4 Nigerian schools to compete in Science Olympiad

Four Nigerian secondary schools will be representing the country in the forthcoming International Science fair slated for Brazil and Slovakia in October.

The fair would enable the schools to showcase their scientific inventions and projects.

The four schools include the Government Day Secondary School (GDSS), Wuse II, Abuja, and the School for the Gifted, Gwagwalada, Abuja.

Others are the Solid Rock International School, Lafia and the Government Science Technical College, Garki, Abuja.

They emerged winners after contesting with  other selected schools across the nation and they will represent the country in Brazil and Slovakia in October in the fair tagged: “Mostratec”.

GDSS emerged the overall winner with its invention of insect repellant, organic flea spray for animals and tea, all made from orange peels, as well as dye made from the Hibiscus flower.

Solid Rock International School Lafia also won with its remote controlled car jack and GSM-based home automation system for turning off home appliances even when away from the house.

The remote controlled car jack designed to run on batteries will be powered by direct infrared rays from any remote control.

The Government Science Technical College won with its bio-fuel for powering generators, sourced from the vapour of fermented maize water after undergoing heating at 75 Degree Celsius.

The School for the Gifted Gwagwalada also won with its healthy earth sustaining system made from the components of a car battery, which produces hydrogen to combat the depletion of the Ozone layer.

The contest was organised by the Society for the Promotion of Science and Technology in collaboration with the FCT Agency for Science and Technology.

The aim of the contest is to build the capacity of Nigerian students in Science and Technology.

The Coordinator of the competition in Nigeria, Mr Desmond Achoakawa, said that the fair was a competition for secondary schools aimed at selecting schools that would represent Nigeria in the International Science fair.

He said that Nigeria had come first in two of the international fairs since the country started competing in 2007.

In 2009 and 2010, we came first in the international competition and each competition usually has up to 40 countries competing,” he said.

He said that the organisation had been finding it difficult sponsoring the event due to the lack of regular sponsorships and collaboration from both the government and the private sector.

Mr Guregi Ibrahim, Head of Popularisation of Science Agriculture and Biotechnology, FCT Agency for Science, said that the competition would help the development of science in Nigerian schools.

He said that such competitions would help in sharpening the intellects of the students and enable them contribute meaningfully to changing the world.

“Our agency is collaborating with the Raw Materials Council, NASENI and NOTAP, then we invite the experts from these agencies to assess their projects,’’ he said. (NAN)

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I ‘ll step on toes in the process of rebuilding Ogun – Amosun

GOVERNOR Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State Wednesday  vowed not to rest until all the assets illegally mortgaged by the Governor Olugbenga Daniel administration were recovered just as he warned that prominent elders in the state who connived in the illegal disposition of the assets would be made to pay for their misdeeds.

Addressing a stakeholders forum tagged “State of the State Address” at the Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Governor Amosun described the way some of the assets were disposed off as shameful adding that it was done in such away that people of the states were being turned to slaves.

Addressing the filled to capacity hall of the Cultural Centre which had in attendance prominent people including former Governor Olusegun Osoba and former Deputy Governor; Alhaji Rafiu Ogunleye, Governor Amosun said he would step on toes in the process of rebuilding the state and pleaded with people to be patient with him.

Amosun

He said “we have to do what we have to do. In the days and weeks ahead, we intend to take some hard and painful decisions. It is not because we intend to inflict pains on our people or that we enjoy their suffering; but just as a surgeon, determined to save the life of a patient does not consider the temporary pains suffered by the patient during surgery, we are determined to do what is right to save Ogun State and rebuild it.

The pains might come, but I assure the good people of Ogun State that they will be temporary and very soon shall see the positive results of our efforts.

“I sincerely crave your understanding, patience, encouragement and trust. We may step on toes, but it is in the process of doing the right thing. I have a responsibility to protect the interest of the people of the state; and that is what I intend to do. We will not fritter your goodwill on the altar of needless political intrigues; neither will we embark on unnecessary populist misadventure.

We want to make life more meaningful for our people and this is the goal we have set for ourselves. This is what our people expect from us”.

Giving an insight into some of the assets mortgaged, Governor Amosun said that Gateway Hotel Abeokuta valued at N1.4 billion was given out at N300 million for 25 years, Gateway Ota valued at 630 million was given out for N120 million for 25 years while Gateway Ijebu-Ode valued at N100 million for 25 years.

Moreover he said that the Trailer Park built with over N2 billion was given out in concession for N10 million for 25 years adding that the concession was even done on May 2nd 2011 which was a public holiday.

On illegal sale of lands in Ogun, Amosun said the revenue that ought to accrue to Ogun State from the huge land allocations was at least N33.8 billion, if we use the Bureau rates.   Curiously, for the entire period of 8 years, the last administration posted a meagre   N10.9 billion for land allocation and N577 million for land ratification. It may be noteworthy to remind ourselves that our neighbouring Lagos State with less land potentials to ours posted N60 billion for 2009 & 2010. It is obvious, even to the uninformed, that the land resources of our dear State were mindlessly mismanaged

On the State Government property on Victoria Island he said “against the advice of the Ministry of Justice, economic, business and common sense, this common patrimony had been signed off to a private concern by way of dubious concessioning for 50 years.

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Nigerian Senate confirms seven cabinet nominees

 Nigeria's Senate on Tuesday approved seven candidates put forward by President Goodluck Jonathan for his new cabinet, including the outgoing oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The seven confirmed also included the former minister in charge of the oil-producing Niger Delta region Godsday Orubebe. These nominees can now be sworn in by the President.

Jonathan submitted a list of 34 names on Tuesday and the Senate will continue screening the other candidates this week.

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Union leaders disagree over minimum wage

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have called on the Federal Government to prevail on state governors to implement the N18,000 minimum wage. The leadership of both organisations told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Abuja that the minimum wage was a constitutional matter and should not be debated.

Mr Owei Lakemfa, the acting General Secretary of NLC, said that the Federal Government had a duty to call state governors to order on the issue. "Everybody must obey the law to avoid anarchy," he said. Reacting to the negotiations on the new minimum wage between the Ondo State government and its workers, Mr Lakemfa said that the agreement reached at the negotiation was a violation of the constitution. "If any state government collaborates with some labour leaders to sign an agreement that seeks to undermine the minimum wage, which is a law and a constitutional matter, then it is called criminal conspiracy. "The NLC will ensure that the rights of workers are given due consideration. No governor will be allowed to suppress the benefits that workers are supposed to enjoy, he added. Mr. Lakemfa then went on to assure Ondo State workers that, ‘‘ they will receive the N18,000 minimum wage with arrears with effect from April 1." He said that congress was not part of that agreement, adding that those labour leaders were only representing themselves.

"What they have done is a betrayal of workers trust." Mr. Lakemfa argued that the revenue allocation formula was a constitutional matter and that workers should not wait for it to be deliberated upon before receiving the new minimum wage which was already a law.

Reports coming out of Ondo State earlier say workers had on Sunday called off the strike they embarked upon over the refusal to implement the new minimum wage as the state government agreed to pay N14,000 instead of N18,000. They are also reported as signing an agreement that the implementation of the N18,000 national minimum wage would not commence until an upward review of the Revenue Allocation Formula acceptable to the state was released by the Federal Government.

Contrary positions

Mr Peter Esele, the President of TUC, also described the agreement between the Ondo State government and the union as unfortunate. "The minimum wage is already a law and should not be tied with the review of revenue allocation formula or whatever," he said. He assured the Ondo State workers that appropriate action would be taken on the implementation of the minimum wage.

However, this position appears to run contrary to that of the President of the NLC, Abdulwahed Omar, who earlier praised the Ondo State government for its decision to pay N14,000 as minimum wage beginning from July 1. Mr Omar gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He said the decision was in line with what many other state governments had agreed to do. "We commend the government of Ondo State as this will go a long way in ensuring smooth negotiations on the N18,000 minimum wage when it begins soon."

"The Joint Negotiating Council and the state government agreed on the payment of N14,000 salary relativity to the least paid worker beginning from July 1.

"They also signed an agreement stipulating that the implementation of the N18,000 national minimum wage would not commence until there was an upward review of the revenue allocation formula," he said.

NAN

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How Daniel mortgaged Ogun assets, by Amosun

GOVERNOR Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State yesterday said it may be difficult for the state government to immediately commence the payment of the N18, 000 minimum wage, saying the financial situation of the state was precarious.

Addressing over 100 paramount and traditional rulers in the state, Amosun lamented that the legacies of the founding fathers of the state had been mortgaged by the immidiate past government of Gbenga Daniel.

He, however, added that he was not interested in probing his successor.

According to him: “I am not interested in any probe. I don’t want to use my good time to chase what I know is bad. They said they left N50 billion. We are looking into our debt, but at the appropriate time, we will tell you what we met on ground. I will even be happy if what we met on ground is N50 billion.

Ogun is the most indebted state in Nigeria. Lagos borrowed 250 billion and Rivers – 150 billion. Lagos generates N30 billion per month.

Rivers generate between N12 – 15 billion. What we generate is N900 million to 1 billion and you have a loan of N50 billion. There is irrevocable Standing Payment Order. The position we met is very bad. Bond is a veritable tool for development, but we can’t go there to pay salaries unless other things happen.

“The state needs to borrow about N4 billion to pay salaries, so if the civil servant wants N18, 000 minimum wage, we will have to borrow about N6 billion. All our assets have been concessioned.”

Speaking on the concession by his predecessor, Amosun told the traditional rulers that the number one tourist centre in the state, ‘Olumo Rock’ which is the least  was concessioned for 15 years. Others are between 25 – 60 years. I begin to wonder why somebody will sign away all our patrimony.

To make matter worse, all of them were made without following laid down procedure. It did not go through the State Executive Council, not even the Assembly. For me we will look into all of these and review them.

“If it affect any of you, our Kabiyesi, it is nothing personal, it is about the state. I am not here to witch-hunt anybody”, he said.

On the power plant projects by the administration of Daniel, Senator Amosun said the ”’totality of N15.9 billion expended. The state has paid 50 percent to contractors and the percentage of completion is just 20 percent. Ogun government property at Victoria Island was signed out for a person for 60 years.‘’

I believe it is important to carry our Kabiyesi along in all that we do.

Tomorrow (Today), we will be addressing our people. We will be stepping on toes in trying to rebuild the state, but we have to.

In all we do, we will not allow our people to suffer. We will provide alternative. It is not to demolish for demolishing sake, our people have suffered a lot, we will not add to their problems. We will take briefing from you. We will at all times try to follow due process which will make it different for whoever is governor to do what is right, but find it expedient to correct us readily. When we veer off the track, feel free to correct us.”

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Homosexuality: Okoh urges FG to quit UN

The Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Revd. Nicholas Okoh, yesterday, called on the Federal Government to pull out of the United Nations Organization, UNO, if it continued  in its recognition of gay marriage in the guise of promoting fundamental human rights.

The Primate, who made the call in Abuja at the human rights consultative forum to define the stance of the church on the issue of human rights and homosexuality, described as a wolf in sheep clothing those championing homosexuality under the guise of human rights advocacy.

His words: “In reaction to the role of the UN human rights groups who were using that platform to fight for the two Malawi boys who got married as homosexuals, I said that if the UNO is now an organ for the advancement of homosexual lifestyle, it was time Nigeria pulled out of that organisation in order to protect the moral health of our nation.

“That Malawi palaver raised many questions in my mind and I believe that many of our church leaders and those others involved in mobilisation and advocacy projects may be having the same problem, because many things are happening rightly or wrongly in the name of human rights.  It has become absolutely necessary to know more about it.

“People were using the UNO as a basis for campaign for general acceptance of homosexuality and we say if that is the situation, then, Nigeria has a moral right to protect its own people and, therefore, Nigeria should not subscribe to that type of tenet.”

“We live our life here; men marry women, women marry men, for anybody to come in the name of human right and begin to advocate that we live without regard to our moral standard is not a friend. This human right is not culturally conditioned.  Doesn’t it have a content?   What is acceptable in China, England, USA, does  it necessarily become acceptable in Nigeria? The Primate queried.

The guest speaker, Dr, Vinay Samuel, from UK in his keynote address, urged Nigerians to be carried away by the quest for human rights that will make them flourish rather than one that was contested, saying every human right must be shaped by the cultural understanding of each area.

He said:  “Nigeria as a much larger nation has to take leadership in seeking to relate human rights to Christian faith and to African culture.

“The church cannot be just defensive in this context. It is a struggle where it must be able to be active in shaping the outcome, not by numbers or moral posturing, but by careful reflection and by proposing substantial alternatives.

“The church is under pressure by the state to align its policies and activities to the view of rights set forth in the states policies and laws. This is very likely the way of the future as states develop policies and laws that are shaped by an understanding of rights that are promoted internationally and businesses, civil society institutions and religious bodies in particular will be forced to comply.

“It is not the universal nature of human personhood that we are contesting as Christian. It is how the rights within that personhood are embedded, defined and enforced. This is also true of cultures the Chinese have long contended that their cultural understanding must shape any set of human rights as any universal description of human rights is someone’s universal.”

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We ‘ll be transparent in our legislative actions – Tambuwal

ABUJA— SPEAKER House of Representatives, Mr Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday set an all encompassing legislative agenda to span the four-year duration of the 7th Assembly and pledged to be transparent in all legislative duties within this period.

After holding an executive session that lasted over three hours with his colleagues, Tambuwal said in a bid to have an enduring 7th Assembly session, the House members resolved to set a legislative agenda that would be transparent in all its legislative affairs.

Tambuwal declared that the general principles of the legislative agenda include: Review of the internal processes—oversight, salaries, allowances and running of costs— e-Parliament, archiving and documentation, national economy and budgetary process, federal revenue disclosures, reducing cost of governance, priority legislation and policy issues centred on constitution reform process, engagement with stakeholders-House relationships and monitoring and evaluation.

The Speaker said the 7th Assembly was determined to improve legislative processes and standards to achieve better and optimum results in law making.

He explained further that “in the composition of membership and leadership of committees, special attention would be paid to the skills and relevant experience of members in order to achieve greater efficiency and strict compliance with existing House Rules and Code of Conduct for members will be required as a check on chairmen of committees and members who violate them.

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