The Nation Newspaper

Tag: remarkable

  • Remarkable progress

    Remarkable progress

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recovered about N511.9 billion in 2017. This disclosure was made by the commission’s chairman, Ibrahim Magu,  at the defence of his agency’s budget before the House of Representatives’ Financial Crimes Committee. The recovery included N473bn, $98.2m, 294,851 thousand pounds sterling. Apart from the loot retrieved in 2017, the disclosed recoupment for 2015 and 2016 was N738.9 billion ($2.9 billion).

    Undoubtedly, recovery of N500billion of stolen money from government purse in one year is a big task that should be commended, given the tortuous way recovery of loot via prosecution or plea bargaining has become in the country. It is, therefore, not surprising that a German organisation cited the EFCC as one of the most active anti-corruption agencies a few days after Magu’s release of the size of his agency’s repossession in 2017. It is also reassuring that the commission has confirmed to the House of Representatives that all recoveries had been passed to the Federal Government.

    But the commission needs to appreciate the need for a direct communication between an agency fighting corruption and the public. Responding at all times to the citizens’ right to know is a sure way to grow citizens’ confidence in the fight against corruption.

    For example, EFCC’s penchant to release important information about progress of the commission at special national or international events needs to include direct briefing of citizens. For example,  the commission’s boss had to wait for the need to defend the budget of the agency for 2018 to tell the nation how much was recovered in 2017. Similarly, when the chairman announced last year that $2.9billion was recouped from 2015 to 2016, he gave the information at a meeting at the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in Vienna. Citizens do not have to be kept in the dark at anytime about activities of this important agency nor do they need to be kept abreast of the commission’s activities by foreign media.

    It is in order that Magu confirmed at the House hearing that all funds recovered from corrupt individuals and companies had been passed to the Federal Government. We, however, urge the government to take quick decision on the future of such monies, more so that such funds had been subject of undue speculation in the past. Further, we call on the commission not to relent, in spite of daunting challenges, on looking for stolen public funds wherever they may be.

    There is also urgent need for the agency to hone the skills of its prosecutors so that they can win more cases and thus make more recoveries. Above all, citizens have the right to know all the faces behind the looting of public funds, especially those who have volunteered for plea bargaining instead of facing trial as well as other conditions given to such individuals at the plea-bargaining table.

    There is no good reason to delay release of such important information till when citizens or the media feel the need to invoke the Freedom of Information Act to request for such important details. Nothing should prevent the EFCC from posting important information about completed corruption cases on its website. Disclosing information about how much money has been recovered without providing full information on the individuals who have defrauded the nation is tantamount to taking the sting out of the anti-corruption fight.

  • Remarkable resilience

    •Double joy to a mother who turned best graduating student

    Clearly, the most striking feature of this success story is remarkable resilience. Mrs. Elizabeth Orefuwa stole the show at the 21st convocation of the Lagos State University (LASU) on March 22 as the best graduating student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.74 in Accounting Education.

    In her account of the tough road to her achievement, she said: “When I eventually secured admission to LASU, my aim was not to be the best graduating student. I just wanted to satisfy my dad’s yearning. The journey through the institution was not easy; it took me seven years of writing the UTME before I finally gained admission in 2012. I also applied for direct entry three times at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.”

    Twenty-nine-year-old Orefuwa added: “During this period of waiting, I started professional career at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in 2007 and became qualified as an Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) in 2010.”

    Her feat at LASU was even more attention-grabbing because she got married at the start of her final year in the university in 2015, and was heavily pregnant on her graduation day. It is worth applauding that she was not distracted by family life. Even more commendable is that her academic performance improved. She said: “I had a CGPA of 4.72 before marriage and I graduated with 4.74.” It is testimony to the enabling environment in her home that she said:   ”My husband was very supportive throughout that period.’’

    The icing on the cake was childbirth. Orefuwa’s baby girl arrived a day after her graduation. She was quoted as saying: “I was having contractions and was scared that the baby might come before the convocation. I told God to take control because I wanted to experience the convocation and God took control until I got home. It was when I got home that it started again and my husband took me to the hospital where I gave birth at about 1p.m. on Thursday.’’

    Orefuwa’s experience shows what can be accomplished with focus and determination. Her story has an unmistakable inspirational quality. In a country where girl-child education is not exactly on the front burner in several areas, Orefuwa’s success should serve as a picture of possibilities.

    It is relevant to note that Federal Government policies connected with girl-child education, especially since the mid-80s, include:  ”Blueprint on Women’s Education: An outreach and awareness campaign to promote the importance of equal education, increase the available educational resources for females and reduce dropout rates among female students;  Nomadic Education Programme: Increase the access to education for children of Nomads without jeopardising pastoralism; National Commission for Mass Literacy and Non-formal Education: A policy to motivate parents and families to send their school-age children to school and to establish training facilities that concentrate on domestic science, home economics and crafts.”

    Others are: ”Family Support Basic Education Programme: A programme to encourage families living in rural areas to send girls to school as a means of promoting youth development; Universal Basic Education: Reduction in geographic and gender disparity in school enrolment; National Policy on Women; Education For-all Fast Track Initiative; Strategy for Acceleration of Girls Education in Nigeria; National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategies (NEEDS); Universal Basic Education Act.”

    There is no doubt that in today’s knowledge-based global village, the way forward for forward-looking countries is increased attention to education and training. This fundamental, non-negotiable reality is what Orefuwa represents and illustrates.

    Certainly, she deserves congratulations on her first-rate academic work as well as her new baby. Her triumph against all odds is a metaphor for the capacity of the human spirit to soar above obstacles in the pursuit of worthwhile goals.

  • Buhari’ll lead Nigeria to a remarkable era, says Ogbemudia

    Buhari’ll lead Nigeria to a remarkable era, says Ogbemudia

    Two-time Governor of old Midwest Region and later Bendel State, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia has said the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, will lead Nigeria into a remarkable era.

    Ogbemudia hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding to his major rival, even as he urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to “look inward” and strategise for future elections.

    He said: “I have known him since 1963 when he was commissioned into the Nigerian Army. I had the privilege to see some of his confidential reports by his commanders in which he was described as a young officer with boundless energy, and willing to continue when others are tired.

    “Energy and resilience he has truly demonstrated in politics by winning a historic election at the fourth attempt.

    “I am confident he will lead Nigeria into a remarkable era.

    The former governor called on the PDP to reflect into what led to the defeat when he said: “To my party, the PDP, this is an opportunity to begin to demonstrate capacity as a viable and credible alternative in the service of the nation”.

  • A remarkable send-off

    A remarkable send-off

    Members of the Africa Regional Centre for Information Science Students’ Association (ARCISSTA) at the University of Ibadan (UI) have held a dinner and award to mark the end of academic year and send-off their graduating colleagues. STANLEY IBEKU reports

    For more than four hours that the event lasted, there was no dull moment. Students of the Africa Regional Centre for Information Science, a Master’s programme at the University of Ibadan (UI) held a dinner and award night as part of the events marking their graduation from the centre.

    From the red carpet at the foyer of the SUB Event Centre, the venue, the guests were welcomed into the hall by elegantly decorated walls to show the significance of the event, which is usually held after the last semester examinations of the final year Master’s degree programme.

    Staff and students, who distinguished themselves in academics, were recognised and rewarded with the award of excellence. It was a night of razzmatazz and glamour as attendees appeared in different shades of attires.

    The Director of the centre, Dr Wole Olatokun, said the event was necessary to enable students relieve themselves of the stress of the past months. According to him, there was a need for the students to relax and socialise for productive relationships after school.

    The out-going president of the ARCISSTA, Adeyemi Towo, urged his colleagues to use the opportunity to make peace with one another and exchange idea of on mutual progress. He described Olatokun a father of all students, saying the Director usually took time out to assist students.

    He also hailed the immediate past Director of the centre, Prof. Muta Tiamiyu, for his contributions to the development of discipline.

    The event was compered by Fabby-Dee, a comedian, who doled out hilarious jokes to thrill the guests. Also, Infinity Theatre group from Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Catholic Church in the university performed a stage drama to make the event memorable.

    During the award session, freshers and outgoing Master’s students were honoured for being the best in social and academic life. Believe Gbaruko, a year 1 Master’s student, won the Best Dressed Male, while Tosin Ademosu, won the female category.

    Also, Evong Wobot won Best Dressed Male (Year 2), while Temitope Babalola, won the female category. Stanley Ibeku won Most Sociable Male Student, while Chioma Godwin-Okafor won the female category. Jude Okafor got two awards – Most Popular Student and Mr. Indispensable. Jude was honoured by his course mates for supplying them with information relating to their studies.

    The face of ARCISSTA award in male category went to Mayowa Adelusi, while Oreoluwa Oluwaniran won the female category.

    Dr Tunde Adegbola, a lecturer specialised in natural language processing and artificial intelligence, was honoured for his immense contributions to the development of the centre.

    A meritorious award of service was given to Prof Tiamiyu. Responding, he appreciated the students for the recognition and pledged his continued support for the development of centre. He charged the fresh students to prioritise their time and make their studies take prominent in their endeavour.

    Olatokun won the Lecturer of the Year award for the second time. He was honoured for his knowledge of courses and style of teaching.

    The event also featured the valedictory session and cutting of cake by the outgoing executive members of the association. A new set of officers took the oath administered by Olatokun.

    The executive is led by Ben Adegbaju. Other members are Chiamaka Egwuatu, Vice President, Michael Chigbundu, Secretary, Doreen Madezia, Assistant Secretary, Olamide Afolabi, Financial Secretary and Chimeebere Nwoko, Director of Socials.

    The centre was established in 1990 as the first tertiary-level educational institution in West Africa with a mandate to undertake research and consultancy services, and offer higher degree and continuing education training in information science.