September 24, 2015

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Buhari orders IG to bring back Falae

HID’s funeral fixed for Nov 25

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Page 49

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•Police tell family not to pay ransom

•‘Hiding’ Jonathan visits family

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•Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode (fifth right), with (from left) Co-producer, 93days & the Director, Dusable Museum USA, Mr. Pemon Rami, popular Nollywood actress Bimbo Akintola, MD, Terrakulture, Mrs. Bolanle Autin-Peters, veteran Hollywood film producer, Mr. Danny Glover, members Lagos State House of Assembly/actor Desmond Elliot, Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Permanent Secretary Mrs. Olufunmilayo Balogun, her Ministry of Health counterpart Dr. Omodele Osunkiyesi, popular Nollywood actor Segun Arinze and others during a visit to the governor by the cast and crew of the film 93Days, based on the Ebola crisis, at the Lagos House, Ikeja…yesterday.

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Saraki’s trial: PDP plots to pick Senate president EFCC alleges judge’s bias in Oduah’s case, others

Ministerial list under threat Dogara’s camp rejects advances

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

T

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

B

ARELY 24 hours after the arraignment of Senate President Bukola Saraki, some of his loyalists and Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) senators are planning to fight back, The Nation has learnt.

They are said to be working on a plan which will lead to the election of a new Senate President from the opposition party, should Saraki be convicted by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) – the “worst case scenario”.

Security agencies already know about the plot, it was learnt.

Besides, there were signs yesterday that proSaraki senators may have “laid an ambush” for President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial list, which is being expected at the Senate “any moment from now”.

They may reject the list and all appointments made so far by the President in protest against Saraki’s trial, a source said.

But the Presidency is unruffled.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said last night: “Some loyalists of Saraki WILL THE and PDP senators have CHIBOK been meeting on the options GIRLS EVER RETURN? Continued on page 2

?

•Recovered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)

•Recovered weapons and Boko Haram flag in Borno State PHOTOS: DHQ

•Recovered pieces of rubber slippers and roofing sheet cut to size for bomb-making.

Troops nab Boko Haram chief •Explosives factory discovered

•SEE P AGE 5 2 PA 52

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has approached the Federal High Court, Lagos for an order disqualifying Justice M. N. Yunusa from handling its six cases before his court.

It demanded that the six case files be returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, for reassignment.

The cases include those of the $2m cash seized at the Lagos airport and the one involving a former Minister of Aviation, Sen. Stella Oduah.

The EFCC is protesting against Justice Yinusa’s order restraining the commission from arresting the former minister.

The EFCC made the plea in an “Affidavit of Urgency” filed on Tuesday before the court by one of its lawyers.

The anti-graft agency is Continued on page 2

•BURKINA FASO PRESIDENT REINSTATED P54 TOTAL E&P NIGERIA GETS NEW CHIEF P11

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THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

NEWS

Buhari orders police chief to bring back Falae safely

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has directed Inspector-General of Police Solomon Arase and other security agencies to take all necessary action to ensure the safe and speedy rescue of Chief Olu Falae, who was abducted from his farm on Monday.

He also condemned the “callous and reprehensible” kidnapping of the 77-year-old former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and an elder statesman.

The president called for constant updates from the police and security agencies on efforts to rescue Chief Falae. He denounced the recurring incidents of criminal abductions across the country.

Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, assured Chief Falae's family, friends and other concerned Nigerians that the Federal Government will do all within its powers to ensure his swift release.

The president assured Nigerians that ongoing efforts to significantly enhance the security of lives and property in the country will continue apace and that under his leadership, Nigerians, irrespective of their status, will no longer be left at the mercy of criminal elements.

The Ondo State police urged the family of the elder states-

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja, Damisi Ojo and Leke Akeredolu, Akure

man not to pay any ransom as demanded by his abductors.

The abductors slashed N10 million off the N100 million they initially demanded.

A family source said on Tuesday that they had only been able to raise N2 million.

Police Spokesman Wole Ogodo said police will not support the idea of paying ransom before the release of the elder statesmen.

Ogodo noted that the police's rescue team led by Commissioner of Police Mike Ogbodu, was working hard at rescuing Falae alive.

While the rescue mission is ongoing, a 70-year-old pastor in charge of the Apostolic Church in Ilepa, Ikare-Akoko, was yesterday kidnapped along the Auga-Akunnu road in Akoko Norh East local government area of the state.

The suspected gunmen demanded N16million as ransom.

The Divisional Police Officer (DP0) in Akoko North East, Musiliu Sogbade, confirmed the abduction.

Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the local government, Alhaji Azees Umar, urged the security agents to rescue the cleric.

Also yesterday, the headship of Church of Nigeria

(Anglican Communion) called for divine intervention in Falae’s abduction At the Standing Committee Meeting (SCM) of the Church held at the St. David Anglican Cathedral, Ijomu, Akure chaired by the Primate of All Nigeria, Rev. Nicholas Okoh, the church expressed dismay over the development.

The SCM is made up of Archbishops from various Provinces and over 80 Bishops from across Anglican Dioceses across the country.

Chief Falae is the Chairman, Local Organising Commitee(LOC) for the Conference hosted by the Akure Diocese.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state also warned against politicisation of the abduction of the elder statesman.

The APC said those imputing politics into the kidnap of Chief Falae should rather join hands with family, friends and the good people of Ondo state to pray for the safe release of Chief Falae.

Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Mr. Abayomi Adesanya, said people should rather pray for the release of the elder statesman.

"We don't even need to blame anybody for now, we should all pray for the release of Chief Falae, it is important that at this point in time for all and sundry join hands and

look beyond political differences to make efforts that "Baba" is released.

"Chief Falae's kidnap is an unfortunate situation, but using it for political discourse is bad and inhuman. Let's pray to God to ensure his release safe and alive" the APC said.

The National Association Nigerian Students (NANS) gave kidnappers 48 hours to free Falae.

A statement signed by NANS Vice President on national affairs, Gbenga Ayenuro, condemned the abduction.

"NANS condemns in its totality and entirety the abduction of Falae.

"It is disheartening, pathetic, appalling that the elder statesman who has been contributing immensely to the advancement of the socio-political landscape of the country and a dogged fighter working assiduously for tranquility and national unity across ethnic lines in Nigeria can be abducted by evil men.

"The nation at large should join hands to prevent and counter terrorism and incessant rise in abduction cases in the country," the statement said.

Farmers in Ondo state have also threatened to wage war against the Fulani herdsmen in the state.

The Ondo State Agricultural Commodities Association

issued the threat at the Stakeholders' Meeting on OSACA Micro-finance Bank held at the Fadama Hall, Ministry of Agriculture, Alagbaka, Akure.

The group gave a seven-day ultimatum to the government to secure the release of the elder statesman, who is an elder of the association .

“What we are saying is that the abduction of Chief Falae is unacceptable to we farmers in Ondo state and the Southwest. We therefore give a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government to secure the release of Chief Falae, if he is not released within the next seven day, the farmers in Ondo State will take action that will have a national impact.

"We should not forget the Agbekoya war in the old Oyo State.”

Former Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Kingsley Kuku, also called for an unconditional release of Chief Falae, saying the abduction of the septuagenarian politician is "absurd and barbaric considering the age and background of the former Minister for Finance" In a statement, he called on the relevant security agencies to expedite action towards securing Falae’s freedom.

Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a statement, by its Director of Publicity Ayo Fadaka, expressed worry over the criminal incursion of the herdsmen into the state.

"We use this opportunity to call on the law enforcement agencies to do all in their power to apprehend and bring to justice those responsible for this indecent assault on the person and status of

•Chief Falae

Chief Olu Falae.

"We also want to emphasise that, tackling these types of crimes by every state can only be possible if the much needed restructuring of our federalism is prosecuted with urgency as this will give every state the constitutional power to organise and control its own security as it obtains in other notable federalism around the world.

"The current constitution describes governors as Chief Security Officers without any security organisation directly under their controls.

"The issue of State Police is a desire that must be met at once as many challenges hitherto unknown in our clime is now in force, and the appropriate response to them is if every state can fashion how its territory is secured.

"Nigeria can no longer pretend that the security tactics and format of the 19th century will effectively address the challenges of this century. We urge those holding Chief Falae to release him forthwith and also call on the security agencies to upscale their act, locate and release Chief Falae immediately."

PDP plots to pick Senate president Continued from page 1

•Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (left) received by Bukina Faso’s coup leader General Gilbert Diendere (right) at the Ouagadougou International airport…yesterday.

EFCC alleges judge’s bias in Oduah’s case, others Continued from page 1

praying for an order disqualifying Justice Yunusa from further hearing of the cases.

It said: “The cases include: Mr Jyde Adelakun and Touch of Flame Energy Company Limited vs. Chairman, EFCC and Ibelema Bristol in suit number: FHC/ L/ CS/ 1285/2015; Federal Republic of Nigeria vs. Michael Adenuga in Suit Number: FHC/L/CS/ 487/ 2014 ; Honourable Shamsudeen Abogu vs. EFCC and Others in suit number: FHC/L/ CS/ 1269/ 2015; Dele Martins vs. EFCC and Others in suit number: FHC//L/CS/1623/2015 and Chike Obiakor vs. EFCC and Others in suit number: FHC/ L/ CS/2011/2014.

The Commission hinged its request on the grounds of “bias and denial of fair hearing” by Justice Yunusa.

“In one of the cases, partic-

ularly the matter between Jyde Adelakun and Touch of Flame Energy Company Limited vs. Chairman, EFCC and Ibelema Bristol, the EFCC sought a consolidation of the suit number FHC/L/CS/ 1285/2015 and suit number FHC/L/CS/1165/2015 but the application was ignored.

“Besides, a pending Court Order freezing the bank accounts of Adelakun and Touch of Flame Energy Company Limited (who are being investigated in a case of money laundering involving over $2,000,000.00 was communicated to Justice Yunusa, with an application for a short adjournment to enable the EFCC file an affidavit to exhibit the Order.

“Justice Yunusa reportedly turned down the application and even refused an oral application to this effect, but went ahead to fix September 23rd, 2015 for judgment.”

The EFCC believes that “having regard to the events that took place before the court during the proceedings on 21st September, it will not get justice except the case is reassigned to another judge”.

The anti-graft agency asked for the return of the case files to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment.

The document added: “The EFCC believes that “having regard to the events that took place before the court during the proceedings on 21st September, it will not get justice except the case is re-assigned to another judge”.

“Also, the EFCC is outraged by a fresh order of Interim Injunction granted by Justice Yunusa, restraining it from ‘arresting, detaining, harassing, intimidating, preventing, refusing, interfering with and /or denying’ one of its suspects being investigated, his

right to personal liberty and freedom of movement into, within and outside Nigeria.

“The suspect, Dr. Martins Olufemi Thomas, is being investigated by the EFCC for ownership and movement of the sum of $2,200,000.00.

“This ex parte order is coming on the heels of similar order by the same judge, barring the EFCC from investigating or arresting a former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah.

“Justifying its grounds for seeking the disqualification of Justice Yunusa, the EFCC says that “if this application is not granted and the trial judge fails to disqualify himself, the fundamental rights of the Commission to fair hearing will be infringed.

“It is further submitted that it is the law that any proceedings conducted in breach of the fundamental right to fair hearing is a nullity, no matter how well conducted.”

available and how to tackle President Muhammadu Buhari.

“At the meeting in Abuja, they resolved to stand by Saraki but if he is convicted, they will make sure that the next president of the Senate is from the PDP. “They are really aggrieved and have vowed to stop the candidate of the Unity Forum, Sen. Ahmed Lawan, from emerging as Saraki’s successor.

“From the way PDP and its senators are rallying around Saraki, no one needs a soothsayer to know that a bigger conspiracy is in the offing.

“The PDP has not come to terms with the fact that it lost the last general elections.”

Part of the plot is to reject Buhari’s ministerial list and all appointments so far made by the President, it was learnt.

These appointments include those of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigerian Customs Service(NCS) and Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), among others.

The source went on: “They know that the President will not present imposed candidates as ministerial nominees and they are out for a pound of flesh as from September 29 because the Code of Conduct Bureau( CCB) dragged the President of the Senate to the Code of Conduct Tribunal(CCT)” It was gathered that security agencies have smashed the plot.

A government source said: “The whole plot is aimed at frustrating the President and cause a political crisis in the country.

“They have this feeling that they must pull down the house due to the arraignment of Saraki by CCT. In spite of denial, they are pointing accusing fingers at the Presidency for Saraki’s travails.”

Attempts to make loyalists of tHouse of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, to pitch their tent with Saraki appear to have suffered a setback.

It was learnt that although Saraki backed Dogara to become the Speaker, the “template has changed”.

Dogara and his loyalists would prefer to “facilitate reconciliation between the Presidency and the Senate leadership than taking sides”.

A Dogara supporter said: “There is pressure on our camp to take a hard line position on the trial of Saraki but we will rather broker peace than compound the situation.

“We are not betraying anyone but we believe the challenge at hand is resolvable. If we compound the situation to team up against the Presidency, we will all fail.

“To take sides is to set the House on fire all over. This will not augur well for the new National Assembly.”

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THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

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THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

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NEWS •From left: Head, Corporate Communications, Skye Bank, Rasheed Bolarinwa; Relationship Officer, Ila-Orangun branch, Adenike Babalola; lecturere/winner of N1 million category, Mr. Oloyede Abiodun and Head, Small Business Group, Ayo Olojede at the presentation of cheques to winners of the ongoing "Reach for the Skye Millionaire" competition in Lagos...on Tuesday.

Gridlock on Lagos r To ensure the safety of lives and property, the Lagos State Government has restricted daytime movement of tankers and articulated vehicles. But, the operators have risen up against the government, absolving themselves of blame in the accidents that have killed many residents. ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE and OLALEKAN AYENI report.

P

ICTURE for a minute a container falling from a height.

Imagine the fate of whatever it may fall on. This is no fiction. On Ojuelegba bridge, a container, latched to a trailer fell on a Sport Utility Van (SUV) underneath the flyover. All three occupants were killed. It was a depressing sight to behold. The government acted fast to stem the recklessness of drivers of articulated vehicles on Lagos raods.

Containerised trucks and petroleum tankers accounted for half of the over 200 deaths recorded in the third quarter of the year. The rising wave of accidents involving articulated vechicles cannot but be a worrisome trend to any goverment.

To stem the scourge, the Lagos State government slammed a daytime ban of heavy-duty trucks and tankers. It restricted their movement from 6am to 9pm.

Old wine, new bottle •From left: Project Manager,Artee Group, Manoj Trivedi; Chief Operation Officer, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), Ms. Adebisi Awoniyi; General Manager, Artee Group, Mr. Madan Gopal; Chief Executive Officer, BASL, Mr. Christophe Penninck and Director, Marketing & Sales, Unified Payments, Mr. Babatunde Okeniyi at the opening of SPAR Shopping Mall at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday.

•President, Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN), John Ehiguese (second left), David Okeme; Advertisers Assocaition of Nigeria (ADVAN) President, Muyiwa Akintunde (second right); Vice President, PRCAN (left) and Mnaging Director, Connect-Burston Marsteller (CMD), Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, at the third edition of PRCAN breakfast meeting in Lagos.

But, the law itself is not new, being one of the extant laws of the state. The immediate past administration enforced it somewhat between 2008 and 2009 but soft-pedalled on its enforcement in its second term.

The Akinwunmi Ambode administration is dusting up the law to reduce road carnage. Those who flout the regulations risk the seizure of their vehicles or the payment of fines, or both.

The government’s determination to enforce the law with the support of the security and road management agencies has unsettled the operators. Rising from the State Security Council meeting, Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni said his men would strictly enforce the law.

His declaration triggered a protest by drivers, who went on strike action to protest the directive.

Though the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), have since returned to work and complying with the regulation by staying off the road, truck/trailer drivers operating from the ports have refused all entreaties to resume work as at last weekend.

They vowed not to return to work because the restriction has imperilled their lives and the safety of the cargoes they carry.

Their stance is already raising the blood pressure of importers whose goods are being delayed by the impasse.

Pleas and arguments

•Fellow, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mr Ali Rabiu (left) receiving his award from another fellow, Mr Akintunde Zedomi, at the annual lecture and induction of the Apapa chapter of the Society in Lagos...yesterday. With them are: representative of the NSE President, Mr Musiliu Odumeru (second right) and Chairman, Apapa chapter, Branch, Mr Olalekan Taiwo.

The operators are calling on the government to rescind its decision. They claimed the order did not consider the security of the drivers and the safety of their cargoes. They alleged that the drivers are attacked at night by armed robbers, miscreants who steam their goods and vehicles.

Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Depot Owners and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA), Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), unit of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and their counterpart in the containerised business, Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), urged the govern-

ment to reverse the order for the security of their drivers and the products they are conveying across the country.

AMATO’s National President ‘Remi Ogungbemi said the security of the drivers and the products are not guaranteed at night.

The insecurity, Ogungbemi added, is worsened by the deplorable road conditions across the country.

He urged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to consider these factors and roll back the restriction order to enable articulated vehicle drivers like other motorists enjoy their profession like other colleagues at day time and without harm.

The AMATO chief also challenged the Federal Government to encourage operators by facilitating loans to acquire new vehicles instead of relying on importing fairly used, most of which are rickety.

This, he said, will make the phasing out of aging trucks by the union and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) easy.

The operators also demanded a park for trailers/tankers, adding that drivers will be discouraged from night trips if they decent accommodation to pass the night.

According to Ogungbemi, stress and fatigue contribute immensely to accidents.

“A parking space will among other benefits, guarantee access to the FRSC, Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) and other security agencies to inspect vehicles before allowing them to proceed on their journey,” he said.

The PTD National Vice Chairman, Mr Solomon Kilanko, challenged the Lagos State Government to tackle menace of hoodlums and miscreants (Area boys) who have turned themselves to lords of the roads before enforcing the order.

He said it will amount to double jeopardy if the drivers, who deserves to be protected by the government are exposed to danger from hoodlums, who lurk in the dark to attack them and hijack their vehicles and goods.

Kilanko said: “Bad roads and threats of attacks at night make the new directive more harmful than helpful to drivers.”

MOMAN’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Obafemi Olawore, said major marketers will strengthen the training and retraining of their drivers on safety standards as part of measures to reduce incessant accidents.

Expressing concern over the spate of accidents, Olawore pledged the association’s readiness to improve the checking of both mechanical and human factors of their members, right from the loading point to complement FRSC efforts.

The Secretary, Depot Owners Association of Nigeria (DOAN), Dr Mark Anamali, said the association will ensure the phasing out of rickety vehicles before the end of the year.

A medical doctor, Ibiyemi Olusoji, said the order restricting movement of articulated drivers to night travels will cause more harm than good as fatigued drivers on long distance trips are most likely to fall asleep on the wheels and crash.

“Ordinarily, the night is designed for

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

5

NEWS

roads as drivers resist enforcement of safety law

‘

A parking space will among other benefits, guarantee access to the FRSC, Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) and other security agencies to inspect vehicles before allowing them to proceed on their journey •Traffick gridlock caused by ariculated vehicles at Apapa...on Monday.

PHOTO: NAN

Gridlock sends govt back to drawing board

F

OR the second day running, commuting in most parts of Lagos was hectic yesterday.

Indiscriminate parking by drivers of articulated vehicles on the highway paralysed vehicular and business activities in Nigeria’s commercial hub. The government agencies saddled with the responsibilities of enforcing traffic order were over-stretched and overwhelmed. Behind the chaotic traffic situation is the restriction placed on trucks’ movement in the Centre of Excellence.

But, going by the feelers from the state government circle, motorists are to tarry a while to enjoy stress-free ride in and out of the Apapa axis.

The Nation learnt yesterday that relevant authorities, including the government, the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) and port operators are back at the drawing board, planning how to find a lasting solution to the perennial headache.

It was learnt that the stakeholders were at the port on Tuesday for an on-the-spot-assessment of the situation. The tour will guide the government on what to do, a source told The Nation.

The source listed those on the assessment team as officials of the Ministry of Transportation (MoT), NPA, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Vehicle Inspection Services (VIS) and the NPA. According to the source, the Lagos State government has a plan to come up with an enduring solution and not a palliative or remedial solution that will not end the nagging sleep. A driver who is banned from moving at daytime and did not rest till he starts his trip at night, won’t be able to get to Ibadan, Oyo State, before fatigue will set in and this could cause accident,” Olusoji said.

A safety expert and founder of Safety Without Borders (SWB), a non-government organisation, Mr Patrick Adenusi, faulted the directive barring tracks’ movement within the metroplis.

According to him, the order has inadvertently tagged truck drivers as the cause of accidents.

For him, as part of investigations meant to curtail accidents, truck driv-

By Bunmi Ogunmodede traffic.

The source said: “We are pleading with Lagosians that the government will soon come up with a solution that will permanently end the chaotic traffic situation in that axis. We are not interested in a make-shift arrangement that will bring about just a temporary relief.

“We have been meeting regularly with all relevant stakeholders including government agaencies at the federal and state levels. Lagos State government is very concerned but the problems of many years cannot be tackled overnight.”

Part of the solutions being worked out, The Nation learnt, is the re-engineering of port operations in a way that all the roads leading to Apapa Port will be able to cope with the volume of business in that axis.

“The port operators are overhauling and reorganising their modalities in collaboration with the state government. But, I can assure you, the problem will soon become a thing of the past.”

Shortly after settling down to business, Ambode promised to expand the trailer park billed for the White Sand Market at OrileIganmu to accommodate at least 1000 trucks.

He expressed optimism that the measures being put in place will tame the traffic bottlenecks at Apapa.

The expansion plan was lauded by the Southwest chapter of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers

ers, rather than being vilified, ought to be questioned on the challenges they face in the discharge of their duties.

Listing the excesses of Area Boys as “a major unidentified cause” of road accidents, Adenusi, said: “These boys swoop on a truck drivers and demand for payment, as if such fees are sacrosanct. If the driver refused, these boys will go behind the driver and remove the air hose, which controls the braking system and once this happens, the drivers, in trying to avoid being attacked by the boys, will accelerate and if they get to a point where the break must be applied and the brake fails, of course what you have are accidents.

‘

consideration for the other road users.”

Truck owners should also share in the blame as many of them hardly maintain their vehicles. “It is left to imagination what can begin to happen if the law is imlemented to the letter by the state government, in an environment where more than 60 per cent of the articulated vehicles drive without head lamps and and without spare tyres. The smokes some of these trucks emit into the environment are harzardous.”

Restriction, no solution

• Ambode

(NUPENG).

Chapter Chairman Tokunbo Korodo said the expansion will bring a lasting solution to the gridlock on Apapa and Orile-Iganmu routes.

According to him, tanker drivers’ park on highways in Lagos due to what he called lack of security and parking lot in the metropolis.

He, however, encouraged the government to expedite action on the development of the entire parking lot, which according to him, could accommodate 2,300 trucks instead of the 1000 parking spaces being proposed by the government.

“Most times, we do not talk to the truck drivers. We need to talk to them, we need to know, as only this will ndicate our readiness to stop accidents.”

Adenusi equally advocated for aggressive driving education among Nigerians.

Describing Nigerian drivers as “ the most unruly around the world,” Adenusi said that statistics have shown that over 90 per cent of Nigerian drivers are “grossly indisciplined.”

In Nigeria, less than 10 per cent of drivers keep to their lanes and this violation has been identified as a major cause of accidents.

He said: “Imagine a reckless driver swerving in front of a fuel-laden trailer, or a loaded containerised trailer, any attempt to avoid such sudden swerve could be disastrous but that carnage could have been avoided, if every driver had been fully sensitised about responsible driving.

“It is standard global practice, that you keep to your lane when you are on a single-lane, if you are going on two lanes, you stay on the second lane and if you are travelling on the three-lane road, you stay on the third lane. But, here in Nigeria, you see drivers changing lanes indiscriminately without any

Adenusi and others believe that the restriction cannot be solution to the endless roads crashes involving articulated vehicles.

Citing other parts of the world where all manners of vehicles were allowed to make use of the road at all times, the SWB chief said the law could be contested as it precludes the right of some certain group of people who are professionals in their own right to safety, a right, which the government duly owes them as citizens.

He argued: “If we say trucks can’t move on Lagos roads at daytime, what happens to those trucks carrying sands to and from the Eko Atlantic City, most of which plies the Western Avenue route at daytime?”

“Let the government tackle the menace called Area boys, and you are likely to see a dramatic reduction in the rate of accidents, especially the ones involving trailers and heavyduty trucks.”

Adenusi called for the declaration of emergency on the state of road network in the country. He noted that a good road network will bring about reduction in road crashes.

He urged the Federal Government to revisit the service lane on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, saying that most drivers take alternative roads like the Western Avenue because the truck road is bad.

“If this lane, which has collapsed is fixed, it will reduce the stress on the alternative routes and this will result in a reduction in road accidents”, he added.

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

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NEWS

Police arrest 'doctor' for alleged sale of week-old baby

A

SELF-STYLED doctor, Olawale Omolaja, has been arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly selling a week-old baby without the mother’s consent.

He was arrested with the couple, Dele and Radiat Onogbile, who took the baby, after paying N136,000, as advance.

The suspects were nabbed after the couple’s landlady at Mile 12 discovered that the woman had a new born baby without being pregnant.

The surprised landlady was said to have notified the Ketu Police Division of the suspicious presence of a new born baby in the couple’s home.

Upon interrogation, it was discovered that Omolaja, billed the couple N300,000 for the baby, whose mother allegedly kept in his care.

Although the baby's mother, Idiat Babatunde, who claimed she was a student at the Offa Polytechnic in Kwara State, said she gave Omolaja her baby in order to go and complete her clearance in school, The Nation gathered that she knew about the sale of her child.

Idiat, 39, alleged that she left

•Why I gave him my baby, by mother

By Precious Igbonwelundu

the baby in Omolaja’s care because he's a doctor and a friend to her husband.

It was gathered that Idiat collected N70,000 from the 136,000 before leaving for school.

She was said to have given the baby up because her supposed husband, Akiola, abandoned her after impregnating her and relocated to Rivers State.

Unable to fend for the child a week after it was born, she handed over the baby to Omolaja, who has been the Onogbiles’ doctor since 2009.

The Nation gathered that the couple's marriage was at the brink of collapse as a result of childlessness, and that they were separated until the baby was handed over to them on September 14.

But Idiat denied giving up her baby or collecting any money, stating that she could not carry the child to school because it would have been difficult for her to cope.

She claimed she still had a missing script and had no place of her own, adding that she always called Omolaja to check on the child.

She said: “I gave birth in September 5 and on September 13, I gave the baby to Dr. Omolaja because I needed to go back to school in order to complete my clearance so that I can go for NYSC with the next batch.

“I gave him the baby because I was having issues with my husband and we have been separated. I planned to spend two weeks in school and two weeks in Lagos.

“But that same week that I went to school, I received a call that I should come and identify my baby at Ketu police station.

I was surprised because I did not know what my baby could be doing in Ketu.

“I stay at Ipaja with my cousin and he (Omolaja) stays in Ipaja too. My husband is a driver and since we had accommodation problem, he has moved to Port Harcourt.

“So, I called my husband and told him. He said he would

come to Lagos since it concerned his baby.

“So, I quickly left school and came to Lagos and that was how I knew that he sold my baby for N300,000 and that they were caught because the landlady of the people who bought the baby suspected something was wrong.”

But the Onogbiles said they were shocked when the mother of the child surfaces.

Mrs. Onogbile, 35, said she and her husband repeatedly asked Omolaja about the mother of the child but he told them not to worry.

“I have known him for many years now. He is the one treating me. since I got married in 2009, I have been having miscarriage and it was causing problem in my marriage.

“He used to tell us to adopt but my husband never liked the idea. In fact, I have even moved out of my husband's house and was living on my own.

“It was the baby that brought us together again. He told me and my husband about the

•Omolaja

baby and that we should adopt her. We asked where the parents of the baby are but he said we should not worry about the parents.

“So, we asked for adoption documents and he said he would bring it. We paid N136,000. I brought half and my husband brought the other half. We agreed for N300,000,” she said.

However, Omolaja claimed that he did not sell the baby and only wanted the couple to adopt her.

He claimed he did not collect the money from them, but asked them to hold it so that he could take them to Alausa for the processing of relevant ‘adoption’ papers.

Omolaja said Idiat handed over the baby to him because she could not take care of the child, adding that he wanted the couple, who had the means, to take care of her.

He said: “I did not sell the baby. It was adoption paper I wanted them to go and do. Idiat left the baby in my care and she was aware of the adoption.

“I did not collect any money from them. I told them to hold N130,000 and follow me to Alausa so that we can do the documents.

“I am not a doctor, I am a trado-medical person. I don’t have any hospital. We did everything in my house. I knew the couple (Onogbiles) while we were at Oshodi. But Idiat and her husband are my family friends.”

Briefing reporters on the development, the Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni said the suspects - Omolaja and the couple who bought the babywould be charged to court after the holiday.

Don urges homegrown model for economy •Book on ex-Lagos Perm. Sec. launched

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ROM a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL) Prof. Olu Obafemi, came yesterday a piece of advice for the Federal Government: formulate economic policy that will encourage local investments.

He spoke yesterday in Lagos at the presentation of a book in honour of former Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mrs. Oluranti Odutola.

Prof. Adebayo Williams, who represented National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said the book will encourage other civil servants to write and contribute more to the progress of the society.

•From left: Bishop Ayo Olawuye, Opeyemi Bamidele, Prof. Adebayo Williams, Lady Oluranti Odutola, Miss Tudun Abiola, Prof. Olu Obafemi, Sir. Adelana Odetola PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID and Folarin Adeyemi at the book presentation of Lady Oluranti Odutola in Lagos.

By Musa Odoshimokhe

In a lecture, entitled: Nigeria: Parody of Absurdities, a Nation of Great Potentials, Obafemi said government must match the fight against corruption with economic blueprint that will tap into local resources.

He said: “We have to tackle corruption alongside by formulating concrete economic policy that will encourage local investment. Corruption and economy cannot be dealt with in isolation.

“Development cannot take place in a decadent and cor-

rupt society. So, the job of clearing the corruption cankerworm is a good effort. But, simply fighting corruption does not perform the economy. There should be an economic blueprint that is based on home grown model.

Lagos State Governor Akin-

wunmi Ambode said Odutola contributed to the betterment of the economy, noting that she was committed to the job as a public servant.

Ambode, who was represented by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy Mr. Fola

Adeyemi, stressed that Mrs. Odutola was involved in the formulation of policies and their actualisation.

Mrs. Odutola thanked God and the people of the state, urging career women to balance their callings with their family life.

Chief Judge withdraws BGL’s suit against SEC from judge

•Justice Saidu

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EDERAL High Court Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta, has withdrawn a case filed by BGL Group against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from Justice Moham-

med Yunusa.

The judge last Thursday, validated the group’s suspension from the capital market by SEC. He nullified an interim injunction by another judge, Justice Saliu Saidu, barring SEC from expelling BGL from all capital market activities for alleged malpractices.

Justice Yunusa adjudicated applications that were filed during the court’s long vacation, but it was learnt yesterday that the Chief Judge had called for the casefile.

The case was previously before Justice Saidu, before Justice Mohammed Idris also heard it. With the case-

By Joseph Jibueze

file now returned to the Chief Judge, it would likely be reassigned to a new judge.

SEC had petitioned the National Judicial Commission (NJC) against Justice Saidu over his alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for judges.

In the August 3 petition, it was alleged that Justice Saidu was not fair in his handling of the case between BGL group and the commission.

The petition signed by the SEC Director General, Mounir Gwaizo, was copied to President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), Senate President Bukola Saraki and oth-

ers.

SEC had scheduled sittings of the Administrative Proceedings Committee (APC) for August 4 and 5 to hear cases related to investors’ complaints against BGL. Not happy with the court order, SEC petitioned NJC, saying it was concerned that judges were being used to undermine its clear regulatory authority as outlined in the Investments and Securities Act of 2007.

SEC accused BGL of owing investors about N5.7billion, including the Rivers State government. It reportedly received about 40 petitions over BGL’s alleged failure to return investments at maturity.

In its preliminary objection to BGL’s suit, the commission said the group was indebted to investors to the tune of N5,769,993, 553.67 as at June 2.

It added that BGL was having severe liquidity problems and was running at a loss at over N48billion as at last December.

The plaintiffs are BGL Plc, BGL Asset Management Limited, BGL Capital Limited, BGL Securities Limited, Mr Albert Okumagba, Chibundu Edozie, Teddy Okumakube, Loraine Awoonor-Renner, Ehime Alofoje, Joseph Ashley-Osuzoka, Andre Ewubare, Victor Obire and Nkechi Azubuike. They sued SEC, its

Administrative Proceedings Committee (APC) and Mounir Gwarzo.

SEC had applied to the court to discharge the order.

Ruling, Justice Yunusa held that BGL concealed material facts from Justice Saidu.

OUR ERRORS In our edition of September 16, 2015, Mr Sylvester Tunde Atere, Head, Outreach and Communications, UNODC was wrongly addressed as Head of UNODC Nigeria.

On page 40 of yesterday’s edition, a wrong photograph was used in the place of Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong. The error is regretted.

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

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NEWS EID-EL-KABIR Give thanks, says Senator Tinubu HE senator representing Lagos Central, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, has said the Eid-El-Kabir festival offers Muslims the opportunity to give thanks to Allah.

In a Sallah message, the senator said: This year’s celebration offers a special opportunity to give thanks to God, build up our spiritual lives, pray for ourselves, our compatriots and our leaders at all levels.

“It is a time to renew our faith and ponder on the significance of commitment and personal sacrifice towards ensuring a united Nigeria.

“This is a period not only to celebrate but also to reflect soberly on how we can all promote peaceful co-existence and a sense of empathy, especially for our fellow citizens.

“Indeed, in the face of preventable tragedies that have befallen our nation in the past,

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•Senator Tinubu

we should express gratitude, even as we pray for more sustainable development under a new leadership being offered by our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) “I enjoin you all to be law abiding, celebrate modestly and keep supporting this government, until we reach our promised land.”

Embrace peace, says Olubadan

T Movement restricted in Borno, Yobe T

•Rams for sale in Abuja...yesterday

HE 7 Division, Maiduguri has restricted movement across Borno State during the Sallah festival.

The restriction was contained in a statement by the Deputy Director, Army Relations, 7 Division, Maiduguri, Colonel Tukur Ismail Gusau yesterday.

The statement reads: “The public in Borno State is informed that a restriction on vehicular movements will be observed during the Eid-elKabir celebrations throughout the state.

“All movements using vehicles, bicycles and animals in Maiduguri will be re-

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From Duku Joel, Maiduguri

stricted as from Wednesday 5:00pm (1700hrs) September 23.

“Similarly, all vehicular movements into and out of Maiduguri town will also be restricted within the period till further notice.

The statement added that the decision was a measure to ensure that the people enjoyed a hitch-free Sallah celebration.

Many markets within Maiduguri were filled with residents making last minute shopping.

The police in Yobe State have banned movement in and across the state.

A statement by the command’s spokesman, Toyin Gbadegesin, said: “There shall be restriction on vehicular movement on Sallah eve within the state with a total ban on the use of tricycles from 6pm on September 23 to 2pm on September 24.

“There shall be no vehicular movements except of essential service providers i.e security, medical, emergency. No means of conveyance whatsoever shall be allowed 500 meters to the prayer grounds.

“No handbags, luggage, or containers shall be allowed 500 meters to the prayer grounds.

APC commends Nigerians’ sacrifice

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended Nigerians for their sacrifice.

In a statement in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said since sacrifice lies at the core of Eid-el-Kabir, it is pertinent to praise Nigerians for their sacrifices for the emergence of a better country. ‘’Being the first Eid-el-Kabir to be celebrated since the change train arrived in our country, we thank all our compatriots

• PDP preaches unity for their support and personal sacrifice that have seen Nigeria emerging, gradually but steadily, from years of bad governance, impunity, unbridled corruption and neglect of the larger population. ‘’In particular, we hail our gallant soldiers, many of who have paid the supreme sacrifice, for continuing to stand up for the unity and cohesion of our dear country.

“We assure them of our un-

qualified support as they remain in battle, even during this moment of celebration, to ensure our safety and security and to crush the terrorists who have killed and maimed many innocent citizens,’’ it said.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for peace and unity in the country.

The party called for reflection on the virtue of faith, ser-

Ashafa, Makinde call for peace

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“Women are advised to keep their dressing simple and moderate for ease of security checks.

“Worshippers are advised to arrive the prayer grounds early enough to avoid rushing in at the eleventh hour without being checked.”

The statement also added that the following routes which include DamaturuPotiskum- Maiduguri road stretch; Damaturu-Gasshua road stretch; DamaturuGujba road stretch; GashuaDamaturu road stretch and Nguru-Emir’s Palace roundabout road shall not be available to vehicular traffic until after 2pm today.

HE senator representing Lagos East, Olugbenga Ashafa, has called on Nigerians to foster peaceful and harmonious coexistence among one another.

Speaking from Mecca yesterday, the senator, who is one of the delegates from the National Assembly, said people must shun violence, animosity and hatred, in order to promote, peace, harmony and development in the country.

He said: “We thank God for His mercies to see the 2015 (1436 A.H) Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

“We pray He accepts our sacrifices and count us among His favourites on the last day.

•Ashafa

by the lives of Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail.

“We should remember our brothers and sisters from Damaturu in Nigeria to Damascus in Syria where peace has become elusive. It is also important for us to pray for prosperity and spiritual guidance for our leaders.

Ibadan

pilgrims Al -Jannah Firdaus and the loved ones left behind the fortitude to bear the loss. I want to urge all Muslims to always allow the message of this important occasion reign supreme in their daily activities.

“Muslims have to internalise and radiate the virtues of discipline, obedience and total submission to the will of Allah which Prophet Ibrahim epitomised”

From Blessing Olaifa, Kaduna

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HE Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday advised Nigerians to avoid bitterness and hatred.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, said Nigerians rather than engage themselves in acrimony and bitterness, should unite and pray for the nation’s peaceful co-existence.

According to the northern socio-cultural group, the Muhammadu Buhari administration needs prayers to move the nation forward.

The ACF stated: “Nigerians need to fervently pray for peace, stability and prosperity in view of the security challenges and economic hardships confronting the nation.”

NLC, Onu: we’re on recovery path HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday called for the diversification of the nation’s economy.

A national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, expressed optimism that Nigeria would be great again.

In their separate messages, NLC President Ayuba Wabba and Onu praised the

T

Conoil greets Muslims MAJOR petroleum marketing company, Conoil, has called on Muslims to embrace peace.

The company, in a statement, encouraged them to imbibe the virtue of Prophet Ibrahim, who obeyed God by offering his only son for sacrifice.

Conoil appealed to Muslims and Christians to make sacrifices to sustain the country’s unity. It urged every Nigerian to forgive, love and respect each other.

Conoil advised motorists to adhere strictly to road safety precautions as they travel outside their locations to celebrate Sallah with their loved ones.

‘Think of your neighbours with love’ HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has urged Muslims to think of their neighbours with love.

In a statement by its chairman, Gboyega Famodun, the party said: “In a time like this which is the period of renewal of faith and expression of thanksgiving to Allah for a fruitful year, it behoves on Muslims to think of their neighbours with love and charity, which are basic fundamentals for peace and unity within the community.

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From Tayo Johnson,

ACF: avoid bitterness

A

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

Amen!

“My fellow brothers and sisters in Islam, and indeed all Nigerians, let us all reflect on the significance of this Eid-elKabir to mankind and the lessons inherent in the relationships between Ibrahim and his son, Ismail. It teaches us to love all and hate none.”

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, urged Nigerians to use the period to pray and work for global peace and prosperity.

He described the festival as special because it commemorates the changing of misfortune to fortune as exemplified

vice and total submission to God’s will.

In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, the party said these virtues were exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim, “who was willing to sacrifice his only son, Ismail, in obedience to God’s command”.

The statement added that the occasion provides Nigerians a great opportunity to resubmit to God and commit the nation and its leaders in prayers.

HE Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odugade, has urged Muslims to embrace peace and shun acts that could threaten the nation’s peace.

The monarch, in a statement by his personal assistant, Isiaka Akinpelu, urged Nigerians to be tolerant and avoid complicating the nation’s security challenges.

He said: “It is my prayer that Allah in his infinite mercy will grant the departed

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

recovery steps taken by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Wabba said: “Eid-el-Kabir represents unconditional obedience to our creator, sacrifice, adherence to higher moral values and show of love to friends and families through sharing.

“The occasion affords us an opportunity to reconcile with God, re-assess our personal and official lives and how these impact on the nation.

“It similarly avails us a great chance to renew our commitment to the Nigerian project by fighting the vices bedevilling it.”

Onu said: “On this important occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, I urge all Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the worthy attributes of love of country and faith in our collective ability to build a new, united and prosperous Nigeria.

“Nigeria is destined for greatness. I urge that we utilise the opportunity of this solemn occasion to rededicate ourselves to those worthy attributes that will help make this possible.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

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NEWS EID-EL-KABIR

Wada calls on Nigerians to eschew bitterness

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•From left: Mrs. Olatokunbo Somolu, widow of Mr. Foluseke Somolu; Mrs. Oreoluwa Lesi; Foluseke Somolu (Jnr) and wife, Omonor at a tribute in honour of the late Engr. Foluseke Somolu by Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID

Saraki, Aregbesola, Shettima preach fear of God at Sallah

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ENATE President Bukola Saraki, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his Borno State counterpart, Kashim Shettima have urged Nigerians to allow God’s fear guide their dealings.

Saraki felicitated with the Muslim faithful on this year’s celebration of Eid-el-Kabir and urged Nigerians to make the fear of God the foundation for their lives.

He noted that with fear of Allah, mutual respect and love, “we will tolerate one another, work together and be able to harness our abundant resources as a progressive nation. We cannot achieve much with unnecessary factions and disharmony. What Nigerians need now is to move forward with the present change era”.

He also called on all Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love, tolerance and mutual respect adding that these virtues are the panacea to move the nation forward.

Saraki said: “We have herculean tasks to address. Our army of unemployed gradu-

ates and youths are hovering on the street. Insecurity is threatening the peace and social development of our dear nation, quality health care services and economic buoyancy are major challenges that require urgent attention.

“I am very optimistic that with our collective efforts, these challenges are surmountable and we will soon overcome,” Saraki stated.

The Senate President however used the occasion to call on all arms of government not to rest on their oars in the onerous task of building a formidable nation where all Nigerians will live in peace and prosperity.

Saraki charged Muslims to continue to pray for the government, the Military and other agencies in the fight against insurgency adding that the peace and socio-economic development of our nation remain paramount.

He pledged the continuous support and encouragement of the Senate in putting Nigeria back on the right track.

Aregebsola said: “With the

Sultan urges Imams to pray for Nigeria

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ULTAN of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar 111, has directed all the Chief Imams of Jumu'at Mosques, to conduct special prayers for unity, peace and progress of the country.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Acting Secretary of the Sultanate Council, Alhaji Saidu Muhammad Maccido, in Sokoto, yesterday.

He wished Muslims around the globe a peaceful Eid-il-Kabir celebration

Adeleke, APC Women Leader greet Muslims

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ORMER governor of Osun State and Senator representing Osun West Senatorial District, Dr. Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, has urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of Prophet Ibrahim, who offered his only son as sacrifice in obedience to God's directive.

In a statement by his Senior Legislative Assistant, Idris Oladokun, Senator Adeleke said: "I would like to appeal to all our brothers and sisters across all faiths, especially Muslims to make the necessary sacrifices to sustain the country's unity.

We need to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness, love and respect for one another. To this end, I urge you to exchange gifts and visits during this Eid-Il-Kabir celebration. The festive period gives room for socialisation and integration among the diverse ethnic and religious groups in the nation.”

Also, the National Woman Leader of the All Progressive Congress, Hajiya RamatuTijjani Aliyu, called on Muslim faithful to use the celebration to seek peace and good governance in the country.

She said: “Nigerian women have for long been praying for a divine intervention and today, we have it with the new leadership at the top. But we still need help; our country must be totally liberated and that is where our prayers and sacrifice are important.

“We should assume our innate roles of being the voice of caution and reason in the society.”

drums of war and violence resonating in all corners of the world, Nigeria must do everything humanly possible to douse the tension in the NorthEast and other parts before it escalates into full blown war and spread to other parts of the country.

“No nation can isolate itself from the current global crises social, religious, political, economic and human - daily staring us in the eyes.

“What we need as a matter of necessity is to have a clean break with the systems that have failed us or retarded our growth as a nation; rethink and chat a new course for our greatness.

“This is the fulcrum upon which President Muhammad Buhari based his government.

Nigerians in whatever capacity we can function must identify with the new government and support it for the betterment of our ‘self’ and the nation at large.

“The better time to promote love, tolerance, and spread the message of peace is during festive periods like this.

“I call on Muslims in Osun and the entire Nigerian Muslim ummah to seize the opportunity of the Eid to reach out to peoples of different faiths with greetings and messages of love and peace.

“Without peace and love, no nation unites and no nation attains greatness in an atmosphere of disunity singing dis-

cordant tunes.”

Shettima’s statement reads: “If we examine the Eid-Il-Fitr, we will notice three key lessons: faith, sacrifice and selflessness, all of which were exhibited by our noble Prophet Ibrahim (Alaihi Salam) whose level of faith was well acknowledged by the Holy Quran and the Bible as well. In obedience to Allah’s command, Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) was ready to slaughter the only son he got at very old age which showed uncommon faith.

“The son, Prophet Ismail (Alaihi Salam) was also willing to be slaughtered in obedience to his father and that showed sacrifice. For Allah’s intervention by ordering Prophet Ibrahim to slaughter a ram instead, Muslims now emulate that by sacrificing ram in the Eid-Il-Kabir and in doing that, Muslims part with their funds to buy rams and make sacrifices to demonstrate faith and a portion meat from sacrifices are meant to be shared to the needy by way of selflessness.

“For me, the whole lessons in this Sallah are perfect for us to remember the manner in which our soldiers in the military, police men and women, men of the DSS, Customs, Immigration, Civil Defence, Civilian JTF and hunters gave their own lives mainly to keep Nigerians safe and to secure Nigerian territories.”

HE Governor of Kogi State, Capt. Idris Wada has called on Muslims and all Nigerians to eschew bitterness, embrace peace and extend love to one another.

This was contained in a Sallah message by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Mr. Jacob Edi, The governor enjoined Muslims to capitalise on the convivial spirit of the festival period to pray for genuine peace, unity and progress of Nigeria and its leadership.

He called on indigenes of Kogi to pray for divine guidance in the conduct of the forthcoming governorship election in the state and cautioned against violence and other electoral malpractices during the poll.

The statement congratulated

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From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

anybody any good.

He said: “Such divisive tendencies based on religion or ethnicity will only create gulf among us instead of bridges to connect us.

“Our religious leaders must also be careful not to use the bodies and people they lead to fan embers of discord by mixing religion with politics.

“We must note that this period calls for sacrifice on the part of everybody. We must be ready to give all as Prophet Ibrahim decided to offer his son as sacrifice to Allah and he reaped the great reward of obedience.

“And as we celebrate, we must be sober and show moderation as well.”

From James Azania, Lokoja

Muslims for witnessing and participating in this year’s Eidel-Kabir festival and urged them to allow the lessons of the season to continue to rule over their affairs long after the celebrations.

He said internalising the lessons of the Sallah will enhance peace and harmony in the community.

He advised all road users to pay due attention to traffic rules and regulations.

Oshiomhole urges Muslims: let’s join hands to move Nigeria forward

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OVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has urged the Muslim Ummah to continue to join hands with government to move the state and the country to a greater

height.

In his Eid-el-Kabir message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, the Governor said “I congratulate the Muslim Ummah on this year’s Eid-El-Kabir, which has pleased Almighty Allah for us to be part of.

“I sincerely appeal to the faithful to harness their thoughts and energies towards the development of Edo state and the country by joining hands with the State Government and our President, Muhammadu Buhari to help the Government realise its dream of a better state for all.

“We should remember the lessons of Eid -el-Kabir, which are sacrifice, peace and love for neighbours which are the hallmarks of a true Muslim.

“In Edo State, I am proud to say the Muslim faithful are exemplars in exhibiting the true teachings of Islam which they practice in their daily dealings. I however appeal to the Muslim Community to continue to join hands with people of other faith to maintain the prevalent peace which has made our state the safest in the entire South-South region and one of the best investment destinations in the country.

“I pray Almighty Allah will accept our good deeds, forgive our sins and fill our hearts with His love as we celebrate in peace and with joy.”

Ahmed urges muslims to sacrifice

Fayose preaches harmony at sallah KITI State Governor Ayo Fayose has urged Muslims to continue to live in harmony with people of different persuasions and always think of one Nigeria regardless of where they stay or live.

The governor called on Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of sacrificial giving as the nation faces tough economic challenges.

In his Sallah message in Ado-Ekiti yesterday signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, the Ekiti governor also advised religious leaders in the country not to play politics with religion.

Fayose opined that Nigeria needs the total commitment of all to become great, saying emphasising divisive tendencies among the people at this point would not do

•Wada

•Ahmed

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WARA State Governor Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed has urged muslims to use the Eid-el-Kabir to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice, good neighbourliness and selfless service premised on the virtues of islam.

Ahmed, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival, stressed that Nigerians must always work for the good of the country above personal or sectional interest.

Dr Ahmed charged muslims to appreciate the essence of Eid-el-Kabir as a symbolic representation of total submission to the will of Allah, goodness to one another and service to humanity as exhibited by Prophet Ibrahim.

The Governor expressed gratitude to religious leaders, traditional rulers, community leaders, trade unions and politicians and the entire people of the state for their prayers and love and for ensuring sustainable peace in the state.

The Governor noted that for Nigeria to realize its potentials as a nation, Nigerians of all religious persuasions must work collectively, consciously and submit to common religious doctrine of being their brother’s keeper.

“We must therefore use the eld-el-kabir as another opportunity for us to reflect on the essence of sacrifice and humility as fulcrums for the promotion of harmonious relationship in our polity”, he said.

Governor Ahmed assured the people of the State that his administration remained committed to the formation and implementation of policies and proprammes designed to drive their socioeconomic development.

The Governor reiterated that despite the plan to boost internally generated revenue to N2bn monthly, additional taxes would not be imposed on the people of the State.

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

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THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

NERC gives TCN, MO seven-day ultimatum over unilateral account From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

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HE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commis sion (NERC) has issued notices of commencement of enforcement Action on the Market Operator (MO) for operating a unilateral bank account.

The notice gave the erring MO seven days ultimatum to take remedial actions by winding down operation of the unilateral bank account and report compliance, failure which it faces disciplinary action from the Commission.

MO is a division of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) that issues market settlements and invoices due to the market participants and service providers in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

TCN, which is currently under contract management of Manitoba Hydro of Canada, is a licensee of NERC. NERC’s Head, Public Affairs , Dr. Usman Abba-Arabi explained this development in a statement yesterday.

TCN licence empowers it to manage the Market Operator (MO) and the System Operator (SO), which is responsible for the wheeling of electrons (electricity) from generation to electricity distribution companies.

However, issues arose when during the last days of the past administration, the Federal Government appointed some workers in the MO Division as a separate management and TCN in response removed names of the elevated workers from its payroll.

Total E&P Nigeria gets new chief

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HE Board of Directors of Total Exploration and Production (E&P) Nigeria has appointed Mr. Nicolas Terraz as its Managing Director/Chief Executive.

The appointment takes effect from September 17 this year.

He succeeds Mrs. Elisabeth Proust who has been assigned to other duties within the Group, the Deputy General Manager, Media & Public Affairs, Charles Ogan explained in a statement.

Terraz is a graduate of French engineering schools Ecole Polytechnique and Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées. He also earned a Masters of Science in Technology and Policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) United States.

He joined Total in 2001, after working for seven years in the French Government, in the Ministries of Industry and Public Works and Transportation.

‘Business continuity is broader than disaster recovery alone, but some people don’t have disaster recovery facility. The regulatory authority takes this requirement very serious and has said any PFA that cannot establish a disaster recovery plan should not bother doing the pension business’ -Managing Director, AIICO Pensions Manager Ltd, Eguarekhide Longe

‘Nigeria working to meet ECOWAS common tariff regime’

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OMPTROLLER Gen eral of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd), said the agency is working hard to put in place, robust systems and procedures to meet the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Common External Tariff (CET) regime.

Speaking during a stakeholder’s sensitisation forum on the implementation of CET in Calabar, he said it was a multi-lateral document outlining the duty or tax to be paid on a particular class of imports or exports designed for the

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

West African sub-region.

Its major intention, the Ibrahim said, is to reduce barriers in international/regional trade and import tariffs.

Ali, who was represented by the Comptroller in charge of Cross River State/Calabar free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom State, Nicholas Oshomah, said simplification and harmonisation of procedures in line with international best practices is the hallmark of the modernisation of the NCS. He said this has led to the automation of all its op-

erations in with its transformation.

To this end, he said the single window platform the Nigeria Customs Trade hub website and the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report risk management mechanisms have been developed and launched in order to ensure the smooth facilitation of trade in Nigeria.

“Adequate human capital development has also been enhanced through manpower development and training to sustain these strides. Indeed 21st century Nigeria Customs is one that has developed unique versa-

tile, highly skilled and professionalised workforce able to meet the challenges of the ever dynamic world of international trade.

“I am assuring our stakeholders, and the international community that we shall not disappoint them. It is in furtherance of this multifaceted objective that the new administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is continuing the fine-tuning of this resultoriented service to position the Customs for optimal service delivery through the instrumentality of CET,“ he said.

Chevron praises NNPC on funding

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HEVRON Nigeria said it is pleased with the Nigerian National Petroleun Corporation for part funding the joint opeartions.

In a statement, the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Deji Haastrup, said the funding would not only ease funding, but enable high impact projects that can deliver near term production and bankable cash flow for the joint venture.

“We support the Nigerian government’s objectives, and are pleased to do what we can to help the administration succeed in its efforts to build a prosperous Nigeria, he added,” CNL said.CHEVRON Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/ CNL Joint Venture has confirmed it signed a loan agreement, in conjunction with NNPC, for $1.2 billion to fund a 36-well development programme for the NNPC/CNL JV.

Govt warns airlines against exploitation From Faith Yahaya, Abuja

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• From left: Brand Consultant to Slot, Ugo Ogoke; Managing Director/CEO, Slot Systems, Nnamdi Ezeigbo, music star, Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo (popularly known as D’banj) and Ezeigbo’s wife, Nkechi during the unveiling of D’banj as Slot’s Brand PHOTO: LUCAS AJANAKU Ambassador in Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday.

Judge rebukes NERC chief over ‘reckless’ claim

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USTICE Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court yesterday rebuked Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) chairman Dr Sam Amadi over his claim that judges were frustrating reforms in the electricity sector.

A visibly irked Justice Idris described Amadi’s action as reckless and an attempt to intimidate and distract the court.

He said while he was out of the country on vacation, he received a call drawing his attention to a newspaper publication about Amadi’s letter.

However, NERC’s lawyer Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN) apologised on Amadi’s behalf.

The judge had restrained the Commission from increasing electricity tariff following a suit by activist-lawyer Toluwani Adebiyi.

Amadi had written the court’s Chief Judge, Justice

By Joseph Jibueze

Ibrahim Auta, condemning such injuctions. He claimed that judges were ignorant of the power sector and accused them of handing out improper injunctions capable of discouraging investments.

“My Lord, permit me to bring to your notice a subtle threat that can undermine the success of the power sector reforms. This threat is in the form of an increasing spate of seemingly reckless and inconsiderate interim injunctions that have been issued against the commission and electricity distribution companies at the instance of consumers, who have not made out clear case meriting such intervention by the court,” Amadi wrote.

Consequently, Adebiyi initiated contempt proceedings against Amadi through Form 48, contending that the accusation that judges were granting “reckless and in-

considerate injunctions” was contemptuous.

Amadi was expected to appear before Idris yesterday, but he and NERC were instead represented by Chief Idigbe and Mr Edwin Anikwem.

Justice Idris said upon returning to the country, he was given a copy of the letter. “I was very upset because it was nothing but a reckless exercise of executive powers which was clearly intended to intimidate the court.

“But I tell you, this court can never be intimidated.

Never! I can never be intimidated and I can never be distracted. Without the Form 48, I can even order Amadi to come and explain the content of his petition.

“I’m not saying that people cannot complain about what we do here, but certainly not to clearly lie against us,” Justice Idris said.

The judge, however,

pleaded with Adebiyi to withdraw the Form 48, saying the polity was already heated up, adding that he would rather adjudicate the substantive suit.

“It is not my style and I want to plead with lawyers to save me from that hurdle.

But Amadi should be warned not to play politics with matters in court. They should leave the court out of politics and allow us to deal with substantial justice,” the judge said.

Adebiyi, who was not pleased with the Form 48 withdrawal, said the change that Nigerians have been yearning for would not come “if the courts would continue to allow people like Amadi to get away with such acts of contempt.”

According to him, the day judges stop punishing acts of contempt, he would stop practicing law.

Justice Idris adjourned to November 24 for hearing of the substantive suit.

HE Federal Govern ment has warned air line operators not to exploit passengers who will be traveling for Eid-el-Kabir (Sallah) celebration.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Hajiya Binta Bello, gave the warning to the carriers, adding that they should offer customer-friendly and seamless services to their customers.

A statement endorsed by the Assistant Director of Press and Public Affairs of the ministry, James Odaudu, added that all aviation agencies ahve been directed to ensure a hitch-free flight operation during and after the Muslim festivities.

The Permanent Secretary said: “Airline operators should not use the usual rush to exploit travelers, and they should make their operations more passenger-centred with serious attention to flight availability and timeliness, comfort of passengers and safe practices.

“All agencies of the Ministry have been directed to ensure safe and uninterrupted flight operations at all the nation’s airports as Nigerians travel around the country to celebrate, with particular emphasis on promptness of flights, safety and security of air passengers.”

The government also assured Nigerians at home and those on pilgrimage to Mecca, of smooth flight operations during and after Sallah celebrations.

She also assured the nation of safety at the airports as confirmed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) during its recent security audit of the nation’s aviation facilities.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS ENERGY

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Shell’s Bonga Northwest production hits 60,000bopd

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N its first anniversary, Bonga Northwest, operated by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), has returned a good report card: It reached daily production of 60,000 barrels of oil.

An excited General Manager, Deepwater Projects, Jerry Jackson, said this was a product of teamwork, adding that the production was a milestone for Bonga Northwest.

Shell’s Deepwater Project and Technology team officials handed over the Bonga Northwest assets to the Offshore Asset team in March in Lagos.

On the accomplishment, Jackson said: “Bonga Northwest demonstrates what can be achieved when people work together effectively. Every single

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

team collaborated to enable the SNEPCo organisation deliver on this project in a very challenging environment. Bonga Northwest is showcased by the Shell Production Academy as a ‘Best-in-Class’ project in terms of execution.”

According to the latest Shell World, a Shell Company’s publication, “Bonga Northwest is a six-well tied in to the main Bonga Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. It produced its first oil on August 5, last year, and all the six wells have been hooked up and are producing an average of 50,000 – 60,000 barrels daily.

“In addition to being executed successfully, safely and

within budget, Bonga Northwest also met its primary objectives.”

Jackson also said the team executed the projects that resulted in the huge success because they wanted to fill the tank. He noted that some projects were successful, after some months, they are not able to fill the tanks for various reasons so that at the end of the day, one really doesn’t have a ‘successful’ project.

Stressing the team spirit shared by the Deepwater Project and Technology team, and other colleagues from Well Engineer-

ing and Development, the former Bonga Northwest Project Manager, Joey Uyanwune said: “We had an integrated team. We worked together with a common purpose and focus to deliver this project.’’

The Head, Deepwater Projects Operations Readiness/Excellence, Obinna Mbonu, said: “Not all projects achieved this milestone and in record time like Bonga Northwest project has done. It is a demonstration of due diligence and excellent collaboration by both teams.”

The Bonga General Manager,

Offshore Assets, Effy Okon and Operations Manager, Theo Ekiyor-Etimi, said the teams learnt many lessons, adding that they expected those learnings to be replicated in future projects.

The Bonga project is located in oil mining lease (OML) 118 and about 75 miles offshore Nigeria.

It is the country’s first deepwater development asset and in water depths of over 1,000 metres.

It started production in 2005.

So far, it has produced over 500 million barrels of oil.

IOCs’ divestment: Indigenous firms target 100,000bpd output

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HE divestment of equity shares by the International Oil Companies (IOCs) has buoyed the resolve of indigenous oil firms to be active in the sector.

At the moment, some indigenous firms are targeting between 90,000 and 100,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) in the next five years, the Group Managing Director, Obijackson Group, Dr Ernest AzudialuObiejesi, has said.

The Obijackson Group is an indigenous firm with interests spanning oil and gas, maritime, telecommunication, aviation, health, and electricity.

The group owns Nestoil and Neconde Energy, the operator oil mining lease (OML) 42, which has a joint venture with the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Neconde bought the divested equity shares of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

Azudialu-Obiejesi said indigenous oil firms, such as Seplat, Neconde, Nestoil,and Oando, are producing between 30,000 and 70,000 barrels of oil per day, adding that the firms are aiming at 100,000bpd and becoming big players in the industry.

He said with the foreignowned oil firms for offshore, the coast is clear for indigenous firms to increase their oil production, and further invest in other parts of Africa.

He said: “The divestment of shares by IOCs has kick-started the growth of local oil companies. Now, many local operators produce between 30,000 and 70,000 barrels of crude oil per day. They have got the financial, technical, and managerial expertise to undertake big ticket transactions through which they would increase their production to 100,000bpd.’’

He said when this happens, the indigenous operators would find it easier to go to countries,

By Akinola Ajibade

such as Ghana, Kenya and Angola, to buy oil fields and develop them.

Azudialu-Obiejesi said the development could place indigenous oil firms in vantage position to become oil majors.

“What does it take to become oil major? It is no other thing than the ability to invest, develop and explore oil in bigger fields where daily oil production is in excess of 100,000 barrels,” he added.

According to him, the nation’s oil industry came into being over 50 years, and indigenous operators have garnered enough strength and experience to undertake bigger oil production. He noted that local oil companies were getting into the driving seat, following the decision of oil majors to dispose their fields or wells that are classified unproductive to companies.

He said oil and gas business is global and no country or firm that wants to become a big player could afford to isolate itself.

He said domestic operators were not only depending on the banks for funds but approaching financial institutions abroad for finance.

The President, International Association of Energy Economics (IAEE), Prof Wunmi Iledare, said the indigenous oil firms have shown they could produce thousands of barrels of crude oil daily, in view of their capacity.

He said the acquisition of oil mining leases, which were offered for sale by multinational oil fims, in the wake of insecurity, had shown that the Nigerians could dominate oil production in the future, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Iledare, a Professor of Energy Economics at the University of Port Harcourt, said Seplat and other indigenous operators could execute major oil production.

Seplat and Oando showed capacity to play bigger roles in the industry through their acquisition of some of the big fields, and listing on the floors of London Stock Exchange.

•From left: Group Managing Director, Power, Aiteo Group, Dr. Ransome Owan; Co-founder & Executive Director, Falcon Petroleum, Mrs Audrey Joe-Ezigbo; Chief Executive Officer, Oando Gas & Power, and President, Nigerian Gas Association, Mr. Bolaji Osunsanya, during the conference on accelerating sustainable growth, capital access, and profitability in the power and gas sector in Abuja.

Why cost of cooking gas is high, by NLNG

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HE Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) has attributed the high cost of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to logistics and lack of infrastructure.

The General Manager, External Relations, Nigeria LNG, Dr Kudo Eresia-Eke, made this known during an interaction with reporters in Lagos.

He said the cost of LPG (also called cooking gas) is supposed to be cheaper than it is, but owing to some factors, off-takers of the commodity add the extra cost they incur, making the end-users pay more. The price of 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas is about N3000 in Lagos.

He explained that if the infrastructure is available, the product would have be supplied from NLNG’s Bonny plant in Rivers State to Lagos, and to consumers but for lack of infrastructure, the product is delivered through vessels (ships). The ships take the LPG from Bonny to Lagos from where it is pumped into tanks at depots.

Eresia-Eke said the intervention of NLNG has reduced the cost of the gas. According to him,

•Firm has helped in flaring reduction

By Emeka Ugwuanyi & Ambrose Nnaji

supply of LPG to domestic market was not initially planned, but the company started the supply of LPG to the domestic market in 2007, when the refineries were down and supply affected. Now, the problem of inadequate supply had solved, he added.

He said: “The intervention, which is in line with company’s vision of helping to build a better Nigeria, has significantly contributed to the stimulation and development of the domestic LPG market in Nigeria and has effectively brought down the price of cooking gas from over N7,000 in 2007 to less than N3,500 per 12.5kg cylinder today.”

He added that NLNG is committed to delivering 250,000 tonnes of LPG yearly and has signed sales and purchase agreements (SPAs) with 15 offtakers for the lifting of LPG for the domestic market.

Eresia-Eke also said the company has made huge gains on

gas flaring.

According to him, gas flaring was within the range of 50-70 per cent, but now it is about 10 per cent. He said the NLNG has created impact in gas flaring reduction, but noted there is still more to be done.

He said because the interest of oil firms was in oil, gas then was a nuisance. ‘’Because you have to get rid of the gas before you get the oil, associated gas was flared. That is one of the fundamental reasons for the establishment of the NLNG, to contain the menace of gas flaring,’’ he added.

He said there is almost an equation of pricing irrespective of location on the world stage as of today.

“The major thing that has occurred in terms of NLNG and gas flow is the related technology in place. In the market, it is obvious that supply is so high; however, the price is very low. One thing is sure, it can no longer be what it used to be in terms of purchasing energy, cost and technology; and no one knows how it will end,” he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

13

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Happy Eid-el-Kabir •We should keep the spirit of the season beyond the festive period

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LD-EL-KABIR as the feast of sacrifice is inimitable for its spiritual connotation and underlying divine commandment. The celebration is of high significance in the Islamic Calendar, which is observed in commemoration of Abraham’s unalloyed obedience to Allah’s commandment that he should sacrifice his only son, Ismael, to Him. At the nick of time, Almighty Allah sent Angel Jibril to stop Abraham from killing his son, replacing him with a white ram instead.

Ever since, Muslims observe annually, this age-long ritual, as epitomised in the slaughtering of animals, including cows, rams, goats and even camels.

The Federal Government declared today and tomorrow public holiday to mark this feast, which fell as usual on the 10th Dhul-Hyjah-coinciding with the climbing of Mount Arafat, to mark the end of this year’s holy pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Almighty Allah was satisfied with, and convinced of Abraham’s unalloyed faith in Him. And since then, He foreclosed the use of human-being for any sacrifice. Abraham’s venerable decision to sacrifice his only son, even at an old age, with little hope of having another, remains the profundity of his faithful act.

We wonder why some criminal infidels in Boko Haram and others are engaging in wanton killing of fellow beings in the north under the guise of keeping tab with erroneous tenets of Islam.

In Islam, submission to Allah is unconditional as typified by Abraham who did not compromise his faith during the several decades of his childlessness. This year’s commemoration remains so dear

to true Muslims across the world. They will eat and merry with friends and well wishers. The true spirit of this season is that we should learn to live together as brothers, with mutual benefits of harmony, peace and stability.

The needless cruel killings by Boko Haram under the dubious guise of Islam are unacceptable because the religion preaches development, growth and progress. It also spreads the gospel of love; it teaches peace; preaches tolerance, as does Christianity.

The unalloyed display of unity and love with no religious impediments, witnessed in this season, should go beyond the moment. Such fraternity should be for all times so that our nation can grow from strength to strength: Also, on a broader scale, for the world to be a better place for all to live in, irrespective of race, religion or colour of the skin. Father Abraham was a recipient of immense blessings because, in obedience to Allah’s commandment, he obliged to use his only son as a sacrifice to Him before Allah stopped him.

While we as a nation anticipate such blessings, the people and the government should also be prepared to make inevitable sacrifices for the well-being of the country – during this occasion and beyond. Unfortunately, the country is still bogged down by unbridled insecurity arising from the criminal/inhuman spate of kidnappings, armed robbery, and, to a lesser extent these days, Boko Haram’s activities. Until recently, lives and property were being daily wantonly destroyed, all in the name of religion. Mosques and

churches were attacked by these criminals that are denting the image of Islam.

Also, we want a change in value degeneration ravaging the polity as the nation needs to make transparency and trust as genuine planks of public service.

These vices are all consequences of official hypocrisy which Islam absolutely abhors in household as well as public affairs.

This important season should serve as test of faith for all Muslims and nonMuslims to reflect on the selfless divine commitment of Abraham and also emulate his good virtues so as to ensure the growth of our society and democracy.

We wish our Muslim faithful barka da sallah.

‘The unalloyed display of unity and love with no religious impediments, witnessed in this season, should go beyond the moment. Such fraternity should be for all times so that our nation can grow from strength to strength: Also, on a broader scale, for the world to be a better place for all to live in, irrespective of race, religion or colour of the skin’

Atuwatse II’s lesson • In a tempestuous era, the Olu of Warri was an exemplar of conciliation IS reign traversed years of feisty politics and inter-ethnic tension. Yet it is a credit to the OgiameAtuwatse II, reverently called the Olu of Warri, that his image never fell into the sordid slur of a parochial partisan. No one, not even those who tried to bait his Itsekiri folks, could pelt him with the charge of a royal out of order or an ethnic militant baying for blood. His death was recently announced in grand event that also featured the unveiling of his successor.

The Atuwatse II ascended the throne on May 2, 1987, and his reign witnessed temptations to violence with his neighbours, especially the Ijaw.

But his was also a time of political verve, including the contest over the Export Free Zone in Ogidigben during the fading years of the Jonathan administration.

He also had his personal narrative

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‘His was an image of a stabiliser, a reconciler. He played this role with such delicate dexterity that he did not compromise the glory, dignity and interests of his Itsekiri people. His was a stellar example of a ruler who knew how to steer a boat in an unruly waterway’

in the maelstrom of his era. Yet, his was an image of a stabiliser, a reconciler. He played this role with such delicate dexterity that he did not compromise the glory, dignity and interests of his Itsekiri people. His was a stellar example of a ruler who knew how to steer a boat in an unruly waterway.

Perhaps the most significant feature during his reign was the tension between the Itsekiri and the Ijaw. This had an immediate cause in the local government dispute in what is known as Ogbu –Ijoh, but it is rooted in history. The Itsekiris have been the dominant race in the region from the 17th century to the 19th century and held sway not only as a political and commercial behemoth but also as cultural mainstay. All these were buoyed by an awesome military machine.

The colonial era changed all that.

Since the 1950’s, however, a tension has manifested in local rivalries with the Urhobos and Ijaws and played out in court and violence. The ItsekiriIjaw tension rose from those atavistic impulses. But the Olu of Warri never sought bloodshed while standing by his people. The crisis is now essentially history and chroniclers of his era will document his role as a man of peace rather than an escalator of tensions.

The last major public picture involved the last elections and former President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit

to his palace. The former president wanted to placate the Itsekiris over the EPZ reportedly claimed by Ijaws but the Itsekiris believe it is theirs.

The other story concerning the late Olu was personal. It involved his confession of personal faith in the Christian God. This caused a row in Iwerre, or the Itsekiri kingdom. The tension was palpable throughout the kingdom, and it signposted deep cultural collision between tradition and what is regarded as Western faith.

There were moments of intransigence between the Olu and his chiefs who would not brook the “desecration” of the Itsekiri heritage. This was one of the few, but perhaps the most tempestuous, in recent memory in terms of a contest on the national stage between two self-acclaimed purities.

Yet, the matter passed out of the public gaze, and till his death, the Itsekiri kingdom did not stir with this existential crisis from its throne.

The late Olu of Warri was also known to be a lawyer and exercised his wisdom in bringing both colour and order to the throne. He also quietly fought for the employment of the Itsekiris in the oil industry. He was conscious of the fact that the Itsekiris sat over the nation’s main resource and, being a minority, it was easy for his people to be passed over in some of the plum jobs in the land. May his soul rest in peace.

PMB’s agenda and 2016 budget

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IR:The 2016 national budget is being awaited with a lot of hopes and enthusiasm because, it will be the first national budget to be prepared and presented by a different political party other than the erstwhile ruling Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP). The PDP has had the responsibility of crafting 16 annual national budgets from 1999 to 2015, leaving in its wake, mass poverty and high rate of unemployment.

Nigerians did not appreciate the place of annual budgets in their lives, because they felt none within the 16 years the PDP governed Nigeria and implemented their fiscal and monetary policies. Nigerians will be looking into the 2016 budget to see in real terms, President Muhammadu Buhari’s plan for economic revival and infrastructural renewal.

It is expected that the APC Federal Government will redirect the economy of Nigeria using the instrumentality of the 2016 budget to make our nation and its people a productive one, away from the culture of unbridled consumption.

Although, following the timelines prescribed by the prevailing legal framework on the budgetary process, the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007, the government is already running late as the National Assembly has not been presented with the details of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) from where the 2016 budget will be derived from. It is expected that the trend on frivolous borrowing for recurrent expenditure would be stopped and the prescription of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 on borrowing, only for capital projects and human development adhered to strictly in line with Part 10, Section 4 of the Act for all tiers of government.

The federal government will need a lot of planning to pull through the challenges of economic statecraft in the light of dwindling oil revenue.

Advanced nations of the world use annual budgets to transform the lives of their people. This is achieved by ensuring that the capital component of the budget takes a larger chunk of their resources.

With the efforts the APC-led Federal government has been making to re-kick start the infrastructural bases of Nigeria’s economy in the last three months, and the agitation by the business community and development analysts for the policy direction of the Buhari government, the 2016 budget should reduce consumption and promote development within the context of capital and recurrent budget matrix.

The Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy introduced and being implemented by the administration for proper and streamlined public finance management will enjoy an elaborate explanation in the 2016 budget within the context of the fight against corruption and looting of the public treasury. We expect better accountability in the management of Nigeria’s public resources through diligent planning and effective and transparent budgetary process. There should be no room for the annual budget of the Nigerian people to serve as a conduit for those in public office to siphon the commonwealth of the nation leaving in its wake mass poverty, ignorance and disease.

• Ugo Jim-Nwoko, Abuja.

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •General Manager (Abuja Press) Kehinde Olowu •AGM (PH Press) Tunde Olasogba

•IT/Pre-Press Manager Bolarinwa Meekness

•Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) •Press Manager Yomi Odunuga Udensi Chikaodi •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Legal Counsel John Unachukwu •Group Business Editor Simeon Ebulu • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye •Group Sports Editor Ade Ojeikere •Acting Manager (sales) •Editorial Page Editor Olaribigbe Bello Sanya Oni

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

14

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: For the first time in our history, a president has undertaken to confront the menace of corruption headlong, and there is no doubt that ultimately the derivable benefits will not only impact on the generality of Nigerians, but will help jumpstart all sectors of the nation’s economy.

Therefore, it is in our collective interest that the war against corruption succeeds. For example, corruption is the reason many sick Nigerians cannot afford access to quality medical care. The high rate of beggars on our streets is also a by-product of corruption. Our general underdevelopment in terms of infrastructural decay, unemployment and general lack among the people are concomitant effects of corruption. There is no doubt that if corruption is eliminated from our national life, more resources

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Why Buhari’s graft war must succeed will be released and made available towards ameliorating the needs of the generality of our people.

With the level of impunity witnessed under the previous PDP administrations, no one was left in doubt that it was only a matter of time before corruption will undermine all our efforts at national development.

In line with his avowed commitment to Nigeria’s economic recovery, President Muhammadu Buhari

during his recent state visit to France was able to meet with over 300 business people, who are potential investors in Nigeria. His personal commitment to create an enabling environment for foreign investors in Nigeria has gone a long way to boost investors’ confidence in the country.

Over the years, corruption has retarded the progress of the country, and no sane society can continue in that direction. The high infrastructural decay across the

Saraki: To your tents, O Israel

IR: The biblical quote, “To your tents, O Israel”, is the latest dissonant hit tune that has found its melodious cymbals in our polity. Even with its reverberating beats, many are still not comfortable.

Those that thought jumping ship in the middle of the sea would berth them to safety have found themselves in a pity party. Change is on the throne and the hurricane of change that blew out the past permissive, prodigal and profligate administration has resonated, but this time around to those with supposedly progressive credentials.

He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. Like judgment day, they have been appearing before equity but their hands have turned to an odoriferous bag of garbage.

Even the political mischief makers who in the past accused the present administration of witchhunting and head-hunting the past permissive administration are losing their voices with the present realities.

Nobody is interested in the ethnic colouration or party afiliations of those in the eyes of the present storm. Rather, some of us are comfortable now the relevant authori-

ties are going after politicians of northern extraction, who were fingered in corruption cases. When manhunt of corrupt politicians from other regions will start, expressions of frustrations will take over our polity.

Regardless of the vital roles that each member of the governing party APC played during the formation and electioneering periods, a bird that chooses to perch on the rope should get ready to dance with the rope.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki has found himself dancing on the rope he perched on since the beginning of this administration and one of his dance that gained local currency was the controversial manner he emerged as the senate president.

Last week’s order for his arrest for failing to honour an invitation to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over false declaration of his assets was the final limit to his capacity.

There’s a proverb that says, a hunter who has one arrow does not shoot with careless aim.

When the new Sheriff was reiterating at every turn that he would go after corrupt politicians including those in the governing party,

we all thought it was the usual crafted rhetoric of politicians. Nigerians are now understanding the Sheriff’s record of integrity, discipline and perceived sincerity of purpose.

Now the hammer has fallen on Senator Bukola Saraki, will justice be served? To many analysts, there’s no getting around to this difficult conundrum of Senator Saraki. He could be worse than what he is being accused of. Justice must be served without fear or favour.

Will the clarion call be wide spread?

There’s another African proverb that says, all lizards lie prostrate, you can’t tell the one that has stomach ache.

Justice in the past could see, that was when stealing was not corruption. Justice has gone back to it’s natural state, blind. It’s Senator Saraki’s turn and he has been answering his father’s name alone.

While we await to see those who are already on their way to the special pit of universal opprobrium, I maintain the biblical aphorism that fissiparously led Israel into two divisions — “To your tents, O Israel”.

• Joe Onwukeme. unjoeratedjoe@gmail.com

country is also attributed to corruption. The effects of road accidents which lead to destruction of lives and properties are also the negative impacts of corruption.

As a people, we need to build a new Nigeria founded on a solid foundation, not quicksand. It is illusionary to believe that foreign investors will risk their hardearned capital in an economy infested with corruption and inefficiency.

President Buhari possesses the requisite knowledge and experience given his pedigree to arrest the downward slide of our country. Apart from experience, he has the tenacity, discipline and courage to make Nigeria work again for the good of all.

While it is expected that some detractors will try to undermine the efforts of this administration in restoring the country to the path of rectitude, yet it is incumbent on all Nigerians to support the administration to avoid any derailment.

In all climes and in critical periods, some gifted leaders are naturally thrown up, and in the case of Nigeria things had come to a head

as corruption and impurity had permeated the system. With the “change” agenda of the APC-led administration, Nigeria is once more on an irreversible progress, and the least we can do as a people is to cooperate with President Buhari’s administration in realizing the Nigeria of our dream.

The government intervention in not sparing any corrupt practice is not only timely but desirable. With the falling oil prices, it will amount to insensitivity on the part of government not to plug all the loopholes from where public funds are usually siphoned.

Already we are beginning to witness an improvement in the fight against graft. For instance, the federal government directive to all ministries, departments and agencies to operate a treasury single account has led to the streamlining of the over 20,000 government accounts spread in most commercial banks. Obviously, this system became an avenue for massive corruption with the direct effect that monies that ordinarily should be utilized in executing important government projects are mismanaged.

For the expected infrastructural and general economic development to take place, we must as nation straighten the institutions of government, eliminate loopholes and hold public officials accountable..

• Chukwudi Enekwechi, Abuja

Release Chief Falae now

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IR: The Inter Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) strongly condemns the kidnap of Olu Falae in Akure, Ondo State on Monday September 21. It is outrageous, barbaric and wicked to abduct an elder statesman for any reason or for no reason whatsoever.

IPAC demands the immediate release of Chief Olu Falae to rejoin his traumatized family.

Chief Falae is an octogenarian whose health cannot be anything but fragile. He deserves respect and

honour and should be so treated by all Nigerians including the abductors.

We urge security agents to be alive to their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property of Nigerians in tandem with section 14 (2)b of the 1999 constitution as amended which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

• Mallam Bashir Ibrahim Yusuf, National Chairman, IPAC.

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

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Emerging political leadership in the western world

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HE recent election on September 12, of 66 year old Jeremy Corbyn as the new leader of the British Labour Party has made many people to take critical look at emerging trend in western democracy and its leadership generally. Jeremy Corbyn has been in parliament for 32 years representing Islington North, a borough of London. He studied in a London polytechnic and made a career for himself as a trade union organiser before being elected into the House of Commons. He is cast more in the image of a previous Labour leader Michael Foot, a member of the remarkable Foot family that included the famous lawyer, Sir Dingle Foot, MP, and their brother Hugh Foot, Baron Caradon, Governor of Cyprus and later ambassador and permanent Representative of the UK at the UN and John Foot MP, later Lord Foot and their sisters Margaret and Elizabeth.

Like Michael Foot, Jeremy Corbyn is a political iconoclast who never voted along party lines in parliament and disobeying party whips 500 times. Up till two months ago the man never even thought of contesting for leadership of the party until some friends nominated him to broaden the debate on leadership of the party. Ironically those who nominated him claim now that they did not vote for him. So what kind of man is Jeremy Corbyn? He appears to be an idealist who believes in global justice, peace and development. And at home in the UK, he would work for equality of opportunities, and strengthening of the welfare state so that nobody is left behind in the race of life. He feels there is too much inequality in the UK and that every Briton should have free access to higher education and affordable housing. He does not believe in the free market and he will roll back nationalization particularly of the railways and public transportation and will ask the Bank of England to print money to reflate the economy rather than follow the austerity programme of the Tories which Corbyn claims has impoverished the Britons particularly the poor people. He is saying everything that reasonable people can associate with but when he says he will remove British nuclear deterrent by abolishing the Trident and withdraw from NATO, people who are willing to tolerate his idealistic socialist programmes begin to get worried that he may be risking the security of Great Britain.

The reality now is that Corbyn has been elected and he won in all the critical groups of the unions and affiliated members, regular members, and new members who have recently paid to join the party. The parliamentary party To appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) is not a death sentence. - Court of Appeal

A

T LAST, Senate President Dr Bukola Abubakar Saraki had his day in court last Tuesday after his unsuccessful attempts to stop his trial. He did virtually everything to stop the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) from trying him for the 13-count charge of false and anticipatory declaration of assets preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). To Saraki, the charge was not properly brought because it was not filed on the instruction of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

It was a technical issue and many lawyers are wont to rely on technicalities, if that will help their case.

Saraki took offence to the charge against him because it was not initiated by the AGF as stipulated by the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act. Knowing full well that there is no substantive AGF, the Saraki legal team thought it had found a loophole to knock out the case without the Senate President being formally charged - that is to take his plea while standing in the dock.

All the Saraki team wanted to avoid was seeing the proverbial African big man in the dock. Big deal?

No, it is not. The law is no respecter of persons. The law says that an accused must take his plea from the dock, no matter his status. Saraki may not have had things his own

528 DAYS AFTER

STILL WAITING FOR CHIBOK GIRLS’ RESCUE

apparently distanced itself from him but any attempt to remove him will destroy the party because 59.5 percent of registered members voted for him. The question now is can this unconventional politician lead Labour to victory in 2020 when the next election is due? The answer is in the air. Many pundits feel Labour has signed its death warrant by electing Corbyn. This is the feeling of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown two former Labour leaders and prime ministers of the UK. But others feel Jeremy Corbyn has energized the politics of Britain to the extent that young people who were disinterested in politics are now flocking to the banners of the Labour Party. If this is true then the emergence of the new Labour Party leader may usher in a new trend in the politics of Europe where the typical lying politicians are shunted off and replaced with politicians who are honest, truthful and authentic and not those telling the people what is apparently palatable for the moment.

Unlike in the UK, the outsider who wants to lead the Republican Party and become president of the USA is Donald Trump a loud-mouth billionaire who is saying the wrong things and yet is riding very high in the polls.

His solution to illegal immigration through Mexico is to build a high wall running for thousands of miles across the southern border of the USA with Mexico and somehow make the Mexican government pay for it. His solution to the ISIS insurgency is seizing the oil wells in Iraq to deprive the caliphate source of income. He would also force Japan and China to buy as much from the USA as the USA buys from the two countries. As for Putin’s Russia, Trump will build up the United States armed forces that the whole world would be trembling before it and even Putin, the Ayatollah Khamenei or anyone else will not mess with the USA again. There is of course Bernie Sanders who has declared himself a socialist running against Hilary Clinton for the Democratic Party nomination. He is attracting a lot of crowd of people but it is probably out of curiosity for the elderly man who has committed suicide by declaring himself a socialist in the USA where socialism is like original sin.

Compared with what is happening in the UK, the American situation is not only pathetic but laughable. One hopes a man like Trump or any one like him will not become president of the USA with his hand on the nuclear button. We have seen this before in 1965 when the Republican Party nominated Barry Goldwater, a rabid Cold War warrior who said extremism in the defence of liberty

is no vice and moderation in the defence of freedom is no virtue and threatened to use American nuclear arsenal to overawe American enemies. The Americans rightly voted against him by electing Lyndon Baines Johnson.

The point that comes to my mind is the general decline

Jide Osuntokun

in the quality of political leadership in the West generally particularly in the Anglo-Saxon world including even Germany where Angela Merkel does not really inspire much enthusiasm thus the grand coalition between the Social Democratic Party and her own Christian Democratic Union/Christian Socialist Union ruling Germany in a grand coalition without a party in opposition.

For me these people hardly compare with people like John F. Kennedy, General Charles de Gaulle, Konrad Adenauer, Nikita Khrushchev, Harold Wilson, Chou Enlai, Mao Zedong, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Ahmed Sukarno, Josip Broz Tito, Gamal Abdel Nasser, Kwame Nkrumah, Ahmed Sekou Toure , Abubakar Tafawa Balewa , Jomo Kenyatta and Julius Nyerere to mention a few. I may be a bit nostalgic but it is difficult for me to accept the current leaders are on the same pedestal as those of yester years.

‘Compared with what is happening in the UK, the American situation is not only pathetic but laughable. One hopes a man like Trump or any one like him will not become president of the USA with his hand on the nuclear button’

In the eye of the law way, but the development is good for our democracy. It shows that those in power can no longer see themselves as being above the law.

Let us look at aspects of this judicial rigmarole. Last Thursday, Saraki through his lawyer, Mahmud Magaji (SAN), urged Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja to stop his trial slated to begin the next day. The judge refused, directing the respondents – CCT, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and Office of Attorney-General of the Federation to appear before him on Monday to show cause why Saraki’s prayer for interim injunction should not be granted.

On Friday, the matter took a dramatic turn when CCT Chairman Justice Danladi Umar issued a bench warrant for Saraki’s arrest because of his absence in court. Justice Umar rebuffed all entreaties by Saraki’s lead counsel Mr Joseph Daudu (SAN) not to order his client’s arrest, promising to bring him to court on Monday. Daudu, who said he was also challenging the tribunal’s power to try his client before the Federal High Court, urged Justice Umar to be cautious about how he handles the case because of its political implication.

This is the problem with this case.

The defence seems to believe that the charge against Saraki has political undertone. Saraki shares similar sentiment. He has been dishing out statements to the effect that he is being persecuted and trying to link his travail with how he emerged as Senate President last June 9. These are two different issues. Saraki may have his differences with the leadership of his party – the All Progressives Congress (APC) – but those are political matters, which should be sorted out at that level. I find it hard to believe that the party leadership could have within just

four months got the EFCC to investigate Saraki and file a charge against him for false and anticipatory asset declaration. I do not think EFCC could have concluded the investigation into this Saraki case in such record time.

The charge covers the period when Saraki first declared his assets in 2003 and his last declaration in 2011. In all, he was said to have made four declarations. Could the EFCC have investigated all these within four months and move swiftly to charge him to court? What those claiming that Saraki is being witch-hunted should know is that the offence for which he is charged is not statute barred. The EFCC or any organ so authorised could decide to bring a charge against him even 20 years after he might have left office if it so wished. What if all these years EFCC had been investigating the matter to enable it present a watertight case against him? I am not commending EFCC for moving against Saraki; no

far from it. What I am saying is that we should not impute motives to what the commission is doing because Saraki is at the receiving end. I strongly believe that EFCC should have acted before now, not only in the Saraki case, but in similar other matters that may even involve many of those who escorted him to the tribunal on Tuesday.

What is happening today is good if we are serious about building a new Nigeria, which will hold its head high in the comity of nations.

To build that Nigeria, we must clean our country from the top. Did Saraki commit the offences in the charge against him or not? This is the question that should engage the minds of his lawyers because at the end of the day that is what the tribunal will look at in determining whether he is guilty or not. The tribunal will not look at their political shibboleth because that is not the issue before it. As Saraki said before pleading not guilty to the charge, ‘’we are all be-

Adieu, Mama

WHEN the sage, Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo, died in 1987, many did not give his ‘’jewel of inestimable value’’, Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID), any chance to live long. They feared that she would not be able to bear the loss of her husband. But she lived for 28 years thereafter. Mama lived to the ripe, old age of 99. She was looking forward to her 100th birthday on November 25 when she died last Saturday. She was a true mother and a

woman of valour who stood by the legendary Awo through thick and thin. I was touched by her statement on the loss of her son, Oluwole, in 2013. When former President Goodluck Jonathan visited her in her Ikenne, Ogun State country home, mama lamented that in her old age, she is witnessing the death of some of her children. Wole Awolowo died shortly after her sister, Mrs Ayo Soyode, passed on. Rest in the Lord’s bosom, mama.

‘Did Saraki commit the offences in the charge against him or not? This is the question that should engage the minds of his lawyers because that is what the tribunal will look at in determining the case’

Lawal Ogienagbon lawal.ogienagbon@thenationonlineng.net SMS ONLY: 08099400204, 08112661612

fore the world and not just before Nigeria and we ought to be seen how we conform to due process’’.

It is noteworthy that he submitted himself to the rule of law by appearing before the tribunal (whether willingly or unwillingly that does not matter). As the nation’s chief lawmaker, he has no choice than to so act. By virtue of his position, Saraki should not only lead by example, he must also be seen leading by example. May it not be said of him that as Senate president, he used his office to trample upon the judiciary, the third arm of government.

Free Falae now!

IT WAS Chief Olu Falae’s birthday last Monday, a day when he should be in the midst of friends and family members sharing the joy of the occasion. But what did he get?

Some bad boys abducted the septuagenarian on his farm at Ilado village in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State. The kidnappers first demanded N100 million ransom to be paid within 24 hours. They have cut the ransom to N90 million. What do these people want from this 77-year-old man?

What will they lose by releasing him today?

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

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VERWHELMED by unprecedented number of immigrants from Syria Afghanistan, Eritrea, Darfur, Iraq, Somalia and Nigeria, fleeing dictatorship, religious extremism and poverty, Europe, the wealthiest continent which made her fortunes through the sweat and blood of others across borders is now fighting to protect its own borders. Europe seems to have suddenly forgotten, the world was told sovereignty was dead a long time ago, that it is perfectly normal for the political and economic policies of new colonial states to be controlled offshore by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and World trade Organisation (WTO) and that the world has become a globalised stage where globalization their new god ‘guarantees free trade, (albeit of unequal partners) mobility of capital, technology, information and people. And now, all immigrants asylum seekers ask of European leader is that, in tandem with the tenets of the new god, they are allowed into Europe to sell their labour in a world we are told is borderless.

Unfortunately, unable to face up with their demons, European leaders have suddenly become incoherent. With the exception of German Chancellor, Angela Merkel who recently warned that “if Europe fails in the question of refugees, its close connection with universal civil rights will be destroyed”, others have been busy building border wall, barbed -wire fences, and dispersing migrants with tear-gas in total disregard of what globalization preaches. The authoritative Financial Times of London, an advocate of a borderless globalised world announced with undisguised regret the collapse of European borders. Britain, the greatest imperial power of our age which sadly falls behind all European countries including impoverished Greece in her response to the immigrant crisis, finding no more excuses for her ambivalence now says her problem is with African economic migrants, who according to Philip Hammond, the British foreign Secretary are “marauders who would soon hasten the collapse of European civilization”. She forgets European civilization is a product of the exploiter, the exploited, Africans, Asians, and Judaism, Ifa, Christianity, Buddhism and Islam. If Cameron and Hammond are in doubt, they should consult Prince Charles who in a recent interview admitted Islam contributed immensely to the European civilization.

The past also seems to have been lost on European leaders. They forget their forebears outwitted the rest of the world preaching Christian virtues of ‘being our brothers keep-

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Immigrants and Europe’s hypocrisy ers’ through Roman Catholic and protestant priests. Of close to a million asylum seekers in 2014, Europe accepted only 626,000. And with all the antics, the United Nations projection for Europe, the richest continent in 2016 is one million migrants. With the scale of human tragedy we daily witness on television, Amnesty International’s condemnation of European governments for “negligence towards the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean” and its warning that EU must not “turn its back on its responsibilities”, European leaders have continued to look for justification to preserve the fortunes immorally appropriated for themselves and their children.

European fortune seekers hardly trade in morality. ‘What heart could be so hard, as not to be pierced by piteous feeling to see the other company?’ wrote Zurara, in ‘Chronicle of the Discovery and Conquest of Guinea’, during the slave raids of 15th century. But I think we can at least remind the prosperous western nations, their right wing parties and some of their over-pampered children, described as ‘a disgrace to humanity’ by the German iron lady, of the source of ill-acquired wealth of Europe whose leaders in character today remain indifferent as 2,500 lives including the 1,200 deaths recorded from the boats which sank in the Mediterranean, the 71 migrants found dead in an unventilated food truck near Vienna on August 27, and the hundreds of women and children drowned while making desperate efforts for new life in Europe. Anti-immigrant Europeans hardly know that the wars and misery currently forcing people to flee European-created nation states of Nigeria, Sudan, Kosovo, Syria, Iraq,

HE cat and mouse game between the Nigeria Police and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) may be coming to end if the recent arrest of 22 members of the group across Igbo-speaking states of Anambra, Imo, Abia and Delta and a police operational order to clamp down on violent groups is indicative of a new resolve. Media reports on Tuesday, September 9, credited the Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole, as stating that the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, had empowered the police to arrest anybody fomenting any act of violence or social disorder.

According to her, “the directive becomes imperative owing to the recent activities of (some) members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra and the Indigenous People of Biafra in some parts of the country”.

Members of the nascent Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) had a bloody encounter with the Nigerian Navy personnel at Onitsha, Anambra state on Sunday, August 30, during a pro-Biafra rally that left some members dead.

MASSOB is an Igbo irredentist, politically motivated organization that has, for some time now, been daring the government by brazenly advocating the revival of ‘Biafra Republic’, a romanticized dream that collapsed with the surrender of ‘Biafran’ soldiers to federal troops 45 years ago – in 1970.

One had thought that the remains of the dead republic had been finally interred with its founder, the late Ikemba, Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, who led the ‘Biafra’ misadventure. But Ralph Uwazuruike, MASSOB leader, and his disciples are not daunted – they seem to have made a crusade of keeping alive the forlorn hope of ‘Biafra’. What is intriguing, however, is how these renegade, secessionist elements have been tolerated by successive federal governments and seemingly encouraged by the Igbo leadership that is concurrently seeking a firm foothold in Nigeria’s political space as well as sumptuous portion of the national cake. To some extent, the Igbo are a study in contradictions, a people blessed with great intellectuals, creative ingenuity and business acumen as well as some of the most vulgar people who celebrate acquisitive materialism with roguish bravura. The loud, boastful Igbo traders, who flaunt the material opulence of their illiteracy and the emergent radical renegades are attaining disproportionate prominence and intimidating their better educated, mainstream kinsmen into complicit silence. I have the testimony of an Igbo Lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in the early 1970s who lamented being shouted down at a community

Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh are direct consequences of colonization and Europe’s self-serving policies in these ex-colonies.

But how did we get to where we are? Basil Davidson has shown in some of his works that most parts of the world were at the same level of development until Europeans, forced out of their hostile environment where life was the survival of the fittest, in ‘Search for gold, God and Glory’ struck fortune through the exploitation of the wealth of other nations. Walter Rodney, killed by a bomb in his car at 38 has shown in his 1972 classic ‘How Europe underdeveloped Africa”, by building fortunes on the misfortunes of other nations.

Before 1300 AD, it was almost inconceivable that Europe could conquer the world.

But taking advantage of their discovery of gunpowder, military weapon and improvement on shipping, they effortlessly enslaved most parts of the world including Africa from where Europe between 1492 and 1870, shipped 10 million blacks to their plantations in America. Slavery which was the source of Europe’s wealth was later replaced with colonial rule, an ideology which presupposes ‘a superior, civilized and smarter group ruling a devious, lazy and immoral tribes’, with the help of Roman Catholic and protestant priests and Islamic clerics. At the Berlin Conference of 1884, driven by economic and military interests, they divided Africa among European member states, by drawing ‘borders without consideration for pre-colonial ancient tribal boundaries and social history’, merging different cultural groups at different levels of cultural development. Spain took over the Philippines and Cuba; France: Indonesia, Viet-

nam, Laos and Cambodia while Britain took over most part of Asia, Burma, India, and Africa. Just as it was in slavery, the colonised new states produced cash crops and mined minerals as raw materials for European industries. Europeans determine the price to be paid for labour as well as the price the laborers paid for Europe’s processed goods.

Following agitation for independence, they forced different groups at different levels of cultural development together even after admitting it was their presence alone that had ‘prevented a disastrous descent into turmoil of warring sects’. Nigeria with about 16,000 communities and about 350 distinct language groups shares similar fate with other colonized nations. Congo, the most endowed nation on earth in terms of mineral resources after centuries of Belgian rule had at independence about five university graduates and about 600 Roman Catholic priests. Patrick Lumumba, Congo’s independent Prime Minister who was later murdered in the presence of Belgian soldiers over Katanga mineral deposits had only four years of formal education. Mobutu through whom Europe pillaged the resources of Congo or Zaire for over 30 years was a cook in the Congo army. Today Congo remains one of the poorest nations of the world. European over pampered children must be told the prosperity of Belgium and the rest of Europe was piled up at the expense of those they now claim are coming to ‘destroy their civilization’ Then Europe and its allies in America decreed globalization is the new god we must all worship. Globalisation, we now know is another name for slavery. It has continued to increase the gap between the rich and the poor nations. What an average Ethiopian ‘earns in a year is what an average Swiss citizen earns every 24 hours’. A pastoral cattle farmer in Europe gets a government subsidy of $2 per head of cow while about 1.5billion people in the rest of the world live below $1 a day. By the logic of globalization, Europe’s unjust god, the life of a cow in Europe is worth two human lives in the impoverished and pillaged third world nations.

Now children of impoverished nations are opting to worship the same god in Europe and America, risking their lives through precarious voyage through the desert and seas, guaranteed with nothing beyond clearing sewages and working in old peoples’ homes.

What crimes, if one may ask the European leaders, have immigrants, worshippers of Europe’s unjust god committed by opting to sell their labour in a world we are told is borderless? Europe sows the wind. Europe must reap the whirlwind.

Igbo leadership and the MASSOB ‘madness’

By Bisi Olawunmi meeting by a naira-empowered and emboldened, illiterate, Lagos-based trader, with the Igwe condoning the insolence.

The situation remains largely the same today. I digress.

Back to MASSOB and the reticence of the Igbo leadership to unequivocally call the separatist group to order. Recently, the Arewa Consultative Forum, (ACF) has upped the ante by demanding that the Igbo leaders stop the doom of another secession attempt. The federal government took the tepid step of jamming ‘Radio Biafra’ but which is said to be back on air spewing hate speech. What defies rationality in the MASSOB saga is that Igbo intelligentsia and political heavyweights have seemingly provided haven for these latter day secessionists. Two Igbo leaders stand out in terms of age, national and international prominence - Dr. Alex Ekwueme, former Vice-President of the Federal Republic and the suave diplomat, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary General, the one with the mesmerizing Queen’s English who struts the corridor of power in Abuja, but is apparently disconnected from his Obosi homeland in Anambra State. The Igbo leadership failure is compounded by a crisis-ridden Ohaneze Ndigbo, hence the short-sightedness in appreciating that Igbo interest is better served in one Nigeria and thereby calling their ill-advised, secessionist “children” to order.

What seems to unite the Igbo - elite and the lower class – hence indulgence of MASSOB, is their shared feeling of ‘marginalization’, a word dubiously bandied by groups when seeking advantage over others. But how can the Igbos claim marginalization when barely nine years after the end of the Civil War, in 1979 - an Igbo, Dr. Alex Ekwueme became Vice-President of the country, just one heart-beat from the Presidency? Since the return to democracy in 1999, the Igbo have produced three Senate Presidents, one deputy Senate President, another Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the only Super Minister – the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, two governors of

the Central Bank, Inspector-General of Police, Chief of Army Staff among other sensitive posts. And the Igbo dominate in the multi-billion naira retail business. The point being made is that the Igbo should learn to count their blessings.

A columnist with The Nation, Steve Osuji, an Igbo man, had in a January 20, 2005 column in the defunct New Age newspaper, of which he was editor, lamented the leadership vacuum in Igboland, with specific reference to Dr. Ekwueme, whom he accused of reverberating silence in moments of crises. He cited the instance in 2005 when a posse, led by a trader-politician, abducted Governor Chris Ngige of Anamra state and mum was the word from Dr. Ekwueme. “A similar scenario plays out today”, as “respected (Igbo) elders go on endorsement circuit”, he wrote in his Friday, February 6, column, ‘EXPRESSO’. He had concluded: “So sad that Igbo politicians of this era have proven to be poor, poor politicians. Poor as pimps”.

However, not all Igbo leaders or politicians are pimps. A refreshing exception is the former Minister of Science and Technology and pioneer Director-General of the Nigerian War College, Gen. Sam Momah. In an interview with The Nation Sunday newspaper of August 9, asked if he supports the call for Biafra Republic, the retired General had been emphatic: “ I do not. I think it is preposterous, subversive and felonious for some people to be talking about the revival of Biafra this time”. Such agitation, he pointed out, cannot help the development of South-eastern region of Nigeria. According to him, he had personally talked with MASSOB leader, Uwazuruike, to dissuade him that Biafra “is gone and gone forever”, but that he would not listen.

“They should call off this madness”, he declared in the interview. Preaching secession is a felony and if at some point, the federal government musters the courage to throw the book at MASSOB, let the condoning Igbo leaders not shout PERSECUTION! • Dr. Olawunmi, Lecturer, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State is former Washington Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria.

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

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WROTE this article last Friday, September 18, for another purpose. That was three days before Chief Olu Falae was attacked and kidnapped on his farm by persons suspected by police to be Fulani cattle herders. Written before the unthinkable outrage against Chief Falae, this article proves surprisingly prophetic.

The country named Yugoslavia in southeastern Europe broke up in 1990. While it existed, it was similar to Nigeria of today in many ways.

Like Nigeria, Yugoslavia consisted of many different nationalities – the Serbs, Croats, Slovenes, Bosnians, Macedonians, Montenegrins, Albanians, etc. Britain had thoughtlessly pushed many nationalities together to create Nigeria in 1914; Britain and France also thoughtlessly pushed many nationalities together to create Yugoslavia in 1918.

Like Nigerian leaders, Yugoslav leaders were never able to manage their inter-ethnic relationships amicably. Like Nigeria therefore, Yugoslavia was always unstable. Under a dictator, Josip Tito, in 1945 to 1980, Yugoslavia’s ethnic hostilities were forcibly kept under control. But after Tito died in 1980, the instability returned in full force.

Most of Yugoslavia’s ethnic leaders did try to save the country. Throughout the 1980s, they held national conferences to find a settlement. But the Serbs (the largest of the nationalities) foiled all the attempts – because the Serbs would not accept any agreement that did not guarantee their dominance. The country slipped on – until it exploded in 1990.

The final break-up started when some of the nationalities announced secession. The Serbs mobilized a large army and tried to suppress them, but more nationalities announced secession. Yugoslavia descended into a horrendous conflagration.

We must now note the particular experience of one of the nationalities – Bosnia. While the other nationalities had attended to their own homelands in the 1980s, the Bosnian nation had been very careless about its own homeland and its future – just as the Yoruba are today in Nigeria.

Like Yorubaland in Nigeria, Bosnia had attracted many immigrants from the other nationalities of Yugoslavia, as traders, job seekers, and settlers. The leaders of the Bosnian people had paid no attention to that development. Just as the Yoruba are doing today, the Bosnians had let the immigrants do as they wished. Bosnian politicians gave all their attention to Yugoslavian politics and did nothing as troubles openly brewed in their own homeland – exactly as Yoruba leaders are doing now in Nigeria.

When the Yugoslav conflagration finally came in 1990, and Bosnia announced secession like the other nationalities, the Bosnians immediately found themselves in hell – real hell. Some of the immigrant groups claimed parts of Bosnia as theirs, and tried to create small countries of their own in such places; and armed groups came from

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RADUALLY, slowly and steadily, President Muhammadu Buhari is putting the building blocks of his change administration together and the final shape and character is expected to emerge by the end of this month. And typical of Nigerians, a lot of people have been having their say on how the president has been going about this assignment since he assumed office on May 29.

To some, the speed at which the administration has been moving is too slow, annoyingly slow, while some others have issues with what they see as lopsidedness in the number of appointments he has so far made into key positions in his emerging administration.

Not a few also, have hailed the quality of the persons so appointed by him to man these strategic positions notwithstanding the part of the country where they come from. And no other appointments have been more warmly received by majority of Nigerians than the ones he made at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), that brought on board Ibe Kachukwu as Group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru, Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production; Isiaka Abdulrazaq, Group Executive Director, Finance and Services; Engineer Dennis Nnamdi Ajulu, Group Executive Director, Refining and Technology; and Babatunde Victor Adeniran, Group Executive Director, Commercial and Investment.

Of particular note is the fact that some of these directors were drawn from the private sector with excellent pedigrees and work experiences that span decades and have earned them distinction and respect from their previous employers.

And since their appointments, Kachukwu and his team have hit the ground running and the NNPC, arguably Nigeria’s most important business venture is on the path to being run truly like a business in line with the Buhari administration new thinking for a better and prosperous Oil and Gas sector.

While some minor adjustments have been

Nigerian thoughts

Some lessons from other people’s history their homelands to help them. Serbian armies also came to suppress Bosnia’s secession. In the confusion, Bosnian people were killed in their tens of thousands, and their women were raped and killed. Bosnian towns and cities were devastated. This horror continued until NATO and the United States mercifully intervened, stopped the carnage and destruction, and helped Bosnians to have their country.

Yes, the Bosnians did get their country. In addition, many of the persons who had brutalized them during the secession confusions were later arrested by international authorities, hauled before the International Court of Justice, tried, and harshly penalized. But the Bosnians are still living with the scars and the painful memories of their horrific suffering, and they will live with such forever. Had Bosnian leaders been more dutiful to their nation instead of expending all their energy in partisan political wrangling in the 1980s, Bosnians would never have suffered as horribly as this.

The lesson here is clear. When different nationalities, each living in its own homeland, different in culture and religion, are forced together into one country, dark forces of rivalry, envy, fear, ill-will, hatred and domination can sometimes be generated in the hearts of some of the nationalities against others. That is what happened in Yugoslavia. It has happened in many Black African countries too. It is the duty of the leaders of each nationality to ensure that their people are not left unprotected.

Signs of these dark forces are manifest in Nigeria. Sure, Nigeria enjoys some fragile peace. Many Nigerians desire that Nigeria should become a harmonious and peaceful country and thereby exist for long as one country. However, for that to happen, Nigeria would need to be structured into a proper and well-ordered federation – with all of today’s over-centralization eliminated.

Much will also depend on how much Nigerian nationalities respect one another. Those who migrate to other peoples’ homelands and choose to be disrespectful of their hosts, and to indulge in aggressive and unruly claims and behavior against their hosts, and those who seek to dominate others, must know that they are essentially making Nigeria impossible to keep together.

Also, very importantly, each Nigerian nationality owes the duty of making inter-ethnic relationships in its own homeland orderly and healthy. Nearly all Nigerians relocating from their homelands today are heading to Yorubaland and, already, the coming of many of them is disorderly and unhealthy. Yoruba leaders need therefore to remember the experiences of the Bosnians. Like the Bosnian leaders, today’s

Yoruba leaders may be preparing the grounds for the suffering of Yoruba people too. These Yoruba leaders may also be unknowingly strengthening the forces that can break up Nigeria – since it is impossible that the masses of common Yoruba people will forever tolerate being insulted and trampled underfoot, no matter how much Yoruba leaders may be committed to Nigeria.

Hospitality to strangers is a well-established icon of Yoruba culture. Moreover, welcoming people from other lands is something that can add greatly to prosperity in Yorubaland over time. However, the large-scale immigration into Yorubaland today creates many serious problems – problems that Yoruba people, Yoruba leaders, and especially Yoruba governors and legislatures, need to find answers to. Yoruba leaders should establish some modicum of unity in their own ranks, at least for the purpose of facing these serious problems together. The six governors of the Yoruba South-west, and the six legislatures, should establish ways to put heads together to find and implement answers to these problems.

The problems are many and complex, but they as soluble. The leading problem is that Yorubaland is not generating enough economic development, and enough jobs, for its burgeoning population. Among the Yoruba people themselves, in spite of their solid education, enough businesses are not being created – because the governments are not developing their people.

As a result, most educated Yoruba youths are unemployed, and most of the immigrants are unemployed too. Huge numbers of the immigrants struggling for survival, as well as many of the Yoruba youths, take to petty peddling on the streets, which is a classic example of “underemployment”. In their frenetic hurrying around, they make the main streets of most Yoruba cities look like trash-dumps churned by whirlwinds.

The state governments must arise to this situation. Obviously, what the governments need to do is to create programmes of human development – improved basic education, job-skill development, entrepreneurial development, small business promotion, modern farm programmes, and well-managed micro-credit systems, for all (indigenes and immigrants alike). The objective must be to achieve the purpose of the old Yoruba adage – “that the owners of the home and the strangers in the home may all have plenty to eat”. That “plenty” must also include housing space – meaning that public authorities must aggressively build housing estates.

Another problem is the serious shortage of shopping centres in Yoruba towns. The old mar-

ketplaces are still there, but more shopping centres and malls are urgently needed.

A l s o needed are proper licensing of traders and stores, introduction of sales tax,

Banji Akintoye

and prohibition of street peddling in designated residential zones of every city. Laws should also be made to prohibit the existence of exclusive “tribal” marketplaces or shopping centres, and to make all marketplaces and shopping centres the common property of the community, equally open to all. Provisions also need to be made for the proper observance of law in the commercial life of Yorubaland, as well as laws for the prohibition of ethnic-based, or other, monopolies or cartels.

Yet another problem is that, though Nigeria’s laws vest the management of the land of every state in the state government, Yoruba states have evolved no land policies and no land transfer systems. Therefore, land acquisition and land transfer are occurring on a massively chaotic scale - obviously threatening indigenes and immigrants alike (and the whole society) with mightily confused land problems. These need to be corrected.

Yet another serious problem is that, in many rural areas, migrant Fulani cattle herders from across the Niger, pushed south by drought, and by attacks by cattle rustlers, are increasingly clashing with Yoruba farmers on their farms, and becoming more dangerously armed and more aggressive – resulting in serious harm to farmers and cattle herders alike. Yoruba leaders and governments must find sensible and sustainable answers to this situation.

There are more problems, but we will stop here. Altogether, the impression must be eliminated that the Yoruba homeland is a “no-man’sland”, a land without rules or order or leadership, where people from other parts of Nigeria can do as they wish. The core need is that Yoruba leaders and state governments must urgently rise up to their duties of ensuring orderly progress in their homeland.

Understanding Buhari’s appointments

By John Nwachukwu made here and there by the management to correct some anomalies in the system, some major decisions have equally been taken to cut waste, block financial leakages and set the corporation on the path to greatness. But like every good thing in Nigeria, some people are not always happy for reasons they alone can explain.

In the past few weeks an organisation that goes by the name Civil Society Network Against Corruption ( CSNAC) has picked issues with the appointment of Dr Adeniran, the Group Executive Director, Commercial and Investment on the ground of what it called conflict of interest.

CSNAC’s argument which was trending for a while on some online publications was that his former employer, Total E &P Nigeria Ltd had been in dispute with NNPC over a business agreement (currently at arbitration) which he (Adeniran) was privy to. The new GED, until his appointment at NNPC was the Senior Technical Adviser on Oil and Gas Commercial of Total E & P where he had been for over 22 years.

While at Total, Adeniran must have put in his best to have risen to that top position in a multinational company, and must have also impressed the scouts working for the Presidency who head-hunted him and others from their comfortable positions in the private sector to come and work for their fatherland at NNPC. President Muhammadu Buhari being a thorough person must have done his due diligence on each and everyone of the appointees he has called upon to help him deliver the change that he promised Nigerians and for which we voted for him. So, for anybody or group purported to be fighting corruption or under

whatever guise, to now want to rake up dirt where there is none in order to tarnish the reputation of a man of impeccable character and integrity is to say the least condemnable and tantamount to cheap blackmail. The era of pull-him-down syndrome in our country should be allowed to end with the previous administrations in this country. This is the change era.

This same pull-him-down syndrome is also rearing its head in other appointments, even those yet to be made by President Buhari. In the last one month or so, sponsored newspaper advertorials and television documentaries on some individuals believed to likely make Buhari’s ministers’ list have suddenly appeared in the media containing one form of allegation or another, trying to convince the president why such persons should not be appointed into his cabinet. The impact this could have on the President’s choice would only be known when he eventually sends the list to the Senate for confirmation this week or next, but being the person that he is, he is not likely to be swayed by the antics of those whose stock-in-trade is to destroy others so that they can grow. Buhari is not deceived or given to blackmail.

Coming back to the NNPC appointments; is it not better for CSNAC and its like to keep an eye on the new management and ensure that it does not derail or depart from its assignment? This it can do effectively by monitoring what it does henceforth and ensure that it does it very well.

And talking of ensuring the NNPC management sticks to its assignment, Kachikwu and his team has no choice but to do this if President Buhari is the one to be in charge of the Petroleum Ministry as feelers out there would want Nigerians to believe. If this eventually came to pass, the president will be on a familiar terrain having served in that capacity dur-

ing the Murtala/Obasanjo military government in the 1970s. And the president taking charge of the all-important ministry might not be a bad idea after all for obvious reasons.

But if he decides to appoint a separate oil minister, the President will do well to look for another Nigerian of proven integrity to superintend over this national asset to work with the excellent team he already has in place at the NNNPC. There is a need for a round peg in a round hole in all appointments into public offices in this country. The era of mediocrity is over; we should stop giving in to sentiments, he that the cap fits should be given to wear it.

Like the NNPC, the Nigeria Customs Service is another critical revenue generating agency of government crucial and critical to the health of our economy and President Muhammadu Buhari has rightly noted that with his decision to appoint another Nigerian of impeccable character to take charge and cleanse the rot in the system. Though he had to look outside the service to appoint the new Comptroller-General for the Customs, the choice of Colonel Alli (retd) a one time Military Administrator of Kaduna State is seen as a bold step by the President to restore sanity and efficiency to the service. Again, this has not gone without criticism from some people who would rather have the new CG-Customs come from within the service and from another part of the country.

The argument has been going back and forth, but what should be paramount here to all Nigerians as in every other appointments made by the government is whether the appointees are capable of carrying out their assignments in the best interest of Nigeria. This is what the president has told us and we should understand his appointments as such.

• Nwachukwu, a Public Affairs Analyst, writes from Enugu.

18

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Bailout not free lunch, says Ikpeazu Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu spoke with reporters on the cash crunch, the bailout by the Federal Government and plans to reduce the cost of governance , shortly after visiting prominent businessman and leader of Ukwa-Ngua ethnic group Prince Sunny Aku at his Victoria Island, Lagos residence.

EMMANUEL OLADESU was there.

H

OW is your state coping with the cash crunch?

Well, we thank God. We were prepared for it. The global economic trend is what we are reacting to and we are responding by blocking all the leakages and doing something to boost our internally generated revenue. We are focusing on the economic development of Abia State in this period of dwindling oil resources. We belong to the people that believe that the oil era should end s that Nigerians will come out with their ingenuity and realise their capacity to do well a a nation capable of standing on its own without oil. We know many countries that are existing without oil. We are a state that has potentials beyond oil. The future belongs to us.

What is delaying the setting up of the cabinet of talents you promised the people of Abia State?

We started by appointing special advisers and other key officers. It is important that we laid a solid foundation through private sector mentality. Some people working us now are the people we can’t even pay. They are from the banking industry and other institutions in the private sector. As I speak, I think we have succeeded in laying the foundation, in terms of the evaluation of our policies and monitoring.

That is going to be part of the processes and procedures for delivering the dividends of democracy we promised to our people in the days ahead. We are ready to take the next step and

I started with ‘myself by earning

half salary and half allowances. The amount can pay salaries in a parastatal. That has sent a signal. I also have some local government chairmen that are also running on half salary and allowances. In our comportment and public appearances and outlook, in terms of the number of people in my entourage, the size of my convoy, and even the size of my cabinet, all these are geared towards cutting the cost of governance

’

•Ikpeazu we will do that at the appropriate time.

Could you shed light on this idea of cutting the cost of governance in your state?

Quite interestingly, I started with myself by earning half salary and half allowances. The amount can pay salaries in a parastatal. That has sent a signal. I also have some local government chairmen that are also running on half salary and allowances. In our comportment and public appearances and outlook, in terms of the number of people in my entourage, the size of my convoy, and even the size of my cabinet, all these are geared towards cutting the cost of governance. I want to use this opportunity to correct an erroneous impression. I embarked on a trade mission to United States of America.

I went with six people as against what others want the public to know. Six people because it was my personal physician and security aide. I wanted to go with a compact team that can give me a result and not a team that will cost the state a lot. We have 29 shoe makers and garment makers. They went there to see how they can bring back the Turkish technology, in terms of show and garment making. We thank God and we are hopeful that in the future, the efforts will pay off.

In concrete terms, what are the other things

you have achieved in the last 100 days?

We have started work on 31 roads. We are about commissioning 14 of them, if we have the seven days of dry weather. We have done a lot of work clearing drainages and gutters in Abia in the last 60 days. With due respect to my colleagues, two thirds of the states have been overtaken by floods due to rain. But, in Aba, a low land area that is prone to flood, we don’t have untoward incident in term of flood. I can only imagine what would have happened, if we had gone into preventing measures. The roads cut across the three senatorial districts.

We have three roads in Aruchukwu, about six in Umuahia and the rest in Abriba and Aba. Besides that, we have launched our Youths In Employment initiative, which is what we are doing to intervene in the education sector by emphasising technical education and building the manpower critical to industrialisation. We are doing a lot in electricity my connecting communities that are outside to the national grid.

We are going to continue to extend that in the days ahead. We have laid the foundation and done 50 percent of our top shop so that investors can come in and they know all they need to know in terms of taxes and incentives that can make business survive. We have embarked

on massive tax verification and fishing out ghost workers. The government has saved over 250 million naira in the past 90 days. We have been paying salaries as at when due. But, we are yet to keep our promise of paying on 24th of every month. The reason is that we need to get the baseline data; who we are supposed to pay, who and who are working and those that are not working. Once we get that data, we will be able to work towards the payment on every 24th. So, the future is looking brighter for the public service. We are going to revive the scholarship board. We have awarded scholarship to seven first class students in tertiary institutions.

All these are done in the education sector.

What is your reaction to the bailout by the What Federal Government?

This bailout thing is nothing but spreading the doomsday and extending it. What it means is that what you would have paid immediately, you spread over 20 years and pay gradually. It is not a free lunch. Everyone that is forwarding looking will realise that the only way to go about it is to focus on the economic development and cut down on cost. With the bailout fund, you apply it accordingly. By the end of october, I assure every worker in Abia that we will not be owing pensions and salaries arrears.

I must commend the harmony between the government and the various labour unions.

There is no sector that is on strike. I must give them credit for the understanding.

What are you doing to boost tourism?

Our strategy at all time is to leverage on what we have the capacity to do better than others.

Today, we have a mini-marathon that is on December 24 every year. It is on the AFM calendar. We want to set it aside for the Abia carnival. The carnival will feature all shades of culture from the 17 local governments in terms of diets. It is my belief that we cannot achieve self-sufficiency in food production in this country, until we live by the standard set by the western world. We want to market Abia diets, culture, design, dressing, our pattern of doing things. I want to see that peculiar architecture. I want Abia to have an international fabric. As people come to Abia in December, we want them to see our culture, eat our food. We want to make their clothes, make their shoes. That is our strategy and I think it will work.

What is your plan for the youths?

We are going to develop agriculture. We are sending about 40 young farmers to training to learn new strategies and methods of integrated farming. Abia will embark on massive and aggressive planting of oil palm. We want Abia to return as the hub of oil palm production in Nigeria. We have entered an agreement with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and they have promised to provide all the seedlings that we need. So, we are going to engage Abia youth that is willing and I will lead by example. I am going to have farms, which I will collaborate with people to drive, and you will see me practically on the farm. We will put on our madein-Aba farm hat and booth. We will toil and till the soil of our state and through our sweat God will bless our efforts.

Okowa urges commissioners to create wealth

H

OVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has urged political appointees to be resourceful, adding that wealth creation is a priority.

Okowa made the call in Asaba, the state capital, during the swearing in of 13 commissioners and three special advisers.

The new commissioners, who were assigned portfolios, amidst thunderous ovation, are Peter Mrakpor (Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice); Dr Nicholas Azinge (Commissioner for Health); Barr. Ernest Ogwezzy (Commissioner for Culture and Tourism); Hon. Henry Sakpra (Commissioner for Special Duties, Governor’s Office); Mr Mofe Pirah (Commissioner for Oil and Gas]; Hon. Bright Edejeghro (Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs ); Hon. Asupa

Forteta (Commissioner for Youth Development); Chief Dan Okenyi (Commissioner for Lands and Survey); and Hon. Chika Ossai (Commissioner for Special Duties).

Others are Mr Oghenekaro Ilolo (Commissioner for Urban Renewal); Olorogun David Edevbie (Commissioner for Finance); Engr. Jude Sinebe (Commissioner for Higher Education); and Mr Patrick Ukah (Commissioner for Information); while the Special Advisers that were sworn-in are, Hon, John Ozegbe [Investment], Rt. Hon. Sam Obi [Inter Government Affairs and Special Duties] and Hon Bosin Ebikeme [Petroleum Matters].

The governor said: “As Governor, my priority is to grow the economy of this state and ensure that every person has a chance to pursue his or her dreams of success and achieve their

full measure of happiness,” reiterating, “by accepting to serve as a Commissioner or Special Adviser in this government, you have accepted this responsibility.”

“The situation we find ourselves calls for drive, innovation, prudence and above all, ingenuity and resourcefulness in managing our assets and in our internal revenue generation process, because, we are confronted with serious economic challenges and it is incumbent on us all, especially, the political appointees, to rise up to the challenge with courage, determination and selfless service,” he said.

He added: “I implore you and indeed, all Deltans, to muster the cando-spirit and problem-solving mentality that our people are known for; as Commissioners and Special Advisers, I enjoin you to treat the business

of government as a business; every Ministry, Department and Agency of government under this administration is expected to be cost conscious in its operations and be alive to its revenue generating potential because in the face of dwindling receipts from the Federation Account, we cannot afford to do any less.”

Urging the appointees to shun sectionalism, nepotism and be diligent, honest, accountable and pay careful attention to the needs and aspirations of the people in their actions, Okowa said: “As a government, we are committed to creating the enabling environment for micro, small, and medium scale enterprises to thrive and flourish because, they are the heartbeat of any economy and I am confident that with deep thinking, creativity, fiscal discipline and the co-

•Okowa operation of all and sundry, we can put the current challenges behind us and lay a solid foundation of prosperity for this generation of Deltans and those coming after us.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

19

21

THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

Should pupils own mobile phones? No, say teachers, who argue that phones have negative impact on pupils.

They urge parents to monitor what their children do with phones at home.

•Mobile phones can distract pupils.

T

Source: Internet

HE advent of the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) in Nigeria in 2000 revolutionised every facet of societal life - affecting how people communicate, conduct businesses and even socialise.

The effect of GSM and advancement in mobile and Information Communication Technology (ICT) have also impacted on the education sector.

Today, schools have invested in ICT equipment to access the many benefits of the Internet.

They have also introduced e-learning to enrich curriculum in their effort to groom pupils to compete on the global stage.

The average teacher is expected to be computer literate and know how to use the internet to enrich his teaching. Pupils are also given projects to complete which require them to have access to internet through computers or smart phones.

However, schools have also had to deal with the negative impact of mobile technology. As beneficial as it may be, mobile phones have been identified as a huge source of distraction for pupils at primary and secondary levels, and even for undergraduates.

As a result, many schools, especially primary and secondary, have put in place policies on the

Why pupils shouldn’t use phones, by teachers

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie, Adegunle Olugbamila, Oluwatoyin Adeleye and Mojisola Clement

use of mobile phones while school is in session.

The majority of schools visited do not allow mobile phones at all; while some allow limited use for specific situations.

Though they can be veritable tools for learning, many teachers and school owners said pupils use phones for the wrong things. Dr. Maggie

‘

It is true they can take their notes on their phones but they are not sensitised well enough to use them to take notes; so, they receive calls, send text messages or even tweet during school hours. I think these are distractions

INSIDE

ASUP seeks waiver on TSA implementation in education -Page 29

Ibru, founder of ST&T Regency International School, GRA, Ikeja, said pupils are more likely to use the phones for the wrong things.

"Mobile phones are not allowed because it distracts them and they do all kinds of things with mobile phones these days. Technology has advanced. It is true they can take their notes on

Unity School justifies fees -Page 32

CAMPUS LIFE

’

Painful final bye to Oluchi Anekwe -Page 25

their phones but they are not sensitised well enough to use them to take notes; so, they receive calls, send text messages or even tweet during school hours. I think these are distractions. My students comply with the school rules because they know we are strict. At the initial stage, there were times we had issues with them using their phones so we seized them. The parents are happy about it; they know it is not important and no parent wants their child to be distracted," she said.

At the primary school level, teachers complain that children caught with mobile phones usually use them for games.

Assistant Head Teacher, Papa Ajao Primary School, Ladipo, Mushin, Mrs. Roseline Oyewole, •Continued on page 26

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

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

22

EDUCATION

NUC summons VCs over discriminate grading system

W

ORRIED by irregularities in the grading system of most Nigerian Universities, the National Universities Commission (NUC) has summoned Vice Chancellors of all public and private universities to Abuja to deliberate on the issue.

They are meant to brainstorm and harmonize the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) grading system, including a uniformed Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) for all certified Nigerian universities, rather than using discretional method to grade students in each discipline.

Speaking at the workshop which was held at the Commission’s headquarters, the NUC Executive Secretary said it was worrisome that most universities were derailing from the

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

original academic traditions that guaranteed high quality education in the country, especially the post independence era.

Okojie who attributed these developments to poor governance structures in most of the institutions, said individual grading systems pose technical challenges for proper grading of students, particularly interuniversity credit transfer and student mobility both within and outside the country.

He said some institutions, while awarding grades in some disciplines use the 6 grade points of 5,4,3,2,1,0 for letter grades of A,B,C,D,E and F respectively. While in some cases, other disciplines removed the E grade altogether thereby having a

grading system with grade points of 5,4,3,2,0 for letter grades of A,B,C,D and F respectively.

Okojie said the discriminations have incontrovertibly introduced two systems of grading within the Nigerian university system.

He said: “What is happening is that with the kind of governance structure in some institutions, you find that they lose trend about the tradition in the system itself.

“They should go back to their Senate. Why we are having this discussion is that we also have private universities coming on board and we have assumed that because Vice Chancellors who service these private universities are from older institutions, they know some of these traditions.

It is not the case, so we are going to go through the process.

“For CGPA the maximum is 5.

University of Ibadan have been using 7. We have told them, when you are using 7 scale and the maximum is 5, how do you compare, whereas the first class honours on the 5 scale maximum is 4.5 and above. These are the issues we are concerned about. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife at some point was using 4.3 they went back to 4.5. We need a common platform and it is very important.

“A review would not only facilitate curriculum design within the university that would foster interdepartmental and inter-disciplinary collaboration but would also minimise duplication thereby enhancing understanding by most foreign universities too”.

NUC’s Director, Academic Stan-

•Prof Okojie

dards, Gidado Kumo explained that the Vice Chancellors and Directors of Academic Planning were invited to Abuja to get their feedbacks or observations on how to arrive at a generally satisfactory university education policy.

AUN President to Class of 2019: make excellence your watchword

P

RESIDENT of American University of Nigeria, Dr. Margee Ensign has charged the institution's new intakes to rise above the inevitable hardships they must encounter and contribute to building a world-class university.

Dr. Ensign was delivering her message to the Class of 2019 during the University's Convocation (Matriculation) at the Main Campus.

No fewer than 26 states in Nigeria are represented in the class, as well as students from the United States, the United Kingdom, Rwanda, and Cameroon.

"There is no magic wand we can use to build a great university. Having a wonderful digital e-library-probably the finest in Africa-won't do it. Having an astonishingly generous founder and benefactor won't do it.

Being selective in our student admis-

sions won't do it. Providing more scholarships won't do it. Faculty members doing even better research won't do it. Really, it all comes down to the faculty and to the students.

Only you can build a great university", she told them.

President Ensign's speech harped on 'excellence' and 'integrity'. She warned students against the cheap temptations of 'short-cut' to success. "'Excellence' and 'integrity' are not at all abstract. They have everything to do with the future of this institution, with the value of your degree, with your future as graduates of this institution.

"If AUN continues to be known throughout Nigeria as a place of high and uncompromising standards, of academic integrity and excellence, of genuine world-class education, then we have a great future,” she said.

•From left: Former Chairman, Faculty of Family Medicine, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Dr. Steve Yohanna; Corporate Services Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr. Oladimeji Oduyebo; Best Graduating Fellow of the faculty, Dr. Abubakar Suleiman; Chairman of the faculty, Dr. Emmanuel Amao; and the Secretary, Dr Abraham Gyuse, during the presentation of Fidson Prize for Best Graduating Fellow in Family Medicine, Part II at the College’s convocation.

Why pupils shouldn’t use phones, by teachers •Continued from page 25 said teachers cannot afford the distraction mobile phones create.

"I do not buy the idea of pupils using phones, because they would not pay attention in class anymore. Even without phones now, primary school children are very prone to distraction, so phones would only make it worse. For secondary school children, it is even worse. They are at the prime of peer group influence and they can get carried away with these gadgets. I saw a boy of about secondary school age get crushed by a vehicle because he had plugged his ears with earphones and did not hear the horn of the vehicle as he was trying to cross the road. So, no, I cannot accept that secondary school children should be using phones."

At secondary level, though older, the pupils are not necessarily wiser.

They go beyond playing games on their mobile phones to being distracted by pornography, movies and excessive chatting.

Mr. Akorede Kehinde, a teacher at Great Anchor Schools, Agbede Ikorodu, said his school disallowed phones because pupils lose focus during lessons.

"Mobile phones are not allowed in this school due to various reasons which include the abuse of the privilege. Some of them get distracted in class; some will be using their phones under their desks while teaching is going on, chatting on social media or watching movies," he said.

But, despite not being allowed, a teacher in a public school in Ojo area of Lagos (names withheld) said pupils still bring them.

"If you go to the principal, he would tell you that in each term, we seize an average of 18 to 20 phones. Unfortunately, most of these phones are the sophisticated ones and the contents are sometimes very obscene.

"I once caught a boy and a girl seated at the rear during one of my lessons

watching pornography on the boy's handset. I reported them to the principal who seized the phones and asked them to bring their parents. The female one brought her father but the male boy disappeared from school for weeks and later reappeared few days to third term exam. Of course, he was prevented from writing the examination," he said.

Bridging the communication gap Mobile phones make it easier for parents to easily communicate with their wards. But teachers say it is not enough reason to allow them in schools. Many schools prefer parents to call the teachers instead, who would in turn reach the pupil.

Mrs. Temitope Osibosi, proprietor of Santoi Nursery and Primary School, Lagos, said the school coordinates this communication process.

"We do not have problems with the parents because we have their contacts so, if there are any emergencies we call their parents. The school is the middleman between both parties," she said.

Many schools that run boarding houses have mobile phone policies in place. Dr. Ibru said for day pupils, phones are kept with teachers; but for boarders, they are not allowed at all.

"When they bring their mobile phones to school, they are advised to

drop it with their teachers for safe keeping and they get them back after school. Of course, we understand their mothers are worried and for safety reasons they will want to be in touch.

So, it is important, sometimes, that they are allowed to communicate with them. But after school, boarders are not allowed phones because we have phones in their hostels and those they can use during school if need be," she said.

Home use Though schools are unanimous on disallowing mobile phones in schools, many teachers agree that pupils can use them at home.

"They can use the phones at home, but they cannot bring it to school.

They can improve on their skills in terms of research and technology with the phones when they are at home,” said Acting Principal, African Church Model College, Ifako-Ijaiye, Mr Abimbola Olawoye.

However, even at home, phone use, especially by teenagers, can be excessive. Using the phone at home should not be without supervision, says Mr. Yomi Otubela, proprietor of Lagooz Private School and Lagooz College, in Orile-Agege area of Lagos. Otubela said phones are necessary in this age.

Nevertheless, he warned that parents must know what their wards do on

‘I have flogged this boy ‘They can use the and abused him on phones at home, but they countless occasions to no cannot bring it to school. avail. I and the mother They can improve on are always watching out their skills in terms of for him. Once we research and technology discover he has a new with the phones when phone, we seize it and they are at home’ destroy it in his presence’

the phone (and internet) to protect them from online predators.

"Well we all realise that with the applications available on mobile phones it has become important that we monitor how they are being used when they (children) are at home. In mobile phones there are applications such as Whatsapp, Facebook, 2go and others. Most discussions there lead them towards social life and not really academics. It is an open entry for them to login in logout at anytime which affect children that are not matured enough to face issues of life.

They are exposed to pornography, meet with strangers that pretend to be teenagers in other to gain their attentions into homosexuality, sexuality, drinking, smoking.

"We advise parents to guide against such dangers whenever they are at home. And we encourage them to get software which could be used at home to limit where they can go on the internet. Internet cannot be taken away from the children but we can only guide them," he said.

Mr Sunday Eboigbe, a parent, has been unable to control his son's phone and internet usage. Though barely educated, the panel beater who resides in Volkswagen area of Ojo Lagos, is worried that one of his son's addiction to phone is not healthy.

Eboigbe said Samson (not real name) does not study but is glued to his phone most times - even at midnight.

"I know I did not go to school like you. But I believe you can use your knowledge in education to help me out. I have flogged this boy and abused him on countless occasions to no avail. I and the mother are always watching out for him. Once we discover he has a new phone, we seize it and destroy it in his presence. But within two weeks, he will get another one," he lamented.

However, Mr Bolanle Omotoso, an ICT expert, does not allow his three

children to own phones. He also has a firm hold on what they do on the internet at home.

He said: "To protect yourself, you need to be conscious of the fact that there is a threat attached to the internet and that is why you take conscious effort to protect your family. For instance, my daughter is going to be 16 and she does not have a phone. The internet is like a country of its own; once you go there you can get corrupted, especially at their tender age.

"To protect them, ensure the environments they go to are well protected and controlled, especially the type of school they will go to. You can also protect them by using some tools that are used to monitor and control what they do - just like the type used in offices. We have intrusion detection.

This is to see that when your system has virus it can easily be detected and you will be alerted even though there won't be 100% security, you'll still be alerted if there is any breach in security. I also monitor what my children on the internet because it is not always on for them so they do not misuse it and I do not expose them to devices that can corrupt them."

The need for parents to be sure of what their children do on their phones is an international concern. In the UK, over 50 per cent of children own smart phones in some places. Groups like Internet Matters, an NGO focused on providing safe internet for children, is urging parents to hold their wards more accountable about phone usage.

Caroyln Bunting, General Manager, Internet Matters, urged parents to start early to inculcate a culture of healthy phone and internet phone usage in their wards.

"We would urge parents to ensure they have the conversation with their children about how to be responsible on their phones and ensure that the safety settings are in place across all their devices and search engines," she said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

23

EDUCATION

Return my schools, says nonagenarian •Govt: Schools to be returned soon

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91-YEAR old woman, Madam Roseline Ololo, has accused the Lagos State government of refusing to return two schools she established, Metropolitan College and Isolo Secondary School to her because of tribalism.

Mrs Ololo who hails from Umuahia, Abia State, lamented that despite numerous appeals, meetings and court orders, the government still refused to return the schools.

The nonagenarian staged a protest at the governor's office, Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday to pressure the government to accede to her prayers.

Her schools were among the 48 missionary and private schools seized by the military administration of 1976.

They were not returned in 2001 when the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu returned some schools to their owners, as well as in May, this year.

The Nonagenarian, who had staged an earlier protest in May, said the government had promised to return her schools to her to enable her commence the new academic session, but failed to do so.

She reverted to another protest on Monday this week, in order to force

By Oluwatoyin Adeleye

the attention of the governor, Akinwumi Ambode to intervene in her plight.

Among five conditions offered by the state government on the return of the schools, Mrs Ololo refused to comply with one, which states that the State government would only release one school, Metropolitan College, to her and hold on to Isolo Secondary School, in the interest of the community.

She said the school, Isolo Secondary School, which is located within the same premises as the Metropolitan College, was only a division of the initial Metropolitan College and therefore belonged to her by right.

According to her lawyers, there was no excuse other than discrimination by the state government, for Ololo's difficulty in reclaiming her schools, as their client was prepared to follow the procedures and rules guiding the establishment and management of private schools in the state.

Following the disengagement of a scheduled meeting to finalise the return of the schools to the Ololo family earlier this month, Ololo's lawyers wrote to the government: "It is

•The protesters at Alausa.

our brief to write to you as follows: That our 91-year old client and members of her family of three generations are highly frustrated and restive…

That they are of the strong conviction that their property is being unnecessarily and unlawfully held unto by the Lagos State Government either as a result of corruption on the part of officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Education or on tribal sentiments."

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Ministry of Education has assured the Ololo family that the process of returning the schools was in progress.

A release signed by the Public Relations Officer, Mr Jide Lawal, noted that the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Olabisi Ariyo, told Mrs Ololo that the process was delayed by her family’s internal squabbling but implored them to exercise patience.

She said government would accord justice and fairness to Lagosians regardless of their religious or ethnic background, adding that government is mindful of the age and health of the proprietress and will do everything possible to be fair.

•Madam Ololo

‘Parents encourage exam malpractice’ SCHOOL proprietor, Mrs. Tosan Williams, has said many parents encourage their wards to commit examination malpractices in private schools.

The proprietor of Macqueen's Nursery, Primary and High School in Alegbo-Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, spoke on Monday at the opening of the school's 30th anniversary.

She said most parents searched for schools where their children and wards could easily pass their examinations, irrespective of their preparedness for such examinations.

Mrs Williams said: "These parents don't care about the educational capabilities of their children, especially the grades they make and in most cases, boycott schools with strict measures and rules to ensure that they bag the required credits."

The proprietor said funding had

A

•From left: Ms Maureen Agwu, alumnus and member of staff of Corona Schools; Mrs Henrietta Joseph, alumnus and a member of the Corona Schools Trust Council; Managing Director Bestman Games, Nimi Akinkugbe (Mr Monopoly); Nollywood actress and alumnus, Mrs Dakore Egbuson-Akande; and Mrs Olufunto Igun, alumnus and CEO, Corona Schools, during the Corona Schools Alumni 'Meet and Greet' held at the Victoria Island arm of the school to kick-start Corona’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

Microfinance Bank gives scholarship •Parents warned against diverting funds

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TOTAL of 611 pupils and students attending public and private secondary and tertiary institutions have been awarded scholarships by the LAPO Microfinance bank.

A breakdown showed that students in tertiary institutions got N100,000; those in privately-owned secondary schools were awarded N80,000, while N28,000 and N35,000 were awarded to pupils of public secondary schools.

Chairperson of the LAPO Scholarship Board, Prof Christiana Okojie, however warned parents against diverting the scholarship fund to private businesses.

Prof Okojie disclosed that investigations showed that parents of previous awardees did not use the fund to pay the children’s school fees but rather diverted funds for other uses.

Okojie shocked parents present when she said that the cheques would not be issued in their names but in the name of the schools attended by the beneficiaries.

She said over 5,600 students have benefitted from the scheme since it started in 2006 from the award of

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

$10,000 by the Managing Director of LAPO Micro Finance bank, Dr. Godwin Ehogiamusoe.

She said: "We were told that many parents did not pay fees. We have decided to stop giving cheques. You are supposed to pay the school fees first. This scholarship is to help the children. We want your children to do well. Godwin made sacrifice to establish scholarship. Those beneficiaries in the university played

‘We were told that many parents did not pay fees. We have decided to stop giving cheques. You are supposed to pay the school fees first.

This scholarship is to help the children’

some tricks. We heard one of them travelled abroad. Don't misuse this opportunity."

Prof Okojie also counseled the parents to monitor their wards' academics, warning that the scholarship would be withdrawn if they perform poorly.

"We will withdraw scholarship of those not doing well in school. Tell your children to do well. Those that benefitted are not doing well in school. We are not happy with those we have given scholarship especially at the secondary school level. Tell your children to read their books," she said.

Dr. Ehigiamusoe on his part said the scholarship was part of LAPO Microfinance Corporate Social Responsibility to the society.

He said the purpose was to celebrate children of the bank's clients.

"It is a cashless process. We identified the challenged in our environment. We are doing things that will promote the environment and give social empowerment to our clients," he said.

Ehigiamusoe said skill acquisition has been introduced to bridge the gap between those in school and others not able to make it.

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

become a major problem in private schools. Where loans were available. She added that stringent conditions given by financial institutions made it almost impossible for them to obtain the loans.

Her school, which was founded in 1985, has produced over 50 doctors, engineers and other professionals, including a professor currently in Scotland.

Also, the principal, Prince Lanre Ikediashi, said the school underscores high moral and Christian values as well as entrepreneurial training.

"Macqueen's Nursery, Primary and High School is 30! It has been 30 years of unparalleled success in training fully-bred school leavers who are among the best in every aspect of life and in major cities of the world," he said.

Low-income schools offer quality education OW-income schools may charge low fees, but they offer quality education, says Mrs Esther Dada, President, Association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED).

Mrs Dada, who spoke at a programme to mark the Lagos State literacy Day on Monday at the NIS Gymnasium, National Stadium, Lagos, said many low income schools offer better quality education than public schools.

"In some public schools, we have some Primary Five pupils who cannot read; and a primary 3 pupil (in our schools) can do better. Our children are good, we can showcase them anywhere. They are the returns of our hard work. We have confidence in them," she said.

The AFED President said low-income schools exist because of the economic situation of many parents who cannot afford more expensive private schools yet seek quality above what is provided in public schools.

"We want to give back to the society. We are qualified school own-

L

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

ers in the area of education; we major in education and that is why we are able to talk about it. When we hear low income schools, we begin to look at it like they are of low income quality; they are not giving low quality. We are giving quality education that is available at a low cost so that the parents will be carried along," she said.

Mrs Dada, who runs the Peacock Schools, Ikorodu, said that the need to change public perception that low-income schools offer poor quality education informed why the association decided to showcase its pupils from low-income schools located in the six education districts of Lagos and Ogun State who readaloud at the event.

The pupils, drawn from Primary 4-5 and aged between eight and 10, read from various storybooks without prompting by teachers.

In her remarks at the event, Mrs Ronke Soyombo, Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, urged the schools to boost literacy in all schools.

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

24

EDUCATION

Obong, Salem varsities issued permanent licences

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BONG University, Obong Ntak, Akwa Ibom State, and Salem University, Lokoja, are celebrating the receipt of permanent licences to operate as private universities by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Obong University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Udoudo Ekanemesang, told journalists last week that the letter of attestation signed by the Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof Julius Okojie, noted that the university had satisfied the minimum standards on the establishment of institutions in accordance with Act, Cap E3 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.

The Vice Chancellor said the Board of Trustees, Council, the Senate as well as members of the University community thank God for this special grace as well as the NUC Boss for his dogged drive in ensuring that universities in the country operate within the framework of laid down requirements.

He said Obong University, which has graduated four sets of students since inception in 2007, has remained affordable - charging only N200,000 per session for sciences, and N180,000 for management and social sciences courses per session.

He said the University accommodates 80 percent of female and 60 percent of male students on campus.

The Vice Chancellor however appealed to the Akwa Ibom State government to support the university

From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo and James Azania, Kogi

stating that the school was not established with a commercial mindset, but is poised to train adequate manpower for the State and Nation.

Responding, the Akwa Ibom State NUJ Chairman, Elder Patrick Albert noted that the license given to Obong University is a plus for the State as it will create opportunities for the people to access university education with less stress.

At Salem University, the issuance of the license demonstrated that the institution had been doing the right thing.

A statement signed by the Public Relation Officer of the University, Mr. Ocholi Ikani, noted that the university boasts of adequate staff/stu-

‘It is the deliberate and visionary effort of the university to tailor and design courses to meet with industry and professional standards that has led to Salem University graduates being offered gainful employment’

dent ratio and has provided standard learning facilities for all its programmes.

The statement also noted that the license would boost quality of education service delivery in the university.

The statement reads: "This, no doubt, has raised the bar of academic excellence and would enable Salem University to consolidate on its achievements in order to support the country's growth and development through churning out top quality graduates, world class research and classical innovation.

"It is the deliberate and visionary effort of the university to tailor and design courses to meet with industry and professional standards that has led to Salem University graduates being offered gainful employment by reputable companies within and outside the country. A testimony to this is the offer of employment to Noble Elekwa, a graduate of computer science from Salem University by the British Telecommunication company at United Kingdom."

In its few years of existence, Salem University has been recognised as the fastest growing university in North Central Nigeria and the Best Web Technology Management Institution in Kogi state among other numerous awards and recognition.

Following last year's accreditation by the NUC team, all academic programmes were granted full accreditation.

VC seeks govt funding for private varsities From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

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HE Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Prof Mohammed Ibrahim has urged governments all levels to grant special subventions to private universities in the country.

The professor of community medicine also called on the federal government to allow private universities to benefit from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). Ibrahim spoke last weekend in Ilorin during the 5th convocation of the institution.

He said Al-Hikmah University produced 817 graduates with 17 persons in the first class category.

He added that the decay at the tertiary level of Nigeria’s educational system makes it imperative to address the funding and infrastructural requirements of the country’s universities.

Ibrahim said: “I would like to call on our governments at all levels to wake up to the challenges posed by the declining quality and funding of education in Nigeria; the quality of teaching and research also needs to be given serious attention if our universities are to remain enviable citadels of learning and scholarship.

“The overwhelming significance of the supportive role of private individuals and organizations in providing quality education to our youths cannot be overemphasized. Considering the enormous amount of financial requirement to fund university education, and non-profit vision of education as social service, it is highly imperative and therefore my plea and prayer to governments at all levels to consider granting some subvention to private universities in the country.”

Prof Ibrahim said the new graduands are from the university’s six colleges and 54 diploma programmes.

Breaking down the number of graduands, the vice chancellor said “217 are from our college of humanities and social science; 236 from the college of management sciences; 318 from the college of natural sciences and 18 from the college of education.

“Of this figure 17 (2.1 percent) in first class (honours); 183 (22.4 percent) are second class (honours) upper division; 313 (38.4 percent) are in second class (honours) upper division; 273 (33.4 percent) are in third class (honours) division and 31 (3.8 percent) with pass degree.”

SSANU, NASU protest unpaid allowances at UNILAG •Varsity: money not yet released

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•From left: Baale of Ekotedo, Taye Ayorinde; Legal Luminary, Chief Olaniwun Ajayi; Chairman, Bi-Courtney Consortium, Dr. Bola Babalakin; Author, Victor Olutaiwo; Aare Oye Oyebola and Justice L.O Arasi at the launch of a book, “African Time, Black Man's Tragedy, A Guide for Attitudinal Change in Africans” by Olutaiwo at Jorgor Centre, Oke-Ado, Ibadan.

PHOTO FEMI ILESANMI, IBADAN

NOA decries moral gaps in education

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HE National Orientation Agency (NOA) has decried the gaps in education which have given rise to moral decadence in the society.

The missing gaps as identified by NOA are; lack of good virtues such as self control, love, hard work, integrity, humility, justice, wisdom, courage, positive self esteem and good name which are the ingredients of character.

The State Director of NOA, Rivers State, Mr Oliver Wolugbom, who made this observation at a one-day Enlightenment Workshop organised for private and public school teachers in Port Harcourt Local Government Area also said that teacher should possess these qualities and be able to pass them on to the pupils.

Unfortunately, Wolugbom lamented that they are missing in teachers hence the need for attitudinal change so that the social reforms in economy, culture and other areas of national life, which are based on education could be implemented.

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

At the workshop organised in partnership with Port Harcourt City Council, Wolugbom described the teachers as role models and charged them to be above board.

"Most school children recognise what the teachers tell them than what the parents say, thus making it imperative for teachers to say and do the right thing always. If after passing through school a person remains unrefined, it means the teachers had not done their work," he said.

He said the enlightenment programme would be taken around all the local government councils of the state.

In the lead paper presented by Assistant Director, Planning, Research and Strategy, NOA, Mr Ellis Dappa, he explained that basic education is all about value re-orientation and roles of teachers.

In the paper titled: "Basic Education and Value Re-Orientation: the Classroom Teacher as a Model",

Dappa decried a situation where "vices such as cultism, drug abuse, examination malpractice, lesbianism and homosexuality, disrespect for constituted authority, use of indecent and abusive language, poor reading culture, dishonesty, 'sorting' and deceitful behaviour have today become the norm rather than the aberration."

He blamed all members of the society for the situation, noting that "we have all contributed one way or another in the various units of socialization where we are expected to be in charge, be it family, schools, religious house, age grades and others."

In a welcome address, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Port Harcourt City Council, Mr Clifford Oparaodu, noted that youths are the future leaders and if not given "the right sense of direction, training and sensitization on the ethics of good behavioural pattern in our social institutions, then our tomorrow is shattered and jeopardized."

HE University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapters of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) have protested unpaid earned allowances.

For two days last week, the workers, bearing placards, marched round the institution to pressure the management to pay the outstanding allowances which have piled since 2009.

Speaking with The Nation, SSANU Chairman, Adekola Adetomiwa said the institution has not complied with the Federal Government's directive for schools to pay the allowances which are contained in the 2009 Agreement they had with the government. In 2013, he said the government resolved to pay three and half years' arrears (2009-2012) of the allowances totaling N30 billion.

He said: "In January 2013, schools were expected to put the unions' allowances in their budget so that each staff will get paid but UNILAG has not complied, which is against government's directive. With all the directives, why have they refused to pay? They have collected the money from government but have refused to pay us. We know that if we demand from 2013, it is a huge amount of money so we decided to demand for this year's allowances, from January till date, at least to start from somewhere. But the management has refused to pay us.

"With all these directives from the government, why have they refused to pay us? Senior staff, both teaching and non teaching, are entitled to N30,000 each while junior staff, N15,000. But when you sum it up from January, it is N270,000 for senior staff while N180,000 for junior staff."

He noted that some schools in the country have complied with the federal government directive.

He said the allowances include: responsibility, excess workload, post graduate study, hazard, studio, and laboratory allowances, among others.

Prior to the protest, NASU Chairman, Kehinde Ajibade, said the unions had given the management a seven-day ultimatum which

By Jane Chijioke

elapsed on Monday last week.

The unions also demanded the refund of "unlawful and illegal deduction of contributory pension from members of staff salaries since July2004 till date and immediate stoppage of further deduction of contributory pension from salaries of staff as the contributory pension have been deducted from source before release of subvention for personnel cost by the federal government among others."

However, the Management in a statement signed by the Deputy Registrar (Information), Mr Olagoke Oke, said it was yet to receive money from the government required to pay the allowances which has made it unable to fulfill the demands of the unions.

It said the implementation of the agreement signed by the Federal Government caused industrial disputes, which culminated in the sixmonth industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in 2013.

"Following series of negotiations, the Federal Government in 2013, released funds for the first tranche to all the universities for the partial implementation of the allowances.

The government promised to make further releases upon submission of returns by the universities.

"This was subsequently disbursed at the University of Lagos, by a committee comprising members of all the four Unions, based on the agreed template. The University has since made returns to the appropriate authorities,” Oke said.

Regarding the pension, the statement noted that deductions are made from all Federal Government workers' salaries from the source, and the amount deducted reflected on their payslips.

"No deduction is effected in Unilag in respect of the Contributory pension other than the one deducted at source by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) in Abuja before salary grant is released.

"Management appeals for calm, wishes to state that it is committed to staff welfare development of all cadre and category of staff in her service," the statement added.

A new dawn at UNILORIN

*NEWS *PEOPLE *KUDOS& KNOCKS *GRANTS

Page 27

THE NATION

*CAMPUSES

Behold, college’s first woman president Page 34

CAMPUS LIFE 25

0805-450-3104 email: campusbeat@yahoo.com THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

The remains of Oluchi Anekwe, a 300-Level Accounting student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), who was electrocuted on September 8, have been interred in Oshigo-Aku Village in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State. EMMANUEL AHANONU reports.

•Sympathisers crying at the burial

Painful final bye to Oluchi Anekwe •UNILAG girl buried amid tears I T was a solemn and sombre funeral. The Oshigo-Aku village in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State felt the pain of its loss. The community shared in the grief of the Anekwes whose daughter, Oluchi, was electrocuted at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on September 9. The compound of the Anekwes, a prominent family in the community, was besieged by mourners, dressed in black.

Oluchi, a 300-Level Accounting student of UNILAG, was electrocuted at the entrance of her hostel. On the day she was buried, the late Oluchi was supposed to write her final Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) examination.

The mourners betrayed emotion when the hearse bearing her remains arrived.

Mrs Augustina Anekwe, her mother, sobbed as she stared at the brown casket. She writhed in pain. Then, she was led away by sympathisers.

Mr Basil Anekwe, the father, was with some elders in the community when the ambulance arrived in the famly compound.

The body was taken to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish in Oshigo for a requiem mass, which was conducted by five ministers led by the parish priest, Reverend Father Denis Chibuzo and Reverend Father Emeka Ngwoke.

Revd Ngwoke, in his homily taken from Hebrews 9:27, said all human beings would die, urging members of the congregation to always prepare to meet God with righteous hearts. He said there was no guarantee that all goals set by human beings would be accomplished, noting that death was a debt everyone must pay.

The priest described the late Oluchi as a serious-minded and bright student, who

would be any lecturer’s favourite. He said Oluchi was not dead but had gone with the righteous.

Ngwoke said: “We cannot cry for the righteous person; the Bible told us that we will always be comforted, because Jesus passed through that same road. It does not matter how a human being dies; what matters is he has lived.”

Turning to the bereaved mother, Ngwoke said: “You should not cry that God has taken Oluchi away. Rather, you should be grateful that God gave you good children. So, let Oluchi’s death bring you closer to other children and your husband.”

Reading the family’s appreciation, Chinedu, the late Oluchi’s brother, thanked the people for standing by the family.

Before the end of the mass, Mrs Anekwe

•The late Oluchi

left quietly, followed by her husband and some family members.

It was another moment of desolation when the body was returned to the family house •Continued from page 25

• Nine OOU students injured in road accident •167 ‘impersonators’ held at UNIZIK test -P28

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

26

CAMPUS LIFE

How it all begins

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HE social media was literally on fire last week when the story about the Students Union executives and legislators at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife was reported in the Punch of September 15. The paper reported that the executives presented a budget of N1, 837, 550 to make official phone calls between August, 2015 and January, 2016. Nigerians were furious online.

According to the paper, it relied on a copy of the Students Union budget made available to it which was debated by members of the student representative council two days before the publication of the story. It added that the leaders also had a separate budget for internet facilities and sending of bulk Short Message Service (SMS).

The sum, which did not include the one for purchase of phones, was budgeted by the leadership of the central executive council and students’ representative council led

by Mr. Omotayo Akande and Mr. Adebari Aare. Others are the clerk, deputy speaker, halls of residence executives, chairmen and secretary of transport, judicial, and budget and finance committees. The students union leaders, who in all budgeted N26, 090, 469 for their various needs, are expecting an income of about N15million.

A breakdown of the budget showed that the speaker, Mr. Adebari Aare, proposed to spend N232, 500 for official phone calls for 310 days, while the president of the union also proposed to make calls for 180 days with N108, 000. Among other items that surfaced on the president’s budget were fueling at the cost of N270, 000; bus maintenance, N300, 000; ‘intervention’, N300, 000; and security vote, N300, 000.

Also contained in the speaker’s budget is welfare costing N217, 000; long journey and short journey accommodation, N1, 250, 000; long and short journey trip, N500, 000 among others. However, the paper reported that the Chairman, Budget and Finance Committee, Mr. Abayomi Samuel, said the budget “had not been approved.” His committee also has a budget of N114, 000 for phone calls. “Some

peculiarities of the campus in question.

An ex-student leader told me that most of the leaders travel with a retinue of female “aides” with hence the need to sleep in the best hotels in town. And 08116759750 then what can one (SMS only) say about those sums of •aagboa@gmail.com scandalous money voted for telephone calls?

I find it extremely disturbing that student of the expenses,” he stated “had been reduced.”

Wow! We are really living in interesting leaders would generate this sort of reckless, times. Like some Nigerians who reacted to the indeed irresponsible budget proposal. Ironistory, I wasn’t aware that student leaders now cally, it’s a microcosm of the ills of governance run this kind of budgets. This goes to show the in Nigeria. Where do we start to root out the impact our ways of doing things has affected evil? How do they intend to finance the budvirtually every facet of our society; even the get deficit of N11 million? Will they go a borrowing or seek for bail-out funds from the spiritual is not spared.

Going by the estimate, the expected revenue institution’s authority?

Remember these are the youths that Nigeriis N15 million but the student leaders intend to spend N26 million thus leaving a deficit of N11 ans are hoping to see as tomorrow’s leaders. million. That would be a deficit of about 70 per- What good leadership will these students give cent! If the leadership of a student union begins to the people when they finally become to think they should spend money they don’t tomorrow’s leaders? That’s why it is important intend to earn, mostly on frivolous expenditure, to fight corruption from the grassroots. These is anyone then in doubt that we are already in student union leaders are already grooming “deep deep trouble,” (apologies to one of my themselves to become monsters when they finally take up public service. former lecturers)?

I was also made to understand that the union I definitely did not miss out the sum of N300,000 as “security vote” and another leadership may have done their “homework” N300,000 for “intervention.” The import of very well with credible data from the accounts those proposed allocations is that the chairman department. They already know the total wants to spend money that would not be ac- amount that will accrue to students union’s accounted for. In governance and political par- count from the union dues to be paid by both lance in Nigeria “security vote” and others like new and returning students’ at the beginning “ecological fund” are areas that have been of the academic session. Perhaps that was why abused in the past – in essence; few actually they made a budget of N26million when they question how the funds are expended. I still rec- already know that N15million revenue will ollect vividly how a late political godfather que- be generated. What it means is that the present ried on live television why he should not have a SUG will definitely loot the treasury and make fair chunk of the “security vote” of his state since sure nothing is left at the end of their tenure. he plays a pivotal role in containing his ever What is being replicated here is what is actually happening in our polity. restless constituency.

What I equally find worrying about the reWhat, I may ask, is the meaning of the N1.25 million voted for “long journey and short jour- port was that the students in the school are ney accommodation” and “long and short jour- divided in over this issue. How can, and why ney trip”? My investigation revealed that when should they, be divided over this issue? I exstudent leaders travel to another institution of pect them to be unified in opposing this learning these days they no longer sleep on such highly questionable act by their executives. campuses but rather sleep in the best hotels in This is where our problem as a society really the town. By so doing, they miss out on the lays - our society’s inability to effectively

Pushing Out Agbo Agbo

evolve a critical unified public opinion backed up with actions to check dishonesty amongst public office holders.

These were the same students who reportedly stoned the convoy of former President Goodluck Jonathan who they accused of running a corrupt government. Now they’ve given us a bird’s eye view of the sordid affairs that is a recurring decimal in student leadership these days. Little wonder that their elections now have all the trappings of elections in the “real world.”

I was told by a student that some candidates even go to the extent of kidnapping candidates of “opposition parties” before the day of election.

I don’t think it will come as a shock to many that the government is now fully involved in election matters on our campuses.

In the last political dispensation, we saw how student leaders became “endorsement consultants” as they arranged their colleagues to be at the forefront of anointing political candidates contesting various elections.

A few questions would suffice here: how did things become this terrible? When did we get to a situation where mediocrity had an upper hand over competence and capacity? Where exactly did we miss our steps? Can this situation be remedied or we should, like some have said, resign to fate that it is the will of God for us? I am asking these questions from a myriad of questions against the backdrop of barefaced stories of corruption we hear on a daily basis.

At the back of my mind, I know the answers are not far-fetched; we’ve lost touch with that core societal values without which a society collapses. We no longer see reasons why things should be done the right way. It’s now “old-fashioned, archaic and retrogressive” to imbibe decorum in our daily engagements. We seem to be in a hurry to always get things done the wrong way.

If it were in climes where people face facts head-on, citizens would have long hit the streets to draw attention to their woes. We are so comfortable in our dealings that whatever befalls is seen as what God has destined for us. A building that does not follow laid down plans collapses and we say it’s the will of God, a container crushes people to death, it’s still part of God’s will etc. President Buhari hits the bull’s eye some months ago when he said if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us.

Campus survey blames school managements for rape, bribery

Painful final bye to Oluchi Anekwe •The body being taken for interment •Continued from page 25

for interment. The ceremony was attended by the Igwe of Oshigo-Aku village.

While performing the dust-to-dust rite, Buchi, the late Oluchi’s brother, said: “Let this be a wake-up call for the people in position of authority to do things right to end this kind of death; everybody must live up to his responsibility.”

Nkem, her sister, said: “Oluchi, let your death be the end of untimely death in the family. We don’t want to mourn again.”

After the funeral, family members spoke to CAMPUSLIFE. Buchi, a Master’s student of Civil Engineering at UNILAG, said the death of his sister has left a vacuum in the family. “Oluchi’s dream to become a chartered accountant has just ended here,” he said with misty eyes.

He bemoaned the circumstances that led to her death, saying the late Oluchi could

still be alive but for the nonchalance of the medical personnel at the hospital where she was rushed to after the electrocution.

He added: “If the power company that owns the cable and the school have done their job, the said event wouldn’t have happened. If the doctors have done their job, Oluchi could still be alive. Like my dad always say, this is not a time for blame or argument, but a time for people to speak up against failure of our institutions. We must prevent a further occurrence of this kind of death.”

The late Oluchi’s uncle, Mr Charles Anekwe, said she planned to go for Postgraduate study at Harvard University after her graduation from UNILAG, noting: “That is a shattered dream.”

The president of Oshigo-Aku Town Union, Tony Ezeoyili, described Oluchi’s death as a loss to the community. He said: “The death is still shocking to us, because she was one

of our shinning stars in this village.”

He urged the Federal Government to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death, saying such move would pacify the community.

Asked to describe her late daughter, Mrs Anekwe could not utter a word. She looked into space as tears welled up in her eyes.

“Oluchi! Oluchi!! Oluchi!!!” was all she could say as sympathisers swarmed around her.

A 300-Level Accounting student and Oluchi’s friend, who simply gave her name as Rosaline, said the school and the Eko Electric Distribution Company should be held responsible for the tragedy. “There is no amount of compensation they can pay to the family that will bring back Oluchi, but government can appease the family by bringing everyone who contributed to Oluchi’s death to book,” she said.

The late Oluchi was born in Lagos on December 4, 1993. She was the fifth in a family of six children.

From Adenike Ashogbon LAGOS AUTHORITIES of higher institutions have been blamed for their poor attitude to the spate of sexual harassment on campuses across the country. The criticism followed a recent survey conducted by the Dream Project for Africa (DPA), a nongovernmental organisation dedicated to end bribery and sexual harassment in higher institutions.

The respondents to the survey, who were students, said school authorities did not sexual harassment seriously.

Seventy-five per cent of the respondents said harassment was high in the past years. Further analysis, according to DPA, showed that 90 per cent of the respondents were between the ages of 16 and 26.

Some social commentators, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, said the situation was dangerous for the future of the country, adding that the silence on the part of the management on cases of abuse and bribery • could have adverse consequences for the country.

The DPA said the survey indicated that some of the respondents were afraid to report cases of rape, since actions would not be taken by their school managements.

On the case of bribery, DPA said 75 per cent of the respondents saw bribery as a major challenge for quality learning in higher institutions. The NGO said 53 per cent of the respondents were of the opinion that schools did not created good system for reporting the crime, while 47 per cent of the respondents had offered a bribe or asked to pay a bribe before. The study also revealed that most sexual harassment cases were caused by provocative dressing by students.

Jumoke Awe, a lawyer and entrepreneur, urged higher institutions’ managements to arrest the spate of harassment and bribery on campuses, adding that the acts could become uncontrollable if necessary actions were not taken to address the issues.

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

27

CAMPUS LIFE

A new dawn at N UNILORIN Members of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) Students’ Union Government (SUG) have been inaugurated. The President, Idris Alao, promised a positive change in the union.

AFIS ODEYEMI (400-Level History) reports.

H

IS election as the Students’ Union Government (SUG) president of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) could be likened to the political trajectory of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Having lost in two previous attempts to become the union president, Idris Alao, a 500-Level Law student, was undeterred by his defeat. He made a deft political move the third time and won the top seat.

Idris, a former president of Union of Campus Journalists (UCJ) in the school, drew a large followership from students to win the election.

His election was greeted with spontaneous jubilation among students, who saw his victory as the dawn of a new era.

In his speech at the swearing-in ceremony tagged: “Positive Change”, Idris outlined his vision for the union, saying: “The central message of our administration is positive change and this shall remain the guiding principle of our tenure.”

He said his determination to bring

•The union leaders taking the oath. Inset: Idris, making his speech.

about change in the union was inspired by election of President Buhari.

He added: “President Buhari is a dogged fighter, who is capable of bringing Nigeria out of the woods.

He is a leader with zero tolerance for corruption and his integrity remains uncompromised. This is the reasons I choose to toe his line of politics.”

On his programmes, Idris said his administration would break new grounds and improve on the achievements of his predecessors.

He said he would focus on capital projects, human capacity building, welfare and nurturing the sporting skills of students.

He urged students to cooperate with him to take the union to enviable height, stressing that his programmes were geared towards improving the image of the union and the school.

He said: “The good image of UNILORIN is always an opportunity which students can tap into.

This is the reason we must work at all times to preserve the image, especially as the school community looks forward to celebrate 40 years anniversary.”

Idris praised the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali and the management staff for providing a good academic environment, which, he said, showed dynamism and visionary leadership.

He said the commitment of the management to school’s founding principle served as the foundation for peace in the institution.

He added: “Today marks another era in the history of students’ unionism in UNILORIN. I am grateful for the mandate entrusted on me to serve over 30,000 students, who collectively spoke in one voice to elect me as their leader.

I promise I will never let them down.”

Ambali, in his speech, described the occasion as special and memorable, saying the school would continue to inspire students to

build their leadership skills and intellect. He congratulated the union leaders on their victory at the polls, but he quickly reminded them of the task ahead.

He said: “You will soon realise that, winning elections is even easier than managing thousands of followers from diverse backgrounds. One thing the university guards jealously is the stability of its campus and this is what we expect all students to respect.

“Your responsibility as leaders is to contribute your quota to the sustenance of identified qualities of the university. Your mandate is to promote the good image of the university both nationally and internationally, such that the institution will continue to be better by far and best by standard. I pledge to work with Students’ Union leadership that is passionate about philosophy and vision.”

The VC urged the union leaders to serve and lead with diligence, selflessness and high sense of re-

sponsibility.

Members of the union include Vice President for permanent site, Ummulkhaeri Imam, Vice President for College of Health Science, Olubunmi Afuye, General Secretary, Ifeoluwapo Akano, Assistant General Secretary, Saidat Sulaiman, Financial Secretary, Oluwadamiloju Oyekan and Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adeyemi.

Others are Social Secretary, Tersoo Aondongusha, Welfare Secretary for permanent site, Abdulrasheed Mahmud, Welfare Secretary for College of Health Science, Kehinde Ganiyu, Joel Kerimu, Sport Secretary, and Senate President, Mashood Orire.

The General Secretary, Ifeoluwapo, described Idris’ victory as well-deserved. He said: “He has displayed resilience, which is uncommon trait among youths of today. His victory is well-deserved and merited. He has set a precedent for generation of students’ leaders to come.”

How to give graduates jobs, by experts Experts have identified acquisition of technical and vocational education as the panacea to rising unemployment. They spoke at a conference organised by the School of Industrial Technical Education (SITE) of the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Umunze, Anambra State.

EMEKA CHUKWUEMEKA reports.

•Mrs Madichie (front middle) with some of the delegates after the conference

•Participants assessing some of the students’ projects during the exhibition.

M

ANY graduates will remain unemployed if they continue to prefer whitecollar jobs. The best way to solve the unemployment riddle is to promote technical and vocational education that will produce employable and skilled manpower.

This was the submission of participants at the maiden conference and exhibition of the School of Industrial Technical Education (SITE) at the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Umunze, Anambra State.

Some professionals and students engaged in discussion on how best to promote Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to engender national development.

Presenting the lead paper titled: Challenges of TVET in skill development management issues in Nigeria, Reko Okoye, a professor of Electrical, Electronics Technology and Vocational Education at the

Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, identified lack of leadership, apathy non-adherence to indigenous provisions and lack of sponsorship as challenges facing TVET. He said: “The management of technical and vocational institutions must not be given to people with a general education background. It is one of the challenges facing the development of TVET in the country. It is assumed that if leadership positions are given to TVET-oriented professionals, there is likelihood for more emphasis on skills development among the students.”

He said most machines and equipment used for skills training are obsolete and dysfunctional. The TVET instructors, he added, are in most cases not qualified. This, he said, leads to poor training that cannot address the socio-economic needs of the society.

•Continued on page 36

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

28

CAMPUS LIFE

167 ‘impersonators’ held at UNIZIK test

N

O fewer than 167 impersonators were apprehended by authorities of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, the Anambra State capital, during the institution’s post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The impersonators have been handed over to security agencies.

They will be charged to court after investigation.

A statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Dr Emmanuel Ojukwu, said 28,233 of the 30,477 candidates that registered for the test, turned up for the weeklong exercise.

Ojukwu said the figure did not include applicants, who applied for affiliated institutions, such as the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Umunze, Anambra State, Enugu State College of Education (Technical), Federal Polytechnic, Auchi (AUCHI POLY) and Pope John Paul II Major Seminary in Okpuno. He said dates had not been fixed for the screening in the affiliated institutions.

He said: “Due to the stringent processes used by the school to conduct the screening, many fraudulent candidates did not turn up for the exercise to avoid being detected. The university’s newly-acquired Biometric Data Capturing Machines were fully deployed to ensure candidates’ fingerprints were matched with what the institution already has in its data base.”

The results of the exercise have since been released.

•The bus after the crash.

Nine OOU students injured in road accident

N

INE students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, have been injured in a road accident, about four month after the death of nine of their colleagues in similar circumstances.

The accident occurred on Old Corperative Road in Ago-Iwoye last Thursday when the victims were returning to their off-campus hostels in Oru-Ijebu. They were travelling in a 14-seater bus.

It was gathered that the accident was caused by a brake failure, which made the vehicle to skid off its lane and crash into a roadside carwash.

Sympathisers rushed to the scene to rescue the occupants of the bus.

The driver, it was learnt, ran away immediately after the incident. Occupants of the vehicle included nine students. No life was lost.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that three of the injured students were referred to the OOU Teaching Hospital in Sagamu. They are Adewunmi Adekanbi, a 400-Level Applied Zoology student, Elizabeth Olawunmi Olapelumi, a 100-Level Mass Communication student, and Yetunde Ogunsawe, also in 100-Level Mass Communication.

Other occupants suffered minor injuries and had been discharged from the hospital.

Elizabeth, who spoke to our corre-

•Adewunmi’s fractured leg

From Mubarak Salaudeen OOU spondent on her sickbed, recalled how the accident happened. She said: “We were all going back to our hostels in Oru-Ijebu after lectures.

The bus left from the school, but we got to the main road, the driver increased the speed. As he tried to overtake a vehicle in front, he did not know there was a car moving across the other side of the road to a car wash. He tried to apply the brake but it failed. Then, the bus crashed into the car wash.”

Adewunmi, who went for her

department’s Cultural Day, attributed the incident to the carelessness of the driver, saying: “The driver was carried away in discussion with a man sitting beside him. The next thing we saw was a crash.”

Reacting, students said the latest accident should serve as a reminder to officials of road safety agencies and the school management to ensure that vehicles plying the campus were in good condition.

Last month, a similar accident occurred when an 18-seater bus had a brake failure and crashed into the school main gate.

‘Supreme Court needs structural reform’

J

USTICE Kudirat Kekere-Ekun of the Supreme Court has called for a review of the court to make judiciary perform its role optimally.

She spoke at the fifth Prof A.B. Kasunmu Annual Lecture with the theme: The Nigerian Supreme Court: Structural reforms for today’s dispensation of justice.

She was the keynote speaker at the lecture organised by the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Law Students’ Society. It was held in the main auditorium.

Justice Kekere-Ekun said the process of justice administration must be accelerated to restore people confidence in the court as the last of the common man. She said appointment of more justices on the bench will not reduce the workload of the Supreme

From Franklin Onwubiko UNIZIK From investigations, Ojukwu said some parents made efforts to undermine the exercise by paying mercenaries to write the test on behalf of their children. He said some of the impersonators confessed to the crime.

He said: “We have received criticisms from some parents, because of the mechanism put in place to checkmate fraud. This is wrong and it will lead to nowhere. Such parents must desist from engaging mercenaries to undermine our system.”

Ojukwu said the university admission list would be based on merit, warning applicants against giving money to anyone for admission.

He added: “It is on record that some persons, including staff of the university, who collected money to assist candidates in getting admission, could not succeed last year. As a result, a staff of the university abandoned his work and ran away until today. The other one whose case was reported to the management has been dismissed.”

He said some people opened Facebook accounts in the name of the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Joseph Ahaneku, to defraud the public.

Ojukwu said the VC did not have social media account.

He said the school had introduced a new admission policy, which would give candidates who scored below average in post-UTME an advantage to be considered for admission after aggregation of their scores with UTME. From Seun Omodara UNILAG Court but said there was need for structural reform in the highest court of the land. To relieve the Supreme Court of its workload, she said certain appeal cases should be terminated at the Court of Appeal.

Mrs Hairat Ade Balogun, who chaired the occasion, described Prof Kasunmu as one of the brilliant law teachers in the country. She said she regretted not being taught by the honoree.

The comments and questions segment was anchored by Mrs. Hairat Ade Balogun, who urged the audience to keep their comments and questions short.

Prof. A. O. Osipitan, said he was convinced the workload of the Supreme Court would reduce if the justices on the bench were increased to 21 as against the 17 sitting on the bench. He also noted that the section on the Supreme Court in 1999 Constitution was not amended but only altered.

Some of the guests in at the event J. P. Clark, Dr Akeem Bello, and Registrar, Joint University Preliminary Education Board, Prof Duro Adeyalemi.

College re-opens after violence HE Federal College of Education (FCE) in Abeokuta, Ogun State re-opened last Friday after about three weeks closure. The school was shut last month, following the violence that trailed the Students’ Union Government (SUG) elections.

Students were slammed with N200 fine each for reparation; they are also required to submit a letter of good conduct as part of the conditions laid down by the management for resumption.

The Provost, Dr Adetayo Ajayi, condemned the violence, describing it as an attack on the management.

He advised the students to explore peaceful means to channel their complaints, promising the management would respond instantly.

Ajayi said the panel of investigation set up by the school found out that the union election process was faulty. He said there was a preference in selection of the electoral

T •Chijioke (in fez cap) receiving the key to the car from Etisalat officials

Student wins car at Etisalat show

A

400-Level English Language student of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto (UDUS), Chijioke Opara, has won a brand-new car in Etisalat cliq fest promo tagged: Campus festival in 9ja.

The event was held last Thursday at the Convocation Square. Many students trooped to the venue to witness the show, which featured quiz contest and raffle draw.

The show started with testimony

by Niyi Adesanya, a past winner,

From Yasin Olawumi UDUS followed by performance of 2015 Idol winner, K-peace, and Evelle.

The raffle draw was held in three categories. In the first session, students won Android phones, Etisalat-branded T-shirts. The second session had two students Fatimah Aliyu and Baba Muhammad - winning mini laptops.

The telecommunication firm

gave out a brandnew Hyundai i10 car in the third session. The raffles were shuffled and picked by the Dean, Students Affairs (DSA), Prof Adamu Aliero.

When his name was announced, Chijioke, who was standing at the back of the crowd, screamed in excitement. He told CAMPUSLIFE that he bought the ticket a day earlier, saying: “It is like a dream. I am grateful to Etisalat, because this is beyond my imagination.”

From Samson Uwala FCE ABEOKUTA committee members and production of unapproved ballot papers.

The provost said when the ballot papers were re-counted, it was discovered that the ballot cast at the School of Science was faultless, while error was detected in the votes of schools of Arts and Social Science. He promised the management would address the irregularities.

The provost extended the school academic calendar by two weeks and postponed the examination to October 12.

Members of the panel include Deputy Provost, Dr Bolatito Adeniji; Registrar, Mr Rafiu Akinola, and Deans of Faculties, Directors of various departments, members of the Academic Board, officials of the Students’ Affairs Division, and outgoing union leaders.

29

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

EDUCATION

ASUP seeks waiver on TSA implementation in education

UNILORIN FILE VC bags Fellowship

•Calls for uniform admission cut-off for UTME

T

HE Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has said the full implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) will be counter productive in the education sector as it will negatively affect the smooth running of tertiary institutions.

The union wants the government to exempt tertiary institutions from implementing the TSA, arguing that they are not revenue generating institutions.

National President of the Union, Comrade Chibuzo Asomugha, told reporters in Abuja that while they were in support of government plugging all the leakages, consideration should be given to the special nature of educational institutions.

Asomugha said: “We are aware of Federal Government’s directives on the immediate commencement of the implementation of the Treasury Single Account. We recognise and acknowledge this as a welcome development that will block financial leakages, stem profligacy and track government’s revenue profile.

“The tertiary sub-sector is purely service-oriented and its revenue is specifically tied to the daily running of the institutions and for the provision of consumables needed for teaching and learning. The TSA, though well-intended, will tie down the processes of provision of daily needs of the institutions and

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

therefore hamper efficient service delivery.”

The union also accused the government of evolving policies aimed at relegating the polytechnic sector to the background and undermining their products.

Asomugha listed some of the policies as: discriminatory funding of the polytechnics, discriminatory cut off mark for admission into tertiary institutions, discrimination against Higher National Diploma (HND) holders, among others.

He said the polytechnic sector is not only being quarantined and treated with apathy in career progression, “but its graduates and teachers are pathetically and consistently judged, not by the strength and character of their knowledge, learning and skills, but by the addresses of their institutions.”

The union accused the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) of discriminating against the polytechnic sector in the disbursement of fund as against the distribution

ration proscribed by law.

He said: “The distribution of the fund between universities, polytechnics and colleges of education is statutory in the ratio of 2:1:1 or 25 per cent; 12.5 per cent; and 12.5 per cent. The reality on ground, however, is the gross short-changing of the polytechnic sector in the disbursement of the funds, especially in areas of special interventions, high impact intervention and staff development and training.The situation has left most of the polytechnics underdeveloped and dysfunctional.”

The Union also warned that henceforth, they would not accept discriminatory cut-off mark for admission into polytechnics which tends to make them inferior.

He said: “The admission policy of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, which profiles polytechnics as undesirable destinations for pursuit of tertiary education is absurd and unfortunate.

The policy has failed to understand that polytechnic education is an aptitude-determined choice of the

‘The TSA, though well-intended, will tie down the processes of provision of daily needs of the institutions and therefore hamper efficient service delivery’

•Asomugha

candidate and not a cesspool of desperation.Candidates who sit for matriculation examinations into tertiary institutions deserve equal treatment.

“Candidates seeking to be admitted into the polytechnics should be placed on the same benchmark as their counterparts. This is to breach public perception which places our sector as inferior or incapable of competing with the best in terms of service delivery.”

On membership of governing councils of polytechnics, Asomugha urged the government to appoint only credible people.

He said: “Cognizant, therefore, of the sanctity of the statutes of the Federal Republic, which set up these Governing Councils on tenured terms and also cognizant of the peculiarly sensitive nature of tertiary institutions, we urge the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, reconstitute the Governing Councils of Federal Polytechnics using a template no less stringent and exerting as that used in the appointment of ministers.”

NBC holds campus career expo

A

S part of its plans to develop future leaders, the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited has organised a Campus Career Expo at the University of Ibadan last week.

The event, which witnessed a huge turnout of students from different faculties, created an opportunity for them to interact with top executives of the company.

Addressing students, Uzo Odenigbo, Head of Public Affairs and Communications, NBC, hoped that the event would achieve its purpose of preparing the students as future business leaders.

"The programme is designed to identify and prepare young talents in different institutes of higher learning across the country and groom them to be business and industry leaders in different fields of endeavour. It is a direct opportunity for undergraduates who are highfliers to accomplish their goal of building world-class careers in a world-class organisation," he said.

Yetunde Adesunloye, Human Re-

THE Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof AbdulGaniyu Ambali (OON), has been awarded the Fellowship of the Institute of Research and Innovation Africa (IRIA) for his contributions to tertiary education in Africa.

He received the award on Monday, last week when officials of the institute, led by its Director-General/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Prince Biodun Ajibade, visited the varsity.

Presenting the award, the Acting Registrar of the institute, Mr. Owoyomi Olusola, said: "In view of your immense contributions to the promotion of peace across Nigeria in the academic sector in the last three years of your tenure, the University of Ilorin, having witnessed peace, no reported examination malpractices or cultism, you have, therefore, been recognised as a worthy recipient of the Fellowship."

Ambali thanked the institute for choosing the university, adding that it has come a long way as a second generation University.

Students learn about archives THE Director, UNILORIN Archives and Documentation Centre (UADC), Prof R. A. Olaoye, has enjoined Students' Union leaders to sensitise students on the need to visit the centre for their project research work to improve their search for knowledge.

He made the call when the members of the Students' Union Executive Committee, led by its President, Alao Idris Ibrahim, visited the centre.

The UADC director said the centre serves as a facility for both undergraduates and postgraduates.

Olaoye said the UADC has three units: the Documentary Archives, where documents of archival value are stored for research purposes; the Museum Gallery, where materials of cultural heritage are preserved; and the Pictorial Archives, where pictures of notable people, events and places are kept.

Praises for journal office

•From left: Prof Sunday Isehunwa, Acting Dean, Faculty of Technology, UI; Mr Odenigbo; Prof Titilayo Ajuwape, Dean of Students Affairs, UI; Mrs Adesunloye; and Prof Biodun Onibule, Dean of Science, during the NBC Campus Recruitment Drive.

sources Business Partner, Supply Chain, NBC, also said the event was aimed at developing a culture of academic excellence.

"The company is committed to welcoming new talents, developing employees and engaging people from outside as part of organisational re-

newal. The programme gives students an opportunity to learn about the Company and its well-loved brands," he said.

MEMBERS of the Editorial Boards of the various academic journals published in UNILORIN have praised the Library and Publications Committee for establishing a Journal Office in the institution.

The Journal Office, situated on the ground floor of the old Faculty of Arts Building, will be the clearing house for all academic journals published by the various departments and faculties of the university.

At an interactive session between the editorial Board members and members of the committee last Wednesday, the editors noted that the Journal Office would position the UNILORIN journals on the world stage and increase their ratings and chances of being listed on international index and data bases.

TETFund grants are sustaining public varsities, says VC

V

ICE Chancellor, Federal University Otuoke, (FUO), Prof Mobolaji Aluko, has said the government’s higher institutions would have collapsed if not for the cash from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

He spoke when TETFund took members of the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN) on a tour of TETFund projects in FUO, University of Benin, Auchi Polytechnic, Ambrose Ali University, College of Education, Agbo, Delta State University, Abraka and Federal University of Petroleum Resources in Effurun, Delta State.

He said over 90 per cent of projects in institutions were funded by TETFund.

Aluko, and other managers, how-

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

ever, pleaded for easier process to implement TETFund projects to avoid delay.

He said: "When TETFund allocates money to you, it is sure that you will get it. Without TETFund, many universities and other institutions would have gone underground. It means they may not function again.

"Universities have been pleading to TETFund to allow us de-batch periodically so that one project will not delay another. Give us 85 per cent at the beginning. The fact that they give us 50 per cent does not mean that we give the contractors the entire 50 per cent. We still give them based on valuation, so that we do not have to come back several times.That has been an-

other problem.’’

He continued: "Another problem is that they wouldn't give you money if you have not retired the initial money.This causes trouble because once TETFund has allocated money to you, it will always be yours but that means that there will be a lot of money accumulated in TETFund for various institutions without access and you will also understand that vice chancellors change, physical planning directors change at different times and we get all these projects at different times.

"I will tell you administering TETFund projects are difficult; so, if you do not have a good history of recurrence you can get confused.

Many of the projects are confusingly tagged. The only things that differ-

entiate them are the dates of allocation. TETFund must label the allocations better so that they themselves can monitor and it will also help us to monitor our projects.

"TETFund has three special accounts; they are special projects account, normal intervention account and academic support account.

TETFund should give us more flexibility so that projects will move on.

We are major beneficiaries of TETFund projects that are going on.

We used TETFund money to upgrade many of the buildings in the university. To start up the university in 2012, we had to use TETFund money for renovations, buy vehicles and do roads. Our lectures have also gone on several trainings."

On why Chief Executive Officers

(CEO) are excluded from the human capacity training by TETFund according to complaints by them during the inspection of projects, Aluko said: "We are the ones who made the decision for CEO of universities, polytechnics and colleges of Education not to be part of funds meant to train lecturers in various institutions. I support the exclusion. I go to conference if I want; nobody stops me. Why should I again be fighting with other staff over TETFund money for training when I can make a decision to go to other countries for training? I do not see that as an issue."

Other CEOs of the institutions the journalists visited during the tour attested to the fact that TETFund intervention fund has affected the institutions positively.

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

30

CAMPUS LIFE SCHOLARSHIPS

FUNAAB FILE

‘Keep yourself busy’ THE Board Chairman, International Centre for Professional Development (ICPD) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof Felix Salako, has warned students not to be idle. He made this call at the closing ceremony of the ICPD summer school.

Salako, who expressed satisfaction at the completion of the programme, urged participants not to take what they had learnt for granted. He drew examples from countries like the United States (US) and India, which used various computer softwares developed by them for human advancement. He expressed satisfaction at the rate at which young people were keyinginto computer technology, which according to him, was the thrust of the summer school.

The coordinator of the centre, Mr. Lawrence Kazeem, said the focus of ICPD was to train participants and make them employable.

Two participants, Tomisin Owoade and Christopher Ofooluwayan, who spoke on behalf of others, said the training afforded them the opportunity to gain more knowledge in computer technology and feel the beautiful scenery of FUNAAB.

Lecturer, students donate PROF Samuel Otubusin, of FUNAAB’s Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management (AQ&FM), in conjunction with six of his final-year project students, have donated a fish hatchery and nursery flow-through system to their department.

According to Otubusin, who is a specialist in aquaculture systems, the hatchery is ideal for experimental research, both for undergraduate and postgraduate students, while the flow-through system consististing 24 circular concrete tanks have the capacity to accomodate 1,000 fingerlings each.

The project was designed, supervised, installed and co-funded by him.

The six final year students, who made the project a reality are: Badmus Suliat, Dada Christiana, George Oluwafunmilayo, Adebayo Monsura, Ogunyomade Modupeola and Adeniji Ahmed.

APPROACHING DEADLINE British Ecological Society Grants in Africa, 2015 APPLICATIONS are invited for British Ecological Society grants from ecologists in Africa to carry out innovative ecological research. The maximum value of a grant is £8,000 for research. An additional sum up to £2,000 may be requested to fund travel to help grantees develop connections with other ecologists outside their usual peer group. Travel funds are available for the applicant to spend time working with ecologists in developed countries where facilities and experience will help the grantee on return to their own institution. Successful applicants also receive two years of free BES membership and free online access to the Society's journals. The grant can be used to pay for basic tools needed to conduct the research project, travel and in some cases part of the applicant's

salary. It cannot be used for tuition fees.

The application deadline is 11 September, 2015.

Study Subject: Funding is available for any area of ecological science excluding research focused solely on agriculture, forestry and bioprospecting. Please note that neither purely descriptive work nor studies that might be considered incremental will be funded.

Course Level: Grant provides support for ecologists in Africa to carry out innovative ecological research.

Eligibility: Applicants must: •have at least an MSc or equivalent degree •be working for a university or research institution in Africa (including field centres, NGOs, museums etc.) that provides basic research facilities •carry out the research in a country in Africa or its associated islands •The proposed work must be completed within 18 months Scholarship Description: This grant

•UNILAG Law graduate authors book for secondary schools, undergraduates

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LAITAN Victor Olatanmide has just finished his programme at the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG), yet for this young graduate who specialises in Criminology, unleashing his writing skill had always been a dream he nurtured since 2006 when he first shone in a writing contest.

“I started writing as far back as 2006 when I won the ‘Best Writer’ prize in a national reading competition organised by Nigerian Bureaus in Osun State,” Olaitan, 25, recalled.

Before then, he had composed a number of poems many of which he still has on the shelf. However, five years ago, he had an inspiration to write on societal ills where he said many people appeared to have neglected. This undertaking and Olaitan’s determination to proffer solutions to the aforementioned eventually culminated in the birth of his maiden book entitled: Beyond the horizon ’Family, Society and Nation’.

According to him, the 105-page book is dedicated to youths and children between ages 15-30, “who are mostly in secondary school and tertiary institutions’”.

Immediately he returns from the

By Adegunle Olugbamila

law school, Olaitan plans to give four books each to 100 schools nationwide.

“I started the book in 2010,” Olaitan recounted. “It dawned on me that there are societal problems such as juvenile delinquency, divorce, joblessness, relationship and disorientation among youths to mention but a few, which everyone seems to be silent about. But I felt there had to be solutions to some of these ills, which is why I used the phrase ‘beyond the horizon’ that is; looking at solutions beyond now,” he said.

At the UNILAG guest house, venue of the event, were many of the author’s friends, confidants and teachers, who came to felicitate and celebrate with him. A session was earmarked for question and answer as the young author mounted the podium to respond and clarify some of the issues raised in the book.

“The book, comprising 11 chapters, is also a fallout of various interviews I conducted and questionnaires I shared with Nigerians across diverse ethnic backgrounds,” Olaitan told our reporter in a private encounter.

“As the book raises a particular

PHOTO: BIODUN ADEYEWA

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applicant's institution, and if applying for travel funds, from the overseas host institution. This referee statement should include why the project is important, what support will be given to the applicant and a statement that any equipment bought for the project will be made available for anyone in the host institution to conduct ecological research. We will automatically contact the referees using the email addresses provided in the application; both reference statements must be completed online before the application deadline. We cannot accept referee statements sent independently via email or by letter.

•Applications for this grant must be made using the BES online application form. Important: Only complete questions 3, 3a and 3b if you are requesting additional travel funds.

Application Form: http:// www.britishecologicalsocietygrants.org/ Africa/images/logo.gif

Tackling societal ills beyond now

•The 33rd convocation of the National Postgraduate College of Nigeria, Ijanikin, Lagos. From left: Senator Iyiola Omisore, (awardee), Dr Mohammed Yunusa Ishola, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, (awardee), Dr Enefiok Ukpong and Registrar, Prof Oluwole Atoyebi.

HE collaboration between the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) and the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), Tallahassee, United States (US) has been further cemented with the departure of the third set of FUTA students to continue their studies in the US.

provides support for ecologists in Africa to carry out innovative ecological research.

Selection Criteria: The applications will be judged by a panel of reviewers on the basis of the applicant's personal qualifications, the scientific excellence, novelty and feasibility of the proposal, and the academic and non-academic impact of the planned research. Applicants need to demonstrate that they have made connections with ecologists in a developed country that can provide advice during the proposed project. If international travel is part of the application, applicants must demonstrate close links with those they propose to visit.

Notification: University aims to notify applicants if they have been successful or not within two months of the deadline.

How to Apply: •Applications will only be assessed once the online referee statement of support has been received from the

• Olaitan

issue, it similarly recommends solutions to them,” Olaitan further stressed.

“In Chapter one for instance, I talked about divorce and its causes; but I recommended that it should be avoided if possible since divorce has no solution.

“I realised that divorce springs from various experiences. Using my experience as an example, I grew up with three parents aside my father. I stayed in Togo, I also stayed in the eastern part of the country and schooled in the West. All through my sojourn, I saw that divorce is a global phenomenon that we all need to address. Some of those I spoke to were also products of divorce which later affected their lives one way or the other while growing up,” he said.

Olaitan continued: “In my interview with some from the northern part of the country, I was made to understand that Christians out-numbered Muslims in a state like Kano and that Boko Haram (the dreaded Islamic sect) are not northerners, but mercenaries imported from Chad.”

As the book was unveiled to the delight of all, Olaitan’s uncle, Adeyemo Segun said the author should be encouraged for reawakening awareness on societal ills.

“It’s a good thing when you see a young writer take intuition to write a book on issues that affect the nation.

“We may not find everything in the

book; what is most important however, is the vision and effort of a young man, who tries to be different.

We have had enough of pointing fingers of accusation on who did this or that; but all we need now is that individual, who can start writing on issues that affect families. So, how many of us can now begin to think along Olaitan’s lines?”

The author’s confidante and course mate, Abiola Ojo, who represented Dr A.K Noah of the Faculty of Education, Lagos State University, described his friend as a dedicated and committed colleague, who loves to lend his voice in addressing societal challenges.

The author’s mother, Evangelist Comfort Monisola Olaitan, who travelled from Ilesha in Osun State to attend the event, said she would not discourage her son should he decide to take writing as a profession at the expense of law practice.

“Although I would want him to engage in both, Mrs Olaitan said, “but if he chooses to go into writing, he has my full support.”

“I have six children-five boys and a girl and Olaitan is the fourth.

Right from childhood, I’d noticed he has a gift of writing. He loves reading a lot and aside he is someone who admits his mistakes and apologies anytime he errs,” she said.

Third set of FUTA students, staff off to US on research Ten students resumed at Tallahassee last month, while five more will join them in January.

Also, two alumni of the university are already at FAMU for their masters and doctorate programmes.

The Vice-Chancellor of FUTA, Prof Adebiyi Daramola, at a pre

departure send forth programme, urged the students to sustain the excellence set by their predecessors.

Daramola emphasised the need for good character and conduct in all they do.

He said: "What makes one to succeed in life is character. So, ensure

good character first before learning.

Also, strive to be good ambassadors of FUTA and Nigeria."

He described the collaboration as part of the internationalisation efforts of the university.

Presenting the students, Director, International Office, Prof Afolabi

Akindahunsi, said the programme between FUTA and FAMU is termed 4-1-1 and the aim is for final year students to finish their degree at FAMU with the credit transferred to FUTA for its degree. Thereafter, the students proceeded for their postgraduate studies at FAMU.

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

31

EDUCATION

Deny access to govt officials without I.D., school owners told

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INISTRY of Education officials risk being denied entry into schools if they do not present their identification cards (I.D).

The Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs Ronke Soyombo, who disclosed this at the 2015 third quarter Quality Assurance Stakeholders Forum for private school owners, held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, last Tuesday, said Quality Assurance officers must also sign visitors’ book when they visit.

She urged private schools to deny entry to officers without I.D.s.

Conversely, failure of school managers to ask for identification and present visitors’ books to the inspectors, would count against them in safeguarding rating.

Mrs Soyombo said safeguarding is taken very seriously as one of the quality assurance requirements.

“Don’t allow us in without signing in. If you do, your feedback for safeguarding will be poor. Never allow us in without asking for I.D. cards.

We are not too big to be asked to show our I.D. cards,” she said.

In the new dispensation of Quality

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

Assurance, Mrs Soyombo said all schools in Lagos State, would be expected to measure up to the minimum standards of ensuring that school children achieve learning outcome for numeracy and literacy.

Lamenting that many children in primary school had deficient foundation in reading, Mrs Soyombo said the deficiency constitutes a problem at the secondary level where many junior secondary school pupils have to be taught to read again from the scratch.

She noted that research has showed that in Lagos State, many pupils had good word recognition, but poor language comprehension.

To raise the profile of reading in pupils, Mrs Soyombo advised schools to set up reading corners in classrooms; encourage regular use of the school library; integrate read-aloud sessions into classroom activities; and

•From left: Director, Primary Education and Special Programmes, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Ministry of Education, Lagos State, Mr. Mathew Olayanju; Mrs Soyombo and Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Mr. Michael Daodu at the event.

pay attention to teaching of listening and speaking skills, among others.

She said: “Between ages zero to seven, let us not joke with literacy in our schools. We have a lot of children in secondary schools, who cannot read properly.

“Let students participate in a lot of

‘Let students participate in a lot of oral reading sessions and use open-ended questions to encourage them to express themselves’

oral reading sessions and use openended questions to encourage them to express themselves. Pay attention to the various learning styles so you can capture all the learners. Let us put a lot in our foundation so that children can read.”

Mrs Soyombo also urged schools in the top category to mentor upcoming schools and support public schools in their vicinity.

“This is the time for top schools to mentor other schools that are below standard. If you want to partner with us, come and partner with public

schools in your domain. Please we need your support,” she said.

The forum provided a platform for the school owners to table issues bothering them before the government authorities.

Earlier in her speech, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, described the private school owners as critical stakeholders in the education sector and assured them of being carried along when government formulates policies for the sector.

The next stakeholders’ forum holds December 5.

Pupils learn etiquette at Girls’ Summer Camp

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• The Special guest of honour Chief Olubukola Okunowo (left) presenting a merit award to Alhaji Sikiru Oduntan, who was supported by his wife, Olubukola.

Old Students honour committed members

I

JEBU Muslim College Old Students' Association (IMCOSA), has honoured its committed members, who have aligned with the vision of the founders of the school through regular and generous donations.

At the association's annual award tagged: 'IMCOSA 2015 Merit awards', held in Ikeja, nine members of the alumni were given merit awards, while two others got recognition awards. However, the awards followed a call by the National President of the association, Alhaji Korede Lawal, on the need to rekindle mentorship spirit among privileged Nigerians as this would propel the nation to greatness.

According to him, the merit award honorees were those who made aggressive donations to IMCOSA, while the duo on special recognition cadre, also made generous awards but not like the former.

Lawal said the success and contributions of the old students association to their alma mater and the country in particular could not have been possible if the Muslim community and the society in Ijebu at that time had not deemed it fit to establish the school due to the challenges being experienced then.

Going down memory lane, Lawal said: "The school was founded by the Ijebu Muslim Community in 1950,

By Adegunle Olugbamila and Ajose Sehindemi

envisioned as a school that would produce men and women who would contribute to the development, growth and sustenance of the Ijebu Muslim community, Ijebu land, the then Western region and Nigeria in particular, which was achieved as the school became a 'Mecca' of excellent education, especially the Higher School Certificate Course (HSC) from its inception in 1961 till the mid -70s."

He said despite the humble beginning of the school and the success achieved, the school today is now an eyesore owing to the perennial neglect suffered by most public schools in the country from government. Nonetheless IMCOSA, has been up to the task with various initiatives and interventions, especially through provision and sustenance of infrastructures in the school, Lawal explained.

"Some of our interventions are, a library cum assembly complex fully completed and functional with staff rooms and cyber café worth over N250 million; resuscitation of the school's boarding system after it was scrapped by the government and raising the first block of classrooms in the school to a storey building, fully furnished with staff rooms worth over N130 million, among others" Lawal stressed.

All these interventions, explained Lawal, are aside the various scholarships offered students of the school up to the university level. But having realised that IMCOSA alone cannot shoulder the responsibility, Lawal appealed to corporate bodies who have hitherto assisted the school, for more.

He said the award ceremony is to honour those who are committed to the upliftment of the school through their donations on one hand, and to encourage others to look at areas in which they could lend the school a helping hand.

Commenting on the benefits of mentoring, the guest speaker and a former Vice-Chancellor, University of Uyo, and Crescent University, Abeokuta respectively, Prof. Fola Lasisi, said for the mentor, it would be enriched through seeing someone else grow and succeed.

According to him, creativity is generated by issues and ideas already generated by someone new and younger, noting that such cycle now generates a stronger and everlasting bond between a mentor and a mentee.

Speaking on behalf of other awardees, Alh Sikiru Oduntan from the 1953 set, thanked the association for the honour done them. He promised the awardees would do more for their alma mater, and pray that the association will always have able officers, who would move it forward.

OME female students in SS2 and SS3 in Education District III have learnt to do things with decorum, thanks to the four-week Girls' Summer Camp organised by a non-governmental organisation, Ornaments of Grace and Virtue (OGAV).

The ceremony, which held at St Gregory's Hall, Education District III Headquarters, Ikoyi, Lagos State had participants taught etiquette and leadership development skills.

Some of the participants, who spoke to The Nation on the last day of the event, described the programme as a 'life changer' and related some of the new things they learnt or have improved upon.

"Now I know how to address my elders, respect myself and my peers, dress properly, speak, walk and act properly as a lady," said Hamdalat Akingbade, an SS 2 pupil of Wahab Folawiyo Senior School, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Adama Mohammed, another SS3 pupil of Girls Grammar School, Ikoyi, who demonstrated how to set a table for a three-course meal, said: "I have learnt a lot about etiquette. We have been working on practical ways of doing everything and it has started helping me already because there are some things that I have corrected about myself, especially in my behaviour. I can boldly advice my peers to behave like proper ladies and to not over react on issues."

For Omotolani Daniel, an SS2 pupil of Wahab Folawiyo Senior High School, Ikoyi, who demonstrated how to walk like a lady said: "I have learned a lot about makeup and other crafts as well as moral characters. I discovered how to be bold. I would gather people and teach them what I have learnt and I would also try to generate income for myself. Whenever we are asked to come for programmes like this, we should all try to attend because they are always helpful and we all must learn a trade to be independent."

The event was replete with colour as participants displayed what they had been taught during the monthlong programme in practicals.

Oluwadamilola Adekoya from Wahab Folawiyo Senior School, Ikoyi, showed guests how to tie head gear. Others simply talked about their desired identities and displayed art works showing their personalities.

By Oluwatoyin Adeleye

Secretary of OGAV, Mrs Kehinde Omojola said she had an exciting experience facilitating the camp.

"It has been very exciting facilitating these children. We all had fun.

While teaching, we had to use them as models. Hearing some of them speak, I was very impressed. I know Lagos State is doing so much to make our schools better. The children have been punctual, obedient and ready to learn. They just want to soak in everything. We have made fun of ourselves, we shared mistakes which they learnt from and it has been nice," she said.

Omojola said the camp’s objective was to fill the gap of moral decadence and social etiquette in the society.

She said: "We decided to fill a gap that we have seen in the society. There is the need for them to be properly brought up, because for them to succeed in life, 85 per cent of what is required is the social skills, while personal development and academic knowledge just forms about 15 per cent. So, we decided to go to schools, especially public schools, where some of these things are not readily taught."

Director of Schools Administration of the district, Dr Raji Mudasiru, praised the recent focus of the society on morals, and leadership education outside the classroom. She called for extension of such projects to other parts of the state.

District Counsellor, Mrs Aderonke Odunsi-Titus and Mrs Kehinde Beckley, who anchored the event were optimistic that participants would shine in future.

‘Now I know how to address my elders, respect myself and my peers, dress properly, speak, walk and act properly as a lady’

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

32

EDUCATION

NGO trains pupils in vocational skills E DUCARE Trust Youth Centre, Samonda, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has trained 35 school pupils on various skills to mark the 2015 convention on the rights of the child.

The programme tagged: ‘2015 Holischool’, began on August 5, and ended on September 12.

Its Co-ordinator, Mr Moshood Folorunsho, described the training as the best way to keep children off the streets during the holiday.

He portrayed the trainees as ‘excellent’, adding that students had

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

been groomed and given learning that is sustainable and attractive.

According to him, they have learnt how to make tie, bags, shoes, beads, soaps, lamp holders, games, among others.

In addition, there was a leadership workshop for participants.

Participants also showcased their wares after the exercise before

their parents and teachers.

“Also, they have been trained to be computer literate, to operate a camera and video camera. No fewer than 45 students applied for this programme, but 35 were accommodated due to one challenge or the other. This is more or less like a summer school to keep students busy during their holiday,” he said.

Folorunsho advised the participants to practise the skills they learnt during the training, while also urging them to take their education seriously.

EDUTALK

with

Govt’s funny funding pattern

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HE catchphrase for some years now regarding funding of public education has been: "Government cannot do it alone." In the course of my journalism career I have lost count of how many times I have heard it Kofoworola repeated over and over again by government officials (Federal, State and Local) at various events.

I am beginning to think that it Kofosagie@yahoo.com has become a way for the 08054503077 (SMS only) government to shirk its responsibilities from doing even those things it should do. I am referring particularly to the Federal Government in this piece. I have met many managers of our educational institutions - especially secondary and tertiary - who have complained about the way government funds them. They are usually wary of indicting their employers, but in moments of desperation, they let the real situation of things slip.

The only thing the Federal Government seems to be good at is funding salaries of workers, which falls under recurrent expenditure. Capital projects as well as funding for maintenance, consumables, running costs, and the like, are not usually given due attention. I have been at programmes where principals of Federal Unity Colleges lamented that they barely get enough from subventions to feed their boarding house pupils.

After budgets are approved and allocations for the year announced, the allocations are not released on time. Even when released, it is done piecemeal such that the institutions have to find alternative sources of funding or do without providing services vital to quality education delivery. Once, a principal complained that for almost a whole session, the Federal Government released only about N3 million out of N45 million. Then the session ends, and the money is not released. Another time a principal appealed to parents to contribute food items to feed the pupils.

Vice Chancellors of Federal Universities have made similar complaints.

They have to fall back on internally-generated revenue to run their institutions. Many do not generate enough income to run their institutions smoothly without government subvention. Regarding capital projects, the Federal Government funding is grossly inadequate.

It is no secret that most public tertiary institutions in Nigeria are able to provide infrastructure thanks to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). Ironically, though the money disbursed by TETFund comes from taxes of corporate organisations, the Federal Government never fails to take the glory for what TETFund has been able to achieve. To the best of my knowledge, the last administration of President Goodluck Jonathan negotiated with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) based on TETFund grants. It was not as if the government provided special funding to meet ASUU demands for massive infrastructural upgrade from somewhere else. So what actually is the Federal Government doing about education?

Back to Unity Schools! The total fees (including PTA Levy) charged new students in Federal Government Colleges in Lagos State now averages above N200,000. Subsequently, the fees may not go above N50,000 in a term. However, for a public school, the amount is above what some parents whose children are admitted can afford. This, in addition to sharp practices in some schools, forces some parents to forfeit the admission because they cannot pay.

New parents bear the brunt of paying huge amounts as development levy. This is because Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) now has to build hostels, refurbish class rooms, and pay teachers and other nonteaching support workers because those employed by the Federal Government are inadequate for the large population of pupils in the schools. New parents also buy mattress, lockers and bunks each year as if all those who graduate yearly carry their bunks, mattresses and lockers home.

The Federal Government should be alive to the responsibility of funding education. The inefficiency in the system should be addressed; loopholes for siphoning money blocked; and accountability mechanisms put in place so that we can achieve progress.

Belo-Osagie

•From left: Mrs Ann Ajisafe, Vice Principal Students Affairs; Rev Ugorji; and Mr Omotosho at the university.

Unity School justifies fees

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HE management of the Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Yaba, one of the 102 Federal Unity Colleges, has justified the fees charged newly-admitted pupils, noting that the fees have the approval of the Federal Ministry of Education.

The management, led by the principal, Rev Chris Ugorji, has the backing of the school’s Parents/Teachers Association, School Based Management Committee (SBMC), Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) - the umbrella group of the teachers, and the FSTC Old Students’ Association.

The management spoke in response to an editorial cartoon published in the Vanguard newspaper, which pegged the total fees at N217,300.

Addressing journalists last weekend at the principal's conference room, Rev Ugorji said the publication was in bad taste and unfair because it did not compare with what the school charged in comparison with the three other Unity Schools in Lagos (King's College, Queen's College, and the Federal Government College, Ijanikin).

The bill for JSS1 pupils is categorised into eight, requiring separate bank drafts for each. Boarders pay N24,300 for school fees , which cover 17 items (including boarding fees, examinations, equipment, extra lesson, etc); mid-day meal (N6,500-optional); CISCO etc (N4,000); Insurance (N5,000);Uniforms/shoes/ housewear, etc (37,700); Classroom/ hostel items (N23,500); College books (N17,300) and Processing Fee (N20,000).

The PTA levy of N74,000 (N69,300 for development levy) brings the total to N212,300 for boarders. The total for day students is about N32,000 or less.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

Ugorji said the money collected for processing fee has made it possible for the school to construct a classroom block, refurbish a disused building to serve as store for books and uniforms, and make necessary repairs in the hostels in preparation for resumption next week (October 4 for new intakes).

The Principal added that the school's focus is on providing quality education, not to fleece parents.

He said: “The Ministry has a list of approved bill for the unity colleges.

From that list, every school adapts.

Boarding fees is N8,000 across board; Insurance is national; and ICT is approved by the ministry. Those fees that the college introduced were with approval.

“The processing fees take care of school projects. I told the Vice Principal to go round and note of what needs to be repaired. We are going to spend over N3.2million replacing louvres, doors, etc. A classroom block is under construction. Before October, it will be in use. NIPOST is constructing classroom furniture for us. The two-seater furniture costs N14,000. But the approved fees from government is N5,000. We are going to overwrite the remaining N2,000 per student.

“We are not greedy; we remain focused to deliver quality education here.”

Defending the charges, Chairman of the PTA, Mrs Oby Igwillo, represented by the vice chairman, Mr Francis Omotosho, said the principal and management team were deserving of awards for how well they have managed the school with limited resources, not condemnation.

She said the levy charged by the PTA is being used to fund new projects (like a 1,000-bed female hos-

‘The facility being provided by the Federal Government is minimal. All that is provided by the PTA to a large extent should be provided by the Federal Government’

tel under construction); massive rehabilitation of the boys' hostel, payment of teachers and other support workers (numbering almost 100), among others.

"The PTA condemns the publication in totality. The words seem to be inciting the public against the college. I am looking forward to the time the press will give the principal an award.

We in the PTA have critically looked at the bill. There is no item there that was not agreed upon. We should be celebrating the entire college.

"The facelift we are seeing is done by money. We are renovating the boys' hostel and decking the female hostel. The returning students paid N30,000 last session. The new students are paying this development levy once and for all," she said.

On his part, the FSTC Unit Chairman, ASCSN, Mr Abdurafi Quadir, described the fees and charges for various services the pupils would require in school.

"Teachers of FSTC will not want the school to be stigmatised, because we are only trying to work with the available resources to give quality education.

"Most of the cost being presented are service based cost. You are paying for shoes, uniform, ICT, these are service-based costs," he said.

Rather than focus on fees being charged, he also noted that the Federal Government should wake up to its responsibilities in funding education.

"Rather than making a school a reference point, I think we should focus on education in Nigeria generally.

The facility being provided by the Federal Government is minimal. All that is provided by the PTA to a large extent should be provided by the Federal Government," he said.

President of the old students' association, Chief Adebayo Adeeko, said parents need to be re-oriented that technical education costs money.

"Parents outside still believe that this school is what it was when it was established in 1978. Then it was free. Government used to pay us as students. That is why parents don't want to pay.

When you look at the development here, it is not easy. The principal and the PTA are trying. You will feel our (old students) impact soon," he said.

From my Inbox Re: Teaching doctors to communicate (Published September 17, 2015) Madam, thanks for this write up. I have been privileged to attend hospitals in Nigeria and UK and considering the wide difference I have not been able to pinpoint the main reason. Is it cultural difference, curriculum, but I now know better that it is majorly communication.

Regards, Remi Fadola, Human Resource Manager, Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, Abuja Plant.

Re: The menace of Cohabiting (Published September 10, 2015) Good time Ma. It is always an interesting one with Edutalk. Please never retire. Adu Ritzy Emmanuel from Benue State.

Oh My! Are we retrogressing again? (Published September 03, 2015) Kofo, your write-up on the purported downgrade of the recentlyupgraded four colleges to universities of education is commendable.

The downgrade would not stand as the aspiration of we, members of staff, is the university status to remain. We know that the government was misled. Please keep on hammering it that the step is inimical to the educational development of Nigeria. We sincerely appreciate your concern. God bless you real good. Concerned Staff, Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo.

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

33

CAMPUS LIFE Why people must take healthy food, by VC

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•Prof Agunbiade (left) receiving his fellowship certificate from Prof Adu.

Chancellor, VC are CSAN fellows

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RO-CHANCELLOR of McPherson University in Ogun State, Israel Adu, and the ViceChancellor (VC) Prof Adeniyi Agunbiade, have been inducted as fellows of the prestigious Post-graduate College of Animal Science of Nigeria (CSAN).

By their admission, the duo joined Prof Placid Njoku and 40 other eminent scholars in over 30 tertiary institutions in the college. The inductees will have the right to use ‘FCASN’ titles after their names, the highest honour of the discipline in the country.

The induction was performed during a four-day Joint Animal Meeting (JAM) and conference held at the University of Ibadan (UI) International Conference Centre, last week.

ASAN President, Mr. A. T. Adeoye, urged the fellows not to relent in bringing out ideas and knowledge that would move the discipline forward.

He urged state governments to create

From Ayodeji Adesina McU departments of Animal Production as pioneered by Gombe State to produce more professionals in the discipline.

This, he said, would serve as viable alternative to oil and create a large, strong and competitive economy that would guarantee good standard of living and quality of life.

Adu, who also doubled as NIAS president, said the Institute had received governments’ backing, noting that the law establishing the body had been amended. He said the body have the objective to isolate quacks in the profession, adding that nine universities would start Post-graduate programme in Animal Science.

Prof Agunbiade said NIAS has been promoting knowledge in all aspects of animal production and providing a forum for the discus-

sion of scientific, social and educational challenges relevant to the development of animal production in Nigeria. He said he would collaborate with other fellows to make the Institute set a higher standard to meet up with advanced countries.

The VC praised Prof Adu, who he described as “exceptional servant leader” for his contribution to the development of the body, adding that Pro-chancellor had spent his life engaging in publication of scientific and educational materials related to animal production.

He said: “I thank the Institute for this honour and recognition. So far, Prof Adu has drawn foreign assistance with a view to collaborating with the Institute in capacity building and cross fertilisation of ideas to increase expertise.”

About 600 fellows were inducted as graduate members, associate members and registered members of the body.

•Gbolahan (left) presenting award to a graduating student.

Graduating students hold dinner

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From Tolu Odusanya EKSU artistes.

A graduating student and chairman of the organising committee, Gbolahan Abimbola, said the dinner was to make their graduation from the school memorable, noting that their academic journey since their admission in 2010 was challenging.

He said: “We want to thank our lecturers, the school management and department for giving us their best and equip us with good knowledge in academics and morality.”

Tayo Akadiri, another graduating student, described the event as “unforgettable”, saying the outging set had laid god foundation for its junior sets.

The outgoing set donated a photocopy machine and accessories to the department. The gift was received by the Head of Department, Prof A.A. Agagu, who praised the students for the gesture. The HOD urged the students to be good ambassadors of the

FUT MINNA elects union leaders

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400-Level Chemical Engineering student, Joseph Adeolu, has emerged the president of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA) Students’ Union Government (SUG). The election was held on Saturday at the school e-Centre on Gidan Kwano Campus.

According to the results released by the union electoral commission, Adeolu garnered 1,388 votes to beat Kazeem Mohammed, who had 1,185 votes and Ibrahim Olayinka, with 885 votes.

Rashidat Abdukareem was elected the Vice President 1, while and Justice Nwangbe emerged the Vice President II. Others elected include General Secretary, Richard Ayoola, Assistant General Secretary, Olayemi Babatunde, Financial Secretary,

From Halimah Akanbi, Sarat Alabidun and Aisha Ibrahim UDUS said he had carried out induced stroke in experimental animal model, which he reversed with the use of food supplementary.

He said deficiency of antioxidants was responsible for a 2010 report, which estimated that about 285 million adults battled diabetes globally.

He said Africa had the largest proportional increase. He added that diabetes prevalence in the world could reach 7.7 per cent, which could make adults susceptible to be dreaded disease. The solution, he said, remained the intake of healthy food that would increase production of antioxidants to prevent diseases.

Zuru hailed the lecturer for the research, saying the lecture would help to increase awareness about healthy living. He, thereafter, presented a gift to Prof Bilbis for making the school proud.

Guests at the event included Bursar, Federal University Birnin Kebbi, Alhaji Rilwan Argungu, the school Director of Research, Prof Yakubu Aliyu, and immediate past VC of UDUS, Prof Riskuwa Arabu Shehu, among others.

From James Ojo and Sunday FUT MINNA Benedicta Nwachukwu, Treasurer, Afolabi Olawale, Director of Sport, Dotun Lawan, Director of Social, Joshua Oluwafi, Welfare Officer 1, Saheed Tijani, and Welfare Officer II, Aminu Badamosi.

However, some students criticised the method used by the electoral committee to conduct the exercise, saying some accreditation centres were overcrowded, which prevented many from voting.

Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, Adenike Ojo, a 300-Level Chemical Engineering student, said the electoral committee made the process “very difficult”. She said the procedure used the previous year to conduct the union election was easier.

A 200-Level Computer Engineering student, who identified himself as James, said the process “wasn’t as good as expected, but praised the committee for the outcome.

Mohammed Buhari, another student, said: “The process was okay but next time, there should be an improvement.”

Freshers warned against vices

•Honour CAMPUSLIFE man RADUATING students of the Department of Political Science of the Ekiti State University (EKSU) in Ado-Ekiti have marked their Final Year Brethren (FYB) Week with social event, which was ended with a dinner and award night.

At the dinner, CAMPUSLIFE correspondent, Olatunji Awe, a 400Level student, was honoured as the Most Outspoken Student.

The event was attended by dignitaries, including a politician, Hon. Kayode Oshinubi, an Ekiti-based businessman, Boye Ogunremi, and lecturers of the department.

The Week started with Ankara Day during which the graduating wore elegant Ankara attires. It also featured seminar, music performance and the award night.

The dinner started at 7pm with a seminar tagged: Life after school anchored by Ehivoren Adichie, a motivational speaker. It was followed by music performance by campus

HE food people eat will determine how healthy they are, a don has said. Prof Lawal Suleiman Bilbis of Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, was delivering the 16th Inaugural Lecture of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto (UDUS) with the theme: Antioxidants in the service of man.

The event, held at the university auditorium, started with a procession of body of principal officers led by the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Abdullahi Zuru.

In his opening remark, the VC said inaugural lecture was an important occasion to celebrate the promotion and appointment of lecturers as professors. He said it was also a platform for lecturers to contribute to the nation’s development.

Bilbis, a professor of Biochemistry and pioneer VC of the Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, said the lecture detailed his activities in the last 13 years, he was appointed a professor and what he intended to do.

He further defined antioxidants as compounds that inhibit or prevent oxidation process, which are essential ingredients for the delay of diabetes.

Noting that food remained the source of antioxidants, the lecturer

T •Olatunji displaying his award

department.

Dr Mike Omilusi, a lecturer, praised the students, saying: “You should never forget your alma mater when life gets rosy.”

Olatunji, who was a runner up in Most Politically Oriented Student and Final Year Student of the Year, appreciated his colleagues for the honour. He said the department taught him everything he has become.

He was also awarded EKSU Student-Image Maker of the Year by the Students’ Union Press.

HE Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, has warned freshers against indulging in vices that can truncate their future. The VC spoke at the matriculation held for 3, 989 students admitted for the 2014/2015 session.

The ceremony, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Multipurpose Hall, was attended by the school principal officers and parents of the students.

While congratulating the freshers, Prof Ajibefun advised them not to jeopardise their admission by engaging in unlawful acts.

He said the school, in the last five years, had been running stable academic calendar and improving up its facilities to make learning conducive. He said shortage of lecture theaters, laboratories and offices was becoming history.

He said: “Our students and

From Richard Adura-Ilesanmi AAUA alumni have made landmark achievements, which indicate university’s academic excellence. In 2014, Akeem Opeyemi Longe, a First Class law graduate, did not only repeat the same feat at the Nigerian Law School, he also emerged the best graduating student in the 2014 Bar examination. This testifies to the conducive environment of learning provided by the school.”

“I urge you to choose the narrow but dignifying path of discipline, responsibility and eschew criminality and vices, so that your dreams of becoming responsible youths would be realized.”

The Registrar, Mr Bamidele Olotu, administered matriculation oath on the freshers.

Some of the new intakes, who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE, promised to obey the rules and regulations of the institution.

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

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CAMPUS LIFE Students of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Eha-Amufu in Enugu State have elected Patricia Edoga as the first woman president of the Students’ Union Government (SUG). OLADELE OGE (NYSC Enugu) reports.

Behold, college’s first woman president

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INCE it was established some 30 years ago, the Federal College of Education (FCE) in Eha-Amufu, Enugu State has had no female Students Union Government (SUG) president. The men have always held the position, except the vice president, which was reserved exclusively for women.

But, penultimate Wednesday, history was made at the college. Two women dominated the contest for the union’s top position, edging their male counterparts out of the game.

Miss Patricia Edoga, a 200-Level Biology and Computer Science student, and Miss Juliet Omeife, also in 200-Level.

The former emerged the first female president of the union, polling 643 votes to beat the latter with 383 votes.

Announcing the results of the election, the Dean, Student’s Affairs Division, Dr S.O. Onyishi, described the election as keenly contested, saying all the contestants adhered to the guidelines of the process. He said the preparation for the election started in August to ensure the outcome would be acceptable to all candidates.

He expressed satisfaction on the outcome of the polls, saying that it was hitch-free.

“This is a keenly contested election. There were 10 positions in the union executive, but we could only hold election into nine of the positions. The remaining one will be occupied in due course.”

‘There have been improvements in students’ welfare under the current management led by Prof Mbah. We have witnessed peace and tranquility, as well as rapid growth in infrastructure and rating of the school’ The possibility that a lady would emerge as the union president became real when all male aspirants, who vied for the position, were screened out by the electoral committee. Some of the affected aspirants could not meet up with the requirements set out for qualification.

According to the Dean, there were 10 conditions set for the aspirants as stipulated by the union constitution. Qualified aspirants, he said, must have a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.5 to be allowed to contest for the union president. He added that each aspirant must have favourable security

•Patricia

and social reports to be considered. Onyishi stressed that due process was strictly followed during the screening exercise.

The electoral committee declared Loveth Oguji as Vice President and Kingsley Eze,

General Secretary.

Others are Financial Secretary, Christopher Ezeaku, Treasurer, Agatha Ozioko, Obinna Ezeaku, Education Secretary, Valentine Udeani, Welfare Officer, Cynthia Oguejiofor and Shedrack Chiuzo, who Director of Social.

Miss Patricia expressed gratitude to his colleagues electing her as their leader. She said: “Since the college was stablished, no female student has ever been the president of the SUG. When I came out to contest for president, I came out with a determination to emancipate women and give them chance to express their opinions in a men-dominated union politics. By the grace of God and with the support of my fellow students, both men and women, I won the election. The victory is for all students.”

Patricia praised the Provost of the college, Prof Benjamin Mbah, who, she said, created enabling environment for teaching and learning in the school. She said: “There have been improvements in students’ welfare under the current management led by Prof Mbah. We have witnessed peace and tranquility, as well as rapid growth in infrastructure and rating of the school.”

She pleaded with the provost to increase the pace of work of the ongoing construction projects on the campus, while pledging the union’s support for the management.

The union president assured students of improved welfare and effective unionism.

She promised to be a servant-leader, assuring that she would maintain the cordial relationship between students and the management. Patricia urged for cooperation her colleagues, while promising that her tenure would be service-oriented.

The Batch “A” Corps members of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a Community Development Service (CDS) group of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), have been trained by their outgoing colleagues in the best way to deliver on the group’s objectives in Taraba State. PHILIP OKORODUDU (NYSC Jalingo) reports.

Passing on on the the baton baton Passing •Anjira with some of the outgoing Corps members.

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N a few weeks, members of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Community Development Service (CDS) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Jalingo, Taraba State will pass out of the service. But, they don’t want their exit to create a vacuum that will affect the activities of the CDS group.

To ensure continuation of the CDS activities, the outgoing Corps members held an inhouse training for their colleagues in Batch “A” to prepare them for the task ahead.

The training, at the instance of the NYSC schedule officer of the MDGs in the state, Mr Benjamin Anjira, was to acquaint the trainees with the aims and objectives of the MDGs, especially as it is gradually transiting into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Dividing the Corps members into groups, Bello Adoke, an outgoing Corps member and graduate of Philosophy from the Ekiti State University (EKSU), noted that the training became necessary, because NYSC has stopped the training during at the orientation camp.

Since there are eight goals of the MDGs according to the year 2000 millennium declaration, the trainees were divided into four groups, with each group given a responsibility to identify factors responsible for two goals each and come up with solutions. At the end of the discussion, two persons were called upon to represent the groups and discuss their general findings as well as solutions.

The reason for this method of brainstorming, Bello said, is to ensure that all Corps

•The Batch “A” Corps members during the training.

members are carried along in the discussions.

Temilolu Oluwole, one of the trainees and a graduate of Microbiology from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, volunteered to present the seventh goal of the MDGs on behalf of her group. She explained that activities of terrorists and saboteurs contributed to environmental degradation, noting that toxic chemicals from bomb explosions destroy the environment. She advocated the need for more vigilance, adding that people should be wary of containers filled with substances whose content could not be ascertained.

Another presenter, Sheriff Afolabi, a graduate of Physics Electronics from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) was of the opinion that the refusal of people to know their HIV status was responsible for the

prevalence of the disease in some parts of the country. He said free and compulsory testing should be priority of the campaign of the CDS group.

The NYSC MDGs schedule officer advised the Corps members to ensure to put into practice what they learnt in their places of primary assignment and make positive impact on their host communities.

In his vote of thanks, the General Secretary of the CDS group, Sunday Asogwa, a graduate of Public Administration from the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) in Enugu State, thanked the schedule officer for the confidence he had in the outgoing Corps members, noting that the training was successful. He also enjoined the Batch “A” Corps members to ensure that they sustain the legacy of the MDGs in the state.

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

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CAMPUS LIFE

Beyond the death of Oluchi Anekwe D

EATH, according to William Shakespeare, is a necessary end. Martin Heidegger described it as an inevitable condition of humanity. In metaphysical terms, death is believed to be individualistic; affirming the notion that every man must die his own death.

Death brings an abrupt end to man’s aspirations, a leveller of the perpetual parallels between the rich and poor, strong and weak, compassionate and the wicked. These distinctions clearly mirror the recent death of Miss Oluchi Anekwe who was said to be a top flight student of Accounting at the University of Lagos. She was full of promise until death decided to snatch her bright future away. The narrative purrs with the most pathetic of emotions.

Many things have been said and written about this incident and the life of the persona. For a fact, these emotions are not out of place, considering the circumstances surrounding her unfortunate demise.

But sadly, all these are largely in-

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HE death caused by trailers and tankers has become a worrisome situation which needs to be critically examined. The high rate of road accidents in the country has attracted global concern. It is disheartening to say that Nigerian roads have been adjudged the most dangerous in Africa.

It was a gory scene at Ojuelegba on the 2nd of August 2015 as a container of a truck fell off the bridge and landed on two cars, killing over five people including a couple. I shed tears as I watched the container being lifted off the scene alongside the ambulance that bore the corpses. Less than forty eight hours after the incident, another 40feet container fell along the IkoroduSagamu Expressway, precisely at Winners bus stop located between Lagos State Polytechnic and Jubilee Estate in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

In the last five years, the spate of fatal road mishaps around the country, especially in Lagos, has made thousands of families bereaved. In retrospect, I can recall with despair how tragedy struck at the Ojota area of Lagos State on 22nd February 2011. A truck carrying a container fell on a Hyundai jeep, crushing the sole occupant to death. On the 23rd of January 2012, a bus coming from Lagos towards Ore in Ondo State killed over nineteen persons as a trailer collided with a commercial bus, leaving several people injured. The same year, a lady was crushed to death at

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FEEL a high sense of responsibility to suggest a path deserving collective action from Nigerian youths towards what fate have for us as Nigerians. You would agree with me that we are the architect of our present circumstance and blaming anyone for our actions or inactions would amount to selfdelusion. It is also important to point out that voting the change we desire will surely turn out as a blessing for everyone. Nigeria is our fatherland and so shall it remain. The struggles of our heroes shall not be in vain and that is why we keep advocating for positive change and not just change. The much talked about change can’t be taken by face value; it has to resonate with our culture as citizens. And this requires great sacrifices. In essence, President Muhammadu Buhari’s effort in the last 100 days in office cannot be said to have failed the youth constituency.

I would be right to say that President Buhari was elected because we got tired with the lies and looting in the past government. The country desperately needed an honest

sufficient to resurrect the promising gem. But there are clear facts deductible from this incident. If anything, it shows how we don’t value human life in this part of the world.

And I just can’t help but wonder what the future holds for a society whose people and institutions have clearly demonstrated untoward contempt for the value of life.

Reports of the various investigative committees revealed the depth of that contempt. Students have continuously complained about the level of sparks from not just that pole but on several other poles. But nothing has been done until fate decided to play a fast one on innocent residents of New Hall where the pole is cited.

The school management has not stopped trading unnecessary blame on the ownership of the cable. But the management seems to forget that the said cable is not only naked but that it also constitutes danger to students who reside around that area.

It would have cost school management little to liaise with authorities

By Chima Azubuike of PHCN to fix the wire. But the tradition of bureaucratic process in Nigeria’s civil service seems to have blindfolded the authorities from taking proactive steps. That tradition is not entirely new even in cases of

emergency where people barely pass the buck to other people or refuse to do their job altogether. The culture of passing files from table to table is the norm, even if it involves emergencies as critical as the electric sparks from this pole. Members of staff in the service station have a share of this blame as the entire episode would have being avoided if they had been proactive.

But the deed had been done and we can’t help but learn the hard way. Death has decided to take Oluchi as deterrent for our collective negligence. Death, where lies your strength as you took delight in cutting short a fellow whose promise and flourish are as bright as the stars of heaven? One day, perhaps, officials who were privy to the condition of that cable but refused to act in good time may have to answer the creator of all flesh.

May be it takes just one Oluchi to point out what many had reported to officials working around the New Hall area of the campus. Protesters or those who intend to chal-

lenge this obvious negligence need not ground the activities at the university as no amount of disruption will bring back our late compatriot.

What we need is an empathy revolution; a paradigm shift from putting human life at risk just because of sheer inefficiency and bureaucracy. As I watched some of the aggrieved protesters the other day, I was not sure Oluchi will be happy to see people have fun all in the name of protesting an issue that would not have arisen, had the authorities acted promptly. A number of students took pleasure in the lecture-free day that followed the incidence. Some took to stealing the wares of campus sellers all in the name of protesting OLuchi’s death. Some went as far as ripping open the tires of PHCN vehicles in their office situated off campus.

Today, it is Oluchi. Who knows who the next cable will fall on? Is this incidence likely to jolt other public servants to action and be a little proactive? Only time will tell.

Examining road mishaps Berger area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway by a container after it fell from a moving trailer. On the 19th of November 2013 along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, a tanker knocked off a Spots Utility Van which led to the death of two school pupils who were on the pavement after they had crossed the road. The driver was said to have been drunk.

On the 5th of April 2015, a truck coming from Tin-Can Island, was entering the service lane at Berger Yard bus stop on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway when the driver lost control and the container fell off a truck and killed a woman, leaving some people seriously injured. On the 7th of June 2015, a container fell off a truck and landed on an Eko Meat van along the Agege Motor Road, Ikeja, Lagos, leading to the death of an unsuspecting male passer-by identified as a manager in Slot Nigeria. One cannot forget the horrific death of twelve Olabisi Onabanjo University students which occurred on the 26th of June 2015. The students were crushed to death by a container which fell from the truck along Lagos-Benin expressway as the load tipped and dropped freely atop the roof of the bus, pinning the bus to the ground.

Several reports by different agencies have been published on thou-

sands of deaths that have occurred on Nigerian roads. One question we need to answer is whether we should keep counting the deaths or to look at the remote causes with a view to proffering solutions.

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) came up with a report on road safety, stating that Nigeria accounts for the highest fatalities with 33.7 percent per 100,000 population every year in Africa. It added that road accident is the third leading cause of death in Nigeria.

According to world ranking, Nigeria is still rated second globally on road accidents, despite the increasing efforts by government agencies aimed at ensuring that crashes are reduced on our highways and safety principles such as speed limit and obedience to traffic rules are strictly adhered to. Many a times when these accidents occur, all we do is wail at the pathetic narrative until another one strikes. With these statistics, is it wise to keep siting and wallow in bemoaning the tragic fate of the nation on road mishaps? Nigeria should not keep ranking number one in all negative statistics: corruption, crime, terrorism, accident and so on. This is the time for swift action to stem the tide.

It is evident that the rate of truck and trailer accidents can be linked

to excessive speeding, driving against traffic, disobedience to traffic regulations and rickety nature of most vehicles on the road. Most of these trucks are usually in a state of disrepair, with malfunctioning brakes, incomplete head light, and others who are not even road-worthy. Many of them are not conversant with the traffic rules. From their behaviours, it is clear that most of them need to undergo psychiatric evaluation to ensure they are in their right frame of minds before driving entering the road. Most of them indulge in high alcohol consumption, making their minds unstable with blurred vision in the face of dilapidated roads in the country.

According to personal investigations, no single driver or trailer owner has been prosecuted for criminal negligence and gross dereliction of responsibility. It won’t be wrong to say that corruption is also a factor behind these mishaps. There is need for gross examination and enlightenment campaigns on containing accident rates in the country to reduce the avoidable loss of lives. There should be adequate surveillance of our highways by road safety officials.

There is need to pay utmost attention to roads where heartrending deaths have been recorded in recent

Buhari’s reform and the youth

leader at that period. As God would have it we got one and our criticism of him should be to avoid the repeat of Jonathan’s days. We can’t afford another wasted administration. Change is not just a mantra; it takes collective action to realise it. I would not join the bandwagon of those that assume that criticising Buhari’s shortcoming as an expression of regret for ever supporting him. Of course, we must do evaluate the leadership we have but what our government needs for now is criticism that is founded on intellectualism; one that is devoid of bigotry, hatred or ethnic sentiments. Nigerian youths will make meaningful contributions to national development if only it is driven by intellectualism. The insinuations of President Buhari’s failure in his first 100 days in office are perspectives that are clearly out of sync with the realities and interests of the youth constituency.

PMB, in his manifesto prior to the election, said made bold proposi-

tions and promises to the youths.

One of these pledges was that he would harness and develop our potentials to the fullest so as to facilitate the emergence of the new generation of Nigerians. He said further that he would put in place measures to identify talents and promote Nollywood to fully develop into a world class movie industry. But it is shameful that most of us are already having heated arguments on whether he has made any attempt to bring these promises to fruition or not in his 100 days in office. It is also painful that most youth movements are not driven towards a defined goal and with clear constructive objectives.

Individual youth and youth leaders have s personal goal and objectives perhaps but a movement must be unified with a vision and commitment stimulated by some mutually beneficial objectives. My own understanding of the problems is clear and has been stated on many occasions.

By Habeeb Whyte On our part, we have sacrificed sense and sound judgement on the altar of selfish, mundane interests.

Our quest for material acquisition has numbed our sense of judgement to such extent that many of us are willing to do shady things just to

By Modestus Diko times. There is need for renewed strategies in regulatory frameworks to ensure the seamless operation of motorists and curtail the excesses of truck drivers to reduce road accidents.

I urge that, together with the security agencies on ground, the government should double its effort in ensuring that relevant laws are implemented and drastic measure to call defaulters to book are instituted. A body could be set up to regulate the conditions and inanities of truck drivers on our roads. With these, Nigeria could be on its way to reversing the ugly trend of road mishaps in the country.

•Modestus is a graduate of OOU, Ago-Iwoye get money. The phones, games, electronic gadgets, cars, clothes, shoes and jewellery that drive us crazy are made by our mates in Singapore, China, Brazil, India, Korea, and even South Africa.

Therefore what youths in Nigeria need is not to be handed leadership. We rather need a development programme comprehensive enough to provide for ideal valueorientation, standard education and training, entrepreneurial development, and funding mechanisms that will enable us to stand shoulder high with our counterparts anywhere in the world.

Think about it. An average actor in India writes films that promote national interests, revamp failing value system, or depicts India’s strength over Pakistan and Kashmir or express the values of Indian culture in comparison with Western culture. Indians won’t kiss in films nor have raw sex but play love within the parameters of their culture. Where are we? What do our Nollywood actors do?

•Continued on page 36

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

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CAMPUS LIFE Buhari’s reform and the youth •Continued from page 34

•Peter (third left) joined by members of the union to present award to the Vice-President, Joy.

Union celebrates ‘outstanding students’

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HE University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Students’ Union Government (SUG) has held an award night to celebrate students with special talents and qualities and achievements.

The event held at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium and was attended by guests from corporate organisations, including banks.

It featured comedy, dance, music and an instant quiz tagged: Who Wants to be a Millionaire, where students contested to win N10,000 cash. The quiz became interesting when the first contestant jovially

From Kingsley Amatanweze UNN requested to walk away after the first question. The union president, Peter Oji, and members of the parliament also participated in quiz.

Highlights of the event included presentation award and certificates of recognition to some students for their exceptional abilities. The Most Inspiring Aluta Leader award went to the union Vice President, Joy Nebo, while Most Punctual Parliament Member award went to Victor Emenike.

The award for Filmmaker of the Year was given to Kingsley Nebo; Best Male Hostel of the Year award went to Eni Njoku Hall, Akpabio Female Hostel won the Best Female Hostel of the Year and Rotaract Club, the Best Club of the Year.

Peter was honoured as the Grand Commander of the Lion Republic.

The union president said the event also had a purpose as to celebrate graduating students for their excellence in academic and extra curriculum activities. The union leaders also hosted graduating physically-challenged students.

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

They outsmart themselves by imitating the unethical excesses of the West all in the guise of civilisation.

Nollywood and our music industry, a youth driven sector, only contributes to the bastardisation of our future leaders. To that extent, there is need for serious reformation and paradigm shift before our government pumps funds into the sector, as promised by PMB. A youth that will make meaningful contribution to national development must have trained and developed his or her mind by way of patriotism, constructive contribution and a sense of pride in our collective greatness as a people. A deluge of warring cult groups and rising cases of internet scams clearly do not reflect the expected values of a true Nigerian youth. Some of these youths inadvertently clamour for inclusion in governance. But we have seen youth given top leadership positions in the dark days of our nascent democracy. Many of them were doing the dirty jobs for their do-gooder bosses. But I am confident that PMB’s entry into the fray will not tolerate such ugly shenanigans. His time at the helm would usher a new lease of life for the youth constituency. How is he going to achieve that? I don’t know. But his leadership style in these 100 days suggested to some of us that he understands the implication of a nation with over 70 million youths; mostly uncultured, largely half-baked by our ivory towers and with zero sense of pride in their nation.

I want to urge Nigerian youths to support the ongoing reforms currently going on in the country. We need to join the war against corruption and promote good gover-

nance. Without doubt, I am confident to say that PMB has not failed the Nigerian youth constituency.

He is already setting the pace for us to be handed a good leadership platform. My reasons are simple: for every sector he had touched, the youths seem to benefit the most.

Civil service has over 60% youth population. So, his interventions that have put smiles on the faces of workers benefit youths the most.

When the agricultural sector reform takes off, the youths stand to enjoy more of the goodies. If the treasury management reform saves us a fortune in national revenue hitherto unremitted to treasury, Nigerian youths will benefits the most. When road accidents reduce, when avoidable deaths reduce in our hospitals, when Boko Haram killings stop, when security of lives reaches an appreciable level, the youths stand to benefit from these changes. There are youths in every sector of the economy and every aspect of our national life affect youths. So, there is no gainsaying that PMB has touched the lives of youths in his 100 days in office.

Our universities centre on youths.

So, reforming education is a youth centred project.

The problem is that we have so many self-seeking individuals parading themselves as youth leaders.

Sometimes, we have come to see such youths as the real, patriotic Nigerian youths. It is a crooked thinking and Baba himself is aware of this. Our constituency holds the key to the greatness of this country. We must assume the position to help and not be helped. We must reform ourselves before we seek to be reformed.

•Habeeb is a Corps member, NYSC Abuja

How to find jobs for graduates, by experts •Continued from page 27

Okoye said TVET institutions needed to restructure their training and introduce curriculum that would make the trainees useful in the job market, especially in the industry where the services of TVET graduates are required.

He added: “Poor funding has been a problem associated with TVET programmes in many countries, including Nigeria. Inadequate funding has resulted into dearth of equipment and human resources, which in turn led to a cut-down in the quantity and quality of training provided in most TVET institutions. These challenges pose as threat to the actualisation of the critical objectives of TVET in providing skills and raising competent and productive trainees suitable for modern work.”

Earlier in his address, Provost of the college, Prof Josephat Ogbuagu, represented by his deputy, Mrs J.C. Madichie, described the theme of the conference as timely, saying it could not have come at a better time.

According to Ogbuagu, vocational and technical education has encountered setbacks not because of lack of policy framework, but lack of good leadership.

He said: “A conference of this nature will provide a veritable ground for discussion of critical issues affecting development and implementation of the lofty curriculum of TVET. Despite the general challenges facing the education, the college under my admin-

istration strives to provide conducive learning environment with well-thought out programmes aimed at improving the lots of graduates of the college.

“But rather than paint a gloomy picture for prospective graduates, the reality of the job market should serve as a challenge and wake-up call to all stakeholders to imbibe good governance and leadership in discharging our duties to the students and the society.

“Technical and vocational education, which has been an integral part of developmental strategies in many parts of the world, because of its impact on productivity, economic and national development, is a veritable tool to stem the tide of youth unemployment and widespread poverty. One sure way of achieving this aim is through good governance mechanism in running the TVET programme.”

The Dean, School of Industrial Technical Education (SITE), Dr. H.O. Omeje, said the panacea for challenges facing TVET must be to teach of requisite skills for human capital development.

While the prospects and challenges of developing human capital through education continue to undergo some review, he said reasonable progress would be made if people have the right mind, attitude and technical skills to achieve economic prosperity and social equity.

The highpoint of the conference was the exhibition of equipment built by students to show their skills and competencies.

38

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

NATION SPORT EXTRA

•Jose Mourinho and Eva Carneiro had a touchline row during Chelsea's draw with Swansea in August

Eva Carneiro row escalates for Jose Mourinho as FA receives more evidence of alleged sexism P RESSURE is mounting on Jose Mourinho after more evidence was handed to the Football Association arguing he was sexist towards his former doctor Eva Carneiro.

Video footage and a letter have been sent to the football authorities indicating that Mourinho specifically targeted Carneiro — who quit the club on Tuesday — in his verbal touchline volley during Chelsea’s match against Swansea last month.

An emailed complaint from a member of the public was already being investigated by the FA, claiming that the Chelsea boss called Carneiro ‘filha da puta’ which means ‘daughter of a whore’ in Portuguese. He faces a minimum five-match ban if found

guilty.

But fresh evidence — centred on the same argument — was given to to the FA by Women in Football on Monday. It contains footage of the incident accompanied by a written submission from a Portuguese translator who says that Mourinho singled out Carneiro in his outburst.

They consulted several language experts before making their submission.

The FA has indicated that tit has included Women in Football’s evidence with the previous complaint and will make a decision on whether to charge Mourinho based on all of the information at their disposal.

Women in Football feel that, even if the FA decide Mourinho did not use sexist language, he is still in breach of rule E3(1) for using indecent language and bringing

•Mourinho shouts across the pitch as Chelsea's Hazard lies injured following a foul at Stamford Bridge

•Carneiro was criticised by Mourinho for treating Hazard as it meant he had to come off the pitch the game into disrepute.

Club has become untenable shows that Mourinho The FA invoked the rule last Eva, we have offered our full is a blow to progress in inbranded Carneiro ‘filha da season when they fined the support in attempting to creasing the visibility of puta’ and not, as he insists, Chelsea boss £25,000 for negotiate a satisfactory outwomen working in high ‘filho da puta’ which means claiming there was a ‘camcome. Unfortunately this profile roles in sport.’ son of a bitch. paign’ against his team. Chair has not resulted in our preMourinho was furious with The Football Medical AssoAnna Kessel said: ‘We’ll be ferred outcome.

Carneiro last month when ciation confirmed that extremely surprised if there 'Chelsea considers this she and physio Jon Fearn ran Carneiro's lawyers will is no charge at all.’ now to be an internal matonto the pitch to aid Eden handle her case. A statement Women in Football have ter and it is for Chelsea and Hazard. He felt they made a read: 'The FMA is extremely additionally raised the issue Eva's appointed Lawyers to mistake, even though refdisappointed that Dr Eva with the Premier League and discuss any further action. eree Michael Oliver sigCarneiro will not be resumhave suggested his behaviour 'The FMA strongly believe nalled for them to enter the ing her full duties as First on the touchline, caught on that in matters pertaining to field. In the aftermath, she Team Doctor at Chelsea camera, is also in breach of a player’s health and safety, kept her title of team doctor Football Club. their managers code of conrespect for the integrity of but was demoted from her 'As the representative duct. the medical professional is role on the bench during body for Medicine and SciWomen in Sport also hit out paramount. matches and at the team’s ence personnel in the proat Carneiro’s treatment, a 'The FMA will continue to hotel and has since left the fessional game, the FMA spokesman saying: ‘The fact offer support to Eva on a proclub. aims to protect the rights of that Dr Carneiro feels her pofessional level through what Women in Football believe its members. Having resition at Chelsea Football is likely to be a difficult time.' their set of evidence clearly cently been contacted by

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

39

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

40

SHOWBIZ

You are a joker, MI tells FFK

Davido announces Dodo competition

By Ovwe Medeme

N

IGERIAN pop star, David Adeleke, aka Davido, on Monday, whet the appetite of his fans with the release of a new single Dodo, off his highly anticipated album. True to expectations, the single was received with wide commendations on social network.

To spice the new track, which is produced by Kiddominant, the artiste also announced a competition on Twitter.

Though details of the competition are still sketchy, the entertainer gave the hint when he posted on his Twitter handle; “DODO competition coming soon! Winner gets a million naira.”

The artiste also had his Instagram account verified on Monday. This is coming a few weeks after he became the first Nigerian celebrity to hit one million followers on the photo/video sharing app.

Davido, who had earlier promised to deliver on his album this month, recently announced a postponement.

By Ovwe Medeme

H

E has repeatedly described himself as being apolitical but, as has been repeatedly proven, there are some things that Nigerian rapper, Jude Abaga, aka Mr Incredible cannot just stomach. One of those was the recent outburst of former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani Kayode.

Following the kidnap of elder statesman and former presidential aspirant Chief Olu Falae on Monday, Kayode issued a statement, expressing shock at the news of the statesman’s abduction.

In his statement, the former Minister and stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party not only expressed shock, he also threatened the Federal Government to bring back Chief Olu Falae or face consequences.

Irked by FFK’s outburst, MI responded by calling him a joker. “You Mr FFK are a joker.

Instead of being prayerful and hopeful for a statesman’s life, you are making threats against our government… Please,” MI posted on his Twitter handle.

Chief Olu Falae, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation is suspected to have been kidnapped by Fulani Herdsmen who are now demanding for N100m ransom before the politician is released.

The Ondo State government Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, has assured the public that the state government would rescue Falae by all means.

• Elliot

Ice Prince parties with Sean Paul

A

• MI

Desmond Elliot to speak at Light The Way

By Joe Agbro Jr

N

OLLYWOOD star turned Lawmaker, Desmond Elliot is set to lend his time to promoting worthy causes. Elliot who is a lawmaker representing the Surulere II constituency at the Lagos State House of Assembly will deliver a keynote at Light The Way, a programme which addresses ‘ending poverty, inequality and climate change.’

The event which takes place today at the University of Lagos is being organised by Save The Children, One campaign, Budgit, The Future Project and other organisations.

Also taking place at the event will be the launch of the remix of Strong Girl, a song by African female musicians seeking to empower girls and women to come out of poverty.

Strong Girl features vocalists Waje (Nigeria), Victoria Kimani (Kenya), Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania), Arielle T (Gabon), Gabriela (Mozambique), Yemi Alade (Nigeria), Selmor Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe), Judith Sephuma (South Africa) and new talent Blessing Nwafor (South Africa) while the video stars Omotola Jalade Ekeinde (Nigeria).

WARD-winning Nigerian rapper, Panshak Zamani, aka Ice Prince was in Rwanda for the World Peace One Day concert in Kigali and he had the opportunity to perform alongside none other than Jamaican superstar Sean Paul on Monday.

The excited Chocolate act shared a picture of him with the Grammy award winning act on Tuesday.

“Real Vibez Only!!! Man Like #SeanPaul Man Like #BigMoose Man Like #Boss” he captioned a photograph of himself and the Jamaican dancehall artiste.

At the concert held on Monday, Ice Prince performed the first-ever Peace Day anthem in front of thousands of young people. The

BET’s Top Actor expands search for acting talent

A

OUNG and aspiring Nigerian actors now have an opportunity to showcase their talent as BET’s Top Actor reality show is on the hunt for hottest acting talent in Africa for the season 2 edition.

According to a statement by organisers, next week, BET (DStv Channel 129) will stage auditions in Lagos, Nairobi and Johannesburg.

Twelve lucky thespians will compete for a chance to win the title of Top Actor Africa, which comes with a career-launching prize package that includes US$10,000 in cash, a one-year contract with international representation, and access to Hollywood auditions. The auditions will be held at Protea Hotel Leadway, Maryland, Ikeja in Lagos from October 5 to October 7.

According to the organisers, the competition is open to Africans between the ages of 20 and 30; no previous acting talent is required. All contestants must hold a valid passport and possess a clean criminal record. Candidates must demonstrate a high level of competency in the English language and must be available between 23 October and 15 December 2015.

Organisers also say that those unable to attend the auditions can send video clips of them-

•Davido

By Joe Agbro Jr

selves performing a monologue to the BET Africa Instagram, Facebook or Twitter accounts, using the hashtag #TopActorAfrica.

“Top Actor Africa is an amazing platform for discovering this generation’s next great talent,” said Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, VIMN Africa, while commenting on the auditions.

“African actors are increasingly taking their rightful place on the world stage, and we are delighted to extend this empowering opportunity to aspiring actors across the continent,” he adds.

Top Actor Africa will test the actors to the limits over seven weeks in nine vigorous acting challenges, taking them through every genre from Improv to Comedy, Theatre, Soapie, Commercial, Romance, Horror, Drama and Action. Along the way they will work with Hollywood and local industry experts including celebrity actors, casting agents, directors, producers, managers and writers.

Top Actor Africa, a production of Samad Davis in partnership with Urban Brew Studios, will premiere across Africa on BET (DStv Premium, channel 129), in early 2016.

• Ice Prince and Sean Paul

By Ovwe Medeme

performance was beamed live into Rwanda and the world on the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) network.

The anthem was performed by top artists of the African music industry Ice Prince (Nigeria), Dama Do Bling (Mozambique), Maurice Kirya (Uganda), Alikiba (Tanzania) and Wangechi (Kenya). They were joined by leading dance groups Krest Crew and Jabba Junior, and artists Innoss’B, Urban Boyz, and Knowless.

Only recently, the Oleku crooner released a brand new single titled Boss produced by Triple MG’s act, Tekno.

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

41

THE NATION

NATURAL HEALTH E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

Holistic medicine key to sustainable health

A

NATURAL health practitioner, Dr Gilbert Ezengige, has advocated holistic medicine for the treatment of diseases. Holistic medicine identifies (diagnoses) and treats diseases from the roots (causes).

According to Dr Ezengige, this form of medicine allows practitioners to diagnose the major causes of patients’ illnesses because, “that is the best way for treating the problem and preventing future occurrences of diseases. Palliative measures would not take anybody anywhere”.

Besides, this principle impresses on heathcare service providers the responsibility to ensure that all diagnostic and therapeutic procedures carried out on a patient are safe.

“The procedures should not

By Wale Adepoju

worsen a patient’s health status. If this advice is taken seriously by health care givers, over 80 per cent of iatrogenic (doctor- induced) disorders would not occur.

“The father of modern medicine, Hippocrates says, “If a doctor can’t help, he should be prevented from doing harm”.

Ezengige said holistic medicine embraces the healing power of nature.

Moreover, the duty of health practitioners is to facilitate and augment a well-ordered, intelligent and natural healing process.

“Care givers should facilitate the healing process as they are known to enhance it with their timely intervention. They do not start the healing process because it is

Health benefits of garlic

W

HOLE books have been written about garlic, an herb affectionately called “the stinking rose” in light of its numerous therapeutic benefits. A member of the lily or allium family, which also includes onions and leeks, garlic is rich in a variety of powerful sulfur-containing compounds including thiosulfinates (of which the best known compound is allicin), sulfoxides (among which the best known compound is alliin), and dithiins (in which the most researched compound is ajoene).

While these compounds are responsible for garlic’s characteristically pungent odour, they are also the source of many of its health-promoting effects.

More recent research has identified additional sulfur-containing compounds that are responsible for garlic’s star status as a health-supporting food. These sulfur compounds include 1,2-vinyldithiin (1,2DT), and thiacremonone. The hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) that can be made from garlic’s sulfides has also been the subject of great research interest. When produced and released from our red blood cells, this H2S gas can help dilate our blood vessels and help keep our blood pressure under control.

Finally, when thinking about the sulfur compounds in garlic, it is important to remember that sulfur itself is a key part of our health. Several research studies have noted that the average U.S. diet may be deficient in sulfur, and that foods rich in sulfur may be especially important

for our health. In addition to all of the sulfur-related compounds listed above, garlic is an excellent source of manganese and vitamin B6, a very good source of vitamin C, and a good source of selenium.

Cardiovascular benefits Most of the research on garlic and our cardiovascular system has been conducted on garlic powder, garlic oil, or aged garlic extracts rather than garlic in food form. But despite this research limitation, food studies on garlic show this allium vegetable to have important cardioprotective properties. Garlic is clearly able to lower our blood triglycerides and total cholesterol, even though this reduction can be moderate (5-15%).

But cholesterol and triglyceride reduction are by no means garlic’s most compelling benefits when it comes to cardioprotection. Those top-level benefits clearly come in the form of blood cell and blood vessel protection from inflammatory and oxidative stress. Damage to blood vessel linings by highly reactive oxygen molecules is a key factor for increasing our risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart attack and atherosclerosis. Oxidative damage also leads to unwanted inflammation, and it is this combination of unwanted inflammation and oxidative stress that puts our blood vessels at risk of unwanted plaque formation and clogging. Garlic unique set of sulfur-containing compounds helps protect us against both possibilities—oxidative stress and unwanted inflammation.

•Source: www.whfoods.com

•Garlic

inbuilt. The cells in the body follow the inbuilt healing programme as instituted by God and executed by the natural forces.

“Holistic health care providers at best imitate nature’s ways and cooperate with her to dispense healing to the sick,” he said.

Holistic medicine practitioners, he said, make out time to teach their patients healthy lifestyles.

“Some time is devoted to teaching the patient or educating him about his diseases and most especially the role he or she is expected to play towards recovery and indeed good health. The healing approach allows treatment to be directed to the person’s mind, body and soul,” he said.

Other benefits of Holistics healing,according to Dr Ezengige are, “Adequate attention paid by

practitioners to his patient’s words, non-verbal heart transmissions (often sensed by conscientious practitioners), gesticulation, demeanor, carriage, voice and tone. Having identified the area of his clients’ life requiring urgent attention, the practitioner consequently incorporates or modifies his treatment plan to cater specifically for those needs.”

He said holistic medicine places emphasis on prevention rather than cure. “This is because prevention of diseases is cheaper and more noble (very befitting of humanity) than seeking for cure.

Methods of disease prevention are among the top priorities for holistic medicine practitioners. If all the sophistication, technological ingenuity and efforts are geared towards the development of modern

•Ezengige

medicine therapeutics and research pursuits channeled in the direction of preventive medicine, the world would become a better place for all,” Ezengige said.

Nestlé Nigeria canvasses consumption of vegetables

B

UOYED by the need to encourage consumption of vegetables as part of a healthy diet, Nestlé, through the Maggi brand, has engaged over 15,000 Nigerian women through its home garden initiative this year.

The scheme is an integral part of the yearly Maggi Women’s Forum, which is held in different parts of Nigeria in partnership with various women’s groups, including the Governors’ Wives Forum. At each forum, participants are taught about the importance of nutrition, health and wellness, shown how to raise a home garden and are given a vegetable garden starter pack containing iron-rich fluted pumpkin vegetable (an indigenous vegetable grown in southern Nige-

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

ria), and a leaflet. Over the past five years, women in 18 Nigerian states have received vegetable seeds.

Commenting on the Maggi home garden initiative, Category Business Manager Culinary, Nestlé Nigeria, Nordine Meguini, said: “Maggi helps families to prepare balanced menus, based on nutritious ingredients. The home garden initiative is a simple and sustainable way to promote home cooking with vegetables. The seeds offered are easily grown and do not require specific skills”.

Speaking on the response to the home garden initiative, Imabong Martins, Regional Consumer Services Manager said, “It has been

very positive and encouraging.

Women have called in to report on the progress of their home gardens. Some women have even taken this a step further and are now selling the vegetables they grow on a commercial basis”.

This year, women are encouraged to cultivate and send pictures of full grown-harvest ready plants. The first five women to send their pictures from each association will be visited and presented with a Maggi gift. This initiative is part of Nestlé’s global commitments to encourage consumption of vegetables as evidence suggests that many people do not reach the recommended level of consumption. The Maggi Women Forum is expected to reach an additional 15,000 Nigerian women by the end of 2015.

Iwu, others plan expo in Abuja

T

O ensure that more Nigerians tap into the multi-naira and FOREX opportunities in traditional medicine (TM), major stakeholders will hold a three-day event in Abuja from October 6 to 8.

Herbfest 2015 with the theme- “Food as medicine: Utilisation and sustainable exploitation of African medicinal plants and natural products” is organised by Bioresources Development and Conservation (BDCP) in collaboration with Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), and the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, (FIIRO).

The three -day expo will also serve as platform for Natural Health practitioners to know more about the importance, further prospects in natural products and how they can be packaged, presented and accepted in order to attract commercial values.

Speaking on the significance of the annual event at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, (FIIRO) Oshodi, Prof. Maurice Iwu of BDCP said the three-day event will kick off with exhibition of registered products, raw materials presentation, and training on the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Herbal Medicinal Products. “It will also educate trainees on the skill and knowledge required in herbal plant farm cultivation to research, standardisation to production and marketing.

According to Prof. Maurice Iwu,

•Iwu

By Dupe Ayinla-Olasunkanmi

the need to boost the Gross Domestic Income (GDP) through herbal plants is very important, “So we don’t put all our energy on crude oil. We have a large number of people buying herbal products from India or China; these are natural plants put together by these countries with modern technology and drive. Nigeria is vast in herbal products. And with FIIRO and over 40 universities who have scientists that have researched extensively in this area, all we need is a ribbon to tie these together and achieve results.

This is the reason for Herbfest,” he said.

He said as organisers, they are hop-

ing that those who specialise in foods will also be present to know the importance of food; like the restaurants and allied fields, as importance of health care and how they can be transferred to valuable products is invaluable.

Explaining on further benefits of the expo, Director-General of the Federal Industrial Research Institute (FIIRO), Oshodi, Dr Gloria Elemo, said that commercialisation of herbal products had been simplified by the institute through researches it embarked upon.

“FIRRO prides itself as home of indigenous technologies in that we have successfully worked on most of the agro-commodities available in Nigeria. Our role as an institution has been to use our expertise in research and development to add value to these practices and to transfer technology to impact on the economy.

Also, the Director-General, Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), Mr Etatuvie Oghene said: “As Nigeria is now advancing in herbal medicine research; all stakeholders must put hands on the deck and be doing something.

Presently the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan now has traditional medicine in its curriculum.

What we need is awareness.”

The expo, in its sixth edition, is expected to be opened by the Senate President.

42

THE NATION THURSDAY,SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

NATURAL HEALTH

Sinusitis, mucus discharged, systemic candidiasis (6)

U

N FOR SEEN circumstances have a way of lurking in the shadows and throwing spanners in the works.

But some spanners may leave a sweet taste in the mouth. Thus, we come to yet another but definitely final week of this series. On which the curtain would have fallen last week, all things being equal. Woman know best where theshoes” of Candidiasis pinch most. For many of them, it is not in the nose where many men are hardest hit. For those women, it is in the virginal vault.

Quite often, women contract vaginal infections which they underplay as “toilet infection to distances their affliction from sexual promiscuity to which many men easily link disorders in a woman’s secret place. It is, therefore, not surprising that some woman who have followed this series religiously, waiting for special attention to b accorded the vagina and candida,believe, and I agree, that the column need to run for one more week.

Like beautiful hair, face, skin, bust-line and nails, or like buxom buttocks, another part of the female anatomy women give priority attention is the vagina. I like to call it the “secret place” because, even in these days of fashion drunkenness, when it is said most women begin to dress up (in nightgowns) when they are going to bèd, it is about the only part of their bodies that they still treat with some respect during the day. The reasons are obvious. If this place is unclean or filthy, it is so messy that it discharges foul-smelling matter, it easily loses its charm and power of coquetry over men. Besides, this place is the gateway to the womb and other organs, such as the fallopian tubes, which are crucial for reproduction. Like the penhant to attract and keep a man or men, every rational woman wishes to have a baby and are easily scared by thoughtsthat a vaginal infection may damage these other reproductive organs and ruin their chances of becoming mothers or of having as many babies as they wish to have. In response to their requests for more information about how to protect the secret place against the ravages of candidiasis, this final section of the series will mention some of the medicinal supplements available for this purpose on the Nigeria market today.

ALOE VERA For centuries, women have used Aloe Vera for beauty and health purposes. It keeps dandruffs out of the scalp and hair. It promotes exfoliation (removal) of dead skin cells, thereby revealing the younger and more beautiful skin below. Beyond these, it supports regeneration of damaged cells. Taken internally, it helps to heal ulcer and offers antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal and antimicrobial help. On the Nigerian market, it comes in various forms….. But, soft gel, fluid gel, powder, tincture or fluid extract. When the mother of one of my colleagues in the office had a burn on the breasts about 15 years ago, I gave her the gel of the mature Aloe leaf to massage on the wound. But doing so always gave her pains. She had tripped on a saucepan of hot palm oil on a high flame stove. So, I suggested ALOE FIRST made by forever living products (FLP) which we had earlier avoided to save cost. Aloe first comes as a liquid spray. It heals surgical wounds almost without any trace of the knife.

It healed the burned breasts remarkably. I once suggested it to a woman who had a bad vaginal burn from local spicy materials introduced into her body, as she was informed, to help her rid her uterus fibroids. It had a cooling, almost sedative effect, on the burned and inflamed tissue.

HE gel of the Aloe leaf may be pulped into the vagina over which a menstrual pad may be worn before a woman retires for the night. Alternatively, she may insert a soft gel of Aloe.

According to Kristen Douglas in www.lifestrong.com: “Aloe Vera can help with dryness of the skin, including in the vaginal area. Vaginal dryness is a common and irritating problem, especially among women who are experiencing menopause symptoms. While there are some medicinal ointments and lubrication options, you might prefer using more natural substances such as Aloe Vera. According to Women’s Health specialist, applying Al Vera gel to the dry or inflamed skin in the vaginal area can be helpful in alleviating the dryness. Aloe Vera gel, says Women’s Health specialist, can help to alleviate dryness.

Break a piece of the Aloe Vera plant off and use a knife to cut through the outer layer of skin’ the plant. Take the gel from inside the skin and apply directly to the dry or inflamed part of the vagina per home remedies for you, an alternative health website a popular natural beauty site, taking Aloe Vera alternatively along with saffron and winter cherry can increase vaginal lubrication. Mix Aloe along with the saffron and winter cherry in a glass of milk and drink it before bedtime.

“Educators at power surge.com, a popular women’s menopause and education site, recommend mixing Aloe Vera with Slippery Aloe powder to not only moisten vaginal tissue but to sooth inflammation and itchiness. Users should mix enough of the powder into the Aloe Vera to make a viscous paste, and apply inside the lips of the vaginal area as well as in the vagina. The results are reported to be very soothing. The feminist Women’s Health center also recommends this treatment. According to Health Library, Aloe Vera showed as effective in a double blind study to sooth genital herpes and clear the herpes sores more quickly.

The study found that cream made from Aloe Vera was more effective than when taken directly from the plant in gel form. Dr Michael Hakey gives Aloe the thumb. Since healed his hand burns, he has been recommending it to his patients. Writing in www.aloe1.com Dr. Haley says: “infec-

T

Rhizomasmilacisglabrae, Angelica,Rhizomachuianxiong and borneol.

The manufacturers indicate beautiful life for the following conditions “Prophylactic cleansing effect; bacteria is excreted from the body (as a preventive measure), inflammation of the uterus, cervix and endometrium are reduced due to the presence of powerful healing herbs, cervical erosion and dysplasia, pelvic inflammatory Disease (PID) / Adnexa, yeast infection, Hemorrhoids, urine incontinence, cystitis and other inflammatory conditions in the pelvic area, The uterus and vagina are cleansed of pathogenic bacteria and viruses, Genital itching.

DIRECTIONS: “Thoroughly wash your hands and open the pounch containing one tampon, pull out the string of the tampon, insert the tampon inside vagina approximately 7cm deep, you must remove the tampon 3 days later, one pill can be used for 3-5days Rinse (douches) your vagina with a chamomile tea, insert next tampon 24 hours later after removing the first one, used for health care for the perineum.

Welcome to BEAUTIFUL LIFE. On its label are the following promises: “it is in bended for Genital itching Abnormal leucorrhea. Tubal Blockage uterine Tumours etc.

Garlic Oil

tions are maddening. They itch, the burn and cause a discharge, caused by a fungus called candida albicians cause, (also called candidiasis), genital candidiasis, or vulvo candida candidiasis (DVO). Nearly 75 percent of all adult women have at last one genital yeast infection in their lifetimes. Yeast infections happen when something disrupts the balance of fungipresent in the vagina, causing the yeast to grow out of control. The primary cause.Is over use of antibiotics which kill not only the bad bacteria in the body but the good as well. Yeast infections should be immediately treated as it can spread to other parts of the body, including skin, mucus membrane, heart valves, esophagus and other areas. Further, in people with weakened immune defences, pregnant women, those who are HIV positive, have diabetes, or are taking steroids it can cause life threatening system infections. And, through not a sexually transmitted disease, some men would develop symptoms such as itching and penile rash following sexual contact with an infected partner.

“You can treat a vaginal infection naturally with Aloe Vera, proven to help clear up candidiasis and to prevent recurrencies due to its anti-fungal properties. Moreover Aloe Vera here rarely causes an irritation. When it does, it is most likely due to addictive use in some Aloe Vera products and especially creams.

In Nigeria, the natural medicine network NUTURE’S GIFT FOR LIFE sells the product ALOE FEMALE HYGIENE which has been of help to many women who experience vaginal questions. They find it very effective especially if, prior to the use, they had inserted Golden Seal root capsules overnight for one week, followed with the use of Aloe female Hygiene. This product is Aloe get in tube which is pumped into the vagina. Aloe destroys the germs causing trouble and rehydrates the tissue, even helping to generate the cells. Two tubes are recommended by Nature’s Gift. I would suggest the insertion of Vitamin E soft gel after the two day therapy on Aloe female Hygiene.

BEAUTIFUL LIFE/GUFEIBAO HIS is a Chinese vaginal insert sold world – wide under different brand names. England, it seals as Beautiful life in Nigeria, the name is Gufeibao. It is inserted in the vagina on the second day after the menstrual cycle and left on for four or five days. It is well described in www.usa-beautifullife.com which says: there tampons are manufactured in China for the purpose of treatment and as a preventive measure for the conditions mentioned above. The manufacturing process of tampons is based solely on the holistic ingredients of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that has been around for more than 5,000 years. There ingredients have been derived from Tibetan homeopathic recipes and represents of the synthesis of the ancient holistic knowledge and modern biotechnology. There are a few dozens of Chinese herbs and other holistic components. In these tampons that support proper female reproductive organ functions, and prevent the development of more serious gynecological ailments, these ingredients regulate the function of endocrine gland secretions, normalize blood circulation, improve facal skin complexion / wrinkles / hyper pigment. They also treat the following gynaecological ailment:endometriosis, cervical erosion.And dysplasia, pelvic inflammatory disease, hemorrhoids (aids in wound healing sensation removal of nodules). Numerous laboratory test and research have proven safety and efficacy of the ingredients in the tampons “It is a fact that dead cells that have collected inside the uterus, cervix and vagina, in the presence of warm temperature and moisture, create favourable conditions for breeding multiple viruses and bacteria. Such viruses and bacteria are capable of colorizing and causing numerous diseases such as inflammation of the uterus/ cervix, cervical erosion, pelvic inflammatory disease and other inflammatory conditions in the pelvic area. These tampons are used for prophylactic treatment of the above – mentioned inflammatory conditions, and disease. The ingredients are listed as stemonasessilifoliamiq, miq, kochiascoparia, mother work,

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e-mail:johnolufemikusa@yahoo.com or johnolufemikusa@gmail.com

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ANY women hate the odour of garlic. But it may be their best friend when yeast strikes in the vagina. Listen to Jennifer Rosenberg in www.midwifery.com: “Garlic kills yeast. Those who bake bread know not to add garlic while the dough is rising or it will kill the yeast.

Instead, garlic is added to the dough after it has risen, just before baking in the oven. A fresh garlic clove can easily cure a yeast infection. The trick is to catch the infection early. A woman who suffers from frequent yeast infection knows the feeling well. The first day, she feels just a tickle of itchiness that comes and goes. The next day, or sometimes two or three days later, the vaginal discharge starts to look white and lumpy like tiny bits of cottage cheese. By this time, she has a full blown yeast infection and the lips of the vagina are often red and sore. If a woman can pay to the first tickling of the yeast infection, she can use the following treatment. Take a dove of fresh garlic and peel off the natural white paper shell that covers it, leaving the clove intact. As bed time, put the clove into the vagina. In the morning, remove the garlic clove and throw it in the toilet. The garlic often causes the vagina to have a watery discharge. One night treatment may be enough to kill the infection, or it can have to be repeated the next night. Continue one or two days until all itchiness is gone. The reason that the treatment is done at bedtime is that there is a connection between the mouth and the vagina. The moment the garlic is placed in the vagina, the taste of the garlic travels up to the mouth. Most people will find this strong flavor annoying during the day, so the treatment is recommended for night time. If the infection has advanced to the point that a woman has large quantities of white discharge and red, or labia, it can still be treated by garlic but with a larger dose. Use a dry tissue to remove some of the discharge, then take a clove of garlic and cut it in half. Put it in the vagina at bed time and repeat this for a few nights. If there is no improvement, you may consider a conventional over – the – counter treatment. Remember that a woman should never douche during a vaginal infection. Yeast loves water and any water will make it grow faster. Any cut in the clove makes the activity of the garlic stronger. Thus, the more of the inside of the clove that is exposed, the higher the dosage “Each woman should learn the dose that links best for her” As many women may desert raw garlic, they may find garlic oil perles preferable. This therapy may require is the insertion of one or two garlic oil perles in the vagina at bed time.

The perle soon burst, releasing its garlic oil contents wage war on the yeast infection.

Cranberry Known more for treating Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), Cranberry juice clear yeast in the mouth (thrush, those white patches on the tongue), intestine and the vagina. It corrects the pH of urine, making it more difficult for yeast to exist in the urinary tract and bladder. The berries of Cranberry contains chemicals which prevent germ adhesion to tissue. But sweetened cranberry should not be taken because sugar fuels the growth of candida and other yeast.

Probiotic This is the region of friendly bacteria. In some studies, orthodox pharmaceutical drugs were administered and then supplemented with Lactobacillus Acidophilus, a member of the probiotic family. Test tube studies have shown that Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Lactobacellus Rhamnosus inhibited the growth of Candida albicans. In some human studies, it was shown that many of the infected subjects were deficient in these probiotic. There are conflicting reports on whether the Lactobacillus strain actually does the work ascribed to it.

But majority of studies would have us believe it does, the therapy involves oral (mouth) intake of probiotic supplemented with vaginal a insertion of probiotic tablet or capsule in the vaginal at bed time. It may be helpful to crush the tablets and then apply the powder deep in the vault. The capsule may be unscrewed and the contents similarly applied.

Others In Europe where Yorghurt is frequently used that is because this milk product is high in Lactobacillus Acidophilus.

Nigerian yorghurt is not. There is also frequent mention of Tee Tree Oil.

Tel: 08116759749, 08034004247, 08116759749

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

SPACE FOR SALE

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THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

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PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

08114495369

War against pollution is total, says Lagos

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

•Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode

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HE Lagos State government has said its war on pollution remains on course. It said the campaign will not respect any race, creed or religion, in its efforts to enthrone a safe environment.

The General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA),Adebola Rasheed Shabi, who spoke duriing a public enlightenment campaign for auto mechanics, at the Mega Auto Part Accessories Traders Association (MAPATA) office at Ojuelegba branch, reit-

erated government’s zero tolerance on pollution.

He said all flouters of its laws on pollution should be ready to face the full wrath of the law.

Educating MAPATA members on all the forms of pollution barred by the government, the LASEPA chief said they range from air, noise, soil to underground pollution caused by indiscriminate disposal of used oil.

He also spoke on the law restricting public smoking.

Shabi said the approved noise level in the state during the day is 55 decibel, while night time noise level is 45 decibel.

He said these laws were enacted to promote public health and wellbeing, adding that the hazards inherent in noise pollution include insomnia, depression, partial or full deafness and high blood pressure, among others.

Shabi said underground pollution of water bodies could lead to untimely death through terminal diseases. It could also come through the

PROPERTY LISTING FOR THE WEEK (LAGOS)

consumption of contaminated fish and marine foods by spent oil indiscriminately disposed into the drains, which finds its way into the sea.

He said such could cause terminal diseases.

The agency, he said, is not happy closing down firms, worship centres and others, but that noise level allowed by the state must be adhered to for the well-being of other residents.

He, therefore, urged members of the association to key into the government’s vision of a cleaner environment for all residents.

Shabi, while speaking on the restriction on public smoking, said, the law forbids smoking in public.

He urged the association to have designated areas for smokers, saying it is a crime to smoke and disturb non-smokers.

Responding, MAPATA Chairman Gozie Nweze, thanked the agency, promising to spread the non pollution gospel to all its members. He said the association will do all it could to key into the state’s vision on environment.

•President, NITP, Dr Femi Olomola (middle) flanked by Fellows Selection Review Committee: Barnabas Atiyaye (secretary),left,Waheed Kadiri (chairman),second left, Dr Don Okpala (right) and Dr Stephen Hirse (2nd right), at the NITP’s retreat in Abuja.

NITP sets new parameters for Fellows

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ORRIED by the admittance of members into the Fellowship Class of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) without clear cut criteria, the institute has said it will no longer be a ‘tea-party’ for aspiring Fellows of the body.

NITP, after its College of Fellows Committee meeting, which deliberated on the issue in Abuja, has come up with fresh criteria.

For instance, the NITP Constitution, which states that an aspiring Fellow must be an active member for no less than 10 years, and must have made significant contributions to the profession in the areas of practice, administration, research or academics, has now been modified. According to the committee, the 10-year mark does not automatically qualify any full member to be a Fellow.

An aspiring fellow must demonstrate that he or she has been an active member over the previous 10 years of Full Membership.

The committee, chaired by Waheed Kadiri, listed parameters to be considered in becoming a Fellow. They include: •Activeness of member in the institute (membership of state chapter; evidence of regularity of attendance of meetings and programmes at chapter level/financial responsibility; regularity at national programmes; attendance of mandatory continuous professional development programme (MCPDPs); attendance/sponsorship of international programmes sponsored by the institute; financial responsibility; material contri-

By Muyiwa Lucas

butions to the institute; positions held/achievements recorded at state chapter and national executive committees) •Practice (registration of private practice with NITP and Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC); number of projects handled; types of projects handled; procedure of commission; basis of fees charged; number of professional colleagues involved; duration of project; evidence of acceptance and approval of project by the client; level of implementation of project and duration of project before review) •Administration (participation in policy formulation; proposals for preparation of masterplans and planning schemes to government/private individuals, and number of successes recorded); supervision of masterplan preparation and implementation; activities in development control and urban management; number of building plan approvals granted through applicant’s participation in the process; facilitation of enactment of Urban and Regional Planning Law, Planning Standards and Regulations in state/national levels; creating awareness on town planning) •Research (planning researches conducted and their relevance with evidence of reports produced; general response of public to research; areas of research in view; sponsorship of research) •Academics (years of experience

in teaching; courses taught and level; number of student projects supervised; number of academic papers presented at national conferences or NITP journal; number of papers presented and published in international journals; number of books published) •General (disciplinary case with the institute; case of misconduct in the court of law; knowledge of the NITP constitution/URP law/ code of ethics and professional practice; information on contemporary issues related to the profession; dressing and general comportment) While the first parameter (Activeness) carries 25 marks, the remaining five (Practice, Administration, Research, Academics and General) carry 15 marks each – totalling 100 marks. A cut-off pass mark of 60 per cent was recommended.

“It is hoped that if these parameters are followed, there would be some measure of objectiveness and providing a level playing ground for all intending Fellows of the institute,”Kadiri, also a past president of the body, submitted.

The Fellowship Class is the highest level of membership of the NITP. Other categories of membership include: Student, Graduate, Full and Retired. However, Honourary (as well as Fellowship) membership are conferred on persons not engaged in the practice of the profession, but have by reason of interest, made valuable contributions to the advancement of the theory and practice of town planning.

Features 4- Bathrooms; 4-Bedrooms; 1- Dining Areas; 4-En-suite; 1-Lounges; 5pen Parkings; 2-Storeys; Access Gate; Balcony; Borehole; Built In Cupboards; Family Tv Room; Fenced; Guest Toilet; Kitchen; Paving; Pets Allowed; Staff Quarters; Storage.

Property Description Nearly Finished Units of 4 Bedroom Terrace Houses on 3 Floors with Front and Rear Gardens, Paved Side Walks, Spacious Living Areas, all rooms en-suite, Tiled floors, Superior Quality finishing, Cultured Marble Vanity Tops, Elongated Water Closets, Fitted Wardrobes, etc.

Interior : Custom Crafted crown molding and baseboard in foyer, Living rooms, Dining rooms and Owner’s Suite. Over-sized Molding for Window and Door Trim. Stainless Garnished Iron Railing. Upgraded Recessed Lighting This Property is for Sale, located in Yaba area, Lagos.

Price:; N60 Million

Features

2-Bathrooms; 2-Bedrooms; 1-Dining Areas; 1-En-suite; 1-Lounge; Access Gate; Balcony; Borehole; Built In Cupboards; Fenced; Guest Toilet; Kitchen; Paving; Pets Allowed Property Description 2 Bedroom Flat Overlooking the Lagos Lagoon for Sale, Located at by Ikate Elegushi Road, Lekki Gardens Horizon 1, Lagos Price : N25 Million

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THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

MONEYLINK UACN’s shareholders approve N3.3b and efficiency in operadividends capacity HAREHOLDERS of tions, three new plants were UAC of Nigeria

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(UACN) Plc yesterday at the annual general meeting of the conglomerate in Lagos approved the distribution of N3.3 billion as cash dividends for the 2014 business year.

Shareholders would receive a dividend per share of N1.75.

Shareholders who spoke at the meeting commended the performance of the conglomerate, in spite of the harsh operating environment.

Addressing the shareholders, chairman, UAC of Nigeria (UACN) Plc, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, said the company has been able to sustain its previous dividend payout in spite of the tough business environment.

Key extracts of the audited report and accounts of UACN for the year ended December 31, 2014 showed that the conglomerate recorded a modest topline growth of nine per cent

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

from N78.7 billion in 2013 to N85.7 billion in 2014 while profit before taxation was N14.1 billion compared to N13.9 billion of 2013.

Udoma said the company has continued to manage market dynamics and innovatively lead competition in its markets, highlighting various areas where the company had recorded some key gains.

According to him, in 2014, in line with the company’s vision to be number one in its chosen markets, UACN Group achieved market leadership with its Vital Fish feed brand, which was introduced just three years ago.

He outlined that in order to further consolidate on its technology improvement initiative,

commissioned including a new Feed mill at the Ikeja plant of Livestock Feeds Plc, an automated Pie line for the Restaurants business and a new processing and packaging technology for Supreme Ice cream.

Udoma noted that as part of the business transformation process, the company has fully implemented both the new SAP enterprise resource software across the group and the Enterprise Risk Management framework to enhance the control environment of its business.

He pointed out that the group has already started seeing value from the outsourcing of its internal audit function and whistle blowing mechanism, key initiatives that have strengthened corporate governance at all levels of the business and in the group’s jointventure operations.

Heritage Bank integrates systems

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HE Chairman, Board Heritage Bank Limited, Akinsola Akinfemiwa has said the bank is set for a seamless operation that will meet the expectations of its customers and stakeholders.

Speaking during a parley with reporters in Lagos yesterday, Akinfemiwa explained that the bank has, to this end, integrated its “process, technology, people, and branch networks” to pave way for an efficient and seamless banking service for its customers all over the country and beyond.

He said: “We have aligned our operations and processes. We have also rebranded all our branches and trained all our workers on all aspects of our core op-

• Promises improved service

By Tolulope Lawani

erational services. We have equally harmonised our products, customers and data at all our Experience Centres.”

He further said the bank is a service organisation engaged in the business of banking, promising that it will operate in a different and special way to satisfy customers and beat its competitors. According to him, the bank is innovative and service-oriented.

He said: “It is not like any other bank; we are going to use technology to push our operations.”

The new development, according to him, has fully es-

tablished the lender as a national financial institution that operates and renders full commercial banking services across the country.

The bank, which hitherto operated as a regional bank, with 15 Experience Centres, has increased its presence to about 200 service outlets boosted by about 165 branches of the defunct Enterprise Bank, spread across the country.

Akinfemiwa said this marks a new era in banking in Nigeria as the integration of two entities with similar values, excellent and professional staffing, strong branch network, has led to an entity that is poised for excellent and quality financial services.

ABCON suspends Amazon BDC over $156,000 cash

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HE Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) yesterday suspended Amazon Bureau De Change (BDC). This followed the arrest of Amazon BDC Manager, Nwokenta

Emmanuel, and five other persons, by the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for swallowing $156,000 intended for export to Brazil.

The Executive Council of ABCON also suspended di-

rectors and workers of the company pending the outcome of the investigations by the its Disciplinary and Investigative Committee, the NDLEA, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

ABCON President, Aminu Gwadabe who announced the suspension said the group is shocked and highly embarrassed by the development and the involvement of a BDC operator in the act. ”While this is not to preempt the outcome of these investigations, the suspension is to serve as strong warning to all ABCON members that any case of illegality and unethical conduct will be severely dealt with by the Association. We call on all BDC operators not to allow anyone to use their services or license for money laundering or any act of illegality and criminality,” Gwadabe said.

He said ABCON has a zero tolerance for non-compliance with regulatory requirement and for unethical conduct amongst its members.

“It for this purpose that the association created the office of Compliance Officer in its National Secretariat and in all its zonal offices and also provided official vehicles for the compliance officers to regularly pay inspection visits to BDCs under their jurisdictions”.

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

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NEWS H.I.D. AWOLOWO (1925-2015)

Jonathan: her death forced us out of ‘hiding’`

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ORMER President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that the death of Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo forced him out of seclusion.

He said he elected to remain out of public glare since leaving office on May 29 and had wanted the seclusion to

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

continue.

The former President spoke at the Ikenne home of the Awolowos after he led a delegation to visit the family.

He said: “Within this period, my wife and I have

been hiding; we don’t even go out. We thought we’ll be hiding for at least 12 months.

“But in this particular case, we could not hide. So, we’ve come here to console and encourage our brothers and sisters that we are together.”

Jonathan was accompanied by his wife, Patience, former

chairman of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Jide Adeniji, former Leader, House of Representatives, Mrs. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel and Mrs. Kuku from Bayelsa State.

HID for burial on 100th birthday

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HE matriarch of the Awolowo family, Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, who died on Saturday, is to be buried on November 25, the family said yesterday.

Her daughter, Mrs. Omotola Oyediran, said Mrs. Awolowo, would be buried on November 25, the day she would have clocked 100.

‘She was Yoruba’s mother’

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HE senator representing Lagos East, Gbenga Ashafa, has described the late matriarch of the Awolowo family, Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo, as the mother of the Yoruba.

Ashafa said she would be missed because her death came at a time her wise counsel would have benefitted the nation.

Ashafa said: “Mama’s death remains a great loss to the Yoruba, who she served faithfully for many decades, even after the death of her husband.

“Her death came as a shock to me, coming at a time when we were preparing to celebrate her 100th birthday.”

The lawmaker said although she is no more, the political family, associates and her family will find solace in the way she stood firm with her husband, the late sage Obafemi Awolowo during the liberation struggle for Nigeria in the 1950s, ‘60s and beyond.

“We will remember Mama, for the beautiful memories she left behind and she will continue to be celebrated as one of Nigeria’s biggest heritage. Adieu Mama.”

‘Her demise left a vaccum’

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•Dr Jonathan and his wife, Patience...yesterday

HID to be immortalised with foundation HE late Chief HID Awolowo will be immortalised with the setting up of a foundation in her name.

A statement on behalf of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation by its Executive Director, Dr. Olatokunbo AwolowoDosunmu said: “The Obafemi Awolowo Foundation reports with sadness the passing of its Chairperson and moving spirit, Yeye Oodua HID Awolowo. She died on

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September 19 at 99.

The Foundation hereby informs the public that an HID Awolowo Foundation will be inaugurated shortly, to celebrate and commemorate in perpetuity the outstanding contributions of Mama HID to family values, entrepreneurship and perseverance in the face of adversity.

“Although the details and fine points of this initiative are being worked out, it takes no great insight to appreciate the

synergy between the values that Mama stood for and exemplified and the legacy of the sage, from which the Foundation has derived its core mandate and competencies.

“It is pertinent to recall Mama’s fortitude and exemplary forte in keeping the faith both at a time when her husband was unjustly persecuted by political authorities and in the years since the sage passed on.

“It ought to be remarked that her business acumen, organisational intelligence and hard work stood her in good stead throughout her remarkable life. It is in recognition of these virtues and the need to underline the careers of role models and visionaries in a morally adrift generation that the HID Awolowo Foundation is being instituted under the aegis of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation.”

NLC: She was a virtuous woman HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said yesterday that the late Mrs. HID Awolowo represented a generation of virtuous women, untainted by power or wealth.

Its President, Ayuba Wabba, said in a statement yesterday that this quality gave her the moral authority she had to manage things even in difficult times.

The statement reads: “Mrs.

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From Tony Akowe, Abuja

Awolowo’s death represents the end of a great era in Nigerian history. Mama Awolowo was not just a wife to one of Nigeria’s founding fathers; she was part of that epic struggle that ushered in our independence.

“Mama was in the trenches with her husband and Nigerians, offering in the process wifely and ma-

ternal defences when they were most needed.

“Mama Awolowo was a remarkable woman, a woman of character and faith in God, principles that stood her in good stead during trials and tribulations, especially during the incarceration of her husband, loss of her children and husband.

“Mama Awolowo represented that generation of virtuous women, untainted

by power or wealth and accordingly, wielded such moral authority that she had no difficulty in managing the Awolowo Family and overseeing the Awolowo political clan after her husband’s death.

“As the nation mourns this titan, our prayer is that may the principles for which she fought and died be not in vain. Our hearts go to the family and friends. May her soul rest in peace.”

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‘I was looking forward to her 100 birthday’

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CHIEFTAIN of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mrs.

Remi Adiukwu-Bakare, has said she was looking forward to the 100 th birthday of the late Mrs. HID Awolowo.

Mrs. Adiukwu-Bakare said: “My mind was set on her centenary birthday anniversary, which would have been a grand one, but alas, I received a call from a friend that Mama has passed on.

“It is painful because a number of prominent Nigerians, especially in the political circle, sought Mama’s advice on crucial issues that bordered on unity of the Yoruba and sustenance of peace and unity among Nigerians.

“I, however, take solace in the information that she prayed for all of us in her last moment. No woman compares to her as she was able to sustain the legacy of her husband, Pa Obafemi Awolowo, even several

‘

Surely, Nigeria, particularly politicians, will miss her for her unparalleled wisdom and knowledge.

’

years after he died.

“It is incontrovertible

that she on several occasions intervened in crises threatening the unity of the Yoruba.

“Surely, Nigeria, particularly politicians, will miss her for her unparalleled wisdom and knowledge.

“She played a big role sustaining unity among Yoruba descents in the country and in the diaspora.

“Women in the nation and in Africa would miss the matriarch of the Awo dynasty as she has written her name in gold.”

HE Yoruba Indigenes Foundation has condoled with the Awolowo family on the death of Mrs. HID Awolowo.

A statement by the group’s Publicity Secretary, Sanjo Olawuyi, said: “Although Mama Awolowo passed on at a ripe age, her demise will leave a vacuum in the political-historical-economic cum religious life of the Yoruba.

“This is because for several decades and in numerous instances the Matriarch was vocal in protecting the heritage of Yoruba. These had cumulatively positioned the people in the rightful position.

“Our president, Olumide

Aderibole, on behalf of the board sympathises with all Yoruba governors, Yoruba in Nigeria and Diaspora, friends and associates.

“Mama immensely made good use of her experience, time, energy and resources to support her husband. She could not become first lady, but in her lifetime her granddaughter became the wife of Vice President.

“Although her demise epitomises the end of an era, but her immediate community (Ikenne), Yoruba and this generation will not forget her in a hurry for her stabilisation role, which goes beyond the shore of Yoruba.”

Three die in Ibadan accident

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HREE people died yesterday in Bakatari town on the Ibadan-Abeokuta Expressway.

The accident involved a Galaxy Volkswagen with registration number Abuja 4082 AOkwuofu, and a commercial From KWl Oseheye Ibadan motorcycle.

It was gathered that the vehicle took off from Abuja for Abeokuta with two passengers, a ram, supposedly for the Sallah celebration, refrigerator, mattress, and other household goods.

An eyewitness said the driver swerved into the other lane and rammed into a commercial motorcycle, killing the rider and his two passengers.

The victims were Paul Emma (motorcyclist), Mallam Yahaya and Mohammed Bello.

Angry residents blamed the accident on the driver, who they accused of sleeping.

Some aggrieved youths protested against reckless driving and over-speeding by commercial drivers. They attempted to set the driver ablaze.

The riot was stopped by a team of anti-riot policemen from Apata Police Station.

The Divisional Traffic Officer (DTO 2), Makinde Michael, led traffic officers to control traffic.

The team later towed away the wrecked vehicle and the pieces of the motorcycle.

The victims’ remains were deposited at the Adeoyo State Hospital morgue.

The Baale of the Community, Elder Isiaka Abe, called on the Federal Ministry of Works to construct speed breakers on the expressway.

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‘We won’t interfere in trial’

OME members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in Ekiti State have said the group would not interfere in the prosecution of Prince Adeniyi Adedipe, who is on trial for the murder of the former state chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Chief Omolafe Aderiye.

In a statement in Ado Ekiti yesterday, they clarified that at no time did they advocate for Adedipe’s release, insisting that he must face the law to clear himself.

A statement by the OPC State Secretary, Idowu Julius, said the members dismissed the purported appeal to free the accused.

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

The statement added that such an appeal would be tantamount to interference and therefore contemptuous, adding that it also be out of place for OPC to be advocating for the release of someone charged with murder.

Julius said Adedipe ceased to be the group’s coordinator even before the alleged crime was committed, adding that “Comrade Ifabiyi Kolawole had been appointed the state coordinator after due process and Ifa consultation at the national coordinating council meeting in Lagos five months ago”.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

NEWS Police kill suspected kidnapper in Edo From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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HE Edo State Police Command yesterday killed a suspected kidnapper at Igarra, Akoko Edo Local Government Area.

The identity of the suspect could not be ascertained at press time last night.

The police said the suspect, a member of a kidnap gang, was killed, following the abduction of a 58-year-old butcher.

The suspected kidnapper and other members of the gang poised to be cow dealers and lured their victim into a forest.

They allegedly told their victim that they had some cows to sell.

The butcher was abducted and relocated to a forest at Ibilo while a N5 million ransom was demanded from his family.

The police were said to have stormed the kidnappers’ hideout.

The suspect was reportedly killed in a gun battle with the police.

The victim was said to have been rescued unhurt.

Police Commissioner Chris Ezike warned that security agency would not tolerate criminality in the state.

He said the command was on the trail of other members of the kidnap gang.

Delta APC, Emerhor mourn Atuwatse’s demise •Hail Emiko’s choice as Olu-designate

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ELTA State All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate in the April 11 election, Olorogun Otega Emerhor, have mourned the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, who passed away last week.

In a condolence message by his Director of Media and Political Communication, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, the APC chieftain said the late Atuwatse was a forthright first-class monarch who ruled his people and the Iwere land with the fear of God and divine wisdom.

Emerhor recalled his brief but exciting interaction with the late monarch when he visited his palace during consultations on the April 11 election.

The APC chieftain described it as one of the most inspiring moments of his life.

Emerhor said: “The Delta APC family is pained by the exit of our dear first-class monarch, Ogiame Atuwatse lI, the Olu Of Warri.

“The royal father was indeed a role model and a wise ruler who, without fear or favour, ruled his people with great wisdom and high sense of humour.

“Ogiame’s contribution to the development of the Iwere land, Delta State and the nation will forever be in gold prints.

“We in APC Delta express our heart-felt condolences to the good people of Itsekiri on the passage of their royal father who attracted substantial development, peace, greater love and unity during his enviable reign.”

Also, Emerhor hailed the confirmation of Abiloye Emiko as the Olu-designate.

APC reschedules Bayelsa primary

•How Sylva scuttled Bayelsa primary, by Oshiomhole

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LL Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun yesterday said the party has rescheduled its Bayelsa State primary ahead of the December 5 governorship election.

Odigie-Oyegun told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone in Abuja that Tuesday’s primary was cancelled because of security challenges.

He said: “The primary has been rescheduled; it had to be called off due to security challenges.”

The national chairman said APC’s leadership would choose a new date for the primary.

NAN reports that the attempt by the party to conduct the primary on Tuesday at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa was frustrated by the fracas among supporters of the 19 aspirants.

The situation led to the walkout of 14 aspirants, including Chief Timi Alaibe, from the venue, after Chairman of the Primaries Committee, Adams Oshiomhole, was reportedly whisked out of the venue to avoid being attacked.

Also, Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday said former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva allegedly scuttled Tuesday’s All Progressives Congress (APC) primary at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, the state capital, ahead of the December 5 governorship election.

The governor, who accused Sylva of threatening him and other members of the committee, challenged the former governor to produce his Certificate of Return, if he truly won in a free and fair primary.

He said: “I was appointed, along with six others, to conduct the primary election in

Edo governor breached electoral protocol, says Sylva

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Former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva has dismissed the claims by Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who headed Tuesday’s All Progressives Congress (APC) Electoral Committee’s primary, that he scuttled it.

In a statement yesterday in Yenagoa, the state capital, by his Media Adviser, Doifie Buokoribo, the former governor said: “It is unfortunate that people like Oshiomhole, ...who pretend to be incorruptible, would conduct himself in the manner in which he did in relation to the Bayelsa State governorship primary.

It was clear that Oshiomhole never wanted to conduct the primary as scheduled.

“First, on his request, the primary was shifted from its earlier date of Saturday, September 19, to Tuesday, September 22.

The grouse of the delegates was that the primary had been shifted once at Oshiomhole’s request. That shift caused enough hardship already. The ‘comrade’ was again shifting the goal post, without giving consideration to the hapless delegates. It was that frustration that we were managing. It is so sad that the From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Bayelsa State. The exercise took place on Tuesday, but somehow, thugs took over the venue. They prevented the delegates from participating and accessing the venue. So, we could not proceed with the exercise.

“The committee was virtually held hostage, including myself. The primary was supervised, unfortunately, by one of the aspirants. Sylvia said to my face and other committee members that we would not leave the venue of the conference unless we carried out the exercise without accreditation, as prescribed by the national secretariat.

“It is important to note that the national secretariat has long adopted a standard national guideline for the conduct of governorship primaries. These guidelines were used effectively in Kogi State

governor did not appreciate our effort.

“Second, as chairman of the APC Electoral Committee, Oshiomhole knew that accreditation of delegates was to begin at 8am ...but he came to the venue of the programme well past noon. After he arrived at that late hour, he proceeded with a meeting with the committee members and another meeting with the aspirants. He clearly had preconceived plans about the Bayelsa APC governorship primary.

“Third, Oshiomhole cannot really say anything about the primary because he left the venue at the time voting began.

Oshiomhole set the process in motion for voting to begin before he excused himself on the grounds that he was going to eat, and he mandated other members of the committee to carry on without him.

“The world needs to know that the Bayelsa State Electoral Committee is made up of seven members and, of the seven, only Oshiomhole left. The other six remained, conducted the primary and declared Sylva winner.

“Fourth, it bothers on pettiness for Oshiomhole to quote me as the antagonist to new entrants to our party. Every

and it produced an outcome which all the aspirants ...were quite happy with.

“The key issue in these guidelines, as stated by the party, is that delegates ...have to be identified either through the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC), which contains the photo, name and other details or the national identity card or the international passport.

This was to ensure that proper accreditation was done.

“The integrity of an election rests primarily on the integrity of the electoral process.

Once the accreditation process suffers any defect, as they say, you cannot build something on nothing. Whereas all the aspirants agreed with these guidelines, it is only Sylvia who rejected it.

“He accused the national secretariat and myself of formulating the guideline in a way that would frustrate his

discussion I had with the governor was public. The only private conversation I had with him was when he walked up to me and asked me if I truly believed he was working against my interest. To that I answered ‘YES’. As a man of integrity, he even offered to step down as chairman. If he had stepped down, would that have invalidated the primary? We should refrain from exaggerating our worth and integrity.

Let other good people judge our character.

“After all, I was the one that received all new entrants. Oshiomhole was invited and he did not come.

“Fifth, Oshiomhole came to Yenagoa with a clear agenda, which was to get me out of the race at all cost. We are aware that he had been lobbying at the centre to get me out of the race to pave the way for one of the aspirants. Indeed, one of the aspirants had boasted openly that Oshiomhole would cancel the primary once he arrived, shortly before his arrival.

“Oshiomhole should not tell lies; if I was not there, contrary to his insinuation that I rented thugs to manhandle him, the crowd would have manhandled him. I personally accompanied Oshiomhole to the gate when he was going to eat...”

ambition. Efforts were made to reassure him and direct his attention to the fact that the same guidelines had been used in Kogi and they are standard guidelines that will be used in future elections of the party.

“To my shock, Sylva told me that we could not leave the place unless we were ready to conduct the election without recourse to accreditation, as prescribed by the party. Of course, I was not in the position to amend the guidelines nor was I ready to submit to intimidation. It then became clear that he had mobilised his thugs and, clearly in collaboration with the police, took over the stadium, because the police simply left the gates open. “...Sylva insisted that it was the state secretariat and not the national body that should conduct the primary and that

it was wrong for the national body to conduct a primary without involving the state leadership of the party. Therefore, as far as he was concerned, we must proceed with the election without complying with the guidelines of the national secretariat.

“When it became clear that our lives were under threat, I had to call Abuja to prevail on the Joint Task Force (JTF) to provide me with security to enable me leave the venue ...because thugs had blocked the gates under the instructions of Mr. Sylva.

“I have since forwarded our report to the national secretariat, namely that the primary could not be conducted because of these and several other malpractices. Several people were apprehended with fake or cloned PVCs, which they wanted to use to replace the actual delegates...”

Tribunal dismisses Cross River LP’s, APC’s suits against PDP From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

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•From left: Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel (second left); his wife, Martha; Deputy Governor Moses Frank Ekpo (right) and House of Assembly Speaker Aniekan Uko, at the 28th year anniversary of the creation of the state in Uyo...yesterday

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Edo landlord stabs tenant over lady

OCTORS at the Central Hospital in Benin, the Edo State capital, yesterday battled to save Alex Aigbogun, following the injury he sustained in the stomach when his landlord, simply identified as Enogieru, stabbed him during a scuffle.

The police reportedly took Aigbogun to the hospital at 9am in a Hilux van.

Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred at midnight.

It was learnt that he could not be taken to the hospital

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

until daybreak because there was no vehicle to carry him and money for his bill.

A neighbour to the victim said the police told them there was no fuel in their vehicle to convey the victim to the hospital.

He said this explained why Aigbogun was kept at home till daybreak.

The incident occurred at 5 Ogiemwenken Street, off St. Saviour Road, Ikpoba, Okha

Local Government Area.

A neighbour, who gave his name as Peter Igbinosun, said the landlord fled after stabbing Aigbogun.

Igbinosun said the landlord and Aigbogun met on Tuesday night at their regular drinking joint, where Enogieru had a quarrel with Aigbogun over a lady.

He said: “They came to me and I settled the quarrel. I even asked this man (Aigbogun) to sleep in my house, but he refused.

“He stabbed him around midnight. We didn’t have any money to go to the hospital.

We went to the police and they said they didn’t have fuel to take him to the hospital.

“The landlord has no wife.

He stabbed his tenant many times with a broken bottle.”

Efforts to reach police spokesman Stephen Onwochei, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), for comments were unsuccessful last night.

HE National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Cross River State yesterday dismissed the suits filed by Egbe Abeng Egbe of the Labour Party (LP) against the House of Representatives member representing Obubra/Etung in the National Assembly, Michael Etaba, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It also dismissed the suit filed by Effiong Ekarika of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the member representing Calabar South I in the House of Assembly, Okon Ephraim, of the PDP. Egbe challenged Etaba’s qualification to contest in the March 28 election, alleging that the poll was massively rigged.

He sought the nullification of the election.

Ekarika also alleged that there were irregularities in the House of Assembly election.

In separate judgments, which lasted about two hours, tribunal Chairman Justice Christopher Awubra dismissed both cases, on the grounds that the petitioners failed to prove their cases beyond all reasonable doubt.

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

51

NEWS

Gunmen kill policeman, 34 others

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UNMEN on Tuesday killed a police inspector, the district head of Allawa village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, his brother and 33 villagers in a midnight attack.

A source said the assailants, who were suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, invaded the village, brandishing weapons, including sophisti-

From Justina Asishana, Minna

cated guns. They shot at the villagers.

The source said people were injured while attempting to escape, adding that 25 houses were torched by the invaders.

The eyewitness said the attack lasted two hours, noting that no security agent rescued the villagers.

The cause of the attack was unknown, as there was no clash between the villagers and the Fulani herdsmen.

Many villagers have been displaced.

Police spokesman Bala Elikana, who decried the incident, said the command had not got the number of casualties.

He confirmed that a police

officer was among the victims.

Elikana said security agents could not get to the village in time because of lack of communication between Allawa and other parts of the state.

He said the divisional officer in Kagara and the area commander in Minna had been deployed in the village to assess the situation.

Audu: I’m on rescue mission

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HE governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu, has said he is in the race to rescue the state from underdevelopment.

Audu, who addressed reporters yesterday on his mission to the United Kingdom (UK), said Kogi had retrogressed since he left government 13 years ago.

He said there was need for the indigenes at home and abroad to salvage the state.

According to him, given the antecedents of his party in the states it governed, Kogi would attain development if the APC was voted into office.

Audu said youth development, employment generation, wealth creation and investment in infrastructure development would be his focus.

He said despite the huge allocation accruing to it, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-

•Audu From James Azania, Lokoja

led government failed to make impact in the physical and human capital development.

The standard-bearer urged the people to support the APC, saying it would not disappoint them.

His words: “I assure you that our party will carry the day. We won previous elections, but we were denied the mandate. Things will be different this time with the card readers.

“My people in Kogi State, I will not disappoint you. I will never take your support for granted.”

Dangote to give scholarships to physically-challenged

T •Chairman of the ocassion, Mr Olajide Sawyerr (right) congratulating President, Ladies Christian Guild of The African Church , Bethlehem Cathedral, Lagos Mrs Tutu Awobiyi after her induction. With them are her husband Mr Victor Awobiyi PHOTO: MUIYWA HASSAN and former Head of Service Lagos State, Mrs Oluseyi Williams.

Kogi West: ‘INEC’s materials tampered with’

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HE Department of State Security (DSS) has alleged that materials used for the National Assembly election in Kogi West Senatorial District were tampered with by yet-to-be identified persons.

A preliminary report dated July 6, issued by the DSS on its investigation into the complaint by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said some materials used for the poll were tampered with.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hussaini Halilu Pai, on June 20 told the DSS that some “sensitive electoral documents” were tampered with.

INEC has confirmed that Dino Melaye was properly nominated as the candidate

•Commission: Melaye is APC’s candidate From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the National Assembly election in Kogi West.

DSS said in its report by I. Mustapha (principal staff officer, Investigation) that “it was reported that in the quest to make available these electoral materials for tribunal proceedings in the court, multiple thumb-printing was discovered on the used ballot papers, among other anomalies.”

The report said “several INEC workers from Kogi Local Government and the state headquarters, who were believed to, in one way or the

other, played a role in the movement and took custody of the INEC materials, were invited to the command headquarters for questioning.”

The report added that from written statements by INEC workers, “some categories of INEC workers were, by their action or inaction, culpable in the matter.

“It is observed that the matter under investigation may not be unconnected with the above categories of INEC workers, who handled the materials at one point or the other.”

The investigation team, which said it was yet to unveil the identities of those involved in the crime, added

that investigation was stalled by their inability to screen the materials being used at the tribunal.

INEC, in its report on the primary election of December 8 last year, signed by the INEC monitor for APC, Kogi West, Shehu Bala Saggi, showed that Melaye won the primaries held at the Township Stadium, Kabba, with 2,077 votes, as against Bidemi Odeyemi, who polled 326 votes.

“Arising from the results, Melaye was returned as the elected candidate of the APC in Kogi West,” INEC said in its report, a certified true copy of which was obtained yesterday.

Retirees demand N15b gratuity, pension arrears

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ETIRED civil servants in Bauchi State yesterday implored Governor Mohammed Abubakar to pay their N15billion gratuity and pension arrears.

The demand is coming on the heels of the government’s receipt of N8.60billion bailout loan from the Federal Government.

The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Abu Gar, in an interview with reporters in Bauchi said: “With the bailout loan released to Bauchi State amounting to N8.6billion, the government should look into the plight of pensioners, who are owed N15billion, to alleviate our suffering.”

From Austine Tsenzughul Bauchi

He said retirees’ right to pension, as contained in the constitution, was in compliance with Section 16(2)(d) of the 1999 Constitution, “which stipulates that the state shall direct its policy towards ensuring that suitable and adequate shelter, suitable and adequate food, reasonable national minimum living wage, old age care and pension, sick benefits and welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens, but all avail to pensioners in this country.

“We are suffering. Imagine, after several years of retirement, life has been very hard on us. Most of us have

been living by the grace of our children. Many of us have been living at the mercy of God. Some of us are engaged in small scale farming.

“We appeal to the government to use the bailout loan by the Federal Government to reduce the arrears of our gratuity and pension.”

Ram price falls in Taraba From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

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HE price of ram has fallen in Taraba State, following a cash crunch.

Workers have not received September salary and ram sellers are experiencing low patronage. They have been forced to reduce the price of ram by 30 per cent.

The Nation learnt yesterday that ram was being sold between N15,000 and N45,000, yet there were no buyers.

Traders lamented the low patronage.

One of them, Umar Danfulani, said he could not believe that of the 100 rams he brought to the market, he sold less than 20.

He said people had no money to buy ram.

HE President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has pledged to award scholarships to the physically-challenged, who desire education.

He said this is part of his contributions to empower the less-privileged.

Dangote said his foundation, the Dangote Foundation, would look into the provision of assistance to the brilliant ones interested in going to higher institutions, but had one disability or the other, which might impair them.

The business mogul spoke when he received in his office, a visually- impaired, Kayode Ogendengbe, who came to present his B.Sc. degree to him.

He was sponsored by Dangote, who discovered his potential through the Teens Empowerment and Salvage Initiative (TESI), a non-government organisation, during a programme in Lagos and volunteered to finance his university education; after which Ogedengbe gained admission to the University of Maiduguri, Borno State.

Dangote said one of the things the rich could do to impact on the society was to help the physically-challenged to realise their dreams, adding that everyone had one challenge or the other, “but God has been helping us.”

Baptists’ Assembly

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HE fifth Kingdom Life Assembly of the Lagos East Baptist Conference will hold from September 26 to October 1 at Ikate Baptist Church, 30, Nnobi Street, Ikate, Surulere, Lagos State.

The Conference President, Dr. E.A. Awotunde, said the theme of the programme, which would be hosted by OlaOluwa Baptist Association, is: “Working for kingdom progress” (Phil 3: 12-14).

He said the programme would be spiritually-fulfilling, during which matters affecting the churches and associations under the conference would be discussed.

Peterside calls for peace, sacrifice

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HE governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has urged Muslims to work for peace as they mark the Id el Kabir celebration.

Peterside, who spoke in Abuja, also called on Muslims and Nigerians generally to work for the peace and progress of the nation. He called on Rivers State Muslims to be hopeful of better days, describing the current challenges as temporary.

“As the world marks Id el Kabir, I wish to use this medium to wish my Muslim brothers and friends the very best as they celebrate.

‘Id el Kabir is firmly rooted in sacrifice, which for me is very significant. Therefore, as we mark this important season, may we all work consciously towards a better and greater world. ‘Nigeria is today undergoing change. But the interesting part of this new reality is that there is agreement among Nigerians across the country that we are better

today than we were yesterday.

“In less than four months, we can all see noticeable improvements in some areas of our national life.

Our soldiers fighting insurgency are proving once again that heroism is not a foreign concept, our institutions are undergoing metamorphosis and there is a general feeling of hope and expectation across the land.

“As we celebrate, we must remember that we have a duty to contribute and sustain this new air of freedom and optimism in the land.

“We also have a duty as we mark thisday to remember our less fortunate brothers and sisters who are today refugees in their own country. The Internally Displaced Persons are a part of us and there could not have been a better time to remember them.”

Let us therefore spare a thought for them as we celebrate. Happy Id el Kabir”.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

NEWS

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Boko Haram leader Modu, 43 others captured

KEY official of Boko Haram and 43 other suspected members of the sect have been captured by troops in Borno State.

Spokesman of the Army, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman yesterday said: “Advancing troops along Banki axis cleared two camps at Jangurori and Bulatori villages.

They arrested 43 suspects and a kingpin, Bulama Modu, who is an ‘Amir’ of Bulakuri. 241 women and children were rescued in the operation.

“Bulama Modu led troops to where he buried his AK47 at Jangurori and apart from arms and ammunitions, bows and arrows were recovered from Modu and he confirmed that the terrorists gave him a horse to enhance his deadly pursuits.

•Troops seize roofing sheets, bathroom slippers used for bomb From Jide Babalola, Assistant Editor, Abuja

“The troops also arrested another suspect, Aji Gambo, at Wudla village. Gambo said the terrorists that attacked Kirawa and Kolofata in northern Cameroon were from Dara Jamel in Nigeria, where they had an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) factory.

“He said the bombers and the IED were prepared by Abdulrahaman Alkali Isa, Ba’ana Hisuba and Alkali Isa Karami, natives of Dara Jamel. He however said the

perpetrators have fled to Sumbulum village.

“The troops have reiterated their determination to continue with the fight till they clear them from all known camps and enclaves,” Usman said.

The spokesman said troops also seized pieces of metal roofing sheets and bathroom slippers used by the insurgents to make IEDs. “The recovered items have confirmed earlier intelligence that the terrorists used corrugated metal roofing sheets and bathroom slippers in making improvised explo-

sive devices which affects troops advance.

“It is also clear that the campaign against the terrorists is yielding the desired result because they are fast running out of arms, ammunitions and other logistics. It is equally important to state and hail the synergy, intelligence and information sharing between our forces and those of our neighbouring countries under the Multinational Joint Task Force.

“Consequently, the troops are optimistic that the Boko Haram terrorists would be defeated very soon and as the terrorists are on the run, there is need for more vigilance and security consciousness among all. There is need for more alertness to pre-empt the terrorists and other criminal elements in the society.

Building razed as market revenue tears community apart

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From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

in the education sector.

“Having acknowledged the meaningful impact of the government on education, we are appealing to the state government to find a lasting solution to the incessant strikes by considering our proposal.”

“We call on the government to dialogue, as a matter of urgency, with our lecturers so that we can resume next Monday as promised by the Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, the students said.

Two die, three injured in Osogbo fire

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•The burnt building...yesterday.

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Aguata council to build a modern market in Nkwo IgboUkwu.

According to her, Crameco was to build, manage and handover the market after 11 years but she said neither the state government nor the Aguata council was entitled to any revenue from the market until they

pay their counterpart funds to the company, in line with the agreement.

“We have written to the state government severally but got no response.

“We are ready to discuss with the government any time it shows interest.

They will pay us and we will talk about handover,” she said.

Mrs. Aniekwena said she had no business with Okaforuzu because nobody recognised him in the market he claimed to lead.

Reacting, Okaforuzu said Mrs. Aniekwena was not entitled to any revenue in the market, alleging that she was responsible for the burning of the building.

WO children of the same parents have died in a fire in the administrative building of a filling station along Iwo road in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

Two other kids with their mother were injured in the inferno. The cause of the fire could not be ascertained and the victims could not be identified.

The ages of the kids were said to be between four and 12 years.

A sympathiser, Mr. Ojo

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

ate consideration be given to the demands of the judiciary workers to fend off the hardship being imposed on the state and its people by the mindless closure of courts, just as we condemn the penchant of the present state government to slight lawyers and the legal industry.

“We declare finally, that the Bar in Anambra State, as concerned stakeholders, had on

three occasions formally applied for appointments with the governor to draw his attention to these anomalies privately but was routinely ignored, hence the resort to this medium.

“It does seem that, unlike other states, the current administration in Anambra state has no interest in the usual consultation with key stakeholders.

“We no longer intend to fold

our hands while the light of the nation daily degenerates.

This strike is one too many, people are suffering, police stations are filled with detainees waiting to go to courts.

“The prisons are filled with awaiting trial inmates, the strike should be called off immediately and if that is not done, we will take further steps to make government and JUSUN listen to the voice of reason” NBA said yesterday.

Fake national ID cards in circulation, says DHQ

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HE Defence Headquarters has alerted that fake national identity cards were in circulation. It warned the people against approaching unauthorised agencies and individuals for their national identification registration.

It said that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) remained the only agency responsible for registration and issuance of the national identity card.

A statement by the Acting

Director of Defence Information, Col. Rabe Abubakar, said: “The implication of fake national ID cards in circulation is that Boko Haram terrorists also used similar methods to identify their members who were nabbed by the military.

“The public should guard against patronising unauthorised agents to obtain their national identification as there are racketeers issuing

fake cards for monetary and criminal gains.” The statement said the alert would assist the security forces to contain infiltration of illegal aliens who may acquire the cards to legalise their migration into the country to support the terrorists.

It therefore, appealed to the public to report any attempt by unauthorised persons to issue cards similar to the national identity cards to the security agencies.

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Williams said the situation could have been milder if men of the State Fire Service arrived earlier.

But the Director of the State Fire Service, Mr. Michael Ogundipe, said the damage was much because the building had only one escape route.

The survivors were taken to hospital and the bodies to the mortuary by men of the Federal Road Safety Commission.

‘Immortalise Akunyili’ From Chris Oji, Enugu

Anambra NBA threatens state, JUSUN

HE Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Anambra State has threatened the State government and the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) if they failed to settle their dispute.

Addressing reporters yesterday at the Sir Louis Mbanefo Bar Centre, Onitsha, NBA said the decision was reached in response to the strike embarked upon by JUSUN. Mr. Uba Anene, who spoke for other branch chairmen and secretaries, condemned what they called “an attempt by the Anambra State government to run down the judiciary and the judicial process by failing to fully implement an agreement with the JUSUN”.

Condemning what it called the “apparent attempt by the state government to renege in an agreement entered into with JUSUN in 2011, it lashed JUSUN for not applying a human face to its job by embarking on strike on issues that could be amicably resolved while the courts were sitting”.

“We demand that immedi-

the arrest of three others.

“It was not an easy battle with those hoodlums at Nteje in Oyi local government area, where they kept the small girl but nothing happened to our men.

“The condition of one of the suspects is critical, but he is receiving treatment. Can you believe that the gang leader is the mechanic of the victim’s father?

“Those suspects destroyed the man’s house with bullets and went away with their ATM cards,” he said.

Pastor and Mrs. Louis Okeke praised the officers for rescuing their daughter without ransom. “We feel relieved, we feel alive again, we almost died but today, we can sleep and give thanks to God for keeping our daughter alive,” they said.

Resolve your differences, students appeal to Osun Govt, lecturers HE National Association of Osun State Students (NAOSS) has appealed to their striking lecturers and the Osun State government to settle their differences.

The students said it was time the “warring parties considered our own interest and particularly, our future.”

At a news conference addressed by the NAOSS President, Comrade Animasahun Adekunle in Osogbo, the students sympathised with their lecturers and reminded them of the achievements of the Rauf Aregbesola-led administration

A

STOREY building in Igbo-Ukwu, Aguata local government area of Anambra State has been razed following a scuffle between the Igbo-Ukwu Market Traders Association and Crameco Company, the contracting firm which built the market.

The groups are quarrelling over revenue collection in the market.

Chairman of the traders association, Mr. Ugochukwu Okaforuzu is insisting that revenue collection should be handled by his office on behalf of the state government but a representative of Crameco Company, Mrs. Grace Aniekwena said the government was not entitled to any revenue because it did not contribute its counterpart fund in building the market.

The controversy resulted in the burning of the building where Okaforuzu’s office was and Mrs. Aniekwena’s arrest for allegedly being behind the act.

She was moved to the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where she was eventually released.

Narrating her ordeal yesterday, Mrs. Aniekwena said her company, Crameco, entered into a tripartite agreement with the state government and

Police rescue 11-month-old HE police in Anambra State has rescued an 11 month-old from kidnappers. Four suspects were arrested after a gun battle.

It was gathered that Kamsi Okeke, daughter of Pastor Louis Okeke of the Foursquare Gospel Church, Awka, was kidnapped from her father’s house at Ngozika Estate in Awka last Wednesday.

The kidnappers, led by Mr. Okeke’s mechanic, demanded N15 million but later reduced it to three million naira.

The suspects collected the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards of Pastor Okeke and his wife Franca.

Though the police did not confirm the incident, a senior police officer, who pleaded for anonymity, said one of the kidnappers, who was hurt in the gun battle, assisted with

•The late Akunyili

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ORMER Minister for Power Prof. Chinedu Nebo has called on the Federal Government to immortalise the late former Minister of Information, Prof.

Dora Akunyili. He said immortalising her would inspire the younger generation to do well for their country.

Nebo spoke at the first memorial anniversary of Prof.

Akunyili in Enugu where he presented a lecture, titled: “Dora Akunyili and her uncommon legacy”.

Commending the Anambra State government for taking the lead in immortalising her, Nebo recalled that as Information Minister, Prof. Akunyili worked tirelessly to rebrand Nigeria and gave the country an enviable image abroad, adding that “she dutifully guided her team to bring to the fore, those marvelous and imperishable beauties in our diverse cul-

tures, instead of nosing around for bad news to report.”

“In some circles abroad, all one needed to obtain some special favours was to claim that you were from Dora Akunyili’s country.

“Her efforts yielded substantial fruits. The challenges she faced were overwhelming, yet, she remained undaunted; exhibiting the fireworks of an indomitable spirit”.

Nebo said Prof. Akunyili’s virtues were too numerous to amalgamate into one lecture, and prayed God to give Nigeria another Dora Akunyili.

Former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, described her as a committed Nigerian who was ready to sacrifice her life to save the country.

Chairman of the occasion and former Secretary to the Federal Government, Anyim Pius Anyim, said Dora was a great patriot, who served her husband Dr. Chike Akunyili, and the nation well, saying it would be difficult to find a replacement for her.

Dr. Chike Akunyili and first daughter, Dr. Ije Akunyili Achy-brou, who spoke on behalf of the family, said they were consoled by the encomiums poured on the deceased.

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

CITYBEATS S OME residents of Mushin, Lagos, have accused the police of harassing, persecuting and extorting them for defending themselves from hoodlums.

They said their trouble started after they caught and beat up a thief on September 9.

Since then, they said men of Olosan Police Station have been arresting anyone they found on Hanson Lane off Olateju Street, demanding between N10,000 and N30,000 before releasing them.

They recalled that a suspected thief, Damilola Tambolo, who scaled a perimeter fence around 2am and burgled the apartment of a resident, who raised the alarm, was caught and beaten up.

He was saved by some people, who took him to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

Soon after, the residents claimed that the police embarked on indiscriminate arrest of people for allegedly executing “jungle justice on an innocent man”.

Among those arrested was the Landlords’ Association chairman, Latifu Asagunla, who allegedly paid N30,000 for his bail, and an undisclosed amount to offset part of the suspect’s hospital bill.

A pepper seller, Mrs Wosilat Ajisegiri, 75, told The Nation that she was arrested last Wednesday during one of such raids.

She said: “I was sitting in the front of my house when the police arrived in a van and started picking people indiscriminately. I pleaded with them that I was not feeling fine, but none of them was ready to listen to me.

They took me away.”

One Muraina Ajao, 65, who went to the station to secure her release was also allegedly detained.

He was freed after his daughter allegedly paid N5,000 to an officer, simply

53 CITYBEATS LINE: 08158604763

Residents accuse police of harassment, extortion

•The community protesting police harassment

By Precious Igbonwelundu and Wale Ajetunmobi

identified as Owolabi.

The policemen allegedly returned on Friday, shooting sporadically to scare some protesting youths, many of who were injured while scampering to safety.

It was learnt that the security agents arrested four persons, including a civil servant, Adesola Adenaya and an auto mechanic, Muyideen Ajisegiri.

They also vandalised the shop of a tailor identified as Shakiru, carting away his sewing machines.

At the station yesterday, the residents were seen raising N20,000 for the bail of those arrested.

A youth, who asked not to be named, said: “We have been having sleepless nights because of the activities of petty thieves. We reported to the police but they did not respond to our complaints.

“In the past weeks, petty thieves had burgled apartments on my street to rob people of their personal effects, such as phones, laptops and

•It’s all lies, says PPRO Police charge residents to court

T

HE last may not have been heard about the face-off between the police and residents of Olateju Street and Hanson Lane in Mushin.

Yesterday, four of the residents, who has earlier been granted bail after paying N20,000, were re-invited and taking to court.

The police are accusing the residents of “meting out” jungle justice on a suspected thief, Damilola Tambolo.

The residents, it was learnt, were invited for “settlement”, but on reaching the station, the policemen whisked them and Tambolo to an Ogba Magistrate’s Court in Ikeja, Lagos.

They said the police told them that they were being hounded because they spoke to the press.

But, the police could not arraign them because the Magistrate did not sit. Their arraignment has been fixed for October 6.

Also yesterday, 65-year-old Muraina Ajao confirmed that the residents gave the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) N35,000 for ‘settlement’ on Monday. ‘’We paid N35,000 to the DCO on Monday because the police said they spent over N60,000 in treating the suspect.

N10,000 of the N35,000 was given to the chairman of landlord association as part of his expenses,’’ he said.

food items.

“The gang went away with a tricycle that was parked in care of a Hausa man that sells provisions by the road side.

The following day, the owner came to arrest the Hausa man.

The poor man is still paying for the tricycle.”

Another resident, simply

•From left: Executive Secretary Lagos Island Local Government Prince Adetoyese Tijani Olusi; his father and All Progressives Congress chieftain (APC) Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi; Council Manager Mrs Olaide Atunrashe and Supervisor for Budget Sulaimon Bankusa during distribution of school kits to Ibrahim Nofiu and Oluwole Jibola of Dr. Teslim Primary School tagged: “My complete student initiative’ 2015/16 Academic Session at the council.

Task Force arrests 1,000 Okada riders, street traders

C

OMMERCIAL motorcyclists, operating in Lagos have again been warned to stay off all restricted routes in the state, failing which they risk arrest and prosecution.

Task Force on the Environment and Miscellaneous Offences chairman, Olubukola Abe, a Superintendent of Police (SP), reminded the operators that Section 3 of the Lagos State Road Traffic Law of 2012 was still in force.

According to Abe, motorcycle operators have been restricted to 475 of the 9100

By Solomon Odeniyi

roads in the state, excluding the highways and bridges.

He stated law enforcement officers have been empowered to ensure compliance with the law and restore san-

ity on Lagos roads by curbing the excesses of motorcyclists (a.ka. Okada riders) and street traders.

The Task Force chief confirmed that more than 1000 offenders, including motor-

cyclists and street traders, have been arrested since he assumed office August 9.

He said the street hawkers will be arraigned for prosecution and their wares confiscated.

Deputy Governor greets Muslims

L

AGOS State Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Adebule yesterday wished Muslims a spiritually fulfilling, joyful and peaceful Sallah.

Adebule urged Lagosians to emulate Prophet Muhammed by spreading

the message of love and peaceful coexistence.

“Lagosians and indeed Nigerians should shun violence and rededicate themselves to building a new Nigeria as promised by President Muhammadu Buhari,” she said.

Lagos, she said, will continue to grow from strength to strength “with the purposeful leadership of our hardworking Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode who appreciates the support his administration has enjoyed from the good people of the state.”

identified as Tunde said they were afraid to go about their daily routines because of the police raid.

He said: “We are scared of coming out of our rooms because of the police raid. They have been harassing people, because we refused to pay for the hospital bill of the suspect.

“Please, help us publish this story so that the police authorities can call their men in Olosan Police Station to order.”

Another resident appealed to the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, to investigate the activities of his men at Olosan Division, saying the residents are being hunted by robbers at night and policemen in the day.

He said: “For some weeks now, a particular petty thief had burgled apartments on my street. I say ‘petty thief’ because if he breaks into a room and can not find phones or other little gadgets to steal, he goes to the fridge or kitchen and clears every food item he sees there and then he ‘shits’ before leaving.

“This same guy has robbed different apartments on my street four times in the last five weeks and often attacked between 1am and 3am.

“One time, he came with his gang and went away with a tricycle that was parked in care of a mallam that sells provisions by the road side. The following day, the owner came to arrest the mallam. The poor man is still paying for the tricycle till this day.

“The thief came back on September 9 and he got caught. The guys that caught him beat him up so bad not only because he stole but because he stabbed an old man on the chest.

“Then later, they called in

policemen and that’s how the whole ‘wahala’ started.

“When the police came, the first question they asked was why the suspect was beaten?

“Then on September 12, 15 armed men from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) came to arrest innocent youths and aged men and women on Hanson Close on the basis that they beat up a thief.

“How were they supposed to subdue him without beating him? This is a guy that is notorious for beating up his victims.

“Please, we are scared of coming out of our rooms because of men from SARS. Policemen have been to my area twice to arrest people because we refused to pay for the hospital bill of a robbery suspect!

“The suspected thief in question has been admitted to LUTH and they (SARS officials) are still harassing us because we refused to contribute money for his treatment.

“They also claimed they bought provisions for him and that we should pay for that too.

Please, help us publish this story so that the right authorities can see this and help us restore peace to our area.

“We are scared of thieves at night and afraid of SARS men in the day!”

But, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), told The Nation that the suspect was not a robber because “no item, no weapon was found on him”.

Although he could not say what the suspect was doing in the compound at 2am, the DPO insisted that he was a victim of jungle justice.

“What did he steal? The policemen who rescued the suspect from the mob did not find any weapon or stolen items with him,” he said.

When contacted, police spokesman Joe Offor, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), claimed the residents beat the man and turned him to vegetable before bringing him to the station, adding that no one has come forward to attest that the alleged robber was found in his house.

Offor said: “I’ve called the DPO and he said they are raiding the area because the victim was brought to the station as a vegetable. The street leader was the one who brought the man to the station and since then no one has come to say it was in his house the alleged thief came.

“He also said they did not collect any money from anyone and that anyone with evidence should come forward.

Also anyone who claims the victim is a thief should also come forward with evidence.”

Prayer galore for Lagos on Mount Arafah

T

HE Lagos Camp of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia yesterday made special prayers for development of Lagos State, Nigeria and peace in the Northeast.

The pilgrims seized the opportunity of acceptance of prayers at Mount Arafah to pray for Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule.

Standing on the Arafah

Plain is the most important pillar of Hajj.

Amirul Hajj Dr AbdulHakeem Abdul Lateef urged Nigerians to live in peaceful co-existence.

Abdul Lateef urged pilgrims to imbibe the act of tolerance.

He enjoined the 3,047 Pilgrims from the state to take advantage of the rare opportunity to seek forgiveness of their sins.

Vehicle owners get ultimatum

T

HE Lagos State Police Command has warned owners of abandoned and accidental vehicles at Ilasan Police Division, Lek ki to come forward with their original documents and remove or lose them to the public through auction sales after 21 days of this publication. The vehicles are: Toyota Highlander marked EKY 326 CE and Toyota Corolla marked HL 73 KJA.

54

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS

Pope Francis warns on climate change dangers •Apologises on sexual abuse issues in the church

S

PEAKING to a crowd of more than 11,000 people on the White House South Lawn, yesterday, Pope Francis said the problem of climate change could "no longer be left to a future generation".

President Barack Obama welcoming the Pope said he reminded people "that we have a sacred obligation to protect our planet".

The Pope also praised the response of US bishops to the sex abuse crisis.

He told those gathered at St Matthew's Cathedral that the US church leaders had brought a "generous commitment to bring healing to victims".

Earlier, making a rare speech in English to thousands at the White House, Pope Francis praised President Obama for recent proposals aimed at tackling air pollution.

Time remains to make the changes required, the Pope said, in a speech that also called for protecting religious liberty and stamping out discrimination.

President Obama couldn't have hoped for a clearer endorsement of his climate agenda from such an immense source of moral authority.

Pope Francis made a strong pitch for battling climate change, including specific reference to Mr Obama's clean air initiative. His position tracks so closely to the president's it

has some conservatives grumbling.

But they should have been pleased by his robust defence of religious freedoms - interpreted by US bishops as the right to follow their convictions in the face of court rulings on same sex marriage and the contraceptive mandate in Mr Obama's health care law.

The pope has pushed back against criticism that he's "a bit lefty" and indeed, he doesn't fit neatly into American political divisions.

He says he's just preaching Catholic social doctrine, but clearly with his own emphasis and style - in an everyday act of resistance to the pomp and circumstance of high office he drove up to the White House in a humble Eenvironmental issue is a divisive one in US politics, with one Republican congressman boycotting the Pope's speech to Congress on Thursday because of the pontiff's stance.

All the leading Republican presidential candidates oppose action to tackle climate change because they say it will hurt the economy.

The morning began with the pontiff emerging from the Apostolic Nunciature - the Holy See's equivalent of an embassy - around 0900 local time (1400 BST).

Clad in his traditional white cassock, Pope Francis spent

Burkina Faso president reinstated

T

HE ceremony took place in the capital, Ouagadougou, in the presence of several West African leaders who helped mediate an end to the crisis.

It comes a day after the presi-

• Kafando

dential guard, who were behind the coup, signed a deal with the regular army to avoid violence.

They pledged to return to barracks and the army to withdraw from the capital.

The presidential guard (RSP) is loyal to Blaise Compaore, the country's long-time ruler who was ousted in a popular uprising last year.

The elite troops installed Gen Gilbert Diendere as the leader last week - a month before elections had been due in the landlocked country.

He greeted arriving African leaders at the airport, along with the army chief of staff, but did not attend the transfer of power ceremony.

The army on Monday had ordered the coup leaders to step down or be ousted by force, raising the spectre of a civil war.

• The Obamas in warm welcome to the Pope at the White House in Washington, D.C...yesterday

PHOTO: Getty Images

AFTER the pope's sermon, some of the bishops stood and greeted him. The men removed their red caps before shaking his hand or kissing his ring. The pope could be seen talking to those greeting him while the rest of the church stood in silence.

But after about 10 minutes of that, Cardinal Donald Wuerl and the pope had a quick word, and Wuerl took to the microphone to say the pope had asked him to apologize for not having time to greet all of the bishops. The pope tapped his watch and smiled. The bishops and others clapped and chuckled. hot buttons. All in one Pope Francis has praised U.S. bishops for their response to the clergy sex abuse crisis.

Speaking before the bishops yesterday at a worship service in Washington, Francis lauded them for what he called their "generous commitment to bring healing to victims."

He praised them for having courage and acting, as he saw it, "without fear of self-criticism."

The clergy sex abuse scandal erupted in the U.S. in 2002

and turned into the biggest crisis in the history of the American church.

Under enormous public pressure, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops pledged to oust any guilty clergy from church work and enact safeguards for children.

However, the scandal persists, and victims say the bishops still haven't fully accounted for sheltering abusers. This year, three bishops resigned in crises over their failures to protect children.

Pope Francis has issued special greetings to the Jewish community in the U.S. for Yom Kippur.

He did so at the start of his remarks to U.S. bishops.

Speaking in Italian, Francis said: "May the Lord bless them with peace and may they continue with a life of holiness."

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year for Jews. They spend the day repenting and atoning for any sins.

President Barack Obama has given Pope Francis gifts symbolizing peace and service to the needy.

several minutes greeting wellwishers who had assembled behind temporary fencing in front of the diplomatic complex.

After shaking hands and giving hugs and kisses to the largely young crowd, the pope boarded a modest hatchback

ficials said over 11,000 tickets had been issued, but noted that the crowd was even larger.

A cadre of Obama administration officials and a military colour guard flanked a stage set up outside the South Portico - among the most rare and

trailed by a convoy of large security vehicles and made the 15-minute drive through Washington on streets that had been cleared of traffic for the occasion.

At the White House large crowds gathered on the South Lawn to greet the pontiff. Of-

respectful diplomatic ceremonies that the US government can offer visiting dignitaries.

Following a military colour guard and the playing of the Holy See and US national anthems, President Obama welcomed the pope with brief remarks.

North Korea plans space race launch

J

UST weeks before a major national holiday widely thought to be a target date for the reclusive nation's first rocket and satellite blast-off in nearly three years, two senior directors of the National Aeronautical Development Association (NADA) tell us a launch is "imminent" and final preparations are underway to send rockets and "multiple satellites" into space.

They insist their purpose is peaceful space exploration.

The scientists also express "outrage" at ongoing speculation they are secretly operating a ballistic missile development program.

We park on the street nearby, a main thoroughfare busy with vehicle and bicycle traffic, and walk up a small hill to the General Satellite Control Center. We pass two separate guard posts, where our identities are carefully checked against a list of approved visitors. Arranging access for a foreign news crew was exceedingly difficult, we are told, as there is great suspicion about the motives of reporters from "hostile" nations. The government says we're the first outside media allowed inside the complex.

But the two checkpoints are all the security we see --

no heavy barriers, no barbed wire or visible armed presence. It all seems very low key for access to what North Korea calls the heart of its supreme leader Kim Jong Un's ambitious plan to make his country a space superpower. Some international observers have speculated the satellite control center is actually a military facility, but its appearance, at least on the surface, suggests otherwise.

We're greeted by two of the program's top scientists dressed in smart, newly designed uniforms, a row of brass buttons down the front of their jackets, and a smart

military cap.

On the left side of their jackets they wear a red pin with the portraits of the two former leaders Kim Il Sung and his son Kim Jong Il, on the other, the logo of NADA. Both the acronym and the logo bear a striking similarity to those of NASA, its counterpart in the land of its great enemy the United States.

The facility was inspected in May by the Supreme Leader himself, an event marked by a plaque on the front of the building. Plaques are posted at all sites visited by Kim, who is often seen on state-controlled media conducting "field inspections" across the country.

Egypt pardons two journalists for Al-Jazeera English

T

HE Egyptian president yesterday pardoned two journalists for Al-Jazeera English and dozens of human rights activists, state media and the lawyer of one of the reporters said.

The two - Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian national Baher Mohammed - were expected to be released later in the day.

The state-run MENA news agency said a third person from the case - which included multiple other defendants along with Australian journalist Peter Greste - was also pardoned but was not identified by name. Greste was deported earlier this year.

"I don't know what to say. It is done. Thank God, thank God," said Fahmy's brother Adel, reached by The Associated Press by phone from Kuwait.

The three were sentenced to three years in prison last month for airing what a court described as "false news" and biased coverage. There was no immediate comment from the Al-Jazeera network, which is based in Doha, Qatar.

Prominent Egyptian activists Yara Sallam and Sanaa Seif were among about 100 people pardoned by President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, according to MENA, on the eve of the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, when Egyptian presidents usually pardon convicts for health or other reasons.

• The new nuclear reactor facility in North Korea

PHOTO: Getty Images

U.S. trained Syrian rebels investigating alleged defection

THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

55

www.thenationonlineng.net

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

RIPPLES

POLITICIANS ARE NOT LIKELY TO MAKE HEAVEN, says Cleric

Forget HEAVEN...They prefer to MAKE MONEY

VOL. 10, NO. 3346

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

O

NE of the main challenges facing President Muhammadu Buhari is the urgent need to reduce the overall cost of public administration in the country. This has soared over the years. There is a national consensus that the bureaucracy at all levels of government has become too large and that a reduction in its size and cost has become imperative. The current sharp decline in oil revenues, which have fallen this year alone by over 60 per cent, leaves the governments of the federation with no choice but to begin to think seriously about how these much needed cuts in the cost of public administration can be achieved. President Buhari is well aware of this challenge and has alluded to it publicly several times. But he has not yet taken any practical or concrete steps to address this lingering problem. It is a difficult and painful task, which requires great care and circumspection, particularly at a time of mass unemployment.

However, there were recent media reports that while being briefed by the Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Lulu, President Buhari expressed his concern about the large number of Nigeria’s diplomatic missions abroad, and the huge number of its overall diplomatic workers. Ambassador Lulu told the press that the President informed him that he intended doing something to reduce the number of our foreign missions. It is also possible that the overall staffing of the Foreign Ministry itself will form part of the review being proposed.

There is no doubt that the number of Nigerian diplomatic missions abroad has increased significantly in recent years. At independence in 1960, Nigeria had less than a dozen diplomatic missions, mainly in Africa and Western Europe. In 1964, when I entered the diplomatic service, this had increased to about 30, in response to the need to have diplomatic representation in the newly independent African countries. By 1976 the number of our diplomatic missions had increased to 65. The civil war had ended and the need was felt for more missions to be opened abroad. From 1970 to 1976, over 100 new Foreign Service Officers (FSO) were recruited to staff both the expanded Foreign Ministry and the new diplomatic missions abroad. There was also a surge in oil revenues that made the increase in the number of missions and diplomatic workers possible and sustainable.

Today, we have 119 diplomatic missions abroad and it is becoming increasingly clear that in our present dire financial situation, it is going to be difficult to sustain such a large number of diplomatic missions and workers. In 1964, the overall cost of our total diplomatic establishment, at home and abroad, was only 33 million pounds sterling. Since then, the cost of running both the MFA and our diplomatic missions has continued to rise inexorably. According to an official document issued by the MFA in 2012, by 2006, the total MFA budget appropriation was N25.2b, of which over N20.2b, or 81 per cent, was spent on running our

TODAY IN THE NATION

‘Compared with what is happening in the UK, the American situation is not only pathetic but laughable.

One hopes a man like Trump or any one like him will not become president of the USA with his hand on the nuclear button’ JIDE OSUNTOKUN

DAPO FAFOWORA

FROM THE SUMMIT dapo.fafowora@thenationonlineng.net

Proposals for reduction of diplomatic missions

•President Buhari

foreign missions. In 2011, budget appropriation for the MFA had increased to over N40b, with our foreign missions still accounting for over 81 per cent of the overall cost. This is where the major operating cost of the MFA is incurred. Average personnel cost of the MFA is less than N4b. Huge as these figures may appear to be, they account for an average of only one per cent of the total federal budget. In fact, it was only in 2007 that budgetary allocations to the Foreign Service reached 1.34 per cent of the budget of the Federal Government.

Two issues arise from this analysis. First, is the state spending more on its foreign representation than other public agencies? Relative to other agencies of the Federal Government, can we really say that the cost of running the Foreign Service, with its enormous global responsibilities, is too much. It is by no means clear that is the case, except that most of the cost incurred in running the Foreign Service and our diplomatic missions abroad is in foreign currencies. It is this that leads the public and the government to demand a reduction in appropriations to the MFA. For example, defence and national security take an average of 10 per cent of the budget annually, education about seven per

cent, home administration over 12 per cent.

So in real and comparative terms, the overall cost to the nation of its Foreign Service is not as high as it seems. The second issue regarding costs is where the cuts, if necessary, are to be made. Is it in the cost of personnel or the number and size of our diplomatic missions abroad? I raise these questions because previous efforts to cut the cost of running the Foreign Service have on the whole focused on the senior staff of the MFA rather than on the large number of our foreign missions, which account for over 80 per cent of the overall cost of running the Foreign Service. As a matter of fact, in 1976 and 1984 when there were purges in the Foreign Service, more diplomatic missions were opened after. This showed that the purges were political and not motivated by any demonstrable need for cost reduction. Only a few years ago, a new diplomatic mission was opened in Juba, South Sudan, and our embassies in Caracas, Belgrade, the Vatican and Prague, which had been previously closed, were all reopened. Even the MFA complained officially about these inconsistencies in the manner our missions are opened, only to be closed later for lack of funding.

The fact of the matter, often ignored by the government and the public, is that some of Nigeria’s diplomatic missions were opened to accommodate failed politicians and hacks who demand diplomatic postings as compensation from the government. Of Nigeria’s 119 diplomatic missions, about 60 have non-career ambassadors. But only a handful can be said to have what it takes to be a good ambassador. Many of them go abroad to serve themselves and not the nation. A few years ago when I visited Argentina and called on our embassy in Buenos Aires, I met a junior staff there who told me the Ambassador had been absent from his post for over three months. Again when I served in Ankara, Turkey, in 1975, with concurrent accreditation to Iran, I could not understand the reason for having our diplomatic mission in Ankara at the time. Subse-

HARDBALL

H

ARDBALL has an idea — traffic tales!

Now, what do you think that is?

Well, it is certainly tales about the traffic. And if traffic is about vehicles and their drivers, including the ubiquitous Okada riders — traffic laws be damned! — it is certainly about what these drivers do or don’t do on the road.

But while you probably would take a denotative view of all these road exploits, Hardball is taking a connotative view. Want to take a sneak into the mind of a nation? Then rivet your eyes on the behavioural pattern of its traffic. Got the gist now?

Imagine, you are driving, a law-abiding citizen; and a fellow road user just zooms at you from the opposite direction, flashing impatiently and totting on his horns. Well, there is a fuel station which he is trying to enter and your car, on your legit lane, seems a nuisance on the way. All the flashing and all the totting scream a single message: get the hell out of the way, you scum!

Now, what do you do? Scurry out of the way? Or call his bluff by ignoring him, and seriously praying his brake is okay, so he won’t bash into your car, after a brake failure? You

Traffic tales probably act, according to your mindset, at that exact moment.

Familiar, isn’t it? Well, that unruly traffic behaviour just shows a good number of Nigerians — perhaps a majority, though there are not stats from studies to back up that claim — are simply indecorous, hasty and resort to insults, when they could simply have asked nicely.

Again, look at your terrain, what do you observe? A serpentine traffic, with a gridlock of truckers and tanker drivers staking their constitutionally given, not to talk of Goddivined, right to inflict pains and make your day a hell on earth.

Before you know it, a container has fallen upon a fellow road user, crushing a whole family. Other nearby cars only escape by the whiskers. Pronto, lucky to be alive (its Hobbes’s jungle, after all!), they scurry to the church and give testimonies on their great escape! Not without reasons though: for far too many have perished in such wilful accidents, and seeming no action was taken, that they simply became statistics.

quently, I learnt that the two missions were opened to accommodate Brigadier Kurubo.

When I went to Teheran, I discovered that Kurubo was not even known in the Foreign Ministry. Our Mission in Teheran was being run by a junior attaché who had not been paid for six months. I duly recommended that one of the two embassies be closed as our residual interest there in those days did not warrant us opening full-fledged embassies there. In fact, I requested a posting back to Lagos after only a year in Ankara.

Many critics of our foreign representation have pointed out to the lack of resources in running our missions abroad. This is, in fact, the critical issue. For lack of funds most of our missions cannot be run properly and professionally. The Foreign Service is costly and cannot be run on shoe strings as is the case now. For instance, the total MFA budget in 2009 was only US$306 million. South Africa’s budget was US $702 million. In 2010, while Nigeria’s Foreign Service budget fell to $232 million, South Africa’s was US$634. In 2012, our MFA budget was only US$317 million that of South Africa was US$720 million. Yet, South Africa’s GDP is only a third of Nigeria’s. As acknowledged by the MFA publication of 2012, ‘Our diplomatic missions continue to suffer needless and painful embarrassments arising from disconnection of utility services, ejection of staff from rented apartments, ejection of children from schools for failure to pay school fees and arrears of salaries of the diplomatic and other staff’. In 1989, after verification, the Federal Government settled an accumulated debt of $100 in our diplomatic missions. In 2005, a similar exercise took place with the missions being bailed out again.

It is up to the government to determine how many diplomatic missions our country should have. A preponderant number of these diplomatic missions are in Africa, our primary area of strategic and political interest.

It will be difficult to close any of them. The number and size of our diplomatic missions should reflect the government’s foreign policy objectives and strategies. Nigeria’s global responsibilities and obligations have continued to increase. Yet, in our present challenging financial situation, with oil revenue falling steadily, and the GDP growth rate projected to decline this year to roughly 2.5 per cent, it is obvious that something concrete and urgent must be done to reduce the cost of governance. As far as MFA is concerned, it is now inevitable, though regrettable, that the number of our foreign missions should be reduced. But it is going to be a difficult exercise. We have over 125 foreign diplomatic missions in Abuja. Exchange of embassies and ambassadors is reciprocal.

Foreign countries from which we withdraw our embassies will not take kindly to it. They will almost certainly retaliate by closing their own diplomatic missions too.

• For comments, send SMS to 08054503031

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above Now, from this chaotic traffic, what sort of people are these?

Peculiar people whose governments make laws but don’t have the guts to enforce their own laws. And a minority of citizens that commit wilful crimes, yet insist on their right to such fatal wilfulness (fatal to the victims, but morbid trophies to the perpetrators), and go on to inflict even more tragedies.

That is the sorry tale of Nigeria today. Right now, Lagos groans under a heavy traffic; and the tormentors-in-chief are trailer drivers who have simply decided to call the bluff of the law. And what does the government do? Not exactly looking askance (though that seems what it is). The last time Hardball heard, the government was trying to “negotiate” with these traffic outlaws.

But while the demonstration goes on, stress has reached a boiling point, with everyone seeming to be trapped and helpless.

Nigeria’s traffic tales reveal a somewhat sub-human community, where traffic outlaws do as they damn wish and government appears scared to apply its own laws, even if that is what decent climes do!

It is indeed a very sad tale.

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