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Vol. 11 No. 2 Tuesday, May 21, 2013 Rajab 12, 1434 AH N150 . . . putting the people first

APC’ll discouragemoney politics— Shekarau >>3

N9bn contract for VP’s residence inflated — Senate >> 3

Operations Commander, Brigadier-General Fatai Alli (left) addressing soldiers on arrival yesterday in Yola for thestate of emergency operation. Photo: NAN

2015: No vacancy in AsoRock — Alamieyeseigha

Wait for 2019, Clark tells NorthHe has lost touch with reality — Galadima

Borno, Yobe: Normalcy returns as curfew is relaxed Army re-opens

blocked roads 120 insurgents

arrested 200 more soldiers

arrive Adamawa

Residents of Maiduguri, the Bornostate capital , and environs heaveda sigh of relief yesterday with

normal life gradually returning asoperatives of the Joint Military Task Force,(JTF) reopened several roads and streets,earlier blocked following the imposition ofthe 24-hour curfew imposed in some areas.

Residents of the town were earliertraumatized by biting effects of the curfewimposed by the military authorities sincelast Saturday, groaning under intensesufferings, due to acute shortage of food-stuffs and other assorted commodities.

However, our correspondent reportedthat the situation was quite impressiveyesterday as residents of the curfew-imposed areas got a little bit freedom of

Contd on Page 2

Emergencyrule and agonyof residents >>4

Insecurity:Buhari allegesconspiracy >>2

Former governor of Bayelsastate and a beneficiary ofstate pardon by President

Goodluck Jonathan, Chief DipriyeAlamieyeseigha, has declaredthat there is no vacancy in AsoRock in 2015.

Alamieyeseigha whilespeaking yesterday at the 3rdgeneral conference of theSouthern Nigeria Peoples

Assembly (SNPA) said thenorthern agitators will, at theappropriate time, join the movingtrain. “They may have theiropinion, but I can assure you thatPresident Jonathan will remain

as the President of the FederalRepublic of Nigeria, come 2015,"he boasted.

Similarly, the former Ministerof Information and Ijaw leader,Chief Edwin Clark, has also

warned that the PeoplesDemocratic Party (PDP) mustonly field President GoodluckJonathan as the sole candidate forits Presidential primaries againstthe 2015 Presidential election.

Asked what would happen tothe inalienable constitutionalrights of other Nigerians to aspireto leadership position in thecountry, Clark said “there is an

Contd on Page 2

By Lawrence olaoye, Abuja andAyodele Samuel, Lagos

From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri,Umar Dankano, Yola & Joy Baba, Abuja

CONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTSNews 2-10

Editorial 12

Op.Ed 13

Letters 14

Opinion 15

Metro 16-18

Business 19-22

Stockwatch 23

S/Report 24-25

Defence 26-27

Agric 28-29

Feature 30

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Emergency rule andagony of residents,

Page 4

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Int’l 31-34

Strange World 35

Digest 36

Politics 37-40

Sports 41-45

Leisure 47

Columnist 48

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013PAGE 2

2015: No vacancy in Aso Rock — Alamieyeseighaincumbent who has not done asecond term, so northerners haveno place, it’s not yet the turn of anortherner. They have the rightto contest as Nigerians, but inother parties, not in PDP,” hesaid.

“In 1979, former PresidentShehu Shagari contested withother people for the ticket but in1983 he alone contested theprimary even though there weremen of timber and caliber in NPNwho would have contested withhim at that time, but the partygave it to him unopposed. We don’tbelieve in double standard.

“We of the South-South believethat it is in the interest of Nigeria,in the unity of our country thatJonathan should contest; no oneshould strike him out; movementof power or power rotation is notproper at this time. In theconstitution of Nigeria, everypresident has two elections to becontested. Shagari did it in 1979and in 1983 he did it again; thenin 1999 Obasanjo did it and in2003 he contested again. In 2007,Umaru Yar’adua of blessedmemory did it and if he hadremained alive, he would havedone it again in 2011. SoJonathan is not a different person;he’s a Nigerian; the President ofNigeria, therefore he too has theright to contest again. Nothing isnew about it because Constitutionsays you must contest for twoelections and rule for eight years.It is only then you aredisqualified,” Clark declared.

Speaking on threat of violenceif President Jonathan did notreturn, Clark said “No one ownsthe country more than anybody;Nigeria belongs to all of us andthere is nobody who is superior toanother. If you are talking about

peace, peace for who? So if anortherner does not rule thiscountry won’t there be peace?They have ruled for over 38 years,we have only ruled from the southfor less than 14 years, and whenLugard united this country, hedidn’t say the north is superior tothe south. We are all equal in thiscountry, and anybody can aspireto the highest position in thiscountry, so nobody has theprerogative to rule others.”

Responding to Clark’sstatement, Buba Galadima,National Secretary to theCongress for Progressive Change(CPC), who reacted in a telephoneconversation with our reporter inhis capacity as a partisanNigerian, said it was unfortunatethat an elderstatesman of the Ijawleader caliber could make suchstatement.

Galadima said “Ordinarily, Iwould not want to join issues withChief Edwin Clark as a culturedman with a background with highrespect for elders but what he hassaid only demonstrated the factthat he is an ingrate. All ChiefEdwin Clark has ever been in lifehas been with the support of thenorth. He became the FederalCommissioner of Informationunder the leadership of GeneralYakubu Gowon, a northerner,through which he climbed intonational relevance. Though hehas his inalienable right as aNigerian to express his personalopinion, it is unfortunate thatChief Clark could, at his age, couldbe advocating for chaos in thecountry.”

According to him, the Ijawleader and Asari Dokubo, in theirdisparaging statements, haveonly succeeded in whipping upsentiments in favour of the northand that their outbursts would

only ginger the northern leadersto come together to speak with onevoice ahead of the 2015Presidential election.

He pointed out that Clark’sdeclaration that the PDP shouldnot field any other candidateaside from Jonathan in 2015 onlygoes to show the disdain theoctogenarian has for democracyand democratic tenets. Galadimaconcluded that Clark must havelost touch with the nation’spolitical realities and must enjoythe sympathy of the people due tohis old age.

Meanwhile, the SNPA incommuniqué released after itsmeeting has restated the need fora national dialogue to discuss themanner of coexistence in thecountry to avoid crisis. TheAssembly observed that as thecountry was moving towards the

Contd from Page 1 precipice, there was the need forall the ethnic groups in Nigeria todialogue.

It also charged Jonathan tourgently tackle corruption whichit regretted has become a nationalmalaise. It also wanted thePresident to address the issue ofyouth unemployment to reducethe rate of crime emanating fromyouth restiveness.

While admitting that there wasneed for a peoples' constitution, theconference was of the strongconviction that making aconstitution was the exclusiveright of the people insisting thatthe National Assembly's duty isonly to amend the clauses.

The Assembly howeverstressed that the decision to returnor stop Jonathan in 2015 is theresponsibility of Nigerianelectorates.

Borno, Yobe: Normalcy returns as curfew is relaxedsigned by the Governor’s SpecialAdviser on Press Affairs andInformation, Abdullahi Bego, “thedecision for this adjustmentfollows a meeting that HisExcellency the Governor had withheads of law enforcement agenciesin the state.

“His Excellency urges thegeneral public to continue withthe exemplary support andcooperation with security agentsto ensure lasting peace in the state.

“His Excellency the governoralso urges the public not to relentin prayers to the Almighty Allahfor the restoration of peace in thestate and the country in general.”

Meanwhile, the DefenceHeadquarters, Abuja hasdebunked speculations thatresidents of Maiduguri metropolisand its environs are fleeing toneighboring Niger Republic.

This was contained in a pressstatement signed by the Directorof Defence Information (DDI) Brig.Gen Chris Olukolade.

The statement also said thephotographs used in most mediato depict fleeing resident arequestionable as they do not reflectany related reality of the social orgeographical environment of thestate.

The DDI further disclosed that

movement between 7am to 5pm,as against the initial 24-hourrestriction of movements.

It was gathered that themilitary resolved to relax thecurfew following the rising outcryfrom all quarters over its negativeeffects inflicted on the residents.Some of the affected areas, whichwere hitherto deserted, with nosingle socio-economic activity,have now become beehive ofactivities, with shops, marketsand other commercial centresopened.

Similarly, the Yobe stategovernment has announced areview of the curfew imposed onthe area.

A Government House pressstatement yesterday explainedthat in view of the need to sustainthe relative peace that all parts ofthe state currently enjoy,Governor Ibrahim Gaidam,approved an adjustment of thehours during which publicmovement is restricted aroundthe state.

Consequently, according tothe statement, restriction onmovement starts from 6.00 pmto 6.00 am daily throughout thestate with effect from yesterday.

According to the statement

120 insurgents were arrestedwhile trying to organize burial ofone of their commanders who diedin an encounter with the SpecialForces the previous day.

“The arrested insurgents arein the custody of the Joint TaskForce where they are beinginterrogated,” the Army Chiefstated.

According to the DDI, terroristfleeing towards Chad and NigerRepublic are being contained asthey have had understandingwith the Multi-National JointTask Force in various locationstowards the border adding thatadvancing troops have alsoobserved a few shallow gravesbelieved to be those of hurriedlyburied members of the insurgentgroups.

Olukolade in the statementfurther said the Special TaskForces have now secured theenvirons of New Marte, Hausari,Krenoa, Wulgo and ChikunNgulalo after destroying all theterrorist camps sited in thevicinities of these localities

No fewer two hundred troopshave arrived Adamawa state toeffect the implementation of thestate of emergency slammed onthe state even as more areexpected to move in from

neighbouring Yobe state.Addressing the troops at the

23rd Armoured BrigadeHeadquarters in Yola yesterday,Brigade Commander Brig. FataiOladifo Alli, who is also theoperational officer, urged thesoldiers to be disciplined andobserve decorum.

He charged the ranks and fileof the troops deployed in the stateto abide by rules of engagement."You are on national assignmentthat you should be cautious toavoid any act that could tarnishthe image of the Nigerian army.As gallant soldiers, you areexpected to be disciplined andshow sense of professionalismwhile discharging theassignment," he said.

While assuring the people ofthe state that the soldiers will notgo out of the track during theoperations, Alli however notedthat the residents are cooperatingwith the Army and that there isimprovement in securitysituation of the state.

“I can assure you that as soonthings improve, the curfew couldbe reviewed and I hope people willcontinue to be law abiding andassist with useful information thatcould assist in tracking suspects,”the Brigade commander said.

Contd from Page 1

From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua,Katsina

Former Head of State,General MuhammaduBuhari, has insisted that

the present security challengesfacing the nation was deliberatelycreated to cripple its developmentand undermine its security.

Buhari who stated this,yesterday while on a sympathyvisit on the Emir of Daura in hispalace, noted that no nationwould develop under thepresent circumstances ofinsecurity, destruction of livesand property.

According to him, “no religionwill condone an act of terrorismand no nation will have peaceand meaningful progress underthe present situation. We have to

join hands to reverse the uglytrend.”

The three times presidentialcandidate of both the ANPP andCPC, lamented that the economyof people living within the Kanoand Maiduguri axis has beencompletely cripple, describingthe Daura attack and similarattacks in all parts of Nigeria asunfortunate and criminal.

“I therefore wish to join all wellwishers and peace lovers tosympathize with the people ofDaura over the incident.

“There is no religion thatpromotes the act of terrorism. Weshould therefore voice ourcondemnation against it’ hestressed.

Responding, the Emir, AlhajiFaruq Umar Faruq, described theincident as an act of God.

Insecurity: Buhari alleges conspiracy

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013 PAGE 3

residence yesterday said thatpoliticians who use money to buyvotes should have a re-thinkbecause that goes contrary to theideals of APC.He furthermaintained that none of themerging political parties camewith any condition of how positionsshould be shared amongst them atthe level of merging parties.

According to him, “whoeverthinks he can come and usurp thepeople’s power and aspirationbecause he is money bag, shouldhave a rethink.

“No condition was given byany of the merging parties in their

Former Presidentialcandidate under theplatform of All Nigeria

People’s Party (ANPP) during the2011 presidential election andformer governor of Kano state,Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, hassaid that the All ProgressiveCongress (APC) will discouragemoney politics and money bagsfrom hijacking the party.

Shekarau a key player in theAPC merging process, whorevealed this in a mediainteractive session at his Kano

From Edwin Olofu, Kano coming to form APC. Ours is just tosee for the total dethronement ofthe ruling party.

“And I am assuring you is thatwe are going to give a seriousopposition based on democraticprinciples.

“The way some people wantedto crush the effort of the APC byforming other APCs was nothingbut a crude way of doing it.

Thanks to the NationalElectoral Commission (INEC) thatdwarfed the plot by rejecting thefake APCs.

“As at now nobody has beenmentioned as the leader of APC.

APC will discourage moneypolitics – Shekarau

From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

Aviation unions shelve strike asMinister wades into dispute

Labour and ProductivityMinister, Emeka Woguyesterday pacified two

industrial unions in the Nigeriaaviation sector who has hithertothreatened to ensure the airspaceis inactive as they pressed foradditional emulation and otherperks of office.

The National Union of AirTransport Employees (NUATE)and the Air Transport ServicesSenior Staff Association of Nigeria(ATSSSAN) was the arrowhead ofcalls since last week to ground theindustry over dispute with themanagement of the NigerianAirspace Management Agency(NAMA).

However, respite came theway of the travelling publicespecially the international routesas the parties agreed to shelve theproposed action followingresolutions reached at a meetingin Abuja convened at the instance

of the Minister of Labour andProductivity Chief Emeka Woguwith leadership from the twoUnions and the management ofNAMA.

The workers had earlier stageda protest in Lagos to press home theiragitation for full implementationof the approved salary scale by theNational Salaries Incomes andWages Commission before theresolution yesterday.

A statement from the office ofthe Special Assistant to the Ministeron Media, Mr. Joe Obi said theparties unanimously agreed thatdue notification was not given tothe Federal Ministry of Labour andProductivity in theaforementioned dispute.

Part of agreement reached inthe meeting include referring theissue of determination of the basicsalary and other allowances for thestaff of NAMA concerned to betaken up by a Committee headedby the Permanent Secretary in theAviation.

And nobody has started talking ofwho contests what. And anycontest to come will be base on thecriteria of the merging parties.

“We all agreed to be on the samelevel playing ground, not mindingof who has what number ofgovernors or legislators either atthe national or state level. We takeourselves as equal. Right from thetake-off we said let us forget all thedifferences.”

“Whatever assignment APCassigns to me, I am ready to acceptas long as it is done in the properprocess and channels,” heconcurred.

Vice Chairman of the SenateCommittee on FederalCapital Territory (FCT),

Domingo Obende, has alleged thatthe additional N9 billion sought bythe FCTA to complete the VicePresident's house is inflated.

Obende who spoke in aninterview with the Senate PressCorps yesterday expresseddissatisfaction with the budgetsaying it is sky rocketed.

According to him, "how can abuilding that is almost completedgulp the actual cost of building it,"as he noted that the Senate wasyet to take decision on the cost ofthe official lodge of the VicePresident.

Peoples Daily had reported thatin addition to the N7.1 billionapproved by the Federal ExecutiveCouncil in 2009 for design andconstruction of the Vice President’snew official residence, additionalN9 billion is being demanded bythe authorities of the FCTA tocomplete the project.

N9bncontractfor VP’sresidenceinflated— SenateBy Ikechukwu Okaforadi

All is set for the long awaitedpeace to return to thetroubled University of

Abuja following the inaugurationyesterday of an audit committee.

The five-man committeewhich has its members selectedfrom within and outside theuniversity is to work and submitits report within four weeks.

Speaking during theinauguration ceremony at theschool’s permanent site, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman,Governing Council of theUniversity, Dr. S. O. Ogbemudia,said, the decision to set up the panelwas reached by the Council asdirected by the NationalUniversities Commission (NUC).

Ogbemudia gave some of theterms of reference for thecommittee to include determiningthe number of academic staff andthe regularity of theirappointments, number of non-academic staff, qualifications anddates obtained and appropriatenessor otherwise of the total number ofstaff, among others.

According to him, “all staff andstudents certified at the end of thisexercise should be properlyidentified as staff and students ofthe university for a specified,renewable period andauthenticated by the appropriateuniversity authority.

UniAbujacrisis: FGinauguratesaudit c’tteeBy Etuka Sunday

From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

Southern group saysNigeria on the precipice

The Southern Nigeria PeoplesAssembly ended its thirdconference yesterday in

Lagos demanding what it callednational dialogue to discuss themanner of co-existence of thedifferent nationalities in thecountry.

In the communique after theconference, the group observedthat the country was movingtowards the precipice and thatthere was the need for all the ethnicgroups in Nigeria to discuss thematter.

The communiqué urgedPresident Goodluck Jonathan totake appropriate steps to convokethe dialogue latest by December2013.

In addition to that, theAssembly also charged thePresident to tackle corruptionwhich it regretted has become anational malaise.

The Assembly also wantsJonathan to address the issue ofyouth unemployment in order toreduce crime rate arising fromyouth restiveness.

On the state of emergencydeclared in three states in thenorth, the Assembly commendedthe President saying the maturedway he has been handling crisesin the country was welcome.

Present at the Assembly includeformer Vice President, Dr. AlexEkwueme, Chief Edwin Clark, RtRev, Emmanuel Bolanle Gbonigi,former Secretary to the federalgovernment, Oni of Ife OkuadeSijuade, Chief Olu Falea, formerChief of Defence Staff Oladipo Diya,former Goveror of Anambra state,Chukwuemeka Ezeife, NationalCoordinator Oodua Peoples CongressGani Adams, Alabo GrahamDouglas, Former Bayelsa GovernorDiepreye Alamieyasiegha and ProfAnya O Anya were among thosepresent.

Demands ‘national dialogue’

L-R: Group ChiefExecutive Officerand ManagingDirector,Ecobank, Mr.Thierrry Tanoh,and PresidentGoodluckJonathan, duringthe latter'sofficial visit to thepresident,yesterday at theState House, inAbuja.Photo: Joe Oroye

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

It was not for nothing that not afew individuals andorganizations had voiced their

opposition when it filtered out thatPresident Goodluck Jonathan wasplanning to declare a state ofemergency in states that were underserious security challenge. Theopposition political parties and theNorthern Elders Forum, amongothers were opposed to it. Eventhose in support, it was a guardedone laced with caution. But evenwithout the state of emergencycondition, many innocent citizens inthose places exposed to the securitychallenges had fatally fallen victimsof the overzealousness of securityoperatives and many more ended upwrongly arrested, detained andtortured, even as yet more wererendered homeless, in thegovernment's efforts to address thesecurity challenges with brute force.This is even against the counsel ofUS and other Western nations, who,as it were, have taken the so calledwar against terrorism to aquestionable level. Indeed, therehave been widespread allegations ofextra judicial killings and otheratrocities leveled against thesecurity agencies operating in thoseplaces, notably Borno and Yobestates, the home base of theinsurgent Boko Haram group, whichis presumed to be at the back of mostof the killings, bomb attacks andother criminal activities in thosestates and beyond. To be sure, somehuman rights groups have eventhreatened to drag the securityagencies before the InternationalCriminal Court (ICC) for crimeagainst humanity following thedemolition of Baga town by themilitary after the alleged killing ofone soldier by the insurgents.Indeed, human rights groups andother activists have severallyaccused the military and othersecurity agencies of extrajudicialkillings and wrongful arrests eversince the beginning of the BokoHaram crisis when their leader,Mohammed Yusuf and his father inlaw were allegedly extra-judiciallyexecuted by the police in 2009during the administration of latePresident Umaru Musa Yar'adua.

Indeed, few people outside theJonathan government gave theirimprimatur when the Presidenteventually declared a state ofemergency on Borno, Yobe andAdamawa states exactly a week agotoday.

But this was not the first time astate of emergency was declared bythe Jonathan administration in thenorth to address securitychallenges. In January last year, astate of emergency was imposed onparts of Borno, Yobe, Plateau andNiger states shortly after the 2011Christmas Day bomb attack at Saint

Theresa's Catholic Church in Suleja,Niger state, which left more than 40people dead and many moreinjured.

Few days after last week'sdeclaration of the state ofemergency, the Army shut downparts of Maiduguri, the Borno statecapital in a 24-hour curfewfollowing the detonating of a bombon Saturday by Boko Haraminsurgents, which led to the deathof two Maiduguri residents. Thecurfew was only relaxed yesterdayafter taking its toll on the people ofthe affected communities.

Spokesman for the JTF, Lt-Colonel Sagir Musa, announced thecurfew in a terse statement at theweekend. According to thestatement, "The task force, in orderto sustain the ongoing specialoperation in the face of recent BokoHaram attacks in some areas withinMaiduguri metropolis, is imposing24 hours curfew with effect from

Saturday".Expectedly, as the 'war' rages

between the military, which hasdeployed thousands of troops to theaffected states, and the Boko Haraminsurgents, innocent residents havehave continued to bear the brunt ofthe conflict, more so in the light ofthe imposition of the round the clockcurfew. Already, over 2000Nigerians have reportedly fled theirhomes in Abadam local governmentarea in Borno North SenatorialDistrict on machines, cars andbicycles and others on foot andcrossed over into Niger Republic.Just as disturbing is the fact that notonly are residents fast running outof basic necessities such as food,water and medicines, even thosefalling sick cannot seek medicalattention in hospitals as the curfewhas condemned all but a few toremain at home. While the living arecaught in a state of siege, even thosefatally caught in the crossfire are not

Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim

Emergency rule and agony of residentsallowed to rest in peace, as gettingtheir corpses to the cemetery ormortuary have become problematicunder the curfew.

According to reports, over 50trucks and trailers conveying fooditems, toiletries, firewood, petroland other items to border townswere at the weekend prevented fromleaving Maiduguri. Also, manytrucks and trailers conveyingsimilar items were stopped in otherareas that link border towns, likeGamboru Ngala Road in Customarea.

One of the drivers the trucks,Goni Alkali lamented "My vehicle hasbeen here since Friday afternoon. Iam supposed to convey these items(toiletries) to Monguno, but to mysurprise, I was stopped here bysoldiers who said they would notallow me to pass."

Most affected areas are Gamboru,Mairi Kuwait, Bakin Kogi, KasuwanShanu, Ruwan Zafi, 202 Quarters,Dikwa Quarters, Low-Cost, Sinimari,505 Housing Estate, Chad BasinArea, 303 Housing Estate and BagaRoad.

A resident of 505 HousingEstate, who managed to move outof Maiduguri lamented that peoplein the curfew areas were in distress.

"Borehole operators cannot pumpout water for the people andcommunity markets wherevegetables and cereals are sold havebeen closed which makes it difficultfor families to get anything," he said.

He said people were takenunawares, and so they did not havechance to stockpile any food.

"Most of them live hand-to-mouth and their breadwinners haveto go out and look for what to givetheir families every day. Now thateverybody is at home, you canimagine the trauma they are passingthrough," he said.

He said residents of the denselypopulated Kwanar Yobe area rely onthe few households with waterreservoirs to get water.

Without doubt, such state ofaffairs is only to be expected,especially under a 'war' condition inwhich only one of the combatingsides is visible. Collateral damagetherefore is an inevitability that canonly be minimised.

In that regard, leading Lagos-based lawyer and human rightsactivist, Mr. Femi Falana warned thesecurity operatives against usingextra judicial measures in theexecution of their assignment duringthe campaign, saying that any personwho participates in such crimesshould be tried at the InternationalCriminal Court (ICC) at The Hague.

"Anybody that is found liable inthe situation that is going on willdefinitely be taken to the Hague [for]trial," he warned, adding that "That'swhy we have warned the JTFoperatives to watch out and to bevery careful."

“Without doubt, such state of affairs is

only to be expected, especially under a'war' condition in which only one of thecombating sides is visible. Collateral

damage therefore is an inevitability thatcan only be minimised.

Abdu Labaran Malumfashi

PAGE 5PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013PAGE 6

Achebe: Transition c'ttee releases burial arrangement

Chairman, NationalTransition Committeeresponsible for the burial

of late Prof. Chinua Achebe,Prof. Uzodima Nwala,yesterday said allarrangements have beenconcluded for funeral of thedeparted poet and literarygenius.

Nwala who described lateAchebe as a "prolific writer whoused his pen wisely" to projectthe ideas and values of hiscountry positively world over,informed that the remains of the"versifier" would be laid to finalrest on Sunday, May 26th.

Speaking at a press briefingyesterday in Abuja, Nwala saidthe funeral rites which wouldlast a week will commence on

Sunday, May 19 and runthrough Sunday May 26.

According to him, PresidentGoodluck Jonathan, stategovernors, diplomats andinternational literarydignitaries from all over theworld will be in attendance.

Details of the programmeshowed that Sunday, May 19,will be a day of prayers andreligious worship to at theNational Christian Centre,Abuja which will runconcurrently in other centresacross the country and abroad.

Nwala, said that Monday,May 20, will feature asymposium by the Associationof Nigerian Authors (ANA) atthe International ConferenceCentre, Abuja.

"The day will also showcasetributes and a number of

By Mohammed Kandi cultural troupes drawn fromdifferent parts of the country atthe same venue."

He said the body of thedeceased will arrive the NnamdiAzikiwe International Airport,Abuja, on May 21, wherereception will be organizedbefore the body departs forEnugu, "where it will bewelcomed by south-easterngovernors, led by GovernorPeter Obi of Anambra state."

He said, "it is also expectedto proceed to the University ofNigeria, Nsukka (UNN) foracademic procession andceremony. Ohanaeze Ndi Igbowill on the same day observewhat the committee referredto as Ohanaeze Night ofMourning and Ikoro Salute, inhonour of late Achebe at itssecretariat in Enugu."

R-L: SenatePresidentDavid Mark;Esther UzomaBarristerUgochi Okpeof SERAP,ProfessorPatricia Donliof GenderandConstitutionReformNetwork, andAmina Salihu,during aworkshop on2013 budgetmonitoring,evaluationand reportingfor grassroots,yesterday inAbuja.

Photo:Mahmud Isa

How NASS saved Adamawa,Borno, Yobe govs - RepsThe House of

R e p r e s e n t a t i v e syesterday disclosed that

it was the intervention of theNational Assembly that savedthe jobs of the governors ofAdamawa, Borno and Yobestates.

Briefing newsmen on whattranspired between thePresidency and the legislaturebefore President GoodluckJonathan's pronouncement ona state of emergency in thethree states, DeputyChairman, House committeeon Media and Public Affairs,Rep Victor Oghene, said thedeclaration of state ofemergency was not exclusively

"Achebe's remains will leaveEnugu for Awka, AnambraState, Wednesday, May 22 forthe commencement of acelebration of life ceremony inwhich all state governors andfederal ministers are expected toparticipate at the Alex EkwuemeStaduim," Prof. Nwala said.

"The funeral will climax withthe interment of the professor,fondly called Iroko on May 23,after a church service at St.Philips Anglican Church, Ogidi."

Meanwhile, Anambra stateGovernor, Dr. Peter Obi ,described the late Achebe as"true nat ional ist whodeserves a state burial ."Governor Obi said thedeceased was Afr ica 's bestwriter and Ambassador forhis country, praying thatGod grants him eternal rest.

By Lawrence Olaoye

2013 budget:Reps approveN259bn for FCT

The House ofRepresentatives yesterdaypassed the sum of N259

billion as statutory revenue forthe Federal Capital TerritoryAdministration (FCTA) in 2013.

Speaker Aminu WaziriTambuwal who presided overthe sitting of the House afterdesolving it to Committee ofSupply, undertook its clause-by-clause deliberation withmembers.

The passage came after whatthe House described assatisfactory explanations of allitems in the initial proposedbudget by FCDA officials.

Deputy Chairman of theHouse Committee on FCT,Raphael Nnana Igbokwue, leddebate on the Bill. He briefed hiscolleagues on work done so farby his committee since thebudget scaled Second Reading inlate April.

A breakdown of the budgetindicates a sum ofN 1 6 0 , 4 6 7 , 4 4 9 , 4 0 2representing 60 per cent ascapital budget.

The FCDA officials, led by itsPermanent Secretary, JohnObinna Chukwu, had appearedbefore the House Committee onFCT May 3, 2013 for the budgetdefence.

Igbokwue also informed theHouse that 18.5 per cent and21.5 per cent of the budget wouldbe for personnel and overheadcosts respectively.

These included N522 millionfor FCT Urban Affairs, N4.3billion for Public Buildings, withEngineering Services gulpingN52.9 billion.

By Umar Muhammad Puma

done by the President but withthe input of the leadership ofthe National Assembly (Nass)

Oghene disclosed that it wasthe idea of the leadership of theNASS that the wholedemocratic structures in thestates affected by theemergency rule be notcollapsed. the intervention ofthe NASS leadership thatpreserved the jobs of governorsMurtala Nyako, IbrahimGaidam and Kashim Shettimaof Adamawa, Borno and Yoberespectively.

According to him, the NASSleadership impressed it uponthe President that it would senda negative signal if the affectedgovernors and otherdemocratic structures in the

state are sent packing.“Oghene maintained that

the spate of insecurity in thecountry has been worrisome tothe House necessitating thesummon it issued for thePresident to appear before it inJune last year. He added thatthe invitation extended toService Chiefs by the Senatealso confirmed the fact that thesecurity situation in theaffected states wasunacceptable.

He also stressed that thecooperation between theLegislature and the Executivethat culminated in thedeclaration of the state ofemergency should beencouraged to blossom so thatthe three organs of government

would be workingharmoniously towards thedevelopment of the country.

Responding to a question as towhether the President has notbreached the constitution by notofficially writing to the Nassinforming it about the emergencyclose to the constitutional 48hrsallowed by the constitution,clarified that Jonathan, by virtueof the provision of the constitutionis bound by the provision onlyafter the pronouncement wouldhave been gazetted.

According to him, thePresident has not broken any lawby not writing the NationalAssembly informing it of theproclamation as at now becausethe proclamation has yet to begazetted.

Insurgency: Armyset to improvecivil-militaryrelations

The Defence Headquarterssaid yesterday it was readyto adopt measures that

would strengthen civil-militaryrelations to help improve oninternal security management.

Speaking at a three-dayseminar it organized inconjunction with the UnitedStates, Chief of Defence Staff,Admiral Ola Ibrahim who wasrepresented by the Chief ofCommunications, Air ViceMarshal S. O. Smith, said theseminar was designed to deviseplans that would bring civiliansand the military closer in alloperations and remove mutualsuspicion.

The seminar was Tagged,"Civil-military in a democracy:Synergizing all potentials forenhanced national security."

Director of Civil-MilitaryRelations, Major-Gen.Mohammed Ibrahim, in hisspeech, regretted that there werea lot of misconceptions onmilitary operations.

By Joy Baba

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013 PAGE 7

Due process saves FG N572bnL-R: Benue state Governor, Gabriel Suswam; Niger state Governor, Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu; Akwa Ibom state Governor, Obong GodswillAkpabio; and Chairperson, Northern Governors Wives Forum (NGWF), Mrs. Dooshima Suswam, during the NGWF Peace Forum and launchof polio eradication almanac, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

By Abdulwahab Isa

Briefly

The Nigerian UrbanReproductive HealthInitiative (NURHI),

yesterday took the familyplanning campaign to variouscommunities in Benin City, theEdo state capital.

The Initiative which,among others, aims atreducing the high maternaland infant mortality in Edostate, according to theProgramme Manager, Mrs.Adetoke Akinbami.

Akinbami who addressedleaders of market women fromEgor, Oredo and Ikpba Okhalocal government areas, saidbeneficiaries of familyplanning were people in thecommunity.

From Osaigbovo Iguobaro,Benin

NURHI initiates Edomarket women into

family planning

Due process certificationof procurementtransactions has saved

government N572 billion, theBureau of Public Procurement(BPP) said yesterday.

The BPP Director General ofBPP, Emeka Ezeh, confirmedthe figure to journalists inAbuja at a collaborativeworkshop for procurementofficers, organized by theInternational Law Institute(ILI), Washington and BPP.

Giving the breakdown, hesaid that a total of N450 billionwas saved between 2007 and2011 while about N122 billion

was saved last year.“We are gratified as a

nation that we have embracedthe path of procurement forour socio-economic andpolitical development. Morethan 10 years after thecommencement of the reform,and barely five years after thepublic procurement Act,2007, we have continued toconsolidate on our gains, whilecharting new paths to theinstitutionalization of methodsin the public contractingprocess” he declared.

He said the sum of N450 wassaved for government in2007, adding that this year’scollection has not been made

because of the complications inthe budget.

“As stakeholders in theimplementation of the Act, wehave to establish a synergy sothat we can properly ensurethat all hands are on deck inour bid to stamp out corruptionthrough best procurementpractices”, he noted.

The bureau, he said, hasmoved to the next level bybeginning to register, classifyand categorise contractors andconsultants working orintending to work on FederalGovernment projects as part ofthe bureau’s statutoryresponsibility.

Kaduna privateschool owners

protest obnoxioustax regime

President of Kaduna statechapter of the NationalAssociation of Proprietors

of Private Schools (NAPPS), Dr.Vincent Ogini, has said thatthe association would protestvarious forms of taxes imposedon it by the state government.

He urged government toreview the taxes for the benefitof education development inthe state.

According to Ogini, inOctober last year, governmentcame up with what it terms fiveper cent annual revenue feesfor private schools in the state.

“The new levy nowmandates schools to pay to theState Private Schools Board,fees ranging from N500, 000to N1 million based on thecategory of the school,” he said.

From Mohammad Ibrahim,Kaduna

Emergency rulenot political

- Senator

Senator Domingo Obende hassaid that the ACN caucus atthe National Assembly will

view the declaration ofemergency rule in three statesbased on national and not partyinterest.

Obende made the statementat an interactive session withSenate correspondents in Abujaon Monday, adding that it wasmore the position of the nationthan that of the party.

“What I think we are goingto be looking at tomorrow is notthe position of the ACN but thatof the nation and whether it isgoing to be better for Nigeria.NAN

The new Chief Executive ofthe Nigerian TourismD e v e l o p m e n t

Corporation, Mrs. SallyUwechue-Mbanefo, hassolicited the support of bothmanagement and staff of thecorporation as she unveiled herpolicy thrust.

Sally spoke at a sessionattended by the PermanentSecretary of the Ministry ofCulture, Tourism and NationalOrientation, Mrs. Nkechi Ajeleand other officials of theMinistry alongside NTDCmanagement staff, last weekwith the aim of familiarizingwith the entire staff of thecorporation.

Sally who is a 1986 Lawgraduate from the University ofLagos, said she would operate anopen-door policy revealing thather core values are discipline,integrity, hard work and mostimportantly, humility.

She maintained that she wasproud to be a patriotic Nigerianwho viewed her appointment asa call to service just as sheadmonished staff to be goodambassadors noting that thefocus will be to market tourismdestinations by collaboratingwith relevant agencies.

According to her, with thehelp of God, her wealth ofexperience and the cooperationfrom staff, she was poised to takethe corporation to the next levelwhile reaffirming herallegiance to the Minister ofCulture, Tourism and NationalOrientation, Chief Edem Dukeand President GoodluckJonathan as they strive toachieve the transformationagenda especially in thetourism sector.

New NTDCChief Executiveresumes workBy Miriam Humbe

Lagos State Chief Judge,Justice Ayotunde Phillips,yesterday said that a new

batch of awaiting trial prisoninmates would be releasedbefore the end of June.

Phillips made the statementduring a visit paid to theNigerian Prisons, Ikoyi by

members of the Nigerian BarAssociation (NBA) Ikeja Branch,as part of activities markingtheir 2013 Law Week.

The Chief Judge who wasrepresented by Chief MagistrateEmmanuel Ogundare, notedthat she was already workingon a list of those who wererecommended for release fromamong the prison inmates.

She acknowledge that someof them have stayed in theprison as awaiting trials longerthat they would have stayed ifthey had been tried andconvicted.

“I assure that before the endof this quarter in June, I willvisit you and release those thatqualified to be released”, sheassured them,” she said.

Lagos CJ promises to release more inmates by JuneFrom Matthew Irinoye, Lagos

The National Commissionfor Colleges of Education(NCCE) has organized a

sensitization workshop andtraining for the first set ofteacher-educators to look intoteacher standards in the collegesof education in the country.

Speaking at the occasionyesterday in Abuja, thecommission’s ExecutiveSecretary, Prof. MuhammadIbnJunaid, said the training waspart of the processes of ensuringadequate implementation ofTeacher Standards in colleges ofeducation, acquaint institutionswith the contents of the

standards and train lecturers onthe modalities of implementingthe standards for all S and Tprogrammes in NCE-awardinginstitutions.

He said the objective of theworkshop was to review thestandards by topic and definitionfor a quick overview of thecontents, highlight the processinvolved in the development ofthe standards and deliberate onmodalities for successfulimplementation of thestandards.

‘The S and T standard I partof the newly introduceddocument to ensure quality ofSand T teacher educators. The Sand T teacher standard wereevolved to focus on training of Sand T teacher educators andthey should know. Thedocuments will serve as abenchmark for the production ofintended specialist Teacher-Educators to facilitate effectiveteaching and learning in theColleges of Education inNigeria”, he said.

NCCE organizes sensitisation workshopfor first set of teacher-educators

By Maryam Garba Hassan

98th KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Politics is according to scholars ‘authoritativeallocation of values.’ Thus, politics is not holdingpolitical party membership card, standing for

elections, participation in electioneering campaigns norbeing in the seat of power, no matter the significant ofsuch activities (in politics) but the ability to managehuman and material resources efficiently for the benefitof the society when elected. Politics is not aimless butpurposeful activities for the implementation of policiesfor the development of the society. Successful leadersare people with vision, mission and a commitment fortheir implementation. Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwasois a politician consumed by his sincerity of purpose tolead the State to prosperity. He is one of the few politiciansthat understand what politics is and his leadershipquality and commitment to delivering beneficentprograms since assuming office for the second timesupported our assertion. Kano State is being transformedand the citizenry are responding through open and tacitsupport. The State is witnessing capital development inall sectors, from Health, Education, Agriculture, WaterResources, and Women and youths empowerment.

The ninety eighth (98th) Kano State Executive CouncilSitting was held today Wednesday 15th May, 2013 (5th

Rajab, 1434AH) under the Chairmanship of GovernorEngr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. The sitting waspremised under the main theme “Towards PositiveExpectation of Bumper Harvest in the 2013 CroppingSeason”. In continuation with its laudable feat, Councildeliberated upon forty five (45) memoranda submittedby thirteen (13) MDAs. Twenty four (24) of them wereapproved for execution with an expenditure One Billion,Four Hundred and Forty Five Million, Seven Hundredand Ninety Two Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirty SixNaira, Seventy Six Kobo (N1,445,792,236.72) coveringtwenty one (21) projects. Thus:

1. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATEGOVERNMENT

Twenty five (25) memoranda were submitted fordeliberation by Council on behalf of some MDAs fromthe Office of the Secretary to the State Government. ten(10) of them were approved for execution as follows;

a. Presentation on the Need to Compile Inventory onall MDGs Projects Spread Across 14 State of theFederation Including Kano and Request of Funds toExecute the Purpose:-

Office of the Secretary to the State Governmentnotified Council, through contents of this memorandum,of a submission by the State Ministry of Planning andBudget, intimating Government of a communicationreceived from the Office of the Senior Special Assistantto the President on MDGs (OSSP-MDGs) highlightingits readiness to compile inventory on all MDGs projectsspread across 14 States of the Federation including Kanowith a view to producing consolidated andcomprehensive data on investments activities.Essentially, 135 personnel will be deployed from Abujato work along with 16 officials drawn from 3-MDg lineMinistries in the State which include Education, Healthand Water Resources as well as the Office of the Secretaryto the State Government and the MDGs programmesupport unit to monitor conduct of the exercise. Theexercise covers six (6) days for which the StateGovernment is to provide for accommodation,transportation, fuelling and feeding allowances for the135 enumerators/coordinators on arrival to Kano. The44 LGCs are to shoulder similar responsibilities affectingthe enumerators deployed to their respective domains.So, Council was requested to consider and approve forthe following:

i. Constituting of the 16-Man State SupervisoryCommittee to be drawn from the 3-MDG line Ministries,Office of the Secretary to the State Government and theMDGs State programme support unit to monitor theconduct of the exercise.

ii. Directing the 44 LGCs through the Ministry forLocal Governments to note their expected role in the

the Efforts of REMASAB:-Office of the Secretary to the State Government

requested for the release of the sum of N19,000,000.00to enable purchase of five (5) units of Fanton Tractor60HP vehicles to re-enforce the Street Sweeping capacityof REMASAB. Each cost N3,800,000.00. Councilapproved as requested for the release of the sum ofN19,000,000.00 to the Office of the State Governmentto procure and allocate 5 units of Fanton Tractor 60HPvehicles to the Ministry of Environment for use byREMASAB as stated above.

e. Request for Funds to Enable Conduct of 2nd

Graduating Ceremony as well as Provision of Take-OffCapital to the 2nd Batch of Graduates from the KanoState Hospitality and Tourism Institute:-

The Al-mighty Allah has granted us the longevity towitness the graduation of the 2nd batch of trainees of theKano State Hospitality and Tourism Institute. 148trainees are graduating as the second batch each ofwhich has to be provided with the sum of N150,000.00as take-off capital totaling to the sum of N150,000.00 x148 = N22,200,000.00. So, in all, Council was requestedto approve for the release of the sum of N22,200,000.00for the successful conduct of the 2nd graduationceremony of trainees from the Kano State Institute ofHospitality and Tourism.

Considering relevance of the request and itscongruence to the empowerment policy of the presentadministration, Council approved for the release of therequested sum of N22,700,000.00 to the Office of theSecretary to the State Government for onward paymentto the Kano State Hospitality and Tourism Institute toenable conduct of 2nd graduation ceremony at theInstitute complete with the disbursement ofN150,000.00 to each of the 148 beneficiaries.

f. Request for Funds to Enable Conduct of the VeteranCup Tournament:-

The Veteran Cup Tournament is an annual eventorganized by retired players from successful and activefootball career. The 2013 tournament is to be hosted inKano.

Council acknowledged the honour and approved forthe release of the sum of N5,000,000.00 in support ofthe execution of the tournament stated for August, 2013to the Office of the Secretary to the State Governmentfor onward payment to local organizing committee forthe tournament for its successful conduct.

g. Request for Funds for the Printing of 1000 Copiesof a 250-Page Compendium on the Activities andAchievement of the Present Administration fromInception to Date:-

The State Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs,Youths, Sports and Culture requested for the release ofthe sum of N9,920,000.00, through the Office of theSecretary to the State Government to enable printing of1000 copies of a 250-page compendium on the activitiesof the present administration from inception to date.

The request was considered relevant and in line withthe policy of the present administration to operatetransparently as Council approved for the release of therequested sum of N9,920,000.00 to the Office of theSecretary to the State Government for onward paymentto the Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths,Sports and Culture to enabling printing 1000 copies of250-page compendium on the activities of the presentadministration from inception to date for all and sundryto be aware.

h. Request for Funds to Enable Procurement andAllocation of Fairly Used Vehicles to Designated Special/Personal Assistants Attached to the Various ofHonourable Commissioners and Office of the StateGovernor:-

The sum of N55,685,000.00 was approved forrelease to the Office of the Secretary to the State

www.kn.gov.ng/new/

exercise.iii. Release of the sum of N12,727,445.00 to facilitate

for accommodation, transportation, fuelling and feedingallowances to the 135 enumerators.

Council noted, considered and approved for the releaseof the sum of N12,727,445.00 as requested to the Officeof the Secretary to the State Government to facilitate forthe stated purpose in (iii) above as well as the execution ofitem i. and ii.

b. Request for Sponsorship and Release of Funds toEnable Professional Training of Indigenous Eligible StateCandidates drawn from Askarawan Kwankwasiyya:-

The sum of N3,227,000.00 was approved for releaseby Council, as requested, to the Office of the Secretary tothe State Government for onward payment to the StateYouth Directorate for Empowerment to enable sponsorshipof 170 State Indigenous person drawn from AskarawanKwankwasiyya- thus;

20 Degree/HND holders for two (2) Courses. 80 National Diploma holders for ten (10) Courses. 70 O’ level Certificate holders for seven (7) basic

professional Courses.The courses are to be conducted under the

postgraduate programme and skills and Craft developmentat the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism(NIHOTOUR) and are in line with the empowerment policyof the present administration.

c. Presentation on the Need to Flag-Off the 2013 StateFlood Awareness Campaign by the Ministry ofEnvironment in Collaboration with Relevant Stakeholdersin the Environment Sector:-

Contents of this memorandum notified Council of theincidence of flood disaster in the State in the year 2012which claims many lives and destroyed properties worthmillions of Naira. As such, the Federal Governments alertedall States in the Nigerian Federation to embark uponextensive awareness campaign so as to forestall anyunforeseen unfortunate developments. Details of thecommunication were presented for Council’s consideration.

Council noted, considered and approved for theimmediate flagging-off of massive awareness campaign toavert unforeseen happenings during the 2013 rainyseason.

d. Request for Funds to Enable Procurement of StreetSweeping Vehicle-Fanton Tractors 60HP to Re-enforce

ENGR. RABI`U MUSA KWANKWASOExecutive Governor, Kano State

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013PAGE 8

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCYCouncil endorsed the useful phone numbers submitted by the security agents for easy access in case of any emergency on the metropolitan Roads. Accordingly, the public may easily Contact

KAROTA for: Breakdown of Vehicle(s), Traffic Congestion, Accidents, Illegal / Wrong Parking to kindly Call KAROTA through the following number - 08091626747. Similarly, the State PoliceCommand could be contacted on - 08032419754, 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can also be contacted on - 07051246833, 08191778888.

Government to enable purchase of 70 fairly used vehiclesfor use by 70 designated Special/Personal Assistantsattached to the various Honourable Commissioners andOffice of the State Governor at the cost of N795,500.00per unit (i.e. N795,500.00 x 70 = N55,685,000.00). Thiswas considered necessary so as to provide convenienttransportation means for the Officers for effectivedischarge of their services.

j. Request for Funds for the Procurement andAllocation of Five (5) Units of Toyota Camry 2013 ModelVehicles In Respect of Chancellors and Pro-Chancellorsof KUST, Wudil and Northwest University, Kano:-

Contents of this memorandum politely notifiedCouncil of the need to provide befitting operationalvehicles to the Chancellor and pro-chancellors to thetwo Kano owned State Universities. Five (5) units ofToyota Camry 2013 Model vehicles were recommendedfor the purpose by the Office of the Secretary to theState Government. Each costs N9,135,000.00. So, thefive (5) will cost an aggregate sum of N45,675,000.00which was requested for release by Council to the Officeof the Secretary to the State Government.

Council approved as requested for the release of thesum of N45,675,000.00 to the Office of the StateGovernment to facilitate for the procurement andallocation of the stated number and type of vehicleaccording

Ministry of Rural and Community DevelopmentThe Ministry of Rural and Community Development

submitted two memorandums, which were deliberatedand approved.

a) Request for the installation of a Relief Transformersat Tudun Yola Quarters in Gwale Local Government

The contents of this memorandum explained thepresent administration’s positive response andinterventions through the provision of relief anddedicated transformers, high and low tension wires,cables, etc bringing succour to various communities inthe State. The memorandum informed the sitting thatTudun Yola Quarters, Gwale Local Government has beenfacing persistence electricity supply failure due tooverloading of the existing transformer and poweroutage. This explains the reason for the request of500KVA 33/415 relief transformer at the sum ofN5,646,323.00. Council approved the procurement andinstallation of the 500KVA transformer as requested.

b) Repairs of vandalized electricity networks (phaseii) across the State

The State Government has since inception expendedmore than N300 million in rural electrifications and therectification of vandalized electricity networksthroughout the State. This administration is committedto the provision of social and economic services notonly to the urban but also to the rural areas. Of recent,the administration approved the construction of5kilometer roads in each of the 44 Local GovernmentAreas to improve commuting and modernize the ruralareas. This is besides the drilling of hundreds ofboreholes in the rural areas for the provision of potablewater. Thus, this memorandum is in line with the policystand of the administration for requesting the repairs ofvandalized electricity networks across the State. Councilapproved the sum of N20 million for the project.

Ministry of HealthThe Ministry submitted 4 memorandums for the

deliberation of the Council, which were all approved forexecution.

a) Request for funds for the procurement of officefurniture/working material for the Eye Clinic at MurtalaMuhammad Specialist Hospital

Since the inception of this administration over N500million was expended on the renovation, landscapingand supply of equipment to the State Hospitals. TheDental Centre along Zaria Road and Infectious DiseaseHospital for example, which were left unattended by theprevious administration have undergone extensiverehabilitation. Rehabilitation works were also executedat Hasiya Bayero, Gaya, Gwarzo and Gezawa GeneralHospitals, etc. Recently, the administration awardedcontract of the sum of over N65 million for therehabilitation and procurement of ophthalmic equipmentto the Eye Clinic of Murtala Muhammad SpecialistHospital. This is the basis for this memorandum.

The memorandum informed members that thecontract for the rehabilitation and supply of the

Signed:Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs,

Youth, Sports & Culture, Kano State

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013 PAGE 9

equipment have been completed and the Clinic is ready forcommissioning but for furniture. The memorandum prayedfor the release of the sum of N6,22,968.50 for theprocurement of furniture for the eye clinic. Councilapproved the request.

b) Need for Landscaping and fortification of RangazaStores along Yadakunya Road

The memorandum reminded the members of the sum ofN48,639,451.39 expended on the rehabilitation of KASCOfertilizer warehouse for the use of the Ministry of Health.The rehabilitation was executed in preparation for thereceipt of DFID PATHS2 commodity support for the State.Out of the expected 45 forty feet containers expected fromDFID PATH2, 35 were delivered and are now being kept atthe site awaiting distribution to State Hospitals and Healthcenters. The containers comprised various State-of-the-art hospital equipment and medical consumable for theuse of the health centers. The total values of the expectedequipment/commodities stand at a whopping sum of N1.2billion.

Nevertheless, to ease distribution and the sorting outof the items there is the need to clear the sandy/marshyarea of the premises as well as construct a shade. This isthe basis for this memorandum. Council appreciated DFIDPATH2 deliveries, which will greatly support healthcare inthe State. Council directed Kano State Urban Planning andDevelopment Authority (KNUPDA) to mobilize itsmachines and clear the site for the Ministry of Health.

c) Completion and Landscaping/interlock tiling of thenewly established State Primary Healthcare ManagementBoard

Council recalled the establishment of the State PrimaryHealthcare Management Board as well as State Agencyfor the Control of Aids along Zaria Road. The contents ofthe memorandum requested the release of the sum ofN64,131,487.04 for the completion of the construction ofconference hall and mosque, and landscaping/interlocktiling of the compound. Council approved the submission.

In the same vein, the Ministry submitted a request forthe rehabilitation and equipping the School of HealthTechnology, Kano for the upcoming re-accreditation ofthe school by the Community Health Practice RegistrationBoard of Nigeria. The Board is the body regulating thepractice and training of all Community Health cadre inNigeria. The memorandum requested the sum ofN26,860,946.68 for the renovation works of the facilitiesand the procurement of teaching aid. Council approvedthe request.

Ministry of Water ResourcesThe State has 19 major earth dams for irrigation and the

supply of potable water to its teeming population. Outthat number 17 are under the control of the Ministry ofWater Resources. The memorandum informed membersthat 11 of the dams are in good condition to contain andavert severe flooding. However, 6 of the dams, namelyBagauda, Kafin-Chiri, Ruwan Kanya, Tudun Wada,Magaga and Guzu-Guzu are in precarious condition. Thesedams require rehabilitation. This explains the basis of thismemorandum by the Ministry of Water Resources. TheMinistry requested the release of the sum ofN120,969,352.34 for the repairs/rehabilitation of the 6 dams,which was approved for execution.

Ministry of Works, Housing and TransportRequest for funds for the construction of the 2nd Phase

of Kano State Sports InstituteKano Sports Institute was amongst the 21 institutions

established by this administration for youths empowermentand skills acquisition. This institute is meant to be asporting institute with the main aim of training youthssports and sporting activities. This is the first Sportsinstitute in this part of the country and when completedcan compete with any of its kind. The sum ofN543,026,175.30 was requested by the prayers of thismemorandum for the construction of mini-stadium, 2students hostels, cafeteria, common road, renovation of10 staff quarters, indoor and outdoor sporting facilities,mosque, etc. Council deliberated on the need for theexecution of the 2nd Phase to facilitate the completion ofthe project in time and approved the request.

Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths,Sports and Culture

The Ministry submitted two memorandums, which wereapproved. The first memorandum was on a request forKano Pillars Football Club to participate in the PremierLeague Competition this year. This memorandum was afollow-up to an earlier one submitted of which a CouncilCommittee was set up to reappraise the request in relation

to signing/transfer fee unpaid to players. Councildeliberated and approved the release of the sum of N69,350,000.00 for the settlement of 2012/2013 signing feeallowances and balance payment of transfer fees for thesame year.

Related to the above, is a memorandum submitted toredeem Government pledges to outstanding players whowon medals for the State in various sports. The sum ofN10,800,000.00 was approved.

Ministry of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesThe Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources

has been a front running in the training andempowerment of youths and women. Thousands ofwomen have undergone training in the Poultry Institute,Fisheries Institute and Livestock Institute. Usually aftertraining post training package are being supplied to thetrainees to facilitate practicing of what was learned atthe institutes. This brings us to the basis of thememorandum under review. The first batch of 400students of the Fisheries Institute has completed theirtraining and was assigned burrow pits to practice theirnew skills for economic empowerment. Thememorandum requested the release of the sum ofN35,178,000.00 for the procurement of post trainingpackage and logistics for the 400 trainees. Councilapproved the request.

Ministry of Higher EducationCouncil recalled the approval of the sum of

N397,938,760.00 for the payment of scholarship to KanoState students of higher institutions. This amount wasthe backlog inherited from the previous administration.To ensure that such backlog does not accumulate theMinistry of Higher Education submitted a request forthe payment of continuing students of year 2010/2011and 2011/2012. The total number of students screenedby the Scholarship Board to be paid is 23,793. The sumof N360,169,249.00 was requested to settle the students.Council approved the payment.

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF THE 98TH EXCOSITTING

STAKEHOLDERS MEETING ON FIVE (5)KILOMETER ROADS ACROSS THE STATE

Council noted the visit by the Hon. Commissionerfor Lands and Physical Planning and a team of engineersand some consultants to assess the level of work inprogress. Council wishes to commend the contractorsfor the level of the work and calls on them to continuewith the work.

PRESENTATION OF AWARD TO HISEXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR

Council witnessed the presentation of an award toHis Excellency Governor Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwasoby Bebeji Local Government Students Association asthe ‘’BEST GOVERNOR’’ In Nigeria for his Giant stridein transforming the educational sector in Kano state.Similarly, Council also witnessed the presentation ofaward to his Excellency by Global Educators forInitiatives as ‘’THE BEST GOVERNOR’’ who cares forthe well being of the family, youth development/employment, school feeding and giving scholarship todeserving students.

VISIT BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNORTO FRANCE AND QATAR

Council noted the visit by his Excellency Dr RabiuMusa Kwankwaso to France where he attended a summitand signed a memorandum of understanding by theAssociation for the development of education in Africa.During the deliberation both parties pledge to worktogether for their mutual interest and for the developmentof Education and training in Kano state and willcollaborate in the following areas:

a. Teacher and school leadership developmentb. Skill developmentc. ICT Integration into General Educationd. Books and learning materialsAccordingly, his Excellency also met with the former

MD of PAN where they deliberated on the Developmentof technical education.Furthermore, council also notedthe visit by his Excellency the Governor to Qatar wherehe visited Aspire Sports Academy. During the trip, healso visited Qatar foundation and was shown the modelof Education.

For update on the activities of Kano State Government click towww.kano.gov.ng/new.

Another Model Scondary School constructed by the Dakingari administration 9. Establishment of additional 27 Junior Secondary Schools out ofwhich 8 are for girls

SECONDARY EDUCATION1. Recruitment of secondary school Teachers: 1000 qualified graduate

and HND teachers were recruited with special emphasis on core subjects. 2. Plans are under way for continuous training and retraining of all

teachers through refresher courses and workshops during vacation period. 3. Expansion and rehabilitation of schools. Construction of 50 blocks

of 3 classroom across the state. 10 blocks in each of the 5 existing zonaleducation offices.

4. Renovation of senior secondary schools in each of the 5 zones. 5. 200 V.I.P Toilets were constructed in some selected senior secondary

schools at 40 toilet per zones.

UPGRADING OF SPECIAL SCHOOLS1. The following schools are to serve as Model Secondary Schools not

just in Kebbi State but in Nigeria. The 5 keys schools are as followsi. Kanta Unity college argunguii. Nagari College Birnin Kebbiiii. Government Girls Science College, Yauriiv. Government Girls Unity College, B/Kebbiv. Government Science Secondary School, ZuruThe following projects were undertaken for each of the above 5 key

schools:1. Rehabilitation and furnishing of key Laboratories for chemistry,

physics, Biology and introductory Technology. 2. Multipurpose Hall: Construction of a Multipurpose Hall of 800 seat

capacity for each schools. 3. Library: Construction and furnishing of a library of 250 students’

capacity.4. School Buses: 30-seater buses were procured for each of the 5 key

schools. 5. Water: 50, 000. 00 litre motorized boreholes with overhead tanks

were constructed for each schools. 6. Electricity: Each school was provided with 300KVA generating set. 7. Sick Bay: Each school was provided with a sick bay.8. Sporting Facilities: Provision of sporting facilities for the five schools. 9. Double Bunk Beds: Thousands of Bedings were procured for the

five schools. 10.Mattresses: 5, 000 mattresses were supplied for these schools.

SCHOOL FEEDINGThe free school feeding project is one of the best among the states that

practice it. It is only in Kebbi State that even day students are givenbreakfast free. As for the boarders they are given three (3) meals everyday.

Enhanced feeding of Chickens and eggs to student has also beenintroduced to all Secondary Schools in the state.

FREE REGISTRATION FOR WAEC/NECOEducation is free at all levels in the state, examination fees for WAEC

Staff Quarters at Lailaba Comprehensive Secondary School Argungu

Students’ Hostel, School of Health Technology, Jega

Laying the Foundation forSustainable Education in Kebbi StateLaying the Foundation forSustainable Education in Kebbi State

PAGE 24 PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 20, 2013

Continue from page 9

Continue on page 25

Dining Hall and Students Hostel of Model Secondary School at Bayawa Augie L.G.A

PAGE 25PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 20, 2013

Continue from page 24

and NECO are also paid by the government. There isscholarship to tertiary institutions, including registration feesand in-service scheme for teachers that want to further theireducation while in service.

TERTIARY EDUCATIONKebbi State University of science and Technology, Aliero

was provided with the following:a. 1No. Toyota Jeepb. 6No. Toyota Saloon Carsc. 2No. Toyota Camry Carsd. 1No. Water Tanke. 1No. Fire Fighting Vehiclef. 1No. 30 Seater bus.g. 1No. Hilux Double cabin with ACh. 1No. Ambulance Adamu Augie College of Education, Argungu was provided

with the following:a. 3No. Toyota Saloon carsb. 2No. 18-Seater buses

College of Basic and Advanced Studies, Yauri was providedwith the following:

a. 3No. Toyota Saloon carsb. 2No. 18-Seater buses

HIS EXCELLENCYSAIDU USMAN N. DAKINGARI

EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR, KEBBI STATE

"The Ministry for Science and Technical Education wascarved out of the Ministry of Education with about 14 specialscience schools under its care.

"There are four (4) tertiary institutions in the stateincluding the state polytechnic about to take off.

a. The state has 287 ECCD centersb. 1617 primary schoolsc. 107 detached junior secondary schools (JSS)d. 181 senior secondary schools (SSS)e. Four (4) tertiary institutions.f. Rehabilitation and expansion of existing schools for

conducive learning environment e.g GSC, Zuru, GSTC Zuru,GSC, Dakingari, GGSC, Yauri, Nagari College, GSTC Bunzaetc.

g. Upgraded 50 Day Secondary Schools into boardingschools.

h. Completion of Technical College, Saminaka.I. Paying scholarship allowances to indigenes of the state

in institutions of higher learning”.

With all these developments and more to come, manyanalysts contend that Kebbi State is on its way to sheddingits status as an educationally disadvantaged state andbuilding a foundation for a sustainable educational systemfor future generations.

Plans are in top gear for Adamu Augie College of Education, Argungu and Collegeof Basic and Advanced Studies, Yauri to move to their permanent sites.

The government has directed the state University of Science and Technology toestablish faculty of Education for the purpose of producing qualified teachers,especially in science aspect.

SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL EDUCATIONEstablishment of Ministry of Science and Technical Education:In line with national policy on Education in the country, a new Ministry of Science

and Technology Education was caved out from the Ministry of Education to boostscience and technical education up to SSCE level. This is a major achievement that isin line with the national policy on education for science and technical education inthe country.

Establishment of 5 New Science CollegesThe present administration under the leadership of His Excellency Alh. Saidu

Nasamu Dakingari approved the construction of 5 New Science Secondary Schoolsacross the state.

The New Schools are:-1. Model Science Secondary School, Bayawa (Boys)2. Model Science Secondary School, Jega, (Boys)3. Model Science Secondary School,D/Gari (Girls)4. Model Science Secondary School, Warah (Boys)5. Model Science Secondary Schools, Ribah (Boys)

LailabaTo enhance Technical Education in the state, His Excellency decided to construct

one Technical School in each Senatorial District.

Conversion of Conventional Secondary Schools to Science Colleges.In order to give room for intakes to Science schools, four secondary schools were

converted to Science colleges. They are as Follows:1. GSS Aliero2. GSS Koko3. GSS D/Gari4. GGCSS Argungu

ComputerTo provide computer education and ICT the present administration secured a set

of computers and distributed them to all Science schools.

Sponsorship of Higher EducationThe present administration also sponsored students to read medical and related

courses in India and Sudan. In addition to that, some students were also sponsoredto go for basic and remedial studies under Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. Thesestudents are to read Science and Medicine after completion.

ROLL CALL OF ACHIEVEMENTSGiving a breakdown of development in the education sector of the state,

Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Abdullahi Kamba Kamba, stated thus: "Thisgovernment has established and built 255 primary schools from 2007 to date.

“Also 101 junior schools were established by the state government from 2007 todate and 63 junior secondary schools were upgraded to senior levels with boardingfacilities built for their convenient take off.

Administrative block of one of the five science secondary schools in the state

Laboratory block of one of the five science secondary schools in the state

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013PAGE 10

L-R: Delta state Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan; Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Hon. Uche Ekwunife; representative ofthe Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Kogi state Governor, Captain Idris Wada; and Minister of Environment,Hajiya Hadiza Mailafiya, during the National Conference on Environment, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Briefly

ACN chiefhails Jonathanover state ofemergency

A former Kogi stateSecretary of ActionCongress of Nigerian

(ACN), Dr. Akwu UmarGoodman, has commendedPresident Goodluck Jonathanfor declaring a state ofemergence in Adamawa, Yobeand Borno states.

Goodman who spoke tojournalists in Lokoja at theweekend, said Jonathan tookthe right step describing it asthe "last option which willbring the senseless killings inthe northern part of the countryto an end."

He urged the military tosmoke out the trouble makersin record time in order to ensurenormalcy in that part of thecountry.

From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

From Mohammad Ibrahim,Kaduna

The Nigeria ExtractiveI n d u s t r i e sT r a n s p a r e n c y

Initiative (NEITI) yesterdayexpressed worry over the poorranking of Nigeria in therecent global report issued bythe Revenue Watch Institute,which it attributed to thefailure on the part ofgovernment to implement itsrecommendations on variousissues surrounding resourcegovernance in the country.

The report whichmeasured the quality ofextractive industriesgovernance in 58 countries,ranked Nigeria 40th positionout of 58 resource-richcountries across the world.

According to the ranking,the extractive industriesgovernance in Nigeria is veryweak.

By Etuka Sunday

NEITI blames FGover extractiveindustries’ poor

ranking

NOUN matriculates65 students in

Gombe

National Open Universityof Nigeria (NOUN) at theweekend matriculated

65 students.Speaking during the ninth

matriculation ceremony, theuniversity's Vice- Chancellor,Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe,explained that school wasestablished to provide qualityeducation to the teamingpopulace.

According to her, NOUN lastyear accredited 30 under-graduate programmes andrecently introduced a Master inPublic Administration.

From David Hassan, Gombe

Islamic scholar traces Hajj problems to politicians

A Kaduna scholar SheikhSalihu Mu'azu, hasfingered politicians for

the perennial problemsassociated with Hajj operationsin the country.

Speaking at a town hallmeeting with stakeholders aspart of the 2013 Hajj exerciseorganized by the Kaduna StateMuslim Pilgrims WelfareBoard, Muazu admonishedpoliticians to fear Allah andallow on persons who arecompetent to serve as Hajjofficials.

He also urged the Board toensure that only those who willtruly work hard for thepilgrims in the Holy Land are

selected as officials.According to him, "using

politicians as Hajj officials is notthe best.

"Both politicians and clericsmust understand that selectingthem as Hajj officials means goingthere to help and coordinatepilgrims in the Holy Land. Theidea of going there to abandon thepilgrims must change.

"Another major Hajj problemis selfishness as there is the needto also make sure that all thosewho will be selected as officialsmust be credible people, not thosewho will disguise and abandonthe pilgrims as soon a they landin the Holy land."

Responding to some of thepoints highlighted during the

meeting, the Board's ExecutiveSecretary, Tahir Umar Tahir,called for proposals from allstakeholders on how to improveHajj exercise in the state.

"I have listened to so manycontributions from our scholarsand politicians on how toimprove the exercise.

"Our doors are open forproposals on how to improveHajj exercise in Kaduna.

"We also hope politiciansamong us will give us the chanceto appoint people of credibilityas Hajj officials because that isthe only way we can assist ourpilgrims in Holy Land," he said.

On the possibility of using theMando Hajj camp this year, heemphasized on the need forIslamic scholars to educate theInternally Displayed Persons(IDPs) who have been occupyingthe camp since 2011 to vacatethe center.

According to him, the Boardpays N5 million every year forKaduna International Trade faircomplex currently being used astemporary Hajj camp.

According to Tahir, "this iswhy recently when we visitedthe Emir of Zazzau, I pleadedwith him to assist us over theIDPs.

Tax remittances probe: 11 banks shun Reps committee

The House of RepresentativesCommittee on Finance hasthreatened to issue a bench

warrant to 11 chief executiveofficers of banks if they failed toappear before it tomorrow.

The banks are Zenith Bank,Sterling Bank, Stanbic IBTC andSky Bank. The others are KeystoneBank, Heritage Bank, First CityMonument Bank, Ecobank, City

Bank and Enterprise Bank.Chairman of the Committee,

Abdulmumini Jibril, issued thewarning at an investigation hearingon all commercial bank's taxremittances to the FederalGovernment, as a result of allegedsharp practices by some banksdesignated tax-collecting banks oncollection and remittances togovernment.

According to him, the reasons forthe investigation is to improve the

revenue drive of government andto specifically open up new revenueopportunities, consolidate onexisting sources of revenue andblock leakages and waste.

"Our vision is to strengthen theFederal Inland Revenue Service(FIRS) and optimize the potentialof our tax system.

"To this end, we are embarkingon a sector by sector review of taxcompliance and remittance and wewill look into different sectors that

Seriki Gambari and Head ofthe Gambari family inIlorin, Alhaji Yahyah

Ahmed Serikin, and MallamMashood Attairu Serikin havesued the Kwara stategovernment and the immediatepast Governor, Dr. BukolaSaraki, over alleged acquisitionof their family land for privateuse.

The claimants in the suitnumber KWS/153/2013

Gambari family sues Kwaragovt, Saraki over family land

accused the defendants of havingconverted the family land whichcovers the Kwara State StaffDevelopment Centre and ShopriteShopping Mall situated at Fate roadIlorin, to private use after governmenthad acquired it for public purpose.

In the suit which was obtained byour correspondent, the claimantsstated that the accused personsexcised a parcel of land of 3.024hectares from the land originallyacquired from the claimants' familyby the government for "publicpurpose."

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

will include aviation, construction,oil and gas, communication amongothers."

"What we seek to do, is ask youto give more or worst give exactlywhat you are expected to give inaccordance with the laws of the landas at when due. This will sufficientlydeal with your responsibility as taxpayers. We intent to look at yourrole as collecting agents to see howwell you have complied with laiddown rules and regulations," he said

By Umar Muhammad Puma

Ajimobi receives religiousleaders' blessings for second term

Governor Abiola Ajimobi ofOyo yesterday receivedthe blessing of religious

leaders in the state for a secondterm in office.

Ajimobi who was the guest ofhonour at the third session of theFifth Synod of the Ibadan NorthAnglican Diocese, was eulogizedfor his outstanding performancein the past two years.

President of the Synod andBishop of Ibadan North AnglicanDiocese, Most Rev. SegunOkubadejo, who led the prayer,described Ajimobi's emergenceas governor as a divine

intervention in the affairs of thestate.

Okubadejo said that he wasmarveled at the unprecedentedtransformation of the state eveas he prayed God to use Ajimobito break the second term jinx inthe state.

"With your performance sofar, God may use you to breakthe second term jinx in Oyo Stateto become the first governor tohave a second term in office.

"You promised the people ofOyo state during your campaignthat you would make life betterfor them; you are fulfilling yourpromises and meeting theexpectations of the electorate."

From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

PAGE 11PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

Share your Money Tip: do you have a business/money idea, and you want to share it with our dear readers? Then, send it to: ikabirsule@gmail.com or (text it to 08091904890)

There are many questionsthat people can ask fromtheir financial advisers.

I think the most importantthing is actually not choosinga financial adviser, butdeciding that you are theperson who is responsible foryour money, no matter whoyou choose. If someone ishelping you with yourfinances, you ownresponsibility for thosefinances.

In order to save money,cancel memberships for

forms of entertainment again.Go outside, read books andinteract with your family forentertainment.

Don't throw away moneyon needless or hiddenmonthly recurring charges.You may be paying forservices that you don't needor unknowingly agreed to.Avoid these types of chargesby carefully looking over yourbank statements everymonth. Look for andeliminate any charges thatyou're unfamiliar with, or that

Financial rules to master for a happier life

Let's be honest. There's nota business anywhere that iswithout problems. Businessis complicated andimperfect. Every businesseverywhere is staffed withimperfect human beings andexists by providing aproduct or service to otherimperfect human beings.- Bob Parsons

Chances are very good thatit's not the money we areafter, but to be happy. Yet,

many of us mistakenly chase theelusive idea of "having moremoney" and we end up workingendlessly while we sacrifice ourhappiness to reach this goal.

If you want a good motto tolive by, it should be this: "Thejourney is the reward." Here arefive things you can do this yearto increase your happiness.

Make only one goalThe start of the year also

marks the favorite time to makenew goals, but we often make somany that we end up notreaching any. There's no shamein making just one goal andmeeting it. The satisfaction of ajob well done is so fulfilling.Aim to improve a tiny bit

Many high earners will tellyou that they aren't happy withtheir income. This is becausethey are already used to theamount of money that they aremaking. Everything is allrelative. In order to feel happy,make improvements. And itdoesn't even have to be relatedto making money, either.

Weight loss, family ties, timemanagement, starting a budget,and many other goals will allmake you happy as long as youare making progress. The bonusis that if you are always aimingto improve a tiny bit, it will helpyou start a routine fasterbecause you will feel lessoverwhelmed by a completelynew project.Shrink your to do list

No one likes to have thingspiling up. Try to stop thinkingand worrying about what youhave to do and just do it. You willbe much happier with fewertasks on your to do list and more

accomplishments under yourbelt.Swap TV time for activitiesout of your home

The average person spendsabout four hours in front of theTV daily. That's time you couldbe using to improve all facets ofyour life, time you could beexercising, and time you couldbe spending with your family.The No. 1 complaint most adultshave is probably not havingenough time, so why spend anytime in front of the TV, gainingweight while you bleed your lifeaway?Indulge often!

No matter how much youlove seeing your net worth grow,frequent indulgences make ushappier than socking moneyaway and seeing a bigger accountbalance. The obvious problem isthat we don't have unlimitedfunds, so why not trade some ofyour bigger expenditures forsmall indulgences?

Instead of a big car payment,why don't you go out for dinnersmore often? Instead of anexpensive annual vacation,why don't you go on a mini-roadtrip every month? By spendingfrequently but with smalleramounts, you will find that youget much more satisfaction outof every dollar that you spend.

For the majority of newbusinesses andprofessionals, one of the key

assets they lack is credibility andauthority in the marketplace.Most new businesses are (at best)a very small blip on the giantradar that is our world.

As an entrepreneur, you arefaced with the challenge of notonly getting your brand out therein front of the eyes of the world,but also convincing your targetaudience to trust you, even whenyou may lack the capital,resources or influence of anestablished organization.

As the CEO of a public relationsfirm, I am often tasked with thechallenge of doing the same formy clients who are startup andearly-stage companies. The goodnews is that it can be done- and Ihave done it successfully fordozens of clients. The even betternews is that thanks to newtechnology, social media and thefast-paced information-drivenworld we now live in, it can nowbe done faster and moreinexpensively than ever before.

The goal of positioning abrand as an authority in yourindustry is within the grasp ofany business of any size- theplaying field has been leveled.But it starts with organizing asolid plan for doing so. So, I amgoing to share with you a few ofthe elements we use at my publicrelations firm, Fifth AvenueBrands, to craft a high-impactbranding and media outreachstrategy for our clients.

- Contributed by Richard Lorenzen

MONEY TIP:Using publicrelations tobuild brandcredibility

Take your financial responsibility, even with financial adviser

Quote

you no longer need.See if your employer

provides you with discountbenefits. Many times, if youwork for a large company,they can pass their discountson to you for variousinsurance plans or even yourcell phone.

Think carefully beforemaking any financial decision.Don't make a decision basedon fear or panic. It is okay foryou to stop and take theadequate amount of time youneed before you make anykind of decision. That isespecially true for largefinancial decisions. Now youjust need to take a deep breathand do the right thing.

Learn to live frugally as away of life. Consider goingwith only one car for yourfamily. Your car is probablythe second most expensiveitem in your budget, afteryour home. This can be ashort-term strategy to helpyou catch up on bills andbuild up your savings, or anongoing lifestyle change.

Fees are something thatyou will have to deal with asthe year goes on, so youshould be conscious of themso that they do not add up. Tryto be aware of any ATM feesand drive carefully on theroad so that you do notreceive tickets or fines fromany government officials, likeFRSC, Lagos' LASTMA, VIO,and so on, which areunnecessary expenses.

things you do not use. Forinstance, if you have a gymmembership, but you nevergo to the gym, why do youneed the membership? Allthat this is doing is costingyou money that could bespent on more importantthings.

This might seem painful,but if you want to save money,cut out monthly unnecessaryexpense. This could save yousome money yearly or more,and it forces you to engage inmore productive and healthy

PAGE 12 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

Esprit de corps, not rancourA federal high court, sitting in

Abuja, recently ordered theDirectorate of State Security

Service (SSS) and the Nigeria PoliceForce to pay N5 million each to the PeaceCorps of Nigeria, a registered NGO, forclosing its offices in some of the 36 statesand publicly stripping its uniformedofficers. That was after the SSS haddispatched a so-called security report tostate governors, saying that the Corpswas an unregistered paramilitary unitand therefore a security risk.

The Corps' trustees went to court and averdict was entered in its favour. JusticeEvon Chukwu upbraided the SSS and thepolice for overstepping their bounds. Heasked them to henceforth operate withinthe ambit of the laws that set them up.According to him, closing down the officesof the Corps and unclothing its officersamounted to a breach of theconstitutional right of Nigerians to freelyassociate. However, he reduced thedamages demanded by the Corps fromN250 million to N10 million.

The import of the judgement does notlie in the costs awarded against the twosecurity agencies but that a fellowNigerian had the courage to tell themthat they were not helping the countryby constantly feuding with sister securityagencies. The Peace Corps is only thelatest victim of the overzealousness andimpunity of the SSS and the police. Theyhave repeatedly clashed with theNigerian Security and Civil DefenceCorps (NSCDC), also a publicly fundedparamilitary agency.

Nigerians are justified to express theirhorror over physical clashes amongsecurity agencies that have escalated inrecent time. Pity of it all, this conflict isnot over how best to confront thenation's rising security challenges, notleast the ongoing Boko Haraminsurgency in parts of the north, but how

“the wrangling is not overwhat value to add to the

nation's securityarchitecture but over

pecuniary gains

much jurisdictional space they can corner.To be certain, interagency rivalry,

which usually comes up in crisissituations, is not peculiar to Nigeria. Evenin advanced societies disagreements dooccur, usually over the quality ofintelligence they provide. But the overallgoal is to achieve some mileage in crimefighting. We have seen it happen in theUnited States where security is a touchyissue. The Nigerian situation, however, isprofoundly different, and this is why it isdisturbing. The growing Boko Haraminsurgency and other security challengescall for interagency cooperation and co-ordination. Sadly, it seems the security

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

MANAGING EDITOR

ABDUL-AZEEZ ABDULLAHI

ACTING EDITOR, DAILY

HAMEED M. BELLO

ACTING EDITOR, WEEKEND

JAMILA NUHU MUSA

HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING

HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU

ADESOJI OYINLOLA

“To be the marketplace of ideas and theleading player in the

industry by putting thepeople first, upholdingthe truth, maintaining

the highestprofessional andethical standards

while delivering valueto our stakeholders”

“To be a reputable,profitable,

innovative andtechnologically

reliant mediacompany offering

world classservices and

products”

OUR VISIONOUR VISIONOUR VISIONOUR VISIONOUR VISION

DIRECTOR/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEFRUFA’I IBRAHIM

EDITEDITEDITEDITEDITORIALORIALORIALORIALORIAL

agencies in the country are yet toappreciate this imperative. Healthyrivalry can enhance the quality ofintelligence, something we are notoriouslydeficient in. But destructive confrontation,including public stripping of othersecurity agencies' personnel, is what wedon't encourage.

The excuse usually given by the SSSand the police for attacking the otheragencies is that they encroach on theirjurisdictional territories. This may be truein some instances. The police may assumethe duties and responsibilities of theNDLEA, SSS, Customs and Immigration,FRSC, NSCDC and vice versa. That is to be

expected where the officers of theappropriate agency are not immediatelyavailable at the scene of a crime. Butonce arrests are made, the suspectsshould be handed over to the rightagency. This is the kind of cooperationwe expect between the several agencies.

But come to think of it, we should notbe surprised that our security agenciesdemonstrate more antagonism towardseach other than cooperation. The reasonis that there are more security agenciesthan the nation perhaps needs and theycome with ill defined mandates. Worse,in our country where corruption hasbecome a thriving business, more so inthe corridors of power, the more rooman agency has to operate in the moreillegal money it will make. So thewrangling is not over what value to addto the nation's security architecture butover pecuniary gains.

We recall our January 4, 2013editorial on the conflict between thepolice and NSCDC in which we pointedout that the feuding was "part of a largerproblem, arising from a multiplicity ofgovernment agencies with conflicting orill-defined mandates. This is the case,unfortunately, in particularly thesecurity apparatuses… Rather thancomplement each other the securityagencies are engaged in dangerousinfighting. And this has dire implicationsfor the nation's overall security as wealready are seeing in the inept handlingof the Boko Haram insurgency and therise in criminality generally.

"The only way we see the situationchanging for the better is for thegovernment to rethink the nation'ssecurity architecture, streamline thesecurity agencies to avoid duplication ofmandate and train their personnel toappreciate the value of working togetherrather than engaging in unhealthyrivalry." Our position has not changed.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013 PAGE 13

Justice Aloma MariamMukhtar is the firstwoman to occupy the

position of Chief Justice ofNigeria (CJN) since the nationhad its first indigenous ChiefJustice in 1958. This alsomakes her the 13th indigenoushead of the judiciary. Herappointment is coming at atime when President GoodluckJonathan is implementingaffirmative action by givingwomen strategic positions.

Justice Mukhtar has beendescribed as highly principled.She is known to have an

CJN, we trust you to ensure justice in Rivers stateaversion to acts inimical to dueprocess. The reforms she isintroducing in the judiciary toclean it up and improve itsimage will, undoubtedly,enhance the justice system. Weare therefore pleading thatJustice Mukhtar let herreforms extend to Rivers state.

Many well meaningindividuals have been alarmedby the state of the judiciarythere. They argue that therehas been a systematic andcontinued abuse of the judicialprocess which is controlled bythe executive. We appeal to theChief Justice to reverse thisand sanitize the system.

By David Dappa

As the Cuban missilecrisis raged in October1962; the US president

sat in the White House andcalled the leaders of the keynations that were members ofthe UN Security Council to gettheir support for Americanposition at the UN. The worldwas on the brink of a nuclearholocaust. The Russians deniedeverything the Americansclaimed and the stage was setfor a monumental nuclearconfrontation. Up till thispoint; there was no objectiveevidence as to who was tellingthe truth; Russia or America.So it was simply a game ofwhose report to believe.

It was reported that theFrench President, Charles deGaulle received a call fromPresident Kennedy asking forthe support of France in theimpending UN vote on thismatter. The French presidentoffered his unqualified supportfor the American position. Fewdays later a French ministerasked the President why hesupported the Americans whenthere was no conclusiveevidence of their claim.Charles de Gaulle was reportedto have responded boldly "Theword of the American Presidentis good enough for me".

That statementdemonstrated that Trust is keyto any meaningful relationshipbetween governments and alsobetween governments and thepeople. It is not always possibleto provide clear evidence ofgovernment decisions; eitherdue to national securityconcerns; or the conclusiveevidence does not exist. If thereis trust in the relationshipbetween the people and itsgovernment; a lot can beachieved as the citizens rallyround its leaders to move thenation forward. Thisintergovernmental trust wasone of the unwitting victims ofthe Iraq debacle. Many leaders

Why most Nigerians don't trust Jonathannow do not trust the Americanposition on many things today.This will hunt the globaldiplomatic scene for decades tocome. There used to be a timethat the American position wasaccepted by the world withoutany question; not any more.

The foregoing brings me tothe case of the Nigeriangovernment and the lack oftrust by many Nigerians. Overthe years; the fabric of trusthas been eroded by successiveNigerian leaders; thus creatinga cynical and untrustingcitizenry. Many expectations ofthe people have been dashed.An average Nigerian does notbelieve anything thegovernment says. Each newadministration is given aninitial window to prove itselfand as always they all fail byunveiling their predispositionand addiction to lies,corruption and deception.Hence many Nigerian havegrown to expect lies andsometimes the worst from theirgovernment.

Focusing on the Jonathanadministration; it is sad to seehow a potentially

transformational governmenthas squandered its goodwilland productive expectations.Many Nigerians, includingmyself had high expectations ofthe Jonathan administrationat the beginning. But now; it isa different story. There is awise saying that states: if yousell-out your relatives at acheap price; you cannot buythem back at an expensiveamount, because once they losetrust in you and see yourbetrayal; that will be it. Forme; the Jonathanadministration seems to haveforgotten the adage that it isthe little foxes that spoils thevine. It is the 'little' acts ofdeception and lying that erodetrust and make it difficult tobelieve the big things; even ifthey are now true.

For example; when youhave the President's officetelling the nation that the FirstLady was not sick but merelytaking a break; despite all thereports to the contrary. AsoRock denied all reports of anyillness of the President's wife.Only for a few weeks later tohear the First Lady herself tell

By Charles Omole Nigerians that she almost diedand had to undergo severalmajor operations in foreignhospitals. It is clear; we werelied to. Yet no apology till date.There are several instances ofthese "little" lies by thegovernment and thepresidential team. That muchcannot be disputed. So how doesPresident Jonathan expect usto believe him on "big" issueslike the menace of Boko Haramand national security situationwhen he has already lostcredibility and the trust of thepeople through "series of little"lies. It is indeed the little foxesthat spoil the vine. ThePresident may indeed be tellingthe truth about many of themajor issues confronting thenation today; but how can webelieve him and his team whenthey have shown themselvesunworthy of our unflinchingtrust.

From my experience;honesty in "little" things is thehallmark of real honesty. It ismore difficult to lie about bigand major issues due to thecomplicated and multifacetednature of such things. But it is

much easier to lie about minorand small matters; thusrevealing your dishonestnature. So a person that refusesto lie about minor issues (thatmany cannot verify in anycase); will tend to remainhonest when the big, moreverifiable matters come up. Ifyou ask me what time I went tobed last night and I am honestin my response (even thoughyou have little way ofverifying my answer); it willbe easier for me to be believed ifasked what time my flight toLondon took off from Lagos; (asthere will be many morewitnesses to the departuretime).

So my counsel to PresidentJonathan is to demonstrate hisopenness and honesty first inlittle matters. Build a "portfolioof honesty" in the eyes ofNigerians. He should instructhis team to either give outhonest responses to all mattersor simply 'no comment'. Thisportfolio of honesty will help tobuild goodwill with Nigerian;thus making it easier for us tobelieve the leadership when bigissues come up. Honesty doesnot mean divulging everysingle information about anissue; it simply means beinghonest about the thrust of anissue; even if you then refuse togo into specifics, for goodreasons. But the deliberatedeception that has been oftenevident in the words andactions of the Presidentialspokespersons and governmentofficials need to stop.

We want to be able tobelieve our leaders. We need tobe able to believe our leaders.Our prayer is that one-day willcome, when an averageNigerian will be able toproudly say; "The word of thepresident is good enough forme". Let that paradigm shiftand process begin today.

Charles Omole isCharles@Prodelinternational.com

All law abiding citizens arepraying that the integrity andprincipled stance in thedispensation of justice the CJNis championing will be seen inRivers State. If JusticeMukhtar can sanitize thejudicial system in Rivers State,her name will be writtenindelibly in the sands of time.

It is often said that the lawcourt is the last hope of thecommon man. The people ofthe state are waiting, hopingand praying for the success ofyour reforms.David Dappa is a freelancejournalist who wrote in fromAsaba, Delta state

“Many well meaning individuals havebeen alarmed by the state of the

judiciary there. They argue that therehas been a systematic and continuedabuse of the judicial process which is

controlled by the executive. We appealto the Chief Justice to reverse this and

sanitize the system

“From my experience; honesty in "little" things is the hallmark ofreal honesty. It is more difficult to lie about big and major issuesdue to the complicated and multifaceted nature of such things.But it is much easier to lie about minor and small matters; thusrevealing your dishonest nature. So a person that refuses to lieabout minor issues (that many cannot verify in any case); willtend to remain honest when the big, more verifiable matters

come up. If you ask me what time I went to bed last night and Iam honest in my response (even though you have little way ofverifying my answer); it will be easier for me to be believed ifasked what time my flight to London took off from Lagos; (as

there will be many more witnesses to the departure time)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013PAGE 14

Even critics of Senator BalaMohammed, the FCTminister, appreciate his

handling of the land swapissue. They like the idea andhave not held back frommaking their views known towhoever cares to listen. Someof the critics believe that theminister wants to use this landswap formula to kill two birdswith one stone as it were. Andthis is true. It is what the landswap is all about and possiblyeven more. The minister istrying to provide criticalinfrastructure in the nation'scapital city at a time whenthere are inadequate funds atthe top level in the face of anever increasing population.

Senator Bala hasdiscovered that land swap isthe remedy to the challenge ofpopulation explosion, lack ofinfrastructure and a leanpurse. Its introduction willtake care of the two problems

and even helpthe FCTA totackle otherproblemswhich includethe twin issueof payment ofcompensation,resettlementandintegration ofAbuja'soriginalcommunitieswho have ofrecent beencomplainingabout theirstatus in the scheme of thingsin the federal territory. In aneffort to address this problem,the minister recently directedthat all investors involved inthe land swap deal or projectshould be ready to paycompensation to and properlyresettle the indigenes.

Not only that, as part oftheir corporate socialresponsibility, the coreinvestors must try to

Killing two birds with a stoneBy Ibrahim Biu

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integrate these people intotheir approved schemes with aview to carrying theinhabitants along in whateverthey are doing. One of theindigenes, Engr. D. Bousa,suggested recently thatSenator Bala has the landswap initiative to kill twobirds with one stone, that is, toprovide infrastructure andrehabilitate the inhabitantssimultaneously. This, he said,

would surelymake theindigenousinhabitantshappy.

FCTA hasgone far withtheimplementationof the newformula.Already 13organizationshave signedtheMemorandumofUnderstanding

(MOU) with the FCDA to bepart of the project and it isexpected that the companieswill perform according to thegovernment's expectations ofproviding criticalinfrastructure in manydistricts so that owners of plotscould develop them. Thisgesture will also facilitate thepayment of compensation tothose deserving of this.

The recent inauguration of

a 30-man committee to lookinto issues related to the proectshows the seriousness of theminister about tackling itschallenges. The land swap isbesides the fact that all the sixarea council chairmen in theFCT are indigenes and sevenindigenes are holding sensitivepositions of responsibilityequivalent to the position of apermanent secretary orambassadorial appointment.These high level appointeeshave been doing everythingpossible to take development tothe doorsteps of theirrespective areas as expected ofthem.

However, this is not to saythat everything is in order inthe affected areas. No. There isstill a lot to be accomplished.And it is precisely for thisreason that minister is leavingno stone unturned in his effortto improve the lives of the FCTresidents, especially theindigenous inhabitants, in linewith President GoodluckJonathan's transformationagenda aimed at affectingpeople's lives positively.

Ibrahim Biu resides in theAbuja, FCT.

APC and Tinubu factorElevating the fallacy of thefalse alternative to BokoHaram insurgency, Bola

Tinubu, and a few others in theAction Congress of Nigeria,believe Nigerians who welcomedPresident Jonathan's state ofemergency in three northernstates, and who think 3 years ofBoko Haram's heinous activityare enough, are mediocre. This isless a thought than a flight fromthinking, which involvesmaking sensible distinctions.

On April 15, the morningafter Mr. President's soberannouncement on nationaltelevision, Bola Tinubu, the lateststeward of modern Nigerianreactionary progressivism,warned that PresidentJonathan's attempt to initiatethe beginning of the end of BokoHaram's senseless killings ofNigerians would amount to"excruciating hardship" forresidents of the 3 affected states.He also theorized that thePresident's action is a harbingerof total federal governmenttakeover of those states and a"deliberate ploy to subvertconstitutional democracy".Really? If the President reallyintended to do as Tinubuaverred, what would havestopped him from doing so? Theinanimate Constitution? Afterall, former President Obasanjodid exactly that in Plateau andEkiti with little or noconsequence to him.

Between wishing success tothe Joint Task Force and sendingin new troops to combat BokoHaram, there's as much a middleground for honest politicians asthere is between PresidentJonathan, an ostensibly patrioticman sincerely worried about thelingering state of insecurity, andTinubu, a promiscuous politicaljuggernaut.

Tinubu, whose politicalgodfatherism is unrivaled inNigerian politics, has beenpoliticking with Boko Haram

issue for a while. When asked,sometimes ago at a symposium,his solution to eradicating thesect, Tinubu said, "Theemergence of Boko Haram isindicative of the failure of People'sDemocratic Party". PDP'sculpability in Boko Haram'semergence is, at best, aspeculation. What is notspeculative, however, is the factthat Tinubu's response soundedmore like an attempt at politicalmudslinging than it does aboutproffering an honest solution to agigantic problem that threatensthe nation's very existence.

It seems a metaphysicalservitude that substantial part ofthe population would readilycondemn, and sometimesjustifiably so, anything comingout of Aso Rock. And even more soif opposition politicos like Tinubuare in the vanguard of suchoutcry. Nigerians, however, arewary this time--which is a goodthing: What kind of people wouldwe have been if we had rebukedMr. President's bold step andembraced Bola Tinubu's trite ofvituperation and division? Thepresident's action wasconstitutional, too.

As if anyone is nonplussed, Lai

Muhammed, a Sancho Panza toBola Tinubu's Don Quixote, whohas never seen a national securitymatter he won't politicize, didn'twait for Mr. President to say,"Long Live the Federal Republic ofNigeria", before blasting out hisukase to ACN political Pravdas,"One hopes the President's action isnot linked to the politics of 2015.With the three states militarized,there can neither beelectioneering campaign norvoting there. We had warnedearlier that as 2015 approaches,the Jonathan Administrationwill increasingly take measuresthat will make it impossible tohold election in many states Theover militarization of some statesin the north, the plan todestabilize the South-west usingslush funds from the so-called oilpipeline protection contract andthe infantile threats from someNiger Delta militants seem to bepart of this plan." This statementstrikes even the most apolitical aspetty.

Boko Haram has killed 2, 510according to my last count. Thesect has destroyed properties inexcess of billions in dollars andshook the country to its veryfoundation. Yet all the largest

party in opposition could do isthrow a tantrum over an actionas popular as the state ofemergency declaration?Reminds me of a statement fromthe Presidency last month whichcastigates Tinubu as a "politicalliability". That statementcouldn't have turn out prescientearly enough --like he holds adegree in oracle studies. Wemight as well just file that underhis list of academic qualifications.

However, Congress ofProgressive Change, the secondlargest contributor to the birth ofAll Progressives Congress,released a statement praising thePresident's decision and urgingthe citizenry to rally behind himfor its successful execution:"However, it is gratifying thatthe President did not behave likea former President who removedthe political structures when hedeclared a state of emergency insome states", asserted RotimiFashakin, the Party's spokesmanwho ostensibly understands thatthere's more to opposition statusthan cheap fuss-budgeting. "Weneed to rally round the Presidentin this trying period. We praythat with this action, peace willeventually return to the states",

he wittingly concludes.To understand the

magnitude of opprobriumTinubu and the ACN haveensnared themselves --and howpopular the President'sdeclaration was-- I've excerptedthe reaction of Mr. Femi Falana,hardly a fan of PresidentJonathan or the PDP, for yourdigestion: "President Jonathandeserves commendation foracting within the ambit of theconstitution. Unlike PresidentOlusegun Obasanjo who illegallyremoved elected governorsunder the guise of a state ofemergency President has notdissolved democratic structuresin the affected states. That is inorder because an electedgovernor can only be removedby impeachment, resignation oron ground of infirmity of body ormind and NOT through a state ofemergency. For the avoidance ofdoubt the proviso to section 11 (4)of the constitution whichempowers the NationalAssembly to take over thelegislative powers of a state incase of emergency states that "nothing in this section shall beconstrued as conferring on theNational Assembly power toremove the Governor or theDeputy Governor of the Statefrom office".Having compliedwith the constitution withrespect to the state of emergencyin 3 states President Jonathanshould henceforth demonstrateto Nigerians that the days ofpresidential impunity are gonefor ever in the country."

It is no gainsaying that USDemocratic Party campaign adabout Karl Rove and Ed Gillespiestealing America's democracy inthe run up to the 2010 midtermelections contributed to itspolitical shellacking that year,the ACN's response to Mr.President's state of emergencyproclamation could be the laststraw that breaks APC's back.Samuel Ogundipe'sprofessional profile is onLinkedIn.

“It seems a metaphysical servitude that substantial part of thepopulation would readily condemn, and sometimes justifiably so,anything coming out of Aso Rock. And even more so if oppositionpoliticos like Tinubu are in the vanguard of such outcry. Nigerians,however, are wary this time--which is a good thing: What kind of

people would we have been if we had rebuked Mr. President's boldstep and embraced Bola Tinubu's trite of vituperation and division?

The president's action was constitutional, too.

By Samuel Ogundipe

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013 PAGE 15

Wigan, Woods, and wonders of faithI believe in the power of desire,backed by faith, because l haveseen this power lift men from lowlybeginnings to places of power andwealth; I have seen it rob thegrave of its victims; I have seen itserve as the medium by whichmen staged a come-back afterhaving been defeated in a hundreddifferent ways - Napoleon Hill inhis book, 'Think And Grow Rich'

Staging a come-back afterbeing defeated again andagain in different ways. This

is undoubtedly one of the moststirring of human dramas.Watching someone as he or shetries to rise from the ashes ofdefeat to the Promised Land ofsuccess is as absorbing as it ismemorable.

Consider the golf player,Tiger Woods. His world fell aparta few years ago following a seriesof infidelities on his part. Not onlydid Woods' marriage crash, hiscareer was also in tatters. Frombeing the world's number onegolfer, he plummeted to one ofthe lowest, losing one match afterthe other. Sponsors ditched himin droves. The mighty had trulyfallen.

But just when some startedcomposing Wood's obituary, heroused himself. The power ofdesire swung into action. Thedesire to overcome adversity andattain success, that is. Wood'sdesire, backed by faith,inexorably took on a life of itsown. Gradually, Tiger Woodsstarted to emerge from thewoods, so to say. So much so that

he has since regained his positionas the world's number one golfer.This is even as he has found loveagain after his failed marriage.

The story of Wigan Athleticsfootball club of England is no lessengrossing. Despite all theirHerculean efforts, Wigan hadrecently foundthemselves on thebrink of beingrelegated from theEnglish PremierLeague. Yet even asthey struggledagainst relegation,the modest teamsomehow managedto waltz all the wayto the final of thisyear's FA Cup. Toput this feat in perspective, notethat all but only one of thebiggest clubs in England hadfailed to reach the final of thiscompetition. Not even Chelsea,

the reigning double champions ofEurope, could make it to thefinal. Not even ManchesterUnited, the Premier Leaguechampions, could reach the semifinal round, never mind thefinal.

Reaching the final was one

thing, trying to win the trophyagainst a big team likeManchester City was a differentball game. It was like a Davidtrying to defeat a Goliath. This is

where the "power of desire,backed by faith," came in. Despitetheir precarious situation, despitethe formidable odds againstthem, Wigan kept faith alive.And triumphed. The small David(Wigan) vanquished the mightyGoliath (Manchester City).

One could,needless to say, goon and on, citingthousands of suchexamples - examplesof men, women, andteams who, afterbeing written off byeverybody, bouncedback spectacularly.Men and womenwho, powered bythe "drug" called

desire/faith, are catapulted fromgrass to grace. Men and womenwho, energized by the elixircalled faith, overcome seeminglyinsurmountable odds to make the

The sword of Damocles isfrequently used as anillustration of the ever-

present peril that awaits those inpositions of power that abusethem. More generally, it is usedto denote the sense of forebodingengendered by a precarioussituation. I intend to use thisstory to illustrate the situation ofthe Rivers state governor,Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. I alsorecall the drama in which thestate's House of Assembly sackedthe chairman of Obio/AkporLocal Government Council,Prince Timothy Nsirim, the Vice-Chairman and all the 17councillors.

Political observers haveinterpreted this development asthe Rivers state executivesurreptitiously manipulating theAssembly to witch-hunt thosesuspected to be enemies of thegovernor. The Assembly hasbeen tele-guided to carry out thebidding of Amaechi. It was indeedwhat one can describe as "thevoice of Jacob, but the hands ofEsau". This kind of developmentdoes not bode well for the progressof Rivers state.

The Chairman and othercouncil members werepurportedly sacked over

allegations of abuse of public fundsand breach of security. TheHouse, which also froze theaccount of the council, called onthe government to appoint aCaretaker Committee to run theaffairs of the council untilinvestigations into the allegationswere concluded. According tomedia reports, the chairman ofthe eight-man House Committeeon Local Government Affairs,Mr. Lucky Odili, said thecommittee recommended thesuspension of the officials toenable the allegations againstthem to be thoroughlyinvestigated. The Speaker of theHouse, Mr. Otelema Amachree,who presided over the sitting,said there was no need subjectingthe issue to a debate since the

recommendation was an interimreport.

However, the state branch ofAction Congress of Nigeria, ACN,condemned the sacking of Obio/Akpor Council, describing theaction as "illegal". In a similarresponse, the Peoples DemocraticParty, PDP, deplored thesuspension of the elected officials,saying it was an "abuse oflegislative process". The partyadvised the councillors and Obio/Akpor people to remain calm andbe law abiding as the action willbe challenged in court.

On April 23, 2013, GovernorAmaechi duly constituted aseven-man caretaker committeefor Obio/Akpor LocalGovernment Area. That actionhas thrown up two critical

ethical questions. The firstquestion is: why should Amaechiusurp the mandate of the peopleof Obio/Akpor freely given to theelected officials. This smacks ofpolitical victimization.

The case of the sacking of thechairman of Okrika Council,Tamunokuro George Oba, is stillfresh on our minds. He wassacked in the most spiteful andunethical manner. No reason,however feeble was given for hisremoval. To relieve him of hisposition, his signature was forgedand appended to a fake letter ofresignation (purported to havebeen authored by him). Evenwhen the Okrika LocalGovernment Area Chairmanpassionately protested toeveryone that he did not write

Amaechi and the Sword of DamoclesBy Grace Nimi George

SONDE’SSONDE’SSONDE’SSONDE’SSONDE’SDIARDIARDIARDIARDIARYYYYY

By Sonde Abbahasonde@yahoo.com

0803-2159-249 (SMS only, pls)

impossible possible.Barack Obama is

undoubtedly one of the livingexamples of such mountain-moving faith. Until Obamacame along, few of us everbelieved that a black man wouldever be president of the UnitedStates. More so as the renownedevangelist, Jesse Jackson, andhis ilk had tried gallantly butultimately futilely.

The poser on most lips when acertain Barack Obama joined theWhite House race, therefore,was: "Barack who?" Nobody gavehim a chance, particularly as hischallengers included aheavyweight like ex-First LadyHilary Clinton. But none of thatwould faze Obama. Buoyed byhis desire/faith, he soldiered ontill victory was secured.

Obama, Wigan, Tiger Woods,and their ilk have one thing incommon: "the power of desirebacked by faith." So hooked or"addicted" to this life-changingprinciple/power are they thatnothing would deter ordiscourage them. Neitherdiscouragement nordisappointment, neitherbetrayal nor failure, would stopthem.

The power of desire backed byfaith. "The medium by whichmen staged a come-back afterhaving been defeated in ahundred different ways". Thepower we all need in order tomake it in our family life,marriage, business, career,relationship, ministry, and life ingeneral. May we all be blessedwith this power!

“Those in power must use their positions cautiously andjudiciously. The governor must stop flexing his muscles and tryingto play a tin-god. He is advised to borrow a leaf from the wisdomof President Goodluck Jonathan, who last week declared a state

of emergency in three states - Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.President Jonathan did not dismantle the structures of

democracy in those states by removing their elected governors.

his own letter of resignation andthat his signature had beenforged by unknown persons, allhis entreaties fell on deaf ears.Amaechi was hell bent ondemonstrating his power as theking maker and power takerwho's every whim and capricemust be obeyed.

Those in power must usetheir positions cautiously andjudiciously. The governor muststop flexing his muscles andtrying to play a tin-god. He isadvised to borrow a leaf from thewisdom of President GoodluckJonathan, who last weekdeclared a state of emergency inthree states - Adamawa, Bornoand Yobe. President Jonathandid not dismantle the structuresof democracy in those states byremoving their electedgovernors.

As an elected official holdingthe highest office in Rivers state,the governor must treadcautiously. Amaechi mustunderstand and appreciate hisown precarious situation lest theSword of Damocles which he soreadily wields in the localgovernment areas of his statefalls on his own head. A word isenough for the wise.Grace Nimi George is apolitical commentator andsent this article from PortHarcourt

“Neither discouragement nor disappointment, neitherbetrayal nor failure, would stop them.

The power of desire backed by faith. "The mediumby which men staged a come-back after having beendefeated in a hundred different ways". The power we

all need in order to make it

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013PAGE 16

The newly electedChairmen of the FCTArea Councils who were

yesterday sworn-in by the FCTminister, Senator BalaMohammed has been urgedwith to put security of lives andproperty on the front burner oftheir Administrations as theera of politicking is over.

Senator Mohammedemphasized that securityremains a major concern andall efforts must be put in toensuring security of lives andproperty within their domains.

In his words: “Securityremains a major concern andas you take office, you must hitthe ground running to ensuresecurity of lives and propertywithin your domains”.

According to him, “thisAdministration has set upmachinery for effectivesurveillance of the FCT and you

will be expected toimmediately commenceeffective security monitoringof your Area Councils as wellas collaborate with FCT lawenforcement agents to achievea round-the-clock watch overyour domains”.

The Minister assured thatthe FCT Administration asusual would continue to ensurethat all the Area Councilsreceive all funds due the AreaCouncils Statutory Allocation.

Senator Mohammedtherefore called on the newChairmen to reciprocate theFCT gesture by avoidingwaste, ensuring accountabilityin the management of publicresources and complying fullywith the Procurement Act.

He reiterated that hisAdministration will not shirkits responsibility for effectivesupervision of their operationsand warned that ‘anyChairman found wanting

would be made to account fullyfor his commission or omission’.

Welcoming guests to theoccasion, the FCT Minister ofState, Oloye OlajumokeAkinjide hoped that the newChairmen would complementthe efforts of the FCTAdministration to fast-trackdevelopment at the grassroots.

Oloye Akinjide advised thatthe “welfare of the peopleremains the greatest law andthe greatest manifesto abovePolitical Party, section orcreed”.

She reiterated that electionis over and the forest fires areover; adding that whatremains is the challenge ofdevelopment, which neitherturns in winner nor loser,neither victor nor vanquished.

“We will remain committedto building a plural andinclusive society in the FCT inparticular and Nigeria ingeneral”, the Minister of State

Security remains a priority, Ministertells newly elected chairmen

NOUNmatriculates118 students inGwagwalada

The management of theNational OpenUniversity of Nigeria

(NOUN), the special centre for theNigeria Immigration Service (NIS)in Gwagwalada area council of theFederal Capital Territory (FCT) hasmatriculated a total number of 118students out of 400 students thatgot admission into the university.

Disclosing this during the9th matriculation ceremony, theDirector of the centre, Dr.Emmanuel Jerome Umoh whoread the speech of the ViceChancellor at the occasion, Prof.Vincent Ado Tenebe, said thatNOUN is a federal universityestablished by the act of theNational Assembly of the FederalRepublic of Nigeria in 1983.

He also pointed out that theuniversity was established toprovide quality education for thepeople of Nigeria.

His words: “the Universityis a legal entity in Nigeria operatingprogrammes that are dulyapproved by the NationalUniversities Commission (NUC)which is the only recognised agencyfor approval and accreditation ofthe universities programmes inNigeria”.

He explained that last yearthe NUC accredited their coursesand that the university passed allthe thirty undergraduateprogrames assessed, adding thatthe university had got aaccreditation to run MPA and MBAprogrammes.

The Vice-chancellor toldthe gathering that the NationalOpen University of Nigeria has alot of collaborations and partnershipwith the international institutionswhich include Commonwealth oflearning (COL), InternationalCouncil for Distance Education(ICDE), Indira Ghandia of OpenUniversity (IGNOU) and OpenUniversity of the United Kingdom(OUUK) among others.

Tenebe, however, advised thematriculating students to face theirstudies squarely, as according tohim, the mission of the universityis very clear, “to providefuncthional, cost-effective, flexiblelearning which is adds life-longvalue to quality education for allwho seek knowledge”.

By Usman Shuaibu

L-R: Ministerof State forFCTA,OloyeOlajumokeAkinjide,Minister ofFCT,SenatorBalaMohammed,and newlyelectedChairmanof BwariAreaCouncil,Hon.YohannaPeterUshafa,during theswearing inof the areacouncilchairmenby the FCTMinister,yesterdayin Abuja.

Photo:MahmudIsa

stressed.Those sworn-in include

Yahaya Garba Gawu-AbajiArea Council; Micah Y. Jiba-Abuja Municipal Area Council;Yohanna Peter Ushafa- BwariArea Council; Abubakar JibrinGiri-Gwagwalada AreaCouncil; Ishaku Tete Shaban-Kuje Area Council and DanielIbrahim-Kwali Area Council.

The Chairmen were sworn-in by the Ag. FCT Chief Judge,Justice Ibrahim M. Bukar butwas represented at the occasionby Justice Hussaini Baba Yusufof FCT High Court, MaitamaDistrict, Abuja.

The Chairman of BwariArea Council who responded onbehalf of other Chairmen, Mr.Yohanna Peter Ushafaappreciated the kind gesture ofthe FCT Ministers and promisedto cooperate with the FCTAdministration in achieving itspolicies and programmes.

By Adeola Tukuru

A mother of two albinochildren, Mrs Jane Peter,residing in the Federal

Capital Territory (FCT) , hasstressed the need for parents withalbinos to encourage them to bemore relevant in the society.

She told the News Agency ofNigeria (NAN) that parents withchildren living with albinismshould ensure that they werewell informed on issues of

albinism.According to Peter, I am

doing my best to make sure thatmy kids who are living withalbinism do not have freckles byprotecting them from the sun.

She said, “I always ensurethey wear hats and long sleeveswhen going to school.

“The school allowed me toprovide special uniform for mychildren, the school teachers

make them seat in front of theclass due to their sight.”

Peter, therefore, urged thegovernment to continue the goodwork and ensure that peoplestopped discriminating againstalbinos.

She also appealed to thegovernment to provide jobs foralbinos, especially the qualifiedones looking for jobs.

Also speaking, her albino

child, Miss Golden Peter, toldNAN that teachers andeducators should be givenadequate information aboutchildren living with albinism.

She said, “Albinos arehuman beings like you but theyface challenges; with wellinformed teachers they canovercome some of thesechallenges.

“We can live a meaningful

live and become doctors, pilots,lawyers and even teachers.’’

She debunkedmisconceptions that albinos didnot eat salt or pepper, thatalbinism was a contagiouscondition and that albinos werenot intelligent.

The young lady, who isalways top of her class, said thatalbinos ate normal diet and thatalbinism was a genetic condition

Encourage albino children to be more relevant in the society, says mother

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013 PAGE 17

Conductor jailed 6 months for escaping from court room

Landlord loses bid to quittenant from propertyAn Abuja High Court on

Friday struck out thecase of a landlord, Mr

Nasiru Ahmed, who sued histenant because he did not servequit notice on the tenantappropriately.

Delivering judgment, JusticeAngela Otaluka held that thetenant, Sunday Nwachukwu,remained a legitimate tenantuntil statutory quit notice wasissued and served on him asrequired by law.

“The plaintiff’s inability toserve the defendant with therequisite six months notice toquit rocks the foundation of thesuit and invalidates the

proceedings.“There is no doubt from the

evidence before the court thatthe tenancy agreement betweenthe parties is a yearly one underthe statute which, therefore,must be guided by the recoveryof property law.

“In the instant case, thedefendant only received a sevendays notice of the plaintiff’sintention to recover possession ofhis property from him,therefore, this case is herebystruck out,’’ Otaluka said.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Ahmed had,through his Counsel, Mr SundayDick, sued Nwachukwu for

Butcher, 32,charged withalleged jointact, theft

A butcher, Ernest Udesen,32, was on Fridayarraigned before the

Wuse Zone 2 SeniorMagistrates’ Court, Abuja foralleged joint act and theft.

The Police Prosecutor, MrPaul Anigbo, told the courtthat on April 29, one JumaiRekiya of the Federal Ministryof Police Affairs, Abuja andJoseph Adekunle of NewBwari, Niger State, reportedthe accused at the Lugbe PoliceStation, Abuja.

Anigbo informed the courtthat on the same day, theaccused and three of his friendsnow at large, boarded thesame vehicle with thecomplainants from Area 3Junction to Lugbe.

“On reaching PyakasaJunction, the accusedpretended to drop from the taxiand when the driver stopped,the accused and his friendssnatched Rekiya’s handbag.

“The handbag containedher personalbelongings, including her IDcard, Fidelity Bank ATM card,Police micro finance card, ahandset worth N195,000 withother valuable items.’’

The prosecutor said thatwhen the accused wasquestioned, he could not givea satisfactory account ofhimself.

He said that the offencescontravened sections 79 and287 of the Penal Code.

Section 79 states that“when a criminal act is doneby several persons infurtherance of the commonintention of all, each of suchperson is liable for the act inthe same manner as if it weredone by him alone’’.

Section 287 states thatwhoever, commits theft shallbe punished withimprisonment for a termwhich may extend to fiveyears or with fine or withboth’’.

The accused, however,pleaded not guilty.

The Senior Magistrate, MrChristopher Oba, granted theaccused bail in the sum ofN200, 000 and a surety in likesum.

Oba said that the suretyshould be a civil servant withthe FCTA or someone with alanded property within theFCT.

The magistrate adjournedthe case to May 25, 2013forhearing. (NAN)

The police in Abuja havearraigned two men,Promise Alisi and

Suleiman Buba, in a SeniorMagistrates’ Court for allegedlyattempting to steal from oneJohn Ozoka.

Alisi, who lives inGwarimpa and Buba of GSMVillage, all in Abuja, arecharged with alleged trespass,shop-breaking and attempt tocommit an offence of theft.

The police prosecutor, MrAbdullahi Adamu, told thecourt that Ozoka, also of GSMVillage, lodged a report aboutthe duo at the Wuse PoliceStation on May 13.

Adamu said Alisi and Bubabroke the glass door of Ozoka’sshop, valued at N7,000, andentered the shop located at theGSM Village.

“Alisi and Buba were about

stealing some GSM phonematerials from the shop whenthey were arrested,’’ he said.

The prosecutor added thatthe offence contravened theprovisions of sections 348, 358and 95 of the Penal Code.

Section 348 of the codestipulates that whoevercommits criminal trespassshall be punished withimprisonment for a term

which may extend to one yearor a fine, or with both.

Similarly, Section 358states that whoeverdishonestly breaks open anyreceptacle which containsproperty shall be punished withimprisonment for a termwhich may extend to twoyears or a fine, or both’’.

Alisi and Buba, however,pleaded not guilty to the

Police arraign 2 men for alleged shop-breakingcharges, and Senior MagistrateChristopher Oba granted eachof them bail in the sum ofN100,000 with a surety eachin like sum.

Oba said the surety shouldpossess a reasonable means oflivelihood and a traceableaddress within the jurisdictionof the court, and adjourned thecase to May 27 for hearing.(NAN)

An Upper Area Courtsitting in Mararaba,Nasarawa State, has

sentenced one Abdul-AzizAbdullahi to six months injail for escaping from a courtroom.

The Judge, Mr Vincent

Gwahemba, handed down thesentence after Abdullahipleaded guilty to the one-count charge against himfollowing his re-arrest.

The police prosecutor, MrSamuel Okoro, had told thecourt that the convict, who

resides in Aso-pada,Mararaba, took to his heelswhen police brought him tocourt to face trial for anoffence of conspiracy.

“He was later caught bysome people whoimmediately handed him

failing to pay his rent andrefusing to vacate his apartmentafter repeated demands.

The plaintiff had asked thecourt to grant an order,compelling the defendant to paythe arrears of rent and vacatethe apartment, a three-bedroomflat at the Federal HousingEstate, Lugbe.

The plaintiff’s counsel hadtold the court that the tenancyagreement between both partieswas a yearly tenancy whichexpired on Feb. 29, 2012.

Ahmed, therefore, urged thecourt to order the defendant topay him N500,000 as cost ofaction and N50,000 monthly

from March 1, 2012, until thedefendant vacates theapartment.

However, Mr Chinedu Odo,the Defendant’s Counsel, hadtold the court that his client wasnot served with the statutory sixmonths quit notice by hislandlord.

Odo argued that theplaintiff’s failure to serve thedefendant with the requisite sixmonths quit notice had robbedthe court of jurisdiction andpower to hear and determine thecase.

He, therefore, urged thecourt to strike out the case.(NAN)

INSIDE FCT COURTS

over to the police.’’He said that the offence

was punishable under Section172 of the Penal Code.

The accused person hadpleaded with the court totemper justice with mercy.(NAN)

Ngabagyiculturaltroupeentertainingduring apublicfunction,recently inDei-Dei,Abuja.

Photo:MahmudIsa

1. Always move with your Identity Cards or any formal means of identification 2. Avoid movements except where necessary, otherwise stay at home/work place. 3. Avoid unnecessary gatherings and prolong stay outside your house and environs 4. Dress decently and always try to look responsible. Awful appearance attracts suspicion 5. Avoid making unnecessary calls while driving so you stay attentive; avoid ramming onto checkpoints or causing disturbance/panic amongst residents 6. Before hitting the road with a car, make sure your boot is empty, except for basic tools or necessary items that will notattract questions 7. Avoid giving lifts to unknown persons 8. Avoid accommodating unknown persons in your house 9. Identify all security check points on your daily routes and at all times, slow down on approaching each of them 10. Be patient while at security check points or in traffic jam. 11 Never you try to run away/speed off when stopped by security agents 12.Always be in possession of as much as possible food stuffs at home and other basic amenities (Water- and common drugsthat do not require prescription) 13. Disallow unknown persons from standing or seating by your gate, outside your house or place of work. While approaching,be suspicious of unknown persons outside your house, gate or any destination. 14. Do not spread information that you have NOT officially confirmed. Rumour is the number one threat to public peace 15. Always tune to radio and television sets for local announcements and news; be well informed at all times. Read and listento other mass media contents 16. Watch the car behind you while driving, ensure you are not being trailed and should you suspect being trailed, stop andinform security agents.

17. Store security hotlines (08064174066; 07085464012; 08154429346; 08142333138) in your phones and sharewith neighbors, friends and families

18. Pass on security related information to security agents through emergency numbers

19. Never you call security numbers or send SMS in the presence of ANYONE; call security numbers or send SMS when you arealone and if you must call in the presence of any other persons, do it only when it is necessary and ensure the persons are iswell known to you.

20. Keep watch from a secured distance to know when something is wrong around your neighborhood. Call emergency numbersif you suspect anything going wrong. What affects your neighbor, could affect you. Be your brothers’ keeper and continue topray for peace.

Personal Safety tips forBorno Citizens/other good Nigerians

Always remember that security is a SHARED RESPONSIBILITY. Your personalsafety starts with the help that you render.

Courtesy: UNITED BORNO GROUP FOR PEACE, PROGRESS AND VIRILE POLITY

PAGE 18 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

PAGE 19PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

Management Tip of the DayJob seekers: Focus on achievements

INSIDE

The whole point ofreìsumeìs and coverletters is to sell your

skills. Rather than simplylisting the responsibilities inthe positions you’ve held (asmany candidates do), call outspecific ways you’ve made adifference in those roles.

Suppose you’re in sales:Did you exceed your annual

PTDF new Execu-tive Secretaryassumes duty

- Pg 20BBBBBUSINESSUSINESSUSINESSUSINESSUSINESSEmail: aminuimam@yahoo.co.uk Mob: 08033644990

targets? By what percentage?Or, if you’re a customer servicemanager, did you reduce thenumber of complaint calls?How did you do it — and by howmuch? Quantify whateverachievements you can, andinclude promotions and otheracknowledgments of yoursuccess.

For example, you may have

started as a productionmanager and then, after sixmonths, taken on full controlof the firm’s quality assuranceprogram. Mentionaccomplishments like that —they reflect the trust youearned and your level ofcompetence.Source: Harvard BusinessReview

From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

The Asset ManagementCompany of Nigeria(AMCON) yesterday said

it plans to retire N2 trillionworth of its N5.7 trillion ofbonds this year and next, frombad loan recoveries and

Dangote, Elumelu, others tospeak at LBS conferenceFrom Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

AMCON to retire N2trof bonds in 2013, 2014

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Mr. Godknows Igali, Minister of State for Power, Hajiya ZainabKuchi, and Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding, Mr. James Olotu, jointly briefing journalists aftertheir meeting on power sector with Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, recently at the StateHouse, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

refinance what’s left with theCentral Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

AMCON said it had made“great progress” on recoveringbad loans and that after therefinancing, the CBN will bethe sole holder of its bonds. Itsaid retiring the 2 trillion Naira

worth of bonds will cut itsliabilities by 35 percent.

AMCON will also startdivesting its shares in threelenders nationalised by theCBN in the next 30 days,starting with Enterprise bank,it said in a statement.

MBA students of LagosBusiness School (LBS)are set to host one of the

biggest conferences in Africa onMay 31. This is the inauguraledition of the LBS Africa BusinessConference, a gathering ofleading entrepreneurs,investors, regulators andfinanciers across the continent.

As Africa gains increasingrecognition as the world’s nexteconomic frontier, there is morethan ever a compelling need foremerging African businesses tobe strategically positioned to facethe influx of global challengers.

The LBS Africa BusinessConference aims to bridge the

gap between emerging futurebusiness leaders and entrenchedbusiness leaders through arobust information exchangeplatform.

Aliko Dangote, chiefexecutive officer of DangoteGroup and the richest black manin the world is the guest ofhonour. He will be delivering akeynote on the conferencetheme: ‘Breeding African Lions:Imperatives for BuildingGlobally CompetitiveBusinesses’.

Also delivering a keynote onthe theme is the propagator of‘Africapitalism’ and chairmanof Heirs Holdings, TonyElumelu.

Vital Voices GlobalPartnership and Womenin Management,

Business, and Public Service(WIMBIZ) yesterday announcedplans to host a Supporting PublicAdvocacy for RegionalCompetitiveness (SPARC)program and Forum in Lagos.

The one-day forum forwomen is scheduled forThursday 23, May 2013, andwill highlight businesswomen’sadvocacy efforts for increasedeconomic empowerment acrossfour African countries, namelyKenya, South Africa, Uganda,and host Nigeria.

According to the Senior

Program Manager, Africa ofVital Voices Global Partnership,a Washington DC, United States-based organization, CelenaGreen, this year’s SPARC Forumin Lagos will discuss: “Theimportance of women’sleadership in Africa’s economicgrowth”, and the advocacyefforts that women’s businessorganisations are undertaking topromote greater investment inwomen, and improvements inthe business environment thatwill provide equal opportunitiesfor women’s economicparticipation.”

Nigeria to host African BusinessWomen’s Advocacy Forum

“Research has shown thatgender equality is not only theright thing to do, but also goodfor business. Companies andgovernments that diversifytheir procurement see improvedsavings and efficiencies byopening the process to newplayers.

“Companies that havegreater diversity inmanagement and leadership alsosee greater returns, allowingthem to be more prosperous,create jobs, and contribute todevelopment and povertyalleviation. That is why womenand men in the SPARC programare together advocating forequality of opportunity.” shesaid.

Green adds that SPARCForum will comprise two panels;the first panel will focus on theimpact of women in leadershippositions in the private sector,while the second panel will be onthe importance of governmentinvestment in women’s businessdevelopment. About 75-100attendees from civil society andpublic and private sectors areexpected at this event.

By Etuka Sunday with agencyreport

UBA sees up to 40% loangrowth for oil, power projectsFrom Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

United Bank for Africa Plc(UBA), Nigeria’s fifth-largest lender by market

value, plans to increase loans byas much as 40 percent this yearto fund oil, power andmanufacturing projects.

“We have some deals in thepower sector,” besidesinvestments in “oil and gas thathave the largest chunk of ourportfolio,” said the bank’s chieffinancial officer, UgochukwuNwaghodoh, in a telephone

interview. That compares withgrowth of about 13 percent lastyear to N659 billion ($4.2billion), he said.

UBA sold its bad loans to theAsset Management Corp. ofNigeria (AMCON), set up by thegovernment in 2010 to buytroubled debts from thecountry’s lenders and stabilisethe financial system when loansto stock market speculators andgasoline importers threatenedthe industry with collapsefollowing the global financialcrisis.

Having improved riskmanagement and with a non-performing loans-to-assets ratioof about 2 percent, “one of thebank’s key focus is robust loangrowth,” Nwaghodoh said, withloan-to-deposit ratio expected at45 percent.

The Federal Government isselling majority stakes in powerplants and letting privateinvestors acquire holdings of asmuch as 60 percent in sixtransmission and 11 power-distribution companies spun outof the former state-ownedutility.

Banks have also increasedlending to the oil industry assmaller producers expandeddrilling. Companies includingLondon-based Heritage Oil Plc(HOIL) and Lagos-based NecondeEnergy Ltd. bought stakes infields owned by Royal DutchShell Plc (RDSA), Eni SpA andTotal SA.

Nigerian migrants in theRepublic of Ireland arenow sending nearly half-

a-billion euro back home eachyear.

World Bank figures revealthat •468m in ‘remittances’ wassent from Ireland to Nigeria in2011; that’s an average of morethan •26,000 for each of the17,642 Nigerian nationals inIreland, including children. Thisis far in excess of the sums senthome by Poles from Ireland whosent $224m (•174m), eventhough there are more than122,000 Polish people in thecountry.

Monies sent from Ireland byforeign migrants are three timeshigher than the amount ofmoney being sent home toIreland by the Irish abroad.World Bank statistics show thatIrish people living in othercountries sent more than $750m(•560m) back home in 2011, butforeign workers here sentremittances of $2.4bn (•1.8bn)home during the same year. Thelargest amount of moneyleaving Ireland was to Britain,at over •529m in 2011. This wasfollowed by Nigeria (•468m)and Poland at (•174m).

Nigerians sendnearly •500m ayear home fromIreland - World Bank

PAGE 20 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

COMPANYNEWS

Red Cross

The Lagos branchChairman of the NigerianRed Cross Society, Mr.

Mobolaji Onibudo said thesociety has concluded plansto build a youth developmentcentre to help educateyouths in the country.

Onibudo told reporters inLagos while unveiling RedCross 150 years anniversaryLogo in Lagos.

He said the centre wouldbe geared towards positivelyimpacting on the lives of theNigeria teeming youth’spopulation particularlymassive unemployment.

From Suleiman Idris,Lagos

NAICOMThe National Insurance

Commission ofNigeria, (NAICOM)

and the NationalAssociation of InsuranceCommissioners (NAIC) ofthe United States, havesigned a Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MoU) toestablish a formal basis forco-operation and technicalassistance.

This is in recognisingthe increasinginternational activity ininsurance markets and thecorresponding need formutual cooperationbetween the relevantsupervisory authorities,

The purpose of the MoUis to help maintainefficient, safe, fair andstable insurance marketsin Nigeria and the UnitedStates for the benefit andprotection of policyholders.

From Ngozi Onyeakusi,Lagos

EmiratesGroup

The Emirates Group hasannounced its 25thconsecutive year of

profit and company-widegrowth ending the year2012-13 with ArabEmirates Dirham -AED 3.1billion ($ 845 million) netprofit, up 34 per cent fromlast year.

The group said it endedthe year in a strong positiondespite continuing high fuelprices and a weak globaleconomic environment.

The financial year, itsaid, also ended with somevery positive newlyreached capacity milestonesthroughout the business. Ithas also passed the 39million passengermilestone.

From Suleiman Idris,Lagos

Nigeria LNG declares forcemajeure after Shell pipeline leakNigeria LNG Ltd., Africa’s

largest liquefied naturalgas export terminal, said

it declared force majeure onexports following a Royal DutchShell Plc (RDSA) halt ondeliveries after discovering asupply pipeline leak.

Force majeure, a legal stepthat protects a company fromliability when it can’t fulfill acontract for reasons beyond itscontrol, was declared on May 15.The declaration followed Shell’sshutdown of its Gbaran Ubie andSoku gas facility after thepipeline leak, Kudo Eresia-Eke,a Nigeria LNG spokesman basedin Abuja, said today in an e-mail.

“Nigeria LNG is working

with Shell PetroleumDevelopment Co. and its othergas suppliers to seek mitigationmeasures,” he said. Gas supplyto Nigeria LNG has been cut byas much as 50 percent by theShell shutdown, he said.

Nigeria LNG operates theBonny Island plant, which hassix production units, or trains,able to produce 21.7 millionmetric tons of the chilled gas ayear, or about 8 percent of theworld’s total, according to datafrom the International Group ofLNG Importers. The companysupplied 12 percent of the world’sLNG for near-term delivery in2011, according to the group.

The halt is “likely to havesignificant impact on liquefied

By Etuka Sundaynatural gas prices,” Dolapo Oni,a Lagos-based oil-and-gasanalyst at Ecobank Research,said in an e-mail.

A Feb. 5 force majeure on gasdeliveries to Nigeria LNG after asimilar pipeline leak cutshipments and helped boost spotLNG prices in northeast Asia toa record on Feb. 4, according todata from World GasIntelligence.

Nigeria LNG, which has long-term contracts with buyers inSpain, Italy, France and Turkey,exported 333 cargoes in 2012,the most since sales began in1999, according to a report onits website.

(Source: Bloomberg)

Brazil oil licences raise record N227.2bn

Brazil raised a recordR$2.8bn (US$1.4bn or N227.2 bn) in its first

auction of licences for oilexploration blocks in five years,with oil majors includingExxonMobil, Chevron and BPwinning blocks, as well as BGGroup of the UK.

The auction, the first ofseveral expected this year, comesas the discovery of shale gas isexpected to lead to the USbecoming a net exporter of fossilfuel.

In spite of this concern therewas intense competition at theauction, with 142 of 289 blockson offer sold. Oil companies paidlarge premiums over theminimum offer price.

“Of the total, 39 companies

from 12 countries participated,”said industry regulator ANP, thenational oil, natural gas and bio-fuels agency.

The blocks included off-shoreand on-shore sectors. Total, BPand Brazilian national oilcompany Petrobras were themain bidders in this region.Among the oil majors, Totalcommitted R$371.9m for 10blocks, BP R$261.3m for eight,ExxonMobil R$63.9m for two andChevron R$31.4m for one.

For Brazil’s government thestrong demand represents athumbs-up for its oil sector at atime when many had questionedwhether it would continue toattract the desired investment.It follows Petrobras’s sale last weekof $11bn in bonds – the biggest

emerging market corporate debtsale – which was heavilyoversubscribed.

The auction includedrequirements for local content atmore than 62 per cent for theexploration stage of the fields andnearly 76 per cent for thedevelopment phase.

The auction, which will helpreinvigorate Brazil’s oil industryafter years of delays, marked thereturn of Exxon to the country,in partnership with Brazilianbillionaire, Eike Batista.

Brazil’s oil and gas sector isseen as one of the most promisingfrontiers for the industry, afterthe discovery of huge fields off thesoutheast coast under a 2kmlayer of salt.

(Source: Financial Times)

The newly appointedExecutive Secretary ,Petroleum Technology

Development Fund, Dr. OluwoleOluleye yesterday assumed dutywith a call on management andstaff of the Fund to be moreproactive and diligent inproviding service to the people.

PTDF, in a statement quoted,Dr. Oluwole Oluleye as sayingthat he would maintain an open-door policy with little protocols inhis administration of the agency;the objective being to providetransparent and result orientedleadership.

Dr. Oluwole Oluleye’sappointment as Chief Executiveof PTDF is seen as a positivedevelopment, in view of his vastknowledge of the Oil and GasIndustry having served as pioneerExecutive Secretary of thePetroleum Products PricingRegulatory Agency (PPPRA)between 2003 and 2009, and member/secretary, PresidentialProjects Assessment Committee.

As a fellow of the InternationalLabour Organisation, Dr. OluwoleOluleye is stepping in as the 6thExecutive Secretary of PTDF andwill be bringing his wealth ofexperience in the industry and theacademia to confront thenumerous challenges of PTDFcapacity building initiatives.

PTDF newExecutiveSecretaryassumes duty

A fire incident gutted a power transformer at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN)'s transmissionsub-station, at Ikeja-West, Ayobo-Ipaja, in Lagos last Tuesday.

Increase in number ofelectricity consumers whoby-pass the pre-paid meter

has become a problem for thePower Holding Company ofNigeria (PHCN) in its OsogboDistrict, an official said.

The district’s BusinessManager, Mr. Banji Fagbote,disclosed this in a statementissued by the company’sspokesman, Mr TimothyAdesanya in Osogbo, Osun at theweekend.

“To this end, the PHCN hascommenced a house-to-housesearch to fish out those that hadbye-passed their pre-paidmeters. A penalty of N50,000awaits such offenders,’’ thestatement said.

Fagbote warned that theOsogbo Business Unit of PHCNwas ready to put a stop to theugly development. He describedas “criminals’’ those whoengaged in such illegality. “Thisdevelopment has becomeworrisome to the business unitand those perpetrating such actshould stop forthwith or be readyto face the consequences,’’Fagbote said.

The PHCN official alsoadvised pre-paid metercustomers to make their metersaccessible for periodicchecks.(NAN)

Pre-paid meter bye-pass offenders onthe increase inOsogbo – Official

PAGE 21PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

Zinox Technology Group builds assembly plant in Lagos

New NBC boss assumes duty

Zinox TechnologyGroup hascompleted the

installation of its state-ofthe-art PC/Phones assemblyplant in Lagos.

The plant, which hasbeen powered after

successful tests forreliability, is the first of itskind in Africa and it has thecapacity to assemble in-house brands as well asexecute contractmanufacturing for otherbrands.

The Corporate Affairsconsultant of the ZinoxGroup, Mr. Echika Ezuka

said that the digital plantwith multi-classfunctionality producessmart desktops, laptops,tablet PCs and is structuredto produce a wider range ofgadgets with availablecomponents.

Ezuka said that thisdigital plant has enhancedthe capacity of Zinox to keep

pace with internationalquality standards.

According to him, Zinoxwould now be morecompetitive in terms ofpricing, delivery and aftersales support whileincreasing the rate ofintroducing newproducts”.

The new plant, Ezuka,added, is an opportunity forZinox to customise large

orders for its customers.With an installed

capacity and digitalcertification of 1,250 PCsdaily, the Zinox digitalplant is expected to opennew vistas to the entire ITsector – nurturing newbrands, improving thequality of existing brands,and introducing new levelsof flexibility with productdesign and architecture, all

at costs that would reduceprices.

Mr. Uche Onyechere,head of operations of Zinox,said that the experts whowere drawn from Chinaand South Africa to installthe digital plant alsoconfirmed that Zinox nowruns a full-scale digitalassembling, which is ratedglobally with a failure rateof 0.001.

The new Director –General of theN a t i o n a l

Broadcasting Commission(NBC), Mr. Emeka Mba hasassumed duty following hisappointment by theFederal Government lastweek.

He replaced YomiBolarinwa, and on hisarrival at the NBCheadquarters, Mba wasreceived by the board ofmanagement of theCommission led Mr. MarkOjiah, secretary of theCommission.

In the spirit of hisassumption of duty, thenew DG met with themanagement of theCommission and laterproceeded to meet with theentire staff of theCommission. Ojiahwelcomed the new directorgeneral to the Commissionand presented the staff tohim.

He informed staff thatthe DG would later goaround the various officesto meet one-on-one withevery staff member and

probably ask somepertinent questions onwhat he or she does, so thathe could get an overview ofthe Commission’soperations first hand.

Mba, in his remarks,thanked members of staffof the Commission for thewarm reception accordedhim and added that it wasa tremendous opportunityfor him to be a part of theNational BroadcastingCommission.

He further added thatthe NBC had one of themost arduous tasks of anygovernment agency at themoment considering thepolitical developments inthe country, andcommended the staff of theCommission for their trackrecord.

Mba also told the staffthat the Commission, inthe past, had single -handedly done an excellentjob and prayed that he beable to continue with thelaid down tradition andassured staff of his supportand hoped that he couldalso count on their support.

The new Director-General further added thatit was a huge honour forhim to be made the ChiefExecutive of the NBC andpromised that he would notfail in his ownresponsibilities to staff,adding that from therecord of hard work of staffof the Commission, his jobas the DG was sure to besuccessful.

Malam Auwalu Salihu,Head, Public Affairs,responding on behalf of thestaff of the Commission,welcomed the newDirector-General in thetraditional style of theCommission and assuredthe DG that theCommission had a robustworkforce of high qualitystaff, diligent and dedicatedto their jobs, assuring thenew Director-General thatthey were ready to supporthim towards a successfultenure.

Before his newappointment, Mba hadserved as Director-Generalof the Nigerian Film andVideo Censors Board.

ABU collaborates with Etisalat on MastersDegree in telecoms engineering

Stories by Chris Alu withagency reports

The Ahmadu BelloUniversity (ABU),Zaria is

collaborating withEtisalat to establish aMasters Degreeprogramme int e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n sengineering.

Etisalat, said, throughits spokesman, Mr.Adekoye Stevens that theprogramme is beingorganised in partnershipwith the United ArabEmirates (UAE)-basedEtisalat Academy,telecoms manufacturing

company, Huawei, andPlymouth University inthe United Kingdom.

This new developmentit is expected to increasetraining of more studentswho will add tot e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n smanpower in the country.

Nokia, Ericsson and Huawei agree onOperational Support System interoperability

Cisco unveils new unified access product

Google maps revamp promotesads and personalises details

Google has unveiled anew version of itsMaps web service,

which it says has been“rebuilt from the groundup”.

The redesign aims topersonalise the product,deciding what to label tobest match each user’sinterests. It also featuresnew icons highlightingbusinesses running ads andpromotions, which overlaythe map.

This may make themaps more attractive toadvertisers who havetended to focus on Google’smain search page and rivalplatforms.

The development wasannounced at Google’s I/Odevelopers conference inSan Francisco.

Until now, companiesrunning pay-per-clickmarketing campaigns onGoogle’s Maps service hadtheir locations identified bya blue pin rather than thered marker used for other

businesses.However, it was not

always obvious what thepins referred to as users hadto select them or cross-reference a list on the sideof the screen to discoverwhat organisation eachrepresented.

Now the names ofbusinesses are shown on the

map itself and the first fewwords of their ads appear ina box superimposed overtheir location. In additionif they are running aspecial offer, a blueshopping-tag icon appearsnext to their name.

The firm said it hopedthis would make the widerproduct “more engaging”.

Nokia, Ericsson andH u a w e itechnology, the

three major OperationalSupport System (OSS)vendors have initiated andsigned a Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MoU)enabling the utilisation ofOSS innovations across theindustry.

To help operatorssimplify networkoperations and reducecosts, the companies haveagreed to cross-license theOSS interfaces used formulti-vendor networkmanagement.

By enabling multi-vendor interoperability‘up front’ between the OSSof all three vendors, OSS is

aimed at promotingcompetition by simplifyingoperations, reducing theoverall integration costs aswell as speeding up thetime-to-market of newservices.

The reciprocalagreement will cover fault,performance, configurationand basic network eventand trace management forthe northbound interfacesfrom Radio Access, CircuitCore and Packet Corenetwork managementsystems.

Under the terms of theMoU, the signing partiesare committing to bilateralcross licensing agreementsfor multi-vendor networkmanagement.

The cross-licensing andinteroperability testing isopen for third-party OSSvendors by joining the OSS.

“The OSS marketplaceis a patchwork of standardsand proprietary interfacesthat are controlled by theIPR owners. With cross-license agreements, wewant to help operators takefull advantage of the bestavailable products in ourindustry,” said PeterPatomella, Head ofOperations SupportSystems (OSS) business atNokia Siemens Networks.“Openness and fairnesshave been the guidingprinciples in the agreementof the OSS InteroperabilityInitiative”, he stated.

Cisco, ac o m m u n i c a t i o ncompany, has

introduced a new UnifiedAccess product that will aidusers to simplify theiroperations.

The Unified Access is anintelligent networkplatform that will helpspur connected experiences

and operationalefficiencies.

It will enable andsupport the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) trend,and the Internet ofEverything (IoE).

The solution will alsoenable users tointelligently connectpeople, processes, data, and

things with greaterintelligence, security, andefficiency than ever before.

The Cisco Unified Accesssolution will deliver anintegrated and simplifiedintelligent networkplatform based on “onepolicy, one management,and one network”paradigm.

PAGE 22 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

at global level, and AfricanDevelopment Bank (AfDB) atcontinental level, are alternativefinancial institutions. Theirubiquity is not represented bybrick and mortar; quite unlikecommercial banks, DFIs are notknown by the high number ofbranches they have even in thehigh streets of Lagos, London,Hong Kong, Frankfurt, New Yorkand Dubai. Rather, the spread ofdevelopment finance institutionsare seen in people and businessesthey impact.

Quite often, DFIs are bearersof risks which commerciallenders would term excessive,and therefore avoid. Newindustries, new initiatives,people without financialcollaterals, projects which cannotpay commercial cost of finance,etc have been beneficiaries offunding by DFIs. This way,business formation can continue,people can continue to innovate,bias against social andreputational collaterals arereduced, and projects can beincubated and nurtured to whenthey can attract lending fromcommercial banks.

In light of the foregoing, therole of development financeinstitutions are of criticalimportance in Nigeria wherebanking penetration is less than15 per cent of the population,commercial lending rates areprohibitive, land titles are noteven available to owneroccupiers, but where innovatorsare born daily, and where wehave to eradicate poverty.

And of course, delivery ofnecessary (infrastructural)projects to aid implementation ofprogrammes under the plan ofstructural transformation of theNigerian economy cannot befunded by governments' tax

incomes considering several long-term projects that cannot bedelivered by commerciallending. If this is true withgovernment, it is true also forbusinesses, perhaps more so.

Therefore, while at globallevel the World Bank lends togovernments to deliver crucialprojects, the InternationalFinance Corporation (IFC) lendsto private sector businesses. Andin Nigeria, there are a handful ofDFIs which are promoted by thegovernment to support businessesbeyond the limits andinclinations of commerciallenders.

Nigerian Export - Import Bankis the official and sole Trade PolicyBank of the Federal Governmentof Nigeria. In this regard, NeximBank provides financing, risk-bearing facilities, marketinformation and value-addedadvisory services to businessestowards deepening export-oriented investments in thecountry's non-oil sectors ofmanufacturing, agro-processing,solid minerals and services, forjob creation and economicgrowth.

This mouthful raison d'etrequickly introduces theownership, functions, focus andgoals of Nigerian Export - ImportBank. At the same time, itconnects you to my passions andthe passions of the executivemanagement and staff of NeximBank since my tenure inSeptember 2009.

Nexim Bank is your banker ifyour business aligns with theobjective of the Nigeriangovernment of the day whichseeks accelerated economicdiversification and increase inexport revenue througheconomic activities other than inthe oil sector. Nexim Bank has

Nexim Bank and its structuraltransformation of Nigeria’s economyNigeria is the natural

leader of Africa. Fordecades, our dear country

has been Africa's foremostproducer and 8th world largestexporter of crude oil to theinternational market.

Nigeria is strategically locatedto take advantage of modernforms of transportation to enableher participation in cross-bordertrade, and build a virile domesticeconomy.

Our population growth rate ofaverage 3 per cent since the lastnational headcount of 2006currently has the populationestimate at more than 160million. This in combinationwith impressive GDP growthaverage of 6 per cent over the lastdecade has more recentlyamplified the importance ofNigeria within the internationalcommunity.

Indeed, a stable countryoutlook brought about by ourreturn to democracy in 1999,and the robust reforms whichseveral organs of governmenthave continued to deliver, areendearing the country to bothlocal and foreign investors,chiefly from enterprise point ofview.

Our clime is one richlyendued with natural and humanresources. Therefore, thenumerous and abundantpotentials of Nigeria, which arewidely recognised, actuallyinclude the opportunity for ourcountry to provide the world oneof the most inspiring stories ofhuman development that Chinaand emerging Asia seems to nowtell exclusively.

But the Vision 2020 tells thatpolicymaking in Nigeria takescognisance of our potential to leapforward in the global economic,and, in effect, diplomatic order ina few years ahead.

However, it is evident that theimportant story of Nigeria'sadvancement from where we arewould not be told by earningsfrom our hydrocarbon reserves(although we have one of theworld's largest); our successwould be driven by a robustmanufacturing industry; self-sufficiency in agriculture for foodand processing so that excessyields could tap export markets;world-class service sector to servedomestic industries, globaloutsourcing and export markets,and commercial access to widerrange of mineral deposits that dotevery nook and cranny of ourcountry.

The inherent limitations ofcrude oil-fuelled economicgrowth, in terms of employmentgeneration, pro-cyclical access tofunding for development, andcorruption, have come to the foreafter the 1970s when as a youngnation we came into sudden andabundant wealth from crude oilsales.

The structural

transformation of the Nigerianeconomy is underway. Althoughwe recognised it as a necessity,lack of national ownership andsuccessful implementationelsewhere created the rallyagainst the StructuralAdjustment Programme imposedby International Monetary Fund(IMF) in the '80s. But since then,successive administrations havecontinued to harp on the need torestructure the fabric of theNigerian economy.

However, what theAdministration of PresidentGoodluck Jonathan has done,perhaps more than any previousregime, is combine commitmentwith practical actions indiversifying the Nigerianeconomy away from sole relianceon crude oil for external revenue.

The management of NigerianExport - Import Bank (NeximBank), which I head as managingdirector cum CEO, has identifiedfour sectoral anchors of theeconomic TransformationAgenda of President GoodluckJonathan (GCFR) in order tosupport it and enhance success ofthe programme. Succinctly,these sectors are Manufacturing,Agro-processing, Solid mineralsand Services, which weencapsulate as our "MASSAgenda."

From the institutionalviewpoint of Nexim Bank, I amexcited at the prospects of playinga role in diversifying theNigerian economy andharnessing the immensepotentials of the sectors whichhad, hitherto, been neglected.Indeed, the role Nexim Bank isplaying is unique as adevelopment finance institution(DFI).

Multilateral DFIs, bestexemplified by the World Bank

provided 12 billion naira inlending to Nigerian exportmanufacturers in the periodAugust 2009 to April 2013, withmany of them carrying the"Proudly Nigerian" label on theirproducts in the West African sub-regional market and globally.Similarly, Nexim Bank hasfunded agro-processing exportbusinesses, to the tune of 6.6billion naira over the sameperiod.

In the solid mineral sector, weare working in partnership withindustry stakeholders to takeformal mining off the groundagain. Although mining iscapital-intense, the Nigeriansolid mineral sector needs morethan funding. The legal andregulatory frameworks inNigeria are works -in-progress.

The Mining Act has beenreviewed to reflect the ideals ofall market participants. NeximBank has so far provided over 2billion naira in early funding tohelp some commercial miners todevelop their site in order to startoperation and invite furtherfunding from other sources apartfrom the long-term commitmentof Nexim Bank to the nascentindustry.

The Nigerian Creative andEntertainment IndustryStimulation Loan Scheme(NCEILS) which Nexim Bankmanages for the FederalGovernment reflects NeximBank's adherence to prudentialguidelines on creditingprovisioning. Whilst the fundlends at below commercial rate,it is not a grant. It is meant tofund businesses across theentertainment value-chainincluding filming production,cinema operation, musicrecording, intellectual propertydevelopment, recording studios,etc., as a revolving fund withrepayment terms.

Irrespective of the challengesoperators in the industry havefaced with developing goodproposals, we believe this is acultural issue, and not aninsurmountable technicallimitation. Thus, Nexim Bankhas to date disbursed over 1.4billion naira for the Fund.Entertainment industry projectproposals under review exceed 5billion naira in value.

Including disbursements tothe creative and entertainmentindustry, Nexim Bank hasdisbursed 8.5 billion to theservices sector, covering supportto transportation and hospitalityindustries.

In my next article in thisseries, I will share my views onthe drive for job creation underthe Transformation Agenda ofPresident Goodluck Jonathan,and the role Nexim Bank isplaying to sustain existing jobs inour focal industries whilesupporting creation of new ones.

Roberts U. Orya is MD/CEO, Nigerian Export-ImportBank.

By Roberts Orya

President Goodluck Jonathan Roberts Orya

PEOSPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013PAGE 23

Report as at Monday, May 20, 2013

PAGE 24 PAGE 25PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

It is not uncommon to seeNigerians tossing trashout of the windows of their

cars.This habit is displayed by

owners and passengers of alltypes of vehicles; and it is notage-specific as theperpetrators are sometimesyoungsters who are promptedby adults to throw out trashfrom the vehicles.

Such wastes could be foodremnants or wrappers,plastic bottles or emptyaluminum cans of softdrinks, nylon bags or tornnewspapers containingshelled nuts or snacks.

But what are the healthimplications and economicbenefits of solid wastegenerated through thishabit?

An environmentalist, MrTaiwo Adewole, warns peopleto avoid indiscriminatedisposal of waste, adding thatthey should become friendlierto the environment to ensuregood health.

He insists that all humanactivities that could lead toenvironmental degradationought to be discouraged.

“Activities like treefelling, which lead todesertification or sand fillingand land reclamation which,at the end of the day, couldcause flooding must bechecked.

“Flooding and otherenvironmental problems inthe country have claimedmany lives and propertyworth billions of naira; yet,

Waste as potential source of wealthBy Olayemi Okeniyi not much is being done to stop

further natural disasters,’’Adewole says.

Commenting on the publicattitude to sanitation, AlhajiIdi Farouk, the Director-General of the NationalOrientation Agency (NOA),stresses that improperdisposal of polythene bags hasnegative effects on the soil,while blocking drainagechannels and causingflooding.

“That is why NOAsuggests that the polythenebags used for packagingsachet water should bereplaced by biodegradableones because biodegradablebags would disintegrate in thesoil overtime and becomemanure,’’ he says.

Farouk says that thepolythene waste could,however, be collected andconverted into plastic pipesfor use in sewage disposal, asit is done in Kenya.

Speaking on the usefulnessof waste, Prof. OladeleOsibanjo of University ofIbadan advisesthe government to adoptintegrated wastemanagement as a panacea tothe country’s environmentaland unemploymentproblems.

“Waste is made up of manyvaluable materials such asmetals, plastics, papers andglasses, among others.

“The fundamentalproblem in our wastemanagement procedures isthat many homes andindustries across the countrydo not know how to handle

their trash.“So, they simply dispose of

it or burn it but the refuse issupposed to be collected,separated and segregated intorecyclable and actual trash,’’he adds.

Osibanjo explains thatwaste from food isbiodegradable, meaning thatit can decompose and be usedas manure or organicfertiliser.

“Waste is a gold mine, ifproperly managed;everything we call waste canbe recycled for re-use. We canturn waste to wealth, we canalso turn waste into energy,’’he says.

Osibanjo stresses that withthe volume of waste beinggenerated in the country,there is need move fromoutright waste dumping tointegrated wastemanagement techniques, aspart of efforts to develop theeconomy.

Waste managementexperts say that a lot of wasteis daily generated by theresidents of urban centresacross the country.

For instance, the LagosWaste ManagementAuthority (LAWMA) saysthat each resident of Lagosgenerates an average of 0.5kilogramme of waste everyday.

This, in essence, meansthat LAWMA collects about10,000 tonnes (10 millionkg.) of waste daily and thistends to explain why thelandfills established for wastedisposal are somewhat filledup.

Managing Director ofLAWMA, Mr Ola Oresanya,says that the solution to thestate’s waste managementproblems is not in refuseburning or creatingadditional land-fills but inrecycling of the wastes.

He says that recyclinginvolves a process thatchanges wastes into newproducts, adding the processalso reduces air and waterpollution that usually occurwhen conventional waste-disposal methods are used.

“We’ve been able to evolvenew strategies to make peopleto recycle their wastes inLagos; these are aimed atchanging the perception ofthe people not to see wastes asrubbish but as resources.

“We’ve been able tointroduce recycling banks;we have the buying-backprogramme where peoplebring their trash and we paythem.

“The waste includesassorted materials like watersachets and right now, if youbring it, we pay N30 perkilogramme of paper, plasticbottles and other things like

these,’’ he says.Oresanya expatiates that

through its “Waste-to-Energy’’ programme,LAWMA is now generatingelectricity from refuse at Ikosimarket, adding that theproject will be extended tocover more markets thisyear.

Nevertheless, stakeholdersbelieve that moregovernment involvement is

required in implementingwaste-recycling progammes,stressing the need tointroduce enforceablepenalties for persons who failto dispose of their waste inproper ways.

Mr Azie Emmanuel, arural health worker, notesthat in virtually all the citiesand towns, people discardtheir wasteindiscriminately, adding

that refuse mounds havesomewhat become part of thenation’s landscape.

“Due to the fact that thesewastes are notb i o d e g r a d a b l e , t h e ycontaminate the soil anddisrupt the growth of crops,’’he says.

Emmanuel, therefore,calls for stringent rules tocompel manufacturers,especially big bottling

companies, to recycleplastics and the polytheneand aluminum containersdiscarded by consumers.

“Recycling should be partof the conditions for them tobe allowed to operate here;so as they are producingcontainers, they should alsorecycle the used ones andour environment will beneater,’’ he says.

Minister of

Environment, Mrs HadizaMailafia, insists that themanagement of wasterequires immense technical,human and financialresources.

“Advocacy andsensitisation on community-based approaches to wastemanagement, establishmentof pilot projects on integratedwaste management andwaste-to-wealth initiatives

will also facilitate thesustainability of wastemanagement.

“Waste transformation,environmental health andsanitation facilities for waterand flood control, amongothers, is the focus of theministry’s investment,’’ shesays.

Mailafia says that theministry will also establishfacilities for hazardous waste

management, expressingNigeria’s willingness to workwith other countries in thatregard.

She adds that theJapanese Government hasprovided N100 million toconduct feasibility study onthe waste reprocessing inNigeria.

Observers note that aplastic recycling plant hasbeen established in Katsina

State, while Lagos State isplanning to achieve its goalof recycling about 70 per centof its waste by 2015.

They, nonetheless,underscored the need for allthe states and the FederalCapital Territory (FCT) tosimilarly adopt modernwaste managementprocedures to create wealthfrom their garbage.

Source: NAN

Scavengers looking for valuables at a public refuse dump site, in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Minister of Environment, Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia

PAGE 26 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

State of Emergency: One week onBy Joy Baba

President GoodluckJonathan last weekdeclared state of

emergency in three states in theNorth Eastern part of thecountry to put an end to thepersistent attack on citizens bythe dreaded Boko Haram sect.

The states are; Borno, Yobeand Adama .

Following the President’sdirectives, DefenceHeadquarters Abujaimmediately deployed troops tothe three states to fully takeover security activities wihinthe states.

The first major move of theJoint Task Force (JTF) firstmajor move was to secure theNigerian borders around thethree states. This, the force saidwas to stop infiltration of otherinsurgents into the country .

The Nigeria Police and othersecurity agencies commencedoperations immediately to manthe nation’s border territoriesand deny terrorist the freeatmosphere to operate. Themilitary operation focused ontracking down criminalelements within the vicinity ofborder communities prone toterrorist activities.

These operations involvedmassive deployment of men andresources which was aimed atasserting the nation’sterritorial integrity andenhancing the security ofconstituted governmentalstructures in all territorieswithin Nigeria’s borders.

Participating troops werealso briefed on other operationalplans which include; arrests,cordon and search especiallydirected at apprehending thosewho have been violating thesovereignty of Nigeria throughterrorist training forinsurgency and relatedactivities.

This first phase of operation,according to military sourceswas aimed at putting an end toinsurgent activities in theseparts of the country.

A statement signed by theDirector of Defence Information,(DDI) Brig. Gen Chris Olukoladeafter the deployment, assuredlaw abiding citizens that everyeffort had been put in place toensure safety of civilians andnon-combatants while theoperation lasts.

Olukolade in the statementenjoined all citizens to cooperatewith the troops and supplynecessary information oncriminal and terrorist activitiesor movement in their localitiesas the operation was intendedto safeguard the nation’sinterests and citizens in allparts of the Federation.

Meanwhile, in a swift raidlast week, advancing troops ofthe Special Task Forcedestroyed some terrorists campscited in the forests of Northernand central Borno as heavyweapons including anti-aircraftand anti-tank guns were alsodestroyed in the process.

The special operations whichpreceded troop’s movementresulted in the destruction ofmuch of the insurgents’weapons and logistics such asvehicles, containers, fueldumps and power generators.

All border posts within thethree states were manned bysecurity agents to preventescape or infiltrations byinsurgents.

The DDI in anotherstatement said that DefenceHeadquarters was quite satisfiedwith the progress of the operationand the fighting spirit ofparticipating troops at this point

and urged the Special Task Forceto sustain the tempo.

As the war against terrorismcontinues in Borno, Yobe andAdamawa with the mission to ridthe nation’s territories of allinsurgent activities, the SpecialForces on the third day of itsoperation, apprehended 65persons confirmed to beterrorists as they made attemptsto infiltrate Maiduguri whilefleeing from various camps nowunder attack.

Information fromMaiduguri in particular, showsthat a total of 11 vehicles, 4tricycles and 24 handsets were

seized in the process, with all thesuspects in custody of the JointTask Force currently beinginterrogated.

After apprehending some ofthe insurgents, other membersdeserted their erstwhile camps,thus availing the troops theopportunity to occupy thecamps.

In another development, thetroops engaged and dislodgedelements of insurgent groupswho carried out attacks oncitizens in localities such asGamboru ward on Friday night. At the end of the encounter, atotal of 10 suspected terrorists

were confirmed dead whileweapons such as Rocket PropelledGrenade launchers, assortedammunition and rifle magazineswere recovered.

These areas are currentlybeing combed to fish out any ofthe surviving insurgents.

According to militarysources, ‘some of the fleeinginsurgents from various campshave been noted to be in searchof fuel from neighboringcommunities’.

The Defence spokesman,urged citizens to report to JTF,any group of persons roamingaround the local communitieswith large quantities ofcontainers in search of fuel.

In order to sustain theoperation, the military had toimpose 24 hours curfew in somewards in the Maidugurimetropolis on Saturday.

These areas include;Gamboru, Mairi, Kuwait, BakinKogi, Kasuwa Shanu, RuwanZafi, 202 quarters, 505 housingestate, Dikwa quarters, low-costsinimari, Chad basin area, 303housing estate and Baga roadarea.

After a mop up of scenes ofbattle as at Sunday night, 14terrorist were confirmed dead,while, 7 vehicles and 13telephone handsets wererecovered with a total of 20terrorists apprehended as theyfled.

Regrettably, three soldiersdied, while seven were woundedand are being treated in amilitary medical facility. Onesoldier was declared missing.

Fake Camoflage used by members of Boko Haram insurgents during their operations being displayedat Army headquarters recently in Abuja. Photo: Joy Baba

Troops deployed to Borno after the declaration of the state of emergency

PAGE 27PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

In its bid to checkmatemovement of pirates andother criminal activities on

the sea, Nigerian Navysurveillance operations at theGulf of Guinea have installeddigital facilities that will maketheir operations easier.

With this facility in place,officers and men of the commandcan conveniently monitor on-shore and off-shore activities inthe Gulf of Guinea, trackingdown pirates, smugglers, pipelinevandals and all those involved ineconomic sabotage moreeffectively.

Navy installs digital facilitiesto checkmate crimes on sea

According to Aikhomu, ‘withthe establishment of this ICTcentre, Navy’s reaction todevelopments at the Gulf ofGuinea would be swifter’.

He further commended thecompany, which installed thefacility, Protection Plus ServicesLtd, for assisting the commandin the discharge of its duties.

“This centre is significant inmany ways as we all learnevery day. It is also meant toteach our officers and men ICTknowledge considering thatmodern world is informationdriven. We shall deploy it to fulluse. The money spent here is notthe issue but the knowledge thatwill be acquired and the ease with

Nigerian Air Force and itsPakistan counter havecome to an agreement

strengthen ties between the twocountries in the air sector,training and operations.

Pakistan Chief of Air Staff,Air Chief Marshal Tahir Butt,who is on a five days workingvisiting to Nigeria stated thiswhen he paid courtesy call tothe Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)Admiral Ola Ibrahim in hisoffice in Abuja.

Butt further said that therehad been a long standingrelationship between thePakistan Air Force and theNigerian Air Force and his visitwas to get first handinformation on how to build onthe relationship that alreadyexist.

The Pakistan Air Force isexpanding both in fleets andvarious areas adding thattraining was needed for theofficers to come out with thedesired standard.

The Air Chief said hiscountry will do all within theirreach this to help the NigerianAir Force in the areas they canso that they can achieve whatthey want to achieve sincePakistan Air Force still havemorale reasons to listen to anyrequest from brotherly countrylike Nigeria

He said despite the expansion,the Pakistan Air Force still feelcompassion and have moralereasons to listen to any requestfrom brotherly country likeNigeria.

In his words ‘When two peopleget together the momentumthat will come up will be much

better and will be veryrewarding to both countries’.

“So we will continue thatcourse and we have discussedsome of the areas and we willfurther discuss some of the areasin our mutual interaction.

“To find out what we cangain from each other and helpeach other and we will try anddo that as tangibly as possible.

“There are a lot of areas, alot of interactions that takeplace only on the table in thecorrespondence andinteractions, but some of themfailed to be realized materially”.

In his welcome address,Nigerian CDS, Admiral OlaIbrahim said Pakistan andNigeria have a lot of things incommon adding that theNigerian Air Force has a veryrich history as they train acrossthe globe.

He noted with excitementthat in the sub-region NigerianAir Force was the most visibleand they have beeninstrumental to the deploymentof our forces.

“What apparently probablyunites us now is what we teachin our colleges everywhere crisismanagement.

“And a few of own officers thattrained with you came homewith a lot of experiences and alot of ideas about how to solve ourpeculiar challenges, ‘’ the CDSsaid.

The Chief of Air Staff, AirMarshal Alex Badeh who hadearlier received the PakistanChief said on his visit to Pakistanhe discovered that they were selfsufficient by doing thingsthemselves.

Nigerian and Pakistan Air Forceto strengthen ties in air sector

Stories by Joy Baba

At the inauguration of the ICTintelligence centre at NNSVictory, Calabar, the FlagOfficer Commanding (FOC)Eastern Naval Command, RearAdmiral Joseph Aikhomu saidhe had earlier briefed the Chiefof Naval Staff about this ICTcentre and he commended theinitiative.

which our job will be done,”Aikhomu said.

In his address, Commander ofNNS Victory, Commodore JamesOladapo Oluwole said the centrewould be open for use by sisterservices, who want to train theirpersonnel and that the portalwould be at the disposal all officersand men of the command.

Minister of State forDefence, Erelu OlusholaObada, has described the

death of the two Air Force pilotskilled in the fatal Niamey aircrash as a gallant sacrifice forpeace to reign in the entire Africancontinent.

Obada stated this recently inAbuja at the burial ceremony oflate Squadron Leader BenjaminAdo and Flying officer AyubaLayelmenson, the two pilots thatdied in the ill-fated Alpha Jet inNiger Republic on 6th May, 2013.

According to the minister, “we

must see their death as a call toduty to serve humanity.

“We must not let the sacrificethey paid with their lives be invain and as we continue toconfront the present securitychallenges in some part of thecontinent and at home, let usemulate the selflessness, courageand commitment exhibited bythe late officers”

She further urged Nigeriansto do all they can within theirpowers to bring the securitychallenges we are facing to anend.

Obada eulogises late pilots

L-R: Police Force Public Relations Officer, CPS Frank Mbah; Air Force Director of Public Relation andinformation, Air commodore Yusuf Anas; Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen Chris Olukolade;Naval Director of Information, Commodore Kabiru Aliyu, and spokesperson of the Department of StateSecurity Service, Ms Marylin Ogar, addressing journalists at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja on thesecurity in the country recently.

Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim, presenting coolers to the widow of the late SquardronLeaders Benjamin Ado, during the burial at military cemetary, Abuja recently. Photos: Joy Baba

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013 PAGE 29

Starting in the early 1980's,prairie farmers graduallyswitched from conventional

tillage to adopt direct seeding, theseeding of crops directly intoundisturbed or cultivated soil.

Direct seeding of crops hasimproved soil quality, increasedsoil organic matter and improvednutrient supplying power of thesoil. Generally, over a period ofyears of direct seeding, not onlyhas soil organic matterincreased, but there are otherimprovements in soil qualitysuch as better soil tilth.

"No-till leaves more cropresidue on the soil surface toprotect surface soil from thedamaging forces of wind andrain," says Dr Ross McKenzie,senior research scientist -agronomy with AlbertaAgriculture and RuralDevelopment.

"Elimination of tillage meansless oxygen is added to the soil,which stimulatesmicroorganisms that break downand decompose residue. Cropresidue on the soil surface reducescontact with the soil organismsthat decompose residues. As aresult, surface residue andremaining root material stay inthe organic form longer. Thiscontributes to increased soilorganic matter."

Prairie farmers are usingmore diverse crop rotations withcereals, oilseed and pulse crops intheir rotation. This generallyresults in higher crop yields byinterrupting the life cycle andimpact of some weeds, insects anddiseases.

More diverse crop rotationsand increased crop yield meansmore surface residue and rootmaterial is returned to the soil toimprove soil organic matter. In along-term crop rotational studyinitiated in 1992 at Bow Island,in Alberta's Brown Soil Zone,McKenzie has been comparingtraditional wheat fallow rotationswith extended rotations thatinclude more diversified crop

Adoption of direct seeding improves soil qualitythe increase has flattened out asthe soil organic matter levelshave approached anequilibrium or steady state."

Organic matter acts like aglue to bind soil mineralparticles together. Using lowdisturbance direct seedingsystems not only improves soilorganic matter, but otherbenefits include improved soilstructure, which in turn

systems. Soil quality, includingsoil organic carbon, wasmeasured 6, 12 and 18 yearsafter the trials were initiated.

"There was a significantincrease in soil organic carbon,a reflection of organic matter,in the first six years," saidMcKenzie.

"The increased organicmatter has continued after 12years and 18 years; however,

Global food security and thenew vision for agricultureSequel to global calls and

urgent need for developingsustainable agricultural

systems that would facilitatefood security and forestalleconomic crises, especially inAfrica, and in order to feed apopulation of 9 billion in 2050,the world will need a NewVision for Agriculture -delivering food security,environmental sustainabilityand economic opportunitythrough agriculture.

This will require producing

more food with fewer resourceswhile reinvigorating ruraleconomies. It can be achievedthrough collaboration,investment and innovationamong all stakeholders.

The World EconomicForum's New Vision forAgriculture initiative engagesleaders of business,government, civil society,farmers organisations,development partners andother groups to work togetherto achieve sustainableagricultural growth.

The initiative also works atthe global level with the G8 and

G20, and facilitates national-level partnerships in 11countries in Africa, Asia andLatin America. This includesseven African countries engagedin the Grow Africa partnership,jointly convened by the AfricanUnion, NEPAD and the WorldEconomic Forum. The initiativehas published a Roadmap toachieve the vision, and aTransformation Frameworkoutlining steps toward national-level agriculture transformation

Meanwhile, over the pastthree years, food security andeconomic crises havehighlighted both the urgent

By Mohammed Kandi, withagency report

More African women making effort towards the attainment of the global food security

need and the potential fordeveloping sustainableagricultural systems. Nearlyone billion people - one out ofsix globally - lack access toadequate food and nutrition.

By 2050, the globalpopulation will surpass 9billion people, and demand foragricultural products isexpected to double. At thesame time, the world'sagricultural systems will beincreasingly challenged bywater scarcity, climatechange and volatility, raisingthe risk of productionshortfalls. Substantial gains

improves water infiltration intosoil.

When the only soildisturbance occurs at seeding,there are fewer disturbances ofroot and earthworm channels.This also increases the waterinfiltration rate of rain waterinto soil and reduced waterrunoff.

The more water that can

penetrate and be stored in soil,the greater the crop yieldpotential. Direct seedingcontributes to increased cropwater use efficiency. This isparticularly important in thedrier soil regions in southernand south central Alberta.Increased crop water useefficiency results in more stablecrop yields and farm income.Source: The crop site

in agricultural productivitycan be realized throughinvestment, innovation, policyand other improvements.

However, realizing thesegains will require anexceptional level ofcollaboration amongstakeholders in the agriculturalvalue chain, includinggovernments, companies,multilateral and civil-societyorganizations, farmers,consumers and entrepreneurs.Stakeholder alignment aroundshared priorities and large-scaleinitiatives is therefore key tosuccess.

PAGE 28 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

10m farmers to benefit from GES in 2013Following the ongoing Ag

riculture TransformationAgenda of the agriculture

sector, the Federal Govern-ment is targeting about 10 mil-lion farmers in the 2013Growth Enhancement Support(GES) scheme.

The Director of Fertiliser,Federal Ministry of Agricul-ture and Rural Development,Mr Akingbolawa Osho, who dis-closed this in Abuja, said thatthe government would soondistribute one million tonnes offertiliser to the farmers.

He said the government wasready to provide adequatefunds for the seed companies toenable them to produce suffi-cient seeds, as well as allowthem address the challengesencountered at the inception ofthe scheme.

Osho said: "We have about800,000 tonnes of fertiliser onthe ground already. To em-power the seeds companies, in2011 December, the FederalGovernment got the assistanceof the Federal Ministry of Fi-nance, which gave us guaran-tee for the loans that were givenout by all the commercialbanks to our seed companies."

How can Africa grow more food with most of its farmers still engaging labour-intensivefarming?

Expert describes biosafety as tool for food securityA plant breeder, Mr

Aromolaran Benserah,has called on President

Goodluck Jonathan to sign thebiosafety bill into law, whiledescribing biosafety as a toolfor food security.

He made the call recentlyin an interview with the NewsAgency of Nigeria (NAN) inAbuja.

He rues that the debate onbiotechnology has lingered forso long and that proponent ofanti-genetic manipulationneeded to be more enlightenedon the issue of biosafety.

He suggested that the issueof biosafety should the intro-

duced into the AgriculturalValue Chain (AVC)programme of the present ad-ministration.

"Agricultural biotechnol-ogy is a cutting-edge technol-ogy that can drive agricul-tural value chain and the Ag-ricultural TransformationAgenda (ATA) successfullyand President Jonathanshould be commended for ap-preciating these lofty goals.

"However, governmentshould take the issue ofbiosafety very serious as itcan help increase crops pro-ductivity and ensure food andnutritional security, ' '

Benserah said.Benserah argued that

biosafety could increase theincome levels of rural farm-ers if properly managed.

According to him, it canalso help re-launch the coun-try to a major dependable ag-ricultural income earner inthe world.

He urged the Federal Gov-ernment to empower researchcouncils in the country in or-der to unravel some of themany controversies of bio-technology.

He said that the success ofthe biosafety bill rests on seed

By Mohammed Kandi

"In fact, that was what reallymade our seed companies to beable to move from that 2,000

tonnes to about 13,000 tonnesin 2012. We have alreadysensitised all the fertiliser com-

panies that we need nothingless than about a million tonnesof fertiliser this year because

we are targeting 10 mill ionfarmers," he explained.

"This year, the guaranteeis being given by the Nige-ria Incentive-Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricul-tural Lending (NIRSAL)which the seed companiesare using to get f inancingfrom the commercial banks.

It would be recalled thatthe GES scheme, which is aFederal Government init ia-t ive under the AgriculturalTransformation Agenda,aimed at subsidising the costof major agricultural inputssuch as fertiliser and seeds.

Under the init iat ive,farmers had accessed inputsthrough an electronic distri-bution channel known as thee-Wallet and the conditionsof the e-Wallet scheme stipu-late that a farmer registeredunder the scheme pays 50per cent of the cost of farminputs while the federal andstate governments pay 25per cent each.

One of the requirementsfor the scheme is the nationalfarmers ' registrat ion exer-cise, where farmers' data arecaptured into the ministry'scentral databank.

Fertilisers provide mixed benefits to soil in 50-years - Kansas studyFertilizing with inorganic

nitrogen and phosphorus definitely improves

crop yields, but does it alsoimprove the soil?

The latest study to tacklethis question has yieldedmixed results. While 50years of inorganic fertiliza-tion did increase soil organiccarbon stocks in a long-termexperiment in western Kan-sas, the practice seeminglyfailed to enhance soil aggre-gate stability-a key indicatorof soil structural quality thathelps dictate how watermoves through soil and soil'sresistance to erosion.

The results of the re-search, which was carried outin continuous corn that wasalso irrigated and conven-tionally tilled, were some-what surprising to lead au-thor Humberto Blanco, a Uni-versity of Nebraska-Lincolnsoil physicist. The findingsappear in the May-June issueof the Journal of Environmen-tal Quality.

Fertilization typicallyleaves behind more crop resi-dues in fields, he explains,which in turn can boost soilorganic carbon levels. Butunexpectedly in this case, "wedidn't see improvement insoil aggregate stability eventhough soil organic carbonconcentration increased,"Blanco says, noting that soilparticles usually bind to-gether more strongly in ag-gregates as soil organic car-bon concentrations rise.

He cautioned, however,that more research is neededover a wider range of manage-ment and climatic conditions,particularly since studies offertilizers' impacts on soilstructural properties, such asaggregate stability, are cur-rently few.

"Definitely the effects of in-organic fertilizer applicationon soil properties will dependon tillage and cropping sys-tems," Blanco says. "So weneed to look at this in otherlong-term experiments."

In the present study, heand co-author Alan Schlegelstudied a randomized andreplicated experiment thatwas set up in 1961 at KansasState University's SouthwestResearch-Extension Center in

Tribune. The experimentalplots of irrigated and tilled(disk/chisel) continuouscorn have received six dif-ferent rates of ammoniumnitrate fertilizer (range 0 to200 pounds/acre) for 50years. The plots also re-ceived two rates of triple su-perphosphate fertilizer (0and 18 pounds/acre) for 50years, and a higher phos-phorus rate (36 lb/acre) for19 years.

Growing corn continu-ously under conventionaltillage and with high inputsof water and fertilizer mayseem outmoded, but thismanagement system is "notuncommon," as demand forcorn grain and crop residuesgrow, Blanco says.

When he tested soils fromthe experimental plots, hesaw soil organic carbonconcentrations rise gradu-ally with increases in nitro-gen fertilization at soildepths from 0 to 6 inches,although not at deeperones. Similarly, phosphorusfertilization increased soilorganic carbon at depths of0 to 3 inches and 6 to 12inches.

But Blanco observed adifferent trend in soil aggre-gate stability, especiallywhen nitrogen and phospho-rus were applied together athigh rates. At a depth ofthree to 12 inches, for ex-ample, adding more than 80pounds of nitrogen per acrereduced the number of

stable soil aggregates by 1.5times when no phosphoruswas applied, by 2.1 times at18 pounds of phosphorus/acre, and by 2.5 times at 36pounds of phosphorus/acre.

"It's clear that we need in-organic fertilizers to meetthe increasing demands forfood production, so it's im-portant to look at how theextensive use of inorganicfertilizers affects soil proper-ties in the long term," he said.

"The hypothesis is that in-organic fertilization com-bined with conservation till-age-strip till, no-till, andothers-may improve soilstructural properties rela-tive to conventional tillagesystems."Source: The crop site

security and that seed securitywas not restricted to the abil-ity to make seeds available tofarmers alone.

He observed that there areimmense opportunities of bio-technology for the safety ofmankind.

NAN recalls that the Sen-ate had on June 1, 2011 sentthe bill to President Jonathanfor assent.

The passage of the Biosafetybill was predicated on theemergence of technology apowerful tool that could helpboost agricultural productiv-ity in many countries. (NAN)

PAGE 30 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2012

Appraising Nigeria's quest for guinea worm-free certification

From all indications, Nigeria is setto be certified free of guinea wormdisease, a scourge which has ravaged

parts of the country over the years.Reports from the Nigeria Guinea Worm

Eradication Programme (NIGEP) indicatethat Nigeria has attained a guinea worm-free status and is eagerly awaiting the visitof the International Certification Team(ICT) next month.

NIGEP statistics show that a total of653,620 cases of guinea worm diseasewere identified in 5,879 villages at theinception of NIGEP in 1998, while the lastcase of the disease was reported in Nigeriaon Nov. 11, 2008.

Guinea worm disease is caused by anematode worm, dracunculusmedinensis, which grows in the humanbody of an infected person and emergesfrom different parts of the body aftermaturity.

Guinea worm disease is prevalent inpoverty-stricken areas and it is contractedby drinking water from ponds and otherunprotected or unsafe water sources.

NIGEP, which was established by theFederal Government in 1998 to coordinatethe fight against the disease, has workedconcertedly with other stakeholders toachieve this feat.

At present, the agency is galvanizingall stakeholders toward ensuring thatNigeria becomes certified as a guineaworm-free country come June.

The NIGEP Coordinator, Mrs IfeomaAnagbogu, said that guinea worm diseasehad been eliminated in the countrythrough concerted efforts aimed atimplementing disease-eradicationstrategies.

She recalled that in 2008, a total of 38cases of guinea worm disease were reportedfrom Ekerigwe, a suburb of Abakaliki inEbonyi State, Ezza Nkwubor and Utamaziin Enugu East Local Government Area(LGA) as well as Owahi-Ubahu in NkanuEast LGA in Enugu State.

However, Anagbogu noted that fromDecember 2008 till date, Nigeria hadmaintained a zero-guinea worm diseasestatus for 52 consecutive months.

She stressed that water supply in thevillages that were hitherto at risk nowstood at 97 per cent, while only twovillages in Benue State, under NIGEP'sfocus, had yet have safe water sources.

``UNICEF has promised assistance inthese villages; Orizor in Oju LGA and EkaUlayi in Ado LGA of Benue State,'' she said.

Anagbolu said that NIGEP had someset targets in efforts to achieve up to 85per cent timely reporting from all healthfacilities - public, private, primary,secondary and tertiary -- in all thecountry's 774 LGAs from the current levelof 57 per cent.

``The targets are to achieve at least80 per cent sensitisation of the generalpublic in rural and urban areas towardsknowing about the reward put in place forreporting guinea worm infections.

``They are also to let all the health staffat federal, state and local governmentlevels to know the case definition of guineaworm disease and the appropriate responseto a suspected case,'' she said.

The NIGEP coordinator said that aspart of efforts to achieve these targets,action was being expedited in the ongoingnationwide data harmonisation anddocumentation.

Anagbogu said that there wereintensive advocacy, social mobilisation,awareness creation and supportivesupervision activities in all the states ofthe federation.

She solicited the support of media

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

“The UN agency says guinea worm willbe eradicated only after transmission

of the disease in the affectedcountries has been interrupted for a

minimum period of three years;Nigeria is already at this stage.

outfits, the National Union of RoadTransport Workers, market unions,among others, in this regard.

Sharing similar sentiments, Mr BukiPonle, a veteran journalist and a memberof National Certification Committee, saidthat guinea worm disease would be thesecond disease to be eliminated after smallpox.

He noted that the World HealthOrganisation (WHO) had confirmed thatguinea worm disease, which had plaguedpeople for thousands of years, was on theverge of eradication.

``The UN agency says guinea wormwill be eradicated only after transmissionof the disease in the affected countries hasbeen interrupted for a minimum period ofthree years; Nigeria is already at this

stage.``WHO officials say finding and

confronting the last remaining cases ofguinea worm disease is the most difficultstage of the eradication process becausecases usually occur in remote, hard-to-reach areas.

``However, ensuring wide access to safedrinking water and promoting healtheducation and behaviour change is thebest way to prevent guinea worminfections,'' Ponle said.

Besides, international organisations incharge of efforts to eradicate guinea wormdisease worldwide have reaffirmed thatthe disease has been eradicated in Nigeriavia its partnership with stakeholders.

For instance, Dr Emmanuel Miri, theCountry Representative of the CarterCentre in Nigeria, recently asserted that

Nigeria was free from guinea worm disease.Miri, who noted that the non-

governmental organisation had beenwaging a war against guinea worm diseasein the past 16 years, said that the centrehad succeeded in efforts to wipe it out ofNigeria.

``In the global guinea worm eradicationcomponent of our programme, we haveachieved a very rare feat, which is thesuccessful eradication of the disease inNigeria.

``Nigeria was at one point in time ratedas the most endemic guinea worm countryin the world but through our efforts, thedisease has now been completely eradicated.

``Anytime from now, a WHO team andformer U.S. President Jimmy Carter willcome to Nigeria to officially certify thecountry guinea worm-free,'' he added.

Miri said that the organisation hadoffered to pay a N25,000 reward to anyonewho reported any case of guinea worm fromany part of the country to the centre.

He said that in spite of the monetaryinducement, no one had reported any newcase of guinea worm disease from any partof the country in the past three years.

Miri said that the centre, which wasfounded about 30 years ago, had been ableto realise its aims and objectives.

He said that the main objectives of thecentre were to wage war against diseasesglobally and to achieve global peace,democracy as well as poverty eradicationin developing countries.

Observers say that it is heartwarmingto note that Ebonyi, previously ranked highin the index of guinea worm endemic statesin Nigeria, now has a different and cheerystory to tell.

The Ebonyi State Governmentemphasised that the state had not recordedany case of guinea-worm infection since2007.

Dr Sunday Nwangele, theCommissioner for Health andEnvironment, said that the feat wasachieved through the determination andcommitment of the government.

``Ebonyi State was known for guinea-worm infestation for several years buttoday, I am glad to say that our efforts andpolicies on water, sanitation and healthhave curbed this development.

``The government has both upgradedand protected the Ezillo water scheme andit has started two other gigantic waterschemes at Oferekpe and Ukawu to furtherimprove water supply in the state.

``The water projects will reticulatepotable water to every part of Ebonyi State,while sanitary officers have commencedhouse-to-house inspection as part of ourefforts to maintain clean and healthyenvironment," Nwangele said.

In the same vein, the Minister of Statefor Health, Dr Mohammed Pate, recentlygave the assurance that guinea wormdisease was almost a thing of the past in thecountry.

Pate said that Nigeria had moved away,from being among the most guinea wormendemic countries in the world, toachieving a zero-guinea worm disease casestatus.

He noted that the Federal Governmentwas making determined efforts to ensurethat Nigeria got guinea worm disease-freecertification from the ICT.

As Nigeria eagerly awaits the visit ofthe ICT next month, observers stress thatthe tempo and verve that led to theeradication of the guinea worm disease inNigeria should be sustained before and afterthe visit.

They also insist the country should bemore proactive and extra vigilant in effortsto curb any resurgence of the disease.Source: NAN

Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu

PAGE 31PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

Regional language campaignersdenounce FranceCampaigners for French

regional language rightshave called on UNESCO

to grant them "culturalasylum" and accused theFrench state of systematiclinguistic discrimination amidgrowing concern for the futureof languages such as Breton andOccitan.

Protesters gathered outsidethe UN cultural organisation'sParis headquarters onWednesday carrying bannersthat said: "French state killingour languages."

They includedrepresentatives from analliance of groups alsorepresenting Basque, Catalan,Alsatian and Corsican speakersas well as the indigenouslanguages of France's overseasterritories.

Alexis Quentin, thesecretary general of EBLUL/ELEN France, a Europe-widenetwork of languagecampaigners, said a delegationmeeting UNESCO officials hadbeen "well received".

"They insisted that theyneed UNESCO to acknowledgethat French regional languagesare in a poor situation becauseFrance does not respectinternational conventions andtreaties," Quentin told AlJazeera. "We want UNESCO toofficially ask the governmentto pay attention to the protestsin this country."

'Historic day'

Jean Francois Laffont, anOccitan languagecampaigner and the head

of the delegation, told reportersit was an "historic day for thelanguages of France".

A spokesperson for UNESCOtold Al Jazeera the delegationhad delivered a petition, butsaid it was not theorganisation's role to commenton the matter.

France is a signatory toseveral UNESCO treatiesprotecting diversity oflanguages, including the 2001Universal Declaration onCultural Diversity, which callson members to safeguardlinguistic heritage andpromote multi-lingualism.

Yet it is among only ahandful of European nationsthat has not ratified theEuropean Charter for Regionaland Minority Languages,which is considered the mainlegislation promoting therights of lesser-used languagespeakers across the continentand a current prerequisite ofEuropean Union membership.

Davyth Hicks, head of theBrussels-based Eurolanglanguage advocacy group,pointed out that if France was

One activist said that if France was an aspirant EU state its application would be rejected becauseof its lack of basic protection for minority languages [AFP]

ANALYSIS

But Quentin dismissed the committeeas a distraction, pointing to the fact thatcrucial legislation on education policycurrently under scrutiny in the Frenchparliament did not include adequate

measures to promote regionallanguages.

“

an aspirant EU state itsapplication would be rejectedbecause of its lack of basicprotection for languages.

"The fact that languageactivists have had to resort tosuch a desperate measure ascalling for cultural asylum fortheir languages at UNESCOonly reflects the pitiful state ofnational and linguisticminority rights in the Frenchstate," he told Al Jazeera. "Sincethe French Revolution, whichwas meant to uphold equality,it has worked hard at what canonly be described as a culturalgenocide, removing and noweradicating regional languagesfrom public life."

Wednesday's protest wastimed to coincide with the thefirst anniversary of FrenchPresident Francois Hollande'sinauguration in order tohighlight his failure to makegood on a campaign promise toratify the regional languagescharter.

Measures for that purposewere absent from a package ofproposed constitutionalreforms put forward by Jean-Marc Ayrault, the Frenchprime minister, in March.

In a statement, ColetteCapdevielle, a member of theNational Assembly forHollande's Socialist Party in theBasque region of southernFrance, said the policy hadbeen dropped because of thenegative opinion of the Councilof State, the country's highestjudicial body, which ruled in1999 that ratification of thecharter would "violate theconstitutional principles of theindivisibility of the Republic".

The status of French as the

country's only officiallanguage is enshrined in articletwo of the French constitutionwhich states: "The language ofthe Republic shall be French."

But Quentin said theCouncil of State was nota democratic body and

that there was growing popularsupport for regional languagerights, even if that requiredamendments to theconstitution.

"Hollande made a promise,so we are very disappointed,"he said. "And we know, fromParis, from the country, fromthe towns, from the villages,people are upset. Even amajority of deputies [in theNational Assembly] are upset.

"The majority of civilsociety is for that evolution forrespecting regional languages,and a majority could be found,within the government andthe opposition, even forchanging the constitution."

Campaigners say there areapproximately five million

people in France who are fluentin one of the country's regionallanguages.

The use of languages otherthan French was once bannedoutright and speakers say theystill face discrimination inpublic life, with no provisionmade by the state for publiceducation and regionallanguage media, which areconsidered vital safeguards forlanguages to flourish.

"Regional languages inFrance are completely expelledfrom the institutions, fromschools, from the media, fromthe constitution, from the law,and nothing is legal," saidQuentin.

UNESCO'S atlas ofendangered languageslists 26 under threat in

France, including Breton, oncethe world's most widely usedCeltic language with about onemillion speakers just onecentury ago, and Occitan, agroup of related dialects thatwere once the predominant

language across southernFrance.

But the situation is probablyworse than UNESCO's figuressuggest. Its most recent editionof the atlas, dating from 2010,estimated the number ofBreton speakers at about250,000, but many of those areelderly and the language facesa sharp demographic declineover the next decade.

TangiLouarn, acampaigner from thenorthwest region of

Brittany, told Al Jazeera thatBreton was in danger of dyingas a social language becausespeakers were discouraged fromusing it and many youngpeople saw little benefit inlearning a language with noofficial status.

"It's getting worse all thetime," he said. "Whenever wetry to do something to useBreton in daily life we face a lotof obstacles. Every day you arediscriminated against as aBreton speaker, so it is verydifficult to go on."

Since coming to power,Hollande's government hasreiterated its recognition of theneed for fresh measures toprotect and promote France'sregional languages.

Vincent Peillon, theeducation minister, said onMonday that the governmentremained in favour of ratifyingthe European charter, butacknowledged that it faced legaldifficulties.

M e a n w h i l e ,AurelieFilippetti, the Frenchculture minister, establishedan advisory committee onlanguages in March, and saidthat ratification of the charterwas only one measure amongmany needed to encouragelinguistic pluralism.

"We need to break once andfor all with the idea thatlearning a language involvesunlearning another," saidFilippetti. "And reconnect withthe idea that it is a plurality oflanguages, alongside French,that can give our country itstrue face, a nation open to theworld, confident in its richheritage, making its historykey in adapting to thechallenges of the future."

But Quentin dismissed thecommittee as a distraction,pointing to the fact that cruciallegislation on education policycurrently under scrutiny inthe French parliament did notinclude adequate measures topromote regional languages.

"A committee has no power.A committee is just for theshow, and nothing concrete," hesaid. "It was created by theculture ministry to considernew legislation. But a veryimportant piece of legislationregarding education is about tobe voted on, so it is already toolate."

Source: Al Jazeera

PAGE 32 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

Mali: ECOWAS Parliament calls forlegal action against coup perpetuators

The ECOWAS Parliamenthas called on the ECOWASheads of state and

governement to institute a legalaction on the perpepuators ofthe March 22 coup d'etatinMali.

This call came as theParliament unanimouslyendorsed the resolution of thecommittee set up to look into thechallenges of the Mali crises andfastrack the recovery process.

In the report submited to theSpeaker of the parliamnet, IkeEkweremadu, three measureswere outlined to the ECOWASHeads of Governemnt saying,governments should "initiate a

South Sudan army retakestown from rebels in east

case before the ECOWAS Courtof Justice, against theperpetutors, coperpetuators andaccomplices of the acts of thehuman rights violationcommitted during theoccupation". The report futherurged the ECOWAS Heads ofgovernment to "enforce theprescribed sanctions on personsalready identified who werefound guilty of obstructing thetransitional process, inparticular the ex-junta and theirpolitical allies"and also ensurenecessary steps are taken toinvolve ECOWAS in the processof preparing electoral operations,campaign activities and thecandidates before and afterelections.

Congolese soldiers clashedwith rebel fighters for thefirst time in nearly six

months on Monday near the cityof Goma, just days before U.N.Secretary-General Ban Ki-moonis due to visit the troubled easternborderlands.

Fighting began in the earlymorning after the Tutsi-dominated M23 rebels attackedgovernment positions around 10km (6 miles) north of mineral-richeastern Democratic Republic ofCongo's largest city, a militaryspokesman told Reuters.

M23 seized and briefly heldGoma last November despite thepresence of thousands of U.N.soldiers.

"The fighting has been withheavy weapons. It's stillcontinuing although it is lessintense ... We're sendingreinforcements. We must protectthe town of Goma at all costs,"Colonel Olivier Hamuli said.

M23 spokesmanAmaniKabasha said that M23 hadinitially driven off an attack bythe FDLR, a Rwandan Hutu rebelgroup based in Congo's volatileeast, before coming under attackfrom government artillery.

"We are not responding to theirshelling, but what we're hearingis not good, that (Congolesepresident Joseph) Kabila is sendingreinforcements. He needs to calmdown," Kabasha said.

No casualty figures from theclashes were immediatelyavailable.

The fighting comes aftermonths of stalled peacenegotiations and as Tanzaniantroops, part of a new U.N. brigadecharged with neutralizing armedgroups including M23, begandeploying in the east.

Ban is due to arrive in Gomathis week as part of a visit with thepresident of the World Bank,aiming to draw attention to theconflict in Congo, where millions

Congo'sarmy clasheswith rebelsnear Goma

militants.State media said earlier that

local Bedouin tribal leaders hadbeen asked to act as mediators.

In the unverified video postedonline on Sunday, seven blind-folded men are seen with theirhands on their heads. One appealsto President Morsi to rescue them,by securing their freedom throughthe release of political detaineesfrom Sinai.

The abductions haveprompted angry police to shutdown border crossings with Gazaand Israel until the hostages are

Mr Morsi's statement cameafter a meeting with seniorpoliticians on Sunday.

The president wrote on hisTwitter feed that "all options areon the table" to free the hostagesand that the government in Cairowould "not succumb to blackmail".

The seven men were capturedwhile travelling in minibuses innorthern Sinai, east of the city ofEl Arish.

While the identity of theircaptors is unclear, the BBC'sShaimaa Khalil in Cairo saysreports suggest they are jihadist

The Egyptian president hasruled out negotiating withthe abductors of seven

members of the security forcesseized last week in the SinaiPeninsula.

In a statement, MohammedMorsi said there was "no room fordialogue with the criminals".

He was speaking after a videoemerged apparently showing thethree police officers and foursoldiers pleading for their release.

The kidnappers are said to bedemanding the release of politicaldetainees.

Ban-ki moon Ban is due toarrive in Goma this week.

By Abdulkadir Isa The Mali report was the lastamong other committees to betreated marking the end of thethree-week long ordinary sessionof the ECOWAS Parliament.

In his closing remark, thespeaker said the Parliament isnot mindful of expansion of itspower only, but also thedoggedness of the house onreawaking the youth of thesubregion. He also said theparliament has resolved totransform the parliament fromwhat it was to a parliamentWest Africans will forever beproud of.

The second session oftheParliament is expected toreconvene next september inAbuja.

ECOPARL Speaker, IkeEkweremda

released.The peninsula has become

increasingly lawless sincePresident Hosni Mubarak wasousted in 2011.

There have been severalincidents in which Westerntourists and other foreigners havebeen kidnapped.

Correspondents say they areusually released fairly quickly,but some migrants from poorerregions seeking a better life in theWest have been seized andbrutally mistreated by peopletraffickers.

South Sudan's army hasretaken an eastern towncaptured by rebels two

weeks ago, a military spokesmansaid on Monday, in a conflictthat has uprooted thousands ofpeople and hamperedgovernment plans to explore foroil.

Army spokesman PhilipAguer said four soldiers and adozen rebels were killed duringa brief battle on Sunday torecapture Boma town in Jongleistate, where the governmentwants to search for oil with thehelp of France's Total.

"The SPLA (army) restoredorder and control of Bomayesterday. I was there myself,"Aguer told Reuters.

But Peter KonyiKubrin, aspokesman for rebels also knownas the South Sudan DemocraticArmy, denied they had lost thetown.

Since winning independencefrom Sudan in 2011, SouthSudan has been struggling toimpose its authority across vastswathes of territory awash withweapons after decades of civilwar with Khartoum ended in apeace deal in 2005.

Rebel leader David YauYau,a former theology student, raiseda rebellion in 2010 after failingto win a seat in local elections.He accepted an amnesty in 2011only to take up arms again a yearlater to end what his group'smanifesto calls corruption and

the unfair dominance of theruling party.

The United States and severalEuropean powers urged thegovernment to find a politicalsolution to the conflict.

"We stress that the worseningsituation in Jonglei state

requires a political and not amilitary solution," said astatement by several Westernembassies in the capital Juba.

The embassies said they werealarmed by the recent looting ofprivate homes and compounds offoreign aid groups in Pibor,

President Morsi rules out Sinai abduction talks

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Bottling Company, Mr. Segun Apata, former President of South Africa, Mr.Thambo Mbeki, President Goodluck Jonathan, and Panel Member, World Bank Inspection Panel,Zeinab B. Elbakri, after a high level panel meeting on illicit financial flow in Africa, yesterday atthe State House, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

PAGE 33PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) with Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh in Delhi.

Asia andMiddle East

China asks North Korea to free seized boat

China says it has called onNorth Korea to secure therelease of a fishing boat and

its crew seized earlier this month.Owner Yu Xuejun said the vessel

had been in Chinese waters whenthe 16-man crew were seized on 5May.

Mr Yu said the North Koreancaptors were demanding a 600,000yuan ($100,000, £66,000)ransom.

State-run Xinhua news agencysaid that diplomats in Pyongyanghad been asked for help on 10 Mayand were working on the issue.

"Upon receiving the call, theChinese embassy promptly maderepresentations to the... DPRK[North Korean] Foreign Ministry,asking the DPRK side to release theboat and the fishermen as soon aspossible," the agency quotedCounsellor Jiang Yaxian of Beijing's

embassy in Pyongyang as saying.It called for the crews' "legitimate

rights and interests" to besafeguarded, he added.

Boat-owner Mr Yu told GlobalTimes newspaper he had receivedeight calls from the people holdinghis crew demanding the ransom.

There have been incidents in thepast in the Yellow Sea, which liesbetween China and the Koreanpeninsula and has rich fishinggrounds.

In May 2012, 29 Chinesefishermen and three vessels wereseized by unidentified NorthKoreans.

They were freed after two weeksand it was not clear whether aransom had been paid, nor whetherthe captors had been the NorthKorean authorities or autonomouskidnappers.

China has traditionally been

Imran Khan'sparty winsKarachirevoteThe party of former Pakistani

cricket star Imran Khanhas secured victory in a

repeat election held in oneconstituency of violence-plaguedKarachi, election officials say.

Khan's Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI)party's candidate, ArifAlvi,secured 77,659 votes to beat hisclosest rival KhushbakhtShujaatof the MuttahidaQaumiMovement (MQM) who polled30,365 votes, Najib Ahmed, theelection commission spokesman,said giving the unofficial results.

Polling was re-run aftercomplaints of ballot-stuffing inthe upmarket district of the vastport city, Pakistan's economicengine, during the May 11general election.

Voting was held under tightsecurity in 43 polling stations onSunday, a day after ZahraShahidHussain, a provincialvice-president for the PTI, wasshot dead outside her home in thecity.

The win sets the stage forprotests and counter-protests, asthe city reels from Sunday'skilling.

Hussain was attacked hoursbefore re-elections took place in theNA-250 constituency of Karachi.

The motives behind theattack remained unclear, butKhan has blamed the rival MQM,which has a stronghold onKarachi.

Hussain "was leaving herhome for some work when threegunmen attacked her. Shethought they wanted to snatchher purse and handed it over tothem but they killed her,"FirdousShamim, a local PTIleader, told the AFP news agency.

Police said all three assailantsescaped after the attack late onSaturday.

"They shot her with one bulletnear her chin and she could notsurvive," NasirAftab, a seniorpolice official, told AFP.

ImtiazTyab, reporting fromthe capital Islamabad, said that amessage on Twitter sent out byKhan, accusing MQM of beingbehind the attack, had "chargedthe political debate in Pakistan".

AltafHussain, the MQMleader, is wanted on murdercharges in Pakistan and leads hisparty from self-imposed exile inEngland.

India, China pledge on border rowVisiting Chinese Premier Li

Keqiang has said India andChina must "improve

mechanisms" to settle a long-running border dispute, pledginghis commitment to "peace andtranquility".

Premier Li was speaking duringa joint address with his Indiancounterpart, PM Manmohan Singh,in the capital, Delhi.

Mr Singh said specialrepresentatives from the twocountries would meet soon to discussways to end the row.

The meeting comes after arecent flare-up in border tensions.

Premier Li arrived in Delhi onSunday in the first stop of his maidenforeign trip since taking office.

The two neighbours are theworld's two most populouscountries.

During Monday's talks, the twosides discussed trade ties and otherbilateral issues and signed eightagreements.

"We don't deny there areproblems between the two sides,"Premier Li said. "We need to improveborder related mechanisms andmake them more efficient," headded.

"Both Mr Singh and I believethere are far more interests thandifferences between our two sides.We need to confront issues with abroad mind, and tackle them in amature way," he said.

PM Singh said India and Chinahad "agreed that our special

representatives will meet soon tocontinue discussions seeking anearly agreement on a frameworkfor a fair, reasonable and mutuallyacceptable boundary settlement".

"Peace and tranquillity on ourborder has to be preserved," he said.

A decades-long border disputeflared up last month after Indiaaccused Chinese troops of crossingthe countries' de facto frontier.

The dispute over the territoryin the Ladakh region has doggedthe two countries since the 1950s.

At an informal meeting onSunday night, Mr Singh told Mr Lithat a recent military standoff onthe Himalaya border could affectrelations between the twocountries.

Both sides, however, were keento ensure that the border spat did

not derail a general warming inrelations between the neighboursand the two leader talked of "moreshared interests than differences".

China is already one of India'stop trading partners and bothcountries have already agreed anew $100bn (£65bn) bilateraltrade target for 2015.

Premier Li said he had agreed toaddress India's concerns about thesize of the trade deficit with China.

On his arrival in Delhi, PremierLi said said his decision to chooseIndia for his first foreign visit sincetaking office "indicates the greatimportance Beijing attaches to itsrelations" with Delhi.

During his three-day visit inIndia, he is also expected to meetIndian President PranabMukherjee, Congress party chiefSonia Gandhi and leader of theopposition in the LokSabha [thelower house of Indian parliament]SushmaSwaraj.

He is also scheduled to addressuniversity students in Delhi andbusiness leaders in Mumbai, India'sfinancial capital, before travellingon to Pakistan, Switzerland andGermany.

North Korea's closest ally. But in thewake of Pyongyang's third nucleartest, on 12 February, ties betweenthe two have chilled.

Beijing backed expandedsanctions on Pyongyang over thetest and some of its banks havesuspended transactions with NorthKorea's main foreign exchangebank.

Chinese state press has alsobecome more vocal on the issue,openly debating the merits ofalliance with Pyongyang.

Since Saturday, North Koreahas fired five short-range missilesoff its coast: three on Saturday, andone on both Sunday and Monday.

"North Korea again launchedwhat appears to be a KN-02 short-range missile," a defence ministryofficial told South Korea's Yonhapnews agency on Monday.

"We are closely watching the

movements of the North'smilitary in case of furtherlaunches."

The tests also prompted awarning from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday.

"I hope that North Korea willrefrain from such actions," MrBan, who was visiting Moscow,told Russia's RIA Novosti newsagency. "It is time for them toresume dialogue and lower thetensions."

North Korea routinely test-fires these kinds of missiles, butsuch a sustained launch period isunusual, the BBC's LucyWilliamson reports from Seoul.

There is worry in South Koreathat, after suspending the jointKorean economic zone KaesongIndustrial Complex, andrestarting its mothballed nuclearfacility, North Korea is planningfurther actions that may ignitean international response, ourcorrespondent adds.Imran Khan

Two killed in Yemen drone strikeTwo people were killed on

Monday in a drone strikeon their vehicle south of

the capital Sanaa, tribal andgovernment sources said.

The strike follows another onSaturday in which at least fourpeople were killed in Abyangovernorate, insouthern Yemen. A Yemeniofficial did not say who wasbehind the attack, but previousstrikes have been carried out bythe United States.

Monday’s strike occurred atdawn in the Radda area in al-Bayda province, but the sources

gave no further details andWashington does not usuallycomment on drone strikes.

The United States hasstepped up attacks on Yemen-based al Qaeda in the ArabianPeninsula (AQAP), oncedescribed by a senior U.S. officialas the group’s most dangerousbranch after a plot by it to attackinternational airliners wasfoiled.

Yemen is next to the world’stop oil exporter SaudiArabia and major crudeshipment routes.

Yemeni officials have said

that at least six suspectedmilitants were killed in twodrone strikes last month.Another six suspected al Qaedamembers were killed in January.

Militants allied to AQAPexploited Arab Spring chaos inYemen in early 2011 to seizecontrol of some towns in thecountry’s southern provinces,including Radda and Jaar,where Saturday’s strikeoccurred.

Although they were pushedfrom the towns last year theycontinue to fight governmentforces.

PAGE 34 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

EU worried over Russia's human rights record

Canada's top aide quits overexpenses scandal

David Cameron warns overseas territories on tax

Europe andAmericas

The top aide to CanadianPrime Minister StephenHarper has resigned over his

role in a mounting expensesscandal which is threatening toundermine the Conservativegovernment.

Nigel Wright, Harper's chief ofstaff, quit on Sunday after secretly

Colombia's left-wing FARCrebels have rejectedcriticism that efforts to

end almost fifty years ofconflict are moving too slowly.

FARC lead negotiator IvanMarquez said achieving lastingpeace in Colombia would take"more time".

He spoke as the rebels andthe Colombian governmentmarked six months since peacetalks began.

President Juan ManuelSantos has said he hopes a dealcan be reached within monthsrather than years.

Peace negotiations began inCuba in November.

Mr Marquez told reportersin the capital, Havana, onSunday that he did notunderstand why the pace oftalks was being described asslow.

"You have been watchingthe Giro d'Italia (cycle race).Some people want us to go atthis pace, but if we go at thispace, we will fail."

"We have to approach theseissues with serenity, withdepth if we really want to formthe solid basis to build a stableand long-lasting peace," hesaid.

Talks remain stalled overthe issue of land redistributionin Colombia, the first of a five-point agenda.

The Colombiangovernment has promised toreturn millions of hectares ofstolen land to displacedpeasants, one of the rebels'main demands.

But Bogota insists that therebels must first put down theirguns and cease hostilities.

Jorge Restrepo, director ofColombia's Conflict AnalysisResource Centre, a private andindependent research group,told Efe news agency that "nobig changes have happened" inColombia since the talks began.

"We have seen anintensification of violence thatviolates the human rights ofindigenous and Afro-Colombian communities andhuman rights defenders."

Mr Restrepo argued that theFarc could be trying to gaintime "to retrain... and to gatherstrength".

Colombia's internal conflictbegan in the 1960s.

It has already claimed thelives of tens of thousands peopleand left millions moredisplaced from their land.

forbid senators from takingpresents and made a mockery ofthe government's repeatedpromises to increaseaccountability in Ottawa. Duffy,a former national televisionjournalist, resigned from theConservative caucus on Thursday.

Officials told reporters onFriday that the chief of staff - whosays he did not tell Harper aboutthe cheque - would be staying.

"In light of the controversysurrounding my handling ofmatters involving Senator Duffy,the prime minister has acceptedmy resignation," Wright said in astatement.

"I regret the impact of thismatter on the government, ourcaucus, and all of my colleagues,"added Wright, a businessman whohad been on secondment toHarper's office from private equityfirm Onex Corp. He started workon January 1, 2011.

The expenses scandal is one ofthe biggest crises to hit theConservatives since they tookpower in early 2006 promising toclean up government after a seriesof scandals helped bring down theprevious Liberal administration.

The Conservatives are in "full-out political panic", said CharlieAngus, a member of parliamentand the ethics critic for the official

giving a C$90,000 ($87,000)cheque in February to Mike Duffy,a member of the upper Senatechamber, to help him cover livingexpenses he had improperlyclaimed. News of the gift leaked onMay 14.

Opposition legislators said thecheque broke ethics rules that

ColombiaFARCseeks'more time'for peacedeal

Prime Minister DavidCameron has urged Britishoverseas territories to "get

their house in order" and sign up tointernational treaties on tax.

He wrote to 10 territories andcrown dependencies, including theCayman Islands and the Isle ofMan, which operate low-taxregimes.

Critics claim such places areused by companies for taxavoidance or evasion.

The plea came ahead of a G8summit in June, when the UK isexpected to push for tighter taxmeasures.

"With one month to go, this isthe crucial moment to get our own

houses in order," Mr Cameronwrote in the letter.

"I respect your right to be lowertax jurisdictions... but lower taxesare only sustainable if what isowed is actually paid."

The 10 territories that receivedthe letter are Bermuda, the BritishVirgin Islands, the CaymanIslands, Gibraltar, Anguilla,Montserrat, the Turks and CaicosIslands, Jersey, Guernsey and theIsle of Man.

Some have been described bythe UK government as having"complex tax arrangements".

Low taxes and light touchregulation have seen some of thembecome major centres for

followed a meeting on humanrights with Russian officials in

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he acceptedWright's resignation with great regret [Reuters]

opposition New Democratic Party.Angus said Wright's resignationwould not halt the NDP's call foran official probe into the matter.

In a sign of the potentialdamage the scandal could do to thegovernment, Conservative MPBrent Rathgeber told GlobalTelevision that his voters wereangry.

"Any suggestion that taxpayersare treated disrespectfully is metwith significant concern, I wouldsay even angst," said Rathgeber,who represents a constituency inthe western province of Alberta, aruling party stronghold.

Pamela Wallin, anotherConservative senator whoseexpenses have been questioned,quit the caucus late on Friday.Wallin is also a former televisionjournalist.

Opinion polls show theConservatives trailing theLiberals, who have steadily grownmore popular since Justin Trudeau- the telegenic son of former Liberalprime minister Pierre Trudeau -was elected leader last month.

Harper said he had acceptedWright's resignation with greatregret. The next election is not dueuntil October 2015 and theConservatives have a comfortablemajority in the House ofCommons.

Brussels on Friday.Human rights groups in RussiaThe European Union

criticized Russia's humanrights record on Sunday,

saying it was increasinglyconcerned at a wave of restrictivelegislation and prosecutionsagainst activists.

The 27-nation bloc cited thecases of protesters arrested at ademonstration on the eve ofPresident Vladimir Putin'sinauguration last year who arestill awaiting trial, and a new lawrequiring charities with fundingfrom abroad to register as "foreignagents".

"Both sides discussed at lengththe worrying situation of civilsociety in the Russian Federation,"the EU said in a statement, which

international business.But the lack of transparency in

their banking systems has leftthem open to accusations that theyare being used to avoid payingtaxes.

Mr Cameron urged them to signinternational protocols designed toallow tax information to be sharedmore easily between countries, andalso to take measures to improvetheir own transparency.

"Put simply, that means we needto know who really owns andcontrols each and every company,"he said.

Tax avoidance, wherecompanies operate within the rulesto avoid paying taxes, and tax

evasion, which is outside the law,have risen high on the politicalagenda in recent months.

High-profile companies likeGoogle, Amazon and Starbuckshave faced criticism in the UK forthe low levels of tax they appear topay compared with the size of theirbusinesses.

On Sunday, Google's executivechairman Eric Schmidt defendedthe company's tax affairs.

He said the search engine giant"has always aspired to do the rightthing", but added that"international tax law could almostcertainly benefit from reform".

Writing in the Observer, he saidhe wanted "to move the debateforward".

(L-R) Russian President Vladimir Putin, European Council Presi-dent Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission PresidentJose Manuel Barroso.

accuse Putin of a clampdown ondissent since he returned aspresident, which they say isdesigned to tighten his grip onpower.

On a trip to Moscow this month,U.S. Secretary of State John Kerryavoided harsh criticism of Russia'srecord on civil liberties as he soughtthe Kremlin's help in securing apolitical solution to the conflict inSyria.

The European Union said itwould closely watch developmentsaffecting non-governmentalorganizations in Russia, and askedthe government to ensure thatdefense lawyers were able to workfreely.

PAGE 35PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

Pupil, 10, who spots 'grammar mistakes' inher English exam writes a letter of complaintA schoolgirl who spotted

grammatical ‘mistakes’in her English exam has

written a letter of complaint -to Education Secretary MichaelGove.

Eagle-eyed Rebecca Lee, 10,a pupil at Christ ChurchPrimary School in Clifton,Bristol, noticed commas‘missing’ from two questions inher SATs last Tuesday.

The Year Six pupil says shewas so ‘annoyed’ by the basicpunctuation errors that shewanted to take her complaintto the top.

So she wrote to Mr Govesaying: ‘I understand that youare very keen for us to all learnour complex sentences and useof accurate punctuation.

‘I believe that yourdepartment should also use thecorrect punctuation in all SATstasks.’

The schoolgirl said shehoped to hear back from MrGove.

Rebecca, from Clifton, said:‘The exam wording should besetting an example and I wasannoyed. I had to write.

‘I’ve not heard back yet andam still waiting - Mr Gove’sbusy but I do hope to get aresponse back.’

The ‘mistakes’ were in asection of the exam on complexsentences - and had commas‘missing’ from two sentences.

Education SecretaryMichael Gove, left, and theletter he was sent by Bristolschoolgirl Rebecca Lee, right

One sentence read: ‘If thereis not enough rainfall thismonth there will be a drought’and ‘As he was the chief of thetribe the final decision was his.’

This afternoon a spokesmanfor the Department forEducation defended the lack ofcommas in the exam paper.

He said: ‘The commas hereare a matter of choice. Theycan be used to mark out clausesthat appear at the beginning or

Rebecca Lee, 10, from Bristol, wrote to Education Secretary Michael Gove over punctuation errors in her SATs

the end of a sentence, but theyare not necessary.

‘We decided to use commassometimes and not at others tomake the tests more like reallife where people will have theirown styles.

‘The only clauses that mustbe surrounded by commas arethose in the middle of asentence.’

The same sentences -featuring commas in thecorrect places - had appeared in

an earlier part of the exam ongrammar.

Around half a million pupilsaround the country took thesame exam last week.

Rebecca’s mother Jo Lee,40, a town planner, said: ‘Agroup of children werediscussing in the playgroundthat there had been a mistakeand that it wasn’t right.

‘Rebecca said she thoughtshe should write to whoeverwas responsible and found that

it was Michael Gove. I helpedher write the letter and weemailed it.

‘It’s great that she decidedto do it. Generally, I encourageher to do these types of things -to stand up to the people whoare supposed to be setting anexample. I’m fully behind her.’

The Government’sStandards and Testing Agencyis meant to check if exams areup to scratch before pupils takethem, but a spokesman insisted

that using commas in complexsentences was ‘a matter ofchoice’.

Rebecca’s teacher BarneyBraithwaite said many of hispupils noticed the mistakewhen they undertook the newspelling, punctuation andgrammar test.

He said: ‘I laughed my headoff when I had heard thatRebecca had sent the letter. Sheobviously felt moved enoughby the mistakes.’

Airline mix-up: Couple arrive in Dhaka,Bangladesh, instead of Dakar, SenegalA couple who planned to fly

from Los Angeles toDakar, Senegal, found

themselves 7,000 miles awayin Dhaka in Bangladesh afteran airline mixed up theirflight.

Sandy Valdiviseo and herhusband Triet Vo intended totake a Turkish Airlines flightfrom Los Angeles to Dakar butan airport code mix-up saw thecouple sent to the wrong

continent.The airport code for Dakar

is DKR, while the code for Dhakais DAC.

The couple flew from LosAngeles to Istanbul and had afour hour stopover.

They then boarded a planefor the final leg of their journeyand did not realise anythingwas amiss.

'When the flight attendantsaid we were heading to Dhaka,

we believed that this was howyou pronounced Dakar with aTurkish accent,' Valdivieso toldthe Los Angeles Times.

They only realised whenthey saw a map of the flight'sroute in the air that they wereon their way to Bangladeshinstead of Senegal.

After arriving inBangladesh, it took nine hoursfor the couple to secure flights toSenegal.

The carrier insisted onlistening to a phone recording ofMs Valdivieso booking the flightto Dakar before they admittedthey had put wrong airport codehad been put on their tickets.

Turkish Airlines flew the pairback to Istanbul, where theycaught a plane to Dakar.

There was no extra chargefor the flight from Bangladesh.

The couple's luggage whichalso traveled to Bangladesh

arrived in Senegal two moredays later.

The couple have battled forfour months to receivecompensation from the airlineover the incident.

They have since been offeredtwo free tickets to anywhere onthe Turkish Airlines' network.

'We are very, very sorry thatthis happened,' an airlinespokesperson said.

dailymail.co.uk

PAGE 36 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

Talking on a mobile phone cangive you high blood pressureUsing a mobile phone can

give you high bloodpressure - perhaps due to

the stress certain conversationscan cause, new researchsuggests.

Researchers found thattalking on a mobile phonetriggers significant increases inthe blood pressure thatcorresponds to the 'surge' thatoccurs with each heartbeat.

This is the number whichdoctors pay most attention towhen assessing a patient's riskof cardiovascular disease.

The researchers took 12blood pressure readings at one-minute intervals from 94patients with mildhypertension (raised bloodpressure)

The participants, whoseaverage age was 53, wereseated in a comfortablearmchair in a doctor'sconsulting room and were leftalone after the first bloodpressure reading was taken.

Researchers phoned thepatients at least three timesand found that when thepatient was on the phone orreceiving a call, their bloodpressure reading jumped from121/77 on average to 129/82.

The American HeartAssociation says less than 120/80 is a healthy reading foradults age 20 and older.

The researchers also foundthat patients who got morethan 30 calls a day seemed tohave developed a form ofimmunity to the blood pressurespikes.

By Emma Innes

Talking on a mobile phone triggers a significant increase in the blood pressure that correspondsto the 'surge' that occurs with each heartbeat

Dr Giuseppe Crippa, ofWilliam of Saliceto Hospital inItaly, said: 'The subset ofpatients who were moreaccustomed to phone use wereyounger, which could showyounger people are less proneto be disturbed by telephoneintrusions.

'Another possibility is peoplewho make more than thirtycalls per day may feel morereassured if the mobile phoneis activated since they are notrunning the risk of missing anopportunity.'

Every day there are 350preventable strokes or heart

People who get more than 30 calls a day develop a form ofimmunity to the blood pressure spikes

attacks in the UK caused byhigh blood pressure.

It has long been known thathigh blood pressure cansignificantly increase the riskof heart disease.

Now wide variations inblood pressure are alsorecognised as an important riskfactor compared with readingsthat show little difference overa 24-hour period.

Considered the 'silent killer',high blood pressure affectsabout a billion peopleworldwide, including morethan one in four people in theUK and a third of adults in theUnited States.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Fish oil 'can restore the brain after junk food'Fish oil can counter the

negative effect junk foodhas on the brain, say

scientists.More than a decade of research

has shown that high-fat diets canimpact the brain by disrupting'neurogenesis', a process thatgenerates new nerve cells.

Now University of Liverpoolresearchers have discovered thatdiets rich in omega-3s, such as fishoil, can prevent these negativeeffects by stimulating the area of

the brain that controls feeding,learning and memory.

The team from the University'sInstitute of Ageing and ChronicDisease originally set out to look atresearch from across to world to seewhether the data suggested thatomega-3s had a role to play in aidingweight loss.

However, although data fromthe 185 research papers indicatedfish oils do not have a direct impacton this process, it found that theyplay a significant role in reversing

the damage high fats can cause thebrain.

Researcher Dr Lucy Pickavanceexplained: 'Body weight isinfluenced by many factors, andsome of the most important of theseare the nutrients we consume.

'Excessive intake of certainmacronutrients, the refined sugarsand saturated fats found in junkfood, can lead to weight gain, disruptmetabolism and even affect mentalprocessing.

'These changes can be seen inthe brain's structure, including itsability to generate new nerve cells,potentially linking obesity toneurodegenerative diseases.

'Research, however, hassuggested that omega-3 fish oils canreverse or even prevent theseeffects. We wanted to investigate theliterature on this topic to determinewhether there is evidence tosuggest that omega-3s might aidweight loss by stimulatingparticular brain processes.'

The research papers showedthat on high-fat diets hormonesthat are usually secreted from bodytissues into the circulation after

eating - which protect neurons andstimulate their growth - areprevented from passing into thebrain by increased circulation ofinflammatory molecules and atype of fat called triglycerides.

Molecules that stimulate nervegrowth are also reduced.

But it appears - in studies withanimal models - that omega-3srestore normal function byinterfering with the production ofthese inflammatory molecules,suppressing triglycerides, andreturning these nerve growthfactors to normal.

Dr Pickavance added: 'Fish oilsdon't appear to have a direct impacton weight loss, but they may takethe brakes off the detrimental effectsof some of the processes triggered inthe brain by high-fat diets.

'They seem to mimic the effectsof calorie restrictive diets andincluding more oily fish or fish oilsupplements in our diets couldcertainly be a positive step forwardfor those wanting to improve theirgeneral health.'

Source: Dailymail.co.ukResearch: Scientists say fish oil can counter the negative effectjunk food has on the brain

Teenage girlswho exerciseare less likelyto be violent

Girls who engage in regularphysical activity are lesslikely to engage in violent

behaviour, according to a new study.The research, presented at the

Pediatric Academic Societies annualmeeting in Washington, DC, analysedresults of a 2008 survey completed by1,312 students at four inner-citysecondary schools in New York.

The survey included questions onhow often students exercised, howmany sit-ups they did and the time oftheir longest run in the past four weeksas well as whether they had played inan organised sports team in the pastyear.

Students also were asked if they hadcarried a weapon in the past 30 days orif they had been in a physical fight or agang in the past year.

The results showed that femaleswho exercised regularly were at a muchlower risk of behaving violently.

Females who exercised more than10 days in a month had decreased oddsof being in a gang and those who didmore than 20 sit-ups in a month hadlower odds of carrying a weapon or beingin a gang.

Girls who reported running morethan 20 minutes the last time they ranhad decreased odds of carrying aweapon.

Source: Dailymail.ok

Regular exercise has beenshown to make girls lessaggressive

PAGE 37PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

The recent declaration ofstate of emergency inthree states of the North

East region of the countryincluding Adamawa, Borno andYobe states by President GoodluckJonathan has continued togenerate debates amongst thecitizenry. What has continued toelicit heated debates in thedeclaration is the seemingpoliticization of section 305 of the1999 constitution as amendedupon which the President reliedin the declaration.

Most commentators, includingsome from the opposition bent,however are not opposed toemergency rule per-se but theworry is that they are concernedthat the provision is being appliedhalf- heartedly. While majority ofNigerians are unanimous in thebelief that the activities of theinsurgents,ncommonly referredto as Boko Haram Sect, needed tobe curbed by whatever legalmeans, some believed that doingsuch should be divorced frompolitics for the exercise to bemeaningful, effective andsuccessful. Admittedly, prior tothe declaration, the sovereigntyof the nation and it’s avouchedindivisibility have been tested andany further delay by the Presidentwould have been dangerous.

Section 305 of the 1999Constitution provides for theimposition of a state of emergencyin the country or any part of it.The section empowers thePresident to issue the declarationby way of official gazette. It added,however, that a two-thirdsmajority of the National Assemblymust ratify the executiveproclamation within two days, ifthe legislators are in session, or 10days, if they are not.

To some critics, Jonahan’semergency declaration in thosestates being plagued by thescourge of insurgency should havebeen total with its attendantcollapse of all democraticstructures. They argue that thethree state governors, membersof the states Houses of Assemblyand all other localrepresentatives, going by theletter of the constitution, shouldhave lost their positions for theperiod under which the state ofemergency would thrive. Theypointedly referred to the similardeclaration by former PresidentOlusegun Obasanjo in Plateau andEkiti states during his tenure.

Thus the state of emergencydeclared in three east northernstates of he country has beendescribed as not only pretentious,but short of attributes of a true

Emergency: Examining mixture ofpolitics and constitutionality

state of emergency. Reacting tothe development recently, National Coordinator of Forum forJustice and Human RightsDefence (FJHD), Mr OghenejaborIkimi, expressed his displeasureover what he described as“President Goodluck Jonathan’splaying to the gallery with thestate of insecurity in the namedstates as shown in his address tothe nation.”

According to the Warri-basedlawyer, the retention of thedemocratic structures after theorder to deploy more troops to thetroubled states made a mockeryof the touted state of emergency.

“A state of emergency, in thereal sense of it, ought to begin withthe dismantling of all democraticinstitutions with, at least, anadministrator, to administer theaffected states for a specifiedperiod,” Ikimi said.

Another observer, also a formerMinority Leader in the House ofRepresentatives, Dr WunmiBewaji, has urged the NationalAssembly to “shoot down” thepresident’s declaration of the stateof emergency in Borno, Yobe andAdamawa states because it wasdone in bad faith.

Bewaji said the state ofemergency had rubbished theassignment of the committee puttogether by the FederalGovernment over granting ofamnesty to the insurgents.The former lawmaker noted thatthe declaration was hasty, addingthat “President Jonathan shouldhave allowed the amnestycommittee to carry out itsassignments and come up withrecommendations on how totackle the problems.”

According to him, “a state ofemergency, in normal parlance,is a declaration of war. In onebreadth, you are talking about anamnesty programme that willmake you dialogue with the so-called terrorists and you set up a

committee to do the job with theirterms of reference.

“Having given them the job,one would have expected thatyou will, at least, wait for afeedback from the committee.This declaration has even put thelives of the members of thecommittee in danger.”

“There is something behindthis declaration of emergencythan meet the eye and that is2015 President Jonathan isplaying politics with thisdeclaration of state of emergency.These are opposition territory andit is clear that what the presidentis looking for in those areas are notpeace and security but somethingthat could give him a politicalfoothold in the areas. This is nevergoing to work. Declaring war ona section of the country as he hasdone is never going to work,” hesaid.

But responding to critics,Jonathan’s Special Adviser onMedia and Publicity,

Dr. Reuben Abati said hisprincipal’s action of declaring astate of emergency in Borno, Yobeand Adamawa states does notviolate any part of the Nigerianconstitution. Abati in aninterview with Channels

Television recently said thoughthe constitution gave thePresident the power to declare astate of emergency on any statewhere there is a breakdown ofpublic order and public safety, itdoes not empower him to removedemocratically elected officials.

Those arguing in support of hePresident posit that Jonathanhad done the best in the situationwhich he found himself.According to them, it would havebeen politically suicidal for himto declare full blown emergency,the way former PresidentObasanjo did, because theopposition would have feasted onhim. John Ochri, a politicalanalyst said “ There is need forthe President to weigh all thepolitical consequences. Don’tforget that the Chairman of theNigerian Governors’ Forum(NGF), Rotimi Anaechi hadearlier warned that thegovernors are against thedeclaration of state of emergencyin any part of the country.Jonathan would have played intohe hands of the opposition if hehad declared full blownemergency that would sweepaway all democratic institutionsin the three states.

“Besides, the new variant ofemergency rule had once beendeclared in some localgovernments in Yobe, Borno,Plateau and Niger states in2011. Removing the governorswould have been beyondJonathan’s constitutional powersbecause he must have two-thirdapproval of members of theNational Assembly before hecould do so. He is faced with adesperate situation; a minjtedelay could be dangerous tok thecontinued existence of thiscountry. To me, he had actedwithin the confines of his powersby consulting widely beforetaking the action. Rememberthat leadership of the NationalAssembly recently disclosed thatthey were adequately consultedby the President before thedeclaration.”

Nevertheless, criticismshave continued to trail thedeclaration even as the soldiersare combing the nooks andcrannies of the affected stateswith a view to dislodging theinsurgents. The question beggingfor answer now is how thegovernment would harmonizeits earlier resolve to dialoguewith insurgents by setting up acommittee headed by theSpecial Duties Minister, MallamKabiru Taminu Turaki, and it’srecent declaration of war onthose expected to be reconciledwith the state.

The emergency declarationhowever has demonstrated ahigh level of political ingenuityof Nigerian leaders and theirability to balanceconstitutionality with politicswithout offending thesensibilities of importantstakeholders. Criticismsnotwithstanding, the people areunanimous in their belief that theunity and sovereignty of thecountry must be preserved by allconstitutional means available.

President Goodluck Jonathan

ANALYSIS

By Lawrence Olaoye

Gov. Murtala Nyako Gov. Kashim Shettima Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam

“Those arguing in support of he Presidentposit that Jonathan had done the best in

the situation which he found himself.According to them, it would have beenpolitically suicidal for him to declare full

blown emergency, the way formerPresident Obasanjo did, because theopposition would have feasted on him

PAGE 38 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

As the new majorityleader of TarabaState House of

Assembly, what is yourmission and vision forthe House?

My mission is to see howto bring together all thePeoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Taraba Stateincluding the erringmembers who would haveleft the party because of onegrievances or other. It is myduty to make sure that Icoordinate them and, if needbe, return them back to PDP;and for those who are in PDPalready, it is my duty tomake sure that weconsolidate to face anychallenge that may latercome.

There are theseallegations flyingaround that the formerleadership of the Housewas sacked because ofmismanagement andm a l a d m i n i s t r a t i o n .How true is that?

You are talking to theright person because I amthe one that sponsored themotion that led to theimpeachment. I want to tellyou that impeachment isnot new among legislatorsbecause it is a generalpractice all over the world.Yes, I sponsored the motionand it was borne out of thefact that we discovered theyare not living up toexpectations and, aslegislators, they are just firstamong equals. And it wasjust thoughtful about us, wesay okay since they are notperforming the way wewanted them to perform, wedecided to effect change sothat some legislators couldcome on board and steer theHouse of Assembly. And yesto a larger extent, some ofthe allegations boiled downon maladministration andyou knowmaladministration is anindefinite term, it is generic.It is not limited to only one

factor or indices. For that,it is all encompassing andfinancial embarrassmentwas one of them, but wedidn’t take it as one of theconcessive factor. All weknow is that they have notbeen leading the way wewanted them to lead us, andthat was why we removedthem from office. I don’twant to use the wordimpeachment because it istoo harsh; so we decided toremove them from office.

By May 29 2013, wewill be celebratinganother democracy day.

Acting governor has no hand in Taraba Assembly’sleadership change, says Majority Leader

Do you think Nigerianshave benefitted from theso called democraticdividends in the last 13years?

Yes, and I am tempted totell you that democracy is allabout government of thepeople by the people and forthe people. We are leading thepeople and they demonstratethat they have decided to giveus their mandate they cantestify to the fact that we havebeen doing what we aresupposed to do; because foranybody to be called uponand be given the mantle of

leadership, it is a clarion call.A clarion call to serve manand above all, it is a clarioncall to serve God. So, to alarger extent, you can seethat a day never passes thatleaders have notcommissioned one projector the other compared to themilitary regime. If you openyour newspapers, radio andtelevision stations, you willfind one project or the otherbeing commissioned indifferent places in thecountry either by the localgovernment chairmen,governors or even NationalAssembly members in theirconstituencies. So,Nigerianshave benefited veryimmensely from dividends ofdemocracy.

What is your take onthe crises in PeoplesDemocratic Party(PDP)? Don’t you think itwill affect the Party’schances in 2015?

You know crises areinevitable in any organizationbecause crises are part oforganization right from ages.In annals of human history,even the European and theAmerican nations, we all

Honourable Joseph Al-basu

INTERVIEW Honourable Joseph Al-basu, Majority Leader of the Taraba State House of Assembly and a staunchmember of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state in this interaction with newsmenexplains the real reason why the former leadership of the Assembly was swept away in an in-Housecoup. The lawmaker also examines the crises rocking the PDP both at the state and national levels andposits hat such would make the party even stronger. Agaju Madugba reports. Excerpts:

know are centers of criseseven before now. So crisis ispart of any governance. Nowif you say there is crisis inPDP, you are not wrong, butI am telling you that the crisisin PDP is not comparable tocrisis in other parties. Andas a party, we are doingeverything possible to makesure that we resolve thecrisis within us and that iswhy you see that the crisisitself is making the party(PDP) to wax strongerbecause as people areleaving the party, more thanthe numbers that areleaving are still coming backto joining the party. So forthat reason the party hasdrawn up a blue print on howto manage the crisis becauseI still remember sometimeslast month that the nationalchairman embarked on atour of the country fornational reconciliation. Iwas part of the team inBauchi, and we knew whattranspired. I am telling you,before 2015, that a lotpeople even including thosefrom other political partieswill join the PDP.

Is it true that theacting governormasterminded the sackof the former principalofficers of the house?

There is no way any bodywould have said that thechange in the leadership ofthe house of Assembly wasmasterminded by the ActingGovernor. You know thatthere is clear cut separationsof power between thelegislature and theexecutive. Like I did say, itis a legislative process, andall over the world that isbeing done. It is not as if it isnew. You can see that inNiger State over time in aweek they had about threeSpeakers. So, what I amtrying to tell you is thatthose that were saddled withthe responsibilities to steerthe House of Assembly arenot better than anybody;like I did say, we are firstamong equals. It can beanybody. And by the timethe honourable membersobserve that those that theyhave been asked to steer orto pilot the affairs of theAssembly have out-livedtheir usefulness, definitelythey can effect change andthat’s exactly whathappened. It has nothing todo what the acting Governor.

“You know crises are inevitable in anyorganization because crises are part of

organization right from ages. In annals ofhuman history, even the European and the

American nations, we all know are centers ofcrises even before now. So crisis is part of any

governance

PAGE 39PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

Transport Minister pledgessupport for WILAT NigeriaMinister of Transport,

Senator Idris Umar,has expressed his

ministry’s readiness to supportWomen in Logistics and Transport(WILAT), in their quest to enhanceprofessionalism and careeradvancement.

The Minister noted that womenhave demonstrated a resolve to playkey roles in the nation’sdevelopment of the critical sectorsof the economy.

Umar, who spoke throughAlhaji Suleiman Nagogo, at theoccasion of WILAT’s Day, said that,“I am happy to state here thatWILAT Nigeria offers communityservices especially to women andchildren concerning

transportation.“As the patron of the Chartered

Institute of Logistics and Transportas well as WILAT-Nigeria, let meassure you of my unwaveringsupport and cooperation.

“What you require most is theenabling political and socialenvironment to realize yourpotentials.

“Having realized theimportance of women in nationbuilding generally and in thetransport industry in particular,there is the need to encourage andempower them so as to enable themmake optimal utilisation of theirpotentials for sustainable socio-economic development.”

Also speaking, Minister ofWomen Affairs, Hajia ZainabMaina, described WILAT as anorganization of highflying women

By Jamila Nuhu Musa

NHIS: Bauchi spends N800m on civil servants

Man docked for allegedly killing brother with “charmed ring”From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

A 32 years old civilservant, Ismaila Ahmedwas on yesterday

arraigned before a Lokoja ChiefMagistrate Court I, for allegedlykilling his younger brother, IliyasuAhmed, with a “charmed ring.”

Ahmed of Inoziomi quarters inAdavi local government of thestate was charged with criminalconspiracy and culpable homicide,

punishable with death.According to the Police First

Information Report, the accusedwas alleged to have on October 27,2012 at about 6.30 pm, beaten thedeceased “with criminal charmring” and his brother slumped anddied.

The deceased, according to theprosecution, was involved in afight with one Buhari Abdullahi(now at large) when the accused,in the bid to separate the fight, beat

his brother, the accused pleadednot guilty to the charges.

Prosecuting police officer,Samuel Ikutanwa, urged the courtto remand the accused in prisoncustody, saying that investigationinto the matter was still going on.

Counsel to the accused, MuazuAbbas, appealed to the court togrant the accused bail saying thatthe court had the power to remandor release as he urged the court toexercise its discretion in favour of

who pioneer new frontiers forNigerian women.

Maina who was represented byMrs. Iran Ajufo added that, “sinceits inaugural flag off in June 2010,its members have been involved ina lot of enlightenment campaignsas well as advocacy programmesthat have helped in the mentoringof young female students in Logisticsand Transport in higherinstitutions so as catch them young.

“WILAT has also helped in policyformulation, offering communityservices for women and children inthe transport area, educating thegeneral public on safety precautionsin transport as well as gettinginvolved in voluntary traffic controlwhen the need arises”.

WILAT, a Non GovernmentalOrganization (NGO) was establishedto tackle matters concerning women

and to also help them progress intheir various careers so that theycan contribute their quota tonational development.

It is the first and largest femalegroup within the CharteredInstitute of Logistics and Transport.

The founder of WILAT, AishaAli-Ibrahim, expressed concernover women who work in insecureenvironment, saying they neededto be protected in order for them toput in their best.

On her part, ManagingDirector, Ports and TerminalOperations Ltd in Rivers state, Mrs.Lizze Ovbude, lamented thatthough the Nigerian PortsAuthority (NPA) has been inexistence since 1955, not manywomen have ascended the toprungs of the organization’sleadership ladder.

Bauchi state governmenthas expended over N800million on the National

Health Insurance Scheme(NHIS), for its civil servants,according to the Head ofService, Abdon Gin.

Gin spoke at the weekendwhen he received members ofthe Executive Committeemembers of the Bauchi statechapter of Nigeria Associationof Women Journalists(NAWOJ) led by itschairperson, Hajia KaltumeAbdulahi Shall.

According to Gin, about14,000 civil servants have sofar benefitted from the schemesince its introduction in 2009.

In order to sustain thescheme as well as make iteffective, Gin said his office setup a committee onrevitalization of NHIS in thestate.

He appealed to civilservants to assist governmentby giving their contributionfor the sustenance of thescheme noting that,“government has beenshouldering the expenses aloneand we want you to assist bycontributing your five percent.”

He expressed thedetermination of thegovernment to support NAWOJprogrames to enable them

From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

the accused.He said that the accused before

his arraignment was on police bailand also tendered a letter writtento the court by one Suleiman S.Obadegba, uncle to the deceased,of the family’s intention not topursue the case.

The Chief Magistrate, LeviAnimoku, in his ruling released theaccused on bail in the sum ofN100,000 with a reliable suretywho must be resident in Lokoja.

Gombe state governmenthas concluded anarrangement to train

1000 youth in its ultra modernskills acquisitioncentres located at Lubo,Tongo, Kashere and Ture mai.

The Commissioner of YouthEmpowerment and PovertyAlleviation, Alhaji Mijin YawaSani Labaran, who dropped thehint at the weekend, said theprogramme falls in line withthe project of GovernorIbrahim Hassan Dankwambo’syouth empowerment scheme.

He said the state would sooncommence recruitment theyouth who will participate inthe three months programme.

The Commissioner alsoexplained that at the end of thetraining, the stategovernment will provide eachtrainee with appropriateresettlement kits to assist themsetting up their businesses.

He said that the FederalGovernment’s NationalIndustrial Skills DevelopmentProgramme had made effort tofast track the achievement ofthe National IndustrialRevolution under the FederalMinistry of Trade andInvestment.

achieve their aims andobjectives.

Speaking earlier theNAWOJ commended the Headof Service for ensuring a goodworking relationship between

the state government and civilservants saying, “we are notunaware if your role incementing the existing cordialrelationship betweengovernment and workers in the

state and we hope you willmaintain the spirit.

“The Bauchi state Governorhas made history by being thefirst state under the presentdispensation to disburse loans

of brand new cars and othergestures to its workers as wellas ensure that differentcategories of workers undergotraining g within and outsidethe country.”

Gombe set totrain youth onskill acquisition From David Hassan, Gombe

L-R: Founder/Chairperson, Women in Logistics and Transport (WILAT) Nigeria, Mrs Aisha Ali-Ibrahim, former Chairman, Senate Committeeon Environment, Senator Grace Bent, and a Director in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Iran Ajufo, during WILAT DAY celebration, at theWeekend, in Abuja. Photo: Jamila Nuhu Musa

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013PAGE 40

L-R: Senator Mohammed Mohammed, and Hon. Mohammed Mungonu, during AllNigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) National Convention, recently in Guzau, Zamfara state.

L-R: President, Association of Pathologist of Nigeria, Dr. Kanneth Iregbu, and President,Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Osahon Enabulele, during a media briefingon misinformation of the general public on issues about NMA, yesterday in Abuja.

hoto: Justin Imo-Owo

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Lagos state Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture, OlufunmilayoBalogun, Lagos state Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, MohammedOyinlomo, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Aderemi Ibirogba, and RonkeOsho, during a press briefing by Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture, recently inLagos. Photo: Olawale Rotimi

Students of Adamawa state Polytechnic in Yola, busy parking their belongings followinga heavy rainstorm that destroyed their hostels yesterday. Photo: NAN

L-R: PermanentSecretaryMinistry ofHealth, Mrs.FatimahBamidele,CaptainOluwaleOkegbenroOkedigba, hisnew wife,daughter ofMajority Leader,House ofRepresentatives,Hon. MulikatAkande,OluwadamilolaOnyeche, andBrigadier-General O.D.Okedigba (rtd),during themarriageceremony ofCaptainOluwale andOluwadamilola,at the weekendin Abuja.

Photo JoeOroye

PAGE 41PEOPLES DAILY, TUES DAY, MAY 21, 2013

Moses, Kalu out of World Cup qualifying,Mexico clashes as Ejide, Ujah arrive

Chelsea and Super Eaglesattacking midfielderVictor Moses and Kalu

Uche are out of the high-profileinternational friendly withMexico, the World Cupqualifying matches againstKenya and Namibia and theFIFA Confederations Cuptournament.

Both players are ruled outbecause of injury. Moses, whowas outstanding in the NationsCup finals where the Eaglesemerged champions, is excusedto go for treatment for hisrecurring injury.

Also, Uche too said on theadvice of his doctor he neededtime off to attend to an injurythat he had endured while theTurkish League was in session.The midfielder may likelyundergo minor surgery.

Ironically though, Chelseasay Moses will be with thesquad at their pre-season tourof USA to be monitored byclosely by doctors, but wouldnot participate in the

tour.According to Demola

Olajire, Head Coach StephenKeshi was anything but happyover the developmentespecially as it was said that the

players did not inform himbefore now.

"We have the players todeliver the World Cup ticket, andto make Nigerians proud inBrazil," he said nonetheless.

Meanwhile, goalkeeperAustin Ejide was the firstforeign-based professional to

hit the camp in Germany,and was soon followed by strikerAnthony Ujah.

The duo are to team up withcolleagues for the Mexico, 2014World Cup qualifying matchesand the FIFA Confederations Cuptournament. Vincent Enyeamahad earlier arrived in camp.

CHAN: Eagles to hostCote d'Ivoire July 6

following Nigeria's triumph at theAfrica Cup of Nations in South Africaand the Super Eagles' involvementin the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil2013 same month of June it wasmoved forward.

Nigeria have never played in theAfrican Nations Championship,which is the continentaltournament for players based on theAfrican continent.

The first edition was staged byCote d'Ivoire in 2009 with DR Congoemerging champions, while Tunisiawas triumphant at the secondedition staged by Sudan in 2011.

Next year's showpiece will be thebiggest in the competition's history,with 16 teams to take part for thefirst time, double the number thattook part in the first twochampionships.

By Patrick Andrew

Kalu Uche, out Anthony Uja, in Victor Moses, out

Igali, other presidents for IOC Assembly to defend wrestling

President of the NigeriaWrestling Federation(NWF) Daniel Igali and

other heads of wrestlingfederations are to attend theInternational OlympicCommittee (IOC) GeneralAssembly in St PetersburgRussia to argue against theexclusion of wrestling from the2020 Olympics.

The meeting is slated fornext weekend. Though the final

session of the General Assemblywhere representatives areexpected to vote would hold onSeptember 9 this year inBuenos Aires, Argentina,efforts are on to garner supportsfor the retention of the game.

Disclosing this to PeoplesDaily Sports in Abuja, thenewly elected President saidexclusion of the game would bedetrimental wrestling andnoted however that the IOCwould overturn the decision.

"The International

By AlbertAkota Wrestling Federation hasconstituted a five- mancommittee to peruse theearlier decision and makerecommendation to the IOC. Iam one of those representingAfrica. We will have a meetingin St. Petersburg in 10 daystime. Later, we will be meetingwith the IOC officials to makepresentation.

"We are very hopeful thatthat the decision againstwrestling will not stand.However, we still want to do

our own part."Wrestling can't be

eliminated because they are202 national federations thatare affiliated to it and we haveabout 71 countries thatcompeted in wrestling in thelast Olympic.

"They want to eliminatewrestling that has been therebefore the birth of Christ is notpossible. What happened thatled to the elimination waspolitics, and I don't want to gointo that," he said.

The Lagos State Governmenthas contracted the services of106 coaches to help discover

and nurture athletes to nationaland international standards and toimplement the 144 developmentalprogrammes recently approved.

The state Commissioner forYouths, Sports and SocialDevelopment, Wahid Enitan-Oshodi, in a statement yesterdaysaid that the employment was withimmediate effect.

The statement said that thecoaches were on contract, to putthem on their toes and enable themto work assiduously, in tune withthe efforts of the state governmentto develop sports in all spheres.

``The coaches are employed oncontract so that we will know thosethat are working and those who arenot and their contract will berenewed based on theirperformance.

``Any of the coaches who did notperform optimally to improve theathletes shall be relieved of his or herduty.

``Contract agreement is what isin tune in the sporting world todayand this to ensure that they are notdormant but are active in their jobs''the statement said.

Oshodi said the state was readyto host competitions and thusexercise its facilities and offer athleteschance for exposure.

"Our infrastructure is of topquality which will enable the stateto host more sportingchampionships.

``Hosting competitions wouldalso help us to sustain the tempo ofactivities that were witnessed duringthe hosting of the 18th NationalSports Festival last year.

``This would go a long way inensuring that the state becomes adestination for sports and tourism,like other mega-cities in the world,"the statement said.

Lagos contracts106 coaches forathletes' training

Adamu saysSupersandEagles won'tunderrateopponents

Eagles departed the country onSunday for Morocco.

It would be recalled that 12players were selected from the18 players that were called intothe Badagry camp inpreparation for the 2013 BeachSoccer World Cup in Tahiti.

"Being Africa's number onein Beach soccer and as one ofthe most respected teams inAfrica, we are working roundthe clock to ensure that wemaintain the status quo.

``We will not underrate anyteam in this tournamentbecause if we do, it will be atour own peril,'' he said stressingthat after playing threefriendly games the team shouldbe mentally ready to face anyopponents.

``We played three friendlymatches when we were at theBadagry camp. The boys areready, confident, but not overconfident; we wil l handleeach team same way, ' ' thecoach added.

He said that the team hadto travel earlier in order toacclimatise and to be fit inbefore the competit ionproper.

It would be recalled thatSupersand Eagles were firstrunner up in 2011 inCasablanca after losing toSenegal by 7-4.

The team have qualif iedfor World Cup four times in arow, while Senegal andCameroun made three andtwo appearances, respectively.

Audu Adamu, Head Coachto the Super Sand Eagles,said yesterday that the

team would not underrate anyteam at the Africa Beach SoccerChampionship in Casablanca,Morocco

The competition isscheduled to kick-off on May 22in Casablanca, while the Sand

Nigeria's home-grownSuper Eagles will host theElephants of Cote d'Ivoire

between 6th and 7th July in the firstof a two-leg qualifying fixture fornext year's African NationsChampionship, the Confederation ofAfrican Football has decided.

This was contained in CAF's letterto the Nigeria Football Federation,which indicated that the return legwill come up in the Ivorian capital,Abidjan, between 27th and 28thJuly.

Initially, the first leg of thequalifying fixture was fixed for June,

PAGE 42 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

Director urges boards members to surpass predecessors

successful tenure.``And they should not also fail

The Akwa Ibom Director ofSports, Anedi Dickson,has appealed to the newly-

elected board members of thevarious sports federations in thecountry to endeavour to performbetter than their predecessors.

Dickson said that the newboards' members should ensurethat surpassing the achievementsof their predecessors should be theirtarget.

``Nigerians will not beexpecting anything less from thenewly-elected board members andwould also not expect them to falterin discharging their duties.

``The new board membersshould ensure that they do better

Hopkins, 48, todefend IBF title JulyThe oldest boxing champion

to win a 'world' title,Bernard Hopkins, will

defend his IBF light-heavyweight title against KaroMurat- a German- in Brooklyn,New York, on July 13.

Hopkins, who will be 49 inJanuary next year, broke hisown record of being the oldestchampion in boxing, by nearlytwo years in March when hewon a unanimous decision overTavoris Cloud to win anothertitle.

He confirmed in April that hewould take on mandatorychallenger Murat in his nextfight. New Golden BoyPromotions have announcedthat the bout will take place atthe Barclays Centre.

Murat, a 29-year-old ofArmenian heritage, has aprofessional record of 25-1-1,with 15 knockouts. His onlydefeat was in 2010 againstWelshman Nathan Cleverly.

In his most recent bout, inJune last year, he stopped SandroSiproshvili, a Czech.

Hopkins, whose record standsat 53-6 with two drawn and 32knockouts, had to face Murat orforfeit the title under terms of adeal that allowed him to step infront of Murat to challengeCloud.

"Murat has nothing to loseand everything to gain byfighting me," Hopkins said onSunday. "He knows he is fightinga 48-year-old, but he has tounderstand that there aren'tany other 48-year-olds like me."

Murat said he was lookingforward to sending Hopkins intoretirement. "His biggest strengthis his experience, but I will revealhis weaknesses in front of his ownfans," the challenger said. "I willbe in the best shape of my life."

Gloria Moses, a gold medallistat the 2011 National SportsFestival, has vowed to fly the

country's flag at the podium duringthe 2014 Commonwealth Games inGlasgow.

According to her, she hopes notjust to represent Nigeria at the Gamesbut bring her podium honours.

``My target is to represent thecountry at the Games, and I need towork hard to make my countryproud because it takes commitmentand hard work to achieve success,''the weightlifter said.

Further, she appealed to thenewly re-constituted board of theNigeria Weightlifting Federation(NWF) to ensure that lifters arehenceforth availed of regularcompetitions to sharpen their skills.

Moses lamented the inadequatecompetitions and stressed thatnational federation's elections held inAbuja on May 13 had temporarilydiverted focus.

``Now that the nationalfederation's election andinauguration has been concluded,the boards should assist us by ensuringthat competitions are organised.

``Such competitions are meantto appraise our level of development.Aside from winning medals, wereally need to be kept busy from nowonwards,'' she said.

According to her, she won threegold medals at the 2011 festival - theGarden City Games.

She noted that some of athletesthat excelled at the EKO 2012 in thesport were discovered at the nationalcompetitions organised across thecountry.

Moses, then urged coaches in thesport not to r̀est in their oars', in thetraining of athletes ahead of majorcompetitions.

Moses promisesNigeria C'wealthGames medalredemption

No fewer than 100secondary students areparticipating at the four-

day Lagos State Judo Association(LSJA) coaching clinic whichbegan yesterday at the MobolajiJohnson Sports Centre, Yaba,Lagos.

Harrison Amoye, one of theinstructors, said that the mainobjective for inviting the studentswas to introduce them to the basicsof the sport.

Amoye stressed that therudiments of the sport, at the earlystage, would stimulate thestudents' interest and enable themto pick a career in the sport.

He said that the clinic, aninitiative of the state judoassociation, was to introduce thesport to the schools, in order to``catch them young.''

``When the technicalities of thesport is introduced to them, thiswill stimulate their interest, thenwe are sure of discovering some ofthem and nurturing them for thefuture,'' Amoye said.

The clinic, scheduled to end onThursday, is organised by LSJAand sponsored by De-United FoodsLtd, makers of Indomie Noodles.

100 studentsattend Lagos JudoCoaching Clinic

Bernard Hopkins

Nigerian youth athletes after winning the 100m dash in Warri

to learn from the mistakes of theprevious board members," he said.

The director noted thatalthough some boards were re-elected, while others are newly-elected, they should all work for theprogress of the various sports theyadminister.

He advised the various sportsfederations to ensure that theyregularly engaged athletes incompetitions and not to solelydepend on the National SportsCommission (NSC) for their sourceof funding for events.

``Federations are to ensure thatthey engage athletes as often aspossible in competitions, so thatathletes remain focused andencouraged.

``Sport federations do not haveto depend on the government forits funding, but should endeavourto seek funding from corporatebodies or membership sponsorshipof tournaments," Dickson said.

The NSC on May 14, conductedelections into the various boards ofthe sports federations in Abuja.

than their predecessors becauseonly that way can they have a

Taekwondoiststask new boardon regulartourneys

Taekwondoists yesterday inLagos, tasked GeorgeAshiru, the newly-elected

President, Nigeria TaekwondoFederation (NTF), to ensure regularcompetitions in the federation.

They urged the new board towork harder than their predecessorsto be able to surpass the past recordsand achievements of the formerboard.

According to them, it is time thelost glory of the federation is restoredthrough the grooming andnurturing of discovered talents inthe game to stardom.

Adaeze Asigbe, a fin weighttaekwondoist, said that regularcompetitions would aid athletes tobe in good form to excel in bothnational and internationallycompetitions.

She added that regularcompetitions were yardstick tomeasure the performance ofcoaches.

``Only regular competitions canhelp discover good athletes and helpcoaches to know if they areperforming or not, I urge the newboard to ensure they organise morecompetitions,'' she said.

Musa Fasasi, a welterweighttaekwondoist urged the new boardto organise regular coaching clinicsfor coaches, referees andtaekwondoists to update their skillson the current rules and regulationsof the game.

He stressed that such clinics wouldengender athletes to excel atinternational competitions and winlaurels for the country.

``Apart from regular coachingclinics, I believe coaches and refereeshave the technical abilities to discoverworld class athletes, they should begiven the free hand to operate,'' he said.

Alimat Animashaun, alightweight athlete said that the NTFshould procure more modernequipment and exposed athletes tothem.

She also said that the sport hadgone scientific adding that athletesmust be in tune with the modern trendfor them to excel at internationalcompetitions.

``I always marvelled at themodern equipment our foreigncounterparts used for training when Iwatch their video, compared withwhat we have here, I hope the NTFcan follow suit,'' she said.

PAGE 43PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

Mourinho had to go, can RealMadrid be better off without himThe Portuguese's position

had become untenable inrecent weeks, especially

after Friday's debacle in the CopaDel Rey. Now he's leaving, butthe club can grow strongerwithout him

The Portuguese was sent off,admitted he had been a failurethis term, snubbed the King ofSpain and abused the referee inthe car park, his exit was merelya matter of time.

It has not been all bad in theselast three seasons: Madridclaimed the Copa Del Rey bybeating Barcelona in his firstcampaign, won La Liga with arecord points total (100) lastterm and also added the SpanishSupercopa in the currentcampaign.

But much more was expectedfrom the 50-year-old in terms oftrophies and, in any case, it isthe damage done off the pitchwhich will have forcedFlorentino Perez to cut ties withthe man in which he placedalmost unconditional faith threeyears ago in an attempt todethrone Barca and bring LaDecima to the capital club.

Mourinho failed to bring a10th trophy in Europe's premierclub competition, losing out inthree successive semi-finals, andhe leaves a long line ofcontroversies which madeyesterday's announcement theonly option for Perez as heattempts to save face in asummer when elections will beheld at the Santiago Bernabeu(even though there are unlikelyto be any other candidates).

The Portuguese has causedcontroversy almost from theoutset. In his three years, he haspublicly attacked players, fans,journalists, Madrid's youth-teamcoach, the board, referees, rivalsand almost everyone elseimaginable.

And this term, his decision todrop club captain IkerCasillas hasled to deep divisions within theplaying squad. There was no wayback after that.

Friday only served toexacerbate the bad feeling.Mourinho's fantastic final recordwas blemished by defeat toAtletico at the Bernabeu, of allplaces, as the Portuguese becamethe first coach in 14 years to losea match against the team's cross-city rivals.

A punished Pepe was left out,while a sad Casillas watched onfrom the bench. Chaos ensued asMadrid lost their heads and evenCristiano Ronaldo was sent off forkicking out at Gabi.

And Mourinho was unable tofind dignity in defeat as hebemoaned bad luck, claimedAtletico had been fortunate,refused to pick up his loser's medalfrom the King of Spain and abusedthe referee before leaving undera cloud.

It was a cloud that could neverbe lifted and Florentino, himself

jeered by a section of Madrid fans in theaftermath of the damaging defeat, knew hehad to act.

"The achievements of this season have notbeen sufficient for the demands of a club suchas Real Madrid or a coach like Mourinho," Perezexplained at a press conference. And he added:

Every coach has his personality. Has hemade mistakes sometimes? Sure. He himselfrecognises that, but the level of pressure he isunder is not normal. There have also beentimes when he has passed the limits of what isnormal."

The timing of the announcement was alsoshrouded in significance because Monday wasCasillas' 32nd birthday. And for the Madridcaptain, Mourinho's exit represents the bestpossible present.

For Florentino, a man who hasmade his millions in construction,it is time to build again. Andalthough Mourinho's sidestraditionally struggle when hemoves on (as seen at Porto,Chelsea and Inter), Madrid's solidbase means the club can havereason to believe in a successfulseason under their new coach(likely to be Carlo Ancelotti) nextterm.

Some players will leave thissummer, but Mourinho's movewill allow old wounds to heal,while Casillas can be quicklyrestored to his rightful place inthe Madrid goal.

In defense, Sergio Ramos andRaphael Varane can be thefoundation for a strong side,while promising right-backDaniCarvajal is set to return tothe club after a year in theBundesliga to solve what has beena problem position under thePortuguese.

Madrid'sAchievement

Mourinho's honours

Jose Mourinho

In midfield, Luka Modriclooks the part, while CristianoRonaldo will be the flagship of thenext sporting project and funds arelikely to be made available for a newstar striker, too.

So the new coach inherits a topteam with some of the world's finestfootballers and the chance to makethem even better.

Proper man-managementshould solve many of the currentproblems and with a more elaboratetactical plan to boot (and not just acounter-attacking system), the skyis the limit for this Madrid team.

Mourinho had to go and now theclub can move onwards andupwards, with much moredignity too. And if they do so, heis unlikely to be missed.

The Portuguese has causedcontroversy almost from theoutset. In his three years, he

has publicly attacked players,fans, journalists, Madrid's

youth-team coach, the board,referees, rivals and almosteveryone else imaginable.

“

PAGE 44 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

Jinzhe shocks three Olympic championsto set new World-leading record

Li Jinzhe

before the first hurdle in the 110m Hurdles, Carmelita Jeter exited thetrack on a stretcher after finishing third in the 100m and RutgerSmith suffered a severe leg injury in the Discus.

The race, won by 2011 World champion Jason Richardson in 13.23from Ryan Wilson (13.25) and Xie Wenjun (a personal best 13.28),had been dramatic from onset.

Merritt's injury had been expected. He had adopted a precautionarymeasure following his cramping sensations in his right hamstring inthe warm-up.

On the other hand, Jeter clutched her thigh as she hobbled throughthe last few steps of her 100m, won by Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in aworld lead of 10.93. Smith fell in the Discus circle and it is feared hemay have ruptured an achilles tendon.

Li's winning distance of 8.34m came in the fourth round and hepassed his final two attempts. He had to watch nervously as AleksandrMenkov produced a big last-round effort, but when the jump wasmeasured at 8.31m, victory went to Li.

Li missed the Chinese national record 8.40m, set by Lao Jianfengback in 1997, by just six centimetres. No problem, he will try again atthe Beijing World Challenge meeting, he said.

After that, "I will try to win a medal at the World Championships,"said the 23-year-old, who now goes to fourth on the Chinese all-timelist.

early in the race to mid-field in afield of 16 with a lap to go.

At the bell, Kiprop was givingthe leaders - including SilasKiplagat, Abdelaati Iguider, NickWillis and Gebremedhin - 10metres. But he closed down theback-straight then surged off thefinal bend to pass his rivals one byone.

Collins Cheboi took third placein 3:32.96. Willis fell as he clippedKiplagat in the straight but got upto finish 13th in 3:40.72.

In men's Steeplechase andwomen's 800m, World juniorchampion Conseslus Kipruto out-pointed Paul Kipsiele Koech andHillary Yego over the last lap to winin 8:01.16, also a meeting record.He remains No.2 on the worldjunior all-time list and puts him justtwo-and-a-half seconds away fromthe World junior record.

Francine Niyonsabaimpressively won the women's800m in 2:00.33, ahead of JanethJepkosgei and Malika Akkaoui.

An 87.60m world lead took2007 World champion TeroPitkamaki to a narrow victory inthe men's Javelin. The Finn hadpreviously held the world lead at86.40m.

Second-placed Vitezslav Vesely

… James, Dibaba, Kiprop, Pitkamaki win loaded events

The men's Long Jump was oneof several quality events inShanghai.

Kirani James has carried allbefore him the past two seasons,winning the World Championshipsand Olympic titles at a precociouslyyoung age.

Things do not get any easier,however. Here he faced Londonminor medallists Luguelin Santosand Lalonde Gordon, as well asformer World and Olympicchampion LaShawn Merritt.

James had made up the staggeron Merritt as they came onto thefinal bend. Briefly the pair ran instep before the young Grenadianpulled away to win in 44.02.Merritt beat Santos for second,44.60 to 45.11.

James's time equalled themeeting record set by JeremyWariner in 2007 and is the fastestever 400m time witnessed at aDiamond League meeting. Jamesis the only non-US athlete to havebroken 44 seconds for 400m andhe has started 2013 in the samemanner he finished the Olympicyear.

The women's 5000m pittedOlympic champion Meseret Defaragainst Ethiopian teammateGenzebe Dibaba and Kenyan pair

threw 86.67m to also better theprevious world lead while DmitriyTarabin threw 85.36m for third.Olympic champion KeshornWalcott could manage no betterthan 79.02m for sixth, while hispredecessor in 2004 and 2008,Andreas Thorkildsen, failed toregister a valid throw.

Mutaz Essa Barshim beatBohdan Bondarenko in the men'sHigh Jump on count-back, clearing2.33m on the first attempt asagainst Bondarenko's second.

In Doha last FridayBondarenkowon from Barshim, so the two nowlead the Diamond Race with sixpoints apiece. The pair also equalled

the meeting record of 2.33m set byYaroslav Rybakov in 2006.

Yelena Isinbayeva took only twojumps to win the women's PoleVault. In her second attempt, shesoars over 4.70m which left herwell clear of Mary Saxer's personalbest 4.60m and Silke Spiegelburg's4.55m.

Caterine Ibarguen started thewomen's Triple Jump with 14.35m,a distance immediately topped byher closest rival, Olha Saladukhawith 14.43m. Ibarguen progressedto a world lead 14.69m in the thirdround while her rival stuttered tothree consecutive fouls

Genzebe Dibaba Conselus Kipruto

Schwanitzalerts AdamasMalachowskiclose toworld leadsChristina Schwanitz set

new markers in thewomen's Shot Put with

her first throw to land the shotat a personal best 19.76m, withher second she cracked the 20mmark with 20.12m and in herfifth throw she was set newrecord with 20.20m.

Three personal bests wereclose enough to Valerie Adams'world lead 20.37m. And itseems we may not wait for longbefore Schwanitz challengesthe dominance of Adams.

Shaken in Shanghai wasGong Lijiao, a bronze medallistat last year's London Olympicsand a fixture in the top five atglobal championships since theOlympics before that in Beijingin 2008. Gong took second with1 9 . 7 3 m .

Piotr Malachowski allowedno such shock as he led themen's Discus after three roundswith his 64.33m then explodedto a 67.34m in the fourthround, a distance bettered thisyear only by Australia's BennHarradine who threw 68.20min Townsville on 10 May.

Beijing Olympic championGerd Kanter was second with63.14m and Robert Urbanekthird with 62.85m.

Olympic bronze medallistWarren Weir won the 200m in20.18 from the fast-finishingJustin Gatlin (20.21) andJason Young (20.22).

In the women's 400mHurdles, Zuzana Hejnovafinished strongly to beat AngelaMorosanu, 53.79 to 53.85,both under the previous worldlead.

Caterine Ibarguan

Shanghai IAAF Diamond League

Li Jinzhe,shocked top stars atthe Shanghai DiamondLeague over the weekend to

set one of the four new and nineworld-leads meets records.Cautiously, he first leapt 7.91m,then 7.93m inn the second andfinally 8.20m to dust LondonGames' Greg Rutherford; Beijing,Irving Saladino; and Athens,Dwight Phillips, champions.

The other world leads camefrom Kirani James in the 400m,Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in the100m, an (outdoor lead) fromFrancine Niyonsaba in the 800m,from Genzebe Dibaba in the5000m, Conseslus Kipruto in the3000m Steeplechase, ZuzanaHejnova in the 400m Hurdles,Caterine Ibarguen in the TripleJump and Tero Pitkamaki in the

Javelin.As part of the excitement of the

Shanghai meet, Olympicchampion and World record-holder Aries Merritt pulled up

PUBLIC NOTICE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVENAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRSCOMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART 'C'OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE:1. SAMA’ILA BARAU MAIGORO2. HALIMA ISMAIL BARAU3. SANI ISHAQ BARAU

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES AMENDED1. TO PROMOTE ENTERPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT AMONG THEYOUTH.2. TO ASSIST THE LESS PRIVILEGE IN EDUCATIONALDEVELOPMENT.3. TO ENCOURAGE THE YOUTH AND THE LESS PRIVILEGE IN BOTHEDUCATION AND ENTERPRENEURSHIP.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BEFORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED;BARR. MUHAMMAD NASIRU SIDI

08034523532

THE MAIGORO SEED FOUNDATIONThis is to inform the general publicof the loss of land document of plot2, Karsana North Distuct with FileNo. 106472, issued to one Amb (Dr)Yohanna Y. D Margif being issuedto him by Yakudi and sons NigeriaLimited, Alla effort made to tracethe above proved abortive if oundplease contact the earest policestation.

LOSS OF DECUMENTSylvia Kibet and ViolaKibiwot.

Defar led into thefinal lap before Dibabaproduced a stunningburst with 200m to go.She sprinted clear tocomplete a 59-secondfinal lap and win in aworld lead of 14:45.92from Defar (14:47.76)and Kibiwot (14:48.29).Eight women broke 15minutes.

Asbel Kiprop seems tobe condemned to runinteresting races. Thistime, he snatched a last-stride win in the 1500mfrom MekonnenGebremedhin, 3:32.39to 3:32.43, but onlyafter going from third

PAGE 45PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

2] Paralympic gold medallist Oscar Pistorius will not compete again this year as heawaits trial for murder.

3] Daniel Vettori could play in the second Test against England after joining theNew Zealand squad earlier than planned.

4] Rafael Nadal dropped only four games as he beat Roger Federer in 68 minutes towin his seventh Italian Open title.

5] PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi believes that terms have been agreed betweenthe Italian and the Spanish club but says he will not allow his coach to departwithout talks

6] Shakhtar Donetsk's Fernandinho has revealed that he wants to join ManchesterCity. The Brazilian replied to a question from a City fan on Twitter and confirmedhe hopes to move to Manchester

pictorial

Lionel Messi has reaffirmed hiscommitment to Barcelona, claimingthat he "has never thought aboutplaying for any other club.

2

3

4

5

1

6

PAGE 46 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

Iheagwam wants focused athletes at IAAF WYC

Enyimba's difficultmoments will be oversoon, coach assures

Salisu Yusuf, Head Coach,Enyimba FC of Aba, hasassured that the team would

soon overcome its difficultmoments in the NigeriaProfessional Football League(NPFL).

Giving the assuranceyesterday, Yusuf said after theteam's 2-0 victory over BayelsaUnited at home in Aba, that theplayers have been improvingwith each game.

He urged the club'ssupporters to be patient with theteam, saying that it had startedimproving performance athome. The bashed Kano Pillars3-0 before the latest win.

Enyimba players wearing mournful faces after an unrewarding game

"We are more worried thanyou are are even the technicalcrew members are not sleeping,all in an effort to make thingswork.

``We are aware of theimportant task facing us, butthe teeming supporters shouldshow more support now, morethan ever and give us thechance to improve, which wehave since started,'' Yusuf said.

However, he said thatinjuries were taking a toll on theplayers and affecting theirgame even as he coachchallenged the players to finishthe season strongly, as theychase their seventh league title.

He said that the players' 50per cent salary slash by the clubmanagement had made themto sit up.

It would be recalled that themanagement of the team madegood its threat to levy sanctionson the team, following its StateFA Cup final 0-1 loss to AbiaWarriors on May 5.

On his part, Enyimba'sExecutive Chairman, FelixAnyansi Agwu, told newsmenin Aba last month that it wasthe club's decision at itsmeeting on May 6.

``The time for talking isover and the time for action,strong actions, has come,''Agwu declared.

He said that the salaries ofthe players have been slashedby 50 per cent and they wereno longer allowed to drive theircars outside the club'spremises.

Zanna Mala, the TeamManager of theMaiduguri-based El-

kanemi Warriors, hasdismissed speculations thatthe club would lose its statusin the elite premier leagueand be relegated especiallyfollowing its non-encouragingoutings in the league.

Mala disclosed this inMaiduguri stressing that theclub will pick up as the seasonprogresses adding that so farthe players' performanceshave been promising.

``We will remain in thepremier league at the end ofthe season no doubt. I canassure you that El-kanemiwil l not go on relegat ionbecause we have all it takesto excel,'' he said.

Mala blamed some of theclub's poor outings onteething problems, sayingthat the management wasdoing everything possible torectify the problems.

``We have real ised thatthe c lub lacks goodattackers . We are a lreadyworking on the problem andhopefully we will be able toget new players in theupcoming transfer window,''he said.

Mala said that themanagement would alsooverhaul the team at the endof the first half of the leagueto ensure effectiveness.

``I want to speci f ical lythank the state governmentfor its numerous support tothe team. I wi l l a lso thankthe supporters' club for theirpatience and support to theclub,'' he said.

The El-kanemi Warriorshad campaigned in the lowerdivision for about nine yearsbefore i t gained promotioninto the premier league in2 0 1 2

El-kanemiwon't goon, saysmanager

A retired athlete, TinaIheagwam, has advisedathletes for the July 10

to July 14 IAAF World YouthChampionships in the Ukraineto remain focused and be goodambassadors of the nation atthe meet.

Iheagwam, a 200m goldmedallist at the 1991 AllAfrica Games in Cairo, Egypt,said that the athletes, who arecurrently in camp at theUniversity of Port Harcourt,should not do anything totarnish the image of thecountry and their careers.

``All I am saying is thatthey should be focused and holdon to their dreams; they shouldbe good ambassadors becausetheir action will speak a lotabout them and the country.

``For them to have beencalled to camp means theyhave proven their worth, sothey should not lose the reasonfor being selected,'' she said.

According to her, this is thetime for the athletes to embracescholarship opportunities,saying athletes have theopportunity to winscholarships to further their

education abroad.``Depending on their

performance at internationalmeets, schools in Europe andthe U.S in particular, will be atthe venue to scout for talentedathletes for scholarships.

``Scholarships are therewaiting for them, the ball is intheir court to actually do theirbest,'' she noted.

Iheagwam urged theAthletics Federation of Nigeria(AFN) to tutor the athletes onthe disadvantage of usingperformance enhancingdrugs, saying for everycompetition, athletes should bewarned and taught theconsequences.

``If there are no initialwarnings about the damage

performance enhancing drugscan cause, it can cause alifetime effect to the athletes,especially for these youngathletes,'' she said.

According to her, theregular training for theathletes currently in camp inPort Harcourt for the meetshould include tutorials onavoiding banned substances.

3SC places technical crew under close watchThe board of Shooting Stars

Sports Club (3SC) ofIbadan yesterday

revealed that the team'stechnical crew has been underclose watch and could be sackedif they failed to meetexpectation.

Toyin Akintunde, theChairman of 3SC Board, whodisclosed this in Ibadan whileaddressing newsmen, said this

was sequel to the 2-0 homedefeat suffered by the team toHeartland of Owerri in a Week12 match of the NigeriaProfessional Football League(NPFL).

The technical team has asmembers Coaches BabatundeOdubola and Akeem Busari.

He added that the move wasalso to ascertain whether thetechnical crew would comply

with the decisions of the team'smanagement, having met allthe players' requirements.

``We all sat down to x-raythe match after the loss andthe players apologised for theerror, promising that theywill do well in subsequentmatches.

``We have taken a fewdecisions which are not forpublic consumption yet, and

for now we shall be watchingto see if things are the way wewant it to be,'' he said.

On the call by fans thatmembers of the technical crewbe changed, Akintunde said:``It is normal for fans to maketheir own request but is theduty of the management toknow what to do in situationslike these when results do notfavour the team.''

MightyJets sign8 newplayersMighty Jets of Jos have

recruited eight newplayers to strengthen its

squad ahead of the battle forpromotion into the Nigeria

Professional Football League (NPFL),an official of the club said.

Ferdinand Mbun, Media Officerof the club, confirmed yesterday inJos that the club's management tookthe decision after it found out thatthe team needed somereinforcements.

``The move became necessarywhen the technical crew discoveredat the end of the first stanza of theNigeria National League (NNL) thatsome players were no longer doingwell.

``The players recruited are twostrikers, four midfielders and twodefenders. The players were signedon during the transfer window of theNNL but have not played, since theyhave yet to be issued clearance to doso by their former clubs.

``Hopefully, some of them willfeature this weekend in our localderby against Plateau United of Jos,''he said.

The media officer said that theclub, which was promoted from theamateur division to the NNL lastseason, was still in contention forpromotion to the NPFL.

`̀ Jets are currently fifth on the log--- NNL group A, with 30 points from21 games.

`̀ We still have nine matches beforethe end of season. We believe that withthe new recruits, the team is in aposition to gain promotion,'' he added.

According to him, Jets' 3-0 winover visiting Kogi United of Lokoja atthe Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos onSunday was the beginning of the team'srebirth.

Mbun commended the PlateauGovernment for the support it wasgiving to the oldest club in the State.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, FORMALLY KNOWN AS YUSUF UMAR, NOW WISH TO BEKNOWN AND ADDRESS AS YUSUF MOH’D DAN BICHI.ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. KANO STATEPOLYTECHNIC AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

PAGE 47PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

A penguin colony makes its way back across a sea sprayed landscape, in Returning from the hunt,by Michael Lohmann. Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Say what?

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Some Interesting FactsSome Interesting Facts

SUDOKUSUDOKU

Every time you lick a stamp youconsume 1/10of a calorie. The pound sign # is calledanoctothorpe. There was once a town in WestVirginia called"6?. Napolean made his battle plans ina sandbox. Roman Emperor Caligula made hishorse asenator. If you ate too many carrots youwould turnorange. Pluto's orbit crosses Neptune'smaking Plutothe eighth planet from the sun. The earth is approx.6,588,000,000,000,000,000tons. The force of 1 billion peoplejumping at thesame time is equal to 500 tons of TNT. Popeye was 5?6. The first word spoken on the moonwas "Okay". Neil Armstrong stepped on themoon with hisleft foot first. The average speed of Heinzketchup leaving thebottle is 25 miles per year. The percent of women who washtheir handsafter leaving a restroom is 80%. The percent of men who washtheir hands afterusing a restroom is 55%.

The Eifel Tower has 2 500 000rivets in it. "Jaws" is the most common namefor a goldfish. On an average work day, a typist'sfingerstravel 12.6 miles. The longest word in the OldTestament isMalhershalahashbaz. The longest time a person hasbeen in a comais 37 years. 2500 lefties die each year usingproductsdesigned for righties. A baby is born every 7 seconds. 10 tons of space dust fall on theEartheveryday.

Animal breeders in Russia onceclaimed to have bredsheep with blue wool. A dog in East Africa says "woo-woo".

A dog in Bangkok says "bahk-bahk".

A dog in Japan says "wan-wan".

A dog in Russia says "gahf-gahft".

A cow in Thailand says "oo-ah"

A cat in Japon says "neow".

A cat in Thailand says "mao".

A pig Japan says "moo-moo".

A pig in Thailand says "oot-oot".

A pig in Russia sayds"ha-roo".

A rooster in Germany says "ay-ee-ache-ache"

Penguins are the only bird that canleap into the airlike porpoises.

India has 50 million monkeys.

By some unknown means, an iguanacan end its ownlife.

Pigs can cover a mile in 7.5 minuteswhen running attop speed.

On average,a 4 year old childasks 437questions a day. The threewords in theEnglish languagewiththe letters uu are:vacuum, residuum andcontinuum. A baby inFlorida, USA, wasnamed:

True will laughinglife bucky boomermanifest destiny. His middlename is GeorgeJames.

Every year thesun loses 360million tons.

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ADVERT:ADVERT:ADVERT:ADVERT:ADVERT: 0803 311 74580803 311 74580803 311 74580803 311 74580803 311 7458BUSINESS:BUSINESS:BUSINESS:BUSINESS:BUSINESS: 0805 689 17650805 689 17650805 689 17650805 689 17650805 689 1765NEWS:NEWS:NEWS:NEWS:NEWS: 0814 292 90460814 292 90460814 292 90460814 292 90460814 292 9046LAGOS:LAGOS:LAGOS:LAGOS:LAGOS: 0805 327 19690805 327 19690805 327 19690805 327 19690805 327 1969

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Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako,Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +234 814 292 9046. Cell: +234 802 443 2099; 803 7007 759.e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141

TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

QQQQQUOUOUOUOUOTTTTTABLE QABLE QABLE QABLE QABLE QUOUOUOUOUOTETETETETEExorcise the spirit of violence by never offering

violence in self defence. — Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu

Gowon, speaking at Eighth Synod of theChurch of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)

in Abuja

The father of formerManchester United playerand assistant coach of

England Gary Neville dad havebeen charged with sexual assault,prosecutors said yesterday.

The 63-year-old, who hasworked as an agent for his sons,will appear at a court outsideManchester, northwestEngland, next month.

The Neville brothers werepart of Manchester United'schampionship-winning teamsunder manager Alex Fergusonduring the 1990s and 2000s.

NazirAfzal, head of theCrown Prosecution Service innorthwest England, said:"Greater Manchester Police hasinvestigated an allegation ofsexual assault by Neville Nevillein March 2013.

"I have reviewed all theevidence that they havegathered and have authorizedthe police to charge him with onecount of sexual assault bypenetration against a 46-year-old woman.

Neville has been bailed toappear at Bury and RochdaleMagistrates' Court on June 12.

Having spent his entirecareer at Manchester United, heis now part of England managerRoy Hodgson's coaching squad.

Younger brother PhilNeville, 36, captains Evertonbut will leave the club when hiscontract ends next month. Thedefender-midfielder won 59England caps.

www.peoplesdailyng.com

. . . putting the people first

England coachdad charge withsexual assault

Emergency: GEJ has lost the plotAlright, we grant that the

insecurity situation that thenation faces is serious, if not

grave. We grant also that there isneed for taking tough measures toensure public security, a primaryresponsibility of governments.

We know, of course, that inpreparing to wage wars, countriesoften do, as part of the propagandalead-ups, take many deceptivemeasures, including especiallyexaggerating the threat posed bythe enemy, embellishing storiesabout the "crimes" or "sins"committed by the enemy andgenerally exploiting theamorphous fears and anxieties oftheir publics by demonizing theenemy and projecting the dread ofits possible victory. It is not unlikelythat there was some of this in thebuild-up to the declaration ofemergency by President Jonathanlast week.

But even if we make allowancefor all this, it will be difficult not toagree with the authorities thatfirm action was clearly indicatedby the situation on the ground inthe three states -Borno, Yobe andAdamawa-now under a state ofemergency.

As confirmed by evenindependent sources, theinsurgents had, seized considerablechunks of the Nigerian territorialarea in the North-East region (theepicentre of the insurgency);succeeded in establishing theircontrol and rule in over ten localgovernment areas in the seizedterritory; acquired and amassedsophisticated weapons; establishedown camps and operationalheadquarters in their own chosenlocations; burnt the Nigerian flagand hoisted theirs; and becomemore daring and adventurous.

If not exactly that, thesituation was like having a Statewithin a State -a situation that noState tolerates unless it is too weakand powerless to change it. It wasan unacceptable situation that theNigerian State had to respond to.But the question is, in what wayor ways should the State respond?In this, as in other even moredifficult situations that nationsometimes become confrontedwith, there is not just one kind ofresponse. There are options fromwhich to choose. And choosing theoptions that in the long run leadto a permanent solution to theproblem, and at the least cost tothe nation in terms of human livesand material is the mark of trueand good leadership.

Confronted with this situation,the challenge before PresidentGoodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ)was both conceptual and practical.Conceptual in that it required ofhim to first properly assess thesituation and gauge the extent ofthe threat, understand why andhow the situation had degeneratedand brought us to this point andfashion the most appropriateresponses. And practical in thesense that he has to vigorouslypursue the chosen response or

peaceful solution to the problem.The committee members knowbetter, but it is really difficult forone to see if their being around as acommittee will serve any usefulpurpose, given what hashappened.

It was clear from the very dayof the committee's inaugurationwhen GEJ called on them toperform magic that he didn'tintend to take them and theirwork seriously. And it is now evenclearer, from what we now see inthe warfront, that a decision on thedeclaration of emergency had beentaken long before the setting up andinauguration of the committee.The government intends to, andbelieves it can finish off the job byshooting its way through. As thecommanders have said repeatedly,this is a total war. And withthousands of troops at the front,tanks, aerial support and all, it willcertainly be a very bloody war.But will it end the problem andlead to a lasting solution, which iswhat Nigerian desire and expectthe authorites to bring about?

Since 2009, when theinsurgents were pushed, largelyby the Nigerian State's violenceand brutal conduct, to take uparms, the approach and policyhave been to use force to defeat theinsurgents. Since then, the soldiershave been on the prowl in thatregion, daily killing, maiming,burning, destroying, sackingwhole neighbourhoods, illegallydetaining and torturing suspectsand behaving like an occupationarmy in a conquered foreignterritory. They raid shops anddestroy markets. They targetmainly the youths. And theydetain and torture women andchildren.

But far from cowering anddefeating the insurgents, thelatter have only been growing instrength, gaining mastery ofmilitary tactics, expanding theircontacts, becoming moreaudacious and, as we have nowseen, considerably increasing itsnumerical strength and militarycapability to the extent of acquiringterritory and operational basesfrom which they can launch a fullscale war against the State. Andthis kind of war being one in whichthe insurgents and the innocentsare hard to tell apart, it is thecivilians, the innocents, that havebeen caught in the crossfire andforced to bear the brunt of the war.And the state of emergency, as weare already seeing, can only and

responses.There is hardly any evidence

of exertion on his part as regardsthe conceptual part of the problem.And even in regard to the practicalaspect, it is clear that he did not, asa good leader should, improvisewisely when the unacceptablesituation arose, begging for action.

What we've seen from him as aresponse, so far, has been asurrender to expedience in whichwhat has been offered and is beingvigorously pursued as a solution ismore of the same. This response hasbeen informed by both a faultyperspective of the problem withwhich GEJ has been all along beenworking, and by a mindset thatnot only refuses to explore optionsbut also consistently producespolicies that speak only to narrow,partisan interests. But it is also, toa large extent, a response thatshows the extent to which our topmilitary commanders andadvisers have wrapped theirtentacles around GEJ and assertedtheir grip on policy. These forces,it is clear, have succeeded inplanting in GEJ's mind the granddelusion that force alone will do it,that there is no alternative to themilitary option. And it is now clearthat he and his government havelost the plot.

If there had been any doubtsbefore, it should now be obvious toall that the military option hasalways been the most preferred onefor GEJ. Certainly, a declarationof a state of emergency barely twoweeks after a committee ondialogue and reconciliation hasbeen inaugurated and startedwork, and doing so without seekingthe opinions of the committeemembers, was the surest way tokill off the last faint hope of a

bring more deaths, more torture,more displacements and morehardship and suffering for theinnocents.

What then is the guaranteethat an escalation of the State'sviolence and massive militaryaction of the scale we are nowwitnessing will solve the problem?

The insurgents may be flushedout of their bases in the Sambesiforest, but, being masters of theterrain, they will shift bases. Thefact is that, as has been the case inIraq and Afganistan, when thestate swamps an area with force,the insurgents shift bases. And, inmany cases, they find support,even succour, among thepopulations in the new bases andareas they move to. This isespecially so in Nigeria where theState and the armed forces areclearly losing the war for the heartsand minds of the population.

There is clearly the need for arethink, for a change of policy andtactics. All along, the authoritieshave viewed and treated thesecurity challenges in the country,and the insurgency situation itself,as merely a law and orderproblem. It is not. The problemruns much, much deeper. Its rootsare firmly entrenched in ourpolitical and socio-economicsystem . And the earlier theauthorities understand this andproceed on the basis of such anunderstanding, the better for all ofus.

Whatever else Boko Haram is,it is largely the consequence of thefailures and failings of our leaders,past and present. It is theconsequence of things our leadersfailed to do, or did badly. In theinsurgency situation in thecountry, we are reaping the fruitsof bad governance, misrule andimpunity of our past and presentleaders, and of the massive theftand corruption that havepermeated the system, leaving thepublic treasuries empty of theresources needed to buildinfrastructure, schools, hospitalsand establish welfare programmesthat give hope to the masses of ourpeople.

Our leaders always think thatthey can get away with theirmisdeeds. It's time they knew thatthings have changed a lot, that theNigerian people too have beenmaking a quiet but definitetransition from a subservient andobsequious lot to a rebellious one.Our leaders need to know andunderstand that so long ascorruption continues to thrive onthe massive scale that it now does,so long shall we continue to haveinsecurity and insurgency,because the people will continue tofight against deprivation andinjustice in the land.

If the government is reallyitching for wars, let it wage atotal one on corruption. And letit now begin to, on a seriousbasis, address the concerns of theNigerian people. These, notforce, are the real solutions.

President Jonathan

Liverpoolplayer assaultcase dismiss

Liverpool footballerRaheem Sterling has hada common assault charge

against him dropped after awitness failed to turn up to court.

The case against MrSterling, 18, from Woolton, wasdismissed at LiverpoolMagistrates' Court afterprosecutor Rob Jones offered noevidence.

The England star had beenaccused of assaulting a womanin Toxteth, Liverpool, lastNovember.

The winger had previouslyentered a not guilty plea via hissolicitor.

FOR THEFOR THEFOR THEFOR THEFOR THEMASSESMASSESMASSESMASSESMASSES

ruf585@hotmail.com

By Rufa’i Ibrahim