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Vol. 9 No. 67 Tuesday, November 13, 2012 Zhul-Hajj 28, 1433 AH N150 . . . putting the people first

Housing delivery:FG to recapitalise

FMBN

Ribadu report:FG acted in badfaith, says ACN

>> PAGE 5 >> PAGE 3

Confusion assoldier kills taxidriver in Jalingo>> PAGE 6

BUYING SELLING

$ 154.74 155.74£ 247.259 248.857EURO 197.94 199.222CFA 0.2885 0.3085RIYAL 41.267 41.5

BUYING SELLING

EURO 206 208£ 257 258RIYAL 40 42$ 157 158

CBN RATES

PD INDEX 10th Nov., 2012

PARALLEL RATES

2015: CPC, ANPP, ACN set to merge

Ahead of the 2015 generalelections, major oppositionparties including, the

Congress for Progressive Change(CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party

By Richard Ihediwa& Umar Muhammad Puma

Contd on Page 2

(ANPP) and the Action Congressof Nigeria (ACN) have finalisedplans to join forces under a megaopposition party to face the rulingPeoples Democratic Party at theelections.

Already there are indicationsthat other opposition parties

might rally under the megaopposition umbrella for the nextelections as the Conference ofNigerian Political Parties (CNPP),has thrown its weight behind themerger.

The soon to be formed megaopposition party would be a

product of series of meetingsbetween the leader of the CPC,Gen, Muhammadu Buhari (rtd)and the leader of the ACN,Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as well aswide consultations amongstakeholders across the countrywhich started since after the 2011

elections.Those behind the mega party

seek to win the Presidency andmajority of states as well asmajority of seats in the NationalAssembly.

The leadership of the CPC had

Our political partieslack direction – MarkBy Richard Ihediwa& Lawrence Olaoye

Contd on Page 2

Senate President David Markand his deputy, Senator IkeEkweremmadu yesterday

descended heavily on politicalparties in the country sayingthat many of them are bereft ofideologies and lack the ability togovern effectively even aftergaining political power.

While Mark blamed theproblem on lack of internaldemocracy and cohesion amongparty members, Ekweremmadulamented that the managementof political parties has becomeflawed and “degenerated torowdy engagements.”

The two leaders spoke at the

L-R: Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former vice-president, Dr. Alex Ekwueme and Senate President,David Mark, during the roundtable conference on party politics in Nigeria and the lobbyist and legislature,organised by National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS), yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

CONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTSNews 2-11

Editorial 12

Op.Ed 13

Letters 14

Opinion 15

Metro 16-18

Business 19-22

S/Exchange 23

S/Report 24

Defence 26

Agriculture 30

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Barack Obama’sre-election: Of whatbenefit to Africa?,

Page 4

WE WANTTO HEAR

FROM YOU

Int’l 31-32

Digest 36

Politics 37-39

Sports 41-47

Columnist 48

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012PAGE 2

Gunmen kill one,injure two in Kano

Contd from Page 1

2015: CPC, ANPP, ACN set to merge plan

From Edwin Olofu, Kano

at the party’s Board of Trustees(BoT) attended by Buhari, partyNational Chairman, TonyMomoh and chieftain and formerMinister of the Federal CapitalTerritory (FCT) Abuja, MallamNasir El-Rufai last Thursdayratified the merger.

It was gathered that some keyCPC member who were initiallyopposed to the merger wereconvinced about the merits of theplan after which they also gavetheir support.

The CPC National PublicitySecretary, Rotimi Fashakin,yesterday confirmed the decisionof the party leadership saying itwas based on the understanding

that none of the existingopposition parties alone coulddefeat the PDP in the next election.

On its own part, the ANPPleadership has confirmed that theparty was set to work with the CPCand ACN for the 2015 elections.

ANPP National PublicitySecretary, Emma Eneukwu saidin an interview with Peoples Dailyin Abuja yesterday that themerger arrangement has reachedadvanced stage adding that itwould soon be finalised.

“We are in touch with the CPCon the merger issue and we havereached certain level ofcooperation. The merger issue isdesirable. Very soon we wouldfinalize all arrangement and our

party is in full support of themerger. We would work with theCPC for the betterment of thiscountry”, Eneukwu said.

There are however strongindications that with support ofthe CNPP, the mega oppositionparty might pull the support andloyalty of other opposition partiesin the country. Already, thePeoples Redemption Party (PRP)has indicated interest to join thebigger platform.

Speaking to Peoples Dailyyesterday, the CNPP Chairman,Alhaji Balarabe Musa, said theCNPP, which is an umbrella ofopposition parties in the countrywas in support of the merger.Musa also announced that his

party, the PRP would join thebigger platform.

“It is a welcome development.We in the Conference of NigerianPolitical Parties are in support ofthe merger. In fact, I want to usethis opportunity to call on otheropposition political parties to jointhe merger. I also want to assureyou that my party the PeoplesRedemption Party will also jointhe merger so that we would havea credible and strong politicalparty in this country.

It would be recalled that theCPC and the ACN had sought towork together during the 2011elections but could not followingdisagreements over issues ofPresidential candidates.

Contd from Page 1

Our political parties lack direction – Markopening of the opening of a two-day workshop on Party Politicsin Nigeria and Lobbying and theLegislature organised by theNational Institute for LegislativeStudies (NILS) in Abujayesterday.

Taking an overview of theactivities of political parties inthe country, Mark said many ofthe parties exist only on paperwhile the big ones which hadgained political power wereplagued by internal squabblesarising from lack of ideology oruniting philosophy.

His words: “We know that inreality most of our politicalparties are fledgling and hardlyable to stand on their feet. Manyexist mainly on paper, and werefloated to attract the financialsubventions which the 1999Constitution hithertoguaranteed them, before it wasamended. Even the big ones,which control various executiveand legislative arms ofgovernment, are often riven byinternal convulsions, lack ofcohesion, indiscipline and aglaring absence of internaldemocracy.

“Intra party squabbles arisemainly because political partyaffiliation in Nigeria is rarelyanchored on ideology or anyuniting and defined philosophy,but rather largely on crassopportunism. This undermines

the capacity of the politicalparty to govern effectively, evenafter gaining political power.The internal contradictionssired by the coming together ofstrange bedfellows breedconvulsions, strife andupheavals which hamper themachinery of governance”, hesaid.

Mark said these problemshave been the bane of partypolitics in the country and hasbeen with the nation since theClifford’s Constitutionintroduced the elective principlein 1922 and Sir HerbertMacaulay formed his NigerianNational Democratic Party(NNDP), in 1923.

He said in the most extremeof cases, as experienced in theFirst and Second Republics,intra party squabbles combinedwith inter-party conflicts toscuttle the democraticexperiment citing the eventsleading to both the January 15,1966 coup, and that ofDecember, 1983.

Urging stakeholders at theconference to proffer solutions forthe problems, Mark said modernrepresentative democracyrequires viable, ideology basedpolitical parties capable ofproviding clear policy options asevidence of a demonstrablecapacity to govern.

“Political parties ought not tobe corrupt self-centered

organizations dominated bypower hungry elites who serveonly their own interests, andthose of their cronies. A politicalparty must clearly stand forsomething. In our fragiledemocracy in whichdestabilizing demons havesuddenly found their voices andhave been let loose in the newair of freedom, each politicalparty has a duty to preachrestraint, caution and politicalmoderation. The political class asa whole also has the solemn dutyof ensuring that Nigeriansdevelop sustainable confidence inour electoral and justice systems.That is the only way that robustdemocratic institutions can benurtured”, he said.

On his own part, Ekweremadublamed the indiscipline and lackof internal democracy in partieson poor management by theleaders adding that unless theculture of internal democracy isentrenched in the political parties,democratic governance andnational development wouldcontinue to suffer setback.

He said: “Unfortunately, themanagement of the nation’spolitical parties gives us cause forconcern, for as it is put in Latin,Nemo dat quod non habet (No onecan give what he does not have).And when the processes of politicalrecruitment become diseased andthe management of politicalparties degenerate to rowdy

engagement, certainly, the falconwill no longer hear the falconer.

“Unless the spring sources,being the parties are themselvesimpartial, disciplined, buoyantwith ideas, populated withvisionary leadership, and in factfree of impurities and ardentobservers of their own rules andthe rule of law in general free ofimpurities, then the hope for goodgovernance could not be realised”,he said.

Both leaders also argued thatthere was nothing wrong withlegislative lobbying saying suchwas acceptable in a democracy.They spoke against the backdrop of allegations by someNigerians that lawmakers areusually swayed on issues byfinancial inducements bylobbyists including theexecutive branch.

Speaking at the event,former President OlusegunObasanjo harped on the needfor a mechanism that willensure that political parties areheld responsible for fullimplementation of manifestosrolled out during campaigns.

On his own part, Chairmanof the Independent NationalElectoral Commission (INEC),Attahiru Jega lamented thedisposition of desperationexhibited by politicians toelections saying such results ininvolvement in electoral fraudand violence.

Unidentified gunmenyesterday morning,opened fire on three people

in a barbing saloon and killed onewhile two sustained gunshotinjuries in Kawo area of Kanometropolis.

Eyewitness account said theassailants came to the shop of abarber around Kawo Bus Stop on amotorcycle and fired at the shopkilling the barber on the spot, whiletwo other artisans who were infront of the shop were shot but didn’t

die and are currently receivingtreatment in a hospital in the city.

It would be recalled that threepersons including a woman werekilled penultimate week in KawoMaigari area in a similarcircumstance by yet to be identifiedgunmen on a motorcycle.

The Kano state acting PolicePublic Relations Officer ASPMustapha Abubakar confirmed theattack, saying one person was killedon the spot while two otherssustained injury and are currentlyreceiving treatment in a hospital.

Jigawa sets up c’tee toaddress kerosene scarcityFrom Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

Jigawa state government hasset up a Kero-Directcommittee under the state

Ministry of Commerce andIndustry as part of efforts toaddress the shortage of kerosenein the state.

The permanent secretary inthe ministry, Alhaji MuhammadMu’azu who stated this to ourreporter yesterday, said theseven-member committee is to beheaded by the commissioner,Hajiya Hauwa Lawan.

He said the committee is toensure that people in the statehave access to the commodity atthe government approved priceof N50 per liter.

The permanent secretaryexplained that a maximum of 20liters would be sold per interestedhousehold or person.

Alhaji Mu’azu added that thescheme which is an NNPC backedprogramme, would soon belaunched in Dutse while thecommodity would be sold atdifferent markets across the state.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012 PAGE 3

Our error

L-R: Vice President Namadi Sambo, President Goodluck Jonathan, Minister of Lands &Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple,and Minister of Finance Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,during the Presidential Stakeholders Retreat on Housing and Urban Development, at theState House in Abuja Yesterday. Photo: Joe Oroye

In our yesterday’s front page comment, “JTF’s warwithout rules in Borno, Yobe”, we erroneously quotedformer Yobe state governor, now a Senator, as havingblamed the growth of the Boko Haram insurgency onthe armed forces and police and accused them of killing“5,000 innocent people” since 1999. We have sincediscovered that the former governor actually said thatwas the number killed in a single day, not over a 13-year period. We are sorry for this error. – Editor

An opposition lawmaker inthe House ofRepresentatives, Femi

Gbajabiamila (ACN, Lagos), saidyesterday that the PetroleumIndustry Bill (PIB) like any otherhas to follow the normallegislative process as against thepopular views that thelawmakers would give the billthe urgent and priorityattention it deserves.

Gbajabiamila said the reasonwas to ensure that a thoroughunderstanding of the letters ofthe executive bill was fullygrasped by the lawmakers.

The opposition lawmakersaid the stepping down of theconsideration of the bill on twooccasions was meant not to give

PIB bill would have to follownormal process – Rep

room for shoddy treatment of thedocument.

The bill was first steppeddown when it was first presentedon the eve of the two-monthvacation and the inability if theexecutive to fully brief thepresenter of the bill, the HouseLeader, Mulikat Akande-Adeolaon the content of the bill.

“We have resolved not toadopt any fire brigade approach,which is the Nigerian system.We don’t want any quickpassage. We want a properpassage, a thorough meticulouspassage only and until all thefacts are on the stood. Don’tforget that the petroleumindustry is a technicalindustry”.

Rage over beheadedman in Benin

The headless body of amiddle-aged man found atAgip Junction, Sapele

Road, Benin City has heightenedtension in the city.

The incident which occurredlast Saturday night, forced shopowners within the vicinity tolockup their shops and flee in fear ofpossible police arrest.

Police in Benin have beguninvestigation on the suspectedritual killing of the unidentifiedman who was found in a pool of

From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin blood and his body deposited inan unnamed mortuary.

There are speculationsarising from the manner thevictim was dressed that he wasan okada rider who may havebeen chartered by persons whoturned out to be ritual killers.

Confirming the incidentyesterday, Edo police commandspokesman, Anthony Airhuoyo,said police are investigatingmatter with a view toestablishing the identity of thevictim and tracking down hiskillers.

Housing delivery: FGto recapitalise FMBNBy Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

President GoodluckJonathan has disclosedgovernment’s plan to

recapitalise the FederalMortgage Bank of Nigeria(FMBN) as part of measures tofix the 17 million housingdeficit in the country.

Speaking at the PresidentialRetreat on Housing at the StateHouse Banquet Hall yesterday,the President said: “Thisgovernment is committed torecapitalising the FederalMortgage Bank of Nigeria(FMBN) and strengthening theFederal Ministry of Lands,Housing and UrbanDevelopment and the FederalHousing Authority (FHA).Other institutions ofgovernment in the buildingenvironment will receive equalattention”.

President Jonathan addedthat the National HousingPolicy and the National UrbanDevelopment Policy approvedby the Federal ExecutiveCouncil in June will betranslated into action througha roadmap for the Housing andUrban Development sector.

“The roadmap will addressthe challenges of achieving a

housing revolution in ournation, within the shortestpossible time. It will alsoprovide the pathway fortransforming our cities intolivable and functional humansettlements…”

Also speaking, Minister ofFinance and CoordinatingMinister of the Economy, Dr.Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala saidowning a home is afundamental human need thathas gone unfulfilled for millionsof Nigerians. Solving this issue,she said, will have a game-changing impact on our societyand our communities.

EFCC docks pastorover visa scamBy Lambert Tyem

The Economic and FinancialCrimes Commission,(EFCC) yesterday

arraigned Pastor HenryUhunmwagho, 33, beforeJustice P.I. Ajoku of the FederalHigh Court 2 sitting in BeninCity, Edo state on a nine-countcharge bordering on obtaining

money under false pretence.Henry, a pastor with Church

of God Mission, Suleja, Nigerstate, was arrested by the EFCCon the 11th May, 2012,following a petition by GodwinOchai, a legal practitioner, onbehalf of one Mr. OdionPrincewill.

Spokesperson of theCommission, Wilson Uwujaren

said the accused was alleged tohave collected the sum of N1,436,000 under false pretence toprocess a United States visa forthe petitioner but failed to do so.

Justice Ajoku in her ruling,adjourned the matter to 29thNovember, 2012 for hearing ofthe bail application and orderedthat the accused be remanded inprison custody.

The Jamaatu Nasril Islam(JNI) in Kaduna state,yesterday urged the

National Assembly to removethe immunity clause from the1999 Constitution.

Alhaji Jaafar Makarfi, JNIchairman in the state, said in aninterview with the NewsAgency of Nigeria in Kaduna,that its retention would continueto promote indiscipline ingovernance.

Constitution review: JNI wantsimmunity clause removed

Makarfi noted that it waswrong of the National Assemblyto determine the areas to bediscussed in the constitution,saying they should have allowedNigerians to decide.

Also speaking, the JNIchairman, Kajuru localgovernment, Alhaji DahiruKajuru commended thelawmakers for allowingNigerians to participate in theexercise. (NAN)

Oral health: FG providesdental equipment, free checksBy A’isha Biola Raji

Government has providedall the federal hospitals inthe six geopolitical zones

across the country with newdental equipment in addition toupgraded old ones in order tofacilitate free oral checks to mark2nd National Oral Week.

The Minister of Health, ProfOnyebuchi Chukwu, representedby the Permanent Secretary,Mrs. Fatima Bamidele, said thisyesterday at a press briefing tomark the celebration of OralHealth Week in commemorationof the World Oral Health Day.

The minister said oral healthbeing an essential part of humanhealth, needs optimumfunctioning as diseases likeleukemia, diabetes, osteoporosisand even HIV infection startmanifesting from the mouth.

“The mouth is the mirror of thebody,” he said.

He however declared that, anational oral health standard hasbeen developed by the ministrywith vigorous implementationplan by National Council onHealth (NCH), Federal ExecutiveCouncil (FEC) and NationalExecutive Council (NEC).

According to him, the aim ofthe policy is to facilitate healthpromotion, human resources,service delivery, oral healthfinancing among others.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

This is developmentpartnership he was referring to.In the opinion of Mr. JoshuaBolarinwa, a fellow of the NigerianInstitute of International Affairs(NIIA), “what African countrieswill get from the US will dependon their bargaining power andwhat they want individually andcollectively”.

According to him, “Obama’svictory would not attract muchbenefit to Africa, given Obama’sforeign policy in the last fouryears”.

In the case of Nigeria though,US exports shot up to 4.8 billiondollars (3.8 billion Euros) in2011, an 18 per cent increasefrom the previous year withwheat, vehicles and refinedpetroleum products as the mainexports. This, Mr. Bolarinwaobserved, was unfavourabletrade, which suggests that “ it’shigh time we engaged inpartnership that grows andsustains our own economy” .

African leaders must learn tomilk this opportunity. Theymust take their desire buds to theU.S, well-off with concepts andideas to entice technologytransfer, foreign directinvestment and favourablebalance of trade.

If not for the genealogy,Republican candidate MittRomney’s (even with theexhibition of his geographical

dearth of Africa on the worldmap) foreign policies werepromising enough to secureAfrica’s support as well. BothObama and Romney had similarforeign policies in regard toforeign assistance. Governor MittRomney postulated the conceptof “prosperity pacts”, likeObama’s “partnership forgrowth”, both policies buttressedeffective trade policy, economicgrowth and private sectorpartnership.

Africa is the poorest continenton lips and paper and richest inreality in the soil and its content.How has it fared? The only reasonfor Africa to look up to the so calledsuper powers is knowledge,technical knowledge to help tapand refine these resources andappropriately channel theseresources to benefit its people.Why has this become so big achallenge? At least Africa doesnot need to build from scratch,there are reference points. Basicdevelopment should not be alifetime challenge.

Many Africans have pointaccusing fingers at Obama tohave made Africa a tertiary issueon his scale of preference. He hasbeen criticized of spending littletime on African issues during hisfirst term, having visited sub-Saharan Africa once. On record,Obama has even visited Asiamore time than Africa.

Barack Obama’s re-election:Of what benefit to Africa?Not unlike his first election

in 2008, his re-electionhas been widely

celebrated across the globe,particularly in Africa wherePresident Barack Obama is seenas “our own”. The popularexpectation, informed as it wereby some primordial sentiments,had been that Obama’spresidency would bring succorand unprecedented developmentto the continent.

Although his first term hasgone by, the much expecteddevelopment in Africa in termsof infrastructure, socialamenities and good governancehas remained has been realizedonly in the reverse. Even the bestof experts were caught up in themiscalculation, perhapsoverlooking the fact that Africanstyle of leadership is muchdifferent from what obtains indeveloped nations, the mostvibrant democracy in the world,in particular.

Leadership in “civilized”societies are rail tracks of sorts;they have a designed pattern andgoal for each and everyone tofollow, leaving the leaders at thehelm of affairs to either decide tomove in a gallop or claw at snailspeed.

Although there are manyquestions as to what Africa standsto gain in Obama as president, theanswers may remain farfetchedunless there is an inwardassessment by Africans.

The concept of Obama asAfrica’s messiah must be viewedfrom the creative point not thereceptive. This is because thesecond tenure of PresidentOnyango Obama might notbring much difference if we don’tmake much difference.

In fact, the acceptance speechof Obama in 2008, if it was anyguide, should have reflected anintent for a stronger relationsbetween the African continentand the United States. Ditto in hisre-election acceptance speach,Africa received no more specialmention that the other parts ofthe world did not.

In his inaugural address on20th January 2009, PresidentObama said: “to those who clingto power through corruption anddeceit and the silencing of dissent,know that you are on the wrongside of history, but that we willextend a hand if you are willingto unclench your fist”.

Obama was not only talkingto competing powers in thisparagraph, “clinging to powerthrough corruption” issynonymous with Nigeria. Anygood leader will see this as aninvitation to help tacklecorruption and bad governancestructures.

He further said, “To the peopleof poor nations, we pledge to workalongside you to make yourfarms flourish and let cleanwaters flow, to nourish starvedbodies and feed hungry minds”.

“In the areas of combatingHIV/AIDS, poverty and securityand development assistance,Obama has not done up to 50% ofwhat former president, Georgebush (Jnr) did in Africa”, JoshuaBolarinwa affirmed.

The way it stands, it’s a two-sided affair because partnershipis built to favour all parties.Obama has his lapses of not“doing enough” for Africa, asAfrican leaders have also notdone enough to attract hisattention. There must beintensified effort to drag him intothe picture.

On the side of PresidentObama, he must shift he groundson his foreign policy, such thatwill address most critical issuesconfronting the continent, withsecurity topping the agendaswiftly followed by goodgovernance.

Africa must have a reviewedpackage to help the US favourablycompete with China’s growingascendancy. Areas like educationand technology should topple Oiland gas.

The United States underObama has underperformed inthe aspect of security, as it haskept mute on the rebel group inthe Maghreb. This has not onlyhalted activities in Mali, thewhole of west Africa has beentainted with the insecuritypresence. The same applies to the

secessionist groups in thecontinent like that of the so-called Mombasa Republic inKenya and Puntland in Somalia.

On the part of African leaders,they must put a lot of pressureon Obama; they should be ableto invite him to the African tableas such opportunities mightnever present themselves again.

Calestous Juma, a Professorof the Practice of InternationalDevelopment and Director of theScience, Technology andGlobalization project at HarvardUniversity, believes that,“Africa has been growing whenthe rest of the world has beendeclining and I think this is anopportunity for Africa to engagewith the United States throughtrade and not through thetraditional foreign assistance”.

Areas such as powergeneration and security remainunder addressed. This should topthe priority of African leaders.The readiness must be shown towelcome assistance before suchassistance can come in. We mustnot allow an encore duringObama’s second tenure.

So far, the only shinning lightfor Africa now is that PresidentObama has promised to payanother visit to the ‘darkcontinent” in 2013. Ideas andperseverance can make thatvisit illuminate this darkpartnership.

Senator Barack Obama’s election campaign pitch in 2008 so captured world imagination, especially the black part ofit, that the charismatic US politician might as well have been exclusively contesting for the African, not the US, presidency.Whether the “Dark Continent” has been the better for the Afro-American electoral victory in 2008 is neither here northere, which is why Abdulkadir Isa, in this report, tries to unravel what Africa stands to gain by his re-election.

President Barack Obama African Union Chairman, President Boni Yayi

PAGE 5PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

Ribadu’s report: FG actedin bad faith, says ACN The Action Congress of

Nigeria (ACN), hasaccused the Federal

Government of acting in badfaith in the way and manner ithas treated the report of thePetroleum Revenue Task Force.

In a statement issued in Beninyesterday by its nationalpublicity secretary, Alhaji LaiMohammed, the party also saidthe patently tactless action of apresidential aide, Dr. DoyinOkupe, in rubbishing the reportand, by extension the membersof the task force, will makecredible Nigerians to be wary ofserving in similar panels infuture.

“The fact that the FG has notcome out to refute Dr. Okupe’scrude comments on the report isa clear indication that theposition he enunciated publiclyon the report represents that ofthe government. Saying the taskforce did not complete its

assignment and accusing itschairman of disinformation andpoliticisation amount topreparing the grounds for thedumping of the report”, it said.

The ACN said the treatmentmeted out to the task force by aself-acclaimed “attack lion” of thePresidency is the worst blow thatany government has dealt itsown panel, and confirms theparty’s earlier statement that theFG deliberately set a booby trapfor the task force by the suspicioustiming of the appointments itgave to two of its members,StevenOronsaye and BernardOtti, in the NNPC.“Unfortunately, despite its angryreaction to our earlier statement,the government is yet to convinceus otherwise. If anything at all,it has gone ahead to make ourstatement look prescient.

“We are not even talking hereof the merits or demerits of thetask force’s report, but of the waythe chairman and members ofthe task force (minus the two

dissenting ones) have beensavaged. This is a task force thathas as members several senioradvocates and a formerchairman of the Economic andFinancial Crimes Commission,among others.

“Even if the government feelsthe report is inconclusive, couldit not have set up a panel toreview the findings? Is it not alsothe prerogative of thegovernment to even leave thereport to gather dust, if it does notagree with the findings, insteadof coming out so publicly toridicule its own task force?

“The unprecedentedoutpouring of public opprobriumon the task force by the samegovernment that set it up makesa mockery of governance, anddoes no credit to the Jonathanadministration, which is alwaysquick to accuse the opposition ofinsulting its principal. Agovernment earns respect by itsactions. It is futile demanding it(respect)”, the party said.

The Kwara state policecommand has confirmed thearrest of 12 suspected

hoodlums behind a week ofcontinuous fighting among youthswithin the Kwara state capitalwhich resulted in the damage ofcars and property.

It could be recalled that someyouths from Gambari, Baboko,Agaka areas in Ilorin metropolishad engaged themselves withdangerous weapons whileeconomic activities were alsoparalysed.

The state government at theweekend, ordered the security

agencies to arrest and prosecutewhomever may be behind thepublic disturbances.

Speaking with our reporter inhis office yesterday, the Police PublicRelations Officer of the command,DSP Olufemi Fabode, disclosed that12 suspected youth have beenarrested in connection with thepublic disturbances.

Fabode who described the crisisas a form of faceoff between streetgroups of youth, said instead of onegroup to report a case to the police,they took laws into their hands.

“That is why the Commissionerof Police wants all the suspects to becharge to court for causing publicdisturbance”.

12 suspects arrestedover Ilorin crisis

The Bauchi state YouthsLeaders’ Forum has calledon the Federal

Government to end the insecuritybesetting many states in thecountry before the year 2013 inorder to have a smooth andpeaceful election in 2015.

A statement signed by thepresident of the forum, SadiqShehu Ilelah, and secretary,Mustapha Usman Mashema,respectively, reminded governorsof their responsibilities as securityofficers of their states and that theywill be held responsible for all theloss of lives and property affectingtheir states.

Bauchi youth implore FG to end insecurityFrom Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

L-R: Niger state Governor, Dr Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu collecting a birthday gift from his DirectorGeneral, Media and Publicity, Danladi Ndayebo during the former's birthday celebration yesterdayin Minna.

From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

The Ministry of WomenAffairs and SocialDevelopment, in

collaboration with theDemocratic Governance forDevelopment Project (DGD) II,and the United Nations Entityfor Gender Equality and theEmpowerment of Women (UNWomen), yesterday in Abujaorganised a national multistakeholder dialogue on legalreforms to increase women’sparticipation and representationin local and national electiveoffices.

At a media briefing as part ofevents to commence the 3-daydeliberation, Minister of WomenAffairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina,said although Nigeria iswitnessing a remarkable changein terms of democratic freedoms,the benefits of democracy areyet to be equally available to allcitizens adding that of particularconcern is the ongoing lowrepresentation of womenamongst national, state andlocal elected leaders.

According to her, it has beenobserved that countries thatapply quotas on average tend to

have more women public officethan those that do not and thatparties that have made effortsto increase their womenmembers have been successful.

The minister explained thatthe multi stakeholder dialoguewill involve knowledge buildingby researchers, civil societyadvocates on legislated quotas,electoral system reforms topromote women’srepresentation as well as skillbuilding in the areas of effectiveadvocacy strategies for legalreforms.

In his remarks, thePermanent Secretary at theMinistry of Women Affairs,George Ossi, said the essence ofthe dialogue is to stimulatediscussion that wouldultimately lead to theimprovement in women’srepresentation, bridgeknowledge gap between andamong key stakeholders,political parties, media and thedevelopment community.

The stakeholder dialoguewas attended by experts onlegislated quotas and electoralsystem reforms from USA,Kenya, Mozambique, Senegaland Tanzania.

By Maryam Garba Hassan

Ministry, UN Women organisestakeholders’ dialogue on legal reforms

The National EmergencyManagement Agency(NEMA) has donated drugs

and other medical related itemsworth over N2 million to theNational Youth Service Corps(NYSC) as part of the agency’spledge for continued support andcollaboration with the NYSC.

The medical items which willbe distributed among NYSCorientation camps in Kaduna,Katsina and Kano states, consistsof analgesic/pain relievers, anti-biotics, anti-malarials, anti-asthmatics, anti-allergies, anti-emetics, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-spasmodic, anti-acids,intravenous infusions of differentmakes, tincture iodine,

disposable gloves, bandages,syringes/needles and othermedical consumables.

The first presentation of thedrugs was conducted at the NYSCOrientation Camp, Black Gold,KM 13 Kaduna-Abuja expressroad while that of Katsina andKano states are expected to

in succession at theorientation camps in the statesrespectively.

In order to maintain itsassigned responsibilities ofmanaging disaster in Nigeria,the agency over a decade has beenpartnering with the NYSCthrough the NEMA/NYSCEmergency ManagementVanguards (EMV) using NYSCcorps members as vanguards fora uniform proactive disastermanagement.

NEMA donatesN2m drugs to NYSCFrom Mohammed Adamu,Kaduna

It lamented the way politiciansmisuse youths during electionsand abandon them after theelections and advised the FederalGovernment to compel states andprivate companies to recruityouths in different sectors of theeconomy in order to give them abrighter future that will developthe country.

The Minister of Information,Mr. Labaran Maku, hascalled for the enforcement of

the existing laws against humantrafficking to serve as warningand discouragement to peoplewho get involved in the illicittrade.

There is the need for thejudiciary to be proactive whenhandling cases of humantrafficking, in order to restorehuman dignity and punishoffenders

The minister stated this inAbuja while leading a march,which was organised by a non-governmental organisation

Maku enjoins judiciary to be proactive on trafficking casesBy Ibrahim Kabiru Sule known as “Next-to-None”,

together with the NollywoodLegends.

“It is disturbing that after thehumiliation Africans faced duringthe slave trade, some self-seekingindividuals still dehumaniseAfricans in modern day slaverythrough human trafficking”,lamented Maku.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012PAGE 6

L-R: Project Director, Democratic Governance for Development Project, Dr. Mourtada Deme, Ministerof Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina and Country Representative, Nigeriaand ECOWAS UN Women, Dr. Grace Ongile, during the press briefing on National Multi StakeholdersDialogue on Legal Reform to Increase Women's Representation, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Constituents rejectstate police in Taraba

The people of Jalingo, Yorro,and Zing federalconstituency have voted

against the creation of statepolice in Nigeria.

This was part of resolutionsreached at the end of publichearing on the review of the1999 constitution held in Jalingolocal government.

In a unanimous decision, thepeople said state governorsshould not have undue controlover commissioners of police.

They also voted against theexistence of the state electoralcommissions saying only theIndependent ElectoralCommissions (INEC) be allowedto conduct all elections inNigeria.

The constituency also votedagainst the proposed single termtenure maintaining that thepresent two terms tenure be

Soon there’ll be no generators,Katsina govt promises

Governor Ibrahim ShehuShema of Katsina state hasassured that with the

numerous electricity generatingprojects going on in various partsof the state, the public would soonbid goodbye to the use ofgenerators for electricity.

The governor who stated thisat the flag-off ceremony of thestate's solar power plant projectin Kankia, yesterday, noted "withthis project, the 10MW windpower plant at Lambar Rimi and

Union advocates return of teacher-training schools

The Kebbi state chairman ofAcademic Staff Union ofSecondary School (ASUSS),

Comrade Ibrahim Garba, hascalled on the Kebbi stategovernment to bring backteacher-training schools in order

improve the performance ofstudents.

He made this appealyesterday in his office whileaddressing newsmen shortlyafter meeting with the executivesof the union. He said if the stategovernment can bring backteachers' colleges un-qualified

teachers will enroll for training.Comrade Garba also

lamented over the students-teacher ratio calling on the stategovernment to employ moreteachers. He noted that theconventional 1:40 apply in Kebbistate where ratios of one teacherto 200 students obtain.

other power projects in thepipeline the issue of power failurein Katsina state will be a thing ofthe past'.

He noted that the Kankiaproject was a 30MW Solar FarmProject which, he stressed, wouldbenefit the people of Kankia andkick start the process ofinfrastructure development andthe growth of small and mediumindustries.

Shema said the flag off of theproject marks another milestonein the state government's effortsto better the lives of the ruralpopulace, adding that the

government had providedadequate infrastructure in thehealth, roads and educationsector of the state.

In his remarks at theceremony, the Commissioner forEsource Development, EngineerMusa Nashuni, disclosed that itwas based on the governor'sphilosophy of providing fulleconomic opportunities that hepursued the Federal Governmentto include the state in the Nigeria-German energy partnershipagreement.

Nashuni who noted that thepartnership was purely on thedevelopment of solar power plant,added that the governor hasinvited the Chinese to come andset-up biogas facilities in ruralareas of the state.

The commissioner similarlystated that the governor hascommissioned a French companyto study the possibility ofgenerating electricity from theexisting dams in the state.

Group describes removal of BenueSpeaker as rape of democracy

Members of NationalAssociation of KwaraState Students (NAKSS),

yesterday, staged a peaceful protestover inability of state governmentto pay their bursary andscholarship.

The association started theirprotest from General Post Officearea to the Ministry of Educationat about 9am, were armed withdifferent placards withinscriptions: "Release OurBursary", "Govt is not Above Law",All We Want is our Bursary notScholarship".

Speaking for the students, thesenate president of the association,Mohammed Salihu Yahyah fromFUT Minna, alleged that the stategovernment has refused to paybursaries.

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

Confusion as soldier killstaxi driver in JalingoFrom Yusha'u Alhassan, Jalingo According to Manga, one of

the soldiers who was not happywith the action of his colleagueshouted at him and laterdisarmed him.

Angry with the incident,youth at the market squarepushed the taxi with the corpseto the emir's palace but wereprevented entry by the palaceguards.

Visibly sad with theincident, the chairman of theJalingo Market TradersAssociation, Gamandi Adamu,directed that the main market

A military personnel,yesterday, shot dead ataxi driver at the

frontage of the Jalingo MainMarket.

An eyewitness, AbdullahiManga, told our reporter thatthe taxi driver identifiedsimply as Sanusi was reversinghis cab when the soldier whowas trekking along with hiscolleagues opened fire and shotthe vehicle's tyre and thedriver who instantly died.

From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

From Yusha'u Alhassan, Jalingo

be closed to avert any negativeaction by hoodlums andappealed to the traders toremain calm.

When contacted the deputyaPolice Public Relations Officer,Ibiam Mbaseki, confirmed thereport but said he was notadequately briefed on how it allhappened.

Our reporter who visitedthe market saw the youth andthe traders in groupsdiscussing what they describedas unfortunate behavior of thesoldier.

upheld for president andgovernors.

The Jalingo, Yarro, and Zingfederal constituency furtherrejected the existing of localgovernment and state jointaccount noting that the systemhas relegated local governmentsas stooges of the stategovernment resulting in thenonpayment of salaries to localgovernment staff.

The people also voted againstthe affirmative action forwomen in the constitutionnoting that the participation ofwomen in political appointmentsbe left open with the hope itmight be more than what theydemand.

The member representingJalingo, Yarro and Zing in theHouse of Representatives, Dr.Aminu Ibrahim Malle, assuredthat the resolutions would beforwarded to the NationalAssembly for necessary action.

From Lawal Sa'idu Funtua,Katsina

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Kwara students protestnon-payment of bursary

"All we are demonstrating heretoday is that they should pay us ourbursary".

The students gave thegovernment three days to pay upand threatened to mobilise moremembers to protest by Wednesday.

"We are just giving them tillWednesday to pay us, if not, todayis just a demonstration. We aregoing to mobilise our members onthe streets".

A group known as ConcernedBenue Citizen Coalition, hasdescribed as direct rape as well

as abuse of the rule of law anddemocracy, forceful resignation ofBenue Speaker Mr. David Iorhemba.

The group regretted that theaction is unjust, illegal andundemocratic, adding that it is acharade that should not be witnessedin the hallowed chamber of theAssembly but a replica of the worst,crudest and most uncivilized'garrison command' politics.

President of the group Mr. PhilipAgbese, who made thecondemnation while addressing themedia at the weekend in Makurdi,noted that due process was notfollowed in the removal of theSpeaker, contending that a panelshould have been set up by the Houseto investigate the allegations offinancial impropriety leveled againstIorhemba.

"Our investigation showed thatat no point was he served notice ofimpeachment either was any panelof inquiry set up to try him; ratherhe was put under duress andpsychological threat and stress toresign. This is legislative rascality atwork", Agbese lamented.

He also accused members of theHouse of pursuing selfish interests andcalled for a full investigation by lawenforcement agencies into thematter and any one found culpablebe appropriately sanctioned andpunished in line with the law.

Mr. Agbese further urgedmembers of the Assembly toimmediaing used as enemies ofdemocracy at this critical time.

"Failure to do this, the coalitionwould be left with no option but tooccupy the whole of the Assemblycomplex if the members remainadamant on breaking the totalinstrument of legislature in BenueState just to satisfy their primordialand selfish interests", he warned.

PAGE 7PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

Kebbi savings & loansincreases share capital to N2.5bnFrom Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

In line with the on-goingreforms in the Nigeriabanking sector, the Kebbi

State Home Savings and LoansLimited has promised to increaseits minimum share capital toN2.5 billion.

Disclosing this yesterday atthe end of the shareholdersextraordinary meetingconvened by the Board, the

Acting Chairman of the Bank,Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Wazirisaid that the mortgage bankowned by the state, the 21 localgovernment councils of the stateand private individuals, hasachieved significant milestonesin various areas.

He said that since theinception of the Bank,one of theoldest in Nigeria, it has fourbranches across the state withapproximately 15000 current

accounts and 4500 savingsaccount customers.

The Bank, he said, willcontinue to focus on excellentcustomer service delivery onmortgage loans, NHF loans andshort term loans and bring ofbank services closer to the peoplethrough a wider network andmultiple delivery channels.

He then commended theCentral Bank of Nigeria for thedirective that all primary

The Jigawa state PoliceCommand has arrested sixpersons over the fierce

clashes between the supporters ofGuri Local GovernmentChairman, Alhaji AbdullahiBulama and a lawmaker of theHouse of Representative,representing Guri/KirikasamaFederal Constituency, AlhajiAdamu Hassan on Sunday.

It would be recalled thatfollowers of the lawmaker and that

of council chairman clashedduring the public hearing on thereview of the 1999 constitution onSaturday where vehiclesbelonging to the two politicalleaders were destroyed and manyinjured.

The Police Public RelationOfficer (PPRO) of the state, MalamAbdu Jinjiri, said on Sunday thatthose arrested would help them intheir investigations.

Jinjiri said that after their

investigation, whoever was foundwanting, would be punishedaccordingly as the police would notallow any miscreant to disrupt thepeace enjoyed in the state.

NAN investigation revealedthat the constitution reviewcongress on Saturday in Guri LocalGovernment Area was hijacked byhoodlums resulting in thedestruction of no fewer than fourvehicles and injury to many.

According to an eye witness,

Jigawa police arrest six over Guri clash

mortgage institutions in thecountry must raise theirminimum capital requirementsto N2.5billion before thedeadline of April 30, 2013. Hesaid that the banks are to submittheir compliance plan on how tomeet the deadline or have theirlicenses revoked.

Waziri urged theshareholders to pay up their pro-rata in order to avert the licenserevocation.

L-R: Coordinating Director, Field Operation Group, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FRIS), Mr. Akin Ogungbesan, Coordinating Director,Standards Compliance Group FIRS, Mr. Andy Ejjemeyovwi and Acting Executive Chairman FIRS, Alhaji Kabir Mashi, during FIRS VAT Stakeholdersmeeting and Educational Forum,yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Malam Ahmed Abdul, the incidentoccurred when the lawmakerwanted to distribute some items tohis supporters during the sessionbut the council chairman orderedpolice to stop him which caused thecrisis.

Efforts to reach both the councilchairman and the house ofrepresentative member failed asnone of them was found in the areaand their phones were switched off.(NAN)

The Nigerian TelevisionAuthority (NTA) hasdescribed the over 100 per

cent increase in subscriptionrecorded by StarTimes in Nigeriaas a clear indication of NTA andStarTimes commitment to takeover the lead in digital television.

The Zonal Director, KadunaNTA Network Centre, MallamBala Hassan said this at aStarTimes promo ceremonyyesterday in Kaduna.

“When there is no NTA there

is no STARTIMES and likewise,subscription of the company hasincreased from 20, 000 to 40,000 and we need to applaud it.

Very soon, we will do awaywith DSTV because virtually allthe channels will be on StarTimesbecause the world is graduallybeing over taken bydigitalization.

NTA maintained itscommitment to lead in Nigeriatelevision digitalizationcompliance process incollaboration with StarTimesdigitals in Nigeria.

Represented by AustineAyembe of the Kaduna Zonaloffice, the ZD commendedStarTimes for slashing the priceof the StarTimes Decorder fromN7,500 to N2,500 despite hugeproduction and free maintenancecost offered by StarTimes to allsubscribers.

In his remarks StarTimeGeneral Manager, Mr. OswoldIdoko, also affirmed that NTA andStarTimes have come to stay andshall continue to supportgovernment policy to meet worldtarget in digital television.

NTA/Startimes records 100 percent increase in digitalisationHe said the company has

already introduced threedifferent monthly subscriptionpackages to meet Nigerianschoice of channels and a door-to-door service agent as well as afree technical maintenanceservices.

“ The Basic Bouquet 31 pluschannels attracts N1,000monthly subscription while theClassic Bouquet with 44 pluschannels cost N2,000 per monthand the Unique Bouquet with 52plus channels cost N4,000 permonth,” the GM said.

From Mohammed Adamu, Kaduna

The Institute of Certified SalesProfessionals recently heldits compulsory annual skills

exposures for sales professionals inLagos at the weekend.

Drawing from the theme ofthe workshop “PersonalImperatives for being a WorldClass Sales Professionals” one thespeakers, Mr. Ben Chimeadmonished the participants onthe need for conversance with therudiments that qualifies one to bea true sale professional.

He gave a rundown of someprerequisite to a bolstered resumeof any true sales professional asconstant sales training, hands ontraining and the penchant of suchsales professional to continuouslydevelop him or herself by readingsales books written by notableauthors.

Chime told the participantsthat one of the key strategy insalesmanship is to always knowtheir competitors strength, havesound knowledge of the productthey sell to the consumers,stressing that as sales professionalin a scientific age, they shouldhave commensurate knowledge ofInformation Technology so as notto be left behind.

ICSP holdsworkshop for salesprofessionals inLagosFrom Matthew Aramunde, Lagos

COREN holdretreat formembersFrom Matthew Aramunde, Lagos

Keen on repositioning theCouncil for the Regulationof Engineering in

Nigeria(COREN) for effectiveregulation and control of theengineering profession, themanagement recently held aretreat for its members in Lagos.

The event which held at theAirport Hotel in Ikeja had inattendance the doyen of theengineering profession in Nigeriaas well as other stakeholders andthe captains of industry who werepresent to add candor to theoccasion.

In his opening remark, thePresident of the body, EngineerIbikunle Ogunbanjo noted thatfor the first time, pastmanagement personnel havebeen brought together withserving ones in an atmosphereof conviviality to brainstorm ona wide range of issues borderingon the mandate of theassociation.

Speaking further, he saidthat, aside from the technicaldetails, experience andknowledge to be shared, theretreat would also afford thosewho had served various times atCOREN in the past forty-twoyears of the body’s existence tomeet again and socialize.

Paying glowing tribute topast leaders and registrars, hestressed that their variouscontributions to the body hasenhanced the development ofengineering in Nigeria.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER, 13, 2012PAGE 10

The Kwara Stategovernment at theweekend had ordered the

security agencies to arrest andprosecute hoodlums responsible forthe recent cases of lawlessness inparts of Ilorin, the state capital.

The government whichindicated its interest a week afterthe emergence of the violencestated that it was disturbed "particularly by the harassment ofconstruction workers and clashes

Ilorin violence: Kwara govtorders prosecution of hoodlums

between hoodlums in the statecapital on Wednesday, last week,".

The State government, in astatement signed by the Secretaryto State Government(SSG)AlhajiIsiaka Gold and issued to journalistsby the Chief Press Secretary to stateGovernor, Abdulwahab Oba,directed the state's securityagencies to apprehend andprosecute anyone founddisrupting the peace throughviolence in the state.

"It can no longer condone anyacts of lawlessness and disorder

Restriction on Okada: Police laments attack on personnel

Following increased attackon policemen byaggrieved Okada operators,

protesting the restriction of theirbusiness, the Lagos state policecommand has cried out that italone cannot enforce the orderand solicited the support of sisteragencies.

The police asked for aid in ameeting which lasted for hoursat the Police Officers mess in Ikejawith representatives of LagosState Transport ManagementAuthority, LASTMA, VehicleInspection Officers, VIO, NigeriaSecurity and Civil Defence Corps,

under any guise and thereforecalled on parents and guardians towarn their wards to abide by thelaw as Government will spare noefforts at apprehending andprosecuting anyone founddisrupting public peace".

The statement further assuredthe citizenry that the full weightof the law would be brought to bearon anyone who harass innocentcitizens or cause public disorder inany part of the state.

"The security agencies havebeen directed to prosecute those

already apprehended, while theiraccomplices should be pursuedwith a view to arresting andprosecuting them without furtherdelay.

"Government, therefore,assures the law abiding citizens togo about their normal businesseswithout any fear of molestation orintimidation".

It added that governmentwould continue to focus ondevelopment of the state and wouldnot allow itself to be distracted bythreat to peace and public order.

University ofAgriculturegraduates2,616

The University ofAgriculture, Makurdi atthe weekend graduated

over 2616 students.Outgoing Vice Chancellor of

the University, Prof. Daniel Uzadisclosed in his address duringits 18thand 19th convocationceremony held at theinstitution's convocation arena.

He said 2332 studentsgraduated with Bachelorsdegrees, 234with postgraduatedegrees in various fields while60 finished with Doctors ofVeterinary Medicine.

Prof. Uza said eight studentsbagged First Class Division, 470got Second Class Upper Division,1,309 Second class LowerDivision, adding that 532students came out with thirdclass and 13 graduated withpasses.

The Vice Chancellor furtherstated that out of the 234postgraduate students, 13received Doctorate degrees, 104had Masters Degrees while 117graduated with PostgraduateDiplomas.

He noted that the purpose oftraining and retrainingstudents was to make themviable to the society and also beto self -employed.

He explained that the Doctorof Letters conferred on the formerHead of State, Gen. AbdulsalamiAbubakar was agreed by Counciland Senate of the institutionafter they had carefully assessedhis outstanding contribution tohis fatherland.

Responding, Gen. Abubakarthanked the University forfinding him worthy of the awardand promised to alwayscontribute his own quota to thedevelopment of the country atall times.

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Hope in Anarchy, a bookwritten by a renownednorthern academic, Dr.

Adamu Kyuka Usman, is

From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

Hope in Anarchy for launch Thursdayexpected to be launched onThursday in Abuja.

A statement by theorganizers in Kaduna yesterdaysaid that the programme wouldattract Vice President Mohamed

...Solicits support of LASTMA, VIO, NSCDC, FRSCFrom Matthew Aramunde, Lagos

Namadi Sambo, two former headsof state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon andMajor-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari,a former Minister of Defence, Gen.Theophilus Danjuma, as well as theSultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad

Abubakar, among others.The statement said that Arewa

Consultative Forum (ACF)Chairman, Alhaji AlikoMohammed, would chairproceedings at the ceremony.

NSCDC, FRSC, police AreaCommanders, local governmenttraffic officials among otheragencies,to fashion out ways ofenforcing the restriction order onOkada.

The meeting chaired by theDeputy Commissioner of Police incharge operations, DCP TundeSobulo, agreed that officers andmen of the agencies would postedto area commands for deploymentwith policemen to police divisionsand stations were the teams moveto the highways, roads, bridgesand areas were okada operationsare outlawed.

Last Friday, a crucial securitywas held at conference room of hisikeja office at the instance ofCommissioner of Police, UmarManko with commanders of thearmy, navy, airforce and FRSCin attendance.

Others present at the meetingwere officials of the state fireservice, VIO, NSCDC andoperatives of the Department ofState Security.

Sources at the meeting said,"we discussed the securitysituation that might arisefollowing the ban on the operationsof Okada. We also discussed the

best option open to us at enforcingthe law. The police cannot do it allalone. They have other duties andsecurity challenges."

By implication, a team ofsecurity operatives would nowjoin the police in renewed drive atflushing out Okada fromhighways.

Since the enforcement on theban on Okada started a few weeksago, no fewer than 30 policemenhave been attacked, brutallywounded and in at least two cases,the policemen were almostlynched by angry Okadaoperators in a reprisals.

FRCsummonsNIMASA DGfor probe

The Fiscal ResponsibilityCommission (FRC) hassummoned the Director

General of the Nigerian MaritimeAdministration and Safety Agency(NIMASA),Patrick ZiakedeAkpobolekemi, to appear before it andexplanation issues relating to pooraccountability of the agency to theFederal Government.

This summon came as a result ofpersistent refusal of NIMASA to appearbefore the FRC to respond to questionson their accounts and record keeping,despite about fifteen letters of invitationwritten to the agency by FRC.

Rejecting the NIMASA ExecutiveDirector for Finance andAdministrations, Haruna MabaJauro, who came to represent the DG,the Commissioner for Legal services,Investigations and Enforcement, FRC,Chris Okewulonu, threatened that ifNIMASA DG fails to appear again todefend himself as the Chief AccountingOfficer of the agency, drastic measureswould be taken against him.

He regretted that the relationshipbetween NIMASA and FiscalResponsibility Commission over theyears has been negative, sayingthat the Commission is disappointedwith the attitude of NIMASA DG.

He explained that theCommission, shortly after it wasinaugurated by late President MusaYar'Adua in 2009, invited the DGof NIMASA, alongside otheragencies, but was baffled that it wasonly the NIMASA DG that failed tohonour the invitation.

Based on this, he stated that ifthe Commission initiatesinvestigation process withoutgiving the agency room for defence,it would be unfair, warning that theinvestigation process of thecommission, once initiated, must becompleted.

However, in his response, theNIMASA Executive Director forAdministration and Finance,Haruna Jauro, explained that theagency just had a new management,noting that their inability to come wassequel to efforts to get the accounts ofthe previous years well audited forpresentation to FRC.

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

L-R: Director Hospital Services, Ministry of Health, Dr. Wapada I. Balami, Permanent Secretary, Ministryof Health, Mrs. Fatima Bamidele and Director Dentistry of the Ministry, Dr. Bimpe Adebiyi, during thepress briefing on the commemoration of the 2012 world oral health day celebration, yesterday inAbuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012 PAGE 11

The fastest way tosucceed is to look as ifyou're playing bysomebody else's rules,while quietly playing byyour own.

– Michael Korda

Do people listen when youtalk..? Many will answeryes to this question because

no one wants to come off asunimportant, but the truth is thatsome people have the naturalability to command attentionthrough their speech .Are you sucha person? Do people breath fresh airof relieve when they hear youradvices? If your answers to thesequestions are genuinely yes, thenyou might just be a naturally giftedmotivational speaker!

Would you like to seat back withyour God's given talent and wallowin poverty in this era when otherpeople are making a kill withtheirs..? That's not fair!

Musicians in Nigeria aresmiling to the bank everydaybecause they discovered andapplied their singing prowess totheir own advantage. Comedians,Actors, Footballers, and other sportsmen and women are all living bigbecause they have mastered howto make good use of their talents invarious ways and are makingmoney in the process.

All over the world, motivationalspeakers are equally earning bigand some have built amazingwealth just by speaking to peoplethe right words at the right time.

Nigerians are not left out in thisas well, there are great motivationalspeakers in Nigeria who havecreated space for themselves andare making millions of Naira fromit. Prominent among them is FelaDurotoye, this guy have been ableto go places, created wealth, andinspired others to do the same; allthrough his ability to speak andmotivate!

The power of motivationalspeech can never be over-emphasized! A good motivationalspeaker can motivate a dying soulto live again, and a dummy toperform as an Athlete. There isnothing as refreshing andreinvigorating as carefully chosenwords spoken at the right time by acrafty speaker.

Even in my own little ways havebeen able to motivate some peoplewho seems hopeless in their life tobecome useful to themselves onceagain, help fix damagedrelationships, and pulled somebusinesses from the dust! All of thesewere achieved throughmotivational speeches.

There is no better time to speakto people and make money in theprocess than now when businessesand careers are falling apart,families are being broken, andpeople roaming the streets wearingsad faces. A person needs to beinspired to reach their high and lack

How to make millions of naira as amotivational speaker in Nigeria (1)

Quote

Snail farming in Nigeria (2)The Snail House

(Snailery): Snaileriescan vary from a patch of

fence-protected ground,sheltered from the wind to acovered box if you are breedingin small scale.

For larger population ofsnails, you can dug a trench ormake a concrete pen with soildeep of about 10 inches, andcover it with screen or wire allaround to prevent the snails fromescaping. Remember that snailscan reproduce fast and becomepests when their breeding isuncontrolled.

nails love dark and cold places,but make sure the humidity doesnot drop to levels harmful to thesnails. You can use fresh leaves

and cloth that is regularly wet toregulate the temperature.

Also, the wire is useful inkeeping away rats and snakes orother predators from eating thesnails in your snail farm. Butaside from these biggerpredators, you should be waryabout smaller ones like ants andtermites. Your construction musthave these predators in mind.

• Snails Foods and Feeding:Snails especially Achatinamainly feeds on green leaves andfruits though they can utilizeother ranges of foods. Feed yoursnail's leaves, fruits, or evenformula from the feed store. Asidefrom food to grow tissues, snailsneed calcium to grow shells.

Leaves: Cocoyam leaves,pawpaw leaves, okra leaves,cassava leaves, eggplant leaves,cabbage and lettuce leaves.

Fruits: Mango, eggplant,pawpaw, banana, tomatoes, oilpalm fruits, pears andcucumber.

Once they start growing,separate the big ones from thesmall ones. It takes more than ayear for the Achatina type togrow to harvest size. Othersmature in two years.

One million snails after a yearor two sold at the rate of N50 each(highly reduced price) will giveabout N50 million! Isn't that agood investment?

of inspiration could damage greatpotentials.

A word spoken at the right timecould change someone's outlooktowards life and help make theirworld a better place. This is the righttime to create value in people's lifeby motivating and inspiring them,and get rewarded with wealth.

You will be surprised to see howmany people out there who arewilling to pay for your service ifyou're good at what you do.

A Professional motivationalspeaker usually charge companiesand organizations about N1 millionper session to motivate and traintheir staffs! While some charges perhead and peg their fees at N20, 000per participant. A USA basedSpeaker who came to Nigeria fewyears ago charged a whooping1million naira per participant anda good number of people did attend!

So, the amount of money youmake depends on you and yourbrand -- that's why the first thingyou'd need to work on as an aspiringpublic speaker is your brand. Now,how do you proceed to make asuccessful career out of motivationalspeaking?

Tune up your public speakingskill

You must have been a goodspeaker by nature, that's why you'regiving this a thought but goodspeaker in a private setting may notbe good enough when it comes topublic speech. If possible, get yourselfattached to accomplished speaker tolearn how motivational speaking isdone both in delivery and in businesssense.

Tuning up your speaking skilldoesn't mean clamming popularquotations and churning them outin public as if that impresses anyone!I like motivational speakers whospeak naturally and from the heart,that's who I am. It's good to put outuseful quotations here and thereduring your speech but don't makeyour speech all about quotations.Deviate from trying to be someoneelse if you want to achieve your fullpotential.

There is huge difference betweenbeing a 'Talkative' and a'Motivational Speaker' just as there ishuge difference between 'Noise' and'Music', and between 'Noise Makers'and 'Organized Speakers'. Be sure youknow who you are; A gifted speakermay not need much training in thisregard.

Read Books: I mean plenty ofbooks on any topic not just on publicspeaking. A good speaker is one whois learned and experienced becauseit takes many books to write one bookand speaking is like writing a book,read many book to learn how to writeyours in the sense of public speaking.

Listen to Audios! You need tolisten to good public speakers andlearn how they speak andmanipulate words; Good Diction isan important tool in public speaking,listen to quality audios to learnproper pronunciation and the use ofwords.

Speak Simple: Learn how tospeak in simple andunderstandable language andavoid confusing your listeners withSelf "Educatedness" that's the wordI coined for the thoughtless use ofhigh sounding words. You need tolearn to avoid too much use offlamboyant words if you don'twant to be alienated from yourAudience. I hate "GiganticSpeakers" and I know many peopledo -- Be a simple speaker and youwill be Gigantic in the eyes of yourlisteners.

Once you've taken two or threemonths to horn your skill, the nextstep is to brand and market yourselfeffectively.

Brand YourselfProfessionally

In business, brand iseverything! You need to sellyourself first before you can sellanything. Motivational speakingis a business; you need to brandyourself perfectly if you hope to sellyour services to would be clients.How do you go about this mostimportant aspect of your business?

Use Social Media: Createattractive and compellingFacebook and Twitter pages. Takeenough time to edit your pages andmake them worth seeing, addpictures of your previous events--let your photo album tell storyabout you in a professional andpositive way. Use the best of yourphotos as profile photo and pagecovers. Let people see who you arefrom your profile.

Take time to carefully describewho you are and where you arecoming from in your 'About me'page. Whenever you write one thesocial media, write with correctspellings -- do not follow theongoing trend among some socialnetwork users of using wrong andfunny spellings, write like aprofessional.

Always Tweet and updateyour Facebook status withinspirational quotes andmotivational excerpts. Social

media holds more prospects thanyou can ever imagine, the peopleyou meet online may turn out tobecome your clients in future or bethe ones to recommend you toclients.

Start Blogging: The mostpowerful brand building toolsonline is your blog, and blog has away of giving you credibility andmultiple source of income. You cansell your speaking services throughyour blog and still make money offthe blogging itself.

Steve Pavlina is a renownedmotivational speaker and ablogger; he makes more moneyfrom his blog than his speeches. Setup a blog today and writeinspirational articles regularly,there is no better way to build yourbrand than this! People will readthose articles and if they areinspired, they may want to go thenext step with you!

Go on Air: If possible, negotiateregular slot on Radio and TV andtalk to people -- Let them hear youtalk, the quality of your speech willbe the connecting factor betweenyou and the prospective clients andthe public in general.

If you're to appear on TV, do notdress shabbily and go on Air, dresstastefully and well groomed. Thereis no faster way to build and marketyour brand than the Radio andTelevision. When people hear andsee you, they get connected withyou.

Seminars: You can organizeseminars and charge people toattend.

Once you've done all these, it willbe time for you to seat back andwatch the dollars rolling in. Howmuch you charge depends on yourdemand, start small but don'tportray yourself as being cheap.

PAGE 12 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

Obama’s re-election andleadership change in Beijing

Last week, the United States andindeed the world political scenewere electrified by the victory of

the US President, Mr. Barack Obama,who was re-elected in a poll predictedto be tightest ever. His Republicanchallenger, Mitt Romney, whocampaigned aggressively and threwmore punches, thankfully accepteddefeat, urging his supporters and therest of America to “pray for the successof the President”.

President Obama in his victoryspeech was profoundly magnanimoustowards his opponent, praising histenacity, focus and energy in thecampaign and his patriotism. In anelection campaign that spanned morethan six months, with huge sums spentby both sides, the elaborate theatre ofthe US presidential election came to ahappy close in less than 24 hours. Thisis no mean feat, as we in Africa knowthat elections are not really as simpleand do not have as happy an endingaffair as the American one would seemto suggest.

In Nigeria, as former PresidentOlusegun Obasanjo puts it, election is a‘do or die’ affair in which lives andproperties are easily traded off. Thereasons are not far-fetched. NoAmerican president could come intothe unfathomable wealth of even aNigerian governor, let alone apresident who could own about thebest university and a private librarythat he has used public office toacquire. Since the American electionwas lost and won, Nigerian political

“While America’s biggest carnivalwas unfolding, a less theatrical

political gathering was taking placejust across the Pacific Ocean. The

Chinese Communist Party washolding its five yearly national

Congress in Beijing

parties have been at each other’s throatover what are the appropriate lessons tolearn.

The ruling PDP has been much louderin counselling the opposition to learnhow to play Mitt Romney and acceptelection loss in good faith. However, thepoint must be made that except thewinner wins in a decent free and fair pollthe loser should not be expected toaccept defeat with grace.

The Americans have made their choiceand we applaud the manner in which ithas been made. No doubt, PresidentObama has been steadily and effectivelytackling the greatest issues facingAmerica today, the economy especiallythe problem of job generation. He hasnot done enough as he readilyacknowledged in his campaign, but itappears Americans trust him to finishthe good work he has started. Like therecent re-elected Venezuelan PresidentHugo Chavez advised, he should ratherconcentrate on the onerous job of gettingthe American economy to work than

embarking on foreign adventures oftoppling regimes and occupyingcountries.

Terrorism is a universal abhorrentphenomenon and US obsession with itis understandable given that it sufferedenormously from it. But we urge theUnited States to reflect on its policiesand examine those aspects that inspireterrorist retribution; after allterrorism is defined as the weapon ofthe weaker adversary. We as a matterof principle do not condone terrorismof any type.

While America’s biggest carnival wasunfolding, a less theatrical politicalgathering was taking place just acrossthe Pacific Ocean. The ChineseCommunist Party was holding its fiveyearly national Congress in Beijing. The18th congress of the CPC would climaxwith the election of the 7-memberpolitical bureau, China’s highestpolitical organ and the powerfulposition of Secretary General will go tothe incumbent vice president, Mr. XiJinping who will succeed the outgoingPresident, Mr. Hu Jintao next Marchduring the meeting of the country’ssupreme organ, the National People’sCongress.

In spite of predictions of fractiousand acrimonious party congress bymostly western media pundits, thecongress has been a smooth sail. Chinahas become Africa’s most importanteconomic and commercial partner andin this auspicious moment ofleadership transition, we wish ourChinese friends a great success.

OUR MISSIONOUR MISSIONOUR MISSIONOUR MISSIONOUR MISSION OUR PEOPLEOUR PEOPLEOUR PEOPLEOUR PEOPLEOUR PEOPLECHAIRMAN

MALAM WADA MAIDA, OON, FNGE

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

ALI M. ALI

MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION

HASSAN HAMMANYAJI

EDITOR, DAILY

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HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING

HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU

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industry by putting thepeople first, upholdingthe truth, maintaining

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012 PAGE 13

The President made it clear thatthe government is committedto getting the refineries to

work, so that we would no longerhave to import refined petroleumproducts, which he considersshameful, and by so doing,government would have succeededin creating jobs and put an end tothe hardship that attendsimportation. The meeting discussedthe possibility of ensuring the TurnAround Maintenance of therefineries by March 2013, andsubsequently, the rehabilitation ofthe facilities. The meeting endedwith a directive that the Ministerand her team should return withfurther presentations on thetechnical details of the agreed planof action. This is one clear exampleof prompt action anddemonstration of commitment.

President Jonathan has noreason to embarrass anyone whoserved on any of the threecommittees. While receiving thereports, these were his words: “…we

have seen that the people that havebeen selected in these committeesare people that are known byNigerians, people that are credible,most especially people that arepatriotic and I believe that they putall that into consideration for theinterest of the country not for theinterest of any individual. You havesubmitted your reports today. Wehave to thank you very sincerelyand government will surely makeuse of these reports… because we feelthat the oil industry as it is, need tobe reformed.” I urge you to note theemphasis on all the reports withoutexception!

Thereafter, President Jonathancommented on the work of theindividual committees. On DotunSulaiman committee, he said:“…we feel that our governance andcontrol, (in the oil and gas sector)we need to look at it. And of coursequite a number of issues raised bythe presenters link up with even thePetroleum Industry Bill (PIB) issuesand I believe it will even help theNational Assembly robustly interms of looking at some aspects of

the PIB. So we thank you verysincerely for that.”

On the Kalu Idika KaluCommittee he said: “In the case ofthe refineries, I really have to thankyou because I was listening, tryingto see the kind of recommendationsyou will bring up…Maybe some ofyou don’t know but those of us whoare in politics, they used to “yab”us some years back that in Nigeriawe import what we have andexport what we don’t have. Theysay we import what we havebecause we have crude oil for God’ssake. Ordinarily if it is a countrywhere we placed our focus right,we should be having filling stationsall over Africa and all over theworld …It is disgraceful that we areimporting petroleum products. If inthe next ten years this country stillimports petroleum products thenall of us who have the opportunityto be here, in fact when we die theyshould write something and putbehind us that we did not rule thiscountry well, because we must stopthe importation of petroleumproducts.” Hence, the President

Jonathan and the Ribadu report (II)By Reuben Abati

Some people say it was the“constro” boys who wentfirst and came back home

with the good news. Others say itwas the trained teachers (Cert Aholders) who went first, startedteaching in secondary schoolsthere and came back on holidaysand took along their brothers andfriends who are graduates. Stillothers maintain that Ghanaianshad been travelling to Nigeriasince goodness knows when. Therewere vehicles that made the longjourney from Kumasi or Accra toLagos. Long before ourindependence, Anlo fishermenand traders piled themselves intotrucks setting forth from Keta intothe wilds of Nigeria. The journeytook the whole day. Nigeria wasfar away, very far away indeed.

Those Ghanaians who went toNigeria before 1980 saw the verybest of the country, economically.In some states, graduate teacherswere given car loans in cash! Youtook your 3,000 naira, went to acar dealer and drove away withyour brand new locally assembledVW “beetul”. It cost you less than3,000 naira so you hadsomething left over to buy petroland drinks to celebrate your firstnew car with your friends – to“wash” the car, as it were. In theearly 80s, a graduate teacher’smonthly pay of 360 naira wasenough to buy you a return ticketto the UK. That was before theThatcher government brought invisa requirements for Ghanaiansand Nigerians. Those Ghanaiansdaring enough went on holidaysin Britain. The naira wasequivalent to the pound andfetched you more than a dollar!

This was also the timeGhanaians would tell jokes aboutthe newcomer who went to thewayside chop bar and asked for50 kobo rice and 50 kobo meat andthe seller woman looked at him

with surprise. He insisted on hisorder and when he was served,there was no way he could eat itall. He thought the naira was likethe cedi he had left behind inGhana.

At the beginning of eachacademic year, the now defunctWest Africa Magazine publishedlong lists of Nigerian scholarshipwinners who would be going touniversities in Europe and NorthAmerica to study obscure subjectsin the sciences and technology. Itwas as if the states werecompeting with each other to seewhich of them could send thegreatest numbers of their citizenson scholarships abroad. We lookedat these lists with a tinge of envy.Our country could not afford togive us similar privileges.

The daily newspapers werebumpy affairs of 48-60 pages ata time when our flagship nationaldaily, Daily Graphic, was stillrunning 16 pages in tiny print.There were even broadsheets,something we had never seen inGhana before. A few of thenumerous newspapers really hadquality stuff. The newlyestablished Lagos Guardianattracted articles from some ofthe country’s greatest brains –Wolé Soyinka, Niyi Osundare,Kole Omotoso, Chinweinzu. Thencame the newsmagazine,Newswatch, modelled on TimeMagazine and better thananything we ever had in Ghana.On its staff were some of thecountry’s best journalistsincluding Dele Giwa who wasmurdered by a mail bomb. Therewere several television and radiostations at a time when Ghanastill had only one televisionchannel and one nationalbroadcaster and we had neverheard of FM broadcasting. Naijamovies were not available then.

The Ghanaian immigrant feltcompletely at home. Ghana wasnot too far away and you could

All those glorious years we spent in NigeriaBy Kofi Amenyo visit home for the weekend. We

settled. We started enjoying thefood, the beer, the women and themusic. Oh, the music, especiallyYoruba music. Because of Jujumusic’s roots in highlife, it waseasy for Ghanaians to take on andlike that music. Moreover, some ofus still remembered the time whenthe Yoruba lived among us inGhana and played lots of the musicof the accordion playing I. K. Dairo.They may have played the musicof Haruna Ishola too.

The 80s marked the heights ofthe careers of King Sunny Adéwith his velvety voice (Gboromiro;Synchrooo ... synchro system) and“Shief” Commander EbenezerObey and his evergreen, foreverand forever wedding song: Etogbeyawo laye t’Oba Oluwa mi filele, pelu aseni... (What God hasjoined togedaa let no man putasondaaa...). Fuji, Apala andSakara music are more difficult forGhanaians to absorb. They aremore traditionally based withIslamic roots. But if you live in aplace where you hear a certainmusic type being played over andover again, and see the peoplecooing over it, you cannot help butget infected yourself. That is whymany of us will never forget nameslike the late Alhaji Sikuru AyindéBarrister, Kollington Ayinla, orMama Salawa Abeni. Today, Fujimusic has morphed into the

Yoruba variant of hip-hop. But forthose of us who were there in theearly 80s, it is the music of SunnyAdé (is there any musician whohas sung his way into the heartsof the Yoruba more than this manwho has so many wonderfultracks you won’t know which onesto choose as your favourites?) andEbenezer Obey (who is now intogospel music having also fallenvictim to the excessive religiositythat is now afflicting many partsof Africa) that we have continuedto enjoy long after we left thecountry even if we do notunderstand all the mgbati mgbati.

Then things started gettingbad. Many of us saw the signsvery early because we had seensimilar signs in Ghana. Contractswere not being renewed. It wasbecoming more difficult to getjobs. Prices were going up. Someconstruction works were beingterminated midway.Remittances through the bankswere becoming more difficult toget as the black market rates ofthe naira started running awayfrom the official rates.

They did not sack us fromtheir country. We had survived“Ghana Must Go” 1 and 2. Weleft on our own when theyrelieved us of our teaching jobs.Many were too old to brave thejourney to another part of theworld. They returned to Ghana

“To be sure, though the Nigerian economy maynot be riding the giddy Olympian heights of thelate 70s, it has never descended into the gutters

that the Ghanaian economy found itself in thesame period. But the best is over and many

Nigerians will give an arm to have the seventiesand early eighties back

held the aforementioned follow-upmeeting on refineries.

Now, on the Ribadu Report,President Jonathan said, inter alia:“…Probably not everybody agreedon some of the conclusions but I don’tthink we need to bother…what wewould say is that any member whohas one or two observations shouldplease write it either directly to methrough the Chief of Staff orthrough the Minister of PetroleumResources…But the issues of finance,if it borders on corrupt practice oroutright stealing, definitely it willgo to the EFCC for investigation…Ifthere are errors of calculation ormisinformation from the relevantagencies of government that aresupposed to give the correct figures,that will be filtered out. It will notbe used against anybody, becausethe interest of government to setup these committees is to help us dowhat is right. It is not to help us dowhat is wrong. And that is why wehave to be careful and do what isright. So I plead with you. But letme assure you that governmenthas no interest in hiding

anything…”Let me cut this short, at this

point, by saying that PresidentGoodluck Jonathan has no reasonwhatsoever, personal or political(since at least one character has saidthat the furore over the RibaduReport has something to do with2015!) to protect wrong-doers in theland. He took on this assignment tomake Nigeria better and that iswhat he is doing everyday: workinghard at the Nigerian project andtaking every step to transform itfor good. The Nigerian people areenjoined to stand on the side of truthand to reject the mischief of allhunters of fortune whose interest istheir own ambitions, for in thisRibadu Committee Report matter,personal ambitions are beginningto becloud the facts. PresidentJonathan will continue to provideleadership. Nobody should drag himinto the cheap arena of opportunisticdemagoguery.

ConcludedDr. Reuben Abati is SpecialAdviser to President Jonathanon Media and Publicity.

and went back to the teachingservice or whatever else theywere doing before the Agege craze.Many of the young ones cameback to Ghana only to re-saddleand set forth again. Some of the“constro” boys, ever the mostdaring, took the desert road toGaddafi’s Libya. Some of themlost their lives on the way. Someof us came to Europe. Others wentto North America. There werethose who made it to otherAfrican countries like SouthAfrica, Botswana, Zambia, or anycountry willing to accept them.Anywhere else was better thanthe difficult days of Rawlings’military Ghana.

Today, it is said that morethan half of Nigeria’s 160 millionpeople live on less than two dollarsa day. The naira is now 150 to adollar. The largest note is 1,000naira (equivalent to 12 ghc). Aproposal to print 5,000 naira billswas dropped. Another to re-denominate the naira was alsodiscarded. A bottle of Guinness isaround 300 naira and Semovitais 250 (na kekere bi dat o). Themolue conductors at Oshodi areno longer shouting: “Enter withyour ten ten kobo – 50 kobo onenaira no change”. That belongsto a time in the distant past. Thetrip now costs 100 naira.

Nigerians are finding itdifficult to exist on their monthlysalaries. Many have voted withtheir feet and for some, evenGhana is better to live in. To besure, though the Nigerianeconomy may not be riding thegiddy Olympian heights of thelate 70s, it has never descendedinto the gutters that theGhanaian economy found itselfin the same period. But the best isover and many Nigerians willgive an arm to have the seventiesand early eighties back.Kofi Amenyo is a Ghanaianwho lived and worked inNigeria for many years.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012PAGE 14

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WRITE TO US

By Olu W. Onemola

Our best years are aheadof us. Though those thatare behind do not leave

much to cherish and very littleto hold on to.

I say this because every dayI see a new reaffirmation of theresilience of the Nigerian spirit.I see my own struggles, and thestruggles of the people that Ihave the privilege to experienceevery day. The new graduatethat tries his hand at everyvolunteer opportunity simplybecause he cannot find a jobthough not for a lack of trying.

The young carpenter – afather of two – with a thirdchild on the way, who tries tostay abreast of current trendsin his field of work, to remainrelevant in today’s market, byrecreating the high-endfurniture that he sees in datedIKEA fliers. I have seen theyoung Nigerian woman, witha fiery entrepreneurial spirit,who works a meagre day job toput food on the table for herselfand her aging father, but hasdreams– that she will notcompromise – of somedayowning her own spa and fitnessclub.

These people embody the

Nigerian spirit, and I see it everyday. And, I believe in it moreevery time I see it. Because thesepeople – everyday Nigerians–even though they have beendealt wretched cards, in anyother world their mere drivewould beenough tog u a r a n t e etheir successin theirv a r i o u se n d e a v o u r s .But becausethey havebeen born intothis near-f o r g o t t e ngeneration –m ygeneration –they have towork manytimes as hardas their peersin other nations, to enjoy thebasic necessities of life. They alsohave to remain many moretimes as steadfast to theirdreams, to not deviate from their

self-instituted purposes in life.At the same time, for every

Nigerian that still believes intheir own future – whoseimmovable dreams tell of apromising future – I would beremiss if I did not mention the

hundreds – even thousands – ofNigerians who once believed insilken promises of a betterNigeria that have not yetmaterialized. These people, once

believers, currently wait theirdays out, serving out theirtime, hopeful, for the day thatthey will see an end to their lifesentence.

Only recently, I read aboutjob applicants, who staged an

i m p r o m p t udemonstrat ionby formingh u m a nb a r r i c a d e sbarring entryand departurefrom theMinistry ofInternal Affairs,to justly protestthe mishandlingof theira p p l i c a t i o n s .These youngmen and womenhad every rightto protest; yetwhen security

agents arrived on the scene,they fired shots in the air toscare off their fellow citizens.Despicable.

Sometimes, I genuinely

wonder whatever happened tothe ideology that is set forth inour great country song – thatgreat anthem that spoke to meas a child, and still speaks to meas a young man, as I experiencethe failures that the oldergeneration has bequeathed tomine. Because, like me, I knowmillions of young Nigerianswake up everyday ascompatriots, heed the call of ourmotherland, spend out our daysin humble service of our familiesand communities – contributingin any way we can – with love,and strength, and faith. Yet, ourcounty does not play its part. Ourleaders do not look our way.

And all around us, theoptimism of youth decays in agedfrustration. Nevertheless,amidst all the justifieddiscontent, there is still light.Because many of us still look tothe future, many of us still standstrong. And at the end of the day,whatever challenges we mightbe forced to face individually orcollectively, many of us willalways believe in thestaunchness of the Nigerianspirit.

As always, thank you foryour time.

Olu W. Onemola is onTwitter

Many Nigerians followedthe US presidentialelections and showed a

lot of excitement about Obama’svictory. I believe governmentofficials were also energized, aswe can deduce from thealtercations between ACN andPDP that ensued after ABT(Ahmed Bola Tinubu) famouslyattended the Democraticconvention. It is great that asignificant percentage ofNigerians have shown greatinterest in American politics,but it is time for us to begin todemand that our politicalparties begin to copy ‘the goodthings’ in American politics.Throughout the campaignperiod, Obama and Romney hadto consistently explain howexactly they intend to createabout 12 million jobs in the next4 years, which is a roughestimate of what is required toreduce unemployment rate toabout 5%.

Obama touted continuouslythat his government facilitatedover 5 million private sectorcreated jobs in the last 3 ¾years. These figures areverifiable and not mereassumptions. Sometime ago, theObama government had toreview the numbers downwardsafter a verification exerciserevealed there were some wrongassumptions. A lot of directgovernment jobs were alsocreated in the last 3 ¾ years butObama didn’t tout this muchbecause Americans typicallydon’t want to hear much aboutgovernment creating jobs byitself. People see this as ‘biggergovernment’. In America‘bigger government’ isn’tentirely negative and I havefriends that got governmentprofessional jobs due to Obama’s‘bigger government’ policy.

In Nigeria, we (especially

journalists) must begin to askPDP, ACN, CPC, LP, etc to explainto us exactly how they arecreating jobs, how many jobsthey have created, how theyintend to create more jobs, andhow they will create jobs whenthey win future elections. By theend of this year, GEJ should tellus how many directgovernment and private sectorjobs his government has createdin the last 18 months. The samegoes for the governors. We needto know which governor iscreating more jobs, what partythey belong, how many jobs theyare exactly creating, how theyare creating those jobs, and howthey intend to continually lowerunemployment rates in theirstates. Undoubtedly, it is easierto create jobs in some states thanothers, but we must be able toquantify government effortsgoing forward. We should not besatisfied with vague promisesand nebulous achievements.

Thomas Jefferson said in his1801 inaugural address that ‘awise and frugal government,which shall restrain men frominjuring one another, whichshall leave them otherwise freeto regulate their own pursuits ofindustry and improvement, andshall not take from the mouth oflabor the bread it has earned.This is the sum of goodgovernment, and all that isnecessary to close the circle ofour felicities’. This statementfully corroborates many of mypoints. First, our governmentsmust be wise and frugal. Youcannot have enough money tofacilitate jobs creation if you arewasteful and unwise withspending. It will never ‘add up’and is just not possible. So wemust be asking our politiciansduring debates and campaigns

How do we create jobs?By Debo Onifade

move to other countries withina decade, and global crude oildemands will reducetremendously. Aside from this,many African countries are now‘finding’ oil, so oil will no longerbe a special mineral in about 10years from now.

What does that mean toNigeria? Bankruptcy looms! Theoil we currently have is nothelping us to develop because ofcorruption. By the time the oilloses its value in about 10 years orso, we will be down to agricultureand a few other minerals. On theother hand, food supply is goingto be a major problem for theworld in coming years. Severalcountries are already planningahead and Nigeria must harnessthis opportunity. First, we mustbe able to feed our peoplesufficiently, without importingbasic food. I

If we achieve this alone, ourGDP will grow significantly.Even at the current level oflargely subsistence farming,agriculture continues tocontribute highest to Nigeria’sGDP every year. So if we cangrow the industry to meet alllocal needs, we would have donequite well. If we can grow ouragricultural exports again as wedid in the 1960’s and 70’s,Nigeria’s GDP will growtremendously. But the mostimportant thing to me is thatagriculture can generatemillions of jobs in Nigeria.

Government should beenergized by the fact that jobcreation will reduce insecurity,reduce mortality rates, make iteasier for politicians to govern,and promote peace in our land.This (not GDP growth) is the truesign of economic development!Debo Onifade is reachableat debo@ieee.org

how exactly they intend to cutspending when they winelections. For the ones ingovernment, we mustcontinually ask them howexactly they have been cuttingspending. Second, ThomasJefferson talks about security.Truly, no government can havethe energy, funds, and rightconcentration to tackleunemployment if there is nosecurity. In fact, severalcompanies are not growing inNigeria today because of securitychallenges. You can’t keep shopsor businesses open till very latebecause of security and thatmeans you can’t hire extra stafffor late night work.

People will not even patronizeyou because they are scared to goout at night. Big companies spendheavily on security for their staffand property, reducing the cashavailable for them to grow theirbusiness or invest in other areasthat would otherwise havegenerated employment. Third,Thomas Jefferson talked aboutfree enterprise (I guess he mayhave referred to very limited orno government regulation). Theworld has changed sinceJefferson’s time and I am a strongadvocate of reasonably strictgovernment regulation. So Idiffer with the highly esteemedThomas Jefferson in this regard,but the clear point to Nigeria hereis that government must alwaysthink about private-sector jobcreation and not think only‘bigger government’ all the time.

We all know that ‘biggergovernment’ in Nigeria is ‘biggerpolitical appointees’ and this hasalways escalated corruption. So,we must shrink our governmentsand develop ways to facilitateprivate sector drivenemployment generation. Finally,

I believe Thomas Jeffersonproposes that Nigerian workers(like those in other parts of theworld) should be paid promptlyand properly and they shouldnot be taxed too much.

How do I think governmentscan create jobs in Nigeria?Among several other things(some of which I have mentionedabove), the following are the 3areas where I believe ourgovernments should focus on tocreate jobs: (1) build enormoushousing and rail infrastructure,(2) create new strategies andinfrastructure to mitigateflooding and prevent futuredevastations (3) harness thepower of agriculture in ourcountry.

Can you imagine how manyNigerians will be employed iffederal and state governmentsacross Nigeria begin to spendmassively on housing? Asidefrom generating employment, ifgovernment fixes housing inNigeria and develop a goodmortgage scheme, people will beable to own or rent houses atlower rates and mostimportantly they will be able toavoid the standard 2-yearadvance payment prevalent inNigeria.

Agriculture, ourgovernment agrees, is our mostimportant path to success infuture. America is the largestimporter of Nigeria’s crude oil,but we would be foolish to thinkthis demand will continue forthe next 10 years. Already,America’s crude oil import fromNigeria and some parts of theMiddle East has reduced. I havebeen telling friends for years thatAmerica will no longer needforeign oil very soon. WhenAmerica no longer needs foreignoil, the new energy sources will

The Nigerian spirit

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012 PAGE 15

The low sun was shiningthrough the leaves,lighting up their golden,

red and orange autumncolours. The fresh air tingled inmy nose. It was not the firsttime I walked along the canalsof Utrecht in the fall, nor was itthe first time the beauty of thisDutch centrally located city inthis season struck me. It washowever the first time in 23years I walked there withoutbeing able to call it my home.Since I had moved to Lagos I hadnot been back, and a happy sortof melancholy came over me. Itweeted how I was strollingthrough ‘my former hometown’. That triggered manyquestions from Nigerians. Howcan a home town ever cease tobe your home town?

I used to ask people in Nigeria

where they were from. It took mea while to realise I was not askingthe same question they werehearing. They told me wheretheir village was and where theirforefathers first settled. WhereasI meant to ask: where were youborn and raised? Quite often theanswers to these two questionswere totally different, and laidbare a considerable cultural gapI previously had not been awareof.

When you ask me where I amfrom, I will name the littlevillage of Berkel-Enschot whereI was born, even though myentire family comes from thedeep Dutch South 120kilometres away from there.When I am asked where myhome is, I will tell you where Ihave a place to call my own witha bed with fluffy pillows and afridge with some bottles of lagerwaiting for me. These days, my

home is the Lagos Mainland. Itis also – to confirm a cliché –where my heart is.

I call Lagos my home withsome restraint, deeply awarethat I am a guest in Nigeria. Ican only call it my home by thegrace of Nigerian hospitality. Iam like a visitor in someoneelse’s house; a humblingexperience, and in my casecompletely appropriate.

It took me a bit longer to findout I am not the only one inNigeria feeling like a visitor insomeone’s house. ManyNigerians feel that way, even ifthey were born in the place.According to the Nigeriandefinition, home is where yourforefathers came from. So manyare living in places they cannotclaim as their home, and whatis supposed to be home is afaraway place they usually donot know that well, where de

facto they are strangers as well.Knowing now what it feels liketo be a visiting stranger, thisworries me.

I did not know the word‘indigenes’ – spelled this way Imean – before I came toNigeria. But since then I havecome to grasp its meaning, andalso what it means to be non-indigines. By now I see thisdistinction as one of the deepercauses of social unrest in thecountry. I simply fail tounderstand why a citizenshould be denied certain rightson account of where hisforefathers came from.Categorising the populationinto people who belong, andpeople who don’t, creates a deepdivision in society.

How are non-indiginessupposed to feel comfortable ina place that defines them as anoutsider and will continue to do

The right to call a place homeBy Femke van Zeijl

Most young Nigeriansstayed awake,everybody wanted to

be a part of the unraveling ofhistory. This was a showpieceevent. This is history comingalive before our very eyes. Forthe past few months, the entireworld had, with a keen interest,followed the AmericanPresidential elections. Therehad been series of campaignsand debates. The majorcontenders have doneeverything humanly possibleand within acceptable limits tosell their candidature to theAmerican public and byextension, the world at large.

One thing that was obviousto everyone, critics inclusive, isthat the electioneeringcampaign was focused mainlyon issues. Each candidate listedknown problems and gave clearmanifestoes as to how best hehoped to tackle the problems.And the election proper wasdevoid of rancour, violence andhooliganism . This was anotherfeather to the American cap.They are truly the leaders of thefree world.

Coming back to Nigeria, youare confronted with somethingthat appears or looks like ademocracy. Campaigns are ajamboree, with plethora of liesand empty promises, most ofwhich had been forgotten everbefore they were evenpronounced. Major candidatesshun debates, mainly becausethey have no substance orintellect to articulate theirmuddled up thoughts. Electionsare marred by seriousmalpractices such as ballotstuffing, stealing of ballot boxes,street urchins threateningvoters and generally making anuisance of themselves,security men harassing theopposition, outright inflation ofvotes after counting and amyriad of other inglorious butserious infractions. Elections inNigeria are usually so raucousthat the integrity of the process

is perpetually in doubt and thatis partly responsible forcandidates not concedingvictory to, or congratulating,their opponents.

Another reason for the lackof sportsmanship is the fact thatall contenders generally rig butthe best rigger wins, thereforethe losers are loathe to extendhands of fellowship to thewinners. In fact the immediatepast President, Musa Yar’aduaconfessed that the election thatbrought him to office wasfraught with so muchmalpractice.

But how did we get here?Nigerians are hardworking

and ebullient people. But onevery huge and noticeableproblem is selfishness. ANigerian will, rather thandemand for his legitimaterights, look for an alternative.For a typical or averageNigerian, the deal is, as long asI am okay and my family andloved ones are fine, screw theworld. Although what mostpeople in Nigeria fail to realizeis that those screwed fellows,always mostly end up as thebane of the “very okay” fellows.

Let me illustrate. Few yearsback, an international pollingagency ranked Nigerians as thehappiest people in the world andyou want to ask yourself, why?With debilitating illiteracy andpoverty at an all-time high,poor infrastructure, such asroads, communication, power,etc. why are Nigerians such ahappy people? It is simple, ask aNigerian how are you, even ifhe hasn’t eaten in two days, thereply you get is,”I amwonderful”.

We have been so conditionedto accept our fate withoutquestion. It is only in Nigeriathat you see people carrymultiple mobile phones. Sincethe telephone services arecrappy, Nigerians have simply

Like America, unlike NigeriaBy Ayobami Oyalowo

left in the hands of men withoutintegrity, devoid of character.Politics is serious business, MittRomney is a successfulbusinessman, not agovernment contractor or aneconomic scavenger.

Transparency, probity andaccountability must be thewatchword in every facet of ourvarious individual and publiclives. Budgets must bescrutinized for performance. Abudget is a document that caneither make or mar a person, anorganization, a state or an entirecountry. Not only is ourbudgeting process less thantransparent, it is actually acompilation of sad and patheticjokes. You can immediatelydiagnose the health of anycorporation from their budget.Nigeria is a sick note, whereover 60% of the budget is stolenand not one person has everbeen docked let alone jailed.

We must also begin to seekthe collectives and less of thepersonal gratification. It shouldno longer be “cool” to put onyour generator while yourneighbours battle with heat anddarkness. We should begin toprobe sudden and immediatewealth. Voting process must becleaned up and the nextgeneration of leaders groomedin a deliberate mentoringprogram. The past and outgoinggenerations have failed. Theirresponsibility we currentlysee in today’s youth is a directresult of the training andmentoring received. Before wecall for a physical revolution,there must be a mental andattitudinal revolution. Arebirth is a necessity if we mustget to the desirable. America iscelebrated and respectedworldwide today. Nigeria is thebeacon and hope that the entireAfrica looks up to for succor.

Follow Ayobami Oyalowoon twitter @Ayourb

“adjusted” by getting multiplesim cards and phones, so theycan constantly be in touch. Mosthomes in the urban areas haveabout two power generatingsets, and your building isn’tcomplete without the luxury ofa mechanized borehole, toprovide potable water.Nigerians are indeed a happypeople.

Last year, Zamfara had thelowest JAMB registration,making it one of the most poorlyeducated states. Yet the statehas this year budgeted a paltryN5.7billion for education, whilethe religious affairs budget,which covers the HisbahCommission, Hajj, and ReligiousPreaching Commission, are toreceive about N1.7 billion forrecurrent expenditure. Amonstrous N2 billion isdedicated for Sallah activitiesfor 2012. These are not onlymisplaced spending priorities,but the implication is veryclear. These children that areeither not educated or poorlyeducated are going to form thebulk of tomorrow miscreantsand available recruits for BokoHaram and other undesirableelements. You may ask howthose concern me. I will tell you.

While you are comfortable,or pretending to be comfortable,you are never at ease. Thosedregs of the society and never-do-wells are going to make lifeuncomfortable for your childrenthat have been educated abroadwith stolen wealth.

Another major problem isthat while most of us pretend tobe fine, the reality on ground isvery grim. Let us look at it thisway. The civil service is themajor engine upon which thegovernment is run, but whomakes up the bulk of that sector,rejects and frustrated beings.The best and most qualified haveall gone into the private sector,the banks, telecoms, oil and gas

sectors have taken all the firstclass candidates, leaving the“also runs” as those to beabsorbed into the core of thecivil service. Not only is thecivil service made up of mainlyfailures, rejects and thefrustrated, they are also poorlytrained or not even trained atall. Their remuneration isabject at best, leaving them atthe mercy of the elements. Nowonder the Nigerian civilservice is not only one of themost corrupt in the world, it isalso the laziest, mostcumbersome and inefficientservice in the world. Don’tforget that the civil service alsoconsists of parastatals such asINEC, NCC, NBC etc. While thepolice and other paramilitaryagencies are not left out of thebulk of the civil service.

Nigerians must arise fromtheir docility. The days of ‘meand my household’ are past. Wemust get our hands dirty andbe ready to make necessarysacrifices. Our best cannotcontinually be governed byour worst. It must start fromme and from you. We mustbegin to demand for change inall facets of live. The civilservice must no longer bepeopled by those who havenothing to offer. Our brightyouths must be encouraged towork in the civil service as itwas the practice in time past.Also, our politics must nolonger be left in the hands ofcriminals and petty thieves.Expired and over recycledAGIP(any government inpower) men should be sent towhere they truly belong, oldpeople’s retirement homes.Younger, fresher and brighterelements should not only ranton twitter, but they must puttheir money where theirmouth is, by throwing theirvarious hats into the ring.Politics should never again be

so for generations to come? Howcan they be expected to invest(emotionally, socially,economically) in a place theycannot call their home?

It does not take a lot ofimagination to understand howdeeply worrying the currentdiscourse on the disintegrationof Nigeria is to these peoplebranded second class citizens. Ifthe country falls apart (and Iam not saying it will, that isanother discussion), where willthey go?

Being accepted as a guest isan honour, but in the long runbeing dependent on thehospitality of others can bestraining. And the fear to bekicked out the door when yourhost has had enough of you willalways be in the back of yourmind.Talk to Femke on Twitter:@femkevanzeijl

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012PAGE 16

The Federal Governmentwill construct six bulkproduce cargo airports in

the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) and four other States, theMinister of State for FCT, OloyeOlajumoke Akinjide, has disclosed.

Other states to benefit from thisdevelopment are Lagos, Rivers,Benue and Plateau States.

The minister, who stated thisduring a meeting with membersof the Local Organising Committeeon Agricultural Show & Exhibitionin the FCT, said the cargo airportswould be used for transporting bulkagricultural produce.

She reiterated the FederalGovernment’s commitment tomake the country sufficient in riceproduction by 2014.

“The Federal Governmentthrough the Federal Ministry ofAgriculture and RuralDevelopment is workingassiduously for Nigeria to be ricesufficient by 2014.

“The government incollaboration with StateGovernments has initiated a RiceMills Programme and is procuringrice mills which would bedistributed across the States andFCT. The FCT is expected to get twoof the rice mills which will belocated in Abaji and Kwali AreaCouncils,” she explained.

Endorsing the agriculturalshow and exhibition slated to holdbetween 5th and 8th December,2012, Akinjide advised the youthsto take up employment inagriculture which, she stated, wasfinancially rewarding.

“The Federal Government hasrevolutionized the agriculturesector with the development of a

new policy aimed at makingagriculture commercial. TheGovernment has introduced theAgricultural TransformationAgenda (ATA) aimed atrevamping the agriculturesector, ensuring food security,diversifying the economy, andenhancing foreign exchangeearnings.

“Under the ATA, keyinitiatives such as the GrowthEnhancement Support Scheme(GESS) have been introduced to

support smallholder farmers inthe agriculture value chain. Theultimate goal is to ensure thatagriculture is practiced aslucrative commercial enterprisethat is not only sustainable butalso attractive to our youths andyoung people,” she noted.

Earlier, the Chairman of theLocal Organising Committee onAgricultural Show & Exhibition inthe FCT, Alhaji Ari IsaMohammed, explained that FCTAdministration was partnering

FG to build cargoAirports in FCT, others

with the Abuja Chamber ofCommerce, Industry, Mines andAgriculture to organise theexhibition.

“The Department of EconomicPlanning, Research and Statisticsis working with the Agriculturaland Rural DevelopmentSecretariat and other stakeholdersand have since commencedpreparation by setting up a LocalOrganising Committee for theAgricultural Show andExhibition,” he said.

Abuja vendors, known asthe News PapersDistributors Association

over the weekend elected, Mr.Samuel Jimoh as their newchairman.

The Chairman of the electioncommittee of the union, JamesAniekan Emmanuel said thatJimoh pulled 216 votes against hisopponent Oriri Nkelem Chukwuof the association progressive front.

The newly elected chairman,called on the members not to turndown the hope and aspiration ofthe people and they should alsowork harder so as to make thepublic happy.

Also Kevin Emmanuelemerged the vice chairman, EtimIwara as Secretary General whileGeoge Paul was elected as theAssistant Secretary of theassociation.

Abuja vendorsget newchairmanBy Adeola Tukuru

The police yesterdayarraigned one EmekaEdward, 30, before an

Abuja Magistrates Courtsitting in Wuse Zone 6, foralleged theft.

Prosecutor Buba Irimiyatold the court that Glory Peter,of Asokoro, Abuja, reported thematter at Asokoro PoliceStation.

Irimiya said that theaccused snatched thecomplainant’s bag at Asokorojunction, Abuja.

The accused pleaded notguilty to the charge.

Magistrate Musa Jobbogranted bail to the accused inthe sum of N100, 000 with onesurety in like sum.

He said that the suretymust reside within the court’sjurisdiction and adjourned thecase to Nov. 26, 2012 forfurther hearing.

Police arraignman, 30, for theft

The police yesterdayarraigned one ChikaNwafor, of No. 21, Enugu

Street, Garki, Abuja before anAbuja Magistrates Court for allegedbreach of trust, cheating andmisappropriation.

Police prosecutor ChristianMunonye, told the court that, MrAmaechi Chukwunenye, of No.10,Mahogany Ave., Kano, lodged thecase at the Garki Police Station onNov.1, 2012.

Munonye said that sometimein August, Chukwunenye

entrusted his Nissan Sunny vehiclewith registration number AA 486BNN, valued at N600, 000 toNwafor.

He said that the car was givenfor commercial purpose within theFCT with an agreement thatNwafor remitted a sum of N3, 000on a daily basis to Chukwunenye.

“Instead of remitting the agreedamount, Nwafor only paid N19,000 from August to October andconverted the remaining balancefor his own use.

“Chukwunenye decided to

collect his vehicle from Nwafor andon hearing this Nwafor switched offhis phone so that he would not bereached.

“With intent to cheat, Nwaforlater claimed the said car wassnatched away from him byunknown gunmen while he wasdriving along Efab Estate, Garki,Abuja,’’ Munonye said.

The prosecutor said thatNwafor’s offence contravenedSections 312, 323 and 309 of thePenal Code.

Nwafor, however, pleaded not

Police arraign man, 30, for criminal breach of trust, cheatingguilty to the allegations.

In view of his plea, the prosecutorprayed for a date to further mentionthe case.

Senior Magistrate Tony Ubanigranted the accused bail in the sumof N200, 000 with a surety in likesum who must reside within thecourt’s jurisdiction.

Ubani said that the surety mustbe a civil servant of not less thanGrade Level 6.

He adjourned the case till Nov.22, 2012 for further hearing. (NAN)

By Adeola Tukuru

An Abuja SeniorMagistrates Court sittingin Wuse Zone 6, last week

granted bail to one ShamsudeenAli, 25, of back of Grange Hotel,Mpape, Abuja.

Ali was arraigned on a onecount charge of stealing fourbags of cement.

Prosecutor Mohammed Musatold the court that AishaLabaran of the same addressreported the matter atMpape Police Station.

“Ali stole the four bags ofcement put under his care as asecurity guard in Labaran’sbuilding site.

“The accused ran away andwas later caught at Lugbe,Abuja,’’ Musa said.

The accused pleaded notguilty to the charge.

Senior Magistrate GraceAdebayo granted bail to theaccused in the sum of N100, 000with two sureties in like sum.

She said the sureties must becivil servants residing withinthe jurisdiction of the court.

She adjourned the case toDec. 3, 2012 for furtherhearing.

Man, 25, dockedfor stealing 4bags of cement

A House of Representativesmember representingAMAC/Bwari constituency

in the FCT, Hon Zaphaniah Jisalohas pledged it readiness to ensuringthat all the recommendations of thepublic session on Constitutional

Amendment are adopted andimplemented.

Zaphaniah also stressed theimportant of implementing all therecommendations made by hispeople for proper socio-economicdevelopment in the Federal CapitalTerritory (FCT).

He stated that residents should

be allowed to make their choice asto who to govern them , as it donein others states .

He further explained that thesemove is not to weaken the six areacouncils in the FCT, but to ensurethat those in position of grass rootdevelopment imbibe transparencyand accountability in all they do.

Jisalo vows to implement reporton constitutional amendmentBy Adeola Tukuru

Water vendors at Mpape market Abuja, recently. Photo Mahmud Isa

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012 PAGE 17

Police men trying to fuel their tank with a black market jerry can over the weekendalong Kaduna road

A teenage boy pushing wheelbarrow yesterday in Garki market, Abuja.Photos: Justin Imo-owo

Some of the Federal Government Assisted Subsidy Mass Transit buses at their park in Central Area, Abuja.

A middle age man hawking local mart yesterday in kubwa, Abuja

Women selling yam waiting for customers yesterday in Bwari, Abuja.

PAGE 18 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

Constitutional amendment:Our moderate bids in BornoSince the end of the Civil War, Nigeria has had two

operational constitutions, in 1979 and 1999. The 1999constitution has been reviewed/amended three times- 2001, 2005 and 2011, all with a view toaddressing contentious issues and evolving a

workable constitution that will meet the yearnings andaspirations of our people for sustainable development ofour nation-state.

That as it may, the National Assembly has given us anotheropportunity to revisit certain provisions of the constitutionso that we can have an accepted and time testedconstitution considering our diversity, interests anddevelopment agenda geared towards achieving moderatedevelopment and welfare of the people. It is in an effort toget the opinions of majority of our people that the stateGovernment put in place a high-powered committee to notonly mobilize our people for the public hearing but also collectand collate all our views on the various issues for onwardsubmission to the National Assembly. I must therefore seizethis unique opportunity to commend our people for thelarge turnout despite the security challenges we are facingin the state.

In considering the review of the 1999 constitution, onehas to consider matters that should ensure the continuedexistence of our dear country Nigeria. The peaceful co-existence of all federating units of Nigeria as one indivisibleand indissoluble sovereign nation has always been the wishesand prayers of the Government and people of Borno state.It is in line with this assertion that I submit the followingproposals to this august committee for its consideration ascontribution to the evolution of a viable political system forthe country where equity and justice should be guaranteedfor all segments and federating units of this great country.

REVENUE ALLOCATIONOne principal reason for the current agitation for a review

of the 1999 constitution is the system of revenue allocationas contained in sections 162-163, items (a) and (d), part II ofthe second schedule and section 313 of the constitution.The factors considered for the allocation are derivation,fiscal autonomy, landmass, population, continuity of existingservices, equality of states, balanced development amongothers. The derivation formula has been most contentious.This principle is to the advantage of the oil producing statesonly since there is no basis for assessing other naturalresources like agricultural produce, gum Arabic, potash,gypsum, livestock etc

Thus, the constitutional provision under section 162 (2)should be amended so as to allow flexibility to take care ofpolitical, economic and social forces and changes in thecountry. Therefore, the revenue sharing formula shouldbe reviewed in favour of states and local governments. Afterall the states and local governments have been directly orindirectly assisting federal institutions in their respectivedomains, while federal presence in terms of developmentof infrastructure is very limited.

CREATION OF STATESIt is safe to assume that the demand for the creation of

additional states by various communities and interest groupsanchored on marginalization and other factors will continueinto the foreseeable future. Indeed, in the context of thelong standing and heroic struggles of the Nigerian people toentrench and deepen democracy, and also given theheterogeneity and diversity of our nation, as well as thegeneral atmosphere of unfulfilled expectations, the questby various communities across the length and breadth ofthis country to have their own states is not only natural butlegitimate. It is the inane liable right of the people to demandfor the creation of states. That said however, given theexperience of the existing states structure, I have sincereand genuine concerns about the viability and sustainabilityof new states. Therefore, I urge Nigerians to exercise thisright with utmost sense of responsibility and caution even asI strongly recommend that Section 8 of the Constitution beamended to remove the ambiguities and cumbersomeness inthe process of creating more states for future consideration.

ABOLITION OF STATES ELECTORAL COMMISSIONSThe state independent Electoral Commission has been

carrying out its functions as provided for in the constitutionwith regards to Local Government elections and advises theIndependent National Electoral Commission on the compilationand register of votes as it applies to local Governmentelections. I therefore feel the status quo should bemaintained.

ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE POLICESection 215 (4) of the constitution provides for the powers

of the state Governors to give lawful orders to thecommissioner of police for the maintenance of public safetyand public order within their states. However, anotherprovision requires the commissioner of police to refer suchinstructions or matter to the president or InspectorGeneral of police before it is carried out which may lead tobreakdown of law and order in a state. There is thereforethe need to amend the two provisions to give full powersto state Governors without referring to any other higherauthority after all the Governors are the chief securityofficers of their states.

It is important to note that past experiences in our politicaldevelopment shows that there is much to be done in termsof putting in place an effective and efficient police systemin the country. Therefore, the clamour for establishmentof state police will weaken the whole system and createmore bitter experiences. For now, we should harmonisethe two subsections (215 [4] and 215 [5]) to give Governorsfull powers to be truly chief security officers whilestrengthening the police force with modern equipment,gadgets and training to meet up with current realities.

ESTABLISHMENT OF DESERT CONTROL COMMISSIONLike the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC),

there is the need to establish desert control commissionto handle the fast advancing Sahara desert in the northernpart of the country particularly Borno and Yobe states. Itmay be noted that land degradation due to mining andagriculture, desertification and wind and rain erosion haveclaimed several hectares of arable land and even forcedsome communities to migrate southwards. This calls forurgent attention and solution if the devastating effects ofdesertification on human and animal lives are to be curtailed.The constitution should therefore be amended to providefor a commission to be charged with the responsibility ofchecking the rapid desertification of most viable agriculturalareas of Borno, Yobe and other northern states.

OIL AND SOLID MINERALS EXPLORATION COMMISSIONIt is important to state here that Borno and some other

states of the North are potentially rich in oil and othersolid mineral deposits. However, the exploration efforts inBorno state is moving at snail speed which makes the peopleto doubt the honesty of the exploration activities in thenorthern states. It is in order to call for the amendment ofthe 1999 constitution to provide for a commission to beresponsible for exploring and exploiting oil and other solidmineral deposits in the northern states for the benefit ofthe citizens of such states and indeed the country.

Without prejudice to the foregoing recommendationhowever, it is our considered view that there should be a

constitutional provision that empowers states to,independent of the Federal Government and in the spiritof true federalism, explore their potentials in the area ofoil and solid minerals

INCLUSION OF ROLES FOR TRADITIONAL RULERS IN THECONSTITUTION

Distinguished Honorable members, ladies and gentlemen,I wish to call for the recognition of the role of traditionalrulers in the development of our society. It would be recalledthat traditional institutions had played prominent rolesbefore and during the colonial administration in theadministration of their communities. They were highlyrespected mobilizers of the people in support ofgovernment programmes and policies . Moreover, they weregiven roles in the 1979 constitution but were omitted inthe 1999 constitution. Their previous contributions to theemergence of a united Nigeria and to the social, economicand political development of this great country must berecognized and appreciated. Presently, traditional rulersand Emirate councils are involved in security, tax collection,publicity and enlightenment campaigns in their areas ofjurisdiction. With regards to funding, the recurrent andcapital expenditures of traditional and Emirate councilsshould be taken directly from the federation account.

I would like to state that the above proposals are highlightsof some of the important areas but a comprehensive positionon all the relevant issues would be presented byGovernment. I once again commend the National Assemblyfor giving us yet another opportunity to give inputs intothe amendment of the 1999 constitution.

Shettima, the Governor of Borno State and formerlecturer at the University of Maiduguri, gave the highlight,last Saturday, at a public hearing on the review of the1999 constitution, organized by the House ofRepresentatives in Maiduguri, Borno State.

“It is in an effort to get the opinions of majorityof our people that the state Government put inplace a high-powered committee to not onlymobilize our people for the public hearing butalso collect and collate all our views on thevarious issues for onward submission to theNational Assembly. I must therefore seize thisunique opportunity to commend our peoplefor the large turnout despite the securitychallenges we are facing in the state

Borno State Governor,KASHIM SHETTIMABorno State Governor,KASHIM SHETTIMA

PAGE 19PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

Management Tip of the DayHelp your multitasking colleague break the habit

INSIDE

Everyone these days istrying to get severalthings done at once. But

it’s frustrating to work withsomeone who won’t stop glancingat his phone or even takes callsmid-meeting. If a co-worker’sinability to focus is bringing youdown, try these three tactics:·

Nigeria’s domesticairlines to have tracking

device,says NCAA DG

- Pg 21BBBBBUSINESSUSINESSUSINESSUSINESSUSINESSEmail: aminuimam@yahoo.co.uk Mob: 08033644990

Call him out mid-task. Noteveryone is self-aware. Pointingout the behavior may bringattention to it and how it’saffecting you.· Find a newtime to meet. Suggest that youreschedule for a time when hecan focus. Try a slot at thebeginning of the workday, before

the day’s emails start rollingin.·Physically disengage. Gethis attention by moving toanother part of the room. Thenit’s up to him to reconnect whenhe’s done with his task.

Source: Harvard BusinessReview

L-R: A Atang (CBN), M D Suleyman (CBN), E A Esu (CAC), Kachi Okezie (CTP), M A Muhammadu (Pencom), S Yusuf (CBN), M McGinness (DFSA), E Elujekor (SEC), A G Abubakar(CAC), C Brownridg (NAICOM) & B Taribo (NDIC) at DFSA recent workshop in Dubai

VAT collection hitsN659.1bn in 2011- FIRS bossBy Aminu Imam

The Federal Inland RevenueService (FIRS) has saidValue Added Tax (VAT)

collection by the Service grewfrom N163.3 billion in 2004 toN659.1 billion in 2011,representing an increase of over400%.

The Acting ExecutiveChairman of FIRS, Dr. KabiruMashi stated this yesterdayduring the flagging-off thenationwide VAT enlightenmentcampaign from the FederalCapital Territory (FCT) atthe Hotel De Bentley, in Abuja.

Alh Mashi said, overall, it hasbeen the third highest contributorto tax collection in the last eightyears behind petroleum profits taxand companies income tax.

“In Nigeria today, everyonemust have paid VAT at one timeor the other. In addition, eventhough VAT was only introducedin Nigeria in 1993, it has becomea major contributor to taxcollection, providing an averageof about 16% of total collection inthe last eight years”, he stated.

“We have also seen VATcollection grow from N163.3billion in 2004 to N659.1 billionin 2011, representing an increaseof over 400%.Overall it has beenthe third highest contributor totax collection in the last eightyears behind petroleum profits taxand companies income tax”, hefurther said.

The FIRS boss said the purposeof the event was to evaluate theVAT performance as to the rightsand obligations of the taxpayersand how this evaluation canimpact on the VAT Tax lawreview amongst others.

Alh. Mashi said, ”VAT as wemay know was introduced by theValue Added Tax Decree NO.103

of 1993 as a consumption tax onspecified goods and services. It ispaid by ultimate consumer andtherefore affects us all. Other taxeslike Personal Income Tax,companies Income Tax andEducation Tax are only paid bypersons who earn income underthose tax laws.VAT is howeverdifferent as it is paid by anyonewho consumes “VATable” goods orservices that is goods and serviceson which VAT is imposed.

“However, in our day-to-day

operations as tax officers, we stillobserved a general lack of in-depthknowledge of taxation by majorityof taxpayers. This led to thecreation of specialised units fortaxpayer education within theFIRS and other initiatives gearedtowards creating an enlightenedand tax conscious public. Thiscampaign is therefore acontinuation of these efforts by theFIRS. The only difference is thatthis campaign is focused on VAT”,he stated.

…..commences nationwideenlightenment campaign

F B N C a p i t a l , t h einvestment bankingand asset

management business of theFirstBank Group will host its2nd Annual InvestorConference from the 15th -16th of November, 2012 at theFederal Palace Hotel, Lagos.

The theme for this yearis: ”Catalysts for Growth: APragmatic Approach”, and theevent aims to facilitate

FBN Capital hosts 2nd Annual Investor ConferenceBy Aminu Imam

The Minister of Aviation,Princess Stella Oduah hasbeen commended for

clearing the air on themisinformation and deliberatef a l s e h o o d a l l e g i n gmarginalisation against theNorthern part of the country withregard to the citing of CargoTerminals as well as landingrights by some foreign airlinesinto the Malam Aminu KanoInternational Airport, (MAKIA),Kano.

She has also been commendedfor her visible efforts in makingKano an investor’s haven by thereconstruction projects at theMalam Aminu Kano

International Airport, Kano.In a statement released in Abuja

and signed by Capt. ShehuDankano, Northern Coordinator,Aviation StakeholdersSquaretable, the group said heralleged refusal to grant landingrights to Emirates and EtihadAirlines were totally untrue.

According to CaptDankano,”The Bilateral AirServices Agreement (BASA)between Nigeria and the UnitedArad Emirates (UAE) clearlygrants and entitles these airlines tooperate flights into Lagos, Abujaand Kano International Airports.“By the agreement, the airlinesare equally entitled to operatecargo services to the saiddestinations. It is thereforeinconceivable that anyone,including the Aviation Ministerwould unilaterally deny themrights and privileges alreadyconferred by the BASA.”

According to thestatement, ”As aviationprofessionals, we wish to state thatairlines are guided by pureeconomics and market forces tooperate any given route. Theydon’t care about politics or othersuch mundane issues. They are abusiness entity and not a politicalparty.”

They commended PrincessOduah for her the massive on-going reconstruction and remode-lling of eleven airports scatteredacross the country. Theyparticularly commended thequality of work in Kano, Kaduna,Yola, Jos and Abuja airportterminals where they visited.

The aviation stakeholdersdecried the antics of some politicianswho are spreading malicious andwicked lies against Princess Stellawhom they describe as laying asolid foundation for the economicrenaissance of Northern Nigeria ingeneral and Kano in particular.

Stakeholders commend PrincessOduah for clearing the airBy Muhammad Nasir

discussion around the enablingfactors and actionableinitiatives that can be taken toboost Nigeria’s growth,focusing on identifying quickwins from various reformagendas.

The Managing Director/CEO of FBN Capital, Mr.Kayode Akinkugbe, said thecompany started the annualconference in 2011 as a platformto inspire discussion on ways tofoster economic development.

Over the two days, the

conference will host panelsessions with captains ofindustry from the real estate,infrastructure and oil servicessectors, discussing theemerging opportunities and theextent to which governmentreforms and movements at themacro level are impacting theiroutlook. There will also be adedicated session on the powersector, given its pivotal role asa potential enabler of growth,and ongoing efforts totransform the sector.

PAGE 20 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

COMPANYNEWS

JTF winning war against oil theft, illegalbunkering in Niger Delta, says JTFCommander

The Joint Task Force (JTF)operating in the NigerDelta says it is recording

successes in the war againstcrude oil theft and illegalbunkering in the region.

Brig.-Gen. Tukur Buratai,Commander of the 2 Brigadeand Sector 2 of the JTF, said thisin Port Harcourt yesterday atthe inauguration of six-block ofcomponent commanders’residential quarters for seniorofficers of the task force.

Nigeria/SouthKorea

Prof. Soji Adelaja, theSpecial Adviser onEconomic Intelligence at

the Office of the NationalSecurity Adviser (NSA), hascalled for increasedcooperation between Nigeriaand South Korea.

He made the call in Abuja onFriday in his presentationentitled: “Why GreaterCollaboration between Nigeriaand Korea”, at the 2012gathering of the alumniassociation of the KoreanInternational CooperationAgency (KOICA) in Nigeria.

Adelaja, who is also afacilitator of the gathering, said“both countries are built on theprinciples of democracy andfought for the socio-economicand political freedoms whichtheir citizens enjoy today’’.

IGI

Industrial and GeneralInsurance (IGI) haspromised to continue to

provide unique and customerfriendly products and servicesto its customers.

Speaking at IGI Day at the2012 Lagos InternationalTrade Fair in Lagos, theExecutive Director, Financeand Accounts, Yinka Obalade,said that over the years, thecompany had consistentlycontributed to the developmentof the Nigerian economythrough the provision ofvaluable financial riskproducts and services thatconformed to internationalstandards and best practice.

DANA Air

DANA Air has paid out a30 per cent interimcompensation of N4.95

million ($30,000) each to 90 ofthe 153 victims of the ill-fatedJune 3, 2012 plane crash witha promise to redeem the 70 percent balance of N11.55 million($70,000) each as soon aspossible.

Specifically, the airline has,through its insurancecompanies- Prestige InsuranceNigeria and Lloyd’s of London-so far paid out N445.5 millionfor 90 victims to their familiesas part compensation and isstill to offset N1.03 trillion tothe 90 families.

A management team fromDANA Air led by its Head ofCommercial Operations,Mbanuzor Obialor, and GroupHead, CorporateCommunications, TonyUsidamen, last week, during ata visit to The Guardian, saidthe airline was and justwaiting for the final go aheadfrom the Nigeria Civil AviationAuthority (NCAA), to resumeflight operations in thecountry.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the quarterswere allocated to officers of thetask force from the Navy, StateSecurity Service, Police and theNigerian Security and CivilDefence Corps.

Buratai said the JTF,through its aggressiveintelligence and commitment,had uncovered, arrested andprosecuted many illegal oilbunkering suspects and thievesin the Niger Delta.

”Since our assumption ofresponsibility of the (JTF) PuloShield, we have made

tremendous progress in theanti-bunkering, illegalbunkering, anti-piracyoperations and sundry crimes,especially pipeline vandalismand oil theft.

”The Brigade (Sector 2) hasalso moved into other directionsin support of the civil police inanti-kidnappings, anti-armedrobbery operations and we havemade tremendous successes.

“We want to assure the goodpeople of Rivers and Bayelsathat we are up to the task andfacing such challengessquarely.”

Mobil Producing Nigeria atthe weekend deployed itsmen and equipment to

tackle a spill at its Ibeno operationsin Akwa Ibom state.

A correspondent of the NewsAgency of Nigeria (NAN) whovisited the Atlantic coastline inIbeno, reports that the spill, whichstarted on Friday, has hit theshoreline.

Oily sediments have depositedon the shoreline in Ibeno, EsitEket, Eastern Obollo and othersettlements along the coast.

Heavy equipment, chemicals,hoses and oil spill containmentequipment were being movedfrom the jetty to the fields.

Youths from the hostcommunities were seen agitatingto be hired for the cleanupexercise.

The National Oil Spill

Mobil deploys workers,equipment to contain fresh oil spill

Detection and Response Agencyconfirmed that the firm reportedon Nov. 9 that 100 barrels ofcrude had discharged into theocean at the Qua Iboe fields.

NAN gathered that a jointinspection visit to the spill site bycommunity representatives,regulatory authority and Mobilhas been scheduled for Monday.

The Director of Oil SpillResponse at NOSDRA, Mr. IdrisMusa, told NAN that the agencyhad dispatched its men to the spillsite.

According to him, the team isto take samples of the crudedeposits for tests.

The firm had in a statementon Sunday confirmed the spill andpledged to mitigate the impact onthe environment.

The statement signed by Mr.Paul Arinze, the Manager ofCommunications andGovernment Relations, regrettedthe spill and said it wascollaborating with community

representatives and regulators ofthe industry.

“MPN, operator of theNigerian National PetroleumCorporation (NNPC/MPN) JointVenture, confirms that on Nov.9, an oil release occurred, offshoreAkwa Ibom State.

“The source of the leak wasidentified and the pipeline wasisolated and shutdown,emergency response personneland equipment have beendeployed.

“Regulatory and communityrepresentatives have beennotified,’’ it said.

The statement also said thefirm had arranged forrepresentatives of theDepartment of PetroleumResources (DPR), NOSDRA, AkwaIbom State Ministry ofEnvironment and localcommunity to overfly the area.

It will be recalled that two oilspills occurred at the Qua Iboe oilfields on Aug. 13 and Aug. 24.

Assistant General Manager (Treasury), Transmission Company of Nigeria, Mr. Olutayo Olurunda (left),Chairman/Chief Executive, Ultimate Management Consultancy Services Limited, Mr. Lawal ItopaAbdulhamid and Senior Manager (Finance and Accounts), Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Mr.Dennis Ama, at a workshop on International Financial Reporting Standards, recently in Abuja.

Buratai said the newly-builtaccommodations wouldimprove the functionality of thecomponent commanders as wellas reduce hotel bills andsecurity challenge faced by theofficers.

Maj.-Gen. Jao Ochoga,Commander of the Joint TaskForce, Pulo Shield, operating inthe Niger Delta, commendedBuratai for his infrastructuraldevelopment initiative withinthe barracks.

“When operation Pulo Shieldcame into being and the Brigadewas made part of it; thechallenges we had was thatoperation Pulo Shield, as amulti-agency outfit, had noplace within the Brigadesettings.

“So unavailable resourceswere expended to keeping theseofficers in a hotel and with thisaccommodation providedwithin the barracks, the officerswill feel more secured to do theirjobs without any fear orhindrance.”

By Muhammad Nasir, with agencyreport

By Muhammad Nasir, with agencyreport

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

FG to generate411 MW ofelectricity fromethanol

The Federal Governmentyesterday said, upon theimplementation of the

National Sugar Master Plan(NSMP) which was recentlyapproved by Federal ExecutiveCouncil (FEC), it will generateof 411 megawatts of electricityfrom ethanol to boost thestability of power in thecountry.

The NSMP when fullyimplemented will also save thenation about 65.8 milliondollars from decrease in fuelimportation as well as 350-500 million from thereduction in sugarimportation.

Speaking at a stakeholders’interactive forum organised bythe National SugarDevelopment Council (NSDC)in Abuja, Minister of Trade andInvestment, Olusegun Agangalamented the fact that Nigeriaproduces only 3 percent of hersugar consumption, saying theNSMP is the key to restoringthe production and processingcapacity of the sector tocompete favourably in theinternational market.

“Based on our competitiveand comparative advantagein the sugar sector and the factthat we started in the 1960s,we should have startedexporting sugar long ago.

Something has gone wrongover the years and this sugarmaster plan is what we need toraise our sugar self sufficiencyto an acceptable level,”Aganga said.

PAGE 21PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

Digital Mobile Radio operatorseek for license in Nigeria

Vertex Standard andD a n i m e xCommunication is

seeking for operationlicense that will enablethem give Nigerians atwo way radio VXD seriesequipment which hasbecome a choice in digitalradios for easy analogueconversion.

The new VXD Seriesconventional digital landmobile radios, will providea new digital choice forusers seeking to maximizetheir radio investment.

Paul De Carte, VertexStandard’s distributiondirector for EMEA, saidthat “the new VXD Seriesenable analogue radio

users to gradually upgradeto digital as needed to makethe most of their radioinvestments. The portableand mobile radios operatein both analogue anddigital modes makingconversion to digitalflexible and easy. Users cangradually evolve fromanalogue to digital asrequired to best addresstheir functional needs.”

Vertex Standarddirector also said that as afounding member ofthe Digital MobileRadio (DMR) Association, itis offering digital radiotechnology based on theDMR protocol, which is themost widely, adopteddigital two-way radiosystem actively used in

By Chris Alu over 100 countries. TheVXD Series is designed towork with other DMRTDMA radios, for users tobenefit by getting morechoices of interchangeabledigital equipment.

The VXD Seriesincludes: VXD-720portable radio, VXD-7200mobile radio and VXD-R70repeater.

Paul De Carte describesome of the features toinclude being aconsistently clear digitalaudio quality withintegrated voice and textcommunications. It isportable and submersiblein water. It has IP57 waterresistance rating andsubmersible up to three feetfor 30 minutes.

Responding, the head ofthe delegation andChairman of the sub-committee, Mr E A Esu,applauded the DFSA for the“insightful and eye-openingpresentations” fromvarious departments of theDFSA, especially the Legaland Enforcement team.

He added that the visithas underscored theimportance of acollaborative approach tofinancial sector regulationdue to the increasingglobalisation of financialservices.

The visit was part of afive-day internationalworkshop on legalenforcement of financialregulation organised byCTP International FZ LLE,a Dubai-based capacitybuilding firm.

Nigeria has what ittakes to emerge theleading financial

hub in Africa if she keepsfaith with currenteconomic reforms,Director of InternationalRelations at DubaiFinancial ServicesAuthority (DFSA), the GulfStates’ financial sectorregulator Mr. MarkMcGuiness has said.

According to him,Nigeria could emergestronger economically ifpace of current reforms aresustained.

He spoke yesterday inDubai whilst welcoming adelegation from the Legaland Enforcement Sub-Committee of the NigerianFinancial Sector

Regulation CoordinationCommittee, (FSRCC).

McGuiness, a lawyer,who joined the DFSA fromthe Australian Securitiesand InvestmentsCommission in 2005, notedthat Nigeria has a“tremendous opportunityto emerge as the leadingfinancial hub in Africa”and urged the visitingteam to continue to workthe passion, commitmentand dedication that willensure this vision isrealised.

He pointed to the DFSA’sexcellent record ofcollaboration withfinancial sector regulatorsaround the world andassured the visitors of theAuthority’s willingness toextend the same to theNigerian regulators.

Nigeria’s potential financial hub ofAfrica – Dubai Int’l relations expertBy Muhammad Nasir

As part of the effortto further ensuresafety of the

Nigeria’s air transport, theNigerian Civil AviationAuthority (NCAA) hasdisclosed that aircraftsoperated by domesticairlines in Nigeria are tobe fitted with AutomatedFlight InformationReporting System (AFIS).

The Director-Generalof the NCAA, HaroldDamuren stated this inLagos at the weekend,saying the new device iscompulsory for alldomestic airlines in thecountry.

“The new device willrecord everything thathappens to an aircraft

during flight. If there isengine failure, it will recordit; if there is excessivetemperature, it will recordit. If there is excessive

vibration, it will record it.“All airlines will be

required to fix this onboard their aircraft. Thecontrol center will be atthe NCAA, where we willbe seeing everything. Thisis a good development inour airspace,” Demurensaid.

The DG then explainedthat the regulatoryagency will make theinstallation of the newdevice in aircraft acompulsory requirementfor all domestic airlines, asthis would be included incarriers’ minimumequipment list.

He further said the newdevice would serve as abackup in the event of lossof data contained inaircraft’s black boxes.

Nigeria’s domestic airlines to havetracking device, says NCAA DGBy Ibrahim Kabiru Sule

Director-General, NCAA,Harold Damuren

PAGE 22 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

Loss adjusters play critical roles in claim settlement – NIA

The Chairman,Nigeria InsurersAssociation (NIA),

Mr. Remi Olowude hasdescribed the activities ofthe loss adjusters in thesector as critical tool tothe success of insuranceindustry, as theyindependently facilitatethe settlement ofinsurance claims.

Speaking at the

investiture ceremony ofthe President, Institute ofLoss Adjusters of Nigeria(ILAN) Mr. ‘LebiOmoboyowa, OLuwudenoted that to provide theessential services whichrequire achieving theultimate purpose ofinsurance business, a lossadjuster’s role is anembodiment of fairness,equity and balance.

Acting on instructionsof an insurance company,he said the loss adjuster

undertakes the inspectionof damage, investigatesand reports the cause andmakes recommendationsregarding how best toreinstate or settle theclaim in accordance withthe terms and conditionsof insurance policy.

The loss adjuster, hesaid, ensures that theinsured receivesindemnity, which is thecentral principle ofinsurance.

The NIA president

From Ngozi Onyeakusi,Lagos

The NigerianA i r s p a c eM a n a g e m e n t

Agency (NAMA) said atthe weekend that it hadspent N360 million onWorld Geodetic Survey(WGS-84) of 22 airportsand procedural design offour major airports in

Nigeria.Mr George Amadi,

NAMA’s Acting GeneralManager, BusinessDevelopment, said this inan interview with theNews Agency of Nigeria(NAN) at the ongoing2012 Lagos InternationalTrade Fair.

“With this NAMA hasmigrated fromTerrestrial airnavigation to satelliteair navigation,otherwise known asPerformance Based

NAMA spends N360m on World Geodetic Survey of 22 airports…..designs 4 major ones

advised loss adjusters tocontinually improvetheir knowledge,acquire additionalmodern skills in thedischarge of their dutiesand be conversant withcontemporary trendsand features of disastersand events which causedamages and losses.

While the insuranceindustry still need foreignexperts to adjust claims inoil and gas, aviation,engineering, shipping and

maritime sectors, hecalled on local lossadjusters to graduallylearn how to adjust claimsin those critical sectors.

Appealing to them tobe diligent in their duties,he said the loss adjustersmust not allowthemselves to beintimidated to short-change the claimant oreven be induced by theclaimant to compromiseand work against theinterest of the insurer.

Meanwhile, Mr. ‘LebiOmoboyowa, officiallytook over as the9th president of theInstitute of Loss Adjustersof Nigeria (Ilan) last week.He succeeded Mr.Darlington Mgbojkwe, asthe new president. At aninvestiture ceremony inhis honour, Mr. LebiOmoboyowa, the newpresident promised toobtain a charter for theinstitute before theexpiration of his tenure.

Navigation (PBN) at thefour major airports.

“The four majorairports are Lagos, PortHarcourt and AbujaInternational Airports,”he said.

Amadi said this wasachieved after Emirateand KLM successfullyconducted a test flight onthe new approachprocedure on GlobalNavigation SatelliteSystem (GNSS) at Lagosand Kano International

Airports.He said that the

operation of PBN wouldsave cost for the Airlinesas they would burn lessfuel during take off andlanding.

According to Amadi,it will also reduce carbondioxide emission and Airtraffic controller’s workload.

“With PBN, theagency has joined thecountries that arealready operatingInternational CivilAviation Organisation

(ICAO) endorsed airn a v i g a t i o n a lprogramme.

Amadi said that withthis development, NAMAhas the capacity tocollaborate and provideWGS-84 survey, PBNprocedure design andcartography services toany organisationaccording toInternational Standards.

He said the agencyexpected the Airlines toreduce their air faressince they would be usingless fuel. (NAN)

Gov. BabatundeFashola of Lagosstate at the

weekend said the stateaccounted for over 65 percent of nation’s non-oilGross Domestic Product.

Fashola disclosed thisat the closing ceremonyof the 2012 LagosInternational Trade Fair.

The theme of the fairwas: “Promoting Tradefor Sustainable EconomicTransformation”.

Fashola, who wasrepresented by theDeputy Governor, MrsAdejoke Adefulire, saidthat in spite of its smallsize, Lagos State alsoaccounted for over 60 percent of the country’svalue addedmanufacturing.

“The state has beenprojected to be Africa’slargest mega city and theworld’s third largest by2015 according to UNHabitat report.

According to him,Lagos State will continueto be the industrial,f i n a n c i a l ,t e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s ,transportation andcommercial hub of thecountry.

He urged the Lagosstate Chamber ofCommerce and Industry(LCCI) to help in planninge n t r e p r e n e u r s h i pprogrammes for “Okada

riders” as the state’straffic law banning themhad come to stay.

Fashola said that thestate government waswilling to support theprivate sector in thisregard.

He said that the statehad a micro financescheme where the “okadariders” could easily accessfunds to set up genuinebusinesses.

The governor saidthat the state had beenorganising the “okadariders” into cooperativesocieties to ensure thatthey could access funds toengage in otherbusinesses of their choice.

President of LCCI, Mr.Goodie Ibru, in his closingaddress, urged all tiers ofgovernment to continueto address theimpediments to privatesector development.

He said that this wasin the areas ofinfrastructure, security,quality of institutions,funding and economicgovernance.

The LCCI Presidentapologised for thei n c o n v e n i e n c e sexperienced by exhibitorsand visitors andpromised that therewould be improvement inthe 2013 trade fair.(NAN)

Lagos accounts for 65%Nigeria’s non- oil GDP - Fashola

The National PensionCommission (NPC),on Friday, said it

would soon begin toimplement strategies forthe successfulimplementation of someongoing projects in thecountry.

The Director-Generalof the commission, MrMohammad Ahmadstated this in Calabar ata retreat with ManagingDirectors and ChiefExecutive Officers ofLicensed PensionOperations.

He stressed the needfor the commission andpension operators to map

out strategies ofimplementing projectslike transfer windowissues and the efforts toamend the PRA 2004.

Ahmad said that themeeting was to take stockof what the ContributoryPension Scheme (CPS)had achieved over itseight yearsimplementation.

“The retreat thereforeprovides a perfectopportunity for keyplayers in the industry todiscuss and ensure thatthe final draft review ofPRA, 2004 sufficientlycaptures the areas of theAct .

“That requiredreview as well as chartthe future for the pensionindustry”, Ahmad said.

The DG further saidthat the meeting woulddiscuss the challengestroubling the industryand chart a wayforward.

He said that themeeting would exploreand discuss in sufficientdetail, ways and meansfor moving the industryforward.

Ahmad thereforeurged the participants tobe open and candid intheir contributions.(NAN)

PenCom to begin projectimplementation drive, says DG

PAGE 26 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

The Nigeria Army in Asaba,Delta state capital has bursta phony Army recruitment

syndicate and arrested thekingpin who has been posing asan Army Lieutenant to defraudunsuspecting Nigerians desirousto join the force.

Army, 4 Brigade Benin, 3battalion troops arrested the fakelieutenant, Mr. GoodluckFurupagha, in an operationwhich had an undercover armyofficer disguising himself as aprospective applicant desiring tojoin the army.

Furupagha demanded thesum of N200,000 from the Armyofficer to hasten his recruitmentprocess but the undercover officer

Army arrests fake lieutenant, 16undergraduates in possession of uniformStories by Joy Baba pleaded for N100,000.

The fake Lieutenant wassubsequently arrested after whichhe admitted duping severalpersons on the pretext of helpingthem to join the Army.

He was later moved to hisresidence in Ogwashi-Ukwuwhere several items that have todo with the military wererecovered.

The items include six copies ofNigerian Army e- recruitmentforms, passports and documents,two copies of Nigerian Navy e –recruitment forms, passportsand documents, six copies ofNigerian Army Direct ShortService Commission (DSSC) online application forms, passportsand documents, a pair ofcamouflage uniform dress with

Lieutenant rank, and two Nokiahandsets.

In a related development, twogroups of 16 suspects werearrested by troops of 3 Battalionin Asaba with various Armyuniforms and accoutrements.

They claimed to be studentsof Delta State University, Asabacampus and Delta StatePolytechnic, Ugwuashi-Uku,Aniocha South LocalGovernment Area of the state.

The two groups claimed theywere members of Nigerian ArmyCadet Force and Safety Corps ofNigerian Cadet Teamrespectively. Four of the suspectswere arrested at the UniversityCampus, while 12 were arrestedat Agidiasi behind Omu Palace inthe house of Mr Freedom Ekpeni.

They all admitted ownership of theNigerian Army uniforms andaccoutrements. Whereas, thesuspects arrested at the house ofMr. Freedom Ekpeni in Agidiasiclaimed they got the itemsthrough a Mobile Policepersonnel, the suspect arrestedat Delta State Universitycampus claimed they inheritedthe uniforms from theirpredecessors.

The Commander 4 Brigade,Sector 1 Operation Pulo Shield,Brigadier General Obi AbelUmahi told journalist thatconsidering the armed robbery,kidnapping, oil bunkering andother vices various that arethreat to national security, theillegal acquisition, use and abuseof the Nigerian Army uniformsand accoutrements is of serious

security concern.Umahi further said

experience have shown thatthese illegal bodies haveimpersonated Nigerian Armypersonnel in various scenariosand had involved in acts ofcriminality to the utterembarrassment of the NigerianArmy in Particular and thenation in general.

Stating that the NigerianArmy which is widely respectedworldwide cannot fold its armsand watch its name beingdragged in the mud by anorganisation that is not registeredor known but parade itself as anaffiliate of the force, Umahidisassociated the Army from theactivities of this organizationsaying “there is only one NigerianArmy and no affiliates”.

Mr. Goodluck Furupagha

Some of the suspect arrested with Nigerian Army uniforms and accoutrements

The Nigerian Navy hascommenced a major fleetevaluation exercise to

enable it intensify the ongoingoperations to rid the Niger Deltawaters of illegal maritimeactivities, especially crude oiltheft, illegal oil bunkering andpiracy.

The exercise is code named‘farauta’, which means“hunting” in Hausa.

In a release from the navalheadquarters in Abuja signed byRear Admiral EO Ogbor on behalfof the Chief of Naval Staff, theNavy said the ongoing navaloperations in the Niger Deltaregion has emphasis on Bonny-Akassa-Escravos axis, an areanotorious for crude oil theft, upto the extent of the offshore oilplatform at Bonga and Bogi.

The statement further saidthe exercise will enable the Navyto assess its operationalcapability with a view toidentifying gaps and takingnecessary measures to fill such

gaps for enhanced operationalreadiness. This synergy,according to the statement, willensure full missionaccomplishment across thethreat spectrum with specificemphasis to immediately end allcriminal activities in the Niger

Maritime crimes: Navy commences fleet evaluation Mu’azu said the military havemapped out working plan withthe commandants, adding thatpast and in-coming chairman ofNigeria, Botswana and Libyawould meet in January to fashionout ways to carry out the plans.

The conference tagged ‘TheRole of Staff Colleges in PreparingOfficers to Meet EmergingSecurity challenges,’ is an annualevent, which started lastMonday and ended lastWednesday.

The programme afforded theAFCSC the opportunity tointeract with a view toenhancing the professionaleducation of middle- levelmilitary officers of the variouscountries.

It had in attendance 34participants from 12 staff collegesin Africa, observers fromBrazilian Army Command andStaff College, Nanjing ArmyCommand College, InternationalPeace Support Training CentreKenya, British Peace Supportteam and South Africa and ICRC,including resource person fromdifferent organisations.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS),Admiral Ola Sa’adIbrahim, has urged all

African countries to worktogether to solve the securityproblems facing the continentand the world at large.

Ibrahim stated this at theclosing of four days conference ofcommandants of Armed ForcesCommand and Staff Colleges ofAfrican countries in Abuja.

He said: “National security istoo serious a business to be seen asa circus show. This is whyAfricans should come together tosolve their problems bythemselves through the teachingof security challenges in militarycolleges.” noting that the majorproblems facing Africa countriesare poverty, disease, corruptionand war.

Also speaking at the occasion,the chairman of the conference,Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Mu’azu,noted that the military role in thesecurity situation of the countryis a continuous process, saying themilitary have sorted out ways tomanage the situation byadjusting their curricula.

Security: CDS wants Africanforces to work together

Navy boat

Delta region.A total of eight ships, six gun

boats and three helicoptersincluding elements of theNigerian Army and maritimepatrol aircraft of the NigerianAir Force will be used for theexercise.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012 PAGE 27

States regarded as cocoaproducers have been urged totake accuracy of data seriously.

The Executive Director of CocoaResearch Institute of Nigeria(CRIN), Professor MalachyAkoroda, made the plea during theCocoa Transformation AgendaImplementation Plan in which the2012 progress report was presentedfor deliberation and the 2013implementation plan was designed.

Akoroda wondered how anymeaningful cocoa business can bedone without statistics as a basis.“Not every local government in everystate will produce cocoa. We haveinformation from GeographicInformation System (GIS) telling usthe local government areas that canproduce cocoa in Nigeria. We aretold that 22 states are potentiallycapable and can produce cocoa but14 states have traditionally beenproducing,” he stressed.

It is not just any fertiliser that issuitable for cocoa soil enrichment, hesaid. Making clarification on cocoafertiliser, the professor indicated thatthe NPK formula is 5-12-17, while

Without reliable cocoa statistics,expect failure, expert warns

Flooding: Jonathan approves over N9bn for food productionHe made the disclosure during

an emergency meeting with StateCommissioners for Agriculture andRural Development on the NationalFlood Recovery Food ProductionProgramme in Abuja.

Adesina said: “The real issue ishow we compensate for the lossesincurred. We have already put inplace a flood recovery foodproduction plan to support famersin the flood affected areas. As theflood recede, we will embark on theintervention. Mr. President hasapproved N9.7 billion for us toimplement this plan.

“The plan has four components:first, we will release 40, 000 mt offood from the strategic grain reserveto the families directly affected bythe floods. Secondly, we will providefree improved seeds and fertilizersto farmers that are directly affectedas soon as the water recedes.

“Thirdly, in states that areaffected by floods, but vast areasunaffected, we will give themimproved seeds and fertilizers whilethe last group which are states thatare not affected will also benefitfrom the free seeds and fertilizersbut through the Growth

Enhancement Support (GES)scheme.”

Describing the flood as awakeup call for all stakeholdersespecially in the agriculture sector,the Minister identified Taraba andKogi States as worst hit by the flood.

Adesina also explained that theflood claimed 106, 400 hectares(ha) of 751, 540ha total cultivatedarea in Taraba while Kogi had croploss of 72, 200 ha of 250, 670hacultivated farmland.

Adesina further puts the totalflooded areas as at 12th and 13thOctober, 2012 to 1.4 million as

Calcium and Magnesium are addedat ratio of 4 to 2. “If nutrient contentsare used as basis of calculation,farmers will record gains after use.”Therefore, “get this equation right,”he advised.

The professor praised OndoState that took an initiative on cocoastatistics, adding that, “without anyreliable cocoa statistics, you can’t doanything.” According to him, “statesdon’t have to wait for the federalgovernment for everything. Yourgovernments must help cocoafarmers in your states. What thefederal government is doing shouldbe a bonus, after doing your own.

“If a farmer does not keeprecord, the Growth EnhancementSupport (GES) will not profit him.If tree crop unit officers don’tunderstand the details of GES, it willbe a failure. Farmers need to keeprecord if they want to take cocoa asa business. Once I see a farmer withno record, I don’t discuss further.There is nothing to discuss,” he said.

According to Akoroda, thefederal government is working onrehabilitation of cocoa farms and hassent four Nigerians to train inIndonesia on rehabilitation of old

cocoa farms. The trainees will in turntrain Nigerians on best practices theyhave learnt. The training will be inCRIN on February 2013. He saidthere are early fruiting, earlymaturing varieties of cocoa that canbe planted to replace the old, ageingcocoa trees.

“What is the use of eight varietiesof cocoa sitting in CRIN withoutgetting to the farmers?” he asked.“After research, there must bedevelopment, using the result,otherwise it will be a waste of time.States need to transfer thetechnology to farmers. Stateswithout reliable data should go backand get their figures right “so we canmake preparation to serve thefarmers.”

He said emphatically that “anystate that does not know the numberof people they want to serve is notserious.” He drew attention to theneed to plan for provision of podsand seedlings, stating, however, that,rather than wait for too long, thegovernment officials should “turn(their) pods to seedlings to avoidwastage.” He also alluded to the useof grafting, for old farms.

The executive director warned

farmers not to buy fake cocoachemicals, stating that the processof selecting agrochemicals isscientific, rigorous and hasstandards. “Do not let anybody tellyou that without a process ofscience we can go to anymanufacturer and tell him that thischemical is good, we want to buy it.”He stressed that CRIN is mandatedto decide on the choice of chemicals.

The professor explained thatthere are three varieties of improvedcocoa seedlings: F1 Amazon, TC 1 –8, WACRI and all are gooddepending on agro-ecology. He saidCRIN took a contract to distribute1,200,000 pods (divided into yearlyphases), starting this year with95,000 pods to be delivered. “Wehave a table on how to deliver thosepods. We should be working withnumbers: when, where, what, who,why, the number of cocoa pods to begiven to Mr. Blue Shirt on, so and sodate, and so forth,” he explained.

He concluded by saying that“CRIN is a government institution.You don’t need permit to come toCRIN. The federal government isready to pay us when they seeevidence of supply.”

An agriculturist, Mr Frank Orji,has urged Nigerians, especiallythe youth, to embrace

commercial bee-keeping to reduceunemployment in the country.

Orji told the News Agency ofNigeria (NAN) on Thursday inAbakaliki that the country wasblessed with abundant forests whichcould support bee-keeping.

“Bee-keeping generates incomefor individuals and creates jobs as itinvolves less risks and finances tooperate. In advanced countries,several industries are involved in thisventure to produce honey used formedicinal purposes and otherindustrial uses.

“The government should takeadvantage of the abundance of forestsand bushes in the country for theoverall agricultural and economicgrowth,” he said.

Orji said that with adequateresources and the enablingenvironment, he could train youthsin his area and the state in the art ofbee-keeping.

“With the little resources availableto me, I have ventured into localproduction of facilities andequipment used in commercial bee-keeping,” he said.

According to him, scientificresearch has shown that beespollinate 80 per cent of flowersworldwide, adding that, “Wetherefore need them in abundance topollinate food and cash crops, aswithout this, the quantity and qualityof food production will be low.”

The agriculturist noted that thefirst step to bee-keeping was to erasethe fear of bee sting, which paintedthe venture as dangerous.

“Prospective bee-keepers shouldconsult experts who would guidethem to adequately use availablefacilities to extract honey frombeehives without being stung.

“They will also be taught the besttime of the year to start keeping bees,where to keep the bees, rudiments ofswarming and why bees are peacefulduring the period, among others.

“They will also be guided on thebest direction to position the bees’hive, the best trees, plants and flowersfor bees to produce good honey,” hesaid. (NAN)

Agriculturisturges bee-keepingbusiness

By Mohammed Kandi

As part of measures to cushionthe effect of flooding onfarmers in the affected states,

the Federal Government hasapproved the sum of N9.7 billion,as well as 40, 000 metric tones freefood for women to strengthen itsflood recovery food productionplan.

The plan which involves therelease of 40, 000 metric tons offood from the Strategic GrainsReserve to the affected families, willinclude provision of free seedlingsand fertilizers to affected farmers,the Minister of Agriculture andRural Development, Dr. AkinwumiAdesina has stated.

estimate for crop loss was 467,000ha.

However, the Minister dismissedrumours of imminent food shortagenext year adding that the mentioneddata were outcomes of asophisticated remote sensing andsatellite imagery research conductedby the International WaterManagement Institute (IWMI) todetermine extent of crop loss.

He added that with the variousintervention programmes andsupport schemes provided for thefarmers, the country would notsuffer food shortage.

The Commissioner for agric,Kano State, Hajia Baraka Sanilamented that the flood had affectedabout 25, 485 ha of farmlands whilethe state government is yet toexamine loss incurred on theirrigation farms.

She said a total of 31 out of 44local councils were affected asidefrom houses and properties thatwere washed away.

However, she commended theFederal Government for theinitiative stressing that it willcomplement the state government’seffort towards assisting the affectedfarmers.

Her Kogi State counterpart, Dr.Olufemi Bolarin appealed to theminister to include sugarcane aspart of the crops government shouldsupport the state.

He lamented that about 20, 000crops of small holders andconfluence sugarcanes were sweptoff by the flood.

“In as well as we applaud federalgovernment’s intervention, we stillappeal to the Minister to criticallylook at the issue in terms ofsugarcane,” Bolarin added.

He noted that Kogi state wasable to convert the flood threat toan opportunity through anaccelerated fish production scheme.

By Mohammed Kandi

Nigerian cocoa farmers

PAGE 31PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

President Barack Obama willface an unprecedented revoltby Latin American countries

against the U.S.-led drug war duringhis second term and he also maystruggle to pass new trade deals asthe region once known as "America'sbackyard" flexes its muscles likenever before.

Washington's ability to influenceevents in Latin America hasarguably never been lower. The newreality is as much a product of theUnited States' economic struggles asa wave of democracy and greaterprosperity that has swept much ofthe region of 580 million people inthe past decade or so.

It's not that the United States isreviled now - far from it. Although afew vocally anti-U.S. leaders likeVenezuela's Hugo Chavez tend tograb the media spotlight, Obama haswarm or cordial relations with Brazil,Mexico and other big countries in theregion.

Most Latin American leaderswere rooting, either privately orpublicly, for his re-election onTuesday.

That said, even close allies areincreasingly emboldened to actwithout worrying about what "TioSam" will say or do. Nowhere is thatmore evident than on anti-narcoticspolicy.

In 2012 as never before, manygovernments challenged the four-decade-old policies under whichWashington has encouraged, andoften bankrolled, efforts to disrupt thecultivation and smuggling of cocaine,marijuana and other drugs in theregion.

The reasons for the unrest:Frustration with what manyperceive as the pointless bloodshedcaused by the "war on drugs," plus afeeling the United States has not doneenough to reduce its own demand fornarcotics - if, that is, it's even possibleto curb demand.

Those are hardly newcomplaints but they used to be airedin private. In April, severalpresidents voiced doubts about anti-drug policies at a regional summitthat Obama attended. At the U.N.General Assembly in September, theleaders of Mexico, Colombia andGuatemala - historically three of themost reliable U.S. partners on druginterdiction - called on worldgovernments to explore newalternatives to the problem.

Obama and other U.S. officialshave energetically lobbied againstlegalization of drugs or letting up inthe fight against powerful smugglinggangs. Yet some leaders and well-connected observers across LatinAmerica expect substantial shifts inthe next few years.

"The taboo is broken," said MoisesNaim, a senior associate at theCarnegie Endowment forInternational Peace in Washington."2012 will go down as the year whenLatin American governments

became assertive and began makingchanges of their own accord."

It remains unclear what exactlythe changes will look like or howmany countries will embrace them.

Some leaders, such asGuatemalan President Otto Perez,have openly proposed legalizing or"decriminalizing" certain drugs.Others have pushed for less dramaticchanges such as legalizing onlymarijuana or, like Mexico's FelipeCalderon, have spoken in vagueterms of a "less prohibitionist"approach.

Uruguay has gone furthest,proposing a bill this year that wouldlegalize marijuana and have the statedistribute it. That move was regardedas too extreme by many in the region,although this week's decision byvoters in Washington and Coloradostates to legalize marijuana forrecreational use showed that, evenin the United States, the status quo ischanging fast.

"Nobody knows where this is goingyet," said Fernando HenriqueCardoso, a former Brazilianpresident and part of an influentialgroup of statesmen who have metbehind the scenes with currentleaders to advance the debate.

"I'd describe this as a phase oftimid, controlledexperimentation," Cardoso toldReuters. "It's going forward, and itseems there will be changes ...

ANALYSIS

Obama faces Latin Americarevolt over drugs, trade

Barack Obama

Nobody seems very concernedwith how the United States willreact."

Cardoso, 81, remembers an eraof powerful U.S. ambassadors andso-called "banana republics" - whenWashington often played a handin installing leaders across LatinAmerica and deposing those whoincurred its wrath.

That period basically endedwith the conclusion of the ColdWar. Still, as recently as a decadeago, the United States still enjoyedmore leverage than it does now -thanks to trade, foreign aid, andloans from groups like theInternational Monetary Fund inwhich Washington plays a majorrole.

The United States' economicslump has contributed to thechanging dynamic. But so has awave of broad-based economicgrowth in Latin America that haslifted some 50 million people intothe middle class since 2003,allowed countries such as Brazil topay off debts to the IMF, and madethe region broadly less subject toforeign pressure.

Although there are exceptions,Latin America as a whole has alsobecome more democratic. Thatmakes it more complicated forWashington to shape events thanit was during the 20th century,when one U.S. secretary of state

famously described a Caribbeandictator as "a son of a bitch, but he'sour son of a bitch."

"Laugh if you want, but there'sno one son of a bitch for us to go talkto anymore in these countries," saidShannon O'Neil, a Latin Americaexpert at the Council on ForeignRelations in New York. "There arestill some people in Washington whodon't fully understand that thesedemocracies are just ascomplicated as ours is ... and thatends up hurting us sometimes."

She said the more robustdemocracies help explain therecent pushback against drugpolicy. "What you're seeing is apopular outcry against theviolence, and these governmentsare responding to it."

U.S. envoys are now respectfulof countries' sovereignty but stillcircle the region and warn aboutthe dangers a change may pose.Obama said just before the Aprilsummit that legalizing drugswould not do away with violentcartels and "could be just ascorrupting, if not more corruptingthan the status quo."

Some countries such as Peruhave heeded such warnings andare intensifying their drugcrackdown. Alvaro Uribe, who wasa stalwart U.S. ally as president ofColombia from 2002 to 2010 andmeets regularly with some of the

leaders feeding the debate, said it mayresult in fewer changes than somethink.

"A lot of it is lip service," Uribe toldReuters. "In private, few speak ofsubstantial changes."

Uribe, Cardoso and others agreethat Mexico's incoming PresidentEnrique Pena Nieto will be a key pieceto the puzzle because of his country'ssize and proximity to the UnitedStates, as well as Mexico's status asthe prime battleground for drugviolence. Some 60,000 people havedied in Mexican drug violence in thepast six years.

Pena Nieto is likely to discuss drugpolicy when he meets Obama beforetaking office in December. Aides havesaid Pena Nieto opposes legalization,although Chihuahua state governorCesar Duarte - an ally of the incomingleader - told Reuters that Mexicoshould legalize the export ofmarijuana and consider otherchanges following the votes byWashington and Colorado.

On the other big issue the UnitedStates cares most about in LatinAmerica - trade - the road ahead alsolooks bumpy.

Naim said Obamaadministration officials have told himthey want to make a major push forfree trade throughout the hemisphereduring a second term. "They'll try tostart with the big countries," Naimsaid. "Whoever wants in can join."

The push may find receptive earsin countries such as Mexico and Peruon Latin America's Pacific coast,which tend to be more open to trade,in part because of their relativeproximity to Asia. Several of thosecountries already enjoy trade dealswith the United States, but stand togain from a broader agreement.

However, new trade talks havefaced huge barriers in recent yearsbecause of strains on the globaleconomy and Latin Americancountries are likely to be even moreinsistent on negotiating thorny issueslike U.S. agricultural subsidies thanthey were in the past.

That's in part because they haveother options. China's trade withLatin America soared from nearnothing in the past decade and nowaccounts for about 11 percent of tradein the region. The U.S. share hasfallen from 53 percent to 39 percent.

O'Neil said the most likelyoutcome may be a "divide down thehemisphere" in whichBrazil,Argentina, Venezuela and afew other countries stay out of anynew trade deal. Together, theyaccount for about 60 percent of LatinAmerica's economic output.

The more fertile ground forcooperation may lie in lessglamorous, but still important issueslike energy policy, education andintellectual property rights. Eventhere, though, it's clear therelationship is ever more one ofequals.

"Latin America, especially Braziland Mexico, represent a hugeopportunity for the United States - ifthey can take advantage of it," saidAndres Rozental, a former Mexicandeputy foreign minister. "But the eraof unilateralism and the almostmonolithic influence of theAmericans in the world is just notwhat it was."

Source: Reuters

By Brian Winter

Obama and other U.S. officials haveenergetically lobbied against legalizationof drugs or letting up in the fight against

powerful smuggling gangs.

“

PAGE 32 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

Kenya police attackleaves Samburu in fearVillagers in northern

Kenya fear furtherviolence after at least 31

police officers were killed over theweekend, an elder has said.

"The situation is very, very tensewith heavily armed securitypersonnel patrolling villages," saidthe religious leader in SamburuCounty.

The officers were ambushed asthey attempted to recover stolencattle.

Internal Security Minister Katooole Metito vowed to bring thoseresponsible to justice.

He told the Standard newspaperthe "disaster" was the worst in Kenya'shistory.

But the religious leader, who didnot want to be named, said he fearedthat the security forces could takerevenge on the local community.

"We fear the anger of thesesecurity people could fall on innocentcivilians, as those who may havekilled the policemen are nowherenow," he said.

He also said that more bodies stillhave to be found by officials. An injured policeman receiving treatment in hospital

Ecowas agrees to deploy troops to Mali

Police spokesman Eric Kiraithesaid 31 officers were killed in Baragoi,along with three of the attackers.

He said that nine injured officers

remained in hospital.The local Samburu and Turkana

communities often steal cattle fromeach other, and clash over grazing

rights and access to water points.A similar attack, in which 12

people were killed, took place nearbytwo weeks ago, Kenyan media report.Former

Libyan primeminister tobe triedLibya's former prime minister

will be put on trial for crimeshe allegedly committed during

the rule of Muammar Gaddafi.Al-Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi was

extradited from Tunisia, which he fledto in September 2011 after the fall ofTripoli to rebel forces.

"Al-Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi willappear tomorrow [Monday] on theoccasion of a first case" against him,Taha Baara, the public prosecutor'sspokesman, said in Tripoli on Sunday,adding that Mahmoudi faces chargesof "prejudicial acts against the securityof the state".

Baara said on Sunday that al-Mahmoudi is facing chargesregarding his role in a number of casesduring the civil war, as well asundermining the country's security.

Rights groups objected to hisextradition on June 24, saying thathe could face the death penalty and inJuly, Mahmoudi protested hisinnocence from his prison cell in theLibyan.

"I am not guilty, not guilty, notguilty," he said during a visit to theprison organised by the authorities inan apparent bid to quash rumours hehad been tortured.

"I am ready to be tried by theLibyan people. I am sure of myself andof my innocence," he said at the time.

Along with Saif al-Islam, Gaddafi'smost prominent son, Mahmoudi is oneof the few remaining keepers of themany state secrets under Gaddafi, whowas killed on October 20 last year.

A physician by training,Mahmoudi was loyal to Gaddafi untilthe end, serving as premier from2006 up to the final days of his regime.

Elsewhere in Libya, the Libyan airforce announced on Sunday that itwould begin dismantling a stockpileof outdated surface-to-air missileswhich had been positioned around thecountry by the former leader.

Military engineers have startedremoving potentially toxic fuel fromthe Russian-made weapons, whichwere brought to Libya from the SovietUnion in 1972.

South Africa police hunt Pretoria Art Museum thievesSouth Africa's police are

hunting for a gang whichstole art worth $2m

(£1.25m) from a museum in

West African regionalleaders have agreed todeploy 3,300 soldiers to

Mali to retake the north from Islamistextremists.

At a summit of Ecowas, thegroup's chairman said it was readyto use force to "dismantle terroristand transnational criminalnetworks".

The soldiers would be providedmainly by Nigeria, Niger andBurkina Faso.

Islamist groups and Tuaregrebels took control of the north afterMali's president was overthrown inMarch.

Ivory Coast President AlassaneOuttara told reporters in the Nigeriancapital, Abuja, that the soldiers could bedeployed as soon as the UN approvedthe military plan. President Goodluck Jonathan

A 1931 painting by famous South African artist Irma Stern ofbrightly colored sailboats waiting against a pier is among thestolen.

He said he hoped the SecurityCouncil would approve the plan by lateNovember or early December.

According to a Malian army sourcequoted by Reuters, the plan covers a six-month period, with a preparatory phasefor training and the establishment ofbases in Mali's south, followed by combatoperations in the north.

The UN had given African leaders45 days from 12 October to draw up aplan for military intervention to retakethe north.

In a statement, the grouping of WestAfrican states said that while dialogueremained the preferred option, forcemight be needed to break up thenetworks controlling Mali which "posea threat to international peace andsecurity".

Foreign powers are divided onthe best approach to the crisis in Mali.

the capital, Pretoria.The robbers posed as

visitors, before drawing pistolsand stealing paintings by top

South African artists, policespokesman Lt Col KatlegoMogale said.

The thieves abandoned onepainting because they couldnot fit it in their getaway car,the AFP news agency reports.

South Africa has one of thehighest crime rates in theworld.

Lt Col Mogale said borderofficials are on alert in case thethieves try to smuggle thepaintings out of the country.

Three gunmen paid the$2.25 entrance fee at thePretoria Art Museum onSunday and then "held up theperson who they had just paidand demanded severalpaintings before theyescaped", he added.

Authorities said the

robbers stole specificpaintings, but were forced toleave behind a painting bywell-known artist Irma Sternbecause it did not fit in theirsilver sedan car, AFP reports.

The gunmen escaped withanother Stern painting,Fishing Boats, South Africa'sTimes Live newspaper reports.

Other paintings stoleninclude Maggie Laubser's Catand Petunias, JH Pierneef'sEland and Bird, Hugo Naude'sHottentot Chief and GerardSekoto's Street scene, itreports.

Lt Col Mogale said identikitsof the suspects were beingcompiled.

"No arrests have been madebut we are following a fewleads," he said.

Al-Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi

PAGE 33PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

Syria bombs rebel town on Turkish border

A Syrian fighter jet hasbombed a rebel-held areanear the Turkish border,

killing at least six people andwounding a dozen others, whilea rocket propelled grenade alsolanded inside Turkey, officialsand witnesses have said.

The jet bombed the town ofRas al-Ain, metres from theTurkish frontier, on Monday as

forces loyal to President Basharal-Assad tried to wrest control ofthe area back from rebels.

The bombing sent up hugeplumes of black smoke and scoresof Syrians ran from the area,scrambling to cross the borderfence into Turkey.

Helicopters also strafedtargets near the town, which fellto rebels on Thursday during anadvance into Syria's mixed Araband Kurdish northeast. Therewas no word on casualties.

The jet struck within metresof the border fence that dividesRas al-Ain from the Turkishsettlement of Ceylanpinar,sending up plumes of blacksmoke.

A Reuters reporter inCeylanpinar said the plane flewright along the border andappeared at one point to haveentered Turkish airspace.

It was not clear what thebomb struck, but scores ofcivilians fled the area,

scrambling over the fence intoTurkey.

The escalating violence innorthern Syria has caused arefugee crisis in Turkey; morethan 120,000 refugees havealready crossed over. ToAnkara's alarm, some 9,000Syrians arrived in one 24-hourperiod last week.

The International Federationof Red Cross and Red CrescentSocieties launched anemergency appeal Monday for

Asia andMiddle East $34m to help the refugee

population in Turkey.The extra cash was expected

to last for six months, SimonEccleshall, the IFRC's head ofdisaster and crisis management,told reporters in Geneva.

He acknowledged thoughthat it was "not unimaginablethat [the emergency aid] figurewill need to increase," adding:"We will be regularly revisingcontingency plans (and perhaps)the emergency appeal."

China warnsDalai Lamaon TibetChina has criticised Tibet's

spiritual leader, the DalaiLama, over comments he

reportedly made on a spate of self-immolations by ethnic Tibetans.

Speaking in Japan, the DalaiLama was quoted saying China wasnot "seriously" looking at the causesof the protests and focusing onblaming him instead.

China's foreign ministryaccused him of "glorifying" the self-immolations.

Nearly 70 Tibetans have setthemselves alight since 2011 inwhat activists say are protestsagainst Beijing's rule.

Most are reported to have died.State media reported another self-immolation on Saturday, bringingto seven the number in the pastweek.

Gonpo Tsering, 18, set himselfalight near a monastery in Hezoucity in Gansu province, Xinhuanews agency reported.

Beijing says Tibetans havereligious freedom and accusesexiled Tibetan leaders of stirring upunrest.

The latest incidents have takenplace as China's Communist Partyholds a congress in Beijing that willbegin the process of transferringpower to a new generation of leaders.

Second quakehits northernMyanmar

A 5.6 magnitude earthquakehas struck Myanmar, hoursafter a stronger tremor killed

at least 12 people and injured dozensmore, the US Geological Surveysays.

The USGS said the quake, earlyon early Monday morning,occurred at a depth of 9km, 135kmnorth of the central city ofMandalay.

Hours earlier a strongearthquake struck the same regionof northern Myanmar.

Scattered damage and injuriesalso were reported on Sunday inareas close to the quake's epicentre.

According to news reports, themost significant damageappeared to be the collapsing ofbridge under construction acrossthe Irrawaddy River in the townof Shwebo, the location of thequake's epicentre.

The website of Weekly Elevenmagazine said five people werekilled when the bridge, which was80 per cent built, collapsed.

A bridge that was under construction across the Irrawaddy River in Shwebo collapsed, killingfive people

Dalai Lama

Locals leaving the targeted areas

West welcomesnew oppositionbody

Western nations, Qatar andTurkey have welcomedthe creation of a new

Syrian coalition that aims to unifyopposition against President Basharal-Assad.

The National Coalition for SyrianRevolutionary and Opposition Forceswas unveiled in Doha on Sunday.

Its president will be Moaz al-Khatib, a former imam of theUmayyad Mosque in Damascus whofled Syria this year.

Meanwhile, Syrian governmentaircraft bombed the rebel-held townof Ras al-Ain, near the border withTurkey.

Both jets and helicopters targetedthe town, sending civilians fleeinginto the Turkish settlement ofCeylanpinar. Casualties werereported.

A mortar fired from Syria alsolanded near an army post in theIsraeli-occupied Golan Heights onMonday, for the second time in twodays.

The Israeli military later said itssoldiers had fired tank shells towardsthe source of the mortar fire,confirming "direct hits". A complainthad been filed with UN forcesoperating in the area, it added.

Observers and activists estimatethat more than 36,000 people havebeen killed in the long-runninguprising against President Assad.Hundreds of thousands have soughtrefuge in neighbouring countries.

Western and regional powershave in recent weeks put pressure ona hitherto fractious Syrian oppositionto create a unified, credible body thatcould become a conduit for allfinancial and possibly military aid.

The Syrian National Council(SNC), the previously dominantopposition umbrella group which iswidely viewed as divided andineffective, will control 22 of the 60seats on the National Coalition'sleadership council.

"We look forward to supportingthe National Coalition as it charts acourse toward the end of Assad'sbloody rule and the start of thepeaceful, just, democratic future thatall the people of Syria deserve," USstate department spokesman MarkToner said in a statement.

UK Foreign Secretary WilliamHague said the move was an"important milestone in forming abroad and representative oppositionthat reflects the full diversity of theSyrian people."

France's Foreign Minister,Laurent Fabius, said it would "workwith its partners to secureinternational recognition of this newentity as the representative of theaspirations of the Syrian people".

PAGE 34 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

Europe andAmericas

Jill Kelleynamed as FBIlink in DavidPetraeus case

The woman who was the targetof harassing emails from thelover of former CIA director

David Petraeus has been named asJill Kelley.

The FBI launched an inquiryafter Mrs Kelley said she hadreceived vicious emails from GenPetraeus' biographer PaulaBroadwell.

The investigation revealed firstthat the emails had come from MsBroadwell.

Following an examination of hercomputer, it transpired she had hadan affair with Gen Petraeus.

Politicians now want to knowwhy they were not told about theaffair sooner, with one evensuggesting a cover-up.

David Petraeus, the 60-year-oldfour-star general, described hisbehaviour as "unacceptable" for theCIA's leader.

The BBC's Jane Little inWashington says that last week'sdramatic fall from grace of theformer spymaster continues to sendshockwaves through the capital.

On Sunday, US officials namedthe second woman as Jill Kelley, wholives in Florida.

They describe the 37-year-oldfrom Florida as a family friend of MrPetraeus and his wife, Holly.

There is no suggestion that MrsKelley, who works as an unpaid socialliaison at a military base in Tampa,has had an affair with the formerCIA boss.

In a statement, Mrs Kelley andher husband acknowledged theirfriendship with Gen Petraeus andasked for privacy.

"We and our family have beenfriends with Gen Petraeus and hisfamily for over five years. We respecthis and his family's privacy andwant the same for us and our threechildren," she said.

Gen Petraeus was forced toresign last week, although USofficials said the FBI had begun aninquiry into Mrs Broadwell, 40,several months ago.

This has now triggered angryreaction from both Democratic andRepublican politicians, who areasking whether national securitycould have been compromised.

BBC news chief anddeputy quit over scandal

carried on both the BBC Newschannel and its rival Sky Newstelevision, but an officialannouncement is expected withinhours.

Acting director-general TimDavie, who took over the top job atthe public broadcaster followingthe dramatic resignation of GeorgeEntwistle on Saturday night, is

Spain suspends house evictions for two years

expected to set out his plans tomanage the crisis later in the day.

According to the BBC report,Boaden and Mitchell have beenasked to give up theirresponsibilities pending an inquiryinto why an investigation by theNewsnight programme intoclaims of sex abuse by Savile wasdropped last year.

Abu Qatada wins appeal against deportation

Abu Qatada

The BBC's director of news,Helen Boaden, and herdeputy, Stephen Mitchell,

have "stepped aside" amid the crisisover Jimmy Savile and a reportwrongly accusing a politician ofchild abuse, reports said Monday.

The BBC press office told theAFP news agency on Monday itcould not confirm the reports,

Former BBC director general George Entwistle has denied attempts to cover child abuse crises[Reuters]

There have been suggestions,which the BBC has denied, that theNewsnight report was axedbecause it would have clashed witha planned tribute programme toSavile, one of the BBC's biggest starswho died in October 2011.

The inquiry is being led by NickPollard, the former head of SkyNews.

Allegations that Savile mayhave abused up to 300 childrenover four decades, includingwhile working at the BBC, haveplunged the broadcaster intocrisis.

The BBC's problems werecompounded when Newsnight,one of its flagship current affairsprogrammes, was forced to admiton Friday that a report theprevious week implicating asenior political figure in child sexabuse was wrong.

Entwistle resigned onSaturday after just 54 days asdirector-general, saying he tookresponsibility for the Newsnightreport even though he had notseen it.

The state funded broadcasterconfirmed on Sunday thatEntwistle would get a payoff of$715,000.

It said the settlement took intoconsideration that Entwistle wouldcontinue working on BBC business,including two inquiries in the childabuse scandal.

Muslim cleric Abu Qatadawill not be deported toJordan, after he won his

appeal at the SpecialImmigration AppealsCommission (SIAC).

His appeal was upheld afterlawyers claimed he would not geta fair trial in Jordan, where he isaccused of plotting bomb attacks.

The government said it wouldseek to appeal against the ruling.

The home secretary had beenassured by Jordan that no evidencegained through torture would beused against him.

Abu Qatada's lawyer Edward

Fitzgerald QC has applied for thecleric to be released on bailimmediately. Mr Qatada - realname Omar Othman - is beingheld at Long Lartin prison inWorcestershire.

Mr Fitzgerald told the court:"There is no reasonableprospect of lawful removal[deportation] within anyreasonable time.

"There is no justification forcontinuing to deprive Mr Othmanof his liberty.

"Enough is enough, it hasgone on for many many yearsnow," the QC added.

Some protersters in GrenadaPaula Broadwell

from their homes since Spain'sproperty market crashed in2008, at the beginning of theeconomic crisis.

The announcement comesthree days after a woman innorthern Spain took her ownlife, just before she was due tobe evicted from her home.

It is not clear how they willdecide who the mostvulnerable people are.

The announcement camefrom the Spanish bankingassociation, AEB.

A 53-year-old womanjumped out of her fourth-floorflat on Friday as local officialsarrived to evict her from herhome.

Another man in the city of

Spanish banks are tosuspend evictions for thenext two years for the

most vulnerable people.An estimated 350,000

families have been evicted

Granada, whose house wasalso due to be repossessed,apparently committed suicidelast month.

There have beendemonstrations in Spain, withan organisation calledPlatform for MortgageVictims blocking access tohouses to prevent evictions.

The Spanish governmentis meeting the opposition onMonday to discuss newregulations for evictions.

Juliane Kokott, theEuropean Court of Justice'sadvocate general, hascriticised the current rules onevictions, saying they violateEuropean consumerprotection rules.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012 PAGE 35

Boy, 8, crashes car aftertaking five-year-oldsister on midnight joyride

An eight-year-old Utah boytook his five-year-old sisteron a middle-of-the-night

joyride in their mother'sminivan - and crashed the car.

The boy, who could not evensee above the steering wheel,made sure he and his sister hadbuckled up and drove just a fewhundred feet before smashinginto a line of trees along theOgden River, about 40 milesnorth of Salt Lake City.

No one was injured and thechildren were returned to astunned mother who awoke topolice officers in her apartmentat about 2 a.m. on Thursday,authorities said.

'They had just come out of thedriveway, went across bothlanes, then hit those trees,' said

Crash site: A picture of the Utah family minivan after the eight-year-old took his younger sister fora joyride

Mother sent gay son to school with astun gun - to stop him being bullied

George Osborne tops the listof personalities who frequentBrits' nightmares, Reutersreported.

Bullets, gun found by airportsecurity during screening of4-year-old boy

Security officers found gunparts and ammunitionhidden inside a child's three

stuffed animals- including a MickeyMouse doll- at a Rhode Island airport.

The weapon parts were found

The mother of an openly gayhigh school student in theU.S. armed her son with a

stun gun so that he could defendhimself from bullying, sayingthat she had no choice.

Chelisa Grimes told CNNadministrators at ArsenalTechnical High School inIndianapolis did not do enough toprotect her son, Darnell 'Dynasty'Young, 17, who she said enduredmonths of harassment.

Ogden police Lt. Danielle Croyle.'It could have been much worseif they didn't have their seatbeltson. They were just too smart fortheir own good.'

Authorities did not identifythe mother and she was notavailable for comment. Croylesaid police have no previoushistory with the woman or herchildren, and neglect was not anissue. She called it an accidentand said no charges werepending.

Witnesses said it was a shock.'It was crazy,' said JustineMcDonald, 18, who heard thecrash and ran outside with afriend to help.

'They looked a little freakedout. The kids just kept sayingthey were happy to be alive,'

the full magazine clip were 'artfullyconcealed' and the father did not knowthey were there

The officer said that the parts ofthe weapon were 'artfully concealed'inside the toys.

Stun gun Darnell 'Dynasty'Young discharged at school

McDonald said. 'I said, "Where'syour mommy and daddy? Arethey still in the car?" But she wasat home asleep.'

The young boy told Ogdenpolice that his sister wanted togo to the store, so he grabbed thekeys and headed out with hismother asleep in another room.

Several witnesses called 911to report the crash. 'This kidwasn't even tall enough to seeabove the steering wheel,' saidneighbor Holly Maxwell, whoalso ran across the street to help.'They were worried their motherwas going to be mad at them.'

The 25-year-old said she heldthe little girl's hand and walkedwith police back to theirapartment, along withMcDonald.

Chelisa Grimes (L) and son Darnell 'Dynasty' Young

He is now facing expulsion fordischarging the weapon atschool.

Darnell 'Dynasty' Young isnow facing expulsion fordischarging the stun gun atschool

The bullied teenager said hepulled the stun gun from hisbackpack, raised it in the air andset it off, sending the bulliesfleeing.

'I got kicked out of school for

me bringing the weapon to school,but I honestly don't think thatthat was fair,' Young said.

'I didn't use it on nobody. ... AllI did was raise it up in the air andwent back to my class.'

School police officers arrestedhim soon after. The school isinvestigating the incident. Noneof Young's alleged attackers havebeen identified.

The school district held anexpulsion hearing for Young lastweek, but no decision had beenannounced.

Troubled mouse: Parts of a gun were found stuffed inside threedifferent toys that a 4-year-old boy put through an airport's metaldetector

Unexpected: The policedeemed it a domestic disputeand the gun was confiscatedfrom the father and son, whowere allowed to continue ontheir travels

UK finance minister tops listof brits' nightmares- survey

Forget the Boogeyman. It'sthe UK finance ministerwho has Brits waking up

in a panic.A Travelodge poll found that

70 percent of Brits havenightmares and that GeorgeOsborne is a regular in those baddreams, Reuters reported.Osborne, whose official title isChancellor of the Exchequer, hasbeen the focus of public criticismafter enacting cuts to welfarebudgets and a freeze in publicsector pay. He was booed duringa medal ceremony at theParalympics this summer,Reuters said.

"Suffering from nightmaresthat involve the chancellor,money and losing a job are atrue reflection of how the creditcrunch and the double diprecession have affected our wellbeing as well as our money,"Travelodge spokeswomanShakila Ahmed said in astatement.

Former Labour PrimeMinister Gordon Brown came insecond, followed by fashionmodel Katie Price, also known asJordan. Justin Bieber andMarilyn Manson also made thetop 10, ranking seventh andeighth, respectively.

inside three toys that a 4-year-oldboy brought to the T.F. GreenAirport when he was flying to Detroitwith his father.

Police have said that the reasonfor the hidden gun was a domesticdispute but they did not specifyfurther about the nature of theargument or the identities of theparents.

'It was jointly investigated bythe Rhode Island Airport Police,FBI and the RI State Police and itwas determined that there wasno threat at any time to airsafety.'

The father told police that hedidn't know the parts were insidethe stuffed toys.

As a result, the boy and hisfather were allowed to carry onwith their trip once the weaponswere confiscated.

The stuffed animals, including ateddy bear and a rabbit, were insidethe child's carry-on bag, which hadbeen put through an X-ray machineas part of normal security screening.

The various parts of the gun and

Authorities said a .40-caliber gunwas found inside one animal, while amagazine loaded with two .40-caliberrounds and a firing pin were foundinside a second animal. Another partof a gun known as a slide was foundinside the third animal.

The parts could have beenassembled to make a full firearm,authorities said.

PAGE 36 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

18 things your feet sayabout your health (I)

from the brain and spinal cord tothe entire rest of the body.Peripheral neuropathy has manycauses, but the top two arediabetes and alcohol abuse(current or past). Chemotherapyis another common cause.

More clues: The tingling orburning can also appear in handsand may gradually spread up toarms and legs. The reducedsensation may make it feel likeyou’re constantly wearing heavysocks or gloves.

What to do: See a physicianto try to pinpoint the cause(especially if alcohol addictiondoesn’t apply). There’s no cure forperipheral neuropathy, butmedications from pain relieversto antidepressants can treatsymptoms.

What it means:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), adegenerative joint disease, is oftenfirst felt in the smaller joints, suchas the toes and the knuckles of thehands.

More clues: Swelling andstiffness usually accompany theaches. This pain tends to besymmetrical; for example, ithappens simultaneously in bothbig toes or in both index fingers.RA develops more suddenly thandegenerative arthritis, andattacks may come and go.Women are almost four timesmore affected than men.

What to do: A full workup isalways needed to pinpoint thecause of any joint pain. For RA,there are many medications andtherapies that can minimize painand preserve function, thoughearly diagnosis is important toavoid permanent deformity. (Inthe feet, the toes can drift to theside.)

What it means: In up to halfof all people with psoriasis, theskin disease also shows up in thenail as many little holes, whichcan be deep or shallow. More thanthree-fourths of those withpsoriatic arthritis, a relateddisorder that affects the joints aswell as the skin, also have pocked,pitted nails.

More clues: The nails(fingers as well as toes) will alsothicken. They may be yellow-brown or have salmon-coloredpatches. The knuckle nearest thenail is also likely to be dry, red,and inflamed.

What to do: A variety ofmedications can treat bothpsoriasis and psoriatic arthritisand can restore the nail bedsurface in many cases, especiallyif treatment begins early.

What it means: “Foot drop”(also “drop foot”) signals nerve ormuscle damage that canoriginate well north of your feet— as far as your back or evenshoulder or neck. Certainchemotherapy drugs can alsocause trouble lifting the frontpart of the foot while walking orstanding.Source: Yahoomail.com

specialist or your regularphysician for care andtreatment. In serious cases, over-the-counter antifungals areusually not as effective as acombination of topical and oralmedications and the professionalremoval of diseased bits. Newer-generation oral antifungalmedications tend to have fewerside effects than older ones.

What it means: Probablygout. Yes, that old-fashioned-sounding disease is still verymuch around — and you don’thave to be over 65 to get it. Goutis a form of arthritis (also called“gouty arthritis”) that’s usuallycaused by too much uric acid, anatural substance. The built-upuric acid forms needlelikecrystals, especially at low bodytemperatures. And the coolestpart of the body, farthest from theheart, happens to be the big toe.

“Three-fourths of the time,you wake up with a red-hotswollen toe joint as the firstpresentation of gout,” sayspodiatrist Andersen.

More clues: Swelling andshiny red or purplish skin —along with a sensation of heat andpain — can also occur in the instep,the Achilles tendon, the knees,and the elbows. Anyone candevelop gout, though men intheir 40s and 50s are especiallyprone. Women with gout tend tobe postmenopausal.

What to do: See a doctorabout controlling the causes ofgout through diet or medication.A foot specialist can help relievepain and preserve function.

What it means: Beingunable to “feel” your feet orhaving a heavy pins-and-needlessensation is a hallmark ofperipheral neuropathy, ordamage to the peripheralnervous system. That’s the body’sway of transmitting information

Want to make a simple,ten-second check on thestate of your health?

Sneak a peek at your feet.“You can detect everything

from diabetes to nutritionaldeficiencies just by examining thefeet,” says Jane Andersen, DPM,president of the AmericanAssociation of Women Podiatristsand a spokeswoman for theAmerican Podiatric MedicalAssociation.

The lowly left and rightprovide plenty of insightful data:Together they contain a quarterof the body’s bones, and each footalso has 33 joints; 100 tendons,muscles, and ligaments; andcountless nerves and bloodvessels that link all the way tothe heart, spine, and brain.

Unresolved foot problems canhave unexpected consequences.Untreated pain often leads aperson to move less and gainweight, for example, or to shiftbalance in unnatural ways,increasing the chance of fallingand breaking a bone.

So when the feet send one ofthese 18 warning messages, theymean business.

What it means: Poorcirculation, usually caused byvascular disease, can make hairdisappear from the feet. Whenthe heart loses the ability topump enough blood to theextremities because ofarteriosclerosis (commonlyknown as hardening of thearteries), the body has toprioritize its use. Hairy toes are,well, low on the totem pole.

More clues: The reducedblood supply also makes it hard tofeel a pulse in the feet. (Check thetop of the foot or the inside of theankle.) When you stand, your feetmay be bright red or dusky; whenelevated, they immediately pale.The skin is shiny. People with poorcirculation tend to already knowthey have a cardiovascularcondition (such as heart diseaseor a carotid artery) yet may notrealize they have circulationtrouble.

What to do: Treating theunderlying vascular issues canimprove circulation. Toe hairseldom returns, but nobodycomplains much.

What it means: Anemia(iron deficiency) often shows upas an unnatural, concave orspoonlike shape to the toes’ nailbeds, especially in moderate-to-severe cases. It’s caused by nothaving enough hemoglobin, aniron-rich protein in the blood cellsthat transports oxygen. Internalbleeding (such as an ulcer) orheavy menstrual periods cantrigger anemia.

More clues: On fingers as wellas toes, the skin and nail beds bothappear pale. The nails may alsobe brittle, and feet may feel cold.Fatigue is the number-one signof anemia, as are shortness ofbreath, dizziness when standing,and headache.

What to do: A complete bloodcount is usually used to diagnoseanemia. A physical exam maypinpoint a cause. First-steptreatments include ironsupplements and dietarychanges to add iron and vitaminC (which speeds iron absorption).

What it means: The suddenstab of a foot cramp — basically,the hard contraction of a muscle

professional every three months.What it means: Women,

especially, report cold feet (ormore precisely, their bedmatescomplain about them). It may benothing — or it may indicate athyroid issue. Women over 40who have cold feet often have anunderfunctioning thyroid, thegland that regulates temperatureand metabolism. Poor circulation(in either gender) is anotherpossible cause.

More clues:Hypothyroidism’s symptoms arepretty subtle and appear in manydisorders (fatigue, depression,weight gain, dry skin).

What to do: Insulating layersof natural materials work best forwarmth. (Think wool socks andlined boots). If you also have othernagging health complaints,mention the cold feet to yourdoctor. Unfortunately, however,aside from treatment withmedication in the event of athyroid condition, this tends to bea symptom that’s neither easilynor sexily resolved.

What it means: A fungalinfection may be runningrampant below the surface of thenail. Onychomycosis can persistpainlessly for years. By the timeit’s visibly unattractive, theinfection is advanced and canspread to all toenails and evenfingernails.

More clues: The nails mayalso smell bad and turn dark.People most vulnerable: thosewith diabetes, circulatorytrouble, or immune-deficiencydisorders (like rheumatoidarthritis). This condition is alsorelatively common in olderpeople, and often causes problemswalking, since as infected nailsgrow thicker, they’re harder tocut and simply go ignored to thepoint of pain.

What to do: See a foot

— can be triggered by fleetingcircumstances such as exercise ordehydration. But if it happensoften, your diet may lacksufficient calcium, potassium, ormagnesium. Pregnant women inthe third trimester are especiallyvulnerable thanks to increasedblood volume and reducedcirculation to the feet.

More clues: Charley horsestend to rear up out of nowhere,often while you’re just lyingthere. They can be a single sharpmuscle spasm or come in waves.Either way, soreness can lingerlong afterward.

What to do: Try to flex thefoot and massage the painfularea. You may also be able torelax the muscle by applying acold pack or rubbing alcohol. Toprevent cramps, stretch yourfeet before you go to bed. Thendrink a glass of warm milk (forthe calcium).

What it means: This is amajor clue to diabetes. Elevatedblood glucose levels lead to nervedamage in the feet — whichmeans that minor scrapes, cuts,or irritations caused by pressureor friction often go unnoticed,especially by someone who’sunaware he has the disease.Untreated, these ulcers can leadto infection, even amputation.

More clues: Oozing, foul-smelling cuts are especiallysuspect because they’ve probablybeen there awhile. Othersymptoms of diabetes includepersistent thirst, frequenturination, increased fatigue,blurry vision, extreme hunger,and weight loss.

What to do: Get the ulcertreated immediately and see adoctor for a diabetes evaluation.Diabetics need to inspect their feetdaily (older people or the obeseshould have someone do this forthem) and see a healthcare

PAGE 37PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

You were militaryadministrator inBorno state, how

does it feel being hereconsidering the securityproblems bedeviling thestate today?

First of all, let me paycondolence to the Governor ofBorno State, His RoyalHighness, the Shehu of Bornoand people of the state overthe unfortunate happeningswhich have claimed so manylives and properties. I havebeen following the trend ofevents in Borno even though Ihave not been here. I havealways been interested in whathappens here as a formeradministrator and I will saythat first, the crisis isunfortunate. But from mya n a l y s i s , G o v e r n o r K a s h i mShettima has been very wise toidentify unemployment as toppriority with special attentionto agriculture. He was smartbecause I think he was the firstto publicly establish thisimportant link and he has beenvery consistent and this isimportant. From what I havebeen hearing before I came herethe governor has taken up theissue of youth empowermentsvery seriously especiallythrough agriculture and otherv o c a t i o n a lt r a i n i n g . G e n e r a l l y ,employment of youths andtraining towards makingthem self-reliant is crucial.Lack of job opportunities as wellas high-level illiteracy is theunderlying cause of youthrestiveness because an idlemind is a devils workshopespecially the mind of a youth.The youth is, by his age,vulnerable to violent behaviorbecause he feels self motivatedto do wrong. I see many youths

Shettima is on track in Borno, says Ex Milad

doing different good things herein Borno; laying interlocks onsome streets, learning andmaking bricks and buildingclass rooms, someu n d e r g o i n g i n t e g r a t e dagricultural trainings, it’sreally a good strategy. Inaddition to that, the governoris very humble, verypersuasive, he reaches out tomany people for consultations,he is making Borno the businessof so many people outside thestate and this is an intelligentleadership style, he is a man ofpeace. Believe me if not becauseof the way the governoris handling the crisis, it wouldhave become worse than it is.Despite all the problems, look atthe many projects he is doing; itis incredible. I seriously respectGovernor Shettima; he hasrespect for elder statesmen andeven to the person at the lowestlevel and this again isimportant because it makesgovernance connected withelders who have something tooffer. I urge the people of Bornoto give this great man thedesired support and co-operation to enable himachieve his aims.

What direct securitymeasures would you want tosuggest to those at the helmof affairs on the insurgencyin the State and parts of thenortheast in particular?

Security maintenanceis a very expensive venture but

I urge the governor not to betired. His quality leadership ishelping greatly in bringing thesituation to order. If you lookat other countries likeAmerica, it took them somany years to restore peaceand order in their societies. Wedo not pray for such a thing tohappen because we do not knowwho will be affected and whenit will end. Ours will

INTERVIEW

Retired Colonel Abdul-Muminu Aminu

Retired Colonel Abdul-Muminu Aminu, was once the Military Administrator of Bornostate under General Ibrahim Babangida’s administration. He had held various positionsunder the military including working to improve Nigeria’s national security as Commanderof the (then) National Guard before his retirement during the General Sanni Abacha era. The ex military administrator was recently in Borno State for condolence visit over thekilling of General Muhammad Shuwa, during which he spoke to journalists on the securitysituation in the once peaceful Borno State where he served as the number citizen. Ourcorrespondent, Mustapha Isah Kwaru, was there. Excerpts:

be different insha Allah.T o d a y , M a i d u g u r iis suffering because of the BokoHaram insurgency. What ishappening is known toeverybody but the governor ishandling the issue with greatcommitment and maturity. Solet us support this great manwho has done very welland is still doing well for theState. Borno is ordinarily

not an easy state to govern buthe has done so well even in theface of intense securitychallenges.

What specific securitymeasures will you suggest?

I have a militarybackground and in the military,we do not discuss securitymeasures in the public but like Isaid, the governor is really ontrack, he is highly committedto his duties and that is why Iseriously want to identify withhim for his zeal to restore peaceand develop the state. I believein the next two and halfyears, he will do more goodthings for the people of thestate. By the time the people re-elect him to run the state foranother four years,hopefully many people willenvy the state because of hisexcellent and qualityleadership. A lot ofpeople admire Shettima evenfrom outside the state. He is myjunior brother; people of Bornoare my fathers, brothers andsisters. I will continue to identifywith Borno state till the end ofmy life and I will continue to dowhat I can to move the stateforward. Like I said earlier,for me Abdulmuminu Aminu, Isee the governor as a humbleperson. Why I like him most isthe love he hasfor the youths and his desire todevelop the state and I see thingsworking again in BornoState.

NASS to pass bill on new sugar master plan soon - UsmanSenator Nenadi Usman, the

Chairman, SenateCommittee on Investment on

Monday expressed optimism thatthe National Assembly would soonpass the Nigerian Sugar MasterPlan (NSMP) bill.

Usman disclosed this in Abujaat a one-day stakeholders'interactive forum and theunveiling of the NSMP.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) recalls that the FederalExecutive Council had inSeptember approved the NSMP aswell as a regime of fiscal andinvestment incentives to boostsugar production.

Usman said the bill, whenpassed into law, would ensure thesmooth implementation of the new

NSMP.``The bill is to strengthen the

implementation of the policy, togive it a legal backing and somepush so that people will not justthink they can just do anythingand get away with it.

``The bill has gone through thefirst reading, waiting for the secondreading which will protect all thestakeholders, especially theconsumers and themanufacturers.

``It is criminal for anyone to begiven all the fiscal protectionneeded just for them to be able toimport and keep refining raw sugarat the detriment of having outgrowers in the farm that should begrowing sugarcane,''.

Usman, who was also a former

Minister of Finance, urgedsabotours to stay away from theNSMP, adding that it would nolonger be business as usual.

In his remarks, Dr OlusegunAganga, Minister of Trade andInvestment, said with theimplementation of the NSMP,411.7 additional mega watts ofelectricity would be generatedfrom sugar production by 2020.

According to him, theimplementation of the NSMP willalso make Nigeria to be among thetop ten sugar exporters in theworld.

The minister said apart fromthe country being self sufficient insugar production which wouldbring an end to the importation ofsugar, the successful

implementation of the policy wouldcreate about 117 million jobs.

``The implementation of thesugar master plan will lead to theproduction of 161.1 million litres ofethanol which will save the countryabout $65.8 million on fuelimportation.''

Aganga noted with concern theover dependence on importation ofsugar which, he said, had affectedthe economy negatively, addingthat government had put in placemeasures to encourage localproduction.

``In order to both stimulate andprotect local investment in thesugar sub-sector, a new regime offiscal tariff has been approved to takeeffect from January 1, 2013.

``The measures include the

approval of high fiscal tariffstructure which is deliberatelyskewed against importation and toprevent dumping of cheap sugarand perfect the infant industry.''

The minister said the tariffwould take cognisance of the littlevalue addition by refiners whoimport and refine sugar.

According to him, the FederalGovernment has also providedincentives for investors in thesector.

The incentives included zeroper cent on machinery and spareparts for local sugarmanufacturing industries, fiveyears tax holiday for 'sugarcane tosugar' value-chains and investorsin local sugar manufacturingindustries. (NAN)

PAGE 38 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

The Labour Party (LP) hastold the Action Congressof Nigeria (ACN) to desist

from making further commentson its decision to approach theTribunal over the victory of theparty’s candidate and theincumbent governor, SegunMimiko.

The party counseled theopposition in the state to wait forthe court to adjucate on thematter as further commentscould be subjudice.

The ACN had on Sundaythrough its Media Assistant, Mr.Idowu Ajanaku attempted torationalise the reasons the party

Election petition: Wait for the court toadjudicate on your case, LP advises ACN

was in court mentioningallegations bothering on criminalpractices against both the LP andthe Independent NationalElectoral Commission (INEC)which they insisted resorted in theelection victory for Dr OlusegunMimiko.

However, the Labour Party ina statement on yesterday beratedthe ACN saying that once mattersare in court, it becomes subjudiceand should not be a subject of mediaanalysis adding that these anticswould not avail them before theTribunal.

According to the LP’s PublicitySecretary, Mr FemiOkunjemiruwa, “the position of thelaw is that once a matter is in court,

nobody should comment on it inthe media as the ACN is nowdoing. If you go to court withweighty allegations as the onesbeing made by the party, it behoveson you to be ready to prove theseallegations rather than resortingto media rigmarole as the ACN istrying to do, they ought to be awareof the legal maxim which says hewho alleges must prove.”

The LP spokesperson whilestating that even from the tiradesof the ACN as enunciated by itsmedia manager, it was obviousthat they were a bunch of confusedpeople merely out to play mischiefrather than be serious at thetribunal.

His words: “while we are not

going to join issues with those whoare, from all intent and purposes,not ready to subject themselves tothe rule of the court consideringtheir posturing in the last fewmonths before, during and afterthe election, we would like to saythat some of the issues raised werepre-election matters and notelection matters.

“The rule is that since theyhave gone to court, they shouldallow the court to adjudicate of thematter rather than trying to playmedia stunts with all thesephantom allegations which theyshould be prepared to substantiaterather than resorting to a fly inthe ointment tactics which failedthem during the election.”

The people of Niger state inthe recently concludedPeoples Congress on the

amendment of the 1999

constitution kicked against theintroduction of state police in thecountry.

The peoples also unilaterallykicked against the operation ofState/Local government joint

Constitution amendment: Niger kicks against state policeaccount and called for its abolitionjust as they support the autonomyof the state Assemblies.

The public session across theconstituencies were in support ofthe separation of offices of

Gov. Adams Oshiomholeof Edo, yesterday inBenin, took the oath of

office for a second term with apromise to rededicate himself tothe development of the state.

He made the promise in hisinaugural speech, shortly afterhe was sworn in by the ChiefJudge of the state, JusticeCromwell Idahosa.

Justice Idahosa alsoadministered the oath of officeon the Deputy Governor of thestate, Dr Pius Odubu.

Oshiomhole said that hewould improve on the tertiaryeducation sector, adding that hewould not renege on hiselectoral campaign promises tothe people.

The governor, who thankedthe people for their massivesupport for his July 14 electoralvictory, also said that he wouldensure massive development ofindustries.

According to him, sucheffort will attract direct foreigninvestment to the state andguarantee employment for theteeming youths in the state.

He paid tribute to his co-constants in the election.

“I salute all co-contestantsduring the election whose roleshave helped to deepen andstrengthen democracy in ourState.

“ We will continue to counton your support to take Edo tothe next level. I use thisopportunity to invite all of youto join me to transform andreposition our dear State.’’

The governor commendedtraditional rulers for their rolesin the concerted efforts todevelop the state.

Oshiomhole also paid tributeto his late wife, Clara, hisassassinated Principal PrivateSecretary, Olaitan Oyerindeand four Journalists who diedin his campaign trip.

The former Head of StateGen. Yakubu Gowon, governorsof Imo, Delta, Anambra, Ekiti,Osun, Rivers, Lagos and Ogunstates were among dignitarieswho attended the occasion.

Others included Alhaji AlikoDangote, National Chairman ofthe ACN, Chief Bisi Akande,former minister of Defence,Maj-Gen Godwin Abbey and SenDaisy Danjuma. (NAN)

Oshiomholesworn in, promisesmassivedevelopment forEdo

From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

The people of Ekiti and Oke-Ero local governmentareas of Kwara State have

sought for reintegration with theirkindred in the present Ekiti stateinsisting that their presence inKwara was amalgam of strangebedfellows.

The people of the area in a papertitled "Request for boundaryadjustment", presented at the

public session organised by Houseof Representatives held at Omu-Aran headquarters of Irepodun LGAon constitution review and signedby ten traditional rulers want theFederal Government to separatethem from Kwara state.

The documents which wasmade available to Journalists inIlorin yesterday stated that therehad been different discriminationagainst the people of the areabecause it was unclear whether

Ekiti Kwara seeks reintegration with kindred in Ekiti statethey are Northerners orSoutherners.

"Kwara state is therefore anamalgam of strange bedfellows andthe irreconcilable. Every ethnicnationality that conjunctivelymake up Kwara state is suspiciousof the other's might and influence,education developments, economicprowess and ability, politicalsagacity.

"The foregoing snowballs intointrigues, suppression and

outmuscling of one at the expenseof another. Ekiti stock of Kwara stateseems to be worst off in this dirtygame in which its template is firmlybuilt on injustice and denials".

The people of the area whichtraced their ordeal to 19th centurywhen it was ceded to the Northlamented that no remarkableprogress were recorded in all spheresof human endevour. It noted thearea lacked tertiary institution; theirtraditional rulers were downgraded;

From Iliya Garba, Minna Accountant General of theFederation and Federalgovernment and separation ofAttorney General from the officeof the Minister of Justice amongothers.

L-R: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, his daughter, Mrs Jane Adukwu and her son, former Head of State, GeneralYakubu Gowon, and Deputy Governor, Edo State, Dr Pius Odubu, at a special thanksgiving mass to usher in the Governor's secondtenure in Benin City, yesterday.

no General Hospital while itsindigenes have been denied manypolitical appointment in the past.

"In the light of all the above, weask for the restructuring of thepresent Kwara State by carving thepresent Ekiti and Oke-Ero LGA fromKwara State and merge same withthe present Ekiti State to be given anatmosphere of equal belonging sothat we can have a good history tobequeath to our children and indeedgenerations to come".

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

PAGE 39PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

Niger warns critics againstrunning government downNiger State Commissioner

for Information andStrategy, Alhaji

Danladi Abdulhameed, haswarned critics of GovernorAliyu Babangida againstrunnig the government down.

Abdulhameed describedthose criticizing Aliyu’s

L-R: President, International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES), Mr. Williams R. Sweeneyreceiving a gift from the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),Professor Attahiru Jega, during the IFES President visit to the INEC Headquarters, yesterday inAbuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

From Iliya Garba, Minna administration as little mindsthat are tamed and subdued bymisfortune.

His reaction is comingagainst the backdrop ofallegations of financialrecklessness on overseas tripswithout investors coming tojustify such trips; dearth ofinfrastructural development;withholding of local

government council fundsamongst others by theopposition parties.

Speaking in an interview inMinna yesterday, theCommissioner said it isunfortunate that instead ofbeing appreciative of the newface of Niger state, some peoplehave constituted themselvesinto human blocks for the

accused, Alhaji Bako Nasir, notedthat based on the sections 8 and 9 ofthe Katsina Shari’a law, the courthas no jurisdiction to entertain thecase based on procedural issue.

The counsel noted that it wasonly the Grand Khadi and theShari’a Commission that mustproduce the criminal procedure forShari’a Courts in Katsina statewhich should be based under theMaliki school of thought, addingthat so far, there was no such

procedure.He stressed that without this

criminal procedure in place thecourt has no jurisdiction toentertain the case, citing the case ofone Abdu Magaji Vs Commissionerof police reported in the Nigeria LawReport 2007 where the case wasstruck out for lack of jurisdiction.

According to him, the judge whopresided over the case at KatsinaHigh court hold the view that‘jurisdiction is the bedrock of trial in

any case.In his counter objection, the

counsel to the plaintiff, BarristerSadau Garba stressed that the courthas jurisdiction to try the case, sinceaccording to him the same section 8of the Shari’a law of Katsina Stategave the court the power to entertainthe case.

He noted that under the Malikilaw in a book called MawahibulKhalil Chapter 6 and page 309talking on defamation it hold you

Defamation: Court fixes Nov. 29th for ruling between Ingama and Sen. Bellomust be punished if you defame apersons character by calling a liar,evil doer.

Garba stressed that since it wasan issue concerning Shari’a law andall the parties to the dispute areMuslims then they have to right tohold any contrary views if Allah andhis prophet decided over a matter.

After listening to the two parties,the presiding judge, Khadi YusufBala fixed 29th 0t November 2012for ruling on the issues of jurisdiction.

The Peoples DemocraticParty (PDP) yesterdaycommiserated with the

family of the former Oyo stategovernor, Alhaji Lam Adesinadescribing the occurrence as afurther depletion of seasoned

politicians in the country.The party in a statement by

its National Publicity Secretaryof the Party, Chief Olisa Metuh,stated that although the latepolitician was not a member ofthe PDP, the party appreciatedhis role in the sustenance ofdemocracy in the country and

will miss his experience andwords of wisdom.

Chief Metuh maintained thatthe late Alhaji Adesina, whom hedescribed as a renownededucationist and political leaderwhile alive, devoted his energiesto the service of fatherland.

The PDP spokesman said the

Adesina's death, a depletion of seasoned politicians, says PDPformer governor will beremembered for hisforthrightness and candor andurged his family, friends andassociates to take solace in the factthat his existence wascharacterized by positivecontribution to the advancementof Nigeria.

purpose of running down thegovernment of Dr. BabangidaAl iyu.

He said the government isnot against individual person’sassessment of its performancesbut in doing so he should notresort to name damaging butto focus on constructivecriticisms based on issuesrather than dragging thename of the governor to mud.

According to theCommissioner, “Accusinggovernment of one wrongdoing or the other by theopposition is part ofdemocracy. In fact it iswelcomed in any democraticsetting because it addsglamour and value todemocracy”.

He however added thatthose who are against thegovernment are notconversant with the realitieson ground, “there is acommittee composed ofrepresentatives from the stategovernment and localgovernment councils who sitsand work out areas ofintervention and how themonies are utilized”.

“People now take ownershipof government by deciding onwhat projects they want andmonitoring same aftercompletion and that is one ofthe innovations we havebrought in governancethrough the WardDevelopment Projects,” he said.

He however advisedopposition forces in the state todesist from running down thename of the governor rather,they should pay attention toissues that bother on the state,just as he said the governmentwould welcome positivecriticisms geared towardsoverall growth anddevelopment of the state.

From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

By Lawrence Olaoye

An Upper Shari’a Courtsitting in Katsina has setaside November 29th 2012

for ruling on preliminary objectionraised by counsel to Bala MammanIngawa challenging its jurisdictionto entertain a case brought before itby Senator Kanti Bello on allegeddefamation of character.

Making his objection before thecourt yesterday, counsel to the

Senator representingJigawa CentralSenatorial District ,

Abdulmuminu Hassan Zareku,has received the memorandumof the four federal constituencieson the review of 1999constitution.

The senator made thedisclosure yesterday whiledelivering his goodwill messageafter harmonising the decisionscollected from people in the fourfederal constituencies under hissenatorial district during thepeople's public hearing on the1999 constitutional review.

Alhaji Abdulmumin Hassansaid "At our own level we willorganise a team of experts whomwould study and analyse thevarious memorandum thatemanated from the hearingsessions in all the four places beforepresenting same to thegeopolitical zone in Sokoto". "I wantto assure you that all the decisionswe are going to take are going tobe people oriented and those thatwill ensure peaceful coexistenceand sustainable development forour people".

He pointed out that theinitiative of engaging actively the360 constituencies in the countrywas not only wise but timely, "theinitiative will go a long way inproviding an opportunity toevery Nigerian to participate andmake contribution in amendingthe constitution".

"I'm indeed happy to be heretoday and to state with all sense ofresponsibility that we are alwaysready and committed to makinglaws for the general welfare of allthe citizens of Nigeria".

Speaking during the exercise,Zareku commended the efforts ofprofessionals and otherstakeholders for their maturityduring the compiling of thereports.

He also promised that all theviews and observations compiledwill be submitted without anyalteration and assured thatJigawa reports will be given dueconsideration.

Earlier in his speech thechairman of the occasion BaristerSabo Suleiman Kiyawa said thatthe committee comprises ofprofessional from judicial sector,youth organization andrepresentatives from NUJ.

JigawaSenator assuresconstituents offair playFrom Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

PAGE 40 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

L-R Kaduna State Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, Kogi State Governor Captain Idris Wada and Delta State Governor EmmanuelUduagha during the Fund raising ceremony organized by the Presidential Committee on Flood relief and rehabilitation held at theState House Abuja yesterday. Photo: Joe Oroye

Former governor of Sokotostate, Alhaji AttahiruBafrawa, yesterday

condoled with the family of the lateformer governor of Oyo state,Alhaji Lam Adesina, over his death.

The former governor in arelease made available on hisbehalf by Alhaji Yusuf Dingyadidescribed Adesina as an epitome ofpeace and unity. Bafarawadescribed the death of formerGovernor of Oyo state as a tragicloss and minus to the politicaldevelopment of Nigeria.

He said Late Lam Adesina livedan excellent life of peace,humbleness and trust among allhis people, colleagues and politicalassociates in the South west andNigeria in general; such thatNigerians will miss his greatnessand positive advise towardsustaining our nascentdemocracy.

The former Governor said thatas an epitome of trust, peace, unityand honesty, late Adesina willgreatly be missed by Nigerians overhis frankness, doggedness andquiet life of respect and religion. Hewas a good man of peace andpractical believer of his faith."Despite all the administrativechallenges and politicalintimidation from top over hisadministration, Gov Lam wasactively involved in many positivedevelopment of his dear state byproviding them with essentialservices to better their life" SaidBafarawa

He urged Nigerian leaders toemulate his style of leadership andlife after office as one of the virtuesof respect and development of thenation. He condoled governmentand people of Oyo state over thegreat loss and urged thegovernment to emulate his policyon a practical terms and namedone of their highly recognizedinstitution of learning after him forthe future generation.

Bafarawacondoles withAdesina's family

Help chase ACN from office,Bode George begs MimikoErstwhile Vice-Chairman

of the PeoplesDemocratic Party (PDP) for

South-West, Chief Olabode Georgehas pleaded with the ExecutiveGovernor of Ondo State OlusegunMimiko to help in chasing out theAction Congress of Nigeria ACN andits leaders from the seat ofgovernment.

He made the plea recently whenhe delivered a lecture titled "TheSearch for Collective Sacrifice" to agathering of party faithful at theauditorium of Golden GateRestaurant in Ikoyi Lagos.

Apparently referring to therecent victory of the Labor Partyled government over othercontesting party, Chief Bode notedthat there is a refreshing beginningin the stunning historic victory ofGovernor Olusegun RahmanMimiko over the ACN during the

October 29th gubernatorial electionin Ondo State

"Mimikos' clear and coherenttriumph over the forces of plunderand retrogression is a significantindication of the rejection of the forcesof evil by the Yoruba people; theinevitable unraveling of thedespicable forces of darkness hasstarted in Ondo and by extensionthe reckless swagger and vauntingof Bola Tinubu are now tamed," hesaid.

George said that the despairingstory of the South -West is acautionary moral to the rest of thenation about the abandonment ofthe political space to little men inmercenary garb without thefaintest coherence of probableorigins; without the least illustrationof ancestral beginning; without theleast identification of a family root.

The Yoruba elders were notspared the tongue lashing as theparty chieftain allege they have not

shown enough concern as "thisleadership defiles our ancestraltemple, purloins our collectivecoffers, desecrates our heritage withcold brutal calculations"

The Fashola led government wasdescribed by George as cruel andunfeeling because it continues toinflict reckless, vindictive tax burdenon a cowed electorate. He also allegedthat the states assets are brazenlyfrittered, expropriated, looted byvain little men who blindly scoff atthe finitude of life.

He noted with a tinge of sadnessthat the streets of Lagos are nowsmoldering with fear, anger, andanguish with the sudden throwingout of thousand of 'Okada' riders outof jobs and thus taking away theirlivelihood from them wonderingwhy those who are performingessential services that is veryvaluable and critical to ametropolitan environment likeLagos.

From Matthew Aramunde, Lagos

A member of the House ofr e p r e s e n t a t i v erepresenting Kirikasanma/

Birniwa/Guri FederalConstituency, Alhaji AdamuHassan Abunabo, has distributed540 water pumps and constructedbore holes for farmers as part of hisconstituency project at the cost ofN105 million.

Jigawa lawmaker donates N105million implements to farmersSpeaking at the ceremony,

Hassan said the gesture was toenable people become self reliant ,adding that the exercise will be acontinuous one .

He said out of the amount, 270water pumps and the same numberof bore holes would be given toKirikasamma while Guri hasreceived the same number.

According to the lawmaker,developmental projects meant to

From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse adequately cater for the wellbeingof the people is paramount and dearto him and that is why he is investingin the capacity building of farmersthat are predominantly residing inthe area.

He assured that the youth of thearea would no longer have any causeto migrate to urban centres in searchof greener pastures as he stressed thatthe distribution would continue inphases.

He said Diladige and Garin Andovillages in Kirikasamma will benefitfrom solar powered water system withadditional five hand pumps to othervillages in the area, while Kubulu andLafiyari in Guri local governmentwould also have solar water systemwith additional five hand pumps.

He also said two solar watersystems and six hand pumps wereallocated to Birniwa localgovernment area.

He therefore wants the traffic lawwhich he says is draconian scrappedbecause the Lagos State governmenthas no legislative control on suchFederal Government freewaysstressing that the governmentrestriction on okada riders is a purelegislative anomaly, it is a piece ofunconscionable fancy and as suchwill not stand.

By Lawrence Olaoye

The creation of state police willnot offer solution to insecurityin the country, Mr Collins

Agbo, the Adviser to EbonyiGovernor on Internal Security, hassaid in Abakiliki yesterday.

Agbo told the News Agency ofNigeria (NAN) that theestablishment of well-organisedvigilance groups at communitylevel would help in tacklingcriminal activities.

State police is not solution toinsecurity, says Ebonyi governor's aide

According to him, criminalelements live and interact with thepeople and that unless theiractivities are exposed they willremain threats to the society.

``Criminals are not ghostsneither do they live in holes; theylive and interact with us.

``If we are honest with ourselvesand expose criminals in our midstcrime will be reduced in the society,''he said.

He said that state police wouldnot solve the problem of internalsecurity as many states would nothave adequate resources to equipand maintain their own policeoutfit.

``If you recruit a policemanand fail to maintain him, youwould have created anothercriminal.''

He said that available recordsrevealed that policemen had notbeen effective in policing theircommunities as they alwaysshielded their kith and kin involvedin criminal acts.

PAGE 41PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

Former Nigeria World Cupskipper, Nwankwo Kanu,wants a bigger role in the

backroom staff of the country’steam bound for the Nations Cup.

Kanu is the Nigeria FootballFederation (NFF) SoccerAmbassador, but it was speciallygathered that ‘Papilo’ has madeknown his interest to be very mucha part of the Nations Cup-boundEagles as a backroom staff.

“Kanu wants to be part of theEagles backroom staff. He has saidas much to some top officials,” a topsource informed a wire service.

“He appreciates his role as Soccer

The Super Eagles’ contingent to Miami,Florida, USA landed safely yesterday evenas the team settled down for its first training

session preparatory for the international friendlyduel against Venezuela on tomorrow.

A total of 11 domestic league Eagles playersarrived in Miami ahead of their foreign-basedcolleagues, who are expected to start hitting campthis morning.

Coach Stephen Keshi, has been upbeat aboutthe game and declared that he expects all theplayers invited by latest this morning.

The team, which was led by NFF presidentAminu Maigari and included technicalcommittee chairman, Chris Green, departed theMurtala Mohammed International Airport inLagos at about 10:40pm on Sunday night,Nigerian time.

The team arrived Atlanta City in the USA at

Ambassador but he believes hecould do even more for the teambeing something like team co-ordinator.”

He has, therefore, come aroundthe team in Calabar for theirqualifying matches for both the2014 World Cup as well as the 2013Nations Cup.

Two-time African Player of theYear Kanu, who has featured forthe country’s U17, U20 andOlympic team, made his Eaglesdebut against Sweden in May1994.

He is famously remembered forleading Nigeria to an historic

Atlanta Olympics Gold in 1996.The 36-year-old star also

featured at three World Cups, in1998, 2002 and 2010. He equallyplayed at six Nations Cups between2000 and 2010. He has also beenstudying for his coaching badgesin England.

The former Arsenal star, who isalso a special adviser on sports tothe Imo State Governor RochasOkorocha, has insisted he has notquit active football even though hiscontract with ailing English clubPortsmouth has been cancelled.Kanu is demanding a heftycompensation from Pompey.

Nigeria came first with 50 gold,36 silver and 5 bronze medals,followed by Senegal with 16 silverand 38 bronze medals. Togo camethird with just a bronze medal, whileMali, Republic of Benin and Ghanadid not win any medal.

The Minister said he was excitedthat Ondo State had laudable sportsdevelopment programmes at thegrassroots and urged them to takeswimming seriously in their questto develop sports in the state.

“Africa is blessed with greattalents that could take her name togreater heights, if identified andgiven the right training and

Sports Minister, BolajiAbdullahi, has off-handedlydismissed assertions that dark

skin persons are not endowed withthe skill to engage in competitiveswimming.

Instead, Abdullahi said Africansare blessed with talents that coulddo the continent proud if they wereidentified and nurtured, followingthe standard training practice.

He made the assertion at the closingceremony of the maiden Africa Zone IIJunior Swimming Championships inAkure, where he was by theCoordinator, National SportsCommission (NSC), Zone II, Peter Nelson.

exposure, especially in swimming.“It excites me that Ondo State is

recognised for grassroots sportsdevelopment in Nigeria and thishas been extended to the WestAfrican sub-region for youngtalents to compete withinternational swimmers,’’ he said.

In his speech, Babatunde Fatayi-Williams, the President, NigeriaSwimming Federation (NSF), saidthat the body was building youngswimmers who would represent thecountry in future competitions.

Fatayi-Williams said thefederation was looking forward toanother junior competition in

another zone II country in twoyears. “We are trying to identifyand expose athletes to internationalswimming competitions.

“I thank the countries that

about 11am Nigerian time yesterday morning,which is about 5am American time.

After completing immigration formalities, theteam headed to board a Delta Airline connectingflight, by this time they had been joined by Israeli-based goalie, Austin Ejide, on the flight to Miami,Florida.

The team arrived Miami at 4:20pm, Nigeriantime, which is 8:20am in Miami and were metby the match organisers, who immediately tookthem to their abode at Intercontinental At Doralin Miami.

The team had breakfast and lunch thereaftertrained at 7:20pm, Miami time, close to the 8pmMiami time that the game tomorrow will beplayed.

“I’m happy at the weather and all the windcheaters we brought here may not be useful,”declared striker Sunday Mba.

Coach Kadiri Ikhana hastendered his resignation asSuper Falcons’ Chief Coach

after he failed to retain theAfrican Women’s Championshiptrophy at the women’s fiesta inEquatorial Guinea.

Ikhana’s Falcons put up theworst performance in the historyof Nigeria’s participation in thechampionship it has won six ofthe eight editions by placingfourth after bowing before theIndomitable Lionesses ofCameroon in the Losers’ Final.

The former CAF ChampionsLeague winner with Enyimba ofAba had signed a contract withthe NFF similar to SamsonSiasia’s with a clause that offersnothing but resignation forfailure to meet set target.

Peoples Daily Sports recallsthat Ikhana had the mandate toguide the Falcons to retain theAWC trophy as well as get to thesemi-finals of FIFA senior WomenWorld Cup. Though he got to thesemi-finals of the AWC, but stillfell short of retention of thetrophy.

Ikhana said he resigned onpersonal grounds, even thoughthe target set for him in hiscontract with the NigeriaFootball Federation (NFF) wasachieved at the tourney.

“I resigned over my failure tomeet my personal target oflifting the trophy,” he said.

Perhaps, speaking on thevintage position, a member ofthe NFF technical sub-committee, Etubom Paul Basseysaid yesterday that Ikhana hadresigned. Bassey said that theterms of the contract withIkhana was clear stressing thatit would not call for anyinterpretation for the rightthing to be done.

“Ikhana knows the demands ofhis contract. So, he should knowwhat to do because the federationwill work with the document,”Bassey said adding that Ikhanawould not be compelled to act inconsonance with the terms ofcontract.

Similarly, the formerEnyimba, Kano Pillars andKwara United coach had saidthat he would not need to beforced out of the saddle should hefailed to meet the set target.

“There is a contract and the

contract is clear. I am aprincipled person. If I fail to winthe AWC I will not wait for theNFF, I know what to do,” he said.

However, attempts to confirmwhether he has indeed acted as“a principled person” yieldedlittle dividends as the NFF ChiefMedia Officer, Demola Olajiresimply said in a response to a textmessage: “There is nothingofficial. I have not even seenhim” but he neither denied norconfirmed Ikhana’s statement.

Also, Bassey said the Falconscoach “technically has no job”with Nigeria even as he hintedthat the majority of the technicalcommittee members wantnothing short of ‘Siasia’streatment’.

“Officials of the NFF did conveya message to Ikhana after theloss to South Africa to resign, buthe didn’t heed that. And the lossto Cameroon in the third-placematch just finished off anychances of Ikhana remaining ashead coach of the Super Falcons,”another official disclosed to awire service.

“ As I speak with you, majoritymembers of the technicalcommittee have put up theirhands for Ikhana to be sacked.That’s their recommendation.So, the decision will be madeofficial this week or latest nextweek.”

Ikhana had replaced UcheEucharia who won the AWC butfailed to secure tickets for the 8thAll Africa Games and the LondonOlympics Games. Eucharia wason N300,000 monthly whileIkhana earned N3m for the samejob.

Sports minister says Africa blessed with talented swimmers

Kanu wants role in Eagles technical crew

International friendly:Super Eagles land in Miami

AWC failure: SuperFalcons coachIkhana resigns

Onazi Ogenyi Bright Ejike

Kadiri Ikhana

participated in this championship.This is not football; it takes a goodgovernment to sponsor athletes toan international competition inswimming,” he said.

By Patrick Andrew

PAGE 42 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

Sokoto State Government has agreedto host the Nigeria NationwideLeague (NNWL), Annual General

Assembly and other end-of-yearprogrammes.

The annual general assembly, whichwill hold on Dec. 2, is expected to have128 officials of the league clubs and sixmembers of the National League inattendance.

Ahmad Kawu Chairman of the NNWL,who disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja

The management of BoltonWhite Hotels and Apartmenthas charged the Super Eagles

to conquer the rest of Africa at the29th edition of the African Cup ofNations to be held in South Africain January, and thus restoreNigeria’s pride before the comity ofthe continent’s soccer powers.

Giving the charge while hostinga welfare reception for the Eagles,the Managing Director of the hotel,Chief Chiedu Anakwe, said afterputting up impressiveperformances during the qualifiers,it would only be logical to expectthe Eagles to lift the trophy, comeJanuary.

Anakwe, said as the hosts of theEagles for several months now (theEagles were accommodated at thehotel throughout their trainingand camping periods in Abuja), theEagles had shown superlativeperformances and would beexpected to sustain and evensurpassed the performance.

In appreciation of the team’s stay

in their facility and performance,the management of the Apartmentawarded the the officials andplayers plaques and gift items.

Anakwe said that the playersperformed well in their qualifyingmatches for the Cup of Nations andurged them to do better during thecompetition and remaining WorldCup qualifiers.

“Any time the Super Eagles wereaccommodated in Bolton WhiteHotel and Apartments, theyalways played with high spirit andexcel in their matches. This trendis being extended to other clubs wholodge with Bolton WhiteApartments.

“An example is the recentvictory of Nembe City FC of Bayelsathat won the Nigeria NationalLeague Champions Cup,” themanager recalled.

He promised that the hotel’smanagement would make theteam comfortable to continue to wintheir matches during the AfricaCup of Nations and the World Cupqualification matches.

“We all join you in the euphoriaand celebrations to say we are

proud of you all. This award is inrecognition of those that haveshown skills, creativity and successin rebuilding a new national teamfor Nigeria.

“We also want to encourage theexceptional effort made by the teamto stimulate a fairly competitivespirit so as to galvanise yourmembers to reach higher levels ofbrilliance globally.

“To motivate and furtherdevelop team work and greatercooperation among the players,’’the manager said.

He noted that the Super Eagleshad proven that a combination ofknowledge, hard work, skills andright attitude would lead to goodresult of winning the African Cupof Nations.

Anakwe, assisted by AmbassadorPrzemyslaw Niesiolowski of Poland,presented plaques to the head coachof the team Stephen Keshi, his fourassistants and some players.

Responding on behalf of the team,Assistant Coach, Sylvanus Okpala,expressed surprise over the awardsand thanked the hotel’smanagement for the gesture.

Bolton White urges Eaglesto win Nations CupBy Patrick Andrew

over the weekend, said that GovernorAliyu Wamakko, has accepted to host theleague’s annual assembly in the state aftera meeting last week with the leadershipof the lower league.

Kawu pointed out that Wamakko’sacceptance was in line with his vision andmission to support and empowergrassroots football, while using it as a toolfor addressing the current securitychallenges in the country.

He said that the Nationwide League

logo would be unveiled on Nov. 30 to usherin the assembly.

“Sokoto state government has acceptedto host our end of year activities whichinclude our annual general assembly,best of eight competitions, which will seethe emergence of teams that will bepromoted to Division one.

“The event is the beginning of ourinitiative to open up that zone to a newexperience in football affairs,’’ Kawu said.

According to Kawu, three state

governors and Super Eagles Head Coach,Stephen Keshi had indicated their interestto attend the event.

He said that the Inspector General of Police,Mr Mohammed Abubakar, Speaker, Houseof Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, ex-internationals Kanu Nwankwo and DanielAmokachi were among other notable personsexpected at the occasion.

Other ex-internationals expected tograce the occasion include Garba Lawal,Jay-Jay Okocha, Baba Otu Mohammed.

Sokoto to host NNWL annual general assembly Dec. 2

The Lagos State 2012 “SquashClassic’’ tournament has comeand gone, but has left in its

wake thrills and excitements thatkept squash players and enthusiastsenthralled from Nov. 6 to Nov. 10.

The championships wereorganised by the Lagos StateSquash Association (LSSA), as arehearsal for Team Lagos’s squash

players for the forthcoming 18thNational Sports (NSF).

According to the LSSAChairman, Sanya Akindele, the

championships were specificallyorganised to ensure that playerswere in top form for the impendingnational fiesta, a concept which hedescribed as the first of its kind.

The players applauded the LagosState government for organising thechampionships, but they, however,called for more of such competitions,to keep them engaged and alsosharpen their competitive edge.

They, however, pleaded thatinvitations should be sent to playerson time, for subsequent editions, toenable them to be able to preparephysically and psychologically forthe competition.

“The organisers have really donewell. It’s a commendable effort andwe hope that they don’t relent; thisshouldn’t be a one off thing, I amlooking forward to more of sucharrangements in future.

“In subsequent editions, priornotice should be given, I got theinvitation about a week ago, whichwas not enough for me to be able totrain effectively,’’ Dashback said.

Temiloluwa Adegoke, winner ofthe U-19 category, shared the sameview with Dashback; he said thatmore of such competitions would

help the country’s squash playersto hone their skills.

“I want to implore squashauthorities to help us and the onlyway they can do that is byorganising squash competitionsregularly.That will help us toperform well in internationalcompetitions,’’ Adegoke said,

There was no female category forthe U-15 and U-19, which Akindeleexplained, was due to the absenceof credible grassroots talents.

He said that the state’s femaleplayers in those categories could bedescribed as works in progress, thatwere not yet ripe enough for exposure.

“We didn’t include the femalesin the tournament because theyare not ready to play in atournament of such magnitude.The players lived up to theirbillings; they gave a good show,which is highly commendable,’’Akindele said.

When asked if the tournamentwould be a yearly event, Akindelesaid that sponsorship woulddetermine if there will be futureeditions of the championship.

“We know how important it is forplayers to play regularly, but as an

organisation, we can only source forsponsors to partner with us so thatour players won’t be idle,’’ he said.

The championship had theJunior and the Senior categories U-15, U-19, Men’s singles and theLadies singles.

The winner of the men’s singles,Sodiq Taiwo, went home withN140, 000 while Gbenga Adeyi,the first runner-up got a cashaward of N100, 000. In the ladiescategory, Longdie Dashback gotN100, 000 while Taiwo Ebifemi,first runner-up got N75, 000.

Altogether, 16 males competedin the men’s singles, as against eightfemales in the ladies singles of thechampionships, but the 12 playerswho featured in the U-15 and U-19categories all played round-robingames in the five-day tournament.

Bolaji Abdullahi, Minister ofSports

Squash Classic: Players callfor more of such tournaments

Nigeria's International Olympics Committee (IOC) member,Engineer Habu Gumel, has lauded President Goodluck Jonathanfor breathing life into the sports sector through the Presidential

Sports Sector Retreat, held recently at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.The former President of the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC) said the

presidential retreat represented President Jonathan's resolve to refocus andreposition sports in the country and stressed that the sector actually needssuch intervention to return it to life.

"It is noteworthy that you did not just stir the gathering of stakeholders toanother talk show, but personally supervised all the deliberations, andpersonally took note even when you could have delegated that responsibility,"he said adding that the retreat was indeed epochal.

Engr. Gumel also said that the quality of the attendance, the openness indeliberation and the sundry sub-themes that were considered, wereunprecedented and demonstrated the president's resolve to make meaningfulimpact in the sector, something he said was the first in the annals of sportsdevelopment in the country.

"The quality of attendance clearly underscores the importance you attachto sports and wants to demonstrate your desire to change the face of sports inthe country. "I make bold to say that such presidential intervention is whatwe need in the sports sector for the transformation of lives and meaningfulengagements of youth," he added noting that the action of the presidentwould surely ginger administrators within the public and private sector toredouble efforts to turn around the fortunes of sports in Nigeria.

Gumel lauds Jonathan, begs formore presidential intervention

Chigozie Agbim, skipper of domesticleague Eagles

Dan Amokachi, Assistant Coach,Eagles

PAGE 43PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

Neymar

Vito Vilanova, the Blaugrana boss, has voiced hisadmiration for prolific Camp Nou attacker LionelMessi, and also had positive things to say about

promising youngster Cristian TelloThe Argentine netted twice in Sunday’s encounter to

take his tally for 2012 to 76 goals in just 59 appearances,and Vilanova has hailed Messi’s impressive goalscoringrecord.

“Leo continually breaks records. His goal tally isspectacular,” Vilanova was quoted as saying on theclub’s official website.

“It takes other great players seven or eight seasons toscore the amount of goals he scores in one season. Also,some of his goals are absolute beauties.”

The Barcelona coach also had his say on Cristian Tello’sperformance, and had nothing but positive words forthe young Camp Nou forward.

“We know what he’s capable of,” the 44-year-oldadded. “He played a great game. He hasn’t has a lot ofminutes on the pitch lately.

“I believe that he’s improved a lot on defence, he’sbecoming a more complete player on a daily basis.”

Tello has netted three times in 12 official appearancesfor Barcelona this term.

Lionel Messi

Liverpool managerBrendan Rodgerssays finishing above

last year’s eighth spot in theleague would be“fantastic”. The Reds areunbeaten in six leaguegames but lie in 13th spotafter a 1-1 draw at Chelsea.

“The reality is we’re along way off in the league,”said Rodgers. “We finishedeighth last year. If we canimprove on that, it’ll be

fantastic for us. That’s thereality of where Liverpoolare I’m afraid. But ouryoung players will getbetter and better.”

Rodgers knows that withfunds limited at the club itwill take time to try toimprove the Merseysider’sfortunes, although he hasurged his rebuildingprocess is not hindered byharking back to the club’sillustrious past.

“They’re very educated,Liverpool supporters. Itcan’t be easy for them,” saidRodgers.

“Most of us in this roomknow Liverpool and itsgreat history, but we can’tkeep looking in the rearview mirror and lookingback.

“If you’re not going tohave a massive investmentto make it happen quickly,you have to develop it.

That’s where we’re at.“The supporters are

being very lenient withmyself and the team, andI’m sure they’ll befrustrated sometimes, buttheir support has beenincredible.”

While funds may berestricted at Liverpool,Rodgers will be hoping tostrengthen his attack inthe January transferwindow.

Luis Suarez, who scoredthe equaliser againstChelsea, is the club’s onlyestablished striker and hehas scored eight ofLiverpool’s 14 league goalsthis season and providedtwo assists.

“We need one or two moreplayers,” added Rodgers.“That (the Chelsea result)is our sixth draw, and a lotof those games we’ve comeback into after going

behind. But we needmaterials. If we can get oneor two in January, we’llturn draws into wins.

“Those players don’tcome cheap, and they’renot too many available inJanuary either. But theowners have given megreat support since I’vebeen here. I knew it wouldbe a difficult year giventhe expectancy inLiverpool.”

Assistant to Roberto Mancini, David Platt, hasheaped praise on Edin Dzeko’s performanceagainst Tottenham Hotspurs and believes he is

more than a‘super sub’.The Bosnian striker once again proved his skills when

he came off the bench on Sunday to score a late winnerin their 2-1 triumph over Spurs.

“We haven’t called him ‘super sub’,” Platt was quotedas saying on BBC Sports. “That’s just what people wantto call him.

“I wouldn’t say it is his best role. It’s not whether hescores after coming off the bench, it’s whether he scoreswhen he is on the field.

“We can only pick 11 players and pick players on thebench to come on. That’s the way it has been in thetime I have been here and it is the same at every club.

“Against Tottenham, we felt we needed an injectionof something different up front, a little more height toget the ball and hold it up,” he said.

“But we also know Edin is a goal threat. He has scoreda lot of goals this season and a lot of goals since he signedin January last year.

“He has got what I would call ‘heavy’ - or important- goals for us and he is a valued member of our squad.”

City’s win moved them up to second place and nowsit just two points adrift of Manchester United in first.

Liverpool hope better season than the last

Platt says Dzeko more than a ‘super sub’

Messi accomplishesdozen years feats inone year, says Vilanova

The former Arsenalmidfielder, GilbertoSilva, believes that

the young attacker wouldbe helped out havingexperienced Selecao starssuch as the Real Madridplayer alongside him

Silva feels that theinclusion of experiencedplayers such as Kaka,Elano and Maiconin Brazil’s national teamwill benefit Neymar, and

take some pressure off theSantos star.

Kaka returned tothe Selecao earlier thisyear after a two-yearabsence, and GilbertoSilva believes that theReal Madrid midfielder’spresence will helpNeymar.

“The quality Neymarhas can be decisive andthat’s how it should be. He’sonly 20 and even so he’s

able to drive the team tovictory, which is great,”the former Arsenal mantold FIFA’s official website.

“I reckon he handlesthat role very well,because of how muchconfidence he has. But thepressure on him is huge,and it would help to havesome more experiencedplayers around to take thefocus off him.

“Of course I don’t know

what goes on inthe Selecao on a day-to-day basis but, from theoutside looking in, I’dsuggest bringing in Kaka.

“Elano too hasrediscovered his best formand could play a part, andI’d say the same aboutMaicon.”

Brazil are currentlypreparing for theinternational friendlyagainst Colombia this week.

Kaka’s experience will rob off on Neymar, says Gilberto Silva

Sunday’s African Champions League final inTunis will have a restricted crowd of 35 000due to fears of stadium violence and civil

unrest.Home side Esperance are poised to take the title

for a second successive year in the second legagainst Al Ahli of Egypt in the 65 000 seater RadesStadium. The first leg in Cairo ended 1-1.

Tunisia’s Interior Ministry, which has confinedmost professional football to behind closed doorsover the last year, has granted permission for theselling of tickets for just over half the capacity ofthe ground.

Egyptian authorities also allowed a restrictedcrowd to attend the first leg.

Tunisian spectators have been allowed to watchinternationals and some Champions League groupgames but all league matches last season wereplayed inside locked stadiums after a spate ofstadium violence.

The ‘Arab Spring’ took hold in Tunisia almost twoyears ago and restrictions continue in place atmatches for fear crowds represent a possiblespringboard for civil unrest.

Officials said the interior ministry had plannedto allow 27 000 tickets to be sold but that numberhas been increased after complaints from theConfederation of African Football, keen to ensuretheir showpiece final is played against a backdropof a noisy and excited crowd.

Crowd violence has been a regular occurrence atChampions League finals over the last decade,including at Rades over the last two years.

CAF limits crowd for Sunday’sChampions League final

In 2010, Esperance fans threw missiles onto thepitch during the game and afterwards during thepost-match presentation ceremony as their teamwere beaten in the final.

Last year, teargas was fired by police to stopfighting between Esperance supporters and fans ofbeaten finalists Wydad Casablanca of Morocco.

In August, Tunisia’s other representatives in theChampions League, Etoile Sahel, were kicked out ofthe competition after rioting fans caused theabandonment of a group match.

Issah Hayatou, CAF President

PAGE 44 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

2013 Nations Cup finals

Portugal captain CristianoRonaldo will missWednesday’s friendly

against Gabon in Librevilleafter he sustained a cut abovehis left eye in Sunday’s 2-1 LaLiga win at Levante, thePortuguese Federation (FPF)said yesterday.

The FPF confirmed the Cristiano Ronaldo

Stoke City defensivemidfielder Steven N’Zonzihas snubbed an invitation

from the Democratic Republicof Congo coach Claude Le Royto join the outfit forWednesday’s friendly matchagainst Burkina Faso inMorocco.

The 23-year-old French-bornformer Blackburn player saidhe had not made up his mindto play for the Leopards.N’Zonzi figures on the 23-manroster published by the coach

Lee Addy

during the weekend.Granddi Ngoyi, who plays for

French club Troyes, has alsorefused to honour his first callup to the DR Congo nationalteam. Like N’Zonzi, he holdsFrench nationality, and bothplayers have represented Francein the junior level but have notplayed for the senior team.

DR Congo and Burkina Fasowill be meeting in El Jadida aspart of preparations for the2013 Africa Cup of Nations setfor next January.

Arsenal winger Gervinhowill be missing Austria-Ivory Coast friendly

scheduled for November 14 inLinz, Austria due to injury.

The Elephants coach SabriLamouchi has named a 24-man list for the encounterincluding captain DidierDrogba and the Toure brothersof Manchester City, withformer Chelsea forwardSaloman Kalou making hisreturn after a brief layoff.

Other absentees are formerLyon striker Kader Keita andJean Jacques Gosso Gosso, whorecently turned free agentafter leaving Turkish sideOrduspor. Both players weremember of the Ivorian team atthe 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

The roster also revealed twonew entrants Lamine Kone andTraore Ismael respectively ofFrench sides FC Lorient andStade Brestois 29. Both playersare defenders, underscoringLamouchi’s desire to overhaulhis back half, which has comeunder severe criticisms off late.

SQUADG o a l k e e p e r : B a r r y

Boubacar (Lokeren, Belgium),

Yeboah Daniel (Dijon, France),Sayouba Mande (Stabaek,Norway)

D e f e n d e r s : B a m b aSouleman (Trazbonspor,Turkey), Boka Arthur(Stuttgart, Germany), GuyDemel (West Ham, England),Eboue Emmanuel(Galatasaray, Turkey), LoloIgor (FC Kuban Krasnodar,Russia), Tiene Siaka (PSG,France), Toure Kolo(Manchester City, England),Traore Ismael (Stade Brestois,France), Kone Lamine (Lorient,France)

Midfielders : Gradel Max(St-Etienne, France), TioteCheik (Newcastle, England),N’Dri Koffi Romaric (Zaragoza,Spain), Razak Abdul (CharltonAC, England), Toure Yaya(Manchester City, England),YA Konan Didier (Hanovre 96,Germany), Zokora Didier(Trazbonspor, Turkey)

Attackers: Bony Wilfried(Vitesse Arnhem,Netherlands), Drogba Didier(Shanghai Shenhua FC,China), Kalou Salomon (Lille,France), Kone Arouna (Wigan,England), Traore Lacina(Anzhi Makhatchkala, Russia).

Ghana coach KwesiAppiah has handed latecall-ups to the Black

Stars squad for tomorrow’sfriendly against Cape Verde.

Midfielder Afriyie Acquahand China-based defender LeeAddy have been called up toreplace two players who havepulled out of the game.

Ghana captain AsamoahGyan has been withdrawn toallow him to join in the oneweek celebration of his latemother Cecilia Amoako.

France-based defenderJonathan Mensah has alsopulled out of the squad afterhe suffered a thigh injurywhile playing for his clubE v i a n .

Afriyie and Addy will jointhe Black Stars camp inLisbon on Monday after theywere handed the late call-ups.

Ghana will play Cape Verdein Lisbon as both sides preparefor the 2013 Africa Cup ofNations in South Africa inJ a n u a r y .

injury would keep him outadding Valencia defender JoaoPereira and Dynamo Kievmidfielder Miguel Veloso hadalso pulled out of the squadbecause of injuries.

Ronaldo was caught by DavidNavarro’s elbow in the openingminutes of the match inValencia and after being

Ronaldo to miss Gabon friendly

Steven N’Zonzi snubbs DRC

Arsenal’s fringe player, Gervihno,out of Ivory Coast squad

Acquah, Addy handed latecall-ups for Black Stars friendly

Shola Ameobi, Samson Siasia, first call up the United forward

average of a goal every fivematches.

His hold-up play as a secondstriker has been the biggest plusgoing for him. So, is Shola reallyrelevant for the current SuperEagles heading to the 2013AFCON?

Former internationalJonathan Akpoborie toldMTNFootball.com that theNewcastle front man is not neededin the Eagles and his invitationruns against Keshi’s rebuildingprocess.

“For God’s sake at 31 SholaAmeobi is too old to come anddebut for the Eagles. He has beenat Newcastle for long and he wasnot called. I don’t know the reasonfor calling a bench warmer nowwhen we have younger playersdoing well in Europe in theirleagues, Champions League andEuropa League, the likes ofEmmanuel Emenike, BrownIdeye, Chima Chukwu, Ike Uche,Kalu Uche,” said Akpoborie.

“How long could we have himin the Eagles, also? Keshi iscontradicting himself because hesaid he is rebuilding the teamwhich he should do with youngplayer. So is he now rebuildingwith a 31-year-old striker?”

However, former Eagles coachSamson Siasia argued thatAmeobi will bring quality toEagles attack and said he is notold to debut.

“I first noticed Shola Ameobiand showed interest in bringinghim to Eagles, because of his

qualities, but didn’t materialisethen for one or two reasons,” saidSiasia.

“Shola will be a big addition tothe Eagles because we need a bigno. 9. He is a good player and ayoung man at 31. He is not too oldfor the Eagles.”

Ex-Eagles skipper MutiuAdepoju has also insisted ageshould not be barrier for Ameobito win his first cap as long as hehas the qualities to add value tothe team.

“As for me, no time is too latefor a player to play for his countryso far the player is outstanding forhis club and the coaches believehe has something to offer to theteam, so be it,” Adepoju argued.

Another former international,Benedict Akwuegbu, said that theNewcastle ace would still berelevant to the national foranother five years.

“Shola is a good striker with alot of experience having played inthe EPL since 2000, that’s not ajoke. Since the coach has foundhim worthy, so be it. I think at 31,he is not too old to play for Eaglesas could still play for next four,five years,” Akwuegbu declared

What is not open to debatethough is that Ameobi is now oneof a long list of top strikers who arejostling for a place on the AFCON-bound Eagles.

His performance againstVenezuela on Wednesday wouldmost likely define whether he isanother one-off or the man for thelong haul.

Ex-Eagles differ onAmeobi’s invitation

patched up on the side of thepitch returned to score Real’s21st-minute opener.

Real Madrid coach JoseMourinho said after the matchRonaldo’s vision in both eyeswas affected by the blow, whichleft one side of the Portugueseinternational’s face covered inblood.

Ex-internationals havediffered on the suitability ofStephen Keshi’s call up

Shola Ameobi for the SuperEagles.

The Newcastle United strikermay most likely make his Nigeriadebut tomorrow againstVenezuela but there are questionson whether his invitation is notbelated: five years too late.

There are a lot of other questionsto ask on Ameobi’s impeding debut- at 31, is he not well past it? Is heturning to Nigeria because he doesnot figure in the plans of The ThreeLions? Is his call-up not against therebuilding process of coachStephen Keshi? Would he not havemade a more meaningfulcontribution when he was muchyounger?

The big striker indicated hisinterest to play for Nigeria in2009 and he got his first call-upto play for Nigeria in 2010, whenSamson Siasia listed him for afriendly against Guatemala inthe USA.

The game was not played afterGuatemala withdrew and for thereplacement game against SierraLeone, the Newcastle striker couldnot honour it due to cheek bonefracture he suffered in the EPL.

Shola Ameobi has played all hislife up at Newcastle since 1995when he was in the youth rankexcept when he was loaned toStoke City in 2006/2007 seasonwhere he played just six gameswithout a goal.

The former U-21 Englandinternational was cleared by FIFAto play for Nigeria on November1, 2011.

He is not a prolific striker sincehe broke into the Newcastle mainsquad in 2000 as he has played269 games with 50 goals, an

PAGE 45PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

1/Spartak Moscow striker Emmanuel Emenike hassaid he hopes to be fit again by next week’sChampions League tie against Barcelona.2/The ex-AC Milan striker has been approachedby the country’s Football Association to replaceOleh Blokhin, who relinquished his position totake charge of Dynamo Kiev3/Chelsea captain John Terry has suffered “nosignificant damage” to his right knee after beinginjured in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool onSunday . The 31-year-old is expected to be outfor “weeks rather than months,” the club added.4/WBO light-heavyweight champion NathanCleverly hopes Saturday’s victory over ShawnHawk will earn him a big-money showdown withBernard Hopkins.5/Former high jump world champion JacquesFreitag was arrested after he was allegedlyfound in possession of the drug Cat(methcathinone), the Beeld reported on Saturday.6/Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic played theATP Final, which drops the curtain lawn tennisseason.

PICTURE

MOC yet to release athletes’ accreditation list

PAGE 46 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

Sprinter Egwero of Delta state

Gov. Babangida Aliuof Niger state Malam Abba Yola, Scretary, MOC

The Ondo State badminton coach, Tunde Ajibogun, saidon Monday that his players were preparing to surpasstheir record at the 17th National Sports Festival in Port

Harcourt.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Ondo

State badminton contingent to the 17th National SportsFestival in Port Harcourt, tagged “Garden City Games’’ wona bronze medal.

Balogun told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akurethat his players were in good form and had been trainingbefore the commencement of the state’s closed camping.

“Our preparation started since we attended tournamentslike the first Esther Ayodele Open Badminton Championshipsin July at Ilorin and the Abuja National Open BadmintonChampionships.

“And I know the ability of the players I have, that is why Idecided to pick three males and a female for the festival.

“We want to win as many medals as possible at the18th National Sports Festival in Lagos and by the level of myplayers’ preparation, I believe we can achieve it,’’ he said.

Balogun added that he had a player of national repute inDipo Afolabi, who is ranked 16th in the country and wouldfeature at the festival.

The Niger Director ofSports, Baba Sheshi,yesterday revealed

that the state’s contingentto the 18th National SportsFestival would arrive inLagos on Nov. 26.

Sheshi, who disclosed thisto the News Agency ofNigeria (NAN) ontelephone, said that theathletes were currentlyfinalising their strategies towin medals in a closedcamp.

He said the state wouldfeature in Taekwondo,Squash, Volleyball,Wrestling, Special Sports,Tennis, Basketball, TableTennis, Scrabble,Weightlifting, Judo,

Boxing, Kickboxing,Handball, Athletics,Football and Table tennis forthe disabled.

The Director of Sports alsosaid that Gov. BabangidaAliyu of Niger had beensupportive of thepreparations, to ensure asuccessful outing.

“Team Niger is in closedcamping; the coaches areputting strategies in placeto ensure the readiness andthe fitness of the athletes.

“Already, the athletesand their coaches are wellmotivated financially andevery necessary moralsupport is being provided tothem.

“The sports festival is likethe Nigerian version of theOlympics, hence, we inNiger State are attaching alot of seriousness to it,”Sheshi said.

He said that they wereworking tirelessly toimprove on their last outingin Port-Harcourt, where thestate went home with ninegold, two silver and sevenbronze medals.

Sheshi said that anadvance team would be sentto Lagos on Nov. 22, tofacilitate Team Niger’sarrival to the Games.

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the18th National Sports Festival in Lagos has assuredstakeholders that the names of accredited athletes

and officials would soon be made public.State contingents are worried that barely 15 days to

the beginning of the Games, the Main OrganisingCommittee (MOC) was yet to publish the list ofparticipants.

However, the MOC only concluded the DelegationRegistration Meeting (DRM) on Sunday in Abuja, aninnovation in the biennial competition.

The meeting is where athletes and officials are enteredfor the Games and the ineligible ones have their namesremoved, to check mercenaries and two states enteringone athlete.

The Secretary of the Games Services and Secretariat,Deji Aladegbemi, informed yesterday in Lagos that theMOC was yet to release the list.

“We are relying on the MOC for that all-importantdocument. We have been working on assumptions inthe provision of logistics and accommodation but believethat the document’s timely release will help us a lot inour planning,’’ he said.

The Secretary said the LOC had made provision forathletes and officials based on their past experiences ofthe festival.

He explained that the LOC would be responsible forthe welfare of athletes, while state governments wouldcater for their officials.

Meanwhile the Assistant Chairman of the Media andPublicity Committee, Fred Edore, also confirmed thatmore than 400 journalists had been accredited and thatmore were still being expected.

Edore, Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of theSports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), said thattheir accreditation cards would be released three daysbefore the Games.

Athletes from Delta,Edo and Rivers staterespectively have

been advised againstharbouring any hope ofwinning medals at theforthcoming 18thNational Sports Festival.

Lagos State AthleticsHead Coach, UruemuAdu, who issued thewarning said the medalsin athletics will be sweptby Team Lagoscontingent. Accordingly,he said over the weekendthat he was hopeful the

state’s sprinters andmiddle distance runnerswill outpaced others toclinch the availablemedals at the Games.

Adu, who is with theLagos State GrassrootsSports Development in theGovernor’s Office, said inLagos that the athleteshad exhibited good skillsand dedication to thesport.

“The athletes haveshown that they are readyto represent the state.They are good to go

because most of them atthe closed camp haveshown their prowess.

“The only thing for usto do now is to pray to Godto crown all our effortswith victory. I expectthem to be focused to doexceptionally well andmake the state proud atthe festival,’’ he said.

Adu said that theathletes had been in opencamp at the TeslimBalogun Stadium sinceJuly 17, but moved intoclosed camping in

October.He also appealed to the

athletes to adhere to therules of the game and shunany banned substancethat could tarnish theimage of the state.

“I have been telling myathletes right from dayone in camp to stay awayfrom any drug or food thatwill disqualify them. Thegovernor wants them towin fairly because that isthe true spirit ofsportsmanship, winningthe right way.’’

EKO 2012: Lagos state athletics coachwarns Delta, Edo others, dreams medals

Niger contingent to arriveLagos Nov. 26, says Director

Ondo badminton playersready, says coach

Each athlete thatwins gold medal inany event will be

awarded N200,000 onthe sports by theAnambra stategovernment.

Also, silver andbronze medalists willeach win for themselvesN150,000 and N75,000respectively at thefestival. The gesture ismeant to ginger TeamAnambra athletes tothrive on the path ofsuccess at theforthcoming 18thNational Sports Festival(NSF).

The Anambragovernment announcedcash rewards forathletes yesterday whileurging the team andofficials to endeavour togive good representationto the state at the Gamesscheduled to be hostedby Lagos, will hold from

Nov. 27 to Dec. 9.Disclosing the prizes in

Awka yesterday, theCommissioner for Youthand Sports, Dr EdozieAroh, said that the stategovernment would beready to provide theathletes the neededmorale and financialsupport during theGames.

Aroh said there wereother incentives beingpackaged to furthermotivate the athletes,such as ensuringadequate logisticssupport.

He said this was thefirst of its kind in the state,stressing that Anambrawas determined toreverse the dismalperformance of the statein past festivals byboosting the morale of itsathletes.

“It is part of ourcommitment to the

athletes, as well as toensure a superlativeouting; motivation isparamount in sports andwe want to provide thatas much as possible.

“They now know whatis at stake. It is not justabout the state but forthem as individuals; theymust give in their bestbecause they have neverhad it so good,” Aroh said.

On the medal prospectsof Anambra in Lagos, theActing PermanentSecretary, Dr CyprianAmuzie, said it wastargeting about 30 goldmedals and many silverand bronze medals.

Amuzie saidtaekwondo, gymnastics,and the swimming teamhandled by a newly-engaged coach, JosephOkechi, had high medalprospects.

He also said that theathletics team being

jointly handled byJohnny Igboka andUchenna Emedolu,would be expected to winmany medals.

The permanentsecretary said thatmonetary prizesattached to the medalsby the stategovernment would spurthe athletes to fly theflag of the state to higherheights.

“The commissionerhas noted with regretsthe poor outing of thestate in the NSF and hasresolved to reverse theugly trend.

“He pledged toprovide all necessarylogistics both forcamping and the gamesproper, including theannouncement ofmouth watering prizesfor every medal won atthe games,” Amuziesaid.

Anambra danglesN.2m for gold at festival

PAGE 47PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

Quick CrossWord (68)ACROSS8 Stout shoes (7)9 Scent (5)10 Snail’s outer case (5)11 Bringing up (7)12 Ruined (4,2,6)16 Have a small appetite (3,4,1,4)20 Reddened (7)23 __ Coolidge, author of What KatyDid (5)24 Consonant such as ‘m’ or ‘n’ (5)25 Coxocombs (7)

DOWN1 Bottomless gulf (5)2 Rather (8)3 Naturally illuminated (6)4 Back in the __, beatles hit (inits) (4)5 America’s fiftieth state (6)6 Great Mongolian desert (4)7 Droll (7)13 Be indebted for (3)14 Julie __, Lara in Doctor Zhivago (8)15 Causes to lose the power ofhearing (7)17 Take a breath (6)18 Hollow places for water (6)19 Grind the teeth (5)21 __ Major, the Great Bearconstellation (4)22 __ Army, classic TV sitcom (4)

Yesterday’s answer

* No word in the English language rhymes with 'MONTH.'

* Average life span of a major league baseball: 7 pitches.

* Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing. SCARY!!!

* The electric chair was invented by a dentist.

* All polar bears are left handed.

* In ancient Egypt, priests plucked EVERY hair from their bodies, including their eyebrows and eyelashes.

* An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.

* TYPEWRITER is the longest word that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard.

* 'Go', is the shortest complete sentence in the English language. Weird facts

FACTSSource: Reader's Digest

Say what?

Two herons fight over a fish in the Camargue area of southern France

PHOTO OF THE DAY

SPORTS LALALALALATESTTESTTESTTESTTEST

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2012

QQQQQUOUOUOUOUOTTTTTABLE QABLE QABLE QABLE QABLE QUOUOUOUOUOTETETETETEWhat impressed me most was how the US

electoral body arranged presidential debatesbetween the two contending parties' candidatesand ithey were conducted with political maturity.

– Prof Attahiru Jega, Chairman, INEC, on theNov 6 US presidential election

On Monday, 5 November2012, Chief Justice ofNigeria (CJN) Aloma

Mukhtar was scheduled toadminister oaths of office to 12newly appointed Justices ofNigeria’s Court of Appeal at thepremises of the Supreme Court inAbuja. All 12 had scaled therigorous processes precedingappointment and had receivedtheir letters of appointment.

To enable them fulfil theadministrative processespreceding swearing-in, the newappointees were required to arrivein Abuja the previous week. Onthe afternoon of Friday, 2November, the CJN’s Secretarytelephoned one of them, HonorableJustice Ifeoma Jombo-Ofor, torequest her to see the Chief Justiceurgently.

At the Supreme Court, JusticeJombo-Ofor proceeded to the CJN’schambers. Sources at theSupreme Court authoritativelyreport that at the meeting, CJNMukhtar briefly interrogatedJustice Jombo-Ofor as to her stateof origin and accused her of notbeing an indigene of the State sheclaimed before abruptly endingthe meeting.

Following her brief encounterwith the CJN, Justice Jombo-Oforwas seen leaving the premises ofthe Supreme Court in severedistress. On Saturday, 3November, the Chief Registrar ofthe Supreme Court instructed herthrough a telephone call not toattend or present herself for theswearing in on 5 November. Allthese developments took placeorally.

On Monday, 5 November, theCJN administered the oath on 11Justices instead of 12. ChiefJustice Mukhtar hadadministratively stepped downJustice Jombo-Ofor from amongthe Justices to be sworn in. Itemerged that Justice Jombo-Oforwas not sworn in because, in theopinion of the CJN, she was not an“indigene” of the State whoseorigins she claimed, Abia State.

In one sentence, the decisionof CJN Mukhtar in this matterpertaining to Justice Jombo-Ofor’sswearing in is flawed in process,wrong in law and subversive ofour constitutional values ofequality among citizens.

Let us begin with the process.The administration of oath ofoffice follows judicial appointmentand does not precede it. Withrespect to appointments to theCourt of Appeal, this process

cannot be heard to object at thestage of swearing in because to doso at that stage would impugn theintegrity of the judicialappointment process, call her owndecision making into question,and possibly render her positionuntenable.

This is why the decision torefuse to administer the oath toJustice Jombo-Ofor is also wrongin law. Having been involvedinstitutionally in the process ofappointment, the CJN shouldeither refuse to entertain any post-appointment objections or bestopped from doing so. In any case,at this point in the process, theCJN does not have the legal powerto countermand the appointingauthority.

Once the instrument ofappointment is executed, JusticeJombo-Ofor can only cease to be aJustice of the Court of Appeal ifshe is removed through anestablished judicial disciplinaryprocess, impeached as provided inthe Constitution or her elevationis nullified by a court of competentjurisdiction. None of thesehappened here. Surely, a matteras serious as this cannot behandled orally or by a sequence ofcellular telephone calls.

The flaws in process and wantof legality reinforce the twindamage that this entire episodedoes to our constitutional values.First, it denies women, especiallymarried women, equality ofopportunity contrary to ourconstitution. Ifeoma Jombo-Ofor,a 58-year old marriedgrandmother was born in theformer Eastern Region of Nigeriain 1954. By the time she gotmarried 33 years ago in 1979,her parental origins had becomeAnambra state but her husbandwas from Imo. In 1981, she wasappointed a magistrate inAnambra. In 1991, when Abiastate was created, her husband’sstate became Abia. In 1998, theAbia state government appointedIfeoma Jombo-Ofor a judge of thestate’s High Court. She has servedin this capacity ever since.

In any serious clime, this storyof her exclusion from judicial oath

Neymar and RadamelFalcao, two of the world'smost prolific and sought-

after strikers, come face-to-facewhen Brazil meet Colombia inthe most enticing of around 50friendly internationals beingplayed tomorrow.

Spain and Portugal both facemarathon trips with the worldand European championstravelling to Panama and theirIberian neighbours lured to oil-rich Gabon where CristianoRonaldo's presence is awaitedwith feverish excitement.

There are high-profile gamesbetween familiar Europeanrivals, such as Netherlands-Germany, Italy-France andSweden-England, and moreexotic encounters such as theclash between Albania andCameroon in Geneva.

Steven Gerrard is in line tomake his 100th appearance forEngland while Rene Adler, set tobe Germany first-choicegoalkeeper at the last World Cupuntil he was injured shortlybefore, is back in squad, two yearsafter his last appearance.

Only a few years ago,Cameroon would have beenfavoured opponents for many ofthe world's top sides.

But, beset by internalbickering, their fortunes havetaken a dramatic turn for theworse which culminated withelimination from the AfricanNations Cup at the hands of tinyCape Verde, who themselves faceGhana in Lisbon on Wednesday.

In other games, Franco DiSanto could make hisinternational debut asArgentina, including LionelMessi and Sergio Aguero butmissing out-of-favour CarlosTevez, visit Saudi Arabia whileRussia meet the United States forthe first time in 12 years.

Brazil's meeting withColombia at the Metlife stadiumin New Jersey brings twotogether two sides who havereaping the rewards of a morepositive, attacking approach inthe last few months.

Brazil's search for their idealteam and a playing style whichbetter suits their traditionappears to be bearing fruit forcoach Mano Menezes, who hasbeen greatly helped by thereturn of Kaka following a two-year absence from internationalfootball.

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

. . . putting the people first

begins with the nomination ofcandidates by the respective headsof court around the country. InJustice Jombo-Ofor’s case, theChief Judge of Abia State wouldhave consented to herappointment. Thereafter, thesecurity services would usuallyprepare dossiers on thecandidates. The nominations anddossiers would be considered bythe Federal Judicial ServiceCommission (FJSC) chaired by theCJN. The FJSC then reports to theNational Judicial Council (NJC),also chaired by the CJN, whichdecides which candidates torecommend to the appointingauthority, the President.

Based on the nominationsreceived from the NJC, thePresident then exercises the powerunder Section 238(2) of theConstitution to formally executethe instruments of appointmentand to issue and transmit lettersof appointment to the successfulcandidates. This process is longand arduous and involves all thebranches and levels of ourgovernment in the most intricateadvertisement of constitutionalchecks and balances possible. Noone can scale through toappointment if the CJN objects ateither the FJSC or the NJC. Butbecause of this process also, she

CJN Mukhtar must cleanup judicial appointmentsFalcao test

for Brazil of office would be laughable. Theprocess was ham-handed to saythe least and it is surely tragicthat we have got to a point wherethe defining issue in judicialappointments is not whether thecandidate is up to the difficult jobof being a judge but where theycome from.

What CJN Mukhtar suggestsby her action is that there can beno potability of origins for theNigerian woman. Yet in 1985, theSupreme Court had decided inOlowu v. Olowu [1985] 12 S.C.84, that there is, in fact, suchpotability. For married women,this is important. Every marriedwoman belongs to the place whereshe is born and also to the placeinto which she is married. Thisdual identity is not opportunistic.Instead of affirming this fact, theCJN took an administrativedecision whose immediate impactis to diminish public serviceopportunities open to marriedwomen in Nigeria by renderingthem effectively stateless. For this,Nigerians are entitled to take herto task.

Ironically, 20 years ago, thesame NJC’s predecessor, theAdvisory Judicial Committee(AJC), rejected the appointmentof a female judge from then CrossRiver State because she was anunmarried mother. So as awoman, you lose professionalpreferment, whether married orunmarried.

Secondly, the “rules of origin”in the judiciary require urgentattention. Three years ago a judgeof the Lagos High Court, BunmiOyewole, was refused elevation tothe Court of Appeal because hisorigin is Osun state. In October2012, the NJC reportedlydeclined to support hisnomination as Chief Judge of Osunstate because he is a judge of theLagos State High Court. Meremortals may struggle to makesense of this.

The treatment of JusticeJombo-Ofor is disgraceful andbeneath the dignity of the judicialbranch. On 7 November, theSenate resolved, in anunprecedented step, to condemnthe decision of the Chief Justiceand request her to swear in JusticeJombo-Ofor. She should comply.She should also review and clarifythe criteria for federal judicialappointments. This mess oforigins must be cleaned up.Chidi Anselm Odinkalu chairsthe Council of the NationalHuman Rights Commission.

CJN Aloma Mukhtar

Chidi Anselm Odinkalu

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