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$10m boost for schools security

T

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

HE business community has voted $10 million to make schools safe in Nigeria.

Former British Prime Minister and United Nations (UN) envoy on education Mr Gordon Brown broke the news yesterday in Abuja.

He also said two teams from the United States and the United Kingdom would be in Nigeria to help trace the kidnapped Chibok girls.

Brown said: “There is a desperate need to assure Nigerians that school children are safe to go to school. The Nigerian business community has earmarked $10 million with a pilot of 500 schools. The initiative wants parents and teachers to come up with what safety measures they need but government too should be involved.”

Nigerian business leaders Aliko Dangote,

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WHERE ARE THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15?

Continued on page 4

INSIDE

•Soyinka on CNN •The man Shekau •New York Times: Jonathan, inept •NSA, service AND ON chiefs meet MORE PAGES 2-6

•BRING B ACK OUR GIRLS: One of the mothers of the missing girls wipes tears as she cries during a rally by civil society groups pressing for the BA release of the girls in Abuja... on Tuesday.

PHOTO: AFP

Britain, China, France join battle to rescue schoolgirls Protests in Ilorin, Port Harcourt Police offer N50m for information

B

RITAIN, France and China have joined the battle to rescue the school girls abducted by the fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram.

They are to deploy their Satellite Imaging capabilities and other ad-

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

vanced tracking technologies to assist Nigeria in rescuing the over 200 girls abducted in Chibok, Borno State.

The President’s Special Adviser on Continued on page 4

Obviously it’s a heartbreaking situation.

Outrageous situation. We’ve already sent in a team to Nigeria. They’ve accepted our help through a combination of military, law enforcement, and other agencies which are going in, trying to identify where in fact these girls might be and provide them help —Obama

I’m the father of two young daughters and my reaction is the same as every father or mother in this land or the world. This is an act of pure evil, it has united people across the planet to stand with Nigeria to help find these children and return them to their parents —Cameron

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

2

NEWS CHIBOK GIRLS’ ABDUCTION

Boko Haram a m •From left: Former Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan; General T.Y. Danjuma (Rtd.); Chief Olu Akinkugbe; Chief Chris Ogunbanjo; Vice Chancellor, University of Cape Town, Dr. Max Price and former Secretary-General, CommonWealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku at the launching of TY Danjuma $5 endowment fund for Law and Policy Development in Africa and Olu Akinkugbe Business Law in Africa Fellowship organised by the University of Cape Town (UCT)-Nigeria Academic Partnership PHOTO: ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA Endowments in Lagos... yesterday.

Nobel Prize winning author Prof Wole Soyinka spoke with CNN’s Christian Amanpour on the Chibok abduction.

Here is the transcript courtesy amanpour.com.

Y

• From left:General Manager,British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATN), Abimbola Okoya, Head of Department, Mass Communications, University of Lagos, Prof Ralph Akinfeleye, lecturer, Lagos Business School,keynote speaker, Chris Ogbechie, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Education, Minabelem Michael West, Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Nonny Ugboma, and Ogun State Commissioner for Education John Segun Odubela during the Business Day Annual Giving Back Conference 2014 in Lagos.

• From left: Writer and activist Betty Abah, celebrated author Prof Elechi Amadi , Prof Ini Uko of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Ebele Eko of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) and Amadi’s wife Priye at a conference in Calabar, the Cross River State capital to mark Prof Eko’s birthday and retirement from UNICAL.

•From left Director, Channel Sales, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Ken Ogujiofor, Innocent Idibia (2 Face) and Acting Chief Executive Officer Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Matthew Willsher, at the 5th Etisalat Heroes Award in Lagos... on Tuesday.

OU heard that leader of Boko Haram say the most outrageous things by Allah, ‘I have the right to sell these girls into slavery. There’s a market for them.

Western education must be — must be taken out of this country’. What do you make of what’s going on in your country right now?

It’s a situation which has been left to fester. It was addressed very late and very casually, very lackadaisically. And now it’s become not just a national problem but a West African problem because it’s a force which destabilises the entire nation.

Do you think it’s a good thing and should your president accept the offer of help that the United States is giving, military personnel, hostage negotiation experts, all sorts of advice and probably material on surveillance and other such things?

President Jonathan should have asked for it from the very beginning.

I don’t believe in false pride. The history of the movement which — to which Boko Haram belongs or which it is a part, a tendency, that quoteunquote, if you like, “philosophy,” is one which is a menace to the entire world, is not a Nigerian affair alone.

So there should be no hesitation or approval of the language by the president.

Why do you think they have hesitated? Look, it was you who called for the president to confront this and speak to the nation, address the nation. You did that last week. Only this weekend did he follow your advice and actually spoke to the nation. Why has he been, in your words, in denial?

It’s not only he; it’s the advisers around him. It’s a certain section of the nation, some of whom enjoy, for various reasons, a nation in a state of chaos. They profit by it and if I thought them are guilty of provoking the situation. There’s a measure of guilt and also a measure of gloating that the government of the nation is in serious trouble. So it’s a mixture of motivations. The person who has no excuse is the president of the nation.

I want to bring up some things that we’ve been watching. For instance, we’ve been watching these demonstrations by the — by the parents inside Nigeria, plus many, many concerned activists and citizens. We’ve seen these demonstrations now spread to Washington, London and elsewhere. But we’ve also heard from a father and some parents of these children, who were — who were abducted three weeks ago. I want to play you what one of the fathers told CNN by phone shortly after the kids were kidnapped. Well, do you know what, we don’t have that. But what he was saying was we know that had the government moved quicker, they could have rescued our girls. Why do you — what is going on? He says, you know, the government doesn’t care, quote, “about the poor people” of this country.

You know, I probably have more questions than you have. For instance, I’d like to know why we are not al-

•Civil Society women and men in Port Harcourt, Rivers State protesting over the abduction of the Chibok school girls... yesterday.

lowed to see the faces, the humanity of these girls who have been abducted. Why is it that their pictures are not on the pages of the newspaper? Well, why isn’t it? Why aren’t they? I told you, I have more questions than you have.

But is that a government restriction?

It’s a government — it’s obviously a government — this is a government which is not only in denial mentally but is in denial about certain obvious steps to take. It’s almost like childlike situations that if you shut your eyes, if you don’t exhibit, you know, the tactile evidence of the missing humanity here, that somehow the problem will go away. It’s an attitude which exists in the subconscious, even though it’s not (inaudible).

Let me play this poor father’s sad comments to CNN. UNIDENTIFIED MALE (from captions): ‘They have a “don’t care” attitude concerning the poor people in the nation.

Had it been the government had taken any measure, I believe they would have to restore our daughters.

They waited until after 11 days.

They have to find them somewhere else. We parents, we don’t know where our daughters are now.’ You know, when you hear his voice — does it make you feel sad?

It’s really agonising, really agonising. It’s something which I never thought, even though I’ve been warning for years, it’s not — you know, for years about this menace, when it eventually escalates to this level, it’s astonishing how one still feels, you know, literally eviscerated by the abduction of these girls.

You are a Nobel laureate... Why is it that you’ve been warning? And what exactly have you been warning about that hasn’t been dealt with?

I’ve been warning especially that the pinpricks of this movement are not confined to Nigeria. And that it should be recognised, those who understand the history of Algeria (ph), for instance, those who saw the career of the — of the Taliban when they overran Afghanistan, those who cannot delude themselves that people are going to Somalia to be trained with Al-Shabaab, et cetera, et cetera, those who are conscious, what is happening in the rest of the world? Should have done five years ago. And they have been warned publicly. I’ve said it in letters that the pinpricks you see all over the world are consolidating into a situation of internal war, insurrection by this group.

What will that mean for Nigeria?

You are, after all, the most powerful economy in Africa. But there’s terrible corruption. What does all of

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

3

CHIBOK GIRLS’ ABDUCTION

m a menace to the world, says Soyinka The man Shekau

• Prof Soyinka

this mean for Nigeria? Are you worried about it?

Oh, very much so, very much so.

And the — when we even talk about corruption, there’s a need to specify it so because this revolt, if you like, this insurrection or whatever began in a certain section of the country.

And it indicates what has been happening to what eventually became the foot soldiers, the despairing imagery (ph), for instance, who’ve been under the thumb of the militant mullahs and who brainwashed thousands of these kids, who are food soldiers. They’re the ones who cannot think for themselves any longer. And those who’ve started this movement — this was started in fact — their soldiers are (inaudible). They’re out of control. The politicians who use that toxic brew of religion and politics to try and destabilise a nation, they are asking for help because those on the jury (ph) who’ve trained elsewhere, who become radicalised, even more than their handlers, understand that they are totally out of control. And they’re on the first line of the victims.

You call for the government and the nation has called for the government to take action against Boko Haram...So on the one hand, you and others are calling on the government to get this in hand. On the other hand, a lot of backlash is being created by the way their scorched earth policy seems to be progressing.

I’m calling not just for the nation to take action. I’m calling for the international community, the United Nations. This is a problem. This is a global problem. And a foothold, you know, is being very deeply entrenched in West Africa. If for instance, Nigeria with the assistance of France had not moved into Mali, and fortunately this is one of the pieces of advice which this government eventually took, but don’t wait for Mali to come to Nigeria; go into Mali and stop them where they are. And France took the lead, we followed immediately in Nigeria — and ECOWAS followed. So it’s not a Nigerian problem alone. Now when people talk about corruption —

And that was, of course, when Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb — Boko Haram was going to Mali to train, to refresh, to reequip and if Mali had stayed in the hands of Al Qaeda, it’s a very different story. The other thing I want to say is this: it’s part of the denial when certain — when fingers are pointed at certain events in the country without going back to understand how this had — I’m talking about extrajudicial killing, for instance. It is wrong; it is condemnable and we condemned it. But to say that because a leader of the original Boko Haram was extrajudicially executed that that is why there is now this upsurge, this climactic action, this is part of the self-denial, of the denial of the real situation.

This Yusuf (ph) was a killer, a butcher. He should never have been extrajudicially killed, I agree. But this event, this rebel started long before the extrajudicial killing. And a man that they’re trying to turn into a saint now, who’s just a homicidal maniac, who killed non-Muslims, you know, at the snap of a finger, killed families and forced people to convert or give them a choice, convert or you’ll be killed.

Boko Haram — you just talked about the leader of Boko Haram — what did you make of the swaggering, glib, gleeful laughter of this leader when he just sort of appeared face uncovered to the world and said he was going to sell these girls? Just give me your impression psychologically of what he’s up to.

Most bullies whether on a small scale or a national or international scale, they bluster, they do more of the same thing when they spy a community, a nation or a state, which is on its knees, which doesn’t confront them directly…Yes. If you remember, when the first — well, not the first, I mean, you know how far back one should go.

Well, it’s been going on for a long, long time. The world suddenly got interested because this is 276 girls who were taken all at once.

But before that, when the United Nations headquarters were blown up

‘

The president and his government cannot sleep easy after what has happened to Nigeria...But also the situation is now beyond the capacity of the government

‘

in the capital of a mission, you want to go further back? When the extreme Islamists literally sacked the capital, you know, under President (inaudible) because they claim that religion was offended because there was a beauty contest, going to go in on there, there have been numerous instances like this. And when Yusuf was still, remember, a former head of state — He’s the original — (Obasanjo) went on a mission of appeasement to Boko Haram family, asking virtually on his — on his knees, please forgive and forget. But these were killers. I mean, those who killed the leaders should have been punished, yes. But we shouldn’t go and appease killers.

Now with these girls, the longer this goes on, the fact that it’s so public now, what do you think is going to happen to these girls? Are they all together, do you think? Have they been split up? Will they be sold?

What do you think?

I made a statement at the World Book Fair, at which I said confront the reality. It’s painful; it’s horrifying. I said these girls are going to be sold as sex slaves. I used that expression. I said let’s not beat around the bush.

We’re dealing with a monstrosity.

We’re dealing with an affliction the like of which the nation has never encountered. Understand that you must go in quickly. You must act rapidly because these girls are going to be traumatised in a way in which — which is going to blast the rest of their lives.

And do you think it’s right, the reports we hear about the first lady of Nigeria, criticising activists who’ve been protesting in the streets and basically accusing them of bringing bad publicity and critcising her husband’s government?

I made public statements about this woman who calls herself the first lady of Nigeria. I don’t want to say anything more about her.

So ok. I won’t push you on that.

There are many, many people who look at, for instance, neighboring Uganda, where we had Joseph Kony, the Lord’s Resistance Army.

They also took girls for years. It was going on for years...

I call attention to Joseph Kony…

And by the way, Joseph Kony’s a Christian monster.

And I’m very glad you mentioned, because I have mentioned Joseph Kony a number of times as a parallel to what is happening now so that it’s to tell these Muslim fundamentalists that they shouldn’t take pride in bestiality, that the Christian side also knows it. The issue’s not religion. It’s

He is the face of terror. A ruthless leader with a twisted ideology. And the sadistic architect of a campaign of mayhem and misery.

And yet, very little is known about Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram.

He operates in the shadows, leaving his underlings to orchestrate his repulsive mandates. He resurfaces every once in a while in videotaped messages to mock the impotence of the Nigerian military. And he uses his faith to recruit the impressionable and the disenfranchised to his cause.

Shekau was born in Shekau village that borders Niger. He studied under a cleric and then attended Borno State College of Legal and Islamic Studies for higher studies on Islam.

That’s why he’s also known as ‘Darul Tawheed,’ which translates to an expert in monotheism, or the oneness of Allah.

He speaks several languages fluently: Hausa, Fulani, Kanuri and Arabic.

But English isn’t one of them. After all, he heads a group that rejects all things Western.

He’s elusive. Even his age is unknown — estimates range between 38 and 49.

The U.S. State Department has Shekau’s year of birth listed as 1965, 1969 and 1975.

He’s a loner. Analysts describe Shekau as a loner and a master of disguise. He does not speak directly with members, opting to communicate through a few select confidants.

He uses many aliases: Abu Bakr Skikwa, Imam Abu Bakr Shiku and Abu Muhammad Abu Bakr Bin Muhammad Al Shakwi Al Muslimi Bishku among them.

He was an unruly No. 2. Boko Haram was founded by Mohammed Yusuf, a charismatic, well-educated cleric who drove a Mercedes as part of his push for a pure Islamic state in Nigeria.

He wasn’t too effective as a leader and had a hard time keeping his second-in-command in check.

Shekau was more radical and had grander designs. And merciless as No. 1. Mohammed • Shekau Yusuf was killed in a security crackdown in 2009, along with about 700 of his followers. That left Shekau in charge. He vowed to strike back, and his group has spared no one: government workers, police officers, journalists, villagers, students and churchgoers.

Human Rights Watch estimates that in the past five years, more than 3,000 people have been killed.

He’s come back from the dead. The military has touted Shekau’s death several times, only to retract its claim after he appeared alive and vibrant in propaganda videos.

They almost got him in September 2012 when they raided his home, where he had snuck in for his six-day-old baby’s naming ceremony, according to the International Crisis Group. He managed to get away with a gunshot wound to the leg; his wife and three children were taken by the military.

He uses Islam to recruit and radicalise. The northeast, where Boko Haram has been most active, is economically depressed and among the least educated regions in Nigeria.

There's no firm evidence as yet that Boko Haram has ambitions beyond Nigeria. But its campaign of terror has spilled into remote parts of Cameroon and it appears to have informal links with militant Islamist groups in Mali and Niger.

It was in May 2013 that Shekau first announced in a video that Boko Haram would start kidnapping girls. The kidnappings, he said, were retaliation for Nigerian security forces nabbing the wives and children of group members.

The most horrifying instance was last month's abduction of 276 girls from a girl's school.

"I abducted your girls," he taunted with a chilling smile in a new video that surfaced this week. "There is a market for selling humans. Allah says I should sell. He commands me to sell."

There's a $7 million bounty on his head. Shekau has been on the radar of U.S. officials since he came to power in 2009. Last June, the United States put a bounty on him, offering a reward of up to $7 million for information leading to his location. But that's yet to yield results.

•Culled from cnn.com that fundamentalist fascism in which you feel that it’s an act of domination, an act of domination. You prove what are you have in the environment in the little pond, you know, where you’re operating. It’s the same mentality entirely.

Has this abduction changed the Nigerian people? And what does that mean for the government, particularly for these upcoming elections?

I think anyone at all with the — with the humane trait in his or her makeup has got to take this government to task on any level because there are many things which could have been done. And I’ve stressed this over and over again, abduction, terrorism, suicide bombing, these are very difficult situations to deal with.

But they’re not unique. And it’s easy

to anticipate, especially if you’re only a country and you have any sense of history, this is very easy to anticipate in what direction this will go. So those who are coming out in the streets now, they’ve always been conscious, to some extent. But didn’t realise how soon the enormity of the action will catch up on them.

Now if you like, the worms are turning. Where it will end, I do not know. But one thing is certain: the president and his government cannot sleep easy after what has happened to Nigeria. It is not possible. Any either pretend or real indifference or denial has ended. I’m convinced about that.

But also the situation is now beyond the capacity of the government.

That’s why I say the situation must be internationalised.

4

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

NEWS CHIBOK GIRLS’ ABDUCTION

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•The Civil society and women groups protesting the abduction of Chibok girls in Port Harcourt…yesterday.

NSA, service chiefs meet on rescue operation, US offer

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ATIONAL Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki met yesterday with Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh and other service chiefs.

The meeting centered on the review of the search-and-rescue operation by troops and the limits of US intervention in the counter-insurgency battle against Boko Haram in Borno State and other parts of the Northeast.

It was learnt that President Goodluck Jonathan accepted the US offer to assist Nigeria to tackle Boko Haram because of the pressure from the opposition and the international community.

Although Jonathan was a bit reluctant in seeking foreign assistance, he felt with pressure

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

from within and outside the country, Nigeria had no choice than to collaborate with any nation willing to help.

The NSA met with the CDS and the Service Chiefs for many hours.

A source said: “The meeting focused on the review of the rescue operation for the 276 abducted girls by troops in the Northeast and alleged mass killing of people in Gamboru-Ngala axis in Borno State.

“Based on clues, troops have made some inroad into Sambisa area but the main challenge is locating the exact camps where the girls are kept.

“Again, the security chiefs prefer to rescue the girls alive than launch outright attack on the in-

surgents who are using the girls as shield.

“They were also briefed on the acquisition of more surveillance aircraft by the Federal Government to give the counter-insurgency war more bite. The aircraft will be delivered any moment from now.”

It was also learnt that the meeting focused on US assistance, which will be limited to deployment of hi-tech equipment.

Another source added: “Such a session became necessary to build confidence in the Nigerian military and make them to appreciate that the nation is not abandoning them for US troops.

“Going by its records, in terms of capability and courage, Nigerian military is one of the best in the world. But it needs assistance on technological know-how, hi-

tech surveillance equipment and specialised drones.

“There was need to clarify the mission of the United States. The scope of the intervention shows that the US is not sending a team of special forces or a unit of marines to Nigeria. It will, however, deploy experts on counterterrorism and equipment.

“The Nigerian military will still be the pivot of the operations in Borno State and other parts of the Northeast. It is not as if Nigeria is submitting its sovereignty to the US.” It was also learnt last night that pressure from the opposition and the international community accounted for the acceptance of the US offer.

“The Federal Government was a bit reluctant to seek for-

$10m boost for schools security

Continued from page 1

Chair man & CEO, Dangote

Group, Jim Ovia, Founder, Zenith Bank, and Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman & Editor-in-Chief, ThisDay and President, Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) are behind the leadership for Safe Schools Initiative through the Global Business Coalition for Education The Safe Schools Initiative is in

partnership with government, media, civil society, youth, parents and teachers A World at School Youth Ambassadors have said that young people must have a voice in education and not be frightened or deterred from pursuing their futures As the BringBackOurGirls movement continues to build, over 400,000 people have signed a petition to make schools safe

places.

The signatures are to be presented to President Goodluck Jonathan by Brown this week.

The $10 million initiative is an initial fund, challenging matching investments by the government, to promote schools as safe spaces.

It will focus on school and community interventions, with special measures for the most at-risk and vulnerable children. The ini-

Continued on page 69

tiative will build community security groups to promote safe zones for education, consisting of teachers, parents, police, community leaders and young people themselves.

In the longer-term, the initiative will focus on bolstering the physical protection of schools, providing school guards and police in partnership with Nigerian auContinued on page 69

China to assist Nigeria

IGERIA has accepted China’s offer to deploy security personnel and assets to help Nigerian troops in the search and rescue operation for the girls.

Speaking at a joint news conference after bilateral talks with the Premier of the State Council of China, Li Keqiang at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Jonathan said that the two countries also agreed to deepen cooperation on fighting piracy and organised crimes.

He said: “The Premier promised that China will assist Nigeria in our fight against terror, especially our commitment and efforts to rescue the girls that were taken away from a secondary school in Chibok, Borno State.”

“We agreed to deepen cooperation in the field of defence and security and strenghten cooperation in counter terrorism, anti-piracy and combating organised crimes.

“The Premier expressed firm

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

support to efforts at safeguarding our sovereignty and secure our territorial integrity as well as promoting economic development,” Jonathan said.

He went on: “We examined issues of common interest to our countries. We reviewed, in particular, our economic, trade, political and cultural relations.

“We are satisfied with the achievements recorded in those fields. We also agreed that the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic partnership between our two countries coming up in 2015 should be marked to further deepen our relations.”

The two countries also sought to maintain visits at all levels, including between governments, political parties and legislatures towards promoting mutual understanding and trust.

Continuing, Jonathan said: “I reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to the one-China policy Continued on page 69

Protests in Rivers, Kwara MORE protests were staged yesterday over the abduction of schoolgirls in Borno State.

There were protests in Port Harcourt and Ilorin .

In Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi promised to support his Borno State counterpart, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, to ensure the release of the abducted girls.

The protesters, who converged on the Isaac Boro Park, carried placards, and banners with inscriptions, such as: “Destroy the beast, Boko Haram now”; “Bring back our girls”;

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt and Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

“Give us back our future”; and “Borno elders, Federal Government all parties involved”.

The Protesters, led by the Executive Director, Niger Delta Civil Society Coalition, Mr. Anyakwe Nsrimovu on the Federal Government to ensure the girls’ release.

Receiving the protesters at the Government House, Port Harcourt, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. George Continued on page 69

Police offer N50m for information

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HE police yesterday offered N50 million reward for anyone with information on the whereabouts of the girls abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

The girls were abducted from their hostel by the Boko Haram sect on April 15. The sect’s leader Abubakar Shekau has threatened to sell the girls.

In a statement, police spokesman Frank Mba assured Nigerians that such information would be treated with uttermost

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

confidentiality.

The police urged members of the public to be part of the government’s efforts at finding solution to the security challenges in the country.

The Force urged anyone with such information on the whereabouts of the abducted girls to contact the following telephone numbers: 09-2914649, 08081777309, 08055547536, 08032125050 08034617591, 08035969731.

Britain, China, France join battle to rescue schoolgirls

Continued from page 1 Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, broke the news yesterday.

He told State House correspondent that the President spoke with the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, on the phone yesterday after meeting with Premier Li Keqiang of China at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The United States’ offer to help has also been accepted.

U.S. President Barack Obama said in a report monitored on television: “Obviously it’s a heartbreaking situation. Outrageous situation. We’ve already sent in a team to Nigeria.

They’ve accepted our help through a combination of military, law enforcement, and other agencies which are going in, trying to identify where in fact these girls might be and provide them help.”

Abati said: “In furtherance of efforts by the Federal Government to locate and rescue the girls abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Wednesday requested and received a commitment from Britain to deploy its intelligence gathering resources in support of Nigeria’s security agencies currently engaged in the search and rescue opera-

Pentagon: no military operations planned yet for Nigeria

T

HE U.S. will not launch any military operations in Nigeria, it was learnt yesterday.

The Pentagon is sending fewer than 10 military troops as part of the U.S. effort to help find the girls.

A Pentagon spokesman said officials have no plans now to launch any milition.”

“President Jonathan, who spoke with the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron on telephone after meeting with Premier Li Keqiang of China, who is on an official visit to Nigeria, asked and received a promise of the deployment of British Satellite Imaging capabilities and other advanced tracking technologies in support of the ongoing effort.”

“The President thanked Mr. Cameron, the British Government and people for their concern over the fate of the abducted girls and their willingness to provide concrete assistance to save the girls from the terrorists who seized them from their school.”

According to him, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will liaise with the British Government through its High Commission in Nigeria to work out practical details of the promised support and collabora-

tary operations.

Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren said the troops would be arriving in a few days as part of the larger U.S. assistance team to include State Department and Justice Department personnel. The military members will help with communications, logistics and intelligence planning.

tion against terrorism.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said: “I’m the father of two young daughters and my reaction is the same as every father or mother in this land or the world. This is an act of pure evil, it has united people across the planet to stand with Nigeria to help find these children and return them to their parents.”

For the Chinese support, Abati said: “The Peoples’ Republic of China has also offered to assist in the effort to rescue the abducted girls. In talks with President Jonathan earlier today, Premier Li Keqiang promised that his country will make any useful information acquired by its satellites and intelligence services available to Nigeria’s security agencies.”

“Mr. Keqiang assured the President that China will support Nigeria’s fight against terrorism in every possible way, including the training of military person-

Warren said the U.S. was talking with Nigeria about information and intelligence sharing, but nothing had been decided.

There are already about 70 military personnel in Nigeria, including 50 regularly assigned to the embassy, and 20 Marines have been there for training.

nel for anti-insurgency operations.”

France joined yesterday the United States and Britain in offering to send security service agents to Nigeria to help rescue the girls.

With more than 4,000 troops operating between Mali to the west and Central African Republic to the east, Paris has a major interest in preventing Nigeria’s security situation from deteriorating, having previously voiced concerns that Boko Haram could spread further north into the Sahel.

Having ousted al Qaedalinked militants from Mali last year, France is planning to redeploy its forces across West Africa this summer to target Islamist groups taking advantage of porous borders between southern Libya, northern Chad and Niger.

“The President has instructed ... to put the (intelligence) servic-

es at the disposal of Nigeria and neighboring countries,” Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told lawmakers.

“This morning he asked us to contact the Nigerian president to tell him that a specialised unit with all the means we have in the region was at the disposal of Nigeria to help find and recover these young girls.”

Boko Haram kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls last month and has threatened to sell them into slavery, causing global outrage and bringing the Nigerianbased group firmly into the international spotlight.

“In the face of such ignominy, France must react. This crime cannot be left unpunished,” Fabius said.

A French diplomatic source said Paris had an existing military and intelligence cooperation with Nigeria, but that it was offering an additional “specialised team” from the external DGSE

•Dr. Jonathan intelligence service.

“The Nigerian authorities have to get back to us and tell us exactly what their needs are,” the source said, adding that Fabius was due to speak to his Nigerian counterpart later yesterday.

President Francois Hollande, during a trip to Abuja in February, promised help to fight Boko Haram, saying Nigeria’s struggle was also that of France.

“This may be the catalyst the international community needs to fight Boko Haram,” another diplomat said.

In February 2013, the group kidnapped a French family of seven on holiday in northern Cameroon, releasing them months later.

Continued on page 69

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THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

5

NEWS CHIBOK GIRLS’ ABDUCTION

Nigeria’s stolen girls...Jonathan shockingly slow, inept 276 of the ‘ more than

VIEWS FROM ABROAD

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HREE weeks after their horrifying abduction in Nigeria, 276 of the more than 300 girls who were taken from a school by armed militants are still missing, possibly sold into slavery or married off. Nigerian security forces apparently do not know where the girls are and the country’s president, Goodluck Jonathan, has been shockingly slow and inept at addressing this monstrous crime.

On Tuesday, the United Nations Children’s Fund said Boko Haram, the ruthless Islamist group that claimed responsibility for the kidnappings, abducted more young girls from their homes in the same part of the country in the northeast over the weekend. The group, whose name roughly means “Western education is a sin,” has waged war against Nigeria for five years.

Its goal is to destabilise and ultimately overthrow the government.

The group’s leader, Abubakar

300 girls who were taken from a school by armed militants are still missing, possibly sold into slavery or married oNigerian security forces apparently do not know where the girls are and the country’s president, Goodluck Jonathan, has been shockingly slow and inept at addressing this monstrous crime

‘

•Jonathan

Shekau, said in a video released on Monday, “I abducted your girls. I will sell them in the market, by Al-

lah.”

This is not the first time Boko Haram has attacked students, kill-

ing young men and kidnapping young women. The security situation in Northeast Nigeria has steadily deteriorated. In the first three months of this year, attacks by Boko Haram and reprisals by government security forces have killed at least 1,500 people, more than half of them civilians, according to Amnesty International. Until now, there has been little response to the violence, either in Nigeria or internationally. But the kidnapping of so many young girls, ages 12 to 15, has triggered outrage and ignited a rare antigovernment protest movement in Nigeria.

On Sunday, after weeks of silence, Mr. Jonathan admitted that “this is a trying time for our country,” and he said that Nigerians were justified in their anger against the government and appealed for international help. The reaction of Mr. Jonathan’s wife, Patience, was stunningly callous; according to state news media, she told one of the protest leaders, “You are playing games. Don’t use schoolchildren and women for demonstrations again.”

Boko Haram’s claim that it follows Islamic teachings is nonsense.

A pre-eminent Islamic theological

institute, in Egypt, denounced the abductions, saying it “completely contradicts the teachings of Islam and its tolerant principles.”

Although Boko Haram is believed to number no more than a few hundred men, Nigerian security forces have been unable to defeat them.

Mr. Jonathan, who leads a corrupt government that has little credibility, initially played down the group’s threat and claimed security forces were in control. It wasn’t until Sunday, more than two weeks after the kidnappings, that he called a meeting of government officials, including the leader of the girls’ school, to discuss the incident.

There is no doubt the intelligence and investigation help President Obama offered on Monday is needed.

The kidnappings occurred just as President Jonathan is about to hold the World Economic Forum on Africa, with 6,000 troops deployed for security. That show of force may keep the delegates safe, but Nigeria’s deeply troubled government cannot protect its people, attract investment and lead the country to its full potential if it cannot contain a virulent insurgency.

APGA: abduction wicked

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From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

HE All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) yesterday demanded the unconditional release of the school girls abducted by Boko Haram insurgents at Chibok, Borno State.

APGA described their abduction as wicked and reprehensible urging security agents to expedite action towards the release of the school girls.

According to the statement issued by Senior Special Assistant on Media to Chief Maxi Okwu National Chairman, Victor Eneh, APGA applauded the intervention of the United States of America in the search and rescue of the girls.

It reads in parts: “The abduction of a generation of young girls by the insurgents is the height of man’s inhuman to man. It is immoral, wicked, reprehensible, detestable and repugnant to good conscience. APGA condemns it in strong terms and urge security agents to expedite action towards the release of these innocent girls from their captors.

“We welcome the intervention of the United States of America in the search and rescue of these girls who are being traumatized by this dastardly act. We urge Nigerians to be patriotic and united in the fight against terrorism as no person is immune from terrorists’ diabolical mission. Today, the Federation is threatened by the cowardly actions of these demented insurgents and their sponsors. This is the time to rally round the flag and protect the citizenry from the onslaught of enemies of our great nation.

“We urge political leaders to be cautious in their statements and actions so as not to undermine the fight against terrorism. National interest supersedes partisan politics. We also urge security agents to improve on their intelligence gathering and be more pro-active to avoid a repeat of various attacks and abductions in some parts of the country.

“APGA enjoins the Federal Government to engage in counter-terrorism to enhance and improve intelligence gathering and improved processing. The request for the assistance of United Nations particularly countries that have similar terrorism outrage like Israel and America are a welcome development.”

U.S. aid too late, say activists

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HE Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has described as too late the United States’s assistance in the recovery of the 234 Chibok girls in Boko Haram’s custody.

It, however, added that the decision was worthwhile.

The group, in a statement yesterday, said: “ We have consistently called on the Nigerian Government to enter into a military pact with the World’s best known military force which is the United States of America so the Nigerian troops can benefit enormously from the training and other capacity building measures that would follow

such military partnership.

We salute the United States Government for coming to our assistance but the Nigerian Government should go further and farther by signing military pact. The Nigerian Government must also conduct forensic audit to determine how the huge budgets released to the defense and police sectors have been stolen substantially which is why freelance armed hoodlums have almost toppled the armed forces of Nigeria in their ongoing campaign of terror and crimes against humanity because the Nigerian military is reportedly under equipped and less motivated.”

• Women protesting at the Kwara State Government House, Ilorin... yesterday.

Muslim officials condemn abduction of girls

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USLIM leaders in various countries have criticised Boko Haram’s leader Abubakar Shekau for using Islamic teachings as his justification for threatening to sell the abducted girls into slavery.

Others have focused on what they view as a slow response by Nigeria’s government to the crisis. Some of the reactions to the crisis: In Egypt, Religious Endowments Minister Mohammed Mohktar Gomaa said: “The actions by Boko Haram are pure terrorism, with no relation to Islam, especially the kidnapping of the girls.”

Sheik Ahmed el-Tayeb of the Cairo-based Al-Azhar, one of Sunni Islam’s most prestigious institutions, said the abductions “completely contradict Islam and its principles of tolerance.”

In Pakistan, Dawn, an English language newspaper, published an opinion piece that takes Nigeria to task for not moving against Boko Haram. “The popular upsurge in Nigeria in the wake of the latest unspeakable atrocity

‘Army’ll crush insurgency’

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By Tajudeen Adebanjo

HE Army is doing everything possible to crush insurgency, a senior officer, Major Abdulkareem Adisa, has said.

Major Abdulkareem, an officer from the Department of Islamic Affairs, spoke yesterday when he led other senior officers on a visit to Markaz Arabic and Islamic Training Centre, Agege, a Lagos suburb.

“We are not relenting in the fight against Boko Haram.

Nigerians should not see us as being biased in the discharged of our duty in our efforts to crush the insurgents. “Everything we are doing on the insurgency is for the interest of the nation.

Don’t see the army as your enemies,” he said.

He urged students of the institution to show determination in their quest for success, adding: “You can fit into different areas despite studying Arabic.” provides some scope for hoping that the state will finally act decisively to obliterate the growing menace,” wrote columnist Mahir Ali. In Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, the Jakarta Post published an editorial Wednesday condemning the Boko Haram leader for “wrongly” citing Islamic teaching as his excuse for selling the abducted girls into slavery. Recalling the Taliban’s

shooting of 15-year-old Pakistani girl Malala Yousafzai in 2012 because of her outspokenness in defence of girls’ right to an education, the editorial said: “Malala’s message needs to be conveyed to all people who use their power to block children’s access to education.

It is saddening that religion is misused to terrorise people and to kill the future leaders of the world.”

The newspaper also criticised President Goodluck

Jonathan, noting that “only after international condemnation and street demonstrations poured in did President Jonathan tell his nation that he would take all necessary actions to return the young women to their parents and schools, while also acknowledging that the whereabouts of the abductees remained unknown.”

In Sweden, in an editorial posted on the left-wing news website politism.se, blogger Nikita Feiz criticised the international community for its slow response and asked why the situation hadn’t triggered as loud a reaction as when Malala was shot in Pakistan.

“Looking at the situation in Nigeria, Malala appears like a false promise from the West that it would stand up for girls’ rights to attend school without fear of being subjected to sexual exploitation and abuse,” she said. “It is difficult not to draw the conclusion that the West’s assurance to act for girls’ rights suddenly isn’t as natural when it comes to girls’ rights in a country in Africa.

6

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

NEWS ‘Arrested Chibok representative didn’t impersonate me’ •Chibok elder faults First Lady’s action

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

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N elder of Kibaku (Chibok) Area Development Association (KADA) of Borno State, Mrs. Grace Allabeh Ndirmbula, has said a representative of the area, Mrs. Naomi Mutah Nyadar, did not impersonate her or any parent at a session last Sunday in Abuja with First Lady Patience Jonathan.

She faulted the arrest and detention of Mrs. Naomi at Asokoro Police Station after an audience with the First Lady.

Mrs Ndirmbula made the clarification in a statement against the backdrop of the controversy over the status of Mrs. Naomi at the meeting with the First Lady.

The statement said: “To set the records straight and for the avoidance of any doubt and to the best of my knowledge Mrs. Naomi Mutah Nyadar, along with Mrs. Saratu Angus Ndirpaya were nominated by me Mrs. Grace Allabeh Ndirmbula to attend a meeting at which I could not possibly be present due to my distant domicile to represent Kibaku Area Development Association (KADA) and the Kibaku Community at large.

Mrs. Naomi Mutah Nyadar did not and had no reason to impersonate Mrs. Grace.

“All we are asking is for all the good people of this great nation Nigeria and the international community at every level to put hands on deck to bring back our daughters. They are daughters of all Nigerians and beyond.

“Putting blames on innocent protesters, parents, or the State Government will not help to rescue these helpless girls. The more time we waste on side issues instead of majoring on what matters the more we extend their suffering and rescue more difficult.

“We are still praying and trusting the Most High God who rules in the affairs of men and nations to use whomever He wills to bring our daughters back. God bless and bring sanity, peace and progress to our dear country, Nigeria.

The Kibaku elder explained how Mrs. Naomi was nominated to represent Kibaku women at the Villa in Abuja.

She said: “On Sunday, May 4, 2014 at 6am, I, Mrs. Grace Allabeh Ndirmbula, received a call from Kwapchi Bata, the Senior Special Assistant to His Excellency the Executive Governor of Borno on Media, requesting for a nomination of a worthy representative of Chibok (Kibaku) women in Abuja to attend an urgent meeting convened by Her Excellency the highly respected Wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at Asso Villa.

“The meeting accordingly was to be held as from 12:00 noon that same day. The woman representative of the Kibaku Area Development Association (KADA) was to join the Borno women contingent that was already in Abuja.

“Due to the suspension of flights from Maiduguri to Abuja and the long distance and hours it takes to travel to Abuja by road, it was impossible for me, Mrs. Grace Allabeh Ndirmbula who is resident in Maiduguri to reach Abuja and attend the meeting as scheduled.

CHIBOK GIRLS’ ABDUCTION

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Parents relive the pains of girls' abduction

E ventures into the forest looking for his daughters, armed with bow and arrow in case the terrorists surprise him.

The odds are stacked against him. No one has found the 276 girls abducted from their school last month by the terror group Boko Haram.

But then again, no one's really been looking, the father says.

The father's voice shakes as he recalls the night his two daughters were snatched from their dormitory at an all-girls school in Nigeria.

It began with an explosion so loud that it shook buildings in the northern village of Chibok, waking the girls' family. That was quickly followed by the sound of gunfire echoing into the dark night.

By the time father made it to the Government Girls Secondary School, the militants had already opened fire on security guards and set buildings on fire.

Unarmed, there was nothing the father could do but watch ... and wait.

When I went into the school

compound, nobody will ever stand it," said the father, who is not being identified for fear of reprisals from attackers or the government.

"You will see their dresses cut out all over. And the hostel and dormitory, everything was bombed into ashes. So this man told us they have gone with our daughters. We couldn't believe him."

Armed members of Boko Haram attacked the school on April 14, overpowering the guards and herding the girls onto waiting trucks, according to accounts of that night.

The trucks disappeared with the girls into the dense forest bordering Cameroon, a stronghold for the terror group whose name translates to "Western education is sin" in the local Hausa language.

That's where the story gets hazy.

There are questions about just how many girls were taken, with varying reports putting that number between 230 to 276, depending on who is talking.

In the days after the attack, the military said all the girls had been released or rescued. But after the

girls' families began asking where their daughters were, the military retracted the statement.

This much the father knows for sure: His two daughters are among those still in captivity after almost a month.

Nigerian officials have defended their response and said they are searching.

"We've done a lot -- but we are not talking about it," presidential spokesman Doyin Okupe said. "We're not Americans.

We're not showing people, you know, but it does not mean that we are not doing something."

But the father scoffed at the government's response.

"We have never seen any military man there," he said.

"Had it been military men who went into the bush to rescue our daughters, we would have seen them."

'We can't let this be the new normal' Boko Haram, on the other hand, is entrenched in the region.

The father believes that either supporters or members of Boko Haram live in his village.

They know his family, the father says. They know about his daughters.

The family is so afraid, he says, that they have fled their home and taken to sleeping in the bush.

"Life is very dangerous in Chibok right now. Since on 14th of April, to date, we don't sleep at home," the father said.

They're not alone. The father said that starting around 5 or 6 o'clock in the evening, "people will disappear into the bush because there is no security."

"We sleep in the bush with all of our little ones," he said.

Boko Haram is a ruthless, powerful force.

The group says its goal is to impose stricter enforcement of Sharia law across Africa's most populous nation, which is split between a majority Muslim north and a mostly Christian south.

Under its version of Sharia law, women should be at home raising children and looking after their husbands, not at school learning to read and write.

A video that surfaced this week showed a man claiming to

be the group's leader saying he will sell the hundreds kidnapped girls.

"I abducted your girls. I will sell them in the market, by Allah," said a man claiming to be Abubakar Shekau. "There is a market for selling humans. Allah says I should sell. He commands me to sell. I will sell women. I sell women."

The mother of the two girls had little response, just tears.

"Most of the women, we mothers, we started crying because had no one to help us," she said.

"Our daughters (have) been adopted or captured as slaves.

Now ... we cannot even eat."

This isn't the parents' first experience with Boko Haram. They adopted one of their two daughters after her parents were killed by the terrorist group.

The mother begs for the girls' freedom, away from a lifetime of abuse and slavery.

"They don't know, probably one of them are born a president or doctor or pastor or a lawyer who will be helpful to the country," she said. "Why would they molest these little ones? Please ... release them."

Saraki to Jonathan: tell U.S, others Nigeria’s security challenges From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

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•Some women carrying placards with various inscriptions during a protest in Ilorin, Kwara State capital...yesterday

Clark, Gbonogi, Ekwueme call for war on Boko Haram

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GROUP, the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly (SNPA), has called for full military action against the Boko Haram sect to quell the insurgency in the Northeast.

The group, which is an assembly of leaders of thought from the three zones in Southern Nigeria - the Southeast, Southwest and Southsouth - said the unity of the country was paramount and the security situation should be tackled headlong to save Nigeria.

SNPA, which has three cochairmen – Ijaw leader Chief Edwin Clark; Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, co-chair and Chief Alex Ekwweme, met yesterday for over two hours to consider the nation’s security situation with a view of making its contribution towards finding a lasting solutions.

According to Bishop Gbonigi, the group is becoming uncomfortable with the new dimension the security challenge is taking, especially with the abduction of the over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State.

He therefore urged President Goodluck Jonathan to do everything possible to remedy the situation including full deployment of military.

He said: “We urge the president to take additional measures including the full deployment of our military arsenal to defeat the terrorists.

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

“The corporate existence of the nation and collective will of the people to live peacefully together is been challenged and every patriotic Nigerian irrespective of their tribe, religion and political affiliation should rally round President Goodluck Jonathan as he leads the fight to take back our country from agents of darkness and self seeking bigots.”

He said: “We cannot fold our arms and watch our dear country

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slide into anarchy, the painful memories and scars of the unfortunate civil war are still very much with us.”

Gbonigi also urged the security agencies in the country to do everything possible to apprehend and bring to justice the sponsors of the group.

Chief Ekwueme who was represented by Dr. Dozie Ikedife said the country cannot afford to play with naked fire, as this is what the present situation connotes.

Dr Ikedife warned that it is in-

cumbent on all to ensure the unity of the country.

He added: “We must find solution to the issue of insecurity because it must not be beyond us.”

Clark, who also spoke on the issue said the only way out right now is the declaration of full state of emergency in the troubled states.

The former federal commissioner also Clark also raised alarm about the new security threat posed by the Fulani herdsmen.

TUC, APC women’s leader, others to Jonathan: rescue the girls or quit

HE Rivers State chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Women’s Leader of the state chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Evang. Carol Nagbo, demanded yesterday the resignation of the Goodluck Jonathan administration over the abducted schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State.

In separate reactions in Port Harcourt, the state capital, the women’s leader and the TUC Chairman, Chika Onugbu, said the Jonathan administration should take more decisive actions to free the Chibok girls or step down.

The union leader noted that the deteriorating security situation might lead to a bigger problem, if the government fails to take more serious action to free the schoolgirls and other missing Nigerians.

He said: “The best option is for this government to step down or resign, because the way things are going, it will become a territorial conflict. The Jonathan government must be fast on any approach to free

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

the innocent girls.”

Evang. Nagbo said the abduction of the girls and the delay by the Federal Government to free them from their captors indicated that there was no government in Nigeria.

The politician said the best way to prove the weakness of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the national level was to force it to resign.

According lives to her, any government that cannot protect the lives of its citizens is not worthy to be trusted.

Evang. Nagbo said: “The Jonathan government has failed the people; Dr Jonathan should resign. We have no government, and we cannot continue to live in shame in our country. It is a disgrace that the future leaders of this country are somewhere shedding the tears of sorrow because their government has failed in its responsibility.”

FORMER Kwara State governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, has hailed the decision of the Federal Government to accept international assistance in combating the menace of the militant Islamic sect, Bokor Haram.

Saraki, who is representing Kwara Central in the Senate, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to spell out the country’s security challenges to the foreign helpers.

In a statement via an electronic mail system, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ecology and Environment said: “We must spell out in as clear as possible terms what our challenges are and have been so far in bringing an end to these extremists and seek the assistance of our friends and allies with the skills and tools to supplement our efforts, with clearly defined rules of engagement.

“As the struggle to reunite the young schoolgirls abducted from Chibok by Boko Haram insurgents enters its third week, like many Nigerians and our wellwishers around the world, I welcome the reports that the Federal Government has agreed to accept foreign assistance to aid in this mission, as I suggested last week.

“At this decisive moment, when Nigeria’s handling of the menace of terrorism has the attention of the international community, President Goodluck Jonathan, as the Commander-inChief, must take advantage of this opening to not only utilise the expertise and equipment from our friends and allies in bringing back the abducted girls – we must take this campaign a step further: we must take the fight right to the doorsteps and camps of the terrorists.

“Nigerians have shown that we will not be cowed by the evil of this insurgency. Our global commitment during this campaign to ‘bring back our girls’ has demonstrated our combined keenness on preserving the unity of our nation. We must build on this – or we shall lose our newfound momentum.”

THE NATION THURSDAY MAY 8, 2014

7

NEWS

Jonathan to African leaders: show more commitment to agriculture P RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday urged African leaders to go beyond campaign slogans if they want to reap benefits of investment in agriculture.

The President spoke during the closing of a highlevel plenary of Grow Africa, with the theme: “A Leadership Agenda for Investing in African Agriculture.’’

The event, held at the Sheraton Hotels, Abuja, was on the sideline of the World Economic Forum for Africa, which opens today.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Presidents Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Paul Kigame (Rwanda), Boni Yayi (Benin Republic) and Prime Minister of Cote d Ivoire (Daniel Duncan) and Jonathan, were the panelists at the event.

President Jonathan stressed the importance of encouraging the private sector to invest in agriculture.

He said: “You have to create environment to encourage investment because businessmen do not run charity organisations.

“That is why we are now looking at agriculture as a business.

“The youths before now see agriculture as something that is left for the poor and old people in the village with traditional instruments.

However, if you invest in agriculture, you will make returns on your investment.

“Agriculture is key because people must eat food no matter the situation.’’

Jonathan also said that there was a unique opportunity in agriculture, “because you create jobs, achieve food nutrition and empower women.’’

The President noted that the Federal Government dedicated 30 per cent of ag-

Africa loses $50b yearly to illegal financial outflow, says Mbeki

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ORMER South African President Mr Thabo Mbeki yesterday said the African continent lost about $50 billion through illegal financial outflow of funds from the continent.

Mbeki spoke at a high level meeting on “Tackling Illicit Financial Flows and Inequality in Africa”, on the sideline of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa in Abuja.

According to him, the main channel through which money is being syphoned out of Africa, is through the commercial companies operating in the continent.

“Annually, the continent is thought to lose about $50 billion .“This is about the same amount the continent receives in terms of annual foreign direct investments.

“While it is often assumed that these outflows are linked to practices such as bribery, corruption or money laundering, studies have shown that it is not criminal activities but tax evasion that is responsible.

“Commercial tax evasion most commonly takes the form of trade wrong pricing, which means a company manipulates the exports and imports to artificially depress profits and dodge tax,’’ he said.

Mbeki said that tax havens, trade pricing and miss-invoicing were other strategies through which the continent loses money.

“I have visited many African countries to see how this is being handled. Some of them already have institutions in place to tackle this.

“However, they are not doing a great job. There is no cooperation but only disconnect.

“So, it is necessary for legislation to be put in place to deal with these illicit financial outflows, while the global community is also important to solving this.

“This is why we have interacted with the U.S., the IMF and other organisations to see what they can do and what they are already doing to solve this problem,’’ he said.

Mbeki expressed hope that when all these foreign institutions worked together, along with governments of different states and civil societies on the continent, “it is possible to recover and stop these illegal outflows’’.

Also speaking, Miss Winnie Byanyima, the Executive Director, Oxfam International, a non-profit organisation, de-

cried the level of poverty recorded on the continent, in spite of all its economic development.

“How can it be that only a few are rich despite the economic development in the continent.

“More than 80 per cent of its population is still leaving on less than one dollar a day, which is disheartening.

“I believe that when Africa’s growth translate to health and free social services for the poor, inclusive growth will be achieved,’’ she said.

Byanyima said that when Africa reduced its current level of raw material exportation to other continent, and focused on industrialisation, inequality would be reduced.

According to her, this will also translate to creation of more jobs for the youths on the continent.

Meanwhile, Guinea’s Minister of State for Mines and Geology, Mr Kerfalla Yansane, said Africa needed to take proper account of its natural resources.

“Proper records on the mining of natural resources are not kept. “ There is also no knowledge of how most private companies are run, which has resulted in most of them having offshore accounts to cheat government of tax,’’ Yansane said.

Mr Abdalla Hamdok, the Deputy Executive Secretary, UN Economic Commission for Africa said that the 50 billion dollars alleged to be missing yearly from the continent was a conservative figure.

Hamdok said that the real amount missing was enough to increase Africa’s Gross Domestic Product by 16 per cent, increase its savings and address all its infrastructure problems.

The Chief Executive Officer, The Mara Group, Africa, Mr Ashish Thakkar, talking on behalf of the private sectors, said responsible investors were needed on the continent.

“There is need for companies to stop influencing contracts and promoting corruption in Africa. They can do the right thing and do well,’’ he said.

The Executive Director, Tax Justice Network, Africa, Mr Alvin Mosioma, said that the civil societies could only raise awareness on societal ills but that the political leaders on the continent held the key to its solution.

riculture loans to women and encouraged young men and women to be interested in modern agriculture. ?

“Financial inclusion is one of the limitations discouraging young people from investing in agriculture but if we encourage them, they will be

threat of terror and for accepting to attend the Forum and lauded the WEF team for not canceling the event.

Presidents Kikwete, Kigame, Yayi and Duncan agreed with President Jonathan on the importance of involving the private sec-

attracted to the sector,” he said.

The President praised world leaders and the close to one thousand participants for defying terror threats to attend the World Economic Forum for Africa.

He also hailed the participants for not giving in to the

tor in developing the agriculture sector.

Kigame particularly stressed that the importance of agriculture could not be overstated.

He said: “We are only focusing on it to maximise it’s benefits for us and our people.”

CH IBOK GIRLS

Kalu hails U.S for offering to assist Nigeria

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

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RONTLINE entrepreneur and former Abia State Governor Orji Kalu has hailed United States (U.S) President Barack Obama for offering to assist Nigeria to locate and rescue the abducted schoolgirls from Boko Haram members in Borno State.

The girls were abducted about three weeks ago.

The U.S offered to locate and free the girls in a message Secretary of State John Kerry brought to President Goodluck Jonathan from Obama.

Kalu, a fortnight ago, told airport correspondents at the departure hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, that the Nigerian Government needed to seek foreign assistance to curb the activities of terrorists.

He told reporters yesterday that the move by the U.S was the right step in the right direction.

In a statement by his Special Adviser, Oyekunle Oyewumi, the former governor hailed President Jonathan for accepting the U.S offer to rescue the schoolgirls.

He noted that for the country to curb the insurgency in the Northeast, the government needed to partner world security agencies with vast knowledge in dealing with terrorism, since it is a new phenomenon in Nigeria.

The publisher explained that without such global collaboration, Boko Haram would keep riding the roughshod over Nigeria and Nigerians.

Alaafin sad From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

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•President Goodluck Jonathan; his Chinese counterpart Prime Minister Li Keqiang, Jonathan’s wife Dame Patience and Keqiang’s wife Cheng Hong, when the Prime Minister and his wifeS visited Abuja...yesterday PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

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Fayose picks varsity don as running mate

TANDARD bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party,(PDP) in next month’s governorship election in Ekiti State Ayo Fayose has dropped the 80year old retired teacher whose name he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as running mate.

He has picked a university don, Dr. Olubunmi Olusola, an associate professor with the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

According to Fayose, the name of his running mate had been known among those who knew the inner workings of the party.

Director-General of Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation Chief Dipo Anisulowo, described the Ikere-Ekiti – born teacher as a grassroots man with vast knowledge of local politics.

He said Olusola’s name had been sent to INEC to beat the May 13 deadline set

for submission of final list.

He said the choice of the varsity teacher was arrived at in order to give the people of the South a sense of belonging in the political calculation.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Alhaji Halilu Pai last week unveiled identities of 18 governorship candidates and names of their political parties for the June 21 poll.

The commission gave the parties till May 13 to substitute names of either candi-

dates or their running mates.

Former Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Mr. Bola Olu-Ojo has described the defection of former Governor Segun Oni to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as one which would have “a far reaching effect on the party”.

Although, the PDP chieftain noted that the party (the PDP) would still clinch victory in the June 21 election, he noted that the ex-gover-

nor’s exit might rob the party of certain added electoral advantages.

“I would not join the bandwagon of those who will describe the former governor as inconsequential. For me, every politician is important because of his or her vote. What I would rather say is that if PDP is to win with about 80 per cent in the forcoming election then the chances would have been reduced to 70”, Olu- Ojo said.

HE Alaafin Of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, expressed concern yesterday on Federal Government’s delay to rescue the over 200 schoolgirls abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State three weeks ago.

The monarch urged the military to expedite action on their rescue operation for the girls.

Be diligent in their rescue operation’s strategies for positive result, stressing that “all Nigerians are eagerly waiting for the safe return of the girls” The Alaafin who gave the advice when he visited Gov. Isa Yuguda of Bauchi state, who is also the Obasayero of Oyo, at Government House Bauchi, was on a three-day royal visit to Bauchi state.

The Royal father explained that he was in Bauchi “to commiserate with Gov. Yuguda over the death of his fatherin-law, and to witness his turbaning as the “Dan-Isan” Misau which took place on Saturday, May 3, at the palace of the Emir of Misau.

He registered his deep sincere sympathy to the people of the Northeast, the entire people of Nigeria, most especially parents and the families of the 273 girls abducted from their school hostel”.

THE NATION THURSDAY MAY 8, 2014

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NEWS

EFCC arrests Prisons Accountant over N200 million T HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the Head of Capital Accounts Unit of the Nigerian Prison Service, Mrs Imaobong Akon Esu- Nte, following suspicious lodgments of about N200 million into her accounts in the last five years.

The suspect, who is a Grade level 14 officer on second net to the Nigerian Prison Service from the Federal Ministry of Finance, is said to be earning N121, 460 per month.

She has also donated N60million to a Pentecostal church in different tranches before the lodgments were uncovered.

She is being investigated by the EFCC for alleged corruption, abuse of office and money laundering.

As at the time of filing this report on Wednesday, the suspect was battling for bail after about 36 hours in detention.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the suspect was arrested by EFCC operatives on Tuesday following financial intelligence report of a series of ‘curious’ lodgments into her account with a new generation bank.

It was discovered that five names had been used consist-

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

ently (on monthly basis) to pay money into the private accounts of the suspect in Zenith and Access bank since she was seconded to the Prisons Service.

A reliable source in the antigraft agency, said: “In the last 36 hours, we have been grilling the suspect whose lifestyle is said to be inconsistent with her position as a public servant on a monthly salary of N121, 460 (one hundred and twenty one thousand, four hundred and sixty naira).

“Preliminary findings showed that there had been ‘curious’ and suspicious inflows into her account. The suspect owns several exotic cars and properties scattered over the FCT. “Close scrutiny of the account by investigators literally opened a can of worms, as it came to light that the suspect is the promoter and signatory to the accounts of three companies: Abasiaga Global Resources Limited, Abasiono Ni-

geria Limited and Ememima Global Ventures Limited.

“The companies were allegedly established after she was posted to the Nigerian Prison Service and all the directors are her children. She is also the owner of two other companiesDarima Properties and ID Petroleum.

“She is being probed for engaging in business contrary to provisions of the public service rule that forbids a serving officer to float companies or prospect for contracts.

“The EFCC investigators have been asking the suspect to explain how she came about the cash and cheque deposit into the accounts of these companies and her personal account in Zenith and Access bank.

“So far, the accounts of her companies are said to have recorded an inflow of not less than N200million between 2009 and now.

“Another startling discovery by investigators for which the suspect has failed to provide explanation, is the nearly N60million she paid in various tranches into the account

of a prominent Pentecostal church in Karu, a suburb of Abuja.

“There were instances in which she paid N5m, N7m and N6m into the church’s account.

Obviously this can’t be tithe.

She must explain the source of the funds and the purpose for which the payments were made”.

The EFCC source also claimed that investigators have retrieved exotic automobiles from the suspect following her arrest.

Under the EFCC Act, it can invoke Temporary Assets Forfeiture Clause pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation of the suspect.

The source added: “Among her properties is a palatial mansion, a duplex with twobedroom Boys Quarters at Sun City Estate, Abuja and another duplex at Karu Extension, Abuja, which is nearing completion.

“Three top of the range automobiles were recovered from her at the time of arrest.

They include a Mercedes Benz ML 350 4matic, Mercedes Benz GL 500 and a Toyota Sienna

Lagos, Oracle partner on talent hunt

By Lucas Ajanaku

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•EFCC chair Ibrahim Lamorde The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren confirmed the arrest and the grilling of the suspect.

He said: “Our operatives arrested the suspect, who is undergoing interrogation. The EFCC warns public officers engaged in corrupt practices to desist or risk the wrath of the law.

“Thus commission is determined to ensure that officers who abuse their positions for self enrichment are brought to book.

“We urge members of the public to stop celebrating corruption by asking questions when it is obvious that the lifestyle of certain persons can not be supported by their known sources of income.”

Senate directs recall of Naval officer From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

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HE Senate has directed the authorities of the Nigerian Navy to reinstate an officer it dismissed 13 years ago.

Lt. Yahaya Yakubu, was said to have been recommended for dismissal in 2001 after he was allegedly found guilty by a Naval Court Martial over alleged conspiracy and stealing of 5, 800 litres of diesel.

Yakubu, a 1994 a Marine Engineering graduate of the Nigeria Defence Academy, according to a Senate Report on the issue, was serving with the Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy until his dismissal.

He was said to have been imprisoned for 11 months before the verdict of the Court Martial was ratified by the Nigerian Navy Board.

Not satisfied by the judgment, he challenged the ruling at the Court of Appeal in Calabar.

The Appellate court, according to the report of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition that investigated the issue, reviewed the judgment, raised areas of concern and rendered the whole proceedings of the court martial, a nullity.

For example, the appellate court was said to have noted that the members of the General Court Martial did not only violated the right to fair hearing, they did not take oath or sign the Judgment.

Consequent upon receiving the Court of Appeal judgement, the Nigerian Navy sent a letter to Yakubu that his dismissal had been converted to retirement because his services were no longer required.

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, noted in the report that since the appellate court’s verdict was delivered in his favour, Yakubu did not revert to the Nigerian Navy until 2011 when he petitioned the Senate.

•L-R: INEC Commissioner, Kaduna State, Alhaji Abudulkadir Aliyu; Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Haliru Aliyu And Administrative Secretary, Kaduna State, Alhaji Yusuf Hadejia, at a stakeholders election committee meeting in Kaduna... yesterday.

Ex-NIMASA boss accuses NNPC, PPMC of vessels’ owners.

HE Nigerian National Hon said the suit is also Petroleum Corporation violating shipping laws criminal in nature, as the plain(NNPC) and the Pipe-

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lines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) yesterday urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to strike out a suit accusing them of violating the Cabotage Act. A former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) DirectorGeneral Mr Temisan Omatseye, a lawyer, who filed a suit on behalf of a company, Polmaz Limited, is seeking an order directing NNPC and PPMC to cancel all contracts with foreign flagged vessels operating in Nigeria’s coastal waters without licence.

The plaintiff is also also urging the court to direct the defendants, except NIMASA, to pay fines stipulated in the Cabotage Act for their alleged violation of the law.

Polmaz said NNPC and PPMC engaged the vessels in domestic coastal trade without requisite licenses being issued or any waivers granted to them as stipulate in the Act.

By Joseph Jibueze

It urged the court to determine whether Nigeria’s shipping laws have not restricted foreign flagged vessels, or vessels not owned or built by Nigerians and registered in Nigeria from engaging in domestic coastal trade within the country’s territorial waters.

Joined in the suit as third to ninth defendants are NIMASA and the vessels’ operators, namely Olimpex Nigeria Limited, Unibros Shipping Corporation, Africulti Limited, Marika Investments Limited, Nidas Marine Limited and Prometheus Maritime Limited.

The plaintiff, in its Originating Summons, sought a declaration that the operation of the foreign flagged vessels operated by the fourth to ninth defendants and their engagement

by NNPC and PPMC in domestic coastal operations are in clear violation of Section 5 of the Merchant Shipping Act and several sections of the

Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act, No. 5 of 2003.

During hearing of the suit yesterday, the plaintiff’s lawyer Mr Edoka Onyeke said it is illegal for the foreign-owned vessels to operate in Nigeria without licence.

“Until they show they have the requisite permissions, they cannot continue to operate in Nigeria,” he said.

Onyeke said the plaintiff’s case is for the court to interpret the provisions of the law.

“We urge the court to discountenance the objections of the defendants. What we’re fighting for, my Lord, is for the benefit of all Nigerians,” he said.

But counsel for the eight defendant, Mr Sebastine Hon (SAN) urged the court to dismiss the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

He said the plaintiff lacks the locus standi to institute the action because he was not privy to the contract which NNPC and PPMC entered with the

tiff is accusing the agencies of allowing the vessels to operate without licence.

The lawyer said a criminal allegation cannot be raised through an Originating Summons. “Let them come properly,” he said.

Counsel for the fourth to seventh defendants, Mr Babajide Koku (SAN) added that the court can only make finding on the case if it first determines whether an offence has been committed.

“All the infractions they have complained about are criminal offences which they must prove beyond reasonable doubt.

“They’re in effect asking the court to invoke the criminal jurisdiction of this court in determining the Originating Summons.

“We’re not questioning the criminal jurisdiction of this court if properly constituted, but it cannot be invoked in a criminal proceedings com-

AGOS State government and global information technology (IT) firm, Oracle Corporation yesterday unveiled a project that takes the Governor Babatunde Fashol’s e-Governance and Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives to the next level.

The government launched a three-fold human capacity initiative which include Lagos State Oracle University for the employees of the state, Oracle Workforce Development Programme for fresh graduates of universities/ polytechnics and the Oracle Academy for universities, tertiary institutions and selected secondary schools in the state.

Speaking on the initiative, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Mrs Nike Animashaun said it is outcome of the directive of Governor Fashola to all government functionaries in the state to directly engage Oracle International in order to maximise the benefits of the existing relationship between the two institutions.

She said: “As the hub of Africa’s largest economy and one of the fastest growing megacity, it should not be a surprise to anyone that the eGovernance and Public Private Partnership (PPP) policies of the state government have attracted high profile global players like Oracle the likes and compelled continuous human capacity development.

“The fruit of such engagements have given birth to the collaborative effort taking-off today. It is aimed at imparting skills in hundreds of Nigerians thereby encouraging self-sufficiency and reducing the rising 16b percentage yearly unemployment rate in Lagos and in Nigeria.”

She said while the Lagos State Oracle University will deliver courses in other public facilities such as the PSSDC, Magodo Digital Village and the e-Learning Centre in CMS, Lagos, the Workforce Development Programme for fresh university graduates will facilitate the training of 400 Lagos residents on relevant Oracle applications thereby equipping them with the desirable skills, saving foreign exchange and arresting brain drain in the country.

“Oracle Academy will make available its global curriculum and adapt the Trainthe-Trainers approach in building the capacities of instructors in universities and secondary schools in the state.

For us in Lagos State, we are determined to develop ICT to enhance service delivery to our citizens. In doing this, we want to encourage other global players to emulate the gesture of Oracle in collaborating with the state government,” Mrs Animashaun said.

Managing Director, Oracle Nigeria, Adebayo Sanni, said the firm is delighted to transit from being a vendor to the state government to a true partner in the state’s quest to address poverty and unemployment through the development of relevant ICT skills that will assure the prospect of the youths getting employment.

Nigeria to host disaster management Aisha Falode: My son was murdered in Dubai

THE NATION THURSDAY MAY 8, 2014

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NEWS

Lagos to establish forensic lab

Adenuga, Kalu hail Awujale at 80

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LOBACOM Chairman Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. and former Abia State Governor Dr. Orji Kalu have felicitated with the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, on his 80th birthday.

In a congratulatory letter to the monarch, Adenuga described him as “a living legend, whose acts, thoughts and aspirations have continued to lift Ijebuland and its people”.

He said: “In the 54 years of Alayeluwa’s reign, Ijebuland has transmuted into international reckoning due to Oba Adetona’s untiring efforts to develop our land. It is on record that the monarch leveraged on his personal con-

tacts and those of his subjects to reposition Ijebuland and its people, who are considered as legendary masters in leadership, commerce and industry.

“Oba Adetona is the quintessential Ijebu who has defined the never-say-die entrepreneurial spirit unique to the race. As a nationalist and detribalised patriot, he has built bridges of friendship across various ethnic divides. It is remarkable that Alayeluwa has re-invented the Ojude Oba Festival into a global event enthusiastically supported by devotees of all religions, thus promoting religious harmony.”

Adenuga saluted the monarch’s love for education, “typified by his enrol-

ment at the National Open University in his quest to make history as the oldest monarch to bag a degree in law”.

He wished Oba Adetona sterling health and prosperity.

Kalu, in his goodwill message, described the Awujale as a rare monarch, who has remained steadfast in fighting for the progress of Ijebuland.

He said: “Your Majesty, I join millions of your well wishers in celebrating your 80th birthday. Your reign has witnessed peace and intimidating development in Ijebuland. It is my prayer that God Almighty will continue to give you wisdom in running the affairs of Ijebu King-

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•Oba Adetona

dom.”

Kalu urged Ijebu sons and daughters to continue to support the monarch with prayers and wished Oba Adetona good health and many more years.

•Fashola (second left) congratulating Mrs. Lekan-Lawal, winner of a three-bedroom flat at Sogunro Housing Scheme..yesterday.

With them are Commissioner for Housing Bosun Jeje (second right) and Commissioner for Physical Planning Toyin Ayinde.

PHOTO: NAN

76 winners emerge at third Lagos HOMS’ draw

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EVENTY SIX applicants emerged successful yesterday at the third draw of the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (HOMS).

They are Mr. and Mrs. Musibau Omolara Akanni; Mrs. Bello Taibat Keke; Mr. Shittu Olayemi Olamide; Miss Dawodu Damola Ayoka; Miss Duru Senami Chinanu; Miss Obagun Afolabi Lateefah; Miss Ajayi Jolade; Mrs. Jegede Amoke Iteoluwakiishi; Mr. Junaid Oluwakayode; Mr. Okungbowa Nosa; Mr. Olayokun Olanrewaju Asimiyu; Mr. Omogbenigun Olumuyiwa Oluwadamilola; Mr. Obiwale Olusola Moses and Mrs. Ojo Adejoke Moyosade.

Others are Mr. Asaba Ayokunle; Mr. Shittu Basiru Olaleye; Mrs. Adekanmbi Helen Olusola; Mrs. Aina Emmanuel Olajide; Ms Alakija Mausy Oluwabunmi; Miss Bamigboye Adebimpe; Miss Clegg Taiwo Olaide; Mr. Gbosu Samuel Friday; Mrs. Shiteolu Yetunde Titilayo; Mrs. Akanji Akinwunmi Olalekan; Mrs. Okon Princess Chinyere; Mr. Abioye Peter Moloyeola; Mr. Adelaja Ejundayo Adeleke; Miss Adeyemi Morounkeji Abosede; Mrs.

Damazio Oluwatobiloba Olajumoke; Mr. Echebiri Christopher Ogbemudia and Mr. Egbon Edosa Victor.

The rest are Mr. Ejemeyovwi Ovwigbh Emmanuel; Miss Gbadamosi Mojirayo Rukayat; Mr. Ibu Charles Ibu; Mrs. Idaewor Rachel Omomhoare; Mr. Jamiu Kazeem Olashile; Mrs. Kuforiji Olubunmi Folashade; Mr. Majolagbe Abiodun Owolabi; Mr. Majolagbe Agbolahan Lanre; Mrs. Odoh Veronica; Mr. Ogunleye Gbenga Adegbola; Mr. Ojediran Adeyemi Ojetunde; Dr. Okeke Chinedu Anthony; Mrs. Okeke Chito Elizabeth; Mr. Olakodo Tunde Idowu; Mr. Olowo Rabiu Onaolapo; Mrs. Osinowo Titilola Inumidun; Mr. Sosanya Samuel Olugbenga; Mrs. Vaughan Adetola Susana; Mrs. Adebanjo Adeyemi Adetutu; Mr. Ademodi Kolapo Kolade and Mr. Akanbi Olusola Michael; among others.

Speaking at the Blueroof Hall of the LTV8 at Agidingbi in Ikeja, Governor Babatunde Fashola said his administration had delivered on its promise to provide affordable homes for the people.

He said the government has made the homes available in one, two and three

‘We did not promise low cost houses; we promised affordable houses. Our opponents are too preoccupied with the embarrassment of their failures that they are accusing us of what we did not promise’ bedroom apartment types and designed them to fit into various income brackets.

Fashola said the homes are affordable because allotees can pay over 10 years, adding: “The homes are affordable because the interest rate will not exceed 9.5 per cent, no matter what happens to the Nigerian economy. Every mortgage payment you make monthly is not into a bottomless pit but towards owning your own home.”

He said there was 25 per cent discount on the cost of the houses, adding: “For cyn-

ics who say we have not done low cost housing, I want them to show me where I can find low cost land, low cost cement, low cost iron rod, low cost labour and low cost Naira.

“The people who elected me are not low cost people and I will not give them low cost houses. Whether rich or poor, they are not low cost people and they deserve the best that their votes and taxes can give.”

According to the governor, there is a difference between criticising and articulating a practical solution to a problem and implementing it.

He said: “Everybody can criticise the government, but not everybody can see a problem, find a solution to it, implement it and see it grow gradually.

“We did not promise low cost houses; we promised affordable houses. Our opponents are too preoccupied with the embarrassment of their failures that they are accusing us of what we did not promise.

“If our opponents can find the missing 20 billion dollars, let them go and use it to build low cost houses. Then the people would have an alternative.”

HE Lagos State government has concluded plans to establish a forensic laboratory to assist the police in criminal investigation.

Commissioner for Science and Technology Adebiyi Mabadeje broke the news yesterday while addressing reporters in Alausa.

Mabadeje said the government has acquired five hectares of land at Gayingbo Beach in Badagry for the project, which he said will serve the West African region.

He said the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is ongoing and soil test had been conducted at the site.

The project will be executed under a Public Private Partner-

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

ship (PPP) arrangement.

Mabadeje said: “Considering the priority placed on the security of lives and properties of Lagosians, the state government is working on the establishment of a forensic science laboratory to complement law enforcement, criminal investigation and the judicial system of Lagos, Nigeria and West Africa.

“The objective of the laboratory is to assist in the prosecution of criminal cases by authenticating the evidence of prosecutors in other to get conviction. It will reduce cases of unresolved crimes.”

Kidnap suspect burnt in Akure •Police rescue two from mob

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middle-aged man was set ablaze yesterday at Adegbola Junction in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

It was learnt that the man, who is suspected to might be mentally-ill, could not explain why he was in the company of two children.

Some youths concluded that he was a kidnapper and set him ablaze. The incident occurred around 6pm.

Also yesterday, two suspected kidnappers were rescued from mobs in Akure.

At Owode-Okegan, a woman in her 60s, allegedly disguised as a beggar, was accused of being a kidnapper.

It was learnt that out of curiosity, some youths accosted her and on interrogation discovered that she was allegedly pursuing a school girl. Within minutes, a crowd had gathered.

The woman allegedly confessed that she and 14 others were sent out to kidnap people by an unnamed person.

Various denominations of money, a sponge, black soap, white sheets containing Yoruba incantations, traditional rings and a white rosary were found on her.

The woman, who was wearing Iro and Buba of lace material, was stripped naked and beaten up.

The crowd put a tyre on her neck in preparation to burn her, but she was rescued by police-

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From Damisi Ojo, Akure

men from ‘A’ Division, who dispersed the crowd with tear gas.

The suspect refused to disclose her name, but said she came from Ede in Osun State.

The woman, who had tribal marks on her cheeks, claimed to be a trader at Oja Timi in Ede. Police spokesman Wole Ogodo warned Nigerians against jungle justice, adding: “The suspect’s family informed us that the woman is insane and fled from where she was receiving treatment.”

Also yesterday, a man, Owolanke Oladimeji (32), was mistakenly identified as a kidnapper.

But for the intervention of the police, he would have been killed by a mob.

It was learnt that Oladimeji, who is said to be mentally ill, wandered off a traditional healing centre about two weeks ago and had been roaming the streets.

About 7am yesterday, some youths at Isolo suspected that he might be a kidnapper and started beating him.

They were about to set him ablaze when policemen intervened.

Oladimeji’s wife, Ola, and some of his relatives later came to “A” Division Police Station to identify him and informed the police about his health.

Ekiti raises economic panel

HE Ekiti State government has raised a 12-man committee to review its educational policy on science and technology and develop a comprehensive framework for the transformation of the state into a knowledge-based economy.

The Committee on Ekiti State Integrated Science & Technology Transformation Framework and Roadmap was inaugurated yesterday by Governor Kayode Fayemi.

It is chaired by Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu.

Fayemi said the inauguration became imperative in recognition of science and technology as critical elements for economic transformation.

He said: “The challenge of science and technology education is to reform, create and develop a system that prepares the individual to work in a borderless economy and live in a global society.”

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s determination to industrialise the state using science and technology.

He said: “We are committed to converting our brain into brawn for our people by accelerating development, skipping

less-efficient routes and moving directly to more advanced stages of a knowledge-based economy.”

The committee has three months to complete its assignment.

Members are: Mr. Debo Ajayi, Dr. Eniola Ajayi, Mr. Kehinde Ojo, Mr. Kayode Jegede, Mr. Segun Ologunleko, Prof. Oye Bandele, Prof.

Aribisala, Prof. Aderibigbe, Prof. Ogunlade, Ms Tosin Otitoju and Alhaji Ibrahim Gani, the secretary.

The committee is to evaluate and analyse the state and strategic objective of science and technology education at primary, secondary and tertiary levels; evaluate and analyse the application of the outcome of science and technology education; study the strategic objectives of Ekiti Knowledge Zone initiatives; study nations and sub-nations that have successfully leveraged science and technology for societal transformation and development; review the institutional framework for science and technology training and education at the tertiary level; and make Ekiti the go-to hub for science and technologybased skills and services.

THE NATION THURSDAY MAY 8, 2014

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NEWS

Fayemi Awo of our time, says Ewi

EKITI 2014

•Huge crowds at APC rally

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ROM the Ado-Ekiti traditional institution came yesterday an endorsement for the re-election bid of Governor Kayode Fayemi for the unprecedented manner he has transformed Ekiti State.

The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, described the first four years of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate as “remarkable, unprecedented and unforgettable in the history of the city and the entire state”. Fayemi, said the Ewi, is the “Awolowo of Awolowo of ourtime”.

The traditional ruler likened Governor Fayemi’s strides in Ekiti to those witnessed during the premiership of the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the old Western Region.

Unable to hide his joy on the Fayemi administration’s urban renewal which has changed the face of Ado-Ekiti and turned it into a worthy state capital, Oba Adejugbe told the huge crowd that stormed his palace in solidarity with the governor that “Awolowo has resurrected in Ekiti”.

The governor visited the Ewi’s palace to begin a two-day campaign around the city to boost his bid to win a second term in office.

Fayemi’s visit was turned into a big carnival by indigenes of Ado-Ekiti who turned out in large numbers to usher the governor into the palace with trumpeting, singing and dancing.

Cultural groups, community associations, interest groups, politicians, traders, youths and members of the public strug-

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From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

gled for space in the palace square, cheering endlessly as the royal father poured encomiums on Fayemi for turning Ado-Ekiti into a modern city.

Ado-Ekiti stood still for several hours on Wednesday as residents trooped out in large numbers to receive the governor.

There were traffic snarls in many parts of the city with residents singing the praises of the governor and expressing appreciation for what he has done.

At homes, shops, markets, offices, schools and other public places, Ado-Ekiti residents chanted ‘APC...Change’, ‘Ko duro s’oke’, ‘Four plus Four’, ‘Fayemi, Carry Go’ and ‘No Vacancy in Ekiti Government House’, among other slogans.

Areas visited by Fayemi’s campaign include Old Garage, Okeyinmi, Oke Ila, Housing, Nova Road, Basiri, Okesa, Oke Oriomi, Fasuan Crescent, Ile Abiye, Ekute, Mobil Filling Station, Ijigbo, Matthew Street, Odo-Ado and Mugbagba.

Oba Adejugbe said what Fayemi had brought joy to all sons and daughters of Ado-Ekiti at home and abroad praying, that Fayemi will realise his dream of taking the state to greater heights.

The monarch said he was not surprised by what Fayemi has done, noting that the governor had articulated his eightpoint agenda while canvassing for votes in all nooks and crannies of the state before his assumption of power.

His words: “Your first four

years in office are remarkable, unprecedented and unforgettable in the history of Ado-Ekiti and the entire state.

“What you have done in Ado is a big wonder to us.

What you have done in Ado has marvelled us. We are all happy with you for what you have done for us in our community.

“You have done a lot for us and your performance in office is making all of us to be happy. We are happy with you for implementing the eight-point agenda to develop our town and the entire state.

“In fact, we had seen your blueprint before you came to power and this has brought development in various sectors to us and all of us are living witnesses to your good work.

“Indeed, Awolowo has resurrected in Ekiti; you have done what has never been witnessed in the history of our state. Our students are recipients of free laptops and you conducted a special free medical mission to all palaces”.

The Ewi prayed that God grant Fayemi’s wishes for reelection to enable him continue the good work being wit-

•Dr Fayemi acknowledging cheers from supporters... yesterday.

PHOTOS: NIYI ADENIRAN

nessed all over the state.

He also cautioned politicians against politics of bitterness, arson and assassination, advising them to tell the electorate what they have in store for them rather than resorting to self-help.

Responding, Fayemi said his campaign in Ado-Ekiti happened to be the peak of his campaign, which started in his hometown, Isan-Ekiti on March 23 when the ban on open campaign was lifted.

He noted that all his cam-

Oni’s exit big blow to PDP

HE defection of former Ekiti State Governor, Asiwaju Segun Oni, and his followers to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed that the peoples have rejected the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti state.

Besides the former governor, other well meaning progress-minded members of the PDP have deserted it to pitch their tents with the APC. In a statement in Ado-Ekiti, the spokesperson of Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, Dimeji Daniels, added that Ido-Osi Local Government where Oni hails from

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

had been the only stronghold of the PDP in Ekiti since 1999 when Nigeria returned to civil rule.

With the defection of Oni, the PDP chairman in the council area, Mr. Adebola Aderemi; PDP Leader, Chief Femi Ajibola; House of Assembly member, Bunmi Oriniowo; and other strong members of the party in the council area, Ido/Osi is now a stronghold of the APC, leaving the PDP lifeless in the only local government it had ever held sway in Ekiti State.

Daniels, who said the PDP is still smarting from the loss of Oni, added that the recent gale of defections has compounded the woes of the PDP which never stood a chance in the governorship election of June 21.

The spokesperson of the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation commended Asiwaju Segun Oni for choosing to stand on the side of the people, especially at a critical juncture when many driven by anti-people, ill-driven ambition conspire hand-in-glove with external forces against the collective well-being of the people.

Osun, Ekiti elections: We’ll play by the rules, says PDP Secretary

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•Oni

Daniels said Oni, whose defection has left the PDP in irrecoverable shock, would go down in history as a leader above prejudice, sentiments and pettiness.

Textile industry to be revitalised, says Accord candidate

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HE governorship candidate of Accord in Ekiti State, Barrister Kole Ajayi has promised that his government if elected into power, will revitalise the textile industry located in Ado-Ekiti to boost the industrial development of the state.

Speaking on a radio Nigeria live programme tagged ‘Needs of Ekiti’, the scientist

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

turned lawyer lamented the conversion of the much cherished textile factory into a shopping mall.

He said the first step to be taken by his government to facilitate the revitalisation would be to encourage Ekiti farmers to go into mass cotton plantation which he said

thrives well on Ekiti soil.

The LP candiate added that the revitalisation of the industry would go a long way to tackle the high level of unemployment in Ekiti state.

Ajayi further revealed that as at 1996 when the factory was operating below 40% capacity, the staff strength was about 4000, adding that the industrial package across

paigns round the state had been highly successful and peaceful without any record of fatalities.

The APC standard-bearer said Ado-Ekiti received a special attention from his administration because of its strategic importance as home for all and seat of government.

Fayemi added that work was on in the state capital, promising not to rest on his oars in making the city better and greater.

His words: “There should

be difference in our capital city.

Ado-Ekiti has received special attention from our administration because of its strategic importance.

“Work in Ado-Ekiti has reached a crucial stage. There is still much to be done in AdoEkiti and work is still going on in many parts of the city.

“Kabiyesi, it will interest you to know that I just commissioned the first phase of Ekiti Digital Transformation Project with the coming on stream of the Internet Broadband and installation of security cameras in Ado-Ekiti today.

“Apart from giving our people free internet access in the Ado-Ekiti Central Business District, it will also enhance our security because if somebody attempts to rob a bank, for instance, he will be seen through the cameras that have been installed and the fellow will be arrested.

“Ekiti will not go backward again. Ekiti will be moving forward. I am confident with the royal blessings you have showered on me and I know that whatever Kabiyesi says has been endorsed”.

Ekiti state would be based on public-private initiative for better efficiency with the state government having the highest equity.

He affirmed that industries would be facilitated in each local government and such will be sourcing their raw materials from the prevailing agricultural product in such areas.

ROF Wale Oladipo, National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said yesterday that the party would play by the rules in the forthcoming governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti.

Oladipo told reporters in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, that the party had no reason to manipulate elections because the decision on who to elect was in the hands of the people.

“The PDP has no hidden joker, but we have ensured that the party is in good stead to win the elections through one man, one vote.

“We have realised that it is important that true democracy starts from the party that is why we have embarked on reconciliation and fence mending after the primaries.

“We are canvassing, we are talking to people, we are not taking any party or group for granted,’’ Oladipo said.

He said that PDP members have been told to respect the rules guiding the elections.

“The electoral guidelines are there; it has been said loud and clear to PDP members that all should respect the rules guiding the election.

“We have no joker; we have put before the people candidates that they can identify with. We are putting forward candidates that are rooted with the people.

“The party is ready for these elections, our candidates have programmes and the party has manifestoes, that is why we are not beating drums of war’’, Oladipo said.

The PDP Secretary said it was bad for any political figure to issue or say inciting statements ahead of elections.

“PDP is the only party that has never changed its name, its logo and its colours, we are the truly constant democratic party,’’ Oladipo said.

According to him the Vice President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo and other notable party stalwarts will lead the campaign trains of the party in the two states.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

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CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

‘My son’s ailment has withheld my joy’

China-bound trader caught with cannabis

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FFICIALS of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos have arrested a trader, Izuchukwu Jude Ekwosimba, with 9.375kg of cannabis concealed inside foodstuff.

The suspect, according to the agency, was apprehended while trying to board an Ethiopian Airline flight to China.

NDLEA Airport Commander Hamza Umar said: “Our officers detected the drug when the suspect came to check-in his luggage on his way to China. The cannabis was concealed in dried fish, dried bitter leaf, crayfish, melon and other local food spices. The weight of the cannabis is 9.375kg.”

The 38-year-old Anambra State-born trader, who is married with a child, said he was under pressure to pay his rent. Izuchukwu, in his confessional statement, said: “I sell clothes on Lagos Island and I live at Ikotun with

my wife and child. My business was doing well until I was duped of N5 million.

Since then, I have been living from hand to mouth. My greatest challenge now is the payment of my house rent and that of my shop. I bought the hemp for N104,000 naira and I learnt that I could sell it for $9,000 in China. I had no other source of getting the money that was the reason I decided to smuggle drugs.”

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, dismissed the suspect’s claim of financial difficulty, stressing that somebody who could afford a return ticket, buy drug worth N100,000 with basic travel allowance could have conveniently settled his rent.

“The Agency will continue to sensitise the public on the dangers of drug trafficking and abuse. This arrest is timely as it saved the life of the suspect and prevented the image of our country from being smeared,” Giade said, adding that Izuchukwu would soon be charged to court.

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• The suspect with the drugs ... yesterday

HIRTY-nine-year-old Mrs Kudirat Anifowoshe has not known peace since her son’s ailment began almost four years ago. And the more she struggled to find succour for the boy, the worse his condition becomes.

At birth, the boy, Sultan, was diagnosed with what is known in medical parlance as hydrocephalus - water in the brain.

As Mrs Anifowoshe’s neighbours and friends read different meanings to the “strange” she was forced to take Sultan to a Celestial Church for spiritual cleansing; sadly, the move did not change the situation. Then, she began to take him from one hospital to the other.

Grief-stricken, the woman told The Nation on Monday: “My son started convulsing on December 23, 2011. Efforts to stabilise him did not work; hence, he went into coma for three-months. He spent oneand-a-half month at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Isolo General Hospital, Isolo.

Later, he was transferred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), where he was in coma for about two months.

Eventually, he spent six months at LASUTH. “We were asked to run a brain scan on him, which showed the water in his brain.

He underwent a surgery at the hospital. But since then, he has not been living a normal life.”

The consultant in-charge of Sultan’s case, Dr O.E Idowu, a neurosurgeon, according to Mrs Anifowoshe, advised members of her family to always interact with him to help his recovery. They did, but his condition exacerbated.

At LASUTH, the surgery was free, but the gadgets fixed to the boy’s head, she said, cost almost N200,000, which was paid by some good Samaritans.

Now, he needs another surgery. His right eye is gradually getting buried in

By Wale Adepoju

its socket. The surgery and other forms of therapy needed to make him get well, the mother disclosed, would cost her over N500,000.

Mrs Anifowoshe, who said Sultan is the last of her four children, added: “I am tired of buying diapers. He is always lying on his back.

Sometimes, he would scream. As a mother, I feel his pains,” Mrs Anifowoshe said amid sobs.

Out of desperation to safe her son’s life, she said an account has been domiciled at GT Bank with account number, 0150189977, under the name: Kudirat Anifowoshe.

She added that she could be reached on 08127725049.

• Mrs Anifowoshe

• Sultan

Foundation lifts prison inmates • Scene where the suspect was being burnt yesterday.

PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI

Police rescue kids from kidnap suspects •Another burnt

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WOMAN and two men suspected to be kidnappers have been arrested by the police in Lagos, while allegedly attempting to abduct three children.

The suspects - Chinava Nancy Okafor, Samsondeen Yusuf and Mufutau Kosoko - were arrested at separate locations.

Okafor, the police said, was arrested at Ile-Iwe bus stop, Egbeda, on the outskirts of the city by operatives attached to Ikotun Police Station. Yusufu and Kosoko were held at Adefemi Junction, Ipaja and Idimu on the outskirts of the city.

They allegedly attempted to kidnap Salawat Sonubi (14), Prosper Kingsley (five),

By Jude Isiguzo, Senior Correspondant

and a yet-to-be-identified child.

Okafor had been beaten and stripped naked by a mob and was about being burnt when policemen rescued her.

Chinava confessed to being a kidnapper, saying she was trying to steal the unidentified child when she was caught by residents.

Yusufu was almost lynched at Ipaja before she was rescued by operatives. Kosoko, who “stole Kingsley from his house”, was apprehended by neighbours.

Police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said: “On May 6,

about 3pm, policemen attached to the Ikotun Division responded to a distress call at Ile-Iwe bus stop, Egbeda. The policemen rescued the victim and arrested Chinava Nancy Okafor who had been stripped naked and was about to be lynched by an angry mob.

The woman has admitted to being a kidnapper and the case is under investigation at State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba.

“Also on the same day, at about 6.45am, one Prosper Kingsley (5) of 23, Imosan Compound in Idimu was allegedly abducted by one Mufutau Kosoko (34) at the above address. The victim was rescued by neighbours, while Kosoko was arrested by police operatives at Idimu.

“On May 5, about 10.30pm, policemen attached to Ipaja Division responded to a distress call at Adefemi Junction, Ipaja and also rescued one Samsondeen Yusuf who was about being lynched by an angry mob for attempting to kidnap one Salawat Sonubi (14) of Adelami Dada Street, Ipaja. The suspect is receiving treatment at the Oke-Odo General Hospital and the SCID is investigating.”

Meanwhile, a suspected kidnapper who allegedly attempted to abduct a sixyear-old boy has been set ablaze at Araromi bus stop, Iyana-Ipaja.

As at 7pm yesterday, the middle-aged man’s body was still burning as riot policemen around the place could not rescue him.

H

UMAN Concern Foundation International (HCFI), a department of The Muslim Congress (TMC), in conjunction with the Muslim Pharmacists Association of Nigeria (MPAN), has donated relief materials worth N.5million to inmates of Ibara Maximum Prison in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

HCFI’s National President, Dr Ibrahim Oreagba, while presenting the materials, enjoined the beneficiaries not to lose hope, stay focused and seek forgiveness from God. Saying that that the prison is meant to change inmates to better personalities, he regretted that the reverse is the case in Nigeria and some other countries.

He enjoined government and the security agencies to seek ways of returning the prisons to a habitable and soul-purifying place by emulating the developed nations.

Oreagba, who promised the inmates of the foundation’s continuous support, described the gesture as a religious duty.

The items donated included packs of toothpaste, rolls of tissue papers, antiseptic soaps, sponge, blanket, bed sheets, clothing, rosaries, praying mats, sewing machines, clippers, foot wears and drugs.

President of Pharmacists Association of Nigeria (PAN), Ogun State chapter, Oluwakemi AbdulKabir, urged individuals and organisations to join forces with government to move the nation forward.

President, Ogun TMC, Alhaji Ibrahim Ogunkoya, said the gesture was aimed at giving the inmates a sense of belonging and responsibility.

He urged them to be hopeful and upon regaining freedom, they should be good ambassadors and God-conscious.

Head of Medical Unit of the Prison, Alhaji Abdullahi Lawal, appreciated the three organisations that initiated the programme and urged more organisations to assist in building mosque for the inmates to instill morality in them.

BUSINESS

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THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

MTN expects naira to be devalued after 2015 election

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TN Group Limited (MTN), Africa’s largest phone operator, said Nigeria’s currency will probably be devalued after next year’s election and the move will boost the company’s import costs in its biggest market.

Declining oil exports and prices means that the central bank of Africa’s biggest crude producer will face difficulties in keeping the naira stable against the dollar before the Feb. 14 vote, Andrew Bing, chief financial officer of MTN’s Nigerian unit, said in a May 5 interview in Lagos, the commercial capital. The official peg may have to be lowered by three or four percent, he said.

Nigeria’s foreign-exchange reserves declined 13 percent this year to $38.1 billion by May 2 as the central bank sold dollars to prop up the naira and as oil production missed estimates. Godwin Emefiele, who becomes the institution’s governor in June, told the Senate in March that a devaluation of the naira is “not an option” and would be “devastating” for the economy.

“No matter what Godwin wants it has to happen, otherwise this economy in a year will be down the tube,” said Bing, 49, who is leaving his position for a sabbatical at the end of this month. “I don’t think it will happen this year,” he said. A devaluation would be “politically unpalatable” and it may rather happen “after the election,” Bing said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014 NLNG is one of the biggest success stories in our country. From what I am told, the company has invested $13 billion so far since inception, and has become a pacesetter in terms of revenue generation for the government.

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

Why investors won’t stay away from Nigeria, by Heineken boss • KPMG urges poverty reduction policies L N

Lagos generates N8.4b from land transactions

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

IGERIA will continue to attract foreign in vestors because of the high rate of returns on investment, the Chairman of the Executive Board/CEO of Heineken, Jean-Francois Van Boxmeer, has said.

Jean-Francois Van Boxmeer, who is also the Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum, currently holding in Abuja, (WEFA), stressed the great prospects of investing in Nigeria because of what he termed, “the high rate of return on investment.”

Van Boxmeer told journalists in Abuja that the gains of investing in Nigeria are more than the imagined fears of insecurity.

He urged Nigerian entrepreneurs to emulate the enterprising spirit of Alhaji Aliko Dangote to invest or expand their investment in the Nigerian economy as a way of boosting foreign investment.

Despite the security

From Nduka Chiejina, (Asst. Editor)

challenges exacerbated by the kiddnap of the Islamist group, Boko Haram, delegates arriving at WEF, are still focused on tapping the continent’s oil reserves in the south and a growing middle class, said Teresa Coelho, a Money Manager at BPI Gestao de Activos SA, and an owner of Nigerian stocks, who spoke by phone from Lisbon.

“It’s grabbing the attention of everybody globally, but it doesn’t give investors in Africa a surprise,” she said, adding, “it doesn’t change the investment case.”

Those incidents and others carried out by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, have been mainly confined to the north of the country and as long as that remains

the case, money will keep flowing into the country, said Kevin Daly, who helps oversee about $12 billion in emerging-market and Nigerian debt for Aberdeen Asset Management. (ADN) “If this were to spread to other parts of Abuja and to Lagos, which is obviously getting closer to the oil infrastructure, that’s where you start to have some potential impact on investor sentiment,” Daly said in a phone interview from London.

C o m p an i e s su c h a s Procter & Gamble Co. (PG) and MTN Group (MTN) Limited, have invested in Nigeria to tap into the inh e r e n t gai n s as soc i a t ed with it’s huge population of about 170 million people and the biggest economy that the government said will expand 6.75 per cent this year.

Foreign direct investment rose 28 per cent to $21.3 billion last year, and stood at $2.5 billion in the first two months of 2014, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

Meanwhile, African leaders have been called upon to come up with policies that would help address the growing cases of inequality on the continent.

At a meeting hosted by KPMG Professional Services specifically targeted at exploring Africa’s leading economies at the World Economic Forum Africa, the Chairman, KPMG Global Africa Practice and Senior Partner KPMG Nigeria, Mr. Seyi Bickersteth, said for the continent to address and reduce poverty, there was need to deepen intra Africa trade which currently stands at 12 per cent.

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 left: Head of Human Resource and Administration, Mouka Limited, Mr.Boniface Nwabuko, winner of N1 million in ‘Mouka Sleep Like a Millionaire’ Promo, Olubajo Olasunkam; Managing Director, FAAKS Enterprises, Mouka Distributor, Mrs. Olajumoke Akinbule-Alabi and National Business Manager, Mouka Limited, Mr.Olufemi Asa at the prize presentation and 2nd raffle draw at Mouka Office, Lagos.

‘Value of IOCs’ divested assets to hit $11.5b’

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ITH the increasing divestment of assets by the International Oil Companies (IOCs), including Shell, Chevron and Total from onshore plafforms, shallow water and offshore terrains, about $11.5 billion worth of such assets would have been let off by the end of this year, the government said.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, made this known at the offshore technology conference holding in Houston, Texas.

In her presentation titled ‘Asset Divestments in Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry: Opportunities and Challenges’ delivered by her representative, the Group Man-

• Nigeria accounts for 1.1% global gas production

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

aging Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, she said that before this year ends, at least 20 oil blocks with reserves of not less than four billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) would have been divested by the multinational oil firms.

She said: “The divestment in the upstream sector of the oil industry by the IOC’s such as SPDC/Total/Agip, Chevron and ConocoPhillips have continued to create an opportunity for participa-

tion in the industry by the Nigerian private sector.

“The IOCs operating in Nigeria today have divested assets worth about 2.2 billion boe of hydrocarbon reserves (working interest) at an estimated corresponding monetary value of at least $5 billion. The divestment campaign was highly competitive and attracted interest from a number of indigenous and foreign companies.

“By end of this year, the total number of blocks that are likely to be divested is estimated to exceed 20 with not less than 4 billion boe and a monetary value of about $11.5

billion.”

She explained that the IOCs are moving into more challenging frontiers in the deep offshore and are leaving the onshore blocks, which they consider less profitable adding that some of them (IOCs) have been sitting on oil blocks and have allowed the acreages to go fallow for years without significant development.

The Minister also explained that oil and condensate production has remained steady in excess of two million barrels per day representing approximately 2.4 per cent of global production while gas production has increased from 2.4 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) in 2009 to about 8.0 bcf/ d representing 1.1 per cent of global gas production.

AGOS State Govern ment said it generated about N8.4billion from land transactions across the state in the last one year.

Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola who disclosed this at a press conference yesterday said this was a shortfall from the N10.28billion recorded in the previous year.

He blamed the situation on the global financial and economic recessions and constraint of limited availability of Land resources for sale to the public.

Muri-Okunola explained that before now, money is collected on site and capital contribution paid before selling to the interested person, adding that the new process aimed at reducing the bottlenecks of land purchase has its own attendant consequences.

He said the government also paid the sum of N1.63 billion as compensation to those whose land were acquired and revoked for overriding public interest.

He such projects includes construction of Itire/Okota link bridge and road networks, Agbowa housing scheme, Odo Onasa/Odo Onadele in Epe Local Government Area.

He said compensation will also be paid to those affected

by Lekki/Epe airport project, Toga Zamu community Badagry, establishment of forensic lab in Gayinbo Badagry, Lekki Free trade zone parcel B, Epe and the relocation of Tejuosho plantain seller.

Muri-Okunola also informed that with the introduction of electronic data management system has reduced the stress of manual operations in conducting searches and archiving titled documents.

He added about N1billion was generated from the Electronic Data Management Systems (EDMS) activities in the year under review.

“One of the functions of the Lands Bureau is to provide land for individuals and corporate entities for the execution of projects that will impact on the society. The land Bureau allocated a parcel of land measuring 2,700 hectares to the Dangote Group for the construction of a petroleum refinery.”

He raised alarm over the increasing rate of encroachment on government land, while urging the members of the public to be weary of the fraudulent acts by individuals’ families and communities that engage in indiscriminate sale of government acquired land.

“Members of the public are also advice to conduct proper chartings and verifications on properties before effecting payments for land. In addition, land speculators and land grabbers are advised to desist from selling lands that fall under government acquisition or scheme”, Okunola urged.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

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THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

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5th of May, 2014

OPEN LETTER TO DR. (MRS) NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA, MINISTER OF FINANCE, COORDINATING MINISTER OF THE ECONOMY (CME) AND CHAIRMAN BOARD OF NIGERIA ELECTRICITY LIABILITY MANAGEMENT GTE/LTD (NELMCO) Dear Madam, FURTHER INVITATION TO INTERVENE AND AMELIORATE THE SUFFERINGS OF PHCN RETIREES AND THE NEXT OF KIN OF DEAD PHCN STAFF. MONTHLY PENSIONS As you are aware ma, payment of monthly pensions to our members has been irregular, and inconsistent with the promise of the Federal Government of Nigeria as was also endorsed in the Agreement signed by the Government and Labour prior to the Privatization of PHCN in 2012.

Few months after take-over by NELMCO, payment of monthly pension has been anything but seamless.

This situation is orchestrated by government’s failure to appropriately classify NELMCO Pension Fund under the Service Wide Vote (SWV) instead of the Capital Supplementation where it has been wrongly domiciled.

This abnormal situation has always given rise to insufficient funding of NELMCO and delayed release of quarterly allocations.

Recall ma, that your good self had had to personally intervene on two occasions in the past when NELMCO could not pay pensions and you saved the Federal Government some embarrassment. Yet similar situations have persisted. As we write, only a segment of PHCN Pensioners have received March pensions while we were informed that NELMCO is yet to be funded for the outstanding March payment as well as April 2014.

WITHHELD GRATUITIES, DEATH BENEFITS, PENSION ARREARS ETC CME ma, the BPE have confirmed that funds for payment of a total number of 2,912 verified and cleared retirees and next of kin of deceased staff have been transferred to the Office of Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) for payment to the beneficiaries. About a month after, no one has been paid a kobo. There is anxiety and apprehension among the people that such funds may have been deployed for purposes other than they are meant, not minding whose OX is gored.

NON IMPLEMENTATION OF SIGNED AGREEMENTS Again we wish to remind you that Government has failed to implement all the Pensioners issues negotiated and agreed to at the Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu Conciliation Committee between FGN and Labour Unions in the Power Sector in 2012 (copy attached).

It is regrettable that such critical and fundamental issues as, Monetization, Year 2000 Restructured employees etc have remained unaddressed.

TRANSFER TO PENSION TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENT DEPARTMENT (PTAD) If we must be transferred to PTAD, the BPE must be prevailed on to conclude the Verification and Biometric capture exercises which it commenced since 2012. Similarly NELMCO/PHCN must be encouraged to tidy up all outstanding issues of the Pensioners, collaborating with our Union. PTAD is a huge project hence all non-Civil Service Pensioners must be properly documented before transiting to it.

DECISION OF OUR CENTRAL WORKING COMMITTEE (CWC) Consequent upon the aforementioned grievances, our CWC-in-Session at Abuja on Thursday the 1st of May, 2014 resolved and directed as follows: 1.

That all PHCN Retirees, Widows, Widowers and Orphans should embark on 7days fasting and prayer for the Almighty Creator God to intervene and judge all those who are undermining their wellbeing and welfare with effect from Wednesday 7th of May, 2014.

2.

That if March and April outstanding pensions are not paid and the OAGF fails to commence the payment of outstanding Gratuities, Death Benefits etc by the end of the Fasting and Prayer period, they should commence a sustained Peaceful National Protests (PNP) from Monday 12th of May 2014.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

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COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

WEF extravaganza

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• Despite its claims, the conference is not designed to redress poverty and inequality in Nigeria

IGERIAN officials are understandably optimistic that the country will benefit enormously from hosting the 24th edition of the World Economic Forum (WEF) for Africa, which opened in Abuja yesterday and will end tomorrow. Despite the country’s current security challenges, particularly the two recent fatal bomb blasts in the Nyanya area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a substantial number of the expected 1,000 participants at the event, including some heads of state, had reportedly arrived Abuja by Tuesday.

The theme of this year’s edition of the WEF for Africa is ‘Forging Inclusive Growth, Creating Jobs’. Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy considers this theme as very apt, given Nigeria’s objective of growing her economy to rank among the top 20 econo-

‘The impediments to the development and transformation of Africa are already too well known and we do not need any talk shop to teach us anything new. The money expended on such extravaganza as the WEF should be used to provide modern infrastructure like roads and railways, provide uninterrupted electricity supply, enhance security and create the necessary environment for businesses to thrive’

mies of the world by 2020. She says the Nigerian government will seek ways of utilising the WEF to impart needed skills to make unemployed youths employable.

According to Okonjo-Iweala, other benefits that will accrue to Nigeria from the WEF include the Grow Africa Initiative, which is projected to attract investment worth N3.5 billion to the country’s agricultural sector; the Forum’s Skills Initiative, which encompasses a new initiative of Safe Schools launched by Nigeria’s private sector and the health care initiative designed to strengthen access to health care. On its part, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) plans to host 150 of the delegates at a special session tagged ‘Nigerian Investment Platform’, to showcase the country’s huge investment potentials.

Unfortunately, Africa has for decades been the target of diverse conferences, workshops, plans, initiatives, agendas and programmes designed to extricate her from the trauma of underdevelopment. Yet, the continent’s plight only gets steadily worse. It is instructive, for instance, that despite having the largest economy in Africa, being endowed with huge mineral and natural resources and posting an impressive economic growth of at least 7 percent over the last decade, the vast majority of Nigerians are among the poorest people on earth. We can thus imagine what would be the fate of less endowed African countries.

It is all too obvious that a plethora of events like the WEF will not bring about the transformation of Nigeria or Africa.

Perhaps it is time for a rigorous cost-ben-

efit analysis to ascertain the utility of these talk shops. For instance, Abuja will be practically shut down for the duration of the WEF because of insecurity.

The economic implications will be staggering. The attention of the whole world is currently focussed on Nigeria for the wrong reason – the abduction by Boko Haram of over 200 school girls from Chibok in Borno State for more than three weeks now. Whatever rhetoric may pour forth from the WEF in Abuja, very few serious investors will channel their funds into such an insecure environment which also suffers a debilitating dearth of infrastructure and power supply.

That Nigerians do not know how much is being spent to host the WEF is an example of the lack of transparency that undermines good governance and development. The impediments to the development and transformation of Africa are already too well known and we do not need any talk shop to teach us anything new. The money expended on such extravaganza as the WEF should be used to provide modern infrastructure like roads and railways, provide uninterrupted electricity supply, enhance security and create the necessary environment for businesses to thrive.

Once this is done, investment will naturally and irresistibly be attracted to take advantage of Africa’s immense potentials. The key to Africa’s development lies in visionary, competent and disciplined leadership rather than the soaring but sterile rhetoric that has characterised the WEF over the years.

Lawless INEC?

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• The electoral body should obey the court and register the Fresh Democratic Party

T was a landmark, unambiguous and unequivocal judicial decision. The day was the 29th of July, 2013. The presiding judge was Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The legal dispute was principally between the Fresh Democratic Party (FDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The latter had on December 6, 2012, communicated to the FDP its decision to de-register the party for purportedly not meeting the constitutional conditions for its continued legal recognition as a political party. Twentyseven other political parties were de-registered for similar reasons.

Two specific reasons were cited by INEC for de-registration of the FDP. First was its failure to win any national or state assembly seats in the April, 2011, general elections as required by Section 78 (7)(ii) of the Electoral Amendment Act, 2010.

Second was the FDP’s alleged inability to hold its conventions as scheduled, or have its national officers elected as constitutionally stipulated by Section 223 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended).

FDP approached the court to seek legal redress. Among the reliefs it sought from the court were that it has satisfied all the conditions and requirements of a political party as stipulated under the Electoral Act, 2010, and continues to exist as an extant political party in Nigeria; that it cannot be de-registered except in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 constitution; that the reliance by INEC on Section 78(7) (ii) of the Electoral Act as well as Section 223 (1) and

(2) of the 1999 Constitution to de-register FDP without hearing the party’s side violates Sections 36, 38 and 40, 221-222 of the 1999 Constitution and paragraph 15 of the 3rd Schedule (part 1) of the constitution and an order nullifying the purported de-registration by INEC as illegal, unconstitutional and violating democratic tenets.

The FDP also prayed the court to order INEC to restore its recognition as a political party as well as restrain the electoral body or any of its agents from implementing or enforcing the de-registration. Describing Section 78 (7) (ii) of the Electoral (Amendment) Act as a product of “legislative arbitrariness” the court held that the legislation negates Section 222 of the Nigerian Constitution, which stipulates qualifications for registration of political parties. The learned jurist stated clearly that the Nigerian constitution does not ‘specifically or impliedly’ provide for de-registration of a political party that has met the conditions of Section 222 (a) to (f).

On INEC’s contention that the FDP violated Section 223 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, the court ruled that the party ought to have been given a hearing before any such decision could be taken. As the judge reasoned, upon registration in accordance with Section 80 of the Electoral Act, a political party acquires a legal right to participate in the electoral processes. Such ‘vested right’, he continued, cannot be stripped by INEC without affording the political party

a hearing. The court accordingly granted all the reliefs sought by the FDP but declined to award costs against the defendants.

Since the judgment appears so clear, it is inexplicable why rather than obey the court, top INEC officials, including its spokesman, Mr Kayode Idowu, and one of its national commissioners, Professor Lai Olurode, insist that FDP will not be allowed to field candidates in the 2015 general election unless it applies for re-registration. The implication of the court ruling is that FDP was not legally and constitutionally de-registered in the first place. There can thus be no question of applying for re-registration. Until INEC gets a higher court to rule to the contrary, it must abide by the existing court judgment. An electoral umpire like the commission cannot afford to act in a lawless manner.

‘The implication of the court ruling is that FDP was not legally and constitutionally de-registered in the first place. There can thus be no question of applying for re-registration. Until INEC gets a higher court to rule to the contrary, it must abide by the existing court judgment’

South Sudan is on the ‘verge of catastrophe’

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N THE violence and misery caused by the civil war in South Sudan, a very faint ray of light appeared this week. Since December, the nascent nation has been torn apart by armed conflict between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and the rebel leader and former vice president Riek Machar. Thousands have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced. On Friday, Secretary of State John F. Kerry won a promise from Mr. Kiir to sit down with his rival and begin talking about peace and a transitional government.

We can only hope that this time will be different. The two sides never honored a January cease-fire agreement. They have turned deaf ears to appeals to restrain their forces, split along ethnic lines between Mr. Kiir’s Dinka and Mr. Machar’s Nuer group.

An attack last month on the oil hub Bentiu after Mr. Machar’s forces took the town left hundreds dead. Then, residents of Bor, a predominantly Dinka town, attacked a United Nations base where the Nuer were sheltering. The twin assaults brought U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay to investigate. At a news conference Wednesday in the capital, Juba, she warned that a “boiling point” has been reached and the two leaders have “embarked on a personal power struggle that has brought their people to the verge of catastrophe.”

By all evidence, including that offered by Ms. Pillay, the catastrophe already exists. More than 9,000 children have been recruited into the armed forces of both sides, women and girls have been raped and all civilians have been subjected to indiscriminate violence. Humanitarian groups already have described South Sudan as one of the world’s most urgent crises, along with Syria. “How much worse does it have to get before those who can bring this conflict to an end — especially President Kiir and Dr. Machar — decide to do so?” Ms. Pillay asked.

The world ought not wait. If Mr. Kiir and Mr. Machar show up for peace talks in Addis Ababa aimed at a transitional government, and if they truly engage in negotiations, it might be a good sign, but their behavior so far sows grave doubts.

More needs to be done to prevent the civil war from becoming a genocide.

Mr. Kerry said agreement with the foreign ministers of Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia was reached on the “terms and timing” of sending an additional 2,500 African peacekeepers to augment the existing 7,700 United Nations troops in the coming weeks. That’s better than doing nothing, but to see South Sudan survive, a larger intervention of well-equipped forces is called for, and not just from Africa.

Peacekeepers must do their utmost to protect civilians and provide safe conditions for humanitarian relief.

Mr. Kerry was right to warn that those who commit crimes against humanity will be held to account. We can only hope that Mr. Kiir and Mr. Machar will come to their senses.

Their nation, so filled with hope upon achieving independence, cannot be allowed to become just another failed, violent state.

- Washington Post

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THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

18

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: The news credited to the Political Reconstruction Committee of the National Conference that local governments should be de-listed from the Nigeria constitution, shows that members of the committee are out of touch with the reality about the place of the local government administration in grassroots development in Nigeria.

It appears those in the committee are aliens in Nigeria if not, they would have known that save for the local government administration, rural areas would have been “de-listed” from development.

Apparently, there is a conspiracy against the existence of the local governments. Unfortunately, the 1999 constitution has not helped the matter by making local governments an

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Don’t de-list LGs from constitution appendage of the states. Yet, the best thing is for the local governments to be independent of state governments if is to serve the interest of the grassroots. In most of the states where elections have not been held, local government chairmen are in office as the representatives of the governors and could hardly execute any project unless as dictated by the governors.

That is one of the reasons why priorities of many local government administrations are at variance with the interest of the people.

One thing that members of committee forget is that some of the existing local governments like some states were created in order to settle communal disputes in some states.

An example is Ife East Area council

at Modakeke, Ile-Ife, Osun State. If the local governments are de-listed from the constitution as the committee proposes, are they expecting Modakeke community to revert to Ife East local government at Ile-Ife? Grassroots people cherish local governments than even the federal government. This is because it is the nearest to them. They believe if the

herdsmen’s cows to trample on their victims’ farm; and with reckless abandon. As if their cattle are more valuable than humans, the typical herdsman would pull out his dagger or gun and instantly kill any farmer who dares to challenge them for destroying his crops!

Sadly while this impunity reigned supreme in Agatu (in the course of which many villages were destroyed and the people rendered homeless), their cries for help went largely unheeded. Emboldened by the government’s inaction, tens of heavily armed herdsmen would swoop on the defenceless people (usually at night) and butcher them with abandon.

The point to note here is that by the time the killing spree got to the level of using chemical weapons, the attackers had been allowed to run amok for far too long. And, as they say, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. In this case, the killings in Agatu has inexorably started to rear its ugly head all over, with the villages of Governor Suswam as well as Tor Tiv (the royal father of the Tivs of Benue State) being the latest victims.

As long as injustice is allowed to fester unabated, nobody is safe; any other community could be the next target of the rampaging killers. No less instructive is the fact

that the killer herdsmen who hitherto used to rely on sticks and daggers eventually “graduated” to guns before resorting to chemical weapons (as they allegedly did in Benue recently.

Given that a stitch in time saves nine, I sincerely believe that it’s about time the government became more proactive in its obligation to protect law-abiding citizen and their properties. Too many of our people have died in Agatu in particular and Benue State in general, the time to act is now.

That alleged chemical attack in Benue

IR: Nigerians woke up recently to the startling news that chemical weapons had been used in some of the Fulani herdsmen’s attacks on defenceless Benue State villages. Never in the history of inter-ethnic or religious skirmishes had such demonic instruments of destruction been used by any citizens of one country against their compatriots!

So unprecedented was this reprehensible development that few, if any, Nigerian was prepared to believe it. In fact, it was not until the Director General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii went to the theatre of “war” there in Benue State and personally confirmed that chemical weapons had indeed been used, did the whole thing begin to sink in.

For keen watchers of the serial killing of Benue State inhabitants, the tragic event didn’t come as a surprise. After all, it would be recalled that for so long these marauders had run amok all over a particular Benue community (Agatu) killing, raping, and maiming. In the course of their relentless attacks which reached its zenith about this time last year (and which still continued unabated), thousands of lives and properties worth hundreds of millions of naira were destroyed by the invaders.

More shocking as it may be, the cause of these senseless killings is none other than the “right” of the

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• Dr. Adebo Ichekpa Nyanya Gwandara, Nasarawa State.

normal local government allocation from the federal government reaches the local governments, they will feel the effects in the town. This is not to talk of the assistance rendered to the people by the political office holders like councillors, supervisory councillors and even chairmen where elected officials run the affairs of the councils. As a matter of fact, all projects to be executed by the councils under the elected leaders would be done by the grassroots people, who will patronize grassroots markets. Other functions of local government like construction and maintenance of rural roads, construction of wells or boreholes, provision of employment opportunities, provision of primary health care, supervision of the primary education amongst others make the idea of de-listing local governments from the constitution objectionable. Instead of promoting the idea of scrapping the local government administrations, what should be done by the committee or any other body saddled with reviewing the idea of local government is to work out modalities to entrench the system, create more and make it fiscally independent of the state governments and democratic.

The committee is advised to reconsider its suggestion as it is highly destructive. Unless they are living in the state capitals or in Abuja, they must have known the usefulness of the local governments and never toy with the idea that can crippled the system.

• Adewuyi Adegbite Apake, Ogbomoso.

Chibok girls and the rest of us

IR: There is no doubt that the Nigerian government is faced with an uphill task in the search for the abducted school girls in Chibok, Borno State. This latest despicable and inhuman act by the Boko Haram insurgents has laid bare the capacity of the Nigerian security apparatus in the fight against terrorism. It exposes Nigeria as lacking in modern technologies and strategies for protecting its porous borders and its defenceless citizens despite being the giant of Africa.

Clearly, the attitude of the Goodluck Jonathan-led

administration to the insurgency lately has been lackadaisical and laidback. If not, why would it take Nigerian officials weeks to start responding publicly to the abduction?

I listened with disgust to statements by Doyin Okupe (Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs) and Labaran Maku (Minister for Information) on CNN yesterday that the Nigerian government is doing all it can to rescue the girls but cannot reel out all actions being taken by the government on the search for these girls.

These officials fail to realize that they owe parents of these girls and Nigerians at large, serious explanations on even the minutest detail in the search for the girls.

Nigerians want assurances and concrete leads from the government that it has the capacity to defeat Boko Haram and other terrorist groups threatening Nigeria’s sovereignty.

Unfortunately we are not getting the assurances and it is mindboggling!

This is a trying time and dark period for our country. As such, all hands must be on deck to overcome

this challenge. We must all shun the temptation to politicize or “religionise” the insecurity bedevilling us in this country today. Nigerian leaders in all spheres must rise and come up with uncommon strategies in fighting the insecurity.

Above all, it is high time we introduced community/state policing as an integral part of our federalism. The state of the nation today must have to lead us somewhere better than where we are today.

• Adedayo Abass-Olisa Simpson Street, Lagos.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

19

COMMENTS

Boko Haram, in the name of God, cease fire

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HE spate of bombings and killings by Boko Haram in recent times including the recent one in Abuja has become frightening. No one can understand the justification for what has been happening for almost three years. If Boko Haram and its members are born by women and are created in the image of God, they should cease fire and negotiate with the authorities on what they want. Surely it cannot be that they want to convert people to their own kind of Islam by killing the same people including Muslims. It is unislamic for any Muslim to deliberately reduce the size of the Ummah- the community of Muslims. When this campaign started many of us thought that it was a campaign against Christians because that was what it appeared to be initially but now nobody can make any sense out of these terrible attacks. Perhaps to make an impression on all of us Nigerians, Boko Haram for the third time since their campaign began has struck a deadly blow at the outskirts of Abuja.

First it was the Police Headquarters, then the United Nations building now a motor park at Nyanya. For those who are familiar with Abuja, Nyanya is where the poor people live irrespective of their religions.

Some of us had sometimes thought that the Boko Haram rank and file were made up of poor people; some even saw their murderous campaign as some kind of class war. People tend to explain their campaign away as a reaction of the deprived and have-nots against the haves but how does one explain, striking at the hearts of the poor people’s quarter in Abuja?

This violence does not make sense and it ought to end. Government is spending at least a trillion naira every year confronting these rural and urban terrorists in the north of Nigeria. This is a vast amount that could have been used to alleviate the suffering of the poor. It seems that our security forces and agencies have still not devised the right kind of strategies to confront this movement. It seems the intention of this movement is to make the country ungovernable even though they have largely been confined to the northeastern part of Nigeria. Their ability and intention to strike in other areas are becoming worrisome.

Personally for me, I want to appeal to members of the Boko Haram to lay down their weapons and come out and embrace negotiation. I say this because I spent years 1982-1984 in the then serene and quiet Maiduguri metropolis. I can never understand why the serenity of Maiduguri has become a distant past.

I

F HISTORY records the 80s and early 90s as the golden era of the Supreme Court many who witnessed the era will not dispute it. It was the period the court made pronouncements without fear or favour; affection or ill-will. It said it as it is even if heavens will fall.

Heavens never fell because the Justices were on the side of history.

It was the period the court paraded the likes of Justice Chukwudifu Akunne Oputa, who died last Sunday, at the age of 96. For the five years he sat in the court, the late Justice Oputa, was like his brother Justices, extremely busy. He wrote his name in gold through dint of hardwork. It could not have been otherwise because it was a period that the wind of judicial activism was blowing through the apex court. The late Justice Oputa was in the court between 1984 and 1989.

Among his colleagues then were former Chief Justice Mohammed Bello, Justice Andrews Otutu Obaseki, Justice Kayode Eso, Justice Augustine Nnamani, former Chief Justice Muhammadu Uwais, Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, Justice Saidu Kawu, former Chief Justice Alfa Belgore, Justice Abdulganiyu Agbaje, Justice Philip NnaemekaAgu, Justice Abubakar Wali and Justice Babasanya Craig.

None of them was a push-over when it came to interpreting the law.

The late Justice Oputa was a judge's judge. He remains one of the

Who would have believed that the point of entry of Islam into Nigeria and that the Kanuri, one of the most civilised people in Nigeria will be the one to be visited by this cruel tragedy? In their culture, particularly their cuisine, language and scholarship, the Kanuris are one of the best in this country producing the first crop of the Ulamas spreading the Islamic civilisation all over the country. In the production of modern western educated effendiyyah in northern Nigeria, the Kanuris were at the forefront. In fact the first Nigerian central Minister of Education, the late Sir Kashim Ibrahim was not only a distinguished educationist, a local patriot, a noble man of Borno, he was also the first indigenous governor of the entire northern region. If it were possible to see what is going on from heaven, what would he say about his homeland of Borno? And centuries before Sir Kashim Ibrahim, there was Idris Alooma, a forward looking Shehu of Borno who had built some kind of students’ hostel for Borno students studying in Al-Azar University in Egypt. This is the same Borno that produced first class politicians like Waziri Ibrahim, the apostle of politics without bitterness; Alhaji Zanar Bukar Dipcharima, frontline politician of the first republic and Alhaji Shetima Ali Monguno, a fine gentleman of great nobility of heart, a man of great and transparent integrity who is witnessing the degradation of his homeland in his evening years.

Borno also produced Alhaji Ibrahim Imam, a revolutionary scholar politician and thinker of the first republic.

Of course the Boko Haram is not a Kanuri movement but what I am saying is that it is largely destroying Borno, the home of these intrepid people and the movement has unfortunately been identified with Borno even though all kinds of copy cats and journeymen from other ethnic groups are now manifesting as Boko Haram.

Outsiders particularly friends of Nigeria have suggested that the federal government should launch some kind of Marshall Plan for the development of the northeastern part of Nigeria. Even if we have the resources, Nigeria alone cannot handle this task and if we deploy the entire Nigerian army to the north-east, they may not be able to put down completely this madness and terrorism. Besides, economic development can only take place in a peaceful environment.

There has to be another strategy of wining the hearts of the people because it now seems that Boko Haram has a long hand that can reach any part of Nigeria. It is

frightening to imagine what a determined group like Boko Haram can do to Nigeria. No Nigerian living anywhere should think that he or she is immune to terrorism; it is only a matter of time for all of us to become victims if we do not do something quickly. It has become clear that we alone cannot solve this problem we should therefore Jide invite friends of Nigeria to help us. We Osuntokun are not the first country to witness this kind of insurgency, before us were Indonesia and Malaysia in the 1950s before the insurgencies there were successfully put down. Since then, the sophistication of weaponry in the hands of terrorists have made it difficult to suppress most insurgencies because of their embrace of suicide bombing. When people no longer fear death, it makes their being killed not a serious strategy because such a strategy is based on massive retaliation.

The government should embark on provision of jobs for men who will then be physically exhausted by hard work and would not be dreaming and fantasizing about creating paradise here on earth or in heaven, it is only God who can do this. No man has the right to take the life of another man except if he has been found guilty by properly constituted authorities or in self defence.

This is what the Holy Quran says; murdering people on a semi-industrial scale through terrorism is not an act of God.

‘No Nigerian living anywhere should think that he or she is immune to terrorism; it is only a matter of time for all of us to become victims if we do not do something quickly’

Chukwudifu 'Socrates' Oputa (1918-2014) finest Justices that ever sat in the Supreme Court. In his years in the court, according to Justice Uwais, the late Justice Oputa delivered 267 judgments, 50 of which were lead judgments.

His verdicts were not pedestrian.

They were well resoned and laced with authorities. It is not for nothing that he was known as Nigeria's Lord Denning and the Socrates of the Supreme Court. He was named Socrates by former Chief Justice Bello.

Justice Uwais recollects how the late Justice Oputa came about the appellation in his foreword to the book: Judicial Footprints, which is a compilation of the late eminent jurist's pronouncements while in the Supreme Court. ''Justice Oputa's sound knowledge of the humanities - history, philosophy, literature, economics,and of course his deep sense of religion greatly enriched his style of delivering judgment. For this, Justice Mohammed Bello, former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), described him as the 'Socrates' of the Supreme Court''.

As noted by former CJN Uwais, the late Justice Oputa was everything rolled into one. Historian, philosopher, literary critic, economist and scientist. He believed that as a judge, you must be versed in all subjects, and he brought his vast knowl-

‘In his verdicts, the late Justice Oputa was a sage, a critic, a historian, a philosopher, an accountant and a scientist. Little wonder he was nicknamed Lord Denning of Nigeria, Socrates of the Supreme Court and philosopher-judge. He has run a good race’

edge to bear on his judgments. The late Justice Oputa was a critic par excellence. He was unsparing of lazy judges and lawyers. He tore to shreds judgments of lower courts, which he felt did not meet standard.

According to Justice Uwais, the late Justice Oputa made what he calls ''immortal pronouncements'' in Judicial Footprints during ''the golden period of the Supreme Court''. ''The history of judicial development in Nigeria witnessed an upswing in the early 80s and most part of the 90s comparable to the era of oil boom in our land. At the Supreme Court of Nigeria there was a spirit of revival and activism blowing through this period as adjudged by our prominent lawyers and legal practitioners alike,'' he said.

Justice Uwais was effusive in his praise of the late Justice Oputa in Judicial Footprints, which is written by George Oputa. He described the late jurist’s verdicts as rich, biting and profound. Justice Uwais said: ''From August 1984 to December of the same year, the jurist described by many as the Lord Denning of our

24 DAYS AFTER

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WHERE ARE THE ABDUCTED CHIBOK GIRLS?

Supreme Court, delivered 31 judgments''.

Justice Uwais notes that judicial activism berthed in the Supreme Court in 1986 and credits the late Justice Oputa for it. ''In 1986, we saw the birth of judicial activism, where courage triumphed over might. In that year, 46 cast - iron judgments were delivered. Standing out among these is the famous Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu. Here, his Lordship courageously opined that ''in Nigeria even under the military government, the law is no respecter of persons, principalities, governments or powers and the courts stand between the citizen and the government to see that the state is bound by law and respects the law''.

N his verdicts, the late Justice Oputa was a sage, a critic, a historian, a philosopher, an accountant and a scientist. Little wonder he was nicknamed Lord Denning of Nigeria, Socrates of the Supreme Court and philosopher-judge. It is not possible to capture some of his thoughts here as reflected in his verdicts. But check: ''Justice is not a oneway traffic. It is not justice for the appellant only. Justice is not even only a two-way traffic. It is really a three-way traffic, justice for the appellant accused of a heinous crime of murder; justice for the victim, the murdered man, the deceased, 'whose blood is crying to heaven for vengeance' and finally, justice for the society at large...'' ''It is the duty of the courts to safeguard the rights and liberties of the individual and to protect him from any abuse or misuse of power or what my learned brother Eso, J.S.C in Governor of Lagos State v.

Ojukwu described as 'executive lawlessness'. When the court is described as the last hope of the com-

I

Lawal Ogienagbon

lawal.ogienagbon@thenationonlineng.net

SMS ONLY: 08099400204, 08112661612

mon man that implies that it is the duty of the judiciary (a duty which it owes to the course of justice) to ensure that any encroachment on the rights of the individual, any coercive action is justified by law. In the unequal combat between those who possess power and those on whom such power bears, the court's primary duty is protection from the abuse of power''.

To present day judges, who are fond of throwing out cases on technical ground, I commend to them these immortal words of the sage : ''The courts should see to it that justice is never defeated by technical rules of procedure. These rules should be seen as subservient handmaids to justice not as omnipotent masters at war with justice''. On the power of the Supreme Court as final arbiter, he said: ''We are final not because we are infallible, rather we are infallible because we are final. Justices of this court are human beings capable of erring. It will certainly be shortsighted arrogance not to accept this obvious truth...''

This is the candour that stood him out as a respected jurist. He has run a good race. May he find rest in the bosom of the Lord.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

20

COMMENTS

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AST week’s verdict by the Committee on Restructuring at the on-going National Conference to retain the existing unviable 36-state structure and 774 Local Government structure , which gobbles 74% of our recurrent expenditure, as the building block of our federalism has only deepened the cynicism of those who had said not much would come from the N7billion project. To point out the irrationality of those opposed to political restructuring, Professor Gbadegesin, like many other model builders recently highlighted on the pages of this paper, “the simplicity and clarity of the principles that justify political restructuring along the line of true federalism”.

Gbogun Gboro similarly pointed out the sheer idiocy of allowing some self-serving people to continue with a scheme “that degrades our country into a land perpetually devastated and shamed by a monstrous federal government which enjoys the pleasure of toying around with weak and incompetent state governments, a land of hideous poverty and corruption, of hopelessness, conflicts and crimes”.

Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary General, also called for stronger regions as was the case in the pre-independence era, reminding that it is the “destructive control of power at the centre that exacerbates the primordial instinct in our people and also fans religious and ethnic differences with the result that rather than being a source of strength, our pluralism has become a harbinger for discrimination and disunity.”

But long before the current interventions

by Nigerian opinion leaders, the departing British, after a thorough appreciation of the deep-rooted mutual suspicion among our various nationalities over a period of 60 years had hinted that it was their presence alone that ‘prevented a disastrous disintegration’

‘Restructuring will solve the problem of indigeneship and settlers. Those comparing us with America are only being mischievous. Unlike the US, a nation of immigrants, there is hardly any group that is not spiritually attached to its roots.

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Restructuring: Appeal to Confab delegates and that their withdrawal would mean for millions, a descent from nascent nationhood into the turmoil of warring sect’. The selffulfilling prophesy came barely five years of their departure.

And it wasn’t as if that tragedy couldn’t have been avoided if a segment of the political class bent on destroying what they couldn’t have had remained faithful to the policy thrust of the colonial masters as espoused by the then British colonial secretary of state, Oliver Stanley in 1945 when he made it clear that the policy thrust of Britain was to “see the various peoples of the various territories develop themselves along the line of their natural aptitude, their own culture and their tradition’. Awo who saw federalism as “a philosophy of opportunities for the various ethnic nationalities to progress at their own rate” had on this score in his seminal work on Nigeria federalism in 1947 suggested the 10 Nigerian major ethnic groups as the building block of our federation.

But sadly today, in spite of all the verifiable monumental achievement of our nation when we had a workable federal arrangement, and in spite of an on-going vigorous campaign by the United Nations for preservation of group identities, those who are benefiting from the current anarchy in our land will not listen.

The committee report itself is a lesson in self denial It pretends not to know that the on-going mindless killing by alleged Fulani herdsmen is closely linked with the past popular uprising in the Middle Belt violently suppressed by the military in the early 60s; the judicial battle successfully waged against Obasanjo’s fraudulent mainstreaming by the

E are all familiar with the wise saying that evil thrives where and when good people do nothing and keep quiet. It is also a great lesson of history that you need only a few determined people to bring down a nation. Here the rule of majority does not apply. We do not know how many members Boko Haram has. But they are not that many – and they are causing so much havoc on the entire nation. The situation is serious.

I left home on Easter Sunday, when our nation was still reeling under the tragic news of the first Nyanya bomb blast and the abduction of as yet unknown number of girl students in Borno state. Since my arrival here in Rome, we have heard of another Nyanya bomb blast, and the number of girls abducted is now being given at over 200.

The controversy over the numbers is futile and uncalled for. One missing girl is one too many. Everywhere I go, people are asking me what is happening in our country.

There is no more room for explanations, let alone excuses. The view from outside our nation is very negative indeed. At a time like this, one would expect all Nigerians to stand together and face what should be clearly a common danger to us all. But unfortunately, such a common stand is anything but visible.

There are ominous signs that if the objective of Boko Haram is to tear Nigeria apart by pitting Christians against Muslims in a fratricidal war, that objective is gradually and systematically being realized. The wanton destruction of lives and property is bad enough. But perhaps worse than that is the gradual destruction and erosion of the hard earned good relations which Nigerian Christians and Muslims have managed to build up over the years. In my 2013 Christmas message, I warned that we should not take our fragile religious peace for granted. I pleaded that we should learn from the experience of other nations where such good relations have evaporated within a short time under poorly managed social and political crisis. The Central African Republic is a case in point.

In the midst of our serious security crisis, tribal and religious warlords are beating the drums of war and blowing the trumpets of conflict. I read in the internet that the Jama’atu Nasr Islam has issued a statement accusing the Federal Government of persecuting Muslims under the guise of fighting terrorism. If this is true, it would indeed be most unfortunate and ill-timed under our present circumstances. This is hardly the best way to encourage our security agents to carry out their tough and thankless task.

At the other end of the spectrum, one Evangelist Matthew

old South-west was closely linked with the insurrection in the old Western Region following the rigged election of 1965; and that the challenge of political Sharia under the presidency of Obasanjo is not markedly different from the ongoing face-off between President Jonathan, a minority, and Boko Haram insurgents.

And those who have argued that we can continue with the current structure which defies rationality, by simply addressing the issues of values, and leadership, are missing the point. As P.C Loyd has said, Nigerian different nationalities are at different levels of cultural development. And since one culture is not superior to the other, we cannot impose our own standard or values on others. In some parts of the country, a governor may get away with donating millions to a musician. On the other hand, the late Professor Ambrose Alli who as governor of the then Mid-west spent state money to bury his father was ordered to refund the money by Awo, his party leader.

In some parts of the country a defeated General comes back as a hero; in other parts, he commits suicide and if victorious, restricted to the outskirt of the city. If you think that was in the past, do a study of all the Yoruba leaders who were once perceived to have worked against the interest of the people. It is the erosion of values nationalities hold dear that has given way to a new Nigerian value of corruption, ineptitude and decadence.

I also think restructuring will solve the problem of indigene-ship and settlers. Those comparing us with America are only being mischievous. Unlike the US, a nation of immigrants, excepts perhaps for the Fulani who as nomads and Jihadists came to Nigeria

about 200 years ago and subsequently conquered the Hausa states, there is hardly any group that is not spiritually attached to its roots. The recent expulsion of Fulani herdsmen from Niger and the Tor of Tiv’s declaration that an inch of Tiv land would not be conceded as grazing ground for the Fulani herdsmen means it is not an issue we can wish away, We can add the unsettled issue of abandoned property in Port-Harcourt and the battle with Governor Amaechi over Okrika by the First Lady But we are not alone. We have seen how India , a more complex society creatively devised an harmonious relationship among its 1.3 billion peoples and over 2000 ethnic nationalities through the creation of 27 strong regions We are today witnesses to the picture emerging from European Union after two devastating World Wars. Restructuring is the only way to stop any group that rigged its way to Abuja from insisting on determining how others live their lives.

As for the contentious issue of resource control, I think what is needed is compromise. I do not for instance see anything provocative in the position paper of the North’s delegates to the National Conference. If anything, I will think it is a quiet craving for return of the old three regions which hopefully will help each region confronts its own demons.

I also think the call for the abrogation of onshore/offshore oil dichotomy in view of the “International law (1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea UNCLOS, Article 76 on territorial waters/boundaries which stipulated that 200 nautical miles off the continental shelves belongs to the central government exclusively,” is not in the least provocative. The littoral states cannot eat their cake and have it. They have always been aligned with the north ostensibly for protection against their more aggressive neighbours. The rest of the country funded the war just as it made huge investments in the exploitation of the mineral deposits.

With all institutions and programmes such as the Niger Delta Development Commission, the Ministry of Niger Delta and the Amnesty programme for the Niger Delta militants and components of the SURE-P, the HYPADEC, 13% of the on-shore oil revenue should be acceptable. It should not be too difficult to persuade Bayelsa State to see that earning in a month what Taraba earns in a year, negates the principles of justice and equity to the federating units.

Of course, the fraud called local governments, an arbitrarily-created entities funded by federal government must revert back to the federating regions.

Let not evil prevail

By John Cardinal Onaiyekan Owojaiye, who is described as the President/Founder of the Old Time Revival Hour, and immediate past chairman of a group called “Northern States Christian and Elders Forum (NOCSEF), an associate of CAN”, issued a passionate statement with a presumed list of 180 missing girls, 165 of which are Christians and the remaining 15 Muslims. It is commendable that a list has appeared with their religious affiliations, and this should be of help to the security agents in tracking the girls. But the document is hardly designed to promote mutual good relations between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria.

At times like this, when serious hurt has been inflicted and great injustice perpetrated, it is natural to feel deeply aggrieved and even angry. But the effort still needs to be made to look at things as dispassionately as we can so that we can work towards a just and practical solution.

For most Nigerians, I believe that it is highly desirable that we continue as “one nation under God”. But this will not happen unless we are all ready to sincerely identify our common goals and aspirations, despite our non-negligible differences and diversities. It will mean being ready to make more concessions and compromises for the common good of the nation, well beyond the status quo. National unity is beautiful and precious, but it comes with a price which all must be ready to pay, in a fair and equitable manner.

If this seems difficult, the alternative of a break-up of the nation along whatever lines would seem to me far more costly, and almost unthinkable. If a war of partition breaks out, where will be battle lines be drawn? It would be wonderful if such partitioning could be by peaceful negotiation. But that would call for nothing less than a miracle, which no one has any right to impose on God. The option to pursue therefore ought to be clear and obvious.

The menace which Boko Haram represents is hanging on the whole nation. The solution must involve all stakeholders working together. Promoting or allowing polarization of group interests, whether political (PDP against

the Opposition) or religious (CAN versus JNI) will not only weaken our common efforts, but even lead to the far greater danger of polarization of our security forces along opposing lines. The red light is clear to anyone who cares to look. It is not an exaggeration to say that the nation is in grave danger. It is not too late to pull back from the brink of chaos. All those who believe in the future of Nigeria can no longer afford the luxury of sitting back, watching and complaining. There is need to speak out and take meaningful action, each at his or her level. As for those who rule the nation, I hope they know that the eyes of the whole world are on them.

They should also know that they will answer for all their actions and inactions before their consciences, before history and before God. May God bless Nigeria.

•Cardinal Onaiyekan is Archbishop of Abuja and Head of the Metropolitan See of Abuja Ecclesiastical Province

‘The menace which Boko Haram represents is hanging on the whole nation. The solution must involve all stake-holders working together. Promoting or allowing polarization of group interests, whether political (PDP against the Opposition) or religious (CAN versus JNI) will not only weaken our common efforts, but even lead to the far greater danger of polarization of our security forces along opposing lines’

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

21

COMMENTS

P

RESIDENT Bill Clinton is the most generous spirit among the topmost citizens of our world. He commands great intellectual penetration to know and understand the pains of the poor and oppressed peoples of the world. But, more importantly, he has so great a share of human empathy that he never turns away from the people who are being brutalized and hurting – he tries to do something about it. Some months ago, President Clinton adverted his attention to the Boko Haram insurgency in our Northern Nigeria, and he came to the assessment that the root of the problem was desperate poverty – the fact that our Northern Nigeria is dangerously far behind the rest of Nigeria in education and, therefore, in almost all other facets of economic development. Most informed Nigerians know that he is right.

What President Clinton probably didn’t know – or what he did not wish to touch upon – and what the world needs to be told, is that the political leaders of our Northern Nigeria bear most of the responsibility for the horrific poverty of our citizens in the North. These men are capable political leaders but, sadly, they think that their cardinal task as political leaders is to control Nigeria at all costs – to strategize at all times to hold Nigeria down under their thumb, and to successfully resist any change that could rob them of that control. In the process they are hurting their own people abysmally.

Between 1962 and now, they have been almost entirely responsible for turning the federal government into the sole controller of

‘Unbelievably, at the National Conference today, Nigeria’s northern political elite are still fighting might and mane for the preservation of the destructive status quo that they have been mostly responsible for creating. They do not care that the status quo is destroying their own northern Nigerians even more than the rest of Nigerians’

T

HE only thing louder than the violence being perpetrated by Boko Haram is the deafening conspiracy of silence behind it. Unravel it and you’ve won the war. Behind the Boko Haram absurdity are wounded lions, scourged snakes and their sympathizers perceived to be at large. I dare say that this atrocious guerilla war can’t be won on the battlefield. From my keen perspective, if the sect members are unmasked and attempts are made to try them in the court of law, the nation may be risking a civil war.

Truth be told, these mongers seem to be winning the war, and the battle. They already have the nation cornered where they promised. And this begs a pertinent question: Nigeria, what is thy way forward?

Nigerians are tired of empty brags, again and again. It’s a lame psychological war position; the world is laughing at us, not with us. A wounded tiger does not brag about her tigritude, she devours her prey!”(Apology to Professor Wole Soyinka).

Each time they hit their target with bestial and most unholy accuracy, Allah is not on their side, neither is God on their side. Their godfathers, with their selfish messianic agenda, damned up behind questionable but unfathomable pockets of obscene wealth, are yet to fail them. Therein lies their winning formula.

If Boko Haram is on a genuine mission of holy jihad, they will be slaughtering those who chain them on their knees; overdosing them on religious diet, the opium of the wretched, suffering masses. They will not be on a killing spree of innocent souls of all faiths and ages. My suspicion: their constant dare-devil signature is beyond our shores.

The Nigerian nation has created some fat, monstrous, rabid, German-Shepherds, in the dark years of military adventurism, which have been silenced, and no longer in positions of barking orders on how this country is run. They are now in coma and in the wilderness of lost hopes.

Our nation is morally and terminally ill.

Yes! They have every right to mourn the

Nigeria: Let the truth be told and devil be damned all power and resources in Nigeria – an accomplishment that has destroyed all peripheral centres of development as centres of development, sapped the spirit of local initiative, wrecked all local morale, turned the federal government itself into a podgy, incompetent, and hideously corrupt establishment, spread corruption deeply all over Nigeria, destroyed the spirit of enterprise among our people, turned even some of the best among us into abject favour-lickers and outright thieves, and handed the lives of the masses of Nigerians to ever-escalating, grinding, poverty. That is the heritage of the successful centralizing crusade which the northern leadership, as civilian politicians and military dictators, have championed since independence. A prominent northern citizen made the very important statement recently that, in the light of Nigeria’s natural and human wealth, the ever-deepening poverty among Nigerians was paradoxical and embarrassing. Yes, it is embarrassing, but it is not paradoxical. It is a direct outcome of policies that deliberately seek to rob all sections and localities of Nigeria of the power and ability to tackle their needs and concerns in the context of Nigeria. And as long as our northern political and intellectual elite continue to oppose and frustrate decentralization and devolution, as long as they continue to believe that they and the North have vested interests in federal control of all power, resources and assets in Nigeria, the poverty among the masses of our people will only get worse and worse – and Nigeria’s chance of cataclysmic revolts or even implosion will get bigger and bigger.

Unhappily, the masses of Northern Nigerians have been dished the largest, and disproportionate, share of the contrived poverty of Nigeria. Northern Nigeria is not just the poorest part of Nigeria today, it is one of the poorest places on the African continent.

The main cause of this has been the ambivalence of the northern leaders about Western education – their hesitance to promote it as hard as the southern leaders of Nigeria have been doing. The massive prevalence of illiteracy has thus stunted all other facets of socio-economic development among the

peoples of Northern Nigeria. But another factor has been the centralizing zeal of the northern political leadership. As northern leaders focus most of their political leadership assets on pushing and pulling all power and resources in Nigeria towards the federal centre, they have tended to show not much confidence in local initiative and development, and given correspondingly little energy to local development. Things were obviously not like this under the first Premier of the Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, in 1952-65. Under Sir Ahmadu Bello, though the Northern Region started with serious educational deficits, the Northern Region was a credible contestant in the development rivalry among the three regions of Nigeria.

But, gradually since 1966, most of the regional strength has been dissipated, and much of the socio-economic gains have been lost. For instance, “federalization” virtually destroyed the main export crops (cocoa in the West, palm produce in the East, and groundnuts in the North) which had been the backbone of the Nigerian economy at independence – because each was robbed of the serious kind of support and encouragement that they had enjoyed in the hands of their regions. And then, to further worsen the situation in the north, there came a series of prolonged droughts. These devastated the already declining groundnut economy of northern farmers, and decimated the north’s ancient cattle industry. All these became particularly terrible because the government of Nigeria was almost totally focused on petroleum to the exclusion of other economic factors; neither the federal government nor the northern leadership was disposed to give the kind of massive response that was needed; and the petty little states that were being created (for the political purpose of weakening local energy and strengthening the federal centre) simply did not command the kind of muscle that the serious emergency demanded. In the circumstance, the north sank – and has continued to sink.

What I write today is a message to the ongoing Nigerian National Conference in Abuja. It is also a message to the wider world – especially to such great and concerned lead-

Gbogun gboro ers of our world as Clinton, Tony Blair, President Carter, President G. W Bush, and President Barack Obama. Unbelievably, at the National Conference today, Nigeria’s northern political elite are still fighting might and mane for the preservation of the destructive status quo that they have been mostly responsible for creating. They do not care that the status quo is destroying their own northern Nigerians even more than the rest of Nigerians. It does not mean anything to them that one of their own foremost men, Atiku Abubakar, recently Vice-President of Nigeria, has sent a message to the National Conference asserting that over-centralization is hurting all parts of Nigeria, and passionately urging that we should restructure our union with the objective of unleashing the energies of our states and localities, and making our states fewer and stronger.

A young friend of mine who tried to reach me by telephone from Abuja left this message: “The northern leaders are going around here sir, arrogantly telling everybody that they will not let this conference achieve any change, that they oppose any kind of restructuring or devolution whatsoever. President Jonathan seems impotent. I fear now that our country is going to break up. I have tears in my eyes. Do something sir. Anything”.

In response, I have written this message. I am not confident that President Jonathan will, or can, do anything to improve the situation. His sole preoccupation seems to be to win re-election in 2015 – at whatever cost.

But the world can help. And the world must help. I am crying out about the well-being of 170 million people.

Memo to National Conference

By Goke Omisore death of their nightmare at the dawn of the birth of a greater Nigeria in view. And this shall be! They are weary of their loot and inheritance. Their legacies, money and honour are on borrowed time; and so is their legacy, as defined by them in our dark distanced past.

Sirs! Let heaven fall. The party is over!

The architects of our woes paradoxically scripted President Goodluck Jonathan in a diabolical role of a lame duck. And fate, the arbiter of destiny, skewed things in his favours; destined him for greater callings.

That’s an open secret and besides my point.

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, are you the messiah? I am not drifting and in fact careless, if you run in the next election to win or lose.

But are you the true messiah, who may even lose or win the next election but, be the president who chose the path of honour to assemble wise men and women to draft a true fiscal federal constitution that will protect the interest of all, in a new union that will truly integrate this unsolicited amalgamation of 1914, over hundred years later!

Luckily, and for the umpteenth time, fate is again calling on you. You are the sole candidate for this messianic role in our current dispensation. You have dared to convene this conference, give it teeth and grow it to maturity; with the seal of sovereignty by referendum and posterity will crown you the father of new Nigerian nation. By then, David would have triumphed over the enemies of the state.

Break the myth of leadership in Nigeria.

Give us a true fiscal federal constitution by the people, for the people and watch this land thrive in great leadership. Let us crash! This nation as presently constituted, cannot germinate great leaders. In fact, she is adept in manufacturing and empowering political godfathers, grandmasters of political theat-

rics, feigning leadership; whereas she finds herself suffocating on bended knees. This centralized governing system is all about the rule of men. Give us the rule of law, to be enshrined in the people’s constitution, where no saint or devil is above the law.

Esteemed 492 wise men and women, all of you are privileged citizens; on a mission to resolve our critical logjam, to soothe all injured souls in this on-going constitutional conference. The truth that the grandmasters of our dark political days find difficult to swallow is: in all games, there are amateurs and professionals. The masters and grandmasters, fate, the greatest master of all, often skews things in favour of the underdog with mocking cruelty; turning masters to spectators in their own games.

A case in point: the legacy of Obama’s victory on the American constitution: All men are equal, was enshrined in the bill of rights in the American constitution. But, it was mere tokenism in operation, in faltering spirit and withering letters of the constitution. That was tokenism on a retained value, to silence and pacify loads of agitators on the political spectrum on the indictment of slavery.

Whoever issues token, reserves the rights of its value, and that created a huge deficit on the spirit and letter of the American constitution. But on the historical occasion of Barak Hussein Obama’s victory, a conscientious nation rose to its feet and fulfilled the intent and spirit of the American constitution to the letter - they elected the first black American president. A veiled reparation, or call it restitution, from the hearts of Americans of all colours, was finally paid with an electoral votes of consequential historical significance. For this bold step, the whole world applauded and saluted the Americans.

Let us unite behind a true fiscal federal constitution for a greater union. We must legis-

late morality, if need be, because our sins are legion. The excesses in our culture diminish us; weakens our growth and benumbs strength. Some of us must pay a political price in varying tags, for the excesses of our past, for acts of commission and omission in our past; because, such political recklessness is our collective guilt.

There must be an outright political ban on those of us born before independence; a deliberate fencing of Nigerians over 55, in the political affairs of this crawling nation. It is a sacred patriotic duty, belatedly owed our motherland; aged over 60-plus, yet a toddler in the comity of nations. These are the worst of times. We need self-imposed draconian measures. These are necessary steps to barricade the tide of the imminent doom; to cleanse the slate across the board, for a new nation, powered by a reposition of trust in our new generation of Nigerians.

A clean slate, devoid of temptations of cash and carry politics, with a great emphasis on honour in serving the nation, and a non-negotiable separation of religion and state, must be our fait-accompli. But all should be at liberty to worship and practice our religions unfettered.

• Omisore is a Lagos- based businessman

‘Break the myth of leadership in Nigeria. Give us a true fiscal federal constitution by the people, for the people and watch this land thrive in great leadership.

Let us crash! This nation as presently constituted, cannot germinate great leaders’

THE NATION THURSDAY MAY 8, 2014

22

NEWS

•Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology Mr Adebiyi Mabadeje speaking at Ministerial Press briefing year 2014 in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. With him are Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the Governor Mr Lateef Raji (right) and Permanent Secretary PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES Ministry of Science and Technology Mrs Nike Animashaun.

•From left: Former Minister of Information Chief Alex Akinyele with Mr Tayo Orekoya and wife Abimbola, during the funeral service of Orekoya’s mother, late Mrs Regina Orekoya at St PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN. John’s Anglican Church, Isara-Remo, Ogun State.

•From left: Sunday Independent Editor Mr Habib Haruna; The Source Deputy Editor Mr Segun Abifarin; Centres for Constitution Demilitirisation (CENCOD) Executive Director Dr Sylvester Odion-Akhaine; Human Rights Activist Mr Femi Falana; Mrs Naomi Akpan-Ita of Impact for Change and Development; Dr Dele Seteolu of Lagos State University (LASU) and Posterity Media Publisher/CEO Mr O’Femi Kolawole during a book launch at Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

•From From left: BDC Manager/Compliance Officer Chaminda Boteju; Senior Travel Consultant – Retail Sales (United Kingdom and Europe) Leon Shaier; Global BDM (United Kingdom and Europe) Andrea Fearon; Travel Manager Keith Lloyd and Group Executive Chairman, Peacock Group of Companies Aare Segun Phillips, during the official take over of Edwin Doran Travels by Peacock Group at Twickenham, Middlesex, United Kingdom.

•From left: Pernod Ricard Nigera Marketing Director Sola Oke; Artist, Yemi Alade, On-AirPersonality, Nnamidi Nwabasili “N6” and Absolut Vodka Brand Manager Akintayo Akinseloyin, during the Absolut Cocktail at Elegushi Beach in Lagos... yesterday •Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Indabawa (third right), assissted by MALE Integrated Science Nigeria Limited Chief Executive Officer Mr Michael Ale and wife, during the commissioning of a borehole donate to the police command at Eleyele in Ibadan by the company ...yesterday.

•Members of the Human Concern Foundation International (HCFI) and Muslim Pharmacists Association of Nigeria (MPAN), donating relief materials to the inmates of Ibara Maximum Prison in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

•John Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation Director-General Mr Bimbo Daramola (left); Patron of Newspapers Distributors Association of Nigeria (NDAN) Mr Ogunsakin Andrew and former Chairman, Mr Tope Ojo, during the presentation of tricycle to NDAN Ekiti State Chapter.

•From left: Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Dr Deremi Desalu; Vice Chairman, Mr Oluseyi Coker and Special Adviser on Security Matters to Lagos State Governor, Major Tunde Pannox (rtd) during the visit of participants of Senior Executive Course (SEC) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies to Lagos.

•Member of the executive, legislature and party leader of Ipokia Local Government Area, Ogun State after presentation of 2004 budget at the council chamber.

25

THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, NAY 8, 2014

•Protesters in Lagos on Monday.

It has been three weeks since over 200 pupils of the Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) in Chibok, Borno State, were abducted, yet there is no news about their whereabouts. The world is outraged. What does this portend for the education of the girls, who were writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) when they were abducted?

Agony of a nation

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie, Adegunle Olugbamila, Nichola Kalu (Cross River), Joel Duku (Yobe), Sunny Nwankwo (Aba), Damisi Ojo (Akure), Clarice Azuatalam (Port Harcourt), Osagie Otabor (Benin), Precious Dikewoha (Port Harcourt) and Mojisola Clement.

T

•Chibok girls’ whereabouts unknown, three weeks after abduction

WENTY-FIVE DAYS after their abduction, the whereabouts of the over 200 pupils of the Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) in Chibok, Borno State remains unknown. In the past one week, there has been a flurry of activities to find these girls. Why did it take the Federal Government this long to realise the enormity of this problem, some asked, amid protests over the girls’ abduction at home and abroad.

There were protests in Lagos, Abeokuta, Ilorin, Calabar,Ibadan, Abakaliki, London and the United States

INSIDE

Nigerian teen wins Gates Millennium Scholarship -Page 28

International education good for cultural identity -Page 46

(U.S.).

The protesters called for a coordinated plan by the government to rescue the girls. The campaign slogan, Bring Back Our Girls, resonates worldwide amid the outrage over the girls’ fate.

Where are the girls? Are they still in the country or have they been married off and taken across the border to Chad, Cameroun or Niger as reported? Fears over the girls’ fate heightened on Monday, with the threat of Boko Haram leader Ibrahim Shekau, on video to sell the girls, if “Allah directs him to do so”.

He said: “I abducted the girls in a western education school and you are surprised! I said western education should end, it should fold up. Girls should go and marry.

I am going to sell the girls by Allah. I abducted your girls.

I will sell them in the market, by Allah. There is a market • Continued on Page 26

CAMPUS LIFE

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

Robbers invade Agric varsity -Page 29

THE NATION THURSDAY,MAY 8, 2014

26

EDUCATION

•Protesters sit outside Onikan Stadium on May Day

Agony of a nation

• Continued from Page 27

for selling humans. Allah says I should sell.

He commands me to sell. I will sell women.

I sell women. Girls, you should go and get married. You will know that there is a market for humans.”

Despite the global outrage over the April 14 incident, Boko Haram, on Monday, abducted another eight girls in an overnight raid of homes in Warambe, Gwoza in Borno State on Monday.

How many girls are missing?

There has also been conflict in the number of missing girls. Initially, the military reported that 170 had been found, but before their parents denied that claim. Fifty-three of the 276 abducted girls are said to have been found.

The number of girls declared missing is over 200. Head of National Office, West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Mr Charles Eguridu, told the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, last Friday that 530 candidates comprising 396 girls and 135 boys were enrolled for the 2014 May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), from Chibok and environs whose schools have been shut because of the Boko Haram insurgency.

Following the girls’ abduction, Eguridu said 189 candidates were relocated to Uba, another town, to continue the examination.

Eguridu said he would find out the make up of the 189 in order to determine the number of those abducted.

WAEC, he said, had advised the Borno State Government to relocate the candidates to the state capital, Maiduguri, for the examination.

On Sunday, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) released a list of 180 girls missing.

It was released by Evangelist Matthew Owojaiye, the President/Founder of Old Time Revival Hour, Kaduna and immediate past chairman of Northern States Christian and Elders Forum (NOCSEF), an affiliate of CAN.

Presidential response

President Goodluck Jonathan is under fire for not responding promptly to the matter.

Critics are questioning his failure to visit Chibok. Many also wonder why the President has not told Nigerians the steps gov-

ernment is taking to rescue the girls.

On Monday, during the Presidential Media Chat (PMC), Jonathan said the Principal of the school, Mrs Asabe Kwabusa, told him 53 girls escaped, while the Police have a record of 44.

He promised to get the girls and sought the cooperation of their parents and guardians.

“Let us reassure them that we will get the girls out. The good thing about this is that we have not heard of any harm they have done to the girls. We are hearing rumours that they have been married off. The cooperation we need from the parents and guardians is very critical. If we get the cooperation, we will find them,” he said.

Jonathan said the government has been trying to trace the abductors using satellite technology and other equipment. But the military, he said, lacks adequate equipment.

He also sought help from the international community, particularly the United States.

“We need to recruit more soldiers and train them. If we recruit more soldiers, then we need to have equipment. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough equipment. What we are trying to do within a few years is what should have been done in the past 20 years,” he said.

Last Friday, the President set up a factfinding committee to actual number of abducted girls. The committee is headed by Brig General Ibrahim Sabo. Members include, Hajia Hawa Ibrahim, Hajia Fatima Kwaku and representatives of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), All Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), National Parents Teachers Association, Nigeria Police, State Security Service, Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Federal Ministry of Information (committees’ spokesperson), Federal Ministry of Justice, Borno State Government, United Nations, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Permanent Secretary (Special Services Office), Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Reactions

Many of them would have been defiled. Some may come back pregnant and possibly infected. I just wonder how their parents would be feeling.

Well I want to suggest in this present case the use of force should be avoided.

This is a very serious and delicate issue.

The lives of these children are at stake

‘

’

Many Nigerians have questioned the government’s seriousness in addressing the insecurity in the North which has made school children vulnerable. They are surprised that such a large number of girls could disappear and not be found for over three weeks.

Mrs Esther Yakubu, whose daughter, Dorcas, is among the missing girls, said in a television programme anchored by the Chairman of the Editorial Board of The Nation, Mr Sam Omatseye on Sunday that the government is neglecting the matter because it happened in the hinterland.

“Since the girls got missing three weeks ago only those who managed to jump off trucks and ran for their lives were able to escape. Government has not found even one of them. In the name of God government should look for these girls. Is it because we

are in a village? Is it because of that that we do not matter?” she asked.

Ibilola Essien, who works for Act Now, a non-governmental organisation provides factual information about indices in Nigeria, said President Jonathan should lead the rescue operation himself.

“I came out because of our girls. It has gotten to the height. We have a Commanderin- Chief with supreme control over the military. He should come out and lead the rescue effort. The North is part of Nigeria; we share the same green passport. As far back as 2011, when Osama Bin Laden died, it was revealed that he sought alliance with Boko Haram and we are treating it as a joke,” she said.

On Sunday, Serving Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, said President Jonathan should be concerned that over 200 girls are missing because he recently walked his daughter down the aisle.

“President Jonathan’s adopted daughter had a state wedding, yet people’s daughters have gone missing for the past three weeks,” he said.

Seun Ransome-Kuti, who led a group called Change Movement Nigeria to Onikan Stadium on May Day, said the political leaders are unconcerned about state of insecurity because their children attend international schools.

He said: “The people in charge of this government have their own children in international schools and even if they are in Nigeria, they attend schools that are run by foreigners because they can’t send their children to the standard of the school they are running. I am a well travelled musician and yet I cannot afford this international school for my child.”

In Aba, Abia State, founder of an NGO, Concerned Advocate for Good Governance (CAGG), Olusegun Bamgbose expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s efforts in rescuing the girls, and advised it to employ diplomacy in getting them released.

He said: “The abduction of these innocent children is not only pathetic but very unfor• Continued on Page 27

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THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

EDUCATION

•A praying woman at a protest in Borno.

Agony of a nation • Continued from Page 26

tunate and disheartening. Many of them would have been defiled. Some may come back pregnant and possibly infected. I just wonder how their parents would be feeling.

Well I want to suggest in this present case the use of force should be avoided. This is a very serious and delicate issue. The lives of these children are at stake. We cannot afford to lose even one of them. I will, therefore, suggest strategic and diplomatic negotiation to get these innocent children out of Boko Haram net. The use of force may be counterproductive.”

Prof Charles Chinekezi of the American International Research Institute, Southeast Bureau in Aba, who described the incident as a national disgrace, said getting the girls back has become an albatross of the government.

“Something must be done and must seen to be done and very fast too, because this is a national disaster, a national tragedy, national disgrace to democracy. It is also a disgrace to human dignity and corporate image of sovereign Nigeria. We want them fetched alive since the abductors didn’t go straight to liquidation and massacre like we know according to security reports, then these young people must be recovered. It is a duty the government cannot run away from it. It is an albatross on the neck of the government,” he said.

Yobe State All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Leader Hajiya Ladi Jibrin urged the abductors to release the girls unconditionally.

“Cutting off those young girls from education is most wicked and we as mothers cannot keep quiet. As mothers, the thought of not seeing your child is very devastating not to talk of thinking about her safety in the hands of people you do not understand their mind set. It is the last experience that you would even not wish your enemy to undergo. Sadly, like a movie scene, the reality is living with us.

“I feel so sad, whoever is holding these girls should please in the name of Allah the most high release them unconditionally to their parents”, Hajia Jibrin pleaded.

Implication on education

With the abduction of the girls and killings of school children in the North, the outof-school rate is expected to soar. Before insurgency in the North worsened with the killing of 59 pupils at the Federal Government College in Buni Yadi in Yobe State in February, Nigeria had the highest number of out-of-school children (10.5 million) in the world.

Chairperson of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Yobe State, Hajiya Hussana Jibrin said she is afraid of sending her daughter to school because of the insecurity.

“As a mother I was really scared to let my baby girl go to school. And if all women are feeling this way then the fight for educating our children will never be realised. I call on everybody to not just pray but above all government at all levels must show concern because everyone is living in fear,” she said.

If parents fear to send their children to

•Some men mourning the abducted girls

CAN’S LIST OF ABDUCTED GIRLS 1. Deborah Abge 2. Awa Abge 3. Hauwa Yirma 4. Asabe Manu 5. Mwa Malam pogu 6. Patiant Dzakwa 7. Saraya Mal. Stover 8. Mary Dauda 9. Gloria Mainta 10.Hanatu Ishaku 11. Gloria Dama 12. Tabitha Pogu 13. Maifa Dama 14. Ruth kollo 15. Esther Usman 16. Awa James 17. Anthonia Yahonna 18. Kume Mutah 19. Aisha Ezekial 20. Nguba Buba 21. Kwanta Simon 22. Kummai Aboku 23. Esther Markus 24. Hana Stephen 25. Rifkatu Amos 26. Rebecca Mallum 27.Blessing Abana 28. Ladi Wadai 29. Tabitha Hyelampa 30. Ruth Ngladar 31. Safiya Abdu 32. Na’omi Yahonna 33. Solomi Titus 34. Rhoda John 35. Rebecca Kabu 36. Christy Yahi 37. Rebecca Luka 38. Laraba John 39 Saratu Markus 40. Mary Usman 41. Debora Yahonna 42.Naomi Zakaria 43. Hanatu Musa 44. Hauwa Tella 45.Juliana Yakubu 46. Suzana Yakubu

47.Saraya Paul 48. Jummai Paul 49. Mary Sule 50. Jummai John 51. Yanke Shittima 52. Muli Waligam 53. Fatima Tabji 54. Eli Joseph 55. Saratu Emmanuel 56. Deborah Peter 57. Rahila Bitrus 58. Luggwa Sanda 59. Kauna Lalai 60. Lydia Emmar 61. Laraba Maman 62. Hauwa Isuwa 63. Confort Habila 64. Hauwa Abdu 65. Hauwa Balti 66. Yana Joshua 67. Laraba Paul 68. Saraya Amos 69. Glory Yaga 70. Na’omi Bitrus 71. Godiya Bitrus 72. Awa Bitrus 73. Na’omi Luka 74. Maryamu Lawan 75. Tabitha ?Silas 76. Mary Yahona 77. Ladi Joel 78. Rejoice Sanki 79. Luggwa ?Samuel 80. Comfort ?Amos 81. Saraya Samuel 82. Sicker Abdul 83.Talata Daniel 84. Rejoice Musa 85. Deborah Abari 86. Salomi Pogu 87. Mary Amor 88. Ruth Joshua 89. Esther John 90. Esther Ayuba 91. Maryamu Yakubu 91. Zara Ishaku

school, Ibilola Essien says it spells doom for economic development and would further entrench poverty in a part of Nigeria which is already very poor.

“I am really worried about what education will mean for them. If they rather keep their children at home, then a country without education cannot progress. It will only increase poverty,” she said.

Cross River Commissioner for Education, Prof Offiong Offiong, who also chairs the Ni-

When found, they ‘ should be quaran-

tined. They should be examined medically. The Federal Government should give them free scholarship.

This Boko Haram is a propaganda to destroy the country

140. Saraya Yanga 93. Maryamu Wavi 141. Kauna Luka 94. Lydia Habila 142. Christiana Bitrus 95. Laraba Yahonna 143. Yana Bukar 96. Na’omi Bitrus 144. Hauwa Peter 97. Rahila Yahanna 145. Hadiza Yakubu 98. Ruth Lawan 146. Lydia Simon 99. Ladi Paul 147. Ruth Bitrus 100. Mary Paul 148. Mary Yakubu 101. Esther Joshua 102. Helen Musa 149. Lugwa Mutah 103. Margret Watsai 150. Muwa Daniel 104. Deborah Jafaru 151. Hanatu Nuhu 105. Filo Dauda 152. Monica Enoch 106. Febi Haruna 153. Margret Yama 107. Ruth Ishaku 154. Docas Yakubu 108. Racheal Nkeki 155. Rhoda Peter 109. Rifkatu Soloman 156. Rifkatu Galang 110. Mairama yahaya 157. Saratu Ayuba 111. Saratu Dauda 158. Naomi Adamu 112. Jinkai Yama 159. Hauwa Ishaya 113. Margret Shettima 160. Rahap Ibrahim 114. Yana Yidau 162. Deborah Soloman 115. Grace Paul 163. Hauwa Mutah 116. Amina Ali 164. Hauwa Takai 117. Palmata Musa 165. Serah Samuel 118. Awagana Musa 119. Pindar Nuhu 120. Yana Pogu BELOW ARE THE 121. Saraya Musa MUSLIM GIRLS. 122. Hauwa Joseph 123. Hauwa Kwakwi 166. Aishatu Musa 125. Hauwa Musa 167. Aishatu Grema 126. Maryamu Musa 168. Hauwa Nkeki 127. Maimuna Usman 169. Hamsatu Abubakar 128. Rebeca Joseph 170. Mairama Abubakar 129. Liyatu Habitu 171. Hauwa Wule 130. Rifkatu Yakubu 172. Ihyi Abdu 131. Naomi Philimon 173. Hasana Adamu 132. Deborah Abbas 174. Rakiya Kwamtah 133. Ladi Ibrahim 175. Halima Gamba 134. Asabe Ali 176. Aisha Lawan 135. Maryamu Bulama 177. Kabu Malla 136. Ruth Amos 178. Yayi Abana 137. Mary Ali 179. Falta Lawan 138. Abigail Bukar 180. Kwadugu Manu 139. Deborah Amos

gerian Commissioners for Education Forum, is concerned about the gender disparity the insecurity problem will cause.

He said: “The country according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) statistics has the highest number of out-of-school cases and the bulk of this as far as that report is concerned comes from the Northeast. Now with this dimension of attack on schools and recent kidnapping of the girls it is going to further accelerate the out of school phenomenon in the region and for us as stakeholders this is the most uncomfortable thing. We are getting into a regime where many more students are being discouraged. Also the gender disparity is going to be deepened because the impact of what happened about this abduction means that a lot of parents whether in the Northeast or other parts of the North would be very apprehensive about sending their girls to boarding school and that would not augur well for the standard of education in particular for the girl-child. For us, it is something that should disturb all Nigerians and indeed the entire world. “

If the girls return…

’

Nigerians hope that the girls will come back home safely. But to reintegrate them into the society, the pupils should get medical and psychological checkups, and counselling to overcome the trauma they went

‘

Something must be done and must seen to be done, and very fast too because this is a national disaster, a national tragedy, national disgrace to democracy. It is also a disgrace to human dignity and corporate image of sovereign Nigeria

’

through, the respondents said.

While praying for their early release, the President of International Integrity Bishops and Faithful Ministers Network Worldwide, ArchBishop Friday Nwator, said the girls should be rehabilitated when they return.

“They should be rehabilitated by government by providing them with all that will make them put the experience behind them when they regain their freedom,” he said.

Chairman of Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Cross River State, Mr Eyonsa Itam, said psychological help should be readily available for them.

“If they are found, I strongly believe that any child that wants to go to school would continue. The child would adjust. They wanted to get education having known the importance. However they need psychological help because of the trauma. If their safety is not guaranteed that fear would still be there. But any child interested would still go to school,” he said.

State Chairman, Medical Workers Union of Nigeria Comrade Sunny Osayande, who said they should be quarantined for medical examination, added that the girls should get scholarships to complete their education.

“When found, they should be quarantined.

They should be examined medically. The Federal Government should give them free scholarship. This Boko Haram is a propaganda to destroy the country,” he said.

Mr Nath Omame, who is based in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, advised the government to send the girls abroad for further education up to PhD level. He explained that doing so woud restore their faith in Nigeria.

“This would turn them into opinion moulders in the society and possibly be used to disseminate the fact that Boko Haram insurgency is very bad and detrimental to the society. By so doing, government would be able to send the message across, that a girl should not terminate her education because she has fallen victim to insurgents or some social misfits in the society,” he said.

A teacher in Ondo State, Mrs. Omowumi Nelson, says that WAEC should organise a special exam for the girls when they return.

“The government must ensure it speaks on behalf of the girls with WAEC on the reason why special examination should be conducted for them,” she said.

She urged parents, particularly those in the North not to allow the incident to discourage them from sending their female children to school.

28

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

EDUCATION

Nigeria should be proactive against cyber terrorism, says don

•Alese

A

LECTURER at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Dr Boniface Alese, has warned against complacency in checkmating cyber terrorism, which he said is budding in Nigeria.

Speaking while delivering the 2013/ 2014 First Bank Professorial Chair in computer science lecture at FUTA Alese, an associate professor of Computer Science, said the government should consider cybercrime and cyber terrorism issues at all times if the country wants to properly secure its citizens and polity.

He described cyber terrorists as those who engage in conducts that constitute cybercrime for the purpose of effecting political change through the intimida-

tion of a substantial portion of the civilian population.

Alese, who spoke on the topic, Security Issues in Nigeria: Getting Ready for the Digital Challenge, said the digital solution must be factored into the ongoing efforts to tackle the current security challenges bedeviling the country.

He said this is because Electronic Information systems are vital for maintaining the national security of any nation.

He said the internet has become an invaluable means for terrorists to spread propaganda and recruit agents. He affirmed that traces of such can already be seen in the activities of Boko Haram.

“In providing solution to cybercrime, three things are very important. These include the policy issues, the technical issues, and the legal issues. The policy issues bring about direction, the technical issues bring about practical solutions to prevention and detection while the legal issues are concerned with how to legally handle fall outs that may arise from the crime,” he said.

With physical wars giving way to cyber wars globally, Alese said Africa needs to be involved in tackling it with

Nigeria taking the lead. Citing the Nigerian example, he said the expertise needed in tackling cybercrimes is to invest in research into the menace. He said through research, security agencies would get necessary information to surmount the problem.

He also suggested the partnership approach to cyber security by involving all governments, the private sector, academia and the border communities.

Alese, however, noted that unemployment, economic influence and youth excessiveness provide motivation for cybercrimes. He identified the most prevalent cybercrimes in Nigeria as Advance Fee Fraud, forgery, ATMrelated fraud, phishing and spamming.

In his address, the FUTA Vice Chancellor, Prof Adebiyi Daramola said the

lecture is to keep faith with the principle guiding the endowed chair and praised the symbiotic relationship the university enjoys with First Bank.

Daramola also praised Alese for his commitment to research.

“Dr. Alese has distinguished himself outstandingly in teaching, research and general conduct. Since he took up the First Bank of Nigeria Plc. Endowment Chair, he has been involved in extensive research in his chosen area of interest, which is Computer Network Security,” he said.

The occasion attracted the presence of FUTA Principal Officers, Staff, Students, Management of First Bank of Nigeria Plc. represented by Mrs. Tolulope Akinbogun, security agencies and traditional rulers.

H

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

dren are being born, they would be sent to schools for training and would need quality educational materials for sound intellectual development, which is why Learn Africa is in business.

He explained that the firm’s New Concept Mathematics and New Concept English have been assessed and adopted by many states including Ogun, Oyo and Kwara for use by their schools and students.

Oladipo said: “As people are giving birth to children and they are being sent to schools, so also we need to train them, we sell knowledge and for you to sell knowledge you must be knowledgeable, we are training to sharpen the skills of our sales team on yearly basis,” he said.

With books meant to be reviewed every three years, Oladipo said the workers need to be on top of their game.

“The National Council on Education recommends that books must be reviewed every three years, that means as a publisher, you must come up with new books every three years and those books must be in line with the school curriculum, if you don’t do that, it means we are selling obsolete knowledge. For you to remain in business, you have to review your books,” he said.

May 16 deadline for Lagos exam PARENTS have until May 16 to register their wards in Primary Six for the 2014/2015 Placement Test for admission into JSS1 classes of public junior secondary schools.

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB), Mrs Adewunmi Okoh, noted that the examination, which is compulsory for all Primary Six pupils attending both public and private primary schools in Lagos State, is scheduled to hold June 21.

The SUBEB Chairman, Mrs Gbolahan Daodu, said only Primary Six pupils are eligible for the examination, and urged parents to ensure their wards are registered by their schools at the Lagos State Examination Board, Agege.

UNILAG alumni remember Sofoluwe THE University of Lagos Alumni Association, Lagos State Branch will hold the second Annual Memorial Lecture in honour of Late Prof Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe, former Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos next Monday at the Afe Babalola Auditorium.

The lecture entitled: Funding of University Education in Nigeria: Trends, Challenges and New Directions will be delivered by the incumbent Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Rahamon Bello.

Prof A. Ogunye will chair the occasion while Sir Kessington Adebutu, M.D / CEO, The Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation is the Special Guest of Honour.

National President of the association, Dr Sunny Kuku, is the Chief Host, while the UNILAG branch president of the association, Dr A. Ogunleye, is the host.

Laptops for new dept THE newly established Theatre and Media Arts Department of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, has received a boost following the donation of three laptops by Mr Tope Agbeyo.

The donor who is the Chief Executive Officer of Botosoft Technology and an indigene of Usi Ekiti, said his gesture was to show support for the university and contribute to the growth of the department.

The Head of Department, Dr Kola Oyewo, said Agbeyo’s gesture was to show love to EKSU. The EKSU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oladipo Aina, who spoke through the Dean of Faculty of Arts, Prof M.A. Abiodun, thanked the donor and called on other well meaning Ekiti indigenes to support the institution.

VC seeks alumni support

Retreat seeks quality education for pupils

OW to meet the knowledge need of Nigerian children with quality educational materials formed the crux of Learn Africa Plc’s training session and retreat in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, for its workforce.

Over 50 of the publishing firm’s sales persons and senior managers gathered at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, on Monday.

They brainstormed on how to enhance Nigerian secondary school pupils’ chances of gaining knowledge and also passing their examinations in key subjects such as mathematics and English Language via quality books.

The participants went home with the conviction that those who impart knowledge must themselves be knowledgeable and that teachers, schools, policy makers on education among others, who would also make use of the books, are adequately reached and informed about the availability of such quality books.

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Learn Africa, Mr Segun Oladipo, said the meeting was to sharpen and broaden the mind of the sales operatives to enhance their capacity to respond to the market demands.

Oladipo noted that as more chil-

EKSU FILE

•Oloruntobi

Nigerian teen wins Gates Millennium Scholarship

O

LORUNTOBI Dare, a senior pupil at the Hubert Flowers High School, United States, has been numbered among the 1,000 students to have earned the Gates Millennium Scholarship for 2014, a feat that has made her school, family and friends proud.

For this feat, Oloruntobi has been recognised as “a leader for America’s future”.

The letter announcing her nomination reads in part:”We are very excited for you to join the community of Gates Scholars and we are very pleased to confer this distinct honor that distinguishes you as a Leader for America’s Future.”

With the scholarship, the daughter of a journalist father, Sunday, and a nurse, Olukemi, will get a solid financial package that covers tuition and other incidences for her higher education to any college in the U.S. till PhD level.

The scholarship is renewable up through a doctorate degree in specific fields, and carries an estimated value of up to $350,000.

She is headed to Syracuse University, upstate New York, a private University to start her undergrad studies.

However, excellence is not new to the teenager, who has been a consistent Talented and Gifted (TAG), student since she started pre-school in the USA.

She has won several awards including Most Outstanding Science Student, Hubert Flowers High School, Maryland; Winner Prince George’s Community Church, 8th Annual African American History Essay Contest; 3rd place winner Maryland Coalition for Gifted and Talented Education Essay Contest 2014; and Maryland Representative at the commemoration of the 70th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Day Parade.

Oloruntobi’s brilliance may be in the genes. Her father, Sunday Dare, one of Nigeria’s leading journalists has a track record of winning similar international prizes. In 1998, he won the Freedom Forum Journalism Fellowship that took him to New York University. In year 2000, he won the Nieman Harvard University Fellowship to study in Cambridge Massachusetts and in 2010, he again won the Oxford University, UK Journalism Fellowship where he carried out an academic research on the impact of social media and democratisation in Nigeria and Africa.

Since Gates Millennium Scholarship was established in 1999, over 10,315 Gates Millennium Scholars have completed a degree. The fiveyear graduation rate is 80.6 percent and the six-year graduation rate is over 86.3 percent. Twenty-eight percent of the scholars transition into graduate school.

THE Vice Chancellor of the Ekiti State University, Prof. Oladipo Aina has described members of the Alumni Association of EKSU as part of the true owners of the University.

Aina made the remarks at a special convention held at the 3000-seater auditorium of the university organised to amend the association’s constitution.

The Vice Chancellor who praised the alumni members for their tenacity, abiding faith and love for their alma mater informed them that great universities all over the world mostly depend on their alumni for donations, grants and endowment to boost their financial status.

He explained that EKSU must begin to look beyond government for financial support and expressed optimism that the over 50,000 strong alumni members of the university are capable of turning around its fortunes.

The National President of the association, Mr. Bola Ogunlayi, assured the Vice Chancellor of their readiness to work with the university towards achieving its vision of attaining world-class status.

NUC team visits affiliate colleges THE National Universities Commission (NUC) has begun routine accreditation of programmes/ courses in the colleges affiliated to Ekiti State University (EKSU).

The NUC Team was at the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo recently, to assess some programmes in Arts Education and Science Education.

EKSU Vice Chancellor, Prof Oladipo Aina, who received the NUC Team at the College, lauded its efforts to ensure standard in the education sector through its assessment and accreditation process.

Aina assured the team of EKSU’s commitment to best practices in running degree programmes with the affiliate colleges.

The EKSU Vice-Chancellor explained that the vision of the university to transform to a world class institution has been embraced by all its affiliate colleges which have gone on to upgrade their academic standard and attract the best tutors to produce graduates who would be sought after in the labour market.

The NUC Team was made up of Prof. Muhammadu Abdullah, Prof. Dauladi Musa and Prof Oluyemisi Badejo among others.

29

Thrilling campaigns at OAU

Why UNN students shun library Page 42

Page 31

*CAMPUSES *NEWS *PEOPLE *KUDOS& KNOCKS *GRANTS

CAMPUS LIFE

THE NATION

0805-450-3104 email: campusbeat@yahoo.com THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

All hell was let loose at the University of Agriculture in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, last Friday when a sixman gang invaded the campus to rob a bank. Guns boomed for over 30 minutes as the robbers operated.

BENJAMIN IDOKO (400-Level Education) and AMOS ABBA (200-Level Mathematics and Computer Science Education) report.

•Crowd of students at the scene after the robbers left

I

T was a black Friday for staff and students of the University of Agriculture in Makurdi (UNIAGRIC). A six-man gang invaded the campus to rob a new generation bank. The robbery occurred during the ongoing semester examination.

Before the robbers’ arrival, the bank’s premises was throbbing with customers.

There was a long queue of students waiting to use the Automated Teller Machine (ATM). Customers, mainly the university staff and students, were inside the bank for some transactions.

When the robbers arrived, all hell was let loose. Customers ran helter skelter as guns boomed. Some were trapped in the banking hall. Offices and business centres close to the bank were quickly shut.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the robbers came on three motorcycles with a large rucksack containing guns and bullets. They headed to the east wing of the institution, where the bank is located.

As they alighted from their bikes, they shot sporadically into the air to scare people.

Robbers invade Agric varsity A security personnel attached to the bank reportedly returned fire. When he could not withstand the hoodlums’ firepower, the security officer fled.

The robbers took strategic positions around the bank, shooting. They attempted to enter the bank but the security doors had been locked from behind.

The robbers fired at the bullet-proof doors repeatedly to no avail. Frustrated, the robbers vented their anger on customers at the ATM terminal. The victims were dispossessed of their phones and personal effects, including ATM cards.

They went to a mini market around the area, carting away laptops, phones and other valuables left by business operators and their customers.

For over 30 minutes, the robbers operated on the campus, to the dismay of many.

Anthony Nwonta, a 300-Level Mathematics and Computer Science student, who was attacked by the robbers, said: “I was in one of the shops in the mini market, charging my laptop. When I heard gunshots, I remained indoors. After a while, I saw one of the robbers walking towards the shop; I went on my knee with my hands in the air, begging the robber not to shoot me.

He asked me to face down before taking my laptop, two other laptops in the shop, phones and other electronic gadgets. Then he kicked me as he was leaving. It was a terrible experience for me; I am still in shock.”

The robbery left students jittery as they were yet to get over the attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen, who killed people in Daudu and Gbajimba - the university’s host communities. The gunshots frightened

staff and students amid reports that the Fulani herdsmen had returned to the school.

Andrew Orkuma, a 100-Level Physics student, who lives off-campus, said: “I was sleeping when I heard the gunshots. As I got up, I heard people shouting Fulani herdsmen had attacked the school.

“Without giving it a second thought, I ran out of the room, leaving my door ajar and joined the people running into the bush.

When we got to the College of Advanced and Professional Studies, I discovered I did not have my shirt and trousers on.”

A woman, who resides in Ujam Village, close to the school, in tears, said: “I left four children at home and I don’t know their whereabouts.”

•Continued on page 30

•’We must stop malaria’ •Students hail Tinubu’s appointment -P32

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

30

CAMPUS LIFE

The pursuit of Pushing ignorance and Out mediocrity with

H

AVE you taken a closer look at our society lately? If you did, like I always do, have you noticed and pondered on the high level of ignorance and mediocrity that is the order of the day? This ignorance is more glaring and pervasive when it comes to the issue of education and choosing leaders to lead us. I have entered into discussions with supposed intellectuals and have been shocked at their level of reasoning when it comes to leadership selection in Nigeria. I’ve often left with the impression that if such individuals, with their level of education, reason the way they do, how would the man on the street reason?

So how did we arrive at this place where some Master’s degree holders and even PhD holders are bereft of ideas or peddle ‘beer parlour’ discussions as theories? There is no need discussing our first degree graduates for what most of them are is plain to all.

As I ponder this I’ve come to the conclusion that there is no doubt that much of Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges today stems from our lopsided system of education where standards are perverted alongside other values. One recurring decimal about us as a people is our misinterpretation and misrepresentation of things, concepts and situations which, in other places where sanity reigns, would have one rational meaning and significance.

One of such areas is the quality of education. Over the years, a subtle debate has been a raging whether education should be free, subsidised or privatised. Some of us passed through a regime of free to subsidised education. But I must stress that what we learnt during this era is far removed from what is being taught in this era of unbridled privatisation of education. Some have argued that the ‘cheap,’ education in Nigeria is perhaps the bane of our development.

I would rather see it the other way round.

Beyond cost however, our education, especially in the public schools, is cheap in content. This cuts across board and applies to primary and secondary schools as well as

Agbo Agbo 08116759750 (SMS only)

•aagboa@gmail.com the universities and polytechnics.

The way Nigerian education is presently structured, it has become an easy means to ignorance and the celebration of mediocrity, rather than a means to individual and social freedom, which are the germs great societies are made of. In such societies, credible and functional public education system that builds the total man are encouraged and massively supported by the government. And in such societies, it has been at the forefront of jump starting their economies. Three examples would suffice here.

South Korea, Japan and Singapore are countries with conditions similar to ours yet they were able to rise above their circumstances.

After the twin atomic bomb exploded over Hiroshima and Nagasaki which promptly ended the Second World War, no one can doubt what education and social commitment can do in the transformation of communities and societies. The magic of post-war Japan has, indeed, been a function of a sound educational system and an inspiring commitment to the collective heritage and common aspirations of the people.

South Korea which only six decades ago was classified alongside Nigeria as an underdeveloped society is now a global economic engine room with its products competing with the best in the world. The same goes for Singapore which rose from being a third world to a first world nation in almost the same time as South Korea.

This goes to drive home the point that in no sane society can affordable and quality education be divorced from a holistic and sustainable concept of development. Not only that, education is also one of the major arbiters of socialisation. When it is reduced to mere ability to obtain a certificate by fair or foul

means, – like is done in Nigeria - it becomes a tool for underdevelopment that glorifies ignorance and mediocrity.

For qualitative education to be achieved and sustained, critical value must be placed on it so that those who receive it can see beyond carrying worthless certificates around which we see here as a passport to securing elusive jobs. Rather we need to refocus on the imperative to apply the gains of education to the needs of society. In other words, education, especially at the university level needs to be properly valued, if international standards can be attained.

Painful as it may sound, I think we have arrived at a position where we have to review our public education system and see whether they conform with current realities, both internally and globally. I passed through the university system when tuition was free.

But I often ask myself if this is feasible presently. The answer is a painful no as I come to the hard reality that the almost free nature of university education (especially in the federal universities) is part of the bane of education in Nigeria and the purveyor of ignorance and mediocrity.

Looking at the obverse side however, one may say that state universities where higher fees are paid have not fared better. But I think that the fundamental index for determining the justifiability or otherwise of fees is the average income of those from whose pockets the payment is to be made. If Nigerian workers earned adequate income, the argument for fees increase would be much better justified.

But all the same, it remains laughable that in today’s Nigeria children in day-care, kindergarten and primary schools pay several times higher than most university students in terms of school fees. I recollect an incident in the university when our dean of student affairs pointed this out to us during a demonstration for a slight increase in library fees; he had to hurriedly leave when the students threatened to stone him. This, coupled with lack of adequate funding, has left the university system in a very sorry state.

The fact that education is ‘cheap’ remains the major problem in the sector. By the word ‘cheap,’ I am looking beyond cost now and directing attention to course contents. As the world develops right before our eyes and seeks new challenges, curricula in the Nige-

rian education system seem to be stale and shrinking. Lecture notes that were used decades ago are still being peddled by some lectures in some courses at our varsities.

Much of what passes for the curricula of some major courses in Nigerian institutions of learning have not been reviewed for decades.

Before now, only the best brains and outstanding scholars were employed in the schools, especially the universities. But today teaching, scholarship, and academics are all-comers affairs as the best brains go to other sectors where they may not be needed or may not have anything to offer.

Much of the ignorance that encircles us certainly stems from the education industry. It is easy to point to government’s lackluster attitude as the major problem, but that cannot be the whole truth. The education industry is also an adversary unto itself. I watched a spectacle on television recently where secondary school teachers in a northern state could not read primary four English textbooks! If they can’t read how would their students fare then?

At the higher level, there are instances of lecturers who are bereft of ideas and cannot write correct sentences; yet they are there teaching and supervising students. Given the role of education in human societies, Nigeria’s future remains very bleak unless something is done urgently. I say so because the educational system is a mirror of the society. This is especially true of the universities which should be centres of excellence, but which have become a pitiable extension of the decadent political system in Nigeria. This perhaps explains why some are never run with any defined budget and why some vice-chancellors operate like lords of the manor and cannot encourage true freedom which is germane to academic excellence.

If the universities – indeed the entire educational system – must be the vanguard of excellence and development, they have to operate at a level higher than the not too pleasant realities that define contemporary Nigeria. They should serve as the arrowheads to tame the high level of ignorance and mediocrity that pervade our society. This is the crux of the matter: morality and education must go hand in hand in the moulding of the total man. The ultimate purpose of education is divinely central to the pursuit of a modern society, and that in this regard, most have fallen short of expectation in Nigeria.

ESSAY CONTEST FOR UNDERGRADS THE Nation CAMPUSLIFE, in collaboration with AfricanLiberty.org and Network for a Free Society, is calling for entries into an essay competition.

Details are as follows: Question: Freedom creates prosperity. It unleashes human talent, invention and innovation, creating wealth where none existed before. Discuss.

Eligibility: All African Students in any tertiary institutions (university, polytechnic, college of education and technical schools) in Africa. The format of the text should be in Microsoft word and not more than 1,500 words.

Interested students can visit www.africanliberty.org for background materials. Note that plagiarism is not allowed; any text or sentences copied from other people works must be indicated in quotation marks and credit must be given at the bottom of the paper to the author. Any entry that contains plagiarised work will be disqualified.

On the first page of the completed essay, please write your full names, department, level of study and name of institution.

Also include your email address and mobile phone number.

Send your entries to adedayo.thomas@gmail.com Entries will be received between March 6 and June 6, 2014.

Late entries will not be accepted. Winners will be announced on July 3 , 2014. All entries will get a free book titled Why Liberty

by Tom G. Palmer OR Foundation of a Free Society by Eamonn Butler. Please be sure you include your postal address if different from your school address.

Prizes: 1st - George Ayittey (Platinum Prize): $1,000 and scholarship to 2014 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA)/ASFL at the University of Cape Town Business School, South Africa, from August 14-17, 2014 2nd - Anthony Fisher (Gold Prize): $700 and scholarship to 2014 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA)/ASFL at the University of Cape Town Business School, South Africa, from August 14- 17, 2014 3rd - Derenle Edun (Silver Prize): $500 and scholarship to 2014 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA)/ASFL at University of Cape Town Business School. South Africa, from August 14- 17, 2014 4th – The Nation CAMPUSLIFE Media Prize (Bronze): $300 and scholarship to 2014 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA)/ASFL at the University of Cape Town Business School, South Africa, from August 14- 17, 2014.

We also have eight consolation prizes of $50 each.

•Bullet marks on the security doors •Continued from page 29

When the robbers were leaving, they used the school’s Hilux pickup to pack their loots. They abandoned the vehicle in a forest close to the campus. Soldiers moved to the scene, combing the forest in search of the robbers.

But the hoodlums escaped.

However, the soldiers rescued two female students in the forest.

Examinations were disrupted, because of the robbery.

Some departments have rescheduled the examinations.

Although no life was lost, stu-

Robbers invade varsity dents are counting their losses. Innocent Onoja, a final year student of Statistics and Computer Science Education, who retrieved his laptop, said: “I thought the robbers took my laptop, for which I am yet to complete payment. I was busy with my assignment at a shop near the bank when the robbers came. I ran out. After the robbers left, I discovered my laptop had been taken away. The person that helped me to pick it brought it back to me.”

John Igboka, also a final year Statistics and Computer Science Education student, met the robbers as they escaped from the campus. He said: “While I was trying to hide at the post office, one of the robbers saw me and asked me to lie down to avoid being hit by stray bullets.”

He urged the management to beef up security on campus, saying such incidents should not happen in a university.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

31

CAMPUS LIFE The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, has conducted the Students’ Union Government (SUG) election. The exercise will be remembered for the comical manner candidates conducted their campaigns. KEMI BUSARI and SIKIRU AKINOLA (400-Level Political Science) write.

•Students struggling against one another before the meal was served

T

HE Students’ Government (SUG) elections at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, are always full of theatrics.

The last SUG election was not an exception. Even the three-year ban on unionism did not stop the drama that always attends electioneering.

It was time for election, following the restoration of unionism.

It began with the sale of nomination forms, which went for N100.

Though the nomination forms were cheap, some of the aspirants ended up spending hundreds of thousands of naira, campaigning.

From the Halls of Residence to the academic area, walls and boards were covered in aspirants’ posters, banners and fliers. Some took to graffiti.

Many of these posters were pasted at strange locations. Some were seen on waste bins, toilet doors; some students wore their

•Students scrambling for the beans

Thrilling campaigns at OAU posters to make themselves popular. The outspoken among the candidates took their campaigns to the hostels and classrooms.

The campaigns took a dramatic turn when Adebayo Aladesanye, one of the candidates vying for Social Director, who is known on campus as DJ Daruga, brought a bag of beans, a large local iron pot, adogan (local stove) and firewood to Awolowo Hall. The food was cooked for the occupants, known for their legendary consumption of beans.

While the food was being prepared, students in other halls got information about the meal. They came to join their colleagues in Awolowo Hall, chanting Aro (comic) songs.

When the food was ready, students

surrounded the pot with different types of bowl, including small pots and water buckets to be served.

Adebayo said: “I decided to cook beans to revive the Ewa (bean) Day we used to celebrate in Awolowo Hall. I knew students living in the hall would never appreciate anything except beans.”

Adebayo’s opponent, Adewale Adesina, a 300-Level Demography and Social Statistics student, held a dance and soccer contest for students as campaign strategy. Participants won cash prizes up to N5,000.

Adewale’s supporter told CAMPUSLIFE that the candidate initially had the plan to feed Awolowo Hall occupants but “an opponent hijacked the strategy”.

Another drama ensued when Oluwafunmilola Oladejo, a Vice

Presidential candidate known as Olori, took her campaign to Awolowo Hall. As OAU tradition demands, female aspirants must kneel down to show respect to the occupants of the hall.

Oluwafunmilola did, but it was not enough for the male students.

They demanded to know her boyfriend. The following conversation took place: “What is your name?”

“Olori,” she answered. “Who is your boyfriend?”, “the kings,” she responded. “Where are they?” “They live in Awolowo Hall,” she replied.

Satisfied with the responses, Oluwafunmilola was allowed to campaign in the hostel.

On Manifesto Day at the Amphi Theatre, all the candidates were asked to dobale (prostrate) on the podium before speaking on their

programmes. Candidates, who forgot to prostrate before the audience, were booed off the stage.

There was drama when students discovered that the candidates, who enjoyed the loudest ovation, had been disqualified.

A student said: “The campaigns themselves are a good comedy show that is free for all students. It has been interesting all the way. At times, I find it hard to decide which campaign to witness because the candidates ran funny campaigns.”

Isaac Ibikunle, a Law student, was elected the union president; Olufunmilola, vice president.

Olatayo Shittu is the General Secretary.

Others elected are Louis Awode, Assistant General Secretary, Bamidele Oludare, Public Relations Officer, Adewale Adesina, Director of Socials, Damilola Oludayo, Director of Sports, Omolayo Awoyemi, Financial Secretary and Martins Ajewole, Welfare Officer.

Benue State Government is paying its students bursary. But the beneficiaries are complaining about the disbursement method. MSONTER ANZAA (300-Level Medicine, Benue State University) writes on the challenges faced by the beneficiaries.

Bursary of pain A

MID complaints, students of Benue State origin have been receiving their bursary for 2010 and 2011.

Many beneficiaries are displeased over the modality of payment.

In the past, staff of the Benue State Scholarship Board visited schools to pay beneficiaries. But the ongoing exercise is being conducted through a bank.

Some of the students are, however, not happy with the choice of Sterling Bank. The bank only has one branch in Makurdi, making payment slow and cumbersome.

When the students received the account number, they rushed to the bank, but the slow procedure caused a bottleneck.

When our correspondent visited the bank on Otukpo Road last Tuesday and

Thursday, its premises was crowded with students, queuing in the sun and struggling to get inside.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that only one cashier was assigned to attend to the students. There was a stampede on Thursday when the students overpowered two security officials at the bank’s entrance and forced their way inside.

Besides, getting an account opening form from the bank is a problem.

But outside, a nearby computer centre is making brisk business, selling the form to students.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the bank could not provide the form to the crowd of students, compelling it to stop issuing the form.

The business centre got copies of the form and is selling them

•Crowd of students at the bank

to students for N15. A certain electricity payment bill was also sold to students. Electricity bill is one of the requirements for opening the account.

A student, who bought the elec-

tricity bill, said: “I have provided every document required to open the account, including my voter’s card, but the bank official said I must provide a PHCN bill which I don’t have. I had to buy from

the shop.”

Another student said he was advised by the screening officer to go and photocopy the bill.

•Continued on page 44

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

32

CAMPUS LIFE

Students hail Tinubu’s appointment

S

TUDENTS of Ladoke University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso have praised the institution’s Visitors for appointing former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as chancellor.

Students said the selection of the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) would make the institution a reference point for its counterparts across the country.

The National Vice President (Internal) of the Federation of Oyo State Students Union (FOSSU), Abdullai Adeyemi, said: “Tinubu appointment would promote peace and stability of both academic and non-academic activities of the university. We commend Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and Ogbeni Rauf

•Somes of the participants in health officers’ uniform during awareness

E

NVIRONMENTAl Health Technology Students’ Association of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), has marked this year’s World Malaria Day with the theme: “Invest in the future: defeat malaria”.

The organisers said the day was commemorated to create awareness on the danger of malaria.

The association’s president, Celestine Onah, traced the history of the day to the 60th World Health Assembly held in March 2007, which replaced Africa Malaria Day. He said the focus was to educate the people about malaria, adding that everyone must join efforts to be control the deadly fever.

The Dean, School of Health Technology, Prof N. S. Dozie, praised

‘We must stop malaria’ From Mohammed Sani FUTO the students for organising the sensitisation programme, calling on stakeholders to join hands to eradicate the illness. He promised to support the students in their subsequent campaign.

The association recommended adequate funding of environmental health services across the nation as part of the measures to prevent malaria. It also government to make research grants available to tertiary institutions to carry out research on ways to eradicate the dis-

ease. Engaging environmental health practitioners in piloting the affairs of malaria control, the association said, would achieve effective results.

Haruna Wakili, a graduating student, said: “We commemorate Malaria Day to send a message to the world that malaria is an environmental health problems and needs environmental health solutions.

Simple.”

Ijeoma Mang, another student, said she had gained more knowledge on malaria control through the programm.

L

From Musliudeen Adebayo IBADAN Aregbesola of Osun State for the appointment.”

Andullai added that Tinubu’s wealth of experience and influence would bring development to the institution.

Sunday Agbedeyi, a student in the Department of Management, said the decision was in line with the yearnings of the institution’s students to appoint a man with such experience and strongwill to lead the institution.

James Ashiyanbi, a Civil Engineering student, said: “This appointment might actually be a great turnaround for Oyo and Osun states, especially in the area of education. It’s an honour to have such respected figure as chancellor.”

Law students take advocacy to streets

AW students of the University of Lagos, (UNILAG) in Akoka, under the aegis of Justice Oputa Chambers, held a rally in Bariga last week to educate residents on their fundamental human rights.

The rally was part of the programmes marking their annual outreach event tagged: “Law to the lay man.”

The head of chambers, Cornelius Gabriel, a 400-Level student, said: “The aim of the outreach is to educate the public on their rights and responsibilities under the law. We are sharing copies of the Constitution to those who could read. But for illiterates, we decided to give them verbal education. We are sensitising them on Child Rights Act as regards their roles in the society

UNIMAID inducts freshers

T

HE University of Maiduguri, (UNIMAID), Borno State, has held matriculation for 5,332 freshers admitted for the 2013/2014 academic session.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mala Daura, led body of principal officers to the ceremony, which took place at the Convocation Square.

In his address, Prof Daura said the university admitted new students in spite of the security challenges faced by the state.

He urged the freshers to adhere to the matriculation oath and obey rules of the school.

He said: “The oath is sacrosanct.

From Olusesi Oyindolapo UNILAG and ways they could be helped in getting justice.”

A 300-Level student, Adesanoye Ayomikun, said the programme was necessary to create a responsible citizenry. “The event is important, if only to inform the people about their rights as human beings.

“Some people said they were victims of unjust arrests when they go to police stattions to lodge complaints. It is really terrible and this programme has been able to provide answers to most of the pertinent questions.”

Residents and traders, who were sensitised by the students, expressed concerns over the poor state of justice in the country.

From Taiwo Isola UNIMAID You must adhere strictly to it as it provides the basis for a civilised university life. You are joining a reputable citadel of learning and you must, therefore, act in a manner consistent with continued maintenance of peace and stability in the system.”

The VC advised the students to shun vices and avoid violent demonstrations, adding that they should make use of the available sporting facilities and join any of the numerous students’ associations.

A freshman, Evelyn Ahmadu, congratulated herself, saying: “I am happy I gained admission into this prestigious university and I am determined to strive for excellence and make a mark.”

Defence Academy students seek partnership with varsity

•Freshers at the programme

M

EMBERS of the National University Geography Students Association (NUGSA) at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), have welcomed freshers.

The students were urged to shun vices that could jeopardise their academic pursuits.

The association’s president, Joseph Ubullian, charged the freshers to pursue excellence in anything they do, urging them to hint the association any challenges they face in the course of their studies.

Association welcomes freshers From Kingsley Amatanweze UNN A lecturer, Dr Chidi Nzeadibe, spoke on the careers available on the field, advising the freshers to choose career they have passion for. He urged them not rely on their lecture notes, but to focus on research, saying it would help them to understand their discipline better.

Prof Phil Eze told the freshers to obey rules and regulations, and focus on what brought them to the university.

Copies of a book titled: Environmental Impact Assessment of the Niger-delta Region was given to them.

A freshers, Chinenye Ugwu, said: “I am happy because today’s event made me appreciate geography more than before.”

S

TUDENTS of the department of History and International Studies of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) have visited the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State during their annual field and educational tour.

The Head of Department, Dr Akande Akran, said the visit was necessary to acquaint the students of historic places such as Lokoja where colonial heritage is sited to learn about the country’s socio-political experience.

He sought partnership with the university on areas that would help to promote knowledge.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof

From Tosin Makinde LOKOJA Abdulmumini Hassan Rafindadi, praised the students for embarking on the exercise.

Among the places visited is Mount Panti. They also saw colonial totem put in place by Lord Lugard and the first primary school in northern Nigeria, which is located in Lokoja.

The delegation was received by the institution’s principal officers, including the Registrar, Mrs Habiba Adeiza and the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Mohammed Suleimon Audu.

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON SOUTHEAST STATES THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

Ex-council chief debunks fraud charge

Inside Southeast’s surviving zoo •PAGE 36

•PAGE 35

Umuahia beckons at night I

T was once wise to steer clear of the streets after dark.

Almost an unwritten law, most workers and residents knew that it was best to head home at the close of work, eat dinner, say their prayers and get the family into bed latest by nine pm. The streets were not safe, and you had no one to blame but yourself if anything happened to you out at night.

All of that is now in the past.

Residents and visitors alike have been savouring the beauty and night sounds of Umuahia, the Abia State capital. And they have Governor Theodore Orji to thank for that. His administration has since teamed up with the security community to restore the capital city to its former peaceful glory. Nightlife is back.

Abia state was created on August 27, 1991 by the administration of military President Ibrahim Babangida and Umuahia was made the state capital. Since then the city remained a glorified village to the chagrin of everyone who cherishes growth.

Most people who visited Umuahia always saw it as a sleeping city and wondered when it would wake up from its deep slumber. Despite the rapid changes in every part of the city, it refused to wake up. However, no one can deny that nightlife in the state capital has improved and that is because security has been stepped up, as has infrastructure which enhances social activities in the night.

At a time, most people felt the poor security network in the state made it difficult for people to move freely at night, coupled with the security challenge that the state faced some time ago

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

which scared off some top investors from the state.

This was to change when Governor Orji appealed to the Presidency which directed the then Chief of Army Staff Gen Azubike Onyeabor Ihejirika to reopen the Ohafia military barracks which was abandoned for close to 20 years. Also, soldiers were directed to join other security agencies working in the state to check criminals.

The coming of soldiers restored hope to the residents of the state and also helped to improve nightlife in the state in general and Umuahia in particular.

Since then the government has also moved to make the city look like what a state capital should be with modernised infrastructures. However, it has not made the city to have a sound night life befitting of a state capital. Some residents, though, continue to avoid the streets at night, not because security has not improved, but because they are yet to shake off the psychological trauma of the nightmarish past.

If you are in Umuahia and find yourself outside by midnight, chances are that you will be alone on the streets, with only the security operatives to contend with. Surely they will stop you and quietly ask you relevant questions and your identity and once you could identify yourself they will allow you to go home or go to wherever you want to go.

The night patrols of the security agencies and the stop-andsearch operation have boosted nightlife in the state capital and have produced night-out places like DeLatinos, The Place and

other such places where people unwind. In all these places you will always see rich young people of both genders dancing to the rhythm of current hit numbers, while choice alcoholic beverages and spirits are on offer.

PAGE 33

That Enugu Town Clock may tick again •PAGE 38

‘For the past three and half years now, the city has been undergoing serious changes, including infrastructural repairs and beautification. The Abia Tower at the centre of the city has been remodelled to a modern one with an inscription ‘Welcome to Umuahia’, backed up with lighting effects that welcome you to the city at night’

There are other small outfits scattered in different parts of the city where people sit out every night.

One of those who spoke with our correspondent on the condition of anonymity said that it will

be difficult for people living in the capital city to change their perception about night life, because of the fact that most people who will want to stay out •Continued on page 34

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

34

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

‘Town unions grow communities’

T

HE three tiers of government have been urged to partner with town unions because they are agents of community development.

The President-General of the Association of Imo State Indigenous Town Unions, Chief Emeka Diwe, gave the advice at the inauguration of Owerri, Imo State, zone chapter of the Association of Indigenous Town Unions, Aba, Abia State. He said the object of town unionism is grassroots development.

“Town unions are the real agents of development which all levels of government should partner with for the welfare of the people. There is no doubt that town unions have fast tracked development of their respective communities. Nobody can claim ignorance of the fact that town unions in many areas of Igbo land established primary and secondary schools, community markets, institution of scholarship schemes for indigent students, maintenance of roads, law and order within their jurisdiction. In fact, at the end of civil war in 1970, town union gave

‘Town Unions have through various ways offered support to our people who were affected in the crisis in the Northeast and other crisisridden areas. So, the importance of town unions in community development cannot be over-emphasised’ From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

hope to the Igbos. So, town unions are synonymous with development in Igbo land.

“Town Unions have through various ways offered support to our people who were affected in the crisis in the North East and other crisis ridden areas. So, the importance of town unions in community development cannot be overemphasised.”

He debunked reports that town unions are political structures which

are set up for the purposes of election.

“Town Union is political, but not partisan. Town union members can belong to any political party of their choice but we don’t support any political party. Town Union is the only identity of the Igbo man that has stood the test of time. I assure you that it is the most democratic structure found in Igbo land. Town Unions can guide members on political decisions, particularly the election of quality people in leadership positions in the society. For

instance, we have been sensitizing our members on the need to shun money politics. This is because the person who gives you money to be elected and runs to Abuja only to return during the next elections is not fit to be called a representative.

So, we have a duty to enlighten our people to support people who are conscious of the development.

Town Unions are only for development. This is why we say; Town Union, Development to the Grassroots,” he said.

Earlier in his address, Chief Whip of Owerri zone chapter in Aba, Dr. Bartholomew Eze noted the responsibilities of town unions in mobilizing and enlightening the citizenry for sustainable community development as well as the development of structures for improving the quality of life of local communities in Imo state and her indigenes.

Eze commended the contributions of the President General in championing the course of town unionism in Imo State and beyond and described him as a man endowed with rare leadership qualities.

‘First Lady won’t impose candidate on Abia’ From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

•Mrs Patience Jonathan

T

HE chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abia State chapter, Senator Emma Nwaka has described the story making the rounds that the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan wants to impose the next governor in the state as false.

Nwaka said as the state chairman of the party, such a case has never been brought to his table.

He pointed out that when the time for the next governor of the state is due, such a person must come through the party’s primaries and nothing less.

He spoke with our correspondent in Umuahia.

Nwaka said the PDP, at all lev-

els, is a political party that believes in internal democracy, since it has a system of choosing those who will fly its flag in any elective position.

Nwaka further said President Jonathan and his wife Dame Patience are democrats and have always been firm believers in fair and credible election based on ‘one man one vote’ which has been entrenched in the party’s political system.”

He said: “Even when the PDP loses an election through a court pronouncement in any part of the country, President Jonathan is always the first person to congratulate the winner without minding which political party the winner comes from. Is that not how a true democrat operates?” he asked.

Senator Nwaka also said since he became the party’s chairman, the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji and his wife Mercy have never interfered in the running of the party.

“I wonder how any rightthinking person would say that the wife of the President wants to impose a candidate on the state,” he said.

‘If I as chairman of the party in the state and the governor and his wife do not interfere in who gets what in our party, I wonder how the wife of the President wants to impose a governorship candidate on the party and the state’ Nwaka further explained that he has been an advocate of levelplaying ground for all those who want to contest any elective post, adding that the only way to do this is to stand on the path of truth and nothing else.

He said: “If I as chairman of the party in the state and the governor and his wife do not interfere in who gets what in our party, I wonder how the wife of the President wants to impose a governorship candidate on the party and the state.”

The Abia PDP chief described the story as funny which is aimed at distracting the party, stressing that the wife of the President has never interfered in

the running of the party in the state or in any state of the federation.

Nwaka said the process of selecting who gets any elective position in the country is made clear by the constitution and any candidate who is to be sponsored will be done by the party after going through screening.

Reacting, a PDP stakeholder in Item Ward “C” and the state Commissioner for Special Services, Legal and Due Process, James Kwubiri Okpara, said the issue of who becomes the next governor of Abia State will be determined by the people of the state, the party and the incumbent governor.

•Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha inspecting a Guard of Honour at a ceremony to mark Imo Freedom Day and the reception of 25,000 ‘Youth Must Work’ Project in Owerri

•Orji

Umuahia beckons at night •Continued on page 33

late find it hard to find people to sit out with, therefore the best thing to do is to go home and either sleep or sit in front of one’s house.

Despite the fact that security vehicles are parked at strategic points in the state capital and some others on routine patrol, people still find it hard to summon the courage to move around the city at night freely, except for few people who are given to nightlife.

For the past three and half years now the city has undergone considerable changes, including infrastructural repairs and beautification. The Abia Tower at the centre of the city has been remodelled to a modern one with an inscription ‘Welcome to Umuahia’ backed up with lighting effects that welcome you to the city at night.

The tower has undergone about three modifications since the present administration came into office, but the current state of the tower is the best so far and will stand the test of time. If such edifice is the measuring instrument for a night life to be in a city like Umuahia, then Abia state capital is at the verge of having a bubbling night life which will also help in the boosting of economic activities in the state.

The once sleepy city of Umuahia, the Abia state capital, has woken up from its 23 years of slumber. That means the return of a good nightlife and a buoyant economy in the state.

‘The once sleepy city of Umuahia, the Abia state capital, has woken up from its 23 years of slumber. That means the return of a good nightlife and a buoyant economy in the state’

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

35

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Ex-council chief debunks fraud charge T

HERE is tension in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. At its centre are the former chairman of the transition committee of the council, Emeka Aforka, his former councillors and some politicians in the area.

Some members of Aforka’s transition committee have accused him of fraudulently diverting funds. Some 21 members who served with him during the Peter Obi administration submitted a five-page petition to Governor Willie Obiano.

Aforka dismissed the charge, saying his performance as transition committe chairman speaks for itself.

But in the petition, his accusers called on Governor Obiano to probe the former council chief because of the address he presented while handing over to the newly elected chairman of the council, Okey Enekwe.

The address, which Aforka submitted to Enekwe, listed some of the projects he initiated and completed throughout his two years and seven months in office.

In their petition, the members of the committee alleged that most of the projects Aforka claimed to have completed were nonexistent, saying that all he did was deceive the public.

Our correspondent gathered that the former council chief had some misunderstandings with his political godfather from Awgbu who convinced Obi to appoint him chairman.

It was gathered that Aforka incurred the wrath of his master when he refused to pay some debts owed by his boss immediately he left office, an obligation he was said to have been carrying out while in office.

The projects which the opposition listed as nonexistent included Ndiokolo Health Centre, construction of Eke-Oko and Afor-Ufuma markets.

Others were palliative measures that curtailed the Amaokpala erosion menace which for many years threatened the lives of the people of the community.

Also, in Afor-Udo Market in Nanka community, modern toilets were constructed for the convenience of the traders including the procurement and installation of a transformer at Eziokwe village in Ndikelionwu community.

It was gathered that the only project the former council chief did not complete was the Oronata Bridge after its flag-off.

Another allegation raised by the group was that they were paid N25,000 as monthly salary in the council by their former chairman

•Ongoing gully erosion control project at Ufuma startetd by Aforka

•Aforka

•Aforka inaugurating VIP toilets at Ndiowu

‘Nobody will ever perform a miracle; he did his best for the people of our local government, especially in my community where he did palliative work on the devastating erosion that has given us headache in this area’ From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

instead of the approved N120, 000.

Some of the leaders of different communities who spoke with our correspondent on the issue said the

petition allegedly aimed at stopping Aforka’s towering political height.

“The composition of the petition and the allegations raised against him showed a clear gang-up to tar-

nish his image. But let me tell you that everybody in this local government is happy and should be grateful to that young man,” Chief Okwudili Okafor said.

As a result of these allegations, some of the traditional rulers in the local government area have risen in defence of their former council chief.

For instance, the traditional ruler of Amaokpala, one of the communities that make up the council area, Igwe C. O. Okeke who said he is in possesion of a copy of the petition said: ”Nobody will ever perform a miracle; he did his best for the people of our local government, especially in my community where he did palliative work on the devastating erosion that has given us headaches in this area.

“One fact is that you cannot satisfy everybody no matter what you do. It is a common thing among our

people to criticise but Emeka Aforka did perform well.”

Also speaking Igwe M.C Okechukwu of Awgbu, praised Aforka, even as he listed some of the projects he did in some of the communities, especially in Awgbu.

Some of the projects he listed included schools, markets and healthcare centre, among others.

According to the monarch, those projects were there for people to see, adding that their prayer was to have another person that could perform like him.

Others who spoke to our correspondent said the former council chief performed well, even as they described the allegations as frivolous and unfounded.

The former members of the transition committee in the area, numbering 17 led by the ex-deputy chairman representing Ufuma Ward 2 Hon. Sam Mba, said those bent on rubbishing the legacies of the past administration were acting on their own.

“We are aware that the petition was sponsored and it was written in bad fate, spiced with lies and distortion of facts to discredit not only the former council administration but to label the APGA-led government as a failure in Orumba North.”

The said petition was allegedly written by one Ernest Igboanugo who was said to be a member of the cabinet of the former local government administration.

However, one of the signatories, who did not want his name in print, told our correspondent in Awka that Aforka was a smiling hangman in office who denied them of their entitlements.

Besides, he said the projects he claimed to have done were all painted sepulture to deceive the public. He regretted working under him.

Speaking with our correspondent, Emeka Aforka described the allegations against him as mischievous, character assassination and calculated attempt by some individuals to undermine his integrity.

His reaction was contained in a letter he wrote to Governor Obiano in which he said he was very aware of an attempt by an unnamed stakeholder in the local government to smear his image because of his popularity.

Aforka said when he was in office; he had cordial relationship with members of his cabinet and questioned why a petition should emanate, three months after he left office.

The letter was attached with payment vouchers signed by members of his committee to disprove their allegation that he paid them N25, 000 monthly salaries.

The chairman of the APGA youth wing in the local government, Sunday Ileka, told our correspondent that the disagreement of the major stakeholder who are fighting Aforka stemmed from the sharing formula of APGA positions in the area.

The refusal of Aforka to be part of

Fed Govt hailed on confab

T

•Members of Women For Peace and Justice, Southeast Zone at a rally in Enugu over the abducted schoolgirls of Chibok, Borno State

By Olalekan Ayeni

HE National Forum of Enugu Peoples Association (NAFEPA) has praised the Federal Government for convening the ongoing National Conference.

NAFEPA noted that the power of goverment at the centre does not allow for effective development of the constituent parts of the federation, adding that delegates should advocate for devolution of powers with a weak centre and strong regions.

In a communique issued at the end of NAFEPA’s quarterly meeting in Enugu, the group urged delegates to enforce constitutional provisions on indigeneship and residency status, adding that quota system in educational institutions should be deemphasised in favour of merit.

The communique which was signed by its chairman, Chief Pius Ike and secretary, Mr Sunday Odio, the forum demanded that coal in Enugu State should be revived in order to create jobs for the people. The group also commanded the state government for sending youths to Songhai farm to train on practical agriculture.

The group which is an unbrella body of Enugu elite clubs and association commended the state government for putting in place the neigbourhood watch and vigilance groups to aid security and also condemned the bombing and killings in most parts of the north, adding that people should be security conscious at all times.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

36

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Inside Southeast’s surviving zoo

I

T is not cheery that of all the zoological gardens in the whole of the Southeast, only one is operational. But it is heart-lifting that the lone survivor, the Nekede Zoological Garden in Imo State, is not faring that badly, thanks to the administration of Governor Rochas Okorocha.

The Nekede zoo is located in Owerri West Local Government Area of the state.

The zoological garden established in 1976 under the state Ministry of Agriculture as an animal park, the Nekede Zoological Garden which sits on 10 hectares of reserved forest, houses a variety of animals, including lions, chimpanzees, monkeys, pythons, ostriches and crocodiles, among other animals.

Although the zoo had suffered obvious neglect under successive administrations in the state, it has managed to exist until the current administration of Rochas Okorocha intervened by providing funds for the upgrade of existing infrastructure and the upkeep of the animals.

The zoo serves as a centre for recreation, entertainment and education across the five Southeast states and beyond. Families, schools and other professional bodies throng there to enjoy the beauty of nature and carry out academic research in nature and wildlife.

With a massive land mass of rain forest, which has been guided strictly against any form of encroachment, the Nekede Zoological Gardens has a natural appeal which holds visitors spellbound, coupled with the nerve calming chirrup from more than 1,000 species of birds that nest on the huge trees in the rich forest.

Another interesting feature of the garden is its proximity to Owerri, the Imo State capital. This proximity provides a sharp contrast and a soothing escape from the noise and pollution of the city.

The General Manager of the Zoo, Mr. Francis Abioye, who took over the management of the gardens a few months ago, said he inherited almost a collapsed zoo, adding that he had been committed to reviving the garden with the support of the state government.

According to him, the importance of sustaining the zoo cannot be over-emphasised, adding that the best way to tackle natural disasters is to return to nature.

“We are living in a society that is far from nature. Nature supports our existence. Forests and wild animals help to check climate change,” he said.

Continuing, he said: “In advanced countries, infrastructure are giving way for nature. Infrastructure are demolished and gardens planted in their places to check the effect of climate change. But here, forests are destroyed to build infrastructure with its attendant effects on climate.”

Further highlighting the benefits

37

•Visitors at the zoo

•A monkey in its cage From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

of the zoo, Abioye noted that it was not only established for revenue generation but also for posterity and conservation of animals and

•A young lion at the zoo

•Another specie of monkey

•Some crocodiles there

plants genetic pool, adding that, “our children will not forgive us if we allow these animals and plants go extinct. The zoo is one place everyone should be at least twice a week to have the quietness of nature. This helps to pro-

long one’s life span because study has shown that those living close to natural parks tend to live longer.”

He said before he assumed duty, the zoo was in a very poor shape with the few surviving animals

‘We are living in a society that is far from nature. Nature supports our existence. Forests and wild animals help to check climate change…In advanced countries, infrastructure are giving way for nature.

Infrastructure are demolished and gardens planted in their places to check the effect of climate change. But here, forests are destroyed to build infrastructure with its attendant effects on climate’

•An ostrich at the zoo

looking pale as a result of lack of care.

“When we came in, the lions, for instance, were fed once in four days, which contravenes the rights of caged animals.

“A mature lion should take

about 35kg of meat daily or an average of two goats a day. But the management then could not meet the target due to paucity of funds.

This resulted in the lions looking very pale. But today, they have bounced back and the visitors are

happy.

“Previous administrations did not invest in the zoo until Governor Okorocha, who noticed the good work we are doing, intervened and increased our subvention. Since then, the animals are

A

•Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state, Chairman South-east governors’ forum condoling with Vice President Namadi Sambo when he led a deligation of some south-east governors on a condolence visit to the VP in Abuja.

•SECURITY AND CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS (NSCDC) ENUGU STATE COMMANDANT, MR NATHANIEL UBONG (M) ADDRESSING NEWSMEN ON INTERCEPTED FUEL TANKER (BEHIND HIM) CONVEYING SUSPECTED STOLEN FUEL IN ENUGU ON MONDAY (05/05/14). 2812/5/5/2014/MAG/CH/NAN

well taken care of because we are aware of the criminality of punishing caged animals,” he said.

He further revealed that “we have a proposal which is currently before the Governor, to turn the zoo into an Animal Team Park,

where we will combine the zoo with a park where children and adults can come and have fun. This idea is conceived to maximise the economic potential of the zoo and to generate revenue for government.”

‘Make ethics and values constitutional matters’

T

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

HE leadership of the ongoing National Conference has been advised to set up a committee on ethics and values with the intention of making it part of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This, she said, will help to improve the developmental values of the country.

Speaking with reporters in Umuahia, the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, Dr. Jubril said with the introduction of the ethics and values in the constitution of the country, the country will be on the march to greatness.

“The ethics and values if added in the constitution will help to entrench a system in the country’s constitution that will effectively tackle anti-social behaviours militating against the attainment of the country’s developmental goals.

Dr. Jubril said a national ethics bill had been forwarded to the National Assembly, even as she described ethics and values as indispensable core in any country’s existence, growth and transformation. She added that it will also help in the transformation agenda of the present administration.

She attributed corruption, insecurity and other forms of vices being witnessed in the country to eroding societal values, pointing out that her office was working with various agencies, youth and women volunteers at the national, zones, state and local government levels to reposition ethics in the scheme of things.

The Presidential Adviser commended the Abia State government for the steps taken so far for the restoration of ethics and values in the state and urged all Nigerians to be actively involved in the campaign.

Dr Jubril called for the replication of the 35 per cent affirmative action at the federal level, in states and local government areas, stressing that women were indispensable in the polity and should not be marginalised.

‘With the introduction of the ethics and values in the constitution of the country, the country will be on the march to greatness...The ethics and values if added in the constitution will help to entrench a system in the country’s constitution that will effectively tackle antisocial behaviours militating against the attainment of the country’s developmental goals’

Youth group awards scholarship to 20 Anambra students

N academic oriented group, identified as Who is Who Centre and Museum (WIWCAM) has announced the award of scholarship to twenty students who scaled through the maiden annual essay competition organized for all the public schools in Anambra state.

While announcing the winners at Nnamdi Azikiwe Secondary School, Abagana, NASSA, the Executive Director of WIWCAM, Henryking Onyedikachukwu Adibe disclosed that 151 schools participated in the maiden competition adding that some schools were disqualified due to plagiarism, which, he said, the group warned against.

He further said that the aim of the competition which he said began last year, is to collate ideas and fire the imagination of the young dirigible minds in Anambra State.

His words: “During the last year’s

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Onitsha

gubernatorial and Local Government Elections in Anambra State, WIWCAM organized maiden Annual Essay competition on these topics: ‘Building the Anambra State of my Dream’, Anambra State Governorship Election: the New Executive Governor of my Dream” and “My New Local Government Chairman and ten things he/she needs to do”.

So, today, we shall award a one year school fees scholarship to first, second and third winners of our maiden essay competition. We shall equally give consolidation prices to the 4th – 20th winners and certificate of participation to all other participants” .

Anambra State Governor, Dr.

Willie Obiano supplemented the effort of the group by also announcing a cash of N100, 000, N70, 000 and N50, 000 to 1st, 2nd and 3rd winners respectively.

The first to third winners, Okoye Anthony from St. Michael’s Secondary School, Nimo, Obinna Philip from Nnamdi Azikiwe Secondary School Abagana and Nweke Levi Chinonso from Community Secondary School Amanuke in their separate speeches thanked Gov. Obiano and Henryking for the gesture which they said will spur them to read more.

Obiano who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Youths Mobilization, Comrade Chinedu Obidigwe threw his weight behind the WIWCAM and pledged to support them by sustaining the tempo of

•Obiano

encouraging the young students.

He said: “We shall give the organization every encouragement they need to make the organization continue especially the second edition”.

Highpoint of the event include: unveiling of the ideas generated from the essays by participants, flagging off of the next edition of the competition entitled: “my Hero, my Role Model, Paper presentation by Pastor Chris Obasi and Mr. Tony Obododike.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

38

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

That Enugu Town Clock may tick again

A

LL through the decades, the Old Big Ben did its duty. It ticked and tolled for everyone. It announced the time for everybody. It remains a landmark.

However, the famous towering timepiece located at the Old Eastern Region House of Assembly has stopped telling the time.

Not for the first time. The Old Big Ben worked for ages, then stopped until the administration of Sullivan Chime revived it in 2010 after over 40 years of disuse. The rehabilitation of the clock by Enugu State Government marked a clear departure from the common practice where successive administrations failed to identify with projects initiated by their predecessors.

The “Old Big Ben” was a colonial contraption. It remained there during the post-independence. Subsequently, the administration of the then Premier of Eastern Nigeria, Dr. Michael Okpara abandoned it. The clock became obsolete, especially as the Nigerian civil war was raging.

It remained so until the inauguration of the current administration in the state when Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) was established. The authority showed commitment to reactivation of “Old Big Ben” and it did.

The former Commissioner for Enugu Capital Territory, John Egbo, should be commended for working assiduously to get Messrs Smith of Derby to rework the clock.

Governor Sullivan Chime also deserves some praise for this feat.

The upgrade of the Town Clock by the government proves the Governor’s foresight in creating the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority.

Those who know Enugu or must have lived in the Coal City, would understand why the rehabilitation of the former Eastern House of Assembly and more importantly the Town Clock erected in 1948 generated much excitement in the city in particular and the state in general.

The clock was originally built to be manually manipulated. But the Chime administration upgraded it to an electronic quartz system. In a clime where maintenance culture is sadly lacking, the gusto with which Chime ordered the rejuvenation of the clock was worthy of commendation.

The governor seems to have recognised the historical burden which Enugu bears, but also puts life into a line of our country’s national anthem demanding that “the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain”.

It could be a divine will that Chime would be Governor of Enugu State when the state celebrated its centenary as a city.

In tune with history as a Coal City boy, Chime also recognised the essence of marking Enugu’s Centennial with events primed at celebrating the city’s chequered history. Just like the creation of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) to supervise public amenities and infrastructure, a committee headed by one of the prominent sons of the state was set up by the governor to organise the Centenary celebrations.

Today, and sadly, four years after its reactivation, the “Old Big Ben” has relapsed to its former condition.

What may be wrong? Could it be the usual lack of maintenance culture on the part of Nigerians? The answer may be a matter of gesticulation as the officials at the Enugu

‘The spiritual significance of the bell woke in the residents, creativity endowed in them as well as reminding them to have hope of a better tomorrow.

The founding fathers of Eastern Nigeria must have discovered that proper planning was the key to success.

Therefore, the clock challenges residents to plan ahead and avoid all manner of desperation and needless haste’ From Chris Oji, Enugu

Capital Territory Development Authority which has now been upgraded to a ministry not given any explanation.

Efforts made to get the Commissioner in charge of the ministry, Ugwuegede were futile as he did not pick several phone calls our correspondent put across to him.

Residents of Enugu, particularly workers want to know what actually went wrong with the “Old Big Ben.” They acknowledged that in re-activating the clock, the governor went back in time to recapture the vision of the great political forebears who deemed it necessary to erect such a monument believing that whenever it tolls, the people would not only be roused to activity but will also share the spirit of unity and enterprise it conveys.

It is pertinent to state that the twin challenges facing humanity remains time and space. And all through history, especially in the great march of industrial revolution, men have devised ways of tackling those problems.

Of all instruments, the chronometer is a reminder that time waits for no man. It is also a mechanical representation of the demand on humanity to make hay while the sun shines. But apart from the above technical verities of the time piece, the renewal of Enugu Town Clock was symbolic in many ways.

Enugu Town Clock represents the common destiny of the people of Old Eastern Nigeria; the shared qualities of hard work, enterprise and social cohesion.

It reminds us of our common history and challenges us in the journey to the future. Whenever it tolled, it called to mind the ingenuity and thoughtfulness of our great leaders of yesteryear thereby urging present leaders and the led to strive to leave behind worthy legacies.

The spiritual significance of the bell woke in the residents, creativity endowed in them as well as reminding them to have hope of a better tomorrow. The founding fathers of Eastern Nigeria must have discovered that proper planning was the key to success. Therefore, the clock

•The Old Big Ben

‘Enugu Town Clock represents the common destiny of the people of Old Eastern Nigeria; the shared qualities of hard work, enterprise and social cohesion. It reminds us of our common history and challenges us in the journey to the future. Whenever it tolled, it called to mind the ingenuity and thoughtfulness of our great leaders of yesteryear thereby urging present leaders and the led to strive to leave behind worthy legacies’ challenges residents to plan ahead and avoid all manner of desperation and needless haste.

Whenever the clock tolled, it prods the emotions by reminding residents of how yesterday is connected to today and that the march to tomorrow is on. The Enugu Town Clock also woke up myriad of images in our mind, including the coal miners who toiled to ensure Enugu exists, the colonial overlords who lashed the backs of our forefathers as they worked on street roads for vehicles and pedestrians with their whips.

More importantly, the great clock wakes us up to the realisation that whatever our individual callings are, we should endeavour to work

for common good.

The old Eastern House of Parliament is another very important historical monument in the Coal City.

It was thoughtful of Governor Chime to have renovated this edifice to serve its purpose of exposing great men and women who served as parliamentarians in the city.

Elevated from its former state of disuse, the building has retained its ancient architectural design with a blend of new ideas, thereby providing a historical and didactic tool for the younger generation.

Having revitalised these historical monuments, it could rightly be said that Governor Sullivan Chime, has effectively made Enugu State to live up to its status as the adminis-

trative capital of Old Eastern Nigeria as well as playing the role of a unifying ground for the people of the area despite the fault lines of new states.

Residents of Enugu State, particularly, workers want the “Old Big Ben” revived again. Its reactivation would not only serve as their timekeeper but will also give the new multi-billion Naira secretariat just opposite the “Old Big Ben” an aesthetic blend.

•Governor Chime

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

39

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Tussle for a community’s soul

W

HO leads Ekwulobia and its people? For over one year now intra-community wrangling has been threatening the cohesion of this community in Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State. And the issue has always centred on who controls the community. The people want peace and they have expressed this in controlled protests.

There are two camps in the struggle for the community’s soul: the traditional ruler Igwe Emmanuel Onyeneke and the President-General of the Ekwulobia People’s Assembly Mr Emeka Maduabuchi, both with formidable supporters.

Some say the community is largely behind their town union leadership, not because they are against their king but are rather opposed to what they call his unpopular policies and programmes.

They want Governor Willie Obiano to intervene in the matter to avert a breakdown of law and order in Ekwulobia. The people fear that lives and property may be wasted if the crisis is not resolved immediately.

The leadership of Ekwulobia People’s Assembly has accused Igwe Onyeneke of disturbing the peace of the community by conniving with some prominent citizens including Chief Titus Anigbogu, former Transition Committee Chairman of Aguata Local Government Area to deceive the state government. The accused are said to have hoodwinked the state government into erroneously instituting a caretaker committee, which in time allegedly oversaw an unpopular election which produced a new set of leaders.

They said recently that many lives and property would have been lost but for the quick intervention of the Commissioner of Police.

First National Vice President General of Ekwulobia Peoples Assembly, Mr Onyebuchi Igbokwe and other elected officers and 9 Village heads or their representatives as well as 14 foreign-based branches of Ekwulobia Peoples Assembly addressed a press conference urging peace and respect of dourt judgment.

Standing in for the President General of Ekwulobia People’s Assembly Emeka Maduabuchi, an engineer, Igbokwe said trouble started when some members of the executive met with the traditional ruler to reverse decisions taken at a general meeting of the community which resulted as betrayal of trust of the collective interests of the community and they requested for their apology which they refused leading to their suspension.

They accused the Igwe of asking a bank to close the account of the community despite a court judgment of court and order against that move, as well as interference in the union’s activities.

They lamented that the Igwe is directly in charge of everything concerning security and day-to-day running of the town’s activities, whereas it is the town union’s duty.

They further alleged that Chief Titus Anigbogu as Transition Committee Chairman of Aguata and Igwe Onyeneke and their cohorts wanted to take land, shops and property belonging to Ekwulobia people.

They said that Anigbogu took them to court over their property but they won.

They alleged that the enemies of the community informed the state government that they are PDP rascals, thereby forestalling any challenge against them but warned that there is nothing about politics in the activities of the community but allowing truth to prevail hence they

•Mr. Onyebuchi Igbokwe, Vice-President-General of Ekwulobia community with the protesters From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

are appealing for intervention of Governor Willie Obiano.

The community through a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Prof Ilochi Okafor of IUC Global Chambers Awka, petitioned Governor Willie Obiano requesting his intervention in calling the traditional ruler and others breeching the peace of the community to order to avoid breakdown of rules.

They drew the attention of Governor Obiano to suit Nos AG/8/ 2013; AG/106/2013 and AG/17/ 2013: need for continuous recognition of elected Town Union Executievs of Ekwulobia Town and disbandment of Caretaker committee set up in error.

They acted for the President General Emeka Mmaduabuchi and Mr Onyebuchi Igbokwe for themselves and on behalf of Executive committee members of Ekwulobia People’s Assembly.

They recalled that Hon Justice CEK Anigbogu pursuant to the suit No AG/8/2013 made an order for parties to maintain status quo ante bellum , meaning that our clients retained their various positions.

This order herein annexed. It still extant having not been set aside till date.

Obiano was reminded that his office was put in conflict with the decision of the court by setting up a Caretaker Committee to man the affairs of an elected executive of an election conducted on June 4, 2013 and would leave office by 2016 in line with subsisting and valid constitution of the community since 1994.

This was validated by a judgment of Justice VN Agbata on June 3, 2013 in suit no AG/4/2010 between Ichie Micheal Ukwuoma Eze and 8 others vs Engr Emeka Maduabuchi and 6 others which set aside the 2010 constitution of Ekwulobia People’s Assembly under leadership of Ichie (Dr) Michael Ukwuoma Eze. The returning officer of the election was Prince Anayo Ezenwa and immediate past PG Ichie Michael Ukwuoma Eze was a signatory to the results announced that elected 11 positions with additional three orderlies making it 14 officers to pilot the affairs of Ekwulobia

‘Igwe Emmanuel Onyeneke dismissed the allegations levelled against him. He insisted he would not speak about all the issues raised by the body not known to him. He said Ekwulobia People’s Assembly stopped existing since January 2013 and was replaced with Ekwulobia Development Union’ People’s Assembly.

The crisis is becoming intense as hundreds of placard carrying women and men as well as youths from the nine villages of Ekwulobia staged a peaceful protest against the leadership of the traditional ruler of Ekwulobia, Igwe Emmanuel Onyeneke , an engineer who retired from PHCN and the former Transition committee chairman of Aguata Local Government Area, Chief Titus Anagbogu, a son of Ekwulobia.

They asked them to leave the community alone and face their own

business.

They specifically want the Igwe to face his throne and issues concerning leveraging the community culturally and traditionally and allow the elected town unions to face the administrative policies and programs of the community.

They said they elected him Igwe of Ekwulobia and would want him to remain Igwe of Ekwulobia but should stop interfering in the town union leadership and villager leaders as well as all organisations and unions in Ekwulobia or face the

•There is provision for children at the garden

wrath of the community who in the first place elected him.

They appealed to Governor Obiano to set up a panel of inquiry into what is happening in Ekwulobia before intra-community wrangling tears the community apart. They added that they have written enough letters and made enough submissions about the highhandedness and autocracy going on in their community to warrant intervention before it turns to war.

Some of the placards read: “No to tyrannical Igwe”; “On Ekwuloba Peoples Assembly we stand”; Titus Anigbogu and Igwe Onyeneke must give peace a chance”; ”We have right to elect our leaders, please Igwe”, among numerous others.

Igwe Emmanuel Onyeneke, when contacted, said he would not join issues with any illegal union even as he dismissed the allegations levelled against him. He insisted he would not speak about all the issues raised by the body not known to him. He said Ekwulobia People’s Assembly stopped existing since January 2013 and was replaced with Ekwulobia Development Union.

He said government is aware of what he is saying and every com•Continued on page 40

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

40

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Tussle for a community’s soul •Continued from page 39

munity has its own fair share of crisis.

Former Transition committee chairman of Aguata, Chief Titus Anigbogu dismissed the allegations and wondered how he can be deceiving a retired Deputy General Manager at PHCN, describing those making the allegations as rascals who have lost focus. He said Ekwulobia has nothing in common and it can never be true that he is fighting his people. He denied taking the community to court or that he flouted a judgment of the court. He equally dismissed all the allegations against him by the community.

Anagbogu said: “That I am deceiving a retired Deputy General Manager, PHCN, who retired after 35 years of service? They are some rascals in Ekwulobia motor park talk. Don’t mind them because they are not saying he truth. I am not quarreling with any of them and it is not true, please.”

After the peaceful protest, the Umuada Ekwulobia led by their President Mrs Ngozi Obeke prayed for Igwe Emmanuel Onyeneke. The men also gathered and poured libation to their forefathers asking for a solution to the Ekwulobia challenge because they don’t want bloodshed.

But for the intervention of the National Vice President Ekwulobia Peoples Assembly, Mr Onyebuchi Igbokwe and some leaders of the villages, the protest would have gone violent but they held them at Okpo Primary School premises where they gathered, even thinking of taking the protest to Governor Willie Obiano at the Government House.

A stakeholder, Amobi Ezeifediba informed that hundreds of youths were prevented from hijacking the protest as they were set to burn down the palace of the traditional ruler but they are striving to follow due process in the protest, hence they wrote the police for the protest and are doing everything possible to ensure the peace is maintained until government intervenes but wondered why the government is keeping quite waiting for destruction of lives and property before it intervenes.

Addressing Ekwulobia Peoples Assembly the National President of Umuada Ekwulobia ,, Mrs Ngozi Obeke reminded that they have no problems with Igwe Onyeneke as their traditional ruler but that they have problems with his obnoxious leadership styles as he has imposed levies and contributions they must make when giving out their daugh-

F

•Ekwulobia women praying for peace

•Some of Ekwulobia men praying for peace

ters in marriage which according to her is outrageous and uncalled for.

She alleged that Igwe was dictating for them on how to run their affairs which is undemocratic and has committed actions best referred as abominations against the women of Ekwulobia but encouraged him to turn a new leaf now and earn their respect. She queried

why they should give out their daughters hands in marriage for N1,000.00 and give the palace N300.00 among others. She further encouraged Igwe to allow the Ekwulobia Peoples Assembly function properly as the legitimate leadership of the community warning that the children of Ekwulobia born and unborn won’t be slaves in their land.

But for the Chairmen of 9 villages including Igwe’s village Ula, Nze Chukwuma Udoh who was even Igwe’s election committee campaign chairman ; Umuchi Village-Anslem Ezenwankwo; Okpo Village Hon Christopher Ezekwe and representative of Umuchiana village, as well as Iruokpala Nze Samuel Eze, their problem with the Igwe was his in-

terference with leadership of the Town union who were equally elected like himself to pilot the affairs of the community. They asked him to leave the leadership of the town union alone and think of the progress of the community rather than their selfish interest with those alleged as enemies of the community patrimony.

School of Nursing graduates 567

IVE hundred and Sixty-Seven nurses have graduated at the School of Nursing, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi , Anambra state.

The Principal of the school of Nursing, Mrs Nnoye N, Onyejiaka who announced this in her address during the maiden convocation ceremony held at the Gilbert Metu Uzodike Auditorium, NAUTH, Nnewi , commended the nurses for excellent in their performance.

Onyejiaka issued them with certificates as nurses and announced that the nurses had in the past 14 years performed very well at the terminal qualifying examination for nurses, and counseled the graduands to always show love and care to patients in the course of doing their work.

She said: “Since the then Minis-

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

ter of health, Dr Tim Menakaya commissioned the school in July 200, the school of nursing, NAUTH, Nnewi had maintained record of 100 percent in the examination conducted by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.

“The school received an award for outstanding performance in the final qualifying examination in 2008, 2009. In the year 2012 the school had 100 per cent with 12 credits, and last year November, it equally had 100 percent with seven credits “.

She also announced the list of eleven students who received awards for excellent performances from 2003 to 2013, including Anedu Chioma C, who was over all graduating student .

‘The school received an award for outstanding performance in the final qualifying examination in 2008, 2009. In the year 2012 the school had 100 percent with 12 credits, and last year November, it equally had 100 percent with seven credits’ Onyejiaka further said: “We advise you (nurses) to remain good ambassadors of your Alma mater and to come forward with useful suggestions that will move the school and hospital forward’’.

She appealed to Anambra state government and well meaning Ni-

gerians to assist in providing utility vehicles, generator sets, accommodation etc, to enable staff and student nurses to perform their duties, especially for transportation, office/lecture rooms and hostel facilities.

Earlier, the Chairman, NAUTH

management Board, Prof Ivara Esu in his speech, reminded students and staff that the focus of his administration is to offer prompt services to patients and build cordial relationship with the host community and the catchment areas.

Prof Esu cautioned graduands that the mark of service must be their watch word wherever they find themselves, even as he warned staff, particularly nurses that the era of treating patients carelessly and exhibiting intolerance is over.

Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director(CMD), Prof Anthony o, Igwegbe related the academic success to the quality of staff paraded by the school of Nursing , assuring that management would continue to maintain the tempo , and urged the graduands to keep the flame instituted by Florence Nightingale flying in Nigeria.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

41

CAMPUS LIFE Education students elect leaders

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•Dr Daramola (right) with Dr Anyokwu and Dr Alimi at the event

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RESHERS admitted into the Department of English at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have been urged to see their admission as a commitment to strict scholarship and study.

Dr Chris Anyokwu gave this advice during the orientation programme organised by the National Association of Students of English and Literary Studies (NASELS).

He said the event, with the theme: “Do not lose sight of the ball”, was to integrate the freshers into the system.

“While you are here, there are three things you must do. One, read. Two, read. Three, read,” he said.

He explained that the university was a place meant to prepare students for the ever-increasingly competitive world, stressing that the department was a grooming

Association orientates students From Kayode Odumboni UNILAG ground for those who want to be great in life.

He added: “It is disastrous when you just go through the university without allowing the university go through you. When you just come to socialise or display your fashion sense, when you get carried away by distractions, especially engendered by bad company, parties and pleasure-seeking, phones and social networking.”

The Head of the Department, Dr Adeyemi Daramola, enjoined the students to be proud of their course of study.

“The English language gives you the confidence that billions of dollars cannot buy, because it builds your personality. Be proud of the course you have chosen,” he stated.

Speaking on the topic, “Finding Balance”, Amina Lawal, 400-Level student, encouraged the freshers to plan meticulously throughout their stay in the university.

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, President of the association, Queen Oduah, said the aim of the event was to introduce the students to the realities they would face in the next four years. The event also witnessed various performances by students, including song renditions, drama presentation, poetry and dance.

Microbiology marks Week

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EMBERS of the National Association Microbiology Students (NAMS) at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) have held their annual week.

The opening day was the Back to school programme where students wore different attires to participate in the the march-past and dance parade led by the graduating students, “the Metallidurans”. They marched round the school chanting old secondary school songs. This followed a dance competition where free items such as recharge cards were won at the Motion Ground.

This was preceded by the Ankara day where students showcased their cultural heritage amidst dance and presentations. The students later visited the Agbara factory of Nestle Foods.

A symposium was held the following day with the theme: “The role of Microbiology in nation building.” Speaking at the event Dr O. Oladele from Animal Care Service Konsult, said microbiology was highly essential in today’s world.

The following day was the intravarsity competition at Moot Court while the last day was the beach party held at Elegushi Beach.

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paid the same dues as the regular students. It took the intervention of security operatives and the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof Timi Akporunor, to calm them.

CAMPUSLIFE investigation revealed the CEP had produced the Vice president of the association in the last two sessions.

Julius Asuai, a 400-Level student of the department of Physical and Health Education emerged president. He beat his rival, Emmanuel Iyoma, 400Level, Guidance and Counselling, by 26 votes. Others included Faith Benson, 400-Level Library and Information Science, Vice President; Callous Nwoel, Secretary General; Chinwendu Ofoeke, Financial Secretary and Alex Eriga, Social Director.

Julius thanked his fellow students for choosing him as their leader, urging those who lost to join him to take the faculty to a higher level.

‘Increase in rice production ‘ll boost food security’

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LECTURER in the department of Agronomy at the Delta State University, Prof Peter Eruotor, has advocated the need for a sustainable increase in rice production as panacea to improving food security, alleviating poverty and preserving the environment.

Prof Eruotor made the remark during the 34th inaugural lecture of the university.

The lecture, which was held at the Pre-degree Auditorium, was attended by members of the academic community.

Delivering a lecture titled: “Rice, the staff of life,” Prof Eruotor noted that poor government policies, lack of education of farmers and inadequate research institutes on modern trends in rice production have resulted in low quantity production of rice locally.

He said rice was the staple food of more than half the world’s population, adding that it was impera-

From Philip Okorodudu DELSU tive that rice production should increase in line with the current population explosion.

He said the removal of rice import restrictions in 1997 caused the flooding of the Nigerian market with foreign rice, a situation which, according to him, discouraged local producers.

Prof Eruotor listed the problem of pest and disease control, soil fertility management, unavailability of simple and cheap farm implements, research, access to institutional and infrastructural support credit facilities and inadequate input delivery as challenged facing rice production.

He stressed the need for farmers, consumers, environmentalists, government ministries, international agencies and stakeholders from the civil society to work together to increase local production of rice.

No election for for UDUS students

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•Microbiology students in secondary school uniform during the procession

From Modestus Diko OOU Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Kunle Asaolu, a 400-Level student, said the week was an exciting one.

“It has not been easy spending over six years in the university since

2008 due to incessant strike actions.

If we do not rejoice and celebrate now, when are we going to have the time to do so? We thank God today for helping us through the years and we pray we all graduate honourably from the university.”

Don urges cutting edge research

ORRIED by the rising state of poor research output across the country, the immediate past Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, has called on Nigerian universities to embark on cutting edge research for solving immediate problems facing the nation.

He made the remark during a public lecture entitled: Fostering university- industry linkages in Nigerian universities: The RMRDC experience held at the Caverton Lecture Theatre of the Federal University of Technology, Minna.

Prof Onwualu said every university should maintain a research grant scheme, equip laboratories and have a functional university research committee and establishment of

HE Nigerian Universities Education Students Association (NUESA) at the Delta State University, (DELSU), Abraka, has elected new executives for the 2013/ 2014 academic session.

The election, which was held at the Site II of the main campus, witnessed a large turnout of students.

Pandemonium, however, broke out when students of the Continuous Education Programme (CEP) were prevented from casting their votes without a reason. This led to a protest by the students. Some of them, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, wondered why the school management would not allow them exercise their fundamental rights to vote, noting that they

From Ese Okoduwa DELSU

From Stanley Ugboaja FUT MINNA university-industry linkage office to be manned by competitive staff.

He said such office should consult with different faculties and assist staff in conducting regular training and seminars.

Prof Onwualu urged the government to formulate and implement appropriate policies to facilitate university-industry linkage, stressing that the recently approved Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology should be implemented with adequate funding.

On industries operating in Nigeria, he urged them to emulate their foreign counterparts by

establishing laboratories and workshops on university campuses or Industrial Parks for them to use the facilities for commercial work, and research oriented projects.

Prof Onwualu said the economic problems confronting Nigeria could be solved through judicious application of science, technology and innovation.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof Musbau Adewumi Akanji, who was represented by the Deputy VC (Academic), Prof Abdullahi Bala, said entrepreneurship was an important component of development in any community.

He urged graduates of the university to be job creators than seekers.

Prof Onwualu donated books on various fields of research to the university library.

TUDENTSof Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) aspiring for various positions in campus politics of the 2014/2015 academic session, had their hopes dashed when the outgoing Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Ibrahim Magawatta, hinted that there would be no election in the school.

Dr Magawata disclosed this during an emergency meeting with students’ leaders at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Students’ Centre.

He said: “It has become necessary for the university to place a ban on elections in unions and association on campus for the 2014/2015 academic session, considering the present situation. We are running a concurrent session of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 and we cannot afford to embark on any activity that will hinder the smooth running of our programmes. Space for lectures has been a problem, and it will be more difficult if we allow political activities to go on this year. On this premise, I want to inform you that the

College gets Acting Provost

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ANAGEMENT of the University of Ibadan has appointed Prof Ayotunde Oluremi Ogunseyinde as Acting Provost of the institution’s College of Medicine.

Ogundeyinde’s appointment followed the admission of the former Provost, Prof Olayinka, into the 36th Senior Executive Course of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State.

From Ibrahim Jatto and Shukurat Aladire UDUS university management has placed a ban on all political activities till further notice.”

He added: “In the meantime, caretaker committees will run the affairs of campus associations. I will announce the dissolution of the students’ union in due course and a caretaker committee will be constituted to run the affairs of the union. This will also apply to other registered association on the campus.”

Danladi Waziri, a 200-Level student said: “This is rude shock to all of us.We least expected a ban on political activities because it is very important we appoint those that will direct our affairs. I hope the management will rescind this decision.” Another student, Sanni Muhammad said: “Banning political activities will do more harm than good because it will give room for corruption. The management should think twice.”

From Hammed Hamzat UI Prof Ogunseyinde joined the service of University College Hospital (UCH) in 1975 as a Senior House Officer in the Department of Radiology.

She became the first female Professor in 2003 in the Department of Radiology of the university.

As a seasoned teacher and examiner, she has supervised many dissertations and books and case reports of residents for the Part II Fellowship examination of the Faculty of Radiology.

She delivered her inaugural lecture entitled: ‘’Darkness to light: evolution and unmasking of shadows and images’’ in 2009.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

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CAMPUS LIFE

Why UNN students shun library There is a growing lack of interest in the use of library among students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). Some students blame it all on strict library rules and unsafe condition.

But library officials say the students are lazy.

INNOCENT EMMANUEL (200-Level Mass Communication) writes.

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IBRARY is said to be a store of knowledge, guiding knowledge seekers in their quest for facts on any subject.

Library is an integral part of any knowledge-oriented entity.

Before the advent of the Internet, knowledge seekers used the library for extensive research.

Given its serenity, the library is believed to be the best place for assimilation. For most part of the pre-computer age, library remained the impeccable source of information and education.

Today, values attached to the library seem to have been eroded.

The level of patronage of library by students has reduced in this Internet age. This development is worrisome.

For instance, there is a growing lack of interest in the use of the library among students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

The Nnamdi Azikiwe Library in UNN is reputed to be one of the biggest in the academic world in Africa, with the capacity to accommodate over 7,500 users at once.

The facility is fitted with Internet service to relieve users of the stress of flipping through voluminous books and materials. To ensure students regularly consult the library for more knowledge after lectures, the university introduced GSP 111 – Use of Library.

Despite these measures, some students still do not use the library for their research work. While they complain of stringent library rules and cumbersomeness of the

library materials, officials accuse them of laziness.

“Students are lazy,” Mr Vincent Ekwelem, UNN Deputy Librarian (Africana Section) said, adding: “Their unwillingness to keep to rules also account for why most students do not want to use the library.”

Students also complain that the library is not safe to keep their personal effects while reading. in the past, student-users were allowed to go into the library with their bags and other personal effects. But that has been stopped because of the rising wave of insurgency.

The measures have forced students to leave their personal effects at the base of two trees opposite the library complex. The items are kept there at the owners’ risk.

But the security measures, students said, affect their using of the library. Items such as laptops, money, bags and phones have reportedly been stolen from the base of the trees.

Augustina Eze, a 300-Level Mass Communication student, who has stopped going to library, said: “My bag was stolen last session on the day I wrote GSP 106 examination. I had decided to do a revision in the library before going to write the examination.

When I came out, I could not find my bag, which contained my school fees’ receipts, flash drive and text books. I needed to show those receipts so I could be allowed to take the paper. That was the day

•The UNN main library

•Students’ personal effects kept under trees while they use the library

I lost interest in going to the library.”

Hyacinth Ijomanta, 500-Level Electrical and Electronics Engineering student, said his bag was

stolen last February when he went to source a material for his assignment in the library.

Hyacinth said: “Before the incident, I have always avoided using

the library because of the fear that my bag could be stolen.”

Officials believe something should be done fast to check the trend.

Ekwelem said depending on Internet materials may reduce education quality, since internet is flooded with unreliable materials.

He said materials got from the library can be confirmed through references.

Winifred Okafor, a post-graduate student of Pharmacy, noted that students’ inability to use the library for their research has led to rise in plagiarism. According to her, students end up doing shoddy project research without being able to defend the theses.

Wilfred Aziegbe a 200-Level Mass Communication student, who does not use the library, urged the management to relax the rules and provide item lockers for users to keep their personal effects. If this can be done, Wilfred said, many students would begin to show interest in going to the library.

Augustina agreed, emphasising that the management must provide rooms where students can safely keep their belongings while reading.

The Students’ Physiological Association of Nigeria (SPAN) has held its annual conference at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. STANLEY UCHEGBU (500-Level of Accounting, University of Calabar) reports.

That Physiology may be relevant

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EMBERS of the Students’ Physiological Association of Nigeria (SPAN) converged on the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, for their annual conference.

The event, the ninth in the series, hosted lecturers and academics of repute, including LAUTECH’s Dean of Faculty of Basic Medical Science Prof S.S Taiwo; Head of Physiology Department Dr A.S Oyedeyi; Dr Onyebuchi Nwoke, Prof Bolarinwa Abeyombo and Dr Rabiu Abdulsalam-Magaji.

Dr Oyedeyi praised the association for its efforts to unite Physiology students across the

•Some of the participants during the rally

country through the annual event.

In his lecture titled: From Harvey to me: Where do we go from here? Dr Oyedeyi listed factors affecting the development of Physiology to include poor public perception, loss of credibility as an independent discipline and lack of national relevance, among others.

He said: “To correct this

anomaly, several measures must be taken. We must review the curriculum of Physiology in universities, which would enhance training of students on versatility in medical skills such as medical journalism and medical research.”

Prof Abeyombo, who spoke on Physiology: The past, present and fu-

ture, said the discipline was not popular among students at a time, noting that the importance of Physiology could not be overlooked in today’s world. If Physiology is professionalised, she said, preventable deaths would be reduced.

Dr Nwoke, former Head of Physiology Department at the

Ambrose Ali University (AAU) in Ekpoma, Edo State, took the students on the relevance of the discipline in today’s society and why Physiology practice must be encouraged in health sector.

He said: “In Nigeria, no patient has ever asked where the physiologists are; but it is the respon•Continued on page 44

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

43

CAMPUS LIFE

Rebased Economy: The lies and reality N IGERIANS at home and Diaspora should have ordinarily been the happiest of persons with the release of the rebased nation’s economy. With a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that is said to be the 26th out of the over 180 countries in the world, Nigeria should be a haven for investors, business men, and almost all classes of people.

If the GDP was indeed growing, President Goodluck Jonathan and top government functionaries would not have been wasting public funds trotting the globe in the name of wooing investors to the country. This is because countries with such a high GDP are far from hunger and have many strong points which, would have made them to be so rated.

However, Nigeria’s case is different. Different in the sense that the citizens themselves have been asking questions as to where did the figures come from? Could the word ‘GDP’ mean different things to different countries? What are the benchmarks that gave rise to the rebased GDP? With the rebased economy which puts Nigeria’s GDP at $510 with 2010 as the based year from the previous 1990, Nigeria should to be celebrating and that should translate to achieving vision 20:2020 ahead of the stipulated date. But that is not to be as the country

seems to be plummeting deeper into hunger, starvation and poverty in the midst of a ‘robust economy’.

In announcing Nigeria’s new GDP, the National Bureau of Statistics stated that growth in GDP was not synonymous with increase in job creation and that, increase in the overall economic output of a country does not necessarily mean increase in incomes of individuals.

This, of course, is in sharp contrast to the general belief that a robust economy goes hand-in-hand with improved living conditions and fairly stable environment, where business transactions are conducted without fear of oppression, where the majority of the goods consumed by the country is produced in the country, where composite unemployment is at its lowest ebb, where probity and accountability is the watchword of the government. These situations are far from being the case in Nigeria.

With the rebased economy, it means that Nigeria’s economy is larger than the $510 billion, making it the largest economy in Africa and beating South Africa to a distant second. The challenge, however, is when will Nigerians begin to feel the impact of this giant economy?

Nigeria is a country where the composite unemployment rate is

close to 30 per cent of the total population, while youth unemployment is approaching an all-time high of 50 per cent. This is a far cry from other countries with even lesser GDPs. Much as Nigerians are happy that the economy of the country is robust, they are more interested in seeing a transformed society, where tolerance reigns, where peace and security remain the watchword of the populace, where people that are willing and capable to work can find paid employment without lobbying for it. Of what importance is high GDP if the country is still ranked among the world’s poorest country?

Despite the privatization of the power sector, the nation remains in darkness. Countries with far smaller GDPs enjoy stable power supply, yet Nigeria with its newfound GDP can only boast of a paltry 4,000 Megawatts.

The railway system they claim they are reviving remains in comatose.

Water transportation is almost nonexistence except in places where there are no viable roads. But series of mishaps on our water ways has exposed the government’s inability to develop anything in the country.

Security has been a major challenge facing this administration; hardly a day passes without incidents of security breaches. Boko Haram, a

deadly sect, has launched a bloody campaign against the countrys unity.

The government seems helpless while the criminals kill citizens in broad daylight.

Social vices have reached a crescendo. If nothing is done to checkmate bloodshed in the country, there can be chaos and anarchy that may consume whole country.

Nigeria has a better GDP than Austria, an European country. Yet Austria is considered as one of the most comfortable countries in the world. With a very high GDP, life expectancy in Nigeria is barely half of that of Austria, which stands at 80.7 years. Austria experiences an average of 2.1 murders per 100,000 while its unemployment rate stands at a low 5 per cent. Austria’s 75 per cent population is happy with life in the country. This is in sharp contrast to Nigeria where even the rich are dissatisfied with life condition in the country.

Marcus Aurelius once observed: “The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit; the second is to look at things in the face and know them for what they are.” This is to say that we must face our problems headlong and improve the living conditions of our people, without trying to satisfy the

‘You only live once’

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By Adebisi Adeniji

ARLIER this week, I came across a wallpaper on Blackberry Messenger Channel, saying: “You only live once”. I saved the wallpaper and consequently, I used it on my phone.

The term “You Only Live Once” (Y.O.L.O) was made popular by a certain American rapper, Ervin McKinness, and it is usually the excuse

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HE rain had just subsided.

Johnson (not real name) who had just arrived Port Harcourt after a long journey disembarked from the vehicle. He had been battling with Hermorrhoids for some months.

The showman appeared from nowhere, advertising his herbal products.

“Doctor Cure It All” – that was the name he called himself – said: “Just a bottle for N200 and your entire gonorrhoea, malaria, dysentery, pile, ulcer, diabetes, syphilis and all kinds of nyama-nyama (bad) disease go vamoose.”

His voice echoed to the entire perimeter of the motor park, drawing attention of pedestrians and motorists alike. Johnson, mesmerized completely, moved close to Doctor Cure It All, to buy a bottle of the concoction. He hurried home to share the liquid with his family. After he took the concoction, he found himself in the hospital the next day.

Johnson had a deadly gastroenteritis.

But for the quick intervention of his family physician, he would have kissed the world goodbye.

This is one incident out of many, indicating the ganger inherent in the use of herbal mixtures, whose contents are not clearly spelt out. It also shows the unwholesome practice by some of the practitioners.

Many have been as lucky as Johnson; they are dead as a result of the

for young people when they engage in reckless behaviors. The excuse is that, life is meant to be lived to the fullest because death can come to anyone, anytime. Youths, therefore, engage in reckless actions that can shock any right-thinking individual.

They engage in excessive drinking of alcohols, drug abuse, wild parties, and orgy of carnal activities.

According to Wikipedia, McKinness posted the expression on Twitter, prior to his death in an auto crash; he was drunk and was driving at a very high speed. Several unreported incidents may have also occurred as a result of obsession with the Y.O.L.O lifestyle.

Some youths have died because of intake of overdose of drugs, some got unwanted pregnancy as a result of their Y.O.L.O lifestyle; some people’s visions have been lost and their lives are generally rendered useless. Ask an average youth the reason behind his seemingly thoughtless behavior, he would be quick to reply that it is

Y.O.L.O. I too used to be a proponent of Y.O.L.O (even if I wasn’t man enough to practice it, at least to some extent) until a few days ago when staring at the wallpaper. A thought struck me; yes we only live once and after we are dead we might not have a chance to make right our wrongs. So if we only live once, we must live each day a though it was the last.

Then I realised how wrong I was. I had convinced myself Y.O.L.O could only mean one should have fun, live wild and do all the crazy stuffs he could while he lives because he has to “seize the day”. What I failed to realise was that it could also mean that since life had no duplicate, it is important that we should live a worthy life that can be emulated by generation coming after us.

It is not that I never had this good opinion of Y.O.L.O. I did, but I was too busy thinking of the supposed “fun” one could have without giving

an exemplary life a thought. That was when I started thinking: what really is Y.O.L.O? I would say, it is living a life you would never regret in the afterlife. It is not taking decisions that would hurt us because we are young and naïve. It is living a life that affects us and our society positively; it is to be lived to the fullest but with positive impacts.

Our youthful age makes us impulsive and eager about life. It is at this stage we start to discover who we are, making us want to explore and live life as it is. This, of course, is normal.

We all want to be trusted to make right decisions and we would go extra miles to prove they are the best anyone can ever make in the same situation.

We want to carve a niche for ourselves and make an identity by which we can be recognized. We want to be accepted for who we are and this is where most youths get it wrong. In the bid to create an image by which we would be seen and addressed by

By Philip Okorodudu whims of the West.

Until there is an in-house reordering and reshaping, Nigeria’s problems will persist and we will turn to butt of jokes in global community.

Government of the day must first purge itself of its ‘sins’ in order to better the living condition of the people as this is the only true wealth that will crystallise into all forms of prosperity, including a truly robust economy.

Philip, just finished from Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, DELSU the society, we misplace our priority and build bad images.

This could be as a result of many factors, the most prominent of which is peer pressure. We want to fit in so badly we lose our own identity and take on the identity of another people.

There are also standards that we want meet and while trying to meet these standards, we lose our own self. It is, therefore, important that, as an individual, we must consider several factors in building the kind of person we want to be. Does your action hurt you or those around you? Is it an acceptable standard of behavior in the society? If you were a parent, would you approve of your wards taking such action? Finally, does your action impact others around you and the society positively? We must ask ourselves these questions to live a worthy life. Would you rather live to exist or to actually stand out and be the best? Give these thoughts a consideration and make decision, bearing in mind you can only live once.

Adebisi, 400-Level Communication and Language Arts, UI

The other side of herbal medicine poisonous herbal products.

It is common knowledge that anything called drug is meant to heal or kill as the case maybe. For the drugs that heal, utter caution must be observed in their production, packaging, distribution, sale and general handling. This reason disqualifies the consumption of certain forms of herbal mixtures for the treatment of diseases because there is a deviation from this standard.

“Doctors” in herbal practice always say “where the rarity of modern medicine has failed, the potency of herbs should hold sway” (the expression is for those who pay attention to them). They are known to treat patients with herbs in preference to pharmaceutical drugs.

Herbal mixtures are derived from plants-roots, leaves, stems, fruits, seeds, shells, bee products, mineral and certain animal parts.

The success of herbal mixtures in our contemporary society is unparallel and this venture has attracted both the quacks and derelicts who claim they inherited the skills from their parents or grandparents.

These quacks have brainwashed many unsuspecting people with claims that their concoction is multifunctional but does that have an iota

of truth?

Some herbal medicine practitioners have peddled falsehood for decades, making people to believe that all herbal products are good. It is necessary to note that not all fruits or tree bark you are edible. Some could be poisonous. Majority of herbal medicine in circulation today are poisonous concoctions.

Every medicine has adverse effects; that is why an overdose of any drug has grievous consequences. In drug administration, precision is the watchword when it comes to dosage.

What could be safe for an under 10 years may not be the same for an adult. What would be considered safe for a pregnant woman may not be safe for another above 60.

Dosage in most herbal medical practice is not guided by scientific precision. Therefore, most of the herbal concoctions are unsafe for human or animal consumption.

Research has linked cancers, renal failures, cardiac disorders, and liver cirrhosis to the consumption or intake of toxic substances over a period of time. It should be noted that some of the herbal mixtures’ components are extracts that could be toxic to the body.

Neem Tree (Azadirachta indica) commonly called Dongo yaro is a

herbal tree, which has been effective against plasmodium falciparum but a certain research by a Nigerian professor of pharmacology, Maurice Iwu, and his colleagues in 1987 at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka found that an overuse of Dongo yaro concoction could be lethal in laboratory rats and rhesus monkeys.

It is about time excesses of herbal practitioner are curbed, especially those with no scientific backgrounds.

They should have sincerity of purpose for whatever that is worth doing is worth doing well. Today, China exports their herbal medicine to the United Kingdom and other countries because it produces quality herbal medicine. Chinese are not into it to line their own pockets but to contribute their own quota for the general wellbeing of humanity. Same should be replicated in this part.

Regulatory agencies, such as National Agency for Food, Drug and Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association of Nigeria and Council for Alternative Medical Practice in Nigeria should rise to this challenge. They should ensure that all herbal products are registered and their distribution, regulated.

Enlightenment programmes should

By Chris Okafor be organised from time to time by these agencies to acquaint herbal medicine practitioners and consumers of good and bad sides of herbal products, with best practices in herbal medicine production and how to detect a fake herbal mixture.

Finally, people should regulate what they permit into their system.

Taking care of our body is good because it is the only place we have to live.

Chris recently finished from Microbiology, UNIPORT

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CAMPUS LIFE

Student seek release of detained journalists

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EDIA 961, a monitoring outfit of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State chapter, last Saturday, joined journalists worldwide to celebrate the World Press Freedom Day. Students from higher institutions in Lagos state came together to mark the day.

A statement from the outfit’s Director, Abdurrasheed Abubakar, condemned sustained attacks on journalists globally.

Media, he said, is an important instrument of change in every society.

He said: “Apart from informing the general public on events and issues that affects them, the media is a significant force in modern-day culture. As a result, the United Nations General Assembly in 1993 proclaimed May 3 as the World Press Freedom Day. “A Day meant to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom; evaluate press freedom around the world; defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who lost their lives in the exercise of their profession, among oth-

•Members of the society displaying placards

From Funmilayo Adewunmi LAGOS ers.

“It is an undeniable fact that the world today is currently experiencing a turbulent period like never before. The unfortunate events around us are enough to cite as examples. Thousands of innocent people have lost their lives, our media colleagues, who were only doing their job, have met their death, leaving behind wives, children, parents and siblings.

“As we celebrate this year’s

World Press Freedom Day, let us remind you that majority of our colleagues are currently incarcerated in different countries innocently, most of them without access to lawyers. They have not committed any offence, other than discharging their duties dutifully. We have many cases, but the predicament of journalists in Egypt is very pathetic.”

The Muslim students also called for immediate release of detained Al-Jazeera journalists by Egyptian authorities.

Peter Greste, Abdullah Shami,

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed have been in detention for the past 126 days.

Abubakar added: “They have appeared seven times in court for doing their statutory role. We want to emphatically state that journalists are not criminals. It is the fundamental rights of the people to know, and it is the responsibility of the media to give them the most objective and unbiased information. Hence, we demand for the immediate release of these reporters and others journalists who are going through the same treatment in

other part of the world.”

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, over 500 reporters have been in prison worldwide in the last two years. The International Federation of Journalists reported that 105 media workers were killed in 2013.

The group added: “While extremist groups in crisis-ridden regions have been behind a good numbers of these injustice meted on our colleagues, in certain cases, government officials, even the allied forces with the United States of America are culpable.

“Back home in Nigeria, we are hitherto ranked among socially responsible media in the world, yet our leadership has failed to address problems bedeviling media industry, one of which is poor welfare package.

“How do you expect journalists to feed their families when they are poorly paid or when they were not paid their wages for months? Facts have shown that we are among the worst remunerated in the world, yet we don’t want them to become subjective! In Nigeria, most journalists live on the gratifications they receive from people, even their editors, yet we say it’s unethical.

“We use this day to call on the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to see the welfare of journalists, dead or alive, as a priority, and work with media owners on how to effect a standard wage for the practitioners to live good and happy life, so that, together, we can put an end to all forms of unethical practices among other members.”

Bursary of pain

•Continued from page 31

“If everyone is bringing the same copy of PHCN bill, which they do not even own, how does it help with identification?” he queried.

Some students, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, lamented the stress they were subjected to, saying the bank process has compounded their difficulty in getting the bursary. They also complained about the compulsory N1,000 being deducted by the bank as the minimum balance to maintain the accounts.

Students said the accounts were opened without their consent, wondering why they were been charged for maintaining the account.

A student, who pleaded for anonymity, said when he received a message from the bank that his account had been successfully opened, he deleted the message, thinking it was a scam message. “I was surprised when I received another message later that the account had been credited, I decided to go to the bank to verify what was happening,” he said.

Other students, who did not receive account alert, were at the bank to retrieve their account numbers and activate the accounts ahead of payment.

Some students, who complained that they did not receive any notification from the bank said they were told upon enquiry that their names had not yet been sent by the scholarship board.

The students receive N10,000 bursary for accumulated years. The beneficiaries include graduates and Corps members, who were students at the time the bursary application was processed.

That physiology may be relevant •Continued from page 42

sibility of physiologists to show their usefulness by complementing the efforts of doctors to save lives.”

Dr Abdussalam-Magaji, a lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Kaduna State, took the students on neuroscience, which he described as a discipline that combines physiology, anatomy and the nervous system.

Before the event ended, the association elected new executive.

Frank Ejeagbasi, a 300-Level student of University of Calabar (UNICAL) is national president; Rosemary Agbakuru-Ndubuisi, Vice President.

Others are Peter Akah, General Secretary, Emi Agada, Financial Secretary, Elizabeth Alabi, Assistant General Secretary, ElvisMary Onyeugo, Director of Welfare, Pioudine Macduff, Director of Socials, and Abdulhafeez Abdulraheem, Public Relations Officer.

In his acceptance speech, Frank pledged to serve the association

to the best of his ability, urging members for their support to achieve set goals.

Highlights of the conference included a rally to sensitise the public on the relevance and importance of physiology. During the rally, the students marched on major streets and roads in Ogbomoso. Participants also visited the Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls in Osun State.

Participants were from over 19 universities, including ABU, UNICAL, Delta State University (DELSU), Bowen University, Igbinedeon University in Okada, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Chukwuemeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu University, Cross River State University of Technology, Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma and Afe Babalola University in Ado-Ekiti, attended the event.

Others are University of Lagos (UNILAG), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT) and University of Benin (UNIBEN).

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

45

CAMPUS LIFE UNILORIN FILE

Community praises Ondo Poly transformation

N1.2b oil palm plantation

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

THE Owo Community in Ondo State has commended the state government for improving infrastructure at the state-owned Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO).

The community spoke through its monarch, Olowo of Owo, Oba Victor Olateru-Olagbegi, who led a delegation on a visit to Governor Olusegun Mimiko in his office in Akure.

On the Olowo’s entourage were the Asuada of Isuada, Oba Rufus Aladetanye, a member of the State House of Assembly from Owo, Hon. Olatunji Dairo, Chief Imam of Owo, Alhaji Ahmed Aladesawe, the Caretaker Chairman of Owo Local Government Area, Tunde Fadimbola and the Rector of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, among others.

He said the infrastructural deficiencies in the polytechnic before Mimiko’s administration is a thing of the past as the institution boasts of world-class facilities, quality lecturers and uninterrupted academic calendar, among others.

Olowo said: “I am impressed by what the Ondo State Government has done in recent times. The last time I visited (the polytechnic) was shortly after my enthronement and I must confess, not much was there to be showcased. But on my recent visit, I saw massive development and interventions that are worthy of commendation. I must say you have done well,” the Olowo said.

Oba Olagbegi said the Federal Government, the polytechnic community and, indeed, all stakeholders in the institution must also be commended for the new vista that has been opened in the polytechnic.

The Rector, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun and Fadimbola noted that the people of the town and members of the polytechnic community would never forget the dividends of democracy brought to them by state government.

Mimiko thanked the team for the visit. He congratulated the Owo community and the institution for poly’s recent rating as the best in the country.

The governor said this was good news in an era when the Adekunle Ajasin University,Akungba Akoko(AAUA) got ranked as the best state owned university in the country.

Mimiko expressed delight that both the state-owned Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko and the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo had been adjudged the best state institutions in the country by the Transparency International in the United States.

He said the successes recorded by the institutions are the result of deliberate injection of funds, in a quantum that had no precedence in the history of the polytechnic, and the professional imprint of the first class Rector.

•From left: Mrs Chikezie, Prof Mopelola Omoegun, Dean, Faculty of Education UNILAG, Prof Duarte and Prof Osanyin after the event.

Don’t dump teaching, students urged

S

TUDYING education may be a last resort for many students, but they have been encouraged to stay put and excel in the teaching profession.

The students, mostly finalists studying Early Childhood Education at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), heard from some experts from Nigeria and the United States last Monday that they have highly significant roles to play in moulding Nigeria’s future if they remain teachers after school.

They also learnt about opportunities to gain topflight education from the United States after their bachelors at the programme organised by the Early Years Consult Limited.

Underscoring the importance of their roles as educationists, Mrs Chinenye Uwadileke of Educational U.S.A., run by the United States Consulate-General, told the students that they should continue in the profession after school because they are needed to help future students lay good foundation for their education.

“We are the ones who will shape the next generation of Nigerians who need to make a difference. If you don’t catch them young, it would be difficult when they are older. We have people who come to us to ask to study abroad but their foundation is bad in English, bad in the sciences. You have an opportunity to shape a life; stay with education,” she said.

Mrs Uwadileke also told the students of the many opportunities for study in the U.S. with various kinds of funding. Though more funding opportunities existed in the sciences for Masters and PhD students, she said the students can still get scholarships and grants if they do their research, put up a good ap-

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

plication package, and make good scores in the relevant entry examinations.

“In the United States, there are over 4,000 accredited institutions.

About 1,000 offer degrees. There are about 297,000 higher degree students at any point in time. You are spoilt for choice of institutions to choose from,” she said.

She also told them once admitted as students, they can gain experience and earn incomes from internships, research assistantships, teaching assistantship, and other such roles.

On her part, Professor of Early Childhood Education, Educational Psychology and Leadership from the University of Texas, Georgina Duarte, told the students that if done properly, Early Child Education has the potential of changing the world positively.

“Early education matters. It shapes communities, countries.

When it is done painstakingly in collaboration with the international community, it is more effective than any economic summit…the parent is the first teacher of a child; the second is the school/teacher; the third is the environment.

Giving them a tip on how to arrest the attention of young learners, Duarte said they should design the learning environment to make the young ones use their hands.

“If it is not in a child’s hand, it is not in their brain. Children must have hands on opportunities. Looking at it is not enough. Your hands transmit thousands of messages,” she said.

Duarte also told the students to join professional groups while still in school. She said it would im-

prove them professionally and even give them access to funding if they seek further studies later.

“While you are a student, I encourage you to join international associations because down the line there is money. Once you join a professional organization, your English will improve and you are building a professional career.

Your membership is also cheaper as a student,” she said.

On the purpose of the programme, Director, Strategy and Advocacy, Mrs Funsho Chikezie, Early Years Consult, said research supports providing the right foundation for a child’s success early in life. She said the change Nigeria seeks can only be achieved if children are prepared from the cradle with the right values and skills.

She therefore counseled the trainee teachers to realise the importance of such assignment and take it seriously.

“Focusing on early child education has a ripple effect on the other levels of education. You are in a life-changing profession. I know many of you stumbled into this course. The reason why we are here is to encourage you. Lives are waiting for you to change,” she said.

Prof Ajike Osanyin hoped that there would be future collaboration between both parties. She also sought further training in the area of methodology.

One of the students, Rasheedat Oganla, scored the programme excellent for the kind of exposure they received.

“I have to rate it 100 per cent.

Now I am more exposed to a lot of things and I plan to go online to research more educational opportunities,” she said.

EKSU students extol Fayemi, others on unionism

T

HE Students’ Union Government (SUG), Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, has commended Governor Kayode Fayemi and the authorities of the institution for lifting the ban on students’ unionism.

The Governing Council of the institution proscribed the unionism in the Institution following persistent unrest.

In a statement, President of the newly-elected Union government, Comrade Victor Ibitola, and Public Relations Officer, Priscilla Afolabi, praised the governor and the Vice Chancellor, Prof Oladipo Aina, for their roles in the restorating union-

Alumni president dies THE National President of the University of Ilorin Alumni Association, Mr Taoreed Odedele, has died at 56.

The late Odedele was, until his death, a member of the UNILORIN Governing Council, representing the convocation.

A statement by the National Public Relations Officer of the Association, Mr. Wale Fashakin, said Odedele died in Ilorin on April 25, while preparing for the National Executive Council meeting of the alumni association scheduled to hold the next day.

Odedele graduated from the University of Ilorin in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts in History. He returned to the same university for a Postgraduate Diploma in Education between 1986 and 1989 before going to the University of AdoEkiti for a Masters in Public Administration (MPA).

Odedele was elected the National President of the alumni association in 2006, having previously held the positions of First National Vice-President (20032005); Second National VicePresident (2000-2003), National Secretary (1993-1998) and Chairman, Ogun State Chapter of the Alumni Association.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

AbdulGaniyu Ambali, said he was shocked, noting that he died in service.

Firm donates equipment

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

ism in the school.

They commended the governor for donating an ultra-modern medical laboratory to the College of Medicine, saying: “This will further boost the infrastructural development of the university”.

They also praised, the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Kingsley Kuku for donating a building to the Union Government.

The students, however, urged other successful alumni to emulate Kuku’s gesture by supporting the

THE University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) plans to establish a 1,000-hectare oil palm plantation to provide training and laboratory facilities for students in the Faculties of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

AbdulGaniyu Ambali, who made this known while addressing the 239th meeting of the Senate of the university, put the cost of the proposed plantation at N1.2 billion.

He said the Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, and the Minister of Agriculture, Dr A. Adeshina, would kick off the project on May 15.

The plantation will also service the Departments of Forestry, Plant Biology and other related disciplines, and provide a source of internally generated revenue for the university.

A renowned Professor of Agriculture, Job Olutimehin Atteh, who heads the committee that would midwife the project, said the plantation would start on a 10-hectares land initially, adding that 2,000 oil palm seedlings have been purchased from the National Institute for Oil-Palm Research (NIFOR), Benin City, Edo State.

The oil palm plantation will increase the university’s store of economic plants.

•Dr Fayemi

•Prof Aina

university and the union with projects in the institution.

Other members of the new executives include: Pius Oluwabukola, Vice President, Agbetuyi

Omtayo(VP 2), Quadri Olawale, General Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Ette Mary, Social Officer, Amodu Emmanuel , Welfare Officer, Salau Akeem.

COGA Farms Limited, has donated a set of biodiesel and biogas equipment worth N10m to UNILORIN. The Chairman of the UNILORIN Jatropha Development and Maintenance Committee, Prof. Moshood Belewu, said that the donation was the company’s contribution to the teaching and research in renewable energy in the university.

Upon taking delivery of the equipment, Belewu said the committee plans to establish a Centre for Biodiesel and Biogas Production that will soon begin the production of biodiesel and biogas for consumption by members of the university community and the public.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

46

CAMPUS LIFE SCHOLARSHIPS

AOCOED FILE

APPROACHING DEADLINES Call for Application: Graduate Research Programme on Climate Change and Agriculture

•Ajose

Ex-dean is Deputy Provost THE college’s Governing Council has approved the appointment of Mr. Ajose, Ebenezer Oluwole as the Deputy Provost. His appointment took effect from Apri 17.

A graduate of the University of Lagos, Mr. Ajose assumed duty in the college as Lecturer II on June 15, 1990 and rose through the ranks to be Chief Lecturer on April 4, 2003.

Prior to his appointment, Ajose at various times, served or headed committees, including other sensitive positions such as Head of Department, Social Studies; Acting Dean, School of Arts and Social Sciences; Sole Administrator, College Staff School and Director, Centre for Outreach Programme.

He was born on April 1, 1955 and is married with children.

G&C Directorate berths ADENIRAN Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) Provost, Mr. Bashorun Olalekan Wasiu, has approved the establishment of the Directorate of Guidance and Counselling in the college, with Dr. Odigie J. Justina as its pioneer director.

The directorate will, among other things, provide guidance and counselling services for workers, students, neighbouring schools and residents of Oto and Ijanikin communities. Aside providing referral and orientation services, it also has the power to organise seminars, workshops, conferences and advise the Provost and the Academic Board.

NUC appraises programme AN accreditation team from the National Universities Commission (NUC) has paid a visit to AOCOED. The 10- member team, led by Professors Lizzy Okeke and Paul Enayeju, was to assess structures, facilities, equipment and personnel of the college for its 16 full-time degree programmes, being run in affiliation with the Ekiti State University (EKSU) Ado-Ekiti.

UNIVERSITY of Sheffield is accepting applications for three available merit-based Nigeria scholarships.

Scholarships are awarded for starting postgraduate taught masters studies in September 2014. Each scholarship is worth £7,000 of postgraduate Merit Postgraduate Scholarships 2014 (£7,000), applicants must be a Nigerian national or permanently domiciled in Nigeria, apply for a study place by Friday 20 June 2014 and hold an offer of a study place for entry in September 2014.

Scholarship Open for Interna-

tional Students: Students of Nigeria can apply for these scholarships.

Scholarship Description: The University offers the following scholarships for Nigerian students who show exceptional academic potential starting a postgraduate taught masters programme at the University of Sheffield in September 2014. There are three Nigeria Merit Postgraduate Scholarships 2014, available for Nigerian students starting their postgraduate taught masters programme in September 2014.

Number of award(s): Three Nigeria scholarships will be awarded.

Duration of award(s): These Nigeria scholarships will be awarded for a period of one year.

What does it cover? Each scholarship is worth £7,000 of postgraduate taught masters degree tuition fee per year, for one year of study.

The scholarships will take the form of a tuition fee reduction.

Selection Criteria: The Nigeria Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit.

Notification: Results will be announced by Friday 25 July 2014.

How to Apply: If you wish to be considered for this scholarship you need to apply. Eligible students will automatically be sent details of how to apply from January 2014 onwards. Applicants cannot apply for the scholarship before being offered a study place at Sheffield.

Scholarship Application Dead-

line: The application deadline is 27th June 2014.

Further Official Scholarship Information and Application Scholarship Tags: 2014, Meritbased, Nigeria, Postgraduate, scholarships, UK, University of Sheffield.

PAMAPS Scholarships for African Students in Medical Sciences, 2014.

PAMAPS scholarships available for African students to undertake postgraduate studies (MSc and PhD programme) in Medical Sciences.

PAMAPS is a partnership of 6 African Universities spread across the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), both in Nigeria.

•To be continued

A professor of Geography from the University of Georgia, United States, Kavita Pandit, was the lecturer at the joint convocation of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education(AOCOED), Otto-Ijanikin, Lagos, where she spoke on “Internationalisation of higher education: Opportunities and challenges”. In this interview with ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA, she speaks on how students in the Diaspora can benefit from international exposure without losing their cultural identity.

S

International education good for cultural identity

TUDYING abroad is supposed to be beneficial to both staff and students, especially those on exchange programmes. But there are reported cases of maltreatment of Nigerians studying abroad.

What is your reaction to this?

I wished in some way it is not only about campuses, but the society at large. Around the world, when economic condition declines, then you look for scapegoats. ‘Oh these people are taking away our jobs, they are taking away our culture’. I think this, to some extent, is a global phenomenon.

I also think sometimes that the phenomenon comes out of lack of education. It is the people who sometimes don’t have that respect. They are scared, they think you are different from them and then there is an attack.

Again, internationalisation is to make people behave as if they have a lot in common. Though there is need for government to punish those who perpetrate these crimes, what I think is the solution is for us as educators to push these people to realise that they a have a lot in common than their differences.

How can a national identity be defined through international engagement considering cultural imperialism?

Absolutely! The generally accepted idea is that when you go out of your country, you lose your culture. You become westernised and forget your root. I can give you my example and examples of others. It is very true that my spoken English is fluent and I learnt some American accent, but I

would say I learnt more about my home country after I went abroad.

When you are growing up in your country, there are lots of things you take for granted. I grew up in a small Arasian community where we often celebrate festivals. But once I went to America, people, for example, would ask me: ‘Why do they worship cows India ?’ And I would begin to rack my head because I never thought about it though I had lots experiences with it back in India.

So, I began to read about the religion.

People would ask me questions about Indian government doing certain things and I would say I do not know why they just came up with that. And I began to discover more about my own national identity up to when I went abroad and this is very true of many international students. But as a foreigner, when you go out there to represent your nation, that is when the reality stares you in the face.

What should African tertiary institutions look for before partnering with international institutions?

I think for any university in Nigeria wanting to partner abroad, the very first thing is to be clear on the need for such partnership. I think many universities are just deciding that. They are saying let us partner with that university; let us sign an MoU; but I think that is wrong. You have to begin by having a clear idea of what to do.

A key factor, which must be emphasised, is equality between the two institutions. The collaboration is not going to work if one is superior to

•From left: Pro-Chancellor, Covenant University (CU), Ota, Pastor Abraham Ojeme; Nobel Prize winner in Economics Science/Professor of Economics, New York University/Keynote Speaker, Prof Thomas Sargent; the Chancellor/Chairman Board of Regents, CU, Dr. David Oyedepo and Acting Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Sarah Alalade, during the first CU International Conference on African Development issues with the theme: 'Rising opportunity for investors in PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA Africa and the prospect of an economic miracle', held at Canaan land Ota Ogun State.

the other. For instance, in the University of Georgia we teach some African languages. It is in our interest to have specialists in those languages. So, what I’m saying generally is that any institutions in Africa should first look out for what is good for us, and the partnership must not be lopsided.

What inspired the topic of your lecture and what conclusions are derivable from it?

The topic is solely my suggestion.

AOCOED invited me and they gave me that liberty to discuss any topic of my choice. Now to your second question, I would like to think that there is a positive conclusion, and I indicated some of that. I am someone who feels internalisonalisation really helps students’ thinking to be broaden. To me, that is the bottom-line and not about money coming to an institution. And maybe not about national development, but ultimately human beings developing their minds. I also think internationalisation, whether you

•Prof Pandit

travel abroad or read about another country, helps each of us to learn about ourselves, learn about the world and become better citizens regardless of our financial or cultural differences.

From you experience how would you describe Nigerians scholars abroad?

First, Nigeria is a great country and one of her resources is her people.

Nigerian students come to the United States, say University of Georgia where I teach for example, and they are good materials and you can easily tell that their preparations is outstanding. I can say some of our best faculties (from University of Georgia) are Nigerian-born. The reputation is very high. We have a Nigeria from AOCOED, who is now working at the Institute of African Studies at the university. We also have another Nigeria, who was formerly a director of that institute. Nigerian scholars are very committed.

Group to endow Anioma language in varsities

T

HE Organisation for the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC), has announced plans to endow Anioma language and folklore studies in selected Nigerian universities.

This, it said, is in line with its objective to preserve and advance Anioma culture.

“Prominent sons and daughters of Anioma can set up foundations, endow chairs and finance programmes for Anioma language and folklore studies in selected universities in Nigeria. This area of Anioma language (the three dialects of Enuani, Ika and Ukwuani) is one project OFAAC is seriously looking into,” the group said in a statement.

Founded in November 2003 by Kester Ifeadi, Paddy Ugboh, Emeka Nmadu, Gideon Nwaomu and Monn Olodu, the group said it is working towards achieving cultural renaissance among Anioma people.

Anioma people are found in nine local government areas of Delta State, which make up Delta North Senatorial District.

Its objectives, among others, are to foster unity among the people; promote the use of Anioma traditional attires; create the Anioma consciousness and identity through cultural events and; organise seminars, workshop and lectures as well as conduct research of Anioma culture.

By Joseph Jibueze

On OFAAC’s Board of Trustees are Chief Newton Jibunoh, Chief Philip Asiodu, Sir Fortune Ebie, Prof. Pat Utomi, and Ifeadi Nmadu.

According to the group, the finest aspects of Anioma culture has gradually faded away owing to European influence.

“Our traditional dances, delightful cuisine, exciting sports like wresting, folklores, traditional dress code, and other forms of art have all faded away and what remains is thoroughly watered down. In short, western culture superseded Anioma’s in the areas of language, dress code, music and attitudinal dispositions. In fact, as individuals and a group Aniomas were uprooted from their natural habitat and shipped to foreign land,” the statement read.

It continued: “This was considered an aberration on our cultural landscapes. How then do we recreate the already weakened the soul of Anioma cultural heritage? It was against this backdrop that OFAAC was floated to champion the regeneration and advancement of Anioma culture through cultural fiestas and folk festivals which present unique opportunities for group fan, relaxation, and socialisation and a platform to relate and identify with communal values and activities.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

47

EDUCATION

N

O fewer than 100 students of Ahiaba High School, Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, participated in a three-day Career Counseling and Mentoring programme organised by the Nigerian Breweries (NB) PLC, Malting Plant Aba. The event, according to its organiser’s was put together as part of the company’s social responsibility for educational and mental development of students in their host communities especially, as it relates to choosing the right career.

“It is our corporate social responsibility programme that has been initiated by our company and it is geared towards creating a sustainable environment and future for ourselves. We have the environment now and do not want a situa-

NB counsels pupils

By Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

tion whereby there is nothing for posterity to have or use,” one of the organisers stated.

In an interview with newsmen, the Plant Manager, Aba Malting Plant, Mr. Seun Akinwale, said the exercise is to complement both the efforts of teachers in the school and the state Ministry of Education towards ensuring Abia students are properly guided through education to harness their raw potentials.

Akinwale regretted that many brilliant students have ended up choosing a profession without mak-

ing a career out of it because they either lack the opportunity to have a mentor or are mentored wrongly.

He said: “People who chose wrong profession will end up graduating and not being gainfully employed. They will also end up not adding positive value to the society, thereby increasing the number of jobless graduates that roam about the streets. The plant manager who is also a resource person in the programme listed peers, parental, environmental among others as factors that could influence students in making the right and wrong decisions in their choice

of career.

Akinwale described the choice of senior cadres of the school as beneficiaries, saying at such stage, any decision, right or wrong, will either make or mar their future.

The principal of the school, Mr Nwogu George, said the company’s gesture is an indication that Abia State and Nigeria have a sustainable future.

“They are doing something that is worthwhile. They have built a six classroom block for us and about this time last month, they came here to equip the library. Students who could not afford to buy books have been making use of the books and

since then have developed a sound reading culture.

“This is the first of its kind in the schools within this place, that an organisation like NB PLC is holding a career counseling exercise.

The students, Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB) and teachers are happy. We encourage them to extend it to other schools within this place. These things weren’t there in the olden days, most of us do not have parents who were exposed to academics and it pained us,” the principal stated.

Master Chukwuemeka Nwakanma and Miss Uchechi David who spoke on behalf of other participants thanked NB Plc for such tutorial session, adding that the three-day exercise has exposed them to things they didn’t know in the past.

Senator’s classrooms for Lagos schools

P

UPILS and teachers of Community Primary School in Magodo Shangisha area of Lagos State could not hide their joy last weekend at the commissioning of modern classrooms facilitated by the lawmaker representing Lagos East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Gbenga Ashafa.

The pupils trooped out of their classrooms to welcome the lawmaker when the bus that conveyed Senator Ashafa and the state Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, moved into the extensive premises.

The school is one of the seven beneficiaries of the classroom projects being initiated by the lawmaker as part of his constituency project.

Other beneficiary schools are: Ajelogo Primary School in AgboyiKetu Local Council Development Area (LCDA); Salvation Army Primary School in Ikorodu Central Local Government Area; Roman Catholic Mission Primary School in Eredo LCDA; Oke-Meta Primary School in Somolu Local Government Area; Lekki Primary School in Lekki LCDA and proposed

By Wale Ajetunmobi

Elemoro Primary School in IbejuLekki Local Government Area.

During a brief ceremony held before the building was commissioned, Ashafa noted that the projects were initiated to promote primary education in Lagos.

The audience was taken aback when the lawmaker recounted how, during his tenure as Executive Secretary in the Lagos Ministry of Land., he frustrated the move by some wealthy individuals in the state to convert the land where the school is domiciled to a residential area He said: “I resisted the move to divide the school compound because doing so would have made the pupils to learn in confinement. I never knew I would be a senator today; I never knew I would facilitate a classroom project in this school. If I had succumbed to pressure, this new block of classroom would not have had space to be sited.”

He urged parents to complement the effort of the state government in driving out illiteracy in Lagos, describing primary education as

• Oba Oloyede being assisted by Hon. Oladunjoye (right) and Senator Ashafa (right) to commission the classroom.

essential and a foundation for progressive society.

Ashafa said: “I strongly believe that to ensure proper upbringing and excellent performance of our children especially at the foundation of learning which the primary school is, we must provide pupils, with conducive learning environment. This is what we have done and we urge parents to complement this effort by ensuring that

their wards get primary education.”

Mrs Oladunjoye said the lawmaker’s resolve to choose primary education as area of support for Governor Babatunde Fashola’s effort to improve standard of education was wise, noting that primary school is the foundation for societal progress.

She said: “The state government under Governor Babatunde

Monarch donates books to schools

Osun achieves biometric enrolment of 350,000 pupils

By Adegunle Olugbamila

T

HE traditional ruler of Ifitedunu in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, Eze Chukwuemeka Iluno has distributed a 40-ft container load of books to 18 primary schools and six secondary schools in the council area.

The books are in different subject areas including mathematics, history, reference and science books were obtained from a foreign publishing giant, ‘Book for Africa’ in Atlanta, United States of America.

Iluno explained that the books were shipped from US to Nigeria at the cost of over N3 million. Such gesture, he argued, is the one of the ways to curb crime in the society.

Eze Ilouno said his motivation is hinged on the reality that most problems faced in the area can only be traced to ignorance, adding “the more educated one is, the more knowledgeable he becomes and the more one can cope with life challenges.”

“We are trying to re-educate our people to realise the importance of education. I also realise that most young men in Igbo land don’t want to enroll in school anymore because they want quick money.

“I want to make Ifitedunu better than I met it by making it the best community in Anambra State. I am

Fashola is proud of the activities of our distinguished senator, which are geared towards improving on the standard we have put in place in Lagos. We will continue to invest in the future of our children by providing modern classrooms and curriculum. We welcome support such as what Senator Ashafa is doing from wellmeaning people to improve on what we have done.”

•Igwe Ilouno showing guests some of the books.

right now building a computer laboratory at Nneamaka Secondary School and library for another school in the town to promote reading culture. I am also building a school hostel for another school here. The design is what you can find in any modest structure,” he said He expressed worry over poor reading culture in Nigeria, stressing that the only solution is to make education affordable to Nigerians.

The books were commissioned by the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Willie Obiano who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr. Oseloka

Obaze. Others in Obaze’s company were the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Tony Onyima and his wife, the council chairman, Sir Chukwudi Okeke, among others.

Responding, Governor Obiano praised the monarch and reinstated his administration’s commitment to ridding the state of criminals, noting that the determination is to prepare ground for foreign investors.

On his part, the Chairman, Dunukofia Local Government Area, Sir Chukwudi Okeke, said that the council would ensure the selected schools get the books and use them. He lauded the monarch’s gesture as a way of encouraging children and parents.

The President-General of Ifitedunu Town Union, Prince Nezieanya Obinabo said:”What Igwe has done is a manifestation of his interest in education which is in tandem with what the state government has been doing. Governor Obi invested much in education and that investment is continuing with Gov. Obiano’s administration, which is today spreading across the state”.

Two beneficiary schools Solid Case Montessori International School, Umuanugo Ifitedunu, and Arch Angel Secondary School, Ifitedunu, led by their Proprietress and Manager Mrs Uju Louis and Rev. Fr. Christopher Ezeibe thanked the monarch.

THERE is an ongoing biometric enrolment of public school pupils in the State of Osun. The exercise will run across the 30 local government areas of the state.

The project being executed by Chams Plc, a data oriented-outfit, is expected to provide accurate data on pupils in public schools in accordance with government’s determination to revolutionise public education in the state.

The exercise is to improve planning and proper allocation of resources to the education sector in the state, said the state Deputy Governor, Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori.

Commenting on the project, Mrs Laoye-Tomori, said the exercise is a significant milestone, noting that without accurate data, a holistic transformation of the education sector in Osun may remain elusive.

According to her, the exercise is meant to capture the 350,000 pupils in public school in the state. Already, she said students in 16 local government areas had been captured, adding that enrolment in progress in 14 more local government areas .

“This will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery by government to public school pupils who are beneficiaries of initiatives that include the Osun Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme (O’meals), School Computer Tablet (Opon Imo) and Osun School Uniform (O-Uniform)”.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

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EDUCATION

Oyo lawmaker empowers 280 students

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HE member representing Irepo/Olorunsogo/Orelope Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Jimoh Adelowo Afees, has given out scholarship and bursary awards to the tune of about N6 million to 280 students of the constituency in secondary and tertiary institutions.

Afees, speaking at the bursary award programme held at Kisi town hall at the weekend, noted that his action was aimed at encouraging youths to take education importantly.

At the programme, which was attended by politicians and students from Igboho, Kisi and Igbeti com-

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

munities, two of the best pupils from each of the 38 secondary schools in the constituency were given certificates of merit and cash awards while 200 final year students of universities and polytechnics across the country also received bursary awards to aid their studies.

Some of the recipients who responded at the event praised Afees for his insight.

Speaking on the theme: Education and Politics: Tools for Community Development, the guest speaker at the programme, Mr Adedayo Adediji,

a lawyer, called on stakeholders and governments at all levels to ensure that more attention is paid to education development.

Chairman of the occasion, Chief Jacob Adetoro, also praised the donor, encouraging him him not to relent.

The Iba of Kisi, Oba Moshood Oyekola Aweda, was represented by some of his chiefs led by the Ajana of Kisi. Others include the National President of the Kisi Progressive Union, Chief Bayo Adesope; Chief Adetoro; a former member of the House of Representatives in the constituency, Chief Michael Ojo; Alhaji Ayinde Ogede, Alhaji Yusuf Sarafadeen and Mr Lukman Balogun.

Kwankwaso visits Crescent Varsity students

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ANO State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has charged undegraduates who are beneficiaries of the Kano State scholarship at Crescent University, Abeokuta to be good ambassadors of the state. He , expressing satisfaction with the progress of the students in the institution.

He gave the charge during his visit to the institution as part of his programme to develop education in Kano State. Speaking in Hausa, Kwankwaso praised the noble con-

tributions of the Proprietor, Judge Bola Ajibola in both legal and education sectors, describing it as worthy of emulation.

Speaking earlier, Ajibola said Nigeria needs more of Governor Kwankwaso, adding: “ This is the product of our effort to bring the North and South of Nigeria together.”

Ajibola said that Cresent University has been able to propagate educational cohesion between the North and South of Nigeria.

In his welcome address, the Vice

Chancellor, Prof. Kehinde Okeleye expressed deep appreciation to Governor Kwankwso for his sponsorship of 200 students into various degree programmes, adding that reports from the students’ academic performance to date was good.

Okeleye said “It is praiseworthy to report that all Kano State students have laptops, courtesy of Kano State government’s redemption of its promise to students.”

He added that it had impacted on students’ performance positively.

•From left: Gasper, Mrs Oyemade, Mrs Osime and Dr Aworanti at the event

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NABTEB seeks input for reforms

HE Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) has highlighted areas that the National Business and Technical Education Board (NABTEB) should focus on to overhaul the assessment system for technical college graduates in Nigeria.

A sensitisatIon forum organised

by NABTEB in collaboration with LASTVEB at the Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, provided the platform for LASTVEB, technical teachers, private sector participants and other stakeholders to suggest ways forward for technical and vocational education in Nigeria.

In a position paper, LASTVEB raised questions about the eligibility of candidates for exams, availability of adequate consumables and facilities for practical, quality of examiners, late arrival of question papers, monitoring during examinations, individual assessment of candidates, motivation for examiners, supervisors, and prompt release of results.

The board recommended that NABTEB should introduce new measures to strengthen internal assessments of candidates, ensure question papers are not late, monitor examination and pay officials on time.

LASTVEB also suggested that NABTEB evolve a Continuous Assessment template that can assist in evaluating candidates in addition to course work, organise regular seminars to sensitise the public about its programmes, seek more funding from the Federal Govern-

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

ment, among others.

Commending NABTEB for opening its doors to reforms, Executive Secretary of LASTVEB, Mr Olawumi Gasper said the rebranding would make the NTC (National Technical Certificates) qualifications better appreciated in Nigeria.

“There are so many challenges which we have brought to the fore. If you want the NTC to be reckoned with and patronised locally, you must take the issues of assessments seriously – practical assessments, individual assessments; they need to review ways of internal assessment. We must congratulate NABTEB for opening its doors to reforms,” he said.

Also speaking, Mrs Bolaji Osime, CEO, Global International College, Ikoyi, who chaired the event, said it is now very important that Nigerian schools prepare ready professionals for the world of work.

“With unemployment at its highest, it is critical that institutions must prepare future-ready students, they must be responsive by providing them with education that is relevant for employment in the private sector. Industry experts, NBTE, NABTEB, schools state governments, TVET board members, technical colleges, tertiary institutions all need to collaborate effectively with the objective of producing industry responsive entrepreneurial and student centered education that will ensure that Nigerian students are not only university ready but

also career and workplace ready,” she said.

She urged NABTEB and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to identify the skills gap in the curriculum so that it remains relevant.

In her speech, Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, who was represented by Mrs Adeyinka Oyemade, chairman, LASTVEB, underscored the importance of examining bodies, like NABTEB, and training institutions to respond to the needs of industry.

For NABTEB to be able to deliver on its mandate, the Registrar, Dr Olatunde Aworanti said it needs the services of transparent examiners. He lamented that performance in NABTEB examination has been marred by examination malpractices.

He complained that some examiners do not demonstrate integrity in their assessments of candidates, thereby making it difficult to determine their true skills.

Aworanti said NABTEB has also discovered that the curriculum is actually lacking. He urged proprietors of schools to send their TVE teachers on internships to industry so they can enhance their skills and teach their students better.

“I appeal to proprietors that if you employ someone and he is not so skilled, let him go for training with the industry during the long vacation. By the time he returns, he will impact greater knowledge on students,” he said.

EDUTALK

with

Chibok on world stage

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IGERIA is dominating the news worldwide for the wrong reasons. The world cannot believe that over 200 girls can just disappear into thin air. It is like everyone has suddenly woken up, three weeks after, to consider the incredulity of the incident. The situation is almost Kofoworola making a mockery of our country and the ability of the government to manage its affairs.

Kofosagie@yahoo.com The audacity with which the 08054503077 (SMS only) Boko Haram leader claimed responsibility for the abduction and threatened to sell the girls makes the situation even worse. It is like adding insult to injury. Then, on Monday night, the group visited some homes in the town of Warambe in Borno State, and kidnapped eight more girls - sacking police and soldiers from checkpoints in the process.

So short after they succeeded at Chibok, should they have found it so easy to attack again? Are our security agencies sleeping? Will the disgrace not end? How have we allowed ourselves to get into this mess?

Where are our elite forces? Where is the Nigerian version of the American Navy Seals that hunted down Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011?

Many people who participated in protests I covered are also asking questions about the appropriation of the security budget, which is close to N1 trillion. One of them, Chinedu Ekeke, said that photos that recently surfaced from our military camps showing where our officers slept and what they ate were proof that the money appropriated in the budget did not get to the men. So how do we expect them to be motivated to look for our girls?

Parents who went searching for their girls in the Sambisa Forest also said they did not meet any soldier during the 12 hours they spent in the place.

Not long ago, Governor Ibrahim Shettima of Borno State said Boko Haram men were better equipped and motivated than our soldiers.

It was only on Sunday that President Goodluck Jonathan started giving insight into government's effort to search for the girls. Why did he not tell us anything all this while?

However, while we address the present problem of finding the girls, another problem is rearing its head underneath the surface. The sect seems to be succeeding in scaring people away from school. Must we allow this to happen? Many schools in the region have been shut, distorting the academic calendar in those areas. How will the issue be addressed?

Another person I spoke with said pupils would go to school if their security is guaranteed. However, without such confidence, when someone has to choose, life comes first. Unfortunately, if the youth do not get an education, what kind of future can they look forward to? Will they not grow up to become disgruntled elements, blaming the present leadership for failing to secure their future? Will they not cause more havoc than the Boko Haram when they are older?

The activities of the insurgents has destabilised the economy of the affected areas. Productive activities cannot take place in the absence of peace. When there is no production, scarcity sets in, then poverty.

The problems caused by the insurgency are growing bigger by the day. We cannot afford to sit down and fold our hands and think it has nothing to do with us. As Nigerians, we should join hands to end the reign of terror in our land using whatever means we can. We must not allow the criminals deprive us of peace and progress. Whoever is aiding the criminals should not be allowed to continue doing so without being exposed and punished. Nigerians deserve a better deal from our government. And we are demanding that we get it from now on.

Belo-Osagie

‘However, while we address the present problem of finding the girls, another problem is rearing its head underneath the surface. The sect seems to be succeeding in scaring people away from school. Must we allow this to happen? Many schools in the region have been shut, distorting the academic calendar in those areas. How will the issue be addressed?’

From my Inbox Re: broken youths (May 01, 2014) I think several factors are responsible. 1. Overbreeding: Most people have more children than they can conveniently nurture; 2. With too many kids out of control, there is limited or no proper guidance/upbringing; they grow up on the streets and become delinquents and a threat to social order. Their parents don't MISS them! In general, I have often wondered how a couple with three kids who find it very difficult to feed well still go ahead and have more kids, arguing that they cannot reject God's gift. What of the reality of raising them? Limit the number of kids for a start… 08034726625.

Re: Deprived of her childhood (April 24, 2014) Those who still advocate underage marriage are barbaric. Civilized parents prefer the education of their girl-children to underage marriage. Albert, Simeon, Seme.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

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THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

POLITICS

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THURSDAY MAY 8, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

EKITI POLITICS As Ekiti State prepares for the governorship election, stakeholders are worried that the poll may be characterised by violence, unless frantic efforts are made to halt the thuggery and arson that have characterised the campaigns. EMMANUEL OLADESU reports.

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Avoiding electoral violence in Ekiti

EXT month, the people of Ekiti State will troop out to cast their votes at the governorship election. However, ahead of the poll, the campaigns have been characterized by thuggery, violence and arson.

The three main candidates-Governor Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC), former Governor Ayo Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele of the Labour Party (LP)-are campaigning in the rustic communities.

There are accusations and counteraccusations among the parties. The party leaders are trading blames.

While the APC has accused the PDP chieftains of heating up the state by the violent activities of suspected thugs, the PDP has also accussed the ruling party of intolerance. In many towns and villages, posters of candidates have been torn by thugs. Billboards have been pulled down.

Also, rallies have been disrupted.

In some instances, it took the intervention of the police before the private residence of notable politicians were not burnt attack. But, there have been vandalisation of campaign vehicles and physical assault on crowds on campaign grounds. Although the state has been peaceful in the last three and half years, the electioneering has altered its transquility. Three days ago, the Director-General of the Fayemi Campaign Organisation, Hon. Bimbo Daramola cried out that some desperate politicians wanted to

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•Dr Fayemi

take Ekiti back to the dark days.

On daily basis, the police is inundated with complaints by party officials against unruly behaviour among party followers.

Two weeks ago, Vice President Namadi Sambo described Ekiti as a war front. It was reminiscent of the do-or-die slogan of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. When the number two citizen said that Ekiti as a war zone, the statement elicited wild condemnation. Fayemi was taken aback. He observed that the stament has connotative interpretation. Other eminent Nigerians also chided the Vice President for the inflammatory statement. But, Sambo has not come out to deny it.

•Fayose

A chieftain of the APC, Hon. Smart Akinyemi, who frowned at the statement, said: “The first interpretation of the statement is that they want to use the federal might in Ekiti. When they used it in 1983, the old Ondo State was in flames. When they used it in 2003 and 2007, people went to the court. The court process is slow.

If they try it this time around, they know the consequence. Federal might, to me, means, that they are planning to rig. Federal might also means that they want to induce the INEC and ask those in charge of police to misuse the security agents for the election. It will not work”.

Daramola blamed the PDP for the return of violence. He said that the

•Bamidele

atmosphere of gangsterism, insecurity, immaturity and crudity, which ended with the PDP’s misrule in 2010, has returned.

“The spectre of an Ekiti governor going under a wire barricade at the airport, with its attendance negative connotation and bad publicity for the state and her people, has receded to distant memory, thanks to Fayemi.

Those who gave Ekiti a bad name by exhibiting traits that are the very antithesis of the concept of Ile Eye, those who showed glaring disregard for traditional authorities and those who turned a well-respected state into a theatre of the absurd are back, asking the same people they traumatised in their time to vote them into office

again. They claim they are now better human beings, forgetting that a leopard does not change its spots,” Daramola said.

The legislator urged the people to be vigilant. He allged that unpopular candidates were pepetrating violence so that people would not come out to vote.

Ekiti, he said, would not dance to their drums of war. “Therefore, we feel compelled to remind the good people of Ekiti State, both within and outside, that eternal vigilance is the price of freedom, and that the Ekiti people must not and will not return to Egypt,” he said.

Other organisations have also warned against rigging to prevent violence in post-election period. Democracy Vanguard, a which has started an anti-rigging campaign in Ekiti, has vowed to resist the “do-or-die politicians who still see elections as warfare with violence and thuggery as weapon of political victory “ Its leader, Adeola Soetan, said that “if there is free and fair election, there will be peace.”

The Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER), has also listed the conditions for credible polls. Its coordinator, Ayo Opadokun, said: “The INEC must conduct a hitch-free poll.

This can be guaranteed, if the commission does not repeat what it did in Anambra State. The police must not become a tool in the hand of the PDP. Credible election observers from home and abroad should be accredited to monitor the polls. If there is one man one vote and opportunities for voters to defend their votes, all wil be well.”

INEC wants to bungle Ekiti, Osun polls, says CODER

HE Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reform (CODER) yesterday flayed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its decision not to use the card reader for the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.

The group said the decision is clearly ominous, adding that it has implications for free and fair elections.

The group’s coordinator, Mr. Ayo Opadokun, said that the decision on the card reader has affected the confidence of the voters, ahead of the polls.

He warned against bungling the elections, saying that malpractices would be resisted.

He said: “The card reader is expected to make double or multiple voting and impersonation impossible because on the presentation of your voters card, your fingerprint will be tested with the card reader.

“The card reader will either validate or invalidate your claim of being a genuine voter. This certainly is supposed to be a significant step forward towards achieving credible elections and where every vote must count as demanded by Nigerians and the international community” Opadokun said that INEC’s position on the voting arrangement is suspicious, stressing that the non-usage of the card readers would allow room for impersonation.

He told reporters in Lagos that the non-usage of the card reader may pave the way for the usage of “clown voter’s card”, warning that the scenario may lead to confusion, accusations and violence.

Opadokun added: “If the INEC’s turnaround position of not using the card reader is allowed to be, it means that

the necessary trial runs of the card reader in the immediate elections holding in June and August to test the genuiness or the lack of it, the credibility or otherwise, of the machine has again been dubiously frustrated.

“If the prospect for testing the card reader to establish the accuracy of the technology, the knowledge and expertise of INEC ad hoc staff (the human users) are postponed, until 2015 general elections, it could be imagined that there is an alterior reasons for such a negative policy. The size of Ekiti and Osun states as a small size compared with the entire country are golden opportunity for INEC and the general public to be acquainted with the use of the technology.

“In 2010, in consequence of the nationwide and international agitations for a computerized voters register, INEC requested and was allocated over N80billion for the entire process of purchase and production of credible bio-metric voters register. Unfortunately, inspite of the patriotic warning and appeal from both local and international publics that the acquired Direct Data Capturing (DDC) machines that were customised for Nigerian should be technically tested for seemless functionality was ignored, the ad hoc staff (enumerators) of INEC (mostly Youth Corpers) were never trained in the usage of the machines.

The INEC wrongly estimated that most Youth Corpers were computer literate which was not to be”.

Opadokun emphasised that, due to the avoidance of trial runs, the computerised voters’ registeration was in vain, pointing out that the errors have not been corrected, despite the claim made by the commission to save its face.

He also alleged that “the DDM malfunctioned and there were significant issues with the batteries leading to many delays, nationwide”.

Opadokun said that the most important facility, the “Automatic Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)”, which was expected to clear up multiple registrations and detect underage registrations, was equally neglected nationally, except in Cross Rivers State.

“The consequence of the lack of the usage of AFIS has led to the production of bogus and inflated register where INEC would tell the public that they have registered 60-70 million voters but the analysis always indicate that not up to 25 per cent eventually voted and the many cases of voters whose names were missing from the register on voting day’s inspite of some feeble efforts being made in the last two years or so.

“As a result of our platform’s commitment to ensuring that every vote

must count, we are calling on well meaning Nigerians to mount credible campaigns to ensure that the already purchased Card Readers are deployed and test run in Ekiti and Osun states respectively. This is important so that Electoral Management, body, local and international publics are equipped for the prior usage and experience of the Card Reader performance before the nationwide general elections. Insisting on medicine after death policy as INEC has done repeatedly should be resisted.

“INEC should be happy to test run the card reader as to how it can be used, operated and deployed for maximum benefit to the entire election exercise in order to prevent multiple voting and impersonation.

Opadokun urge vigilance, recalling that the electoral commission has never lived up to expectation in the conduct of isolated elections, including the senatorial election in Delta Central, governorship elections in Anambra and Edo states and the recent federal parliamentary election in Ondo State. He said the elections exposed INEC’s ineptitude and inability to to ensure timely distribution of sensitive electoral materials.

He said Nigerians should mount pressure on the commission to test the card reader in Ekiti and Osun so that the rumour going round in the two

‘The consequence of the lack of the usage of AFIS has led to the production of bogus and inflated register where INEC would tell the public that they have registered 6070 million voters but the analysis always indicate that not up to 25 per cent eventually voted and the many cases of voters whose names were missing from the register on voting day’s inspite of some feeble efforts being made in the last two years or so’

• Opadokun

states that certain candidates are already cloning Voters Cards for multiple voting and impersonation nipped in the bud.

Opadokun added: “CODER has it on good authority that one or two particular candidates and their party topmost leadership have recently embarked upon CLONING of Voters Identification Numbers (VIN) for the purposes of helping them to be able to do multiple voting and impersonate genuine registered voters. This stated uncovered ingenious agenda can only be possible if there is no usage of card reader which is a near perfect machine that can detect clown cards as it’s correlated with the voter’s finger print.

“Lets for once act our talk. Exporting what Nigeria does not have (credible) election to Sierra Leone, Liberia etc is disgraceful. Every vote must count”.

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THE NATION THURSDAY MAY 8, 2014

POLITICS Former Special Adviser on Public Communication Abia State governor, Ben Onyechere, in this interview with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE speaks on the 2015 succession battle in the state.

‘Orji will hand over to competent successor’

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• Prince Adeyemi (right) and his father, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, during his visit to some villages in the Oyo Constituency.

Oyo crown Prince Hakeem Adeyemi and Hon. Kamil Akinlabi are the House of Representatives aspirants in Oyo Constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Correspondent BODE DUROJAIYE writes on the scramble for power in the Alafin’s domain.

Race for Oyo parliamentary seat hots up

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EVEN months to the Na tional Assembly elections, the battle for the Oyo Constituency seat is gathering momentum. The contest is between two aspirants under the banner of the All Peoples Congress (APC): Hon. Kamil Akinlabi, who is serving his second term in the House, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi’s son, Prince Hakeem Adeniyi Adeyemi, who is the Atiba Local Government Caretaker Chairman.

In the view of many observers, Prince Adeyemi is a formidable force in the race, not only because of his father’s influence, but also because of his popularity at the grassroots, especially in Afijio, Atiba, Oyo-East and Oyo-West local governments that make up the constituency.

Besides, there is no ward in the constituency that has not benefitted from the gestures of the prince. Adeyemi has rendered assistance to indigent pupils, provided funds to farmers, potable water for the town and villages, and given empowerment to over 7,000 who are beneficia-

ries of his skill acquisition programme.

Indications that the monarch’s son has a good chance of making a reasonable impact in the race for the seat in the lower chamber emerged during the recently concluded party congresses at the ward and local government levels.

At the congresses witnessed by APC National Monitoring Team Leader, Honourable Lanre Balogun and the Independent National Electoral Commission as observers, candidates loyal to Prince Adeyemi’s faction of the party cleared majority of the seats.

For instance, at both Wards 8

‘In the view of many observers, Prince Adeyemi is a formidable force in the race, not only because of his father’s influence, but also because of his popularity at the grassroots’

and 9 in the Atiba council area, where the contest was chaotic, the monarch’s son floored his closest rival, Kamil, who is from Ward 8. Prince Adeyemi is from Ward 3.

There were allegations of rigging levied against Prince Adeyemi’s faction, but these were rebuffed by both the national and state monitoring teams of the party, security agencies, as well as INEC officials who unanimously affirmed that the conduct of the elections was successful in eight of the 10 wards in Atiba.

In Oyo-East, where the opposing factions agreed to settle for consensus, it was an easy ride for the faction sympathetic to Prince Adeyemi, led by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Alhaja Monsurat Sunmonu. The faction garnered the support of over 70 per cent wards and local government party executives.

Commenting on the outcome of the congresses, Balogun expressed satisfaction over the impressive turn-out of party members and the orderly conduct of the congresses.

•Left to right: Chairman, Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission, Chief Ranti Adebisi; wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; President, Ekiti State Food Vendors Association, Chief Victoria Oladimeji; and wife of Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Modupe Owolabi, when the governor’s wife presented empowerment PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN materials to members of the association, in Ado-Ekiti.

HAT are the issues that will shape the 2015 election in Abia State?

There will not be issues because everything is in line and there is unity of purpose in all that takes place in the state. During the period of Orji Uzor Kalu, there was indiscipline in the political arena.

In this dispensation however, Abia State Governor Theodore Orji as the leader of PDP in the state has promoted discipline as far as the political atmosphere is concerned. As a result, anybody can now aspire to any position in Abia State. This was not the case in the past.

But, he is yet to announce his successor…

The governor will not allow just anybody to come in as the next governor. He wants somebody who he can trust to build on the foundation he has laid. He wants someone who will add value to what is currently on ground. Theodore Orji will not want anybody to jeopardize the architectural legacy he has built in the state. Anybody who is coming to take over from him will be thoroughly screened, he must be a performer, he must be disciplined and possibly come from among the ranks. He must not be somebody who will come from the top. Definitely, it will not be a case from top to bottom; he can’t afford to beat about the bush in this matter.

The governor will certainly support anybody who will live up the expectation of the people.

Are you saying there was no foundation on the ground when Governor Theodore Orji came on board?

There was no foundation when he took over governance; there was no foundation in the state at all. The former governor came as a dictator; he was playing politics of propaganda. He siphoned most of the fund coming to Abia State and used it in his private capacity. The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has already mentioned this. He did much more than you could meet the eyes in Abia State. He did not build anything nor lay a foundation that could be built upon. He merely did some political whitewash on some roads which crumbled as soon as he left. That is why the current government has the credit. His successor Theodore has succeeded where Kalu failed. Kalu never wanted anybody to succeed where he failed.

But, there are records to show that Orji Kalu succeeded…

If I may describe the person of Governor Theodore Orji in clear terms, I have never seen such a man before. You could take him for granted, but he knows how to handle the situation rightly. He is somebody who is exposed because of the type of education he had. Orji Kalu thought he could take him for granted because of his subordination and patriotism. He thought he could use him as a soft landing even though he was more popular than him.

Theodore Orji brought credibility to Kalu’s government even though the buck stops on Kalu’s table. For someone to have worked as chief of staff for eight years with him, he knew his worth and wanted to use the man as soft landing because that was the only way out.

Was that the reason why they quarrelled?

Yes, but the quarrel did not start suddenly; it was premeditated. Orji Kalu had this subtle plan to stop Governor Orji, so that he will be denied a second term. The issue began to arise when Orji refused to succumb to the dictates of Kalu. He wanted to remain in a position where he will continue to dictate the political pace in Abia. But, unfortunately for him, those of us who are in the national office of the PPA thought he could not do this to him. The issue is not about Kalu and Theodore, but Kalu and the whole of Abia State. We saw him as a virus because Abia is made of intellectuals. The state can boast of many political big names, so it was not easy for Kalu to achieve that. You can fool the people some time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time. So, it was not just Kalu versus Theodore, but Kalu against the people who said no to his antics. The people said Theodore should be allowed to maximize the political gain the state started enjoying under his government. Abia people said he would do much better if was given eight years, otherwise they would not allow him to control the state afterwards.

Kalu wants to come to the PDP. Why is Abia PDP not allowing him to return?

The same question has been recurring over and over again. He knows that there is leadership in place, and that he cannot be leader anymore. His main objective is to play the spoiler’s game once again. He is not coming back to help rebuild the party, because he has his own party. His party, the PPA, is still a living party, so how can he be in two parties? Nobody will allow such a thing. He has to resolve the PPA matter before talking of the PDP. What is the assurance that what happenned between Kalu and Orji will not happen between Orji and his successor?

Kalu’s case is peculiar in all circumstance. Everything to him is a game in the name of commercialization. He wants to achieve commercial gain from any venture. He wants to maximize gains. In any case, like I am telling you, Governor Orji will sit down with the elite and the people of Abia to screen somebody who has passed through the ranks. He must be somebody who has a name to protect.

What will be the preoccupation of Governor Orji between now and the next election?

He will be occupied with the completion of the developmental programmes started under his watch. He is so much concerned about rewriting the history of Abia State. He is a disciplined person; he is somebody who value his name.

Hope you are aware that he has reinstated those Abia indigenes who were temporary put out of job in the Abia civil service? Remember he did the biometric staff audit to ascertain those in the civil service.

He started so many things and wants to make sure they are completed before he leaves. He wants to rebuild and rebrand the state. The political development he has brought to Abia state is still evolving under • Onyechere him.

55

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

NATURAL HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

Detoxification is the cleaning of the body from inside. What is the best way to go about it? When is it required?

OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA writes.

After Easter, it’s time to detoxify

P

EOPLE overindulge themselves during festivals. They do everything in excess.

They eat too much; they drink too much. The resultant effect is discomfort. When this happens the way out is detoxification.

Detoxification is the cleaning of the blood mainly by removing impurities from the liver, where toxins are processed for elimination.

The body also eliminates toxins through the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymph and skin. When this system is compromised, impurities are not properly filtered and every cell in the body is adversely affected.

According to a natural health practitioner, Olayinka Fashipe, the body is detoxified by removing and eliminating toxins, and feeding it with healthy nutrients.

Detoxifying the body can help protect one from disease and renew the ability to maintain optimum health.

“But the problem with detoxification is that most people seem not to know why and when to detoxify.

How do you know if you need to detoxify your body is a natural question? Once there are symptoms such as unexplained fatigue; sluggish elimination; irritated skin; allergies or low-grade infections; bags under the eyes; a distended stomach even if the rest of the body is thin; menstrual difficulties and mental confusion, it is time to detoxify.

The need for detoxification, according to Fashipe, who owns Fashoggi Healthshoppe, Akute, Ogun State, starts with the environment. “We are living in a world with increasing toxins and carcinogens. Unfortunately, we are exposing ourselves to them and absorbing them into our body. Environmental factors are one of the major causes attributed to 80 to 90 percent of all cancers. Only a small handful of cases are actually genetically inherited,” he said.

He continued: “Cancer cells are the result of mutations to the genes that makes the cells divide at abnormal rates and grow “immortally” through production of abnormal copies. What could have caused this process? Studies have shown that carcinogenic substances ranging from industrial waste, industrial chemicals, pesticides, radiation, food additives, refined food, etc. have a strong connection with this mutation process of healthy human cells.”

Other chronic degenerative diseases such as diabetes and heart attacks, Fashipe said, are the result of consistent abuse through improper nutrition and sedentary lifestyle, adding that many people’s diets are tilted towards higher levels of sugar, glycemic carbohydrates, refined food, high fat food, and adulterated food.

Fashipe said: “Toxins are inevitable in our lives, but we have to limit our exposure to same. Our human body has the natural mechanism to detoxify itself through a two-phase process known as Xenobiotic Detoxification. We need to assist our body to perform this in an effective manner. Therefore,

the way to detoxify your body starts from the knowledge of proper diet, nutrition, and stress relief programmes to clear and prevent absorption of these toxins in our body.”

He added: “The whole process relies heavily on nutrition for our body and organs to perform optimally, just like high octane petrol fueling a car to run efficiently.

However, when there are an excessive amount of toxins being added into our body it can overwhelm our body natural detoxification capability.”

To detoxify the body and let it function optimally, Fashipe said: “Adequate nutrition is important to fuel our organ and body system to prevent toxin from build up and be expelled it. Besides, the other reasons to detoxify are our body, which produces internal toxins known as free radicals. These are small molecules lacking electrons and they consistently steal electrons from other molecules to stabilize themselves.”

However, all these stealing Fashipe said, result in wounding many cells as they become unstable when their electrons are stolen. “So it grows the number of free radicals within our bodies and starts a chain of damages to our cells as well as our DNA structure,” he said.

He said people develop free radicals easily by inhaling polluted air, chemical metabolism in the body, cell metabolism, inflammation from strenuous exercise, or high fat content food being consumed.

“These contribute strongly to our development of degenerative diseases like cataracts and stroke. Interestingly, these free radicals can be easily destroyed by antioxidants like Vitamin C and Vitamin E and phytonutrients. Emotional stress is another source of creating toxin in our body. Depressive or angry emotion fires up our body to release chemical reactions that can weaken our neurological, hormonal and immune function. This opens up our body’s susceptibility to the presence and development of cancer and degenerative diseases.

“Emotional toxins can be caused by a traumatic experience as a child or adult and they linger on inside

•Fashipe

as an unresolved issue. It is important to release this repressive experience and move on in our lives,” he said.

He added: “Everyone should detoxify at least once a year. A short detoxifying programme is generally safe. In fact, scientific studies show that detoxification is beneficial to health. Consult your health care practitioner if you have questions whether detoxifying is right for you. Today, with more toxins in the environment than ever, it is critical to detoxify.”

Fashipe said detoxification can help the body’s natural cleaning process by resting the organs through fasting; stimulating the liver to drive toxins from the body; promoting elimination through the intestines, kidneys and skin;

improving circulation of the blood; and refueling the body with healthy nutrients.

Detoxification steps Fashipe said the first step is to reduce the toxin load in the body. ”Eliminate alcohol, coffee, cigarettes, refined sugars and saturated fats, all of which act as toxins in the body and are obstacles to your healing process. Also, minimise the use of chemical-based household cleaners and personal health care products (cleansers, shampoos, deodorants and toothpastes), and substitute with natural alternatives,” he said.

Another deterrent to good health, Fashipe said, is stress, which triggers the body to release stress hormones into body system.

While these hormones can provide the “adrenaline rush” for the system to win a race or meet a deadline, in large amounts, they create toxins and slow down detoxification enzymes in the liver.

“So, it’s a good idea to detoxify stressful life situations along with detoxifying your body. Prayer and meditation are simple and effective ways to relieve stress by resetting your physical and mental reactions to the inevitable stress life will bring. There are many detoxifying programs, depending on your individual needs. Many programs follow a seven-day schedule because; it takes the body some time to clean the blood.

“One can fast on liquids for two days, followed by a carefullyplanned five-day diet to allow the digestive system to rest. I will advise on supplement packages, which generally contain fiber, vitamins, herbs and minerals. There are several safe products in the market, with easy-to-follow instructions; herbs, exercise, and practices such as dry-skin brushing and hydrotherapy to enhance circulation.

“A three to seven day juice fast (drinking only fresh fruit and vegetable juices and water) is an effective way to release toxins. Cleansing by broth is also good. A routine of drinking only water one day each week-an ancient practice of many cultures is also excellent,” he said.

‘Diabetes can be managed with herbal plants’

D

O you know that diabetes can be managed with natural herbs?

A herbalist, Taiwo Lawal, said diabetes can be managed with herbal plants.

According to him, nature has answer to every ailment, therefore, people should avail themselves of the healing properties of herbal plants. He encouraged practitioners to also carry out further research into herbs, plants, roots, spices and other healing ingredients for the betterment of mankind.

Lawal said high blood sugar can be reversed by taking potent herbal remedies.

“There are leaves, bark of trees and roots that can ensure healing

By Wale Adepoju

when taken in the right proportion,” he said.

The traditional medicine practitioner said tests are carried out to determine the severity of the disease before treatment is initiated.

Lawal said before he initiates treatment, he usually asked patients to go for diagnostic tests in the orthodox laboratories to know the extent of the disease, “to make them see that there is an answer in natural medicine. I also ask them to have a test carried out after treatment.

“The patients are always surprised at the end results. Our government should make more fund available for traditional medicine,

that would help the practice.”

On diabetes, the herbalist said treatment takes between one and two months, depending on the severity of the condition of the diabetic.

He said tree roots, certain barks and some dried leaves found in the remote villages are used in preparing the concoction for managing diabetes.

“They are produced in very hygienic condition, so the sick person should not be afraid to drink the preparation,” he stated.

He said he attends to no fewer than 50 diabetic cases monthly, adding that people usually come back to share their healing experience.

•Lawal

56

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

NATURAL HEALTH

Adefunke Sofowote, Endometriosis, Systemic Lupus

H

OLIDAYS are sweet days. They provide an escape and rest from the daily routine, and, if well spent, may reinvigorate body, soul and spirit. Last April, socially accepted as the right time to observe the Easter anniversary, provided one such opportunity to relax the muscles and nerves, soothe the bones and deepen the mind. For some people, however, the end of May is the peak of the Pentecost season. And looking forward to another escape at the end of this month.

Back from the April holiday, I found invitations to two health events on my desk. One was from the CANCER TEAM. The other came from the Natural Integrative Medicine Practitioners Association in respect of a training seminar on hypertension for its members yesterday. The CANCER TEAM last Sunday began exhibition of THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF MRS. ADEFUNKE SOFOWOTE to raise funds for her treatment abroad. There were, also, about endometriosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and brain tumour.

Adefunke Sofowote I met with this ever-smiling, simple, well-mannered and humble woman in Lagos in the late 1970s. Unlike many women who do not concern themselves about the deep life, she was restless in her search for the meaning of Life.

I had just graduated from National Youth Service in Calabar, where such questions agitated my mind, and returned to Lagos to discover that there was a growing number of people who, dissatisfied with surface life, were sharing experiences and company. Adefunke Sofowote brought her husband along. They were like inseparable twins. They walked everywhere hand-inhand, and, often, wore clothes made from the same fabric. Theirs was like a marriage made in heaven. It must have been in the 1980s that Mrs. Sofowote mentioned something to me about cancer. I had just gone through the funeral of my maternal grandmother who died of breast cancer, a traumatic event which introduced me to Alternative Medicine. One of the books I bought then, to help understand this disease and obtain healing ideas which may help my grandmother’s condition was Johannah Brandt’s THE GRAPE CURE. Johannah suffered from a cancer which had devastated more than half of her stomach. On a red grape fast, the cancer cleared, and she documented her experiences in that book. Joyfully, I gave this book to Mrs. Sofowote, and I believed it served whatever purpose she needed it for. So, I was surprised a few months ago to learn that she was receiving treatment in a German hospital about 35 years after.

In the search for funds to finance her treatment, her friends put together THE CANCER TEAM, at the helm of which I believe is her husband, Olusegun. The message of the CANCER TEAM to their friends and well wishers is: “You are invited to a fund-raising exhibition of Mrs. Adefunke Sofowote’s photography holding at freedom Park, No 2 Broad Street from 4th – 11th May, 2014. She is undergoing treatment for cancer. Guest of Honour is the First Lady of Lagos State, exhibition opens 4th May. RSVP 08028043785 Let’s give to the Giver. Support Mrs. Adefunke Sofowote’s fight against cancer at her fund-raising exhibition… For more information on how you can also make a donation, please see www.funkesofowotecancerfund.com.

An exhibition of Mrs. Sofowote’s photographs is a thoughtful way to raise funds for her. For many years before she fell ill, she and her husband were into a special kind of photography. Every Christmas or Easter season, I looked forward to buying that season’s greetings cards which either came plain, for you to couch your own feelings into the message space, or with deep messages that are not to be found in regular cards. The photographs themselves were not “anyhow” photographs, as we describe run-of-the mill things in this part of the world. They expressed the beauty of Mother Nature, and helped you to think deeper. It is most probably because the proceeds of this venture were donated to motherless babies’ homes that the CANCER TEAM has chosen to request that, in her hour of need, we “give” to the “giver”.

For Adefunke and her husband, their journey together has been a long and interesting one blessed with four children. They met when Mr. Sofowote was editing a photoplay magazine called HONEY DROPS. On that journal, he was a co-director with one of my former bosses, Mr. Olatunde Odesanya. He was the Chief Sub-Editor of the Daily Times when I returned from youth service to rejoin the news paper in 1978 as a senior Sub-editor. Adefunke joined Honey Drops later as the Editor’s Assistant. Segun, who would later become her lover and husband, was the Editor. But they did not discover their liking for each other until Funke had left for a technical college to further her education. He must miss her far, far away in Germany. She, too, must be dreaming of the day she would rejoin him. As for their friends, our hearts should know joy when we see them again holding hands in the street, dressed in clothes sewn from the same fabric, a spectacle which rubs on, and adds value to our romantic lives and marriages. While wishing the CANCER TEAM success, I would like to suggest that the fund raising be expanded beyond one-off donations to networking funding till Adefunke rejoins us, hale and hearty. The proposal is that about 1,000 of astute donors be found who can donate N1,000 every month through bank Standing Order into the fund account. The core of the 1,000 donors can be 10 people. If every-one of these 10 brings 10 each months to add to the persons on board, that makes 100 people. If each of the 100 brings 10 person each, that makes 1,000 people. 1,000 persons donating N1,000 every month unfailingly, will give the fund N1,000,000 (one million naira) every month. This scope can be enlarged or widened.

The horror of endometriosis When I went through the mail on endometriosis this week, I remembered the plight of a mother and her daughter I met a few years ago. The young woman had to quit her lucrative job to take care of her health. Her husband, unable to cope with her, left home. But she was lucky to have a caring mother who had retired from the civil service and, so, had enough time to look after her three grandchildren and fund medical expenses. The woman’s condition was so bad that, if she as little tried to cough,

suffers from vaginal infection with foul yellow discharge and severe pelvic floor pain. Retrograde menstruation may very well be one of her problems. And her therapy will include herbs that will tone the reproductive organs, oxygenate her blood, bring back her menstruation and support complete menstrual discharge.

she could discharge a large amount of blood from the vagina.

Her mother was always around to tidy the floor, and she was transfused with blood regularly. Also upsetting to her were chronic pain that drugs seemed to have no power over. I do not remember the type of endometriosis she suffered from. But is there any one, any woman would wish to be her lot? Endometriosis reminds me, also, of the Law of Homogeneous Species. By this natural law or Law of Nature, only things that are of the same nature or consistency are meant to stay together for beauty and peace to abide among them. To illustrate this law, in the forest, we find that lions live with lions, not with hyenas or elephants. In the deep sea, salmon and whales do not co-habit in the same territory. When soldier ants are on a march in a file, no other ant adulterates their homogeneity. As the sun sets and the birds fly home, one can observe the uniformity of the various groups which fly past. And this should easily remind us of the popular saying… birds of a feather flock together. It is only man who breaks this law in the constitution of the nation-state, which is why, as we shall find in endometriosis, there is always one upheaval or the other in whose countries constituent peoples are not homogeneous.

Endometriosis is a condition in which cells of the endometrium is growing outside its own territory. The endometriums are the lining of the womb which is meant to support the growth of the foetus after the egg has been fertilised in the fallopian tube. If fertilisation does not occur, this lining is broken down by the body and shed along with the unfertilised egg in the monthly menstrual cycle of menstruation. The cells of the endometrium are among the 100 trillion or so cells in an adult female body.

These 100 trillion cells grew out of one cell, the female egg, which was fertilised by one male cell, the spermatozoa. In one of the several wonders of Mother Nature, this fertilised egg soon differentiates into several groups of cells, each group with a specific function and location. Thus skin cells do not grow among brain cells. Similarly, sperm cells are not to be found among eye cells. Lung and liver cells do not intermingle. Each group keeps to its own allotted space.

In endometriosis, some cells of the endometrium escape from the womb to other regions of the body and begin to grow there as strange bed fellows among the host cells. As their chemistry differs from that of these cells, tension occurs in the region which presents as inflammation, pain and any other discomfort.

Doctors, like researchers, differ on the causes of endometriosis. Some believe incomplete menstrual discharge, which leads to back up menstrual flow to the fallopian tubes, is the origin.

This sounds reasonable. For if the endometrium is detached from the womb but cannot be wholly evacuated with the ensuing menstruation through the vagina, retrograde flow or backward flow may take endometrial cells to the unlucky, fallopian tube.

Other researchers believe migrant flat worms may drag these cells anywhere they migrate to from the uterus. These worms, faciolopsis in particular, originate from their eggs which are consumed with animal intestinal tissue not well cleaned and cooked. This is one reason I stopped eating animal intestine, a Nigerian culinary delicacy popularly called round about. If the enzymes of the digestive system are weak and do not destroy these eggs, they may survive and grow to adult stage worms.

These adult flat worms migrate to comfortable zones of the body. They may reside in the liver, pancreas, prostate or uterus, causing irritation, poisoning and organ dysfunctions. For this reason, it is advisable to periodically clean the body of them with herbal parasite formulas. Among the ones I often suggest are Amazon A-P, Parasite Cleanse, NG4 Parasite Formula, Wormwood, and Pau d’Arco. NG4 Parasite Formula is a combination of some anti-parasite herbs, including wormwood. Mrs. Folake Sanusi-Kuku, an acquaintance, told me of an orthodox doctor acquaintance of hers who was treating a patient with tummy problems with Swedish bitters. The pains persisted. But when he added wormwood to the bitters, the patient, a lawyer, vomited two long worms almost immediately and, surprisingly, the pains subsided almost immediately as well. This doctor also gives Horsetail to his cancer patients.

Another school of thought suggests genetic inheritance of predisposition to endometriosis. Somehow, while I do not discountenance these postulations, I have more confidence in the retrograde menstruation hypothesis. Only hours ago, I shared my thoughts with, a girl, a virgin, aged 18 who hasn’t menstruated in two months, whose cycle never went beyond three days and, even then, came in blackened clots of blood. This girl

Symptoms The signs depend on the location of the problem. When endometrial cells settle among the wrong cells, they begin to grow normally as though they were in the uterus, especially during high tides of hormones, especially estrogen, in the menstrual cycle. The occurrence may be on the ovaries, the intestine, the colon, the lungs, within the muscle walls of the uterus, the pelvis, the tummy, liver or skin. On these organs the endometrial cells grow as patches or adhesions and bleed during menstruation. That is why, in the affected women, it is possible to find blood in the stool or urine. The lesions cause inflammation and pain although they are not cancerous. Research suggests this condition may dispose the sufferers to cancer. About one-third of the women with this condition do not know they are afflicted because they experience no symptoms. Yet for other women the endometriosis nightmare may include pelvic pain during menstruation, vaginal bleeding during sexual intercourse, pain during bowel movement, sensitivity to certain foods, yeast overgrowth, emotional disturbance, paranoia, low blood count, iron deficiency, anaemia and lots more.

NATURAL THERAPY Many sufferers want a magic bullet quick-fix. But this is not possible. All the symptoms have to be addressed. As inflammation causes pain, they are both better treated with antiinflammatories such as Jobelyn, Curcumin 2000x, Fish oil, Bromelain, plentiful in pineapple peel, Wheatgrass and chanka Piedra, which is also an anodyne (anti-pain) among many others.

Bleeding causes loss of electrolytes and iron. This iron deficiency may so drastically reduce the blood count that it may cause the heart to collapse or the patients to faint. Jobelyn should provide iron to rebuild the blood. So should Blackstrap molasses, rich in iron and electrolyte, vitamins and minerals. One teaspoon is said to provide about 40 percent of an adult’s daily iron requirement. Spirulina powder, too, is iron rich. Besides, it supplies lots of easily digested and absorbable protein.

As hormonal imbalance is a foundation stock which drives endometriosis, especially excess estrogen, it is necessary to balance the hormones NG4. Progesterone cream massaged on the skin may help to bring up progesterone level with estrogen. Dynapharm has a product named Maharani, which supports this effort. Traditionally, Vitex and Dong Quai are used to normalise the female hormones. Upgrading liver capacity to break down excess estrogen and to produce enough bile to move the debris out of the body and in the stool is equally important. This is the province of food supplements such as Liver balance, Carqueja, Licorice DMG, Milk Thistle, NGE Liver Health Formula (Milk Thistle with Artichoke), Maria Trebena Bitters e.t.c what I may consider the main onslaught of this therapy is how to eliminate endometrial, in foreign tissue. The thought of this backs the suggestion that many women have endometriosis but do not experience the symptoms, perhaps because their bodies are routinely dealing with it, as our bodies routinely destroy cancer cells before they develop anchorages. It would appear women who suffer from endometriosis have partially or wholly lost this capacity. This capacity is built around systemic enzymes. We know the value of enzyme from the digestion of food. Ptyalin in the saliva breaks polysaccharides ( complex carbonhydrates) into intermediate ones called disaccharides, while another enzymes in the intestine converts disachardes to monosacharides or glucose. Similarly Pepsin converts long chain of proteins to peptones in the stomach while renin cuddles fat in the stomach to make it easy to digest to fatty acids in the intestine where an enzyme turns peptones to amino acids. Thus, without enzymes, our bodies cannot convert complex foods to their simplest forms for their use. Systemic enzymes belong to another class of enzymes. The immune system uses them to fight and destroy foreign and abnormal bodies such as floaters in the eyes, uterine fibroids, endometrial lesions, and even tumours. There are many brands of them on the shelf. I am familiar with NG4 NS Fibrin and Neprinol among others. Neprinol is composed of at least four major elements… Curcumin, Serepaptase, Papain and Bromelain. These may be used individually or collectively for greater effects. Curcumin is a powerful anti-inflammartory. Papain can be derived from sap of urine pawpaw or the leaves or trunk. It chemically resembles Papain and digests or dissolves proteins of all bodies foreign to our bodies. Serapaptase comes from the silk worm. When it is mature to breakout of its cocoon, it produces this enzyme to dissolve the cocoon. Bromelain comes from the pineapple peel. It is anti-inflammatory and anti-pain in addition to its systemic enzymes value. NG4 NS Fibrin breaks down anomalous fibrin growths. Fibrin is a protein. Too much of it in a tissue can distort that tissue as is evident in uterine fibroids for example. NG4 NS Fibrin can be a good ally in therapies to support the immune system to break them down for excretion through the urine. This suggests that the kidney be fortified to carry out effective filtration and expulsion. Kidney herbs include Kidney Nesue, Kidney Cleanse and Function Tea, Common Club Moss, Horsetait, Yarrow, Dandelian and Nettle, among others.

Women should not make light of pelvic pain, in or out of menstruation. For the signal could be coming from something other than PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) usually thought to be caused by infections. This PID signal may be endometriosis! It should be better still if the monthly budget routinely comes along with new dresses, shoes, bags, cosmetics and hair attachments for nutritional supplements which keep their bodies out of harm’s way.

57

THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS e-Business

e-mail: e-business@thenationonlineng.net

Aside breaking the barriers in voice communication, data is another frontier being explored by operators to shore up dwindling revenue as average revenue per user (ARPU) dips. LUCAS AJANAKU reports that unguarded exchange of intimate digital content is wreaking havoc on homes.

M

How users abuse digital data exchange

R Hughes (not real name) got married about two years ago.

About 45 years old, he married a 28-yearold graduate of the College of Education, Ikere, Ekiti State. The wedding, which took place in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, was colourful.

Wedding over, the wife joined her husband in Lagos. Wedding pictures were lavishly posted on the internet. The pictures were shared among friends on virtually all the available social media platforms.

Before the wedding, each of them had willingly shared their personal data on one social media platform or the other. So, when the wedding pictures came flying, it was easy to identify who was married to whom.

Life appeared beautiful until the serenity of the marriage was shaken by a flurry of anonymous calls, text messages, threatening posts on social media platforms and sometimes, voice calls. All these were emanating from the man’s ex-girlfriends.

“I am tired of these calls. Unknown persons decided to open a new Facebook account where they hurled abuses at me.

Sometimes, callers would hide their numbers and call me at very odd hours of the night and tell me my husband jilted them and promise to ensure that I know no peace,” the woman lamented.

She said her major worry was that her husband gives away information about her to the callers. She has forgotten that at the point of signing on to any of the social media platforms, she had ignorantly parted with her personal details, such as mobile phone numbers and residential address.

If the woman was troubled, Mr Hughes was not. He confessed to his pastor that he also receives such anonymous calls but absolved the wife of any wrongdoing.

“The pastor settled the matter through counselling. He advised that if we could not change our phone numbers, we should be weary of answering calls from unknown persons. On our accounts on social media platforms, he advised that we remove our pictures if we could and stay away from the maddening crowd surrounding social media platforms,” he said.

Mr Hughes is not a lone victim of unguarded data exposures. There are several victims courtesy of the development of science and technology. Many homes have been broken while age-long family ties ruptured through the click of a button.

According to a new study by security software giants, McAfee, almost 50 per cent of adults exchange intimate digital content with their partners–but few take the necessary precautions while doing so.

The study, titled 2014 Love, Relationships and Technology, examined over 1,500 customers and how they share and store intimate data on mobile devices, with current or former ‘significant others’.

According to McAfee, almost half of all smartphone users surveyed had sent or recieved intimate photos or text messages using unsecured digital devices, increasing the risk of having private lives blown up on the internet.

According to a wholly tech online platform, MyBroadband Newsletter, McAfee’s study highlighted how sharing personal content such as suggestive texts, nude photos, suggestive video and passcodes on devices could potentially lead to cyberstalking and while risking exposure of private content leaking online.

The report discovered that while 69 per cent of smartphone users were securing

to send and receive intimate contents as against 48 per cent of women while 45 per cent of adults involved in the study said they stored intimate contents that they have received, in comparison to 40 per cent who store suggestive photos, videos or messages they have sent.

According to the report, of those who have sent intimate, 77 per cent have sent this content to their ‘significant other’, while 10 per cent of individuals in the study noted that they had sent similar content to people they have never met before.

In the survey involving adults, 96 per cent of them confessed that they trust their ‘significant other’s’ intimate content or otherwise private information they have sent, and only 32 per cent have asked their partner to delete the information when ending the relationship.

Balancing Act reported that 25 per cent of respondents indicated that they have taken their partner’s mobile device to see other content stored on it, including messages and photos.

According to McAfee Security Expert, Robert Siciliano, people who choose to engage in the sharing of such content should take precautions “before something adverse happens that will expose you in ways you never wanted”.

Need for caution

MacAfee counsels players in the digital village not share passwords with anyone, irrespective of the intimacy of the relationship. It warned that should there be any reason to share password with anyone, a new one should be created and should be changed immediately after it had been used if there is any suspicion of its being interfered with.

Create PIN for your devices

Create a personal identification number (PIN) or passcode on your smartphone and other mobile devices. This will prevent unauthorised persons from gaining access to your data should your devices be lost or stolen. In the event your device gets lost or stolen, what the boys in Computer Village, Ikeja would do would be to ‘flash’ the device. All the data will get lost in the process and nobody will be able to publish your personal data online.

Place your fingers always on your delete button Endeavour to delete personal or intimate messages as soon as they have been sent.

Unauthorised persons may get access to your device and use such information against you. It could also save your relationship from crumbling. The reputation you have built over the years should also be prevented from being damaged just through the dial of a button.

Once shared, it’s public knowledge

• A data centre

their devices with a password or passcode, more than 64 per cent of adults were sharing these details with other people.

It noted that in addition to sharing passwords, 50 per cent of the individuals examined in the study share mobile phone content and 48 per cent share email accounts.

On the study, Vice President MacAfee Consumer Business, Gary Davis, was quoted as having said: “With all the sto-

ries we’ve heard about intimate photos being leaked, it’s hard to believe people are still sharing their passwords.

“Ultimately, they’re increasing the risks of these photos becoming public and possibly jeopardising their identity and reputation.”

Highlights

It was discovered that 61 per cent of men are more likely to use their mobile devices

You must bear in mind that before you press the send button, post, tweet, chat or do other things online, that once a private information is shared, especially online, it immediately gets out of your control and go viral. Therefore, the protection of your personal information is your responsibility.

Director, Public Affairs, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Tony Ojobo, said the internet is not regulated and may never be regulated. He advised people to be careful what they share online because some people are waiting in the wings to use such personal data.

58

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

e-Business

T

NCC to sanction frequency jammers

HE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned individuals and organisations that install frequency jammers which disrupt the free flow of communication traffic on their premises to remove them or be sanctioned.

Its Director, Spectrum Administration, Dr Nwaulume Augustine, said the regulator monitors jammers, adding that when such is discovered, the regulator would demobilise the

L

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

jammers.

He said frequenc+y jammers are equipment that harbours no data.

He said: “Frequency jammers are like white noise that you generate to disrupt the actual radio communication.

“They are done deliberately so that you will not be able to initiate or receive calls. That is the intention.”

On the country’s campaign to

Phase3 Telecom bags award

EADING telecoms infrastructure firm, Phase3 Telecom, has been named the National Fibre Infrastructure Provider of the Year for the Beacon of ICT (BoICT) Awards. Organised

by Communication Week Media Limited publishers of Nigeria CommunicationsWeek magazine.

The awards is a platform to celebrate key successes in the industry.

According to the publishers’ spokesperson, over 250,000 Nigerians voted in the various awards categories with Phase3 Telecom emerging as the winner in the National Fibre Infrastructure Provider of the Year” category with 90, 015 votes cast from December 1, 2013 to March 21, this year.

In a congratulatory message, the Editor in-chief, CommunicationsWeek, Mr. Ken Nwogbo, said the emergence of Phase3 Telecom as the Best Fibre infrastructure Provider in this year’s award reinstates the hard work and commitment it is recognised for in the industry, adding

that it is the most reliable fibre infrastructure company in the country and must be applauded and celebrated.

He said: “The honour is a testament of Phase3’s talents, innovations, contributions and commitments to the growth of the ICT industry and we are happy that Nigerians have recognised their hard work, sincerity and dedication towards the development of the sector” He added that the awards were designed to motivate stakeholders for the utilisation of ICT for citizens’ services and ensure that professionals are provided a benchmark for recognising and validating outstanding contributions.

The Chief Executive Officer, Phase3 Telecom, Mr. Stanley Jegede, expressed his delight at Phase3 being recognised for the modest efforts they have invested in using the best technology to build a strong, secure, quality network to ensure the connectivity of all Nigerians and the West African sub-region with the rest of the world.

meet the broadband target, he said a committee had been set up to harmonise the handover of the spectrum that would partly facilitate the achievement from the goals. The frequencies are still in the custody of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

The spectrum is called 2.6 gigahertz (GHz) and it ranges from 2.5GHz to 2.69Ghz. Before now, it was used by the NBC operators who are licensed to do Mutichannel Multi-point Distribution ++System (MDDS).

MDDS is defined as a wireless system consists that of head-end equipment (equipment for satellite signal reception, radio transmitter, other broadcast equipment, and transmission antenna) and reception equipment at each subscriber location (antenna, frequency conversion device, and set-top device).

MMDS transmits on Super High Frequency (SHF) microwave frequencies and can be encoded for pay-for-view and subscriber services, all from studio facility.

He said: “That committee is still

working. I don’t know if it is possible for the licence to be auctioned this year based on the fact that not so much progress has been made with regard to getting it freed from those users.

“But I am very sure that by the first or second quarter of next year, something would have happened because it is very important. It is very vital to wireless broadband.”

He spoke on the sideline at a capacity training forum for journalists in Lagos.

Anti-competitive practices killing small operators, says group A NTI-COMPETITIVE practices in the telecoms sector are one of the reason for the near-extinction of small players in the industry, the Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) has said.

It said the biggest players in the information communication technology (ICT) space today started small, some in their garages.

For instance, the membership of internet service providers (ISPs), which was more than 92 in 1997, has whittled down to less than 30 because of government policies that encourage anti-competitive practices to flourish.

Speaking on the sideline at a forum in Lagos, President of NIG Bayo Banjo lamented that the policies over the years have ensured that small operators do not thrive.

He said the absence of control

of premeditated anti-competitive practices by regulators was detrimental because when small operators are allowed to thrive, they will create jobs and grow the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He called on the government to provide a level playing field so that small players could grow.

President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ALTON), Lanre Ajayi, said government policies are usually wellintentioned but ar,e most of the times, injurious to the survival of small indigenous players.

Ajayi, who spoke at a Telecom Summit in Lagos, warned the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to first carry out

the economic impact assessment test of its open access broadband policy, which it hopes will accelerate broadband penetration in the country before its launch.

The open access broadband policy of the NCC hopes to license seven infrastructure service providers (Infracos). The six geopolitical zones of the country will have one Infraco while one will serve Lagos.

The policy has roundly been criticised because, Sweden, which is its model, is not as acquisitive and permissive as Nigeria. It has also been criticised because it will put billions of tax payers’ money within the reach of political jobbers and briefcase investors.

OneCard deploys solution to streamline cloud

O

NECARD Nigeria, an innovative fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) company that provides top up solutions on multiple platform has announced the implementation of SAP Business One Cloud in its operations.

SAP Business One Cloud is a cloud-based subscription offering that provides small businesses or subsidiaries of large firms with a single software solution to manage critical business processes.

OneCard Nigeria announced that its choice of SAP solution after evaluating various offerings in the market was based on SAP’s robust platform which is well suited to support its mission of providing world class services that impact lives positively.

The Chief Executive Officer, OneCard Nigeria, Mr Ahmad Baba, said: “We have chosen SAP Business One Cloud for our business because it provides a comprehensive and fully integrated offering built on proven best practices.

SAP Business One Cloud has delivered us a best fit for our unique business requirements.’’

The Chief Operating Officer, OneCard Nigeria, Ali Kajubi, also said the choice of SAP Business One Cloud was good. He said: “We know that we can count on SAP to help our business grow.

The ERP engine provided by SAP makes it possible for us to have timely and accurate information all the time. This is a major requirement in today’s business environment.”

Glo unveils SMS-based medicare service

G

LOBACOM has unveiled an innovative product called Glo Medicare, aimed at boosting health and wellness.

The service, which is SMSbased, is available to all Glo Mobile subscribers provided they can receive GSM signal on their phones. Subscribers to the new service are provided with regular information on a wide range of health and wellness issues, including how to manage various diseases or health conditions and how to prevent them.

“This service was conceived with a view to making a strong positive contribution to sound health among Nigerians,” Mr. Adeniyi Olukoya, the firm’s Coordinator, Marketing, said.

“We have taken some time to look at the areas to focus on that will be of immense help to the greatest of number of people.

So, we have no doubt at all that this service will benefit an over-

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

whelming number of our esteemed subscribers.”

Olukoya explained that subscribers would have the liberty of choosing specific areas they would like to receive information on from a menu, adding that subsequently, such subscribers will receive tips, advice and other information they can practically apply to their lives daily.

He said the advice dispensed to subscribers through Glo Medicare is grouped under broad topics, such as cancer Info, diabetes Info, pregnancy Info, Baby Info, First Aid Info, cholesterol Info, Toddler Info, Hypertension Info and blood sugar Info.

He said Glo subscribers can activate the service by sending the keyword “Menu” to 34001.

He added that the service costs N90 monthly and N4 daily, depending on the subscriber.

•Former President, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Chris Uwaje, presenting Unified Payments Award for ‘e-Payments Solutions Provider of the Year 2013 to Director, Information Technology & Operations, Unified Payments, Sina Joseph at the Nigeria Commuications Week Media, BoICT Awards in Lagos.

With them is Group Head, PayAttitude, Unified Payments, Titi Olubiyi.

P

Rlg plans enterprise kioks’ expansion

AN African mobile phone assembly firm, Rlg Communications, is planning to expand its enterprise kiosks to empower more youths.

The kioks are solar powered, and are designed to assist young entrepreneurs trained by the firm to sell and offer after sales services to customers.

Its Country Director, Nigeria, Ilesanmi Tosin, who spoke on the sideline at the Adulawo Technology City, Ilesa, Osun State, explained that at the kioks the trainees would repair mobile phones in their area.

According to him, the repairs are not limited to Rlg Communica-

tions products alone, also to those of other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

He said: “The enterprise kiosk is an empowerment scheme because the youth will own the kiok and repair mobile phones of other OEMs. Because of our peculiar power challenge, the kioks are fitted with solar power so that electricity will not be a barrier to the work of the beneficiaries as they are expected to work in the remotest part of the country.

“The kioks will be given based on the expression of interest by the intending youths. It is going to be given out as a facility with a repayment plan clearly worked

out through a micro-finance institution.”

According to Ilesanmi, the assembly plant in Ilesa is the biggest on the stable of the firm, adding that it worth $10million.

He said it would be improper for everybody to bemoan the electricity challenge in the country without taking action, arguing that power deficit is not a wholly Nigerian problem, but that of the sub-Saharan African.

He added that it is only the black man that could brave the odds and rewrite the history of the continent from that of misery to that of promises and hopes.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

59

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8 2014

60

THE NATION

BUSINESS INDUSTRY

Nigeria’s near-moribund steel sector may soon bounce back. The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), in partnership with steel manufacturers, is set to boost local production and standardise the product. Is this goodbye to imported iron and steel? Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA writes.

LCCI: World Economic Forum not for SMEs

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst. Editor

W

•Steel products

Raising the ante in iron, steel T production

HE Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, rekindled hopes of a possible turnaround in the fortunes of the steel sector.

At an interactive session with leaders of the Organised Private Sector (OPS), he said the government was considering a new paradigm that would boost the industry’s development.

He said the government would implement a backward integration policy that will enable the country explore its abundant iron ore deposits to support industrial growth.

Aganga said: “There is no country that has been industrialised without growing its iron and steel industry.

In Nigeria, we import raw materials for the steel industry yet we have a lot. As part of our industrial revolution, we need to embark on big strategies, working with the Ministry of Solid Minerals and Steel Development, to process the raw materials used in the steel industry. This means that we need to look at the overall structure, including the current pricing, availability and affordability, in addition to developing an export strategy for the sector.”

The strategy is in tandem with President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration’s desire to re-position the industry for sustainable growth.

The president in 2011 noted that the Ministry of Industry, in conjunction with other ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs,) developed an Industrial Revolution Plan, which identified the iron and steel industry as a focal sector. The plan, he said, aims to develop the complete ecosystem of the sub-sector.

The President said: “I would like to assure existing and prospective

investors of the government’s support as we collectively strive for selfsufficiency in local steel production. I strongly believe that self-sufficiency will open major downstream sector activities with the attendant massive job opportunities and economic empowerment for our engineers, technicians, artisans, and fabricators alike.”

To realise the President’s dream for the sector, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is to regulate the activities of the sector to encourage local companies. Specifically, SON, in partnership with manufacturers, hopes to boost local production of steel. The ultimate objective of the partnership is to stop importation of steel products and drive the nation’s industrialisation.

During a tour of some steel factories, SON Director-General Dr. Joseph Odumodu praised the local steel companies for consistently meeting the specifications of the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS). He said locally produced steel was becoming the first choice for foreign and indigenous construction companies. He said despite the challenges faced by steel operators, some have been able to do things the right way.

“My visit is a way to express my profound appreciation and share the successes of companies that have done well in the steel sector,” he said.

Odumodu said the yearly requirement for reinforcement bars in Nigeria was about 1.8 million metric tonnes, and the industry’s installed capacity can meet the demand.

“The operators are saying they have a challenge of using only 75 per

cent of this number. As a result of this, we have an opportunity to import some of these products; but what we are saying is that the locally produced ones have a set of criteria like the identification marks. But some of the products imported do not have identification marks, making traceability difficult,” he said.

He said in 2010, a directive was given that there should be a code on every reinforcement bar in the country and that the agency even gave enough extension to manufacturers.

“What we are saying now is that there is no room for further extension; every reinforcement bar, irrespective of where it comes from, must have identification marks acceptable to SON,” he said, adding that it would help trace the products to the manufacturers at any point in time whether in a failed building or market.

He expressed optimism that the new industrial policy of the government would give steel operators a comparative advantage in the global market. He said the government was interested in backward integration and providing incentives for steel operators to thrive.

“Our mandate is to ensure that locally manufactured goods in Nigeria give the required satisfaction to consumers through compliance with government policies on standardisation and conformity assessment. We also make sure that goods imported into Nigeria meet the minimum requirements of the NIS or any other international standards,” he said.

According to SON and the steel manufacturers, there is no need to

import iron and steel materials anymore, as local manufacture of the product has improved with capacity to meet annual demand. They also noted that a vibrant steel industry is the driver of a nation’s industrial and technological advancement. Countries that have attained industrial growth or are seeking to do so strive to become self-sufficient in steel production, which experts say has a ripple effect on the economy.

The Managing Director of Real Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Mr. Subhash Gupta, said steel and cement are the basic raw materials for infrastructural development of a nation. Noting that the future of Nigeria’s steel industry is bright because of constructions going on. He said his company makes international quality reinforcement bars to meet the consumers’ need.

Gupta said SON’s regulatory and supervisory role has created a positive impact on steel production, making manufacturers to adhere to international standards.This, he stressed, led to expansion in terms of output. “Three years ago, we were very small but presently, we have grown about four times bigger than before,” he said, adding that one of the major challenges facing the industry is power. He said the required amount of electricity needed to boost local operations is still low.

The Managing Director, Monarch Steel Limited, Mr. Gupta Prakash, also noted that, despite the potential of the sector, electricity remained a major setback and must be addressed urgently.

According to him, the huge production cost of local operators because of unreliable power supply created unhealthy competition between the local industry and its foreign counterparts.

HAT does the World Eco nomic Forum (WEF), which began in Abuja yesterday, have for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)? Nothing, says the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), which described the forum as an elitist jamboree that is not structured to promote SMEs. Though it has the potential to drive the economy, it has nothing special for the SMEs, LCCI Director-General Mr. Muda Yusuf told The Nation. According to him, it is an exclusive preserve of the multinationals and some privileged business concerns.

Stating that the Chamber’s efforts to get an invitation to the forum failed, Yusuf said: “The rebasing has generated renewed interest in the country and more investors would be interested in doing business in the country.

They will want to come here to see what advantage they can take with the size of our market. It will present opportunities for the world to come close to us. The forum, though a private sector initiative also presents a huge opportunity for strategic investors to rob minds with our policy makers to explore further investment opportunities. No doubt, it’s an opportunity for us to showcase what we have to foreign investors but unfortunately there is nothing there for the small business owner.”

He said the forum was a brand f or bi g pl a y er s w hi c h pol i c y makers could tap into, to build SMEs and other level businesses.

The standard of living of the people did not reflect the huge size of the rebased the economy.

Yusuf said: “The United States of America (USA) has a GDP of over $16 trillion as the largest economy in the world. And if you check out their development standards it is the most developed economy with a high standard of living. The same can be said of China which is the second largest economy in the world though with a lower standard of living than USA because of their huge population, as their wealth is spread over a larger number of people with a population of about 1.3 billion people. The same goes for Japan as the third largest economy with a high standard of living too.”

Yusuf said in Nigeria’s case, there is a disconnect between the size of the GDP and development.

“This shows that there is a huge gap in the quality of governance.

It also means that there is high inequality in the system.

“The way out is for the citizens to engage those in charge of governance. The government has failed to redistribute the wealth of the country equitably,”he said.

He advised policy makers to craft policies to ensure that the benefits of the rebased GDP trickled down.

Yusuf said the government should institute a mechanism to ensure the rich are taxed to support the poor.

Many rich people, he noted, were not paying tax commensurate to their income.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

61

MONEYLINK

Foreign exchange reserves fall by $200m to $37.9b

T

HE foreign exchange reserves, which stood at $42.85 billion last December dropped to $37.9 billion on May 5, data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has shown.

The decline has been gradual but steady except for occasional gains.

The reserves stood at $42.77 billion on February 3, and dropped to $39.72 billion on March 3. It further dropped to $37.8 billion in March 28. Analysts said the reserves declined as imports of fuel and foods soared.

The CBN noted that the decrease in the reserves resulted largely from a slowdown in portfolio and foreign direct investment (FDI) flows in fourth quarter of last year, resulting in increased funding of the foreign exchange market by the CBN to

F

Stories by Collins Nweze

stabilise the naira. CBN also said the pressure on external reserves was deemed to be consistent with the seasonal annual payment of dividends to foreign investors.

The regulator expressed concern over the continued depletion of the Excess Crude Account (ECA) which balance stood at less than $2.5 billion, compared with about $11.5 billion in December 2012.

“This absence of fiscal buffers increased our reliance on portfolio flows thus, constituting the principal risk to exchange rate stability, especially with uncertainties around capital flows and oil price,” the CBN said.

Oil prices remained relatively high while production was improving,

ANAN chief urges technical training, fight against graft

P

and there were signs of accretion to external reserves. The CBN also expressed concern over the sudden surge in domiciliary account balances which may offset the gains from imposing 75 per cent CRR on public sector funds.

Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, said of the $37.87 billion reserves as at April 3, $10 billion was in hot money.

Hot money is the flow of funds (or capital) from one country to another in order to earn a short-term profit on interest rate differences and/or anticipated exchange rate shifts.

He said reversal of capital flows will intensify, further depleting external reserves.

These speculative capital flows are

RESIDENT, the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Sakirudeen Labode, said since he mounted the saddle, the association has channelled resources to technical capacity building of its members and rigorous campaign against graft in the polity.

Speaking at the association’s 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday in Abuja, he said: “Immediately we came on board, we championed Whistle Blowing Campaign. The process of ANAN full membership of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is in full swing.’’

He said one of the greatest legacies to its members is to empower them technically so that they can be useful, not only to themselves but also to the association and the nation.

He lauded the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland (CPA) Ireland) for their attestation of support of the application. He added that the association took cognisance of its obligations to national and international bodies it belongs to.

Labode said ANAN kept its obligations in terms of dues and participation in activities of IFAC, Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA), Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Association of Accounting Bodies of West Africa (ABWA) and the International Association of Accounting Education and Research (IAAER).

• CBN Acting Governor Dr Sarah Alade

called “hot money” because they can move very quickly in and out of markets, potentially leading to market instability.

Rewane said there would be further external sector imbalances in the run-up to 2015 elections even as equity market imbalance is likely to increase with stock market correction continuing.

FCMB extends anniversary promo, promises more rewards

OLLOWING the success recorded in the first phase of the 30th Anniversary Promo of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, which ended last month, the bank is set to reward more of its customers within and outside the country through an extension of the promo till September 2014.

Tagged ‘’FCMB 30th Anniversary Promo Re-loaded’, the second phase of the promotion will run from till September 30 across the 26 Zones and three regions of the bank nationwide during which various exciting prizes, including three Hyundai IX35 Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), cash and other gifts, will be won by customers. The qualified customers will be re-

warded through electronic selection of winners at the monthly zonal and regional draws in June, July and August, while the grand finale draws will take place in October. The extension of the promo, according to the bank, is to further thank its current and potential customers for their loyalty over the years.

In a statement, FCMB explained that the promo is targeted at all segments of the society across all age groups. These include professionals, market men and women, artisans, students, workers among others who have adopted and are enjoying the benefits of FCMB’s banking

To qualify for the grand finale draws in October, where the star prizes of three Hyundai SUVs will be driven home by three customers of the bank at the Lagos & Southwest, Southeast/Southzsouth and North Regional draws, customers are to save N10,000 monthly incremental over five months or have an incremental average balance of N50,000 in September, 2014.

Speaking on the FCMB promo, its Senior Vice President/Divisional Head, Retail Banking, Mr. Olu Akanmu, said: “the extension of the promo is in response to the request of our customers who were excited about the success and rewards they received during the first phase of the exercise.”

products and services such as basic savings, premium savings, Nairawise, Kids Account, FlashMeCash, among others.

On how to participate in the ‘promo , all an FCMB customer needs to do is to save N10,000 in any savings account of his or her choice for 30 days to qualify for the monthly draw of winners where the star prize of N1million and other fantastic prizes like generators, LCD television and DVD players will be won.

Multiple savings of N10,000 will increase chances of qualifying for the zonal draws.

DATA BANK

FGN BONDS Tenor

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year

35m 35m

11.039 12.23

19-05-2014 18-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 400m 400m 400m 400m 400m 400m

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33

Price Loss 2754.67

Amount Sold ($) 399.9m 399.9m 399.9m

Exchange Rate (N) 155.75 155.8 155.7

Date 2-5-14 2-3-14 1-29-14

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency OBB Rate

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day

Amount 30m 46.7m

Rate % 10.96 9.62

Date 28-04-2012 “

O/PRICE 115.000 662.99 2.64 2.04 4.70 0.98 0.74 7.78 0.75 3.90

C/PRICE 123.50 696.12 2.77 2.14 4.90 1.02 0.77 8.00 0.77 4.00

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

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

(S/N)

GAINERS AS AT 07-05-14

SYMBOL MOBIL SEPLAT CUSTODYINS UBCAP NAHCO CONTINSURE WAPIC DANGFLOUR NEM UPL

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change

Year Start Offer

CHANGE 8.50 33.13 0.13 0.10 0.20 0.04 0.03 0.22 0.02 0.10

DISCOUNT WINDOWx Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00%

LOSERS AS AT 07-05-14

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

FIDSON JOSBREW COSTAIN ABCTRANS LEARNAFRCA IPWA CAP FIDELITYBK CUTIX TRANSCORP

2.49 3.59 1.38 0.83 1.66 0.58 40.35 1.91 1.85 3.68

C/PRICE 2.36 3.42 1.32 0.80 1.60 0.56 39.00 1.85 1.80 3.62

CHANGE -0.13 -0.17 -0.06 -0.03 -0.06 -0.02 -1.35 -0.06 -0.05 -0.06

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96%

NSE

6-2-14

28-10-11

% Change

CAP Index

N13.07tr 40,766.16

N6.617tr 20,903.16

-1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name Offer Price AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 153.82 ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.06 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.17 CANARY GROWTH FUND 0.72 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CORAL INCOME FUND 1,637.31 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,070.14 FBN HERITAGE FUND 115.47 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 1,087.30 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 INTERCONTINENTAL INTEGRITY FUND 1.05 KAKAWA GUARANTE ED INCOME FUND 143.11 LEGACY FUND 0.78 NIGERIA INTER DEBIT FUND 1,916.66 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 12.72 STANBIC IBTC ETHICAL FUND 1.07

Bid Price 153.13 9.08 1.05 1.17 0.71 1.33 1,634.46 1,069.86 114.69 1,087.00 1.62 1.03 142.62 0.76 1,909.29 12.40 1.04

• • • •

1.2757 1.3248 0.9277 1.1698

UBA BALANCED FUND UBA BOND FUND UBA EQUITY FUND UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

Movement

1.2871 1.3248 0.9463 1.1698

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000

8.5000

Movement

62

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 07-05-14

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 07-05-14

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

63

EQUITIES

Equities rally on oil and gas, manufacturing gains

T

HE bullish rally at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) picked up yesterday as investors continued bargain-hunting in the oil and gas and manufacturing sectors.

For the second consecutive trading session, equities sustained a cautious but positive outlook with more gainers than losers and above average turnover. The All Share Index (ASI), the benchmark index for the Nigerian stock market, rose by 0.28 per cent, underlining addition of N35 billion in capital gains to the aggregate market value of all quoted equities.

The ASI closed higher at 38,585.99 points as against its opening index of 38,480.07 points. Aggregate market value of all quoted companies

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

also improved from N12.668 trillion to N12.703 trillion. The modest gain yesterday reduced the negative average year-to-date return to -6.64 per cent.

The positive market situation was driven largely by gains recorded by major companies in the oil and gas and manufacturing sectors. SEPLAT Production and Development Company led the bullish stocks with a gain of N33.13 to close at N696.12. Mobil Oil Nigeria followed with a gain of N8.50 to close at N123.50. Guinness Nigeria rose by N3.98 to close at N180.

Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria added N1.97 to close at N111.99.

Nigerian Breweries rose by N1.28 to close at N150. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria and Total Nigeria chalked up 50 kobo each to close at N70 and N153 respectively. Zenith Bank added 40 kobo to close at N22.90. Beta Glass rose by 31 kobo to N18.90 while National Salt Company of Nigeria garnered 26 kobo to close at N12.09.

Total turnover stood at 321.98 million shares valued at N3.24 billion in 3,959 deals. Transactions remained concentrated in the financial services sector with investors swapping 268.49 million financial shares worth N1.61 billion in 2,120 deals.

Continental Reinsurance was the most active stock with a turnover

of N99.06 million shares worth N97.08 million in six deals. Access Bank was the second most active stock with 31.41 million shares valued at N284.05 million in 172 deals.

Guaranty Trust Bank placed third with a turnover of 18.2 million shares worth N482.1 million in 230 deals.

On the downside, CAP recorded the highest loss of N1.35 to close at N39. Dangote Cement followed with a loss of N1.28 to close at N224.64. Julius Berger Nigeria lost 90 kobo to close at N68.50. Jos International Breweries slipped by 17 kobo to N3.42. Fidson Healthcare dropped by 13 kobo to N2.36 while Dangote Sugar Refinery lost 10 kobo to close at N9.20 per share.

“Increase foreign investments will benefit capital market”

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HE Association of Assets Custodians of Nigeria (AACON) has underlined the importance of creating conducive environment for foreign direct and portfolio investments with a view to deepening the Nigerian capital market.

President, Association of Assets Custodians of Nigeria (AACON), Mr. Segun Sanni, said increase in foreign investments would lead to improvements in the processes, technology and standards in the Nigerian capital market.

According to him, it is important for Nigeria to attract more of the over $120 trillion of investment under custody globally as foreign portfolio investment is important to the economic development of all countries.

“We have over $120 trillion under custody all over the world and we have just about $1 trillion of that invested in Africa,” Sanni said.

He outlined several benefits of foreign investments to include cross-border experience and high

corporate governance standards.

“The first benefit is that when foreign investors invest in your market, obviously they bring in foreign exchange. The second benefit is that by their very nature, since they are foreign investors and they operate in various markets with different high standards of performance and high standards of governance, foreign investors tend to bring progress to the market because they ask for one improvement or the other in the way things are done.

Therefore, when foreign investors invest in the market, they bring improvement to processes, technology and all that,” Sanni said.

He added that foreign portfolio investors were also capable of boosting confidence in a market.

He said the association had come up with an annual conference to give the Nigerian capital market more visibility, while also ensuring that it develops in line with the aspirations of foreign portfolio investors – which were based on international standards.

In line with its efforts to help the country attract more foreign portfolio investment, Sanni said the third edition of the association’s annual conference, scheduled to take place in London on May 28, would involve all stakeholders in the capital market.

According to him, the Acting Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Sarah Alade; and the DirectorGeneral, Securities and Exchange, Commission, Ms. Arunma Oteh, are among stakeholders that have confirmed that they will attend conference, which has the theme, ‘Nigeria: Road to emergence.’

He said the Statistician General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, Dr. Yemi Kale, would also be in attendance to talk about the rebasing exercise that led to Nigeria’s emergence as Africa’s largest economy and what the development portends.

The vice president, Association of Assets Custodians of Nigeria (AACON), Mrs. Kemi Adewole,

added that the conference would also give the association and speakers from Nigeria the opportunity to talk about changes that have taken place in the market and how the investors can take advantage of them.

She noted that the association opted to hold the conference in London because it was more accessible to foreign investors.

“The real thought behind having this event, which investors now look forward to at least once in a year, is that there is so much negative publicity on Nigeria, but then within the capital market there are actually a lot of positive developments and if we don’t take these information to them, they may not know what we are doing,” Adewole said.

Adewole said beyond just informing them of the development in the market, as agents to the investors, the custodians also used the event to get feedback, which has been very useful in the development of the market.

Peugeot share issue underway as new board meets

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RENCH carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroen launched the second stage of a long-awaited three billion euro, about $4.2 billion, capital increase to fund its “Back in the Race” recovery plan and tie-up with China’s Dongfeng .

As its new board met on Tuesday, the troubled firm surprised markets by issuing more stock than expected at a larger discount to raise 1.95 billion euros from existing shareholders.

Peugeot shares surged in afternoon trading, outpacing a broader European stock rally on hopes that recovering regional demand can help the recapitalized carmaker rebound.

The rights issue, in addition to a 1.05 billion stock sale to the French state and Dongfeng Motor Group, allows investors to purchase seven

new shares at 6.77 euros for every 12 held, a 41 per cent discount to Monday’s comparable closing price.

That means future dividends will be divided among 877 million outstanding shares, a greater number than many analysts had anticipated.

“Our share price target is likely to halve on the back of this transaction,” said Mike Dean of Credit Suisse.

The extent of existing shareholders’ dilution is “further negative news for Peugeot following an underwhelming ‘Back in the Race’ presentation,” the London-based analyst said.

But the stock reacted positively, building on tentative morning gains to close at 12.73 euros - a 10.6 percent advance excluding the mechanical effect of a parallel warrants issue that had cut the price by 1.53 euros over-

night.

The rally was “probably a reflection of people being relieved” at the company’s refinancing progress, said Erich Hauser of ISI Group, which had trimmed its Peugeot rating to “neutral” from “strong buy” following the February 14 strategy presentation by new Chief Executive Carlos Tavares.

The former Renault second-incommand has pledged to simplify model lineups and slash production costs in pursuit of a 2 percent operating margin goal for 2018, rising to 5 per cent by 2023.

The capital hike will see the French government and state-owned Dongfeng each acquire 14.1 per cent of the carmaker, which posted more than seven billion euros in net losses for 2012-13, as well as take two board

seats each.

Meeting for the first time on Tuesday under new Chairman Louis Gallois, the board named his predecessor Thierry Peugeot as one of three vice-chairmen, alongside representatives of Dongfeng and the French state.

Peugeot said the rights issue subscription period would run from May 2-14, underwritten by a syndicate led by BNP Paribas, Morgan Stanley and seven other major banks.

Settlement, delivery and listing of the new shares will take place on May 23.

The deal terms imply that Peugeot shares would be valued at seven times forecast 2015 earnings after the capital hike, compared with a multiple of 4.1 beforehand, Paris-based brokerage Exane said.

Violence may hamper foreign investments, says Guinness MD

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ANAGING director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Seni Adetu, has expressed fears that a recent wave of deadly bomb attacks and kidnappings by militants may deter foreign investment in Nigeria.

The fear is the impact on “potential foreign investors currently sitting on the fence and waiting for the right time to come to Nigeria,” Adetu said in an interview with Bloomberg in Abuja the capital, in advance of the World Economic Forum in Africa. “Its massively of concern to me, first as a Nigerian and secondly as a Nigerian businessman.”

Executives from around the world are arriving at the forum as Africa’s biggest oil producer faces one of the worst rounds of violence in the capital in recent history. More than 90 people have been killed in separate bomb attacks in the past month just miles from where the conference is taking place, while U.S. President Barack Obama has pledged help to find more than 200 students who were abducted following a raid on an all-girls secondary school by gunmen on April 14.

The spread of violence carried out by the militant group Boko Haram from its base in the northeast of Nigeria has raised the level of concern for local companies as well as foreign investors, according to Adetu.

“Up until now you always thought that it was restricted to the northeastern part of the country,” he said. “From a business standpoint, you just thought you could deal with that, but I think coming closer to Abuja, as we have seen in the last two weeks, has sort of changed the perspective around the insurgency.”

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country with about 170 million people, has enough economic potential to continue to attract some level of foreign investment, Adetu said. Lagos-based Guinness Nigeria, a unit of London-based Diageo Plc (DGE), remains committed to the market, he said.

“I still believe that in totality, on account of the economic opportunity in Nigeria, it’s still the right place to come and invest,” he said.

Okumagba succeeds Olushekun as stockbrokers’ leader

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TOCKBROKERS have elected Group Managing Director, BGL Plc, Mr Albert Okumagba as the president and chairman of the council of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), the selfregulatory body that regulates the stockbroking profession.

Okumagba succeeds Mr. Ariyo Olushekun, who led the stockbroking industry into a new era of stock market recovery. Also, Mr. Oluwaseyi Abe, the immediate past second vice president, was elected as first vice president while Mr. Adedapo Adekoje was appointed as second vice president.

Other new members of the council included group managing director, GTI Capital, Mr. Lawal Abubakar; managing director, Morgan Capital, Mr Ayoleke Adu, Mr. Oluwole Adeosun, Mazi Okechukwu Unegbu and Mrs. Nkoli Edoka.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

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NEWS (SHOWBIZ)

NEWS

Invasion 1897: Benin prince visits Calabar

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N the bid to reconnect with the storyline of Lancelot Imasuen’s epic film, Invasion 1897, the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Eheneden Eradiauwa, recently paid a royal visit to the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi.

The visit, which was facilitated by the Benin Royal Dynasty Trust, was part of the moves to strengthen the agelong ties between the Efik Kingdom and Benin.

Accompanied by some senior palace chiefs, Enogies and producer of the film, Prince Eradiauwa arrived Calabar, amid festivity. He was in Calabar not only to meet with the monarch, but to also view the last known abode of Oba Ovanrawmen, who died in exile in Calabar.

“I was on the entourage of the Benin crown prince who was paying his first royal visit to the Obong of Calabar as part of the job of the Benin Royal Dynasty Trust to sustain the cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom. He was there to see the last known abode of Oba Ovanrawmen, who was exiled to Calabar in 1897. It

By Ovwe Medeme

was a great privilege for me as a filmmaker to be on the entourage of that royal visit to Calabar. The Obong of Calabar received us warmly and I was privileged to officially present the idea behind the film to him as permitted by the Benin crown prince,” Imasuen said.

The respected Nollywood director further disclosed that, while the film is due to premiere in Benin in June, the good news is that the Calabar monarch had also promised a great reception for the film in his Kingdom.

The film, according to him, would serve as a uniting force culturally and otherwise for the people of Benin and Calabar.

“Of course, Calabar is designated as one of the venues, where we are going to do a private screening of the movie, before its nation-wide release on October 1. The world premiere of the movie has tentatively been fixed to hold in the first weekend of June in Benin,” he explained.

Invasion 1897 focuses on the invasion of the Benin Kingdom by the British Empire in 1897

•Imasuen

and how they carted away ancient artifacts belonging to the kingdom under the reign of Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, who was deposed and later died in exile in Calabar.

The film highlights the restoration of the looted priceless ancient artifacts of the Benin Kingdom, including the famous commemorative head and pendant of ivory mask representing Queen Idia (from court of Benin, 16th century) who was the mother of Esigie, the Oba of Benin who ruled from 1504 to 1550.

The film parades an international cast, including famous British actors, Rudolph Walker and Charles “Chucky” Venn as well as top Nollywood actors, Charles Inojie, Paul Obazele, Segun Arinze, Mike Omoriegbe and the late Justus Esiri in a cameo role.

•Some of the participants at the event

Mak-eup conference: Tara, others chart new path for professionalism

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OR stakeholders in the makeup business in Nigeria, last Wednesday will go down as most memorable, as professionals from across the country converged on the Oriental Hotel, Lagos at an event tagged: “Makeup in Nigeria Conference.”

At the event organised by Tara Fela Durotoye’s House of Tara, a number of top professionals, including Idy Enang, spoke on diverse issues in the makeup business.

Hosted by Kemi Lala-Akindoju, over 700 people were treated to different Master classes by seasoned local and international makeup artists, including Eni Balogun, Lola Maja Okojevoh, Bayo Haastrup, Bunmi Oyeniyi, Funmi Irantiola, Buntricia Bastian, Joy Adenuga and Khuraira Musa.

Durotoye, who spoke on “The role of local talents in shaping the industry growth model”, said: “Creating a balance between foreign and indigenous makeup brands is very important. We, as Nigerian beauty companies, need to set the pace for the international brands in Nigeria and every stakeholder needs to pull every person to make the Nigerian beauty industry a force to be reckoned with, internationally.”

By Mercy Michael

In her keynote address, Idy Enang, managing director of L’Oreal Central West Africa, said: “World over, the makeup industry is a multi-billion dollar one, with Nigeria and the African continent as a whole at the heart of it all. The singular fact that international brands like Maybelline are making its way into the African market with Nigeria as its main market is a sole testimony to the fact that we are ripe for business.

There is a need for us to enlighten one another on innovative ways to globally position our indigenous beauty and makeup brands.”

There was a session involving the Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Trade and Industry on Building, Mrs. Sola Oworu; Mrs. Lola Odedina, Head of Corporate Affairs, GTBank Plc; Mrs. Tara Fela Durotoye, founder, House of Tara International; Mr. Sekou Coulibaly of L’Oreal and Mrs. Bolanle Okusanya Feyita of Makeuppro.

Honorary awards were presented by Mr. Hakeem Adeniji, Director of Commerce, Lagos State Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Mrs. Tara Fela Durotoye, on behalf of the organizing committee chaired by Bolanle Okusanya Feyita, to

•Durotoye

Chief Opral Benson, Bayo Haastrup, Alhaja Tejuosho and Alhaja Kudi of Kuddy Cosmetics.

House of Tara, which was set up in 1998, is a pioneer in the beauty and makeup industry in Nigeria and Africa. It is also a trailblazer in the areas of retail, education and distribution channel management. It partners L’Oréal, the largest beauty brand in the world, to be the official distributor of Maybelline New York in Nigeria. As the first brand to set up a beauty school in Nigeria, it has over 3,000 representatives and 17 stores spread across the country.

Others present at the event included Eryca Freemantle, Dupe Odeniran, Fela Durotoye, Steve Harris, Ezinne Alfa, Michelle Dede, Isio Wanogho, Noble Igwe, O.C Ukeje, Bola Balogun, Isoken Ogiemwonyi, Samantha Dimka, Tosyn Bucknor and Kaylah Oniwo, amongst others.

•The recovered arms and ammunition

Troops kill 17 in gun duel with bandits

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S part of the ongoing operations in Northcentral and Northwest against insurgency, troops have killed 17 bandits during an encounter in Kwandaga in Kaduna State.

Also, the Defence Headquarters last night confirmed the recovery of caches of arms in Plateau, Benue and Kaduna states.

According to a source, who spoke in confidence, the 17 bandits were killed during a ‘deadly’ encounter with troops in Kwandaga.

The source said: “The war against insurgents in Kaduna axis is yielding results. Troops were able to kill 17 bandits during fierce encounter in Kwandaga.

“The troops are also combing other parts of the state to smoke out these armed gangs.”

A statement by the Director, Defence Information/Coordinator, Major-General, Chris Olukolade, was however silent

•Recover arms in Kaduna, Plateau, Benue From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

on the casualty figures.

The statement said: “In Kaduna State, troops had encounter with armed gangs and bandits at Kwandaga during which some casualties were recorded and lots of arms and ammunition recovered.

“The operation to rid the Northcentral and Northwest parts of the Federation of armed gangs is tagged: Operation Restore Peace and is still in progress in various locations.”

The DHQ also gave the details of the arms and ammunition recovered in Plateau, Benue and Kaduna states.

The statement added: “Troops operating in the Northcentral and Northwestern parts of the Federation have recovered caches of arms and ammunition in those areas.

“During a cordon and search operation at Anyibe in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, troops seized a cache of arms run by a young member of an armed gang.

“Two Rifles, three locally fabricated pistols and 61 rounds of special ammunition were recovered during the operation.

The arrested gang member is currently being interrogated.

“Also in Plateau State, the cordon and search operation in two chiefdoms of the state has yielded the recovery of five guns, three locally fabricated pistols and two revolvers from the hideouts of armed gangs at Hukke and Reweinko.

“Other items recovered during the operation include some IED making materials, 45 live cartridges, various calibres of ammunition, bows and arrows and other items such as cutlasses, axes and diggers.”

THE NATION THURSDAY MAY 8, 2014

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NEWS

N80m paid to kidnappers From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

NO fewer than 15 indigenes of Ogwashi-Uku community have been kidnapped and N80 million paid as ransom, President-General Ogwashi-Uku Youths Development Association (OYDA) Ubah Osume has said.

Osume spoke yesterday in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State after an anti-kidnapping rally.

He said kidnapping has become a thriving business, adding that the community, which was peaceful in the past, was gradually gaining prominence as a notorious criminal hub.

The president-general attributed the rise in crime to lack of peace and harmony caused by internal struggles for power and positions.

“The security challenges in the town have reached alarming proportions and constitute a source of concern to inhabitants.

“We urge rich indigenes who have relocated to move back home to develop our land.”

Dickson, police lambast NGOs for T Dutch abduction HE Bayelsa State government and the police explained yesterday the circumstances that led to the abduction of three Dutch and two Nigerians at Letugbene, Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

The police and the government blamed the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) involved in the visit of the Dutch to the Niger Delta.

They derided the NGOs for not informing security agencies about the presence and mission of the expatriates, describing their action as irresponsible.

Their reactions came shortly after our reporter gathered that the gunmen demanded N500million to free their victims.

Gunmen on Sunday kidnapped three Dutch and two Nigerians, who are naturalised Dutch.

The gunmen, however, released Femi Soewu and Sunny Ofehe on Monday but withheld Erhard Leffers, Marianne Vos and Jan Andre Groenendijk.

Ofehe, the Founder/Exec-

•Kidnappers demand N500m •’We didn’t arrest NGO promoters’

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

utive Director Hope for Niger Delta Campaign, a NonGovernment Organisation (NGO) based in the Netherlands, brought the Dutch to Amatu ll in Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State, on a charity mission.

Commissioner of Police Hilary Opara said another NGO, Dodo Rivers Regional Development Association (DRRDA), was also involved in negotiating the visit of the Dutch nationals.

He said the victims left Warri, Delta State, for the creeks without informing the police in Delta State.

He said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area was kept in the dark, adding that the NGO that facilitated the visit failed

to contact security agencies.

“At Letugbene, the kidnappers abducted the five of them. The two Nigerians, Femi Soewu and Sunny Ofehe, are also Dutch nationals.

“We asked the DPO if he was informed. He said he was not. I called the police commissioner in Delta and he said he was not informed.

“I want to make it clear that these people came in without alerting the police and security agencies. We would have made adequate arrangement to secure them,” he said.

The police boss said people visiting remote areas in the creeks, especially expatriates, should inform security agencies.

“We are not saying that the water ways are not safe. What we are saying is that people should let us know, particu-

larly persons visiting the creeks,”he said.

Opara said the police invited the Head of DRRDA, Barry Negrese, whose association invited the Dutch to the region.

He also explained that Ofehe and Soewu were also invited for debriefing at the police command in Yenagoa.

“After their release, we invited them alongside Chief Benson Dodoru, who is from Letugbene.

“They came on Tuesday, we took their statements and yesterday morning, we interacted with them again and asked them to go,” Opara said.

He said others were released after interrogation but Dodoru was asked to remain to help the police in further investigations.

The police chief denied

that Ofehe and Soewu were arrested and detained.

Opara said their debriefing was normal security procedure.

He added that the victims also promised to help the police in finding their colleagues.

The Special Adviser to Governor Seriake Dickson on Security, Col. Bernard Kennebai (rtd), condemned the action of the NGOs and their promoters.

He wondered why they failed to consult security agencies.

Kennebai said their action had painted Bayelsa in bad light, lamenting that the incident could have been avoided, if the organisers had taken the necessary measures.

He said: “This is not fair and we want to place on record that they actually embarked on something that can also be considered as an adventure.

“As a state we don’t feel good about that because these are avoidable in the first place, if the right measures were taken.”

St. Adekahunsi Day today THE annual St. Adekahunsi Day holds today in the country.

It is an event to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the ‘joining the church above’ of the founder of Oke-Igbala Olu Society and Chairman, Spiritual Workers Union (Alaga Ojise Olorun), SouthWestern Nigeria, Saint Benjamin Akinadewo Adekahunsi.

The cleric died on May 8, 1979. All parishes of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide will hold a special service for the event.

Madam Afam for burial THE remains of Mrs. Priscilla Afam, who died on February 18, will be buried tomorrow at her home in Agbor, Delta State.

There will be a service of songs today at 38, Memeh Street, Agbor, Delta State.

The funeral service holds tomorrow at the same venue.

Guests will be entertained at Mary Mount College Hall, Lagos-Agbor Road, Agbor.

Mrs. Afam (83) is survived by children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (middle), his wife and initiator of UPLIFTing the SS3 Students programme, Olufunso (seventh right) and some government officials with the 20 best students in 2012/13 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination from 20 local government areas after a reception for the students upon their arrival from the United Kingdom at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

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HE plot to remove Uyi Igbe as the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly has thickened.

It was learnt yesterday that the removal may take place next week after the defection of some All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers loyal to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu and some aggrieved members have resigned from the APC and indications are rife that they will join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Sources said the Ize-Iyamu group is lobbying law-

From Osagie Otabor, and Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

makers to join the PDP and perfect Igbe’s removal.

As it stands, the PDP has four lawmakers and the APC 18.

They said eight lawmakers will leave the party which will increase the PDP members to 12.

With 12 members, the source said the “Omokhodion treatment” will be applied for the PDP to get majority members.

Some lawmakers, who spoke to The Nation, denied the defection plans.

The senator representing

Edo North, Domingo Obende and some lawmakers denied that they are planning to leave the APC. A statement by Obende said the reports of his resignation were to create a false impression among his “teeming supporters who are preparing for his re-election”.

“I want to assure my supporters that I remain an APC member.

“I am seeking re-election on the platform of APC and I urge all my supporters to remain firm and committed to the party which has made us realise the dream of giv-

ing right representation to the people.”

Another statement by Johnson Oghuma, Patrick Aisowieren and Festus Ebea also denied the report.

They said: “We never discussed with any reporter that we are leaving the party we built together with our leaders.

“The writer is trying to create confusion. We are sure he is sponsored by our enemies in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“We remain in APC and we will not leave. The party remains unbeatable in Edo.”

Two traffic officials held for alleged murder

T •The late Mrs. Afam

Plot to remove Edo Speaker thickens

HE police in Edo State have confirmed the arrest of two officials of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA) for allegedly killing the transport manager of a Benin distribution company, Godfrey Imobhio.

Imobhio was said to have been killed after being hit by a towing van belonging to one of the suspects.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

His boss, Donald Omorogbe, said one of his trucks developed a fault at Five Junction area of Benin and the late Imobhio was called to handle the situation.

He said they invited policemen and EDSTMA officials to help control the traffic congestion caused by the faulty truck while they offload its contents into anoth-

er truck.

Omorogbe said they were surprised that Head of EDSTMA at Okhoro area, Nosa Aideyan, arrived at the scene with a towing van after the workers have finished offloading the goods in the presence of the Divisional Traffic Officer (DTO) of the Textile Mills Police Station.

He said Aideyan insisted

on towing the truck even when the DTO told him the situation was under control.

“It was in the process of reversing the towing van that he was hit; the DTO managed to escape as she was standing next to him.

“Imobhio was rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) but was confirmed dead on arrival.”

Shot lecturer recuperating From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

A

LECTURER in the University of Calabar, Cross River State, who was shot on Tuesday, is responding to treatment, the institution’s spokesman, Effiong Eyo, said yesterday.

A statement by Eyo gave the victim’s name as Dr Godwin Iwatt, an examinations and records officer in the Department of Microbiology.

The statement reads: “On May 6 at 1.30pm, the exam and records officer for the Department of Microbiology, Dr Godwin Iwatt, was shot at close range in his office by an assailant, who is still at large.

“Iwatt was taken to the university’s medical centre and thereafter transferred to a larger medical facility where he is responding to treatment.

“The operation was successful and all bullets removed from his body.

However, investigations are still ongoing.”

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NEWS Enugu gets new polytechnic

Healthy eating habits stressed

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From Chris Oji, Enugu

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HE Enugu State Executive Council has approved the upgrading of the state College of Agriculture and Agro-Entrepreneurship at Iwollo, Ezeagu Local Government Area, to a polytechnic.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke, broke the news yesterday when he addressed reporters after the council meeting, presided over by Governor Sullivan Chime at the Government House in Enugu.

Ex-NUC secretary hails varsity From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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HE immediate former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof Peter Okebukola has paid glowing tributes to the visioner and management of Lead City University, Ibadan for what he called “the phenomenal sustainable growth and rapid development of Lead City University in less than 10 years of its establishment”.

Okebukola spoke when he delivered a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the just concluded 2014 International Conference with the theme: “Education, Entrepreneurship and Employability” hosted by the Faculty of Education, Lead City University in collaboration with Global Education Network.

The former NUC boss believes that LCU indeed is a products of Entrepreneurial prowess of the visioner and the university has been able to delicately combine the input, process and output components of a knowledge driven institution to achieve greatness in short a time.

Ekiti approves N1.4b for Ero Dam

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HE Ekiti State government has approved a N1.375 billion contract for the TurnAround Maintenance (TAM) of the Ero Dam, Phase 1.

The contract was awarded to Messrs Bi-water Nigeria Ltd at the State Executive Council Meeting.

It should be completed in 15 months.

Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation Tayo Ekundayo said on completion of the project, the dam would effectively supply potable water to nine of the 16 local government areas of the state.

The government approved a memorandum for the development of the State Tourism Master Plan.

It also approved the appointment of Prince Adebayo Olohuniyo of the Ajayi ruling house as the Obalogun of Ilogun-Ekiti and Prince Olubunmi Ogunleye of the Ijala ruling house as the Onijaro of Ijaro-Ekiti.

The government approved the selection of three warrant chiefs to perform the roles of king makers in the process of appointing the Ojurin of Ijurin.

•Chairman, Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State, Dr Victor Agbo (third left) and National Orientation Agency (NOA), Enugu State Director, Mr Isaac Onukwube (second left) with NOA members and Enugu South Local Government Area officials during a visit to the chairman in Enugu ...yesterday PHOTO: NAN

T

Disquiet as Ewi installs Edemo

HERE was some disquiet at Idemo Quarters in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, yesterday following the installation of a new Edemo (community leader) in Odo-Ado by the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe.

Protesters carrying placards blocked the road and made bonfires at several spots on the Federal Polytechnic Road, creating a traffic gridlock for about three hours.

The placards read: “Ewi is causing trouble in Ado”; “Ewi, stop tormenting our chief”; “Another Edemo is illegal” and “Ewi stop dividing our family”.

The protesters, comprising youths and the elderly,

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado Ekiti

said “another person cannot be installed as Edemo when the reigning Edemo, Chief Bamidele Aduloju, is still alive.”

They smashed the wind shields of some vehicles, including two police patrol vans, with sticks and broken bottles.

On Monday, a state High Court struck out a case instituted by Aduloju in 2011 against his removal.

According to the Ewi, Bamidele was removed for “sacrilegious conducts”.

Oba Adejugbe said the Edemo’s post became vacant following the court’s ruling.

He said: “A new Edemo

was installed according to our tradition after the ruling house presented a candidate. The former Edemo instituted a suit against his suspension in 2011 and the matter was struck out on Monday.

“The two grounds upon which he rested his case were dismissed. So, there was no Edemo as far as I am concerned and it is the new Edemo that I recognise.”

Speaking for the protesters, Mr. Gbenga Akinbo said: “The installation of Chief Dayo Felix Fajemilusi from the Faje Ruling House as the new Edemo when the substantive case instituted

by Aduloju is still in court is wrong.”

He said a notice of appeal

was served on the monarch and should have restrained him from installing another Edemo.

Oba Adejugbe said: “I got the notice at about 10am after a new Edemo had been installed around 7am. I urge the people of Edemo Quarters to remain calm and avoid anything capable of truncating the peace.”

A member of the Faje House, from where the new Edemo emerged, Mr. Paul Falade, said the House was not in support of Bamidele’s removal.

A senior police officer said normalcy had been restored in the area, adding that five people were arrested in connection with the crisis.

Igbo lawyers to Fed Govt: immortalise Oputa

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HE Otu Oka-Iwu (Igbo Lawyers’ Association) has urged the Federal Government to immortalise former Supreme Court Justice, the late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.

The group said the late jurist contributed immensely to Nigeria’s jurisprudence and national development through his deep knowledge of the law.

In a statement by its President Zik Obi II and Publicity Secretary Emeka Nwadioke, the association described the late Justice Oputa as “a consummate and unrivalled jurist of the finest refinement”.

It added: “Our condolences go to the Oputa family, the legal community and the nation on this great loss.

“We, however, celebrate his legacy of service and urge the

We have lost an illustrious son— southeast Governor’s Forum

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From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

HE Southeast Governor’s Forum has expressed sad ness over the death of Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.

The retired Supreme Court jurist passed on last Sunday.

He was 90.

The forum sent its condolences to the family of the legal icon through a statement by its chairman and Abia State Governor Theodore Orji.

The group noted that the death of Justice Oputa was the loss of a great son of the Southeast who distinguished himself as an erudite scholar in the Judiciary.

Federal Government to name some national monuments after the late jurist, to honour his patriotism, incorruptibility, exceptional brilliance, lucid intellectualism, poetic licence, judicial activism and unimpeachable integrity.

“Though orphaned at a tender age of barely six

months, Justice Oputa, by sheer focus and dint of hard work, rose to the pinnacle of his profession through uncommon mastery of the law, insight and erudition.

“It is not in doubt that he was a great and unstinting patriot keenly aware that if properly applied, law can be

a powerful tool in the quest for national growth and development.”

Otu Oka-Iwu said unlike the current trend, where promotions to the Supreme Court emanated from the Court of Appeal, the late jurist rose directly from the High Court to the Supreme Court.

It said: “His (Justice Oputa’s) glorious and colourful career as a judicial officer is a testament to his prodigious talent.

“It is not surprising that his clarity of mind and deep insights earned him the sobriquets, ‘Socrates of the Supreme Court,; ‘Nigeria’s Lord Denning’ and the ‘Philosopher-judge’.”

Otu Oka-Iwu said the late Justice Oputa’s demise is the “end of a glorious era in the annals of Nigeria’s Supreme Court”.

Obiano to tribunal: I was qualified to contest governorship poll

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NAMBRA State Governor Willie Obian told the Governorship Elections Petitions Tribunal in Awka yesterday that he was very qualified to contest the November 16, 2013 governorship election in the state.

The governor spoke during his cross-examination

by D. C Denwigwe (SAN), the counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate during the election, Comrade Tony Nwoye.

Obiano said he did not subscribe to the language

•Nwoye presents VINN Numbers of ‘triple registration’ •Witness: I have many voter’s cards (APGA).

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka used by the lawyer that the governorship election was invalid.

But Denwigwe (SAN) asked the governor to read out the VINN numbers in his voter’s cards, apparently to show that he was committed triple registration.

Obiano obliged the lawyer.

The numbers, as read out by the governor, are: 90F5B12B88377091121,

90F5B15B7D378200332 and 90F5B12B01296204172.

The governor was in the witness box yesterday between 9.30am to 4.17pm.

He was also cross-examined by his lawyer, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN).

Others who took part in the cross-examination are: Ayotunde Ogunleye, counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Patrick Ikwueto SAN, for the All Progressives Grand Alliance

Obiano told the tribunal that he did not witness dead persons, inanimates, objects, under age persons voting during the election.

The governor said his journey to the Office of the Electoral Officer (EO) in Otuocha on August 29, last year, was to enquire about how to transfer his registration from Lagos to Anambra State.

Obiano said he was directed by the EO to write an application to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Awka.

According to him, he did so and was told to check back two days later.

The governor said he was

AGOS State Commissioner for Rural Development Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi has urged Nigerians to avoid eating at night.

He said the food will not digest and will make them add weight.

Ojelabi spoke in Badagry at the maiden edition of a community health walk organised by his ministry.

He said the walk would hold quarterly in the five administrative divisions, namely Badagry, Epe, Lagos Island, Ikorodu and Ikeja for Community Development Associations (CDAs) and Neighbourhood Watch groups to encourage exercise and promote healthy living and longevity.

Ojelabi said participants would be educated on healthy eat habit, to when to eat and when not to.

He hailed the chairmen of local governments and local council development areas that participated in the walk for partnering his ministry.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health Dr. Yewande Adesina described the walk as a life-saving venture, noting that adding weight is not a sign of healthy living but a health challenge.

Mrs. Adesina said having a big tummy, if not checked, could lead to hypertension, eye problems, kidney failure and other ailments.

She urged Nigerians to exercise for at least 30 minutes daily, adding: “With regular exercise, you lose weight and ensure constant beating of the heart. Thus, you condition your heart to regular beating.”

She advised Nigerians to eat less fat, avoid sugar, cook with cholesterol-free vegetable oil, drink more water instead of refined drinks and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development Babatunde Hunpe said the exercise was organised following the success of last year’s health walk and the people’s clamour for more health walks.

The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olatunde Agoro, said constant exercise promotes good health.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

I madam amudat saka,a Female Nigerian of Block 40,room 116, LSDPC Housing Scheme Oluwole Ogba,Ikeja Lagos hereby declare that I am the rightful owner of the above property.

That the original receipt and allocation paper were issued to me by LSDPC .But these got lost in transit and all effort aimed at locating these had prove abortive.LSDPC and general public please take note.

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THE NATION THURSDAY MAY 8, 2014

NEWS

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Gunmen kill five in southern Kaduna

UNMEN have attacked Fadan Karsi village in southern Kaduna, killing five people.

Police spokesman Aminu Lawal, who initially denied the incident, said security agencies were investigating.

He, however, failed to confirm whether or not policemen were among the dead.

Governor Ramalan Yero described the act as a “provocative attempt by hoodlums to throw the state into confusion”.

In a statement by his Director-General, Media and Publicity, Ahmed Maiyaki, Yero condemned the attack on a

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

police station at Fadan Karshi village on Tuesday night.

The statement said: “We call on the people of Fadan Karshi and other parts of the state to remain calm.

“Security forces have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.

“We should remain united and resolute in resisting obvious attempts by agents of darkness to create confusion and sow seeds of discord in our state.

“Security agencies have commenced investigation

and are on the criminals’ trail.

“No stone shall be left unturned in our resolve to punish perpetrators of this attack and all other criminal assault on our people.

“We call on the people to continue to live in peace with one another and to become more vigilant and security conscious.

“We urge them to observe happenings in their areas and assist security agencies with relevant information on suspicious persons and movements within and around their communities.”

Air Force demolishes 200 houses in Benue R ESIDENTS of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, marched on the streets yesterday to protest the demolition of 200 houses by officers of the Air Force (NAF) Tactical Air Command (TAC).

Over 500 protesters blocked the Makurdi-Gboko Highway at Coca Cola settlement.

Their leader, Gbasha Fieldman Ter, said they preferred to die than live to see their houses pulled down.

The protesters made bonfires and prevented vehicular movement, causing heavy traffic.

Gbasha said they woke up yesterday morning to find armed Air Force officials surrounding their homes.

His words: “They didn’t even listen to reasoning. They demolished over 200 houses and destroyed many house hold items.

“We are shocked that the Air Force would disobey a court order and render many families homeless.”

He accused the Air Force of destroying Christians’ houses and leaving those of Muslims.

Gbasha said they will remain on the highway, until the Chief of Air Staff build them new houses.

An eyewitness, Tersoo Ugo, said when the Air Force officials attempted to demolish the house of the priest of St. Francis Qausi Church, Akpen, the youths refused.

“The bulldozer operator was speaking in Hausa and moving it towards the church, but the youths said ‘over their

•Residents protest •House invites AOC

‘These officers are using the power to the gun to intimidate helpless civilians.

Is anyone above the law? I don’t think so.’

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

dead bodies’. They started stoning the officers, who took to their heels.”

A 50-year-old widow, Mrs. Tabitha Tsehe, said she was away when her son phoned her that Air Force officials have demolished her home.

Mrs. Tsehe said she and her four children have no place to go.

She said they settled in the area in 1970 and the Air Force in 1973, by then the land was clearly demarcated.

Mrs. Tsehe accused the Air Force of land grabbing.

Her words: “They are doing this so they can allocate the land to retired officers, who want to settle in Makurdi.

“These officers are using the power to the gun to in-

timidate helpless civilians.

Is anyone above the law? I don’t think so.

“There is a court order, stopping them from encroaching on the land. But that order has been disobeyed; I hope someone gets punished for this though it won’t bring our property back.”

Another victim, Terwase Yenge, said: “I was asked to pack my property from my room and the bulldozer levelled the house.”

But the NAF spokesman, Group Capt Ayodele Famuyiwa, said the Air Force only demolished new structures.

The House of Assembly has summoned the TAC’s Air Officer Commanding (AOC), to appear before it.

This followed the motion

by Benjamin Adanyi and the member representing Oju 1, Onah Adogah.

The House condemned the action of the Air Force because the AOC, who is a member of the State Security Committee, ought not to compound the state’s security challenges.

The Speaker, Terhile Ayua, directed the clerk to also invite the commissioner for Lands and Survey and the General Manager of Urban Development Board.

‘Prayers responsible for foiled suicide attack’ Y OBE State House of Assembly Speaker Adamu Dala Dogo has said the peoples’ prayers were responsible for last week’s failed suicide attack in Damaturu.

Dogo described the presidential committee on Chibok girls as useless and a waste of time and resources.

“You are aware that Governor Ibrahim Gaidam had asked the people to pray for peace in the state and the country.

“I believe strongly that the collective prayers are working against Boko Haram.

“We know that security agents are trying their best to solve the security challenges but what happened in Damaturu last week was purely the

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

prayers of the people.

“I am sure this happened not because of the gallantry or vigilance of anybody but prayers.

“You can see that the suicide bomber even got to his target but Allah confused him not to detonate the bombs and he was caught.

“We thank God for his mercies. We should continue to pray for more of these mercies to fall on us so that this insecurity will be wiped out completely.”

On the presidential committee on the abducted Chibok girls, the Speaker said: “If

soldiers who have weapons cannot rescue those girls, how can a mere committee, comprising of politicians, bring them back?

“In my opinion, only prayers with military action can bring back the girls.

“The highest the committee can do is to visit Yobe and Borno and then Chibok to meet with the parents of the children and go back to Abuja and submit their report and that will be the end of the story.

“This is a waste of time, energy and resources. Prayer is the key thing here as far as I am concerned.”

•From left: Special Adviser to Katsina State Governor on Girl Child Education Hajia Bilkisu Kaikai; Acting Regional Director, United Nations Children's Fund's (UNICEF's) West And Central Africa Office, Manuel Fontaine and UNICEF Country Representative, Jean Gogh, after an interactive session with benefiting pupils of conditional cash transfer scheme at Liman Primary School in Bakori Local Government Area…yesterday.

Ombatse: Widows demand slain IDOWS of the popolicemen’s remains licemen killed by suspected mem-

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bers of Ombatse cult at Alakyo village in Nasarawa State have given the government three weeks to give them their husbands’ remains.

Their spokesperson, Mrs. Victoria Elisha, gave the ultimatum in Akwanga during a protest march.

Mrs. Elisha said: “We give the state government three weeks to give us the bodies of our late husbands.

“We demand to be shown the bodies in order for us to

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feeding, until we get jobs, but we have been neglected,’’ she added.

She appealed to the Northern State Governors Forum to redeem the N100 million pledge it made to them.

The Media Aide to Governor Tanko Almakura, Illiya Yakubu, declined comments.

He said he would not say anything on the matter, until the White Paper on the Alakyo Killings was released by the government.

Kano CP warns politicians

ANO State Commissioner of Police Aderenle Shinaba warned politicians yesterday against violating electoral rules and regulations ahead of the May 17 local government elections.

Shinaba gave the warning at a meeting with parties’ representatives held at the Police Officers’ Mess.

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be sure that they were among those killed during the crisis one year ago.

“At the expiration of the ultimatum, we will relocate with our children to the Government House for the governor to accommodate and provide for our needs.’’

The spokesperson said the government had earlier promised to give them jobs and cater for their children “The government also promised to cater for our

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

He said: “This meeting is to warn you politicians to play the game by the rules.

“There are stipulated guidelines for every election that politicians must adhere to.

“The police will intimate the State Independent Elec-

toral Commission (KANSIEC) on the timely arrival of election materials.

“We will also escort the officials in order to protect them.

‘We guarantee journalists safety during the election because they are on national assignment but they must be accredited by KANSIEC.”

Bauchi orders 80 transformers

HE Bauchi State government has ordered 80 transformers worth over N260million.

Commissioner for Power and Energy Yakubu Bello Kirfi broke the news yesterday after inspecting the arrival of the first batch.

Kirfi said 31 transformers (300/33 and 300/11KVA) as well as two 500KVA/33 have been supplied to the ministry.

He reiterated the government’s determination to improve power supply in the

state, especially the actualisation of the Yankari Power project.

The commissioner said the contractors will start transporting the turbines/equipment from Lagos to the project site in Gudum in Bauchi town.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

NEWS Protest in Rivers, Ilorin over abducted schoolgirls Continued from page 4

Feyii, who represented the governor promised that the message would be conveyed to the Presidency.

Feyii said Amaechi would support the efforts to ensure that the girls were released to their families.

In a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, sent through Amaechi, the protesters expressed fear over the security challenges in the country, appealing that the government should not allow the nation slip into anarchy.

“We are worried that these are Nigerian children seeking education, seeking an opportunity for a better future for our dear country. Their enrolment in Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, was not just about their immediate families and Chibok community, but about our dear nation.

“We are worried that among these abducted children are future ministers, future administrators, entrepreneurs and, perhaps, Nigeria’s first female president. We are worried that none of them may be released, if we do nothing now to find, rescue and protect those innocent

girls.”

Women, under the aegis of Coalition of Women Associations (COWAS), in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, staged a peaceful protest to solidarise with the parents of the abducted schoolgirls.

The protesters converged on the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre on Offa Road.

The coalition comprises Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs), women journalists and women organisations.

From the NUJ Press Centre, they marched to the Government House, where they were received by Deputy Governor Peter Kishira. The placard carrying women also presented a letter to the deputy governor for transmission to President Jonathan.

From the Government House, they moved to the Emir of Ilorin’s palace and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) secretariat.

Some of the placards read: “Every child counts regardless of her background”, “We are here to know the fate of our children”; “Do not allow those children to be used as instruments

of baby making”; “Oh Allah, save us from unjust leaders”; “Stop killing innocent souls to settle scores”; and “Education is the bedrock of any society”.

Addressing the women on behalf of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, Kishira said: “I have personally appeared before you to receive you on this occasion, which is a demonstration of concern about what has happened to our country. I believe I am speaking to women who are experienced. Because you can imagine, at our age, definitely when we speak on matters like this, we are talking from experience. I lost my first daughter in 1980. So I know what it takes to lose a child.

“Those parents who are here and who have that experience know that it is an experience you never forget. I agree with you on behalf of the governor, who is also a parent, that there is nobody who is a Nigerian, who will not feel it, with respect to what has happened our daughters.

“I want to assure you that your messages will get to the right quarters. The President had already spoken. He is also concerned and we believe with all our efforts and prayers, the girls

will be rescued. Because when you have this kind of experience you have nobody to depend on, except God.” Presenting the letter of protest, Coordinator Bileqees Oladimeji said: “As a mother, I know the situation in which parents of these girls are: talk of the trauma, the mental torture and the sleepless nights. Mothers are bound to remember the pain of carrying the babies for nine months in their wombs; the pain at labour and delivery. Talk of how mothers will continually imagine the cries of their children shouting for help but without hope. Imagine what these children will be thinking, that they have been abandoned by their country, the family and their parents.

“Three weeks have passed, our government has not been able to do anything concrete in providing a positive sense of hope for the recovery of our own children. Many commentators accused us of being insensitive to the feelings of these children and they might be right, until something positive is obtained from our efforts, we would be seen as not doing anything.”

expressed support for the financial institutions of the two countries for cooperation in on-lending to Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.

“We also undertook that the central Banks of the two countries should promote local currency settlements to facilitate bilateral trade and investment.”

“At the end of our discussions, our ministers signed a number of bilateral cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding, among them is the bilateral air services agreement which will definitely promote greater people to people contact and also enhance bilateral trade and commerce.” He added The Chinese Premier, who spoke through an interpreter, disclosed that the two countries

agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, financial services, trade and investment, agriculture, air services, aerospace and people to people exchange.

He said that China also wanted to work with Nigeria to ensure a quality and safety of mutual exchange and export.

According to him, Nigeria is one of China’s trading partners in Africa and in 2013, trade between both countries reached about 30.6 billion US dollars (about N4.9 trillion).

He said: “I wish to emphasise that we know that the government and people of Nigeria pay high attention to coastal rail project in Nigeria.”

“The project is quite significant to the national security and

economic development of the country.

“Chinese companies have already shown a key interest in this project and the chinese government will give support to the cooperations between the two sides on the project in terms of financing and experts.”

“We want to work with Nigeria to the conclusion of the project so that it will bring benefits to the people of Nigeria,” he said “Nigeria has become the largest economy in the Africa continent. Moreover the Nigerian economy has sustained the upward momentum,” he said.

He hoped to see more trade between both countries and stronger cooperation in the development of agriculture in Nigeria.

China to assist Nigeria rescue abducted girls Continued from page 4

while the Premier expressed firm support for our efforts to safeguard our national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity as well as promoting economic development.”

“We agreed to encourage our bastions, companies to further deepen cooperation in infrastructure development especially the railways, power plants and airports.”

“We also agreed that the economic cooperation zones established by the Chinese enterprise in Nigeria have achieved tangible progress and that those enterprises should be encouraged to invest in various fields of the Nigerian economy.”

According to him, they also

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NSA, service chiefs meet

Continued from page 4

eign assistance because intelligence reports have consistently confirmed that the military can curtail the insurgency.

“The government believes the insurgency us mire political than what it is being assumed. So, it is of the opinion that political solution through political and community leaders could assist in addressing the challenges in the Northeast,” another source said.

“The government is circumspect too because Nigerian military is the rallying point for resolving crises in Africa, especially the West Africa sub-region.

For a powerful country like Ni-

geria to now seek foreign assistance might have grave political and military implications,” he said, adding: “Another reservation from the government is that having foreign intervention in the military operation in Nigeria might open up our flanks. And for some countries like the US, it is usually a case of a surgeon who opens up a patient and without closing up decided to attend to another issue in the next room to the theatre. Military interventions are usually unending.

“But the President had to bow to pressure from the opposition and the international community to accept the US offer with limited engagement.

Britain, China, France join battle Continued from page 4

Hollande at the time denied a ransom had been paid, but a confidential Nigerian government report seen by Reuters said Boko Haram was given the equivalent of $3.15 million by French and Cameroonian negotiators.

The kidnapping was one of a series of attacks on French targets in West Africa since France launched a military intervention in Mali to oust al Qaeda Islamists who had forged links with Boko Haram.

Nigeria has complained that the Far North region of Cameroon is being used by Boko

Haram militants to transport weapons and hide from a sixmonth military offensive against them. It has appealed to Cameroon to tighten border security.

Officials in Niger, where France has based surveillance drones, have also voiced concern about infiltration by Boko Haram across the country’s southern border.

“We’re already at the forefront of the fight against terrorists in the Sahel and with borders so easy to cross these groups are linked,” one of the diplomats said. “We have knowledge in neighboring countries that can help.”

$10m boost for schools security Continued from page 4

thorities, training staff as school safety officers, providing communications tools and school counselors.

The initiative will also work to help schools create school security plans and work with the government to develop a rapid response system so that even when faced with attacks, response units are set up to quickly repair or rebuild destroyed education materials.

The Global Business Coalition for Education will solicit more corporate partners to support the expansion President Jonathan showing international support

for creating safe schools in Nigeria so that every girl and boy is able to go to school and learn.

The Global Business Coalition for Education will solicit more corporate partners to support the expansion of safe schools in Nigeria to protect the right of children and young people to go to school and learn.

“One of Africa’s greatest assets are its young people who will drive its future development. The Safe Schools Initiative can help Africa unlock their potential and in this light, could be seen as a crucial intervention,” said Saadia Zahidi, Head of Gender Parity and Skills Initiatives, World Economic Forum.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

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FOREIGN NEWS

High Court ousts Thai PM

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•South Africans trooped out to vote in the town of Diepsloot north of Johannesburg...yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP

South Africa in post-Mandela elections

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OUTH AFRICANS are voting in general elections as the country marks 20 years since the end of white-minority rule.

The African National Congress (ANC) is tipped to win, returning President Jacob Zuma for a second five-year term.

These are the first elections since the death in December of Nelson Mandela, the country’s first black president.

Correspondents say voting has begun smoothly with long queues and there is an air of excitement, especially amongst first-time voters.

Snaking queues line the narrow, dusty streets of Diepsloot,

•Ruling party favoured

a densely populated township north of Johannesburg. Residents here frequently protest to demand basic services such as clean water, housing and electricity.

The ANC is expected to win more than 60% of the vote, although opinion polls show there is disaffection with the country’s leadership.

Those born after the end of apartheid in 1994 are casting their first national ballots, although only a third of those entitled to do so have registered to vote.

Correspondents say police

Egypt: Sisi vows Muslim Brotherhood ‘will not exist’

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GYPTIAN presidential favourite and former army chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has vowed that the banned Muslim Brotherhood group “will not exist,” should he win.

In his first interview with Egyptian TV, he added that two assassination plots against him had been uncovered.

Mr Sisi removed Egypt’s first democratically elected President Mohammed Morsi from power last July.

He is widely expected to win the presidential election on 2627 May. Mr Sisi had denied he had any political ambitions when he ousted President Morsi and launched a crackdown on the Brotherhood last year.

In a joint interview with Egypt’s privately owned CBC and ONTV television channels on Monday, he said: “I want to tell you that it is not me that finished [the Brotherhood]. You, the Egyptians, are the ones who finished it.”

Asked whether the Brotherhood would cease to exist if he should gain the presidency, the former field marshal - dressed in a suit - answered: “Yes. That’s right.”

He said there had been two attempts to assassinate him, but added: “I believe in fate, I am not afraid.”

He did not provide details of who was behind the alleged plots or how advanced they were.

Mr Sisi also denied being the candidate of the army, saying “the army would not have a role in ruling Egypt”, and he defended a controversial new law that puts severe restrictions on the right to protest.

Egyptians gathered in the

streets in parts of Cairo to watch the pre-recorded interview If he does become president, Mr Sisi will be the latest in a line of Egyptian rulers drawn from the military, going back to the 1950s - a line only briefly broken during President Morsi’s year in office.

Human rights groups say the military-backed authorities have displayed increasing hostility to independent media and to political opponents.

Since Mr Morsi’s overthrow more than 1,000 people have been killed and thousands of members of Mr Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood detained by the interim authorities, who have

have been deployed to areas where there have been scene of violent protests and political tensions.

But it is not clear whether this will translate into a significant swing for the opposition.

The ANC’s main challenger is the Democratic Alliance (DA), the liberal pro-business party led by anti-apartheid activist Helen Zille, which is trying to make inroads into the black electorate.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), launched last year by former ANC youth leader Julius Malema, hopes

•Gen. Sisi

designated the Islamist movement a terrorist group.

Mr Sisi’s supporters, however, view him as a strong figure who can stabilise a country plagued by protests and political violence since the popular uprising toppled President Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

to get its first parliamentary seats with its campaign for nationalising the mines and the forced redistribution of farmland.

The BBC’s Milton Nkosi at a polling station in Soweto says voters have been walking in and out steadily making their mark.

One voter there told the BBC: “I don’t see any party that can defeat the ANC. They fought for more than a hundred years... fought for this liberty and so no-one will turn their backs on them.”

This concern was reflected in a BBC poll which suggests unemployment is the major issue for young voters in the country, where about a quarter of the workforce is jobless.

The ANC’s campaign has drawn heavily on its campaign to end apartheid and the outpouring of grief over Mr Mandela’s death.

“Do it for Madiba, Vote ANC!” campaign posters read, referring to Mr Mandela by his clan name.

However, a group of former ANC stalwarts led by ex-Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils has called on people to choose one of the smaller opposition parties or spoil their ballots to remind the ANC “that they’ve got to serve the people of the country and not themselves”.

“There’s a rot that’s set in, there’s huge corruption and graft and cronyism,” he told the BBC.

THAI court has ordered Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and several cabinet ministers to step down.

The Constitutional Court ruled that Ms Yingluck acted illegally when she transferred her national security head.

The ruling follows months of political deadlock. Anti-government protesters have been trying to oust Ms Yingluck since November 2013.

The remaining cabinet members have nominated the commerce minister to replace Ms Yingluck.

The judges gave a lengthy justification for their verdict, but it will inevitably be seen as political intervention by people on both sides of Thailand’s divide.

The government’s supporters had already stated they would

view the verdict as a judicial coup, and reason enough to mobilise against it.

There was, predictably, jubilation in the camps of the antigovernment protesters in Bangkok. But they did not get everything they wanted.

The judges stopped short of holding the entire cabinet responsible for transferring the national security adviser. Only nine ministers, directly involved in approving the transfer, have been ordered to resign. So the cabinet survives, although still only in a caretaker role, until another general election can be held.

Ms Yingluck had been accused of abuse of power in improperly transferring Thawil Pliensri, her national security chief appointed by the opposition-led administration, in 2011.

New controversy in AustraliaIndonesia relations

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EPORTS that the Australian navy added three passengers to an asylum seeker boat turned back to Indonesia have threatened to further damage already strained relationships between the countries over Australia’s tough policies to deter boat arrivals.

The crew of an asylum seeker boat found on an Indonesian island told Indonesian authorities that Australian border control officials added an Indonesian sailor and two asylum seekers from Nepal or Albania to the boat before it was turned back from waters near the Australian island territory of Ashmore Reef on Sunday, Agus Barnas, spokesman for Indonesia’s coordinating Ministry for Politics, Law and Security, said on Wednesday.

Border Protection Minister Scott Morrison refused to comment on the crew’s allegations, maintaining his government’s policy of keeping such operations against people smuggling secret.

If true, opposition lawmakers argue that the transfer of foreigners to another boat amounted to an escalation of Australia’s border protection policies of turning back boats that Indonesia complains breach its national sovereignty.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said that if confirmed, “this is a very serious development.”

Syrian rebels evacuate Homs

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HE evacuation of rebels from their last stronghold in the Syrian city of Homs is under way, activists say.

The first buses left the Old City yesterday morning under a deal brokered by the United Nations. At least two buses have arrived in rebel-held territory to the north, carrying a number of armed fighters.

It marks the end of any rebel presence in the heart of the major city once dubbed the “capital of the revolution” against President Bashar al-Assad.

The damage to buildings in the Old City, particularly those in the Warsha district, is substantial.

No shots are being fired, but

smoke is rising from the Khalidiya, Jib al-Jandali and Bab Houd areas.

Residents said the rebels had set fire to their bases and possessions before heading to the buses. No journalists were allowed to observe the evacuation of the first batch of rebels and members of their families.

Sources are saying that the operation in Homs is happening in tandem with the delivery of food and medical aid to the besieged towns of Nubul and Zahraa, on the outskirts of the city of Aleppo.

However, a group of fighters and civilians, including many injured, stayed behind despite the increasingly tough conditions.

Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russians seize back Mariupol city hall

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RO-RUSSIAN separatists have seized back the city hall in the southern Ukrainian port of Mariupol, hours after being ousted by security forces.

Government forces first raised the Ukraine flag on the building but later left - allowing the rebels who captured it last week to be back in control.

Rebels have occupied official buildings in dozens of towns in eastern Ukraine in recent weeks.

The Kiev government has sent troops to restore its authority.

The Russian and “Donetsk Peoples’ Republic” flags now fly over Mariupol’s city hall, the BBC’s Sarah Rainsford reports from the port city.

The scene of tension appears to have moved to Mariupol’s police station, which is holding 16 pro-Russian activists who were arrested at the city hall.

Kiev is in effect calling Moscow’s military bluff, bringing

Putin: Troops have pulled back from Ukraine border

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USSIA has pulled back its troops from the Ukrainian border, Vladimir Putin told diplomats yesterday as he urged insurgents in southeastern Ukraine to postpone their planned referendum Sunday on autonomy.

In a Moscow meeting with Swiss president Didier Burkhalter, Putin said the Russian troops have been pulled back to their training grounds and locations for “regular exercises,” but didn’t specify whether those locations were in areas near Ukraine.

A Defence Ministry spokesman declined to say where the troops were now positioned. closer the moment when Russian President Vladimir Putin must decide whether or not to use overt military force” Security forces outside the police station fired warning shots into the air as an angry crowd of locals and relatives of those inside gathered at the gates saying they wanted to stop police moving the detainees to another province, our correspondent says.

Putin also called on Ukraine’s military to halt all operations against pro-Russia activists who have seized government buildings and police stations in at least a dozen towns in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine launched a government offensive late last week to take back buildings and towns under control of the insurgents. At least 35 people, including many rebels, have died in that offensive, the government said.

Many had feared that Sunday’s vote on more autonomy would be a flashpoint for further violence between the rebels and Ukrainian troops in the east.

A truck and two buses of heavily armed Special Forces have arrived at the police station, she adds.

Earlier on Wednesday, Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said government troops had taken over Mariupol’s city hall following a joint operation by ministry troops and the army.

Mr Avakov told the BBC that several people had been de-

tained, including the defence minister of the separatist Donetsk People’s Republic, Igor Kakidzyanov.

Mariupol has seen fierce fighting in recent days There were also reports of clashes in the separatist stronghold of Sloviansk, as Ukrainian troops advanced on rebel positions.

The Kiev government says 14 Ukrainian soldiers have been

killed and 66 wounded since the start of its operation in the east last month.

In related developments on Wednesday: •The government asked Ukraine’s football league to hold remaining matches in the season without spectators and for those in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Odessa and Kharkiv regions to be moved to other areas •Ukraine’s central bank has received the first $3.19bn (£1.9bn; 2.3bn euros) tranche of a loan previously agreed with the IMF - part of an overall package of $17bn.

The government has rejected the pro-Russian activists’ demands for greater autonomy for eastern regions, fearing they could lead to the break-up of the country.

Kiev has called a presidential election on 25 May, and said it was ready to back new international talks in Geneva, as long as Moscow supported the poll.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

71

SPORT EXTRA Ikpeazu to make Watford return

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NGLO-NIGERIAN attacker Uche Ikpeazu has indicated with certainty that he will return to his parent club Watford when his loan deal with Crewe Alexandra expires in the next couple of weeks.

In the winter transfer market, the Railwaymen temporarily borrowed him from Watford to improve his chances of taking to the pitch and have some game time under his belt.

And the former Reading youth - teamer was one of the success stories of Crewe Alexandra as they avoided the drop with one game to spare. ''When I came here in January, I was very confident that we will beat relegation.

I knew with the crop of players we have, we will do well,'' Uche Ikpeazu said to

SL10.ng. ''I'm happy to play with Chuks Aneke. I'm surprised he's not getting games at Arsenal because he is a good player and a good person.” ''I have not been offered a new contract by Crewe, I was just borrowed to them.

I am not signing a new deal, I will return to Watford and hopefully look to get into the team.''

Uche Ikpeazu scored four goals in League One this season, putting him one short of fellow striker Mathias Pogba who started the season with Crewe Alexandra.

The 19 - year - old made a name for himself in the 2012 – 2013 campaign with the Reading Under 18s, netting five hat - tricks against Arsenal, Blackburn Rovers, Queens Park Rangers, Chelsea and Everton.

•Super Eagles players celebrate

Mixed reactions trail Eagles World Cup provisional list

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OCCER buffs have continued to react to the provisional list of Super Eagles for the 2014 Brazil World Cup released on Tuesday by Coach Stephen Keshi, saying its is his choice.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Keshi had announced a provisional list of 30 players which recalled team captain Joseph Yobo and Osaze Odemwingie but dropped Villareal's Ikechukwu Uche.

NAN reports that Nigeria will be playing in Group F alongside Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovinia and Iran at the Mundial.

Former Super Eagles’

•Onigbinde, Owolabi advise Keshi Technical Adviser, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, told NAN on Wednesday on telephone that the team list was Keshi's choice.

"The team list is the choice of Keshi as the man in charge who knows what pattern he wants to use for the matches at the World Cup in Brazil,” he said.

Onigbinde, who said it was a long time he saw the players last in action, wondered if he had the temerity to question his action in leaving out or including particular persons in the team.

"All we can do is to wish the players and their handlers well at the World Cup,” he said.

He called on Nigerians to pray and support the team to do well.

Felix Owolabi, a.k.a, ``Owo-Blow'', a former Green Eagles left winger, said he welcomed the recall of Osaze Odewingwe of Stoke City FC of England back into the squad He added that it was not too late for Keshi to also bring in Ike Uche.

"I don’t know the parametres used by Keshi in

selecting his team, but I feel strongly about the exclusion of Uche in the team.

"Uche is a good joker for Nigeria, therefore, it is not too late to recall him into the team because he is a good substitute for any coach,'' Owolabi said.

He said that countries like Italy, Agentina, France, Netherlands and Spain would never leave behind their best players while going for World Cup and urged Keshi to have a rethink.

He added that the World Cup outing in Brazil was different from the Nations Cup in South Africa.

Weightlifting: Stakeholders to set way forward

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EIGHTLIFTING would be the topic of discussion when chairman and secretaries of Southwest zone of the National Sports Commission (NSC) including their coaches converge in Akure, the Ondo State Capital for the maiden

By Stella Bamawo Southwest Weightlifting Stakeholders forum holding tomorrow at the boardroom of the Ondo State Sports Council Akure.

Co-ordinator of the one-day

forum, Sylvester Ikuejamoye an executive Board member of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation who is representing the Southwest Zone on the board, said the event which is the first of its kind in the zone, is very important as it will help in

Lille moves to sign Omeruo

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IGUE 1 campaigners Lille have set the wheels in motion in their bid to sign Nigeria stopper Kenneth Omeruo, SL 10 can exclusively report.

This is not paper talk as there has been contact between representatives of Lille and Kenneth Omeruo's entourage.

French club hope to finalise the deal for the Nigeria international before the start of this summer's World Cup, knowing that a credible performance for the African champions in Brazil will increase his market value and attract additional suitors.

Kenneth Omeruo, whose economic rights belong to Chelsea, could depart Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks, after delaying in

accepting the club's proposal of a fresh three - year contract, with his current deal set to run out in June 2015.

And rather than allowing him wind down the last 12 months of his contract, the Londoners want to recoup some of their previous investments on the highly rated starlet.

Lille would be back in the Champions League after missing out on this season's edition if they garner two points in their final two matches.

And the idea of playing in Europe's most prestigious club competition looks appealing to Kenneth Omeruo.

Championship club, Middlesbrough are lagging behind in the race for the

signature of the 20 - year old.

•Omeruo

fashioning out the way forward for Weightlifting Sport in the region.

Ikuejamoye stressed that the Southwest Zone remains the Zone to beat when it comes to weightlifting sports, hence all hands must be on deck towards ensuring that the zone retains its number one position in the country.

“As I speak with you, right now, the Southwest Zone remains number one in the country as far as weightlifting is concerned and the record must not spoil in our time” he said.

Professor, Seun Omotayo has been penciled down to deliver a paper at the forum, while the Southwest Zonal Co-ordinator of the National Sports Commission, Steve Olarinoye who will give a key note address will also declare the event open while the chairman of Ondo State Sports Council and the General Manager will also be in attendance.

With the boardroom of the Ondo State Sports Council, Akure as venue of the crucial stakeholders forum, the chairman of the Ondo State Sports Council and the General Manager will also be in attendance.

•Edin Dzeko

City smash Villa to inch closer to title

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ANCHESTER City edge closer to the Premier League title after going two points clear of Liverpool with a 10 win over Aston Villa It took the hosts 64 minutes to break the deadlock, Pablo Zabaleta squared the ball from the right wing for Edin Dzeko to slot past Brad Guzan from six yards out.

City doubled their lead eight minutes later with Dzeko scoring from the same spot, Samir Nasri's saved shot fell perfectly for the Bosnian to tap in the rebound.

Stevan Jovetic confirmed

the win for the home side with just a minute left on the clock, Yaya Toure found the second-half substitute on the edge of the box to power it past Guzan.

Toure turned goalscorer in the 92nd minute, the midfielder powered past the Villa defence with a surging run from deep before chipping it into the back of the net.

The Citizens now move two points clear at the top of the Premier League standings, with just a point against West Ham in their final match enough to clinch the title due to their superior goal difference.

Sunshine Stars dedicate vital point to God

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UNSHINE Stars International of Akure have attributed the vital point against Lobi Stars on Wednesday to divine efforts from God. The match which took place at the Katsina-Ala Township Stadium was highly explosive as both teams gave good account of themselves.

Dele Olorundare opened scores for Sunshine in the 5th minute to register his 3rd goal of the season.

Speaking after the match, sunshine stars team manager, Gabriel Aborowa aka Oluso said the impact of God was felt.

"It was an unbelievable performance from the team. The boys put in an extraordinary performance which I believe was the work of God." In the same vein, head coach,

Henry Abiodun while commending the team's performance said, divine intervention was responsible.

"God was with us throughout the match as all antics were foiled. our goalkeeper and every player put in great performance."

Goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa saved a penalty in the second half as sunshine stars held on to pick vital point.

According to Sunshine Stars media officer, Wahab Bankole, the Akure based team is ready to continue the impressive away records which have seen the team pick vital points in Kano, Enugu, Uyo and now Katsina Ala,the home of Lobi stars.

Sunshine Stars will face Giwa FC on Sunday in Akure in their outstanding match. The Akure based team now has 14points.

www.thenationonlineng.net

THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

TOMORROW IN THE NATION

VOL.9, NO.2835

‘In his verdicts, the late Justice Oputa was a sage, a critic, a historian, a philosopher, an accountant and a scientist.

This was why he was nicknamed Lord Denning of Nigeria, Socrates of the Supreme Court and philosopherjudge. He has run a good race’ LAWAL OGIENAGBON

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

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s was widely expected, and as I observed in my column in this paper a few weeks ago, the issue of fiscal federalism is proving to be a hard nut to crack at the National Conference. It is still being debated at the committee level and it was reported that the committee had agreed tentatively on the reduction of the federal share of the national revenue by some 10 per cent to be distributed among the states and local governments. But there were press reports also last week that the Northern delegation had circulated a 47- page position paper at the conference rejecting all claims to oil resources by the oil producing states, particularly in the Delta region.

Specifically, the position paper is demanding that all minerals, including oil, should remain under the exclusive list of the federal government, and that the previous dichotomy on offshore and onshore revenues be restored.

In effect, the Northern delegation is giving notice in advance that it will oppose the principle of derivation as the basis for sharing the national revenue, particularly the oil revenue which accounts for over 80 per cent of the total national revenue. The Northern position is evidently an opening gambit in what is going to be a very contentious issue at the conference. After all, the oil bearing states already receive 13 per cent of the oil revenue in partial recognition and acceptance of derivation as a principle that cannot be totally ignored in revenue sharing.

There has so far been no official response from the oil bearing states to this Northern position paper. But it can be assumed that the oil bearing states, particularly in the Niger Delta, will vehemently reject the Northern position on the issue as totally unacceptable.

They can expect support from the Southeast.

But the position of the Southwest on this issue is not altogether clear. For reasons of political expediency the Southwest delegation is refraining from taking a position openly. But it should, as a matter of principle, take a position, and not wait for the Northern and Southsouth delegations to slug it out between themselves. After all the outcome of the dispute will have some financial consequences for the Southwest too. At the Obasanjo Reform Conference of 2005, the Southwest delegates were willing to support an increase of additional revenue for the oil states from 13 per cent to 19 per cent, but this modest increase was rejected out of hand by the delegation from the Southeast and Southsouth which insisted on nothing less than 25 per cent of the total oil revenue. It was on that dispute that the 2005 Conference broke down completely.

The irony of the present dispute over revenue sharing is that until 1966 when the military seized power, revenue sharing among the three regions of Nigeria was based on 50 per cent derivation. This was generally acceptable to all the parties concerned and was in conformity with the

RIPPLES State of the Nation: LET’S PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS–Cleric

Forget our LEADERS. Let’s pray for OURSELVES

DAPO FAFOWORA

FROM THE SUMMIT dapo.fafowora@thenationonlineng.net

Fiscal federalism at the National Conference

•National Conference Chairman Justice Idris Kutigi

principle of revenue sharing in a truly federal system. But all this was before oil revenue became so dominant in total national revenue. Before independence in 1960 the British colonial power had taken a great care to ensure that all frictions on revenue sharing were resolved. Between 1946 and 1958 four separate commissions set up by the departing colonial power recommended that 50 per cent of total revenue be shared on the principle of derivation, that 35 per cent be shared by the regions, and only 15 per cent to the federal government. In fact, in 1964, after independence, the Binn Commission reduced the allocation of the federal government from 20 per cent to 15 per cent.

This was the basis of revenue sharing among the federal and regions before the military seized power in 1966.

Under the military, the share of the federal

government in total revenue was progressively increased. Oil had become a major factor in national revenue. The process of the erosion of the principle of derivation for revenue sharing began with the military’s Decree 13 of 1970, which reduced by 5 per cent revenue shared on the basis of derivation. In addition, the decree transferred all the revenue from off shore oil wells to the federal government. Between 1976 and 1979, the military regime reduced by a further 20 per cent revenue distributable on the basis of derivation. In 1981 the Shagari regime made a further reduction of 20 per cent on revenue sharing on the basis of derivation. With this, revenue distributable on the basis of derivation fell from 50 per cent at independence to only 5 per cent. When the military returned to power in 1984, revenue sharing on the basis of the principle of derivation was further reduced to 1.5 per cent. It should also be noted that virtually all the leaders of the military regimes, except the Obasanjo regime, that undermined the principle of derivation as the basis for the sharing of the national revenue were from Northern Nigeria. This further complicated the problem as most of the oil is located in the Delta region. In 1992 the Babangida military regime decided that the share of the federal government in national revenue would be 48.5 per cent, the states 24 per cent, the local governments 20 per cent, and the balance of 7.5 per cent was to be held by the federal government as special fund. In effect, the total share of the federal government in the national revenue, over 80 per cent of which is from oil exports, was 56 per cent.

Now, this is a massive negation of the principle of derivation and of fiscal federalism.

It is totally unacceptable and the oil bearing states are right in demanding a drastic review

HARDBALL

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HE presidential chat has become one of the sick rituals of the Jonathan era.

It gives the wrong impression that he is open to ventilate views because supposedly senior journalists sit around him for a chat. But rather than tackle him in the time-honoured journalistic way, they coddle him. They allow him answer questions in a rambling, meaningless journey in trivialities. In those rambles, he brandishes claims that can be at best described as outlandish with reference to facts.

We witnessed this in the last presidential chat. It was the first time he would say a word in public about the missing over 200 Chibok girls in three weeks. Yet, rather than show empathy, she shifted the blame to the parents. He asked the parents to cooperate by providing the pictures of the girls. Did he actually believe what he said? Did he mean that some girls wrote our public exams and we did not have the pictures in official files?

By blaming the parents, the President was echoing the views of his out-of-control wife who shamelessly said that no girl was missing. If the State Security Service does not have the pictures, we must be running an inept intelligence service. Did the President mean that the parents were liars? He did not call his wife to order when she said that the women protesters were pretending to be the

That presidential chat mothers. If the President could not rein in his wife, he did not show example by his words of passive aggressiveness on the women.

The president also said the list of the students showed that over 80 per cent of them were Christians. For a president who claims to have acquired a pan-Nigerian mandate?

Did the President wait to find out the religious identities of the students in order to realise that they are part of us, breathing, feeling creatures of the Almighty? That was as unpresidential a statement as they come.

His spokespersons spoke to CNN with inappropriate language and nervous poses, especially Doyin Okupe. Okupe said aircraft and two battalions had been deployed to go after the girls, after dismissing the United States as a show country. He said Nigeria was not a show country.

Yet we were seeking the support of a show country. Nigeria the serious could not deliver, but America of shows would come to the rescue.

On the two battalions, we want to know where they were deployed from. We already have a division in Borno State, and a battalion, for the information of Mr. Okupe, is a subset of a divi-

of the existing formula on revenue allocation as it hurts the financial viability of the states (37) and local governments (774) very badly.

While the FG gets over 56 per cent of the total revenue, states get less than 1 per cent each and the local governments even less. The issue is not even about the financial profligacy, or massive corruption of the federal government, or its colossal financial mismanagement. The issue is that this imbalance in revenue sharing between states and the federal government has been a persistent source of friction between them as it places the other tiers of government in the federation in an invidious situation of having to rely on the federal government for financial bail outs. This runs counter to the principle of fiscal federalism which should be based on the recognition that both the federal government and the federating states are coordinates, equal in all respects to one another.

It is in the interest of the states for the federal government’s share of the national revenue to be reduced so that individually all states, including the Northern states, can get more from the total national revenue. The position of the Northern delegation is obviously based on political expediency, on the expectation that power will revert to the North in 2015. If the situation was reversed, and most of the oil was located in the North, there is no doubt that the Northern delegation would insist on the principle of derivation as the basis for revenue sharing.

However, there is one issue on which the littoral oil bearing states stand on a weak wicket. It is that of their claim to offshore oil as well as onshore oil. These states cannot legitimately claim exclusive ownership of offshore oil, the proceeds of which should be shared by both the states and the federal governments. This position was affirmed at the UN Law of the Sea Conference of 1982 in which I participated when I was Ambassador at the UN and which the Northern delegation referred to in their position paper. The littoral oil bearing states cannot claim 50 per cent of the revenue accruing from offshore oil as offshore resources belong to the entire country and should be shared equally among them.

Neither can the federal government claim exclusive ownership of revenue from offshore oil. After all, without the states there can be no federal government. There is no provision in the convention agreed at the UN Law of the Sea Conference vesting total ownership of offshore oil in the federal government.

It should be possible for these huge differences over revenue sharing to be resolved at the conference. What is needed all round is compromise and a spirit of give and take on all sides in the overall interest of the nation.

• For comments, send SMS to 08054503031

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above sion. Were the battalions not in Borno State when the Boko Haram boys abducted the innocent girls? Were they not there just yesterday when 150 persons were killed in a fresh attack? Okupe also spoke as though the Nigerian armed forces had all the equipment with scanners, aircraft, guns, et al. So why the need for AMERICA? We heard Mr. President speak so helplessly about seeking American help and even urging the editors with him to ask America why they had not offered their helping hand.

He also spoke about the missing $20 billion dollars. In one breath, he said in his dramatic way that if $20 billion was missing, the U.S. would know, as if we run our economy for the Americans. He spoke as though he did not understand the wizardry of financial fraudsters in today’s economy.

In another breath, however, he said he was investigating it through forensic audit. What contradiction.

He also defended the oil minister as though it was all right that she spent N10 billion on private jets because others used jets. On fuel riots, he said the Lagos riots were sponsored. We would have wanted to know if they sponsored others in Kano and other parts of the country.

These presidential chats should be changed and made open for all major media to send their representatives and not those selected by the presidency.

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