Partnering To Save Life

The Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, partners with Lifeline Care Association and other agencies to reduce the rate of accidents and deaths on the nation's highways

By Onu Okorie & Anita Ochoga

For the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, the period of “ember” months always pose a big challenge. It is a time when death on the nation's highways is usually on the increase as a result of increase in vehicular movement. But this year, the commission is planning to make it less agonising for road users. It has gone into partnership with Lifeline Care Association and Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc to ensure effective patrol of the highways especially during the festive period.
Osita Chidoka, corps marshal and chief executive of FRSC said in addition to creating safety awareness about the risk involved in care-free driving and other reckless attitudes of drivers, Lifeline Care would also be useful in providing first aid materials to help save and administer first aid treatment to accident victims. The association will build life care centres in designated locations on the nation's highways, which will be manned by well trained paramedical personnel. Dr. Nkem Momah, executive director of Lifeline Care told this magazine that the objective of partnering with the FRSC is to reverse the soaring mortality rate among accident victims.
Every traveller will be provided with a life card designed to bridge the communication gap between victims and potential source of help during an emergency. The information will include family, blood group, name of employer, etc. Mutual benefit insurance provides insurance cover for victims. It is expected that every road user, including drivers, passengers, motorcyclists and pedestrians should have a card to enable him get prompt medical attention in the event of an accident. This will help to provide prompt dispatch of ambulance team to the accident scene. Where such card is displayed, victims will get free first aid treatment on the scene. It will also give prior information about definitive health facility and save valuable time during “golden hour.”
Investigations have shown that one of the major causes of death of accident victims is delay in rendering assistance to accident victims occasioned by late arrival of rescuers at accident scenes. A study conducted by Afamdi Ezenwa of the department of community heath, College of Medical Science, University of Benin revealed that out of every five accident victims, only one death occurred outside the accident scene. Majority of those who lost their lives died on the spot because of lack of first aid treatment.
Mrs. Ireti Kingibe believes that the partnership between FRSC and Lifeline Care would go a long way to provide rescue assistance for accident victims. A member of the House of Representatives, Hon Okwudili Uzoka called for an innovation to mitigate carnages on the highways and also commended the partnership.
The FRSC also said it would adopt a strategic publicity campaign to educate motorists on the need to apply caution on the road. An FRSC officer who does not want to be named said that one of the reasons some motorists endanger people's lives is because of superstitious beliefs. “Some drivers place their hope on charms to avoid accident instead of careful driving,” he said. But with aggressive campaign that would educate the motorists, the FRSC said it would get the drivers to focus on careful driving, more than any other thing. Most road accidents in the country are traced to reckless and dangerous driving, alcoholism by drivers and sometimes faulty pedestrian attitude. The majority of the accident victims in Nigeria are young adults of between 22 and 30 years. About 75 percent of the victims are male.
Nseobong Akpabio, sector commander of the FRSC Federal Capital Territory command disclosed that the command has so far arrested 1,344 motorists for various traffic offences from January to August this year. He said that 1, 252 of the motorists pleaded guilty to the offence they were charged with while 92 were discharged and acquitted and 11 were jailed for traffic offences.
The risk and accident prevention society of Nigeria, RAPSON, in connection with the ministry of transportation has also launched “operation make Nigeria accident free” campaign to minimise the rate of road accidents this 'ember' month. The ministry of transport had on October 2, 2001 presented a memo before the federal executive council, FEC, on how to minimise accident rate on Nigerian roads. The memo was geared towards ensuring quality control measures on tyres and spare part importation into the country for safety of Nigerian road users. Ben Koko Odohofre, RAPSON chief executive officer told this magazine that, the ministry is putting all necessary measures in place to ensure that Nigerian roads are safe for road users especially during the 'ember' months. He said RAPSON is working with all the federal government agencies to ensure that, immediate action plans are made to save people from the usual loss and panic that have claimed many lives on the road.
The ministry of transportation is also working toward the review of the Road Act of 1953 for proper coordination among the agencies of government tasked with road responsibilities, while RAPSON is organising a national conference on road traffic accident that will compel transport companies to abide by road signs so as to minimise injuries when accident happens. RAPSON is preparing to a launch road accident prevention programme in the 36 states of the federation and FCT. Odohotre is also advocating for the introduction of road traffic education in secondary and primary schools to educate children on the use of road signs.
Public enlightenment officer of the FRSC, Wole Olaniran blamed most road accidents on drivers' impatience. He said over 70 percent of Nigerians need to change their attitude while driving on the highway. Olaniran said the commission has set up a mobile court to try those who run foul of driving rules including overloading, and added that the commission is also working with other road agencies to ensure that the speed level of road users is 90 km per hour as prescribe by the commission’s rules for safety measures.
The FCT sector commander of the FRSC, Akpabio called on the federal government and the contractors handling the dualisation of Abuja-Lokoja road to speed up work on the project because it is the major link for the eastern, western and southern parts of the country and the north. He also called on passengers to caution reckless drivers while on the highway.
Nigeria has the highest rate of road accidents in the world. The World Health Organisation, WHO, estimated that about 1.2 million people die yearly all over the world in automobile accidents leaving 50 million others with injuries.

I won't crucify Amodu

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi, spoke to sports writers on his plan to transform the round leather game in the country

You have spent three years in office as NFF President; how has it been?

It has been tough, but we thank God that we are very much on track. When we came in, we had a manifesto. In my manifesto, I talked extensively on the development of football from the grassroots. This is because the problems we have with the development of the game is the non- existence of grassroot football. Before now, we had various types of grassroot programmes embedded in the school system, but these days, such is not in existence. We have not been able to build our football from the grassroots. When I came into office, I made up my mind to leave a lasting legacy in this area. I instituted a youth development program which was launched in 2007 as a National U-13 Football Championship. The players that made the championship later became the bedrock of the National U-13 team. The team is made up of 25 talented youngsters. The team has been together since then, and the boys are camped every holiday under the watchful eyes of our coaches. Again, we have set up guidelines to direct those running academies. This is to ensure that whatever they are doing will be closely monitored, to achieve international standard.

With respect to our coaches, we know that we have not been able to come to terms with what Nigerians desire. You know as a third world country, it would take time before we get to where we are going. What we did was to start grading of coaches, to ensure that we have the best for our teams.

Though many feel we have not met the expectations of soccer loving Nigerians, but it is on record that the Super Eagles have played 25 matches, won 16, drew 9 and lost none. In this World cup qualifier, we remain one of the teams that have not lost any match. We are still optimistic that we would qualify for the World Cup in 2010.

Today, we manage as much as 13 national teams, and I want to say categorically that since we came on board, we have succeeded in solving the problem of players' allowances, you will not hear any player complaining of not being paid his allowance, and when they go for their matches, they go on chartered flights. If they travel on their own, they go on business class. This is all geared towards ensuring that the players are well motivated to perform optimally at every assignment.

If you come to the secretariat of the NFF today, the whole place has changed for good.

Nigerians are eager for a World Cup ticket. How do we get there?

The problem we have is that there are some matches we were supposed to win which we did not. These matches have succeeded in putting tension on all of us. Had it been that these matches were won, we would have been a little comfortable towards the World cup, but as it is now, we have to wait till the end of the last matche before we know our fate. We did not bargain for that, but we still remain hopeful.

Your tenure will soon come to an end and many are contemplating whether you will seek re-election or not. What do you intend to do?

You should know that the attention of all Nigerians is now geared towards qualifying for the World cup in South Africa and also hosting a very successful U-17 World Cup here in Nigeria. It would be out of context for me to be talking about re-election now. I repeat once again that my intention is to ensure that we develop football in Nigeria, not re-election. At least we still have over 11 months to end our tenure and before then, anything can happen. My attention now is to move Nigerian football forward. I read in papers that I said I would not come back; I said it is only God that would remove me from the office. I did not say that. It is unfortunate that some journalists can be funny. Some of your colleagues came to my office to greet me. These are people I thought were my friends, so we were cracking jokes when I told them that it is God and Nigerians that put me in this position and that any day God says I should leave, I would leave. It was purely at an informal setting. The next thing I read in the papers the next day was that I said it is only God that can remove me from the office. That was not fair to me at all. But it is all about the learning process. This is not the right time to talk about tenure, please let us join hands together to ensure that we qualify for the World cup.

One of the basic problems we have now is that Nigerians are not happy with Shuaibu Amodu. Do you still want to stick with Amodu as the press has said?

One thing you should understand is that Nigerians are only expecting the best. So long as we are not on top, Nigerians would continue to complain. They are very correct. They should understand that we have a contract with Amodu, not only the contract to keep him, but to give him all the support, financially and morally. If Nigerians are crucifying Amodu, I cannot join them to crucify him, because we are talking of a crucial match at hand now. I think what we should do now is to give him all the support he needs to take us to the World cup.

Another Cheat In The House?

A member of the House of Representatives from Borno State Alhaji Shettima Shehu is involved in certificate scandal allegedly obtained from the University of Maiduguri.

By Anthony Maliki

It started with Salisu Buhari, first Speaker of the House of Representatives at the beginning of this political dispensation in 1999. Buhari, former lawmaker from Kano state claimed that he had attended the University of Toronto in Canada. Also, at the time, he was elected into the house, Buhari was less than the constitutional approved age for aspiring legislator but he claimed to have met the requirement. The lie was blown open less than two months of the inauguration into the House, and Buhari was forced to kiss the canvass. He was tried and convicted for perjury by an Abuja High Court.

After this unfortunate incident, Nigerians thought the lawmakers had learnt a lesson but the reverse is the case. ThankGod Ezeani (Imo State), Agboola Alfred Ajayi (Ondo State) and Njidda Gella Ahmed (Adamawa State) were one time or the other engrossed in certificate forgery.

Ahmed claimed to have attended the University of Abuja from 2001 to 2007, Kaduna Polytechnic in 1978 and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, ATBU, Bauchi in 1999 but there is no trace of his academic record in any of the schools. For Ajayi representing Ilaje Ese-Odo Federal Constituency in Ondo state, Newsworld gathered was accused of hiring a mercenary to write the Senior School Certificate Examination, (SSCE) in June 2004 at the Mobolorunduro High School, Okitipupa.

The latest in the certificate scandals rocking the lower legislative house is that of Alhaji Shettima Shehu. Shehu, representing Kaga, Magumeri and Gubio Federal Constituency of Borno state claimed he obtained a degree from the University of Maiduguri. A source told this magazine that the legislator was suspended indefinitely from the University at the beginning of the 2006/2007 academic session on the allegation of examination malpractice. The university's Examination-Related Misconduct Committee (ERMC) which conducted investigation on the allegation recommended that Shehu be suspended. Surprisingly, the lawmaker said he has a third class degree in Business Management purportedly approved at the 236th senate of the university on 16th May, 2008.

Newsworld gathered that the lawmaker with identification number 03/5829 was in the list of those found wanting for various examination problems and published in the university bulletin of August, 2007. In the list, 56 students were indefinitely suspended, 11 suspended for various semesters, three cleared, while two were to resume studies.

Following the problem, the department of Business Management, University of Maiduguri prayed the university senate to approve the withdrawal of the candidate's degree as it was confirmed that he is on an indefinite suspension. This was accepted at senate's 239th meeting held on 28th August 2008. The senate also constituted a committee to probe the matter. The committee has Professor Abdulhamid Abubakar as chairman. The members are Professor Abubakar Kibon, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, Dr. Abubakar Fari and Dr. Sule. The committee is to investigate the direct and remote circumstances that led to the illegal graduation of Shettima Shehu, identify persons or group of persons involved and recommend appropriate disciplinary action and how to avoid future occurrence.

Newsworld investigation revealed that the university community is worried about the situation and a body known as “Concerned Members Forum” had written to the acting Vice Chancellor, Professor M.M. Daura condemning the development. In a letter dated 27th August, 2008, the forum pointed out that “it is a clear indication that the University of Maiduguri is once again being presented in bad light all over the world and therefore being made to face rounds of national and international embarrassment.” The body indicted the registrar, Dr. Lawan Bukar Alhaji for such problems, saying that “for any person to undeservedly lay hold on the statement of result, certificate or transcript of the university, IT must, no doubt be with the registrar's consent or connivance.”

Besides, the body, whose letter was titled, “Continual erosion of the integrity of Degrees Award by the University of Maiduguri: A grand call for sincere soul searching,” urged the acting Vice Chancellor to investigate the matter to its logical conclusion and those found guilty should be brought to book.

This magazine learnt that the registrar, Dr. Alhaji was in the past probed by a ministerial committee for an alleged certificate racketeering and was recommended to be deployed to another department but the university council then ignored the directives. This situation led to a friction between the former Vice Chancellor, Professor Jibrin D. Amin and members of the council who were allegedly defending the registrar. Professor Amin has since completed his two-term tenure in May this year and has taken up employment with the National Universities Commission, NUC.

At the House of Representatives last week, Shehu could not be reached in his office for comments on the matter.

Nigerian Newsworld Magazine: How I Was Betrayed

Nigerian Newsworld Magazine: How I Was Betrayed

Great Rip-off

Universities turns post UME screening into a money making exercise

By Anita Ochoga

After paying the fee of N5,600 for post-University Matriculation Examination, Post-UME, form and scratch card, 22-year old Farida Bello was sure of securing admission at the Benue State University, Makurdi, moreso since she was sure of what she wrote in the examination. Surprisingly, Farida was not among those offered admission by the university. She told Newsworld that she borrowed money to buy both the JAMB form, post-UME form and scratch card all in a bid to gain admission into one of the nation's universities. Another candidate, Nawaorisa Ameachi, said he spent N3,000 for the post-UME form of the University of Jos and N2,000 for a scratch card but was also left in the lurch.

Since the introduction of post-UME screening exercise into universities' admission policy prospective, university candidates have been passing through difficulties in gaining admission into any of the nation's universities. No matter the scores of the candidate at UME, his chances of securing admission depends not on his performance at post-UME examination conducted by respective universities but rather at the mercy of the university. The problem is further compounded with the introduction of an electronic method both in filling the forms and checking the results. As usual, the brunt is borne by parents and guardians.

Mr. Attah Mark, who has four children said he paid through the nose to secure admission for them into one of the nation's universities. He told Newsworld that the universities use post-UME to rip-off Nigerians. Most universities have resorted to post-UME to generate revenue.

Fees charged depend on individual universities. This however, is not a guarantee for admission. Some universities give preference to indigenes during admission. For instance, though Nassarawa State University, Keffi sells its post UME form for N2,500, indigenes of the state are given 90 per cent as against non-indigenes 10 per cent ration.

Peter Zuma, who applies to Kogi State University, Ayingba, told Newsworld that he scored 72 marks at post-UME last year while the school cut-off mark was 45 marks. Zuma was however, denied admission because he is not an indigene of Kogi State. He notes that only children of highly connected people gain admission no matter the candidate's performance at JAMB and post-UME examinations.

When post UME examination was introduced, university vice chancellors said the aim was to checkmate unqualified persons from entering the university system. Then, the whole idea was a welcome development, but little did Nigerians know it was going to be a money-making business by universities.

Newsworld gathered that some universities sell post-UME forms till the day of the examination because of the large profit the school makes from the exercise. While the initiative is good on paper and expected to help screen candidates for a better university system, the same authority have been indicted in the fraudulent act.

Ability In Disability

Despite shoddy preparations, the Nigerian Paralympics team put impressive performance at this year's paralympic games in China


By Chris Onokpegu

The saying that there is “ability in disability” once again was proved right when the Nigerian disabled athletes to the Paralympics in Beijing, China surpassed the achievement of the able-bodied athletes with gold medals.

Nigeria finished 30th on the overall medals table but third in Africa with 4 gold, 4 silver and I bronze medals, a feat that could not be achieved by their able-bodied counterparts in the Olympics who only managed to win a silver medal in men's football event with 3 bronze medals in 4x100m women relay, Judo and long jump.

25 athletes competed in power-lifting, athletics and wheel-chair tennis. Ruel Ishaku and Lucy Ejike won gold medals in the men and women 48kg power-lifting while Eucharia Njideka Iyiazi won 2 gold medals in shot put and discuss.
Though their performance was a far cry from what was achieved four years ago in Athens, Greece, it was still a remarkable achievement.

'Team Nigeria” as the Nigerian contingents are referred to, had a shoddy preparation towards the competition. The Paralympics had the worst treatment as they were abandoned at their various camps with little or no funds. They were left to fend for themselves while their Olympics counterparts had everything going for them including a training tour of South-Korea.
The disabled athletes neither had pre-Games competitions nor attended any championship to either keep them in shape or test their level of preparedness.

Sports analysts condemned the officials of the National Sports Commission (NSC) for the treatment meted out to the disabled athletes who had made the country proud. They said the Olympics team was over-pampered while the Paralympics team struggled to make ends meet hence their determination to win laurels.
At the National Stadium, Lagos and other venues, the disabled athletes train with dilapidated and obsolete facilities. They were also not well fed as many of them eat fast and “junk” food and without a proper dieting programme.

Power-lifting coach of the Paralympics, Are Feyisetan confirmed that they had little or no training before the Games. However, Adekunle, an athlete said it was sheer determination with support from family members that fetched them the medals. He attributed lack of modern technology for the reasons why they couldn't achieve more than what they got.
He said most countries have embraced modern technology that helps in making athletes run faster and better, a technology Nigeria is yet to embrace.

If information reaching our sports desk is anything to go by, then the contingent will not be rewarded or hosted to a reception by the President. This might not be unconnected with the eight gold medals the National Sports Commission promised the President while being able to win only four in both the Olympics and Paralympics. The Paralympics team has always had this type of treatment meted out on them.

Apart from what they usually experience before competitions, they are hardly rewarded hence their call for government to give them recognition on their arrival. The team which was received by the governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Fashola on behalf of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua is yet to be hosted or rewarded but the case was not the same when the conquering team tutored by late Yemi Tella won the U-17 world cup in South Korea last year and were immediately rewarded by the federal government both in Lagos and Abuja.
It was not the case in other lands as barely 24 hours after the Paralympics, Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper hosted the Canadian Paralympics team despite their not-too-impressive performance.

Another instance is the United States of America that spent a lot of money on Michael Phelps, the world's best swimmer who won eight gold medals in the Olympics hence the US President, George Bush's presence at the event.
The United States assigned a coach to an athlete especially if the athlete is a medal prospect but in Africa and Nigeria in particular, a minimum of ten athletes are assigned to a coach.
Apart from rewarding them, they place them on monthly subvention and in most cases, they are gainfully engaged or employed depending on the country and its policy.

In Nigeria, athletes are not rewarded and where they are so rewarded, officials sit on their files. Some trade with funds approved for athletes as was the case before the Olympics where the money approved was kept in a fixed account to yield interest. In most cases, the approval ends verbally, hence the reason why athletes protest before and after competitions.
Newsworld investigation shows that officials and their friends get their estacodes and other allowances even before embarking on the trips. Some of them end up not embarking on the trips while some board the next available flight after showing their faces. Officials mostly go on trips to enjoy themselves while the welfare of athletes is left to their own fate.

Football followers wondered why all the board members of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) went to the Olympics leaving behind the goalkeeper trainer, Best Ogedegbe.
The national female team, the Super Falcons once protested in South Africa for unpaid allowances. Their action was carried out because according to them, they are always being dribbled when they get back to the country.
Report also has it that the Tunisia/US 94' team led by “Dutchgeria” Clemence Westerhof is yet to get the house and other rewards promised them by the Babangida government. It is also said that the late coach Yemi Tella-led U-17 World Cup conquering team's reward is also hanging in the balance.

Analysts say if others who are able cannot get their rewards from government, how much more the disabled who are not given a sense of belonging in a society like ours. They foresee a situation whereby a good number of athletes will dump the country to adorn the colours of other countries where they will be appreciated like their compatriots because of the shabby treatment that becomes their lot after competitions.

This is not the first time they are bringing honour to the country. They won 30 out of the 85 gold medals during the 2003 All Africa Games hosted by Nigeria to put the country on top of the overall medals table. They also did the country proud in Athens, Greece, where the able athletes couldn't win a gold medal.

The next Olympics and Paralympics will take place in London. what will happen then remains to be seen.