Education High Commissioner commends Sir. Emeka Foundation

The Education Initiative by the Sir Emeka
Offor Foundation, a Nigerian based non-
governmental, not for profit charity
organization, to stamp out illiteracy and
promote learning across the continent of
Africa, particularly in the hard to reach
communities, was extended to Bagamoyo,
Tanzania, recently where over 1500
students representing six secondary
schools gathered to receive over 22,000
academic books shipped to the region in
partnership with Books For Africa, a US
based NGO.

A similar effort, the foundation says has
been extended to about 19 other African
countries including Nigeria. Since 2010,
the Foundation has distributed over $18
million worth of books and computers to
school libraries in the continent, according
to its founder, Sir Emeka Offor.
"Education opens the door for Africa's
development and we are proud to support
this cause. Without education, people
cannot create their own solution." My
Foundation believes in that and that is
why we are working hard to ensure that
every child within our reach in Africa have
the opportunity to read and write, "
continued Sir Offor. He said the Foundation
has a similar ongoing partnership with
other international NGOs like The Carter
Center for the elimination of River
Blindness in the southeast of Nigeria as
well as long standing joint effort with
Rotary International to end polio
endemicity in Nigeria and the rest of the
world.

The Nigerian High Commissioner to
Tanzania, His Excellency Ambassador Dr
Ishaya Samaila Majanbu who was
present, applauded Sir Offor and the
Foundation for the exemplary act of
altruism and support of academic
enlightenment amongst Africans. He noted
that such philanthropic gestures by the
Foundation ought to be emulated by other
privileged Africans.

Tom Worth, founder of Books For Africa,
who was represented by Anthony
Nyeshire, Nianjema Secondary School
headmaster, stated that Sir Emeka Offor
has "enabled us to send over two million
books to the students of Africa." He said,
"This generous Nigerian's charitable
activities are an example to us all. It is
with his help and the help of others like
him that we are working towards our goal
of ending the African Book Famine. Clearly,
Sir Emeka Offor-by thinking big and
funding large-scale book projects-is
leading the way!"

Zambian Minister in Face-off with Dangote over Graft Allegations

A row is brewing between Zambia and Dangote Cement, a major employer in Africa’s second largest copper producer, after a government minister accused an executive at the local unit of the Nigerian company of attempting to bribe him.

The dispute appears to be the latest in a string of incidents in which the southern African nation’s government has resorted to strong-arm or unorthodox tactics against foreign investors it believes are circumventing labour laws.

Dangote Industries Zambia (DIZ) has 400 workers building a $400 million dollar cement plant, a staff count that should rise to 2,000 when production starts in November, deputy industry minister Miles Sampa told Reuters.

During a tour of the plant in Ndola, 300 km (188 miles) north of the capital Lusaka, labour minister Fackson Shamenda said a Nigerian executive seconded to the Zambian unit tried to bribe him at a hotel a week ago.

The company described the allegations them as “malicious misinformation”.

“For the record, DIZ categorically deny any claims of corruption and bribery and reserve our rights on this matter,” it said in a statement.

Shamenda did not specify what was offered by the executive and said he rejected it because he had critical labour issues to sort out with the company – owned by Nigerian Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man – and did not want to be compromised.

“He told me that it was a tradition in their culture to give someone a token of appreciation. Maybe his idea was that I turn a blind eye to what is happening at Dangote,” Shamenda said, according to local media reports.

Shamenda also said DIZ should offer workers at the company permanent employment and allow them to join unions.

“There is no union and according to the reports I have received those who have attempted to join unions have had their contracts terminated,” Shamenda told Reuters on Tuesday.

“I have asked the labour commissioner to investigate and tell me all the categories of employees because the reports we have received indicate there are no permanent employees.”

DIZ said in its statement that Shamenda had made four surprise visits to the cement plant in the last four months, prompting the company to complain about his conduct as it felt that the minister was deliberately looking for wrongdoing.

“DIZ was beginning to feel harassed and unwelcome in Zambia and immediately brought this to the attention of the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry,” it said in the statement.

A year ago, Zambia revoked the work permit of the chief executive of Konkola Copper Mines, owned by London-listed Vedanta Resources, and threatened to rip up its mining licence when the firm announced plans to lay off 1,500 workers.

Nigerians In Ghana Control Over 50% Real estate investments

Having soaked the real estate business in Nigeria market, investors have demonstrated burning investment appetite with their dominance of Ghanaian real estate market where they account for over 50 percent of the total transactions in the country’s bourgeoning middle and high end markets.

According to Robert Davis, the Marketing Manager of Movenpick Ambassador Hotels, developers of Ambassador Heights Luxury Apartments, Nigerians are the prime movers of premium real estate transactions in Accra, the country’s capital.

Davis hinted that demand for the 18-unit Ambassador Heights has been quite encouraging with Nigerians securing 50 percent of buyer-interest in the 21st century development located in Ghana’s most coveted location, placing them ahead of local investors who share the remaining 50 percent with foreign clients.

He said that with the encouraging demand from Nigeria, the country was their next destination, affirming that Nigeria property market has great growth potential and huge opportunities for investment.

Though, Nigerians are more visible in the residential segment of the market, they are at the same time no push-overs in the commercial segment where the development and ownership of some quality high-rise office buildings in the heart of Accra, are linked to Nigerian business moguls.

The developer noted that the Ghanaian real estate market attracts foreign direct investment not only because of the quick value appreciation and high rental yield of real estate assets estimated at 10 percent per annum, but also because of the security, socio-economic and political stability in the country, pointing out that the challenges experienced by the country’s currency was gradually easing off.

Davis noted that the Ambassador Heights could deliver world class design adding that, with its modern glass facade, manicured private gardens, and beautiful interiors complete with luxury finishing, fittings, and appliances, it could complement an unrivalled ownership experience.

“It is designed to be an urban sanctuary within the city for a privileged few, offering immediate access to all of Accra from the vibrant central business district to the sprawling seashore. Merely minutes away from the Arts Centre, the National Museum, and directly opposite the country’s National Theatre, there is no shortage of local culture and entertainment to cater to those with a discerning urban lifestyle”, he said.

Davis described Ambassador Heights by virtue of its location as a 5-Star mixed use development in which the hotel and the commercial space have been fully completed. He assured that buying into this development even as an investment makes much economic sense.

“Accra is the nerve centre of ‘New Ghana’ and all it stands for where the middle class income earners are witnessing a renaissance in attitude. There is also an awakening spirit of entrepreneurship and consciousness towards art and luxury, where comfort is a major factor in every lifestyle.

According to him, there is no better statement than living in this Accra’s premier downtown address, explaining that it is one steeped in history with a clear view to the future and a distinct feel of a refined luxury lifestyle

JAMB test Goes Computer Based

The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) of the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) will from next year go full-blown computer based test.

Registrar and Chief Executive of the board, Professor Dibu Ojerinde disclosed this at the second technical committee meeting for 2014/2015 admissions into tertiary intuitions in the country

Ojerinde stated that last year UTME was partially manual and computer based test but noted that with the success recorded last year, the board would go full blown on computer based test in 2015/2016 UTME.

Ojerinde disclosed that anybody who can operate handsets will be able to take part in the computer based tests.

He therefore appealed to the Governor to build and operate computer centres,  one at least in each of

the three senatorial districts of the state for the candidates from the state because  the board has only four computer based centres in the state.

Niger State governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu in his speech at the occasion charged JAMB to sanitize the nation’s examination system for a better integrity of the certificate of the nation’s tertiary institutions.

Aliyu who spoke through his Commissioner of Education, Mallam Abdulhameed Danladi Umar at the College of Education, Minna venue of the meeting noted that JAMB must introduce measures aimed at curbing examination malpractices.

According to him, the Board under Professor Ojerinde has been able to improve the process of examination administration and the overall development of the educational sector,

“Let me reiterate that our administration will continue to support JAMB in its determination to sanitize the nation’s examination system so as to enhance the integrity of our certificates.

“There has been a deliberate policy to pay WAEC and NECO examination fees for every student in the state irrespective of their state of origin”, Aliyu said, adding that N700 million has been approved for the payment of the fees for 2014/2015 examination year.

 

Nigeria declares Abia, the Worst State in The South.

Going to Umuahia, the capital of Abia State is a tough task; it is like a journey to Golgotha. It is an exercise that has deleterious effect on commuters as well as takes a heavy toll on vehicles. Whether you are coming from the Port Harcourt/Aba axis or the Okigwe section, it is the same sto­ry. It is the story of an expressway filled with gullies and craters, an expressway to hell.

Ordinarily, it takes about 50 minutes or less to drive from Aba to Umuahia but with the current state of the road, it can take be­tween two and five hours. This is because some portions of the Port Harcourt – Aba – Enugu expressway have failed completely. In fact, the level of degradation and devasta­tion of the road is unimaginable. Some por­tions have become death traps; it is worse than what obtains in war-torn countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Somalia. One notoriously bad spot is the Osisioma junc­tion where vehicles are sometimes trapped for hours and commuters forced to trek long distances. And because of the indescribable state of the road, drivers do not observe traffic rules. They drive against traffic in an attempt to avoid the gullies dotting the long stretch. This often results in head-on collisions and, consequently, injuries and deaths. Again, bandits operate freely at the bad spots where vehicular movements are impeded. Ironically, scores of billboards dot the expressway from Aba to Umuahia dress­ing Governor Theodore Orji in the robe of a miracle worker. Billboards of the governor also litter the capital.

It is not difficult to know that you have arrived Umuahia capital territory if you are coming from the Port Harcourt/Aba axis. You will be greeted by a stinging odour ema­nating from wastes occupying a vast expanse of land on the right hand side of the road. The ‘Ochendo perfume,’ as it is popularly referred to, will also alert you when leaving the town. Even if you were sleeping in a ve­hicle with the window down, the offensive odour would hit you into consciousness, like a sucker punch.

Inside the capital

The Abia Tower welcomes you to the capital of the state, which prides itself as God’s own state. Going right, you enter into the centre of the town. The reporter was in Umuahia on September 4, 2014 and discov­ered that the city has remained largely un­touched in the last couple of years. No at­tempt has been made to spruce up the city. Even streets in the prestige areas are ailing. According to a resident, Mr Hilary Ijomah, “the city is going backwards satisfying the ambitions of a few insatiable men and wom­en and their children.”

Decaying infrastructure

Umuahia, today, is not a song worth sing­ing. The city is gradually decaying. It is like a fading flower. Or rather, it sits in the sun like a forgotten old lady. And no one seems to care. To start with, the alluring lawns by the sidewalk, particularly along Bank Road/ Library Avenue, have lost their beauty. They are now left to grow wild and mowed, if at all, in a manner that destroys the aesthetic values. Parts of School Road, Aba Road and Umuwaya Road, among others, are over­grown with weeds. Take the Post Office on Umuwaya Road. It contends with reptiles and bushes.

As a matter of fact, Umuahia looks ordi­nary. Hear this from Bro Timothy, a com­mercial tricycle (Keke) rider: “If you come to Umuahia after going to a place like Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom, you will be angry. I cannot understand what the governor and his people are doing. The only thing we know is that Ikuku is always terrorising people. He can park his car in the middle of the road for as long as he wants and inconvenience peo­ple and nothing will happen. I don tire for this place.”

In the same vein, Mr Innocent Nwamuo, a banker, remarked: “I have been in Umua­hia for some years now but nothing has changed in terms of adding value by way of beautification and expansion. All the roads were tarred by previous administrations; the outgoing administration has done virtually nothing. I think one can say that the admin­istration is clueless; the government doesn’t know what to do. I think that is what they  call incompetence. The present regime is an embarrassment to this state. In fact, Umuahia is gradually going the way of Aba in terms of poor infrastructure but the good thing is that there will be a change of baton in May next year. But there is the culture of fear. If you talk, they may come after you; that’s why many people are not speaking openly now. Wait till after handover and see what will happen.”

Major roads in the town are steadily crumbling. Umuwaya Road, which is in the heart of the town, is developing cracks and potholes just like Eket Street. Niger Street is no longer smooth while Oji River Road is in bad shape. Umuokpara Street by Amuzukwu layout is bad; Amafor Street is a sad com­mentary on the city. Other roads in the town that need attention include Owerri Road, Owerri Road Extension and Uzoanya Cres­cent.

Life in the residential areas in Umuahia is not what one would call exciting. Such residential areas as the World Bank, Agbama and Low Cost Housing Estates are steeped in darkness and decay. Less than seven minutes away from the seat of power, they suffer ab­ject neglect. You will begin to see a sign of the condition of World Bank Estate as soon as you drive in through Health Centre Road. There, you are greeted by an overflowing garbage bin messing up the environment. An acrid odour pervades the surrounding, forc­ing passers-by to close their noses. Umu­waya Road also contends with overflowing refuse. However, the mother of waste dumps is at Captain Nwachukwu Street, Agbama Estate. The mould of waste has taken over part of the uneven road. It was disgusting to discover such a place in a state capital and more shocking to see human beings living in such deplorable condition. Indeed, such places are made for pigs.

“My brother, this is how we see it. They come to remove the garbage once in a long while. We are living in danger and there is nothing we can do about it. Our situation is worse when it rains and the garbage is soaked. Then it stinks to high heavens and there is no way you can stop people from generating wastes. We fear the outbreak of disease here. Living here is a horrendous and harrowing experience,” lamented a civil servant who wants to remain anonymous for fear of being persecuted in the office.

Most of the roads at World Bank Estate are begging for attention. They include Isuochi Street, Sir Ugoji Ogali Street, Onyejelem Amaechi Street and Ututu Street. Worse still, many of the roads in the residential areas are not named, making identification diffi­cult. A particular street in Agbama leading to Olokoro is simply indescribable. It’s dirty, narrow and flood-ravaged. Out of bounds to vehicles, it is even difficult navigating it on foot. It doesn’t belong to this age and time. In the words of a resident: “It is a total shame.”

The Umuahia – Ikot Ekpene Road is im­passable. There, even big vehicles are swal­lowed up in the craters on the road. So, driv­ers have become pathfinders, as they navigate through the bushes where they are sometimes forced to pay toll by village urchins.

Levies without end

It was gathered that the state government imposes arbitrary levies on residents. For in­stance, tricycle operators in Umuahia pay the following levies daily: (1) Daily infrastruc­tural development levy: N100; Daily Tricy­cle park toll: N20; Tricycle owners/riders association daily ticket: N50 and daily road safety ticket: N20. It was learnt that default­ers, when caught by the dreaded and gener­ally vicious task force, will have themselves to blame. Keke riders also pay an annual tax of N3,600 each.

Uzor, a keke rider, told the reporter: “You don’t have any other option than to pay what­ever levies they come up with because if the task force people catch you, they will im­pound yourkeke.

They will harass and manhandle you and before your keke will be released to you, you will part with nothing less than N3,000. We dey fear them no be small.”

Perhaps, it is because of the multiple lev­ies that there are no taxis in Umuahia.

According to Prince Ukaegbu, Abia State APGA chairman: “Umuahia is the only state capital in the whole Nigeria you cannot get a cab. There is no taxi in Umuahia.”

It was also gathered that landlords and traders or shop owners pay all manner of lev­ies. Darkness can be found at the edges of the capital city as the suburbs are not developed.

On Boko Haram; Shetima says Insurgence affects Nine LGAs

The Governor of Borno State, Alh. Kashim Shettima, yesterday admitted that Boko Haram insurgency has affected nine out of the 27 Local Government Areas in the state, representing one third.

The worst hit areas are Gwoza, Damboa, Askira/Uba, Marte, Chibok, Konduga, Dikwa and Bama.

He begged the Federal Government to redouble its present efforts to curtail Boko Haram.

He however said hope was not lost and vowed that the government will reclaim some of the towns and villages seized  by the insurgents.

Shettima, who made the disclosures in a state broadcast, said Borno State will survive the insurgency.

He also said he would not abdicate his responsibility to the people of the state no matter the situation.

He said:  “Borno State has been facing this Boko Haram challenge since the four-day war of July 2009 in Maiduguri when the Boko Haram waged its major war on Borno’s soil. Having been defeated by our determined Armed Forces, insurgents resorted to Guerrilla warfare that has been raging on for the last four years.

“At least one third of our local government areas have been affected by their attacks with different degrees of intensity and periodic occupation.

“In recent days and weeks, we have come under renewed and augmented attacks, waged against all of us, by an armed minority that seeks to impose on us, a doctrine that is completely at variance with the religion of Islam which they claim to promote; a doctrine that negates the dignity and existence of humanity on earth, despite Allah’s decree in the glorious Quran, that He has dignified the human creature, prohibited unjust killings and made the religion of Islam that which does not sanction compulsion in a multi-faith society like ours.

“Several innocent communities in Gwoza, Damboa, Askira/Uba, Marte, Chibok, Konduga, Dikwa and the most recent, Bama, have had young and old, amongst them children, weak old men and women, killed in cold blood, their homes destroyed and thousands forced to flee, with some trekking over hurtful distances to become refugees within and outside Borno State.

“Our Capital City of Maiduguri is today facing a heavy influx of refugees from the local government areas in Borno. Borno citizens have been forced to take refuge in parts of Gombe and Adamawa States mainly on account of man’s inhumanity to fellow man in the gratuitous name of religion. These acts are absolutely condemnable in the strongest of terms.

“Let me use this opportunity to once again, extend my deepest sympathy to the families of all those who lost their lives in these serial massacres that are designed to send Borno and its people into oblivion, but which will not succeed Insha Allah. I also express my very deep sympathy to all victims who either lost property or are taking refuge.

“Our heart as Government is fully with each and every one of you and we will do everything humanly possible to support you, reclaim your communities, rebuild them and give all of you a new lease of life Insha Allah.

“ We will be supporting you as a matter obligation to you as good citizens. You have a right to be supported in distress. You have even more fundamental right to be protected from fear and attack in the first place. The number one duty of Government is to safeguard the lives and property of the citizenry.”

Although he commended the Federal Government and  Armed Forces for rising to the insurgency, Shettima asked the government to redouble its efforts to save the state.

He added: “Our Armed Forces have also, during the Civil War, successfully saved our country from dismemberment. Our Armed Forces that have outstandingly proven their capability in such difficult times can by the grace Allah defeat the Boko Haram insurgency with overwhelming federal reinforcement in all areas of their needs.

“We strongly appeal to the Federal Government to redouble its present efforts so that the nation will be a historic witness to speedy containment of the Boko Haram insurgency. The Borno State Government will continue to do whatever it can to compliment the constitutional roles of the Federal Government in this battle of ours.

“Let me reassure the good people of Borno State that measures have been taken by the Federal Government based on information available to us as Government. With these steps and our combined efforts as State Government and resilient people, we shall overcome this tribulation. We must be very forth coming with useful information on what we hear or see because our safety start with what we tell not what we keep or bury.”

The governor said he would do his best to mobilize the people to overcome Boko Haram threats.

He added: “As Government which is holding the sacred mandate of the people, we will remain supportive of the civilian JTF as we have been.

“Our support for the military, police and other security agencies is that of a shared battle against the forces of darkness. We shall accelerate our focus on jobs creation to discourage idleness and criminality. We shall speed up ongoing infrastructures to deliver on our promises to make Borno a better place, a remodeled State, a great home we will all be proud of. Borno is our home.

“This is why I returned home amidst rumored fears held by some residents on possible attacks on Maiduguri. I cut short my official trip and returned home so we can be together as we have always been in trying to overcome the threat before us. I am confident that together we can overcome this challenge.

“Our condition cannot be permanent, no condition, ever was. We can overcome this problem with the right attitude from the top to the bottom. Indeed we can.”

Apart from unfolding health and food packages for those displaced, the governor said children whose parents have been killed by Boko Haram will be given access to Education from primary to the university.

He said: “On access to education, Government has observed a high scale requirement of admissions into primary and secondary school especially from guardians who seek slots at orphanage schools in Maiduguri and Biu in particular, for orphans whose parents were killed as a result of the insurgency.

“Consequently, a team of respected academics, school administrators and educationists will be inaugurated by me next week, with the mandate of coming up with State Primary and Secondary Schools for Special Citizens to be sited in Maiduguri and Biu for the time being.

“The schools are to be designed to accommodate high capacity of pupils with modern boarding facilities. Every child admitted into that school is to be on full Government scholarship from basic to University Education.

“Members of the public willing to make donations will be entertained to a ‘Adoption of child Education Programme’ though which kind citizens can adopt the education of a child, two or more, through well organised system that can be monitored by every sponsor who must be entitled to all academic and attitudinal record of an adoptee.”

BOKO HARAM: Bama battle slows down rescue operation for Chibok girls

The planned rescue of  the over 200 school girls  abducted in Chibok in April by Boko Haram is on hold for now.

The battle by troops to reclaim Bama and Gwoza both in Borno State  from the terrorists is said to have forced a shift in focus of military operations in the Northeast,it was gathered yesterday.

Security  experts from the United States of America and the United Kingdom who were invited to assist in locating  the  whereabouts of the girls   have been cautious in sharing intelligence with the military because of  suspicion that such information may be leaked to the enemy.

It was learnt that encounters between the troops and the insurgents  in Bama,Gwoza and Damboa might have  accounted for  a fresh relocation of the girls to some “hidden bases” of the sect.
Said a security source yesterday:  “The occupation of some towns and villages by Boko Haram has affected the ongoing search and rescue operation for the Chibok girls.

“The rescue operation for the girls has, no doubt, slowed down now as I am talking to you because of the new dimension of attacks by the insurgents.

“The immediate priority now is to reclaim the captured towns, restore normalcy to these places and put in place measures to avert reoccurrence of the seizure.

“We are suspecting that the insurgents might have relocated the Chibok girls safely to some of their camps since most Boko Haram leaders have been sighted in Gwoza.

“We are optimistic that they are safe because the insurgents have changed their tactics. They no longer kill women and children even in the places they have captured.

“You know, due to the rainy season, Sambisa Forest is presently marshy and inhabitable for the insurgents not to talk of the girls.”

It was gathered  that  experts from the United States and the United Kingdom have  been cautious in sharing intelligence with the military because of likely leakage to Boko Haram due to alleged infiltration of the troops.

Another source added: “These foreign powers came in to assist but there is suspicion that corruption, mutual rivalry and ethno-religious factor within the military have caused leakage of some intelligence reports.

“So, these experts have adopted a cautious approach on the rescue of Chibok girls and how to tackle Boko Haram insurgency generally. It is difficult to secure 100 per cent confidence of some military officers. No one knows who is working for the sect.”

Meanwhile, the military yesterday sustained aerial attacks against the insurgents in Bama and Gwoza.
A top military source said: “The battle in Bama is almost won because the aerial power has led to the death of many insurgents. We will keep on shelling them until they surrender.

“All their so-called land to surface missiles have been destroyed by the fighter jets. Once we regain the control of Bama, Nigerians will know the heavy casualties recorded by the insurgents and appreciate the nation’s military.”