1 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

VISIT: Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State (left) and Rev. Felix Omobude, President, PentocostalFellowship of Nigeria during a visit to the Governor in Benin City yesterday.

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol. 38 • NO.297 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013 • N100.00

Page 18HEALTH

Page 14

NUTRITIONALHEALTH AND

DIETETICS

RotavirusThe silentchild killer

Arthritis andwhat to do (1)

The Nigerian

God ’ll uproot bad leaders

Continues on page 2 Continues on page 2

Council to regulate teachers’ diploma - Minister

Development of Edo: PFNPresident lauds Oshiomhole

FG identifies 34 mineralsin commercial quantity

- Gowon

Continues on page 2

Continues on page 2

Security: Zone 5 on red alert

ABUJA - The Ministerof Education, Prof.Ruqayyatu Rufa’I, saysthe TeachersRegistration Council of

Nigeria (TRCN) will nowregulate the teachers’professional diploma atvarious academic levels.

Rufa’I said this on

Monday in Abuja when adelegation from theTeachers EducationDepartment in Tanzania

visited her in Abuja.“For the first time we

have a document thatwe can uniformly use for

BENIN CITY -President of thePentecostal Fellowship

of Nigeria (PFN),Reverened FelixOmobude says Governor

Adams Oshiomhole hasrepositioned Edo State tothe forefront after its

many years of neglect bythe past governments.

Speaking during acourtesy visit to theGovernor in Benin Cityyesterday, ReverendOmobude said from theoutset, it was clear thatOshiomhole had apositive vision for thestate.

He said: “you left noone in doubt that youmeant well for Edo State.I’m very thankful to Godand proud that onceagain Edo State hascome to the forefront.

“While we commendyour efforts so far, weknow that there are many

GOMBE - TheMinister of Mines andSteel Development,Alhaji Musa Sada,yesterday said thefederal government had

identified over 34different solid minerals incommercial quantity indifferent parts of thecountry.

Sada, said this in a

message he sent to aworkshop on EconomicDiversification andEnhancement ofRevenue Generation,taking place in Gombe.

The workshop wasorganised by the RevenueMobilisation, Allocationand Fiscal Commission(RMAFC) for the North-

IBADAN - Former Head of State, Gen. YakubuGowon, yesterday in Ibadan prayed that Godshould uproot all the leaders with evil intentionsagainst the country so that the polity could moveforward.

Gowon spoke duringhis visit to GethsemanePrayer MinistriesCathedral, Eleyele,Ibadan presided over byNational Coordinator,Nigeria Prays, Rev.Moses Aransiola.

“I want God to uprootbad leaders from Nigeriaas a way of moving thecountry forward from thepresent situation,” hesaid.

The ex-military rulerhad been involved in

ministration work prayingfervently for peace andprogress of Nigeria.

He also faulted theprediction that thecountry would break upby 2015, saying thatsimilar prediction byFrance had alreadyfailed.

The former Head ofState said, “Nigeriansshould stand up as oneand intercede on thecrises rocking this nation.

“That is when God will

uproot all the leaders thathave evil intentionagainst this country.Nigerians needs to desistfrom creating problemswhich they cannot solveand stop blaming God fortheir shortcomings.

“We had series ofcrises in the past and ifNigerians can prayfervently well, sooner orlater, this country will be

free from its challenges;God has heard our criesand will surely answer.

“I don’t believe that theprediction by America thatNigeria will break before2015 will happen. Francesaid the same thing in thepast that we will break up

before 2014, but we stillstand as one.

“Every Nigerian shouldstand against the claims.If we believes that it willnot happen, then it willnot.

“I believe God will notallow such to happen.

Nigeria Prays is reallypraying against such.”

He said Nigerians athome and abroad werevery concerned about thecrises rocking this nation.

“We believe that onlyprayer can solve it. If youlove Nigeria the way Ilove Nigeria, we shouldhave faith, then we shallovercome”.

BENIN CITY – TheAssistant Inspector –General (AIG) ofPolice, Zone ‘5’ Mr.Hashimu SalihuArgungu has placed hismen on red alert aheadof any securitychallenge that mayarise across the zoneduring and after theforthcoming embermonths. The AIG gave theindication at asensitization meetingheld in Benin City, forofficers and menincluding Edo StatePolice Commissioner,Mr. Foluso Adebanjo. “The essence we arehere is to sensitize youall (policemen) on thecoming ember months;we believe in planning;proper planningprevents poorperformance; we knowthe current crime andcriminalities in oursociety”. He stated. Mr. Argunguexpressed joy at thereported cases of arrest

By MIKEOSAROGIAGBON

of kidnappers and therescue of their victims. “Our statistics showthat a lot is being doneand we will not relent.That is why we are herenow and we caneliminate and reducecrime to the minimumlevel in our society,especially here in Edo,”AIG Argungumaintained. The Zonal PoliceChief called for supportas police in the zone areready to collaborate withrelevant federalagencies, including theFederal Road SafetyCorps, to curb crimeand road accidentsduring and after theember months. He reiterated the abilityof his men to safeguardlives and property,

“despite that the FederalGovernment hasabandoned its muchpublicize plan to deployclose circuit TelevisionCameras at Strategiclocations across thecountry as part of effortsto check risinginsecurity.” The police bosshowever assured thatthe sensitization confabwould also be held inBayelsa and DeltaStates, which are underhis command.

2 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

News Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1

Why we resuscitatedUPN - Prince Eweka

PFN President lauds Oshiomhole

Educ developmentMrs Odubu commends

UNESCO, others

FG identifies 34 minerals

Head of Service inducts 26directors

Continued from page 1

Two-party system best forNigeria - Utomi

Diversification of economy ’ll enhancedevelopment - Dankwabo

Council to regulate teachers’ diploma Continued from page 1

LAGOS - A politicaleconomist, Prof. Pat Utomi, onMonday said that a two-partysystem was best for Nigeria.

Utomi’s said this on thebackdrop of registration of twonew political parties by theIndependent National ElectoralCommission (INEC).

INEC on Friday announcedthe registration of the PeoplesDemocratic Movement (PDM)and the IndependentDemocrats (ID).

INEC Secretary, Mrs. A.C.Ogakwu, had said in astatement that the registrationwas in accordance with the1999 Constitution (asamended) and the ElectoralAct, 2010 (as amended).

Utomi told newsmen that herecognised INEC’sconstitutional power to registerpolitical parties but said that atwo party-system would be

preferable for Nigeria.“It is left for political actors

to develop a convention for atwo-party system,” he said.

Similarly, the Lagos StateChairman of the AfricanDemocratic Congress (ADC),Mr Godfrey Lemchi, describedthe registration of the two newparties as contradictory.

“The registration of two newpolitical parties coming from acommission that deregistered28 political parties, not longago, is contradictory,” he said.

Lemchi urged INEC not toappeal against the recentcourt judgment nullifying thederegistration.

However, a former ElectoralCommissioner of the LagosState Independent ElectoralCommission, Mr MohammedOyefeso, said that theregistration of the new partieswas in order.

East sub-region.Represented by the Chief

Accountant in the ministry, MrsEdith Ezeokoli, the ministersaid diversification of theeconomy was a majorcomponent of the federalgovernment’s transformationagenda.

He said a lot of the minerals

had been found in the North-Eastern part of the country,which according to him, whenharnessed, can benefit thehost communities.

“The North-East geo-political zone in particular, isendowed with a variety ofmineral resources comprisingclay, coal (lignite), kaolin,marble, limestone, barite,

bentonite,and lead/zinc ores,among others.

“Exploitation of some ofthese minerals, has made thispart of the nation, especiallyPotiskum and Fika, hubs forgypsum trading activities.

“The discovery of very highgrade iron ore in NangereLocal Government Area ofYobe State and Trona in bothBorno and Yobe states, havejoined to make these states,and indeed the North-EastZone, a centre for sourcingtrona for domestic andindustrial use,” he said.

The minister called onmining operators to add valueto their products before sellingthem to enhance theireconomic value.

He also called onresearchers to conductresearches on how to addvalue to Nigeria’s mineralresources before exportingsame.

The minister urged stategovernments to providelogistic support to local miningcompanies to increase theirproductivity and jobs creationpotentials.

On political activities aheadof 2015 general elections,Gowon said, “the politiciansare over-ambitious.

Gowon advised that theover-ambitious politicians

God ’ll uproot bad leadersshould be ignored, as theyspelt doom for the nation.

“Politicians should not beselfish but should protect theinterest of the people toensure equitable developmentof the country,” he said.

things to be done, manymiles to be crossed.

“We want to assure you ofour prayers; we stand with youand by you to move our stateforward. I thank you formaking yourself available forthe giant strides youradministration is making.”

Reverend Omobude notedthat Governor Oshiomholehas a respected voice bothlocally and nationally andshould therefore continue to

speak up on ways to move thenation foreward.

In his response, GovernorOshiomhole yesterdaycommended ReverendOmobude for his role inpioneering technicaleducation in the ruralcommunities.

He said: “I congratulate youon your well-deserved victoryas president of PFN. I knowthat the PentecostalFellowship won’t have been ina better hand at this point in

time and considering thevisibility of the immediatepredecessor across thecountry.

“We appreciate youroutstanding contribution toeducation, especiallytechnical education, asrepresented by the LighthousePolytechnic where you areinvesting huge resources in arural community. I emphasiserural community, because thechallenge of rebuilding a newNigeria needs developmentand to achieve even

development and keep ourrural people where they areand reverse urban-ruralmigration, we must bringdevelopment to rural areas,not by sermon and that iswhat your pioneering effort inthis regard has demonstrated.

“The effort has helped tocomplement our own effort torecognize the need to providemore Technical Schools asopposed to conventionalstudies provided byuniversities.”

ABUJA - Alhaji Bukar Aji,the Head of the Civil Serviceof the Federation, on Mondayinducted 26 for newlyemployed DirectorateOfficers.

They are on transfer fromthe Federal Capital Territory,Ebonyi, Bayelsa and Bauchi.

Inducting the directors, Ajisaid the training wasmandatory in order toacquaint and expose thedirectors to the rudiments,basic structures, processes,procedures and operations ofthe civil service.

He said the induction wasalso to introduce them to thesubjects of code of conduct:ethics and attitudinal changein the Federal Civil Service.

At the end of the induction,the newly employed wouldhave been equipped toimbibe courtesy in servicedelivery, commitment to dutyand discipline in workplace.

He urged them to shun all

forms of corrupt practice sincethe civil service was aninstitution that had zerotolerance to corruption.

“As officers coming fromdifferent backgrounds,exposures and experiences inyour various states, you willfind the training a mostappropriate source ofinformation on the operations

of the federal service.“This will prepare you well to

face the tasks and challengesahead that you will meet in thecourse of your duties andresponsibilities in the service.

“No doubt, you will find thetraining interesting andworthwhile in view of thefaculty of service. We haveretired public officers as

resource persons on varioussubjects and issues.

“All I want to plead with youis to give your full attention andcommitment to the lecture.

“I am confident that at theend, you would have beenwell equipped to face thechallenges ahead.

“It will also enable you tomake modest contributions tothe task of transforming theFederal Republic of Nigeria inline with internation

teachers at thepostgraduate diplomaeducation level, which is reallyan important milestone for usbecause we do have a lot ofchallenges when it concernsteachers.

“This will enable us to havea way forward in addressingsome of the issues,‘’ she said.

She said that the council hadbeen doing a lot in terms ofregistration of teachers,capacity development and

professionalisation.She said that Nigeria and

South Africa were the only twocountries having teachers’regulatory bodies.

Rufa’I said that she gotinformation that Tanzanianwas also establishing acouncil to regulate teachers interms of development andprofessionalisation.

“I am happy to hear that youare here to under study howour teachers’ registrationcouncil in Nigeria is working.

“I believe that by the timeyou under study what we do,it will really help you out toreplicate them in Tanzania.

“I also believe that theoutcome of what you will do,will definitely make yououtstanding.”

She commended the

Tanzanian government forsending a high powereddelegation to Nigeria to understudy the council.

Mrs Helen Liawa, AssistantDirector, Teachers EducationDepartment in Tanzanian, saidthat the delegation was inNigeria to study the council’soperation, to establish one.

“The objective of our visit isto learn from your ministry onmatters pertaining to teachers’professionalism.

“We will like to especiallylearn from differenteducational leaders as well asteachers themselves becausein Tanzania, we are planningto establish Tanzanianteachers professional council.

“We understand that it isonly Nigeria and South Africanthat have such, so we are hereto learn so as to get the best

BENIN CITY – The Chairman,Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN),Prince Sylvester Eweka hasdisclosed that the party is nota new political party and thatthe founding father is LateChief Obafemi Awolowo. Prince Eweka stated that theresuscitation of the Unity Partyof Nigeria (UPN) over theyears is to impact positively onthe lives of the people ofNigeria. he added that henoticed that the presentNigerian Government hasnothing to offer Nigerians. According to him, he statedthat the main objective of UPNis to build humanity, wipe outtears from the eyes of thepeople and what look like anHerculean task to be easilyattained. He disclosed that the partycan provide free education,good health care, Agriculture,low-cost Housing andmassive developmentinfrastructure, he added thatall these have not been seenin recent time, hence the Re-

birth of the Unity Party of Nigeria(UPN). The UPN state chairmanstated that the party has capablehands which comprise ofprofessionals that includeEngineers, Doctors, Lawyers,even professors who arepresently on ground building theparty in various states of thefederation. The chairman stated furtherthat presently in the 3 senatorialDistricts of Edo State. There areover 200 co-ordinatorssensitizing the people on theprogrammes of the UPN and theresponse from the people is thatof enthusiasm and a willingnessto participate in the building ofthe party,” he added that withinjust two months of it’sresuscitation they have co-ordinators in the 36 states of thefederation.” Prince Eweka stated that theUPN has no zoning systembecause it is an all embracingparty which gives everyoneequal opportunity, he added” allother parties are free to comeand contribute their quota to theUnity Party of Nigeria (UPN).”

BENIN CITY – Wife of EdoState Deputy Governor,Deaconess Endurance Odubuhas lauded the United NationsEducation, Scientific andCultural Organization(UNESCO) and the NationalCommission for MassEducation (NMEC) forpartnering with the StateGovernment in improving theeducation sector. Deaconess Mrs. Odubumade the declaration in BeninCity during the openingceremony of the State LevelTraining Seminar by theAgency for Adult and Non-Formal Education of the StateMinistry of Basic Education. According to her, theseminar, which is aimed ateradicating illiteracy in thesociety, is complementing theefforts of Adams Oshiomhole’sdrive to reposition theeducation sector in line with theMillennium Development

By INNOCENT OMOAKA Goals (MDGs). She, however, called for thesustenance of similar trainingin Edo State, which would helperadicate poverty andignorance among the people. Hon. Patrick Aguinede, theCommissioner for BasicEducation, Edo State,represented by the PermanentSecretary in the Ministry, Barr.Usi Osemwonwa noted thatthe training programme is inline with the stategovernment’s policy ongrassroots capacity building toimprove the human andinfrastructural developmentand reposition the stateseducation sector. Executive Secretary, NMEC,Alhaji Jibrin Piako,represented by Mr. John Edehof NMEC noted that facilitatorswere drawn from across the18 local government areas ofthe state in order to equipthem with practical knowledgeand skills aimed at revitalizingadult and youth literacy of thenon-formal education sector.

By PEACE MADOJEMU/VICTOR IMADE

GOMBE - Governor IbrahimDankwambo of Gombe Statestressed on Monday in Gombethat diversification of Nigeria’seconomy would engendereconomic growth anddevelopment.

Dankwambo stated this atthe opening of a two-dayadvocacy workshop on“Economic Diversification andEnhanced RevenueGeneration’’ for the North- Eastzone.

“In view of global economicrealities, there is a need tomaximally harness and utilisethe the country’s abundantnatural resources to rebuild theeconomy and improve theliving standards of the people,’’he said.

Dankwambo saiddiversification of the economywas possible throughrevamping of manufacturingindustry and enhanceddevelopment of agriculture,culture and tourism, solidminerals, education,commerce, science andtechnology, among othersectors.

“It is against this backdropthat at the inception of thisadministration, we wasted notime in constituting sector-based committees to reviewthe various sectors.

“On revenue generation, wehave passed a Fiscal

Responsibility Bill to block allleakages in revenue collection,as well as enhance prudenceand transparency in ourfinancial transactions.

“In addition to PAYE, usuallydeducted from source, effortshave been intensified to ensurethat businessmen and corporateorganisations pay theircorrectly-assessed taxes to thegovernment as at when due.

“‘We have also recordedsuccess stories in massivesocio-economic infrastructure,agriculture, health sector andemployment opportunities forour teeming youth and women,‘’ he said.

He called on resource

persons and participants in theworkshop to passionatelybrainstorm on ways to achieveadequate diversification of theeconomy by tapping from theabundant natural resourcesfound in the region.

Earlier, the chairman,RMAFC, Mr Elias Mbam, saidthat there was an urgent needto diversify the source ofrevenue in the country to meetthe increasing expenditurerequirements of governanceand development.

Mbam said diversification ofthe economy would guaranteeactualisation of various socioeconomic programmes ofgovernment.

3 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

Inside EdoEnvironmental ProtectionRector Urges UN Proactiveness

LG Boss Inspects Drainage Sites

LG Boss Assures FOMWANOf Support

UBIAJA – TheChairman of Esan SouthEast Local GovernmentCouncil, Hon. JosephIkpea has made inspection

AFUZE – EMAI-OwanEast Local GovernmentCouncil Chairman, Hon.(Barr.) Jimoh Ijegbai hassaid that his administrationwould support theFederation of MuslimWomen Association ofNigeria (FOMWAN),Owan East Chapter toensure that its objective ofbuilding a better society isachieved.

AUCHI – The UnitedNations (UN) has beenentreated to compel worldleaders, through diplomacyor sanctions to applynecessary measures towardsaving the environment aspart of far reaching steps toaddress the incidence ofclimate changes appearedmired in global politics. Rector, AuchiPolytechnic, Auchi, EdoState, Dr. (Mrs.) PhilipaIdogho in a remarks whiledeclaring open the 7th

Annual Conference of theschool of EnvironmentalStudies of the institutionnoted that in spite of severalsummits by world leadersstudies on climate change,

By MORRISON HAYBLE industialzed nations seemedunwilling to evolvestrategies to cut down ongreen house emissions. Dr. Idogho remarked thatincidence of sea of gullyerosion was anotherenvironmental issuethreatening mankind as deepfrightening gullies threatenroads, and built up habitatspointing most of whichoften result fromindiscriminate practices inland use and environmentalplanning. “Rapid and indiscriminatedeforestation, roads withoutgutters, building on thenatural pathway of waterflow, poor storm watermanagement in urban areashave contributed toenvironmental woes,

visits to all the drainagesites in Ubiaja metropolis,system with a view toascertain their functionalityor otherwise.

The council boss gavethis pledge when he playedhost to members of theFederation led by HajiaAisha Saliu Musa in Afuze,the headquarters of thecouncil. The Chairman advisedmembers of the Federationnot to hesitate to seek hisadministration’s support,

especially in our urban andemerging cities.” The Rector who observedthat the major challenges toman was the environment,expressed her belief that theproblem could besurmounted if Nigeria’stown planning authoritiesscrupulously implementextant laws in urban andregional developmentwithout fear or favour. She pointed out that themeasure would serve toreclaim much of the cities aswell as guarantee urbanrenewal drive. The theme of theconference is, “ClimateChange, Human Settlement,and vulnerability: Issues andChallenges for SustainableBuilt Environment.”

Hon. Ikpea who frownedat the level of neglect of thedrainage by previousadministration in the saidhe decide to go on the

since he maintains an opendoor policy. Hajia Musa hadcommended the councilboss for his electoralvictory. She explained that theassociation is saddled withthe responsibilities ofempowering women andchildren and mouldings

inspection due to theprediction by experts thaterosion/flood was going todestroy large part of thecountry this year. He promised that hisadministration would re-open all the drainage systemin Ubiaja so that thecommunity would not beaffected by erosion/flood. Hon. Ikpea wasaccompanied on theinspection visit by topcouncil functionaries,including the Secretary tothe Local Government,Hon. Solon Oyedo Head ofLocal GovernmentAdministration, Barr.Osagiator Ojo, Treasury tothe Local Government, Mr.Anthony Akhimien;Supervisor for Works; Hon.Monday Osoh; and theSupervisor for Education,Hon. Lizzy Ehiabhi.

them positively in order tobuild a virile society. She added that theassociation equally assistsdistressed communities aswell as individuals andsued for the Chairman’ssupports to enable theFederation meet up itsobjective in terms oforganizing workshop formembers.

Ministry Holds ValedictorySession For Perm Sec

Development, Barr. Louis Aliuhas advised members of theministry to sustain theirdiligence, hardwork and loyaltyto the state Government Barr.Aliu gave the advice at avaledictory session organised bythe ministry, on the eve of hisdisengagement from the science. The Permanent Secretaryremarked that the success of theministry during his tenure canonly be sustained if the staffmaintain the high standard ofservice they are known for. He commended all membersof staff for their level ofcooperation and the diligenceshown during his period in theministry. The Commissioner for theMinistry, Honourable Lawrence

R-L:Chairman, EsanSouth East LocalGovernment Council,Hon. Joseph Ikpea atthe inspection of afailed drainage projectin Ubiaja. With him isthe Supervisor forWorks, Hon. MondayOsoh; Supervisor forEducation, Hon. LizzyEhiabhi and theTreasurer to the LocalGovernment Council,Mr. Anthony Akhimien.

BENIN CITY- The Permanentsecretary, Ministry of Budget,Planning and Economic

By ISEMHENBITA FAITH

BENIN CITY – The burialceremony of Madam AtitiImasuen, (Nee Idada), Motherof Mr. Gabriel Imasuen, theInternal Auditor of BendelNewspapers Company Limited(BNCL), publishers of theObserver titles has beenscheduled to begin on FridayAugust 23, 2013.

A statement endorsed byMrs. Orumwense and Mr.Imasuen Gabriel indicated thaton Friday August 23, 2013 at10am, the body will be takenfrom God’s care HospitalMortuary in a motorcade to herresidence, No 6/7 IdemudiaStreet, Off Useh College Roadfor lying-in-state and service ofsongs at 3pm.

On Saturday August 24,2013, there would be socialdance/entertainment of guests atBaptist High School, TV Road,Benin City.

The ceremony will climaxon Sunday August 25, 2013 with

BNCL Internal Auditor’s MomFor Burial Aug 23

Aghedo described the out –going Permanent Secretary as avery thorough officer and, agreat team leader who ishardworking and with highsense of experience on the job. He stated that the PermanentSecretary always is a teamplayer all activities embarksupon and prayed that the goodLord grant him long life,prosperity and favour in all hisendeavour. The directors and staffexpressed profound gratitude tothe Permanent Secretary andalso thanked him for sharing hisleadership qualities with them,describing the PermanentSecretary as a team leader whoalways mobilized his staff toachieve the set goal.

a thanksgiving service at CSSM,70 Imagbenikaro Street, OffSiluko Road at 10am andanother thanksgiving service atHead-Stone Endtime Ministries,168 Ikpoba Slope, Benin City at11am, as well as GrandChildren’s Day at 1pm.

Late Madam Atiti Imasuendied on Thursday, May 23, 2013at the University of BeninTeaching Hospital (UBTH).

She is survived by SevenChildren, including Mr.Imasuen Gabriel, 34 GrandChildren and 10 Great-grandchildren.

Late Madam Atiti Imasuen

Chairman, Esan South East Local Government Council, Hon.Joseph Ikpea inspecting afailed drainage system in Ubiaja, the administrative headquarters.

4 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

Across The Nation

Untreated Cataract Can Lead ToBlindness - Expert

State Of Emergency, No Bar To LG Poll- Electoral Commission

Union Urges FG To Enroll 2006Retirees

APGA Will Not ReverseDisqualification Of Soludo

- ChairmanAWKA - The Chairman of theAll Progressive Grand Alliance(APGA) in Anambra, Chief MikeKwentor, said it would not overruled the disqualification of sixaspirants for the party’sgovernorship ticket.

Kwentor told newsmen inAwka that the action of thescreening committee was in linewith the party’s constitution.

He said that it was better for theparty to go into the election witha candidate without blemish thanwith one whose victory could bevoided.

According to him, theconstitution says you must beeligible to vote before you can bevoted for and for you to beeligible to vote, you must havevoter’s card.

“So, I think that the ScreeningCommittee disqualified thosethey disqualified based on cogentreasons.

“I am sure that even those

disqualified know that the reasonfor which they were disqualifiedwas cogent, otherwise, they willappeal because the party madeprovision for appeal,” he said.

The Alhaji Tayo Sowunmi-ledScreening Committee screenedthe 14 gubernatorial aspirants anddisqualified six aspirants.

Those disqualified are: Prof.Charles Soludu, Mr. OselokaObaze, Dr Chike Obidigbo, ChiefChinedu Idigo, Chief TonyNnacheta and Mr. Emma Nweke.

They were disqualified for non-possession of voter’s card, taxclearance, lack of evidence ofsound financial muscle, andunresolved issue with theEconomic and Financial CrimeCommission.

In a reaction the SpecialAdviser to Governor, Mr FidelOkafor, corroborated Kwentor’sviews.

“I am sure what the committeemembers did was not deliberatelytargeted at the affected aspirants,and I am convinced that they toldthem their shortcomings,”Okafor said.

Okafor also said though theaffected aspirants had formidablecredentials, but was optimisticthat those cleared could defeatany other candidate of theopposition parties.

LAGOS - The NigerianUnion of Pensioners (NUP),Federal Civil Service Sector,Lagos, has urged the FederalGovernment to enroll 2006retirees on the pension pay roll.

The Chairman of the sector,Mr. Pius Chukwura, made thisappeal when he spoke tonewsmen in Lagos.

Chukwura said many of the

pensioners were actuallysuffering and were living on‘handouts’ from families andfriends.

“Many of them have not beenpaid their gratuity since 2006when they were retired till date,not to talk of being on the pensionpay roll.

“Those of them who can makeit still come to the secretariat hereat the Federal Civil Service Club,Ikoyi, to update their records.

“We have about 10, 000 of suchmembers who have done theirpaper works and completed thenecessary forms which we havesent to the Head of Service.

“Uptill now, nothing has comeout of it,” he said.

Chukwura said that the appealhad become necessary to ensurethat the hardship being faced bysome of their members werereduced.

“We are not saying that all thenames should be included in thepay roll at once, but it would bea relief if during our Wednesdaymeetings, some pensioners weretold their gratuity had been paidor their names are now on the payroll.’’

The chairman, who is also theNUP National Secretary, said thatits secretariats nationwide werealways updating the lists ofpensioners.

He said that they also assistmembers in completingnecessary forms and thedocuments to submit and forwardsame to the Head of Service.

Chukwura said the union alsotook statistics of pensioners whoreceived their pay every monthand those who were not paid.

DAMATURU - AlhajiMuhammad Jauro, Chairman ofYobe Independent ElectoralCommission (YSIEC), has saidthat the state of emergencyimposed on the State, would nothinder the conduct of councilpolls

Fielding questions fromnewsmen in Damaturu.heexplained that the state of

emergency did not prohibitpolitical activities and theconduct of elections.

He said the commission wasprepared to conduct the electionsany time from now as most of thenon-sensitive election materials,

had been procured.“We have on ground, most of the

materials required for the electionand government has released fundsfor logistics. We have also obtainedthe updated voters register from theIndependent National Electoral

Commission (INEC).“The commission is

however yet to print ballotpapers until a date is fixed andthe actual number of politicalparties participating in theelections, ascertained” he said.

The chairman observed that thesecurity situation in the state, hadimproved and that theatmosphere was now conducivefor the elections.

He said the commission wouldmeet with stakeholders, includingpolitical parties, to deliberate on

the proposed election.Jauro thanked political parties,

politicians, opinion leaders andsecurity operatives in the state,for their co’operation during thesensitization campaign on votereducation embarked upon byYSIEC.

Reports say that the localgovernment elections wereinitially scheduled to hold in June

LAGOS - Dr Anne Ebri, theSub-Regional Manager, WestAfrican Branch for BrienHolden Vision Institute, haswarned that untreated cataractcan result in blindness.

Ebri gave the warning whenhe spoke to newsmen in Lagos.

The institute carried out asurgery to remove a bilateralcataract from MelchizedekAbraham, a 20-month-old boy.

Cataract is opacity of the eyelens, which can happen formany reasons.

She said that cataract couldoccur more often in adults aspart of the ageing process andrarely in children, but forhereditary reason or due tocomplications in pregnancy.

“However, today we aredealing with a child, and in thisparticular case, it is congenital;meaning the child was bornwith it.

“What we are trying to dohere today is to prevent lifelongblindness,” she said.

She also said that this waspossible through a surgery thattook less than an hour andcarried the usual risksassociated with any othersurgery.

Ebri said Melchizedek wassent home with his medicationafter his surgery on Thursday.

“He will receive glasses in amonth’s time, after that he willbe required to go throughcheckups every three months tochart his progress,’’ she said.

She said by the age of three,Melchizedek would be

expected to undergo anothersurgery to implant ‘IntraocularLenses’, which wouldeliminate the need for glasses.

According to her, the institutedo not usually sponsorsurgeries, but this is a specialcircumstance that serves theinstitute’s general purpose.

“The Brien Holden VisionInstitute supports governmenthospitals internationally byequipping governmenthospitals and training their staffto do their work better and with

cost effective measures.“We are training local

community-based workers toidentify eye problems in thecommunity and to facilitatereferrals to centres we haveequipped.

“It is in the course of this thatwe found Melchizedek, althoughit is not in the core of what wedo, we see this as an opportunityto create awareness.

“This will be a good case studyto show how a child can berestored through surgery after

seeking help,” she said.Ebri explained that most

Nigerians, especially those inthe rural areas, were so

scared of surgery that theywould rather bear the illness.

She added that this leadspeople hiding their illness ortheir sick children from theworld.

Chairman, Esan South East Local Government Council, Hon. Joseph Ikpea with Mrs. Edna Ogbebor, the Esan Police AreaCommander who was on a familiarisation visit to the local government.

Front rows, Chairman, Esan South East Local Government Council, Hon. Joseph Ikpea (3rd left) in a group photographwith Mrs. Edna Ogbebor, Police Area Commander-in-charge of Esan Command, (2nd left) and Hon. T. E. Igogbe the ViceChairman, Chief Iyase of Ewatto (left) during a familiarisation visit by the Police boss.

5 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

South-SouthRivers Judiciary Attributes Success To God

NRC To RehabilitateRail Tracks

NavyArrests

SuspectedOil Thieves

Activist Demands Probe Into Death OfNigerian

“It is sad to hear that an Ijawson was murdered in NorthCyprus. Till now, the authoritiescould not explain thecircumstances that led to hisdeath. We won’t take this anylonger. “We condemn the killingof the Ijaw youth studying inNorth Cyprus and call forfurther inquiry into thecircumstances that led to hisdeath’’, Eradiri said.

PORT HARCOURT -The President of CustomaryCourt of Appeal in Rivers,Justice Peter Agumagu, onFriday attributed the successof the state judiciary to thegrace of God. Agumagumade the assertion at athanksgiving service to markthe end of the 2012/2013Legal Year in Port Harcourt.According to him, the

PORT HARCOURT -The Nigerian RailwayCorporation (NRC) is torehabilitate rail tracks in thesouth eastern part of thecountry. The EasternRegional Manager of NRC,Mr Felix Njoku, made thisknown when he inauguratedthe movement of theimported track materials tothe zone in Port Harcourt.Njoku listed the materials as13,500 pieces of 12 meterlong rail lines, 165 pieces ofsteel sleepers, fish plates,pandrol clips, bolts andknots. “The imported raillines will cover a distance of81 kilometres of track whilea balance of the rails will bestored and used formaintenance of the rail lineson completion of therehabilitation.

He said in order to enhancespeed of rehabilitation; thecontractor had connected allthe missing sections of linesbetween Port Harcourt andEnugu.

“The reconstruction of theNyaba rail bridge at Enugu,Heavy Washout at Eziama,Aba, and Bridge Three inPort Harcourt, have beencompleted”, he said.

Njoku said that Eser WestAfrica Limited, a contractorrehabilitating the 463-kilometre Port Harcourt-

YENAGOA - The NigerianNavy said in Yenagoa that itarrested six persons, whoallegedly attempted to tow adistressed barge laden withcrude oil. “The suspects werearrested while using a tug boatto retrieve the distressed barge,“Rear Adm. Sidi-Ali Usman,Flag Officer Commanding,Central Naval Command, said.

Sidi-Ali told journalists thatthe security agencies weremaking efforts to ensure thebarge was salvaged from itspresent position. He said thata naval team on routine patrolspotted the barge, identified asMV LILA.

He said that the navy hadtaken measures to prevent thelikelihood of oil spill andconsequential damage to theenvironment. Sidi-Ali,however, said thatinvestigations into the incidenthad since commenced.

He warned that illegal oilvessels without validdocuments plying thewaterways in the area wouldbe seized when they weresighted.

judiciary is grateful to Godfor leading it successfullythroughout the year.

Agumagu commendedmembers of the Judiciary fortheir efforts at ensuringefficient and productiveservice delivery to the peopleof the state.‘”I commend allmembers of the Nigerian BarAssociation for their effortsin ensuring a successful

year.’’ Agumagu urged members

of the state judiciary to becourageous in all they do tomaintain peace, law and orderin the state. He also urgedthem to remain focused whileon vacation and resume with

joy to continue in the fight forjustice in the state and country.

Delivering the sermon, Rev.Innocent Ordu, Bishop ofAnglican Diocese of EVO,said that God who is thehighest Judge, had passedthrough the judiciary to bring

peace.Ordu urged members of

the judiciary to alwaysacknowledge God in theirentire practise for morewisdom just as he gave toSolomon in the Bible.

“God loves justice, that is

Reports says that the body ofEteimo, a budding singer, wasreportedly found floating in ahotel beach after a night partywith friends on August 8.

It was also gathered that Eteimohad gone to a party at the popular5-star Kratos Hotel with somefriends. “Eteimo had met an oldwhite female classmate at thevenue and went to say hello whenher jealous boyfriend steppedforward and warned him to stayclear of his girlfriend. “Theeyewitness claimed that both men

had a heated argument before theangry Cypriot boyfriendthreatened Eteimo, saying hewould deal with him fordisrespecting him’’, he said.

Eradiri said Ijaw youths werenot satisfied with the claim byCyprus police that the victim gothimself drowned in the hotelbeach.

“A brother of the deceased,Julius Eteimo, who went toidentify the body, insisted that hisbrother had no reason to killhimself and that he saw blood

stains on his ear, mouth, noseand neck. “The brother has alsocalled on the hotel to producetapes of the CCTV for thatnight, which the hotelmanagement has turneddown.’’ He said the man whothreatened his younger brothershould be interrogated.

Eradiri, who said he receivedthe news with shock anddisbelief, called on the FederalGovernment and the Cypriotauthorities to ensure thatjustice was done on the matter.

YENAGOA - FormerSecretary-General of Ijaw YouthCouncil (IYC), Mr UdengsEradiri, has called for probe intothe death of a Bayelsan, 28-yearold Stanley Eteimo, in Cyprus.Eradiri made the call in Yenagoawhen he spoke with journalists.He said Cyprus had not doneenough to unravel the actualcircumstances that led toEteimo’s death.

Makurdi rail lines, hadcompleted about 34 per centof 51 bridges across foureastern states. According tohim, the project has reached48 per cent completion andwill attain 60 per centcompletion when thematerials reached theirdestinations.

Njoku said therehabilitation would be fast-tracked to enablecommercial train services toresume by the end ofDecember. He said that NRCwas collaborating withcommunities to protectrailway lines from vandals.

why he gave wisdom tojudges and also love them forbringing peace among peopleof the earth,’’ he said. Thebishop advised members toreflect on how God hadhelped them to achieve muchthrough the legal year.

L-R: Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike; Minister of Youth Development, Inuwa Abdulkadiri and NationalPresident, Nigeria Bar Association, Mr. Okey Wali (SAN) at the valedictory ceremony in honour of retiring Chief Judgeof Rivers, Justice Iche Ndu in Port Harcourt yesterday.

L-R: President, Customary Court of Appeal, Rivers State, Justice Peter Agumagu; retiring Chief Judge of Rivers State,Justice Iche Ndu and his wife, Dame Ngozi at the valedictory ceremony in honour of the retiring Chief Judge in PortHarcourt yesterday.

6 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

South WestInvest In WalnutCultivation, ExpertUrges Farmers

Auto Crash: 6 Killed, 21 Injured

Rev Fr. Ekabo Marks 1-Yr Of PriestlyOrdination

Oyo To Probe Allocation Of Shops

OSOGBO - A nutritionisthas urged farmers to investmore in the cultivation ofwalnut, otherwise known as‘asala’ in Yoruba and ‘ukpa’ inIgbo languages, because of itsnutritional values andmedicinal benefits.

Mrs Veronica Ajayi ofGlobal Foods Limited,Osogbo, gave the advice in aninterview with newsmen inOsogbo.

Ajayi noted that manypeople consumed the fruitwithout knowing much of itsvast potential as a good sourceof varied nutrients.

IBADAN - Governor AbiolaAjimobi of Oyo State said that hisadministration would re-examinethe processes adopted in allocatingshops at the Scout Camp Marketat Challenge in Ibadan.

Ajimobi made theannouncement when he made anunscheduled visit to the market,inaugurated recently by the StateGovernment.

The governor said that he wasin the market to ascertain the levelof compliance, regarding therelocation of traders to the market

ITORI (OGUN) - Sixunidentified people have beenconfirmed dead, while 21 otherswere critically injured in amultiple accident that occurred onthe Abeokuta-Lagos Expressway.

The Itori Unit Commander ofthe FRSC, Mr. Fatai Bakare, whoconfirmed the incident, toldnewsmen that the accidentoccurred at Osunpori Village,

She said researchers hadfound out that walnut leaves,nuts and trees could be used forthe treatment of dysentery,infertility and stress, amongothers.

The nutritionist added thatwalnut contained vitalnutrients that help the growthof the body, and urged farmersto invest more in itscultivation.

‘’Researchers in theagriculture sector havedeclared that one hectare ofwalnut farm can fetch morethan N500,000 annually, ifwell managed.

‘’Imagine what a farmer withfive or more hectares will earnannually; so let farmersespecially in the southern partof the country embrace walnutcultivation to improve theirincomes,’’ Ajayi said.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt.- Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (left), inspecting parade of guards, during the second CommandingOfficers’ workshop 2013, to build the capacity of Unit Commanders and meet contemporary security challenges inKaduna yesterday.

and to listen to the traders’complaints on shop allocations.

He said that his administrationwould not tolerate any form ofsabotage such as double allocationor allocation of shops to non-traders at the market.

Ajimobi said that he had neversent anyone to acquire shops onhis behalf or to collect money fromany trader on behalf of the StateGovernment.

He appealed to the traders toexercise patience with thegovernment on the number of

shops available.The governor said the

government would soon embarkon the construction of more shopsto cater for everyone.

Ajimobi also urged the tradersto maintain proper sanitation inthe market, warning that anyonecaught trading by the roadsidewould be prosecuted.

He reiterated hisadministration’s determination togiving interest-free loans totraders as soon as the issue ofallocation of shops was resolved.

Some of the traders, who spokeat the market, commended theinitiative of the Ajimobi

near Wasinmi in the EwekoroLocal Government Area ofOgun.

He said that the accident,involving three vehiclesoccurred at about 11. 45 p.m.

Bakare said that an Ivecotruck with registration numberLagos GGE 200 XC, a Mazdapick-up van (XA 626 AAW) anda Nissan pick-up van marked

Lagos XZ 19 EKY were involvedin the accident.

The unit commander disclosedthat 27 persons, comprising 20males and seven females wereinvolved in the crash.

“One of the driver lost controlof his vehicle and he rammed intothe other and there was a serioussituation afterwards.

“Those who died so far include

two males and four females,while 21 others, made up of 18men and three women sustainedvarying degrees of injuries.’’

Bakare said that the corpses ofthe deceased had been depositedat the morgue of the GeneralHospital in Ifo, near Abeokuta.

He said that those injured in thecrash were also being taken careof at the same hospital.

administration in constructing themarket, pledging their support tothe governor.

NAHCON To Subsidise ExchangeRate For Intending Pilgrims

ABEOKUTA - The Ogun StateMuslims Pilgrims Welfare Boardhas said that the National HajjCommission ofNigeria(NAHCON) wouldsubsidise foreign exchange rate forintending pilgrims for this year’shajj.

The Executive Secretary of theboard, Alhaji Sefiu Rasheed, madethe announcement in a statementhe issued in Abeokuta.

Rasheed said that NAHCON hadapproved a subsidised rate ofN146, instead of N160 to a dollarexchange rate for basic travelling

By ROLAND OSAKUE

BENIN CITY-It was pompand ceremonies at the St. FrancisCatholic Church in Benin CitySunday as the Assistant ParishPriest of the church Rev. Fr. JobEkabo marked his one year

anniversary in the Lord’svineyard.

The ceremony which wasofficiated by four CatholicPriests in attendance, , had inattendance thousand ofparishioners and non Catholicfaithfuls alike from across thecountry that joined the celebrantin thanksgiving to God.

In a homily, the Parish Priestof Holy Family Catholic Church,Warri, Delta State and the elderbrother of the celebrant, VeryRev. Fr. Christopher Ekabo urgedChristians, irrespective of theirdenomination to follow thedoctrines of Jesus Christ in orderto receive the gift of eternity.

Very Rev.Fr. Ekabo, whoentitled his message,“unexpected help”, taking histext from the book of Jeremiah38: 4-6, 8-10 admonished thecongregation to always preparefor the Lord’s unexpectedassistance whenever theyforeclose their trust in God.

The Cleric however enjoinedthe people to remain steadfast inthe teachings of the Lord whileadvising them to always emulatethe cardinal focus in God’smanifestation which are in faith,patience and believing in the

messengers of God, in order toreceive the unexpectedassistance.

He stated that Jeremiah wasthrown into a well by those whogot offended by his message, butonly to receive the unexpectedassistance from the Lord throughEbed-melech (SIC) theEthiopian, who went to KingZedekiah to plead for his removalfrom the well in order to save hislife.

Highlight of the occasion wasthe thanksgiving by thecelebrant, Rev. Fr. Ekabo, as wellas refreshment for guests andmembers of the church, whoshowered encomium on him.

Rev Fr. Job OsemudiamhenEkabo

allowances for the intendingpilgrims.

The statement urged intendingpilgrims to utilise the opportunityof the subsidised exchange rateby the Federal Government.

It also urged all eligibleintending pilgrims to turn up formedical screening andinoculation exercise from Aug.20 to Aug. 22 or forfeit their slots.

Rasheed said that the medicalscreening was meant to ascertainthe state of health of intendingpilgrims and to ensure adequatecare for them in Saudi Arabia.

Participants at the second Commanding Officers’ workshop 2013, with the theme to build the capacity of UnitCommanders and meet contemporary security challenges in Kaduna yesterday.

7 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

LagosLagosNigeria’s Film Industry,Tool For Diplomacy - Minister

Avoid Litigation, Medical PractitionersUrged

Family Of 5 Roasted To Death

Get New Pre-Paid Meters, Electricity Coy Advises Customers

LAGOS - The Minister ofCulture and Tourism, ChiefEdem Duke, said on Friday, thatthe Nigerian Motion PictureIndustry (MPI) was a dynamictool for promotion of Nigeria’scultural diplomacy.

Duke said this at a lectureorganised by the NationalInstitute of Cultural Orientation(NICO) at the Nigerian Instituteof International Affairs (NIIA) inLagos.

He said that the Nigerian’s filmindustry had witnessedphenomenal growth in the lastcouple of years.

“It is now ranked the secondlargest in the world, and there isno arguing the fact,’’ the ministersaid.

The theme of the lecture is:‘Nollywood as an Instrument forNigeria’s Cultural Diplomacy:Reflections of a CulturalAdministrator.”

LAGOS – Dr. AdegboyegaOgunwale, a consultantpsychiatrist at the Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Aro,Abeokuta, urged medicalpractitioners to keep toestablished medical standards toavoid unnecessary litigation.

Ogunwale told newsmen inLagos that doctors could be suedfor any practice not acceptable bythe standard of the profession.

“A doctor can also be sued fornegligence by failing to achievethe established medical standard.

“He can be sued for assault andbattery, fraud, criminal abortionas well as other areas of infamousconduct in a professional respect.

“The patient has got rights, agood doctor will always respectthe rights of the patient; thepatient must recognise his or herown rights and see to it that thoserights are respected.

“The patient should notbecome unduly belligerent andwhere there has been somemisunderstanding, should not seeit as a case of accusing the doctorof malpractice, instead of tryingto clear such issues ofmisunderstanding,” thepsychiatrist said.

Ogunwale traced the history oflitigation in the Nigerian medicalpractice to the late 1950s withcases like Dickson Igbokweversus U.C.H BoardManagement, and Alakija versusMedical Council DisciplinaryCommittee.

According to him, thoselawsuits are first indication thatmedical practitioners can becalled into account for their deedsor misdeeds.

Ogunwale said that mostliabilities were avoidable bybeing honest and conscientious inthe medical career.

He said: “While the risks forliability are always inherent in theduty that we assume toward ourpatients, we have adoptedavailable defence when we getsued by patients.

“The key thing would be toensure that we obtain informedconsent from our patient; weshould ensure that we conform to

LAGOS - Tragedy occurred atMosan in Mosan Okunola LocalCouncil Development Area,Lagos State, when a midnightinferno burnt a family of five todeath while asleep in their home.

The victims were learnt to befast asleep when the incidenthappened in their three bedroomBoys Quarters bungalow locatedat 9, F Close, Mosan.

Among the victims of the firedisaster, as reliably gathered, wasChukwu Nwike, who sold femaleclothes at Yaba, his aunt and herthree children.

Nwike was said to be livingwith the aunt while the husbandof the deceased, a pastor, was saidto be on a pastoral missionoutside the state.

It was gathered that it took thecombined efforts of Agege andIkotun Fire Service men to putout the fire.

When the door of the bungalowwas eventually broken after thefire was put out, the remains ofNwike was found close to theburglary proof with one of thekids clinging to it.

The remains of the victimshave been removed anddeposited in the mortuary.

It was also alleged that theirneighbours who occupy a fourstorey building inside the samecompound with the deceased, didlittle or nothing to rescue them.

Sources who spoke with ourcorrespondent revealed that theywere only calling the fire servicemen for assistance, instead ofbreaking the bungalow’s doorwhen the fire was burning thefamily who were shouting forhelp.

When our reporter visit thescene hours after it occurred, theneighbours had deserted thebuilding while Nwike’s

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM

LAGOS - The Eko ElectricityDistribution Company hasadvised customers to register forthe new pre-paid meters to stopallegations of arbitrary billing bythe PHCN.

Mr. Godwin Idemudia, thecompany’s Assistant GeneralManager, Public Affair Division,said on Wednesday that it was tothe customer’s advantage toapply for the Credit Advance

“Films are cultural productsand assets considered the mostinfluential medium forentertainment and education.

“It behoves us to takeadvantage of it to launder ourinternational image and also drawattention to Nigeria as afascinating tourism destination.

“It is imperative thatstakeholders see themselves asour cultural ambassadors andwork assiduously to use film as amedium to project Nigeriapositively to the internationalcommunity, ‘’ Duke said.

The minister said that theFederal Government was muchconcerned about the challengesconfronting the film industry.

On the issue of piracy andcopyright infringement, Dukesaid government was doingeverything possible to check themenace so that stakeholderscould fully reap the fruits of theirlabour.

Prof. Ayo Akinwale of theFaculty of Arts, University ofIlorin, in his lecture, urged theNigerian filmmakers to payattention to the nation’s culturaldiplomacy when producingfilms.

He said that some of the filmspaid due attention to the nation’scultural diplomacy, while manydid not.

Akinwale predicted a brighterfuture for the Nollywood industryif necessary attention was paid toproduction of good films.

“For a film to sell, it must beaware of its exportationcapabilities, language, costumesand emotional interaction or elseit will not contribute anything tothe nation’s cultural diplomacy.

“There is need to correct all theerrors that we have noticed in ourproduction. Such errors that cameas a result of putting commercebefore excellence in productionmust be addressed,’’ he said.

The don suggested thatattention should be paid tocontent, script writing, artistewelfare and professionalism.

the standard methods, standarddecorum and those things that aregenerally acceptable withinresponsible medical opinion.

“In doing that, we would havebeen able to reduce the risk to thebarest minimum.

“When there is a liability suitor a legal tussle related to the

practice of a doctor or aprocedure that a doctor hasundertaken, then, resort to thesedefences would help one escape.”

Ogunwale said the doctor-patient confidentiality was aproblem area in Nigeria, addingthat the code of medical ethics in

Nigeria was the best guide forany doctor in doubt.

“Doctor-patient relationshipconstitutes a secret and as suchmust in no way be divulged to athird party, even, if the patientand their spouse are familyfriends,” he said.

Ogunwale said that the code,

however, allowed for minimumdisclosure of information inspecial circumstances includingeducation, research monitoringand public health surveillance.

He said that there were limitsto whom information could bedisclosed and what part of theinformation could be disclosed.

colleagues from Yaba marketwere seen around.

One of them who spoke withnewsmen said, “I’m not in theposition to speak with you my

people. As you are seeing me, Iam confused already. I onlyoffered to lead the prayers for thedead out of inspiration.”

Others described Nwike as anice and cool headed man who

had no time for frivolities.Some residents of the area who

spoke with our correspondentsaid they could not figure outwhat caused the midnightinferno.

Payment for MeteringImplementations (CAPMI).

He told newsmen in Lagos thatthe CAPMI would curb incessantcomplaints about PHCN bills.Idemudia said that the installationof CAPMI meters hadcommenced since July, addingthat more than 1000 customers

within the zone had started usingthem.

The general manager said thatthe CAPMI scheme was anintervention designed by theNigeria Electricity RegulatoryCommission (NERC) toeliminate problems of“estimated“ billing.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (right) and the Acting National Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Dr. Remi Akitoye (left) during the condolence visit of members of the PDP National Working Committee to theGovernor over the passage of his father, Alhaji Ibrahim Ademola Bayo Fashola at the State House, Marina, Lagos, onSunday.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (6th right) with the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture,Alhaji Oyinlomo Danmole (left) in a group photograph with the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the PeoplesDemocratic Party (PDP), Mr. Tunji Shelle (7th left) and other members of the PDP National Working Committee whopaid him a condolence visit on the passage of his father, Alhaji Ibrahim Ademola Bayo Fashola at the State House,Marina, Lagos on Sunday.

8 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

Across The Nation

Kidnap Of Traditional Ruler’s Wife: PoliceArrest 3 Suspects

Ebonyi DisbursesN200m To Rural Hospitals

Kano Pardons 370Prisoners

ASUU Condoles WithNUJ

NEMA Begins AssessmentOf Flood Prone Areas

AWKA - Academic StaffUnion of Universities,Nsukka, has condoled withAnambra Council of NigeriaUnion of Journalists (NUJ),over death of three journalistsin auto crash on August 2 inOsun.

Chairperson of NnamdiAzikiwe University branch ofthe union, Prof. IkeOdimegwu, led a seven-mandelegate to deliver themessage to NUJ in Awka.

Odimegwu expressedregrets over the painful loss.

The don said the accidentwould have been avoided ifthe roads were in good shapeand called on the Federal,State and Local governmentsto revamp decayinginfrastructure in the country.

“This delegation wasmandated at ASUU congressto come and mourn with NUJbecause the death was tragicand a huge loss to the nation.

“The circumstances of theirdeath should always provokeour thoughts on the state ofinfrastructure in this country.

“The current nationwidestrike by ASUU can beappreciated in this contextbecause the strike is basicallyintended to pressurise theFederal Government to

properly fund the universitysystem.’’

Dr Godson Okafor, amember of the delegation,urged newsmen to continue topartner with the union in itsefforts to give the universityits pride of place.

Chairman of NUJ, MrHenry Nwasike, praised theASUU leadership for theirconcern and solidarity.

He said the death of thethree colleagues really dealt adevastating blow on Nigerianjournalists.

It would be recalled that MrAdolphus Okonkwo of Voiceof Nigeria, Miss KafayatOdunsi, NTA and Mr TundeOluwanike, FRCN, died inthe crash.

Seven others sustainedserious injuries.

ABAKALIKI - GovernorMartin Elechi of Ebonyi hasdisbursed N200 million to sixrural hospitals under hisHealth Intervention Initiativein the 15th tranche of grantsto rural private hospitals.

The benefiting hospitals are:Mater Misericordae Hospital,Afikpo, N36 million;Presbyterian Joint Hospital,Uburu, N22 million; andRural Improvement MissionHospital, Ikwo, N41.2million.

The others are: Mile FourHospital, Abakaliki, N30.6

million; St Vincent HospitalNdubia, N35.2 million; andSudan United MissionHospital, Onuenyim Izzi, N35million.

Gov Elechi, who distributedthe grants in Abakaliki, urgedthe management of thehospitals to make judicioususe of the funds to save lives.

He described their financialmanagerial skills as ‘secondto none’ as the funds were notabused since the inception ofthe grants in 2008.

“The effective managementof the grants has resulted inthe reduction maternalmortality rate in the state.

“I commend the recipientsfor their resilience and withthis encouraging performancethe people of Ebonyi will inthe next five or six years enjoya comprehensive freehealthcare service,’’ he said.

In his remarks, theCommissioner for Health, DrSunday Nwangele, said thatN1.7 billion had beeninvested in the programme toprovide quality health care inthe state.

According to him, theinitiative has helped to makerural health care servicesaffordable to the people.

“The secret of the success ofthe programme is in theproficient management of thegrants.

“The six rural hospitals havebecome referral centres, while47 new structures have beenconstructed, equipped and putinto active use.

“Twenty-one new outreachsites have been established,thereby, extending qualityservices further into thehinterland,” Nwangele said.

Nwangele said that hospitalservices had improved withante-natal care improved from25,742 in 2008 to over 60,000in 2012.

He said that maternal deathsdropped from 41 deaths in2007 to 18 in 2011, whileimmunization servicesimproved remarkably whichis evidenced by the no poliocase recorded in the state thisyear.

Responding on behalf of therecipients, Dr Nte Mbam ofRural Improvement MissionHospital, said the gesture wasan evidence of justice for thepoor and the indigent peopleto access healthcare in thestate.

Available statistics showedthat Mater Misericordae hadso far received N310 million,Sudan United MissionHospital, N292 million andPresbyterian Joint Hospital,N282 million.

The others are Saint VincentHospital, which receivedN280.28 million, RuralImprovement Hospital,N279.85 million and MileFour Hospital, N254.91million.

KANO - The Kano StateGovernment pardoned 370prisoners in the past two years,the state’s Commissioner forJustice, Alhaji Maliki Kuliya,announced in Kano.

Kuliya, who made theannouncement in an interviewwith newsmen in Kano, said theprisoners were released fromvarious prisons after the state’sCommittee on Prerogative ofMercy recommended the releaseto government.

He said that most of theprisoners were set free onhumanitarian grounds, due toeither ill health or old age.

The commissioner said thatgovernment had spent over N12million on the purchase anddistribution of some facilities invarious prisons in the state.

He said the items, includingcups, buckets, plates and otherutensils, were provided toimprove the living condition ofthe prisoners.

According to him, the StateGovernment has also purchasedand distributed 65 computers andprinters to various courts in thestate to facilitate their work.

BIRNIN KEBBI - TheNational EmergencyManagement Agency (NEMA)said it had commenced theassessment of areas identifiedas flood-prone in Kebbi.

The North West Coordinatorof the agency, Alhaji RilwanuIsmail, announced this whenhe visited the DeputyGovernor, Alhaji IbrahimAliyu, in his office in BirninKebbi.

Ismail said the assessmentwould help the agency to adoptmeasures to prevent futurehavoc in the state.

He called on stategovernments to support theagency in preventing damagesequel to the expected flood,

adding: “the agency willcollaborate with states toprevent the havoc’’.

Aliyu said a statewidecampaign would be conductedon the measures to preventdamage during the expectedflood.

He said the relevantauthorities had been alerted onthe expected flood, and “wewill adopt measures to preventthat, especially findingalternative settlement to peopleliving on flood plains.

The reports say that Kebbiwas among the 14 statesidentified by the Ministry ofEnvironment which wouldexperience heavy rains andflood in 2013.

OWERRI - The Imo PoliceCommand said that three of thefive-man gang that allegedlykidnapped the wife of thetraditional ruler of Nkwumetocommunity had been arrested.

A statement by the command’sPublic Relations Officer, DSPJoy Elemoko, said the suspectswere arrested 48 hours after theincident.

“Imo Police Command wantsto state that within 48 hours ofthe incident, the principalsuspects were traced to their

hideouts and arrested,’’ thestatement said.

According to the statement, thepolice are able to track thesuspects as they were negotiatingthe ransom.

It said that one of them waskilled, three were arrested whilethe fifth suspect escaped.

The command appealed tomembers of the public to giveuseful information that wouldlead to the arrest of one Nwagbisi

and advised him to report to thenearest police station.

The Commissioner of Police,Mr. Mohammed Katsina, saidthat anybody that had theknowledge of the whereabouts ofany criminal elements but failedto report it would be treated asan accomplice.

Gunmen had kidnapped thewife of Eze Basil Nwokeke ofNkwumeto autonomouscommunity, Ihitte Uboma LocalGovernment Area.

L-R: General Co-ordinator, Atlasjet Airlines, Mr. Ercument Fitiz, Executive Director, Atlasjet Airlines, Mr. SerkenYazicioglu, Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh and Executive Secretary,Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr. John Kennedy Opara, during the signing of Air Charter Agreement withAtlasjet Nigeria Limited for 2013 Pilgrimage in Abuja yesterday.

L-R: Representative of the High Commission of Canada, Alexandra Mackenzie, former EFCC Chairman, Malam NuhuRibadu, Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Buba and representative of the Governor of Plateau, Dr. Paul Wai at the Inter-Communal Peace Dialogue with Communities in Jos yesterday.

9 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

Abuja

Minister Donates ToDistressed Families

Hospital Inaugurates EmergencyPaediatric Unit

SuspectedBoko HaramMember Ar-rested By

JTF

MilitaryDoing ItsBest To

Tackle In-surgents -

CDS By JOSES SEDE

KANO - One person suspectedto be a member of terrorist group,Boko Haram was said to havebeen arrested at MohammedAbacha’s house in Kano state,North West Nigeria.

Informed sources volunteeredthat a combined team of JTFstormed the house of MohammedAbacha, the son of formerMilitary Head of State, GeneralSani Abacha and arrested theindividual yesterday.

“I saw them in about fivevehicles surrounding the house,after some minutes they came outwith the person having coveredhis face with red rag.”

However, JTF in Kano couldnot confirm the arrest as the JTFspokesperson, Captain IkedichIweha told correspondents to goto Mohammed Abacha’s house tofind out themselves.

“I have also read the storypublished by Daily Trust but Iwant you to go to Mohammed’shouse to find out.” It is noteverything the paper wrote thatis true”. Iweha added.

Meanwhile, efforts to contactMohammed Abacha or hisspokesperson were not successfulas sources close to Mr.Mohammed explained that he,along with Major Hamza Al-Mustapha is currently in Abuja.

BWARI (FCT) - KubwaGeneral Hospital hasinaugurated its EmergencyPaediatric Unit to cater for themedical and health needs ofchildren in the area.

Dr Ahmed Danfulani, theChief Medical Director (CMD)of the hospital, announced thisat the inauguration of the facilityand the staff quarters at Kubwain Bwari Area Council of FCT.

According to him, the unit willensure effective treatment ofchildren because they will nowbe isolated from adults.

“ Before now, the children andadults were being attended to in

the same unit and this is nothealthy.

‘’The ideal thing is to separatethe children from the adult, ̀ ` hesaid.

Danfulani expressed optimismthat the new unit would alsosafeguard the children fromfurther infections within thehospital environment.

He said the hospital now hada standard restaurant, laundryservice, physiotherapy unit, acreche and a standard pharmacywhere the inflow and outflow ofdrugs could be monitored over

the Internet.“The Website would contain

all the services that the hospitalcan render so that patients caneither book or cancel anappointment with their doctorsonline, “ he said.

Dr Ademola Onakomaiye, theSecretary of FCT Health andHuman Services, said the healthsector had made “tremendoussuccess” within the last twoyears.

“ In the FCT, this is the thirdpaediatrics unit to beinaugurated.

“We are not expected tomingle children with adults intreatment to reduce crossinfection and to enhance speedyattention to them.

“Before we came on board,there was no intensive care unitin the FCT, no dialysis centre inthe FCT but today we have one.

“ Formally, there was nomammography in the whole ofFCT, today we have two units -one in Maitama, another inAsokoro, “ the secretary said.

He, however, lamented overinsufficient funds to cater for thehealth needs in FCT.

“We are being over worked;we need more doctors,“ he said.

Reports say that goodwillmessages were delivered at theoccasion by the Chief MedicalDirectors of Maitama, Kuje,Bwari, Nyanya and WuseGeneral Hospitals.

ABUJA - The Chief ofDefence Staff, Adm. OlaIbrahim, has said that themilitary is doing its best totackle the insurgents in theNorth East to ensure securityin that area.

Ibrahim stated this in Abujaas the special guest at themonthly jogging organised bythe Federal Road SafetyCommission (FRSC).

The CDS, represented byCommodore AndrewDacosta, described theme ofthe exercise, “JoggingTogether for NationalSecurity and Safety’’ as apt.

He said that it best describedwhat the nation was currentlygoing through in terms ofsecurity.

“We are all aware that thecountry is faced with multi-dimensional and multi-faceted national securityespecially in the NorthEastern part.

“But the military is doing itsbest to ensure security in thatpart and the entire country,’’he said.

Ibrahim assured the FRSCthat the military wouldcontinue to partner with thecommission to assist it tocarry out its duty of ensuringsafety on the road.

Also speaking, the Director,Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade,assured the FRSC of supportand said that the militarywould abide by traffic rulesand regulations to ensuresafety on the road.

“We are aware that they areoften available to us in termsof operations, in that spirit, wewill always be in partnershipwith them in their activities,’’he said.

Mr Osita Chidoka, theCorps Marshal and ChiefExecutive of the FRSC, saidthat the number one task ofany nation was to guaranteethe security and safety of itscitizens.

Chidoka said that thecommission was ready tocollaborate with the militaryand work tirelessly to ensurethat.

‘The number one task of anycountry is to guarantee thesecurity and safety of itscitizens,’’ he said.

He said that accident rate inthe country was going downwithout giving figures, butgave the assurance that theFRSC was working harder tofurther reduce accidents of theroads.

ABUJA - Hajiya ZainabMaina, the Minister of WomenAffairs and Social Development,has made cash donation to 12distressed families.

Reports say that the donationwas made in partnership with theoffice of the Senior SpecialAssistant to the President on theMillennium Development Goals(MDGs).

Maina, who made thepresentation at a newsconference on “EmpoweringFamilies with Distress,’’ urgedthe beneficiaries to makejudicious use of the money toimprove their lives.

She said the ministry wascommitted to improving thelives of vulnerable persons in thesociety, adding that governmentalone could not meet the needsof all Nigerians.

According to her, the role ofthe family in any society cannotbe over-emphasised as familiesform a basis for all socialexistence.

“Nigeria boasts of a currentpopulation of about 170 millionpeople made up of about 21million families, no doubt thefamily institution is the mostimportant custodian of society’sculture, tradition and values.

“The society’s strength,progress, stability and prosperityis therefore anchored on thecapacity of each family andliterally dependant on thenation’s investment on itscitizens.”

The minister said the eventwas in line with thetransformation agenda of thepresident which sought toaddress poverty and socialexclusion by providingopportunities for families indistress.

Maina commended corporateorganisations carrying outhumanitarian support forvulnerable persons, while callingfor more support to improvetheir lives.

The minister also urged allstakeholders to rise to the

challenge of improving familylives through sustainable actionplan and programmes.

Mrs Olufunke Baruwa, DeskOfficer, Gender, Office of theSenior Special Assistant to thePresident on MDGs, reiteratedgovernments’ effort atimproving the lives ofvulnerable persons.

Baruwa said her office wouldintensify collaborations with theministry to follow-up onjudicious use of the funds.

Some of the beneficiaries whospoke to newsmen, expressedappreciation to the ministry andits partners in their efforts toimprove their lives.

Ms. Shamsiya Umar, a 16-year-old girl, with a fracturedfemur, who was given N386,000for the cost of her surgery, said,“I appreciate the ministry for itsefforts, my family has beenlooking for money to completethe bills for my surgery.”

“I had this accident four yearsago when a car came to hit meat the gate of my house, life hasbeen difficult, but I thank Godfor today.”

Another beneficiary, IdrisAzeez, a person with disability,

was given N400, 000 to buy awheelchair and financialempowerment, also thanked theministry.

“Before now, I have beensurviving from begging fromneighbours and family members,this money will really go a longway to change my life,” Azeezsaid.

Mrs Chinyere Eke, a mother

of a set of quadruplets, was fullof praises for the ministry.

“My husband abandoned mewith these children immediatelyafter their birth, I have beensuffering to take care of themwith the best of my ability.

“I want to promise the ministertoday that this N200,000 givento me will be used to improveour lives,” Eke said.

Representative of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Mukhtar Ahmed (left), with the National Team Leader,State Accountability and Voice Initiative (SAVI) of DFID, Kevin Gager, at a Public Dialogue on Deepening LegislativeEngagement in promoting public finance management at Sub-National Level in Abuja yesterday.

L-R: Country Director, UNDP, Ade Lekoetje, Chairman, Conference of Speakers of StatesHouses of Assembly, Inuwa Garba and the representative of the Speaker, House ofRepresentatives, Rep. Mukhtar Ahmed, at a Public Dialogue on Deepening LegislativeEngagement in Promoting Public Finance Management at Sub-National Level in Abujayesterday.

1 0 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

Business + Economy

Expert Tasks FG On N220bnFacility

4 Banks Raise $1.45bnFrom International

Capital Market

Economic Growth: Don CanvassesHome Grown Solution

Enugu TargetsN15bn IGR

Top-Ten StockbrokersBreak Record

LAGOS - Four Nigerian bankshave raised $1.45 billion(N227.65 billion) from thecreation of sovereign benchmarkin the International CapitalMarket (ICM), the DebtManagement Office (DMO) said.

The DMO Director-General,Dr Abraham Nwankwo, said thisat a one-day retreat on“Opportunities for the PrivateSector from Public DebtManagement’’.

The event was organised inLagos by the DMO for financialjournalists.

Nwankwo said that the amountwas raised between January, 2011and July, 2013, adding that thebanks that issued the Eurobondswere Guaranty Trust Bank,Access Bank, Fidelity and FirstBank.

Nwankwo said thatachievements recorded in thedevelopment of the domestic debtmanagement led to theendorsement of the FGN Bondmarket by reputable financialinstitutions.

According to him, the financialinstitutions were JP Morgan andBarclays Capital.

Nwankwo said that theestablishment of the NigerianSovereign Bond in the ICMprovided foreign investors withthe requisite market informationfor investment decisions.

He said that the sovereign bondcreated market benchmarks forfuture borrowings by thesovereign, sub-national andcorporate institutions.

“More Nigerian corporateinstitutions should leverage onexisting benchmarks to raiselong-term capitals in thedomestic market and ICM todevelop the real sector andinfrastructure,’’ Nwankwo said.

According to him, DMO willcontinue to strengthen anddeepen the FGN Bond forenhanced liquidity through theissuance of benchmark bonds andintroduction of other varieties ofdebts instrument.

He said that the organisationwould soon float N80 billionFGN bonds in form of GlobalDepository Notes (GDN) and100 million dollars (N15.7billion) worth of NigerianDiaspora Bond to strengthenNigeria’s presence in the ICM.

LAGOS - An economist, MrAlarape Ajani, has urged theFederal Government to providean enabling environment forutilisation of the proposed N220billion Small and MediumEnterprises (SMEs) creditfacility.

Ajani, the Managing Directorof Remmy Associates Ltd., toldnewsmen in Lagos that afavourable environment wouldmake the loans more meaningful.

He hailed the government forthe gesture and hoped that itwould enhance sustainableeconomic growth.

Reports say that the Governorof the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), Malam Lamido Sanusi,said that the N220 billion creditfacility would boost the informalsector.

Sanusi said this at the 7thAnnual Conference of SMEs inAbuja.

Ajani told newsmen that adesirable environment must haveadequate power supply.

He said that insufficientelectricity supply hindered thegrowth of SMEs and the entireNigerian economy.

“There is the need to fast-trackthe development of the powersector so that the loan given toSMEs can impact positively onthe economy,’’ he said.

Dr Tunde Adeoye, a SeniorLecturer in the Department ofEconomics, University of Lagos,said that the proposed creditfacility would promote economicactivities in an environment withdeveloped infrastructure.

Adeoye said that infrastructuredevelopment would attractinvestors and provide jobopportunities.

“Serious monitoring andtransparency in the distribution ofthe fund would also ensure theachievements of the objectives ofthe credit facility,’’ he said.

He said that the loan, ifproperly managed, would assistin harnessing the potential ofNigerians and contribute to thegrowth of the nation’s GrossDomestic Product.

Adeoye advised thegovernment to establish amonitoring team that would,through the CBN, facilitateprovision of loans to SMEs fromcommercial banks at single digitinterest rate.

Dr Kazeem Bello, a SeniorLecturer, Department ofEconomics, University of Ibadan,told newsmen that thegovernment should intensifyefforts in addressing Nigeria’ssecurity challenges.

ENUGU - The Enugu StateEconomic Planning Commissionhas said it had targeted to raiseits Internally Generated Revenue(IGR) to N15 billion by 2014.

The Executive Secretary of thecommission, Mr Dan Onyishi,announced the plan at two-dayworkshop to review the states’Medium Term Development Planin Enugu.

He added that the state’s IGRin 2012 was N12 billion.

Onyishi explained that anincrease in the IGR would reduceover-dependence on federalallocation and also improveservice delivery in the state.

The executive secretary notedthat poor budget performance bysome ministries, departments andagencies affected the the IGR andcalled for improvement toachieve higher results.

“We do not have up to 50 percent MDAs performing very wellin terms of budgetimplementation.

“There is need to improve thebudget performance both atsector and aggregate levels toimprove the IGR because we aretargeting N15 billion by 2014,’’he said.

Declaring the workshop open,Governor Sullivan Chimereiterated the need to review themedium term plan to assess theimplementation in line with thefour-point agenda of hisadministration.

The governor, represented bythe Secretary to the StateGovernment, Mr Amechi Okolo,said the government was workingto ensure the implementation ofthe plan to better the lives of thecitizens of the state.

Also speaking, the Enugu StateCommissioner for Budget andPlanning, Mr Kester Agbowo,explained that the review was tocreate a road map and bring infresh ideas and robust plans forthe future.

The states’ Commissioner for

LAGOS - A university lecturer,Dr Kayode Esuola, has said thatNigeria’s economicemancipation depended on usinghome-grown solutions and notborrowed ideas of othercountries.

“We cannot overcome oureconomic woes strictly on thethroes of any binationalcommissions we enter into,“ hetold newsmen in Lagos.

Esuola, a political scientist inthe University of Lagos, said thatany borrowed development planthat was not domesticated wouldnot liberate the people.

He urged the FederalGovernment to always utilise

indigenous ideas to upgrade thestandard of living of Nigerians.

The don said developingnations should be careful not toenter into any trade agreementthat would end up impoverishingthem.

He added that, any form ofexploitation must be discouraged

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM

LAGOS - A total cost ofquality volume 34,849,616,667.25 72.74 was valuedat the Nigerian Stock Exchangeby top ten brokers betweenAugust 12 and 16, 2013.

The top ten brokers includes,SISB STANBIC IBTCSTOCKBROKERS LIMITEDwith 20,782,791,611.34 43.38,RSNL RENCAP SECURITIES(NIG) LIMITED valued3,479,762,992.87 7.26, FBNSFBN SECURITIES LIMITED3,254,553,082.25 6.79, CSLSTOCKBROKERS LIMITED1,614,016,951.42 3.37 and BGLSECURITIES LIMITED at1,506,850,248.69 3.15.

The top 10 Stockbrokers whichaccounted for 60.43% of the totalVolume also included DYNMDYNAMIC PORTFOLIOLIMITED with 108,961,4802.97, ARMS ARMSECURITIES LIMITED68,751,712 1.87, MERIMERISTEM SECURITIESLIMITED 65,366,952 1.78 andPASL PARTNERSHIPSECURITIES LIMITED

61,764,208 1.68.Also, the ranking Broker

Description Quantity % Volumeby the NSE at the same periodby STANBIC IBTCSTOCKBROKERS LIMITEDwas 797,616,567 21.74, IHILHERITAGE CAPITALMARKETS LIMITED,449,879,811 12.26, FBNSECURITIES LIMITED226,174,609 6.16, RSNLRENCAP SECURITIES (NIG)LIMITED 157,653,418 4.30,CSL STOCKBROKERSLIMITED 150,582,303 4.10 andBGL SECURITIES LIMITED130,450,452 3.56.

Others brokers which alsoranked high include DYNMDYNAMIC PORTFOLIOLIMITED with 108,961,480 2.97percent, ARMS ARMSECURITIES LIMITED68,751,712 1.87, MERIMERISTEM SECURITIESLIMITED 65,366,952 1.78, andPASL PARTNERSHIPSECURITIES LIMITED with61,764,208 1.68percent, totaling2,217,201,512 60.43.

The top 10 Stockbrokersaccounted for 60.43% of the totalVolume between 12/08/2013 and16/08/2013

by African Governments.“Nigeria must look inward for

her socioeconomic and politicalemancipation.

“No country will willinglymake another nation better off,and every nation must guardagainst being exploited whilerelating with others,“ Esuola said.

L-R: Representative ofChief of Army Staff,Brig-Gen. JohnsonOladeinde, Director ofIslamic Affairs,Mohammed Abdulsalamand representative ofSultan of Sokoto, Dr.Kamil Olosho at theAnnual TrainingConference of theNigerian Army IslamicAffairs in Ibadanyesterday.

L-R: Wife of Chief ofAir Staff, Mrs. MaryBadeh, Chief of AirStaff, Air MarshalAlex Badeh and AirOfficer Commandingtactical AirCommand, AVMC h i m e c h e f u l a mOnyemaobi, at theinauguration of theAir Force Officersquarters at the 75Nigeria Air ForceBase in Yolayesterday.

1 1 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY (19/08/13)Stocks Open Close Change Deals Units Value

7UP  72 72 0 5 21,000 1,512,000.00

ABBEYBDS  1.53 1.53 0 1 1,000 1,500.00

ABCTRANS  0.9 0.91 0.01 10 110,737 100,480.41

ACADEMY  1.76 1.93 0.17 16 8,988,229 15,832,844.61

ACCESS  11.01 11.08 0.07 209 5,925,264 65,255,548.61

AFRIPRUD  1.88 1.88 0 52 592,155 1,118,901.93

AGLEVENT  1.54 1.41 -0.13 7 310,050 447,997.80

AIICO  0.94 0.96 0.02 37 4,160,236 4,098,519.00

AIRSERVICE  4 4 0 1 100 400

ALEX  10.5 10.5 0 1 200 1,890.00

ARBICO  5.6 5.6 0 2 1,000 5,040.00

ASHAKACEM  22 22 0 62 1,841,686 40,356,547.71

ASOSAVINGS  0.5 0.5 0 1 70,000 35,000.00

AUSTINLAZ  2 2 0 1 5,000 11,000.00

BERGER  9.61 8.7 -0.91 6 62,492 543,785.37

BETAGLAS  13.18 13.18 0 11 104,552 1,253,979.98

BOCGAS  6.5 6.5 0 3 9,945 61,816.95

CADBURY  50.9 51 0.1 89 3,405,489 174,680,103.89

CAP  43.65 43.65 0 14 29,893 1,313,179.45

CAPHOTEL  4.55 4.55 0 1 200 820

CCNN  9.3 9.3 0 12 112,051 1,030,914.10

CHAMPION  19.35 19.35 0 2 2,685 46,772.70

CONOIL  33 29.8 -3.2 28 279,842 8,342,552.20

CONTINSURE  1.16 1.22 0.06 27 17,590,287 21,008,233.52

CORNERST  0.5 0.5 0 12 2,477,400 1,238,700.00

COSTAIN  1.2 1.12 -0.08 23 993,000 1,219,896.07

COURTVILLE  0.69 0.75 0.06 18 763,096 571,472.00

CUSTODYINS  1.48 1.5 0.02 19 1,297,837 1,936,445.96

CUTIX  1.8 1.8 0 2 4,000 7,650.00

DANGCEM  190 190 0 28 220,347 41,847,004.86

DANGFLOUR  9.5 9.5 0 34 330,225 3,135,606.19

DANGSUGAR  11.08 11 -0.08 68 1,090,792 12,017,495.18

DIAMONDBNK  6.7 6.46 -0.24 28 615,418 4,019,546.40

DNMEYER  1.58 1.58 0 1 4,900 7,007.00

DUNLOP  0.5 0.5 0 1 496 248

ETERNA  2.9 2.81 -0.09 11 441,615 1,246,872.00

ETI  14.67 14.4 -0.27 66 648,306 9,382,720.58

EVANSMED  4.74 4.74 0 7 13,942 59,532.34

FBNH  16.36 16.25 -0.11 491 19,276,327 312,950,957.01

FCMB  4.39 4.29 -0.1 38 705,883 3,021,004.38

FIDELITYBK  2.85 2.85 0 104 4,386,034 12,212,382.37

FIDSON  2.06 2.12 0.06 15 153,140 321,523.80

FLOURMILL  76.56 76.56 0 69 361,356 27,665,415.36

FO  40 39 -1 44 279,412 10,824,706.82

FTNCOCOA  0.5 0.5 0 1 1,000 500

GLAXOSMITH  65 65 0 18 53,211 3,321,245.36

GUARANTY  25.01 25.02 0.01 317 16,492,361 412,371,828.84

GUINNESS  265 258 -7 80 567,503 142,982,658.75

HMARKINS  0.5 0.5 0 2 103,880 51,940.00

HONYFLOUR  3.2 3.22 0.02 53 1,360,893 4,266,543.77

IHS  2.6 2.6 0 9 340,000 886,393.00

INTBREW  21.45 21.45 0 22 99,597 2,096,733.74

INTENEGINS  2.03 1.83 -0.2 2 462,888 847,085.04

IPWA  0.95 0.86 -0.09 4 495,063 425,754.18

JAPAULOIL  0.52 0.51 -0.01 37 3,073,258 1,585,571.58

JBERGER  71 71 0 24 214,692 15,273,933.32

JOHNHOLT  1.16 1.16 0 1 720 828

JOSBREW  1.16 1.27 0.11 3 107,311 136,284.97

LASACO  0.5 0.5 0 1 20,000 10,000.00

LEARNAFRCA  1.7 1.7 0 5 9,540 15,696.80

LIVESTOCK  4.13 4.2 0.07 59 1,260,313 5,237,011.90

TOP 10 GAINERS TOP 10 GAINERSStock Close LossGUINNESS 258 -7CONOIL 29.8 -3.2UACN 59 -2.89PRESCO 35 -1.29FO 39 -1WAPCO 95 -1BERGER 8.7 -0.91OANDO 11.4 -0.8UBN 10.22 -0.68NB 169 -0.5

Stock Close GainOKOMUOIL 44.5 0.75ACADEMY 1.93 0.17ZENITHBANK 20.99 0.15JOSBREW 1.27 0.11CADBURY 51 0.1TRANSEXPR 1.15 0.1UBA 7.99 0.08ACCESS 11.08 0.07LIVESTOCK 4.2 0.07COURTVILLE 0.75 0.06

TOP 10 LOSERS

MANSARD  2.28 2.3 0.02 14 951,464 2,185,589.20

MAYBAKER  2.4 2.4 0 22 284,195 695,050.44

MBENEFIT  0.5 0.5 0 1 22,000 11,000.00

MCNICHOLS  1.5 1.5 0 1 1,500 2,205.00

MOBIL  119 119 0 11 10,552 1,171,457.40

MRS  36.14 36.14 0 4 3,904 126,997.12

MULTITREX  0.66 0.6 -0.06 4 181,000 118,320.00

MULTIVERSE  0.5 0.5 0 2 30,000 15,000.00

NAHCO  6.26 6.2 -0.06 45 777,524 4,799,931.41

NASCON  11.2 11.2 0 37 974,146 10,915,262.47

NB  169.5 169 -0.5 125 2,838,705 471,360,152.06

NEIMETH  1.4 1.4 0 10 39,734 52,125.80

NEM  0.72 0.73 0.01 21 1,891,264 1,441,048.34

NESTLE  935 935 0 88 131,614 122,936,898.03

NIGERINS  0.5 0.5 0 2 65,000 32,500.00

NNFM  29.3 29.3 0 6 2,435 71,345.50

NPFMCRFBK  0.83 0.83 0 4 2,420 2,008.60

OANDO  12.2 11.4 -0.8 236 5,816,976 68,885,911.17

OKOMUOIL  43.75 44.5 0.75 62 736,826 32,774,038.84

PAINTCOM  1.7 1.72 0.02 7 246,000 420,400.00

PORTPAINT  5.56 5.56 0 1 493 2,908.70

PRESCO  36.29 35 -1.29 31 275,908 9,650,255.40

PRESTIGE  0.55 0.55 0 3 60,000 32,524.86

PZ  37.6 37.6 0 53 145,970 5,345,771.02

REDSTAREX  4.69 4.69 0 19 66,057 303,696.56

RESORTSAL  0.5 0.5 0 1 10,000 5,000.00

ROYALEX  0.52 0.52 0 4 60,236 32,578.00

RTBRISCOE  1.42 1.4 -0.02 8 132,001 184,971.39

SCOA  5.32 5.32 0 2 580 2,778.20

SKYEBANK  4.05 3.91 -0.14 127 4,488,353 17,953,945.41

SOVRENINS  0.5 0.5 0 1 100,000 50,000.00

STACO  0.5 0.5 0 2 800 400

STANBIC  17.2 17.15 -0.05 74 1,937,048 33,251,127.17

STDINSURE  0.5 0.5 0 2 2,310 1,155.00

STERLNBANK  2.75 2.63 -0.12 36 3,258,947 8,427,896.40

TANTALIZER  0.5 0.5 0 1 100 50

TOTAL  155 155 0 20 9,164 1,392,571.45

TOURIST  4.08 4.08 0 1 2,200 8,976.00

TRANSCORP  1.3 1.34 0.04 80 12,256,224 16,259,415.58

TRANSEXPR  1.05 1.15 0.1 2 115,150 132,422.50

UAC-PROP  18 18 0 30 218,961 3,651,714.75

UACN  61.89 59 -2.89 53 363,594 21,577,447.13

UBA  7.91 7.99 0.08 186 6,531,201 51,281,782.17

UBCAP  1.25 1.25 0 48 2,446,351 3,040,721.45

UBN  10.9 10.22 -0.68 83 1,553,106 16,305,621.24

UNILEVER  63 62.5 -0.5 43 370,720 23,199,926.11

UNIONDAC  0.5 0.5 0 20 2,320,178 1,160,089.00

UNITYBNK  0.55 0.56 0.01 49 8,991,135 4,810,367.88

UPL  4.1 4.1 0 7 33,100 142,636.45

VITAFOAM  4.3 4.3 0 10 66,546 271,941.80

VONO  0.62 0.62 0 1 8,500 5,780.00

WAPCO  96 95 -1 66 695,307 66,142,167.15

WAPIC  0.8 0.75 -0.05 13 2,426,250 1,864,529.84

WEMABANK  1.05 1.01 -0.04 39 2,115,887 2,159,911.10

ZENITHBANK  20.84 20.99 0.15 248 5,542,210 114,030,096.48

1 2 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

THE NIGERIAN IT presents a sad scenario that despite severalpolicy initiatives the menace of poverty is astaggering reality and may have accounted forthe loophole in myriad of social vices. Mostnotably are high incidences of armed robbery,kidnapping, corruption, advance fee fraud (419),prostitution Rings, human trafficking and “thelikes perpetuated and perpetrated by the authorsas the quickest route to scale the poverty barrier.” THE United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) in its 2000/2001 Human, developmentreport on Nigeria, states that 70 per cent ofNigerians are in abject poverty while massiveunemployment of people and the underutilization of resources are the order of the day.Since the report nothing about the poverty levelhas changed dramatically. NO doubt, the crushing poverty level currentlyravaging Nigeria has become so overwhelmingthat over 70 percent of Nigerians haveunwittingly bowed to the pangs of bitinghardship. POVERTY is today a generic term and hasbeen so since attempts at its classification byvarious study and academic groups with NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs) ever morevehement and critical on the problems associatedwith large scale poverty and ways to improve theeconomic status of those classified in the group. SOCIAL scientists in attempt at plausiblestratification and definition of the term find itnecessary to contrast poverty with such oppositeterms as richness, wealth, comfort, affluence andthe likes as the terms carry inherent semanticundertones that most times solicit sympathy,empathy and compassion from those afflictedwith the plague which poverty has come tosymbolise. HOWEVER, by daily interactions withinsociety and among communities and nations, itis clear that poverty has striking universal

perception and similarities because of its cross-country feature and characteristics. The basicfeature being that people suffer hunger anddeprivation with not enough to eat, lack shelterand clothing as well as basic necessities requiredfor human existence. FOR instance, the United Nations HighCommission for Human Rights aptly sumsuppoverty as a “human condition characterisedby the sustained or chronic deprivation of theresources, capabilities, choices, security and powernecessary for the enjoyment of all adequatestandard of living and other civil, cultural,economic, political and social rights”. THERE is, as a result, conscious efforts by manyorganizations to mitigate the harsh effect ofpoverty which is more endemic in developingcountries and many parts of Asia while in Nigeria,government’s effort at providing palliatives andputting in place workable measures from some ofits economic policies that cause poverty shocks areyet to yield the desired impact. IT is the concern for the world’s poor and to findsolution to spreading poverty crisis that theInternational Day for the Eradication of Poverty(IDEP) is celebrated worldwide in order to pushpeople up the ladder of comfort where health care,food, shelter, clothing among others are assuredthe citizenry without experiencing the pain ofdeprivation. IN Nigeria, however, government has put in placesocial programmes as National PovertyEradication Programme (NAPEP), National

Economic Empowerment and DevelopmentStrategies (NEEDS), the National Directorate ofEmployment (NDE) to tackle problem of youthunemployment, a crucial poverty indicatoramong the socio cultural stratification. IN assessing Nigeria’s poverty level, based onits oil wealth which it described as a mixedblessing, the report explained that it was not theoil resources that are the problem, but themanagement of those resources. A general overview of Nigeria’s poverty crisisindicates therefore that there is a fundamentalproblem which the Federal Government needsto identify and tackle in order to address thecontinuing poverty level in Nigeria. TheNIGERIAN OBSERVER urges the governmentto re-appraise some of its economic policies andthose geared towards poverty eradication.Beside, it is remarkable that governmentinsensitivity to suggestions put forward to it isincreasing and is not being addressed as theyshould. A holistic reappraisal is therefore inevitable inall sectors of the economy and mitigatingmeasures put in place if government is to succeedin its poverty eradication drive. IN the face of glaring discontent at theincreasing poverty level, the World Bankproffered in its report. that “oil and natural gaswill generate continuing wealth for many yearson which Nigeria can build, if it manages thiswealth well. If it channels more of this wealth tothe development of its people and to theproductive use of its land and other resources,then Nigeria has a promising Future”. WE implore the Federal Government tocontinue to put policy measures in place to scaledown poverty level. Corporate bodies andorganisation can play a part by partnering withthe various governments to alleviate poverty Inthe land.

Re-appraising Our PovertyEradication Policies

1 3 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

WithObuseh Jude

GSM: 08033510173

Cutting EdgeEDO 2016: WhatAPC Must Do (3)

Continued from last week

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State+ Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu, Deputy Governor

LAST week’s piece endedwith the question botheringon how the APC canleverage on the comparativeadvantage it enjoys over theopposition political parties inEdo State to consolidate onits position as the unrivaledruling party in the state come2016. This concluding pieceanswers that teaser.

Like I pointed out in lastweek’s piece, the keystrategy that has turned theAPC into the ruling party inEdo State is the quality ofcandidates it nominated tofly its flag in all the polls ithas contested in since 2007,at both the state and localgovernment levels. With the2016 gubernatorial pollsapproaching, the party isexpected to stick to thishighly effective strategy, inconjunction with othertactical approaches,especially as otheropposition parties continuesearching for panaceas to thecurrent monopoly itcurrently enjoys over them.It must continue with thewinning formula that haskept it head and shouldersabove its rivals.

In shopping for itsgovernorship flag bearer forthe 2016 polls, the partymust endeavour to shop fora tested candidate,preferably someone that isalready serving in the currentadministration; somebodywho is part of the currentwinning team; somebodywho is a key player in theongoing transformation ofthe state; somebody whoalready has a stake; thatindividual who knows whatis expected of anybodyoccupying that exaltedposition; that person whowill be able to carry on withwhat is already on ground;that person who can continuefrom where Oshiomholestops – if not for anything,but for continuity’s sake.

Continuity is the mostcrucial factor to be

considered in choosing theAPC next governorshipcandidate. Considering theongoing successes that arebeing recorded by thecurrent administration onseveral fronts across thestate, there is need to go fora candidate who is alreadymaking key inputs into thedevelopments on ground;that individual who isalready working closelywith the incumbent; thatindividual who alreadycommands some degree ofrespect and trust in thepresent administration; atrue statesman who will bepreoccupied with addingsomething to the mammothachievements already onground, and not detractingfrom it; a thoroughbredtechnocrat who canmaintain the present hightempo, not one that willdampen it. That is the typeof candidate the APCshould go for.

The good people of EdoState have come to trust theAPC. They have come tosee it as the only platformfrom which their hopes andaspirations can beprojected. Moreimportantly, they havecome to see the ongoingtransformation of the stateunder the auspices of theman they all trooped out inmasse on two occasions –2007 and 2012 - to elect astheir governor, as avindication of the trust theyreposed in the party fromthe onset. That is why it isincumbent on the party’stop hierarchy to ensure thatall hands remain on deck toguarantee that the man whois selected to contest for theposition of the chiefexecutive officer of thestate is another individualEdos can also trust.

Elections, like Imentioned in part 2 of thispiece, are won by sellablecandidates. They are wonby individuals whosecredentials speak for; won

by individuals whoseexcellent performances inpast callings advertise;individuals whose stainlesscredentials speak for – wonby brands – won by wellpackaged products. TheAPC has legions of suchcandidates, but I willsuggest it goes for the pickof the pack; that oneindividual, I believe haswhat it takes to win votes;that individual who hasbeing there all the way; thatindividual who personifiesthe values of the party. Heis no other than the currentDeputy Governor of EdoState, Rt Hon (Dr) PiusEgberanmwen Odubu

(BL).Now, the question shifts

to: Why Odubu? Theanswer is not farfetched.Apart from his solidacademic, professional andpolitical resume, it is alsological that having being amember of the first andcurrent APC-ledadministrations in the

checkered political historyof Edo State, in his capacityas deputy to the incumbent,he can be the next face ofthe party come 2016. As anardent student of theutilitarian school ofthought; a school thatobviously drives the APCpolitical ideology, Odubucan effectively bear theparty’s standard if given thenod.

For a man whose loyalty

remains unassailable, andwho has the added push ofhaving effectivelyacquainted himself in hiscurrent station, the nudgeshould be given to him tobring his wealth ofexperience over the years tobear on the onerous tasksahead. For a man whosetwin stints - 1999 to 2002,

and 2003 to 2006 - as afederal lawmaker attractedseveral developmentprojects to his constituency,and whose successivetenures as Deputy Governorof Edo State, has continuedto attract plaudits from farand near, a chance to lead adeveloping state such asEdo will not be misplaced.A man of prodigiousstrength, who religiouslyreveres the APC history and

traditions, Odubu is also awell versed strategist whounderstands the keystrengths and weaknessesof the opposition, and canbring this knowledge tobear if given theopportunity.

Power belongs to thepeople – they are thepopular sovereigns, whohave the preserve of eitheraccepting those they feelare qualified to lead them,or rejecting those they feelare unfit to do so. Fromfeelers gathered from a miniinterface yours sincerelyhad with individuals drawnfrom across the state at arecent public function, PiusOdubu seemed to be the

name on the lips of themajority – a fittingtestimony to the high levelof popularity he enjoysacross the state, and thedegree of expectations inthe minds of the people thathe will consequentlysucceed Oshiomhole. Thisis evidently a signal to theparty as to the proactivesteps it should take ahead ofthe battle of 2016.

I am formally using this

medium to implore the tophierarchy of the APC toconsider the marketability,acceptability, popularity,track records, andbackgrounds of anycandidate it ultimatelynominates to fly its flag inthe next gubernatorial pollsin Edo State. Pius Odubumeets all these criteria - andeven more (See TheNigerian Observer,Tuesday, June 11, 2013page 13; Tuesday, June 4,2013, page 13; Tuesday,May 28, 2013, page 13).That is why it would bewise to endorse him as theparty’s torch bearer for2016. That is what the APCmust do.

I rest my case.(Concluded)

“The good people of Edo State have come to trust the APC. They have come tosee it as the only platform from which their hopes and aspirations can be projected.More importantly, they have come to see the ongoing transformation of the stateunder the auspices of the man they all trooped out in masse on two occasions –2007 and 2012 - to elect as their governor, as a vindication of the trust they reposedin the party from the onset.”

1 4 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

Nutritional Health And Dietetics With

O.C.Madu

GSM: 08056379608

Arthritis And What To Do (1) INFLAMMATION of a joint or joints can have manycauses, the chief of which are: emotional tension or upset,faulty body chemistry and faulty feeding. It is thought thatit can also be caused by auto-immunity. Overfeeding and wrong feeding will produce a self-poisoning within the digestive tract (autointoxication) thatwill do about the same to the system as alcohol andnarcotics. The beginning of Bright’s Disease usually comesfrom an abused digestive tract that has to throw off so muchpoison through the kidneys that the kidneys becomediseased and can no longer function. This form of trouble is very common with thebusinessmen. Remember that hate fear, excitement or anystrenuous depression or fighting emotion stops theperistalsis of the digestive tract (the wave motion) and thefood is not carried on and digested as it should be. There isfermentation (autointoxication) is carried through thesystem and all the gland and tissue suffers. Persistent nervous tension, anxiety and emotional upsetscause changes in the pituitary – adrenal – gland relationshipupsetting the balance of the various chemical secretionschormones produced by these glands (John, 2000). This is what happens, in the normal way, one of thehormones produced by the pituitary gland is A.C.T.H whichstimulate the production by the adrenal glands of twohormones, one of which is called cortisone, the other is aninflammatory hormone. But if the secretion of A.C.T.H.is stopped or decreased by a neural blockage caused by adeep-seated emotional conflict or upset, the odrenal glandwill cease production of enough cortisone to keep in checkthe inflammatory hormones it also produces. This inflammatory hormones will then set upinflammation in any strained or weekend parts of the body,particularly, the muscles and joints and their internalcapsular ligaments and membranes. For this reason,cortisones and A.C.T.H are both used in the treatment ofarthritis. They are injected into the blood stream to checkthe over – production of inflammatory hormones by theadrenal glands. These injections according to John (2000)often alleviate the symptoms, even though, they do notcure. To cure, the cause must be removed, this is not toodifficult if the cause is faulty body chemistry or faultyfeeding (deficiency food etc) but not so easy if the maincause is an anxiety state or emotional tension. This can becured only when the anxiety or tension is relieved. Faulty body-chemistry can cause an insufficiency of acidshydrochloric and ascorbic in the digestive juices of thestomach and this means that although, you may be gettingenough calcium in the foods you eat, you are not able toassimilate it properly because of lack of these digestiveacids and it piles up in the joints. Thus, calcium iserroneously thought to be a cause of arthritic joints,whereas, actually, it is a lack of it in the blood that causesthe trouble. A lack of calcium also, means that vitamin C is deprivedof help in forming good strong cartilage around the joints. Shock is a blow to the emotion from fright, anger, worry,

operation injury or some unpleasant experience. Under toolong continued stress the ductless gland system or endocrinesystem ceases to function and the adrenals stop sendingout the supply of epinephrine, which is the tensing fluidand the heart slows, the blood vessels relax and the brain

loses its blood and unconsciousness follows. The skin turnswhite because, the blood is no longer driven to the surfaceand a general condition of collapse ensues. If adrenalsecretion is not supplied by artificial means or the latentforces within the person given a chance to recuperate, deathwill follow. Unconsciousness has beer the turning point for therecovery of many a patient. The emotion and fears werefor the time blotted out and their inhibiting power wasdispelled and the latent power within the endocrines hadan opportunity to assert itself. Joy, hope, love, religiousfervor and other inspiring emotions have freed theendocrines and given them an opportunity to actharmoniously and constructively. Life is too strenuous andwhen we learn the things that the endocrinologists aretrying to teach, we will play fair with the forces within us. When we live so fast, we are in a constant state of shockthough we may not be in a faint or unconscious. We are ina lesser state of consciousness because of our tensenessthan we would be if we knew how to be calm andharmonious in our being. Our tenseness of living causesus to suffer with fatigue, nervous exhaustion, sensitivenessto cold, loss of appetite, cold hands and feet and a loss ofthe zest to life.

We have mental inability, tendency to worry and weepand as we said before, a general condition of “shock”. Allthe glands are involved in shock but the adrenals are thespecific glands of shock. The person with insufficientadrenal gland action is very apt to succumb to diphtheriaand severe fevers. After all wars the nations involved are always in a stateof shock. Men and women are not normal. Waves of crimeand excesses follow every war. Women become moremasculine from the constant shock of their adrenalendocrines. Worry, anxiety and emotional out burst if continued for along period will cause great overeactivity of the thyroid,adrenal and pituitary glands whose increased secretions inthe blood are antagonistic and suppressive to the insulinsecretion of the pancreas. This suppression of the insulinsecretion stops the final break-up of glycogen into lacticacid and the lactic acid into carbon dioxide and water inthe tissues and muscles, so that , some intermediary andharmful product (possibly, pyruvic acid) whose nature isnot definitely is retained. It is retained in the joint tissues and especially, in themuscles, causing a chronic irritation of these structuresleading often to the formation of calcified and fibroticdeposits causing spasm and wasting of muscles andimmobility of the joints accompanied by unbearable pullingpinching and shooting pains. There are no signs of redness, inflammation and swellingof the joints, nor is the pain hot and burning in character asin gout or as in acute articular rheumatism. Arthritis is an acute or chronic inflammation of one ofmore joints of the body. The inflammation may involvesome or all of the structures entering in the formation of ajoint, which are the bones, the cartilage and the synovialmembranes lining the joint and also the bursas, musclesand other structures near the joint. To be concluded next week. Thanks for reading.

“Unconsciousness has beer the turning point for the recoveryof many a patient. The emotion and fears were for the timeblotted out and their inhibiting power was dispelled and thelatent power within the endocrines had an opportunity toassert itself. Joy, hope, love, religious fervor and otherinspiring emotions have freed the endocrines and given theman opportunity to act harmoniously and constructively.”

1 5 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

Discourse

By EMMANUEL EGOBIAMBU

World Youth Day: What Hope ForThe Future? WITH the halloverflowing withbeautifully andhandsomely dressed ladiesand gents, there wasenergetic euphoriareverberating across thehall. Nature has endowedthis group of people withenergy and vibrancy thatcan transform things. Asthe programme kicked off,their faces, beaming withhope and zest was evenrippled with more smiles.After the Master ofCeremony (NC), hadreeled out some inspiringwords telling howimportant they are. To theseyoung minds, the future istheirs and there is nostopping that fact as eventhe United Nationsdedicated August 12 tocelebrate them (youths)yearly. According to the UN theWorld Youth Day is setaside “to improve thesituation of young people”globally. The celebration ofthe World Youth Day, everyAugust 12, followed 54/120 resolution of the UNon December 17, 1999. theresolution was after therecommendation made bythe World Conference ofMinisters Responsible forYouth (Lisbon, 8-12August 1998). This year youths, (18-35), marked their day withthe theme: “YouthMigration: MovingDevelopment Forward.”According to informationon UN website, “youngpeople make up asignificant share of theglobal number ofinternational migrants. In2010, there were anestimated 27 millioninternational youngmigrants.” It was meant todraw attention to risksassociated with youthmigration and also raiseawareness, shareknowledge andinformation and engagepeople (young) on theinherent opportunities anddangers in youth migration.

While speaking on thetheme on this year’s event,UN Secretary-General,Ban Ki-Moon, explainedthat, “It is important toemphasize the positivecontribution youngmigrants make to societiesof origin, transit anddestination – economicallyand by enriching the socialand cultural fabric. Mostwork hard to earn a livingand improve theircircumstances. Theremittances they send tosupport families in theirhome countries are a majorcontributor to economiesworldwide.” Globally, youths areknown to be the future ofany nation. Theirimportance to the growthand development of acountry, is due to theirendowment and energeticdisposition. However, with thesepotentials embedded inthem, the youths whichmake up 70% of Nigeria’spopulation, are constantlythreatened by myriad ofproblems. According to statistics,globally youthunemployment stood at12.7% in 2012. in Nigeria,youth unemployment issaid to be standing at over50%. Youth unemploymenthas become a threat to thes o c i o - e c o n o m i cadvancement of Nigeria.They are the nextgeneration of people withthe abilities to transformthe economic fortunes ofany nation. In Nigeria, it isa situation of hopelessness.In streets and majorhighways, Nigerian Youthsand wasting away theirtalents. Majority of themhave turned their youthfulcreativity and energy intonefarious activities thathave further truncated theeconomic situation. With the helplessconditions most youthsfind themselves in, greedypoliticians and they aretaking advantage of themto perpetuate crises and

trouble. The mostdisheartening is whenyoung and vibrant peoplewith degrees are seenroaming the streets withfiles searching for virtuallynon-existent jobs. During electioneering

period, these young mindsare used as thugs byunscrupulous politicians inorder for them (politicians)to quench their thirst forpolitical power. The youthsare psyched with allmanner of “stipends” justto carry ballot boxes sinceto them (youths) “At all, atall, Na him bad pass!” At other times, drugabuse, cyber crime,robbery and sexual abuse,are carried out by mostyouths due to theunemployment and“ u n e m p o w e r m e n t ”ravaging the country. Similarly, most youths

who are doing their best tosavage something out ofthe ugly trend facing them,are left with hands akimbo.Why? For any business orentrepreneurial skill that isacquired, if there is nocorresponding capital/

financial background, it isas good as pouring waterinto an empty basket. Although the FederalGovernment has come upwith diverse strategies andpolicies to curb theseemingly intractableproblem as YouthEnterprise with innovationin Nigeria (You Win) it isakin to ask: How manypeople have been thus farempowered? Have thepolicy empowered the rightpersons and not politicaloffice holders high jackingit? What about those thatfinally get empowered?How have this policy

ameliorated their plight? Additionally, the lack ofaccess to education hasremained an indelibleproblem to the nation’syouths. According to theNational Bureau ofStatistics (NBS), in 2006,35% of persons aged 15years and above, could not

read or write in anylanguage. The NBSrevealed that only 47% ofpersons in Nigeria, haveaccess to secondaryeducation (69.3%, urbanand 37.5%, rural). For the youths thatmanage to scale throughthese hurdles to acquireeducation, they are rarelyfit to tackle the challengesof the present age. Thecurriculum in schools aremajorly not functional andqualitative. Youth that gothrough these schools, arerarely inputted with therequired vocational/technical skills that will

make them employers oflabour. Majority of schoolsin Nigeria, are notI n f o r m a t i o nC o m m u n i c a t i o nTechnology (ICT)complaint. In this age ofICT-driven world, mostNigerian youths arerendered “powerless” inthe scheme of economicgrowth. Again, if there is a

problem thwarting therelease of potentials byyouths, it is theirvulnerability to debilitatingdiseases. According to theExecutive Director of theUnited NationsProgramme on HIV/AIDS(UNAIDS), Michel Sidibe,“an estimated 700,000young people aged 15 to 32are living with HIV-anumber nearly one-fifth ofthe total population of HIV-positive people in Nigeria.”He went further to warnthat “Nigeria is at the riskof the danger of new HIV

Continues on page 23

“Although the Federal Government has come up with diverse strategiesand policies to curb the seemingly intractable problem as Youth Enterprisewith innovation in Nigeria (You Win) it is akin to ask: How many peoplehave been thus far empowered? Have the policy empowered the rightpersons and not political office holders high jacking it? What about thosethat finally get empowered? How have this policy ameliorated their plight?”

1 6 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

By AKPESIR

IT is anincontrovertible veracitythat since the inceptionof Nigeria’s fourthrepublic, the nation hascome under scrutinyover corruption. Thatevery facet of life inNigeria is being ravagedby corruption is nolonger a subject ofdebate because it is asclear as crystal. For instance, the latestreports by two globalwatchdogs, the Institutefor Economics andPeace and theT r a n s p a r e n c yInternational, TI, onNigerians predilectionfor corruption isanything but flattering. In its Global TerrorismIndex, GTI, released onTuesday, December 4,2012; IE (whichmeasures the impact ofterrorism and associatedeconomic dimension,)rated Nigeria as theseventh most terrorizedcountry in the world.Specifically, it disclosedthat in year 2011, 168incidents of terrorism inwhich 437 people diedand 614 others sustainedvarying degree of injury. The survey whichcovered 158 countriesplaced Nigeria in the topbracket of countries inwhich anarchy reignssupreme. War-tomSomalia is the other sub-Saharan African countrywhich fell into thisunenviable category.The report also placedNigeria third from thebottom (105 out of 108)in its Positive PeaceIndex. The organisationsaid Nigeria’sperformance was poor inthe areas of equitabledistribution of resources,acceptance of the rightsof others and level ofcorruption. On the corruptionscale, hard on the heelsof GTIs report, TI scoredNigeria’s 27 per cent and

placed it on 139 out of176 countries surveyedworldwide. In the report,Nigeria shared the sameposition with suchcountries as Azerbaijan,Kenyan, Nepal andPakistan which are alsosteeped in corruption. Inthe 2011 rankings by thesame organisation,Nigeria took the 143rdplace out of the 182countries covered by thesurvey to stand as the39th most corruptcountry among thenations of the world. However, it must benoted that this is not thefirst indictment ofNigeria over its lack ofseriousness in thehandling of cases offraud, embezzlementand other forms of abuseof office against variouscategories of officials inthe public as well as theprivate sector. Not longago, wife of the formerPresident of the UnitedStates of America, USA,Mrs. Hillary Clinton asSecretary of State threwbarbs at Nigeria overwidespread corruption. In spite of efforts bythe anti-graft agencies,namely, the Economicand Financial CrimesCommission, EFCC,Independent CorruptPractices and otherrelated offencescommission, ICPC,which has often resultedin bringing to limelighthigh profile cases ofcorruption againstpublic officials, therehas been no appreciablesuccess as quite anumber of personsalleged are shieldedfrom prosecution,especially formergovernors who escapedpunishment by theimmunity clause in theconstitution but werecharged to court whenthey took their exit fromoffice in 2007. Onlythose of them who have

wriggled out of troublethrough the dubiousconcept of plea bargainhave had their casesc o n c l u d e d - a l b e i tquestionably. The casefiles of all the others aregathering dust courtesyof a legal process thatgives room for endlessmanipulation. Thecelebrated bribe-for-budget case which costa Senate President and aserving Minister their

panels and committeeshave unearthed mind-boggling fraud andmonumental financiallosses to the Nigeriancitizenry but nothing hasfollowed. Characteristically, thereaction of successiveNigeria leadership is oneof denial of the potentlyobvious. Recently, whenthe United StatesBureau of Democracy,

President GoodluckJonathan warnedNigerians to be wary ofthe assessment anddescribed the StateDepartment report as“parachute researchers”limited by absence ofany knowledge of thecountry and its affairs. Despite viewing thereport as an insult on thecountry, the PDPa d m i n i s t r a t i o n ,however, agreed that

it identifies theunresolved oil subsidyscam, the Policepension fund, includingthe trial and convictionof ex-governor JamesIbori in the Unitedkingdom, UK, aschallenges that must betaken up with a view totackling the monster. The federalgovernment should stoptreating corruption withkid gloves ortrivializing it throughspinning by itshirelings. It must realisethat corruption wardeployed in the past asa justification fordespotic military putschand therefore hasremained a veritablesource of instability inthe realm. The time hascome for thegovernment of the dayto tackle this challengeheadlong. It is a shame that thesixth largest oilproducing country hasthe wellbeing of itscitizens ranked amongthe lowest in the world.The structures forfighting corruption oreven preventing it aretoo weak. Anexemplary leadershipcan breathe life into thesinews of government,cut short the dependinghabituation to andtolerance of corruption. To effectively tacklethe monster ofcorruption, both the law

annCthsiasocad

corruption waseverywhere and that theparty had been fightingthe scourge, obviouslywith little success. Interestingly, thereport said thatcorruption underminesthe growth anddevelopment of Nigeria,

Perspective

Corruption: Nigeria In

Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, Chief Justice of Nigeria

exalted positions has,like many others, cometo a dead end. Similarly, cases withinternational dimensionssuch as Siemens,Wilbros and Halliburton,have ended up like manyothers under the carpet.Government sponsored

Human Rights andLabour, an arm of theState department decriedthe endemic nature ofcorruption incontemporary Nigeria inits annual country report,the Peoples democraticParty, PDP, ledadministration of

JParileinalefIGSr7asthprendHawthaothceeopmaoTthrihcOrRththspw“cHthtom

“Interestingly, the report said that corruption underminesthe growth and development of Nigeria, it identifies theunresolved oil subsidy scam, the Police pension fund,including the trial and conviction of ex-governor JamesIbori in the United kingdom, UK, as challenges that mustbe taken up with a view to tackling the monster.”

1 7 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

RI OGHENERHABOKE

nd the judicial processneed to be strengthened.Corruption cannot buthrive under the presentituation in whichn n u m e r a b l edjournments can beought and obtained andases can be prolongedd infinitum. The idea of

establishing specialcourts to handlecorruption cases whichhas, at different times,been discussed andembraced by relevantauthorities appears tohave been abandoned.For as long as treasurylooter can walk free anduse their stolen wealth to

influence the course ofjustice, corruption willremain a way of life. Also, Nigeriansperception and attitudeto public institutions andgovernance mustchange for the better.The breakdown offamily values must be

addressed via emphasison ethical re-orientationif the youths who arefuture leaders are toescape the claws ofcorruption. Furthermore,restructuring thecountry in ways that areexpressive of fiscalautonomy for the

federating componentscould also help tomitigate corruption asthe over-reliance onpetroleum revenues byall tiers of governmenthas fuelled corruption inno small measures. Above all, theproposed strategyshould includeremodelling Nigeria’spolitics, removing itscurrent commercialvalues and making it

attractive only togenuine servants. Now,this is the only businessin town and thedesperation in thescramble for it fuelcorruption in waysunimaginable. Centralto this is a drasticreduction in the cost ofgovernance in theexecutive branch, thelegislature and the civilservice.

Global PerceptionPerspective

Jumbo Salaries: Greed Or Constituency Servicing?PRESENTLY, the papersand internet were full ofrevealing comparativenformation that ouregislators are the highest paidn the world and our ministers

are also among the top in theeague table of jumbo salaries

for executives.n November last year, the

Governor of the Central Bank,Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, hadrevealed that Nigeria uses70% of its budget on salariesand emoluments of publicservants in the executive andhe legislature. He made a

passionate call for thereduction of theseemoluments so that we as anation can free resources fordevelopment.His call was drowned out byanger of our legislators whowere furious at his statementhat the legislature consumed

a significant percentage ofoverhead costs. It is importanthat our country returns to the

core argument that by payingexcessively high salaries andemoluments to top publicofficials, in particular,permanent secretaries,ministers and legislators; weare mortgaging the rights ofour people to development.That we are refusing to spendhe bulk of available public

resources to providemproved infrastructure,

health and education to ourcitizens.On July 2011, the professionalruffle of feathers, Nasir ElRufai had warned the nationhat the total revenue from oilhat year could not pay “the

salaries and allowances ofpoliticians and public sectorworkers and their“overheads” – their tea,coffee, travel and estacode.”He pointed out that it costs onhe average about 2.5 milliono maintain each of our one

million public servants the

By IRABOR PETER ODIONcost of maintaining onelegislator is 320 millionNaira”, he argued. “This is thereason why we have beenborrowing to carry out capitalprojects” he pointed out.The legislature in particularhas been very sensitive, if nothostile to any discussionabout their salaries andemoluments. They appear tothink that they have been toooften the targets of unfairattacks and have reacted withanger at those who raise theissue. I feel that there issufficient basis to have adebate on jumbo salaries withthe overall objective ofredressing the excessivelyhigh cost of governance in thecountry. This discussionshould be focused on both thelegislature and the executive.As both, the executive and thelegislature have responsibilityfor the high cost ofgovernance, the tradition ofone accusing the other of guiltin this regard should cease.The legislature however hasspecial responsibility becausethey determine the finalbudget and there areincreasing accusations that theprocess of appropriation isbeing increasinglycompromised by self-interestof legislators. It might be thecase that they haveattenuating circumstances.Joel Barkan for example hasargued that legislatures, ormore accurately, legislatorsacting individually, ratherthan as members of acorporate organization thatengages in collectivedecision-making, perform theadditional function ofconstituency service. In mostAfrican countries, legislatorshave imposed upon them twoforms of constituency service– (a) Regular visits by MPs totheir districts to meetconstituents and assist some

with their individual needs.(b) Involvement in small tomedium scale developmentprojects that provide variousforms of public goods – roads,water supply systems, schoolsand scholarship schemes,health clinics, meeting halls,etc. to their constituents. Thisconstituency service functionhas always provided thesubtext for raisingemoluments of legislators buthas never really been placedon the table for discussion.The consequence is that theNigerian National Assemblyhas had a very bad press andan eroding reputation with thepublic. Press reports,allegations from theExecutive branch andstatements by major nationalplayers and analysts havepresented the members of theNational Assembly as self-serving individuals who paythemselves enormous illegalallowances. In addition, theyhave been accused of usingtheir powers of oversight toblackmail ministers and headsof agencies for pecuniarygain. Finally, over the years,there have been accusationsthat certain laws have beenpassed on the basis of heftyinducements to legislators.I believe that there is thetension between legislatingand constituency servicebecause the first seeks toarrive at decisions that servethe entire nation whileconstituency service is, by

definition, addressed to asmaller sub-community ofsociety.In Nigeria, the legislature hasresponded to its constituencyservice function at threelevels. First is the introductionof constituency projects inwhich legislators proposespecific projects for theirconstituents, which areimplemented, not by them,but by various ministries,departments and agenciesunder the MillenniumDevelopment GoalsProgramme. So while theexecutive branch carries outthe projects, the legislators getthe credit.The second is the increase ofconstituency allowances toallow legislators respond toregular appeals fromconstituents for financial helpfor weddings, burials, illhealth and so on in additionto other demands for jobs,contracts and everyconceivable demand. Thirdly,almost all legislators havedeveloped a set of personalprojects, which they developfor their constituents.The argument forconstituency services can bestretched to all public officialsand indeed all persons with aregular income. We are allparticipants in a demandsystem in which relations,friends, associates andeveryone else come to peopleconsidered to be relativelymore well off who then

become targets of solicitation.It is because of these morewell spread phenomenon thatcivil society and the mediahave responded verynegatively to thesedevelopments and thearticulation of their concernshas played a major role increating the reputation erosionthat Parliamentarians havebeen suffering from. Theremust be limits placed on thosewho finalise the budgets onwhat they pay themselves ifwe are to maintain sanity inpublic finance.The National Assemblyshould embark on a path oftransparency andaccountability in engagingNigerians in a frankconversation about theimperatives of constituencyservicing and its limits. Theyshould be open about whatthey receive, they should alsorespond to numerous calls byNigerians for a cap on thelegislature’s recurrent budget.Even more important, theyneed to take a more proactiverole, together with civilsociety partners in gettingcitizens and constituents tounderstand better theirlegislative functions so thatexpectations on them arereduced.Civil society and the mediahave a responsibility to take alead in this debate and educatethe public on the reasons theyshould be moderate on thetype of personal demands theymake on their legislators. In

addition, civil society and themedia should orient their civiceducation programmes andactivities towards getting thecitizenry to better understandthe legislative process so thattheir set of expectations fromtheir legislators begins tochange.I believe that waste of publicresources is higher in theexecutive branch compared tothe legislature. If therefore thelegislature takes the initiativeto curb its own excesses, theywill be strengthened in usingtheir over-sight and budgetmaking powers to curb theexcesses of the executive.I believe that the strongarguments made by Nasir ElRufai in his lecture to theGuild of Editors are more thanenough to urge the Presidencyand the National Assembly torespond on the ethics,irrationality and high costs ofspending the earnings of 167million Nigerians on the onemillion in the public sector.We must bring in the peopleas beneficiaries of publicrevenue through theexpansion of public services.As we become less capable ofselling our petroleum and giveup the fight against oilbunkering, the reality on theground is that we can nolonger sustain the currentexpenditure profile. As theworld asks us how can weafford such jumbo pay for afew, we should have thecourage to confess toourselves that we cannot.

“The National Assembly should embark on a path of transparency andaccountability in engaging Nigerians in a frank conversation about theimperatives of constituency servicing and its limits. They should be openabout what they receive, they should also respond to numerous calls byNigerians for a cap on the legislature’s recurrent budget.”

1 8 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

Health

Rotavirus: The Silent Child Killer

Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health

By PERPETUA ONUEGBUMRS Ebiere Amechiwatched helplessly as herbaby, Michael, a plump andlively boy, started vomitingand stooling.

The woman has beenassured that when babiesentered their teething period;incessant stooling andvomiting are usually theprecursors.

Ebiere helplessly watchedher child slipping away fromher, as Michael continued todepreciate in weight each timehe passed out stool.

She later became frightenedand sought the help of hernext-door neighbour, MamaKelechi.

Mama Kelechi made OralRehydration Therapy (ORT)for Michael but when he wasnot showing any sign ofimprovement, Ebiere carriedher baby and scampered to thehospital.

“This is a case of Rotavirusmadam; you are lucky youbrought this child here ontime,’’ the doctor said.

“What is Rotavirus?’’ abewildered Ebiera asked.

“Diarrhoea is caused by avirus called Rotavirus and thiscauses gastroenteritis, whosesymptoms include stoolingand vomiting,’’ the doctorreplied.

Most people like Ebiere areignorant of Rotavirus, whichis the most common cause ofsevere diarrhea among infantsand young children.

MedicineNet.com, anonline health publication,describes Rotavirus as a genusof double-strandedribonucleic acid known asRNA virus in the Reoviridaefamily.

Reoviridae is a family ofviruses that can affect thegastrointestinal andrespiratory tract. Viruses inthe Reoviridae family havegenomes consisting ofsegmented, double-strandedRNA. The name Reoviridae isderived from respiratoryenteric orphan viruses.

The publication says that theterm “orphan virus’’ means avirus that is not associatedwith any known disease. Eventhough viruses in the

Reoviridae family have morerecently been identified withvarious diseases, the originalname is still used, it adds.

Medical experts say that bythe age of five, nearly everychild in the world has beeninfected with Rotavirus atleast once.

However, with eachinfection, immunity develops,and subsequent infections areless severe; adults are rarelyaffected.

There are five species ofRotavirus and they areclassified as A, B, C, D, andE. Rotavirus A — the mostcommon species — causesmore than 90 per-cent ofinfections in humans.

Since 2006, vaccination hasbeen available for Rotavirusinfection. Prior to theavailability of a vaccine,almost all children becameinfected with Rotavirus bytheir third birthday.

Although rotavirus wasdiscovered in 1973 and itaccounts for up to 50 per centof hospitalisations for severediarrhoea in infants andchildren, its importance is stillnot widely known within thepublic health community,particularly in developingcountries.

In addition to its impact onhuman health, Rotavirus alsoinfects animals, and it is apathogen of livestock.

Rotavirus is usually aneasily managed childhooddisease but unfortunately,more than 450,000 childrenunder the age of fiveworldwide still die fromRotavirus infection each year,according toMedicineNet.com.

Nigeria is also one of thecountries that have thevaccine, although most peopleare still not aware of it.

The public healthcampaigns on Rotavirusinfections focus on providingORT for infected children andvaccination to prevent thedisease.

Medical experts note thatthe incidence and severity ofRotavirus infections havedeclined significantly in

countries that have addedRotavirus vaccination to theirroutine childhoodimmunisation policies.

However, Dr KelechiOdinaka, a paediatrician withKofa Hospital and Maternity,Agbara, Lagos, stressed thatteething was not a causative

factor of stooling, which mostbabies experienced.

He rejected the notion thatteething in infants wasaccompanied with diarrhoea,saying that most parentserroneously had the notionthat whenever a “child beginsto develop teeth, that childautomatically starts stooling’’.

“Rotavirus does not comewith teething in children, but

some parents erroneouslyassume that whenever a babyis stooling, it is because of hisor her teeth development.

“They ignorantly leave thechild in that condition, withthe hope that the diarrhoeawill cease as soon as the teethemerges.

“This has led to the death ofa number of children, whobecame dehydrated due tofrequent stool, as a largevolume of body fluid is lostin the process,’’ he said.

According to Odinaka, theperiod of teething in somechildren begins from five tosix months and this is thecrawling stage of the child.

“Due to the fact that teething

causes discomfort, itching andpains in the infant’s gums, heor she introduces any objectto the mouth in a bid tomitigate the discomfort.

“Due to the tender bodysystem of the child andbecause diarrhoea is causedby an association of germs,such habit triggers stooling inthe child,’’ he said.

Odinaka bemoaned the

situation where some parentsstill have the notion that theirbabies’ diarrhoea was one ofthe consequences of teething.

“The proper thing forparents to do, when theydiscover their baby isstooling, is to try as much aspossible to rehydrate the childwith an oral salt solution.

“This solution should begiven repeatedly to the childeach time he or she passesstool, so as to help replace theelectrolytes that are lost dueto dehydration.

“Diarrhoea is the numberone killer disease in children,and mothers must ensure theyget medical advice when theyare ignorant of what to do,’’he added.

Odinaka, however, urgedparents, guardians and

caregivers to provide ahygienic and well-sanitisedenvironment for the children.

The paediatrician said thattangible efforts should bemade to disinfect thechildren’s toys andinstructional materialsregularly so as to guardagainst Rotavirus infections,which he described as the“silent child killer’’.

Sharing similar sentiments,Dr Monica Aletor, apaediatrician in AsokoroDistrict Hospital, Abuja,stressed that teething was notthe factor that caused stoolingand vomiting in children.

She attributed the medicalcondition to the objects whicha teething baby used inscratching his or her achinggums.

“You will notice that thechild puts any object in sightinto its mouth; all in the bidto get relief from pains in thegums. Even the child passesout more spittle, which if notcleaned off on time, can causerashes on the neckline of thechild.

“So, you find that all thesethings occur as a result of theamount of care been given tothe child at this point in time;when a mother pays betterattention to the sanitary needsof the child, the child is betterfor it.

“Mothers should know thatteething is a critical stage of achild’s development and theyshould do all in their powerto ensure good hygiene so asto prevent Rotavirusinfections in their children,’’Aletor said.

Mrs. Chinasa Amadi, amother of two, said that herchildren had neverexperienced vomiting andstooling while teething,adding that she alwaysensured that all their toys andthe floor were well disinfectedand dry.

“Mothers should know thatin nursing a child, tangibleefforts should be made toprevent the baby fromcatching unnecessaryailments.

“I never had suchexperience because I alwaysadopted all the necessaryprecautions to put in placehygienic conditions for mybabies; and I thank God thatmy efforts were fruitful.

“So, mothers who wanthealthy children should beready to pay the price; weshould make concerted effortsto prevent our babies fromgetting infected withRotavirus,’’ she said.

“Rotavirus is usually an easily managed childhood disease butunfortunately, more than 450,000 children under the age of fiveworldwide still die from Rotavirus infection each year, accordingto MedicineNet.com. Nigeria is also one of the countries thathave the vaccine, although most people are still not aware of it.”

1 9 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

Ingredient For Living ASuccessful Life

Drumbeats WithApostle Dr.Raphael O.Ayemere

08035459593

JESUS saith unto him, I amthe way, the truth and the life,no man cometh untoThe father but by me” John14v6Your ability to know Jesus,follow him and accept him intoyour life as your Lord andpersonal Saviour will give youaccess into having and enjoyingingredients for living asuccessful life. Abraham, Moses, Joshua,Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Samuel,David, Solomon, Elijah,Elisha, Jeremiah, and manypeople whose names are not inthe Bible followed and servedGod faithfully and were notdisappointed. You have nothing to lose ifyou follow Jesuswholeheartedly. The quest formaterial things and the desireto amass more wealth, power,position and influence hadmade many people to forsakeJesus and walk in their ownways. “And he saith unto them,follow me, and I will make youfishers of men. And they straightway lefttheir nets and followed him”Matthew 4v 1 9-20look at Peter, a professional infishing industry, left his fishingbusiness in obedience to Godscalling and followed Jesuswholeheartedly. If Jesus did notdisappoint Peter, John, James,Paul, Philip and Bartholomew,why do you think he will failyou if you follow himfaithfully? Jesus holds the key to yoursuccess, satisfaction and totalfulfillment on earth. Rememberwho you were before and whatGod had done for you. Were itnot for the sake of Jesus, youprobably would have been sopoor, wretched, afflicted,confused, forsaken and inreproach daily. Now that thehands of providence has smiledon you, why would you forsakeand turn your back on Jesus. Jesus alone has the key toyour wealth and he alone hasthe power of longevity of life. Iwill implore you to follow andserve Jesus and tell others abouthim. No matter how famous,powerful and successful we are,we can never ignore thelegacies of Jesus.EXAMPLES OF PEOPLEWHO FAITHFULLYFOLLOWED JESUS ANDTHEIR END RESULTSMARY -MAGDALENE And when the Sabbath waspast, Mary Magdalene andMary the mother of James, and

Salome, had bought sweetspices, that they might comeand anoint him. And they said amongthemselves, who shall roll awaythe stone from the door of thesepulcher? And when they looked, theysaw that the stone was rolledaway, for it was very great. And entering into thesepulcher, they saw a youngman sitting on the side, clothedin a long white garment, andthey were afflicted. And he saith unto them, benot afflicted; ye seek Jesus ofNazareth, which was crucified,he is risen, he is not here,behold the place where theylaid him. But go your way, tell hisdisciples and peter that he goethbefore you into Galilee, thereshall ye see him, as he said untoyou” (Mark 16v1-7) Mary Magdalene knew whoshe was when Jesus changedher life positively. Inappreciation to that she came incompany of Mary the mother ofJames and Salome to anointJesus body. Even after the deathof Jesus, Mary Magdalene isbeing adored, appreciated andused as a reference pointbecause of her steadfastnessand consistency andfaithfulness in serving Jesus.APOSTLE PETER “And Jesus, walking by thesea of Galilee, Saw twobrethren, Simon called Peter,and Andrew his brother castinga net into the sea, for they werefishers. And he saith unto them followme, and I will make you fishersof men. And they straightway lefttheir nets, and followed him”Matthew 4v 1 8-20 Peter’s ability to obey Jesus,serve and follow him faithfullyled to his breakthrough in lifeand today Peter is regarded,known and seen as the head ofthe ApostlesAPOSTLE PAUL“And now, behold, 1 go boundin the Spirit unto Jerusalem,,not knowing the things thatshall befall me there.Save that the Holy Spiritwitnesseth, in every City,saying that bonds andafflictions “abide me. But none of these thingsmove me, neither count I mylife dear unto myself; so that Imight finish my course withjoy, and the ministry which Ihave received of the Lord Jesusto testify the gospel of the graceof God. And now, behold, I know that

ye all, among whom I havegone preaching the kingdom ofGod, shall see my face no more.Wherefore I take you to recordthis day, that I am pure from theblood of all men For I have notshunned to declare unto you allthe counsel of God. Therefore watch, andremember, that by the space ofthree years I ceased not to warnevery one night and day withtears”. Acts 22-7vs3 1. Though Paul persecuted the

church in ignorance when Godsaved and changed him fromhis evil ways, he preachedChrist in season and out ofseason. In fact he was willingto die in doing God’s work andhe eventually died preachingChrist. Paul almost singlehandedly wrote the entire newtestament Bible. He labouredmore than the rest of the apostleof Jesus Christ. Today ApostlePaul’s name is written in goldin the lives of many Christians.FANNY CROSBYWhen fanny Jane Crosby wasonly six weeks old, she lost hersight as a result of a doctor’serror in treating an illness. Shenever voiced bitterness aboutblindness, however, she oncestated, “1 have always believedthat the good Lord, in hisinfinite mercy, by this meansconsecrated me to the work thatI am still permitted to do”.When a Scottish minister triedto express sorrow at herblindness, she quickly replied,“If I had been given a choiceat birth, I would have asked tobe blind, for when I get toHeaven, the first face I will seewill be the one who died forme”.At age fifteen, she entered theNew York institute for theblind, where she received anexcellent education. She latertaught there, and at the age of

thirty-eight, she marriedAlexander Van Alstyne, whowas also blind. He was anorganist in two New York Citychurches, and his musicalknowledge helped her incountless ways. They weremarried for forty-four years. Although Crosby did notbegin her life’s work of writinghymns until she was forty yearsold. She ultimately wrote thetext for more than 8,000 hymns,using more than 200 pensnames. Under contract to amusic publisher, she wrote 3new hymns each week duringmuch of her life. From 1865 to

1905, she produced nearly 200songs a year. Her hymns havebeen noted by generations fortheir thought and praise-. filledtexts. Her work has beentranslated into numerousforeign languages anddistributed by the millions inEnglish-speaking areas. Many of Crosby’s songs werewritten in collaboration withher friend William H. Doane. Attimes, Crosby would write thelyrics first, at other times Doanewould write a song, and Crosbywould respond, “That tune sayto me” and write a stirring text.Phone Palmer Knapp, wife ofthe founder of metropolitan lifeinsurance company, composeda tune in 1873, and she broughtit to Crosby in Brooklyn,Crosby asked Knapp to play thetune for her on the organ asCrosby knelt in played nearby.She played it a second time andthen a third. The blind womanfinally responded, “that says.Blessed Assurance, Jesus ismine! O what a foretaste ofglory divine!” The hymn“Blessed Assurance” is one ofher most famous. Among her best knownhymns are ‘Jesus, keep me Nearthe cross”, ‘Draw me nearer,Rescue the perishing”, ‘I amThine, 0 lord” and “All the waymy saviour leads me” her song‘To God be the Glory”, was

popular in both D. L Moody’sevangelistic campaigns inEngland and also in the BillyGraham crusade acrossAmerica. In addition to herwork as a musical poetess,Crosby loved to visit the rescuemission in New York City.There she would make what shecalled a “Pressing plea” for anyboy present who had“wandered from his mother’s

home and teaching” to see herat the end of the service. Shehad numerous opportunities toshare her faith in Christ withthose who responded to herplea”MARTIN LUTHERSome people experiencesuccess because they are theright people at the right time.In the Case of Martin Luther,he seemed to produce the “rightword” at the right time, theywere words that were tobecome the sounding gun forthe reformation.Luther chose to become anAugustinian monk rather thancomplete his law studies, andin 1512, he received a degreeof “Doctor of the Theology”,from the University ofWittenberg. He later joined itsfaculty. Initially, Luther was notdisenchanted with the RomanCatholic Church. Hisgrievances against the churchrose gradually, as a result of hisspiritual pilgrimage and hisstudies in the Bible, especiallyin Paul’s epistles to theGalatians and to the Romans.In 1510, he took a trip to Romeand was shocked at theworldliness he saw displayedby the Clergy. He gotangry and spoke out againstthem, however. Rather, he tookaim at the church’s practice of

selling indulgences, a grantingof remission for the penalties ofsin as the result of givingcontributions to the church. InOctober 31, 1517 the eve of allsaint’s day he posted on the doorin Wittenberg church hiscelebrated ninety-five Theses.In this statement he stronglydenounced corruption in thechurch in general and thepractice of selling indulgencesin particular. Not only where thetheses posted in the door, butcopies were also distributedwidely throughout the area,including a copy to theArchbishop of Mainz. His protest broadened inscope, and Luther subsequentlyfocused on the limitation ofchurch authority found in theBible. For this opinion, he wassummoned to appear beforechurch officials. After varioushearings and orders to recent hisposition, he was pronounced aheretic and an outlaw. Hiswritings were banned by thepope. The outcome for his brandingas a heretic would normallyhave been death by burning atthe stake, but Luther’s viewshad found widespread supportamong the German people,including several Germanprinces. He went into hiding,and his growing support wasstrong enough to keep him fromexperiencing any seriouscriminal penalties imposed byRome. As a prolific writer, his workswere given mass distributionHis opinion that the Christiansshould be guided by the Bibleand by plain reason was anopinion that gained greatpopular support. He alsotranslated the Bible intoGermany, which made itpossible of course, for literaturepeople to study the scripturesthemselves. The prose of his Bibletranslate had a great influenceon German doctrine d literature. Luther advocated thatsalvation come only throughfaith and the grace God. thedoctrine of justification by faithalone gave hope to many whorealized like Luther that theycould not do enough to savethemselves. Finding nothing inthe Bible to justify the celibacyof clergy: Luther himselfmarried a former nun, and theyhad six children. Although Martin Luther wasnot the first protestant thinker,he is considered the man chieflyresponsible for the protestantreformation.

2 0 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

Calabar: The Beauty,Thrills And Memories

TravelogueFROM all

perspectives, a recenttour of Calabar was verydelightful, justifying thetourists’ assumption thatthe ancient city is alwaysa tourist delight.

Although the visitwas for the NationalConference and AnnualGeneral Meeting of theNigerian LibraryAssociation (NLA). Itgave the conference’sparticipants theopportunity of knowingmore about Calabar’stourist sites and theirpotentialities.

The Cultural Centre,Calabar, the venue of theconference, displayedsome of the touristexpectations of the richcultural values in otherparts of Cross Riverstate.

The well-pavedroads leading to thecentre were beautifiedand they showcasedsome elements of theabundant touristattractions in the state.

The conference oflibrarians also attractedexhibitors, publishersand friends of theassociation.

During theconference, 14 paperswere presented, whilethree celebrities,including Gov. LiyelImoke of Cross River,Governor GodswillAkpabio of Akwa Ibomand Chief Emeka Ofor,a prominentbusinessman, werehonoured with NLAMerit and EminentPersonality Awards.

The participantssavoured the aesthetics

of the neat and well-planned city but theirecstatic mood switchedinto to a sombre moodwhen they visited someplaces.

They visited someplaces of interest such asthe Marina SlaveMuseum and TinapaBusiness Resort, amongothers.

The visit to themuseum brought backthe memories of thehorrific Trans-AtlanticSlave Trade, which wasthen perpetrated byEuropean slave tradersand their Africancollaborators.

The visitors walkedin a single file formationto re-enact the way the

slaves were forced tomove in chains to “theirdestinations of noreturn’’.

Viewing some of theantiquities and artworkswas quite emotional and,in fact, some of thevisitors broke down intears.

Some of the artworksreflect the slaves’ voyageto faraway places, duringwhich they were forcedto lie down in a way thatmade it virtuallyimpossible for them tocommunicate with oneanother.

In the artworks, theweak and sickly slaveswere isolated from the

healthy ones, while somewere thrown into the sea.

The emotions of thevisitors could havelingered for a longer timeif they were allowed totake pictures of therevealing artworks.

One of the chambersof the museum containsthe chains and shacklesused in tying up theslaves to prevent themfrom escaping.

The visitors weretold that the slaves wereexchanged for valuelessitems such as guns, hotdrinks and mirrors, whileeach of the items couldbe exchanged for tenhuman beings.

Another chambercontains the slave-masters’ rods, whichwere used for stampingidentification marks onthe slaves.

Some of the artworkscontain images such aswhite men floggingfleeing slaves and bulldogs, used by the whiteslave-masters to huntdown slaves.

One of the artworksdepicts slaves groaningunder the yoke of heavychains, while working onsugarcane plantations.

Some of the artworksprovoked strong feelingsin the tourists, as some ofthem, who could nolonger control theiremotions, burst intotears, recalling thestriking instance ofman’s inhumanity toman.

Some of the visitorsasked thought-provokingquestions such as: “Howcould the people whobrought Christianity tous unleash this kind ofbestial acts on our

people?The visitors,

however, found solace ina chamber of themuseum in which thestatues of Rev. SamuelAjayi Crowther, a formerslave who later becamethe first African Anglicanbishop in Nigeria, andWilliam Wilberforce,who fought for theabolition of slave trade,are erected.

At the TinapaBusiness Resort, amagazine — WakaAbout Africa — carrieda cover story, “Badagry:A Walk Through TheSlave Route’’, whichcaught the attention ofthe visitors.

The publicationargued that beforeAfricans could blameEuropeans for theatrocities of the slavetrade, they should firstinvestigate theinvolvement of variouscommunity leaders, whosearched the hinterlandand captured the slavesfor the European slavemerchants.

The magazine,however, noted that afterthe proclamation thatmade slave trade illegal,the trade stopped inBritish West Indies in1863 and in Brazil in1818, while Africafollowed in 1870.

It noted also thatlong after the abolition ofslave trade, the inhumantrade in persons stillflourished in Badagryuntil 1886.

The generalconsensus among thevisitors is that, otherforms of slavery stillexist nowadays, citinghuman trafficking andchild labour as examples.

They underscore theneed for governmentsand relevant agencies tomake concerted efforts toeradicate any form ofmodern-day slavery.

By STELLA EJIOGU

“The publication argued that before Africans couldblame Europeans for the atrocities of the slave trade,they should first investigate the involvement of variouscommunity leaders, who searched the hinterland andcaptured the slaves for the European slave merchants.”

2 1 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

IssuesOpinionTowards Making Education

Work Again In EdoBy OLUGBEMIRO O. MICHAEL

Gov Adams Oshiomhole

THE importance ofeducation to thedevelopment of any nationcannot be overemphasised;hence much attentionshould be given to it.Education is most timesone of the distinguishingfactors in placing youamong the top cadre in thesociety. I will like toemphasise that educationgoes beyond only thelessons in the classes butalso the environment inwhich the teaching is done.In the words of the highlyrespected Nelson Mandela,“Education is the world’smost powerful weaponwhich you can use tochange the world”. Withthis in the mind, the spotlight beamed on theeducational sector in Edostate by the comradeGovernor, AdamsOshiomhole is somethinglaudable. Furthermore, the stategovernment under theleadership of the governor,recently began a certificateverification Exercise, andfew days into it; dramahave started unfolding. Themedia has been awash withthe news about a teacher inEdo state who was not ableto read the sworn affidavitshe tendered as part of hercredentials. The exercisetook a twisted turn whenGovernor AdamsOshiomhole, who paid anunscheduled visit to theState’s Staff TrainingCentre; venue of theexercise, was appalled thata teacher could not read,saying “if you can’t read,what do you teach thepupils, what do you writeon the board”? MrsAugusta Odemwinge, ateacher at AsologunPrimary school, IkpobaOkha Local GovernmentArea, Benin City; stutteredand read the affidavit as ifa kindergarten was learningto read, to the consternationof everybody around. Also, before her turn,the governor joined inperusing the documents of

some other teachers at thescreening venue. Thisrevelation has underscoredthe importance of thisexercise and the impact aready government canmake to the wellbeing ofher people. This might justbe one among the manythat are in class, doingnothing but confusing thefuture leaders of tomorrow.The importance of thefunctions of the teachers isso delicate and enormousthat care should be taken,before anybody is allowedinto the class. Furthermore, a teacheris not just someone withqualification but someonethat loves to teach. Theteaching profession shouldnot be a dump ground forpeople who have madeefforts in other sectors butwere not picked; teachingis a rare privilege that hasthe capacity to influencethe leaders of tomorrow,and the wrong leaders candevelop better under awrong teacher. Chickeringand Gamson (1987), gaveseven principles for goodpractice in Undergraduateeducation, he described aneffective teacher isdescribed to:Encourage contact betweenstudents and facultyDevelop reciprocity andcooperation amongstudentsEncourage active learningGive prompt feedbackEmphasise time on taskCommunicate highexpectation andRespect diverse talents andways of learning The reality is thateffective teaching goesmuch beyond developingsubject matter expertise.From my experiences inhigher education, greatteachers share twocommon characteristics: anextraordinary sense ofhumility, and a strongcommitment to continualimprovement, based upona fundamental motivationto inspire student success (Natasha Kenny blog).

Moreover, we need tobegin to have teachers whodo not teach because oftheir salaries, but becausethey have the heart todevelop the best of studentsto make the society a better

place (that does not mean,they should not be paid fortheir services, but money isnot their majormotivation). We needteachers that are not onlyinterested in dishing out Fsbut want to know whythose students failed, andhow to help them reachtheir peak. This nation

needs teachers that arepatient enough to managethe total wellbeing of thestudents in her class.George Evans once said,“every student can learnjust not on the same day, or

the same way”, if this isproperly understood by allteachers, education inNigeria will be moreimparting. Some of themisbehaviours we havetoday should have beenhandled if we had effectiveteachers in the classes.Hence I laud the efforts of

the governor in trying torevamp the educationalsector in Edo state. Otherstate governments shouldfollow suit and even theFederal Governmentshould take steps to makethe educational sector aplace that housesprofessionals that can

produce excellent futureproducts. However, I appreciatethe Governor for his effortsin making sure theeducational system in Edostate is strong. He furtherdisplayed his resolve tomake sure Edo children arein school and have the bestof environments to learn in.

And it will be good for thisverification exercises to bereplicated in otherministries and governmentorganisations. In addition, governmentat all levels should alsoconduct such verificationexercises, and increase theverification boundaries

beyond certificates toinclude other qualitiesthat make a teacherbetter. As having a firstclass in the Universitydoes not automaticallymake you a goodteacher, but a passionpadded with disciplineand knowledge will go along way.

“However, I appreciate the Governor for his efforts in makingsure the educational system in Edo state is strong. He furtherdisplayed his resolve to make sure Edo children are in schooland have the best of environments to learn in. And it will begood for this verification exercises to be replicated in otherministries and government organisations.”

2 2 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

IssuesThe Antics Of Solidarity

Visits In Nigeria’s PoliticsBy ZIK GBEMRE

President Goodluck Jonathan

IT is funny thatNigerians, especially ourpoliticians and those of higherclass status, are very good atsetting crazy standards.Standards that are oftenunheard of or discouraged inother advanced or developingnations across the globe. Theissue of solidarity visits,particularly by Nigerian‘professional’ politicians, canbe described as one of suchobserved crazy practices inthe polity, which often timesamounts to nothing but self-serving interests.

According to the OxfordAdvanced LearnersDictionary, the wordsolidarity means “unity,agreement and supportresulting from sharedinterests, feelings, actions,sympathies, etc; hence we seesolidarity in the face ofopposition”. But in Nigeriathe kind of solidarity we seein our political circles is thekind that is often propelled bysycophancy, hyporicrisy andself-centered interests. The socalled “solidarity visits” weoften see around Nigeria’spolitical circles is not reallybecause they want to“solidify’ or actualize acommon goal that would bein the general interests of themasses, not at all. But ratherit is if often self-centereddriven. For those still veryactive in the political circles,solidarity visits are oftenopportunities to scheme, plan,organize and strategize how to‘deal with’ or displace thoseperceived as oppositions ornot in their camp. While thereare others, like our supposedelder statesmen, traditionalrulers etc; who see/useSolidarity visits as anopportunity to refill,reemburse their ‘drying’pockets with governmentfunds.

For the latter group,Nigeria’s political structureand the Nigerian factor has

created the ground for them toengage in this practice oflining their pockets withState’s funds in the name ofsolidarity visits.

Right from the LocalGovernment Chairman to theState Governors, members ofthe National Assembly andthe Presidency; Nigeria’spolitical structure and itsplayers have one thing incommon. And that is the factthat they all love sycophants/praise-singers in their variouscamps who support/agreewith/show solidarity towhomever they wouldbenefits from; even whensuch political leaders areblindly leading them in thewrong direction. As long asthey stand to gain somethingfrom such visionless leaders,they are ready to go to anylength to show theirunwavering support.

Apparently, those in thecorridors of power are equallytaking advantage of this‘solidarity visits” platform togarner as much support asthey can from whomever thatshows it, especially when it iscoming from supposed elderstatesmen and respected men/women of the society. We callthem Nigerian ProfessionalPoliticians. In other to sustainand maintain this ‘flow’ ofsupports via solidarity visits,those in the corridors of powerare ever willing to line thepackets of those giving thesupports, with state’s funds-just to keep them coming andinterested. Hence, we see aconstant circle of suchsolidarity visits ingovernment circles.

Once these NigerianProfessional Politicians arebroke, they go for solidarityvisits to show theirunwavering support or to passa vote of confidence to thepolitical leader concerned.After which they come backwith enlarged bank accountsand Ghana-must-go bags. But

of course, the monetary gainsthat are often attached to suchsolidarity visits are usuallycarefully hidden away fromthe eyes of the public. Asidethe obvious we read onnational tabloids, there arecountless others (of suchsolidarity visits) that go on adaily basis that Nigerians arenot aware of.

According to a friend, hesaid recently that, “Nigeriaseems to have no democrats”.And we totally agree withhim. Those that our futuregenerations should be lookingup to for guidance are moreinterested in feeding fat fromthe disorganized system.Rather than be distinguishedelder statesmen of integritythat would inspire visions in

the hearts of those in thecorridors of power; and rightlyadvise or positively influencethe affairs of the state in theinterest of the masses, theyprefer to sell their birth rightsfor several pots of porridgeand ephemeral things. As longas their family members andclose friends are equallypartakers of such ephemeral

gains from the state’s purse,the rest of the people can goto blazes.

It is a known fact that aspart of our governanceevolutions, most peoplebecome public servants byaccident but they usually soonget so used to the “glamour ofoffice” that they lose sight oftheir own ordinariness orwhere they come from. They

use the flawed system toclimb or ascribe forthemselves mandates thatwere never given to them inthe first place by the people,to gain cheap scores andpopularity through any‘support’ means possible andto morph into self-appointedcustodians of the Nigerianresources. This leaves us withpolitical leaders that arewilling to “buy the support”they need to remain in

government circles by allmeans necessary. That is theGovernment Houses acrossthe country, up to the exaltedAso Rock Villa, are seen as‘commercial banks’ by theseNigerian professionalpoliticians whose habit is touse solidarity visits (by virtueof their status in the society)to ‘withdraw’ from thegovernment.

We have them all aroundus. In the South-South (NigerDelta), South-West, South-East, North-Central (middlebelt), North-East and North-West. What we even finddisturbing is the fact that ourTraditional Rulers (Kings,Monarchs) have also joinedthe band wagon of those whopay solidarity visits for self-

conceited purposes. Almoston a monthly basis, you seethese group of praise singersflocking to Abuja anddifferent parts of their stateswhere political power resides,to pay one solidarity visit orthe other, even to governmentofficials that everybodyknows that are under-performing.

The problem with all ofthis; which is a greatdisservice to the nation, is thefact that when those in thecorridors of power are doingsomething wrong and leadingthe people astray, the so calledelder statesmen andtraditional rulers cannot say ordo anything. They cannot tellthe political leaders in powerthe “truth” or suggest thingsactions that would be in theinterest of all. They wouldrather shamelessly continuegiving their support (bypaying more solidarity visits),to such visionless politicalleaders so as not to spoil ordisrupt the flow of ephemeralgains/benefits. This leaves theNigerian political circles withmore sycophants andhypocrits. Where does thatleave the future generation?When elders and past leadersin government circles aremore interested in what theycan still gain/benefit from thesystem than what they cangive back to benefit all, wherethen is the place of sacrificefor others? What example arethey showing for the futuregeneration? The situation isquite pathetic.

We strongly ask that ourpolitical holders; starting fromthe Presidency, StateGovernment and LocalGovernment, shoulddiscourage in total, all theantics associated withsolidarity visits across board.If the government is doingwell by meeting the basicneeds of the people, they willbe acknowledged andappreciated by Nigerians. Theobserved level of sycophancy/praise singing in the politywill not help the masses butonly the interests of fewNigerians. The time, oftenwasted by such solidarityvisits, should be channel bypolitical office holders toaddress pressing needs of thepeople. We ask that the rightthing should be done.

“Once these Nigerian Professional Politicians are broke, they go forsolidarity visits to show their unwavering support or to pass a vote ofconfidence to the political leader concerned. After which they come backwith enlarged bank accounts and Ghana-must-go bags. But of course,the monetary gains that are often attached to such solidarity visits areusually carefully hidden away from the eyes of the public.”

2 3 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

Discourse...What Hope For The Future?

HealthAddressing Scourge Of Maternal Mortality

By WINIFRED OSASOBO

Continued from page 15

infection if its youths arenot properly educatedabout the effects of thevirus.” The vulnerability ofNigerian youths is triggeredby the lack of money toproperly take care ofthemselves. Sometimes, these youngminds are left incapacitatedwhen these diseases strike.At major roads/streets,some youths are seenroaming around with oneform of illness or the other. As someone once saidjokingly, when he was inprimary school, his teacher,has told him that they are“the leaders of tomorrow.”But he is about to graduatefrom the university andmost of the leaders then arestill very much around inthe political scene. “Whenis the tomorrow?, he asked. Nigeria’s young

population has beensidelined in the scheme ofthings. It is only a fractionof the 70% of youths thatare in policy makingpositions. When will thetomorrow come? Nationalists as lateNnamdi Azikiwe weremajor players in thepolitical game during theearly years of thecountry’s independence.The Zik of Africa, as hewas called then, withErnest Ikoli, H.A Davis,Sam Adesanya and others,formed the NigerianYouth Movement in 1933.the party was to laterchallenged and ultimatelyended the NationalDemocratic Party’sdominance of the LagosTown Council led byHerbert Macaulay inOctober 1938. does thecountry have such verileyouth body now? For the

small fragment of youthsthat are “ogas at the top,”most of them are practicing“stomach democracy.” Theyare just to “hit and run” withtheir share of the national“moi-moi” Also, the state of securityin this state has adverselyaffected the hub of the nation(youths). The terroristdimension that crime isassuming, has evenaggravated the situation. Onnumerous occasions, youthshave been killed by angrymobs and dare devilterrorist. The case of theALUU 4 who were lynchedby on angry mob in AluuCommunity near PortHarcourt last year, is stillfresh in the peoples’ mind.The world cannot forget ina hurry the massacre ofabout 43 students of four

different tertiaryinstitutions in Mubi,Adamawa State, also lastyear. The sour part of thestory was that the Mubistudents were sent to theirearly grave while in theirhostel rooms. And these arethe leaders of tomorrow?“Leaders of tomorrow”that cannot feel protected intheir fatherland. Will the“tomorrow” be in theirvarious white sepulchers? As a Nigerian proverbrightly say, someone whocannot tell where the rainstarted beating him, cannotsay where he dried hisbody. Youths have lost thecultural values that knittedthe country before now. Itis a shameful and mind-blowing revelation for ayouth to say that he/shecannot speak or understand

his/her language. Howwould such a person knowwhere to start from? Go toany secondary school andsee the infinitesimalfragment of them that havehistory as a subject. Littlewonder the spirit ofnationalism exhibited byNigerians of yore, is at itslowest ebb now. It is a case of swallowedthe bitter pill ofwesternization whilerelegating their identity tothe background. Mostyouths, due to corruptionlevel in the country, orunderdevelopment as somemay call it, have developeda penchant for “checkingout.” “Checking out” is aterm used to describe theunrelenting quest of mostyouths to migrate(illegally), to other nationsirrespective of the hazards

associated with such. At most times, the mediais awash with headlines ofeither people rotting awayin prisons or boatscapsizing in crocodile-dominated seas/rivers. Itwouldn’t have been anybetter with the theme of thisyear’s World Youth DayCelebration focusing on:“Youth Migration: MovingDevelopment Forward.” As experts have opined,the youths, thoughendowed with energy, zest,vibrancy, potentials and allthat, cannot be the “leadersof tomorrow” if they are notgiven the platform toshowcase their potentials.As the world celebrates theWorld Youth Day, thequestion many are askingis; “Are the youths still the“leaders of tomorrow?”

MOTHERHOOD is a thingof joy, as every woman ishappy that after nine monthsof carrying a child in thewomb, she finally givesbirth. This is seen to noneand she holds it close to herheart and cherishes it. Thebirth of a baby bringscelebration to every familyblessed with such bundle ofjoy and those that have notexperienced it, should prayto. The joy surroundingpregnancy for expectantmothers seems to bedisappearing very fast as aresult of the rise of maternaland mortality rate in Nigeria.The issue is commandingglobal attention and Nigerianeeds to step up to thechallenges to drastically

reduce the scourge, if nottotally eradicate it in thecountry. According to the WorldHealth Organization(WHO) Maternal healthrefers to the health ofwomen during pregnancy,childbirth and thepostpartum period. Whilemotherhood is often apositive and fulfillingexperience, for too manywomen, it is associated withsuffering ill-health and evendeath. The WHO and UnitedChildren’s’ Fund Estimatedthat millions of womensuffer from disease orcomplication duringpregnancy and child birthand more than half a millionwomen die of causes related

to pregnancy and child-birtheach year. According to child HealthEpideminelogy referencegroup (CHERG) the majoroverwhelming death frommaternal mortality indeveloping countries, arisesfrom the risks attributable topregnancy and child birth aswell as from the poorperformance to health service. Statistics have it that awoman dies fromcomplication in child-birthevery minute, the vastmajority of them are indeveloping countries. According to unicef thecauses of maternal morbidityand death are haemorrhage,infection, obstructed labour,

hypertensive disorder inpregnancy, andcomplications of unsafeabortion. There are birth-related disabilities, thataffect many women and gountreated, like injuries topelvic muscle and organs orthe spinal cord. At least 20%of the burden of disease inchildren below the age offive is related to poormaternal health and nutrition,as well as quality of healthcare at delivery and duringthe new born period. Also children are tragicallyleft motherless each year.These children are ten timesmore likely to die within twoyears of their mother death. Another risk to expectant

women is malaria. It can leadto anaemial and infantmortality and developmentproblems for bodies.Nutritional deficienciescontribute to low birthweight and birth defect aswell. HIV infection is anincreasing threat. Mother-to-child transmission of HIV inlow-resource settings,especially in those countrieswhere infection in adults iscontinuing to grow or hasstabilized at very high levels,continues to be a majorproblem, with up to 45percent of HIV-infectedmothers transmissioninfections to their children. Majority of these deathsand disabilities arepreventable, according toUNICEF, due to insufficienthealth care during pregnancyand delivery result to death.Further, about 15 percent ofpregnancies and child birthsneed emergency obstetriccare because ofcomplications that aredifficult to predict. UNICEF works with theUnited Nations Population

Fund (UNICEF), the WorldHealth Organization (WHO)and other partners incountries with high maternalmortality in a well-definedsupporting role as well aspart of an emerging globalpartnership for maternal, newborn and child health.UNICEF also helps workwith policy makers to ensurethat emergency obstetric careis a priority in national healthplans, including help inpoverty reduction strategypapers (PRSPs) and sector –wide approaches (SWAPs),and assists its partner andgovernment withassessments, training andlogistic. Improving maternal healthis one of the WHO’s keypriorities. To reduce maternal deathglobally the government,private enterprises andindividual bodies need toprovide and ensure adequateand available resources,effective health serviceshould be provided orinstalled especially in ruralareas, to help in the reductionof mother and child deathrate in the country.

“Majority of these deaths and disabilities are preventable,according to UNICEF, due to insufficient health care duringpregnancy and delivery result to death. Further, about 15 percentof pregnancies and child births need emergency obstetric carebecause of complications that are difficult to predict.”

2 4 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

International

Gunmen Kill 24Egyptian Policemen

Mubarak Will Be Freed Soon - Lawyer

Compiled ByFAITH OKHUELEIGBE

Norwegian Imprisoned in CongoDead - Lawyer

An Egyptian soldier takes his position on top of an armored vehicle while guarding anentrance to Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt. Israel is carefully watching events in Egyptand keeping in touch with the Egyptian army through the Arab nation’s latest turmoil,officials say, working together in the common battle against Islamic militants.

Over 20,000Syrian Refu-gees Cross

Into Iraq

CAIRO - Hosni Mubarak,the former Egyptian presidentoverthrown in an uprising in2011, will be released fromjail soon after a prosecutorcleared him in a corruptioncase, his lawyer and a judicialsource said yesterday.

Mubarak, 85, was arrestedafter he was ousted. In scenesthat mesmerised Arabs, theformer leader appeared in acourt-room cage during histrial on charges that rangedfrom corruption to complicityin the murder of protesters.

More than a year now, theonly legal grounds forMubarak’s continueddetention rest on anothercorruption case which hislawyer, Fareed el-Deeb, saidwould be settled swiftly.

“All we have left is a simpleadministrative procedure thatshould take no more than 48hours. He should be freed bythe end of the week,” Deebtold Reuters.

Without confirming that

Mubarak would be freed, ajudicial source said the formerleader would spend anothertwo weeks behind bars beforejudicial authorities made afinal decision in theoutstanding case against him.

Mubarak, along with hisinterior minister, wasconvicted and sentenced tolife in prison last year forfailing to stop the killing ofprotesters in the revolt thatswept him from power.

He still faces a retrial in thatcase after appeals from theprosecution and defence, butthis would not necessarilyrequire him to stay in jail.Mubarak did not appear at ahearing in the case onSaturday. He was also absentfrom yesterday proceedings.

Mubarak, who ruled Egyptfor 30 years, is being held atTora prison on the southernoutskirts of Cairo, the facilitywhere senior members of theMuslim Brotherhood havebeen detained since they werearrested in a crackdown on theorganisation that began inJuly.

The military removedPresident Mohamed Mursi, asenior Brotherhood official,on July 3 after mass protestsagainst his rule. Mursi is indetention at an undisclosedlocation.

OSLO — TjostolvMoland, one of twoNorwegian citizensimprisoned in Congo since2009 on murder charges, hasdied in prison, his lawyer andgovernment officials said.He was 32.

The cause of death wasn’timmediately clear, attorneyHans Marius Graasvold said.

British-Norwegian citizenJoshua French, who was

imprisoned alongsideMoland, is upset but in goodhealth, Graasvold said.

The two former Norwegiansoldiers were sentenced todeath in Congo in the murderof their driver, AbediKasongo, and attemptedmurder of a witness. The courtin the northeastern city ofKinsangani also convictedthem of spying for Norwaybecause they were carryingmilitary ID cards at the time.They have denied the chargesand the Norwegiangovernment has denied thatthe men were spies.

Moland, who grew up inVegardshei in southernNorway, worked for theNorwegian military until2007. After that, he andFrench went on to work forprivate security companies inAfrica, according toNorwegian daily Aftenposten.Among other things, theyhelped companies keep theirships secure off Somalia’scoast.

Graasvold said the two werein Congo in 2009 to doresearch for a potential start-up of an event company thatwould arrange extremetourism holidays.

They had hired Kasongo astheir driver after theirmotorbike broke down whiletraveling through therainforest in eastern Congo.They have consistently deniedthe charges against them,saying they are innocent andwere ambushed by gunmen.

The British charityorganization Reprieve, whichhas assisted French’s legalteam, has sharply criticizedthe conviction of the two,pointing out there was nophysical evidence against themen and that two people werepaid to testify against them.

Graasvold said he was lastin contact with Moland abouta week ago and wasn’tnotified he had any healthproblems then. Previously,during his time in prisonMoland has been ill with

malaria and other diseases.Norwegian Foreign

Minister Espen Barth Eidesaid Moland was found deadin his cell Sunday morningand that members of hisfamily in Norway have beeninformed.

“More than anything, ourthoughts now are with themin this very difficultsituation,” Eide said, addingthe government has beenconcerned about French andMoland’s situation for a longtime.

Norwegian authorities havetried to have the twotransferred to serve theirsentences in Norway and havealso worked closely withBritain to put pressure on theCongolese officials to pardon

the two. Eide on Sunday saidCongolese representativeshaven’t responded to formalcommunications from him,British Foreign SecretaryWilliam Hague or NorwegianPrime Minister JensStoltenberg.

GENEVA - More than20,000 Syrian refugees haveentered northern Iraq sinceThursday in one of the largestcrossings in the more thantwo-year-old conflict and theinflux is continuing, theUnited Nations said yesterday.

Syrians began pouring intothe Kurdistan region ofnorthern Iraq last Thursday,taking advantage of a newbridge along the largelyclosed border, the U.N. says.

“It looks like the total fromlast Thursday to now issomewhere in the region of20,000 or more comingacross,” Adrian Edwards ofthe U.N. refugee agencyUNHCR said. “If not thebiggest influx across theborder at a single time then itis among the largest in thewhole Syria crisis.”

Hundreds of Syrians fleeingfighting in Aleppo and otherparts of northern Syria weremassed along the Tigris Riveryesterday near the pontooncrossing, UNHCR staff said.

CAIRO - SuspectedIslamist militants killed atleast 24 Egyptian policemenyesterday in the Sinaipeninsula, where attacks onsecurity forces havemultiplied since the armyoverthrew PresidentMohamed Mursi on July 3.

Three policemen were alsowounded in the grenade andmachinegun attack near thenorth Sinai town of Rafah onthe border with Israel,medical and security sourcessaid.

The attack underlined thechallenges facing Egypt’snew rulers, locked in astruggle with Mursi’s MuslimBrotherhood in which at least850 people have been killedsince the security forcesopened fire at pro-Mursiprotest camps last week.

The authorities portrayedtheir campaign as a fightagainst terrorism. TheBrotherhood renouncedviolence decades ago anddenies any links with armedmilitants, including those inSinai who gained strengthsince autocrat HosniMubarak fell in 2011.

Mounting insecurity inSinai also worries the UnitedStates because the area lies

next to Israel and the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, as well asthe Suez Canal.

At least 36 Islamists died ingovernment custody onSunday, in an incident that theBrotherhood described as“murder” and the authoritiessaid was a thwarted jailbreak.

“The murders show theviolations and abuses thatpolitical detainees whoopposed the July 3 coup getsubjected to,” said theBrotherhood.

The Interior Ministry said36 Brotherhood detainees hadbeen suffocated by tear gasduring an attempted prisonbreakout near Cairo. A legalsource said 38 men had diedfrom asphyxiation in the backof a crammed police van.

Egypt’s descent into thebloodiest internal conflict inits modern history is causingglobal jitters, but noconsensus on how to respondhas emerged in the West or theArab world.

European Union diplomatswere due to meet in Brusselsto review how best toleverage some 5 billion euros($6.7 billion) of promisedgrants and loans, looking toapply pressure on Cairo’sarmy-backed government tofind a compromise.

The solemnization of marriage between former Miss Iyogie Izevbigie (ABusiness woman) and Mr. Remigius Ikechukwu Okonkwo (An Engr. basedin Spain) took place on Monday 19th August, 2013 at the Oredo LocalGovernment Council Marriage Registry in Benin City. Amongst thosepresent were Evang. Roseline Erhabor, Hon. George .O. Okuonghae,family members, relations, friends and well wishers. Picture shows thecouple at the Registry. Congratulation.

IYOGIEWEDS

REMIGIUS

CHANGE OF NAME

IZEVBIGIE – I formerlyknown and addressed asMiss Iyogie Izevbigienow wish to be knownand addressed as Mrs.Iyogie RemigiusIkechukwu Okonkwo.All former documentsremain valid. Concernedauthorities and thegeneral public shouldplease take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OTABOR – I formerlyknown and addressed asMrs. Otabor SandraScholastica Osagioduwanow wish to be known andaddressed as Mrs. OtaborSandra Osagioduwa. Allformer documents remainvalid. Concernedauthorities and the generalpublic should please takenote.

2 5 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

International Features

Egypt’s Cabinet To DebateFate Of Muslim Brotherhood

EGYPT’S deputy primeminister will propose a wayout of a bloodyconfrontation between thesecurity forces and deposedPresident MohamedMursi’s MuslimBrotherhood when thecabinet discusses the crisis.

But his ideas seemed torun counter to a suggestionby the prime minister todissolve the Islamistorganization, the target ofa crackdown by the army-backed government lastweek.

The authorities declareda state of emergency andkilled hundreds of peoplein raids on two protestcamps set up in Cairo todemand Mursi’sreinstatement.

The capital’s freneticstreets, unusually empty inthe past few days, werereturning to normal,although the army keptseveral big squares closedand enforced a curfewovernight.

At night, soldiersstanding by armoredpersonnel carriers mancheckpoints and vigilantesinspect cars for weapons.

Banks and the stockmarket reopened for thefirst time sinceWednesday’s carnage, andshares plunged 2.5 percent.

“As long as we havebloodshed on the streets, ittakes away any reason forforeign and regionalinvestors to buy in Egypt,”said Amer Khan, director atShuaa Asset Managementin Dubai.

The initiative by DeputyPrime Minister Ziad Bahaael-Din, a liberal, calls for animmediate end to the stateof emergency, politicalparticipation for all partiesand guarantees of humanrights, including the rightto free assembly.

The Brotherhood has saidit will keep up massprotests until Mursi,toppled by the army on July3 after hugedemonstrations againsthim, is freed from jail andreturned to office.

P O L A R I S E DREPUBLIC

It was not clear howmuch support Bahaa el-Din’s proposal, seen byReuters, could gain amongthe new leaders of a deeply

polarized Arab republicexperiencing the worstbout of bloodshed andinternecine conflict in itssix-decade history.

Blaming a defiantBrotherhood for thebloodletting, PrimeMinister Hazem el-Beblawi has proposedbanning the 85-year-oldmovement and effectivelyforcing it underground.

“There will be noreconciliation with thosewhose hands have beenstained with blood and whoturned weapons against thestate and its institutions,”Beblawi told reporters onSaturday.

Bahaa el-Din stayed inoffice even after a leadingfellow-liberal, DeputyPresident MohamedElBaradei, resigned overthe violent break-up of theprotest camps in Cairo.

His proposal does notaddress Mursi’s fate orspecifically call for anamnesty for detainedleaders of the Brotherhood.

The Islamist group,which won five successivevotes held in Egypt afterPresident Hosni Mubarakfell in 2011, now faces theprospect of politicalelimination by army-backed rulers who say themost populous Arab nationis at war with “terrorism”.

During Mursi’s year inpower, accusations ofincompetence and attemptsto monopolize governmenttarnished the reputation theBrotherhood had acquiredfor social work andupholding Islamicprinciples in 30 years ofopposition to Mubarak.

Brotherhood leadersaccuse the military ofdeliberately sabotagingtheir time in office andplotting their demise.

More than 700 peoplehave died, most of thembackers of Mursi, in fourdays of violence. That hasearned Egypt stiffcondemnation fromWestern nations,uncomfortable withIslamist rule but also withthe overthrow of a freely

elected government.AID REVIEWEuropean Council

President Herman VanRompuy and EuropeanCommission President JoseManuel Barroso urged allsides to show restraint andprevent further violence,

saying the EU wouldurgently review itsrelations with Egypt and actaccordingly.

The crackdown has,however, drawn messagesof support from wealthyArab allies such as SaudiArabia, which have longfeared the spread ofBrotherhood ideology tothe Gulf monarchies.

The United States hasdelayed delivery of four F-16 fighters to Egypt andcancelled a joint militaryexercise to rebuke the armyfor its actions, but it has nothalted the $1.55 billion inmostly military aid that itgives Cairo every year.

Interim Foreign MinisterNabil Fahmy sought to pre-empt any attempt by theWest to pressure Egypt bycutting financial aid byannouncing he wouldscrutinize all foreignassistance.

“By reviewing aid I want

to determine what is usefuland what is not and whataid is being used topressure Egypt andwhether this aid has goodintentions and credibility.We will proceed based onour findings,” he toldreporters on Sunday.

“We are not looking toreplace one friend withanother but we will lookout to the world andcontinue to establishrelations with othercountries so we haveoptions,” he said.

“The relation betweenEgypt and the U.S. hasbeen there for a long time.It has been through ups and

downs in the past. We hopethings will go back tonormal promptly,” Fahmysaid.

The Foreign Ministry, aspart of a push todisseminate the state’snarrative of events, alsodistributed a pack of

photos showing what itsaid were MuslimBrotherhood memberscarrying clubs and firearms- and in one picture a blackal Qaeda flag.

The Brotherhood denieslinks to the global militantnetwork.

On Saturday, Mursisupporters exchanged firewith security forces in acentral Cairo mosquewhere scores of protestershad sought refuge fromconfrontations with policethe day before.

Police cleared thebuilding and made arrests,with onlookers cheeringthem on and harassing

foreign reporters at thescene.

“We as Egyptians feeldeep bitterness towardscoverage of the events inEgypt,” presidentialpolitical adviser MostafaHegazy said, accusingWestern media of ignoring

attacks on police and thedestruction of churchesblamed on Islamists.

At least 173 people werekilled on Friday during a“Day of Rage” called by theBrotherhood two days afterpolice destroyed its protestcamps. Police have sincearrested more than 1,000Brotherhood “elements”.The state news agency said250 faced possible chargesof murder, attemptedmurder or terrorism.

The Brotherhood hascalled for daily streetprotests this week, but therewere no reports of troubleon Sunday morning.

“There will be no reconciliation withthose whose hands have been stainedwith blood and who turned weaponsagainst the state and its institutions.”

Muslim Brotherhood members protesting the ouster of President Mohammed Mursi by Eygptian Military.

2 6 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

AffectionThings To Do In Your Bedroom That

Can Save Your LifeYET, did you knowthat your bedroom can benot only a haven ofintimacy and solace, butthe staging ground forseveral effortlers thingsthat can help you live alonger, sweeter life? It’strue Read on. Have Breakfast in Bed

Take your coffee, teaand toast to bed andbegin your day – slowly.Contrary to what we’veso often inclined to do,don’t hit the road in arush. Studies at HarvardUniversity and in manyother medical settingsshow that the risk ofhaving a heart attack ishighest during the firstfew hours of the day.

The cardiovascularsystem needs more bloodand oxygen to get startedat a time when the bloodvessels are mostconstricted which is thecase after an extended

period of rest. A calmpaced start to your dayprotects not only yourheart but to your peaceof mind.Stretch When You GetUp

However restful yournight, you will wake upwith some tight muscles.After your shower,stretch your musclesbefore you go out.

A morning stretch isa natural instinct that canhave mega healthbenefits. A five minutestretch starting with theneck, progressing to thearms and shoulders andlower back and calvesimproves circulationboasts joint health andincreases flexibility. Youwill feel great, and thosewarmed up, strongermuscles will carry yousafely through the day.

Take a Look atYourself Naked in aFull Length Mirror

Most of us avoidlooking at our nakedbodies. Looking atyourself naked gets youfamiliar with the normalyou. Then you willnotice things such asbumps, or spots ofinflammation that signalserious diseases if theydon’t go away.Have Sex

A 10 years study of1,000 middle aged menat Queens University inBelfast, Ireland, showedthat men who engagedin weekly sex had halfthe death rate of menwho had less frequentorgasm. During sex, thebody releases

BY PEACE MADOJEMU

endorphins, the “joy”hormone as stresshormones plummet,muscles grow stronger,deep breathing andcirculation increases andchronic pain lessens. Abenefit for both genders.People get sleepy afterorgasm and sleep in goodfor the body.

A Moment of Peace Taking a moment just

before sleep, in theprivacy of yourbedroom, to pray ormeditate and count yourblessings can boost yourmental health and yourimmune system.

A scientific Studyrevealed that people whoconsciously pause togive thanks to theuniverse, to God, to theirfamilies, to one another

and wise investment.Sleep Tight

are less likely toexperience anxiety,depression, headaches,muscle pain and othermanifestations of stress.The last thing you thinkabout at night isimportant.Sleep In Nature

Despite the humandesire to want to struggleunder blankets, naturaltendency of the body isto cool off as we sleepwhich is a good thing.Heavy pyjamas candisrupt that, not tomention waking us upwhen they get twistedand turned around ourlimbs. Sleeping Nude isa healthy luxury forempty nesters. But if youhave housemates or kids,at home, a bedroom doorlock is a simple solution

Getting a sound sleepdecreases levels of thestress hormone cortisolthat regulates themetabolism of sugar,protein, fat, minerals andwater. Poor sleep canraise your metabolism,making you feel hungryand deprived, liable toeat up the kind of foodsthat lead to belly fat. “Aperson should not bragabout getting by on littlesleep because, a lostnight or a week of fourhours sleep can giveindividual the samereaction time as drunks.But we’ve accustomed toforfeiting sleep so welive with it acceptingdeclining health in theprocess” says a clinicalpsychologist MichealBreus.

“Take your coffee, tea and toast to bed and begin your day –slowly. Contrary to what we’ve so often inclined to do, don’t hitthe road in a rush. Studies at Harvard University and in manyother medical settings show that the risk of having a heart attackis highest during the first few hours of the day.”

2 7 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

ViewpointHas There Been A Change

Of Vision In ANOCA?A new dawn may have

arrived at the Association ofNational Olympic Committeesof Africa (ANOCA) with thejust-concluded election whichushered -in a new executivecommittee. The election waspart of the highlights of the15th Elective OrdinaryGeneral Assembly held inAbidjan, Cote d’Ivoire,between July 11 and July 14.With a renewed mandate ofsome astute sportspersonalities in the executivecommittee, the team pledges anew lease of life for the ApexAfrican Olympic Body. Coted’Ivoire’s Gen. LassanaPalenfo, the committee’sPresident was returnedunopposed, while Nigeria’sHabu Ahmed Gumel was alsoreturned as the Treasurer-General.

However, the return of aveteran sports administrator,Tommy Ganda Sithole ofZimbabwe, had all the dramaof the reappearance of aprodigy. Sithole defeated theincumbent Secretary-General,Khaled Zein Eldin of Egypt, inan election that kept all thedelegates on the edge. The twocontenders had tied at 25-25 inthe first ballot with two voidedvotes, but the Zimbabweansprinted to a photo-finish with26-24 margin to clinch theposition.

Sithole had served asANOCA’s Secretary-Generalfrom 1997 to 2003 before hebecame the Director ofCooperation and Developmentin the International OlympicCommittee (IOC) in 2003when outgoing IOC PresidentJacques Rogge assumed theleadership of the world’s mostprestigious sports-governingbody. The Zimbabwean toldnewsmen shortly after hiselection that his 10-yearsojourn in the IOC was likegoing back to school.

“I have now graduated tocome back to re-organisethings at ANOCA. I have toput- to -use my years ofexperience at IOC intransforming ANOCA.’’Sithole said.

Mitchell Obi, thePresident of the Association ofInternational Sports Press(AIPS-Africa), who was in

By TONY NEZIANYA

“But Gumel stoutly denied the claim and he put up a strongcase to convince delegates to the Assembly that this was not true.He, however, strengthened his fortunes during the plenarysession, when he was given a clean bill of health after his pastexpenditures and the budget were examined and ratified.”

Abidjan as one of ANOCA’sspecial emissaries to witnessthe General Assembly,commented on the outcome ofthe elections. He said thatjudging from the results, it wasnow obvious that a new vistahad been opened in effortstoward the evolution ofAfrica’s sports developmentstrategy for the period between2013 and 2016. “When youhave somebody, who had beenin the corridors of theOlympics power, coming todirect Africa from itssecretariat; then, you knowthere is bound to be a shift indirection,’’ he said. Obi wasapparently referring to thesecond coming of TommySithole, a one-time secretary-general of ANOCA, who isnow returning to the positionafter a 10-year stint at the IOC.

Nevertheless, Sithole, aformer President of ZimbabweOlympic Committee, is stillIOC’s Director of Cooperationand Development and he isexpected to conclude hiscontract at the IOC in January.

Gumel, who widely isregarded as “Nigeria’sAmbassador’’ to the IOC, wasreturned unopposed after twoother candidates from Maliand Botswana pulled out of theelection.

Habbib Sissoko of Maliand Malealea Kgosietsile ofBotswana had written lettersof withdrawal to the AfricanOlympic body, indicating theirintention to stand down for ‘aworthy candidate’’.

Palenfo said that with thecalibre of persons like Gumeland Sithole as members of theexecutive committee, ANOCAwould now have a better leaseof life in the next four years.“I see the two men as brilliantand they understand the job,this is a very good team. Withthem, you can be rest assuredthat we shall do a good job atANOCA to the glory ofAfrica,’’ he said.

However, shortly beforeGumel’s victory, someANOCA sources in Abidjan

said that the other twoaspirants filed nominations torun against him because theyhad been misinformed thatNigeria was no longerinterested in the position.

There are speculations thatGumel played pivotal roles inthe relocation of ANOCAsecretariat from its originallocation in Cameroon to Abujain 2005 and has since aided the

evolution of the fraternalrelations between the body andNigeria. This fact is not lost onmany delegates.

But Gumel stoutly deniedthe claim and he put up a

strong case to convincedelegates to the Assembly thatthis was not true. He, however,strengthened his fortunesduring the plenary session,when he was given a clean bill

of health after his pastexpenditures and the budgetwere examined and ratified.

It was, therefore,somewhat surprising thatGumel, soon after coasting tovictory, vowed that hisimmediate task would be the

early completion of thepermanent secretariat forANOCA at Abuja. “Myimmediate task on return toNigeria is to ensure the fullcompletion of the ANOCABuilding in Abuja, so thatANOCA can settle in Nigeria.

“This is part of theMemorandum ofUnderstanding (MOU) signedbetween the FederalGovernment and ANOCA. Asa member of the executivecommittee, I will work hard toaccomplish this task. “I wantto also help my country to

develop youth programmesthrough ANOCA. This ispossible with cooperation withthe National SportsCommission,’’ Gumel said.

Amadou Dia Ba, a retiredSenegalese sprinter, said: “Thejust concluded election thathas brought in this committeehas been a good one. “I seethose elected as people ofintegrity. I, however, want tourge the new executivecommittee to ensure goodcommunication with all theNOCs. “It should also workhard to attract morecompetitions to Africa, whileensuring that more Africanathletes qualify for theOlympic Games,’’ he added.Ba, who won the silver medalfor 400 metres hurdles at the1988 Olympic Games inSeoul, South Korea, however,urged the committee to striveto secure more scholarshipsfor African athletes from theOlympic SolidarityCommission.

As the president ofANOCA Athletes’Commission, Ba particularlyunderscored the need forANOCA to organise morehigh quality competitions. Healso urged the executivecommittee to establish moreOlympic Training Centres forAfrica, saying that thesecentres could stimulate thegrowth of African athletes ina more sustainable manner.

He stressed that thecentres should strive to assistAfrican athletes to have accessto sound training in Europeand America, where theycould exposed to high qualitytraining and competitions.

In spite of the fact thatmany delegates hailed theelection, particularly the wideacceptance of the electedofficers, they solicit theadoption of an electronicvoting system for subsequentelections in place of theobsolete ballot paper system.“The electronic voting methodought to be the preferredoption,’’ Obi stressed, addingthat it would make theelectoral process faster andmore transparent. “It isunthinkable that in this dayand age that Africans are stillusing the archaic method ofvoting. Africa must ofnecessity embrace change,’’ hesaid.

Observers, however,insist that the transformationof ANOCA in the comingyears will largely depend onhow purposeful the secretariatturns out to be.

“Only time will tell,’’some of the observers add.

Blessing Okagbare

2 8 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

Wenger Wants Reaction FromGunners

Gareth Bale To Miss Further SpursGames

ChelseaAwait

ConfidentVilla

Marouane Fellaini

Kolo WelcomesBack Suarez

United Bid For Fellaini,Baines Rejected

RVP HailsOpening

Win

Moyes Not Getting Carried Away

Utd GearUp ForBlues

DAVID Moyes was happy tobegin his tenure of ManchesterUnited with a win over Swansea,but insists it was a result notworthy of any great celebrations.

United came through apotentially tricky opening test atthe Liberty Stadium with flyingcolours as two goals apiece forRobin van Persie and DannyWelbeck sealed a 4-1 victory.

Moyes admitted it was a reliefto emerge with three points butinsisted there was still room forimprovement.

Asked if it was a dream start tohis reign, Moyes told Sky Sports:“It is because you always wantto win your games and asmanager of Manchester Unitedyour job is to win games.

“Swansea had a lot of the balland they passed it very well andare very well managed underMichael Laudrup, but we limitedto them to few opportunities.

“They were quality goals. Wecould have played better at timesbut I am more than happy withwinning 4-1.

“It is one game in the seasonand it is just the start for me.There is a long way to go butthere’s no big celebration.

“We’ve done a good jobbecause this will be a really hardplace for teams to come and play,so to come here and win wasgood.”

Both of Van Persie’s goals wereexcellent strikes and Welbeckalso completed the scoring witha sublime chip, but it was theEngland striker’s first from closerange which most pleasedMoyes.

ROBIN Van Persie saysManchester United’s 4-1 winover Swansea was an importantresult for the start of the season.

Van Persie’s contribution wassublime, hooking in the openerbefore smashing home a 20-yardeffort 17 minutes from time.

Danny Welbeck also nettedtwice for the defendingchampions in their first leaguematch under new manager DavidMoyes, while Wilfried Bonystruck for Swansea.

“It is the first game of theleague away from home,” VanPersie told Sky Sports.

“They are a great team the waythey play. I love the way they playand they are very hard to play attimes. It is a big win.

“The first goal changed thegame and we got the secondshortly after so it helped us.

“The first one I had a touch andfelt at the time it was quite heavyso I had to take it (the shot) ashigh as possible.

“The first game of the seasonyou just don’t want to lose. Weworked very hard so I’m verypleased.”

MANAGER Arsene Wengerbelieves how his squad respondto the opening day disasteragainst Aston Villa will shapetheir season.

The Gunners were booed offafter they lost 3-1 at home to anindustrious Villa side, finishing

with 10 men following thedismissal of defender LaurentKoscielny for a second yellowcard just minutes after he hadconceded a controversial penalty.

Wenger was criticised by somehome fans - with banners of“spend, spend, spend” and callsto splash the cash as frustrationsaround Emirates Stadium boiledover.

After failing to land any majorsummer transfer targets despitedeclarations by chief executiveIvan Gazidis the club were readyto escalate their financialfirepower, with some£180million in the bank, it washardly the ideal warm-up aheadof Wednesday night’s first leg ofa crucial Champions Leagueplay-off against Fenerbahce atthe intimidating Sukru Saracoglu

stadium.Wenger, though, will use the

next few days to focus on allthings positive.

“There is always a lot ofdangers in a team because it is ahuman activity multiplied by 25,the negativity can become quickand spread quickly,” said Wenger,who saw defenders Kieran Gibbsand Bacary Sagna as well asEngland midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain added to the injurylist on Saturday.

“It is the first game of theseason and we want to bounceback. I believe our season willdepend on how we respond to thisdefeat.”

Wenger added: “After such adisappointing start that will bedifficult, but we will bounce backbecause the spirit and the focusin the team is good. We missedchances, were unlucky and hadinjuries, roll the three togetherand it is a fragile position, but thedifference between us and the restis not massive.”

Arsenal, who missed out on thesignature of Gonzalo Higuainearlier this summer and have notbeen able to secure a deal for LuisSuarez with Liverpool, will haveto make do with whatever sidethey can pull together next week,having now passed the UEFAdeadline for registering newplayers.

Wenger, though, insistsArsenal’s problems will not besolved by just simply spendingfor the sake of it.

LIVERPOOL defenderKolo Toure believes the clubneeds Luis Suarez to returnfrom his ban and willwelcome him back withopen arms.

Luis Suarez, suspended forLiverpool FC’s 1-0 homewin over Stoke on Saturday,returned to training with therest of the first team onFriday having been exiled bymanager Brendan Rodgers.

Suarez’s attitude andcommitment was questionedby the Reds boss after the 26-year-old publicly criticisedthe club, claiming they hadgone back on their word ona deal to allow him to join aChampions League club ifthey bid £40million.

Suarez’s re-integration tothe squad has been madeeasier by his renewedattitude, but the Ivoirian is byno means condoning thestriker’s questionablebehavior.

“I think Suarez wasdefending himself and theclub were defending whatthey wanted as well becausethey know by keeping himwe are going to be reallystrong, because he is one ofthe best strikers in theworld,” said the centre-back.

“For us it is reallyimportant to keep him. Whatthe club did, for me, is rightbecause we want to keephim.

“You would never wantone of your best playersgoing to another team. Wewant him to stay because this

is a big club.“It is nothing, for us we

know football. It is bigbusiness. For a player likeSuarez there is no problem,we love him.

“He can do anything. Hejust resolved the problemwith the manager and wewant him to score our goals- that is what we are lookingfor.

“The manager sorted it outwith him. He (Rodgers) wasvery clever - and StevenGerrard as well - theyworked (on him) and we arehappy he is back trainingwith us again. That is great.”

TOTTENHAM Hotspur bossAndre Villas-Boas has refused todiscuss the future of Gareth Balebut did reveal he expects theforward to miss the forthcominggames against Dinamo Tbilisiand Swansea City.

• Fitch: Triumphant Spurs canget a whole lot better

Bale, who has been stronglylinked with a +100 million moveto Real Madrid, missed Sunday’s1-0 win over Crystal Palace witha foot injury.

Villas-Boas refused to bedrawn on the future of the Walesinternational, preferring todiscuss the performance of histeam against Palace, as RobertoSoldado scored the winner.

Reflecting on the victory atSelhurst Park, he said in The Sun:“I’m extremely happy with theperformance. We had goodchances to put the game to bedduring the 90 minutes.

“I can only be pleased weremained strong at the end to takeit through to the final whistle.

“The other question that youand everybody else wants to

know I’m not going to commenton.

“The player is injured. He’s notavailable for selection and is notlikely to start against Tbilisi orSwansea.”

Of his new signing Soldado,Villas-Boas hailed the Spaininternational’s impact after he

slotted home from the penaltyspot.

He added: “You have to bearin mind that Robbie hasn’t beeninvolved a lot because of theConfederations Cup. He was withus for only three weeks.

“So as soon as he gets fitter andsharper things will be even betterfor him. Of course I think he canget 20 league goals for us. Hiscareer speaks for itself.”

UNITED have offered £16 million for 25-year-old Fellaini justover a fortnight after a £23.5 million buyout clause expired,sources told ESPN.

The Premier Leaguechampions also attempted toinclude Baines, 28, in their bidfor a further £12 million —having had an identical offer forthe England left-back rejected inlate June.

Everton manager RobertoMartinez confirmed lastThursday that Fellaini’s buy-outclause expired on July 31.

He said then: “Marouane had abuy-out clause where it was verystraightforward. If someone metthat valuation, the club had nosay. That finished on July 31 soyou can imagine during thatperiod everyone was a bitexpectant about what wouldhappen. Once that date went, youjust focus on working for the nextseason.”

Chairman Bill Kenwright has

warned David Moyes offreturning to Goodison Park to tryto sign his former players. Moyesleft Everton after 11 years incharge at the end of last seasonto replace Sir Alex Ferguson asUnited’s manager.

And after appointing Martinezin early June — before Fellaini’sescape clause expired —Kenwright said: “I’ve not said toDavid [Moyes]: ‘David, come

on.’ I’ve said exactly theopposite. I’ve said to David: ‘Weall know the situation at Everton.We all know there’s a playerwho’s got an escape clause, butthe others are not for sale.’

“I’m as in love with thisfootball squad as any Evertonianout there. They are this club andwe don’t want them to go.”

Everton signed Belgiuminternational Fellaini for £15million from Standard Liege in

2008, and is under contract untilthe summer of 2016.

Baines, signed from Wigan for£6 million in August 2007, has adeal that runs until 2015,although Martinez is looking toextend it.

Meanwhile, Everton’s manageris pushing to sign midfielderGareth Barry on loan, but is onlylikely to get him if ManchesterCity agree to subsidise the 32-year-old’s salary, which isreported to be around £90,000 aweek.

CHELSEA will be in searchof back-to-back league winswhen they host Aston Villa atStamford Bridge on Wednesdaynight.

The Blues gave coach JoseMourinho a war reception with a2-0 win over Hull City on Sundayafternoon with Oscar and FrankLampard finding the back of thenet.

Villa secured an even betterresult from their first match of theseason, coming back from a goaldown to beat Arsenal 3-1 at theEmirates courtesy of a brace fromChristian Benteke and anothergoal from Antonio Luna.

The last time the two sides metat Stamford Bridge saw Chelsearomping to an 8-0 victory withRamires netting a brace.

However, Paul Lambert’s sidehave improved defensively and itis unlikely that they will be metwith the same fate this timearound.

MANCHESTER United willspend the week preparing fortheir massive Premier Leagueclash against Chelsea nextMonday.

The Red Devils began theircampaign on a great note onSaturday evening when theycrushed Swansea 4-1 in Wales,but the visit of the Blues to OldTrafford will be a much moredifficult test.

Jose Mourinho’s Chelseabegan their Premier Leagueseason with an easy 2-0 win overHull City and looked in goodearly season form.

2 9 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

Ancelotti BemoansPoor Defence

Ibra Excited AboutCavani Partnership

Magnificient Seven For Barca

Juventis Ready ToDefend Their Title

Falcao Hits Out At Real Link ‘Lies’Lionel Messi

Barcelona produced astunning display in GerardoMartino’s first competitivematch in charge as theyhammered Levante 7-0 at theCamp Nou on Sunday, whileReal Madrid left it late to giveCarlo Ancelotti a winning startas they beat Real Betis 2-1.

Spanish championsBarcelona showed no signs ofearly season rust as they rippedthe visitors apart with goals fromAlexis Sanchez, Lionel Messi(2), Dani Alves, Pedro and Xavigiving them an incredible 6-0lead at half-time.

There was even more for thehome fans to cheer after thebreak as Neymar made hiscompetitive debut as a substituteand even after Martino hadshown the visitors some mercyby withdrawing Messi with 20minutes remaining, more woefuldefending allowed Pedro toround off the scoring with hissecond of the game.

“I was anxious for the leagueto start to see where the teamwere and I have been left verycalm,” said Martino.

“We put a lot of emphasis onpressing and we managed tosustain it for the majority of thematch.”

It took Barca barely twominutes to register their first goalof the campaign as Sanchezfinished off a fine team movebefore Messi opened his accountfor the season with a side-footedfinish from close range.

Alves added the third on 23minutes before further strikesfrom Pedro, Messi from thepenalty spot and Xavi made it sixbefore half-time.

The Catalans weren’t quite asclinical after the break but themoment many inside the crowdhad been waiting for arrived on62 minutes as Neymar made hiscompetitive bow in a Barca shirtin place of the impressiveSanchez.

The Brazilian’s only momentof note was when he picked upan unnecessary yellow card, butBarca did manage one more goalbefore the end as Pedro side-footed home his second of thenight.

It was a far more complicatedevening for Real however as

Ibrahimovic, 31, startedalongside Cavani, 26, forthe first time when PSGfaced Ajaccio in theirmaiden home game of theLigue 1 campaign onSunday.

Cavani’s 86th-minute

Juve had been struggling forresults in pre-season, butSunday’s emphatic winshattered the illusion that Juveare on the slide as they prepareto defend their Serie A title.

“I always knew that we wouldhave the right attitude for thisgame,” Conte told RAItelevision. “And that was thecase. It is going to be a difficultyear for us and we’re going toneed the motivation we showedtoday, playing with our mindsand our hearts.

“I never felt I had lost myteam. In fact, our preparationshave been fantastic, without anyinjuries, apart from the one to[Claudio] Marchisio tonight.For the second year running,we’ve followed the Scudettowith the Supercoppa and that iswhat I would sign for again thisseason.”

Lazio boss Vladimir Petkoviccould only apologise to thesupporters but said the defeatwould serve as a lesson to histeam.

“I’m sorry for our fans and for

Monaco coach Claudio Ranieriheaped praise on EmmanuelRiviere after the forward scoreda hat-trick against Montpellier inLigue 1.Tags: Ligue 1, Monaco,Montpellier, Claudio Ranieri,Falcao, Emmanuel Riviere,Victor Montano

Monaco boss Claudio Ranierihas denied that Colombianforward Radamel Falcao willleave for Real Madrid, with theplayer himself reiterating thatclaim.

Falcao, 27, joined last season’sLigue 2 champions on a five-yeardeal for a reported +60 millionearlier this summer. On Sunday,Spanish sports daily Marcaclaimed Falcao would welcomea return to La Liga if principalityclub Monaco were forced to

Real Madrid manager CarloAncelotti bemoaned his side’sdefensive frailties despite theclub emerging from its La Ligaopener with a 2-1 win over RealBetis.

Madrid were forced to comefrom behind against Betis, newsigning Isco emerging the heroafter his 86th minute winner gaveAncelotti the perfect start to his

new life in Spain.But the Italian, who, just like

his predecessor Jose Mourinho,left Spanish captain Iker Casillason the bench, was far fromsatisfied with the his squad’sperformance at the back,admitting there could be changeahead of the club’s next game.

“We have to improve. Wecreated chances to score but we

had problems in defence,”explained the former PSG boss.

“Today I decided to chooseDiego Lopez. I don’t know whois going to play in the next game.

“I have a great squad. [Alvaro]Morata, [Angel] Di Maria andCasemiro made the team strongertonight [when they came of thebench].”

However, the former AC Milanboss saved praise for youngSpain international Isco.

“Isco gave it all in this game,”stated the 54-year-old. “Hescored a fantastic goal.

equaliser, cancelling outBenoit Pedretti’s ninth-minute opener, gave LaurentBlanc’s side a secondsuccessive draw.

But although the outcomewas disappointing,Ibrahimovic saw enough tobelieve that those who claimhe cannot form an effectivepartnership with the ex-Napoli man are wrong.

“He scored a fantastic goalthis evening. I know how he’sfeeling, because I scored onmy first game at the Parc desPrinces too,” he said. “I’mcertain he’s going to score alot more.

“We talk a lot with eachother. He had a lot of chances,I did too. He did his job byscoring, I didn’t do mine.When the team works asmuch as it did, it’s easier forthe forwards.

“Now, we have to gainexperience together. Theteam is going to continueputting us in good positionsand things will start to gobetter very quickly.”

While Cavani snapped up

his late chance from one ofthree shots, Ibrahimovic —who hit a league-high 30goals last season — had 11efforts on goal but failed tofind the net, althoughopposing goalkeeper,Guillermo Ochoa, played apart in frustrating theSweden international.

However, despite seeingthe +64 million signingbeginning to repay hisLigue 1 record transfer feeand upstage Ibrahimovic,PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi expects more tocome when Cavani takes tothe pitch at Nantes nextSunday.

“Everyone knows him,he’s a great player,” saidthe Qatari of the formerPalermo player, whose pre-season was truncated byhis involvement in theConfederations Cup withUruguay. “He’s scored thegoal today, but he’s not100% in shape. I hopewe’ll see Cavani, the realCavani, next week.”

they needed a headed winnerfrom debutant Isco four minutesfrom time to take all three pointsagainst a spirited Betis.

“I am very happy, above all forthe victory,” Isco told Canal Plusafterwards.

“It is the first goal that I havescored with my head.

“The truth is that Betissurprised us a bit but it is the firstgame of the league, we have to

improve a lot but we have juststarted.”

Jorge Molina gave the visitorsthe lead their bright openingdeserved on 14 minutes asCedric Mabwati burst pastSergio Ramos and laid the ballacross the area for Molina to slothome.

Betis could even have beentwo in front moments later asJoan Verdu fired wide with the

goal at his mercy after moregood work from Mabwati.

Slowly but surely Madridstarted to find their feet thoughand they were level midwaythrough the first-half whenKarim Benzema swept homefrom Isco’s pass.

Betis were inches away fromretaking the lead just after thehalf hour mark though as Nosarose highest to meet Verdu’scorner and thundered a headeroff the bar.

After the break it wasMadrid’s turn to feel hard doneby as Cristiano Ronaldo camewithin inches of marking his200th appearance for the clubwith a goal as his shot from theedge of the area came back offthe bar.

The Portuguese then had agreat chance to give his side thelead as he was played in byMesut Ozil but his low drivewas straight at StephanAndersen.

Nosa then had anotherfantastic opportunity to putBetis back in front as he headedover when completelyunmarked just 10 yards out.

And Betis were made to payfor their profligacy in front ofgoal as with the clock windingdown Isco made a fine late runinto the area to meet Marcelo’scross and plant a header highpast Andersen

apply the French government’sproposed 75% tax on all earningsof more than +1 million — amove that would significantly eatinto his reported +14 millionsalary.

However, after scoring hissecond goal in as many Ligue 1games in his team’s 4-1 victoryover Montpellier on Sunday,former Atletico Madrid strikerFalcao hit out at Marca.

“I would simply like to say thatthe article in Marca is a tissue oflies,” L’Equipe reported him assaying. “It’s just a load of rubbish.I’m very happy in Monaco. Ichose this project.”

Falcao, making his home debut,was upstaged by strike partnerEmmanuel Riviere, who hit a hat-trick as Monaco registered a

second successive league win.At full-time, Ranieri told

reporters: “What do you want meto say? The rumours are rumours.Falcao is staying at Monaco. Ofcourse he’s happy here. His child[Dominique, born on August 13]was born here — he feels goodhere.”

Those sentiments were echoedby Falcao’s team-mates, withJeremy Toulalan saying: “Afterthe way he played on Sunday,there’s nothing to worry about.They’re questions that have noplace to be asked.”

Eric Abidal added: “I don’tknow too much about what thepress is saying. For the moment,he’s here. “I hope he’ll stay withus, and I think that’s hisobjective.”

everybody here, andapologise for this, but wehave got to turn the page,” theSerbian said. “As soon asthey scored their second goal,we gave up.”

The Biancoceleste cameinto the game at their StadioOlimpico home in buoyantmood and were convincedthey could pick up the firstpiece of silverware of theseason. Instead, they wereleft with more questions thananswers a week before thestart of the season.

“We’ve got to do somesoul-searching, starting withme,” Petkovic said. “We needto recognise our own errorsand look ourselves in theface, talk about things andstart over.

“Our path starts here. Afterdefeats like this, you’ve gotto react and I’m certain we’llbe ready for the first game inthe league against Udinese.Against them and againstJuve in Turin, you’ll see adifferent Lazio.”

3 0 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

Didier Drogba

‘Shabba’ Up To Third

Keeper Sent Off In BrazilFor Kicking Ball Into Crowd

Pirates To QuerryCairo Trip

Modeste Inspired ByDrogba

Ivoirian InternationalJoins Basle

Mandela Challenge Beautiful -Nyathi

Breno Freed From Prison ToCoach At Bayern

Sepp Blatter

David Nyathi

ATLETICO Mineiro goalkeeper Victor was sent off for angrilykicking a ball into the crowd after his team’s goalless draw atInternacional in the Brazilian championship.

Corinthians forwardAlexandre Pato was jeered byhis own fans in a 1-0 win overCoritiba and six-timeschampions Sao Paulo missedanother penalty as theyextended their winless run to 12matches in other matches onSunday.

South American championsMineiro played for more thanone hour away to former Brazilcoach Dunga’s Internacionalwith 10 men after Fernandinhowas sent off for elbowing anopponent, but still managed tohang on for a point.

After the final whistle went,goalkeeper Victor immediatelycollected the ball, turned aroundand hoofed it into theInternacional fans behind him.

As he left the field, Victor,who had already been bookedfor time-wasting during thegame, was given a secondyellow card and sent off.

“It wasn’t a big deal,” he toldreporters, adding he had been

provoked. “There are matcheswhere you are spat for the wholematch and they throw otherliquids which you can’t identify.”

Corinthians fans lost patience

with former AC Milan forwardAlexandre Pato after he missedtwo good chances againstCoritiba and jeered him off thefield when he was substituted byPeru forward Paolo Guerrero.

Guerrero later scored from apenalty to take Corinthians up tofourth with 25 points from 15

games while Coritiba, fadingafter a good start to thechampionship, dropped to sixth(24 points).

Sao Paulo (11 points) remainedone place off the bottom aftertheir 0-0 draw against Flamengoin which Jadson missed a penalty.

Jadson stepped up to take thekick instead of goalkeeperRogerio Ceni, the regular penaltytaker who also missed during the2-1 defeat to Portuguesa oneweek ago.

Botafogo stayed top with 29points after winning 3-1 atPortuguesa while second-placedCruzeiro, one point behind,thrashed Vitoria 5-1.

EX-BAYERN Munichdefender Breno, who wasconvicted of arson last year,went straight from prison to hisnew job as assistant coach of theEuropean champions’ juniorside on Monday.

The 23-year-old Brazilian wasconvicted of aggravated arson inJuly 2012 and sentenced to threeyears and nine months in prisonafter he set fire to his rentedluxury Munich villa inSeptember 2011.

Having served 13 months,Breno has been granted dayrelease and left Munich’sStadelheim jail for the first timeshortly before 0900 local timeto help coach Bayern’s Under-23 side, but must return to prisonevery day.

“I have become a bit of adifferent person. I learned a lot inprison,” he said at a pressconference. “My wife and my kidswere behind me the whole time.

“I’ve thought a lot about God,and without God there’s notmuch.”

Breno will be picked up dailyfrom prison at 0830 local time andafter four hours of training withBayern will be returned to prisonby 1330.

“Thanks to Bayern. I’m fine,”said the Brazilian, whose Germanhas improved noticeably over thelast year.

“The time in prison was hard forme and I am pleased that Bayern

will give me this opportunity.”His lawyer is hoping Breno will

be released on probation inJanuary at which point he will bedeported back to Brazil.

Having kept himself fit, Brenowill work alongside the Under-23team’s head coach coach Erik tenHag, but as a non-EU citizen heis not allowed to play for thejunior side.

“We have done everything wecan to give Breno this chance atBayern,” said club president UliHoeness.

“We have to thank theauthorities for their excellentcooperation.

“He will be deported after his

THE massacre of more than800 people in Egypt last weekagain raises questions aboutOrlando Pirates’ next trip toCairo.

Pirates are due to play againstZamalek in the troubled city onSeptember 1.

It will be the fourth match ofthe group for the Buccaneersand will come after theythrashed the White Knights 4-1 at Orlando Stadium inSoweto on Saturday.

Pirates were originally due toplay in Egypt on August 30 buthave had the game moved backone day because of televisionscheduling rather than becauseof the violence in Egypt.

But a fluid situation in thenorth African country is likelyto prompt the club to again askthe Confederation of AfricanFootball about moving thesame to a neutral venue.

Pirates asked the same questionbefore their last trip to Egypt butwere turned down. CAF havepreviously switched matches introubled countries to neutralvenues but not often. To move agame away from Egypt would bea very sensitive move.

Similar violence precededPirates last trip to Egypt whenthey beat Al Ahli earlier thismonth.

Before the trip, coach Roger deSa expressed concerns andadmitted his players were nervousabout traveling to the strife-torncountry.

But their trip proved uneventfulas they were whisked throughCairo and flew onto the Red Searesort of Hurghada and playedtheir matches next door at ElGouna. Afterwards, Piratespraised the hospitality of theEgyptians.

HOFFENHEIM striker,Anthony Modeste, hasrevealed his idol is Chelsealegend Didier Drogba andhopes to be a role model likethe Ivoirian.

The 25-year-oldFrenchman arrived atHoffenheim in the summerand announced himself onGerman soil in style with hisbrace in his side’s emphatic5-1 victory over Hamburgon Saturday.

Modeste has pulled offthree solid displays so far

IVORY Coast forwardGiovanni Sio has joinedSwiss champions Baslefrom Bundesliga sideWolfsburg for anundisclosed fee, theGerman club announcedon Saturday.

Basle confirmed themove and he is set to playin their Uefa ChampionsLeague play-off, first-legtie against Bulgarianchampions LudogoretsRazgrad on Wednesdayshould the paperwork becompleted in time.

“The move is a greatchance for Giovanni and

he can establish himself asa first-choice option at FCBasle,” Wolfsburg’s teammanager Klaus Allofssaid.

“We wish him all thevery best for this newchallenge.”

The 24-year-old Sio,who signed for Wolfsburgin January 2012, madeonly ten Bundesligaappearances and was alsosent on loan twice duringhis time at the club.

SIo came off the benchfor Ivory Coast in their 4-1 defeat to Mexico in NewYork City on Wednesdayevening.

SIPHIWE Tshabalala’sgoalscoring display againstBurkina Faso on Saturday liftedhim into third in the BafanaBafana all-time caps list.

‘Shabba’ netted the opener forhis side in what was his 81stappearance, one more than BenniMcCarthy.

It is likely that the KaizerChiefs star will move pastsecond-placed SiyabongaNomvete (82 caps) in the comingmonths, perhaps as early as threeweeks’ time when Bafana take onBotswana in a World Cupqualifier, and a few days later

Zimbabwe in a friendly.He has some way to go to beat

the all-time caps leader though,with former skipper AaronMokoena setting the record with107 appearances for his country.

Tshabalala made his debut forBafana in a 2-1 victory overEgypt in January 2006, a surpriseselection at the time ate the ageof 21.

He is known for his spectaculargoals, but the most famous camein the opening game of the 2010FIFA World Cup when he nettedagainst Mexico in a 1-1 draw. Inall he has 12 goals for his country.

AJAX Cape Town assistantcoach, David Nyathi, describedthis weekend’s Nelson MandelaChallenge as ‘beautiful’.

The Bafana Legends openedthe event at the FNB Stadiumwith a 2-0 defeat to the ItalianMasters on Saturday morning, in

which the local icons tried toshowcase some tricks,particularly Jomo Sono.

Nyathi, who played alongsidethe likes of Neil Tovey and AndreArendse on the day, says theevent was a great way to honourthe former president of SouthAfrica, Nelson Mandela.

“It was a beautiful day and anice game. The tempo was a bitslow; we showed our age,” hetold MTNFootball whilelaughing.

“The Italian Masters were wellorganized and fitter than us, butwe put on a modest show.

imprisonment and will try to playin Brazil.”

Breno joined Bayern fromBrazil side Sao Paulo in 2008 for12 million euros ($16 million),making 28 league appearances,but had suffered from depressionafter picking up a knee injurywhile on loan at Nuremberg inMarch 2010.

Champions League winnersBayern had always promised totake Breno back into theiremployment and a rehabilitationprogramme has been agreed byimmigration authorities and stateprosecutors.

Last month, Brazil coach LuisFelipe Scolari called on theMunich authorities to releaseBreno to allow him to continuehis career in his home country.

“Some tried to pull a few tricksout of the bag, but, at the end ofthe day, it was a befitting way tohonour the legend that is NelsonMandela.”

and admits he is using theGalatasaray hitman asinspiration.

“I am satisfied with my firstmonths at Hoffenheim and Iexpect to be able to continuein this vein,” he told Spox.

“Drogba is my idol. He isthe prototype of a completestriker. I often watch and tryto learn as much as possibleto then perform on the pitch,but that is easier said thandone.”

3 1 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

ALL FOR SPORTS: Some Fulani damsels in a cultural display during a recent sporting event in Benin City.Photo: OSADEBAWMEN SUNDAY.

FEPSGA PresidentAssures On 2013 Games

League Play-Off

Ejike WantsMore Goals

Rangers Pip Stubborn Gombe

Bright Ejike

MR Victor Orji, the President of the Federation of PublicService Games (FEPSGA), has given the assurance thatthe standard of the 2013 FEPSGA games will surpass thoseof previous editions.

Orji told newsmen yesterdayin Abuja that the optimismwas based on the preparationsso far made for the currentedition.

FEPSGA Games is anannual competition for publicservants in Ministries,Parastatal Agencies and Extra-Ministerial Departments

drawn from the 36 states andthe Federal Capital Territory.

The 2012 edition was heldin Akwa Ibom, and more than50 MDAs participated.

“Right now, we areoptimistic that the 2013edition of the Games will bemore successful than the 2012edition.

“This is because all ourjogging since the beginning of2013 has surpassed the oneswe have had in the past yearsand that means we are movingahead.

“It means that the ministriesand agencies are also gettingready for the games, so, weare on course,’’ Orji said.

He disclosed that a post-

tournament award dinnerwould be hold on Thursday tohonour individuals andMDAs who excelled at the2012 Games to encourageothers to do more.

“The award is a celebrationof the success of last year’sgame and that is why it iscalled “the 2012 posttournament Award dinner’’.

“There will be threecategories of award, one forthe Grand Patron and thePillar of Sport; the second willbe for those that helped in thesuccess of the game.

“The third category is forsuccessful individuals andMDAs and it is a forum wherewe want to recognise them, sothat they will know that it isnot all about participation,’’ he

said.Orji added that he was sure

that after the awards, otherMDAs who did not performwell during the last gamewould step up theirperformances so as to berecognised.

He said the award would begiven to MDAs with first,second and third positions, aswell as the most outstandingathlete (male and female) andthe highest goal scorer in thefootball event.

Orji said that the occasionwould be used to raise fundfor the association’s activitiesahead of the 2013 game.

He said that a tentative dateof November 21 to November30 had been picked for theGames but added that a hoststate had yet to be decided.

RANGERS defeatedGombe United 1-0 to climbto sixth place on the leaguetable with 39 points.

Lanky Christian Obiozorscored the only goal of theencounter in the 51st minuteto send ‘The Scorpions’ backhome empty handed.

Rangers goalkeeperGodwin Ayalogu toldMTNFootball.com it was asatisfying team performance.

“Gombe United weretough, they really playedgood based on their capacitybut we did our best to see thatwe won the game,” said theshot stopper.

“I am satisfied with theresult because victory is whatwe wanted and we got it. I amjust looking forward togetting at least a draw in ournext game.”

Rangers were by far the

better team on the day, but acombination of splendidgoalkeeping and someunpardonable misses byRangers attackers robbed thematch of more goals.

he quartet of Emeka Eze,Sunday Chinedu, MeshackChibuikem and ChristianObiozor was a handful forGombe, but goalkeeperAhmed Yusuf proved hisworth between the sticks toensure that the game endedgoalless in the first half.

angers continued fromwhere they left off in the firsthalf and were eventuallyrewarded as new boyChristian Obiozor rose abovehis marker to nod home across from UgonnaUzochukwu to the delight ofthe 2,000 spectators at thematch.

The introduction of Victor

Barnabas and SaniMohammed almost turned thegame in the visitors’ favour asthey stretched the defence lineof Rangers that hadSenegalese duo of Pierre Colyand Ousmane Pape Sane aswell as Chibuzor Okonkwo,but were unlucky not to havescored on the two occasionsthey went past that defence.

“We lost the game to asimple mistake. AlthoughRangers were good today, wewere not disgraced at all. I amproud of my players,” saidGombe United Belgian coachMaurice Cooreman.

Before the kick-off, aminute silence was observedfor the late wife of Rangersnew Burundian midfielder,Steve Nzigamasabo, who diedon Saturday in Burundi.

Babatunde Eyes Great Start

BRIGHT Ejike whoscored Heartland winner ina 1-0 win over Dolphinshas toldMTNFootball.com hehopes for more goals asleague gathers momentum.

Heartland now have 34points.

The former Sharksforward toldMTNFootball.com he hasbeen kept out of the leagueby his time with theNigeria U20, but he is nowback to score for his club.

I was happy to score theonly goal of the gamewhich gave us victory. Thegame was not easy but wemapped out plan and itworked for us,” said Ejike,who hit target from thepenalty spot in the secondhalf.

This is my first goal inthe league and that wasbecause I was always awaywith the Nigeria U20 team,I have played just fivegames this season.

“I am now promisingfans that I will get moregoals as the league goeson, it is my work as astriker to score, so nomatter how good I play inmatches, if I didn’t score,it is nothing.

I am new in this team, Ithink I have adapted wellnow to bang in moregoals.”

THE Nigeria internationaljoined Volyn on a four-year dealfrom Kryvbas FC last week.

The former Heartland FCwinger was unveiled on Saturdayafter passing the routine medical.

I feel great and excited to joina lovely club in Ukraine,”Babatunde toldMTNFootball.com

“The atmosphere is veryinviting and conducive. I waswell received by everybody hereand it was as if I have been herefor long.

I am looking forward to debutfor my team on Monday, and Ihope it will be on a winning note.If a goal comes with it, I will be alot happier.

“I hope to reciprocate their loveand confidence in me. Everyoneis interesting, the president, fans,teammates and coach. I am hereto show my stuff and won’tdisappoint.”

Michael Babatunde featured forNigeria at the FIFAConfederations Cup in Brazil. Hescored twice in 44 games forKryvbas FC.

AS Egbe-Uzabu Amazonsintensify their preparationsahead of the 2013 NigeriaAmateur Women League playoffs, scheduled to run fromSeptember 1st to 5th, 2013, thecoaching crew of the Beninbased Female Club, led byCoach Kingsley Erhunmuselehas assured their club ownerand fans of their determinationto secure promotion to thewomen professional leaguedivision. Though the venues andfixtures of the playoffs whichwill determine promotion ofsome successful AmateurClubs to the WomenProfessional League nextseason are yet to be decidedby the Women Department ofthe Nigeria FootballFederation (NFF), but theEgbe-Uzebu Amazons arequite optimistic that they willgain promotion irrespective ofthe side they will face.

Egbe-Uzebu AmazonsEye Pro-League

PromotionBy KEHINDE OSAGIEDE “We are very optimistic that we

will be one of the female clubsfrom Edo State in the nation’sWomen Professional Leaguenext season. Our girls are in highspirit and our chairman,Engineer Egbe-Uzebu has beendoing everything to motivate theteam, and has also assured us ofmore this time in order to boostour morale”, Coach Kingsleyemphasized. According to the female coachof the team OtasowieOgbomwan who also spokewith The OBSERVERSports,“My Club Chairman said he willgive his all for the club to havea good outing in the leagueplayoffs and gain promotion tothe Women Professional Leaguenext season. We don’t lackanything; and we always getassistance both financially andotherwise from our Soccerloving Chairman, EngineerEgbe Uzebu who has vowed totake us to the professionalleague division next season, sowe cannot afford not toperform”, Otasowie said. Coach Otasowie howevercalled on the state governmentand Edo people to support theirclub and others from Edo Statethat will be participating in thewomen playoff. The Benin Club Egbe-UzebuAmazons will undoubtedly berelying heavily on the servicesof their very experienced strikerTonaria Tega aka Sosoliso,goalkeeper Joy Joseph, knownfor her excellent saves andothers to triumph.

3 2 TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013THE NIGERIAN

CMYK

Wike Has Lost The RiversPower Tussle

Printed and published by Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, 24, Airport Road, P.M.B. 1334 Benin City. Telephone; Lagos: 01 4930929, Benin: 052 257492, 257531Editor: Barr. SOLOMON IMOHIOSEN (KSJI)- (07030699646), Deputy General Manager, Marketing (08023457566), Assistant General Manager, Advertisement (08023808856)

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IT is not gentlemanlythe statement thatwas credited to Barr

Ezebunwo NyesomWike, the junior Ministerof Education on August3, 2013, at hisG r a s s r o o t sDevelopment Initiative(GDI) rally in PortHarcourt, that he willmake the stateungovernable, bymaking sure that theresidents will not sleepwith their two eyesclosed. This is where thejunior minister misfiredand lost in the rough-and-ready andundiplomatic politicalfights that have beenrocking the state, whichhe is, one of thearrowheads.

No matter who may becompelling Wike toengage GovernorChibuike Amaechi of hisstate in this careless andblundering fight, it is onlythe bamboozled thatwould still stand byWike’s side, after hearingor reading the uneditedstatement of the juniorminister, which was thatthe residents will nolonger sleep with theirtwo eyes closed.

It is incongruous forWike to think that this erawas that time, whenpeople made flippancycomments and got out ofit. No more. It isconceivably that thepresidency, whichobservers have fingeredin many accounts, ofbeing the powerhousefor Wike, has goneunaccompanied againsthim. Possibly, it is nowcautioning Wike that aman in such a position ashis, is not supposed to befound with unprintablecomments.

What the Wike’scomment has shown isthat the Rivers State thathe is plunging into a free-for-all fight place cannotbe entrusted into hiscare. No one hangs abone on a dog’s neck!The irony of the matter isthat Wike did not seereason to make the stateungovernable, when hewas appointed the Chiefof Staff by Amaechi and,was later made thecampaign manager ofthe governor in the 2011e l e c t i o n e e r i n g

campaign, before he wasappointed minister.

It is now that he wasappointed a minister, by thesame governor, who wasunder pressure two yearsago by Mr. President to

boasted of not being aminister, but fought forAmaechi, he was not anational figure. He was thenplaying Obio/Akpor andASALGA kind of politics.But today, he is a minister

in all these. Whatprecedent is he setting forthe teeming youths, who,perhaps, are looking-up tohim as their mentor? Hehas boasted of knowing thepolitics of the state morethan anybody and thatwhen he was in RiversState, people weresleeping with their two eyesclosed and were travellingabout. So..?

Wike should spare theresidents these disgracefulembarrassments andcomments by saying thatthe PDP in the statesuspended his rivals in thestate, because he is a lionthat should not be touched.And that it was becausethey touched the lion thatthey were suspended.Odikwa egwu! Lion is justan animal! And animals donot know anythingcomprehensible to man.

What was expected ofWike to do was to redressanything he had, politically,

did he read that a peoplemust not sleep againthrough riotous activities,like the one in which somegovernors from the Northwho visited Amaechi weremolested at the airport bythe same Wike and hisallies?

It is advisable to tell Wiketo understand that he hasdrowned himself in thepolitical impasses. Heshould take time andobserve that Mr. Presidentand “Mrs. President” thathe has always leaned on tocause confusion in thestate are distancingthemselves from him,because of his onestatement of making theresidents of Rivers State tosleep with their two eyesopen.

There is no amount ofsupport that Wike maydrum for Mr. President’s2015 re-election bid thatwill make the president tochange his removed mind

towards Wike; thepresident knows that Wikehas brought him to world’scondemnation about theRivers State crises. Wike isjust running round to see ifhe wins the first family’sfavour again that he once

of the federal republic, yet,still behaving like one wardcounselor, who is ready tofight, because ofsomething that does notmeet the eyes.

One cannot understandwhat Wike stands to gain

with his challengers in thecourt of law, and not toplace the entire state in aninsecure atmosphere andcalls such, politicalwizardry. What kind ofhogwash mentality is thatand in which constitution

has lost his once politicalsagacity and dexterity inthe Rivers State politics,following his uncalculatedgames and utterances. Thecrises also, have to-some-extent, humbled GovernorAmaechi to use his head,instead of his mouth, whichhe was once known to bea specialist in.

Reading in-between linesof any comments that Wikehas made, one wouldunderstand that his majorproblem is just conceit andself-importance. He hassaid that he has overstayedas a minister, at least fortwo years. He has also saidthat if by tommorrow heceases to be a minister, itwill not change anythingabout him, not even thebrainless fight he said thathe believes in.

What Wike has refused tounderstand orunderstands, but hasrefused to imbibe in his lifeis that in the 2007 he has

tribe in Rivers State, itcannot support anyIkwerre becominggovernor in 2015, when itwas supposed to be theturn of another tribe in thestate.

And this has been theposition of Amaechi: Thatpower in the state mustshift to another tribe orsenatorial zone in thestate. But the ‘Lion’ issaying no. This is whymany informed residentsof Rivers State are seeingWike as a joker.

On-the-contrary, Gov.Amaechi should not bedefocused. He should facegood governance andmake sure that all andsundry that may have notbeen paid their salariesare being paid. The statecannot continue to affordany agbero to dictate thepace of politics in the stateagain. Imagine that justonce a common domesticChief of Staff wantseverybody to be payingallegiance to him. Theheight of end of politics!

Let Wike and hisGrassroot DevelopmentInitiative (GDI) stopbringing themselves to thepublic ridicule by sayingthat Amaechi is beingwasteful with theresources of the state tofight what they say is anational battle. Whichnational battle? Wike isexpected to resolve theASSU first strike beforetalking anymore. This ishis number one failure asa minister. Wike should dothat so that the ASSUpeople will sleep with theirtwo eyes closed. Heshould refrain from makinghimself a man who isknown to be makingpersons and organisationsnot to sleep with their twoeyes closed. Afterall, Wikeis the person who issupposed not to besleeping with his two eyesclosed for failing tomanage the ASSU, butthis is not for a man whohas no self-esteem.

enjoyed, but no more.This is why Wike has

continued to use suchhoodwinking statement as:“In Rivers State, Jonathanis our son, Jonathan is ourin-law and his wife is ourdaughter. So, we have nochoice, but to continue tosupport him. Your duty is tomobilise the entire state forour son when he decidesto run eventually. Webelieve that the people ofSouth-South cannotsacrifice, whatever it is, ourown son for anything lessthan President.” But thepresident is now wiser andthe Rivers masses andSouth-South are wiser thanthe ‘Lion’ of a minister.Wike continues to lose.

Of-late, a group known asthe Ikwerre Peoples Forumdissociated itself from Wikeand his angling inbecoming governor afterAmaechi. The groupbelieved that since bothmen came from the same

drop Wike and nominate awoman, that Wike wants tochase the residents out ofthe state, because of somepolitical rapacious gainsthat do not last.

No doubt, Wike is apowerful man. But one sideof his powerfulness hasbitten the dust in the recenttimes, due to his perceivedoverzealousness. Wike

By OKHAREDIA IHIMEKPENBy ODIMEGWU ONWUMERE

Nyesom Wike, Minister of State for Education Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State