel Abimbola 2. Mr. Daibo Victor 3. Mr. Oduola Taiwo 4. Alhaji Solarin Lateef Olufemi 5. Mr. Amusat Adeniyi Suraju

-President -Vice-president -Secretary -Treasurer -P.R.O.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To Protect the Interest of The Members, 2. Seek to Raise the Welfare of all members of the Association Nigeria.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: ADEGBOYEGA SALAWU ASQ

PUBLIC NOTICE PROFESSOR MATHEW BRAFE-EMUAKPOR FOUNDATION Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above name Foundation has applied for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Decree 1 of 1990 Part C THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1.

Professor D. T. Okpako – Chairman 2.

Mrs. Victoria Ejumodu 3.

Professor N. A. Olasupo 4.

Professor A. Egunyomi 5.

Professor A. O. Aweto 6.

Dr. A. C. Odebode 7.

Dr. A. M. Salaam 8.

Prince M. Osuolale lshola – Esq Secretary 9.

The Current –Principal Urhorobo College – Warri AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE; 1) To award Scholarship to indigent but brilliant students of Urhobo origins who have gained admission to University 2) To award research grants to 1st class postgraduate student.

Any objection to the forementioned registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Area ll, P.M.B. 198 Garki Abuja, within 28 days of this publication

Signed: OSUOLALE LSHOLA Secretary to the Foundation (08037147868, 08075489292)

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (middle) inaugurating Falomo On-Ramp Bridge on Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue from Lekki Peninsula towards Falomo Bridge and Ikoyi built by the government in partnership with the Lekki Concession Company (LCC)...yesterday. With him are Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Adefemi Hamzat (left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure Ganiyu Johnson (second left); Oba Adetunji Akinloye Ojomu of Ajiran Land (third left); Managing Director/CEO, LCC Opuiyo Oforiokuma (third right); Dr Tunji Oluwalafe (second right); and Chairman, Hitech Company Ronald Chaggoury (right). Inset: Falomo On-Ramp Bridge PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Amaechi to build six-lane roads in Port Harcourt T

HE Rivers State Government has awarded the contract conversion of the road between Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) junction and Agip brigde in Port Harcourt, the state capital, into six lanes.

Governor Chibuike Amaechi spoke on Wednesday during an unscheduled inspection of ongoing projects in Port Harcourt.

He said part of the Building Materials Market and other properties on the

stretch would be demolished to pave way for the road expansion.

Amaechi said: “You cannot finish expanding a sixlane road at Mile 3 to empty into a four lane flyover, so we are expanding from RSUST Junction to Agip flyover.”

Amaechi, who was accompanied by his deputy, Tele Ikuru, said the expansion would reduce traffic on the route.

He said Olu-Obasnjo Road would also be expanded into six lanes.

Amaechi said the government will acquire a land in Mile 3 for the building of a health centre and Economic Support Initiative(ESI) nursery school.

He said the healthcentre would be situated close to the market, saying: “We want to ensure that the market women and the population around there

have access to quality primary health facilities.”

The governor, who inspected the Agip fly over, Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital in Diobu, and the Dental Hospital at Garrison said some of the projects would be ready before the end of November.

He said they have started equipping the two medical centres.

Amaechi said his administration would complete all ongoing projects before its tenure expires.

‘Alison-Madueke won’t contest Bayelsa poll’

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INISTER of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke yesterday said she is not interested in the Bayelsa State governorship race.

In a statement by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) spokes-

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

man, Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, the minister described a media report linking her with the race as “ false.”

The statement said: “The publication is not only misleading but it is 360 degrees

different from the reality on ground.

“Dr. Alison-Madueke is seriously occupied with the ongoing reforms in the oil and gas industry, which is an integral part of President Jonathan’s transformation programme.

“It is therefore important

that the minister is not distracted from her current assignment of nation building.

“Once again, I wish to make it clear that the Minister of Petroleum Resources, is not interested in contesting the governorship in Bayelsa state.’’

Petroleum Ministry in N1.17b vessel controversy

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HE Ministry of Petroleum Resources may have wasted N1 billion tax payers’ money on a Diving Support Vessel for the training of students of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State.

The Nation learnt that the contract for the purchase of the vessel was awarded by the President Umar Yar’Adua administration to Netsach Limited for N1,117,330,873.31 on July 21, 2009. But over two years after, the vessel is yet to be supplied.

Sources said the ministry has, through PTI, released over N985 million to Netsach Limited, which is owned by Alhaji Yahya Imam.

A visit to Singapore by the Senate Committee on Petroleum in May, 2010, also failed to secure the vessel’s delivery.

The contract document obtained from the ministry in Abuja stated that 15 per cent would be paid for mobilisation, 55 per cent after purchase and 25 per cent on delivery to PTI’s designat-

‘There are also some very senior political officers involved in the deal and that is why this contract may never see the light of day because nobody is asking the right question and none is willing to call the contractor to order’ By our reporter

ed post in Nigeria.

But the terms of payment contained in the contract were disregarded by the ministry, which arbitrarily released money to Netsach.

Informed sources said after receiving N957,131,611.29, Netsach invited PTI for a sea trial, which failed as the vessel could not sail.

It was gathered that the document of the vessel, MV BLUESTONE TOPAZ, showed that it was built over 30 years ago, contrary to a provision in the award letter signed by L. A. Ibrahim, which specified that the vessel should not be more than 10 years old.

PTI paid N200 million to the contractor, following an addendum to the contract and a directive from the ministry by the Director of Planning and Statistics, Emmanuel Izuegbu, to the Acting Principal to “take early action” on the addendum by releasing the money to Netsach.

The payment was part of the third instalment, which should have been made on delivery.

To ensure the vessel’s delivery, the Senate Committee on Petroleum, led by Igo Aguma, visited Singapore in April, last year, and found that the vessel was in a bad shape.

The delegation recommended that the vessel should be repaired in Singspore and brought to Nigeria.

Reliable maritime sources, who saw the contract between the ministry and Netsach said it was fraught with loopholes, adding that there was no plan to execute it from the beginning.

Our source faulted Netsach for carrying out the purported purchase in its name, instead of PTI’s, saying: “There is no adequate proof and documentation that the vessel was procured for PTI.” The source wondered why the Petroleum Ministry did not hire an internationally registered classification agency to assess the ship on its behalf.

A source at the ministry hinted at a collaboration between some senior staff, PTI officials and the contractor to swindle Nigerians.

“There are also some very senior political officers involved in the deal and that is why this contract may never see the light of day because nobody is asking the right questions and none is willing to call the contractor to order,” the source added.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

The CBN will continue to work towards keeping pace with contemporary developments, institutional and institutionalised best practices on noninterest banking.

–Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, CBN Governor

New MD for MultiChoice Nigeria

Fed Govt to sell N156-215b bonds

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IGERIA plans to sell between N156-215 billion ($979 million$1.35 billion) in 3-, 5- and 10year sovereign bonds in the fourth quarter of the year, the Debt Management Office said yesterday.

The DMO according to Reuters said it would sell within the range of N6-10 billion in the 3-year, N15-20 billion in 5-year and N25-35 billion in the 10-year papers in October.

In November and December, the debt office will discontinue the issuance of 3and 5-year papers and concentrated on the 10-year instruments.

It said it will sell within the range of N30-40 billion in the 10-year paper with a term to maturity of six and half years and N25-35 billion in the 10-year bonds with term-to-maturity of seven years and 11 months in November and December each.

An Official of the DMO told Reuters the discontinuation of the 3- and 5-year papers was as a result of advice from investors and bond dealers to reduce competition between the primary market and secondary trading of the papers.

“We were also warned against issuing 20-year bond in order to encourage active transaction at the secondary market,” the official said under condition not to be named.

All are re-openings of previous issues.

Nigeria, sub-Saharan Africa’s second-biggest economy, issues sovereign bonds monthly to support the local bond market, create a benchmark for corporate issuance and fund its budget deficit.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$118.7/barrel Cocoa -$2,856/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,161/troy ounce Rubber -¢146.37pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

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

RATES Inflation -9.3% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.84% Savings rate -1.42% 91-day NTB -6.99% Time Deposit -6% MPR -8.75% Foreign Reserve $34.87b

CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

FOREX -

0.281 215.1 245.00 153.16 1.5652 243.2 40.57

M

From left: MD, UBA Trustee Ltd, Oluwatoyin Sanni; MD, Sterling Capital Limited, Mr Garenta Otono; Company Secretary Sterling Capital, Mr Toyin Oluwatuyi and representative of SEC, Mr Egbuniwe Obinna, during the Annual General Meeting of Nigeria Energy Sector Fund Plc in Lagos.

PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

Sanusi: CBN may allow naira to depreciate, if…

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HE naira could be al lowed to devalue if oil prices and foreign exchange reserves continue to fall and monetary intervention attempts are exhausted, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said yestersday.

The apex bank has been pumping United States dollars into the market at biweekly auctions to help support the local currency but without any sustained success.

CBN Governor Lamido Sanusi according to Reuters news, said there was no change in the foreign exchange stability stance for now, but the bank would not support the naira at all costs.

“Certainly, if we do continue to see threats to oil price, if we do continue to see threats to the reserve position and if we think we have exhausted the limits of monetary intervention, we will have to do that and we will have to announce, but if there’s going to be a depreciation, its something we want to be in control of and we want to be the ones that will announce it,” Sanusi said on CNBC Africa television.

• Says banking crisis is ‘behind us’ “At the moment, the pressure is coming from a number of sources.There are questions about security. There are questions about the expansionary fiscal position for 2012 and, of course, there are the international issues.”

The CBN broke its target of keeping the naira within three per cent above or below 150 to the US dollar again yesterday, after breaching the band for the first time last week, further deepening the naira’s decline.

CBN sold $400 million at 155.40 at the bi-weekly auction yesterday, short of the $685.37 million demand. The local currency was trading at N162.25 to the dollar in the interbank market, it weakest ever, following Sanusi’s comments.

By pumping dollars into the system the CBN is dipping into Nigeria’s foreign reserves, which are built up through the sale of its crude oil. Any dip in oil prices due to a slowdown

in global economic growth could put pressure on the CBN to stop using oil savings to support the naira.

Foreign exchange reserves fell to $31.7 billion by end-September, the lowest in 13 weeks.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said earlier this year that the naira was overvalued and that a more flexible approach to currency control would cushion external shocks to the Nigerian economy.

Sanusi has said a stable exchange rate is crucial for maintaining price stability and attracting foreign investment and CBN has been raising interest rates for more than a year to curb high inflation and support the naira.

The CBN governor said further monetary steps would be taken because of concerns over the euro zone debt crisis and expanding public spending, which he has highlighted as a problem since his arrival as CBN gover-

nor.

The Federal Government announced a 2012 fiscal strategy this week, which has been put before lawmakers, raising overall spending and assuming ambitious oil output of almost 2.5 million barrels per day (bpd) and a benchmark price of $75 dollars.

The fiscal plans also said fuel subsidies would be removed next year, a policy likely to put upward pressure on inflation in the near-term but something advocated by Sanusi.

“If we got an expansionary fiscal policy, combined with structural bottlenecks and we are just coming out of an accommodative monetary stances coming out of banking crisis you would expect the currency to come under pressure,” he said.

“In the short term, we will take some monetary measures, we will try to avoid administrative measures and we will try to avoid certainly any kind of capital controls.”

The last of nine banks rescued in a $4 billion 2009 bailout got recapitalisation approval last week, bringing to a close a reform programme set-up two years ago to end the country’s banking crisis.

Fed Govt sacks four FAAN directors

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HE transformation agenda of government to cleanse the aviation sector continued yesterday with the sack of four directors from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN).

The affected directors are four out of the six in FAAN. They include Ajakaiye Adeniyi, Administration; Mohammed Bello, Environment, and the two female directors: Ms Grace Etomi, Commercial and Business Development and Dr Azuka Onyia, Finance and Accounts.

The two directors - Wendell Emeka Ogunedo ( Security Services), and Saleh Dunoma( Airport Safety and Engineering Services) were retained.

• Anxiety grips aviation workers

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor, Aviation Correspondent

No replacement was announced for the sacked directors - causing palpable tension among the general managers that more senior personnel could be sacked.

According to sources, the impending sack expected to hit the staff of some of the agencies where there is over bloated staff stemmed from the presidential approval granted the Minister of Aviation, Mrs Stella OduahOgiemwonyi, to carry out major restructuring of the sector for enhanced efficiency and safety.

The source the restructuring is coming on the heels of the performance indicator index carried out by the Ministry of Aviation to ascertain the calibre of personnel expected to execute the agenda of government.

At the FAAN headquarters yesterday, anxiety rented the air, as staff gathered to discuss the consequence of the sack of the industry chiefs, which was received with mixed reactions.

A source hinted that plans are afoot to recruit experts with private sector background into the industry to change the face of the industry, even as the government is considering

how to turn around the aviation sector for enhanced productivity and efficiency.

In some of the aviation agencies where many general managers were appointed by some former ministers, the government, it was learnt, may review some of the appointments, in areas where it appears there is either duplication or overlapping of functions.

On Tuesday, the Federal Government sacked the managing director of FAAN, Mr Richard Aisuebeogun, his counterpart in Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Alhaji Ibrahin Auyo and Rector of Nigerian College of Aviation Technology ( NCAT), Captain Adebayo Araba.

ULTICHOICE has announced the ap pointment of Mr John Ugbe as Managing Director of MultiChoice Nigeria effective from November this year.

This appointment, according to a statement, marks the first Nigerian executive to be appointed to this senior position.

Chairman of MultiChoice Nigeria Adewunmi Ogunsanya said: “We believe that John is an experienced executive, who will be able to lead the company into a new period of growth and expansion.As technology evolves, the traditional pay television modelis changing and the industry isbecoming more complex.

“Just over 15 years ago we set out to deliver the best home television entertainment in Nigeria – our mission now is to deliver the best digital entertainment and information any time, on any platform and anywhere in Nigeria. Hence, we are delighted to have a candidate who has a solid understanding of technology as well as operations who will take MultiChoice Nigeria into the future.”

Acording to the statement, John joins MultiChoice from iWay Africa Nigeria with a wealth of experience and proven leadership skills in a number of different functional areas, he is also not newto the MultiChoice business having originally joined MultiChoice in 1998 as the IT manager.

• Ugbe

Bank of America faces fraud claims

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ANK of America Corp.

(BAC) should face fraud proceedings after its Countrywide unit submitted faulty data to back up claims for reimbursement on federally insured mortgages, according to an audit by a United States watchdog.

Half of 14 loans reviewed had “material underwriting deficiencies” concerning borrowers that resulted in more than $720,000 in losses, according to a September 30 report from the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s inspector general. Kelly Anderson, a HUD regional inspector general, recommended the agency pursue legal remedies against Charlotte, North Carolina-based Bank of America, the biggest US lender.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

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

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Editor

ter, which the final phase involving the last seven banks (FirstBank, Wema Bank, Unity Bank, Oceanic Bank, Intercontinental Bank, Equitorial Trust Bank and Union Bank) is expected to take off.

The three nationalised banks (Keystone, Mainstream and Enterprise) are excluded because they are new in the system.

In banking parlance, special or target examinations are meant for a specific purpose.

Other types include routine examination, which is conducted once a year by the CBN in collaboration with the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and maiden examination, which is conducted six months after a new bank has been established.

The examination, it was learnt, is to enable the banking watchdog to authenticate the huge demands by banks at the foreign exchange market where the apex bank has continued to defend the naira with the country’s foreign exchange, which stood at $31.7 billion by end-September, the lowest in 13 weeks.

The naira, which is exchanged at

N154.60 per dollar at the official market as against N148.18 at the beginning of this year, has lost N6.42 or 4.33 per cent of its value.

It has also depreciated by N11.80 or 7.65 per cent at the black market, where it trades at N166 per dollar as against N154.20 to a dollar in January.

The consistent rise in forex demand, and increased spread between the official and parallel markets, according to experts, raise the risk of “round-tripping”, sourcing official funds for onward sales at the parallel market.

Between January and now, the CBN has funded the forex market with about $22billion, which analysts say cannot be sustained if the huge demands persist at the official forex market.

Confirming the examination, a top official of the CBN said although no specific bank has been identified as engaging in arbitrage, “the outrageous demands at the forex market” suggests that there is a problem.

“We cannot continue to defend the naira with the country’s foreign reserves. This cannot be sustained.

By Yinka Aderibigbe

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We really need to investigate where these spurious demands are coming from to save the economy,” he said.

The CBN broke its target of keeping the naira within three per cent above or below 150 to the US dollar again on yesterday, after breaching the band for the first time last week, further deepening the naira’s decline.

CBN sold $400 million at 155.40 at the bi-weekly auction yesterday, short of the $685.37 million demand. The local currency was trading at N162.25 to the dollar in the interbank market, it weakest ever, following Sanusi’s comments.

By pumping dollars into the system the CBN is dipping into Nigeria’s foreign reserves, which are built up through the sale of its crude oil. Any dip in oil prices due to a slowdown in global economic growth could put pressure on the CBN to stop using oil savings to support the naira.

At $31.7 billion as at the end of September, economists said the prospect of a strong recovery for Nigeria’s foreign reserves this year looks bleak.

‘Give financial incentive to the print industry’

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has started the second round of examination into the foreign exchange deals of seven commercial banks.

The apex bank, as exclusively reported by The Nation a month ago, named the first batch banks to be probed to include Stanbic IBTCBank, Standard Chartered Bank, Guaranty Bank, Zenith Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Citibank and Access Bank. They are the top foreign exchange players.

The seven banks that are being examined are First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Skye Bank, Equatorial Trust Bank (ETB), Diamond Bank, Fidelity Bank, Ecobank and Sterling Bank.

CBN’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr Abdulahi Mohammed, who confirmed the special examination, however, said it had not been established that any of these banks was round-tripping.

Round tripping means selling foreign exchange sourced from the CBN at the black market to make gains.

The examination, which commenced last Tuesday, would be completed within three weeks af-

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

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CBN in fresh probe of seven banks

• From left: Director, Regulation Monitoring, National Lottery Commission, Mr Tony Zita; Executive Director, Corporate Banking, Diamond Bank, Mr Uzoma Dozie and Group Head, Products and Propositions, Angela Okonmah, at the Diamond Bank’s savings xtra reward Independence draw in Lagos.

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NNPC, marketers trade blame over kerosene shortage

HE Nigerian National Petro leum Corporation (NNPC) has debunked claims by marketers of inadequate kerosene in circulation.

Group General Manager (Public Affairs) in NNPC, Dr Levi Ajuonuma, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos that complaints of scarcity of kerosene was baseless.

“The market is well supplied with kerosene and there is no need for members of the public to resort to panic buying. There is sufficient kerosene in circulation. The complaint by marketers is not true. The complaint is meant to cause panic

buying,” Ajuonuma said.

But some marketers told NAN that the 37 million litres of kerosene claimed to have been imported

by NNPC in May had been exhausted.

They said the product would be scare in every part of the country if NNPC fails to import more kerosene in the next few weeks.

Officials of some unions, who pleaded anonymity, appealed to the Federal Government to allow marketers import kerosene.

They said importation of kero-

sene by marketers would check scarcity as it was the case with petrol.

The marketers said the price of kerosene was high because NNPC was selling to them above the regulated price.

They said the price of the product would drop drastically if marketers were allowed to import the product.

A check by NAN in some filling stations in Lagos showed that kerosene now sells for between N95 and N120 per litre

‘Funding slows projects in Niger Basin Authority’

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HE Minster of Water Re sources, Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe, has lamented the non-payment of dues by member states of Niger Basin Authorities (NBA), saying the development is slowing the pace of project implementation in the areas.

There is the need to be more responsive in terms of financial commitments. Already, member states have resolved to impose sanction on errant member states that refuse to pay their contribution towards funding of investment projects in the NBA. In a statement by the Assistant Di-

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

rector, Press, Mrs. Modupe Ogundaro, the NBA project performance has been rated below 50 per cent due to non-payment of dues by member countries, resulting in inadequate funding.

She said: “The adoption of Annex 1 of the NBA charter on the protection of the environment around the NBA would have a critical impact on Nigeria. The charter would address the problems of water sanitation, water pollution, land degradation, ecosystem as well as the settlement of the

population around the Niger Basins.

“This critical problems need to be addressed so as to make the waterways safe and also to save the people living around the Niger Basin,” she stressed.

Also speaking, the Chadian Head of Government and Prime Minister, Idriss Deby Itno, who was represented by the Foreign Affairs and Integration Minister, Moussa Faki Mahamat, reiterated the importance of sustaining the achievements of the NBA to gain the trust of the technical and financial partners specifically to support NBA in achieving her mission.

HE Federal Government and financial institutions have been called upon to give more policy backing and financial incentives to the nation’s print industry.

The Managing Director of Trade Fair Services Ltd., Mr Augustus Itua, whose firm represents Messe Dusseldorf, the organiser of the global printing trade fair, Drupa, in Germany, said for the printing industry in the country to catch up with the global trend, there is the need for better funding or easier access to credit for local operators.

Itua said: “Our local operators can not compete with their global competitors; they are far behind, even though they are trying their best, but they need support from the government and the banks. They need easier access to finance. If this is provided, people with ideas can acquire new modern technology and we can see an end of the old technologies that most of them are still using in this part. It is sad but true that many printers in this country are still using machines which manufacturers have stopped producing.”

Fed Govt tasks mining firms on CSR From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

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HE Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Musa Sada, has urged mining firms to live up to their social responsibilities by ensuring that peace reigns in their host communities.

Sada, who spoke during an oversight visit to a mining company, Royal Salt Nigeria Limited, at Enyiba in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, said the solid mineral endowments in the country are to be explored and exploited for the benefits of all.

Managing Director, Royal Salt Nigeria Limited, Sunil Pillai, thanked the Minister for the visit and assured that the company would abide by its Community Development Agreement with its host communities.

Royal Salt Nigeria Limited is mining Lead/Zinc in Ebonyi State. It is engaged in mining in seven states across the country.

Also, Sada has directed the Nigeria Coal Corporation to furnish him with a comprehensive review of the privatisation of the establishment.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

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THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

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INDUSTRY ECOWAS economy to grow by 6.4%

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HILE most economic blocs of the world are suffering from the slow recovery of the global economy, the President of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Ambassador Victor Gbeho has said that the region is benefiting from the slow recovery.

Gbeho said this at the closing ceremony of the 2011 Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament held in Abuja.

He said that ECOWAS Member States have experienced increase demands for raw materials which are abundant in the region and the mainstay of their economies.

“Nigeria has witnessed high prices in crude oil; Cote d’Ivoire has recorded increased prices for its major income, which is coffee and same as Ghana, that exports gold. While global economy is projected to grow by 4 per cent in both 2011 and 2012, economic growth in West Africa is projected to grow by 6.4 per cent in 2011,” he said.

•From left: Representative of the Diamond and Steel, Mr David Ajao, Indonesian Ambassador, Mr Sudirman Haseng, President, NACCIMA, Dr Ademola Ajayi, Indonesia Vice-Minister of Trade, Mr Mahendra Siragar, MD/CEO, Emzor Pharmaceuticals Limited, Mrs Stella Okoli, MD, Iluminaira Limited, Mrs Chichi Abba Gana and Public Relations Manager, Indonesia Trade Promotion Centre, Mrs Isioma Fidel-Ewarem, at a meeting in Lagos.

Fed Govt, firm to establish N10b auto plant

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HE Federal Government and BMG of Turkey plans to establish a N10 billion auto assembly plant.

The Minister of State for Trade and Investment,Mr. Samuel Ortom made the request on behalf of the government when the management of the local and foreign firms , led by its Chairman, Dr. Bawa Garuba, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

Ortom appealed to the investors to establish an assembly plant and auto cluster that will help the sector in the country, adding that the country was blessed with natural resources, capacity and all that was necessary to make her an industrialised nation.

He said the government was deeply concerned about the auto in-

•Woos Japanese investors in power sector

By Toba Agboola

dustry which had led to meeting with the stakeholders to transform the sector.

“We have come up with position papers on how to improve the sector and we are presenting a memo to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for consideration.

“We cannot be talking of attracting investors to Nigeria when we cannot manage those already on ground. We are going to ensure we provide enabling environment for auto industry to be revived in the country because we have the poten-

tial of attracting more companies to the sector,” he said.

The Minister stressed that government was ready to partner with them to ensure that their investment is secured to provide job opportunities and wealth to our teeming youth.

The chairman of ABG group, Dr. Bawa Garuba stated that he was partnering with BMC of Turkey to facilitate the establishment of auto assembly plant in Nigeria and the group would invest about N10 billion in the country to create 400 direct employment and 2,500 indirect employment in the auto sector.

In a related event, the Nigeria In-

vestment Promotion Commission (NIPC) has expressed its readiness to partner with the members of Association of African Economy and Development in Japan (AFRECO) in its quest to invest in the power sector of the economy.

Speaking in Abuja while playing host to the President and members of Association of African Economy and Development in Japan (AFRECO), the Executive Secretary of NIIPC, Mr Mustafa Bello, an engineer, urged the group to come quickly and give the power sector a facelift.

President, AFRECO, Mr. Tetsuro

Nigeria, Indonesia trade hits $1.5b

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HE Vice-Minister of Trade, Republic of Indonesia, Mr Mahendra Siregar has said the volume of trade between Nigeria and Indonesia is $1.5 billion.

He said this at a meeting with business owners from both countries in Lagos. He said the lesson learnt from the global credit crisis is for countries to diversify their investments.

Siregar said balance of trade is more favourable to Nigeria than Indonesia as the country exported more to Indonesia than the other way round, since trade between both countries is centered on oil.

He said Indonesia wants to diversify its economic base and is looking to different areas of the economy to invest into.

He said: “We want to grow as many

By Ajose Sehindemi

sectors as possible as it will make the economy more resilient in the face of economic crisis as over reliance on a sector is dangerous and from our experience, it is dangerous, to rely on a few sectors as that is the lesson learnt from the global crisis and it is a lesson for all developing countries.”

The Minister, who is also the ViceChairman of the G20, said the purpose of his visit to Nigeria was to promote more business relations and to ensure more Indonesian companies invest in the country.

He said he would meet with the government delegation in Abuja to structure a good framework at government level.

Lagos Chamber ready for fair

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HE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has reiterated its readiness for this years trade fair by declaring that all is set for the fair would be the best and deliver value to all stakeholders This was disclosed by the Chairman of the Trade Promotion Board,Alhaji Remi Bello, at a briefing held to intimate the media on progress made in hosting the fair.

Bello said compared to last year,over 100 per cent increase in space booking has been recorded, being over 20,000 square meters of space and by the end of October, the target of 35,000 square metres would have been attained.

He said the theme of the fair ‘Increasing Competitiveness of Nigerian Products in the Global Market’ is an indication of the Chambers readiness to motivate public-

Yano said he was optimistic that within the shortest period, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will outgrow that of South Africa and some other countries in the world.

He, however, said the Nigeria still needs to do more in the area of public awareness and public relations to prospective investors because of the negative reports about the country abroad.

He said: “Power generation is necessary because there is a wide gap between demand and supply. Japan has comparative advantage in the power sector and that is why we have come to invest. I know within the shortest time, power supply will not only meet with the demand but will also exceed and whenever this happens, the prices would be forced to come down.”

By Toba Agboola and Ajose Sehindemi

private sector collaboration for the provision of an enabling business enviroment that will promote and encourage the industrial sector.

He said the fair will hold at the Lagos International Trade fair Complex, while collaborating with the concessionaire of the complex in renovating the complex and the nine exhibition halls to be used.

The fair will start on November 4 and close on November 15 while the 25th unbroken year of organising the fair will be celebrated.

Bello said the chamber recorded about $100 million worth of transactions during the 2010 Lagos International Trade Fair.

He said the volume of the transactions signified the importance of the fair to the nation’s economic development.

From left:: Corperate Affairs Manager, Total Nigeria Plc, Mrs Moyo Areola ; Deputy General Manager, Total Upstream Company Limited, Mrs Nkoyo Attah; Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Developement, Mrs Eunice Thomas; and General Manager, Strategy, Jeff Nnamani, at an event in Uyo.

Cement dealers, Dangote join forces to crash price

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EMENT dealers and distributors have agreed to cooperate with the management of Dangote Cement Plc to ensure the benefits of its product trickle down to the end users.

The dealers made the pledge during a facility tour of the plant.

Chairman of Ifelodun Dealers Association, Mr Lasisi Akanbi, who spoke on behalf of the dealers, expressed satisfaction at the level of commitment of the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote to meet local demand, stop importation of the and embark on exportation of cement.

By Ajose Sehindemi

The dealers and the distributors, who came under different associations, were surprised at the size of the plant which ranked among the largest in the world and which promises to produce additional six million metric tons of cement when it commences operations later this month.

“We will do everything by ensuring that the reduction of the price of cement in the wake of enough production for local demand, translate to cheaper cement by constantly monitoring the process of distribution and checkmate the activities of middle men whose roles in the distribution chain

of cement has often times accounted for skyrocketing price of the commodity,” Akanbi said The Cement Dealer pointed out that the decision to establish the Ibese cement factory was borne out of the nationalistic tendency of Alhaji Dangote, whom he said had always believed that Africans were the ones better placed to develop their continent and that Nigeria is the best place to invest in the world.

In his remark, the Managing Director of the Lagos Cement Terminal of Dangote Cement, Akin Adesokan thanked the dealers for their faith and steadfastness in the Dangote brand.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

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INDUSTRY Cocoa output to double by 2015

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OCOA production will double in the next four years, while wheat and rice imports are to fall as the nation strives to be more food self-sufficient, the Agriculture Minister Dr Akinwumi Adesina has said.

Nigeria, the world’s fourth-largest cocoa producer, has been having stagnant outputs over the decades due to poor infrastructure and focus on oil business, the mainstay of the economy.

Adesina said cocoa production would rise to 500,000 metric tonnes by 2015, from around 250,000 metric tonnes now, aided by improved infrastructure and financing.

“We need to get our farmers the right kind of cocoa seedlings, revamp our plantations and improve the quality of our cocoa that is supplied by our farm-

ers, that means that we must provide them with better fertilisers,” he told Reuters in Abuja.

“We have a programme with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) where we have leveraged from commercial banks N450 billion for lending to private sector, to farmers, fertiliser companies, food manufacturers.”

Previous agriculture ministries had promised to boost cocoa production above 500,000 metric tonnes but failed to deliver.

Agriculture contributed around 40 per cent of GDP last year and provides around 70 per cent of employment, according to the National Statistics Bureau.

However, the sector has been on the decline since the 1960s and Nigeria remains a net importer of food, while oil exports account for around 95 per cent of foreign exchange revenues.

Vitafoam donates computers to school

T •Yusuf inside the armoured car

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

Bombings: Govt urged to protect investors

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O ensure the protection of entrepreneurs and their investments, the Federal Government has been advised to invest on security.

This is especially so with the upsurge in bombings a safety specialist, Mr Bola Yusuf, has said.

Yusuf, Managing Director of Safety Vision Ltd, urged the government to improve security to address the concern of foreign investors. He spoke in an interview.

He spoke during a visit to The Nation to demonstrate the working of an armoured car which could be used in strengthening security.

Yusuf advocated the creation of a robust national security programme, and the monitoring of threats to civil infrastructure.

The government, Yusuf said, must be in tune with the security system it uses.

Measures, he said, must be

By Daniel Essiet

taken to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure against domestic and foreign attacks and improve data security.

The recurring bombings, Yusuf said, demonstrate a need for increased cooperation and collaboration among the security agencies.

‘These vehicles have capabilities to cope with emerging security issues and can boost the overall security posture of the government’

To complement the government’s efforts, Yusuf said, his organisation has acquired special security vehicles fitted with gadgets to provide closer oversight over potential weaknesses that could be exploited by terrorists.

The vehicles, he said, would enable the police and other security agencies to respond swiftly to security breaches.

‘These vehicles have capabilities to cope with emerging security issues and can boost the overall security posture of the government.

With the vehicles, the government, he said, could win the war against crime by giving criminals a hard time.

Yusuf said the vehicles, which will be linked to call centres, would enable the government to handle threats and emergencies nationwide.

The vehicles, he said, are fitted with 360 degree CCTV surveillance cameras.

Akwa Ibom to revive ailing industries

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HE Akwa Ibom State Government will revive some of its ailing industries, Governor Godwill Akpabio has said.

He said a team of technical experts are in due in the state to help in the reactivation of the industries.

Akpabio speaking in Uyo, the state capital said: ‘’A team of people is coming to reactivate the ailing industries… We are going to commission the Gas Processing Plant in Esit-Eket.

“It will be better when eventually we can create employment oppportunites for our children. We need to have industries working in the state.

“We need to take a lot of of children off the streets which is a major concern that I have.

With your prayers, I am sure we

can turn things round.’’

He said the planned resuscitation is aimed at creating employment opportunities for youths.

On the award given him by the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, the Governor said: “I thank the Akwa Ibom people for giving me the opportunity to win this award which is attributed to the Akwa Ibom children and people. It is a total turn around for the Akwa Ibom people.’

“It is a great pride for the Akwa Ibom child. But for me, award or no award, I feel very challenged for the support of Akwa Ibom people.

“The fact that the people have overwhelmingly stood by me from 2007 till date, remains a basic challenge for me to do

‘It is a great pride for Akwa Ibom child. But for me, award or no award, I feel very challenged for the support of Akwa Ibom people’

more for Akwa Ibom people to regain their confidence. I have to redouble my efforts for government by working harder than the last four years.

“And this is the time to prove it by industrialising the state and must complete and turn Akwa Ibom into a destination model so that whenever an Akwa Ibom child comes home, he comes home with pride and brings friends from far and wide. I think together, we can achieve that.”

HE bedrock of economic development of any nation today is education and information technology. We recognise this, and that is why we are making this donation.”

These were the words of the Managing Director of Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Dr. Dele Makanjuola, while presenting 10 sets of computer systems to St. Anne’s Junior School III, Ibadan.

Makanjuola, who was represented at the event by Head, Human Resources of the company, Mr Akin Oladiran, said: “We cannot be seen as a developed nation if human capital are not developed, because, a talent that is not trained will expire.

“This is a gap that we have identified and that must be bridged. Therefore, we are using this occasion as a means towards development.”

The school Principal, Mrs. O. Beckley, while appreciating the gesture said the need for more practical computer knowledge in the school prompted her to write to many corporate organisations, but only

Vitafoam Nigeria Plc responded.

Her words: “In the 35 years existence of the School we have achieved a lot, but we wanted our students to have practical knowledge of how to use computers. “ This prompted us to write to many organisations, including Vitafoam, for assistance. I was surprised when I received a call from Vitafoam and I thank God and the management of the company for making this possible.”

She asked other companies to emulate Vitafoam and promised that the school will make good use of the computer systems.

The Senior Prefect of the school, Miss Susan Adelola, also thanked the company for meeting their needs.

Vitafoam said the donation is part of its CSR policy aimed at ensuring that people, especially the youth are empowered. Other areas include mentoring of over 40 Industrial Training students employed by the company annually.

EU services, manufacturing drop

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URO-area services and manu facturing output shrank for the first time in more than two years in September as the region’s worsening debt crisis added to concerns that the economy could slide back into a recession, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.

A composite index based on a survey of purchasing managers in both industries fell below 50, indicating contraction, for the first time since July 2009, London-based Markit Economics said in an initial estimate.

The index fell to 49.2 in September from 50.7 in August, a deeper slide than the drop to 49.8 that economists had forecast, according to the median of 17 estimates in a Bloomberg survey.

Europe’s economy is cooling as governments struggle to restore investor confidence in their ability to prevent a Greek default and stop the crisis from spreading.

Spanish and Italian government bond yields have surged to euro-era records and Euro- area economic

confidence slumped in August, leaving companies such as Daimler AG reliant on faster-growing markets.

An economist at ING Groep NV in Amsterdam, Martin van Vliet, said, ‘‘The figures make grim reading and raise the specter of a renewed economic downturn. With ongoing fiscal austerity and political leaders still way behind the curve in terms of resolving the debt crisis, we cannot dismiss the risk of a full-blown recession.”

The euro was lower against the dollar after the data, trading at $1.3475 at 11.18am in Frankfurt, down 0.9 by per cent on the day.

The Euro-area services indicator fell to 49.1 this september from 51.5 in August, Markit said. The manufacturing gauge decreased to 48.4 from 49. Both indexes dropped more than economists had forecast. In Germany, a gauge of manufacturing output declined to 50 from 50.9 in August, while the French indicator fell to 47.3 from 49.1 in the previous month.

Winners emerge in Raid promo

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WO star prize winners have emerged in the just concluded Raid Big Bang promo organised by Johnson Wax Nigeria Limited , makers of Worlds’ No 1 insecticide.

The winners are Mr Joseph Okolo, an Enugu based trader and Mr Arinze Ngene, an apprentice in Lagos.

They went home with a brand new Toyota Corolla car each At the presentation ceremony, the Country Manager of Johnson Wax Nigeria Limited, Mr. Husain Jafar said: “ As a responsible company we are

committed to conducting our business with every sense of integrity and transparency.”

This promotion was primarily organised to reward our loyal consumers and this presentation is, therefore, a fulfillment of a promise made to the consumers.

Mr Okolo, who was full of joy and thanks to God and Johnson Wax, said: “I am very happy to be given the opportunity to own a car.

God will continue to help this company.”

Also, an excited Mr Ngene, prayed that, “God will continue to support the company to grow

its fortunes and the enablement to do even more in the future.

Director of Sales, Mr Afeez Ajibowu, in his remarks, thanked the consumers that participated in the promotion for their loyalty to Raid, and advised winners of other prizes to visit the regional offices of the company to collect their prizes. Other prizes won include 30 refrigerators, 80 home theatres, 100 table gas cookers and 2,000 branded T-shirts.

The promo, which started in March this year, ended in June. All prizes were won at the national draw held in Lagos in August.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

17

NEWS Dokpesi denies owing Fidelity Bank N7.5b

B

USINESSMAN and media owner Raymond Dokpesi has denied claims by one of his bankers, Fidelity Bank Plc, that he owes the bank about N7.524 billion.

He said he only owes Fidelity Bank about N3 billion.

The chairman of Daar Communications also challenged four suits brought against him at the Federal High Court, Lagos, by the bank, as part of measures to recover the purported debt.

Dokpesi, in his preliminary objections, said the bank abused the legal process by going to the Federal High Court in Lagos when the matter was already in an Abuja High Court.

Dokpesi was sued with two of his companies – Daar Communications Plc and Baldok Shipping Lines Limited.

He also challenged the competence of the suits and the court’s jurisdiction to hear them.

Dokpesi argued that since the facts and figures in the case were in dispute, the case ought not to have begun by means of originating summons.

He further argued that the court cannot hear the case be-

Govt to launch job creation scheme

T

HE Federal Government has said it would launch a job creation scheme to enable young people with knowledge and capacity to employ other young people.

President Goodluck Jonathan spoke while hosting Mrs Helen Clark, Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), at the State House, Abuja.

“We are going to launch a programme to enable young people create jobs for other young people.

“Instead of government creating 100 jobs, we will encourage those hundreds to create enterprises and employ other young people, thereby multiplying the jobs,” he said.

The President appealed to the UNDP to “robustly assist Nigeria in this programme, aimed at providing jobs for the young people.”

He informed Clark that by November, Nigeria’s population would rise to 166 million, with 50 per cent under 35 years of age.

Jonathan said he appointed private sector operators into the Economic Management Team in recognition of the crucial role the sector played in the provision of employment.

He pledged Nigeria’s willingness to partner the UNDP in national development.

The President also condoled with the UN family over the bomb blast at the UN House in Abuja.

Clark had told the President that she came to Nigeria to offer the world body’s support “for your vision to transform Nigeria”.

She said the UNDP was determined to add value and expertise to the Federal Government’s effort to tackle health, environment, poverty reduction, climate change, agriculture and women’s development.

Merchant Navy Corps is illegal, says Fed Govt

By Eric Ikhilae

cause the disputed debt, which formed the cause of action, arose in the course of a banker-customer relationship.

He urged the court to dismiss the suits, describing the plaintiff as a contemnor who could not be heard by the court, having allegedly disobeyed a valid and subsisting order made by the Abuja court.

Daar Communications’ Company Secretary Ayo Ogundele averred in a supporting affidavit that the court in Abuja had, on December 22, last year, ordered the bank to defreeze accounts belonging to the companies and Dokpesi which were earlier frozen on its order.

He added that the court also restrained the bank from selling or appointing a receiver manager over the companies’ floating and fixed assets pending the determination of the motions before it.

Ogundele said rather than obey the orders, the bank came to Lagos to commence the new set of cases which include a bankruptcy proceedings against Dokpesi and another seeking to wind up Daar

T •Dokpesi

Communications.

Yesterday, lawyers to Dokpesi, Chris Uche (SAN), Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Okechukwu Opara, informed the court about the preliminary objections they filed, which sought to dismiss the suits. They said though the plaintiff has responded by filing counter affidavits, they needed time to reply on points of law.

Dokpesi counsel opposed a suggestion by lawyer to Fidelity Bank Joseph Nwobike (SAN) that the substantive suits be consolidated with the objections and heard together.

Ozekhome stated that it was improper to hear the suit with the objections because the disputes over the facts in the case could not be resolved solely by documentary evidence.

PUBLIC NOTICE MUSLIM UMMAH OF SOUTH WEST NIGERIA CARE GIVERS SOCIETY This is to notify the general public that the above named Society is in the process of applying to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1.Prof. Dawud Olatokunbo Noibi, 4.Prof. Muheez Alani Durosinmi 2. Prof. Lateef Akinola Salak 5.Alhaja Moridiya Omolara Adeyemo 3. Mrs. Radhiyat Aramide Labinjo AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND SENSITIZATION ABOUT DISEASES, IGNORANCE AND SQUALOR AMONG THE SOUTH WEST MUSLIMS POPULATION OF NIGERIA 2. TO PROPOSE PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS TO FOSTER BEHAVIOR CHANGE AS AN IMPORTANT MEANS OF CONTROLLING DISEASES. 3. TO IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE BY SOUTH WEST MUSLIMS OF THE PRINCIPLE THAT ALL MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PREVENTION OF DISEASES, TRANSMISSION AND PROVISION OF CARE AND SUPPORT FOR THOSE INFECTED AND AFFECTED. 4. TO INITIATE PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS TO EXPLORE AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO CARE AND SUPPORT FOR SOUTH WEST MUSLIMS INFECTED AND AFFECTED

BY DISEASES AND TO EMPOWER THEM THROUGH TRAINING, COUNSELING AND EDUCATION TO COPE WITH THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES. 5. TO DEVELOP AND PROPOSE PREVENTION PROGRAMMES TARGETED AT VULNERABLE GROUPS SUCH AS WOMEN, CHILDREN AND MIGRANT LABOUR. 6. TO INSTITUTE THE PROCESS OF COMPLETE ERADICATION OF DISEASES, IGNORANCE AND SQUALOR AMONG SOUTH WEST MUSLIMS OF NIGERIA. Any objection to the proposed registration must be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed Francis T. Akinlotan Probitas Partners 70, Queens Street, Off Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba, Lagos.

HE Federal Government has told a Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, that the Nigerian Merchant Navy Corps has been operating illegally in the country.

It said the corps, which claimed it was set up to safeguard the nation’s waterways, has no link with the Nigerian Navy.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo will rule on November 25 on the legal status of the corps’ operations.

Ninety-six members of the corps, led by Commodore Allen Edema, had sued the Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, Secretary to the Federal Government (SFG), Anyim Pius Anyim, and Yemisi Kefas.

They sought an enforcement of their fundamental human rights.

According to them, they were forcefully evicted from

By Joseph Jibueze

their 6, Force Road, Onikan, Lagos, office, by police officers purportedly acting on the government instructions, through Kefas.

They urged the court to declare their eviction as unconstitutional, and a violation of sections 34, 35, 36, 40 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee their freedom of association.

“This organisation is not illegal. There is already a Bill before the National Assembly, which has passed through the first reading, for its establishment.

“The sealing up of the applicants’ premises, the seizure of their property and threat of further harassment and intimidation by the respondents are a misconception of the law,” their lawyer, Mr Spencer Ohwofa, argued.

The applicants prayed the court to grant their application to enable them continue with their duties of safeguarding the nation’s waterways.

But counsel to the SGF Mr Kameos Omosivwe argued that the Corps is an illegal organisation, with no link to the Navy.

“These people are trespassers on that property and they don’t have locus to bring this action. I hereby urge the court to dismiss the application for lack of merit,” he said.

Kefas alleged that the organisation is operating illegally and is not recognised by any law or registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

The defendant added that the Corps has no relationship with either the Navy or the Nigerian Maritime Administration Safety Agency (NIMASA).

18

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

NEWS

•Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. Bilonda Vetheyen presenting his letter of credence to President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja

•German Ambassador to Nigeria Dorothee Janetzkel-Wenzel presenting her letter to President Jonathan

•Rwandan Ambassaor to Nigeria Joseph Habineza shakes hands with President Jonathan after presenting his letter

•Provost Marshall, Nigerian Army, Major Gen. YD Pyeng(left) decorating the Col. Abdullahi Isahq with his new rank in Abuja...on Tuesday. Assisting him is the Colonel’s wife Muibat

•Founder, FATE Foundation Mr. Fola Adeola addressing the 2011 •From left: Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Chief Judge Justice Olatokunbo Oduyinka Olopade, Secretary to the FATE foundation Assembly, in Lagos State Government Adeoluwa Taiwo and Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Wemimo Ogunde (SAN) at the special church service to mark the 2011/2012 Legal Year at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta

•Ekiti State Deputy Governor Mrs. Funmi Olayinka receiving a gift from the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Revd. Nicholas Okoh (with microphone), and Chairman, Planning Committee of the 10th General Synod of Lagos West, Mr. Olutoyin Okeowo, at the Gala Night marking the close of the synod in Lagos

•Ekiti State Commissioner for Education,Science & Technology, Dr Eniola Ajayi addressing reporters at news conference to mark the World Teachers’ Day, yesterday in Ado-Ekiti. With her are Chairman, Teaching Service Commission, Chief Bayo Adeniran (right) and Director, Finance and Admin in the Ministry of Education Mrs Akindele Oladele PHOTOS: JOHN EBHOTA, AKIN OLADOKUN AND ABAYOMI FAYESE

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOMBER 6, 2011

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Restructuring fever?

•Two governors re-energise debate

T

HE gospel of restructuring, first spread by the late Alao AkaBashorun in the late 1980s as the imperative for a Nigerian national conference, seems to be winning new converts. The late Mr. Aka-Bashorun was president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Gen. Ibrahim Babangida was self-appointed “military president”, who decreed that everything about Nigeria was settled. He even cranked out some “no go” areas in public discourse!

Well, things have turned full circle. Even Gen. Babangida himself has announced that he is convinced of the imperative for state police, fiscal federalism and the junking of federal character, three areas the general would not even contemplate, talk less of debate, in his imperial days as “military president”.

But aside from Gen. Babangida, a lot of other Nigerians in the power elite have

‘Still, it is worrying that the only person yet to be convinced about the urgency of restructuring to reinvent Nigeria is President Goodluck Jonathan himself.

Else, he would not be talking of a seven-year un-renewable presidential tenure ...

President Jonathan must learn from the Saul-turn-to-Paul conversion of Gen. Babangida on the restructuring question’

since voted for restructuring. Among the latest converts are Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi and his Jigawa State counterpart, Alhaji Sule Lamido.

This duo’s endorsement is instructive, for both represent tendencies that would normally oppose any restructuring, insisting on the inviolability of Nigeria as it presently is, warts and all. Alhaji Lamido’s Jigawa belongs to the North West, the geo-political zone that has enjoyed privileges of power, perhaps more than any other zone in the country.

Mr. Obi’s South-East, for reasons of postCivil War real-politik, has always aligned with the power brokers of the North and perhaps the dominant strand in South-South, on maintaining the Nigerian status quo, despite its clear socio-economic perils.

What might then have led to a change of heart, assuming both Mr. Obi and Alhaji Lamido indeed represent the conservative political strand just described? It is clearly because, at least in our own opinion, Nigeria as presently constituted is an unworkable economic entity. Now, if the economy cannot deliver on development and prosperity, the polity is clearly endangered. If that is so, the plums that keep the political elite happy and merry are also endangered.

And the political elite itself? A clear endangered species!

It might be too cynical to posit that restructuring gets converts only when the benefiting power elite sense trouble. But it is fair comment to hold that enlightened self-interest is driving the new-found popularity of restructuring. That is just as well!

Still, whatever the motive, it is good more and more people are coming round

to the idea that Nigeria needs to restructure – and fast. As both Governors Obi and Lamido are members of the influential Nigeria Governors Forum (GF) and the National Council of State (NCS), they will do well to build a consensus for restructuring in these two bodies.

Equally important, both governors belong to different political parties – Obi belongs to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Lamido to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the federal ruling party. Both should sell the idea in their two parties, and develop such critical mass that restructuring would start featuring as campaign issues – if it is not done before the general elections of 2015.

Still, it is worrying that the only person yet to be convinced about the urgency of restructuring to reinvent Nigeria is President Goodluck Jonathan himself.

Else, he would not be talking of a sevenyear un-renewable presidential tenure.

Clearly, the president’s new proposals are based on the premise of sharing, which has led Nigeria to near perdition in 51 years of flag independence. But a new reinvented Nigeria must push different parts of the country to start baking; and to eat from the sweat of their brow, rather than expecting corrupt manna from a wayward and unaccountable centre.

If that is done, and done well, the mad rush to make easy money at the centre would disappear – and the president’s premise of managing that mad rush with it.

President Jonathan must learn from the Saul-turn-to-Paul conversion of Gen. Babangida on the restructuring question.

Cheery news, but…

• Resumption of haulage by NRC is commendable. It must however modernise

F

ROM the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) came the cheery news that it has resumed haulage services suspended due to washouts in some parts of the country and other domestic challenges. The new deal involves the corporation and Lafarge Cement Company Plc based in Ewekoro, Ogun State. Under the arrangement, NRC is to move about 750 metric tonnes of cement weekly from the company’s factory to Ibadan, Oyo State in only 20 wagons. This is aside the 450 metric tonnes per week being moved by the corporation from Ewekoro to Ijoko and Agege.

This is a significant step in the operations of the NRC, one of the country’s ‘sick babies’ due to its inability to reform and keep pace with modern developments in the railway business.

This is sad in that the railways used to be one of the best places to work in the country a few decades back. Its workers were respected almost the same way as people respect workers in some blue chip companies today. Unfortunately, it did not take long for it to collapse like most other government establishments due to managerial and other constraints. Before long, its retirees soon joined the league of pensioners in government establishments who have to collapse on queues while waiting to collect their pensions.

We hope however that this time around, the resumption of freight haulage by the

corporation has come to stay. We also hope it would be the beginning of even better news to come from the corporation.

So much money has been spent trying to put it back on its feet and the only way to ensure that this does not go down the drain is to return the corporation to the path of profitability and respectability.

Without doubt, freight haulage holds the ace in this regard.

There is so much money to make from the haulage business. Apart from cement, the corporation also has the capacity to lift fuel from one part of the country to another. Indeed, it had an arrangement with a major oil company for freighting of its products before the route experienced washout early in the year. At least two other oil firms had indicated interest in having deals with the corporation for the same purpose.

Rail haulage is expected to have salutary effects on our roads. First, it would reduce the traffic gridlocks on some of the major roads, like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, caused by heavy articulated vehicles and as well ease the stress faced by commuters on the roads. Effectively, the new arrangement has taken 25 trailers that would have been hired to take the consignment from Ewekoro to Ibadan off the road. This comes with the added advantage of relieving the roads of the weights of such articulated vehicles and ultimately increases the life- span of the roads. It will also lead to reduction in road accidents. Moreover, since rail

transportation is cheaper than road transportation, it is expected that the price of cement will also come down to reflect the reduction in the cost of production and movement of the product from the producers to the endusers.

But whatever the NRC realises from its present haulage business will pale into insignificance when compared with what it would have made if it had modernised. Ultimately, the way to go is for the corporation to overhaul its operations. Railways hold great potential for economic development and integration. So, the NRC should not be contented with the token it is making from its present mono rail system; it should join the rest of the world in the fast train business.

‘But whatever the NRC realises from its present haulage business will pale into insignificance when compared with what it would have made if the corporation had modernised ... So, the NRC should not be contented with the token it is making from its present mono rail system; it should join the rest of the world in the fast train business’

Alabama’s shame

O

NLY about 3.5 percent of Alabama’s population is foreign-born, according to the Census Bureau. Undocumented immigrants made up roughly 4.2 percent of its work force in 2010, according to the Pew Hispanic Center. But the drafters of Alabama’s harsh immigration law wanted to turn their state into the country’s most hostile territory for illegal immigrants. They are succeeding, as many of Alabama’s most vulnerable residents can attest.

The law went into effect over the weekend, after being largely upheld by a federal district judge. Volunteers on an immigrant-rights group’s hot line said that since then they have received more than 1,000 calls from pregnant women afraid to go to the hospital, crime victims afraid to go the police, parents afraid to send their children to school.

School superintendents and principals across the state confirm that attendance of Hispanic children has dropped noticeably since the word went out that school officials are now required to check the immigration status of newly enrolled students and their parents.

That rule is part of the law’s sweeping attempt to curtail the rights and complicate the lives of people without papers, making them unable to enter contracts, find jobs, rent homes or access government services. In other words, to be isolated, unemployable, poor, defenseless and uneducated.

The education crackdown is particularly senseless and unconstitutional. In 1982, the Supreme Court found that all children living in the United States have the right to a public education, whatever their immigration status. The justices’ reasoning was shaped not by compassion but practicality: it does the country no good to perpetuate an uneducated underclass.

Officials in Alabama — some well meaning, others less so — insisted that nothing in the new law is intended to deny children an education.

School districts, they noted, are supposed to collect only numbers of children without papers, not names.

“I don’t know where the misinformation’s coming from,” Alabama’s interim state school superintendent, Larry Craven, told NPR. “If you have difficulty understanding the language anyway, then who knows what they’re being told?”

With comments like that, it’s not surprising that any of “them” would be frightened.

The Obama administration was right to sue to try to stop the Alabama law. It needs to press ahead with its appeal of the ruling and challenge similar laws in Utah, Georgia, Indiana and South Carolina.

President Obama needs to show stronger leadership in defending core American values in the face of the hostility that has overtaken Alabama and so many other states. He can start by scrapping the Secure Communities program, which encourages local immigration dragnets and reinforces the false notion that most undocumented immigrants pose a threat to this country’s security.

As for Alabama, one has to wonder at such counterproductive cruelty. Do Alabamans want children too frightened to go to school? Or pregnant women too frightened to seek care? Whom could that possibly benefit?

– New York Times

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

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•General Editor Kunle Fagbemi

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

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•Managing Editor Waheed Odusile •Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Group Political Editor Bolade Omonijo

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• Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOMBER 6, 2011

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

“BON VOYAGE”.

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IR: It has been said that no nation can develop beyond the level of its education. In other words, education is the livewire of any serious nation who aspire to attain the highest level of development. In Nigeria, One might not be too wrong in saying that the policy of the successive government in the country is that the goose that lays the developmental golden egg must be killed so that it does not turn around to criticize the misappropriation and looting of its resources. Or how else does one explain the continuous neglect of the education sector whereby students, who are the nation’s assets and bridge to the future, are made to bear the brunt of our government’s insensitivity while the lecturers and other workers, who train the future wealth of the country, are made to wallow in abject poverty?

This situation which began in 1978 under Obasanjo’s military regime has taken a very critical turn with detrimental implications on the quality of education. Right since 1978 when tuition and feeding fees were introduced and government got ensnared in crippling IMF/World Bank loans, the lots of education have gone from bad to worse. As a result of non-funding, Nigerian schools lack adequate and well-equipped facilities like modern libraries, laboratories, classrooms, hostels, portable water, constant power supply, etc. Schools are understaffed while morale is low among the existing staff due to poor welfare package and lack of necessary working tools.

In their bid to reverse this, ASUU, SSANU, NASU and NAAT succeeded in forcing the federal government to sign an agreement with

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Government must honour its agreement with ASUU them in October 2009. The agreement basically centres on funding.

But unfortunately since that time, the federal government has not deemed it fit to implement the agreement.

I call on the governments to accede to the demands of the striking universities workers and honour the agreement it willingly reached with the Unions in 2009. The government’s refusal to adequately fund education has created basis for the authorities of institutions to

S

impose various obnoxious charges and fees of the students. This has made education the exclusive preserve of children of the few rich, the privileged and treasury looters.

As ASUU and other staff unions along with the students are fighting for the proper funding of education, the sight must not lost on the fact that corruption and mismanagement is another phenomenon that compounded the crisis of the education sector. Therefore, we

must equally demand for democratic management of our institutions with the elected representatives of the students and academic and non-academic staff.

The need to form a united front is highlighted in the fact that university workers and students have become victims of state repression as a result of their genuine campaigning and demands for better wages and enabling academic environment. In fact, most institutions have not only found it difficult to in-

S

• Adewale Stephen Department of History, Part IV Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Attention: Governor Ibikunle Amosun

IR: Your victory in the 2011 gubernatorial election in Ogun is an attestation to the confidence and trust of the good people of Ogun State in you that you shall lead them to the promised land.

It is also our belief that you will use this God-given opportunity to improve the standard of living of the people and impact meaningfully on the lives of both the young and the old.

Having felt the impact of a new era of administration in Ogun State, I also read with keen interest in one of the national dailies the laudable programs executed during your 100 days in the office.

This write up is aimed to remind you of your promises made to the students, parents and the people of the State that you will address the issue of exorbitant school fees being paid in the State owned tertiary institutions – Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) and Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED).

For your information, Your Excellency, last year many parents and guardians could not afford to pay the fees levied by TASUED just as stated below: Non-refundable acceptance fee,#40,000; 100L: Indigene #79,600, Non-indigene #95,950; 200L:(Direct) Indigene, #79,600; Non-indigene, #95,950; Students in

200 – 500 levels paid between #57,000 and #67,000 per session.

What was the basis for the disparity in the fees of 100 level students and others?

In view of this development, many students that were offered admission in this institution forfeited their admission while those whose parents struggled to source for money and at the end of the session paid late were charged for late payment.

Similarly, the fees being paid by students studying at Olabisi Onabanjo University equally owned by Ogun State Government is just too much for an average Nigerian parent with the present eco-

A toddler at 51 IR: Nigeria, my beloved country, marked 51st year of attaining statehood on October 1, in a hushed tone and low key manner. It was done in a well-barricaded and highly-fortified enclosure, Aso Villa , which metaphorically signposted the imprisonment of Nigerian symbol of authority and destiny due to the embarrassingly awe-striking threats from both the Boko Haram and Niger Delta-based militia, MEND and the critical security challenges facing the nation.

Strangely and ridiculously, the federal government scurried to the cocoon of Aso Rock for safety from

crease their school fees astronomically but have also elected to suspend and victimize those students activist who make any meaningful attempt to criticize them. This prevalence among others is not accidental but a historically premeditated and calculated attempt at breaking the defenses of any vibrant structure that can possibly protect the interest of the working class. This experience is not limited to the schools alone. The governments at all level of the public service have refused to implement the #18,000 minimum wage which only amount to a meager #600 per day while the disconcerted workers are being threatened with massive retrenchment!

the scare of outlaws. The destiny of Nigerians is now in the hands of clueless awe-struck and terrorobliging handlers. What a sorry state of the nation!

Besides, an utter feeling of despondency, frustration, alienation and disconnect of the citizenry from the so-called governments, lives of Nigerians have been so devalued that Nigerians do not have any feeling towards the Nigerian state again.

At 51, Nigeria is still toddling, that is, learning to walk in contrast to her contemporaries like Malaysia, Singapore and Ghana who are now flying technologically and in-

dustrially.

‘Which way Nigeria, which way to go, I love my fatherland, I want to know, which way Nigeria is heading to?’ , so crooned Sonny Okosun of blessed memory. This is the million naira question for our rulers as the question agitates the minds of million Nigerians.

As Nigeria is marking her 51st year of nationhood, she must quickly put on a thinking cap to restore the faith of Nigerians in Nigeria by making provision of value-added social infrastructural facilities like stable and industry friendly electricity supply, motorable roads, adequate security

of lives and property, functional and vocation-enhancing qualitative education etc, and rev up the economy by weaning from dependence on oil. It is time to maximally harness the abundant agricultural potentials in all parts of the country. With all these, the squandered hopes of Nigeria will be restored.

I am strongly convinced that Nigeria will accomplish her manifest destiny in the comity of nations during my lifetime. Oh my lovely fatherland!

• Mr. Akinrolabu Babatunde Omonitan, Ikeji-Ile Ijesa, Osun State.

nomic recession in the country.

In conclusion, to our dismay TASUED’s acceptance fee this year is #30,000 (Thirty thousand naira) This is still too much! The irony of it now is that parents and students were put in the dark because tuition fee proper is yet to be ascertained.

Does it mean that parents who would have paid the acceptance fee but could not afford the tuition fee (if for any reason) would have to forfeit the non-refundable acceptance fee of #30,000 initially paid?

Is this political or educational gimmick? Or does it mean that parents and guardians will continue to be obtaining loans from cooperative societies or banks to pay tuition fees in Ogun State?

Please, Your Excellency, we want you to look into this issue as a matter of urgency and necessity by fulfilling your promises of 50% take-off and an additional 10% take off in tuition fees of tertiary instiutions in the State. Parents and students alike are eagerly waiting and want you to make the difference like your counterpart ACN Governors in Ekiti, Osun and Oyo States who put smiles on the faces of their people.

We know that the task ahead of you is onerous and daunting but we believe that with God’s help and the goodwill of the entire citizenry of Ogun State, you shall make a success of it.

• Mrs. F. Aniyikaye Sagamu.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOMBER 6, 2011

21

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Nigeria and the curse of elections – 5

P

OST independence elections The next two elections, namely the federal elections of 1964 and the Western elections of 1965 marked the decline of electoral democracy in Nigeria.

Between 1961 and 1962, political crisis broke out in Western Nigeria. The best organised party in Nigeria, the Action Group suffered from internal collapse and external aggression. The fault line between Obafemi Awolowo, the party leader who had moved to the centre hoping to become the Prime Minister of the country but ended as disgruntled leader of opposition and his deputy Chief S.L.A. Akintola, who had replaced him as Premier of Western Nigeria centred on control of the government of Western Nigeria.

The question really was who was to control the government. Was it to be the party leader Chief Obafemi Awolowo or the Premier, the head of government? In an identical situation in the NPC, the Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, who was deputy to Ahmadu Bello controlled his government. But this was because the northern Premier had a full plate running the affairs of the North and he was largely not interested in the affairs of the federation so long as the northern interest was protected.

In the case of Awolowo, the situation was different.

Awolowo was an energetic man who suddenly found himself out of limelight and out of power. He naturally championed the cause of party supremacy. Akintola on the other hand, finding himself as head of government and not in power and not in control of some of his lieutenants especially those running public corporations in which the West had invested large sums of money, was resentful of Awolowo’s long distance control and his

‘Revisionist commentators sometimes heap the blame of these events on the military. But in reality the military would not have intervened if not because the civilian leadership exposed its soft under belly’

H

E would have passed out last Tuesday along with his colleagues after completing the one - year mandatory national youth service. It was a ceremony that Stephen Enyinnaya Nwosu would have looked forward to. He would have planned with his colleagues on how to celebrate the day of his freedom from the regimented lifestyle of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Alas, it was not to be.

Nwosu was killed a few weeks to the passing out ceremony. With his death went all the plans he might have had to celebrate October 4, which was to be his last day in the active service of his nation.

Nwosu toiled in the service of his fatherland for one year, but what did he get in return; he was killed in cold blood by those who should naturally protect him. He went to serve in Adamawa State hale and hearty, but he was brought back to his parents in Abia State in a body bag. Yet he didn’t go to war; he only went to answer a national call. When I read Nwosu’s story on the cover of Campuslife on page 29 of this paper, tears welled up in my eyes.

Nwosu and some of his friends had gone to withdraw money from an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), in Gombi, in the outskirts of Yola, the Adamawa State capital, when he fell victim of some overzealous soldiers.

Unknown to the corps members, some members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect had struck at the bank, killing and maiming. They also went away with an undisclosed amount of cash. Nwosu and his friends arrived just as the soldiers and other security operatives got to the scene.

In their usual style, instead of coolly assesssing the situation before act-

being reduced to a puppet and figure head. The situation was then exploited by those supporting them sometimes for pecuniary and or political reasons. The situation was compounded by external forces represented by the NCNC and the NPC that wanted to destroy the Action Group partly because the party presented the two governing parties formidable challenges in their regions.

All the latter day talk of the crisis arising as Akintola’s refusal to embrace the new political ideology of democratic socialism of the Action Group was mere rationalisation. The upshot of this is that the party collapsed and all attempts to mend fences failed. The Action Group broke apart. Akintola after the fracas in the House of Assembly was manipulated back to power by federal might in coalition with the NCNC in the West. By the time of the federal election of 1964, the Akintola led government of the West emerged with a new party the NNDP. This party went into an alliance with the NPC forming a grand Alliance of the Nigerian National Alliance (NNA) while the remnants of the Action Group entered into an Alliance with its old enemy the NCNC to form the United Peoples Grand Alliance (UPGA).

What was going to be a showdown of forces ended in a farce when the UPGA boycotted the election claiming electoral malpractices. This led to the NPC and NNDP forming a broad-based government with the NCNC at the centre. By this time the bitterness and tension in the West had reached a level of make or break, particularly since 1963 when Awolowo and his subordinates were jailed for treasonable felony. His supporters had hoped that the 1965 election in the West would afford them the opportunity to throw out the Akintola government. But this was not to be. The elections were so widely and flagrantly rigged that civil rebellion broke out in the region. When this could not be quelled by the militarised police, the army was called in.

Thus the political leadership of the country by this action exposed its weakness and when the military realised that political power depended on the military, some radicals within the army simply shoved the political leaders aside through a coup d’etat characterized by widespread bloodshed occasioning the killing of the Premier of the North, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Federal Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the Premier of the West, Chief Ladoke Akintola, northern and western high level mili-

tary personnel such as Brigadier Maimalari, Colonel Abogo Largema, Colonel Pam, Colonel Kur Muhammad, Brigadier Adesujo Ademulegun and Colonel Ralph Shodeinde.

The coup opened Jide the Pandora box of Osuntokun ethnic cleansing of political and military leaders of some section of the country which later drew a response from military personnel of the North in a counter coup and widespread and blind reprisals in the North against southerners but primarily against Igbos. These events were later to precipitate a civil war between 1967 and 1970 in which more than a million people perished either directly from military action or indirectly from collateral damage of military action.

The fault line in the country while not caused by elections seemed to surface at election time posing fundamental challenge to the very foundation of the country.

Revisionist commentators sometimes heap the blame of these events on the military. But in reality the military would not have intervened if not because the civilian leadership exposed its soft under belly. The military is trained in the art of violence and the only way they know how to solve differences is through the act of warfare or violence.

Those who do not learn from the lesson of history are doomed to repeat it, says George Santayana. Did our politicians learn anything from these events?

‘The Action Group broke apart.

Akintola after the fracas in the House of Assembly was manipulated back to power by federal might in coalition with the NCNC in the West’

Killed in active service

ing, the security operatives did the opposite. They simply took a look at those around and pounced on the ones they thought could commit the crime. Criminals and other undesirable elements are not known by their looks.

Appearances can be deceptive. This is why we don’t judge a book by its cover. You can only know its worth by reading it. Our soldiers do not seem to believe in this age-long wisdom. To them, all you need to know a crook is by his appearance. Is he tall and bearded? Is he short, dark and terrible looking? Is he shabbily dressed? These are some of the parameters used by our security operatives to determine who is a criminal.

Unfortunately, those doing this assesssment are, in most cases, not psychologists trained in the art of knowing the criminal mind.

Our security operatives indulge in this dangerous act because they are always seeking an easy way out of any difficult situation. They are not ready to investigate a case to its logical conclusion before detemining who the culprits are. They find it difficult to investigate, but find it easy to kill innocent people. In August, Nwosu became their latest victim.

Why are our security men triggerhappy? Are they trained to kill before asking questions? If that is the case, what is the essence of a training which allows the killing of suspects before their guilt is determined? If criminals are killed summarily like that will the society ever be able to solve criminal cases?

The way Nwosu was killed is barbaric. No man, not even a criminal,

deserves to die like that. In this case, Nwosu was not a criminal; he was a corps member on national service.

This is why his death is so painful.

Why was he killed like that? Those who killed him should tell us because they may know what we don’t know. If they cannot proffer cogent reasons for the killing, they should be made to face the law to serve as deterrence to others. Let us remember that we are in this Boko Haram mess today because of the extra-judicial killing of the sect’s leader, Muhammed Yusuf, in 2010, by the police.

Now soldiers have killed a corps member under the guise that he was a member of Boko Haram. How did they arrive at that conclusion? Was he carrying the sect’s identity card?

Was he armed? Did he confront the soldiers in any way? Why didn’t the soldiers give him the benefit of doubt when he described himself as a corps member? Will the soldiers have suffered any loss by taking him into custody to verify his claim before taking any action against him?

Why kill a man after presenting his identity card, even if fake? The soldiers who killed Nwosu did not behave like true soldiers. True soldiers do not kill in cold blood. True soldiers have respect for human lives.

True soldiers protect civilians and are ready to lay down their lives

in the process. True soldiers do not kill defenceless people. The soldiers who killed Nwosu are a disgrace to their calling. They do not deserve the uniforms they wear.

To assuage the feelings of the bereaved family, these soldiers must be tried to determine their culpability or otherwise in the killing of Nwosu.

Who ordered that he be shot? Or did the killer shoot without receiving an order to do so? If a general was tried by a courtmartial for the escape, from detention of two suspected Boko Haram members, there is no reason why those who killed Nwosu should not be brought to justice. As the late corps member’s elder brother, Ben said: ‘’The government should stop covering up. We want the army that killed the promising Stephen to show...remorse by apologising to the family. It should also ensure that those who murdered Stephen are brought to book...’’

The family has spoken. I believe that to do anything short of its request will tantamount to a cover up by the military authorities. All men of conscience should rise in support of the family’s quest for justice. Who knows whose turn it may be tomorrow if we don’t do something now to stop this barbaric act of killing innocent people in cold blood?

Lawal Pedro @ 50

I

N accordance with the first line of the second stanza of our school anthem, ‘’it’s a happy day today...’’ for old students of Ahmadiyya College (now Anwar-ul Islam College, Agege) as our president, Mohammed Lawal Pedro (SAN), turns 50. Pedro wears two caps as national president and president of the ’77/78 set. To mark his 50th birthday, the revised edition of his book : ‘’Jurisdiction of courts in Nigeria’’ will be presented at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, today.

‘If a general was tried by a courtmartial for the escape, from detention of two suspected Boko Haram members, there is no reason why those who killed Nwosu should not be brought to justice’ •The late Nwosu

Lawal Ogienagbon lawal.ogienagbon@thenationonlineng.net

The ceremony billed to start at 10a.m., will be an oppoturnity for many old students to reconnect. In recent times, the ’77/78 set has been doing a lot of linking up. Even if I didn’t meet Pedro in school, it is possible I may have come to know him in the line of duty. When I started covering the courts, as a reporter in the late 80s, our paths often crossed. Peddy was state counsel and I covered some of the cases he handled then. Peddy is today, by the grace of God, Solicitor-General of Lagos State and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice. Today, members of our set (’77/78), will join others to honour a man to whom honour is due at the book launch. On Saturday, there will be a novelty match between our set and other sets at the school ground on Oniwaya Road, Agege, at 2p.m. It will be a pleasure returning to our alma mater in large numbers after so many years. The celebrations will be rounded off on Sunday with special prayers and a reception at the Blue Roof, LTV, Agidingbi, Ikeja. I have known Peddy since 1973, meaning that he was 12 years old when we met in Ahmadiyya. We’ve all come a long way, brother. Happy birthday.

SMS ONLY: 08056504763

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s 51st Independence anniversary speech was very depressing. Beyond the promises, it was a tale of woes as earlier narrated by his predecessors in 1984, 1985, 1994, 1999 and 2007.

But the speech offered more. The speech was President Jonathan. It bore the imprint of an amiable Jonathan, determined to please all.

In it, he freely advertised his fabulous humility, sincerity, decency as part of the fantasy successfully deployed to seduce Nigerian voters for a landslide victory in the April election.

The president first celebrated the ‘vibrant, resilient and determined Nigerian spirit that cannot be broken’, empathized with jobless Nigerian youths, identified with ‘toiling Nigerian farmers and fishermen’, and saluted the ‘dedication and sacrifice of Nigerian teachers trying to train our future generations’. As a representative of youths, as a former fisherman who climbed the social ladder to become a teacher, the president understands his constituency.

He then went on promising to uphold ‘democracy and rule of law’, ‘banish corruption and its attendant vices, ‘respect human life and human rights’. He admonished those engaged in ‘mindless savagery’, made a solemn promise ‘to fight crime and build peace’ and reassured us he would ’secure our homeland against internal threats and infiltration by violent groups from outside our borders’ The main focus of his administration, he said is ‘growing the economy to generate employment opportunities for our youths as well as enhance prosperity for every citizen’.

In this regards, ‘Agriculture designed to generate 3.5 million jobs and an additional 20metric tonnes of food,’ including rice on which the nation currently expends 356 billion naira importing annually remains one of the highest priorities in his government agenda for National Transformation’ For a good measure, the president did not forget to express his determination ‘to ensure that Nigerians have reliable electricity’ But for the sense of self-doubt in the president’s ‘appeal to all ‘political leaders to jettison partisanship and join him to build the nation together’, I think President Jonathan is lucky in the sense that he has a ready template for all the problems he has rightly identified. All that is needed is the political will to take a decision. And even here, the president doesn’t have to navigate without a compass.

He can get quick lesson in leadership, decision making and developing ‘political will’

The President’s 51st independence anniversary speech in ‘Where the Buck Stops,’ the Biography of Harry S Truman, the 33rd American president.

Truman’s work covers such areas as expansion of social security, full employment program, public housing and slum renewal. It also covers the Marshal Plan for the economic recovery of war torn Western Europe, North Atlantic Treaty Organization established in 1945, and even the authorization and justification for the use of atomic bomb in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

On education, his job has been cut short. All he needs to do is to implement the UNESCO’s recommendation of a benchmark of 26% of the budget of developing nations to education. This will help in expanding facilities in an institution like the University of Lagos that offered places to less than 6000 of over 66,000 candidates that met the institution’s and government admission requirements. It will help in retaining the best graduating students within the university system, and also end the exodus of our best brains who find succor in South Africa, Europe and American universities. It was not too long ago, the UCH, Ibadan, today a shadow of itself, was rated as one of the best four teaching hospitals in the Commonwealth.

President Jonathan must also admit that the federal government alone cannot fund universities education. Parents and private sector must be involved. Students must be allowed to earn scholarship offers from the federal government. To ensure no one is deprived of university education, government should put measures in place to guarantee cheap loans as it is the case elsewhere in the

world. That in itself is a guarantee that those who give loan will strive to ensure beneficiaries secure employment if they are to recoup their loans.

On agriculture, we are similarly not asking the president to dare his PDP wheat importers as Buhari did in 1984. Let us without shame adopt the Malaysian template. Subsidise the production of rice and other grains; Buy the products off the farmers at a higher rate and resell back to the consumers at a loss. Store the excess for export. This is exactly what Asia rice exporting countries did to drive many people back to the farm. Jonathan does not need five years. Government has reports of commissioned studies that clearly indicate that the President can indeed in two years, tell his compatriots that Nigerians should starve if they cannot eat locally produced rice just as Nehru told his people ‘India would go naked until they were able to produce their own clothes’.

Today, India is the world highest exporter of textile products.

On insecurity, he can also reach for past recommendation of commissioned studies. First, we need to dialogue with groups fighting to liberate themselves from the tyranny of Nigerian state. We also need community policing. This is practiced everywhere in the world because it has been realized those who live within a community can best secure their communities. We can start with the six geo political zones.

After a pan Nigeria mandate, the president’s belated call on opposition members for support is a sign of weakness. Nigerians have

traded their freedom and liberty for the protection of their lives and properties by electing Jonathan President for the next four years.

The constitutional role of the opposition therefore, is not to work for the success of the party in power, but to proffer alternative to Jonathan and his PDP policies and in the process endear itself to the voting populace in 2015. This is the beauty of multi partysm.

We have seen it happened in Britain where the Conservative Party capitalized on the world economic depression to rout the Labor Party from power. It is happening in the US where President Obama was not even given a chance to clear the mess created in the first place by Bush Republican Party.

Neither in these two democratic nations have the opposition leaders been hunted. Bola Tinubu is a democrat who leads a politically sophisticated group who has never been associated with subversive activities against any government. As for Buhari, the other opposition leader, he is one of the most patriotic and principled leader Nigerian has ever produced.

He is the author of ‘Nigeria has no other place they can call their own’.

Buhari, we all know cannot work against Nigeria. If he is ‘a born again Muslim’ so is President Jonathan who when confronted with a problem uses his Christian religion as a shield.

The only threat to Jonathan is Jonathan and his PDP. Those who have brought our nation to its knees are the greedy members of his party. It is the members that have derailed all the past government developmental efforts.

They are responsible for the collapse of Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mill; the refineries, the railway as well as the educational, manufacturing, and agricultural sectors. President Jonathan is in possession of the list of those of his PDP members indicted by the courts for their crimes against our nation. All the president needs to succeed is stand up to the enemy within if he is not part of them.

‘The only threat to Jonathan is Jonathan and his PDP. Those who have brought our nation to its knees are the greedy members of his party.

It is the members that have derailed all the past government developmental efforts’

VIEW FROM THE FOREIGN PRESS

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ROFESSOR Tam David West spoke the minds of honest and well-meaning Nigerians with his recent remark that Justice Ayo Salami is a man of integrity compared only to the likes of Justice Kayode Esho, the renowned and highly revered former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. While it has been reported that many Justices in Nigeria and especially those involved in election petitions are corrupt, Justices Esho and Ayo Salami do not belong to that category. Their modest ways of living shows that both Justices have the fear of God in their hearts. They are also very competent Justices who deliver judgments without fear or favour. The same cannot be said of many Justices of our lower, Appellate or Supreme Court, and unfortunately not of the NJC and its leadership, based on comments, protests and condemnation that followed the controversy between the former President of the Court of Appeal (PCA) Justice Salami and the NJC/CJN. The protests may probably continue with the new CJN if his rosy relationship with his predecessor is anything to go by.

The former CJN was seen to have dragged the President’s name into unnecessary controversy and probably dented his image as a man interested in the rule of law. Both the President and the NJC are at present under the watchful eyes of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Civil Society and Human Rights Organization. The President can wriggle himself out of this mess by the assistance of a competent and unbiased court. But before then he should sack his Attorney General for giving him bad legal advice that has caused serious embarrassment to him and the nation in the eyes of the international community.

Unfortunately, Mr. President always got himself involved in matters concerning the former CJN. Reports of several investigations over the controversy between the former CJN and Justice Salami by the NBA and other panels including Justice Kayode Esho, Babalakin and Mustapha Akanbi exonerated Ayo Salami and indicted the former CJN. These unpalatable reports led to another panel that made a

Congratulating Justice Ayo Salami

By Moses Akin Makinde U-turn only to exonerate an indicted CJN and drove Ayo Salami into a corner where he was asked to accept, by default, his guilt by sending an apology for no offence committed.

When Salami went to court, the NJC did not wait for court judgment before it hurriedly recommended his suspension to the President, all in the game of persecuting a Justice of integrity. He was to be sent packing in order to balance the equation: If the CJN must go, as he must via retirement on August 31, Salami too must go on or before the CJN’s retirement. But behold, the whole conspiracy boomeranged as the CJN and the President underrated the feelings and sophistication of Nigerians on the matter. Several attempts had been made by the presidency to justify its precipitate and illegal action, but could not get rid of the highly potent argument that both the actions of the NJC and the President were not only against the law of natural justice but also a deliberate violation of the constitution and rule of law which forbids an action to be taken when a matter is in the court of law. Neither did the NJC take cognizance of this fundamental issue when it boasted that its decision was irreversible.

What decision was irreversible - that of seven people or that of the general will where ultimate power belongs? Mubarak and Gaddafi thought that their decisions to stay put in power were irreversible until the people reversed their decisions by the force of protests that demonstrated clearly where power belongs – to the people, and not a government, a dictator or any group of privileged few.

Nigeria stands on a keg of gunpowder over the injustice meted out to Justice Salami which

people see as blue murder or murder in the daylight when everybody was awake and watching. There is no hiding place for unjust people in a decent democracy. And our President had better listen to the voice of wisdom and the people before he is drowned in a blind support for the NJC and the former CJN. Now, why do I congratulate Justice Ayo Salami? First, I congratulate him over his successful and honest verdicts in the Ekiti and Osun states’ election petition tribunals. These two cases were part of the grievances of the ruling party in their attempt to nail Salami who was accused of taking “bribes”. The irony of it all is that in all the earlier kangaroo judgments delivered in favour of PDP in both states, there were accusations of corruption on the part of the Justices, including an earlier one concerning call logs between Kalejaiye and chairman of the Osun election tribunal. Kalejaiye has since been indicted even by his own association and nothing has been done till today.

Now, because Justice Ayo Salami refused to take bribes from the losing governors in Ekiti and Osun, the two former governors cried blue murder. Honestly speaking, the two former governors knew very well they did not win the 2007 elections. That was what Justice Ayo Salami proved beyond reasonable doubt, and even beyond any logical contradiction or absurdity, to the consternation of the two former governors. That these ex-governors were wrong and Justice Salami right was proved at the 2010 general elections where Ekiti and Osun regained their states with landslide victories. In Ekiti State, there were only one or two PDP candidates who suc-

ceeded in winning House of Assembly seats while in Osun State all the Senatorial and House of Reps seats were lost to the rightful owners of the 2007 mandate, the ACN. In Osun State, there was no trace of PDP in any of the elections into the Senate, House of Reps and the House of Assembly. This was exactly the serious implication of Justice Ayo Salami’s verdicts as seen by people around the world.

What Justice Ayo Salami achieved was correcting the palpable injustices done to Ekiti and Osun States both at the 2007 elections and the phony election petition tribunals that preceded the Appeal Tribunal headed by him.

Hon. Justice Ayo Salami is a man more sinned against than sinning!

Surely, by those two judgments and his controversy with the NJC and the former CJN, Justice Salami has triumphed infinitely and even beyond the shores of Nigeria. If the gods were to intervene, Justice Ayo Salami would be the Chief Justice of Nigeria. So, while I congratulate him for his feats and the unprecedented love and admiration showed to him by the good people of Nigeria at home and abroad, we should verily say of him that “he is the best Chief Justice Nigeria never had”.

• Makinde is Professor of Philosophy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

‘What Justice Ayo Salami achieved was correcting the palpable injustices done to Ekiti and Osun States both at the 2007 elections and the phony election petition tribunals that preceded the Appeal Tribunal headed by him’

Syli Stars arive today

Nation

•Eagles in training ahead Guinea clash

Siasia prays for clement weather

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

24

41

NATION SPORT

Siasia prays for clement weather •Hails Osaze in training

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UPER Eagles’ Coach Samson Siasia has appealed to Nigerians to turn out in large numbers at the National Stadium in Abuja on Saturday as the Senior National Team tackle Syli Nationale of Guinea for a place at the 2012 African Cup of Nations finals.

The Eagles need an outright win to secure a place at Africa’s football summit and former World Cup striker Siasia says the right atmosphere can only be created by capacity crowd cheering his boys on.

“We want our people to come and create the correct atmosphere at the stadium, the singing and dancing, and the whole works. We want the place bright with sea of green and white colours and everyone cheering every move of the Super Eagles.

“Support is always key in games of this nature. And we believe that Nigerians from everywhere will come to the Stadium and cheer Super Eagles to victory”, said Siasia, as his team trained at the National Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Nigeria has never failed to qualify for the African Cup of Nations since failing at the final qualifying hurdle against Zambia in a 0-1 aggregate defeat in 1985.

Also, Tunisia is the only team to have escaped unscathed against the Super Eagles in a competitive match at the National Stadium, Abuja, when forcing the Eagles to a 2-2 draw in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying match 25 months ago.

Tickets for Saturday’s crucial 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifying match between Nigerian and Guinean senior teams will sell for N3,000 and N300 respectively.

While admission to the State Box is strictly by invitation and will be for Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, cabinet ministers and other dignitaries, the State Box Extension will go for N3,000 and the Popular Stand will be for N300 each.

The NFF Secretariat in Zone 7, Wuse as well as Old Parade Ground, all Serob Legacy hotels in the Federal Capital, Ignobis Hotel in Kubwa and AP Lifecamp Station are some of the

outlets for sale of tickets.

Nigeria must win Saturday’s match to qualify for next year’s African Cup of Nations finals in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Meanwhile, Samson Siasia showered praise on his returnee striker Peter Odemwingie during the team’s training on Tuesday ahead of their important 2012 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Guinea on October 8.

Odemwingie had been suspended from the team since April when he left camp ahead of a friendly with Kenya and later tweeted a negative comment about his coach. After serving a two-match ban, the West Bromwich forward was recalled for last month’s game against Madagascar but he pulled out due to injury.

There was a magnanimous show of love from the coach during Tuesday’s workout as he welcomed Odemwingie back into the fold.

“We would like to say welcome back. We have missed you in the team and we are all happy to see you. We know how you always give everything when you play for your country, which is why Nigerians love you so much, and we know that you will do the same this weekend,” said Siasia.

•Siasia

NIGERIA/GUINEA TIE

Score early goals, Disu charges Eagles

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ORMER Super Eagles coach, Tunde Disu has charged the senior national team to score as many early goals as possible if they intend to gain the upper hand over Syli Stars of Guinea in the crucial Nations Cup qualification match in Abuja.

Speaking ahead of the cracker, Disu said it is only by scoring that the players will express their seriousness to clinch the sole group ticket for African’s most prestigious football competition.

“What we are after is goals, they need to score early goals. When i worked together with Samson Siasia, we always

•Disu

By Innocent Amomoh talk about scoring in the first 15 minutes, in the next 15 minutes, and the last 15 minutes. At list score three goals in the first half.

“The Guineans are not push overs. The whether condition may not be too favourable now because CAF says we must play by 2pm. Thank God the boys have arrived, they are training very hard, and they have to score goals. We have the caliber of players that can do it against hands down,” Disu emphasized.

The coach, who became popular among football fans in Nigeria after he Damman Miracle feat with the Flying Eagles in 1989 in Saudi Arabia, said Siasia and his wards understands more than anyone else the importance of the match, adding that they should be ready to deliver.

“This match is a very important one for us and we have to win it. I know Siasia and we have worked as a player and as a coach. He knows the importance of this match and the players he has picked can make us proud, except the goalkeeping area where the number one goalkeeper is not there. But I think with a strong defense, we have a strong team,” he said.

The Eagles will on Saturday slug it out against the Syli Stars of Guinea in the last qualification match in Group B. The match will be held at the Abuja National Stadium by 2pm.

AFRICAN NATIONS CUP QUALIFIER

Guinea arrives today A

32-man Guinean contingent for Saturday’s 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifying match against Nigeria will land in Abuja on Thursday evening.

A list dispatched to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) by the Federation Guineenne de Football late on Wednesday night also indicated that four other persons would arrive in Lagos on yesterday night as advance party for the contingent.

The four persons due to fly into Lagos aboard Air Nigeria flight from Conakry are Mohamed Camara and Lt Col. Youssouf Traore – two members of the Guinean Football Federation Executive Committee – as well as Director of Administration, Tessema Tolno and press attache Mamadouba Camara.

The four persons will pass the night in Lagos and then fly into Abuja on Thursday morning.

On Thursday, flying aboard a Lufthansa Airline flight from Frankfurt, 32 persons led by former Guinean football megastar and now Sports Minister, Aboubacar Titi Camara will arrive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Apart from Camara, the delegation is made up of 20 players, as well as the Minister for Youth, Bantama Sow and other officials of the Guinean federation and technical officials.

The Syli Nationale have been training in Paris ahead of the big encounter. They top the table with three points ahead of the Super Eagles, meaning Nigeria must win on Saturday to topple the fellow West Africans and earn an automatic slot at the 2012 African Cup of Nations finals in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Meanwhile, officials have revealed the Guinean contingent will now stay at the Agura Hotel in Abuja.

Saturday’s match will kick off at 2pm inside the National Stadium, Abuja.

The 20 players are: Aboubacar Camara, Naby Yattara, Thierno Bah, Dian Bobo Balde, Ibrahima Bangoura, Morlaye Cisse, Boubacar Diallo, Ibrahima Diallo, Kamil Zayatte, Mamadou Bah, Habib

APFON U-15 tourney debuts •Slated for Ogun State

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HE first ever national under-15 football championship tagged “AMBASSADOR’S CUP” organized by the Association of Professional Footballers of Nigeria, APFON comes up between 7-10 October, 2011 in Ijebu-ode, Ogun state.

Twelve states have confirmed their participation to the local organizing committee, LOC and they include Delta, Edo, Ekiti and Lagos. The rest are Ogun, Osun, Oyo and Yobe among others with each team fielding twenty players and two officials.

The four-day event shall be prosecuted in a round-robbing format that will eventually produce APFON national U-15 team to pave way for a sustained age group competition and create a healthy rivalry for national team attention. The exceptionally gifted players will secure trials with foreign clubs.

•Led by Titi Camara •To lodge in Agura Hotel

Yobo, Osaze want intimidating support

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APTAIN Joseph Yobo and striker Osaze Odemwingie have called on Nigerians to make the Abuja National Stadium an intimidating arena for when Guinea come calling on Saturday.

The Super Eagles need a convincing win to spare the fans heartache during thegame, even though a 1-0 victory will suffice, and Yobo says the task will be easier of the fans do their part “We want to appeal to the fans to come out and make the job easier for us,” Yobo said. “They have to make the stadium

N

Iroka warns teammates on Cameroon

IGERIA rode on the back of the Guinean National Team to reach her first-ever African

Mikel finally joins Eagles

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HELSEA midfielder John Mikel Obi finally arrived the Super Eagles hotel in Abuja early Wednesday morning to complete the 22man squad.

Obi was fined $5,000 for his failure to beat a Tuesday deadline to report to the Nigeria training camp.

However, coach Samson Siasia has insisted that the midfielder remains very much a part of the team for Saturday’s crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea.

Mikel arrived by 6.10am local time wearing a white t-shirt over blue jeans and was accompanied by two other people.

He refused to take any questions as he headed to his room in the Hilton Hotel in Abuja.

He is now expected to be part of Wednesday afternoon training which will begin by 1.30pm.

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UPER Falcons’ midfielder, Gloria ‘Eche’ Iroka has warned her teammates against complacency when they face Cameroon in a second leg, final round 2012 Olympic Football qualifier.

The Falcons lead 2-1 going into the second leg in Yaounde on October 22.

A 1-0 victory for the Lionesses against Falcons will see the Central Africans qualify for the Olympics for the first time in their history.

Iroka, who plays for Nigerian women’s Challenge Cup champions, Rivers Angels is calling on her teammates to perform at the peak of their powers to stop the Cameroonians from upsetting the applecart.

“We must not underrate the Cameroonians. They showed in the first leg that they are a good side and we must play at a hundred percent (level) to beat them in their home ground,” Iroka told SuperSport.com.

The petite midfielder also took time out to explain her late arrival to camp.

“Yes I heard the coach (Eucharia Uche) was about to invite new players when some of us did not arrive in time.

“That is behind us now. Most of us have arrived and we will do Nigeria proud in Yaounde,” she said.

Meanwhile, three players have been called up to replace those who are unavoidably absent.

Janet David comes in for Josephine Chukwunonye while Jennifer Osawaru has been drafted in for Evelyn Nwabuoku.

Promise Sike has also been handed a late call up in place of White Ebubeleye.

•Mikel Obi

Cup of Nations finals, way back in 1963.

In the first ever clash between both nations at senior level, the Guineans had tied the first leg of the qualifying race with Nigeria 2-2 in Lagos on July 27, 1963, and then presumed they had won the fixture after edging the return 1-0 in Conakry on 0ctober 6 of the same year.

But the Confederation of African Football threw Guinea out of the race after it discovered a Guinean had been centre referee of the return leg!

Nigeria thus qualified for her first African Nations Cup finals by default.

Guinea exacted a form of revenge when the Syli Stars spanked the Nigeria team 3-0 in the Balewa Cup first leg played in Conakry on December 1, 1971. On January 30, 1972, the return leg ended 1-1 in Lagos.

The only clash between both countries at the finals of the African Cup of Nations till date came on March 9, 1976 in Addis Ababa. It ended 1-1. But eventually, Guinea finished second and Nigeria third at the only Cup of Nations to have been played using league format.

Rivers Angels present FA Cup trophy RSG

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Ben Falaja keeping his Olympic dream alive

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a day after the coach opened camp.

“Even Efe Ambrose, who got married on Saturday, has left his young wife and is here to serve his country.

“We want to appeal to the fans to also do their part by coming out and filling up the stadium at least two hours before the game like the captain has said, to show the Guineans that we mean business.

“This is a collective effort between the players and the and we will all enjoy the Nations Cup together.”

The game kicks off at 2pm Nigeria time.

How Eagles rode on Guinea’s back to Nations Cup in 1963

Balde, Kevin Constant, Sadio Diallo, Pascal Feindouno, Mohamed Sacko, Alhassane Bangoura, Ismael Bangoura, Ibrahima Conte, Ibrahima Traore and Ibrahima Yattara.

EN FALAJA’S goal of boxing for Nigeria in the Olympics is gathering momentum after he caught African eyes in two bouts in Lagos.

The 23-year-old from the Whinney Banks area of Middlesbrough has been invited back to compete in the Nigerian national championships as a result of his displays for London club Repton against Lagos State.

Last season’s ABA light middleweight semi-finalist lost a controversial split decision to Taiwo Oyegunwa, the Nigerian No 1 at 69kg, in his first contest, but rebounded to defeat Beijing Olympian Rasheed Lawal by the same verdict.

With chances to box for Great Britain on home soil at London 2012 remote at best, Falaja is aiming to represent his dad Jonathan’s fatherland in London next year.

an intimidating place for the Guineans by filling up the stadium at least two hours before the game.

“We dont want a violent atmosphere, we just want the whole stadium to be a sea of green and white so that when they walk in, they’ll know that they are playing not only the players on the field, but the fans too.”

Striker Odemwingie echoed his skipper’s words “I think we as players have shown how committed we are to this game by the way everyone has reported to camp just

Falaja Senior was among the spectators who watched the Teesside hopeful box in Lagos as the pair reunited for the first time in eight years.

Repton won the fixture 7-6 overall after a 4-4 draw at the Eko Hotel and 32 win at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre in downtown Lagos.

•Falaja

Lagos Sports Commissioner to grace Bankers Games Finals

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HE Lagos State Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Enitan Oshodi will be the special guest of honour at the finals of the 2011 Nigeria Bankers Game holding on Sunday at the UNILAG Sports Complex. Fela Bank- Olemo, the Managing Director of MediaVision Limited, organisers of the games disclosed that the Commissioner will lead a train of other dignitaries including Chief Executives of the Skye Bank and Fidelity Bank.

“We are glad to announce that the Honourable Commissioner for Sports in Lagos State has graciously accepted to be the special guest at the finals and he will be taking the final kick-off and play a major role during the awards and presentations at the end of the match”, explained BankOlemoh.

He said MediaVision has extended invitation to all stakeholders including the Lagos State Football

Association in recognition of their roles as regulatory agencies for sports and football in the state. BankOlemoh also stated that the leadership of the two banks playing in the finals is expected to lead their supporters to cheer their players to victory.

“Though we expect a full house from the banks, MediaVision recognizes the importance of the regulatory authorities for sports and football in the state and we expect that their presence will be a boost to private sector participation in football organization as well as promote public-private partnership in the development of sports”, added the MediaVision boss.

Skye Bank and Fidelity Bank are the finalists of the 2011 Nigeria Bankers Game following their semi finals win against UBA and Standard Chartered Bank respectively. UBA won the last two editions of the tournament but lost 2-0 to Skye Bank last Sunday.

HE 2011 Female Federation Cup Winners, Rivers Angels have presented the trophy won to the Rivers State Government.

Led by Team Manager, Matilda Otuene, who presented the trophy to the state Sports Commissioner, Barrister Fred Mbombo Igwe in his office at the state Ministry of Sports on Monday afternoon, the club had played the two competitions of the Super six and Federation Cup simultaneously emerging winners of the FA Cup and Runners up in the Super six where according to Matilda, fatigue could not allow the team to perform up to their desired level of also winning that trophy.

Receiving the trophy, Barrister Igwe said it was heart-warming to receive the news of the victory but also noted that he expected nothing short of that from the club that has enjoyed total motivation from the state government.

He noted that while the female team has started the trophy shower, that it should serve as inspiration to win more laurels for the state by the other clubs.

He regretted the fact that the necessary facilities could not be accessed to fly the team via the air back home due to the absence of the Permanent Secretary of the Sports Ministry but promised that the club would be duly rewarded by the state government borrowing a leaf from how the male clubs are treated after having won such national laurels, Sharks FC been the most recent.

He also advised the girls to be well behaved saying that they should be role models on and outside the football pitch.

Meanwhile, It was a celebration of medals haul by Rivers athletes as the Sports Boss also received three other trophies from some football academies

From Florence Nkem Israel, Port Harcourt in the state also on Monday.

While the MacJef Football Academy had presented the commissioner with the Runners-up trophy of the Gulder Five - aside football competition won in Lagos last month and also the Samsung Cup trophy which was also won by the Academy last week in Port Harcourt, Diamond Football Academy also presented the trophy of the Association of Professional Footballers of Nigeria, popularly known as the Ambassadors Cup which was donated by Super Eagles ace, Victor Obinna Nsofor and won by the Academy.

NATION SPORT Obasi happy to be back for Hoffenheim

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HINEDU Obasi is delighted to be back in the Hoffenheim starting line up. Against Cologne penultimate week, the former Norwegian Young Player of the Year and Knowledge Musona were relegated to the bench by the gaffer, Holger Stanislawski because they arrived late for the team’s lunch!

Stanislawski had insisted that players must comply with certain rules in dealing with each other. In the game against Bayern Munich, Obasi was restored to the starting line up after he came early for lunch.

Obasi was brilliant against Bayern Munich in offensive and defensive roles, and was satisfied with his performance after the match, one of the best games he’s played this season. ‘’It was one of my best performances this season. I am happy with my performance and I am slowly back to my old for. I am very happy and hope I can continue with my form, ‘’ Obasi told the official website of Hoffenheim, 1899aktuell.de.

Adds Obasi:’’After the first half, the coach had said that we must continue to play confidently Our second half was even better, we are happy with the point.”

Eagles sweat over Okonkwo

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UPER Eagles of Nigeria are sweating on the fitness of Heartland defender Chibuzor Okonkwo ahead of Saturday’s crucial Nations Cup qualifier in Abuja against Guinea.

A thigh injury Okonkwo picked up in last month’s friendly against Argentina has already stopped him from featuring at his club’s recent Federation Cup final triumph over Enyimba.

Okonkwo has assured he has made remarkable recovery from the injury, while he awaits the Eagles medical staff to now ascertain his fitness.

“I have recovered very fast, but it’s now for the doctor to certify me fit,” he told MTNFootball.com The right back jogged with the rest of the squad Tuesday morning, but kept away from the main training.

Team officials disclosed team doctor, Ibrahim Gyaran, will rule on the player’s fitness after Tuesday afternoon training.

Should Okonkwo fail the fitness test, Ukraine-based Dele Adeleye will most likely play at right back for the Eagles on Saturday.

Adeleye filled in for the suspended Adefemi Olubayo in that position during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

FS Stars sign Nigerian striker

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REE State Stars have confirmed the signing of Nigerian striker Daniel Agbagwu on a three-year contract.

The 21-year-old arrives at Ea Lla Koto from Spanish side Deportivo Atletico Baleares and joins compatriot Soriola Gege, who signed in August.

Stars general manager Rantsi Mokoena told the Sowetan: “We are convinced we have found the missing link up front.

“The team has been doing well but our failure to score more than two goals has been our big challenge.

“Daniel has been training with us for two weeks. Our technical staff members were impressed with his first touches but I asked them to take their time.

“It was in the third week last week that I was also convinced Daniel will help solve our goalscoring problems.

We’ll soon be unstoppable.”

•Okonkwo

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THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

The inauguration of NANS’ executive has been described as ‘historic’because it produced a leadership accepted by all.

However, for the hitherto factionalised NANS, can the new leadership sustain the tempo and reform the association’s image?

ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA asks.

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

email:- education@thenationonlineng.com

•Duada (extreme right) administering oath of office on other NANS executive

From crisis emerges reborn NANS T

HERE was excitement in the air! The repeated chants of aluta continua and other solidarity songs that enveloped the Yar ‘Adua Centre, Abuja at the inauguration of the new executive of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)’ seemed to suggest a new beginning for the troubled association.

Unlike in the past, there was no threat to personalities, past NANS leaders and other student members who came from various tertiary institutions nationwide for the inauguration. Willingly, they surrendered to the spirit of aluta (as they call a gathering for protest and solidarity songs). To them, it was an happy ending to years of shout of victory for the weaning of the association from polarisation which had bedeviled it.

In attendance were the two factional presidents of NANS, Comrades Ini Emomobong and Jude Imagwe. They smiled, hugged and took photographs to convince all that they have buried the hatchet.

There were other contenders who lost out in the NANS elections held between August 27 and September 3, in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State. They all mounted the podium to pledge allegiance to the new executive led

by Comrade Muhammed Dauda.

The Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu; Commissioner for Police Affairs Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade and representatives of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, advised the students to remain united.

There were other contenders who lost out in the NANS elections held between August 27 and September 3, in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State. Each of them mounted the podium to declare their support and allegiance to the new leadership headed by Comrade Muhammed Dauda.

The Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu; Commissioner for Police Affairs Caleb Olubolade and representatives of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, advised the stgudents to remain united.

After Dauda took the oath of office, he administered same on other members of the executive.

But can the NANS leadership sustain its ne found unity considering the crisis rocking many Students Unions.

Oftentimes, students are courted by politicans to mobilise for them ahead of elections with promises of financial rewards. Sometimes, they endorse politicians with questionable character for elective office.

These were some of the problems facing past administrations of NANS, which changed its nomenclature in 1978 to its present name under former President Shehu Shagari, following the lifting of the ban on students unionism.

Prior to Shagari’s administration, the former National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) staged a nationwide protest on the sudden hike in tuition in tertiary institutions nationwide during the Gen Olusegun Obasanjo-led military regime.

The protest, which provoked serious crisis nationwide, led to be killing and maiming of the protesters.The struggle, led to NANS proscription by the Obasanjo regime.

Past NANS administrations had it rough as the factions engaged in a war of superiority, accusations and counter-accusations.

In December 2009, NANS held its convention at the Old Parade Ground, in Abuja.

The convention climaxed in a pandemonium as the supporters of Emomobong and Imagwe, the presidential contenders, engaged in a war of sorts. Though the election favoured Emomobong, who was then an undergraduate of the University of Uyo, Imagwe, a student of the University of Benin, alleged large-scale malpractices.

Taking the war to the pages of newspapers, Imagwe accused Emomobong of bribing his way to victory. He claimed that security agents intimidated and prevented him and his group from speaking out when they suspected the election was being rigged.

Other losers also cried foul, alleging non-transparency and fraud.

One of them was Etuk Bassey Williams from the University of Uyo. Williiams’ presence became felt when he began issuing press releases on national issues and endorsing them as NANS President.

Kingsley Ezekwelu, from Anambra State University, was another factional president who also formed his executive, though unpopular.

However, in the year that followed, Emomobong and Imagwe held sway as NANS presidents, forming two groups and operating from their domains. They lent their voices to national issues, creating tensions, while students the duo claimed to be leading, were confused on who their ideal leader was.

In the last administration, NANS endorsed candidates for the general elections and bestowed of awards on personalities some of who were believed not to have merited tsuch honour.

In a phone interview, Emomobong justified why his camp neither gave award nor endorsed any candidate all through his tenure.

He said:“People keep saying there is factionlisation in NANS, but I say there is none because my election was free and fair, and the baton handed over to me by my predecessor, Comrade Bashir Babale, now a member of the House of Representatives. This was why NANS reached a resolution that we needed to suspend giving awards to people.

“During my tenure, we neither gave an award to anybody nor did we endorse any politician. Our belief is that it’s possible for NANS to endorse, but at the student level some of them may not be too comfortable with the idea since they will also have their candidates too. So, NANS avoided it in order not to create rancour and disunity among our subjects.”

But the tradition of giving awards persisted in Imagwe’s camp. Like Emomobong, he too offered rea-

sons.

Imagwe said the awards he gave were not to curry favour but to confer patronship on the awardees.

He admitted endorsing President Jonathan, saying he (Jonathan) is a man of vision.

Said Imagwe: ‘As regards giving of awards, that I never did. But if it relates to patronship I did. You know every organisation has its patrons. So, we only gave those awards as a sign of conferring them on our patrons.

“One basic action I ever took as president and have no reasons to feel bad about was the total support, time and prayers I gave to the election of President Goodluck Jonathan. Nigerians need a man with vision and sincerity of purpose. We need a passionate president that the name Nigeria means a lot to.

“Yes, you may want to ask, what has he done? But you know what the answers are in your heart if you are sincere. President Jonathan is a blessing to Nigeria over and over again and I trust his ability to move Nigeria forward.”

According to a communiqué issued by the NANS Convention Planning Committee before the election all NANS factional leaders were invited to a reconciliation meeting and they participated in the new elections.

The communiqué reads in part: “For the first time in the history of the organisation, all presidential aspirants were made to pick an intent •Continued on Page 26

•CORPS MEMBER FIXES SCHOOL - Page 28• LAGOS AMENDS WASSCE SPONSORSHIP POLICY - Page 39

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

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EDUCATION UNILORIN FILE Varsity promises security at 27th convocation THE Ceremonials Committee of the University of Ilorin, has assured graduates, parents and guests of adequate security during the 27th convocation scheduled for between October 17 and 25, this year. This was theposition of the committee members at their recent meeting.

Though details of the security arrangements were not made public, all visitors to the university are enjoined to co-operate with the university on security on the convocation days.

The Committee, chaired by Prof. J. O. Atteh, has also concluded arrangements to ensure smooth flow of traffic. A new parking space is to be created while plans are in place to reduce the number of vehicles that will be at the convocation ground.

According to him, only vehicles with special stickers will be allowed to cross the university bridge.

‘Why Nigeria cannot meet MDGs target’ THE immediate past Head of Service of the Federation, Prof.

Oladapo Afolabi, is unhappy at Nigeria’s inability to meet the 2015 target, which was set by the United Nations for the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Prof Afolabi blamed it all on the Chemistry curriculum and other science curricula at all levels of education in the country, which he said, are not suitable for the achievement of the lofty Goals.

Afolabi said this while delivering his keynote address, entitled Chemistry and the Millennium Development Goals, at the opening ceremony of the 34th Annual International Conference and Workshop of the Chemical Society of Nigeria at the UNILORIN auditorium.

Oladapo further noted that the Chemistry curricula that are being used in the Nigerian education system need to be expanded.

Prof Obayan (middle) flanked by some executive members of the alumni

You remain our pride, VC tells alumni

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HE Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Otta, Ogun State, Prof Aize Obayan, has lauded the alumni of the institution for making it proud.

“I must say we are really proud of you, Prof Obayan said. “We are greatly impressed with the various reports of your incredible achievements since you graduated. You are truly living up to the Covenant University creed that here, we are raising a new generation of leaders that will transform our various communities local governments, states, Nigeria and, of course, the entire Africa and the world at large.”

Prof Obayan, who spoke at the unveiling of the Covenant University Alumni Association Foundation, Helping Other People Survive (HOPE) on the campus in Otta , urged the alumni to keep the university flag flying. She said the name ‘eagles’, which they are called, is simply a spiritual mandate to soar unhindered, capturing the world and ruling their domains.

Obayan said the CU, too, has kept firing at all cylinders as itcontinues winning one award or the other locally and internationally, while also moving up the academic ladder, the

By Adegunle-Olugbamila

last being its surprising ranking among the 100 universities in Africa, and 10th in Nigeria as well as being the first among private universities Nigeria in the webomatric ranking.

She recalled the last convocation where the university turned out 89 first class graduates, noting: “We have showcased and will continue to showcase excellence in what an ideal and world class university should be.”

Among other achievements, Obayan also recalled the Memorandum of Understanding the university signed with the United Nations Habitat which, according to her, is the first in the history of universities in Africa. The MoU, she stressed, will offer CU graduates the opportunity of partnering, working or embarking on projects where UN has presence globally.

Congratulating and praying for long life and more spiritual guidance for the CU Chancellor Bishop David Oyedepo, who turned 57 last Friday, Prof Obayan promised the alumni for establishing the Foundation as a humanitarian means to

assist the less-privileged, an initiative, which she described, as quite rare in the history of alumni associations in Nigerians.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of Hope, Mr Reginald Bassey, called on all alumni of the university to partner with the project to make it a success.

“Here,” Bassey said, “we are building something and that is the network of change. As past students of CU, we want to make our own impact in the society. You must be connected to this network to be part of this building process to create a change.”

In his exaltation, which he drew from the Holy Bible Mathew Chapter 26 verse 26, Bassey said the only way man can win favour in God’s sight is by being compassionate to his less privileged fellows.

“The world is going individualistic. People are becoming more selfish everyday, but we must realise that God is most interested in alms giving, and that is one habit that we must begin to embrace henceforth. We are here as eagles to soar and take charge! We must build a bridge of change and help others to make a change in their

lives,” he said.

President of the alumni association, Olumuyiwa Fadugba, urged members not to make only financial contributions, but to also utilise their creativity and talents to help the foundation grow.

He noted that the organisation will soon throw its door open to similar institutions and potential donors to generate funds.

The alumni, which started in 2006, currently has over 7,389 active members online with over 4,500 members communicate online on daily.

He said HOPE, which was initially floated as an offshoot of the alumni association, is now independent.

While inaugurating the heads of the three core groups of HOPE School Support group, prison support group and as well as support team for the young, Fadugba said members were free to identify with any group of their choice.

“We are going out there to create a change, impact on the world and tell them we are the ones this generation is waiting for. God is not interested in your money or your substance.

He is only interested in how many people we have helped stand on their feet,” he said.

From crisis emerges reborn NANS •Continued from Page 25

form which was duly followed up by a confirmation of their studentship from their respective institutions. All aspirants were also made to submit a sworn court affidavit with their intent form before being screened to participate in the election. Considering the past incidences of violence that characterised the previous NANS elections, the committee sought the collaboration of the security agencies and all aspirants in the election of NANS President went through security procedure and also all agree to sign an undertaking with the security agencies to ensure a peaceful convention and abide by the outcome of the elections.”

To some students, who witnessed

the election, NANS might just be heading somewhere if it remains true to itself.

“The elections were free and fair with little skirmishes,” said Kabir Muhammed from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU).

“All contestants, this time, wrote an undertaking that they would abide by the outcome of the election. The security agencies also did a good job.

No student was harassed or intimidated,” a source.

Another student,Raheem Olaoluwa from Lagos State University, described the inauguration as historic.

“This has not happened in a long time in NANS, where contenders who lost at the election would come out openly to congratulate the winners.

After the Bayelsa election, we were

“This has not happened in a long time in NANS, where contenders who lost at the election, would come out openly to congratulate the winners. After the Bayelsa election, we were thinking some of the losers would kick against the results and later come up with a faction but, up to this time, nothing of such has happened”

thinking some of the losers would kick against the results and later come up with a faction but, up to this time, nothing of such has happened.”

Eniola Opeyemi, co-ordinator, NANS Zone D Southwest, also expressed confidence in the new NANS. He said:“The just-concluded unity convention which recorded the highest number of turnout in NANS’ history and a high level of planning with a dependable electoral committee and support of all the co-ordinators shows a new NANS has been born.”

Dauda, however, said one of the structures he has put in place towards reforming NANS is that, for sometime to come, NANS will not bestow award on anybody, nor saddle itself with endorsing politicians for offices. He added that if it must, then due process must be followed.

He said: “Under my administration, NANS will no longer give award to any individual or organisation. We realised various factions of NANS gave awards in the past and for monetary benefits.

But as it is done in the past, if awards must be given, we must go to NANS senate which will then forward the potential awardees to NANS-NEC

for proper scrutiny.

“I don’t want into dabble to what happened in the past, but let me say categorically that NANS is not a partisan body and so, we should not be seen en-

dorsing one candidate or the other. All I want to do is concentrate on the welfare of Nigerian students nationwide, which is NANS’ primary responsibility.”

“I agree ... in this era of Boko and other Harams, a POP forgone saves multiple PLASTER OF PARIS!”

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THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

EDUCATION

ABUAD: Parents seek repair of access road

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ARENTS and guardians of student of Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) in Ekiti State have called on the state and Federal Governments to rehabilitate the Ado/Ijan Road to the university and the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti.

The road is in a terrible shape thus creating hardship for students, their lecturers and other employees of the university.

During an interactive session between the school authorities and the guardians of new intakes, speaker after speaker lamented the hell they went through on the road.

One of them, Dr. Adeyekun Augustine, lamented the deplorable condition of the road, wondering why the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) had abandoned it.

Dr Adeyekun, however, called on the state Governor, Kayode Fayemi, to come to the students’ rescue.

Governor Fayemi had, some months ago, disclosed that the World Bank had concluded plans to rehabilitate the road, which has craters at many spots.

Chief Afe Babalola, the Proprietor of ABUAD, and the varsity authorities, had intervened in repairing some terrible spots on the road.

During the meeting, parents were made to understand how imperative it is for their children to obey the code of conduct of the institution, which Chief Babalola emphasised, has not be bent in favour of anyone. He also said there would be no room for religion fa-

By Seun Olalude and Tope Fatuase

naticism.

Most of the parents scored the varsity high.

They also scored ABUAD high in their assessment of facilities and academic standard. According to Mrs. Victoria Ajala, the human and materials resources paraded by the institution rank it among the best anywhere in the world particularly in the United Sates of America where she studied.

She said: “The standard of ABUAD equals what obtains in Harvard and other high brow institutions in the US. I schooled in the US and I attended the same university with the Rev. Jesse Jackson in North Carolina. So, there is no point taking our children abroad to study since we can get a higher standard here and also at affordable rate.”

Dr Yemisi Fawole, a lecturer at the University of Ilorin, whose son also gained admission into the institution, said she became aware of the facilities in ABUAD when the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Pro Sidi Osho, talked about them during a lecture she delivered at UNILORIN. School mates of her son, who had earlier gained admission to ABUAD, Dr Fawole further explained, influenced the choice of the varsity. Prof Osho in her address, said candidates picking the university as their first choice in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) had risen by 100 per cent, adding that no fewer than 2,000 students were expected to register for the new academic session.

•Aare Afe Babalola Founder, Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) receiving the award certificate presented to it by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Abuja.

Corona organises ICTcompetition UPILS have been urged to be ICT (Information and Communication Technology)compliant and always update their knowledge as all facets of governance, social and entrepreneurship in the 21st-Century are revolved around technology.

The guest speaker at the ICT Contest tagged Corona Secondary School ICT Week 2011 was Mr Peters Adenyuma.

At the event organised by the school ICT Club, which held at the school premises in Agbara, Ogun State, Adeyunma, an ICT expert,

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said some of the gains of the 21st Century technology include the conveying of data via e-mail from one part of the world to another in a matter of seconds as against the old hand-delivery type; ditto for digital flat screen TVs, which have now replaced the traditional analogue TVs. This, Adeyunma said, is in addition to other communication gadgets, such as cell phones, digital cameras and computers, ipads.

He said: “We’ve come a long way since the very first instances of verbal and written communication.

From the early stages of speech,

•Students of Ekiti State origin pose with Vice-Chancellor Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Prof Sidi Osho, as she displays the award presented to ABUAD as the fastest growing university by the National Association of Nigerian Students in Abuja.

along with the primitive use of symbols and pictures to convey messages to one another, we’ve evolved into a communication powerhouse. Data have never been transferred faster and communication has thus never been more so-

•Mrs Dupe Fatukasi, President, Lagos State University Masters in Business Administration (LASUMBA Heritage presenting a gift to Prof Olusola Aderounmu, the guest lecturer at the Lagos State University Entrepreneurship seminar

phisticated than it is right now.”

He lamented that many curricular and ICT training providers lack internationally recognised guidelines on appropriate ICT professional development for educators.

He, nonetheless, said the United Nations Educational, Scientifific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has been helping in this area by teaming up with bodies, such as Cisco, Intel and Microsoft and International Society of Technology (ISTE) to develop the ICT competency framework for teachers), which according to him, was launched in 2008 to provide guidance for ministries of education and curriculum providers on how to improve teaching through ICT. For education to be optimised maximally, ICT must be brought into the classroom, Adeyunma argued, adding that it will “help pupils develop skills necessary to live and work successfully in the 21st Century and also support teachers

by improving student classroom learning experiences with interactive and dynamic ICT-based resources.”

He observes that though informal observation shows considerable ICT-training efforts at both personal and institutional levels among teachers or educators, the training do not help the integration of ICT in the classrooms as serving teachers did not have ICT- curriculum in their preparations.

“The most critical factor in the successful integration of ICT into education is the extent to which teachers/educators are able to prepare teachers with the required knowledge and skills to utilise ICT effectively,” he added.

At the competition, which featured questions on ICT, Faith College Otta, Ogun State scored 28 points. The Bells also in Otta followed got 26 points, while Augusta College Cele Nicer Ijanikin, came third with 18 points.

‘The most critical factor in the successful integration of ICT into education is the extent to which teacher/educators are able to prepare teachers with the required knowledge and skills to utilise ICT effectively’

28

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

EDUCATION ACE FILE

Bursary holds workshop THE Bursary Division of the Adeyemi College of Education (ACE), Ondo, has completed a one day workshop for the staff of the Division.

The Provost, Prof Adeyemi Idowu, represented by the Deputy Provost, Dr. Olufemi Olajuyigbe, declared the workshop with the theme: Improving technical skill in the field of Accounting, open.

Principal Partner, ID Gbotosho & Co. Chartered Accountants, Ibadan, Mr Femi Gbotosho, delivered a paper on “Accounting Environment (An Overview of Accounting Concept and Conventions)”, while Mr Kolawole Sanyinbi, a Director from Debt Management Department, Ministry of Finance, Akure spoke on Identifying and evaluating alternative sources and strategies for revenue generation and meeting core educational objectives.

Don calls for caution A History lecturer at the ACE, Mr Abiodun Ajayi, has called for caution in modernising some African cultures.

Ajayi made this call during the celebration of cultural day by members of the Destiny Builders Club of the College.

In his paper entitled Back to the Root, Ajayi described culture as a complex whole comprising knowledge, belief, art, moral, law, custom and other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of the society.

He noted that culture is dynamic, which gives room for new additions and subtractions, through contacts with different culture.

However, he warned that the dynamism of culture does not imply discarding and replacing one culture with another.

“It only involves taking the new and adapting it to suit its new environment. However, in our adoption of new culture under the name of change, adequate care should be taken so that our most cherished values would not be damaged,” he added.

The students dressed in their local outfits to lectures.

•Comrade Shamaki presenting gifts to Okerekeafor

•The renovated classroom block

Corps member renovates village school with NYSC allowances R ESIDENTS of Shabra village, Sokoto State will remember Franklin Chigozirim Okerekeafor with fondness.

The corps member spent his allowances during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year to renovate the three-classroom block of the village school and constructed a signpost for it.

He handed over the project last Monday with the young and old, men and women and Okerekeafor’s fellow corps members in attendance. The ceremony started with prayers by the Village Imam and was witnessed by the state Director of Information, Mallam Ibrahim Adamu.

The community as a mark of appreciation presented him with a ram, Shadda brocade while the Yabo Local Government gave him N50,000.

The Council Chair, Comrade Abubakar Shehu Shamaki, showed his own appreciation with a N20,000 gift.

Okerekeafor, who never wanted to end his service year without leaving a mark, made a rare sacrifice of injecting both his service and state allowances to the tune of N550,000 into the project, which he dedicated the future of children and people of Shabra.

The village, which is about

T

HE Lagos State University (LASU) has secured full accreditation of 23 of the 27 courses presented to the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC). This represents 85 per cent of courses presented.

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

40km from Sokoto has been battling with inadequate basic social, such as roads, water, school and health care facilities that will give the inhabitants a sense of belonging.

The only school in the area, a model primary school, established over 13 years ago, serves the people of Bakale, Loli, Durai and other communities.

The school had a Head Master and six teachers, two blocks of classrooms and an office each when it was damaged by a windstorm.

Speaking, a villager, Mallam Suleiman Abubakar said: “This school was functional until the windstorm brought it down 13 years ago and since then the classrooms

were out of use because there has not been an attempt to put them back. The situation has in the past affected the entire learning activities of our people because the school is the only available educational facility serving us. Attendance has been low as a result of it.”

Even then, the school had to manage with the structural facilities to accommodate about 200 pupils under rain or sun. Most of the pupils were taught under trees.

This situation continued until Okerekafor, a Batch ‘C’ Corps member, initiated a rescue community project to renovate the block of three classrooms to make it conducive for teaching and learning.

The corps member from Imo State, whose primary place of posting is the state Ministry of Information,

‘Okerekeafor, who never wanted to end his service year without leaving a mark, made a rare sacrifice of injecting both his service and state allowances to the tune of N550,000 into the project, which he dedicated the future of children and people of Shabra.’

made his move when he served as a Returning Officer during last April polls at Gunguma village passing through Shabra.

“I was shocked and displaced in spirit when I found myself in Gunguma village for the election. I discovered that there was no one that could speak English. Then I realised the need to step in and I began to task myself towards the project.

“Their urge was to have a functional school and I eventually shared the views with my primary place of assignment before I was told to liaise with State Universal Basic Education Board when Yabo Local Government Council attached a team of engineers to me to assess the need for the project,’’ Okerekeafor said.

At the opening, the Council Chairman, Comrade Abubakar Shehu Shamaki thanked Okerekeafor for his selflessness and dedication to the development of educational future of Shabra village.

He said: “The NYSC scheme remains a vital catalyst of rural and community development which every Nigerian should embrace and ensure the spirit co-existence.”

Represented by Hon. Musa

Ladan, Councilor of Birnin Ruwa Ward, Shamaki, said his council will continue to encourage community service initiatives.

Village Head of Shabra, Alhaji Umaru Sai Abdullahi while commending the donor in renewing the hope of his people educationally, canvassed automatic employment for the corps member whose sprit of dedication and commitment stood him out.

Similarly, Umaru Abdullahi Kilgori, Head Master of the School thanked him for his commitment.

“He has not only done us proud, but the nation for making us to appreciate the value of the scheme,’’ he said.

The Head Master further appealed to parents and the entire inhabitants of Shabra village to co-operate with authorities and ensure prompt attendance of their wards in school, adding: ’’We have to guide the trust bestowed on us’’ Mr Onya Okechukwu, Sokoto NYSC Millennium Development Goals Schedule Officer, who oversees the scheme’s programmes on Family and Community Life Re-orientation Component (FACUR) lauded the project.

“This is the type of project we encourage corps members to undertake because is the primary objective of their service,” he said.

LASU gets 85% full accreditation •As govt releases white paper on visitation panel

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

A statement by the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy said the university secured 15 per cent interim accreditation and no denial. Of the courses accredited, 14 are in Faculty of Education; four in the Faculty of Arts, while five were from the Faculty of Science.

The maturity date for full accreditation is 2016, while that of interim is 2013.

Meanwhile, the statement also informed that the Lagos State government has expressed optimism that its decisions, as contained in the White Paper on the Report of the Visitation Panel to Lagos State University (LASU), would result in

streamlining the basis and guidelines for establishing the institution and guarantee the fulfillment of the university’s objectives, as well as ensure the due exercise of its functions as provided for in the Lagos State University Law, N0. 24 of 2007.

The Visitation Panel was chaired by Justice Olaseinde Silva (retired) and had the mandate to review student affairs policies and practices from point of entry to graduation, determine the extent to which appointments, promotions and discipline of staff have been conducted and examine the administration of all funds that accrued to the university, among others.

The government accepted the recommendation to improve the university’s record keeping process by using Information Communication Technology for the purpose of improving admission, registration, attendance, examination, marking of scripts, issuance of results and transcript, etc.

It directed the University Senate to embark on the clearance of the backlog of unissued certificates and set specific timelines for collation of results, issuance of certificates and such other events that will improve student affairs practices.

The government accepted the recommendation of the panel as it relates to promo-

tion/demotion/confirmation of appointments and directed that the University authorities reconstitutes the appointments, promotion, and disciplinary committee in a manner that will ensure its impartiality to deal with all pending matters.

In view of the enormous financial commitment required to run a university vis-à-vis other competing demands in the public sector, government accepted the recommendation to increase tuition fees and directed the Governing Council and other authorities to effect the graduated tuition fees.

The government will, however, mitigate the impact of the increase in tuition fees on indigent students through the provision of bursary awards and scholarships.

29

Riot: UNICAL students count losses

LASU goes to the polls Page 34

Page 31

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

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE

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

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

The killing of a Batch C Corps member, Stephen Enyinnaya Nwosu, in an Army assault on suspected Boko Haram members, has thrown his colleagues in Adamawa State, his family in Isiala Ngwa South, Abia State and his friends at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia, where he graduated, into mourning. GERALD NWOKOCHA examines the circumstances surrounding the death.

•Stephen’s remains being carried out of the church after the burial mass.

Outrage over the death of Corps member mistaken for Boko Haram member F

OR the family, colleagues and friends of Stephen Enyinnaya Nwosu, August 26, is a day they will not love to remember. That day, the bodies of Nwosu and two others were paraded before reporters by men of the 23 Armoured Brigade, Gibson Jalo Cantonment, Yola, Adamawa State. The soldiers claimed that Nwosu was a member of the Boko Haram sect who attacked Gombi town the previous day.

Nwosu, a graduate of Animal Science from the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUA), Umudike, Abia State, was a Batch C member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Adamawa State. He would have been among those who passed out on October 4.

While parading the bodies, the soldiers said the late Nwosu was in the Boko Haram group that killed 16 people, including six policemen and one soldier.

The claim was refuted by some of his colleagues who brought his remains home for

burial. They told CAMPUSLIFE that the late Nwosu was shot severally by the combined team of security operatives, code-named Operation Tsaro, despite being told that he was a corps member and even after showing his identity card.

A corps member, who was with the late Nwosu during the incident said: “Bishop (as Stephen was popularly called, due to his strong Christian beliefs and the fact that he was president of the Catholic Corpers Association in Adamawa State) was snatched by men of Operation Tsaro and dragged to Shengere Junction where he was told to lie face down and was shot several times. It was about 3:30pm; we went to withdraw money from an ATM. Unknown to us, Boko Haram members had robbed the bank earlier that day; some soldiers had laid ambush for the robbers. One of them shot Bishop in the leg.

“When he screamed, people started to run; I

too ran. The soldiers swooped on him and began to drag him along with them. None of us was wearing the corper uniform as we have been warned to wear it sparingly because of fear that we might be targets of Boko Haram attack. All the same, he made several attempts at informing the military that he was a corps member. He even brought out his identity card to show them; but it all fell on deaf ears. At Shengere, they shot him many times, to ensure he was dead.”

About six feet tall and muscular, the late Nwosu won the Macho-Man competition during the Batch C orientation camp. Some of his colleagues said he might have been mistaken for a member of the dreaded sect because of his bearded face and intimidating size. However, many wondered why he should be killed after he had been incapacitated by a bullet and the presentation of his NYSC ID card.

CAMPUSLIFE met Nwosu’s bereved parents

•Stephen at the Yola NYSC camp last October.

and siblings, who live in the staff quarters of the MOUA. His parents are retired workers of the National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike.

The late Nwosu, 26, was the fourth of five children. To attest to his intelligence, he was the only one in his class whose result was released in full, making him eligible to join the Batch C set last October.

Some of his friends from Umudike who were also posted to the North were re-deployed in the heat of the crisis in the North during the last elections, but the late Nwosu stayed, saying his posting was divinely planned and that he would work to ensure that he was loved by the community where he would serve.

•Continued on page 31

•Emotions as student’s remains buried - PG32 •Having a feel of Badagry slave port - PG33

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

30

CAMPUS LIFE

As the strikes Pushing Out continue

T

HROUGHOUT last week, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) were on a “warning” strike aimed at forcing government to fulfill its part of an agreement the two bodies reached two years ago. This week, it is the turn of members of three other unions in the universities, namely: the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU).

Theirs have also been termed a “warning” strike, with a similar aim. In fact, the president of SSANU, Comrade Samson Ugwoke, was quoted as saying that the yet-to-befulfilled agreement ought to be up for renegotiation next year. In other words, when SSANU and the Federal Government reached the terms of agreement two years ago, there was a proviso that it would be reviewed every four years. But one year to the review date, that agreement is yet to be implemented. The ongoing strike is not about the review; it is about the implementation.

The scenario that has played out on our universities since Tuesday when students resumed for classes is that registration and all other official business on campus have been suspended. Only lectures hold. And in some situations, the classes have not held because NASU and NAAT members are the ones with the keys to the classrooms, laboratories and workshops. Libraries have been shut as they are wholly manned by SSANU and NASU members.

Hostels, especially the toilet ends, have turned to cesspits as the cleaners are on strike.

On some campuses, darkness and more dirt

•Franklin

W

HAT do you think made you win Mr UNIPORT? My physique, carriage, intelligence and conduct were the major factors.

People are conversant with female beauty pageants; what can you say about male ones?

Male pageant is aimed at encouraging young men to keep fit and have confidence in

with

Ngozi Agbo 08054503104 (SMS only)

•campuslife@thenationonlineng.net •ladycampus@yahoo.com reign as those manning the generator houses and water reservoirs are not there. A strike is on, stupid.

It will end tomorrow. But that statement does not encourage me. It sounds like the proverbial “tomorrow” that never comes. You hear the foreboding in the statements credited to leaders of the unions. Announcing the suspension of the ASUU strike last Friday, the President, Prof Ukachukwu Awuzie, warned that the directive to members to commence work should not be seen as an excuse for lethargy and foot-dragging on the part of government in complying with the issues already agreed on in 2009.

“We call on the Nigerian people to prevail and to persuade the government, especially the Presidency and the National Assembly to treat the implementation of the agreement with the urgency it deserves to ensure continued stability in the academic calendar of universities,” Awuzie stated.

The suspended strike is “likely to go full scale if government reneges on its promise to implement the agreement reached earlier”.

Comrade Ugwuoke was no less combative in his words; he said: “The government is not sincere and serious with us from the onset but now our unions are ready for a showdown with the government to ensure the full imple-

mentation of the agreement that is due for renegotiation in less than one year time”.

Ugwuoke has not said anything that is news; it is an open secret that Nigeria has never had sincere people in government whose words are their bond. They would rather die than be held to their words. Journalists, those “unfortunate poor cousins of the politicians”, can tell you more about this.

You have interviewed a government official; once he sees his words in print, and maybe gets one or two calls from friends that the statement was not “politically correct”, he calls the reporter and cajoles, begs, threatens

to get a recant. Some go as far as having the reporter incarcerated.

But while such statements to the reporter may be said to be made on the spur of the moment, what about an agreement that took weeks – in some cases, months – to be made?

What excuse does a human being, not to mention an institution as big (serious-minded) as a state, have for reneging on an agreement? It reels the mind.

As the ASUU strike went on last week, Wale Ajetunmobi, one of my students who assists me now, as an NYSC member, wanted to know if ASUU meant it actually sat down with government representatives and drew up an agreement which both parties signed. The young man could not believe that ASUU “actually” got that far with the FG. When I told him that was exactly what happened. He was miffed; then blurted out: “Then ASUU should take the government to court!”

I don’t know what look he saw on my face, but he seemed to catch himself, and muttered “… I know… which court really?”

At that a wry smile played around my lips.

A dry smile it was indeed. My heart cut as I looked at his face and saw another young hope being dimmed. He was learning the problem with Nigeria. At that moment, I could see he was willing to be freed from the “curse of Ni-

geria”.

I coined the phrase “curse of Nigeria” after my two-year stint in what can pass for a blue chip company. Perhaps because I was coming from a newspaper house where I was a political correspondent, I already had a keen sense of happenings in the country, especially on the political and business fronts. Thus, I was always asking for the papers from the office assistants or reading them on my laptop and trying to discuss them with my colleagues.

Unknown to me, I was disturbing people some of who attended better schools – Leeds and even Oxford universities – than I did.

Events in the UK and the US were of much more importance to them.

One day, one tried to explain to me that Nigeria was a mess and sooner or later would be run aground eventually. They are Nigerians and lived here, but that was it – until the “inevitable” happened and they would jet out. They lived what I’d call fake lives; but even sadder, they lived it in a fake country. They were not living with a real care to make positive impacts anywhere; and they do not expect Nigeria to succeed. And circumstances have contrived to see that the country is burdened further with purposeless leaders who lack integrity. That is the curse of Nigeria.

But we have to reverse this. And we will do well to start with honouring agreements. Like I have argued previously on this column, Nigeria does not need a great visionary in the mould of Martin Luther King Jr. to succeed.

All we need for now is a man who is sincere and determined enough to make his yes “Yes” and his no “No”; a man who cares about making our roads motorable, ensuring that our children get quality education, getting the hospitals and general health system to work and instilling discipline in the civil service as well as the rest of the polity.

That is the first step forward. While this person does not necessarily have to be a Joseph or a Daniel, he needs some qualities of the lion – lionheart, they call it – to succeed.

Ciao

Franklin Odum is a 400-Level student of Geology at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT). He is an actor and model. He recently won the Mr UNIPORT pageant. He tells CHRIS OKAFOR (400-L Microbiology) how it all started.

‘Education polishes talent’

‘Girls are always around me’

Bukola Tolani, an upcoming artiste, popularly known as Bouqi 9ja, is an ND II student of Mass Communication at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State.

AKINOLA OLUYI, (ND I Mass Comm) met her.

themselve.

It also aims at encouraging them to be responsible. Some are called Mr Macho, Mr Handsome.

Did you dream of becoming a model?

As a child, I loved entertainment; and, with time, I developed the passion for modelling. I took time to work on my body.

How do you feel now as Mr UNIPORT? I feel the name comes with more responsibility. I am not a proud person because I believe that God gives grace to the humble.

What is your concept of beauty pageants?

Pageantry exposes one to a wide range of opportunities and makes the participant more confident.

Could you tell us the secret behind your body mass?

I have put in a lot of effort to make my body this way. I have my workout schedule and I follow it dedicatedly. I have different days for my chest, thigh, tummy, shoulders, biceps, triceps and so on.

How do you cope with female admirers?

Girls are always around me.

Some call me on the phone and tell me how much they admire me, how much they want me closer to them. I treat them as friends and make sure it does not exceed that.

It has not been easy but the Lord is my strength.

How much attention do you give to your study?

I don’t joke with my studies. In fact, it takes precedence in my life at this stage. Other things to me can better be rated as leisure activities. At this stage, my studies are my life.

Define Mr UNIPORT for us?

Mr UNIPORT is an ambassador of the students on campus and beyond. The position is just ambassadorial.

What project do you have at hand?

I am working on having a day in the university specifically dedicated to fitness, develop good fitness centre and also give proper orientation on fitness.

How do you work with Miss UNIPORT to bring the UNIPORT vision to reality?

We are sensitising students on the need for them to have confidence in themselves no matter the environment and situation they are in. We also want to see that modelling companies come around UNIPORT and sponsor departmental and faculty beauty pageants. Already, some departments have started reaping the fruits.

What is your message to the students you represent?

They should be focused and make their studies the uppermost priority in their lives. They should eschew all forms of violence and crime because those do not pay.

Above all, they should have the fear of God for that is the beginning of wisdom.

W

HEN and how did you start your music career?

It was in Primary Four during a musical competition organised in my school and I was fortunate to be the lead vocal of my group and we won. In the last five years, I have been able to develop my potential with a number of tracks.

What genre of music are you into?

I am into hip hop and, presently, I have singles like Party Time, Bend Down Low, among others. By God’s grace, my first album will come out very soon. My fans, stay tuned!

How far have you gone?

Well, I have performed with artistes like Clever Jay, and I have also performed in various shows, concerts in my school and outside.

Who is your role model?

Ooh! Brandy! I like her a lot. I love her style of music. In fact, I will like to work with her in the future.

What is it like combining music with studies?

•Bukola

Education and music go hand-inhand. It is not easy, but I’m trying to cope so that I will have good grades at the end.

What are the challenges you are facing as an upcoming female artiste?

The first is discrimination among my male counterparts.

Then, there is the high cost of production which is not exactly gender-sensitive.

What are your plans about the future?

By the grace of Almighty God, I will graduate with good grades which I’m working towards now.

Once I graduate, I will get more involved with the music industry.

Now, however, education is my priority.

What is your advice for students with talents like you?

I will advise them to make sure they put their education first. They must also neglect the common saying that talent cannot go with education. This is because education helps to polish talent.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

31

CAMPUS LIFE

Outrage over corps member’s death •Continued from page 29

His elder brother, John Nwosu, told our reporter that before the incident, his parents had urged the deceased to visit home since schools were on long vacation but he explained that the principal of the school where he was teaching asked him to stay back and assist in extramural classes. He was also said to have argued that since he would soon be rounding off the service year, the classes would be his last package for his students.

“But after much disturbance from our mother,” John continued, “on August 25, Stephen called me and our elder brother, Chiemela, asking that we send him N5,000 that day before bank closes so that he could withdraw the money and travel down to the east the next day being Friday. We paid the money into his UBA account around 3pm and informed him. I equally sent him two N400 MTN recharge cards which he had equally requested. It was not up to 30 minutes when Stephen called our parents asking if they could hear gun shots and they said yes. He told them that he didn’t think he would survive this.

Our dad was warning him to be careful and stay wherever he was. Unknown to him, Stephen was already shot in the leg, and the soldier with a gun over him was the one that told him to call his parents and tell them what was happening. After he said that, the phone went off and has remained off till today.”

The mother immediately contacted her priest, Rev. Fr. Michael Ukah of the Catholic Chaplaincy, Umudike and other men of God she knew, pleading that they pray for her son’s safety. They all prayed for him. Little did they know that Stephen was dead already.

CAMPUSLIFE learnt that the distraught family made several calls to military personnel they knew; it took three days before their worst fears were confirmed.

It took several pleas from the NYSC before the army could release the body to the family for burial.

When the news got to students of MOUA, they mobilised themselves and boarded vehicles to the Government House, Umuahia, to lay their grievances before Governor Theodore Orji. They were stopped by security operatives; they went back the next day and were again stopped by security men. To ensure that the students did nothing even on their campus, mobile policemen took up position at the campus gate. This lasted till the students started their exams.

On September 15, Nwosu’s body, accompanied by NYSC officials from Adamawa State, arrived in Umuahia.

It was handed over to the NYSC Abia State Coordinator and deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.

His remains were eventually bur-

ied in his village, Umukpenyi Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South, on September 22.

The funeral coincided with the peak of second semester exams at MOUA. CAMPUSLIFE learnt that this was deliberate, as security operatives urged the family to do so to forestall a breakdown of law and order, which could happen should students be part of the ceremony.

But even at that, it was attended by a large crowd. In his sermon, Rev Ukah reminded all that death has no power over life since Christ died for our sins. He likened the corps member’s killing to that of St. Stephen in the Bible who was stoned to death for his faith in Christ.

At the funeral, Mr. Emeka Obi, the Area Coordinator, NYSC Southeast Zone, who represented the DirectorGeneral, Brig. General Thomas Afia Okorie, said investigations were still on, adding that the NYSC would not forget the family.

Another priest, Rev. Fr. Jon Ofoegbu, lamented that “in recent times, the side effects of the NYSC, a noble concept borrowed from the United States, have outnumbered the good ones.” He urged the Federal Government to investigate and tell the family “how Stephen died and what should be done.”

The army, the State Security Service and the police attended the funeral.

While five Hilux vans conveyed the army, three each conveyed the SSS and the police. They accompanied his remains to the church and to the graveside. However, it fell on Stephen’s NYSC colleagues in Abia State to bear the hearse. They were led by NYSC officials. No official came from NYSC Adamawa.

The Nwosu family is demanding that the NYSC explains to them how their son died and who killed him.

Another elder brother, Mr Ben Nwosu, said: “The government should stop covering up. We want the army that killed the promising Stephen to show a sign of remorse, by apologising to the family. It should also ensure that those who murdered Stephen are brought to book. The government of Adamawa State as well as the Federal Government should send delegations to console the family; and also ensure that adequate compensation is paid to the bereaved family since Stephen died in active service. We are not asking them to replace Stephen because he is irreplaceable.

“Nigeria is not a lawless country.

There is law and order. Let those who murdered my brother face the full weight of the law. The Federal Government should come to the rescue of our retired parents who spent all in training Stephen”.

The family is also demanding the release of Stephen’s phone by the army “because we believe the phone would contain evidence that proves Stephen’s innocence.”

The family thanked Governor Orji for identifying with them in their trying moment.

•Stephen (right) and some friends, fellow leaders of the Catholic Corpers.

Students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) will resume on October 24, about two month’s after their school was shut, following violent demonstrations on August 26 and 27. CHARLES UDENZE, EMMANUEL AHANONU (300-L Political Science) UYIME BASSEY (200-L Banking and Finance) and PRINCE NKOROH (Law) report that the resumption is not without “stringent conditions.”

•Main gate of UNICAL.

Riot: UNICAL students count losses

B

ETWEEN August 26 and 27, students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) went wild, destroying properties during a demonstration.

Many reasons were given for the remote and immediate causes: the murder of a 400-Level Public Administration student by unknown gunmen; stabbing to death a month earlier of a 400-Level Law student; perceived insecurity; lack of adequate power and water supplies; perceived insensitivity of the university’s medical staff; an insensitive Student Union Government; higher development levy and the deadline for payment.

As students were sent home, transporters cashed in on the situation to make money. The number of students who lost their lives during the protest may never be ascertained. Same for those hospitalised after inhaling the teargas from mobile policemen.

Many have wondered: why did UNICAL students take to jungle justice? What would have been a possible preventive measure?

The former Acting Chief Security Officer (CSO), Captain Michael Okon, was on leave when the incident took place and the person holding fort for him could not contain the rampage. Today, the position of CSO has been advertised.

After two weeks of sitting, a joint committee set up by the Senate and the Governing Council submitted its report. It took the following decisions: immediate ban on the SUG and the Man O’War; payment of N10,000 damage levy by every student; swearing of an affidavit by every student to be of good behaviour, with an attestation letter duly signed by the parents; no student would be allowed into the hostels for the meantime, to enable management effect repairs.

The ban on the SUG affects all arms of the government. The N10,000 payment affects not only regular but Sandwich and postgraduate students. The ban on the hostels is the first time that Malabites and Malabresses (male and female students in UNICAL) would be losing their “republic”. What this translates to is that some 10,000 students have been let loose in Calabar town seeking accommodation.

Some students told CAMPUSLIFE

•College of Medicine, UNICAL.

that the situation is like “an openended conflict between a recalcitrant son and an unforgiving father.”

Michael Omile said: “Though I wasn’t around when the riot took place but, in everything, students went too far, I condemn that. On the N10,000 levy, that is normal. Where I have a problem is telling those of us who have finished but have not got their certificate or gone for youth service to pay such money.

Telling students to stay away from the hostels will be very challenging.

There are more than 8,000 students in the hostel; where do we expect the students to stay? I urge management to reconsider, beef up security and let students go back to their hostels,” A student, who simply gave his name as Williams, said: “Management is just joking to think that students should stay out of their home - their republik - even after paying for what few, less than two percent of the students’ population, destroyed”.

Another, who pleaded anonymity, said: “The management is breaching the contract it has with students. The first riot (I believe) was not planned; if this their plan ever stands, they may be inviting another rampage that will be properly planned and well executed.”

A 300-Level student of Microbiology said: “For the management to think that we will suffer and pay N10,000 and leave our hostel may not work. Where do they expect somebody like me to go and get money for rent in town? Do they

want the girls to go and live with men off campus?’’

A male student who called for caution, said: “When you look at the impending crisis, we wonder: will UNICAL ever recover? Further riots will only earn us further troubles without any solution. Let us launch an intellectual/legal war to force management to listen to us. Denial of hostel accommodation after payment is not only a breach of contract but a violation of fundamental human rights.”

Post-graduate students are not finding the payment of the N10,000 damage levy funny. A student lamented that “the management is trying to force us to pay N10,000 damage levy as well as denying us our hostel accommodation.”

Another post-graduate student vowed that “we will use negotiation to ensure that management sees reason with us as we never took part in the riot.”

Business operators in the hostels are not smiling. A food vendor, who spoke in Pidgin, said: “To eat now na wahala. Since den don pursue us comot for our business place life don tire us and to hear say students no dey come back again na em bi say the school wan send us back to our villages.”

A management staff, who spoke in confidence, said: “Students should be happy. For one, if we had kept them at home until all the repairs they complained about are done, months would pass. We are upgrading facilities. They should endure that sacrifice by packing out and allowing us effect repairs for their own good.”

32

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

CAMPUS LIFE Emotion as student’s remains buried

Department holds orientation

From Samson Ademola OAU

F

OR the students, it was an emotional task- the burial of a colleagues body at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Some recalled the last moment they had with the deceased, Segun Babalola, a 300-Level student of Local Government Studies; others expressed disbelief.

Segun, who was married with a baby, was involved in a road crash on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos. He died instantly. He was said to have won the American Visa lottery, and was coming from the US Embassy when he died.

A friend said: “He was with me in the morning, but he did not inform his wife, Kemi, who is also our classmate, where he was going. No one knew he died on Monday evening until Thursday when they traced his residential address.”

Dennis Awoyemi, another classmate, said: “He told me he was coming back last week. When I called back this week, somebody picked but was silent. I felt that was his usual drama because he did not talk much.”

His classmates trooped to Ayobo cemetery in Lagos, where his remains were laid to rest. The burial followed the sermon.

“Segun, go and rest and be freed from the problems of this world.

•Some of the freshmen after the event.

T

HE National Association of Environmental Health Students of Nigeria (NAEHSN), College of Health Technology (COTECH), Calabar chapter, has held an orientation and induction for new students.

The Head of Environment Health Department, represented by Mr Eyo Essien, welcomed the students.

He urged them to work hard to graduate with good grades.

A lecturer, Mrs. Christiana Unoh, said the essence of environment

From Isaac Mensah COTECH

health is to control hazardous condition. She listed waste management, monitoring of pollution, and environmental impact assessment, among others, as components of environmental health.

In a chat with CAMPUSLIFE, the NAEHSN president, Sebastian Onu, said: “The programme was part of the association’s annual obligation.”

Francis Henshaw, a new student, said the exercise was an eye opener.

Club conducts free diabetes test •Segun’s classmates at the graveside.

We ought to go through the journey of life together but you left me and your child. Let this child go places you were unable to reach,” cried the late Segun’s wife in an emotion-laden voice.

Kelvin Babaeko, president of Local Government Studies Students

Association, said: “Segun’s death is a big loss. He wouldn’t have died had it been there were good ambulances with functional equipment to convey victims of accident to the hospital. It is most painful that no representative of the government has visited the bereaved family.”

•Mrs. Ajaero-Anyigor, being attended to by the students.

M

EMBERS of the Rotaract Club, Ebonyi State University (EBSU) chapter, have conducted a free diabetes test for adult members of the Catholic Church living around EBSU Teaching Hospital.

Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, the President, for Lawrence Daniel thanked the sponsors of the club in Abakaliki and called on public-spirited individuals to support the club because “there is much to be done but the funds are inadequate.”

From Emeka Ugwu EBSU

Rev. Fr. Clement Osunwoke, who also participated in the screening, said the club constantly reminded the church of the need to care for one another. He thanked the members for the intervention.

Mrs. Esther Ajaero-Anyigor, who benefited from the scheme, described the programme as laudable and prayed God to strengthen the members to do more.

Students get constitution

T

•Some members of the class in traditional costume.

Management Science students celebrate week

T

HE Management Science Students’ Association (MASSA) of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) marked their final year week amid fun and excitement. Final year students from every de-

From Odiawa Ijeweme UNIBEN

partment in the faculty including Banking & Finance, Business Administration and Accounting came out in their departmental

customised T-shirts during the programme.

The week-long event featured a seminar, picnic, jean carnival, old school day, dinner. It ended with a thanksgiving service at the St. Albert’s Catholic Church, UNIBEN.

Benue students criticise scholarship board

B

ENUE students at the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Niger State, have criticised the state’s scholarship board for non-payment of their bursary for two sessions.

The students spoke to CAMPUSLIFE through their leaders, Terna Ihindan and Daniel Omaga, immediate past presidents of the Community of Tiv Students (CTS) and National Association of Idoma

From Faith Olaniran FUT MINNA

Students (NAIS).

They said the board was insensitive to the plight of indigent students higher institution’s nationwide.

Institutions affected are FUT Minna, University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), University of Ibadan (UI) and Usman Danfodio University (UDU), Sokoto.

The UNIABUJA president of Benue

has equally expressed the students’ displeasure on the withholding of the funds.

He said: “It is already public knowledge that N184 million for the 2009/2010 session was released to the board. Why have they not disbursed the money to students?”

Williams said the students’ efforts to reach the board through the Executive Secretary, Mr Jack Gumh, were fruitless.

HE National Association of Business Administration and Entrepreneurship Students (NABES), Kwara State University (KWASU) chapter has introduced the first constitution of the association. While introducing the constitution to the students last week at the weekly meeting, the Acting Vice President Ijeoma Umeokoli who represented the

From Habeeb Whyte KWASU

Acting President, said the constitution became more imperative as the association was preparing for her orientation week.

Ibrahim Agboola, a direct entry student, said the constitution will go a long way in enabling the students to know their rights and how to champion it.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

33

CAMPUS LIFE Students visit Obudu Ranch

I

•The VC, Prof Abdulkareem, flanked by some of the graduates.

•Some graduates and members of their families.

Fanfare as varsity graduates students

T

HE Al-Hikma University, Ilorin, Kwara State, has held its 2011 graduation.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Suleiman Abdulkareem, charged the graduands to be good ambassadors and to deploy the good habits and skills impacted on them to reform the world. He appreciated the parents for coming to witness the day.

At the event were Governor Fatai

From Mohammed Alabi ALHIKMAH

Ahmed, former Governor of Kano, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau; the university’s founder, Alhaji Oladimeji Igbaja; Hon Justice Mustapha Akanbi, vice-chancellors of other universities and other dignitaries.

In a chat with CAMPUSLIFE, some graduates thanked the university for

creating a conducive academic environment for them. They appreciated their VC for his fatherly disposition and his giant strides since he took over the mantle of leadership barely a year ago.

A graduate Mr. Abubakar Abdulkadir, thanked his parents for seeing him through his programme, despite challenges. The graduate of Banking and Finance admonished his juniors to always be responsible within and outside the campus.

N the university community, going for picnics, excursions or field trips is not strange.

So, it wasn’t anything strange when students under the aegis of the National Association of Applied Biology Students (NAABS), Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, went on excursion to the Obudu Mountain Resort, Cross River State. They tagged it “Biodiversity tour.”

The students were accompanied by their staff adviser, Dr. Catherine Nnamani and another lecturer, Dr. U. T. Ukah.

Addressing them before departure, the Head of Department, Mr. Christopher Nwani, represented by Dr. Nnamani, urged them to see the trip as an opportunity to learn with fun as being outside the four walls of the university is rare in this part of the world.

The departmental president, Comrade Obinna Eze, promised that they would behave so that others too can enjoy the same trip in future.

Dr. Nnamani told CAMPUSLIFE that the essence of the trip was to expose the students to the practical aspect of their course which would broaden their intellect and make them realise that it is not fiction.

The journey which lasted seven hours from Abakaliki to Obudu was smooth though it would have been shorter but for the intermittent stop on the way to study the different vegetation, soil type/texture and economic endowment in the two states.

“We arrived at Obudu at 4:30pm and headed for the Federal College of Education, Obudu, where an arrangement was made for our accommodation.

“There was a party put together to bid the third year students who were embarking on their industrial attachment goodluck. Students were pleasantly surprised by the cocktail.

Stephanie Ogbu said: “I thought

•At the Badagry beach, the students having fun.

Having a feel of Badagry slave port

I

T was fun for the students of the Faculty of Arts, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye when they visited Badagry.

Led by their lecturer, Dr. Jide Dasaolu, the students visited the slave port, Badagry Museum, Oba’s palace and Suntan beach.

The trip was primarily to educate the

From Modestus Diko OOU

students on historical events and how people were sold to western slave masters by traditional rulers in exchange for items, such as mirrors, gun powders and guns.

The association’s social secretary,

Fatai Olalekan, said: “The organising of the event was really tasking and due to some unforeseen circumstances there were hitches here and there. But, despite the huddles, I thank God the trip was successful.”

Precious Odofin, a student of Philosophy, said: “The trip was educative.

I really felt the pain of those slaves.”

‘Tree planting good for academic environment’

T

HE Provost, Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, (EACOED), Oyo, Dr. Amos Oyetunde last week, led members of his management to plant trees around the campus. The event, which was the first of its kind, was equally attended by students.

Stressing the importance of tree planting, Dr. Oyetunde said the vegetation and climate in the northern part of Nigeria brought about the need to embark on tree

From Sikiru Akinola EACOED

planting in order to improve the ecosystem by afforestation process.

“Deforestation is not only threatening the sustainability of the environment but has had detrimental effects on Nigeria. Tree planting is not an end in itself but part of the environmental sustenance which include the greening of the environment.”

He continued: “If we continue, every member of the college community must be ready to be a stakeholder of this progressive move by planting a tree or nurturing and protecting the existing vegetation in our environment.”

In a chat with CAMPUSLIFE, a member of staff of the college, Mrs. A. Ashimolowo, commended the Provost for the event, saying the programme was unprecedented.

•The visitors at Obudu.

From Daniel Lawrence and Emeka Ugwu EBSU

we came for field trip but how come the cocktail is usuallyorganised for final year students? I’m really excited about this day.”

The following day the students embarked on a journey to the mountain which took 80 minutes from Obudu town. On the way, there was a heavy downpour, but we got to the ranch safely.

On arrival we were told that the weather was not conducive so we had to wait to use the cable car which was our choice against the road vehicle option. While waiting, we decided to go swimming for some who wanted to swim while others walked around snapping at things they could see without knowing that this was just the tip of the ice berg.

When the weather was adjudged conducive, we went into what most of us called the eighth wonder of the world. At the main resort, we were led by the tourist guard who mandated us to put on something to cover ourselves very well because of the cold and the varying temperature of the ranch.

We saw some cabin chalets, the Presidential medium and single.

Having gone through most of the chalets and other buildings of interest, we moved to what was described as mountain rain forest. This marked the pinnacle of the trip as the lecturers, along with the forest guard, explained in practical terms some features of the forest and this was equally accompanied by an adrenaline triggered walk along the swinging bridge which was 40km above the forest floor.

A student, Nonye Ojinta, confessed that she had never had it so good as compared to this trip. For Michael Item: “This is the best trip of my life. Nigeria is truly blessed.

I will certainly come back here with my family”.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

34

CAMPUS LIFE Last Thursday, students of the Lagos State University (LASU) elected new leaders to steer their affairs in the next academic session. NURUDEEN YUSUF (100-L Islamic and Common Law) reports that the election was significant and filled with intrigues.

•Students during one of the campaigns.

•The SUG Building gate at LASU.

LASU goes to the polls A

T the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, intellectualism played out as students decided the new leaders of their Student Union Government (SUG leaders.

It was significant because even the less-lucrative offices were keenly contested. Till the last moment, nobody could predict the winner among the candidates. At inception, the presidential aspirants were eight, while the Assistant-General Secretary (AGS) position - usually unopposed - had three aspirants vying for it, an indication that LASUites are becoming politically conscious.

To beat the order of two weeks transition before the second semester examination, the Students’ Parliamentary Council (SPC) conducted a screening to constitute the Lagos State University Students’ Union Independent Electoral Committee (LASUSUIEC). The committee was inaugurated by the Speaker, Ganiyu Ibikunle Ganiyu.

The 30-man committee was headed

by Yahyah Ajalogun, in 400-Level English Language.

The committee lifted the ban on political activities and declared the race open on August 19; campaigns started immediately. Necessitated by what students described as an era of liberation set in motion by the present administration of the SUG, the aspirants came out with various concepts and strategies to sell their candidacy.

For the highest office, the Presidency, a girl was among the eight in the fray. True to the saying “when

the journey gets tough, the tough gets going”; sooner than later, two of the presidential aspirants stepped down, including the only girl in the race.

LASUSUIEC screened the candidates for the SPC between September 1 and 5. It was the turn of those for the executive offices between September 5 and 8.

Another feature that made this year’s election weird was the debates organised by various organisations. The debates were platforms where the intellectual credence of aspirants were tested.

One of such was organised by the Association of Campus Journalists (ACJ). At the debate coordinated by its Acting President, Nurudeen Temilola, the presidential candidates’ knowledge of problems affecting LASUites were put to test and, from there, the students decided who to vote for.

Quadri Owolabi, in 300-Level Marketing, said: “This is an eye opener for students and first of its kind in LASU. If debates of this nature can be instituted and supported by the university management, meritocracy will be empowered at the expense of mediocrity. My eye has opened and I know who to cast my vote for. LASU is now shoulder-to-shoulder with her contemporaries across the world; it is no more an affair of shouting the rallying calls and beating drums around.”

On the manifesto day held at Abe Igi (under the tree) - a no lacklustre rendezvous adjacent to the Badagry Gate (main gate) – the turnout was

massive. Students were eager to know what the aspirants had in store for them.

The manifesto reading took off at 2pm. It was moderated by Kayode Oloto, a 400-Level Mass Communication student and member of LASUSUIEC. Afterwards, questions were welcomed from the audience.

The audience reactions said a lot; it applauded candidates whose answers impressed it while others were booed off the podium.

When it was the turn of the social director, the aspirants were forced to dance to show their “swags” and convince the students that they are socially sound to lead them.

The presidential manifesto was delayed because of Oladipupo Agoro’s academic profile.

Shamsideen Balogun, in 300-Level Political Education whose campaign slogan was “liberation”, promised an ideological solution to challenges in transport and poor academic performance.

Idris Abdul-Rahman, in 300-Level Biochemistry who is the ex-president of the Faculty of Sciences, said: “Being the youngest candidate in the race with experience and credibility, I promise LASUites better image, welfare and cooperation.

Through public and private partnership (PPP), the Lagos State government turned the state into a mega city. I will adopt same and woo private companies here, for the better development of LASU”.

Akeem Durojaye, in 300-Level Political Science, was the immediate past president of the National Association of Political Students

•Akeem, the new SUG President.

(NAPS). With supporters chanting his campaign slogan of “AK is OK if LASUites are okay”, he mounted the podium and promised a new deal. He said: “The new deal is a pragmatic shift from favouritism to celebrating meritocracy. My four cardinal programmes will be improved image, welfare, socials and academics”. From the audience, he queried: “Wetin day okay, kilo wa okay?” The audience replied “nothing dey okay!”

Tajudeen Onikoye, in 300-Level Business Management and Technology promised everything free including the students’ Union bus.

Olamide Tijani, from Accounting, tagged his campaign “Responsibility”. He said he would ensure a responsible government in all areas.

Oladipupo Agoro 300 Industrial Relations and Personnel Management said he was on a mission of

change to improve welfare standards and internal transportation system.

Eventually, election day came.

Slated to start at 10am, it took off late at the faculties of Law and Management Sciences. At the faculty of Management Sciences reason for the delay was based on the fact that Oladipupo’s name, from the faculty, was not included in the ballot paper.

The situation was managed by the Acting Dean Students’ Affairs Dr. Bidemi Idowu. Addressing the livid students, she urged that the election should continue and advised the aspirant to forward his case to the election tribunal.

The election was manned by the cadet corps, campus marshalls and the LASU security. The election was free of violence. According to the Chief Security officer (CSO), Mr. Abraham Olusesan “this is not the first since I assumed office; it is the grace of God, planning and dedication of my staff. The security of these students is our paramount objective. Though, election period is always a period of threat and tension and LASU is not an exemption but no casualty was recorded as far as this election is concerned.”

The election was counted at the polling units in the presence of students. After general collation of election results, Yahyah announced winners. They include Akeem Durojaye (President), Fisayo Sanni (Vice President), Shittu-Sadiq Daniels (General Secretary), Olasunkami Taoreed (Welfare Director), Adedayo Sonubi (Treasurer), Qudus Ajumoko (Financial Secretary), Femi Ajibose (AGS), Azeez Olateju (PRO), Abdulbaqi Badru (Sport Director), Jerry Kabiri (Social Director).

Sports fest at AAUA From Seyi Oluwalade AAUA

I

T was a two-day event to honour sportsmen and women. It was put together by the Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) as part of activities marking the sports seminar and launch of yearbook for graduating students.

CSP Chioma Ajunwa-Oparah, Nigeria’s Olympic medalist and founder, Chioma Ajunwa Foundation, set the campus agog the second day. She was the guest lecturer, and said the nation’s insecurity and militancy problems would be eradicated if youths were fully engaged in sporting activities.

•Ajunwa-Oparah and some of the officials and the students.

CSP Ajunwa-Oparah spoke on “Nigerian athletes and Olympics; the importance of sports as an entrepreneurial tool and development – A complement to social-economic and

political development”.

She said: “Acts of militancy, Boko Haram and youth unrest can be put to rest if our leaders will re-focus their attention to youth development

•A cross section of the sportsmen and women.

through massive provision of recreational facilities and sporting activities that will keep the youth busy at all times in order to re-direct and rechannel their energies towards posi-

tive thinking.”

She advised policy-makers to integrate sports and physical activity pro•Continued on page 36

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

35

CAMPUS LIFE

E

ARLIER this month, a video of the apparent gang rape of a girl was posted online by the rapists themselves. The group of five rapists believed to be students of the Abia State University, either through arrogance or ignorance, posted the sexual assault, which they recorded on their mobile phone, online.

What amazes me in this incident is how five young, sane men could calmly commit this despicable act and have the presence of mind to film while their colleagues were having their turn! What gives them that audacity? And the final nail to the coffin was passing round on their phones to other people! To what purpose? Unfortunately that final nail seemed to also be the nail to their coffin as many people (including women rights groups and activists) have been enraged by this heartless and beastly act and have vowed to bring the perpetrators to book.

On the other hand, Abia State

Abia varsity and the gang rape video

By Iheanyi Igboko coolfinesse@yahoo.com

University authorities has done the necessary by condemning the act and stating that it was never perpetrated in the university or by her students. On my part as a campus journalist, when I saw the video, I tried my best to unmask the perpetrators or at least, identify the victim, all to no avail. Irrespective of the fact that the faces in the video are hugely unrecognizable, none of my sources or fellow campus journalists could as well.

But if the truth must be told, neither the state government nor the university management has done enough for the sake of justice. If they had directed that spasm of energy and time spent in repositioning the image of the univer-

sity towards getting to the root of the matter, this case would have been long foreclosed.

For Christ’s sake, it does not matter where this atrocity was committed. It could have been committed in Jupiter, it may have not happened in Abia State University. But the point is that since the deed supersedes the place it happened, the best means of clearing the name of the institution from this mess is by setting every machinery that can successfully bring the perpetrators to book, in motion. This will show the whole world that the university, nay the state, does not condone bestiality.

Rape is an offence in Nigeria and under the Criminal Code Act section 358, any person who commits the offence of rape is liable to imprisonment for life, with or with-

out caning. Section 359 says any person who attempts to commit the offence of rape is guilty of felony, and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years, with or without caning. These criminals did not only attempt, but subjected their victim to every form of dehumanization and violently had sex with her. Therefore, Abia State University should begin and lead a concerted effort to nab these deranged criminals.

This has to be the corporate responsibility of everyone connected to the university. They would not have a problem getting people involved. Many on social media and other outlets have condemned the act and vowed not to rest till justice is done. Moreover, the Minister of Youth Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi,

Kudos to a working Provost

I

By Chidiebere Umeorizu chidicamilla@yahoo.com

HAVE been a student of the Federal College of Education, Pankshin, Plateau State, for a while. I did my three-year NCE before I came back for my B.Ed. In the last couple of years, I have seen great achievements which for long the institution lacked both academically and in infrastructural development.

The brain behind this is the amiable Provost of the institution, Prof David Longwap Wonang.

This had made me believe the saying that “leaders are not made

The indispensable mother

I

N The Joy of Motherhood, Buchi Emecheta describes a mother as a woman who has successfully passed through the travails, tribulations, pains and ultimately joys of motherhood. She is the woman Ben Carson qualifies as one who is not a person to lean on, but a person to make leaning unnecessary, in Think Big. She is the woman Mariama Ba described, in So Long a Letter as one who sheds tears of joy and sadness together: joy in being loved by her children, the sadness of a mother who does not have the means to change the course of undesirable events. In Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe describes her as “Nneka”, Mother is supreme. She is the painstaking mother who taught me that it’s only through my self-control, my ability to reason, to choose, my power of attachment that can distinguish me from my peers. Though she is aware of my weaknesses and inadequacies, yet she helps to allay my fears.

She is not the type that sees only the best in her children and ignores their weaknesses. Instead, she grooms them and helps to perfect their weaknesses. She is a mother who teaches chastity, not a modern woman who favours forbidden games. She teaches her children the philosophy of life by telling them to work hard, to cultivate themselves instead of protesting, to crown their knowledge with diplomas for their opinions to carry weight in the society and to have a wider range of desirable choices.

It is true that a child belongs to his father. But when a father beats his child, he seeks sympathy in his mother’s arms. A child belongs to his fatherland when things are good and life is sweet .But when there is sorrow and bitterness he finds refuge in his

By Rilwan Olajide olajidelekan@yahoo.com

motherland.

She is always ready to protect and shelter her wards. She understands the inexplicable; she is the mother to lighten the darkness. She helps to shield when lightning streaks the night, when thunder shakes the earth, when mud bogs one down. She is a mother in order to love without an end. She is a mother to face the flood. She does not threaten her children even in the face of shame, pain, sincere repentance and anguish. When the world expects her to wail she smiles, when the world expects her to reprimand she consoles.

When they wish for threats, she forgives. She offers everything to the world, even when it deserves nothing.

She has no time to travel for her own pleasures, but she has time to die for the pleasures of her children. She is an expert in the art of home management.

She effectively carries out the domestic work in the house and ensures cleanliness. She decides the menus that all the members of the family should be satisfied with. She does not eat until her children are satisfied and does not sleep until her children go to bed.

However, it’s saddening that some children only make their mothers pay for the joy of bringing them into the world, without attempting to acknowledge their incontestable sacrifices.

While only few that are wise and grateful always care to give them the best they deserve. Personally, I have taken it upon myself that (by the special grace of God) I will not just comfort my mother, but satisfy her beyond her widest imagination, since I’m aware of her sensualities. No doubt, no one on earth can dare her feat.

Rilwan, 400-Level Agric, UNILORIN

but born” Prof Wonang has continued to live up to the task since the mantle of leadership fell on him some a few years ago .

Some achievements credited to his administration include the recent accreditation given the college to by the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) to run degree programmes alongside the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE).

He also ensured an equal development in terms of manpower requirement for the institution; the

J

UST as it is the usual traditional of our public office holders to celebrate the passage of time in their tenure, President Goodluck Jonathan has marked 100 days in office.

Sir, your journey to the presidential villa followedthe rousing acceptance speech you delivered at the PDP congress earlier this year. You portrayed yourself as the best candidate.

You promised not to seek reelection in 2015. I give you kudos on that if by the next general elections you do not come back to our votes. However, the state of power supply in the country still amazes me. If by 2015, presidential aspirants are promising constant electricity in their campaigns; this will show that you have failed in this critical area.

Any nation that undermines the place of power does not take its development serious.

With my knowledge of economics, I know that the manufacturing industry which plays a key role in the development of the Gross Domestic Income (GDI) of a nation can only op-

I

FEEL pains upon my resumption, the expression on my face changes; I know my freedom is gone, my homely ambience is lost.

For a student of Usman Danfodio University (UDUS) resuming for a new session is a period of subjugation to all forms of stress ranging from registration to accommodation.

Students recently decided to boycott lectures and sort out accommodation issues.

This write-up is aimed at bringing to the notice of the world what we pass through to get a bed space allocated to us in this institution. Substandard as they are, the rooms are insufficient; some male and female students ig-

school has as part of its staff professors and experienced lectures from different walks of life.

Prof Wonang recently restored the supply of power to the various hostels on campus. This was after students have been disconnected for years by the previous administration.

No student remembers the reason given for the disconnection.

The college generator now supplies light to the hostels for a minimum of four hours per day, as public power is erratic. This sin-

who described the rape as despicable and immoral, tweeted that he has contacted the Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, on the matter.

But I urge anyone who knows or can trace the victim, to tell her that she is safer coming out to the open and quickly reveal the identity of her attackers. It is a duty she owes humanity. These criminals only succeed if their evil deeds are kept secret. And as for Abia State University, I still maintain that the best way to attract positive publicity is to lead this search for justice and ensure the rapists face the consequences of the law. It is only then that the world will know if they are students of the university or not!

Iheanyi recently graduated from Microbiology, ABSU gular act has gladdened the hearts of many students.

A direct fallout of this is that many students no longer see the need to go for night reading in the school since they can read comfortably in their rooms, with the restoration of power supply to the hostel.

For this great achievement which our able Provost has attained within this shortest time I say bravo, more grease to your elbow; posterity will never forget you.

Chidiebere, 300-L Educational Planning and Administration, FCE Pankshin

GEJ: Your score card erate with power. The smallscale industry which requires power for operation depends on generators. Most of our NGOs seek to encourage youths to establish small scale business and be entrepreneurs, could this be possible with unreliable power supply.

More that 70 percent of this power based businesses do not survive the first year.

I am in my third year in the university and my assignments are meant to be additionally researched from the internet, typed and bounded. But this is very unlikely because the café rates are very high. These high charges are due to the fact that they depend on generating sets for power supply.

We now depend on torch lights, lamps and candles for our night reading; the exceptions are those nights the school authority powers the generator to supply light to the halls. One would always wonder if this power sector is jinxed to ensure that we never get it right. One reason for this ter-

rible state of power supply is corruption between the management and staff of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Another reason could be overdependence on hydroelectric power generation. Solar power can be harnessed to create a huge amount of electricity due to our tropical climate. Every nation is blessed with wind - the free gift of nature. It can also be channeled to provide electrical power.

One candid suggestion I will present here is the decentralisation of hydro-electric power and the use of solar power for only the northern part of the country. For the southern part of the country, power could be generated from the sea along the coast.

This is a capital intensive venture that we can undertake.

There are patriotic Nigerians who can manage this crawling power sector and bring it back to life so that we can see result and stop hearing prophetic glimmers.

Tough life in UDUS

By Umar-Faruk Said umarfaruksaid@yahoo.com

nore their gender differences and live together. It is common to see more than 20 students living in one room.

This, some students have termed an abuse to humanity.

The management should, however, see us as students who deserve better conditions of living rather than animals that could be thrown out to the road side. If the Federal Government is not ready to tackle the problem of inadequate accommoda-

tion because of her lack of will, the school can at least permit organisations and private individuals to provide adequate accommodation for students. This is the system that operates in many other universities. For instance, in schools like ABU, UNIJOS and BUK, students can rent accommodation very close to school but this is not possible in UDUS because of the location of the school. It is far from town. From my discussion with colleagues, I have learnt that there is some philosophy that motivates this contrivance. We are being treated this

By Oluwaseun Oke philseun@yahoo.co.uk

I have learnt to stop making complains about issues of economic importance to Nigeria but I always seek to proffer solutions to these problems. If all Nigerians do the same I believe this country would be a better place Oluwaseun, 300-Level Urban and Regional Planning, LAUTECH way to avoid accommodating a larger number of students on campus.

Students face all sorts of abuse from lecturers. I am yet to find another institution where lecturers chase their students out of class like dogs.

This is one of the reasons why UDUS is regarded as the village university by students from other institutions.

All Danfodites are in the same mess. I rather skip lectures than lose the bed space.

This is an appeal. I hope that the situation would be addressed speedily. I look forward to seeing positive changes.

Umar-Faruk, 200-Level Adult and Primary Education, UDUS

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

36

CAMPUS LIFE

All rise for Urhobo culture

U E

VERY student dreads forgetting important information…especially in examination time. It is frightening to sit for an exam and suddenly have a mental freeze! Yet this happens even to the very best of us. Our desire today is to learn a few methods, simple methods to help us remember stuff especially when its time to write exams and tests…after all, we all are tired of forgetting stuff.

•Stay healthy and fit: Healthy habits invariably feed the brain and enhance its neuroplasticity abilities. As you exercise your body, be sure that you are also exercising your brain, so if you want an active brain, do well to keep fit. Do not joke with your exercise program. Remember that it is built over time so do not start today and expect a sudden memory rush •Mnemonics: Do you remember how you sang ‘thirty days hath September, April June and November…etc”? Do you remember ‘Hello Helen, Listen Baby, Before Complain, Never Offend Flora.etc” This was used to remember elements in the periodic table, while the former helped us remember number of days in the months of the year.

Many of us still use them today! Using Mnemonics helps us to remember details which ordinarily are difficult to remember and recollect. So when you have something difficult to remember, turn it into a song or phrase that’s fun to sing or recite …use a Mnemonic.

•Law of repetition: Read and recite things over and over again. The brain recalls things repeated at least 6 times over much more easily. This means that you must consider the work load you have and plan to begin early. You need to learn to discipline yourself to start revising early enough in the semester such that before the semester runs through you would have gone through your course work at least three times over.

•Sleep well: Depriving yourself of sleep does more harm than good to the brain. So instead of waiting till the last minute to read huge material you may wish to start early so that you do not deprive yourself of sleep. Sleep is critical to learning and memory in a fundamental way. Research shows that sleep is necessary for memory consolidation, with the key memory-enhancing activity occurring during the deepest stages of sleep. So do not deprive yourself of sleep in the name of

On and Off Campus

By Uche Ogbonna uche.ogbonna@fidelitybankplc.com 08055061278

studying. Start early on in the semester to revise and prepare •Relate with people: Man is a social being who cannot survive nor thrive in isolation. Relating with people, talking, laughing and generally interacting in a socially beneficial and stimulating way is a major boost for the memory. The brain is rejuvenated and stimulated when these interactions occur. The more you laugh and have fun the healthier your brain gets and this helps us to retain more of the things that we read and wish to recall. Stay around happy people, draw close to laughter and avoid toxic relationships. Enjoy your relationships. They enhance your memory. This is the reason why a simple number like 08055061278 will mean nothing to you but when it belongs to a close friend or spouse, it suddenly becomes easier to remember. It goes to show that if you choose to have a good relationship with your class mates, lecturers and a particular course, remembering certain details associated with the course will become easier for you.

•Use flash card: A flash card is a small piece of card with a question on one side and the corresponding answer on the other side. This is a very helpful tool in training your brain to remember things. All you need to do is write short but detailed questions addressing important issues on one side and writing the answers on the other. When studying, areas where you have certain difficulties in recalling what you have read are handled in this manner.

You may summarize the text read and ask the one question whose answer will help you remember something else and then put this question up on the flash card as well as the answer on the reverse. It is a very neat way to prepare for exams.

Note: They are not to be carried into the examination halls as this is cheating!

There are several other tips that aid the improvement of the wellbeing of the BRAIN…The brain is so significant and holds for us the entire catalog of information which we at one point in time or the other wish to recall. As you practice some of the tips outlined here feel free to multi task and combine them.

They are safe.

Share with us other mind enhancing and stimulating techniques that you use to help you remember things you need to remember.

By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

RHOBO students at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) recently marked their annual cultural day; venue was the Hall 2 Car Park. Metal gongs, open calabashes and drums made of raw wood and animal skin, interspersed with traditional music, kept the atmosphere bubbling with traditional music.

Members adorned colourful Urhobo traditional costumes.

The president of the UNIBEN chapter, Peter Ogagaoghene, told CAMPUSLIFE that they had decided to “arrest the declining Urhobo culture” and place it on the path to restoration.

He said: “There is no better time to rise up to such occasion. Many of us are fast losing a proper grasp of our language. Everybody now speaks only the English language and if this is left unchecked, our children would grow up without knowing their culture and identity.”

From Gilbert Alasa UNIBEN

The event also witnessed a presentation of awards to deserving persons. A 200-Level student of Foreign Languages, David Aphuri, said starch is the popular delicacy of the Urhobo people. As the meals were being eaten, a 300Level female student of Philosophy was scolded as she ate her meal with a spoon. Reacting, another female student condemned the practice of eating with spoon, saying it is the culture of the white people.

A prominent Urhobo personality who graced the event, Prince A. O. Igbinoba, urged the students to be proud of their cultural heritage and be good ambassadors of the Urhobo. He advised them to be proud of “standing up for the values and ideals of the Urhobo people”.

Girl tops class as ABSU inducts doctors

F

OR the third consecutive year, a woman emerged best graduating student as Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU) inducted 92 new Doctors of Optometry.

The university auditorium, venue of the 16th induction, was filled to capacity. Most came to catch a glimpse of the lady who emerged the Best-Graduating student. “Ladies have proven once again how relevant they are in the field of Optometry,” explains Ngozi Nkemdirim, a 400-level student of Optometry. “I am only here to drum support for her, to draw an inspiration from her achievement, and also empower myself to hold onto the feat when I graduate.”

In 2008, Dr. Ifeoma Anyanwu became the best, The next year was the turn of Dr. Clara Njoku. This time, Dr. Victoria Nwokike beat her classmates with a GPA of 4.23.

“This is a dream come true for me,” she said. “I must admit that the road to the top is not as easy as it seems, coupled with the legacies left by my senior female colleagues. The expectations were huge on my shoulders, and thank God I lived up to it.”

In her valedictory speech, she encouraged other students to work hard in their studies in order to achieve their goals.

The induction ceremony is an oath-taking event that ushers young optometrists into the pathway of the ever-expanding team of the eye-care profession, having fulfilled all academic requirements as stipulated by the National Universities Commission (NUC). The students after various rigorous training that also meets the standards of the World Health

•Victoria

From Iheanyi Igboko and Eziechile Ezechukwu ABSU

Organisation (WHO), World Council of Optometry (WCO) and other relevant bodies, are presented for this ceremony to proceed on a one year internship programme in a recognized health institution in the country.

According to Dr. Chiemelie Onah, one of the graduands, they are poised to bring solutions to the world of eye defects. “Today marks the renewal of my long term dream to bring solution to those who are vision-impaired. Having successfully undertaken the basic approaches and studies in this field, and also meeting the requirements of professional bodies, I am raring to go.”

Sports fest at AAUA •Continued from page 34

motion in their health and social development strategies, policies in our schools and colleges more than ever before, and to promote sports programmes worldwide.

The Olympic medalist who said sports had economic, social and political, health and cultural importance, said achieving high levels of sports and physical activity in all population will contribute indirectly to gains in other sectors that are important to human development and economic progress. She noted that “sport is the single biggest and largest concentrated market in the world.”

The university had, the previous day, hosted its sports contingents for their sterling performances at the recently concluded Nigeria Universities Games (NUGA), All Africa Games and the National Sports Festival.

In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Femi Mimiko, expressed joy at the outstanding feat of the contingents, saying his team would continue to focus not just on the scope of sporting activities but also the role of sporting events in the society.

Prof Mimiko emphasized the importance of participation at sporting events, saying: “For us, medals are very important but we also recognise that sporting activities have more value than the medals. Sporting activities remain a major tool for character and leadership development.”

The VC, who said his administration would continually make efforts to ensure that majority of the staff and students participate in one

or more sporting activities, promised to build a new sports centre for regular sporting activities “while the standard one which is already on ground would be exclusive for prospective national and international competitions”.

Appreciating the contingent for doing the school proud both at the national and international scenes, the professor of Political Science was quick to thank the coaching crew of the AAUA team for their excellent performance, noting that “if not their synergetic efforts, the team wouldn’t have recorded such outstanding feats”.

Meanwhile, the Acting Head of Sports, Mr. Martins Oladuti, in his earlier welcome address, thanked the VC and his team for honouring the contingent.

Oladuti noted that AAUA team had, in all competitions this year, clinched six gold, five silver, and five bronze medals including a gold medal given to him for his outstanding performance as a football referee at the just concluded Sports Festival in Rivers State. He said the recognition being given to the team by the university would further encourage the sportsmen and women to perform better in subsequent competitions.

Some members of the team who spoke to our correspondent acknowledged God for their impressive outings and appreciated the management for providing the team with needed logistics.

Highlights of the event include musical and dance ministrations, taekwondo team display, and presentation of medals and awards with the VC, Prof Mimiko, leaving the scene with an award of excellence for his “tremendous support for sporting activities.”

37

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

EDUCATION Dr Ola Adebogun is the Chancellor /Proprietor, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos. In this interview with ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA, Adebogun speaks on the causes of mass failure in public examinations in primary and secondary schools. He also speaks on the state of the University, proprietors and challenges faced by private school universities accreditation, among others.

‘How to solve the problem of mass failure’

A

S an astute educationist, what is the way out of the recurring failure by pu-

pils in public examinations as teachers are always blamed for this ugly situation?

Teachers alone cannot be blamed for this failure. The question one needs to ask is whether the government provides them with the right training and facilities. Are they well-motivated to do their job effectively? The answers to the above questions are negative. The government is not encouraging teachers with the right teaching aids and instructional materials. The teachers are not given adequate training that would enhance their performance. So, there is no capacity building for teachers in the country and the public examinations of WAEC, NECO and JAMB are using international standards to measure performance.

Another problem is the lack of maintenance culture. In many cases, if equipment are provided, they will not be maintained, which would reduce their life span. The teachers, on their part, must be committed. They should see the profession as a calling which would make other generations to tap from their knowledge. The parents should not be left out of the blame game because their children spend more hours with them than they spend at school. This makes it important for the parents to devote part of their time to providing the children with positive training that will complement what they are taught in school by their teachers. On the complaint of poor pay by some teachers, I want to state that no human being in this world will tell you that he is satisfied with what he or she is being paid. So, if the teachers are complaining they have the right to complain, but I don’t think that is enough to say that they should not do the work they were trained to do. I will also call on the government to adequately reward teachers with good take-home packets that will motivate them and secure their commitment to the profession. The teachers in the country must be paid ad-

equately, like their counterparts overseas.

What is the accreditation status of courses of Caleb University?

To the glory of God, all the programmes being run in the university have gained full accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC). With the determination to build a world-class university that would be able to compete at the international level, we have decided to prioritise quality instructional facilities on our agenda.

Central in our mind is to build a university that would rub shoulders with the best universities in the world. That is why we built laboratories that are not only fully equipped, but have instructional materials which can compete with the best universities in the world.

We are proud of this achievement because our goal is to train students that would be competing on the international stage. Our graduates are being trained to add value to the economy of Nigeria as well as contribute their quota to the growth of the world.

Let’s have a list of some of your programmes that have been accredited?

In the College of Environmental Sciences and Management (COLENSMA), courses such as Architecture, Building and Quantity Surveying have been accredited. All the courses in the College of Pure and Applied Sciences (COPAS) have also been accredited. Some of the courses in the Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology that have scaled the NUC hurdle are Microbi-

•Dr Adebogun

ology and Industrial Biotechnology, Plant Sciences and Biotechnology, and Zoology and Aquiculture. Also in the Department of Pure and Applied Physics in the same college, Caleb University has been given accreditation in Physics, Physics and Computation Modelling, and Physics and Electronics. The third college, which is the College of Arts, Social and Management Science (CASMAS), has eight departments.

The courses that have been accredited in this college are Economics, Business Administration, Accounting, Banking and Finance, Psychology, Political Science, International Relations, English Studies, Philosophy and Mass Communication.

Many people are alarmed over the poor quality of infrastructure in both public and private universities in Nigeria. What is the state of facilities at Caleb?

Our goal is to give the best edu-

‘Teachers alone cannot be blamed for this failure. The question one needs to ask is whether the government provides them with the right training and facilities. Are they well-motivated to do their job effectively? The answers to the above questions are negative’

cation to the youths of this country. That is the reason we assembled competent hands in the procurement and installation of our equipment. Being somebody who had all his experience in the education sector, I have keyed into the principle of qualitative education and the only way this can be demonstrated is to give students quality tuition in a congenial environment with the best instructional materials in line with international best practice. Some of our facilities, especially in the science courses, can be found, maybe, at the University of Lagos and the University of Ibadan.

Would you share the impression that private schools owners are pricing education beyond the reach of common people?

One can look at this from two positions. The first is the general notion that if you know that education is expensive, you should try ignorance. The only legacy one can give one’s children is quality education. The cost of education is not cheap anywhere in the world. The countries that subsidise their tuition fees are investing between 45 and 55 - or more - percentage of their annual budget to genuinely fund education. Even in the United Kingdom where the government invests a huge chunk of the annual budget on education, the cost of going to school over there is far greater than what you will pay in the private university in Nigeria.They don’t pay less than £12,000 in their university. Some of them are paying £13, 000, £15, 000 and even more. If you convert this to the local currency in Nigeria, you will know that it is very expensive when compared with our fees here.

Take Caleb University for instance. Students pay N500, 000.

There are some private secondary schools in this country where students pay up to N1m, N2m, even more as tuition fees. So if the university is paying N500, 000, I don’t think that is expensive because the management of Caleb University has emphasised that quality will not be compromised and what we are charging is that value for the money.

Do you accept the argument that private schools deserve special funds?

The government should encourage private school owners because the service they are rendering to the people of this nation is to complement the efforts of government at all levels. The load which government is supposed to carry is what the private school operators are carrying for them. If these private schools were not in existence, millions of Nigerians would be deprived of education.

An uneducated mind is not only a

AAUA holds Fifth inaugural lecture

T

HE Fifth Inaugural Lecture of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State will hold on Tuesday next week at the University Multipurpose Hall.

The lecture entitled,Writing and Reacting: The Experience in Indigenous Yorùbá Literary Art, will be delivered by Prof Oluyemisi Adebowale. She will make history as the first woman in the university to deliver an inaugural lecture, under the Chairmanship of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olufemi Mimiko.

From left: Chairman, Iru Victoria Island Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, Hon. Abayomi Daramola handing over keys of the first secondary school built by the LCDA for some communities across the lagoon on Tarkwa Bay Island. With him are the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District III, Mrs Wonuola Idris and representative of Commissioner of Education, Mrs Mercy Olaoye.

UNAAB FILE ‘Clean water is essential’ THE Vice-Chancellor, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), Prof Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun, has observed that affordable, abundant and potable water is essential for the development and existence of human beings.

Prof Balogun, who was represented by the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof Segun Lagoke, stated this at the first management meeting of the National Water Resources Capacity Building Network (NWRCBN).

The Vice-Chancellor lamented that almost 900 million people across the world still do not have access to potable water, with 85 per cent of the affected population living in rural areas.

Prof Balogun advocated concerted effort of stakeholders, to achieve the goal of improving significant access to affordable and safe drinking water by 2015, as proposed at the 2000 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Summit.

He also backed the urgent inclusion of proposal in policy formulation, steps and strategies that could accelerate improved services in the provision and supply of good water quality standards.

VC counsels on work ethics THE Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oluwafemi Balogun, has charged secretaries and other staff of the university, not to allow their personal challenges to inhibit efficient service delivery.

Prof Balogun gave the charge while declaring open the fourth inhouse seminar/workshop of the University Secretarial Staff Association (USSA), UNAAB Branch, at the Julius Okojie lecture theatre complex.

Represented by the Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine, Prof Morenike Dipeolu, the VC noted the possibility of experiencing domestic challenges as humans, but warned them to avoid carrying such to work.

The Vice-Chancellor said: “Once the challenges are imported to duty posts, there will be undue interference that will inhibit service delivery.”

He commended the secretaries for contributing immensely to the realisation of the proactive vision of his administration, with a reassurance that the provision of staff welfare will be paramount at all levels of service.

Hybrid goat delivered INDICATIONS that the university is on the path of hitting gold with its recently launched Kalahari Red Goat project emerged at the weekend as one of the goats gave birth to a set of female twins.

An elated Director of the Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR), Prof Segun Osinowo, broke the news to the Vice-Chancellor.

The goat was part of the 60 breeder-stocks that were airfreighted from South Africa, last month.

The facilitator of the Kalahari Red Goat project and Chief Executive of Elpasso Farms, South Africa, Dr. (Ms.) Brylyne Chitsunge, had on delivering the animals said they would rapidly multiply, as they kid twice and that the university should be ready to accommodate their explosion in population, even within the next six months.

The University’s Kalahari Red Goat Project Manager, Dr Bamidele Oduguwa, said precautionary postnatal cares had been taken to ensure the safety and well-being of the nursing goat and the kids.

38

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

EDUCATION LASU FILE NUC scores varsity high THE National Universities Commission (NUC) has scored the Lagos State University (LASU) 84.6 per c ent in its 22 academic programmes that earned Full accreditation status. Only four of the 26 academic programmes, which scored a total of 15 per cent, got Interim Status.

The university is expected to pick up its letter from theNUC at the next meeting of the 2011 University System Annual review in Abuja.

The Lagos State government and the university authorities are working to ensure that the axed programmes including Law, regain full accreditation status soon.

Varsity begins exams amid strike THE second semester examination in LASU kicked off on Monday, despite a one week strike by the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

The development came just as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) concluded its one week strike nationwide last week.

SCHOLARSHIP APPROACHING DEADLINES The Erasmus Mundus Masters Programme in Public Policy (Mundus MAPP) for a two-year-long international Masters course funded by the European Commission.

Study Subject(s):Public Policy Course Level:Masters Scholarship Provider: European Commission Scholarship can be taken in Hungary, Spain, Netherland, UK Eligibility: The European Commission’s Erasmus Mundus program provides scholarships to outstanding students from within and outside the European Union to attend Mundus MAPP and to visiting scholars to participate in teaching and research. Applicants in the process of completing a degree programme must submit an interim transcript and, in place of the diploma, a certificate of enrolment confirming their student status and, if possible, stating their expected date of graduation.

Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes Scholarship Open for Students of Following Countries: European and Non-European Union Countries Scholarship Description: The Erasmus Mundus Masters Programme in Public Policy (Mundus MAPP) is a two-year-long international Masters course funded by the European Commission. It directly responds to the educational needs created by the rapidly changing global environment and new public policy challenges. Mundus MAPP equips graduates with the conceptual knowledge and hard skills that are necessary for understanding and decisively intervening in contemporary transnational policy problems, from climate change to international terrorism or financial regulatory failure. It provides a detailed and systematic understanding of how political institutions, processes and public policies operate and interact from the global political economy through to national and local levels with a direct focus on European engagements at these levels of governance. Inter-disciplinarity and practical application of conceptual knowledge are hallmarks of Mundus MAPP. Four leading European universities joined forces to deliver Mundus MAPP: Central European University in Budapest (Hungary), Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals (Spain), the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University in the Hague (Netherlands), and the University of York (UK).

How to Apply: Online Scholarship Application Deadline: January 4, 2012 Undergraduate or graduate Fellowship funded by ACI Foundation from international applicants in the field of structural design, materials, construction, 2012-2013 USA and Canada Study Subject(s):Structural design, materials, construction Course Level:Undergraduate or graduate Scholarship Provider: ACI Foundation Scholarship can be taken inUnited States or Canada Eligibility:1.All ACI Foundation Fellowship applicants must be nominated by a faculty member who is also an ACI member before the student is able to receive an official application.

2.The student must be considered a full-time undergraduate or graduate student as defined by the college or university during the award year.

Applications will be accepted from anywhere in the world but study must take place in the United States or Canada during the award year.

All applicants must be proficient in the English language. If English is not your native language, a written statement must be attached to the

application attesting to proficiency.

Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes Scholarship Description: There are many ACI Foundation Fellowship and Scholarship opportunities for ACI Student Members and E-Members. Awarded annually, ACI Foundation Fellowships and Scholarships help students with an interest in concrete achieve their educational and career goals.

How to Apply: electronically Scholarship Application Deadline: October 7, 2011 Read more: ACI Foundation Fellowship for Undergraduate or Graduate, 2012-2013, USA or Canada : College Scholarships, PhD Scholarships, Postdoctoral, Graduate International Scholarships Fellowships http://scholarship-positions.com Postgraduate International Scholarships for overseas and EU students at University of Strathclyde, UK-2012 Study Subject(s): Programmes taught at the university Course Level: Postgraduate Scholarship Provider: University of Strathclyde Scholarship can be taken in UK Eligibility: Students of outstanding academic calibre from overseas and EU students on premium fee courses.

Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes Scholarship Description: Awards of £4000 and £6000 are available.

For new students, who begin a one year full-time taught Masters course in September 2012, these awards are not renewable.

How to Apply: Online Scholarship Application Deadline: May 13, 2012 Read more: International Scholarships (Instructional) at University of Strathclyde, UK: College Scholarships, PhD Scholarships, Postdoctoral, Graduate International Scholarships Fellowships http://scholarship-positions.com 2012 BCI Student Research Scholarship Programme Study Subject(s):Conservation Course Level:Research Scholarship Provider: BCI Scholarship can be taken at: Worlwide Eligibility: Students enrolled in any college or university worldwide are eligible to apply. Students who have applied in previous years to BCI’s Student Research Scholarship Programme are eligible to reapply each subsequent year, whether they received a previous BCI grant or not. Non-students are not eligible. All proposals to the Student Research Scholarship Programme must be prepared by the applicant. While BCI will fund research that is part of a larger project, the student must personally research and develop the proposal.

Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes Scholarship Description: The maximum one-year award per student is $5,000. We hope that these funds will open opportunities for matching grants from other conservation organisations, government agencies and private foundations, and that BCI’s support will grow in years to come.

How to Apply: Online Scholarship Application Deadline: December 15, 2011 Read more: 2012 BCI Student Research Scholarship Programme : College Scholarships, PhD Scholarships, Postdoctoral, Graduate International Scholarships Fellowships http://scholarship-positions.com

•Prof Olatunji-Bello

Institute wraps up local language classes

N

INE-YEAR-OLD Deltaborn Ererhe Ayenor impressed with her knowledge of the Igbo language last Friday when she sang a song on the parts of the body as the curtains lowered on the Indigenous Language Programme of the National Institute of Cultural Orientation (NICO) at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.

She was among the adults and children, including 25 employees of the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board, who participated in the eight-week event to learn their local languages or those of others.

Zonal Head of the Films and Censors Board Lagos Office, Mr Edwin Edion, said he directed the officers to participate to help them in their task of censoring Nigerian films before release into the market to ensure they conform to the required ethical /cultural standards.

The ceremony also featured other presentations by participants in Igbo and Yoruba, who showcased what they learnt during the event.

To show their appreciation for taking part in the programme, the participants presented their language instructors, Mrs. Chibuzor Nwanedo (Igbo),

Mallam Kabiru Yussuf (Hausa) and Mr Lagada Abayomi (Yoruba), with gifts.

Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, NICO’s Executive Secretary, whose speech was read by the Director, Training School, Mr Innocent Itapah Azuobu, said the event was one of the important efforts by the institute to promote, preserve and revive cultural communication and harmonious living among the various ethnic groups in the country.

He said the event, the fifth in the series but the first to be held on weekends because of workers, has encouraged Nigerians to communicate in their mother tongues and learn others as well.

Azuobu presented certificates to all participants on Ayakoroma’s behalf.

In her vote of thanks, Deputy Director and Head, Lagos Liaison office, Mrs Bridget Yerima, thanked participants for attending the event. She said she was happy with performance recorded.

She also spoke of other programmes run by the Institute’s Training School as well as the Second Children’s Cultural Extravaganza scheduled for December to wrap up this year’s activities.

•Pupils of St Saviours celebrating Independence Day on Saturday in Lagos.

St. Saviours to invest N300m in projects

S

T Saviour’s Nursery and Primary School, Ebute Metta, Lagos, is planning to build, furnish and equip a N300 million ultra-modern resource centre to commemorate its 60 anniversary.

The centre will contain classrooms, a state-of-the-art library, an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) room, a science laboratory, an art room, music and media facilities.

Work on the project, according to the Chairman, Board of Man-

By Paul Oluwakoya

agement, Tom Ogboi, is to start next month and is expected to be completed within 18 months.

Ogboi spoke with The Nation at the balloon release event to kick off the schools diamond jubilee anniversary.

The budget excludes free professional services offered by parents.

The balloon release event was fun-filled, featuring a jubilee walk and cultural dance celebration. Its high points were the inauguration

of the tree planting campaign and installation of litter-bins.

Subscribing to one of the various Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) which the school has embarked upon, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Railway Police Command Ebutte Metta, Mrs. Ronke Okunade, said the school has provided some Information and Communication Technology (ICT) materials for the station to meet the need of technological data base. “It will soon be opened,” she said.

39

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

EDUCATION

Lagos amends WASSCE sponsorship policy

T

HE Lagos State government will no longer pay the fees of all SS3 candidates sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in its public schools.

Only those who attain up to 80 per cent school attendance, make 50 per cent in Mathematics and English and four other subjects in school examinations, and whose parents attend at least half of Parents’ Forum meetings in their schools, benefit henforth.

Parents were told about these conditions when they met with the Education Commissioner, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye and top echelons of the Lagos State Ministry of Education at the NUT Pavilion, Agidingbi.

It is part of efforts by the state government to improve the 21 per cent pass recorded by its candidates in this year’s May/ June WASSCE. The statistic is an improvement on previous

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

years, which Governor Babatunde Fashola, at a different forum, put at seven per cent in 2007, 10 in 2008, and 18 per cent in 2009 despite the administration’s investment in education through massive rehabilitation/construction of schools, and the World Bank-assisted Eko Project, which provides grants to schools for instructional materials and training.

Mrs Oladunjoye also told parents that schools are insisting on 50 per cent minimum grades in Mathematics and English and the core subjects for promotion from one class to another to improve pupils’ chances of success in external examinations.

She said: “We will not accept less than 50 per cent in Mathematics and English and other core subjects for promotion in any school because we want them (pupils) to do well. We

don’t want to continue to push them from class to class. That is why they don’t pass WASSCE. “We have also told parents that if they don’t attend Parents’ Forum meeting in their schools up to 50 per cent of the time, we will not sponsor their wards for the WASSCE. Parents should monitor their children, buy them sandals, school bags, uniforms, and make sure they do their home work. “ To make her interactions with parents more effective, the commissioner said she would meet regularly with them at the education districts level, in addition to the general quarterly meeting for all parents.

When they had the floor, parents called government’s attention to problems in their wards’schools.

They also sought the state government’s intervention in the restoration of the Parents/Teachers Association (PTA), which they said

would be more effective than the Parents’ Forum. The parents complained that the restrictions placed on their activities in the schools limit their intervention plans, and prayed the government to allow them take greater responsibility.

With the PTA, Mr Musbau Ibikunle, whose child attends Eletu Odibo Senior High School, Abule Oja, told The Nation there is more interaction with teachers concerning their wards and the development of the schools.

“We asked the commissioner to bring back the PTA so we can have interactions with teachers.

With the PTA, we can do more.

She said the matter is in court but promised that government will do something about it,” he said.

Earlier,the commissioner also met secondary schools Principals at the Adeyemi Bero Audi-

torium, Alausa, during which she urged them to enforce the 50 per cent pass mark in their schools from this session.

She told them to thank their English teachers as Governor Fashola was happy with improved performance in English in the WASSCE. However, she said teachers of Mathematics and other core subjects would have to double their efforts as performance in the subjects was not so impressive.

The principals were also informed about the new Senior Secondary School Curriculum developed by the Nigerian Education Research and Development Council (NERDC), which implementation starts this session with SS1 classes; the Eko Project, and the Lagos State Education Management System (LASGEMS) online update.

‘We will not accept less than 50 per cent in Mathematics and English and other core subjects for promotion in any school because we want them (pupils) to do well. We don’t want to continue to push them from class to class. That is why they don’t pass WASSCE’

Educationist charges parents on moral values

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•Mr Oyeniyi Idowu and his wife, Adenike; Proprietor, Kuntopel Nursery and Primary, School, Baruwa, Ipaja, Lagos (third and fourth from left) flanked by well wishers during the 10th anniversary of the school, at the school premises.

M

HE Director of PAMS Montessori School, Mrs Shade Adedoyin, has urged parents to inculcate moral values and doctrines in their children.

This, according to her, will go a long way in instilling discipline and moral uprightness in them.

The educationist bemoaned the alarming rate at which parents abdicate their roles and responsibilities with direct consequences on children. This to a large extent, affects the generality of the society as such children embrace social vices, which are inimical to their future.

Adedoyin, who spoke during the Independence Day celebra-

tion in the school, said as leaders of tomorrow, it has become expedient for parents to ensure sound and moral development of the children.

According to her, the future generation needs to be immersed in values that will aid Nigeria’s development. The societal ills prevalent in the society today are as a result of the inability of parents to nurture and train their children properly.

She, advised the parents to give their children proper monitoring and care adding that they should not be left at the mercy of house maids.

Multichoice rewards Fine Art winners

ULTICHOICE Resource Centre (MRC), as part of its Corporate Social Investment (CSI), has rewarded four winners of its essay and poster competition.The beneficiary pupils were rewarded at the Multichoice head office in Lekki, Lagos.

The competition, which took place last month produced a pupil of Vivian Fowler, College, Ikeja, Miss Oluwaseyi Oloyede, as the best in the poster category, while Chukwuka Ekweani, of Zamani College, Kaduna, topped the essay category.

Oluwaseyi, a science pupil, said her success was borne out of passion for fine art.

She said: “At the beginning, I was not too sure of what it would turn out to be, but I did it out of my passion for the subject. I offered Fine Art as a subject. My Fine Art teacher informed me of the poster competition and I was encouraged to participate. During the long break, I came back to the school for two weeks to prepare for the competition which was on how satellite can reform the coun-

By Seun Olalude

try. I feel very delighted I participated,”she said lauding Multichoice for the opportunity.

Oluwaseyi’s mother, Mrs Julie Oloyede, said: “She is a science pupil with bias for Fine Art and I encouraged her.

This competition will encourage other pupils to participate. I also thank this organisation for introducing this because not many organisations sponsor art competitions.”

The two winners were presented a set of laptop each.

Multichoice Managing Director, Mr Joseph Hundah, said the organisation is passionate about exposing pupils to educative programmes.

His words: “Exposing schools participating in the MRC programmes to opportunities that could further enrich the lives and minds of the students is a key objective of the company and we would not relent in achieving that.”

Hundah promised that the organisation will further support education.

•From left: Mrs Oloyede, Oluwaseyi and Mr Hundah

He praised Oluwaseyi for being a source of encouragement to other pupils.

One of the judges, Dr Olushola Awe, who teaches at the University

of Ibadan, said selection of winners was based on merit.

“The participants were asked to present artistic state of the nation.

They all did one thing or the other,

but the best was taken, which was that of Oluwaseyi. There were laid down procedures to select the winners which include age, originality, visibility and words,” she said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

40

EDUCATION EDUTALK

Sokoto varsity takes N8.8 billion

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HE first phase of the Sokoto State University (SSU) billed to take off in the 2012/2013 academic session has cost N8.8 billion, according to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Higher Education, Prof Gajam Ardo.

About 500 students are expected to start academic work in the university, which Ardo said, is being established to sustain excellence and redeem the education glory of the state.

Three Faculties - Sciences, Education and Social Sciences, are to start academic sessions with structures that have so far reached appreciable stage. “We hope to get things set in the next nine months,’’ Ardo added.

Ardo, who spoke at a press conference, pointed out that the struc-

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

tures include lecture halls, library, hostels, and administrative blocks in addition to other auxiliary structures.

He said the SSU was working on credible criteria for getting the best hands for the posts of vice-chancellor, lecturers as well as management staff regardless of their origin or ethnicity. “They can come from any part of the world so long as they meet the standard requirements,’’ he said, adding: “But the pre-condition for VC is that he or she must be a former vice-chancellor of a university for him to have the wealth of experience required to steer the new institution to greater heights. We have since placed an advertisement in the newspapers for the V-C, principal

officers and other academic as well as non-academic staff.’’.

Ardo, who also doubles as the chairman of the University’s Implementation Committee, the said the committee had so far received about 1,400 applications from candidates.

“But we will only employ 103 of them. We will ensure justice, equity and fair play in anything about the university,’’ Ardo said.

He said a needs assessment of the university is being conducted by the Kansas State University Vice-Chancellor, Myra Gordon.

He maintained that Kansas State University was the pioneer state university in the United States, having been established in 1863, and was instrumental to the the establishment of the Faculties of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

•Mrs Abidemi Sowumi, Course Co-ordinator and Human Resources Management (second right) Mrs Nwokedi Modesta, class governor receiving certificates on behalf of ot her officers from Mr Ajibade Peters, DirectorGeneral, Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (left) during the graduation of top civil servants in the college.

NANS pleads with Jonathan on quality

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HE first women SecretaryGeneral of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), Comrade Dalyop Patience Garos, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to keep pace with the democratisation of the nation’s education and youth empowerment. This is with a view to meeting the global challenges as Nigeria attains 51st years of nationhood.

Garos, in a statement in Jos, the

Yussuf Aminu Idegu and Esther Mark, Jos

Plateau State capital, described students and youths as the fulcrum of national unity and integration, adding that they must not be compromised. She said the youth had been in the vanguard of the liberation struggle in Nigeria prior to independence in 1960.

She praised President Jonathan for the radical approach in reposi-

tioning the education system, and stressed the need to end the destabilisation of the nation public schools and tertiary institutions.

Garos said democracy could only thrive in an atmosphere of peace, adding that the gradual return of peace to the State shows the state government’s determination to build confidence in the populace.

Expert advocates continuous staff training

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EGISTRAR of the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, Mr Jimi Olukoya, has said continuous training and retraining of Registry staff of tertiary institutions is critical to their success.

Speaking at the maiden public lecture of the Registry Department of Federal College of Education (Technical), (FCE) (T) Akoka, Lagos, Olukoya said he has always been an advocate of continuous capacity building for Registry staff.

Olukoya spoke on the topic: Effective management of challenges in the workplace: The role of registry His words: “We may not solely place the blame of poor quality of teachers at the doorstep of colleges.

And while we all agree that the standards of education have fallen and yet to start rising, we are, indeed, part of the blame. Our colleges, in the spirit of democracy and freedom sweeping across the globe, should give increasing room for open and responsive adminis-

By Temitope Fatuase

tration with the interest of people at heart, where the followers look up to the leadership, hold them in high esteem and can trust and support them to a fault. It takes such leadership to provide a conducive academic and administrative atmosphere.”

He said the lecture was another milestone in the journey of the Registry Department towards repositioning and rebranding staff to fulfilling the dream of the institution.

“I identify with this maiden initiative of FCE (T), Akoka, which I recommend to all tertiary institutions in the country. The fact is that without training and re-training of staff, organisations will lose their cutting edges and relevance,” he said.

He encouraged participants to take advantage of the training to become better motivated to deliver more than ever.

Earlier, the Registrar and Chair-

man of the Registry Staff Association of FCE (T), Mr Henry Otoighile, said the occasion was eventful and memorable because it was the first to be organised by the association since it was formed over 13 years ago.

“The aim of this lecture is to awaken our consciousness to the different challenges that we are faced with in the workplace and the various ways we can deal with them in the course of our duties,” he said.

The Provost of the college, Dr Sijibomi Olusanya, said the lecture was aimed at equipping the Registry staff to become more efficient.

“This couldn’t have come at a better time to prepare the Registry staff for challenges of work to be better equipped in assisting the teaching staff to achieve a common goal as the lecture is an eye opener to hitherto unknown administrative skills and techniques,” he said.

with

Parental role vs. govt investment HE performance in the May/ June 2011 West African Senior School Certificate ExaminaKofoworola tion (WASSCE) may not have been fantastic but at 30.99 per cent it was the best in years.

The West African Examinations Kofosagie@yahoo.com Council (WAEC) does not make 08054503077 (SMS only) public statistics of state by state, public vs. private school, male vs. female, and region performances. However, when the Head of National Office (HNO), Dr Iyi Uwadiae announced the release of the results on August 13, he alluded that the increased investments by some states, notably Lagos, Edo and Akwa Ibom, may have helped improve performance.

Unlike previously, it is heartwarming that governments are no longer content with just flaunting their sponsorship of public school candidates for the WASSCE as a huge achievement in the appropriation of state funds.

They are now demanding that candidates do well to justify spending millions on exam fees.

They have gone beyond spending on registration for examinations to rehabilitating schools, providing furniture, equipping laboratories, and training teachers all in a bid to improve quality in the public education sub-sector.

For instance, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State said his administration constructed 250,000 new classrooms in hundreds of schools in the past four years, while 176 schools have been booked for rehabilitation. Also, thanks to the Eko Project, a World Bank-assisted initiatives, public schools are getting direct grants of up to N1 million annually to buy instructional materials, carry out minor repairs, provide facilities, and train teachers. All these inputs have helped to improve performance albeit by a small percentage.

The Governor said during the launch of the Eko Corps Exercise Books Monday last week that in the space of four years, performance in WASSCE in public schools has improved from seven per cent in 2007 to 21 per cent in 2010. While he said the improvement was commendable, the true desire for far better performance was reflected when the Education Commissioner, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye met with principals the next day.

She said the government was not satisfied with the performance and would want to see more improvement, particularly in Mathematics and the sciences. The Eko Project Coordinator, Ms Ronke Azeez, added that even assessment tests done under the initiative showed that the pupils are not performing well just yet.

The Ministry of Education has now resolved to insist on 50 per cent as the benchmark for promotion in English and Mathematics and four other subjects from class to class. Last year, when the policy was introduced under Princess Sarah Sosan as overseer of the Education ministry, there was such hullabaloo that I wondered if the world was coming to an end.

Pupils wept at the school gates and stoned their teachers because they were forced to repeat. Some parents even joined in the melee, appealing to schools to promote their half-baked children. After much pressure, the government was forced to back down and the percentage was reduced to 50 per cent in Mathematics or English – with not less than 40 per cent in one of the two.

However, I am glad the eggheads at the ministry have realised that backing down is no way to promote excellence, and I beg them to stand by the policy this time around. That the state does not run the examining body should be enough motivation to implement the policy. A child that is promoted with 40 per cent grades will make 40 per cent in external examinations, and WAEC will not take permission from the Ministry before awarding 40 per cent grades to its candidates.

When the pupils realise there is no way round getting promoted, they will be forced to sit up. Principals should drive home the message in their respective schools and push their teachers to work. They may need to take a cue from private schools with strong work ethics. While in the first week of resumption public school pupils tend to laze around - with some not resuming because little goes on in terms of academics, in some private schools, the session opens with tests for pupils in examination classes.

Teachers begin giving home work from the first day of school. This level of seriousness has to be introduced into public schools. But, when the government and schools have done their part, the onus lies on the pupils and their parents or guardians to do theirs.

If you leave them to their own devices, young people will not sit down to study. They prefer less strenuous and more entertaining engagements like listening to music, watching movies, gossiping, attending parties and looking good. Parents are the ones to help them draw the line between frivolities and valuable activities. I expect every parent with wards in Lagos State public schools to line up behind the government and ensure they do not just achieve, but surpass the minimum performance benchmark. Fifty per cent means average, but many of these young ones can do better than average if we demand it of them. No parent should cocoon his child and expect the government to understand because neither WAEC nor the tertiary institutions that would admit them would understand. If you make less than a credit in a relevant subject, you are going nowhere.

T

Belo-Osagie

‘However, I am glad the eggheads at the ministry have realised that backing down is no way to promote excellence, and I beg them to stand by the policy this time around. A child that is promoted with 40 per cent grades will make 40 per cent in external examinations, and WAEC will not take permission from the Ministry before awarding 40 per cent grades to its candidates’

SLIDING TACKLE

Thursday, October 6, 2011

42

AC Milan Attacker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic admitting his passion for competitive football has waned.

EURO 2012 QUALIFIERS...EURO 2012 QUALIFIERS...EURO 2012 QUALIFIERS...

Capello: England must play to win •Ronaldo

Ronaldo sustains hip injury ahead Denmark clash

•Capello

Higuain:ArgentinacanbeatChile

BARCELONA BEGS FRANCE

Don't play Abidal against Albania

•Huguain

Ibrahimovic: I’m fed up with football

•Ibrahimovi

•Abidal

43

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

It is six months after the April elections. By law, the various election petition tribunals have 180 days to decide cases filed before them. This is therefore, the last lap. How are the tribunals coping with the petitions? Correspondent KAMARUDEEN OGUNDELE presents the position of the law and reports the cases already decided.

How have the tribunals fared?

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HE Election Tribunals are established pursuant to Section 285 (1) of the 1999 Constitution. They are to hear petitions arising from disputed election results.

Although the last general elections had been adjudged as largely free and fair, the constitution made provisions for adjudicating disputes.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is not oblivious of the facts that the exercise may have gone awry in some locations.

Recently, the commission admitted that it still had a long way to go in organising flawless elections. It raised an eight-member Registration and Election Review Committee (RERC) chaired by Adele Jinadu, a Professor of Political Science and former National Electoral Commissioner, to conduct an independent and comprehensive evaluation of the last exercise.

The position of INEC on the 2011 general elections reinforced the fears raised by some aggrieved candidates and political parties that electoral malpractices began from voters registration.

There have been allegations of over bloated figures of registered voters vis-à-vis the recorded voters in the last general elections. It is the case of some petitioners that unused ballot papers were thumb-printed by agents of ruling party.

Many legislators have been asked to vacate their offices, with INEC being mandated to conduct fresh elections within 90 days.

But, have the tribunals kept faith with the 180 days stipulated in the Electoral Act, 2010 for the time within which to hear and determine petitions of aggrieved parties?

There are 36 governors in the country, 360 House of Representatives members and 109 Senators. The states also have their Houses of Assembly. But only a few cases have been determined successfully.

Even some of the decided cases were greeted with mixed feelings from Nigerians who were crying blue-murder. They were deeply worried that most of the cases were determined on technical ground rather than merit.

Their fears were justified recently by the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, Dahiru Musdapher, who at the special court session organised to commemorate the new legal year, re-emphasised the need for judges to determine cases on merit rather than dwell on technicalities.

Musdapher said: “As I have admitted on previous occasions, the extent to which prevalent societal currents have also engulfed the judiciary, demands great concern. Judges and the judicial system must remain politically neutral and rise up to safeguard our fledgling democracy. We must deflect the tides of impropriety and immunize the entire judicial system against all identified iniquities.

“Similarly, we are deeply concerned that, irrespective of concerted efforts to stem the tide, most cases are still decided on the raw basis of technicalities rather than the substantive issues placed for our determination. Procedural laws are meant to regulate the conduct of proceedings and ensure that the process for the attainment of justice is fair and equitable.

“Therefore the strict application or invocation of these rules cannot be allowed to stand on the path of substantial justice. I hereby urge

‘Justice Salami’s suspension based on his refusal to apologise to the immediate Chief justice of Nigeria, Aloysius Katsina-Alu, Justice whom he accused of interference in the Sokoto governorship matter, is an ominous sign for judges handling election petitions’ all Judges to realise that stringent application of procedural rules and technicalities that do not lead to the attainment of substantial justice is clearly against modern trends of adjudication. This reality is akin to observing table manners and still rising from dinner with an empty stomach. This trend must be reversed”.

The concerns came amid the controversy surrounding the suspension of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Stakeholders are of the view that Justice Salami’s suspension based on his refusal to apologize to the immediate Chief justice of Nigeria, Aloysius Katsina-Alu whom he accused of interference in Sokoto governorship matter is an ominous sign for judges handling election petitions.

No doubt, Justice Salami is desirous of promoting natural justice at the expense of technicalities which sometimes are frivolous or calculative.

At the commencement of the Presidential Election Petition between the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Justice Salami who was then the Chairman of the Tribunal had dismissed the objection raised by Jonathan and the PDP that the petition was filed on a Sunday.

He insisted that filing it on a Sunday conferred no advantage on the petitioner. Besides, he said, the petition will be heard and determined on its merit and not technicalities. The Tribunal at that time also granted With the manner Justice Salami, a Head of the Appellate Court was treated, it remains to be seen if judges handling election petition are given free hands.

No doubt, judges have been extra careful in handling electoral matters. Sometimes, orders of the tribunals are defied. This is evident in the Presidential Election Petition between the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Twice, the CPC obtained a subpoena to compel the INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, to appear before the tribunal with some sensitive electoral documents. Although it was varied the second time, the subpoena could not be served on Jega, thereby foisting a situation of helplessness on the party that battled to secure the subpoena.

If the order of a Presidential Tribunal is frustrated, one could imagine what is happening at the state level. If sensitive electoral materials used for election purposes are hidden away from tribunals, then, how would the perceived ills and malpractices allegedly perpetrated through voter registration and election results sheets be detected?

Could the tribunal determine the case with enough evidence when they are taken away from it forever?

How do we know who lied between the petitioner and the Respondents on the allegations of manipulation, ballot stuffing and mutilation of results?

Obviously, the INEC did its best at the last general elections, but there are still recorded lapses which lessons from the past could help the commission to address.

The Acting Chairman of INEC, Dr. AbdulQadir Oniyangi, who inaugurated the eightmember Registration and Election Review Committee (RERC), said the audit “is very important as part of the ongoing “lessonlearning”activities of the commission.

“In order to make the evaluation productive, transparent and acceptable to the public, the evaluation is not an internal self-assessment by the commission. Instead, it involves knowledgeable, independent experts from outside the Commission. These are seasoned experts who fully understand the electoral process in Nigeria”.

Oniyangi said the outcome of the review will lead to improved and more efficient business processes responsive to the current and future needs of the commission and help in acquiring a standing capacity for project management in-house.

The overall goals of this comprehensive evaluation include to evaluate the registration exercise and general elections with a view to understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the Commission in the planning, coordination and execution of the projects.

• To, through this evaluation, embark on the process of repositioning the commission to operate more efficiently by preparing to meet some of these challenges as its gradually moves towards the next electoral cycle.

• To, through these, assist in creating a world standard Electoral Management Body in which basic electoral best practices will be routine, and in which effective staff and organisational capacities will be developed to meet the chal-

lenges of an Electoral Management Body in a country such as Nigeria.

More specifically, the evaluation will: Appraise all the operational processes for the voter registration and elections, including planning, organization, coordination and evaluation of activities, focusing particularly on such specific issues as logistics, procurement and delivery of materials, deployment of personnel, etc.

• Reassess the legal framework for the conduct of elections with a view to addressing some of the key legal challenges that had arisen in the course of both the registration and elections; • Examine the role, performance and especially the overall administrative procedures and channels within and between Departments in the coordination and execution of the registration and elections; • Review the processes of party primaries and nomination of candidates during the 2011 elections and INEC monitoring of those processes; • Comprehensively assess the entire process of recruitment , training, deployment, performance and remuneration of AD-hoc staff during the registration off voters and elections; • Audit the Commission’s cooperation and relations with other bodies such as MDAs, NGOs, security agencies and development partners during the registration and elections; and • Identify and address any other outstanding issues in the registration and/or elections that are likely t o impact on the conduct of the 2015 General Elections.

Judgments have however started trickling from the Election Petition Tribunals across the country. But these have only set in motion another legal battle at the appellate courts. The situation is an improvement over past experiences where petitions were determined towards the completion of tenure in question.

In Benue State, commercial and other activities were paralysed last week in Makurdi, as opposition parties protested against the verdict of the Appeal Court.

The same Appeal Court ordered a retrial of the petition by the state All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) governorship candidate by a new election tribunal. But people are of the opinion that the case of the popular candidate Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, Ugba, that was dismissed stood a better chance to dislodge Gabriel Suswam from the government house. They could not hide their displeasure; hence took to the streets in protest.

Also the National/State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi dismissed the petition against the election of Senate President David Mark by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, Gen. Lawrence Onoja.

Tribunal Chairman, Justice Anselan Nwaigwe held that Onoja neither sought nor •Continued on page 44

• Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (left) inspects the guard of honour mounted by men of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA) at the formal inauguration of the traffic agency in Benin City. With the Governor is Mr Victor Enoghama, Transport Commissioner.

44

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

POLITICS

How have the tribunals fared?

•Continued from page 43

obtained the leave of the tribunal in consonance with Paragraph 47(1) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

According to Justice Nwaigwe, since Onoja failed to activate his prehearing notice with the leave of the tribunal, it was deemed abandoned and consequently dismissed.

In one swoop, the CPC lost two senatorial and eight House of Representatives seats in at the election petition tribunal.

All the seats were lost in Katsina, the home state of the party’s presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) in the last general election.

The National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Katsina nullified the election of Senator Ahmed Sani-Store (Katsina Central) and Senator Abdu Yan’doma (Katsina North Central).

The affected House of Representatives members include: Tasi’u Duguru, (Mashi/Dutsi Constituency), Muhammad Tukur (Katsina Central), Umar Adamu (Daura/ Mai’adua/Sandamu Constituency), Aminu Ashiru (Mani/Bindawa Constituency) and Musa Salisu (Kankia /Kusada/Ingawa Federal Constituency).

Others are Muntari Dandutse (Funtua/Dandume Federal Constituency), Murtala Isa (Faskari/ Sabuwa/Kankara Federal Constituency) and Abdu Dankama (Jibia/ Kaita Federal Constituency).

The Tribunal judges Justices Solomon Akintaye and Halim Saleeman ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh elections in the affected senatorial districts and federal constituencies.

The judges said all the affected CPC contestants were not qualified to contest the April elections based on the judgment of the Court of Appeal which set aside the January 15, 2011 CPC primary elections that recognised them as the party’s standard bearers.

The tribunal said it relied on sections 141 of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended and 135 of the 1999 Constitution which provided that candidates should only contest election under a political party’s sponsorship.

If an electoral victory is nullified based on an intra-party dispute, is this not an opposite to the Supreme Court’s decision which declared that it is only political parties that win elections and went on to order Celestine Omehia to vacate the seat for Rotimi Amaechi.

Although the mandatory 180-day requirement for hearing and determination of petitions are about to expire, not much has been accomplished by the tribunals.

Many people have criticised this snail-like approach to the litigation process.

Delivering a paper titled: “Courts and management of election petitions: challenges, prospects and solutions”at a one-day symposium organized by Mustapha Akanbi Foundation in July 2010 in Abuja, Lateef Fagbemi said: “Time remains a recurrent decimal in the determination of petitions. The electorate timeously want to know whose candidate has the favour of the majority of their lawful votes; the victor would wish to know where he stands and have his mind at rest as to his true position and, probably settle down for official duties. The vanquished with his unsatisfactory defeat will also be running against time for the confirmation of his doubt as to his loss or defeat, and, in the meantime raise hope that the Tribunal would right the wrongs or correct the errors that gave victory to his adversary”.

“In this permutation and hope provoking situation, the Tribunal has enormous responsibility of balancing the “time” which has suddenly become a bride for all the stakeholders and this within the purview of the enabling law though not totally immuned from events extraneous to law.

‘Jonathan needs Nigerians to perform’

By Dada Aladelokun, Assistant Editor

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HOSE who think President Jonathan has the magic wand to find a lasting balm for the various dislocations on all facets of the nation’s life are ignorant of the dynamics of participatory governance.

This is the submission of Olorogun Eddy Olafeso, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ex-Commissioner for Information under the then Olusegun Agagu-led administration in Ondo State.

Olafeso who fielded question from The Nation at the weekend in Lagos over the state of affairs in the country, especially the rising worrisome spate of insecurity in the land, seethed with displeasure as he expressed his heartache, saying: “We must not fail to realise that what we have in our hands must be a general concern.”

“In any society where people want genuine development, governance is not left in the hands of leaders alone; the led too have roles to play to complement whatever effort government is making to give them a new lease of life. It is not for fun that democracy is described as a government of, by and for the people. We must not take a ‘siddon look’ stance and resort to blaming government,” Olafeso said.

Expressing his displeasure and fear over the recent wave of insecurity especially the Boko Haram-related bombing in the country, the politician contended that the whole development requires concerted effort because development cannot take place in a society under threat of insecurity and violence.

Explaining further, he said: “Surely, the bombers and their sponsors have their grievances. And of course, there is no sin in one nursing such, but you don’t get justice through violence as we have been witnessing. We can always sit down to iron things out in the interest of all the parties concerned and for the stability and prosperity of the polity. Violence does not help a system to grow; it can only be a dangerous liability.”

Maintaining that the Jonathan-led administration has all it takes to move the nation to the next level in terms of producing the dividends of governance for Nigerians, Olafeso pointed out that the only stimulus needed by the government is the maximum cooperation, patience and understanding of Nigerians.

• Olafeso

• Aregbesola receiving the report from Oshun

The Afenifere Renewal Group last week presented its Development Agenda for Western Nigeria to Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola. The organisation described the governor as a partner in the bid to integrate states in the Southwest, MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE reports.

Aregbesola, Afenifere seek common agenda in Southwest

I

T was supposed to be a meeting of the Afenifere Renewal Group with Governor Aregbesola. But a chance encounter with some other leaders of thought in Yoruba land gave it another colour. It was thus like bringing persons of different ideological stock together possibly to foster greater understanding among peoples of different ideological leanings.

On one side was a group that had come to meet the governor. In the group were Senator Anthony Adefuye, Senator Suleiman Salawu, and Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu and other notable campaigners for a better place for the Yoruba in the Nigerian polity.

On the other side were members of the ARG led by its Chairman, Mr. Olawale Oshun, former aide to Governor Bisi Akande, Mr. Ayo Afolabi, Mr. Lai Oyeduntan and Mr. Dipo Famakinwa.

Their agenda: To present to Aregbesola, the report of the group’s Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN). The group is said it took the decision because it felt uncomfortable with the lost glory of the Yoruba among other ethnic groups within the country.

Given the governor’s background of involvement in any issue bordering on the welfare and development of the Yoruba in the past, Oshun confirmed that the report would not be strange to Aregbesola as he had been on top of all efforts at getting the best deal for the Yoruba.

He said, “Our mission is to present a report to you. Of course, you are not a stranger to the report because you were aware of what we have been doing. Ogun and Ekiti States have been presented with the same document which is about good and quality governance in Yorubaland.”

As expected, in response, Aregbesola extolled the virtues of the group, the selflessness displayed by its leaders and the vision behind DAWN. The gover-

nor said though he had not read the report, he was certain that a good job had been done to ensure the best deal for Yoruba’s development within the Nigerian polity.

When Famakinwa was asked to let the governor into some of the salient areas in the report, he said that DAWN was all about a clear objective for good governance from the South-Western regional perspective.

Famakinwa said: “This report is based on development for the Yoruba people which will prioritise infrastructural development that will support our people in the South-West.”

Aregbesola praised ARG and that it had done more than any ethnic group in the history of modern Nigeria.

The governor said, “We should be proud of what ARG stood for from the beginning. I have also been quite critical of our group. My view was heard but not adopted.

“We have branded ourselves the way we want to be seen. In terms of output, ARG has done more than any ethnic group in the history of modern Nigeria. We are still training but we cannot dismiss the fact that our collective struggle is yielding a favourable result. I must,

‘We met a bad economic condition here. N850 million was the salary bill before minimum wage. As at the time we took over, this government had to borrow N1 billion monthly to be able to stay afloat. But we have got over that. I am proud to disclose to you that as I am talking to you now, this state has N22 billion access to development’

without equivocation, appreciate your support for our struggle before we regained our mandate.

“My first criticism has to do with the crest which I will passionately appeal that we should review. It was the coast of arms foisted on us by the British colonialists. We must work harder for integration of our region.

“The last stanza of ARG anthem is an article of faith; it is not an exaggeration. We must promote little, little symbols that will remind us of our heritage. There is need for us to have a common flag in our region”.

It provided a platform for the governor to intimate the ARG members with the achievements of his administration. “We met a bad economic condition here.

N850 million was the salary bill before minimum wage. As at the time we took over, this government had to borrow N1 billion monthly to be able to stay afloat.

But we have got over that. I am proud to disclose to you that as I am talking to you now, this state has N22 billion access to development,” he said.

Aregbesola said the planned midregional Market had reached an advanced stage with infrastructure for the take-off such as rail wagons and coaches, platform and others almost at completion stage in China.

On education, he said the digitalisation of the learning process would sweep many Nigerians off their feet as his administration is poised to change the face of education in its entirety.

He told the delegation that the importance attached to integration of the states under the former Western Region made him to create the Ministry of Special Duties and Regional Integration.

He called for what he called “vigorous pursuit” of the Western identities. Present at the meeting was the Commissioner in charge of Special Duties and Regional Integration, Mr Ajibola Basiru.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

45

THE NATION

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

QUESTION

CLINIC DAY

(1)

What is Cyclebeads and how can I obtain same?

The Society for Family Health (SFH),is the marketers of cyclebeads in the country. Its Managing Director, Bright Ekeremadu, answers question one. Dr Titi Oduye of Amelia Natural Organic Limited, provides the reply to the second question, while, the producer of the herbal tea, Dr Robinson Ike ,writes on the third question.

A natural tool for family planning C

YCLEBEADS® is an easy way to plan or prevent pregnancy naturally. This natural birth control option enables a woman to track her cycle and know if she is on a day when pregnancy is likely to occur or not.

CycleBeads is used by women around the world because it is more than 95 per cent effective; inexpensive, side-effect free; easy to use, educational and empowering. It is a colour-coded string of beads that represents the days of a woman’s cycle and helps her use a natural family planning method called the Standard Days Method. This family planning method is designed for women with cycles between 26 and 32 days long.

How does it work?

CycleBeads are a visual tool that help a woman with regular cycles between 26 and 32 days long to keep track of the days of her cycle and know when she is likely to get pregnant if she has unprotected intercourse. They are a string of 32 colour-coded beads, with each bead representing a day of a woman’s menstrual cycle. They have a black rubber ring that the woman moves one bead each day in the direction of the arrow. When the woman starts her period, she puts the ring

on the first bead, which is red. She continues moving the ring one bead each day of her cycle. When the ring is on a dark bead, she is on a day in her cycle when she can have intercourse without getting pregnant. But when she in on a day represented by the white beads, she may be fertile and could get pregnant if she has unprotected intercourse.

In clinical trials conducted by the Institute for Reproductive Health, CycleBeads were found to be more than 95 per cent effective in preventing pregnancy in Correct Use, and to be the most effective natural birth control option in Typical Use as well.

According to data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 80 per cent of cycles are in the 26- to 32 day range.

How effective are CycleBeads?

In studies conducted by the Institute for Reproductive Health, the method on which CycleBeads are based, The Standard Days Method (SDM), was found to be more than 95 per cent effective. That means that, out of 100 women using the method for one year, fewer than 5 of them would get pregnant if they used the method correctly. The study also found that women who

–Kudirat Suberu, Eleyele, Ibadan .

(2) I read somewhere that my body can heal itself. Please can you shed more light on this?

– Francis Osai, Benin, Edo State.

(3) I once read in your paper about Odumegwu Herbal tea, I need more information on this.

– Ifeoluwa Olaopa, Surulere, Lagos.

•Cyclebeads

do not keep careful track of their cycle days or have unprotected intercourse on days 8 through 19 of their cycles are much more likely to get pregnant. When women sometimes used the method correctly, but sometimes had unprotected sex on days eight through 19, 12 out of 100 got pregnant during their first year of use. Therefore, the “typical use” effectiveness is 88 per cent. This effectiveness is comparable or better than most other user-directed methods such as condoms, diaphragms, and other natural family planning methods. It is the most effective natural family planning option in terms of typical use.

What is the Standard Days Method?

The Standard Days Method (SDM) is a simple method of family planning that was developed by the Institute for Reproductive Health at Georgetown University. The Institute developed a computer model, based on data from the WHO, and determined that women who usually have menstrual cycles between 26 and 32 days long are potentially fertile – or able to get pregnant – on days eight through 19 of their cycles. So the Standard Days Method identifies a fixed set of days in each menstrual cycle as

the days when a woman can get pregnant if she has unprotected intercourse. If the woman doesn’t want to get pregnant, she and her partner avoid unprotected intercourse on days eight through 19 of her cycle. The Institute has tested the Standard Days Method in a clinical trial with about 500 women in three countries – Bolivia, Peru and the Philippines. They found that women were able to use the method correctly, and when they did use it correctly, it was more than 95 per cent effective. That is, out of 100 women using the method for one year, fewer than five would get pregnant.

How is this different from the rhythm method?

Actually, it’s very different. The rhythm method involves having exact information about the last six menstrual cycles and every month making complex calculations – adding and subtracting – to figure out which days in the current cycle you’re likely to get pregnant. And the rhythm method has never actually been tested in a well-designed efficacy study. The Standard Days Method on which CycleBeads are based, is simple – it doesn’t involve any calculations, and it is the same every cycle. It has also been tested in a well-de-

‘How to avoid food depletions’

O

UR nation is developing in leaps and bounds. The cities are flooded with fast food outlets; more people are visiting the doctor for various ailments that come with our new lifestyles. More people are visiting the hospitals/ Clinics for various ailments and end up taking drugs that are prescribed by their doctors. We are not aware that when taking drugs, we need to know they could create Nutritional depletion in the body.

We have all handed over our power to the doctor; yet we are the one who know where the foot hurts. Major contributors to nutritional deficiencies are age, diet, lifestyle, prescription and non prescription drugs.

A drug induced nutrient depletion could be one of the most overlooked and ignored challenges that could slowly cripple our health.

Apart from extreme deficiencies of malnutrition leading to disease states, such as Beri- beri, goitre and scurvy, many deficiencies go unnoticed and could precipitate Cardiovascular issues, insomnia, lack of energy, resistance to losing

weight, premenstrual syndrome, depression and others. This depletion of major nutrients from the body occurs in almost all medication- up to about 50 of the most prescribed drugs are associated with drug induced nutrient depletions. When the body is depleted of vitamins, minerals enzymes and amino acids, it begins to weaken.

This makes it susceptible to diseases, malfunctions and loss of wellbeing. Probably, many of the side effects from drugs could be attributable to nutrients depletion over time.

Therefore, we need to educate ourselves and spread awareness not just on medication side effects and interactions, but also about the nutritional depletions that they cause.

Hippocrates told us: “Let your food be your Medicine”. He was simply saying there is healing in food.

I have come to note that most people consume medicines without prescriptions or guidance, but on hear say and belief. This is as a result

Herbal tea rebrands

M

•Mrs Oduye

of sheer ignorance, because most do not understand how the body mechanism works.

Some Nigerians do not go to experts before they begin to take drugs.

They mostly rely on the testimonies of their acquaintances or, even worse, advert.

signed effectiveness trial, with excellent results.

If I’m only fertile for a few days of my cycle, why is the “fertile window” 12 days long?

The research on which CycleBeads are based identifies the fertile window – the time during which most women could get pregnant - as days eight through 19 of the menstrual cycle. While it is true that a woman can get pregnant during only a few days of her cycle, these days may not be at the same time from one cycle to the next. The “fertile window” identified is 12 days long because it takes into account both the days around ovulation and the possible changes in the actual timing of ovulation from one cycle to the next.

Will CycleBeads protect me from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?

No. Like most other family planning methods except condoms, the Standard Days Method on which CycleBeads are based does not protect people from STDs. If you think you are at risk of an STD, you should consult your doctor immediately to find out how you can protect yourself.

Where can I get CycleBeads?

CycleBeads are available through a limited number of providers and local retailers.

ANY diseases afflict mankind, especially, the noxious disease, HIV/AIDS, which have defied cure. I believe Nature has answers to all that ail man. When the body flora and fauna are disrupted that is when Odumegwu Herbal Tea comes in handy.

It is a revelation from God for global healing which was granted to me in 1988. It works on the immunity. There are many of testimonies already recorded. I have worked on it and came up with the new Odumegwu Herbal tea, the specially prepared new tried and tested GP6 (general purpose herbal tea), is making positive people sing new song in the management of the disease.

Odumegwu Herbal tea has been tested and found to have no side effects and registered with the right authority. The Herbal Tea, when administered

on diabetic patient, has an indicator of improved health profile.

Those with sexually transmitted diseases and more staphylococcus in their body have significant results after taking the tea, which have been documented. It is highly recommended for the treatment of bone marrow problem in men, low sperm count, poor erection and quick ejaculation.

At present, am vigorously researching into vaccination of the active ingredients. I believe that will throw a great challenge to orthodox medicine in the treatment and management of some diseases.

The tea can also be used as a blood purifier. All the treatment is done within 30days. For women, it is excellent for the treatment of fibroid, miscarriage, menstrual complications, liver and kidney treatment, heart failure, high blood pressure, infertility, cancer, acute, arthritis.

46

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

NATURAL HEALTH

Gallbladder stone and high blood cholesterol level N

OT long ago, one of my social acquaintances asked me: what is sublingual calculus? The question surprised me because he was a man of statistics who fiddled more with figures than with medical jargon. “Well”, I replied, “calculus means stone and sublingual has to do with something below the tongue”. The answer made sense to him. The day before, his doctors removed a three-inch long calculus log from under his tongue. For some time, he had been experiencing a funny sensation in this place and had decided to probe the occurrence by poking a needle into the naughty under tongue. Out oozed some blood and fluid which seemed to ease the funny feeling. But, next day, he was in alarmed when, on being woken up by pressure pain in the same place, he looked it up in the mirror and discovered a stony substance ejecting from under the tongue!

Medically, it is called sublingual or submandibular calculus, as his doctors told him. It was a rare occurence in their clinic. The size, too, baffled them. This was a stone produced by the saliva producing gland under the tongue, for which it got its name submandibular or sublingual calculus.

STONES form in any part of the body if the conditions there are suitable for their formation. Often, these are calcium stones.

When calcium deposits on blood vessels, these tubes are hardened and thus offer greater resistance to blood flow to create elevated blood pressure or hypertension. The doctor tries to relax them with calcium blocking drugs. These do not allow calcium to settle on these vessels. But they create their own side effects. One of these may be to bar calcium uptake by the heart, thereby creating heart problems, or asthmatic reaction in the lungs. Manufactures of beta blocker drugs state this contraindication on the label, but many people fail to read them. Beta blockers are prescribed also for glaucoma to stop calcium settling on the delicate soft muscles of the drainage channel. Such calcium deposition contracts these muscles, since it is the job of calcium to contact tissue and that of magnesium to relax them, in the unending cycle of contraction and relaxation which keeps everything in motion and makes life to go on. In the joints, calcium deposition freezes the joint capsules, immobilising it in arthritis. In the brain, Alzheimer’s disease occurs. In the waistline, waist pain; and, in the heel, a painful heel spue. To the nature doctor, a breach of the Law of Balance in nutrition has occurred when deposition of calcium in the wrong places occurs. Either the wrong type of calcium has been consumed which the body cannot use and is discarding or much more calcium than magnesium has been consumed, upsetting their 2:1 radio.

By this ratio, if four units of calcium are consumed to one of magnesium, two units of magnesium will fix with or bond to one of magnesium and the surplus two units will be deposited anywhere to present a calcium overload in the blood circulation When she was in Nigeria, Mrs. Harriet Lawrence, AfricanAmerican journalism teacher and journalist, always spoke with fondness about her baby who died at about the age of three. She was born without a gallbladder and, so, had problems digesting fat and absorbing fat – soluble nutrients in the diet. She also would have been unable to efficiently excrete through the stool fat – soluble poisons. These are some of the problems faced by adults and children who suffer from gallbladder disorders. My social acquaintance’s sublingual calculus reminded me of a common gallbladder disorder, gallstones, on which I received no fewer than five equities last week. They reminded me of Margaret Mike- Pearse, a fine writer who, with his younger brother, Temitope Mike - Pearse , worked with me in the late 1990s.

Margaret, now of blessed memory, went down one day with gallstones and ended up at the military hospital in Lagos. Another acquaintance, who telephoned me three days ago to announce he was now into domestic and industrial chemical cleaning, almost messed my day. For some years, he had been in and out of trauma, from the inflammation of his gallbladder. So bad is it that he has lost about half his weight, and was often in such pain that he wanted surgical removal of this important but troublesome argain. Why does he want to work with chemical? I wondered. Where is he going to get all the bile he needs to remove chemical he would be sniffing through the lungs or through the skin? I asked myself. Or, has Milk thistle which I advised him to add to his diet as a food supplement helped to dissolve all the stones and make more bile?.

The gallbladder is a digestive organ situated directly under the liver in the upper right part of the abdomen. It is connected to the liver by a duct. The liver makes bile, a digestive substances, and stores it in the gallbladder. As a storage tank, the gallbladder makes the bile become concentrated and, thereby, more potent than if it were not. Anyone who has dressed chicken before should know what the gallbladder and bile are even if they know nothing about their functions in the body. The gallbladder is that small sack beneath the chicken liver inside which there is a bitter greenish yellow fluid. When they dress a chicken, women do not allow the sack to break and spill its contents on the liver. For if it does, it would make the liver, a delicacy, become bitter like itself. So, they carefully excise it from the liver and throw it into the garbage bin. Some butchers act otherwise; surprisingly they too, carefully cut off the gallbladder, alright, but fling it into their mouth. They believe, through native wisdom, it is medicinal. And they are right on the mark.

After all, don’t our elders say “the friend of the mouth is the enemy of the intestine and the enemy of the mouth its friend?

In other words, aren’t sweet things had and the bitter good?

Bile, this greenish yellow stuff made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, comprises many factors…..bile salts, phospholipids, lecithin, cholesterol, water, pigments, electrolytes and bilurubin, among others. As soon as food from the stomach reaches the small intestine, hormones and nerves cause the gallbladder to contract and squeeze bile through the common bile duct and into the first portion of the bowel, the duode-

bullets and wands. They expect a disease which took about 20 years of parasite, virus and bacteria patience to build to disappear hurriedly, overnight. They eat animal liver and organ meat with reckless abandon oblivious of the dangers Dr. Clark and her kindred doctors are screaming about.

The Warning Signals

T

num

Bile functions

Nature designed two major responsibilities for bile. The first is to promote digestion and absorption of fats and transport fat soluble poisons out of the body through the stool. The other is to similarly export toxins of all kinds the liver has detoxified, including viruses and bacteria it has strained out of the blood for elimination. Bile excretes, also, bilurubin, the yellowish component of dead red blood cells, which gives the yellow colouration in jaundice when the liver cannot rapidly or efficiently eliminate it.

Trouble in the gallbladder

A

LL sorts of trouble may occur. The common bile duct which receives bile secretions from the liver through several bile ducts in this organ may become blocked by gallstones. Gallstones or solidified bile fragments. These are often made of either cholesterol, bile pigments, calculus or other minerals. Gallstones may occur when the bile is over concentrated, for example, through bile over production by the liver.

This may be due to overactivity in liver cells. Many gallstones are cholesterol stones. This suggests that there is too much cholesterol or not enough solvents such as phosphatidly choline or lecithin to emulsify it. The cholesterol build up itself may be due to dehydration at cellular level. As Dr. F. Batmanghelidj would argue, the sufferer may have lost the benefits of the natural thirst signal of a dry mouth. So, without he or she being dry in the mouth, the need to drink water is not felt. It is like the car radiator heating up without any warning for the driver on the dashboard. Dr. Udo Erasmus, author of well-selling FATS THAT HEAL, FATS THAT KILL, illuminates this build– up. He says we need cholesterol for our cells to produce viable membranes or coverings. The “bad” cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), so called because it deposits in blood vessels, damaging them, takes cholesterol to the cells. High density lipoprotein, the “good guy” brings the excess back to the liver. In the presence of minerals and vitamins, the liver coverts the excess cholesterol into bile. Thus, if there are not enough minerals and vitamins in the system, and, as double jeopardy lecithin is also scarce, cholesterol will build up in the liver and, most likely in the gall bladder and liver itself end up as stones.

Dr. Holda Clark, whose book, THE CURE FOR ALL DISEASES, featured in this column for five weeks, says: “The liver is full of tubes (billary tubing) that deliver the bile to one large tube (the common bile duct). For many persons, including children, the bilary tubing is choked with gallstones. When the gallbladder is scanned or X-rayed, nothing is seen. Typically, they are not in the gallbladder. Not only that, most are too small and not calcified, a prerequisite for visibility on X-ray. These are over half a dozen varieties of gallstones, most of which have cholesterol crystals in them. They can be black, red, white, green or tan coloured. The green ones get their colour from being coated with bile. Notice in the picture how many have imbeded unidentified objects. Are they fluke remains? Notice how many are shaped like corks with longitudinal grooves below the tops. Other stones are composites – made of many smaller ones – showing that they regrouped in the bile ducts some time after the last cleanse. At the very centre of the stones are found a clump of bacteria, according to statistics, suggesting a dead bit of parasite might have started the stone forming.

“As the stones grow and become more numerous, the back pressure on the liver causes it to make less bile. With gallstones, much less cholesterol leaves the body, and cholesterol levels may rise. Gallstones, being porous, can pick up all the bacteria, cysts, viruses and parasites that are passing through the liver. In this way, ‘nests’ of infection are formed, forever supplying the body with fresh bacteria. No stomach infections, such as ulcers or intestinal bloating can be cured permanently without removing these parasites from the liver”.

Grim Picture

This is a grim picture Dr. Clark paints. But it is nevertheless surmountable. It is just that many of us are either ignorant about what is going on in our bodies or are too miserly even unto ourselves to spend money, sometimes good money, on our health.

Many people live in the delusion that “something will kill a man, afterall”. But when that “something” comes, they do not wish to go. Desperately, they search for a godot of a physician with magic

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

HE body speaks all the time, but few people today un derstand body language. When I ask people, “how often do you defeacate”, or “does the poop float or sink”, or “what colour is the poop, orangish – yellow, pale yellow, green, brown or dark brown?”, I discover not many people pay little or no attention to such seemingly insignificant body language.

Dr. Clark offers another insight here: “Bile is bright green. Mixed with intestinal contents, it turns the bowel movement dark brown. If the bile is not arriving in the intestine, the bowel movement will stay light coloured even yellow or orange. This is another clue to bile duct blockage.

Over a quart of bile should exit the body each day. Since bile is loaded with cholesterol, this daily excretion of bile is a major method of keeping cholesterol levels low. If the bile ducts are chocked with debris so only half as much (often only a cup instead of a quart) bile is produced and excreted, you can expect cholesterol levels to rise and digestion to be bad. When food isn’t properly digested and absorbed, the ever present, ever ready bacteria will grab it for themselves” We should know there is fire in the roof when we bloat after eating, belch, fart or experience rumbling and pains in the stomach and bowels or become constipated, that is if we cannot stool at least two times in a day.

Gallbladder Stone Signs

These other symptoms are like toys compared with gallbladder stone trauma. Blockage of the billary tubes or common bile duct creates back up pressure in the liver and ducts. Bacterial and viral infections begin, with toxins extruded into the system. The nerves are poisoned and scream in pain. Often there is a constant, dull pain felt in the middle of the chest below the breast bone which may be confused with that of angina pectoris (blockage of heart arteries).Dr Clark says this pain resembles that of HIV, and should be ignored only if tests eliminate blood presence of the solvent Benzene or Benzenepyrenes ingested from charcoal – smoked food such as smoked fish (yes, smoked fish), smoked corn, smoked plantain or barbecue (snya). Even then, a suspicion of HIV activation may hold only if the parasite fasciolopsis buskii has arrived, invited by the solvent. Added to the chest pain which may radiate across to the chest, the right shoulder and shoulder blade, there may be nausea, potential vomiting or vomiting, fever, spasms of the tubes and gallbladder and excruciating abdominal pain, deep coloured urine and jaundice, among other problems which sometimes prompt the doctor to advise surgical removal of the gallstone or the gallbladder. When my social acquaintance, who is going into chemical business, told me the scans no longer saw stones in the gallbladder, which made the doctor suspect mere inflammation of this organ, which may be life-threatening, I though of the many tiny stones still forming in the liver, damaging bile ducts there and causing the abdominal pain which comes with eating fat in the meal.

Natural Solutions

The options open to the Nature Doctor are these herbs which help to • Crush or dissolve gallbladder stones • Make cholesterol and bile soluble • Make the liver produce adequate amounts of soluble bile • Heal inflammation and damage to all tissue • Regenerate the liver • Eliminate parasites, bacteria, virus, Candida and other fungi, heavy metals, chemical pollutants etc.

• Relax taut nerves and soft muscles, and thereby reduce pain Different people worldwide have different approaches. The British, French and Greeks rely on confrey tea as a digestive aid.

Radishes are popular in Europe as a gallstone remedy. Maria Treben mentions in her HELP THROUGH GOD’S PHARMACY the wife of a retired general who accidentally, as we are wont say, discovered a cure. She had many stones surgically removed and mounted one as a momento on the handle of her kitchen knife. The doorbell rang one day as she was cutting radishes in a bowl. She threw the knife in the bowl to answer the call. To her dismay when she returned to the kitchen, the radishes had melted the memento. Valerian root, like Chamomile calms the nerves.

Milk thistle remains a star. It increases capacity of the liver for self-regeneration, protects it against toxins, prompts it to make more bile, increases the rate of bile flow and decreases bile cholesterol saturation. Dandelion root also improves bile flow, gives the kidneys potassium, which improves urinary excretion of wastes. Chanka piedra, an Asian name, which means stone crusher, explains the value of phyllantus nuriri (Yoruba, Ehinbisowo) in crushing or dissolving gallbladder and kidney stones. Lecithin makes cholesterol soluble. In fact, its deficiency is said to lead to cholesterol stones. Tumeric improves bile flow, is anti-inflammatory and relaxing. Tumeric is a component of curry powder, once a favourite of many cooks in this country. It detoxifies the intestines and kills microorganisms. It is 98 percent of a component, which contains two per cent of Curcumin. But it is Curcumin, which actually does all that work. Knowing this, the Bell Lifestyle Products of Canada formulated Curcumin 2000X which upgrades Curcumin to 75 per cent in the package and arms it with Cayemne, the latter making Curcumin 2000 times more absorbable than when it occurs alone. When the ducts spasm, Blue Vervan, a liver-friendly antispasmodic herb, should help. There is a controversy over whether Olive Oil flush (olive oil and lime or lemon or grapefruit juice) does help or if it worsens the case Parashield should help knock out parasites, Amazon A – F should contain Candida as Amazon A – V stems viruses.

Tel: 08034004247, 07025077303

47

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

e-Business Ahead of implementation of mobile payment services, experts believe security, regulatory and technical specifications and reliability of financial transactions should be urgently addressed to sustain the system. ADLINE ATILI reports

How to make mobile payment work

T

HE economy has for long been cash oriented. As a result, people move about with lots of cash for their transactions. To stop the carrying of cash and stem the robbery tide, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) conceived the Mobile Payment (MP) solution.

The service, according to the CBN, will ensure the financial inclusion of the unbanked and underserved. MP will make use of the available electronic payment channels, mobile telecommunications technology and mobile phones.

Mobile Payment or mobile money is an alternative payment method. Instead of paying with cash, cheque, credit or debit cards, a consumer can use a mobile phone to pay for a wide range of goods and services such as subscription, books, magazines, tickets, transport fare, vehicle fuelling and other services; the same mobile phone could also be used to send, receive money and perform other financial transactions.

According to CBN mobile payments have enormous potentials given the low infrastructure requirements and rapidly increasing mobile phone penetration.

Mobile payment has been adopted in many parts of Europe and Asia. The combined market for all types of mobile payments is expected to reach more than $600 billion globally by 2013; the mobile payment market for goods and services, excluding money transfers is expected to exceed $300 billion globally by 2013.

Mobile payments are commonly expected to increase consumer convenience by reducing the need for cash in small transactions and increasing the availability of purchase possibilities.

As the nation awaits extensive take-off of this initiave, stakeholders argue that the barriers that may impede the success of the exercise must be removed.

In removing the barriers, a functional mobile money model should be created, they said, adding that effective policies should be formulated and strictly implemented for the scheme to thrive.

At a stakeholders’ forum on mobile payment implementation, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Eugene Juwah noted that globally, mobile payments will represent 15 per cent of all electronic transactions by 2013 and will overtake card-based transaction volumes within 10 years if growth continues at the same rate.

He said the reliance of mobile payment system on telecommunications network infrastructure will put a strain on the infrastructure further, necessitating an upgrade and optimisation of the network infrastructure of the Mobile Network Operators. This, according to him, is necessary in order to accommodate the increase in traffic flow and at the same time, prevent network degradation.

He said: “Global financial transactions rely on telecommunications networks with high speed data transmission.

“With an estimated 300 million mobile phone subscribers in Africa, USA and UK, development agencies have noted that of the new technologies offering improvements to remittance services and reductions in transaction costs, mobile phones hold the greatest promise for Africa.

“Following the recently licenced mobile payment scheme operators by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the commission envisages that there would be an upsurge in data traffic emerging from the mobile money transactions which may necessitate the upgrade and optimisation of the network infrastructure of the Mobile Network Operators in order to accommodate the increase in traffic flow and at the same time prevent network degradation.”

Security and integrity of transaction Juwah stressed the importance of integrity of

•Stakeholders brainstorm on operational modalities

customer adoption. This may be slightly different in the Nigerian context where availability has been a critical issue in recent times.”

To the Head of Information Technology and Marketing, 3Line Cards, a payment processing company, Olutoyin Oloniteru, the National Assembly has to work on passage of law to support digital signature.

Oloniteru stressed that there is need for digital signature based on public key cryptography and backed by necessary digital signature law for security of mobile payment transactions.

Pricing

Juwah said cost of the service should not be prohibitive to users and unsustainable to operators.

“One critical success factor unrelated to the integrity of the end-to-end transmission is the pricing of the data transmission service to the mobile money scheme operators by the Mobile Network Operators.

“The cost of the service would invariably be passed on to the mobile money users and if it is too high, it would make the mobile payment system unattractive to users and unsustainable to the operators.”

He advocated for increased consumer awareness and minimal charges for every electronic payment through the mobile phone, with no hidden charges in order to foster confidence and usage of the mobile payments system.

Regulation

•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

•Juwah

end-to-end transmission during a payment transaction session, saying, “The chain of transactions must be secure from initiation to authentication. Therefore, confidentiality and integrity of the data transmission are critical factors in mobile payment.

“Of all the mobile applications, mobile payment is the one in which security is of paramount importance because of the financial value at stake. There are hackers who could possibly intercept transactions and alter the intended recipient while the initiator actually receives a confirmation that the transaction was done. So, who takes liability for downtime and transaction failures?

“How can we achieve online real time mobile money transactions in the industry? Should the Mobile Network Operators introduce digital signature as a form of cryptography in the chain?

Security is an essential consideration for mobile payment which can be challenged during sensitive payment information handling or transmission.

“It is, therefore, important that the Mobile Network Operators be poised to address these critical challenges. Confidentiality of content and data integrity are very important factors to be considered, particularly how the industry would provide mechanism that guarantees nonrepudiation of transaction by the initiator.

“Mobile payment has particular security and privacy challenges due to the transport of payments which involves wireless service providers. The security framework of mobile payment is not different from any other activity in cyberspace; we therefore need to curtail threats and vulnerabilities.

“There are two types of security threats. One relates to general security threats that might exist in any open network. The other relates to mobileoriented security threats that might exist due to the characteristics of mobile communications.

“The Mobile Network Operators therefore need to address data communication jam, intercepted data link and diversion, injection and modification of data in transit by malicious hijackers and unauthorised access that could

change or delete information transmitted between a mobile terminal and an application server.

“Other threats include surfing, stolen PoS terminals and interruptions that could result in the destruction of a component of a mobile terminal or a network element.

“Protecting the integrity of a sequence of data units against disordering, losing, replaying and inserting or modifying data in transit requires the addition of some form of explicit software ordering such as sequence numbering and time stamping of transactions.

“The integrity of the telecom systems underpins other underlying technologies such as Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), SIM Application Toolkit (SAT), Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition (J2ME), the operating system and mobile payment protocol.”

Partner & head, Performance and Technology at KPMG, Mrs Bisi Lamikanra noted that consumers in the mobile payment ecosystem expect: personalised service; trust, privacy and security; ubiquity of service; low cost of usage; interoperability between different network operators, banks and devices and anonymity of payment.

She said proactive identification and resolution of key risk issues before product launch will help minimise teething issues and ensure overall product success.

She said respondents’ views from a global mobile survey conducted by KPMG in 2011 shows that convenience and accessibility are the most important elements consumers look out for in a mobile payment system.

“Eighty-one per cent of the respondents said convenience and accessibility are compelling attributes of a mobile payment strategy. Only 28 per cent said that brand will be compelling factor.

This number only rose to 30 per cent for financial institutions who have invested heavily in their brands to secure customer trust.

“The survey also showed that security is the overwhelming challenge for vendors and a great inhibitor for adoption. Fifty-seven per cent said security is a key element in terms of driving

Mrs Lamikanra emphasised the need for regulators to work together to eliminate conflicts.

“From a regulatory perspective, it is important that regulators operate, work together so that regulations are not in conflict.

“One of the areas that is key is definition of standards. While vendors must assure consumers that their transactions and payment information are held and transferred safely, there is a need for industry-wide strategies to ensure optimum availability and standardisation of mobile payment services.

“There are issues such as KYC, money laundering, what the dominant technology is. You have to do platform-specific applications. Do we have processes, policies and contracts welldefined? We need to deliberate on these issues.

“From the KPMG survey, three crucial areas we need to address are: convenience, accessibility and security. Ability to define revenue sharing is also important.”

Juwah stated that the commission is currently addressing issues of regulatory concern with respect to mobile money, among which is the quality of service of Mobile Network Operators.

In exercise of its regulatory mandate, Juwah said all equipment to be interconnected with the Mobile Network Operators’ infrastructure would be type-approved by the commission to ensure seamless interface between the networks.

Mr Ikechukwu Nnamani Chief Executive Officer, Medallion Communications, speaking on Creating Viable Partnership between Payment Providers and Telcos for Scaling up Mobile Payment, said from the operator side, there is need to balance network resource allocation and revenue.

According to him, the challenge of interconnectivity between mobile payment providers and telecom operators can have undesirable effect on implementation of the scheme.

He said the answer lies in interconnect clearing houses. “Globally regulation is encouraging the use of interconnection clearinghouses as recommended by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

“Their functions include: establishment of interconnection to multiple operators, call records capture and reconciliation, billing and invoice processing and financial settlement.”

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e-Business GADGET TREND

Cashless economy: CBN Starcomms launches Huawei IDEOS phone urged to exercise caution S S

OME traders in Lagos have urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bankers’ Committee to exercise caution in the implementation of the planned cash withdrawal limit of N150,000 and N1m for individuals and corporate organisations.

The policy, is part of the drive to promote the use of electronic payment system. The E-Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (EPPAN), in partnership with the CBN is mobilising the grass roots on the acceptance of the policy in Lagos.

The traders with shops at Odi Olowo/Ojuwoye, Mushin and Jakande Market, Ikosi, expressed concern over what they called timing of the policy.

Some of them, however, commended the policy when they saw how fast, easy and convenient the operation of the Point-of-Sale (PoS) terminals was; prompting a rush to register with the commercial banks represented at the awareness programme.

Head of traders at the OdiOlowo/Ojuwoye market, Mrs Mufuliat Abimbola who spoke with The Nation, said though the cashless policy is an effective prac-

By Adline Atili & Paul Oluwakoya tice in the developed world, for the scheme to be successful in Nigeria, the CBN must address the concerns already raised by the traders.

She said: “The cashless policy is already in place in the developed world where it is largely successful.

“However, the CBN has to consider various issues already raised by the traders, including the largely informal structure of the economy, infrastructural challenges and low public awareness about the initiative, before implementing the project in the state.”

A butcher who refused to give his name said: “I think the CBN should consider the fears that have been expressed so far. Though some of the questions raised were well answered, questions about reliability, quality and capacity of the network service providers to effectively carry out this policy, were not answered convincingly.

“Issues surrounding ATM security, sincerity of banks to the project and integrity of the various transaction channels, still need conviction too. I am very

sure people with terrible experience with the use of the ATM will definitely not embrace this policy.

The authority should just make sure the policy does not defraud people or cut them away from business.

“The CBN Governor also needs to allow for some measure of flexibility in the implementation process. Though our Governor (Babatunde Fashola) may have given his assent to the implementation in the state, I don’t think there is any need to hurry in implementation of this project which has far-reaching implications for the economy and Nigerians. Adequate caution should be exercised and all concerns addressed.”

Representative of the CBN who monitored the awareness programme, Mr George Sansa noted that the traders’ worries on the project were borne out of insufficient understanding of the policy, assuring that constant enlightenment will be done to address this. “The benefits of a cashless society far outweigh the disadvantages,” he stressed.

The pilot scheme of the cashless economy will commence in Lagos, January next year.

TARCOMMS PLC has introduced Huawei IDEOS C8150 Android phone to meet the cravings of its teeming customers.

Huawei C8150 is a smart mobile phone that allows customers access to voice and data services on the Starcomms network such as calls, Web access, application download, e-books and information search on the Web at the touch of a button.

Huawei IDEOS C8150 at a glance The phone features Google Android 2.2 and is supported on the Starcomms EVDO Rev A network with pre-loaded Google applications.

Churn and Retention Manager, Starcomms, Emeka Okenwa explained that the Android Operating System (OS) was chosen because, “Android has continued to maintain its position as the most innovative smart phone OS in the telecom world.

“Starcomms has a culture of applying the cutting edge of technology for the benefit of our customers. That is why we will continue to give them value for money.

“C8150 phone is a mobile phone with full touch screen and user-friendly, soft keyboard. The Android 2.2 OS supports push mail on its platform and other free

applications from the Android market suitable for mobile entrepreneurs and business executives who need to stay connected with clients, business partners and also have access to vital information on-the-go because it offers opportunity to do all official work.

“It can best be described as a ‘mobile office’ for the youths and upwardly mobile subscribers. The phone also comes with a unique portable Wi-Fi feature which allows customers connect with other suitable portable devices and access available wireless Internet connection.”

“It is a true mobile device that is comfortable to carry around and use on the move or at leisure while enjoying the G-sensor feature that allows the phone to be rotated for a landscape view of the screen’s contents.

“Customers can get this phone at a giveaway price at all Starcomms retail shops and dealer outlets.

We will continue to listen to our customers and put their satisfaction on the front burner of innovations and service delivery.”

Okenwa added that the phone comes with free 1GB exclusive IZap data from Starcomms and a car charger.

Teenager wins N1m in Glo SIM registration promo

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•From left: Head, Glo 1 Business Solutions, Mr Folu Aderibigbe; Globacom Ambassador, Chioma ChukwukaAkpotha and Executive Director, Human Resources, Adewale Sangowawa, at an event in Lagos.

MTN Foundation donates to flood victims

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HE Corporate Social Responsibility vehicle of leading Telco, MTN Nigeria, the MTN Foundation, has given relief materials to victims of the Ibadan flood.

The flood, which occurred on August 26, was the aftermath of a heavy downpour which lasted over six hours. It claimed many lives and property.

Worst hit areas included Onipepeye, Iwo Road, Old Ife Road, Oke Ayo, Yemetu, Agbadagbudu, Odo-Iye, Bodija Estate, Agbowo, Olomi, Eleyele, Apete and Odo Ona Elewe.

The relief items which included 800 pillows, 800 mattresses, 800 bedspreads with pillow cases, 800 cooking pots and 300 kerosene stoves were presented to the displaced families by the MTN Foundation team led by the Director, MTN Foundation, Mr Akinwale Goodluck.

By Adline Atili Deputy Governor of the state, Moses Adeyemo said: “We are very happy to receive these from the MTN Foundation. It is very commendable that MTN spared a thought for these people and provided these materials to ease their burden. MTN Foundation so far, has donated the largest quantity of relief items to the people; we thank you for this gesture.”

He called on other corporate organisations in Nigeria to help bring succour to the displaced victims.

Goodluck said: “As a responsible corporate citizen, MTN feels compelled to offer support to the victims of this disaster.

This is in consonance with the company’s commitment to positively impact the lives of Nigerians.”

He disclosed that the founda-

tion has finalised arrangements to provide relief materials to displaced families of recent flooding in Bauchi State.

19-YEAR-OLD student of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, Oscar Ikenna Efoagui has won N1 million in the Glo Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) registration promo.

Efoagui, while thanking Globacom for making him a millionaire at nineteen, said he would invest the funds in his education.

Another N1 million winner, Mrs Lucy Obi, who is a widow with 8 children was also grateful to Glo for the reward, saying the money meant a lot to the family and prayed for the continued success of Globacom.

Over 50 lucky subscribers who registered their SIM cards and won prizes in the promo have been presented with cheques and other prizes at a special ceremony in Lagos.

At the event, 17 winners were presented with cheques for N1 million each; 33 winners collected tickets for an all expenses paid trips to Dubai and the UK. Over 300 other lucky subscribers also won N20,000 worth of airtime.

Globacom’s Executive Director, Human Resources, Mr Adewale Sangowawa, said the presentation was in fulfilment of Glo’s promise to reward subscribers who complied with the SIM registration directive.

EasyFuel gets CBN’s e-payment ASYFUEL, a company pioneerlicence ing integrated cashless fuelling

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system in Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas sector, has been granted the Payment Terminal Service Providers (PTSPs) licence by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The PTSPs licence gives the company legal backing to deploy, maintain and support Point of Sales (PoS) terminals at petrol stations across the country.

EasyFuel recently launched its cashless fuelling system on a pilot scheme in select Oando service stations in Lagos.

Managing Director, EasyFuel Limited, Mr Tayo Olajide, said the licence will help the country drive CBN’s vision of a cashless economy.

He assured delivery of efficient and effective fuelling services to Nigerians

with sophisticated infrastructure and wide-ranging experience of its technical partner, Gilbarco Veeder Root (GVR), a global leader in technical solutions in the downstream oil and gas industry.

“We are delighted to have met the registration conditions prescribed by the CBN. This is a challenge to demonstrate our capacity to deliver quality service of cashless fuelling across Nigeria.

“The various drawbacks of a cashbased economy, including huge cost of cash management and security risks, make the proposed cashless economy an ideal one. CBN has through this licence, shown its intent to transform payment system in the nation’s oil and gas sector,” he said.

“We are here today to give out prizes to our lucky subscribers who have registered their SIMs and have won prizes in the different categories. The winners come from all the territories in which we operate across the country,” he said.

Sangowawa, while congratulating the winners, said even if the SIM registration deadline expires, Globacom will continue to register new SIM cards at the point of sale and reward subscribers.

VConnect emerges fastest growing portal

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CONNECT, a local search engine and leading information service provider has emerged fastest growing Web portal in Nigeria.

According to the ranking of top Websites used in Nigeria released by alexa.com, the world’s most reliable source of Website ranking, VConnect which was launched six months ago is the fastest growing Website in Nigeria.

Speaking on this development, the General Manager, VConnect Global Services Limited, Mr Deepankar Rustagi described the ranking as a remarkable milestone in the annals of the company which he said was set up to provide local information to Nigerians everywhere for free.

He said: “We are proud to announce that VConnect has now been rated by a globally recognised Website, alexa.com as the fastest growing Web portal in Nigeria. This is a great achievement for us as it goes to validate our claim as the largest local search engine in Nigeria.”

Rustagi explained that apart from being fastest growing Web portal, VConnect ranked fourth most used Website in the overall ranking of Nigerian local Websites according to statistics on alexa.com.

He noted that the Internet growth rate in Nigeria over the last 5 years had been healthy, achieving about 65 per cent growth rate which means that Nigeria has the largest Internet user base in Africa with over 50 million people reaping the benefits.

THE NATION THURSDAY,OCTOBER 6, 2011

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e-Business Matters e-Rising Segun Oruame segun@segunoruame.com

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AM in Banjul, The Gambia. I have just listened to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Independence Speech online in one of the Websites that took the video feed directly from the NTA. The President of the Federal Republic assured that we can confront and defeat terrorism.

He said there was a need for a new direction in our economic destiny. He would be unveiling a new level of challenges to inspire entrepreneurship and youth employment.

As I listened and replayed the feed severally, I am trying to see Nigeria beyond the sordid fate that has become NITEL Plc. The more I tried to figure a brighter definition of what Nigeria is, the more I return to the confronting tragedy that is NITEL Plc and Nigeria Plc. Indeed, NITEL is a microcosm of Nigeria.

Days back, I had engaged Madame Ramou Nyass, Senior Marketing Manager at Gamcel, the equivalent of the death M-Tel, on why Gamtel (NITEL’s equivalent) and Gamcel still thrive and lead the market in the heavily deregulated Gambian telecom sector of four GSM operators. Her responses were shockingly embarrassing. They tell the tale we

have known of ourselves at home through NITEL Plc. Gamcel is thriving because of government’s commitment to its sustenance and growth and the reciprocal patriotism of the average Gambian to patronise their own. Equally vital, it has no known history of corruption and mismanagement since the market was liberalised and more aggressive private sector players joined the turf.

In one breath, Madame Nyass was saying our story of ‘why we have been so unblest in 51 years since the British left its largest colonial legacy in Africa.’ The twin evil of corruption and blatant mismanagement killed NITEL Plc. Long before the era of deregulation; NITEL was systematically robbed of its vitality and prosperity under military and civilian rulers. After deregulation, under civilian leaders, it witnessed an extreme form of rapaciousness that it virtually collapsed with thousands of its citizens (sorry, members of staff) left homeless and hopeless. Today, those who plundered NITEL Plc walk freely and sit in power and authority.

When Ghanaian Ayi Kwei Armah sought to explore the

Why are we so unblest @51? tragic experiences of colonised native Africans seeking for a renewed identity in an idyllic pre-colonial heritage, he settled on the somewhat complex narrative ‘Why are we so blest?’ I am reflecting on Armah’s narrative and have an odd consciousness that in the last 51 years, we have been no less than a colony of predatory leadership that has plundered the Nigerian enterprise and systematically emasculated it. I am NITEL Plc. I am a victim of those that have looted the commonwealth and become the new colonial masters.

The more I replay the feed of Mr President, the more the facts are clearer. The more I see what one of the world’s greatest literary minds, Chinua Achebe, meant in his piece ‘The Trouble with Nigeria.’ Achebe essayed why I am a tragedy in one simple summary: “The only trouble with Nigeria is the failure of leadership.”

Now, I can appreciate better why Nigeria’s place is at the bottom of e-Readiness, the global ranking of a country’s ability to use information and communication to address its socioeconomic challenges. In 2007, we were 62 out of 69 surveyed countries. In 2010, the same ranking now renamed, ‘Digital Economy Rankings’ placed us at 61.

While I listened to the President, I am pondering on the 2010 African Economic Outlook which

summed up our precarious position thus: “The Nigerian economy remains confronted by many serious challenges. Structural imbalance and lack of diversification – with the economy excessively dependent on oil – is preventing the domestic economy from flourishing. High youth unemployment, poor infrastructure facilities and widespread insecurity are the key challenges the government will have to take on.”

Why O Lord?! Why were we not blessed with leaders like Lee Kuan Yew, first Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore? Yew gave his countrymen two things that eluded most developing nations: stability and prosperity. When Yew came to Nigeria in the 60s long before the first military coup, he saw that Nigeria had missed it.

The political leadership was more concerned with the primordial demands of which tribe gets what and which region shares what than the demand of building a modern state. Today, Yew’s Singapore is a constant sad reminder of what we could have become.

In five decades, a perverted political class has sought to glorify tribe and religion over infrastructural development, youth empowerment, and enthronement of domestic industrialisation and now in the IT era, the leapfrogging of our economy through IT resource. The same thing Yew saw in the 60s to conclude we are not serious is still with us: a corrupt and self-serv-

ing leadership.

It is left for President Jonathan to show that he not only has good intention for a common Nigeria but that he is determined to be a good and focused leader. The agenda he has drawn in his Independence Day speech could set the tone for true and positive change; if they never end up as all past independence speeches as just speeches. I do not envy this president. He is daring to point his finger at a past that has haunted us for over five decades.

Therefore, whether we would ever turn millions of our idle youths to digital armies; whether millions of Almajiris will ever become graduate and free of an evil feudal system that feeds on their ignorance and abuse of their human worthiness; whether ICT companies would ever flourish here founded and managed by young Nigerian IT entrepreneurs; whether broadband would become more affordable to inspire a whole new world of communication; and whether we would be among the first 20 economies in terms of digital empowerment all depend on how much President Jonathan can dare to go the Yew’s way and damn a history of perverted leadership.

Indeed, there is nothing inspiring to hold on to from the past. If you doubt me, ask those whose lives have been battered by the mismanagement of NITEL Plc. And ask me too, for I am a Nigerian! I am NITEL.

Firm launches directory

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•From left: Project Coordinator, Mikano International Limited, Mr Agbebiyi Akinola; Education Secretary, Ajeromi/ Ifelodun Local Education Authority, Mr Adewale Adeogun and Head, Corporate Social Responsibility Programme, Airtel Nigeria, Mr Chinda Manjor at the donation of a generator to Oremeji Primary 2 in Ajegunle, Lagos.

Survey ranks Nigeria 2nd in software piracy •Microsoft moves to stem the tide

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IGHTY-TWO per cent of Personal Computer (PC) users in Nigeria acquire software illegally, a survey has shown.

The 32-country study, conducted by IPSOS Public Affairs for Business Software Alliance (BSA), ranks Nigeria’s software pirate population second.

China, leads with 86 per cent – looming far above the worldwide percentage of 47 per cent.

The study entailed surveying approximately 15,000 PC users, including 400 to 500 in-person or online interviews per country.

The findings revealed that majority of computer users in the developing world acquired software through illegal means, such as buying a single licence for a programme and then installing it on multiple machines, or downloading programmes from peerto-peer networks, even though they ex-

Stories by Adline Atili press support for intellectual property principles.

Reacting, Anti-Piracy Manager, Microsoft Nigeria, Seye Oloruntoba said: “Many people in Nigeria aren’t clear on what constitutes piracy. Everyday, we come across stories where people have unknowingly bought discounted counterfeit software from online brokers.

“Many people think that because they’ve paid for the software, it must be genuine. This is just one of the ways many consumers become ‘accidental pirates.’”

The study finds that significant majority of software pirates in developing markets incorrectly believe that typically illegal means of acquiring software are in fact legal.

At the same time, they believe soft-

ware piracy is common, and they think it is unlikely that software pirates will be caught.

Unfortunately, business decisionmakers around the world exhibit behaviour and express opinions that are similar to these other computer users included in the survey Oloruntoba noted that: “Pirating software is often seen as a ‘cheap’ alternative to purchasing it legally. However, in the long-term, it can be far more costly, and for businesses, disastrous. It brings many dangers in the form of malware, spyware, and viruses that can lead to identity theft, loss of data and more.”

“By providing an overview of global and country specific attitudes towards piracy, this study validates the work we are doing in the region to educate consumers about software piracy and the risks associated with non-genuine software.

“We are also working with local government agencies to prevent organisations from inadvertently acquiring illegitimate software and licenses, and are driving customised programmes and affordable solutions to help protect customers from becoming victims.”

N electronic business directory, Greenpagesng.com has been launched. The directory, according to the General Manager of the company, Emma Antigha, is an e-platform that allows listed businesses to be found by those seeking to buy the goods and services they offer.

He explained that Greenpagesng.com allows anyone who is searching to type in the kind of service or business they are looking for, within a location, such as a state or city. “For example hotels in Lagos state will bring up areas like Ikoyi, Apapa, Surulere, VGC, Yaba to provide the searcher with more precise search options.”

Speaking on the features of the service, Antigha said businesses can list under multiple categories.

“A hotel with a restaurant and gym for example can be found by searching for hotels, restaurants and gyms increasing the likelihood of being displayed.

“Another feature is the sleek and qualitative way information is presented. A pop up page displays contact details including Website links and contact numbers, business description, opening hours,

a picture gallery, ranging from two to eight pictures depending on the package subscribed to, and a Google map description of how to locate the business.”

According to Antigha, the Greenpagesng experience is premised on quality. “We want this to be the first choice directory for anyone in any part of the world who is searching for quality businesses located in Nigeria, be that business a suya spot, high end spa, accountancy firm, hotel or restaurant.

“We charge a listing fee, and it is reflected in the overall quality of the offering, right from the search experience to how the information is served. We have also introduced a ‘discount ticker’ service that allows searchers to see discounts from businesses that are listed with Greenpagesng.”

Antigha said the directory can be accessed from any PC or mobile device connected to the Internet.

He said businesses looking to list on Greenpagesng have pricing options based on number of words used in describing the business, number of pictures on the display page and number of categories companies wish to be found under.

Airtel partners MasterCard on mobile money

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IRTEL, Standard Chartered Bank and MasterCard Worldwide have launched the world’s first virtual card that operates off a mobile wallet. The device is linked to Airtel’s mobile commerce offering, Airtel Money to be available across Airtel’s Africa operations soon.

The device known as PayOnline will give consumers across the continent greater financial inclusivity in the global e-commerce sector. Registered Airtel customers will be able to make online purchases from any site where MasterCard is accepted.

According to the companies, the tripartite partnership signals the growing realisations by players in the ecommerce sector, of the expected growth in mobile payments and contact-less card payments in the next decade.

Airtel’s consumer penetration in

Africa, backed by the financial structuring and regulatory framework expertise by Standard Chartered Bank and combined with the global acceptance of MasterCard will provide consumers with a compelling product that is fast, secure and convenient.

The one-time basis of the product has provided the consumer with a simple but secure payment process bereft of complex reconciliation and integration processes associated with other online transactions.

The simplified online transaction will follow this process: Airtel customers will be able to request a one-time virtual card number with the amount of purchase. Airtel money services platform will generate a special 16 digit number that enables the completion of the transaction. On completion of the transaction, a confirmation message will be sent to the consumer’s handset.

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 5-10-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name ADSWITCH PLC UNION VENTURES & PETROLEUM PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1 2

Quotation(N) 1.71 0.63

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 3,400 5,542.00 4,400 2,772.00 7,800 8,314.00

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Company Name FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 2 9 14

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.50 7.71

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 26,000 13,000.00 1,429 714.50 389,354 2,968,442.70 416,783 2,982,157.20

Quotation(N) 1.95 5.86

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 8,650 16,957.50 476,631 2,846,862.63 485,281 2,863,820.13

Quotation(N) 0.50 1.48

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 46,099 23,049.50 32,087 49,379.53 78,186 72,429.03

Quotation(N) 5.42 3.59 2.65 4.60 2.02 9.75 12.56 9.90 5.19 1.38 4.23 2.09 0.77 0.77 12.33

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 8,576,876 48,495,916.50 1,953,911 7,237,753.13 292,454 799,038.27 325,597 1,474,693.82 31,236,238 63,598,496.51 17,895,507 177,416,561.94 26,405,471 333,238,497.02 2,971,396 29,364,429.81 2,012,790 10,273,850.81 89,250 123,165.00 25,480,757 106,831,651.61 532,909 1,113,779.81 6,460,308 4,730,199.68 3,466,501 2,658,282.03 7,791,458 98,749,679.97 135,491,423 886,105,995.91

Quotation(N) 4.24 214.99 5.76 87.60

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 100,000 424,000.00 373,450 78,344,770.32 1,660,400 9,563,904.00 3,364,960 293,705,447.73 5,498,810 382,038,122.05

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

No of Deals 4 34 38

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

No of Deals 2 9 11 BANKING

Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC SKYE BANK PLC. STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 110 48 22 21 65 576 641 71 66 4 312 30 34 62 260 2,322 BREWERIES

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

No of Deals 1 158 26 162 347

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

No of Deals 74 20 20 1 34 149

Quotation(N) 17.85 7.25 100.00 8.26 40.04

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 348,043 6,145,625.00 535,825 3,750,105.25 15,256 1,510,484.48 50 392.50 379,352 15,204,593.52 1,278,526 26,611,200.75

Quotation(N) 3.16 9.36 19.67 1.14 0.85

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 6,000 18,060.00 6,692 59,578.80 333,425 6,554,850.55 24 26.16 500,000 425,000.00 846,141 7,057,515.51

CHEMICAL & PAINTS Company Name AFRICAN PAINTS (NIG.) PLC BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC DN MEYER PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 6 25 1 2 36

NESF increases payouts by 180%

T

HE Nigerian Energy Sector Fund (NESF) Plc, a quoted mutual fund on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), has increased cash payouts to noteholders by about 180 per cent as the fund manager nearly tripled net earnings of the fund.

At the annual general meeting of the NESF in Lagos yesterday, the Managing Director, Sterling Capital Limited, Gaventa Otono, the Fund Manager of the NESF, pointed out that the fund’s net returns after tax rose by 179.96 per cent, which reflected on the cash distribution to noteholders. Sterling Capital is the investment banking arm of Sterling Bank Plc. He said the fund’s net investment income increased by 61 per cent, while net returns for operations or net income grew by 88 per cent, which enabled the fund to increase retained earnings by about 14 per cent in spite of the 180 per cent increase in cash distribution.

He said the performance of the fund showed the dexterity of the fund manager in exploring opportunities in the financial markets, while minimising risks.

He said there is improvement in the performance of the fund for the current financial year compared with the previous year, as the fund manager was able to operate within the discretion allowed with a combination of activities in the capital market and the money market.

No of Deals 5 1 6

Quotation(N) 2.34 3.63

No of Deals 1 1 1 3

Quotation(N) 5.22 1.38 3.25

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 4,796 26,282.08 34,029 44,918.28 5,265 16,268.85 44,090 87,469.21

Quotation(N) 1.90 6.43 6.51 30.01 6.11 0.81 35.31 27.26

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 27,386 49,568.66 74,733 480,533.19 1,849 11,445.31 188,340 5,664,454.52 338 1,963.78 1,246,980 1,009,514.00 470,510 16,615,790.61 158,310 4,367,909.98 2,168,446 28,201,180.05

Quotation(N) 47.16 4.88

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 104,433 4,889,282.55 8,333 42,664.96 112,766 4,931,947.51

CONGLOMERATES Company Name A. G. LEVENTIS (NIGERIA) PLC CHELLARAMS PLC JOHN HOLT PLC PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC SCOA NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 1 2 48 2 27 57 49 189

“We reaffirmed our strong commitment to the objective of maximizing shareholder values. We shall continue to fine-tune our investment strategy to deliver value to noteholders,” Otono said.

Audited report and accounts of NESF for the year ended March 31, 2010, showed net investment income of N156.74 million as against N97.33 million in 2009. Net income after deduction of expenses and fees increased from N69.81 million to N131.26 million. Net returns after taxation increased from N32.22 million to N90.19 million.

NESF would be distributing N67.64 million, equivalent of N90.24 per note to investors, compared with N24.16 million, representing N32.38 per note, paid in 2009. Retained earnings also rose from N168.46 million to N191.01 million in the respective years.

On the market outlook, Otono, said the stock market decline was due to a mix of several variables including weak global economic outlook, withdrawal by foreign investors, investment switch to fixed income securities due to attractive yields and the worsening security challenge in the country.

He however expressed optimism that the market

AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 41 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 4 CORNERSTONE INSURANCE CO. PLC. 1 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC 7 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC 7 GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC 18 GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. 1 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 1 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. 2 LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. 1 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC 2 N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. 2 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. 2 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. 3 SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC 1 UNIC INSURANCE PLC. 1 Sector Totals 94

No of Deals 21 1 22

No of Deals 6 6

No of Deals 4 4

Quotation(N) 2.10

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 107,734 215,468.00 107,734 215,468.00

Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 72 72

No of Deals 16 76 152 130 141 11 13 65 1 1 4 610

No of Deals 1 8 19 16 8 1 11 1 65

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 8,928 407,187.45 1,156,097 17,697,129.18 1,701,510 12,074,392.94 3,672,340 26,994,359.78 2,696,840 158,706,523.71 123,987 384,387.00 126,707 545,427.96 70,523 28,289,252.13 1,284 27,580.32 860 430.00 38,078 19,039.00 9,597,154 245,145,709.47

No of Deals 2 3 5

Quotation(N) 5.31 0.90 1.20 27.00 3.00 9.52 0.99 3.68

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 40 202.00 70,659 60,802.34 403,750 480,680.00 46,276 1,252,952.00 37,849 113,535.08 17,267 156,266.35 60,659 60,972.75 3,120 11,856.00 639,620 2,137,266.52

Quotation(N) 2.47 4.32

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,407,809 5,762,762.66 10,000 41,100.00 2,417,809 5,803,862.66

Company Name AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS PLC. NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC BETA GLASS CO. PLC STUDIO PRESS (NIGERIA) PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 38 1 39

No of Deals 6 1 1 7 1 16

Quotation(N) 6.95 38.51 0.50 5.70 2.88

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 35,555 256,595.95 47,760 1,747,538.40 20,000 10,000.00 38,945 224,106.81 130 374.40 142,390 2,238,615.56

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 4 4

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 31,000 15,500.00 31,000 15,500.00

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N)

INSURANCE Company Name

No of Deals

Quotation(N) 0.90

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 4,028,050 3,613,353.12 4,028,050 3,613,353.12

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 32,600 16,300.00 62,857 31,428.50 95,457 47,728.50

No of Deals 3 411 1 1 416

Quotation(N) 6.57 1.93 12.71 2.92

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 7,704 48,150.00 841,261 1,598,482.45 103 1,244.24 870 2,418.60 849,938 1,650,295.29

No of Deals 10 20 29 28 12 227 7 333

Quotation(N) 63.86 35.00 4.63 10.00 140.60 25.31 200.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 7,806 473,590.02 17,057 590,795.92 862,000 3,991,060.00 52,428 524,024.30 60,630 8,525,523.00 18,274,195 462,513,750.05 20,406 3,877,730.00 19,294,522 480,496,473.29

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

No of Deals 4 4 7 15

Quotation(N) 2.47 4.85 3.80

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,810 6,940.70 13,090 62,766.50 1,023,348 3,890,042.74 1,039,248 3,959,749.94

Quotation(N) 12.20

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 14,175 180,349.25 14,175 180,349.25

REAL ESTATE

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

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 30,900 28,566.00 30,900 28,566.00

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

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name IKEJA HOTEL PLC TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N) 0.94

PACKAGING

Quotation(N) 48.00 15.33 7.19 7.56 58.00 3.00 4.50 400.01 22.61 0.50 0.50

HEALTHCARE Company Name EKOCORP PLC EVANS MEDICALPLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC PHARMA-DEKO PLC Sector Totals

786,226.43 252,500.00 5,000.00 46,690.00 528,750.00 6,191,300.00 160.00 583.00 38,996.50 512.72 32,500.00 55,000.00 6,875.50 32,841.38 27,700.50 25,000.00 8,030,636.03

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

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

1,342,539 250,000 10,000 20,100 1,036,500 5,580,000 320 1,166 77,993 986 65,000 110,000 13,751 22,966 55,401 50,000 8,636,722

MARITIME

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name CUTIX PLC Sector Totals

0.59 1.01 0.50 2.30 0.52 1.11 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.50 0.50 0.50

LEASING Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

CONSTRUCTION Company Name JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC ROADS NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

would improve going forward, noting that “there are signs of respite irrespective of the current market lull as the market remains a buyers’ market for risk tolerant investors.”

He said, Sterling Capital would continue to carry out a rigorous research of each investment with particular reference to sales and earnings growth, return on equity, financial condition, market share and product leadership, innovative and professional management.

Meanwhile, the market situation at the NSE yesterday remained positive although profit-taking transactions appeared to be moderating the bullish rally.

Aggregate Market capitalisation of equities increased from N6.563 trillion to N6.60 trillion, while the All Share Index appreciated to 20,695.77 points as against its opening index of 20,581.30 points.

Guinness Nigeria topped the gainers’ list with a gain of N7.04 to close at N214.99.

Nigerian Breweries added N4.11 to close at N87.60, while Oando gathered N1.20 to close at N25.31.

On the downside, Mobil Oil Nigeria led the losers with a loss of N7.40 to close at N140.60. Okomu Oil dropped by N1.01 to close at N19.38, while Zenith Bank lost 52 kobo to close at N12.33 per share.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 5-10-11 Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 42,537 98,761.95 5,000 17,250.00 47,537 116,011.95

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. THOMAS WYATT PLC TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

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

•Stock market gains 0.56%

Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 9 9

ROAD TRANSPORTATION Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 6 6

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 338,700 169,910.00 338,700 169,910.00

Quotation(N) 0.85

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 34,001 30,260.89 34,001 30,260.89

TEXTILES Company Name UNITED NIGERIAN TEXTILES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2

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

No of Deals 26 26

Quotation(N) 12.65

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 395,936 4,965,466.40 395,936 4,965,466.40

4,861

194,169,145

2,099,805,374.22

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

55

MONEY LINK

Cash policy to bridge lending, interest rates’ gap, says CBN

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said the cash with drawal limit policy would, in the long run, help bridge the gap between lending and deposit rates in the country. This would be achieved, when the cost of managing cash in the economy estimated at N192 billion by 2012 is curtailed.

The CBN Deputy Director, Currency Operations, Albert Ikmseedun, revealed this yesterday at a sensitisation programme on the proposed cashless economy policy for the Muslim community

•Puts cash cost to economy at N192b

By Collins Nweze

in Lagos. He argued that the cost of cash to Nigeria’s financial system is high and increasing, even as he appealed to residents of the state to welcome the policy.

He said while the total cost spent on cash-in-transit as at 2009 was N27.3 billion, cash processing stood at N69 billion, adding that the policy does not mean that cash would no longer be in existence, but that the policy is aimed at

moderating the volume of cash in the system.

He said the disadvantages of transacting businesses with cash, outweighs its advantages.

The CBN official listed robbery, high cost of processing, revenue leakages, inefficient treasury management , among others, as some of the reasons that necessitated the initiation of the policy. .

He said: “If there is reduced cash in the system, banks would be

able to compete favourably. There are so many alternative payment systems in Nigeria which are even more convenient and safe, but people are not using them. With the improvement in communication in the country, there has been a lot of improvements in the payment system”.

He explained that cashless Lagos does not mean there would not be cash in Lagos again, but it is an industry collaborative effort

aimed at executing the payment transformation plan of the state.

What the apex bank, in collaboration with the banks will do, is to increase the amount of Point of Sale (PoS) terminals in the state.

He said the choice of Lagos as a pilot point in the country is because over 50 per cent of the money supply in the country ends up in this state.

If it works here, then it can work in any other part of the country.

The market is in Lagos and Lagos is mini-Nigeria,” Ikmseedun stated.

Special bank for SMEIS coming declined to embrace SMEs funding, rather that concentrating more on short-term retail banking.

He said the banks are only interested in financing imports, which do not lead to economic growth, adding that commercial banks do not understand the concept of small scale funding.

“The banks do not understand the funding of small scale industries. So, what we are asking for is for the institutions to channel 10 per cent their profit before tax into the SMEIS bank when it comes on stream,” he said.

He said the association is trying to create a policy shift that engages in advocacy. What we need now are

T

HE National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), is working out modalities that would enable it establish a special bank for Small and Medium Industries Equity Investment Scheme (SMEIS) in the country.

The group is therefore discussing with the Development Finance Unit of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the possibility of establishing a SMEIS Bank, NASSI President, Chuku Wachukwu, said in an exclusive interview with the The Nation.

He said financial institutions know that the thrust of the economy is private sector driven, but have

search Council of Nigeria, which has indexed all the raw materials in the 774 local governments in the country.

It has also met with The National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND) which currently is involved in similar project, adding that the best approach would be to have a better collaboration between both parties..

“We have met with the Development Finance Unit of the CBN to discuss the issue of Special SMEIS bank.

We are also taking it to other government agencies and are holding preliminary discussions with them,” he said.

Wachuku, said the group is work-

more of development finance institutions. Banks do not understand it in the first place, he argued.

He said government needs to create instrument that will make businesses to thrive and situations whereby industrialists, farmers and other productive sectors of the economy can easily access funds at cheap rates.

This he said, would enhance their profitability and keep them in business, arguing that SMEIS bank managers would understand the psyche, performances of businesses being funded, while NASSI management would guarantee the fund.

He said the group has also discussed with the Raw Materials Re-

Sterling Bank partners Phebean Films

S

TERLING Bank Plc is taking customers services to a new level. In its search for the next African Hollywood star, the bank is partnering with Phebean Films, Paradise Entertainment, Davis Media Group and Tracey Moore to bring to the viewing public, The Spirited Actor.

The programme according to a statement from Sterling Bank, presents an opportunity for 12 as-

piring actors selected from thousands from Ghana and Nigeria to test their talents in front of professionals from Hollywood in New York City. The two best actors will be flown from New York City to Hollywood, California, where the next African Hollywood Star would be determined.

Aderibigbe, Edehi Samuel, Nike Odetola, would represent Nigeria.

Ghana would be represented by Marie Humbert-droz Umar Krupp, Emma Ewurebena, O.B Onkansah, Semira Adams and King Jo Otsiman.

A statement from Sterling Bank, promised the audience a premium

This 13-week television event, will be broadcast on both satellite and terrestrial networks in the United Kingdom, United States, and Africa. The winner of the competition will star in a feature film alongside Morris Chestnut.

Actors such as Aisha Shaba, Franklin Buchi, July Izugbara, Tunji

FGN BONDS

DATA BANK

Tenor

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

7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 5-10-11 SYMBOL ASHAKACEM CADBURY OANDO CAP NB PRESCO BAGCO GTASSURE UBA IKEJAHOTEL

O/PRICE 17.00 14.60 24.11 18.74 83.49 7.35 1.84 1.06 4.04 2.36

C/PRICE 17.85 15.33 25.31 19.67 87.60 7.71 1.93 1.11 4.23 2.47

CHANGE 0.85 0.73 1.20 0.93 4.11 0.36 0.09 0.05 0.19 0.11

LOSER AS AT 5-10-11 SYMBOL MOBIL OKOMUOIL INTBREW CHAMPION ETERNAOIL ACCESS PAINTCOM NAHCO ZENITHBANK ABCTRANS

O/PRICE 148.00 20.39 6.06 4.46 4.87 5.70 0.89 6.12 12.85 0.52

C/PRICE 140.60 19.38 5.76 4.24 4.63 5.42 0.85 5.86 12.33 0.50

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES OBB Rate Call Rate

level television programming with lots of engaging twist and turns and an A-list of actors, directors and writers.

The viewing public will also be given unprecedented access through its discussion boards and social media outlets with participants expected to win various prizes throughout the competition.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

ing out modalities that would make it easier for the raw materials segment of the economy, which will be combined with entrepreneurial skills of members tied to a funding agency to move the economy forward.

“The banks keep saying they are lending but they are not really lending to SMEs, except on paper. I hear some banks say they are mapping out N12 billion to finance SMEs, ask them which SMEs they are financing, none,” he said.

He said the body has mapped out strategies that would enable it guarantee the loans for the beneficiaries and that the banks will also get their funds back at single digit interest rate.

Amount

Exchange

Sold ($)

Rate (N)

Date

450m

452.7m

450m

150.8

08-8-11

250m

313.5m

250m

150.8

03-8-11

400m

443m

400m

150.7

01-8-11

EXHANGE RATE 26-08-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000 (S/N)

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

Parallel Market

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

04-10-11 N6.563tr 20,695.77

05-10-11 N6.600tr 20,581.30

% Change +0.56% +0.56%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

(S/N)

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Aug ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

8.75%

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

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 9.4%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 117.81 107.46 0.78 1.02 0.94 1,628.78 8.24 1.39 1.87 7,221.04 193.00

9.08 1.00 117.57 107.10 0.75 1.02 0.93 1,625.40 7.84 1.33 1.80 6,999.77 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED

CHANGE 7.40 1.01 0.30 0.22 0.24 0.28 0.04 0.26 0.52 0.02

• STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 24 Aug, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 26, Aug, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2011

07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

56

NEWS Mark seeks police reorganisation From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Ologun, Abuja

S

ENATE President David Mark yesterdaycalled for the reorganisation of the Police Force to stem the rising cases of insecurity in the land.

In his view, the move will make the officers live up to their responsibility of securing lives and property.

Mark, who spoke while inaugurating the Senate Committee of Police Affairs also bemoaned the image problem confronting the Force, saying that the perception of the public that unless money exchange hands, one cannot get the police to do its constitutional duty was sadly true.

He said: “While it is true that there is no nation that is crime free, he said the difference is that in other nations, criminals are apprehended after committing any crime which is not the case in Nigeria.”

Calling on the police to ensure a cordial relationship with members of the public, Mark noted that the much-talked about community policing model may not achieve the desired result if the current rot in the police is allowed to persist.

He also underscored the need for the provision of adequate equipment and training activities to update officers in view of the sophistication of criminals.

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Igwe Nwagu promised to ensure proper kitting of the police to carry out their functions.

He said the committee would work towards making the police more responsive, accountable and to respect judicial pronouncements.

Motion to stop night journey suffers setback

A

MOTION to bar night movement of commercial buses on the highways suffered a setback on the floors of the Senate yesterday.

Most Senators, who opposed the motion entitled: “An urgent need to avert the growing danger of night movement of commercial buses on Nigerian highways”, said it was against the letter and spirit of the Constitution which guarantees freedom of movement for all its citizens except in exceptional cases.

The sponsor of the motion, Chris Anyanwu (Imo East) said such step was necessary following the precarious nature of the highways and the recurrent robberies of commercial buses, leading to the death of many passengers.

According to Senator Anyanwu, the robberies happen at night when security agencies seldom patrol the highways and expressed concern that the target are passengers of commercial buses.

‘Human waste will continue to rise if not curbed’ From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

In 2009, on the Lagos-Benin Expressway, the Senator recalled that almost all the passengers of a Lagos-bound luxury bus perished when the bus was intercepted by robbers as they were crushed by a truck after they were dispossessed of their valuables and made to lie face down in the middle of the road.

She added that a similar incident happened on the Abuja-Okene highway when an Abuja-bound luxury bus was intercepted by the criminals leading to the death of 13 “promising Nigerians.”

The Senator expressed fears that the human waste will continue to rise if not curbed.

She, however, urged the Senate to mandate the Committee on Land Transport to conduct public hearing on the subject and make appropriate recommendations to the Senate, even as she enjoined the upper legislative chamber to urge the executive through its relevant agencies to periodically sensitise the public on the dangers of night travels.

Senator Buka Abba Ibrahim partially opposed the motion which he describe as “defeatist for a country like Nigeria to reduce its productivity by 50 per cent simply because people who travel at night get waylaid resulting in deaths.

“What about armed robbers who strike in broad day light and kill a lot of people across the nation,” the former Yobe governor queried.

He said it was better for security agencies to be up and doing rather than telling drivers to sit throughout the night because

security agencies charged with the responsibility of protecting lives and property are not discharging their responsibilities creditably.

Ayogu Eze said the motion was timely and should serve as wake-up call to “strengthen our institutions as it touches every segment of the society.”

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, however, opposed Eze’s submission, saying that the proposal was against the spirit and letter of the Constitution.

The motion was, however, referred to the Senate Committee on Police Affairs and the Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs for legislative work.

Moving that the motion be referred to the relevant committees of the Senate, Senator Anyanwu expressed joy that the purpose of the motion has been achieved which, according to her, was meant to raise awareness on the dangers now associated with night business trip.

Alleged rape: Osun monarch granted bail on health grounds

M

ORE than three months after his detention over alleged rape of a Corps member serving in his domain, the Alowa of Ilowa in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State, Oba Adebukola Alli, was yesterday granted bail.

However, Justice Oyejide Falola of an Osogbo High Court, who granted the bail, declared that it may be re-

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

voked and the accused given a bench warrant if he fails to appear in court at each sitting.

Oba Alli has been on trial since March 25, this year.

The Chief Magistrate Court had in August transferred the case to the High Court after granting the accused bail on July 1, but (the

bail) was eventually denied.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, counsel to the accused , Taofeek Tewogbade, told the court about the deteriorating health of his client, who was brought to the court in an ambulance belonging to the Ilesa Prison.

He told the court that the strike embarked upon by the medical officers in the state-owned hospitals have

adversely affected the health of the accused, pleading with the court to grant him bail on health ground.

Tewogbade, who said his client should be presumed innocent of the allegation leveled aginst him until proven otherwise, urged the court to temper justice with mercy and consider the health of his client as paramount.

Oba Alli laid on a stretch-

er throughout the proceedings.

The state counsel, who expressed the fear that the accused could jump bail if granted, also agreed with the defence counsel that the health of the accused had grossly deteriorated.

Justice Falola granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties, who should be residents of the state with tax clearance

and two passport photographs. The bail was on health ground.

He also ruled that the accused should have access to his personal physician, but should not travel outside the country without an approval of the Registrar of the State High Court with the condition that he will state reasons for such a journey.

The case was adjourned till December 6.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

NEWS 60-year-old suspected kidnapper arrested

Robbers kill Kalu’s worker

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From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

60-YEAR-OLD woman suspected to be the brain behind missing children in Owerri,the Imo state capital, has been apprehended.

The woman (names withheld) was caught by a school teacher in Owerri.

She was arrested at the Waterside Town Primary School on Royce Road.

The woman, according to the teacher, was standing behind the classroom.

When asked about her mission to the school, she claimed to be a missionary from Ebonyi State. At that point, she was ordered to leave the compound by the headteacher.

But as soon as the school dismissed, the teacher saw the woman standing with three children. That made him to raise the alarm, which attracted the attention of others.

The mob beat up the woman before inviting the police.

Commissioner of Police Abubakar Mohammad confirmed the incident.

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10 corps members honoured

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OVERNOR Peter Obi of Anambra State yesterday honoured 10 youth corps members of the 2010 Batch C. The event took place at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Secretariat in Amawbia.

Obi gave each of the 10 corps members N50,000 .Other corps members had earlier been given N500,000 at the Alex Ekwueme Square during the 51st Independence anniversary celebration in Awka.

Obi was represented by the

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Commissioner for Youth and Sports Mrs Chinwe Anowai.

The 10 corps members are Adamu Mohammed, Eboigbe David, pepple Tamindipine, Teh Robert, Brandy Unaowo, Fashola Abiodun, Nicodemus Gaantei, Umeakunwanne Chikaodili, Igbineweka Cyril and Evbuonwan Owen.

NYSC State Coordinator Solomon Ochim hailed the governor for the gesture.

N249.6m supplementary bill for Abia From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

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HE Abia State House of Assembly has passed N249m supplementary bill for the 17 Local Government Areas.

The House directed them to use the money to create

jobs and develop the councils.

Deputy Speaker and House Committee Chairman on Information Allwell Okere said the money would be used for the empowerment of youths.

“The N249.6m will be used to create employment opportunities for youths in the rural areas, because we have noticed that many people are living below the World Bank approved level and poverty rate has been on the increase”.

He said the money would be sourced from their monthly allocation.

The House Committee Chairman on Information said the funds are not equal, “but they are appropriated according to their demands, like the lowest is Ukwa East with N13.2 million, while Aba North and South Councils have N18 million each”.

Special session for Ume-Ezeoke

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HE Anambra State House of Assembly has said it would hold a special session in honour of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, the late Edwin UmeEzeoke.

The valedictory session is part of events leading to the funeral of the elder statesman, who died on August 1.

The remains of the late politician is expected to arrive Anambra State on October 11 from Abuja, after a brief session at the National Assembly.

A National Funeral Committee, headed by former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Agunwa Anaekwe, had been set up.

According to a statement by the committee which was endorsed by the first son of Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, Prince

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

Chineme , the funeral ceremony will begin on October 11 with a valedictory service at the Catholic Church of Assumption, Asokoro.

The body will then be taken to his Asokoro home on Queen Elizabeth Street.

After a brief lying in state, the body will move to the National Assembly for a valedictory session.

A funeral mass will hold on October 12 at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, Amichi. The interment will take place the same day.

Edwin Ume-Ezeoke was former Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1979-1983 and former National Chairman of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

He died at the Fortis Super Specialty Hospital, New Delhi, India.

Deputy Premier for burial From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

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ORMER Deputy Premier of the defunct Midwest Region Chief James Ekpreh Otobo is dead. He died on September 10.He was 86.

He will be interred on Friday in Uzere,Isoko South, Delta State.

•House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal (right) welcoming Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr Kayode Akinmade to the National Assembly...on Tuesday

OBBERS yesterday raided the Victoria Island, Lagos home of former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu. They shot dead one of his workers.

The two robbers also stole N2 million.

The robbers reportedly trailed Kalu’s workers from Adeola Odeku branch of a bank, where they went to withdraw some money.

The workers returned from the bank at about 3.30pm only to meet strange faces in the premises, it was gathered.

“After collecting the money, we came back to the house., One of the workers said: ‘’We discovered that the men were armed. “As we discovered that they were armed, two of us quickly ran upstairs to lock up the security door, leaving Michael Ogbonna behind. We were still there when we heard a gunshot. As we came back, we saw Mike in a pool of blood,” he said.

The victim was rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead by the doctors. He was shot at close range.

The incident was reported at the Bar Beach Police Station, Victoria Island.

But Lagos Police spokesman Samuel Jinadu said he had not been briefed by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO)in-charge of the area.

Absorb your indigenes, Abia tells Imo govt S PECIAL Adviser to Abia State Governor on Electronic Media Ugochukwu Emezue has urged Imo State government to absorb its indigenes being transferred back to the state.

Emezue advised the government to find places for the 10,000 Imo workers.

Emezue was reacting to the comment by Imo State Commissioner for Information Obinna Duruji. Duruji had described Abia State government action as irrational, reprehensible and obsolete.

Emezue said Imo State was the first to sack Abia indigenes, without consulting Governor of Abia State.

He said Orji was magnanimous enough to write his colleagues over the issue.

•Says no going back on transfer of non-indigenes

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

According to him, it was this action of Imo State that made other neighboring states to send Abia indigenes in their employ back to Abia State.

Emezue said the state government could no longer continue to pay non-indigenes.

“It is rather unbecoming of a state Commissioner for Information to cast aspersions on Governor Theodore Orji,

his behaviour shows that he still has a lot to learn on how to respect elders and those in authority.

“Much as we do not want to join issues with Duruji, who said Imo will retaliate by sacking Abia indigenes working in the state, we want to ask: Where was Duruji when former Governor Ikedi Ohakim sacked the 10,000 workers employed by him?

“If there are Abia indigenes still working in Imo State

Civil Service, Governor Theodore Orji is ready to employ them whenever they are sent back to the state. There is no going back on that policy by our government.

“The transfer of non-indigenes back to their states is real, the call by the commissioner for a rethink will not change this policy,” he said.

“My Commissioner for Information and Strategy Don Ubani said there is no going back on the policy.

He said the state has not done anything wrong in transferring the services of the non -indigenes back to their states of origin, adding that Imo State had sent Abia workers in the state back to Abia, without consulting the state government.

Disengaged poly workers protest

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BOUT 300 workers of the Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic in Ebonyi State yesterday protested their alleged illegal disengagement by the Rector of the institution, Prof. Francis Otunta.

The protesters besieged the Federal High Court in Abakaliki by 9am.

Addressing reporters, a former Rector, who was among those sacked,Ndukwe Agwu, described the disengagement as an illegality.

He said following a petition by the embattled workers, the Attorney-General of the Federation had directed the Rector to comply with an earlier letter from the Bureau for Public Service Reforms which mandated him to withdraw their disengagement.

The letter reads: “You will

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

recall that the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) was the organ mandated by the Federal Government to supervise, coordinate and validate all decisions taken by the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the course of the Federal Government nationwide public service reforms.

“In the forgoing, I am to draw your attention to the letter from the BPSR which instructed you to withdraw the disengagement letters issued to 48 workers of the polytechnic on the grounds that the severance letters were dated May 15 but received in November 2007, four months after the chief executives were informed not to issue further severance letters”.

The former Rector said: “We

are here to look for justice at the Court. On November 2,2007, we were all pushed out from the polytechnic.

“And they called it severance, that was four months after the exercise was stopped by the Federal Government.

The Rector unilaterally sacked us because at that time there was no Governing Council.”

Agwu said despite the letter written by the Ministry of Justice to the Rector, Prof Otunta, reminding him of the letter from the Bureau to withdraw their disengagement, he has remained adamant.

“The Rector should be reminded that in Nigeria, there is due process and obedience to court orders. We are asking the government to urgently intervene before we all die,”he said.

Former Registrar Cletus Obi regretted the level of lawlessness being exhibited by the Rector and urged the appropriate agencies to rewrite the wrongs being masterminded by Otunta.

He alleged that the Rector had employed people to replace those he wrongfully sacked without Federal Government’s approval.

He urged the Federal Government to investigate the continued payment of the salaries of the disengaged workers and called for the investigation of the Rector.

Otunta described the allegations as frivolous and baseless, adding that the disengagement of the workers followed the Federal Government nationwide public service reforms.He said the protest was done in bad faith.

Ebonyi NLC suspends strike

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BONYI State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) yesterday suspended their one-month- old industrial action.

The strike was embarked upon, following the failure of the state government to fully implement the N18, 000 national minimum wage.

The Organised Labour had, on September 7, called all public and civil servants in the state to embark on an indefinite strike.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the week-

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

end waded into the industrial dispute, following the adverse effects of the strike.

Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council of Organised Labour, Comrade Ikechukwu Nwafor, said the strike was suspended.

Nwafor said the strike was suspended for 21 days to enable CAN meet with the state government on how to resolve the minimum wage logjam.

He insisted that the N18,000 minimum wage must be paid across board.

“The Christian Association of Nigeria in the state waded into the crisis, we held a meeting with them at the weekend to plead with us to suspend the strike and give it the opportunity of talking with the state government.

“We respect the position of religious leaders in our environment and since they pleaded with us to avail them the opportunity of resolving the matter, we had to oblige them.

Yes, what we simply did today was to suspend the strike for 21 days to enable CAN meet with the government.

We are going to give them just

21 days and if nothing tangible comes out of their discussion with government, we would resume the strike”.

The labour leader assured the workers that the union would never compromise with government.

CAN’s Chairman Rev. Emmanuel Nshii said the decision to mediate in the face- off was to ameliorate the suffering of the people.

Special Adviser to Governor Marthin Elechi on Labour Relations, Comrade John Nwaokerekwu, hailed the suspension of the strike.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

58

FOREIGN NEWS ANC rejects Tutu’s apartheid tag over Dalai Lama visa SOUTH Africa’s ruling ANC has rejected Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s assertion that the party was “worse than the apartheid government”.

The Nobel Peace laureate’s remarks came after the Dalai Lama cancelled a trip to South Africa as the government had failed to grant him a visa on time.

Tibet’s spiritual leader had been due to take part in celebrations on Friday to mark the archbishop’s 80th birthday.

“We are appealing to the archbishop to calm down,” the ANC statement said.

The archbishop later told the BBC he was still “very, very angry” about the government’s failure to grant the visa, but said he would in future count to 10 before he spoke.

Pretoria has maintained that it did not come under pressure from China to stop the visit.

The archbishop knows it well deep down his heart, mind and soul that the ANC and its government cannot be equated to the repressive and divisive apartheid regime”.

NATO defence ministers meet to debate ending Libyan air war NATO Defence ministers are meeting today to deliberate onwhen to declare an end to the air war in Libya amid concerns over the mounting cost of the campaign and the vagueness of the alliance’s war aims.

The Nato secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said on Wednesday that the end of the war would not be determined by the fate of the fugitive former dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

“The key will be the protection of the civilian population, so when no threat exists against the civilian population then the time will have come to terminate our operation,” Rasmussen said at the start of the two-day meeting in Brussels, which will include Arab states involved in the campaign.

Red Cross distributes aid to in Islamist areas THE International Red Cross has begun a huge distribution of aid to one million people in famine zones in Somalia controlled

by Islamist militants.

A continuous operation will transport the food in lorries from the coast deep into areas controlled by alShabab.

The Red Cross says it is its biggest such operation anywhere in the world.

It followed difficult negotiations with alShabab, which banned many Western aid agencies from its territory two years ago.

The UN has declared a famine in six regions of Somalia - mostly in alShabab areas.

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Pakistani panel grills bin Laden’s family

N independent Pakistani commission investigating the United States raid that killed Osama bin Laden questioned three detained widows and two daughters of the slain al Qaeda leader, a government statement said Wednesday.

The commission also interviewed Pakistani spy chief Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha and a doctor accused of helping American intelligence run a phony vaccination program

that tried to obtain a DNA sample from bin Laden and his family, the statement said.

Investigators interviewed Pasha, who heads the country’s powerful spy agency, known as the Inter-Services Intelligence, on Wednesday, and planned to meet with him again meet with him on Thursday, the commission said, without elaborating.

The women and Dr. Shakil Afridi were questioned on Tuesday.

Islamabad says that the U.S. special forces raid on May 2 that killed bin Laden violated Pakistan’s sovereignty. The Pakistani government set up the panel to probe the raid the in northwestern city of Abbottabad, as well as how bin Laden managed to hide there.

Bin Laden’s widows and the accused doctor have been in Pakistani custody since shortly after the raid. So far, the commission has visited bin Laden’s compound, and ques-

tioned civil and military officials.

In July, Pakistani officials showed willingness to extradite bin Laden’s Yemeni-born Amal Ahmed Abdullfattah to her country. But the commission barred Pakistan from extraditing bin Laden family members so that it can question them.

Later, the commission imposed a similar restriction on the doctor after Washington tried to get him released.

There has been speculation that Afridi and his family may leave Pakistan if he is freed.

The commission’s latest hearing comes at a time of heightened tensions between Pakistan and the United States following a recent claim by top U.S. military officer, Adm. Mike Mullen, that Pakistan’s main spy agency backed militants who carried out attacks against American targets in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has denied the allegations.

Karzai assassination plot foiled, says Afghan official FGHAN intelligence officials said yesterday that they had broken up a cell that plotted to kill President Hamid Karzai, arresting six people in Kabul whom they claimed were affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Haqqani militant group.

Intelligence service spokesman Latifullah Mashal said that that the cell included one of Karzai’s bodyguards, as well as a professor at Kabul university and three college students.

Mashal described the cell as the “most sophisticated and educated group in Kabul,” and said that it had assisted Pakistani militants sent to the Afghan capital to carry out terror attacks. He did not say when they were arrested.

He said the group, which also allegedly planned attacks in Kabul, the United States and Europe, was recruited by an Egyptian and a Bangladeshi based in Pakistan.

Afghan officials have been increasingly vocal in publicly accusing Pakistan and its ISI intelligence agency of maintaining ties with militants, including the Haqqani group. On Tuesday, they claimed that Pakistani officials had advance knowledge of the Sept. 20 assassination of former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani.

Pakistan has denied the charges, but the accusations have further strained relations between the two nations that share a 1,500-mile border.

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•Prison security guards in Greece demonstrate outside the high security prison, Korydallos during a protest rally marking the 24-hour general strike on Monday. More than 30,000 public sector workers demonstrated yesterday against deeper austerity cuts, shuting down courts, schools and transport, including air traffic. AFP PHOTO / PANAYIOTIS TZAMAROS

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Ugandan ministers face fraud charges

UGANDAN court is to charge three ministers with corruption in relation to the 2007 Commonwealth summit.

The announcement came after angry complaints about selective justice when exVice-President Gilbert Bukenya was taken into custody this week to await trial over the scandal.

A parliamentary committee had recommended the prosecution of all four men

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but MPs then voted to clear them.

But the anti-graft agency continued the case and charged Mr Bukenya in July.

He denies that he benefited from a $3.9m (£2.4m) deal to supply cars used to transport dozens of heads of state during the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm).

He was initially granted bail but as his trial was referred to a higher court this

week he was required to make a fresh application.

Mr Bukenya, who was sacked in May as part of a reshuffle in the wake of February’s elections, was taken on Monday to prison where he will remain until this is sorted out.

But the BBC’s Joshua Mmali in the capital, Kampala, says questions quickly arose about the imprisonment.

Some MPs from Mr Bukenya’s Buganda ethnic group

threatened to demonstrate if his incarceration continued beyond Friday without a prosecution of the other ministers.

However, the Inspectorate of Government - the body charged with fighting corruption - told the BBC it was not pressured to announce the charges against the other ministers, who include Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa.

200 dead in Thailand’s tropical storm

T least 224 people are killed in flooding in Thailand caused by a tropical storm and monsoon rain.

Floodwaters are now threatening the 400-year-old Chai Wattanaram Buddhist temple in the ancient city of Ayutthaya, pictured here.

“The water level is now up to 1.5 metres and 150 soldiers are deployed in the area to fix the embankment,” said Wit-

taya Pewpong, governor of Ayutthaya province. “the waters are too deep and too swift to risk a journey by foot”: Asia Correspondent John Sparks’ eyewitness accountBangkok The world heritage site is by the Chao Phraya river, whose waters have overflowed in the capital Bangkok, forcing the authorities to reinforce its banks to prevent more serious disrup-

tion.

Chiang Mai, which is popular with British tourists, has also been affected.

Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome put the damage to historical sites around the country at at least 100m baht (£2m).

Nearly three million acres of farmland are under water, threatening the country’s rice crop, and the government is warning that more heavy rain is expected in many parts of

the country over the next few days.

The government is compensating farmers and other people whose livelihoods have been affected by floods since July.

In neighbouring Cambodia, 164 people have died in floods since 13 Aug, more than 215,000 families have been displaced and 120,000 acres of farmland are submerged.

Bahrain orders new trials for medical workers

T

HE government of Bahrain said yesterday that it would hold

new trials for medical personnel sentenced to harsh prison terms by a special security court last week, the Bahrain News Agency reported.

The country’s attorney general, Ali Alboainain, told the state news agency that “no doctors or other medical personnel may be punished by reason of the fulfillment of their humanitarian duties or their political views” and that “pending the outcome of the retrials, the accused shall not

be detained.”

Mr. Alboainian said the retrial would be held in civilian court and would include a “full re-evaluation” of the evidence and a “full opportunity to present their defense.”

The announcement was an abrupt reversal for the country’s Sunni monarchy, which had appeared intent on dealing severely with protesters and others involved in antigovernment demonstrations earlier this year, mostly by members of its Shiite majority. Much of that effort has been focused on the doctors and nurses who treated dem-

onstrators.

It was unclear what prompted Wednesday’s move. The government in Bahrain had come under criticism from rights advocates and doctors groups for the convictions.

The medical workers have said they treated anyone who arrived at the hospital during the height of the uprising in March, mostly wounded protesters, and that their work was not akin to supporting the protesters’ cause.

The news of the prosecutor’s decision was quickly distributed on Bahrain’s many

official English-language accounts on Twitter, a sign of a coordination by the government and of interest in touting the reversal to an international audience.

Attorney General: “Pending the outcome of the retrials, the accused shall not be detained.” Bahrain As The Times reported last week, the medical personnel, including at least eight identified by the state news agency as doctors, worked at the Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain’s largest public hospital, and had received sentences of 5 to 15 years.

Syrian insurrection set to gather momentum

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N armed insurrection inside Syria looks set to gather momentum after the failure to pass a United Nations resolution against president Bashar alAssad’s regime, according to dissidents in two key Syrian cities.

Activists from Homs and Hama, where mostly peaceful protests over the past six months have lately become more aggressive and armed, say the failure of the US effort to threaten sanctions against Syria has convinced some that diplomacy cannot protect them.”There’s no way out of this except to fight,” said an activist from Homs. “For the people of Homs the international community are not with us and we know that for sure. Russia and China will continue to protect Assad and as long as that happens, he will hunt us down.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

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THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

NATION SPORT

61

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE...

Suarez rules out title challenge L

IVERPOOL striker Luis Suarez has conceded the club is unlikely to challenge for the Premier League title this season, with

a top-four finish the main goal.

The Reds currently sit in fifth spot in the Premier League table, six points behind leaders Manchester United after just

Sidibe looks to get career back on track

S

TOKE striker Mamady Sidibe has revealed he feared his career was over after rupturing an Achilles for a second time in February.

The 31-year-old had been pushing for a return almost six months after first snapping the tendon when he suffered a major setback in his recovery earlier this year.

Now, more than 13 months after his last first-team appearance, the Mali international played for the reserves last week and is hoping to reclaim a place in Tony Pulis' side soon.

'When I did it the second time I didn't know what was going to happen,' Sidibe told the club's official website.

'It is very rare to do the Achilles twice.

'The operation was bigger and I was in doubt if I was going to play again.

"It was really difficult but I kept working with the physio and did a lot of work to give me the confidence I could play again.

'Now everything is starting

to get back to normal and I am really happy.'

Pulis maintained faith in the forward throughout his troubles and named him in his 25-man Premier League squad for this season.

The former Swansea and Gillingham forward, who has set no target date for a firstteam comeback, added: 'That is a very big boost. The gaffer has been great with me since I have been at the club.

'I could just say 'thank you' to him but the only but the only way I can thank him is to play well when he calls me to play.

'That is the only thing I can do but it is very good to be in the squad.'

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•Steve Kean

•Tevez

Kightly frustrated as Forest move breaks down

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OLVES' Michael Kightly admits he was disappointed not to secure a loan move to Nottingham Forest.

The winger's proposed move to Forest fell through, but he is

Everton’s Baz up for award ORMER Everton Head Physio, Mick 'BAZ' R a t h b o n e ' s autobiography, 'The Smell of Football', has been longlisted for the prestigious William Hill Sports Book of the Year award.

This year's field of 14 will be whittled down to a shortlist of 6 (announced on the 28th of October) by a panel of judges before the final winner is revealed on the 28th of November at a special lunchtime reception at Waterstone's, Piccadilly,

seven games.

Suarez, who has been Liverpool's star performer so far this term, admits winning the title is now difficult because of the gap between the Reds and rivals like United, Manchester City and Chelsea.

"We have no limit and want to stay in the top four. But winning the Premier League is now very difficult," Suarez told Gazzetta dello Sport . "The main reason why it is so difficult is because the two Manchesters and Chelsea are unreachable. But we can win the cups."

Suarez, who inherited the famous number seven shirt at Anfield, admits he was not aware of the signifcance of the shirt, but is happy to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish.

"I didn't know the history of my No.7 shirt at Liverpool," added Suarez. "I picked it because it was one of the few numbers available. Now that I know the story I am proud to wear the '7' and I try not to feel the burden of its heritage."

London.

Until then, please keep your fingers crossed for Baz, whom I hope you agree richly deserves this accolade. To bare your soul on paper is never easy and to do it without a ghostwriter makes it even more impressive we think.

still hopeful of joining another club on loan in order to get some first-team action.

He told Wolves' official website: "Forest is a massive club and I'd have liked to have gone there and played some games for them.

"But it didn't work out to be the case and hopefully something else will pop up and I can go somewhere to play some games.

"I feel if I can do that, I can get back to the best form I showed for Wolves two years ago.

"I'm so eager to do that, it's embarrassing really. But I need to be realistic and I can't just switch it on, I need to go out and play games."

Kean won't quit

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LACKBURN boss Steve Kean has reiterated his intention to stay at the club despite increasing

pressure from fans calling for his dismissal.

The Ewood Park outfit is currently second from bottom in the Premier League, with the team having narrowly avoided relegation from the division on the final day of last season.

Disgruntled Rovers fans have been vocal in recent weeks in their opposition of the man that replaced Sam Allardyce as manager, with demonstrations calling for his sacking prior to the side's 4-3 win over Arsenal, as well as during Blackburn's 4-0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday.

However, Kean, who is currently in India with the vast majority of his squad for an exhibition match with Pune FC, has insisted that he will not leave his post.

"I am not walking away," Kean said during a press conference. "We will be discussing the development of young players (and) budget when the window opens again and pinpointing certain aspects that need to be spoken about."

Agent backs Tevez in City row

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ARLOS Tevez did not refuse to play for Manchester City in their Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich, according to his advisor Kia Joorabchian.

Tevez is currently serving a two-week suspension after allegedly disobeying City manager Roberto Mancini's instructions during last week's Group A game.

The striker appears to have acknowledged refusing to warm-up but denied refusing to take to the field, a view backed by advisor

•Bale

Joorabchian.

"One thing you can't criticise him for is his commitment when he's on the pitch," Joorabchian told the Leaders in Football conference in London.

"You can never criticise him

for not wanting to play."

Tevez gave a post-match television interview in which he said he "did not feel right to play, so I did not," but Joorabchian claimed the translation of the questions put to Tevez was not accurate.

Bale targets new heights

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ARETH Bale has warned his opponents he has more to offer after picking up the Wales Footballer of the Year award for a second consecutive year.

The 22-year-old Tottenham

winger received his award at a ceremony in Cardiff on Tuesday night, capping a 12month period where he has excelled for both Spurs and Wales.

While injuries meant he missed four internationals earlier this year, the former Southampton man has performed superbly when available.

He was a goalscorer a year ago against Switzerland, who travel to Swansea on Friday, and turned in arguably his best displays for his country in last month's win against Montenegro and the narrow defeat to England.

Wales complete their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with fixtures against Switzerland and Bulgaria within the next week, and Bale believes he can get even better.

He said: "It's always nice to win an award, especially when you look at the names who have previously won this award, it's great to be among them.

"I want to play as well as I can every game at club or international level and always give 100 per cent. It is good to get awards but as a team the most important thing is we have stayed together and we have progressed.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

62

SPORT EXTRA

We will ‘spill blood’–Taye Taiwo Wikki Tourist S

UPER EAGLES’ defender Taye Taiwo has boasted that they would spill blood on Saturday to get the maximum points against the Syli Stars of Guinea at the Abuja National Stadium.

The AC Milian defender said the last qualifying match

From Patrick Ngwaogu and Andrew Abah, Abuja is as important to the entire team, as most of the players would want to play at the Nations cup which is Africa’s own version of the World Cup "this is an important

match to all of us.We all wants to be at the Nations cup, which is the highest in Africa. So we must all fight like trojan to achieve that for ourselves and our countrymen". He agreed that the Guineans would be in Nigeria to frustrate all the plans of the Nigerians, but they are equal to the task.

"We all know that they would want to frustrate all our game plans, but I am sure we

are equal to the task. We have more experienced players who are ready to take the game to them, and will ensure that we do not lose focus at any point in time".

He ruled out any surprise from the Guineans "we have played them before, and we know them in and out, and by the grace of God we would triumph at the end" he concluded.

Maigari appeals for massive IGERIA Football support Federation (NFF)

N

•Taye Taiwo

President Aminu Maigari has appealed for the support of all Nigerians for the all important match involving the Super Eagles and the Syli Stars of Guinea on Saturday at the Abuja National Stadium.

Maigari spoke immediately after watching players in training on Wednesday afternoon "we are fully prepared for the match.

All necessary support is being extended to the team.

We know very well that the players are also committed to the cause. So what we are appealing for now, is the support of all Nigerians to ensure that we get the maximum points".

He said that they are not bothered about the boastful attitude of the Guineans saying that the end will justify the means.

The soccer boss further revealed that ever security measures have been put in place to avoid any breakdown of law and order on that day.

He remain optimistic that

Mikel apologises for late arrival

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UPER Eagles’ midfielder John Mikel Obi has apologised to Nigerians for his inability to meet the deadline stipulated by the National team coaches for repoting for the all important match against Guinea, slated for Saturday, at the Abuja National stadium.

The Chelsea player who spoke to NationSport in Abuja on Wednesday said "I am very sorry if I have offended

From Patrick Ngwaogu and Andrew Abah, Abuja Nigerians.

It is not that my club did not release me, but I had to dash down to Jos to see my parents, because I have not had that opportunity since my father was kidnapped the last time. It is not that I intentionally wanted to disobey the camp rules, but It was borne out of necessity".

He said that he has nothing against the fine imposed on him, but said he had appealed to the technical crew on his actions "but if it became inevitable that I must pay, I will do because it is a standing order in camp, and nobody is above it".

He said that winning the match on Saturday remains paramount in his mind and that of other players. He appealed for the support of all Nigerians to achieve this.

'Faith will get Odemwingie back to form'

M

ICHAEL Appleton believes that sticking with Peter Odemwingie and showing some faith will soon have him back in top gear and on top form.

Speaking to wba.co.uk Appleton said the best way of getting Odemwingie back to his best was to bear with him and allow his confidence to return.

'Maybe Peter is trying a bit too hard, it's not a bad trait to have. You'd much rather have someone working their socks off to try and get their form back than someone not really bothered. But if he keeps working hard and doing the simple things well I'm sure that something will happen.'

Appy does just think it's a blip and even though Odemwingie isn't on top form, he is still a danger on the pitch.

'When you have that kind of firepower and pace then you're keeping the opposition stretched all the time so, no

matter how well you're playing or not, then the opposition will still know he is a danger. He is getting chances and he will score. Once you have a player gaining

confidence, then you have a dangerous tool.'

It has been an off colour start to the season for him, but he'll come good. I don't think there is anybody who doubts that.

Adebayor won't let abuse OGO STRIKER affect him Emmanuel Adebayor Spurs boss Harry Redknapp

T

insists he won't be affected by the abusive chants from Arsenal fans during Sunday's north London derby.

Adebayor has had to endure plenty of taunts from Arsenal supporters since he left the Gunners to join Manchester City in 2009, but the abuse reached a new low with songs about the gun attack on Togo's team bus during the 2010 African Nations Cup in Angola.

The 27-year-old survived the terrorist attack but three members of the Togo party were killed, including Adebayor's friend Stanislas Ocloo, who was the team's media officer.

and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger have condemned the chants, but Adebayor is adamant they had no impact on him during Spurs' 2-1 victory at White Hart Lane.

He told The Sun: "The songs that they sung about me were very bad, but was I surprised?

No. Disappointed? Yes. "Obviously it was all meant to hurt me, to upset me, to anger me.

"But those chants won't ever have an effect on me. I've been through too many difficult times to let a minority of people singing silly songs affect my performance.

From Patrick Ngwaogu and Andrew Abah, Abuja the Eagles would triumph at the end of the encounter.

drops 15 players

•Recruits 15 more to strenghten squad

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ITH less than four weeks to the beginning of the elite Premier League season,in the country,Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi has dropped 15 players and has recruited 15 to strengthen its squad.

Wikki Tourists Chair Sule Abdullahi Chindo yesterday confirmed to NationSport that ''the club has concluded arrangement to drop15 players and recruit 15 players that would give the team more steam in the 2011 / 2012 season''.

Chindo spoke through Abbas Shehu,the Club,s Media Officer in Bauchi saying it was the decision of the management,s decision based on a technical report on players performance in the 2010/2011 national league.

He explained that after a careful study of the report,the management has approved the disengagement of 15 players because their performances were below

average.

The Management also approved the engagement of new 15 tested players from various clubs within the premier league clubs.

NationSport learnt yesterday that some of the newly invited players have started reporting to the club at Games Village in Bauchi metropolis.

The disengaged 15 players are expected to leave Wikki Tourists, camp in 10 days time as their salaries and pending bonuses are being worked out.

Commenting on the desire for a new Technical Adviser, Chindo revealed that about 10 Coaches have shown their interest to join the club but so far only 3 submitted their applications including the sitting Technical Adviser.

He however declined to give the names of the interested TAs saying the management will collect applications of all interested coaches and conduct interview to select a more competent TA.

Warri Wolves query defender

W •Maigari

ARRI WOLVES have demanded answers from their defender, Chimezie Mbah, for truancy, SuperSport.com understands.

Mbah, 18, has been issued a written query by his employers for failing to turn up at the team's camp, as they

prepare for their last four games in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL).

The right-back since returning with the Nigerian men's national team from the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Colombia has stayed away from the camp of Warri Wolves.

THE NATION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

63

TOMORROW

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘Nigerians celebrate being alive to witness this day but could not feel the real impact of true independence.

They remain Nigerian by ancestry but desire to elope from the country at the slightest opportunity’ VOL. 7, NO. 1,905

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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VEN before the authorities proclaimed it a low-key affair, the signs were there that the October 1 anniversary would be somber.

Nigeria had been sobered up by a cocktail of problems. Humbled and hobbled by the Boko Haram bombings and an assortment of crimes, ranging from kidnappings, bank robberies and assassinations to rape, the poverty stricken citizenry never hoped for any frolics.

It was all gloom; no bloom for them.

If, indeed, morning foretells the day, it was easy to predict a funeral-like ceremony - going by the events of the preceding week.

After a long silence, the foremost Niger Delta militant group, MEND, issued a statement, warning Boko Haram to stop its bombings. In fact, the popular thinking was that the government abandoned the Eagle Square for the safety of the Presidential Villa because of the Islamic fundamentalist sect’s attacks.

Was MEND afraid that Boko Haram would beat its record? MEND, you may wish to recall, was accused of planting the October 1, last year bomb, which went off close to the 50th anniversary ceremonies at Eagle Square, Abuja. The group, which the President then swore could not have done the havoc, even before the investigations got underway, warned that Dr Goodluck Jonathan could not be intimidated out of power. Could this have provoked His Excellency into delivering his now famous “I’m no Goliath” homily?

MEND, many may have forgotten, set out to, according to its leaders, fight for a better deal for the oil-rich Niger Delta.

And talking about oil, that ever combustible commodity; the mere mention of it has continued to provoke wars at the worst, and academic rows at the least. So angry–perhaps exasperated– was the lawyer and rights activist, Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, the other day that he called for the scrapping of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which he accused of being secretive and heavily in debt.

For the oil giant, Agbakoba’s goodwill message at the inauguration of a modest 89 standing and special committees of the House of Representatives bore no good but much will– to kill the oil major. NNPC spokesman Levi Ajuonuma fired back. He accused Agbakoba of making bar room comments, advising the frontline lawyer to avail himself of the Freedom of Information Act. The SAN, I have been told by a reliable source, is yet to take this free advice, even as he insists the company is a damn big pain in the neck.

In Kogi State, the governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lived up to its billing as a potentially dramatic affair.

Among the front liners was Jimoh Abdullahi (remember him?), the assistant of Jeremiah Abalaka, the notorious peddler of a tendentious anti-AIDS syrup whose exertions the authorities dismissed as pure charlatanism.

Abalaka has since recovered from the hangover of losing a potential money spinner. He has abandoned that venture for a less controversial one - manufacturing of pure water - in

GBENGA OMOTOSO

EDITORIAL NOTEBOOK

gbenga.omotoso@thenationonlineng.net

Just before October 1

‘

Why will the CCB not credit Nigerians with some intelligence, no matter how little? Who paid what? When? Who did not pay? When will the others be brought before the law? Was Asiwaju Tinubu asked to bargain for having accounts which he never ran?

•Mr. Gates

Gwagwalada on the outskirts of Abuja. But, his loyal aide, Abdullahi, has kept the flag flying, setting up shop in Kogi. Now, he has taken time off the rigours of the lab for politics to, apparently, deploy those skills with which he wrought his efficacious syrups to turning the rustic state into an industrial giant, like Sweden, the home of great drugs.

His opponents were not that magnanimous.

They would not respect a scientist – either genuine or counterfeit. On the eve of the primary, the police, prompted by the regulator, NAFDAC, seized Abdullahi, like a mere Lagos pickpocket, for allegedly peddling expired drugs. He was let off the hook after the election. Abdullahi kicked. Expired permit does not constitute a criminal offence, he cried.

But, it was too late. The head was off. The election had been won and lost.

The Code of Conduct Bureau, obviously dazed by the foolishness of its action against former Lagos Governor Bola Tinubu, went into the archives for the list of former helmsmen who had been lined up to face the tribunal for sundry offences. It said of the 15 or so former governors, many would not face trial because they had plea bargained and returned some money.

Why will the CCB not credit Nigerians with

RIPPLES I WON’T CHANGE MY STYLE–jonathan

You mean the SLOW MOTION CONTINUES?

Y

ESTERDAY, China and Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution threatening action against Syria’s deadly crackdown on the six-month protest convulsing the regime of Bashar Assad. Out of the 15-member council, South Africa, Lebanon, Brazil and India abstained. Nine other countries voted for the resolution.

China and Russia argued that Western powers exceeded their brief on Libya, and would do same if the council yielded to their request asking for action against the Syrian government. The surprise abstainer is South Africa, which fought bravely to free itself from apartheid. It was not only reluctant to support the Libyan revolt; it has now also failed to draw a line between Western interests and popular Syrian revolt against the Assad monarchy.

But with about 2,700 protesters killed so far by the Assad regime, and with no end in sight to the repression even as the world continues to play politics, many are beginning to question the stability

IN THE NATION

’

MOBOLAJI SANUSI

sparked the presidential homily at the 51st anniversary church service. Dr Jonathan would have been wondering why Nigerians were demanding too many things at the same time.

They want good hospitals and smooth roads, fine homes and peaceful streets, running taps and steady electricity, nice schools and happy teachers. Compassion for pensioners. A thought for the poor. Jobs for the jobless.

Justice for all. Food for all.

Apparently befuddled by the deluge of requests in so short a time, the President reminded Nigerians that he is neither a Goliath nor a Pharaoh. Nor Nebuchadnezzar. Nor a lion. Nor a General. Trust those idle critics and armchair experts on every subject. They got cracking,pummelling him endlessly. One said: “If you can’t be a Goliath, why can’t you be a David?” Another asked: “Which of the Pharaohs are you talking about?”

The inquisition went on and on: “Do you think this is a seaside revelry?” “Are you not the Commander-in- Chief?” “If you’re no lion, can’t you just borrow the animal’s boldness?”

“Does a tiger need to proclaim its tigritude or just swing into action when duty calls?”

Poor Dr Jonathan. I wonder how he’s taking it all. Anyway, a presidential aide has assured me that the President was merely telling us that we are in a democracy; hence, we should no longer expect the “immediate effect” and arbitrariness of those days of the military. Will Nigerians stop yelling for action? I doubt it.

Amid the commotion, the President spared a moment to host the philanthropist Bill Gates whose mission was to enlist Nigeria in the battle against polio. Dr Jonathan announced that a special committee had been set up to ensure that polio is eradicated in 24 months.

The American was all smiles.

But, Mr Gates had hardly removed the native cap – a presidential gift – he decked when the darts started flying. All manner of analysts–experts and novices–joined the fray.

“When will Jonathan set up a rapid response team to tackle malaria?” “When will diabetes be eradicated?” “What will he tell Jimmy Carter when he calls to see how we’re doing in the anti- guinea worm war?” “Where is the team to fight glaucoma, conjunctivitis, elephantiasis and all those exotic diseases, including rheumatism, that strike our people at will?” “Who are the members of this elite presidential committee?” “Who picks their bills?”

Enter Health Minister Chukwu Onyebuchi.

According to him, over 1.5billion people are likely to suffer high blood pressure by 2025.

In other words, nearly one of every three adults is at risk, said the minister. Many were depressed. I have no reason to doubt this expert view, considering the environment in which we live. In fact, it will be a great tribute to our ingenuity, if a huge chunk of the figure does not include Nigerians. Now that we have been warned, I trust a team will be raised to prepare for the battle? I enlist.

some intelligence, no matter how little? Who paid what? When? Who did not pay? When will the others be brought before the law?

Was Asiwaju Tinubu asked to bargain for having accounts which he never ran? Does the law permit the bureau to negotiate with suspects? The CCB explanation, rather than justify its worthless assault on Tinubu, has ridiculed it and strengthened the case of those who insist it is all a brazen power show by a confused PDP government that keeps mixing politics with governance. Shame.

At the Senate, it was a busy time. The lawmakers, after an exhaustive debate, outlawed same sex marriage. What a feat! Speaker after speaker rose to say why the matter should be tackled expeditiously before male partners start showing up at the marriage registry.

Trust Nigerians; even before Senate President David Mark brought down the gavel, they had started grumbling that there were other matters the lawmakers should have confronted with such a lightning speed. They reeled them off: child mortality, power failure, crimes, rituals and all those other things that turn off these decent men – and women.

When are we going to start appreciating the foresight of our distinguished men?

I suspect it was this lack of appreciation that

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HARDBALL

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Syrian crackdown and UN veto

more than two nation-states) cannot also guarantee peace, even unipolarity, as against a hegemon, may not be able to promote world peace. The world is, however, changing, and nation-states must reflect new realities. One of those new realities is the world’s increasing impatience with bloody repression, the type regimes in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia did not get away with. It is unlikely Syria will get away with it. As Bob Dylan put it in his 1963 iconic protest song, Blowin’ in the Wind, “…How many years can some people exist, before they’re allowed to be free?

And how many times can a man turn his head, and pretend that he just doesn’t see?

The answer my friend is blowing in the wind, the answer is blowing in the wind.

multipolarity was expected to guarantee in international politics. After Libya, the UN Security Council is unlikely to reach a consensus on any major international issue in the near future. However, there are only two outcomes possible on the Syrian revolt: either Assad would pacify the country and carry out a massive purge of the country, or with the backing of Turkey, Western powers and moral force, the protesters would eventually overcome. How long it will take for one of the scenarios to triumph is hard to say, for one small event is as capable of swinging world opinion in favour of the protesters as rapidly as one-year revolt.

If bipolarity (distribution of power internationally among two nation-states) did not promote world peace, and multipolarity (distribution of power internationally among

“…And how many deaths will it take till we know, that too many people have died?

The answer my friend is blowing in the wind, the answer is blowing in the wind.”

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E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO