The Nation Newspaper

Category: Uncategorized

  • President’s aide seeks monitoring of education budget

    Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Youth and Students’ Affairs Jude Imagwe, at the weekend in Benin, called on Nigerians and stakeholders to ensure the proper monitoring and implementation of the N426.53 billion vote to education in the 2013 budget appropriation.

    Imagwe, who spoke to journalists in Benin, Edo State capital, during a reception in his honour, praised the President’s commitment to transforming the sector.

    He also expressed government’s determination in partnering with the private sector in the provision of hostel accommodation for students on campuses, this he said would forestall the incessant killing of Nigerian students.

    According to him, “I want to commend the President for giving priority to education in his 2013 budget presentation last week to the joint session of the National Assembly and Nigerians. It is now the responsibility of all to ensure that the money is properly utilised for the purpose it was meant for.”

    Expressing concern over the insecurity of students following the Mubi killing in Adamawa and the mob action of four University of PortHarcourt undergraduates, he said the private sector should be encouraged to build hostels on a build and hire basis for students.

    “Students must be accommodated within university campuses as part of measures of preventing them from further attacks. The killing of students in Mubi and the Aluu four in Rivers State all happened outside campuses. If students are sheltered within their institutions, the incidences may not have taken place.”

  • Court grants operators accelerated hearing over ban

    A Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, yesterday granted accelerated hearing to a suit filed by commercial motorcycle operators against the Lagos State Government for banning their operations on some federal highways in the state.

    Justice Aishat Opesanwo who granted the order, however, dismissed an application for interlocutory injunction filed by the claimants. They were praying the court to restrain the government from implementing the new Lagos State Traffic Law.

    The suit was filed by Mr. Bamidele Aturu on behalf of the commercial motorcycle operators under the aegis of the All Nigerians Autobike Commercial Owners and Workers Association (ANACOWA).

    Joined in the suit as defendants are: the Lagos State Government, House of Assembly and the Attorney-General, Mr Ade Ipaye.

    When the matter was mentioned yesterday, Aturu told the court that they were withdrawing their application against the government for the court to hear the substantive suit in an accelerated manner.

    “We believe that there is a need for the court to urgently deal with this matter because it is in the interest of the generality of the populace. Many of them have been suffering from this draconian action of the state government which restricted the motorcyclists from operating on federal high ways. We are therefore, asking the court to strike out the application and grant us an accelerated hearing of the substantive suit,” he said.

    Mr. Ipaye, who is the third defendant and counsel to the government, informed the court that the law was already in force.

    “It was in reaction to its enforcement that the claimants on Monday went on the rampage in Lagos. The law in respect of which the state was sued had been in force since August 2. My Lord, please take judicial notice that the law came into effect on August 2,” he said.

  • Nigerians urged on recreation, nutrition, others

    Nigerians have been urged to engage in outdoor recreational activities, wellness and nutrition to reduce cardiovascular diseases.

    This, according to the Managing Director, Indulge Nigeria Limited, Dr Bisi Abiola, will ensure better health status for the country.

    Abiola spoke at the Feel good festival organised by her company at Jhalobia Garden in Lagos.

    She said the event was to encourage family unity.

    She said the annual event was a wake up call for the people to engage in healthy lifestyle. “Let Nigeria own, what is their own such as a programme on outdoor recreation, wellness and medical checks.

    Mrs Abiola said it was high time the country re-invent the wheel and safeguarded the health of the people through laudable programmes.

    She said the country has always relied on programmes initiated by organisations in the advanced countries, saying it should have its own

  • Contributing to world knowledge pool

    NOBODY can deny the potency of the information revolution that advances in Information Communication Technology (ICT) has caused the world over.

    It is difficult to imagine that just 12 years ago in Nigeria, cyber cafés charged N600 per hour to browse the internet while sim cards and the first set of quite ugly mobile phones cost as high as N30,000-N50,000. Desktop computers, not to talk of laptops, were scarce commodities.

    However today, the average adult, educated or illiterate, owns a mobile phone. It is almost impossible to enter a corporate organisation without a computer; desktops can be found in the living area of many homes, and laptops are becoming common place items owned by students even in public tertiary institutions. iPads may currently be the preserve of the rich but very soon it will be found in the hands of the general public. All these tools enhance prompt exchange of information.

    With internet connectivity via computers and mobile phones, everyone is sharing knowledge. At the click of a mouse button we can learn about any topic in known areas of human endeavour, find out the latest news in other countries of the world, transact businesses, and even go to school. It will be overstating the obvious to say that we are living in a global village.

    The Internet is where we run to for information. In my job as a journalist, apart from checking my email box to collate stories from various sources, I also use search engines and visit many websites to verify information, and search for photographs. On a personal note, I use the internet to learn about the development of my baby and how to care for him. Teachers, lecturers use the internet to update their notes, while students get materials for assignments and projects. The social media – Facebook, Twitter and other such networking sites provide users with platforms to share fun information about themselves, debate on various issues, and find long lost friends.

    But how well is Nigeria contributing to the world knowledge pool? Are we making optimum use of the internet to develop ourselves? From my experience, I have found that there is so much useful information about others on the internet than about our country, heritage, traditions, culture, and experiences. Like in the real world, in the virtual world, we are still a consuming nation. We are not producing enough content to enrich the global knowledge pool. When students are given assignments, they browse, copy and paste and submit to their lecturers. Yet, there is so much we can upload.

    I am yet to find the website of any Nigerian tertiary institution that beats those of their counterparts in the United Kingdom. I have visited websites of Nigerian universities and polytechnics that have links to blank pages. Is it any surprise we lag behind in the rankings of the best universities in the world? From my desk at work, I have visited the website of many of the world’s best universities. They provide so much information about registration, courses, programmes, accommodation, and research output. But many of our institutions fail to completely develop their websites. If you click on some links, you are told ‘page cannot be found’ or page under construction. Some institutions fail to update their news – posting old stories online for ridiculously long periods after the events have held.

    I look forward to the time when research results into areas that affect our lives are available at the click of a button. While I know what the Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention, Atlanta, United States, says about the use of stored breast milk but I do not know what the Federal Ministry of Health says about it.

    The website of the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja, still has news about the Education Minister condoling the family of the late Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Adetokunbo Sofoluwe, who died in May, yet what she said about the gruesome murders of students of the Adamawa State Polytechnic, Mubi, and the University of Port Harcourt two weeks ago is conspicuously missing from the site.

    We need to be more productive in putting useful information out there for the world to see. Right now, we are more popular online as internet scammers. We need to change this image and provide the world with our own stories.

  • UAM gets VC

    Professor Emmanuel Kucha has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, (UAM).

    Kucha, a professor of mechanical engineering, will take over from Prof Vershima Uza, whose troubled tenure ends next month.

    Since the announcement was made public, the entire university and host communities have erupted in jubilation because of the choice of the new Vice Chancellor.

    Minda, the host community had poised for war if Kucha, a son of the soil, was not appointed the next Vice-Chancellor. This is the first time the community will be producing a Vice-Chancellor for the university.

    Kucha, born August 1950 in Guma Local Government of Benue State, he obtained his bachelors, masters and Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering. Mechanics from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and the Michigan Technological University, Michigan,USA.

  • ICAN endows scholarships, donates laptops to ABUAD

    •Legal Council praises Law programme .

    The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), and the Nigerian Legal Council have made separate inspection tours to the Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD).

    Led by its President, Mr Adedoyin Owolabi, the 40-member delegation from ICAN was received by the founder, Aare Afe Babalola and top management staff of the university at the council chambers.

    ABUAD Vice-Chancellor Prof Sidi Osho described the university’s evolvement as an intense story of determination, courage, sacrifice, empowerment and transformation, inspired by Babalola’s desire to establish a model university.

    “This visit marks a landmark in our quest to showcase the inherent qualities of our staff to the accountancy body. We call on you (ICAN) to explore ways of partnering with ABUAD,” she said.

    In his address, the Provost, College of Social and Management Studies, Dr Yekeen Lawal thanked ICAN for approving ABUAD as an examination centre. He also said the university desires to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with ICAN to facilitate its B.Sc. Accounting programme and translate same to a combined B.Sc/ICAN degree.

    According to him, the MOU would remove the rigours of going through the cumbersome ATS (Accounting Technicians Scheme) route to professionalism.

    On behalf of ICAN, Owolabi presented accountancy quarterly journals and student journals to the university, in addition to four laptops uploaded with relevant accounting packages and books.

    He announced a scholarship awards for brilliant students. Under which scheme, anyone with first class in Accountancy will be sponsored to write the professional examination, while any student wishing to pursue a PhD in Accountancy will receive a grant of N500,000.

    Thanking the institute, Babalola challenged ICAN to do even more.

    He said: “Over the years, Nigeria has a cause to show appreciation to you (ICAN) for your contributions to national development but I urged them to do more. For me, ICAN is the most powerful group in the economy of Nigeria hence you should be the directors of Nigerian economy.”

    Dr. Inefidon who led the legal council team expressed surprise at the well-stocked and up-to date Law Library, adding that no other university in Nigeria can boast of current Law journals that ABUAD has.

    Secretary of the team Mr Bala Bello said their visit was to assess the quality of teaching facilities and staff in the College of Law.

    He said the university can cope effectively with more students than its present enrolment, judging by its facilities, conducive environment and the strength of its faculty staff. He was particularly impressed with the acquisition of the latest Yale and Harvard Law reports.

     

     

     

    Reacting to the capacity issue, Babalola criticised the rule which set quotas on admission numbers into courses in tertiary institutions.

    “It is absolutely unfair to deny youths the opportunity to study their preferred courses thereby changing their destiny in life,” he said as he called on the Nigerian Legal Aids Council to join hands with stakeholders in the law profession to correct this anomaly.

     

  • Uduaghan inaugurates 160 buses

    Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has inaugurated 50 Marcopolo buses, 100 Toyota Hiace buses and 10 Tata buses to enhance transportation in the state.

    At the ceremony in Asaba, the state capital, Uduaghan said the investment would make transportation cheaper and comfortable.

    He said the investment is part of his Human Capital Development agenda to touch lives in rural areas.

    Uduaghan said: “Every Deltan deserves to move around in a good and affordable vehicle. These buses will get Deltans to their destinations comfortably and at a reduced cost.”

    He said majority of the Marcopolo and TaTa buses would be run by Agofure Transport Company.

    The governor said 50 of the Toyota buses would be operated by the National Union of Road Transport Workers, adding that both organisations have performed satisfactorily.

    Uduaghan said the buses would be used within major cities in the state.

    He urged the end users of the vehicles to maintain them.

    Commissioner for Transport Benson Igbakpa said the investment will create jobs and make transportation easier.

    Igbakpa assured the governor that his Directorate will monitor the operators of the vehicles.

  • Fayemi felicitates with Muslims

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has congratulated Muslims for this year’s Eid–el-Kabir.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, the governor urged Muslims in the state to imbibe the lessons of sacrifice and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah.

    He advised Muslims to pray for the peace, stability and prosperity of Ekiti State, which he said is on the path of rapid development in all sectors.

    Describing Sallah as a period for sober reflection, Fayemi advised Muslims in Ekiti to celebrate the festival with moderation.

    The governor said Prophet Ibrahim’s readiness to obey Allah’s command to sacrifice his son, Ismail, was a dramatic turning point in the worship of his Creator, who provided a ram for the sacrifice.

    Fayemi said: “This has lent credence to one of my oft-repeated maxim which says that there can be no gain without pain.

    “Taking a step to sacrifice one’s only son in obedience to the wish of Allah could be very painful and traumatic but the Prophet gained a lot by choosing to obey Allah and damn the consequences.

    “We should always be ready to make sacrifices which may be unpalatable at present but very gainful and sweet in the nearest future.”

  • EFCC opens trial of Lagos Speaker

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday began the trial of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji for alleged money laundering charges.

    The commission called its first witness, Adebayo Adeniyi, who told a Federal High Court in Lagos that the EFCC investigated the Speaker’s financial dealings following the receipt of a petition against him.

    Adeniyi, an EFCC operative, said he was part of the team that investigated the Speaker’s alleged money laundering deals.

    But he was silent on the author of the petition.

    The EFCC operative told the court, presided over by Justice Okechukwu Okeke, that during investigation, the commission obtained statements and documents from Assembly officials and some important members.

    Led in evidence by the lead prosecution lawyer, Godwin Obla, the EFCC witness tendered 19 statements which the court admitted as exhibits.

    Adeniyi was about tendering some documents, which were described as the cash register, when Obla said though it was certified, the document was not properly paginated.

    Obla sought an adjournment to enable the prosecution take necessary steps on the matter. The court granted the request and fixed November 6 for continuation of the trial.

    The court admitted some statements, including two by Ikuforiji; two by his aide, Oyebode Atoyebi and by other lawmakers, during their interrogation last year.

    The other House members whose statements were admitted include John Adeyeye Ajibola, Akande Lola, Bolaji Yusuf Ayinla, Kolawole Taiwo Musibau, Abiru Rotimi and Abdurrazaq Balogun.

    The EFCC witness also tendered the statements by civil servants among the House officers. They are: Adewale Taiwo Olatunji, Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru, Toyin Atekoja, Latona Folashade, Tijani Maruf and Lambo Abosede.

  • Abuja demolition: Falana denies minister’s claim of due process

    Rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), yesterday refuted the claims by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, that the demolition of 372 housing units on Airport Road, Abuja, followed due process.

    The lawyer, who is counsel to a property developer, Minanuel Investment Limited, challenged the minister to show evidence of notices served on his client.

    He stressed that the demolition of the houses by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) was done without the issuance of a stop work, quit or demolition notice.

    Falana urged the FCDA to apologise as well as pay “adequate financial compensation” to his client for injustice to be done.

    In a statement in Abuja, the popular lawyer said: “Our attention has been drawn to the statement credited to the Honourable Minister of the FCT to the effect that the demolition of our client’s 372 houses lying and situated at plots ED 1425, 1427, 1428, 1429 and 1430 on September 29-30 by the FCDA followed due process.

    “We wish to state categorically that the illegal demolition of our client’s properties did not follow due process, as the stop work, quit and demolition notices were not served on our client prior to the demolition, as alleged by the minister.

    “We are, therefore, compelled to challenge the FCT Minister to produce the evidence of the service of such notices on our client.”

    Falana noted that by virtue of the express provisions of the Recovery of Premises Act, Abuja, Cap 544, Laws of the Federation, no government, authority or person has the power to eject any person from any property or demolish any property in the FCT without recourse to the rule of law.

    “Since the demolition was not carried out by officers of the High Court of the FCT following a judicial determination of any dispute between the FCDA and our client, the demolition is illegal in every material particular.