The Nation February 14, 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Fed Govt uncovers 45,000 ghost workers

‘NNPC must remit cash to govt’

NEWS

Page 6

BUSINESS

Page 11

•215 MDAs captured in new system

•Oil giant disagrees with House

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VOL. 8, NO. 2400 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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My resignation won’t hurt church, says Pope Benedict

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VISIBLY moved Pope Benedict yesterday tried to assure his worldwide flock over his stunning decision to become the first pontiff in centuries to resign, saying he was confident that it would not hurt the Church.

He spoke as The Vatican announced that a Conclave to elect his successor would start sometime between March 15 and March 20, in keeping with Church rules about the timing of such gatherings after the Papal See becomes vacant.

“Continue to pray for me, for the Church and for the future pope,” he said in unscripted remarks at the start of his weekly general audience, his first public appearance since his shock decision on Monday to step down on February 28.

It was the first time Benedict, 85, who will retire to a Convent inside The Vatican, exchanging the splendour of his 16th Century Apostolic Palace for a sober modern residence, had uttered the words “future pope” in public.

Church officials are still so stunned by the move that The Vatican experts have yet to decide what his title will be and whether he will continue to wear the white of a pope, the red of a cardinal or the black of an ordi-

•Pope Benedict at The Vatican...yesterday. It was his first public appearance after announcing his decision to resign on February 28.

MORE STORIES ON PAGES 4 &5

Fear as 16 states get new police chiefs

APGA division delays APC logo

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From Yomi Odunuga and Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

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IXTEEN police commissioners were moved yesterday in a sudden action believed to be part of the Presidency’s strategy to ensure a firm grip on some states ahead of the 2015 elections.

President Goodluck Jonathan is yet to speak on his political future but there are speculations that he plans to run.

Some governors, who are believed to be against his Continued on page 8

•Abubakar

ITH the division in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) , those waiting for the logo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will have to be patient, it was learnt yesterday.

Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) spokesman Lai Mohammed said in Abuja after a meeting of some lead-

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

ers of the new party that following the row in APGA, its symbol will not be in the logo of the new party to avoid litigation.

According to him, the various factions in APGA have accepted the decision of APC and sought to be allowed to report to their party.

He said: “We appreciate

the fact that APGA is today divided. It is factionalised. Therefore, it will not be proper for us to take any of the symbols of APGA as part of the logo of APC, which they actually accepted.

“Their only point is that we should allow them to report back to their party Continued on page 8

Senate attacks Presidency over pension chief Maina Lawmakers to Executive: dismiss him or risk battle

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•Maina

ENATORS yesterday demanded the dismissal of Pension Reform Task Team Chairman Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina from the public service.

They said Maina should also be disengaged from all acts relating to public duty.

The Senate also summoned the In-

From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

spector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, to appear before its Committee on Police Affairs to explain why he did not execute the warrant issued by the Senate President to produce Maina dead or alive.

It said Maina should be arrested, investigated and prosecuted.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion, “Dismissal of Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina for refusal to appear before the Senate”.

The motion was sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, and 107 other senators.

Senate President David Mark, who summed up contributions by senators, said the Senate had been pushed to the wall.

Mark said the Presidency must choose between continued cordial relationship with the Senate and Maina.

Continued on page 8

•SPORT P13 •EDUCATION P25 •POLITICS P43 •N/HEALTH P45 •E-BUSINESS P47

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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NEWS POPE’S RESIGNATION

Who’s next? Eight BOOKMAKERS in Europe already have their favorites, but the world won’t know who will succeed Pope Benedict XVI until that puff of white smoke is sent up the chimney of the Conclave room between March 15 and March 20.

The College of Cardinals has no shortage of factors to

Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, cutting the tape at the inauguration of 15 patrol boats acquired by the state ...yesterday. With him are Gen. Ibrahim Haruna (rtd), (second right), Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof.Edmund Allison Oguru (left) and Transport Commissioner, Marie Ebikake (second left).

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega(right), member, House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, James Faleke (second right), Committee Chairman Adeola Solomon Olamilekan (second left), his deputy, Auwal Jattau after INEC’s response to an audit query by the AuditorGeneral of the Federation’s Office at National Assembly in Abuja...yesterday PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

•Scola

Cardinal Angelo Scola. He is the archbishop of Milan, a good launching pad for popes and the the former Patriarch of Venice, which has also produced many a papal front-runner. Scola, 71, has close ties to the conservative Communion and Liberation movement. He is a champion of immigrants’ right and has been active in outreach to the Muslim world.

Vatican expert John Allen wrote of Scola: “If you like Benedict XVI, you’ll love Scola; even if you don’t, you’ll find it hard not to be charmed.”

•Turkson

•Ouellet

Cardinal Peter Turkson. The first Ghanaian cardinal, Cardinal Peter Turkson is President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the Vatican’s pointman on Catholicism in Africa. An energetic 64-year-old, Turkson is considered to be more moderate than some other contenders but hardly a radical. Asked about the spread of AIDS in Africa, he said abstinence was a better solution than condoms. A couple of years ago, he said the first black pope would have a “rough time” and he was not bucking for the job.

Cardinal Mar archbishop o Ouellet heads Bishops, a po 68, speaks six a decade as a m bia and has st South Americ a conservative in 2010 when a “moral crim rape. In a 2 laughed off th the pontiff, s and respons nightmare.”

Pope confident resignation won’t hurt church

•House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal (right), immediate past President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Azubike Imme (left) and the Society’s President, Olumide Akinfuyo, when the duo visited the Speaker in Abuja...yesterday

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Senator Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East) (middle), Lagos Solicitor-General and Permanaent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (left), the lawmaker representing Ikorodu State Constituency II, Mrs. Nosimot Akinsola, Elegbin of Egbin, Oba Akeem Obateru and the lawmaker representing Ikorodu State Constituency I, S.O.B. Agunbiade after the public hearing on the privatisation of Egbin Thermal Power Station by the Senate Committee on Privatisation , in Abuja...yesterday.

VISIBLY moved Pope Benedict yesterday tried to assure his worldwide flock over his stunning decision to become the first pontiff in centuries to resign, saying he was confident that it would not hurt the Church.

He spoke as the Vatican announced that a Conclave to elect his successor would start sometime between March 15 and March 20, in keeping with Church rules about the timing of such gatherings after the Papal See becomes vacant.

“Continue to pray for me, for the Church and for the future pope,” he said in un-scripted remarks at the start of his weekly general audience, his first public appearance since his shock decision on Monday to step down on February 28.

It was the first time Benedict, 85, who will retire to a Convent inside the Vatican, exchanging the splendour of his 16th Century Apostolic Palace for a sober modern residence, had uttered the words “future pope” in public.

Church officials are still so stunned by the move that the Vatican experts have yet to decide what his title will be and whether he will continue to wear the white of a pope, the red of a cardinal or the black of an ordinary priest.

His voice sounded strong at the audience but he was clearly moved and his eyes appeared to be watering as he reacted to the thunderous applause in the Vatican’s vast, modern audience hall, packed with more than 8,000 people.

In brief remarks in Italian that mir-

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I took this decision in full freedom for the good of the Church after praying for a long time and examining my conscience before God,”

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rored what he read in Latin to stunned cardinals on Monday, he appeared to try to calm Catholics’ fears of the unknown.

His message was that God would continue to guide the church.

“I took this decision in full freedom for the good of the Church after praying for a long time and examining my conscience before God,” he said.

The Pope said he was “well aware of the gravity of such an act”, but also aware that he no longer had the strength required to run the 1.2 billion member Roman Catholic Church, which has been beset by a string of scandals both in Rome and around the world.

Benedict said he was sustained by the “certainty that the church belongs to Christ, who will never stop guiding it and caring for it” and suggested that the faithful should also feel comforted by this.

He said that he had “felt almost physically” the affection and kindness he had received since he announced the decision.

When Benedict resigned on Monday, Vatican spokesman Rev Federico Lombardi said the pontiff did not fear schism in the church after his decision to step down.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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NEWS POPE’S RESIGNATION

cardinals in race to succeed Pope Benedict XVI consider in picking the next pope - from age to geography - and no dearth of potential candidates.

The names of some princes of the church have emerged from Vatican watchers since Monday’s surprise abdication announcement.

No fewer than 115 cardinals, below 80, will be eligible to enter a secret

l Marc Ouellet. A former op of Quebec, Cardinal heads the Congregation of a power center. Ouellet, ks six languages. He spent as a missionary in Colomhas strong ties to Latin and merica. He is considered vative and made headlines when he said abortion was l crime,” even in cases of n a 2011 interview, he off the idea of becoming tiff, saying the workload ponsibility “would be a re.”

Conclave to elect Benedict XVI’s successor.

Cardinals around the world have already begun informal consultations by phone and e-mail to construct a profile of the man they think would be best suited to lead the church in a period of continuing crisis.

•Scherer

•Sandri

•Dolan

•Bagnasco

Cardinal Odilo Scherer. Born in Brazil to parents of German extraction, Scherer’s big advantage is geography; he hails from the region that is home to half of the world’s Catholics. Considered a moderate, the 63-year-old serves as the archbishop of Sao Paulo and has spots in two key Vatican groups, the Congregation for the Clergy and the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation.

Cardinal Leonardo Sandri.

Born in Argentina to Italian parents, Sandri was the second-in-command in the Vatican Secretary of State’s Office under Pope John Paul II and now serves as Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. A longtime Vatican diplomat, Sandri, 69, is well-respected but seen by some as more of a top-notch administrator than a theological leader.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan. The head of the archdiocese of New York, Dolan is one of the Vatican’s most popular figures — charismatic, camera-ready and conservative. As head of the United States (U.S.) Conference of Catholic Bishops, he has not shied away from political fights, taking on the Barack Obama administration over contraception. But Dolan, 63, has only been a cardinal for a year.

Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco. The archbishop of Genoa is well-connected, having served twice as the President of the Italian Bishop’s Conference. A baker’s son who says he knew he wanted to be a priest in elementary school, Bagnasco, 70, is considered a conservative force in the church. He was the target of death threats in 2007 after comments opposing same-sex unions and in 2011, he launched a thinly veiled attack on scandal-ridden Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and other politicians, referring to them as “sad and hollow.”

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•Pope Benedict’s birthplace in Maktl, Germany.

came the center of media attention,” Kaiser said.

“It’s quite sad that he already resigned,” said Marktl’s Mayor Hubert Gschwendtner.

“At first I didn’t believe it,”

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi.

The Italian-born President of the Pontifical Council for Culture, Ravasi, 70, is hugely popular through his Scripture lessons on television and radio. On a crusade to keep the church relevant, he blogs, quotes Amy Winehouse on Twitter, and criticises priests for boring sermons. An archaeologist by training, he’s a brainy biblical scholar who is seen as a theological moderate.

‘Heavy heart but complete understanding’

Benedict’s hometown in disbelief over resignation E are Pope!” declared the German daily Bild proudly and boldly on its front page after Pope Benedict XVI was elected in 2005.

Now, the dream of a German pope is over. Soon it could be “We were Pope!”

The sudden news of the Pope’s resignation shocked his native Germany. Radio stations reported that some at first thought the announcement was a bad carnival joke.

“I was shocked, because it came as a real surprise for, I think, everyone, as there were no signs of a resignation,” said Josef Kaiser, a local Catholic priest in the Pope’s birthplace, Marktl.

Benedict was born Joseph Ratzinger in this Bavarian hamlet in 1927.

After his election, thousands descended on the village in Southeastern Germany and his family’s former home was turned into a museum.

In the ensuing years, 200,000 visitors came to Marktl. On Monday, the evening of his resignation announcement, crowds of mostly reporters and photographers surrounded the pope’s birthplace — the bright lights of television crews lighting up the building possibly for the last time.

Mentioning no specific ailment other than ‘advanced age,’ Pope Benedict’s parting came as a shocking announcement for many – except for the Pope’s brother, Georg Ratzinger, who said he knew Benedict had been thinking about stepping down for months. NBC’s Richard Engel said.

“Marktl changed, because this was a very sleepy, small village of about two and a half thousand inhabitants and suddenly through the pope’s election, it be-

• Ravasi

Gschwendtner added. “Last June, I met him in Rome and he seemed quite well mentally and physically.”

But the Pope’s brother, Rev. Georg Ratzinger, said Benedict’s resignation did not come to him as a sur-

prise. He knew it was a process that had started a while ago and worsened as he weakened.

“He didn’t have the strength anymore that the office demands,” Ratzinger said.

POPE Benedict XVI’s abdication announcement at a small event at the Vatican on Monday came as such a surprise that even the cardinals in the room were astonished — a sentiment echoed around the world as church leaders and laity alike grappled with the news.

“All the cardinals remained shocked and were looking at each other,” Monsignor Oscar Sanchez of Mexico, who was in the room at the time of the announcement, said, according to The Associated Press The pope said on Monday that he no longer had the strength to carry out his ministry and would step aside February 28 as leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics. Speaking in Latin, Benedict, 85, announced his decision during an address at a small gathering of cardinals.

“I’m as startled as the rest of you and as anxious to find out exactly what’s going on,” Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, United States (U.S.) said on TODAY. “Except for prayer, I don’t know what else to do. I’ll await instruction with everyone else,” he said.

Like other prominent figures in the church, Dolan said that it was a somber occasion and that the decision only deepened his respect for the pope.

Dolan, who was appointed to his position in 2009 and elevated to cardinal early last year by Benedict himself, is considered a longshot candidate to succeed the pope. He said that he found himself “kind of somber” upon hearing of the resignation.

“Boy, I love this pope,” the cardinal said. “The world looks to him with respect and affection,” he added.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

NEWS EFCC arraigns man for ‘fraud’

By Joseph Jibueze

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned a 27-yearold man, Abiola Ayanlaja, who allegedly defrauded an Australian, Flora Vieth, using the name of the commission’s former Chairman Mrs Farida Waziri.

He was slammed with 18-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and uttering before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja.

EFCC said Ayanlaja conspired with Michael Atireme and one Chidi, both of whom are still at large, to defraud Vieth of $6,147 (about N1million).

They allegedly lied to her that she won $1.3 million in a lottery.

Vieth was then asked to pay $6,147 to be used to facilitate the transfer of the money to her.

To make their pretence believable, EFCC prosecutor Francis Usani said the defendants forged a document titled: “Guarantee” which they claimed was issued by Mrs Waziri.

The alleged crime was committed between March 2009 and May 2011.

The prosecutor added that Ayanlaja also forged a document “issued” by the Chairman of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Alhaji Ahmadu Giade.

He said the documents were used by the defendants to facilitate the fraud.

The alleged offences, Usani said, contravened Sections 467 and 468 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2003.

They are also contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2006.

Ayanlaja pleaded not guilty to all the counts and was granted bail.

Justice Onigbanjo adjourned trial till June 13.

$650m hospital for Abuja From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

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O discourage medical tourism abroad, the Federal Government is considering the building of a $650 million world class hospital for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Abuja Medical City, is to discourage foreign medical trips.

The 1,687-bed hospital has to pass through the procurement process.

Presenting the turnkey project with a completion duration of between 24 to 36 months to the Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu in Abuja, representative of IBT Group, Mr. Daniel Toledano said the hospital will make Nigeria a medical tourists centre in Africa.

It will have capacity and personnel to cater for about 2,040,000 patients at a time.

45,000 ghost workers on payroll, says Fed Govt •Sets up special committee to verify Nigeria’s assets around the globe

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OURTY-FIVE thousand ghost workers have been uncovered in 215 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government under the Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System (IPPIS), the Federal Government said yesterday.

Briefing State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, the Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Ngama said the IPPIS was introduced to enhance efficiency in personnel cost, planning and budgeting on actual verified number and not estimates.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

According to him, the government has audited 215 MDAs and 153,019 workers as of January this year.

The minister said that 321 MDAs have not been captured in the IPPIS, adding that government has also established the Treasury Single Account (TSA) as a unified structure of government bank account, which gives a consolidated view of the cash position.

Ninety-two MDAs, he said, are currently on TSA while 97 Abuja-based MDAs would be added by next month.

Declaring that the Ministry of Finance is charged with the responsibility for fiscal con-

solidation, budget composition, increase revenue generation and building of buffers to take care of financial crisis, Ngama said that the ministry is also responsible for efficient micro economic management, mobilisation of fund for the real sector development and introduction of structural reforms that will enhance jobs creation.

The ministry, he said, broke the jinx surrounding late preparation of budget as the 2013 budget was presented at a record time in September last year.

According to Ngama, the government is planning to increase capital expenditure to 60 per cent and reduce recur-

rent expenditure to 40 percent.

The target, he said, is to reduce the fiscal responsibility of 6.11per cent to 2.17 this year and ultimately bring it down to about 1.7per cent .

President Goodluck Jonathan also set up a special committee to verify Nigeria’s assets abroad. It is valued at billions of naira.

Minister of Information Labaran Maku told State House correspondents after the Council meeting.

He said the inter-ministerial committee will go round the world and verify Nigerian assets abroad including those of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, assets of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian

•Ngama

Navy.

The committee, which is headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, has representatives from the Federal Ministries of Finance, Housing and Urban Development, Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) and Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP).

•Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs Olusola Oworu (fifth left); Senior Economic Researcher Insititute of Liberty and Democracy (ILD),Mr Enrique Diaz (fourth left), Permanent Secretary Mr Wale Raji (sixth left) and others at the opening ceremony for the training of local team of the institute under the Lagos/ILD informal sector reform programme at Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Terrorism: Suspected Al-Qaeda member denies evidence by SSS

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SUSPECTED member of Al-Qaeda, M o h a m m e d Suleiman Ashafa, has denied a statement tendered in evidence against him by the State Security Service (SSS).

He is arraingned before Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over allegations of being a member of the group and also involved in training members in terrorism.

At the resumed trial yesterday, Ashafa insisted that

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

the statement, though carrying his signature, didnt emanate from him.

Speaking through an interpreter when asked by his lawyer, N.CNwachukwu to verify the statement before the court, Ashafa said: “I wrote my statement in Hausa language while the present document is in English and I do not understand English”.

The accused who told the court that he deals on Islamic books, told the court how he

was forced by some officers of the SSS at gunpoint to sign the present statement carrying his signature.

“I was tortured, humiliated, severely beaten, and was striped naked by SSS officials in their bid to make me succumb and sign their own version of the statement. One of them even held my manhood and was mocking it “ Ashafa told the court.

He went on: “When I refused to sign the statement written in English language, a superior officer brought out

a pistol and threatened to shoot me dead if I refuse to sign the document. After the torture and treatment metted out on me, at that point, I had to sign in protest”.

Answering questions from the prosecution counsel, Thompson Olatigbe, the accused said he has been with the SSS since 2003 till 2006, when he was charged to court.

Ashafa admitted before the court that he wrote two statements in Hausa language on two occasions he was questioned by the SSS in

relation to the statement he was opposed to.

More so, he maintained that, “This document shown to me in court today is not my statement”.

Justice Adamu Bello granted Ashafa’s counsel 10 days to file a written address in trial within trial just as he gave the prosecuting counsel, two days to reply the said address.

The matter was adjourned till March 25, when both parties are required to adopt their written addresses.

Senator Tinubu challenges youths on unity

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ROM the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, came yesterday a piece of advice for the youth: believe in the nation’s unity.

It was when students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) visited her in Abuja .

Senator Tinubu noted that it is important for youths to continue to have faith in the country.

The lawmaker explained that her drive to give the youth some platforms to express themselves was borne out of her desire to produce responsible youths.

She urged the students to take their studies seriously.

Senator Tinubu, who represents Lagos Central Senatorial District, also enjoined

•FUTA students visit lawmaker in Abuja From: Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

the students to have passion for a better future.

She said: “There is nothing you can’t do, if you set your mind to do it. Whatever you decide to do in life, give it your best. You must also endeavour to be responsible.

“If you don’t have youths that are responsible, it will be difficult to develop the country.

“I don’t see this country disintegrating. We will continue to work relentlessly to remain one because we have strength in our diversity. The youth should continue to have faith in the unity of Nigeria .

“On my part, I will continue to do what I believe will

be in the best interest of the youth of this country and the upcoming generations.

“As youths you must be determined, focused and, above all, you must not give up your dreams.”

On the on-going Constitution review, the lawmaker said that a sovereign national conference where ethnic nationalities would pick their representatives should have been better.

Senator Tinubu, who is also a member of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, said her desire for the country is to have a constitution that will stand the test of time.

Her ideal Constitution, she added, must not be anybody’s agenda.

She described corruption

as being across board and advised the students to shun all corruptive tendencies.

On the Spelling B and One Day Governor initiatives, she said they were created to give opportunities to the youth to express themselves.

The products of the initiatives, Senator Tinubu said, are doing well in academics and other fields.

She noted that as an educationist, she believed in creating avenues and giving opportunities to brilliant students to pursue their talents and expand their horizon.

The Speaker of the Students’ Representative Council, Emiola Waleola Jeremiah, said they were in Abuja to observe Senate and House of Representatives proceedings.

Jeremiah said they decided

to visit Senator Tinubu to learn more about legislative processes.

He said: “We believe in Senator Oluremi Tinubu so much because we followed her activities as First Lady of Lagos State. The Spelling B competition and Governor for One Day initiatives she introduced are laudable.

“She continues to impact positively on the lives of Nigerians, especially the youth.

“We are also following her activities as Senator. We are aware of her Bills and contributions on the floor of the Senate. We want to learn more from her.”

Senator Tinubu thanked the students for following her work at the National Assembly and her initiatives to improve and impact positively on the lives of the youths.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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NEWS Christians begin Lenten season

By Nneka Nwaneri

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HRISTIANS all over the world yesterday began the Lenten season with the reception of ashes on their foreheads.

The 40-day Lent began with Ash Wednesday. It is a period of sober reflection, prayer and abstinence.

In the Catholic Church, it is a period when the readings and songs change, in preparation for Easter.

Catholic faithful attended mass in large numbers.

Priests and Bishops at their parishes delivered messages for the season.

A cleric, Rev. Fr. Jude Anyaehie, said Christians should use the season to deny themselves of some important things.

He said: “Today, we are reminded that ashes we are and ashes we return. The ash is to remind us that we are dust.

Thus, this is a sober period in the church. Songs and readings will change. So we should pray more and be spiritual.”

Nigeria, Switzerland to partner on security From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

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IGERIA and Switzerland are brainstorming on how to work together against insecurity and promote human rights.

The Nigerian delegation at the Political Dialogue on Human Rights in Abuja yesterday was led by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Martin Uhomoibhi, while the Swiss Special Envoy for Human Rights, Paul Koller, led the Switzerland’s delegation.

Other areas of collaboration included boosting the criminal justice system, minority rights, migration, discrimination and the relationship between business and human rights, as well as the voluntary principles on security.

The Political Dialogue on Human Rights, which began in 2011, provides opportunity for critical but constructive discussion on human rights issues, among others.

Corps members to protest colleague’s ‘brutalisation’

•Emeka Okereke, Director-General, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (left) and Dr. Theo Okonkwo, President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture during their visit to the corporate headquarters of Vintage Press Ltd, publishers of The Nation... yesterday.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

See story on page 11 PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAM

Reps, Jega meet over INEC’s faulty books

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HE House of Representatives’ Committee on Public Accounts yesterday refused to give the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, audience over what it called “poor documentation.”

But the committee went into an executive session with Prof. Jega on sensitive matters concerning the administration of the commission.

The INEC boss had appeared before the committee

From: Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

following its threat to arrest him for refusing to appear before the panel after five invitations.

The invitations were to allow Jega answer queries spanning several years, which were raised against INEC by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.

Following the threat of arrest, Jega wrote the committee and appealed for time to appear, saying his non-ap-

pearance was due to his tight schedule and should not be regarded as a lack of regard for the committee and, by extension, the House of Representatives.

The Public Accounts Committee was forced to step down yesterday’s proceedings on all the queries raised against the commission because Jega could not produce its fixed asset register over the years and its Chairman, Solomon Olamilekan-Adeola, said the INEC boss should put his house in order and should re-

Jonathan: I’m impressed with Buhari’s presence at centenary launch From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

•Jonathan

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said the presence of former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and other dignitaries at the launch of Nigeria’s centenary celebration

last Monday impressed him.

He said the idea of celebrating the nation’s centenary attracted a lot of criticisms, with many wondering why the country should celebrate amid crisis.

President Jonathan said sighting Buhari in the audience informed his decision to ask the former leader to join him in lighting the centenary torch.

He said: “When the celebration was packaged and that day when I got there, I was impressed, especially when I saw the former heads of state in-

cluding Gen. Buhari.

“He came that day and that was why I said the two of us should light the unity torch and I think it was something nice.”

According to him, the way the centenary launch was packaged showed that Nigerians needed to celebrate.

“Initially, when we came up with the idea of celebrating our centenary, there were many negative statements in the media. Nigerians were questioning why we have to celebrate amid crisis. They claimed that our unity has never brought development.

“But finally, when the celebration was packaged and that

Ijaw youths seek better security

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HE Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has urged the Federal Government to do more on security to stem terrorism in the country.

IYC said this yesterday after a meeting of its leaders in council in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

It, however, commended the efforts of the Federal Government in tackling insecurity.

The IYC said it has reviewed the security situation in the past one year and eight months and has deduced that a combination of security challenges have built up over the years to compound the current situation in the country.

According to the communiqué issued at the meeting and signed by the IYC president, Miabiye Kuromiema, the council said it observed that subsisting socio-economic conditions upon which President Goodluck Jonathan entered into leadership, exacerbated by the socio-

appear at a later day before the committee.

Prof. Jega, while addressing the committee, admitted that INEC has no Fixed Asset register as requested by the commission.

He, however, said the commission would correct the irregularities of recordkeeping.

As a result of this confession, the panel and INEC boss went into a closed session, which the media and even Jega’s commissioners and aides were barred from.

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

political scenario such as zoning, loss of power by a class of sit-tight politicians in the country, but more particularly some leaders in the far North and failures of past leaders were responsible for the current security challenges.

It said; “We have noticed that exacerbating ambitions and unguided utterances of the socalled political and civil society leaders are the root sources and inflaming conditions of the current security and socio-economic challenges.

“Terrorism in the far northern region, deadly armed robbery operations, commercial kidnapping and increasing cases of ritual murder, absence of real and equitable growth, decay in public institutions and infrastructure, particularly the security agencies among others have now attained full maturation and are currently fruiting

in all national life.

“Council commends the rise to this current challenge and growing intelligence and operational capacity of the State Security Services, the Armed Forces and the Police and their respective leaderships under President Jonathan as they rebuild a badly ruined security system.

Council witnesses like many Nigerians that this progress is beginning to yield results. This is evident in encouraging arrest of many key actors, who are helping investigations, reduction in suicide bombing and the use of Improvised Electronic Devices. The intervention in Mali is also signalling the coming end of insurgence with the recent factional declaration of cease fire by Boko Haram.

“Council notes that in countries where terrorism takes root, the world have had difficulty managing it. Council therefore urge Mr. President and his team to work even

more harder on addressing socio-economic and political environment created by failed leadership in the past that support the recruiting terrorist, as security agencies work to restore internal order and security by lawful, civilised and professional procedures. As this is needed to strengthen economic progress in the far North.

“Council similarly hails the military intervention in Mali.

Council recognises the strategic relevance underlying this intervention as entrenching democracy in Africa and its usefulness to obfuscate training and resourcing lines for Boko Haram and JAMB’s activities in Nigeria.

“Council call on government, repentant insurgents and the far Northern Nigerian leaders and indeed all Nigerians to move into this space of recently factional declaration of cease fire to find lasting solutions to the security situation.”

day when I got there, I was impressed,” he said.

President Jonathan said the centenary launch and Super Eagles’ victory at the just-concluded Africa Cup of Nations showed that God has a purpose for Nigeria.

“With the colourful launch of the centenary celebration and the victory of the Super Eagles, though I’m not a soothsayer, there are certain things that are directed by the will of God and I believe God has a purpose for this country.

“I believe the purpose will be achieved and I believe collectively, we shall succeed,” he added.

NATIONAL Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in Ekiti State have vowed to protest the alleged brutalisation of their colleague, Mr. Anthony Onuagbara, by some policemen.

Some of them, who spoke with reporters in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, lamented the condition of the corps member, who they alleged could no longer see with one of his eyes following the alleged unjust treatment.

According to them, “it was shocking to realise that the NYSC, which should champion the cause of serving corps members, has not shown interest.

“We have decided to mobilise our colleagues to stage a protest tomorrow (today) at the passing out parade since we have observed that the police and the NYSC are covering up the incident.

“How can a corps member, who came to serve his fatherland with every part of his body complete, go back as a physically-challenged and they expect us not to protest?

“We know that nothing will be done about the case again since he (Onuagbara) will pass out tomorrow (today).”

They said that was why they mobilised for the protest to call the attention of the public to the unjust treatment meted out to the corps member.

Police spokesman Mr. Victor Olu- Babayemi said: “The matter is being investigated.

The case is still being investigated and whoever is found culpable will be punished.”

Onuagbara, who served at the Ekiti State University, was on August 12 last year allegedly attacked by some police officers attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in his home at Adebayo area.

The corps member, a 21year-old graduate of Marketing from the Anambra State University, alleged that some policemen forced their way into his room on the fateful day and beat him up with assorted objects, including the butt of their gun.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

NEWS

•Senator Oluremi Tinubu (middle) with the Students Representatives Council members of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) led by Speaker Wale Emiola (fourth right) during a visit to PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE the Senator at the National Assembly in Abuja...yesterday. Story on Page 6

APGA division delays APC logo, says Mohammed Continued from page 1

that in the new logo which will be unveiled, there is no symbol of APGA because once we use the symbol of APGA, a faction could take us to court.

“And that is why we are now differing the announcement of the logo until the time when they go back to explain. Certainly, they did not work out. They went to have their own meetings, their own consultations. “ He said members at the meeting arrived at what the logo would be , stressing, “but we are delaying the announcement because of what I have just told you.”

He also noted that the new party will inaugurate the various committees it has set up next week.

“We have taken a lot of very useful decisions, consultations still continue. Various committees have been set up to be inaugurated next week. And if there is any other development, we will let you know,” he said.

Speaking on the speculation that the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) was not committed to the merger, Mohammed said the par-

Merger: ANPP governors to stop Sheriff

F

OLLOWING moves by the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to split the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the governors elected on ANPP platform and other stakeholders have moved against the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the party, ex-Governor Modu Ali Sheriff.

Also, anxiety has gripped Borno political leaders over the “new deal” between the PDP and Sheriff.

The leaders alleged that the ‘secret’ deal involves dropping the ongoing investigation of Sheriff by security agencies in connection with the activities of Boko Haram (Western education is a sin) – the fundamentalist sect that has killed many in its campaign to impose Sharia, the strict Islamic code.

Sheriff has been quizzed by the State Security Service (SSS) over the emergence of the sect in Borno State during his tenure.

All the ANPP governors have endorsed the merger and vowed to keep the party intact against the pressure on Sheriff to factiona-

ty’s Board of Trustees Chairman, Alli Modu Sherrif, attended the meeting.

He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that is looking forward to the break up of APC, because of ego and status, will be disappointed because the constituent parties are committed to the cause of the merger.

From Yusuf Alli, Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja and Emmanuel Oladesu, Group Political Editor

lise it.

A highly-placed source, who spoke in confidence, said the governors vowed to checkmate Sheriff and those being asked to form a splinter group in ANPP. The source said: “The ANPP governors are aware of the plot by the Presidency and the PDP to frustrate the merger of four parties by destabilising the party. They have also floated counter-plans to checkmate Sheriff and others working against the merger.

“The grand plan of the Presidency and the PDP is to create a crisis in ANPP, like the case with the Alliance for Democracy (AD) where two national chairmen emerged.

“They are trying to prevail on Sheriff to split the party and at the end of the day; the government will use its might to recognise only the Sheriff’s faction of the party.

“They want to technically edge out all ANPP

He denied that some members of APC are already jostling for positions.

According to him, the issue of candidacy has not been tabled in all the consultations of the new party.

He noted that all the constituent parties must hold their respective conventions to seek their party’s consent

Continued on page 60

for the merger.

“If the PDP is waiting for the issue of ambition or ego to divide the APC, I think they are mistaking. What I have seen in our deliberation today is the extent to which people are ready to make sacrifices, how people are ready to bend backward to ensure that this merger works.

16 states get new police commissioners Continued from page 1

“ambition” are to be whipped into line, sources have said.

The strategy, it was learnt, has begun with the “routine” movement of some top security officers in states considered to be opposed to the President’s unannounced intention.

The redeployment was announced by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar.

Seventeen other senior officers in various commands and formations were also redeployed.

The Commissioners of Police and their new postings are: Sabo Ringim (Kebbi); Musa Daura (Kano); Moses Saba-Ndagi (Ebonyi); Johnson Ogunsakin (Kwara); and T.E. Ibitibituwa (Enugu).

Also appointed are Hilary Opara (Kogi); Jubril Adeniji (Taraba); Mohammed Indabawa (Oyo); Mohammed Katsina (Imo); Usman Tili Abubakar (Abia); Olufemi Ogunbayode (FCT) and Dorathy Gimba (Osun).

Others are: Foluso Adebanjo (Edo); Mbu Joseph Mbu (Rivers); A.K. Shodipo (Cross

River) and Patrick Dey Dokumor (Ondo).

Sources told our correspondents in Abuja yesterday that the double-pronged approach will not only ensure the weakening of the powers of the affected state chief executives, but will also provide an opportunity for the government to soften the ground in anticipation of any security challenges that may occur before 2015.

A similar exercise was effected in the military a few weeks ago. It raised questions about ethnicity, forcing the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, to publicly deny the allegation.

But beyond the denial of ethnic or political considerations in the controversial postings of officers by the Chief of Army Staff, a source said other security agencies, including the State Security Services (SSS), are likely to have a “routine” shake-up.

The source said: “Of course, the general excuse is to label such questionable movements of top security officers as routine. But then, why should the Continued on page 60

Senate to Presidency: sack pension chief Maina now Continued from page 1

He said: “We have been pushed to the wall and the reaction is the correct reaction.

“So, no matter the depth, because somebody talked about the depth of the Maina situation, nobody in this country will be left to go scot-free, if he is associated with Maina.

“It doesn’t matter who is behind Maina; it is not for me to know whether somebody is behind Maina or not but no matter who is behind Maina, we are not going to accept it.

“Let me give you the genesis of why I took so long to allow the matter to be brought to the floor.

“First, for those of you who have been following Maina; he bought over the entire press and gave the impression that the Joint Committee asked him for bribe; that is not a secret.

“Everybody has been in the media and awash with it and I say that he should be given a fair chance to come and explain himself and expose anybody here who asked him for anything.

“If we hurried over it, it could appear as if it is a cover-up and I didn’t want to do that.

“I called the two committee chairmen and I asked them if they have been reading what Maina has been publishing in the newspapers and I also directed that they should invite Maina.

“Go for a public hearing and get the media houses to be there and let Maina say before the media and before this nation who asked him for bribe and I think that’s fair.

“That was the basis for asking Maina to appear before the committee.

“Now, Maina wrote a petition to me along the same line, even though he was

foolish enough, he didn’t sign it.

“He is a level 14 or level 13 civil servant. I didn’t bother so much about it because it is civil service procedure because that was not the subject matter and the subject matter was serious enough.

“At least to clear the name of the Senate, I told my Chief of Staff to call Maina and tell him that he must appear before the committee.

“I also forwarded the petition before the committee for their reaction and their reaction was that he mismanaged a certain amount of money and he is refusing to appear before them.

“But Maina wrote another letter to the committee, saying that he had written a petition to me and that he was awaiting an outcome and again, he didn’t sign it.

“It was signed by somebody under him; that is to tell you the level to which he put himself.

“Whether somebody is behind him or not behind him is a different subject matter entirely.

“My Chief of Staff called him and said he must appear before the committee but because he also expressed fear that because he wanted to expose the committee, the committee too would be biased; they will harass him and prevent him to talk.

“I said ‘fine, the Deputy Senate Leader, who is Abdul Ningi and the Chief Whip should join the committee when he appears before the committee’.

“I gave him ample time to clear himself and to carry his accusation to a logical conclusion, but each time he was to appear before the committee, he went to the press and on every occasion, I pointed it out to the two chairmen and, of course, the committee denied that they ever asked Maina for anything.

“The point I am trying to

make here is that I have given him a fair chance.

“Giving him an ample time to defend himself is not a wrong thing and it is not a sign of weakness in any way.

“I believe that it is fair and that we should follow the legal system… not let justice be also seen to be done.

“That is justice in the true sense of it.”

Mark added: “When the committee finally came to me and said that Maina refused to come, I then signed a warrant and sent it to the IGP. “I think it was the second day that Maina appeared here, hired people and was addressing them in the same vein.

“That the Senate is not straight-forward with him; in one of the headlines, it was that the Senate was colluding with fraudsters to embezzle pension fund.

“And I pointed all these out Continued on page 60

•Mark

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

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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NEWS

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SSS man bars The Nation from Ondo tribunal •Panel ends pre-hearing session

A

N official of the State Security Service (SSS) yesterday barred The Nation’s correspondent in Ondo State, Mr. Damisi Ojo, from covering the proceedings of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting on the premises of the High Court in Akure, the state capital.

Although the reporter showed the SSS official his Identity Card, he said there were enough reporters in the court room.

Two of his colleagues identified the reporter as a regular face at the tribunal, but the SSS man did not buldge. He told the reporter to leave the area if he did not want to be embarrassed.

It was learnt that he was recently posted to the state from Abuja and was at the tribunal for the first time.

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Some politicians around the court premises condemned the SSS official’s hostility.

Penultimate week, SSS men prevented the Head of News and Current Affairs of a private radio station, Adaba FM, Akure, Mr. Jide Ogunluyi, from covering the tribunal’s proceedings.

The tribunal ended its prehearing session yesterday, urging parties to be timeconscious.

The panel’s Chairman, Justice A. Kaka’n, was reacting to a plea for adjournment by the counsel to Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr. Lasun Sanusi.

Sanusi, in a motion dated February 9, sought to

present the report of the inspection of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) documents as earlier ordered by the court.

Counsel to the first, second and third respondents Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe, Mr. Yusuf Ali (SAN) and Mr. O. Ozaze objected to the motion.

They said they were served a few minutes before the court resumed sitting and would need time to go through it.

Justice Kaka’n gave the respondents five days to respond to the motion.

To fast-track hearing, the tribunal has allotted time to the parties.

The petitioners will have eight days to call their witnesses and prove their cases, while the respondents will have five days

•Akeredolu

each.

The tribunal will also have 10 days for submission of addresses and judgment.

Sanusi pleaded for an adjournment till the respondents respond to his motion before hearing begins.

Justice Kaka’n said two days would be removed from the days allotted to the petitions of Akeredolu and ACN. The tribunal adjourned till Tuesday.

HE Ondo State chapter of Ijesa Youth Development Association (IYDA) yesterday passed a vote-ofconfidence in Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

It said the Aregbesola administration has recorded unprecedented achievements in the last two years.

IYDA said the “dawn of a new era being witnessed in Osun has brought joy to many homes”.

In a statement by its Chairman, Mr. Tayo Oluwagbaye, Co-ordinator Mr. Olusayo Ogunleye and Publicity Secretary Mr. Boluwaji Faseyi after an emergency meeting in Akure, the group endorsed Aregbesola for a second term.

It said the Aregbesola administration has touched all sectors of the economy through its agricultural revolution, qualitative education, road network, accessible health care delivery, social welfare scheme for the elderly and security maintenance.

IYDA said by the time the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) administration completes its four-year term, a lot of transformation would have been recorded.

The group described Aregbesola as an intelligent politician, who thinks ahead in administrative skills and

‘Aregbesola’s performance unprecedented’

‘

Osun belongs to all of us. We witnessed what happened between 2003 and 2010 and we are witnessing the development in the state in the last two years.

The difference is clear.

’

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

execution.

It urged the opposition to be objective in their criticism and encourage the administration to do more.

IYDA said: “Osun belongs to all of us. We witnessed what happened between 2003 and 2010 and we are witnessing the development in the state in the last two years. The difference is clear.”

It urged the people to continue to support the administration.

Man with charms held at Alaafin’s palace

A

YOUNG man armed with charms has been apprehended at the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo. It was learnt that the man, who reportedly has tribal marks, jumped over the fence into the palace around 6am on Tuesday.

He was apprehended by palace guards.

Sources said the man could

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

not explain his mission there and resorted to violence, but was overpowered and handed over to the police.

A source said: “There was a struggle before the man was overpowered. Initially, efforts to apprehend him were to no avail, due to the charms that were all over his body. But he was eventually

brought on his knees and handed over to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).”

The officer in charge of SARS, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sola Aremu, said the suspect has been transferred to Atiba Divisional Police Station because no arms or ammunition were found on him.

Bada’s group’ll fail, says ACN chief

A

CHIEFTAIN of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Mr. Jimi Adekanle, has said attempts to frustrate the petition of Chief Olusola Oke, the party’s candidate in last October’s governorship election, at the tribunal would fail.

He accused a group, led by the former Director-General of the Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation (OOCO), Dr. Dare Bada, of compromising the PDP’s unity to achieve its selfish interest.

Speaking with reporters in Akure, the state capital, Adekanle said members romancing the Labour Party (LP) had been expelled from the PDP, adding that their moves to frustrate Oke’s petition would fail.

He said although the party’s petition had been struck out by the tribunal, Oke’s petition is intact.

The Oluomo of Ireleland said: “It is not surprising that Bada could descend so low to practise politics of betrayal at any given time.

‘

His romance with the LP in order to survive is history repeating itself. A leader should be consistent, more so a doctor.

’

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

“He was caught in such acts during the days of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). He was one of the 10 governorship aspirants of the Action Congress (AC) in 2007 and defected to the PDP shortly after the party’s candidate emerged.

“His romance with the LP in order to survive is history repeating itself. A leader should be consistent, more so a doctor.”

Adekanle urged PDP supporters to disregard Bada’s “antics” and remain committed to the party’s cause.

The Nation Shopping girl for burial today

T

HE Nation Shopping girl, Miss Janice Nkoli-Ifeme, who died on January 29, will be buried today at the Victoria Court Cemetery on the Lagos-Epe expressway, Epetu, Lagos.

There will be a short service at the cemetery’s chapel.

A visual presentation of the life and times of the late Nkoli-Ifeme will be aired, including speeches by her former employers, colleagues and friends.

The late Miss Nkoli-Ifeme

joined The Nation at inception in 2006, after serving as an Information Officer with the Ogun State Government. She was the press secretary to Mrs. Derin Osoba, wife of former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba.

The deceased was a devout Christian. Her ministry, Global World Ministry, catered for the needy and the weak. She graduated with a degree in English from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and graduated in 1998.

•The late Nkoli-Ifeme

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Naira weakens as CBN cuts dollar sale

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HE naira retreated to a three-week low after the Central Bank of Nigeria cut dollar supply at an auction yesterday.

The mation’s currency retreated less than 0.1 per cent to N157.37 per dollar, its weakest since January 24, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The apex bank sold $120 million at the foreign exchange auction yesterday, compared with $180 million at the previous sale on Feb. 11, the CBN said in an emailed statement. The regulator, which sells dollars on Mondays and Wednesdays to stabilise the naira, is the major supplier of foreign exchange.

“Reduction in official dollar supply increases the recourse to the interbank market for dollars,” Tunde Ladipo, Chief Executive Officer of Lagos-based Valuechain Investment Limited, said by phone. “Oil company sales have also declined, adding to the pressure.”

Oil companies, which sell dollars to lenders at the end of the month to meet local spending needs, are the second-biggest source of foreign currency.

The yield on the country’s 16.39 per cent domestic bonds due January, 2022, fell one basis point to 10.87 percent in the secondary market, according to yesterday’s data on the Financial Markets Dealers Association website.

The yield on $500 million of Eurobonds due January, 2021, rose two basis points to 4.309 per cent yesterday.

NLNG is one of the biggest success stories in our country. From what I am told, the company has invested $13 billion so far since inception, and has become a pacesetter in terms of revenue generation for the government.

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

Reps to NNPC: Open your records to AGF now T HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corpora tion (NNPC) would be legally compelled to remit to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), four years of unremited independent revenue accruing to the Federal Government, the House Committee on Finance has declared.

Consequently, the lawmakers have directed the oil corporation to give express access to the Auditor General of the Federation (AGF) to scrutinise its records on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from 2009 to 2012.

The corporation generated N6.3 trillion in four years and remitted nothing to the CRF. The Corporation said it is operating at a loss.

The breakdown showed that NNPC made N2 trillion in 2009 as its IGR, while it realised N2.1 trillion in 2010.

It generated N1.9 trillion in N2011, and as at July 2012, it has realised N259billion.

However, against the provisions of the Fiscal Respon-

• Corporation fails to remit, says it is operating at a loss

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

sibility Act (FRA), 2007 and a 2011 Ministry of Finance directive, reevnue-generating agencies were directed to remit 25 per cent of their gross collection to the Treasury. the Corporation remitted nothing to the CRF. According to the Corporation’s Group Managing Director, Andrew Yakubu who appeared before the House’s Committee on Finance yesterday, the reason for the non-remittance was because the organisation has been operating at a loss.

Yakubu in his submission, said the corporation was operating on its own account, adding that it was forced by circumstances to operate in

a challenging business environment.

“For instance, we have to buy crude at commercial rates, but have to sell at regulated prices, as such, it was difficult to generate profit, and that is why we have difficulties in remitting to the CRF. “Also, the cost of generating that IGR is more than the IGR because we spend more to produce the products from where we generate the profits, as we incur additional cost to produce those products “We lost nothing less than N600million per week to vandalism, and that is also beyond our control,” he said.

Yakubu regretted that the issue of subsidy contributed

to the inability of the corporation to meet up with its CRF obligations. “With this, there is no business that can generate profit in such a hostile environment,” he added.

Yakubu explained that as the supplier of last resort, the position of the corporation became more dicey, as it was left as the only supplier of petrol while the fuel subsidy crisis lasted last year.

The lawmakers however said it was unacceptable for NNPC to claim that it has been operating at a loss despite being protected by the government.

According to the Committee, the NNPC erred when it flouted the FRA, 2007and failed to remit government’s part of the IGR to the CRF. “Operating at a loss is not an issue, you generated some money and the law is clear on what belongs to you and to the other but you chose to ignore it and refused to remit of the Federal government its dues”.

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

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

Inflation -11.7% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending -22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $43.5b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

350 local, foreign firms for Enugu fair

By Toba Agboola

O

VER 350 corporate organisations from within and outside the country have indicated interest to participate in the 24rd Enugu International Trade Fair, the President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture(ECCIMA), Dr Theo Okonkwo, has said.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to The Nation on the forthcoming 24th Enugu International Trade Fair, the President of the Chamber , Okonkwo, said a lot of foreign companies have also indicated their interest to showcase their products at the fair, which shall be declared open by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Okonkwo, who said the fair with the theme-‘Promoting the Nation’s Economic Environment as Investment Destination of Choice in Africa and for Effective Global Competitiveness,’ will accord agriculture a special attention.

His words: “The Agriculture sector will remain a major fulcrum in our specially designated area during the fair, in order to boost agricultural production and commercial farming in particular.”

He said the chamber is aware of the security situation in the country, assuring that ECCIMA has initiated steps to ensure that security of lives and property were guaranteed.

He said the organisation has contacted the police and other security agencies that would make sure that everybody going into the fairground was frisked.

NCC arrests 75 agents running illegal Sim cards registration From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

• Global Chairman & CEO, GE Mr. Jeff Immelt and Chairman, Honeywell Group, Dr. Oba Otudeko, CFR, during the signing of an MoU by both companies for the development of Honeywell’s new independent power generation...in Lagos.

Documents used for fuel subsidy ‘fraud’ were verified, says EFCC’s witness

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LAGOS State High Court, Ikeja, yester day heard that some documents used to defraud the Federal Government of about N4.5billion as oil subsidy payments were verified by relevant government agencies.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is however alleging that most of the documents were forged.

An official of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Mr Victor Shidok, said no fewer than 20 agencies were involved in the verification process.

He was testifying in the resumed trial of son of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman

By Joseph Jibueze

Ahmadu Ali, Mamman.

EFCC charged him, Christian Taylor, their company, Nasaman Oil Services and Mr. Seun Ogunbambo with alleged N4.5bn subsidy fraud.

It alleged that the defendants fraudulently obtained N4.5bn from the Federal Government between January and April last year.

The money, EFCC said, was for subsidy payments from the Petroleum Support Fund for the purported importation of 30.5million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) (also known as petrol).

According to the agency,

the defendants did not import the products, but forged a bill of lading and other documents which they used in facilitating the fraud.

The alleged offences were said to contravene Sections 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006.

The defendants also allegedly violated Sections 467 and 468 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State 2003.

They pleaded not guilty at their arraignment and were granted bail.

Shidok, a prosecution witness, admitted under cross examination that documents presented by the defendants before receiving subsidy payments were verified.

He listed government agencies involved in the verification process as the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the Nigerian Custom Service, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Ministry of Finance, among others.

“Most of the agencies are involved in the verification of oil subsidy claims, and once they are satisfied, payments are made,” he said.

Shidok said he did not know Ogunbambo in person because PPPRA deals with companies and not individuals.

He further stated that no transaction relating to oil subsidy matters was made without PPPRA’s knowledge.

N

ATIONAL Commu nications Commis sion (NCC), said it has arrested 75 agents operating Sim Card registration for engaging in fraudulent practices.

Five of the agents were apprehended in Minna, will the remaining 70 were arrested in other states in the North Central and South West regions of the country.

The NCC Head of Enforcement, Mr. Efosa Idehen, disclosed this on Wednesday after the arrest of five agents who engage in fraudulent registration of Sim cards in Minna.

He accused the arrested agents of pre-registering and selling registered and fully activated Sim cards to the customers.

Idehen further said the mop-up of agents into illegal Sim cards registration will be extended to other parts of the country in the next six weeks.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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NEWS

Ngige builds borehole for Amansea community •Donates 500KVA transformer

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HERE was jubilation in Amansea community of Awka North Local Government Area in Anambra State yesterday as a 300 feet solar-driven borehole was presented to the community by Senator Chris Ngige, representing Anambra Central.

Amansea lost its source of water after some bodies were dumped in Ezu River.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) lawmaker promised the community a

Communities unhappy with Jonathan’s silence

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IVE local government areas in Anambra State, under the aegis of Omabala Forum, have threatened to protest, if President Goodluck Jonathan fails to break his silence on the bodies dumped in Ezu River.

The local governments are Awka North, Anambra East, Anambra West, Ayamelum and Oyi. The forum’s Chairman of Planning and Strategy, Nnanna Egwu, said: “The River is part of Omabala and if it is polluted in Amansea, it will affect other From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

500 KVA transformer.

The community has been in darkness for the last six months.

When Ngige visited the

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

communities within the area.

He said: “If this kind of calamity had befallen some areas in this country, the youths would have mobilised to cause mayhem, but because we are peace-loving people, that is why we have been quiet.

“The matter should be of great importance to everybody, we want the President to react and if we continue to wait in vain for that, then Omabala Forum will react.”

community on January 24, five days after the bodies were discovered, he told the monarch, Igwe Kenneth Okonkwo and his subjects that a borehole would be sunk

for them.

Residents, including the Hausa community, came out in their thousands to sing Ngige’s praises, promising to embrace his new party,

the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ngige said: “My party is doing this because the people of Amansea have been supportive and because of this tragedy, I said ACN is a decent party with decent people, and they must live decently.

“We have decided to form APC because we want everybody to take care of their own destiny and live like human beings.

“We are going to launch APC here in Amansea when we finish what we are doing very soon.”

The job, according to the contractor, Uche Jeff of TTC Engineering, would be completed in less than 10 days.

Imo judiciary workers suspend strike

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HE Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in Imo State has suspended the strike embarked by its members.

The State Chairman, Kenneth Aloka, said the strike was suspended, following the intervention of JUSUN National President, Marwan Mustapha Adamu and other stakeholders.

He said: “Since the national officers have taken a decision that is in our best interest, we owe it as a duty to abide by it to allow the committee work out the details of the salary structure.

“The outcome of the meeting is a very fruitful one as we discussed and arrived at some very positive steps.

“The government has realised and accepted that the placement of basic salary of judicial staff in Imo State was wrong and we have agreed on N15, 718.75 as basic.

“The technical committee is now set up to rebuild the salary table.”

Police pay entitlements From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

W

IVES and relatives of dead police officers yesterday received the entitlements of the officers in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

The brief but emotional ceremony was presided over by the outgoing Commissioner of Police and Acting Assistant InspectorGeneral (AIG), Zone 9, Babaadisa Bolanta.

Bolanta said the exercise was decentralised by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to ease the trauma faced by the beneficiaries, who had to travel to Abuja to collect the cheques.

He said the exercise, which covered the four states under the zone, was a noble gesture from the IG. Bolanta advised the beneficiaries, especially the widows, to use the money judiciously.

Mrs. Gloria Nwagwu, whose husband, Kingsley, was killed by robbers in November 2011, thanked the police command.

Mrs. Mercy Elisha Udoh said her husband, Elisha, was killed by kidnappers in Enugu State in November 2011.

Three kidnap suspects arrested From Chris Oji, Enugu

T

HREE suspected kidnappers were yesterday arrested by the police while attempting to abduct their victim in Nsukka, Enugu State.

The trio was identified as Idenyi Charles, Nnamdi Eze Jude and Emeka Ugwuoke.

It was gathered that the suspects were arrested at the victim’s home after a tip-off.

Recovered from the suspects were a car and two pistols.

Police spokesman Ebere Amaraizu said investigations have commenced.

AFCON 2013 TRIUMPH

NPL ADVISES KESHI

Ameobi regrets Look inward for missing out more Eagles Pg. 14

Pg. 14

Sport Thursday, February 14, 2013

Ideye shocked by Dynamo Kiev fans

PAGE 13

Pg. 14

•Enyeama

AFCON WIN:

Proudest moment of my career —Enyeama •Ideye

Emenike: missing AFCON final was a nightmare

Pg. 51

AMBROSE: 2014 World Cup is next target Pg. 14

Injured Eaglet’s surgery successful

Pg. 51

NATIONSPORT THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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51

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT 2013 TRIUMPH Ideye shocked by Finidi hails Keshi on AFCON triumph AmeobiAFCON regrets missing out Dynamo Kiev fans

Uduaghan to host Eagles in Asaba

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja

AMBROSE: 2014 World Cup is next target

NPL ADVISES KESHI

Look inward for more Eagles From Tunde Liadi, Owerri

Emenike: missing AFCON final was a nightmare From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja

•Ideye

NFF lauds President Jonathan •Ambrose

•Keshi

Taye Taiwo ready for Bordeaux

Bright Dike undergoes surgery

Injured Eaglet’s surgery successful •As Goalkeeper Adamu hits camp

•Taye Taiwo

•Bright Dike

•Njengo

•Emenike

Mba targets best AFCON goal

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Misdirected anger •Gov. Chime has himself to blame for the negative reaction to his prolonged stay abroad for treatment

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OVERNOR Sullivan Chime of Enugu State’s disappearance from, as well as return to the country, after four and a half months of cloudy medical visit abroad would continue to generate ripples. His media clarification clarified nothing; rather, it exacerbated the situation. For the first time in months, worried indigenes and other Nigerians got a clue of the ailment that kept the governor away from his duty post. He personally declared that he underwent surgery and post-surgery treatment for cancer of the nose in Britain.

Chime gleefully mentioned that he was “completely cured and declared cancerfree by the doctors.” The clean bill of health purportedly given the governor is praiseworthy. But the entire saga is just a reminder to all that ill-health is no respecter of persons or class; after all, people in power are not superhuman beings, as they could at any time fall victims of health challenges.

We recognise and take this as a fact of life. Thus, Chime’s return to his duty post is a big relief to the citizens of his state.

At least, normal governance, devoid of avoidable apprehension and tension that were the hallmark of the past months, can once again be witnessed in the ‘Coal City’ state of Enugu. But we consider as misplaced his criticism of a section of the media over the reportage of his ailment.

How can he chastise the media when he deliberately kept the public in the dark over his whereabouts and medical predicament for months?

It is trite that under a situation where government hoards information, speculations are inevitable. Why should Chime be livid over the ‘bizarre’ stories that were published against his person that arose from poor media management of his ailment? Ab initio, he ought to have informed the public of his true state of health and demanded for their prayers during the period that he was away for treatment. There is no doubt that millions of people would have sympathised with him and also wished him well if they were duly informed. His being secretive about this made speculations and public tension to be elevated and condoned.

How could a governor go on four and a half months vacation at a stretch? This manner of vacation, especially for a governor that did not disclose any medical challenge, is one carried too far. In case Governor Chime has forgotten, we want to remind him that he was elected by the people of that state to govern them and not to disappear from work without any clue about his whereabouts. The inhabitants of Enugu State and, by extension other Nigerians, deserve to know his state of health and whereabouts at any point in time.

His unusually long absence from duty without the people’s knowledge smacks of contempt. He merely successfully exploited the lacuna in the constitution that places no time limit on the duration for which a governor can stay away from work. Chime may have gotten away with this unwarranted scorn for the people;

but since the situation is ongoing, the time to take another look at a system that permits noticeable abandonment from duty without official reason by men of power, is now.

The governor’s curious explanations regarding what kept him away for so long from that exalted position were belated. If he had done that earlier, the polity would not have been unduly heated. Perhaps, he should thank his stars that he has a legislative arm in the House of Assembly that was, regrettably, so pliable. Otherwise his case would have been settled a long time ago and he would have returned as a private citizen.

‘The governor’s curious explanations regarding what kept him away for so long from that exalted position were belated. If he had done that earlier, the polity would not have been unduly heated.

Perhaps, he should thank his stars that he has a legislative arm in the House of Assembly that was, regrettably, so pliable. Otherwise his case would have been settled a long time ago and he would have returned as a private citizen’

Mindless killings • Govt must bring murderers of health workers in Yobe, Kano, to book

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HE killing, in Potiskum, Yobe State, of three Korean doctors, has further illustrated how cheap life is in parts of the country. The doctors who were recruited by the state government under an exchange programme with the North Korean government were butchered in their apartments by unknown gunmen last week. It is hard to see any justification for killing men who left their country to help improve the state’s health system.

Doctors, by the nature of their profession and calling, are engaged in humanitarian activities. They are called to serve humanity and save lives. It is an irony that in the course of performing this sacred duty, they are made to lose their precious lives.

In recent years, governments, especially in the North, have turned to Egypt, Pakistan, India and Korea for support in

‘The Federal Government has a responsibility to give effect to the resolution passed by the House of Representatives to compensate the families of the heroes who died working for the country.

Beyond compensation, governors of Northern states should get involved in mobilising support for the scheme. It should be the last time that people enrolled to work for the country would be made to lose their lives in such cheap circumstances’

critical areas of technological and scientific development. This is to allow for expansion of the system and enhance capacity. The gory sight of foreign doctors slaughtered in their homes, with one even beheaded, calls to question the humanity of those who perpetrated the act and is bad for the country’s image.

This is a new dimension to the crisis in the North East where thousands of Nigerians have been senselessly mowed down for ill-articulated reasons.

Churches have been razed, prominent citizens dispatched and the polity thus heated up.

A few days earlier, nine health workers involved in polio vaccination in Kano, were similarly murdered. They were engaged in the noble cause of exterminating wild polio in the country. It has become embarrassing that Nigeria is one of only three countries in the world where polio still exists at all. In this, we are in the company of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The campaign to stamp out the disease received the first jolt in 2003 when the state government and some Islamic leaders in the country took exception to it on the ground that it represents a western ploy to arrest population growth in the Muslim world. It did not matter to the promoters of the view that leading Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia and Malaysia had cooperated with the World Health Organisation in ensuring that their populations were well covered by the polio vaccination. Even in case of misgiving against the vaccine, why descend on innocent people engaged for the purpose?

The trend that has seen many innocent people slaughtered for the flimsiest of reasons must stop. Clerics of the major faiths must enlist in the task of properly educating their members that killing others cannot prove their piety.

They must be involved in the task of restoring the dignity of man in Nigeria.

The starting point is demonstrating that security agents are alive to their responsibility by getting the suspects prosecuted. It is gratifying that Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso has condemned the killing and expressed support for the immunisation programme.

The Federal Government has a responsibility to give effect to the resolution passed by the House of Representatives to compensate the families of the heroes who died working for the country.

Beyond compensation, governors of Northern states should get involved in mobilising support for the scheme. It should be the last time that people enrolled to work for the country would be made to lose their lives in such cheap circumstances. The plan by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to provide security for all those recruited for the purpose is welcome.

It is unfortunate that the three Korean doctors did not enjoy security cover despite the volatility of the area of their deployment. It has become imperative that the other 15 brought in under the scheme are immediately assured of their security at work and home. Others in and outside Yobe State who were engaged under technical agreements must also be made to see the commitment of the government to guarantee their security.

China must halt North Korea’s folly Xi must draw a line after latest nuclear test

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OR nearly two decades, North Korea has regularly scared the world with its determination to become a fully fledged nuclear weapons state. Yesterday it took another decisive step on that road.

It conducted its third underground nuclear test, this time with substantial explosive power. It claimed to have successfully miniaturised the device that was used, a key step towards fixing a warhead to a ballistic missile. Once again, North Korea took a bow as the only country in the world that is conducting nuclear tests in the 21st century.

With this act, the country’s young leader Kim Jong-eun has again defied hopes that he might lead an engagement with the outside world.

Why he is choosing bombs over butter is unclear. He may want to reinforce his domestic position and assure the North Korean military that it is not being sidelined. He may want to show some of the world’s rogue states – such as Iran – that his nuclear kit works and they might like to buy some off the shelf. He may believe that this display of strength will force the US and others to cave in and negotiate. If so, this is a strange way to approach matters – and a serious misjudgment.

How should the world respond to this latest outrage? As ever, the UN Security Council will convene to consider more sanctions. Some will argue that the US should keep open the possibility of talks with North Korea, however hard that is to stomach. But more than ever, it is China – and in particular Beijing’s new leader Xi Jinping – who holds the key to urging North Korea on to a new path.

Until now, China has been supportive of its North Korean neighbour. It sees Pyongyang as a bulwark against greater US influence on the Korean peninsula. But North Korea is now on the verge of placing a nuclear warhead on to long-range ballistic missiles. Once it has achieved this, the US will come under even greater pressure to provide ballistic missile defence to Japan and its neighbours. China must realise that such a development would not be in its interests.

Beijing therefore needs to respond to this week’s test with punitive measures that force Pyongyang to re think its nuclear folly.

There must also be more engagement with Washington on how to manage the North Korean threat. Mr Xi has spoken about the need to develop “a new type of relationship between two great powers”, the US and China. When it comes to tackling the North Korean menace, that new relationship is sorely needed.

- Financial Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile •Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon •Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) Yomi Odunuga •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu •Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: The rumour of ethnic agenda in the recent promotion, recruitment, retirement and redeployment in the Nigerian Army is unhealthy and unfortunate.

It is a pity that some people still want to hide under politics and ethnicity to destabilize/distract Nigerian Army at this critical time of general insecurity.

Military service all over the world is a call to service and it should not be seen as civil service where professionalism is sacrificed on the altar of the so-called “Federal Character”.

It is no gainsaying that Nigerian Army is one of the best in the world for discipline and selfless service

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 1000 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.com

Don’t politicise Nigerian Army both at home and sometimes at the United Nations..

Nigerian Army is currently fighting a great battle against the Boko Haram sect at home and other Islamist terrorists in Mali in conjunction with other foreign troops; therefore it is expected of politicians to face the business of the

politics and give the Nigerian Army the necessary support she needs and not to distract her.

Since Nigerian Army has her own court and different boards of enquiry, any officer (serving or retired) that has any complaint or grievances against any action taken by the army should obey first and

then make his/her complaints at the appropriate army quarters and not to “bloody civilians” as the military would say.

The discipline that the army is known for should be upheld and strengthened and any officer that wants promotion by lobbying and through cheap black mail must be

NEXIM and Nigeria’s non-oil export

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IR: Around the world’s growing economies- from China to India and to the biggest economies in the US and UK, emphases are placed on support for export-oriented small and medium enterprises, SMEs, as well as their modernisation and expansion activities.

Nigeria’s case should not be different. Nigeria, like many other developing African countries started as agrarian economy. The agricultural produce of the early Nigeria included groundnuts, rubber, timber, cocoa, beans, palm kernel, hides and skin, to mention just a few.

These products accounted for over 50 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and was the main source of export earnings and public revenue. With the crude oil discovery in 1956 and its exploration in commercial quantityin1958 however, the oil sector gradually became the dominant sector in the economy, and almost the sole source of export earnings. For instance in 1970’s petroleum constituted of about 78 percent of Federal Government revenue and more than 95 percent of export earnings.

To give the economy a boast and encourage exporters to meet with the challenge of sourcing for required funds, the Nigerian ExportImport Bank (NEXIM) was established by Act 38 of 1991 as an Export Credit Agency (ECA) with a strategic objective of enhancing value-added exports and bolstering

the capacity of SMEs for job creation and foreign exchange earnings.

However, before now, the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), was largely seen by many operators in the financial sector as a mere waste pipe or another bureaucratic contraption set up to minister to the needs of well-connected borrowers who may never repay their loans.

In fact, at a point NEXIM became almost a dead institution and no one would want to touch it with a 12-foot pole. It became deeply mired in debts, posting losses year after year.

NEXIM Bank was however reconstituted in August 2009 by the federal government. The board of directors, led by Dr. Kingsley C. Moghalu, deputy governor, Financial System Stability of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in 2010, endorsed the repositioning of NEXIM Bank. The bank then remod-

elled its objectives to develop the sectors of manufacturing, agroprocessing, solid minerals and services which have high amount of employment and foreign exchange earning potential in the non-oil sector.

Recently, NEXIM made available the sum of N23.33 billion to Nigerian non-oil exporters, particularly the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) while the sum of $27.3 billion guarantees had been issued between 2009 and August 2012.

Out of this amount, manufacturing received N11.3 billion of 48 percent while agro-processing got about N5 billion or 21 per cent. The solid minerals sector received about N2 billion, representing 8.9 per cent and the services sector about N4.8 billion.

This shows a commitment to becoming a major contributor to nonoil exports.

Though not well known to the public, NEXIM Bank has been increasingly important to a growing number of small businesses who have become an integral part of the growing number of non-oil exports by Nigerian export companies to top export destinations.

NEXIM presently provides short and medium term loans to Nigerian exporters. It also provides short term guarantees for loans granted by Nigerian banks to exporters as well as credit insurance against political and commercial risks in the event of non-payment by foreign buyers. The bank is also the government’s National Guarantor under the ECOWAS Interstate Road Transit programme.

NEXIM is indeed moving in the right direction in the quest to increase Nigeria’s non-oil exports.

• Augustine Aminu Abuja

dealt with militarily.

The executive and the National Assembly must allow the army to do their job. They should not listen to rumours from disgruntled elements within the army.

As Nigerian Army’s spokesperson has rightly said of the officers carrying rumours during the first quarter of 2013 Chief of Army Staff Conference in Abuja on Monday February11, “if they had no ulterior motives, they would have sought to air their grievances through official channels of communication which are available for redress by any genuinely aggrieved person over a policies or action of the Nigerian Army”.

The Chief of Army Staff also recalled during the conference that in the inglorious past of the nation, it is the same disloyal officer in the army that always stage coups and counter-coups in order to achieve their selfish objectives.

The general public must also desist from carrying rumours or false information about the state of the security of the nation. Members of the Boko Haram sect are no respecter of any person, as they are attacking Ibo, Hausa and Yoruba regardless of anybody’s status or religion.

The Nigerian Army under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika must commit itself to rewarding hard work and performance not parochial for postings and appointments. On the bombing of Jaji Cantonment, Nigerians await the final report of the board of enquiry; it must not be swept under carpet.

• John Tosin Osogbo, Osun State

Mimiko, please do justice to me

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IR: I was employed as class teacher by Ondo SUBEB in September 2006. I was posted to St. Peter’s Anglican Primary School, Bolorunduro. However, barely a month later, my appointment was withdrawn on the ground that I am an hearing-impaired person.

The board was aware of my physical disability before it employed and posted me. I did well in the interview which was con-

ducted twice and fully merited my appointment. Thereafter, I was informed that I will be re-posted to the School For the Deaf in Akure through the Ministry of Education.

However, one morning, the Education Secretary came in and ordered me to follow him to the Board office in Akure. There, I was informed that my appointment had been terminated. When I reminded them the promise made to re-post me, I was told to go to the

Ministry of Education myself as that was none of their business.

Ever since, I have gone from one office to the other in an effort to regain my job.

During the administration of former Governor Olusegun Agagu, I appealed to different quarters without any positive response.

And for the past four years, I have being trying to reach Governor Olusegun Mimiko without success.

The hardships that I face daily as a result of the loss of my job, coupled with the stress of trying to regain my job over the years have been too much me. I have been jobless since then and this has led to depression.

It is on this premise I am appealing to Governor Mimiko to have mercy on me and use his good office to reinstate into teaching.

• Oladipo Blessing Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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COMMENTS

Obama’s second administration

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HAVE just returned from the United States precisely from New York and Atlanta Georgia. During my stay, I noticed the deep division among the people of the United States and particularly between Democrats and the Republicans. It will not be an exaggeration to say that the Republicans do not wish President Obama well. The divide between the Republicans and Democrats is partly ideological but unfortunately partly racial. Somebody as eminent as President Jimmy Carter has said that Republican opposition to President Obama is sometimes rooted in racism.

The Democratic Party has no equivalent in Europe but it is probably close to the old Liberal or Social Democratic Party in England. It is a party that believes that the state has a role in the welfare of the poor and those that cannot make it in a highly competitive society. The party is also committed to making health affordable to as many people as possible. It also believes in the upward mobility provided by education. It is therefore committed to providing subsidy for students to acquire higher education. It is committed also to gun control because violence by gun-crazy Americans has become the bane of the society. In recent times, the party has been seen as the party of the young people, women, visible minorities i.e. Blacks and Latinos, labour and also of the gay community i.e. homosexuals and lesbians.

In foreign policy, it is a party of environmentalism and international cooperation and peaceful co-existence. The party heroes are F. Delano Roosevelt, John. F. Kennedy, Lyndon .B. Johnson and Bill Clinton. In recent times, the party has become associated with big government and consequently huge government deficits.

On the other hand, the Republican Party is increasingly identified as a party of professional associations such as those of lawyers, medical professionals, the big churches, elderly people, white male and the military industrial complex. It is the party of big business and Wall Street. It likes to see itself as the real American party that believes in individual success and enterprise. A party of survival of the fittest. In its

‘If history teaches us a lesson, nationalist fervour always manifest in times of crisis, particularly if it is not a long drawn out military entanglement’

foreign policy, it is the party of intervention in other country’s affairs in order to preserve America’s hegemony. Its heroes are Theodore Roosevelt the 26th President of the United States of America (1901-1909), Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. The closest party in Europe to the Republican Party would be the Conservative Party in England. Incidentally, President Abraham Lincoln the abolitionist President was a Republican but he is more likely to be seen today by democrats as one of their heroes. The Republican Party is also opposed to non-white immigration into the United States because of wanting to preserve the United States as a White man’s country. The party’s support for small government and balanced budget is also because of its opposition to the welfare of the poor who are invariably non-white. The Republican Party is fighting for its very life because of the increasing number of non-white immigrants into the United States and it seems the Democratic Party of Obama wants the 11million illegal aliens in America to be given the chance of becoming legal immigrants and possibly citizens in the foreseeable future. This is the kernel of the ideological rift between Obama and the Republican Party.

Unfortunately the debate between them is very acrimonious and bitter and the extreme wing of the Republican Party, the so called Tea Party is not averse to using racial epithet for Obama. Some of the party’s supporters while demonstrating against Obama’s policies carry placards with the caricature of Obama as a monkey and asking him to go back to Africa to feast on bananas. Some members of the Republican Party in Congress in a knee jack reaction to Obama’s policy always oppose him no matter how sensible his policies may be.

As an outsider, one can see the point of the Republican Party in wanting balanced budget and small government and that no country can provide maximally for all its citizens. Since the rich in America do not want to pay high taxes, government will therefore have to cut back on expenditure. But taking care of the poor provides a safety valve for the American society. This simple logic does not seem to appeal to the Republicans because they think that poor people’s rebellion will be shot down by the Police and if necessary by the National Guard and perhaps individually armed Americans since the second amendment to their constitution allows individuals to carry weapons either openly or in concealed forms. This is why the National Rifle Association (NRA) is a staunch member of the Republican Party.

The division in America is deep and sometimes troubling.

But at the same time, one must praise America for being the only western country that would throw up a black man and

a Mormon as presidential candidates of the two major parties.

The immediate problems that would face Obama in his second term would be how to get confirmation for new members of his cabinet, how to raise the debt ceiling beyond the current Jide 16.4trillion dollars Osuntokun and how to get his budget through congress and how to avoid automatic cut of defense spending and in other areas critical to the United States. If previous debates are something to go by, he is going to have a Herculean task in persuading the Republican dominated House of Representatives to go along with him. I had expected that his inauguration speech would be a unifying speech rather than a partisan speech. Unfortunately, this was not so and I think the President missed an opportunity to be conciliatory to the Republican Party. He probably felt that offence was the best strategy of defence.

But I think this is wrong unless he bends over backwards to accommodate the Republican Party, he will not achieve much in his second administration. Yet he has plans to invest in education, infrastructure, environment and to make the United States self-sufficient in energy through support for appropriate technology and the development of Shale gas in continental North America. In his foreign policy agenda, he wants to wind down the war in Afghanistan and avoid getting into any war in the Middle East and elsewhere but the signs are not so good because of Iran and its nuclear programme and the determination of Israel to stop it as well as Korea and its missile programme and then the problem between Japan and China over disputed Islands in the South China Sea. All these problems may make nonsense of Obama’s pacific intentions. This is why he cannot afford to follow a policy of antagonism to the Republican Party. Because if there were to be a crisis outside the U.S in which vital American interests are at stake, he will need unity at home. Of course if history teaches us a lesson, nationalist fervour always manifest in times of crisis, particularly if it is not a long drawn out military entanglement.

The papal attitude our leaders need

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HE pope, the supreme leader of Catholics worldwide, is respected not only by members of his faith, but by people of other faith. Whether a Muslim, Protestant, Methodist, Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran or Pentecostal, we all rever the pope because of his office. The pope occupies an exalted post which confers on him the moral authority to speak and be listened to by those in power.

Even dictators recognise the moral influence of the pope. Whether we like it or not, the pope remains the leading figure in Christendom. We may not like him or his faith, but we cannot afford to disrespect his exalted office.

It is the office that makes the pope and not the other way round.

When the pope speaks, he does so with the authority of his high office. Though popes are human, we have come to deify the office they occupy because we believe that in doing so, we are serving God through them. Since we all want to be on God’s side nobody wants to be seen to do anything that will offend a pope, except such a person is a Joseph Stalin or a Sani Abacha. What did these brutes do?

They looked down with disdain at popes. The late Abacha as military head of state rebuffed entreaties by the late Pope John Paul II to release the late Chief MKO Abiola from detention in 1998.

The late Stalin as a general in the German army ridiculed the high office of the pope during World War 11. In response to the late British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s admonition that Poland be spared the agony of the war as a Catholic nation-state in order to avoid having complicated relations with the Vatican, the late Stalin fired this riposte : ‘’How many divisions does the Pope of Rome have?’’ The pope may not have troops as Stalin observed but he

has something greater than all the soldiers of the world put together.

These are the battalions of the Lord’s army, who are willing and ready to take up the pope’s fight whenever the need arises.

The pope is the commander-inchief of the Lord’s army. He does not fight his own wars with arms.

His weapon of warfare is not carnal. The only weapon he has is the word, which is greater than all the guns, bazookas and armoured tanks in the world. There is nothing that drives home the moral authority that popes wield than the sudden resignation of the current pope on Monday on health grounds.

The world is still in shock that Pope Benedict XVI could throw in the towel because he has become ‘’incapacitated’’ by age. Many are shocked because if they were in his shoes, they would not have taken that route. They would have remained in office, wasting state resources on what they know to be a bad case. We are witnessing a thing like this in our own clime.

Here in Nigeria, resignation is not in the dictionary of public officers no matter how bad their health is. Even when they know that they can no longer continue in office, they will keep it as a secret from the people and be pretending that all is well with them. Illnesses know no status. No matter the office one occupies if he does not have good health, he cannot enjoy that position. Those who say that health is wealth know what they are talking about. He who has good health has everything. He is fit and able to do his work no matter how hectic it may be. The jobs of a pope and let’s say a governor are not easy.

They are demanding jobs and those who occupy these offices should be ready to give the job their all. They can only give their all when they are hale and hearty.

Man has no control over health

matters. We can fall ill at anytime irrespective of the position we hold. A master falls ill and a servant also takes ill. The pope’s case has shown that illness is not a respecter of position. Because the rich and the poor can fall ill, it goes to show that there is nothing to be ashamed about when we are indisposed, especially, if we occupy public positions. We should be able to come clean with the people when anything ails us as public officers because by virtue of our positions we have become public property.

What the pope has done should be a lesson to all those who hold public office that we should be open at all times. If the pope had kept quiet, nobody would have known that anything is wrong with him, particularly as the Vatican is very good at keeping secrets.

But because of the fear of God, he told the world the truth about his health and opted to resign from office, something which seems difficult to do in this part of the world.

About three years ago when the late President Umaru Yar’ Adua became ill those around him did everything possible to keep it away from the public until he died in the confines of Aso Rock. In recent times, some governors took ill and instead of their people being briefed about these leaders’ ailment, they went abroad under the guise of going on holiday. When their vacations became longer than necessary, the people started asking questions. Instead of providing answers to these questions, their aides resorted to imputing political motives.

Who is to blame in such circumstance? Those asking questions or those trying to shroud the governors’ true health status in secrecy?

One of the governors, Sullivan Chime, of Enugu State is back; the other, Liyel Imoke of Cross River is still abroad. We don’t know what ails Imoke, but it seems his illness may not be that serious as he had time to celebrate his wife’s 50th birthday last year in the United States (US). He is expected to have resumed by now, but he has not.

We have no been told why, but when we start writing about it, our reports will be seen as pieces of entertainment to be laughed at just as Chime and his friends did when we carried stories about his illness while he was abroad. ‘’When I read in the papers how I died in India, we then turned Nigerian papers to entertainment forum. We read what they wrote about me and laughed. It became an amusement kind of thing’’, he told reporters in Enugu on Tuesday. The joke, your excellency is rather on you. If you had provided the information you gave on Tuesday, there would have been no need for speculations in the papers about your health. Sir, there is nothing to be ashamed of if we are ill. We are all human, whether a governor or a reporter; so, the report was not to mock you; it was to draw attention to your health challenge. You knew from the outset that you were going abroad for cancer surgery; so, why did you keep the information to yourself?

Were you afraid that we will wish you death under the surgeon’s

‘The pope’s action has shown that there is nothing to be ashamed about when we are indisposed, especially, if we occupy public positions’

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

knife? That is where you got it wrong sir. If you had told us we would have prayed for a successful surgery for you as the world is today praying for the pope. If the pope can tell the world that he is ill, why can’t governors in Nigeria do the same? Why should we as public officers be afraid to inform those we lead of our illnesses? The other day, Hillary Clinton was diagnosed of blood clot and as she was being taken to the hospital, her aides released information about her illness. That is how it should be, but unfortunately our leaders do not think so because they have something to hide.

There is no big deal about illnesses because they will come and go, if we are not destined to be killed by them. Our leaders tend to make a mountain out of a molehill with the way they handle issues relaing to their health. They are too secretive about their well-being as if it is an abomination to be ill.

What happened in the case of the late President Yar’ Adua should have taught them a lesson, but they will never learn. But it is not too late; they can still learn from how Pope Benedict XVI handled his own health challenge. May God give us leaders who are forthright, down to earth and can connect with us.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

22

COMMENTS

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HIEF Wole Olanipekun, (SAN) is a veteran of many wars. As student leader, he fought against Gowon who at the end prayed for him. As NBA president he confronted Chief Obasanjo and came out unscathed. As a resourceful lawyer, he has secured victory after victory for his clients usually the high heeled in our society. For him water has no enemy. He approaches all cases with passion because according to him “We as lawyers must appreciate our calling as a covenant with God.” In this regard, On November 21, 2011, he defended Bola Tinubu, the ACN national leader before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

“I led his very formidable team to ask the Tribunal to discharge and acquit him. By 2.30 pm same day, I was in the courtroom of the Court of Appeal in the same Abuja to as part of defence team of the Jonathan election petition”. This did not stop him for also defending Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) governor in Nasarawa against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It is therefore not surprising that Chief Wole Olanipekun has brought his usual passion to bear on his current defence of Ifeanyi Ubah against Access Bank. He is capitalising on Access Bank’s decision to file “documents before a London High Court, wherein the bank alleged that part of the reasons it avoided instituting an action against Capital Oil and its Managing Director, Ifeanyi Ubah in Nigeria was because the Nigerian judiciary was corrupt.”

Such action, the chief insisted, amount to the denigration of Nigerian judiciary and dragging its image in the mud in the United Kingdom. Contrary to Access Bank’s deposition before the London court, no one person according to the chief can have “the judiciary in his pocket” in Nigeria.

The judge, Justice Abang in a bid to uphold the integrity of the judiciary and the

‘A failed state beckons when the judiciary is turned into the last bastion of the privileged scoundrels by its SANs and some corrupt judges while lonely petty thieves or vagrants arrested for wandering spend years in prison awaiting trials’

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OU came to life in 1948 eleven years after I was born, the whole country your bridegroom, and only the brightest and the best would have the singular privilege to see your face. What chance did I have of ever meeting you, this truculent urchin, from Obetiti, Nguru, Mbaise, who had never crossed the Niger and only knew Aba, Calabar, and Owerri, all in Eastern Nigeria, Lagos a far-off dream. You welcomed all chasing after you, as long as knowledge was their dream and learning the only enterprise of their soul. Oh, yes, you welcomed them and sent them off after four years or so, with their various degrees to a world you had craftily created for them, in union with all that is good to know and live by, their hearts agog in a romance of intellectual affinities.

Triumphantly selective, you were University College, Ibadan; liberal and warm, you spread your arms to all who sought after you and had a lot to offer you with brilliance, acuity and astuteness. You were accommodating, perspicacious in an uncannily sagacious fashion. Majestic Flame of the Forest trees stood tall in guard of honour at Oduduwa Road, the imperial entrance into the depths and caverns of your intricate dwelling places. To the few who had come unscathed from the roasting discernment of your qualifying examinations, you matched their talent with red bougainvilleas of excellence pried from arduous labour. Only the best would deserve you and they would give their eye teeth to knit garments of learning with your golden threads of diligence and brilliant study.

University College, Ibadan, the moon at dawn lit your brow; and, at sun-ripe day, your words rolled out in the tongues of your groom. Each deserving student received your prize in unsurpassed dignity, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science; degrees that would excel in any contest anywhere in the world.

You were truly Universitas. They were all bachelors, their bloods boiling to be married to you, and one day, return with their doctorates to fully discover you and an-

Olanipekun’s rebranding of judiciary judicial process, agreed with him and ruled that “by supplying information which scandalised the Nigerian judiciary, the bank’s Corporate Counsel, Fatai Oladipo and Deji Awodein one of the bank’s Deputy General Managers were guilty of criminal contempt”.

This may win a case but will unfortunately not win the battle over the minds of Nigerians who have come to see the judiciary as our major problem.

Chief Olanipekun who has indicated he is uncomfortable with the situation of things in the country, whereby “we are running people’s affairs like a game of chess” however did not see anything wrong with the judiciary. If the third tier of government has any problem at all, it is because it has been overwhelmed by those created by the executive and the legislature.

First, I am sure the outside world is amused by the chief’s attempt to exonerate the judiciary from the current problems bedevilling the nation, chief of which is corruption. In a globalised world and with the ascent of the new social media, everyone is a witness to history as it unfolds. The macabre dance between the senior members of our judiciary (SANs), some corrupt judges, thieving members of the political class, criminals as bank owners and oil fraudsters are daily documented for the world.

Besides, UK of all places is a wrong choice for a rebranding effort of our judiciary. This is a nation that has just jailed James Ibori proclaiming him ‘a thief in the state house’ along with his counsel, long after the Nigerian judiciary had found him not culpable of the same set of charges. Besides, Britain is

one place where some of our judges and SANs, would have been disrobed and banned from practice for life.

A few sickening events that are currently playing out in the judiciary which make Nigeria feel like throwing up and unfortunately shared with the rest of the outside world will suffice.

Recently, after a long deafening silence in spite of calls by Nigerians that erstwhile chairman and secretary of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on fuel subsidy probe, Farouk Lawal and Boniface Emenalo, be taken to court, their very resourceful SANs, to satisfy all righteousness brought them to court where they were detained. A week later, trial Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi okayed their release.

This followed a ‘profound’ argument of the SANs that the’ ‘court should take cognizance of the fact that prior to his (Farouk) arraignment, he had ample opportunities to run away, having travelled outside the country four times since investigation into his alleged complicity in the bribery scandal began.’ Thus a man caught by video camera receiving bribe from Otedola in a sting operation master-minded by government will now attend trial from home and have the rights to attend to health issues abroad.

The globalised world is also watching with keen interest how our resourceful SANs have effortlessly secured relief and shield their high profile clients such as Mahmud Tukur, son of the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bamanga Tukur; Mamman Ali, son of the former national chairman of PDP, Ahmadu Ali; and Abdullahi Arisekola-

My Valentine my university

By Mark Nwagwu nounce your name to the universe. Yes, the planets sought you; the world sought you; Nigeria would give all his heart for you – so sparkling your soul, intense your purpose, grand your design. Nine years after your birth, 1957 it was, this bumbling intrepid rascal in overblown dusty trousers sweeping the brown clay of Obetiti came to your beehive to taste that bravura honey saved for knights of your kingly libraries to whom learning filled the soul.

You welcomed me to searching lights at Central Porters’ Lodge and you took me by the hand to Kuti Hall, Wing B, gave me a bed and bedding and blew me a kiss of “Now take care of yourself; call me if you need me.

Remember, I do not answer all calls; only those that would lead you to soar to your wildest dreams.”

Oh, you were magnificent, mellifluous, your voice a subtle sultry invitation to excellence. You gave me endearing and enduring friends of trust and purpose. We were all enamoured of you, running after your elegance and fluid sincerity. We graduated Bachelors of Science and those who sought you still returned to a new life in unbridled pursuit of your priceless endowments. What a world they sought to create: their lives and yours intertwined in a new creation in the African sun – a planet whose epiphany was proclaimed by Africans themselves and east and west would now play a rollicking symphony called University of Ibadan, Kenneth Onwuka Dike the conductor.

I came to join you later in the seventies that you may take me to places I can only dream of. Yes, you always make me dream.

You offer me the world and you give me all the love and joy that this world can ever hope to contain. Over the years you indulged me, gave me your sweetness cooked with fine

okra, or ewedu, crayfish, fresh-fish, dry-fish, stockfish, in chewy mouth-watering lumps of arduous work and diligent sporting restlessness. I could exult in my retirement letter in September, 2002, ‘My prayers and good wishes will ever remain with the University of Ibadan.’

In this new and advancing millennium our million dollar bride, to whom we gave all that thrilled her sumptuous heart, now receives only thousand naira suitors; some even offer insulting hundreds. Things are not what they used to be and you are sad, sitting there, outside Trenchard Hall, right hand on your chin, looking out to a world in sunset, where the moon will soon go to sleep, your heart despoiled by interlopers who do not value the refinement of learning. But do not worry. Yes, I say rejoice: for in postgraduate studies, your bastion of revolving brightness will shine anew. Fresh suitors will wield flywhisks of African culture dripping in the wines of our forefathers, in their virtues, in their nobility, in their assiduousness, in their scientific and social acumen, not yet fully explored, but gradually revealing to all joined to your soul the essence of human love and ingenuity.

Oh, sweet one, I am here for you; many of us are here for you, and we shall not give up.

We shall bear you up and give back some of the gains you showered on us. Maybe it is a dream; if so, have the comfort that you have countless friends from many successive decades and though their hearts and minds may be turned to merely earthly pursuits, they all long for you with astounding strength and vigour. In retirement I come to you, my soul singing praises of joy and peace recounting the love you bestowed on me; the graces I received in everything this earth offers by whatever name they are called. I come to you still, drive along the same Oduduwa Road, the entry to your luminous heart, though the

Alao, the son of Ibadan based businessman, Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao facing a ‘ninecount charge of conspiracy, fraud and forgery,’ of N1.8 billion from the Petroleum Support Fund.

The suit first fixed by judge Onigbanjo for November 13 and 14, 2012, for trial has again been ‘fixed for the 6th and 7th of May 2013.

The defense SAN, has already persuaded judge Onigbanjo to grant his clients bail while Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao also got his impounded international passport back to enable him travel and take care of his sick son in the United States.

The prosecution of Erastus Akingbola, the former owner and Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank for an alleged stealing of N47.1 billion has dragged on for three years.

This is despite his indictment by a London court which directed him to refund about N164b back to the new owners of his former bank. The case against Akingbola who had earlier been discharged in another case at the Federal High Court for what the trial judge, Justice Clement Archibong, blamed on “lack of diligent prosecution.” has according to Human Rights lawyer, Femi Falana(SAN) now been ‘technically resolved in his favour’ because of the new appointment given Justice Abiru, the presiding judge.

In 2010, Cecilia Ibru accused of a 25 count charge of money laundering and mismanagement of depositors funds totaling over N160 billion, was aided by her celebrated SANs to sign a plea bargain deal. Two years after she was sentenced on 25 counts of fraud and ordered to reimburse $1.29 billion in assets and cash, Anti-Corruption Network executive secretary Otunba Dino Melaye has alleged that many properties in the United States and United Kingdom claimed to have been forfeited are still in Ibru’s custody directly or indirectly.

The SANs that negotiated on her behalf probably know where “these properties, monies and aircraft are since there was no evidence they were “deposited with the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Company (NDIC) and AMCON for onward transfer to the shareholders of Oceanic Bank”.

Corruption may be another name for the executive and the legislature. The press might have been greatly compromised according to Sonala Olumhense whose views count for much in the media, but a failed state beckons when the judiciary is turned into the last bastion of the privileged scoundrels by its SANs and some corrupt judges while lonely petty thieves or vagrants arrested for wandering spend years in prison awaiting trials. These are facts not lost on Nigerians.

Flame of the Forest trees are all gone. But that does not really matter: we may ask then, what matters: are your suitors still coming for the best you can give them in learning; and are they themselves the brightest and the best?

What of the teachers, are they worthy in character and learning? You now lie low in a forest of lawns – what a forest; what a lawn! My heart drops down to the earth to better gain your insight - a new life of a new band of suitors rushing madly around in a world you do not understand. Noble traditions of honour and fortitude have given way to expediency, ‘the reality of the situation’, ‘the Nigerian factor’; how do you feel?

However it may have been, you have not abandoned me. You take me to the University of Ibadan Senior Staff Club. You offer me and my dear wife, Helen, some Gulders, suya, fresh-fish, goat-meat pepper-soup, and you have kept an army of friends who speak your voice when they say, ‘welcome home.’ One would say, ‘I’m happy I stayed behind in Ibadan so Mark and Helen will always have a home here.’

You give us friends, old and new, who light our faces with frizzy dazzling joy, with their abiding company, their music, their songs, their dance. And you tell us: ‘I’m all for you, I’m University of Ibadan.’ For ever and for ever you will be my Valentine; in sickness and in health; for richer for poorer; for better, for worse. I shall live with you on the planet of Love.

• Professor Nwagwu is of Paul University, Awka

‘You give us friends, old and new, who light our faces with frizzy dazzling joy, with their abiding company, their music, their songs, their dance. And you tell us: ‘I’m all for you, I’m University of Ibadan’

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

23

INDUSTRY

Industrialists condemn ports reforms

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HE Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has said some port reforms ports are affecting their operations.

The Chairman of MAN for Kwara and Kogi states, Mrs Omolola Olabayo, said in Ilorin: “The reforms at the port are giving us problems. Our raw materials are not cleared on time and we pay more money on import duties,’’ Olabayo said.

She said the reforms were being implemented unannounced, adding

Stories by Toba Agboola

that the association had lodged its complaints about them.

“I don’t think from the government policies that are being implemented, they really understand what manufacturing companies stand for,’’ she added.

Mrs Olabayo urged Nigeria to borrow a leaf from China where manufacturers were granted tax waiver for five years.

“We can’t remain giants as long

as we depend on other countries for our needs, especially on manufactured goods.’’

Meanwhile, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has said only five per cent of locally manufactured goods do not meet the required standards and specifications.

Its Director-General, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, said at a forum that the few instances of non-compliance were traced to mistakes and not necessarily deliberate attempts to

shortchange consumers.

He said: “When we did a survey on the quality of products in Nigeria, we found out that only five per cent of products made in Nigeria did not meet specifications.

“Most of the statistics of sub-standard products were contributed by imported products. We discovered that the five per cent mark was not a result of deliberate adulteration.

Some of them were as a result of mistakes in the manufacturing process, which you can control over time.”

Explaining why despite the degree of compliance with standards, indigeneous goods do not command patronage abroad, the SON boss said made-in-Nigeria goods lack accreditation, which is a major requirement in many countries.

“One, there is the issue of lack of accreditation in Nigeria, but, more importantly, also there is the issue of infrastructure in Nigeria. The issue of power, roads and others. Nigeria, at the last count is about 40

per cent at a disadvantage. I’m actually quoting the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria’s numbers, which says that if you want to manufacture a product in Nigeria and manufacture the same products in place, such as India, the cost in Nigeria will be about 50 per cent higher. So, how are you going to compete in international market when you have, one, a higher cost structure, and at the end of the day, those people also enjoy export incentives?

“This is what gave rise to dumping and it is an issue from country to country and at the end of the day, how can a Nigerian manufacturer compete in international market?

That’s where the dilemma is and that is why we are working hard to ensure things are done well. Even the president is focusing on power and by the end of this year, we are looking at 10,000 megawatts that clearly will ensure that industry develops,” he said.

Akpabio urges BRACED states to embrace manufacturing

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•From left: Chairman, Media Committee,Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), Mr Essiet Essien; Chairman, Programmes Committee, Mr Ehi Braimah and Deputy President of Chamber, Mr Binta Famutimi, at a briefing to announce the chamber's annual dinner in Lagos.

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Nigeria to save N2tr in raw materials devt

HE development of Nigeria’s intermediate raw materials will save it over N2 trillion in the next 25 years, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), has said.

Speaking in Abuja, its DirectorGeneral, Prof. Peter Onwualu, said since the council’s inception 25 years ago, it has promoted the exploitation, development and use of local raw materials.

“Little wonder that after 25 years experience in value addition to local raw materials, the council has emerged as Nigeria’s focal point for the development of Nigeria’s vast industrial raw materials.

“Our target is to increase the percentage of local content in industrial raw materials utilisation in Nigeria from the 25 per cent to 60 per cent in the next 25 years.

“This, by our estimation, can save Nigeria over N2 trillion in foreign exchange for the importation of intermediate raw materials, process equipment and impact skills,’’ Onwualu said.

According to the him, Nigeria is

expending foreign exchange to import raw materials and products, which can be sourced from the country, because of lack of awareness.

Onwualu said the country is processing about 25 per cent of its local cocoa production before the council was born.

He said because of the council’s efforts over the years, the figure moved to 75 per cent, adding that another 2,000 jobs were created.

He said over 100 research projects had been funded by the council, and about 50 per cent of research results had been commercialised, while 30 per cent were at various stages of commercialisation through pilot plants and joint venture with SMEs. He expressed the council’s belief on the development of the nation’s natural raw materials and investment in people, saying that both were possible and sustainable.

He said to ensure that both remained a socio-economic vehicle

for sustainable national growth and development, the council has embarked on intensive investment promotion campaigns across the country.

He said the next 25 years, over two million jobs would be created in the area of raw materials production, processing, distribution and final processing of goods and services.

“We hope to achieve these by consolidating on the council’s information generation, research grants scheme, commercialisation of research results and promotion of investment in resource based industries,’’ he said.

Onwualu said the council would work with other relevant organisations to see to the emergence of about 5,000 SMEs, adding that this would be done by using research results and technologies developed by the council research institution, universities and other higher institutions.

‘12% interest rate will kill SMEs’

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HE pegging of Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 12 per cent by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would hamper the growth of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and eventually kill them if care is not taken, the Executive Secretary, The Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Mr Eke Ubiji, has warned.

He said: “This is because banks will not like to give out the funds to borrowers at the same rate they procure it from the CBN. “It, therefore, means that any SME operator who wants to borrow money from the bank must be ready

to pay a higher rate than the 12 per cent, in addition to other charges that the banks normally impose on loans,” he said.

According to him, instead of the monetary authorities using only high interest rate to check inflation for the eighth consecutive time, it would have been better to use other monetary policy instruments. He said reducing interest would encourage business owners to have access to funds, or set up new ones, to create job opportunities, to employ people, and reduce unemployment in the country.

“There are various methods the government can use to check infla-

tion. One of such, depending on the risk profile on the borrower, is the issuance of treasury bills to mop up excess liquidity in the system. With the rate, no serious entrepreneur can dare to take loan to venture into production in an environment, where one has to provide one’s own electricity, water, security; and at times, construct roads to enable vehicles to access the business premises to evacuate goods that have been produced to the market place,” he said.

Recently, the Monetary Policy Committee retained the benchmark lending rate at 12 per cent for the eighth time in a row.

OVERNOR Godswill Akpabio has urged the Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta (BRACED) to focus more on the development of aquaculture in the South-south to create more employment opportunities.

Akpabio, who spoke when BRACED Director-General, Ambassador Joe Keshi and commissioners of agriculture in the BRACED states visited him in Uyo, lamented that his state had not taken advantage for the development of aquatic lives.

He said: “The South-south has some challenges such as poverty and insecurity. So, this is the time for us to take our destinies in our hands for peace and development in the region. So therefore, the BRACED Commission must focus and discuss more in their next summit meeting on the aquatic wealth of the nation for the employment of our people. ‘’Already, the South-South has a lot of shrimps which could be transported by boats for sale and for export. That could in turn generate revenue for the people. We must discuss how to provide the boats and finances for the processing of our marine wealth’’.

According to him, Ghananians and other nationals have been engaging in fishing in the country’s territorial waters, urging BRACED to take advantage of the availability of aquatic lives in the region by exploiting such to create jobs for people.

He said Akwa Ibom is committed to agriculture particularly rice production through Integrated Farmers Scheme, adding that the state has initiated Women in Agricultural Development Project (WAEDEP) giving N250,000 to each of the 4,500 women.

He charged the commission in liaison with private investors to venture into the manufacturing with the tag of BRACED, saying “Also, we would want a manufacturing company from BRACED Commission where food products would be packaged and stamped and before you notice it, people would rush for it. So to this, let us have a technical committee to practicalise and ginger the manufacturing sector on what we would be discussing”.

Earlier, Keshi said they were in the state to explore areas of mutual cooperation in agriculture. The cooperation, he said, commission members would focus on cocoa, timber and rice, among others.

UNIDO’s shoe-making village for Delta

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HE United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) is partnering with the Delta State government to set up a shoe-manufacturing village where local shoemakers will be trained.

Coming under the auspices of Delta Micro-Credit Programme, headed by Commissioner of Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Antonia Asheidu, the project is expected to absorb no fewer than 488 shoemakers and their products are expected to be a brand that would compete with ADIDAS and NIKE. Mrs Asheidu said given the track records of UNIDO in poverty reduction in developing countries, the project would be a huge success.

“It’s a project we will be proud of in future.With UNIDO coming into it with their expertise, we believe that in a couple of months, jobs will be created and a huge market will emerge. Through it, we can buy into the markets,”Asheidu said.

Speaking on the project in Asaba, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan noted that the shoe-making village will be the biggest in Nigeria, adding that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed soon week.

On whether Nigerians would embrace branded indigeneous products, the commissioner stated that products which will be branded “DMCP” or “FRN” to mean Delta Micro-Credit Programme or Federal Republic of Nigeria, would meet international standards with the help of UNIDO and some international shoemakers that would be involved in the programme.

UNIDO is saddled with generating and disseminating industryrelated knowledge as well as providing technical support and implementation of projects geared towards reducing poverty through production and integrating developing countries in global trade through capacity building.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

INDUSTRY

Traders hail planned dedication of future budgets to real sector

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RADERS have hailed President Goodluck Jonathan's decision to dedicate future budgets to the real sector.

The National Association of Nigeria Traders (NANT) said the plan would boost employment, wealth and make the economy stronger.

While inaugurating the National Competitive Council of Nigeria (NCCN) board at the Presidential Villa, Jonathan said from next year the budget would be dedicated to the manufacturing sector.

In a statement, NANT’s President, Mr Ken Ukoha, said.

“NANT believes that Nigeria has all it takes to become a world power and investors destination. We further believe that industrialisation is key and it does not require rocket science to turn Nigeria into the next industrial destination point in Africa.

“For us, the success or failure of an economy starts from the fiscal framework and the 2014 budget and beyond can be used as that master key to unlock the nation’s fortunes; therefore, Mr President’s vision is in the right direction and must be supported.

“It is on record that the world (including global bodies such as the World Bank, the IMF, and other respected organisations) is seeing Nigeria as an emerging and potentially strong economy,”he said.

He said for emerging econo-

Stories by Toba Agboola

mies, the share of manufacturing in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is between 20 and 40 per cent, adding that in Nigeria, the sector’s share is less than five per cent, indicating under-utilisation and under performance.

“It is noteworthy that the manufacturing sector has over the years remained comatose and, therefore, lost its position in the overall economic status. “ In accurate terms, the contribution of the sector has been dwindling, and of late staggered with fluctuations

between four and six per cent contribution to the nation’s GDP. The average manufacturing capacity utilisation decreased from 47 per cent in 2009 to 45 per cent in 2010 and it is still taking a downward trend.

“In terms of employment generation, available information reveals that a total of over 800 manufacturing companies closed shop between 2009 and 2011 as a result of their inability to continue to cope with the challenges posed by the harsh operating environment in Nigeria; and what this means is that there is a significant de-

cline in employment ratio as a percentage of the total labour force in the formal sector of the nation’s economy,” he said.

Ukoha said agriculture and trade have been holding the economy at 41 per cent and 28 per cent contribution to the GDP, adding that such contribution is only an unfortunate economic indication of absolute lopsidedness and failure of industrial transformation of the primary commodities to finished products that would in turn reduce the huge volume of imports which has kept the country’s economy on its knees.

US, Nigeria to hold bilateral trade forum

By Paul Oluwakoya

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EMBERS of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) are set for talks on bilateral trade between their countries.

At a briefing in Lagos, the chamber’s deputy president, Mr Binta Famutimi, said the event is expected to promote the development of trade, commerce, investment and industrial technologies between both countries public and private sectors.

“It is a vital forum to address challenges of enhancing Nigerian and American relations. This year’s event promises a rich mix of cultures and contacts, with members of the chamber from its branches in Abuja, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Owerri and American corporate bodies set to make their presence count,“ he said The chamber denied that it is a Lagos affair, saying it plans to open branches in other states to strengthen its relationship with the private sector.

Lafarge WAPCO gets awards

L

AFARGE Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc received seven awards from different organisations last year.

The awards span different keys areas in which the company has made significant impact.

The company came tops as the Best Risk Management Business Unit among the 64 countries of the Lafarge Group at the Annual Global Cement Awards Competition.

The award came on the heels of the implementation of health and safety risk management during the construction of Lafarge WAPCO’s new 2.5 million metric tons state-of-the-art Plant, Ewekoro in Ogun State.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr Joe Hudson, said: “In today’s rapidly changing economic and market landscape, the key to business success is not only what you sell, but the impact you make on society.”

MultiChoice promo coming

M

•From left: Consumer Insight Manager, Mrs. Busola Tejumola; GM, DStv Nigeria, Mr Mayo Okunola; winner of a Renault Duster SU, Mr Ayo Osunbunmi; and his wife Olufunmilayo Osunbunmi, during the prize presentation to winner of DStv Mega Promo, at the MultiChoice head office, Victoria Island, Lagos.

ULTICHOICE Nigeria is introducing a loyalty scheme.

General Manager, DSTV, Mr Mayo Okunola, who made this known, said DStv would reward customers through a forthcoming promo.

“Our subscribers are the bedrock of our business and we therefore continue to inspire them through quality programs as well as consistency to show gratitude all year round”, he said.

25

THE NATION

EDUCATION Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

INSIDE

Rivers shuts illegal school

email:- education@thenationonlineng.com

Governors of 18 states defaulting on the 27.5 per cent Teachers Salary Structure (TSS) have been warned of an indefinite strike by primary and secondary school teachers, should they fail to implement the allowance in two weeks.

THE Rivers State government has closed Our Saviour's Academy on Ada George Road in Port Harcourt for operating illegally.

-Page 28

LBS in Hult Prize finals THE Lagos Business School (LBS) is in the regional finals of the fourth Annual Hult Prize, the world's largest student competition and crowdsourcing platform for social good.

If it wins, its team of five MBA students will get the $1 million prize to implement its food security idea.

-Page 37

CAMPUS LIFE •An eight-page section on campus news, people etc

‘We wasted one year serving’ TODAY, Batch ‘A’ 2012 Corps members will pass out after the one-year mandatory service. In the past, it was an event graduates looked forward to with high hope of a better future.

Today, Corps members do not share that sentiment. Many of them are not happy because “we are going to join millions of unemployed graduates”.

-Page 29

• Teachers during the TSS strike in Lagos in 2009.

Teachers’ long battle for TSS F

IVE years ago, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) adopted the Teachers Salary Structure (TSS). Under the structure, teachers are to be paid special salary commensurate to their job. Of the 36 states, 18 have started implementing the structure. The others have not, citing reasons which the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) feel are not tenable. The union has given the states two weeks to implement the scheme. The ultimatum followed the expiration of the January 31 deadline earlier given them for the implementation. It warned that at the expiration of the two-week ultimatum, it will urge its members to proceed on strike if the states were yet to act on the matter.

The states are: Adamawa, Benue, Kogi, Lagos, Ekiti, Abia, Enugu, Cross River, Kebbi, Taraba, Plateau, Delta, Katsina, Nassarawa, Zamfara, Ebonyi, Gombe and Bauchi.

NUT’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Emmanuel Hwande told The Nation that the deadline was extended to enable the states to reflect the structure in the teachers’ January salary.

His words: "We gave the two weeks to be sure that the arrangements for payment are perfected.

But if after the January salary is paid

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie, Adegunle Olugbamila, Gbenga Omokhunu (Abuja), Chris Oji (Enugu), Sulaiman Salawudeen (Ekiti), Okungbowa Aiwerie (Asaba), Nicholas Kalu (Calabar), Nwanosike Onu (Anambra), Yusufu Aminu Idegu (Jos), Muhammad Bashir (Lokoja), Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, (Umuahia) •Alogba-Olukoya

TSS Defaulters •Plateau

•Enugu

•Taraba

•Ebonyi

•Kogi

•Cross River

•Delta

•Gombe

•Lagos

•Kebbi

•Katsina

•Bauchi

•Ekiti

•Niger

•Nassarawa

•Abia

•Zamfara and teachers in the affected states do not receive the 27.5 percent then the war will continue. There will be strike after the National Executive Council (NEC) must have met and given directive. We will not relent until our demand is met."

But why have the states not paid?

Each state has its reasons for not paying but the common factor

‘We gave the two weeks to be sure that the arrangements for payment are perfected.

But if after the January salary is paid and teachers in the affected states do not receive the 27.5 per cent, then the war will continue’ seems to be the minimum wage approved in November 2011. The wage has added a burden to the states’ financial standing.

Lagos In Lagos State, the government has agreed to implement 15.5 per cent now and the rest at a future date agreed upon with the NUT. Chairman, NUT Lagos, Comrade

Kayode Idowu said the union has extracted a promise from the government to pay the arrears in February.

"We have an agreement with them that was meant to start by January which they did not pay with the January salary but are implementing with February salary. They will pay 60 per cent of it now. The only problem that may crop up is when they don't pay the remaining 40 per cent at the time we agree on. We went to Alausa on Tuesday to sign a memorandum on the remaining 40 per cent," he said.

Some teachers are not satisfied with promises any longer. A teacher said he has lost faith in the government and NUT. He said: "It has always been promises and promises yet no action. We don't trust government; yet we don't even know what the union is doing even up to the national body. They seem to have kept us in the dark for so long.

There was a time they asked us to • Continued on page 26

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

26

EDUCATION

Jonathan seeks peace between UNIPORT, Aluu

•Amaechi endows chairs for Tukur, others RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has called on the management of University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) to create avenue for more research on conflict management and resolution for the peaceful co-existence between host communities and the university, including the oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region.

Jonathan, who condemned the murder of the four students of UNIPORT by the host community (Aluu) in October last year, said he is highly interested in the peace of the region which is a factor for the development of the Niger Delta region.

The President, who was represented by the Minister of Education Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa'i spoke at the university's 29th convocation at Choba, the main campus of the university during which the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi endowed five professorial chairs.

Speaking conflict resolution, Prof Rufa'i said: "I want to inform you that President Jonathan is highly interested in the peace of the Niger Delta region, if the region must achieve development, then we must work together to achieve a conflict- free region that will allow smooth operation of companies in the region.

"The university is another platform to achieve this goal; I strongly believe you are aware we are in the era of innovation and research, we are calling on the university to focus more on how to resolve conflict

P

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

among communities and oil companies in the region through conflict management and resolution.

"Let me remind you that that the Federal Government shows regret over the murder of the four students of this university; this is the more reason we should be conscious of internal security."

During the event, Governor Amaechi announced the endowment of five chairs on behalf of the government, naming them after four prominent citizens of the state - Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte (rtd), Prof. Tekena Tamuno, Prof Tam David-West, Prof. Otonti Nduka, and Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the National Chairman of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Amaechi who spoke during the event, said the state government would fund the endowments even after he leaves office.

The governor said: "I want to endow a Chair that will be named after Justice Karibi-Whyte in the Faculty of Law. Another Chair on History and Society to be named after Prof Tekena Tamuno. I also want to endow a Chair to be named after Prof.

Tam David-West; and finally, a Chair in Education and Culture to be named after Prof Otonti Odunka.

"Again, when I say I, that I represent me as the governor of Rivers State. I just want to make sure that the Rivers State Government is able to fund these chairs; that is why I am

• Prof. Rufa’i and Alhaji Tukur watch as Governor Amaechi laid the foundation of the Bamanga Tukur Institute of International Trade and Development during the convocation.

not making it personal because even when I leave, the Ministry of Education should be able to get my successor to fund it. Let us also endow a Chair not for politics or public governance but for business named after Alhaji Bamanga Tukur."

Amaechi also promised to build an ultra-modern convocation arena for the university to be named after

Teachers’ long battle for TSS

met him in politics, business, uneducated, and with no degree or certificate. I never thought in my life that I would see him with a degree. I nearly wept seeing him sitting down here and I realised that there were more determined persons. For that reason, I would name a structure that I believe we should build for the university after him," he said.

‘The government is studying the financial implications of the unpaid 17 per cent.The union and government would meet on February 18 to map out the way forward.The outcome will determine the option the teachers would take - strike or not’

• Continued from page 25

get ready for mass strike, but now we don't even know what is happening again. We have all left our fate to God." Ekiti Mr Ola Idris, Secretary, NUT Ekiti State wing, said Governor Kayode Fayemi has accepted to pay the 27.5 per cent TSS. According to him, the governor who at a meeting with teachers about three weeks ago, promised to appeal to NUT officials to give him sometime.

Idris said: "Officials of NUT met with the governor about three weeks ago. There, he pledged to pay the TSS. He only requested that the union should give him more time to be able to work out things appropriately.

"May I state that we in the NUT don't doubt either the governor's readiness or intention to pay. We know he meant his word when he said he needed more time."

Enugu In Enugu State, the government has agreed to pay in principle. The NUT is still negotiating with the government on TSS’ implementation.

NUT leaders met with top government officials which including the Secretary to the State Government, commissioners for education and labour and key permanent secretaries over the issue.

NUT Chairman, Comrade Chumaife Nze, said the government, in principle, agreed to pay when the money is available.

"The government is currently studying the financial implications of the unpaid 17 percent. The union and government would meet on February 18 to map out the way

Chief Damian Nweje, who Amaechi said, showed great determination in acquiring university education.

"I have so many heroes and I have acquired one today, a very brand new hero - Chief Damian Nweje. I have never believed that anybody has struggled more than me until I met this gentleman today as a graduate of University of Port Harcourt. I

•Members of NUT Ekiti Wing during a Workers’ Day parade.

forward. The outcome will determine the option the teachers would take - strike or not," he said.

Nze who doubles as the NLC chairman, expressed optimism that now that Governor Sullivan Chime

is back, negotiations would go through.

Delta Comrade Emmanuel Adhe, Chairman, NUT Delta State wing said the government would implement from

this month.

He said the state would not be among the defaulting states following government's approval. According to Adhe, the approval granted by government will take effect retroactively.

His words: "As for Delta State, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has approved the 27.5 percent and it will be implemented in February and it will take effect from January 2013 and one month's arrears will be paid, so Delta State will not be affected. The government has approved the TSS for teachers in Delta State for both primary and secondary schools. Teachers are satisfied with the government’s efforts. Now we have heard about the approval

by February ending when teachers will be paid you will see the jubilation in town."

Cross River Teachers in Cross River State are unhappy over the non-implementation of the TSS. Chairman of NUT, Mr Njom Nyambi, told The Nation that teachers have made entreaties to the government on the implementation of the TSS .

Nyambi said the union wrote to the governor last week, in its bid to ensure that the issue was resolved amicably.

The teachers, he said, would go on strike if they did not get positive feedback.

His words, "Cross River is one of

the states that has not been able to pay. I have written to the government and any moment from now, the teachers would proceed on strike unless something positive is done If not we would declare a strike."

Commissioner for Education Prof Offiong Offiong said the state was among the states to first implement the TSS in January 2009. But when the minimum wage came, he said, it affected the scale as some teachers complained of being short-changed.

He said the government was looking into the matter, adding that the issue would be addressed soon.

He said: "The state was among the first in 2009 January to implement the TSS but when the minimum wage came, it does appear from what the teachers are saying that it has short-changed them in TSS. The governor directed a committee to look at that, and bring up a report to him and I am aware that they are working on that. The office of the Accountant-General and others are working on that, but once that has been confirmed and authenticated, I am sure the government would address the matter. It is just the agitation that they have been short-changed. So once we confirm that, the matter would be addressed. I am sure that government, once the give their commitment to pay whatever is outstanding that would be addressed.

We need to authenticate that there • Continued on page 27

27

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

EDUCATION

NOA launches campaign against exam malpractices

W

ORRIED by the perennial failure of students in major examinations, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has launched a campaign to curb this social malaise.

Speaking in Port Harcourt, Rivers State during the launch of the campaign tagged: Do the right thing Transform Nigeria, which seeks an end to examination malpractices, the Director of NOA in the state, Mr Oliver Wolugbom, lamented that the predicament education faces in Nigeria has resulted in a situation "where products of our educational system are no longer worthy in character and in learning."

Wolugbom also said the decay in the educational system has also led to situations where some countries require graduates of Nigerian institutions to write qualifying examinations or spend longer years to start a post graduate studies elsewhere. The director noted that the United Nations Human Development ranks Nigeria tops in the world on exam malpractices with an average annual examination index of 12 per cent.

He said: "Nigeria still ranks as low as 156 in the United Nations Human Development index despite her abundant natural endowment.

"This large scale malpractice constitutes a serious problem of integrity, not only to the educational system, but has other negative consequences for the entire society."

He recalled that this campaign, which had earlier been launched in Lokoja, Kogi State by the DirectorGeneral of the agency, Mr Mike Omiri, identified the centrality of

PHOTO SPEAK

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

education to the accomplishment of the transformation agenda of the Federal Government.

Similarly, he noted that the educational policies of Rivers State, which is reflected in the state-of-the-art schools and equipment and the enabling environment, are aimed at raising the standard of education in the state.

Therefore, Wolugbom urged all stakeholders in education to ensure that the youths love and cherish hard work to make for a better future.

The keynote speaker, Dr Samuel Nwafor, from the University of Port Harcourt, lamented that governments at all levels have erroneously contributed to exam malpractice by not meeting up with the UNESCO's recommended budget of 26 per cent of total annual budget of developing countries to their country's education.

"No state or Federal government's budget is up to 15 per cent of its budget for education," Dr Nwafor added.

Other factors, which Nwafor identified as causes of exam malpractice, are lack of finance to recruit good teachers in school; mass promotion of pupils and students; crowded exam halls and registration of external candidates.

Others include: inadequate teaching aides and facilities; moral laxity; inability of examining bodies or like West african examinations Council (WAEC) to check leakage of exam papers; and inability of parents to take interest in their children's education.

•Founder/President, African Children Talent Discovery Foundation, Mr Noah Dallaji (middle) receiving a memento from a pupil during the 13th annual Inter-house competition of Chrisland School, VGC, Lagos. With him (from left) are Prof C.D. Jacobs; Director of Studies, Mrs Ibironke Adeyemi; Managing Director, Chrisland Educational Organisation, Mr Chris Mamah and Mr Babatunde Fatai-Williams.

• Proprietress of Neander International School OkoOrisan, Epe, Mrs Modupe Oguntade with a pupil of Corona International School during Neander's first Creative Art and Athletics competition in Epe.

Teachers’ long battle for TSS • Continued from page 26

is actually a short-change. We are looking into it."

Kogi In Kogi the government gave teachers an option to choose between minimum wage, TSS and another allowance called relativity.

"But since the introduction of relativity and minimum wage, the state government gave us the option of either to drop the 27.5 percent and enjoy the relativity or do otherwise.

But we opted for the relativity since it is juicier. But as I am talking to you now, we are not enjoying the minimum wage nor the TSS," the source added.

He said the teachers would continue to struggle until the implemention of the package.

Plateau TSS implementation has not been fully achieved in Plateau. The labour unions are still battling with government for full implementation.

Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Jibrin Bantir said primary school teachers were being paid partially.

He said: "Teachers in Plateau State are in two categories: those in secondary schools are employees of the state government, those in primary schools are employees of the local government. The teachers at the secondary schools are already enjoying the TSS 100 per cent, but those in primaries who are local government staff are yet to enjoy full implementation. At the moment, primary school teachers are only enjoying 65 per cent implementation. The inability of the local government to pay the TSS in full, we were made to understand, is due to the alleged dwindling monthly allocation of the local government from the federation account."

Bantir said the union is talking with government to pay up.

"The case of the local government workers was part of why the NLC declared a strike last year and some agreements were reached between

government and labour on ways to implement the TSS in phases.

"So, the issue is being addressed.

However, the January 31 deadline

by NUT has been adjusted further, that date has been extended by NUT to allow the affected states to implement it. But I think the major problem with the TSS is that some states have not even implemented it at all.

This is where NUT is so concerned.

As for Plateau State we don't have much problem as such," he said.

Abia Although the Abia NUT claims it has no problems with the government over TSS implementation, payment is yet to start.

According to NUT chairman Enoch Omeoga, the payment voucher for January was prepared without the TSS, adding: "as a principal of a school in the state, when I saw it I raised an alarm which made the Chief of Staff to the governor, Cosmos Ndukwe, to raise a memo reminding the ministry of the agreement we reached."

He said ASUBEB and the Ministry of Education have been directed to prepare a supplementary voucher for and February, "which have been prepared, so we have to wait till the salaries are paid to know if the TSS will be there or not".

Omeoga regretted that salaries are paid in arrears, saying: "Abia teachers and the NUT are waiting for the salaries to be paid for the month of January and if the TSS is not included in the salary we will complain to the governor".

He explained that during negotiation, the governor was not hostile, but was only complaining that there are no funds. The governor, he said, urged the workers not to compare the state with the rich ones.

Omeoga said he was sure that the governor would pay the TSS, adding if he fails, the teachers will meet to know the next line of action.

"For now, there is no problem between us and the governor," he said.

•From left: Miss Aderonke Oyebade, daughter of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zonal Operations),Zone 5, Headquarters, Benin City, Edo State; Mr Adeleye Oyebade, and his daughter, Olutola, best graduating student of Philosophy, University of Lagos; and their mother, Adebimpe during Olutola's graduation last week • From left: Abraham Adeniji, Public Relations Officer, National Association of Ogun State Students, Lagos State University Chapter and the association's President, Saliu Maroofdeen, presenting the 'staff adviser' award of the association to Dr Solomon Makinde of the Faculty of Education, LASU in his office last week.

28

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

EDUCATION

‘Return of schools a great challenge’

F

ORMER Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, Prof. Pita Ejiofor, has described the return of schools to the missionaries which are their original owners, as a great challenge thrown to the church.

Ejiofor was a key-note speaker at the on-going four-day national conference on education, organised by the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Directors/Secretaries of Education (NACDDED) at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese.

He said the newly returned Catholic schools should, as in the past, be centres of excellence in discipline and studies.

In the paper entitled: Return of schools to voluntary agency: Its effects and challenges, Ejiofor contended that how effectively and humanely teachers are managed in this era would determine to a large extent the success of the returned school, and the image and strength of the local church.

He said: "For our church, the miracles of the schools of yesteryears in evangelisation are therefore not likely to be repeated today. So, while educating the people, the church should always remember that, in the first decades of the Third Millennium, the battle field where she wins or loses souls is not only in the schools but also in evangelisation strategy, mode of

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

preaching, good works and superior organisation.

"So, while educating the people, the church should always remember that, in the first decades of the Third Millennium, the battle field where she wins or loses souls, is not only in the schools, but also in evangelisation strategy, mode of preaching, good works and superior organisation."

National Chairman of NACDDED, Rev. Fr. Richard Omolade had, in his welcome address, praised those governors who have returned schools to their original owners, adding that by so doing, they have taken the bull by the horn, in spite of great oppositions.

Omolade also praised the governors who have not only returned schools, but also given funds for renovation of dilapidated structures and management of education.

He added that inasmuch as the church needs the schools, the schools have to battle for governmental concern, funding, control, discipline, quality teachers, which might divert its focus from critical areas like teaching and learning.

The four-day event, which has its theme as: Return of schools to voluntary agencies, started yesterday with a churches, service at the Basilica.

• The shut school

Illegal school shut in Port Harcourt

T

HE Rivers State government has closed Our Saviour's Academy along Ada George Road in Port Harcourt for operating illegally.

The school was closed after an unscheduled visit by the Inspectorate Department of Ministry of Education, Rivers State. Its Director, Samuel Wigwe, said the school was shut because it was operating ille-

gally and was not conducive for learning.

The Director said apart from not being up to the standard prescribed by the state government, the school did not have enough facilities to run pre-nursery, nursery, primary and secondary in the same compound.

He directed parents/guardians of the affected pupils having problems in enrolling their wards to another

school to meet the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Education for onward absorption in other schools.

Wigwe also said the punishment would serve as deterrent to other private schools that are operating illegally or with sub-standard facilities. He added that the era of illegal private schools in the state would soon be over.

Don recommends medical statistics for drug control

P

• Mr Tunde Omikunle with his wife, Lasun and their daughters, Damilare (left) and Temitope (right) after their graduation from the University of Lagos last week.

ROFESSOR of Statistics at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Isaac O. Oshungade, has recommended clinical trials and medical statistics for drug control in Nigeria.

He, therefore, urged institutions like the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and university teaching hospitals to organise sample survey methods for clinical trials and medical statistics for drug regulation and pharmaceutical research for medical control.

The statistician spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital while delivering the 121st inaugural lecture of the the university. The lecture was entitled: The art of everyday sampling.

Oshungade recommended survey or experimental design for industries and agricultural institutions in the country.

His words: "The National Bureau

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

of Statistics (NBS) should conduct establishment surveys for businesses and firms; experimental designs should also be carried out by farming research institutes spread across the country.

"NBS should organise a workshop for statistical methods for quality control in the manufacturing industries and training of quality improvement managers in industries and businesses. Symposia on design and analysis of longitudinal surveys should be organised by the Nigerian Statistical Association.

The establishment of statistical sampling services and training will improve the reliability and relevance of data produced in Nigeria; improve the timeliness in the production and dissemination of statistical information and explore surveys and information.

Community gets bus, PCs

G

OVERNOR Peter Obi of Anambra State has donated an 18-seater bus to St Anthony's Secondary School, Ikenga in Aguata Local Government Area. Obi also donated 10 computer sets.

At the official handing over of the items, the traditional ruler of Ikenga, Ezeobi Onwunem thanked the governor for all he is doing in the state.

Onwunem, who described Obi as a divine intervention in Anambra State, appealed that the road leading to its community be tarred.

Onwunem said: "Much as we appeal to the Governor to construct the Ikenga road, we thank him for giving our town money for security and road palliatives, as well as the building of primary schools in our town, among others."

He said but for the governor who shows humility by visiting places regardless of how remote or insignificant, the people of Ikenga

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

might not have seen a governor.

In his own remarks, Obi promised to give them money for the rehabilitation of their laboratories and building of a library.

According to the governor, what gave him greatest joy was being in the midst of youth and encouraging them to pursue education as the most important asset in future.

In a similar development, Obi paid an unscheduled visit to Girls High School Agulu, where he inspected rehabilitated buildings, as well as those yet to be rehabilitated.

He expressed joy that the partnership with the church is yielding fruits in the area of education and health.

He said his government was looking for more ways to deepen the partnership with the church for the ultimate good of the state.

• Obi (right), handing over computers and the key to the bus to Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor (left). With them is the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Uju Okeke.

29

Tearful farewell for Corps member Page 31

*CAMPUSES

Breeding *NEWS leaders *PEOPLE *KUDOS& through KNOCKS Last week, all hell was letentrepreneurship loose at the Ekiti State University (EKSU) following the death of a final year student of Accounting, Teslim Adebola Ibrahim. OLATUNJI AWE reports. *GRANTS Page 36

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE 0802-4550-354 email: ladycampus@yahoo.com THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

Batch ‘A’ 2012 Corps members are passing out today. But many of them are not look- Adenike Ashogbon is ing forward to the event. Reason: the high unemployment rate and lack of low-inter- passing out today as a Corps member. A est loan for graduates, who want to go into business. GERALD NWOKOCHA writes.

graduate of Mass Communication from the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), she served in AmuzuUbakala, Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State. She spoke about her projects when MICHAEL ORODARE (ND II Mass Communication, LASPOTECH) met her.

•Corps members performing salute during a passing out ceremony

‘We wasted one year serving Nigeria’

‘NYSC should be strengthened’

•Corps members paint bleak picture of National Youth Service

T

ODAY, Batch ‘A’ 2012 Corps members will pass out after the one-year mandatory service. In the past, it was an event graduates looked forward to with high hope of a better future. Today, Corps members do not share that sentiment.

Many of them are not happy because “we are going to join millions of unemployed graduates”.

Many Corps members had come to see the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as an avenue for employment after service. Many of them lobbied to change their postings and places of primary assignment to either government offices or corporate firms.

Last year, the Federal Government introduced a policy, mandating the NYSC directorate to stop posting Corps members to private firms. Former Minister of Youth Development Mallam

‘If we are made to be looking for jobs after our service year without provision of loans or service that can engage us productively, the nation has no business sending anybody to serve in the rural communities after their degree programmes. Let graduates find jobs after they complete their university degrees’ Bolaji Abdullahi, who introduced the reform, said the NYSC was becoming moribund, adding that there was need to revamp the scheme for better results.

Abdullahi said the government had cogent reasons for redirecting the energy of the youth to four sectors of the economy.

He said: “Posting of Corps mem-

bers to various parts of the country in the area of rural health care delivery, education, infrastructure and agriculture will lead to equitable labour supply and create equal development across the nation, thereby making the youth to serve the community, instead of being cheap labour for private firms in the city.”

The Corps members passing out today are the first set to be posted to the four sectors. Many of them bemoaned their postings to remote villages, where they said they could not utilise their business skills. They are afraid that after passing out they will be abandoned.

They are also aggrieved at what they call a ploy to get them to serve for one more than one year through the background. To them, the requirement that they should go for one year practical training to benefit from the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), •Continued on page 30

•Adenike •Continued on page 30

•50-year-old matriculates at institute -P34 •UNN graduate wins NLNG Literature Prize -P35

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

30

CAMPUS LIFE Who’s grooming the next generation of leaders? (2)

N

IGERIA has a lot to learn from the Chinese experience and one of these lessons is never to miss a chance to excel when it comes, China did not. Why did I say this? The answer is simple; following the 9/11 attack on the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York in 2001, the United States went on a vengeance mission to destroy the base and launching pad of Al Qaeda in Iraq and Afghanistan. Because of its unparalleled military might, it believed that this would be quick and decisive, but it turned out to be a long war lasting eleven years with billions of dollars down the drain.

During this period, it neglected domestic affairs, especially the state of its industries and economy. This was the opportunity China cashed in on hence the Chinese manufacturing resurgence; China suddenly became the new hub of manufacturing activities with most countries, including American companies, trooping there to manufacture goods at cheaper rates because of the abundance of cheap labour.

Today the Chinese economy is the second largest in the world, next only to that of the US. We should not forget that they were able to do this because of purposeful and disciplined leadership.

To get a handle on this, I’d like to quote from an interview granted Time magazine

by Lee Kuan Yew, former Singapore leader who transformed an underdeveloped colonial outpost with no natural resources into a “First World’ Asian Tiger. The Singapore elder statesman said; “Chinese leaders followed American lead in putting people in space and shooting down satellites with missiles. Their culture is 4,000 years old with 1.3 billion people, with a huge and very talented pool to draw from. They have raised their expectations and aspirations,

Pushing Out with

Agbo Agbo 08052959489 (SMS only)

•aagboa@gmail.com every Chinese wants a rich China, a nation as prosperous, advanced and technologically competent as the USA, Europe and Japan.

This reawakened sense of destiny is an overpowering force.” This overpowering force is what is propelling this huge nation forward.

A rising power on the international stage in the post-global economic crisis, China, manages its power transition well to carefully match its philosophy of life. The west will see this as “undemocratic” and a stifling of citizen’s rights, but the flipside of the coin points to the fact that anything in life taken to the extreme often time turns out problematic; excessive and unbridled freedom also has its own drawbacks that is why leadership grooming and selection is needed; a leadership that will be in tandem with a nation’s uniqueness. If Singapore and Malaysia had followed the laid down “economic blueprint” of the Bretton Woods institutions they wouldn’t have been the success story they are today.

Another lesson for us is power continuity, it doesn’t depend on who’s in power laid down policies continues because they are for the national interest. With recent provincial reshuffles, China is preparing for not only the next round of power transfer from the fourth to the fifth generation leadership but also the subsequent political transition from the fifth to the sixth. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has gradually formulated its own system of grooming future political leaders in the past three decades. With the assistance of the Central Organisation Department, the Party leadership identifies a contingent of candidates from a large pool of young leaders.

These candidates are sent to provinces (as well as ministries) to gain management experience. They usually start with government positions, and a select few are then promoted to provincial Party secretary positions. The most promising candidates are supposed to have served in a number of provincial units before they are promoted to Beijing for higher positions.

They should have accumulated both local management experiences and work experiences in the central government/Party apparatus. To govern a vast country like China, a national leader must have both local and central experience. The frontrunners are then recruited to the Politburo and positioned to take over from the preceding generation after the former has served two consecutive terms. As China’s political system has been institutionalised, provinces have become a training ground for future national leaders.

For example, out of nine members of the 17th Politburo Standing Committee, eight have worked as provincial leaders previously.

Yet another lesson is grassroots orientation to broaden a leader’s focus. Top leaders in the future will mostly come from provinces. Power will be transferred from the fourth generation leadership under Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao to the fifth generation leadership under Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang. These leaders were groomed from bottom to the top; it is not a game of chance.

The Global People, a Chinese journal covering global political, economic and cultural elites, featured five rising political stars in Chinese politics in its No. 8 issue of 2009.

These politicians have met two characteristics: They were all born in the 1960s and are political leaders of ministerial rank. They are graduates of the best universities in the country with specialties in Political Science, Political Economy, History, Law and Economics.

The rise of Mr. Xi and his compatriots has been built on a combination of political acumen, and ideological dexterity. Like the country they will run, they will maintain the primacy of the Communist Party, while making economic growth and the general prosperity of the people the party’s main business.

There is little in his record to suggest that he intends to steer China in a sharply different direction. For much of his career, Mr. Xi,

who is 57, presided over booming areas on the east coast that have been at the forefront of China’s experimentation with market authoritarianism, which has included attracting foreign investment, putting party cells in private companies and expanding government support for model entrepreneurs. This has given Mr. Xi the kind of political and economic experience that his predecessor lacked when he ascended to the top leadership position. It is not a surprise that he is trust into leadership position.

The lesson here is that this leader has been tried and passed the test with evidence to show for it. One fundamental issue that bothers commentators is how the Chinese Communist Party has been able to remain “communist” and at the same time imbibe free market principle. The answer is not farfetched; the leadership took their time to study free market economy, they came to the conclusion that it is not everything about market economy that is bad hence it can be modified to suit their experience. They gradually liberalized the economic environment and gave entrepreneurs the free hand to run their businesses with minimal control and regulation. They have been doing this in the last decade with remarkable results.

So where the erstwhile Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and Cuba failed, the Chinese are excelling, thanks to purposeful leadership.

If we add the success story of Singapore and Malaysia to the ongoing Chinese transformation we can comfortably come to the conclusion that each nation decides the route toward development it wants to chart. If Malaysia under Mahathir Mohammed had taken the “pill” prescribed by the IMF it would most probably still be repaying its debt by now, but that clean break saved the country. It still boils down to strong leadership that has the vision to project well into the future.

I will end with this; a friend recounted a story to me two weeks ago which speaks volume of the leadership lacuna in Nigeria. A group of volunteers from the US paid an unscheduled visit to a Local Government Chairman in one of the South West states where they wanted to site a project, to their dismay they found the Chairman and his Councilors drinking beer in his office at 11 am! The volunteers did not leave with a good impression about Nigeria. Are these the type of “leaders” we are “grooming”?

Bleak picture of National Service ‘NYSC should be strengthened’ •Continued from page 29

amounts to “second service”.

They said instead of providing jobs to practicalise what they were taught in school, government wants them to go for another round of training, which may not ensure immediate employment after completion.

Abdulkadir Muazu, who served in Abuja, described the SURE-P training as a waste of resources. He wondered why the government could not channel the resources to provide loans to business-minded youth.

Stanley Ibeku, a former Corps member, described the training as government contractors idea. He said: “The idea is irrelevant. Why did they not make the training available to graduates during the service year? Are they also advocating the scrapping of NYSC?” Most Corps members, who spoke to our correspondent, described their service year as a waste of time.

“What do you expect when Corps members are sent to communities where there is no life for a whole year and yet when they are through, there is no immediate employment? The whole thing is a waste of time,” said an outgoing Corps member, who served in Kaduna.

Those posted to remote villages said the service year was hell for them. Idris Ibrahim, who is passing out today in Katsina State, told CAMPUSLIFE that the service year was tough for him. He was posted to a community where there is no electricity. To make calls, he said, was a problem. He wondered why he was posted to a village when there was no meaningful thing the

villagers were expecting from Corps members.

Hope Ofobike, who served in Niger State, said it was as if, she was cursed to waste a year.

“The experience is not worth it, because I was made redundant for 11 months. The best way to engage Corps members is to repeal the policy, which makes all Corps members to teach or serve in rural communities. I studied Mass Communication and during the service year, I was supposed to be posted either to the print or electronic media. But I was asked to teach. Now, employers will be asking for two or three years experience in journalism. My brother, where will I get that when I was posted to a rural school?” Hope said.

Charles Israel, who served in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, said serving in the North was depressing. He told CAMPUSLIFE that the blocks of classrooms in the secondary school where he served had all collapsed.

“I don’t know how they want us to survive in such environment,” he wondered.

Chinwe Madubuike, who served in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has a different story. “I fell in love with the students I taught at my place of primary assignment. I have a good service year not because I served in FCT, but because I was posted to teach, which is what I like,” she said.

Gbeminiyi Ope-Ewe, who served at Africa Comprehensive School, Asokoro, Abuja, was discouraged when she was posted to a school but her experience was a source of inspiration to her. “I want to groom youth after my service year.

•Continued from page 29

Y

•Emeka

I want to open an outfit for talent discovery and skill acquisition,” she said.

Emeka Oge, who was in Niger State, said the service would be meaningful if Corps members are employed after service. “If we are made to be looking for jobs after our service year without provision of loans or service that can engage us productively, the nation has no business sending anybody to serve the in rural communities after their degree programmes. Let graduates find jobs after they complete their university degrees. This will save time and resources than sending us to places where none of our leaders have been to.”

OU are passing out as a Corps member today, how was the experience?

I will say the scheme is a powerful tool for integration of youth from different ethnic groups. But plans should be made to strengthen the initiative. For me, the scheme should, by now, be yielding results in term of rural development and opportunities for the youth. Personally, I have groomed myself in advocacy and the service year gave me the chance to carry out this campaign to the benefit of humanity.

During your service year, how many projects did you carry out?

I personally carried out five projects, which are renovation of a toilet for a school, feminine care sensitisation for 40 pupils to commemorate the Girl-child Day; I also organised leadership training for 150 youth to raise a responsible youth population, and quarterly, I visited the less-privileged at the SOSAID Charity Home in Umuahia to give them gift. During the execution of these projects, my inspectore at the local government, where I served, Mrs Patience Nwokolo, was supportive.

What is the rationale behind the projects you did?

They were all about making positive impact on the lives of the vulnerable. Individually, we all have our share of challenges that life throws up. These problems do not concern anyone except yourself.

We can make life easier for others in our own little way. It is all about humanity and giving back to the society. In most cases, people asked ‘what is my business with people fac-

ing difficulties’? but the truth is, it is our responsibility to see to their welfare. Giving and sharing are part of me and this is why I deemed it obligatory to give despite the meagre resources at my disposal.

Was your host-community cooperative?

I had a productive relationship with my host- community. They were responsive even though they did not show much interest the first time. But after the approach adopted in handling the pupils and executing all the projects, they came out to support me in doing more for their kids. They are good people.

Have you seen the impact of the projects on the pupils?

Sure, at least, to an extent. And let me add that I also set up press clubs in three secondary schools; the outcome has been overwhelming.

Do you think the projects will be sustained after your departure?

I am also thinking in that direction because many laudable projects carried out by Corps members in their places of primary assignment didn’t stand the test of time because of lack of maintenance. I have been telling the people how to maintain the projects. I will still re-orient them before I leave and I hope they maintain the work. For the press club, there is a new batch of Corps members in the schools; I hope they will continue from where I left.

In the next five years, what do you expect from the pupils you trained?

Already I am feeling fulfilled because I have been seeing the results of my training in some of the pupils I mentored here. In years to come, I anticipate greater things in their lives. The pupils I trained will surely be the leading lights among their peers.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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CAMPUS LIFE The remains of Faith Enemuo, a Corps member who got drowned in Ikom River in Cross River State last month, have been buried in her family compound in Anambra State.

EMMANUEL SHEBBS (Political Science, University of Calabar) reports.

Tearful farewell for Corps member •Corps members paying their last respect to the late Faith during the funeral last week

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HE rustic Nanka community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State was in a mournful mood. Elders and children wore gloomy looks as the remains of Faith Enemuo, a Corps member, who drowned in Ikom River a fortnight ago, were brought home for burial.

When the hearse bearing the body stopped in front of the family compound, emotions ran high. The body was accompanied by Corps members. As the casket, draped with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) flag, was being brought out by the late Faith’s colleagues, sympathisers broke down in tears;

family members wailed uncontrollably.

A wake had been held at Ephany Anglican Church, Gwagwalada, Abuja, where she worshipped. Her former course mates at the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) and friends attended the service.

The funeral service was anchored

by Reverend Ibrahim Dada of the Abuja-based Anglican Church. The cleric charged the congregation to always remember death, because it could come anytime. He said the late Faith never thought the end had come when she joined her colleagues to play at the river bank,

adding that death would never ask for age before it strikes.

As Christians, the Reverend urged people to see each day as if it is their last on earth, saying believers must prepare to meet God without sin. He urged the family to be consoled by the fact that God gives and takes.

After the sermon, the late Faith’s body was laid to rest in the compound. Amid elegies by the sympathisers and Corps members, the family performed the dust-todust rite.

Mr Chukwubuike Enemuo, the deceased’s father, could not speak.

When our correspondent asked him

to describe his late daughter, he looked into space without saying anything. The late Faith was his first child.

Mercy Enemuo, the aunt, who the late Faith lived with in Abuja, broke down in tears. She said the death of her niece had brought “ great sorrow” to the family, adding: “We have to take heart because God is the owner of life.”

It was not clear whether NYSC plans to compensate the family, but the aunt said: “We have not heard from the government or the NYSC. They have not said anything as regards that.” The Cross River State

•The late Faith

Director of NYSC could not be reached for comments.

A friend of the late Faith, said: “She a hardworking girl. She was respected for her honesty. She was a brilliant girl and an asset to the community. It is not in our place to judge actions of nature but, in everything, we have to give thanks to God.” The late Faith, 23, got drowned in Ikom River while she was playing handball with her colleagues. Her body was found two days after at Okuni Beach in another village. She was serving in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State when the incident occurred.

Today, students of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA) are setting aside their books to mark Valentine’s Day. SUCCESS SHAIBU (400-Level Urban and Regional Planning) sought students’ views on the day.

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ODAY is Saint Valentine’s Day. It is being celebrated virtually on all campuses.

Before today, students have been moving about in red attires. Red is believed to be the colour of love.

Relaxation centres, which are always patronised by students, were also draped in red to ursher in the yearly event.

Many are joining the celebration without knowledge of how the day came about. To some, it is a day to remember the life and times of Saint Valentine; others see it as lovers’ day.

As the legend goes, St. Valentine’s Day began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints, all named Valentinus. But the day is popularly associated with Saint Valentine, who was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers forbidden to marry, and for ministering to Christians, who were being persecuted under the Roman Empire.

During his imprisonment, Valentine was said to have healed Asterius, the daughter of his jailer.

Legend has it that before his execution, St Valentine wrote From your Valentine as a farewell to her.

This was seen as the first greeting card.

By the 15th century, February 14 had turned into an occasion for lovers to show affection for each other by exchanging flowers and greeting cards. Till date, the practice continues every year.

On campuses across the country, the feeling is the same. Students have started visiting supermarkets to buy gifts for their loved ones.

In some institutions, gifts wrapped in red packages have started flowing. But how would students celebrate today?

Valentine fever hits campuses

•Students dancing at a Valentine party

‘It is a day to rekindle the flame of love. The love ladies have for men is always burning with greater intensity at the beginning, but it tends to reduce at certain point.

February 14 provides a good opportunity to fuel it up’ “Valentine’s Day comes as a normal day to me, except for the special name it carries,” Immanuel Galadima, 400-Level Urban and

•Arnold

•Gloria

Regional Planning, Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA), said, adding: “I call and send text messages to wish my loved ones happy Valentine’s Day.”

A student, who pleaded anonymity, said: “I have not really experienced Valentine’s Day and this, perhaps, is because I am yet to fall in love. But since the day has been generally dedicated to

lovers, then people should mark the day. I understand that many people will engage in indecent act, this does not mean love should not be expressed.”

“I don’t like Valentine’s Day,” Arnold Adamu, 300-Level Industrial Technology Education, FUT MINNA, snapped. He said while his friends marked the day by “messing around with girls”, he saw it as a day to drink.

Victoria Ojediran, ND 1 Animal Health and Production Technology student, Oyo State College of Agriculture, Igboora, said: “It is a day to show love to one another; whether family and friends.” She added that she would go out to have fun today, but said she would be careful not to “get lost” amidst the celebration. When asked who she intended to celebrate the day with, Victoria said: “I will be with my fiancée throughout today.”

Gloria Eze, a 400-level Biochemistry student, said: “It is a day to rekindle the flame of love. The love ladies have for men is always burn with greater intensity at the beginning, but it tends to reduce at certain point. February 14 provides a good opportunity to fuel it up.

Though Valentine’s Day has its positive and negative implications as couples seize the period to reinforce their love, while singles tend to get themselves into immoral acts as a way of celebrating it.”

Esther Amubioya, ND 1 student of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), said she would go for lectures till evening, adding: “I will still text and call my loved ones, most especially my sweetheart because he is not here with me. I cherish every gift given to me because I look into the heart from which they come rather than the monetary value.”

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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F

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08077706130

1 8 11

2

4

3 9

5 10 12

7

17 22 25

18

13 16

15 19 24 26

20 21

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ACROSS

DOWN

1.Create (4) 4.Fence (4) 8. Metric Unit of Measure (3) 10. Contest (3) 11. Pig’s pen (3) 12. Poem (3) 13. Range of Vision (4) 14. Lode of Ore (4) 16. Throw (4) 19. Circle (3) 22. Aposite (4) 24. Toilet (3) 25. Era (3) 26. Try (4) 27. Cease (4)

1.Conceal (4) 2.Skill (3) 3.Vital (3) 5.Confess (4) 6. Cover (3) 7. Look Slyly (4) 9. Unvarying (7) 13. Examine Thoroughly (3) 15. Seasoning (4) 17. Ejected Saliva from Mouth (4) 18. Unit of Movement (4) 20.Eggs (3) 21.Lettuce (3) 23. Gone by (3)

COUNTRY MAZE

The words below are just names of countries converted. you are required to decipher the countries by writing each country beside its appropriate word.An example is given to spur you on.

DARK MEN

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DENMARK

GREAT NINA OX MICE LAID THAN

it was the first day of the session and a new direct entry student, Mensah, a Ghanaian, joined the class in one of Nigeria’s universities.

The Lecturer said, “let’s begin by reviewing some Nigerian history.” The Lecturer asked who said, “I shall return to die in the land of my fathers?” She saw a sea of blank faces, except for Mensah, who had his hand up. Mensah replied: “King Jaja of Opobo, 1875” “very good!” said lecturer.

Someone angrily said; “Dont answer him, he is a fool” Mensah smiled replied; “Obansanjo to IBB, 2011” Now the Lecturer manage to get up and asks Mensah; pls, who’re you? Show your self.. Mensah jumped, yelled and said; Jonathan to BOKO HARAM 2012.d teacher fainted.

Pep Talk

NEE GALS

Shine like gold, A wonderous treasure,

I smile real bright,

The Lecturer fainted, and as the class gathered around her on the floor, someone said; “Oh shit, we’re in Big trouble now!” Mensah whispered; “Chimaroke Nnamani, Ayodele Fayose and Lucky Igbinedon 2007”

MOON RACE

Your beautiful eyes,

The Lecturer snapped at the class; “class, you should be ashamed. Mensah, who is new to our Country, knows more about our history than you do.” The Lecturer heard a loud whisper: “Ghana must go” “who said that?” she demanded, Mensah put his hand up, “Buhari 1984.”

Now, with almost mob hyseria, someone said; “You little shit. If you say anything else, I’ll kill you.” Mensah frantically yelled at the top of his voice; “Chris Uba to Ngige, 2004!”

SWAN BOAT

We’re all alone in this place,

That’s untold.

Now furious, another student yelled; “Oh yeah! Eat this!”

Mensah jumped out of his chair waving his hand and shouting to the Lecturer, “Indian mistress giving an apple to Abacha, 1998”

ALSO VEIN

Through the sunrise I see your face,

Then she asked again, who said, “The land use act will feed the nation?” Again, no response except from Mensah: “Obasanjo, 1976.”

At that point, a student at the back scornfully said; “Hmmm, you think you are smart?” The Lecturer glared and asked; “All right! Now, who said that?” Again, Mensah said, “Babangida to Abiola, 1992.”

PAIN TASK

SUNRISE LOVE

WORDWHEEL Form as many words as you can with the letters in the wheel below, using the letter in the hub for each word. Avoid proper nouns and 2-leter words. Hidden is a 10-letter word meaning ‘Running’.Words above fifty formed score “Excellent”.

You tell me you love me,

MIRAGE

You’re the best thing that’s happened to me,

N S

- BRYTNI MOSLEY

PETALS

- Amy Lowell

E

G

Life is a stream On which we strew Petal by petal the flower of our heart; The end lost in dream, They float past our view, We only watch their glad, early start.

Freighted with hope, Crimsoned with joy, We scatter the leaves of our opening rose; Their widening scope, Their distant employ, We never shall know. And the stream as it flows Sweeps them away, Each one is gone Ever beyond into infinite ways.

We alone stay While years hurry on, The flower fared forth, though its fragrance still stays.

P

C

A

M

R I

BRAIN TEASER:

Two siblings were fighting when their mother went to stop them. She used yesterday’s newspaper and made them stand on it until they made up. How did she get them to stand on the newspaper so that the siblings couldn’t touch each other?

******

What do the following words have in common?

FAST,THROUGH,DOWN,AWAY,WATER,NECK .

ANSWER

Each may be preceded by BREAK to give a new word.

The All-Knowing Student

******

She slipped the newspaper under a door and closed the door. She made them stand on the two ends

HUMOUR HUMOUR

RUT KEY

SIMPLY WEIRD POETRY

Without inspiration the best powers of the mind remain dormant. There is a fuel in us which needs to be ignited with sparks. – Johann Gottfried Von Herder

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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CAMPUS LIFE

•Ironbar posing with her daughters after he took the oath

•Freshers taking the oath during the ceremony

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HE Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effunrun, has held matriculation for the freshers admitted into part-time programmes last week. The event, which was held in the expansive conference centre of the institute, saw 517 students taking the oath to begin the 2012/2013 session. The figure was low compared to 810 students admitted in the last session.

In her address, the Acting Principal and Chief Executive Officer of the institute, Mrs Clara Dennar, said 1,077 students applied for admission but only 517 met requirements of the institution. She said the institute introduced strict selection pro-

50-year-old matriculates at institute •Principal tasks students on excellence From Princwill Jacob PTI

cedure to ensure that only the best candidates were admitted.

“May I, at this juncture, congratulate you on your successful admission into the institute. I also wish to advise you to be focused and work hard to justify the confidence reposed in you,” she stated.

She said: “Since inception, the institute has developed competent technical manpower that is turning the valves in the oil and gas sector.

I am proud to say that PTI is now a household name in the oil industry, as there is no oil company that does not have a PTI graduate in its staff list. You are, therefore, expected to maintain the high academic stan-

dard set by your predecessors.

“I am aware that most of you are grappling with so many challenges.

Besides being employed, some people among you are fathers and mothers. You have to balance your time to achieve academic excellence, bearing in mind that there is no freedom without sacrifice.”

A 50-year-old man, Mr E. Ironbar, who was part of the matriculating students, attended the programme with his daughters. He was admitted for Higher National Diploma

(HND) into the department of Petroleum Marketing and Business Studies. He told CAMPUSLIFE: “I came back to school for further knowledge on a particular aspect of my profession.”

Another fresher, Patience Akporode, HND 1 Petroleum and Natural Gas Department, said: “I feel very happy today that my plans for my future are yielding results. I hope to be an entrepreneur at the end of my study.”

Esther Onomuoja, ND 1 Mineral Resources, said: “I am finally a student. The institute is a good place to be. I hope to come out with a good grade at the end of my study.”

Varsity begins sandwich, diploma courses

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HE University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has announced the re-introduction of evening degree and diploma programmes of the institution. The programmes, which will be held in Alvan Ikoku College of Education Owerri and Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe were re-introduced for workers, who may want to further their education.

According to a statement by the institution, the entry requirements were the same as those for the regular degree and direct entry level.

Purchase of application forms, which started on January 25, is expected to end on the last week of April.

The release also advised interested candidates to complete the application forms with two stamped and self-addressed envelopes, photocopies of credentials, receipt issued on purchase and other relevant

•Prof Adebowale with Law students cutting ribbon to receive the donated appliances on behalf of the management.

Law students donate gadgets to faculty

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HE management of Adekunle Ajasin University, AkungbaAkoko (AAUA), has hailed the outgoing of executive members of the Law Students’ Society (LSS) of the institution for rendering quality leadership to their fellow students.

The management made the commendation last Monday at the presentation of eight new 1.5 HP split unit air conditioners and eight 5,000 watts Automatic Voltage Regulators donated to the Faculty of Law by the outgoing members of the society.

Receiving gadgets, which were meant for the faculty’s lecture rooms, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Femi Mimiko, who was represented by the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof Oluyemisi Adebowale, said: “We want to appreciate the effort

From Seyi Oluwalade AAUA

of the Law Students’ Society for making the university conducive for learning.”

Prof Mimiko, who noted that the students, through the gesture, had added value to the system out of their own volition, said: “It is remarkable to find students coming together to think of how to make life more comfortable for those who will come after them.” He said members of the society had set the pace for the prospective students’ leaders to follow and surpass. The VC prayed that God grant the students success in their future endeavours.

The Registrar, Mr Bamidele Olotu, in his remark, noted that the donation was a confirmation that students in the faculty were known for noble

activities, adding: “we are always proud of you.” Olotu said the students had proved their nobility and diligence.

The Acting Dean of the faculty, Barrister Tajudeen Ibrahim, said the gesture was unprecedented in the faculty. He said the era of students expecting the authorities to provide all facilities had gone, saying the donation was a confirmation that students were stakeholders in building of 21st century institution. The Dean thanked the management for giving necessary support to the faculty.

In his speech, the outgoing president of the society, Oladimeji Oyesusi, disclosed that the appliances were worth N740,000, adding that the initiative was informed by the desire to give back to the university that impacted knowledge on them.

Students hold festival

O

LABISI Onabanjo Univeristy (OOU), AgoIwoye, Ogun State, will be set aglow with festivities on February 28. A campus-based Spartan Entertainment Group will be hosting students in its annual social festival tagged “Spartans mask party”.

From Oladele Oge UNN

documents, which must be returned to the Registrar, Sandwich and Evening Programmes Unit, UNN. In another development, the university has commenced its first semester examination for regular programmes. While exams have already begun in faculties such as Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, departments in Faculty of Arts were yet to get their timetable by the time of filing report.

Some freshers in Social Science complained about inadequate examination time and reading in the darkness.

ThankGod Ugwuanyi, a final year student of Mass Communication, urged his colleagues to remain focused while wishing them success in their exams.

From Aminat Popoola OOU

Highlights of the ceremony, which is sponsored by Acada magazine, Modelling Academy and Nigezie, will feature dance contest, musical performance and fashion exhibition among others.

A statement by the group’s media committee said students from other tertiary institutions, fashion designers and upcoming artists are expected to grace the ceremony.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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CAMPUS LIFE Campus writers honour Olumba Olumba

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•Unigwe (middle) displaying the award plaque. With her is Governor Obi (left) and Mrs Mina Long-John of NLNG

UNN graduate wins NLNG Literature Prize

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N alumnus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Chika Unigwe, has won the 2012 Nigeria Prize for Literature Award organised by Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG). Her book titled On black sisters’ street, which detailed the trans-Atlantic prostitution, was adjudged the best literature book in the 2012 edition of the award.

The award was presented to Unigwe at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium and Theatre, UNN, at a public ceremony organised by the NLNG in conjunction with the university.

Speaking the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bartho Okolo, praised NLNG for hosting the event in the alma mater of the awardee. He said alumni of the university had distinguished themselves in various fields of human endeavour, citing the achievements of Prof Dora Akunyili and Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili among others.

From Inya Agha UNN

Prof Okolo, who was represented by his deputy on Academic, Prof Isaac Asuzu, said students of the institution would draw inspiration from the feat of Unigwe, urging female undergraduates to tow the footsteps of the likes of Akunyili and Unigwe to achieve greatness.

The Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, who was at the event, said Unigwe’s achievement was a celebration of the change, which had started in Nigeria. He said the nation was passing through bad times because it had spent its time and resources celebrating criminality and rascality, while the real people who were supposed to be celebrated were left unsung.

Obi promised to donate a centre for creative writing in his state, saying it was his belief that the centre would create and nurture future writers. He enjoined indigenes of

Anambra State to strive for excellence in their endeavour.

The Managing Director of the NLNG, Mr Babs Omotowa, appreciated the authorities of the UNN for allowing the body to partner with it in hosting the event. He noted that the choice to host the celebration at the UNN was based on the fact that the winner of the literature prize, Unigwe, and the runner up, Ngozi Achebe, were both graduates of the university.

Omotowa noted that NLNG instituted the award to discover role models for the youth. “This ceremony serves to assure all of us that we have not been completely overrun by the rampaging mediocrity running in our land,” he said Unigwe described the feat as “discovering magic”. She thanked lecturers, who taught her, for laying the foundation in creative writing, saying she was happy to join the league of winners of the prestigious NLNG award.

SSOCIATION of Campus Writers, University of Calabar (UNICAL) chapter, has honoured the leader of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS), Olumba Olumba Obu. The Embodiment of Love award was presented to the spiritual leader at the BCS headquarters located at Ambo Street, Calabar, Cross River State.

Speaking during the presentation, Charles Udenze, one of the students, stated that the award was reserved for people, who distinguished themselves in humanitarian services. He noted that Obu was found worthy for the 2012 edition of award in view of his philanthropic exercise to humanity.

According to him, Obu offered scholarships to youths and donated relief materials to victims of natural and artificial disasters, which he said were a testimony of the show of love to humanity by the spiritual leader.

From Stanley Uchebu UNICAL

The campus writers acknowledged Obu’s programmes on the mass media, which is aimed at preaching the need for all to embrace peace and live harmoniously.

The chief protocol officer, Barrister Sam Jack, who received the award on behalf of Obu, praised the students for their thoughtfulness. He thanked them for finding a priest worthy of the award.

Emmanuel Shebbs, member of the group, said the circular shape of the award plaque signified the universe, adding that OOO inscription on it showed unique love found in the brotherhood.

At the presentation were Isaac Mensah, Augustine Shebbs, Davidson Maduagwu, Peter Kingsley, Joy Riman and Frank Ejeagbasi.

IBB varsity hosts English students’ forum

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BRAHIM Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, has hosted students of the English Language and Literacy Studies from institutions in the northern part of the country. The programme was a forum of the leaders of the Association of Students of English and Literacy Studies (NASELS).

The forum, which lasted from three days, drew delegates from institutions such as Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, University of Jos (UNIJOS), Kaduna State University (KADSU), Gombe State University (GSU) and Umaru Musa Yardua University (UMYU), Katsina among others.

The forum was held to raise literary consciousness among the students of English in the North and to ensure that the North remained incorporated in the national body of the association. The students discussed various topics including the International Conference of Students of English and Literary Studies (ICOSELS), which was held last

From Yinka Olatunbosun IBBU

week in Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka.

The national president of the association, Izuchuwkwu Akwarandu, praised the leadership of the school, department and the association for hosting the forum.

The students later paid a courtesy visit to the office of head of English department, Dr Margaret Agu. Mr Agu thanked the participants for the visit, promising her commitment to the activities of the association. She advised the students not to be preoccupied with unionism, saying they must also remember their academic engagements.

The IBBU president of NASELS, Gideon Oyedeji, appreciated the institution management for equipping students with the prowess to compete with peers from other institutions. He urged participants to put in their best to foster national integration through their service to humanity.

Students urge management to tighten security

S •Tom using the facilities to teach pupils in the village

Corps member builds ICT centre for host community

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CORPS member serving in Gadabuke area in Nasarawa State, Tom Samuel, has built an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre in Government Secondary School located in the remote village of Kullo. Tom said the project, which was part of his Community Development Service (CDS) task, was carried out to leave his host community a better place.

The computer centre offers all ICT services to the populace with modern facilities such as digital computer laboratory, digital computer almanacs, design cottons, window nets, generator, flash drive and computer parts.

While speaking during the commissioning of the centre, the state coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr Stephen Alabi, who was represented by the NYSC Local Inspector in Gadabuke area, Mr Moses Adamolekun, praised the Corps member for the project.

From Dayo Ojerinde NYSC KEFFI

He said: “When Tom discussed the project with me, I thought it was something that will not be possible, but through the determination and zeal, Tom has fulfilled his dream for his host community.” He, however, challenged other Corps members who are yet to take up any CDS project to do so and affect their places of primary assignment positively.

Tom said: “When I resumed at Government Secondary School, Kullo in Gadabuke Development Area, I discovered that there was no computer education in the school curriculum.

This prompted me to ensure that the students from JSS One to SSS Three learn the rudiments of computer. So, I took them through the practical aspect of computer through my personal laptop. So far, no fewer than 252 students have been trained in computer application such as

Microsoft excel, power point, Corel Draw, Internet browsing among others.”

On what the school and the community would benefit from the centre, the Principal of the Government Secondary School, Mr Abubakar Adamu, said: “With the computer resource centre in place, the school needs not to waste money for typing or printing examination questions or any official documents.

Also, online registration can also be done here, which will save money and time.”

While praising the initiator of the project for a job well done, the Administrator of Gadabuke Development Area Council, Alhaji Salihu Ibrahim, said: “It takes courage for a Corps member to come up with a brilliant idea like this, not even minding that he is serving in a village. The computer resource centre will help build leadership ability in our students and enhance their intellect.”

TUDENTS of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) have cried out to the management over theft incidents at the university’s main library and Computer-based Test (CBT) centres. Students have lost their bags, laptops, wallets, mobile phones and other personal effects at the facilities since first semester exam commenced.

Students complained that stealing was particularly rampant at the CBT centres, which they said was no longer safe for them to keep items barred from taking into the hall during exam. “Stealing of bags is not restricted to only CBT centres; the thieves also go to the university library to steal bags of students dropped in the portal room,” a 300Level student complained.

A 300-Level Geography and Envi-

From Ibrahim Alamu UNILORIN

ronmental Management student, whose bag was stolen at the CBT centre last Thursday, spoke to CAMPUSLIFE. She said: “My bag was stolen with my friends’ bags when we went into the CBT centre for exam. My course mates and I kept our mobile phones in my bag when we were ready to go in. Before we came out, the bag was nowhere to be found. My wallet, my laptop and the two note books were in the bag.”

Some of the victims urged the management to strengthen security on the campus, especially during the examination period. The students also wanted management to deploy security personnel to the affected centres to check the theft.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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CAMPUS LIFE

•One of the officials addressing participants during the workshop

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N its effort to make entrepreneurship attractive to students, Enactus, a non-governmental organisation, has held threeday training for students of tertiary institutions. Participants came from 38 public and private higher institutions, which included University of Ibadan (UI), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Delta State University (DELSU), AlHikmah University (ALHIKMAH), Ilorin, and Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) among others.

The training was held at Joseph AyoBabalola University (JABU), Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State and had over 300 Enactus students in attendance.

The Consulate-General of the Embassy of the United States, Mr Jeffery Hawkins, graced

•Students in group discussion during a break

Breeding leaders through entrepreneurship

By Wale Ajetunmobi

the event with Faculty Advisers from the 38 institutions. Hawkins was represented by Public Affairs Officer of the embassy, Dehab Ghebreab and Director Information Resource Centre, Dr Samuel Eyitayo.

The training focused on ways to improve the quality of outreach projects, which will be embarked on by the Enactus teams in the participating institutions.

The Programme Manager, Mr Mike Ajayi, who spoke on behalf of Enactus network, said the mission and the objective of the training was to make Enactus the premium campus

entrepreneurship programme for aspiring students. He said that the training was to help build the capacity of the Enactus team to develop quality projects that would have sustainable and measurable impacts.

He added that the activities of the NGO had been endorsed by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and National Board Technical Education (NBTE) and the institutions.

Representatives of the US Consulate-General addressed the students on the procedures to follow in securing admission for Master’s degree in the United States. They also advised on the visa procedures.

Olajide Omojarabi, 300-Level International Studies, ABU, told CAMPUSLIFE: “This training is timely because it presents discussion on ways Nigerian youths can be leaders in their fields. The training helps students to acquire necessary skills to become business leaders right from the campus. I am happy to be part of the team from ABU.” Chris Nwosu, 400-Level Agricultural Economics, FUTO, said: “The training will make the Enactus team in FUTO to embark on better projects, which will, in turn, have direct impact on the people living in rural communities.”

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

•The speakers after their meeting

Lagos SUG speakers meet

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PEAKERS of the legislative arm of Students’ Union Government (SUG) in tertiary institutions in Lagos State have met to forge a common front.

The students met under the banner of Lagos State Speakers’ Forum (LSTSF), a platform initiated by speaker of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) SUG, Titilayo Arikawe.

At the inaugural meeting held at YABATECH, Titilayo explained the forum’s role in ensuring peace and harmony on campuses. She said LSTSF was founded to project intellectualism, dynamism and innovation on campuses, adding that the body was committed to build an ideologically-oriented generation of leaders, who would liberate the nation from the challenges of bad leadership.

However, the Secretary-General to the forum,

From Tolulope Ogunleye LASPOTECH

Kehinde Olofintuyi, Speaker of Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) students’ union, outlined the vision and mission statement of the forum which he said included improving relationship among institutions in the state, promoting parliamentary education and initiating programmes that would benefit the students in the state.

The Director of Logistics, Sodiq Animashaun, speaker, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) students’ union, advised members to be focused and goal-oriented, adding that integrity should be the forum’s watchword.

Other speakers present at the meeting included Lukman Oluwagbemileke, Lagos State College of Health (LASCOHEALTH), Kennedy Iloh, Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research, and Sodiq Sanni, Lagos State University (LASU).

Kennedy, who is the Public Relations Officer of the forum, extended the body’s membership to other recognised tertiary institution in the state.

UNICAL student wins essay prize

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400-Level student of English and Literary Studies of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Augustine Ayilewu Edung, has emerged the winner in the just-concluded Golden Penny Carnival Calabar Essay competition.

Augustine with entry number 002 emerged the winner at the tertiary category of the contest with an aggregate score of 64 per cent. He was given two brand new HP laptops, glass plaque, books and N300,000.

Augustine, who was among the 10 students selected in Nigeria for a script writing competition of Wale Adenuga’s Pefti Film Institute in 2008, told

From Joy Riman UNICAL

CAMPUSLIFE that he was grateful to God for his achievement.

The first runner up in the contest was Williams Begba Undebe, Medicine and Surgery, UNICAL, who scored 60.6 per cent, while Sunday Utibe, Curriculum and Teaching student, UNICAL, emerged the second runner up with 60.4 per cent score. The competition is held annually as part of activities to mark Calabar Carnival.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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EDUCATION

LBS in regional finals of Hult Prize •May win $1m

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HE Lagos Business School (LBS) is in the regional finals of the fourth Annual Hult Prize, the world's largest student competition and crowdsourcing platform for social good.

If it wins, its team of five MBA students will get the $1 million prize to implement its food security idea.

The team made up of Uzoma Okoro, Adetokunbo Alegbejo, Oluwatoyin Sanwo, Chika Ezeani and Ozue Ezeife, will face teams from other institutions in London, one of the five campuses of Hult International Business School between March 1 and 2. Other regional

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

finals will hold in Boston, San Francisco, Dubai and Shanghai.

Following the regional finals, one winning team from each host city will move into a summer business incubator, where participants will receive mentorship, advisory and strategic planning as they create prototypes and set-up to launch their new social business. The final round of the competition will be hosted by the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) at its annual meeting in September, where its delegates will select a winning team, who will be presented the prize money by Bill Clinton, former President of the United States.

A statement from the LBS noted

that Clinton chose this year's theme on global food security and challenged teams to focus on how to get safe, sufficient, affordable and easily accessible food to the 200 million people who live in urban slums.

Of the competition, he said: "The Hult Prize is a wonderful example of the creative cooperation needed to build a world with shared opportunity, shared responsibility, and shared prosperity, and each year I look forward to seeing the many outstanding ideas the competition produces."

President of the Hult International Business School, Dr. Stephen Hodges, said he is glad LBS is competing this year.

"The Hult Prize is thrilled that the

Lagos Business School has joined the initiative. This year's competition has received a record number of entries, bringing together some of the most talented students to help solve global food security which can benefit nearly a billion people," he said.

Ahmad Ashkar, CEO and Founder of the Hult Prize attributes the success of the competition to the global youth revolution. He said: "We continue to be moved by the large number of students from around the world who are capitalising on the opportunity to develop business models that target the bottom of the pyramid. We wish every team the best of luck and thank Lagos Business School for supporting this initiative," he said.

• Dean, Faculty of Law, Bowen University, Prof Jonathan Fabunmi (third left),Vice Chancellor, Prof Timothy Olagbemiro and Mr K. Bankole with the law students.

Bowen varsity starts Law with 50 students

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OWEN University, Iwo, Osun State has strated its Law programme with 50 pioneer students.

The inaugural session and dedication of the faculty was held last week following full approval of the programme by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Council of Legal Education.

Addressing the students, the Dean Faculty of Law, Prof Jonathan Fabunmi urged them to be focused

By Sampson Unamka

on the goal of becoming welltrained lawyers.

He said: "As students of Bowen University, you are faced with challenges of striving to be the best and as pioneering students of Law Faculty, you are faced with even greater challenges. Not only must you strive to attain the degree of excellence for which Bowen is known, you must also strive to meet the requirements

of the legal profession to which you are aspirants. You belong to a legal profession, a noble profession, a pathfinder, you are, therefore, expected to give your best at all times and be a light to others."

He also admonished the students to uphold the principles of excellence and godliness as espoused by the university's founding fathers, saying since the establishment of the university 10 years ago, the prin-

ciple has been faithfully observed.

Going down memory lane, Fabunmi said the Prof Adebisi Adebowale-led Council of the university took a decision in 2010 to establish a Law Faculty. A committee was set up which prepared the academic brief. The Law Library and other infrastructural facilities were put in place, while academics were recruited, and other requirements of the NUC for establishing a Law Faculty met.

OSUSTECH moves to permanent site •Third set matriculates

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ICE-CHANCELLOR of the Ondo State University of Science & Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa, Prof Tolu Odugbemi, has congratulated the third set of students of the university for being the first to matriculate in the permanent site of the institution along Igbokoda Road.

In his address at their matriculation, Odugbemi said the 299 students should count themselves lucky for being the first to swear their matriculation in the well-equipped campus and also for being chosen among over 1,000 applicants.

He said: "I congratulate the third set of students to be hosted in our newly completed auditorium at the main campus. Second, you have been counted worthy for admission into the university out of over 1,000 prospective students that participated in the University's last Post Unified Matriculation Examination (PUTME) Computer - Based Screening Test."

The students were admitted into the 10 NUC-approved programmes currently run by the university, namely: Microbiology, Botany, Fisheries and Zoology (all in the Department of Biological Sciences), Chemistry and Biochemistry (Department of Chemical Sciences), Physics and

FUNAAB FILE Varsity ranks second •29th in Africa THE Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has emerged the second best university in Nigeria and 29th in Africa, according to the January, 2013 edition of Webometric Ranking of World Universities.

FUNAAB, in the latest ranking, conducted by Cybermetrics Lab, a research group belonging to the Consejo Superior de investigacoues (CSIC), Spain, came second out of 120 tertiary institutions in Nigeria and 29th in the league of 814 higher educational institutions in Africa.

Last year, FUNAAB was 35th in Africa.

The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, topped the latest ranking in Nigeria and it was followed by FUNAAB, University of Nigeria (UNN), Nsukka, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), University of Ibadan (UI), and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

Other institutions which made the list of the first 10 in Nigeria are, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, University of Benin, Benin and Covenant University, Ota. The Head of the university's Webometric Centre, Dr Olusegun Folorunso, attributed the feat to the ingenuity and commitment of the Prof Olusola Bandele Oyewole- led Management, the dedication of the University Information and Communication Technology Resource Centre (ICTREC), as well as the cooperation of workers and students.

CBT now in-house THE Information and Communication Technology Resource Centre (ICTREC) will conduct the Computer-Based Tests (CBT) for the university.

The Acting Head, ICTREC, Dr. Olutayo Ajayi, said conducting the tests in-house would not only save the university huge sums of contracting the exam out, but improve the conduct of examinations.

His words: "In the past five years, we have been using external company to conduct ComputerBased Tests and this has cost us a fortune. We have dropped that idea. The management is now engaging members of staff to conduct the examination.

"This is a landmark achievement for the university and it is very unique. The uniqueness lies in the fact that we have taken the bull by the horn by doing it ourselves. We are now one of the very few universities conducting CBT without contracting it to external companies," he said.

VC counsels Vet. doctors

• A cross section of new students.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

Geophysics (Department of Physical Sciences) and Mathematics and Computer Science (Department of Mathematical Sciences).

The university, which started academic programme in January, 2011 admitted 98 students as its pioneer set for 2010/2011 session and 124 students as its second set for 2011/2012 session.

Admonishing the new students, the Vice-Chancellor urged them to be of good character and shun all forms of anti-social behaviour such as drug abuse, alcoholism, indecent dressing,

examination-malpractices and fraudulent acts, but pursue their studies with all seriousness. He advised them to always be good ambassadors of the school, punctual at lectures and all university events, and abide by the rules and regulations at all times.

He also told them to be security conscious, take precautions against fire disaster, patronise the university's Guidance, Counselling an Mentoring Unit for their social and emotional needs, avoid loitering, and be respectful to elders, especially their lecturers and other officials.

Odugbemi disclosed that as part of

the university's mission to train its students to become responsible citizens, job creators and good contributors to national development, the university has put in place entrepreneurial programmes which have been designed to provide practical skills and vocational training in over 21 vocations at the university's Centre for Entrepreneurship and Leadership Training (CELT).

He said the university has designated Wednesday afternoons lecturefree periods to enable students to learn any vocation or sporting activity of their choice.

THE FUNAAB Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olusola Bandele Oyewole, has called on newly-inducted Veterinary Medicine graduates to continually demonstrate the core values of hard-work, honesty, self-reliance and sound judgment as worthy ambassadors of the university.

Delivering an address at the fifth induction of veterinary graduates by the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) held at the college auditorium, Oyewole who was represented by the Deputy ViceChancellor (Development), Prof Felix Salako, said the management has embarked on the construction of a state-of-the-art Veterinary Teaching Hospital complex which is nearing completion.

He described Veterinary Medicine as a noble profession in which the practitioners must reflect and exude nobility in dressing and behaviour.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

38

EDUCATION UNILAG GOLDEN JUBILEE CONVOCATION

‘Adopt mother-tongue in teaching’

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HE President of Nigeria Academy of Letters, Prof Munzali Jibril, has called on Nigerian linguists to actively campaign for the use of the mothertongue or its equivalent as a medium of instruction for at least the nine years of basic education.

He suggested that English should be introduced as a subject from the fourth year of primary school.

He said this while delivering the 50th Convocation lecture of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), entitled: Nigeria higher education: Agenda for reform at the university's main auditorium.

Jibril said if this policy is adopted,

By Medinat Kanabe

it would necessitate the development of many languages including the compilation of dictionaries and grammars and the development of appropriate technical vocabulary and literature and assist to prepare eligible candidates for admission into the university.

Jibril cited of a study by the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) and the UNESCO Institute for Education entitled "Stocktaking Research on MotherTongue and Bilingual Education in SubSaharan Africa, which confirmed that learning is better in the mother tongue or its equivalent.

He also spoke of the Ife Six-Year

Yoruba medium Primary Education Project conducted by the late Prof Babs Fafunwa which not only showed that children learn better when taught in their mother tongue or a language with which they are familiar at home but established that when taught by specialist teachers, such children also learn the second language better than other children who are either taught in English from the first year of primary schooling or transmit to an English-medium education after the first few years.

He said linguistic deficiency, occasioned by a the use of non-native language as medium of instruction is at the heart of the problem of academic underachievement in the Nigerian

education system as, according to him, pupils and students do not understand what is taught to them in a language that they have not mastered.

"Indeed the major complaint against the quality and employability of the Nigerian graduate is that they lack communicative, technical and conceptual skills. This is to show that the language problem is partly responsible for low achievement at all levels of education in Nigeria," he said.

Other problems Jibril listed as facing higher institutions include: academic corruption, militant unionism, lack of funds to carryout research,

brain-drain and lack of qualified teachers and lecturers because people see teaching as a low esteem profession.

First woman emeritus professor

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•Deacon Onosode (right) decorating Prof Olumide with the chain of honour as Prof Rufai smiles approvingly PHOTO: ISAAC AYODELE

•Prof Jibril

RS Yetunde Mercy Olumide added colour to the special convocation of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) held at the main auditorium last Friday during which she was conferred with the title of Emeritus Professor.

The 69-year old retired professor of medicine, danced gracefully after she was dressed with a custom-made ceremonial gown by the institution's Vice-Chancellor, Prof Rahamon Bello and the Registrar, Mr Olurotimi Shodimu.

She is the first woman academic to be so honoured in the 50-year history of the institution. Her dancing spurred many in the audience to sing out the song, Iya ni wura iye bi ye, that was being played by the Nigeria Police Band as she was decorated.

Education Minister, Prof Ruqayyat Ahmed Rufa'i presented her with a plaque and a hug, while the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Governing Council, Deacon Gamaliel Onosode, dressed her with the chain of honour.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

In her citation, it was noted that Prof Olumide has over 70 scientific publications to her credit. As Dean at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, she is credited with securing private sector funds to equip the 12 departments of the college. She also secured scholarships for indigent children of non-academic staff.

Speaking on her achievements, Prof Olumide told The Nation her secret was her relationship with God and hard work.

"He has crowned all my efforts with His approval. He gives people the talent and you must recognise that, and you must use what he has given to you to succeed in life," she said.

Prof Olumide, whose textbooks are used in the training of health personnel in Nigeria, was honoured alongside five others whose achievements are no less intimidating. They are: Prof Alfred Susu, Prof P.O. Adeniyi, Prof Lekan Oyebande, Prof Vincent Olunloyo, and Prof Isaac Adalemo.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

EDUCATION UNILAG GOLDEN JUBILEE CONVOCATION

PhD is expensive, says couple

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FTER three years of hard work to earn a doctorate, Dr Temitope Oluwaseun Samuel (nee Oguntade), can now relax.

The 31-year-old was announced the best among the 47 (including her husband) that received their doctoral degrees during the golden jubilee convocation of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) last Thursday.

However, she spent a fortune conducting research for the programme.

Getting married to fellow doctoral student, Olusegun Samuel, while undergoing her PhD in Micology (study of fungi) meant she had little time to enjoy the niceties of a new marriage. She also could not enjoy full maternity leave because her thesis needed her full attention.

"It's been a while I have been able to relax. I got married in the whole process of this PhD and I have not had time to enjoy my marriage. The research was not easy. Even the day I put to bed I was in the laboratory until 7pm. I didn't know that I would put to bed. Six weeks after giving birth, I was back," she said.

When working on her thesis titled: "Studies on dermatophytes isolated from patients at two tertiary health institutions in Lagos State, Nigeria", Dr Samuel did not know that her research to determine why fungi infections reoccurred in patients after repeated treatment would be adjudged the best for the 2011/2012 academic session.

Now that her research work has caught attention, she hopes that health authorities will review the methods for diagnosing fungal infection.

She said: "My thesis is a current challenge in the demacology unit of the health sector. I realised that over the years when people have differ-

‘PhD is not something you can achieve with a million naira. It is very expensive. I used all my salary and my husband had to take a loan for me. I was sending my samples to Maryland, United States because there is no DNA Sequencer in Nigeria’

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

ent skin diseases after taking oral and topical prescriptions, they reoccur after sometime. I found out that almost all the mycology section use conventional laboratory method in diagnosing the disease. But it is not enough. In the 21st century advanced countries use both the conventional and molecular method. With both methods you get more accuracy about the exact organism causing the infection. Two organisms may look alike but by the time we use the molecular method and check the genetic make up. We can identify the particular organism.

"The molecular method is in three stages involving: DNA extraction, Running a PCR on the extraction and using a DNA Sequencer to determine the make up of the organism. But the DNA sequencer is not available in Nigeria. The only place they have it is at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) but it is not for commercial use."

"Before I started this research, I took permission from the Lagos State Health Service Commission to access patients with fungal infections. They made me promise that I would give them a copy of the thesis so I hope with it they will review the method they are using."

Seeking more financial support for doctoral students, Dr Samuel who lectures in the Department of Botany urged government to provide an enabling environment for research.

"PhD is not something you can achieve with a million naira. It is very expensive. I used all my salary and my husband had to take a loan for me. I was sending my samples to Maryland, United States because there is no DNA Sequencer in Nigeria. I packed it in an ice rack and sent

• Dr Olusegun Samuel and his wife, Temitope

by DHL and they would send me the results," she said.

Like his wife, Dr Olusegun Samuel also invested heavily on his thesis studying the effect of heavy metals discharged by industries into the lagoon on periwinkles. "You start getting loans from all sorts of places to carry out research," he said.

He looks forward to a time when the industry would sponsor research in Nigerian tertiary institutions which will ease the financial burden.

PHOTO: ISAAC AYODELE

From his experience working on his thesis: "Heavy Metal Contamination of Ologe Lagoon, Nigera and biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Pachymelania Aurita", he said without support of industry and government monitoring their activities, researches will remain on the shelf.

"In foreign countries, industry sponsors this kind of study because they want to know the impact of their activities on the environment. But in Nigeria industries don't want you

to come near them because they feel they will be indicted. If you go there with letters they refuse to open their doors. Those things make you start changing the orientation of your research. Since I couldn't get the effluent from a particular company I visited, I decided to look at the heavy metals in surrounding waters," he said.

Samuel, who is an eco-toxicologist in the Department of Marine Sciences, added that when industry backs research, it would create employment for various experts.

He said: "If the industry sponsors research, they will know whether their in-house treatment of waste water is effective and what to do about it. The process of managing their effluent will create jobs. They must employ a chemical engineer to design the treatment stages; a microbiologist will check the kind of microbes that will act on the waste, while an eco-toxicologist will check whether the treatment is effective."

Obasanjo’s most inspiring letter to me, by Afe Babalola

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HOUGH his relationship with former President Olusegun Obasanjo has spanned decades, the legal icon and proprietor of Afe Babaloloa University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe babalola, has never had his long time friend rain encomiums on him.

Aare Babalola had invited Chief Obasanjo to his conferment of honorary Doctor of Law by the University of Lagos (UNILAG) during its Golden Jubilee Convocations on Friday last week.

Aare Babalola, was Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of UNILAG between 2001 and 2008 during which he won the best Pro-Chancellor and Governing Council Chairman award from the National Universities Commission (NUC) twice.

Obasanjo could not make it to last Friday's convocation as the day coincided with the launch of his foundation - Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation - in London. However, what shocked Aare Babalola was a letter of acknowledgement sent to him and signed by Obasanjo.

"Of all my years of relationship and interactions with him (Obasanjo), I have never received such commendation. This letter, I must confess, made me feel highly honoured, and I want the world to see it," Aare Babalola told this reporter.

The letter made available to this reporter reads: "It is my great delight that I received the news of the decision of the authorities of the University of Lagos to honour you with the doctorate degree of the university at its Golden Jubilee anniversary celebrations. This is, indeed, very good news and I write to felicitate with you on this worthy recognition. No doubt, it is an honour well deserved.

UNILAG should watch out, if not…

AARE Afe Babalola has cautioned the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to work hard to achieve its mission to be named among the best 100 in the world or risk being overtaken by the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), the university he founded, in the nearest future.

Speaking after he was conferred with the Doctor of Law (honoris causa) last Friday, Babalola said it was one of his missions as ProChancellor of the university between 2001 and 2008.

He urged the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Rahamon Bello to build on his efforts as Pro-Chancellor to raise funds for the institution to improve the academic environment and research.

"When I was here I built an auditorium and called my friends to donate money. You have to continue with my drive to raise funds for the university if not ABUAD will over-

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

take you to be among the best 100 in the world," he said.

As Pro-Chancellor, Babalola used to donate his sitting allowances to the university endowment fund which he started.

At the event, Babalola also announced the endowment of N10 million to be used to award scholarships worth N500,000 each to a worker and student who shows leadership traits annually.

He said: "I want to reiterate my commitment to the development of this university. In the first term of my tenure, I ordered that all my allowances should be paid into an account maintained by the university. The money was in the first term turned over to Endowment Fund. All my allowances for the second term still remain in that account, I understand that they still

have about N3million in the account. I intend to issue a cheque of N10 million to include the N3 million, which is in the account to be paid to Stanbic Bank in the name of Afe Babalola Endowment Fund for the University of Lagos in perpetuity.

"The capital of N10 million will yield interest of more than N1million only. This amount of N1million accruing from the interest should be utilised as follows: (a) The sum of N500,000 as award to the best staff whether academic or nonacademic who has shown great leadership traits in the discharge of his duties;(b) The sum of N500,000 as award to the best student whether undergraduate or postgraduate who has shown great leadership traits in his relations with other students and or in his interactions and relationships with the university community as a whole."

•Babalola

By Adegunle Olugbamila

"My dear chief, being quite familiar with your abilities and achievements, I have no doubt this nomination is in recognition of your immense contributions and commitment to education and national development. I can testify that this award is well earned, more so by your contributions to the development of the University of Lagos when you placed it on a very high pedestal of administration and academics, to various facets of our country's life and the role you have played and you continue to play in the legal profession as well as the political devel-

opment of our great country.

"I personally thank you for the support you gave me for the success of my administration and for the establishment of the Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), which emerged from your involvement in the University of Lagos.

"To generations of youths, who have been directly moulded one way or the other, you are a role model; you are an example and symbol of what the young people could achieve with commitment to hard work and the pursuit of excellence. You are a reference point for distinction, diligence and devotion to duty as a great reformer which makes me proud.

Your winning the much-coveted Best Pro-Chancellor and Governing Council award for 2005 from the NUC clearly attests to the professional, mature, forward-looking and innovative ways in which you have managed the affairs of the university as the Pro-Chancellor of the institution at that time, to the extent that the university rose from its unenviable state to become one of the shining examples in the African continent.

"Before now, I was convinced that your place in the Hall of Fame was assured as one of the men who can genuinely be described as benefactors of mankind for your enormous

contributions and for making the world a happier place. It is thus not surprising that you have been conferred with so many honours by institutions across Nigeria and Africa, among which is the Commander of the Order of Niger (CON) by the Nigerian government. It is my expectation that this recognition will spur you to greater heights in your service to Ekiti State in particular, and Nigeria in general and beyond "On behalf of my family and my own, I wish to congratulate you most heartily as you accept the recognition that is being given to you by the University of Lagos.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

40

EDUCATION EDUTALK

with

Relationship Vs good grades

I

DID not get the opportunity to interact with Ibok Asuquo, the overall best graduating student of the University of Lagos during last week's convocation.

But I spoke with a colleague who Kofoworola did and I also read the interview she granted in the UNILAG SUN, where she spoke about being foKofosagie@yahoo.com cused on the main reason for be08054503077 (SMS only) ing in school.

What I found instructive about her story was her reason for not entering into a relationship in school.

She told my colleague about a friend whose grades began to suffer after she met her boyfriend.

Dating involves interaction with the opposite sex that places heavy demand on the time, emotions, finances, intellect and bodies of both parties. When one seems to love more than the other, the demands are even greater. The person spends more time in the world of make belief than in the real world cooking up 'what ifs'. The time spent in that world means the person cannot give 100 per cent attention to the real world. As a result the person neglects health, books, food, work, and business, whatever may be the main focus of his life at that time.

It is no surprise that students find their grades suffering when they are in a relationship in school, particularly when love turns sour or when one does not support the academic aspirations of the other. Few students can succeed in blocking out their emotions to focus on their books even when in a relationship, loving or tumultuous.

While it would be difficult to advise all students to emulate Ibok because attending school is not all about academics, it is not bad to tell them to place their priorities right. A relationship should not be the reason any student should be asked to withdraw or be forced to drop out of school or make to with an unsatisfactory grade because of emotional instability.

Belo-Osagie

• Graham Stothard, official pronouncer; Rotimi Eyitayo, founder, Teammasters Spelling Bee and Alexander Gareth, Alternative pronouncer.

Spellers thrill with skills

A

BOUT 800 parents, teachers and students from 105 schools in Lagos State were at the Gymnasium Hall, National Stadium, Surulere, last Thursday to watch 341 pupils competing in the primary, junior secondary and senior Secondary categories, in the first stage of the Teammasters Spelling Bee competition.

This year's competition, organised in conjunction with US ConsulateGeneral Lagos, was described as the best by Graham Stothard, the official pronouncer and Head Master, Lagos Preparatory School, owing to more participants and better logistics.

Of the 341 spellers, 145 qualified for the next stage of the competition.

By Joe Agbro Jr

From the Primary category 63 out of 165 spellers qualified; 39 out of 80 spellers scaled through from the Junior secondary school category, while 43 out of 96 spellers survived in the Senior Secondary School cadre.

Nine-year-old Chigbo Amaefule, from Dr Soyemi Memorial Nursery and Primary School and one of the best spellers from the primary category described the competition as an opportunity. "I want to win this competition," he said.

Muiz Ademola from Araromi Secondary School also said: "I was very anxious and then I prayed that the pronouncer will call what I will be able to hear and spell."

Muiz also hopes to win the competition.

Other spellers to watch out for in the senior category are Maryam Ogunade and Farridah Animasaun from Heritage Home School, Jennifer Oriaku from Jubilee Model Grammar School, Temiloluwa Adederan from Bellina College, and Sharon Chiekwuiro from Loral International School.

The eventual winner gets to be the US Consular-General for one day.

Apart from this, winners of the competition would be sponsored to watch the Scripps competition.

Teammasters Spelling Bee is an initiative of Teammasters Limited, a Human Capital Development and Business Consulting Firm.

ICAN endows N5m grant for Abia Poly dons

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HE President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Adedoyin Owolabi, said a N5million grant has been set aside for accountancy lecturers of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, who would want to do their doctorate degree programmes.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Rector of the institution, Elder Allwell Onukaogu, Owolabi said the grant was part of the group's commitment to partner with the institution on manpower development and help accountancy lecturers acquire modern accounting methods.

He also said the professional body would donate computers, books and other educational materials to the Department of Accountancy as a

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

way of promoting teaching and learning of modern accounting methods.

Addressing the students, Adedoyin said ICAN has a scholarship scheme for indigent but brilliant students who maintain high academic records.

He said students that made distinction in their final examination and wish to enroll into ICAN programmes but have no money would be trained free of charge by the institute. He warned that such scholarship would be withdrawn from any beneficiary who cannot maintain the academic performance that attracted the scholarship.

The group leader also urged the students to enroll for ICAN technical

and administrative programmes rather than wasting their spare time engaging in social vices.

In his response, Onukaogu who described the institution as 'accounting-friendly' said the management had given automatic employment to its first accountancy student who got chartered while still in school.

He assured a cordial relationship and partnership between ICAN and the polytechnic, promising to give equal opportunity for their students to compete favourably with others.

Okey Okechukwu, a former chairman of ICAN, Aba and Umuahia District Society, said the president's visit was to appraise the performance of ICAN members and ascertain their welfare.

CBAAC DG stresses need for Nigerian history

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F Nigerian youths must be prepared for the challenges of the present and the future, the study of History and culture must be made compulsory at all levels of the education system, says Prof Tunde Babawale.

Babawale, who is the DirectorGeneral, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), spoke at a seminar organised by the Lagos First Generation Colleges Association (LAFGECA) which was held at King's College, Lagos, last Tuesday. In his lecture entitled: History, youths and Nigeria's transformation, Babawale said the importance of history cannot be underestimated in the nation's development.

"History and culture are the basis of development; we can't develop without history. The nature of youths is such that they can only be successfully weaned on the nutritious diet of history. A society that ignores history is like a river

Appointing exemplary Pro-Chancellors

Last week, the University of Lagos honoured Aare Afe Babalola with a Doctor of Law degree. The well-respected lawyer and founder of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), has paid his dues and was deserving of the honour.

The President Olusegun Obasanjo administration did well in appointing Afe Babalola Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of the University between 2001 and 2008. He is one of the few that has served in that position selflessly - donating his allowances to the institution, spending his own personal funds, and raising funds from other sources. The Federal Government should use Afe Babalola as a template for appointing Pro-Chancellors for its institutions. It should appoint people who do not think the government owes them a livelihood; people, who will not misappropriate the limited funds of the universities for their own selfish gains; and people who out of passion for the institutions, would do their utmost to ensure their progress.

Afe Babalola has made it easy for government to recognise such people. I hope from now, they will be sought after to help our institutions grow.

‘Dating involves interaction with the opposite sex that places heavy demand on the time, emotions, finances, intellect and bodies of both parties.

When one seems to love more than the other, the demands are even greater.

The person spends more time in the world of make belief than in the real world cooking up 'what ifs’ ‘

By Temitope Fatuase

that ignores its source, it will dry up," he said.

He lamented the removal of the subject from the curriculum and appealed to authorities involved to ensure its re-inclusion.

He said: "We have to advocate for the return of History to the curriculum by talking to decision makers who were responsible for the removal in the first place. By taking out history, they have taken our source of knowledge. The youths deserve all the attention we can give them because they represent the continuity, linking today with tomorrow and the future.”

He urged parents to promote their cultural values, and the youth to shun vices that can hamper Nigeria's development.

"There is need to restore and promote interest in cultural values which are being progressively un-

From My Inbox

•Prof Babawale

dermined by the effects of westernisation, urbanisation and globalisation. As a result of rapid urbanisation and changing economic situation, parents and the elderly no longer have the time to impact African cultural values in our young people. These situations have hampered their ability to understand and appreciate the beauty of African culture. Our young people, because of lack of attention, are now dangerously exposed to Western values transmitted through the media," he said.

Re: Admissions at what cost?

Your topic today is quite interesting. However, your suggested solutions are not practicable. I am not aware of any university anywhere that provides counseling for unsuccessful candidates!

Can you imagine the number involved and the logistics of such an exercise? There are actions that are the prerogative of an institution and should remain so. Some of these criteria are reviewed as the exercise progresses. Whilst it is true that the 'highly patronized institutions cannot admit all their qualified candidates' due to limited carrying capacity, it is also true that many candidates REJECT alternative offers from lesser known institutions and often prefer to re-take the UTME and hope for 'better luck'. As for your last two paragraphs, the options you listed are there: the ONUS is on interested candidates to go out, get the needed information and pursue their DESIRE with DETERMINATION. Institutions shouldn't do that. from 08034726---.

Thanks very much for this enlightenment. I am alive and healthy, full of hope to get admissions this year, not like my sister in DELSU and others that went like her. Keep it up. From 08068206---.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime spoke with reporters at the Government House, Enugu on his his health condition and long absence from the state. CHRIS OJI was there.

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HAT was your experience like when you were abroad for medical treatment?

While I was away, I read so many embarrassing publications from the print media; most of them conflicting, almost all of them false and it was so embarrassing. You can write anything, provided it does not bother on defamation. I decided to call this meeting for me to clear the air. I noticed that that generated a lot of interest. Many people became interested and even, people who did not know about my existence. I came back. I got some texts messages from strange people, thanking God for my return. So, because of the interest, I felt there is need for us to come together in the hope that after today, we will put to to rest everything that bothered on rumour regarding my leave.

Why were you absent from the state for a long time?

In August or thereabout, I was privileged to be one of those nominated by the Nigeria Governors Forum to go to Germany to under study their federal system; a governor was picked from each of the six geo-political zones. I was nominated from the Southeast and we were led by our chairman, Rotimi Amaechi. I decided to go a little bit earlier through London to do my medicals because of what I will call lack of time. We don’t have time here. Got to London, did my medicals and was certified fit, was given a clean bill of health. I had a little growth on my neck that was not visible to anybody. I am a very observant person. I noticed it, showed it to my doctor. He touched it and said he did not think it was anything serious, but I should investigate it. I thought they would have seen it when they were doing the general scanning and screening, but nothing was found.

So, I just singled it out and asked them to investigate it. I was referred to a doctor who after investigating it and asking me questions, of course, I told him, no pains, no symptoms, no disturbance from anywhere, said as far as he was concerned, there was nothing wrong with it, but he would also as a professional ask me to investigate it further, because I was almost running short of time. I made arrangements with them to help me get an appointment for closer examination of the growth. So, the following day, I left for Germany to join my colleagues.

On that trip was my Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr Jude Akubuilo, and my SSA Investment; they were already in Germany waiting for me. So, I joined them.

After about a week, when they had set up the arrangement, I left Germany, went back to London and did the proper screening of that particular growth. They did biopsy and all that. So, in the process, it was discovered that the growth was cancerous. So, after further examination, it was discovered that the main tumour was behind my nose; it actually turned out to be what they called, nasopharyngeal cancer (cancer of the nose). At that stage, you know when people hear the word cancer, the first thing is to declare yourself dead before any assistance could come. They subjected me to further scanning to know if it had spread. Luckily, it hadn’t spread; it was just in those two areas – my nose and neck. They said the good news was that it was curable. That was when I became interested and they said, as soon as I was ready, they would commence treatment. Originally, we had planned to go from Germany to Lebanon on our way back to Nigeria, but I cancelled that trip, went back to Germany, informed my people I went with, came down to London with the commissioner. The SSA hadn’t the UK Visa then. He traveled back to Nigeria from Germany. In London, we made arrangement and agreed on when to come. So, we came back to Nigeria and within two weeks, I was able to make arrangements for transition. I wrote a letter to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, in accordance with the constitution, informing him of my decision to proceed on leave and, of course, sought his cooperation to work very well with the deputy governor, who would work as governor in my absence. Within the two weeks, we held two exco meetings; the last was held on Tuesday, the week I left. After the exco meeting, I told my exco members that I was proceeding on long vacation, which I wouldn’t know how long it would last to treat myself. That was the information they got and, of course, I told them to cooperate with the

•Chime

My ordeal, by Chime acting governor. The following day, I left for Abuja, which was a Wednesday and again attended the meeting of the governor’s forum, that night. Then ,Thursday morning, we had the National Economic Council meeting and the deputy governor was there to represent me.

Got to London and settled in and the following day, Friday, I went to see the oncologist who had already made arrangements for treatments to begin and on Monday, I started treatment. I don’t think any of you has had such an experience.

Cancer is a deadly disease and the cure is also deadly. The cure for cancer is not Panadol. the cure for cancer are not these drugs you buy off the counter. By the time you go through chemotherapy and radiotherapy, you will be a changed person. So, I started treatment; the treatment altogether lasted for 12 weeks. Throughout the period of my treatment, I was an out patient. I was never admitted in any hospital.

All my treatments, I took as an out patient. During the period of treatment, I personally had challenges with the treatment because, like I said, except you see somebody that has taken that kind of treatment, it is not easy to imagine.

So, when I started reading in the papers, how I went to India, how I died at so- so place, to us it was a kind of entertainment. Anytime we felt like being entertained, we called up the Nigerian papers and we will be laughing. So, it was

a lot of entertainment to us, but what became worrisome was the deliberate and sustained attempt to undermine the government of Enugu State. Over the years, if you people have been following events, especially when we addressed our people, yes, we have invested a lot of money in infrastructure and other spheres of life, but I have always said that one thing we would like to leave behind is a workable system. That has always been topmost on our agenda because when we came in, yes, I was part of the last administration, but unfortunately, when we came in, there was no system in place, not even a bad one. So, we felt there was this need to have a system in place because that is the only way you can encourage continuity because in this place, a governor comes and he will want to chart his own course. But if you have a system in place, if a governor comes in, he will build on what is existing. This was a kind of opportunity to put to test the system we have put in. Everything kept on happening as if the governor was not on leave, nobody talked about strike, nobody talked about nonpayment of salaries, no contractor agitated over payment of fees, everything and life continued to be normal. It was like we had increased activities in my absence and I can say that I can beat my chest to thank the deputy governor who led the team and who ensured that the system worked in my absence. I am happy that

‘Cancer is a deadly disease and the cure is also deadly. The cure for cancer is not Panadol. the cure for cancer are not these drugs you buy off the counter. By the time you go through chemotherapy and radiotherapy, you will be a changed person. So, I started treatment; the treatment altogether lasted for 12 weeks. Throughout the period of my treatment, I was an out patient. I was never admitted in any hospital. All my treatments, I took as an out patient.

During the period of treatment, I personally had challenges with the treatment because, like I said, except you see somebody that has taken that kind of treatment, it is not easy to imagine’

we have almost attained that height and when we will be leaving in a few years time, we will be glad we have built a system and it is a good thing to notice that we didn’t have problems, inspite of all attempts made by our brothers and sisters to undermine us. The government of Enugu State has come to stay, the system put in place by us has come to stay. The treatment officially ended on December 10 and, of course, when treatment ends, that is when the real thing starts. When I had commenced treatment, what my doctors said was that I should stay off office for six months; that was their recommendation.

But by the first week of January, when we went to review my state, they were shocked at the recovery rate, they were happy with the recovery. The scan they did showed that the tumour and nose fluid had disappeared completely, not even a scar was left behind and I won’t like to use the expression that they have declared me cancer free, but that was exactly what happened.

Cancer is cancer and one will be required to go there from time to time for check up to make sure it does not raise its ugly head again. But as things are now, they have succeeded in curing that disease that was detected in September last year. Coming to my staff, all attacks on them that they were hoarding information and all that was an unfair attack on them. First and foremost, they didn’t have all the information. All they knew was that I was going on vacation and I didn’t know it was the business of people to know what my activities will be when I am going on vacation. So, I decide to use the period of my vacation to take care of myself. I don’t see how it should concern anybody, I don’t see why we should owe anybody any apology. The important thing is complying with the law, making sure that, as governor of the state, you ensured that the ship of governance remained on course and not abandoning your people. So, all those unfair attacks I found a little bit mischievous and actually exposed ignorance of some of our people. I was officially discharged; not on admission, and I am still in the process of recovering. You wont expect to see me tomorrow running, but I am fitter now to resume duties. I am fit enough to ensure that government is on course with the assistance of my copilots.

How come you did not let the people around you know you were traveling knowing that you are a public officer?

The truth was that these people actually knew. I don’t think there is any public officer who goes on leave abroad to take care of health challenges. You are trying to compare it with Yar’Adua situation. It is unfortunate and wrong.

Yar’Adua traveled sick, I didn’t travel sick. Cancer is something that you may have, and you look normal and act normal. I wasn’t grounded because of the sickness. I was the person that decided on when to attack it. I actually choose the period because I looked at the time table between now and the end of my tenure and I said that was the only window I had because, at the end of this year, we will be talking about local government elections. I decided on when to attack it. It was not easy for me spending Christmas in London. I was telling somebody the other day that, since I was born, except during the Nigerian war when everybody was forced out, that was the first time that I was spending four months outside Enugu. It never happened. Even when I was in school, even when I did my service. So, it wasn’t an easy thing to be away for four and half months, but it was in the interest of the people of Enugu State and also myself as well as the system we are trying to put in place to seek treatment at a time that will not adversely affect that system. It would have been more challenging to the system, if I had been away at the time of the local government elections. You can imagine what it could have looked like. That was actually what informed my decision to seek medical attention immediately. It was not an emergency at all. I decided to do it and thank God it is now past.

The attacks against me started two weeks after I left. Some people had started writing nonsense; they were not interested in the truth.

Going on vacation had nothing to do with my going to India and dying there. Why tell the nation that I was hurried into the plane and that I collapsed. I went to London as somebody fit and proper and unfortunately, they decided to handle the information the way they chose.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

POLITICS

Bayelsa’s new gospel of good governance In this article, FRANCIS AGBO examines the achievements of the Dickson Administration in the last one year.

O

N Thursday, February 14, 2013, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson will be one year in office as the fourth executive governor of Bayelsa State. Dickson’s journey to the Creek Haven was rough and tortuous. He had an intolerant incumbent to contend with. First, the former governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, in 2008, set up a kangaroo commission of enquiry to indict him, with the aim of making him unelectable, and a warrant of arrest was subsequently issued on him. When Sylva failed to cage Dickson, he moved to stop his re-election to the House of Representatives by sponsoring another candidate, Williams Ofoni.

But Dickson prevailed against all odds. And then came the main battle to unseat Sylva after five years in office.

Like the young David in the Bible, who led the Israelites to a battle against the Philistines, and used a mere sling to defeat Goliath of Gath, the dreaded warrior whose height was six cubits and a span, Dickson, fired by the conviction to deliver Bayelsans from the shackles of underdevelopment and oppression, went into a political war with a bare hand against Sylva. And despite Sylva’s deployment of the state resources to sit tight, the copturned lawyer floored Sylva from the very blast of whistle, and even at the Supreme Court. The rest, as they say, is history. Barely one year into his administration, the former federal legislator from Sagbama/ Ekeremor Constituency has redesigned the architecture of governance in the only Ijaw homogenous state. The testimonies of Bayelsans, especially from the masses, show clearly that they couldn’t have fared better. Yet, the governor, in his usual element, is not keen at rolling out the red carpet.

Like the former leader of Singapore, Mr. Lee Kwan Yew, who turned around the fortunes of his country by leap-frogging Singapore from third world to first world, Dickson used the last one year to plan and hit the ground running, laying a solid foundation for the rapid development of Bayelsa State. Though his predecessor collected over N650 billion federal allocations (IGR and other grants not inclusive), Dickson inherited a hugely indebted state running into over N66 billion, with a bloated monthly wage bill of over N6billion, with staff morale at the lowest ebb. The staff audit conducted by the government showed that the bulk of the money went to ghost workers and ghost institutions. Governor Dickson has since brought sanity to public service by stopping the fraud and prosecuting the culprits.

While taking his oath of office on February 14 last year, Dickson, popularly known as Contriman, because of his manifest connect with the grassroots and Ijaw cause, proclaimed free and compulsory education in the state. He promised to drastically trim the cost of governance, deliver developmental projects to the people and change the governance culture in the state through the enthronement of purposeful leadership that is anchored on justice, fairness, transparency and accountability. So far, the governor has walked the talk so much so that ordinary Bayelsans now call him the ‘‘talk and do governor.’’ The Dickson Administration has al-

ready constructed 41 roads, erected 18 buildings which include schools and a multi-million naira world class diagnostic centre as well as a door court house, which are to be commissioned on February 14. The administration has built an ultramodern prison, completed and furnished the national headquarters of the Ijaw National Council, both of which have been put to use.

There are other ongoing projects in the state, including the Deep Sea Port in Agger, Yenagoa Airport, the three senatorial roads, to mention but a few. The governor has promised to complete the Tower Hotel, Yenagoa and all the viable projects inherited from past administrations. Above all, there is peace, security and social justice in the once restive state, thanks to the huge investments in security and the financial autonomy granted the state judiciary by the Dickson’s administration.

In the past, N1.685 billion was set aside monthly to run the Government House, Yenagoa, otherwise known as Creek Haven. But the Contriman has shown clearly that he is a leader of conviction and not convenience when he denied himself the luxury of living like a king. He cut Government house expenses to about N657,460,000 million, thereby saving over N1 billion for the hugely indebted state, while pensioners are smiling to the bank with over N500 million paid to them as gratuity.

He has turned a hitherto recluse Bayelsa to a tourism and investment destination. The question those who may not have keenly followed his government may ask is, how did he achieve this feat?

First, Governor Dickson invested heavily in security, outlawed kidnapping, secret cultism and all forms of criminalities hitherto used by politicians, especially incumbents, to oppress their opponents and drive away contractors from sites. Recently, Dickson prescribed death penalty for kidnappers. The governor also enacted the Compulsory Savings Law, Transparency and Accountability Law which made it mandatory for him to be prudent and accountable to the people. And with the savings regime, the state is fully prepared for the rainy day. This also implies that it will neither be indebted to businessmen nor be broke and investors are assured of great returns for their investments.

Indeed, these measures coupled with the governor’s integrity and track record of service, helped to restore investors’ confidence in the state and that was the magic wand that made them to scramble for investment opportunities in Bayelsa.

As Governor Dickson turns one year in office, he exudes six cardi-

nal qualities, which make him stand tall in the comity of governors: integrity, uncommon courage, vision, conviction, service to mankind and fear of God. Indeed, it takes a man with the fear of God and audacity to sacrifice his comfort by cutting Creek Haven allocation, banned cultism and made it punishable by death with no option of fine.

Similarly, it takes a man of conviction to honour late General Sani Abacha for creating Bayelsa State.

Like the living legend, Chief Dan Agbese, posited in his column, the award came at a period in Nigerian history when identifying with the late general was like committing political hara-kiri. But Governor Dickson reputed for working according to his conscience immortalized the late General by naming an estate in the state capital after him and conferred Ijaw name on his first son, Mohammed.

It takes a man with these qualities to declare a functional free and compulsory education in Bayelsa State. Before Dickson came to judgement in Creek Haven, no governor dared to implement free and compulsory education. The thinking, especially during the immediate past administration, was that, if education was free, there may not be enough money for the power elite to share.

Today, the entire education sector has changed for the better. Government provides the following items free to pupils and students: textbooks, uniforms, sandals, bags, and writing materials. Government is also responsible for the payment of WAEC, NECO, and JAMB forms fees for students. Already, 400 primary schools and staff quarters for headmasters and principals are under construction across the state. Similarly, Dickson has spent over N3.1 billion, the first of its kind, on the education of indigent students of Ijaw nationality who are covered by the Bayelsa State Scholarship Scheme.

Born on the 28th January, 1966 in the rustic riverine Toru- Orua in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Nanaye Dickson of Orua, a descendant of the famous King Kpadia Royal House of Tarakiri Kingdom, Dickson is also a descendant of the renowned Obu warrior family of Orua, whose trademark are valour, bravery and honour Dickson attended Kolobiriowei Primary School, Toru-Orua from 1972 to 1978 where he got his First School Leaving Certificate and proceeded to Government Secondary School, Toru-Ebeni between 1978 to 1983 and obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC/ GCE).

Dickson joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1986 to raise money to further his education because his

•Dickson

parents could no longer cater for his schooling. He gained admission in 1988 to the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt to study Law, graduating with LL.B (HONS.) in 1992. He proceeded in 1993 to earn his Bachelors of Law (B.L.HONS) from the Nigeria Law School, Lagos and was called to the Nigeria Bar the same year.

He was Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1994, but withdrew his service to start legal practice in Port Harcourt where he worked with Serena David Dokubo & Co. He was an associate solicitor from 1994 to 1995 and moved to Aluko & Oyebode, a prominent Law firm in Lagos, in a similar position.

In 1996, he founded Seriake Dickson & Coa Law Firm in Port Harcourt and later, Yenagoa. He was elected the pioneer Publicity Secretary, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Bayelsa State Chapter, a position he held from 1996 to 1998.

In 1998, when all the bigwigs in Bayelsa were either in PDP or APP, (now ANPP), Dickson chose to pitch tent with the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and was elected its chairman between 1998 to 2000. He led the party to winning all the elections in Bayelsa West Senatorial District. Indeed, Bayelsa State was the only state the party recorded such victory outside the core Yoruba- speaking states. The party apparatchik rewarded him by elevating him to the post of National Legal Adviser between 2000 and 2002.

He was elected National Legal Adviser of the foremost Pan-Ijaw

‘The lesson from Dickson’s story is that, if this man who did not see a moving vehicle until he was 18 years old could work so hard to be governor, then there are limitless opportunities for all Bayelsan youths, if they take advantage of the enabling environment created by this government. If Dickson sustains the tempo, Bayelsa will be one of the centres of attraction in Nigeria’

socio-cultural and political group, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) from 2001 to 2003. He became a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC), Nigeria Bar Association between 2004 and 2006.

The crisis in the defunct AD, coupled with his desire to help President Goodluck Jonathan, who was deputy governor at the time to succeed the former governor, Chief DSP Alamieyesiegha, made Dickson to join the PDP in 2005. He became the secretary of Jonathan’s political group, ‘Green Movement’, in 2006. Dickson was appointed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Bayelsa State in 2006 by former Governor Jonathan, following the exit of Alamiesiegha.

He was elected a member of the House of Representatives from the Sagbama/Ekeremor Constituency. Dickson served as the Chairman, House Committee on Justice.

He was re-elected in 2011, but resigned after he was elected governor. In appreciation of his service to his community, Dickson was conferred with the prestigious title: Olokodau of Orua Kingdom.

As a lawmaker, he sponsored so many critical bills, which have been passed into law and played a key role in the success recorded by the sixth National Assembly.

But what is not often remembered about Dickson and for which he has not received sufficient encomium was his role in the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill at the National Assembly where he served as the Vice Chairman of the FOIB Harmonization Committee and his delivery of an entire senatorial district to AD in 1998 and 1999, as well as his amendment of the Evidence Act, the first ever since 1954.

The lesson from Dickson’s story is that, if this man who did not see a moving vehicle until he was 18 years old could work so hard to be governor, then there are limitless opportunities for all Bayelsan youths, if they take advantage of the enabling environment created by this government. If Dickson sustains the tempo, Bayelsa will be one of the centres of attraction in Nigeria.

45

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

THE NATION

NATURAL HEALTH E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

Nigerian herbal drug gets global approval J

OBELYN, a sorghum-based Nigerian herbal product has been described as the most potent supplement after a research in the United States (US)found that it is powerful than America’s best ‘Acai’ berry.

A report in the Journal of Medicinal Food entitled West African Sorghum bicolor Leaf Sheaths Have AntiInflammatory and Immune-Modulating Properties InVitro, said the product can strengthen the immune system.

A similar report in the NutraIngredient-USA Journal on January 17 said the extract from West Africa sorghum may provide anti-inflammatory effects and immune benefits and offer food colour and nutricosmetic potential.

Jobelyn, the reports said, maintain the body’s natural defence system and facilitates the elimination of toxic wastes. It also restores the balance of cell structure within the body and corrects metabolic disturbances. It can deter chronic diseases and disorders from developing in the body.”

The product, the reports added, promotes cardiovascular health, red blood cell generation, immune response and health joint function.

“It also prevents the immune system cells from free radical damage from daily stress, poor diet and environmental factors. “Also, it can help maintain healthy blood cholesterol levels,” the report showed.

The anti-oxidants are naturally present in particular plants to help the body when consumed regularly. They mop up and eliminate daily accumulation of metabolismtoxins known as free radicals, which are very harmful to the body, after the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) tests, by a panel, performed at the National

• US researchers okay Jobelyn

•Okubena

•Sorghum

By Wale Adepoju

Institute of Science (NIS) Laboratories, Oregon.

“Anti-oxidants are substances that neutralise anti-radical or free radicals, which are formed in the body. During the process of metabolism, which is the set of chemical reaction that occur in living organisms to maintain life, the oxy-

gen we breathe in, combines with the digested food we eat, to generate ATP, water carbon dioxide and dangerous waste products called free oxygen radicals which antioxidants help to eliminate in people’s body,” it said.

The sorghum bicolor leaf sheaths (SBLS), purely grown in Nigeria, was found to increase production

of anti-viral compounds, by researchers from the National Institute of Science (NIS) Laboratories, Dover Sciences, United States, in conjunction with Health Forever Products Incorporation, Nigeria.

The reports said the West African sorghum extract shows anti-inflammatory and immune health benefits.

Jobelyn, a sorghum-based nutritional product, produced from the polyphenol-rich leaf sheaths from a recently domesticated West African variety, is undergoing clinical trials in North America and West Africa.

Mr Olajuwon Okubena, Chief Executive Officer, Health Forever Product Limited, which produces Jobelyn, said it has been approved internationally for the management of serious health conditions such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, arthritis and stroke.

The product, he said, had been tested on people living with HIV/ AIDS (PLWHA) and found to improve their CD4 count from 300 to 600 within six weeks of usage.

Okubena said the dietary supplement has been in the market for over 10 years, adding that it has always been prescribed by orthodox medical practitioners for patients.

“It has been on the international market since 2005,” he added.

Promote traditional, alternative medicine, govt told

By Wale Adepoju

•Adewale

T

HE Federal Government has been told to promote traditional and alternative medicine, especially acupuncture.

An acupuncturist, Dr Bade Adewale, said the best way to achieve this is for the Federal Government to reopen the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (FEDCAM), Abuja.

According to him, this will reduce charlatans and quackery from the profession when people are trained.

He said traditional and alternative medicine practice has not enjoyed the government’s support, stressing that the Health Minister, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu needs to ensure that other practitioners besides orthodox medical practitioners are carried along so that the health care delivery sys-

tem can be better for it.

He said other forms of therapies are usually useful, especially when conventional medicine fails, saying alternative medicine can give the necessary boost health care needs in the country if there is capacity building and utilisation.

He berated the government for poor development of acupuncture, which is still at the rudimentary level, saying there are many benefits derivable from the practice.

“Acupuncture can be used to mediate pain and it is used across the world as the most potent form of anaesthesia. Instead of administering injection on the sick before surgery acupuncture can be used and surgeons can go ahead to probe into the diseased organ while the patient is conscious and may be asked to move certain part of the body to check if a certain part of the body, such as leg or arm is functional,” he added.

Adewale said he is the only alternative medicine practitioner in sports, adding that more people should be trained to go into other areas of people’s lives to promote health.

On the challenges, he said, this was largely due to government’s

lack of support for the practice.

He recalled that General Ibrahim Babangida had instructed the then Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola to put acupuncture in the decree in 1991 but nothing was done by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

He alleged that some medical doctors muscle the decree by preventing it from seeing the light of the day. “It was not until the administration of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo that there was some sort of recognition when the then Health Minister, Prof Adeoye Lambo asked alternative medicine practitioners to come forward, es-

pecially those who were genuine practitioners. Four of us were registered and recognised by the MDCN. The late president Shehu Yar’Adua also showed some seriousness in repositioning alternative medicine but that was short-lived by his death.

Describing acupuncture, he said, it originated from two Latin words ‘acu’ and ‘punctus’, which means needle points. This, he added, was a form of Chinese medicine invented and developed before the birth of Christ, which is over 5,000 years ago.

He said the Japanese adopted the practice and called it Shiatsu but

they use their hands to apply pressure on acupuncture points while the Koreans called it Su-jok, using small needles.

“When you are having pain, what you need is hold the part your body and apply pressure. this is done with the needle stick into selected areas of the body called needle points,” he said.

Adewale said former United States President, Harold Nixon made the practice popular in the west when asked that it should be included as alternative therapy in his country after he visited China and saw a patient going through surgery consciously.

Tips for expectant mothers

A

S an expectant mother, you will undoubtedly be bombarded with some do’s and don’t’s: “Eat this,” “Don’t eat that,” “Do this,” “Don’t do that.” After all, with pregnancy comes the vital task of making sure that your health — and consequently, your baby’s — are of priority throughout the pregnancy and lactation.

But don’t let all the advice overwhelm you. The following suggestions are simple tips that from the very first symptoms of pregnancy can improve the prospects of good health and normal development for you and your child:

•Regular prenatal care Establish care with an obstetrician or midwife early in your pregnancy, and follow their recommendations on how to improve your general viability. Take prenatal vitamins to help ensure a healthy pregnancy, but do not take any other medications or supplements without consulting your provider first.

•Dietary considerations Load your plate with fresh produce, whole grains and other healthy and natural choices so that you get all the vital nutrients needed for an expectant mother. A good rule of thumb is to consume five to seven colours in your diet each day. Many women find that eat-

ing several smaller meals per day is easier on the digestive system than three normal meals.

•Daily exercise This does not mean intense Olympic-level training during your pregnancy! However, engaging in mild to moderate prenatal exercise promotes the circulation of blood throughout the body and helps maintain strong bones and tissue in an expectant mother. Although sit-ups, crunches or other abdominal exercises are not recommended, some other exercises are good for expectant mothers.

Source: www.expecting/mummies.com

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

46

NATURAL HEALTH

Softy, Valentine Romeo‌. Juliet can be deadly T

ODAY is Valentine's Day, Lover's Day. And, going by tradition, millions of young people and old people who are still young at heart will paint many of Nigeria's cities and towns real red. Red has returned to the top fashion colour chat lately, with many women and men donning red tops. Often, I have found myself teasing red - topped women to cool off and save all their energy till today!

Painting the towns red at this time means plenty of water will flow past under the bridge, as an adage says, and men, as usual, will pay dearly for it. For in this part of the world, love is synonymous with sex, and over indulgence in sex as this season promotes drains men of vital energy with damaging effect on their prostate glands, for example.

It was timely that no less a medical giant than the respected and brilliant Professor Ashiru, of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos, said last Saturday in a Channels Television interview that many men were suffering today from prostate gland disorders.

Although he spoke in a context different from what a Lovers' Day revelry may impact on the prostate gland, I believe all the roads end up in the same market, as they say. I was informed of Prof. Ashiru's interview by an avid reader of this column, Mr. Olawale Ajila, of Abuja, who follows every reading of this column with a basketful of questions. He is in a stressful top job which he does not wish to age him prematurely, and, routinely, asks for which food supplements to invest in. I tell him always to care for his brain, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver and digestive system and, of course, his prostate gland. In respect of the prostate, he invests in such supplements as Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Essential fatty acids, Amazon Prostate Support, Vitamin E (d - alpha tocopherols), among others.

We have a point of departure with cow's milk. He easily gave up bread, sugar and fried foods. But he would not agree to replace cow's milk with coconut milk. He is yet to read last week's edition of this column which featured publications in respected medical journals which showed that women who drank the most milk, in search of calcium from milk for their bones, suffered the most from osteoporosis or loss of bone matter. But when, according to him, Prof Ashiru listed Magnesium and Zinc deficiencies and cow milk consumption as possible front-line causes of prostate diseases he bade cow milk bye. I did not watch the interview but I hope the interviewer gave the learned professor enough time to comment on the health ravages of cow's milk. Only last Thursday, I explained in part how the calcium of cow's milk, for which the medical profession prescribes it for osteoporosis, is too dense, like the protein, for the human body, and how in composition, coconut milk, like almond milk, comes closer to mother's milk.

Zinc I will quickly address Zinc since it is a mineral not many people are familiar with. Inside the prostate gland, there is an enzyme known as 5-Alpha Reductase. It behaves well, performing its natural functions in this organ, if there is enough amount of Zinc to keep an eye on it. Many nutritionists believe that the average adult human body contains about three grammes of zinc (3,000 mg) of which about 80 per cent is inside the prostate gland. The remainder is concentrated in such parts of the body as the hair, eyes, thymus gland, liver, bones and semen, for example. In the nail, Zinc deficiency manifests as white spots and brittleness.

In the tongue, Zinc deficiency causes loss of taste and loss of the sense of smell in the nose. In tissue, Zinc deficiency is associated with poor wound healing. Zinc lozenges are known to heal sore throat or mouth sores when chewed or gargled with. In some experiments, Zinc supplementation of the diet has led to increases in penile and breast size and weight, increased sperm count and fertility profile. Even children who do not grow satisfactorily do so when they are given Zinc. Some studies suggest, also, that low Zinc levels are not too distant from pregnancy complications, miscarriages and birth defects. Mothers often force children to eat when these young ones do not feel like, perhaps because their appetite is down and their taste and smell acuity low. Giving these children Zinc supplement often reverses this situation, going by some research findings..

The same goes for children who are apathetic or lethargic or exhibit other behaviour problems.

The eyes account for one of the largest concentrations of Zinc in the body. Here, Zinc is believed to support the activation of Vitamin A, a crucial factor in the prevention of night blindness which may progress to such dangerous eye disorder as glaucoma. Many studies associate Zinc deficiency in the eye to such other disorders as cataracts and optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve) which may dull vision or, intimately, leads to blindness. Physical stress takes its toll on Zinc stores.

The immune system cannot do without Zinc. Zinc is important for the production of thymolin,a secretion of the thymus gland. It is in this gland that the immune system T cells (named after the Thymus gland) finally mature after the production. In Zinc deficient people, the thymus gland has been found to shrink to about a quarter of its adult size, implying reduced Tcell maturation in this organ that may be likened to a Defence Academy of the immune system.

Dr. Walker suggests in his book VIBRANT HEALTH that the thymus gland bounces back to full size and activity in many people within two weeks of their taking zinc supplement. For physician who manages condition, such as cancer and HIV and their patient alike this may be useful information from Dr. Walker. In many people challenged

deficient. One of the possible consequence of this, apart from low sperm count, sperm or low motility (poor movement ) and misshapen or agglutinated (clumped or gummed)sperm is that, in the vacuum created by in adequate Zinc stored or in the absence of the headmaster, 5 Alpha Aeductase runs riot. What it then does is to convert the male hormone testosterone into dihydrotestosterone.

This is a dangerous form of testosterone which makes the prostate cells grow abnormally. Such a growth may lead to Benign Prostrate Hyperplasia (BPH) or to prostate cancer or to any other.

Calcium and magnesium

with cancer, low level of Zinc and high-level of Copper have been reported in clinical studies. Zinc and Copper coexist in a 4:1 ratio. Too much zinc means too little copper.

Too much copper means too little Zinc. Copper is useful for body processes, including the production of the natural immune system complex, SUPER OXIDE DISMUTASE, in the manufacture of melanin, the skin pigment, and in blood formation among many others. Copper is present in food crops and enter the body through cookware and copper pipe water plumbing, not to mention copper - complex drugs. Too much of it may cause over-growth of viruses, headaches and lupus erythematosus, an immune disease. I have digressed into Copper somewhat because many women use copper-based inter-uterine device (IUDs) for contraception. These devices are a source of copper ingress into the body which calls for Zinc supplementation of the diet as counselees.

Many people are Zinc-deficient for many reasons. The crops they consume as food may have been grown on Zinc - deficient soil. They may not have enough stomach acid to digest Zinc in the diet. Or, they may have short intestines, or malabsorption problems, both of which negatively affect nutrient absorption into the bloodstream. Sometimes, the problem may arise from taking Zinc-rich food or supplement with fibre-rich foods in which case the Zinc may be trapped in the webs of the fiber. It may very well happen, also, that Zinc is consumed with a diet rich in Calcium and Magnesium which, in the competition for absorption, may crowd zinc out.

In the ELECTROCHEMICAL SERIES, Zinc comes after Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium and Aluminum in that order, and can be displaced by them. Some English doctors discovered this problem by chance. One of them was treating a young woman for a series of condition which be thought warranted the deployment of Zinc against them. But to his surprise, during check up afterwards the serum levels of Zinc hardly rose to the desired levels. So, he changed his tactic. She was no longer to take her zinc supplements with her meals but on empty stomach every night before she went to bed. And amazingly, the serum level of Zinc rose as high as was expected. Publication of this experiment led many doctors to adopt the process. My friends should understand now why they take their Zinc supplements on empty stomach.

We must return now to Valentine's Day, Lovers, Day, and the tendency among virile men to paint the town red.

The lyrics of the young generation of musicians shows that, at this age and perhaps far into the choleric years, men seem to understand nothing beyond sex. I will always remember one woman, letter with them, who says the brains of men are on the tips of their organs! Last week, Ayoka Willes one of my Facebook friends, wrote on the wall that a woman who wished to keep a man should (1) feed him (2) let him sleep with her and then (3) leave him. I replied that this was where short time palliatives which offer no such guarantees in the long run for serious minded men who desire completely different values in woman they like to keep for life. Women who wish to be toys in the hand of men will forever seek the short cuts, no doubt. But short cuts are no more than short cuts.

Before we get lost, inside the prostate gland, is 5-Alpha neductase. As I said earlier, It behaves normally in the presence of zinc, its headmaster so to say. Zinc is an alkaline substance plentiful in semen. Sperm thrives in an alkaline environment. Sperm requires this alkalinity to survive in the acidic vagina. The vaginal needs a measure of acidity to protect her against germs. It has been suggested by some gynaecologists that when a woman has sex frequently, the alkaline semen alters the pH of the vagina and leaves her unprotected, a reason advanced for frequent vaginal infections experienced by some women. If has nothing to do with promiscuity by the dictionary or religions.

Definition: if a woman sleeps with her husband every day, the pH of her vagina may alter, according to this hyper thesis. For the man who loves himself, every ejaculation means loss of lots of Zinc. From the prostate storage if, for the reasons stated or / and any other, Zinc losses are not replaced, even the prostate gland soon become Zinc

e-mail: femi.kusa@yahoo.com or olufemikusa@yahoo.com

Like Zinc and Copper, Calcium and Magnesium go together but in a 2.1 ratio. Last week I mentioned the relevance of Calcium to bone density and some types of Calcium, popular because they were cheap, which cause absorption problems. Calcium aids blood clotting, proper functioning of the heart, prevent pregnancy-related hypertension, helps to activate the enzyme required for the digestion of fats and proteins, and support energy production. Nerves transmission, too, is helped by calcium.

Thus, dull vision due to sub-optimal optic nerve output may be helped by Calcium. When I get up from my seat, my nerves and muscle are at work, and they are using up Calcium. Even when I sleep on a soft mattress and my nerves must help the muscles adjust the body to the contours of the bed. Calcium is being used all night. Thus, I may arrive at a point in which I am Calcium deficient if I do not regularly replace the used or worn out Calcium molecules.

As for reproduction, many people are always surprised that the sperm, seemingly without eyes, know where to find the egg. This process is helped by signalling; just the same way immune cells discover foreign bodies and attack them. The egg signals its location using Calcium and the relevant antenna in the sperm picks them up. Thus, a woman deficient in Calcium may give the sperm a hell of problem, as they say, locating it. And this may delay pregnancy, much desired as it may be for woman anxious by seeking a "fruit of the womb". Calcium and magnesium are alkaline minerals which help to neutralise excess undesirable acids in the body. The prostate too profits from them. Magnesium is the counter pole of calcium.

When Calcium flows in, it tightens the soft muscles in cell. But they relax when Magnesium flushes out Calcium.

Magnesium supplement in the diet has been found to aid sound sleep, especially if given a few hours before bed time. Constipation may be due to magnesium deficiency.

If intestinal muscles contract and do not relax easily, food cannot move on as it is the contraction and relaxation process which induce penstaltic motion. That's why milk of magnesia helps to keep the bowels moving. People who suffer from nerve pains, such as neuralgia or fibromyalgia (bone, nerve and muscle pain) profit from magnesium use. Many psychiatric conditions also abate on magnesium supplementation; this suggests that this mineral helps the brain cells to relax. A study of 165 boys showed that the one among them who was depressed, schizophrenic or sleep well had the least blood levels of magnesium; even some autistic children were found to improve on magnesium supplementation. Magnesium, like zinc, can help the prostrate felon, which has been on the rampage in Nigeria for years. If, as was published in this column a few months ago, BENEBIOTIC, an alcoholic extract of some Nigerian medicinal plants, reversed BPH in about three months it is most probably because of its high zinc content and the antibiotic action of the constituent. For I am aware from the Pharmacopeia of western Nigeria, that one of the ingredients is very rich in Zinc. Benabiotic was originally designed for staphylococcus. Magnesium helps out in some types of hypertension and in cases of angina pain caused by spasms of coronary arteries, since it can calm these muscular agitations. There is abundant evidence that high blood pressure, like diabetes, causes spasms in the blood vessels of the retina which may cause vision loss or blindness, and that, in their conditions, magnesium levels are low and higher in magnesium levels help to minimise or reverse the risks. In glaucoma, a serious condition of the eye, magnesium can be a wonderful friend. Calcium flowing into the self muscles of the drainage channel tightens and blocks it. Special pharmaceutical eye drops prevent this adhesion, but at a cost. Magnesium chases calcium out and the eyes feel alright and better.

EFAs and Vitamins E Vitamin E deficiency has been found to cause the testes to shrink or to atrophy. EFAs are essential fatty acids‌ especially the Omega-3 oils in many people, the ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 and to Omega-9 has altered in favour of Omega-6 largely because Omega 6 is what now dominates the diet. Yet, the prostate, as a fatty organ, requires Omega3 to keep healthy. Saw Palmetto Bernes made the headlines in the 1980s when it was found to be an answer to BPH. When this herb revealed the secret of its constituents, few people were surprised. They contain lots of Omega-3and zinc. Ditto Pumpkin seeds and Sunflower seeds, both of which grow abundantly in Nigeria.

In conclusion, may we plead with the Romeos of Valentine's Day to cool off their heels, to take it easy with the flaming Juliet's lest they lose much more nutrients than the prostate gland can stand. The prostate loss affects other organs as well, as has been shown. Can this be why young men are sick today?

Tel: 08034004247, 07025077303

47

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

THE NATION

e-Business W

HEN he left Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, about 10 years ago, Kayode Adeyeye had made up his mind not to seek a white collar job. He took this step because he had seen people who, after leaving school became ‘professional applicants.’

To achieve his dream, Adeyeye mobilised funds from relatives and friends to set up a cybercafé in his neighbourhood in AgbadoIjaye, a Lagos suburb.

“I did not want to be a liability after graduating. I raised about N1.5 million and ploughed it into cybercafe business. I got 10 personal computers (PCs), rented a warehouse, bought an electricity generating set, got some furniture in place and started business,” he said.

According to him, at the beginning, business was good; money was coming in from people who came to browse the Internet. An hour attracted about N200. He had problems coping with the huge customer traffic. Since necessity is the mother of invention, his wife introduced snacks and soft drinks and the business flourished. That was then.

Today, the story has changed. One hour browsing time has come down to N100.

At Karimu Laka Street, Egbeda, another Lagos suburb, a large building used to house DS Cybercafé and Computer Training Centre. Five years ago, the building was a beehive as men, women, old and young, thronged the place to browse and get computer education. He combined the business with Internet calls. His peak period was during the American Diversity Lottery programme. But the story has since changed as the firm has closed shop.

The Emesck Solutions Cybercafe in Abule Odu, also a Lagos suburb, has also been deserted. The Client Service Executive, Yetunde Odukoya, a part time student of Wolex Polytechnic, said as at 8.30 am, she had not attended to any customer.

“Before the advent of Blackberry and other smartphones, business was good. Now, with a mobile phone of about N2,500, one can take and send picture, chat, check email and do other things on the Internet. What has compounded the woes of the business is that most of the mobile operators give 10 megabytes (MBs) of data to their customers on purchase of N100 worth of airtime. This will last me for two weeks,” she said.

She added that power supply and regular raid on cafes by security agencies have contributed to the near-demise of the business.

The gradual migration of examinations and recruitment into the armed forces in the country to the electronic platform that ought to have boosted the income of operators is not doing so. “Tutorial centres and private schools buy laptop, biometric data capturing machine, printers and other things needed to register candidates online,” she added.

According to a report, in 2003, the country had over 15,000 cyber cafes, with over 10,000 of them in Lagos State alone. At the twilight of 2007, this figure paled into insignificance to just about 1,002. Today, it is estimated that there are no fewer than 2,000 flourishing cybercafés in the country.

To set up a cybercafé, one would require about N2.5 million for Internet connectivity, N150,000 monthly subscription fee; payment for rent, computers and other infrastructure that would make the place congenial for business transaction. An average cybercafé would need between 20 and 30 computers and other accompaniments, such as printers, scanners and generators. An independent Internet group in Britain revealed that Internet service providers (ISPs) in Africa lose over $400 million yearly for pairing of local traffic in exchange and international bandwidth provision. This colossal loss is incurred because most African countries do not have Internet exchange point (IXP) where ISPs can interconnect and share local traffic.

Adeyeye recalled that he paid N450,000 to DPC to acquire its modem alone and another N30,000 monthly subscription fee. “How much you pay as subscription is a function of the number of computers you intend to use.

When I was in business, I used only 10 computers and paid N450,000 and N30,000 monthly subscription fee,” he said.

•Cybercafe

About ten years ago, cybercafe business was highly profitable. The owners were virtually minting money. Now the story is different. Cybercafe can hardly make ends meet.

Many businesses have closed shop because of huge debts. Those still in business are merely existing. LUCAS AJANAKU reports

The fall of cybercafé Like Miss Odukoya, he said the undulating power supply by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), constant harassment and extortion from security men, emergence of the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) and private telephone operators (PTOs) offering Internet service in their bouquets and the ear of unified licences have contributed to the near-moribund state the business in the country.

Though the cost of browsing has gone down drastically from between N150 and N200 per hour to about N120 per hour, administrative cost continue to rise. Rent is reviewed yearly while the pump price of petrol underwent adjustments for more than a dozen times under former President Olusegun Obasanjo administration. Today, automotive gas oil (AGO) or diesel goes for N150 per litre in the Lagos area while petrol is N97 per litre.

Adeyeye said: “You don’t get power supply from PHCN but they never stop bringing bills.”

For his 40 kva generator, which runs on diesel, he spends N9,000 while the other two that use petrol would accommodate about 15 litres, costing N1,455; this lasts for only six hours before.

The problem is that the generators pack up no sooner had they been bought. “I bought that generator for N80,000; used it for only one

month and it packed up,” he lamented. His four generators have parked up, adding that he used them for only three months.

Even when the generators work, there are always fluctuations in the signal of ISPs. Thus, for one week, the signal strength may be as low as 25 per cent. When this happens as it so often does, it is double jeopardy.

The sudden surge in cyber crimes in the country did not help matters. The Managing Director, Brand Definitions, Richard Afolalu, said the level of cyber crime in the country has made law enforcement agents to see anyone browsing in a cybercafé as a fraudster. And contrary to the legal dictum of being presumed innocent until proven otherwise by a court, one is subjected to humiliation by barely literate, but perpetually inebriated policemen.

“If you are unlucky to be arrested at a cybercafé or attacked by armed gangs who dispossess you of your cash and valuables, would you go there again? So, people who can afford modems and pay for data stay at home and do whatever they want to do,” he said.

Cybercafés were real haven for young cyber criminals.By special arrangements, these criminals pay their way to have night access to the cafes where they send scam mails.

‘The undulating power supply by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), constant harassment and extortion from security men, emergence of the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) and private telephone operators (PTOs) offering Internet service in their bouquets and the era of unified licences have contributed to the near-moribund state the business in the country’

“Whenever you see any cybercafé operating overnight browsing, it is with an intention to defraud. These boys, called Yahoo Boys, pay them to use the facility,” a security expert said on condition of anonymity.

But an operator denied this, saying those with criminal intentions do it within the confines of their bedrooms. Though this brings more cash to mobile operators, it also attract international odium to the nation. E-commerce and transaction have remained low in Africa because of Internet fraud. In 2005, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) carried out an operation that led to the seizure of goods worth N319 million in Lagos alone while the EFCC made seized over $1 billion.

Some years ago, officials of the EFCC and Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) agreed to discontinue overnight browsing. Besides, they were to run their services on membership instead of the payas-you-go format that is dominant in the country.

The intervention of the EFCC was as a result of the enactment of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Offences Act 2006, signed into law on June 5, 2006 by Chief Obasanjo which transferred the policing of cyber crime to telecoms operators and also empowered the EFCC to enforce provisions of the act.

Even with these challenges, the proprietor of Emesck Solutions who simply identified himself as Emeka, said hope is not lost. “Not many people use hand held devices. Students come in and do research. Turnover may be small, cybercafes will continue to fill the gap,” he said on telephone.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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THE NATION THURSDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2013

53

NEWS

Coalition attributes rise in polio to opposition by Islamic leaders

Kwara promotes 12,000 teachers

K

WARA State Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed has approved the promotion of 12,000 primary and secondary school teachers.

A breakdown of the figure shows that 10,046 primary school teachers and 2,105 secondary school teachers benefited from the exercise. Civil servants due for the next tranche of promotions are writing the qualification examinations prelude to the oral interviews.

The development came as the government said it would boost the Clean and Green programme with 30 RoRo bins and 10 compactors.

Speaking in Ilorin, Governor Ahmed said the teachers were promoted to motivate them to higher performance and boost their welfare with enhanced pay.

Stressing that the two levels are critical to the attainment of qualitative education and human capital development, he pledged the state government’s commitment to the enhancement of civil servants’ conditions of service in line with Performance Contracting.

Governor Ahmed urged the newly-promoted teachers to reciprocate the gesture by re-

T •Ahmed doubling their efforts to provide qualitative education to the pupils, adding that civil servants, who excel, would be promoted.

The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), in a statement signed by its Kwara State Chairman, Alhaji Farouq Akanbi and Assistant General Secretary, Chief Wale Oyeniyi, described Governor Ahmed’s gesture as a humane posture that would boost teachers’ morale.

Kwara State Government is to boost its Clean and Green Programme with 10 additional compactors and 30 RoRo bins to cope with the expanding population of Ilorin and attendant increase in the volume of waste.

The Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Anthony Towoju, who said this in Ilorin, added that it would enhance government’s capacity to keep Ilorin and other parts of the state clean.

HE Northern Civil Society Coalition has attributed the rise in polio in the North to the opposition by Islamic leaders.

National Civil Society Coalition on Immunisable Disease Awareness (NCSCIDA) has said the killing of health workers in Kano should not affect the fight against the disease.

The Leader of the Northern Civil Society Coalition, Mallam Shehu Sani, said in Kaduna yesterday that the opposition was responsible for the increase in polio.

He said the group would join the campaign to fight the disease.

Mallam Sani said embarking on polio immunisation was in the best health interest of the North, adding: “The criticism against immunisation is unfounded, un-

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

warranted, ill-informed and uncivilised.”

He went on: “The Islamic clerics opposed to the immunisation are not doing so out of scientific or religious reasons. They engage in the campaign against the eradication of the disease for political motives.”

While noting that the immunisation programme was a positive step by the government to eradicate harmful diseases that have ravaged the North, he said: “We cannot live in the past at a time the world is moving ahead.

“Almost all diseases have been wiped out in other parts of the world, but leprosy, polio, chicken pox and others are still prevalent in the North as a result of the silent campaign against immunisation and misinforma-

tion by the clerics, who are out of tune with the realities and changes in the modern world.

“The resistance of the clerics to immunisation and other vaccinations has contributed a lot in crowding our streets in the North with destitute and physicallychallenged people. Our clerics are opposing science.

They are against logic and reason.”

Speaking on the killing of health workers in Kano, Mallam Sani said: “It is a direct product of fanatical preaching and teaching by these clerics.”

He urged the people “to resist this campaign of misinformation and avail themselves of the projects and programmes aimed at improving their health.”

NCSCIDA however, said, the killing of polio workers in Kano by unknown gun-

men should not be allowed to stand as a barrier to eradicate the disease in the country.

The Coordinator of the coalition, Dr. Mohammed Mustapha, who said everything should be done to eradicate the disease, added that “the civil society coalition on public awareness on national immunisation has decried the attack against polio vaccination workers in Kano.” He said: “The attack is an attempt to undermine and subvert the current national immunisation efforts against polio in the North.”

Mustapha said in a statement made available to The Nation that “it is a setback against the effort to checkmate the spread of polio that has claimed the lives of millions of vulnerable children in the North.”

10 die in Kano road accident 12-MONTH-old baby, his mother and eight others were burnt to death in an accident at Takai Local Government Area of Kano State on Monday night.

A

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

An eyewitness account described the accident, which occurred at 11 pm on Kano-Kwari Road, as gruesome, adding that the victims were occupants of a Golf car, which collided with a heavy duty vehicle, near Takai Bridge.

According to a resident in the area, the Golf car overtook another vehicle

at a sharp corner and collided with a trailer coming from the opposite direction.

It was also learnt that the flames from the Golf car spread to other vehicles in the vicinity.

The driver of the heavyduty vehicle was, however, lucky as he survived the accident. But he sustained first degree burns.

The Nation learnt that he is responding to treatment at the Takai General Hospital.

Confirming the accident, the Head of Operation, Federal Road Safety Corps, Kano Command, Malam Kabiru Nadabo, said: “Ten people died in the accident.”

He attributed it to “a dangerous overtaking by the driver of the Golf car.”

Sokoto decries NULGE boss’ claims

S

OKOTO State Government has said it has taken exception to the false claims by Mr. Ibrahim Khalil, who parades himself as the National President of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), adding that it is demanding an apology from him on behalf of the Northwest governors.

Khalil spoke at a news conference.

He said governors in the Northwest zone have created a vacuum at the local government level by refusing to conduct council elections.

A statement signed by the Special Assistant to Governor Aliyu Wamakko on Media

From: Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

Matters, Sani Umar, described the claims as not only misleading but ignorant and ill-informed, adding that it showed that Mr. Khalil is not aware of the happenings in his constituency.

“It is equally self-serving and sycophantic for him to single out one state and make a sweeping generalisation, while in fact, he lacks information about what obtains in other states in the zone because he has confined himself to his office and chosen to be an armchair critic.

“Mr. Khalil’s statement is a claim by a disgruntled leader, who leads without knowing

•Wamakko

those he leads or where they are. Otherwise, he would have known that there are other governors, who abhor vacuum and make sure it does not exist in their local government,” the statement said.

It said for the avoidance of doubt, Khalil should be educated on the facts about Sokoto State with regards to council poll.

Niger gets new exco next week IGER State Government is set to reshuffle its executive council (exco) as soon as the House of Assembly screens and approves the nine nominees sent to it by Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu.

A source close to the governor said the new exco would be constituted next Wednesday, as Governor Aliyu has directed his commissioners to prepare their hand over notes.

The nominees are the current Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Daniel Clifford Shashere, Head of Service, Alhaji Ibrahim Matane and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mohammed Kuta Yahaya.

Others are former Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Umar Nasko, Director- General of the Directorate of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Dr. Joshua Bawa, Moh’d Bashar Nuhu and Abdullahi Mamman.

Two serving permanent secretaries, Abbas Bello and Mahmoud Kpako Bello, also made the list of nominees.

At plenary yesterday, the Speaker of the

N

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

House of Assembly, Adamu Usman, read a twopage letter dated February 12, 2013 and signed

by Governor Aliyu. It was directed to members, requesting the screening and confirmation of the nine nominees.

The governor also requested the approval of the House to enable him appoint six special advisers in accordance with the provisions of Section 196 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Appealing to the House to expedite action on the requests, Aliyu said this would enable him fulfil Section 14 of the Constitution as it affects the composition of the State Executive Council.

Assuring the governor of prompt attention, the Speaker said the Assembly would begin screening today and conclude it next Tuesday.

The approval and confirmation of the nominees will put to rest the anxiety that has gripped the state since this year.

Governor Aliyu dropped the hint of his intention to reshuffle his exco last December.

54

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 14-2-13

High-cap stocks sustain market decline

T

HE Nigerian stock market sustained its downtrend yesterday as losses by highly capitalised stocks overwhelmed widespread gains by equities, pushing average yearto-date return down by 0.39 per cent to 18.79 per cent.

The All Share Index (ASI), the common value-based index that tracks prices of all equities at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), slipped to 33,355.54 points from its opening index point of 33,487.81 points.

Aggregate market value of all equities dropped by N42 billion to N10.672 trillion compared with its value-onboard of N10.714 trillion.

The negative market position reflected losses by some of the most capitalised stocks, especially Dangote Cement, Nigerian Breweries and Guinness Nigeria.

Dangote Cement, the most capitalised stock with about a quarter of total equity mar-

By Taofik Salako

ket capitalisation, dropped for the second consecutive day. It lost N1 to close at N140. Nigerian Breweries dropped by N1.01 to close at N163. Guinness Nigeria led the decliners with a drop of N5.46 to close at N291.

Other top losers included Total Nigeria, which lost N4.99 to close at N138.01; PZ Cussons Nigeria, which dropped by N1.25 to close at N41.85; Presco, which lost 94 kobo to close at N26.36; Forte Oil declined by 83 kobo to close at N15.80, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated slipped by 43 kobo to N14.33, while Ashaka Cement and Stanbic IBTC Holdings lost 30 kobo and 28 kobo to close at N25 and N15.72 respectively.

On the positive side, Nestle Nigeria led the advancers with a gain of N15.04 to close at N830. Okomu Oil Palm followed with a gain of

N2.79 to close at N58.70.

Conoil rallied N1.10 to close at N23.10. Flour Mills of Nigeria rose by 74 kobo to close at N77.74. Cement Company of Northern Nigeria added 60 kobo to close at N12.60.

Berger Paints rose by 55 kobo to close at N12.20 while CAP gathered 28 kobo to close at N36 per share.

Meanwhile, investors increased demand for equities, with stronger inflow into low-priced stocks. Total turnover stood at 1.44 billion shares worth N5.6 billion in 9,653 deals. Unity Bank was the most active stock with a turnover of 138.89 million shares valued at N163.01 million in 515 deals.

Transnational Corporation of Nigeria trailed with a turnover of 135.72 million shares valued at N287.01 million in 476 deals, while Lasaco Assurance ranked third with a turnover of 123.39 million shares worth N62.37 million in 339 deals.

Insurance subsector was the most active stock with a turnover of 721.32 million shares totaling N545.43 million in 2,191 deals. Banking subgroup recorded a turnover of 324.66 million shares worth N2.13 billion in 3,156 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 14-2-13

55

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

MONEY LINK

AMCON warns public over Babalakin’s property

T

THE Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) yesterday insisted it had taken an order to take possession of two properties linked with businessmanlawyer, Wale Babalakin pursuant to the order made by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, Lagos in suit no: FHC/ L/CS/1501/12.

The corporation said the properties located on 43A Afribank Street Victoria Island, Lagos and Plot 270 Trans Amadi Layout, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State were pledged as collateral to the loans granted to Roygate Properties Limited - a company in which Babalakin is believed to have interest.

Babalakin has however, denied the corporation’s claim. He equally alleged in a statement yesterday that AMCON had withdrawn its case relating to the dispute between them, a claim the corporation’s Managing Director, Mustafa Chike-Obi denied last night.

In an advertorial titled - “Caveat emptor: Recovery of properties and assets,” AMCON warned the general public against dealing with Babalakin and his companies in re-

•Businessman accuses corporation of withdrawing suit

By Eric Ikhilae

lation to the affected properties.

“Property at 43A Afribank Street Victoria Island Lagos, pursuant to a tripartite legal Mortgage registered on 14 October 2010, between Roygate Properties Limited (Borrower), Stabilini Visinoni Limited (Surety/Mortgagor) and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (The Lender).

“Property at Plot 270, Trans Amadi Layout, Port Harcourt, Rivers State pursuant to a Tripartite equitable mortgage between Roygate Properties Limited (Borrower), Homan Engineering Company Limited (Surety/Mortgagor) and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc(Mortgagee).

“The general public is hereby notified not to deal or have further dealings with Roygate Properties Limited, Stabilini Visinoni Limited, Homan Engineering Company Limited and Dr. Bolanle Olawale Babalakin SAN in respect of the properties and assets,” AMCON said.

But Babalakin’s spokesman, Dipo

obtained in the Federal High Court was already an issue before the Lagos High Court and had allegedly been sold by its so-called predecessor-in-title. AMCON’s action at the Federal High Court was therefore fraudulent and amounted to a gross abuse of the process of Court.

“It is also noteworthy that these facts support the stance of Dr. B. O. Babalakin that the property was never mortgaged to GTB in the first instance. Babalakin’s consistent assertion that AMCON and its alleged predecessor-in-title were engaged in misleading the public over the status of the building now appears to be confirmed.”

Reaction to Babalakin’s claim that AMCON had withdrawn its suit, Chike-Obi said : “It is not true that

Kehinde described the alleged sudden withdrawal of a suit by AMCON as “treacherous.”

Kehinde said: “Consistent with this allegation and immediately after Dr. Babalakin’s statement to the press, AMCON hurriedly withdrew the case that had been instituted by its alleged predecessors-in-title – Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (“GTB”).

“GTB had stated on oath that it had sold the property in dispute to a third party, R.E.D. Company Limited, prior to the assignment of the alleged debt to AMCON. This purported sale of the property is being contested at the High Court of Lagos State in proceedings, which are still pending. GTB could therefore not have transferred its disputed interest in the property to AMCON. Consequently, AMCON had no interest to enforce in the property.

“The import of the existence of GTB’s suit is that AMCON, through its agents, knew that the subjectmatter of the ex-parte order (No. 43A Churchgate Street) it sought and

T

By Collins Nweze

(PoS) and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) usage have continued to rise in volume and value.

Head, Shared Services at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Chidi Umeano said that the cashless project has continued to record huge success, adding that the initial challenges associated with the alternative channels are being tackled. “Banks have continued to roll out more innovative electronic payment platforms to meet customers’

V

ISA, global electronic payments company, has reiterated its commitment to unlocking trade and tourism potentials within the Sub-Saharan Africa.

In a statement, Ade Ashaye, Country Manager for Visa in West Africa, said: “Visa plays an active role in travel and tourism and its research in the tourism industry provides key insights into the trends. We believe that continued engagement in the industry is important,” he said.

He also announced the firm’s partnership with Future Group and its Nigeria-based partners Tradeblazers Limited, to sponsor the BT Africa, conference holding in Lagos in March.

Ashaye said Visa is committed to consolidating its position in the travel industry throughout Sub-Sa-

expectations. The cashless policy has been very successful in Lagos considering when we started and how far we have gone in terms of PoS deployment.

“When we started the cashless Lagos, we had less than 10,000 PoS in Lagos, but currently we have over 150,000 PoS machines in the state alone,” he said.

As a result of the significant success recorded in Lagos, the apex bank last week said it plans to extend the cashless policy to Rivers, Kano, Anambra and Abia States as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from July 1.

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

350m

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 14-2-13

SYMBOL ROYALEX DNMEYER WEMABANK UNITYBNK CONOIL LAWUNION CCNN RTBRISCOE OKOMUOIL MAYBAKER

O/PRICE 1.12 1.36 1.77 1.1 22 0.6 12 2.2 55.91 2.44

C/PRICE 1.23 1.49 1.88 1.16 23.1 0.63 12.6 2.31 58.7 2.56

CHANGE 0.11 0.13 0.11 0.06 1.10 0.03 0.60 0.11 2.79 0.12

AIICO PRESTIGE CUSTODYINS NIGERINS FO MANSARD LEARNAFRICA STERLNBANK MBENEFIT JOHNHOLT

O/PRICE 1.42 1.24 2.35 0.6 16.63 2.87 2.48 2.94 0.63 1.27

C/PRICE 1.28 1.12 2.15 0.57 15.8 2.73 2.36 2.8 0.6 1.21

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

2-7-12 27-6-12

113m

155.7

22-6-12

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

Feb. ’11

July ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

July ’12

CHANGE

Date

7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 136.93 149.46 0.80 1.13 1.02 100.00 1,000.00 1,752.64 14.58 1.39 1.87 10,677.84

9.08 1.00 136.52 149.19 0.78 1.13 1.00 100.00 1,000.00 1,750.44 13.87 1.33 1.80 10,366.76

• STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor

NSE CAP Index

Name

DISCOUNT WINDOW

0.14 0.12 0.20 0.03 0.83 0.14 0.12 0.14 0.03 0.06

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

LOSERS AS AT 14-2-13

SYMBOL

113m

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

OBB Rate Call Rate

haran Africa. He said that the company has been instrumental in reshaping the payment landscape in West Africa with the introduction of several products, including the Visa Corporate card, for enabling secure and convenient cashless transactions within the region.

He said the confab serves as a mouthpiece in the business travel arena and is a platform on which leading industry delegates can engage and discuss, among other topics, business travel in and out of West Africa, and other travel-related issues.

“This conference serves as a great opportunity for all those with a vested interest in West African business travel to come together under one roof,” said Dylan Rogers, Editor of Business Traveller Africa magazine.

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

the case was withdrawn. We will pursue this matter as vigorously as the law allows us. And we will ensure that the he pays all the money he owes us.”

‘Visa to unlock Africa’s trade’

Cashless: NEFT’s, NIP’s daily transactions hit N40b RANSACTIONS recorded by the Nigerian Inter Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) under its NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP) and Nigerian Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT) have increased significantly to about N40 billion daily.

NIP and NEFT are products used by corporate organisations to make payment for huge transactions electronically, in line with the cashless policy. Data gathered from NIBSS also shows that as a result of the cashless policy, cheques, Point of Sale

• AMCON CEO, Mustafa Chike-Obi

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

56

NEWS

Kidnappers face death sentence

B

AYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson yesterday affirmed death sentence for kidnappers by signing into law the Bayelsa State Kidnapping and Allied Offences Bill 2013.

The governor said he would sign the death warrant for any person or group of persons caught in

the act of kidnapping and other related crimes.

“I would like to say this, if you are involved in any act of kidnapping, let me warn you today, don’t come near Bayelsa.

“We have put measures in place. I have recently commissioned 15 patrol boats for use by our security forces to ensure mari-

time safety.

“If you try anything, whether it is sea-piracy or kidnapping, we are going to get you.

“We will make it difficult for you to succeed and whoever you are and wherever you are operating from, we are going to get you.

“I am aware that security

forces have made several arrests and most of the suspects are in custody.

“Any of them found guilty will be dealt with according to the law.

“Today with this bill having been signed into law, we have entered a new phase that will support our fight against kidnapping and related crimes.

Dickson, PDP joined in Sylva’s suit

A

FEDERAL High Court sitting in Yenagoa yesterday granted Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leave to be joined in a suit filed by former Governor Timipre Sylva against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Sylva is seeking to be declared winner of last year’s governorship election.

Making appearance for Dickson, his lead counsel, Chief Tayo Oyetibo and S. Johnbull, who stood in for the PDP filed a joinder, praying the court to join their clients as respondents in the suit.

Justice Charles Archibong ordered them to be joined in the suit and fixed hearing for March 18.

Kuku: we’ll pay ex-militants

T

HE Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Kingsley Kuku, has appealed to ex-militants to be patient as their January stipends and allowances would be paid soon.

The PAP chairman gave the assurance in a statement by the Head of Media and Communications, Daniel Alabrah.

He said efforts were ongoing to get funds to settle the outstanding stipends.

Kuku, who is also Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, added that funds for the programme were in-

tact and has not been diverted.

“It is wicked for some persons to say that funds for the amnesty programme have been diverted when the reason for the delay is clear to all.

“I assure all ex-militants that the funds for their stipends and allowances are intact. No one can tamper with it, including me,” Kuku said.

The PAP boss said the National Assembly, like the Presidency, had greatly supported the programme, saying it would be improper to blame the Assembly for the delay in payment of the stipends.

NLC visits Oshiomhole

T

•Member representating Oyigbo/Tai/Eleme Federal Constituency in Rivers State Barry Mpigi welcoming Governor Rotimi Amaechi (right) to the Governor’s Town Hall meeting with the people of Oyigbo Local Government at the council headquarters in Afam... yesterday. With them is the Chairman of Oyigbo Local Government, Felix Nwaeke

10 RSUST ASUU members arrested

T

EN members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) in Port Harcourt were yesterday detained at the state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The ASUU members, who had been on strike since August 13 last year, were meeting at RSUST’s Engineering Drawing Room (EDR), when policemen from the Mile Three Police Station swooped on them.

The lecturers are protesting the reappointment of Prof. Barineme Fakae as Vice-Chancellor.

RSUST’s ASUU Chairman Dr. Felix Igwe yesterday in a telephone interview decried the arrest.

Igwe said RSUST’s law on the appointment and reappointment of a VC must be adhered to.

The ASUU Chairman said the lecturers would contin-

•VC denies involvement From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

ue with the strike, until Governor Rotimi Amaechi reverses Fakae’s reappointment.

The VC was accused of masterminding the arrest, but he denied the allegation.

Fakae, who spoke through RSUST’s spokesman Des Wosu, pleaded with the striking lecturers to return to work.

He said 85 per cent of lec-

turers have started teaching.

Police spokesman Ben Ugwuegbulam said the lecturers have been released.

Ugwuegbulam said: “The RSUST’s lecturers were conducting themselves in a disorderly manner and they were about being attacked by the students.

“So, we had to take them to protective custody, to avoid another Aluu incident.

“Mile Three police sta-

tion is directly opposite RSUST’s main gate.

“If the lecturers were asked to stay at the station, the students might still mobilise to attack them.

“We put in our best to save them from danger.”

The ASUU chairman, however, maintained that the lecturers never conducted themselves in a disorderly manner.

He said the lecturers have been released but were asked to report at the commissioner’s office today.

Lawmaker’s abductors demand N90m

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HE abductors of an Edo State lawmaker, Victor Edoror, are demanding a ransom of N90million, it was learnt yesterday.

Edoror is a first time lawmaker and he represents Esan Central Constituency.

He was abducted on February 3 with his driver at Ir-

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

rua in Esan Central Local Government of Edo State.

Sources said the kidnappers insisted that the payment should be in foreign currency, which is an equivalent of $600,000.

His colleagues have refused to sit for two weeks

now.

Their refusal has affected the constitution of an exco by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

It was gathered that efforts were being made by the lawmakers to raise the fund to secure the release of their colleague.

Develop aquatic life, Akpabio tells BRACED

A

KWA Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio has urged the BRACED Commission to focus on the development of aquatic life of the Southsouth.

BRACED is the acronym for Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta states.

Akpabio made the call yesterday when the DirectorGeneral of BRACED Commission, Joe Keshi and Commissioners for Agriculture of the BRACED states visited him.

The governor lamented that Akwa Ibom has not taken advantage of the development of its aquatic life.

He said: “The Southsouth has some challenges such

as poverty and insecurity. So, this is time for us to take our destiny in our hands for peace and development in the region.

“So therefore, the BRACED Commission must focus and discuss more at its next summit on the aquatic wealth of the nation for the employment of our people.

“The Southsouth has a lot of shrimps which could be transported by boats for sale and for export. That could in turn generate revenue for the people.

“We must discuss how to provide the boats and finances for the processing of our marine wealth.”

HE leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday met with Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole on critical labour matters.

NLC President Abdulwaheed Omar, who led the team, said: “We are here to discuss with you, because this is one place we always get consultancy that is free which we can never get anywhere as far as labour issues are concerned.

“We do hope you will always keep your doors open, because we do know you are the embodiment of labour issues in the country.

“It will be a joke to say we have forgotten your reference point on labour matters in this country.”

Oshiomhole thanked the NLC leadership for standing by him during his re-election.

He said: “The NLC speaks not only for the voiceless, but even for those who are unable to speak out on account of conflicting interest.”

Lassa fever kills 11

E

LEVEN persons have been reportedly killed by Lassa fever between January 1 and February 4.

This was as a result of the outbreak of the disease in 22 local governments and nine states within the period.

Former Vice Chancellor of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Prof Dennis Agbonlahor said this while delivering a lecture on the topic: “Lassa Fever: A 44-year old Deadly Public Health Burden in Nigeria”.

The lecture was organised by

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

the College of Medical Sciences of the University of Benin.

Agbonlahor said 23 states were affected by Lassa fever last year of which 87 deaths were recorded.

He said over 100,000 lives have been lost to the fever between 1969 and 2013, adding that many unrecorded deaths occurred in rural areas.

The ex-VC accused some officials of the Federal Ministry of Health of diverting donor funds meant for establishment of Lassa fever laboratories.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

57

NEWS

ICPC supportive of good governance, says Ajimobi

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has said the role of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is complementary and supportive of good governance.

He spoke on Tuesday in his office while hosting ICPC Chairman Ekpo Nta. Ajimobi hailed ICPC on investigation, enforcement and prosecution of corrupt persons, adding that the agency had “greatly assisted” in enthroning good governance.

He said: “Most people see ICPC as playing the role of the police or State Security Service (SSS,) where all they do is arrest people. I want everybody to know that ICPC’s

role is complementary and supportive of good governance.”

The governor said he would work closely with the commission to prevent corruption in his administration.

He said: “I think we should encourage ICPC to work with us to prevent corrupt practices. They will tell us how to operate and as the saying goes, ‘prevention is better than cure’.”

Ajimobi said his administration would partner ICPC on operational audit to improve the administrative system.

He hailed Nta for assisting his alma mater, St. Anthony Catholic Primary School, Molete, Ibadan, and urged

Nigerians to form the habit of giving back to the society.

“I am glad you are giving back to the society by improving the school. I believe Nigerians in positions of authority should not forget their background,” the governor added.

Nta said the commission is ready to partner the state government to prevent corruption.

He said: “Fifty per cent of the ICPC’s mandate has to do with prevention, system review and studies. We are mandated by the ICPC Act to look into any system prone to corruption and assist it in performing better.

“We can help ministries, departments and agencies in

One killed in Osun bank robbery •Hoodlums steal N10m, $6,000 From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

A

RMED robbers yesterday attacked a first generation bank at Ode-Omu, Ayedade Local Government Area of Osun State.

A passer-by, simply identified as Timisiriyu, was reportedly killed by a stray bullet.

It was learnt that about 10 robbers stormed the bank’s premises on Gbongan road around 3:40pm in two vehicles.

Sources said they shot intermittently into the air and destroyed the bank’s security door with an explosive.

According to a police source, the bank manager said the robbers stole N10 million and six thousand dollars.

The source, who did not want to be named, said the robbers escaped before the arrival of security men mobilised by the Divisional Police Officer in Gbongan.

Police spokesperson Sade Odoro said no arrest had been made, but assured the people that the hoodlums would be apprehended.

•Nta

their reviews. We do not cherish harassing people; we do a lot of interaction.”

Nta said ICPC has concluded arrangements to review the Nigerian university system in collaboration with the National Universities’ Commission (NUC).

‘Don’t drag Lam Adesina’s name into petty politics’

P

OLITICIANS have been warned against dragging the name of the late leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State, the late Chief Lam Adesina, into petty politics.

The late politician’s son, Dapo, who is also the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, spoke with reporters yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital.

He was reacting to the advertorial in a national newspaper by a group, the Reformation Group, which claimed that the late Adesina “sent it a letter from the dead”.

The commissioner said the letter must have been written

Lawyer solicits support for APC

A

CTIVIST lawyer Morakinyo Ogele has urged Nigerians to support the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) in its quest to rescue the country from the “bad leadership” of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said since the inception of the PDP-led Federal Government, the masses have not enjoyed the dividends of democracy.

Ogele said poverty, insecurity and corruption have become daily features of the society, adding that the PDP has destroyed all sectors of the economy.

He said the nation’s democracy was under siege, adding that some governors form criminal alliances with other political office holders to rig elections.

The lawyer said: “The outcome of the Nuhu Ribadu Panel has been thrown into the dustbin and, till date, the Presidency finds it difficult to release the panel’s findings.

“The leaders of APC should bear it in mind that they are embarking on a rescue mission and they must not fail. This is a call-up duty to the nation. The masses are ready to support this merger, so APC should make sacrifices.

“Corruption, which has been the culture of public office holders, should be rooted out. PDP must be flushed out, so that Nigeria can move forward.”

•The late Adesina

by an aggrieved ACN member because a dead person could not have written it.

A

He assured members that the crisis rocking the party would soon be resolved, adding that decisions reached at the last reconciliatory meeting of stakeholders would be implemented by the governor.

Describing his father as “an easy going person, a progressive to the core and man of peace”, Dapo said the former governor believed and pursued the ideals of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

He said: “I want to believe the publication emanated from aggrieved members of our great party or from those who believe they can use that to strike at us. I be-

lieve that as a progressive family, we are going to resolve our problems.

“The family of the late Adesina does not want to be involved in petty politics. My father was never involved in violence or crisis when he was alive.

“He always told us we must settle our differences immediately they arise and never fan the embers of discord. To allow my father rest in peace, we must never allow disunity among our party members.”

The commissioner hailed Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s efforts to develop the state.

Ondo college rewards students

200-LEVEL history student at the Adeyemi College of Education in Ondo State, Miss Ajaraatu Mercy Saliu, yesterday emerged the best in an Oratory Skills Competition, winning an HP laptop from the management.

She contested with four students and won with 66 points.

The first runner-up, Morakinyo Oluwatosin Israel, got a mini-laptop and the second runner-up, Ibironke Oluwaseun Olaniyi, a digital camera.

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

All the contestants received N10,000 each from the Provost of the College, Prof. Idowu Adeyemi.

Adeyemi said the rewards would encourage other students to be serious with their studies.

He said: “The management is ready to support programmes like this to help students become good public orators. In those days, students from non-English depart-

ments spoke English fluently and confidently and wrote essays without grammatical errors, but now, only few students can write without errors.

“We are worried by complaints about the way students speak English. Some graduating students failed their interviews because they could not express themselves. This college encourages a national debate with other colleges to fight these issues.”

Chairman of the Oratory Skills Competition Committee Mr. C.O. Adebiyi said the primary function of the college was to produce educated teachers.

Ondo oil communities seek direct access to derivation fund PUBLIC NOTICE From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

T

HE Ondo State chapter of Oil and Gas Producing Communities of Nigeria (OGPCN) yesterday urged the Federal Government to pay the monthly 13 per cent oil derivation fund directly to it, rather than into the account of the state government.

It accused the agency set up by the state government to manage the funds of mismanagement.

In a statement by its Chairman, Chief Adewale Omojuwa and Secretary Dr. Soji Omowole after its general meeting, OGPCN urged the Federal Government to follow the provisions of the 1999 Constitution to the letter.

According to it, the 1999 Constitution, which established the fund stated that the money should be set aside for oilproducing communities, “unlike what has become the practice with the money being channelled through state intervention agencies”.

The statement reads: “We have resolved that the 13 per cent Derivation Fund, as established under Section 162 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, should be released to oil and gas-producing communities.

“We also urged the President, the National Assembly and the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission to effect the constitution by ensuring direct remittance of the fund to oil and gas-producing communities.”

It urged the National Assembly to speedily pass the Petroleum Industry Bill, saying it would correct many anomalies in the petroleum economy.

The group assured the authorities that it would manage the fund creditably.

OKORORIE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss. Maryann Ogechi Okororie, now wish to be known as Mrs. Maryann Ogechi Igwe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note

PUBLIC NOTICE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Fatuyi Yewande Ayodeji now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Aire Yewande Ayodeji. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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Training for OYES cadets From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

T

HE training programme for the second batch of the Osun State Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) has begun.

About 18,000 cadets are participating in the training, which is holding at the Fun Field Park and Events Centre in Osogbo, the state capital.

The training for physical instructors, support trainers and OYES mentors began on Tuesday.

The Project Administrator for the Institute for Development and Democratic Studies (IDDS), the outfit supervising the training, Mr. Olawale Salami, said the registration of the cadets would be done in designated centres across the 30 local governments in the state.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

58

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

Semiat, five, loses kidney battle

O

•Parents return N10m raised for the treatment

T

HREE years after she was diagnosed with a chronic kidney disease, five-year-old Semiat Eto-Oluwa Amisu, has lost the battle for life. She died at the Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Osun State, on January 29, about four weeks after her admission on January 1.

She had a bilateral Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and needed N10 million for kidney transplant.

Her parents, Dr. Kehinde Amisu, a Senior Lecturer at Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo and Mrs. O. H. Amisu, who works at Isolo General Hospital, said the girl underwent surgery and a few rounds of dialysis before she died.

The parents had made frantic efforts to give her a new lease of life. They said Semiat was in high spirits before her death.

Semiat died after the needed fund had been raised and arrangements concluded for her trip to India for the corrective surgery. On January 8, The Nation on its health page sought financial assistance for her. The Champion also did a similar thing in its January 5-6 edition.

A savings account number 0228592473 was opened for her at Wema Bank, LASU branch for the purpose.

‘The parents had made frantic efforts to give her a new lease of life. They said Semiat was in high spirits before her death.

Semiat died when the needed fund had been raised and arrangements concluded for her trip to India for the corrective surgery’

By Segun Balogun

The parents said Semiat's account had been credited with N10, 180, 000 within the short period of the publications. They expressed gratitude to the donors.

Semiat's death reportedly baffled

Man charged with stealing PHCN metre

A

43-YEAR-OLD man, Theo Ifeka, has been charged before a Yaba Magistrates' Court in Lagos with allegedly stealing Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) metre worth N18,000.

He was arraigned on a two-count charge of impersonation and stealing before Magistrate P.A. Ojo. Ifeka, a resident of 10, Oyebo Street, Iwaya, Yaba, Lagos Mainland, was said to have committed the offence on January 28, at 3pm, on 28 Shobande Street, Akoka, Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Felix Ifijen told the court that the PHCN metre marked 77/S25/113173 belonged to Mr Kola Bello.

He said: "The defendant presenting himself as a PHCN official had gone on a routine inspection of metres in

By Precious Igbonwelundu

the area. Ifeka presented a forged identity card, indicating that he was a staff of PHCN and was at the complainant's house on routine inspection. ``He then told the complainant that the metre had been tampered with and needed to be taken to PHCN office. The defendant removed the metre and absconded with it. The matter was reported to the Police and they tracked the defendant tracked down in the course of investigation."

Ifijen said the offence contravened Sections 279 and 378 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

The defendant, pleaded not guilty and was granted N250, 000 bail with two "responsible sureties" in the like sum each. Magistrate Ojo adjourned the case till March 14, for trial

•Semiat her doctors because she was responding to dialysis and other palliative treatments in preparation for renal transplant.

She has since been buried according to Islamic rites.

The family said the donations had

•Dr Amisu been refunded, less the N400, 000 withdrawn from the account to pay Semiat's bills before her death. Amisu said N9, 400, 000 was refunded to ASUU-LASU and some others.

The parents expressed gratitude to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), LASU branch) for donating a N8 million. Other donors include the Faculty of Science, LASU, N669,500; LASU Muslim Community, N100, 000; LASU MBA, N368, 500; Atanda, N100, 000; Semiat Zakariah, N100, 000; Toyibat Mosque, N16, 000; and Account Staff, Isolo General Hospital, N100,000. The parents also acknowledged donations from some close friends and relations, including Dr. Debola Yusuff.

Four students arraigned for alleged laptop theft

F

OUR students of the Federal College of Education, Yaba, Lagos, were yesterday arraigned before a Yaba Magistrate Court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing a laptop and a blackberry phone valued at N85, 000.

Olutobi Adejoba, 18, Raseed Quadri, 24, Olajide Iwagun, 20 and Idris Azeez, 18, are facing charges of conspiracy and stealing before Magistrate Adekorede Ajibade.

Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Felix Ifijen told the court that the defendants stole from their colleague, Taiwo Idowu.

He said: "The defendants committed the offence on

By Precious Igbonwelundu

February 6, within the premises of Federal College of Education, Plot 13, Akoka Road, Yaba. ``The four defendants had kept a tab on the complainant for a while, and conspired among themselves to steal from him.

They stole his IBT Thinkpad computer and his blackberry phone, all valued N85,000."

The offence was said to have contravened Sections 409, 285, 326 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos.

Ajibade granted the defendants N50,000 bail with one surety each in the like sum.

She adjourned the case till February 28.

N November 2, 2010, Alhaji Saliu Alabi Omoniyi had the rare luck of seeing his defrauder walk into his trap. He was happy that he would soon have his life back.

Reason: The fraudster promised to return his money.

However, his joy was short-lived as some police officers introduced a twist that cut short his expectation. Today, two years after his ordeal, he is still waiting for justice.

The suspected fraudster, Princewill Arinze, specialised in defrauding Bureau de Change operators, posing as a Senator. Omoniyi fell prey to Arinze on April 20, 2010 at his Marina, Lagos office.

"Some fuel station attendants beside my office came to me that someone needed my services and that he wouldn't alight from his car because he is a senator," Omoniyi told The Nation.

"I went to him and he said he needed $40,000 and £5,000. As we agreed; I went to satisfy his request while he went to get the naira equivalent at a nearby bank. When I came back, he said the bank did not have enough money and asked that I follow him to the bank's headquarters," he added.

Omoniyi entered the Toyota Sienna car with the 'Senator' and his supposed orderly, a Mobile Police officer. He knew he was in trouble when the 'Senator' gave him a "deafening slap" and the MOPOL hit him with his gun butt. They collected all he had on him $40,000, £5,000, and N348,860.

"They drove to school where a police van crossed our car and forced us to park. I was happy. I thought the officers saw them beating me and came to my rescue," he said.

He was wrong. The 'Senator' alighted and entered the police van. Two officers, one in mufti and the other in uniform, entered the Sienna car, sandwiching Omoniyi and another round of beating started as they drove off in a convoy.

After a while, the 'senator' alighted from the police van and entered another vehicle, a Mercedes Benz Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV). Omoniyi's captors drove him to Osborne Road, Ikoyi, where they collected his two mobile phones, a gold wristwatch and

Ojora denies demolition

T

HE Ojora of Ijora, Lagos, Oba Abdulfatai Oyeyinka Aremu Aromire, has denied media reports that he ordered the demolition of a building on Alhaja Adebowale Street, in Orile-Iganmu area of Lagos, belonging to Chief Fasasi Olorunlogbon.

Oba Ojora, in a statement stated that all claims contained in the reports "are wild lies without any basis of truth in them in any way material. Contrary to the allegations, there is no subsisting suit between me and Chief Olorunlogbon over any property in Iganmu or any other place."

He said even though Ojora family possesses court orders for demolition, he has refrained from pulling down any building.

Hotel crashes rate in Valentine promo

•Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce & Industry, Mrs. Olusola Oworu; Special Adviser Mr. Oluseye Oladejo; Project Engineer Ilori Abiodun and Perm Sec. Mr. Wale Raji, and other officials of the ministry during the commissioner’s recent visit to the Agro-Allied Industrial Park, Imota, Ikorodu.

•Ikuforiji

BEST Western The Island Hotel, Bar Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos, has announced plans to make today's Valentine celebration memorable.

The hotel has crashed its rates on food, beverages and accommodation to make them customer-friendly.

Its General Manager, Mr. Graham Barensche, said a dinner buffet for two persons would cost N6, 000, just as there will be 50% discount on rooms.

The promo, which is already generating appreciable interest among its clientele will run from today till February 17.

The hotel is a 96-luxury-room and suites facility overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, and offering breath-taking beach views that make it a perfect place for the season.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

59

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

N7.6m fraud victim takes case to IGP

•Police IG Mohammed Abubakar

By Segun Balogun

a stamp used to authenticate dollars.

He was given N700 and forced off the moving car.

"By then, I looked like a mad man," he said. He reported the matter at Zone 2 Police Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos but every lead they followed led to nowhere. "Life became difficult because I actually borrowed most of the money from colleagues," he said.

But on November 1, he was "relaxing" close to the office of an operator, who was Arinze's next target. "I recognised him immediately I saw him, but I didn't shout because I feared he might have a gun on him.

After he left, I went to meet the operator who told me Arinze was a Senator and wanted to buy dollars worth N23 million. I quickly told him my story and we set a trap for him," he said.

"Arinze was caught the next day and taken to Zone 2. He confessed that he robbed me and right there, he wrote two cheques in my name, one for N3

•Falana million and another for N4.62 million. At that point, the officer, who was in mufti, asked me to leave the room but I was eavesdropping. He asked for N2m to spoil the case. They refused to release the cheques to me till today," Omoniyi said.

The matter was transferred from Zone 2 to the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) and from there to Force Headquarters, Abuja.

"When I went to Abuja, I saw about 17 others who said Arinze also robbed them. When he was paraded before us, he denied defrauding others but he again confessed that he robbed me. Still, they refused to give me the cheques," he said.

Omoniyi came back to Lagos and sought legal intervention from Olabode Abikoye, who petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), in a letter dated February 25, 2011, to transfer Arinze's case back to Lagos, where the offence was committed.

ordering of property

By Eric Ikhilae

He argued that the alleged property or piece of land in question belonged to Ogunyaya Family of Aloko Compound, Orile-Iganmu, which, according to documentary evidence, has been assigned to Mr. Ganiyu Agbo-Ola since April 30, 2006 with necessary legal documentation of the transaction as indicated on a Deed of Assignment.

"I do have any contest over the Alhaja Adebowale Street, OrileIganmu property with him or any group or individual. Therefore, I could not have sponsored a demolition where I do not have any interest or proterty; whether in contest or not," Oba Ojora said.

"It is, therefore, surprising that anyone would associate me with a

Greg F. Esele, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, who was the principal staff officer III to the IGP, wrote to Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command on March 11, 2011. The letter, with the reference number CB:7000/ IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL. 15/44 directed Lagos Police Commissioner to "treat" the matter.

On that same day the IGP's letter was written, Arinze was flown to Lagos and quickly arraigned before Magistrate O.I Oguntade of Igbosere Magistrate's Court on a nine-count charge by Ubanwa Kennez, an Assistant Superintendent of Police based in Abuja.

"We could only watch the proceedings. We could not join ourselves in the matter," said Mr. Abikoye.

Arinze was granted bail at the second hearing on March 25. At the third hearing on May 11, 2011, Kennez told the court he could not be coming from Abuja to appear in the matter. He said he had been advised to "transfer the file to D.P.P Lagos for legal advice" and presented a letter dated April 5, 2011 addressed to DPP Lagos from Commissioner of Police, Legal Department, Abuja.

At the fourth hearing on July 12, 2011, Arinze, his lawyer and prosecutor were absent and the proceeding ended in another impasse.

"We have done what we knew we could. We checked the DPP's office but there was no such letter from Abuja asking for legal advice.

Now the matter could not proceed," Abikoye said

Tee-Y Mix lifts the physically challenged PASSIONATE about empowering people to experience beauty through music, award winning producer, TeeY Mix this Valentine season is poised to bring hope to the special children in the society through his foundation SOUND HEART. To achieve his dream, he has chosen to support the Pacelli School for the blind in Lagos; young children who are physically challenged and giving them a life time tool as well as the opportunity to be useful to themselves and the society.

Since last year, he has been funding a music training programme at the Pacelli School. The training also include learning how to play guitar.

This February, marking the celebration of love, Tee-Y Mix will be hosting these talented children at his Multi Million Naira studio in Lagos

• to spend time with them, sing and have fun. They will also be producing their school anthem on the same day.

Pupil, others held for cultism A 16-YEAR-OLD Junior Secondary School Three (JSS3) pupil was yesterday paraded by the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Effurun, Warri, Delta State, for alleged involvement in cultism.

The suspect and three others were arrested in Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state, while fighting members of a rival cult group, according to JTF. JTF sources said the gang had been on its "wanted list" for cannibalism, alleging that the members recently roasted and ate the body parts of a victim who was hacked to death.

The pupil, who denied involvment in cannibalism, however, confessed to our reporter that he is a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

He said: "I am an Eiye member, we were arrested when we clash with some Bagga (Red Beret) members in a revenge mission.

"They had earlier scattered my mother's house and I had to mobilise my members to attack them".

From Shola O'Neil, Warri

The suspect told our reporter that he joined the confraternity at 11 when he was a primary four pupil of Agbarho Model Primary School, adding that he was “blended” in the bush by the cult leaders who asked him to drink a concoction.

"They (cult leaders) told me during the initiation that I would be popular and would have a lot of fans and that if anything happens to me, if anybody dares me, they would 'get my back'," he added.

He said he had taken part in the attacks on rivals, stressing that they were “balmed”(fortified) with charms that rendered them invincible during attacks.

Speaking with our reporter after the parade, Commander, 3 Battalion of the Nigerian Army and Head of the Warri Sector of JTF, Lt. Colonel I. Otu, regretted that the suspect and others were youth who should be building a future for themselves.

Students laud Fashola over seminar

T

HE students of Government Technical College, Agidingbi, Lagos have commended Governor Fashola for revamping technical education in the state, which they described as confidence inspiring.

The students spoke to The Nation after a seminar on business ownership registration organised for them by the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) on Monday.

The guest lecturer, Mrs. Tosan Mabuyaku, an official of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), introduced the students to the principles of business ownership, and urged them begin living their passion immediately.

"Start building your talent. Do not

By Segun Balogun

have that defeatist attitude that what you have in your hand is small," she said, adding that technical education students actually have an advantage over their secondary education counterparts.

She said the society have looked down on technical education because the students have not been putting their advantage to work. She therefore advised the students to begin the process of registering a business entity, which will increase their capacity for productivity.

"Some of you use phones that are more expensive than the amount you need to register a company. So, if you are really serious, you can register a

company and start a business immediately. Start in your community and before you know it, you will be known if you are good at what you do and you have good character," she said.

After the seminar, Jubril opeyemi, a student, said, "Before now, I do not know anything about it but now I can even teach people how to go about it.

Now, I have the desire to register a business even before I graduate."

Another student, Godswill Nwafor said he was "thinking of going into business after university education but I am not even waiting again. I have learnt that I can start right away."

The students thanked Governor Fashola for the opportunities being created for them, which are not even available for secondary school students.

•Ojora demolition that I do not know anything about. So, for the purpose of emphasis, I did not authorise the demolition of any property belonging to Chief Olorunlogbon."

Dele Giwa's mum for burial

•The late Mrs Giwa PLANS are afoot for the burial of Mrs. Elekiya Ayisat Giwa, mother of slain former Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch Magazine, the late Dele Giwa, at her

Ugbekpe Ekperri, Etsakor home, Auchi in Edo State.

The funeral rites start today with a Christian Wake at Dele Giwa's compound in the town, the family has announced.

Lying-in-state holds tomorrow at the same venue by 7am. The funeral service follows immediately at the Church of God Mission, UgbekpeEkperri at 8am.

Guests will be entertained at Abbebe Primary School, Ugbekpe-Ekperri, after the interment.

The woman, aged 87, is survived

by Tunde Giwa; Abiodun Giwa; Awawu Omomole; Fatimat Musa and Ronke Aboaba and many grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

•LASTVEB's Director of Technical and Vocational Services, Laolu Oguntuyi, presenting Companies Regulations 2012 to College's principal Belindah Odeh. Middle: Guest lecturer Mabuyaku.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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NEWS Senate tackles Presidency over pension chief Maina Continued from page 8

to the two chairmen on every occasion and said any time they called Maina, he must be put on camera, that it must be public, that this Senate is not a place where people will be asking anybody for bribe.

“When I signed the warrant, Maina of course didn’t show up and then I called the Chairman of Police Affairs and said he should go and warn the Inspector General of Police that he would be on the firing line, if he does nothing about Maina.

“I think then, they declared Maina wanted, but even after declaring him wanted, Maina was still talking.

“Yes, he was still talking and said he was in his house and I called the IGP this time around and said Maina said he is in his house and he narrated what happened.

“He said he sent his men from the Force CID to go to his house and that when they got to his house, Maina went out through the back door and that they had lay a siege to Maina’s house.

“The reason why I am narrating this story is that there

is a lot of characters in this country who, like somebody said, are just pathological liars and they are professional blackmailers.

“So, having gone through all these procedures, I think what we have done is not wrong.

“The Senate has given him ample time. Maina is just an individual who, perhaps, says much more than he can manage.

“And he has crucified himself. That is the bottom-line of this.

“The Executive has to choose between Maina and the Senate. That is the bottom line. If they choose to go along with Maina, fine! We will react accordingly. And to extend a hand of friendship is the correct thing for us to do because we must work together. There is no running away from that one. It is a test case. If Maina remains, then the Senate would react appropriately.

“And I don’t think we are short of ideas nor are we short of what we want to do. We know the step to take. We can’t enumerate the sins of Maina. They are just too

many. And like Professor Adeyeye said, when God decided to give people good manners, Maina decided to be absent. There is no phrase that anybody has used on Maina here today that is not correct.

“Finally, let me emphasise, no body in this country is bigger than our democracy. Not one person in this country is bigger than our democracy.

And I have been extremely patient with Maina. Very patient, very understanding, so that when we react, Nigerians will appreciate the step that is taken. So I don’t think that what you have done is out of place. We gave him enough time. He has crucified himself.

He is wanted by the Police.

Now, whether the police is serious in looking for Maina or not is the next step we are going to take. Because Maina cannot be briefing press somewhere and police is saying they cannot find him. Let me assure you that the Senate has the teeth to bite and it will bite when it is time to bite. There is no doubt about that.”

Ndoma-Egba, in his lead debate recalled that on November 2, 2011, the Senate mandated its Committee on

Establishment and Public Service and States and Local Governments to carry a comprehensive investigation into the management and administration of pension funds and payment of pensioners.

He noted that the mandate was pursuant to Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution.

He recalled that at Senate sitting June 21, last year, it considered the report of the joint committees and also approved the recommendations therein.

Ndoma-Egba said after several sittings of the joint committees without Maina, despite proper invitation, the joint committee was constrained to request that the Senate President invoke the powers of the Senate to compel Maina‘s attendance at the public investigative hearing of the Senate Joint Committee.

Ndoma-Egba noted that he is concerned that the Inspector General of the Police has refused to honour and execute the warrant to compel Maina‘s attendance as issued by the hand of the senate president.

16 states get new police commissioners Continued from page 8

postings be rampant in states that have been labelled as not aligned to the President’s yetto-be-announced second term ambition?

“As we are speaking now, some police commissioners have been moved.”

The target states are many Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) states. They include those being run by the opposition parties. Among them are Delta, Cross River, Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Kano, Jigawa and Kwara.

“These, I believe, are not normal movements. What is at play is politics and the aim is quite simple. The Presidency is trying to soften the ground in case of any eventual security challenges prior to and during the election in 2015.”

Other senior police officers were also redeployed to the various commands and formations. They include James Caulcrick who has been moved to Police Detective College in Enugu; Steven Audu moves to the Adminis-

trative ‘F’ Department at the Force Headquarters.

Wilfred Obute is the new Commandant, Police College, Kaduna. Felix Uyanna is Commandant, Police College, Oji. A. J. Abakasanga is in charge of Police information technology/Administration.

Ambrose Aisabor has been moved to Adminstration’A’ Department at the Force Headquarters. Chinweke Asadu is now in charge of the Police Legal Department.

Adebayo Ajileye is Commissioner of Police in charge of the Airport. Adams Audu now heads the Command Technical Unit. John Opadokun is the new helmsman at the Police Mobile Force.

Sherifat Dusu Olajoku is in charge of Port Authority. Salihu Garba becomes Commissioner of Police (Provost).

Others and their postings are: Mohammed Gana (SARS); Benjamin Onwuka (PSC, Jos); Markus Danladi (Admin ‘E’ Dept. Force Headquarters); Ahmed Ibrahim (Training, Force Headquarters); and Isaac Eke (Admin. ‘B’ Department, Force Headquarters.

Merger: ANPP governors, others move to stop ex-Borno Governor Sheriff Continued from page 8

governors, ex-governors, senators, and members of the House of Representatives and Houses of Assembly from the party.

“We have uncovered their plan; we will not allow it to succeed. No one can break ANPP.” It was learnt that to demonstrate their commitment, some of the ANPP governors attended Tuesday session of the All Progressives Congress(APC) with vital stakeholders like National Assembly members, to be part of the session.

The source added: “At the

appropriate time, the governors will come out openly on their position.”

Another source said: “They are wooing Sheriff with a bait to grant him reprieve on the ongoing investigation of his activities by security agencies on the emergence of Boko Haram crisis while in office.

“You can now see how desperate those in the ruling party have become. The security agencies quizzed Sheriff but till today, Nigerians have not been told their findings.

“What they have offered him is a reprieve from investigation if he can destabilize ANPP because they are des-

perate to win the Northeast.

“Nigerians should watch this development because it is certainly irritating and insulting to play politics with the security challenges in the Northeast.

“Instead of Sheriff factionalising ANPP, we will rather strengthen the party and later the APC to effect a change in 2015.”

The Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) yesterday joined the APC. DPP National Chairman Major General Bashir Magashi told reporters after the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja that

DPP had resolved to join the merger.

Magashi said the merger had become imperative adding that: “Before now we have been talking and by the grace of God this merger will succeed and we will dismantle a government that is not fair to the people of this country.”

The DPP NEC resolved: “In view of the current political development in the country, the NEC hereby resolves that the DPP should go into the merger. A committee be set up to talk with the other parties disposed to merger with a view to negotiating for the best interest of DPP. The committee is to

report back within 21 days to the NEC through the national chairman who shall thereupon summon a NEC meeting.”

At the NEC meeting were the DPP’s Board of Trustees (BOT) chairman, Gen. Jeremiah Useni, state chairmen and top members.

The merging parties are planning to hold national conventions to approve the formation of the APC, Publicity Secretary Lai Mohammed has said.

He described the extra-ordinary conventions as a critical element of the merger. Following the resolution of the parties at the conventions, which must be witnessed by Independent Na-

tional Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, the party chairmen will consequently notify the electoral agency that they have merged into APC, Mohammed said.

The letters conveying the decision to merge must also be signed by the party chairmen, secretaries and treasurers. The ACN chieftain said within 30 days, INEC must respond to the collective request for merger in either a positive or negative way. If no response is forth-coming, he said, the merger instantly takes effect at the expiration of the 30 days.

From that time, the participating parties will cease to exist.

Your Sexual Health & You: Novelty Tips, Questions & Answers

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ello everybody. Valentine’s Day! Here is a recap of our new novelties and tips for lovers who want to make this a day to remember. After the exchange of gifts and perhaps a date at the restaurant, what happens tonight can make or break Valentine. We all have high expectations from our partners this Valentine and to live up to those expectations when night time comes around, here are a few ideas and tips.

First you need to set the mood. Soft jazzy music does that easily. The Journeys Sexploration CD for Lovers is perfect.

Soft lighting is also important. If you cannot dim the lights in your room, light a candle instead. The Burning Desire Pheromone Candle is ideal. The pheromone scent is an aphrodisiac that makes men and women want to be intimate. Appearance is also important. For men, we recommend the Grip & Rip Thong and for women, there is the Pinstripe Lacy Halter Camisole night dress, the Sweet after Thought White Diamond Night Dress and many others.

If you are nervous about how to start, begin with a warm bath, after which you offer your lover a massage. Massages are intimate and involve the senses of touch, sight, taste and smell. Use the Making Love Massage Oil. It smells nice, tastes great and runs smoothly on the skin. Once the massage is on-going, you can easily transit to kissing and oral intercourse in the blink of an eye. If you are a man giving oral pleasure to a woman you don’t know very well, use a Dental Dam as a protective barrier. But if your lover is your wife or long term girlfriend, you can go direct with an edible gel or whipped cream. The Oral Sensations Strawberry Gel is great for this. You can also use restraints such as Furry Hand Cuffs to heighten the pleasure. We have them in white, pink, lavender and black.

To have her angled properly, you can use the Inflatable Position Chair. It is amazing and made strictly for sex.

Spend 10 to 15 minutes on oral pleasuring. That way, if you screw up after wards by ejaculating within two

minutes, you will be forgiven. To make the intercourse even more powerful, add a vibrator to it and she will climax even before the penetrative begins. This makes you a winner already. The Buzzing Baby Rabbit and Ultra Smooth Vibrator are recommended. They are cheap and get the job done.

Now many men worry about things like premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction and penis sizes at times like Valentine. You need to fix these concerns early. To stop premature ejaculation, use the Nasstoys Super Penis Extender or Max Control Spray. These are new and will enable the user last long before ejaculation. The Nasstoys Super Penis Extender also makes the penis look two inches longer and most men like that. Men can also use the Liquid Sex Penis Plumper or the Remote Control Plunger Pump for penis enlargement. These are new and were flown in specially for Valentine.

And for weak erection or no erection at all, we saved the best for last. There is a new erection supplement for men called Xzen Platinum. It is the best. Xzen Platinum is so powerful that one capsule lasts for a week and that is not all.

Normally you have to buy separate products for penis enlargement, premature ejaculation and hard erections. Xzen Platinum supplement does everything. It enlarges the penis, gives hard erections, eliminates premature ejaculation and gives performance energy for days of multiple action. There is nothing like it in the market and it is available in limited supply for now.

That’s it for today. I hope your Valentine will be a success.

Men and women without Valentine dates can visit our dating site on www.zeevirtualmedia.com and register. It is never too late to begin new relationships. Adults in need of the treatments/novelties discussed here can reach us on 08191978308 or 08027901621 to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com. - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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FOREIGN NEWS Germany: Main challenger attacks Merkel's record as poll nears

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NGELA Merkel's main challenger in this year's German election attacked her record in a combative speech on Ash Wednesday, accusing the chancellor of stealing policy ideas and cynically profiting from reforms introduced by his Social Democrats (SPD).

Peer Steinbrueck, a former finance minister whose campaign to unseat the popular Merkel got off to a disastrous start last year, tried to reassure the SPD faithful about their prospects in the September vote, vowing to fight for victory and showing off the sardonic wit and feistiness for which he is known.

"The voters need to decide whether they want a politician whose edges have been filed back to nothing, or someone who isn't afraid to speak out for what they believe in," said Steinbrueck, mocking Merkel's cautious leadership style.

The one-hour speech was one of several being given across Bavaria on what is known in Germany as "Political Ash Wednesday", a long-standing tradition in which politicians spar with each other to mark the end of carnival season.

The verbal exchanges became a national phenomenon in the mid-1970s thanks to Franz-Josef Strauss, the bullish former leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), whose colorful attacks on the opposition were legendary.

"It's not true that I eat a Social Democrat for breakfast every day," the corpulent Strauss once barked. "I only eat what I like."

This year, the war of words was expected to be unusually scrappy. In addition to the federal election, voters in Bavaria will also go to the polls in September to pick a regional government.

The SPD is fighting an uphill battle. While Merkel is hugely popular thanks to her defense of German interests in the euro zone debt crisis, Steinbrueck's ratings have slid after a series of gaffes and outrage over his lucrative speaking engagements.

A Forsa poll for Stern magazine released on Wednesday showed support for Merkel's conservatives, which include her Christian Democrats (CDU) and the CSU, at a seven-year peak of 43 percent.

Steinbrueck's party stands at just 25 percent, only a couple points above their 2009 result, which was a post-war low.

Most analysts expect either a return of Merkel's center-right coalition with the liberal Free Democrats (FDP), or a Merkelled "grand coalition" of her conservatives and the SPD. Steinbrueck served under Merkel as finance minister in just such a right-left partnership between 2005 and 2009, but has vowed not to do so again.

"I'm not betting on a grand coalition, I'm betting on victory, not any other scenario," he said on Wednesday.

Steinbrueck, 66, said Merkel's successes in her first term, when Germany weathered the ravages of the global financial crisis, were largely down to the SPD. He claimed credit for a decision at the height of the crisis to guarantee German savings deposits and a cash-for-clunkers car scheme that shielded the country's automakers.

He also praised Gerhard Schroeder, Merkel's SPD predecessor, for introducing the "Agenda 2010" labor market reforms that many economists say are responsible for Germany's current economic strength.

The measures ended up dividing the center-left SPD, hitting Schroeder's popularity and helping Merkel to power.

Tsvangirai says Zimbabwe elections expected in July

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IMBABWE’S Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said on Wednesday he expected presidential and parliamentary elections in July after a nationwide vote on a new constitution next month.

Tsvangirai also said he did not fear a repeat of violence that overshadowed disputed polls in 2008 which led to a powersharing government between his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and rival President Robert Mugabe’s ZANUPF party.

When questioned about the date for the elections at a human rights forum to discuss the constitution approved by parliament last week, Tsvangirai said simply “July”.

ZANU-PF’s chief spokesman Rugare Gumbo said the timetable Tsvangirai outlined was in line with the framework Mugabe, the 88-year-old political veteran who has ruled the country since independence from Britain in 1980, was working around.

“That time frame is in tandem with what we as a party have been working with, but the confirmation and actual dates will be fixed by the president,” he told Reuters.

For months, the entrenched president has said he wants fresh polls by mid-year before the destitute southern African country hosts a global conference on tourism, which analysts say Harare wants to use to rebrand itself after years of isolation.

Before Tsvangirai’s comments at the human rights forum, Constitutional Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga told reporters the power-sharing government had set March 16 as the tentative date for the referendum on the constitution.

Finance Minister Tendai Biti, worried that there might not be enough money for the referendum and the elections, has approached donors for help.

By law, the next elections are due when the current presidential and parliamentary terms expire at the end of June although there has been speculation ZANU-PF and the MDC could extend it while working on more political reforms.

The last polls were marred by violence and allegations of vote-rigging, blamed mostly on Mugabe’s war veteran supporters and ZANU-PF youth brigades.

Tsvangirai, 60, dismissed fears the coming elections would see a repeat of the 2008 violence, saying a strict code of conduct and supervision by regional and international observers would help deliver a free vote.

“I am not budgeting for chaos. I am certainly bullish about the way things will go in the elections,” he said, adding that human rights watchdogs should not be overly worried over isolated incidents of intimidation and harassment.

•REPUBLIC OF KOREA, SEOUL : South Korean conservative activists burn an effigy of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un during PHOTO: AFP a rally denouncing North Korea’s nuclear test, in Seoul... yesterday

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French, Mali troops recover explosives in Gao

RENCH soldiers on Wednesday recovered an enormous stash of explosives that authorities believe radical Islamic fighters were using to make bombs for attacks on northern Mali’s largest city, the Associated Press has reported, quoting a Malian military spokesman.

Daouda Diarra said that the French military removed some 800 kilograms (1,700 pounds) of explosive materials from a house in Gao’s Chateau neighborhood. The explosives had been discovered several days earlier, and the team had returned to the site Wednesday, Diarra said.

French military officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

Radical Islamic fighters withdrew from Gao on Jan. 26 after imposing their harsh inter-

pretation of Shariah law in the most populous city in northern Mali for nearly 10 months.

Since their retreat, the Islamic extremists have launched two suicide bombings in the last week and invaded the city for a five-hour-long gun battle Sunday in the center of the city. Sunday’s brazen assault marked the first time the jihadists had penetrated the city of mud-walled buildings since they fled.

Last week soldiers combing abandoned jihadist hideouts also found a stash of NITRAM 5 explosives hidden inside rice bags that were left in a communal trash area. The explosives are manufactured for use in mining, but can cause considerable damage when used

as bombs.

Two suicide bombers have detonated their explosives in attacks on military checkpoints since Friday. Neither of the attacks killed other people, but the pattern of attempts has raised alarm that the jihadists could be preparing to stage more devastating assaults on civilian centers.

One of the suicide bombers had stayed in a Gao house where Islamic extremists lived when they controlled the city.

The guard there said it had been visited by the one-eyed Algerian terror leader Moktar Belmoktar, who was the architect of last month’s attack on a BP plant in Algeria in which at least 37 people were killed.

Soldiers from Niger and

Mali have been patrolling downtown Gao on foot in an effort to secure the city.

Mali was plunged into turmoil after a coup in March 2012 created a security vacuum that allowed secular rebel Tuaregs, who have long felt marginalized by Mali’s government, to take half the north as a new homeland. In the following months, the rebels were kicked out by the Islamists who imposed strict Shariah law in the north, including amputations for theft.

France launched a military operation Jan. 11 against the Islamic extremists after they started to move south into government-controlled areas and captured key towns.

Couple get two years for Darfur orphans’ hoax

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PARIS judge has given a two year prison sentence to the couple who ran an association called Arche de Zoé, for trying to smuggle African children into France, whom they claimed were Darfur orphans.

Eric Breteau and his girlfriend Emilie Lelouch were arrested when they turned up at the Paris court on Tuesday to hear the verdict. They had not attended the trial

which took place between 3 and 12 December.

The four other defendants were given six month and one year suspended sentences, and the association itself was fined 100,000 euros and dissolved.

The Arche de Zoé operation was intercepted on 25 October 2007, while members of the group were preparing to board a speciallychartered plane to France along with 103 children who were wearing false bandag-

es.

The couple said they wanted to save orphans from the deteriorating situation at the time in Darfur, but according to several humanitarian organisations, most of the children in question were from Chad, and had at least one living parent.

Breteau and Lelouch were said in court to have exploited families who took part in internet discussion forums on adoption.

When the couple met host

families, they explained that adoption would not be immediate, but the prosecution argued that they used language which suggested that it was a possibility in the long term.

The couple and four other volunteers had previously been sentenced in Chad to eight years forced labour for attempted abduction. That sentence was then commuted to a prison term in France, before Chadian president Idriss Deby pardoned them in March 2008.

Egypt floods Gaza tunnels to cut Palestinian lifeline

•Abbass

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GYPTIAN forces have flooded smuggling tunnels under the border with the Palestinian-ruled Gaza Strip in a campaign to shut them down, Egyptian and Palestinian officials said.

The network of tunnels is a vital lifeline for Gaza, bringing in an estimated 30 percent of all goods that reach the enclave and circumventing a blockade imposed by Israel for more than seven years.

Reuters reporters saw one tunnel being used to bring in cement and gravel suddenly fill with water on Sunday, sending workers rushing for safety. Locals said two other tunnels were likewise flooded, with Egyptians deliberately pumping in water.

“The Egyptians have opened the water to drown the tunnels,” said Abu Ghassan, who supervises the work of 30 men at one tunnel some 200 meters (yards) from the border fence.

An Egyptian security official in the Sinai told Reuters the campaign started five days ago.

“We are using water to close the tunnels by raising water from one of the wells,” he said, declining to be named.

Dozens of tunnels had been destroyed since last August

following the killing of 16 Egyptian soldiers in a militant attack near the Gaza fence.

Cairo said some of the gunmen had crossed into Egypt via the tunnels - a charge denied

by Palestinians - and ordered an immediate crackdown.

The move surprised and angered Gaza’s rulers, the Islamist group Hamas, which had hoped for much better ties with Cairo following the election last year of Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi, an Islamist who is ideologically close to Hamas.

A Hamas official confirmed Egypt was again targeting the tunnels. He gave no further details and declined to speculate on the timing of the move, which started while Palestinian faction leaders met in Cairo to try to overcome deep divi-

sions.

Hamas said on Monday the Egyptian-brokered talks, aimed at forging a unity government and healing the schism between politicians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, had gone badly but had not collapsed.

While Gaza’s rulers have been reluctant to criticize Mursi in public, ordinary Gazans are slightly more vocal.

“Egyptian measures against tunnels have worsened since the election of Mursi. Our Hamas brothers thought he would open up Gaza. I guess they were wrong,” said a tunnel owner, who identified himself only as Ayed, fearing reprisal.

“Perhaps 150 or 200 tunnels have been shut since the Sinai attack. This is the Mursi era,” he added.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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SPORT EXTRA

Adenuga fulfils promise to Eagles •Hands over N160m cheque to team I •Offers Keshi Range Rover, Camry, house

N fulfilment of his pledge to the Super Eagles in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Monday , Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr, (GCON), Chairman, Globacom Limited, on Tuesday night in Abuja presented a cheque of N160 million to the team for winning the 29th African Cup of Nations.

The event was held at the

Banquet Hall of Dr. Mike Adenuga's residence in Maitama, Abuja.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Adenuga said “we are indeed proud of the achievement of the Nigerian national team at

•Keshi

the African Cup of Nations. I congratulate the Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi, the rest of the coaching crew, the players, the Nigerian Football Federation and the Federal Government for this important victory which has rekindled hope among our people.”

The Globacom Chairman subsequently presented the cheque for N160 million, the equivalent of the sum of $1m he promised the team, to Eagles’ Captain, Joseph Yobo.

Dr. Adenuga also announced that a Range Rover SUV and a Toyota Camry car will be presented to the Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi in addition to paying for his official accommodation.

He commended Keshi for his commitment, adding that, “He has done the nation proud, that is why it is important to reward him.”

Responding to Dr. Adenuga’s gesture, Yobo said: “I want to thank you very much on behalf of the team.

You made a pledge to us just on Monday morning and here we are on Tuesday night for the redemption of the pledge.

We thank you for everything you have done for Nigerian football; we thank you for being the No 1 supporter of the Super Eagles. This financial support you have given to us will go a long way to motivate us.”

Speaking at the occasion,

Alhaji Aminu Maigari, President, Nigerian Football Federation, thanked Dr. Adenuga for the money and the cars.

He said: “On behalf of the Nigerian football family, I want to thank you most sincerely. This relationship between Globacom and Nigerian football will endure for a long time. You have been very supportive of Nigerian football over the years, sponsoring the league and the national teams.”

The elated Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, thanked Dr. Adenuga for his support for football across Africa, adding that Super Eagles have become Dr Adenuga ‘s children because of all the massive support he has given Nigerian football.

Keshi stated further: “When Abiola was alive, he was the one giving the national team massive support, Dr. Adenuga has stepped into that role and we will not disappoint him”.

Marketing Consultant to the NFF and Chairman of Pamodzi, Mike Itemuagbor, thanked the Globacom Chairman for consistently supporting Nigerian football for the past 10 years. He said that Globacom had within the period spent over N9 billion in cash and kind to support the development of Nigerian football.

Chelsea arrive Prague without Mikel, Moses

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HELSEA FC will be without Nigerian duo John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses when they take on Sparta Prague tonight as

both players did not travel with the team.The Blues arrived in the Czech Republic ahead of tonight Europa League clash against Sparta Prague, and

Teammates slam Ambrose over CL loss

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ELTIC midfielder Kris Commons has pointed the finger at his colleague Efe Ambrose following Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League 3-0 defeat

by Juventus in the round of 16 first leg.

The Nigerian defender only arrived back in Glasgow on the morning of the match after the Africa Cup of Nations, but was included by Neil Lennon in Celtic's starting line-up after insisting he felt fit to play.

Ambrose gifted Alessandro Matri an early goal, missed Celtic's best chance of the night when he sent a free header straight at Gianluigi Buffon from six yards, and then lost possession to allow Mirko Vucinic to claim a late third and virtually send Juventus into the Champions League quarterfinals.

•Ambrose

Lennon must be rueing his decision to pick Ambrose but Commons believes the player is responsible.

Commons said: -Look, the manager picked him. The manager pulled him to one side and asked him if he was feeling okay. He said he was feeling brilliant. If he wasn't feeling okay then he should have said so. If he felt good then he should have put in a better performance.

Victor Wanyama also missed a good headed chance while Commons had a series of efforts on goal as Celtic created a number of other half-chances, especially in the first half.

Commons said: -It was just very sloppy individual mistakes –something you'd probably get away with on a playground, not in the last 16 of the Champions League.

There are certain individuals who let the team down.

-Hopefully this is just a oneoff. The back four have made errors which have probably cost us the tie. But it's partly down to them why we're here in the first place. It's just a bitter one to swallow.

Commons also pointed the finger at the Spanish officials over their failure to punish some extra-tight marking as Juventus defended set-pieces.

The referee, Alberto Undiano Mallenco, twice took action, but only to hand out yellow cards to players from each side.

manager Rafael Benitez has a 19-man squad to select from.The club confirmed that the manager Rafael Benitez is shorn of the services of four players, with David Luiz and Demba Ba joining John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses on the unavailable list.Both Mikel and Moses are yet to return to the club having helped Nigeria to Africa Cup of Nations success last Sunday.

Luiz who returned to the side in Saturday's 4-1 win over Wigan Athletic having missed the previous three matches is serving a suspension after picking up three yellow cards.Demba Ba is cup-tied for the game having already represented former club Newcastle United earlier in the competition.Captain John Terry missed the Wigan game due to an inflammation of his knee however travelled with

the team.Benitez and a player will address the media later on Wednesday evening, before the players undergo a training session at the Generali Arena.

•Moses

SC Braga praises Echiejile

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ORTUGUESE club SC Braga has congratulated Elderson Echiejile for winning the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations trophy in South Africa with Nigeria's Super Eagles.

Nigeria defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 in the finals to clinch

•Echiejile

their third trophy in the competition’s history on Sunday 10 February.

Braga in a statement on the club’s official website sent out words of commendation to the left full back who is still in Nigeria in celebration of the AFCON victory.

“We wish to congratulate Elderson on his Africa Cup of Nations success with the Super Eagles of Nigeria in South Africa.

Echijile featured in all of the matches played by the Super Eagles in South Africa and was on the score sheet against Mali, in the semi-finals. He was however, feared injured and had to be substituted in the finals against Burkina Faso after a clash with Paul Koulibaly in the 67th minute

Madrid, Man United clash ends 1-1

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RISTIANO Ronaldo rescued Real Madrid with a brilliant header against former club Manchester United to salvage a 1-1 draw in Wednesday's heavyweight Champions

•Ronaldo

League last 16 first leg showdown at the Bernabeu.

Real gave the Premier League side a torrid time in the early stages but United took the lead against the run of play in the 20th minute when Danny Welbeck nodded past Diego Lopez from a Wayne Rooney corner.

Portuguese Ronaldo, who became the world's most expensive player when he left United for Real in 2009, levelled 10 minutes later when he rose to send an Angel Di Maria centre arrowing into the corner.

United goalkeeper David De Gea, who earlier tipped a Fabio Coentrao effort on to a post, superbly denied the same player on the hour before Robin Van Persie fluffed a shot when he had the goal at his mercy 18 minutes from time, allowing Xabi Alonso to clear off the line.

The result gives United a slight advantage for the return leg in Manchester on March 5.

(Additional reporting by Mark Elkington and Zoran Milosavljevic, writing by Iain Rogers, editing by Alison Wildey)

Airtel congratulates Eagles

L

E A D I N G telecommunications operator, Airtel Nigeria has congratulated Nigerians and the Super Eagles for winning this year’s edition of the African Cup of nations which ended last night in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Airtel described the Super Eagles victory asone of the greatest things to have happened to sports in Nigeria in the last two decades.

According Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, Airtel Nigeria’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, “the Super Eagles have confirmedthe well-known fact that with focus, dedication and leadership, Nigeria’s huge potentialswill sure arrest the attention of the world.

Ogunsanya described the victory as “extra-ordinarily sweet because the trophy was won by an indigenous coach who showed great confidence inlocal talent.

“At Airtel Nigeria, we are particularly delighted that

this victory is an emphatic endorsement of our two-year old decision to make a difference with our Airtel Rising Stars (ARS),an initiative which was set up to discover and nurture young local football talents from different parts of the country”, he said The Airtel CEO stated further that “we know that Nigerians love football. We know that when we support football, we are closer to realizing our wish of becoming the most loved brand in the daily lives of Nigerians. So, we rejoice with Nigerians and congratulate the players and the coaching crew for making Nigerians and Nigeria proud”.

“On our part, we are looking forward to the day some of the products of our Airtel Rising Stars will play in the national teams and win laurels for the country and even win honours in the international football leagues. So, we remain relentless in our commitment to making ARS bigger and better”, he concluded.

Imoke to open stadium in Nov

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HE Cross River State Government says the ultra-modern stadium being constructed in Ikom will be completed and commissioned in November.

Commissioner for Special Projects, Eng. Bassey Ika Oqua disclosed this to the National Good Governance Team led by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information, Mrs Kehinde Ajoni during a tour of projects in the state.

Oqua disclosed that the Ikom stadium and another being constructed in Ogoja are both valued at N2.2 billion.

The commissioner explained that the construction of the two stadia is aimed at enhancing the state’s comprehensive sports

development programme.

The six thousand capacity stadium in Ikom will have two tennis courts, two basket ball courts and an Olympic sized swimming pool.

According to him, the concept falls in line with the state’s “Catch Them Young” programme and is focused on schools and rural areas because the state does not poach athletes for sports competitions.

He further explained that though the construction of the stadium is handled by a Chinese company, there is local content in its technical team.

The stadia at Ikom and Ogoja, according to him, will serve the central and northern senatorial districts respectively.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

NATION SPORT

63

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE...ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE...ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE...

Pulis retains Coates’ backing S

TOKE chairman Peter Coates has made it crystal clear that manager Tony Pulis has the final say on transfers in and out of the club.

Coates has revealed that he never liked the £10million capture of striker Peter Crouch from Tottenham 18 months ago.

But he backed the judgement of Pulis - who has established the club in the Premier League - and will continue to do so.

The Stoke chairman told the Daily Mirror: “Really, I never liked that deal financially, but I did that to support the manager.

“I did question the deal financially because it was a lot of money.

“If you buy a player at the latter end of his career it’s clearly more difficult to get your money back.

“But no player will come into the club or go without Tony’s approval. That’s crystal clear and he may be one of the few managers in that position.”

A

Laudrup poised for contract talks

STON VILLA manager Paul Lambert hopes the current fortnight’s break from any action will clear up the recent illness and injury setbacks suffered by the midlands club.

Villa moved out of the bottom three of the Barclays Premier League via Sunday’s 2-1 home win over West Ham but do not play again until they visit Arsenal on February 23.

In-form winger Charles N’Zogbia suffered a knee injury against the Hammers while a sickness bug at the club deprived Villa of striker Gabriel Agbonlahor and midfielder Karim El Ahmadi.

“We have got this breather now after what has been a hectic period,” Lambert said.

“There have also been lads away with their various national teams. It will give them a break.

“It will also let people like Gabby and Charles recover from illness and injury.

“Charles has hurt his knee.

He has this fortnight’s break so hopefully he will be okay while Ron Vlaar also took a knock.

“There has also been a sickness bug at the club.

Ashley Westwood had it during last week and Gabby and Karim had it the night before the West Ham game and on the day of the match.

“It was a blow but hopefully everyone will be okay and fit for the Arsenal game.”

• Pulis

S

WANSEA manager Michael Laudrup will begin contract talks with the club’s board in the coming days, according to his agent.

Laudrup’s existing deal runs until the end of next season but Swans chairman Huw Jenkins confirmed last week he would like to extend the Dane’s deal by 12 months.

Laudrup is happy in south Wales but recently stated his focus is on the present rather than the future and is in no rush to negotiate new terms.

Nevertheless, Laudrup’s agent Bayram Tutumlu told Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet: “Yes, Swansea has a strong interest in extending Michael Laudrup’s contract.

“In the coming days, we will meet with Swansea and discuss the possibility of an extension.”

Laudrup is enjoying a good first season in charge of Swansea after replacing Brendan Rodgers in June.

The 48-year-old has led the Swans into the top half of the Barclays Premier League table and they are already just three points shy of the 40 widely regarded as the mark required to avoid relegation.

Laudrup has also guided Swansea to the Capital One Cup final at Wembley later this month, where they will face Bradford.

• Laudrup

Lambert welcomes Villa break Lambert praised the character shown by his players even when results have been going against them.

He said: “They have taken a lot of knocks and a lot of criticisms but we’ve never let their heads go down. That’s important.

“We’ve played well in some recent games, the first half at West Brom, the second half against Newcastle, and at Everton we were excellent.

“From mid-table to the bottom, there is little in it and another eight or nine teams are doing the same as what we are doing.”

• Charles N’Zogbia

Wenger: Varane is remarkable

V O’Neill wants Zambian defender

M

ARTIN O’NEILL is running the rule over highly-rated Zambian international centre-half Stoppila Sunzu.

The 23-year-old, who is determined to move to the Premier League this summer, is attracting the interest of Reading as well

as Arsenal, and he was at the Stadium of Light on Saturday to take in the Gunners’ visit to the North East.

The 6ft 3ins defender, who plays his club football for Congolese side TP Mazembe, was called up by his country last month for

the African Cup of Nations tournament in South Africa.

But he was allowed to leave from there to train with Reading with a view to a permanent move – Sunzu previously trained with the Berkshire club in 2007, but at the time was unable to secure a work permit.

Tevez compensation nears end

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EST HAM are set to complete their £18.1 million compensation repayments to Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair, with a final instalment due by July.

The deal was agreed after Tevez, at the time owned by a third-party and not fully by the Hammers, played a key role in keeping the east London side in the Premier League in 2007 and condemned the Blades to relegation as a consequence - but information in Sheffield United’s latest accounts has now confirmed that the agreement is nearing an end.

West Ham were fined £5 million by a Premier League inquiry for a rule breach regarding third-party ownership but no points deduction was made and crucially Tevez was not suspended from the club’s final fixtures. But Sheffield United pursued the case with

• Tevez

an independent tribunal which ruled that the Argentine striker had been ineligible to play.

Third-party ownership is prohibited in English football on the basis of it leading to conflicts of interest and UEFA now plans to introduce the ban Europe-wide, despite

opposition from clubs in Portugal and Italy.

UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino said: “We think this should be the case all over the world, certainly all over Europe. If FIFA will not do it, we will certainly do it as far as Europe is concerned.”

ARANE has featured prominently for Madrid in recent weeks and recently produced a Man-of-thematch performance against Barcelona in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final.

The 19-year-old’s performances have been rewarded with his first senior call-up for France.

Wenger was full of praise for the youngster, but also warned that he will have to cope with increased scrutiny now that he is under the spotlight.

“A quick word on my fellow Frenchman R a p h a e l Varane, the 19year-old Real M a d r i d defender who could face United, I’m happy for him because he’s carving out a role at one of the world’s best clubs, which is remarkable,” Wenger said.

“Yet at the same time, when you are in charge of a club like Arsenal, you have to wonder why this player is not playing for us. He was at Lens, and we might well have caught him there.

“It was a risk for Real Madrid to sign him at

his age, but when you have such a talent, you can overcome everything.

“He has benefited from suspension to Sergio Ramos and injury to Pepe, but nevertheless Mourinho has chosen him to step in.

“His next challenge is to manage the increased media exposure on him, especially now he is in the French national side.”

•Wenger

www.thenationonlineng.net

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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HE Federal Government has announced that it will celebrate the centenary of Nigeria’s ‘Amalgamation’ on January 1, 1914 by Lord Lugard, then the newly appointed and first British GovernorGeneral of colonial Nigeria. The elaborate celebrations which started a week ago with a glittering state banquet at Abuja are intended to last a whole year and will include, among other projects, the development of a brand ‘new city’ in Abuja. The National Assembly does not appear keen on supporting the projects proposed and is not keen on providing funds for the celebrations. There is also very little public enthusiasm about the entire programme. The celebrations will cost a lot of money and, to address public concern about the huge costs involved, running into billions of naira, the Federal Government has assured the nation that all the expenses involved in the celebrations will be borne by the private sector. But investments of this nature by the private sector do not come without a price in the form of huge contracts that are usually abandoned. Somehow, the private sector will find a way of recouping such a bad investment as the one being proposed.

Now, there is no doubt about the historic importance of the 1914 amalgamation in Nigeria’s history. It was the first time that the British colonial administration in Nigeria tried to bring the culturally diverse people of Nigeria together under one central colonial administration. Without the amalgamation Nigeria would not have developed or emerged as one country. Instead, we would now have two, or possibly three, different countries. But the manner in which these celebrations take place is equally important.

The question is why should we, as a nation be seen to be celebrating the 1914 so-called ‘amalgamation’ of Nigeria by the British colonial power? The Federal Government argues that Nigeria is not a historical accident and, having existed for nearly 100 years as a country, merits celebration. It is important that we get Nigeria’s colonial history right.

If we do, it will be obvious to us that we should not be celebrating such a dubious event in our colonial history, as the ‘amalgamation’ was the direct product of British imperialism in West Africa.

To suggest, or argue, as the federal authorities did, that Nigeria is not a historical accident, but a pre-ordained entity is a distortion of Nigeria’s history. Nothing can be further from the truth. This claim should not go unchallenged, or else we will be creating

TODAY IN THE NATION

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.8, NO.2,400

‘The pope’s action has shown that there is nothing to be ashamed about when we are indisposed, especially, if we occupy public positions’

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

DAPO FAFOWORA

FROM THE SUMMIT dapo.fafowora@thenationonlineng.net

Lord Lugard and the 1914 Amalgamation of Nigeria

•Map of Nigeria

a false and terrible legacy. Before British colonialism in Nigeria, several kingdoms such as the Oyo Empire, the Fulani Emirates, and the Benin Kingdom already existed in Nigeria, and might have evolved over time as nation states. It was British imperialism that eventually destroyed these empires. Before its independence from British colonial rule in 1960, Nigeria did not exist even as a distinct state, recognised by other foreign states. It was only recognised as a mere British colony, a British dependency that, for all practical purposes, did not have any state identity at all. It was simply part of British West Africa, the Southern part of which was for a while governed by British colonial representatives from the old Gold Coast. Its acquisition by Britain as a colonial territory

was actually accidental. It was the direct consequence of Anglo-French rivalry for trade and free markets in Africa.

Britain was not really looking at the time for new colonies, or territories in West Africa, but for trade and free markets. In 1861, the British acquired Lagos as a colony after gun boat diplomacy (state terrorism). But in 1865, the report of a parliamentary select committee of the British House of Commons had advised against any further acquisition of colonial territory in West Africa. The old Gold Coast (now Ghana) and Sierra Leone had already been acquired as British colonies. This report was accepted by the British government and dampened imperialist impulses for a while. But by 1885, the informal sway exercised by British merchants in the delta area, which led to Jaja of Opobo being exiled from the delta area by the British Consul, had been formalised at the 1885 Berlin Congress that simply divided Africa as spheres of influence of Britain, and the other European powers in Africa.

The Africans were neither present at the Berlin Congress nor even consulted about the manner their territories were divided among the European powers. It was a shameful episode in the history of human civilisation, of which even the European colonisers cannot really be proud. It was just as bad as its precursor, the slave trade.

Northern Nigeria was simply handed over as the Niger Coast Protectorate to the Royal Niger Company, a British chartered trading company operating in Nigeria, in much the same way as large parts of British India

HARDBALL

F

OUR days after he returned to Nigeria from a four-month vacation/medical trip, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has finally briefed newsmen on issues relating to the trip, the utterances and motives of his detractors, and matters relating to governance of the state during his absence. During the briefing, Chime came across as angry, cynical and misadvised. For someone who claimed having cancer and treating it made him a changed man, it was hard to see that change, at least that disciplined appreciation of life’s vanities that evokes soberness, satisfaction with life’s gentle mercies, and indifference to provocations. His words were copiously quoted by reporters, and those words unfortunately for him tell more stories than the governor dared hope.

It is of course a relief that Chime returned home in one piece. Though he may have his doubts, the truth is that most Nigerians, not excepting the good people of Enugu, actually wish him well, believing they stand to gain nothing from his incapacitation. But sceptical and abrasive as ever, the governor dwelled more on the provocations authored by his opponents than on the lessons he and his aides should learn from the controversies and misrepresentations surrounding his over four months trip to London to treat nose cancer. This column does not wish to worsen his pains, but it is unlikely Chime has learnt or will learn anything from the health controversy.

LAWAL OGIENAGBON

were handed over to the British East India Company. In 1885, the British had proclaimed a Southern Protectorate in Southern Nigeria after the conclusion of fraudulent and unequal treaties with the Obas there. In 1900, the two protectorates of Northern Nigeria and Southern Nigeria, as well as the colony of Lagos, were separate entities. As at that point, there were three separate British dependencies in the territory that was later named as Nigeria, by Flora Shaw, the wife of Lord Lugard, and colonial editor of the London Times, with extensive connections in Whitehall.

Sir Frederick (later Lord) Lugard was to play a key role in Nigeria’s subsequent colonial history. He had originally being brought to Northern Nigeria in 1895 from Uganda for military campaigns by George Goldie of the chartered Royal Niger Company and was the man who conquered Northern Nigeria militarily. Sokoto, the seat of the caliphate, was the last Northern territory conquered by the British in 1903.

His military campaign in Northern Nigeria included his famous march to Borgu and the race to Nikki which formed the basis of British claims to Northern Nigeria. It was as a result of his successful military campaign in the North that on January 1, 1900, he was appointed the first British High Commissioner for Northern Nigeria, after the administration of the area by the Royal Niger Company had been brought to an end and a British protectorate formally established there. This was some 15 years after a separate and distinct British protectorate had been established in Southern Nigeria.

Even then, Britain had no definite plans for the future of its new colony. There was no real debate in the British House of Commons about what to do with its new colony as there was no real enthusiasm among leading British politicians for acquiring new colonies. The emphasis in the British colonial office was on keeping to the barest minimum the cost of administering this vast territory. There was little long range planning in Britain for the future of its new colony. In the event, Nigeria was at first left and ruled in three distinct parts, later reduced to two units, Northern and Southern Nigeria, and in 1912 placed under Sir (later Lord) Lugard as its first British Governor General of colonial Nigeria.

•To be continued • For comments, send SMS to 08082036515

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Finally, Chime comes clean about his health By giving reporters a very lengthy explanation of his London health trip, almost a blow-by-blow account, he misses the point. What the public, or at least the Enugu electorate, desired was that while he was away, and as his vacation changed from purely one of leisure to that of medical attention, he should have carried along those who voted him into office. But here is his own explanation for not carrying anyone along: “I wrote a letter to the speaker in accordance with the constitution, informing him of my decision to proceed on leave and, of course, sought his co-operation to work very well with the deputy governor who will act as governor in my absence … I didn’t know it would be the business of people to know what my activities would be during my vacation. A lot of you here, I am sure, you all go on vacation, you don’t tell us what you do. So, if I decide to utilize the period of my vacation to take care of myself, I don’t see why it should concern anybody.

I don’t see why we should owe anybody any apology.”

It is unbelievable that an elected governor could argue it was not the business of anyone to know what he did with his vacation, especially when that vacation turned into a health scare. It is even more

incredulous that the governor compared his vacation as an elected official with the vacation of someone else not elected. Perhaps the governor is overrated after all. He should not only be able to tell the difference, if he really cared about his people, and if he was as altruistic as he seemed to feign, he should also have known they deserved more than an explanation and some humility from him.

But what is even more worrisome about the press conference is his dismissive characterisation of the Nigerian print media as proponents of charming falsehood. Hear him again: “Throughout the period of treatment I was an outpatient. All the publications about the governor being in one hospital or the other were all false. I was never admitted in any hospital; all my treatment I took as an outpatient … So, when I started reading in the papers how I died in India, to us, it was a source of entertainment. Anytime we felt like being entertained, we open the website and we will be reading and laughing.” So, here was a governor who rather than give information out, waited until his condition was misrepresented. And then to top what seemed to him morbid recreation, he and other unnamed officials saw the misrepresentations as entertainment. There must surely be a limit to coarseness; there

must be a limit to cynicism and macabre delight in falsehood, especially when a governor is dealing with the press of his own country.

Mr. Chime was kind enough to excuse his aides from the shoddy information management that undermined his peace. They didn’t know the truth because he didn’t tell them the whole story. And he didn’t come clean with them at the time because, to him, it was nobody’s business. Shock! Shock!

Shock! More astonishingly, when it came to question time, Chime was even more acerbic, more abusive, and was railing and denouncing. It made us ask whether the change he said was triggered by cancer treatment had made him less sanguine about life and more resentful of his polarised publics. If there was any misrepresentation of his condition, if anyone sought to misapply the constitution, if anyone told any lie against him, if anyone spread rumours about his health, the fault was entirely his.

This column wishes him permanent recovery and a cancer-free life. But the truth is that he has neither acted with the dispassion and maturity expected of a governor nor acquitted himself as one imbued with the kind of judgement we would be glad to offer an eye.

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