The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2014

  • LAUTECH wins 2014 online contest

    Students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso in Oyo State, have won this year’s edition of online marketing contest organised by the internet search firm, Google.

    The contest is entitled: ‘2014 Google Online Marketing Challenge Contest for the Middle East and Africa.’

    A statement by the institution’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Lekan Fadeyi, listed the winners as Adedoyin  Jelili, Olayanju  Abiodun, Adeosun  Oluwole all of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

    Others are: Adesina Jamiu and Akadiri Olawole, both of the Urban and Regional Planning Department and Salami Ismaila of the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry. The team was led by the university’s Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Dr Tayo Arulogun.

    The statement quoted the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the university, Prof. Adeniyi Gbadegesin, praising the contestants for the feat when he received them in his office.

    Gbadegesin hailed the founding fathers of the institution for bequeathing a legacy that has  stood the test of time.

    He noted that the curriculum, which makes it mandatory for all freshers to register and offer same courses at the 100 level, has continued to put students above their peers in others universities.

    He added that most of the Information and Communications Technology(ICT)-related awards won by the university were courtesy of students whose programmes have nothing to do with ICT.

    He urged them to keep on being good ambassadors of their alma mater.

    “The team would be leaving the country for Dublin any moment from now to see the workings at the Google office,” the statement added.

  • Still on 2014 WAEC result

    SIR: The just released 2014 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination has elicited various comments from various quarters. People have also condemned in unmistakable terms the mass failure which is a clear pointer to our ever increasing falling standard of education.

    While the children are gnashing their teeth because of their poor performance, parents also are counting their losses in terms of wasted school fees, pocket money and what have you.

    The government, the schools and the parents are now trading tackles but the damage has already been done. What next is the way out of the quagmire in which we have found ourselves? We have all been caught in a spider’s web and it is too late to cry when the head is off.

    A critical re-appraisal of the secondary educational system calls for urgent action to be taken by both the state and the federal government if we must have to arrest the present abysmal drift. A system where students are promoted en-masse from one class to another must stop. There must be a standard set by the relevant authority so that only the best is promoted from one class to another. Since a desperate disease requires a desperate remedy, it will not be out of place if Senior Secondary (SS) two students must have to write qualifying examination to SS III. Such a qualifying examination must be set by the state Ministry of Education and only those who score 40% and above including English and Mathematics should be promoted.

    The moral decadence now permeating among the youths and across the length and breadth of the country must be addressed and necessary steps taken to curtail them. This is why the return of schools to their original owners must be quickened at the various levels.

    One thing the West African Examination Council has not come up with is statistics of passes recorded by both the private and the public sectors respectively. The need to know this is important so as to know how to take the bull by the horn. One important contagious disease today which no one has even focused on is the issue of home video. A situation whereby you find parents and children preparing for their West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination glued to the television watching home video until the dead of the night does not help issue.

    The politicization of the WAEC fees paid by the various state governments under the guise of free education does not make the parents to be alive to their responsibility since they do not feel the pinch hence they do not bother to monitor the level of preparation of their wards for the examination.

    Our mass education policy is becoming counter-productive. It is affecting the quality of our present day graduates shunned out by the various universities and this is a direct product of our Senior Secondary Schools.

    I have heard people argue for the re-introduction of the Higher School Certificate system. Fine, if it will be a panacea for the dwindling standard of education at the university level. But what is going to be the parameter or the modus-operandi for the admission to study at Higher School Certificate levels? Special schools should be given approval or designated to run the syllabus for the duration it will last. This is one area our educational policy makers should now start looking into before further devastating blow is done to our education.

     

    • Muyiwa Idowu

    Lagos

     

  • 2014 Federation Cup Final gets date

    2014 Federation Cup Final gets date

    The 2014 Federation Cup final will take centre stage at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos later this month.

    According to reports gathered by SL10, the final will take place in Lagos while a tentative date of September 28 has been forwarded for approval. With the look of things the Federation Cup final will hold on the said date.

    In the men’s final, Enyimba Int’l of Aba who are the defending champions after the People’s Elephant defeated Warri Wolves via penalties in the 2013 final will face another Premier League side, Dolphins FC of Port Hacourt.

    The women’s competition will see Rivers Angel and Sunshine Queens play in the final.

    Lagos State has been hosting the Federation Cup since 2011 through 2013 and the state is set to host the final this year.

  • GDP stands at 6.5 per cent in second quarter of 2014

    GDP stands at 6.5 per cent in second quarter of 2014

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) yesterday said the growth rate of real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stood at 6.54 per cent in second quarter of this year.

    In a statement  by the Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr Yemi Kale, in Abuja, Kale said the figure was 0.14 higher than 5.40 per cent recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2013, and also higher than the 6.21per cent recorded in the first quarter of 2014.

    “In the second quarter of 2014, Nigeria’s Nominal GDP (at basic prices) was estimated at N 21.7 billion and16.1 billion in real terms.

    “In the corresponding quarter of 2013, nominal GDP was estimated N19.9 billion and N15.1 billion in real terms,’’ the statistician-general said.

    He said the average daily crude oil production in the second quarter of 2014 stood at 2.21 Million Barrel Per Daily (MBPD) as against 2.11 mbpd in the corresponding quarter of 2013.

    “This is an increase of 0.10 mbpd or 4.7 per cent. In addition, the US dollar price of crude increased significantly from an average price of 104.31 per cent in second (Q2) 2013 to 112.25 in Q2 of 2014, an increase of 7.6 per cent.

    “Consequently, Oil GDP was valued at N2.6 billion in nominal terms in the second quarter of 2014, compared to N2.6 billion recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2013,’’ he said.

    He said real growth in the oil sector was recorded at 5.40 per cent in Q2 2014 (-5.22% quarter-on-quarter), indicating better performance compared to -16.42 per cent growth recorded in Q2 of 2013.

    Kale said the non-oil real sector of the economy grew by 6.71per cent in the second quarter of 2014.

    “This is a decline of 2.17 percentage points from the 8.88 per cent growth recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2013.

    “Relative to Q1 of 2013, non-oil growth was also lower by 1.49 percentage points when growth was recorded at 8.21 per cent.’’

    Kale said the services sector accounted for the largest share of real GDP in the second quarter of 2014, amounting to N8.5 billion or 53.15 per cent.

    “Industry ranked second with a contribution of N4.2 billion or 25.96 per cent, while agriculture constituted the smallest sector in the second quarter, representing N3.4 billion or 20.89 per cent of GDP.’’

  • Uganda to unveil tourism assets at 2014 Akwaaba

    One of Africa’s emerging destination,  Uganda, will be showcasing in West Africa for the first time during the 2014 Akwaaba travel fair from 26 to 28 of next month, in Lagos.  Uganda will be joining other big African tourism players South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda and Gambia in their aggressive marketing plans to increase the number of visitors to their countries from West-Africa by showcasing at the most successful and largest travel platform in the region.

    With the growth of Intra African travel and incessant and  travel advisories from Western nations, marketing within African is becoming a regular feature for most forward looking tourism boards.

    Tourism which is Uganda’s main export, fetched over $1.4billion in 2013/2014 financial year (Central Bank of Uganda). This growth could be attributed to intensified marketing and  promotion of the country both domestically and Internationally. Exhibiting at Akwaaba this year, the Pearl of Africa, as the country is called,  will be inviting visitors to experience this pristine destination.

    According to the organizer of Akwaaba, Mrs. Rita Ikechi Uko, “the participation of top destinations at Akwaaba, shows the fair’s relevance within the region. These are countries whose economies thrive on tourism and are experienced at marketing and promotion of tourism because they have been doing this for a long time. We are expecting more tourism stakeholders to key into this by not just participating at Akwaaba but also to network and learn from these tourism boards”.

  • NFF interim C’ttee releases 2014 Elections’ guidelines

    NFF interim C’ttee releases 2014 Elections’ guidelines

    The new Nigeria Football Federation Electoral Committee headed by Samson Ebomhe has released a new guideline for the September 4th, 2014 NFF elections and it is as follows:

    “In exercise of its inherent powers pursuant to Articles 20(i), 21(i) and 23(a) of NFF Statutes, 2010, the General Assembly, the supreme legislative and governing organ of the NFF, at its meeting on Tuesday 26th August, 2014 re-constituted the NFF Electoral Committee to conduct the 2014 elections into the Executive Committee of NFF.

    The General Assembly further mandated and authorized the Electoral Committee to take all steps and do all such things between August 26, 2014 and September 4, 2014 as may be necessary and required for the conduct of the 2014 elections into NFF Executive Committee.

    The General Assembly deems as proper and valid as if in due compliance with all the applicable Articles of the NFF Statutes 2010, the Electoral Guidelines, the Electoral Code and all other ancillary regulations and Standing Orders of the General Assembly, all steps taken and all things done by the NFF Electoral Committee between August 26, 2014 and September 4, 2014 for the conduct of the 2014 elections into NFF Executive Committee.

    Accordingly, NFF Electoral Committee in discharge of its mandate to ensure an elective process that is free, fair, transparent and open to all candidates, hereby, announces the following further guidelines for the conduct of the 2014 NFF Executive Committee elections:

    1.All qualified and interested candidates have the option of either downloading the requisite application forms from the Electoral Committee website, www.nffelect2014.com or, alternatively such candidates can physically obtain the forms at No. 9, Arusha Crescent, Wuse Zone 1, Abuja.

    2.Forms are available to all candidates in the options set out in “1” above until Monday September 1, 2014. However, the forms are available for download as from 12.00pm August 28, 2014.

    3.Duly completed forms are to be returned to No. 9, Arusha Crescent, Wuse Zone I, Abuja before 6.30pm on Monday, September 1, 2014.

    4.Candidates are advised to return their completed form with bank draft made to the order of NIGERIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION (NFF). Cash payments are equally acceptable. Candidates shall be issued with a receipt acknowledging payment.

    5.All candidates who previously obtained their forms but were unable to submit are eligible to participate in the 2014 NFF Executive Committee Elections on September 4, 2014. Such candidates are advised to submit their forms as advised in paragraphs 3 and 4 above.

    6.All other candidates who previously had been cleared to participate in the 2014 NFF Executive Committee Elections are eligible to participate in the elections on the basis of their previous clearance, and will not require any further or fresh clearance. It is important, however, that candidates falling in this category communicate their willingness to participate in the elections either by letter to the NFF Electoral Committee at the  addresses listed earlier in this Notice or by e-mail to info@nffelect2014.com.

  • Red carpet show at the 2014 Ecowas fashion week

    Red carpet show at the 2014 Ecowas fashion week

    CELEBS and designers flocked to the Landmark Center, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria, to kick-off the biggest fashion week of the season, the Ecowas fashion week.

    The Week kicked off with a seminar, entitled the ‘Business of fashion’. And trust the designers, as they wowed the crowd with spectacular creations.  Here are the best looks from the red carpet, ranging from the fabulous, the chic and the glamourous!

  • 2014 IAAF Continental Cup: IAAF appoints Ogba, Onyali to chaperon African teams

    2014 IAAF Continental Cup: IAAF appoints Ogba, Onyali to chaperon African teams

    • As Okagbare, 16 others lead Nigerian contingent

    The  IAAF has appointed the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria(AFN) Solomon Ogba and Olympian, Mary Onyali to chaperon the African team in this year’s IAA Continental Cup slated for Marrakesh, Morocco from September 13 –14.

    Ogba told SportingLife that it was a welcome development to be chosen as the leader of the delegation of the African contingent.

    Meanwhile the four teams competing in the event will be Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe. The two-day competition will comprise a programme of 20 track and field events for men and women, giving a total of 40 events. Each team shall enter two athletes in each event, except for relays where one team will compete, with a maximum of one athlete from each country per event. No athlete shall be allowed to double in the 3000 m and 5000m.

    Meanwhile Commonwealth gold medallist, Blessing Okagbare (100m and 4x100m), alongside sixteen others which include: Dominique Duncan (200m and 4x100m),  Folashade Abugan (400m and 4x400m), Amaka Ogoegbunam (400m hurdles) have been chosen after their scintillating performance at the 2014 African Championships which was held in Marrakesh, Morocco.   Other Nigerian athletes whose performances earned them a spot in the Continental Cup are : Gloria Asumnu (4x100m), Patience Okon George (4x400m), Ada Benjamin (4x400m) Ese Brume (Long jump) and  Chinwe Okoro (Shot put and Discus).

    Mark Elliot Jelks (100m, 4x100m) will lead the country’s male athletes in this year’s edition.

    Others are: Tyron Akins (110m hurdles), Cuevas Amaechi Morton (400m hurdles), Ogho-Oghene Egwero (4x100m), Mozavous Edward (4x100m), Obinna Metu (4×100), Tosin Oluwa Oke (triple jump) and Mozia Stephen Ogochucwu (discus).

    Other participants in this year’s continental were eligible to participate through their rankings on IAAF calendar and the 2014 European Championships which was held in Zurich.

  • Fashola signs N11b reordering in 2014 budget

    Fashola signs N11b reordering in 2014 budget

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola yesterday signed a bill to reorder the state’s Year 2014 budget.

    The reordering totaling N11.66b did not affect the initial size of the 2014 budget which still stands at N489billion.

    Signing the bill at the Conference Room, State House, Alausa, Fashola said the current health and security challenges as well as the reversal in school fees at the Lagos State University (LASU) necessitated the adjustment in the budget.

    According to the governor, the ordering was also necessitated to cater for “some hazard allowances and those types of things for people who do hazardous work and lately the unplanned but now compelling need to improve capacity to overcome the challenge of the imported Ebola Virus”.

    Explaining the effect of the reordering, Commissioner for Finance, Mr Ayo Gbeleyi said the difference was between the capital and recurrent expenditure, noting however that the change was not really significant.

    Gbeleyi said: “In this regard, we have a total of N11.66billion of our budget reordered. This is made up of N7.2billion reordered into recurrent expenditure and N4.46 billion into capital expenditure; so it’s just a slight reduction of one per cent in favour of recurrent expenditure.”

    Governor Fashola had two weeks ago, written to state House of Assembly to request for a re-ordering of the 2014 budget to address some exigent and pressing issues in the state.

    The budget re-ordering, according to the him, was necessary to meet demands for more public services, which are “sufficiently compelling and cannot wait until 2015”.

  • Tribute to Chike Offodile (1924-2014)

    A lawyer Ike Uko in this piece pays tribute to the late Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Chike Offodile.

    When earlier in the month, the news of the passing on of a great jurist and cultural icon Chike Offodile broke, most people, who knew him mourned the passage of the great man.

    I first met Chief Chike Offodile in  2000 at Sheraton Hotel and Towers Abuja, during the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association. I was a candidate for the office of Assistant Publicity Secretary in that year’s election.

    Since all senior advocates were automatic delegates, I approached any such senior lawyer I could reach. I approached the genial old man and sought his support for my ambition. He listened to me, wished me well and promised to vote for me.

    I was excited and thanked him. It was unbelievable that such a great man that was Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice as far back as 1984-1985 could be so approachable. That encounter led me to know more of him.

    As a boy growing up in Onitsha Urban Town in the 70s, one cannot but hear of his name as one of the great lawyers in town. But nothing more than that except seeing lawyers in their trade dress as one went to school in the morning passing through the High Court.

    I discovered that the legal icon attended the great Christ the King College, Onitsha, taught briefly at St. Mary’s Primary School and worked for about 10 years at the then post and Telegram Department (fore-runner to NITEL) before he travelled to England to study law. He qualified in 1959 and came back to Nigeria same year to enroll as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. There was no Nigerian Law School then and newly qualified lawyers merely enrolled in the Supreme Court and go straight to practice.

    Chike Offodile practised under another giant of the legal profession, Chuba Ikpeazu, the illustrious father of Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN and others. You can tell much about a person from the company he keeps. Chuba Ikpeazu also attended Christ the King College, Onitsha being among the second set of students.

    He studied Pharmacy at the then School of Pharmacy Yaba and practised it before jetting out again to Cambridge University where he studied law and was called to bar in 1946. He practised and became a Queens Counsel in 1961 before his elevation to the High Court of the Federation Capital Territory, Lagos, in 1962. He was among the pioneer members of the inner bar, who took appointment as judges (as is common in the United Kingdom).

    Back to our subject-matter, apart from legal practice he was very much at home with his Onitsha custom and tradition. He took the Ozo Title and rose to become the Onowu Iyasere of Onitsha. He became Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 1979. As at his death he was the oldest practicing senior advocate in the old eastern region and junior only to two others who got the rank in 1978. In 1984, he became Attorney-General and Minister of Justice under the Military Government of Major-General Muhammadu  Buhari and Brig-Gen Tunde Idiagbon. It was a trying period for the nation that was divided between following the rule of law to the letter and stemming the tide of monumental corruption by the ousted civilian regime of Alhaji Shehu Shagari. Decrees were churned out as is customary in Military regimes to deal with the challenges of the revolutionary government. My condolences go to the family, especially to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) son Francis Chukwuemeka Offordile and Nneka Offordile the daughter, a past Legal Adviser of the Nigerian Bar Association.

    •Ike is a former Assistant Publicity Secretary of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).