Oracle seeks partnership with FG on cloud infrastructure deployment

ORACLE Corporation, the second world largest software maker has said it is ready to partner with the Federal Government of Nigeria on the deployment of cloud computing infrastructures to help the government bring its services to the people through the internet.
Speaking in Lagos recently during a visit to Nigeria, Mr. Steve Wainwright, Vice President of Technology, Oracle Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) said the company is aware of government’s plan to make governance accessible to the citizens and reduce the cost of government operations by embracing information technology.
Wainwright said the desire of the Minister of Communications Technology Mrs. Omobola Johnson to ensure that Nigeria becomes a digital economy in the near future is something that needs to be supported by well-meaning organisations. He said cloud computing is a great opportunity for government to make major savings in IT operating costs and also improve business agility, enter new markets, create new products and services for citizens.
“We all know that the government in Nigeria as in many countries at the moment is facing increasing pressures on budgets. And yet same time as citizens we want to do more online, we want to access government services online. Oracle like many analysts and many of our customers believe that cloud computing is offering a paradigm shift in computing,” he said.
“We believe that adopting cloud computing will enable governments to reduced their operating costs, their IT operating costs and at the same time offer new services to citizens online which will further reduce costs and improve the satisfaction of the citizen because he will be able to access the services when he wants and from where he wants.  And that we’ve been working with governments all over the world to deliver these services and I think there is an opportunity for the Nigerian government to do this as well,” he added.
Cloud computing can enable governments to provide these services and consolidate triplicate services to be run by many departments of government into a single cloud computing platform which is the advantages of that environment is consolidated to a single architecture, a single computing infrastructure which is typically cheaper to run and easier to control and secure.
During his keynote presentation recently, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison announced the Oracle Public Cloud, a broad set of best-in-class, integrated services that provide customers with subscription-based, self-service access to Oracle Fusion Applications, Oracle Fusion Middleware and Oracle Database, all completely managed, hosted and supported by Oracle.
The Oracle Public Cloud is the only public cloud that offers customers a complete range of business applications and technology solutions, avoiding the problems of data and business process fragmentation when customers use multiple siloed public clouds.  It provides many common services, including resource management and isolation, security, data exchange and integration, virus scanning, white list management, and centralized self-service monitoring.

UN warns Nigeria, others on phones’ e-waste surge

INTERNATIONAL collaboration to promote environmentally sound management of e-waste was strengthened with the signing of an agreement between the Secretariat of the Basel Convention (SBC), a United Nation system and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) aimed at protecting the environment from the adverse effects of e-waste.
According to the UN on Monday, the rapid spread of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) has raised public attention on the negative effects arising from inadequate disposal and waste management.
Besides, the body warned developing countries, including Nigeria, with huge market potential to be wary of mobile phone waste, which according to it are extremely dangerous to the living.
The body stressed that electronic waste, which contains toxic materials used in the manufacturing process, can cause widespread damage to the environment and human health.
Indeed, a data from the United Nations Environmental Programme, informed that, globally 20 - 50 million tons of electronics are discarded each year.
It however said, less than 10 per cent gets recycled and half or more end up mostly in developing countries like Nigeria.
Industry watchers in Nigeria posited that as western technology becomes cheaper and the latest machine comes to be regarded as a disposable fashion statement, dumping would only intensify.
The chaotic management of e-waste arising from the uncontrolled importation of disused computers, mobile phones, and television sets into the country has drawn various resentments of stakeholders in the country.
Speaking to journalists recently, Secretary General, Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN), John Oboro, noted that the failure of the Federal Government to take a significant step to manage the waste arising from the importation of disused electronics into the country is indeed unsafe as the nation may have to pay for it in a disgusting way in the near future.
Oboro lamented: “We are sitting on a keg of gunpowder that will one day explode. Developed countries have discovered ways of managing e-waste. It is quite unfortunate that the manufacturers of even the new ones do not have plans of how to take back these things when they become obsolete.”
Another IT expert, Kunle Ogunfowokan said there was need for foreign information technology (IT) firms to take full responsibility for the safe recycling of their products and put an end to the growing e-waste dumps that poison people and the environment across the developing world, Nigeria inclusive. “We need companies to introduce voluntary take-back schemes and remove hazardous substances from their products so they can be recycled safely and easily”, he said.
Ogunfowokan challenged the relevant government agencies in Nigeria to ensure that only electronic products tested and certified fit for uses are allowed into the country.
Indeed, the ITU-SBC collaboration seeks to collect and recycle the hazardous materials by introducing safeguards in the management of the waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), or e-waste.
According to UN, developing countries are expecting a surge in e-waste, with mobile phone waste expected to grow exponentially, adding that sharp increases of e-waste have until now not been matched with policy and regulatory mechanisms nor with infrastructure to cope with the influx in developing countries.
The global body noted that, currently, only 13 per cent of e-waste is reported to be recycled with or without safety procedures.
It noted that, the issue of e-waste as an emerging telecommunications policy and regulatory issue have received recognition at the highest level in ITU.
Already, part of measures adopted by ITU in this area include; the adoption of Recommendation ITU-T L.1000, “Universal power adapter and charger solution for mobile terminals and other ICT devices”, which dramatically reduces production and cuts the waste produced by mobile chargers; the adoption of Recommendation ITU-T L.1100, which details the procedures to be employed when recycling rare metal components included in ICT equipment and the designing e-Waste management strategies for environmental protection; publishing and disseminating best practices; and assisting countries in the drafting, adoption and implementation of policies, laws, and regulations related to e-waste management.
Meanwhile, the UN noted that the level of global environmental policy, the Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, which came into force in 1992, is the most comprehensive environmental agreement on the management of hazardous and other waste, “but many countries have not yet successfully translated its provisions into their national legislation. Now, with the signing of the ITU-SBC Administrative Agreement, efforts between both UN mechanisms will be leveraged, maximising value at the global level and strengthening collaboration between telecommunication/ICT and environmental policy makers for the global good.”
According to ITU Secretary-General, Hamadoun Touré, the ICT sector is already making significant progress in improving its environmental performance and reducing e-waste through improved best practices and standards.
“The collaboration with the Secretariat of the Basel Convention will allow the global community to address this ever-increasing problem through a holistic approach, involving the recycling industry as well as environmental policy makers”, stressed Toure.
To the Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, Jim Willis: “The positive impact of ICT on development, particularly in developing countries and countries with economies in transition is well recognised and acknowledged.
“However, ICT equipment has to be dealt with in view of its entire life-cycle, and this includes the time when the equipment comes to its end-of-life and becomes e-waste. Collaboration between ITU and SBC will further our shared objectives in support of sustainable development that essentially includes environmentally sound management of waste.”
Speaking to The Guardian late last year in Kenya on Nokia’s e-waste strategy, the company’s Head of Sales, Africa, Brad Brockhaug said Nokia ran the largest recyling programme than other manufacturer in world. He said Nokia is very active in that area, stressing that they ran such processes across Africa, especially in Ghana and Nigeria.
“Basically, what we do is that we accept devices and accessories not limited to Nokia alone, also from other manufacturers. They can bring theirs to our recyling centres through our customer care.
“We have programmes globally on how we tackle such. Up to 90 per cent of all Nokia devices can be recycled. The metal can be re-used and parts that can be disposed are done rightly. This process goes beyond e-waste. It is about repackaging. We do environmental responsible things in the areas of our business and recyling process.”
Last year also, the Lagos State Government, through its Waste Management Authority, LAWMA signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with a franchisee and a private sector operator on the recycling of electronic waste in the state.
The recycling initiative, which is in partnership with D Nigeria Limited, was to tackle the increasing menace of e-waste dumping across the country.
According to Managing Director of LAWMA, Mr. Ola Oresanya, when the initiative finally kicks off, all e-waste deposit would be reversed to wealth generation.
D Nigeria Limited is to recover, evacuate, store, recycle and export e-waste in the state while LAWMA is saddled with provision of legal and infrastructural support.

Management pleads with lecturers

The management of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has appealed to members of the academic staff who have not gone for their 2010/2011 annual leave to defer it so the current academic session would not suffer setback.
A release by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr Abiodun Olarewaju, said the appeal became necessary because of the complaint received by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Tale Omole, staff who have been unable to go for their annual leave due to pressure of work occasioned by the grading of scripts and compilation of results.
The PRO said there was no truth in the rumour that OAU had postponed its resumption date, adding that the management appreciated all members of the academic staff for their support and will continue to rely on their cooperation and understanding in getting the university to resume for the 2011 / 2012 academic session and run the calendar smoothly.
Meanwhile, to strengthen the security in the campus, the management of the institution has equipped the security unit of the university with 10 motorcycles.
Speaking during the presentation, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Tale Omole, advised the officers to be proactive and always be on the alert to foil crime attempt and forestall criminalities around the campus. 
He said their prompt actions to any distress call would go a long way in protecting lives and property. Prof Omole also promised to purchase two Toyota Hilux pick-up vans to further enhance the operations of the security outfit and make OAU crime-free.

North warns panel not to extend Jonathan’s tenure

Dr Jonathan

The new pressure group, the Coalition of Northern Leaders, Academics, Professionals and Businessmen, yesterday warned the Justice Alfa Belgore Committee on Constitution Amendment against what it called any plot to elongate President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure.

The coalition claimed to have discovered that the Belgore Committee is pursuing a “sinister third term agenda” for Jonathan with a single seven-year tenure proposal. 

But the President replied swiftly, telling the group not to distract him from his work.

The group also demanded immediate review of the nation’s revenue allocation formula. 

Besides, it accused Jonathan’s administration of awarding oil blocks to Generals, party leaders and cronies. 

The coalition gave the warning in a statement by its convener, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, after a session of its committee chairmen in Asokoro, Abuja. 

The Coalition has 10 standing committees to pursue the interests of the North.

Some of its committee chairmen are: Senator John Wash Pam (Inter-Faith Dialogues); Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed (Security) ; Prof. Nur Alkali (Education); Mallam Mohammed Haruna (Media); Dr. Sanusi Abubakar (Economics, Policy Frameworks, Strategic Investments and Infrastructure); Dr. Shettima Mustapha (Agriculture, Water Resources and Mineral Investments); Prof. Awalu Yadudu (Constitutional Amendments, Revenue and Fiscal Systems, Structure of Nigerian Federalism); and  Dr. Sule Bello (Youths, Policy Strategies and Contacts).

It could not be immediately ascertained if all the chairmen were at the session. 

But the statement of the Coalition, which was signed by its convener, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, said the North will resist any attempt to extend Jonathan’s tenure beyond May 29, 2015.

Path to credible elections in 2015

Tinubu

Why is the Nigerian democracy always described as ‘nascent’? Former Lagos Governor Bola Tinubu lays out the task before politicians and election managers if 2015 elections are to meet desired standards.

Given Papa Adeyinka Adebayo’s present and past contribution to the development of our dear country, it is a fitting tribute that a book on electoral reforms, which amplifies suggestions on how to deepen our democracy and secure the future greatness of our country, is being presented in his honour.  On electoral reforms, I will return presently.  But first, I must celebrate this eminent son of the Yoruba and proud Nigerian patriot.
If you want to know why we honour Gen. Adebayo today, then you must flash your mind back to 1966, when our country was in great confusion.  He had just become military governor of old Western Region after the counter-coup of July 1966.  The country was drifting to war, and our people needed to speak with one voice to try and stop the disaster to come.  So, Papa used his clout as military governor to get Chief Obafemi Awolowo released from jail by the Gowon government.  Not only that, he called a regional conference in Ibadan, at which Chief Awolowo was made the Yoruba leader.  From then on, the Yoruba spoke with one voice and though war was not prevented, we all did our bit to preserve the unity of our country.
At his youth therefore and at the height of his military glory, Gen. Adebayo located the moral authority and leadership quality in Chief Awolowo, the avatar of development politics in Nigeria.  He did everything in his power to yield Yoruba leadership to him.  Our country was better for it.  As our Papa accorded honour to whom it was due back then, we the present younger generation are bound to give honour to him today.  Indeed, he has earned it and the stellar company gathered here to celebrate him at 84 is fulsome evidence.
Papa, your earlier days were brilliant and remarkable.  I am pleased to announce that your winter years are no less remarkable.  May it continue to be so; and may we drink from your well of wisdom for many years yet.  
Today is not unlike 1966, except that instead of the country sliding to “war-war”, our unsettled national question is making the country to slide to “jaw-jaw”.  But just as it was in 1966 when Papa was young and vigorous, it has been in 2012, when Papa is ageing gracefully with no less mental vigour.  Papa, thank you for providing leadership in our collective effort to sell the developmental idea of restructured federalism based on regional collaboration and cooperation that will give our country a jab in the arm.  With elders like you in our midst, we are sure to get it right.  May the good Lord lengthen your days.  
Now, to the second cause of celebration which is the advocacy for electoral reforms in order to deepen democracy and ensure development from good governance.  That is the focus of this book, being presented in General  Adebayo’s honour.
Nigeria needs urgent electoral reforms. The flawed elections of 2007 and even the most recent one of 2011 have exposed clearly the problems with our electoral system and its operators. In 2007, the incoming PDP government knew that its lack of legitimacy would impair its already suspect capacity to govern. To salvage its image, government inaugurated the Electoral Reform Committee. Chaired by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Muhammadu Lawal Uwais, the committee produced a comprehensive report detailing the faults in the electoral process and enumerating 83 procedural and substantive recommendations. Key recommendations dealt with ensuring the independence of the electoral commission and of creating an electoral process less vulnerable to manipulation. If implemented, the report would have radically altered the political landscape and moved Nigeria closer to genuine democracy.  In effect, the PDP did not bargain on the Uwais Committee taking its mission seriously. In constituting the Committee, the government got far more than it wanted. 
Seeing the Uwais report as a threat, the PDP tried to hide it from the light of day and public vetting. The government was not eager to share the report because they did not want it to become the center of public discourse. However, civil society and opposition parties kept prodding.    The 2011 elections would have been a repeat of 2007 if we did not insist on fundamental changes in the electoral law and the personnel in charge. As with most attempts to reform a stubborn, regressive system, our efforts succeeded in part and failed in part.  The Electoral Commission Chairman who engineered the sordid 2007 election was replaced by a respected figure in whom civil society had confidence. We also succeeded in calling for a new voter’s registration to replace the list the former Commission head had concocted. 
Government refused to alter the selection process giving a president unilateral power to appoint the Chairman. This meant the Commission remained susceptible to political influence. It must be stressed, however, that the change in the leadership of INEC is insufficient for the total transformation of the electoral process in Nigeria. 
There are major problems facing INEC today. Some of these problems may invariably destroy the foundation of our hard won democracy and rob INEC of the much needed credibility which they have been trying to acquire. The uncheck rigging of elections with the active collusion of INEC officials, the non-independence of INEC, the manipulation of INEC by the ruling party and indeed, the non-existence of a credible voters registers register.
At issue here what needs to happen to make it possible for INEC   to perform the critical role of conducting free and fair elections, providing a level playing ground for all parties and regulating and monitoring of parties such that it is empowered to actually and genuinely perform its mandate of conducting free, transparent and fair elections. It is a fact today that the INEC we have is still infested with old and corrupt officers, the remnants of the Maurice Iwu era who remain adept at electoral manipulation. INEC is still loaded with internal sabotouers who still perpetrate acts that violate the electoral act. Can a leopard ever change its skin? No. The law is only as good as its interpreter and enforcer. 
How can INEC be the acceptable primary vehicle to oversee political parties when all political parties except the PDP view INEC with suspicion and as biased. Infact most Nigerians see INEC as an annex or extension of the ruling party at whose behest it often acts. The ruling party, PDP is now more brazen in seeking total control of INEC. Openly partisan persons and card carrying members of PDP are being appointed as Resident Electoral Commissioners.
During the 2011 elections and subsequent elections we saw an electoral system designed for easy manipulation by the ruling party, electoral laws that were undemocratic and susceptible to abuse and manipulations, a hostile security environment, and a system in which so much state money had been pumped into the system to fight the opposition.   
The INEC of today is still bedraggled with logistical gaps that make it reliant on other arms of government for assistance. This allows for those arms to exercise undue influence on the ground and this influence is wholly beneficial to the ruling party. The urgent need for electoral reforms becomes more telling in view of desperate moves by PDP using its majority in the parliament to amend the electoral act in such a way that it drastically affects the rights of Nigerians to fair hearing. The consequence of denying Nigerians justice is pouring into the streets and resorting to violence to settle election disputes.

The way forward on
 reforms

First, let me state for the records that we are determined to see that electoral reforms takes place. We want to ensure transparency and accountability in the electoral process. We desire to succeed in our campaign of one man-one vote across Nigeria. Coalition of Democrats for Electoral reforms, CODER, an NGO has been in the forefront of advocating for electoral reforms and vigilance at the polls.  
No genuine reform can start without the adoption of the Justice Uwais report. It is the only blueprint around to bring sanity into our electoral system. Starting out, it is a necessity that the appointment and composition of INEC should henceforth be truly independent to reflect the recommendations of the Justice Uwais Electoral Panel report. A situation whereby openly partisan politicians are being appointed as Resident Electoral Commissioners is unjust and unacceptable.
Unless INEC strives to perform as an impartial umpire and this must be transparent for all to see and respects the provisions of the electoral act to the later. Now we opposition parties must say no more leaning to one side by INEC. Nigeria is ripe for electronic ballot if the operators are sincere about making every vote count and putting a stop to massive rigging. There is evidence to show the method of rigging widely employed by the PDP in different states was multiple thumb printing of ballot papers, often with the connivance of   the police. These thumb-printed papers are stuffed into ballot boxes at different polling units. This method had succeeded largely in previous elections, with the perpetrators confidently believing that they would not be detected. The sanctity of the vote cast is a top agenda item not to the compromised. Our party, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has demonstrated its determination to fight the extensive rigging perpetrated by the PDP. We have gone through the rigours of the courts and tribunals and also bringing forensic experts to claim back victory and win back stolen mandates.
Under the watch of some courageous jurists, those that stole the people’s mandate were compelled to return it. Unfortunately, the PDP led government, irked by the temerity of some courageous jurists, lashed out and embarked on systematic witch-hunting of judges. From Benue to other States, we saw justice go to the highest bidder and those that had Aso Rock connections. 
Consequently, our judiciary is under siege and by the same token our democracy is imperiled because of a corrupt judicial system. Upright jurists are getting a raw deal from the ruling government. For instance, without shame or conscience, the government wrongfully plotted to disrupt the career of one of our illustrious jurists, Court of Appeal President, Justice Isa Salami. What was his crime? Because he refused to put his sense of justice on sale, they are relentlessly trying to tarnish his image and are bent on ending his career. They rumored that he was in the pockets of the ACN. This was a terrible lie against a good man. Our party has no hold on him. His verdicts were not for the ACN.  They were for justice. Justice Salami actively participated in several other election cases where PDP won. They had no complaints.
 However, those in power could not tolerate his impartiality. They sacrificed this fine jurist in order to send a clear and blunt message to other jurists: Go against our wishes and you shall lose those robes that you hold so dear. If such a thing can fall upon so senior a jurist, what hope for the others and the common man?  The answer is none, unless the public cries out against the PDP turning the rule of law from an inalienable right into a tradable item that it owns and controls. Given the Salami example, no other jurists dare cross the line. Our courts have become islands of confusion as judges are now forced to balance their conscience against their careers.
Panel, after panel cleared Justice Salami of any wrong doing. 29-eminent jurists also cleared him and went further to recommend his re-instatement. Rather than re-instating Salami, the NJC and the government of the day have chosen, in a show of raw and naked power to dance around the recommendation. The CJN does not need any more proof to act. He has in his hands a worthy and powerful document to support the restoration of Salami to his position.  
Baba Adeyinka Adebayo, you are our father and the father of the nation, you must join your voice in support of the verdict declared by the 29- legal gurus who are the fathers of the Nigerian judiciary to re-instate Justice Salami. Baba, if you have the opportunity to make just one important call-this is one that you want to make to tell  President Jonathan and the CJN that it is time to re-instate Justice Salami in the spirit of justice and the rule of law. This way, our judiciary will be salvaged and the perception of the public about the judiciary being under the thumb of the ruling party to deny Nigerians justice will begin to change. I equally call upon men and women of integrity not to sit idly by and watch justice dispensed based on political patronage and trust in the judiciary abused.

Conclusion

Thus, the ACN alongside other parties will not relent in our struggle for electoral reforms.  The Uwais report contains a fine blueprint. The beauty of democracy lies in the power it confers on the citizenry to elect the leader they want or reject those who have failed them. The solemn procession to the ballot box is and one of democracy’s fundamental pillars.
However, after these   elections, we may have been too quick to hand Attahiru Jega a trophy of integrity.  We fear INEC is now moving in the direction opposite to democracy. The pretense is there but the substance of democracy is steadily eroding. 
The time is now to reform INEC in time for the 2015 general elections. We expect the INEC chairman to remain true to his commitment to re-organize heads of departments. Serious complaints against senior officials have been ignored.  It is almost 12 months after the April elections and about time the fundamental issue of the   re-organization of INEC’s dysfunctional system rises to the top of its internal agenda.
The integrity of our ballot papers is also fundamental. The reason for the avalanche of complaints over sensitive election materials might not be unconnected with lack of due process in procurement of election materials. We want an independent INEC as the name connotes and we want a trust worthy umpire. 
The sanctity of the ballot box can only be guaranteed under an independent INEC, an independent and fearless judiciary and an electorate vigilant enough to ensure that every vote counts.
General Adeyinka Adebayo, we hope in your time, you will not see Nigeria again disintegrate, but rather, you will witness the re-bound of a great nation and a country where every vote counts. Thank you listening.

Senator: National conference inevitable

Ewherido

Senator Pius Akpor Ewherido, who represents Delta Central Senatorial District, is the only Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) Senator. Ewherido, Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Maritime, speaks on the implications of the Boko Haram insurgency, the difference between Boko Haram sect and Niger Delta militants, the need for a unicameral legislature  and the clamour  for a national conference. Assistant Editor ONYEDI OJIABOR captures his thoughts in this interview. 
The country is faced with se rious security challenges. The impression of most Nigerians is that Boko Haram fundamentalists have virtually destroyed the economy of Northern Nigeria? 

Of course that view is correct because nobody will invest in an atmosphere of insecurity. Recall that during the Niger Delta crisis when the militants took over the entire rivers and oil installations, investors had no option but to move away from the Niger Delta area. Even though, then, the militants targeted only oil installations and not human beings, today the Boko Haram targets human beings. So, it is not possible for any serious investor to move into that region now and that is not good at all because we talk of the need to create employment, we talk of the need to drive away poverty, deprivation and all that. Development cannot take place in an atmosphere of insecurity just like investment cannot take place in an atmosphere of insecurity. Once there is no investment, you cannot generate employment. It is only in Nigeria that people wait on the government alone to generate employment. Elsewhere in the world, employment is generated more by the private sector 
You are the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Maritime. We heard about alleged plan by the government to concession the country’s maritime security to a private outfit. 
The maritime security bill was withdrawn in the wisdom of the President. I am not aware of a private maritime security outfit. 
You are from the Niger Delta area and a lot of people  liken the Niger Delta militants to what Boko Haram is doing now. Do you think there is a link between the two?
Yes, there is a link to the extent that there is some violence involved, but during the Niger Delta struggle, predominantly, the militants struck only at oil installations to drive home their points. They were not really killing human beings. The second difference is that the Niger Delta struggle had clear leaders who were known; it was not as faceless as Boko Haram. 
When it came for negotiations from day one the Niger Delta militants had spokesmen who were known, they had leaders who were known, names that were known and at any point in time they were required to meet with government, they were available for dialogue. 
That is not exactly the case as you know today about Boko Haram. One of the difficulties in tackling the Boko Haram thing is that their leaders have remained largely unknown. At a point, government said they wanted to discuss with their leaders to state their grievances but they were not forthcoming. I believe that for every struggle to be meaningful the leadership has to be identifiable. So, for there to be consistency and regularity , I think they should have an identifiable leadership that can discuss either with the government or security agencies as the case may be. 
What is your reaction to the call by some people that government should extend amnesty to the Boko Haram sect?
You cannot even make any statement about that until you have identifiable leaders. 
Do you think that the Northern Elders have done enough or taken some reasonable measures to assist in addressing Boko Haram insurgency 
I believe that Nigerians as a people have not even done enough to assist in terms of security because security is a general problem and the few people causing this insecurity are not spirits. During the Niger Delta struggle, in those particular areas, you would know those who were operating even though you could do nothing about it, but you knew them. I believe it is the same thing with the Boko Haram thing. So, if we have to be sincere to ourselves, these are people who live among us, they are people who are seen and known. 
If we were doing enough, I am sure the security situation could have been different. Unfortunately, it is now the stock in trade for people to parry it and say oh the security agencies are not doing enough or government is not doing enough. Security is about intelligence and information and when they do not have the necessary intelligence or information how do you expect the security operatives to nip this thing in the bud? 
So, we must do everything to tackle it. That is why I agree with some people who are saying  there should be a national dialogue on that and many other issues because Boko Haram is not the only issue. 
From place to place, there are issues and policies that Nigerians are not happy with. When we come together as a people and we place our cards on the table it becomes easier to understand because the problem in Borno State might not be the same problem in Plateau State or the problem in Delta or some other places. 
What form should the dialogue take;  could it be Sovereign as some have suggested?
There are two ways to look at it. I am sure that the constitution we have is a federal constitution, but today we are not practising full federalism because of the hiccups in democracy. The democratic institutions that you see are not as free as you look at them. So you cannot just come up and say it should be as it is in the constitution. 
The provisions in the constitution are being flouted daily and nothing is happening. Take the relationship between the states and local governments for example, they operate a joint account, after the states receive their own money, they are supposed to disburse the funds to the local governments but we have reports that the governors operate as if they should not give those funds to the local governments, and use them as if they are funds for the state governments, it should not be so. 
Then, some of the issues need constitutional amendments but as you have seen constitutional amendment is not an easy process in Nigeria because a lot of stifling take place. The first time constitutional amendment was undertaken, fiscal autonomy was granted to the states legislature but they voted against themselves. Strange things happen here, there are things you should not throw to the dynamics of a democratic system. That is the problem I have with democracy sometimes. 
The issue is that some people don’t want government to coordinate it?
But the truth of the matter is that constituted authority must be recognised by that conference, otherwise, it will not make sense. Those of us in the legislature, we are also elected by Nigerians, you cannot therefore discard the mandate freely given to elected officials by constituents, unless you want to say that those constituents are not Nigerians, they are Nigerians. 
The President was elected by Nigerians, so you cannot call for a conference discarding the entire mandate handed over freely by Nigerians to their elected officials.  That will be working against what even informed the decision to convoke the national conference, which is you want the views of Nigerians reflected. 
So, what are the issues you think should be addressed at such a conference?
I have always argued that I do not know what the federal government is doing with agriculture; it should be on the concurrent list. Roads for instance, I do not see what the federal government is doing with internal roads in states. I think the federal government should restrict itself to inter state roads, rails and all that. I do not see what the federal government is doing with primary education because these are localized matters. I don’t even see what the federal government is doing with secondary education. But the problem is that going through the constitution is always a difficult one. So, I am saying that the democratic institutions have their roles, the civil society and Nigerians generally also have their roles, but it is wrong to try to discard democratic institutions because they are also elected. 
In a situation where a lot of people do not trust the government and  are suspicious of the National Assembly, how will this thing work out?
Nigerians should learn to trust government because if we lose faith in government and at the end of the day we want to operate in a situation where there is no government, that is anarchy. I believe people should continue to agitate to refine the problems with government so that we can get a better government. Take for example people continue to complain about the high cost of governance, yes, I say let us see how we can streamline the parastatals, to streamline the budget demands. 
I agree that we have so many parastatals and let us try and streamline them. I also agree that some of the figures in the budget are frivolous. I also look at our government and I also feel that the issue of unicameral legislature must be examined. Do we really need to have a Senate different from the House of Representatives? Because we are talking about cost of governance and if you are to achieve a lower cost of governance I believe that we will have to streamline a lot of things in the presidency and we should look at how we can address the legislature. I stand to be controverted, I don’t think we need a bicameral legislature. But instead of addressing the issues, Nigerians shouted and quoted some bogus figures and say that is what the legislators earn and we look at the figures and some of us wonder whether it is the same legislature we all belong to. 
How would you explain resurgence of militancy in recent times in the Niger Delta?
My belief is that a lot of people no matter how good the intention of government is, must have avenues to resuscitate things that are supposed to be behind us. The recent one has to do with the Henry Okah thing. I think it is a legal matter in South Africa . I don’t know if you can hold Nigeria responsible for what transpires in South Africa. I don’t know if the government here has any powers to stop South Africa in carrying out its own judicial duties. But I do know that there was an open agreement for militants to surrender their arms and embrace amnesty. It lasted for a very long time and several opportunities were given. So I do not know about this new one, but I am sure the security agencies are meeting them and discussing with them.

Keys to success, by experts

FORMER Deputy Managing Director of The Sun, Mr Dimgba Igwe, has urged youths to be focused and persistent to achieve success in life.
  He spoke at a seminar in Lagos on how to make it in life.
He said some people look for success in the wrong place as they are in professions and vocations because they heard of their profit from people.
"If you look for your key in the wrong place, you will search aimlessly and find nothing. You have to search in the right place if you want to succeed," he said.
He added that anything that will bring success in life has to be valuable. "If you cannot exchange value, you can never achieve success," he added.
He advised that money is not usually the first consideration in what they do but value delivery and skills. 
Also, a United States certified life coach, Kelechi Anyalechi, urged fresh graduates and aspiring entrepreneurs  to set goals and achieve them.
He told the 60 participants to be determined to achieve their goals.   
He also urged them to learn to make money their servant, saying: "If you are sleeping and money is not entering your pocket, you are not yet a rich man."
He said his inspiration came from God and his personal challenge as he studied the wrong course in school and paid dearly for it.
He called on corporate organisations to support his effort to educate people.

UNICAL graduates 8,422

The events to mark the 26th University of Calabar (UNICAL) convocation ceremony began with a lecture on March 1, 2012. The lecture was delivered by Prof Pia Obanya, an International Education strategist, on the topic: 21st century higher education in Nigeria and skill acquisition: The issue of curriculum. It was held at the faculty of Arts auditorium. 
On March 2, all roads led to the Abraham Hogan Stadium, the venue of the convocation. The university wore aesthetic outlook with exceptional décor. Nigeria’s national colour adorned the school from the main gate to the convocation ground, with security agents parading the vicinity regularly. 
At the elevated stage were the principal officers of the university and invited guests.
In his convocation address, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Bassey Asuquo, said UNICAL produced over 8,422 students for the award of diploma and degree with the faculty of education producing over 1,922. There were only six first class students from departments of Religious Studies, Mathematics and Statistics, Education and Law.
Philip Obaji with Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.55 from Law was the overall best graduating student. The VC described him as “a bountiful harvest for the labour market”. Prof Asuquo added that the rich curriculum of the university had not only equipped the students for the demand of the labour market but has also made them self-reliant. He admonished the students to be good ambassadors of the university and justify the award of degree in character and in learning.
Some of the graduates who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE expressed joy. Samuel Abang, a graduate of Economics, said: “It is a moment of happiness for me. The days of hustle and bustle are over. The journey of a thousand mile begins with a step and that step has just finished.
” The ceremony was rounded up on March 3 with convocation of post-graduate students and award of post-graduate diploma, M.Sc. and PhD certificates to over 526 people.

First matriculation at Adeleke

No fewer than 191 students took  the oath of matriculation for 2011/2012 academic session at the maiden matriculation ceremony organised by a faith-based institution, Adeleke University, Ede (AUE), Osun State. The programme was held at the Open Ground in the institution.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, told the gathering that the  situation in Nigerian universities where students are taught how to be employed rather thanbe self-employed was not feasible. He said universities should produce graduates that can stand alone.
He said:  “A 21st century university must have an appreciable area of specialisation through which it makes significant contribution to human development. There are many areas yawning for attention in science, medicine, ICT, liberal arts, management sciences, agriculture etc. A jack of all trades is never a master of any.”
While saying his administration has made education one of its cardinal programmes, Aregbesola said: “Let me say, with all sense of responsibility, that the present administration in Osun State has demonstrated commitment to rehabilitate and re-modell educational system from the primary to the tertiary level, and has pursued these twin objectives proactively in our relatively short time in office.”
Aregbesola expressed regret that government owned universities had not provided enough space for the growing population of those yearning for learning, adding that intervention of the private sector was a welcome development. He also charged the students on discipline and character, saying their certificate would be incomplete without good behaviour.
The Chairman and Pro-Chancellor of Adeleke University, Dr Deji Adeleke, congratulated the matriculating students, charging them to remain focused because “it is not easy to be a pioneer in any field of human endeavour.”
Dr. Adeleke maintained that he developed passion, which was why he established an educational foundation where over 4,000 indigents were supported through the scholarship scheme before the founding of the university.
His words: “Adeleke University was born by the inspiration to transform lives, reawaken hope of a better tomorrow and towering on the wings of change through value placement and self-actualisation. The humble beginning of Adeleke University is traced to the Springtime Development Foundation (SDF), a charitable non-profit making and non-governmental organization founded in 1996 by my humble self.”
Also speaking, the pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ayandiji Aina, urged governments at all levels to pay more attention to the development of education in the country.

Robbers lay siege to campuses

Campuses are becoming the targets of robbers who operate with sophisticated weapons. WALE AJETUNMOBI writes that students are worried by the development.
EVERYWHERE was quiet. You could even cut through the silence with a knife. The reason was not far-fetched. The students were writing an exam. It was Thursday, November 10, last year, and the scene was the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. Then, all of a sudden, all hell broke loose. Time was some minutes past noon. 

It was a robbery. As guns boomed, the deafening sound shattered the campus peace. The robbers came in a Hummer Jeep and two space buses. They were armed with explosives. Within 30 minutes, they had raided five banks. They blew up the security doors at the banks’ entrances with dynamites and then rained bullets on everything and everyone on sight. 
By the time peace returned to the scene, three students – two of whom were in their final year - were dead; 10 others, mostly students, were wounded. Vehicles parked within the banks were riddled with bullets. 
The attack occurred when members of the OOU Senate were to meet, but the meeting was cancelled. No arrest was made, but in a bid to allay students’ fear,  the police said: “We are on top of the situation.”
Three weeks later, the campus was plunged into mourning again. It was the first day in December. A group of armed robbers attacked another bank in Sagamu. Perhaps basking in the euphoria of their successful operation, the robbers shot sporadically as they moved from Sagamu to Ago-Iwoye. They stopped at the campus gate and shot at some students. Leye Balogun, a budding hip-hop artiste and final year student of Chemical Engineering, was hit. He died on the spot. 
These incidents have raised security concerns, especially on a campus that is supposed to be free of such violence. The students castigated the police for not living up to expectation. They called for an overhaul of the security system to pave the way “for fresh people who would take the matter seriously.”
Perhaps, this might have informed the students hailing the appointment of Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar as Acting Inspector General Police. Having performed creditably in Lagos and Kwara as Commissioner of Police, students said his coming was a sign that the security nightmare on campuses would disappear.
But the spate of robberies on campuses proved them  wrong. Penultimate Wednesday, the twin attacks on the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) and Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State, jolted the students. Seven heavily-armed robbers invaded the sleepy campus of Babcock. An eyewitness said though no student was hurt the robbers freely used rocket launchers, dynamites and sub-machine guns to raid new generation banks on the campus.
“It is an unbelievable sight. I don’t know how the boys came in. They carried big rocket launchers and dynamites. Before anyone knew what was happening, they swooped on us and asked all of us to lie down. 
“One of them even slapped me because I wanted to look at his face. I cannot say the actual amount they carted away, but a rough estimate will be millions of naira,” a worker in one of the banks  said.
On the same day, a bank in front of  UNIPORT main gate was attacked. A student, who was using the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) at the time of the robbery, was shot and later died in the hospital. However, the police spokesman, Ben Ugwuegbulam, said he could not confirm if any death was recorded in the incident, adding that “only one person was injured.”
For now, banks in Ogun State have remained shut even as students continue to groan over their inability to withdraw money. Those at OOU are worried over how to pay their school fees to beat the deadline; they usually paid through the banks. Many studying in tertiary institutions in the state now travel miles to nearby cities to withdraw cash, despite its attendant risk.
“I am too scared of the campus now,” said a student of Babcock who simply identified herself as Henrietta. 
She added: “The incidence of campus robbery is growing in Ogun State and it appears no one is safe because robbers invaded the Government House in broad day light. So, how do we say we are safe on a campus where there is no security?”
Mary Adeyemi, a final year student of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijebu-Ode, told CAMPUSLIFE on phone that she could not withdraw the N15,000 sent by her parents three weeks ago. 
“I don’t have any money with me as I am talking to you and banks have not opened for operation in the past three weeks. I don’t want to risk my life travelling to Lagos or Ibadan to withdraw money. This is bad and government must look into this issue. Or maybe we should plead with the robbers to leave campuses out in their operations,” Mary said in anger.
Opeyemi Adenuga, a student of OOU, said: “I don’t think it is right to call on government to secure the campus because the reports of bombings in the country have shown that they cannot protect themselves against rising insecurity. Which police are we calling, the same one that cannot rein in Boko Haram?”
Oladele Akande, another student, said: “If we should wait for the police to come to our rescue, we will surely wait till the end of time because the robbers will keep on changing location and police will keep on staying at the wrong place.”

Chaos in UNILAG as moving car explodes

It was penultimate Monday evening at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) when all lectures had ended and students were retiring into their hostels. Suddenly,  a moving vehicle burst into flame. Pandemonium ensued. Students ran helter-skelter as they feared it might be a terrorist attack from Boko Haram sects.
It was a university commercial vehicle with registration number LM 162 AAA. It had five occupants on board. Whatever caused the fire could not be immediately ascertained but some  students in the cab said it may not be unconnected with a spark in the engine of the vehicle. The fire raged for more than an hour. The incident happened at the roundabout between Moremi Hall and Mass Communication department.
An eyewitness told CAMPUSLIFE that the officials of the Fire Service department of the university located about 150 metres from the scene did not respond to the distress call “until the fire got out of hand”. The fire fighter reportedly told students that they had no water in their tank. “When the firemen eventually responded, they came with some funny fire extinguishers that could not stop the raging fire. So, they were prevented by angry students,” a Mass Communication student, who was at the scene of the fire, told our correspondent.
A deputy Dean of Student Affairs (DSA) who came to the scene could not control the students who were asking the fire fighters to “go away”. A student, who was at the fore front of the protest, claimed that the university official wanted to hand him over to the policemen that came with the fire fighters. But the Deputy Dean denied the allegation, saying he was only setting “dialogue in motion.” The students, who sustained injuries while trying to put out the fire, insisted that the deputy DSA was trying to get them arrested.
The driver of the vehicle almost committed suicide as he attempted to re-enter the burning car, which was acquired through hire purchase. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that it took the efforts of passerby who were mostly students, to put out the fire, but the vehicle was completely burnt.
The owner of the vehicle allegedly collapsed at the sight of the damage . He was said to have been rushed to the hospital. None of the occupants was injured in the incident.

NYSC adopts new orientation course

The 2011 general elections that claimed the lives of some corps members, who were employed as ad hoc staff put government on its toes when concerned people intensified the call for the scrapping of the scheme.
Apart from the security challenges facing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, there is also a financial burden, which the government claimed it spends N7billion on the exercise yearly without the guarantee of employment for the youths.
To arrest the problem besetting the scheme, a new posting policy was, last week, unveiled by the Minister of Youth Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, as part of the reform agenda of the Federal Government to revamp the scheme. Abdullahi said NYSC was becoming moribund, which called for an urgent need to overhaul the scheme for better result after 38 years of existence.
The minister said the scheme lost its glory because of distortions in the system that brought about untapped potential among youths that can transform the country. “Current realities have resulted to the need to improve security for members of the service posted to various parts of the country,” Abdullahi said, adding that “interference by members of the elite is affecting the equitable distribution of the members of the service.”
He insisted that the consequences would be grave for the scheme if identified challenges were not addressed, mentioning rural health, education, infrastructure and agriculture as key sectors where the new posting policy of corps members would be focused. 
“The possible contributions of NYSC’s new reform policy include economic development, labour supply, strengthening value system, unity and national integration, patriotism and national loyalty to provide a sought-after experience that brings value to youths and the nation,” Abdullahi noted.
The Minister said President Goodluck Jonathan had approved the implementation of the reform, which he would personally implement with the assistance of the Director-General of NYSC, noting that there would be no preferential posting for foreign students.
To ensure inter-ministerial cooperation in driving the new policy, Abdulahi said, it made his ministry to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health in the posting of corps members to ensure active participation in the provision of primary health care, especially in the rural areas.
The Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi  Chukwu, wanted a situation whereby corps members would be deployed to areas that will help the ministry attain its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and midwives’ services scheme which were being handled in the 36 states of the federation.
Chukwu said corps members would be required to supervise all the components of primary health care, maternal health, immunisation, behavioural change education and disease surveillance. “We are not just talking about medical doctors but health workers that can form what we call a formidable department in our local government. They (corps members) have many things they can do, they can supervise immunisation, water sanitisation and so on.”

DIG Feared Killed in Police Helicopter Crash in Jos

Acting IG Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar


Reports out of Jos the capital of Plateau State indicate that a Police surveillance helicopter has crashed
.
Eyewitnesses said the incident happened Wednesday afternoon with the helicopter going down in the Kabong area of the city, which has been the scene of a number of bomb attacks on churches.

The chopper, which reportedly had four occupants on board, including a Deputy Inspector General of Police, said to be on its way to Abuja, according to sources.

Casualty figures are not yet known. The cause of the crash is also not clear.

Reps okay institute for degree programme

THE House of Representatives yesterday endorsed a Bill for an Act to establish the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy, Enugu to provide for courses leading to award of degrees, diplomas and certificates in Dental Technology and Dental Therapy.

Sponsored by Toby Okechukwu representing Aninri/Agwu/Oji-Uzo Federal Constituency in Enugu, the Bill is expected to strengthen the over 50 years old school said to be the only one in Africa.

At the debate of the Bill’s general principles, lawmakers lamented that since the school was established by the colonial administrators, it never had a legal framework to make it compete in the international fora.

Section 15(2) of the Ordinance specifically provides that “Council may by resolutions approve hospitals and other similar institutions for medical auxiliaries and any person training in any such training school shall be entitled to have his name entered in the register of medical auxiliaries in training.”

The Federal College of Dental Technology formerly located in Lagos was therefore established as one of such other similar institutions in Nigeria to provide training for medical auxiliaries.

VERITAS UNIVERSITY COMMENCES MOVEMENT TO ABUJA

The sod-turning and official foundation laying ceremony of Veritas University permanent site took place on Thursday, March 1, 2012, bringing high hopes for the movement of the University to the permanent site in Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The newly elected President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and the Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama performed the symbolic sod turning and blessed the land for the construction works to begin in earnest.

Delivering a keynote address at the sod turning event, the CBCN President posited that Catholic education is geared towards the promotion of the common goal and services that are public in nature, thus, Catholic institution is of public interest, and not a private venture.

He noted that catholic schools had been referred to as private schools to distinguish them from government own schools and the term private makes it easier to relegate Catholic schools to the private domain and therefore present it as not aimed at the common goal.

Archbishop Kaigama highlighted the fact that Catholic schools all over the world are known for offering qualitative education and that the distinctive mark of the qualitative education offered by the Catholic schools lies on the all-round education which takes into account the social, political, economic, psychological, spiritual, moral and the physical aspects of the human person.

“By this event of sod-turning, we intend to proclaim the indispensible role of Catholic education in our education system as a nation and proclaim our commitment as a church to offer an integral education to all without discrimination”

The CBCN president called on Nigerians to support the church in providing the integral education that can counter the relativistic tendencies and negative conditions that synthesis destruction of human society.

In his address, the Vice-chancellor of Veritas University, Professor David I. Ker,OON saluted the wisdom, vision, courage, strength, faith, compassion and generosity of CBCN, stressing that establishing and funding the University laid a solid foundation for future posterity.

Professor Ker expressed desire for the University to commence academic activities on the ground of the permanent site in Abuja by the beginning of the 2012/2013 session which calls for the completion of the development of basic physical infrastructure of the site in partnership with private sector actors.

He also expressed the need to develop comprehensive campus municipal services with strategic solutions for water and electricity, staff and student conveniences, car parks and campus security.

Other things that would follow in quick succession include the commencement of Phase 11 of the University’s development with the introduction of College of Engineering, Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine and Education, and the establishment of School of Postgraduate Studies.

The Vice-Chancellor also hinted of plans to introduce new courses along the line of state and national development needs. He said that the courses will include, Environmental Sciences, New Digital Media and Information Sciences, Fine and Visual Arts, Security Studies and Entrepreneurial Studies.

He admonished the Bishops that in keeping with excellence in everything- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in love for the university, to see to it that they excel in the grace of giving Veritas on its permanent site in Abuja.

In his remark, the Chairman of Standing Committee on Private Universities, SCOPU, Professor Celestin Onwuliri who represented the Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission, Professor Julius Okojie charged the CBCN to embark on the immediate development of the infrastructures in the site.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of the complete drawings from the architectural, electrical, mechanical and civil works, town planning and land survey to the Chancellor of the University, Most Rev. John Onaiyekan and the Pro-Chancellor, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna who handed the document to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor David I. Ker.

The Proprietors of the University, Catholic Bishops and sodality groups of the Church including the Catholic Women Organization and others attended the SOD-turning event.

Other dignitaries that were in attendance were the honourable Minister of Works who was represented by the Director of High ways, North Central, Ihenyen osemeilu, Executive secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor okojie who was represented by the SCOPU and former Vice-chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Professor Celestin Onwuliri, Former Vice-chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Professor Placid Njoku, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Professor Damachie who was represented by Mrs. Enemuwa.

The Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat, Rev. Fr. Michael Ekpenyong who gave the vote of thanks noted that the Secretariat had looked up to this historic day with eagerness and optimism and thanked all participants for their contributions to the success of the event.