The Nation Newspaper

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  • Jonathan, Alison-Madueke at FEC meeting

    President Goodluck Jonathan and Minister of Petroleum Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, attended yesterday’s Federal Executive Council meeting.

    The President returned to Abuja on Tuesday night 24 hours before his expected departure from Gaborone, the Botswana capital.

    The President moved to Botswana from Malawi. The President’s departure from Botswana, raised speculations that it may have been caused by concerns over the health condition of his wife, Patience, who is hospitalised in Wiesbaden, Germany with an undisclosed ailment.

    The President arrived in the Council Chamber for the weekly FEC meeting at 10a.m to the surprise of members.

    The petroleum minister who was reportedly hospitalised in a London hospital, was also there.

    Many of her colleagues milled around her before the commencement of the meeting.

  • ‘Jonathan does not deserve second term’

    An association, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Total Loyalty Group, has decried the campaign for a second term for President Goodlucl Jonathan by Southsouth leaders under the chairmanship of Chief Edwin Clark.

    The group. led by Alhaji Toyin Balogun, said the President has not impressed Nigerians by his achievements.

    Balogun said in a statement in Lagos that Dr. Jonathan has created more problems for the country by his ineptitude, failed government, incompetence and inability to restore security.

    He added: “I challenge them to point out any major achievement that has been recorded by Dr Jonathan. Corruption ravages the land. There are infrastructural decay, our roads are death traps, there is mass unemployment and hopelessness inn the land. It is sheer wickedness to ask him to stay in office beyond 2015”.

    Balogun said campaign for continuity should be based on a fair assessment of the incumbent in office and not on ethnic sentiment.

    He stressed that Nigeria has been in want of good leadership, which the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has failed to install.

    Balogun added: “,Jonathan like his political party, has proved that Nigeria is doomed under their leadership, PDP has given Nigeria a retrogressive administration. It is suicidal to indulge them and allow them to ruin the country beyond 2015. With PDP, Nigeria may not have a future”.

  • Catholics urged to fund varsity with N500 contribution

    Catholics urged to fund varsity with N500 contribution

    Catholics have been called upon to become part owners of the Veritas University of Nigeria, Abuja (VUNA) by contributing at least N500 each.

    Speaking at the N2 billion Fund Raising Dinner for the university at the Sheraton Towers Hotel, Abuja, its Chancellor, Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, said if each Catholic contributed just N500 each, the church would raise about N15 billion for the university.

    Outlining the challenges and opportunities of the university project, Onaiyekan noted that all Catholics are stakeholders, contrary to the belief of some that it is the project of the bishops.

    He said: “We have had great challenges in ensuring full ownership of our project by all the presumed stakeholders namely the Nigerian Catholics as a whole. We have witnessed divided interests and dissipated energies as dioceses and religious institutes of the same Nigerian Church have embarked also on similar, certainly laudable competing projects.”

    Noting that the Nigerian Church is big enough to have more than one Catholic University, Archbishop Onaiyekan stressed: “We need to seriously make up our minds on this. One thing is certain; the project of the Catholic University of Nigeria has reached a point of crisis which must be resolved in a positive way. That is what has brought us together here.”

    With 400 students, the Archbishop said fees they pay can only cover a fraction of the total cost of maintenance. As such, he noted that the internally generated income can be used just for the running expenses, while the university needs regular infusion of funds to the tune of N15 million every month.

    Despite difficulties encountered since its inception in 2002, the Archbishop said the programmes of the university are fully accredited.

    He praised the members of the Catholic Bishops Conference for keeping the university dream alive by providing the money for the running of the institution and the staff for their sacrifices and perseverance.

    Admitting that increasing enrolment to a minimum of 2,000 students would help the university break even, he said to admit such number, adequate structures including hostel accommodation, academic and administrative buildings, furnishing and equipment must be in place, which would require the university to move to its permanent site in Bwari.

     

  • Residents of flood-prone areas in Delta refuse to relocate

    Residents of flood-prone areas in Delta refuse to relocate

    Residents of flood-prone areas in Delta State have failed to relocate. They said they have no place to go.

    On Monday, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) ordered an immediate evacuation of people living on the plains of the River Niger.

    The agency warned that there would be an overflow of the River Niger, owing to water coming from the Kainji and Jebba hydro dams, and it would lead to unprecedented flooding.

    It urged residents of the communities in Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Kebbi, Anambra and Delta states to move to higher grounds for safety.

    At Cable Point in Asaba, a community located in Oshimili South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, several residents said they were not aware of the flood warning.

    On the bank of the River Niger, several young men dredged sand from the riverside into a waiting truck.

    A middle-aged woman sold bread, cigarette, alcohol and other items to them.

    Mr. Richard Onwusa, a retired teacher and landlord, said the state government had not informed the community of its plans for residents.

    He said: “I have lived here for more than 30 years. A few years ago, I saw the river extend 10 to 20 metres beyond its bank, but not this enormous storm that is imminent.

    “If the government wants the evacuation order to be meaningful, it must assist the likely victims. Many residents do not know what to do. They are expecting the government to come up with a plan for shelter and more details on the imminent flood.”

    Mr. Emeka Okeke (25) said: “I make my living from the River Niger everyday by loading sand into trucks. I have nowhere to go.”

    The palace of the leader of the Hausa Community is situated a few metres away from the river bank.

    The Secretary of the Hausa Community, Mallam Gambo Mohammed, urged the state government to provide shelter for the residents.

    He said: “We have been hearing rumours about an imminent flood in this area and have seen officials of marine authorities patrolling the river, but nobody told us anything until now.

    “I have been in this community since 1985 and we have never experienced any flooding. There are times when the water rises and comes around people’s homes, but I cannot remember any destruction of lives or property.”

    At Grand Hotel, a tourist resort on Nnebisi Road, Asaba, which overlooks the River Niger, the Acting General Manager, Mr. Chukwuma Okolo, said their business was going on unhindered.

    Okolo said: “Our fence is firm and flood cannot destroy it.”

    He said the hotel suspended its water recreation activities, such as surfing and boat rides on the River Niger, a few months ago.

    A former lawmaker, Mr. Peter Biakpara, who hails from Tamigbe in Burutu Local Government Area, described the warning by NEMA as laughable.

    He said: “I read the warning and laughed, because I have lived more than 50 years of my life on the River Niger in Tamigbe. I have seen high tides and low waters and have never had reason to move elsewhere.

    “I and my family are going nowhere. These things (flood) have happened before and we have taken precautions.”

    Commissioner for Information Chike Ogeah said: “The Ministry of Environment will soon take steps to ensure the safety of the lives and property of our citizens.”

     

  • Horse birth: Residents storm church

    Horse birth: Residents storm church

    Residents of Benin, the Edo State capital, especially Evboriaria community, yesterday trooped to the World Liberation Ministry to confirm the report that a woman gave birth to a creature that looks like a horse at the church.

    They were also interested in seeing the pastor that conducted the prayer session, when the incident occurred.

    The incident was the subject of discussion at many newspapers stands across the city.

    It was gathered that the woman had been pregnant for 11 years and wasn’t sure if it was a baby or not.

    The General Overseer of the church, Evangelist Wealth Iyamu Silva, yesterday insisted that the woman gave birth to the horse during a service on Tuesday.

    He said: “The woman is not a regular member of this church. She was invited for the Tuesday Prayer and Prophetic Service. When I called the case of a woman with an issue of pregnancy that comes and go, the woman came forward and knelt before me.

    “During the prayer, she started bleeding and I was later told what came out of her. She collapsed and we prayed to revive her. She later left for the hospital. I have been seeing things, but this is extraordinary.”

    Silva said he started his ministry in 2006. On allegations that the incident was staged, he said: “Every story has two sides. To find out about any ministry, you have to go there. Signs and wonders are normal things in this church. Nobody can predict what God can do. Whoever is in doubt should come with a request.”

    Silva said he was yet to get in touch with the woman, but was optimistic that the woman would come for thanksgiving.

    Ivie Imhanluobe said she was sitting at the front row of the church when the incident occurred.

    She said: “The pastor prayed for her and she fell under the anointing. She delivered a horse. We have seen ritual money turn to tortoise in this church.”

    Another member of the church, Maria Osawaye, said the woman was weak after the delivery.

    Mrs. Veronica Egiebor, a nurse who was also at the church, said: “The pastor asked the woman if she was pregnant and she said yes. He told her she was not carrying an ordinary baby and asked if she wanted to go to a doctor to flush it out or wanted it to happen here and everybody shouted yes.

    “The pastor told some women to build a wall around the woman with wrappers and asked the men to move back. I was there. It is not a story. It seemed like a mirage to me. He poured the anointing oil on the woman and a sachet of water and asked everybody to pray.

    “The labour started and after sometime, something dropped. I have never seen something like that in my life. It looked like a horse. The neck was long, the ears and everything.”

    The Medical Director and Consultant Gynaecologist of the Central Hospital in Benin, Dr. Jerry Uwaifo, said it was not medically possible for a woman to deliver an animal.

    He said: “A woman can give birth to a deformed child, but not an animal. How come they did not bring her to a reputable hospital, so that it can be verified? God does not perform a miracle in that way. He will not allow a woman to deliver a horse. God will not allow that.”

    Uwaifo said doctors cannot do an independent investigation unless they are invited with the consent of the woman’s husband.

  • ‘Chatting can pay bills…if’

    ‘Chatting can pay bills…if’

    Chatting does not have to be an exercise a school leaver does to kill time. With training on how to use the social media to reach millions, CEO of Learn4Change Mr Sinari Bolade Daranijo said a person can earn an income as a marketer.

    But that is just one of the many opportunities Daranijo said are available in e-learning.

    Contrary to the belief that there are no jobs, Daranijo told The Nation in an interview that so many exist for persons with the right skills. He added that as technology changes the way the world does business, more people should embrace e-learning to gain skills relevant to the new opportunities that technology has brought up.

    “There are a lot of database jobs available. In Nigeria, we have one billion vacancies. We have new skills that are opening new opportunities for jobs that were not there before. These are jobs for young people. In India, 90 per cent of youths are online doing all kinds of ICT work because their environment provides limited opportunities. Nigeria is in the same helpless situation,” he said.

    Daranijo said the large number of youths unable to secure admission into tertiary institutions yearly can do online courses and earn internationally-recognised certificates that can get them paid employment or position them to start their own businesses.

    To this end, he said his firm has entered into a partnership with the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to offer online courses in International Computer Driving License (ICDL), Certified e-Commerce Consultancy, Project Management, Certified Internet Security and Web Design Foundation.

    Highlighting the job opportunities that can result from taking the programmes online, Daranijo said with the ICDL, which will acquaint the trainee with the use of the various software applications used by business organisations to manage files, databases, transact businesses, he can get administrative jobs. The two modules of the Certified e-Commerce Consultant will enable those trained to either specialise in internet marketing or running an online business.

    Given that more companies are seeking greater web presence, Daranijo said the certification in website design would provide opportunities for those with the skills to get jobs building websites for organisations; while anybody that learns about internet security has skills sought by banks, multinationals, governments and so many others to protect their businesses.

    Daranijo said the about 60,000 candidates that missed out of admissions of the university for the 2011/2012 academic session can apply for the programmes, which will run for three months, beginning from next month.

    Learn4Change is also partnering with the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), an arrangement under which students will be required to take online programmes that can give them an edge.

    “For YABATECH, we are trying to do stuff directly for the students so that in every department, there will be a programme students can take. For instance, a student studying engineering can do Project Management; one doing Business Administration, can do the Certified e-Commerce programme,” he said.

    For non-students or others seeking to change their careers, Daranijo said his firm is partnering organisations like eTC and Chams so their online centres can by used by these learners for tutorials and examinations.

     

  • YABATECH gets new deputy rectors

    YABATECH gets new deputy rectors

    The federal government through the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyat Ahmed Rufa’i, has appointed two new deputy rectors for the Yaba College of Technology. They are Dr Morouf Adebakin, Deputy Rector, Administration, and Mr Innocent Akhuemonkhan, Deputy Rector, Academics.

    Adebakin until his appointment was the Director, YABATECH Consult, the Business/Consultancy arm of the college.

    He joined YABATECH as Lecturer III in 1993 – 10 years after he worked in the college as a clerical officer – and rose through the ranks to become a Chief Lecturer in January 2011.

    He graduated from the University of Ibadan in 1988 with a BSc in Psychology and later the University of Lagos with MSc Psychology and PhD in Organisational Behaviour in 1990 and 2011. The new Deputy Rector, Academic, Mr Innocent Akhuemonkhan until his appointment was a Chief Lecturer and Pioneer Director, Academic Planning Unit of the college.

    He joined YABATECH as a Lecturer II in 1981, and rose to the position of Chief Lecturer in the Department of Food Technology in January 1999. He was Head of Department of Food Technology from 1991 to 1997.

    He obtained his B.Sc. Honours Upper Division, in Biochemistry (1976) and M.Sc. Food Technology (1981) at the University of Ibadan.

    He is an active member of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology where he had served as Chapter Chairman and National Vice President, and was elected a Fellow of the Institute in 1999.

    He was also Pioneer Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship Development in the College, from 2003 -2009.

     

  • Mimiko lied about Lagos master plan, says Akeredolu

    Mimiko lied about Lagos master plan, says Akeredolu

    •‘Tinubu started Lagos transformation’

     

    The Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) of the Ondo State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday berated the Olusegun Mimiko-led Labour Party (LP) for allegedly saying he designed the urban renewal of Lagos being implemented by Governor Babatunde Fashola when he was Minister of Housing and Urban Development.

    LP also allegedly claimed that the ACN governorship candidate, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) was a worker in the ministry.

    In a statement by its Director of Media, Publicity and Strategy, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, ACO said: “This is another lie from the pit of hell by a government that has nothing to showcase to the people of Ondo State, despite the whopping N550 billion accrued to the state in the last three and a half years, except the building of markets, stalls, boreholes, town halls and a fountain.

    “It is a known fact that when Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was elected in 1999 as Lagos State Governor, he gathered eminent professionals to brainstorm on how to develop Lagos. The result of that team is a 25-year master plan to transform Lagos.

    “It was this that led to the formation of Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA); the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA); the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA); and the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT), which has moved over 80 million people across the state in the last four years. In fact, it has become a reference point for transport solution in other West African countries.

    “…The ongoing eight-lane dual carriage, the first in sub-Sahara Africa; the expansion of the Lekki-Epe and the massive urban renewal that has transformed Lagos from being a glorified slum, are parts of the sweeping reform.”

    The organisation urged Ondo State residents to ask Mimiko and his co-travellers where the governor was when the transformation was going on in Lagos and what he did when he was a commissioner in Ondo State.

    It asked: “Was he not a commissioner under the late Governor Adebayo Adefarati, who he betrayed? How then can he develop a master plan for the sitting governor of another state? Besides, when he became a minister, Lagos was already on the path of beautification. It is also a notorious fact that he did not establish a single housing unit.

    “Why did he not replicate the same plan in Ondo State, with the reckless abandonment of cities, such as Ondo, Owo, Ikare and Ore in the past three and a half years? It is also not a surprise to see that the LP administration has just woken up from its slumber to start distributing cheques to workers at the twilight of their tenure? One wonders whether giving loans to workers is a favour to them when they would have to repay it!

    “This is just a cheap way to hoodwink the workers into getting their support in the coming election. We want to categorically state that the Mimiko administration lacks the capacity, competence and creativity to transform Ondo State. As such, it could not be trusted to do more than the cosmetics projects we have already seen. In fact, we have heard Governor Mimiko declare that he would continue to lead a government of market, town hall and stall builders.”

    ACO urged the people to avoid another round of deceit by Mimiko and the LP.

    It advised them to vote for Akeredolu, another SAN in the mould of Fashola (SAN) for “a true transformational leadership that will endear sustainable massive infrastructural development, educational revolution and enterprise building that would give the state a pride of place in the Southwest”.

  • Scuffle in Bayelsa NUT as group breaks away

    Scuffle in Bayelsa NUT as group breaks away

    The long battle of recognition between the Basic Education Staff Association of Nigeria (BESAN) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Bayelsa State is now in the court.

    BESAN was formed in 2007 out of NUT in Bayelsa State. Since then, the group’s battle for autonomy has been thwarted by the NUT which maintains BESAN is not a trade union but teachers in the NUT.

    To solidify its legitimacy, however, BESAN headed for the courts.

    In a six-point declaration at the High Court, Yenagoa, BESAN said its members have a fundamental right to form themselves into an association for the protection of their rights and interests ; that it has a civil right to exist and do exist from July 27, 2007 for the progress of its objectives as incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990;that NUT is not entitled to any check -off dues from the salaries of the primary school teachers who are members of BESAN from April 2010, having formally withdrawn from NUT from that date ; that members of BESAN are entitled to a reimbursement of all deductions from members’ salaries and wages made by the ministry of education in favour of NUT as from April 20, 2010.

    BESAN is also seeking the perpetual injunction restraining the defendants by themselves, agents, privies, servant or officers from further deductions whether as check-of dues or by whatever name called from the salaries and wages of the claimants for the benefit of the NUT.

    The state Chairman of BESAN, Comrade Lovinah Ikeni, also in a statement, backed the formation of BESAN from section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, saying from this section of the Constitution, “BESAN members have the fundamental right to form themselves into and or belong to any association of their choice.”

    She also questioned the continued attachment of individual members’ salaries of BESAN to NUT when they have formally withdrawn from it.

    But responding in an interview, the state NUT chairman, Alhaji Ogola Brandla, insisted that BESAN is not a trade union, and thus not recognised even at the national level.

    “They are not a trade union, not recognised in any form. As individuals they are teachers in NUT. The certificate they have is CAC. In the trade Unions Act there is nothing like that. We are adamant on the check off dues issue because we know that BESAN is not a trade union. They are only trying to defraud the teachers of Ogbia area,” added Brandla.

    The NUT chairman said the union has also informed the governor of the non-recognition of BESAN and its suit against the government and the NUT.

     

  • I remain in ACN, says ex-OSOPADEC chief Omojuwa

    A former chairman of Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Chief Adewale Omojuwa, yesterday debunked the rumour that he has dumped the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) for another party.

    Omojuwa, who is a former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), joined the ACN early this year. He hails from Ilaje Local Government Area in the Southern Senatorial District.

    The politician aspired for the deputy governorship ticket of the party, which was given to a doctor, Dr. Paul Akintelure, from Okitipupa Local Government Area, in the same senatorial district.

    In a statement in Akure, the state capital, Omojuwa said: “It has come to my notice that some faceless politicians have been peddling rumours that since I was not picked as ACN deputy governorship candidate, I have resolved to defect to either the PDP or the ruling Labour Party (LP).

    “I state here categorically that the rumour is false, satanic and irresponsible. I am a committed, dedicated ACN member with unwavering support for our candidate, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), and his running mate, Dr. Paul Akintelure.

    “I have an unshaken belief in Yoruba regional integration and the development of Ondo State, the Southwest and Nigeria.

    “All my supporters are, therefore, once again enjoined to remain calm and be more dogged in our avowed support towards ensuring ACN victory in the October 20 governorship election in the state. I believe ACN is the only alternative party that is poised to win the coming election.

    “Finally, my teeming supporters and the general public are hereby urged to disregard this rumour, which is aimed at tarnishing my image by my political detractors.”

    The former OSOPADEC chief worked with the defected ACN governorship aspirant, Dr. Olu Agunloye, to establish the Omoluabi Platform for the former minister.

    Agunloye defected to the LP when he did not get the ACN governorship ticket. But most members of the platform remained in ACN to ensure Akeredolu’s victory.