Dean charges LASU students to embrace peace

Prof. Kabir Akinyemi, the Dean of Students Affairs ,
Lagos State University (LASU),  on Friday urged
students of the institution to shun violence and
embrace peace.
Akinyemi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in
an interview Lagos that dialogue remained the best
way of solving problems.
He said it was unfortunate that some outsiders took
advantage of the Jan. 23 students’ protest in the
university to carry out the level of destruction done
to property in the institution.
Akinyemi said that the level of damage was beyond
what LASU students could carry out and urged
them to always adopt dialogue in resolving issues
to avoid a recurrence of such infiltration.
The dean noted said that improved security would
also help in preventing a repeat of such an incident.
Akinyemi also warned the operators of the
university shuttle buses to limit their operations to
the university and its environs.
He said it was an offence for shuttle buses with the
university’s name to ply major roads of the city.
“The management has written to appropriate
authorities such as the Lagos State Traffic
Management Authority, among others, to arrest and
sanction offenders, “ he said.
On the hike in fees, Akinyemi urged the students to
continue to dialogue with the state government for a
downward review as it was beyond the university
management.
He also called on parents and other stakeholders to
collaborate with the school management in
moulding the character of the students, to make
them good ambassadors.
The dean warned that the university would not
tolerate indiscipline among the students and any of
them found wanting would be sanctioned.
Akinyemi assured the final year students that the
management would do everything possible to
mobilise them for the Batch B set of the National
Youth Service Corps scheme in July.

Jordaan: Bafana Bafana honoured to host Brazil

South Africa Football
Association (Safa) president
Danny Jordaan says his side
are 'honoured' to be hosting
Brazil at Soccer City on
March 5.
The Selecao arrive in Johannesburg for the final leg of
the Gillette Brasil Global Tour prior to coach Luiz
Felipe Scolari’s announcement of his World Cup
squad.
“It's always an honour playing against Brazil,
especially, with their special brand of soccer and
almost mythical stature as the high priests of the
game”
The game will mark South Africa’s 20 years of
freedom for South Africa.
“This is a special occasion which should be
celebrated by all South Africans. We should also take
this occasion to celebrate our late Father of the
Nation, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s legacy,” said
Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane.
Nelson Mandela was elected president when the first
democratic elections were held in 1994.
Jordaan added: "Firstly it will be the symbolic handing
over of the baton from the 2010 World Cup hosts,
South Africa, to the country who will be staging the
2014 version of the event in little more than three
months’ time."
"It also marks the 20th anniversary of the dismantling
of apartheid in 1994 and presents another appropriate
occasion to honour the memory of Madiba, who made
it all possible.”

Jonathan re-appoints NITT D-G

President Goodluck Jonathan has re-
appointed Dr Aminu Yusuf as the substantive
Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of
Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria, Kaduna State,
for a second term of four years.
A statement by Mr Paul Mshelizah, the Chief Public
Relations Officer of the institute, said that the
reappointment would take effect from March 19,
when the first term would expire.
The statement said the renewal of the tenure was
contained in a letter by the Minister of Transport,
Sen. Idris Umar, and signed by the Permanent
Secretary, Mr Nebolisa Emodi.
Aminu was first appointed as the Director-General
and Chief Executive of NITT on March 19, 2010.
He had within the first tenure contributed to the
development of not only the institute but the
transport industry in general, the statement said.
Some of his achievements included stabilisation of
NITT long term programmes by affiliating the Post
Graduate Programmes of the institute to Ahmadu
Bello University (ABU) Zaria.
The statement added that the appointee had
expanded activities and programmes of the institute
to enable it to achieve its full mandate.
Aminu had also created additional departments and
increased the institute’s partnership and
collaboration with local and international
organisations. (NAN)

Huntelaar earns Netherlands recall

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's form
for Schalke has earned him
a recall into the Netherlands
squad for their upcoming
friendly with France.
The 30-year-old striker had spent five months on the
sidelines with a knee injury but has scored two goals
in five league appearances since returning to action in
January.
That has been enough to impress national coach
Louis van Gaal who named Huntelaar in his 23-man
squad that will play les Bleus at the Stade de France
on March 5, his first international call-up since August
2013.
Van Gaal has also taken the chance to look at four
uncapped home-based players for the match.
Defender Karim Rekik, on loan at PSV from
Manchester City, could make his debut, while
midfielder Davy Klaassen and wingers Jean-Paul
Boetius and Quincy Promes have also forced their
way into Van Gaal's thoughts.
There is no place for Dynamo Kiev's Jeremain Lens
for disciplinary reasons after he was sent off against
Colombia in November.
Squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Michel Vorm
(Swansea City), Jeroen Zoet (PSV).
Defenders: Daley Blind (Ajax), Daryl Janmaat
(Feyenoord), Bruno Martins Indi (Feyenoord), Karim
Rekik (PSV), Joel Veltman (Ajax), Paul Verhaegh
(Augsburg), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa), Gregory van der
Wiel (Paris Saint-Germain).
Midfielders : Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Davy Klaassen
(Ajax), Stijn Schaars (PSV), Wesley Sneijder
(Galatasaray), Kevin Strootman (Roma).
Forwards: Jean-Paul Boetius (Feyenoord), Memphis
Depay (PSV), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke), Dirk
Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Robin van Persie (Manchester
United), Quincy Promes (Twente), Arjen Robben
(Bayern Munich).

Nigeria’s amalgamation, a mistake - Afenifere Chieftain

A Chieftain of Afenifere, a pan
Yoruba socio-political group, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi
said the  amalgamation of Southern and Northern
protectorate in 1914 was a mistake contrary  to the
submition by President Goodluck Jonathan.
The elder statesman  who is a member of  the
national confab representing Ogun state, said  this
shortly after the state governor, Senator Ibikunle
Amosun inaugurated the delegates from the state  to
the national confab.
The governor who had announced  six eminent
personalities that  are indigines of the state led by
Senator Biyi Durojaiye, explained that the state
would push decentralisation of Police, devolution of
power among others.
Others who were inaugurated were : Sir Olaniwun
Ajayi (Ogun East), the Olu of Ilaro and paramount
ruler of Yewaland, Oba  Kehinde Olugbenle (Ogun
West); pastor of latter rain Assembly, Tunde Bakare
(Ogun Central) ; former Ceo of Guarantee Trust
Bank and former Vice-Presidential candidate of the
defunct  Action Congress of Nigeria Fola Adeola
(Ogun centra) ; Bar. Bisi  Adegbuyi (Ogun East) and
Prof. Titi Filqni (Ogun West).
The octogenarian, who spoke on behalf of other
newly inaugurated confab delegates from the state
urged all delegates to prepare to correct what he
described as ‘serious error committed by the
British’.
While reacting to the statement by President
Jonathan that, the amalgamation of the Southern
and Northern protectorates was not a mistake, Sir
Olaniwun Ajayi disagreed with the President
saying,  it was the cause of the problems facing the
country.
According to him,” It  is important for us to realise
that those of who are going there are going to try,
God be our helper, to correct the serious error
committed by the British when they were here.
“Somebody was reported in the papers today that
there was no mistake in 1914 amalgamation, may
be, that person has not had time to read ‘my life’ by
Sardauna of Sokoto when the motion for
independence was moved in 1953 and Northern
members in the House Representatives got
annoyed and they all departed and went back to the
North and he said ‘Ha! Today, I remember the
mistake of 1914, that’s the course of our problems
and that mistake has been with us quite a long time.
“The problem really and truly is that Nigeria was
constructed contrary to political geometry, that is
why we have not arrived as a country because if
we have leave together for 100 years and yet
there’s no stability, there’s no concord, there’s no
harmony, there’s no progress, those other
countries like Brazil, Indian, China and Russia
which  were in the same bracket as we in 1960 are
now far, far above us and we are far below them,
why?.
“It is because of failure to observe political
geometry but we pray and hope that when we get
there, God being our helper, we will, as Nigerians
unitedly and in the spirit of give and take arrive at
solution that will bring peace and progress to this
country”.

Moyes must banish hellish Red Devils to survive at Man Utd beyond the summer

The performance in Greece was so pathetic that the
Old Trafford boss must wield his power and make
sure those coasting never play again for the club.

David Moyes has justifiably
been criticised in his first
season as Manchester
United manager. His team have lost about a quarter
of their matches which is far too high a figure even in
a season of transition. United have not yet settled on
a style of play which defines the Moyes ethos and,
even in smaller-scale games, they have been shown
up to be unimaginative and limited.
The tactical shape of the team is something Moyes
alone is responsible for and it is he who must field the
questions when United are called out on being one-
dimensional. If his ideas are not coming across, then
the buck stops with the manager.
"Me and the team didn't show together," he told Uefa
after the defeat to Olympiakos. "We'll put it right,
we're determined to put it right and we'll have
opportunities to do it in the coming weeks. Old
Trafford's seen some great nights in the past and
we'll hopefully see another one. We'll do everything
we possibly can to reverse the 2-0 defeat."
Stepping up from Everton to Manchester United,
Moyes was always going to encounter some issues
with a higher calibre of player. He played with Robin
van Persie's fitness against Newcastle by refusing to
substitute him against his better judgement. He has
indulged Wayne Rooney far too much at the expense
of more lithe, creative players like Shinji Kagawa and
Juan Mata. He has at once overburdened Adnan
Januzaj but then cut him loose at the wrong time by
leaving him out at Olympiakos.
There is another side to it though. All the problems
cannot be laid at Moyes' door. He must have a look
around the dressing room now and ask honestly the
question: "Who is letting me down?"
On the basis of the display against Olympiakos, the
answer could be, conceivably, quite a few. Robin van
Persie seems on the verge of exasperation. But at
least he looked like he was trying.
If Moyes has any hope of salvaging United's season
then he cannot wait until the summer to begin his
clearout. There were players on the pitch in Greece
who look beyond saving and, as such, should not play
for United again.
Rio Ferdinand, one of United's most senior players,
has aimed thinly veiled barbs at Moyes for his
decision not to name the team far in advance of kick
off. He would be well advised to concentrate on his
football than the preferences of his manager. Not
once under Moyes has Ferdinand looked the part and
yet he is content to divert more criticism in the
direction of Moyes. He'd be first to be banished.
Chris Smalling does not measure up, simply put. He is
too ponderous and is incapable of making the right
decisions consistently throughout a match. He'd be
out.
Tom Cleverley and Ashley Young are all too content to
let matches pass them by without thinking to grab
hold of it and try to affect it in United's favour. Far too
passive. They'd go.
Remember that the midfield of Antonio Valencia,
Michael Carrick, Cleverley and Young, which started
against Olympiakos, was good enough to beat both
Chelsea and Manchester City away in the Premier
League last season as well as Arsenal at home.
These players simply are not performing for the
manager.

Why Facebook Agreed To Buy Whatsapp

In the long run, the real reason why largest
social network, Facebook agreed to buy
messaging app, Whatsapp has been revealed.
Stakeholders think Whatsapp with over 450
million members, has grown to become a
threat .
Facebook agreed to pay a whooping sum of $19
billion in cash and stock, for Whatsapp in other
to expand its reach among users on mobile
devices.
The purchase would be the biggest Internet deal
since Time Warner’s $124 billion merger with
AOL in 2001, according to data compiled by
Bloomberg. The accord includes $12 billion in
stock, $4 billion in cash and $3 billion in
restricted shares, Facebook said yesterday in a
statement . WhatsApp has more than 450
million members, with 1 million users being
added daily, Facebook said.

Reps reject CBN gov, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s suspicion

ABUJA-MEMBERs of the House of Representatives
have rejected the suspension of the Central Bank of
Nigeria, CBN Governor, Mr Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
Also apparently embittered by what legislators
perceived as selective implementation or non-
compliance with its resolution against some public
officers over corrupt practices, the House has
mandated its committees on Justice, and
Legislative Compliance to compile all resolutions
that have indicted any public officer for which
President Goodluck Jonathan refused to act, and
request the president to act on them immediately.
The Presidency Thursday suspended the apex bank
boss in a statement signed by the Media and
Publicity Adviser to the president Dr Reuben Abalti.
The house resumed plenary at about 11.05am and
the second legislative business of the day was a
motion under matters of national importance titled:
Suspension of the Governor of Central Bank of
Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi sponsored
by Rep Samson Osagie, PDP, Edo state.
The presiding officer, Aminu Tambuwal had
immediately put it to voice vote and it was
unanimously carried for debate.
Osagie had barely finished reading his motion when
Rep Henry Ofongo,PDP, Bayelsa, raised a point of
order challenging Osagie’s motion.
But the Speaker had overruled his point of order
saying Ofongo had to wait till Osagie had made his
submission.
This did not go down well with PDP legislators who
in turns tried to tear Osagie’s motion apart.
In his argument, Rep Ralph Nnana Igbokwe, PDP,
Imo had described the position as irrelevant
bordering on the fact that “Mr President did the right
thing by suspending Sanusi because the CBN was a
government institution.
This development again led to a verbal war which
dominated the House of Representatives plenary for
almost 50mins with support and opposition to
Sanusi’s suspension torn along party lines.
The Peoples Democratic Party ,PDP legislators in
support and All Progressive Congress ,APC,
lawmakers outrightly rejecting Sanusi’s suspension.
Osagie in his motion had observed that”the
president on Thursday 20th of February announced
through his special adviser Media and Publicity, Dr
Reuben abalti the suspension of the CBN Governor
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi over the report made against
him by the Financial Reporting Council and other
investigative bodies.
According to Osagie, section 11(7) of the CBN Act,
2007 which gave the president powers to remove
the Governor, subject to two-third majority approval
of the Senate did not contemplate suspension,
adding that it was also doubtful if Sanusi was given
fair hearing in accordance with the provisions of the
Constitution.
His motion was however punctured by noise from
Rep Henry Ofongo , who through a point of order
faulted Osagie that he was bringing in issues from
the CBN Act, which were not relevant to the matter
he was debating. The lawmaker was however asked
to wait and present his points during the debate of
the motion by Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who
was presiding over the plenary.
Anxieties subsequently set in, throwing the session
into a momentary uproar when another lawmaker,
Rep Ralph Nnanna Igbokwe also raised a point of
order, drawing the attention of the House to the
same section of the CBN Act earlier cited by Osagie
which gave the President powers to appoint and
remove the CBN Governor.
According to him, if CBN was a public institution,
operating under the public service rules with Sanusi
as a public officer heading the institution, he can be
removed under such rules if found wanting in the
discharge of his duties, urging the House “to resist
every temptation not to act on the side of the law.”
Tambuwal though ruled that Igbokwe was in order,
but he explained that his assertions did not resolve
the issue of suspension not being contemplated in
the Act, as contended by Osagie, and subsequently
yielded the floor for the Deputy Minority Leader, Rep
Leo Ogor who had indicated to speak against the
motion to do so.
But before Ogor, Nkoyo Toyo through another point
of order on matters of privilege warned that Sanusi,
no doubt was an important personality, and a great
Nigerian whose case should not be reduced to
politicking on the floor of the House, a position the
Speaker told members to note as they debate the
issue.
Ogor in his submission defended the suspension as
a beginning of a process, and not an end in itself.
“For you to remove somebody, there have to be a
process, and the suspension is the beginning of
that,” the lawmaker stated amidst shouts of ‘No!
‘No!! No!!! from supporters of the motion.
When Tambuwal put question for voice votes on the
motion, more members voted unanimously
supported.
APC Reps reactions
The Minority Leader of Nigeria’s House of
Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, APC, Lagos
has expressed dismay at the suspension of Sanusi
Lamido Sanusi as CBN Governor.
He said such action can be legally queried , “I am
concerned about its legality. Whilst it can be argued
that an employer has the right to suspend an
employee, the question here is whether this is a
suspension or a removal in the guise of
suspension.”
Gbajabiamila further described the suspension as
an attack on CBN autonomy and setback for the
fight on corruption.
“For good reason the CBN Governor world over is
independent and autonomous. To remove him you
need confirmation and buy-in of the Senate. You
cannot do it through the back door. If you read
carefully the reasons advanced by the Presidency
then it becomes clear that this is a removal and not
a suspension and therefore illegal and
unconstitutional.”
“It becomes more worrisome when you consider
the timing and the fact that the CBN Governor has
just blown the lid off a monumental scandal
involving the disappearance of 20billion dollars from
our coffers. The message being sent out is not the
best . There can be no worse attack on the
autonomy of the apex financial institution as
envisaged by the constitution. For God’s sake the
man only has 3 months left!”
Alsi in a direct response to Sanusi’s suspension,
Rep . Pally Iriase (Edo/APC) in a chat with newsmen
challenged President Jonathan to disclose
allegations of “various acts of financial
recklessness and misconduct,” he gave as reason
for Sanusi’s suspension.
Iriase said the suspension which he described as
“hasty” could dent foreign investor confidence in
the country’s economy.
“We have been talking about impunity. This
(Sanusi’s suspention) is yet another show of
impunity by this administration. The suspension is
personal and is not unconnected with the recent
disclosure of missing money from the NNPC.
“It is a clear case of if you cannot shut him up, ship
him out. It should be condemned in its totality.”
Iriase said.
The Edo born lawmaker debunked insinuation that
Sanusi had been doing the bidding of the APC by
“embarrassing the government” with disclosure of
missing oil revenue.
“If the bidding of APC is to have a robust economy,
a responsible government that is corruption free,
then Nigerians should be happy. Sanusi’s
suspension is simply a case of the administration
shooting itself on the foot.” he stated.

Panelists charges Journalists on online media

The Summit on Functional Social Networking held in
Lagos has ended with a call to journalists to
embrace the growing potentials in social media
which is landscaping the business of news
gathering and reportage across the globe.
The summit which had newspaper editors and
media entrepreneurs as Panelists spoke
passionately at various sessions including profits in
social media engagements and the core essence of
social media vis a-vis modern journalism.
In his presentation, Dr Anderson Uvie-Emegbo, CEO
-Dymore Vision Consulting and a Social Media
lecturer said that the growing legion of bloggers is
fast becoming a threat to the traditional paper.
“readers no longer wait till the next day when fresh
newspapers prints are issued to know what is in
the news. News is now at their finger tips because
of social media.”
“Newspaper proprietors and editors need to know
that their competition is no more the next door
paper but the reader himself. There is an insatiable
thirst for news and they will go for it themselves if
you (newspapers) do not bring it to them on time”
Anderson said.

NUGA 2014: UNIBEN, UNIPORT win men, women’s 100m gold

Onyeaku Chukwuma of the
University of Benin (UNIBEN) has won the 100m
male event at the ongoing 24th Nigeria University
Games Association (NUGA) Games.
Peace Uko of the University of Port Harcourt
(UNIPORT) also won the 100m female event.
The male and female events were held on
Wednesday at the Games holding at the Obafemi
Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun.
Chukwuma won the gold in the men’s 100m with a
10:69 secs, followed by Mark Orduen from Ahmadu
Bello University (ABU), Zaria who returned 10:83
secs for the silver medal.
Oyeniyi Abejoye from the University of Lagos
(UNILAG), claimed the bronze medal with a time of
10:95 secs.
In the female event, Uko won the gold medal with a
time of 11:64 secs.
Hope Jacob of ABU won silver in 2:38 secs ahead of
schoolmate Abomoyen Gbemisola who returned
12:77 secs for the bronze.
The 800m men gold medal was clinched by
Abdulrahman Afeez of the University of (UNILORIN)
with a time of 55:33 secs and Hope Nagbi of
UNIPORT claimed the silver in 1:55:44 secs.
Daniel Agboola from UNILAG won the bronze in
1:56:75 secs.
Adaeze Igwe from UNIPORT clinched the 800m
female gold medal after returning 2:24:86, while
Stella Ayanlokunrin of OAU clinched silver with a
time of 2:25:65 secs.
Mariam Otaru of UNILORIN won the bronze in
2:26:25 secs.
Meanwhile, the draws for the football event
quarter-finals have been released.
OAU will tackle Niger Delta University (NDU),
Yenagoa, Bayelsa, in the first match on Thursday,
while University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) meets
University of Calabar (UNICAL), in the second.
UNILORIN will slug it out with Bayero University
Kano (BUK) in the third match, while UNIBEN face
the University of Jos (UNIJOS) in the fourth.
The Games will end on Feb. 22.

NEMA urges Nigerians to use social media for disaster prevention

Mr Tom Obey, the Information
Communication Technology consultant of National
Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has
urged Nigerians to embrace the use of social media
platforms to prevent disasters in the country.
Obey said this during the Social Media Week
programme held in Lagos.
In his presentation titled `NEMA and Social Media:
How to Use Media Platforms for Disaster
Management’, he said there was need for the public
to use such platforms in fighting disaster.
Obey defined social platform as the use of new
media for social interactions which include
networking sites such as facebook, twitter, flickr
and linkedln.
He observed that more than five million Nigerians
used the most popular site — `Facebook’ — to post
pictures, communicate and update their status daily.
“There is great potential for social media to provide
real-time status of the situation on ground during a
disaster or incident and could also be used to alert
first responders in advance of any incident.
“We want to promote and create awareness on the
effective use of the social media to assist the
government in mitigating disaster in the country.
“We found out that social media platforms are good
tools in aid of disaster management especially
facebook and twitter are important platforms in
elevating disaster.
“The Social Media Week in Lagos is one of the
events that tries to emphasise the importance of
social platforms.”
According to him, Lagos is one of the 10 countries
in the world that holds social media week to create
awareness on the importance of social media
platforms.
He said the social media could be effectively used
to get attention, spread the news, get feedback,
provide support and organise a strong work force.
He said that the social media assisted NEMA to get
quick information and feedback of any incident for
immediate response.
He further urged other government and private
organisations to get involved in the social media
platform for quick accessibility and for solving
urgent issues which might involve lives and
property.
Some of the participants at the event, commended
the efforts of NEMA in providing simple ways of
obtaining information during emergencies.
Miss Ngozi Okoye, a secretary, encouraged
companies and other official outfits in the country to
embrace the social media culture for easy
communication within or outside the working arena.
“All government offices in the country should
embrace the social media networking system for
easy communication and solving problems outside
the office premises; it is very encouraging,’’ she
said.
Mr Patrick Omoniyi, a lecturer, said that the social
media should be extended to other areas such as
health, crime and other sector for prompt services.
Omoniyi called on the communication industry to
improve on the ICT in the country, to enable the
public to enjoy free services such as WiFi, for quick
report of emergencies, crimes or disasters. (NAN)