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.

Imo Assembly raises panel on ASUU strike

DISTURBED by the lingering strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the South-East leading to the closure of state universities, the 27-member Imo State House of Assembly, presided over by Chief Goodluck Opiah, has set up a five-man ad-hoc committee to resolve the issue in the zone.
Opiah named Nze Ray Emeana (Owerri-North) as the chairman of the committee, which was given specific mandate to submit its report to the Assembly on November 3.
The committee is expected to, among others, liaise with the various ministry officials in charge of education and National Assembly caucus and dialogue with the relevant Federal Government officials with a view to solving the problem.
Chief Declan Emelumba and 11 others had sponsored a motion on the floor of the Assembly, alerting the House on the dangers inherent in the three-month-old strike.
They asked that proactive action be taken to bring all the stakeholders together towards resolving the matter, noting that students are already expressing sadness about the problem.
Emelumba noted that the zone, which prides itself as having education as its biggest industry, can not be ridiculed in such manner.

Ndigbo: Today and tomorrow

The Igbo a few days ago celebrated their national day all over Nigeria. This year��s celebration was hosted by Abia State, and Umuahia, the State capital witnessed a conglomeration of Igbo dignitaries �C monarchs, chiefs, titled gentlemen, youth leaders, women associations and all and sundry.

The national day celebration was originated by the Oha-Na-Eze Ndigbo headed by Ambassador Ralph Uwechue. The Oha-Na-Eze is the supreme body of the Igbo people. It is the heart and soul of Igboland and its decisions which are democratically arrived at, are virtually binding, though there is no imposition of its will on anybody. The Oha-Na-Eze Ndigbo affirms the Igbo principles of equity, justice and fair-play, equal assess to opportunity and fair-hearing in the resolution of all matters.

The Oha-Na-Eze Ndigbo believes in the government that is democratically-oriented and allows equal opportunities to all, and is accountable to the people. While the organization is concerned with socio-economic problems as they affect Ndigbo, it does not turn a blind eye to political decisions that give rise to inequity, gross injustice and the abuse of the rule of law.

The Oha-Na-Eze Ndigbo stresses that if the Nigerian society is free and fair to all citizens, irrespective of ethnic origin, the Igbo considering his adventurous spirit, determination, courage, confidence and freedom will work for the general good of all.

The Igbo culture praises the value of individual achievement, yet the Igbo are known for their cooperative propensities as well, attested by their eagerness for community development. And in all Igbo towns and villages there are town unions, clan unions and divisional unions, all aimed at development. It is an unholy act for an Igbo who had made a success in his business or profession and has become wealthy to turn his back and stay aloof without making a worthy contribution towards the development of his town. Igbo are generally very patriotic as far as community contributions are concerned.

They are indeed generous and are open-minded. And it is this attitude that made them to be exceptionally receptive to new ideas and change.

The Oha-Na-Eze Ndigbo is a successor to the Igbo State Union which was banned in May 1966 by the military regime of General J. T. U. Aguiyi-Ironsi. Also all political parties, tribal, cultural and social organizations were banned.

After the ban, there was a vacuum. No other organization as powerful as the Igbo State Union could represent and speak for the Igbo.

The history of the pan-Igbo organisation go back to the early 1930s when some Igbo in Lagos formed the Lagos Igbo Union in order to organize a reception for Dr. Akanu Ibiam, the second Igbo medical doctor who had newly returned from Britain where he had qualified. The union brought together several towns, clans, and divisional organizations and became a voice for Igbo and its objectives were mainly for the welfare of the Igbo in Lagos.

When Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe returned to Nigeria in 1937 and established his newspaper, The West African Pilot in Lagos, the Igbo Union began to gain momentum. Azikiwe gave the union enormous support. By 1943 it changed its name to Igbo Federal Union and began to expand to all the regions and strong branches were established.

The union brought Igbo together and infused them with the consciousness of being Igbo and to always think of the development and progress of their homeland, and also contributing to the good of their host communities.

In December 1948 a pan-Igbo conference was held at Port Harcourt "to organize the Igbo linguistic group into a political unit". At the conference a new Igbo union called Igbo State Union was inaugurated. The membership was opened to all towns and clans in Igboland. The founders of the new union had anticipated that Nigeria would be re-arranged into states based on cultural and linguistic affinity, and Igbo State would be a member of the Commonwealth of Nigeria.

This certainly was the idea Nnamdi Azikiwe had advocated in his book, Political Blueprint of Nigeria
published 1943. At the conference Azikiwe was elected president of the Igbo State Union. He did not stay long in the post and resigned. The reason was that his national view of a Nigerian leader conflicted with his leadership of a tribal organization.

Dr. Azikiwe was succeeded by a dynamic, venerated, honest and outspoken businessman, Chief Z. C. Obi as the new president of the Igbo State Union.

The union tried to be neutral in politics, though its members could be involved in politics.

But in the early 1950s when there was a serious inter-tribal rivalry between the Yoruba and Igbo in Lagos led by their leader unions, the Egbe Omo Oduduwa and the Igbo State Union, the Igbo showed that they can be united in the face of any challenge to their race. The quarrel between the two peoples was later resolved amicably.

In the struggle for national unity and independence the Igbo were the most vocal and patriotic Nigerians. But it was paradoxical that the people in the forefront of Nigerian unity and independence turned round to want secession and their own independence from Nigeria. The reason was that they experienced injustice, inequity, unfair-play and destruction of their lives and property by other Nigerians. Their horrendous and tragic experience before and during the civil war made some psychological impact on the Igbo. They emerged from the war hopeless, impoverished, traumatized, but not spiritually defeated. Like the phoenix, the Igbo have risen again., Forty years after the civil war, the Igbo voice is loud, the Igbo asserts himself and works towards the progress of Nigeria. He has not allowed bitterness, hatred and jealousy to becloud his view of the world. He looks straight to the future with confidence, courage, enthusiasm and love. The Igbo has the sacred philosophy of live and let live and give and take.

Before the civil war, neighours of the Igbo homeland had worried and feared the specter of Igbo domination and oppression which was non-existent. Today, everybody has realized that the Igbo is most friendly, accommodating, forgiving and helpful. He is guided by principle of live and let live.

The Igbo population today is well over 45 million in the various states that they live. The Igbo is a democrat and vehemently abhors despotism and autocracy. It is because under any autocratic rule his freedom is restricted and his potentials are not given free rein.

The Igbo of today under the Oha-Na-Eze Ndigbo believes in a vibrant, virile and democratic Nigeria where his success as a citizen lies. He believes that tomorrow will be better than today and the Igbo nation will rise again. His star will shine more in the firmament that is Nigeria.

Abuja bomb blast: MEND exonerates Henry Okah

MOVEMENT for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has exonerated Henry Okah from last Friday�s bomb blast at Eagle Square, Abuja during the celebrations of Nigeria�s golden jubilee Independence anniversary.
This was contained in a press release signed by Jomo Gbomo and made available to our correspondent by electronic mail.
According to Gbomo, �Okah has never been involved in any MEND operations but has always been blamed for every attack which is strange to us.
�They were given five days prior notice which led to the harassment of Henry Okah on Thursday, September 30 in South Africa.�
Gbomo said MEND �deeply regrets the avoidable loss of lives during our bomb attack in Abuja on Friday October 1, 2010.
�Our hearts go to the families of those killed who we know were sympathetic to our cause. The irresponsible attitude of the government security forces is to blame for the loss of lives.�
Gbomo said the security forces were also warned one hour to the first bomb blast ahead of the general alert sent to the media and told to steer the public from all parked cars which was not done.
In a related development, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Rivers State Council, has condemned the bomb blast that killed innocent Nigerians during the celebration of Nigeria�s 50th Independence anniversary at Abuja.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Council�s chairman, Comrade Hyginus Chika Onuegbu.
�The bomb blast was totally unwarranted and the death of innocent Nigerians who were not responsible for the unacceptable and pitiable condition of Nigeria after 50 years of independence, it is totally unjustifiable. �
The union condoled with the families of those that lost their lives as a result of the bomb blast and called on President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to quickly immortalise the victims as well as compensate their families adequately.
TUC said �the bomb blast and the accompanying death toll is a clear manifestation of lapses and weaknesses in Nigerian intelligence and security the Federal Government of Nigeria should as a matter of utmost urgency overhaul the entire security machinery in the country as well as take decisive steps that will assure ordinary Nigerians that their governments at both the Federal and State levels can in deed protect them in their fatherland!�
The union also warned that inadequate security may mar the 2011 general elections, noting that all efforts and money committed to making the 2011 elections credible will be another huge waste and disappointment.
According to the union, this is because if people do not feel safe and secured, they will be unwillingly to participate in the 2011 elections!