Sun News - September 4, 2012

N150

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2448

Ogoni deny secession ...As leaders pledge allegiance to Nigeria

Page 10

President Goodluck Jonathan with the President of Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, King Godwin Giniwa, during the meeting with Ogoni leaders in Abuja yesterday.

Photo: BAYO OBISESAN

DETERMINED TO DIE •Man beaten to pulp for attempting suicide on high tension wire, poisons self few hours later Pages 5 & 25

...Dangerous trend in ivory tower: Undergraduates now take their own lives

Hotelier docked for kidnapping Afeez (arrowed) on the high tension mast, before he was convinced to come down

Imo LG crisis: Court strikes out council chairmen’s suit

Pages 7

...2 bizmen abducted in Nnewi

Page 11

Page 11

Abia govt to demolish 1,800 houses in Aba

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2448

Abia govt to demolish 1,800 houses in Aba

Page 11

N150

R-L: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin and Vice President, Alhaji Adegboyega Tomori, during a courtesy call on the Governor to pledge support for the state new traffic law at Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday

DETERMINED TO DIE •Man beaten to pulp for attempting suicide on high tension wire, poisons self few hours later Pages 5 & 25

Ola Vincent, ex-CBN gov dies at 87

Page 53

Pastor jailed for stealing sheep

Page 6

...Dangerous trend in ivory tower: Undergraduates now take their own lives

•African Church, others mourn

Afeez (arrowed) on the high tension mast, before he was convinced to come down

Nigerian economy now 39th largest

Page 57

Vision 20/2020

N150

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2448

Pastor jailed for stealing sheep Page 5

Ola Vincent, ex-CBN gov, dies at 87 •African Church, others mourn

Page 53

DETERMINED TO DIE •Man beaten to pulp for attempting suicide on high tension wire, poisons self few hours later Pages 5 & 25

...Dangerous trend in ivory tower: Undergraduates now take their own lives Afeez (arrowed) on the high tension mast, before he was convinced to come down

Oyo: Auto crashes claim two cops, five others Page 12

...Director, 5 others perish in Nasarawa Page 6

Angry man divorces wife for delivering triplets

2

DAILY SUN

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

SUNG GIRL

Tuesday, September 4, 2012, DAILY SUN

3

Nigerian military, always combatready, says FG From JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, Abuja

T

he Federal Government yesterday assured that soldiers’ involvement in crime-fighting, including the Boko Haram insurgency, has not reduced the armed forces effectiveness in defending the country.

The Minister of State, Defence, Olusola Obada, who briefed President Goodluck Jonathan on the performance of her ministry on the 2012 budget implementation, told State House Correspondents that soldiers had been drafted in to assist the police in checking Boko Haram in the North East and some other crisis areas.

While responding to concerns raised about the high level of involvement of soldiers in handling the scourge of terrorism in the country, Obada said the military was ready to meet up with its primary responsibility. She noted that all arms of the military still had enough troops to be deployed in any emergency.

“The Nigerian Armed Forces, as you are aware, are taking part in some operations within the country. Fortunately for us in Nigeria, we do not have any threats from outside, we are at peace with all our neighbours. The problem we have is internal security and because of that, we have various joint task forces. They are to assist us in ensuring that illegal bunkering, oil theft and all kinds of illegalities and piracy are brought to the barest minimum. Those in the Niger Delta and also in the Gulf of Guinea.

Even in the Gulf of Guinea, apart from the oil theft in our exclusive economic zone, we have people, who invade this water for illegal fishing.”

She assured on the issue of Boko Haram that our military “is one of the best trained in the world, always combat-ready and I can assure you that we have the officers and men to address any external threats at any point in time.

Yes, we are ready at any point in time if anybody wants to provoke us. We must give kudos to our men in uniform in the •Obada armed forces of Nigeria for taking part in all these internal security arrangements because it got to a point that they just had to be brought in. You can imagine what would have happened if they had not been part of the arrangement for the internal security that we have. So, we must appreciate their efforts and contribution.”

On the level of budget 2012 performance, Obada said the ministry had received N12.5 billion of the N45 billion budgeted for capital projects, out of which 95 per cent had been fully utilised.

Obada said: “We then say that the percentage of funds utilised from the amount released was 95.4 per cent while the percentage f the funds released from the annual bubudgets 27.6 per cent.”

For 2013, she said the focus would be on completion of this year’s budget, while some new critical projects would be taken up, including jetties, which, she explained, were very imperative and necessary to have for our platform.

Other projects listed for 2013, according to her, include construction of garrison command accommodation for officers and men by the Defence Headquarters, provision of life support, ambulance boats, upgrade of aircraft, the Charley and the C130.

Also on the card are the establishment of a quick response force by the Air Force, construction of command headquarters and barracks’ accommodation for the new mobility command in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State by the Air Force, construction and furnishing of additional cadet hostel at the permanent site, Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna, amongst others.

Editor’s note S

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you consider yourself stunning enough to grace our Page 3?

If yes, sign our consent/release form, send your pix/bio-data to 2, Coscharis Street, Kirikiri Industrial Estate, Apapa, Lagos.

Name: Joy Peters

Phone: 08133566198

ir Canice Okorie, whose picture appears below, was wrongly referred to as Rev. Fr. Okorie in the story titled, “Resurrection of Jesus of Orlu,” which was published on Monday, September 3.

We sincerely apologise for the mix up. ...Also in our edition today, the caption on the top photograph on Page 35 should read Obi

4

DAILY SUN

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

DAILY SUN

5

L-R: General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God and Visitor, Redeemer’s University, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, his wife, Pastor Folu and Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, at the sod turning ceremony of the university’s permanent site in Ede, weekend

L-R: Govs. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State and Murtala Nyako, Adamawa, who visited the former in Gombe State, Monday.

Photo: NAN

Evangelist (Justice) Paul Adebayo Atilade (rtd), president, National Industrial Court, being presented with an award of excellence by the Gospel Baptist Conference of Nigeria, Men Missionary Union, at the 40th annual conference of the church held at Gospel City, Awe, Oyo State recently.

Executive Director, Orie Brume Foundation, Mrs. Iwalole Akin-Jimoh, flanked by Managing Director/CEO, Lafarge Cement WAPCO (Nig) Plc, Mr. Joe Hudson (right), and Corporate Affairs Manager, Mrs. Temitope Oguntokun during Mr. Hudson’s visit to the foundation in Lagos to read/interact with the students to mark the International Literacy Day, Monday.

Photo: MOSHOOD RAJI

COVER Pastor jailed 9 months for stealing sheep P

erhaps, it is the sign of the end time as fake ministers of God orIslamic clerics are now involved in crimes.

In fact, many a so-called pastor and fake Imams are presently involved in ritualism, robbery, sodomy and other despicable acts.

The latest development is the case of Pastor Oloruntoba Ibitoye, who yesterday bagged a nine-month jail for stealing a sheep valued at N3,000 in front of the owner’s residence at Amoyo area of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. He was charged before the Ilorin Magisterate’s Court.

According to the prosecution, the complainant, Mrs Florence Adebiyi, reported at the police station in Ganmo, near Ilorin, that the convict stole her sheep valued at N3,000 in front of her Amoyo residence.The prosecution said the sheep was recovered from Ibitoye by the police.He pleaded guilty to the offence and begged for leniency.Police prosecutor, Inspector Mojisola Olamokun, applied for summary trial which was granted by the court.The Magistrate, Mrs Mariam Qudus-Salahu, sentenced him to nine months imprisonment without an option of fine.

Recall that just last month, Daily Sun published series of reports of their exploits. A pastor, who allegedly led a four-man robbery gang, was arrested.

The suspect, Adedeji Ojo, who is in his early 30s, in his alleged confessional statement to the Oyo State police command, said: “I didn’t tell my wife that I am an armed robber. I lied to my wife that I wanted to go for night vigil. My wife always thought I was in the church at night”.

Also, a man who claimed to be a pastor and a prayer warrior, 34-year-old Tunde Adeyinka, was arrested by the state police command for allegedly leading an eight-man robbery gang that terrorised residents of Ogbomosho. He was nabbed a month after his wedding.

He was apprehended on June 29, 2012 during a robbery. The Area Commander, Pat Ezeani, told reporters that he had received several complaints on the suspect.

Adeyinka said: “I am an armed robber and have got involved in many robbery operations in Ogbomosho, Shagamu and Lagos. It was part of

•’He doesn’t deserve an option of fine’ the money I got from operations that I used to finance my wedding.

“I have my prayer office at Papa Ajao, Ogbomosho where I pray for people.”

Their so-called Islamic counterparts, Fatai Bamidele and Lateef Ahmed, have also been detained by the Special Anti-Fraud Unit (SFU), Lagos for allegedly swindling one Lawal of N30 million. Lawal said he fell for the N30 million scam because he trusted Bamidele, who he described as his mentor. Ahmed, however, disagreed, admitting that it was only N10 million he

collected from Lawal.

“It was only N10 million that you brought and I gave my colleague N2.5 million, and I used the rest to perform rituals for you.”

Narrating his ordeal, the victim alleged that he had known Bamidele for years as his mentor and Islamic cleric, who was praying for him and that because of the trust he had in him, he used to share his problems with him.

He said he was afraid when Alfa Bamidele phoned him, telling him he had a very terrible dream about his family.

“It was when I exhausted the sum of N30 million given to me by my elder brother and other customers who were buying fireworks from me that I regained my senses.”

Lawal said: “As a cleric that I used to respect, I asked him what his dream was, and he told me that if I did not perform some rituals, my family and I would soon die.”

Lawal said he inquired what the ritual would involve and Alfa Bamidele told him that he needed a ram and other materials, adding that “I eventually gave him N175,000 for the ritual.”

But Bamidele said that he needed to take him to another powerful Alfa in Ilorin, for more spiritual cleansing and powers.

He said since he believed Bamidele to be a true man of God, he did not hesitate to follow him to Ilorin where he introduced him to Alfa Ahmed.

According to Lawal, “when we got there, Bamidele brought out a portion of meat which he claimed was the heart of the ram he used in performing a sacrifice for him.

“The two Alfas commanded me to eat the meat before further spiritual cleansing could take place.

I ate the meat and that was my greatest undoing.

Immediately I ate the meat, I lost my senses and they started asking me to bring money for one ritual or the other.

“It was when I exhausted the sum of N30 million given to me by my elder brother and other customers who were buying fireworks from me that I regained my senses,” he lamented.

Determined to die

Man climbs high tension wire in suicide bid •Sympathisers beat him black and blue,kills self hours later

By CHRISTOPHER OJI

A

man who had a date with death finally got his wish last Sunday even after he was persuaded to come down from an electric pole the previous day.

The earlier incident occurred at Olaitan Street, off Masha, Surulere, Lagos. The man simply identified as Afeez, had earlier attempted to kill himself by climbing the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) high tension pole

on Saturday. Sympathisers and neighbours pleaded with him to have a rethink.

Afeez, who eventually came down from the high tension pole, got more than what he bargained for, as, those who were initially pleading with the man pounced on him and beat him black and blue while venting their anger for trying to kill himself. He allegedly told those reprimanding him that he made a mistake by listening to their plea, vowing that he must kill himself.

Some of his friends followed him home, still

pleading that he should tell them what was bothering him or who offended him but he kept mum.

On Sunday morning, some neighbours who expected to see him as he was always the first to wake up in the compound became apprehensive when they did not see him.

They were said to have forced the door open, only to see Afeez lying stone dead in his one room apartment. He had committed suicide in the night.

6 DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012

NEWS Ibori bribe money: I’m not involved –Chimons Gas boss

By NDUBUISI ORJI

T

he Managing Director, Chimons Gas Ltd, Mr. Chibuike Lawrence Achigbu, has disassociated himself from a suit before a Federal High Court in Abuja, claiming ownership of the $15 million dollars bribe allegedly offered by the former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, to the former chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu.

A certain Mr. Chibuike Achigbu had applied to a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja claiming ownership of the $15 million dollars.

In a statement issued by his counsel, Nwuke C. H., yesterday and made available to Daily Sun in Lagos, the Chimons Gas boss said since the publication of the report on the issues, he had been inundated with calls.

Achigbu said despite his explanation that he was not the person that filed the suit before the court, “some media reporters have gone as far as directly imputing that the person who had sought to join in the case is Mr. Chibuike Lawrence Achigbu, the managing director of Chimons Gas Ltd. This is absolutely false.”

He maintained that, “probably, it could have been an uncanny coincidence in names which is not unusual in our clime. Our client, therefore, feels compelled to state categorically that he, Chibuike Lawrence Achigbu, the managing director of Chimons Gas Ltd. is not the person that approached the court as reported claiming that the alleged bribe money belongs to him.”

“Our client totally dissociates himself from the case and warns every person(s) to desist from further publishing any material stating or imputing that the said applicant before the court is the same person as Chibuike Lawrence Achigbu of Chimons Gas Ltd,” the statement read in part.

Brazilian warship arrives Lagos today

By PHILIP NWOSU

B

arely one week after a United States warship departed Nigeria, a Brazilian Navy war vessel, Amazons, will be arriving Lagos today on a one-week visit.

The Nigerian Navy said the visit was part of the bi-lateral relationship between the Brazilian Navy and the Nigerian Navy.

The Navy said the vessel, a Brazilian Navy offshore Patrol Vessel, named Amazons P120 was scheduled to pay a port call to Nigeria from September 4 till 7.

A statement from Western Naval Command said the vessel would arrive and berth at Apapa Port today, September 4, adding that the visit of the vessel was coming a week after a US Naval ship, HSV 2 SWIFT had a one-week joint training exercise with the Nigerian Navy.

The statement signed by Command spokesman, Lieutenant Commander Jerry Omodara explained that during the visit, the ship’s company would be involved in professional training programmes with the Nigerian Navy.

He said, “the ship, while transiting to Lagos from Cotonou, Benin Republic, NNS NWAMBA and SHALDAG boat of the Nigerian Navy will join her at the seas and conduct a joint maritime exercise today.”

The statement added that the Commanding Officer of the Brazilian vessel would pay a courtesy call on the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ameen Ikioda on September 5, adding that an anti-piracy training demonstration for selected Nigerian Navy personnel would take place onboard the visiting ship on Thursday, September 6.

NUC decries Kano, Osun govs plan to send students to Ukraine From MOLLY KILETE Abuja

T

he National Universities Commission (NUC), has raised the alarm over the decision of the governors of Kano and Osun states to “sponsor too many students to one country for higher qualifications,” saying it would not promote diversity of knowledge.

NUC Executive Secretary, Professor Julius Okojie, who raised the alarm at a roundtable on Cross Border Higher Education Strategic Partnership organised by the Commission and the British Council, warned that sending about 500 students to just one country on scholarship would not encourage the spread of knowledge, added that recent Needs Assessment of Nigerian universities had revealed that Nigerian universities had more than 60 per cent of their academic staff without Phd, a development he said, must be checked.

Okojie said: “There is nothing wrong in students going for higher degrees abroad. However, we can’t send all of them in one direction. If all students go to UI now, we won’t have a spread of knowledge. Some universities have special capacities and prospects; Ibadan is known for medicine and agriculture. It is also wrong to send all the students to UK or USA.

•L-R: Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, his Women Affairs counterpart, Hajia Zainab Maina, Vice President Namadi Sambo, President Goodluck Jonathan, Finance Minister Ngozi OkonjoIweala and some beneficiaries during YouWin launch yesterday in Abuja. Photo: STATE HOUSE.

Gunmen kill Islamic scholar, shoot 2 others in Sokoto From TUNDE OMOLEHIN, lagers. They are receiving treatment.

Sokoto One of the deceased’s chilrenowned Sokoto- dren, Muhammed Bello, based Islamic scholar, while speaking to journalists, Mallam Liman Danda said the gunmen arrived the Birkitawa, has been killed by village and started shooting gunmen at Dabagi, in a sporadically before gaining remote village in Dange access to the deceased’s priShuni Local Government vate room where they shot him dead.

Area of Sokoto State.

Bello said: “As the strange The incident, according to an eyewitness, occurred last youths arrived, they asked for Saturday at about 6:00 pm when the gunmen numbering about four, stormed the scene on two motorcycles and shot the cleric dead without taking From NAFISAT BELLO, Kaduna any of his belongings.

Two of the deceased’s fam26-year-old woman, ily members were also shot Zainab Siraju has during the attack but were been divorced by her later rushed to the Usmanu Danfodio University husband for giving birth to Teaching Hospital, triplets in Kaduna.

In a chat with Zainab at the (UDUTH), Sokoto by the vilYusuf Dantsoho Memorial

A

my father and before we realised what their mission was, they had gunned down my father and also shot at two of my siblings.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Salisu Sani, said the command was yet to be briefed on the incident as at the time of filing the report.

Reacting, the state

Chairman of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Alhaji Aliyu Sidi lamented the incessant killings in the state and charged the state government to be proactive in protecting lives and property.

“Similar cases of assassinations have been reported in the state of recent but since then there was not much action taken by stakeholders,” he said.

Man divorces wife for delivering triplets in Kaduna

A

Hospital where the children were receiving medical treatment, she said she delivered the triplets on May 4, 2012 while she was issued a divorce letter by her husband, Kabiru Yusuf two days after she was discharged from the hospital.

Oyinlola denies rift with Bamanga Tukur

T

he National Sectretary of National Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinloa, has denied any rift between him and the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. He said there was no time they were at daggers drawn.

The former governor of Osun State who described the relationship between him and the chairman as cordial, solid and platonic, attributed the rumour to “overzealous political jobbers .

His words: “You see, there was never a time Alhaji and I disagreed even for a minute.

What actually happened was that somebody in the party wanted to become “Chief of Staff” in the party and he was the one insinuating such.

“I insisted such an appointment was unconstitutional and could bring indiscipline which the new working

committee of the party is curbing as I found out that nothing like the chief of staff is written in the constitution of the party. To me, it as an act of gross indiscipline which could tarnish the image of the party and I firmly stood against it. My decision was well communicated to my chairman, who later said the man was trying to be funny and mischievous.

“He was eventually sacked by the chairman and warned to desist from causing disaffection within the party.

Tukur made him realize that as long as he found it difficult to work and abide with the constitution of the party of being unable to work with his secretary then he can go.

There was nothing like misunderstanding between me and the chairman as this man was spreading such rumour.”

On security challenges facing the country, Oyinlola said: “You see the solution to

security in this country lies within you and I. No government anywhere in the world can enforce security on her citizens without their cooperation.

“Information is the major key and ingredient to the security in any situation or in any country. Without the support of the people giving valuable information to security forces the job of policing the country would be very difficult. Armed robbers and other criminals are very much living among us. When the community sees a funny character or movement and does not report, it constitutes great danger to that community.

“I remember the case of a particular Nigerian who was deported from abroad. What happened was that this man saw grass cutters roaming freely on the street and decided to hunt some.”

Zainab also said she was beaten by her husband before divorcing her. She disclosed that she had three children for her former husband before her marriage to Yusuf and that the triplets were her first delivery for him.

Zainab said she was not willing to go back to her husband even if he begged her due to his uncaring attitude.

“I am not willing to go back to him even if he begs me to come back because of his attitude. He doesn’t take care of me or his children even though he knew that before delivery, I was pregnant with triplets.”

Confirming the story, the matron in charge of paediatrics in Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital, Mrs Ajiyana Ramatu said Zainab delivered triplets in the hospital and that her husband divorced her thereafter.

“After her delivery that time, I had to go round my colleagues for material and financial assistance that could be given to her. Some gave a little cash while others brought some clothes. So, two days later when she was discharged from the hospital she was divorced for giving birth to triplets.”

She noted that the woman and the triplets came back to the hospital because one of the triplets was sick.

DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012, 7

NEWS

Imo LG tenure: Court strikes out chairmen’s suit

A

n Owerri High Court on Monday struck out a suit filed by the 27 local council chairmen in Imo State, urging it to allow them to serve out their tenure.

The Judge, Justice Ngozi Opara, struck out the case on the grounds that the plaintiffs had abused court processes.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report Governor Rochas Okorocha on assumption of office in June 2011, had sacked the council chairmen before the expiration of their tenure.

The counsel to the governor, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), had raised the issue of abuse of court process and challenged the jurisdiction of the court over the matter.

Akintola, while arguing the case on August 16, urged the court to strike out the case, saying that entertaining it would amount to an abuse of court processes. He told the court that the plaintiffs had filed another suit at a Federal High Court, Abuja, on the same matter, insisting that it was an abuse of court process. The second defendant, Mr. Soronnadi Njoku, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, argued that the claimants plea for two-year tenure was granted by the Appeal Court, their action in the High Court was therefore an abuse of court process. He further argued that the proper order was for cases to proceed from a lower court to a higher court and not from the higher to the lower court.

Opara struck out the case, ruling that hearing it would amount to abuse of court process since a similar case had been instituted in the Federal High Court.

Ministers sign performance contract agreement with heads of agencies From MOLLY KILETE, Abuja

T

he two ministers of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i and Nyesom Wike yesterday engaged the heads of agencies and directors in the ministry to sign the performance agreement contract.

The performance agreement was in line with the transformation agenda implementation strategy of President Goodluck Jonathan, following criticisms from various stakeholders and threat of impeachment by the House of Representatives over poor implementation of the 2012 budget.

Jonathan had, in a move to shore up performance of his ministers, entered into an agreement with them on the need to improve their performance indicator.

Rufa’i said the signing of the performance contract agreement was intended to extract renewed commitment from the heads of the agencies in the next three months.

She said it was a replication of what the cabinet members had signed with President Goodluck Jonathan.

She noted that the ministers had signed what they considered as the target of the ministry in the next three months with the president and that there was the need to get the parastatals and agencies on board and warned that the ministry must ensure that the transformation agenda was achieved giving the prime place education occupied in human capital development.

She said progress report must be submitted by the heads of the various agencies every four weeks to ministers, calling for increased synergy of efforts among the agencies. “The two of us cannot actually deliver without your cooperation, after all, the parastatals are the engine room, you are the one doing the job, we are just overseeing the affairs of the ministry to make sure things are done correctly. “We cannot deliver without your cooperation, it will not make any meaning if we do not work together to achieve the desired goal,” she added. Also speaking, the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, said President Jonathan would hold them responsible if the targeted objective was not met in the next three months.

According to him, “if you do not perform, obviously you have failed. You need to work as a team because education is very large sector and by the time you put more efforts in achieving this, we will definitely see changes in the next three months.” Wike warned that it would no longer be business as usual, adding that “since the president is focusing on the ministers, the ministers will equally focus on you. We may not get immediate result but before three months, if we all work together, I assure you there will be visible result." The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Ben Ibeh, signed on behalf of all the directors while the directors would sign on behalf of their directorates.

•The Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada flanked by Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin (left) and Perm Sec., Ministry of Defence, Professor Nicholas Damachi during the presidential budget briefing by the Ministry of Defence at the State House, Abuja yesterday. Photo: BAYO OBISESAN

Dana crash: Coroner, 10 others dragged to court

By AKEEB ALARAPE

A

fter 12 weeks of sitting, activities of the coroner inquest into the June 3 Dana plane crash in Lagos came under threat yesterday.

A former pilot, Captain Dele Ore, along with his nongovernmental organization (NGO), Civil Aviation Round Table Initiative Limited, has dragged the Coroner, Magistrate Alexander Komolafe and 10 other stakeholders in the inquest to a Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos.

A Dana plane MD 83 had crashed at Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos State on the fateful June 3, killing all the 153 passengers on board, including the crew members and 10 other people on ground.

But in an originating summon filed by Joseph Nwobike (SAN) on behalf of the NGO and Ore, copies of which were made available to newsmen yesterday, other defendants listed in the suit included; Chief Judge of Lagos State, Chief Coroner of Lagos State, Attorney General of Lagos State and Attorney General of the Federation.

Others are Federal Ministry of Aviation, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) and owner of the crashed plane, Dana Airlines Limited.

The two defendants were seeking an order of the court nullifying all steps taken so far either by way of summoning or invitation of witnesses to testify or give evidence in the inquest, which was said to

have contravened Section 29 of the Civil Aviation Act No. 6 of 2006.

The plaintiffs were also seeking an order of the court setting aside the proceedings of the coroner court already conducted till date on the grounds that the court, as presided by Magistrate Komolafe, “lacks the requisite authority or competence to investigate the cause of deaths occurring from the June 3, 2012 Dana Air crash.”

They also urged the court to declare that the coroner court presided by Magistrate Komolafe and the Chief Judge of Lagos State “cannot exercise or carry out any form

of inquisition or inquest into the deaths arising from the Dana Air crash of June 3 or any matter related to aviation accident or deaths arising from it.”

The plaintiffs also asked the court for a declaration that the “appointment of Magistrate Komolafe as coroner on the Dana crash is ultra vires the powers of the powers of the Chief Judge of Lagos State having regard to among others, the fact that the cause of death of the victims is known and as arising from the air crash.”

In addition, the two complainants sought a declaration

that the “provisions of Sections 14, 15, 17 and 25 of the Coroners’ System Law of Lagos State No. 27 of 2007 is not applicable to deaths arising from aviation accidents, specifically within the contemplation of Section 29 of the Civil Aviation Act No. 6 of 2006." They also sought a declaration that the "deaths occurring from the Dana crash is not such that falls within the contemplation of Coroner's Systems Laws, Laws of Lagos State 2007, particularly, Sections 14 and 15."

Strike looms in Lagos tertiary institutions

By GABRIEL DIKE

S

taff unions in Lagos state owned tertiary institutions are threatening to embark on an industrial action over the non implementation of the arrears for monetization and salary increment running into several months.

Daily Sun investigations revealed that the academic and non academic staff of tertiary institutions are aggrieved that the state government has not kept to its promise to implement the agreement reached with the staff unions after their members embarked on industrial action that lasted over three months.

The institutions whose students’ academic activities may be disrupted if the government fails to meet the demands of the staff unions are the Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) and Michael Otedola College of

Primary Education (MOCPED) The staff unions whose members are warning up for the strike and a showdown with the state government include the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) from LASU, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP), NASU members in LASPOTECH, College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) and NASU members from AOCOED. Already, the ASUU-LASU has issued the state government and the governing council of the university a 21-day ultimatum to implement the monetization policy and pay the arrears of salary increment or face an industry action.

The unions accused the state governments of foot-dragging on the agreement while using

the opportunity to urge Lagosian not to hold its members responsible in the event of another industrial action in the tertiary institutions owned by the state.

The chairman of ASUULASU, Dr. Jamiu Olawatoki, told newsmen that the union two weeks ago gave the state government and council 21day ultimatum over the non payment of 17 months salary increment and has not gotten any response.

Olawatoki said: “We are not concern about ourselves but the academic growth of our students and after the 21-day ultimatum, we give another seven-day grace after which anything can happen”.

An executive member of ASUP and SSANU at LASPOTECH and LASU told Daily Sun that the Joint Action Committee (JAC) would meet this week to take a position as the state government is owing its members 22 months outstanding monetization and 17 months salary increment arrears.

8 DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012

NEWS We didn’t ban NURTW activities in Lagos -Fashola

By OLUWOLE FAROTIMI

L

agos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola yesterday debunked widespread speculations that the state government banned the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state, saying the government only restricted their operations to the motor parks.

The governor who spoke when the National President of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Najeem Yasin led other top national officers of the Union on a courtesy visit to his office, added the state was piqued by their operation, saying the union’s activities, which included collection of levies to offices must not be done within the motor parks.

Fashola explained that new Road Traffic Law which he endorsed recently would amongst other things eliminate the incidence of touting by persons who pose as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to extort money from commercial vehicle operators.

According to him, the law would also check the menace of arms proliferation and gun running discovered recently in some parks as well as put to an end to other nefarious activities perpetrated in motor parks.

The governor explained that the state reviewed the Traffic Law to cope with the new challenges of managing traffic in the state, stressing that the law was intended to reduce travel time and not to witch-hunt motorists.

He charged the leaders to get their members to comply with the law, adding that the government was not interested in arresting people over the law.

According to him, “You must leave here resolved to be champions of change. Our law says that we do not want union in the parks, you have offices, operate from there just like your counterparts who are lawyers and doctors, they have unions but do not go to offices to pay their dues, they know where they settle all that.

Insecurity: NOA asks Nigerians to emulate Lagos From OKALI ONYEKACHI, Abuja

T

he Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mike Omeri, has urged the 36 states of the federation to emulate Lagos State on peaceful coexistence and national integration.

Omeri who gave the advice at a community inter-faith dialogue at the palace of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, extolled the cooperative quality exhibited by Lagos in accommodating and providing equal opportunities for people from different ethnic and cultural groups.

Omeri said Lagos was a broad-minded state, urging its counterpart states to emulate it for peace and national development.

He called on Nigerians to remain united amidst threats of estrangement by some groups. “My message is that Nigeria will not break. From experience, most Nigerians want to remain united and peaceful,” Omeri said.

In his address, Akiolu who was represented by the head of the White Cap Chiefs, Chief Teslim Junaid-Eko, charged the Federal Government to empower the youths through equitable distribution of the nation’s resources, employment and poverty alleviation.

Similarly, the Chief Imam of Lagos, Alhaji Mohammed Garba Ibrahim, who led Muslim clerics to the meeting, underscored the level of unity existing between Muslims and Christians in the state, and urged religious groups across the 36 states of the federation to tolerate each other.

LUTH plans stem cell transplantation

By ONYEKACHI JET

T

he Chief Medical Director (CMD), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Prof. Akin Oshibogun, has said the hospital would continue to work towards achieving its tripartite mandate of manpower development, research and service delivery.

In line with this, the hospital management recently organised a training seminar to update its healthcare providers on the best available practices in healthcare delivery.

The seminar, which was part of the hospital’s 50th anniversary celebrations, was designed to expose the healthcare practitioners to the many possibilities in the use of stem cell transplantation in healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

In a paper he presented at the event entitled, “Hasematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation,” guest speaker, Dr. Nosa Bazuaye, a haematologist from University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), explained that the stem cell transplantation was for the care of patients with malignant and nonmalignant diseases.

Speaking, the CMD who commended Bazuaye for sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience on the haematopoetic stem cell transplantation hinted that plans were underway for the hospital to commence stem cell transplantation.

•Managing Director/CEO, Lafarge Cement WAPCO (Nig) Plc, Mr. Joe Hudson, (right) interacting with students of Ovie Brume Foundation, Lagos during his visit to the foundation as part of activities marking this year’s International Literacy Day yesterday. With them (3rd right) is the Corporate Affairs Manager, Lafarge Cement WAPCO (Nig) Plc, Mrs Temitope Oguntokun.

Photo: MOSHOOD RAJI

Nationwide magistrates’ strike looms •As MAN considers legal action against Nasarawa govt From GEOFFREY ANYANWU, Awka

O

nly an immediate resolution of the ongoing industrial dispute between Nasarawa State Government and magistrates in the state would avert a nationwide magistrates’ strike being contemplated by Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN).

Already, magistrates in Nasarawa had continued the industrial action they embarked upon following the dispute and had been joined in solidarity by Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, Nasarawa State chapter.

Dispute between government and the magistrates was reported to have emanated from the appointment by Nasarawa State Government of Bala Rabo Ayaga and Mohammed Tiga as deputy registrars from outside the judiciary when there were qualified people in the service to be appointed.

The magistrates were said to have issued a 21-day ultimatum to government demanding a reversal of the appointment, a demand government allegedly

turned down.

But speaking to newsmen yesterday in Awka, the National President of MAN, Chief Magistrate Nkiruka Franklin Iguh, said the association was discussing the possibility of embarking on a nationwide strike in solidarity with its members in Nasarawa.

She further said MAN was also considering legal action against the state government, noting that, “the Federal Republic of Nigeria Scheme for use in the civil service at

Page 224, Paragraphs 3:6(1) provides for entrance into the post of a deputy chief registrar and it is a chief magistrate who has spent at least four years in the grade that is competent to occupy that position.

“The Judiciary Service Commission of Nasarawa State did not give due regards to this because I am aware that they have more than eight chief magistrates in that state that are very much qualified.”

The association’s national president explained that one of

Police declare lawyer wanted over forged court documents From GODWIN Abuja

TSA, trate court, the legal practition- 14, 2012 and signed by Mr.

T

he police have launched a manhunt for a legal practitioner, (names withheld), over forged documents he allegedly tendered in a magistrate’s court in a lawsuit instituted by his client, Mrs. Philomena Ugo against Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. While his client, Mrs. Ugo had since been arrested and charged before a chief magis-

er, according to the police, “has been evading police arrest ever since he got wind of plan for his arraignment.”

In an earlier letter of invitation issued to the lawyer who was classified as Serie ‘A’ wanted person, the police had directed him to report to the office of the assistant inspector general of police (AIG), Zone 9 Headquarters, Umuahia, Abia State, on March 5, 2012 by 10.am for questioning on the alleged offences.

The letter dated February

NNPC divers recover driver’s body from river From ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE, Kaduna

D

ivers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) deployed from Port Harcourt to recover the bodies of two of its staff and a relation aboard a van that plunged into a river in Kaduna last Friday yesterday recovered the body of the vehicle driver.

Efforts were still on to recover the bodies of the other two persons and vehicle involved in the accident.

Public Affairs Manager of

the appointees, Tiga had only been nine years in the bar, adding that the people appointed by government were at various times offered positions as magistrates but they turned it down.

Iguh, however, advised the Nasarawa State Government to revert the controversial appointments in the interest of effective dispensation of justice, warning that the nationwide strike, if allowed to take effect, would adversely affect the masses “who need the courts for redress and legal protection.”

Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), Abdullahi Idris, who gave update on the accident to Daily Sun in Kaduna yesterday said, “we have recovered the corpse of the driver from the river and rescue operation is ongoing to recover the other two bodies and the van.”

He disclosed that the corpse of the driver whose name was simply given as Dahiru had been conveyed to his family house in Zaria for burial.

According to Idris, the combined team of rescue operators had failed to recover the

remains of two workers of KRPC and a relative whose van plunged into a river since last Friday night on a bridge in Jere Village, Kaduna State.

“We are still there now trying to recover the bodies of the other two persons and the vehicle. We pray that attempt to recover the bodies and give them decent burial will succeed soon,” he said.

He described the incident as unfortunate and prayed that God would grant the victims peaceful rest.

Peter Ogunyanwo, a deputy commissioner of police (DCP) further directed that “on arrival you are expected to meet with the deputy commissioner of police, Zonal Criminal Investigation Department, Zone 9 Headquarters, Umahia.

“Your co-operation in this regard will be appreciated as it will definitely assist this office in delivering justice which you swore to defend and in good time too, please.”

The letter, which was also addressed to the SecretaryGeneral of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos branch, followed botched attempts by the police to effect his arrest at the premises of a high court in Owerri on the intervention of the chief judge of Imo State.

Another letter addressed to the chief judge of Imo State and dated May 23, 2012 titled “Investigation Activities; Re: Case of Forgery/Conspiracy/Perjury” recalled the events at the premises of the court where an attempt to arrest the lawyer was stalled following his intervention.

DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012, 9

NEWS Fashola approves appointment of Sunmoni as new accountant-general

T

he Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has approved the appointment of Mr. David Olabanji Adewale Sunmoni as the new accountant-general of the state.

His appointment took effect from August 31 when the appointment of the former AG, Mr. Akin Ambode lapsed.

Sunmoni, who was born on January 16, 1959 has served as the state auditor-general from 2010 until his new appointment.

A Master degree holder in Business Administration (MBA) from the Lagos State University, Sunmoni is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (FCCA) as well as an associate of Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN).

Among the institutions he attended were London School of Accountancy, London; Methodist High School, Lagos and Oriwu College, Ikorodu.

Since he joined the state public service, he had served in various capacities including assistant director, Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Pensions from 2002 to 2006, Lagos State Treasury Office as deputy director, Treasury Operations from 2006 to 2009, Ministry of Waterfront as director of accounts from 2009 to 2010.

He has also worked with different organisations like A.G. Leventis Nigeria Plc., Pfizer Products Plc., Beta Glass Plc. and Livestock Feeds Plc. in different capacities like senior accountant, financial and management accountant, group financial controller and company secretary.

We must devise modern crime control techniques –Zone 6 AIG

•Pensioners of the Nigerian Railway Corporation going through verification exercise in Lagos yesterday.

YouWin: Why we focused on women –Jonathan

•Says N1.03bn so far released to 933 in first batch

From JUDEX OKORO, Calabar

From JULIANA TAIWOOBALONYE, Abuja

T

P

he new Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 6 Command, Mr. Muktari Ibrahim, has stated that Nigeria must do away with old methods of police operations and policies and adopt new strategies of crime prevention and control if the war against crime must be won.

Speaking during his maiden zonal conference with commissioners of police in his zone yesterday in Calabar, Ibrahim said criminals and criminal activities had taken on new trends, hence the need to use modern techniques of policing.

He said, “criminals now opt for cheaper, safer, low-risk and highly rewarding criminal activities and if we must cope and meet with these new strategies of criminals, our old methods of operation must give way to modern method of crime prevention and control.”

The AIG disclosed that proactive and high visibility policing was one of the new methods that could be used to fight crime in modern day society, adding that, “the best way of fighting crime is crime prevention.”

He charged all commissioners of police in his command to, as a matter of urgency, draw an action plan, which would include all the stakeholders in the security business for a common objective.

Ibrahim also called on officers and men in the command not to underestimate the relevance of other security agencies but synergise with them to achieve the overall goal of wiping out crime in the zone.

He warned against bribery and corruption within the zone, saying he would not condone the activities of policemen whose actions negate the objectives of the command.

LAMATA to hold stakeholders’ meeting on BRT extension to Ikorodu

A

head of the construction of infrastructure for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) extension to Ikorodu town, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) is hosting a stakeholders’ meeting where the project would be presented to the public.

According to a statement, Managing Director of LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola said the meeting, holding on Thursday, September 6 at Cherubim and Seraphim Primary School, Majidun, by Ogolonto Junction, near Ikorodu at 11.00 a.m was being called to inform stakeholders about the purpose and imminence of the project and secure their cooperation during implementation.

He said, the public needed to be aware of the project, timeliness and differences between the existing and proposed ones and the expectation from them during the implementation phase.

High-ranking government officials including members of the House of Representatives representing the area, commissioners, members of the state House of Assembly representing Kosofe and Ikorodu, traditional rulers, transport unions, market leaders, business owners, community leaders, property owners, among others, are expected at the meeting.

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said aside women being better financial managers, having the ability to create multiplier effect of funds received to impact on the nation’s economy, it was high time Nigeria joined the comity of nations by making women and children topical point in line with the United Nations charter.

He said these reasons as well as the success stories of first awardees of First Edition of Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria, prompted Second Edition of Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWin! Women).

Since disbursement commenced in July, about 933 of the 1, 200 beneficiaries of the first batch of YouWin award had received the first tranche of about N1,03 billion of their award funds and were already implementing their approved business plans. The few yet to receive would do so by the end of next week, government said.

This is even as the president has directed Federal

Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, working in concert with the Federal Ministry of Finance, Communication Technology and Youth Development, to commence mobilisation of women entrepreneurs to participate competitively in the programme.

Jonathan said the main objective of the YouWin programme was to create jobs not only from government but mainly from the private sector, small and medium enterprises.

In his address before the official launch of the pro-

gramme targeting 1,200 women, the president said as part of efforts to actualise the programme, the YouWin Business Plan competition was initiated to focus on harnessing the brilliant ideas, innovative acumen and drive of the nation’s vibrant young women.

He acknowledged that the pioneer YouWin beneficiaries were already putting the resources and training they received into productive use, with some already expanding their businesses, seeking fresh opportunities and creating new jobs.

2015: Ndigbo unite for Igbo presidency

By SAM OTTI

N

digbo Unity Forum (NUF) has flagged off the campaign for the emergence of an Igbo president in 2015 general election.

The group said the movement for the actualisation of an Igbo president should become the topmost agenda of all South easterners to address the long years of marginalisation and injustice suffered by the region.

In a statement signed by its

President, Planning and Research, Augustine Chukwudum and the Director, Ugochukwu Obinka, the forum warned that there would be neither equality of political opportunity nor fairness in the democratic process unless a president from Igbo extraction emerged in the forthcoming election.

The forum lamented the injustice meted to Ndigbo after the Nigerian/Biafran civil war, noting that an esti-

FG restates commitment to prisons reforms From ROSE Makurdi

EJEMBI, with international best practices Moro explained that the he Federal Government current reforms of the has restated its commit- nation’s prison system, like ment to initiating and other transformation agenda promoting reforms that of the Jonathan administrawould change the face of the tion was on course.

He, however, blamed the nation’s prisons to meet interwoes of the country’s prisons national standards.

According to Minister of on failure of successive Interior, Abba Moro, who dis- administrations to summon closed this in a chat with jour- the political will to implenalists in Makurdi over the ment the recommendations of weekend, the President various committees put in Goodluck Jonathan-led place by previous administraadministration was commit- tions in the country.

Moro distanced the current ted to transforming the country’s prisons in accordance administration from infra-

T

“Building on this encouraging outlook and also recognising the increasingly central role women play in our overall economic development, this second annual YouWin Business Plan Competition essentially targets women that will help address the relatively low participation of women with just about 17 percent of winners in the first edition, the one that was meant for men and women.

Under this phase, 1,200 winners all women will be selected to increase the number of female participants that will receive N1 million and N10 million over the next 12 to 18 months.

structural decay that had afflicted most prisons across the country, arguing that most prisons in the country today were constructed by the colonial masters and primarily designed to incarcerate their opponents.

While reiterating Jonathan’s passion for prison reforms, Moro said government had started making moves in conjunction with state governments with a view to constructing new ones and relocating most of the prisons located or scattered around the major cities of the country.

mated three million people perished in the 30-month crisis.

The group further appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently address the prolonged marginalisation of the South-East region.

“Most of the war veterans have learnt to forgive and forget the past but some still hold grudges, reason being that they believe the government did not and has not shown any commitment or any sign whatsoever that the war is behind us.

“The eastern region was not compensated in any form.

There wasn’t any massive infrastructural development to show that we went past the civil war and till this moment, we are being marginalised,” the group said.

The forum argued that the South-South region had been compensated with the Jonathan presidency and called on Ndigbo never to cage their tongues in silence.

To achieve the dream of an Igbo president, the group urged South-East governors, politicians and various political groups in the region to submerge personal interests and political affiliation and work together.

10 DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012

SOUTH SOUTH Man, 28, beaten to death in Bayelsa From FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa

T

he Bayelsa State Police Command is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 28-year-old man, Mr. Arthur Kpe in Yenagoa.

Kpe, a graduate of the Bayelsa State College of Arts and Science, was believed to have been beaten to death by unknown persons and his body dumped along the Alamieyeseigha Road. Kpe, who hailed from Otuan in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State was described by neighbours at his Overcomer Church Street residence as a God-fearing person.

Daily Sun learnt that his body was discovered by a security outfit, Operation Doo Akpo with his mobile phone intact and some cash in his pocket and was immediately taken to the Federal Medical Centre mortuary. Investigations revealed that the deceased left home at about 5pm last Saturday in search of pump valve and his friends and family became apprehensive when they did not hear from him.

All efforts to make phone calls to his phone proved abortive as the calls were not picked. A brother to the deceased, Mr. Asiere Amababe in an interview, disclosed that all efforts to get the deceased on his mobile phone failed as he was not picking his calls.

According to him, "a call put through by a neighbour known at about 7am yesterday was picked by a male voice and we later discovered that he was a policeman.” Amabebe said they were asked to come to the FMC mortuary to identify a body picked along the road.

“When I got to the place, I saw the corpse of my brother with a blood-soaked singlet and a fatally bruised body. His trouser was pulled down midway and cotton wool already used to block his mouth and nose,” he said.

While some family and friends of the deceased said they suspected he must have been a victim of the criminal gang that specialises in abduction and dispossession of victims of their belongings under the guise of running a taxi service, some said his killers might be those who knew him as his call logs had been carefully deleted.

CLO tackles FG over N5,000 note, flays JTF over operation From FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa

T

he Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) in Bayelsa State has challenged the Federal Government to review its stand over the proposed N5,000 note, saying it was not important considering the economic problems Nigerians were going through.

It also called on the state government to tackle the issue of government spending which had been described by the politicians and civil activists as anti-people. Speaking in Yenagoa, the Chairman of CLO, Alabo Nengi James, lamented the criminality along the waterways in the state and queried the security measures being adopted by the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) Operation Pulo Shield in arresting the situation. James called on the state government to monitor the activities of the new security outfit, Operation Doo Akpo.

His words: "The N5000.00 being advocated by the Central Bank of Nigeria is another strategy by few persons to siphon our money abroad through printing contracts and related issues. With the prevailing economic scenario in the country, CLO is of the view that the N5000.00 is of little or no significance to the nation and hence should be shelved until the economy improves.”

IYC cautions anti-Jonathan crusaders over utterances From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt

T

he National Leaders Forum (NLF) of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has urged detractors of President Goodluck Jonathan to desist from making statements that could heat up the polity.

This was an outcome of a recent meeting by the group in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

In a communique issued by the group, which contained names of some of their leaders, including the National President, Miabiye Kuromiema, it advised that utterances that would promote unity and peace were what the country needed.

“We accordingly appeal to them to tune down their aggression and focus on issues and make utterances that promote unity, peace and integration of the country. We wish to point out that for the sake of Nigerians, who voted for the change seen in Jonathan, we are constrained from action likely to tip the nation again.”

The IYC warned that the peaceful disposition of the group should not be misconstrued for weakness, also cautioning that the group should not be taken for granted.

• L-R: Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, Projects Coordinator, Chicason Group, Humphrey Nsofor and father of the bride, Chief (Dr) Alexandra Chika Okafor at the wedding reception of Mr & Mrs Anthony Vanni, held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos last weekend. Photo: KAZEEM JIMOH

Ogoni deny secession From JULIANA TAIWO- Ogoniland, due to the nonimplementation of the United OBALONYE, Abuja Nations Environment he people of Ogoniland Programme (UNEP) report, have denied being part was seceding from Nigeria."

While expressing sadness of a secession plot, althoug they have been at the that the Federal Government, forefront of asking for devo- contrary to UNEP recommendation to set up Ogoni lution of powers.

The Ogoni people were led Environment Restoration by the paramount ruler, who Agency specifically for is also the current chairman of Ogoni, he said the governRivers State Traditional ment decided to establish a Ruler, Godwin N. K. programme that was wider in Gininwa and Senator Magnus scope to cover other areas Abe during an interactive ses- experiencing hydro-carbon sion with President Goodluck pollution.

The Ogoni people, thereJonathan.

This was even as President fore, expressed hope that the Jonathan had assured that his broad jurisdiction would not government would not only undermine the implementawork with the people of tion of the UNEP report, sayOgoni in the implementation ing that the $1 billion recomof the report, assuring that the mended by UNEP as start up report would not be diluted. point for the Ogoni clean-up The president said govern- be spent on Ogoni alone.

The delegation also ment had commenced working on the issue raised, adding expressed unhappiness that it that the visit would serve as a took the Federal Government catalyst to make government one year to commence implementation of UNEP report work harder.

President Jonathan also despite its urgency including assured that government was the findings that families yet to authorise any firm to were drinking water from take over from Shell the oil wells that were contaminated.

They also demanded comwells in Ogoniland, adding that it would be done in con- pensation for damages done to their environment from sultation with the people.

Abe, who read out the del- both the Federal Government egation's demand, said the and Shell, stressing that it people identified with the should be addressed without president in his efforts to pro- delay.

The people also demanded vide good leadership to the country as well as his moves among others to be part of the to overcome the various chal- clean-up exercise as recomlenges facing the country, mended by the UNEP report, appointment of the new comincluding security.

The lawmaker said the del- pany taking over from Shell egation was in the in oil exploration, pipeline Presidential Villa to call surveillance, their youths to Jonathan's attention to the be part of the amnesty provarious challenges facing the gramme and new state. people, most of which, he Speaking on Nigeria's unity, said, the president was famil- Senator Abe said: “Nigeria iar with being a son from the has the potential of a great region. "Ogoni people have nation and we support every also denied factional effort to realise those potenMovement for the Survival of tials.

“Even though, Ogoni has Ogoni People (MOSOP), led

by Goodluck Diigbo, who always supported the call for announced on August 2 that devolution of power to local

T

entities to reflect true federalism upon which the Nigerian nationhood is anchored, we wish to assure you Mr. President and indeed, the Nigerian people that Ogoni remains committed to the unity of the Nigerian state and that we are with Nigeria, which is contrary to recent media report on Ogoni.

“We are also asking for the economic and social integration of the Ogoni people through special development initiatives. “It will be recalled that the UN Secretary General fact-finding mission to Nigeria made this recommendation in respect of Ogoni in the late 1990s. The Ogoni people sincerely thank the Federal Government under your able leadership for inviting UNEP to do a ground breaking scientific study of the Ogoni environment.

“Through the UNEP report which you received on August 12, you may by now be aware of the extent of environmental devastation of Ogoni, not only has the terrestrial and aquatic lives and soil suffered inestimable damage. But the health of the people has been tragically affected by hydro-carbon pollution. Every Ogoni person is a potential cancer patient.

“Tragic and catastrophic as the situation is, the Ogoni people are concerned by a protracted and near absence of a strategic response by the Federal Government to the findings of the report.

“The Ogoni people are concerned that it took as long as one year for the Federal Government to respond to the report cognisance of the urgency of that report.

“Contrary to UNEP recommendation to setting up of the Ogoni Environment Restoration Agency that is specific to Ogoni, the Federal Government has decided to establish a programme that is wider in scope to cover other

areas experiencing hydro-carbon pollution.

“We hope that this broad jurisdiction will not undermine the implementation of the UNEP report. “Ogoni will appreciate receiving assurance from the Federal Government that the UNEP recommendation on Ogoni will be fully implemented regardless of intervention in other areas.

“The $1 billion recommended by UNEP as start up point for the Ogoni clean-up will be spent on Ogoni alone.

The Ogoni people will be given priority in business and job opportunities connected to the clean-up in Ogoniland as a means of amelioration poverty and joblessness in the area.

“The report will be implemented under the supervision of an internationally recognised agency that will exercise oversight and quality assurance responsibility. We have in mind in this regard the UNEP that prepared the report.

“That there will be intensive health programme in Ogoni including cancer screening and treatment to be undertaking by competent international agencies such as WHO. “Considering the irreversible devastation done to the environment, health and livelihood of the Ogoni by the petroleum industry as scientifically demonstrated in the UNEP report, the Ogoni people hereby ask for compensation from the Federal Government and from Shell.

Justice delayed is justice denied.

“We therefore, respectfully request that the issue of compensation be addressed without delay. “Our people are of the strong view that the creation of Bori State is a necessity which the executive arm and the National Assembly should support.”

DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012, 11

SOUTH EAST MASSOB appeals to Presidency for release of jailed members From DOM EKPUNOBI, Onitsha

T

he Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) yesterday said in Onitsha that it was anxiously waiting for a positive directive from the Presidency for the release of their six members, who were jailed for six months each by an Asaba Chief Magistrate Court, about four months ago.

The Asaba Chief Magistrate Court in Delta State, presided over by Mr. S. C. Ehikwe had on May 8, this year, found the accused persons guilty of treason and waging war against the state and consequently sentenced them to six months imprisonment each.

In reaction to the jail term, the MASSOB leadership wrote a petition to the Presidency, appealing for the release of their convicted members because according to them, the court ruling was based on sentiment and ethnic bias.

In the petition dated August 2, and jointly signed by MASSOB’s National Director of Information, Uchenna Madu and the Regional Administrator for Idemili South, Chief Innocent Odonwankwo, MASSOB contended that all efforts to take their appeal against the court ruling to a higher court had been frustrated by officials of the Delta State judiciary.

MASSOB also stated that their decision to write the petition was based on the health condition of their convicted members, which, he said, had deteriorated so much that if they were not released soonest, they could die inside the prison. The members are Ifeanyi Igbozuruike, Francis Onuigbo, Chidi Okafor, Sabastine Nwoye, Emmanuel Nwafor and Sunday Okoro.

The petitioners said the type of torture, hard labour and psychological trauma which the convicts were being subjected in prison was more rigorous than even those who were serving a four-year jail term.

They said they were convinced that the presidency, would come to their rescue by ordering the release of the convicts, based on the fact the he was a man who loved justice and the rule of law.

They therefore appealed to their members and the general public to remain calm and watch situations as they unfolded.

Varsity don seeks development of indigenous medicine From KASSIDY UCHENDU, Nsukka

N

igeria’s first female Professor of pharmacy, Mrs. Patience Osadebe of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, has called for the development of African

drug.

Mrs. Osadebe, a professor of medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, made the call while delivering the 69th inaugural lecture of the university entitled: From the laboratory bench through the gardens to the Apothecary: Journey so far.

The don regretted that efforts being made by Nigerian researchers to have a truly African drug that is discovered and developed in Africa have not yielded any dividend.

She however disclosed that although the only drug known as NICOSAN which was indigenously developed has only been registered but was yet to go into circulation. She called for a robust industry-academic collaboration for the purpose of translation of thousands of the research findings in the various academic and research institutions in Africa to marketable products.

She declared: “A major challenge of the pharmaceutical world in Nigeria, is to see if we can research to have a truly African drug – discovered and developed in Africa.”

For the utilization of validated African medicinal plants to be meaningful said professor Osadebe, they had to be grown in commercial quantity in order to attract investors.

The don said that Africa was endowed with medicinal plants many of which had been validated, but said they had to be grown in sustainable commercial quantity to attract investors, citing the Mistletoe plant.

She said what Nigerians purchase today as food supplements from companies like GNLD and Forever Living Products were nothing but results of years of careful research, large cultivation and development of medicinal plants by developed countries and called on Nigerians to emulate them.

In his closing remark, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Bartho Okolo represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Professor Isaac Asuzu expressed optimism that Nigeria in spite of her present challenges would emerge a truly developed nation and African giant. She commended Professor Osadebe for her lecture and announced the commitment of the university to the encouragement of scholarship through sustained holding of inaugural lectures.

•L–R: Bobmanuel Udokwu, Bishop Hilary Okeke of Nnewi Catholic Diocese, Archbishop of Port-Au-Prince, Guire Poulard, Governor Peter Obi, Papal Nuncio to Haiti, His Excellency, Bernardito Auza and the Auxiliary Bishop of Port-Au-Prince, Eric Glandas Toussaint during the handover on Sunday, of the cheque of $200,000 raised by Governor Obi, together with the governors of the South East to help in the rebuilding of the Cathedral of Port-Au-Prince that was destroyed in the earthquake of 2010.

Gov Orji to demolish 1,800 homes on sewer lanes in Aba

G

overnor Theodore Orji of Abia State has threatened to pull down 1,800 buildings allegedly built on sewer lanes in Aba. Orji issued the threat on Monday in Umuahia, while briefing newsmen on the plans by his administration to transform the commercial town.

He said that efforts so far made to build the city had been stalled by flooding, which resulted from the blocking of drains and sewer lanes.

The governor said, the problem of Aba is flooding.

So, for you to succeed in developing the city you have to carry out flood control.

“An aerial and land survey had been conducted and 1,800 houses are built on drainage.”

Orji alleged that the owners did not secure approval before erecting the structures and charged them to “look for alternatives elsewhere.”

He said that government would open up all the drains for free-flow of rainwater and begin massive road construction in the city at the end of the rains.

He said that the government

had contacted the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to intervene in the rehabilitation of the

deplorable Obohia Road.

Although he described the revenue generated from Aba as ‘paltry’ he said that ‘no

Hotel proprietor arraigned for kidnapping From DOM EKPUNOBI, their victim and received judicial harassment to arraign N560,000 to release him. the suspect in a Magistrate Onitsha

T

he proprietor of Arthur Garden, a leading Hotel in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Mr. Christopher Udo, was arraigned in an Ogidi Magistrate Court yesterday over allegation of kidnapping.

Udo, who was arrested about three weeks ago and had his three hotels sealed, and one Chinedu, appeared before Mrs. Pauline Chinweuba on a four-court charge bordering on kidnapping, robbery and demanding N2 million ransom.

When the case came up for mention yesterday, the prosecution, Mr. C.A Oribaba said the accused persons demanded N2 million ransom from

He said that the prosecution had two witnesses, Sergeant Okpokwe and Emeneso Samuel who were attached to Ogidi Police Station.

The offence, he said, was committed on August 3, within Borrowmeo Axis of Enugu/Onitsha Old Road.

The leading defence counsel, Mr. Fred Molokwu told the court that it amounted to

A

nambra State Police Command recorded a feat yesterday when they discovered 30 Ak47 rifles and a rocket launcher concealed in a plastic tank and arrested four suspects in Anambra.

Daily Sun gathered that operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS and Inspector General of Police (IGP) monitoring unit attached

to the Central Police Station, CPS, Onitsha discovered the consignment in a compound in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Council Area of Anambra State.

According to a source who pleaded anonymity, the police acting on a tip off, swooped on the gun syndicate, cordoned off the compound before opening the plastic tank, laden with the arms and ammunitions.

They arrested four suspects.

The source further disclosed that during the raid by the security teams, 30 Ak47 rifles,

Court, when he was granted bail by the High Court in Onitsha.

Before adjourning the case to September 10, the Magistrate ordered that all the files relating to the case be transferred to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

The magistrate also ordered that the suspect be remanded in prison custody.

2 bizmen abducted in Nnewi Ukatu.

From DAVID The abductors, suspected ONWUCHEKWA, Nnewi

G

unmen believed to be kidnappers at different points in Nnewi, Anambra State, yesterday abducted two businessmen, Sir Josiah Enumah (ENUTRACO) and Chief Peter

Anambra police nab 4 over arms concealed in water tanker From EMMANUEL UZOR, Onitsha

government could afford to neglect Aba’ because of its economic relevance to the state.

one general multi purpose gun, one rocket launcher and two K2 rifles were recovered.

The suspects, allegedly on sighting the policemen tried to escape but were overpowered by the security operatives who swooped on them in a commando style.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Ralph Uzoigwe confirmed the incident and said the suspects were being grilled by the police while operation would continue in the area to get the remaining members of the syndicate.

to be members of the same kidnap gang were said to have abducted Chief Ukatu an in- law to Chief Cletus Ibeto from Otolo Nnewi in the early hours of the day and took him to an unknown hideout.

The gunmen, operating in a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and a Toyota Camry, according to an eyewitness, also abducted Chief Enumah at Uruagu, Nnewi after he returned from church service yesterday. Our source said the abductors trailed him from the church and picked him when he arrived home, shooting sporadically to scare people away.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Awka, Mr. Ralph Uzoigwe said his office had not received the report.

Meanwhile, further check showed that the abductors had not established contacts with the families of the victims as at press time.

12, DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012

SOUTH WEST Amosun elevates 4,951 teaching service staff

By GABRIEL DIKE

O

gun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has approved the promotion of 4,951 teaching and nonteaching staff of the state Teaching Service Commission who were successful in the 2011 promotion exercise.

Chairman of the commission, Ms Olubukunola Onabanjo while disclosing this in Abeokuta, said 3,875 senior and 1,075 junior staff were affected, adding that this figure includes 1,132 non-teaching staff made up of security men, cleaners, messengers, clerical officers, executive officers (account and general duties) and secretarial assistants.

A statement signed by the Information Officer of the commission, Mr. Isaac Oseni, quoted Onabanjo as saying that the promotion would take effect from July 1, 2011 for the seniority purpose and July 1, 2012 for the purpose of salary payment.

The commission’s chairman, according to the statement, charged the staff to reciprocate the gesture by intensifying their effort towards the success of the rebuilding mission of Senator Amosun government, assuring that government would continue to provide an enabling environment for the development of education in the state.

Boko Haram won’t spilt Nigeria, says cleric ...Empowers young entrepreneurs with N2m

By MOSHOOD ADEBAYO, Abeokuta

T

he presiding Pastor of the Victory Life Bible Church, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Apostle Lawrence Achudume has reviewed the threat of the Boko Haram sect to the security of the country and concluded that the menace would not disintegrate the country.

Achudume spoke on Sunday in Abeokuta, the state capital shortly after empowering young entrepreneurs, among whom were members of his congregation with non interest loan of N2 million.

The cleric who blamed the insurgence of the sect on the failure of governments at the local, state and federal levels, appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan not to discontinue his dialogue with them.

According him, empowering young people with loans with which they could stand on their own would reduce the tendencies of crime in the country.

ALGON denies alleged deduction of council funds by Ajimobi From GBENGA ADESUYI, Ibadan

T

he Oyo State branch of the Association of Local Governments (ALGON) has denied the alleged illegal deduction of council’s funds to finance roads rehabilitation projects in the state by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

The association also commended the state governor Senator Abiola Ajimobi for his giant strides in developing the state.

ALGON specifically hailed the governor for effectively utilizing government funds in the construction and rehabilitation of roads and bridges destroyed by floods across varous communities in the state,adding that about 199 roads have been rehabilitated by the state government while several bridges including those swept away by the devastating floods in Ibadan and some communities in August 2011 have also been reconstructed.

In a statement in Ibadan made available to journalists yesterday and signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Messrs Yekeen Popoola and Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye respectively, ALGON described the report that there was an illegal deduction of council’s funds to finance road rehabilitation as false and misleading. “Such thing never happened in the current administration,” the association said.

The report had stated that crisis was brewing between top leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and the Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, over alleged deductions from the Federation Accounts and Excess Crude oil Accounts Allocations of the 33 Local Government councils in the state.

The statement reads: “The media report suggesting that the governor was illegally deducting from allocations for the councils is false and misleading, such thing never happened in the current administration.

“The governor is a very strict person. He does not believe in such and won’t do that. Anyone that reads the governor’s first anniversary programme will see the projects executed by the state as well as those executed by the local governments.”

“Governor Ajimobi’s administration is open to the extent that people have been freely following its steps, particularly at the local government level.”

• L-R: Head of Economic Development and Cooperation section, Embassy of Japan, Takeshi Hagino; Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Rywichi Shoji; Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Chief Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Tetsuo Seki; during a courtesy visit by the Japanse Ambassador to the governor’s office in Abeokuta...yesterday

7 killed, 17 injured in Oyo road accidents The Toyota Highlander, he From GBENGA ADESUYI, added, had a burst tyre, lost Ibadan control and rammed, into the even people including Toyota Camry car.

Also, the FRSC Apata Unit two policemen lost their lives while 17 were Commander, Mathew Cyril severely injured in auto crash- Zango who confirmed the es, which occurred between Igboora-Iseyin Road accident, yesterday that five people Sunday and yesterday in dif- said died while 10 were injured. ferent parts of Oyo State.

He said the accident, which The accidents occurred on occurred at Maya Village the Lagos-Ibadan Highway about 26 kilometers from and Igboora-Iseyin- Road in Igboora, involved two vehiAgungu in Ibadan North-East cles, a Mitsubishi station Local Government Area of the wagon with registration numstate.

Mr Sanya Adeoye, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Oluyole Unit Commander, who spoke to journalists, said the accident along Ibadan- From BAMIGBOLA GBOLALagos Expressway occurred at GUNTE, Osogbo kilometer 18 and involved two sun State Government vehicles, a Toyota Highlander has concluded arrangeSport Utility Vehicle marked ments for the establishLJ 39 KJA and a Toyota Camry car marked APP 36 ment of driving schools in each of the six geo-political KA. According to him, eight zones of the state to prevent people were involved in the accidents on the roads.

The government also said accident out of whom six peothat its efforts at rehabilitating ple were injured. the intra and inter-city roads

S

ber SV 119 KJA and Peugeot 504 with registration number AJ 613 GWA (Abuja). Fifteen people, according to him were involved, made up of 13 males and two females. No fewer than 10 people including nine males and one female were seriously injured.

He attributed the accidents to speeding and reckless driving, adding that the drivers of the vehicles died on the spot.

FRSC officials, according to him, were at the scene of the incident for rescue operation,

adding that those injured were rushed to Iseyin General Hospital.

The families of those who died had taken the bodies of their relatives.

The acting Police Public Relations (PPRO) in Oyo State, Daniel Oboyi, confirmed that two policemen were among the dead victims while another one was on danger list.

He was, however, silent on how the accident occurred.

…Osun set to establish driving schools

O

were aimed at preventing road accidents within the state.

Also, the state government expressed its readiness to collaborate with security agencies to prevent breakdown of law and order by both commercial and private drivers in the state as part of measures to prevent accident.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Transport, Mr Oladepo

New twist in Ilesa traditional crisis

From BAMIGBOLA GBOLA- the case.

Chief Ogedengbe who was GUNTE, Osogbo at the centre of the crisis also new twist may have accused the traditional ruler of been introduced into the instigating Mr. Fadeyi, who legal battle between the instituted the case on behalf of Obanla, Chief Matthew the Atayero family not to drop Ogedengbe and the Atayero’s the case after he had entered family all of Ilesa, over a por- into a peace agreement and tion of land which had caused signed a letter of withdrawal.

It would be recalled that an imbroglio between the Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland, Ogedengbe had been detained Oba Gabriel Aromolaran and for eight days on the order of some traditional chiefs of the an Ilesa Magistrate’s Court over the land matter. town.

Investigations revealed that Already, the state government had shown interest in the the Ogedengbe/Atayero famicase as the office of the lies of Obanla and Fadeyi had Attorney-General and earlier met and signed a peace Commissioner for Justice had deal after all the demands of taken over the prosecution of Fadeyi for a new boundary on

A

the said land and new receipt of purchase had been met.

However, at the point of implementing the peace pact during a parley between the concerned families and the state commissioner of Police, Mrs Kalafite Adeyemi, Fadeyi allegedly backed down over what was being described as ‘intimidation and threat from higher quarters’ not to agree to the peace arrangement.

The situation however led to tension in Ilesa and its environs, even as it polarized the traditional council and the entire city with some chiefs loyal to the traditional ruler and some to Obanla, his second in command.

Amuda who disclosed these at an enlightenment campaign, organized by the state sector of the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC), said the present administration had zero tolerance for road offenses.

According to him, the schools would help equip the drivers with the fundamentals of driving, and also prevent amateurs from driving on the roads.

The sector Commander of the FRSC in the state, Mr Imoh Etuku urged drivers to ensure proper maintenance of their vehicles and avoid high speed, especially during the ember months.

At the event attended by representatives of the Commissioner of Police, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr Etuk enjoined drivers to obey all traffic rules, to avoid untimely death, which he said, could be caused by accidents.

He also used the occasion to debunk allegation of bribery levelled against some officers of his command, saying the command was made up of disciplined and committed officers .

DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012, 13

AREWA

LG deductions: Kwara govt accuses ACN of missrepresentation of facts From LAYI OLANREWAJU, Ilorin

T

he Kwara State Government yesterday dismissed as flawed, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) accusation of conflict in figures on the shortfall in the allocations to local governments The state government in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Communication Dr. Muideen Akorede a copy of which was made available to Daily Sun in Ilorin said that “there is no discrepancy between what the SSG said and the governor’s tweet.”

“The governor only abbreviated N1.25b to N1.2b as it is a common practice in the media. Anyone familiar with the micro-blogging site, Twitter, knows you can only use 140 characters, hence the abbreviation. So the ACN is either being mischievous or displaying ignorance.

“By the local government chairmen’s admission, the temporary delay in local government worker’s salaries is due to reduced and delayed allocations from the Federal Government. This information is in the public domain. Any interested party can check the website of the Federal Ministry of Finance.

“The ACN should be honest enough to applaud the administration of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for refusing to retrench workers in the face of these challenges while the ACN government in Oyo state, faced with similar challenges, is sacking 1600 workers as another even as state mulls the sack of 50 per cent of its work force.

Rather than withhold LG funds, the state government has been remitting 10 per cent of IGR to the LG’s even though they have been unable to remit PAYE in the last two months.

Governor Ahmed has also been working with the LG’s to find mutually-acceptable ways of shoring up their finances”, the statement added.

Kano moves to bridge educational gap between North and South From DESMOND MGBOH, Kano

K

ano State Government has stressed the need to bridge the educational gap between the Northern and the Southern part of the country.

The State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso disclosed this during the ceremony to flag off the distribution of admission letters to 501 Kano State natives who were awarded scholarships for masters and doctoral degrees in different foreign universities.

He stated that except urgent measures were taken, the state would continue to depend on other states for its manpower need, while admitting that for sometime, the state had been experiencing a dearth of qualified manpower.

“The secret behind this is to sow the seed for good leaders of tomorrow and have enough manpower to manage our educational institutions, as well as to tackle the employment and other social problems.”

He maintained that the state government’s sponsorship program would be a continuous exercise, adding that students who bagged First and Second Class degrees would be sponsored overseas to further their education.

He added that the state government would sponsor 100 brilliant secondary school graduates from the state in the field of medicine, while a similar batch of 100 Kano State students will be sponsored to undergo training as pilot.

•Items recovered by Joint Task Force after an operation at the home of a wanted key commander of the Boko Haram in BulunkutuLawanti Area of Maiduguri metropolis yesterday.

Yuguda sacks 20 LG Chairmen, appoints sole administrators From PAUL ORUDE, Bauchi

B

auchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda has approved the dissolution of the caretaker committees of the 20 local government councils in the state.

The dissolution was contained in a press statement issued from the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Dandija yesterday.

Part of the statement stated that: “The dissolution of the caretaker committees was informed by the need for effective service delivery and political neutrality in local government administration.

The statement read further: “Consequently, sole administrators, who consist largely of civil servants have been appointed to run the affairs of the local governments, pending the conduct of Local government council elections,” adding that: The appointments take immediate effect, just as

the out-going caretaker committee chairmen have been directed to hand over to the sole administrators by September 10.

The appointed sole administrators are; Yohanna Usman Yashi for Alkaleri Local Government Area; Lawal Baba Ma’aji for Bauchi Local Government Area; Simon Bukata Taimako for Bogoro Local Government Area; Kabiru Adamu Sade for

Darazo Local Government Area and Ahmed Aliyu Jalam for Dambam Local Government Area while Danlami Baraza is for Dass Local Government Area.

Others are; Kabiru Garba for Gamawa; Abdul Hassan for Ganjuwa LGA; Musa Manari for Giade; Ya’u Ibrahim Gadau is for Itas\Gadau LGA; Adamu Aliyu Suleiman is for Jama’are LGAand Abubakar Dahuwa is

Director, 5 others die in Nasarawa auto crash From ABDULLAHI SHUAIBU, Lafia

T

he Director Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gadabuke Development Area of Nasarawa State, Mrs. Hauwa Santas was among the six persons killed in a motor accident near St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Akwanga, over the weekend. According

to an eyewitness, the accident which involved a trailer lorry occurred when the driver of the lorry lost control of the vehicle, and crashed into a J5 bus, killing the five occupants before hitting the 504 saloon car in which the late Director was travelling.

Daily Sun further gathered that the corpses of the victims were deposited at the Akwanga General Hospital

NHRC boss bemoans low awareness of commission by Nigerians Zamfara stops concessional flight schedule for intending pilgrims From ROSE EJEMBI, Makurdi

T

he Executive Secretary, Nigerian Human Rights Commission, Professor Bem Angwe has expressed concern that majority of Nigerians are still not aware of the existence of the commission and the services it offers after a decade and half of its establishment.

Angwe who said this during the opening of its office in Makurdi regretted that only a fraction of the country’s population are accessing its complainant treatment mechanism.

Professor Angwe while positing that this is a huge challenge before it given the large size of the country, however, stressed the need to reach all the nooks and crannies to educate Nigerians on their rights.

The Executive Secretary assured that the establishment of the office would increase access by complainants and raise their handling profile and visibility of the commission at all levels, as well as improve intervention on human rights at the grass roots.

He promised that the commission would be fearless on the issues of human rights infringement in the state as it is not responsible to the state government.

intending pilgrims to avoid From ATTAHIRU AHMED, schedule is fixed.

The acting governor who any act that could tarnish the Gusau

T

he Zamfara State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has stopped giving concessions to intending pilgrims requesting change of flight during the 2012 hajj operation in the state.

Speaking yesterday at the formal balloting for schedule of flight at the 14 local government areas of the state, the acting Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Wakkala Mohammed disclosed that the state government may no longer tolerate change of flight by any intending pilgrim to Saudi Arabia once the

for Katagum LGA while Garba Sabo is for Kirfi LGA. Also appointed as sole administrators are; Ibrahim Waziri Zadawa for Misau LGA; Saidu Saleh for Ningi LGA; Maigari Mohammed Kanna for Shira LGA; Iliyasu A. Gital for Tafawa Balewa LGA, Aliyu Ibn idris is for Toro while Comfort Ganya is for Warji LGA and Mohammed Babaji Katagum is for Zaki LGA.

was represented by the House leader in the state House of Assembly, Salisu Musa Tsafe, explained that the present administration was committed to the welfare of all intending pilgrims during in this year’s Hajj.

According to him, the state government was putting all measures in place to ensure that the hajj was successful, adding that the idea to stop wealthy individuals and some top government officials from seeking favourable flight arrangement and to ensure smooth hajj operation.

The House leader advised

image of the state and country at large, stressing that “God is clean and needs nothing but clean.”

He congratulated the local government chairmen for the concern for their intending pilgrims and attended the balloting of flight schedules to each of the councils in the state.

Earlier in his address, the Director Operations, Zamfara Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Agency, Alhaji Abdullahi Abu Nalamis urged the state government not to relent in its effort of ensuring welfare of pilgrims in the state.

by officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) who rushed to the scene of the accident shortly after.

The husband of the late director, Mr. Jerry Santas fainted when the news of his wife’s death was communicated to him and was rushed to a private hospital. When Daily Sun visited the family house, sympathizers were seen trooping in and out of the compound to condole the bereaved family over the ugly incident even as the bereaved relations were receiving visitors.

It would be recalled that the husband of the deceased Santas, a retired Director of Personnel in the State Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) was among six persons nominated

by Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura to serve as commissioner in the state Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC) but were rejected last week by the state Assembly due to lack of clarifications between members of the legislature and the executive which belong to different political parties.

14,

DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Foreign Affairs Odd World

Crime novelist fakes book reviews

Disgruntled worker bulldoze boss’ office A P olice in Houston arrested Lynn Benson, 52, after he allegedy boarded a bulldozer and drove it into his place of employment, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers.

In the process, authorities said he caused $1.5 million in damages to the building, including a broken water main and destroyed office equipment, according to CBS News.

Benson is employed by Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers as an inspector, and investigators said he waited until the business was closed for the day. He then grabbed the keys to the bulldozer and drove it through his boss’ front office, KHOU-TV reported.

Benson’s co-workers, like

Frank Wilson are still puzzled as at press time. “What caused his back to break?

What caused that snap to go? We know he was under some pressure,” Wilson told the station. “Obviously, I don’t know enough about it.

There’s an ongoing investigation.”

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers is reportedly the world’s largest heavy equipment and truck auctioneer and it was Benson’s job to audit everything at the business.

Co-workers said that he worked a very long shift, but didn’t think that would make him go off the deep end.

Wilson said he’s concerned about Benson and wants to help. “We’re an

auction company, we sell having great people and we service. All we have is serv- need to help this person and ice. We pride ourselves on his family,” Wilson

•Lynn Benson

Terms of sentence altered as sex offender becomes woman

A

flasher has been allowed to ditch his all-male group therapy classes because he is now a woman.

Stuart Fisher, 47, had the terms of his punishment

changed after having gender re-assignment. The sex offender now called Saralee Fisher has instead been granted one-on-one sessions with a probation officer.

Fisher was ordered to

carry out a group work programme for men after his conviction for outraging public decency. He was given a community order with supervision requirements in January 2010. But after he

became a she, probation officials have been forced to alter the terms of the sentence following a recent hearing at North Tyneside magistrates court.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “The suitability of treatment for offenders is assessed on a case-by-case basis.” Claire Phillipson, director of –Wearside Women in Need, said: “A change of name or body does not make a person any less dangerous or mean that they should not carry out a sentence that the court has ordered.” Fisher, of Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, declined to comment.

crime novelist has been caught red-handed giving his own books glowing reviews on Amazon, after a fellow author turned detective to expose him.

As well as heaping praise on his own novels, Roger Ellory, who writes as RJ Ellory, criticised rivals’ books with scathing comments. The 47-year-old described his own work, A Quiet Belief In Angels, as a “modern-masterpiece”. The work sold more than a million copies after being included in the Richard and Judy Book Club list in 2008.

The review on Amazon reads: “All I will say is that there are paragraphs and chapters that just stopped me dead in my tracks....it really is a magnificent book.” Posting reviews as Jelly Bean, the British author gave every one of his novels five stars.

At the same time, rival writers’ works, including those by Mark Billingham and Stuart MacBride, were

panned. Mr Ellory was exposed on Twitter by spy writer Jeremy Duns.

Mr Duns said he discovered the “long, purple tributes” using a “bit of searching and detective work”, after being contacted by another author.

He also claimed to have found evidence that another reviewer, Nicodemus Jones, was actually Mr Ellory after a post was accidently signed Roger. Mr Ellory, who has written ten novels and lives in the West Midlands, has apologised for his actions.

“The recent reviews both positive and negative that have been posted on my amazon accounts are my responsibility and my responsibility alone,” he said in a statement.

“I wholeheartedly regret the lapse of judgment that allowed personal opinions to be disseminated in this way and I would like to apologise to my readers and the writing community.” Mr Ellory won Crime Novel Of The Year in 2010 for A Simple Act of Violence.

•Roger Ellory

Half of Harvard Class cheated on exam

A

• Fisher

• Fisher (now woman)

82-year-old career criminal arrested again for burglary

D

oris Thompson’s 20page rap sheet dates back to 1955.

The 82-year-old career criminal was arrested again late last month in El Segundo for an alleged string of doctors’ office burglaries that began in March and netted her $17,000, according to the Los Angeles Times.

This time, police said a detective, who had dealt with Thompson before, recognized Thompson from a security camera video from one of her alleged crimes.

Court records obtained by the Times show Thompson

has been imprisoned at least nine times for burglary in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

The Daily Breeze reports that, in 1957, police arrested Thompson in connection with a homicide, but she was deemed insane and committed to a hospital.

Thompson’s rap sheet also includes arrests for disturbing the peace, forgery and grand theft.

When she was arrested for her latest alleged burglaries, “she advised detectives that her arrest was a case of mistaken identity,” Torrance

police Sgt. Robert Watt said.

Gawker doesn’t see Thompson changing her ways. “Even if she beats the rap, it’s a safe bet she’ll be a similar situation again soon,” Taylor Berman writes.

• Doris Thompson

s many as 125 students at America’s prestigious Harvard University are being investigated for allegedly cheating in their final exam, administrators have revealed.

The official university site reported that a large number of undergraduates “may have inappropriately collaborated on answers, or plagiarised classmates’ responses, on the final exam for the course”.

An initial investigation by the Harvard College Administration Board of more than 250 final exams resulted in cases of alleged cheating involving “nearly half the students for the course”. The Ivy League college has not identified the course, or the students allegedly involved in the scandal, one of the largest to affect Harvard.

But student newspaper, The Harvard Crimson, said it was Government 1310: “Introduction to Congress” course. The allegations arose

when a faculty member noticed “similarities between a number of exams”.

Anyone found to have cheated could face punishments, including a one-year suspension from the college.

Michael Smith, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, said: “We take academic integrity very seriously because it goes to the heart of our educational mission.

“Academic dishonesty

cannot and will not be tolerated at Harvard.

“These allegations, if proven, represent totally unacceptable behaviour that betrays the trust upon which intellectual inquiry at Harvard depends.” Harvard, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of the most exclusive universities in the world, with students paying around £40,000 a year to attend.

DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012,

15

Foreign Affairs

• A Swazi Correctional Services officer (L) supervises Swazi girls performing on Sunday the reed dance for King Mswati III at the Ludzidzini royal palace in Mbabane.

Over 60,000 maidens, brought by truckloads, come to perform the traditional reed dance for King Mswati III, who until 2004 would select among them a new wife.

Photo:AFP

Palestinian teenager burns self to death in poverty protest

A

young man has died after setting himself on fire in the Gaza Strip, apparently in protest at economic hardship in the Palestinian enclave, the man’s family and police said yesterday Ehab Abu Nada, 18, left his home on Thursday after an argument with his father, who had urged him to find work to help feed his poor family.

Frustrated in his job hunt, Abu Nada doused himself in petrol and set himself alight inside Gaza’s main Shifa hospital.

His neighbours suggested he might have chosen to immolate himself at the hospital because he had wanted to make a gesture rather than kill himself, but medics there

could not save him.

He was pronounced dead on Sunday. “He left to seek work and he did not come back. My heart was shattered,” his weeping father told a local radio station. “We live in a miserable condition.

We live in a rented house and I hardly can afford the rent,” he added.

A police official from the Islamist Hamas movement, which rules Gaza, said an investigation was under way into Abu Nada’s death, citing unemployment as his possible motive. Abu Nada’s suicide was another sign of frustration over the lack of work in the coastal territory, where a Gazan man set himself ablaze last year in despair but survived.

Typhoon kills 48 least in North Korea 50,000 hectares of farm-

T

yphoon Bolaven has killed 48 people in North Korea and left more than 50 others injured or missing, state-run KCNA news agency reports.

The typhoon “brought big damage” to North Korea and displaced more than 20,000 people, it said. Hundreds of trees were felled and power cut. The North was still reeling from floods in June and July that killed 169 people.

It is difficult to independently verify the casualty figures from North Korea.

Typhoon Bolaven travelled up the western side of the Korean peninsula after causing transport chaos but limited damage on the Japanese island of Okinawa.

In North Korea, the typhoon damaged thousands of homes and buildings and at

land, KCNA said. The previous floods left 400 missing and also made more than 212,000 people homeless, in addition to those killed.

• Swazi girls carry reeds on Sunday as they arrive to dance for King Mswati III at the Ludzidzini royal palace in Mbabane. Photo:AFP

Egypt retires 70 army generals

S

eventy generals in the Egyptian armed forces are to be retired, the government has announced.

The move comes weeks after President Mohammed Mursi replaced the defence minister and the chief of staff.

However, six of the generals will keep their positions on the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf).

Some analysts say Mr Mursi is asserting his authority over the army. There has so far been little adverse reaction from the military establishment. Defence Minister Gen Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, who was appointed in President Mursi’s military reshuffle last month, announced the changes.

In August, Mr Mursi had replaced Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi with Gen Sisi as both armed forces chief and defence minister. Gen Tantawi’s number two, Gen Sami Enan, was also replaced. Both men were prominent members of Scaf, the military body that ran Egypt after the fall of

President Hosni Mubarak after mass protests in February 2011.

In July, Scaf formally handed over power to Mr Mursi, Egypt’s first ever democratically elected president. At the same time as the reshuffle, Mr Mursi issued a decree voiding an interim constitutional dec-

C

the row. Mr Assange, a 41year-old Australian citizen, denies assaulting two women in Stockholm in 2010 and says the sex was consensual.

Swedish prosecutors, who want to question Mr Assange, have dismissed his claims that their case is part of a wider political move to see him stand trial in the US over his work with Wikileaks.

Mr Assange has said he fears he could face the death penalty if convicted in the US, but BBC correspondents say the Human Rights Act prevents the UK or Sweden from being able to extradite people

members of the Scaf must have been consulted in advance of such important changes to the military hierarchy. Generals Mohamed Assar, Mukhtar el-Mullah, Mahmoud Nasr, Fouad Abdel Hay, Mohamed Emara, and Mamdouh Shahin, will keep their membership of Scaf.

…Accuses UK of breaching international anti-corruption accord • Mubarak-era assets unaffected by sanctions

T

he United Kingdom government is failing in its commitment to freeze assets of the regime of former Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak, a BBC investigation has found.

Publicly available documents reveal property and companies linked to key figures in the Mubarak circle that have been unaffected by sanctions. Egyptian officials accuse the UK of hiding stolen wealth and breaching international anti-corruption accords.

UK denies Wikileaks’ founder’s death penalty claim

laims Wikileaks founder Julian Assange could face the death penalty in the United States are “without foundation”, Foreign Secretary William Hague has said.

Ecuador has granted Mr Assange asylum as he fights extradition from the United Kingdom to Sweden over sex assault allegations. Mr Hague told MPs the UK and Sweden would seek assurances about his human rights if the US sought to put him on trial for disclosing documents.

He called for further meetings with Ecuador to resolve

laration from June that gave Scaf broad executive and legislative powers.

However, it was also announced that Field Marshal Tantawi and Gen Enan would stay on as advisers to Mr Mursi. Some analysts have suggested that at least some

for trial in countries where they could face such a sentence.

And in a written statement to Parliament, Mr Hague said: “As we have discussed with the government of Ecuador, the United Kingdom and Sweden robustly implement and adhere to the highest standards of human rights protection.

“The suggestion that Mr Assange’s human rights would be put at risk by the possibility of onward extradition from Sweden to a third country is also without foundation.

The UK says it is doing as much as it can to trace the funds. Reports that President Hosni Mubarak and his inner circle stole tens of billions of dollars helped fuel the revolution which overthrew him on 11 February last year.

Three days later, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague told parliament the UK would co-operate with an Egyptian government request to freeze the assets of several former officials. But it was a further 37 days before Britain and other EU states applied the sanctions, a period when Egypt says the accused officials were able to move their money elsewhere.

About £85m ($135m) of assets belonging to Mr Mubarak, his wife, two sons, and 15 other Egyptians have now been frozen in the UK. But the BBC investigation found assets that have apparently been missed. The publicly accessible Companies House register reveals that one of those named on the sanctions list, Naglaa al-Ghazaerly, wife of the former housing minister, was able to register a company in her own name in London in November 2011, seven months after her assets

were ordered to be frozen.

Another similar document shows that a London investment company, Medinvest Associates, co-founded by Mr Mubarak’s younger son Gamal, and still belonging to a Cypriot firm he helped run, continued operating until it dissolved itself, voluntarily, in February this year - 11 months after sanctions were imposed.

Meanwhile there is no indication on Land Registry documents of any freeze on the large house worth between £8m and £10m in Wilton Place, off Knightsbridge in London, that was Gamal Mubarak’s UK home for many years until the Egyptian revolution.

• Mubarak

16

DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012

NewsPlus •A cross-section of the participants

By SEYE OJO

F

or three days, close to 5, 000 men from different parts of Nigeria and some neighbouring West African countries invaded Ajebo, a community in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.

General Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Reverend Felix Meduoye, was the team leader to the community. He was assisted by his counterpart from the Republic of Benin, Revd. Romain Zannou, a leader from the Nigerian Intercessors Group, Professor Ebere Orish, and National President, Council of Foursquare Men (CFM), Deacon Churchill Peters-Ayerume, and dozens of others.

Like Robert G. Allen in his popular book, Multiple Streams of Income, it was as if the participants were taken to the quarry where they were cut into pieces and sharpened on how to be healthy, generate a lifetime of unlimited wealth and retire wealthy from their jobs.

The empowerment programme centred on entrepreneurship, opportunities in non-oil export trade in Nigeria and strategies for financial prosperity. The session was handled by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) and some commercial banks.

But the participants were told to have heaven in focus always so that they would not gain the whole world and lose their souls in hell. The breadwinners were enjoined to remember Christian, the main character of a religious allegory book, The Pilgrim’s Progress, written by John Bunyan, who reached the Celestial City in spite of all odds.

It was the annual convention of the Council of Foursquare Men (CFM) at the Foursquare Camp, Ajebo, which was tagged: Set on a Hill. The exercise featured economic empowerment programme, lectures on modern day parenting and drug abuse by children, seminar on prostate cancer, praise and worship, ministrations, testimonies, El Shaddai night and launching of the CFM’s magazine, Real Men. National Secretary of the church in Nigeria, Revd Ikechukwu Ugbaja, District Overseer of Akowonjo, Revd Goddy Ebojie, District Overseer, Benin, Revd Johnson Rogho, former Minister of Defence (State), Dr.

Thousands invade Ogun community Foursquare Church, banks teach men how to make money Roland Oritsejafor, Revd Chukwuka Ekeoma, Revd Tope Oni and a pharmacist, Mr. Obinwanne Odimgbe were among the dignitaries that graced the programme.

Revd Meduoye urged Nigerians to live a life of holiness, transparency and faithfulness in order not to fail in the expectations of God from them.

According to him, it was imperative for the highly and lowly placed Nigerians to shun any practice capable of retarding the progress of the country even as he prayed for God to intervene and cleanse Nigeria.

“As men, we are to be conscious of the unique place God has put us. We should be as visible as a hill. We are to display the beauty of Christ in us starting with our immediate family, the neighbourhood, community, workplace and the larger environment.

“We are to live in the consciousness of the fact that we are the written epistles that the world would read. It requires us to live a life of holiness, transparency and faithfulness in all things at all times.

“A hill is an elevated structure visible enough to onlookers. God, by it, is promising to elevate you, raise you so high that you cannot escape being noticed by people. In essence, God will give you blessings that will be noticed by people around you,” Meduoye stated.

Revd Zannou charged Christian men that the discovery of who they are would turn challenges to opportunities for them. Christianity, he said, must start with the self discovery of being before doing.

“The great challenge I want to throw to those of you who are aspiring to be light, salt and the representation

• Revd. Meduoye, flanked by the CFM executives, presenting a copy of the Real Men of God in your family, church, society and nation is, let us be accountable to one another on what God says we should be. You need to have someone in your life who can challenge you every day and ask you hard questions.

Are you what God wants you to be?

Someone you can also openly tell that you have weakness in certain areas.

For us to be light and salt, we have to understand the importance of being,” he said.

Professor Orish, who urged Nigerians to pray instead of criticising President Goodluck Jonathan, noted that there are forces working against the success of his government. He enjoined Christian leaders to jettison the denominational divides, come together and pray for God’s intervention in the situation of the country.

Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee, Elder Emmanuel Okoro, urged Christian men to be relevant in their homes, families, churches, communities and

in the country.

“Our God has been our help in ages past and remains our only hope for years to come, especially as we continue to witness the close of age, with its attendant turbulence and heartbreaking events globally,” he stated.

National President of the CFM, Deacon Peters-Ayerume, was grateful to God for the success of the convention, noting that the attendance for this year’s retreat was 150 per cent higher than the previous attendance.

This year’s convention, he stated, focused on the urgent need for Christian men to live up to the expectation of God for their lives. While enjoining Christian men across the country to make themselves the light to the darkness of the world, he urged them to work assiduously to ensure that Nigeria joins the developed nations of the world.

“The conventioneers this year are quite happy with what they got from the convention. We are grateful to

God. Personally, I have learnt so much in the areas of family, society and the nation at large,” he said.

The CFM’s Vice President, Lagos West Region, Deacon Sam Ojukwu, described the convention as a refreshing experience. The conventioneers, he said, prayed for peace in Nigeria.

According to him, “One of our targets is the betterment of this nation and you cannot get it until you go down homes. When the home is in good shape, the church and the nation will be in good shape.”

Mr. Gbenga Olukoya, a chartered accountant turned farmer from Shomolu District, Lagos State, said the convention was a unique one, especially the seminar on parenting.

Deacon Joshua Kola Ayandokun, from Abeokuta District also stated that the talks on health, parenting and other ministrations richly blessed him.

Mr. Uche Ulu from Abakaliki District, Ebonyi State, told Daily Sun that his expectations for the convention were met, adding that he learnt so much about modern day parenting.

Also, Mr. Peter Akpeji, a civil engineer from Akowonjo District and head of protocol for the convention said every part of the retreat was a blessing to him.

Mr. Akin Omolere, a software engineer and a banker, was the vice chairman of this year’s convention. He has also been installed as the chairman, Convention Planning Committee for next year that will be hosted by the Alaka District. He told this reporter: “The convention was a great success.

The plan we had was for about 3, 000, but about 5, 000 came.”

In the words of the Secretary of the planning committee, Mr. Abayomi Agbede-Daniels, the convention was a great one and the attendance was unprecedented. Quite a number of innovations were infused into the convention such as the e-registration that helped the men to register online before the convention started.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

DAILY SUN

17

NewsPlus Day Ebonyi journalists J dazzled Elechi, deputy

By PETRUS OBI

ournalists in Ebonyi State recently dazzled the state governor, Chief Martins Elechi, his deputy, Dave Umahi, and other top government functionaries in the state. The event was the grand finale of the annual Press Week organised by the Ebonyi State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) during which an award ceremony was put together to reward excellence at the local government level.

The ceremony, held at the Women Development Centre, Abakaliki, was part of the week-long event, which also marked the last official outing of the outgoing chairman of the union, Comrade Goddy Okafor.

It was a colourful outing that recorded a large turnout of dignitaries. Besides Elechi and his deputy, the event also attracted members of the National Assembly, state lawmakers, commissioners and local government chairmen, among others. As expected, supporters of expectant council chairmen also thronged the venue.

Having embarked on a media tour during which the Ebonyi-based journalists inspected projects being executed by the local government administrations, the NUJ, with the support of the state government, decided it was apt to reward hard work and excellence, thereby challenging underperforming chairmen.

Governor Elechi’s interest in such rating in the performance of the council administrators was hardly surprising. With innumerable projects on rural roads and unity bridges across the state, the governor has always expected the third tier of government to complement his efforts to uplift the living standards of the rural people, who make up an appreciable percentage of the Ebonyi population.

Elechi told the gathering that his happiness at honouring the invitation from the NUJ was informed by a number of reasons.

“First, this event affords me a veritable platform to commend the press for its contributions to nation building over the years. Second, this event offers me a personal opportunity to publicly thank the media community in Ebonyi State for its partnership with my administration in our efforts to further the frontiers of development of the state.

“Third, this gathering presents me an opportunity to share some of my thoughts with the practitioners, on the role of the press in the sustenance of our hard-earned democracy. Without embarking on an undue historical excursion, it must be acknowledged that the Nigerian press played very crucial patriotic roles in the anticolonial struggle. Among other things, the patriotic activism of the press provided a major fillip to the nationalist struggle.

“The Nigerian press not only made the environment uncomfortable for the colonialists, it also constituted an engine of public enlightenment for the citizenry to drive the cause of our national self-determination. It is therefore safe to state that as a nation, Nigeria owes part of the success of its anti-colonial struggle to the Nigerian Press.

“Furthermore, during the years of military dictatorship, the Nigerian Press again rose to the occasion. In concert with other patriots and democrats, the press was a thorn in the flesh of the military and the result is the democracy we have today. I have often canvassed the view that the most important benefit of democracy is not necessarily the provision of roads, water, electricity and the like, because even the most repressive and fascist regimes can also do the same. To my mind, the greatest dividend of democracy is the freedom it affords the citizenry - freedom to differ both with one another and with the government of the day.

“In the face of the contributions of the press to our collective march to development and the historic debt of gratitude which our nation owes the press, members of this noble profession must also come to terms with the fact that they bear a national burden; not only to trumpet the truth, but also to work towards the sustenance of our hard-earned democracy and the preservation of our national sovereignty “As I stated earlier, democracy thrives on the plurality of opinions, inclinations and tendencies with the result that it is often difficult for the

... As Ogbee emerges best council boss

• Gov. Elechi (left), raising Ogbee’s hand as the best council boss

•Amaezekwe rural electrification project press to decide where to pitch its tent within the raging conflict of opinions and interests.

Unfortunately, it would appear that of late, many people in the media tend to believe that adversarial journalism is the hallmark of professional courage. With such mindset, there appears to be a growing tendency to condemn everything done by the government of the day and turn the press into the voice of the opposition.

Elechi later raised the hands of Chief Lazarus Ogbee as the best performing chairman in Ebonyi State. He was happy at the choice of the young council boss who outperformed others within one year and four months as chairman of Ezza South.

The chairman told our reporter after the event that he was not surprised by the award.

“My administration has always tried to put smiles on the faces of the people of Ezza South and I am not surprised,” he said. “From the onset, it was at the back of my mind to better the lot of the people of Ezza South, especially when I look back at past administrations. I am not condemning them but they did not actually deliver as demanded by the people and it was a serious issue that nearly swept the PDP out of Ezza South. So I promised them that a better government would be in place if I was voted in.

And by the grace of God, I will continue to live up to those promises I made during my campaign to better the lives of my people.

“I met an empty treasury, decayed infrastructure, and no human development at all. So, it

•Chief Ogbee was as though I started from the scratch, trying to uplift the lives of the people through infrastructure and at the same time addressing the issue of human development.

“From construction and renovation of schools, as well as road rehabilitation - we had to open up roads across the communities so that one community in Ezza South can interact with another community in the same local government and environs. With your vehicles, you can now cross to another community. But when I came in it was not possible. It is the same in every other sector. In the health sector, education, social amenities, we have tried to touch all sectors so that the people of Ezza South may smile again.”

Ogbee, the former coordinator of Ezza South/East Development Centre explained why he decided to tow the line of Governor Elechi.

“I came in and saw what the governor was doing. In fact, the governor has been wonderful.

He has done a lot for the people of Ebonyi State and in particular the people of Ezza South. This is the governor that has given us the longest bridge in Ebonyi State out of the 34 unity bridges. There is another one at Ezzeama. And he has also tarred many roads and constructed our cultural centre among other enviable projects in this local government area.

“So having observed the governors’ interest in opening up the rural areas, I decided to complement his efforts in Ezza South through the little projects I am handling.”

He was also commended as one of the two

council chairmen who reside in their council areas. But he said he had no option than to obey instructions from the state governor who had thus instructed them to live with their people.

“It has helped me to know the feelings of my people: what they need, what their demands and their problems are. So, in obeying the instruction of the governor, I have come to know my people better. I feel their pulse, and I know what their priorities are and I try my best to quench their thirst.”

Among the projects for which he was selected as the best local government chairman in Ebonyi are, construction of bridges across the development centres of Ezza South; construction and equipping of the health centre and psychiatric hospital at Onueke, as well as the hospital at Onueke.

On the rural electrification of Amaezekwe, Chief Ogbee noted that before now nobody ever gave them the people hope of electricity.

“That is why other communities are now clamouring for electricity, and I have promised to extend electricity to all other communities.”

Three indigent students from the local government were able to conclude their university programmes following assistance from the Ezza South chairman. “Two of them were studying medicine and one, law. They found it difficult to continue with their studies because they could not to pay their fees. Immediately I came in, they came crying. Today, I call the two medical doctors, my doctors and the lawyer, my lawyer.”

Chief Ogbee attributed his achievements within one year and a few months in office to prudent management of available resources and judicious distribution of amenities.

“Also, the state government has given us the free hands to operate in the council areas.

Anybody telling you that local government fund is being tampered with is a blatant liar, and no chairman has any reason not to perform.

In fact, all the council chairmen in the state are up and doing and there is healthy rivalry amongst us. Everyone is trying to outdo the other and our people are the better for it.”

He said he would not be carried away by the euphoria of the award. “I will not allow anybody to distract us so that any other chairman who takes over tomorrow will try to maintain the tempo. Even as the award was being given, we were initiating new projects. So we will not stop delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Ezza South.”

18

DAILY SUN Tuesday September 4, 2012

Jonathan’s chest-thumping

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan recently gave a stout defence of his administration at the 52nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian BarAssociation (NBA) where he argued that the ills plaguing the country such as insecurity, poor power supply and decaying infrastructure, predated his government. Apparently irked by recent widespread criticisms of his government, he described his presidency as the most criticized in the world. The embattled president, however, said he took the criticisms in good faith and vowed that his critics would have cause to praise him from next year when the dividends of new policies he has introduced would begin to manifest. He told the conference: “ By the time I leave office, I will be the most praised president. ” Although Jonathan’s explanations have since attracted flaks from some opposition parties which viewed his stance as a lamentation admitting his failure, incompetence, and helpless resignation because he has a responsibility to clear the mess left by his predecessors and leave his own mark, we appreciate the sincerity of the president on his frustrations.

It is good that he has taken the criticisms in good faith and has vowed that he will ultimately be Nigeria’s most praised president. We think Nigerians should give Jonathan the benefit of doubt on this optimism and the 2013 promise. For his own sake and that of the country, we wish the president well in this aspiration and urge him to work harder to make it a reality for the benefit of the generality of our people.

If he is able to tackle the three major challenges he has identified as affecting the perception of his administration by Nigerians, the people will be happier for it. His recognition of the fact that his administration is perceived as lacklustre should spur him on to make greater impact on the lives of the people.

We appreciate the president’s humility in accepting criticism of his government. His promise to make great impact in Nigeria and be the best president the nation ever had is inspiring. It shows that he has his eyes on history. This is good. He must also realise that criticisms are not always to pull down leaders but also to ginger them to do more. It is necessary to keep leaders focused, and

on their toes. However, the president should not develop so thick a skin to criticisms as to become impervious to public opinion.

Nigerians, in recent times, have seen improvement in some aspects of our national life, notably electricity supply. We encourage the president to ensure that the improvement is sustained. This government is clearly on the right track on the power supply imbroglio and we urge the president to forge on to put this challenge behind Nigeria. History will be very kind to him if he does. The power sector reform must be kept on course, even with the resignation of Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji.

The problem of insecurity is another problem that can also mar this administration if the president does not resolve it, no matter his achievements in other fields.

The corruption bogey that has plagued Nigeria for decades is another challenge he must strive to get a handle to. Already, the probe of fraudulent oil subsidy payments has unveiled the scope of the rot in the oil sector. Let Jonathan go the whole hog by recovering the money wrongly paid out and prosecute those indicted. The Farouk Lawan– Femi Otedola bribe scandal is another sore point. He must ensure that police authorities pursue it to a logical conclusion, and not sweep it under the carpet, as is appearing to be the case.

The case of Kabir Sokoto, suspected mastermind of the bombing of the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla, near Abuja, who escaped from custody and was re-arrested, appears to have gone cold. These are some of the cases and issues that will define the Jonathan presidency if he wants history to be kind to him.

Jonathan must also eschew frequent lamentation of the fact that he inherited many problems.

He was elected on the promise that he would surmount these problems, so he should complain less and work more.

Let him also note that Nigerians will certainly hold him accountable on his promise of ending up as Nigeria’s best-praised president. He must, therefore, put everything in him into fulfilling this promise and not disappoint the people.

COMMENT

Send your short and crisp letters to: letters@sunnewsonline. com.

LETTER Nigeria needs the likes of Akunyili AT our political independence in 1960, we're hopeful that Nigerians occupying positions of power in the superstructure then would take Nigeria to great economic and technological heights. But, our hopes were dashed.

Countries like Malaysia and others who were at par with Nigeria then had overtaken us.

Since we became a politically independent country in 1960, tales of woes and missed opportunities have become our lot as a nation.

We fought a bloody civil war that nearly dismembered us; and, we suffered the Worst variant of military dictatorships that wound back our national development.

Although we're in a democratic dispensation, Nigerians have not felt the positive impact of the civilian regime. Poverty has reduced millions of Nigerians to sub human beings, although they live in the midst of oil

wealth. And, the state of our infrastructure is deplorable. Our educational system has collapsed, what with educational institutions churning out morally- deficit and semi-literate university graduates.

Worse still, the deepening security challenges facing Nigeria have almost created an anarchic condition in our country. Armed robbers do stalk people and dispossess them of their money. And, the Boko Haram members have continued to wage low intensity war against Nigeria in their bid to achieve the islamization of the country. In the south-east, there is a resurgence of kidnapping. Rich and influential people are kidnapped for ransom. Kidnapped people pay ransom to their abductors to regain their freedom Consequently, the bad state of affairs existing in Nigeria has caused anger to well up in our hearts; other Nigerians are seized by the feelings

THE DIRECTORATE TONY ONYIMA Managing Director /Editor-in-Chief FEMI ADESINA Deputy MD/Deputy Editor-in-Chief ETHEL NMEZI Executive Director, Finance/Admin ALAN JONES Executive Director, Technical PAUL ONYIA Executive Director Marketing ERIC OSAGIE Executive Director, Special Services EDITORIAL STEVE NWOSU Editor, Daily ONUOHA UKEH Editor, Saturday FUNKE EGBEMODE Editor, Sunday SHOLA OSHUNKEYE, Editor, Magazines ABDULFATAH OLADEINDE Deputy Editor, Daily FEMI ADEOTI Deputy Editor, Daily IKENNA EMEWU Deputy Editor, Nation’s Capital BRUCE MALOGO, Deputy Editor, Saturday BEIFOH OSEWELE, Deputy Editor, Magazines EMEKA OKOROANYANWU Group Business Editor CHIDI OBINECHE Political Editor KENNY ASHAKA Bureau Chief (Central) CHRIS ANUCHA Acting Bureau Chief, (South-South) CHIDI NNADI Bureau Chief, (South-East) YINKA FABOWALE Bureau Chief (South-West) ISMAIL OMIPIDAN Bureau Chief (North-west) EDITORIAL BOARD AMANZE OBI Chairman, Editorial Board CORPORATE SERVICES NETA NWOSU A.G.M. Corporate Services ADVERTISING/MARKETING DEMOLA ABIOYE Business Development Manager NNENA SHUAIB Asst. Manager Business Dev. (Abuja) SALES & OPERATIONS DAMOLA LAJUMOKE AGM, Sales & Operations NWOKOCHA OBI Sales & Distribution Manager REMI QUADRI Manager, Copy Sales FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION OBIOMA OGUKWE Accountant JOHNSON OGWUMIKE Internal Audit Manager PATRICK ENILAMA Principal Human Resource Manager IFY ANYALECHI Procurement & General Services Manager

MISSION ‘To practise journalism in the classical newspaper tradition of presenting the news and features in an exciting style, with impact, objectivity and appeathat generate returns to all stakeholders: the society, the investors and the practitioners’

of disillusionment and despair. But, is there light at the end of the tunnel? For how long shall we continue to hope that our current leaders will turn around the bad fortunes of Nigeria? But, our leaders appear to be helpless and clueless as to how to fix our country's monumental problems. It takes the inputs of great leaders for a country to achieve economic and technological advancement.

There is no gain-saying the fact that Nigeria is not being led by her first eleven. The factors of imposition of leaders by political godfathers and providence or luck have led to the emergence of political charlatans and mediocre leaders in our super- structure. Their occupation of exalted positions in the country owing to their connection to king-makers typifies this saying: putting a square peg in a round hole. So, do you still wonder why Nigeria is wobbling and tottering at the precipice in spite of her abundant human and material resources?

Nigeria is teeming with people who parade intimidating leadership and academic qualifications. But, the Nigerian factors of imposition of leaders and election-rigging have prevented these gifted and intellectually-endowed people from occupying governmental posts. Writing on

the back page of ThisDay of August 18, 2012, Dele Momodu said: “I am so fascinated by the idea of a dream team and pray that the godfathers in the different parties would allow it to work. Let the god fathers remain king makers and present the best materials from their various groups. Just imagine the thunderous applause that would greet the decision to pick the president and vice president from among any combination of us, not in any particular order, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Nasir El-Rufai, Donald Duke, Oby Ezekwesili, Adams Oshiomole, Fola Adeola, Seidu Malami, Tony Elumelu, Nuhu Ribadu, Pat Utomi, Rotimi Amaechi, Godswill Akpabio, Dora Akunyili, Tanko Yunusa, Florence Seriki, Abike Dabiri, Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, Aigboje AigImoukhuede, Awwal Tukur and others.”

At this critical juncture in our political history, it is imperative for us to offer Akunyili and her ilk the opportunity to serve the country at the highest level. Only these people who are technocrats with moral credibility, leadership qualities and vast experience in governance can bring about the changes we yearn for in Nigeria.

Chiedu Uche Okoye Lagos.

CMYK

DAILY SUN

Tuesday, September 4 , 2012

19

Who can stop Sanusi?

A

lmost anywhere in the world, the position of the Governor of the Central Bank is so important. Anyone who is privileged to occupy that post becomes one of the most influential individuals in his country, and by extension, the world.

And every policy statement that person makes is capable of triggering panic or confidence, or even a crisis of confidence. It is so because economy is essentially a confidence game.

It is also so because every economy depends heavily on money, its availability and its value relative to other currencies. Beyond that, economic growth and the creation of jobs depend on money.

It is no surprise because money in itself is so important to the economy and to the citizens. Which is why financial institutions have evolved to manage money and to make it available to everyone, for personal use and transactions when they need it.

That has therefore made money a very vital legal tender that people generally accept as payment for goods and services.

It bears repeating that the one who wields the biggest influence in any economy is not the President of that country. It is the Governor of the Central Bank of that country. He is the single most important force in shaping the economy. His influence lies in the fact that he controls money supply, which means he has the immense influence over anything that matters, from inflation to unemployment, and most important of all, the strength or weakness of the currency, and indeed, the strength of your wallet. In all of this, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) knows or ought to know better than anyone else how these things work and how any monetary policy he initiates can either spur growth or financial crisis that can create a domino effect in many sectors of the economy.

The fact that anyone who wields such unrivalled power over money, makes virtually everyone else an economist of sorts. It is so because money holds the key to many things in the life of a country and its citizens. It’s like what football is means to Brazil, which makes every Brazilian a football “coach.”

Which is why every Nigerian, no matter his or her field has taken passionate interest in the proposal by the CBN to carry out a comprehensive review in the structure of the naira. If Sanusi has his way,

Tuesday with Dan Onwukwe 08023022170 dan_onwukwe@yahoo.com with effect from early next year, we will be seeing the introduction of N5000 bill as the highest denomination. Under the plan, existing denominations – N500, N200, N100 and N50 notes would be redesigned.

Without a doubt, Sanusi has become a lightning rod since he was appointed the Governor of the apex bank. He seems to enjoy intense national debate over every monetary policy that CBN initiates. Sometimes, he seems to flourish in the controversies that he often courts. Sanusi also knows how to frame issues in a provocative way. Undoubtedly, Sanusi has received the more attention and criticisms than any previous CBN Governor in history.

He has also tried harder than any of his predecessors to explain his actions to the public, most of who are suspicious of his real intentions. The overriding story of his tenure has been whether he actually means well for the economy. He always says he has the best of intentions for the economy. But only a minority few will believe him. No previous CBN Governor has injected unprecedented amounts of money into the banking sector in such unprecedented ways as Sanusi has done. We have seen him become the undertaker of many banks, completed their liquidation and acquisition by other banks and hurled the MD/CEOs of the liquidated banks into jail. His commanding, menacing presence has hurt so many. He has not failed to defend stoutly his policies, no matter how partisan, ideological or outrightly flawed they might be. The problem with him, many insist, is that he possesses this syndrome of too-big-to fail. Call it the smartestkid-in –the class syndrome which makes him almost always play the intellectual provocateur by not admitting he is capable of making mistakes.

People of his kind don’t believe that they can bluster and bluff.

And, that may well be his problem with current his plan to alter existing structure of the currency and introduce the N5000 bill. No one is doubting that Sanusi is a remarkable talent, bright, even intellectually curious, one with a huge appetite for economic data and economic theory. That of course, is his specialty. However, very few are convinced that the latest monetary policy he is preaching is well thought through. Very few have found any redeeming grace to back him. This is his moment to marshal out his argument which he has been doing for almost two weeks now. But the points of disagreement with this plan are worth noting, even though the Board of CBN and even the President have reportedly given their endorsement to the proposal since November 28 and December 19, last year.

For Sanusi, the plan is simple, He says it is a “project cure”, that was not taken in isolation but to enhance efficiency in money supply. This is how Sanusi, fear has drawn his road map on the flagpole of this impending monetary policy: He says that those who oppose his proposal, on the platform that it will facilitate corruption, increase inflation and devalue the currency don’t know what they are saying. His words, “people make argument that does not make economic sense.” He has also trashed the argument of critics that the N40 bn earmarked for the project was a wasteful venture, saying that on the contrary, lower denominations are more expensive to print. This is typical of his brusque management style and a familiar hubris that has characterized most of his policies.

He sees nothing wrong with his own view, but everything wrong in the views of others.

I know that as an economist with bias in risk management, Sanusi may have studied the thesis of

Liaquat Ahamed, author of Lords of Finance. It is a vivid and cautionary history of central bankers who by their actions precipate financial crisis in the mould of Depression which ultimately leads to jittery markets and economic anxiety. In that regard, Sanusi may not know, or indeed may be clueless about the coming storm that the review of the currency structure may have on the economy.

This plan if allowed to come into fruition may be an equivalent of a sledgehammer to perform a brain surgery. It may well be that CBN means well and its helmsman is making a conscious effort to project calm and efficiency in the management of the economy. It is however instructive to listen to the screaming and cursing that is trailing this monetary policy, because, as they say, “all tragedies in life are preceded by warnings” unheeded.

For all the rhetoric that the CBN has been making, insisting everywhere he goes, that the currency review will promote efficiency and that the N5000 meant for high-networked individuals in the society, it makes little economic sense when some of its previous policies such as the cashless policy and Islamic banking are still causing their own firestorm. The CBN under Sanusi needs to be extremely circumspect and cautious in its money policy framework, especially money supply.

This is necessary to avoid disruptions capable of sending wrong signals not only in Nigeria but within the international community. This is the time for National Assembly to rein in on Sanusi by carrying out a comprehensive review of the CBN 2007 Act which gives the CBN governor the prerogative to parcel out policies without due consultation with parliament.

My worry is that the lawmakers may not have the guts to call Sanusi to order. He will as usual mesmerize them with data and academic literature on monetary policy. He may have a joker for them, part of which is the “deliberately choice of the NASS building” as the portrait of the contentious N5,000 bill. That may be intended to make the lawmakers feel “belonged”. Everywhere in the world, high denominations often provide the fuel for financial explosion by incentivizing corruption.

Sanusi should therefore focus his energy on more important matters that will rev our economy.

Someone should help save Sanusi from himself.

And Nigeria from Sanusi.

* You can reach me on twitter@ebukadan

Boko Haram: The truth we ignore T

BY RASHEED OLOKODE o say that the fear of Boko Haram is now the beginning of Nigerian wisdom is indeed an understatement of the general physical and psychological disposition in our country whereby a mere joke about the sect's ubiquitous presence successfully bring fear.

This is a scene from the real-life tragiccomedy play staged in July 2011, at the supposedly 'hallowed' complex of the National Assembly. The fate of the Ali Baba security staff who initiated that drama could easily be deduced from the unimaginable securityoriented transformation into which his play has climaxed. Since then, passing through the eye of the needle has become a child's play in contradistinction with the act of gaining access into the National Assembly, as it is now 'treasonable' for staff members to drive into the complex, let alone ordinary Nigerians visiting to observe law-making proceedings from the gallery.

As it is with these 'chosen' Nigerians empowered to make laws, so it is with those 'anointed' to execute the state instruments of force to protect the ordinary citizens. The case of the Aso Villa is understandable.

Nigerians have always known it as a no-go land of the spirits. A place of non-humans, the ghommids (apology to Wole Soyinka in The Forest of a Thousand Demons, an English translation of D.O. Fagunwa's Yoruba play, Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmale) - a weird cave where the stomach anger of a single inhabitant can't be appeased with less than a two-hundred thousand naira meal at a go. What is tragically shocking is the metamorphosis of all government ministries and agencies into evil groves that no commoner dare enter, thus severing the link between government and the governed.

Our officials walk not alone in fear, as we the fear of Boko Haram now competes with the fear of God for supremacy in our sacred houses. How on earth have churches and

mosques, not patronized by government functionaries, been coping with the financial necessities of highly sophisticated security facilities that can, at least, allow them the luxury of praying comfortably with two eyes wide open? Eye-closing prayers must have become unbiblical for wise Nigerian Christians and full-hearted sujud (prostration in prayer) outlawed in our mosques.

And, since we are no longer sure of divine security, which we had hitherto relied upon solely, neglecting its civil necessities, selfhelp is our solace. Every Nigerian is now on his own, as national security suddenly changes from being the protection of all citizens, irrespective of race, class or creed, into something strange and unheard of. Or, what can be more alien to civilization than the sight of security officials living and working in panic?

National security is, now, the safety of government officials, their offices and homes (official and private), relatives and friends, not excluding their concubines and bush-meats, to the exclusion of Nigerians on the street whose sweats is water source for the national well but are left unshielded.

Truly, attacks on civilians by the sect have been a last resort, since their original targets - government establishments - have seemingly become impregnable. No thanks to the mountainous heaps erected as their protective shields and the ostracism of the masses that are kept far beyond an arm's length through artificial out of bounds near every official setting. Our thanks should rather flow to Idris Wada, the Governor of Kogi State, who shunned the proclivity of the typical Nigerian politician to pretend and deceive. That he boldly flaunted his bulletproof costume in the public, recently, would be lampooned only by those Nigerians who desire no end to the habitual drama of deceit.

However, what I find interesting is the avalanche of theories that the Boko Haram phenomenon has produced. The search for

the root-cause of rampaging evil has forced us, as a people, to dig deep into the data of history to ascertain what exactly our sin that desperately calls for atonement is. Even the traditionally dumb and invisible State Security Service (SSS) now appears loudest in what seems a competitive national debate on Boko Haram, a fierce verbal battle that recently claimed the plum job of General Andrew Owoye Azazi, President Jonathan's man Friday, whose crime was his too-blunt political theory on Boko Haram. Yet, a cross-section of our politicians, needled by the attempt of some to pin it to the alleged vendetta of politicians aggrieved by the outcome of the last presidential poll, have been quick to launch a counter-attack. To them, killing of oneself in order to dispatch countless innocent souls unto the journey-of-noreturn is merely an expression of people's discontent against misrule and disapproval of an allegedly 'illegitimate' government.

Also, we have a cross section that has blamed widespread poverty and ignorance for our bloody woes.

Indeed, everybody is right in his own account. Boko Haram is a coalescence of listless cankerworms that have eaten deep into the fabrics of our nationhood. But, sadly, I feel everybody is, simultaneously wrong. Where we err in our diagnosis of the plague afflicting our land is not ignorance of the real cause but our seeming consensus to ignore the truth about what indeed we are that has brought us to this sorry pass.

Plainly-put, Nigeria is a land of hypocrisy. It is the land of the most religious people under the sun who rank highest in the hierarchy of injustice and falsehood.

Injustice, to an average Nigerian, is merely a state of affairs that tilts against his selfish interests.

Long before the birth of Muhammad Yusuf, the late progenitor of Boko Haramites, innocent Nigerians have been languishing and dying in our prisons for crimes they know nothing about, and our

best response has ever been lip service and perfunctory mercy. Such victims add up to multitudes of pensioners dying daily in frustrated spirits that curse the system that unjustly deprive them of God's endowed right to life and prosperity.

May I ask? Why would Nigerian youths not subject themselves to ignorance, subscribing to indoctrination, which makes mass murder of the innocent virtuous and heavenly-meritorious? Was it not leadership hypocrisy that made those we now look upon to unknot this riddle to surreptitiously destroy public education founded on the philosophy of education as a right for all?

They set the pace in establishing world-class private schools wherein privileged offspring are given privileged treatments, after they had made poultries out of public schools exclusively abandoned for the children of the downtrodden.

Perhaps, we can't still interpret the concurrence of insurgency upsurge and the wild wind that has recently exposed the buttock of the foul. To me, it is no chanced reality but a display of logical cause and effect, plotted in a style that first unfolds the effect - Boko Haram insurgency- followed by a tip of the cause - scam galore - pension scheme, fuel subsidy, Otedola-Lawan Gate, Malabu/Shell oil-well saga, to mention but a few.

We would only help ourselves when we stop the habit of helping those who loot our commonwealth to off-load their loots in individual families, mosques, churches, traditional institutions to the level of national awards for criminals. We need not blame the gods for their rampaging wrath, which has been most ruthless on supposed peoples of faith across religions, probably due to the part we have all played in making hypocrisy our national character.

Olokode writes in vide solace4real2000@yahoo.com CMYK

20

DAILY SUN Tuesday September 4, 2012

Thoughts on sex cartel

BY GABRIEL OMONHINMIN s a parent, I also own it a duty to my country to share my personal experiences all these years, if this will in anyway help to arrest the moral vices in the country. It is also imperative I do this piece, if for no other reason to make my experience public, if some parents who have their children in and around Abuja but are still pretending not to know, what some of their wards are doing to survive in the Federal Capital Territory and other major cities in Nigeria, despite the fact, that they are aware that their children have not visible means of livelihood, but still go ahead to accept expensive gift and money from such children.

My urge to do this piece, became more compelling when the Nigerian Immigration Service recently broke a Chinese Prostitution Ring in Lagos and arrested thirteen Teenage Prostitutes. The Nigerian Immigration Service spokesman, Joachim Olumba, told newsmen in Lagos that the suspects were apprehended in Lagos following a tip off from an informant. He said the service received a report on the activities of some Chinese nationals who connived with some Nigerians to traffic teenage girls into the country under the pretext of offering them jobs in factories.

The information also revealed that more than forty teenage girls were brought into the country and camped in an apartment for Nigerian politicians, business executives and expatriates to hire for sex at the cost of between $1,000 and $2,500. Mr Olumba also noted that the kingpin of the sex ring managed to escape but that the NIS was on their trail. He also noted that after investigations, they will either deport the girls or hand them over to their embassy in Nigeria for appropriate action.

In the same vein, two of France's biggest international football stars are presently being made to face trial for allegedly soliciting an underage prostitute, in one of the most high-profile sex scandals to hit French sport.

Franck Ribéry, who plays for the German club Bayern Munich, and Karim Benzema, a striker at Real Madrid in Spain, have been

A

ordered to stand trial over allegations of paid sexual encounters with Zahia Dehar, who was under 18 at the time. They will appear with six other defendants, some of whom will be prosecuted for “aggravated pimping”.

The long-running case, which began as a police investigation into allegations of prostitution at an expensive nightclub near the Champs Elysées, tarnished the image of French football, upset the French team during its fraught 2010 World Cup campaign in South Africa and has since become an extraordinary celebrity saga in France.

It is most painful that the future of most countries “youths” including Nigeria, are gradually being destroyed in the name of prostitution. And nobody seems to be bothered about this negative development in Nigeria.

Without mincing words, prostitution becomes a pastime for our young girls and boys in Nigeria who are still dependent on their parents for subsistence, and this ugly development began sometimes in the early 80s in most of our higher institutions. And since then, more specifically, the act of prostitution has long shifted from the cigarette smoke-filled rooms of brothels and the dark alleyways of major cities, to the esteemed halls of citadels of higher learning now to our major cities, especially Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Benin, Warri, Kano, Kaduna, Owerri and Calabar just to mention a few.

Essentially, some of these young girls and boys, sent to universities to acquire knowledge and become productive citizens in the nation, have found a vocation in prostitution. God saves Nigeria.

Sadly enough, even when some of these children invariably secure gainful employment, they find this illicit trade a pastime too alluring to abandon. It is therefore no surprise, that majority of the working class boys and girls in the cities earlier mentioned, are nothing but part time prostitutes. Abuja is a high paying city, where these classes of people are making a kill. The social media, Facebook, is now the appropriate place for some of them to advertise their wears.

What a shame!

My personal experience will suffice. While working still in Abuja,

in my neighbourhood in Area 8 Garki, Abuja then, I was very close to a young man whom I chose to name Thomson in this article. I was personally intrigued with the lavish life style of this young man even though then, he was working in one of the highbrow hotel in Abuja as a staff. I was particularly taking aback, with the high level of affluence this young man exhibited. One day after a lot of beer, I asked him to let me into the secret of his wealth. The young man told me unashamedly that he was combining pimping with gigolo. I just could not understand then, how such a thing could be combined. So I demanded for more explanation. Thomson, who is extremely good looking, and deliberately took time out to take special care of himself, told me that he was just using his job in the Abuja hotel as a cover up. He said that he was making a kill from arranging young girls and boys for his clients, who were highly placed Nigerians and foreigners. He explained that as a matter of fact, he then had very many highly placed ladies married and singles who were his regular customers. And that there was a particular lady, who is a wife to a head of government of a neighbouring countries, who was then in the habit of visiting Nigeria regularly just to catch fun. And that the woman in question was then paying him handsomely for his services, and as such, he could therefore afford whatever he desired. He said other well placed Nigerian women who are mostly married to wealthy Nigerian men who no longer had time for them, instead of seeking for a divorce, prefer to patronise his types, and remain with their husband. Such ladies, he said, regularly check into various hotels in and around Abuja, with fake names to catch fun. This fun they pay expensively for, once you are able to ring their bell.

Thomson said once you are able to deliver, these categories of ladies hardly allow you to go. He said some jobs he is no longer interested in, he sub-let to his friends. There are so many Thomson versions in the many ladies that live in Abuja. It is therefore no surprise while the craze to reside in Abuja at all cost.

Omonhinmin writes from Lagos.

Celebrating Globacom at 9

BY ORE LADIPO

G

lobacom, the telecommunication giant commenced services in Nigeria with panache on 29th of August, 2003 and a vision to be the market leading service provider in the country.

While other Networks, which started operations about two years earlier ,claimed that “per second billing” was impossible , Globacom entered the market in a grand style offering Nigerians the elusive per second package thus justifying its inaugural pay off line ; people, power and possibilities and eventually forcing other networks to follow suit to the delight of millions of Nigerians.

Founded by Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr.(CON), Globacom took off like a rocket with the sole aim of building the biggest and best network on the African continent . The company from inception to date has demonstrated its commitment to creating value with its products and services, thus empowering millions of Nigerians in the process.

Nine years on ,Globacom has a record of many firsts in the Nigerian Telecommunications Industry and has remained a pacesetter in spite of rolling out its services two years after other networks have started operations. The record of firsts includes ;championing per second billing, first to implement 2.5 G network in Nigeria, first to implement 3 G network in Nigeria, first to offer 4 G LTE, first to offer Blackberry solutions in Nigeria and launch of submarine cable (GLO 1) to provide broad band internet services.

The company's consumer-focused approach to

its products and services has enabled it to give more value to subscribers through the launch of Glo 1 submarine cable which is providing limitless bandwidth to customers across the country and beyond.

The Glo 1 is also empowering not only its subscribers but also business and corporate entities in the country thus accelerating business and boosting the economy in the West African sub- region.

It will be recalled that the Nigeria telecommunications market was boosted in 2001 with the licensing of three GSM network operators, namely MTN, Airtel (formerly Econet Wireless/VNetwork/ Vmobile / Celtel /Zain / now Airtel) and MTel. The fourth operator, Glo Mobile, came in 2002 when it was licensed as the country's second National Carrier. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in 2007 introduced the unified licensing regime, granted 3G licences to four operators and also licensed Mubadala Development Company as the country's fifth GSM Operator (it subsequently started operating under the name Etisalat).

In the last ten years, GSM operation has successfully increased Nigeria's teledensity rate thus making the country the largest telecommunications market in Africa having surpassed South Africa years back.

Currently, Glo remains a leader in the telecoms sector with over twenty five million Nigerians as subscribers including multinational corporations, decision makers in the public and private sector, students, artisans and those in rural communities connected to the network. These subscribers are

enjoying access to high quality products and affordable telecom services.

Globacom has remained much focused expanding to Benin Republic and lately Ghana. It has also remained very committed to social investments in its areas of operation. The company has been supporting the movie Industry in Nigeria (Nollywood) and in Ghana (Ghollywood) with notable actors and actresses chosen as Glo Ambassadors. This move and many others had empowered African arts and culture. The sponsorship of several cultural festivals in its areas of operation is another aspect of its Corporate Social Responsibilities, which had resonated with the people in an impactful manner.

Globacom's support for sports is legendary, particularly in football circles in Nigeria and Ghana where the company is sponsoring the national teams as well as the Supporters' Clubs. It is remarkable that this telecommunication company has been sponsoring and encouraging, without fail, the annual CAF Awards, which celebrates the best footballers in Africa, male and female, since 2005!

Globacom has consistently brought innovation, quality service delivery and unequalled benefits to its subscribers. Today, needless to say, the company has grown to become a major player in the Nigerian telecom industry by offering subscribers best value for money through introduction of the most innovative products and services such as Glotxt 4 millions which has seen many Nigerians winning millions of naira . Other offerings like Glo Infinito, Talk more, Yarn me more and recently Glo Gista which, one way or the other help subscribers to pay less while using the Glo network are the

delight of people.

This is in tandem with the network's philosophy of empowering Nigerians and giving them access to the best value and pricing.

Globacom's trajectory in the last nine years has been people oriented and oscillated from “ people, power, possibilities” to” Glo with pride” and “rule your world “which is now morphing into simply “Glo”. Indeed, it has been a long but successful journey for the proudly Nigerian Network.

A big congratulations to Dr Mike Adenuga jnr.(CON) for being an exemplary patriot who believes implicitly in Nigeria by investing heavily in the country. He successfully raised the bar of investment by establishing the first indigenous GSM Company in Nigeria at a time when even the Federal Government was divesting its investments in the telcecomms industry and other sectors.

The living legend has through Globacom made a bold statement that all things are possible through determination, focus and hard work thus leading the pack and setting standard for young and upcoming Nigerians to believe in themselves and their country.

Adenuga is passing a simple message to all Nigerians and that is: there is still hope for Nigeria!

Based on the foregoing, I humbly submit and passionately appeal to all Nigerians to pick up a Glo SIM card today as a gesture of encouragement to a personality that has made most telecommunication impossibilities possible by giving us an indigenous network that we are all very proud of.

Happy ninth anniversary, Globacom!

Ladipo writes from Lagos.

Lamido Sanusi’s trap

BY KINGSLEY OMOSE he announcement by Sanusui Lamido Sanusi that the Central Bank is to introduce a new N5000 note and make changes to the security features in all the existing denomibations, has been attracting a lot of negative comments with the Senate Committee on Banking coming out with a directive to the CBN to halt the policy, while the House of Representatives has summoned Sanusi to come and brief it further on the move.

However, to introduce a cashless policy limiting individual cash withdrawal or lodgment in banks to N150,000 and then initiate changes in features of all currencies in circulation while introducing a new N5000 note, means a deadline will be given within which hoarders of cash outside the banking system have to trade their old currencies for the new ones, which they can only do through banks and the cashless policy will be waiting for them.??SLS’s objective in using the intending changes to be made in the features of all our existing currencies and using the introduction of the N5000 as a sweetener, is to bring all the cash outside the banking system to the deposit money banks thus effectively forcing the informal sector of the Nigerian economy to embrace banking and merging the formal and informal economies.

To be mostly affected will be hoarders and dealers of huge cash outside the banking sys-

T

tem who will now be forced to bring their cash to the deposit money banks, and when they are restricted by the cashless policy to depositing N150,000 a day, we are going to witness a mad dash to the banks by holders of huge cash that will be more chaotic than when Buhari and Idiagbon effected a currency change policy in 1984. The changes in the national currencies implemented by Buhari and Idiagbon, and the short time frame given for the exchange of the old notes for new ones caused massive disruptions to the economy as companies and Nigerians rushed to banks to beat the deadline, and as we witnessed massive Naira flowing into Nigeria from different parts of the world including briefcases from Saudi Arabia.

Also to be severely affected with the new policy on changes to the Naira will be millions of Nigerians in the informal sector, which is over 60% of the Nigerian economy, who do not have bank accounts or have never done any banking transactions before, and whose fates will be sealed unless conscious and deliberate efforts are made by the Central Bank and deposit money banks to mobilize them to embrace banking to avoid being cut off from the new singular Nigerian economy that is soon to emerge. With the massive inflow of cash into the deposit money bank that the trading of old currencies for new ones will engender, the introduction of a new N5000 note is to ensure that the banks are not

buried under mountain loads of cash and moderate the cost of handling cash so as not to introduce another demon that will shackle the banks while attempting to solve an existing problem.

It is not difficult to imagine what changes the cashless policy and the new policy on changing all our currencies and introducing a N5000 note will make, especially when the formal and informal sectors of the economy have been merged, all the cash outside the banking system have been deposited with the banks, Nigerians of 18 years and above now having bank accounts, and the cashless policy is fully implemented across Nigeria. Guess who already has access to view banking transactions and details of bank customers, you guessed right, CBN, EFCC and ICPC meaning that it will now be easy to track down those with huge bank deposits who cannot explain why they have such huge funds in their accounts (elected politicians and public/civil servants), it will also be easy to track banking transactions of dubious nature and to have records of financial infractions making easy to prosecute wrong doers.

Federal, State and Local Government tax authorities and agencies will also have access to the banking records and transactions of Nigerians and their businesses, effectively making it easier to access their true net worth for taxing and other purposes that will in turn

generate trillions of Naira for government at all levels which explains why the policy on issuing tax identification numbers to all eligible tax payers is already in place. My counsel to those who are sitting on mountains of cash in their respective homes or offices is to being immediately to pay in these money's into their various bank accounts so as not to he caught with their pants down when this new policy is implemented despite the protestations and the best efforts of the National Assembly to halt, limit or slow down this train that has already left the train station._ My admonition to the tens of millions of Nigerians in tue informal sector of our economy is to being immediately to open bank accounts with deposit money banks, and even better register business names and incorporate companies to give recognition and identity to their businesses and make them more compliant for the inevitable changes that are coming.

Ultimately the gains of these new policies being implemented by Sanusi Lamido Sanusi outweigh the pains as increased accountability and transparency is injected into the Nigerian economy that signals our desire to be key players on the world stage, but great effort must be made to carry all stakeholders along especially Nigerians in the informal sector to reduce to the barest minimum the pains of transiting to the formal economy.

Omose writes from Lagos.

DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Memories

Philip Nwosu 08176449110

21

R YOU S U SEND HOTOS P OLD wosu@yahoo.co.uk phillipn e-mail:

Today in History Tsunami pounds Japanese islands On September 4, 1596, one of the first Tsunamis ever to be recorded, devastated the east coast of Kyushu, the southernmost major island of Japan.

The tsunami was set off by a relatively small earthquake in Beppu Bay on Kyushu’s east coast. Despite its weakness, the quake, which was felt as far away as Kyoto and Kagoshima, caused a landslide on the bay’s coast. The landslide pushed so much water across the bay that it sent a 50-foot wave towards Uryu-Jima Island.

The very small island, located a mile offshore from Oita, Kyushu’s capital city, had only a six-mile circumference and was home to 5,000 people. The quake itself had little effect on the island’s people, but the resulting wave totally submerged the island and killed about one in every five people. The island was uninhabitable long after the tsunami.

The tsunami also went on to destroy Saganoseki and two other small villages located on the Beppu Bay coast. About 1,000 From Left: Cadet Aliyu Bidda, Col. U F Ahmed (Fmr. Kaduna Milad), Col. M S Dasuki (Current NSA) Maj. M H Jokolo (19th Emir of Gwandu) and Maj. A Abacha, the late General Abacha’s younger brother, during the Passing Out Parade of Maj. A Abacha, in Sept. acres of the mainland virtually disappeared 1972, at NDA, Kaduna. in the disaster. through footpaths to Gashaka and Kurmi council areas of the state.

The chairman, therefore, called on the Joint Consultative Commission studying border than 4,000 Nigerians, livThe sources said the Nigerians reported the refugees, mostly women and children, had disputes between Nigeria and Cameroon to 2003 More ing in Baraj area of Cameroon, matter to the authorities after which been assisted by wealthy individuals in expedite action on their assignment so as to on this day, in September 2003, Cameroonian gendarmes arrested seven Gembu to move to Wukari local government end such conflicts. fled the area to Taraba State, following a Muskum tribesmen, but the Muskum later area from where they would trace their roots. Up to 60,000 Nigerians are believed to live bloody clash between them and Muskum regrouped and attacked the Jukun, destroying The chairman of Sarda-una local governin Baraj, with most of them engaged in fishtribesmen in which two people were reported and looting their property. ment, Mr Timothy Kataps, who confirmed ing and farming. killed and several others injured.

The more than 4,000 Nigerians displaced the report to newsmen on Wednesday in According to a report from Jalingo, fighting from the area were said to have taken refuge Jalingo, said 618 displaced persons had broke out between the settler Muskum and at the Government Day Secondary School in reported to the local government.

Jukun tribes in Cameroon after a disagreeGembu, Sardauna local government area of Kataps said the displaced persons told him ment during a fishing expedition.

Taraba State. NAN also learnt that the that other Nigerians had fled Cameroon

1596

4,000 Nigerians flee Cameroon

Titanic wreck captured on film

The first pictures of the wreck of the Titanic was on this day in September 1985 released, 73 years after the liner sank, claimin 1, 500 lives.

The wreck was discovered three days ago by a joint American-French expedition lead by the explorer Dr Robert Ballard.

The ship is lying at a depth of 2.5 miles (4 km) and was filmed by an unmanned submarine called Argo.

Enhanced images taken from the film have allowed researchers to identify the ship’s boilers sitting on the sea bed.

The research team have sent down more colour cameras, but say they have no plans to attempt to salvage the wreck or explore its contents.

A survivor of the sinking, Eva Hart, said she was relieved they were not planning to disturb the site.

“I feel that it’s my father’s grave, and the grave of 1,500 people,” she said.

Salvage expert Kendall McDonald said it would be impossible to raise the hull from that depth.

“It couldn’t withstand any kind of lifting... It’s a scrap yard”, he told the BBC. It has taken two ships, the assistance of the US Navy, a huge amount of sophisticated equipment and eight weeks of searching to make the discovery.

1985

22

DAILY SUN

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Liberation Embassy holds healing service

By EMEKA ANOKWURU

S

everal people were healed of diverse ailments and diseases during the recent monthly healing and deliverance service organized by the Liberation Embassy, 2nd Gate, opposite Unity Bank, Festac Town, Lagos.

Some of the sick who came with problems of diabetes, migraine, whooping cough, pains, impaired vision, malaria, typhoid, high blood pressure, etc, were promptly healed as soon as the General Overseer of Liberation Embassy, Prophet Fire Lenke started ministering to the congregation at this month’s healing ghost and anointing Sunday service.

A man who lost his memory regained it. An aged woman that came with a walking stick dropped it at the altar and walked away.

She was one of those who rushed out to testify during testimony time of how she was healed of severe pain in her legs, which forced her to use a walking stick for more than two years. Interestingly too, a Muslim landlord whose feet were swollen due to alleged poisoning, was healed and asked by the Prophet to raise an altar of divine healing with a seed so that he would remain healthy thereafter. He became born again immediately.

As soon as he mounted the pulpit at 8 00 am, Prophet Lenke, who radiated in deep anointing and was in his usual gifted prophetic elements, revealed diverse infirmities and curses that had held some

against the evil machinations of Satan against the children of God, and to set them free, and also encourage them to live a better life.

The event, which lasted deep into the afternoon, attracted participants from different denominations across the country. Prophet Lenke in his opening remarks said holiness and altar raising are effective insurance cover which Christians need, at all times, to fight Satan while encouraging those healed or delivered from evil forces, to flee from sin and support the work of God without ceasing.

He cautioned on the need for believers to be vigilant and shun cheap wealth and questionable sources of income adding that God’s blessing adds no sorrow.

people in bondage over the years. As he ministered, he intermittently mentioned the different cases and the affected people trooped to the altar and were healed from those debilitating ailments immediately.

Mrs. Nwadiuto Okemiri confirmed that her daughter who was suffering from tonsillitis got healed during the service, soon after drinking a small quantity of anointing oil.

As the believers and faithful surged through the thick crowd to be able to find space, they did not forget to bring along their salt and anointing oil meant for the Man of God to bless. The programme that was held at the church main auditorium, was intended to stage a battle • Prophet Lenke during the service

Okorocha and his critics: The journey to nowhere From JUDE NWOKENKWO

W

hen Owelle Rochas Okorocha emerged Imo State Governor in May, last year, after a high wire election, he did not just win but it was very obvious that the mass of Imo people were rooting for him.

That was why there was so much apprehension in the polity when it seemed some people with hidden agenda were about to truncate the people’s wish. However, perceiving the determined stance of the people to ensure that their will prevailed, the plotters retreated.

Okorocha assumed office

when Imo was in a state of comatose. Without making any attempt to run down anybody, it was a known fact to both indigenes and residents of the state that things had gone so bad and gotten to the point that all that was needed was a change of guards. That was why the people rooted for Okorocha and he rode on that public goodwill to Douglas House.

It is noteworthy that Owelle did not take the trust the people reposed in him for granted.

He set out immediately to fulfill the wishes of the people by establishing a people’s government, drawing strength from the grassroots where the real Imo people are. He launched a revolution and

soon the entire state was turned into a construction site, as projects overtook all the nooks and crannies of the state simultaneously. There was no discrimination in siting projects and the people hailed him for his pragmatism.

Despite paucity of funds, Owelle is determined to use the little coming in to serve the people. He does not encourage profligacy in government spending and had blocked all avenues for siphoning public funds, cutting down on recurrent expenditures to be able to embark on capital projects develop the state. There is no more weekend feasting at government expense, going on at the Government House. There are no more expensive champagnes and choice wines to be guzzled like water. All frivolities of the past were jettisoned.

No more payments to godfathers or contracts to give them.

Above all, he astounded the people by turning his back on security votes.

For a long time, Imo State was under the siege of professional political jobbers, who hanged around corridors of power, feathering their nests while the generality of the people suffered. But Owelle

• Okorocha

They have even invited President Goodluck Jonathan to sanction a sitting executive governor of a state, irrespective of constitutional provisions.

Unfortunately for them, President Jonathan, having stated his resolve to uphold rule of law, and having proved that in Ekiti and Edo States ignored them because he understands their ploys very well too.

All their antics are geared towards getting the governor to settle them. Unfortunately for his detractors, Owelle is unrelenting in his covenant with Imo people. He is reviving all the industries of the Sam Mbakwe era, like Concorde Hotels and ADAPALM, which the PDP government neglected or failed to do over the years. Very soon, the Imo Tiles at Nsu, Ehime Mbano, which is expected to create over 2000 jobs, will commence operation. Owelle has embarked on massive road construction and reconstruction across the 27 local government areas. He has embarked on construction of general hospitals in each of the 27 local governments. His achievements are visible even to the blind and the people cannot be hoodwinked.

It would be a wiser gambit if this clique of critics backed down and start supporting the Owelle. This regime of blackmail in the media and fraudulent arguments is a journey to nowhere and flies in the face of discerning men and women. If, truly, they are sons and daughters of Imo State and love the state, they should put sentiments and party affiliations aside and support the government for the good of the Imo people.

After all, Okorocha will not occupy Douglas House forever; who knows whose turn will be next.

came to put a stop to that; just like President Goodluck Jonathan is doing with the cabal in the oil industry.

Ironically, his belief in fiscal responsibility and blockade of all avenues for wastage in government has, however, not gone down well with professional political vultures, feasting on the cadaver of the prostrate state’s economy. That is exactly the kernel of seeming festering criticism of the Owelle government because he has repeatedly said, no deal.

Enemies of the Owelle administration have not given up on their hate campaign to frustrate a performing government. They initially thought by stoking the embers of insecurity, Okorocha would be overawed to lose focus. When that failed, they stirred up former local government chairmen, who, in actual fact, were never so designated, legally speaking. The contention was that Okorocha sacked them while their tenure persisted.

The issue was whether they actually had any tenure to uphold, judging from the circumstances of their emergence. Be that as it may, musical chairs in the judiciary enabled them to complete their ‘tenure’ but they returned to court, praying it to stop Owelle from terminating a tenure that by laws of the land had elapsed; as if Owelle was the one that framed the law. Well, the law recognises that it is not within Owelle to terminate or extend an expired tenure but their backers are still pushing them on to cause disaffection •Dr. Jude Nwokenkwo, an in the polity while the legal APGA chieftain, wrote from tussle is still ongoing.

Owerri

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

SUNSummit

DAILY SUN

amodu200910@yahoo.com Tel: 08059306448

23

TAIWO AMODU

Despite enormous challenges, we have stabilised democracy –Metuh, PDP National Publicity Secretary •Says there is room for improvement its preference by Nigerians who have continued to renew our mandate as seen in 1999, 2003, 2007 and in 2011.

After fourteen years of the formation of the PDP and thirteen years in leadership of our dear nation, we are happy to express our deep satisfaction at the roles we have so far played in the course of the development of Nigeria. Nigeria has moved from a pariah nation which it once was, to an influential global player since the inception of the PDP Government. Our status as a regional, continental and global power has been enhanced.

Part of the cardinal visions of our founding fathers was to form a large, all encompassing political party, with shoulders broad and strong enough to nurture and bequeath democracy to posterity; the PDP has largely met this. Our founding fathers also intended that the PDP would serve as a bulwark against military adventurism and rebuild the fabric of the civil society. This has also been achieved. It suffices that the democratic credentials of our great Part have engendered a new orientation in the nation’s armed forces, enabling Nigeria to enjoy for the first time in her history, over a decade of uninterrupted democracy.

STRENGTHENING INSTITUTIONS OF DEMOCRACY

•Methu

From TAIWO AMODU, Abuja

L

ast Friday, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee, (NWC) invited the media to a briefing to mark its fourteenth year of existence as a political party in the country, having been launched formally on August 31, 1998.

At the interactive session, National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Olisa Metuh, expressed delight over the advancement of the party, since inception, as he enunci-

ated the party’s achievements.

Excerpts: WE HAVEN’T DERAILED FROM FOUNDERS’ VISION Today, is the fourteenth anniversary of our great Party, the PDP. We all recall that exactly today in 1998, the heroic efforts of eminent Nigerians from all walks of life to form a credible, nationwide, issues and people based political party were crowned with the official launching of our great party at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

The visions of the founding fathers of our party, the critical elements of its manifesto which centered on re-building Nigeria into a pride in the comity of nations, its untrammeled credibility as a truly national political party that has been providing a platform for all Nigerians to realize their political aspirations irrespective of religious, ethnic or cultural affiliations differentiate the PDP from its contemporaries, indeed, any other political party in the history of Nigeria.

This unique character of our party has been the major reason for

Today, the PDP is the major catalyst for the unity of Nigeria through its strong leadership and all embracing membership whose centripetal pull has succeeded in relegating the barriers of race, religion and ideological persuasions. We all know that these are at the core of issues that have kept Nigeria down since independence. There is no gain saying that the PDP is the only truly national political party in Nigeria. It is the only political party not owned by any individual or group or associated with any tribal or religious group. It is a melting pot that has given adequate expression to the aspirations of all Nigerians irrespective of class, tribe or religion.

The founding manifesto of the PDP is also elaborate on the resolve and determination of the Party to institute a legacy of credible polls that has eluded the nation for ages, knowing that free and fair election is fundamental to democracy.

Within fourteen years, the nation has gradually advanced to a stage

where free and fair election is taken as guaranteed. The 2011 presidential election, in which President Goodluck Jonathan contested as an incumbent was adjudged locally and internationally as free, fair and most credible in the nation’s recent history. The number of litigations attendant upon the 2011 general elections was drastically reduced as a consequence of its credible nature.

The gains of that successful election reflected in the subsequent governorship elections in Kogi, Adamawa, Sokoto, Cross River, Bayelsa, Kebbi and Edo States. The strengthening of the institutions of democracy is also another area that the PDP has achieved quite a lot in the last fourteen years.

The separation of powers among the executive, legislature and the judiciary has grown over the years under the PDP leadership. The three arms of government especially at the centre currently operate with least interference, having mastered the institutional checks and balances among them. This maturity developed over the years is instrumental in eliminating the friction that marked the executive — legislature relationship in the first five years of the dispensation.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has through reforms and amendments of relevant portions of the Electoral Acts by the National Assembly been strengthened to properly play its role as an unbiased electoral umpire.

STIMULATING PRIVATE SECTOR GROWTH Economically, the PDP leadership has fast-tracked Nigeria into the digital world of information and communication technology. The mobile telecom market in Nigeria which started in 2001 is rated as the fastest growing in the world. The PDP government indeed provided the enabling environment and gave the push for investments in this sector to thrive.

Our Party has also steadied the ship of the Nigerian economy which was hitherto threatened by activities of militants in the Niger Delta region. Through a well articulated amnesty programme, aggrieved insurgents have been reintegrated into the Nigerian society and now productively engaged in fruitful activities.

•Continued on Page 24

24

DAILY SUN

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

SUNSummit

The politics of Sovereign Wealth Fund

By BABAYO IBRAHIM

N

igerians are good at hammering governments on negative side. For the positive sides, we take it for granted. This attitude explains why a major landmark event in the life of the nation, the taking off of the nation`s sovereign wealth initiative has received little mention within the media.

Analysts across board appear guilty of this oversight. In any case, the fund, which has now come to reality, was a product of a titanic political battle, which started right from the Olusegun Obasanjo era.

The precursor of the Fund is the Excess Crude Account, which the state governors then fought tooth and nail to stop. The present coordinating minister, who was also in the saddle then, practically bulldozed her way through presidential backing to get the governors to accept the concept of Excess Crude Account.

The whole idea then was to ensure that the nation did not spend all its earnings even in the face of increasing oil price at the international level.

The existence of the Excess Crude Account was the main reason Nigeria escaped the shattering effect of the economic meltdown that hit the world two years ago.

Commentators at international level were also unanimous in their conclusion that but for Nigeria`s Excess Crude Account, the nation would have been badly battered during the crisis. The need to prepare for the raining days accounted for the push by the Finance Minister that has today added Nigeria to the list of nations, operating sovereign fund.

While many other ministers also worked to make the sovereign concept a reality, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala was again lucky to be in the driver’s chair when the fund is to

become a reality. She fought the governors and confronted ``a spend it all`` cabal within the federal establishment. In the same way, she overwhelmed the oil marketers, Dr. Iweala again with solid presidential support got the governors to accept the law and the take off of the fund with an initial funding of one billion dollar.

A renowned international scholar in the field of Sovereign Wealth Fund, Prof Ashby Monk, who is also the Director of Research at Stanford University at the peak of confrontation with the governors warned Nigeria against dumping the Fund Initiative, commending the Ministry of Finance for taken the step that should have been taken years ago. Justifying the idea of a Sovereign Wealth Fund, Prof Monk noted that the Fund represents a new hope for resolving the ‘paradox of plenty’. By sequestering some of their resource revenues in a SWF, these countries seek to smooth resource price volatility, make long-term fiscal policy, manage currency appreciation, facilitate intergenerational savings, and, if structured appropriately, minimize corruption and tame the political temptation to misuse the new found wealth.

Also speaking when the Fund had finally become a reality, Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stated that “The establishment of an institutional foundation for the Sovereign Wealth Fund is a victory for all Nigerians and a credit to the President who assented to the Bill in May last year. ``It also demonstrates the determination of the Federal Government to improve the lives of Nigerians through far sighted policies and initiatives. We have started putting together a quality team to ensure that we realize the objectives that inspired the establishment of the SWF. I am sure the team realizes what is at stake and is ready to do the necessary

•Gov Amaechi, Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum

work so that the country can start enjoying the benefits as soon as possible,”the minister noted.

The final take off has elicited some positive reactions from the civil society. A particular society actually pleaded with the minister to get the initial capital increased from one billion to two billion dollars. The Society for Youth Research in Nigeria in a statement in Abuja noted as follows:``Our Society viewed the inauguration of the fund as another giant leap in the difficult process of addressing the developmental challenges facing the nation.

President Goodluck Jonathan, his Minister of Finance, Ngozi Iweala and the governors deserve accolades. ``We however believe the struggle is not

over. There is a need to increase the seed capital of the Fund while governments at all levels enforce financial discipline, value for money in public procurement and stiffer anti- corruption measures in public governance so as to prepare for needs and comfort of emerging and future generation.

Prof Monk also has this to say on this landmark event and the strategic position of the Fund in the making of great oil producing nations:`` SWFs are really a point of access for governments to tap into the power of financial markets. The rationale underpinning their existence is that SWFs’ financial assets and accumulated returns will afford the sponsoring government considerable utility in managing certain fiscal and monetary problems downstream.``

‘We’ve stabilised democracy’ •Continued from Page 23 Our Party has also embarked on a massive revamping of infrastructures with improvement in various sectors. The massive investment in the railways is gradually yielding dividends as intra and inter-city rail transport has commenced in some major cities in the country. Thousands of kilometers of roads, which were hitherto death-traps are witnessing massive rehabilitation while some are completed. The Benin-Lagos road, OnitshaOwerri Road, the East-West road, KanoMaiduguri Road among others are examples of previously abandoned projects which have received needed attention under the PDP led Federal Government.

The dredging of River Niger to create a vibrant inland water ways system and the creation of River Ports and inland container depots are one of the most innovative and revolutionary measures ever undertaken in

Nigeria’s history.

Besides, our government recognizes that no meaningful development can be achieved without strong financial institutions in place.

The bank reforms instituted across the years by the PDP led Federal Government did not only strengthen the banks but ensured they withstood the economic meltdown that pulled down financial institutions across the globe.

The bottom line is that creating a vibrant private sector driven economy is a principal economic policy of the PDP. This is behind the privatization programme of the government which has so far achieved moderate degree of success. Under the PDP Government, the private sector has been on the rise, contributing millions of jobs and the overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country which today stands at over $500 Billion from $170 Billion in 2005.

Accountability and probity in public life is

a vexed issue but the PDP led government over the years has taken the bull by the horn and created two anti- corruption institutions in EFCC and ICPC. The effectiveness of these agencies is evident in the various trials and convictions where even high ranking members of the PDP who were found wanting were not spared.

FOUNDING FATHERS DESERVE ADULATION

From August 31,1998 when the PDP was formally launched, our emergence as a formidable, pan Nigerian, and issue based political party; the course of our fourteen year history as the custodian of the mandate of the people, our consistency in upholding the visions of our founding fathers; our level of success in service to the people, especially in jealously guiding the indivisibility of Nigeria, we wish to give a resounding ovation to the founding fathers of the PDP, our successive leaders and members

and to the entire people of Nigeria for their different heroic roles in the cause of the party and the nation. We have indeed covered a long stretch of mileage in translating our vision into material benefits for the people.

We are however not unmindful of the fact that a lot still needs to be done to re-occupy our deserved place in the global community We wish to promise once again that the PDP will continue to make the welfare of the people a priority. We shall do more than we have done in the last fourteen years and urge that we all keep hope alive.

We wish to also commend the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for epitomizing the party’s new spirit and for his determination to transform Nigeria. We pay our tribute also to the PDP led National Assembly, our State Governors and elected and appointed members of our Party at different levels and urge them to continue to lift the banner of the PDP higher.

Latest on the endangered Igbo language

Igbos go to war as Chinua Achebe prepares to launch new Igbo dictionary/encyclopaedia Pages 30, 35, 36

25

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

EducationReview

EDITED BY CHIKA ABANOBI PEOPLE•PLACE•PROBLEMS•PROSPECTS•PROGRESS

N I G E R I A’ S V O I C E O F E D U C AT I O N

STUDENTS SUICIDES!

Rampant cases of undergraduates taking own lives rock Nigerian tertiary institutions

Pages 26 & 27

Experts reveal signs to watch out for to prevent your child falling a victim

26

DAILY SUN

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Education Review/COVER

Students say painful goodbye to loved ones, thru suicide: ‘This is the hardest thing for me to do - having to part with my family this way,” one of the suicide notes reads. “A performer has to leave when the applause is still sounding. I love you.”

By ORI MARTINS

all the years together, but a performer has to leave when the applause is still sounding. I love you.”

O

ne early morning, about a month ago, the lifeless body of a 300-level Physics/Astronomy undergraduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Onyebuchi Okonkwo, was found dangling on a rope, suspended from a height in an uncompleted building beside the hockey ground.

What made his death more intriguing is that Okonkwo who hailed from Oraukwu in the Idemili Area of Anambra State, was on scholarship from Shell Petroleum Development Corporation Plc. His elder brother is a bank manager. So, his death couldn’t have been caused by poverty.

Some blocks that he, apparently, used in facilitating his movement into the noose, were found very close under his feet. He dropped a suicide note that reads: “The controversy is over.” Of course, the note did not give away much on the reason the 300-level student took his life. His former roommates said Okonkwo, who his course mates believed would have made a First Class, was also the Class Representative or Governor of the Physics/Astronomy department.

According to reports, he left his room in the hostel, at about 2 a.m. to an unknown destination. “When he left the room, we thought he was going to the classroom to read, but we were surprised to see his body dangling from the roof of the building this morning,” one of his roommates, who does not want his name in print, told Education Review. Those who know him very well said he was aged 23.

AT POLYTECHNIC AND COLLEGE OF EDUCATION TOO

‘THE HARDEST THING TO DO’

Okonkwo is not the only Nigerian undergraduate to have committed suicide in recent times. In fact, it is gradually becoming the way of Nigerian students in higher institutions to take their own lives. Take, for instance, the pathetic case of Kehinde Akintunde, a 22year-old student of Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) who committed suicide in a hotel at Apata in Ibadan, Oyo State, on August 20. A 400-level student of Civil Engineering, he was reported to have checked into the hotel at about noon, clutching a laptop bag. He booked for a night accommodation and was expected to check out by noon the following day, on Saturday.

But he never did. This attracted the attention of the receptionist who noticed that he did

•Okonkwo not submit his room key when it was past noon. He contacted the hotel manager, Mr. Ladapo Osu, who reportedly informed the director of the hotel. After waiting for few hours to see whether the guest mistakenly

“In most parts of Africa and in so many areas of the world’s leading religions, suicide is considered as an abomination but in Japan it is seen as an honourable thing. Another thing we must note about suicide is that it is not normally a spontaneous action, it is usually premeditated and this is why actions and utterances of some people must have to be monitored to prevent them from committing this evil act.”

went out with the key and failing to drop the key, he instructed that the door should be forced open . This was done but the carpenter, the hotel staff and other curious onlookers were shocked to find the guest hanging on a rope tied to the hook of the ceiling fan in the room – he had committed suicide!

The hotel management informed the police at Apata Division, who went to the scene and took pictures of the dangling body. His family members were also contacted through a diary found in his bag. Like Okonkwo did, Akintunde also left suicide note. It reads in part: “This is the hardest thing for me to do having to part with my family this way. As far as I am concerned, I have lived my life. I felt like an old man... like a person who has seen it all. I can’t just see any purpose in living.

Besides, if you can’t help build it, move to one side. Allow others who can.” He went further to address his family members thus: “I cherish

The same fate befell 27-year-old National Diploma (ND) graduate of Business Administration Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Muili Awolumate, who reportedly took his life in Ifon area of the state. Eyewitnesses confirmed that Awolumate’s body was found dangling on a tree in May, this year. The evidence that he actually committed suicide was that the belt he used in making up the noose was the one that people had always seen on him. It was also claimed that there was no evidence to show that he might have been killed elsewhere and had his body hurriedly dumped there. It was reported that the late Awolumate was unemployed at the time of his death.

There was also the case of 24-year-old student, Towobola Adeniran, in Ilorin, Kwara State who committed suicide early this year.

Investigations revealed that Adeniran, a 100level student of Marketing at Kwara College of Education, Oro, killed himself by hanging in his apartment at Opo-Malu area of Ilorin as his body was discovered dangling from a ceiling fan. The neighbourhood was alerted about the tragedy by a co-tenant, who noticed that his door was still locked from inside, hours after daybreak.

Following the alarm raised over the matter, the door was forced open only for shocked co-tenants and neigbours to see Adeniran’s lifeless body dangling from the ceiling.

Adeniran who was said to have showed no sign of distress before the incident was handsome and jovial and always playing with people. But a strange twist to his story is that he was discovered to have packed his belongings from the house and deleted all the contacts in his mobile phone. But unlike Okonkwo and Akintude, he left no suicide note. A friend of the deceased confirmed that Adeniran, an indigene of Shaki in Oyo State, was a self-sponsored student and a commercial motorcycle operator in Ilorin. He, however, added that the late student showed some distress when the motorcycle was stolen two months earlier.

GENERAL CONCERN

The present deplorable situation whereby students commit suicide with ease is becoming a source of worry to teachers, parents, guardians and other stakeholders. One of them is Dr Uwaoma Uche, Head of Department, Mass Communication, Abia State University. “I must be very honest with you, this issue of committing suicide by some students in recent times is giving us concern,” he said while sharing issues with Education Review. “It amazing that a student that came to the ivory towers to learn so as to make himself and humanity better would end up ending his life in a most brutal and wicked fashion while bringing pains and anguish to his fami-

•Continued on Page 27

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

DAILY SUN

27

COVER/Education Review

•Uche •Continued from Page 26 youths commit suicide? The answer is a ly friends and well wishers. We all are worried by this condemnable development and we should do everything within our purview to ensure an end to such unholy attitude.”

Godwin Uloleme, a lecturer in the School of Medicine, Imo State University, (IMSU) regrets that the present trend really runs counter to the ideals and aspirations of university standards. He believes the university ground is a hallowed centre for perfection and an arena for good ethical promotion and not a place where an evil act like suicide should be conceived. Like Uche, he called on university authorities to ensure that the trend is checked.

WHY STUDENTS COMMIT SUICIDE

There are various reasons students take their own lives. They range from depression, frustration, examination failures, unsuccessful academic ventures, betrayals, etc. But according to Teni Atalabi Osundeko, American trained Nigerian professor of psychiatry, poor family surveillance is one major factor that leads to suicide.

“First, let us ask the question: Do Nigerian

WORD HISTORY

I

t’s inside that bottle of alcohol that you saw the man in silhouette on this page drinking. You can also find it in gin, cocaine, or Indian hemp. Dutch courage is an alcohol or intoxicant-induced selfconfidence you get to in order to face a difficult task or person, say a girl or a man, as the case may be. So, when you are drinking or smoking to gain confidence in order to stand before someone or talk to or fight him or her or even to kill, that’s Dutch courage you are trying to muster up. It’s as temporary as the drink or smoke from which it emanates.

It can also be used to refer to the kind of courage that you muster on the spur of the moment, especially in times of taunting from either your peers or girlfriend, not because it is common with you, not because you are courageous by nature, but because you want to show them that you are not a coward, as they are thinking.

But have you ever wondered how we came about the idiomatic expression, about the history behind it? It was a phrase coined from the creation of a Dutch gin by Franciscus Sylvius, a Dutch doctor gin.

The gin was used by Dutch soldiers to gain

resounding yes,” he said. “Due to the stigma attached to suicide, many families may not advertise the fact that their beloved child took his own life, so it may be difficult to know how widespread this phenomenon is.

Nevertheless, some cases do become public knowledge. The first case that comes to mind is that of a young boy in his mid teens that killed himself in my old neighbourhood in Akure many years ago. You see, examination failures or betrayals by close relatives or friends can lead students to committing suicide. Depression from failed dreams and business deals is also a major factor.’

Prof Dada Joseph of the National Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos notes that “we normally consider suicide as a mental issue. Not necessarily that the person is mentally derailed but that at that particular time he committed suicide, something actually had gone wrong with him because somebody in his natural self cannot take away his life. Two, we also know that suicide comes as a result of deep depression, loss of confidence in oneself, betrayal by loved ones and close relatives, social isolation, and in this case, academic related matters especially failures. In most

•Education Minister, Ruqayyatu Rufai parts of Africa and in so many areas of the world’s leading religions, suicide is considered as an abomination but in Japan it is seen as an honourable thing. Another thing we must note about suicide is that it is not normally a spontaneous action, it is usually premeditated and this is why actions and utterances of some people must have to be monitored to prevent them from committing this evil act.”

But Rev Fr. Emmanuel Oriyomi of St Alphonsus Parish, Akute, in Ifo Local

Government Area of Ogun State, believe that most students who commit suicide are usually pushed by spiritual forces that they find hard to resist. “I want you to know that any student who passes through the six years programme in the secondary school and wrote the JAMB and eventually gained admission into the university, only to end up committing suicide must have been under the influence of some supernatural forces. To this end, I call on students to be spiritually alert so as to avert such unfortunate situations.”

The courage the Dutch gives you the courage to stand and fight the English troops in the ancient European war that later became known in world history as

“the Thirty Years’ War” (1618–1648). The English troops noticed that the Dutch soldiers usually launch a fierce battle as soon as they finished taking the gin that was said

to warm their bodies in a cold weather. But they also noticed that the courage to continue to fight waned as soon as the effect worn off. Hence the English troops chose to derisively refer to the gin as “Dutch courage.” Today, socio-linguistically, the English phrase has metamorphosed to mean not only the kind of courage you get from the intake of alcoholic or intoxicating substances but also another name for them. In that sense, you can call alcoholic beverages like gin, beer, etc or intoxicants like cocaine, Indian hemp, etc Dutch courage.

Sentence examples: •Consult this drink if you need some Dutch courage to talk a lady.

•He needed some Dutch courage to face his opponent in the boxing ring.

•It was Dutch courage that made the football fan attack the policeman.

•It will take a bit of Dutch courage courage to make an afterdinner speech.

28

DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Education Review/SPECIAL REPORT

The new eagles on Nigeria’s Academy iroko Trumpet sounds as Nigerian Academy of Letters inducts new fellows

Jolly good Fellows (L-R): Prof Oladele O. Olayiwola, Prof Antonia Yetunde Folarin-Schleicher, Prof Akachi Ezeigbo, Prof Francis Egbokhare and Prof Sola Akinrinade

By SAM OTTI

W

hen a child washes his hands well, he eats with elders, so says an African proverb. That statement found fulfillment in Prof. Akachi Ezeigbo, author of the popular Umuga trilogy, The Last of the Strong Ones, House of Symbols, Children of the Eagle, the NLNG (Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas)-award-winning children book, My Cousin, Sammy and Roses and Bullets (her latest literary offering), among other books, recently when the renowned scholar from Department of English Language and Literature, University of Lagos (UNILAG) was made a distinguished fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL).

She was one of the five new members inducted at the 14th convocation and investiture held, at UNILAG’s main auditorium, Akoka.

The investiture had the blessings of the foundation fellows, with some of them like Prof. J.P Clark-Bekederemo, Prof. Emeritus Ayo Bamgbose, who was also the foundation President, Prof. Emeritus J.F Ade-Ajayi, Prof. Emeritus A.E Afigbo and Prof.

Emeritus Adeboye Babalola, gracing the occasion. With such calibre of scholars as members, admission into the academy was strictly on merit. When the profiles of the new fellows were read by the public orator, Prof. Olu Obafemi, not even a doubting Thomas could fault the judgment of the

College of Fellows that chose the five scholars as new members.

The newly inducted fellows include, Prof.

Sola Akinrinade, Vice Chancellor, Osun State University and author of Rethinking the Humanities in Africa, The Humanities, Nationalism and Democracy; Locating of Contemporary in the Global: Voices on a Globalised Nigeria, Africa in the Post-Cold war International System and Economic Development in Africa, Prof. Oladele Layiwola (Professor of Business Law at College of Law, Osun State University, Ifetedo Campus), Prof. Francis Egbokhare, Professor of Linguistics at the Department of Linguistics & African Languages, University of Ibadan, and author of Language and Contemporary Issues in Nigeria, Focus on Emai Proverbs and Names, Language and Ethnicity in Nigeria, and Prof. Antonia Yetunde FolarinSchleicher, of Department of African Languages and Literature, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A. and author of Lexical Phonology of Yoruba Nouns and Verbs, Aspects of Phonetics and Phonology of Ikhin, and Noun Class Systems of Lokko, was admitted into the overseas fellow of the academy.

While declaring the convocation ceremony open, the President of the academy, Prof.

Ben Elugbe noted that the investiture of academic and honorary fellows enables the academy to recognise excellence in scholarship, as well as service to Nigeria.

To become an honorary fellow Prof. Ben

Elugbe, said the Executive Committee of the Academy receives and takes a decision on nominations. He, however, stressed that the Executive Committee must be convinced that the nominee has contributed to the society in a positive way. Although there were no honourary fellows at this year’s event, the president said individuals that met the entry requirements would be considered on nomination.

Although the organisation, as presently constituted, has fewer women as members, Elugbe said the academy believes in gender equality but would not facilitate the election of women. Aside the annual ritual of inducting new members, the outgoing president said the academy also takes various initiatives that would benefit the society.

According to him, the academy occupies a unique position to offer useful advice and service on different kinds of issues in the country.

Elugbe said the academy took the decision to run a creative writing empowerment workshop, promising that a handbook that would be of immense benefit to the writing culture in the country would soon be launched. He said the publications by the academy have remained great source of knowledge, scholarship and development.

The highlight of the convocation was the handing over of the emblem of office by the outgoing president to his successor, Prof.

Munzali Jibril. He said Jibril, who served as

•Continued on 35

“The academy occupies a unique position to offer useful advice and service on different kinds of issues in the country.”

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

DAILY SUN

29

SPECIAL REPORT/Education Review •Continued from 34 the Vice President during his tenure, emerged as the president during the last election organised by the organisation. For Ezeigbo, becoming a member of the academy was like an invitation to dine with the kings and this fills her heart with strong emotions.

“I do not know how to express our feelings. In fact, I feel very emotional about this.

I want to thank the College of Fellows who found us worthy,” she said, when Education Review asked how she felt. “We were told that what happened was based on merit. I feel very emotional about this like I said. I think the other recipients are feeling the same way, especially when I find myself becoming a member of such a distinguished academy. When I look at the founding members and all the other fellows who were here before us, I feel honoured. I find myself belonging to the same association with people like Prof. J.P Clark and my own distinguished supervisor whom I consider the best scholar in African Studies and Prof. Francis Abiola Irele, whom I listened to his keynote address at the Cambridge University in the UK. He gave that address without reading from any paper. These are the calibre of people that belong to this academy and I feel very proud to be even the least among them,” she said.

Our reporter also caught up with Prof.

Cyprian Ezeigbo, the husband of the recipient as he was about leaving the venue.

Expressing his joy on the honour bestowed on his wife, he said: “I am very happy about it. I am happy having my wife as a writer.”

His youngest son, Nnamdi, a graduate of Civil Engineering, was also at the event to celebrate with his mother. He described as an avid writer, who had inspired millions of children with her story books.

“Every moment of her life, she thinks about writing. She converted all her time into writing short stories, children’s book, war stories and so on. I read my mum’s storybooks when I was young. Although in my own discipline, we do not read so much literature, but I derive pleasure reading my mum’s books. I am a civil engineer but because of her style of writing, I always find it interesting reading her work,” he said.

The Ezeigbos were not the only ones emotional about the honour. A German guest, and the husband of one of the recipients, Prof. Antonia Yetunde Folarin-

MEMO

Y

ou are absolutely correct.

What you are looking at on this page is a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) or “Jeep,” as some people call it, meaning, as Longman English Dictionary described it, “the type of car made for traveling over rough ground.”

But do you drop or alight/get off from it or from a car from that matter?

Answer: You alight, not drop. That’s the absolute grammatical truth. So, when next you hear someone say, “Driver, I will drop at that market or junction,” let the person know that it is alight not drop.

A few of the grammatical blunders that people commit with regard to car: Wrong: I can’t take you, there is no chance in my car.

Correct: I can’t take you, there is no room/space in my car.

Wrong: The accident was fatal; all the victims are being treated in the hospital.

Correct: The accident was ghastly/serious; all the victims are being

Newly installed Fellows relive experiences

Prof. Antonia Yetunde Folarin-Schleicher (fourth from left) and her husband pose for photograph with well-wishers Schleicher, told our reporter that it was a moving experience seeing his wife inducted into the academy.

“It is a lifetime event for me and obviously for her as well,” he said. “To see her reunited with all the professors is really a moving experience. It is really, really powerful for me. We met in a Phonology Class.

Currently, I work as an academic adviser.

We did research together when she was a visiting professor. We often came up with research topic together. Whenever she is going to the conference, I take care of the kids, keep the house in order. It is really a joy to me to see her blossom. Her legacy is our legacy also.”

Also speaking, his wife, FolarinSchleicher, described it as ‘a great honour and privilege’ to find herself in such a distinguished assembly.” I feel really honoured

and happy. For me, I believe that what is worth doing at all is worth doing well. Any place I find myself, I strive to be the best.

When I found myself in the United States, where you have so many opportunities and resources, it was, to me, like the sky was the limit. I could basically be what I want to be if I remain focused on my goal. I made sure I didn’t get distracted,” she said.

Answering our reporter’s question as to whether she would consider teaching in Nigeria and help rebuild the ruins in the sector, she said: “I will consider it. Actually what I am doing in the United States is to promote Africa. So, if I have the opportunity to transfer lots of knowledge I have acquired in the United States, I will consider it seriously.”

Folarin-Schleicher, who had helped over

40 Nigerian graduates to study in the United States, also promised to help the NAL rebuild their website to showcase the amazing human resources in the country. “The website now is really where people get to know what is going on. I will ensure that they become global so that people even know that they exist. My goal is to start addressing issues affecting Nigerian education system. For me, I really believe that Nigeria had amazing human resources. That is why one of my goals is to recruit graduate students to study in the United States and I have been able to do that for at least 40 graduate students. I really believe in the brains that Nigeria produces and my goal is that I will be able to contribute to building the education sector,” she said.

Drop or alight? treated in the hospital. Note: an accident is fatal when it involves the death of the victims.

Wrong: I tried to move the car but the engine refused to start.

Correct: I tried to move the car but the engine wouldn’t start.

Wrong: The tyre wanted to burst.

Correct: The tyre was about to burst.

Culled from Problem Areas in English Grammar and Usage by Prof.

Charles Ogbulogo.

Additional notes: While the British prefer “tyre” in their spelling, the Americans go for “tire.” So, if you are writing and your computer underscores the word “tyre” with a red marking, ignore it because in Nigeria we speak and write British English. Likewise, “side mirror” is American English. The British know it as “wing mirror.” When next you hear someone ask you to watch your “side mirror,” know that he is using American English, not British.

30

DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012

NEWSLINE/Education Review

Latest on the endangered Igbo language

Achebe comes to the rescue, prepares to launch new Igbo dictionary/encyclopaedia

By SAM OTTI

T

roubled by the predicted extinction of Igbo language by 2025, Prof. Chinua Achebe, author of the world-famous novel, Things Fall Apart, has decided to step in to help his Igbo kinsmen regain the pride they once used to have for their language with a new Igbo dictionary/encyclopaedia that is bound to make all Igbos, old and young, cherish their language.

Achebe, whose new novel on the Biafran Civil War, There was a Country-A personal history of Biafra, a novel which took him 42 years to write, is set for public presentation, any moment from now, disclosed this fact in a recent interview with Nasrin Pourhamrang, Editor-in-Chief of Hatef Weekly magazine, an Iranian-based publication.

The foreign journalist had an exclusive interview with the literary giant shortly after his classic novel, Things Fall Apart, was translated into Persian by Ali Hodavand and released in Iran. The interview was re-posted on the Veteran Today journal website by Kourosh Ziabari from where this reporter culled some parts.

“Let me let you in on a well-guarded secret,” Achebe said while answering a question from Pourhamrang, on the danger of extinction faced by Igbo language. “For several decades, the Achebe Foundation – an organization that is now run by my son, Dr. Ike Achebe and on whose board I serve as Chairman - has been working quietly on the Igbo Language project. This initiative was developed to create a language dictionary, a vast array of language tools and educational and linguistic guides, as well as a database of phonetics, syntax, grammar etc.- to preserve Igbo, a fast disappearing language.

“In many ways it is daunting task but we must not let despair crush our resolve! There is another layer of complexity that I would like to point out that makes this work so vitally important: Literacy in African traditional languages – the number of people who can read and write in a given language – is very low. This is not unique to Africa, indeed it also true in all places around the world where we find the problem of linguistic extinction. The building blocks of literary and linguistic fluency (equally important) – the alphabet, phonetics, penmanship, diction, syntax, grammar etc. must be also captured and widely taught.

“It is also important to state that language does not exist in a cultural vacuum…in cultural isolation. The ‘Omenani’ of a people – their belief system, customs, cosmology, values, and worldview – are channeled through a people’s language. Now, these are aspects of a people’s culture (and there are other vital components) that should be captured as well, if one is to attain the goal of preserving a people’s language effectively.”

Achebe promised, however, that the programmes of the Foundation would not be imposed on others in any way. “The Achebe Foundation’s Igbo project does not and will not practice cultural imperialism. We do not impose artificial structures on the languages (a subject of my Odenigbo lecture of 1999), but will strive to preserve what is on the ground and respect linguistic dynamism.

That means having the people themselves lead the way and having members of our

•Prof Achebe

“We intend very soon to present our work to the local schools and provide teachers, students, parents, communities, women’s groups and others with tools to preserve, engage with, and propagate Igbo language and culture”

team approach the work with humility…not with the “I am here to save the world” mentality, but with a “how can we, together, accomplish this incredibly important task!” spirit. Another way to protect indigenous

cultures is to make sure you have present local representation and a diversity of workers and perspectives on the project.

“A small army of experts and partners from around the globe – linguists, computer scientists, statisticians, literature professors, linguistic historians, educators, etc. – have been working on this for several decades. It is all very exciting, but it also means that no one group can exert an undue influence or pressure on the work. There is also a major push to capture what has been termed “linguistic idiosyncrasies” – speech patterns and accents that may have been lost to history.

For instance, in the dictionary there is a list of several versions of a single word (in various dialects) rather than one standardized version.

“We intend very soon to present our work to the local schools and provide teachers, students, parents, communities, women’s groups and others with tools to preserve, engage with, and propagate Igbo language and culture,” he said.

On his plans to save local language campaign in other parts of Africa from extinction, he said, “I hope that the funding will be available. There are many other languages that UNESCO and others have placed on the endangered list. We would like to pro-

vide a helping hand in confronting the problems facing several other African languages in much the same way we have tackled the Igbo Language project, to protect them from extinction… but we cannot do it alone. This project has been very expensive and has required personal expenditure on my part…and I do not consider myself a wealthy person. Thankfully, it has also been supported by several foundations and universities in America, but more funding is needed.

“International Non-Governmental Organizations and African governments should tackle this alarming problem as well.

African governments have a lot of work do there are stumbling blocks to reading that we have discovered – poor eyesight for example. There is a great need for reading glasses in the millions – it is quite alarming.

“You can see from what I have described and how long it is taking in just one instance that language and cultural preservation is a painstakingly difficult process that requires an army of dedicated workers and a great deal of resources and effort. This is not a simple problem but one of great complexity.

And we need well-funded, large-scale projects to tackle this problem before it is too late.”

(See more stories on pages 35 & 36)

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

DAILY SUN

31

CAMPUS SQUARE Where students report happenings on their campuses... with Sam Otti ( campuseditor@yahoo.com/08038829740)

SUG election: How aspirants lobbied FUTO students for votes ‘They offered us recharge cards, free lunch’–Students

By VICTOR NWOKEDI

G

odson Okereke, a third year student of Project Management Technology, has been elected the new President of the Students Union Government (SUG), Federal University of Technology (FUTO), Owerri.

He beat three other aspirants to win the highly contested poll. Also Vivian Monye, a third year Geology student won the Vice President, while Bruno Okonkwo, of the same department with Godson, emerged the Secretary-General.

Other elected officers were Duru Chisom, Assistant Secretary-General, Ogechukwu Igboke, Financial Secretary, Akhigbe Pius as the Director of Welfare, while Henry Ezeamigi won the post of the Director of Transport.

Our reporter, who monitored the election, noted that students came out en masse to vote for the candidates of their choice.

However, Campus Square gathered that although the elections ended successfully, the road was really rough and thorny.

The electoral processes began during the second semester, allowing aspirants to

launch their individual campaigns.

Candidates went around silently soliciting for votes, buying free lunch for some influential students for their endorsement.

Most of the candidates went after first year students because of their large population. Apart from the fact that the first year students were larger than other classes, compared to students of other levels, the aspirants could easily convince them.

Buchi Okafor, a first year student of Electrical and Electronics Engineering told our reporter that various aspirants flocked to lecture halls and hostels soliciting for sup-

port.

“They offered us recharge cards and writing materials with their names crested on them. That was the only way they could get our attention,” he confessed.

During an interaction between the Dean of Students’ Affairs, (DSA) Prof Ogbulie and the various aspirants shortly before the elections, he brought a new dimension to electoral campaigns in FUTO. He banned spending much money in the campaigns, but the law was grossly flouted by the desperate vote-seekers. Our reporter Continued on page 39

32

DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012

CAMPUS SQUARE Where students report happenings on their campuses... with Sam Otti (campuseditor@yahoo.com/08038829740)

By OKALI UME

T

he Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has identified corrupt leadership and poor budget implementation as the fundamental problems hindering national development.

Rising from its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held at the New Art Theatre, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), the union’s President, Dr. Nasir Fagge Isa, said the yearly implementation of national budgets had often been mired in controversy and poor performance. The union said government’s failure to tackle corruption has remained the bane of development.

ASUU condemned calls for a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) and rather asked for attitudinal change as the way forward.

“The SNC has never worked anywhere.

The recent example is that of Sudan. Even though South Sudan has gained independence, peace has not returned in that place.

So, the fundamental issues of corruption and looting of public fund should be addressed.”

On the fuel subsidy scam, ASUU reiterated its position on the probe scandal, condemning the charade and political gimmicks that characterized the probe. It implores the public and other stakeholders to stand to their social responsibility in order to bring the perpetrators to book. “About 50 per cent of Nigeria’s total oil production is pilfered”, the union said.

Isa frowned at the dispute between the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the National Assembly over the recent 2012 budget implementation, as he called on stakeholders to articulate a Coordinated Budget Implementation Schedule(CBIS) policy and comprehensive fiscal framework.

The ASUU President said the schedule would improve budget management and implementation; improve human capital development, decrease the high level of poverty and arrest the rising wave of insecurity.

Describing Nigeria as an ocean of poverty in the midst of plenty, Isa implored the government to block all avenues of corruption to improve the social well being of the citizenry.

In his words: “government should initiate

•National officers of ASUU at a recent NEC meeting

Corruption has ruined Nigeria –ASUU a social duty programme that will comprehensively address the existential plight of the teeming unemployed youth, the aged and the poor. Such policy will improve healthcare, education, and the housing needs of the society.”

Fielding questions from reporters, the unions immediate past President, Prof.

Ukachukwu Awuzie, urged government at all levels to make the security and welfare of

the people a priority.

He regretted that in spite of the high security vote in 2012 fiscal year, security challenges have remained high, punctuated with bombings, kidnappings and armed robbery.

The union expressed concerns that crime and corruption have assumed a new dimension in the society.

On renaming of universities, the ASUU President condemned the manner in which the University of Lagos (UNILAG), was

renamed to Moshood Abiola University of Lagos.

Dr. Isa also blasted the government for its neglect of the education sector, particularly, the universities. He said public universities face problems of low standard of research work, indiscipline among the staff and students, poor learning environment and so on.

•Okali is a 300-level student of Mass Communication, UNN

Students laud SUG electoral process Continued from page 38

learnt that the decision to ban the use of money in campaign was taken due to past actions of previous SUG executives. It was observed that after spending so much to win elections, the SUG executives would try to get their money back by siphoning some of the funds meant for SUG development projects.

To prevent a repeat of such ugly incident, aspirants were further warned that those discovered to be spending during campaigns risk being screened out by the electoral committee.

This decision was hailed by students. For Henry Asapokhai, a third year Industrial Physics student, it was a good decision.

‘This will help minimize corruption among the SUG executives,’ he said.

Another student, Chigozie Ozofor said, ‘This will help us to vote credible candidates. Students will no longer be lured to vote due to the financial benefits they

receive from aspirants.’

The high point of the electoral process was the appointment of an eight-man Independent Student Electoral Commission (ISEC), led by Comrade Uzochuks Nwosu.

Controversy arose shortly when the members of the ISEC accused the management of interfering with the electoral processes. They complained that they were not given the free hand to carry out their duties as an independent body.

This came after the DSA single-handedly organized screening tests for the aspirants, with the ISEC members playing little or no role in the process, even though the SUG constitution recognized the ISEC to organize the exercise independently.

The DSA defended his action, saying the management intervened to checkmate corruption during the elections.

A member of the ISEC told Campus Square, ‘This is an infringement on our rights. The ISEC is to work independently.

For the management to do things at our back

or prevent us from doing what we are supposed to do means that they lack faith in us.

Why appoint us, if they don’t believe we can carry out the work effectively?’

After several meetings with the management, the ISEC members withdrew their complaints and the elections went on as planned.

The elections for the SUG executives and Student Representative Council ( SRC) members were held on the first day of the election. Each student was to vote in his department. Voting was carried out electronically. Voters, after their validation, clicked on the name of their candidate. The elections for the hostel officials began immediately after that of the SUG executives.

Reacting to the exercise, Raymond David, a second year student of Mechanical Engineering said, ‘I am happy with the way the elections were conducted. Even though there were some irregularities at the beginning, I am happy it went peacefully.’

‘The planning of the elections was not

that good,’ said Adams Offor. The final year student of Polymer and Textile Engineering went on to say, ‘There were many logistics problems, but thank God it was later solved and we voted.’

Hillary Onuoha was satisfied with the elections. ‘It is so obvious that they free and fair. It was very difficult to rig, with the way it was conducted.’

Ekene Ogbu, a first year Industrial Microbiology student said, ‘The elections went well. All you have to do is click the name of your candidate for each office, that’s easy.’

Another student, Adaeze Onuh, a second year student of Civil Engineering said, ‘We thank God that the elections went peacefully. No violence of any kind was observed.’

Few hours after the elections, the results were announced to the excitement of the students.

•Nwokedi is a 200-Level Polymer and Textile Engineering, FUTO

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

DAILY SUN

33

CAMPUS SQUARE Where students report happenings on their campuses... with Sam Otti ( campuseditor@yahoo.com/08038829740)

UNILAG’s ‘Night of a Thousand Stars’

Alumni honour Adeboye, Bakare, Akeusola, Fayemi, other dignitaries

By SAM OTTI

Prof.

Akeusola, being decorated with UNILAG Alumni Distinguished Awards Medal

by Deacon Gamaliel Onosode

T

he sun stood still at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) recently, as the alumni association decorated the Provost, Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), Noforija, Epe, Prof. Olu Akeusola, National Chairman, All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and 34 others with Alumni Distinguished Awards.

They were honoured during the Alumni Association’s Golden Jubilee Reunion and Distinguished Alumni Award Dinner held at UNILAG Multipurpose Hall, as part of activities marking the institution’s 50th anniversary.

The award dinner night was designed to recognise and celebrate the old students who have recorded outstanding achievements in their careers.

Among them were the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru, the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, Nigerian High Commissioner to United Kingdom, Dr. Dalhatu Tafida, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha and the General Overseer, Latter Rain Assembly Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare.

Others include the General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Senator Adegbenga Sefiu Kaka, minority Leader, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Others were the wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, Justice Bode Rhodes –Vivour of Supreme Court; Justice Inumidun Akande, legal consultant, USA, Mr. Owalabi Salis, Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mutiu Sunmonu, Group Managing Director, United Bank for Africa, Mr. Philips Oduoza, the first female student to register at the institution, Prof. A. A. Majekodumi, among others.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the conferment, an excited Prof. Akeusola said he was grateful to the association for recognising his contributions to knowledge and development of mankind.

He expressed happiness that the award came from the academic world, stressing that

since he has had many traditional titles, the academic award from group of technocrats, and professionals was a confirmation of his versatility in both tradition and academics.

According to him, a good academic must be ready to bring the Town and Gown together to produce a good result and I am happy that I was able to bring the two together for the purpose of enhancing human capital development and touching lives.

‘I am delighted and happy that I am among those counted worthy by the UNILAG Alumni Association for this wonderful hounour.

Among all the honours and awards I have received all over these years, this is one of the greatest because it is coming from the academic world,’ he stated.

He also thanked the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), for giving him the opportunity to serve as the provost of MOCPED, a position he promised to use to consolidate on his dreams of raising men and women to greater height.

Speaking earlier, the National President of University of Lagos Alumni Association, Prof.

Olaide Abass, said the alumni awards dinner was designed to celebrate some of the institution’s finest brains who had posted outstanding performance in their careers, and had made immense contributions to the development of mankind.

Prof. Abass also disclosed that members of the alumni had made significant contributions to the growth of the country’s economy and development of mankind.

According to him, the association in partnership with Guaranty Trust Bank was putting up a four-storey UNILAG Alumni Jubilee House in the Akoka campus and called on members to support the project.

He said that the estimated cost of the building is N350 million, adding that efforts were being made to ensure that the project is completed and handed over to the university authorities on schedule.

Abass said that the building, which would house a digital library, would also augment the academic facilities on campus.

‘The university has been faced with serious financial challenges. I call on the alumni, espe-

LASU showers gifts on founding father

By OYINKANSOLA SADIQ-MABEKO

L Jakande

agos State University (LASU) recently showered prayers and gifts on the first civilian governor of the state Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande.

Prof Omolara Bamgboye, Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, led the university management team to felicitate with the elder statesman at his Ilupeju residence in Lagos to commemorate with him on his 83rd birthday.

Bamgboye commended Jakande for his outstanding qualities and impact on Lagos state as well as his contributions to the development of Nigeria as a whole.

Dr. Sola Fosudo, Actong Director, Centre For Information, Press And Public Relations and Dr. Adebola Ademesan, Acting Chairman, Ceremonies Committee, were also part of the visiting team.

Presenting the veteran journalist with a birthday card and some university-customized souvenirs, the team paid due respects to the man whose vision enabled the establishment of the university.

The management team wasn’t the only ones paying their respects, as friends, associates, government functionaries; as well as well wishers of Pa Jakande also called to celebrate with him.

cially those to be honoured today, to make generous donations so that this institution will remain a world class as rated,’ he added.

The chairman of the occasion, Dr. Sunny Kuku, said he was proud to be part of the University of Lagos. He said his desire for the university was to remain University of Lagos forever, despite the proposal by the President Goodluck Jonathan to change the name.

Also speaking, the acting Vice Chancellor, Prof.Rahaman Bello, thanked the alumni for being one of the trusted allies of the university over the years, stating that the association has done well in assisting in the development of the university.

He said UNILAG was doing well in its leadership role in university education in the country, stating that the National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted it full accreditations for the next seven years.

The Pro-Chancellor Deacon Gamaliel Onosode, said he was delighted to be associated with the university, despite the fact he did not pass through it.

‘The fact we are ranked best in the country and 16th in Africa is a challenge for the institution to move forward. I call on the alumni to see the ranking as a tonic to work harder, to move it forward. We can be the best in the world; we should strive to be the best in the world. At 50, you are rated the best in the country, 16 best in Africa and by the time you will be celebrating 100 years you will be rated the best not only in Africa but in the world,’ he said.

The former deputy governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adebisi Sosan, who was present, also expressed delight with her alma mater. She said the knowledge gained from the university had kept her going on the path of success.

She called on all alumni to partner the management and government to make the university one of the best in the world.

‘We are proud of the university and we will love the university to remain University of Lagos and not any other name,’ he said.

34

DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012

CAMPUS SQUARE Where students report happenings on their campuses... with Sam Otti (campuseditor@yahoo.com/08038829740)

By OYINKANSOLA SADIQ-MABEKO and SHEKONI MUSBAUDEEN

S

tudents of Lagos State University (LASU) have often been in the news for the wrong reason. But the university wore a smiling face as a former student, Yinka Adeparusi, a graduate of Photo journalism and Cinematography from Adebola Adegunwa School of Communication AASOC, clinched the coveted prize of excellence in photo-journalism.

Adeparusi won the sixth edition of Wole Soyinka Award for investigative reporting held at Agidingbi Ikeja Lagos. The school was still celebrating the feat when the management announced preparations for the last convocation. The staging of the play, The King Must Dance Naked, by the veteran, Fred Agbeyegbe, ushered in the ceremony.

The presentation of the drama by the students of Theatre Arts won them an invitation from the playwright to perform among various professional troupes who would be staging his famous plays soon.

Recently, even the king danced naked for joy during a seminar organized for 200 level students of Adebola Adegunwa School of Communication. With less than four weeks to prepare, the students staged a seminar in requirements of one of their courses, Specialized Reporting, inviting journalists.

Those in attendance were Johnson Ayantunji, Sports Editor, Daily Independent Joseph Jibueze, Senior Judicial Correspondent, The Nation, Biodun Akomolafe, Business Reporter National Compass, Wale Adepoju, Health Beat, The Nation and Mr. Musa Odunsimoki, Politics Reporter, The Nation.

Others include Mr. Seye Ojo, Daily Sun, Mr. Victor Akande, Kelvin Osa Okunbor, Aviation Desk, The Nation, Editor Entertainment Desk, The Nation, Mr. Gbenga

LASU’s main entrance

Day the king danced naked at LASU Adewoye, Judicial Affairs Correspondent, Daar Communications among others.

Akomolafe said his earlier impression about the institution had been erased by the interactive session he had with the students.

“We use to see LASU as a ‘deadly point’ that one should not visit. I remember I had a friend who was a LASUite, but I advised him that, my friend it is better you withdraw because, today strike, tomorrow cultism and

somebody is brought down. But today, with the caliber of students I am seeing here, with the composure and everything, I think that the school has really changed and the students are really working towards a better tomorrow,” he said.

Also, Adewoye of said,” I am so much impressed with the situation here, I can see that some of the equipment use here are not in other institutions and your product are well trained

and doing good out there, I believe you are really getting there”.

Surprising the students, Adepoju, expressed happiness at how organized the school and the students are, and also promised to spread the gospel of LASU to people.

•OYINKANSOLA SADIQ-MABEKO and SHEKONI MUSBAUDEEN are 200-level students of Mass Communication, LASU

Day Holy Spirit descended on FUTO students as Bishop visits

By OKEREKE CHIEMERIWO

T

he Anglican Chapel of Light (ACOL), Federal University of Technology (FUTO), Owerri, recently hosted the Anglican Bishop of Egbu diocese, Rt Rev E.U. Iheagwam.

The visit marked the bishop’s last episcopal function, ushering in the outpour of the Holy Spirit on some students, who were communicants for confirmation and induction of 22 girls into the Anglican Girls Guild (AGG). The visit was also symbolic with the moving of the chapel to its permanent site, which was termed “a crossing from Egypt to the Promised land ”.

During the service, the Chaplin of the chapel, Venerable Kelechi Okere, presented the confirmation candidates to Bishop.

Iheagwam, who is also a professor, commended the members for their efforts towards the

building of the house of the Lord.

He said the visit was like a home coming because it reminded him of his old years as an undergraduate and advised the students to imbibe good morality. He encouraged students

to strive towards excellence through diligent study. To the confirmation candidates, he advised that to live out the gift of the Holy Spirit they have received in making the society better.

Iheagwam commended the congregation once again and told the students that the amount of efforts they put towards the preparation of their exam will show in their results.

The Vice-Chancellor Prof Chigozie Cyril Asiabaka, represented by the Deputy VC (Academics), Prof Onwuagba, expressed appreciation for the visit.

He noted that the excel-

lent performance of the students in external and internal examinations was as a result of the permeation of the word of God into the lives of the students.

He said results of the recently conducted examination by Chevron Nig for recruitment of Industrial Training students revealed that FUTO took the first four positions.

He thanked the bishop and his wife for the inspiration they have given to the students.

Some ministers present at the visit were Rev Joel Chima,Ven Ezenwa Ucheghara,Ven Benjamin Nkwocha, Rev Can Chukwuma Chigozie (bishop’s chaplin) and Rev Eugene Amadi.

To keep the memory of the event alive, those present had a photo session with the Bishop.

•OKEREKE is a 300Level student of Biomedica Technology, FUTO

CONTRIBUTORS THIS MONTH

•Ume •Victor •Oyinkansola •EDITOR’S NOTE: We welcome reports of happenings on your campus. Send them to the above e-mail address, accompanied by your name and recent photograph, and photographs of personalities/ event you are reporting.

•Arowolo

•Ebuka

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

35

Reactiveagents Letters…sms…emails, etc….letters…sms…emails,etc….letters…sms…emails, etc….

The column where you express your opinion through mobile phone text messages (sms), emails, etc on stories/articles published in Education Review. Send your sms, with your full names, address, designation, etc, to the editor at 08034041645 or email your opinion/reaction to abanobichika@yahoo.co.uk and we will get it published.

T

he Igbos, across Nigeria, and indeed, all over the world, literally went to war, last week, after reading the stories on the dying Igbo language and the efforts being made to get it revived, plus the suggestions from illustrious sons and daughters like Prof. Innocent Eleazu, Prof. Francoise Ugochukwu, Prof. James Adichie, Chief Chika Okpala, Dr. Victor O. Anyaegbuna, Uzoma Okpo and Mrs. Charity Ihekire, on what Ndigbo should do to reverse the ugly trend of not speaking our mother tongue in our homes or during official engagements among the government officials in the five SouthEastern states.

A look through the MTN call logs for 08034041645 will definitely show that scores of callers called the line between Tuesday, August, 28 and Sunday, September 2, expressing either their sadness or joy with the stories on the dying Igbo language. It was simply overwhelming. The opinions show that Igbos are calling for a war on the apathy that has been the bane of Igbo language over the years.

While some like Emmanuel Uzodinma based in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, Jeremiah Ihejirika, Lagos and Ifeanyi, Abuja, reacted angrily to Chief Chika Okpala (Zebrudaya)’s ordeal in the United States, using pejorative words like “stupid” to describe the so-called young Igbo lady who verbally attacked the muchloved and well-respected comedian for speaking Igbo to her kids, others like Mr. Uchenna Okoro residing in Ilaro, Ogun State, Rev. Christian Chimereze Kefas, of Christian Pentecostal Mission (CPM), Surulere, Lagos, Branch and Asomugha Simon, based in Kano, after thanking The Sun newspaper, for a job well done, spoke or wrote about how the stories have inspired them to go back to the drawing board either to begin to learn how to read and write in Igbo language, to teach it to their children or to organize Igbo lessons for their kinsmen either in their towns’ meeting or churches. In fact, many called to ask where they can get the Igbo books mentioned in the last Education Review, to buy.

Bookshops who have them in stock should therefore call 08034041645 to avail the editor with information on which of the books they have. There were others also like Arinze Eze, from Nise, Awka, Anambra State, Nze Osuagwu, Romanus Ugwoke and Obinna Izuegbu, who called to make their own suggestions on what we can do to revive and keep Igbo language alive.

Published below are excerpts from SMS and emails received on the subject: For parents in Owerri and Aba who don’t speak Igbo to their kids Re: “The battle for Igbo language.” Do you know that some of our people here in Igboland don’t speak Igbo to their kids. Go to Owerri and Aba town (where I have lived) and speak Igbo to the kids around.

You will be surprised that they can’t even hear (understand) not to talk of speaking. It isn’t as if these children’s parents are learned. No! Now where do we start from?

Back to the root! Thank you.

K.O. Peace, Owerri.

It’s high time we stopped all that ‘come and say hi to uncle’ I am one of the Igbo daughters that happen to be so proud of Igbo language and culture but too appalled at the attitude of the Igbos towards the language. Right in the campus of ABSU (Abia State University), Uturu, you see students preferring to discuss in Yoruba language rather than Igbo. You see families in Aba using English language as their means of communication. One of my lecturers once told us that he visited his sis-

Endangered Igbo language

Igbos go to war during festivals.

Amadi, Afikpo (07036429677).

ter who asked her children to come and say ‘hi’ to uncle. It is high time we told parents that children can understand as many languages as exposed to. My friend was slapped because she spoke Igbo to children she baby-sitted.

Anonymous (07034796141) The Igbo language situation in UK Hi Chika, I read your Sun newspaper article on the demise of Igbo language with interest. It seems every foreign-based Igbo person is trying to cash in on the supposed UNESCO prediction by setting up quasi language academies without any training whatsoever. Here in the Rochas United Kingdom, there are literally thousands of Igbo language ‘schools’, all seeking government funding to teach Igbo but ironically most of these people’s own children can’t speak the language.

Meanwhile, their contemporary Britons of other ethnicities, particularly of Asian origin speak their mother tongues fluently without ever visiting Asia. Even BritishNigerians of the Yoruba nation speak and understand Yoruba growing up.

On a more positive note, the likes of Governors Peter Obi and Rochas Okorocha are making efforts such as making Igbo compulsory in lower schools and conducting House of Assembly affairs in Igbo. Professor Pita Rochas Ejiofo’s “Suwakwa Igbo” in Awka is well funded and well supported. Also there is Chidi Ibeleche’s “Umuaka Igbo Taa” in Owerri.

Further afield, there are Igbo Catholic and Anglican church services in England and in at least 12 states in America. There are several youth organisations consisting of foreign-born Igbo and those who grew up in Nigeria before emigrating. All these are thriving and promoting the language.

The next objective being discussed now is that since Nollywood is mostly Igbo controlled, to start financing more films in Igbo. I know at least one big entrepreneur who told me she’s building a studio in Enugu this year. So, our dear professor’s fears are a little bit overstated. If he has interest in promoting Igbo language, he should contact Professor Ejiofo and ask how he can help to support his activities.

Nearly forgot to mention, London has two Igbo programmes on television. I hope this email finds you in good health.

Ndu (ndu@tigerandmoon.com) My PhD research findings on Igbo language and Nollywood film My dear brother, I went through your wellpackaged report on the ‘impending death’ of Igbo language. It’s unfortunate. My PhD

Speaking Igbo in Benin, a taboo among the Igbos Speaking Igbo in many Igbo families in Benin where I reside is an abomination, not just for the rich but also for the poorest of the poor.

Anonymous (08106423181) For Igbos who bear double English names You are writing about Igbos disavowing their Igbonness? Check the latest trend in the names they bear: Isaac Promise, John Mikel, Rita Dominic, Gloria Matthew, Ebenezer Patrick. If you ask them, they will also claim to be Igbos but the truth is that the names they bear lack clear Igbo identity.

Chukwueke (08039312345), Egbeada, Owerri The danger of neglecting to teach your child Igbo Thanks for your stories on the endangered Igbo language. I think it is pertinent to tell all Igbo parents that an intelligent child is a child that is multilingual. Therefore, the refusal of some Igbo parents to teach their child Igbo can only make them less intelligent.

Gaza (07034656681), Calabar Glad we all know I am glad that we all know these now.

Amaigbo Stephen. C. Looking for alliance on revival of Igbo language I am in alliance with what you wrote about on the revival of the dying Igbo language and willing to be a party to its resuscitation.

Please, call me anytime you plan to hold a similar Igbo conference in future. I will be thesis was an investigation into Igbo cultur- there. al identity in Nollywood video films. One Anonymous (08139738499) of our findings is that Igbo language is relegated in Nollywood. Yet the Igbo champi- Sack Igbo sons and daughters who canon the industry. Language has an insepara- not speak Igbo ble link with culture. It is a cultural marker I suggest that an Igbo man or woman who and a people’s cultural identity is the main- cannot speak the language fluently should stay of their being. Without identity, devel- not be given a job in the civil service of any opment can hardly take root. Your effort is of the states in the South East. If this is commendable stride in developmental jour- done I am convinced there will be a change in our attitude towards our language. nalism.

Dr. Desmond Osueke (08033122677) Chukwudi Stephen Onuh, Benue State Port Harcourt, Rivers State University Blame the Igbo governors for the poor state of Igbo language It is something sad that Igbos found themselves in because of the neglect of their language. I blame the governors that make up the Igbo states most. Some of them behave as if this problem is none of their concern.

Please, continue to talk to them.

Raphael (08051206858).

Of beautiful, well-read, widely-travelled Igbo ladies Your story on Chika Okpala’s experience in the US refers. We Igbos are not proud of such wannabes. Maybe she is an unfortunate Igbo lady who has no identity and should be ashamed of herself. We have better, more beautiful, well-read and widelytravelled Igbo ladies here who are proud of their language. Instead of killing Igbo lanOf Igbo language and culture It is painful that the Igbo language is dying. guage, let English language go.

It is the absence of culture and tradition Jeremiah C. Ejirika (08023128373), among us that brought the Igbo nation into Lagos. this mess. No language can survive without culture as most words are usually expressed Continued on page 36

36

DAILY SUN

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Reactiveagents

Igbos rue over their language Continued from page 35 A word for the woman that attacked Zebrudaya for speaking Igbo to her kids I was filled with rage after reading about the rough ordeal that Chief Chika Okpala (alias Zebrudaya) suffered in the hands of a supposed Igbo lady. That woman is stupid.

For rejecting and despising our language, I want to say her generation will reject her.

In fact, those children she cherishes so much as not to speak Igbo language to them will eventually reject and despise her.

Anonymous (08064081294) Like Zebrudaya, like Ifeanyi I read about Chika Okpala (alias Zebrudaya)’s experience while trying to promote Igbo language in the US as published in The Sun newspaper of Tuesday, August 28, with tears in my eyes.

Interestingly, he and I seem to share the same problem on sponsorship of publications that will benefit the Igbos. At present, I am writing a book entitled: Ndigbo In An Inclusive Nigeria: Time to Recover Our Identity. I’ve been looking for sponsors to help me get the book published but so far no Igbo has agreed to help. Should I look for a Hausa sponsor?

Ifeanyi, Abuja (07030484574).

Help for Zebrudaya I read with delight Chief Chika Okpala’s decision to embark on the production of comedy series in Igbo in order to promote our dying language. I am by this sms signing on to be one of those who will like to sponsor the programme, to make sure that our language does not die as predicted by UNESCO. Emeka Abone (07065886970) The repentance of member of Society for Promotion of Igbo Language and Culture I was in tears after reading your special package on the predicted extinction of Igbo language, in tears because I used to be a staunch member of the Society for Promotion of Igbo Language and Culture (SPILC). But it pains me that none of my children speaks Igbo language because they were born and brought up in Port Harcourt. But your special edition on Igbo language has stoke up the fire in me once again and henceforth I have decided that whatever I will say or write to any Igbo son or daughter will be in Igbo. Holding conference on how to revive the Igbo language

is good. But conference alone is not enough. We must get practical about the resolutions.

Ndubuisi (07038600316), Imo State.

Ghanaian wants to speak and write Igbo language I’m a Ghanaian but I’ll love to speak Igbo language Kofi Swatson (08033424343), Port Harcourt, Rivers State In praise of The Sun for championing the Igbo language cause Thanks for your series of stories and articles on Igbo language. With them you’ve made me proud to be an Igbo man. May God bless you!

Chisom Njoku (08037106719) You really swept me off my feet with those stories on Igbo language. I am happy to know that I have people who are thinking the same way that I do about the state of Igbo language. A million thanks for your kind thoughts. I look forward to partnering with you to promote the cause of Igbo language, in the near future.

Obi N. Chukwukere (08065333651) Garki, Abuja

Amb. Ralph Uwechue

Tuesday, August 28. I read it online and it gladdened my heart. More strength upon you, I will keep in touch.

Gabriel Nwanze (08033482885)

guage. I can only say more ink to your pen and more newsprint to your printing machine. Amen!

Maazi Chijioke Njoku (08037094671)

Thanks for your crusade for the resuscitation of Igbo language and culture.

Tony Eze (08033610280), Editor-in-Chief, Ikemba magazine

Calling on bookshops that stock Igbo books Many thanks for your piece on “The battle for Igbo language.” Kindly advise on where I can purchase the Igbo-English Dictionary by Prof. Michael Echeruo Barrister Charles Nmarkwe (08033084177)

I write to thank The Sun newspaper very That was an excellent write-up on Igbo much on the assignment it has decided to language in The Sun newspaper of embark upon for the revival of Igbo lan-

Laureates College excels in 2012 WASSSCE results

By GABRIEL DIKE

D

espite the string of poor results recorded by Nigerian students in the just released West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), Laureates College, a high brow secondary school at Aviation Estate, Lagos, has been exceptional and consistent in posting impressive result in the 2012 school examination.

The school recorded a 100 per cent pass at distinction and credit levels in all subjects it entered. In fact, the school’s last Senior Prefect, Miss Oluwasefunmi Oshoro recorded a straight distinction in seven subjects, and is in serious contention for the WAEC best result award.

Analysis of the result showed that all the students who entered for the examination had distinctions in Mathematics, Physics, Geography, Food and Nutrition, Government and Commerce while 75 per cent passes at distinction level were recorded by students in English Language, Chemistry, Economics, Biology, Further Mathematics, etc

...Record no failure in any subject This record from all indication has been consistent with the school performance in the West African Examination Council since the school first entered its students in the year 2009.

An elated Principal of the school, Mr Ibrahim Sadiq, told us that school result

was expected, ‘’because of the amount of work the Board, Administration, teachers and even the students put into it and the facilities in place. It has become our tradition to post good WAEC results. In fact it would have been news if we didn’t. The result is just a reflection of what we stand

for, which is Excellence,’’ he says.

According to him, it is not only in WAEC results or academics that the school is known. The school recently won the Vision 2020 first prize for innovative entry in Traffic Light Management and also won a continental trophy, African Schools Close Chess Tournament held in Accra, Ghana.

Robert Pastor to Rejoin AUN Board

P

rof. Robert Pastor of the American University in Washington, DC, is rejoining the American University of Nigeria Board of Trustees after some years’ absence.

Dr. Pastor was part of the original university feasibility study conducted in 2003, walking the empty fields with the University’s founder as they envisaged the new campus, and continued to play a crucial role in facilitating the partnership between AU and AUN in the latter’s formative years.

Widely known in the international community and the author of many books on international relations, Prof Pastor is a member of The Elders, an independent group of global leaders who work together for peace and human rights, chaired by Archbishop (emeritus) Desmond Tutu, another AUN Board member.

While a professor of international relations at AU, he has served as an advisor to every American Democratic President since 1976. Currently he serves as director of the Center for North American Studies, and he has served as Executive Director

and member of the US Commission on Federal Election Reform.

Dr. Pastor returned to the AUN campus to receive The Founder’s Award and to act as the 2012 commencement speaker this spring.

Proud to be a pioneer and pleased to be re-joining the Board, he commented, “AUN is a success story. Today, the question is how to sustain and grow the University in every way. How can the University incorporate the concept of a Development University and develop in a unique and modern way?”

Tuesday, September 4, 2012 DAILY SUN

37

Education Review/NEWS

Orji vows to make Abia best exam ethics compliant state …As over 2000 teachers get integrity training From CHUKS ONUOHA, Umuahia.

A

•Gov. Orji

bia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji has said that the role of education was to produce change agents for the transformation of opportunities and potentialities into realities. He stated this in a message he entitled: “Education is the key” which he presented during a recent workshop organized in Abia to stamp out examination malpractices by Exam Ethics Marshal International.

He noted that Abia state was not called Gods Own State for nothing, adding that God had a special design for the state and “it is our mission to work towards the realization of this design.”

He stated that the problem of education emanated from the collapse of the country’s moral foundation, arguing that since Abia was a part of the country it must certainly has its fair share of the problems militating against established standards but promised that his administration was determined to tackle the monster.

According to him: “Abia is taking action to ensure that it claims its rightful place as one of the best exam ethics states in Nigeria as practical step towards addressing the challenge of moral decadence in education.

Earlier, organizers of the workshop, the Exam Ethics Marshals International pointed, out that the greatest manifestation of the fallen

standard of education in Nigeria was the wide spread malpractices usually witnessed during external examinations in the country.

This was contained in the address delivered by the chairman of Exam Ethics Marshals International , Mr Ike Onyechere, during the training of over 2,000 teachers on promotion of ethics, integrity and best practices in education in Abia state.

“We also commend the government for recognizing the power of education as a tool for social and economic re-engineering.

Stakeholders in Nigeria are in agreement with the fact that education is seriously challenged by the collapse of its moral foundation and ethical infrastructure”, Onyechere enthused.

He submitted that the programme was designed to improve the integrity and technical skills of examination administrators and all those who are concerned about the elimination of examination malpractice in the country. He said: “Examiners, supervisors, invigilators and other actors involved in administration of examination constitute one of the most important and critical groups in education. The examination administrator has enormous responsibilities”. He explained that at the point of contact with the candidate in the examination hall or with the candidate’ s script at the marking center, the supervisor, invigilator or examiner is to all intent and purposes the examination board and what ever he does or fails to do determines the fate of the candidate at the end of the day.

Onyechere explained that the training pro-

gramme would provide the technicalities, the guiding code of ethics as well as the dos and don’ts in the conduct of examinations all over the world. He said: “The highlights of the programme include dangers of exam malpractices, benefits of ethics, quality of professional administrators, standard exam rules and regulations as well as integrity code for examiners, supervisors and invigilators”. The training continues even after the end of the programme as each delegate will go home with reference materials, including the training manuals, DVD, CD and books. At the end of the programme, delegates are required to write a diagnostic test to determine what extent the core principles of the programme were assimilated It was revealed that in future, only those with the exam ethics certificate would be allowed to participate in the conduct of examinations in Abia State.

In her address, the Abia State Commissioner for Education, Dr Mrs. Monica Philips said that the sole aim of the workshop was to ensure that the efforts and investment in education yielded desired result.

She lamented that examination malpractices has jeopardized the purpose and desire of most parents and the nation at large. “It is for this reason that all hands must be on deck to eradicate this cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabrics of our great nation. This training is to bring all stakeholders in the conduct and administration of examination into the real situation of our time and work towards abating this cankerworm to be able to achieve higher levels of performance.”

Come back home after studies to assist in nation building, Lagos First Lady, Esele charge students

By GABRIEL DIKE

T

he First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola and the President, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Mr. Peter Esele, have advised the 26 students that recently graduated from Westerfield College, Lagos and are heading for universities in United Kingdom to return after their studies and contribute their quotas to nation building.

On the same occasion, the chairman of the graduation ceremony, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi and the first President, Civil Liberty Organization, Ayo Obe, advised parents to invest meaningfully to their wards’ education just as they admonished the 26 students to be worthy ambassadors abroad.

Mrs. Fashola, represented by Mrs. Modupe Hanson, a director with Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) said the graduation was just the beginning of their journey, charging them to work hard towards is not the end of the road as the second lap of their career in education and tasked them to actualizing their respective dreams.

According to her “These children are special gifts to mankind and we cannot afford to ignore their God-given talents or even allow them to waste away. Therefore, it is our collective responsibility as parents, teachers, administrators, managers and counselors to fully harness their potentials for the betterment of our nation.

“It is an incontrovertible fact that education remains the undisputed legacy we can bequeath to our children because they are the

livewire that power the nation just as they are the salt that season the same nation”.

In his address at the event, TUC boss, Mr. Esele, reminded the 26 grandaunts to consider their move abroad as a civic duty to go and prepare and equip themselves for greater service to the nation by acquiring updated skills and capacities that would enable create value for the greater good of the Nigerian state and its people.

He continued: “This country needs you. It needs the skills which you are going to acquire. You must therefore come back home after your studies for that is where you will be needed most. The Power sector is waiting for trail blazing engineers, the agricultural sector is waiting for men and women to revolutionize agriculture and provide food for the teeming and hungry mouths in Nigeria”.

Esele urged the students to bear at the back of their minds that life is lived in phases and disclosed that it is turn to make history noting “remember that Nigerians, your brothers and sisters have broken long standing records in the Ivory tower all over the World, especially in the UK” urging them to overturn the records in Oxford University and Cambridge University and the rest of them, •Chief Gbadamosi (m), best graduand, Miss Fatima Sholanke (l) receiving her let the records fall”. award while her dad, Mr. Oladimeji Sholanke watches on The chairman of the ceremony, Chief Gbadamosi, acknowledged the efforts of parents in investing their children and recalled (PPRPA) described the graduating students wards.

The Managing Director of Westerfield when he left Methodist Boys High for UK as future leaders of the country and that the for his A Level and turning to the grandaunts nation needs their services after graduation. College, Lagos, Mr. Michael Dosunmu, said Ayo Obe, former CLO president, charged the graduating students are the 9th while the he said “this is beginning of your glory, aim the students to acquire additional skills, aim enrolment have increased by 300 per cent for First Class”.

The former Chairman of Petroleum to be the best among their peers while in UK even as he assured parents not to panic Products Pricing Regulatory Agency and to remember their background even as because their wards would go straight to UK she lauded parents for investing in their universities.

38 DAILY SUN

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

NEWS/Education Review

Warri Shell donates books to Delta schools

A’Ibom to pay special allowances to rural teachers From JOE EFFIONG, UYO

T

•Crossection of Shell staff and students at the seminar From EMMANUEL OGOIGBE, Warri

E

ducation got a boost recently in Delta State as Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), West donated books, to students from three Local Government Areas of the state. Tagged “Road safety books to schools”, Shell indicated that the donation was meant to equip students on the need to strengthen safety on Nigerian roads, besides the school curriculum.

At a seminar put together by Shell, Federal Road Safety Corps and Delta State Ministry of Education, hundreds of students from Warri South, Uvwie and Udu Local Government Areas participated in the event that drew scores of stakeholders in the education sector.

The historic event which coincided with club induction ceremony of students, the AngloDutch oil giant further explained that the semi-

nar was also designed to imbibe the spirit of safety in the students.

SPDC Managing Director in Nigeria, Mr. Mutiu Sumonu, noted tha,t it was pertinent to develop safety pedestrian and passenger behaviours in children, adding that road safety had always been a top priority to Shell.

Represented by the manager, logistics, West, Mr. Haliru Nasiru the company boss spoke on educational programmes that foster safe habits and positive attitudes towards roads use, which he agreed would ultimately reap rewards in the future.

According to him, the programme was developed specifically for school children and it was aimed at effecting formal road safety competence development via the school curriculum as well as informally expand on classroom lessons and encourage active participation of the children in road safety.

Sumonu said the laudable programme commenced with a training workshop for teachers from all the 227 government primary and postprimary schools in Uvwie, Warri South and Udu Local Government areas.

In her remarks, the Chief Inspector of Education (CIE) in Uvwie Local Government Area, Mrs. Margaret Obiuku, commended Shell for organizing the programme which she pointed out, would enhance the learning process of the students. Education, according to her, was the best legacy any parent could bequeath to the younger generation and charged students to be steadfast in their academic pursuit. Mrs. Obiuku who represented the Commissioner of Education, Professor Patrick Muoboghare, said no nation could grow without focusing on education, adding that many developed nations of the world achieved lofty heights due to education.

Nigerian education centre transfers medical students to Philippines varsity From YINKA FABOWALE, Ibadan

A

rare intercontinental educational partnership was consummated when the Ibadan-based Educational Advancement Centre (EAC), a private educational institution focused on preparing students for university admission globally transferred its first set of direct entry students for medicine to the South Western University, Cebu, Philippines recently.

The two pioneer students, Miss Adebayo and Mr. Nathaniel Adiakpan, were handed over to the President of the university, Prof.

Elsa Suralta by the EAC Director, Muyiwa Bamgbose last month, after successfully completing the two-year pre-medical foundation programme at the EAC. Under the partnership students are prepared for basic medical studies for two years by the EAC upon which successful candidates proceed to the university to complete their studies for a four and a half year-MBBS degree. The students spend the time in what is called Basic Science and Premedical studies. The Foundation programme is standardized by the university.

EAC boss, Bamgbose, expressed absolute confidence that the students prepared at EAC

would “show the stuff that Nigerians are made of” to the Filipinos when they get there”. He said the centre entered into the partnership in 2010 with a view to opening up more study opportunities for Nigerians in foreign countries. “In the year 2010, the Educational Advancement Centre in Ibadan announced the flag-off of her Pre-Medical Programme, whereby the student spends two years in Nigeria and goes on to spend four and a half years in the Philippines for the medical degree”. He described the Philippines as an ideal destination to study Tropical Medicine for two major reasons. Besides having similar climate with Nigeria, Bamgbose said the two countries shared common diseases. He also gave the low cost of university education in the Philippines as another good reason why it recommended itself as a study destination, disclosing that the cost of studying at the university there was cheaper than the cost of private university in Nigeria.

More importantly, the educationist said was the high standard of education in the overseas country, which also has English as the official language and language of instruction. He described Filipinos as “warm people” and the country as having a low crime rate. His words:

“The Philippines is an ideal destination to study Tropical Medicine because their climate is just like ours, and we have common diseases. The cost of the programme is also very affordable and even lower than many private university costs in Nigeria. The people of the Philippines are also very warm, and crime rate is very low”.

EAC has prepared thousands of students for the Cambridge Advanced Level GCE since 1996 with many of them graduating with First Class and Second Class Upper Division grades in various universities across the world. Due to the successful take-off of the Phase One of the programme, Bamgbose said the centre would soon add various types of Engineering and Architecture Courses into the programme.

Bamgbose, a pastor thanked God for making the partnership a success story, saying: “Without God, it would have been impossible.”

The renowned educationist who was recently adjudged the world’s ninth best innovator in electronic learning clinched the position through MobiLearn, a product he developed for candidates preparing for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) last year.

he refusal of teachers to be posted to rural areas in Akwa Ibom State may adversely affect the free and compulsory education policy of the state government.

Daily Sun learnt that teachers posted to rural areas usually use their connection in the State Secondary Education Doard, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), the State Technical School Board, the State Ministry of Education and even the Governor’s Office, to get such postings reversed to the urban areas.

It was gathered that owing to this lopsided presence of qualified teachers in the urban areas like Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, Etinan, Eket and Itu, certain subjects in schools in the rural areas have not been taught for years. Where such subjects are taught at all, they are handled by teachers who have only basic knowledge of the courses in addition to the core courses they teach.

With the influx of qualified teachers to urban areas, it was gathered that about 80 percent of students who perform woefully in public examinations in the state comes from the rural areas which have been deprived of qualified teachers by the lure to live in the town, especially, in Uyo. Daily Sun was reliably informed that even the few teachers who serve in the rural areas, live in Uyo and travel to their stations on daily basis. “But Friday is one day that has been unofficially declared a work free day in the state. Most burials and other social events involving civil servants are conducted on Friday as such civil servants, most times don’t even bother to go to work on Friday. If you see any civil servant who is enthusiastic about going to work on Friday, then know that they occupy a strategic position which has pecuniary benefits which they don’t want others to take over from them even for a day.

“Teachers who live in Uyo and travel to the rural areas do not therefore consider going to school on Friday; after all, even the principal or the head teacher may not come; and school inspection in the rural areas is zero in the state” a school principal told Daily Sun on condition of anonymity.

Apparently worried by the situation, the state’s head of civil service, Mrs Cecilia Udoessien, has proposed the payment of special allowance to those teachers who accept posting to the rural areas. In a recent memo with reference number: HCS/AKS/5/17/Vol.VII/228 which she personally signed on July 9, 2012 and sent to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and that of the State Secondary Education Board, with the headline: “Need to Institute Rural Posting/Teaching Allowance for Teachers Serving in Rural Areas of the State”, Mrs Essien lamented the dearth of teachers in the rural areas in the state.

“Following the drift of teachers to serve in urban areas, most of our rural schools in the hinterlands lack teachers to teach in most of the subject areas. Thus, the few teachers in such schools are compelled to teach subjects that often do not fall within their field of specialties, and they do this without drawing any incentive.

“In order to ensure that teachers accept to serve in the rural areas, I wish to suggest that you take steps to institute rural posting/teaching allowance(s) for teachers serving in rural areas.

This will serve as a boost and encourage these teachers as well as facilitate acceptance by teachers to serve in the rural areas.”

Tuesday, September 4, 2012 DAILY SUN

39

Education Review/INTERVIEW Prof. Mala Mohammed Daura, VC, UNIMAID’s reflections:

My saddest day on the job ‘The day we asked our students to go home because of Boko Haram’ From TIMOTHY Maiduguri

M

OLA,

ala Mohammed Daura, professor of Geography and Vice Chancellor University of Maiduguri (MUNIMAID) is an interesting personality to meet. He exudes humility despite his position and academic height, the virtue that he said he developed in the course of pursuing his masters and doctoral degrees at the University of Ibadan.

“I enjoyed every bit of my programme at the University of Ibadan especially my engagement,” he told Education Review.

“The facilities and system were better in those days.” Seventeen years after leaving Ibadan, Daura is, today, the Vice Chancellor (UNIMAID). In this interview, he talks about, among other things, his saddest day, as the VC. Excerpts: As the Vice Chancellor, how much does the job take out of you personally and to what extent does it make you lose your sleep or deny yourself some basic personal comfort?

Leadership is a burden. Once you’re in leadership position, it means you’re going to sacrifice a lot of thing. I’ve really sacrificed a lot of my personal activities and freedom for the job. I cannot move freely as I used to do before. When I was a lecturer in the department, I used to move freely, visit a couple of friends, families and relations in and outside the campus even the state at any time of the day. Sometimes, I even relax with my friends and chat but this is not possible now. Wherever I go, I’m a leader attached with the paraphernalia of office that will not even allow me do as I used to do or what I would have loved to do personally. So this really is affecting one’s social life. Again, one is always on official engagements, busy, attending meetings somewhere on behalf of the university, no freedom at all. Even my attendance of conferences which was what I enjoyed doing as an academic have been pruned down seriously due to my official schedules. The only conference that I still find time to attend now is that of my professional body; Association of Nigerian Geographers. I strive not to miss that one. The job of a vice chancellor has also denied me my love for lecturing. When I was a deputy vice chancellor, I used to take my courses. I attempted to continue like that when I was appointed the VC but it wasn’t easy because of the schedules either in the office or somewhere and don’t forget academic work need concentration to give your best. Though I still take one or two courses at the post-graduate level but I must confess it isn’t easy at all because as far as I’m con-

•Daura

cerned, I’m not giving my best. The office also denies me, in most cases, of my togetherness with my immediate family. For example, while everybody is at home this weekend relaxing with their families or doing something personal to them, I’m busy discussing the affairs of the university with The Sun in my office. Also, I used to go to gymnasium centre but I can’t go now rather the time has now been allocated to the treatment of mails at home or in the office though I still do exercise. I opted for service and it is service to my university and to the nation, so I have no regret. Somebody must sacrifice and deny himself some freedom to correct the system. The good thing is that one is there for a specific tenure which will one day end.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST EMBARRASSMENT ON THE JOB?

My greatest embarrassment in the last three years as the vice chancellor is concerned is the problem of poor implementation of budgetary allocations particularly for capital expenditure. Many people have been commending us for the improvement in the quality of academic environment but I’m not fully satisfied. I knew what my plans are and the level of achievement of my plans.

There are many obstacles which have not allowed us to reach our goal and I must confess, it bothers me a lot because like I told you earlier, this is my institution where I started my

teaching career and I haven’t gone anywhere since. I wanted all these temporary things to go and have permanent buildings and required facilities that can improve on service delivery so that we raise the standard and quality of education here but there are constraints. In 2009 for instance, less than 50 per cent of the capital projection was implemented and by 2010, it dropped to about 35 per cent. In 2011, it is about 52. So if government were to release the fund for all these projects, the equal of what people are seeing now on our campus would have been added.

As I’m talking to you now, more than half of the year is gone but less than 50 per cent capital project is implemented and I don’t see it wholly implemented because of the procedure involved. So, this is quite embarrassing to me as the VC and I think it is similar experience in other universities.

office hours. I also exercise for at least 30 minutes everyday before I go to the office or start any work. I watch some interesting programmes on TV like documentaries and explore.

YOUR SADDEST DAY ON THE JOB

First, let me begin with my memorable day in primary school in my village. I was in primary four and my friend came to our school. I was having eye problem that time but my friend convinced me to run away from school to meet my father who was in another village that time. I accepted and left the school with him. Midway into our journey, we saw wild animals including monkeys and baboons and they were pursuing us. I was so scared and I started shouting for help, I was even running faster than my friend despite my eye problem. It was at this point that a man who was nearby at his farm came to our rescue and returned me to school. I was warned never to run away from school and I never did again. At the secondary school, I was in Form five that time and the school was already closed for the term but we were asked to remain for revision since we will soon start our exams though only few of us remained. We were in our hostel and everybody was asleep but I was still awake when a lunatic sneaked into our hostel. He almost lynched me but I shouted again for help and the security men came, took the lunatic away. For my university’s memorable experience, oh, it was my field trip to the Biu Plateau in Plateau State. It was a memorable day for me as we approached Koya Bura and Gata. That was the first time I saw in reality what I have been taught in the classroom.

My saddest day was when we asked our students to go home on July 12, 2011 because of the security challenges in Maiduguri and its environs. I called it my saddest day as VC in the last three years because here are our students who came from far and near; Lagos, Ibadan, Calabar, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kauna, Katsina and other great journeys. I was sad because so many things can happen. They had been taking their lectures, studying very well and even preparing for examinations only to be suddenly sent home. We were forced to close down the school, it wasn’t our making and students have to go home at that time. I was sad indeed because I know the risk of travelling in Nigeria; accident, cost of travelling and possibility of losing interest in the system. Though many state governments responded immediately by sending vehicles to transport students home but I must confess, it was one experience I never wanted but which we were compelled to take at that time.

CAN YOU RECALL YOUR HAPPIEST DAY IN THE LAST THREE YEARS AS VC?

Since I became the VC, there have been few moments of happiness but my happiest days were the days my wives delivered safely in the hospitals. One was on the 11th November, 2011 and the other one was on July 7th this year. I called those two days my happiest moment because it is not every pregnant woman that goes to the hospital to deliver come out successfully, so I see my case as very unique and a rare grace of the Almighty God and I will continue to be thanking Him .

HOW DO UNWIND?

YOU

I still play badminton with my children and their friends after

WHAT IS THE GREATEST BOOK YOU’VE EVER READ?

I don’t really read literature like that, I read mostly academic books but I remember that I read Mine Boy. I recall Zuma, the young chap coming to the city, his life style and how he was influenced. I think it is a great story of all books I have read.

CAN YOU RECALL YOUR MEMORABLE DAY AS A STUDENT IN PRIMARY, SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITY?

WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE SCRIPT YOU’VE EVER MARKED?

Ha! It was a socking experience oh. I had just finished conducting exam for my students and settled down for marking, then there was this candidate, can’t remember him. In fact, I don’t even know him. I couldn’t understand what he wrote in his script. It was not written in English, Yoruba, Igbo, Tiv, Hausa or Kanuri or any language that I know of and ironically the script was about three pages, same thing, very incomprehensible. Then at the end of the third page, the candidate wrote: “I’m very sorry sir this is the way I chose to answer these questions.” Expectedly, I gave the candidate zero and the external examiner also affirmed that zero mark. I later called for the candidate and asked him why he chose to write in such manner but surprisingly he told me he doesn’t know the reason too. He later came to resit the paper and passed very well.

40

DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Education Review SPOTLIGHT: Human Interest Story

Education Commissioner’s verdict:

‘Private schools will soon run out of business in Abia’

By GABRIEL DIKE

T

he Abia State Education Commissioner, Dr. Monica Phillips, says the Orji administration has embarked on an aggressive campaign to overhaul the education sector to ensure it meets society’s basic needs. The commissioner, who was speaking in Lagos, recently, said the ultimate aim of the government is to attract more students to public schools. Thus, private schools would, in the process, become history.

According to her, the process of overhauling the education sector began with an analysis which showed that teachers were not adequately equipped in terms of proficiency and efficiency in discharging their duties to enable the state attain its desired standard.

She said the Ministry of Education had upon discovering the deficiency, consulted Governor Theodore Orji, who demonstrated his willingness to cooperate, notwithstanding the cost implication.

“We agreed to organize series of workshops, conferences and seminars to build the teachers’ capacity and to equip them with the efficiency, proficiency in handling their jobs as professional teachers and this really cost us so much.”

She said that the training lasted for about six months “and today, we are reaping the result because in the just released placement test into junior secondary schools we had about 97 per cent success.”

Dr. Phillips stressed that the state government also established resource centres and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centres for teachers, where they could upgrade their knowledge.

“Knowing that we are in the technology age, the government established ICT centres for teachers to make them computer compliant because the government had the mind of bringing in electronics into the teaching profession.”

To make teachers committed, she said the government ensured prompt payment of salaries and yearly allowances and regular promotions. “Teachers are now more committed to their jobs, more dedicated in the discharge of their duties. These things put together have brought about the much-cherished transformation in the basic and postbasic education sector.”

Considering the impact of the environment on learning outcome, she said the governor embarked on a massive construction of classroom blocks and renovation of dilapidated ones. “In collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), he (the governor) deposited N1 billion as counterpart fund for this year’s UBEC fund.”

Phillips noted that the government awarded contracts for 154 classroom blocks across the state, out of which 49 have been

•Dr Phillips completed, adding that “with this huge amount of money being pumped into the sector, we have structures coming up and the dilapidated ones are being renovated. The government also re-equipped the laboratories with modern facilities so that students will not stop at the theoretical level. At the libraries, new books and journals were generously supplied by the government to enhance the reading culture among students. When students are encouraged to read, you cannot underestimate their academic performance.”

Students’ interest in school was further enhanced by the launch of free transport scheme. “Our students now cruise to and fro school; you no longer see them loitering along the streets. There are vehicles, strategically located at a point where the students will gather and be conveyed to school. That alone acts as an incentive for them, knowing that they will ride to their schools, they will hurriedly prepare and converge at the bus station.”

As part of measures to make teachers live up to expectation, she said the state government provided 17 vans for monitoring and supervision of schools. “This, we have massively gone into, having armed us, we have no reason to sit back in our offices. Supervisors from the ministry, the State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) and the Secondary Education Management Board are always in the field to supervise the teachers and they know it and that has made them to rise up to the occasion and tackle the challenges confronting them and they are doing great.”

The commissioner said supervisors visit schools unannounced at least three times a week, saying that they could take up any zone and comb unannounced, so teachers have learnt to keep their records straight, both their lesson notes, their homework books, their lesson plans. “All their teaching aids are intact because they know we can just come in at any time and go through them.”

To curb truancy among students, the commissioner said principals are held responsible for such misdemeanor among students. “Since we can identify the school by the students’ uniforms, if we find such, we will demote the principal and send him/her back to the classroom.

The principal must be in control of the school’s discipline and in control of the teachers and students, as well as whatever activities in the school because they are accountable to us, we have made it known to them and they are very conscious of that.”

Phillips emphasized that the state has zero tolerance for examination malpractices and had put measures in place to checkmate the fraud.

One of such measures, she said, is the strict conditions which schools must meet before presenting students for external examinations.

“We gave our conditions that any school coming to register must submit the gazetted JS 3 results to show the number, results and attendance records of the students to classes to determine whether they are qualified for the examination, as well as their term and yearly results.”

In the tertiary education sub-sector, she said the government has equipped laboratories and libraries and has embarked on massive con-

struction of buildings to accommodate departments, faculties in tertiary institutions.

The commissioner noted that the government has improved the welfare package of university teachers, as it has adopted the 1999 FGN/unions welfare package and all the arrears of staff emoluments have been cleared.

Dr. Phillips said the governor has also increased the monthly subvention of all tertiary institutions. “Every major roads leading to tertiary institutions are well constructed and developed, the government built overhead bridge for students of the Polytechnic in Aba. The governor has reduced the tuition fees at Aba Polytechnic, these are landmarks in the state education sector. Because they have seen the willingness of the governor to pump more funds into the sector, both the students and staff, even the community members are all happy about the transformation in the state education sector.”

According to her, as a result of the landmark in the education sector, the structures, the buildings, the massive training and retraining of teachers and equipping them with modern technology in education and ICT, “we are going to see a functional and quality education in the state because government is about continuity and we hope that whoever that will take over from where he stopped will continue with the landmark he has achieved so far, so we are looking to having a bright future for education in the state, which has already started.”

•Education Review is published weekly . Editor’s email: abanobichika@yahoo.co.uk Phone Number: 08034041645

DAILY SUN

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

‘It’s immoral to label Jonathan a drunk’

By ZIKA BOBBY ational Coordinator of the Rights Monitoring Group (RMG), Olufemi Aduwo, in this interview, spoke on the leadership groups among the Yoruba race and activities of some political parties. The fiery human rights activist and social commentator also condemned the toga of a drunk hung on the president.

N

Different ethnic groups are emerging with efforts aimed at uniting themselves for different purposes. Just last week, the Yoruba Assembly, led by retired General Akinrinade met in Ibadan even though prominent Yoruba leaders shunned the meeting. What do you think this portrays for the nation’s unity?

The issue of ethnic associations or groups shows that the federalism we are practicing is a fake one. Certain issues remain unsolved and it has become so prominent and has emerged as an agenda. After the military annulment of the June 12 election, a lot of Yoruba groups emerged to fight against the injustice. It was a healthy development.

I won’t say because we don’t have all these groups in America or in other countries, we cannot have them here, everybody have a kind of interest to protect. But if the federalism we practice is structured, there is no need for all those eth-

nic organisations.

I get worried when you discover in some of these zones, take for example the South West; you can now see different kinds of organisations, speaking for the race. You have Afenifere divided into two but among all these groups, the only credible one that people respect and listen to is the Yoruba Unity Forum under the leadership of HID Awolowo and the Ooni of Ife and they appointed the respected Bishop Gbonigi and Bishop Oladigbolu as coordinators. They have a very wonderful structure where Yorubas from different political parties, zonal bodies are allowed to be members and to contribute their quotas. The Obas and other high-powered individuals gather without intimidating anybody but just to discuss the way forward for the region. Here nobody scares anybody.

So, when you see other groups springing up, you wonder what their agenda is. For me, I believe their agenda is to divide the Yorubas for their own selfish interests. And they should understand that the situation where everybody is claiming leadership like Asiwaju Yoruba, Igbimo Agba, they should be told that they couldn’t force themselves to be people’s leader, especially the Yorubas.

Recently, Dr. Abati refuted claims that President Jonathan is a drunk as the opposition is claiming. What is your take on this matter?

If I were Dr. Abati, I would not even reply anybody or write

Aduwo anything about it because it is just rubbish talk and it is a lazy discussion, which is being promoted by the ACN. I want it to be put on record and be quoted.

If they disapprove what I am saying, let the medical council come up. I know many in the opposition, who are on drugs; who abuse drugs; they abuse cocaine and it is not only that, they get drunk, they also abuse drugs. Now, how can they come with this madness and who told them that if somebody takes wine, ogogoro or whatever, he has become a mad person?

Where did they meet Mr. President, taking this ogogoro on daily basis? We have to be very decent and constructive in attacking the office of the president. Whether you like it or not; Nigeria belongs to all of us and Jonathan is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is not the president of the PDP or ACN. That office should be respected.

We knew how a former governor went to America with his allies and spent so much on a purported book presentation. How can you take a book about Nigeria to present in America and then you talk a lot of rubbish about this country? If you know Nigeria is not decent for you, then why are you staying here?

The issue of Mr. President, doing this and declaring him openly as a drunkard is uncalled for. All of us know what we do

in our privacy. So, why all this talk? It’s just like what they believe in South West today, if you are not a member of ACN, you are not a progressive.

Talking about the forthcoming election in Ondo State, what are the chances of the opposition?

What makes democracy unique is the power of choice.

There is a provision for choice, if that is not there, then it is not democracy. We call it democracy because people have the power to choose whom they want and that starts from primaries. How the candidate for a party emerges is crucial to its success. In a situation whereby one person will be in Lagos and dictates who he wants in Sokoto is no democracy.

41

Do you think the Federal Government is bringing good governance to Nigerians?

The experience and zeal of the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy is yielding positive results. Look at the way Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is attending to issues of budget and the economy, she is doing excellently well. What about how she relates with the National Assembly even when they obviously want to raise unnecessary issues? She has been able and will continue to champion the cause of good governance, which will be made possible by her positive inputs to improve the economy. She has done so well and President Jonathan should be encouraged for appointing her and trusting her brilliance, which has been attested to by the international communities.

FDA commissions secretariat

F

ancy and Furniture Dealers Association (FFDA) in Alaba International Market has commissioned their secretariat. It also used the occasion tolaunch a book its chairman, Chief Wilson Ozoemena, titled My Life And The Transformation of Fancy and Furniture Section of Alaba Int’l Market.

According to the Chairman in his welcome address, the association had initiated conducive atmosphere for business and implementation of major economic, social and security in the market.

He said the edifice was a

legacy that he had wanted to set years back, as a landmark of his good work during his administration but, some challenges delayed it.

Ojo Local Government Chairman, Yinka Durosinmi, who commissioned the secretariat, commended the association for its effort and urged them not not to relent but to initiate more infrastrusture that would develop the local government. He promised to assist them whenever the need arose.

The chairman on the occasion, Mr. Emeka Dike, urged the association to emulate the chairman’s good legacies in order to keep the flag flying.

Former chairman of International Market Association Electronics (IMAE), Chief Uche Ubochi, advised the association to increase its status so that they could always contribute to the development of the society.

He also commended the Ojo L.G.A Chairman for his good work in the local government and appealed to him to accept the Igbo traders as his, adding that the Igbos would stand by him if he did that.

The association’s solicitor, S.Y.Z Orlando, applauded the the members for a work well done.

42

DAILY SUN

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

DAILY SUN

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

43

44

DAILY SUN

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

SOUTH-SOUTH Report

Rice Mill, in Elele Rivers State

New dawn for NDDC PETER AGBA KALU

T

he relative peace now prevalent in the Niger Delta region underscores the wisdom that informed the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC) by the erstwhile administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2000 through an Act of the National Assembly.

Again, the modest development witnessed by the area so far also clearly justifies the rationale in setting up of the development agency with the full mandate to ensure the rapid socio-economic and infrastructural development of the nine states that constitute the target population of the commission.

It is a generally known fact that the region hitherto had been the theatre of gross injustice, neglect, and under development despite the fact that it is the nerve- centre of Nigeria’s pride as the economic giant of Africa and the sixth largest producer of oil in the world.

Within the twelve years of its existence as a body formed to accelerated and inspire development in the region, and with 70 percent if its annual budgetary allocations dedicated for infrastructure only, evidence on the ground left by the previous administrations shows that much was left to be done in terms of quality and quantity of tangible results seen on ground. But, the emergency of the Christian Oboh led administration seems to be changing all that.

It is incontrovertible that the Niger Delta Region is the source of Nigeria oil revenue which has earned the country several trillions of Naira since the discovery of crude in 1956, and upon which the annual budget of the country is predicated. Yet, the area remains the least developed and most neglected in terms of infrastructure, basic human amenities and other essentials of life.

Prior to the discovery of oil in the region by the Dutch Oil Company, Shell in commercial quantity at Oloibiri in 1956, the traditional occupations of the core Niger Delta areas were mainly trading, fishing, and other agricultural activities.

However, with the advent of oil, the economic configuration of the area was to be altered.

Massive exploitation and exploration of crude oil by oil companies led to the dislocation of the traditional economic activities of the people of the area. The sources of livelihoods and indeed the lifestyle of the people were grossly affected.

Discovery of oil rather than bringing immeasurable blessings to the people, brought in its wake

Mr. Chris Oboh nightmares, hopelessness, and anxiety, Rather than bring development; it enthroned poverty that the entire landscape is dotted with evidence of poverty and gross neglect and under-development all over. It is therefore paradoxical that the bird that lays the Golden Fleece that is responsible for the nation’s enormous wealth is left so impoverished and abandoned. Ignorance, diseases, and gross underdevelopment have become evident everywhere to the point of intolerance.

Daily activities of oil exploitations and exploration gave rise to regular oil spillages, pollution, and gas flaring, all inimical to the eco-system and the health of the inhabitants. Marine life became almost extinct. Agricultural farmlands were constantly degraded, and air pollution knew no bounds.

Like a time bomb ready to explode at any time, agitations and campaigns for resource control and sustainable development within the region gradually started and initially by the youths of the region, notably the Ijaw and Ogoni youths who demanded for a reversal of the ugly trend in the region for a better treatment and improved conditions of the people, Other human rights and environmental activists now joined in the large army of campaigners who demanded for a fair deal with the people. Gradually the issue gained momentum and global attention so much so that the region attracted major headline news in various interna-

tional media organizations.

These ferocious campaigns to liberate the people from years of ill-treatment, poverty, injustice and shackles of bondage led to other feelings that elicited violence and restiveness, disruption of operations of oil companies in the region, vandalisation of oil installations , insecurity and instability, abduction and kidnapping of foreign oil workers and others working in the area.

There is no gainsaying the fact that the creation of the Niger Delta Development Commission is a direct fall-out of these acts of incessant agitations and campaigns by these people. This therefore makes the Niger Delta Development Commission a child of circumstance borne out of the need to redress years of injustice to a people who deserve the best of treatment as a result of their natural endowment. All aspects of economic life of the people were wiped out and the people’s traditional sources of livelihoods were undermined by the activities of these oil companies operating without regard to the quality and conditions of life of their host communities Before the establishment of NDDC, the commercial pre-occupation and mindset of the oil companies beclouded their minds that they gave little thought to efforts that would mitigate the negative impact of their activities in their places of operation.

It is on the basis of the fore-going, that the need for accelerated socio- economic and infrastructural development of the Niger- Delta region became more urgent and compelling now than ever before. This requires a concerted and coordinated effort by all the stakeholders- the communities, the oil companies, the local governments, the state governments, the federal government and other development partners, including NGOs and community based organizations operating within the region. Some of these partners seriously complained in the past about the level of corruption going on at NDDC and as a result, did not impose enough confidence on the previous managements.

There is no doubt that today the same partners are singing a new song because the present NDDC management team and the governing board made up of extremely experienced and highly skilled professionals with impeccable references are equal to the task and are poised to deliver on the mandate of the commission. It is believed that both the Managing Director and the Chairman of the governing board with the mem-

bers, two compatible leaders know their onions.

Unlike in the past, they have not allowed unnecessary rivalry and parochial interests to override their sense of duty and responsibility. The Act establishing the commission clearly states unequivocally the role of each party. Irresponsible show of might and power that obviously affect the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the commission in the past has been jettisoned because at the end, it is the masses that suffer the effect of selfish clannish interests and personality clashes, One the most inspiring source of hope is that this present management has seen the need for the commission to prioritize its programmes and projects to align them into the transformation agenda of the present administration of President Goodluck Jonathan for greater impact and sustainability. Again, this was totally lacking in the past, since it normally give room for corruption to strive. The issue of proper coordination of development programmes and projects undertaken by various development partners and stakeholders in the Niger Delta business has been adequately addressed to reduce duplication of efforts and waste of resources. If there is any other evidence that you needed as an evidence of their desire to serve the Niger Delta people; this is it. While taking this writer round the project sites in Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa States Mr. Oboh’s Media Assistant, Mr. Honour said the MD intervened and completed with N3million one of NDDC’s roofing project that was previously budgeted for N15million. That will just give you an example of the systematic rout and cancerous corruption that was going on there before.

Effective project supervision, proper monitoring and evaluation mechanisms have been put in place so as to receive regular feedback’s from time to time and monitor the progress of work in the field. The various stakeholders should be involved in this regard. This will help to ensure proper, effective and timely project execution and delivery, so that the impact will be readily available to those who need them. Funding and early release of project funds are cross-cutting issues that deserve greater and prompt attention The new Management unlike before are now undertaking only those projects and strategies that impacts positively on the lives of the people and such projects they go the extra mile to make sure are not and will not become white elephants ones, but those which have real bearing on the greater majority of the people they are meant to serve. All stakeholders from the very beginning of the project cycle are made to be involved to participate and contribute in the design, planning and implementation phase of the project, including monitoring and evaluation. This is necessary to ensure project security, ownership and sustainability rather than beneficiaries seeing projects located in their areas as owned by the Federal government.

No doubt, the infrastructural development of the Niger Delta region is a key desideratum because of the region’s central position in the overall development of the country. Developing the area will give the people a greater sense of belonging, guarantee fairness and justice, create wealth, generate employment and reduce poverty in the region. It is a well known fact that the key to sustainable development is peace. And peace in the Niger Delta is sine quo non to Nigeria There must be adequate provision of community programmes working with the local people to improve conditions of the poor in the area.

With 70 percent of the Commission’s annual budget devoted to infrastructure, the entire landscape ought to have been saturated with projects by now, but that is not the case yet. It is hoped that in the foreseeable future the situation will change for the better. We have absolute trust and confidence in the ability of the Niger- Delta Development Commission as presently constituted to perform, given the pedigree and credentials of those who are at the helm of affairs today.

From all indications so far, Dr Christian Oboh, the Managing Director and Dr Tarilah Tebepah, the Board Chairman are succeeding where others have failed. They cannot afford to fail as they fully realize that they have enormous responsibility on their shoulders to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the Niger Delta region.

DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012

45

SOUTH-SOUTH Report From FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa

G

overnor Henry Seriake Dickson, fondly called HSD, is unhappy with the state of things in his Bayelsa State. Dickson, who came into office as governor with a passion to liberate the people, is sad over the attitude of the people, whom he said contradictions of the Nigeria society have helped to traumatise.

Sharing his thoughts recently with Daily Sun, Dickson said he was prepared to take the steps no matter how difficult it is to ensure Bayelsa is like other liberated parts of the country. According to him, orientation of the people needs to change for the state to develop.

He captures it well: “Unlike other places in the country, 80 percent of places are not accessible by road, they are remote areas. My people were left behind. Where about 300,000 people are living there is no road. The whole of Ekeremor, no road, two-thirds of Sagbama, no road and when you don’t have access road you live in a dark age. The market my parents to, is still the markets people are going. The schools are going down. So over the years there is a dangerous interplay of underdevelopment, illiteracy, low quality of human resource base poverty and ignorance. There are a lot of baseless and unfounded stories. We have been so shortchanged and victimized due to the contradictions of the Nigerian state. But these are places which have no business in being how they are because these are places where the wealth of this country comes from.

So we are trying to change the orientation of the people so that we can bring about the desired development. It is not an easy task, for convenience a lot of people would play around the people and liberalized it, we but I am not a politician that is why I can take tough decisions. I cannot imagine how we can get 6326 non-academic staff in the primary schools in the state, meanwhile the teachers are 5152. The non-academics include the security guards, cleaners are almost 7000. This is just a state that has just started” Dickson laments the situation whereby everybody in Bayelsa wants a government job and what they believe is government free money, while in other places people flourish engaging in

The secret pains of Gov Henry Dickson private entrepreneurship.

Hear him: “So there are terrible attitudes which are a product of the interplay of ignorance, poverty and illiteracy. We are confronting the problems directly by getting the people to reexamine their attitude then use whatever is there to address the fundamental problems. The fundamental problems are three. Security, education and infrastructure and when we get these three, then we are on the path to greatness. In other places in this country, people several years ago had the vision, took the steps and corrected their society. That is why you can go somewhere and sees a woman selling Akara by the roadside and she use the proceeds to pay house rent, send her children to school. Here we don’t we have mechanics and vulcanizer. Everybody wants government position and government free money, even when you give out this government free money; the people remain the way they are.

Somebody, somewhere, must have the courage, guts and vision to pick up the gauntlet. I am not on a popularity contest, I am on a mission to change the society, once and for all, at least better than the way I met it.

We earned the least in terms of IGR. I am a student of history and power. People should not get caught in the contradictions of this society. If I am doing what I am doing in other states, people would be giving me kudos.”

While noting that underdevelopment in one part of the country would affect other parts, he said the recent release of N10 billion to construction companies in the state is to demonstrate his preparedness to do what is right for Bayelsans and allow posterity to judge him.

“Until militancy, people thought underdevelopment in the Niger Delta was Niger Delta people’s problem but when militancy came, Abuja had to declare amnesty by force. Now until Boko Haram, not the political Boko Haram but the eco-

Dickson nomic Boko Haram, Nigerians thought the Almajaris, the problem of underdevelopment and that feudal culture that holds people down and refuses to develop them is a problem only for the North but now we are far wrong. The problem of underdevelopment in any part of Nigeria is a problem for all.

I am going to do my best for this state. I am paying 10 billion out for contracts to Julius Berger, Steraco and Chinese construction com-

pany, I don’t even know them but I want them to get it because I want the best. And one morning one ignorant person would stand up and say all the contracts are being awarded to big companies while small contractors are suffering. How do you expect a Truck A road to Brass to be awarded to a brief case contractor. No it is not possible.

I am not a businessman. The right thing must be done. I am a politician of passion; I am doing this because I have a sense of mission, I feel I have little to contribute, when I gone, I am gone”

Please, help! We need drinking water, disaster communities cry out From JUDEX OKORO, Calabar

C

ommunities in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, struck by landslide a month ago, have appealed to government agencies to provide them with potable water.

The communities, including Buanchor, Katabang, Boje and Erimekpang with a population of over 6,000, lost all their sources of drinking water to the landslide, which recently ravaged the area and has been relying on rain water since the incident.

The situation was aggravated during the oneweek “August break” and, therefore, they have called on government to immediately intervene.

Some of the victims, who spoke to Daily Sun, said shallow wells had been dug on silted rivers and streams beds, just to get water for domestic use.

One of the victims affected by the landslide, Madam Ketung Banku, said “My brother!

Children are getting sick because of the lack of drinking water. Our silted streams and rivers can only produce water for bathing and washing not at all for drinking. Please O’ we need a permanent solution.”

She said the situation is getting out of hand and that they are considering relocation to other communities that have streams and rivers before epidemic will break out, lamenting that what the communities need urgently is emergency measures to caution the effects.

Lamenting that the landslide had also affected transportation within the communities, Mr. Emmanuel Attah, said though government had provided remedial measures through provision of sachet water, it is still very necessary for government to sink boreholes.

Worried by the plight of disaster victims , the State House of Assembly has called on government to grant approval promptly for the release of relief materials for distribution to affected vic-

tims.

The call was part of a nine-point resolution of the Assembly after considering the report of the joint Committee on Security, Conflict and Disaster Management, Environment and Agriculture on the windstorm and wanton destruction of property experienced in some parts of the State which was presented to the House penultimate week.

Speaking to DAILYSUN shortly after deliberations on the matter, the Chairman of the House Committee on Security, Conflict and Disaster Management, Hon Eteng Jonah Williams, said

“disaster prone communities have suffered a great deal in recent times and it is high time government through its agencies respond urgently to the suffering rural people.”

The Honourable member, representing Yakurr 1 State Constituency, said the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) should be made relevant and its operational capability be strengthened by enacting a workable legislation that will make it more responsive in mitigating disaster challenges in the State.

Eteng maintained that there is need for Government to carry out sensitization through

media in English and local languages on the importance and procedure for sustainable management of the environment.

But when contacted the the Director–General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Mr. Vincent Aquah, said they have presented 400 bags of sachet water to the communities to cushion the effect of the “August Break” draught.

Statistics made available to Daily Sun showed that over 40 communities in 12 Local Government Areas of the State have been either affected by one form of disaster or the other.

One stool two Chief Priests:

As Ibibio crown two rival chief priests amidst controversies From JOE EFFIONG, Uyo

T

he position of Okuibom Ibibio, expected to bring peace, unity and development to Ibibio people of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, may further help to decimate one of the largest ethic nationalities in the country.

The Ibibio, on Saturday, organised the coronation of the Okuibom (Chief Priest) Ibibio IV in the person of Edidem Ime Dickson Umoette, who is the current paramount ruler of Etinan, one of the local government areas of Ibibio extraction.

However, Umoette’s coronation has already been challenged by his archrival to the throne, Edidem Akpabio Udo Ukpa, the paramount ruler of Onna Local Government Area, who was earlier in the year crowned as the Okuibom Ibibio III in a function equally attended by a cross section of the Ibibio traditional rulers, the political class and the youth wing of the Ibibio-socio cultural entity, the Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio.

Curiously, government representation at Saturday’s coronation was nil as the governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, the deputy governor, Mr. Nsiama Ekere, the speaker of the state House

of Assembly, Hon. Sam Ikon, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, the state chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Paul Ekpo, and the state commissioner of finance, Mr. Bassey Albert Akpan, who are prominent Ibibio sons, were all absent.

The last three were supposed to be honoured with chieftaincy titles by the new Okuibom IV. The state government unequivocally distanced itself from the coronation through a public announcement signed by the state commissioner for information, Mr Aniekan Umanah, warning its organizers “not in any way attempt to drag the name of His Excellency the Governor or that of His Excellency the Deputy Governor or any official of the State executive council into a matter which is purely traditional and far detached from the statutory responsibilities of government.

“Government considers the attempt to link His Excellency the Executive Governor or any member of the state government with the planned coronation/installation of a new Oku-Ibom Ibibio as a breach of the position of the Executive Governor and the government of Akwa Ibom State on the matter. The organisers of the event are

therefore advised to desist from linking the Executive Governor, or the Government of Akwa Ibom State to the planned event as government does not wish to be dragged into the issue.

The public is advised to be properly informed about the position of government in this matter,” the state stressed.

Government’s official absence however did not dampen the spirit of Ibibio people at Umoette’s coronation on Saturday which took place at Asan Ibibio (Ibibio palour) in Ikot Oku Ikono, near Uyo. The elated monarch in his acceptance speech said that he was delighted and felt greatly honoured that God has sustained him to be bestowed with the royal crown of Okuibom which is the highest traditional stool in Ibibio land.

According to the Okuibon Ibibio IV, “the event mark a turning point in the collective history of Ibibio people as a people of a tribe bonded in love and unity. History has beckoned on me to use this opportunity to thank God almighty for His exceedingly grace over me and my entire family to live a life that depends solely and actively on Him with undiluted faith.”

46

DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Good Health

By AZOMA CHIKWE

S

tealing of public funds, bad leadership culture and lack of respect for law and order in Nigeria were some of the contributing factors deemed to be responsible for poor child rearing practices.

This revelation was made known recently in Lagos by the Project Coordinator of Colostrum International, Dr. Bunmi Ogundimu, during the 20th world breastfeeding week celebration.

The coordinator expressed sadness at the increasing rate of corruption in the country.

She noted that the nation is groaning under the various monstrous faces of corruption and further regretted that Nigerians appear to be helpless, daily watching corruption pervading every sector of our life as a society.

“Today, Nigeria is amongst the world’s first five corrupt nations!! This ranking spells disaster, doom and calls for an urgent as well as a serious re- appraisal of our lives both as individuals and as a people,” she said.

Dr Ogundimu decried the current spate of societal ills ravaging the country Which she said is at the expense of the Nigerian child.

The Coordinator recalled the good old days of our forefathers that used to boast of good names. “They preferred good names to wealth and riches, and no one was really appreciated, no matter how wealthy, if they did not have a good name attached to it.

“But what do we have these days? The reverse of everything “good”, without having to sound pessimistic. There is no ‘health’ in us as a nation, as we have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and are now doing those things which we ought not to have done”.

Still lamenting the poor state of the nation, she said in the midst of every problem, there must be a solution. “we Nigerians are our own problems, and we are also the solution, and in our opinion at colostrum international, our child - rearing practices need to be officially revisited with a view of deliberately creating policies, rules and regulations that will focus attention on “production” of qualitative citizenry. “We realise that “what you get out of it has everything to do with what you put into it.

“There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Nigerian geographical location, land, soil,

‘Corruption, responsible for poor child upbringing’

•Dr Ogundimu weather and other resources that were god given, but what we refer to as national calamities that are troubling us are actually man – made, the creations of the minds of men. If the collective mind is of very high quality, then inventions are born, orderliness exists, people respect themselves by respecting laws and orders, Dr Ogundimu said.

Also, she stressed the role of motherhood, her potentials and flexibility, in addition, how it can further be fostered by government and every other makers of the society.

The high call of motherhood, according to

her is one solution that combines many aspects of our existence – population, health, and economy, social, physical and infrastructural development as well.

The Coordinator however pointed that the traditional linear competitive career model has been incredibly slow to recognize and embrace women’s differences, and to grow the door to new work cultures that call for a majority of women.

Despite the progress some corporations have made, she noted that the longstanding model in many organizations still doesn’t work for a large majority of women.

On how can organizations reform the present model, Dr Ogundimu simply put it, “Change will come only when organizations expand the model, with new thinking and initiatives that truly meet women’s authentic needs, values and priorities.

She continued, “an abundance of workplace research shows how and why women differ from men and contribute in unique and indispensable ways. Understandably, women have distinct values and priorities, needs and wants, style and approach.

“Recent studies show that men and women have unique physiological reactions to crises and stress and companies as well as the nation, are best served when there is a balanced repre-

Nestle unveils more nutrients in Golden Morn

By JOB OSAZUWA estle Nigeria PLC., makers of Golden Morn, has fortified the popular product for adequate nutrition and normal functioning of the body.

The iron-fortified Golden Morn, was launched in Lagos recently where importance of minerals and vitamins to human growth and body metabolism was highlighted.

Speaking on micronutrient fortification of Golden Morn, the Managing Director of Nestle Nigeria, Mr. Martin Woolnugh, said in Nestle’s pursuit of nutrition, health and wellness agenda, and to further enhance its competitive edge, it would not relent in implementing relevant innovations, geared towards reducing micronutrient deficiencies mainly among low income consumers.

“To improve the nutrition foundation across our portfolio, we reduced the amount of those nutrients that have negative effect on health when consumed in excess, and add food components and nutrients required to make good health. “Fortifying foods with vitamins and minerals play a key role in the prevention of micronutrient deficiencies”, he noted.

The MD further maintained that with the addition of more nutrients to commonly consumed foods, large segments of Nigeria population can benefit from improved nutrition with less change in the dietary habits.

He also revealed that Nestle is collaborating with scientists on a global scale and regional

N

levels which is focused on fortifying appropriate food products according to local needs.

“In our effort to improve the availability of affordable micronutrient fortified foods in Nigeria, we decided to launch vitamin A and iron-fortified Golden Morn as reflection of our commitment to enhancing the lives of Nigerians.

“As World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends using, as vehicle for fortification, products that have high household penetration, Golden Morn is therefore a perfect carrier of iron to help improve nutritional status, growth and development of the nation,” Mr Woolnugh said.

In tackling problem of micronutrient deficiency in Nigeria, the MD said appreciable result can only be achieved through multifaceted efforts with people empowerment that require long term and sustainable approach.

He however expressed the company’s readiness to collaborate with relevant key stakeholders to alleviate micronutrient deficiencies.

Similarly, the company Category Business Manager, Diary, Mr Adewale Arikawe stressed the need for Nigerians to consume food with rounded nutritional benefits, and highlighted the ingredients and nutrients of the fortified Golden Morn.

While lamenting WHO reports that Nigerians lack micronutrient iron, vitamin A, iodine and zinc,Mr Arikawe pointed that the new Golden Morn would bridge the gap.

He commended mothers for being conscious

about nutritional benefits contained in food given to their families especially. “Mothers are now always sure of their choices and long for the satisfaction that a wholesome meal provides.

They seek to provide meal of sufficient nutritional benefits for daily feeding,” he remarked.

He insisted that the new Golden Morn would serve as a route to averting issues that could from deficiencies of vitamin A and iron which are common among children.

In his speech, a Professor of Department of Human Nutrition, University of Ibadan, Prof.

Isaac Akinyele lamented that one third of the world population (more than 2 billion people) suffer from micro nutrition deficiencies.

These deficiencies he said are most prevalent in Vitamin A, iron, iodine, and putting iodine at the worst scenario.

Prof. Akinyele explained food fortification as the practice of adding essential vitamins and minerals to staple foods to improve their nutritional content. He noted that it is a safe and effective way of improving public health.

In his words, “food fortification is the safest way of delivering necessary amount of micronutrients to the majority of the population in an effective manner.”

He however charged constituted authorities to create room for nutritional intervention programmes on the basic of an evaluation of consumption patterns of the food vehicle, and also considering the amount of nutrient needed to prevent deficiency without possible harm for excessive intake.

sentation of both gender in every aspect of lives, especially in leadership roles,” she submitted She maintained that women’s right to flexibility is bona fide and fundamental especially when considering weighty realities such as children and eldercare, adding that organizations should implement new programs, policies and procedures that foster optimal flexibility.

Meanwhile, the Project Coordinator was of the opinion that two weeks maternity leave & six months breast-feeding leave –in preparation for labour, and two weeks to rest should be given to the working pregnant mother so that she would have enough energy to go through the arduous task of birthing her baby.

She insisted that breastfeeding leave, starting from the day of birth, which at present is 4 months, should be based on the exclusive breastfeeding policy that Nigeria appended her signature to.

“Exclusive breastfeeding is directed by the United Nations children and Education Fund (UNICEF) to ensure child survival and optimum growth and development. The infant mortality rate in Nigeria, which stands at an appalling 108:100,000 (one of the poorest in the world), will be drastically reduced.

“Breastfeeding an infant for 6 months helps the child to acquire his own immunity after using up the mother’s, with which she was born. This proposed leave period should be regarded as an expedient national service in our nation building quest.” She said.

Colostrum is of strong belief that the proposed child rearing bill, with all hands on deck, shall begin to raise a new generation of Nigerians with more humane feelings, exhibiting appropriate and responsive behaviour, who will be able to stand for truth and justice, for progress and equity, for fairness and principles.

She said the organization was looking forward to Nigerians that will give Nigeria conscionable leadership and enlightened development.

“The issue confronting all of us now is about our common survival. It is about the protection of our heritage, our common beliefs and values.

We use this opportunity to appeal to our lawmakers to speedily treat the proposed child rearing bill for the good and benefit of our nation,” she implored.

Promasidor rewards Nigerian kids

By JOB OSAZUWA

P

romasidor Nigeria, the makers of Cowbell chocolate drink has put a smile on the faces of 2500 Nigerian children for choosing the product, also urging them to continue drinking the beverage.

The appreciation was delivered in her 2012 summer camp programme for the kids. 500 kids as selected from 100 primary schools in Lagos were engaged daily for 5 days in a mentoring, sporting and recreational session at University of Lagos sport centre.

The children danced overwhelmingly to the music of DJ Zeez and other performers who put in much effort to ensure that the kids were satisfied.

High point of the funfair event was the prize-giving segment where items such as bicycles, raincoats, Cowbell choco mugs, exercise books and Cowbell chocolate fabrics were given to the lucky kids.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

DAILY SUN

47

Good Health ACPN charges FG on drug sales regulation

By NKIRU EVONGWA

W

henever the word, “drug abuse” comes to the fore, a lot of people’s attention is drawn to the use of hard drugs like heroin or cocaine. However, little did they know that any drug taken without the prescription of a trained healthcare provider could constitute drug abuse.

Drug abuse is the use of illicit drugs, or the abuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs.

The abuse of legitimate drugs (prescription or over-the-counter) can happen when people use the drugs in a manner or in quantity other than directed or for purposes that are not legitimate.

Therefore, taking drugs to enhance your performance, change looks, enhance weight, or to feel high is also counted as drug abuse.

When prescribed drugs are taken in higher than recommended amounts to achieve a feeling other than the therapeutic effects for which they were intended, it might lead to serious side effects, which are detrimental to health.

Being ignorant of this fact, many people tend to purchase drugs from hawkers and sales agents in garages or commercial buses who tell them how one drug can cure a number of sicknesses.

Even those who buy these drugs might seem satisfied with the temporal relief they get after using the drugs, Pharmacists in Nigeria have warned against the impending danger associated with the intake of such drugs.

…warns against drug abuse The group of Pharmacist under the aegis of Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos State wing however called on the Federal government to be stricter in its drug use regulation by ensuring that drugs sales and prescription are only available in the hands of licensed practitioners in order to trunk the spread of illegal drug sales and drug abuse in Nigeria.

As part of its activities to mark this year’s Pharmacy Week, ACPN recently took the campaign against drug abuse to Ojota, Lagos and its environs.

Addressing newsmen during the campaign at Ojota Garage, Lagos State Chairman of ACPN Aminu Abdulsalam Yinka, said the association decided to take to the streets because they could no longer fold their arms and watch a lot of lives being lost as a result of preventable diseases, which might have been caused by wrong medications.

Yinka who lamented the alarming rate of use of drugs in Nigeria as a result of its availability in the hands of those who are not licensed to carry out the sales, warned that if not checked, the aftermath of drug abuse and misuse might be disastrous to the nation.

In his remark, former Lagos ACPN Chairman, Anthony Ani, attributed the rising incidence of kidney and liver failures to drug

•Illegal drug sales in the bus abuse and misuse among Nigerians.

The Pharmacists therefore warned the public to desist from buying drugs from hawkers and the intake of any drug whether herbal or other wise that has not been screened by the appropriate licensing agents.

The group urged the public to only consult people who are trained and licensed to give out drugs when they are in need of one, pointing out that “Nigerians should patronise only appropriately registered pharmacy shops to avoid a situation where “we use our money to buy death.”

Okigbo offers free medical package to Anambra

By JOB OSAZUWA

R

ecently, residents of Ojota community in Anambra State had every reason to thank God for giving them illustrious sons, as Mr. Patrick Okigbo III, Principal Partner of Nextier Advisory, brought a team of doctors and medical assistants to provide free medical services to residents of the community. His sister, Dr. Chinelo Okigbo, a doctor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA, led the team of medical professionals, based at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Medical School in Nnewi.

The medical programme was part of his Nextier Advisory’s commitment to community development.

According to Mr. Okigbo, Nextier Advisory, a public sector advisory and investment firm based in Abuja, commits a percentage of its annual profit to fund grassroots humanitarian efforts. These assistance programmes are primarily in three focus areas cutting across healthcare, education, and enterprise.

With the initiative, the medical personnel conducted tests for the most prevalent yet silent killer diseases namely hypertension, diabetes and obesity. In addition to diagnoses and treatments, the team provided counselling on malaria prevention, hygiene and healthy living. Over 1,000 patients participated in the free medical programme, receiving treatment and medication for various ailments ranging from malaria to hypertension.

Speaking with Daily Sun, Mr Okigbo explained that the free medical programmes have become a critical effort by his firm.

“Various communities have benefited from these programmes. In fact, this is the second time the programme is being held in Ojoto; the first was held in 2008,” he said.

He further explained that the firm works closely with committed individuals and groups in a community to identify the best form of intervention that will yield the most impact.

He however noted that once decided, Nextier Advisory contributes certain percentage of the programme cost while their community partners contribute the balance. According to Mr. Okigbo, the collaboration is critical to the design of the programme because it fosters a sense of community ownership.

Meanwhile, participants in the just concluded

medical initiative commended the organisers and volunteer medical practitioners and also applauded the dedication of the volunteer medical team who treated them with respect and dignity.

One of the beneficiaries, Gladys Okeke, prayed the organisers would have the commitment and resources to sustain the programme.

Another participant, Mrs. Ego Nnoluka, who was diagnosed with high blood pressure, thanked the organisers for being educated on how to minimise and management her condition.

In a chat with Ms. Vivian Egbuna, the Matron of the community health center expressed the need of having a resident doctor at the health center to attend to the overwhelming cases the centre receives. “Even a Youth Corp doctor will be a great help to this community,” she noted.

Mr. Okigbo promised to work with the presidents of the town union and other citizens of the

community to provide a solution to the absence of a permanent resident doctor.

Also, an expert in maternal and child healthcare Dr Chinelo, confirmed that most of the deaths in their local communities are from ailments that, if detected early, could have been prevented with lifestyle changes. She promised to analyse the data collated from this and other Nextier-funded medical efforts to develop a policy paper on new approaches to medical intervention in local communities.

On the other hand, Mr. Patrick Okigbo, recognized that the free medical programs are not the sustainable solution to healthcare delivery in Nigeria. He posited that the sustained solution lies in the intersection of good public policy and concerted action from both the private and the public sector.

However, Nextier Advisory has committed to

continue its interventions as the local communities endure the insufficient medical assistance, poor education and limited resources while the legislators develop the right policies.

Responding to choice of funding the programme when it appears that the problem is insurmountable, Mr. Okigbo explained that there is no problem that cannot be solved by concerted efforts of collective responsibility.

He acknowledged that the bulk of the solution is with the public sector and its policy choices but affirmed that there was a lot that can be done by individuals. “When a small group of thoughtful, committed people apply themselves to a problem, miracles begin to happen. I believe there are enough of us to change Nigeria,” he said.

The beneficiaries and the leaders of the community appeared to also support this belief as they too committed to supporting future relief

Bridge Clinic emerges 2012 best IVF hospital in Nigeria

By BRENDA EVBODAGHE

I

n recognition of her leadership role and contributions to the advancement of the Nigerian healthcare industry, The Bridge Clinic was awarded the “Best Assisted Conception and In-Vitro Fertilisation Hospital 2012” by the Institute for Government Research and Leadership Technology. The award was given at the institute’s 2012 African Governance and Corporate Leadership Awards ceremony, held on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at Nicon Luxury, Abuja.

The Managing Director of the Bridge Clinic, Dr. Richard Ajayi, said, “we are truly humbled and honored by this award. We have continued to give our best in our path of offering alternative fertility options to couples in Nigeria and we have indeed derived deep fulfillment from our patients’ successes so far, but to be recognized and awarded for doing so by the Institute for Government Research and Leadership Technology, is even more exhilarating.

“We have some of the finest fertility experts on our team and I’m sure that this award will provide the necessary drive for the team to do more.

We are very pleased to receive the award” In a letter signed by the Country Director/Chief Executive of Institute for Government Research and Leadership

Technology, Mr. Moses Essien, the parameters for the award of the “Best Assisted Conception and In-Vitro Fertilisation Hospital 2012” to the Bridge Clinic were outlined as including expertise in the provision of first rate IVF; outstanding in the provision of first class assisted conception; excellence in brand integrity, reputation and patient service; compliance with professional codes and ethical standards; and compliance with regulatory laws and guidance among others.

The award of “Best Assisted Conception and In-Vitro Fertilisation Hospital 2012” for service and leadership in the healthcare industry is another in a series of awards and recognitions bestowed on The Bridge Clinic over the years which includes the Lagos State Ministry of Health Letter of Commendation for the first ICSI babies in Nigeria; the Guild of Medical Directors Award for Excellence in Medicine and the SOGON Award in recognition of outstanding contributions in Clinical Service Delivery towards the Promotion of Maternal Healthcare in Nigeria.

The Managing Director also recently received the award for “Lagos Medical Icon” for his contribution to the development of quality assisted conception and IVF practices in Nigeria.

The Bridge Clinic is the premier focused assisted conception unit in Nigeria, founded in 1999 by Dr. Richard Ajayi, with the objectives of providing the highest standards of fertility servic-

es in Nigeria.The clinic has continued to fulfill its vision of providing couples with their best chances of having children and restoring the joys of numerous families with the voices of over 1,400 children born so far in homes all over the nation through its services. The Bridge Clinic operates out-of-clinics in Victoria Island and Ikeja both in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kaduna.

As part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives, The Bridge Clinic in collaboration with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, provides subsidised IVF services to socio-economically disadvantaged couples in the state thus helping to reduce health inequalities.

The fertility centre has remained a forerunner in the drive for quality in healthcare in Nigeria. It implemented its quality management system since 2004, ahead of most clinics globally, and was awarded the ISO9001:2000 certificate by TUV Austria which was upgraded to the ISO9001:2008 certificate in 2010.

The Institute for Government Research and Leadership Technology is a not-for-profit educational institution, established in 2006, with the objectives of promoting learning and providing world class training through cutting edge research to its stakeholders globally. Driven by its vision of being the most respected, most credible governance and leadership training research institute, it has provided professional and educational services to different cadres of government and to corporate organisations globally.

48

DAILY SUN

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Tuesday, September 4, 2012 DAILY SUN

49

WOMANoftheSUN

By KATE HALIM

O

ne woman who is moved into action by the plight of children who go to bed hungry is Chief Ms. Temitope Ajayi. Her passion to see more women gainfully employed while assisting in providing for their families nudged her to establish Nigeria-American Agricultural Empowerment Programme (NAAEP).

In a recent chat with Daily Sun, Ms. Ajayi shed more light on the achievements of NAAEP in eradicating hunger, providing jobs and why it is important to have more focused women at the helm of affairs in Nigeria. Excerpts: How many women have been empowered through NAAEP? Over 200 Nigerian women have been empowered through this programme.

We have started our food processing and have also gotten our export license from Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC). We have also gotten our USA Food and Drug Agency (FDA) approval to import our processed NAAEP organic foods to the USA. What is the level of co-operation between Nigeria and the US in the area of agric that perhaps influenced the initiative?

The American government is very interested in investing and helping African countries including Nigeria to generate funds from Agriculture and help eradicate poverty. Some African countries are so involved in agriculture that it is now a competition between many of them. They engage in intense agricultural work to meet the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) deadline on poverty eradication by 2015. Since this deadline is close, many African countries are working very hard to make it happen.

With the aid of United Nations, agricultural revolution is taking place in Africa and Nigeria is not left out too.

How is NAAEP keying into the federal govt's transformation agenda in the agricultural sector?

When I met the Minister of Agriculture Dr Akinwunmi Adesina at a programme the in Washington DC, USA, he promised that the Federal Government was going to assist the NAAEP farmers and he kept to his word. Now, NAAEP farmers are being assisted by the government. The best thing that can ever happen to Nigeria is visible transformation in the Agricultural sector which the minister has set the pace for.

How do you relate with women within cultures that discourage them from working, how much more venturing into agriculture?

Things have changed now because more women are going into agriculture today. I am very proud to be a farmer, I love being a farmer and it's the same with NAAEP women farmers. These women now have the food they planted exported all over the world. I am also proud that I will be in the history book of Nigeria as the woman who started agricultural revolution in Nigeria. I relate well with these women because they are very eager to learn modern mechanized farming and their focus is great. More women are now embracing farming so as to keep busy and help their families. Gone are the days when farming is considered a man's job alone.

Why are you so passionate about agricultural development since it is viewed a male-dominated occupation?

It is a divine call if not, I would have

•Ajayi

‘Having women in key leadership positions can change Nigeria's fortune’ quit a long time ago. My passion is to make sure that children no longer go to bed hungry because I have been there.

Women play complementary roles to men and going into farming to support their men reveal they see themselves as part of

a team. And since farming is a team work, we work together with men to make it a success.

How do you get funds to support NAAEP? We are grateful to President Goodluck

“More women are now embracing farming so as to keep busy and help their families. Gone are the days when farming is considered a man's job alone”

Jonathan and his administration for his government's commitment to achieving food security, increase job creation and reduce poverty in the country. This move closes 60 percent of the agriculture financing gaps as well as reduces banks’ perception of agriculture as highly risky investment. Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) has guaranteed banks’ lending risk by 75 per cent for small scale farmers and 50 per cent for mechanized farmers to enable farmers access funds from commercial banks. The FG is to create 3.5 million jobs in the agricultural sector by 2015 to meet the United Nation Millennium Developments Goals (MDGs) poverty eradication deadline.

The federal government has earmarked N37bn for creation of jobs through agriculture and also plans to reduce the financial risk involved in attracting finance for the agricultural sector.

50

DAILY SUN

Tuesday, September 4 , 2012

SUN Tech C

hairman, Logica Group, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, a stakeholder in the information and communication technology sector(ICT ) has reassessed the industry and noted that the industry is doing quite well and well regulated except for a few hiccups that may soon be overcome.

He also talked about other related issues.

Foreign Direct Investments It is indeed a milestone. Tell me what other sector of the economy in Nigeria has recorded such calculable volume in terms of investments aside telecoms sector. An industry can be worth $50bn in less than a year or in a year if well regulated. Telecoms has been able to achieve that milestone because that is about the only industry that is properly regulated. It has been extremely regulated and that is where we pick our interest from. We watched the oil industry moved form a highly unmonitored level. What we are doing to the telecoms industry to monitor by merely instituting an award in this industry, it is to tell people that some people are around the corner that willyour activities and that monitoring heldps in their stability and uprightness and in a lot of other things in doing businesses. So, the investment in the telecoms industry can even move beyong that $25bn if the industry is monitored ad guarded properly. Of course, the leakages in the industry are a lot that nobody is talking about. There are so many leakages. I attended a meeting where Dr Stephen former acting Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, said he was very sure that the level of leakages in the industry required some regulatory intervention and interest and he made a lot of instances such as calls that are terminated offshore. In whose account does it go?

Who monitors those calls? Those are extrainvestment issues.

Communications Technology ministry A media outfit recently sought my opinion on this matter and I said it clearly that one of the most brilliant thing we have done to the telecoms sector as a country is to establish a ministry of Communication technology. Whether we like it or not, it would have been worse because technology is war, because the future of any race and the world, in general is Information Technology and Telecoms. In fact, technology, finance and all sectors today are IT-driven. As a matter of fact, matrimony will soon be IT-0driven on a lighter mood. But what I am trying to say is that every facet of our life is being driven by ICT. Therefore, specialised ministry to manage this sector is one of the most brilliant President Goodluck Jonathan has ever done.

Better still, he looked for somebody who is very competent. Mrs. Omobola Johnson is extremely competent to handle that industry.

She is educated right in that particular sphere and she is doing very fine. Anybody that knows the women, where she had worked before taking up the government appointment, will know that she is, indeed a go-getter.

NIJ partners Afrinic on IPV6 workshop

T

he Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) has partnered with the Afrinic, the regional registry for Internet Number Resources for Africa, to create the latest information procedure in migration of IP addresses from IPV4 to IPV6.

The training, tagged: “Eko konnet”, is slated to hold at the Centre for Information Technology and Systems,UNILAG from September 11 through 14.

According to the NIJ Provost, Dr. Mrs. Elizabaeth Ikem, the essence of the three-day workshop is because IPV4 numbers have been nearly exhausted and network hardware needs to be upgraded to support IPV6 connections.

She noted that the seminar would commence from 10am daily and local and international facilitators would be on hand to share their wealth of experience.

Bisi Olaleye

IT News Weekly

08094000013 b.olaleye@sunnewsonline

Best ICT Reporter of The Year

Telecoms sector has achieved a milestone This was industry I refer to, about five years ago in an interview, as being in the jungle. And you now brought somebody to first of all clear the jungle, align the beasts and now inculcate the beasts with reasonability, it will not take one year. Therefore, what that woman has done, is to first of all say there is a need for ICT policy.

We discussed that forth and back and we now put ICT policy in place. She now moved further to say that there were some ministries’ parastatals that should come together. That shouldn’t have the kind of autonomy they currently enjoy if the industry must be managed efficiently in this era of convergence. Now we are talking of merger NCC and National Broadcasting Commission. Look at what Nigerian Communication satellite Limited was able to achieve recently. The satellite that was missing in the orbit has been replaced for us and now, we are there permanently in the orbit now. Look at what the National Information Technology development Agency is able to do. There is now a conducive environment for Prof Cleopas Angaye, the NITDA Director-General to think properly unlike when that agency was under the ministry of Science and Technology where everything is muddled together. Now, under a ministry that now exactly what it should be. You will appreciate has gone to clarify all the issues and posit them as they should be posited and that’s the first step to progress. Again, I am of the view that we should only measure the minister’s performance after two or two and a half year. That is when all the policies she has been putting in place will begin to manifest.

The minister was at Computer Village in Ikeja recently. What would she be doing in the Computer Village if not for the benefit of the average Nigerian on the road? Therefore, she has now said she would support a situation where more of the products displayed on the shelves by traders there should be more of products assembled in the country. The excitement on the faces of the Computer Villages stakeholders said it all that they appreciated the minister’s visit. We have appreciated her commitment and that is why in this year’s Nigerian telecoms Awards, we are giving the minister, African telecoms Personality Awards. Nigeria is the largest telecoms community in Africa.

Nigeria today has a ministry that is specialized and she is the first minister to manage that ministry and she’s still doing it very successfully. I think she deserves that kind of award, based on those things I have highlighted as her achievement. I personally feel she is doing well.

2011 deregulation Without gainsaying, the industry has grown tremendously. There is no doubt about.

Unfortunately, I have a feeling that we have overgrown. We grew beyond the capability of the infrastructure of the environment. We grew beyond the readiness of the subscribers. We grew beyond the readiness of the operators and that was what actually backfired into the myriad of the problems we are having in the industry. If growth has been managed in accordance with simultaneous infrastructural requirement in the industry, then growth needed to have been managed but we didn’t manage our growth.

That is why an operator can be having as much as 42 million subscribers on its network and half of the time you make calls you experience poor quality of service. That is why the regulator should be on top of management of growth which it has started doing now.

But I really would not blame the regulator

for the last 10 years. It was a stability period.

We are coming from an experience of the pariah state - a state that lacks foreign investment at that time. The people who brought the foreign investments came and I can say that we have spent the last 10 years to manage their arrival.

Fortunately or otherwise, the industry grew beyond expectation. I say to you, MTN came to Nigeria with a feeling of having about 200,000 or so subscribers per annum. But for the first year, it recorded one million subscribers on its network and it was mind-blowing. Of course, they know how to do business. There is no doubt about it. They brought in experience that was cogent and that’s why MTN was able to go that far beyond every reasonable doubt. All the other operators are doing well also. A Nigerianowned operator like Globacom has well over 22 million subscribers as we speak. That is extremely very good anywhere in Africa. So, growth of the industry, going back to your question, has been extremely wonderful.

Sustainable growth The sector is currently almost overwhelmed by challenges. As we speak, voice calls are not perfect and the world has even gone beyond voice. Voice is even supposed to be free as we speak now. The world is going into data. We are not even in the data business yet because the voice, we have not perfected and the infrastructure on grown cannot support as much data as we would be doing and that is why everybody is clamouring for broadband. If government can support broadband and broadband become solid then you can be sure that the problem is solved.

The operating environment is still troubled.

For starters in the sector, you are bound to face the enormous challenge of running on generators because our electricity situation is in doldrums. The Power Minister, Prof. Bart Nnaji, just resigned again amid the ongoing privatisation process, which we are yet to get right, which may be taking us many years backward.

So, the challenges are enoormous. There is nowhere in the world where generators are stolen at the right they being stolen in Nigeria.

Nowhere else in the world are telecoms cables cut at will by vandals. Nowhere else in the world do you see that over 167 million population will have less than 22, 000 base transceiver stations. All the base stations we have in Nigeria are less than 22,000. Europe with less than 40 million subscribers had over 60,000 base stations. What the situation means Nigeria is that the networks have to provide enough infrastructure to ensure that there is enough infrastructure to cater for the availability of investment and business opportunities in telecoms in Nigeria.

So the challenges are enormous.

Today, the problems we are facing in the sector are not those problems with the operators.

The operators have their challenges the Nigerian government know about. Their challenges are a lot, ranging from the stealing of telecoms equipment, vandalism multiple taxations and others. That is why I support the call

for making telecoms equipments as Critical Security Infrastructure. The operators have their own problem, but they would do better if they carry ICT journalists and ICT media along effectively about the problem they are facing.

The ICT media constitute another tripod in the telecoms, apart from the government, the operator and the member of the public, especially if they report conscientiously; not induced reportage.

Nigerian Telecoms Awards At some point in 2001, 90 per cent of my clients as an advertising practitioner were telecoms companies and I found out that most of them are foreigners and that they needed a template to relate with. Because of my interest in the industry and the need to provide information for stakeholders in the industry, we started Nigerian telecoms News magazine and in 2004, we felt there was a need for award in the industry called Nigerian Telecoms Awards. We got the name registered and yet we, felt we needed an award that government and industry will accept. We then called the minister of Communication at that time to intimate him and we subsequently constituted the board of trustee and the minister inaugurated the board of trustee and all telecoms companies were representatives in the steering committee that was later form and we had the first of such award ceremony in 2005. It was a big event as the Presidency was well represented during the event, which was the first time in the industry.

By 2006, former President Abdul-Salam Abubakar chaired the award that year where he pointed out that the award should become the watch-dog of the telecoms industry. We have had Presidents from Sierra Leone, Today, the ward has become dominant in the industry and I can tell you that there is no single company in Nigeria that has not had one of two things to do with the award. It has impacted on the industry most positively. All the time, we need to justify why X Company must get an award and not Y Company. It has become the mainstay of the industry in terms of evaluation of performance by the players in the sector.

Award is a reserved area for media practitioners, though there are a couple of other awards in the industry, but the award has a wide spectrum of interest and today I can tell you that we have done well. We have a credible panel of assessors which determine who gets which award, though we may not be perfect in our selection.

Only God is perfect in all ramifications.

Though we have challenges but I can tell you that we shall overcome that challenges. For the 2012, four governors have written to us that they would be attending the award and it is the kind of award that we don’t ask for sponsorship from anybody. Now, we also stage the Nigerian Information Technology Exhibition, NITEX.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

SUN Tech Telecom masts:

DAILY SUN

51

Bisi Olaleye

08057104995 b.olaleye@sunnewsonline Best ICT reporter of the year

Nokia, Danfo game in marriage for phone users

Lagos commences enforcement N

I

n a bid to check the strength and specifications of mast structures and to ensure they are in good condition, the Lagos State Government through the Urban Furniture Regulatory Unit (UFRU) has begun enforcement exercise on all telecommunications masts installed in the state.

General Manager, UFRU, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, said although the exercise was long overdue, it was necessary to embark on it to ensure safety of lives and property. According to him, the Lagos government has had cases of collapsed masts that killed innocent citizens and destroyed properties worth billions of naira in the past, and would not fold its hands and watch such disasters occur again. The exercise, he said, was meant to call the attention of owners of weak masts to either remove or strengthen them to avoid possible danger to lives and properties.

During the recent enforcement exercise, telecoms masts as well as masts belonging to banks that are located in Agidingbi, Ikeja, Ogba, Oba Akran and CMD Magodo, were visited and the masts inspected.

During the exercise, which was carried out recently, UFRU’s techni-

cal team visited several locations in the state, where masts were installed.

The UFRU technical team observed that most locations visited, have weak and faulty masts, which was attributed to lack of proper maintenance plan.

According to the enforcement team, most of the masts have outlived their normal lifespan of five to six years, and that some were built

with hollow pipes instead of solid metals while others were locally fabricated.

Igbokwe also added that other things that the team considered were the height of masts, the rust condition the fixing of bolts and nuts, as well as the base of the mast, which he said must be very solid and spacious.

The team, he said, advised mast owners to double check the integrity

of their masts from time to time to avoid cases of masts collapse and told them not to wait until government carries out its enforcement plan before putting their masts in order, since they run the risk of losing the property should any mast collapses.

He said the structures have to be maintained just the same way houses and cars are maintained.

L-R: Christian Elega, Country Manager, First Choice; Jinsang Yoo, Mobile Communication Product Manager for West Africa; Bukola Arabome, Marketing Manager, both of LG Mobile; Yaw, Wazobia FM Radio On-Air Presenter; Akas Baba, On-Air Presenter, Wazobia (Port Harcourt) and Freeze, Cool FM Radio On-Air Presenter at the launch of the LG Mobile L Series recently in Lagos.

Draw: MTN promises N64m cash option for aeroplane

T

he Yello company, MTN Nigeria, has promised a cash option of N64 million for a star prize of an aeroplane in the MTN Ultimate Wonder promo.

Announcing the new value proposition at an elaborate media event to formally launch the new value proposition and draw for the first winners in the on-going ‘Mother-of-all Promos’, Kola Oyeyemi, General Manager, Consumer Marketing, said MTN had developed a set of innovative and truly life-enriching value propositions in line with a new marketing campaign of live, laugh and love more.

“As market leader, MTN is committed to enriching the lives of its teeming subscribers through innovative and exciting value propositions.

This new exciting offering gives

every subscriber an opportunity to connect to their loved ones in so many ways by encouraging Nigerians to live, laugh and love more. With the new offering you can stay connected to family and friends a lot more and cherish great moments together,” he stated.

Speaking on the Ultimate Wonder Promo, Oyeyemi reiterated MTN’s commitment to the continuous engagement of the market through exciting and innovative promos. “For many people, it’s so hard to believe that we are giving out an aeroplane which for me is understandable because no other brand has done that in our history. That is the call of a leader and that’s what makes MTN the Market Leader. Remember the N1 billion naira promo where we shelled

out N1 Billion naira to 100 lucky winners. It looked very impossible to many until we made it happen. The Automania game is ongoing; so far we have given out over 86 Hyundai ix35 SUVs to lucky winners in the 100 SUVs - 100-day nation-wide automania game.

Now with our Ultimate Wonder, talk-of-the town “mother –of- all promos” in which a lucky subscriber will win home a brand new 2010 Cessna 182T aircraft, you will all agree with me that MTN is not only enriching lives but has taken reward schemes to the next level in Africa. You can see for yourself that the Ultimate wonder promo is not a phantom project for us at MTN, it is true and it is real. It is a reward for our subscribers for their patronage and loyalty to the brand,”

he stated adding that the ultimate winner of the plane stands a chance of getting a cash equivalent if he so desires.

To win the aeroplane, subscribers are encouraged to recharge up to N3, 000 within the 90 days period of the promo. The more a subscriber recharges, the more chances he stands to win. Other mouth- watering cash prizes up for grabs in the Ultimate Wonder promo include a weekly Star prize of N2 million and N150,000 to 12 winners per week with a token recharge of at least N200 in a week.

Instant cash prizes of N50, 000 also await lucky subscribers who are spotted by the Mystery Spotter on the streets of Nigeria with the Ultimate Wonder Sticker pasted on their cars.

MultiChoice re-numbers, adds 8 movie channels

M

ultiChoice Managing Director, Mr. John Ogbe, has pledged that the Pay TV will offer compensation and is still offering compensation to subscribers, who register any grievance against the company.

Ogbe, who told Daily Sun in Lagos on Wednesday, shortly after the media briefing on the addition of eight new movie channels as well as re-numbering of the channels for easy access by its teeming customers, noted that the company was a reputable company that would do all it could to retain and please its various customers across Africa. The latest addition of M-net movies will commence from Monday, October 1.

He explained that many at times, signal loss was due to signal degradation in extreme weather condition and that the company has a team that is correcting installation. While advising individuals not to patronize touts but

…Subscribers to get compensation too recognized installation engineers, he stressed that signal loss most of the time is not from the company but satellite issues mostly On the latest addition to the bouquet, Ogbe hinted that subscribers need to enjoy value for their money.

The latest addition ,he mentioned are The 8 movie channels are themed according to movie type and will include M-Net movies premiere, comedy, movies family, Action Plus, MDrama, Romance and M-Net Movies Showcases the M-Net movie line-up are M-Net Movies Action (previously M-Net Action) and M-Net Movies Stars (previously M-Net Stars).

“With the tagline, a movie for every mood, audiences can now be assured of a wider choice of the best possible selection of available movies anytime of the day.

“This marks a significant evolution

in M-Net’s movie line-up that currently encompasses only two generic movie channels. The new range of movie channels, which debuts in October, is specifically designed to ensure easy navigation for audiences so they know just where to find their favourite type of movie.” Adding that DStv subscribers can also get

information on the upcoming channel, re-numbering initiative on the website.

“And to he lp viewers navigate the channel number changes, DStv is also launching a dedicated channel (DStv channel 198), hosted by Big Brother star IK Osakioduwa. Alternatively simply press OK on the DStv remote and click on the renumbering section for info.

okia is currently engaging users of Nokia Asha - 200, 201, 302 and 303 phones in a mobile game competition called, Danfo reloaded. The freely available game on the Nokia store is an indigenous game developed to mimic Lagos commercial buses, popularly referred to as ‘Danfo’.

Mr. Teemu Kijaarvi, Head, Developer Experience, Nokia WestAfrica, stated that the Danfo Reloaded competition is another way Nokia is reaching out to its loyal subscribers.

“At Nokia, our customers are at the heart of everything we do, this is why we will always look for ways to reward their loyalty to the brand and put smiles on their faces.”

In the last two weeks, the competition has recorded 4 winners from across the country with more prizes still to be won in 3 weeks. Contrary to the error committed in a major newspaper advert on Thursday,the 23rdof August, 2012 stating that the competition was to run from May 15th to June 30th2012, Mr Kesiena Ogbemi, Marketing Manager, Nokia-West Africa, advisedNigerians to disregard the dates indicated in the publication.

Ndukwe, Fayemi speak at telecom awards

N

igerian Telecom Awards, hosts its annual evaluation ceremony this weekend, the awards, as it enters its 8th edition, has become the most celebrated in the ICT industry, which all stakeholders await with great hope and excitement every year. In the words of Otunba Abiola Odunowo, the CEO of PNN Nigeria, said the awards in the last eight years have dominated the industry and has built so much credibility.

This year’s event has imbued a lot of initiative among which is midaward lecture and keynote address Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, who headed the NCC to auction of GSM licences and managed the booming sector for 10yrs, a man whose credible performance earned him the title of Mr. Telecom, shall deliver the Keynote address titled, “The Media and ICT in Nigeria”, while Dr. Kayode Fayemi shall speak on a topic: “Towards the efforts to Digitise Nigeria”.

Commenting on the choice of these personalities to speak,the secretary General of Nigerian Telecom awards, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, said at the weekend that the topic chosen for Ndukwe was to further drive home the point that the media may have been undervalued in this whole affair of ICT emergence.

Learn4change debuts

I

n a bid, to explore technologically driven solutions that will deliver education beyond physical borders and limitation, a new revolution in the educational sector: Learn4Change, an e-learning platform has debutted.

Learn4Change is an initiative of Sinbol Nigeria Limited and AYP Consult. It is a full-service, centrally hosted, scalable distance education plat-

form and is arguably the largest on-line educational provider in Nigeria presently with its rich niche market which is characterized by over 4,000 courses in a multi-sectoral grouping.

According to the Managing Director of Learn4Change, Mr.BoladeDaranijo, the idea is to improve and deepen the scope of teaching and learning.

Speaking further, he said modern technology has made it possible to gather

and present information economically and efficiently and Learn4Change is leading the effort to marry technology and information dissemination. This he said will be achieved throughfour major modes of deployment: This global solution provides widereach convenience and the required flexibility to deliver qualitative and affordable learning over the internet with minimal administrative, financial and infrastructural implications.

52

DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Banking Access Bank Wins Award for Consistency in Payment of Education Tax

CIBN issues practice licence to 81 members

A

By BLAISE UDUNZE

ccess Bank has been recognised for its contribution to education development through consistent payment of education tax. The award was presented by the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruquayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, at the Tax Payers’ Forum organised by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund to strengthen the Fund’s partnership corporate taxpayers in the country.

The recognition is a validation of Access Bank’s commitment to responsible business practice and compliance with statutory directives.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TET Fund) was established with the strategic objective of using the 2 per cent tax paid from assessable profit of corporate companies to provide focused and transformative intervention in public tertiary institutions through effective project management for the improvement of quality of education in Nigeria.

Bolaji Agbede, Group Head, Human Capital Development who received the award on behalf of the Bank commended the leadership of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund for the strategic intervention in the education sector.

She added that “Access Bank as a responsible corporate citizen would continue to demonstrate leadership in responsible business practice as evidenced by its compliance with statutory directives and contribution to education which is one of the 5 major areas of interventions in its corporate social responsibility strategy”.

Earlier in his address, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund had described the corporate organisations that have been paying their education tax as worthy corporate citizens and examples to emulate by others.

A

• L–R: Gbenga Abraham, branch manager, Unity Bank Plc., Head Office Annex; Ado Yakubu Wanka, managing director, of the bank, receiving the ISO Certificate of Information Security from Adedoyin Odunfa, managing director/CEO, Digital Jewels, at the certificate presentation ceremony, held in Lagos, last week.

Currency restructuring: We’re shocked at people’s reaction – CBN

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), yesterday, stated that it was shocked at people’s reaction to its planned restructuring of the currency note, billed to take effect next year.

Director, Corporate Communications (CBN), Mr. Ugochukwu Okoroafor,

explained during a media parley held in Lagos that the currency restructuring exercise which major components include the introduction of N5,000 note, was capable of saving the nation about N7 billion printing cost every year; help to reclaim the country’s patent right as well as reduce

Bank workers kick against new N5,000 note

By BIMBOLA OYESOLA

T

he Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions, (ASSBIFI) has kicked against the proposed Naira restructuring, particularly the introduction of higher banknote of N5000 next year by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under its currently redesign programme tagged ‘Project Cure’.

The workers stated that the proposed project put at about N40 billion should be chan-

...Say it will cause hyper-inflation neled to enhance the perennial power problems, health, educations, and road rehabilitation in the country.

The association in a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Sunday Olusoji Salako and Senior Assistant Secretary General, Comrade Friday Inegbedion, declared that the project was proposed to “only signals the devaluation of the nation’s currency and slippery slope

Financial sector liquidity stable amidst N173bn TB, OMO maturities

By AMECHI OGBONNA

T

his week, the market is expected to maintain current liquidity levels as Treasury bills and OMO bills maturity worth N143 billion and N30 billion, respectively, are expected. The maturities are coming on the heel of N143 billion Treasury bills issuance later this week.

The sustained influence of the proposed inclusion of Nigerian government bonds in the JP Morgan GBI-EM index on general market activities. As a result, secondary market trading was largely speculative.

The maturity of the 9.50 31Aug-2012 FGN bond worth N46.00 billion equally influenced market activities during the review week. Accordingly,

the cost of currency management.

Okoroafor said the currency restructuring would reduce the cost of currency printing, movement, storage, distribution and destructions; adding that “the trade marks for our currency notes which before now were owned by none

there was continued intra-day volatility across all the actively trading bonds which resulted in a significant increase in prices.

The highest negative change in yield was recorded by the 10Y benchmark security with 228bps, followed by the 5Y benchmark with 187bps while the least change was seen in the 1M, with 28bps.

Consequently, the significant movement in bond prices has provided the tailwind for driving FGN bonds market capitalization to an all-time high of N4.04 trillion ($25 billion).

At the sub-national level, Osun State intends to raise N30 billion ($187 million) in debt via the issuance of a 7-year bond; the security is being priced at a yield of 14.5 per cent.

The state plans to deploy issue

proceeds toward improving its weak infrastructure, with emphasis on roads, schools and hospitals.

With a population of 3.4 million and internally generated N11.9 billion 19.8 per cent of total revenues during the 2011 fiscal year, the state like most states depends largely on budgetary allocations from the federal government for the significant proportion of its funding.

As at December 2011, 80.2per cent of the state’s total revenues of N60.1 billion revenue came to Osun state from the federal government. It is, however, expected that the bond will be issued on the back of the ‘irrevocable standing payment order’ (ISPO) repayment structure used by most state governments in view of their dependence on federal budgetary allocations.

towards hyper-inflation” ASSBIFI has also challenged the CBN to always ensure that policies that bother on national economic issues of this magnitude which with serious monetary and fiscal implications should be subjected to public debate.

The union insisted that contrary to the CBN governor’s claim that the idea was as a result of inflationary pressures, it rather believed it is more of monumental miscalculation and economic somersault.

“ASSBIFI, as an umbrella body for all Senior Workers in the Banking, Insurance and Financial Institutions in Nigeria strongly oppose the whole idea of the proposed Naira restructuring at this point in time, particularly the introduction of higher banknote of N5000 next year by CBN under its currently redesign programme because the project will not cure inflation, interest rate, improper banking habit, bank robberies, unemployment, corruption, money laundering, poverty, insecurity in the nation’s economy,” the bank workers said.

The union argued that this would be the 10th time the National Currency, Naira will be restructured since its introduction in 1973 to replace the pounds sterling.

Nigerians will be owned by Nigeria.”

Assuring that the proposed N5,000 note would in no way cause inflation because the supply of money remains the same, the apex bank spokesman debunked reports being carried around that the exercise would cost CBN N40 billion.

He said the cost of currency printing and management is always incorporated in the bank’s annual reports which can be accessible by the public; assuring that the apex bank will prove peddlers of such rumour wrong by publishing the projected cost of the currency review exercise.

“There is a lot of misconception going round. Whoever is telling you N40 billion is telling you a lie. The actual cost is there in our annual report. We are surprised because we feel that the issues are less complicated. What we owe the public is to defend national interest.

“If anybody or institution tries to go against that national interest, it is our responsibility to stop it. Every country reviews its currency once in a while. Britain is about to review its currency. So currency review is something that we must do,” Okoroafor stated.

He further said that the exercise did not in any way go against cashless economy that is still in process. Cashless economy he added is meant to reduce the volume of currency note because it is expensive to the country; so also will the higher denomination reduce the volume of currency used in transactions.

According to Okoroafor looking back at the achievements of the bank in the past 10 to 20 years, Nigerians should be able to trust the CBN. “And if there is any doubt, we will clarify,” he said.

s part of efforts to enhance capabilities in the banking industry and build a strong pipeline of well trained and competent talents to drive banking activities, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has issued Practice Licence to 81 members so far.

President of the institute, Mr. Segun Aina, who spoke at the conferment of the licence in Lagos, explained that it was in line with the CIBN’s objective of controlling the influx of quacks into banking, finance and allied matters by setting standards and ensuring adherence for those to engage in it.

“The introduction of the Practice Licence therefore is one the Institute’s initiatives of controlling and reducing the continued dominance of non-banking professionals in the business of consulting and other services in Banking, Finance and Allied Matters,” stated Aina.

He regretted that over the years the roles and specific services chartered bankers were uniquely positioned to provide within the private and public sectors of the economy are being undertaken by other professionals, a number of whom may not have the required training and competence to optimally render those services.

The Institute’s chairman disclosed that to this effect, CIBN has collaborated with the Bankers’ Committee to draw up criteria for the selection and registration of Consultants who bring cases on behalf of banks or bank’s customers before the SubCommittee on Ethics and Professionalism.

“We are working with the Bankers Committee and other relevant stakeholders, particularly renowned local and international tertiary institutions to provide a practice-oriented approach and a clear roadmap for people working in the banking industry to attain competencies required to carry out their functions.

“All Associates and Fellows are eligible to apply for the Licence, but it is only granted to those who meet the selection criteria and other guidelines,” Aina added.

The 1st Vice President and Chairman, Board of Practice Licence of CIBN, Mrs. Debola Osibogun, noted that the institute was confident that the licensees would provide invaluable services to a broad spectrum of individuals and organizations in a professional and ethical manner.

DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012

53

Banking CIIN kicks against N5,000 notes

By MADUKA NWEKE

T

he Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) has kicked against the proposition by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to introduce N5,000 notes in the financial system.

Speaking on the danger of increased inflation in the system the President, Dr. Wole Adetimehin in a statement signed by the head, Corporate Affairs, Joseph Obah, said the move was unpopular and unthinkable.

The CIIN boss was of the view that the N 5,000 note would send a wrong signal that all was not well with the nation’s economy, adding that it would amount to massive inflation in a nation whose citizens are groaning under the burden of inflationary trend calculated in geometrical proportions over the years.

He wondered why the CBN would conceive such idea at a time it should be pre-occupied with measures aimed at actualizing its canvassed cash-less policy. “CBN’S cash-less policy is well conceived and commendable but it is now being contradicted by the proposed issuance of the N 5,000 note,” he said.

The public outcry against the move by the nation’s apex bank to churn out N 5,000 currency denomination has continued to make the news, with most critics calling on the Federal Government to apply the reins and forestall what would amount to a pitfall in the nation’s monetary policy. If public opinion is anything to go by, the move should be thwarted and the CBN made to a rest its plans.

Enterprise Bank to improve service delivery

M

anaging Director/Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Bank Limited (EBL), Mallam Ahmed Kuru, said the bank has overhauled its operational channels and invested heavily in personnel to serve every customer of the bank efficiently and satisfactorily.

Kuru, who addressed hundreds of customers of the bank at the capacityfilled Sharon Hall, GRA Onitsha, during the bank's customer forum, affirmed that, “Our bank is now a strong financial institution with asset base in the excess of N200 billion and in the last one year, we have spent a lot of time and resources to put suitable infrastructure in place just to serve you better. We have sharpened the system and hastened our speed of service delivery because we value our relationship with you.”

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer further explained that Enterprise Bank initiated the Customer fora across the country to interact with customers and stakeholders on ways that would be mutually beneficial. Said he: “Now that we are in Onitsha, we want to hear you, reason with you and reassure you that we are here to serve you better. Onitsha is critical to our business because our history will not be complete without a trace to Onitsha and the East. So we are passionate about our business in the region.”

Expressing satisfaction for the huge turnout, the Chairman of the bank, Mr. Emeka Onwuka who described the Onitsha event as the “biggest response to all our previous customer fora,” also reiterated the fact that Enterprise Bank has overcome every inhibition and is now cruising.

Former CBN governor, Ola Vincent, dies at 87 … Okunowo, African Church lay president, bankers, others mourn y CHIMA TITUS NWOKOJI, ADEWALE SANYAOLU and ORI MARTINS

A

former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Ola Vincent, is dead.

He died on Monday at St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos after a period of hospitalization. A family source of the octogenarian confirmed this yesterday in an SMS. “Yes, my dad just passed on,” he said. Until his death, Vincent was a director at Industrial and General Insurance Plc. Reacting on his death, the lay President of the African Church Cathedral, Chief Bukola Okunowo, yesterday expressed shock over the death of the former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) Chief Ola Vincent.

Okunowo said, Chief Vincent would be missed by members of the church greatly. According to the church lay president, Ola Vincent devoted his time serving God and humanity in the church.

“He was a great leader and patron of the church. A perfect gentleman, a philanthropist and a father to us and highly committed to the church.”

In his reaction, the Former Director-General of the Financial Institutions Training Center (FITC), Dr. Oladimeji Alo, expressed shock at the death of Vincent, saying he was a thorough bred professional was respected among his colleagues.

Also, said Vincent would be remembered for his concern over some policies of the CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, which, he said, Vincent never failed to comment on, especially as it affects the economy.

“This is a very sad occurrence.

He was a man who during his life time enjoyed the support of his colleagues. He was such a gentleman who keeps to time, especially when he is invited to events. A man of honour and integrity,” he mourned.

The former FITC boss admitted that, though, he never enjoyed a close working relationship with Vincent, available records reveal that he was a man of honour and integrity.

President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr. Segun Aina, said Vincent was a very great Nigerian, who served the country and the banking industry without reservation.

He gave his best as the governor of the apex bank, contributing his quota to the growth of the econo-

• Ola Vincent my.

He was a committed member and Fellow of CIBN, who, while he was alive, served the institute within his capacity. The Institute will miss him.

Former Director of Research at CBN, Mr. Joseph Nnanna described Ola Vincent as a wonderful CBN Governor during his tenure due to his good monetary policy.

On his part, Managing Director of Credit Registry, Mr. Fola Ayedun, said he is lost for words as he was just learning of his death from the reporter.

The Executive Vice Chairman of IGI, Mr. Remi Olowude, in a statement, described Pa Vincent as an elder statesman and respected opinion leader, whose views on critical national issues were highly valued.

“For us in the IGI family, this is a great loss. Pa Vincent meant the world to all of us. We will forever appreciate his profound contributions over the years to the growth of our company. We will miss his words of wisdom and the rich professional experience he always shared with us,” the statement said.

Also commenting on the death of the former CBN boss, the Executive Director, Operations, Mainstreet Bank, Mr.Ano

Anyanwu, said, though, he was still in school when Vincent was the CBN Governor, making it difficult for him to evaluate his achievement as the CBN Governor.

“I have had cause to encounter him in so many functions and for a in the course of my duties. First, he was a complete gentleman, a disciplined professional and a man of integrity.

His death is a colossal loss to the banking sector and the polity in general because there are few people like, who at that age would still be relevant in virtually all aspects of our national life, especially the economy. May his soul rest in peace,” he said.

Early life Vincent was born on 16 May 1925 in Lagos. He attended CMS Grammar School, Lagos (1936–1939). He served in the Nigerian Armed Forces between 1942 and 1946, and then worked in the Financial Secretary’s Office, Lagos between 1946 and 1956. In 1951 he attended the Administrative Staff College in England, and from 1953 to 1956 he studied at the University of Manchester. From 1957 to 1960 he was a part-time lecturer in Economics at the University of Ibadan.

Banking career

Vincent was Senior Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Finance (1959–1961) and then moved to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as an Assistant General Manager, becoming a General Manager from 1963 to 1966. He was a Director at the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank (1964–1966). Vincent was appointed a Vice President at the African Development Bank, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (1966–1973). He returned to the CBN in 1973 as an Adviser, becoming Deputy Governor in 1975 and Governor from 1977 to 1982. Vincent was honoured with Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) in 1982.

Following Vincent’s retirement from the CBN, in 1983, he recommended establishment of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), which occurred in June 1988. The NDIC provides a safety net for depositors in the newly liberalized banking sector.

Vincent chaired a seminar on Ethics and Professionalism in the Nigerian Banking Industry in August 1992. In his opening remarks, he observed that banks had a pivotal role in the cash and credit economy of Nigeria, making them vulnerable to suspicion.

He acknowledged that greed was a factor in causing the high incidence of fraud and other abuses in the industry.

Speaking in April 2003, Vincent criticized the “severely flawed unitarist constitution” that the former military regime had introduced in 1999, and called for changes to “arrest the cancerous growth of corruption and corrupt practices.”

He was a director of the Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) in 2008, where he received a prestigious lifetime achievement award. Mr. Vincent is a life member of the Nigerian Economic Society and the Society for International Development. In May 2009, he was living in retirement in his home on Victoria Island, Lagos with Adenike, his wife for 50 years.

In an interview in September 2009, Vincent was critical of the action of the recently appointed governor of the CBN, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who had dismissed the chief executives of five bailed-out banks. He said the executives should have been given a fair hearing, and felt that the hasty action which involved publication of debtors’ names and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission may have undermined trust in the banking system.

54

DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Banking...Insurance Micro-insurance holds key to insurance devt – NAICOM

T

Dana: NAICOM blames compensation delay on death certificate

he National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) of Dana Air crash on the per cent claim due to the the victims, arguing that such has said that it will sup- Stories by fall among the activities of inability of their family to victims. port any effort from insur- MADUKA NWEKE present both death certifiance operators in the develHowever, reactions from insurance firms that discourhe National Insurance cate and certificate of the public are against the age the public from picking opment of microinsurance in C o m m i s s i o n e r administration, even as it death certificate and certifi- insurance policies.

Nigeria. The commission stat(NAICOM) has blamed said that it would hold cate of administration as conSpeaking to journalists ed that until the microinsurance is given a facelift, the the delay in paying full Prestige Insurance 100 per ditions for the dispensation during the 2012 Insurance expected contribution to the compensation to the victims cent responsible for the 30 of the full compensation to Correspondents Seminar national gross domestic product (GDP) from the insurance sector will not be achieved.

Speaking at a Seminar organised for insurance journalists on ‘Making Insurance Work for All: The Microinsurance Initiatives’ in Calabar, Cross River State, on Thursday, Fola Daniel, the commissioner for Insurance and NAICOM chief executive said the commission has appealed to insurance operators in Nigeria to develop microinsurance with a view to developing insurance market at the grassroots.

He explained that the commission has put in place a draft guideline for microinsurance business and that the draft is being exposed to the industry, experts and other stakeholders for the inputs and contributions • L–R: Professor of Economics, Prof. Ademola Oyejide; Minister of State for Finance, Dr Yerima Ngama; Director-General, before the final draft is released Budget Office, Dr Bright Okogu, and former minister of Industry, Chief Kola Jamodu, at the consultative forum on the to the industry.

Review of Common External Tariff 2008–2012, in Abuja, yesterday.

On its part, Daniel disclosed that NAICOM recently conducted a nationwide diagnostic study of microinsurance in collaboration with GIZ, a German million microfinance cushe National Insurance stating that because the poor said.

Agency for Sustainable Speaking on access to insur- tomers, a sum of N60 billion is Commission (NAICOM) are more vulnerable to risks, Development and Access to has said that N60 billion they need insurance more than ance, he noted that the current being projected,” he said.

Insurance Initiatives (AII) and has been earmarked for the the wealthy Nigerians. insurance companies failed to Delivering his address at the its local consultants.

He said that 75 per cent of appropriately utilise the market Insurance seminar for development of micro insurThe NAICOM boss added ance in the country, just as it Nigerians live in rural and potentials which was why Insurance Correspondents in that the group was divided into announced its plans to come semi-urban area, a ready-made insurance is not expanding, Calabar, Cross River State last smaller teams and each team up with guidelines that will market for micro insurance to adding that there should be week, Mr Fola Daniel, the assigned to a specific region of extend insurance operation thrive. “This is an avenue to collaboration between banks commissioner for Insurance sell micro-insurance. The and insurance companies to said the development of micro the country. The reports turned to the grassroots.

The Commission also noted product penetrates areas the expand outreach through insurance market is indeed, one in by the various teams have of the objectives of the Market been received by NAICOM that it would licence and sup- traditional insurance cannot get banks’ outlets.

“Any policy that is below Development and and it is being reviewed and port any firm willing to partake to and that is why it is a good Initiatives analysed so that the commis- of the micro insurance scheme, platform to increase insurance N3,000 is categorised under Restructuring sion can do the needful, he while the products would be penetration in the country,” he micro-insurance. And with 20 (MDRI) of the commission. sold through cooperative socinoted.

Daniel maintained that eties, microfinance banks, microinsurance holds great among others to the low he Commissioner for claims complaints this year, out in accordance with the provipotential for developing the income earners.

“The aim is to enhance Insurance, Mr. Fola of which 52 have been resolved sions of section8 and 32 (1) (b) insurance sector in the country, insurance penetration especialof the Insurance Act 2003.

Daniel, has called on all and 34 in court. taken into consideration the “No foreign loss adjuster Daniel noted that operators fact that the population size of ly in the rural areas, where operators to ensure that they underwriting firms have done attend to any claims in the country gives an added little to capture. It is equally take settlement of claims seri- who consistently fail to settle shall Nigeria oil and gas sector withdischarged claims promptly ously. advantage to the insurance expected to incorporate those Daniel stated that the easiest would lose their license, adding out the express permission of industry to grow its market. who are unable to buy the tra- way to attract the public to that insurers have been mandat- the commission on such terms The development of ditional insurance into the patronize insurance is by treat- ed to administer claims in and conditions as may be stipumicroinsurance is indeed one insurance system,” the insur- ing those who are already into it accordance to standard insur- lated in the approval. Similarly, of the objectives of the Market ers’ regulator said in a state- well through prompt indemni- ance practice and it should be the foreign loss adjuster shall Development and ment. With about 20 million fication in times of losses. “If considered as a sole responsi- handle the assignment with and Restructuring Initiatives potential subscribers, one tells his friend that his bility. He stated that discharged in collaboration with at least (MDRI), a project of NAICOM said that it is expect- insurance company paid his claims should be settled imme- one loss adjuster registered NAICOM designed to increase ing N60 billion from micro claims, he will be able to win diately as prescribed by the under the Insurance Act, 2003.”

Daniel said the NAICOM the premium being generated insurance products. him but if one tells his friend Insurance Act 2003, adding Speaking on the develop- that his insurance company did that failure to do so would views failure or undue delay of by the licensed insurance companies and make meaningful ment of insurance in Nigeria, not pay his claims after his loss- attract sanctions as stipulated claims settlement as an aberracontributions to the nation’s Chief Yemi Soladoye, consult- es, that single complaint is by section 70 (2) of the tion. He said individuals, corant to NAICOM, said there is capable of stopping more that Insurance Act 2003 porate bodies or government economy. the need for collaboration 15 people from buying insurHe stated: “Failure to settle establishments that have genWith regards to agricultural between Central Bank of discharged claims shall attract uine unsettled claims against insurance, Daniel said the com- Nigeria (CBN) and NAICOM ance policy,” he said. sanctions as stipulated by any insurance company are The Commissioner said that mission expects appreciable to sell micro insurance through prompt claims settlement Section 7o (2) of the Insurance advised to lay the complaint development in the industry microfinance banks in Nigeria, remains the best instrument for Act 2003. Consistent failure to before NAICOM. even though the Nigerian adding that microfinance mar- insurance awareness and settle discharged claims “The consumer protection Agricultural Insurance ket has a lot of potential cus- growth. Expatiating on that, promptly may lead to the with- unit of the commission has Corporation (NAIC) is tomers of micro insurance Daniel stated that NAICOM drawal of the licence of the been properly positioned to empowered by its enabling law products. would continue to ensure that insurer as stipulated by section handle such complaints with Soladoye stressed that about operators live up to their claims 8 (1) (m) of the Insurance Act dispatch. Any defaulting comto exclusively insure all subsidised agricultural risks in the two million people currently responsibility, adding that the 2003 and the insurer may be pany will be required to pay micro insurance policyholders, commission had received 86 wound up by the commission such claims,” Daniel added. country.

T

... Budgets N60bn to develop micro-insurance

T

‘Propagate insurance with prompt payment of claims’

T

organized by NAICOM in Calabar, the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, stated that whether or not the co-insurers of the illfated aircraft were fully paid premiums by Prestige before the accident is irrelevant to the commission, assuring that there is no going back in making all compensation to families of victims of the air mishap fully paid.

He said that most important thing is that Prestige will fully pay victims’ families the 30 per cent claim insured locally. He assured that the victim’s families would be paid the $70,000 balance of the standard $100,000 claims of the mishap as soon as these documents are presented. They had earlier received $30,000.

The commission, according to Daniel, is not taking the issue with kid glove adding that many lost their lives at the crash and for that reason, it must be taken seriously, assuring that every claim on the incident must be paid.

It will be recalled that the ill-fated Dana aircraft crashed at Iju-Ishaga on June 3, 2012, killing all the 153 passengers on board and many others on ground.

The Deputy Director, Administration and Policy, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Leo Akah, noted that the final payment valued at $70,000 per victim could only be paid on provision of evidence of death certificate and letter of administration.

He said “only 58 families have been paid the initial 30 per cent amounting to $30,000 which was supposed to be paid 30 days after the airline crash according to NCA law. Right now the rest payment has been frustrated as a result multiple claimants coming for claims,” He explained that, “as at August 31, 2012, no family has submitted these documents, and that’s why no family had been paid the remaining balance. The Dana air insurance is placed 30 per cent locally while the remaining 70 per cent were placed abroad,” The lead underwriter in Nigeria is Prestige Assurance, while six other insurance companies were co-insurers, adding that details will be made available when both the foreign and local insurers will come to address world press conference on the state of insurance on the Dana air crash.

His word: “As far as we are concerned, 30 per cent of this insurance was taken by Nigerian insurers led by Prestige while the foreign aspect was handled by Lloyds and Lloyds Associates.”

DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012

BUSINESS NEWS 100 South African firms storm Abuja for investment conference

By AMECHI OGBONNA

E

conomic and trade relationship between Nigeria and South Africa may soon enter a new phase, as an estimated 100 South African firms are due in Abuja in November, an investment conference facilitated by Goldridge Development Company and Full Input Resources Limited.

Speaking during a media parley last week in Lagos, Okey Nwamadi, managing director, Goldridge Development Company, stated that the SPV will work on a people-to-people

platform with strong influence on private sector and governments policies.

It is a Media, Educational, Cultural and Business vehicle that will strengthen relationship between both countries and people, and will be sustained as an annual event.

Nwamadi explained that Ubuntu is a South African word for ‘Friendship’, which invariably suggests a platform for both countries to develop mutual understanding and social-cultural integration through the ordinary people-people interface and relationship.

According to him, Nigeria

... Indian business team too From AIDOGHIE PAULINUS, Abuja

T

rade and G o v e r n m e n t Delegation of Gujarat, India, would be visiting Abuja on September 16 and 17, 2012.

Gujarat is a leading state in the Republic of India, attracting investors’ interests from all over the world.

As part of measures to provide focused platform for investment inflow, the state government has institutionalized a biennial event known as the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, since the year 2003.

The five global summits held so far, have been successful and that contributed to the transformation of Gujarat into a global business hub.

The Vibrant Gujarat Summit began as an investors’ summit, which has now evolved into an ideal platform for knowledge sharing, social and business transformation.

In a statement made available to Daily Sun in Abuja, Rajvi Merchant, on behalf of the delegation, said "given the successful track record, the stage is all set for the 6th Vibrant

Gujarat Summit, which is planned from 11th to 13th January, 2013 at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar.

"To promote the Vibrant Gujarat 2013 summit, Government of Gujarat is sending international delegations to various countries."

The delegation to Nigeria is led by Mr. Pankaj Kumar, Vice Chairman Chief Executive Officer, Gujarat Maritime Board and comprises top industrialists from Gujarat and representatives from the Government of Gujarat, meetings facilitated by High Commission of India, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation and Abuja Chamber of Commerce have been scheduled to hold during the visit.

Besides, the group would also be meeting with members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The delegation will also focused on forging ties with international tradeassociations and educational institutions and inviting international speakers for intellectual discussions and forums during the Vibrant Gujarat Summit scheduled in January 2013.

and South Africa are Africa’s leading nations; however certain circumstances have played out negatively in recent years, capable of jeopardizing the long standing brotherly relationship between both countries.

He noted factors such as perception of criminality ascribed to Nigerians in South Africa and Xenophobia, of which South Africans are accused of.

He said Nigerians have always shared this opinion that her leaders, activists and artists played crucial roles in gaining ‘Freedom’ from Apartheid for South Africa and feel subsequently neglected and unappreciated by South Africans.

He said his organization and its partners from South Africa strongly believe that if this mindset is not mitigated, it has capacity to negatively affect economic and social development between both countries, as there exist numerous opportunities in this regard; especially now that the exigencies of globalization has educated nation states on the need to foster regional Trade and Economic alliances in order to be more competitive in a global economy that is fast closing ranks.

‘The Celebration of Ubuntu’ event he expressed will help deal with all these forces that introduce mistrust, destroy our friendship and weaken our relationship. With Ubuntu, we’re creating an environment of openness in order to achieve self-understanding, knowledge about ourselv and partnership.

In line with the objectives of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) which are multifaceted, this initiative will give credence to our building Africa by “understanding ourselves more, rather than hurting ourselves,” he stressed.

He noted that the event will provide enormous opportunity in the areas of socio-cultural, educational development, entertainment and business.

The three day event which proposed to hold in Abuja in November will feature public lecture, investor forums, exhibitions and banquet.

FG pledges support for Orient Oil, others From DENNIS MERNYI, Abuja

T

he Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, has pledged government’s support for indigenous oil companies that are willing to invest in oil and gas sector.

Alison-Madueke disclosed this at Aguleri-Otu during the inauguration of Orient Petroleum Plc. Anambra River Production facility in Anambra State, the first oil production from an inland basin in Nigeria.

The minister said President Goodluck Jonathan has direct-

ed the Ministry of Petroleum and the Ministry of Finance to set up an inter-ministerial committee to fashion out modalities for raising financial support for indigenous oil companies like Orient, which are ready to invest not only in production, but also in refining to add value to the crude oil and gas locally before exporting in order to generate employment for the the youth and more money for the country.

She expressed satisfaction with the project, explaining that the significance of the event was not just in the discovery and production of oil

from an inland basin, but in the fact that the feat was achieved by an indigenous company.

“This shows the way we want to go in the industry; we want to encourage more indigenous oil companies to emulate Orient Petroleum Resources in investing not just in production but also in refining.

“We are working with the Ministry of Finance to set up an inter-ministerial committee to work out ways to give financial support to indigenous companies to bring in modular refineries,” she enthused.

55

56

DAILY SUN

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

BUSINESS NEWS Daily Domestic Flight Schedule

ARIK AIR Lag-Abj: 07.15, 09.15, 10.20, 15.20, 16.20, 16.50, 18.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun).

Abj-Lag: 07:15, 09.40,10.20, 12.15, 15.15, 16.15, 17:10, (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun); 12.15, 15.15, 16.15 (Sun) Lag-PH: 07:15, 11.40, 14.00, 16.10, 17.15 (Mon-Fri) 07.30, 11.40, 15.50 (Sat) 11.50, 3.50, 17.05 (Sun) Abj-PH: 07.15, 11.20, 15.30 (Mon-Fri) 07.15, 16.00 (Sat) 13.10, 16.00 (Sun) PH-Abj: 08.45, 12.50, 17.00 (Mon-Fri) 08.45, 17.30 (Sat) 14.40, 17.30 (Sun) Abv-Beni:08.00, 12.10 (Mon-Fri/Sat) 08.56, 12.10(Sun) Benin-Abj:09.55,13.30, (Mon-Fri/Sat) 10.50, 13.30(Sun)

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (PMA)

Dana Air remains grounded – FG

TENOR

AMOUNT

RATES% ISSUE DATE

From UCHE USIM, in Windhoek

91 Day

32,057.31

14.50

08 Aug. 2012

182 Day 50,000.00

15.30

08 Aug. 2012

1 Year

15.38

08 Aug. 2012

90,000.00

MAJOR EXCHANGE RATES – PARALLEL MKT (AIRPORT AS AT 13/08/12) CURRENCY

BUYING (N)

USD 156.50 EURO 197 POUND ST. 252 Source: FMDA

SELLING(N) 160 203.50 256

T

he Federal Government has said the operations of the embattled carrier, Dana Air, remains shut, until several issues bothering on its operations are resolved.

Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren, stated this in at the ongoing 18th Aviation and Allied Business Leadership Conference taking place in Windhoek, Namibia.

According to him, the media has been awash with campaign from various interest groups agitating for the airline’s return, but said that the government would not bow to such pressure.

“There has been a lot of misrepresentation and misunderstanding in the media saying we have revoked the Air Operator’s Certificate of Dana Air. That’s not true. AOC is close to our heart and nobody has touched its AOC.

“What we did after the crash was to shut down its operations completely and not just the AOC. It’s beyond that. If it’s AOC we shut down, they’ll still be doing other things, but we shut their operations completely,” he said.

The NCAA chief said one of the reasons it grounded the airline after the crash was because the company operates homogenous fleet.

“The airline operates the same type of airplane and one of them lost two engines which is still a mystery to us because it rarely occurs. I’m listening to what people are saying here and there. We must remain focussed and do the right thing. We must investigate thoroughly.

“We must ascertain what really happened.

Why should I lose two engines? Technology has really improved that such things don’t happen again. So what really happened? We must know all these before we jump into conclusion,” he explained.

Los-Abv: 09.55, 13.30(Mon-Fri/Sat) 10.50, 13.30(Sun) Lag-Enugu: 07.10, 13.45, 18.30(Mon-Fri) 07.10, 14.00(Sat) 10.20, 13.45, 18.30(Sun) Enugu-Lag: 08.30, 12.00, 18.25 (Mon-Fri) 08.30, 12.00, 15.40(Sat) 12,00, 18.25(Sun) Abj-Enugu: 08.30, 12.00, 18.25, (Mon-Fri) 08.30, 12.00, 15.40 (Sat)12.00, 18.25 (Sun) Abj-Enugu: 10.30, 17.05(Mon-Fri) 10.30(Sat) 17.05(Sun) Enugu-Abj: 08.50, 15.25 (Mon-Fri) 08.50 (Sat) 15.25(Sun) AERO CONTRACTORS Lag-Abj: 06.50, 13.30, 16.30, 19.45 (MonFri/Sat/Sun), 12.30(Sun) 16.45(Sat) Abj-Los: 07.30, 13.00, 19.00 (Mon-Fri/-Sat, 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 (Sun, 18.30 Sat) Lag-Benin: 07.45, 11.00, 15.30 (MonFri/Sat/Sun) 12.30 (Sun 15.30 (Sat) Ben-Lag: 09.15, 12.30, 17.00 (MonFri/Sat/Sun) 17.00 (Sat) 14.00 (Sun) CHANCHANGI AIRLINES Los-Abj: 7.15, 10.00, 13.30, 15.30, 17.30 Abj-Lag: 08.00, 11.45, 13.40, 15.30, 17.30 Lag-Kad: 10.45 (on Fri), 17.00 (MonFri/Sat/Sun) Kad-Lag: 7.30 (Mon-Fri), 08.00 (Sat/Sun IRS AIRLINES Lag-Abj: 9.45, 11.45, 2.45 (Mon-Fri), 9.30, 12.45 (Sat & Sun) Lag-Kano: 6.15 (Mon-Fri), 16.30 Sat&Sun Kano-Lag: 07.30 (Mon-Fri), 10.30 (Sat & Sun) OVERLAND AIRWAYS LAGOS LOS - ILR Mon - Fri 0715hrs LOS - MNA Mon, Wed & Fri 0715hrs LOS - IBA Mon - Fri 0715hrs

IBADAN IBA - ABV Mon - Fri IBA - LOS Mon - Fri

0800hrs 1700hrs

ILORIN ILR - ABV Mon - Fri 0900hrs ILR - LOS Mon - Fri 1630hrs ILR - MNA Mon, Wed & Fri 0900hrs MINNA MNA - ABV Mon, Wed & Fri MNA - ILR Mon, Wed & Fri MNA - LOS Mon, Wed & Fri ABUJA ABV - ILR Mon - Fri ABV - IBA Mon - Fri

0920hrs 1520hrs 1520hrs

1500hrs 1500hrs

• L–R: Chairman, Elcrest Exploration and Production Comany, Sir Emeka Offor; Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Company, Mr Mutiu Sunmonu; Group Managing Director, NNPC, Mr Andrew Yakubu, at the signing of agreement to allow Elcrest a 45 per cent equity stock in oil block 40 recently.

FG slashes FCT 2013 budget From FRED ITUA, Abuja

A

s oil prices in the international market continue to dwindle, the Federal Government may have resorted to cutting statutory alloctions meant for some tiers of government. To this end, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has revealed that the 2013 budget of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will be slashed and components of the budget deemed irrelevant will be removed.

Dr Iweala made this revelation on Friday, when the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed led top management of the FCTA to its 2013 budget defence held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

"We need to understand the philosophy behind our budget," Iweala stated. "Priority should be given to critical areas since we've meagre resources. As part of the recommendations of the Steve Oronsaye Committee, President Jonathan has ordered that all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies must find ways of streamlining their 2013 expenditure in order to cut cost."

While acknowledging the pressure on the FCT Ministry to deliver, in spite of the meagre resources made available to them, she, however, came hard on Senator Bala, fingering cases of bloated figures in the proposed 2013 budget. She maintained that cost of awarding projects by FCT administration, vis-a-vis other Federal Government agencies must be reviewed downwards.

The finance minister identified three priority areas the FCT administration must focus on which include solid waste management, transport, and water; security and the development of the satellite towns.

"If we can understand the priority projects in the FCT, it will help us appropriate funds in these areas accordingly."

She lamented that most Nigerians are yet to truly grasp the financial status of the Federal Government. "We have to do a bit of talking for Nigerians to realise the financial situation in this country. Nigeria relies solely on three sources to generate income which are taxes collected by FIRS, Customs and the NNPC. These are the three

sources.

"Nigerians must remember the quantity of what we earn is dependent on what we sell. 80 percent of the taxes we collect come from one revenue source and that's oil. Nigerians have forgotten that we depend on oil and there are sometimes delays and this leads to shortfalls. Our resources are never expansive. Its the same thing we get," the Minister lamented the frustrations of the government.

While acknowledging the concerns raised by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed however listed series of ongoing projects within the territory that ought to be captured in the 2013 budget.

"Since 2009, we've had it so well in the FCT where we got almost half a trillion naira in the 2010 budget. We have exhausted all the money we got from the DMO and the time-line of some projects are being affected. In this 2012, we've done a number of projects and some are 100 percent completed," Bala stated.

World Bank, UN, others lament Nnaji’s exit From DENNIS MERNYI, Abuja

T

he international community, including Nigeria’s development partners, have sought Federal Government's assurances that the legacies of the former Minister of Power, Prof Bart Nnaji, would be sustained.

The development partners had stormed the power ministry at the weekend to seek assurances from government that the unprecedented progress made in the power sector during his tenure would be sustained diligently to logical end.

The UNIDO Country representative, Dr. Patrick

Kormawa, who led others to the ministry, said UNIDO is working in concert with other agencies for rural electrification of the country especially in renewable energy sector.

“When Brussels got the news, it was alarmed and feared the continuity of the reforms in the sector” EU head of Cooperation Mr.P. Philippe stressed.

“The Nigerian people had witnessed improved living standard just for the improved electricity supply, it will be a grave setback if things start slowing down at this point” one of the development partners insisted.

The UNIDO representatives said “we have no choice than to continue our support even though we were disappointed at the recent event”.

The partners also sought to know where the privatization process was at the moment and whether Nigeria was still committed to the time lines.

The World Bank representative at the meeting, Erik Feinstiom, said he was at the last power summit in Asaba, Delta State, which was presided over by Nnaji, and “we were not left in any doubt that his (Nnaji’s) focus, passion and direction of the sector was taking the country to the promised land.”

57 Monday, BUSINESS August 1, 2011 49 NEWS

DAILY SUN Tuesday September 4, 2012 DAILY SUN NAME OF CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL US DOLLAR 154.84 155.3 POUNDS STERLING 245.6986 246.4922 EURO 194.2121 194.8394 SWISS FRANC 161.7217 162.244 YEN 1.9682 1.9746 CFA 0.2748 0.2848 WAUA 233.7636 234.5186 YUAN/RENMINBI 24.3609 24.4401 RIYAL 41.2778 41.4111 DANISH KRONER 26.0698 26.154 SDR 235.4663 236.2268 Official exchange rates as at 23/08/2012

SELLING 155.8 247.2858 195.4667 162.7664 1.9809 0.2948 235.2737 24.5192 41.5445 26.2382 236.9874

NIBOR TENOR RATE Call 11.2500 7 Day 12.3333 30 Day 15.2500 60 Day 15.8333 90 Day 216.5000 Source: FMDA

CHANGE -0.33 0.04 2.38 2.54 2.88

DATE 24 Aug, 2012 24 Aug, 2012 24 Aug, 2012 24 Aug, 2012 24 Aug, 2012

FG, World Bank to spend $18m on environmental menace From ISAAC ANUMIHE, Abuja

F

ollowing the hazards caused by Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) to the environment, Federal Government, yesterday, said it would spend about $18.5 million to tackle the menace. The project is planned in conjunction with the Global Environmental Fund (GEF).

Speaking at the formal launch of the PCB project in Abuja, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Ms. Marie Franciose Marie-Nelly, said that already GEF has provided $6.3 million, while the Federal Government is to contribute counterpart funding amounting to $12.2 million for the elimination of the environmental and health risks in Nigeria posed by PCBs. Marie-Nelly spoke through World Bank’s Senior Operations Officer, Mr. Badrul Haque, saying that the environmental and health risks come from the environmental release of

PCBs from the active and decommissioned electrical equipment in Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) facilities as well as from other industries that have PCB stocks such as oil refineries, airports and textile mills, for example.

“Safe disposal reduces the environmental and health risks, and this is the objective of this PCB project. In particular, the project will strengthen and harmonize hazardous chemicals and waste management regulations; strengthen the disposal management system; and facilitate safe disposal of hazardous wastes.

“Through timely implementation of the PCB project, environmental and health risks in Nigeria could be reduced substantially by safe disposal of the existing stockpiles and development of a management system for safe disposal of future toxic wastes,” she added.

International Flight Schedule

CROSS RATES

Ethiopian Airlines Lagos-Addis Ababa (daily) Departure time: 12:15 pm, Arrival time: 1:15 pm Contact no: 014611869/029

AFRIQIYAH AIRWAYS Lagos-Tripoli Tue, Wed, Thur and Sat Departure time: 01:30am, Arrival time: 22:25 pm Contact no: 012711506 BRITISH AIRWAYS Lagos-London Heathrow (daily) Departure time: 11 pm, Arrival time: 5: 50 pm Contact no: 012792690 0r 014615870-5 TURKISH AIRLINES Lagos-Istanbul Mon, Tue, Thur Sat Departure time: 10: 10 pm, Arrival time: 8: 10 pm Customer care no: Not available DELTA AIR Lagos-Atlanta (daily) Departure time: Btw 3pm and 5pm, Arrival time: 10:30 am Contact no: 014483111 EMIRATES Lagos-Dubai Daily (2 flights) Departure time: 3pm, 8.50pm, Arrival time:1pm, 6pm Contact no :01-2717600 LUFTHANSA Lagos-Frankfurt (daily) Departure time: 10:05 pm, Arrival time: 19:08 Contact no: 014612222, 0414480963 AIR FRANCE Lagos-Paris (daily) Departure time: 11 pm, Arrival time: 14:14 pm Customer care no: 01-4610777, 012617959

• L–R: Head, Developer Experience, Nokia West Africa, Mr Teemu Kujarvi; winner, Microsoft and Nokia Developer Image Cup Phone, Mr Oladeyo Alli; Marketing and Business Operations Director, Microsoft, Mrs Awawu Olumide-Sojiwin; 2nd winner, Microsoft Nokia Developer Image Phone, Mr Timi ‘Nokoya, and Segment Marketing Manager, Microsoft, Mr Edmond Idokoko, at a Press conference on Microsoft and Nokia Developer Image Cup Phone award, in Lagos, yesterday.

Photo: AYODELE OJO

Nigeria now 39th world’s largest economy From ISAAC ANUMIHE, Abuja

T

he Federal Government, yesterday, said that the domestic economic performance has improved, to the extent that it is now ranking 39th among the leading economies in the world.

Inaugurating the Central Working Committee on the review of the implementation of the 1st National Implementation Plan (NIP) for the Vision 20-2020 in Abuja, Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, explained that the development showed clearly that the ongoing Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government, particularly its three-phased National Implementation Plan components, is achieving the desired results.

With the new ranking, the minister projected that the performance would get better if the ongoing GDP rebasing exercise is concluded.

The minister described the work of the Committee as crucial to government’s efforts to reposition the nation’s economy as one of the biggest globally by year 2020 and therefore

assured them of necessary support that would help them accomplish the assignment given them.

“What gets measured is done. By setting a target and measuring the progress that we are making we are more likely to achieve, not just sitting back. Like I used to say during the opening exercise, we may wake up by 2020 if we don’t do anything systematic and find out that we are now number 50 from 44.

“But from the way we are tracking and really pushing, we are already, I think, unfortunately the Statistician General is out of the country but is represented and I have not cross-checked with the latest GDPgrowth rate, but the last time I checked we have actually climbed to about 39 from the 44 we have been. So you can see we are making progress there in terms of GDP Per Capital and we are going to make another big progress when the GDP rebasing figures come out,” Usman noted.

According to him, the first NIP which commenced in 2010 is scheduled for completion next year and it provides a strong foundation for

implementation of subsequent plans in the next eight years. The second NIP is slated for implementation in 2014–2017 fiscal period.

He said that the key elements of the first NIP, which has as its theme: ‘Accelerating Development, Competitiveness and Wealth Creation for All’, are overall macroeconomic targets of GDP of $300 billion by 2013; Per Capital Growth of $2,008 up from $1,075, achievement of average GDP growth of 11 per cent and a total projected investment of N32 trillion.

The Committee’s Chairman is Mr. Moses Akpabosa, whereas the committee’s Terms of Reference are to determine the scope of the 1st NIP review period; develop and agree on template for the review; determine the structure and format for the review of the 1st NIP; and work closely with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and National Planning Commission with a view to obtaining relevant inputs on the achievements of the Key Performance Indicators and reviewing the macroeconomic framework and other sectoral targets for the Plan period.

ATM patronage rises to 110m monthly – NIBSS

By BISI OLALEYE

T

he Nigerian Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has disclosed that the volume of transactions by the banking public on the over 15,000 Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), deployed by commercial banks in Nigeria, has reached 109.5 million.

The latest Payment Channel and Transaction Volume data from NIBSS, shows the various electronic payment channels being used in the country by Nigerians and the number of times those channels were used for transitions on a monthly basis.

The data indicated that transactions on ATM top the chart with a monthly transaction volume of 109.5 million, while the Over the Counter

(OTC) withdrawals came second with 72.4 million transactions as cheques came third with 29.1 million of transaction volume.

Transactions carried out through the web averaged 2.7 million times monthly and came fourth while transactions on about 14,000 active Pointof-Sales, POS, terminals in the country came fifth with monthly transactions of slightly over one million.

Speaking on the development, the Chief Executive Officer of InterSwitch, Mr. Mitchell Elegebe, said, looking at it from all angles, the data was an indication that more Nigerians were developing card culture as the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, prepared the economy for a cashless policy aimed at reducing the quantity of physical cash in circulation.

Executive Director, Business Development, NIBSS, Mrs. Christabel Onyejekwe, said the country was witnessing slow adoption of the cashless economy. Stressing that to boost e-payment transaction volumes, there was the need to address the challenge of poor awareness on the part of the operators, especially in the informal sector.

However, she added that there were also challenges with inter-operability of networks from the telecommunications operators.

It was gathered that monthly ATM transaction increased from less than 17 million transactions per month to over 110 million transactions monthly in the last four years.

In July 2011, available records showed that the volume of ATM transactions stood at about 100 million.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS Lagos-Johannesburg (daily) Departure time: 10:30 pm, Arrival time: 8 or 9 am Customer care no: 2702681-5 QATAR AIRWAYS Lagos-Doha Daily Departure time: 9:45 am, Arrival time: 7:55am Contact: 012798888/014633333 KENYA AIRWAYS Lagos-Nairobi (daily) Departure time: 11:05 am, Arrival time: 10:42am Contact: 012719433 CHINA SOUTHERN Lagos-Beijing via Dubai Tuesdays, Thursdays Departure time: 12:15pm, Arrival time: 10:30 am Tuesdays, Thursdays.

Contact: 01-4610777 or 01-2617959 EGYPT AIR Lagos-Cairo Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri & Sun Departure time: 2pm, Arrival time: 1pm KLM Lagos-Amsterdam (daily) Departure time: 11pm, Arrival time: 8:30pm Contact: 01-4610777, 01-2617959 VIRGIN ATLANTIC Lagos-London Heathrow (daily) Departure time: 10:20 am daily, Arrival time: 5:30 am Contact: 01-4612750, 01-4612747 ARIK AIR Lagos-London Heathrow (daily) Departure time: 10:05pm Arrival 7.00pm Lagos-New York Tuesdays and Thursdays Departure time: 11:20pm Arrival 6pm Lagos-Johannesburg (daily) Departure 11.15pm Arrival 4.15pm Lagos-West Coast (Freetown, Banjul & Dakar) Mon, Wed & Fri Departure 8:00am Arrival 6.45pm Lagos-Accra (daily) Departure 8.00am, 5pm 8.45pm, 5.45pm Contact: 01-2799999.

58

DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012

BUSINESS NEWS

Stocks sustain positive outlook on foreign investors’ mop up foreign investors have swooped on banking stocks and some of the stocks in the foods and consumers goods sector of the Exchange after they had picked some key stocks of multinational companies in previous sessions.

At the close of trading, yesterday, the NSE benchmark All-Share Index which measures performance of the equities also inched up by 0.48 percent to close at 23,864.05 as against 0.20 percent appreciation last Friday to close at 23,750.82.

Except for the NSE Oil and Gas sectorial index which declined marginally by 0.01 percent, all the five NSE sectorial indices recorded significant increase with the NSE 30 index rising 0.39 percent.

By KELECHI MGBOJI

A

fter a weeklong upbeat, stocks at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) maintained rising profile on Monday with the market capitalization rising by N36.04 billion to close at N7.59 trillion as against N14.79 billion gain on Friday’s session to close at N7.56 trillion.

Stockbrokers attributed the sustained upbeat of stocks to the activities of some foreign portfolio investors who have been on a mop spree of the equities with strong and verifiable fundamentals.

A senior dealing member of the exchange disclosed to Daily Sun that the

The New NSE Lotus Islamic Index (NSE LII) recorded the highest appreciation of 0.49 percent followed by the NSE Food which closed with 0.41 per cent gains while the NSE Insurance appreciated by 0.38 percent leaving the NSE Banking closed with a marginal gain of 0.05 percent.

Leading other 29 gainers on the table, the Nigeria Police Micro Finance Bank, Cadbury, DN Mayer and the Union Bank of Nigeria Plc rose by percentage ranging between maximum 5 percent 4.9 percent.

The Financial Services sector led the market transaction volume with 103.12 million units valued at N834.13 million exchanged in 2,174 deals as against 214.56 million units valued at N1.61 bil-

lion exchanged in 2,538 deals recorded in previous session.

The volume recorded in the sector was driven by transaction in the shares of First Bank, GT Bank, Fidelity Bank, UBA and Zenith Bank Plc. The total volume of 68.29 million units valued at N735.98 million traded in the five stocks accounted for 51.13 percent of the entire market volume and their value represented 59.43 percent of the market’s value.

However, transaction volume on the exchange dropped down by 57.43 percent to 133.57 million units exchanged in 3,561 deals as against a decline by 13.78 percent recorded in the previous trading to close at 313.79 million units exchanged in 4,232 deals.

THE DAILY STOCK SUMMARY AS AT 03/09/2012 1st Tier Securities Sector Company name

1st Tier Securities No of Deals

Main Board AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Sub Sector Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Sub Sector Totals Sector Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Sub Sector Totals Sector Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Construction ARBICO PLC. Sub Sector Totals Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. ROADS NIG PLC. Sub Sector Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Sub Sector Totals Sector Totals CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Sub Sector Totals Beverages—Brewers/Distillers GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Sub Sector Totals Beverages—Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Sub Sector Totals Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC

Sector Company name

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares(N)

Sector Company name

No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded

MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. 11 20 31

32.50 14.80

71,477 396,400 467,877

2,316,601.23 5,991,615.20 8,308,000

4 4 35

1.37

173,900 173,900 641,777

238,243.00 238,000 8,546,459.43

6 75 46 127 127

1.23 0.89 36.49

143,412 9,420,305 559,463 10,123,180 10,123,180

176,097.73 8,213,664.30 19,661,424.17 28,051,000 28,051,186.20

15 15

12.10

200,000 200,000

2,420,000.00 2,420,000

35 3 38

28.00 7.64

327,026 11,000 338,026

9,118,621.28 80,620.00 9,199,000

6 6 59

10.00

18,500 18,500 556,526

177,520.00 178,000 11,796,761.28

4 4

0.50

30,000 30,000

15,000.00 15,000

47 16 2 113 178

252.50 8.80 1.53 123.00

74,103 170,650 228 315,916 560,897

18,646,592.80 1,444,264.00 332.88 39,153,877.26 59,245,000

11 11

40.00

11,091 11,091

422,408.98 422,000

51 75 50 22

6.25 4.26 55.50 1.85

1,077,220 1,591,317 536,730 490,925

6,713,596.08 6,753,364.68 29,513,712.72 908,211.25

No of Deals

Main Board CONSUMER GOODS Food Products NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC 16 U T C NIG. PLC. 3 Sub Sector Totals 217 Food Products—Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. 55 NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. 65 Sub Sector Totals 120 Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. 13 VONO PRODUCTS PLC. 1 Sub Sector Totals 14 Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. 34 UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. 41 Sub Sector Totals 75 Sector Totals 619 FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. 155 DIAMOND BANK PLC 50 ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED 51 FIDELITY BANK PLC 79 FIRST BANK OF NIG. PLC 588 FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC. 61 GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. 400 SKYE BANK PLC 64 STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC 61 STERLING BANK PLC. 27 U B A PLC 175 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. 71 UNITY BANK PLC 5 WEMA BANK PLC. 3 ZENITH BANK PLC 255 Sub Sector Totals 2,045 Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 10 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 13 CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. 2 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC 26 EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. 3 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC 6 INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC 23 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COY PLC 1 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. 6

Quotation(N)

4.70 0.72

Quantity Traded Value of Shares(N)

278,334 149,835 4,124,361

1,316,504.72 107,881.20 45,313,000

18.74 550.00

2,014,244 102,633 2,116,877

37,743,781.56 57,848,435.89 95,592,000

3.00 2.88

150,556 1,000 151,556

451,491.81 2,880.00 454,000

22.86 35.35

246,323 295,998 542,321 7,537,103

5,601,907.10 10,564,681.13 16,167,000 217,208,924.06

7.70 2.79 10.50 1.35 13.46 3.03 17.85 2.68 6.70 1.06 4.47 5.35 0.50 0.50 15.45

3,671,202 2,852,400 637,930 15,687,450 18,229,340 1,784,640 16,319,611 2,620,733 2,041,595 4,315,457 9,285,277 2,626,188 63,500 8,284 8,773,043 88,916,650

27,941,364.90 7,865,594.69 6,623,314.35 21,489,083.67 245,516,515.28 5,342,362.10 292,495,840.07 7,066,793.11 13,595,762.15 4,472,495.45 41,526,822.86 13,752,923.50 31,750.00 4,142.00 134,953,990.02 822,679,000

0.50 0.63 0.50 1.19 0.50 0.51 0.57 0.50 0.50

1,074,360 940,082 50,000 3,251,480 30,000 1,215,393 617,762 233,333 10,900

537,180.00 569,613.16 25,000.00 3,739,567.20 15,000.00 612,700.43 333,402.72 116,666.50 5,450.00

Sector Company name

6 1 1 No of Deals

Main Board FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. 1 UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC 2 UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 3 Sub Sector Totals 104 Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC 9 Sub Sector Totals 9 Other Financial Institutions DEAP CAPITAL MANAGEMENT & TRUST PLC 2 ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. 14 Sub Sector Totals 16 Sector Totals 2,174 HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. 1 FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC 11 GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. 7 MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. 8 NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC 3 Sub Sector Totals 30 Sector Totals 30 ICT IT Services NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. 1 Sub Sector Totals 1 Sector Totals 1 INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC 49 BERGER PAINTS PLC 5 CAP PLC 10 CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC 6 DANGOTE CEMENT PLC 18 DN MEYER PLC. 18 IPWA PLC 1 LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. 45 Sub Sector Totals 152 Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. 5 Sub Sector Totals 5 Packaging/Containers NIGERIAN BAGS MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC 30 Sub Sector Totals 30 Sector Totals 187 OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services

Sector Company name

No of Deals

Main Board OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sub Sector Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Sub Sector Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Sub Sector Totals Sector Totals SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Sub Sector Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sub Sector Totals Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC Sub Sector Totals Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sub Sector Totals Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Sub Sector Totals Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sub Sector Totals Sector Totals Type Totals Grand Totals

1.68 0.50 0.50 Quotation(N)

107,000 5,000 1,000

Value of Shares(N)

176,770.00 2,500.00 500.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares(N)

0.50 0.50 0.50

2,500 668,436 1,550,000 9,757,246

1,250.00 334,218.00 775,000.00 7,245,000

1.05

3,863,024 3,863,024

3,856,058.88 3,856,000

2.02 0.53

30,000 559,272 589,272 103,126,192

60,600.00 290,843.66 351,000 834,131,074.70

1.05 0.84 31.80 1.39 0.76

120 204,110 24,250 159,058 5,823 393,361 393,361

120.00 172,753.67 763,132.50 221,090.62 4,250.79 1,161,000 1,161,347.58

13.12

2,250 2,250 2,250

30,982.50 31,000 30,982.50

10.00 7.63 29.00 4.22 115.00 0.85 0.73 44.11

1,208,659 1,843 7,629 4,600 533,339 1,039,886 12,000 832,557 3,640,513

11,905,655.05 13,839.22 220,671.00 19,218.00 61,294,307.50 883,903.10 8,400.00 36,686,330.09 111,032,000

1.37

216,428 216,428

297,356.32 297,000

1.50

855,320 855,320 4,712,261

1,296,580.25 1,297,000 112,626,260.53

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares(N)

44 44

0.59

2,989,151 2,989,151

1,762,253.09 1,762,000

87 87

14.00

586,168 586,168

8,207,388.96 8,207,000

18 12 21 11 12 74 205

19.71 2.30 10.47 111.51 128.01

345,977 227,369 30,409 4,025 5,848 613,628 4,188,947

6,625,703.52 515,960.90 329,118.30 448,891.45 724,939.00 8,645,000 18,614,255.22

20 20

1.80

152,803 152,803

273,469.84 273,000

16 16

2.68

1,071,499 1,071,499

2,720,682.33 2,721,000

1 1

0.50

20,000 20,000

10,000.00 10,000

5 5

1.14

58,288 58,288

65,328.14 65,000

2 7 9 18

1.64 2.03 4.17

7,467 30,000 149,100 186,567

11,648.52 58,150.00 621,747.00 692,000

2 62 64 124 3,561 3,561

1.93 5.41

2,900 803,950 806,850 2,296,007 133,577,604 133,577,604

5,597.00 4,381,271.95 4,387,000 8,147,894.78 1,240,315,146.28 1,240,315,146.28

DAILY SUN

Tuesday, September 4, 2012 59 NEWS

SUN SPORTS

NEWS

US Open: Azarenka strolls into q-finals

T

op seed, Victoria Azarenka, reached the quarter-finals of the US Open for the first time with an impressive straight sets victory over Anna Tatishvili.

The world number one needed just 82 minutes to win 6-2 6-2 and set up a last-eight meeting with reigning champion, Sam Stosur.

Fifth seed, Petra Kvitova, was beaten 1-6 6-2 6-2 by Marion Bartoli.

France’s Bartoli will play third seed, Maria Sharapova, who overcame Nadia Petrova 6-1 4-6 6-4.

Sharapova looked in trouble at 2-0 down in the decid-

ing set against her Russian compatriot before rain halted play on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

They resumed an hour and 13 minutes later with Sharapova finding her form to break Petrova twice before serving out the win.

The world number three admitted afterwards that a chat with her Coach Thomas Hogstedt during the break made the difference.

“He told me to get my act together,” she said.

“That was quite important. At the beginning of the third, I was a bit sloppy. He just told me to fight and that was what I did.

“I’m so happy to be back in the quarters. It’s been so many years, and it’s a great stage to be at.”

“It has been my dream to play well in New York. It’s one of the best matches of my season.”

It was rather more straightforward for Azarenka, however, who has lost just 10 games on her way to a fifth quarter-final in seven Grand Slams.

The Australian Open champion produced 22 winners and clinched seven of 10 break points in a ruthless display over her Georgian opponent and will be confident of reaching the last four.

Azarenka has not lost a set in six previous meetings against Laura Robson’s conqueror Stosur , the most recent victory coming last February in Doha.

“She’s very dangerous,” said

Azarenka of seventh seed Stosur, who beat Serena Williams at Flushing Meadows to win her maiden Grand Slam.

“What she did here last year was absolutely amazing. It’s definitely going to be a very difficult match.

“As defending champion she’s going to be really motivated. I’m motivated as well.

It’s my first quarter-final at the US Open and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Eleventh seed, Bartoli, said she was “speechless” after beating 2011 Wimbledon winner Kvitova, the only woman to have advanced to the quarterfinals of this year’s first three Grand Slams.

Battle of Monrovia

Victor Moses, Nwankwo dazzle in training

C

helsea’s new boy, Victor Moses, and Obiora Nwankwo have hit the Super Eagles training camp in Abuja ahead of Saturday’s AFCON clash in Liberia.

Moses arrived the camp Monday morning after he tweeted Sunday night he was at the airport in London on his way to Abuja.

The Chelsea FC of England new signing, and Parma of Italy midfielder, Obiora Nwankwo, , shone like a million stars during the Super Eagles training in Abuja ahead their Nations Cup clash against Liberia this weekend.

Moses alongside Obiora trained with the rest of the homebased players who have been in camp with coach Stephen Keshi.

The Eagles under the watchful eyes of the technical crew were drilled on fitness in the team’s evening training.

Meanwhile, Ikechukwu Uche and other invited foreign players arrived in Abuja yesterday evening with the exception of goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.

They were however, not able to train with the rest of the team.

They are expected to have a feel of Abuja training pitch on Tuesday.

Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama

…As IK Uche, others arrive has been given till tomorrow, so as to allow him sort a few things with his Israeli new club.

The Eagles spent Saturday

night at the movies, where they watched ‘The Expendables 2’ featuring action stars, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwartznegger.

The Eagles are due to fly out to Monrovia on Friday on a chartered flight and return immediately after the game on Saturday.

CAP to mark Nigerian Independence with beach marathon

C

ommunity Agenda For Peace (CAP), a non governmental organisation, NGO, is planning to celebrate Nigerian Independence with Lagos Beach Marathon.

The event, the first ever beach marathon in the world, will be staged on Saturday, 29 September at the Alpha–Lekki Beach.

Phillips Obuesi, the spokesperson for the organisation, said that CAP was staging the event to celebrate Nigeria’s 52nd Independence anniversary as well as using it as an advocacy vehicle to draw attention to the challenges of ocean erosion along the Lagos shoreline, while promoting beach marathon as a sports to drive tourism.

“We have tagged this year’s event: “Green Independence” as requesting freedom for biodiversity and improved relations between the Nigerian and her immediate socio-political, cultural and economic environment. We want to use the beach marathon as a strong and effective platform for awareness and finding solutions to ocean erosion, flooding, desertification and gully erosion which currently represent the many ecological challenges facing Nigerians. We believe it is high time Nigerian began to set their ecosystem free from abuse and neglect,” Obuesi said.

To achieve the set objectives, Obuesi explained that CAP would partner major stakeholders in the Nigerian society to host a successful beach marathon. These include the Nigeria Police, Actors Guild of Nigeria, Guild of Editors, Nigeria Medical Association, the civil society and the entertainment industry.

‘Already the organisation has secured the sponsorship of RLG Communications, a telecommunication company, for the event, while Crystal communications Limited has been appointed the Media and Marketing Consultant’.

The Lagos Beach Marathon will feature a three kilometres race along the Lagos coastline from Alpha to Lekki Beach and a massive musical concert, featuring upcoming and established artists, all in celebration of Nigeria’s 52nd Independence anniversary.

Prizes will be given to participants and fans at the events.

Kolo Toure hopeful of completing Galatasaray move

M

anchester City’s defender, Kolo Toure, is hopeful of completing a move to Galatasaray before the Turkish transfer window closes tomorrow, it was learnt yes-

L-r: Billy-Joe Ekwunife, Chairman of the Tennis Section, Ikoyi Club; Folashade Ogunde, Finance Director, UACN Property Development Company (UPDC) Plc; Hakeem Ogunniran, Managing Director, UPDC Plc and Brian Greenaway, Director, Technical Operations, UPDC Plc at the Press Conference to announce the commencement of the 2012 UPDC/Ikoyi Club Grand Slam Tennis Championship at Ikoyi Club on Monday.

Pix by AYODELE OJO.

terday.

The Arsenal’s former defender, who joined the Premier League champions in €15 million deal back in 2009, but with Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott forming Roberto Mancini’s first-choice central defensive partnership, the Ivory Coast international has seen his first team involvement limited.

Toure started the 2-2 draw at Anfield last month but has fallen further down the pecking order, following the deadline day arrival of Matija Nastasic from Fiorentina and is keen to link-up with his former Arsenal team-mate, Emmanuel Eboue, at the Turkish giants.

On his chances of recruiting Toure, Galatasary’s Coach, Fatih Terim, said on Sunday: “We have to bring someone. Obviously, a defender.

“We’re interested in Kolo Toure from Manchester City. We can ask help from Eboue if we need. We have to complete this transfer before Champions League list deadline.”

All clubs competing in the group stages of Europe’s premier club competition must submit their 25-man squads yesterday

Ronaldo ‘sad’ at Madrid

Ikoyi Club/UPDC tennis grand slam serves off C

T

he second edition of Ikoyi Club 1938/ UACN Property Development Company Tennis grand slam has served off at the club premises.

Briefing newsmen yesterday, the captain of Tennis section of

Ikoyi Club, Billy Joe Ekwunife, said they were glad to be associated with UPDC and promised an improved entertainment from players this year.

In his reaction, the Managing Director of UPDC, Akeem Oguniran, said his company had

finalised plans to make the tourney an open event where other reacreational clubs in Lagos and other parts of the country would be invited to challenge the talents that abound in the club. “ At UPDC, our motivation in

We didn’t deserve to lose to Esperance –Ocheje

S

unshine Stars’ goalkeeper, Moses Ocheje, has maintained that his club did not deserve to lose to Esperance in a CAF Champions League in Tunis.

The Nigerian representatives lost 1-0 Sunday night courtesy of a 52nd minute own goal by James Ebitogwa, but Ocheje said that Sunshine did enough in Tunis to, at least, get a draw.

“It was a painful way to lose a

game, we played well and did not deserve to lose the game. A draw would have been the worst result for us there in Tunisia, but it was not to be. We created chances too but we failed to convert them,” he lamented.

“The game has been lost and won. Now, our attention is on how to scale through the semifinal. We know the higher we go, the tougher it becomes and we are ready for that.”

The Akure club, which also reached the last four of last year’s Confederation Cup, will now await the winners of Group B between TP Mazembe of DR Congo and Al Ahly from Egypt in the semi-finals.

Defending champion, Esperance, has won Group A as it has recorded an unassailable nine points with only a game to be played in this group following the disqualification of local rival, Etoile du Sahel.

sponsoring this tournament is to have us associate and celebrate the commitment of this premium club to human development and social harmony through sports and recreation.

This is imperative, considering the daunting challenge of the hustle and bustle of living in Lagos and, indeed, some of our cities nationwide.

At UPDC, we pride ourselves in the provision of comfortable living environments which are fitted with world-class recreational facilities to enhance the quality of the livelihood of our customers and in the same way we are determined to make this Tennis grand slam world class.

We applaud the efforts of members of the executive committee of the Tennis section of this great club in ensuring that the event continues to hold successfully.

ristiano Ronaldo last night rocked Real Madrid as he sensationally admitted: I am sad. The Portuguese hitman scored twice as Jose Mourinho’s side beat Granada 3-0 to register its La Liga first win of the season.

But Ronaldo, who went off with a leg injury in the second half, did not celebrate either goal.

And when asked why, the Manchester United’s former ace said: “I am sad and the club knows it, that’s why I didn’t celebrate the goals.”

Ronaldo added that he was upset for “professional” reasons but refused to elaborate further.

But he did deny that he was angry Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta beat him for this year’s UEFA Best Player in Europe Award last Thursday.

He added: “It has nothing to do with it. Iniesta deserved it.”

Ronaldo’s team-mate, Gonzalo Higuain, admitted he was surprised to hear that Ronaldo was unhappy. The Argie ace said: “I see him as being fine. He scored two goals, so I believe that he is happy. “My team-mates and I all see him well.”

Another Real star has revealed he is struggling at the Bernabeu is Brazilian Kaka. The AC Milan’s former superstar is yet to make an appearance under Mourinho this season. And he said: “It’s as if I was starting again at 30, after having won everything I’ve won.

“I even ask myself, how much is all this effort worth it?

“Wouldn’t it be better to go somewhere else or even another, less competitive league?

“Well, the answer has been ‘yes, I still want to be at Real Madrid’.

NEWS

60 Tuesday, September 4, 2012 DAILY SUN

SUN SPORTS

NEWS MTN Lagos Street Soccer heats up as 16 teams move into next round

I

t was an impressive show of talents and fierce competition among the 32 participating teams in the ongoing MTN Lagos Street Soccer as they laced boots for a chance to qualify for the next round of the game last weekend.

At different centres where the matches were played, the teams displayed uncanny football skills to the admiration of the audience that came to watch and support their teams in the money-spinning competition.

After the keenly contested matches, 16 teams advanced into the next round of the tournament. Some of the teams are: Boladale Street, Olorunfemi Street, Osolu Sea Lion Street and Gaskiya Street both in the female league among others.

With the emergence of these teams, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) is poised to stage another exciting match in the round of 16 as the teams target places in the round of 8.

MTN Lagos Street Soccer is an initiative that provides a veritable platform for youths at the grassroots level to showcase their talents and skills in the game of football and also reward their efforts by empowering them to take charge of their future in the game of soccer.

The tournament which is now in its fifth season has female andcorporate teams included to compete for the mouth-watering prize.

Ahead of league’s last crucial game: R-l: Chairman Chrome Group, Sir Emeka Offor, with players Obinna Amachukwu, Paulycarp Okoro, and Gozie Akudolu during the 5th Edition of Chrome Tennis Classic held recently at Oraifite, Anambra State.

Presidency recalls sports minister from London

By ROMANUS UGWU, Abuja

T

he Minister of Sports and Chairman National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, cut short his stay in the ongoing Paralympics Games in London following

Falconets practise dead-balls for US

N

igeria’s Falconets have shifted focus on deadball kicks and penalty shootout in today’s semifinal clash against USA at the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan.

The coach Edwin Okon-led crew appears not to be taking chances since it was penalty that handed Nigeria win over US two years ago in Germany.

“Anything can happen at this stage even though we have always practised penalties during our training sessions.

“But this time, we felt it was pertinent to step up the tempo because of the possibility of the match going into extra time,” Okon said.

Okon, who hinged his wards’ success on determination and renewed spirit, said most of the mistakes noted in the previous matches had been corrected.

“We had four days to work on the players’ weaknesses and strengths and l can say that the response from them has been very encouraging,” said the Rivers Angels’gaffer.

Nigeria and the US faced resilient opponents in their quarterfinal matches that went into extra time.

While Nigeria won by a lone goal against Mexico, US edged North Korea 2-1 to move into the last four.

The two-time champion, US, has been in the semifinal five out of six times, while Nigeria is making her second consecutive appearances.

Nigeria knocked the US in the quarterfinal two years ago 4-2 on penalties shootout after regular time ended 1-1.

directive from the Presidency that he must be present at today’s weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

Information reaching Daily Sunsports from an impeccable source close the tough-talking young minister revealed that the Kwara State-born former journalist left the Paralympics Games Sunday night and arrived the country in the early hours of yesterday.

Asked if the summon is connected to the speculation that President Goodluck Jonathan might reshuffle cabinet, our

source said he cannot confirm if it was based on such assumption, stressing that all he could confirm to me was that the minister came back from London on Monday morning.

He noted that although there was strong indications that the minister might return to either London on Wednesday immediately after the FEC meeting, his travelling to Liberia for the Super Eagles crucial Nations Cup qualifiers against the Lone Stars of Liberia this weekend.

“I want to confirm to you that the minister arrived Nigeria from

London on Monday morning.

The presidency summoned him perhaps for the FEC meeting on Wednesday. I think he will return to London for the closing ceremony of the Paralympics Games or opt to travel to Monrovia for the qualifier tie between the Super Eagles and Liberia,” our source noted.

Meanwhile all efforts to speak to the minister’s SA on Media, Julius Ogoro, proved abortive, as he could not either pick the repeated calls made to him yesterday afternoon or return the calls.

CAF Presidency: Hayatou amends rules to remain in power

T

he Confederation of African Football (CAF) congress in Seychelles has voted to adopt contro-

versial new rules that will bar anyone outside the executive committee from contesting the organisation’s

‘I have ended Taye Taiwo’s role in Eagles’

By ROMANUS UGWU, Abuja

S

harks FC of Port Harcourt left wing-back, Juwon Oshaniwa, has boasted of securing a permanent place in the Super Eagles team.

Thanks to his present blittering form. hus believing that he has ended Taye Taiwo’s days in the Stephen Keshitutored side.

Speaking with Daily Sunsports at the team’s camp recently, the Eagles’ defender maintained that since his Dynamo Kyiv rival has done his own part in the Super Eagles, he would go extra mile to retain the jersey, stressing that now is his time to shine.

Asked if he has ended Taye Taiwo’s days in the Eagles, Juwon, replied: “Yes, I want to believe that everything go with time. Taiwo has made his mark in the world of football both at club level and the national team.

He has contributed a lot.

“I want to believe it is now my time to contribute positively to the lost glory of the game in Nigeria and make sure that I

T

restore the lost glory of the Super Eagles and put smiles on the faces of the sports-loving fans of this nation,” he noted.

On whether he has come to stay in the Eagles line-up, the Sharks’defender, said: “Surely, I have come to stay in the Super Eagles team. It is the aspiration of every player at home and abroad to stake a claim if given an opportunity. Therefore, the moment I got the privilege and opportunity, I decided to grab it with my two hands.”

What should Nigerians expect from the team in Monrovia, Juwon, replied: “As human beings, we have to be positive ahead of the match. I want to positively assure Nigerians that we are going all out to record an outright victory in Liberia because we know what it means to be part and parcel of the bigger fiesta in South Africa next year.”

“We know that expectations of Nigerians especially as we did not participate in the last edition.

We are one family working for the same goal to secure the ticket for the game next year,” he promised.

presidency.

The new rules have put paid to Jacques Anouma’s ambitions of dethroning long-serving CAF’s President, Issa Hayatou, next year.

Under the new rules brought in yesterday, South Africa’s 2010 World Cup chief, Danny Jordan, is also ineligible to run for the continent’s top football job.

The controversial amendment states that anyone seeking the presidency must be a voting member of the executive committee.

Hayatou’s critics say the express intention of the amendment was to bar Anouma from challenging him.

Anouma is one of Africa’s representatives on the FIFA executive committee by virtue of which he sits on CAF’s Executive Committee as an ex-officio member.

Such ex-officio members are not directly elected by CAF’s General Assembly to sit on the Executive Committee and as such they do not have voting rights, although they are free to participate in all the deliberations.

Forty-four nations voted for the amendment, which was proposed by Algeria, with six nations voting against and one abstention.

Pillars get boost Sunshine battle

for

By EMMA NJOKU

P

layers of Kano Pillars were paid additional 20 per cent of their sign-on fees late last week ahead of Friday’s last crucial game of the season against Sunshine Stars inside the Dipo Dina International Stadium in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

Interestingly, both sides also met in the last fixtures last season in near similar circumstance with Pillars’ spoiling the party for Sunshine that desperately needed victory to lift the league trophy.

Sunshine lost the match and conceded the title to Dolphins of Port Harcourt that grabbed a crucial away win in Ilorin over Bukola Babes (now ABS FC–). Friday’s clash provides Sunshine Stars a juicy opportunity to pay Pillars back in their own coin.

Victory against the Akure Stars automatically gives Pillars the new Nigeria Premier League trophy. A draw could see the Mohammed Babaganaru-tutored side to its second league trophy in four years having won the title last in 2008.

Pillars’ General Manager, Abba Galadima, who presented cheques to the players at the club’s secretariat, explained that the development brought to 65% the sign-on fees paid to the players, so far this season, assuring that the remainder of 35% would be paid whenever the funds are made available to the management.

He, however, disclosed that the technical crew had received 100% of their sign-on fees for the season even as he assured that the management was determined to do everything to sustain the existing team spirit among the management, technical crew and the players.

Galadima commended the coaches and players for what he described as the team’s outstanding performances in the current league season and urged them to keep up the good work until Friday’s crucial last match of the season against Sunshine Stars in Ijebu Ode. He urged them to win the match to clinch the league trophy at the end of the day.

In his response, Coach Babaganaru commended the management of the club for its dedication and pledged that the technical crew would justify the confidence reposed in them.

Nadal to take next two months off to rest knee

R

afa Nadal’s injury lay off was extended by another two months yesterday, with the Spaniard saying his troublesome knee will not be ready for the Davis Cup semi-final against the United States.

“I really want to be back competing and enjoying the tennis tour, but I have many years in front of me and my knee needs some rest,” Nadal said in a statement yesterday.

“I will be back when I have no pain and I’m able to compete without problems.”

Nadal has been having treatment for a partial tear of the patella tendon and an inflammation of the hoffa’s fat pad of his left knee.

The world number three has not played since suffering a shock second-round Wimbledon defeat to Czech Lukas Rosol in June. He missed the Olympic Games, where he was the defending champion, and was forced to withdraw from the U.S. Open.

“I feel better after the meeting with my doctors and happy knowing that the evolution of the past weeks has been positive and surgery has been avoided,” Nadal added.

“I will continue to work with the plan my doctors have established to be able to compete as soon as possible Nadal in the right conditions.

NEWS DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 4, 2012 61

SUN SPORTS

NEWS

Folashade sad in glory ...Sets new Paralympic, world records

N

igeria’s Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won a silver medal yesterday in the –75kg powerlifting event, is unhappy despite the fact that she set new Paralympic and world records in her category. The lifter believed she was robbed, but the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) officials explained why she missed the gold medal.

The Nigerian and the winner, Taoying Fu, lifted the same weight, scored the same points, but recorded different body weights. But Folashade is ready to contest the decision anywhere. She was sad and depressed by the judges’decision.

“It was my gold medal that was given to the Chinese woman and I’m more than disappointed that this could be happening. I was supposed to come out first for the final lift, but they changed the schedule and made the Taoying come out first,” she complained.

Her silver fetched her a Paralympic record of 143.0, while she set 147.0 as new world mark.

South African swimmer quits Paralympics ...After winning 100m butterfly event

S

wimming champion, Natalie du Toit, competing in the Paralympics for the last time, said she had spent some time getting to know more of her teammates in the SA camp.

Du Toit won a gold medal in the women’s 100m butterfly S9 event.

“I’ve actually met a lot more people within our team than I usually do,” she said. “So there is a great spirit here and the reactions from back home have been wonderful.”

Hendri Herbst, who bagged bronze in the men’s 100m freestyle S11, was delighted with the support of the spectators, who were turning out to pack the stadia at the Olympic Park.

“The support I got from back home after my race was really amazing, but the supporters here in London are really special,” Herbst said.

“The feeling you get when you walk out to your lane is incredible.”

Arnu Fourie, who set a track world record (22.49 seconds) in the men’s T44 200m event, acknowledged the support for the SA team at the Olympic Stadium – the main venue for the Games, used for track and field events and the opening and closing ceremonies.

“When you walk out there and see all the South African flags in the crowd, it’s phenomenal,” Fourie said.

“It’s just such an awesome vibe and what a great experience to go out there and be a proud representative of your country.”

Even the Paralympic volunteers had got behind the athletes, according to Teboho Mokgalagadi, who secured a silver medal in the men’s 100m T35 sprint.

“The great response from home has been a surprise for me, with people wishing me good luck and sending encouraging messages.”

Kanu, Okocha, Ikpe others congratulate Ubah on 41st birthday

By MADUABUCHI KALU

A

s the Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas and the national teams’ Ambassador, Chief Dr Ifeany Uba, marked his 41st birthday yesterday, Super Eagles’ former players, Nwankwo Kanu, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Taribo West, Victor Ikpeba and the current ones that include Joseph Yobo, Victor Anichebe, Victor Obinna Nsofor have congratulated the Anambra-born oil and gas magnat e on his 41st fruitful years on earth.

The ex-players while speaking with Daily Sunsports explained that they were very proud to associate with Dr Ubah, whom they described as one of their own, having been a goalkeeper during his school days.

They wished him many more years and prayed to God to grant him good health, protect him from all dangers, so that he will continue to contribute to the development of football as he had touched many lives without the beneficiaries knowing about it.

Also speaking, FIFA-licensed agent and Nigeria’s Soccer Ambassador, Friday Nwankwo, also congratulated Dr Ubah and prayed God to grant him many more fruitful years to enable him continue touching lives.

Power Bombers FC wins Mike Okonkwo 2012 Soccer Tourney

S

even years after it last won the competition, the Power Bombers Football Club of the TREM headquarters, piped the Holly Football Club of Gbagada by a goal to nothing to emerge the winner of the finals of the 2012, 10th Mike Okonkwo Football Competition at Yaba College of Technology Sports ground.

Bishop Mike Okonkwo and his wife, Bishop Peace Okonkwo, later presented prizes, trophies and medals to 1st to 4th prize winners of the tournament.

Aside from the giant trophy, plaque, gold medals, the Power Bombers Football Club (PBFC) also got a cheque of N400,000 for its effort.

To get to the finals after qualifying from the preliminary stage, the PBFC defeated Shalom FC by a goal to nothing during quarter finals and thrashed the Radiant FC by 3 goals to nothing at the semifinals before emerging the winners of the 10th Mike Okonkwo Football Competition (MOFC).

The Holly FC that came second, also got a trophy, medals, plaque and a cheque of N300,000, while the 3rd place winner, Divine Royal FC got a trophy, medals, and N200,000.

Radiant FC which took the fourth place got a plaque, and N100,000.

Oliveira, Pistorious in war of words after 200m final

A

t the just-concluded summer Olympic Games, Usain Bolt of Jamaica came to London undefeated in the sprint events but at the Paralympic Games, Brazilian Alan Fonteles Cardoso Oliveira re-wrote history when he upstaged South African Oscar Pistorious in the 200 metres final late Sunday night.

The world had expected Pistorius to win the race following his overwhelming posture and preparation towards the Games.

The South African competed in the last Olympics to get himself in top shape for Paralympics. But the athlete received the shock of his life when he was beaten by Oliveira.

“Don’t focus on the disability,” Oscar Pistorius told the world before the Games. “Focus on the ability.” How right he was. There was no room for sentimental thoughts or emotional notions after the 200m final.

It was not a procession or a coronation, but a race, raw and fast. And Pistorius came second.

He was beaten to the line by Oliveira, who won in 21.45sec.

Pistorius was .07sec behind him.

He reacted furiously, telling the

Pistorious, Oliveira on medal podium.

TV cameras in his post-race interview that “we aren’t racing a fair race”.

Pistorius was convinced that the running blades Oliveira was using were too long, and called for the International Paralympic

Committee to investigate. This from a man who has had to fight long and hard to overturn doubts about whether or not he himself has an unfair advantage when he is competing against non-disabled runners.

Oluwafemiayo, Nneji add to Nigeria’s medals

F

olashade Oluwafemiayo and Victoria Nneji yesterday won more medals for Nigeria in the powerlifting women’s -75kg and -67.50kg events of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, thus raising Team Nigeria’s medals haul to 10.

Folashade lifted 146kg in the 75kg final easily won by Chinese lifter, Fu Taoying. The Nigerian girl lost the gold to her body weight as Lin Tzu-Hui also from China took the bronze.

Nneji, whose first attempt of 121.0 was nothing to write home about after weighing 64.70, impressively lifted the second attempt and finished up with 125.0 to bag a bronze medal behind French athlete, Souhad Ghazouani, who won the gold and Yujiao Tan the silver medallist.

“I did the best I could. I thank God I won a medal. it would have been a disaster if I did not win anything. It was not so easy to lift the weight I had to put in extra effort to get something. I hate the tag failure. You can see we all trying to lift the image of Nigeria here. Those who had already won medals were our inspirators. They told us to forge ahead and we have not disappointed our coaches,”Nneji said.

As at the Press time at the North Greenwich Arena, Great Britain dominated the preliminary match against Japan in the men’s wheelchair basketball, with a score of 46-24.Britain’s Terry Bywater and Simon Munn have put away an amazing 11 points each, making them the top scorers of the match, so

far. And over at the basketball event, Australia is leading against Italy, 33-21. The top scorer in this match is Italy’s Matteo Cavagnini who has scored 10 points already. In the Archery competition at the Royal Artillery Barracks, the second semi final in the men’s Individual Compound

- Open has just got under way. It saw Dogan Hanci of Turkey took on Jere Forsberg of Finland to secure a place in the final.The winner will be up against the United States’s Matt Stsutzman for the gold medal, after he beat Guillermo Rodriguez Gonzalez from Spain on Sunday.

Simmonds sets new world record in 200m individual medley

E

llie Simmonds underlined why she is one of the stars of the London 2012 Paralympics as she shocked herself with a new world record in the heats of the SM6 200 metres individual medley.

The 17-year-old has already set a new world mark in the S6 400m freestyle en route to a successful defence of her Paralympic title on Saturday.

Yesterday morning, she produced a blistering freestyle leg to make her rivals appear as if they were treading water to touch in three minutes 06.97 seconds, 1.13secs inside her own world mark from March when she became the first swimmer to set a global record in the Aquatics Centre.

Simmonds said: ‘I wasn’t going for a world record, I was actually going for the Paralympic record but I was just going in there to feel the stroke.

‘When I walk out, the crowd is amazing, that definitely gives me a big buzz. I just can’t wait to race tonight.

‘I am quite shocked with that time. When I was at the finish I

couldn’t actually see what (the time) was, I had to ask someone.

‘I’m really pleased with a two-second PB in the heats. It’s good to be on top form at the biggest Paralympic Games of my life.’

Fellow Briton, Natalie Jones, was second fastest through in 3mins 16.41secs and although she was just 0.22secs ahead of Verena Schott, it offers real hope of two more medals for Britain .

Jones knows though that all eyes will be on Simmonds and said: ‘I tried to keep up with Ellie, but you can’t keep up with someone as amazing as her.

She’s a once in a lifetime.’

London is Jones’ fourth Paralympics after she made her debut in Sydney with double gold in Athens four years later.

This will be the final Games for the 27-year-old and she said: ‘You can’t compare this Games with Athens and Beijing, each has been different. But this has been phenomenal.

‘When I came out of my swim on Saturday (S6 400m freestyle) I just wanted to cry, I was so emotional.’

The twist in the story is that it is the very fact Pistorius wants to run in the Olympics and other ablebodied competitions that cost him in the Games.

To do crossover like that, he can only run on blades that have been cleared for use by the IAAF, the sport’s governing body. Longer blades, of the kind Oliveira used, are only legal in Paralympic events.

If Pistorius switched, he would not be able to run in non-disabled competitions. Besides, he would undermine his own argument that his success is about the body above the knee, rather than the technology below it. In a sense, he is a victim of his own ambition.

It was a sour reaction, cutting through the saccharine notes of so much of the Paralympic coverage.

But Pistorius has always insisted that he wants to be known as an athlete, rejecting the labels other people have put upon him, whether they were that he was disabled, differently abled, a cheat, an inspiration, or a role model.

And this was an athlete’s response to defeat, if a particularly ungracious one.

Pistorius has never lost a 200m race before, and he could not quite believe that it had happened.

Modest as he may sometimes seem – on the startline he responded to the adoring applause of the 80,000 with a polite little bow – he has, like any champion, a sizeable ego and a temper to match.

Once he had had time to cool down, Pistorius was a more gracious, admitting that Oliveira had “played by the rules” and that his blades were within the stipulated limits.

But his anger was still there, bubbling away beneath the surface. “He’s never run a 21 second race before. That’s fact,” he said of Oliveira. “He was running high 23s less than a year ago so you just need to look at the facts behind it.

I brought it up with the IPC but nothing’s been done about it. I believe in the fairness in sport and I believe in running on the right length.”

62

DAILY SUN

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

OFFSIDE Musing with

DAILY SUN

63

Okey Ndibe kndibe@yahoo.com; okeyndibe@gmail.com

A

s if anybody was still in doubt, there was more proof last week that Nigeria is an organised criminal enterprise.

That proof came in the form of some young man’s brazen attempt to use the courts to stow away with the controversial $15 million allegedly given as bribe to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by former Delta State governor, James Ibori. The man in question is named Chibuike Achigbu.

For those who missed the story, here’s a brief background. In 2007, Nuhu Ribadu, then the chairman of the EFCC, reported that former Governor James Onanefe Ibori of Delta State had tried to bribe him with $15 million – in cash.

At the time, Ribadu’s EFCC was hot on the heels of Mr. Ibori, a man who, like many Nigerian public officials, apparently didn’t respect any demarcation between public funds and his private pockets.

A self-aggrandised personality, who gave himself the pompous name of Ogidigbodigbo of Africa, Mr. Ibori had started his criminal career as a petty thief in London. Then, with two convictions in London under his belt, he landed in Nigeria during the reign of Sani Abacha, the bespectacled emperor whose favorite sport was to raid the Central Bank for hard cash. One thing led to another, and Mr. Ibori was installed as a Nigerian stakeholder, which implied that he was certified to eat his people’s steak, drive a stake into the starved hearts of the self-same people, and say to them, I don’t give a damn! By the time the ruling PDP smuggled Ibori into Government House, Asaba, the small-time thief had metamorphosed into a grand looter and embezzler.

Mr. Ribadu once told a foreign TV interviewer that Mr. Ibori, perhaps, stole as much as 75 per cent of the Federal allocation that accrued to his state during his two-term, eight-year rule.

The EFCC’s sleuths were snooping into the exgovernor’s mishandling of state funds when, according to Mr. Ribadu, Mr. Ibori sought to tempt him with cash of $15 million.

We know that the offer was made at the Abuja residence of Andy Uba, at the time, a senior aide on domestic matters to president Olusegun Obasanjo. Not only did Ribadu rebuff the offer, he also caused the funds to be deposited at the Central Bank of Nigeria. It was important, he decided, to present the cash as evidence both of Mr. Ibori’s corruption and his attempt to subvert justice.

In the end, Mr. Ibori had his day in a Nigerian court. After a sordid affair, an unimpressive outing for all participants in the trial, Justice Marcellus Awokulehin dismissed all charges.

Were it up to the judge, Mr. Ibori would have been canonised that day as St. James the Pious of the Delta. Today, the same Ibori is holed up in a maximum security jail in the UK. Rather than face the prospect of a proper, rigorous trial in Britain, the former governor caved in, pleading guilty.

His swagger was gone. Back in Nigeria, there was still the unresolved matter of $15 million with which Mr. Ibori had allegedly tried to entice the EFCC to call off its scrutiny of his handling of state funds.

A few weeks ago, it emerged that the Delta State Government had filed a suit, seeking to reclaim the money. The principle seemed sound: cash that was pilfered from a state ought to go back to that same state. Of course, some people worried whether the state’s current governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, could be trusted to responsibly husband the funds, once recovered.

A medical doctor, Mr. Uduaghan is Mr. Ibori’s cousin. He was also a top confidante during the former governor’s tenure.

At any rate, the state’s legal pursuit of the “bribe” funds was proceeding with relatively little drama – until last week.

Suddenly, ten lawyers appeared in an Abuja court, armed with an affidavit by Mr. Achigbu.

The burden of the affidavit was that the $15 million cash belonged to this virtually faceless Achigbu.

To read the document is to confront the most facile form of fiction, masquerading as an assertion. Mr. Achigbu claimed that he had collected

Tales around Ibori’s $15 Million

•Ibori

•Ribadu, former EFCC boss

the money as a campaign contribution for the PDP candidates, running in the 2007 elections.

However, on learning that such a large transaction donation needed to be made through a bank, he claimed he gave the cash to Andy Uba. Mr. Uba, he asserted, undertook to hand over the cash to the EFCC to enable the agency to authenticate the legitimacy of its source.

Thereafter, the money was to be disbursed to party candidates.

It’s easy to think that the narrative is an audacious attempt to hijack funds that belong, properly, to the people of Delta State. Why would Mr. Achigbu try a scheme that seems so patently jejune? How could he have hired so many ostensibly senior lawyers, without a single one of them, raising alarms about the ludicrousness of the whole thing? Were there, perhaps, other sponsors of the charade, other well-placed “steakholders”, who encouraged this possibly

criminal undertaking?

One of the affidavit’s claims is that “Dr. Andy Uba has offered to depose to the foregoing facts on oath before this Honourable Court to clear his name and restore himself to the confidence of the Intervener/Applicant.”

Once Mr. Achigbu’s claim received media attention, the man quickly ordered his lawyers to withdraw it. He saved himself the certainty of making a big fool of himself in court. But the fact that he withdrew his preposterous application should by no means be the end of the matter.

The police ought to question Mr. Achigbu about this whole messy affair. How did the idea germinate in his head to go for the $15 million?

Did he raise millions of dollars for PDP candidates in 2007? If he did, what were the sources?

And what are the contributors’ sources of income? Did he ever hand Mr. Uba millions of dollars in cash? If he did, what was the purpose?

Did he consult with Mr. Uba before he decided to stake out a claim on Ibori’s “bribe” funds?

One thing is clear from Mr. Achigbu’s now withdrawn claim. It’s either he handed Mr. Uba some millions of dollars in 2007 that’s not accounted for or he set out to steal $15 million that doesn’t belong to him. It’s up to the police to find out which it is.

Please follow me on twitter @ okeyndibe.

IGP Abubakar as reason to believe

By UZOR MAXIM UZOATU

P

resident Jonathan has publicly declared that he is the most criticised president in the world. Presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, followed up with the well-circulated attack on the critics of his principal, especially the ones using the social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

The truth though is that it’s not criticism all the way, as exemplified by this post on Facebook by Justin Akpovi-Esade which I find quite remarkable: “Perhaps, President Jonathan’s only smartest decision till date was the appointment of the IG of police, MD Mohammed Abubakar. I really could not believe that a Nigerian police would treat me so politely as I drove home late last night. I was stopped by these guys (it was not the usual road block stops) and politely asked if there was any problem. I said no. The one close to the window asked if I had the division’s emergency number, again, I said no, and I was promptly given the number and told to drive safely. I thought I was a character in an American movie. I swear cos what happened to me could only be viewed in C&I channels ONLY by an average Nigerian.

Pray, what did Abubakar do to these guys that other past IGs could not do? And to think I was vehemently opposed to his appointment at first! Pls, let the police continue like this, we are tired of living like animals. The bad eggs among them should align now or leave the force.”

The recognition given to the work of IGP MD Abubakar by the vast majority of Nigerians is an eloquent reason to still have faith in the country. Nobody can take away the fact that President Jonathan appointed IGP Abubakar. On the day of the recent Edo gubernatorial elections, I was one of a handful of analysts selected to do a live programme on the polls at Galaxy TV, Lagos. I remember one of my co-analysts, arguing that President Jonathan must have upped Abubakar’s appointment from Acting IGP to a substantive one so that the now-confirmed

Inspector-General would help the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) rig the elections!

When the results of the elections got announced with the PDP gubernatorial candidate, losing his deposit as it were, it was the erstwhile nay-saying analyst, who phoned me up to salute the courage of Abubakar “for being his own man.” Not a few Nigerians have been made to change their minds on the workability of the police given the positive marching orders of IGP MD Abubakar.

It is a real change for the good that Nigerians are for once seeing a police force, displaying a measure of personable certitude in its functions. When the State Security Services (SSS) curiously stepped into the murder case of Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s Private Secretary, Olaitan Oyerinde, the police, under the astute leadership of IGP Abubakar, refused to be swayed from continuing with its own investigations. The murder suspects have now been charged to court by the police as it ought to be.

The dismantling of police roadblocks had been beyond the ken of past IGPs but Abubakar pulled down the affront without the heavens falling. The fear had been that he stood to make himself unpopular with the rank and file, who made a daily killing through the checkpoints. In a major twist, it is there to be seen that the IGP’s men and women are dutifully following his lead. This goes to show that Nigerians can always forge ahead given the right leadership. If the police, which had been written off, can show signs of improvement, what institution cannot be salvaged in Nigeria?

What will ultimately stand IGP Abubakar in good stead is to understand that perception is almost always seen as reality all over the world.

The paradigm shift in the police ought to be displayed to the world through comprehensive public relations. If the general public cannot grasp what is going on, there would still be the cynicism that the police had not changed.

The anti-corruption crusade in the country will gain needed cubits through a thorough sanitisation of the police as is ongoing now. On the evidence of what has been happening thus far, there is no denying that Abubakar is poised

to take the tough decisions and kick some butts. The training and re-training of the police rank and file cannot be gainsaid.

Conflict management ought to be done through intelligence rather than brute force.

Partnering with the community in policing will yield great dividends. It is the local populace that can tell the violators in the midst.

There ought to be inter-service and interagency cooperation at all levels. Police work should be seamless, synergized like the Nitrogen Cycle. Thus far, IGP Abubakar has his finger on the pulse and button through his robust championing of improved conditions of service and enhanced welfare package for the police.

The knowledge is readily available that effective crime prevention and control comes through “intelligence-led policing”, as is clearly stated in the book, Policing Nigeria in the 21st Century, edited by Solomon E. Arase and Iheanyi P. O. Iwuofor. There is no doubt in my mind that, as IGP Abubakar is putting the stamp of discipline on the police, Nigeria stands to reap bountiful rewards in the patriotic drive toward having a stable polity. It is my clarion cry that we should all support this fresh charge of electricity, a veritable reason to believe.

•Uzoatu is a Lagos-based journalist.

•MD Abubakar

Okey Ndibe Writes : Tales around Ibori’s $15m -Page 63

N150 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2012 *VOL.7 NO. 2448

Reuben Abati and the Critics DIMGBA IGWE

SIDEVIEW

08055001932 dimgbaigwe2011@gmail.com

S

ome years ago when we released a political biography, Dr. Reuben Abati, returned a devastating verdict: a waste of good prose. He felt that the subject of the book was unworthy of the beautiful prose used to paint him. Well, it was his judgment—and he is entitled to it. But over a week ago, Abati labored to defend his principal whom he thinks has been unfairly demonized by critics, namely, the opposition and the media, especially the social media.

I had a good laugh reading Abati’s lucid and at times, acerbic prose in a heated apologetics for the president. But, I feel justifiably that for me, it is payback time. And, I’ll do so with Abati’s very words: a waste of good prose!

Only two years ago, President Goodluck Jonathan went around the country telling us that he is one of us, that he feels our pain, that like some of us, he had no shoes to wear to school and now, if he could make it to the top, we too can. Many felt tears in their eyes and empathy in their hearts. Here comes the ordinary man’s leader, the common man’s president. Nigerians voted him into office on an agreement that he would usher in an era of social, economic and political transformation.

But today, one and half years on, the bubble seems to have burst. Abati’s blistering attacks on the critics (read: the people) and the president’s reaffirmation of the same a few days later, mark a turning point in the romance between the president and the people that voted him in, a sort of drawing of the battle line on the ground. In such matters, the people tend to have long memories, especially in election period!

For the records, here is a summary of the president’s achievements in office as articulated by his chief spokesman, Abati in his article: “He knows Nigerians want infrastructure.

That is why he is telling Bi-Courtney to fix Lagos-Ibadan Expressway or get out. That is why he is telling a particular Minister to fix East-West road and get it fixed quickly. That is why has directed the relevant agencies to get corrupt persons to answer for their misdeeds.

That is why he is strengthening Nigeria’s foreign relations. That is why he is transforming the agriculture sector, from a contract-awarding, fertilizer distribution enterprise into big business. And more…”

But Abati seems to have nothing more to list out. Meaning that after 15 months in office, all we get from the President’s transformation agenda is the above generalization. Officially speaking, nothing more in the president’s achievement list! This is far less than stellar

performance by a man who inherited so much goodwill. It’s by all means, a very lean portfolio for us to celebrate.

If so, why is Abati so angry that many people are dissatisfied with the president’s performance? What does he expect? Should we be clapping then even if we can’t feel the momentum of government’s positive impact? Abati seems to think so, and this appears evident in his haughty language, dripping with righteous indignation against the president’s critics. In other words, Abati is disingenuously seeking to turn the table against the critics, to cast the president as the victim of an uncharitable mob. If he succeeds, the president becomes the victim and the people become the villain.

Evidence? He railed against “the cynics, the pestle-wielding critics, the unrelenting, selfappointed activists, the idle and idling, twittering, collective children of anger, the distracted crowd of Face book addicts, the BBM-pinging soap opera gossips of Nigeria, who seem to be in competition among themselves to pull down President Goodluck Jonathan. This army of sponsored and self-appointed anarchists is so diverse…”

As if that was not enough, he proceeded to dismiss the critics as “unintelligent people repeating stupid clichés” and the intelligent ones as “lending credence to thoughtless conclusions.” Implication is that in the end, both the intelligent and unintelligent critics ended up in the same compartment of foolishness. The sophistry here is that any argument that does not weigh in favour of the president amount to “thoughtless conclusions.” At this rate, we are all in trouble, if Abati has his way!

But, do the Nigerian people, including those that fall within the broad category of critics deserve so much anger from the president’s spokesman? Maybe we do if you live in the plushy comfort of the presidential villa and its environs, but I doubt it if you live outside the confines of political power circles, especially the presidency.

If you sift out the sentiments, the gossips, the insults and the invectives of the critics - which comes with the job of public office in Nigeria

“Why is Abati so angry that many people are dissatisfied with the president’s performance? What does he expect? Should we be clapping then even if we can’t feel the momentum of government’s positive impact?

Abati seems to think so, and this appears evident in his haughty language, dripping with righteous indignation against the president’s critics.”

Visa hitch delays Flamingoes Faro departure

T

•Abati and everywhere else—the fact still remains that what Nigerians are asking is for the president to brace up and deliver on his mandate; to do more than merely “asking” ministers and contractors to deliver results almost mid-way into his tenure. If 15 months down the line, the president is still dwelling on the “asking” stage, not performance and result-delivering stage of his transformational promises, when will he actually deliver on his mandate? As the Yoruba proverb states, if you spend so long preparing for madness, when will you actually consummate it?

Abati labored to respond to sentimental issues about the president’s eating and drinking habit, about the president’s intelligence, his distribution of presidential personnel staff and so on, but these for me are beside the point. Even if the president is a drunk or a glutton as his social media critics claim or is even provincial and not so brilliant as some others suggest, these are not the issues.

Two of America’s celebrated presidents, JF Kennedy and Bill Clinton, are reputed to be sexual perverts in and out of the White House, but the Americans do not judge them by these moral defects; they judge them more by their performance. Kennedy and Clinton happen to be great leaders who performed so well in the office as to blur their moral defects in the eyes of the American people.

In other words, even if all Abati’s claims about Jonathan’s virtues miraculously happen to be true, they still amount to little if Boko Haram run rampant on the land, if power is not delivered, if infrastructure is not allowed to rut, if fuel subsidy scam continues to thrive, if our roads are in shambles, if our health and educational system continue to crumble, if a nation with a vast arable land continues to depend on food import rather than feeding ourselves, if nothing is done about the cries and pains of our compatriots in Bakassi who are now resorting to self-help if Nigeria watches the door of appeal shut against them, among other things.

These, my dear Reuben, are the heart of the matter.

he delay at the Portuguese Embassy in Nigeria in issuing travel visas to the Flamingoes, has affected the proposed departure of the team earlier billed to leave for Faro, Portugal, for a two-week camping ahead of the FIFA Under-17 Women World Cup in Azerbaijan.

A disappointed protocol staff at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), revealed that the team, which was earlier billed to travel yesterday aboard a Turkish airline, would now travel on a yet to be determined date following the inability of the embassy to make the visas ready.

The officer further disclosed that all the travel document were ready for the team to leave Abuja early yesterday for Lagos, only for the arrangement to be cancelled when they returned from the Portuguese Embassy without the visas.

“The whole thing has affected our travel arrangements for the team. We have scheduled them to depart today (Monday) for Lagos to travel with a Turkish airline to Portugal before our man, who went to the embassy to collect the visas called to inform us that they were not ready.

“The embassy has directed that we should come back on Wednesday to collect them and this would mean doing a fresh travel arrangement for the team,” our source, who spoke on condition of anonymity said.

The Flamingoes were earlier billed to commence a two-week camping in Faro, Portugal, where they would have their final preparation for the FIFA Under-17 Women Championship slated for September 22 - October 13 in Azerbaijan.

Nigeria is in Group A alongside host, Azerbaijan, Canada and Colombia.

Nations Cup Qualifier

We’re battle ready –Keshi

S

uper Eagles’ Coach, Stephen Keshi, has declared that the senior national team is battle ready for this weekend’s Nations Cup qualifying tie against the Lone Star of Liberia in Monrovia.

Shortly after the team’s training section yesterday, the former Mali gaffer stated that he was impressed with the players’ commitment to the national cause. He stressed that the Eagles were raring to go against their Liberian counterparts.

“We have being in camp for sometime now and I’m happy that the foreign-based players have also joined us in good time, which implies that we will have a lot of time to train together,” Keshi said.

“We are not going to underrate the Liberians and that is why we are trying to put everything in place to qualify for the Nations Cup. “I have seen the video tapes of the Lone Star and we are mapping out strategies on how to approach the game in Monrovia,” he added.

The ‘Big Boss’, as his admirers call him, is also delighted with the players’ fitness level, as there are no injury doubts in camp.

“A routine medical check was conducted by the team’s doctor and all the players were given a clean bill of health. I think this gives me joy as the Liberian game draws nearer,” he concluded.

Published by THE SUN PUBLISHING LIMITED, 2, Coscharis Street, Kirikiri Industrial Layout, Apapa, P.M.B. 21776, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Telephone: 01-8980932, 6211239, Fax: 5895396 Advert Hotline: 01-7900632, 6211236, ABUJA OFFICE: 2nd Floor, Gouba Plaza, Utako District, Phone: 09-8700273-6. ISSN 0795-7475.

All Correspondence to the above mail addresses.

Website: www.sunnewsonline.com •Printed simultaneously in Lagos, Aba & Abuja EDITOR: STEVE NWOSU