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PDP plots security ambush for 11 defecting senators Saraki, Abe, Goje, Adamu, others to Mark: we’re now in APC

S

HAKEN by the gale of defections from its camp to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is plotting to declare the seats of defecting senators vacant.

Eleven senators left the PDP for the APC yesterday, raising the number of APC senators to 43. PDP senators are now 63.

The PDP was said to be mounting pressure on Senate President David Mark to declare the defecting senators’ seats vacant and leave their fate to the court to determine.

The plot, it was learnt, is to declare the senators’ seats vacant after which security agencies will be mandated to prevent the

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

senators from entering the National Assembly, until a court makes a pronouncement on their fate.

But, it was gathered that Mark, who is seen by many as “a defender of democracy” since 2010, declined to join the plot.

The PDP Caucus in the Senate was meeting at Mark’s Abuja residence last night on how to handle what a source described as “the APC menace”.

The PDP wants a similar pattern for defectors in the House of Representatives, but the “uncompromising stance” of Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has made it difficult.

APC senators vowed last night to resist the plot.

THE APC 11

•Bukola Saraki - Kwara Central •Shaaba Lafiagi - Kwara North •Abdullahi Adamu- Nasarawa West •Abdullahi Gobir - Sokoto East •Magnus Abe - RiversSouth East •Wilson Ake - Rivers West •Bindowo Jibrilla - Adamawa North •Danjuma Goje - Gombe Central •Aisha Jummai - Taraba North •Ali Ndume - Borno South •Umaru Dahiru - Sokoto South Some PDP leaders and governors, who have been meeting since Monday, a source said, felt the defections must be stopped with a stern measure.

It was learnt that one of the options agreed upon was to

declare the seats of defecting senators vacant - in line with Section 68(1) (g) and (h) of the 1999 Constitution.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The PDP believes that the Senate leadership should brave the odds

and declare the seats of defecting senators vacant - in line with the spirit and letters of the constitution.

“The party is of the opinion that the court should determine the fate of the defecting senators.

“As part of the plot, once the seats of the affected senators are declared vacant, the police and security agencies will disallow them from entering the hallowed chamber of the Senate, until there is a ruling by any court.

“And since the wheel of justice is very slow, it is technically assumed that the affected senators have completed their tenure.”

Another source said: “The PDP is going for the kill because of the threats which defectors might pose to its ma-

jority grip on the Senate.

“The only challenge the party is having is the senate president who, as a democrat, does not believe in recourse to draconian action.”

A former governor, who is one of the defecting senators, said: “We are aware of the plot to declare our seats vacant and bar us from the Senate, but they cannot succeed.

“It is just unfortunate that some people could become desperate. I am quite sure that the leadership will not succumb to moves to create a constitutional crisis.”

A PDP senator, who spoke with our correspondent, simply said: “We are Continued on page 2

Nigeria raises $700m for Trans-Sahara gas project

N

IGERIA has raised $700 million to support the completion of the Nigeria to Algeria gas pipeline project.

President Goodluck Jonathan broke the news yesterday while giving a report on the status of the Trans-Saharan gas pipeline project at the 30th meeting of the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

He was represented by the supervising MinContinued on page 2

Why we won’t support budget,

by APC Reps From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

A

LL Progressives Congress (APC) Representatives explained yesterday why they would not support the 2014 bud-

get.

The budget, consideration was stepped down on Tuesday by the House and replaced with the consideration of the Report of the adhoc Committee on the alteration of the Constitution.

It was thought to be a strategy by the House leadership to clear the tension generated by the APC’s directive that its members should Continued on page 2

•A GONY OF DEFEA T: Dejected Nigerian players after losing a penalty during the 2014 CAF African Nations Championships football match •AGONY DEFEAT PHOTO: AFP against Ghana at the Free State Stadium, Blomfontein, South Africa...yesterday. Ghana won 4-1 (penalties).

•SPORTS P24 •EDUCATION P25 •POLITICS P51 •N/HEALTHP54 •E-BUSINESS P55

2

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

NEWS Nigeria raises $700 million for Trans-Sahara gas project Continued from page 1

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola speaking during the Central Business Districts Stakeholders’ Forum at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Marina...yesterday. With him (from left) are: Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business District (CBD), Mrs. Derin Disu, Chairman, Honeywell Group, Dr Oba Otudeko and a former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Supo Sasore STORY ON PAGE 9 PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Why we won’t support budget, by APC Reps Continued from page 1

block the consideration of the

budget and other executive bills.

At a news conference in Abuja, the APC lawmakers, led by the Minority Leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, said it intended to use filibustering or stalling executive Bills, to “protest the culture of impunity, immorality and illegality” of the government.

He said: “Let us be categorical, we intend to continue to protest the culture of impunity, immorality and illegality this government insists in entrenching in our system. We intend to insist on good governance; we intend to stand firm on our oath of office to defend the constitution and discharge our legislative duties in the interest of the people of Nigeria.

“Good governance is the end goal and filibustering or stalling executive Bills is the means and we believe that, in this case, the end definitely justifies the means.

Senators demand 2013 capital budget implementation

T

HE Senate continued yesterday its consideration of the general principles of the budget, with most senators demanding to know the level of implementation of last year’s budget.

Apart from insisting on the information on the performance of the 2013 budget, the lawmakers criticised what they called excessive borrowing by the Federal Government.

Some senators condemned the “rascality of some federal agencies in expending internally generated funds”.

Before resumption of the consideration of the general principles of the budget, Senate President David Mark urged the lawmakers to look at the bill from a national perspective rather than see it from political party perspective.

Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki (Kwara Central) said the fundamental question of how the 2013 budget performed must be asked before any mean“On the budget, we will not support a budget that does nothing for the people we represent.

We will not rubber stamp a budget that seeks to borrow more money at ridiculous rates and further impoverish the country.

Indeed we refuse to support a

From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

ingful work could be done on the 2014 budget.

Saraki said it was on record that implementation of the 2012 and 2013 budgets was nothing to write home about.

He added that it was unfortunate that no senator could claim to know how much comes from crude oil sales or the volume of oil exported from the country.

The lawmaker noted that while Nigeria recorded shortfall in some areas, the country claimed to have spent over N200 billion on kerosene subsidy.

Senator Ganiyu Solomon noted that if a government policy was not working, it should be changed.

He insisted that the government should take

budget that comes in with a huge deficit.

“We certainly do not agree with a budget that allocates a pitiable 25 per cent to capital expenditure, which capital component will only be implemented 30 per cent whilst recurrent

Continued on page 68

will be implemented 100 per cent. How in the world do you stimulate an economy the size and population of Nigeria with a 25 per cent allocation to capital?

“We cannot in good conContinued on page 68

ister of Foreign Affairs, Prof Viola Onwuliri.

Jonthan renewed Nigeria’s commitment to the project estimated to cost $20 billion.

He said Nigeria’s immediate focus for Nigeria was to connect major gas supply sources in the Niger Delta region through pipeline infrastructure that traverses the northern half of the country and delivers gas to the Nigeria/ Niger border.

“We have raised $450 million in Eurobonds and an additional direct equity contribution of about $250m in support of this project.

“The NNPC, which is the executor of this project, has completed the concept design for the pipeline, which is an important milestone since I last provided an update on this project to the committee.”

The report noted that work had begun on the acquisition of Rights of Way survey of key segments of the pipeline while work on the environmental impact assessment study of the pipeline would soon commence.

Jonathan informed the NEPAD meeting, chaired by President Macky Sall of Senegal, that the front end design of the pipeline would be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2014.

PDP crisis: Mu’azu, governors, senators meet

P

EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu met last night with governors elected on the platform of the party and its Senate Caucus.

The meeting was a follow-up to the one with the party leadership and some of the governors held at the PDP House of Representatives Caucus on Tuesday at the National Assembly complex.

Yesterday’s meeting, which stated at about 7pm, was held at Senate President David Mark’s Apo, Abuja home.

Mu’azu said he called the

PDP plots security ambush for 11 defecting senators 11 Senators dump PDP for APC

Continued from page 1

trying to keep our house united and devise means to curtail the affront of APC.

“If a party is threatening to shut down our government, we cannot stand aloof and watch our tenure destroyed.”

The senator said the caucus does not rule out the application of Section 68(1) (g) and (h) of the 1999 Constitution.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang, said before the senate resumed from its recess that defecting Senators’ must vacate their seats. But the senate leadership disowned him, saying he was speaking for himself.

He said: “Justice Elvis Chukwu of an Abuja High Court had ruled on October 18, 2013 that there was no division in PDP. If the intending defectors opt to violate the constitution by their proposed move, they should be prepared to face the music.

“The defecting members of the National Assembly elected on the PDP platform have to vacate their seats. Doing so is mandatory, if the relevant sections of the constitution are anything to go by.”

An APC senator said: “Our caucus will do everything to resist plans to subvert the nation’s democratic process. It would amount to lawlessness for PDP to embark on such a wild goose chase.

E

LEVEN Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators tendered yesterday a letter of defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Senate President David Mark.

Mark did not read the letter on the floor of the upper chamber.

Although 16 names of senators are contained in the letter, only 11 of them endorsed the document.

The defectors were led by Chairman, Senator Committee of Environment and Ecology, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki (Kwara Central).

The letter, dated 20th January, 2014, titled “Notification of change of political party”, addressed to Mark.

The letter reads: “We the undersigned Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wish to notify you that we have severally and jointly joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The action and decision is as a result “Already, there is a subsisting matter in court on defection of some members of the National Assembly. The Senate has a tradition to defer to the court process until the final determination of all issues.”

Section 68(1) (g) and (h) reads in part: “A member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if… “Being a person whose election to the

From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja of the division and factionalisation in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that sponsored our elections to the Senate.

“In view of the above, we write to inform you that following the division and factionalisation in the PDP, we have formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“This communication is made pursuant to Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) for your information, guidance and record purposes.”

Besides, Saraki, other defectors are: Senators Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi (Kwara North), Senator Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West), Abdullahi Gobir (Sokoto East), Senator Magnus Ngei Abe (Rivers South East), Senator Wilson Asinobi Ake (Rivers West) and Senator Bindowo Umaru Jibrilla (Adamawa North).

The rest are: Senator Mohammed Dan-

House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected; “Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was

juma Goje (Gombe Central), Senator Alhassan Aisha Jummai (Taraba North), Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South)and Senator Umaru Dahiru (Sokoto South).

Senators listed but who did not sign against their names are Senators Ahmed Mohammad Maccido (Sokoto North), Saidu Ahmed Alkali (Gombe North), Basheer Garba Mohammed (Kano Central), Ahmed Zanna (Borno Central) and Senator Ahmed Hassan Barata (Adamawa South).

It was gathered that the move unsettled the Senate leadership.

Insiders said an emergency PDP Senate caucus meeting scheduled last night must have been informed by defection.

Mark is likely to read the letter today on the floor of the Senate.

With this development, APC now has 43 senators. PDP, which had 73 senators, now has 63.

Labour Party (LP) has two. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has one.

previously sponsored; or “The President of the Senate or as the case may be, the Speaker of the House of Representatives receives a certificate under the hand of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission stating that the provisions of Section 69 of this constitution have been complied with in respect of the recall of that member.”

“This will be followed closely by major construction activities on the Trans-Nigeria segment.

“It is our expectation and aspiration that work on the TransNigeria segment will be completed, as planned, by 2018”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the $20 billion trans-saharan project will transport about 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas from Warri in Delra State through Niger Republic to Algeria and to Spain and Europe.

The gas pipeline will be operated by the NNPC and Sonatrach of Algeria, both of which will hold 90 per cent shares of the project’s equities.

The national oil company of Niger Republic, SONIDEP, will hold 10 per cent equity.

Jonathan also told the committee that NNPC, SONATRACH and SONIDEP have engaged a reputable consultant for the revalidation of the project’s 2006 feasibility study.

This, he said, was necessitated by recent developments in the environment. The study will be concluded by March.

“This study is part of our collective determination to ensure that robust gas supply sources and gas marked windows still exist for the project.”

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

meeting to consult with major stakeholders of the party represented by the governors and senators.

He said it was intended at finding a common ground towards resolving the plethora of crises bedeviling the PDP. Governors at the meeting included Seriake Dickson( Bayelsa), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Theodore Orji (Abia) and Ibrahim Shema (Katsina).

Others are: Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Idris Wada (Kogi), Ramallan Yero (Kaduna), Acting Governor of Taraba State, Garba Umar, Deputy Governor of Sokoto State Muktari Shagari and the Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Ahaji Ahmed Mahmoud.

Members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP who accompanied Mu’azu to the meeting included Deputy National Chairman Uche Secondus, National Secretary Wale Oladipo, National Woman Leader, Mrs. Kema Chikwe and National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh, among others.

Senate Leader Victor NdomaEgba pledged senators’ loyalty to the chairman.

Ndoma-Egba said: “I pledge that in us, the PDP Senate Caucus, you will find very loyal party men and women. We will work with. We will stay by you.

We will partner with you to reinvent PDP.” He, however, noted that the PDP is going through crises, but said: “The good news is that the challenges are about to end while Continued on page 68

•Mark

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

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NEWS

Ominous •From left: Director-General, Bureau of Public Service Reform, Dr Joe Abah; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Servicom, Mr Sylbriks Obriki and Nodal Officer for NTA, Mrs Eugenia Abu, at the servicom 2014 Nodal Officers' Retreat in Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

•Executive Director, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Haruna Waziri (middle) speaking at a briefing on Corporate Governance Rating System in Lagos...yesterday. With him are Executive Director, Convention on Business Integrity (CBI), PHOTO: NAN. Mr Soji Apampa; and Secretary, Mrs Josephine Igbinosun.

•From left:: Secretary to Lagos State Government, Dr Ranti Adebule; wife of former Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Angela Adebayo; Permanent Secretary, Lagos Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mrs Regina Obasa and former Chairman, Nestle Nigeria Plc., Chief Olusegun Oshunkeye at the 2014 Lagos Central Business Districts Stakeholders'forum in Lagos ...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN.

•From left:: Chairman, Dimension Data Mid- East and Africa, Mr. Andile Ngcaba; Director, Strategic Relation Dimension Data Mid- East and Africa, Zella Fuphe; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Mrs. Nike Animashaun, Director-General, Lagos State Financial Management Bureau, Mr. Ahmed Mustapher at a workshop by the ministry in conjunction with Dimension Data for top management officials of the state government on the implementation and sustainability of e- governance in Lagos State.

PHOTO: SEGUN RAPHAEL.

If recent disclosures that Nigeria’s economic buffers are fast depleting are anything to go by, uncertainty is hovering over the nation’s economy. But some economic and finance experts insist the disclosures might be aimed at diverting Nigerians’ attention from asking critical questions on how the economy is allegedly being mismanaged, reports Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA

A

FEW days ago, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi sent shivers down the spine of not a few Nigerians when he drew their attention to the dire consequences of the continuous depletion of the country’s fiscal buffers. Sanusi raised the alarm that both the Excess Crude Account (ECA) and the external reserves have depleted, a development, which, he said, undermines the ability of the apex bank to sustain exchange rate stability.

The CBN boss, who disclosed this at the end of the bi-monthly meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee of the apex bank, expressed concerns that the absence of such fiscal buffers increases the country’s reliance on portfolio flows, thus constituting the principal risk to exchange rate stability, especially with uncertainties around capital flows and oil price.

Sanusi, who decried the continuous fall in revenue from oil despite the stable price of oil and production in 2013, acknowledged output losses due to theft and vandalism. But he was quick to point out that this could not wholly explain the magnitude of the shortfall in revenue.

But for Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, who, at the just concluded World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, also raised the alarm that the economy is under threat on account of the continuous decline of the ECA, many people would probably have dismissed Sanusi as a hoax, considering his penchant for making controversial policy statements. Mrs Okonjo-Iweala said the ECA had gone down to an all time low of $2.5 billion, warning that the sharp decline has made the country more vulnerable than it was in the past.

The ECA, in which the country saves revenue above the benchmark oil price set in the budget, stood at $8.65 billion as at end of 2012. The Finance Minister, however, explained that as a cushion against the depletion: “We have tried to set the country’s main parameters in a very modest way. We have made our budget at a very reasonable benchmark price for oil. This is to shield us and to ensure we are not subjected to any

•Dr Jonathan

volatility there may be in the oil market.”

However, Sanusi and Mrs OkonjoIweala’s explanations have failed to impress economic experts, finance analysts and stakeholders in various sectors, who argue that there may be more than meets the eye in the claims that revenue from oil is going down and consequently, the country’s economic buffers are drying up.

Henry Boyo, economist and frontline industrialist, is one of those who are not swayed by such claims. He believes that the claims are mere hogwash designed to bamboozle Nigerians. Boyo said: “Its grand deception. Whether advertently or inadvertently, to me as a layman, it is deception. We are being taken for a ride.”

He described it as red herring contrived to distract the attention of Nigerians from asking real and critical question on how the economy is being managed.

As Boyo argued, the stage for the alleged grand deception was set when, in the process of setting the budget, which is the country’s operating plan, its formulators allegedly deliberately contrived that the country would receive less revenue than it should actually receive.

“If in addition to that,” he explained, “you now receive more revenue after you have nonetheless borrowed at between 10-15 per cent interest rate to cover the deficit that became necessary because you understated what your revenue would be; because if you have deliberately understated your revenue expectation to start with, and then you now have more income than expected but because you have borrowed to cover the deficit between expenditure and your projected spending, whether capital or recurrent, does that make sense? Can a surplus and a deficit exist side by side? The answer is no.”

While insisting that the whole set up screams fraud, the renowned economist said: “You cannot have an ECA when you have a deficit. You cannot be saying you are building up an excess crude account when your budget is predicated on a deficit, especially when the so-called ECA is seating idly, earning little or no interest. Besides, you now consume it in addition to the borrowing you borrowed to finance the contrived deficit.”

Boyo said the deficit is contrived because if the projected revenue ex-

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

5

NEWS

cloud over Nigeria’s economy ‘

Why is it that in spite of our indebtedness CBN is sitting on $40 billion, which we cannot use to pay debt and we cannot use for infrastructure enhancement, but it can only be available for CBN to donate and allocate as it wishes •Mrs Okonjo-Iwela

•Sanusi

•Mrs Alison-Madueke

Factsheet

$2.5b The amount the Excess Crude Account (ECA) has been reduced to.

$8.65b The amount the Excess Crude Account (ECA) was as at the end of 2012.

N5.07tr

N21.7tr

The amount the Federal In- The amount the country land Revenue Service (FIRS) generated in 11 years from generated from taxes in oil and non-oil sectors.

2012.

N13.036tr N7.53tr N379.4b

8.20%

The amount the country The amount the country generated in 11 years generated in 11 years from oil l sector . from non-oil sectors.

The percentage of the difference between what the FIRS generated in 2011 and 2012.

pectation from crude oil is at the rate of $75 or whatever dollars per barrel and throughout the whole time the price of crude oil stood above 100 dollars per barrel. He added that even if production constraints and theft of crude, which of course, Sanusi acknowledged, takes away 20 per cent in terms of volume from the sales the country is expecting instead of 2.5 million barrels per day, the economy would still not be in a precarious fiscal position.

Boyo also wondered how the nation’s reserves could have dried up on account of shortfall in revenue from oil when only a few months back, Petroleum Minister Diezani Allison Madueke gave herself and the country thumbs up for exceeding her production quota.

“There might be production shortfalls in some days, but there were production surpluses in other days.

In addition to that, if cumulatively we lost production by 20 per cent, for instance, the difference between the 77 or 75 dollars per barrel and 100 dollars is close to 33 per cent because your budget benchmark is $75, but instead of 75 you are earning more than $25 more per barrel,” he said.

Continuing, he said: “$25 expressed as a fraction of $75 that you used is about 33 per cent. So if you lost 20 per cent in volume and you gained 33 per cent in price how can you have such a huge deficit to start with that you are financing? If revenue from oil is going down how did they get the surplus? How can you have surplus and deficit at the same time? And how and why must you have borrowed to cover the deficit

The difference between what the country made in 2011 and 2012.

and similarly consume the surplus you said you gathered above $75 per barrel? Is that not fraud or deceit of some sort?”

The industrialist is not done. He does not see any economic reason for the CBN keeping $40 billion as special reserve when the economy is supposedly dangling on a cliff.

“Why is it that in spite of our indebtedness CBN is sitting on $40 billion, which we cannot use to pay debt and we cannot use for infrastructure enhancement, but it can only be available for CBN to donate and allocate as it wishes?”Boyo asked.

But how does the CBN accumulate the $40 billion? According to Boyo, 80 per cent of the revenue that goes to the three tiers of government every month is from crude oil and is earned in dollars, with the CBN claiming that it has the right to hold on to those dollar revenues transferred to it from the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) or any other dollar earning agency of government; CBN holds on to those dollars and print in place of those dollars fresh naira supply and use it to pay allocations to the three tiers of government.

In doing that, the CBN inadvertently throws the economy into more confusion, according to Boyo. He said: “Once CBN has printed and created fresh naira supplies and giving out the naira equivalent at whatever rate of exchange it decides to convert at, it means that the apex bank on one side is busy deluging the system with fresh naira supplies that creates excess liquidity that

makes it necessary for the same central bank to go back and mop it up again. On the other hand, CBN’s own reserves of dollars keep increasing. So, the more naira they give to you the higher is their dollar supply.”

Also curious to Boyo and other observers of the dynamics of the Nigerian economy is the fact that the supposed collapse of the fiscal buffers is coming at a time when various government revenue-generating agencies have strengthened their capacity, resulting in growing revenue inflow into government coffers.

Overall, there has been appreciable increase revenue from the non-oil sector. For instance, in 2012 fiscal year alone, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) realised as much as N5.007 trillion from taxes. The amount, the highest cumulative tax collected in the history of the FIRS, represented an increase of N379.4 billion or 8.20 per cent over the N4.628 trillion collected in 2011.

Before Mrs Ifueko OmoiguiOkauru, immediate past executive chairman of FIRS left office, she said in about 11 years, the cumulative revenue from the FIRS hit N21.7 trillion, with N7.53 trillion coming from nonoil sources, while over N13.036 trillion was realised oil revenue during the period. Other revenue-generating agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), NNPC, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) among others, have also shored up their revenue target.

Boyo said if the revenue target of the FIRS has come down since the exit

•Henry Boyo

of Mrs Omoigui-Okauru, as well as other agencies, the Federal Government should be asking questions rather than confusing Nigerians by painting a gloomy picture of an economy that ordinarily should be buoyant.

The industrialist is not alone in his worries over the direction of the economy. Alaba Olusemore, the Managing Consultant, Nesbet Consulting, a Lagos-based firm of finance and management consultancy, is also worried. While noting that the currency denomination the allocation is shared, whether dollar or naira, is not the issue provided it is channelled at production instead of consumption, he said: “The whole story of the depletion of our economic buffers has not been told,” adding that there must be something those managing the economy are not telling Nigerians especially since secrecy is now the name of the game, and people no longer want to be transparent.

Olusemore listed some factors that could be responsible for the depleting fiscal buffers. According to him, government may have been spending too much on security to contain the threat of Boko Haram insurgents.

Besides, the CBN may have been taking money from the external reserves to stabilise the exchange rate of the naira. Also, a lot of money, he alleged, may have been expended on meeting some political exigencies ahead of the 2015 general election.

“2015 is around the corner, and politics in Nigeria means money; a lot of resources may have been expended on projects based on political exigencies rather than economic,” he told The Nation.

But to Obiora Akabogu, a Lagosbased lawyer, and Boyo, putting the blame on politics might sound too simplistic, as the depleted ECA and external reserves may not go back to their former buoyant position after the 2015 elections. To him, the problem has to do more with poor economic management than politics.

According to him, Ghana, which recently had elections, never depleted her reserves. He described the declining of the country’s external reserves and ECA as ‘a strange development and an inexplicable paradox.’ According to him, given the fairly stable price of Nigeria’s crude oil in the international market, the reverse should be the case, with the ECA and external reserves ballooning rather than depleting. He insisted that many things

‘

do not add up in the claims of Sanusi and Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, noting that the situation is, indeed, a cause for worry.

For instance, Akabogu expressed worries that if indeed the economic buffers, which are basically savings for the rainy day, have plunged to such disturbing levels, the confidence of foreign investors on Nigeria would be eroded.

He said: “The development would discourage foreign investors as their confidence on Nigeria would seriously decline. Already, there is donor fatigue because our foreign development partners now lack confidence in our fiscal system. Besides, foreign investors are now shifting attention to more economically stable countries such as Ghana, South Africa, and even Benin Republic.” He also expressed fears that the drying up of the country’s fiscal buffers constitutes serious threat to national security.

Akabogu said the precarious position of the country’s economy is largely fuelled by corruption. He said that corruption is responsible for the situation where projects are executed and implemented haphazardly such that they have become drain pipes.

He cited the case of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Lagos-Ore-Benin Expressway projects, which, despite being captured in almost every budget since the inception of democracy in 1999, are far from completed. He expressed regrets that in spite of the fact that corruption has been established as a major threat to democracy anywhere in the world, Nigeria, at moment, lack strong institutions to tackle the menace, which is largely responsible for the situation where Nigeria is ranked as one of the countries with the lowest life expectancy rate in Sub-Saharan Africa.

He lamented that from the inception of democratic governance in Nigeria in 1999 till date, successive governments have repeatedly urged Nigerians to tighten their belts as a result of the so-called economic reforms.

“When will the belt tightening seize?” he asked. That is a question that millions of Nigerians would probably continue to raise for a long time to come as the economic landscape, for now, does not offer much hope of a quick end to the belt tightening exercise especially now that virtually all the economic buffers are collapsing.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

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NEWS Court jails man for attempted fraud

‘APC’s anti-Executive directive dangerous’

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HE Federal Government yesterday said the directive by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to its members in the National Assembly to block the 2014 budget and the screening of presidential nominees for civilian and military positions will endanger the nation’s survival.

Addressing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, Information Minister Labaran Maku said such a directive was not expected of political leaders.

The minister said national interest should be paramount in the minds of anybody who claims to be a democrat.

The government, he said, expected members of the National Assembly to use their conscience and judgment, based on their understanding of any bill, since they swore to defend the Constitution.

Maku said: “Partisanship is allowed in a democracy, but it should not be above national interest or above the need for us to offer service to Nigerians. All of us are in government, really, to

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

meet the needs of our people.

“If you say the budget should not be passed, it means you want to stop the nation’s economy; you want to ensure that traders, farmers, citizens, teachers, who depend on the budget, should go to hell.

Or, you are endangering their survival because of partisanship.

“I believe this kind of directive or position is anti-national interest. It is anti-development and it is not something anybody who loves this country and who is a democrat should encourage.”

The minister said the government believed that politicians should work for the nation’s progress, irrespective of their platforms.

He said politicians should not heat up the polity or truncate the development of Nigerians.

Maku added: “When you say they should block bills, which are for the development and the well-being of the people, you are killing democracy and you are truncating national development.

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

A

•Vice President Namadi Sambo (left) Been welcomed by President Alassane Ouattara of Cote D’ Ivoire during his courtesy visit to the Presidential Palace in Abidjan...on Tuesday.

Reps to push for first line charge for Armed Forces

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HE Nigerian military will be placed on first line charge, the House of Representatives said yesterday.

House Committee on Defence Chairman Bashir Adamu said events showed that bureaucratic bottlenecks for funding approvals for military operations were retrogressive in tackling security challenges.

Addressing reporters at the end of the screening of Service chiefs by House committees on Defence, Navy

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

and Army, Adamu said the subject was part of what would be voted today at the consideration of a constitution review report.

Several members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) attended the screening, which lasted over three hours.

Adamu, who chaired the session, urged the Service chiefs to tackle security challenges, rights abuses, mili-

tary checkpoints, military personnel welfare and implementation of the budget, among others.

The lawmaker hailed the Presidency for complying with the constitution and Section 18 of the Military Act by submitting names of designate-Service chiefs to the National Assembly for the first time.

He said the committee would check criminality, insurgency and oil theft.

Adamu said: “As such, the military is expected to live up

Mark condoles with The Nation MD on mother’s death ENATE President David •Family releases funeral programme Mark yesterday commis-

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erated with the Managing Director of Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation, Mr. Victor Ifijeh, on the death of his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Okheren Ifijeh (nee Obadan).

In a condolence letter to the frontline journalist, Mark noted that Mama Ifijeh touched the lives and hearts of many with her motherly support, love and friendship.

The letter reads: “On behalf of the Senate and my family, I write to most heartily commiserate with you over the passing on of the matriarch of the Ifijeh family, Mrs. Elizabeth Okheren Ifijeh (nee Obadan).

“Mama touched the lives and hearts of many with her motherly support, love and friendship.

“Although she will be greatly missed, let us hold on to the

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

many happy memories of her.

Let us rejoice in the fact that to the glory of God, Mama has gone to be with her Maker, having lived a fulfilled life.

“While I pray the good Lord to grant all of you the strength and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, kindly convey our condolences to the Ifijeh family and the people of Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State.

“May Mama’s gentle soul rest in perfect peace!”

The late Mrs Ifijeh died on November 4, last year. She was 82.

She will be buried on Saturday, February 8, at OjavunEmai, Owan East Local Govern-

ment of Edo State.

The family yesterday released the funeral programme for the late Madam Ifijeh.

It said the programme will begin on Wednesday, February 5, with a service of songs at 15 Eweka Street, off Upper Sakpoba Road, Benin, at 6-6.30pm.

There will be a lying-in-state on Friday, February 7, between noon and 2pm at Oke Old Site Ora in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State on Friday. A wake keep will hold at Ojavun-Emai, also in Owan East Local Government Area, beginning at 6pm.

The burial service will hold on Saturday, February 8, at 10am at Egor Primary school, Ojavun-Emai, Edo State. It will be followed by interment and a reception for guests.

INEC caution against rigging

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HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged youths to make use their potential to benefit the electoral system by avoiding rigging next year.

INEC Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega spoke in Abuja yesterday at the National Youth Conference on the Roadmap to 2015 elections, organised by the Youth Alliance on Constitution and Electoral Reform (YACORE)

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

and Youth Initiate for Advocacy Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) in Abuja.

Represented by Dr Ismael Igbani, Jega said Nigerian youths have the number to set a positive tone for political participation in the country.

He urged them to refuse desperate partisans who want to use them as tools for

violence.

Jega noted that the commission had learnt from 2011 and other elections, adding that it had factored those lessons into the preparation for 2015.

In his welcome address, National Coordinator of YACORE Mr Samson Itodo said the event was aimed at showing that youths were ready to change the electoral system for the better.

to expectation by using your capacity to tackle security challenges.”

The lawmaker advised the Service chiefs not to treat with levity the welfare, equipment and training of the military personnel so that the country would not be deprived of motivated combat-ready military.

He urged the Service chiefs to be wary of rights violation, particularly extra-judicial killings, by the Joint Task Force (JTF) as well as a review of military check points

and their stay on the roads.

Adamu said: “Let Nigerians have confidence in what you are doing.

“Since your primary duty is to protect the country against external attack and compliment internal security programmes, you have to strike a balance on how to treat Nigerians with dignity.

“If need be, employ technology to make sure those check points become less cumbersome on our roads for Nigerians to travel smoothly without encumbrances.”

76 Igbo sue Lagos for N1b over ‘deportation’

By Joseph Jibueze

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EVENTY-six persons allegedly ‘deported’ to the Southeast have sued the Lagos State government at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi.

They are demanding N1 billion damages.

The applicants sought an order mandating the state to tender a written apology to them, to be published in three national newspapers continuously for 30 days from the date of the first publication.

They sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents or their agents from further deporting or refusing them free entry to and exit from the state.

Seven of the applicants sued for themselves and “on behalf of those 76 persons ‘deported’ from Lagos State and dumped/abandoned at Onitsha, Anambra State, on July 24, 2013.”

They are: Joseph Aniebonam, Osondu Mbuto, Osondu Agwu, Nnenna Ogbonna, Emily Okoroariri, Friday Ndukwu and Onyeka Ugwa.

Attorney-General of Lagos State State, Ade Ipaye, and Police Commissioner Umar Manko were joined as respondents.

The applicants, through their lawyer, Ugo Ugwunnadi, sought a declaration that they were Nigerians and were entitled to enjoy their rights as enshrined in sections 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 41 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution and relevant sections of the African Charter.

According to them, their alleged arrest and detention at Oshodi Rehabilitation Centre, police cells and prisons in Lagos without committing an offence and without trial amount to a breach of their rights.

They sought an order mandating Lagos State to reabsorb and accommodate them within the state as they were Nigerian citizens entitled to reside in any part of the country.

In a supporting affidavit, Ugwa, who hails from Orlu in Imo State, said he lived in Lagos for over five years and sold novels under a bridge at Okokomaiko.

The applicant claimed he was arrested by policemen and officers of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) in January, last year, and taken to a rehabilitation centre in Oshodi, where he was “dumped and abandoned.”

Ugwa said he was later transferred to a detention camp, where he met other Igbo.

Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia adjourned till February 19.

judge of the Federal High Court in Kano, Justice Fatu Riman, yesterday sentenced Abdulkadir Mohammed to nine years’ imprisonment.

But the convict was given an option of N1,200,000 fine for conspiracy and forgery.

A statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC’s) Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the commission arraigned the convict on a three-count of attempting to defraud a retired Army General, Garba Ali, of N14,000,000, in a land deal.

The statement said: “The accused pleaded guilty to the three counts and was convicted.

“On counts one and three, Abdulkadir is to serve two years’ each but with an option of N350,000 fine, while he is to serve five years’with an option of N500,000 fine on count two.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

It was learntAbdulkadir, a 40-year-old resident of Kano, allegedly gave Maj.-Gen. Garba Ali (rtd.) two Fidelity Bank cheques of N14,000,000, which, on presentation, were dishonoured by the bank, as they were discovered to be forged.

Also, the EFCC arraigned Mohammed Bello Saidu before Justice Olasunbo O. Goodluck of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, on a two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretence, possession of fraudulent document and forgery.

A statement yesterday by the commission said: “The accused, managing director of Danmunde Properties Limited, was alleged to have converted N30 million given to him by the complainants, Mustapha Nuhu Wali, a civil servant with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Pension Fund Limited, and Babtunde Olugbenga Ogun, a mechanical engineer of Exxon Mobil, to buy a plot, to personal use.

“The accused pleaded not guilty to the two-count.”

Count one reads: “That you, Mohammed Bello Saidu, being the managing director of Danmunde Properties Limited , on or about June 13, 2011 and January 10, 2011, at Abuja, with intent to defraud, obtained N15,000,000 from Mustapha Nuhu Wali under false pretence of selling to him a plot at Danmunde Housing Estate, Mbora District, Abuja, which you knew had been sold to another person and thereby committed an offence, contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences Act, 2006 and punishable under S.1(3) of the same Act.’ “Based on the plea of the accused, counsel to EFCC, Maryam Ahmed asked the court to fix a date for trial and remand the accused in prison custody.

“However, counsel to the defence, S. A. Adeniran, told the court they filed an application for bail and asked the court to allow him to move the bail application orally.

“Justice Olasunbo Goodluck ruled that the defence counsel should file an application for bail. The judge adjourned the matter till February 4.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

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NEWS

Court stops delay in lawmakers’ suit against PDP, others

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OLLOWING the House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal’s refusal to participate in a case against his party - the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) - a Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday moved to ensure that his absence does not stall hearing in the case.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed ordered parties in the suit filed by some PDP lawmakers, to hand all “processes (court documents) yet to be served on the third defendant (Tambuwal) to the court’s bailiff, who shall ensure that he is served between now and Friday.”

The judge’s order was informed by complaints from

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HE United States Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, has said no country can tackle piracy and terrorism without international collaboration.

Entwistle spoke yesterday in Lagos when he visited the headquarters of the Western Naval Command, Apapa, in preparation for an annual multinational sea exercise in the Gulf of Guinea.

The military exercise will hold in the second quarter of the year. Entwistle was accompanied by his wife, Pamela, and U.S Consul General Jeffery Hawkins.

He was received by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) the Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Samuel Alade; Chief Staff Officer (CSO), Rear Admiral J. K. Z. Ango; Commander of NNS Beecroft, Commodore Chris Ezekobe and other principal officers.

The ambassador said piracy and terrorism were international crimes, adding that the U.S would work with Nigeria’s security to curb them.

Entwistle said: “Piracy and terrorism are international crimes, and the only way to solve them is to work together across national borders. No one nation can tackle the vices alone.”

On why the U.S was partnering Nigeria and the likely

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

most lawyers in the case, including the plaintiffs’ counsel, Mahmud Magaji (SAN), that they had difficulties serving Tambuwal.

Ken Ikonne, the lawyer to Senate President David Mark (second defendant), frowned at Tambuwal’s failure to either attend court or send a representative, even after he (the lawyer) effected the service of processes on the speaker.

The inability of other parties, particularly the plaintiff, to serve Tambuwal, stalled the move by Joe Kyari Gadzama

•Orders service on Tambuwal through court’s bailiff (SAN), lawyer to the PDP and its former National Chairman, Bamaga Tukur, to argue his application.

The lawyer’s application sought the reversal of the defection of some former PDP lawmakers to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Gadzama’s application is hinged on the argument that the defection took place after the court had ordered the parties to maintain the status quo, pending the determination of the case.

The lawyer argued that the application he filed in Decem-

ber was to protect the court’s dignity because its order was flouted by the PDP members in the House of Representatives, who defected to the APC after the court allegedly ordered the parties to maintain the status quo.

He averred that the constant threat by some senators, who are parties in the case, to defect, was because the court failed to take action against those who defected after its order to maintain the status quo.

But Magaji objected to the hearing of Gadzama’s application on the grounds that his inability to serve Tambuwal with

Senator warns against ‘rubber stamp’ lawmakers

‘No nation can fight piracy, terrorism alone’

•Senators seek return of 2014 budget to Executive

By Nneka Nwaneri

T From left: Rear Admiral Alade; Colonel Fucci and Neljulka, during the visit in Apapa, Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU

By Precious Igbonwelundu

gains from the partnership, the ambassador said: “Nigeria is the most important nation in Africa.

“We partner Nigeria, especially the Navy in the Gulf of Guinea operation, because we stand to gain from greater security in the region. We also

stand to gain from a stronger Nigerian Navy.”

Admiral Alade hailed the U.S for its cooperation.

He said the Navy was benefiting from the partnership.

The Flag Officer said the Navy had been consulting with the U.S representatives, promising that the Navy would keep its part of the agreement.

“The final preparation forum, billed for next week, is expected to be a good forum where issues will be tabled,” Alade said.

Italian Defence Attache to Nigeria, Colonel Fucci Michel, and his deputy, Tony Neljulka, also visited the command as regard a military training with the Italian Navy.

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From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

liberal democracy. In the 2015 election, neither APC nor the PDP will win 50 per cent of the votes. None of them will have two-thirds of the governors; none of them will have twothirds of members of the National Assembly.”

The CNPP publicity secretary noted that in a free and fair election, Dr Jonathan would not be able to convince his state - Bayelsa - and other Niger Delta states, for votes.

He recalled that over a decade ago, indigenes of Port Harcourt (Rivers State) believed that should someone from the zone become the President, he would transform their area.

Okechukwu asked rhetorically if there had been any transformation in Niger Delta since an indigene of the area became President.

He said Dr Jonathan shirked the responsibility of building refineries, which would have created several jobs, but waited for the Chinese and Aliko Dangote to do so.

According to him, Nigeria has the resources to build refineries for the benefit of the people.

The exercise, to take off next month, would enable both navies to reinforce their friendship and collaboration, Fucci said.

The defence attaché said three Italian ships would participate in the visit of Italy’s task force group and the joint training with the Nigerian Navy.

Boko Haram: UI, Army to research on solution

Why Jonathan has become dictator, by CNPP HE National Publicity Secretary of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Mr Osita Okechukwu, yesterday said the Goodluck Jonathan administration is becoming dictatorial because the President lacks a good record that puts him in good stead for re-election in 2015.

“The President will, at the end of the day, turn to dictatorship. You know why? He is suddenly realising that he has no landmark achievement. If there is a free and fair election and he goes to campaign in Bayelsa, the people will ask him about a project anyone can see as what he (Jonathan) brought,” he said.

Speaking with The Nation in Abuja, the CNPP spokesman, who is also a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), noted that since Jonathan had realised that there was an alternative to the ruling People Democratic Party (PDP), his re-election would be an uphill task.

He said: “No one party has two-thirds majority at the National Assembly. And that is what democracy is supposed to be. Nigeria is at the zenith of

his motion for extension of time denied him the opportunity to properly respond to Gadzama’s application.

The plaintiffs’ said he filed a counter-affidavit and a motion for extension of time, having filed out of time, but that his inability to serve the third defendant (Tambuwal) made it impossible for the court to hear Gadzama’s application.

Justice Mohammed upheld Magaji’s submissions, noting that should the court hear Gadzama’s application without hearing the plaintiffs’ motion to extend time, they would be

denied the right to respond to the application.

He held that the court could not deny the plaintiffs’ right to respond.

The judge also held that the court could not proceed without the parties being properly served.

Justice Mohammed, who ensured that one of the court’s bailiffs was in court to hear his pronouncement, ordered the parties to hand the processes for Tambuwal to the bailiff, who shall serve the speaker between now and Friday.

He adjourned till February 5 the hearing of Gadzama’s application.

T •Dr. Jonathan

Okechwukwu said: “He (Jonathan) is the Commanderin-Chief and the President of the country. His ‘sister’ is in charge of the Petroleum Ministry. Have they been able to set up refineries? They are waiting for the Chinese and Dangote.

“And Dangote has even exposed their weakness by saying less than $4 million can build 400,000 barrel per daycapacity oil refinery. Yet, his is a President who inherited over $10 billion in the Excess Crude Account.

“What do you refer to that he has done in Bayelsa State?

What do you refer to that he has done in Rivers State? What do you point at that he has done in Akwa Ibom State?

What has he done in Calabar (Cross River State)? What has he done in Edo State?”

HE Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Prof Isaac Adewole, has said the fight against Boko Haram requires academic and strategic research.

This is coming on the heels of the assurance by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) that the sect’s insurgency would end soon.

But the sect, early in the week, killed scores of people, injured others and destroyed property in Adamawa and Borno states.

Prof Adewole spoke yesterday when he visited Maj.-Gen. Ahmed Jibrin, the general officer commanding (GOC) 2 Division, at Ojoo, Ibadan, Oyo State. He said there was need for strategic research into the real reasons for the escalating violence.

The vice chancellor proposed a framework in which UI would partner the Army to go into the “heart and soul” of the people and produce strategic methods of curbing the sect’s members.

According to him, the declaration of the Chief of Defence Staff that the insurgency would end in April, was realisable, with new methods and strategic research.

“The Chief of Defence Staff said the insurgency will end in April. I do not have the facts and information that he has. But, I believe that winning a war involves winning the heart and soul of the people. The university can partner the military to find out what are the real reasons for the insurgency,” Prof Adewole said.

The vice chancellor also said the proposed partnership between the Army and UI’s Department of Strategic Studies would help in “re-teething and retooling” the military’s work force.

Jibrin said there was a standing committee on land matters involving the military, including the university’s old site at Eleyele, Ibadan.

The GOC said a final decision could not be taken immediately but promised to set up a committee that would liaise with the university and sort out the details.

HE Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing, Lands and Urban Development, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, has warned senators not to become “rubber stamp legislators.”

Ashafa spoke on the floor of the Senate when he contributed to the debate on this year’s budget.

The senator told his colleagues how “illegal withdrawals” was made from the Excess of the Crude Account in the last two years. He accused the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, of committing the alleged illegal act without approval from the National Assembly.

Ashafa referred to Section 80(4) of the 1999 Constitution to buttress his point.

The senator said the National Assembly, according to its statutory functions enshrined in Section 59 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, was reviewing this year’s budget proposal.

He also expressed concern about the declining percentage of capital expenditure to the recurrent expenditure in the last three years.

Ashafa said in the long run, this would lead to a continuous reduction in growth, job creation, development and quality of life for Nigerians.

The senator faulted the allocation of N10 billion to cassava bread in the 2014 budget.

He wondered why the bread was not available to the average Nigerian, except the Presidency.

Ashafa also noted that the deviation of the 2014 budget, from the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), might make it illegal.

He said the budget should be returned to the Executive.

Other senators backing Ashafa’s position are: Abdul Ningi, Ita Enang, Sola Adeyeye, Smart Adeyemi, Ganiyu Solomon, Ayogu Eze, Hope Uzodinnma, Femi Lanlehin and Solomon Ewuga.

Also in support are: Kabir Marafa, Babayo Gamawa, Bukola Saraki, Tukur Bello, Danjuma Goje, Mohammed Magoro and Ibrahim Gaya.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

NEWS

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Fayemi, Ikuforiji extol Okeowo’s virtues

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has commiserated with Nigerians on the death of the former President of the defunct National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS), Mr. Segun Okeowo.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, Fayemi described Okeowo’s death as “the end of an era”.

He said the late Okeowo was a freedom fighter, whose legacy will inspire future generations to defend the oppressed.

Fayemi said the late Okeowo secured a place for himself in the nation’s history by leading Nigerian students in the “Ali Must Go” protest in 1978.

He said Okeowo’s courage and refusal to be silent in the face of tyranny was a lesson to leaders to always respect the people’s rights.

The governor said personalities like the late Okeowo inspired many people, in-

By Oziegbe Okoeki

cluding him, to join the Students’ Union movement as undergraduates at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), a development he said prepared him to become a prodemocracy activist, rights campaigner and governor.

He also said the late Okeowo used his experience as an educationist to reposition the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board.

Fayemi urged the late Okeowo’s family to take solace in the deceased’s legacies and build upon them.

Also yesterday, Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji described the late Okeowo as “a rare gem, who tried all he could to ensure that Nigerian youths had easy access to quality education”.

In a statement by his media aide, Mr. Rotimi Adebayo, Ikuforiji said: “The death of Comrade Okeowo, a renowned and highly coura-

geous former students’ union leader, is not only sad, but shocking. Though he departed this world at the ripe age of 73, we would have loved to still have him around us here for more time as an uncommon hero of the youths.

“It is on record that the late Okeowo was among Nigerian heroes, who waged relentless battles against past military regimes in the country.

If not for the efforts of great souls like that of the late Okeowo, the military may not have left for their barracks when they did.

“On this sad occasion, on behalf of the Lagos State House of Assembly, I commiserate with Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, the deceased’s family and Ogun people on this irreparable loss.

“Apart from his dogged struggle to liberate Nigerian students, for whom he fought for unrestricted access to quality education, the late Okeowo was a committed

Ajimobi: lack of data impediment to tax collection

O •The late Okeowo

patriot, who strongly believed in Nigeria throughout his lifetime.

“It is on record, for instance, that since leading the defunct NUNS, he remained in Nigeria to impact on the lives of the young ones through the teaching profession, rather than see greener pastures abroad.

“It is gratifying that he rose to the pinnacle of his career by becoming a secondary school principal and the icing on his cake was his appointment as the chairman of the Ogun State Teaching Service Commission.

“May God grant his gentle soul eternal bliss and also grant his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has identified lack of a data base as a major impediment to tax collection by governments at all levels in Nigeria.

He spoke in his office in Ibadan while hosting the Team Seven of the Senior Course 36 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State.

Ajimobi said no government could fulfill its promises to the people without a good revenue generation system.

He said lack of a good data base makes it difficult for governments to generate revenue, adding: “A major problem of tax collection is lack of robust demographic data, which would have provided necessary information about people’s real income to ensure payment of appropriate taxes.”

The governor called for a change in the culture of impunity, lack of willingness to pay tax and “the attitude of people trying to get virtually everything for free”.

He said: “Most of our peo-

Five held for alleged rape, robbery in Ogun

Ekiti school shut over kidnap

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HE Ekiti State government has shut the Government Science College in Iyin-Ekiti, Irepodun/ Ifelodun Local Government Area.

This followed the kidnap of a 14-year-old female pupil on Tuesday. This is the third time a pupil has been kidnapped in six months.

It was learnt that the victim told her friends that she was feeling feverish and left the classroom for the hostel.

Her friends raised the alarm when they could not find her in the hostel around 8:30pm.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

A search party was raised but she was not found.

The victim was found unconscious and naked yesterday morning at a remote part of a private Nursery and Primary School in the town by the school’s proprietor.

Speaking with reporters, the Commissioner for Education, Mr. Kehinde Ojo, said: “The Chairman of the Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission, Prince Bayo Adeniran, reported the case at Iyin Police Sta-

tion before the girl was taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Ido-Ekiti. Preliminary investigations showed that the girl was neither raped nor hit by a hard object. She has regained consciousness and is responding to treatment.

“It is true that we have shut the school for the week. The government has set up a high powered investigation into the incident.”

A male resident of the town, who pleaded for anonymity, said news of the girl’s disappearance caused panic in the town.

He said: “We were afraid for her, because we knew it would be another case of an attack by ritualists or kidnappers.”

Police spokesman Victor Babayemi said no one had been arrested in connection with the development.

Babayemi said: “We want to make sure the girl is on her feet to give us information that will help our investigation before commenting on the incident.

It could be a ritual or kidnap attack. We are not leaving anything to chances because it can be anything.”

ple want the government to provide good services, but they do not like paying for them and no government can function without taxes.”

Ajimobi stressed the need to empower the people, so that they would be able to pay their taxes promptly.

He said his administration was centered on accountability and transparency, adding that it had been providing empowerment opportunities for the people, particularly traders and youths.

The governor said N1 billion was set aside by his administration to empower traders and artisans, of which N300 million had been distributed as interest-free loans.

Ajimobi, who said he wanted to be remembered as the father of modern Oyo State, pledged to leave good legacies behind.

Leader of the team Brig.Gen. Olubunmi Oyebade said they were in Oyo State to learn about the socio-economic issues peculiar to the state, which is a requirement for their programme.

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IVE suspects have been arrested for allegedly robbing and gang raping a woman on the Idiroko road in Ota, Ogun State.

They are Opeyemi Abisola; Nnamdi Sunday; Olatunji Awe; Sunday Fayomi and Michael Sunday. Two others are on the run.

The suspects, who have confessed to the crime, are being held at the Police State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Eleweran, Abeokuta.

Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi said an anti-robbery team, led by Sergeant Adebayo Oyesomi, saw the victim by the road side at Papalanto Junction on Monday after she was attacked by the robbers.

Adejobi said: “She narrated her ordeal in the hands of the hoodlums and volunteered to assist the police to apprehend them. The police team arrested five of the men at Olodo on Tuesday after a rigorous search.

“The victim, who left Lagos

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

for Idiroko on Monday, was taken to an unknown destination at Olodo, where the hoodlums beat her up and raped her, after taking N1,803,000; gold worth N200,000; a wrist watch worth N5,000; and mobile blackberry phones, all valued at N2,187,500, from her.

“These exhibits have been recovered from the suspects.

The victim said the suspects wanted to kidnap her and asked if she had rich relatives, but she told them she was an orphan who is struggling to survive.

“Commissioner of Police Ikemefuna Okoye has ordered that the fleeing members of the gang be arrested without delay and the matter be thoroughly investigated. He praised the victim for her courage to identify the hoodlums’ hideout and for assisting the police, which led to the suspects’ arrest.”

BRT moves 45m people

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•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (middle); his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori (fourth left); Chairman, Governing Board, National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Chief Oluwole Aina (fourth right); Secretary to the State Government Moshood Adeoti (third right); Chief of Staff to the governor, Gboyega Oyetola (third left); NRCRI Board member Mrs. Shola Ogbemi-Daibo (second left); Executive Director, NRCRI, Dr. Julius Okonkwo (right) and others during the visit of the NRCRI’s board and management to the governor in Osogbo...yesterday.

Lagos wins zonal debate

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ISS Grace Ezekiel of Oriwu Senior Model College in Ikorodu, Lagos, has emerged the winner of the Southwest Zonal Competition of the Nigeria Centenary Inter-Secondary Schools’ debate held at the Solton Hotel in Akure, Ondo State.

Lagos State Commissioner for Education Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye said Miss Ezekiel beat other debaters from Osun

and Oyo states in the first stage of the competition and defeated the representative of Ogun State on the topic, “Nigeria is ripe for a female President”, to clinch the trophy.

She said Miss Ezekiel was declared the best speaker in the Southwest and will represent the zone in Abuja for the national finals.

Other representatives of the state are Adepeju Fatiu of Eko Akete Senior Grammar

School, Lagos Island; Adegbulugbe Ayomide of Badagry Senior Grammar School, Badagry; Adekunle Dina of Lagos State Senior Model College, Igbokuta; Oni Damilola of Ajangbadi Senior High School, Ojo and Kalu Daniel of Birrel Avenue Senior School, Sabo-Yaba.

The debate was organised by the President’s Schools Debate Nigeria (PSDN) to commemorate Nigeria’s centenary celebration.

HE Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has said the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) moved no fewer than 45 million passengers last year.

LAMATA’s External Relations Specialist Kolawole Ojelabi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the buses had moved over 250 million commuters since its inception in 2008.

He said: “BRT moves be-

tween 40 and 45 million people yearly on its corridors.

Since the BRT started, it has moved over 250 million commuters and will move more soon.”

On overloading, Ojelabi said: “I will not comment on operations because that is not my area.”

He said the age of the roads, coupled with the weight of the buses and the load they carry, were responsible for the potholes on the lanes.

Two herdsmen arraigned for ‘destroying’ farm

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WO herdsmen, Sanni Adamu (25) and Bello Aliu (20), were yesterday arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court, sitting in Iseyin, Oyo State, for destroying crops on a farm.

They were charged with farm destruction, stealing, malicious damage and assault.

The prosecutor, Friday Sule, told the court that the

offence was allegedly committed on January 13 around 10am at Ipapo in Iseyin Local Government Area.

He said the accused conspired to commit malicious damage by invading Mr. Taoreed Akorede’s farm with hundreds of cattle and destroying his crops. Sule said the accused assaulted Akorede when he tried to stop them from grazing on his farm and stole N400,000

from him.

The accused pleaded ‘not guilty’.

Counsel to the accused, Mr. Lanrewaju Olayinka, urged the court to grant his clients bail on liberal terms.

The Chief Magistrate, Abiola Richard, granted the accused N50,000 bail each and two sureties in like sum.

The case was adjourned till Feb. 16.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

NEWS

‘Stable power for Lagos Island’

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AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola has said an initiative for a stable power supply on the Lagos Island Central Business District (CBD) is underway.

The governor spoke yesterday at a Strategic Partnership Meeting with chief executives of companies in the district, at the State House, in Marina, Lagos.

Fashola said the government had a master-plan for the CBD, to be achieved within a year.

He said: “Through our existing power infrastructure, we have shown that a pilot can work. It is working and it is not just serving public places. It serves churches and other private institutions.

“There is a plan to provide gas on the Island and when this takes off, we will be ready, in less than a year, to provide the power that the CBD needs because we have an audit of the district’s power demand.

“Though we do not control gas, there is positive move that gas will come to the Island sometime, either by the end of this year or early next year, so we are thinking ahead and making the design.”

Responding to security issues raised by the Chairman of the Assets Manage-

By Oziegbe Okoeki

ment Company of Nigeria (AMCON), Mustapha Chike Obi, Fashola urged the investors to come up with ways to engage “area boys”, who he said caused security breaches.

He said: “We can choose to pretend that it is not our problem, but the reality is that they are reflections of our economic situation and the earlier we understand that they are part of our environment, the better.

“If we develop the CBD, we can get them busy. If we return the night-life, they can work in clubs and can be used in traffic control and security. I made use of these boys in our green project across the state and they have demonstrated that they can work, if given the opportunity.”

On the Eko Atlantic City project, the governor said it had prevented flooding.

He described criticisms that the project was responsible for previous flooding as unfair, saying the problem was a consequence of global warming.

Eko Atlantic City is a 10,000-sq metre proposed settlement on the Atlantic Ocean.

About 1,200 high rise buildings are planned for the project and over

400,000 people are projected to live and work there on completion.

Fashola said: “It is not true that any flooding in the state is attributable to the Eko Atlantic City project. We have taken the best advice and professionalism has been deployed into salvaging those parts of Lagos consumed by ocean surge.

“To know whether the project is working, let us cast our mind to about 15 years ago when, at the peak of the rainy season, the flooding used to get to the Law School and NTA on Victoria Island. We have not had that kind of flooding in the last five to six years, even at the peak of rainfall. That means the solution is working.

Whether it would solve the problem permanently, I do not know, but for now, it is working.”

Special Adviser to the Governor on CBD Mrs. Derin Disu urged business owners in the district to take advantage of the opportunities in the areas.

She said CCTV cameras had been installed in the area to tighten security.

Chairman of HoneyWell Group Chief Oba Otudeko lauded the government’s efforts to develop the economy and make Lagos the business hub of Africa.

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HE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA) branch, has petitioned the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Patrick Dokumor, for the “disruption of its meeting and assault on its members by the university’s internal security men.”

In a letter sent to the commissioner yesterday by its lawyer, Mr. Charles Titiloye, the union alleged that the security men acted on the instruction of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Femi Mimiko.

During the attack, the tyres of vehicles brought by ASUU officials from the University of Ibadan (UI) and the Benue State University were reportedly deflated by the security men.

ASUU-AAUA Chairman Dr. Busuyi Mekusi and former Ondo State House of Assembly Speaker Oluwasegunota

ASUU petitions Ondo CP over ‘ attack’ on lecturers •Varsity: no one assaulted unionists From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Bolarinwa were injured , and taken to the hospital.

Titiloye said ASUU reported the incident to the university’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) and the Akungba Akoko Police Station, but nothing was done.

He said: “When the union contacted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), it was referred to the Area Commander’s (AC) Office at Owo. The AC’s office feigned ignorance and directed the union to Akungba Akoko.”

ASUU urged the commissioner to investigate the incident.

The seven-day strike by AAUA-ASUU to protest the

attack is in its third day.

It was learnt that the institution’s security men were in hiding. Sources said the security men had molested students in the past.

But the institution’s authorities said the lecturers were not assaulted.

In a statement, the Registrar, Mr. Bamidele Olotu, said nobody beat up the ASUU members.

Olotu alleged that the ASUU members refused to submit themselves for security checks and molested the security men.

The authorities urged members of the university community not to allow themselves to be used to disrupt the peace on the campus.

Ondo PDP youths call for minister’s sack

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youth leaders in the 18 local government areas of Ondo State yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to sack the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Mrs. Mobolaji Johnson, who is representing the state in the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

They demanded that she be replaced with a politician, who can rejuvenate the party’s activities.

In a statement after their meeting at the party secretar-

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

iat in Akure, signed by the State PDP Youth Leader, Rasheed Elegbeleye, the youth leaders alleged that Mrs. Johnson had not made any positive impact on the PDP since her appointment.

They recommended that a staunch PDP member should be in charge of the President’s campaign in the Southwest, if he is interested in running for a second term.

The statement reads: “The Presidency should not depend on the claim by non-PDP

members that they will deliver the votes of the people of Ondo State and the Southwest.

“It is impossible to serve two masters at a time. How can a man campaign for two parties when, according to the election timetable, the presidential and National Assembly elections will be held on the same day.

“We have invested our trust in the party, toiled for its greatness and contributed to its development. Our support remains unwavering. We solicit empowerment for Ondo youths from the Presidency.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

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CITYBEATS Council chief praised Wonder bank operator jailed for N9.8bn fraud J

THE Interim Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos State, Primate Charles Odugbesi, has praised the Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Comrade Ayodele Adewale for his giant strides in the infrastructural development of his domain.

Odugbesi, who spoke during his courtesy visit to the council chief and the inspection of some ongoing road rehabilitation projects in the area, noted: "These are massive projects; the people of Amuwo Odofin should be happy to have a visionary chairman."

He stressed that good roads network is a panacea to socio-economic development of any nation, adding that Adewale deserves commendation for embarking on such noble projects.

Adewale thanked him for the visit and emphasised that the council's effort at ensuring infrastructural development is a task that could not be compromised.

He led the council's executive members on an inspection of the on-going rehabilitation works on 4th Avenue Road (6170.80sqm); 22 Road (9,369.00m); 41/401 Road (3,934.40M), and 4th Avenue Service Lane Road, (416.00m).

USTICE Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos yesterday sentenced a wonder bank operator, Godwin Nwaichie to a 14-year imprisonment for defrauding unsuspecting customers of N9.8billion.

He had allegedly operated the bank at the Alaba International Market in the Ojo area of the state.

Nwaichie was charged before the court by the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) alongside Fortune Etaba and the financial house, Establishment House Ltd, for fraudulently obtaining the said sum from several individuals.

By Jude Isiguzo

The judge jailed Nwaichie, after he pleaded guilty to a three-count charge.

"The convict, a 23-year-old man at the time of arrest, who ought to be vibrant and hardworking, decided to utilise his intelligence for fraud. For such offence, the law provides a maximum of 20year imprisonment and minimum of seven years.

"The convict is hereby sentenced to 14 years imprisonment beginning from January

9, 2010 when he was first arrested," Justice Buba ruled.

The accused were first re-arraigned on January 21 on the amended charge. Nwaichie had pleaded guilty to the charge, while Etaba pleaded not guilty.

Justice Buba had, however, refused to convict Nwaichie, after a review of the facts of the case, due to a conflict in his plea.

The accused had pleaded guilty, but maintained that the amount of money he fraudu-

Ejigbo assault: 'Culprits 'll face the law'

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AGOS State Government yesterday warned that it would henceforth bring the full weight of the law on anybody caught engaging in jungle justice.

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye, gave the warning while speaking on the Ejigbo assault during the monthly press briefing of his ministry at the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.

Ipaye said that the culprits who were involved in the alleged torture of a woman and her two daughters, who were accused of stealing pepper at Ejigbo market, would soon appear before a court of competent jurisdiction.

He said the police were already carrying out a full-

By Adebisi Onanuga

scale investigation into the matter and that once that is concluded, followed by the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), government would begin the prosecution of the matter.

He said the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) was part of the public hearing on the Ejigbo matter, adding that it was on its advice that the market was shut.

He said the closure of the market forced the market people to produce those who meted the heinous punishment to the women.

Ipaye said it was unfortunate that the video footage of the incident was circulated rather too late.

"But I can assure you that if there is any case we are very much interested in, it is this case. That is because we want to discourage that ugly act from happening again in this state," he said.

The Attorney General said that the civil suit instituted in respect of the victims of January 2012 fuel subsidy victims had been concluded.

He added that the court awarded N4 million in their favour as damages, while the criminal suit against the former Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Pen Cinema Police Station, Agege, Mr Segun Fabunmi was on-going.

The commissioner said government would use all necessary enforcement laws

NEWS (SHOWBIZ) Censor’s Board seizes illegal films

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• NFVCB officals at a shop

iff Plaza, Wuse II and Dutse Alhaji market.

NFVCB's Director of Op-

erations, Mr. Cornel Agim, said the exercise followed the directive by its Director-

Veteran actor, Fadeyi Egbeji is dead

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VETERAN of the pre-Nollywood era, Chief Francis Daramola, popularly called 'Egbeji' (a dreaded medicine practitioner) is dead.

Egbedi, who was the first 'Fadeyi Oloro'(Fadeyi, the powerful and dangerous man), a movie character in the Yoruba theatre and film industry, died on Sunday, January 19, in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Young generation of movie buffs may not be familiar with the late actor, but history has it that the

deceased, who was famous for his role in 'Iku Jare Eda' had 'handed over' the fictitious character of 'Fadeyi Oloro' to the more familiar Ojo Arowosafe.

Arowosafe, at the outset of his acting career, was known as Fatunde and acted as the child of 'Egbeji' in stage and television series between 1980 and1982.

He would later rise to the position of 'Fadeyi Oloro' in the sequel titled 'Arelu' in 1986.

However, Arowosafe carried on with the myth of

• Ipaye to ensure that the police pay the judgment sum to the victims.

• Commissioner of Police (SFU) Tunde Ogunsakin

to bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum. Buba also ordered the accused to submit his traveling documents to the court, with an undertaking not to travel outside Lagos while the case lasts.

He adjourned Etaba's trial till February 21. The accused were said to have committed the offence between June 2009 and December 2009. The prosecutor had told the court that they obtained various sums totaling N9.8 billion from a number of people, especially businessmen at the Alaba International Market, Ojo. He said the accused told the individuals that they would get back 50 per cent of their deposits after 21 days.

According to the prosecutor, the accused could not repay either the deposited sum, or the "multiplied sum" as represented, saying that the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 1 (1) (a), 8, and 2 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2004.

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Stories by Victor Akande

HE National Film and Video Censor’s Board (NFVCB), last weekend, raided movie retail shops in Abuja and seized films worth N2.5 million.

A statement from the agency's Acting Head, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Caesar O. Kagho, said the impounded items included pornographic, pirated and uncensored films.

Sources said the operation by officials of NFVCB and security men was shocking to home video retail outlets. Areas covered included Banex Plaza, Sher-

lently obtained was less than the sum reflected in the charge.

He said he obtained N14,743,000.

The judge had, therefore, refused to convict him based on his plea. At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, the prosecutor, Mr Effiong Asuquo, informed the court of an amended charge, having regularised it.

He prayed the court to rearraign the accused. After the re-arraignment, Nwaichie still maintained his guilty stance, and was sentenced by the judge.

Meanwhile, the judge admitted the other accused (Etaba)

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

'Fadeyi Oloro' as the dreaded 'warrior that kills a dead person twice."

The late Daramola, who served under another veteran actor, Jimoh Aliu, was the husband of the late Ramota Daramola, the first popular 'Orisabunmi', a popular priestess character of the river deity and symbol of motherhood in the Yoruba ancestry.

The demise of the actor was confirmed by the Ogun State chapter of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP).

General, Ms Patricia Bala, to "remove unwholesome films from the market."

He said during the raid, traders’ resistance was curtailed with the help of the security operatives.

According to Agim, "one of the objectives of the director-general is to make sure that unwholesome films, especially pornographic movies, must be cleared off the streets, because these things are illegal and are contributing negatively to the behavioral attitudes of youths."

He said his department would also go after those not registered with the NFVCB, as demanded by the New Distribution and Exhibition Framework (NDEF).

N amazing set of dancers from Port Harcourt, the Anointed Kids Dance Group, kept the audience and judges spell-bound at the last semifinal of the Nigeria's Got Talent show.

The kids, between three and 15 years old, got a standing ovation, following the unique, effortless and fantastic performance.

"This is what I am talking about! That was a wonderful performance, your smiles are heavenly," said an elated Kate Henshaw, foremost Nollywood actress, one of the celebrity judges.

According to Henshaw, nothing captivates the heart as a set of gifted kids that are fearless with smiles that can take your worries away. "I want to have all of you as my kids," she said excitedly.

Over the last five weeks, 40 of Nigeria's most energetic and professional talent acts have presented on the Nigeria's Got Talent stage.

All 40 contestants were in a race to secure a spot in the 'Top 10' finale. In four weeks, eight of these acts have emerged as finalists, in the race for N10 million.

The finalists include Akorede Sax, a 13-year-old saxophonist and Laff Doctor, a comedian, who emerged in the first group. Their feat was followed by nine-yearold David Aduragbemi’s, a drummer and CI Dance Squad in the second group.

There was also D'Naturals, an acapella group and Oyindamola, a contortionist from the third group, while A-strings and D'Elevators emerged from group four.

With just two seats left un-

• Anointed Kids Dance Group

Kid dancers excite on Nigeria Got Talent show occupied in the semi-finals, the last group of eight brought all they have to impress the judges and viewers worldwide. Although the judges were disappointed by some performers, the Anointed Kids Dance Group, Unique Dance Group and Praise Puppets impressed the judges and audience.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

“Until recently, the Nigerian banking industry had not given much attention to sustainability beyond ticking off environmental impact assessment on checklist for credit risk assessment for evaluation of loan applications, other jurisdictions have for decades been engraving sustainability ethos in their financial system,” –CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

Govt approves N240.2m locally-made vehicles for SURE-P coordinators T HE Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N240.2 million to procure 37 SUVs for each of the states’ chair Coordinators of the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme in all the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu, who broke the news at the end of the weekly FEC meeting, in Abuja presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, said the cost of the purchase is inclusive of Value Added Tax (VAT), adding that the transaction would be carried out within one week.

Wogu, who briefed State House Correspondents along with the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku and the Minister of Solid Minerals, Mine and Steel Development, Muhammed Sada, explained that the Council resolved to buy the vehicles from Messrs Innoson Vehicle Manufacturer Company Limited based in Nnewi, Anambra State.

The development, according to the minister is in line with the Federal Government’s policy to patronise locally manufactured vehicles through direct pro-

• FEC okays draft bill for metallurgical industry From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

curement method.

He said: “The Council approved a memorandum brought to seek council’s approval for the award of contract for the direct procurement of 44 IVM G5 Jeeps for the 44 chairmen of the states and FCT Coordination and Implementation Commission (SCIC) of the Community Services, Women and Youths Employment (CSWYE) project of SURE-P and the Implementation Unit (FPIU) at the headquarters.

“To effectively implement this project, it becomes important that utility vehicles are procured which will enhance monitoring and supervision of the community services, women and youths employment activities at the states and local government levels nationwide.”

He also said that there is a budgetary provision in the 2013 appropriation

We can produce 20mw yearly, says NASENI boss

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HE National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) can produce 20Mega Watts (MW) of solar panel

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/troy Sugar -$163/lb MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N11.4 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -8% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -1% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $45b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

per year, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Mohammed Haruna, has said.

According to him, the agency’s machines are rated 7.5MW per year, but when the management was under pressure to deliver a project, it produced 5MW within three month.

He said with the feat, there is already an indication that all that NASENI needs to do is to engage more hands and run three shifts to produce about 20MW of solar panels in a year.

Haruna, who addressed reporters at the NESENI Solar Panel Manufacturing Plant at Karshi, Abuja, said: “Now, you have seen stocks that are on the ground. Again, this is only because they are running only one shift. If we have order, we are ready to run three shifts.

In fact, if we have more, we are ready to double the number of workforce we have here,” he said.

He said although the machines are rated 7.5MW, they can produce close to 20MW in year, adding that to double the current 7.5mega watts (mw)/ annum production capacity, the agency needs about $96million.

for the project, stressing that the approved vehicles, even though being purchased in a campaign year, were not meant for campaigns as the approval was done on a non-party basis.

Wogu said the various projects under the SURE-P bordering on road construction, education and health among other areas, were being implemented for the benefit of all Nigerians and not a particular political

party.

The minister debunked the insinuation that the SURE-P projects are being used to empower only members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Sada said that the Council also approved the draft of the Nigerian Metallurgical Industry Bill, 2014, which

aims to regulate the country’s metal industry.

He said the Bill will provide the necessary framework for the regulation of the Metal Industry in Nigeria, by ensuring that metallurgical products /raw materials being manufactured or imported into the country meet set standards as well as enforcing compliance with quality, safety and metallurgical environmental regulations.

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COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

Tukur’s new appointment

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• This is another case of job for the boys

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s appointment of the former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, as Chairman of the Board of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has expectedly generated negative reactions from Nigerians. Tukur has had a longrunning battle with many of the party’s governors and other prominent stakeholders of the party over what they described as his high-handedness and incompetence. But he had the support of the President and his wife all along.

However, when the heat was getting too much and he saw the handwriting of his imminent removal on the wall, Tukur, on January 16, was forced to resign and replaced by a former governor of Bauchi State, Adamu Mua’zu, whose appointment as Chairman of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) had earlier been confirmed by the Senate.

The PDP crisis was so serious that five aggrieved governors left the party for the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), while 35 members of the House of Representatives followed suit. The same scenario is expected with an imminent defection of some members of the Senate. It seemed Tukur’s sins were so many and grave that even his exit did not change the minds of defectors and wouldbe defectors in the party.

His appointment, forced exit, and replacement barely two days after says a

lot about the credibility of PDP’s appointments into public and political offices. We do not know why President Jonathan sent him to railways as board chairman. If he did that on the assumption that the corporation is not important and its board could be chaired by just anyone, then that is a grievous mistake. The railway is as important and strategic as it could be, especially these days and its contribution to the transportation sector is unquantifiable.

What NRC needs is a dynamic mind that will reengineer it in tune with contemporary demands and not a man being recycled just as job for the boys.

How can we expect good performance in railways from someone who had failed in his previous job as chairman of the PDP? It is a pity that the PDP-led Federal Government has once again exhibited a lack of service direction by appointing an old man like Tukur to a strategic national office without consideration for merit.

Age is definitely not on his side; at 78, he is too tired for any public office. What new things is he going to introduce in the NRC? Are we saying we are recycling such people in public offices due to a dearth of young people to take up such appointments?

Perhaps it was due to joblessness usually attributed to most politicians. Even President Jonathan confirmed this situation in his speech at the Aso Villa Chapel, State House, Abuja, when he said “we

are in politics due to joblessness”. And he stated further, “most of us who are in politics are not supposed to be there but because we have no other thing to do”.

How else do we explain the appointment of Tukur other than that unless recycled, he would be jobless?

But then, it is unthinkable that such an important arm of transport sector like the railway corporation should be handed over to a man who was removed for highhandedness and incompetence. We can only hope that the President is not preparing the ground for another round of crisis in the corporation? The job in the NRC is not, and should not be, a job for the boys or the likes of Bamanga Tukur.

We smell a rat with the appointment coming in a year before general elections.

‘Age is definitely not on his side; at 78, he is too tired for any public office.

What new things is he going to introduce in the NRC? Are we saying we are recycling such people in public offices due to a dearth of young people to take up such appointments?’

Boosting non-oil exports

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•It’s time to take non-oil resources seriously

HE Federal Government’s usual cliché of plans for sectoral incentives to boost local production of non-oil exports and generate revenue to compensate for shortfalls from crude oil export is in the air again. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Finance, restated this while fielding questions from journalists in Lagos.

This issue has been over-flogged by successive administrations. OkonjoIweala’s boss, President Goodluck Jonathan, during an interactive session last year with Mr. Jaroslav Siro, then outgoing Ambassador of the Czech Republic declared: “With current developments in the world, we are more interested in diversifying our economy, not in overemphasising oil and gas exports. Our in-

‘We deprecate a situation where the country continues to complain about her over-dependence on crude oil while equally doing nothing about her dependence on imports with attendant adverse effects on her balance of payment.

This trend will continue for as long as most chambers of commerce and industry in the country focus more on what can be imported into the country from affiliate countries than what can be developed and exported to such countries’

tention is to move our country away from being a mono-product economy that depends primarily on oil exports. We are fully committed, therefore, to boosting non-oil trade relations with other nations.” We ask: What happened to the official commitment in this regard?

Nigerians have consistently been publicly befuddled by this mantra without any meaningful result on ground to show for it. As the coordinator of the economy with the responsibility of ensuring that all Federal Executive Council members do not work at cross-purposes and that every amount meant for the Federation Account was remitted into it, OkonjoIweala cannot convince us that concrete efforts are on ground from any of the nonoil concerns’ ministries to truly diversify the economy. Neither can her boss.

After crude oil, the most visible sector that could earn the country high foreign revenue yields is agriculture. But the touted achievements of the sector are more of rhetoric than empirical. So much noise has been made about cassava export and the fact that bread is now being baked from this agricultural produce when, so far, cassava bread remains a scarce commodity in the public domain.

Could it be rightly said that cassava bread is mainly for a reserved few in the society?

Every year, so much money is budgeted for the agricultural sector while the impact of such spending has been minimal. Unfortunately too, very little has been done by government to develop the country’s agricultural potential in cash crops like groundnut, palm oil, cocoa, among others, that have been high foreign exchange

earners in better managed climes.

Surprisingly too, President Jonathan gleefully announced recently to Nigerians that his administration has increased funding of dry season farming from last year’s N9billion to N14billion this year.

The increment was officially justified by the President because of its potential for increasing dry season employment. The truth however is that despite the significance of employment generation to the nation, this widely touted dry season farming has come with inconsequential harvest in spite of the huge budget allocated to it. The essence of dry season farming should be to come up with bumper dry season food harvests and not to generate phantom employment at a time that farming has globally gone digital. What is the essence of this administration’s well funded dry season farming when food prices at this period of the year are usually high?

We deprecate a situation where the country continues to complain about her over-dependence on crude oil while equally doing nothing about her dependence on imports with attendant adverse effects on her balance of payment. This trend will continue for as long as most chambers of commerce and industry in the country focus more on what can be imported into the country from affiliate countries than what can be developed and exported to such countries. What the country needs for true economic diversification is leadership, honesty and discipline to adhere to thorough economic development planning.

A beacon of reason in the Arab world

– Tunisia may yet complete the transition to democracy

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NYONE surveying events across the Middle East and north Africa since the Arab uprisings began three years ago could be forgiven for being utterly dismayed. Syria remains in the grip of a murderous civil war that has killed about 130,000 people. Libya is on the brink of anarchy, with predictions that the country will split apart altogether.

Egypt is reverting to an authoritarianism that exceeds the iron-fisted rule of the Mubarak years. Still, amid all the gloom, there is one country – Tunisia – which suddenly appears within striking distance of successfully completing the journey from dictatorship to democracy.

Three years ago, Tunisia was the starting point for the upheavals that swept across the Arab world. A street vendor set fire to himself in protest against the regime of Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali, triggering a wave of protest that soon had the president fleeing the country. In the years since, Tunisia has often looked as though it might descend into the same anarchy that has afflicted other states in the region. The outlook was particularly precarious last summer when the country was struck by a wave of violence, much of it instigated by Salafi militants. At that time, Tunisia looked dangerously polarised between its Islamist and secular political parties.

During the past six months, however, the country’s politicians have hammered out a remarkable set of compromises that are now setting the country on a new path. Nahda, Tunisia’s Islamist party, has recognised the need to be flexible over the writing of a new constitution, accepting that there should be full rights for women and minorities. Tunisia’s secularists, meanwhile, have accepted that the document can enshrine Islam as the national religion. Last Sunday, the constitution was finalised in the national parliament amid emotional scenes, paving the way for elections this year.

This is an impressive achievement. But what lessons does it hold for the wider region? We should beware of making too much of Tunisia’s example. The country has a population of 10.6m, about one-eighth the size of Egypt, which will always be the Middle East’s bellwether state. Tunisia’s economic and social structure also makes the transition from dictatorship to democracy a little easier. It has a much stronger middle class than its neighbours, while the army has never played a significant role in national life in the way we have seen in Egypt.

Still, two aspects of Tunisia’s progress are worth underscoring. First, the country’s political transformation shows what can be achieved if Islamist and secular leaders are prepared to compromise on some core beliefs. Here, an important example has been offered by Rached Ghannouchi, the leader of Nahda. Mr Ghannouchi made negotiations over the constitution much easier from the start by accepting that it did not need to be based on sharia law. He made those concessions because he has learnt from the mistakes made in Egypt by Mohamed Morsi, whose drift towards authoritarianism triggered a mass uprising and a subsequent military coup against his leadership last summer.

Secondly, the west and particularly the EU, must now pay close attention to Tunisia’s achievement and look to offer economic and trading support. Tunisia is not out of the woods yet. It faces serious economic challenges, with high unemployment and significant disparities of wealth between the impoverished interior of the country and its more developed coastal areas.

As a result, western donors should act to support the country where possible. Most of the Arab world is shrouded in gloom. It is therefore hugely important that one country is allowed to stand as a beacon of what can be achieved if Islamists and secularists set aside their differences for the greater good.

– Financial Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: President Jonathan’s recent signing of the law making gay marriage illegal in Nigeria and the general glee that greeted this unconscionable legislation are as sad as they are an expression of a nation’s lack of defining character and values. Apart from an unfounded fear that gay practice will signal a decline in procreation, the defenders of the legislation against gay marriage have touted arguments on a practice that they feel is immoral, bestial and unnatural. They go even further to label gay practice a Western culture that must never be permitted in Nigeria. On this subject, old political and religious enemies have united and the inefficient government of Goodluck Jonathan has succeeded in throwing an uncouth red herring to divert attention away from its corrupt and incompetent handling of the country’s resources.

This is a country which has remained silent over the legislation of child marriage, yet it finds it ethically un-

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IR: Many consider the lion as the most powerful animal because of its fearlessness and aggressiveness; this probably explains why it’s mythically tagged the king among other animals. But I consider snakes as probably the most dangerous animal in the world. It slides and creeps unannounced and attacks its prey without notice. Nobody leaves a snake on his roof and go into sleep.

It is suicidal.

The house, Nigeria, left a rattlesnake on its roof in the 1960s and went to sleep completely. The politicians ignored the snake balanced delicately on the roof watching all events, calculating and waiting for the best time to strike. The political spectators were aware of how precarious the situation was and therefore were not surprised when the snake finally crept in and struck in the wee hours of January 15, 1960.

The landlord and tenants of the house were not to be seen again until October 1, 1979.

The same mistakes made in the First Republic were repeated in the second Republic in 1979. The politicians neglected the agricultural

justifiable to have homosexual people realise their own sexual fulfilment.

What is wrong with gay marriage?

We must recognise first that all marriages are basically products of social constructs and a contractual agreement between consenting people who want to live together towards certain ends. And marriage is not destined for procreation. Otherwise, human sexual organs should have remained deactivated until a priest decides to activate them by joining qualified persons in marriage. That way, we would all understand that marriage was prima-

rily destined for the production of children. But we recognise that not all married people (homosexual or heterosexual) wish to produce children. That choice does not make their contractual union any less of a marriage from those who produce children.

Importantly, to encourage some forms of marriage and outlaw other forms will not make people who prefer the outlawed forms to follow the legalised forms. Rather, it defeats even the very purpose of the marriage institution, which is to create a socially recognisable means of relating and regulating human con-

tractual relationships. Outlawing gay marriage is a way of endorsing its covert practice. I am yet to hear how gay marriage harms Nigeria or how it harms what Nigeria represents. If we find the need to condemn autocracy in favour of democracy, then democracy has to be made to count by tolerating, not coercing people who want to do things differently for themselves. Societies with character and vision make laws that liberate, not laws that polarise, restrict and exclude some of its component groups.

To further show how counter-effective this law is, it is common

sector, bastardised the economy, and ruined our education sector.

They forgot completely about the snake until the snake came in again, pretending to be working towards the interests of the spectators and refused to vacate the house until 1999 when the house became democratized again.

However, 14 years of uninterrupted civil rule, Nigeria has not shown that we’ve learnt any lesson from the mistakes of the past.

In fact, the situation in the 1960s was not as bad as they are now. The 1999 general election that brought in Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the

rest was neither free nor fair. That of 2003 was globally condemned.

The election that brought in Umaru Yar’dua was worse. In spite of Prof.

Maurice Iwu’s abracadabra and claims that the election was free and fair, the chief benefactor of the poll (Yar’adua) himself rubbished the exercise.

President Goodluck Jonathan brought in Professor Attahiru Jega to bring some level of sanity to INEC. Virtually all Nigerians applauded Jega’s appointment as INEC boss because he was well known for his principles and uncompromising stand, especially

with the reputation he earned during his term as ASUU chairman in the early nineties. Nigerians were at least hopeful that Nigeria would have a change of scene in 2011 general election. He conducted the election and the rest is history.

As 2015 approaches, we are all aware of all the present political shenanigans and the “roof-rofo” fights characterizing the political landscape. Politicians had better beware! The snake on the roof is still alive.

• Comrade Abdullateef Ishowo Ilorin.

knowledge that homosexual practice is pervasive in prison yards.

Assuming many people fall victim to this unjust law and get sent to prison to spend 14 years there, they will ultimately come out perhaps better gay people than they have been before they are thrown into the prisons. How corrective is this law then when it will in the long run imbue gay people with stronger homosexual experience?

Obviously, this law is an expression of national folly. But I am not really surprised. A country whose president was as witless as to tell the American president that the problem of the world is Nigeria and that to fix the world will be to fix Nigeria. What do you expect, if not legislations that will perpetually send its populations to live elsewhere because the government lacks the competence to govern? And to imagine that this same government has been grandstanding that America should not impose its principles on Nigeria, even when Nigeria’s president wants America to fix Nigeria.

What this laughable legislation will end up doing is to open new doors to many Nigerian émigrés to flee the country. Now, more Nigerians will have to declare themselves gay and run to the American embassy to seek asylum. So, the legislation is not entirely out of place.

Since the US has decided to exclude Nigeria in its annual immigration visa programme, Nigeria has decided to open another door for its citizens to flee to the West. President Jonathan may be right after all: Nigeria needs serious fixing and fixing by the West.

• Arthur Anyaduba, University of Manitoba, Canada.

their dexterity and showed to the whole world that they are round pegs in round holes.

The Super Eagles came from behind to equalize and eventually win the match. The Moroccans couldn’t believe what happened. Had someone told them during the half time that they will lose the match when they were already leading by three goals to nil, they would have dis-

missed the person as a joker.

Honestly, Stephen Keshi has done it again; let’s give kudos to him for he has put smile on our face. He made his team do the unthinkable.

What can I say about the fantastic Ejike Uzoenyi? In my opinion, the wonderful lad has already booked a place in the World Cup. Now, Nigeria is on the verge of winning the third trophy on South

African soil within one year. This includes the AFCON cup, Mandela challenge cup and hopefully the CHAN cup.

Even though impunity and corruption rules and rot permeates every sector of the economy, this is still one of the best times for Nigeria’s sports.

• Jamiu Idowu Esho, Eruwa, Oyo State.

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

A different view on gay marriage

The snake on the roof!

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Keshi is the best coach Nigeria ever had!

IR: We were three goals down; hope was already lost. Our chance of winning was slim.

Many even thought that a defeat was inevitable for us.

But here comes the equation changer, a coach with a high intellectual ability. Despite the poor performance of his team in the first half, he took the bull by the horn and incredibly, the Super Eagles displayed

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

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COMMENTS

International relations in historical perspective – 3

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HE evolution of the modern concept of international politics could be said to have begun in 1648 with the end of the Thirty Years’ War which was concluded by the Treaty of Westphalia. In spite of this recognition of sovereignty of states in the European system, it did not stop the outbreak of wars. A philosopher such as Geog Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770-1831) who was to rise to the prestigious position of professor of philosophy at the University of Berlin argued in one of his books the Philosophy of Right that in the march of human history, dialectical clashes between nations advanced the course of human civilization. Nationalists, particularly in the divided German and Italian states quickly embraced this new philosophy which saw nothing wrong in wars, especially those arising from the quest for national Risorgimento. Coinciding with the rise of Hegelianism was the unification of Germany and Italy, a development that was to radically revolutionise international relations.

Since the emergence of nation states like France and England as major players in the game of international politics, there has been a move towards two trends in international relations. The first trend was the idea that a state’s policy should be dominated by what it considers its national interest. It does not really matter whether this national interest is maintained by diplomacy, deception, duplicity or war. This concept of raison d’etat dominated the thinking and action of Armand Jean du Plessis, Cardinal de Richelieu (1585-1642). He was Chief Minister of France from 1624 to 1642. Being a Prince of the Church, one would have expected that he would champion the cause of the Holy Roman Empire and the universal Catholic Church. Richelieu came into office in 1624 when the Habsburg Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand 11 was attempting to revive Catholic universality, stamp out Protestantism and establish imperial control over the princes of, particularly the German speaking states and statelets of central Europe. What did Richelieu do? Under him, raison d’etat replaced the medieval concept of universal moral values as the operating principles of French policy. By the time of the Thirty Years’ War (16181648) each of the principal powers of Europe namely Denmark, Sweden and France reduced Central Europe into human waste and by the time the war ended the German population of Central Europe was reduced by a third.

During the course of this struggle, Richelieu was able to expand the territories of France eastwards to encompass what later became the disputed provinces of Lorraine and Alsace.

Few statesmen can claim a greater impact on history than this man. Richelieu was the father of the modern state system.

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OLITICS, they say, is a game of numbers. Soon, we will see how true this altruism is. And what other place to carry out this test than the National Assembly, where the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are fighting tooth and nail to assert their authorities.

Before it suffered a reversal in fortune, the PDP enjoyed a clear cut majority in the Assembly. It could call the bluff of the other parties where a simple majority was needed in the passage of a bill or in deciding certain resolutions.

So, whenever PDP members agreed on any matter, it was as good as settled because, invariably, that is the way the house would go.

The PDP had a good run while the fun lasted. It ran rings round the other parties in the Assembly; it was the lord of the manor. Wasn't it? Now, the chicks have come home to roost and the PDP is counting its teeth with its tongue. From the look of things, except it plays its card right, it may be in for a hard time until the next elections, which are around the corner.

Things started slipping out of the hands of the PDP at its 15th anniversary celebration in Abuja last year. The event held in the heat of some of its members demand for the removal of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as the party's chairman. The members were led by some governors and a former chairman of the party, Alhaji Kawu Baraje. They carried out a coup of sorts against the party at that event as they slipped out to announce their breakaway from the PDP. They,

Absolute devotion to the promotion of a state’s national interest, through the example of what Richelieu accomplished for France became the dominant theory and practice of international relations. The success of this policy of raison d’etat elicited another trend of balance of power politics in order to ensure that France did not impose an absolute hegemony on Europe. These two ideas, which started as facts of life and later as a system of international relations, were to dominate the international system for the next 100 years.

Even when Napoleon upset the working of the balance of power during his conquests in Europe, he was eventually brought down by coalition of forces in which Great Britain played a dominant role. This again introduced another theme into European politics in which even though separated from Europe by the English Channel, Britain’s national interest moved her to intervene in Continental European politics to ensure that no one single country dominated the affairs of Europe. After the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte, the peace of Europe was maintained through the contrivance of balance of power politics and Europe acting in concert to maintain peace and to ensure legitimacy of European regimes and institutions.

The architect of this policy of Concert of Europe was the cosmopolitan Austrian Chancellor Prince Clemens Wenzel Lothar Metternich (1773-1859) who was committed to maintaining the status quo in Europe and stamping out the spirit of nationalism which was antithetical to the interest of the ramshackle Austro-Hungarian Empire of several nationalities. This policy worked hand in hand with the traditional policy of national interest. The British Foreign Secretary and later Prime Minister, Henry John Temple, Third Viscount Palmerston (1784-1865) articulated this policy when on becoming foreign secretary in 1830, a position which he was to hold for years until becoming prime minister himself, said, “When people ask me … for what is called a policy, the only answer is that we mean to do what may seem to be best upon each occasion as it arises, making the interests of our country one’s guiding principle” “We have no eternal allies and no permanent enemies”, said Palmerston “our interests are eternal and those interests it is our duty to follow”.

The policy of raison d’etat coupled with the policy of concert of Europe was built around a shifting coalescence of interests of Britain and Austria. For almost half a century this policy worked until the wars of German unification and Italian 11 Risorgimento introduced the potent force of nationalism, which had remained dormant since the French revolution. The emer-

gence of Count Camillo Benso di Cavour (18101861) and Prince Otto Edward Leopold Von Bismarck (1815-1898) led to the modification of an old idea of national interest. This modification came in the form of a policy of realpolitik in international affairs.

By this is meant accepting the world as one finds it and making the best use of the situation.

The ideal world is utopian and can only be found in the realm of Jide ideas, but the political Osuntokun world is dominated by struggle and national interest. The aim of nations was acceptably the avoidance of wars and the preservation of peace, preferably through diplomacy, but when all other options failed, war in the words of Karl Von Clausewitz (1780-1831) is politics by other means. This idea of realpolitik became the dominant idea of international relations until the eve of the First World War. This concept was not confined to Europe, as the earlier ideas were. It began to influence even American and Japanese politics.

Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) who became the 26th president of the United States in 1901 and remained in office until 1909 was closer to European practitioners of the politics of realpolitik than any American politician of his age. He was as much an imperialist as Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoigne Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury (1830-1903) who with Bismarck and Jules Francois Camille Ferry (1832-1903) were responsible for the European partition of Africa and South East Asia as well as the intervention in China to carve out spheres of influence.

Theodore Roosevelt not only fought against the Spanish government in Cuba before becoming president and in fact rode into the White House as a war hero. He in fact, parroting Bismarck’s comment, said, “if I must choose between a policy of blood and iron and one of milk and water… I am for the policy of blood and iron. It is better not only for the nation but in the long run for the world” American diplomacy had always been characterised by an idealism based on isolationism and non-intervention in the politics of Europe for fear of European entanglements. This policy had been an article of faith since the presidency of James Monroe (1758-1831), the fifth president of the United States. Theodore Roosevelt brought into American foreign policy the tradition of realism which would continue to struggle with the traditional American ideas of morality and idealism in foreign relations.

A game of numbers however, left a window for reconciliation.

They gave the party the conditions under which they will remain in the party. Their major demand was the resignation of Tukur. Being President Goodluck Jonathan's man, many thought the Group of Seven Governors as it was later come to be known was asking for too much.

Tukur resign? Political watchers thought this was an impossibility because his resignation may signal the crash of the much - touted second term ambition of the president.

The president, the North believes, wants to return to office in 2015 despite his so - called tacit agreement with the region to do one term.

Tukur is believed to be on the same page with the president despite being put there by his people to stop their common 'enemy' from getting a second term. With Tukur standing firm and Jonathan, initially reluctant to let him go, five of the seven governors defected to APC, altering the power equation in the National Assembly.

What this means is that the PDP has lost its majority in the Assembly and the party is uncomfortable that it is now at the mercy of the opposition, which seems to be on the verge of becoming the majority. Though the APC may not be the ruling party at the national level, it has more than before become a force to be reckoned with by the ruling PDP in the day-to-day run-

‘A majority party solely in name is a democratic aberration and there is nowhere in the world that this is tolerated. A majority party must exercise that power not only in name but in deed’

ning of government. When APC sneezes now, the PDP catches cold.

The APC is no longer the APC the PDP used to toss around. The shoe, as they say, is now on the other leg.

Whether it likes it or not, PDP now has to dance to APC's tune.

In politics, there is beauty in numbers. You do not need to tell that to PDP because until now it knew what it did with its then overwhelming majority in both chambers of the Assembly. Having lost that majority, which has wider implications for the principal offices it occupies in the Senate and House of Representatives, the party is running from pillar to post to stop the APC from enjoying the fruits of being the majority party in the Assembly, as outlined in its Standing Rules.

Besides, it is the legislative practise worldwide for the majority party to occupy the major parliamentary leadership positions.

What is the essence of being the majority party if that party cannot exercise such power not only in name but in deed. A majority party solely in name is a democratic aberration and there is nowhere in the world that this is tolerated. A majority party which loses that status should be gamely enough to appreciate that fact in order to grow our democracy. o seek to resort to under hand tactics in order to stop the emerging majority party from enjoying the fruits of that position is an assault on democracy. Our politicians should learn to play the game by its rules, but will they? The problem is that they hate losing or being on the losing side. Well, whether they like it or not, politics is either you win or lose. They should stop seeing it as a

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win - win game all the time; they should appreciate the fact once in a while, they are bound to lose. When that happens, they should not try to bring the roof down on our heads.

The situation in the Assembly is not something for PDP to break bones about; it may lose sleep over it though, but that is the price it has to pay for not playing its internal politics right. Must it then vent its spleen on APC for capitalising on its political miscalculation to strengthen the progressives' number in the Assembly? No, it cannot do that. What it should do is to return to the drawing table to see how it can stop further depletion in its rank.

Trying to stop APC from mounting the leadership saddle in the Assembly through its bolekaja method will not help matters; it will only end up overheating the polity. But does PDP care?

Reason prevails

So, the Save Rivers Movement (SRM) can hold a rally in Port Harcourt without any problems!

What happened in the Garden City last Saturday speaks volumes about our police. Why were they blocking the group all this while from holding its rally? They claimed that they were doing so because the group did not obtain police permit.

It was all bunkum. They were only unnecessarily getting themselves into a political matter that did not concern them. Police Commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu was a proxy fighting a war that did not concern him. He should leave politics for

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

politicians and concentrate on his police job in his own interest. Kudos to the Inspector – General of Police (IG) Muhammed Abubakar for his intervention that allowed the rally to hold. That is how it should be. The police should be insulated from politics. We thank the IG for allowing reason to prevail.

Up Nigeria

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y the time you read this, our game with Ghana would have been won and lost. So far, the Super Eagles have put up a superlative performance in the ongoing CHAN Cup in South Africa. My bet is on the Eagles to win the trophy this weekend having defeated the Ghana Black Stars yesterday. Our boys may not have started well, but they have improved with each game. Did you watch their match against the Atlas Lion of Morocco?

Coming from three goals down to win by 4 – 3 is the stuff of which champions are made. What is more, it was the die – hard Nigerian spirit that was on display.

This spirit will see us win the Cup. Up Eagles!

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

20

COMMENTS

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Y their last week assault on the sensibilities of Nigerians, both the PDP and its nemesis- APC displayed only instincts of factions with divergent tendencies, who are only interested in power as distinct from true political parties, the 17th century ingenious creation of intellectual elite to espouse vision and mobilize people for development. The president and his party on their part once again demonstrated their contempt for Nigerians by choosing Davos, Switzerland, at the World Economic Forum to celebrate what they consider giants steps made in the energy sector at a period most part of the country was in darkness as a result of alleged sudden drop from about 4600MW to 3600MW. Then as if such display of contempt for Nigerians was not enough, five months after the president dropped 10 ministers nominated by his estranged PDP family members out of his unwieldy cabinet of about 40 compared to less than 20 of advanced economies like USA, Germany and Britain, he is sending 11 nominees as replacement for those whose absence nor contributions were never missed. In the list, the president seems to have special attraction for the enemies of his political adversaries.

And without giving a damn about how we feel, the president followed this up with the appointment of Bamanga Tukur as chairman of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

And just as none of the president’s advisers was able to tell him Tukur had outlived his usefulness the moment it became obvious, he was prepared to pull down the party along with himself, no one obviously told the president such an insensitive appointment cast doubt about his decision-making process.

If the name ‘Tukur’ is the president magic wand for 2013, the president could just as well go for Tukur junior and allow the old Tukur observe a well-deserved rest after two years tango and thorough pummelling by a gang of seven aggrieved PDP governors, some of whom are not much older than some of Tukur’s children.

On the choice of Adamu Mu’azu, as the new PDP chairman, a group of Human Rights Writers’ Association, HURIWA, has reminded us of his investigation by EFCC for allegedly ‘stealing billions of naira belonging to Bauchi State during his tenure’. But does this grumbling body expect PDP to wait without leadership long after the president has complained he is not to be held responsible for the slow pace at which the wheel of justice grinds in our nation?

PDP provocation and APC irritation And besides those picked on the basis of what appears a strange policy of ‘estranged friends of my political adversary is my friend’ such as Dr Tammy Danagogo, a former loyalist and two times commissioner under Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers, Hajia Jamilla Salik, a one-time associate of Kano Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Boni Haruna , a former protégé of Atiku Abubakar, whose renunciation of support for him coincided with his being let off by EFCC that had drilled him in court for seven years over 28 counts charge . It took his lawyers only three days to file a ‘no case’ submission, argue their case and obtain a ‘not guilty verdict’. The icing on the cake was the appearance of his name among the ministerial nominees few days after his court victory. Is there anyone out there who disagrees with the president who like Pontius Pilate insists the wheel of justice which grinds slowly in Nigeria cannot be blamed on him?

Of the nominees, Gusau is the most intriguing. Only the president knows why he wants Gusau so desperately. He has for over 10 months reserved for him the Defence ministry portfolio, a post he resigned from in 2010 when it became apparent the only office eyed

by Gusau was the presidency, which he contested for in 2006 and 2010. I am sure the man must be wondering how many security advisers they want to make out of him after holding the position of Director of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and acting Director-General of the NSO from September 1985 to August 1986, the coordinator on National Security from August 1986 to Decem-

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S the jostling for positions ahead 2015 heightens, it would be patently unpatriotic and downright insensitive on the part of stakeholders in the Edo North project to gloss over the reported schism between the senator representing the Edo North Senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Domingo Obende and constituents from his Akoko-Edo local government area, one of the six council areas which make the district. Most national dailies reported last Monday the story of how a meeting of his party, APC, leaders and stakeholders in his local government area called by Senator Obende was shunned by the party leaders.

As reported by one newspapers: ‘’In what looks like a vote of no confidence, prominent leaders from Senator Domingo Obende’s local government area of Akoko-Edo, weekend in Benin City, shunned an Elders’ Forum meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scheduled to hold in his residence.’’ The story, which is of significance to the other five local governments of Etsako East, Etsako Central, Etsako West, Owan East and Owan West, said the ‘’meeting was boycotted by 90 per cent of the leaders of the local government’’.

Political watchers and followers know what it means for leaders, described as ‘’political living ancestors’’, such as Bayo Adams, Joseph Arogundade, John Bello, Stephen Amineshi, L.P. Okogun, J.A. Alao, Jolly Ashore, E.O. Omozuanfo, Veras Ashefor, A Adesunloye, House of Representatives member representing the local government area, Hon. Peter Akpatason, the two state House of Assembly members from the local government area, Honourables Dele Oloruntoba and Kabiru Adjoto, Segun Oseh, Anselm Agbabi, Honourable Commissioner for Arts And Culture, Jemitola Anena and Olu Dania among several others, shun, boycott or collectively fail to attend a meeting called by a senator,

‘No one requires a soothsayer to see that the light shining on the Edo North senatorial seat is coming from the east, not the east of those seeking promotion from the Green Chamber of the National Assembly to the Red Chamber but the east of a political giant whose credentials in learning, character and practical application of same have assumed gargantuan heights not only in Edo State but Nigeria as a whole’

ber 1989 and security adviser during most of Obasanjo’s presidency.

What is apparent from the president obsession with Gusau who has been unable to reproduce himself within the state security apparatus after 40 years, and Jonathan decision to lure on to his fold, the estranged godsons of his political opponents is probably a desire to serve self and PDP and not Nigerians.

Their confirmation which I am sure APC cannot stop will add nothing to good governance.

It is for the above reason I see APC grandstanding as merely playing the PDP game. And they are doing this by advertising their strategy to give enough ammunition to desperate enemies who fight rough with scant regards for rule of engagement, those who swore they would never allow power to slip from their hands, and those who swore their party would rule for 60 years. If APC is interested in good governance, I think they should show more seriousness than playing PDP game. And if they have chosen to play PDP game even as the nation looks up to them for rescue from 14 years of clueless PDP reign, there are softer areas to unsettle the president apart from the serious issues of budget and defence in an era of economic down turn when the nation is also at war.

Such soft areas include mundane talk about gluttonous consumption of food at the presidency which is costing the nation’s taxpayers billions, diesel for presidential generators when the nation is in darkness, kerosene for the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) of 10 aircrafts when poor people don’t have access to the

product in spite of government’s claim of allocation of billions as subsidy. These are the things that will resonate with the people if APC has opted not to rise above PDP in the popularity test and battle for the minds of the uninformed.

Gbajabiamila’s theatrics at the floor of the house were in my view unnecessary. One only repeats the obvious when one is not sure. APC should act its numerical strength if it exists beyond mere declaration when vital decisions that require partisanship unfold on the floor of the house. These include state police which everyone except those manipulating the police for political ends know is the answer to some of our intractable security problems, the rescue of the EFCC from the abuse it is being subjected to by PDP and the presidency and engaging the president in psychological warfare by passing a resolution calling for the dismissal of the IGP for using a dead law to abridge the freedom of Nigerians for peaceful assembly and protest.

Femi Falana only recently reminded us the law was long dead and buried by the appeal court. This perhaps will prick the conscience of the president who couldn’t have forgotten so soon that it was not too many seasons ago that the ‘save Nigeria Group’ saved his job of acting President by demonstrating in Lagos and Abuja without being stopped through illegal application of police permit.

But APC must note we are at war. Ordinary poor people bear the brunt of war. Only last Sunday, over 50 innocent people were murdered by enemies of our nation in Borno State said to be under emergency. We have a patriotic duty to support the president. What contributed to Democrats victory in America after incompetent George Bush took America to two avoidable wars was the party’s commitment to America.

And for attempting to rival PDP in its game of perfidy, APC from whom much is expected, has opened the people to further assault by insolent men who have no respect for us. We now have the rosy-cheeked PDP men – sworn enemies of the people, those who presided over the theft of N1.7 trillion, who sold unto themselves the patrimony bequeathed onto us by our selfless nationalists and which we are in turn expected to bequeath onto our children, those who with the military wrecked the aviation, pharmaceutical, textile industries, and who built private universities after destroying the world class institutions they inherited, all now talking of patriotism on national television.

How not to be a Senator

By Oloye Jamgbadi especially one who has made known his ambition for a second tenure in 2015.

Simply put, the boycott of Senator Domingo’s meeting by party leaders from his council area is a definite vote of no confidence and, coming from his home local government area, should serve as notice to the senator that his name has thus been added to the list of ‘’those who will stay at home in 2015.’’ The leaders, without holding their brief, would have their reasons for their action which, in the main, can be summarised as the Senator’s inability to meet the yearnings and aspirations of Akoko-Edo people. His representation at the National Assembly has come under scrutiny as the tenure winds down and the report card shows a poor rating for the senator. It is no surprise, therefore, that there appears to be a determination by Akoko-Edo political leaders to teach the Senator, a church Deacon, a lesson or two in how not to be a senator.

Last December, I received a copy of Senator Domingo’s REPORT CARD 2013 in which he enumerated the bills he either solely sponsored or co-sponsored with other senators, those constituents he had placed in employment in federal agencies, those he had assisted to undertake religious pilgrimages to either Mecca or Jerusalem, those he had provided training in skills acquisition and start up materials as well as federal projects he attracted to the senatorial district since he was elected in 2011. It would appear to me, like the leaders from Akoko-Edo, that our Senator Domingo Obende has not done enough especially in the area of physical and infrastructural development.

An analysis of his report card as prepared and presented by him shows that the senator attracted only three federal projects (a model primary health centre, a community town hall and a community centre and sports facility) to Etsako Central local government area. Other local government areas in the senatorial district fared better with federal projects attracted by Senator Domingo spread as follows: Etsako East (four projects), Etsako West (10 projects), Owan East (six projects), Owan West (five projects) and Akoko-Edo (18 projects). Aside the disproportionate distribution of the projects, Senator Domingo attracted projects which are clearly in the competence of the local government councillors working in close harmony with their community leaders.

For example, what pride would a senator derive from at-

tracting a federal government financed hand pump borehole to Ikhin and Ihievbe-Ogben in Owan East or Okpella in Etsako East or Iyuku in Etsako West? These are certainly projects that are within the financial capabilities of local councils. Why is the Senator unable to attract road construction, industrial borehole construction or rural electrification projects to Edo North? While other local government areas had hand pump boreholes, not one community in Akoko-Edo was provided with a bore hole. Of the 18 projects in Akoko-Edo, half are community hall /sports centres. The others are either classroom blocks, model health centres, or electricity transformers, placing the local government far ahead of others both in number of projects as well as quality and impact of projects on constituents.

It is instructive to note that everywhere our senator has gone recently in Edo North, he has been received with passive indignation or polite aloofness. In Etsako East and the Owan local governments, Senator Domingo got the “we have been seeing you on television” treatment, signalling a total lack of connection with the grassroots constituents. He was either bombarded with questions which embarrassed him or ignored totally.

Where the senatorial seat goes in 2015, in my view, is known to those in Akoko-Edo and the other five local government areas who have turned their backs on Senator Obende. It is pedestrian to pontificate, as Senator Obende’s agents have sought to do, that ‘’Etsakos have had it twice and Owan once. Now that it is Akoko-Edo’s turn, they think they can arm-twist us to it. They should wait for their turn’’, without considering the goodwill squandered by them since 2011. No one requires a soothsayer to see that the light shining on the Edo North senatorial seat is coming from the east, not the east of those seeking promotion from the Green Chamber of the National Assembly to the Red Chamber but the east of a political giant whose credentials in learning, character and practical application of same have assumed gargantuan heights not only in Edo State but Nigeria as a whole. Interestingly, APC leaders, elders and faithful of Owan extraction have endorsed the Secretary to Edo State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, as their choice for the seat. It is a case of ‘’the voice of the people is the voice of God’’.

• Comrade Jamgbadi, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Benin City.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

COMMENTS

F

EARS and predictions grow worldwide that Nigeria could soon break up. In the light of that, the coming national conference has become phenomenally important – important as a forum where we Nigerians could critically and carefully look around and inside us to see what, in fact, could make our country break up soon, and try very sincerely to fix it.

One factor that threatens Nigeria is growing poverty among us Nigerians. In terms of natural resources, we are by no means a poor country; in fact, we are one of the very richest countries on earth. Our natural resources are a solid base upon which we could have built one of the world’s richest and most powerful countries. Poverty is not in the making of our country; we are poor today because we have chosen to be poor. The men and women who have managed the affairs of our country since independence have, step by step, succeeded in turning us, the citizens of one of the naturally richest countries in the world, into a huge mass of paupers and beggars – paupers and beggars who must be crooks to survive, paupers and beggars increasingly driven by anger, hate, and an urge to violence. We have reached the point at which this situation must change.

Apart from growing poverty, researchers and writers are talking more and more of what they call Nigeria’s “fault-lines”. By that they mean the differences inherent in the fact that Nigeria is not a nation, but a

‘The question whether Nigeria will survive and go on to prosper, or whether it will break into a number of separate countries, is entirely in the hands of two groups today – the group that has, since independence, controlled most power over Nigeria; and President Jonathan and his men who today control the federal government’ “No psychologist should pretend to understand what he does not understand... Only fools and charlatans know everything yet understand nothing.” - Anton Chekhov NE of the most profound observations now becoming a cliché is: “you don’t know what you don’t know”. How true this is of Chief Edwin Kiagboro Clark’s recent observation and conclusion that the Yoruba nation does not have leaders? Obviously, the Ijaw chief has a limited worldview of leadership and, having searched through that limited and flawed prism, failed to find among the Yorubas a persona or personae fitting his own concept of leadership.

But, alas, he does know what he does not know.

The Yoruba concept of leadership is clearly alien to the Ijaw chief’s worldview. He started out as a headmaster and has gotten used to being the man in authority who lords it over all others, commanding obeisance and dictating what should be and what should not be. Advancing early in life after opportunities to occupy prime government offices, he is held in awe by his people and, being the loquacious and vociferous type, his people have donated to him their collective voice to agitate and advocate for the perpetuation of their kinsman’s hold on power.

That is the type of leader the Ijaw chief was looking for among the Yorubas. But, he does not know what he does not know: the Yorubas are not so!

First, the Yorubas, being politically, culturally and educationally sophisticated do not need to have one seemingly ‘all-knowing’, ‘all-wise’ headmaster as leader. It is only those who are pupils, who are not disciplined, who are at the rudimentary stages of cultural and political development who require such leaders. Historically among the Yorubas, the acknowledged and acclaimed political leader is merely a primus inter pares. If the Ijaw chief would so re-condition his concept of leadership (admittedly, a no mean task given his advanced years), he would surely and clearly identify the present leaders in the fold of the Yorubas. But if he continues to search for the equivalent of his headmaster-style leadership among the Yorubas, he will not find it. And, God forbid that the Yorubas regress to that level of de-sophistication where they would

O

What can break Nigeria country of many nations. Yes, we are a country of many nations – each nation with its own history, culture, worldview, desires, expectations, ways of doing things, etc. Making one coherent country out of this intense diversity cannot be easy, even with the best of intentions and commitments. In fact, there is an additional reality that makes the task harder – namely, the fact that the three largest Black nations on earth (Yoruba, Hausa-Fulani and Igbo) are part of the Nigerian plurality. These three nations should never have been brought together into one country. Each of them is too big a fish to be swallowed. The manifest destiny of each of these three giants – in a Black Africa consisting almost entirely of very small nations – is to belong to the forefront of Black Africa’s development in the modern world, and to show Black Africans the path to prosperity. Huddling them together in one country inhibits the development of each of them, and distorts its proper vision of itself and of its duty in modern history. Are there, in the world in our times, many other nations of the size of the Yoruba, Hausa-Fulani or Igbo, each of which is subject to the sovereignty of an entity above itself? In our trying to contain these three giants together in our country, have we Nigerians, perhaps, been attempting to accomplish the impossible?

It is true that, even in spite of these almost daunting ethnic national realities, the desire of Nigerians to preserve Nigeria has been, on the whole, considerable. It was against that desire that the Igbo nation’s Biafran venture of 1967-70 failed. However, since then, especially since the 1990s, various ethnic nationalist movements and “self-determination” groups have been springing up in all parts of Nigeria – and, altogether, these have today become a force that Nigeria can only ignore at its own peril.

Meanwhile, a powerful factor has entered into the Nigerian equation. Most Nigerians are no longer ignorant about the cause of the terrible poverty under which they live – the poverty that makes their lives insecure from crimes, various species of conflicts, terrorism, etc. The root of the poverty

is simply this: when the people who controlled most of the power over Nigeria chose to pull all power, all funding and resource control of the country together in the federal centre, they gradually destroyed the ability of Nigeria to generate economic growth, economic innovations, productivity, and wealth. The explanation for that is that it is the states in a federation, plus the local governments – the agencies that are nearest to the lives of the people – that generate most of economic growth and innovation in a federation. Cast your mind back to the 1950s, the years of Nigeria’s growing prosperity, the years of our prosperous cocoa, groundnuts and palm produce export industries, the years of the development of a cobweb of standard roads across the face of our country, the years of the Regional Development Boards and of our first public industries, the years of the proliferation of primary and secondary schools all over our country, etc, and you will find that our regional and local governments were the engines generating almost all the prosperity. In that kind of setting, the coming of petroleum money since about 1970 would have benefited Nigeria unbelievably. When the controllers of our country down-graded our state and local governments, and turned them into impotent zombies incapable of acting strongly, authoritatively and creatively in their states and local areas, they set the stage for vicious poverty for us the masses of Nigerians. Nigerians now know these things.

And the consequence is that the two strains in the popular response to the Nigerian situation–namely, assertive ethnic nationalism, and assertive rejection of poverty and deprivation and its effects – have now concatenated. That is why the demand for a national conference – any sort of national conference – has become so popular. And that is why Nigerians are accepting President Jonathan’s offer of a national conference so avidly. Those partisan political opponents of President Jonathan who are casting doubts on his sincerity about a national conference, or about his ability to run an effective national conference, and who are suggesting that

Gbogun gboro we should wait for more dependable leaders to give us a really productive national conference, may have a point. But Nigerians are not in the mood to consider such a point. Nigerians are in a hurry to gather at a conference and restructure their federation and thereby strengthen their ability to fight their way out of poverty.

Without doubt, most Nigerians who will have the privilege of sitting at the national conference are going there with high hopes –hopes of bursting the door wide open to a better Nigeria, a Nigeria of open politics, of level political and economic fields, of stability, and of greater opportunities for all. In the atmosphere of such high expectations, therefore, the following things can suddenly break up Nigeria. First, any attempt, in the conference, by those who have been controlling most power in Nigeria, to resist the restructuring and the change, and to insist on the preservation of the status quo. Second, any show by the federal government of lack of sincerity or seriousness to manage the conference effectively so as to enable it to achieve the restructuring and the change.

Therefore, the question whether Nigeria will survive and go on to prosper, or whether it will break into a number of separate countries, is entirely in the hands of two groups today – the group that has, since independence, controlled most power over Nigeria; and President Jonathan and his men who today control the federal government. History is watching.

Ijaw chief does not know what he does not know

By Alfred Omolewa need a headmaster to lead them.

Second, the Yorubas have always been led more by ideas and principles than by men such that anyone who courageously, prominently and steadfastly advocates for commonly held and cherished principles and ideas is acknowledged as aleader among them. Given the Ijaw chief’s background, this may be difficult for him to comprehend since there is no equivalent of philosophy from where he stands. We know he is the appointed ruler of his people, but we also know that dead silence will meet any question seeking to know the philosophy driving his leadership. Beyond the fight to keep the spoils of office for his kinsman and his people, what is his leadership about?

On the other hand, the people that the Yorubas have acknowledged as leaders have been men who espoused and made great sacrifices for lofty ideas, ideals and values that are way bigger than them and their people. That is why Israel Oludotun Ransome Kuti did not need to be selected or elected as the leader of an elders’ forum to be recognized and acknowledged as a leader among the Yorubas; his devotion to the cause of the education of his people earned him that.

That is why Olayinka Herbert Samuel Macaulay did not need to have a kinsman installed or preserved as President to find his voice as the leader and advocate for the ordinary peoples of the colonies.

That is why social change advocates like Dr. Akinola Maja did not need any ethnic or parochial motivations to lead the crusade for social rights and emancipation. That is why people like the late Chief FRA Williams became acknowledged as leaders among the Yorubas, not for their lordship over the people, but for the distinction they achieved in their professional pursuit and the application of those distinctions in the service of their people.

Were he a Yoruba man, the Ijaw chief would have no prominent place in leading the Yoruba people even if he had more wealth and had oc-

cupied higher offices that he has. This is because the Yoruba people would not tolerate an opportunist and a hypocrite. He is a leader to the Yoruba people who would fight the cause of the oppressed whose election was annulled even if the cheated candidate was not one of his own political leaning. He is not a leader to the Yoruba people who would nurse an unconstitutional third term in office. However, when that same man finds his voice in condemning an incompetent, corrupt and self-serving government, he becomes the darling of the principle-cherishing people of the Yoruba race. The Ijaw chief should be reminded that the leaders of the Yorubas are those who led their people to fight the cause of a certain Vice President from another tribe when the powers that be attempted to deny him his constitutional right to ascend the Presidency.

Given the above attempt to describe the concept of leadership among the Yorubas, the Ijaw chief should now understand why Chief Obafemi Awolowo is eternally regarded as a leader among the Yorubas, nay, among the entire people of Nigeria. It was not because he rose to high offices. It was for his courage in fighting for high and lofty ideas at the expense of his freedom, health and reputation. His sacrifice for the educational advancement of his people and for good governance earned him an enviable place in history.

The Ijaw Chief may now understand why the late Chief MKO Abiola, after years of being in the minority section of the political class among the Yorubas became a leadership symbol when he displayed the courage expected of Yoruba leaders to fight for democracy and the rule of law.

The Ijaw chief may now understand that it was not only their advancement in age that earned the likes of Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Chief Abraham Adesanya their leadership epaulets; it was their readiness to sacrifice for their people, to be the courageous voice during a brutal military dictatorship, to identify the right and support it and to spot the wrong and condemn it.

The Ijaw chief may also now understand why

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is now a hero to his people. For, in spite of political differences, he has displayed the character and courage expected of leaders in condemning a federal administration being run in such a clueless and corrupt manner to the detriment of the people.

Does the Ijaw chief think that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s claim to leadership is simply that he was once elected to the Senate of the Federal Republic or that he performed as one of the most conscientious governors of Lagos State in recent years? No! It is because of his profile in courage! It is because of his sacrifice for the greater good in good times and bad times. Who was in the forefront of the global assault on the regime of General Sanni Abacha? Who was the rallying point and strategic voice for all the opposition figures in the dark days following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential elections? Who was the governor that redefined governance after years of mismanagement by the military? Who was the governor with the courage and vision to fight all the way to the Supreme Court to establish the fiscal rights of states in the federation? Who is the politician with acumen and endurance to organize the political opposition that a democracy surely needs to survive? If the Ijaw chief would answer these questions truthfully, he will find the leaders of the Yoruba people.

Indeed, Chief Edwin Kiagboro Clark’s role in recent affairs can only be honestly described as the antics of an otherwise intelligent and respectable elder blindsided by bigotry and ethnic loyalties. Chief Clark and his other mischief makers belong to that class of men who, in honour of present favours, mischievously distorts history, maligns otherwise honourable men, saying “…with our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?”

To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg address, the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what we do. Aside the ignominious desperate struggle to maintain the hold of his kinsman on power in the face of glaring incompetence, what is this Ijaw chief doing today worthy of historical remembrance?

• Omolewa writes from Benin, Edo State

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

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THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

The Lagos State University (LASU) was shut last Thursday following following aa violent violent protest protest by by students. students.The The university management, students, workers and the police are trading blames over who should be held responsible, reports ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA.

•A bonfire by students on the Badagry Expressway. Inset: Students protesting in front of the main gate.

Counting the cost of LASU riot

T

HE Lagos State University (LASU) is fast becoming notorious for violence. Hardly does one end before another rears its head. Last week, the institution boiled again. The issue at stake could have been resolved amicably, but all caution was thrown to the wind

as some students went wild over the shutdown of the institution’s portal to enable them register for the second semester exam.

The violence dampened the enthusiasm which greeted the emergence of new leaders of the Students Union (SU) of the institution through e-voting. Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji, who led lawmakers to assess the damage done to properties last Saturday, was shocked by the destruction, saying it was scary.

There have been arguments and counter-arguments on why the crisis went out of hand. The management blames the police, and the police are accusing the Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof John Obafunwa, of neglecting the problem until it escalated.

How did LASU students’ protest of last Thursday get out of hand?

On Saturday, some members of the Lagos State House of Assembly visited the university and the Administrative Block 1, which houses the VC’s office. They were appalled by the extent of damage.

Although investigation is still on, the management feels the police could not be totally absolved of blame since they arrived on time following a distress call by the management, but folded their arms and watched as the protesters engaged

INSIDE

RSUST expels 588 students -Page 27

PHOTOS: ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA

Nigerian varsities win three more World Bank projects

THREE more Nigerian universities have won grants under the African Centres of Excellence (ACE) project of the World Bank.

They are: Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife; Bayero University, Kano (BUK) and Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi.

-Page 45

in an orgy of violence.

On Monday, the university’s Head of Information Dr Sola Fosudo alleged on television that the police not acting on time left room for curiosity. Had they acted promptly, Fosudo argued, perhaps the violence could have been nipped in the bud.

Speaking with this reporter on phone on Tuesday, Fosudo, who admitted that the university would rather wait for the investigation to be concluded, added that on the surface, it appeared the police compromised.

Fosudo said: "I do not want to pre-empt because investigation is still on. But to my understanding, there is no way we can totally absolve the police from the crisis. Since the incident, people have been asking me why police were not able to contain the crisis despite that they arrived the scene on time and saw students protesting.

"The protest lasted for hours before the students eventually gained access into the building and started destroying everything, including the Vice Chancellor's Office. It was only at the point they were determined to lynch the Vice Chancellor and his aides who were left in the building that police acted.

• Continued on Page 26

CAMPUS LIFE

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

‘No hostel, no lectures’ -Page 29

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

26

EDUCATION

Counting the cost of LASU riot • Continued from Page 25

"What I have always heard is that the police are meant to protect lives and property, so why didn't they intervene when these students began vandalising property in the Admin Block. That, to me, is when police could have acted, but they waited and watched helplessly until everything turned into rubble."

On the contrary, the police have insisted that they were reluctant to act because the Vice Chancellor, Prof Obafunwa did not invite them into the campus until the situation got out of hand.

Responding, a highly-ranked officer (names withheld), who was part of the operation, absolved police of complicity.

The source said the police teams were commanded not to step into the university premises but stay put at the main gate because Obafunwa never invited them in.

“Although we were there on time, but we were waiting for the vice chancellor to order us in which he never did. What actually happened was that the management underestimated the situation and felt the internal security could handle it until things got out of control.

"You must realise that this is not a crisis involving mere touts. It is the students of the university that were protesting, so we had to be cautious. If we had gone in and any of the policemen had shot at students, the news would have been everywhere that ‘police have come again ooo; they have shot innocent student protesting.’

"This is an internal crisis in the university and we understand their examination was to start that day.

If any shooting had mistakenly occurred while we were outside, everybody would then have known that it is either the students or the university security that is responsible and not the police. But when it got to a level when we realised the students were determined to attack the ViceChancellor and his aides, we then swooped into action and rescued them.

"If you were truly there, you would see the police did a brilliant job. Many of us were repeatedly being stoned by the students, but we ensured that no single student died. We also went through hell to get the VC out of that situation and many of us were mobbed."

The Chairman of the Committee on Insecurity LASU Dr Olusegun Whenu also faults the police.

He told this reporter that there was a little the internal security of the university could do to salvage the situation.

According to him, the security apparatus of the university is only meant to protect the university, and her students against any external aggression, and not to turn its guns on her own students. Besides, he said the protesters were many and could have overpowered the security if they had attempted to challenge them.

He said: "All the workers in the security unit are not beyond 100.

So tell me how we could have overpowered the students that were more than 1,000. We even realised later that some of them were armed. What we could only do was to send a distress call to the police for help.

“But when they (police) came, I expected them to at least scare the students away - maybe with teargas canisters but they all gathered there at the gate, saying they must first

• Some equipment destroyed in the administrative block

W

•The vandalised car of the Vice Chancellor

LASU: The war without

HILE mayhem reigned within the Lagos State University (LASU) last Thursday, outside the main gate of the campus, a solidarity war raged.

Heavily-armed Mobile Police men, who manned the gates, made the students to raise their hands as they came out of the campus.

However, the students did not disperse immediately. They joined others who were not allowed in and began their own battle of words.

They shouted at the policemen to leave and allow them gain access into the premises to see their wounded peers who were being treated in the school clinic; they rained invectives on the school management, calling their Vice Chancellor, Prof John Obafunwa, unprintable names.

Many of them put calls through to their friends who were within the campus to enquire about their safety.

Ironically, many of the students stationed outside were among the 13,000 that had paid their fees and duly registered for the session. But they participated to show solidarity to the affected students.

This reporter, who was mistaken for a student, got into a conversation with some of them.

"When are you starting your exam?" one asked this reporter.

Next week, she replied.

One of the students said she was happy hers was next week too, while another said she was supposed to begin the next day.

When this reporter asked why the crisis was allowed to degenerate, the first student responded: "It is good that the protest happened today because I am not even ready for the exams and I have a paper tomorrow. I know a boy that sold his phone so that he can complete his school fee and now he has not registered. He is part of the reason I am here."

The second student added: "My own paper is next week. But even if I don't have a paper, they are my colleagues, so I must support them."

This reporter then enquired when the exams would be written.

"Exams ke!" exclaimed the first student. "What are you saying sef?

I hope you know that after the protest, we will not be allowed to go into the school and the school might even be locked."

get an ‘order from above’ before they can commence any action.

“Meanwhile the students had already overpowered the security at the admin block and were vandalising everything."

Prior to the present crisis, Whenu said the security section had forestalled others from snowballing, one of which involved students’ refusal to retake a GNS examination, as well as another which followed the killing

of a popular Hip Hop star, Damuche, a 300-Level undergraduate of LASU who was shot by suspected cultists outside the second gate of the university in Iba. "At those times students were more aggressive because the fees had just been introduced, yet they never resorted to violence," Whenu added.

However, findings by our reporter who spoke with some

By Medinat Kanabe

"I have packed my bags," said the second student. "I will be going to Bariga this evening."

Some students, who escaped from the campus through bush paths behind UBA, also joined their peers outside. One of them, who appeared shaken by her experience, expressed disappointment that the school management refused to listen to the affected students. She claimed there were many injured among the students still on campus.

"In all the years that I have been in this school, I never thought that I would pass through that bush. I have never even taken a second look at the place. I have also not seen so many people with different degrees of injury. The school clinic is full of wounded people," she said.

Policemen ran after the students outside, telling hem to go to their homes.They threw teargas canisters at them. The students ran, but regrouped after the effect of the gas wore out.

A passerby, who saw the students running, retorted: "Why are you running? Go back and face them (the police). If you know you cannot face them, go home." workers in the university on Tuesday revealed that a number of factors were responsible for the worsened crisis. While the university internal security claimed it had to act with caution, the SU insists the protest was high jacked by hoodlums…and many more.

The Thursday incident was puzzling because it was the first time students attacked the administration block with such ferocity.

‘What I have always heard is that the police are meant to protect lives and property, so why didn't they intervene when these students began vandalising property in the Admin Block. That, to me, is when police could have acted, but they waited and watched helplessly until everything turned into rubble’

This reporter, who was there on Wednesday, witnessed the protesters as they peacefully marched to the university's Senate Building where the Governing Council meeting was holding. As soon as the meeting was over, the students, holding placards with appealing inscriptions, continued to plead with members of the council. But Obafunwa and the Chairman of Council, Olabode Agusto, walked out on them, a development which infuriated the protesters and subsequently led to the beginning of the violence in front of the university main gate later that day.

The crisis became uncontrollable the following day as the irate students overpowered the university's internal security, forced their way in and destroyed items, such as computers, laptops, files, photocopiers, among others.

They also smashed the VC's car and that of his PA turning the former upside down.

Some of the students that led the protest were hooded, and sternly warned their schoolmates and journalists not to dare take photographs or record the incident as the consequence would be fatal.

Those who had gained entrance into the Administrative Block were throwing files and other documents to a horde of other excited students outside who struggled to catch them mid air.

The SU President, Mojirade Hassan, had alleged the student protest was hijacked by hoodlums.

Explaining his role in the incident, the university’s Dean of Students' Affairs Prof Kabir Akinyemi told our reporter that neither the students nor the management could blame him as he made repeated attempts to forestall the crisis.

He said on Wednesday when the students staged a peaceful protest to members of the Council who were then holding a meeting, he had met with the 10 students leading the protest and assured them to appeal to the management on their behalf, yet he had no choice than abide with management decision.

He said: "It is my duty as the DSA • Continued on Page 27

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

F

RSUST expels 588 students

OR their inability to meet academic standards, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourthas asked 500 students to go.

But seven others have been honoured for their brilliant performances in their various departments.

RSUST’s Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof Barineme Fakae, who made this during the 32nd matriculation of the university, told the fresh students to take their studies serious to avoid facing the fate that befell those that were."

Fakae also told the 2,955 fresh students that they were lucky to be admitted out of the over 10,000 that applied to the university.

Fakae said hard work and dedication remained the watchword for academic excellence

•Rewards seven From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

as the university’s administration has zero-tolerance for examination malpractice and other social vices.

The VC advised the students to be obedient, as the Senate of the school would not hesitate to sanction students found involved in unacceptable practices.

"Obey the university rules and regulations, shun vices that will tarnish the good image of the university. We do not compromise on standard because our vision and values must continue to be held in high esteem," he said.

Fakae warned the students against non-registration at the beginning of every session as they risked losing their studentship.

At the event, seven 200-Level students for their academic excellence.

They were Miss Buekor Nyornebari Grace of the Department of Applied and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, who scored 5.00 as her total Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) at 100-Level; and Okara Goodtime Chimnecherem of Public Law Department scored 4.93 CGPA. In the faculty of Engineering, Okoroma Jeremiah Ifeanyi (Petroleum Engineering) emerged tops with the CGPA score of 4.89.

Others are: Nwogu Prince Chinemerem (Quantity Surveying, Environmental Sciences), 4.57; Okorogu Chikwuebuka (Accountancy, Faculty of Management Sciences), 4.33; Onyekwe Josefa Chiderah (Food Science and Technology, Faculty of

UNILAG FILE

Students to assess lecturers

•Fakae

Agriculture), 4.08, and Briggs Sandra Opuene (Science and Technical Education (Biology Option), Faculty of Technical and Science Education), 3.76.

Each scholar received a laptop.

500 pupils celebrate Martin Luther King Jr

T

• Mrs Watson addressing the pupils at Holy Child College after the film show.

By Sampson Unamka

impact on the U.S. and the world at large, admonishing the pupils to take their own civic responsibilities seriously to impact on the Nigerian society.

Ms. Watson further challenged them

to examine their own lives and the social situation in Nigeria and see King as a role model to develop a social conscience to make improvements in the country. She also spoke about the power of working together in coalitions to achieve mutual goals.

Many of the pupils said they were inspired by the oratory, life and the legacy of Martin Luther King.

They promised to draw inspiration from his dream as well as from the various lessons from one of the largest political rallies in US history.

IBBU maritime institute: NIMASA warns contractors

HE Nigerian Maritime Adminstration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has warned contractors handling the construction of the Institute of Maritime Studies Complex at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai that it would not compromise standards.

The Chief Consultant to the agency, Alex Karpe gave the warning in Lapai while introducing the contractors handling the various aspects of the project to the university’s management.

Library offers 24-hour services THE UNILAG Library has begun offering 24-hour services to help students read for the second semester examination which started Monday.

To this end, the Akintunde Ojo Library extension (Uppermost Floor and Basement) remain opened for use by the students wit the night shift lasting between 10pm and 6am.

Election timetable released

N

O fewer than 500 pupils and teachers from three secondary schools in Lagos participated in the events marking the celebration of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, organised by the Public Affairs Section of the United States’ Consulate-General, Lagos.

The event featured the screening of the documentary, "The March," at the Holy Child College, ADRAO College and The Bridge House College.

At each location, Public Diplomacy Officer Rhonda J. Watson spoke to the pupils about the historical background of African-Americans in the U.S., highlighting their fight for equality and social justice. She applauded Dr. King's method of non-violence, including using boycotts and marches to fight for social change and legal redress.

She also emphasised the civil rights leader’s

STUDENTS of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) are to assess their lecturers online.

The assessment is a mandatory exercise conducted by the Quality Assurance and Servicom Unit of the university to ensure quality service delivery.

Under the exercise, students of the university are to assess their gains from the courses taken every semester before the start of examinations. This will provide a platform for students to offer their suggestions and opinions about all their courses and the lecturers who took the courses.

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

Stressing the importance the agency attaches to the project, which will be executed in phases, the Consultant urged the contractors to ensure that works are done according to specifications and schedule.

He then said the first phase of the project will comprise of basic infrastructural facilities that would enhance learning, research and knowledge banking in the field of maritime studies.

Karpe, an architect, added that

construction of library/archives and Academic block of lecture theatre and auditorium as well as the administrative complex, Information Management Centre and access road, electricity supply, street light and water supply and distribution, will also be done in the first phase.

The IBBU Vice Chancellor, Prof Ibrahim Adamu Kolo, applauded the Federal Government for establishing the Maritime Institute through NIMASA in the institution.

He said the institute would assist the university in her developmental process of becoming one of the best centres of learning and research in the country.

Kolo also commended the role of Chairperson, Senate Committee on Maritime Transportation, Senator Zaynab Kure in the establishment of the institute in IBBUL. He charged the contractors to justify the resource for the projects by ensuring quality works and timely delivery.

THE University of Lagos has released a timetable for the election of student leaders for various faculty, departmental and halls of residence positions.

The timetable details series of activities that will take place within which between January 16 and February 27.

The activities include: Dean of Students' Affairs meetings with Sub Deans/Staff Advisers/Faculty Officers and Students Leaders, release of 2013/2014 election guidelines for commencement of the electioneering campaigns, Formation of Electoral Committees by the Staff Advisers/ Hall Masters/Mistresses and approval of the Electoral Committees by the Dean of Students' Affairs among others.

NYSC mobilisation exercise begins THE National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has started mobilisation for the 2014 Batch 'A' Exercise.

In the timetable, the registration of Foreign Trained Nigerian Graduates which started on December 9, last year would end on February 14.

Submission of Master List by Corps Producing Institutions (CPI), January 6 - 11; delivery of preliminary printout to CPIs by NYSC, January 20 - 22; return of corrected print-out by CPIs to NYSC, Abuja: January 29 - 31; delivery of call up letters to CPIs

by NYSC Secretariats (March 3 to 5); and Batch 'A' Orientation Course: March 11-April 1.

LASU crisis: VC, Police trade blame • Continued from Page 26

• A vandalised office

to mediate between the students and the management. But I am not a member of the Council and therefore does not have the authority to give orders. My role is simply advisory and management cannot say I did not do my best appropriately.

But when management took a final decision, I had to abide by it.

"I had pleaded on behalf of the students more than three times and the portal was opened, but when I made another attempt last week and was turned down, there was nothing I could do. I had to abide because I am part of the management."

Meanwhile, some of the workers

and students who pleaded anonymity blamed the incident on the rigidity of the management and its refusal to heed the students' plea when they staged a peaceful protest.

A non-teaching staff member of the university who pleaded anonymity traced the genesis of the crisis to increase in tuition as it had created a deep-seated animosity between students and management, noting that the former only used the portal problem to let out their bottled-up anger.

"Government has to do something about this school fees. Let me use us workers as an example. Many of us have children here. Before the increase, we have a number of cooperative societies here but it is

optional and workers who had interest only joined. But now, the list of every cooperative society here has swelled up because many of us now see it as a means by which we can lend a large sum to pay our children's school fees," the source said.

Another source in the management said he suspected that some reactionary elements in the university tele-guided the students' action.

"We suspected that the students' action was not just ordinary; but they were being influenced by some elements in this institution.

All I know for now is that investigation has commenced in earnest and very soon, they shall be exposed," the source said.

28

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

EDUCATION UNILORIN FILE

VC praises students THE Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof AbdulGaniyu Ambali, has commended four students of the university who have excelled in various national essay competitions and are published in national newspapers.

While presenting the students, the Deputy Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, said they have been exemplary and have been projecting the image of the university positively to the outside world.

Ambali, who spoke while receiving the students, Alao Yusuf (Law), Muhammed Abdullah Tosin (Law), Jimoh Ibrahim (Electrical and Electronics Engineering) and Wale Bakare of the Department of Zoology in his office, congratulated them on making the university proud, urging them to keep the flag flying.

“The University will continue to do better things so that you can have good things to write about,” he said.

The event was witnessed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Bayo Lawal; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Yisa Fakunle; the Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel Obafemi; the Bursar, Mr. Abiodun Yususf and the Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Suleiman Kuranga.

Streetlights to be maintained MEMBERS of staff of the UNILORIN Works Department have been enjoined to ensure adequate maintenance of the street lights provided on campus as it is part of the security measures by the university.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof.

AbdulGaniyu Ambali, gave this charge last Monday while inaugurating a Hydraulic Carrying Vehicle (man lifter) bought by the university for routine maintenance of the street lights.

He said with the huge amount the university had spent on the street lights, he would want to see them always functional.

He said, “We expect more from you and we don’t want to see any more dead bulbs on our campus”.

In his remarks, the Director of Works, Mr Mobolaji Sanni, noted that the vehicle would ensure timely replacements of bulbs.

Before its purchase, Sanni, an engineer, said that the unit had to depend on the Kwara State Ministry of Works for the Hydraulic Carrying Vehicle.

VC urges PG students on research THE UNILORIN Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ambali, has called on postgraduate students of the university to focus their research efforts on developmental challenges facing the country.

He made this call last Tuesday at the orientation programme for fresh postgraduate students of the university.

The orientation programme was organised by the UNILORIN Postgraduate Students Association (POGSASS) in conjunction with the Postgraduate School.

The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy ViceChancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Felix Oladele, urged the students to make the best use of the facilities, which the university has put in place to enhance their research.

Ambali disclosed that the university had increased its internet bandwidth for use by students and it has just awarded a contract for a new Central Research Laboratory.

Pupils catch invention ‘fever’

T

WENTY-FIVE minutes was the time allotted for pupils that attended the Kid Inventors Day (K.I.D) programme penultimate Friday to build a twodeck conveyor belt structure from bricks and other relevant materials provided them.

The event, held at the Lagos E-Learning Centre, was organised by InnovateLagos (an initiative of the Lagos State government) and the Young Engineers Edutainment in commemoration of the K.I.D. It was the first time the K.I.D, marked yearly to celebrate young inventors worldwide, was being celebrated in Nigeria with the aim of stimulating the pupils' interest in scientific innovations.

And it, indeed, served the purpose as many of the 70 pupils from seven junior secondary schools that participated in the programme listened and watched with rapt attention as their representatives created wonders with plastic lego-like bricks.

Prior to the building challenge, Mr Francis Ojo, the Operations Director for Young Engineers Edutainment, gave the pupils a pep talk on the importance of inventions and how they provide solutions to various problems of the society. He charged them to think of the way out of a problem by creating something.

"If you face a problem, then invent a solution to it," he said.

Giving the steps of inventions, Ojo

•Miss Dotun Adio of Innovate Lagos (right) and Ojo (left) presenting a gift to Soliu

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

added: "Look for a problem; design a machine; build what you have designed; then design again."

Ojo also demonstrated how scientific concepts can be learnt in a practical and fun way. To explain transmission (the transfer of power from one source to another), he invited two pupils out to the front, told both to stretch out their hands side by side.

He then instructed one of them to rotate his hands and link with the other pupil whose hands involuntarily started rotating because of the first boy.

In an interview with The Nation, Ojo said the firm makes learning fun for pupils through practical demonstrations.

He explained that scientific concepts in the school curriculum are demonstrated by constructing various structures provided for in the Engino learning packs.

"Basically, our aim is to develop young inventors by engaging them in hands on learning. By combining education and entertainment the students learn better. Rather than teaching this same things we have done with the chalk and board, we now teach them with a more realistic point so the child can now understand better. This is different from the abstract way of teaching," he said.

Representatives of each of the seven schools present were called out to build conveyor belts in two batches.

The top three winners, who were able to complete the belt or advance beyond the first stage of the process,

were rewarded.

In the first batch, Soliu Mujitaba, a JSS2 pupil of Epetedo Junior High School, Lagos won the challenge, completing the two-level conveyor belt in less than 25 minutes. He was followed by Nurudeen Adesina of Lafiaji Junior Secondary School, Oli, in the second position, and Fatima Sanni of Girls' Junior Academy in third place.

In the second batch, Moses Okinwale of Lafiaji Junior Secondary School came first, Isiaka Oshodi of Epetedo Junior High came second, while a pupil of Ebute Elefun Junior Secondary School, Yaba, came third.

Other schools that participated included: Okesuna Junior Secondary School, Lagos Island; Eko Akete Junior Secondary School, and Isale Eko Junior Grammar School, all in Lagos Island.

VP’s wife, students for World Hijab Day

By Ibrahim Adam

T

•Pupils of NTIC (front row) and the pupils of Local Government Primary School, Iseri Olofin, Ogun State at the event.

Foundation donates educational materials

N

IGERIAN Turkish International College (NTIC) Foundation has given education materials to over 6500 pupils of public schools.

It gave out the materials in 20 different public schools in Kano, Kaduna, Ogun States and Abuja.

Last Friday, it gave out 500 education materials, including exercise books, mathematical set, colouring material and eraser, among others to pupils of Local Government Primary School, Iseri Olofin, Ogun State.

The pupils were full of joy as the Director of the foundation, Fetullah Celik and Ogun State Commissioner for Education Science and Technology, Mr Segun Odubela presented the materials to them.

Celik said the Foundation's gesture was aimed at improving education in Nigeria and helping the needy in all the ways it can.

He said the foundation also plans to adopt the school and provide other things beyond the stationery.

Appreciating the college on behalf of Governor Ibikule Amosun, Odubela thanked the foundation for

By Olatunde Odebiyi

partnering with the state government by being social responsibility.

"This is not the first time that NTIC will be assisting our state. Some years back, you extended your kind gesture to some of us in the ministry of education to travel to Turkey where we saw your educational operations and of course we have also learnt a lot from that and it is part of what we are implementing in our state today.

"The foundation also took us to Abuja to see the hospital they built there. We moved round and saw the development they are making in our health sector in the country.

"Today, we are here to appreciate you because you are also donating some educational materials to our pupils", the Commissioner said.

Odubela, lawyer, noted that education is a big venture that requires a lot of investment. He said the government was spending a lot on its free education scheme.

"Even at that, we cannot do it alone, this is why we are partnering with private entities particularly our private schools and that is why NITC

stands out of those private schools in the state because they are doing great for Ogun State," he said.

He congratulated Oba Nurudeen Adekanbi, the Olofin of Isheri-Olofin that this was happening in his time.

Oba Adekanbi on his part thanked the Commissioner and the foundation. He said the foundation has done a great job in the areas of education, infrastructure and health.

"The foundation has given scholarships to students in Ogun State; they give us cow in the community during the in Eid-Il-Adha celebration," he said.

The monarch also used the opportunity to plead with the ministry to establish a public secondary school in the local government. He said that the one in existence in the 80s was relocated because of low enrolment.

"Now we need the school. We have many private schools in this community but no government-owned secondary school. We want government to please develop this area; we need our education to be upgraded here," Adekanbi said.

HE Muslim Students' Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit will join millions of Muslims worldwide to celebrate the World Hijab Day (WHiD).

The World Hijab Day is a day set aside for women from both Muslim and Non-Muslim communities to put on the hijab to support freedom of choice of dressing and discourage discrimination against people wearing the head gear.

Celebrated on February 1, the day was initiated by a Bangladeshi-American woman, Nazma Khan, last year to give women (non-Muslim, and nonhijab wearing Muslims) and critics of the hijab the opportunity to experience the hijab so as to appreciate what the head-covering is all about.

It is being marked in more than 50 countries.

In a statement, the MSSN Amirah (Female President), Hajia Hafsah Badru, said the group will mark this year’s event in a remarkable way.

She said: "Hijab is modesty, hijab is an honour, hijab is a shield against evil which has permeated all the facets of our lives especially among the women folk.

"We urge all women both Muslims and non-muslims, young and old to come out en mass and celebrate this event together.

"The day is an open invitation to both Muslims and non-Muslims to wear the hijab for a day. While wife of the Vice President, Hajia Amina Sambo will address a gathering in Abuja to mark the day, here in Lagos, we (MSSN) will hold a walk starting from Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Akoka, Lagos.”

29

*CAMPUSES

A vote for equality

Abandoned to his fate Page 31

*NEWS *PEOPLE *KUDOS& KNOCKS *GRANTS

Page 42

CAMPUS LIFE

THE NATION

0805-450-3104 email: campusbeat@yahoo.com THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

Last Thursday, students of the College of Education in Warri, Delta State protested what they call the “unsuitable” hostels in the 33-year-old institution. PHILIP OKORODUDU (500-Level Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering, Delta State University) reports.

‘No hostel, no lectures’ •Students protest over accommodation

S

TUDENTS of the Delta State College of Education in Warri took to the streets, last week, protesting what they call unsuitable Halls of Residence in the school since its establishment 33 years ago.

Many of the students live in shanties, which they named “glass houses”. The makeshift hostels built with planks were burnt by youths of the college’s host community, who claimed that the land on which the shacks stand is in dispute between two communities in Warri.

The wooden structures are being used, pending when the government would build hostels in the school.

The government, CAMPUSLIFE gathered, promised that hostels would be ready this month. But at the time of this report, there was no sign that the project has taken off.

Last Wednesday, those living in “glass houses” were caught unawares when youths, described as members of the family said to own the land, set the hostels ablaze at 7pm. Many of the students were relaxing when their rooms were torched. Properties and valuables, including students’ credentials were burnt. The victims told our correspondent that they were not allowed to pick anything from their rooms.

Investigation revealed that the Okumagba family leased the land to people, who built the wooden hostels.

It was learnt that all was well until the death of the Okumagba family head.

Another family, Edjeba, upon hearing of the death of Okumagba family head, laid claim to the land, saying it is its inheritance which was rented out to the Okumagbas by its forefathers.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that Edjebas requested for part of the land, threatening to destroy the structures on it if its request was not granted.

The government, it was learnt, intervened in the tussle during the college’s convocation last August by reportedly taking the land from both families.

The government promised to build a befitting hostel on the land,

•Some of the protesters displaying placards

which it said would be ready this month. Many students who had left the wooden hostels because of the threat by the warring families returned.

According to them, the cost of

renting a single-room apartment in the oil-rich city is expensive compared to the N40,000 they paid in the wooden houses.

When the arsonists visited the disputed land, students, who were

PHOTO: PHILIP OKORODUDU

unable to take anything from their rooms, ran away for their lives.

Some of them were injured in the ensuing melee.

The following morning, students besieged the campus to pro-

test what they called “neglect” by the government, which failed to build the Halls of Residence it promised the students.

•Continued on page 30

•OAU wins $8m World Bank grant-P32•Corps member renovates ICT room-P41

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

30

CAMPUS LIFE

Pushing Not yet Out Uhuru for our with polytechnics Agbo Agbo

A

MILD drama ensued, last week Tuesday, at the meeting between the Federal Government (FG) team led by the supervising Minister for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike and officials of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP). The meeting was called by the minister to resolve the issues that have kept our polytechnics under lock and key for seven months.

In the war of words that ensued, ASUP officials accused the minister of inviting students to the meeting to undermine them, while the minister said the students and the media were invited to know how far government has gone in resolving the lingering crisis. ASUP National President, Dr. Chibuzor Asomugha regretted that government could invite students to a meeting where issues around the strike were to be resolved.

But the minister had a contrary opinion.

Hear him: “There is nothing wrong in inviting the media and seeing the report in the media before the meeting. Inviting the media is not a new thing...”

As the altercation continued, the minister blurted out: “In most cases, on television I watch you say all sorts of things against the Federal Government and how the Federal Government is insincere and how they do not want Nigerian polytechnics to grow. I think we should respect ourselves.”

He also advised the union to state the facts, especially when addressing the public as the government was making concerted efforts to strengthen its educational system at all levels. Government, he noted, is identifying grey areas that could be addressed for “all to move forward” by agreeing to pay N20.4 billion arrears of new salary structure to the striking polytechnic lecturers.

The National President of National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), Ogbonnaya Sunday, who spoke on behalf of students, had accused ASUP of using them as a negotiating tool with the government. As a

08116759750 (SMS only)

•aagboa@gmail.com

result of the altercations, the meeting ended in a deadlock while the woes in our polytechnics continue.

While I’m not here to start apportioning blame, a couple of questions emanated from this meeting with some key learning curves which I feel need to be addressed.

Why would the minister invite students and journalists to the meeting? Was the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) present at the negotiations with ASUU last year?

Should we ascribe this to the disdain we seem to have developed against polytechnic education? Is it really proper for students to sit in meetings with their lecturers where issues that pertain to their welfare and other policy issues are discussed? Does ASUP members have things to hide by insisting students shouldn’t have been part of the meeting? Is propaganda at play here or is someone seeking cheap publicity for political gain? If the government claims it has released funds to tackle some of the issues that led to the strike, why are the lecturers still grumbling? I will take these questions one after the other.

The minister said the reason the students were present at the meeting was for them to know what the Federal Government was doing in the education sector. The question I’d like to ask here is this: Would an otherwise responsible union go on strike if the government is doing enough for the sector? Are there no other ways of letting the students know what the government is doing than allowing them sit in a meeting with their lecturers?

If I were to advise on this issue, I would have subtly told the minister to request for a position paper from the students which can then be tabled and discussed at the meeting. It is condescending for professors and doctors to sit with students they lecture to discuss policy is-

sues which they may not have the temperament or tact to discuss. We all know Nigerian students and their penchant to jump into conclusions before the facts of a matter are fully understood. I think the government goofed here. I will like the NAPS president to elaborate on how his lecturers are using students as “negotiation tool” with the government. This is a sweeping statement that should be backed with facts and not the usual playing to the gallery stance of some Nigerians.

Was NANS present during negotiations with ASUU? To the best of my knowledge, that was not the case and may likely not come to fruition in the near future. We all read about the long-drawn negotiations between the and ASUU. Even though there were ‘no victor no vanquished’ (apologies to General Yakubu Gowon rtd), Nigerians are smart enough to form their opinion on who won that battle.

Should we ascribe this to the disdain we seem to have developed against polytechnic education? In the past, I’ve heard people say polytechnic lecturers lack the intellectual and academic depth their university counterparts have.

I’m afraid this stereotype has continued to date, whether it is right or wrong. This , I also believe , was the reason for the clamour to transform polytechnics to universities, a clamour which is ongoing. What do I think about this?

I have had cause to interact with some polytechnic lecturers and I found them intellectually and academically sound in their chosen fields of study. They are practical men and women who provide practical and workable solutions to issues.

Does ASUP members have things to hide by insisting students shouldn’t have been part of the meeting? I will leave this forum open for ASUP members to tell Nigerians, in their own words, why they find it condescending for the government to invite students to the meeting.

If they fail to give concrete and cogent reasons, Nigerians may jump to the conclusion that they have things to hide and are using the strike option as an arm twist tactics with the government.

Is propaganda at play here or is someone seeking cheap publicity for political gais?

Whether we like it or not, Chief Wike came out of the last ASUU strike bruised and battered as he was taken to the cleaners by ASUU. Some columnists even took to attacking Wike’s personality to drive home their point, especially when he compelled lecturers to resume

lectures or be sacked en masse. He was forced to eat his words as the lecturers had their way and the last laugh. The government not only bowed to their pressure, but paid their backlog salaries and will be committing billions of naira to varsities in the next few years.

Is it that Mr. Wike wants to use the perceived docility of polytechnic lecturers to erase the painful humiliation he suffered in the hands of ASUU? We may never know what is running through the minister’s mind, but we can be assured that he has learnt his lessons. He was castigated by many for issuing threats everyone knew he can never enforce. The way ASUU handled the issue, however, showed that they were only interested in pushing public university system forward and not to engage in unproductive altercations.

This is the reason he should handle the present crisis with tact and understand that polytechnic education has a fundamental role to play in national development by virtue of their practical orientation.

The polytechnic system was originally adopted, or should I say, inherited from Britain. However, it is instructive to note that the United Kingdom where we copied the system from- intended it not to be more than intermediate institution to train technologists and middle-level manpower. But in 1992, things changed as the polytechnics were all transformed to universities. Did this resolve the dichotomy? Not quite.

Today, you hear of terms like “post-1992” university, that is, the year polytechnics were abolished under the Higher Education Act. So, why did the “post-1992” university fail to clear the dichotomy? There seem to be two main reasons. First, the post1992 universities paved the way for mass higher education. They increased overall student expansion – and in widening participation for students from “middle England,” working-class homes and ethnic minorities.

But powerful interest groups hate the idea of mass higher education. They believe that a university education should be rationed to the socially privileged and economically successful.

The second reason is that the upgrading of polytechnics happened when inequality was increasing.

It went against the grain of what was happening in Britain at that time. Meanwhile, the debate continues. Are there lessons for us to learn here?

he declared his intention to run for president of ‘No hostel, no lectures’ When the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Lagos •Continued from page 29

The protesters said the burning of their hostels brought them untold hardship, urging the police to prosecute the arsonists.

During the peaceful protest, which was attended by the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the students gave the management two weeks ultimatum to provide accommodation for them or close down the college.

The protesters displayed placards with inscriptions, such as “Enough is enough”, “We are tired of failed promises by government”, “Provost, provide hostels for us”, “No hostel, no lecture” and “The college hostel is long overdue”, among others.

Following the demonstration, the Acting Provost, Mr. Sylvester Ebisine, summoned an emergency management meeting where it was decided that the school be closed till February 3.

A 300-Level student, who pleaded for anonymity, said the management had been deceiving students on when it would build suitable hostels. “They have been pretending that they are doing something

on our plight. The management is well aware that most of us sleep in hostels made from planks and bamboos,” he said.

A 200-Level student of Economics and Political Science Education, who simply gave her name as Chidinma, relived the incident: “Words cannot explain the pain I felt when some community youths came to burn down the ‘glass house’; it all happened before my eyes. I saw students running in different direction to escape from the hoodlums. Some of us cried as we watched our personal effects being burnt; we could not move closer because we could be attacked. At that moment, I was so much disappointed in the management and the state government. Before a school is established, there has to be accommodation plan for students and staff. But here, the reverse is the case.”

Several attempts to speak to the college’s officials were futile. The Students’ Union leaders declined to comment.

The students are demanding the provision of suitable hostels whenever the school reopens. They also want the government to arrest and prosecute the hoodlums, who burnt their properties.

CAMPUSLIFE ALUMNI DATABASE Have you ever reported for CAMPUSLIFE since its debut in 2007? Have you been part of the numerous student-writers that have been mentored through CAMPUSLIFE’s bi-annual workshop sponsored by Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited (CCNL) and Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) in the last seven years? The Nation is creating database for a reunion programme later in the year. Please, let us have your information: full name, institution attended, employment history, current location, phone number(s), email and any community-based activity you may have or currently engaged in. Send your details to CAMPUSLIFE Editor, Wale Ajetunmobi, via campusbeat@yahoo.com or SMS to 08054503104.

State University (LASU), Nurudeen Yusuf, a 300-Level student of Islamic and Common Law and CAMPUSLIFE reporter, was not given a chance. Last week, he shamed pundits when he emerged the students’ leader through electronic voting. WALE BAKARE (400-Level Zoology, University of Ilorin) spoke with him.

‘We’ll not be stooges’

Y

OU have just been elected the union president, what stimulated your aspiration?

The Students’ Union Government (SUG) in the Lagos State University used to be the most vibrant union in West Africa. It was seen as a beacon of hope, but in recent times, the union has not been living up to expectation. It is at a crossroads. Today, thousands of students are frustrated. Successive union leaders have failed to provide an enabling environment for us to bring out the best in us. We have been misrepresented and vilified. My aspiration was borne out of my desire to restore the glory of the union; this was why we tagged our campaign “restoration”.

What are your programmes?

We have come to bridge the gap between the union and the students.

The welfare of students is the essence of the union, we will defend the students against all forms of victimisation. We will partner with the management, staff unions and the government to make their stay memorable on the campus. We will not leave out the educational goals of students; we plan to make LASU an intellectual hub, which will enable the gown to meet the expectations of the town. Empowerment

programmes will be planned and implemented to make school a haven of ideas.

Do you agree with the view that partnership with management renders students’ union ineffective?

I disagree with such assertion. The students’ union is part and parcel of any higher institution. The organisational framework of universities gives students’ union a role to play towards the progress of the school. The question of rendering the union ineffective lies in the hands of the union leaders. Today, we lag behind in almost all areas of campus life. It is not because we are not endowed, but for the fact that we lack leaders with vision and courage. Any students’ leader that allows himself to be ordered around by the management is a stooge and a coward.

How do you intend to engage the management?

The constitution of our union identifies the management as partner. We will partner with the authorities to ensure that the welfare our students is adequately catered for. In doing these, we will be versed in the intricacies of agitation and apply right tactics in addressing the issues. We will avoid emotional outbursts and irresponsible protests. Our causes

•Nurudeen

will be well-defined and we will pursue strategies aiming to articulate our thoughts. We will consult, dialogue, re-dialogue and confront if need be.

What is your definition of leadership?

A leader is a dealer in hope. Also, I believe in utilitarianism, the political philosophy of Jeremy Bentham. I strictly believe in the principles of bearer of trust and we will avoid the pitfalls of fame, hunger to praise, fear of loss; we will project the truth. The central theme of my leadership will introduce pragmatic approach to politics and campus life. This is not to say that I know exactly how to do it alone. We will carry students along in our activities.

What is your word for students?

Change will not come if we wait for some other persons or time. We are the change that we seek. I believe we have opportunity to retrace our steps, to re-orientate ourselves in shared values, which will lead to restoring the glory of our union. I believe it is possible to build an indivisible union devoid of ethnic consideration or religious leaning. We want to leave a legacy of a union that inspires excellence in students.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

31

CAMPUS LIFE

Abandoned to his fate He was on internship with a brewery when he had an accident. His injuries have yet to heal, provoking fears that his education may be truncated. Emeng Ideba Emeng is a 300-Level Business Education student of the Cross Rivers State University of Technology (CRUTECH). He need help to complete his treatment. KANJAL GODSHIELD (300-Level Mass Communication) reports.

E

MENG Ideba Emeng, a 300Level student of Business Education at the Cross River State University of Technology (CRUTECH), dreams of being an accountant. But the dream may be unfulfilled if he does not get help soon.

IEmeng began his industrial training at a brewery in Ikom Local Government Area of the state last June. During the six-month internship, which was part of the requirement for a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, he was involved in an accident with some members of staff.

One of them died; two others and Ideba sustained injuries. The accident occured last November on Ikom-Calabar Highway.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that Ideba and three others were asked to supply the company’s products to distributors at Four Corners area of the local government. Being a hardworking intern, he jumped into the J5 Toyota bus laden with alcoholic and soft drinks.

A few minutes after, one of the rear tyres burst while the vehicle was on top speed, spilling its contents on the road. Our correspondent gathered that the driver wanted to dodge a pothole but he lost control of the vehicle. The bus somersaulted several times before it crashed, killing one occupant and wounding Ideba and two oth-

ers.

The victims were rushed to a hospital. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the company initially paid the bill but later abandoned the victims. Ideba was injured on his face, right arm and back.

Ideba could not go for post-accident treatment because his parents could not afford it. When the brewery was approached for help, our correspondent learnt that the management declined. Mr Emeng, Ideba’s father, is a commercial driver in the village; his mother is a petty trader.

Ideba lay helplessly in bed when CAMPUSLIFE visited the County Specialist Hospital at Four Corners where he is admitted. The wounds on his back and face have rendered him almost immobile because of the excruciating pain. Ideba suffered a fracture on his forehead, which affected one of his eyes. He can only see with one.

Last month, our reporter wanted to speak with him after he completed the first stage of treatment, but he could not open his mouth because of pains. Last week, he spoke to CAMPUSLIFE. With tears running down his cheeks, Ideba said: “I just thank God that I am alive, despite that the accident disfigured me. Though I am in a very terrible condition, by the grace of the Almighty God, I will survive.

Doctors have done the first phase of the treatment; I am waiting for the

•Ideba showing festering wound on his back

second phase which will involve a surgery on my forehead to put my eye back in shape.”

On why he chose to go for internship at the brewery, he said: “I have always dreamt of being an accountant. But because I could not secure admission to read Accountancy, I opted for Business Education so that I

can read accounting for my second degree. But the end is miserable for me. I don’t know where to start because my parents are not financially buoyant to pay the hospital bill and the surgery which is to commence soon.”

He appealed to well-meaning individuals, churches, corporate bodies

and non-governmental organisations to come to his aid so that his dream would not die. “I still want to go back to school because I want to be a motivation for my generation,” he said.

Anyone who wants to assist Ideba can reach him through his mobile number 08063246623 or send money to his GTBank account number 0109605419.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) protracted strike provided an opportunity for some students to explore new grounds. During the almost six-month strike, they tried their hands on vocations that would prepare them for life after school. OLUWAFEMI OGUNJOBI (400-Level Language Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) reports.

•Emmanuel beating a drum set

•Tosin on sewing machine

S

TUDENTS never thought that the last Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike would last for almost six months.

Many of them expected a short action. While some hoped to return to school sooner, the wise among them found solace in skill acquisition that would make them self-reliant after their degree programmes.

Gabriel Ayodeji got admitted a few months before the ASUU strike. As a first year student of Social Studies,

‘What ASUU strike did for us’ he did not have any background in engineering work. But as the strike progressed, he was employed as his father’s tool manager in the latter’s engineering venture. During the period, Gabriel went on several trips with his father and was paid for his services.

“My dad has always taught me that there is dignity in labour. Instead of staying idle at home, I took the opportunity of the strike period to learn some skills from my dad’s engineering work. We embarked on several business trips together; and as a student study-

ing the environment and human relations, I had smooth interactions with my dad’s clients and made money too. It might sound funny being my father’s apprentice, but, at least, it is through the vocation he fends for the family and pays my school fee,” Gabriel said.

•Afolakemi programme

anchoring

a

radio

“I put up my ego to learn tailoring last September. People thought I wanted to abandon schooling because they wonder how a ‘big girl’ like me and also an undergraduate, would take up such a vocation.

I was not ashamed to wash plates, clean floor and fetch water for my master,” Tosin Olatunbosun, 400Level Language Arts told CAMPUSLIFE. •Continued on page 44

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

32

CAMPUS LIFE

Part-time applicants write exam From Eddy Uwoghiren and Marvelous Akinlehin

•The students in group photograph after the medical exercise

S

TUDENTS of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) have followed up on their medical mission to Egba Village in Ovia Northeast Local Government Area of Edo State.

The students, who are members of the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDAS), rendered free medical services to residents of the community two weeks ago.

The delegation’s spokesperson, Beauty Orisabinone, a 400-level Dentistry student, said the visit was to thank the villagers for

Medical students visit village From Eddy Uwoighiren

UNIBEN their cooperation during the campaign.

“It is not everybody that would allow student doctors to carry out such delicate surgical operations in their community. The residents were very receptive. If greater percentage of Nigerians are receptive and tolerant towards outsid-

Rotaract inaugurates leaders

ers the way this people are, this country would be a better place,” she said.

CAMPUSLIFE met Elijah Clement, who was operated for hydroceletomy. The mother explained that his son, who was always crying before the surgery, has fully recovered.

“I have started petty trading in order to train him. I want him to become a medical doctor so that

he will replicate what these surgeons did for many of us in this village,” she said.

The residents prayed for the student and wished them well in their academics.

A 200-Level Medicine student, Harry Ogodo, said: “It is fulfilling to help those who cannot reward you for what you did for them. I feel so happy to see smiles on the faces of these people.”

T

HE Rotary International Club, Federal Polytechnic, Oko (OKO POLY), in Anambra State, has inaugurated its new leaders.

The event, which took place at the school auditorium, was attended by Rotary members across the country, including the Charter President, Rotary Club of Nnewi Central District 9140, Onuegbu Fabian.

Chairperson of the Installation Committee Justina Umezulike thanked them for making the programme a success, saying: “Today, another journey in the quest for service to humanity is just starting with a clarion call to engage our community in order to change lives. No doubt, you have demonstrated your commitment in saving the human race.”

The outgoing president, Chinyere Uzuegbu, thanked God for the successful completion of her tenure, saying leadership was not an easy

T

HE Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State, has won a $8 million grant from the World Bank.

The institution’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Abiodun Olarewaju, said the three-year endowment was meant for the establishment of the OAU Knowledge Park (OAK-Park).

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bamitale Omole said OAK-Park would create a world-class model for uptake and commercialisation of research and technology, adding that it would contribute to the growth of the nation’s economy.

M

ANAGEMENT of Osun State University has promised to uphold the standards of the Interim Joint Matriculation Board Examination (IJMBE).

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adekunle Bashiru Okesina, made the pledge when the inspection team of the exam body visited the institution penultimate week.

UNIBEN THE Ugbowo campus of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) was a beehive of activities penultimate Saturday when thousands of applicants underwent screening for part-time programmes.

Many of the candidates, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, expressed joy that part time programmes were re-introduced following their ban by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in 2012.

Joshua Obanor said he was preparing for the 2014 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination(UTME) when he received the news of the part-time application.

“When the information got to me, I was happy and decided to apply immediately because this is an easy route to gaining admission. Besides, chances of gaining admission through the conventional UTME are usually slim. It’s like a camel passing through the eye of a needle,” he said.

Some candidates complained that despite the fact that the examination was not difficult, the allotted time was inadequate. Some lamented the sudden change of venue, saying the development was not communicated to the on time.

A Banking and Finance candidate said: “I wonder why UNIBEN would decide to change our exam venue that late. I was at UDSS, the initial venue for my exam only to discover that it has been changed to East Wing Basement.”

Operators of commercial vehicles around the campus seized the opportunity to inflate transportation cost while petty traders made brisk sales.

Cynthia Utukpe said she was optimistic of her chances of gaining admission. “From the way I fared in the exam, my chances are quite high. Even though members of Man-O-War were not on ground to ensure orderliness, management did well in organising the process. Invigilators handled every stage of the exercise with a high level of commitment,” she said.

Dept holds dinner From Gilbert Alasa

•Chinyere decorating Fabian with a medal of the club as members applaud the action From Emeka Onwudinjo

OKO POLY

task.

Uzuegbu called on the new executive to develop team spirit, noting

that it would enable them to achieve the objectives of the association.

In his acceptance speech, the 29th president of the club, Fabian Egwu, thanked God for the honour bestowed on him to lead the club, add-

ing that he would do his best to promote the affairs of members.

Highlights of the event were presentation of awards to deserving persons and the inauguration of the board of directors of the club.

OAU wins $8m World Bank grant From Dhikru Akinola

OAU

Prof Omole said the centre would ensure the systematic growth of research ideas in the university and other affiliated institutions in the West Africa sub-region.

“Our objective is to harness the innovative energy and skill of Nigeria’s teeming youth into entrepreneurial activities by using appropriate skill-enhancing trainings

and mentoring models. OAK-Park facility would stimulate creativity and excellence in research and innovation, and expand learning opportunities for staff and students and, indeed, other researchers within the region,” he said.

He continued: “The centre is also geared towards the development of the next generation of scientists, researchers, teachers, entrepreneurs and product developers through appropriate practices anchored on rig-

orous capacity building measures.

These include industrial immersion schemes, leverage on industry resource support for critical skills development of academics, students and researchers, as well as targeted status enhancement training for industry staff in the university system.”

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the university was among the 18 successful institutions in Africa out of a total 51 that applied for the grant.

‘We will not compromise standard’ From Prodigy Opeyemi

UNIOSUN

“We are known for implementing best practices in the Nigerian education system. We have accreditation for all our programmes and we believe in quality. We have not and we will not engage in anything

that will tarnish our image,” he stated.

The Chairman of IJMB, represented by Prof A. O. Oyewole, commended the university for its Central Medical Science Laboratory and offered suggestions on some areas that needed improvement.

Other members of the team included

Dr Haruna Aminu, Coordinator; Mrs Lucky Adamu, Assistant Coordinator and Dr B. Gbadamosi of the Osun State College of Education, Ila. IJMB is a body recognised by the National Universities Commission and its activities are regulated by the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB).

UNIBEN STUDENTS of the Department of Foreign Languages at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have held their annual dinner with the theme Les Invincibles. The event was held last Friday at the East Wing Basement on the Ugbowo campus of the institution.

Prof Cyril Mokwenye, who represented the Head of Department, Dr Ngozi Iloh, charged the 200-Level students, who are undergoing their compulsory Language Immersion Programme in Togo and the Nigeria-French Language Village, to be good ambassadors of their university.

He urged them to shun practices that could affect their academic programmes.

Former Head of the Department, Dr A.S. Moye, said the event was a time for students to learn and build new friendships or rekindle old ones. He urged students to be committed to their academic engagements, saying it was the primary objective of their stay in the university.

President of the Foreign Languages Students Association (FOLSA), Bobbipetreus Isiakpona, thanked the staff and students for contributing to the success of his administration.

Highlights of the programme included dancing and singing presentations, drama, beauty pageant and the launching of the department’s annual magazine, Chantecler.

Elueni Annabel and Etop Precious, both 100-Level students, emerged as Mr and Mrs FOLSA. Annabel promised to use her office to facilitate the participation of female students in the activities of the department.

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON SOUTHEAST STATES THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

Bitter taste of salt mining •PAGE 35

Okorocha to inaugurate market •PAGE 35

PAGE 33

‘Jonathan, fix Arochukwu Road or forget our votes’ •PAGE 40

Fresh hurdle for Imo flood victims

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

N

OT again! That has been the general cry of residents of coastline communities in Imo State as they face another threat of ocean surge.

Nearly two years after the devastating flood that swept across many states in the country, victims of the disaster in the state are still grappling with its challenges.

But to worsen their ordeal, there are fresh concerns that what happened before could happen again if nothing urgent is done to avert it.

Although the state government has consistently claimed to have put palliative measures in place to cushion the effects of the flood, the victims are still battling to pick up the fragments of their lives after losing everything to the rampaging flood.

Some of the villages along the popular Oguta Lake in Oguta Local Government Area are in imminent danger as it gradually overflows its bank. The lake was once a tourist

Our major problem now is that we don’t know where to relocate to. We have raised the alarm several times but no response has come from any quarters…After we lost our means of livelihood, we were given paltry sums of money. Now we are experiencing another challenge…We are appealing to the state and Federal Government to come to our aid •A submerged house

•Continued on page 38

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

34

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

•The treated prolapse patients at their discharge ceremony

Elechi’s wife intensifies women’s health campaign

S

HE started with Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) and has now incorporated uterine prolapse.

Mrs Josephine Elechi knows exactly how to support her husband Governor Martins Elechi in improving the quality of life for Ebonyi State residents.

In 2007 she established a centre where women would be treated for VVF, a disease that leaves women unable to control the frequent discharge of urine. The scourge afflicts women of various ages and is reported in the North as well as South, though more prevalent in the former.

Various factors account for the disease, including undue foetal weight on the bladder of young expectant mothers. VVF also results in victims of violent rape, as it does in women who undergo protracted labour.

Doctors say VVF has a profound effect on the health and emotional well-being of patients.

Figures released by the National Demographic Health Survey say that as many as 12,000 women develop VVF every year in Nigeria, and that women in the city are affected just as those in remote places are also patients. VVF cases may occur in villages without health facilities and good roads, making prompt medical attention difficult during complicated childbirth.

Mrs Elechi set up a VVF Centre to tackle the scourge in Ebonyi free of charge, but soon it became imperative to also focus attention on uterine prolapse, another condition in which the uterus drops into, or protrudes out of, the vagina.

Mrs Elechi who chairs the National Fistula Working Group, said that she started the Centre in 2007 as part of her pet project, naming it the Mother and Child Care Initiative (MCCI).

She said the Centre targeted drastically reducing maternal and child mortality and morbidity in the state All the services of the Centre are free of charge.

In 2012, the centre started treating women for uterine prolapse. Dr Sunday Oduoye, Medical Director of the Centre explained that uterine prolapse focus became necessary at the centre even though it was opened mainly for treatment of women suffering from VVF. Oduoye said: “Uterine prolapse is a condition in which a woman’s

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

uterus (womb) sags or slips out of its normal position. The uterus may slip enough that it drops partway into the vagina (birth canal), creating a lump or bulge”.

He attributed the hospital’s treatment of the disease to Mrs Elechi’s compassion, generosity and burning desire to uplift women.

“In 2008 when Her Excellency was going round communities in the state to find out women suffering from VVF, it was discovered that many of those who turned out rather had the uterine prolapse” Mrs Elechi who was saddened at the plight of the women, took pity on them and decided to foot the bill for their treatment at the hospital.

But the Centre had before then concluded arrangements to treat those with the VVF, so could not attend to their plight immediately but promised to address their situation later.

“Due to the support and encouragement of the governor’s wife, the centre was encouraged to begin treatment for the uterine prolapse women early in 2012 and in the first batch, 65 women were treated,” said Dr Oduoye, Dr Oduoye spoke at a recent dis-

A

NAMBRA State local government election in which Chief Cosmos Okonkwo was declared winner of Awka North council has sparked jubilation in the area.

His joy was apparent. His constituents were equally excited, even as they were conscious of the fact that the new chairman would henceforth be a citizen of all ten communities that make up of Awka North, and no longer that Isu-Aniocha only.

Stakeholders in the council rolled out the drums in celebration, first at Christ The King Catholic Church, Isuaniocha community, before settling down for the reception at the Community Secondary school, IsuAniocha field.

Chief Okonkwo, has been sworn in as chairman of the council, where his work started since Monday, January 27. His Deputy, Dr. Ikechukwu Offorkansi and other councilors led by Hon Paul

Various factors account for the disease, including undue foetal weight on the bladder of young expectant mothers. VVF also results in victims of violent rape, as it does in women who undergo protracted labour. Doctors say VVF has a profound effect on the health and emotional wellbeing of patients charge of yet another set of 66 Uterine Prolapse patients who were successfully treated at the Centre.

This brings the total of successfully treated uterine prolapse clients from various states of the country in the past two years to 403.

The feat, Oduoye noted, was achieved with the support of Wife of Mrs Elechi who founded the centre to cater principally for VVF patients before it was taken over by the federal government in 2011.

He also revealed that the Centre has also treated 1800 VVF patients, screened over 8000 women for breast and cervical cancer, which he said is the highest record by a single government health institution in the country.

The MD commended the governor’s wife for the financial support despite the fact that the centre which she founded is now a federal government establishment.

The centre, he revealed, is poised

to commence in-vitro-fertilisation treatment for women from first quarter of this year with the acquisition of state-of-the-art IVF equipment.

“Without her support we won’t have recorded these successes. The centre has already procured equipments for in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment and will start treatment for IVF by first quarter of 2014,” Oduoye said.

Mrs Elechi was made the chairman of the Centre’s Governing Board after the Federal government converted it to a national VVF centre of Excellence, where doctors are trained in the treatment of uterine prolapse and VVF. The women narrated how they were treated at no cost, fed and clothed by the Centre. They thanked God and prayed for the governor’s wife.

Some of them spoke about their relief. Mrs Veronica Agubata from Nkalagu Ishielu Local Government Area; Ama Loveth from Edda, Afikpo South Local Government Area and Nkwuda Beatrice from Ikwo Local Government Area, all went down memory lane to relive their initial ordeal before help came.

•Continued on page 38

Council savours elect From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Onitsha

Nnatuanya attended the thanksgiving ceremony.

Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Augustine Ogbonna presided over the mass, witnessed by a large audience which included the All Peoples Grand Alliance (APGA) leader in Awka-North, Chief Godson Ezenagu. Ezenagu is a former Commissioner for Agriculture in the state. Dr. Chukwuma Okoye, a former Commissioner for Education in old Anambra, was also in attendance, as were Chief Joe Nwegwu, traditional Prime Minister of Ebenebe, Mr. Nwadiogbu Nnamdi, Awka-North Head of Service, Chief Alfred Nkwonta, Presi-

dent General of Isuanaocha and his Secretary General, Chief Innocent Okeke, among others.

Similarly, the awesome service was a beehive of activities as the church’s Wisdom Band and Choristers thrilled the congregation with soul-stirring songs and thanksgiving throughout, lifting the celebrants and well-wishers into heights of joy.

In his homily, a visiting Priest, Rev. Fr. Primus Ileme, the Vocation’s Director, House of Congregation in the province of Niger Southeast zone, thanked God for the gift of Chief Okonkwo who he described as a humble man full of wisdom with native intelligence.

He also prayed that the new chairman will change the face of Awka-

North local government, urging him and his deputy to render selfless service to humanity irrespective of party, religious denomination or town affiliation.

Speaking at a reception after the service, the Awka-North boss, called on those who lost at the poll to join him in moving the council forward.

His words: “I have opened a room for reconciliation, negotiation and accommodation because I cannot serve the people alone.

Don’t be aggrieved. Think not that you have failed. Sheathe your swords; let’s move ahead. I am ready to accommodate your opinion, advice and recommendation irrespective of party or town.”

Okonkwo said he would initiate

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

35

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT Okorocha to inaugurate market

I

MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha said the Obowo Modern Market would soon be inaugurated, even as he promised that it would boast all necessary facilities.

Governor Okorocha stated this while inspecting the extent of work in the market.

The governor pointed out that the market was built as part of government’s efforts to provide succour for Imo traders displaced at Umuahia as well as open up Obowo towards becoming a commercial city.

He assured that access roads and other facilities such as parking lots, toilets, water, street lights and security would be provided to bring the market to an international standard. He appealed to them to make good use of the facilities.

Governor Okorocha further reminded the traders of the need to keep a clean and healthy environment, warning against dumping of refuse into the Imo River to avoid water pollution.

He re-affirmed his administration’s determination to restore hope in Imo people. He urged the traders to support government’s policies and programmes as well as to embrace the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the party that would engender the needed change which would give Ndigbo recognition in the country.

He commended the efforts made by the Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Benjamin Uwajimogu; the Commissioner for Works, Ichie Best Mbanaso; the Commissioner for Finance, Deacon Chike Okafor and the traditional rulers in the area in ensuring that the project became a reality.

•Okorocha

•Members of the community who lost their lands

Bitter taste of salt mining N

OTHING seasons like salt.

But when it comes to mining the tasty preservative in Ishiagu, a community in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, nothing can be as bitter.

The community has large deposits of salt and other solid minerals, but extracting them is fast turning out to be a curse rather than blessing.

Since the minerals were discovered in the 1940s, many companies have mined the mineral, made their fortunes and moved on, but most times, they left the community more impoverished than they met it.

From the look of things, Royal Salt Company, the latest to secure mining license from the Federal Government to extract the mineral in the community, may also follow in the footsteps of their predecessors.

That is why the community has risen in unison to ensure that history does not repeat itself.

The community recently raised the alarm that the company has taken over their land, including residential buildings on the land without any adequate compensation.

They therefore sent a Save Our Soul message to the state governor Martin Elechi to come to their aid.

They also complained of neglect by the government. The Nation on a visit to the community discovered that it lacks basic amenities like clean drinking water, good access road, schools, among others.

A community leader, Chief Jacob Nweke, blamed some government officials for hijacking negotiations with the company and benefits to them.

He stated this during a community meeting at the village square where the community issued the SOS to the

From Ogochukwu Anioke

governor and also lambasted the company for being indifferent, rude, disrespectful and insensitive.

His words: ”The matter is that we don’t know Royal Salt and they did not enter into any agreement with us and we don’t have any agreement with them. They never told us that they have come to work on our land and since then they have been looting our natural resources and destroying our crops and other things; we don’t want such thing any more; “If they want such things to exist, we want the governor to come into this matter and save us because Royal Salt treats us the way they want because they feel there is nobody that is prominent in this our area.

“Any other person who has been coming into Enyigba usually has agreement with us the owner of the land of where they want to work; when Royal Salt came to this area, they threatened us that we are going to park out of our land; even when they say that the Nigerian Mining Corporation sent them to work here, we equally do not have agreement with them; the Corporation has never one day come to us that there is a company that will be coming to our land to work.

“We are surprised at what they are doing; we don’t know who brought them; so that’s why we say they should not work; and if they want to work, they should come and meet with Ishiagu people to have any agreement with us and if they say that government has ordered them to come and work, they should show us the lease or particulars authorising them to invade our land.

tion agricultural loans for rural farmers with a view to boosting food production and curbing the menace of unemployment in the area.

APGA leader in Awka-North and state former Commissioner of Agriculture, Chief Godson Ezenagu described Okonkwo as a visionary, peace-loving and humble man.

Also speaking, Chairman, Awka-North, Youth Council of Nigeria, Comrade Victor Onwudiofu congratulated the newly elected local government legislators and executive on their victory, praying God to endow them with wisdom to serve diligently.

He called for support from all stakeholders to enable the local government move forward.

The matter is that we don’t know Royal Salt and they did not enter into any agreement with us and we don’t have any agreement with them. They never told us that they have come to work on our land and since then they have been looting our natural resources and destroying our crops and other things “After the confirmation, we will equally tell them how to operate on our land; and it is not all our land that they will enter and push us out; we don’t want that and that is why we have told them to stop working until we finish up with the court; they didn’t talk to us and there is no written agreement between them and us; they just came through the back door and invaded our precious land because of its natural deposit given to us by God; for them to have alleged that the feud between us and them have been settled is pure lies”.

“We have not given them any consent letter to operate in our land; we don’t know them; we have never seen them except when they are working on our land; there is no written agreement authorising them to invade our land; for them to come here and work by force is not good and if they like they should kill us all; we have our rights as a people under a democratic dispensation; they must come and have an agreement with us; they are

T

•Okonkwo greets dignitaries at the event

first to have dealings with us and why should they come in, and start operating as they want”.

“We don’t know how they managed to come because nobody among us brought them into our land; this land they have invaded belongs to the village; we have a community and everybody has his or her own community land; Ishiagu Enyigba is a large area; we are so many villages; we have about 19 or 23 villages here in this Ishiagu alone; we are due for a development centre because Ebonyi state was created and given the acronym ‘salt of the nation’ we are the reason why such name was given; it is in Ishiagu that you have that salt; we have lead, zinc and other types of minerals here”.

“We want the government to make us an autonomous community; we don’t want a situation where after these strangers had finished exploring these deposit, they will abscond •Continued on page 39

Customs hails Southeast on N1b goods seizure

HE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that over N1b worth of smuggled goods were impounded last year in the Southeast. But Mr David Dimka, Area Controller, Zone C, Owerri, said the NCS owed the seizure to the cooperation of residents in the region.Dimka said the Customs job was facilitated by residents who provided valuable information which led to the seizures made between January and December last year.

He said such cooperation made it possible for the NCS to significantly reduce the menace of smuggling in the Southeast.Dimka reiterated the readiness of his men to tackle smuggling in the zone, noting that a formidable mechanism has been put in place to ensure that perpetrators as well as potential ones are caught and made to

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Onitsha

bear the full weight of the law.

He informed that within the period under review 2,801 bales of secondhand clothing with duty value of N529, 512,000 were the highest seizure made, followed by 114 vehicles with dutypaid value of N355,311,800 and 609 bales of textile material.

Others included 18,594 cartons of imported frozen poultry products valued at N208,286,250; 3,619 cartons of vegetable oil; 115,732 pairs of imported footwear, and 1,611 used tyres, among others. Dimka said, however, that the NCS are still grappling with diehard smugglers who often change their tactics in order to evade arrest, adding that the service has the capacity to neutralize such antics.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

36

37

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Abia APC to resist rigging

T

•Participants at the event

I

N a bid to instill leadership principles in the newly-elected officers in Anambra, the Commissioner for Local Government, Mrs. Enemo Azuka has organised a seminar for council chairmen, their deputies and councillors. The seminar was in partnership with Anambra Rebirth led by Dr Okey Ikechukwu.

The inaugural retreat on values and leadership was held on January 24 at the Women Development Centre, Awka. Its theme was "Call to Service: Re-inventing Leadership and Local Government Administration in Anambra State.

The event was chaired by retired Chief Judge of the state, Justice G. U. Ononiba.

In attendance at the event were the Governor-elect, Chief Willie Obiano, his deputy Dr Nkem Okeke, all traditional rulers and Presidents-General in the state as well as Governor Peter Obi who was accompanied by members of the state Executive Council led

by Secretary to the State Government, Oseloka Obaze.

In his remarks, Governor Obi said two major challenges which the Nigerian society is experiencing were insults on those in leadership positions and disloyalty. He noted that those who think they were hurting the personality of President Jonathan by unnecessarily attacking and criticising him were invariably hurting the feelings of Nigerians.

According to him, what is lacking in Anambra's and Nigerian politics is loyalty.

"Some think that they are hurting the personality of President Goodluck Jonathan but their action is, in essence, hurting Nigerians," Obi said.

He urged the elected council chairmen and councillors to partner with and support government's policies and programmes; even as he urged them to work towards lifting the wellbeing of the people who elected them into office.

Governor Obi urged the councillors-elect in the 21 local government areas of the state to be team players with their chairmen rather than scheming for their impeachment, adding that he is pitying his successor, Chief Willie Obiano who will, on March 17, assume office as governor of Anambra State. This, he said, is because Anambra people will blame him for everything that goes wrong

Seminar for elected officials

You are reminded that you are now addressed as honourables and you must therefore understand that it means good name, reputation and nobleness of mind...This is a mentoring role for leaders to enable them to showcase the best practices as obtained all over the world From Odogwu Eemka Odogwu, Onitsha

in the state whether he is responsible or not.

He said he would take time to rest from the busy schedules of administering the state for eight years after he hands over to Obiano. He added that Obiano will, however, be lucky that he (Obi) has done some jobs in the state and would have to start from somewhere.

"When I was sworn in as the governor in 2006, there was nowhere to start from. I asked them where the governor's office was and they said there was none. I enquired about where I will live and govern and they said none. Even this place was burnt down and to make matters worse, there was no one to hand over to me."

Obi said.

He called on the elected chairmen, vice-chairmen and councillors to ensure that they provide benefits of democracy to the people of their localities.

Governor-elect Chief Willie Obiano was service-ready as he adopted the teachings of all the speakers.

Earlier in his address, the chairman of the occasion, Justice Godwin Ononiba (rtd) said that the seminar was designed to sensitise the elected chairmen and councillors on the right values for service.

"You are reminded that you are now addressed as honourables and you must therefore understand that it means good name, reputation and nobleness of mind. I have never seen this kind of seminar before in my entire career in the legal service in Anambra State. The resource persons are wonderful. This is to refocus the newly elected leaders at the local government level. This is a mentoring role for leaders to enable them to showcase the best practices as obtained all over the world. Leaders are custodians of values and must live by

•Enugu State Ccommissioner for Works, Hon. Godwin Madueke speaking to reporters during the inspection of Edinburgh Road PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

examples,” Ononiba said.

He congratulated Governor Obi on his resolve to conduct the election despite opposition, saying that that the seminar was designed to give the newly-elected politicians focus on right values and service delivery.

There were several lectures presented at the seminar and they dwelt on values and leadership.

In his lecture entitled "The Local Government Chairman as a Gardner: Lessons in Leadership," Dr Okey Ikechukwu, Chairman Anambra Rebirth Organisation challenged the elected officials to maintain political loyalty.

"You must retain you natural habit by not allowing your new office ruin to your health, relationship with people and God. "You must explore the value of excellence and remember that you are not in office to serve yourself," Ikechukwu said.

The chairman also advised the elected officials to pay attention to selecting competent aides and promote stakeholders' co-operation among their people.

"Let your vision come from your mission and the understanding of why you are in office," he stressed.

In his lecture entitled "Challenges

of Good Governance in the Face of Wrong Public Expectations," Prof. Ben Osisioma of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka equally challenged the elected officials on values and leadership qualities.

"Focus on a government that protects the weak in the society and be men of good characters. ""We need leaders who will unleash the creativity of our people and build on their strength; eschew religious bigotry and ensure equity and fairness at all times," the Prof. of Accountancy stressed.

Other lectures entitled "Good Polling as Pre-condition for Good Governance," "Custodian Role of Local Government Chairmen," and "Valuesbased Leadership for People-centred Development" were presented by various speakers.

Monsignor Jerome Madueke, Director of Communications Catholic Diocese of Awka demanded that the elected men and women should allow their cultural, social and religious values uplift the positions they are occupying rather than diminish it. He challenged them to be self-reformed in accordance to their new roles of service as they were called for service and not self-aggrandisement and frivolous living.

The restoration of Igbo culture and tradition as well as language should start with Anambra State, even as he lamented the decay in culture and tradition of Ndigbo which has assisted the loss in language…Nothing has destroyed our culture and tradition like buying of certificates, grades and scores by students with the aid of parents and lecturers who should know better

For Prof. Obiora Francis Ike, VicarGeneral Enugu Catholic Diocese who spoke an Igbo language despite having stayed over 30 years abroad with more than three Doctorate degrees in Philosophy said Anambra State has been a reference and the restoration of Igbo culture and tradition as well as language should start with Anambra State, even as he lamented the decay in culture and tradition of Ndigbo which has assisted the loss in language.

He decried the violence that is rag-

ing in the Northern Nigeria, pointing out that a visiting Bishop from Maiduguri said that, of his 52 churches, only two were still standing as bombs have destroyed other 50 edifices. He also lamented the killing of 1.5 million children in Igbo land during the Biafra civil war.

He said nothing has destroyed our culture and tradition like buying of certificates, grades and scores by students with the aid of parents and lecturers who should know better. He called for a rethink and rebirth of char-

acters and priorities.

Prof. Ike told the audience that the greatest problem facing the country now especially Ndigbo and Anambra State in particular is problem of poverty of the mind which is selfishness.

He urged Ndigbo to go back to their values and ethos for the sake of posterity.

On his part, Prince Nnagozie Ochi, Project Director / Chief Social Architect of Bridges to Goodness (B2G), a human infrastructure development organisation, harped on the need for equitable character exhibition by the new leaders through fairness and justice in decision taking.

In the past year, Anambra State Government has held a series of retreats for senior government officials in Enugu and Johannesburg, all aimed at enhancing service delivery output.

Reacting to what he referred to as a "well-packaged and salutary retreat," SSG Oseloka H. Obaze commended the planners and said Governor Obi bought into the idea "since it would allow the newly elected officials to hit the ground running."

A newly sworn in councillor, Mr. Jude Atupulazi from Nimo Ward, Njikoka Local Government Area Mr. Paul Nnatuanya from Ebenebe Ward Awka North Local Government Area commended the governor for organising such seminar, adding that he has been uplifted and motivated.

•From left: Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and Orientation Hon. Chike Onwe who represented Governor Martin Elechi; Dr Haroun Ajah and Executive Director, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation Imam Abdullahi Shuaib, during Zakat Distribution Ceremony in Ebonyi State.

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

HE chairman of Abia state chapter All Progressive Congress [APC], Chief Donatus Nwankpa has said that the party is set to resist any attempt by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to rig elections.

Nwankpa said that the state has suffered a lot in the hands of the PDP in the state because of the fact that the people have been deceived, adding that it will no longer be business as usual come 2015.

Speaking with The Nation in Umuahia, Nwankpa said that the people of the state are tired of rigged elections in the state and that they have promised to join the APC to ensure there will be no more rigging, if the state is to grow.

The APC boss in the state said that many people feel that their votes do not count, “We are poised to ensure that the anomaly is corrected for the votes of the electorates to count and allow people who had been given mandate freely to rule the state”.

On the reason why the party has not been talking, Nwankpa said that they went underground to the grass-root to re-strategise because of the aggression the party faced from suspected thugs of the PDP, including the council chairmen.

He explained that before now the party has been under attack from suspected PDP thugs, “During our meetings in the state, this made us to go underground to find a way to come back into the political arena and now we are back to face the political war with any group that wants it”.

The APC Boss in Abia said that the challenges they faced from the rival party made them to make a retreat and re-strategise, “And now I can assure you that 70% of average Abians are now APC members, as we are believers in true democracy”.

Nwankpa assured that APC will ensure that true internal democracy is practiced in the party and stop the imposition of candidates during elections, stressing that this will make room for real politicians to take responsibilities at all levels of governance.

He assured that the APC will give all candidates a level playing ground in the state to make them give room for the best to come out to handle the affairs of the state, “We intend to do the right thing and in an orderly manner against allowing political rascality like in some political parties to handle their political atmosphere”.

Nwankpa said that the party is going to give the electorates both political and civil education to allow them to make the right choice and also to defend their votes after voting so as to put a stop to electoral fraud during elections.

He said, “We are going to create a natural awareness for the electorates and also make them law abiding, while pursuing and protecting their rights at all cost. The era of political naivety in the state is over; people will be made to know the right thing to do before, during and after elections”.

The Abia APC chief advised members of the party to live to the ideals of the party which is change and there should not be change for the worst but for the better, “We want them to be active and not passive and allow for equity all the time to reign”.

Bishop laments idolatry among Igbo

B

ISHOP of Afikpo Anglican Diocese, Right Reverend Paul Udogu has decried the increasing wickedness, idolatry and lack of fear of God in Igbo land many years after the advent of Christianity.

Udogu stressed that there is urgent and compelling need for the re-evangelisation of Igboland to escape the impending wrath of God. Bishop Udogu spoke in Onitsha as a visiting Bishop during the collation of Ven. Obiora Uzochukwu as a Venerable and induction as the Sub-dean of All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha. Six Canons were also collated including Revs Samuel Adoro Louis Ezenwata, Rufus Ezenwaka, Goddy Iloka, Ofoegbu Ozoekwe and Edison Okoroigwe.

Bishop Udogu went down memory lane recalling when the late Bishop Ajayi Crowther led a team of Church Missionary Society (CMS) and found out that the natives were neck-deep in human sacrifice, barbaric practices, idolatry, wickedness in the form of slavery and immorality among other vices.

He lamented that after 157 years of Christianity in Igbo land, various forms of vices are still manifesting in Igbo land, including kidnappings, assassinations, and other forms violent crimes.

He said that the fear of God among the people is almost at the lowest ebb as kidnappers and other perpetuators of criminalities enter the church to search and attack their victims.

The Bishop said that while these are going on, there is no serious attempt to restore core Igbo values, rather idolatory in the name of cultural revival are on the increase.

He said if the tide must be stemmed, there is compelling need for the re-evangelisation of Igbo land by churches especially the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion. He urged those who were collated to to be in the vanguard of

Bishop Udogu said that while these are going on, there is no serious attempt to restore core Igbo values, rather idolatory in the name of cultural revival are on the increase From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Onitsha

spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in the area.

The Bishop on the Niger, Owen Nwokolo, said that the elevation of the new Sub-dean to an Archdeacon and some other priests was a call to service and more commitment to their work, especially their pastoral duties, adding that those who are committed in the vine-yard of God are given bigger responsibilities in form of promotion.

Bishop Nwokolo equally advised the church member’s o pray for their spiritual leaders as well as listen to their counsel so as to understand the mind of God. The Sub-dean said that his elevation was an opportunity to serve God with all his determination so as to meet up with the high expectation of the people especially, the members of All Saints Cathedral Onitsha.

He promised that by the grace of God, he will do his best to llift the spiritual lives of the members of the Cathedral as well as improve the physical condition of the Cathedral.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

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THE SOUTHEAST REPORT •Continued from page 33 attraction, but now the residents view it as a potential source of anguish.

Recall that the entire riverside communities of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta local government areas were submerged by last year’s flood disaster which washed away their homes and farmlands.

Findings revealed that the flood victims who had earlier returned to their dilapidated homes are currently experiencing fresh challenges as the water has risen to an alarming level and may flood the communities any moment.

One of the victims, Nze Mathias Ahanna, who spoke with our reporter, lamented, saying: “We are yet to recover from last year’s disaster and it is obvious that we may suffer the same fate again this year.

We don’t have any other place to go to. We will continue to wait until something is done to assist us.”

The father of eight, who lost his house and crops in last year’s disaster, decried what he called government’s indifference to the plight of the victims.

He said: “During last year’s flood disaster, it was turned into a political affair where politicians fought to outwit one another in scoring political points with the misfortunes of the people. They abandoned them thereafter.”

He noted that the state government did not put anything in place to check a re-occurrence even after collecting the intervention fund from the Federal Government.

“Our major problem now is that we don’t know where to relocate to,”Ahanna said. “We have raised the alarm several times but no response has come from any quarters.”

Also bemoaning the situation, a petty trader, Mrs. Carolina Azubuike, a widow, said, “After

Fresh hurdle for I Flood victims who returned to their dilapidated homes are currently experiencing fresh challenges as the water has risen to an alarming level and may flood the communities any moment...We are yet to recover from last year’s disaster and it is obvious that we may suffer the same fate again we lost our means of livelihood, we were given paltry sums of money.

Now we are experiencing another challenge.

“We are appealing to the state and Federal Government to come to our aid. It is even necessary that they should dredge the lake or construct embankment along the bank of the river to stop it from running over the communities.”

She noted that the relevant authorities had enough time and warning to have swung into action to forestall a re-occurrence of the flood disaster. Rather, they preferred to wait

•Some of the displaced victims

for the disaster to happen.

She said: “This case is unlike when the flood occurred without prior warning. But even at that, the government has remained adamant to our complaints.”

Meanwhile, controversy has continued to trail the disbursement of the N400 million Federal Government’s intervention fund for victims in the state. While the communities accuse the state government of misappropriating the funds, government agencies have continued to insist that the fund was put to use in the best and overall interest of the

victims.

The coastline communities in Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta local government areas which were areas affected by the flood disaster, accused the Imo State Flood Relief Management Committee of diverting the intervention fund to personal purposes after disbursing a paltry N67 million.

Speaking on behalf of the victims from Oguta council area, a community leader, Mr. Ozor Chimuanya disclosed that the committee set up by the state government to manage the fund, did not consult with the af-

fected communities to find out how best to assist in cushioning the effects of the flood.

He observed that one year after the flood devastation that rendered most of the people homeless, with their means of livelihood submerged, “the government is yet to come up with a comprehensive action plan that will address the immediate challenges or proactive measures to forestall a possible re-occurrence.”

The embittered community leader also lamented that the little money released to the communi-

Elechi’s wife intensifies women’s health campaign •Continued from page 34 They added that but for the governor’s wife’s intervention, they would still be in pain as they would not have footed the bill on their own.

In her address, Mrs Elechi called for more assistance from development partners in order to be able to treat other women with the disease.

She said more than 500 women have been registered at the centre and are on the waiting list for treatment.

Mrs Elechi also advised pregnant women to register at government approved hospitals for ante natal care and delivery and shun patronising quacks and traditional birth attendants to avoid complications that could lead to the disease.

She also cautioned the women to strictly adhere to the instructions of the doctors not to have sex for the next six months and to access medical services in genuine hospitals, not local birth attendants, for child delivery.

The governor’s wife told them to report to the wives of their local government chairmen or coordinators of Development Centres whenever they unable to access good healthcare services.

“If you can’t get to them, come to me,” she said. “A few days back, two women came to me and said they didn’t have money to pay for hospital bills after delivery. We sent people to investigate and after we found out that it was true, we paid their bills and they were discharged.”

The governor’s wife decried the high level of gender-based violence being meted out to women in the society.

“The worst kind of this genderbased violence is suffered by VVF and uterine prolapse victims as a result of ostracisation by relations, the community and larger society due to no fault of theirs,” she said.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Sunday Nwagele said that Mrs Elechi

The worst kind of gender-based violence is suffered by VVF and uterine prolapse victims as a result of ostracisation by relations, the community and larger society due to no fault of theirs has attracted many development partners including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department for International Development (DFID) to the state who have keyed into her project because of her judicious use of funds given to her to help the women and children in the state.

He gave kudos to the Governor Elechi-led government for the giant strides in the health sector which include a drastic reduction in the number of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity in the state, eradication of polio and guinea worm, grants to six missionary hospitals in the state and regular immunisation in the state, amongst others.

“Mrs Elechi is god-sent as so many people who, hitherto, were suffering from various sicknesses and conditions have been treated and are now full of life” said Mrs Chinyere

•Mrs Elechi (right) presenting gifts to some of the prolapse patients

Nwanioke, Chairman, Onicha Local Government Area.

Despite, the governor’s wife’s efforts, the number of women with VVF and Uterine Prolapse seems to be rising rather than reducing.

Health experts blame this on the nonchalant attitude of government at all levels to the problem.

Huge amounts of money were budgeted for VVF by the federal government in the 2013 budget with President Goodluck Jonathan promising that one-third of the cases would be repaired in 2013, but there is no proof that the target was met.

The United Nations Population Fund, (UNFPA), says an estimated 2 to 3 million women and girls are liv-

ing with fistula in Nigeria and other developing countries.

The agency has pledged more support to Mrs Elechi in her fight against the disease as well as her efforts to improve the lot of women in the state and the entire country.

The Country Representative of UNFPA, Mme Victoria Akyeampong stated recently in Abakaliki when she visited the Mrs Elechi.

Mme Victoria Akyeampong who expressed delight at the giant strides and achievements recorded courtesy of the partnership existing between UNFPA and other donor agencies and the Ebonyi Governor’s wife, which she said has caught the attention of the global community.

She said, “Obstetrics fistula is a highly neglected health and human rights tragedy. An estimated 2 to 3 million women and girls are living with fistular in developing countries even when the condition is virtually unheard of in developed countries”.

“The prevalence of fistula therefore is an indication of underlying socio-economic factors such as gender inequality and poverty. To end fistula we need to work collectively to provide access to reproductive health services, eliminate gender based social and economic inequalities, prevent child marriage and early child bearing and keep our •Continued on page 40

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

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THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Imo flood victims

•Another submerged building

ties through government officials have torn the communities apart.

“Some of the communities, as we speak, are at war over how to share the little money given to them. The aides of senior government officials in whose names the cheques were issued have insisted on taking a certain percentage from the money. This is not what the money was meant for.”

Giving a detailed account of how the money was disbursed in Oguta Local Government Area, Chimuanya listed the benefitting communities to include: Mgbele

(N2m), Osuobodo (N3m), Oguta (5m), Osemoto (N2m), Eziogu (N3m) and Egwe (N3m).

Others are Egbuoma (N3m), Mkpesi (N2m) while Mmekuku got N2 million.

Corroborating Chimuanya’s claims, former chairman of Oguta Local Government Area, Hon. Emma Mazi, added said: “The money, as we were told, was meant to alleviate the sufferings of the flood victims. But the Imo State government diverted it to other uses which have not reflected on the well-being of the suffering vic-

tims.”

Mazi noted that the proposal by the government to build town halls in the communities was not only amusing but a deliberate misuse of public funds. “How can they build town halls in the communities?

How does that assist the flood victims? In all these communities, there are existing town halls. For instance, in Oguta community, we have two town halls already,” he said.

However, the Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Obi Njoku, had dismissed the allegations as un-

We are appealing to the state and Federal Government to come to our aid. It is even necessary that they dredge the lake or construct embankment along the bank of the river...This case is unlike when the flood occurred without warning. But even at that, the government has remained adamant to our complaints.. founded and frivolous.

He said: “Every kobo of the intervention fund is accounted for.

Apart from the N67 million earlier disbursed to the affected communities, which we are monitoring, the state government is currently building farm settlements in the 16 communities at the cost of N25 million each. This will serve as rehabilitation centres.”

He further explained that before the receipt of the intervention fund, the state government had swung into action to assist the victims by resettling them and providing re-

Bitter taste of salt mining

The company got their license from the Federal Government and has been paying compensation to the community every year since it entered the land even though it has not started mining activities

•Continued from page 35 like what is happening in the Niger Delta Region; we need the government to help us”.

“There is so much the government is to do for Enyigba Ishiagu people; We don’t have good road, we don’t have hospital and schools in our area; the first thing that Royal Salt did was to build a security post in our community to intimidate and arrest our people; why will they start with a police station? Is that the first thing to do if they want to develop a community where you have lots of natural deposits? This is wrong. This primary school you are seeing now was built

by Nigeria Mining Corporation in 1940s.

A youth leader in the community, Mr James Nwafor who also spoke to our reporter wondered why the first action of the company will be to establish a police post in the community.

He said, “I am the youth vice chairman in this community; the way that company came in suggests that they want violence; we the youths cannot just fold our hands and allow strangers to invade our lands and take away the natural deposits given to us by God; they have come like the colonial masters and just as they were resisted then, we are prepared to resist them; and they must pack the load and go. Our blessing will not be allowed to become a cure to us”.

“They cannot just come into our land without informing us; there is so much impunity in their action and little regards to human right and corporate existence of our people; this is where God has given us a land to live forever, and it that land is taken, I will not have any other place to stay and that is why we told them that we don’t like they way they came; they are sup-

pose to come and inform us if they want to take our land; for them to have gone to the government and say that consent letter had been issued to them to collect our land we disagree”.

“What we want them to do is for them to leave the land for us and come to see our people, the villagers so that we can stay and discuss; no compensation has been given to us; in fact, they have not come one day to discuss with us; no I’m not happy with the level of development in the area; i’m very angry because of the way and manner they came; let them come and so that we settle this impasse; because without the settlement more problems is on the way for them”.

But the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr Ifeanyi Ike denfended the actions of Royal Salt.

He said the company got their license from the Federal Government and has been paying compensation to the community every year since it entered the land even though it has not started mining activities.

He said it is only a few disgruntled and greedy members of the commu-

lief materials running into several millions of Naira. These included medications and food items.

“The state government augmented the intervention fund with about N129 million. That is why we are able to build the farm settlements which will be delivered soon. I think the cause of these controversies is our blunt refusal to hand over the fund to certain individuals in these communities who had thought it was another windfall.

“Our insistence that the money will be invested in the welfare of the victims did not go down well with some people, especially the community heads who are bent on appropriating the funds without giving the flood victims priority in their sharing plan,” he stated.

However, when our correspondent visited one of the temporary camps in Oguta, the victims had deserted the decrepit camp as many of them were said to be forced out by poor living conditions occasioned by negligence by government.

A victim, who pleaded anonymity, told our reporter that, “we were exposed to all forms of danger in that camp and the government abandoned us immediately they resettled us there. So, we were left with no alternative than to leave the place and continue with our lives.”

But the chairman of the committee debunked the claim, explaining that “we provided medication, feeding and clothing for all the victims at the various camps. But you know our people; they are not used to staying in one place and waiting for help. So, they moved away voluntarily to join their kinsmen rather than be seen as refugees.”

nity who are orchestrating the crisis.

He promised that the state government will ensure that the problem is resolved to enable the company resume work.

His words, “It is obvious that the problem that emanated from Enyigba autonomous community in Abakaliki Local Government Area between a fraction of Ishiagu village against Royal Salt company is unexpected and very unbecoming; there are 13 villages that make up the autonomous community but one Ishiagu village complained of marginalization; six people petitioned the government through the SSG and commissioner for Commerce and Industry on how they felt marginalized by the company; we welded into the issue immediately” “The ministry paid a visit to the community at Ishiagu village of Enyigba autonomous community; It is not the old mining site that causing the problem but a new site; I remember during the negotiation that Enyigba people particularly, the Ishiagu people insisted that the com-

pany should set up a milling factory where lead can be processed in Enyigba; and many other clamoured for it but Enyiba succeeded and royal salt put it in their work schedule that by 2014 they will start working to set up an industrial milling for the processing of lead in Ebonyi”.

“To our surprise when the complain came, we said all the same we will go in and solve the problem; we met all the concerned parties on the 24th October 2013 with the representatives of the SSG and those that participated in the negotiation that brought in Royal Salt into Ebonyi state; before their arrival, the Governor gave a directive that a Committee be set up to negotiate with the rural communities which was done”.

“I happen to be a member of the committee as the special adviser to the governor on solid mineral development, petroleum product pricing and distribution at that time; and when they came in they had a safe landing having negotiated with Enyiba community, Emeri in Ikwo, Ameka in Ezza south; that of Ezza

south was troublesome; it was not easy for it to be signed, Enyigba was very peaceful within that period we are talking about but to our surprise, Enyigba has turned out to be a tumultuous situation as at this period in time but as 26th of October we met with their lawyer with his team and discussed; we discussed until November until we were able to reach a decision”.

“Royal salt limited got their approval not from Ebonyi state but from the federal government through the ministry of Mines and Steel; we don’t give approval as state government; minerals is in the exclusive list of the government and that was why the Minister, Asada, then visited Enyigba, Ameri, Ameka about two years ago to see their work schedule and plan ; that area under dispute is covered under Mining Lease 188 being the former Nigerian mining Corporation, NMC”.

“We visited the lease area to ensure that Royal Salt was operating within their jurisdiction; after doing •Continued from page 40

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

40

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

‘Jonathan,fixArochukwuRoadorforgetourvotes’ T

HE nightmarish road that leads to the famous Arochukwu may have become a bargaining chip.

As hope of any redemption begins to fade, the people of the area have warned President Goodluck Jonathan to keep off from the area as 2015 beckons. They also gave the same warning to Senator Uche Chukwumerije and Hon. Arua Arunsi who represent them at the National Assembly.

They further warned: “Any helicopter that lands on any space in any of the communities that make up the area would be attacked and destroyed.

This is to check the trend where affluent sons and daughters of our area as well as top government functionaries return home in chattered helicopters with a view to avoiding the hazards of the road.”

These decisions were taken at a Town Hall meeting of professionals, think-tanks and opinion leaders of the area. They said fixing the road which leads to the area is the only condition that would make them to lift the ban on Mr. President and members of the National Assembly from the area.

“They should forget about coming to campaign for votes from us unless they completely rehabilitate the Arochukwu – Ohafia Road before the beginning of the rainy season this year. We, the people of Arochukwu Local Government Area have always voted for the PDP candidates and this is what we get for voting them into power.

“Tell the President that we are no longer for him and his party as we see his nonchalant attitude towards our road as treachery,” Mazi Henry Okoronkwo, an opinion leader said at the meeting.

Another community leader added: “It is the worst treachery in the political life of this administration (Jonathan’s). They will never deceive us again. Let them not think of coming to Arochukwu and Ohafia for any reason other than coming to repair this road. We didn’t do any wrong to vote for Jonathan and his party.”

South East Report, however, gathered that the company handling the rehabilitation of the road, Messrs Beks Nigeria belonged to a relation of President Goodluck Jonathan. Some sources also hinted that the company was paid upfront to the tune of N4.8 billion.

The company, it was gathered, lacks the competence to handle such sensitive road project. As at the time of filing this report, no sign of work was going on on the road. The equipment were all lying fallow at the site without any staff of the company present.

The immediate past Special Adviser to the Abia State governor on Works, Mazi Jude Nwokoro who is indigenous to the area spoke to our

Any helicopter that lands on any space in any of the communities that make up the area would be attacked and destroyed.

This is to check the trend where affluent sons and daughters of our area as well as top government functionaries return home in chattered helicopters with a view to avoiding the hazards of the road

•Jonathan From Chris Oji, Enugu

correspondent on the condition of the road and also supports the people’s decision to ban politicians from campaigning in the area for votes.

Nwokoro further said that the Aro expected so much from the present governments especially the Federal Government. He disclosed that the road that runs from Arochukwu to Ohafia which is less than 30 kilometres is a federal highway.

Nwokoro said: “With the level of work going on there now, and the kind of contractor handling that road, I will say comfortably that the repairs cannot be achieved in the next 10 years. I totally agree with the people on their ‘keep off Arochukwu’ order to politicians because the ben-

efit of democracy includes roads.

“Once we have good roads, from Arochukwu to Ohafia is less than 20 minutes. But now you spend not less than two-and-half hours to get to Arochukwu from Ohafia in a good car, not just any car. There is no need for any politician to come and tell us about 2015 when the people we voted for in the past have disappointed us.

“The Arochukwu – Ohafia Road which has been in terrible condition for years has been ignored. We are shutting our doors to all those who expect to come and campaign for votes. They should fix our roads first.”

The former Special Adviser threw more light on why the state government did not undertake the rehabilitation of the road and pass the bill to the Federal government. He said: “Governor Theodore A. Orji actually commenced work on that road. And asphalting had already commenced before the Federal Ministry of Works asked him to stop on the grounds that it had awarded the contract to a com-

Bitter taste of salt mining •Continued from page 39 that we discovered that Royal salt had not gone outside; We are following the federal government mining law and not state; but because there are four immediate land owners there namely, Ishiagu, Alibaluhu, Olouwa and Ndiabor; they are the ones receiving the impact of the activities of that company there, the rest of the nine that made them 13 are outside that area; they are not part of what we are talking about; in our resolution we affirmed that the four immediate landowners must be compensated; Royal Salt agreed that the annual rate will be N4 million every year; post production”.

“However, what I saw on the field surprised me, I had to suspend Royal Salt from working and they kept off for one month if not two months; It is like our decision did not go done well with some of the community members who felt we would have told them to go with 99 percent while the rest of Enyiba go home with one percent; We awarded 50 percent of whatever is coming to the four immediate land owners while the rest of the 50 percent go to the rest of the nine because, also, the nine are involved”.

“The committee for the negotiation was drawn from

the 13 villages of Enyiba autonomous community; the negotiation took about three months”’ he added.

Court case stalls negotiation While the Ministry was mediating in the matter the community took the company to court.

“While we were doing this( mediating) ,we learnt the case has gone to court”, said the Commissioner.

The Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, on Dec 18th 2013 halted the operation of Royal Salt Limited in the community.

This followed a motion on notice filled by David Igbuji, Felix Itumo, Ikechukwu Nweze and Mbam Ode on behalf of the community against Royal Salt.

In her ruling, the presiding Judge, Justice I. A. Onyetenu, ordered Royal Salt Limited not to enter into mining operation or process mined mineral, pending the hearing and determination of substantive suit.

She adjourned the matter to February 17, 2014 for further hearing on the substantive suit.

“Since there is subsisting court injunction stopping Royal Salt from operating in the area, we have written the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the State for advise on the matter, said Dr Ike.

pany called Beks Limited. And the governor had to obey the directive of the Federal Government because he is a law-abiding citizen and chief security officer of the state. So, he stopped.

“As you can see, no work is going on on that road since then. The equipment are in shabby condition. This is peak of the dry season. You cannot find the contractor on site. If you go to the site, everything is in shabby condition. No management, no engineers, not even any security guard for the equipment. With what is on ground, we don’t expect anything to happen on that road this year.”

Nwokoro, however, exempted the governor from among those asked not to come for votes in Arochukwu, saying, “the governor is yet to be refunded the money he expended on that road since 2007. If you recall, he had commenced periodic maintenance work on that road. Until about a year ago, precisely February 13, last year when the Minister of Works, rep-

resented by the Minister of State for Works came to Arochukwu in the company of Senator Uche Chukwumerije and Arua Arunsi to inform the governor that they have flagged off construction of the road.

Unfortunately, instead of constructing or rehabilitating the road, they destroyed and made it worse. It was better before.

“If I can recall the experience I had on the road before they came, and the one I had after they came, I will conclude it was better before their visit.

If they want to go back to the Senate or House of Representatives, they can search for votes in other local government areas not Arochukwu.

They can be re-elected to the National Assembly but definitely not with votes from Arochukwu. We have to negotiate and that negotiation must be on a roundtable. And it will be seen to be done and not just signing document before the Aro can join them in this politics. For the governorship election, it’s a different ball game. That road is a federal road, not state road.

“If all fails,” Nwokoro said, “we would be left out of the politics of 2015 so that we can do community fund-raising and fix the road ourselves through community effort.

“I know the present federal legislators can still win but they cannot count on our votes. They should not count on our votes because we will not be voting for anybody. It’s not about opposition. It’s not about continued abstinence. But we will not cast our votes to anybody in 2015, no matter the party or the individual until that road is fixed.”

Elechi’s wife intensifies women’s health campaign •Continued from page 38 young girls in school”.

Mrs Elechi while receiving members of the Good Governance Tour team led by Information Minister, Mr Labaran Maku last year lamented that shortage of funds has prevented her from rendering more assistance to women from various states of the federation and therefore solicited the assistance of the Federal government in this regard.

She said, “When I started this programme I never knew I would have so many women coming out to this place for treatment. They did not come from Ebonyi alone but from other states of the country. That was why I cried out to the federal government and luck-

ily for me they took it over through the ministry of health”.

“I have tried to access other states because my vision is that what is happening in Ebonyi should also happen in other states but it has not been possible to achieve that. So I want the federal Government to take into consideration the women at the grassroots level because these women are very poor and cannot do anything about their health issues that is why I am treating them free of cost”.

“We have women with uterine prolapsed; I have been treating women from Ebonyi but there are women from other states that came for treatment but I couldn’t treat them because I don’t have enough money to do so. Each time I remember them I feel like crying”.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

41

CAMPUS LIFE Corps member renovates ICT room

A

2013 Batch ‘A’ member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Agu Reuben, has renovated the Computer Room of the University of Calabar Staff School (UCSS) for his Community Development Service (CDS). Agu said he was

From Sam Ibok

UNICAL motivated by the need to upgrade the ICT centre to improve the technology needs of the school.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof James Epoke, commended the Corps member for the gesture, saying Corps members posted to the university were hardworking.

The NYSC Cross River State Coordinator, Nkereke Ibangha, also thanked Agu for the project and the university authorities for supporting the objectives of the scheme.

The event was attended by Mr Chuka Osuagwu, Head of CDS and Mrs Florence Eleng Headmistress of UCSS.

•The students’ leaders after their election

Tension as Pharmacy students hold election

T

HERE was tension at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) penultimate Thursday when student went to the polls to elect new leaders.

Samuel Lena Ugwumba emerged president with 255 votes to beat his opponent, Jerry Egwuchie, who got 234 votes.

Also elected are Cynthia Ima Osagie, Vice President; Darry Emazor, Public Relations Officer (PRO); Charles Obazuaye, Secretary General; Chigozie Ezenwachinemelu, Assistant Secre-

From Ezekiel Efeobhokhan

UNIBEN

tary-General; Jude Usman, Director of Socials I; Ohenren Edward, Director of Socials II; Benjamin Idiauhoa, Financial Secretary; Chinendu Dimonyeka, Director of Sports; Agu Nnamdundu, Editorin-Chief and Victor Omeiza, Treasurer.

Security officials of the university, who monitored the election, praised the students for conducting a violence-free and fair election.

The new executives were sworn-in

at the Lecture Theater 3 of the faculty.

The outgoing president, Oluwatosin Makinde congratulated the winnersand urged them to sustain developments recorded by the out-going administration.

The Assistant Dean of the faculty, Dr Tony Waka Udezi, decried the low turn-out of students for the election, saying pharmacy students had lost interest in politics.

Meanwhile, Tony Ehimen and Ikechukwu Onwuakpa were elected to represent the faculty at the legislative arm of the Students’ Union Government (SUG).

•Prof Epoke and (second right) and Ibangha (right) being welcomed to the inauguration

F

•Students waiting to register at the ICT Centre

T

HE Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), has resumed for the 2013/2014 academic session. Freshers started their registration last Monday. Returning students have yet to round off their first semester examination of the 2012/2013 session.

As early as 6am on the first day of registration, students converged on the university’s Information Communication Technology (ICT) Centre for the exercise.

Admission letters were issued to students who scaled the screening

Danfodiyo varsity resumes From Ibrahim Jatto and Sarat Alabidun

UDUS hurdle.

Some of the students shared their experience with CAMPUSLIFE. Danladi Musa, a 100-Level Medicine and Surgery student, said: “The registration process is tedious. We spent hours on the queue just to complete a stage of the process. It took me three days to get my con-

firmation letter and I am yet to finish as we speak.”

When CAMPUSLIFE contacted the Dean of Students, Dr Ibrahim Magawata, he said the new students would not return home after their registration, as widely rumoured on campus. “The university calendar remained as planned. The new students will start lectures immediately after their registration. We are going to run a concurrent session with the returning students.”

40 youths for Academy’s leadership training

T

OLERANCE Academy, a mobile-peace building organisation will begin its one-week residency leadership certification training on February 16. It will end on February 22.

The Academy’s Curator, Ayodele Obajeun, said 40 youths had been selected from the six geo-political zones to participate in the yearly event.

He said: “Participants were selected through rigorous review processes, spanning peer reviews, background checks, persuasiveness of response to questions, phone conversation and consider-

Fellowship leaders urged on discipline

ORMER members of Communicators for Christ Fellowship (CFC) at the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Gbenga Rufai and Ayodeji Adesina, have urged its executive members to live a disciplined and focused life.

The duo gave the counsel during a two-day retreat and ordination service for the executive held at the Students’ Union Building (SUB).

Gbenga told the new leaders that the work of God on campus required total commitment and dedication. He added that the year 2014 would be a defining moment for Nigeria, saying: “there is a gathering storm which signified the coming of something that only God could reveal.”

He said he believed students’ prayers would have immense impact in moving the hand of God and cautioned that indiscipline could truncate their destinies of believers.

Adesina, who served as the General Secretary of the association during the 2009/10 academic session, urged the students to shun all appearances of evil.

“Your assignment requires discipline. Your lifestyle and words should challenge many people to want to serve God on campus.

Mind your words, dressing and comportment. An undisciplined leader would be ridiculed by men and mocked by the devil,” he stated.

From Gilbert Alasa

LAGOS ation of gender, geographical and religious distribution. We received about 1200 applications, out of which 80 per cent came from the male gender. Forty-five per cent of the total applications came from the Southwestern part of the country. We are confident that this training would provide a veritable platform to promote the ideals of mutual tolerance in the country.”

Obajeun said a blog contest has been initiated to engage the selected participants before the

training, noting that the competition would draw their attention to pressing issues ranging from governance to economy, entertainment, sports, literature and other social happenings in Nigeria.

Wale Bakare, a participant and 400-Level student of Zoology at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), said he was eager to win the contest, adding that he would do everything in his capacity to clinch prizes. The contest started on January 25 and would end February 16.

•Members of the fellowship executive

From Adeyemi Olalemi

UNILAG

The out-going President, Pastor Bose Omoruyi, gave account of her stewardship and thanked God and everyone who made his administration a success.

The new executive is led by O l u t o k u n E m m a n u e l , while Bukola Ogungbe is the Vice-President.

Other are Bukola Bankole, General Secretary; Ayomide Ekerin, Assistant General Secretary; Mary Adegunloye, Prayer Secretary; Olaniyan Oluwakemi, Assistant Prayer Secretary; Tabeson Ivoy, Evangelism Secretary, Sunday Modupe, Assistant Evangelism Secretary; Others included Amakoh Kelechi, Bible Study Secretary; Odunjo Comfort, Welfare Secretary; Iduma Christopher, Assist a nt Wel f a r e S ec r et a r y ; Makanjuola Olaleye, Technical Director; Awobiyi Toluwani, Assistant Technical Director; Omosule Oluwatosin, Music Director; Egesi Rosemary, Assistant Music Director; Omoniyi Omotoba, Drama Director and Akinlotan Iyanuoluwa, Treasurer.

Olutokun assured members that the spiritual growth of the fellowship would be sustained through the devotion to the Word of God, warm fellowship and ceaseless prayers.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

42

CAMPUS LIFE

A vote for equality The Gender Mainstreaming Office of the University of Ibadan (UI) has sensitised freshers on the institution’s gender policy to create a genderfriendly campus.

HAMMED HAMZAT (300-Level Educational Management) and DAMOPE GBADEGESIN report.

O

VER 200 students of the University of Ibadan (UI) participated in the two-day workshop organised by the institution’s Gender Mainstreaming Office last week.

The event, with the theme: Developing a gender sensitive place for learn-

•Cross section of freshers at the programme

ing and research on campus, was held in the First Bank Building at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry and in Large Lecture Theatre at the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The workshop enabled participants to study the school environment and apply gender-based arguments to promote human dignity in their daily activities on campus.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Isaac Adewole, represented by the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof Akinola Alada, in his message, urged the

freshers to explore opportunities provided by the event to study the campus.

Alada urged the participants not to relent in reporting challenges they face on campus, noting that the office of the VC was open to students to volunteer information on how to improve on the gender policy.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Sanya Arinola, said the gender policy of the university sought to promote equal opportunity for both male and female students.

Culturally, she said, women are not given the chance to be heard but “women who have come out to speak out against this inequality should be applauded”. There is no need for confrontation or aggressiveness before a woman should be given chance in the society, Prof Arinola said.

The coordinator of the Gender Mainstreaming Office, Dr Stella Odebode, urged the freshers to develop gender sensitive habits that would involve mutual care and consideration for the progress of

both genders in the university community.

Prof Janice Olawoye of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, and Dr Alero Akeredolu of the Faculty of Law, who were spoke at the workshop, emphasised basic concepts of gender equality and sexual harassment.

Prof Olawoye said gender equality must be socially determined, maintained, enforced and learned, noting that no human was born with specific role. “It is safe to say what men and women are important to human development,”Prof he said.

Gender inequality should be discouraged, said Dr Akeredolu.

Other facilitators at the programme were Dr Demola Lewis of Department of Linguistics and Dr Chinyere Ukpokolo of the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology. Dr Lewis called for balance in participation and benefits for male and female according to their needs. The don noted that the workshop was borne out of creating a genderfriendly campus.

Dr Ukpokolo noted that sexual harassment was a threat to the education development in the country, urging students to report harassment between 24 and 72 hours such incident happens. “It will be treated with utmost confidentiality,” she said.

Present at the workshop were the Dean, Faculty of the Social Sciences, Prof Olawale Ogunkola, his counterpart in in Law, Prof Oluyemisi Bamgbose, Grand Liaison Officer, Macarthur Foundation Prof Oderinde, Deputy Registrar, Dr Stella Soola, and the Coordinator, UI Youth Friendly Center, Mrs Olukemi Akinyemi.

Students seek compensation over ASUU strike L AST year, university students were away from school for six months, no thanks to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The university teachers downed tools to demand the implementation of an agreement it reached with the Federal Government in 2009 to improve public education.

With the reopening of universities, students are lamenting the effect of the strike on their academic programmes. They said they suffered for a cause they did not know anything about. They want to be compensated for the lost time and the delay they suffered because of the strike.

Reliving their experiences during the action, students said its effect on their career could not be quantified.

Kingsley Amatanweze, 500-Level Metallurgical and Material Engineering student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), said he lost two months out of six months of industrial training because of the strike.

“As a final year student, I should have commenced work on my project. To carry out a befitting project work takes time. Now, the school calendar is being rushed to accommodate the lost time. There is not enough time to attend to academics and conduct research work on our projects. The rush has disorganised our plans to put in efforts to develop good project,” Kingsley said.

Dung Damack, 100-Level Biology and Education student of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) had just paid his rent when the strike started.

“Already, half of the rent has gone because I did not stay in the room. It is like throwing money into a well.

I just got a call from a neighbour that the landlord has asked me to leave the house. But I understand the landlord wants me to pay for another year.”

Philips Guda, a 500-Level student of Medicine at the Benue State Uni-

Some students, who believe that the last Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike had nothing to do with their academic pursuit, have demanded compensation from the government for subjecting them to about six-months hardship. MSONTER ANZAA (200-Level Medicine, Benue State University) reports.

•Kingsley

•Richard

•Philip

•Sesugh

versity (BSU) and national president of the Benue Medical Students Association (BEMSA), described the strike as disaster. He said: “For us at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, who have lost too much time as undergraduates, it was a big disaster. The strike sabotaged our efforts to cover the lost time.”

Richard Nyikwagh, a final year student of Economics at BSU, felt bad because his plan after school was disorganised. He was preparing to graduate next month, but the strike prolonged his graduation to August.

Ekene Ahaneku, 200-Level Optometry and Public Relations Officer of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, said. “I am

not happy because of rent. The strike has jerked up house rent,” he said.

Given the lamentations, some students demand compensation from the government. Since the strike was not initiated by students, Kingsley said, there should be adequate compensation for them to cover the lost time. “Of course, they should pay us compensation,” he said.

Dung Damack also believed students should be compensated. He said: “It would be a good idea if students are compensated. I wish this was possible. But you know the way the system works. To think of compensation is almost like thinking of impossibilities.”

However, some students believe no compensation should be paid by

the government because the lecturers went on strike to fight students’ cause.

Sesugh Ande, a Chemistry lecturer at the University of Agriculture in Makurdi, who is currently in the United Kingdom for his doctorate degree, sympathised with the students over the strike but said lecturers suffered more during the action.

He did not believe students should be compensated. “Why?” he queried, adding: “I think everyone who suffered would have to be compensated then if students demand compensation from the government.

But is the compensation being seen in terms of time or money? The only thing I may suggest as compensation is for lecturers to double their efforts to ensure that students get the best

training with the little that the federal government has offered.”

Education Rights Campaign (ERC), a non-governmental organisation, blamed the government for the students’ unpalatable strike experience, but stressed that there is no need for compensation.

Its national coordinator, Hassan Soweto, said: “Students, who are demanding compensation, are doing so out of frustration. Their situation is understandable. But there are questions they need to answer. Who will grant this demand? In what form will the compensation come?

I honestly do not think that any student demanding compensation is right because they are giving an impression that students are not part of the struggle to save public education.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

43

CAMPUS LIFE

By Chisom Ojukwu

T

HE topic of this discourse is one that requires no flowery introduction. Last January 7, President Goodluck Jonathan signed into law, a bill which prohibits homosexuality. For the purpose of the law, “civil union” includes homosexual adult independent relationships, caring partnerships, civil partnerships among others.

The overwhelming majority of the citizens, who have applauded this law, did on various grounds which I have summed up as follows: culture, religion and public choice. I do not agree with this majority. And I will justify my deference by logically attacking these bases in order to prove that this law is, first, a clamour for public support and patronage and second, a prejudiced attempt by a powerful majority to oppress a minority.

Culture: The presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, said of homosexualism: “…it is not our culture.” And millions of Nigeri-

I

N the synoptic gospels of Mark and Luke, Jesus, while teaching at the temple in Jerusalem, eulogised the widow’s mite. She gave all from her heart. The New International Version (NIV) of Luke 21: 4 says: “... but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

And so was the widow of Benin, Mrs. Joy Ifije. Unfortunately, the widow had put in all she had to live on in the wrong place at the wrong hour.

The plight of Nigerian widows is that which needs not be overemphasised. It is common and well-known. The challenges widow’s face after the demise of their husbands, who customs bequeath the role of the head of the family, is no longer a strange phenomenon; it is all the same fate across different cultures in Nigeria.

Inevitably, the widows assume the role of the head of the house, a role which comes with a lot of responsibilities. In such a situation, life becomes so difficult, especially

ans echoed in agreement. What is culture? If memory serves me right, culture is simply the totality of a people’s way of life. The keyword being totality and not majority. In Social Study class, I was taught that culture is diverse and changes with respect to people, place and time.

True to this, the numerous cultures in Nigeria have undergone transitions.

Christianity, health care, education and technology have all been added to our cultures in response to the demands of the people, place and time. And more additions occur as these we continue to transform daily. Where then lay the boundaries defining ‘our culture’ as a nation?

A friend vehemently upbraided the Europeans for the ‘infection’ of the Nigerian culture with homosexuality. She hailed the anti-gay law because of her fears that, Nigerians would “out-perform” their “western” teachers in the practice.

I wonder, if we should also blame the West for fornication, adultery and rape that we willfully commit in our country. If we indeed blame the Europeans for these rising despicable trends, where are the policemen carrying around lists of ‘potential’ offenders on these counts? Where are the vigilantes and mobs religiously enforcing the laws prohibiting these practices on our streets? My answer to this is prejudice.

Section 21(a) of the Constitution stipulates: “The state shall uphold the Nigerian cultures which enhance human dignity and are consistent with the fundamental objectives…of democracy and social justice.” The recently-promulgated anti-gay law breaches this provision.

Religion: Not a few anti-gay ad-

An unjust law vocates explore the Holy Bible and Qur’an in the attempt to justify this law. As much as I am tempted to, I will not prove in this essay, my belief, based on my knowledge and experience as a Christian, that God would have handled this situation differently than it has been handled. Nor will I explore the malicious hypocrisy of my discovery that many proponents of the anti-gay law are spurred to voice their support by their abhorrence of man-and-man union while harboring a healthy tolerance (even likeness, in many cases) for womanon-woman sexual activities. What I would rather take issue with is the error, which is quickly gaining popularity among Nigerian leaders and followers alike, of mixing the state and its law with the dictates of religion.

Chapter IV (38) of the Constitution clearly guarantees every Nigerian’s fundamental rights as the “right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion”. While Nigeria may be a country of religious people, it is not a religious state, hence the absence of any one religion as the national religion.

The wrongness of instituting a law based on principles particular to one or a number of religions in a country which legally allows one the right to not practice any religion cannot be overemphasised. The attempt to justify the anti-gay law on the grounds of religion is not only criminal and hypocritical but is also responsible for recent malodorous occurrences like the incessant Boko Haram killings and the subscription of some state governors to re-

ligion as disguised psychological blackmail of the voting electorate.

Public choice: “…Nigerians are happy with it,” says Abati. Democracy is, indeed, a government by a majority but I refuse to believe that it subscribes to the oppression of minority, who, in exercising their fundamental rights of choice and association, hurt no one.

If majority did indeed automatically dictate the law and the extent to which it is applied, slavery would have never been abolished in China, Europe and America where slaves were an obvious minority; racial discrimination of the minority black Americans would also have never ended; Hitler’s holocaust of the minority Jews in Germany, Charles Taylor’s crimes against Liberians and Saddam Hussein’s genocidal campaign against the Shia Muslims would have had a legal approval.

Even when the majority was in support of a revolution as was the case in South Africa during the Apartheid era, the law came to the rescue of the people not because of their numbers but because they sought equality, democracy and social justice – precepts which every law venerates.

If at this point, you are saying: “This writer is clearly gay!” I feel no urge to either congratulate or sympathise with you because you have completely missed the point.

For the readers, who would, however, put sentiment aside to absorb my arguments and proceed to sift through the facts for themselves, I will now take my stand. My stand is based on nothing else but the exact

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HERE has been an upsurge in rape cases in Nigeria in recent times, but measures by the government to stop the trend seem to be ineffective.

•Chisom is a Corps member in Osogbo, Osun State.

Oshiomhole and the widow

for widows who are not financially independent prior to the passing away of their spouses. The unexpected transition bestows on them a father figure.

Mrs Ifije must have had her share of widows’ plight. She had been a victim of theft by a truck pusher who went away with her goods, a week before her encounter with Governor Adams Oshiomhole. To avoid such an occurrence again, she placed her goods on the road contrary to the state’s law on street trading.

On the other hand, the law is no respecter of persons and so was the governor. The widow’s encounter with the Edo helmsman was a blend of pain and gain. Despite government’s effort to rid the state of street trading and other unhealthy practices due to the hazard they pose to public safety, the governor, who was on inspection, was

enraged at the widow’s attempt to sabotage his administration’s effort.

Just like Jesus, so many of us had expected the governor to tell the poor widow to go and sin no more.

On the contrary, he was upbraided.

The law, Anatole France, a Nobel Prize winner, said forbids, in its majestic equality, the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread.

But, the diction was, nevertheless, too strong for public consumption.

Such an uncensored utterance from an elected public figure was deemed inappropriate. While apologising, the governor said: “…but when I said go and die, that one was said in a fit of anger. And I am really sorry.” Not only did the governor realise his mistake on time, he tread the path of honour by employing the widow to enforce that same law she flouted.

As Aristotle puts it: “Anybody can

become angry – that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way – that is not within everybody’s power and is not easy.”

Anger is a normal emotional response to a perceived provocation but never should we allow it to cloud our sensibility. It was the same hubristic anger that led to the downfall of Odewale in Ola Rotimi’s The Gods Are Not to Blame. Beyond fatalism, anger has led to the downfall of great men.

Such is the case of the rage of Achilles.

The ironic twist of event was the governor’s strength of character, as explicated in Aristotle’s poetic expression. Oshiomhole discovered his weakness before it was exploited by the opposition in a fit of mischief. For the widow, it was a reversal of fate.

The governor’s regret was her fortune but, nevertheless, it was an act of di-

Time to stop rapists

By Akinola Oluyi

term of the issue at hand – the law.

Section 14(1) of the Constitution states: “The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a state based on the principles of democracy and social justice”. On these counts, the antigay law fails woefully. The law criminalising homosexual unions, acts and sympathies, in my opinion, is both wrong and unnecessary.

It is wrong because it absolutely violates six fundamental rights of the Nigerian citizen as stated in the Constitution and exposes a percentage of the country’s people to harassment and abuse. On the count of being unnecessary, the law could have prohibited the public display of sexual acts (homosexual and heterosexual) because such would corrupt the younger and more impressionable populace.

It could have criminalised rape and all manner of sexual practices (homosexual and heterosexual) lacking consent of the individual(s) involved because it would clearly abuse the unwilling individual while robbing him/her of fundamental rights.

I fear that the government, in a bid to prove that Nigeria will not be bullied by western forces, may have gone too far with this law.

The effects of this law are fast unraveling in the uncharacteristic efficiency with which the police, vigilantes and volunteer mobs are enforcing it across the country. Health clinics for healthcare and rehabilitation of homosexuals have been shuttered and reports of beatings, arrests and manhunts for ‘potential’ homosexuals abound. No matter the terms with which we try to justify it, this law is unjust. And an unjust law is no law at all.

Last month, the National Assembly started another move to curb the crime. Thanks to Senator Chris Anyanwu, from Imo State, who sponsored Sexual Offence Bill to address the crime. The Bill prescribed life sentence to anybody convicted of rape. With this, senators surprised Nigerians with their recommendation.

Showing her disgust for rape, Senator Zainab Kure (Niger South) said rapists should be shot. To Senator Hellen Esuene, severe punishment for offenders would deter would-be offenders. Another lawmaker, Senator Sola Adeyeye implored Federal Government to urgently sign the bill. All these are signs that sooner, rapists would have no chance to perpetrate their activities.

In time past, human rights groups have held campaigns against rape, which they see as vio-

lation of rights of the victims. But these campaigns yield nothing and the criminals get away with the crime. Now, underage girls are prey for the conscienceless rapists.

It is now a common occurrence to hear reports of a grandfather defiling a minor.

There are many cases of rape, which are not reported because of the status or position of the people involved. This simply indicates that the number of reported cases is only a few occurrences out of several cases.

In northern Nigeria, there are incidences of rape where young girls affected. The other day, a police chief confessed: “Child rape is becoming rampant in Kano and we are worried that nothing is done to stop these incidents. It will definitely go out of hand if proper care is not taken.” The top cop must have good evidence to back his

claim.

Rape suspects are usually elderly men while their victims are mostly girls between 3 and 18 years. The high rate of rape cases started in 2004, while it became pronounced 2005. In 2007, rape became uncontrollable.

In 2013, Kano alone had 54 cases of child rape. Also in Ibadan, over 20 rape cases are reported on monthly basis with only one out of 100 was prosecuted.

Most vulnerable victims of this inhuman act are street hawkers.

These girls are lured by rapists who pretend to want to buy their wares. The situation has become so bad that one has to monitor every movement of his children, especially the ladies.

Young girls are susceptible to this crime. Poverty, parental negligence and the moral crisis in the society have also all combined to

By Taiwo Adebulu vine providence.

•Taiwo has just finished Nationl Youth Service in Oyo State be a factor stoking the flame of rape in our society. The victims are traumatised and stigmatized, which is why a few of the victims are willing to press charges.

Out of sexual lust of a few perverts, our society is painted in bad light. Psychiatric tests should be carried out on rapists. Girls should desist from wearing bad dresses, which attract rapists.

Instead of waiting for the next victim to cry out, government should begin a community outreach programme to educate the citizens on the evil of rape. Parents should also educate their wards on the need for good conduct, which will promote our values.

It is good to make a rapist face the full wrath of the law and that of the Almighty. But we have to act fast to prevent the crime by enlighten people on the evils of rape and its consequence on the society.

•Akinola, ND II Mass Communication, OFFA POLY

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

44

CAMPUS LIFE

Poly matriculates freshers

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HE Rufus Giwa Polytechnic ((RUGIPO)) in Owo, Ondo State, has matriculated no fewer than 3,000 freshers admitted for the 2013/2014 academic session.

They included students in the National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes.

The event was held at the poly’s Sports Complex.

The Rector, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, urged the freshers to pay attention to their studies and abide by the school’s rules.

“In this institution today, we have responsible students who prefer to channel their grievances appropriately instead of taking the laws into their hands. As new students, you are expected to key into this laudable resolve and abstain from acts which are capable of tarnishing the good image the

From Richard Adura-Ilesanmi and Cecilia Adewole

RUGIPO school,” the Rector stated.

Prof Ajibefun commended the Ondo State Government for prompt release of fund, saying it had helped in expanding the infrastructural base of the institution in the last three years. He noted that his administration was committed to the welfare of staff and students and the promotion of sound academic culture through strict adherence to professional ethics and rigorous research.

Students who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, Oyeleye Opeyemi, Mass Communication and Lawrence Sandra, Public Administration, expressed joy for being admitted into the polytechnic. They promised to be of good behaviour throughout their stays in the institution.

•Pastor Jedafe (in white) with choristers of Ruach Levits entertaining the participants at the event PHOTO: OLATUNDE ODEBIYI

UNILAG students thrilled at concert

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TUDENTS of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) gathered at the Main Auditorium of the institution last week for a musical concert organised by The Breath of Life Ministry, with the theme: UNILAG music explosion mega praise summit.

The host, Pastor Samson Jedafe,

M •Freshers taking the matriculation oath

EMBERS of the Benin University Dental Students Association (BUDSA) held a prayer session last week at the old dental clinic building of the College of Medical Sciences.

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

From Olatunde Odebiyi

UNILAG in his message, urged the students to give valuable attention to their academics, saying that education was vital to a successful life.

The cleric prayed for the students and urged them to make God their

first priority in their pursuits, adding that God was the only one that can make a man great.

The church choir, Ruach Levites, ministered in various gospel songs to the admiration of the students.

The concert featured up-coming musicians and comedians on campus.

Dental students pray

The association President, Samuel Ajagba, said the event was organised to thank God for sustaining members during the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike. He encouraged them to start preparing for their examinations.

The session, which started at 5pm, featured intercessory prayers for the School of Dentistry, University of Benin, ASUU and other academic bodies in the country.

Students expressed joy that the face-off between the Federal Government and ASUU had been resolved. They urged both parties to

From Eddy Uwoghiren and Sunny Ibeh

UNIBEN play their part in the signed agreement, in order to avert future industrial actions.

Meanwhile, lectures have been suspended in most faculties to allow students prepare for the examination which started on January 27.

Some students told our correspondents that the pressure to finish the semester early was high, noting that it could affect their results.

‘What ASUU has done for us’ •Continued from page 31

Adetunji Aderonke, 400-Level Social Studies, who learned bag making from Busayo Idowu, owner of Treasure House Couture, a fashion outfit in Mayfair area of Ile-Ife, said: “I discovered I have good sense of fashion and so, I went a step further to learn it. Now, the skill is a plus for me.

It is a business that can cater for my immediate needs. I have made some investments from money I got from fashion designing,” Aderonke said.

It was no strike for Aderemi Ojekunle, a final year student of Public Administration, who took up advocacy task on climate change, energy efficient and sustainable environment to sensitise rural communities on environmental challenges.

Before ASUU called off the strike, Aderemi spoke at a seminar in Pacesetter Comprehensive College, Ibadan, which was on “Climate change and its implications on our immediate society”.

The event was organised by Plant for the Planet International, a German-based organisation in collaboration with Young Volunteers for the Environment in Nigeria.

Babatunde Ajiwokewu, 200Level student of Geography, started Divine Art and Fashion, a training school, shortly before the strike. Before resumption, he had trained several youths on creativity and entrepreneurship. “I had the best of time during the strike.

My training institute got expanded, which made me travelled the length and breadth of the country to train youths on creativity and entrepreneurship. I visited NYSC camps and youth organisation for training. My outfit is now setting out to satisfy the fashion industry. ASUU strike helped me lay the foundation for this,” Babatunde explained.

Afolakemi Afolabi who is studying English Education joined Unique FM in Osun to hone her skill in radio production. During the strike, she co-anchored Epiphany, a social programme that taught people etiquette and moral values. For her, she has learned a skill Mass Communication students could not get in the class.

Following his heart desire, Emmanuel Oduntan, an English student, took to playing of string instrument and talking drums. He used the six-month to sharpen his skill, which gave him a platform to operate.

He said: “I already started playing instruments in school, and so going home for the six months break was really a blessing. I received invitations from religious and corporate organisations to for play, especially for end of the year activities.”

While the respondents got occupied with productive vocation, some of their colleagues returned to campus with engagement rings. Some came with pregnancy.

But is the ASUU strike not blessing to all of them?

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

45

CAMPUS LIFE Amosun warns students

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• From left: Mr A. I. Ifejika, Accreditation Team Leader; Dr. Mufutau Olatinwo, Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Offa, and Alhaji Biaminu Salihu, Deputy Rector (Academics) during the opening of the accreditation by National Board for Technical Education in the Polytechnics.

HE Ogun State Government has warned students in tertiary institutions to desist from cultism and other vices that may truncate the peaceful academic atmosphere being experienced in the schools.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun, gave the warning during the Eighth matriculation of new students into the Institute of Technology, D.S Adegbenro Campus, Itori in Ewekoro Local Government Area.

"While the state government will continue to encourage our higher institutions through adequate funding, sanction, however, awaits any student who engage in cultism and other social vises which may distracts you from your studies," the Governor warned in a statement by the Press Officer of Ministry of Edu-

By Sampson Unamka

cation Science and Technology, Kayode Oduyebo.

Amosun, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Segun Odubela, however, assured the students that the government will continue to give necessary support to the Institute whenever necessary.

The Rector of the institute, Mr Funsho Olusanya, assured the new students that the management was making efforts to make teaching and learning easy with the construction of more infrastructure.

The institute, which was established as Gateway ICT Polytechnic on February 27, 2006 runs about 10 programmes at both Ordinary National and Higher National Diploma.

Nigerian varsities win three more ACE projects

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HREE more Nigerian universities have won grants under the African Centres of Excellence (ACE) project of the World Bank.

They are: Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife; Bayero University, Kano (BUK) and Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi.

They join seven others whose proposals in various fields of endeavour were approved in Dakar, Senegal, last October. They will get $1 million grant to provide infrastructure, training and conduct research in the proposed areas.

OAU won its proposal for the OAU Knowledge Park: A Model for National Science Technology and Knowledge Park Initiative (STEM); BUK won for Dryland Agriculture while BSU won the Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER) proposal.

With this addition, Nigeria has won 10 out of the 18 ACE projects meant for West Africa.

The first seven universities to win the ACE grants were: Redeemer's University, Mowe, Ogun State/University of Ibadan, Ibadan (African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, ACEGID); African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja (PanAfrican Materials Institute (PAMI); Federal University of

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

Agriculture, Abeokuta (Centre for Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment); Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (Centre of Excellence on Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology); University of Jos (Phytomedicine Research and Development, ACEPRD); University of Benin (Centre for Excellence in Reproductive Health and Innovation) and the University of Port Harcourt (ACE Centre for Oil Field Chemicals).

The World Bank is assisting Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo to strengthen the capacities of the participating universities in the specified areas so they can address particular regional developmental challenges and deliver high quality training and applied research.

Following the call for proposals by the World Bank on July 15, last year, Nigerian universities submitted 55 proposals to the National Universities Commission (NUC) in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and

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Mathematics (STEM) as well as Agriculture and Health Sciences.

The National Project Performance and Review Committee (NPPRC) set up by the NUC, scrutinised the proposals and reduced to 28.

The committee, headed by Prof Adebisi Balogun, submitted them to the Regional

A

Facilitation Unit (RFU) of the Association of African Universities (AAU) for further evaluation.

Of the 52 proposals that were submitted by all participating countries to the RFU/ AAU, only 31 were shortlisted, with 16 of them from Nigeria.

As part of the evaluation, the

RFU/AAU embarked on a site visit to the shortlisted institutions, to ascertain ownership and leadership of the proposals as well as the strength of government’s involvement. It is expected that the centres will start operation early this year after final approval by the Board of the World Bank.

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

65.

According to him, the suspension is to give the government an opportunity to open up negotiations with the union.

"The union is committed to ensuring that the on-going industrial dispute is resolved amicably, that is why all the lecturers were back to deliver lectures.

"We are hopeful that with the suspension of the strike that government will act fast and open the channel of negotiation with leadership of the union to forestall an impending indefinite strike," Esheye said.

Some students of the institution have called on the state government to start negotiations with the union to resolve all issues in the interest of industrial harmony.

Ebonyi to spend $500m on EBSU

BOUT $500 million would be spent on the development of Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki, the state Governor Chief Martins Elechi has said.

Elechi, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Mr Ndubuisi Chibueze-Agbo, at an event where educational materials were distributed, said since the government decided to collapse its multi-campus system into one, it had already started massive infrastructural development of the permanent site at Ishieke in collaboration with an American firm.

The governor announced that the administrative block and the office of the vice chancellor would be inaugurated

in the first quarter of this year, while work on two hostel blocks and another faculty block are in progress.

Meanwhile, lecturers of the Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo, have suspended their one-week warning strike, which it started on Monday January 13.

Chairman Academic Staff Union of the college (COEASU), Mr Greg Esheye, said the strike was to highlight the grievances of the union against the state government.

The lecturers were protesting high taxes, failure of government to constitute the institution’s Governing Council, pay pension and gratuity to retired workers and raise their retirement age to

232 students get two-year scholarship HE Habana International Staff Institution, Ondo State, has

SCHOLARSHIP ADMISSION 2014-2016

International Association of Christian Clergymen for Peace of United Nations Motto: World Peace Since 2000 Offers 323 tuition free scholarships to World Youths to mark 14th Anniversary 24th November, 2000. Interested Nigerian, African and European Youths to apply immediately to the President World Body & Head of Mission and send to our E-mail: archbishopurade@yahoo.com or P.O. Box 58, Ifon, Ondo State, Nigeria or P.O. Box 1362, Sabo-Yabo, Lagos State, Nigeria not later than 21st July, 2014. Eligible: SSS3 or equivalent. Age: 16 – 21 years. Aptitude test on Saturday August 16, 2014 at the temporary site Habana International Staff Institution. 18, Old Barracks Road, Ifon, Onitsha Park, Ifon, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Time: 11am prompt.

Enquiries on available courses contact: His Grace Archbishop (Prof) U.B. Adesunloye (JP) President world body & head of mission.

Tel: 08075243084, 09032545502. Resumption Date: 16 th September, 2014. Nigeria distance learning centres: Sokoto, Rivers, Edo Oyo, Imo, Ogun, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Niger States.

Africa Centres: Ethiopia, Burundi, Ghana, Togo, Mali, Kenya, Benin, Lesotho, S/Africa, Senegal, Malawi, Somalia and Botswana Centres soon. There is mode of dress for the institution. Only the tuition that is free, you have to pay for all your needs. All payments are non-refundable fee. Visitors/students should obtained pass at the security guard.

Bishop (Dr.) E. I. Oyebanji Southern Nigeria Coordinator Apostle (Dr) M.A. Agoro (JP)

By Medinat Kanabe

offered scholarship to 232 students to study vocational and pastoral subjects.

The institution, formerly known as the International Association of Christian Clergymen for Peace (IACCP) of United Nations Staff Academy, will accept the students for the 20142016 academic sessions.

In a statement, the Press Secretary to the President of the IACCP United Nations and head of Mission, Very Revd Modupe

Ilemobayo, said the aim of the scholarship is to combat unemployment among the youth and provide them with skills to be self-employed.

The students will undergo two-year programmes in 11 disciplines, including world languages, computer and cybercafé training, crop production management, art and design, pastoral training, animal health and husbandry at the staff school.

They will also be taught small enterprise develop-

OLAJUMOKE OSHODI EXPELLED The Nigeria Governing Board, Habana International Staff Institution has expelled Grace Olajumoke Oshodi from the Institution because she assaulted the Head of Mission on Saturday, 6th April, 2013 She said her father is a herbalist and herself a cultist.. Grace was awardedTuition free scholarship to study Art & Design for 2 years. She hailed from Idoani, Ose L.G. Ondo State – Nigeria.

Bishop (Dr.) E. I. Oyebanji Southern Nigeria Coordinator Apostle (Dr) M.A. Agoro (JP)

GRACE OLAJUMOKE OSHODI

ment, consumer education, communication skills, personaliy development, peace education, English language, and general knowledge during a sixmonth feeder class.

"After six months feeder class, the students will go straight to their various departments," she said.

Already, a community in Ondo State has donated eight plots of land to the IACCP. Archbishop Uriel Adesunloye is the proprietor and Rector of the institution and also the President World Body ACCP. Meanwhile, the IACCP United Nations plans to establish a university in UteOse Local Government of Ondo State.

The statement noted that Conflict Resolution, World Languages and Religions are among the programmes to be offered in the university which is expected to complement the UN’s peace efforts around the world.

AAUA FILE

AAUA gets new deans A former Dean of Students’ Affairs Division, Adekunle Ajasin University, AkungbaAkoko, Ondo State, Nigeria, Prof Oluyemisi Adebowale, has become the Dean of the Faculty of Arts.

The Deputy Librarian, Dr Olujide Ajidahun, was appointed to succeed Adebowale.

Ajidahun promised to deliver. He said the only way to justify the confidence reposed in them as workers is to be be more faithful and diligent in their duties.

He also sought the cooperation of the Students Union.

Why AAUA lacks regular power THE Business Manager, Owo Unit, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), formerly the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, Mr Lewis Iriemi, has said Akungba-Akoko would enjoy regular electricity supply if its power feeder is cut off from Iwaro and reconnected to that of Simerin community.

Simerin is about 10 kilometres from AkungbaAkoko, AAUA host community. Mr Iriemi was invited by the AAUA Students Union to brief them on why Akungba community does not enjoy regular power supply.

Iriemi said: "Akungba is at the end of our service receivers and before the electricity supply gets here, it has to transverse Edo State, Idoani, Oka-Akoko and Iwaro.

"If Akungba must enjoy regular supply, its feeder must be cut off from Iwaro and reconnected to the feeder that terminates at Simerin community. The process of redirecting the feeder involves money and if the government can fund it, electricity supply to Akungba will be regular even more than that of Iwaro Oka.

MAPOLY expels 75 students From Taofikat Lawal, Abeokuta

NO fewer than 75 students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, were expelled in a mass purge carried out to rid the institution of unqualified students.

They were sent packing over fake credentials, exam malpractices and other offences.

It was learnt that the many of the students expelled came from the Department of Mass Communication while others came from other departments.

The institution’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Sulaiman Adebiyi, could not give the exact figure of the students expelled, but said some of those affected were caught during screening where they presented questionable credentials while others were involved in examination malpractices.

However, he said the expelled students have the right to appeal to the institution’s Governing Council for a review of their case, adding that those whose defense are genuine, may have their expulsion commuted to suspension.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

46

CAMPUS LIFE SCHOLARSHIPS

EKSU FILE

Students' Union gets electoral body ACTIVITIES leading to the emergence of democratically-elected Students Union Executives of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), AdoEkiti have started with the inauguration of the Students' Union Electoral Committee by the ViceChancellor, Prof Oladipo Aina.

The inauguration, which was done at the Senate Chamber, had in attendance principal officers of the university and the representatives of the students body.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Patrick Oladipo Aina, said he believes in democracy among the students, noting their elected leaders would act as a bridge between them and management.

Aina added that since assumption of duties he has opened an unhindered communication avenue with the students and shared their aspiration to have a duly elected students’ union government.

He expressed optimism that the management of the university and the university community will benefit immensely from a peaceful conduct of the election.

Staff school renovated THE Ekiti State University’s Staff School is wearing a new look after dilapidated classrooms were renovated.

The public, especially stakeholders of the school, have commended the ongoing construction to position the school among the best in the state in terms of infrastructure.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oladipo Aina, who commended members of the board of the Staff School and other stakeholders for their cooperation, said it becomes imperative to give the school a new look for conducive teaching and learning.

Aina said plans were in the pipeline to actualise the vision of the Management to establish a Secondary School.

Some stakeholders, who were full of praise for the renovation at the EKSU Staff School described the turnaround as unprecedented.

They commended the Aina and his team for the positive development.

FUTA prepares for NUGA

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ABAJIDE Okulaja, a 400-Level Physics student who has shown dexterity in the field event of long jump, will be the focal point of the participation of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) in the forthcoming Nigerian University Games (NUGA).

Okulaja along with other students who will fly the flag of the institution at the Games scheduled to hold between February 12 and 22 at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, have stepped up their preparations at the FUTA sports complex.

He is expected to be the man to beat in the long jump event because of his exposure and exploits in the game at the national level.

The FUTA Vice Chancellor, Prof Adebiyi Daramola, has charged the athletes and officials to give their best at the Games and show the excellence that the university is known for in all areas of human endeavours.

Michael Ajibua, Director of Sports, has assured the FUTA Community that the athletes will do the institution proud.

He hinged his optimism on the commitment of the students in training and their determination to win laurels for the institution.

FUTA will be represented by 29 athletes and 13 officials in five events namely; Athletics, Table Tennis, Tennis, Judo and Taekwondo.

APPROACHING DEADLINES •Continued from last edition Eligibility Eligible Courses You can use an MSP scholarship for a number of selected short courses in one of the following fields of study: Economics, commerce, management and accounting; Agriculture and environment; Mathematics, natural sciences and computer science; Engineering; Law, public administration, public order and safety; Humanities, social sciences, communication and arts.

The short courses are offered by educational institutions in the Netherlands, which provide professional training at post-secondary level.

How to Apply Applications for the MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) should be submitted to the Netherlands Embassy in your own country before the scholarship application deadline.

This page explains how you can apply for a scholarship and how the selection procedure works.

You must complete and sign the MSP Scholarship application form 2014. You can obtain this form from the Netherlands Embassy in your country or download it online.

The application form should be accompanied by the following necessary documents Evidence of proficiency in speaking and writing the language of instruction; An employer's statement (download the requirements below); A complete copy of your passport

or other official identity document; Certified copies of educational records in English or French (provide translations if necessary); A detailed curriculum vitae (CV) in English; One current photo; A copy of your birth certificate (if requested by the Embassy).

Selection Procedure The number of applications for an MSP Scholarship always exceeds the number of available scholarships.

The following selection procedure applies: The Dutch embassies in your country assess your application against the eligibility criteria, give specific recommendations and may prioritise applications.

The embassies forward the complete and eligible applications to Nuffic.

Nuffic forwards the applications

to the Dutch institution that provides the course to request academic admission for the candidates.

The Dutch institutions assess the applications and decide whether the applicants' educational background and professional experience meet the specific requirements of the course. The institutions decide who is admitted to a course.

Only candidates admitted to a course will be eligible for an MSP scholarship.

These assessments will lead to a selection. The final selection becomes available about two months after the scholarship application deadline.

Nuffic informs the Dutch institutions and the embassies about the outcome of the selection.

Deadline: The next MSP application deadline is February 4, 2014

Challenges of leadership,

by Kolade

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OW to find the right people to work with, gain and retain their commitment, have interpersonal skills, know the right balance of power and authority, and use both to achieve desired objectives, are part of the major challenges former Nigeria’s High Commissioner to United Kingdom (UK), Dr Christopher Kolade highlighted at a lecture by Caleb University, Ikorodu in Lagos.

The Pro-Chancellor of the Pan-Atlantic University spoke on the topic: The management of leadership opportunity.

He said: "We start with a natural capacity for learning through imitation, and if we develop this, the seed that was planted in infancy may show up as leadership traits when the need arises in later life. However that may be, we will become successful and effective leaders if we seize every opportunity to learn the right things, and to develop our capacity for applying what we learn to the leadership activity," he added.

Dr Kolade, who is also the Chair of the Board of Trustees of Caleb University, said Nigeria needs leaders that will use the God-given resources of this country in building a nation that will, once again, earn the respect of the rest of the world.

"Leaders should always remind themselves of the National Pledge, wherein we offer to serve the country rather than ourselves, and wherein we volunteer to use all our

• From left: Olukoju, Dr Kolade, Prof. Olukunle Iyanda, Dean College of Postgraduate Studies; Mrs. Folake Okor, Ag. Registrar; Mr Adesina Abubakre, Ag. Bursar; Mr Godwin Jibodu, member, Governing Council, Caleb University; and Prof. S. O. Ajai, Dean, COPAS at the event.

By Medinat Kanabe

strength and other resources to uphold the dignity of our fatherland So help us, God! "Leaders must be able to find credible ways of pursuing the organisation's objectives within the time and the resources available. Leaders must be able to come up with acceptable and effec-

P

tive ways of improving the organisation's ability to find or generate additional resources when such resources are needed to ensure the attainment of the standards to which organisational effort has been committed. Leaders must see the selection, appointment, development and retention of good quality people as

one of their main responsibilities."

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Ayodele Olukoju, said the academy, which has been existing since 2011, was formed to train students to be good potential leaders. He said he was passionate to emulate the leadership skills enunciated by Kolade.

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

Docknan Sheni for Plateau State University Bokkos and Prof. Ihron Rensberg, Vice Chancellor and Principal for University of Johannesburg.

The agreement is aimed at raising the academic standard of the new university.

The statement added that the PhD students would be drawn from all the local councils of the state.

It reads: "The MoU entered into is on academic cooperation and collaboration through the scholarship of teaching and learning programmes, research and development and student and lecture postgraduate programmes.

"Part of the agreement is that the University of Johannesburg will enrol Plateau State University staff for studies that it deemed crucial for development.

"Beginning this academic session, Plateau State University will be sending at least 17 Ph. D students to South Africa for studies. This is part of the universities effort to unify the state in line with the Governor Jonah David Jang's desire. By this arrangement, one student from each local government area in the state will take part in the programme each year."

The vice Chancellor hopes that by the end of his tenure, the state can boast of at least 85 people who have either completed or are undergoing Ph. d programmes in the university.

Solomon Lar, SA varsities sign MoU

LATEAU State-owned university, Solomon Lar University, Bokkos, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Johannesburg in South Africa for the training of its workers on doctoral programmes.

In a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Solomon Lar

University, John Agam, the deal was signed at the office of the Vice Chancellor and Principal of University of Johannesburg in South Africa.

It said: "The MoU was signed at the University of Johannesburg by the Vice Chancellor, Prof.

•Vice Chancellor, Prof Olusola Oyewole (left), congratulating Mr Sunday Adenaike, the winner of the International Foundation on Science (IFS) Grant Application Writing Workshop. With them is Director Grants Management, Dr Kola Adebayo.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

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EDUCATION

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Alumni body seeks to reclaim school’s land

HE President, The Apostolic Church Grammar School Old Students' Association (TACGSOSA), Chuks Nwachukwu, has appealed to the Lagos State government and The Apostolic Church (LAWNA Territory) to help recover part of the school land allegedly sold to a developer.

He made the appeal on the sideline at the Annual General Meeting (AGM)/Golden Jubilee celebration of the school at the school premises in Ketu, Lagos.

According to him, the need for reclaiming the school land sold for residential purpose would help attract huge infrastructural development needed for the school's proposed expansion.

Nwachukwu said TACGSOSA's plan for the provision of a facility, including sports centre and cultural centre and school hall is being hindered by space constraint.

He said: "It is a pity that the school is marking its Golden Jubi-

By Adeola Ogunlade

lee with less than a quarter of its land left in its possession because our second generation fathers in The Apostolic Church LAWNA Territory have sold the school land for money and without any reinvestment of the proceeds back in the school."

Nwanchukuwu lamented that the church stuck to its guns contrary to the agreement reached with the officials at the Lagos State Ministry of Education not to sell off the land. It has become obvious that the church has disposed off the fenced portion of the school land to speculators who are developing a residential estate on it.

Although he said the school has some standard facilities, he lamented: "We are worried that a school of 50 years cannot boast of certain facilities, particularly a befitting school hall."

"Our commitment to uplift the school is a commitment to ourselves and humanity. Apart from making us socially responsible, a good image for the school robs off on us as it ensures that we continue to rub shoulders with our peers from other school.

"We want the school to relate with schools abroad with exchange programmes that would help the students compete favourably, he added.

The church's spokesperson, Elder Julius Adekunle Awotimiro however denied knowledge of any agreement with the government.

Awotimiro also described TACGSOSA's claim on the sale of the land as fallacious.

"To my understanding, no part of the school land was sold to any developer. The school was only fenced off with two entrances to forestall its encroachment," he said.

Lagos ex-deputy gov urges UBEC to invest in literacy

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie •Sosan

F

ORMER Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs Sarah Sosan, has urged the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to invest more funds in literacy skills training for both teachers and pupils.

She spoke at the opening of a five-day literacy workshop for 1,000 lower primary teachers in Maryland.

The training was facilitated by GFR, an educational consultancy firm owned by Mrs Sosan.

She appealed to Alhaji Yahaya Amuda, UBEC's Southwest Zonal Coordinator, who was present at the event. She said the leadership of the commission should focus on literacy skills at the grassroots to boost learning outcomes in schools.

"I have a message for UBEC. Literacy skills should be given more attention. It is good to distribute books, but if the pupils lack literacy

‘I have a message for UBEC. Literacy skills should be given more attention. It is good to distribute books, but if the pupils lack literacy skills, they cannot read these books’

skills, they cannot read these books.

UBEC should allow more counterpart funding for skills training and you will see a lot of changes.

"Some of the teachers do not have these skills. If we don't get it right and our students and pupils don't have these skills, then we will be wasting our time distributing books," she said.

She also urged teachers to counsel parents to pay more attention to the education of their wards.

Yahaya promised to take Mrs Sosan's appeal back to the UBEC leadership in Abuja.

The SUBEB Chairman, Mrs Gbolahan Daodu, urged the teachers to utilise the knowledge they gained from the workshop to improving literacy skills of their pupils. She said the government had been committed to teacher development for the five years she has been in the saddle.

"Within the last five years that I have been here, I always make bold to say that the state government has spent a lot of money when it comes to building capacity of teachers. I am always happy when the teachers respond to this gesture with interest and commitment," she said.

After this batch of 1,000 completed their training, Mrs Daodu said 2,500 more teachers were scheduled to undergo the same training in various centres across Lagos soon.

Mrs Sosan promised cash rewards to the best three participants of the workshop. She said they would be appointed master trainers and would benefit from further training.

Council secretary gives scholarship

T

• From right: Rev Sis Oguejiofor; Mr Oguntuyi; Chairman of the event, Julius Onwuegbule and his wife Ngozi.

T

HE Administrative Secretary Kware Local Government in Sokoto State, Alhaji Abubakar Umar, said over N7 million had gone into his scholarship scheme for indigenous students.

According to him, the gesture was

Administrator seeks women participation in sports

HE Administrator, Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Lagos Rev. Sister Patricia Oguejiofor has traced the disparity in women participation in sports as against men to myth, societal perception and lack of family support.

She spoke at the school’s 24th Inter-House Sports at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) Sports Complex.

She blamed the African culture, which she said, sees physical activity as the exclusive preserve of the men, while stigmatising or ostracising women with similar interest.

“Here I recall with nostalgia an aunt of mine who could not marry due to her male-like strength, agility and power. I could recall that no man dared challenge her for she would silence anyone who tried it," she said while fleshing up her claim.

Debunking the age-long myth that sports and exercise were harmful to the woman reproductive system, Oguejiofor argued that such fallacious claim have relegated women’s participation in sports to the background for ages.

"But the truth is, childbirth is easier and delivery is faster for women who identify with sports during pregnancy. Support in the form of spiritual, moral and financial aspects of life which are vital to success in sports will rather be given to the male child

By Adegunle Olugbamila

than the girl child. We are glad that things are getting better now," she said.

Sister Oguejiofor said sports are veritable instruments for societal change and self-actualisation as they entertain, foster unity, healthy living and are channels for the demonstration of youthful exuberances.

Special guest of honour, Mr Laolu Oguntuyi, described sports as a bal-

anced way of promoting mental and physical development among youths.

According to Oguntuyi, a Director at the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Board (LASTVEB), an ideal school must possess good sporting besides teaching and learning, noting that sports is an avenue through which the government can nurture future talents that will represent the country at international sporting activities.

"The physical body and minds of children are developed during sporting activities, while young talents are also discovered in the process," Oguntuyi added.

At the events, White House came first with six gold medals, six silver and two bronze medals, while Red House which came second got six gold, five silver and seven bronze medals and the third position went to Green House with five gold, three silver and four bronze medals.

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

aimed at assisting the less-privileged of Yabo Local Government where he also hails from.

Speaking to reporters in Sokoto, Umar explained that the initiative was to enable Yabo sons and daughters advance in their education.

He explained that the scheme which he introduced in 2012, would complement education development in the state.

"The beneficiaries of the scheme were given admission forms free by my foundation. Grants were also being disbursed to them in instalments to ensure that poverty does not inhibit them from successfully pursuing their studies."

He said the gesture was part of his modest contributions to shore up the educational development of the state and Nigeria.

•Chairman, Corona School Trust Council Mr Adedotun Sulaimon, (5th right) flanked by the Corona Model Secondary School Teacher Awardee Oladepo Alo (left), and her counterpart in the Nursery category Morenikeji Anietie Joseph (right) and Babatunde Olomo (Primary category 5th right) and the Director CSTC Mrs Olufunto Igun (extreme right) with other teachers during the school’s Seventh Staff Award at Corona School, Lekki.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

48

EDUCATION

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MultiChoice launches educational channel

ULTICHOICE Africa is supporting learners and educational efforts through the launch of a new educational channel, Channel ED. Channel ED joined the DStv and GOtv family of channels penultimate week.

It airs on DStv channel 318 and on GOtv channel 65.

The channel features both global high-end documentaries and new locally-produced content on various fields, including physics, finance,

culture, chemistry and others.

A statement from the firm quoted the Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe, as saying: "MultiChoice is committed to equiping learners and communities with the best educational information to ensure that our audience gain information in a fun and exciting manner. Channel ED's broad content is aimed at ages 15 to 49 and is yet anotherdemonstration of our commitment to bringing families together through the

ultimate family viewing experience."

The channel will broadcast six hours of new content every week day, including documentaries, short form material and presenter-driven programmes.

Executive Producer of Channel ED, Danie Ferreira, added: "Channel ED is about expanding the world's knowledge on Africa through knowledge sharing thereby changing perceptions of Africa for the better."

•Mrs Oladunjoye (middle) and Mrs Daodu (left) congratulating Alawiye.

Commissioner urges ‘best teacher’ to work hard •Presents car gift

L

AGOS State Teacher of the Year (Primary School Category), Mr Ganiyu Alawiye was presented with a Kia Picanto, his reward, last Thursday at the Ministry of Education, Alausa.

He was named the best teacher for the category at the 2013 Education Merit Award organised by the ministry penultimate week and publicly recognised along with other recipients.

At the brief ceremony, the Education Commissioner, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, who presented the keys to Alawiye, urged him to continue working hard and counseled other teachers to join in the race for the next edition of the award.

"He has done well and we are

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

giving him this car. And we charge him to work harder. The same way, we are telling other teachers that when you work hard we identify you; and reward you," he said.

Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Mrs Gbolahan Daodu also added her voice to the call for teachers to be more dedicated.

"We have always been admonishing them to be committed; hard working and devote most of their energy these children. They are the moulders of all of us. But they need to do more for standard to improve,"she said.

Alawiye, who teaches at Our Lady of Fatima, Mushin, said he was happy that his hard work paid off.

He said he led pupils in the Mushin Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) to victory at competitions organised by the ministry of education.

"I have been training students and when I train, God crowns my effort with success. They usually come between first and third positions. We won the best award in Science and Technology; we were the second in the BRF Quiz competition last year, and this year we have already reached the final. I am a master trainer for the National Unified Continuous Assessment Programme and also for Bridge IT," he said.

Alawiye, a Mathematics and Chemistry Education graduate of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, also thanked the Education Secretary, Mushin LGEA, Yusuf Olokodana, for insisting on excellence from teachers.

Corona celebrates director at Teachers Awards

T

HE Director, Corona School Trust Council (CSTS) Mrs Olufunto Igun least expected the 'bombshell' that awaited her at the Seventh Corona Staff Awards.

Only five days earlier, she had celebrated her 50th birthday low key.

But, little did she realise she was being 'ambushed' for another bash at the Corona School Lekki, venue of the event, and the latest addition to Corona Schools, which has also earned a new name- 'Five Star School' owing to its location and aesthetics.

However, Mrs Igun seemed to have taken the shine off several other awardees, who were split into teaching and non-teaching categories.

"Permit me to divert a bit", said the Chairman, CSTS Mr Adedotun Sulaimon midway into the event.

"We want to celebrate one of our own, our very dear Mrs Igun, who clocked 50 on Monday, but only decided to celebrate it low key. We want to tell her that we appreciate her. She is a role mother and a model, and we want to wish her a happy birthday despite that she clocked 50 few days ago."

By Adegunle Olugbamila

And so began the 'emergency birthday party', Mrs Igun in dazzling smile, sauntered into the middle of the crowd, comprising mostly Corona workers who have branded themselves in the school wine emblem with wome decked in flying headgears.

Mrs Igun told The Nation that the event was remarkable because it coincided with Nigeria's 100 years’ amalgamation, adding that it also affords the nation the opportunity to reappraise education development over a century.

She described the event tagged: ‘Impacting our world’ as a custom in Corona to realign staff to the endless bond they all share.

The awardees, Igun explained, were considered based on virtues such as resourcefulness, personal development, proficiency, broad mindedness, comportment, being a team player and above all imbibing the Corona ethics and integrity.

"This is to reaffirm the bond, the love we all share. What we set out to do is

to appreciate the importance of our staff, and to reward our long-serving staff. That is why we also had the longservice award. We hardly all come together like this.

Oladepo Alo won the Corona Model Secondary School Teacher Award, Morenikeji Anietie Joseph clinched the Corona Model Nursery School Teacher award, while Babatunde Olomo emerged the Corona Model Primary Teacher award.

Olomo, who is from Corona School, Lekki, attributed his achievement to the cooperation of all.

A teacher of Mathematics, Olomo said his ability to demystify the subject endear him to his pupils.

"As a teacher at the basic level, I understand that I must not miss the opportunity to stimulate my pupils' interest in maths because that is when pupils’ opinion about the subject is formed. Once they lose interest at the elementary level, it will be difficult to get it right later in life. Aside my teaching role, I'm also involved in photography and making of newsletter and yearbook which is outside my role but I use it assist the school,” he said.

EDUTALK

with

A lesson in crisis management

T

HE Lagos State University (LASU) was in the news for the right reasons on Monday, last week.

It had successfully conducted the Students' Union election Kofoworola online simultaneously on four campuses using software applications developed by two of its students. The exercise Kofosagie@yahoo.com went without hassles. It was 08054503077 (SMS only) well reported, and the university was applauded from various quarters.

Unfortunately, it did not last. The euphoria was ruptured two days later by a violent protest by students against the closure of the school's registration portal. Like students are wont to do, some of them had not registered despite several extensions of the deadline by the university. And finally examinations came, and about 1,300 students were left in the cold.

Many had complained that the difficulty of raising the fees, which ranges between N180,000 and N350,000 was the reason for the delay.

They pleaded for another period of grace to complete their registration since they had paid the fees, but the Vice Chancellor, Prof John Obafunwa, would have none of it. Hoping against hope on the day the second semester examinations were billed to start (Wednesday), the students still pleaded for clemency. However, they felt certain it would not come when the Vice Chancellor, who they expected would address them after attending a Governing Council meeting, entered his car and drove off. That was when things went awry and the demon of destruction possessed the students.

Students' unrest is any Vice Chancellor's nightmare. Those who have experienced it never pray to witness it again during their tenure. Prof Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe will not forget the students' violence that resulted in the burning of his official quarters in 2005 when he was the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof James Epoke, and his counterpart at the University of Uyo, Prof Comfort Ekpo, will likely shudder when they remember the wanton destruction of university and personal properties visited on their institutions in August 2011 (UNICAL) and June 2013 (UNIUYO) by the same students who sought their admission with tears.

Many years ago, I was at a forum where Prof Rogers Makanjuola, former Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, IleIfe, recalled how students kidnapped him from his office and dragged him down the multiple-storey building, rough-handling him in the process. He was bitter about the experience.

We have read of Obafunwa's experience in the papers. Had LASU students reached where he was hiding, I do not think they would just have rough-handled him. He himself said "we would have been talking about obituaries".

The experiences I have recounted are proof that authorities of our tertiary institutions ought to invest in negotiations, conflict resolution and crisis management skills and strategies. While I do not excuse violence by students under any premise, I also think that the situation that leads to violence can be checked if only the authorities would be a little more sensitive.

For instance, in the LASU case, the Vice Chancellor had already received prior warning from the Students' Union President, Mojirade Hassan, that trouble was brewing. But he waved it off.

He told her to handle it. I think the straw that broke the carmel's back was when Obafunwa failed to address the students after the council meeting. He and the Governing Council Chairman, Mr Bode Agusto, drove off. Trying to decipher what must have gone through the students' mind, I conjecture that they must have thought of the consequences of not being allowed to write the examination after eventually paying the fees - a repeat of the semester next session. A repeat means that they would have to pay another set of tuition fees - fees that they have been complaining are too steep in the first place. That was an unpleasant reality.

This is a lesson for all school administrators: do all you can to nip crisis in the bud; keep communication lines open; do not underestimate students, especially when they are acting as a group. This is because, as they always claim, the protest can be hijacked by unruly elements and spiral out of control.

If the Vice Chancellor had addressed the students, things may not have got so bad. Again, if the university had stopped accepting fees from the students yet to register, they would not have been able to use the closure of the portal as an excuse for violence. That was a mistake on the university's part.

Belo-Osagie

‘I conjecture that they must have thought of the consequences of not being allowed to write the examination after eventually paying the fees - a repeat of the semester next session. A repeat means that they would have to pay another set of tuition fees - fees that they have been complaining are too steep in the first place. That was an unpleasant reality’

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

POLITICS

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed February 14 and 28, 2015 for the general elections. The exercise is a rare opportunity for the umpire to redeem its battered image.

Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN writes on the challenges that will confront the commission.

Can INEC deliver in 2015?

T

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the time table for next year’s general elections at a time Nigerians are yet to overcome the agony of the flawed Anambra State governorship election. Unlike 2011, when Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief from the 2007 flawed polls, the nation is in a nightmare. The confidence of the people in the umpire is waning because it has failed to live up to expectation.

Many have argued that the agency has failed to learn from it mistakes in the Ondo and Edo state governorship elections. Thus, these pitfalls were repeated in theAnambra governorship poll last year.

Analysts argue that, if the INEC could bungle the election, despite its extensive preparations and resources at his disposal, its capacity to conduct a hitch-free exercie simultaneously in 31 states is in doubt. Although the Chairman of the commission, Prof Attahiru Jega, has promised to rectify the mistakes, the proposed Ekiti and Osun state governorship polls, which will hold this year, are a litmus test for the umpire.

To conduct credible and transparent elections next year, the agency must avoid the “Anambra mistake,” which had created a credibility crisis for the electoral commissioners.

Voters’ registration The cedibility of an election starts with a credible voter’s register. According to election monitors, registered voters should be able to vote without hindrance A credible voters’ register determines the acceptability of the election results. From experience, many registered voters have been disenfranchised by the INEC. They were turned back by polling officers because their names could not be found on the voter’s register, even when they present voters’ cards issued during the registration .

In Anambra State, thousands of eligible voters were shocked when they found out that their names have disappeared from the register. In Edo State, there were reports of illegal insertion of names into the voter’s register during the last governorship poll. Also, in Ondo State, the voter’s register was inflated with over 150,000 fake names. In the months preceeding the election, opposition parties had alleged a plot by some powerful politicians to inject fictitious names into the register. But, the commission dismised it as a rumour, saying that critics were raising a false alarm.

Since the INEC has ruled out electronic voting in 2015, it is imperative that it comes up with a new voter’s register. This will entail fresh registration of eligible voters in the country. The existing voter’s register cannot be relied upon for some reasons.

For example, there are allegations that politicians had colluded with some INEC officials to tamper with the register. Most of the machines used for the registration have been stolen. The voter’s register, which the INEC is relying on, is not credible. It is controversial. To avoid rancorous

elections next year, the INEC should produce a new register.

Monitoring of party primaries The process through which party candidates emerge is very crucial. The electoral process is in jeopardy when credible aspirants fail to emerge as candidates of political parties. The practice over the years is the imposition of candidates by the party leadership, irrespective of the popular demand. Analysts believe that the imposition of candidates has undermined the nation’s development because wrong people found themselves in the corridor of power. When merit is ignored, the polity will suffer in the post-election period because the beneficiary of the imposition will not perform to expectation. Such candidates are not prepared for the job; they lack the blue print ,which they intend to implement in office.

The commission should insist that candidates should emerge through primaries, even where party opted for consensus candidates. INEC officials must be present to monitor party primaries to ensure the candidates emerge through the due process.

A social critic, Bernard Briggs, observed that the imposition of candidates is the root of poor governance.

He attibuted the problems confronting the country in the post-Obasanjo period to the imposition of Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as his running mate by the former President. Briggs said that, if Obasanjo had allowed the aspirants to go through primaries, better candidates would have emerged and and the prospects of the inept leadership would have been avoided.

Briggs urged Nirerians to kick against “god fatherism” in 2015, sayinmg that “it encourages planting incompetent people in strategic positions”.

The President of the Civil Rights Congress, Mallam Shehu Sanni, said: “The quality of our leadership is a derivative of the quality control of our elections. A credible election must reflect the will of the people.

For as long as we allow “god fathers” to have their ways in the selection of candidates, we can never get it right”.

Security Electoral security is very important. When patriotic security agents police the votes, democracy will thrive. “What we have experienced over the years is that security men who are supposed to protect the voters are used by the ruling party to intimidate voters in the stronghold

•Prof Jega

of the opposition. There were cases where uniformed men gave cover to party thugs who snatched electoral materials for thumb printing in hideouts, only for the ballot boxes to resurface later.

“In the last Anambra governorship poll, the security arrangements were suspect. Policemen pretended as if nothing was happening when some politicians were openly wooing voters at the polling units with money.

In the last senatorial election in the Delta Central District, it was alleged that the ruling party employed security agents to intimidate other party agents”, Briggs said.

In the opinion of the activist, the behaviour of the police and other security men on poll day underscored the desperation of the ruling party to perpetuate itself in office against the wishes of the people. He said security agents are not expected to intimidate voters, adding that they have the mandate to maintain law and order.

“It is only in Nigeria that you find security men carrying guns during elections to intimidate voters . Election day is a day when voters should feel free to perform their civic right of electing their leaders without intimidation or molestation,” he stressed.

Campaigns and rallies The Electoral Act stipulates that campaigns and rallies should begin three months to the elections. The INEC is empowered to monitor the rallies of political parties to ensure that the campaigns are issue-driven.

But, instead of selling their programmes to the electorate, politicians use the forum to blackmail or run down opponents.The umpire is

also expected to regulate the “electoral economy”. One way of doing that is to closely monitor campaign funds, how they are raised and spent by parties. The commission is empowered to sanction parties that go beyond the bench mark. The INEC should also be ready to invoke various provisions in the constitution against electoral malpractices. Electoral officers who collude with politicians and police to commit attrocities against the ballot box should be prosecuted.

Credibility of polling officials It is impossible for the agency to recruit permanent staff for elections, hence, the use of ad-hoc staff. It is cost-effective. However, the umpire should endeavour to recruit people of high integrity. The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members have been very useful in this regard. But, the commision should organise in-house training for them, two weeks before the election, so that they can understand the election procedure, timing and materials. Experience has shown that some of the ad-hoc staff were not familiar with the electoral process. They learn on the job, thereby slowing down the voting process.

The commission should always make sure that the ad-hoc staff allowances are paid promptly. Some adhoc staff had distrupted elections by refusing to move to the assigned polling stations because of unpaid allowances. In Anambra State, students were recruited, shortly before the commencement of the poll, because the NYSC members insisted that they would not work, unless they were paid. Opposition parties

‘The umpire is also expected to regulate the “electoral economy”. One way of doing that is to closely monitor campaign funds, how they are raised and spent by parties. The commission is empowered to sanction parties that go beyond the bench mark. The INEC should also be ready to invoke various provisions in the constitution against electoral malpractices. Electoral officers who collude with politicians and police to commit attrocities against the ballot box should be prosecuted’

later cried out that the students were drawn from the university where one of the running mates was teaching.

Polling materials The late arrival of polling materials is responsible for the late commencement of voting. The accreditation of voters is expected to start by 8.00 a.m. In some cases, polling officers and materials do not get to the polling centre, until 12 noon. This implies that the accreditation cannot take place as planned. Out of frustration, voters often retun home. In the process, they are disenfranchised.

Many observers complained about this trend in Ondo, Edo and Anambra polls. The solution is that the INEC should provide transportation for the movement of polling materials and officers to ensure prompt commencement of voting. The difficult terrains, especially riverine areas and deserts, should be given preferential treatment by hiring speed boats and rugged vehicles to convey the materials and polling officers.

In Edo, many polling stations did not receive voting materials on time.

In some areas, voters complained of fake voter’s register, with many names without pictures. The accreditation, which was supposed to end by noon, did not start in many areas until 11a.m. Many eligible voters could not find their names on the register. Many were also disenfranchised because they were not accredited before the close of the accreditation.

Collation centers Rigging is usually perterated during the collation of results. The agency should ensure that the collation centers are accessible and secured. Only party agents should be allowed into the venue. Only ballot boxes accompanied by accredited polling officers and party agents should be received by the collation officers. The result sheets not signed by all party agents should not be accepted. The collation should been done in the presence of party agents and the result be announced on the spot.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

NATURAL HEALTH

Epidemic of premature birth, baby diabetes? (1) W HERE are Dr. James Egejuru and Dr. Adekola?

I remembered them two weeks ago when the wife of one of my nephews was delivered by a hospital in Somolu, in downtown Lagos, of preterm twin baby boys. One of the babies died, in my view, unnecessarily. I believe the death was avoidable for a number of reasons.

ONE: His mother had been shown by a scan probe to have a narrow pelvis or birth canal. This made her a most likely surgery candidate, especially because the babies were twins.

TWO: Surgery was undertaken several hours after she had begun preterm labour with evidence that she couldn't on her own give birth to the babies. Apparently, the hospital had no surgeon and had to depend on a shuttle surgeon, who was probably busy in another hospital nearby, to offer shuttle surgical services of the kind required in this case.

THREE: After the babies were born, they were not immediately placed in incubators, as a procedure which guarantees a higher degree of survival potential. In fact, the surviving baby was referred to another hospital after its twin had died. Before the death, both had been wrapped with clothes to insulate them from heat loss, and a kerosene lantern was placed near them as a heat source, improvising an incubator.

FOUR: All through the first night, there was no doctor around to keep an eye on these babies, who were struggling to live, and the nurses retired to the Nurses’ Bay to pass the night . A lay woman, who kept the vigil around the twins on behalf of their parents, reported in the morning that one of the young ones had breathing difficulties all through the night.

All she could do was clean mucus from the nose and mop foam in the mouth. It would appear that the mucus extractor the hospital asked the parents to furnish was of little, if any, value. And by the time the regular nurse reported for work in the morning, the baby had died.

FIVE: It was at this point that the other baby was referred to another hospital with incubators on the second night of its birth. He weighted 1.3 kilogrammes, too small to survive on its own. There was no ambulance to help this baby. The father and mother hired one taxi after another shuttling from one hospital to another in search of an incubator. In some hospitals, last incubator had either just been taken up or broken down. After combing Lagos Island to no avail, they came down to Ikeja on the mainland. A popular hospital in Ikeja asked for half a million. But they hadn't seen this sum of money all their life. In any case, where would they find a quarter of this money that night as a deposit? Another hospital nearby had no incubator. But it charged N250,000 and offered to book the baby in and then transfer him by ambulance to another hospital which would look after him. Just as time was running out and hope appeared too slim to hang on to, the parents sighted another hospital on Adeniyi - Jones Street, which offered an incubator and paedriatic service for N100,000 a week. With joy the parents handed out the baby and paid N40,000 deposit. The doctor carried out some tests, which showed that the baby had a fairly good chance to survive.

As I write, the parents have paid N75,000 and are running helter - skelter, as we say, to offset the N25,000 balance and another N100 for the second week. Meanwhile, the baby is now rosy and will be taken home any time the parents can find the money. When the baby comes home, the mother would have to be bailed out of hospital, where a bill of about N130,000 has messed up after the doctor discounted N30,000 off, following pleas.

As I write, I remember the scary picture of something like an epidemic of preterm babies my nephew painted in the narration of his experience. Everywhere he went that memorable night, he saw many parents in his shoes hither and thither searching for help or leaving in disgust, either because there were no incubators for them, the available ones having been occupied, or because they could not afford the bill. In some cases, some babies died in the hands of their mother or father and the bodies had to be disposed off somehow. From this scenario, it is logical to conclude that something is going on in many pregnant women's wombs, which are making unborn babies to be born prematurely. I wonder, as I think about my nephew's case, if his trauma could not have been avoided and if his other boy could not have survived had the hospital handled its patient differently.

ONE: What was a pregnant woman with small pelvis, who would require surgery to have pre-term, low weight babies, be doing in a hospital without incubators; why was she not referred to a more competent hospital.

TWO: If, for the sake of argument, we concede that she arrived that hospital in pre-term labour and surgery was dictated by a medical emergency, why were the low weight babies not referred immediately to a more competent hospital?

These were the questions which reminded me of Dr. James Egejuru and Dr. Adekola. I met them in the 1980's when they worked at Duro Soleye Hospital on Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos. Dr. Egejuru was a pediatrician, Dr. Adekola, a surgeon. They are professional and humane

doctors. Dr. Egejuru later moved to Stephenville Hospital, which I understand is his, while Dr. Adekola went to manage Igbenedion's Specialist Hospital at Okada.

Dr. Egejuru worked day and night. His wife would sometimes come to drag him home for dinner and, soon after, he would return. If the incubators were filled up, he would, like a woman, strap a premature baby on his back, and continue his rounds. Only once did I see him beaten hands down. The case was that of a woman who worked at the Lagos State Government Secretariat at Alausa, Ikeja, whose jaundiced baby had to have three exchange blood transfusions (EBTs). EBT candidates have abnormally high level of bilirubin in their blood, which the liver couldn't clear and which can damage the brain. Bilirubin is the yellow component of the red blood cell. It pours into the blood stream when red blood cells die and are broken up for their debris to be conjugated by the liver. If the liver does not function fast enough, or red cells are breaking up faster than expected, as in Malaria, Yellow Fever or Sickle Cell crisis, a bilirubin accumulation occurs which cause yellowing of fingernails, eyes and skin in varying degrees of seriousness. In EBT, some of the bilirubin-infested blood is drained out and bilirubin- cleared blood from a donor is given to the patient. The stubborn case in reference defied three EBTS. The mother then requested discharge, against medical advice, to treat her baby at home. I researched bilirubin when my first child was born in 1984 and he had to undergo phototherapy (exposure to special light) to clear his bilirubin. And by the time the other children came along, each one bilirubin-challenged, I had learned a few anti-bilirubin tricks which worked for them. Well-wishers often bring a newly delivered mother sugar-laden beverages and glucose.

These complicate matters in my view. I withdrew that from the bedside cupboard and replace them with marigold tea in the flask and sweedish bitters. There were taken by the mother and fed to the baby in breast milk.

Once; I tried Aloe Vera Leaf gel. It ran the baby's fragile tummy, so I stopped it. Maybe I scooped some of the yellow sap with the gel. The yellow sap is described by the FDA as cathartic, that is violent on the intestines.

Unfortunately, it is a major component of many popular bitters on the Nigeria market today, which claim, with good reason as explained, to help people move static bowels. But who likes to move sluggish at the risk of violence on his intestines? Instead, I recommend safe bitters as Maria Treben brand, which is scarce. Today, the bilirubin-challenged person is luckier because there are now many good liver formulas on the market. The mother of a jaundice-infested baby can take food supplements such as Marigold Tea; Wheat grass tea; FLP'S; Aloe Vera gel; Milk Thistle; Liver balance; carquefa tea; Stinging Nettle tea; Yarrow tea or capsule; Jerusalem artichoke; Apple Cedar Vinegar; Swanson's Liver Essentials; burdock root (in mild dosage); Veruain tea or capsule and many more. They help to tone and strengthen the liver in diverse ways, stimulate the production of bile and improve liver function. I could not discuss this issue with the woman whose baby failed to respond to three EBTS because we were in a hospital environment. Even the doctors at Duro Soleye Hospital at that time declined honey for my wife because they weren't sure of the 'purity'. To cut a long story short, the EBT-baby mother took her baby to Epe, her home town, where the infant was treated with Italus water extract of what the Yoruba Southwestern Nigeria call it Ewe Iran or Ewe Ariba in Ijebuland.

Dr. Adekola is a surgeon who wears no intellectual airs around him. He dressed simply in short-sleeved shirts and a pair of trousers. He had no car and mixed freely with the bus-stop crowd. He shared a flat with his sister and visited his patients at home cost-free. He

‘There are many possible causes of premature labour. These include hormonal imbalance; weak cervix; infection and excitement of uterine muscles; nutritional deficiencies, and stress of varying degrees, plus inadequate preparation of the reproductive system for the ardous task of pregnancy. Traditionally, doctors gave I believe they still do, synthetic progesterone hormone injections or cream to bring the ratio of the hormone at pars with the ratio of estrogen, its count lever. Hormonal balance is crucial in these matters for the placenta, which feeds baby, to be maintained’

let me into the labour room when my second child was coming. The baby was coming bottom first. I shed tears when I witnessed the pain his mother was going through as he tried to adjust his presentation to normal. I asked Dr. Adekola to carry out surgery. He declined, smiling, even as I threatened to sue him and the hospital if a mishap occurred. I learned a lesson from his intransigence. I began to pray; how often do we not forget to pray when we reach the limits of our capacity? Today's surgeon would not wait for my request. I understand that in many hospitals today women in labour are not given the opportunity to have their babies naturally. It has to be through surgery, and the bill is hardly under N150,000.00. Our baby came naturally and Dr. Adekola became our family friend. When I learned he was in Okada, I paid him a visit on my way back home in Lagos from Benin. We lost contact after that.

Preterm labour

There are many possible causes of premature labour.

These include hormonal imbalance; weak cervix; infection and excitement of uterine muscles; nutritional deficiencies, and stress of varying degrees, plus inadequate preparation of the reproductive system for the ardous task of pregnancy. Traditionally, doctors gave I believe they still do, synthetic progesterone hormone injections or cream to bring the ratio of the hormone at pars with the ratio of estrogen, its count lever. Hormonal balance is crucial in these matters for the placenta, which feeds baby, to be maintained. But, increasingly, many studies have failed to justify claims that this hormone can arrest preterm labour once it starts. Twins are likely to arrive pre-term unless, perhaps, if there is a surfat of pregnancymaintaining nutrient's paraphenelia. Hospitals give basically calcium and iron to pregnant women. Compared with the assembly of nutrients in PREGNANCY CARE or PRENATAL food supplements, for example, this is child's play. Even then, the hospital’s calcium is low grade inorganic calcium, which the body cannot absorb or use efficiently, In its place, I'd suggest CORAL CALCIUM. CORAL CALCIUM is multi-nutrient calcium, which includes magnesium, phosphorus, boron, zinc and about 40 other micro nutrients in the way Mother Nature designed them to combine with calcium. Pharmaceutical iron is also inorganic. It cannot be wellutilised by the organic human body, which must nourish and maintain itself with organic materials for optimal health. Which Pharmaceutical iron brand can beat the organic iron content of say, Jobelyn, Blackstrap molasses, Bect root or Spirulina? Two teaspoonful's of black strap molasses every day are reported to provide 40 per cent of the daily iron needs of an adult. Given them to children and ageing people helps them to overcome irondeficiency anaemia, tiredness and poor growth in children. Some, if not all menstruating women, may need to top up their iron level after every monthly cycle. Cerclage, or cervical stitch, may help incompetent cervix, which literally speaking, make the baby to fall out. It is like a bottom of a full bottle coming off and making the content pour out. The matter would be better addressed in my view, the day the causes of incompetent cervix are known and addressed. Does it, I wonder, have anything to do with weak nerves and muscles? Can lion's Mane, which increases nerve energy and health work for the cervix?

Will Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamin E, with tone and energise muscles work for the cervix? I know some women who suffered from habitual or spontaneous abortion, but who went on to have normal pregnancies and birthing while they took magnesium atrate food supplements. It is not surprising. Magnesium calms the nerves and relaxes the muscles. e-mail: femi.kusa@yahoo.com or olufemikusa@yahoo.com Tel: 08116759749, 08034004247, 07025077303

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e-Business

Zinox goes online

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FRICA’S integrated information communication technology (ICT) company Zinox Group has launched an online and retail outlet in Gbagada, Lagos called Task Direct. The retail shop, which is a one-stop centre for original ICT products from globally acclaimed manufacturers, is geared towards enhancing digital penetration in the country with a double offering of online shopping and a touch and feel shop in strategic cities around the country.

Corporate Communications Adviser, Zinox Group, Mr. Uche Nnadozie, said in a statement that the platform has already gone live.

He said: “Task Direct has already gone live, real time with its unique and innovative products covering iconic brands like Dell, Lenovo, HP, Zinox, APC, Samsung among several others. Products available cover: desktops, laptops, tablets, slates, printers, cartridges of different specifications among several others. The shops which are a statement in style and friendliness would serve the good people of Lagos promptly both online and on site. Because of inquiries from other parts of the country, digital shops have been opened in Abuja, Kano, Owerri, Enugu, Port Harcourt and Uyo.” According to the firm, in order to promote customer satisfaction and make it easier for people to easily acquire digital devices of their choice at reasonable prices, Task Direct would begin its auction sales to enable more people partake in the digital experience currently optimising output around the world. The auction option is TaskDirect’s way of assisting Nigerians take ownership of world class ICT brands of their choice, the firm said.

MTN, TwinPine partner on mobile advert

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IBM to establish research lab in Nigeria I BM is set to establish a research laboratory in the country to expand its foothold in Africa, its Chief Technology Officer, Central East and West Africa, Sandra Johnson, has said .

Johnson, who spoke in Lagos with The Nation, said she could not say how soon that will happen, adding that the firm’s last technology research facility in Africa is in Nairobi, Kenya. She said it was done in partnership with the government through the Kenyan ICT Authority.

“IBM is really expanding into the African continent. The lab built in Kenya is actually in partnership with the government of Kenya. So at some point in the future, I cannot say when, but we will have more than one resources location in the world,” she said on the sidelines during the IBM Lasgidi Hackathon that took place at the Co-Creation Hub, Yaba, Lagos.

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

The Kenyan research laboratory is IBM’s 12th global research laboratory for carrying out applied and far-reaching exploratory research into the grand challenges of the African continent by delivering commercially-viable innovations that impact people’s lives.

She said IBM loves to support innovation, inventions and creativity which drive the engine of growth, adding that it is also the driving engine behind many of the firm’s client. She said innovation is at the centre of what IBM does and what it does well.

She said: “We want to drive innovation in the country of and one of the best ways to do it is through young people, very agile, very smart with the drive to want to

change things, to improve the system.

“From technology perspectives, we can improve upon the lives of the whole world. So, we invest in encouraging the young people to really think about, in this case mobile money, government, and other issues, to know different things outside the box that they can do to improve the lives that they know; some of the things that can also improve the quality of the lives of Nigerians.”

According to Sandra, the intention of IBM is to make the young boys and girls involved in the programme “come up with great ideas and we believe that some of them will get really good ideas that will take them to the next level. That is the whole objective of this programme.”

She said Lagos was chosen because Nigeria will become the largest economy in Africa in a couple of years to come.

TN has partnered with TwinPine Limited, operators of Africa’s first indigenous premium mobile advertising network, to provide advertisers the opportunity to serve their advertising content on MTN’s mobile portal ‘MTN Play’.

According to a statement, the agreement which is exclusive to TwinPine will take advantage of the tremendous traffic which ‘MTN Play’ currently controls to give advertisers and brand owners the opportunity to reach their target markets via the unique platform.

MTN’s Chief Enterprise Solutions Officer Babatunde Osho expressed delight at the partnership and highlighted the opportunities that abound on the MTN platform for advertisers and brand owners. He said: “Between July and September of 2012 the MTN Play portal had over 50 million page hits and over two million download requests which made it a veritable platform for a broad range of businesses to reach their customers.”

Speaking on the partnership, the Managing Director of TwinPine, Mr. Elo Umeh said: “We are pleased to be partnering with MTN on this innovative platform. Being an indigenous mobile advertising network, we have the advantage in that we understand the local market and can better help brands reach their target audiences. We also have the technological capacity to meet the needs of advertisers however large.”

NITDA appoints ISPON rep to its board

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HE National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) board has appointed the Managing Director of Precise Financial Systems (PFS), Mr. Yele Okeremi, as a representative of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), a statement has announced.

ISPON is the apex body of computer software and related services industry in Nigeria. The institute was formed in 1999 with the primary objective of being a catalyst for the growth of the software-driven IT industry in Nigeria. It was specifically set up to facilitate business and trade in software and related services and to encourage the advancement of research in software technology. It is a non-profit organisation.

The NITDA board members comprise Dr. Tosin Ajayi as chairman, while Senator Musa Bello, Alhaji Saidu Gwadabe, Honourable Ben Bako, Engineer Wilson Chinedu, Harami Balami, Barrister Segun Ilorin, Hajia Sa’adatu Ayitogo and Mr. Emmanuel Ighomena are members.

Other members are the representatives of the Ministries of Science and Technology, Communication Technology and Education, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Nigeria Society of Engineers, Computer Professional Registration of Nigeria, Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic(ASUP) and the DG of NITDA, Dr Ashiru Daura Okeremi sees the possibility of building an enabling environment to create a thriving knowledge industry comparable to anywhere else in the world. He believes that Nigeria can be self sufficient and independent regarding any technological issues for domestic consumption and export. He wants to see this possibility become a reality, at least in increasing measure during the board’s tenure. The board runs for four years.

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21st CenturyMart goes live

echnology firm, 21stCentury, said its Mart has gone live and has promised to satisfy all the country’s electronics, home appliances and latest gadgets needs.

According to a statement, the latest online one-stop-shop aggregates everything needed to make successful online transactions including ease, convenience and security.

Vice chairman and CEO, 21st Century Technologies, Wale Ajisebutu, said: “At 21stCentury Mart, we promise only what we can deliver.

This entire business is built on an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. We have taken online shopping to a new level. No long story, we deliver on our promises, we are engaging online shoppers with custom, in-the-moment experiences.”

According to him the brand is making a conscious effort to bring the power of electronic products and latest gadgets to shoppers with an array of the latest and trendiest products and brands available in the country.

“We offer free nationwide delivery depending on products and value, free returns and have several convenient payment options to choose from, either with your debit/credit cards & bank transfer. With affordable prices and great products, 21stCenturyMart lets you enjoy an awesome shopping experience with your order sent directly to your doorstep,” he sadded.

To make online shopping easier for you, a dedicated customer connect team is on standby to answer your queries via online chat, email & telephone support.

• From left: Regional Manager, (English Speaking West Africa), Rasheed Jimoh; President, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Nazim Fraijat, Managing Director, Levant and Emerging Africa, Adrian McDonald all of EMC at a press conference to announce the firm’s new training centre and office expansion at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Criticisms could hurt FDI, say operators

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ELECOMS operators in Nigeria have decried the barrage of criticisms of the performance of the telecoms sector using quality of service (QoS) as the only parameter. They contended that it could hurt further inflow of foreign direct invetsment (FDI).

They said the sector had done far more than just providing telephony services, creating direct and indirect employment, growing the gross domestic product (GDP) and opening up a flood gate of FDI into the economy. They spoke through their umbrella association, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ALTON).

Its chairman, Gbenga Adebayo who spoke in Lagos at the weekend, said the banking sector that adds just

G

four per cent to the GDP always has issue of low QoS but receives less bashing from the people, warning that constant criticism of the sector could erode the gains so far made as investors would be kept at bay.

Adebayo who is also the Group Chief Executive Officer, CNSSL Group, a business process outsourcing (BPO) outfit servicing the telecoms sector, said the criticisms were all an ill wind that blows no good to anyone.

He said: “All the good of the industry is been assessed from QoS which has seen the rating of all players going down south: no one is talking about the impact of employment creation, no one is talking about the FDI of telecoms, no one is talking about the development of our national economy for an industry that is contributing

over eight per cent to our GDP. “The banking sector is doing four per cent but they have been able to manage public perception better.

There is scarcely anybody who does not use the banking service and there is no one who does not have poor costumer service related experience with the banks, but as an industry, the banking sector is still well respected, because they manage better their public perception.

“We all must discourage the trend of sweeping condemnation of the telecom industry in the public place, the industry is key to our economy and key to our future development as a nation: we must encourage operators, we must not discourage practitioners and we must not discourage investors by creating an image of a bad industry using only QoS as a factor.”

Shortage of security professionals hits IT

LOBAL shortage of skilled security professionals has hit the information technology (IT) sector impacting negatively on organisations’ ability to monitor and secure networks.

It is estimated that there is a shortage of nearly a million skilled security professionals, a situation that has made individuals and several organisations vulnerable to attacks.

Such attacks are the socially engineered theft of passwords and credentials, hide-in-plain-sight infiltrations, and exploitation of the trust required for economic transactions, government services and social interactions.

According to the Cisco 2014 An-

By Oluwaseyi Ala

nual Security Report, there is now an increased sophistication and proliferation of the threat landscape as simple attacks that cause damage have given way to organised cybercrime operations that are sophisticated, well-funded, and capable of significant economic and reputational damage to public and private sector victims.

It also showed that there is increased complexity of threats and solutions due to rapid growth in intelligent mobile device adoption and cloud computing which provide a greater attack surface than ever before. The report lamented that new classes of devices and new

infrastructure architectures offer attackers opportunities to exploit unanticipated weaknesses and inadequately defended assets.

“Cybercriminals have learned that harnessing the power of Internet infrastructure yields far more benefits than simply gaining access to individual computers or devices. These infrastructure-scale attacks seek to gain access to strategically positioned web hosting servers, name servers and data centres—with the goal of proliferating attacks across legions of individual assets served by these resources. By targeting Internet infrastructure, attackers undermine trust in everything connected to or enabled by it,” the report noted.

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BUSINESS

Rivers lawmakers okay Amaechi’s N100b bond request

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IVERS State lawmak ers yesterday gave nod to Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s request of a N100billion bond.

The lawmakers, who held their plenary at the old Auditorium of Government House, Port Harcourt, granted the request based on the Governor’s letter asking them to authorise the issuance of the bond.

Reading the letter to members, the Speaker, Otelemaba Dan-Amachree, said: “The purpose of the bond is to finance on-going infrastructure project out-

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

lined in the 2014 budget presentation by the Governor.”

He said the bond was included in the recently passed budget, which brought the total figure to N485billion, pointing out that without the approval of the House, the bond will not be issued and this will reduce the budget by N100billion.

Before commencing the debate on the bond request, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Leyii Kwanee, suggested that since there are many projects scat-

tered all over the state, it would be expedient to approve the request to enable the government complete them.

He said despite the crisis rocking the assembly, no amount of intimidation would stop the lawmakers from legislating for the benefit of Rivers people. He urged his colleagues to approve the Governor’s request to avoid hindering the development of the state.

Some of the other lawmakers who commented on the matter, like the Deputy leader of the House, Hon.

Nname Ewor; Hon Golden Chioma of Etche Constituency 11; Hon Josiah Olu of Eleme Constituency and Hon. Victoria Nyeche of Port Harcourt Constituency 1 argued that for the purpose of clarity, the Commissioner for Finance should be invited to the house to explain the essence of the projects that are tied to the bond as well as what the bond approved by the assembly last year was used for.

The lawmakers maintained that the house owes Rivers people an explanation on how their money is being

Bonga Spill: ‘Why we asked SNEPCO to pay $11.5b’

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HE Nigeria Oil Spill Detection and Re sponse Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have explained the reason they are asking Shell Nigerian Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO ) to pay $11.5 billion for the December 2011 Bonga oil spill which affected over many communities in the Niger Delta.

While speaking at a resumed investigative hearing before the Uche Ekwunifeheaded House Committee on Environment, at the National Assembly, both organizations said the 40, 0000 oil spill which impacted a radius of 950 square kilometres has portrayed SNEPCO as an irresponsible as it had dithered for over two years on the issue of compensa-

• Insist communities must be compensated From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

tion.

While NOSDRA recommended that SNEPCO pay an administrative fine of $5 billion, the NIMASA recommended another fine of $6.5 billion making a total of $11.5 billion.

The Director General of NOSDRA, Mr. Peter Idabor said that the parameters used to arrive at the sum of $5 billion fine it recommended factored in the damage done to the environment. “The amount is to take charge of the marine environment and up till now, there is proof it has been paid.”

He said the affected communities could not go back to fishing, and that the few

that could continue fishing have to travel far out into the waters to eke a living.

He posited that Nigeria’s pollution is the worst in the world and that the level of impunity displayed by Oil companies in the country is unprecedented. He suggested that the issue of PIA be moved from DPR to Ministry of environment “to forestall the kind of delay we have seen.”

The Director-General of NIMASA, in his own submission aligned with NOSDRA on what caused the spill and efforts made to clean it so far and said its proposed fine was solely meant for the compensation of the communities that had been affected.

He described SNEPCO’s antics as “frustrating” He said: “SNEPCO made it

impossible to get to the place to take samples to prove our case. We eventually learnt that it was the spill that affected the coastline. SNEPCO that was involved did not do much in terms of relief materials. We have proof that it was the Bonga spill that affected the coastline and communities.

“The kind of impunity that SNEPCO has demonstrated in the Niger Delta must be stopped if the future of the Niger Delta is to be assured. it was responsible for the spill.

“Its only in Nigeria that we can witness this kind of impunity. We in NIMASA see this as a serious infraction to the law and the community and what happened can be called genocide. This is the only environment in the world that this kind of thing can be done and people think they can get away with it.”

spent to avoid doubts.

In their own contributions, the member representing Abua/Odual Constituency, Hon. Augustine Ngo and Hon. Ibiso Nwuche of Ahoada-East Constituency 11, among others, were of the view that approval be given for the bond while the Finance Commissioner could be in-

vited later to make his explanations to avoid delay in the completion of the projects.

The speaker, who pleaded with his colleagues to approve the bond later divided the house and members present who are proAmaechi lawmakers unanimously voted in favour of the bond.

Govt to engage local insurance firms on aircraft cover

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ORRIED over the classification of Ni geria as a high risk country, Aviation Minister Princess Stella Oduah said yesterday that plans were afoot to engage indigeneous insurance firms to reduce the premium paid on aircraft registered in Nigeria.

She said the Ministry of Aviation was discussing with the National Insurance Commission on how to achieve lower insurance premium for aircraft registered.

She said the government was planning to attract aircraft manufacturers to set up maintenance facilities to reduce the cost of aircraft repairs, adding that the government would encourage the firms by giving exemption on duties.

The move to attract aircraft manufacturers, she said, would provide a window for training Nigerians on aircraft maintenance and other aeronautical areas.

She said it was unacceptable that Nigerian registered

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

aircraft was attracting higher premium when the country ‘s civil aviation is rated category one by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Government, the minister said, was getting worried over the trend as domestic and charter airlines were made to pay over four times the insurance obtainable in other countries of the world.

Speaking in Lagos at the “sector’s master plan buy-in” for industry stakeholders , Oduah explained that apart from the merger of local insurance companies to reduce premium on aircraft, the government planned to domesticate laws on the leasing if aircraft to make it convenient for operators.

She said plans were underway to achieve the categorisation of domestic operators under a licensing and operational structure that would enable the transport sector have “air taxis”.

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 29-1-14

Why we are raising new equity funds, by Oando

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ANDO Plc is raising new equity funds to optimise its balance sheet for sustained long-term values for shareholders as the leading energy group looks beyond the impending completion of its acquisition of Conoco Phillips’ (COP) Nigerian business unit.

Oando had on Tuesday announced plans to hold an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting on Tuesday, February 18, to seek shareholders’ approval for resolutions to increase the company’s authorised share capital from N5 billion to N7.5 billion and to undertake rights issue of N50 billion and another undetermined future supplementary issue of some N200 billion.

Speaking against the background of the new capital raising plan, group managing di-

•NSE’s capitalisation drops by N128b

By Taofik Salako

rector, Oando Plc, Mr. Wale Tinubu, said the decision to access the market for new equity funds was to optimise the company’s balance sheet through injection of new equity funds and consequent reduction of its financial leverage.

According to him, the capital raising is a key component of Oando’s overall strategy to reduce its reliance on debt and loans.

He noted that while the energy group would not require the proceeds from the rights issue for the closure of the COP deal and its matured mid-stream and downstream units have continued to retain dominant positions in their market space with-

out any need for material equity infusion, the new capital raising would help to preserve values for all shareholders.

“In our bid to maximise long term shareholder value, it is necessary to optimise our balance sheet by funding our operations where necessary through equity as opposed to expensive sources of debt,” Tinubu said.

He outlined that the first facet of the long-term capitalisation plan will seek to raise additional capital from existing shareholders by way of rights issue of N50 billion, which is expected to be concluded by the end of second quarter of the year.

He added that the proceeds of the rights issue will be utilised towards debt reduction and Oando’s immediate working capital needs, with none of the proceeds raised allocated to the closure of the COP acquisition.

He indicated that the company does not envision any additional equity issuance in the year.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 29-1-14

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

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MONEYLINK

‘New governance rating ‘ll enhance investor confidence’

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HE emergence of the Corporate Governance Rating System (CGRS) will boost investors’ confidence and enhance the inflow of foreign portfolio investments in Nigerian equities. The CGRS is a partnership between the Convention on Business Integrity (CBI) and the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Speaking at a briefing session on the CGRS yesterday in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema and Executive Director, Convention on Business Integrity (CBI), Mr Soji Apampa said the new corporate governance initiative would complement regulatory efforts and enhance the integrity and return at the stock market.

Onyema, who was represented by Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Haruna Jalo-

By Taofik Salako

Waziri, said significant thought, research and brainstorming have gone into the development of the CGRS and it is anticipated that its ratings and rankings will be of particular interest to issuers, investors, financiers, the media, academia, and the general public.

According to him, there is much expectation that this collaborative effort with the CGRS will have several positive impacts including improved management and governance of quoted companies as their boards will be fully aware of their fiduciary responsibilities and operate by the highest standards of corporate governance ethics and processes.

He pointed out that with the CGRS, listed companies will become more attractive to investors as they know that better managed

ings will also serve as inputs for selection of companies to be categorized under the planned premium board of the NSE. “In the short term, 2014, the Exchange intends to launch a Premium Board on which select listed companies currently on the Main Board as well as qualifying incoming companies may be listed.

The Premium Board will be comprised of companies that adhere to the highest corporate governance standards based on the ratings and rankings from the CGRS. Other factors to be considered for Premium Board qualification include a market capitalisation in excess of $1 billion as well as whether the listed company being considered for the Premium Board meets the appli-

companies are more sustainable adding that greater inflow of funds will lead to the growth of the Nigerian economy as a whole.

He noted that listed companies will be attractive prospects for cross-border listings as they are more likely to meet the listing requirements of target markets while listed companies that have high ratings will typically have lower cost of funds.

“There are several reasons to strive for good corporate governance. A company that is regarded as having good corporate governance has access to a variety of financing options. Moreover, it is well established that companies with good corporate governance generally receive higher market valuations than those that are regarded as poorly governed,” Onyema said.

According to him, the CGRS rat-

FCMB is tax collection agent for Kano council

UBA lifts power sector privatisation with $700m U NITED Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) has extended $700 million (about N113 billion) in funding to different investors towards the acquisition of power assets in Nigeria’s recently privatised power sector.

The bank’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Phillips Oduoza made this known on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

“It is a growth sector we are playing very big” said Oduoza. Besides power, he said UBA is also heavily involved in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector where the bank has taken part in most of the major big ticket transactions.

On agriculture, the UBA chief said

Stories by Collins Nweze

the bank has continued to channel resources to the sector, given that it remains the mainstay of most economies in Africa. “UBA has a deliberate policy to continue to fund agriculture. Our lending to the sector is already above the industry average. We are doing about seven per cent of our total portfolio in agriculture,” he said.

He commended the fact that lending to agriculture is generally on the upward trend from Nigerian banks, disclosing that banking sector funding to agriculture has moved from just about 0.5 per

F

IRST City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited has been appointed by the Fagge Local Government Area in Kano State as its sole agent for tax collections using Point of Sales (POS) terminal.

In a statement, the bank said it was selected to provide the service at the end of a due diligence process that involved other banks having developed a more robust version of the customised POS machines that would be used for tax collections.

The initiative, which is aimed at reducing leakages in tax collections and encourages automation, tracking and real time reporting, will be kicked off at Fagge Local Government Area in Kano. The initiative is also in line with FCMB’s commitment to promoting the cashless economy system across the country.

The POS machines, which run on

cent of total industry portfolio prior to 2009 to about 4.9 per cent of banking industry loan book currently.

“Interestingly, the non-performing loans coming from agriculture lending is lower than most people would have thought,” he said.

Oduoza also explained that UBA is expanding its electronic banking products to improve the way it serves its more than seven million customers. He said that the bank has rolled out an array of electronic banking products, from cards to point of sale terminals, which is helping to reduce the cost to income ratio of the bank while making a positive impact on the bottom line.

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 29-1-14

SYMBOL TRANSEXPR COSTAIN LIVESTOCK WEMABANK LEARNAFRCA UTC FO IPWA ASHAKACEM GUARANTY

O/PRICE 2.08 1.99 4.03 1.03 1.79 0.62 90.11 0.67 18.05 27.60

C/PRICE 2.28 2.18 4.23 1.08 1.86 0.64 91.80 0.68 18.29 27.90

CHANGE 0.20 0.19 0.20 0.05 0.07 0.02 1.69 0.01 0.24 0.30

O/PRICE 5.85 2.45 2.30 4.40 3.95 0.80 0.57 0.61 2.45 8.10

C/PRICE 5.60 2.35 2.21 4.23 3.80 0.77 0.55 0.59 2.38 7.89

CHANGE -0.25 -0.10 -0.09 -0.17 -0.15 -0.03 -0.02 -0.02 -0.07 -0.21

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000 (S/N) Parallel Market 153.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N)

DISCOUNT WINDOWx Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Offer Price

Bid Price

AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 167.44 165.99 ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 9.08 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.09 1.07 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.17 1.16 CANARY GROWTH FUND 0.71 0.72 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 1.33 CORAL INCOME FUND 1,611.15 1,607.37 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,000.00 1,000.00 FBN HERITAGE FUND 115.83 115.13 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 100.00 100.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 1.62 INTERCONTINENTAL INTEGRITY FUND 1.05 1.03 KAKAWA GUARANTE0.08ED INCOME FUND143.11 142.62 LEGACY FUND 0.78 0.76 NIGERIA INTER DEBIT FUND 1,892.63 1,894.44 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUNDARM AGGRESSIVE •

NIBOR Tenor

NSE CAP Index

Name

LOSERS AS AT 29-1-14

SYMBOL NAHCO MANSARD STERLNBANK REDSTAREX IHS NEM GNI INTENEGINS FIDELITYBK UBA

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

OBB Rate Call Rate

customised software, will be distributed to the tax collection staff of the Local Government. Each machine has a card tied to it that is preloaded with value at the beginning of each day. The LGA staff can then move around motor parks and markets to collect taxes. Upon collection, the staff will print out a temporary receipt, which the tax payee can exchange for a permanent receipt at the LGA office.

It said the value on the card reduces as cash is collected. Once value on the card is exhausted, the LGA staff visits the closest FCMB branch to offload the cash, reset the card and resume collections. The tax collections supervisor at the LGA has access to a real time reporting portal at the back office and so will be able to monitor activities on each POS machine.

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

cable threshold fixed for market liquidity of its shares. In the longer time frame, The Exchange also intends to use the ratings to develop a tradable Corporate Governance Index. Initial feedback has been positive, especially from foreign investors who want to trade Nigeria as a basket, and find the CG index a veritable vehicle for doing so,” Onyema said.

Apampa explained that the CGRS has been developed as a robust corporate governance system that comprised of the four key dimensions of corporate integrity, compliance with extant laws and rules, certification and accreditation of directors and specialist committees and the confirmation of expert stakeholders of a company’s integrity.

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

64

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

65

NEWS Policeman injured in Ilorin fracas

Suntai denies video about his incapacity

T

ARABA State Governor Danbaba Suntai yesterday faulted a video clip where he purportedly admitted that he was unfit to resume.

He said his voice was super-imposed on the clobbered video.

The governor, who made the clarification in a statement through his Secretary to the State Government, G.T. Kataps, said he was recovering fast and would soon return to office.

The statement said: “The source was a video shown by a pressure group in Lagos to a collection of ‘top editors’.

This is dubious.

“We wonder if the editors noticed the super imposition of voices on a funny caricature of a video clobbered together by desperate politicians whom we know and who want Suntai removed from office.

“The same desperados us-

Why I joined PDP, by Shekarau

F

ORMER Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau announced yesterday his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said the APC lacked internal democracy and good leadership.

Shekarau, who made the declaration at his home in Kano, said six months after its registration, the APC leadership has refused to elect executives at the national, state, local government and ward levels.

He added that no single member of the party had been registered.

The former governor said lack of leadership structure,

Aspirant warns against violence From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

A

SENATORIAL aspirant in Oyo State, Femi Olaore, has urged aggrieved members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) to shun violence and allow peace reign in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Oyo South aspirant called on the supporters to conduct themselves peacefully.

Olaore urged the members of the defunct CPC to register for the APC, as soon as registration begins next month.

“I urge all members to eschew violence and behave well. They should live up to the ideals of the party.

"I salute Governor Abiola Ajimobi for his large heartedness, which is still unfolding.

•’I’ll resume soon’ From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

ing state funds have always cast a shadow of doubt in the media each time we presented pictures or videos showing that Suntai is recovering.

“It is moronic for people who often say that Suntai’s statewide televised broadcasts were stage managed. If our videos are fake, what is the guarantee theirs is authentic?

“The same clan of desperate power mongers like to tell the world that Suntai can’t even produce a speech or respond intelligently to questions.

“So how come the same Suntai is telling them he can’t resume? Or do they only choose to hear what they want to hear?”

Suntai, who denied granting the interview to any reporter in Jalingo, admitted

that he was recuperating and would soon resume work.

The statement added: “For the avoidance of doubt, Suntai has not, at any point, granted such an interview to any reporter in Jalingo.

“If and when he grants it, it would be with known reporters and not a faceless reporter.

“The video was a desperate item, taken out of context, and manipulated to deceive Nigerians. Even a greenhorn in such propaganda stunt can see through this gambit.

“The truth though is that in most of his public appearances, Governor Suntai has continued to assure the state that he will return to office.

“He even visited his office the other day as part of his determination to resume work. Why are his traducers scared and spewing comical videos around?

“This latest media on-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

A •Suntai

slaught is consistent with the one that began after the crash.

“They had said Suntai was dead. They changed their story to say he was braindamaged. The tale is that Suntai can’t resume work because of his disabilities.

“Having failed to stop Suntai’s recovery, the desperados are now trying to discourage Nigerians, who have been praying for the governor’s recovery.

“The governor is recovering fast and will soon return to his office and complete the mandate Taraba people gave him in 2007 and again in 2011.

It is only a matter of time.”

Lawmakers to Shekarau: you are on your own

T

EN members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Kano State in the House of Representatives have reaffirmed their loyalty to the party.

At a briefing yesterday, the group’s leader, who is also the deputy Minority leader, Suleiman Kawu, said the lawmakers had no intention of leaving APC because the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has no agenda for Nigerians.

Kawu said: “Today, under PDP, we are witnessing unprecedented corruption, insecurity, poverty and instability more than ever before.

“We see the coming of APC as an opportunity to right the wrongs of the PDP and From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

internal democracy and detailed political programme were lacking in APC. Shekarau said he was dumping the party because “a cabal has hijacked the party leadership for its selfish interest.”

According to him, the defection of PDP governors in Rivers, Kano, Adamawa, Sokoto and Kwara states further created complex leader-

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

once again put Nigeria on the pedestal of growth, development, economic prosperity and make it an egalitarian society where the rule of law and social justice prevail.

“We wish to make it clear today that we are not leaving the APC for any party. We have sacrificed a lot and have come a long way in the struggle to emancipate our people from the bondage of PDP misrule.

“And at this crucial stage of our journey, we will not look back, or backtrack. We will not look sideways, we will not leave our beloved APC for anyone.”

ship problems in the APC. He said: “On behalf of the leaders of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), it is my pleasure to welcome you to this stakeholders meeting of the Kano State Elders Forum.

“We presented petitions signed by 250 stakeholders on December 18.

“Today is six weeks since we presented that petition, no acknowledgement, no contact, no one has referred

to us to address the petition we submitted.

“It is as a result of this conspicuous display of injustice that the ANPP stakeholders have assembled here today and we renounce our membership of the APC. “We dump the party from this moment; and based on the motion moved and adopted and accepted unanimously, we, the members of ANPP stock of Kano State, are moving to the PDP.

K

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

into cooperatives and give them money to start their own businesses.

"Some of them will be engaged in the 'clean and green’ programme; some of them will be involved in what we call public works and we will be paying them salaries.

"Some of them will also be posted to the private sector.

We are going to expand the State Bridge Employment

•Ahmed

Scheme (KWABES), accommodate more people, pay them salaries and also get them to areas where they will be needed.”

Cleric turns 60

P

Gaidam signs budget

Y

OBE State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam yesterday signed into law the 2014 Appropriation bill passed by the House of Assembly.

Though the budget size of N102.899 billion remains the same, the Capital Expenditure was increased to N67.432 billion by the Assembly.

Gaidam praised the Assembly for the speedy passage of the budget and its initiative to raise the Capital Expenditure.

RESIDENT of the Lagos Baptist West Conference Rev Julius Adeniji turns 60 today.

Adeniji was born in Ara, Osun State, on January 30, 1954. He attended the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomosho, for his Bachelor’s in Theology. He has a Master’s in Education from the University of Lagos and PhD in Guidance and Counselling from the same university.

There will be a thanksgiving service at Triumphant Baptist Church, Akowonjo and a reception at Ben Auto Events Centre, Akowonjo, Lagos.

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

“Of the total budgetary proposal of N102.899 billion, N67.864 billion or 67 per cent is earmarked for Capital Expenditure and N35.034 billion or 34 per cent is allocated for Recurrent Expenditure.

“With this development; additional N432.666 million has been added to the Capital Expenditure.”

The Speaker, Adamu Dala Dogo, said the budget was reviewed for the benefit of the citizens.”

11 robbery suspects arrested From Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe

T

HE police in Gombe State have arrested 11 robbery suspects.

Police spokesman Atajiri Fwaje said a four-man gang, which allegedly specialises in stealing new motorcycles, was arrested by policemen around 2am in Jekadefari.

He said the policemen accosted the suspects, who fled immediately. It was gathered that one of the suspects hit his head on the pavement, making it possible to arrest two others.

Fwaje said investigation was on to find the fleeing accomplice.

The suspects are Ibrahim Adamu Dankawu(25) from Nasarawa State and Jafar Kaila (20) from Bauchi State.

Dankawu attempted to exonerate himself, but Kaila said he was lured by a friend, who is at large.

The police spokesman said the other group, led by Ahmed Saleh, was at their hideout while allegedly plotting a raid.

He said some of them have confessed and blamed their fate on bad company.

Police Commissioner Kudu Nma has warned criminals to leave the state.

APC constituents disown PDP lawmaker

T

Kwara needs N300b, says Ahmed WARA State Governor Abdufatah Ahmed said yesterday that the state needs over N300 billion to bring infrastructural development to an acceptable standard.

He said the state had approached the capital market to raise N300 billion to support needs, such as electricity, water, energy, education and security.

Ahmed spoke on the monthly programme, “The Governor Explains.”

He said the state would set up a development fund to finance its infrastructural development.

Ahmed said: “We are empowering 8,000 youths this year, but starting with 5,000.

“Some will be engaged in entrepreneurship training in partnership with the State University and Polytechnic.

During the training programme, they will be paid salaries.

“After those skills, we will now bring them together

DISAGREEMENT yesterday between residents of Abayawo and hunters at Dada in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State led to a free-for-all.

In the pandemonium, a policeman was allegedly injured.

It was gathered that a dog belonging to a hunter was killed by a car owned by a resident of Abayawo.

In the process, it was gathered that scores of motorcycles parked in the area were allegedly torched.

Residents accused policemen, who were drafted to the area, of burning over 50 motorcycles and alleged that the officers raided their houses and collected phones.

Their spokesman Baba Asileke accused the police of attacking innocent residents. He urged the government to come to their aid.

“Our motorcycles were burnt as you can see and we don’t know why they resorted to attacking us when we are not the ones fighting. They entered our houses, collected phones belonging to our wives and even assaulted them.”

The ever-busy Abayawo-Okelele road was deserted when our correspondent visit the area.

Some policemen were around while no vehicular movement was allowed. Pupils were sent home from school while residents remained indoors.

Police spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi added that the affected policeman is at the University of Ilorin Teaching (UITH), receiving treatment.

HE constituents of the lawmaker representing Ilorin West in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Abdulfatai Babakinni, have disowned him for not defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Babakinni and Iliasu Ibrahim of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are the two lawmakers who have refused to join the APC. The spokesperson of the APC elders in the constituency, Tunde Alagbo, said the APC members in Ilorin North-West Constituency hereby notify the public and the lovers of our amiable leader, Senator Bukola Saraki, that Abdufatai Babakinni is hereby disowned as a result of his political insincerity

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

and disloyalty.

“All former members of the PDP in Kwara State defected to APC based on the conviction that the PDP can no longer protect our interest.

“In line with this, any member who fails to follow the directives of APC elders will not receive any favour from us.

“His refusal to join APC has not affected us negatively as he has not impacted on the lives of his people.”

CHANGE OF NAME CHINDA I, Formerly known and addressed as MISS. MIRIAM CHIKA CHINDA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MIRIAM CHIKA WOKEKORO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP I, Mrs. Adebisi O.Famakinwa of Blk B5 Unit C Lekky County Homes Ikota, Lagos State hereby notify the general public that I have applied to LSDPC for its consent to change ownership of Block 10 Flat 4 MKO Abiola Garden Ikeja Lagos, which was originally allocated to Ms Yetunde Grace Balogun. I have made series of efforts to contact Ms Yetunde Grace Balogunthe assignor from whom i bought the property but all efforts made to locate her proved abortive. Ihereby indemnify the Corporation against any future claims that may arise if my application is granted and undertake to pay cost of any dispute that may arise on same. LSDPC,Ms.Yetunde Grace Balogunand general public take note.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

66

NEWS Rivers APC insists on redeployment of Mbu •Compiles dossier on CP for UN

T

HE All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State chapter, yesterday insisted that the controversial Police Commissuioner Mbu Joseph Mbu, must be redeployed to ensure peace.

The party is also compiling a dossier on the Cross River State-born Mbu, for submission to the United Nations (UN), with a three-man committee inaugurated and given two weeks to complete the assignment and submit its report.

The Rivers APC, through its Interim Chairman, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, noted that the three-man committee would compile a comprehensive list of atrocities by the commissioner of police, since he assumed office in February, last year.

The three-man committee is headed by Chief Andy Nweye, with Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze as Secretary and Chief Emeka Bekee as a member.

At the panel’s inauguration , Ikanya noted that the members were chosen based on merit and expressed confidence that they would do a good job.

APC chairman said: “This committee is made up of well-informed political experts and meticulous researchers. So, I expect you to come up with a list of not less than 100 sins of CP Mbu against Rivers State and its people, for formal submis-

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

sion to the UN. “It seems that the Nigerian Institutions in charge of the Police Force in Nigeria are toying with the security and lives of the people of Rivers State.

“The assignment is difficult, but CP Mbu has made your work easy by his brazen partisanship in favour of the opposition Peoples Democratic party (PDP) in the state.

“As a result of his overzealousness to impress his masters, as an undeclared member of the PDP, the Rivers police commissioner commits a fresh sin against the good people of Rivers State almost on a daily basis.

“Since he (Mbu) assumed duty here (Rivers State) in February 2013, Rivers State has not known peace and the state now perches at the edge of the precipice, securitywise.”

Ikanya also expressed surprise that all arguments by well-meaning Nigerians, including the National Assembly members, for Mbu’s redeployment, had fallen on the deaf ears of the police authorities in Abuja and the Federal Government.

The Rivers APC chairman expressed strong belief that there would surely be a day of reckoning, when Mbu would be called to account for his stewardship in Rivers state.

•Head, Corporate Communications, Unity Bank Plc, Mrs. Theodora Amechi (left); Acting Divisional Head, Retail Banking, Mr. Onaolapo Oyawoye (middle) and some corporate account holders at the WeConnect International Launch at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja.

Amaechi a rare gem, say Bonny leaders, elders

E

LDERS, leaders and people of Bonny Local Government Area in Rivers State have described Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as a rare gem.

They spoke during a solidarity visit to the governor at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt.

Amasenibo Nelson Ben Irigmha, who addressed the governor on behalf of the people, hailed him for his boldness and leadership vision and for defending the interests of the people.

“Your Excellency, we are here on a solidarity visit from Bonny Local Government. Today, we are aware that God sent you to Rivers State to be our mouthpiece, to defend us, to fight for us. Our own gover-

nor, if anybody tells you that any of us here is not aware of what you have gone through in the present context of Nigeria, sir the person will be deceiving you. Amaechi, what actually did you do, what did you do? You are fighting for justice, you are fighting for equity, you are fighting to defend the interest of the Rivers man. Your Excellency, you know one thing that happened. It is not only our prayers, it is God that saved you. You know how He saved you? You narrowly missed, if not, they would have ‘Timipre Sylvad’ you.

“Your Excellency, why are you being prosecuted, why all these troubles you are going through, how has it happened that all of a sudden, Soku oil

wells are no more in Rivers?

How has it happened that all of a sudden we are conceding close to 41 oil wells? Rivers State was created in 1967. Since 1967 when we had boundary between Rivers and the then East Central State and our boundaries were well defined right from colonial era till tomorrow. Nembes and the Kalabaris have shared common boundaries, which is obvious, everybody knows about it, what is the problem now? After 2 million votes and above from Rivers State, which we were supposed to be thanked for. Your Excellency, the problem is not just yours, it’s ours.

“Your Excellency, if you watch us properly, the average Bonny man why we are not

rich, there are some certain norms we don’t compromise.

We have comfortably and quietly sat without anybody prompting us. We have been praying seriously and fervently for you because it is not an easy game for you to confront this cabal in this confused amalgam called Nigeria.

“Your Excellency, you are a very rare gem. Your plane was grounded, people came to pay you solidarity visit, they decided to pelt them, they transported Joseph Mbu to Rivers State to become de facto governor? Good God, and we are supposed to shut up, nobody is supposed to talk? Your Excellency, may God and our ancestors continue to guide you”, Irigmha said.

2015: Why I’m consulting, SSOCIATES of former

by Atiku Vice President Atiku

A

Abubakar in the Southsouth were yesterday split between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), as preferred platforms in place of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The leadership and stalwarts of the APC, following a courtesy visit to Atiku on December 18 last year, invited him to join the opposition party.

He assured them that he would consult with his associates before taking a decision.

Atiku began extensive consultations at home and abroad and last week stepped up the tempo with consultative meetings in Kaduna, Abuja and Enugu.

A vote at the end of his consultative meeting with his associates and political leaders in Benin City, Edo State, however, showed a near-tie by the attendees in their choice of a party to defect to.

Forty-seven per cent of his

associates supported his movement to the APC, as against 48 per cent for PDM. Only five per cent wanted his stay in the PDP. Atiku recalled that his political struggles, which began during the military regime, had always been about advancing democracy.

He noted that the PDP, which he co-founded, is now a shadow of its past and has little regards for promoting democracy.

“I do not have any problem remaining in the PDP, but it appears the party has a problem with me. I am not invited to BoT, NEC and caucus meetings, which I am qualified to attend,” Atiku told his associates.

Noting that the decision to defect is one of the most difficult political decisions he has to make, the Turaki Adamawa said it is imperative that he consults his associates.

He assured that the decision he would take would be predicated on the interest of Nigeri-

•Atiku

ans.

“The most important thing is the future of the country and its people and not about me,” he said.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole extolled Atiku for his “enormous capacity to listen, engage and consult, but without any bitterness.”

Atiku held meetings with Oshiomhole at the Government House and with the interim National Vice Chairman (Southsouth) of the APC, Chief Tom Ikimi at his home.

The consultations continue today in Ibadan with a stakeholders’ meeting with the Southwest associates.

MASSOB: Tension in Onitsha over reprisal

T

HERE was tension in Onitsha and its environs yesterday, following the alleged reprisal today by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, (MASSOB).

There was a report of alleged stabbing and extortion of N400,000 from a trader at the Ugwuagba Obosi Old Motor Spare Parts Market allegedly by MASSOB, which caused the crisis.

There was an emergency closed door meeting by the chairmen and secretaries of the

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Onitsha

markets in Onitsha, to forestall further encroachment by MASSOB. Ugwuagba market chairman, Ifeanyi Okafor, presided over the Awada meeting, with the branch chairmen in attendance.

Sources said there was a mild drama at the meeting, as chairmen, who were not indigenes, were prevented from participating.

A stakeholder, who preferred

to be referred to as the Human Rights Liberation Group leader, Chief Nnamelugo Nwokolo, said the exclusion of the nonindigene chairmen was unfortunate and an act of discrimination.

He urged the Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar and President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene, saying his main concern is based on the complaints received that some chairmen were excluded from the union when they were supposed to be part of the meeting.

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NEWS

Five SANs to prosecute Ngige’s case in tribunal

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IVE Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) will prosecute the petition filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in last year’s governorship election, Senator Chris Ngige, at the tribunal.

Led by Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), others are Chief George Uwechue (SAN), Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN), Ricky Tafa (SAN) and Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN).

Ngige’s legal team will also

Ihejirika: Ohanaeze warns North’s elders

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•Akeredolu, Uwechue lead pack From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

comprise 12 eminent lawyers, to act as a back-up.

The pre-trial conference begins in Awka on February 4, to be handled by a three-man team, led by Justice Ishak Bello.

At the conference, which will last for 14 days, the tribunal is to determine the number of witnesses the plaintiff and defen-

dant will call, after which it fixes a date for appearances.

Ngige sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for declaring a winner in an election he alleged was marred by irregularities.

He also sued Chief Wille Obiano, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate. The the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also has a case against INEC and Obiano.

•Dr. Ngige

Court hears suit against Willie Obiano Feb 27

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FEDERAL High Court in Abuja yesterday fixed February 27 for hearing in a suit challenging the legitimacy of Willie Obiano as candidate in last year’s governorship election in Anambra State.

Obaino contested the November 16 poll on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). He was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Justice Ahmed Mohammed chose the date after Obiano’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN),

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

argued that the suit filed last year was not ripe for hearing.

But the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Joe Kyari Gadzama (SAN), who led Olusola Oke, Abdulrasheed Ajana and Ifeanyi Nrialike, urged the court to hear the originating summons.

The plaintiffs - Ugochukwu Ikegwuonu and Kenneth Moneke - asked the court to disqualify Obiano on the grounds that he had two voter cards.

Joined in the suit is the Inde-

pendent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The plaintiffs claimed that the voter card Obiano tendered before the party’s screening exercise was different from the one he submitted to INEC. They raised three questions and sought five reliefs, including an order disqualifying Obiano.

They also sought an order of mandatory injunction compelling INEC to strike out Obiano’s name from its record as a candidate in the election.

Ikegwuonu and Moneke said

I didn’t issue statement on behalf of IBB, HE Special Adviser to the says Afegbua Governor of Edo State on Media and Public Affairs,

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Prince Kassim Afegbua, yesterday said he did not issue any statement on behalf of ex-President Ibrahim Babangida against President Goodluck Jonathan.

Afegbua made the clarification in a statement against the backdrop of a story making the rounds that Babangida had taken on the President.

The statement said: "My attention has just been drawn to a news story and statement purportedly credited to me with a blaring headline "Your Aides are misleading you; IBB warns Jonathan" published in one Global Village Extra, an online publication. To state the least, this is outright blackmail journalism and a sad commentary on journalism practice; a profession that I hold dear to my heart.

"I wish to state unequivocally that I am currently working in Edo State as a Special Adviser to the Comrade Governor on Media and Public Affairs, a position which was expressly endorsed by my boss-for-life General IBB. "Let me also state without mincing words that I did not issue the said statement that is flying around the social media on behalf of IBB. Let me also declare with all the emphasis at my

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

disposal that General IBB did not authorize anyone to issue any statement on his behalf let alone crediting same odious statement to me; Prince Kassim Afegbua.

"Even though General IBB has not officially appointed a Media Spokesman since I left, my acceptance of the offer of Special Adviser by my Governor automatically removes me from being General IBB's Spokesman, a position I so cherished and a personality I so admire.

"It is therefore bad journalism for one obscure, good-for-nothing, unprofessional platform such as the Global Villa Extra, to fabricate a statement and credit same to me, not only to mislead the public but cause disaffection

amongst the personalities involved.

"General IBB is a leader of leaders that I admire so much and one whose understanding of the delicate politics of the country is, in my honest view, unequalled. I have been a very good student of his political school of thought since I met him till date and I will remain so till the end of time.

"It is not in his character to join issues with leaders in such pedestrian manner as reflected in the so-called statement credited to me. This rebuttal becomes instructive to put the records straight and disabuse the minds of our numerous followers, friends and associates who may come across this statement in one way or the other."

Prophetic outreach at Ilupeju

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HE monthly prophetic outreach of Afolabi Samuel Coker has begun at Kings Chambers, 42, Association Avenue, Ikorodu Road, near Obanikoro bus stop, Ilupeju, Lagos. It is tagged: “Settle Me O Lord”.

The presiding pastor and originator of the programme, Rev. Afolabi Samuel Coker, said: “Settle Me O’ Lord is an inspiration born by the spirit of God at a time like this to give direction by the word and the spirit.”

He said the knowledge of God’s welfare package, if effectively applied, would deliver people from the bondage of illness, poverty, unemployment, stagnation, marital inadequacies, among others.

South African investors plan refinery in Edo

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OUTH African investors have said they will set up an ethanol refinery in Edo State.

The Executive Chairman of Industrial Development Holding, South Africa, Mr. Mxolesi Mbetse, spoke when he visited Governor Adams Oshiomhole at the Government House.

He said: “What we want to do in this state is that in the next five to 10 years, we want to stop importation of palm oil. We want to ensure that Nigeria becomes

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From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemusia, Benin

the next exporter of not only palm oil, sugar, but also ethanol. I was in Brazil and was amazed at the way they used technology to produce ethanol.”

Mbetse told the governor that he found out that Edo was endowed with abundant agriculture and natural resources, which could sustain industrial growth.

He said the state’s raw mate-

rial potential and the infrastructure put in place by the government attracted his business conglomerate to site a refinery, to produce and process ethanol, using palm oil and sugarcane.

Governor Oshiomhole said government was clear on its plan to improve the GDP of the people, noting that putting infrastructure in place without attracting the right investors would yield little.

Lawyer hails Fed Govt for anti-gay law

Lagos lawyer, Kofi-Atiemo Gyan, has hailed the National Assembly and the Federal Government for passing and signing into law the law prohibiting same-sex marriage.

The lawyer noted that the law would aid the fight against HIV/AIDS and sexual pervasion.

Gyan, who is also a metaphysician, homosexualism is a mental disease and any Nigerian found practising it should be sent to a psychiatric hospital for treatment.

In a statement yesterday, the lawyer said Nigeria had set the pace for other Africans to ban homosexual practices on the continent.

He stressed that same-sex practices were alien to the continent because they were imported from other lands.

Gyan urged religious groups to prohibit gay practices by excommunicating homosexual members and handing them over to the government for psychiatric treatment.

“Homosexuals should not be allowed to mingle with normal members of the society.

“Human being walk straight forward. But if you see somebody walking backward, it means something is wrong with such a person.

the court should determine whether, by his alleged conduct, Obiano was qualified to contest the election by virtue of sections 12(2), 16(2)(3) and 31(5) of the Electoral Act. In a supporting affidavit, Ikegwuonu averred that Obiano allegedly possessed two voter cards – one purportedly obtained in Lagos, which he tendered at his party’s screening in August, and one claimed to have been obtained in Otuocha, Anambra State, on September 3, which he allegedly presented to INEC. He said the Voter’s Identification No. on the first card is 90F5815E7D3738200332, while on the second one is 90F5B12B01296204172.

Ikegwuonu averred that Obiano’s claim to having a voter card, as contained in the documents he submitted to INEC, was false.

He queried the authenticity of the date on the birth certificate, which Obiano tendered and issued by Awka South Local Government.

HE apex Igbo sociocultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has warned the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) to stop threatening former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen- Azubuike Ihejirika.

NEF threatened to sue Ihejirika at the International Criminal Court (ICC), The Hague, for alleged extra-judicial killings.

The forum’s spokesman, Prof. Ango Abudullahi, issued a communiqué, accusing Ihejirika and six others of alleged extra-judicial killings in Bama and Giwa Barracks in Borno State.

Reacting yesterday in Awka, Anambra State Chairman of Ohanaeze, Chief Chris Eluemunoh, described the threat as “an empty one, adding that attempt by anybody to embarrass Ihejirika would be resisted.

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

He said: “If they try it, they will meet fire. We have records of the atrocities committed against Ndigbo, but we keep quiet in the interest of our country.

“Let them try anything funny, they will see Ndigbo in their true colourS.” Eluemunoh said the support of Ndigbo for President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term was not an open cheque.

Said he: “We are not thinking of an Igbo president next year. Our stand is that Ndigbo will support Jonathan for a second term.

“But he needs to talk with us and assure us of certain things, such as a second Niger Bridge, railway across the Southeast, especially in Onitsha, among others.”

Group promises to support Amosun

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NON-governmental organisation (NGO), Ifesowapo Youths, has promised to support the Ibikunle Amosun administration to develop Ogun State, especially Oyero.

The group hailed the governor for turning the state into a model for other states, from the dilapidated structures he inherited when he assumed office.

Its Chairman Akeem Aru-

From: Jeremiah Oke, Abeokuta

gudu spoke yesterday when he presented a flat screen television set and a standing fan to the management of the health centre in Oyero village.

Arugudu said the gesture was among the group’s contributions to the improvement of the people’s living standard and health.

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NEWS

Why we won’t support budget, by APC Reps Continued from page 2

science support a budget that comes with a benchmark and siphons away 30 per cent of the country’s revenue into an illegal excess crude account in violation of the provisions of Section 162 of the Constitution we individually swore to defend, with the resultant effect of shortchanging the states we all individually represent.

“A budget where the economics do not trickle down to the common man. We do not want to be accessories after the fact by passing a budget when the president or minister of finance who has publicly admitted to the disappearance of $10 billion has not given explanations but seeks to borrow more money. And who continues to blame shortfall in revenue on crude theft by some phantom thieves.

“We refuse to participate in what has become an annual ritual and approving a document

in the name of passing a budget that tells a lie about the true state of our finances and liquidity and where our revenue is being deflated by about N500 billion annually through the fraudulent and indiscriminate grant of waivers.

“More importantly, we will not be party to the appropriation of funds and taxpayers’ money to a police force that will turn around and use same to maim and kill the same taxpayers. No; we will not.”

The lawmakers blamed President Goodluck Jonathan for breaking tradition and bringing “disdain and contempt for the budgeting process and Nigerians” by denying Nigerians “opportunity of hearing their President address the country on the state of the nation, the performance of the last budget and the contents and objectives of the new budget”.

They described it as “a crying shame and another shade of

impunity”.

The APC lawmaker, however, said they had noted that salaries of many innocent Nigerians are tied to the budget.

“However, we will do all we can to address this Catch 22. We will hope that our progressive colleagues will agree to an ingenious and creative idea like we did through the doctrine of necessity to isolate the recurrent expenditure and, perhaps for the first time, pass a recurrent budget.

“This is just one idea. We are open to many more from all Nigerians. Nigerians who see the end goal and understand it.”

Gbajabiamila said while the focus remained the event in Rivers State, “our broad and overall concern remains good governance and covers the whole gamut of our national life”.

However, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Caucus in the House of Representatives, led by Hon. Uche Ekwunife, af-

ter a meeting, said it had resolved “to condemn and reject in its entirety, recent calls by the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the blockage of the passage of the 2014 national budget and other Executive Bills.

In a statement by the Caucus, signed by Ekwunife, supported

by Victor Afam Ogene, Chukwuemeke Nwogbo, Cyril Egwuatu and Chris Azubogu, the lawmakers said: “Indeed, we decry and deplore current moves to polarise the House and divert it from the broad objectives of making life more meaningful for the generality of Nigerians, as the contrived budget stand-off would seem to suggest. “ Need we remind everyone that though political party affiliation, tribe and tongue may differ, we remain united in the pursuit of one singular goal: the peace, welfare and well-being of all Nigerians.”

Rivers Boko Haram arrests: 275 suspects released

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WO hundred and seventyfive persons among those held by the Police in Rivers State on the suspicion that they are members of the dreaded Boko Haram group, have been released.

Deputy Commissioner State Criminal Investigation Department (DC/CID), Sam Ukaula told reporters in Port Harcourt yesterday that 19 of those arrested are being held for further interrogation.

The arrest of the people travelling in buses on the Rivers –Imo border, has generated huge inter-

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From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

est. The House of Representatives has ordered as probe into the arrests. .

Ukaula said the 19, whose mission in Port Harcourt was not clear, include an illegal immigrant from Niger Republic. One of them, he said, had spent ammunition on him.

The police officer said the interception of the vehicles and arrest of the occupants was necessitated by information to Commissioner of Police Mbu Joseph Mbu, that a

great number of the killer squads had been dispatched to cause havoc on Port Harcourt residents.

He explained that the action of the Police was meant to nip the intended trouble in the bud. He absolved the police of political connection.

Earlier reports said those arrested were 320, but Ukaula said yesterday that they were 294.

The suspects were arrested on Sunday morning at the boundary between Imo and Rivers states, in a convoy of 17 buses from Jigawa state. They were held at the state CID until they were screened and

freed.

Ukaula said a team of security agencies in the state, including the Army, Police Immigration, customs and SSS assembled to screen the suspects before the 275 could be released.

He said: “It would be recalled that on Friday night of January 24, 2014, the Commissioner of Police received an alarming information that members of Boko Haram were being massively transported to Rivers state particularly, Port Harcourt from certain parts of the country for the purpose of causing havoc on innocent citizens.

Mu’azu, governors, senators meet Continued from page 2

those of the other parties are about to begin.”

He said the meeting would afford the PDP leaders to share ideas and nip problems in the bud.

“PDP is as strong as it has always been and will be stronger,” he added.

Akpabio described the meeting as a special one.

He said: “It is an uncommon gathering in an uncommon period in the history of this uncommon party, which is facing uncommon challenges and seeking uncommon solutions.”

He pledged that the PDP governors would continue to support Mu’azu, adding that they were ready to do everything legally possible to reposition the PDP and ensure it achieves victory in 2015.

Akpabio also said the governors were ready to increase the number of states controlled by PDP, irrespective of the five governors who have defected to the

Senators demand 2013 capital budget implementation Continued from page 2

steps to increase capital expenditure above the recurrent expenditure.

He criticised a situation where over 20 per cent of the budget went to debt servicing, warning that the trend should be stopped.

He also warned against excessive borrowing.

Senator Olusola Adeyeye (Osun Central) said the federal

Amaechi blames Abuja forces for Rivers insecurity

IVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi spoke yesterday on the cause of the insecurity in the state. He blamed it all on the desperation

by Abuja forces working towards the 2015 general election.

He attributed the dwindling fortunes of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of Rivers state to the rising insecurity in the state.

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt The Rivers governor said insecurity came at a time when desperate politicians resorted to power-play at the national level, ahead of the 2015 elections and the recent influx of political thugs and miscreants, that were chased out of the state when he assumed office in 2007.

Amaechi spoke at the Government House in Port Harcourt

when officers and students of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Plateau State, visited him.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairman noted that the prevalent insecurity in Rivers state prevented most companies from operating outside Port Harcourt, the state capital, which he said negatively affected the state’s IGR, that would have hit N10 bil-

lion monthly.

He said: “Things were improving before now, with the Army, Police and the State Security Service (SSS), which enabled us to arrest the insecurity in the state.

“It is also important for you to know the economic interest of the people, and our private interest too.

“Now, people are being kidnapped like in recent times. Some of my colleagues in government,

All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said: “Our meeting today is to strengthen you (Mu’azu) and to assure you that you are not alone. Whatever the outcome of this meeting, the governors will ensure its full implementation.”

Mu’azu said before the meeting went into a closed door session that the consultative meeting would henceforth become a regular feature so that the members would use it to “touch base and interact with one another”.

He expressed concern about the difficulties executive bills often suffer at the National Assembly, noting that “there is no reason why executive bills cannot be discussed with the PDP lawmakers before they are introduced on the floor so that such bills will enjoy smooth sail”.

Mu’azu added: “If we do not continue to consult with one another, we will continue to disagree with one another.”

like a lawyer I met this morning, he was kidnapped and kept for eight days, but he was just released on Friday. You are also aware of the Bishop that was kidnapped, but these issues were not there after I assumed office in 2007. But because of the elections (2015), the Abuja front has released all the people (militants) we chased out of Port Harcourt back into the state.”

budgets over the years betrayed Nigerians.

Adeyeye wondered why more fund was devoted to debt servicing.

He also wondered why the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was allowed to spend “recklessly”.

“Efforts should be made to halt that NNPC rascality,” he said.

He insisted that “if the country must grow, we must grow the economy and terminate criminal enjoyment of politicians”.

Senator Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West) said since no budget is perfect, the duty of the Senate should be to identify faulty areas and fix them.

Adeyemi said it would be wrong to throw away the baby with the bath water.

He called for the completion of the Abuja-Lokoja road, the Second Niger bridge and other major roads.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

69

FOREIGN NEWS Egypt: 20 journalists ‘facing charges’

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WENTY journalists are facing charges in Egypt, prosecutors have said.

Sixteen are Egyptians accused of belonging to a “terrorist organisation” and four are foreigners accused of assisting it, or spreading false news.

The defendants include two Britons, a Dutch national and an Australian - believed to be the al-Jazeera correspondent Peter Greste.

Earlier, international news networks, including the BBC, called for the release of five al-

Jazeera journalists.

The 16 Egyptian defendants face several allegations including belonging to a terrorist group, harming national unity and social peace, and using terrorism as a means to their goals.

The four foreigners are accused of collaborating with the Egyptians and providing them with information, equipment, and money as well as broadcasting false information and rumours to convince the international community that Egypt was undergoing a civil war.

South Sudan: ‘Coup leaders’ face treason trial

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EVEN South Sudanese politicians face charges of treason over an alleged coup attempt in December that sparked weeks of fighting, the authorities have said.

Eleven officials were arrested at the time and the rebel side has made their release a condition of any peace deal to follow last week’s ceasefire.

Those to be tried include three people not in custody, including ex-Vice-President Riek Machar.

Seven of the other detainees have been released to the authorities in Kenya.

This release of several of the detainees will probably not remove an obstacle to the negotiations. The rebels want all of the men released - and so do the U.S. and other countries mediating in this crisis. The idea is that all these heavyweight figures should take part in talks on resolving the political crisis that triggered this conflict.

Outside South Sudan, at least, President Salva Kiir has not been able to convince many people that his former deputy Riek Machar and the remaining detainees were involved in an attempted coup.

Syria: Peace talks take positive step

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YRIA’s government has said it will debate a UNbacked document that sets out a way to end the three-year conflict, in a move hailed by the opposition as a “positive step forward” Presidential adviser Bouthaina Shaaban said they would discuss the Geneva Communique “paragraph by para-

graph”.

She made no mention of the part that calls for a transitional government.

The idea of a transition process has proved to be a major sticking point at the peace talks in Geneva.

But there were some slightly more promising signs yesterday.

Obama State of the Union address: Key points

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NITED STATES President Barack Obama has given his annual State of the Union address, covering issues such as healthcare, inequality and foreign policy. Correspondents say it was probably the last best chance to reset his presidency before attention shifts to the 2016 poll for his successor.

US President Barack Obama: “Whenever I can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more American families, that’s what I’m going to do”.

Mr Obama voiced his concern at the persistence of income inequality despite the US’s income recovery. Inequality has been growing for almost three decades.

“Today, after four years of economic growth, corporate profits and stock prices have rarely been higher, and those at the top have never done better. But average wages have barely budged. Inequality has deepened,” he said.

An analysis of tax filings released in September showed the top 1% of US earners collected 19.3% of household income, breaking a record previously set in 1927.

Demonstrators gather during a nationwide strike and protest at fast food restaurants to raise the minimum hourly wage to $15 in New York As part of his efforts to address inequality, Mr Obama announced a rise in the minimum wage for new federal contract staff to $10.10 (£6.10). He appealed to Congress to raise the national minimum wage, currently $7.25 per hour, across the board.

“Americans overwhelmingly agree that no one who works fulltime should ever have to raise a family in poverty,” Mr Obama said.

He also called the continuing pay gap between men and

women as an “embarrassment” and called on Congress and business leaders to take action to close it.

US President Barack Obama: “Because of this law, no American can ever again be dropped or denied coverage for a pre-existing condition like asthma, back pain, or cancer”.

Mr Obama defended his signature healthcare reforms, saying that they were already helping millions get health insurance.

The troubled roll out of the healthcare bill, known as “Obamacare”, hit his popularity ratings hard last year.

“For decades, few things exposed hard-working families to economic hardship more than a broken health care system. And in case you haven’t heard, we’re in the process of fixing that,” Mr Obama said.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors and Iranian technicians at nuclear power plant in Natanz UN

nuclear inspectors have increased activity in Iran as part of efforts to verify the deal Mr Obama hailed the recent deal between Iran and world powers over its nuclear programme, saying that that US diplomacy had brought Iran to the negotiation table and prevented it from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Many in Congress are sceptical over the deal and have suggested that they should push for fresh sanctions on Iran.

Mr Obama said he would veto any such sanctions. “For the sake of our national security, we must give diplomacy a chance to succeed,” he said.

But he added: “If Iran’s leaders do not seize this opportunity, then I will be the first to call for more sanctions and stand ready to exercise all options to make sure Iran does not build a nuclear weapon.”

President Obama: “This needs to be the year...we close the prison

•United States President Barack Obama flanked by Vice President Joe Biden (left) and Republican House Speaker John Bonner at the Annual State of the Union Address in Washington DC...yesterday.

PHOTO: REUTERS

at Guantanamo Bay”.

The closure of the US military detention centre at Guantanamo Bay within a year was one of Mr Obama’s pledges when first elected in 2008. However, this deadline was missed amid resistance from lawmakers to the idea of bringing prisoners to the US. The US Senate passed a bill in June which would provide a pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the US. However the bill has yet to be considered by the House of Representatives, where many conservatives object to giving breaks to people who either entered or stayed in the US illegally.

Mr Obama said economists had forecasted that reform would “grow the economy and shrink our deficits by almost $1 trillion in the next two decades”.

“When people come here to fulfil their dreams - to study, invent, contribute to our culture - they make our country a more attractive place for businesses to locate and create jobs for everybody. So let's get immigration reform done this year,” he said.

While backing the increased use of natural gas as a “bridge fuel”, Mr Obama called on Congress to back a “smarter tax policy that stops giving $4bn a year to fossil fuel industries that don’t need it so we can invest more in fuels of the future that do”.

He said the increasing use of solar power should be encouraged as a way of fighting climate change and sustaining jobs that “can’t be outsourced”.

“When our children’s children look us in the eye and ask if we did all we could to leave them a safer, more stable world, with new sources of energy, I want us to be able to say yes, we did.”

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

71

SPORT EXTRA

Unlucky Eagles lose to Black Stars B LACK STARS progressed to the African Nations Championship final as they converted all their spot kicks after a tight encounter with the Nigerian Super Eagles in Cape Town.

Ghana booked a date with Libya in the African Nations Championship with a 4-1 penalty shoot-out victory over Nigeria at the Cape Town Stadium.

The much anticipated clash between the West African rivals began on a very competitive note with the Black Stars going for the attack right from the blast of the referee Sikazwe’s whistle.

Ghana launched the first real threat as Bansey eased past two Nigerian defenders to hit his shot at Agbim’s goal but his effort went just two wide.

In the fourth minute, the stadium was thrown into

confusion as Nigeria’s standout man in this competition Ejike Uzoenyi went unconscious after having a collision with a Ghanaian defender in an attempt to win an aerial ball.

The Black Stars were in cruise control for more than 15 minutes of the first half but rarely threatened the Nigerian goalkeeper thanks to a more composed defence anchored by Kunle Odunlami.

Super Eagles first chance to score came in the 10th minute when Abubakar Ibrahim almost converted a free-kick taken following Yahaya Mohammed’s foul on Abdullahi Shehu of Nigeria.

Few minutes later- in the 26th minute to be precise, Nigeria very nearly went ahead through Abdulahi as his long range missile bounced off the

Ghanaian cross bar – a result of a counter-attacking move orchestrated by Ugonna Uzochukwu after the Black Stars’ corner was cleared away by Egwuekwe.

Ghana looked weighed down by the almost tangible sense of expectation among a partisan crowd packed into the Cape Town as dangerman Uzoenyi mesmerized the Michael Akuffo anchored backline.

On resumption of the second half, Nigeria looked more dangerous in the attack but failed to convert chances that came their way as they preferred to shoot directly at Stephen Adams’s goal.

Maxwell Konadu’s men were reduced to 10 men in the 64th minute as Kwabena Adusei got his second caution of the night following a rough challenge on Nigeria’s Abubakar.

Keshi brought on Barnabas Imenger for Ifeanyi Ede to who had a below par performance to take advantage of the opponent’s deficit but the Black Stars looked rock solid as they thwarted every attacking moves of the Eagles.

Uzoenyi picked out Kwambe’s clever run behind the Ghanian defence with a measured chip into the area and the Nigeria No.7 controlled the ball on his chest before flicking it goalwards. Stephen Adams saved well with his outstretched left arm but Imenger was not on hand to slice home the rebound.

With both sides horribly devoid of ideas, extra time appeared inevitable. Imenger was the culprit in the first half of extra time as he failed on three occasions to put Nigeria ahead.

Lasisi challenges Bash Ali to title fight

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OE Lasisi, a former African Boxing Union light heavyweight champion, on Wednesday threw a challenge to fight Bash Ali, for the “Guinness World Book of Records’’ title fight.

Lasisi, 60, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that “Ali should accept my challenge if he really wants to prove he deserves to be in the record book.

“I have decided to come out of retirement; I’m fit and ready and Ali should accept my challenge and let us see who is truly Nigeria’s great.”

NAN reports that the National Sports Commission on January 7 in Abuja inaugurated a Local Organising Committee for the proposed Bash Ali Guinness World Book of Records title fight.

Ali will be 58 on February 27.

Lasisi said if Ali accepted his challenge, he would remind Nigerians of the “dazzling display” that earned him his reputation as one of the country’s best boxers.

Lasisi was at different times the National, African and Commonwealth light heavyweight boxing champion before he retired.

Responding, Ali said he was willing to accept Lasisi’s challenge on the condition that a contract would be signed for “a winner takes all battle.”

Ali boasted that he was ready for any opposition, adding that his only concern was that Lasisi could decide to pull out of the contest.

“A fight with Lasisi, two years ago would have been good but he chickened out of it because he was scared. I believe I can conquer any opponent.

“Lasisi can come with everything he’s got; I’m ready for him. But we must sign an agreement before the fight will hold,” Ali said.

Ali, a former World Cruiser weight Boxing Champion, said that nothing would stop him from writing his name in the Guinness World Book of Records.

•Bash Ali

Pundit commends scrabble EMI Awowade, a United tourney Kingdom-based

F Nwofor back for late World Cup charge

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CHE Nwofor will be expected to make a late charge for a place

at the World Cup after he scored on his return to action.

Nigeria international striker Nwofor was sidelined for over two months by a knee

injury.

The Heerenveen striker was in action for his Dutch side’s reserve Monday in a 5-0 whitewash of Volendam, where he scored the fifth goal after coming on as a substitute.

He told MTNFootball.com he

was disappointed the injury happened at the point where he was proving himself at Dutch club Heerenveen.

“It was frustrating to be out for a couple of months especially at a point when I was keen to show the Heerenveen fans what I could

do,” the former Nigeria U20 star told MTNFootball.com “I have finally got over the injury. I am feeling strong and confident. I am looking forward to doing what I do best, which is scoring goals and working hard for the team.”

Basketball: Nigerians expectant as FIBA set to announce wild cards

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ITH just two days to the announcement of the four successful bid for the wild cards for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Nigerian basketball family are pregnant with expectations as the Central Board of the world body meets in Barcelona, Spain on Saturday.

The Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF along with 15 other federations met the October 30, 2013 deadline for submission of bids for the wild cards for their national teams and NBBF president Tijanni Umar said in an interview in Abuja that the federation expects to be among the successful bids.

He stressed that Nigeria’s basketball would be greatly honoured to be the first African side to bag a wild card for the World Cup following the country’s formidable team’s failure to qualify directly at the 2013 Afrobasket held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

Umar argued that the national male team failed in Abidjan “largely due to a depleted roster caused by

major injuries and the players are itching to redeem the team’s profile.”

Still advancing reasons why Nigeria should get a wild card for the World Cup, the NBBF president said, “Our team has a pool of sustainable talent in some of the best basketball leagues around the world that can perform and compete against the best at the highest levels of the game (i.e.the Olympics and the FIBA Basketball World Cup)”,

adding that the country’s best players have committed to play in the FIBA Basketball World Cup if the bid is successful.

Asked how competitive he expects the Nigerian team to be and whether he is confident the team will feature all its leading/best players, Umar retorted, “If given a wild card, our team will present its best-ever roster for maximum impact and our team captain has

written a commitment letter on behalf of his colleagues which is enclosed in our bid document.”

The countries jostling for the four available wild cards alongside Nigeria (ranked 18 in the world) are, BosniaHerzegovina (57), Brazil (10), Canada (25), China (12), Finland (39), Germany (14), Greece (5), Israel (37), Italy (21), Poland (40), Qatar (42), Russia (6), Turkey (7) and Venezuela (28).

God, Eagles behind my new form says Uzoenyi

E

JIKE Uzoenyi has told MTNFootball.com God and the Super Eagles are behind his new-found form after a torrid spell at French club Rennes.

Uzoenyi has scored three goals and has been picked as the MVP in three matches as Nigeria face rivals Ghana in the semi-final on Wednesday in Bloemfontein.

Last year, the left winger was not able to tie down a permanent deal at French club Rennes at the end of a sixmonth loan from Enugu Rangers.

“I have put the events at Rennes behind me. I have regained my form, all thanks to God, my coaches in the Eagles and my team mates.

“They all play role in getting me back to my good form. I am working hard to be at my best.”

He also disclosed that unity and mutual respect in camp has been the magic behind the Eagles display at CHAN. “There is unity in the team and that is the major factor in our resurgence. There is a lot of high level respect in the group,” Uzoenyi remarked.

Nigerian scrabble player, on Wednesday said he was impressed with the Lagos International Scrabble Classics organised by the Lagos State Scrabble Association.

Awowade told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that only sustained sponsorship would enable the game to attain international standard.

“One thing that is noticeable is that the standard of Nigerian scrabble will continue to improve year by year. The Akpabio Classics is a stand-out tournament.

“It’s very well attended, very well organised and very good. This is the first international classic that Lagos is hosting and they have done tremendously well.

“Any of these tournaments can rank with any other tournament in England..

“There is a little bit more that we can do but we will get there, the way I see it’’.

Awowade, a two-time winner of the 2012 and 2013 Godswill Akpabio scrabble classics said the home-based

players displayed intelligence in word proficiency.

“A Nigerian will become the world scrabble champion.

“These players here, you can easily see 25 of them that can hold their own in any major scrabble field, they will do very well.

“I am aware that the organisers have the plans to increase and broaden the spate of the organisation.

“Quite a number of people brought their children to see how it is done and what is being done and a lot of them have also promised that they will contest next year.

“I am aware that this is contributing to grassroots development of scrabble in Lagos and also in Nigeria’’.

The scrabble pundit said he was optimistic of a Nigerian emerging as the world champion if the Nigeria Scrabble Federation and scrabble state association continue to organise competitions.

The competition was held from Jan. 23 to Jan. 26 at the Molade Okoya Indoor Sport Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Mozia sets national shot put record

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•Uzoenyi

S-BASED Nigerian athlete, Stephen Mozia has set a new mark in the men’s shot put (indoor) with a throw of 20.52m at the Ithaca Cornell Upstate Challenge.

Mozia, a junior at Cornell University is regarded as one of the top throwers in the country and competed at the Indoor and Outdoor National Championships as a sophomore.

The 20-year old has been tipped to make Nigeria proud at the

forthcoming World Indoor Championships in Poland and Commonwealth Games by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) which is delighted by his performance.

He also competes in the hammer and discus events.

As a freshman in high school, Mozia started as a slow, uncoordinated sprinter but later capped off his senior year with being a two-time All American in the shot put and had a dominant season at discus as well.

TODAY IN THE NATION

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘A majority party solely in name is a democratic aberration and there is nowhere in the world that this is tolerated. A majority party must exercise that power not only in name but in deed’ VOL.9 NO.2,744

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

A

CCORDING to the theory of Six Degrees of Separation it takes no more than six introductions for any two people on earth, with its population in excess of seven billion, to be connected to one another through their network of friends. Using Mr A and Miss B as examples, the theory – developed

by Hungarian author Frigyes Karinthy in 1929 – says that by the time Mr A taps into his group of friends each of whom taps into his/her group of friends each of whom taps into his/her group of friends etc, Mr A and Miss B would have been connected by or before the time Mr A contacts his fifth group of friends. An experiment conducted by Facebook in 2011 to test the theory among its 721 million users at the time discovered an average distance of only 4.74 introductions between any two users, thereby demonstrating the power of technology in bridging geographical and social divides.

It is easy to see how formidable a tool the theory can be in the hands of policy-makers. By observing its underlying principle, the effectiveness of government policies can be measured against the extent to which they improve living standards throughout a country. Therefore, those who govern have no excuse for being disconnected from the governed. Unfortunately, the disconnect in Nigeria has become so severe that nothing short of a total overhaul of the mindsets and practices of elected public officials will put things right. The process must begin from the presidency, not just for its symbolism but because change that does not start from the top is usually futile.

Rather than purposefully setting out to narrow the gap between rich and poor, Nigerian policy-makers are fixated with macroeconomic variables like Gross Domestic Product and the level of foreign investment. Admittedly, macro yardsticks are critical for national planning but while economic growth is the ultimate objective of economic policy, the primary concern of government policy as a whole should be economic and social development. This should extend to big cities and remote villages alike; certainly not the case in Nigeria today. Our legislators continue to luxuriate in air-conditioned, sartorial and bejewelled comfort while telling the electorate to make sacrifices, to be patient and patriotic – in a country where the National Bureau of Statistics and The World Bank agree that over 60 per cent of the population are poor.

It is general knowledge that an obscene proportion of the federal budget is spent on legislators’ salaries and allowances. This is compounded by the longstanding cat-and-mouse game they and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the independent body that sets the pay of political office holders, have been playing with the electorate vis-a-vis disclosing how much legislators earn.

They make it seem as if we are being presumptuous by requesting information we are entitled to have. Information readily available to all and sundry in other democracies where government websites disclose earnings of heads of government and legislators, including allowances on domestic and foreign assignments – almost to the last kobo. Why should Nigeria be any different? The truth of the matter is our legislators are feasting on what is, in effect, a “24/7 eat-as-much-as-you-like buffet” at the

RIPPLES TOTAL WAR ON BOKO HARAM–JONATHAN

Yes PIKIN WAY SAY IM MAMA NO GO SLEEP...

OPEN FORUM By

VICTOR OLUWASEGUN ADENIJI

160 million degrees of separation

• The National Assembly Complex expense of Nigerians. The list of allowances they receive, including the ironically-named “hardship allowance”, is as long as the Third Mainland Bridge; and both scandalous and immoral in its entirety.

The cost of governance in Nigeria should be an open book, accessible to all, and not veiled in secrecy. Over the years, all manner of requests to our legislators for a breakdown of the National Assembly’s budget have received short shrift. These include requests made under the Freedom of Information Act. Our legislators obviously do not understand that they work for the electorate and are therefore answerable to them. When we request information, legislators do not have the option of responding if or when they feel like it. Such highhandedness has no place in a democracy where openness and transparency are indispensable safeguards against abuse.

At the end of 2013 the average salary plus allowances of heads of government of G-8 countries, the club of the world’s eight largest economies (excluding China), was US$313,988. This ranged from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s US$180,585 to US President Barack Obama’s US$569,000. Somewhere in between were the likes of French President Francois

Hollande (US$241,929), Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany (US$407,672) and premiers of other countries with economies 7 to 13 times bigger than that of Nigeria. In each of those countries, there is a common relationship between their leader’s total pay and their citizens’ standard of living. While Nigerian legislators are believed to earn, in total, several hundred times Nigeria’s GDP per capita of US$1,555 (N248,800), G-8 leaders’ total pay averages just 7.6 times their GDP per capita while there is full disclosure on how their pay is calculated.

For example, the total salary of Stephen Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada was US$320,400 last year. This comprises a base amount of US$160,000 paid to all Canadian members of parliament. Additional compensation is then paid to principal officers (Prime Minister, Speaker, Leader of the Opposition, Cabinet Ministers etc) entrusted with additional duties and responsibilities – with the Prime Minister receiving the largest amount. This information is on the government website.

Interestingly, Canadian legislators’ salaries, which are reviewed annually, were increased by a mere 1.6 per cent in January 2013 after a three-year salary freeze as part of austerity measures.

Austerity is something Nigerian politicians and legislators talk about with great aplomb but seem to have difficulty putting into practice, other than cosmetically, if it affects them directly. This is where their lack of sincerity towards the people of whom they demand selflessness and patience is so glaringly exposed.

After all, our elected officials see clear signs of poverty in their respective constituencies, no matter how heavily tinted their car windows are. They would be best advised to learn from Pope Francis, arguably the most popular leader in the world today.

Last month he was voted Time magazine’s Person of the Year for 2013, just nine months after his election. Since then he has literally

HARDBALL

T

HERE is no art to find the mind’s construction on the face, says William Shakespeare in his epic drama, Macbeth.

But that may not be true for Professor Attahiru Jega whose mien is benign, even saintly. And those who know him have attested that he is a soul perhaps closer to the celestial realms than we dusty earthlings. He is most soft of speech, innocuous of demeanor and unencumbered of heart. But do these qualities make him the perfect fit for the most sensitive job in the land today as the head of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC); the chief umpire of national polls in Nigeria?

Well, last weekend he affirmed his impeccable personal qualities during an interview on the Kaduna-based Liberty Radio. He told the world that nobody had ever (dared to) compromise him: “Maybe I am lucky, but I can tell you categorically that nobody has ever intimidated me; nobody has ever attempted to influence me to do something wrong and nobody has ever attempted to bribe me… whether they do it to some lower officers (I don’t know), but where we have substantial evidence, we make them face the law.”

This statement is a testament to the quality and substance of the Jega persona. The last time we had an electoral chief who could beat his chest as to his integrity was Justice Ovie Whis-

Jega’s contraindication key who claimed he would faint at the sight of one million naira and well, maybe Professor Eme Awa too.

Albeit, Jega would need some deconstruction but let us hear him some more: “The formidable challenge, the general tendency among the Nigerian political class, not all of them, is that of winning elections by hook or by crook. They want to persuade the electoral commission, the officials to do them favours. If persuasion and paying fails, they want to intimidate or harass or threaten them. And obviously that mentality of do-or-die, or winning by hook or crook is a dominant tendency in the mindset of politicians in Nigeria and that has to change. Because if it does not change, no matter what adequate and efficient preparation of the commission the integrity of the election will always be undermined.”

Contraindication: Prof. Jega is like good medicine, which is quite efficacious but has dire after-effects. This is the object lesson in the Jega persona and his leadership of INEC as he himself has unwittingly admitted above.

Jega’s first major test, the 2011 national elec-

LAWAL OGIENAGBON

torn down barriers between him and the people. Firstly, he opts for a simple white cassock instead of the gold-stitched garments worn by his predecessors. He has foregone the opulent papal apartment of the Apostolic Palace in favour of a Vatican guesthouse where he sleeps in a modest single room and eats his meals with other residents in the cafeteria. He pays his own bills and carries his own bags. The papal limousine, motorcycle outriders and long convoys have been replaced by a solitary second-hand Ford Focus. He does not receive a salary (his expenses are covered by the church) and preaches against the “idolatry” of money and the uncaring nature of capitalism which he describes as “a new tyranny.” Little wonder he is called the People’s Pope.

If he is truly a man of the people, President Jonathan must urgently bring to a halt the highspeed gravy train that the executive and legislature have been gorging themselves on while the majority of Nigerians live in poverty. As 2014 kicks off, his aides should advise him to lead by example. His combined salary and allowances should be reduced to a reasonable multiple of Nigeria’s GDP per capita since the Federal Government should ordinarily meet his expenses. Members of the PDP, the opposition and the smaller parties would be expected to follow suit, by benchmarking their earnings off those of the President, in order not to incur the wrath of the electorate. Details of his and other elected officials’ earnings should be posted on the RMAFC’s website. The requisite constitutional amendments to make those changes binding would then catch up with the President’s act of moral suasion. Thereafter, he should immediately address other indefensible examples of excess like the presidential fleet of aircraft and money squandered on national celebrations, particularly during a global economic downturn. Nigeria’s centennial year should mark a new beginning for open, responsible and forward-looking government – at all levels.

It was a very wise man who said that public service is not about making a living but making a difference. Pope Francis has shown what a huge difference it makes when people in positions of authority humble themselves. When they remove as many degrees of separation as possible between them and the people they are supposed to serve. However, because our elected officials have distanced themselves in both word and deed from so many Nigerians for so long, instead of borrowing just a leaf from the Pope they may have to hire earthmoving equipment and uproot the entire papal garden.

•Adeniji, an economist, writes from Lagos

•Dapo Fafowora returns in a fortnight •For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above tion was a near logistical debacle but was allowed to pass because it was his first. But subsequent elections have been merely passable having been dogged by the same set of ills. Anambra was however, unacceptable and raises questions about Jega’s managerial skills and leadership qualities.

Jega misses the point sorely when he says he does not know whether his subordinates are compromised or not; he capitulates when he whines about the crooked mindset of the Nigerian politician which must change lest the integrity of (INEC’s) elections will always be undermined. Jega must simply rise to the occasion and build a viable and selfsustaining institution that has adequate integrity to sufficiently checkmate subordinates and deter the politicians. For instance, why has he not deployed some tried-andtested rigging-proof technology in use elsewhere? Why have riggers and manipulators gone unpunished? How come electoral officers become stupendously rich and no questions asked?

It is not about Jega’s integrity but INEC’s institutional integrity which is the legacy he would be remembered by. He must brace up lest all his current exertions would be just that – exertions!

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