The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Old

  • Old students spend N25m on alma mater

    Ahead of the 60th anniversary of the Methodist High School, Ilesa in Osun State, its old students’ association has spent about N25 million to renovate dilapidated buildings and provide other necessary infrastructure in the school.

    The money was spent to construct a new school gate and drive, re-roof five blocks, consisting of 29 classrooms among others.

    Addressing a press conference, the President Old students’ Association, Methodist High School, Ilesa (OSAMTHSI), Dideolu Falobi, disclosed that the old students are already preparing a series of activities to give the school a befitting 60th anniversary.

    Falobi, who further disclosed that the anniversary is scheduled for January 29-31, 2016 said the old students’ support for the school is to enhance learning outcomes in order to give the current students a secured future.

    He said the old students would not relent in restoring the school’s past glory.

    The association, according to him,  is also planning to build an e-library/ICT centre and a new sport centre with modern facilities as well as renovate 11 blocks of classrooms and complete the school hall.

    Though acknowledging the financial challenges facing the state, Falobi appealed to the state government to support the old students in their quest to ensure that the standard of the school does not go down.

    He also called on the parents, who have their wards in the school, distinguished Ijesa sons and daughters, the Methodist Church and other stakeholders as well as industries, banks and others in the private sector within and outside Ijesaland to come to the aid of the school.

     

  • Old girls party 25 years after school

    Old girls party 25 years after school

    The way old girls of Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC), Benin City danced last Saturday, it was difficult to believe that they left secondary school 25 years ago.

    The reunion, held at Rodizzio Restaurant and Bar, GRA, Lagos, was attended by more than 40 old girls resident in Lagos, Enugu, Port Harcourt and even London.

    Many of the girls were meeting for the first time since leaving school in 1990.  Though they had all changed physically, they still screamed with teenage excitement at seeing themselves after two decades.

    The programme started with an introduction session, where the girls talked about themselves – marital status, number of children, school attended and course of study, and career path.  The girls also sang old school songs laughed about fun  reminiscences and took photographs according to the houses they belonged to back then (Amina, Emotan, Jaja, Moremi, Eweka and Tinubu). The also ate sumptuous lunch, cut the reunion cakes and burned some calories dancing to oldies and trending Nigerian music on the dance floor.

    President of the group, Mrs Nkem Itanyi, credited the social media platform, Whatsapp, for making the reunion possible in three months.

    She explained that since July, when she created the group, the set has been able to bond and assist one another.  She noted that the reunion, and another one planned for Dubai next year, would give the girls the opportunity to catch up and decide on a project to give back to their alma mater.

    “This is the 25th anniversary of the year we left secondary school and we have never come together as a group.  It is really exciting. We are trying to help ourselves; that is the beginning; after we help ourselves, we’ll now give back to the society.  Our plan is to go to the alma mater first of all to find out what they need,” she said.

    Mrs Itanyi, who teaches at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, said she was grateful she attended the school because of the independence she gained,” she said.

    “Fediben gave me the impetus to succeed.  Then sending your child to a federal school was equivalent to the best private schools available right now.  Our parents gave us a good springboard. Having been there, being independent; having to do a lot of things for yourself, it gave the right springboard to succeed in life.  Even when I went to the university, I was able to give myself individual study; because we were trained to learn; we were trained to have independent studies.  I looked forward to go to class and I was able to come out with a 2.1,” she said.

    Another old girl, Mrs Barbra Osobajo (nee Aluyi) said she cherishes the exposure the school gave her.

    “When you go to a Federal Government school, I would say you get exposure. It gives you the opportunity to interact with different pupils from different class, different views. You know we came from different backgrounds,” she said.

    Mrs Osobajo, who works for Heritage Bank in Port Harcourt, also described seeing her classmates again as emotional.

    “Most of the faces I am seeing here today, I have not seen them in 25 years. When I walked into the hall and I saw most of them I was almost crying. Crying because I was so grateful to God we are alive, we are seeing ourselves I mean we have come so far. It is just God; it was awesome; it was an amazing time,” she said.

    Mrs Leticia Otomewo, another member of the set, said Fediben, as their alma mater is fondly called, taught her to be confident. She urged the Federal Government to reverse the degeneration of the Federal Government Colleges.

    “One thing Federal Benin taught me how to be independent, how to rely on yourself, how to be confident. In fact it was a training ground and earnestly I use to say to myself that my kids will go boarding school because of what I learnt from the school.  But with the way things are in Nigeria presently, a lot of parents are worried and discouraged. I really hope the government can do something  about that because federal schools in those days were a landmark to take your kids to because it made a difference in our lives and it made us into the women we have turned out to be. It was the starting point for moulding us into the women we have become,” she said.

  • GCI, Methodist old Boys rekindle football rivalry

    GCI, Methodist old Boys rekindle football rivalry

    The age long football rivalry between Methodist Boys High School Expressway Ibadan and Government College Ibadan (GCI), was re-enacted last Saturday as the ‘91 sets of both schools slugged it out in a novelty match to celebrate their 25 years of leaving their alma mater.

    The one hour encounter held at the hockey pitch of the host school, GCI, was one moment ‘entertaining’ and ‘serious’ the next, as it suddenly dawned on the host school they must carry willy-nilly so as not to embarrass themselves in the presence of hundred of the younger pupils of the school, who had left their hostel to watch the match.

    Interestingly, the old boys many who are now ‘endowed’ with grey hairs  panted and sweated like an exhausted prey, who had finally given up to its predator after an unsuccessful but tedious chase, to find an escape route. From time to time, they broke the rules and hurried off the pitch take some water; and then continued.

    Interestingly too, some of the prominent boys known for their skills during their heydays, attempted to reignite the fire. No thanks to age! The sparks could only last once or twice and the next moment “referee, I’m tired, I want to rest’ said some after spending less than 10 minutes on the pitch.

    The popular Kunle Asulegan a.k.a Stopyra of Methodist School, once popular for his enigmatic dribble and header, had boasted to pump one of two goals into GCI net ahead of the encounter, could only last less than 15 minutes into the match before he slumped. For minutes, Stopyra lay there on the field and the referee had to put the match on hold. Thank God it was not a serious injury, only a muscle pull and Stopyra was immediately attended to on the sideline. But that was the end! He could not return to the pitch to make good his boast.

    A strike professionally taken by Bimbo Oladunjoye a.k.a Abim, following a pass from Taiwo Kareem  (Chicken) about 10 minutes into the match, put Methoe Boys on the lead.’ It was a goal’ everybody chorused! The ‘elderly supporters club’ on the sidelines, poured on the pitch to congratulate their colleagues; tummies bobbling up and down as they jubilated. Abim too, with is grey hairs, which also extended to his sprouting goatee, could hardly believe he could pull such stunt.

    What an undeserved foul at Methoe box 18 seven minutes afterwards! The referee had blown for a penalty in favour of GCI. A subtle protest by the Metho boys. The penalty was taken by Ariyo Legele. The ball zoomed straight into the net. Another thunderous ‘goooooooal’ by the host school.

    Too bad! A rather poor catch by Methoe goalkeeper, Wole Dopemu, just a minute after, finally put the GCI boys ahead as providence also caught up with Ariyo Legelege, who put the shot to Dopemu’s left in an easiest finishing. It’s a goal in GCI favour again.

    But much as Methoe Boys tried in the second half, they could not equalize; nor could GCI succeed in making their visitors’ net a basked of goals as they earlier pontificated. The match ended 2.1 in favour of the host.

    But aside the popular ‘Item Seven’, that followed the match, the event was an opportunity for the two sets to thank God for  surviving over the last 25 years on one hand; and to rekindle the love and affection, which the schools once shared, said GCI Principal, Mr  Simon Olusola Oladele.

    Speaking ahead of the match at the school chapel, Oladele who read from the Holy Bible: Galatians 6:1-10, enjoined the two sets to always keep in touch, extend love to the less privileged among them.

    “It is not by your own power that you are alive today. Many of your colleagues with whom you passed out 25 years ago had either died. You are here because you shared in one another’s pain, so let that love continue.”

    “You student of the GCI always claim your school is the best in Africa; but I say Methodist Boys High School is the best in the world,” added Oladele himself an alumnus of Methodist Boys (‘69 set).

    “As a Federal Government-owned school, you enjoyed more funding,   but in Methoe, we all ahd to struggle and hustle and that paid off for us. Ii wasn’t trained as a hustler; it would have been difficult for a person like me to be your principal.”

    The highpoint of the event was the presentation of award of appreciation by the visitor, as well as the official commissioning of the refurbished Corpers’ Lodge by the Chiarman of GCI ‘91 set Mr Folarin Familusin.

     

  • ‘Start preparing for old age now’

    It is never too late to prepare for old age as it is an investment of one’s younger days, a community medicine and public health expert, Prof Bayo Onajole, has said. According to him, man ages with time and he has to prepare for old age.

    Onajole, who spoke to The Nation, said geriatrics is the science that deals with the ageing process. The process of ageing, he said, is multi disciplinary, stressing that a lot of care and attention should be devoted to old people.

    He condemned the abandonment of the elderly, saying: “most time the old are left out forgetting they are humans and are left to take care of themselves.”.

    The consultant in public health said: “Old people need specialists to address the problem of ageing. These specialists can make the whole ageing process pleasant and pleasurable.”

    He added: “The specialists who handle the ageing process are known as Geriatricians”

    He said as people grow older, the cells in their organs begin to reduce, which is why the aged need to check their organs.

    “For instance old people may have problem with their sight and will need an ophthalmologist to aid their vision. When they have the problem with hearing an Ear Nose Throat doctor (ENT) is needed. They sometimes have blood pressure increases in their cardiovascular system. So, they need an endocrinologist to teach them to manage sugar to avoid diabetes,” he said.

    He spoke about individuals of the same age growing differently. “One can age faster than the other because there is no specific age for ageing,” Onajole said.

    Ageing, he said, is more of a mental characteristic than any other aspects because “the old tends to be very forgetful as forgetfulness is associated with aging and most cases a psychologist may be needed and sometimes a psychiatrist too”.

    He continued: “Old people are often lonely and need company. They have much time on their hands. Most of them are retired from their places of work and they need people to talk and play with. In cases where a partner is dead, life becomes even more boring for them and as such makes them to pass through the aging process alone.”

    He said a very successful way of creating interaction among old people is by organising a get together for them in a particular community. “By this, they will come together to interact, play games and socialise. It will make them explain their feelings and conditions to one another.

    “The biggest problem is boredom for the old people, mental depression and poor eating pattern. Most of them do not have anyone to prepare meals for them and most times have to eat whatever they can find. Most of them are prone to hypertension, diabetes and cancer as they undergo the process of aging. Old people also have problems with their dentition, their teeth begins to fall off. In some cases, it is a failing heart. The heart is not able to pump blood around the body,” he said.

    Onajole advised people to drink good portable water, adding that they should avoid air and water pollution. “But they must eat good food, improve environmental engineering and try to avoid stress,” Onajole said.

  • Govt: it’s a rambling of an old man

    The Ondo State Government has described comments credited to the impeached deputy governor, Alhaji Alli Olanusi, on the petition he wrote to the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a rambling of an old man, whose blind ambition has driven him to a political dead end.

    Reacting through the Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, the government said Olanusi needed not “to go to town after writing a petition against the government”.

    It added that rather, he should allow the agency to act on the petition he wrote and come out with its findings, if indeed he has a genuine case against the government.

    The statement reads: “The EFCC is an agency of government with the statutory responsibility of investigating allegations. Instead of jumping the gun, Olanusi should allow the agency do its job, except he is telling the world that the agency is not competent enough or reliable enough to handle his petition without any bias.

    “Government wonders if Pa Olanusi’s expectation is that the graft agency should ride like an invading army arresting and detaining everybody in Ondo State on account of his petition.

    “Apparently Pa Olanusi is dazed as he has lost in his own game and his plans to impeach his boss fell flat on his face. Now spent and left in the lurch, he wants something to keep him in the glare of the public and political relevance.

    “Where was Pa Olanusi when the alleged N18 billion was diverted? What action did he take? Or was he just discovering the alleged graft now that he had been fried in his own stew? What are the particulars of the alleged theft and what are the proofs behind his specious claims?

    “Now that he has assumed the position of EFCC spokesperson and petitioner rolled into one, Pa Olanusi can jolly well provide the juicy details of his phantom theft, including what he got then as a serving deputy governor.”

  • Joshua: Same old story

    Repetition is a powerful weapon in the hands of a spin doctor, and a body known as the Nigerian Human Rights Community (NHRC) is using it for the purpose of laundering the image of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) in Ikotun, Lagos. Of course, the effort to show that the church is not as black as it has been painted is also an effort to paint its leader, Prophet Temitope Joshua, as an innocent player in the tragic drama in the church’s compound in September last year. According to official figures, 80 South Africans, 22 Nigerians, two Beninoise and two Togolese died following a building collapse at the church.

    Based on a Coroner’s inquest into the disaster, the Lagos State government indicated that it would take legal action against the church and certain individuals. Specifically, a statement by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s spokesman, Habib Haruna, said the government “would prosecute the contractor, Akinbela Fatiregun, of Hardrock Engineering Company Limited, and Structural Engineer, Oladele Ogundeji, who built and supervised the collapsed building, for professional negligence.”

    In addition, the government said it would prosecute the church for failing to obtain a building approval, contrary to the Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2010. Reports said the collapsed building was originally a three-storey structure, which was being raised to accommodate three additional floors.

    Nothing about the position of the state government is mystifying. But NHRC, self-described as “a coalition of 135 civil society groups spread across Nigeria”, introduced mystification when it said in a statement: “We use this medium to call on the United Nations (UN Human Rights Commission) to compel the Nigerian government to ensure full investigation into the matter so as to establish what was the cause of the collapsed building beyond the claims that the building fell on its own.”

    Carrying the confusion further, NHRC said it “believes that there are new evidences that link the collapse of the building to terrorism”. According to the body, “Islamic extremists may have attacked the building due to Nigeria’ s war against Boko Haram, which found a new wave of support from South Africa.”

    It is curious that NHRC repeated the same old story that Joshua told a disbelieving public when the tragedy happened. At the time, Joshua claimed that a “strange aircraft” flew over the church a number of times before the guest house collapsed. He also mentioned that an email he received showed that his church was targeted for bombing by the Islamist guerilla force Boko Haram. Joshua seemed fixated on the idea that the building must have collapsed as a result of an outside machination by those who do not wish him and his church well.

    It is clear enough that Joshua’s presentation and the NHRC’s repetition cannot invalidate the points that support culpability, namely, identified professional negligence and failure to act in accordance with regulations. In this case, repetition has served no constructive purpose. The repetition of this particular angle sounds like a fictional construction; it is farcical.

  • ‘We’re recycling same old people in leadership’

    ‘We’re recycling same old people in leadership’

    Iheoma Obibi has two masters in Creative Writing and Communications Policy Studies from Manchester Metropolitan University and City University, London. The Ashoka fellow is also the Executive Director of Alliances for Africa. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she talks about her passion, women empowerment and more.

    International Women’s Day has just been celebrated all over the world, do you think that women’s empowerment is in the right direction?

    Women’s empowerment has to continue from where the MDGs left off. We are still way behind other parts of the world in ensuring that women have access to loans and other facilities in which to start a business or even keep their businesses afloat.

    We are in year 2015, the year set for the achievements of some MDG’s for women, how have we fared?

    As for the 2015, it is rather obvious that we have not made significant achievements in the areas of violence against women, in access to health care, with relation to infant and maternal mortality.

    Would you say that women are doing well in terms of leadership opportunities?

    On the surface, it looks like we have done exceptionally well, but let’s interrogate what we have. As we prepare for the elections, it is rather obvious to anyone, even those armchair critics, that we have lost more women wanting to be part of the electoral process. Due to the very nature of how our political process works, few women want to be part of an aggressive party process. Many worry about electoral violence and the implications for them and their families.

    What do you think are some of the achievements made so far?

    As for other leadership opportunities, there are some achievements recorded there, but it seems like with many things Nigerian, there is little room for the young to develop. We are recycling the same old people, be they men or women. There must be a better way to ensure that we can get young people involved. Remember, our definition of a young person is questionable at best of times. Anything up to 55 years. I know, unbelievable.

    What are the new challenges for women?

    We do not need to look far. We need to look at regional integration and implications for cross border trade in the light of the Boko Haram threats and its effect on our food security. We are facing a serious threat to our food source because if people in communities known as the bread basket of Nigeria cannot farm and make money for fear of being kidnapped and raped, then we have a crisis which is brewing. Additional challenges are the fall of the naira and the ability for SMEs to import. However, lack of power and other basic facilities all are challenges for women running businesses and trying to keep their heads above water.

    A lot of women fall into the small business owner category, do you think that the business environment is friendly enough?

    As a small business owner, I would say that the environment is not friendly. It is very difficult to get anything done in a manner that is timely and efficient for your business. From fulfilling all regulatory requirements, to making demands on the necessary statutory bodies.

    Accessing credit facilities to move small businesses to the next phase is usually a challenge, how can they do this without stress?

    As a small business owner, I have also been looking to access credit facilities. But like everyone else, the interest rates being offered are not realistic or feasible.

    Would you say that technology has helped to improve the business environment for women?

    Yes, technology has been crucial and critical in ensuring that as many businesses interested in using social media can. It is a completely different language, but it is worth understanding and doing well. You can sit in the comfort of your home and organise everything from paying and buying with your paga to using paypal; paying your suppliers, to vendors, to customers making purchases. Technology has to a certain extent revolutionised the way business is done.

    Tell us about life as an entrepreneur

    I run a sex-positive online adult store called www.myintimatepleasureshop.com and whilst it has been a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills and to test e-commerce opportunities, it has all been extremely challenging. To begin with, people are stunned that anyone can run such business. Then individual stereotypes kick in; you’re a woman, you’re married, you’re this and that. Once you have surmounted those prejudices, getting access to loans of any sort is an impossibility and in my case I was supported hundred percent by my husband.

    He made it possible for my business to move from idea to being established and has always been able to provide support either financial or emotional. The challenges are real and worrisome because we cannot all venture into the buying and selling of shoes and bags which has provided an income for many women. In terms of achievements, I am very happy to test the boundaries, given my antecedents in the women’s movement.

    People are also comforted and assured that I am for real. Not some random person seeking to exploit them and laugh at their problems. I am pleased to note that there is a discussion taking place online at least on the wider issues on intimacy in relationships and I am glad that my business is one of those creating the space for this to happen safely for women. In terms of the strategies used to survive, I would say that we are all affected by the current devaluation of the naira and the implications for importers. It is a good time to remind buyers that fake personal pleasure items cannot be substituted for the originals. There are fake Chinese vibes in the market and these have materials that are TOXIC for the body. Buyers need to beware and be careful.

    Cheaper is not always better. Our products are US and EU certified. My life as an entrepreneur is recent and the business opportunity seriously fell into my lap. I had been providing advice and counselling around intimacy issues for years. So it was a natural progression.

    How would you describe life as a skilled trainer and how has this impacted on the society?

    As a long time trainer, this has been a rewarding bit about learning-life skills. I use this skill all the time in organising training of trainers’ workshops, and more recently in my business where we conduct monthly trainings on effective communications in relationships.

    Let’s talk about some memorable moments in your career.

    There have been several memorable moments in my career and I am not sure where to begin. Starting my business has got to be the highlight for me because I have worked in social justice since I was 18 years and to start a new venture now is just awesome. I am amazed at myself and what God has bestowed on me. I am excited for the future.

    If you had to advise women, what would you tell them?

    My advice would be to follow your heart and calling. Get your family members to buy-in to your idea, because they will be your biggest promoters and supporters. Understand the regulatory framework and what they demand from you as an SME. Get a book keeper to do your books and ensure that all is well.

  • Back to old military tricks

    Back to old military tricks

    The waiting game has ended. Elections will not hold this month. That was the outcome of the series of meetings the Independent National Electoral Commision (INEC) held with critical stakeholders on Saturday. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU says the shift may return Nigeria to the old era where umpires shifted goal posts in the middle of the game.

    The postponement of the general elections may not be the end of the matter. The people have more hurdles to cross in the march of electoral democracy. According to analysts, those behind the polls shift have a hidden agenda. As the agenda unfolds, further damage to the electoral process can only be averted, if the polity is vigilant and bold to resist it.

    With the postponement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, Nigeria has regressed. Old military tricks are being reenacted. It worked in the aborted Third Republic. Now, propaganda is displacing the truth again.

    President Goodluck Jonathan has looked for an excuse to justify his request for postponement. He ultimately stirred controversy when he told anxious Nigerians, through his Service Chiefs, that he as the Commander-in-Chief could not guarantee their security, if the commission insisted on February 14 and 28 dates.

    It was the same trick employed by self-styled military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, almost 22 years ago, to scuttle the historic June 12, presidential election believed to have been won by businessman-turned politician, Chief Moshood Abiola, who was the candidate of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). The Minna, Niger State-born military leader wanted to extend his hegemony and prolong military rule. But, he ended boxing himself into an unmitigated crisis. Till date, the ghost of June 12 is hunting him.

    At the height of his rule, Gen. Babangida, who implemented the longest transition programme in Nigeria, wanted to – by all means and at all cost – abort the presidential election scheduled for June 12, 1993. He said the military did not want the lateAbiola. At midnight, a judge was drafted to grant an injunction against the election, few hours to the exercise. But, as the legal luminary, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), pointed out, soldiers voted massively for Abiola even in their barracks.

    Today, the linkage may be quite different, but the issue is the same – security. In 1993, it was alleged that Abiola, a wealthy man, was disliked by the military because he was perceived as a threat to security. It was inexplicable. The voting party by the army put a lie into the fabrication. In 2015, it is still security, but, in a different context.

    Rationalising the curious request for poll shift, the Service Chiefs said that they could not ensure the safety of voters, polling officers and materials during the exercise.

    Also, an aide of the President, Dr. Doyin Okupe, explained that, if the elections are allowed to proceed as scheduled, they would aggravate the security situation in the Northeast, where the dreadful sect, Boko Haram, has been on the prowl.

    Observers have pointed out that government’s inability to guarantee security is an admission of failure by the President, who sworn to an oath and the constitution that the security of life and property will be his priority. However, hiding under the excuse by the military to postpone polls has its implications.

    It is a double tragedy for Nigerians. First, they cannot be protected, based on President’s remarks about the inability to guarantee security. Second, the President is now using the military’s excuse to deny Nigerians of their right to vote or demand for a leadership that will guarantee security.

    During the anti-February 14 and 28 campaigns, Jega replied the paid agents that the commission was ready to conduct the polls. But, he later succumbed to pressure to change the date. Thus, the feeling now is that INEC has lost its independence to government’s blackmail.

    If that amounts to a crisis of undue interference, only the law can resolve it. But, the interference may have sent a clear signal that government’s interference can still mar the electoral process at any stage. This means that electoral reforms have been an unfinished business in the country. INEC’s independence should not be subjected to the whims and caprices of the government. It is only logical that when INEC is not free, the ballot box cannot be safe.

    Instructively, the PDP has labelled Muhammadu Buhari, a retired General and former Head of State, as a dictator. But, stakeholders may now perceive the President as a dictator in a civilian garb. When the government insisted on a six-week extra time, contrary to INEC’s projection, it meant that the hand of the government is heavy on the umpire, which had no alternative than to cave in, almost under duress.

    Another question is: how far can the exhumed IBB trick go? Does it have prospect? Since 2011, there were signs that the President had a view to sell to the polity. Shortly after his inauguration, he reflected on the succession battles that have characterised Nigeria’s democracy. To stem the rivalry, antagonism, acrimony and bitter competition, he canvassed a single-term of six years for the executive. The President called for a constitution amendment. But, the idea could not fly.

    According to analysts, the President was trying to dodge the general election to avoid an imminent defeat. Others alleged that his party is trying to create a logjam to frustrate the opposition. But, the puzzle is: can the election be put on hold for ever?

    Yet, there is an unanswered question. Will Boko Haram insurgency end before March 28? The damage to the military psyche by the struggle for power is also enormous. According to commentators, Nigerians have to be convinced that the military was not used to scuttle the previous date, just as IBB used the military to truncate ‘June 12’.

    The military may have suffered under the administration as they suffered under previous administrations. A professional military is a vital asset to the nation. To maintain professionalism and political neutrality, it must be insulated from partisanship.  But, the institution has been abused and misused by the powers that be. This has led the former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Salihu Ibrahim (rtd), to describe it as a military of anything goes.

    Besides, the military has been reduced to a shadow of itself due to obsolete equipment.

    When the Service Chiefs told Nigerians that 100 abducted children have been rescued from Boko Haram camp and there is no evidence; when military top brass said that they knew the whereabouts of the abducted girls and they kept a sealed lip thereafter; and when soldiers said that they were ready to guarantee security for voters and they later ate their words; then, it is indisputable that the military needs help.

  • ‘Buhari not too old to be President’

    ‘Buhari not too old to be President’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, is not too old to be President, the party’s Lagos State chapter has said.

    In a statement by its spokesman, Joe Igbokwe, the party said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its members have indirectly been campaigning for the APC through their utterances and actions.

    “In their futile bids to stop candidate Buhari they have angered Nigerians who now feel that the man is being persecuted for nothing,” Igbokwe said.

    APC Lagos faulted PDP’s claims that Gen. Buhari is too old and unfit to be president.

    “Now look at this: President Robert Mugabe is still ruling Zimbabwe at the age of 90 even though this is not a good example.

    “Beji Caid Essebsi has just been elected at 88 as the president of Tunisia. Anerood Jugnauth is the Prime Minister of Mauritius at 84.

    “Karolos Papoulias is the President of Greece at 85. The late President Mandela started ruling South Africa at more than 75 years old. Eamon De Valera ruled Ireland at 90. Shimon Peres ruled Israel at 90.

    “Arthur Pasizade is the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan at 79. Raul Castro is the President of Cuba at 83. Paul Biya is the President of Cameroon at 81. I can go on and on.

    “Candidate Buhari has been campaigning throughout the country while the death wishers think he has cancer. This is no longer politics but wickedness.

    “Again this stupid and wicked attempt to belittle the image of candidate Buhari has backfired and consequently pushed more votes to the man,” Igbokwe said.

    The party spokesman said the call by the National Security Adviser (NSA) Colonel Sambo Dasuki for the postponement of next month’s elections shows that the “PDP and the President handlers cannot think and have run short of ideas.”

    Igbokwe said: “Millions of Nigerians think PDP is jittery and afraid of the impending defeat, possible humiliation and collapse of the party.

    “The NSA and PDP have been pushing millions of sympathisers to APC without knowing it.

    “To suggest that presidential elections should be shifted means a third term agenda for President Jonathan and these people do not see that Nigerians hate the idea which is unconstitutional.”

    According to Igbokwe, PDP treats its supporters and members with scorn and levity. ”Arrogance, overzealousness and inability to manage success have ruined PDP and made millions of its supporters to look for shelter in APC.”

    Igbokwe said despite the threat of some Southsouth leaders, many now feel Nigeria can do without oil.

    “In fact they believe that disappearance of oil will make us to reason, think, plan and dream big,” he said.

    The APC spokesman said the controverial advert sponsored by Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose could have put the nation in jeopardy “if it was not well managed by eminent Nigerians.”

    “It was a day Fayose took primordial sentiments and ethnic preoccupation to a frightened dimension. It could have been worse…”

  • Old Mutual votes $386m for African expansion

    Old Mutual Plc (OML), Africa’s biggest insurer, has 4.3 billion rand ($386 million) for acquisitions on the continent, where growth rates higher than advanced countries may help boost sales after third-quarter growth declined, according to Bloomberg report.

    “We’ve identified Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana as the key markets,” Ingrid Johnson, chief financial officer, said in a phone interview from London. “There are opportunities to look at Mozambique” after banking unit Nedbank Group Ltd. (NED) took a stake in Banco Unico, she said. Old Mutual is also looking for ways to work more closely with Lome, Togo-based Ecobank Transnational Inc. (ETI), where Nedbank owns 20 per cent.

    While Old Mutual, which was founded in South Africa more than 150 years ago, moved headquarters to London in 1999, its original market remains its largest. The insurer set aside 5 billion rand in March 2013 to expand across the continent and has since bought a stake in Faulu Kenya Ltd.

    “It would be fantastic if we could find more opportunities to invest,” Johnson said. “The first prize would be to find something in those key countries. The team is looking at a lot of things.”

    Old Mutual this year completed an initial public offering for its asset management unit in New York and agreed to buy U.K.-based Quilter Cheviot Ltd. for as much as 585 million pounds ($930 million) to boost its wealth management business. It also bought Intrinsic Financial Services Ltd., a U.K. firm, gaining access to 3,000 financial advisers. Earlier in the year, Old Mutual sold what it termed non-core European units.

    Old Mutual’s gross sales fell 4.6 percent in the third quarter to 6.2 billion pounds from 6.5 billion pounds a year earlier, as economic activity in South Africa slowed, the insurer said in a statement. That was in line with the 6.21 billion-pound estimate of 11 analysts surveyed by the company. Funds under management rose five per cent to 307.6 billion pounds.

    “We reiterate our hold recommendation, but highlight the continued excellent progress the group is making at the underlying level, especially as regards asset accumulation, and its positioning in the U.K.,” Eamonn Flanagan, an analyst at Shore Capital Group Ltd. in London, said in a research note.

    Old Mutual is looking at product innovations to increase gross sales, Johnson said. “The lapse rates were higher than we would have liked. You can’t always defy gravity.”