May 30, 2012 - Nigeria World News

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Ministry Of Nothing Affairs

POLITICIANS patronise tokenism. They have easy solutions for challenges, no matter how deeply rooted they may be. The attitude is to get obstacles out of the way, even if they re-surface.

Suggestions about how to tackle the insurgence in the North have ricocheted through the tendency of the politician to feather his prospects. The loudest voices are asking for a Ministry of Northern Affairs. The request is based on “equity”, they say. If there is a Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, there is need for Ministry of Northern Affairs.

Logic can be distended in situations like this. The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has not proven the success its proponents expected. It is sheer duplication of bureaucracy, which is further slowing down urgent redeeming works that the region requires.

If the short experience of the Niger Delta is the standard, the agitators of the Ministry of Northern Affairs should search further for solutions to the troubles from the area, which have assumed dimensions few expected and confounded everyone.

Chairman of Northern States Governors’ Forum and Niger State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, made that point more succinctly in Osogbo.

“If the government was to create special ministry each time there was problem in any part of the country, at the long run it would not achieve any desired results. If people are making a point because Ministry of Niger Delta was created because of the militancy in the Niger Delta region, I do not think we need any special ministry for the North. All we need do is to articulate our position so that each government should know how to alleviate poverty of its people.”

Most blame the violence on poverty. What part did the National Poverty Eradication Programme, NAPEP, play in this? In more than 10 years of its existence, billions of Naira expended battling poverty made no scratch. Its adoption of tricycles as national transport icon and pivot of its confrontation with poverty advanced poverty, by drawing youth away from acquiring skills and leaving thousands maimed from accidents.

NAPEP did more. It joined ministries and agencies that drained public funds through their bureaucracy. The 2012 budget shows NAPEP has more than N2.1 billion stated under ambiguous headings like “poverty alleviation scheme in central senatorial district”.

Different senatorial districts in different States got approvals of N222, 266,667 each without details of the programme as if the locations have the same populations and needs.

A new ministry will increase waste. Office accommodation, furniture, staff, Ministers and their retinue of aides will consume scarce resources our people need. Challenges in the North are obvious, but the solutions are not as obvious as they seem.

Vanguard News

Appoint Governing Council now, UNIBEN ASUU urges FG

8:34 PM Education, News No Comments

BENIN – THE Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, University of Benin chapter, yesterday, appealed to the Federal Government to urgently reconstitute the University’s Governing Council to ensure the smooth running of the institution.

Addressing newsmen in Benin City, Edo State, Chairman of ASUU in the university, Dr. Anthony Monye-Emina and Secretary, Dr. Tunde Adeleke, admonished the Federal Government not to re-appoint the chairman of the dissolved Council, to avoid industrial crisis in the university.

They said: “Our position is underscored by the fact that the Federal Government and stakeholders in the universities are desirous of getting results from the resources infused into the system. The union will not accept or tolerate a Pro-Chancellor or Chairman of Council who frowns at every policy in favour of staff welfare.”

It will be recalled that the former chairman of the Council, Sir Gabriel Tobi, had reacted to the allegations against him by ASUU in the past, and described them as untrue and mischievous, saying: “I brought back peace to the university by ensuring that the best person emerged as the VC through due process irrespective of where he came from.”

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

Lagos preacher heals bedridden Nollywood actor

8:30 PM Entertainment No Comments

Bedridden Nollywood actor, Enebeli Elebuwa was full of “praises and thanks” to Almighty God during the week as he has received his healing, courtesy of a Lagos based controversial preacher, Dr Sign Fireman.

The actor was struck by stroke late last year. Since then, his health has continued to deteriorate on each passing day. He was reportedly bedridden for months before he finally received healing from the “firebrand pastor”.

*Pastor Fireman and Enebeli during the healing session

Fireman who came into prominence through the showbiz personalities that attend his church located in Surulere, was said to have been moved by the status of the ailing actor.

He instructed his family to relocate the actor to the church where he (Fireman) prayed before Enebeli was healed of his life-threatening ailment.

A video posted on Youtube showed the high flying pastor taking steps with the actor, who looked physically drained and weak, after the healing.

Fireman could be heard asking Enebeli to walk and take “one step at a time … in the name of Jesus,” which, in the midst of clapping and shouting by the congregation, he strenuously adhered to.

Fireman happens to be one of the influential men of God in the country. His extravagance and extremely flashy lifestyle was brought to questioning by CAN recently. “Jesus Christ was never a poor man. He had an accountant following him around” he was quoted as saying.

By Benjamin Njoku

Firm introduces new AC diagnostic machine

8:27 PM Technology No Comments

A car dealer, Mr. Femi Ogunbanjo, has introduced a new diagnostic machine for on-the-spot checking and location of vehicle air conditioner problems.

He said the idea behind the introduction of the new equipment was to assist motorists to avert the waste of money and time usually associated with the traditional way of diagnosing AC problems through trial and error method.

According to the Managing Director of Leksban Auto Place, with the new AC diagnosing machine, the technician will not have any need to lose the dashboard, adding, “The machine will accurately locate the problem.”

Ogunbanjo, who also brought in oil draining machine with engine diagnosing equipment, challenged state ministry of transport, other related agencies of government and corporate bodies to regularly organise trainings or workshops for auto mechanics on the basic skills needed to work effectively on modern vehicles.

He said the AC diagnosing machine and the oil drainer could be used on all brands of vehicles with ease.

Although he admitted that many motorists often patronised roadside mechanics because it was found cheaper than what could be charge at the organised service centre with special equipment.

“The damage that could be done to your car through groping the faults is enormous; and sometimes the roadside mechanic will make a motorist change several items in the trial by error technique. The cost might be higher initially but cheaper on the long.”

BY RASHEED BISIRIYU

Democracy Day: Still a long way to go – Imoke

8:25 PM Politics No Comments

CALABAR—AS the country marks 13 years of democratic rule, Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has said that despite the remarkable success recorded within the period, especially in the state, the country still has a long way to go.

Imoke, in his statewide broadcast to mark the day, said as the country takes stock of the gains of embracing democracy, there was the need to celebrate the success so far recorded and identify the challenges that made the people stronger, united and more committed to the ideals and tenets of democracy.

He said: “We must do so with humility, knowing that despite the progress we have made, we still have a long way to go. Some of the inherent values of democracy include freedom of expression, association and choice of leaders. These tenets have been in generous display in recent times in our country.”

He noted that the conduct of the election that brought him into office for a second term was typically without violence and adjudged by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as a model for the entire country, adding that “it showed how much progress the state had made in the march towards the enthronement of true democracy as the only option for our socio-economic development.

“Our performance in this administration demonstrates our firm belief that government should be there for those who need government the most. This is a pivotal part of the philosophy, which underpins this administration and exemplifies the true essence of democracy.

“In a thriving democracy such as ours, the real beneficiaries are the electorate. As a state, we had endured several challenges to our democracy over the past 13 years. The process of transformation has been arduous and steep but we have persevered and we are succeeding.

“Despite the unexpected and sudden shortfall in our revenue profile brought about by geo-political re-alignments and the various electoral interpretations to this administration, we had stayed on the course of growth and development for the benefit of our people.”

Through deliberate and conscientious planning, our state had recorded significant achievements right across the sectors. Our rural communities had been provided with electricity, with several kilometres of roads now linking communities to markets, newly renovated schools, healthcare facilities and other community amenities,” he added.

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

Rocking the boat from ancient city

8:23 PM Entertainment No Comments

Top Nigerian artistes thrill crowd at the opening show of the 2012 edition of Star Trek held in Ibadan, writes AKEEM LASISI

Any concert where pop star 2face Idibia and fuji bull Abass Obesere are to perform, the audience are likely to get two things: an outpour of sleek songs from the first and the boisterous stage-shaking display from the latter. The huge crowd that gathered at the Adamasingba Stadium, Ibadan on Friday night got more than this, as 2face displayed an unusual energy that shocked many at the event.

It was not possible for him to get his ‘lepa shandy’ stature physically enlarged. But like the proverbial rat that banks on its tiny palm to wipe its face, the award-winning artiste mustered his inner strengths to pounce on the stage from right to left and rear to front. But the most symbolic aspect of his wit came from the militant songs he rained on Ibadan. Beyond the African Queen love chants for which many revere him, he turned into a night crusader, shooting songs at various dark forces he believes are holding Nigeria down.

As if he was bringing the Democracy Day (May 29) forward, or projecting that nothing is worth celebrating in the midst of the self-imposed contradictions that litter every nook and cranny of the country, he slammed the corrupt tendencies of the leaders and called for programmes that can lift the people off the pit of poverty. With this, he won the applause and love of the audience in double fold, serving them fun and serving as their mouthpiece in the same breath

His performance was one of the highlights of the opening show of the 2012 edition of Star Trek held in the the Oyo State capital. Kickstarting the concert in Ibadan seems to be socio-politically correct as the state prides itself as the pace setter. Besides, the city is a huge name in the art and culture hall of fame in Nigeria. It has, for instance, procreated popular musicians such as the late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister; Obesere, Saheed Osupa and Segun Akinlolu, popularly called Beautiful Nubia.

With Gbenga Adeyinka as the anchor, the show started around 10 pm with music from the DJ, funny cracks from Adeyinka while a quiz and dancing competition he injected made the prologue eventful. This was followed by an open-mic, talent-hunt episode that featured aspiring artistes who have recorded one song or the other.

In a way, this session was as important as the main menu of the concert itself. The reason is that it is a way of giving the green horns a lifetime opportunity. Apart from the fact that they had the opportunity to showcase their songs to the crowd, it was a crucial spot for any smart musical eaglet to test his confidence and stagecraft, having to face the huge crowd. And some of the acts really made the best of the slot. Among them are Baron, TM, Emenik, Jara BJS and Dayanmo.

The first major artiste to mount the stage is Diwari, who recently proved her mettle as one of the finalists in the Nigeria Idol show. Her performance set a good tone for what the audience savoured throughout the event. She has an impressive stage presence, good voice and a sense of cultural responsibility – or is it effrontery. One of her main numbers is derived from a traditional spectacle in her Rivers State village.

Then came Abolore Akande otherwise called 9ice, who is also a home boy in Ibadan. Apart from the fact that he hails from Ogbomoso town in Oyo State, 9ice’s greatest asset is perhaps the boldness that makes him acculturate hip hop, feeding fat on Yoruba language and metaphors, which he mixes freely with English elements. These make an audience from an axis such as Ibadan feel at home having him on stage.

2face’s performance ended by 4 am. By that time, it was a big trial for any other musician to successfully mount the stage, based on the quality of his act. While it would be difficult not to incur an anti-climax, it was already dawn, with many of the people likely to be tired. But Obesere neutralised this myth when he leapt onto the stage.

For one, only too few people could resist fuji among the audience. Obesere’s volatile craft, his alujo – dance-on - drums that rumbled endlessly were bound to evacuate anyone from the land of reverie. His asakasa – vulgar – songs, with which the audience were also familiar, meant that it was simply a dawn of reunion, since Obesere is based in Lagos. But the most irresistible aspect of his performance came from his two lady dancers who were weird and wild in their styles. Reminding one of the costumes of Fela’s dancers, the ladies who turned and twisted like someone possessed by some strange spirit, did not only dance erotically, they also practically sex-danced, as they echoed the largely bed-provoking songs and beats that oozed from Obesere and his band.

In all, the Star Trek organised by Nigeria Breweries was a successful one. The choice of venue by the organisers was apt, as there was enough space and facilities to contain the crowd, screen them and maintain an inspiring security presence. The timing was also largely precise, just as the public address system was effective. At one occasion when the system convulsed, making 9ice to stylishly take a retreat from the stage, the organisers immediately rectified it and got the musician back into action.

BY AKEEM LASISI

Govt to increase electricity tariff every year

8:21 PM News No Comments

Nigerians who are complaining about the scheduled June 1 increase in electricity tariff are in for a shocker. This is because the anticipated increment is only the first in a series as the tariff will be raised every year throughout the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan and even beyond.

The Multi-Year-Tariff Order prepared by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, which was obtained exclusively by our correspondent in Abuja on Monday, showed that there would be increases in electricity tariff every year till 2016.

The tariff schedule showed that consumers would have to pay higher on two fronts. Every year, the fixed cost will go up. Similarly, the energy cost or cost per kilowatt hour of electricity will also go up.

NERC had consistently said that increase in electricity tariff would be for the short run and that the amount payable by customers would begin to fall when the country had produced enough electricity.

However, the tariff structure produced by NERC showed that the short run would be longer than four years as tariffs would continue to increase until at least 2016.

Responding to a text message by our correspondent, the Executive Chairman, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, said he could not predict the time frame when the tariff would begin to take a downward curve.

“I don’t know. It depends on the quantity of power available and the rate at which losses are reduced and efficiency improved,” he said.

Consumers in different parts of the country will also pay different charges depending on the rating of the distribution zone where they reside.

It is only very poor urban and rural dwellers that will pay the same rate throughout the country under the new dispensation. These categories of consumers will not pay any fixed cost and their tariff of N4/kWh will not vary for the next five years.

However, R2 customers, the category that majority of electricity consumers belong, will have to pay more for the fixed and energy charges.

For R2 customers in Abuja, the fixed charge has been raised from N75 per month to N500 for 2012. In 2013, this charge will be raised to N702 per month, going up to N986 in 2014; N1,384 in 2015 and N1,944 per month in 2016.

This category of consumers is expected to pay N11.28/kWh of electricity per month beginning from June 1. This will increase to N12.13 in 2013; N12.74 in 2014; N13.37 in 2015 and N14.04 in 2016.

For R3 consumers in Abuja, the fixed cost has been raised from N300 per month to N37,527 beginning from June 1, 2012. This cost will go up to N52,696 per month in 2013; N73,997 per month in 2014; N103,908 and N145,909 in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

These customers will have to pay an energy cost of N22.62/kWh from June 1; N22.62 in 2013; N23.75; N24.94 and N26.19 in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

R2 customers with the Eko Distribution Zone will pay N500 as fixed cost from June 1, up from the previous N75 per month. In 2013, this cost will go up to N750 per month and N1,125 per month in 2014. It will similarly go up to N1,688 in 2015 and 2016.

This category of customers will pay N13.03/kWh from June 1, 2012, but the rate will subsist till 2016.

R3 customers under the Eko Distribution Zone will pay N18,764 per month as fixed cost beginning from June 1,up from N300; and N28,145 in 2013. The cost will go up to N42,218, N46,440 and N51,084 in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

The energy cost for R3 customers in the zone will be N23.40/kWh from June 1 and the rate will remain in place till 2016.

In the Ikeja Distribution Zone, R2 customers will begin to pay N500 as fixed cost from June 1, up from N75 per month previously. In 2013, the cost will go up to N750 per month and N895 per month in 2014. It will rise to N1,067 and N1,273 per month in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

For this category of consumers, the energy cost will vary from N12.84/kWh in 2012 to N12.51/kWh in 2013; N12, 89/kWh in 2014; N13.27/kWh in 2015 and N13.67/kWh in 2016.

R3 customers in the Ikeja zone will pay N17,513 per month as fixed cost beginning from Friday, up from N300 previously; but the cost will rise to N26,269 every month in 2013; and N31,332, N37,371 and N44,575 in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Customers in this category will have to pay an energy cost of N21.84/kWh from June 1; N22.50/kWh in 2013; N23.17/kWh in 2014; N23.87/kWh in 2015; and N24.58 in 2016.

Attempts to get the Minister of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji, to speak on the matter failed, but he had at a recent public forum said it was necessary for the rich to pay more for electricity.

He had said the new tariff would not only increase the capacity of the government to improve electricity, but also increase the entire value chain in the electricity industry, including metering.

BY EVEREST AMAEFULE

The fresh controversy on SIM card registration

8:19 PM News No Comments

A little over a week ago, fresh controversy erupted in the public domain about an exercise whose outcome the nation is awaiting – SIM card registration.

The controversy centred around delays in the outcome of the exercise, especially as some networks keep sending messages to their subscribers (who had registered) that their SIM cards had not been registered.

Actually recipients of such messages who had registered their lines would be astounded, leading them to wonder what had happened to the information given while the exercise was on.

However, the interesting aspect of the controversy is the announcement by the House of Representatives Communications Committee chairman, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo that his committee will probe the SIM Card Registration Exercise, for which a princely N6.2 billion was appropriated last year.

Of course, the lawmakers have every right to do what they wish to do in exercise of their oversight mandate, but it would be better if the regulator is allowed to announce completion of the exercise, and then, we take things up.

It will be recalled that the need for the exercise was driven principally by security issues and the desire of the nation to bring the national economy into the 21st century. Secure identity management is a sine qua non for these.

However, let it be borne in mind that things which are taken for granted in other climes, such as census, voters’ registration and others become big, controversial issues here chiefly because of our nature as a group of peoples with interests that serially conflict with the overriding national purpose.

For instance, the National Population Commission conducted a head count in 2006; provisional results were released in Jan 2007, while final results were released later. In all, it took about 18 months to get the results of the census, and the figures are still in dispute; some states, like Lagos, have petitions at the census tribunal.

As far as censuses go, controversy might remain the name of the exercise, again, because of our diversity and the interests spawned by such diversity.

No less different is the voters’ registration exercise, another kind of head count which has always had its own controversies as well. As far as that goes, what the whole of Nigeria slept on between 2010 and 2011 in the run-up to the general elections was the fact that nearly N70 billion was appropriated for INEC to register voters, at the end of which some 66 million voters were captured.

There was no call ( at least none loud enough) to probe voters’ registration, perhaps because that exercise was firmly domiciled in the political arena.

It should be noted that the SIM card and voters registration are nearly the same thing; the difference is that INEC printed out a voters’ card. In both cases both bodies procured DDC machines and captured biometrics. While INEC used ad-hoc staff to do its own, NCC outsourced the exercise to consultants in the six geo-political zones.

The issue here is that as yet, the SIM card registration exercise has not been completed, as outcome of harmonisation of captured data is still being awaited.

All that talk about incompatible format and the rest are technical details being used to gull people into believing what those with the motive want them to believe. Until the exercise is completed, the grounds for a probe would be as firm as quicksand.

By Adekunle Adekoya

Renaissance Group begins Chess-in-Schools Programme

8:17 PM Education, Sports No Comments

Pupils playing chess during the Renaissance Group Chess-in-Schools Programme held in Lagos… on Monday

Over 100 chess sets were donated to 10 schools in Lagos on Monday at the inauguration of the Chess-in-Schools Programme, an initiative of Renaissance Group, an investment banking, asset management, consumer and real estate company.

According to the group, the programme, which took place at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, is designed to promote the positive effects of chess in Nigerian schools, develop individual talents and create long term educational benefits.

Schools that benefitted from the programme are Green Meadows School, Ikeja; The Dew School, Yaba; Home Science Association Primary School, Ikoyi; NEPA Staff School, Ikorodu; Chrisland School, Opebi; Toydam School, Gbagada; Lagos Preparatory School, Ikoyi; Tots Ville School, Ikeja; Day by Day School, Surulere; and University of Lagos Staff School, Akoka.

Nigerian national chess champion, International Master Bunmi Olape; Renaissance Capital CEO for West Africa, Yvonne Ike; Representative of the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Mercy Olaoye; and ex-President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, Dr. Sylvan Ebigwei, donated the 100 chess sets to the participating schools.

Renaissance Capital CEO for West Africa, Yvonne Ike said, “We are proud to launch the Chess-in-Schools programme, which we believe is critical to the developmental needs of the students, enabling them to engage their analytical thinking and ultimately equipping them with requisite life skills when introduced in the early stage of their lives. “Renaissance is committed to developing this intellect-stimulating game in Nigeria and helping to unlock the country’s vast potential, including on the global intellectual sports arena.”

Also, Olape, who played an exhibition game with the pupils, said the progamme would help unearth new and young talents in the game.

BY ’TANA AIYEJINA

Serena out, Nadal advances in France

8:16 PM Sports No Comments

Serena Williams lost in the first round of a major tournament for the first time, falling to Virginie Razzano of France 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 on Tuesday at the French Open.

The fifth-seeded Williams was two points from victory several times in the second set, including leading 5-1 in the tiebreaker. But Razzano won six straight points to force a third set, and then took control.

Williams entered the day with a 46-0 record in first-round matches at Grand Slam tournaments. She had been looking for her 14th major title, and second at Roland Garros.

Rafael Nadal, bidding for a record seventh men’s crown, and Maria Sharapova, seeking the only Grand Slam she has never won, both raced into the second round of the French Open on Tuesday with emphatic wins.

Nadal, beaten only once in his entire career at the venue as he attempts to go one better than Bjorn Borg’s six titles, overcame a second-set blip as he thrashed Italian journeyman Simone Bolelli 6-2, 6-2, 6-1.

Despite the wide margin of his win the Spaniard, whose record in Paris is now 46-1, insisted he had had to battle some early butterflies.

“All matches are always difficult. It’s not easy to get your bearings right off as the court is big and it’s difficult out there,” said the Mallorcan, who is looking to join Borg and Rod Laver on 11 Grand Slam singles titles

FG attracted N6.6tn investments in one year –Jonathan

8:16 PM Business, News No Comments

President Goodluck Jonathan
| credits: File copy

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday said the Federal Government attracted N6.6tn worth of investment commitments in one year of his administration.

Jonathan disclosed this in his 2012 Democracy Day broadcast to the nation.

The President attributed the success story to the new National Draft Trade Policy, which he said was the first ever in the nation’s history.

He said the total value of trade was also much higher than the value estimated the previous year due to deliberate government policies.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that in order to facilitate the ease of doing business, Jonathan said the government had put a policy in place to make visa procurement easier for foreign investors with safeguards to prevent abuse.

Reviewing the progress made so far, he said the country’s credit rating was positive, in contrast with many nations being downgraded.

He said, “In 2011, our economy grew by 7.45 per cent. As at mid-May 2012, our foreign exchange reserves had risen to $37.02bn, the highest level in 21 months. We have stabilised and improved our fiscal regime. We brought the fiscal deficit down to 2.85 per cent of GDP from 2.9 per cent in 2011.

“We reduced recurrent expenditures from 74 per cent to 71 per cent and reduced domestic borrowing from N852bn in 2011 to N744bn in 2012. We cut out over N100bn of non-essential expenditure and increased our internally generated revenue from N200bn to N467bn.”

Jonathan said that his administration had embarked on a strategy of creating jobs and job creators through the inauguration of several initiatives mainly targeted at the youth and women.

In the oil and gas sector, the President said his administration had charted a new course that would ensure enduring transparency and accountability.

Jonathan said, “We are redrafting the Petroleum Industry Bill to ensure it meets the aspirations of all stakeholders given the current realities and future expectations in the global energy landscape. Work on the PIB will be concluded in June 2012 and formally submitted to the National Assembly.

“Additionally, the special task forces dealing with governance and control, petroleum revenue and national refineries are finalising their work to ensure probity across the oil and gas sector, and self-sufficiency in refined petroleum products.”

The President said that the Nigerian Content Development Act, 2010 had boosted the local production of line pipes in-country and fabrication tonnage and engineering support services.

Armed robbers attack passenger bus, rape girls

8:15 PM News No Comments

Some of the workers of the transport company at their Jibowu office, Lagos, after the robbery.
| credits: Sodiq Oyeleke

Two females in a bus conveying passengers from Lagos to Abuja were last Tuesday raped by armed robbers who attacked their bus at Sagamu area of Ogun State.

The gunmen also robbed all the passengers. PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident occurred around 12noon.

It was gathered that the three-man gang armed robbers were among the passengers that boarded the bus at Jibowu area of Lagos.

But on getting to Sagamu, they brought out their guns, ordered the driver to stop and then diverted the bus.

The Station Manager, Ifesinachi Bus Transit, the operator of the vehicle, who identified himself simply as Nelson, confirmed the incident. He said the victims would be compensated.

He said, “Truly, the bus was robbed, and I immediately left to meet the victims when the report got to us.

“I addressed everybody, including the two girls that were raped. Some were given money to return home while others were advised to report at our Jibowu office for another bus to convey them to Abuja the next day.

“Some of them disagreed with the arrangement. I spoke to the two ladies that were raped in privacy and volunteered to take them to the hospital. One of them refused and the other who said she was 18-year-old accepted.

Nelson admitted that the passengers were not checked before they boarded the vehicle, saying he thought the style used by the robbers was no longer in vogue.

“We are sorry for not checking the passengers but you need to understand that nobody is perfect. There was also security arrangement we put in place but we stopped when we felt things had normalised. This was part of the reasons why we don’t operate night buses,” he said.

On the insinuation that the bus’ driver could have been the mastermind of the robbery, the station manager said all their workers were reliable.

Nelson said, “He parked at Somolu because of the limited space at our office. I could have called him but his phone and other valuables were also taken by the robbers.”

A final year pupil of the Nigeria Military School, Kaduna State, who was one of the victims, Feyisa Ayo-Vaughan, said the robbery took place few hours after they left Lagos.

He said, “We left Lagos around 8am. On getting to Sagamu, one of them brought out a pistol, pointed it at the driver and took over the steering and drove us into the bush. We were searched, robbed, and then the two girls were raped.”

The pupil, who lost his documents and money to the robbers, said the documents might affect his leaving the school in August.

Another victim of the robbery, who is also a pupil of the NMS, Silas Anure, said the attack was like a dream.

“They drove us into the bush and collected our money and even raped two girls. Two of the robbers slept with one girl, while the other two robbers slept with the second girl,” he claimed.

BY SODIQ OYELEKE

Unilag: What is in a name?

8:14 PM Education, News No Comments

President Goodluck Jonathan, in his Democracy Day address to the nation on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, announced the decision of the Federal Government to rename the University of Lagos, Akoka, in honour of the late icon of democracy, Chief Moshood Kasimawo Abiola, the widely-acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. The election was reputed to be the freest and fairest poll Nigeria has ever had, but was unjustly and inexplicably annulled by Ibrahim Babangida, thereby denying Abiola access to the Presidency. With the Federal Government order, the name of the university was changed from the University of Lagos to Moshood Abiola University, Lagos just like that!

The renaming of the university immediately evoked various feelings, which can all be summed up in the question: What is in a name? A name is an identification tag. It tells people who a person, nation, an institution or organisation is and by which the object is called. Once a name is given, it assumes an identity which transcends and is bigger than the individual, organisation, institution or nation to which it applies. It is by the name that other people, organisations or institutions identify and relate to the person to whom the name applies. In the case of UNILAG, the name is an international identity because the university has international relationships, partnerships and collaboration programmes. For the University of Lagos, as for other similar institutions, the name is also a brand identity. Many people generally identify the University of Lagos as UNILAG. With the renaming of the university, the identity will inevitably change. International partners are likely to continuously seek clarification/reassurance that Moshood Abiola University, Lagos, is the same University of Lagos that they had a relationship with. This also has serious implications for the certificates issued by the university and its teeming alumni who carry the university’s certificates and degrees. It will also have serious implications for current students whose certificates may bear the new name, Moshood Abiola University, Lagos, especially if they wish to go abroad for further studies, as many foreign institutions would ordinarily think the Moshood Abiola University, Lagos is a new university. Their certificates are likely to be held in abeyance until satisfactory clarifications are made. Thus, such students may suffer for actions that they had no hand in making. The argument here is that as an identity tag, names should not be changed arbitrarily. Otherwise, there will be confusion about identity and identification, and there may be a denial of access to certain privileges and opportunities. International travellers who have passports bearing different names can attest to this.

There is no doubt that the decision to change the name of the University of Lagos would have been taken after deliberation by the Federal Executive Council. It is also indisputable that the owner or proprietor of a structure, organisation or institution can decide to change the name as it pleases. Therefore, it is indisputable that the Federal Government has the power to change the name of one of its institutions – in this case, the University of Lagos – as it pleases. However, weighty decisions such as the renaming of an international academic institution should be taken only after a careful consideration of the pros and cons. What are the pros and cons in this instance? Could the desire to honour a well-deserving national icon have been achieved through a different decision with minimal negative consequences?

Chief M.K.O. Abiola deserves this honour by the Federal Government and much more. Perhaps, what the government could have considered doing is to name some other federal institutions or structures that would not have as much destabilising consequences as renaming the University of Lagos. Or the government could have established a new university which can be named after the democracy icon. In another vein, it may be argued that as a national hero, the honour accorded the late Abiola should not be restricted to the South-West – the geopolitical zone that he came from – perhaps naming a befitting structure in the Federal Capital Territory would have accorded him a better national honour.

This is an undemocratic way of honouring the icon of democracy in Nigeria! There was no consultation with the stakeholders (the University Governing Council, the management, the University Senate, the staff and the students, the alumni, etc.) before the order for renaming was announced. In this regard, it stands to reason to observe that the leeway to take arbitrary decisions such as this without carrying the stakeholders along is one of the reasons for the foot-dragging by the government about the granting of university autonomy in Nigeria! The renaming by fiat has serious implications for institutional autonomy. Arbitrary decision-making, political interference and erosion of university autonomy are also part of the reasons for the relatively low ranking of Nigerian universities in the global ranking of universities. It is unimaginable for any government or political leader to change the name of Oxford University or Cambridge University or Harvard University or any other international university! Whatever we do, we should adopt the Best Practices. We should also go in the direction of international institutions in order to ensure better ranking of our universities and to ensure that our universities are accorded the respect they deserve and that they occupy their rightful place.

So, what is in a name? The Yoruba believe that a name has implications for a person’s behaviour (This is what they mean when they say oruko nro o). Moshood Abiola University, Lagos (MAUL) – what does it mean to maul somebody or an institution?

Now that the Federal Executive Council has ordered the renaming of the University of Lagos, the next question is: what impact is the renaming going to have on the fortune of the university? How does the Federal Government intend to make the renaming reflect in the funding and infrastructural development of the university? Apart from image problems, as well as social and psychological consequences for the university and its stakeholders, the renaming of the university will also have serious financial implications, including the cost of changing name plates, tags, advertisement, etc. It could also lead to a reduction of reputation, which may also have financial implications, It would be interesting to know how the Federal Government plans to assuage these effects. Also, what are the legal implications? The University of Lagos was established by an Act of Parliament. Of course, it may be argued that the same government that ordered the change of name would also effect the necessary legal changes.

This is an unpopular decision that the government would be best advised to rescind, as it is likely to have more negative consequences than positive ones. Again, what is in a name? Whatever name we call it, the University of Lagos will remain the University of First Choice and the nation’s pride!

We may conclude by noting in the usual parlance as follows: “By the order of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the institution, formerly known as the University of Lagos, is now to be known as Moshood Abiola University, Lagos. All former documents remain valid”.

BY OMOLOLU SOYOMBO

Charles Taylor sentenced to 50 years for war crimes

8:11 PM News No Comments

THE HAGUE (AFP) – Liberia’s Charles Taylor sentenced to 50 years for Sierra Leone war crimes

A UN-backed war crimes court has sentenced former Liberian president Charles Taylor to 50 years in prison Wednesday for arming Sierra Leone rebels in return for “blood diamonds”.

“The trial chamber unanimously sentences you to a single term of imprisonment for 50 years on all counts,” said Special Court for Sierra Leone judge Richard Lussick at the court based just outside The Hague.

“The accused has been found responsible for aiding and abetting some of the most heinous crimes in human history,” said Lussick.

Taylor, 64, dressed in a smart dark suit, white shirt and golden tie, listened with his eyes closed and a drawn face as the judge handed down the sentence, which Taylor can appeal.

The former president was convicted on April 26 on all 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity for aiding and abetting Sierra Leone’s Revolutionary United Front (RUF) during the country’s 1991-2001 civil war.

In return, the court said, Taylor was paid in diamonds mined by slave labour in areas under control of rebels who murdered, raped and kept sex slaves while hacking off limbs and forcing children under 15 to fight.

A-B-O-M-I-N-A-T-I-O-N: Masquerade rapes undergraduate nursing mother

8:09 PM News No Comments

Tension mounts in Opi, Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State as masquerades took turn in the series of rape stories synonymous with the community. The alleged rape of a female student, Ngozika Ugwu, presented mixed feelings and reactions to what may have bedevilled the community in the recent past.

Rape stories in Opi, a community in the university town of Nsukka, have occupied major national dailies, hitting banner headlines, from the three quarters that make up the community, Idi, Ogbozalla and Ibeku.

In 2011, the story of the rape of women between 70 and 80 years spread like wild fire in the country, raising eyebrows on the motive for such inhuman and barbaric act by, especially, youths of the community. Some of them were fingered and allegedly arrested, interrogated by the police but could not be persecuted because of want of evidence.

The masquerade

Following this development, Ada Enugu Women Organisation led by Mrs. Kate Ezeofor stormed the community for a church service at St. Charles Catholic Church parish, Opi to cleanse the land and the old women that were defiled.

Few months later, Opi women took to the streets in protest of yet another rape at Ogbozalla–Opi. The protest attracted the quick intervention of the Chairman, Nsukka Local Government Council, Mr. Tony Ugwu who invited all the stakeholders in the community to discuss the ugly development and proffer solutions. Though it was later discovered that the protest had political undertone, the council boss brokered peace to the satisfaction of all.

Barely few months of enjoying peace in the area, masquerades took turn in the series of rape stories in the community by defiling a 28-year-old undergraduate nursing mother. The victim told Crime Alert in tears that the trauma of the rape will forever live with her but stated that she had forgiven the rapists.

While narrating her ordeal, she appealed to local, state and federal governments to ensure that truth prevails in this country by fighting for the poor masses. Ngozi, who dropped out from her NCE programme at the Enugu State College of Education (Technical)due to lack of funds after her ordeal, called on concerned Nigerians to come to her aid to enable her go back to school.

She also hinted that the release of one of the suspects on the flimsy excuse that he was going to write his JAMB examination was not encouraging, attributing it to the fact that her family is poor and helpless.

Her story:
It happened on March 21, 2012. There were three masquerades that day but two were spotted and people started running. I was going to fetch water and as people were running, I equally ran and hid somewhere until the two masquerades passed. After the masquerades passed, I came out and continued with my journey. Soon, I heard a child saying that another masquerade was coming. I didn’t see the masquerade but people were running and I ran to enter into someone’s house.

The masquerade emerged from a corner (apiam way) and pushed me into the building where I was running to. I tried to escape but could not. It caught up with me and started beating me. What surprised me was that the masquerade said it has been looking for me for long and had now caught up with me. I sought to know what I did to deserve such treatment and at the same time pleading for forgiveness but it continued with its threat.

This time, it swore to take me to a bigger masquerade inside the forest, saying it has been long I had been insulting them. My cries for help and that I was a nursing a baby fell on deaf ears. As the masquerade was dragging me along, a man with wrapper came and pleaded with the masquerade to leave me but it refused, saying that I have insulted them for too long. It insisted on taking me to the bigger masquerade which will compel my clan to bring a cow as sacrifice.

All my pleadings with the man who came to my rescue failed. The masquerade dragged me to a bush path,threw me on the ground fell on me. It held me on the neck to prevent me from shouting and blocked both my eyes and nose. At this stage, I nearly lost consciousness until one man came and rescued me from its grip. He removed the face of the masquerade and that was how he was identified. As soon as he was identified, he ran away.

More people gathered there and helped to take me where I was given first aid treatment at a chemist before I was taken to St. Joseph Hospital, Opi. I didn’t know when I was taken to the hospital. When I started gaining consciousness, I did not see my pant and my bra was torn. It was then I realised that the masquerade raped me. Fear gripped me that the masquerade may have transmitted HIV/AIDS into me.

Doctor’s report altered
We went to Nsukka police station and reported the incident. I was surprised that police did not come to the scene of the incident to investigate my claims. What the police did was to take me to a police doctor, Mercy Clinic along University Market Road, Nsukka. It is surprising that a doctor will give evidence against me in a case of rape I reported. Later, police invited me to their office for interrogation.

The victim, Ngozie Ugwu

When I tried to give details of what happened, they shouted that I should shut up and go straight to speak on the doctor’s findings on the case. Surprisingly, the Police asked me to write a letter of apology claiming that the doctor’s report said I was not raped. I did not read the report nor see it. I was forced to write an apology by the police.

While all these were happening, no police officer came to the hospital to take my statement. All the time, nurses would remove drips from my hand so that I would go to the police station to honour their invitation. The masquerade was allegedly arrested and hurriedly released on the flimsy excuse that he was going to write JAMB exams.

Pleas for forgiveness
While I was still recuperating, the mother of the suspected person in the masquerade came and pleaded that his son should be forgiven. I told his mother that I have forgiven him. What annoyed me most was that some of his relations which included a policeman that works in Enugu, returned home and instead of sympathizing with me, they took sides in favor of their brother. At a stage, I was forced to go to the police station to close the case.

No refund of expenditure
The police said that I should not be paid what my family spent in the case and that the family of the suspect should only pay for my hospital bill. The rapist family paid the hospital bill grudgingly. Later, the police invited us again and this time, they asked me to write that I was not raped and I was forced to write that I was not raped. The boy who raped me gave police his name as Asogwa Ifeanyi but people who knew him said, his real names are Ugwunshi Ifeanyi.

The police did not also make efforts to invite the witness in the case while the investigation was going on rather, after they concluded that I was not raped, they tried to invite him but he ignored them.

My Education
I dropped out from Enugu state college of education (Technical) due to lack of fund. I was a second year student when I dropped. I entered the tertiary institution in 2007/2008 session. For now, it is very difficult to continue with my education after all I have gone through. My father is a mason (Brick layer) at Uzo-Uwani L.G.A, Enugu State. We are five children born to my father and mother.

I am the only daughter.
Police reacts when Crime Alert visited Nsukka Police station, it was gathered that the incumbent Divisional police officer had not assumed office when the matter was incidented but a senior police officer who pleaded anonymity disclosed that a case of assault, occasioning harm was reported at the station but not rape as claimed by the lady stating that the people of the area are very troublesome. “Any small thing in the area, they will term it rape and rush to the press. You can trace the lady to Opi and find out from her, all that was reported is a case of assault occasioning harm.”

Police Doctor speaks
The police doctor, Dr. Ugwu who reportedly examined Ngozika told Crime Alert that he can’t remember such a matter any longer. “I meet different cases and patients on daily basis. Give me sometime to get across to the police to find out the very incident”.

Elders action
Investigations by Crime Alert revealed that the elders in the community, on hearing the rape story, took action by banning masquerades from operating in the area regretting that youths cashed on masquerade which are meant for entertainment to perpetuate all sorts of evil, painting the community in a bad public image. They also reportedly resolved that the family of the masquerade rapist must bring a cow to cleanse the land, or else they will be ostracized.

By Chinenyeh Ozor, Nsukka

Panic as residents discover bomb in Kaduna

8:05 PM News No Comments

Police in Kaduna State on Tuesday detonated an object suspected to be an Improvised Explosive Device along Ahmadu Bello Way in the Kaduna metropolis.

The bomb was said to have been planted by unknown persons near the old Kaduna State Transport Authority terminal opposite the former Kaduna office of The Punch.

Our correspondent learnt that the object was discovered around 6am by residents of the area who quickly alerted the police.

On learning about the development, residents, newspaper vendors and distributors that were 50 metres away from the scene were said to have fled.

For almost two hours, there was traffic congestion in the area, sending panicked motorists fleeing their vehicles while others diverted to other streets.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Aminu Lawan, said some residents alerted the police to the suspicious movement of a man around the area.

Lawan said, “We moved the anti-bomb squad to the scene after receiving a distressed call from residents of the area that they spotted an unknown man dropping an object on the spot.

“After combing the entire vicinity, they discovered an Improvised Explosive Device tucked in an old television set by the side of the road near the KSTA. Our men successfully detonated the IED and there was no casualty.”

However, the loud noise resulting from the detonation of the explosive was said to have created fears in the area.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Jinjiri Abubakar, who also confirmed the development, appealed to the residents of the state to give information to police.

Meanwhile, Governor Patrick Yakowa has restated his administration’s committment to the safety of lives and property in the state.

“We are working round the clock to ensure that we bring the violence in the state to an end so that the state state can return to its enviable position. We all have a duty to make the state secure,” Yakowa said.

BY DAVID ATTAH, KADUNA

Man arrested on Super Eagles flight for trial

8:04 PM News No Comments

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Tuesday said it was set to prosecute Mr. Daniel Okorafor, a suspected drug trafficker, arrested aboard a Spain-bound Iberia Airlines flight conveying the Super Eagles last Saturday.

A statement by the anti-narcotics agency said the move followed the conclusion of its investigations.

The 45-year-old suspect was nabbed with two kilogrammes of cocaine hidden inside his bag at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

Okorafor, NDLEA claimed, had owned up to the crime.

The statement by the Head, Public Affairs, NDLEA, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, read, “All six parcels of drug were concealed in the sole of three pairs of shoes in the suspect’s hand luggage.

“The suspect will be charged with unlawful exportation and possession of cocaine under section 11 subsection b and d of the NDLEA Act.”

The suspect had said that he was forced into drug trafficking by unfriendly circumstances of life.

Meanwhile, the agency has pledged to protect the image of the country from being smeared by members of drug cartels.

The Chief Executive Officer, NDLEA, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, said, “Protecting the image of our country through effective drug control is a vital function of the agency. Our strict control measures help to enhance the reputation of the country.

“This is crucial because as a signatory to all United Nations drug Control Conventions, we must tackle the drug problem with all seriousness. We shall dislodge drug trafficking syndicates and bring them to justice.”

He hailed from Ebonyi State and attended Mgbom Central School but stopped in primary three.

BY OYETUNJI ABIOYE

Siasia, Martins for Apapa Cup final

8:03 PM Sports No Comments

A former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, Rubin Kazan striker, Obafemi Martins and the Ojora of Ijora, Oba Abdulfatai Aromire, are some of the personalities expected at the final of the 2nd Ayodeji Joseph Apapa Chairman’s Cup on Wednesday (today), at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Lagos.

FC Bethel will tackle Eskay Babes in the final game while Badia All Stars confront Royal Strikers in the third place match.

Also expected are Senator Muniru Muse; Lagos Football Association Chairman, Seyi Akinwunmi; Lagos State Commissioner for Sports, Wahid Oshodi,; aom the state.

The Local Organising Committee chairman, Owolabi Elijah, said, “The final match promises to be explosive considering the rivalry between both teams and we have fortified our security mechanism considering the calibre of dignitaries expected.

“We have policemen and military police on ground as the main gate will be restricted to the dignitaries, Apapa LGA officials and the media while the other gate has been earmarked for the fans.”

Tambuwal, Ihedioha, Gbajabiamila differ on democracy

8:02 PM News, Politics No Comments

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal
| credits: File copy

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal; his deputy, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, and the Minority Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Tuesday held different views on the gains of democracy in the country.

While Tambuwal and Ihedioha urged Nigerians to consolidate the gains of democracy and work for the unity of the country, Gbajabiamila said Nigeria was not yet a democratic nation.

In a message in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Imam Imam, the Speaker noted that despite current “socio-economic” setbacks, overall, the last 13 years had shown that Nigeria had a bright future.

“He reiterated the commitment of the House of Representatives to the deepening of the virtues of good governance, transparency and rule of law,”the statement said.

On his part, Ihedioha listed the gains of democracy to include the awareness of constitutional rights by Nigerians.

He, however, advised them to step up the awareness by fully participating in the ongoing process by the House to amend the 1999 Constitution.

“There is ample room for greater participation and inputs into this very vital exercise of redefining certain terms and conditions of our togetherness as enshrined in the constitution”, he was quoted in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Oke Epia.

But, Gbajabiamila, who is also the leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria Caucus at the House, was surprised that Nigerians were celebrating democracy.

He said, “I do not know what Nigerians mean when they say they are celebrating democracy day as I fail to understand the sense in celebrating what you have never had and what remains largely a figment of the imagination and wishful thinking.

“Nigeria is yet to be democratised. At best what we have is civilian rule. Democracy is firstly driven by a government elected by the citizenry. Can we truly say this government was elected by Nigerians?.”

The minority leader added that in a democracy, anti-graft agencies were allowed to function independently, while a President could not fire a judge “willy-nilly depending on his whims and caprices.”

He added, “Can we truly celebrate democracy where a supposed independent body (EFCC) awaits the approval of Mr President before it can prosecute a thieving cabal?

“Can we as Nigerians honestly celebrate democracy in a country where the army is rolled out to kill innocent civilians peacefully protesting an insensitive fuel price hike?”

BY JOHN AMEH, ABUJA

Jonathan outlaws continental dishes at official events

7:59 PM News No Comments

HENCEFORTH no continental dishes will be served at government events in the country, President Goodluck Jonathan directed on Tuesday in his Democracy Day speech broadcast live from his office in Abuja.

Jonathan’s directive is obviously in promotion of the “cassava bread” policy of his government. He said Nigerians must be encouraged to eat local foods.

“We must use our population to create markets for what we produce. We must grow local, buy local and eat local. To promote this, I have directed that all official functions of government serve local foods, especially our local rice and cassava bread and other foods. In the State House, I am faithfully keeping to my promise of eating cassava bread and local rice,” he said.

Only last week, the House of Representatives has rejected the President’s Bill prescribing 50 per cent of cassava in the making of bread.

The lawmakers said enacting such a law would be abridging the rights of the citizens to their choice of food and that using cassava to produce bread would constitute health hazard to diabetic Nigerians.

Among other highlights of the Presidential broadcast was the intention of the Federal Government to establish a presidential museum in Abuja.

The museum, Jonathan explained, would catalogue the lives of Nigeria’s former presidents since independence in 1960.

He said, “Within two years, it would be exactly 100 years since the Northern and Southern protectorates were amalgamated and Nigeria was born. We need a lot more introspection, even as we look forward.

“We must take steps to heal the wounds of the past and work together, as a people with a shared destiny under one flag. We must strengthen our collective memory, draw strength from our history, and build bridges of unity to take our country to greater heights.

“It is partly for this and other reasons, that I have directed, as part of the activities marking today’s Democracy Day, that all due processes should be initiated for the building of a Presidential Museum in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

“This museum will document the lives and times of Nigeria’s Presidents and Heads of Government since 1960, and remind us, by extension, of the high points of our national history.”

Jonathan also reiterated his administration’s resolve to continue to confront the current spate of terrorism in the country headlong.

He said “As President, it is my solemn duty to defend the Constitution of this country. That includes the obligation to protect life and property. We are doing everything possible to check the menace of terrorism. In this regard, we are determined to review some of the existing laws, to further strengthen the national counter-terrorism strategy. Coordinated joint action among our security agencies has now assumed greater importance.

“I wish to reassure every Nigerian that we will confront this threat against our collective peace and security, and bring the perpetrators to justice. We will confront the few misguided persons who falsely believe, that through violence, they can impose their agenda of hate and division on this nation of good people.

“We must confront all those who think they can derail us by engaging in indiscriminate violence and mass murder, perpetrated in places of worship, in markets and public places, against the media, and security personnel.”

Jonathan reminded Nigerians that they had a duty to be loyal to the country, saying such was a sacred obligation they owed the nation.

“It really will not matter whether we are civil society agents, social activists or union leaders. What matters is Nigeria,”he said.

BY OLALEKAN ADETAYO, ABUJA

Jonathan govt, legacy of insecurity, scandals – ACN

7:58 PM News, Politics No Comments

PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur
| credits: File copy

The Action Congress of Nigeria has described President Goodluck Jonathan’s first year in office as a poor and faltering start to his four-year tenure. The party said it was characterised by a monument of insecurity and scandals of “historic proportions.”

In a statement on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said President Jonathan frittered away the goodwill of a nation due to “gross incompetence and waffling leadership.”

The statement read in part, “Nigerians are worse off today than they were when President Jonathan assumed office on May 29 2011, and the country under his watch has become more divided today than at any other time since the civil war of 1967 to 1970.”

Though the ACN said one year is too short to judge an administration, it never imagined that any administration would make things worse than they met them.

According to the party, Nigerians are fast losing hope when it comes to the government’s ability to ensure the security of lives and property.

“As at the last count, over 1,200 Nigerians have been sent to their early graves by the rampaging Boko Haram, as the Jonathan Administration waffles or perhaps deliberately delays efforts to end the crisis. As the government flip-flops between non-engagement with ‘terrorists’ to qualified engagement, the sect grew stronger and more daring.

“Add this to the continuing cases of kidnapping for ransom and other violent crimes across the country, and one begins to wonder whether Nigeria is on the road to Somalia, or if indeed there is a government worth its name in Abuja,” the ACN said.

The party said the administration’s first year was also a “tsunami of scandals and monumental corruption that have put a lie to President Jonathan’s pledge, at his inauguration, to fight corruption with overwhelming force of our collective determination.”

It said the removal of subsidy on fuel revealed the unimaginable pilfering of the resources of the commonwealth in the name of fuel subsidy.

“Under President Jonathan’s watch, the multi-billion-naira police pension scheme was looted by incredibly-brazen public officials, emboldened by the impunity that now characterises government affairs,” the statement said.

ACN said the President himself is fast losing the moral authority to fight corruption, after being embroiled in scandals in just one one year of his tenure.

The party added, “These scandals are chipping away at the credibility of the President and weakening his Administration’s ability to fight corruption, which is a major inhibition to the country’s development.

“Overall, President Jonathan’s first year in office is a poor and faltering start to his four-year tenure. He has no one but himself to blame for frittering away the massive goodwill that propelled him to office, in spite of his modest means.”

Also, the Osun State chapter of the ACN said all the Presidents, who ruled Nigeria since 1999 till date, failed Nigerians.

A statement by the Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Osun ACN, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, said, “There is a systemic collapse, sectors like the economy, education, and infrastructure have collapsed and the best brains the government at the centre can offer cannot proffer any solution.”

“May 29 is a day that Nigerians should be sad about. Not much good has come from the thought of that day in our history, and until we dismantle everything evil which that day represents, we may fail completely as a state, a people and a geographical expression.”

Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has berated those criticising the government of Jonathan, saying the President has done well.

He said though the country was yet to get to the Promised Land, the President and the Peoples Democratic Party needed the contribution of Nigerians to move the country forward.

Tukur, who spoke to reporters in Abuja on Tuesday, said, “We have had 13 years of an uninterrupted journey to the Promised Land and to get there, PDP needs the cooperation of all Nigerians, especially the opposition parties and the civil society groups to build this great country of ours.

“This transition time for the nation is not the time to walk on political divide and demonise the ruling party, the PDP. The issues involved go beyond politics.”

BY TUNDE ODESOLA AND OLUSOLA FABIYI

More Protests as FG renames UNILAG after Abiola

12:51 PM Education, News No Comments

Students of the University of Lagos protesting Federal Government’s renaming of the school to Moshood Abiola University in Lagos ... on Tuesday

Anger and protest on Tuesday greeted the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan to rename the 50-year-old University of Lagos after the acclaimed winner of the 1993 presidential election, the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.

The renaming of UNILAG, now Moshood Abiola University, Lagos, after the late business mogul, came 14 years after the citizens hadAbiola’s clamoured for the recognition of his place in the democratic journey of the country.

But few minutes after Jonathan announced the renaming of the institution in his Democracy Day speech, students of the university trooped onto the streets in protest of the new name though they made it clear that they had nothing against the person of the late Abiola.

They described the renaming as “provocative and unpopular.”

Abiola’s daughters

But the Abiola family hailed the government for renaming UNILAG after their dead patriarch.

Abiola’s first child, Lola Abiola-Edewor; and Hafsat Abiola-Costello, said that the Federal Government should be commended for recognising the contribution of the late politician to the return of democracy in Nigeria.

Abiola-Edewor, a two-term member of the House of Representatives, condemned the protest by some UNILAG students against the decision by the Federal Government to name the institution after her late father.

The university, known more by its acronym, UNILAG, was established in 1962 by an Act of Parliament.

Against democratic norms

The National President, UNILAG Alumni Association, Prof. Olayide Abass; a former Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe; all the workers’ unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities, faulted the decision which they described as “illegal, provocative, absolutely incongruous and antithetical to democratic norms.”

The alumni association threatened to drag Jonathan and the Federal Government to court over the name change.

Abass said the President did not have the power to change the name of the university, which he said was created by an Act of Parliament.

“It’s either the President does not have a sense of history or that those who are his advisers are not in tune with the nation’s law. UNILAG is the first federal university in the country that was created by an Act of Parliament, so if he wants to change the name, he should go back to the National Assembly and press for the amendment of the university law. He is not a lawmaker and so does not have such power,” he said.

He advised the President to stop acting like a military leader in a democratic dispensation, adding if Abiola must be immortalised, UNILAG, which he said, had become a brand name globally, should not be demeaned.

Abass also faulted the decision, saying it came at a time the university was mourning its late VC, Prof. Tokunbo Sofoluwe, and was planning its golden jubilee.

Also, Ibidapo-Obe wondered why the President did not consult stakeholders before he made the ‘’totally unacceptable” decision.

“It is absolutely incongruous, totally unacceptable and antithetically opposed to democracy that he (President) preaches. Decisions in democracy are made through consultations that is why politicians arrive at all -inclusive decisions but in this case, the President did not consult anybody in UNILAG before he foists this on us.

“It is a deceitful decision made to satisfy people who are not happy with him in the South-West. We are not happy with the decision and that is why the students spontaneously went on the streets to protest it,” he said.

New name at age 50?

He added that it was wrong for the President to change the name of the institution when it was mourning its late VC and planning to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

“Have you ever seen a man who changes his name while celebrating his 50th birthday? This is totally wrong,” Ibidapo-Obe queried.

When reminded that the Federal Government had done a similar thing when it changed the name of the then University of Ife, to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ibidapo-Obe said the two institutions should not be compared.

“That argument cannot stand because Ife was a regional university started by the late Obafemi Awolowo and don’t forget that it was the military that did it without recourse to the law. But UNILAG is a creation of the law and its name can only be changed through the law, not by any presidential fiat,” he said.

He added that good universities all over the world, including UNILAG, were brands whose names should not be changed at will.

On the street

Also, the students who carried various placards with inscriptions such as: “This is not the change youths want,” “Jona has no shoes we gave him bata”, “We remain UNILAG” and “Jonathan, reverse this decision immediately,” barricaded the main gate of the university thus preventing people from coming in or going out of the campus.

From there they trooped to Abule-Oja and the university campus environs, singing anti-Jonathan songs. Consequently, vehicular movement was hampered while commuters were forced to place leaves on their vehicles as a sign of solidarity with the students.

They also blocked the Yaba end of the Murtala Muhammed Way for over thirty minutes.

The Lagos State Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, Mr. Tunde Sobulo, who led policemen who monitored the students’ protest made a strong appeal to them before they allowed a free flow of traffic about 12:33pm.

Some of them, who spoke with our correspondents, said that the decision was not well-thought out.

“If this decision is not reversed, it will affect the image and global ranking of the university. When this happens, all of us, past and present students, will suffer,” Mr. James Mgurujwen, a 400-Level student in the faculty of education said.

Another student, who simply identified himself as Stephen, said though he did not see anything wrong in immortalising Abiola, UNILAG should not be sacrificed for this purpose.

“I did not know Abiola. I was in primary one in 1993 but my dad told me he loved football and had a football club. If that is true the President should have named the National Stadium after him instead of our university,” the 200-Level student in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences said.

Taiwo Rowaiye, a 400-level student, said it was unfortunate that the president could change the name of the university and close his eyes to the pitiable conditions in which they learn.

He said, “Its clear that we don’t have a caring president. Instead of making teaching and learning convenient for us he is renaming the university.

“There is epileptic supply of electricity to the university campus. Just yesterday(Monday) we only had two hours of power supply.

“Our hostels are in despicable conditions and we often times attend classes without taking our bath all because their is no electricity to pump water.

“Besides, our classrooms are overcrowded and we take lectures in suffocating classrooms and all he could do to better our lot is to rename our university.”

Unions fume

The Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, UNILAG Chapter, Mr. Adetola Adetomiwa; the Chairman, Non-Academic Staff Union, Mr. Ganiyu Oseni; and the ASUU Chairman, Dr. Ogbinaka Oghenekaro, also faulted the sudden name change. They described it as misguided and unthinkable.

Adetomiwa said, “His (Jonathan) decision to change the name of UNILAG, a national institution, is misguided. It shows that his advisers do not like him. If he desires to come back for re-election in 2015, he should reverse the decision immediately, otherwise we will mobilise against his political ambition.”

Oseni said that all the workers’ unions on the campus would meet after the burial of Sofoluwe on Thursday (tomorrow) to determine the next line of action that would be taken in ensuring that the decision was reversed.

“But I can tell you that this unthinkable decision will not stand,” he said.

Oseni added that Jonathan’s advisers ought to have advised him to name the Democracy Day after Abiola if truly they believed that he was the martyr of democracy.

MKO Abiola

Abiola, an accountant, politician, businessman and philanthropist, died on July 7, 1998, in the custody of the Federal Government, four years after he had been arrested and detained by the late dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha. Abiola was arrested for daring to declare himself President-elect after winning the 1993 poll later annulled by Abacha’s predecessor, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

The annulment and the death of Abiola enraged the citizens. Ditto the government’s continued refusal to acknowledge the place of Abiola in the nation’s democracy.

Both former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, a kinsman of Abiola from Ogun State; and the late President Umaru Yar’Adua had ignored calls for the immortalisation of the late businessman who contested the 1993 poll on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party.

BY SEGUN OLUGBILE, TEMITAYO FAMUTIMI AND MOTUNRAYO ABODERIN

Occupy Unilag Day 2: Students barricade Third Mainland Bridge

12:03 PM Education, News No Comments

The protest trailing the renaming of University of Lagos to Moshood Abiola University by the Federal Governmet yesterday has entered its second day as students of the university have barricaded the popular Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, thereby causing serious traffic gridlock on both sides of the bridge.

PROTEST—University of Lagos students protesting the re-naming of the institution after late MKO Abiola yesterday in Lagos.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Umar Manko is right now at the scene of the protest on to calm the situation.

By Nnamdi Ojiego

Gombe commences work on mini hydro-electric plant

12:01 PM News No Comments

Gombe State government has concluded plans to commence work on the Gombe State mini hydro-electric power plant and a second regional water supply scheme from Balanga Dam.

Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo made this known during this year’s democracy day celebration in Gombe State, yesterday.

He said: “Preliminary designs and processes have been completed for a mini hydro-electric power plant as well as the second regional water supply scheme from Balanga Dam.”

He said the projects, when completed, would augment power supply and provide water to five local governments in Gombe South and Central senatorial zones.

Dankwambo said agriculture was also receiving attention as the state government has so far spent N40 million in the rehabilitation of silted canals as well as repair of dam head, gates and access roads of the Balanga Dam.

BY John Bulus

Ex-education minister, Obaji, endorses renaming of UNILAG

12:00 PM Education No Comments

Lagos – Stakeholders in the education have continued to react to the renaming of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) as Moshood Abiola University (MAU) by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The president had in his Democracy Day broadcast on Tuesday named the institution after the late Chief MKO Abiola for his contributions to the country’s democracy.

Abiola was the presumed winner of the annulled June 1993 presidential poll.

A former Minister of Education, Mrs Chinwe Obaji, on Tuesday that the decision to rename the school after Abiola was a welcome development.

“I do not see anything wrong with the change because it has to do with what is their brief and so, there is nothing wrong with that.

“The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) , for instance, has it in the constitution establishing it that the name must not be changed and so it would remain.

“Moshood Abiola deserves to be honoured because he was a symbol of democracy, no matter whatever anyone thinks,” she said.

Obaji noted that the 1993 election was the freest and fairest the country had ever experienced, adding that for government to think of giving him such an honour was not out of place.

“Here was a man whose ideals were embraced and people, irrespective of religious and ethnic differences voted for him overwhelmingly.

“If the government deems it proper to honour him this way, then so be it”.

But the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), UNILAG Chapter, is opposed to it, describing the renaming as unnecessary.

The association’s Secretary, Mr Ben Anosike, urged the government to revisit the issue.

“We are not against the Federal Government honouring whoever it deemed fit, but what we are saying is that UNILAG does not deserve such change.

“It is already a brand name that has come to be accepted and recognized the world over.

“It is the university of first choice and the nation’s pride and it should be sustained,’’ he also said.

Mr Patrick Asuquo, immediate past Public Relations Officer, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), UNILAG Chapter, urged the government to reconsider its decision.

“We are calling on the government to quickly reconsider its decision,’’ he said. (NAN)

Ministry of Finance to pay verified marketers subsidy

11:59 AM Business, News No Comments

Abuja, -The Federal Ministry of Finance said on Tuesday in Abuja that it would only make subsidy payments to those marketers whose claims had been verified as genuine.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Paul Nwabuikwu, the Senior Special Assistant to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance.

The statement noted that it was the role of the finance ministry to ensure that subsidy payments were made in a prudent and transparent manner and as such, it was now insisting on verification before payment.

It dismissed speculations that prudence in subsidy payments would fuel scarcity, stressing that it would rather, help to check payment lapses in the sector.

“While it is ready to work with relevant agencies for the common good of Nigerians, the ministry will not be stampeded into making hasty payments on deliveries that have not been substantiated or verified.”

The statement said that the next meeting of the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee in June would provide the occasion for the resumption of payments.

It said that the ministry “categorically rejects the idea that a prudent approach to verifying and making payments will lead to fuel scarcity”.

“Indeed, to say that the ministry’s efforts to learn lessons from the past and reform the way payments are made will lead to fuel scarcity is simply not the case.

“It is the ministry’s believe that the new approach will best be appreciated if the claims of the PPRA and the NNPC are to be considered.”

The ministry stated that based on the PPPRA and NNPC’s claims, N451 billion of the N888 billion subsidy budget for 2012 had already been spent on arrears for 2011.

“Since the NNPC/PPPRA’s estimate for the 2011 arrears was N232 billion, this means that more than double the projected amount has already been spent and those agencies that are still bringing in more claims.”

It stressed that “such claims can no longer be sustained; therefore the ministry owes it a duty to verify all claims to forestall repetition of the lapses that may have led to the unhealthy situation.

“In line with the directive of the President, the ministry will continue to work toward improving the fuel subsidy regime based on lessons learnt from our recent experiences.

“The ministry is determined to put in place a strong framework for the fuel subsidy regime that is both transparent and sustainable.

“The new approach will ensure that the country’s finances are managed in a manner that clearly protects the interests of the Nigerian people.” (NAN)

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