Leadership

22.08.14

No. 66

N200

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

www.leadership.ng

I’m Sorry For The Adadevohs’ Pain NIGERIA'S FIRST FRIDAY NEWSPAPER

Leadership Newspapers

@leadershipNGA

Sawyer's wife opens up on her private life with Ebola carrier

The late Adadevoh

I share the pains that the family members of the Nigerian doctor are going through and it is just a pity that Patrick had to cause this damage both in Liberia and Nigeria – Mrs Decontee Sawyer

Stallion Surpasses expectations, announces new brands

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Chibok Diary

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Confab Won't be a waste of time – Jonathan

DAY

130

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david umaru moves campaign to Grassroots

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BBOG Group Laments Guild Of Editors' Refusal To Collaborate Over Schoolgirls > Page 2

poverty, satan made me rape pastor's daughter 7 – Suspect

#BringBackOurGirls 130 day

Friday, August 22, 2014

Editor’sNote Chibok Girls: BBOG Laments Guild Of It’s interesting to note that another Friday is here, and the LEADERSHIP Friday crew have come up with a complete package for your reading delight.

Having kicked off with the lead story of Dr Adadevoh who paid the ultimate price of her profession as she died of the Ebola virus disease that is currently ravaging parts of West Africa following her contact with Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian who brought it to Nigeria, we treat you to updates on the abducted Chibok schoolgirls that are spending the

130th day in captivity today.

FRIDAY EXTRA presents you with the story of a landmark innovation in Niger State where Governor Babangida Aliyu launched the Niger Geographic Information System.

As you know, this package cannot be complete without the regular segments: ESSENTIALS pages have all exciting stories designed to give you the best of fun. FORESIGHT this week is wonderful. WOMEN IN POLITICS this week features Hajia Aisha Lemu. Check all these out in today’s LEADERSHIP Friday and you will be better than you were before you read through them.

While you savour the content of this package, don’t forget to Thank God It’s Friday!

“Be what you want to see in others; else you have no right to expect them to be it.”

For Feedback: fridayleadership@leadership.ng

Chibok In The Week

Saturday, August 16, 2014 The Defence Spokesperson, Major Gen. Chris Olukolade, assures Nigerians that the joint foreign assistance to ensure the rescue of the over 200 Chibok, Bornu State on April 14, 2014, was still on-going and in full gear.

Sunday, August 17, 2014 The BringBackOurGirls group reportedly came up with a decision to stage a protest on Monday to mark the 126th day of the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls who are still in captivity.

Monday, August 18, 2014 The Chibok community in Abuja reportedly lambasted both the Nigerian and foreign security operatives who are currently engaged in the rescue mission of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls for not being able give the insurgents a good fight and win back the girls.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014 The BringBackOurGirls group was reported to have taken its campaign for the release of the abducted

Chibok schoolgirls to Asokoro Junction in line with its earlier resolve reach out to some strategic places in the city.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014 The BringBackOurGirls group re-iterated its resolve not to relent no matter the challenges involved in the campaign for the release of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls in April this year and are still in captivity of their kidnappers-the Boko Haram sect.

Thursday, August 21, 2014 The BringBackOurGirls group disclosed its plan to engage the media in the country in a bid to enlighten them and all Nigerians on the reason for its campaign for the safe release of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

Today Friday, August 22, 2004 The BringBackOurGirls group has lamented the turning down of its request for collaboration by the NigerianBY Guild of Editors on COMPILED UGOCHUKWU IROKA the ground that such move was anti-government. ...AS COMPILED BY Abah Adah

Editors' Refusal To Collaborate

by Chika Mefor, ejike ejike, Abuja

The #BringBackOurGirls group has lamented the refusal of the Nigerian Guild of Editors to collaborate with it in the campaign to rescue the more than 200 Chibok schoolgirls abducted on April 14 in Borno State.

The group expressed displeasure with the Guild of Editors, which it said, had backed out of its planned meeting ahead of the Day 130 commemoration of the abduction of the girls, on the grounds that the group's activities were anti-government.

One of the leaders of the group, Dr Oby Ezekwesili wondered why the leadership of the fourth estate of the realm, who were supposed to fight for the masses and confront the government when they go wrong, would refuse to identify with the BBOG whose singular issue was the safe rescue of the abducted girls.

"We tried to hold meetings with editorial boards of media houses and it was difficult.

I thought it was all about timing to align, that it would sort itself out. When the meeting wasn't coming through, I decided to call the president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors to collaborate with us on Day 130. He said it was a good idea. But when he got back to his people, they agreed that they wouldn't collaborate with us because we were opposition tool. It is unfortunate that we would get this response from the fourth

estate of the realm.

"If the media are scared to confront the government when it is wrong, what is there for us then? They are supposed to put the government on their toes; if they don't do that, then who will?

"The social media has brought us thus far and will continue to move us on. One key issue has refused to go away in social media and it is the BBOG. We don't have power over the mainstream media but in the social media, we will continue. Our advocacy is aimed at compelling the right action by government which is to bring back the abducted girls to their families. That is the reason we are here.

If we had not been here, the issue of the Chibok girls would have been swept under the carpet.

“We are seeking accountability; we want good governance. We know that the process of getting the girls back will lead to getting the other abducted people home. It will be a victory for us against the terrorists," she lamented.‎ The group also agreed that military action is needed for the rescue of the Chibok girls and called on the federal government to act accordingly with all the military might at its disposal and ensure that the girls are rescued.

The group is scheduled to hold a peaceful protest today to press further for the rescue of the Chibok girls.

Chibok: Dignity Of Returning Girls Must Be Restored - UN ABIODUN OLUWAROTIMI, New York The representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for Nigeria, Rati Ndhlovu, has said that the dignity of the returning Chibok girls must be restored.

Speaking yesterday, the UN official said that restoring the dignity and integrity of returning schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram militants in Chibok was instrumental in reintegrating the girls into a “safe space” in the society.

Ndhlovu added that the world body had not forgotten the kidnapped girls, describing the rape of some of them by the insurgents as double tragedy.

Ms Ndhlovu stressed that the issue of sexual violence was very serious because the girls were threatened by both insurgents and other men who would take advantage of a vulnerable situation.

Meanwhile, UNFPA, along with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), is preparing for all returning girls by setting up clinics and providing health screening for them.

According to reports, the UN agency has distributed the much-needed essentials including “dignity kits” that include sanitary napkins.

Ms Ndhlovu said: “The girls are running from home and they have no menstruation pads and have nothing to use. They need water. They need the basic things that keep a woman dignified”.

She said the organisations are mainstreaming family planning into the humanitarian response

by educating girls about healthy timing of pregnancies. She stated that the girls are asked to question becoming pregnant during times of insecurity, pointing out that “it may not be the best time to be pregnant when you can hardly sleep in your house, when you are running all the time.”

She added, “With most health clinics closed and a shortage of health workers, the UN and its partners are leading and supporting coordination efforts to ensure synergies around interventions.

In that regard, the UN is working with local NGOs and engaging the Red Cross on logistical matters”.

Ms Ndhlovu further disclosed that traditional and religious leaders are being trained on how they will work with their communities to address certain challenges, adding that the programmes are aimed at changing attitudes so that the returning girls are not stigmatized and shunned.

Members of #BringbackOurGirls group of protesters during a village square meeting at the unity fountain in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO

A little “thank you” that you will say to someone for a “little favour” shown to you is a key to unlock the doors that hide unseen “greater favours”. Learn to say “thank you” and why not? ― Israelmore Ayivor

our stand

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August 22, 2014

How Not To Play Politics

P

oliticians are warming up to the 2015 general elections in a manner that is beginning to make the rest of the country apprehensive.

The level of vile rhetoric and tempestuous disposition is generating concerns that the security situation in the country may be further exacerbated.

A fracas at the annual Igbo traditional festival, Iri Ji (New Yam festival) in Mbaise, Imo State, last weekend, raised fears as to what to expect as the days of electioneering draw near.

The event, usually a thanksgiving to God for his blessings, was desecrated by politicians who hijacked and turned it into an opportunity for political brinkmanship. As the highest ranking political officeholder in Mbaise, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, a gubernatorial aspirant, was the chief host while the governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, a second term aspirant, was invited as the special guest of honour. These two personalities, in a turf war, almost ruined the joy and conviviality of that almost-sacred event.

Days earlier, the chairman of Mbaise Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Chidume Okoro,

had raised the alarm that, at the rate politicians were mobilising youths and women, the festival was going to acquire an undesirable political hue.

And that was what happened.

The governor was said to have stormed out of the venue because of the perceived humiliation he was subjected to and the royal fathers were compelled to apologise to him and other invited guests who witnessed the obvious embarrasement.

Even with this feeling of remorse on the part of the royal fathers at the turn of events, the blame game has not ceased between the camps of the two gladiators. While the Ihedioha camp blamed the governor for his inability to control his security aides who, it claimed, displayed raw power, Okorocha’s

Ag. Editor Hassan Gimba Ahmed Deputy Editor Kazeem Akintunde Editorial Board Safiya M. Adamu, Chairman Christian Ochiama, Deputy Chairman Standards Aniebo Nwamu, Director ’Lara Olugbemi, Assistant Director

camp merely asked for an apology for the embarrassment caused him as chief guest of honour. He got it, but the other camp insisted that the apology was given coercively.

We are not interested in who is right or wrong in that odious show. Politicians should tone down their proclivity to be inordinately rambunctious especially when there is no need for that tendency. In one of our editorials earlier, we had warned political figures against putting the electorate on edge to the point of making them lose interest in the political and election process altogether. It is the heightened tension brought about by doomsday utterances of political figures that has created room for what many analysts describe as over-militarisation of the environment on election days.

The perception of victory as do or die is not only anachronistic but an attempt by those predisposed to it to perpetuate themselves and their ilk in the political system. This is so because when they talk about do or die, they don’t have their family members in mind.

How many of those thugs that caused the uproar at that Iri Ji festival were from Ihedioha or Okorocha’s clan? Nigerians should get wiser.

Founder Sam Nda-Isaiah Chairman Hajiya Ireti Kingibe Group Managing Director Azubuike Ishiekwene Group Executive Directors Michael Okpere Dr Kazeem Durodoye Company Secretary/ Legal Adviser Abdulhaleem Amin Divisional Directors Abdulmumin Balogun Ademola Oladosu Iyobosa Uwugiaren Salisu Alhassan Bichi General Managers Aminu Abubakar Sule Zipporah D. Tanko Joy Adekanye

Leadership

Holdings

Managing Director Abraham Nda-Isaiah Executive Director Nnamdi Samuel New York Office Mohammed Bello Shehu London Office Dr Bello Salihu Johannesburg Office Abiodun Oguntuase Business Manager Bilkisu Mohammed Rimi

Even the best cooking pot will not produce food.

— African Proverb

LEADERSHIP is a national paper symbolically embedded in the nation’s capital.

We shall stand up for good governance. We shall defend the interest of Nigerian people even against their rulers, and we shall raise our pen at all times in defence of what is right. These are the values by which we intend to be assessed.

We shall never, ever for any reason forget the noble reason of our coming into being: For God and country!

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August 22, 2014

LIVING TO BE 100

One health tip daily Nature’s Pollution-Fighter The powerful antioxidant and detoxifier L-cysteine can help protect your body from the harmful effects of pollution, heavy metals, chemicals, radiation, alcohol, and smoke. This naturally occurring amino acid may also help boost the immune system, protect against heart disease, build muscle, and decrease fat buildup. L-cysteine is also useful for combatting inflammation and promoting healthy hair and nail growth. The substance is found in eggs, fish, almonds, sesame seeds, soy, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, legumes, avocados, bananas, whole grains, and brewer’s yeast.

Stallion Surpasses Expectations, Announces New Brands

by Abah adah, Paul Chiama And Chinelo Chikelu Abuja

Multinational conglomerate Stallion group has formally announced six branded light commercial vehicles and buses at its new state-of-the-art assembly plant in Ikotun-Egbe and Badagry Expressway, Lagos State.

The Stallion vehicles are built from completely knocked down components and designed for Nigerian roads, people and their lifestyle. They will be available soon in their dealerships nationwide, Stallion Group chairman yesterday affirmed.

He said the induction of leading auto brand was crucial to the National Automotive Industry Development Plan, which essentially seeks to position Nigeria among world-class industrial economies and has been successfully achieved in other emerging countries.

“We have integrated many proven metrics into this frame work and we are mindful of the six stages of development for a brand, each equating to a different marketing priority, starting with creating basic awareness and concluding with building customer loyalty,” Mr Sunil Vaswani said.

He added that the Stallion’s initiative was an integrated vehicle manufacturing framework that enables Stallion Group to produce Stallionbranded high quality vehicles from knocked down components and with a view to ultimately grow into full-fledged local manufacturing indus-

tries.

An introductory price of N2.45million has, meanwhile, been introduced for Stallion Force LE (double cabin 4x4 Pickup) and N2.95million for Stallion Force SE pickup, while 16-seater Stallion Citibus is being introduced at N3.95million.

Other Stallion-made buses are Stallion Civicbus 29+1seater priced at N8.45m, Stallion Contibus 40+1 seater at N10.95m and Stallion Countrybus which is available from 42 to 66-seater. The starting price of Stallion Countrybus is offered from N12.45m.

Mr. Vaswani noted that the current population of Nigeria convincingly supports half a million vehicles annually, which is more than sufficient to sustain an emerging automotive industry.

According to him, Stallion vehicles are competitively priced to enable every potential buyer to purchase and own a choice functional vehicle.

The Stallion vehicle plant is coming on the heels of similar plants owned by the group, VON Automobile, Stallion Nissan Motors Nigeria and Hyundai Motors Nigeria plant.

These plants have created significant employment to stimulate industrial clusters such as original equipment anufacturers that includes steel plants, glass manufacturers, aftermarket shops and transportation service providers which would lead to job creation and contribute significantly to the GDP.

I’m Sorry For The Adadevohs’ Pain

By ABIODUN OLUWAROTIMI, New York; Winifred Ogbebo, Victor Okeke and Chinelo Chikelu, Abah adah, Paul Chiama, Abuja; Gbenga Adeboye, Abeokuta, Alo Abiola, Ado-Ekiti; Muazu Elazeh, Katsina; GEORGE OKOJIE, lagos with Agency Report

Widow of the late Liberian, Patrick Sawyer, the man who brought the deadly Ebola disease to Nigeria, Mrs. Decontee Sawyer, yesterday said that she shared the pains of the family of Dr Ameyo Stella Adedavoh, the female doctor who attended to Sawyer.

Responding to an email query by our correspondent, Mrs. Sawyer added that it was painful that the late Sawyer caused so much damage in both his country Liberia and Nigeria with the Ebola virus.

Mrs Sawyer said: “I share the pains that the family members of the Nigerian doctor are going through. It is just a pity that Patrick had to cause this damage both in Liberia and Nigeria.”

Speaking in a letter obtained by our correspondent yesterday, Mrs Sawyer, a resident of Minnesota, USA, apologised for the seeming heartlessness of her open letter, asking Nigerians to be mindful of her daughters, and not curse the Sawyer name, even if they curse Patrick Sawyer.

The US-based widow of the first Ebola victim in Nigeria opened up on their private life, and how Mr Sawyer moved in with another woman in Liberia, abandoning her while she was seven-month pregnant.

She blamed what she termed ‘bigmanism’ for the decayed health system of Liberia and the high number of deaths in the country.

“I want to reach out to them and express how deeply saddened and sorry I am for their loss and their pain. I do apologise if my words have cost anyone who is grieving more pain.

I fall on my knees and ask God for his healing power for all of those who are still infected with Ebola. I pray for all of the families whose loved ones were taken away by this merciless killer Ebola, especially those affected by Patrick’s actions.

“Ebola didn’t start with Patrick in Liberia, as we both know. Ebola was in Liberia from a traveller from Guinea since February of this year. The government knew about it and did nothing. Many Liberians, including me, called out to the government then to close the borders. They didn’t do so until one of their own, Patrick (Sawyer), died in July.

“Many people died before Pat-

President Jonathan

rick and their lives were just as important. That is my frustration. Ebola didn’t have to go to Nigeria, Africa’s most populated country, had the Liberian government taken drastic actions sooner. I, too, have family members and friends in Nigeria, and now they are at risk because of Patrick’s actions.

“In spite of my anger and disappointment with him, I don’t believe that he did this with evil intent (I could be wrong). I believe his actions were that of a desperate man. And sad for everyone involved, Nigeria was closer than the U.S. This is just my take on what he could have been thinking (of course, I could be wrong).

“My regret is that I was so caught up in my own pain and frustration, that I neglected to see the pain of the innocent people both in Liberia and Nigeria who are affected by Patrick’s actions. For that, I am deeply sorry. The last thing I wanted to do was to cause them pain.

It is a pain I know. It is a pain I don’t want them to have.”

Decontee, a mother of three, further said that she couldn’t apologize for Patrick’s actions because she did not cause them, stressing that the late Ebola victim did a lot of things she did not like.

She added that: “Going to Nigeria was one of them. His act was one of a desperate man. Many Nigerians and Liberians are affected because of that act of desperation,” she said.

She Came, She Saw, She Sacrificed The death on Tuesday, August 19, of the senior consultant endocrinologist at First Consultants Medical Centre, Obalende, Lagos, Dr Stella Ameyo-Adadevoh, expectedly threw the entire coun-

Man is like a pepper, till you have chewed it you do not know how hot it is. ― Hausa Proverb

try into mourning.

Though she was not the first person to die from the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country, the tears, sorrow and pain that trailed her death showed how greatly Nigerians, especially family members, associates, and even government officials, appreciated her contributions to humanity.

To many Nigerians currently mourning, her dedication and professionalism led her to put herself at a great risk that eventually consumed her.

If nothing at all, it is on record that it was the late Dr Adadevoh, 58, who insisted on carrying out a blood analysis that revealed the Ebola status of Mr Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian-American who imported the deadly virus into Nigeria from Liberia.

She did not stop at that: it also took the bold initiative of the late Adadevoh to pin down the late Patrick Sawyer, and promptly intimated the Lagos State Ministry of Health of the Ebola case, a patriotic action that substantially led to moderate containment of the deadly virus in the country.

Since her death was announced, many have expressed the sentiment that the physician and endocrinologist would be greatly missed for her outstanding sincerity of purpose.

It was not surprising when her family members said they had been left devastated by her demise.

One of the deceased’s cousins, Biase, who had led an online campaign urging the United States government and the western world to release the experimental Zmapp drug to save Adadevoh’s life, took to Twitter to mourn her death, saying she was heartbroken. “I don’t know how to feel ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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August 22, 2014

I’m Sorry For The Adadevohs’ Pain ➔ FROM PAGE 4

now. This is sad. I can’t believe she died.

Thank you to everyone that signed and shared the petition. You guys were awesome. She’s at peace now; not waiting for America to send her drugs,” she tweeted.

Kwami, another relative of the late consultant physician, described the late Adadevoh as her “darling cousin,” noting that she taught him and his younger ones the value of hardwork.

Kwami explained that her passing was not only sad but a great loss to the entire Adadevoh family. He noted that the family had received condolence messages from state authorities, through the Lagos State governor.

“I would like to thank you all for your prayers,” he said. “Sadly, my darling cousin has been called home. She has finished her course and now rests with God. She was my eldest cousin, the one who showed us all that it is possible to be chic and hardworking. She was the best student everywhere.

We have received condolence messages from Lagos State governor Mr Babtunde Fashola and the commissioner for health, Dr. Jide Idris.”

Another relative of the deceased, Wale Kwame, stated that only God knows why Ameyo is not part of the survivors of the EVD. “Only God knows best! It really was a funny topic until the whole thing got real,” he wrote.

From across the world, tributes have continued to pour in for the late Ameyo Adadevoh from prominent Nigerians and her medical doctor colleagues who hailed her as a “heroine” and asked the federal government to immortalise her.

Joe Okungbowa, a tenured professor In Florida, in his ode to Dr. Adadevoh, said: “Early this April, Lagos State Health Ministry and Commissioner, Dr. Jide Idris, appealed to all health practitioners to watch out for patients presenting symptoms of Ebola so that Nigeria would be delivered from the endemic disease already spreading through Guinea.

“The burly patient that she admitted on Sunday, July 20, had just flown in from nearby Monrovia, having cleared airport screening for hidden weapons, hazardous materials and illegal substances, with the might of ECOWAS bureaucracy beside him, a passport of the United States of America with him and powerful government connections behind him “What airport security was ill-equipped to detect, however, was an even deadlier national threat – the virulent etiological agent for Ebola! Hence, in his medical history, he conveniently ignored his recent contact with a case of Ebola - visits to any person infected with the virus in a hospital, or participation in a funeral of a person who died of the disease.

“All three criteria, it turns out, precisely described Mr. Patrick Sawyer’s status visa-vis the late sister, Princess, whom he lost to Ebola, on July 8.

“In Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, an epidemic found its match that effectively stopped its incurable march of death. Obligations to the Hippocratic Oath of her noble profession compelled the senior consultant physician, First Consultant Medical

Centre, to do no harm but only good.

“Her august patient had just landed from endemic Liberia with distinctive symptoms; therefore, she summoned uncommon courage, ignored his denials, queried Ebola nonetheless, arranged for blood analysis, and skilfully turned his hospitalisation into quarantine! By doing this, she stopped an epidemic and saved a nation from a deadly virus.

“Yes, with her very life, she made a supreme sacrifice but saved a nation from ominous Ebola epidemic!”

Another erudite scholar, Professor Clara Ikekeonwu of the Educational Foundation for African Women (EFAW), wrote of her: “Woman of substance, consultant par excellence. You were one of the relatively few women to break the glass ceiling and walk majestically in a specialist terrain which, for long in the African continent, appeared to be the exclusive domain of the menfolk.

You arrived there as a great achiever, attracting the respect and love of even your male colleagues and all.

“Your love for your country and, indeed, humanity made you risk your life to fulfil the Hippocratic Oath in the unfortunate Ebola virus disease saga. Yes, you eventually paid the price, but we will always remain grateful to God for a life like yours.

“Great life, suffused with love for humanity. Yes, we know how much resources and efforts go into the training of a doctor, more so a consultant in medicine!

These are not lost, though we would have loved to have you continue to render your impeccable services to humanity, but God knows best.”

Ikekeonwu acknowledged that within the relatively short span of her life, she made a huge mark that will remain a pride to humanity in general and womankind in particular.

For Femi Onasanya, the late doctor fought a good fight, a rare one for that matter, in a clime filled with greed and selfcenteredness.

He wrote, “You were one in a million, a woman from the lineage of the then Moremi of the old Yorubaland. Dr Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, you saved your country from the deadly Ebola epidemic that could wipe out millions of people within a short period, and chose to give your life, your rich curriculum vitae and medical pedigree in substitution.

“A senior medical consultant is gone. A mother has finished her race! A great Nigerian is no more. Even though you may not be immortalised by the government in recognition of your bravery, you will forever live on in the hearts of millions of Nigerians and our unborn children would also celebrate you.

From Effiong David came this epitaph: “… She remains a woman of great courage, a true Amazon who has given (we) young Nigerians hope for the future, that the right things can be done at the right time.

May your gentle soul be in perfect peace and eternal happiness.”

A healthcare consultant in Lion Stone Healthcare Partners, Njide Ndili, described her as a rare gem: “When I heard that Patrick Sawyer, the Ebola carrying patient was taken to 1st Consultants, I was not surprised. He was taken there for a reason: good quality care was guaranteed! For this

Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu

reputation, you paid a price, Ameyo… I had only known you intimately for about six months, and within that time, I knew that you were a gem, an honourable woman, a doctor different from the rest. You keep your side of the deal always.

“We have been strategising and collaborating on a confidential project to make 1st Consultants more accessible to more patients of all income levels and class. We spent months discussing, with so many meetings and late night calls.

“Even up to the point when the hospital was shut down by the Ministry of Health following the death of Patrick Sawyer, we spoke and we were planning a meeting when I stopped hearing from you. Never in my wildest dream did I realize you were the very Doctor who treated Sawyer.

“My calls to you went unanswered until I sent you a text message asking if you were Ok. Your response to me was an email with the press release detailing the events with the Ebola victim and how you struggled to keep him from leaving the hospital and spreading the disease.

“Your action was selfless and only God can reward you for the sacrifice you made for us Nigerians. I am still in shock following the news of your death yesterday. We are all on earth for a reason and when our time comes and our mission is done, we depart.

“You have accomplished your mission, Ameyo and gone on to a better place. My heart goes out to your family, for they have lost a precious woman, wife and mother. I only wish I had known you earlier and longer, but I am sure we will meet again in another life.”

The Lagos State government also paid tribute to the late physician through the state commissioner for health, Dr Jide Idris.

He said of the late Ameyo: “She led the team that attended to the index case. Her doggedness and commitment to duty saw her personally reviewing the case even though the patient had earlier been seen by a doctor. No doubt, she and the other affected health workers are the heroes and heroines of the day.”

Idris commiserated with the families,

co-workers, friends and loved ones of the affected health workers who faced danger and death in the line of duty.

Victory over Ebola as US doctor, aid worker are discharged An American doctor treated for Ebola, Kent Brantly, was discharged from hospital yesterday even as Nancy Writebol, an aid worker been discharged earlier after being cured of the deadly scourge.

“Today is a miraculous day, “Kent said at a news conference in Atlanta with staff of Emory University Hospital. “I am thrilled to be alive, to be well and to be reunited with my family. God saved my life,” as the audience applauded his appearance.

He thanked his medical team and the millions of people around the world praying for his recovery. “Please do not stop praying for the people of West Africa.”

Bruce Ribner, medical director of the hospital’s infectious diseases unit, said Brantly will go to an undisclosed location with his wife and children after the press conference.

‘Don’t stigmatise Ebola cured patients’ Meanwhile, the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), noted that though the EVD is a deadly disease, patients stood a good chance of survival if taken in early for supportive management.

A statement signed by the President of the association, Prof Oyewale Tomori, pointed out that the Nigerian record of the number of patients already discharged from the Ebola Treatment Centre strongly supported this.

He counseled that these persons were discharged having been certified virusfree, hence the need for all to welcome them warmly and discourage stigmatization.”

Brantly and Writebol, a volunteer with SIM USA, were flown to Emory Hospital from Liberia early this month and were treated in the hospital’s specialized unit, US Today reports.

Ribner said the hospital performed ex-

No one gets a mouthful of food by picking between another person’s teeth. ― Igbo Proverb

➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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August 22, 2014

I’m Sorry For The Adadevohs’ Pain ➔ FROM PAGE 5

tensive blood and urine tests on both patients and consulted with the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention before deciding the two missionaries were ready to be released.

“Neither pose any risk to the public”, he said. Five doctors and 21 nurses cared for Brantly and Writebol during their stay.

“After a rigorous course of treatment and testing, the Emory healthcare team has determined that both patients have recovered from the Ebola virus and can return to their families and community without concern for spreading this infection to others,” Ribner said.

“We are profoundly grateful for the opportunity to have applied our training, our care and our experience to meet their needs. All of us who have worked with them have been impressed by their courage and determination.”

Writebol chose not to make a statement.

However, Brantly related that, as she left her isolation unit, she said, “To God be the glory.”

Both Brantly and Writebol received doses of an experimental drug, called Zmapp, which includes man- made antibodies against Ebola.

Although Zmapp has shown promise in animals, it has not yet been tested in humans. Experts have said it was not possible to conclude that Zmapp cured their disease, although getting good supportive care at Emory, one of the world’s best hospitals, likely improved their chances of survival.

“If the question is, ‘Did Zmapp do this?’

The answer is that we just don’t know,” says Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease.

“People who are in much less sophisticated medical care conditions in West Africa are recovering 50 per cent of the time.”

Without a carefully designed trial involving a comparison group that doesn’t receive the drugs doctors can’t make conclusions about how a treatment works.

About half of Ebola patients in the current outbreak are surviving without the experimental drug.

But a Spanish priest who received Zmapp died, Fauci says.

Three Liberian health workers also received Zmapp. The drug’s manufacturer, Mapp Biopharmaceutical of San Diego, has said there is no more of the drug left.

According to CNN, two blood tests done over a two-day period had to come back negative for Ebola before Brantly could be discharged. David Writebol, Nancy’s husband, was released from quarantine earlier this week.

Doctors had observed him for three weeks, monitoring him for signs of fever.

Ebola can have an incubation period of up to 21 days.

People generally aren’t considered contagious unless they have symptoms of Ebola, such as fever.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has sent at least 50 staff to West Africa to help contain the epidemic.

“We must re-commit to doing all we can to increase their chances of survival and to stop the spread of Ebola,” said CDC director Thomas Frieden in a statement. “This outbreak is unprecedented, and it’s likely to get worse before it gets better. We must respond in unprecedented way to stop the

Dr. Kent Brantly (right), standing with his wife, Amber Brantly, during a press conference announcing his release from Emory Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, yesterday. photo by AFP

outbreak as soon as possible.”

In concluding his statement, Brantly said he was “glad for any attention my sickness has attracted to the plight of West Africa in the midst of this epidemic. Please continue to pray for Liberia and the people of West Africa, and encourage those in positions of leadership and influence to do everything possible to bring this Ebola outbreak to an end.

FG’s N200m donation to Lagos not From N1.9bn intervention fund – Minister The Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, has clarified that the N200 million approved by President Goodluck Jonathan to support the Lagos State Government is not part of the N1.9 billion (one billion, nine hundred million naira) earlier released to the Federal Ministry of Health.

He said that the N200 million was a distinct and direct federal government support to Lagos State and did not preclude other assistance that might be rendered to the state through the Federal Ministry of Health.

President Goodluck Jonathan had approved N200 million during the Federal Executive Council meeting Wednesday for Lagos State government to tackle the outbreak of the virus.

A statement made available to LEADERSHIP yesterday by the Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Minister of Health, Dan Nwomeh, said, that apart from the federal government, there had been other donations from private individuals and corporate organisations to the federal government’s control measures against Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria.

Ogun Postpones Resumption Date Ogun State government has extended the resumption date for 2014/15 academic session in both primary and post-primary schools.

The postponement became expedient in the face of Ebola outbreak in the country and the contiguity of Ogun to Lagos where the virus was first detected in the country.

The government through a statement by the state Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said that the resumption earlier scheduled for September 15, 2014 had been postponed to a date to be an-

nounced later.

Minister praises health workers managing Ebola patients, faults NMA strike Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu has praised the health workers managing the patients of Ebola Virus Disease in the country for their courage, compassion and sacrifice.

Chukwu was speaking while declaring open the annual general meeting of the Nigerian Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (NAPRAS) at the Top Rank Hotel in Abuja, on Thursday.

The minister who observed that nine of the twelve confirmed cases were either medical doctors or nurses, singled out the most senior physician that managed the index case, the late Dr Ameyo Adedavoh, for her exceptional bravery, saying she paid with her life to ensure that many other Nigerians were not contaminated by the virus.

“Dr. Adedavoh took the brunt of physically blocking the patient from running away from the First Consultants Hospital which would have not only infected more people but also make contact tracing difficult. I am confident that she will be honoured by Nigeria at the appropriate time”, he said.

On the status of Ebola Virus Disease in the country, the minister said the total number of confirmed cases still stood at twelve, with five dead, five successfully managed and discharged, while the remaining two were currently undergoing treatment at the isolation ward in Lagos.

He however noted that with a good number of secondary contacts yet to complete the 21-day incubation period, the possibility of two or three more cases could not be entirely ruled out.

The minister who faulted the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) restated that the federal government had fulfilled over 80 percent of its own part of the agreement with the association, adding that the process of resolving outstanding issues was already in progress.

He blamed the leadership of the NMA in particular for the strike, and recalled that as the president of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), he once stepped aside and offered to resign his po-

Words are sweet, but they never take the place of food. ― Ibo Proverb

sition rather than be pushed into an unnecessary strike by members over issues he was convinced could be resolved amicably through more dialogue.

Ekiti warns against false alarm Medical doctors and health workers in Ekiti State have been cautioned against raising unnecessary alarm about the spread of Ebola virus disease in the state.

The state Commissioner for Health, Professor Olusola Fasuba, who spoke with journalists yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, regretted that such panic messages by medical practitioners in the social media had led to the death of non- Ebola patient in the state .

No Ebola Outbreak In Katsina - Committee The Katsina state standing committee for prevention and monitoring of Ebola disease, yesterday, declared that the state was free of the disease even as it urged residents to take on preventive measures.

The committee’s declaration came against the backdrop of a news reports that a corps member deployed to the state displayed some signs that raised suspicion of the disease.

Addressing newsmen, state commissioner of health, Mannir Talba said available findings by the committee revealed that the said corps member developed fever and had no symptom of ebola noting “the ailment has been found out not to be ebola”.

NUJ urges doctors, FG to call truce The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has appealed to striking medical doctors in the country to reconsider their position in view of the Ebola outbreak in the country.

This is just as the union urged the leadership of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and the federal government to go back to the dialogue table and resolve their differences to bring an end to incessant strikes by the doctors.

NUJ President, Mohammed Garba, who stated this during a state of the nation address in Abuja, yesterday, said it was appalling that professionals who had sworn to protect the sanctity of life would down tools at a time their services were most needed.

NEWS EXTRA /7

August 22, 2014

Poverty, Satan Made Me Rape Pastor’s Daughter – Robber-rapist, 55

by Adebayo Waheed, Ibadan

Two weeks ago, the men of the Oyo State Police Command arrested a 55-year-old man who was part of an armed robbery gang who attacked a pastor’s residence, robbed and raped his daughter.

Luck did run out on the gang, though, when they were rounded up by the police.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP FRIDAY at the police headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, the 55year- old man, identified as Ayodele Ademola, blamed Satan and poverty for both the robbery and the rape.

Ademola, a father of three children – a boy and two girls – revealed that the botched operation was the second in which he and his gang had participated in.

“It was the death of my wife that plunged me into serious poverty. I’ve been struggled to take care of the three children she left behind, but, I must confess to you, it has not been easy. I look around to find what I could do to get over this problem but to no avail.

“It was in the process that I met members of this robbery gang at a bus-stop. We talked

and they introduced me to the business. I mean, armed robbery business. In short, it was poverty in my family that gave the devil opportunity to push me to armed robbery and raping.

“My appeal to the state and the federal governments, the Nigeria Police Force and Nigerians is that they should forgive me. I will never involve myself in all this rubbish again. I want all Nigerians to believe that it was poverty and [the] devil that pushed me to armed robbery and made me to rape the daughter of the pastor, my victim.

“The man of God, too, should, please, forgive me,” he pleaded.

The command’s deputy commissioner of police, administration, Sam Okalua, told LEADERSHIP FRIDAY that the items recovered from the gang included a Sony laptop, Samsung iPad, Apple iPad, three assorted cell phones, a Toyota Corolla with registration with number MK 382 AAA, a Mercedes Benz with registration number GGE 278 CK, six assorted wrist watches, N200,000 and other valuables.

The other defendants are suspects as Afolabi Oluwatobi (24), Morakinyo Olufemi (43), Ayodele Ademola (55) and Azeez Rafiu (27).

Ministry Of Women Affairs, UNDP Assure PWDs Of Govt’s Care hauwa kolo, Abuja

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Project (UNDP) have assured the newly inaugurated national executives of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWDS) that the government will do everything possible to ensure that it caters for all citizens of Nigeria, including those with disabilities.

The inauguration, which held in Abuja, yesterday, was aimed at given people living with disabilities a collec-

tive voice and a foothold.

The minster of women affairs and social development, Hajia Zainab Maina, who was represented by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr Habiba Lawal, urged the newly elected leaders to remain peaceful.

She urged the association’s executive not to indulge in divisive activities, shun bickering and jealousy, and forgive one another, in order to promote the objectives of the association.

Amongst the 22 who were inaugurated were the new national president Ekaite Umoh and national women leader Adama Yerima Balla.

L-R: Chairman of the occasion, Nathaniel Hayab; acting head of service, Kaduna State, Habila Kyong and Kaduna State governor, Mukhtar Yero, at the National Productivity Day in Kaduna yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN

NYSC Directorgeneral, Brig.Gen. Johnson Olawumi (left), and the Sokoto State NYSC coordinator, Thomas Yamma, during Olawumi’s visit to the state’s NYSC Orientation Camp in Sokoto yesterday.

Security: Minister Of Youth Canvases For United Front

By Chika Mefor, Abuja

The minister of youth development, Boni Haruna, has stated that the nation’s security stakeholders need to form a united front and involve uniform [wearing] youth organisations to come up with a common position aimed at also promoting peace.

Haruna, who was speaking during a courtesy visit by members of the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) to his office recently, stated that, in the face of the security challenges bedevilling the nation, there is an overwhelming need for these organisations to come together to chart a common course towards maintaining peace in the coun-

try.

“We should take advantage of the existence of organisations like yours to promote peace. There is need to organise a summit for uniform [wearing] youth organisations to have a common position aimed at promoting peace,’’ he said.

Haruna commended the organi- The ‘Onigado’ of Igando, Oba Lasisi Gbadamosi Gbadebo (m) poses with members sation for its activities in promoting of Good Ambition Youth Development Initiative Nigeria, who paid him a visit at his peace and pledged to add value to the palace recently. organisation by helping it meet its statutory duties, in order to guarantee and promote peace and development.

Earlier, the national commandant of the corps, Amb Dickson Akoh, formally appointed the minister as the Senior Advocate of Peace.

Building Collapses, Kills 5 In Katsina

By Muazu Elazeh, Katsina

Tragedy struck at Garki Village, Baure local government area, Katsina State, on Wednesday morning, when five persons reportedly lost their lives when a building collapsed on them.

LEADERSHIP FRIDAY understands that the unfortunate incident occurred, followinga heavy rainfall, while the victims slept.

According to sources, the deceased were members of the family of one Mallam Sai’du Namai-shanu and included his wife Asma’u

Sai’du, his daughter Zainab Sai’du and three grand-children; Salisu Lawal Kilishi, Sai’du Lawal Kilishi and Mustapha Danjuma.

It was further gathered three other persons sustained various degrees of injury during the incident and are receiving medical treatment at Baure General Hospital.

Among sympathisers to the family included the commissioner for lands and survey, Alhaji Nasidi Danladi, District Head of Baure, Alhaji Muhammad Daha Umar and the local government administrator.

National Women Leader, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWDS), Adama Yerima Balla, during the innuaguration of the body’s new executive committe members in Abuja yesterday.

It is only a stupid cow that rejoices at the prospect of being taken to a beautiful abattoir. — African Proverb

8 NEWS

August 22, 2014

Group News Editor: Tony Amokeodo

Confab Won’t Be A Waste Of Time, Resources – Jonathan All resolutions were adopted by consensus - Kutigi

By Joe Dudun, And Amina Alhassan Ahman

President Goodluck Jonathan has assured Nigerians that the 2014 National Conference will not be a waste of time and resources.

He gave the assurance yesterday while receiving the report of the conference from its chairman, Hon Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, former chief justice of Nigeria.

The president, who formally declared the conference closed, said “As I receive the report of your painstaking deliberations, let me assure you that your work is not go-

ing to be a waste of time and resources.

We shall do all we can to ensure the implementation of your recommendations which have come out of consensus and not by divisions.

“The discourse reflected our latest challenges. We shall send the relevant aspects of your recommendations to the Council of States and the National Assembly for incorporation into the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. On our part, we shall act on those aspects required of us in the Executive”.

Stating that the success of the conference, which was inaugurated on March 17, 2014 has proved the cynics wrong in many aspects, President Jonathan also revealed that the federal government decided not

to interfere in the proceedings of the conference when it appeared overwhelmed by challenges of consensus at the initial stage.

“One of the many reasons for our noninterference is this: we have at the conference, 492 delegates and six conference officials who all in their individual rights are qualified to lead our great country and if they were unable to agree on how to take decisions, we would be in real trouble! Acknowledging the quality and patriotic content of the delegates, I was confident the right thing will be done,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the conference chairman, Justice Kutigi revealed that the conference approved over 600 resolutions, some dealing with issues of law, policy and constitutional amendments.

FG’ll Resolve All Military Pension Issues Soon – Obanikoro Bayo Oladeji, Abuja

The minister of state for defence, Senator Musliu Obanikoro yesterday promised that the federal government would resolve all pension issues including the outstanding arrears that have been pending for years.

He gave this assurance when he visited the Military Pension Board where he said President Goodluck Jonathan is committed to the welfare of both serving and retired military personnel, and noted that the current security challenges and casualties recorded as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency had made it mandatory for the federal government to take care of the need of military personnel.

“I want to assure you that President Goodluck Jonathan will resolve all military pension issues. He is committed to the welfare of military personnel.

“Those who have served with dignity should be treated with dignity. And those who have lost loved ones should not be allowed to suffer in vain. Once again, I want to assure you that President Jonathan’s administration will stand by the serving and retired military personnel.”

He promised to use his wealth of experience as a senator to improve on budgetary allocation on capital projects to the Board.

Osun Election: APC Thanks Jega For His Revelations

BY JOSHUA DADA, Osogbo

President Goodluck Jonathan, (left) receiving the report of the national conference from the chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN.

I’ll Change The Face Of Adamawa – Ahmed Moddibo

By Chibuzo Ukaibe, And PAUL CHIAMA, Abuja

Former UBEC boss and one of the governorship hopefuls on the platform of the PDP, Dr Ahmed Moddibo Mohammed, has said that he will change the fortune of Adamawa State for the better if he emerges as the party’s candidate and win the October 11 poll.

Moddibo, who stated this yesterday in Abuja added that he would unfold his plans after submitting his form on Monday.

Adamawa Guber: Gulak Tasks PDP On Level Playing Field Former political adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Barr. Ahmed Gulak, yesterday submitted his governorship nomination forms ahead of the Adamawa State election, calling on his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to create a level playing field for all aspirants.

The screening of aspirants by the PDP

commences August 28 ahead of the September 6 primary and October 11 governorship by-election.

Gulak, who is the first to submit his nomination form, maintained that the Adamawa people should be allowed to make their choice.

Senator Girei Joins Race

A gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State, Senator Abubakar Girei, yesterday at the party secretariat, expressed his intention to contest the forthcoming byelection slated for October 11.

Girei said he was at the party secretariat to announce his desire to contest the gubernatorial election, adding that the PDP is the party to beat in the state.

President has no anointed candidate - Marwa

A gubernatorial hopeful under the platform of the PDP in the by-election in Adamawa State, Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) has said that President Goodluck Jonathan has no anointed candidate for the election.

Marwa said President Jonathan assured him that there would be no imposition of candidates.

Hong expresses interest to contest Former minister of state for health, Dr Idi Hong has joined other gubernatorial hopefuls to contest the by-election scheduled to take place on 11th October, 2014.

Announcing his intent to partake in the contest before PDP executives and a mammoth crowd of supporters in Yola, Hong said his aspiration to govern the state was not for personal aggrandizement but a desire to rescue the state from years of neglect and bad governance which had made it one of the backward states in the country.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun has thanked the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega for his revelation on how the August 9 Osun election was almost rigged by a group of people he could not identify.

A statement by its director of publicity, research and strategy, Barrister Kunle Oyatomi stated that Jega made sufficient inference to confirm what APC had known all along that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had a master plan to hack into INEC’s database and corrupt the electoral register in order to disenfranchise thousands of voters.

He said that APC made the information public on several occasions, weeks before the election, adding that only few people believed them. He claimed that “this was the reason they were buying up permanent voter cards”.

“We had also informed the public that the PDP was planning to abuse and misuse the security personnel to terrorise, arrest and harass APC supporters and leaders before the election.

“Jega has now told us that they even went beyond arrvb esting APC leaders and supporters; they locked up, in their overzealousness, some INEC ad hoc workers”.

She is beautiful; she has love, understands; she respects herself and others; everyone likes, loves and honors her; she is a goddess.

African Proverb.

August 22, 2014

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August 22, 2014

NEWS NATIONAL 11

August 22, 2014

Doctors’ Suspension: Medical Consultants Say Specialist Care Units Under Threat B y Winifred Ogbebo, Abuja

The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has warned that the suspension of doctors, if allowed to continue would interrupt the on-going training and production of specialists.

The association which met in Abuja, Wednesday to deliberate on the suspension of Residency

Training for Resident Doctors, warned of grave consequences in the delivery of specialist health care services.

In a statement made available to LEADERSHIP Friday yesterday, the MDCAN president, Dr Steven Oluwole, cited areas that would suffer from the suspension of residency training to include, special care baby units, neurosurgery, cardiothoracic

surgery, oncology and other specialities.

He expressed concern on the development, noting that, “ It is not clear to the MDCAN how Mr President intends to recruit trainees into the programme. It is not clear how Junior and Senior Residents will be produced at the take-off of the programme, or perhaps we will wait for the next five to 10 years.

Man Remanded Over Impersonation As Staff Of DSS In Osun

by JOSHUA DADA, Osogbo

As part of the fallout of the just concluded August 9, governorship election in Osun State, a young man, Victor Aladegbolu, 22, was yesterday ordered to be remanded in Ilesa Prison for impersonating as an official of Department of State Security Service (DSS).

Aladegbolu was arrested for allegedly parading himself as an official of DSS during the last governorship election in the state.

The prosecutor, Barrister Biodun Badiora, told the court that the accused person conspired with others now at large to commit the offence on August.9, at about 12:05pm, at City Hall area, Ile-Ife. Badiora said the accused went about with his colleagues, wearing a T-shirt with an inscription of Police logo in the front and DSS at the back, claiming to be DSS officer, bWefore he was apprehended and brought to court.

Niger Assembly Recalls Suspended Member

by Abu Nmodu, Minna

10 x 5 advert

The Niger State House of Assembly has recalled the minority leader and member representing Kontagora 1 Constituency, Muhammad Nuradeen Umar suspended on June 17, this year.

The lifting of the suspension followed the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Public Petitions, Ethics and Privileges that investigated the allegations leveled against the House by Muhammad Nuradeen Umar in an interview he granted a National Daily on the 12th of June this year.

Presenting the report, chairman of the committee, Muhammad Nazeer Abdullahi said in the course of their assignment, all parties involved on the issue were invited in order to do justice to the matter.

In view of this, he said the committee recommended that the decision to suspend the lawmaker be upheld because of his inability to authenticate all the allegations, and therefore he could only return after the expiration of the three months suspension period.

Similarly the committee recommended that the lawmaker should tender an apology letter and read same on the floor of the House and should also retract all the allegations he made in the interview.

In addition, Muhammad Nuradeen was asked by the committee to withdraw the suit he and his party, APC filed against the House at the court.

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NEWS

August 22, 2014

Mutiny Reports: Soldiers Clampdown On Reporters In Maiduguri Storm Daily Trust Maiduguri office, drag 2 managers to HQ

By Abdulkareem Haruna, Maiduguri

Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, may no longer be a safe place for journalists following the resolve of the military officials at the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army to clamp down on reporters over unfavourable reports.

This was made real yesterday when armed soldiers invaded the premises of the Maiduguri office of Media Trust, publishers of the Daily Trust, where they arrested and dragged off two managing staff of the media house for interrogation at the headquarters of the 7 Division over reports concerning soldiers’ mutiny over obsolete weapons.

This development came days after the newly posted spokesman of the 7 Division, Colonel Sani Usman, told journalists that visited his office that he was out to “deal with journalists” that had not been filing favourable reports about the activities of the

soldiers in the state.

In carrying out his threat, Col Usman was said to have led some eight armed soldiers to the premises of Daily Trust along Baga road in Maiduguri where he demanded to be shown the bureau chief, Hamza Idris, who was not in the office at the time.

Failing to find the reporter, the soldiers whisked away the outgoing regional manager, Aminu Ado, as well as the new regional manger, Jamilu Aliyu,to the headquarters of the 7 Division.

The soldiers said they were acting at the behest of the acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division, Nigeria Army, Brigadier General M.Y. Ibrahim, who was not pleased by the report about soldiers mutinying against their deployment to Gwoza.

Though the said story was widely reported by both national and international media, including the BBC and the AFP, the soldiers picked on Daily Trust, probably because they could not locate the offices of other media houses, most of which had been closed since the beginning of the insurgency.

The arrested staff of the newspaper were kept at the headquarters of the 7 Division headquarters for over an hour.

While at the headquarters, the acting GOC, Brig-Gen Ibrahim was said to be very furious and described the mutiny reports as “false alarm”.

The traumatised new regional operations manager, Jamilu said: “The GOC said Nigerian troops are trying to contain the Boko Haram insurgency but it seems the media are siding with the terrorists. He said this is unacceptable and accused us of taking sides, insisting that soldiers did not refuse going to Dalwa and Bama.”

The acting GOC was said to have threatened that, henceforth, journalists would be locked up if they do not exercise restraint in the course of covering the Boko Haram insurgency.

The GOC, however, admitted that the wives of the soldiers had earlier staged a protest, but said he had nothing to do with that. He revealed that their husbands are currently being prosecuted.

Jigawa Assembly Okays N1.7bn Supplementary Budget

By Muh’d Zangina Kura,

The Jigawa State House of Assembly yesterday pass and approved N1.7billion supplementary budget for the state executive.

Speaking while presiding over the House sitting yesterday, the speaker, Hon Adamu Ahmad, called for deliberation on the report of the joint committee on finance on public account on the implementation of state appropriation law 2014 and proposal for adjustments there in .

The committee’s report which was presented to the house stated that the document sent by Governor Sule Lamido seeking the House’s approval for transfer of N1.7billion from the stabilisation fund appropriated in the state budget for the ongoing airport project embarked by the state government.

The report explained that the money would be used to bridge the funding gap in the initial budget allocation for the airport project.

According to reports, if the House approves the request, the money will be used in purchasing relevant equipment for the airport, including special fire tender truck, baggage handling system, security scanning machines, check-in counters and airfield lightning system, among others.

The House after deliberation unanimously passed the report without any alteration.

Police Get New Force Secretary, PRO

By CHIKA OTUCHIKERE, Abuja

Some of the new buses manufactured by Stallion Motors, getting ready for Nigerian Markets

DAAR Communications Announces New Appointments

BY PAUL CHIAMA, Abuja

Spurred by the need to reposition to meet the demands for migration from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting as stipulated by International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the management of DAAR Communications Plc yesterday announced the appointment of some key staff into different management positions.

This was made known in a press release made available to LEADERSHIP Friday yesterday and signed by the executive director, Corporate Communications of DAAR Communications, Mr Johnson Onime.

According to the release, the board of directors of DAAR Communications had, in an emergency meeting on Wednesday, also “announced the setting up of DAAR

News Services Directorate, with the responsibilities of providing newsfeeds and programming for all DAAR Communications Plc outlets – Raypower, AIT, FAAJI and DAARSAT.” According to the press release, in the appointments which took effect from Wednesday, August 20, 2014, Mr Imoni Amarere becomes the managing director of news; Odion Bello becomes head of AIT News; Bayo Bodunrin, head of reportorial/chief correspondent; Raymond Ellamah, deputy head of reportorial, and Augustine Agbonsuremi, the new head of political desk.

Also affected in the appointment are Tonia Ike-Ejeye, deputy head of political desk; Chukwudi Okolie-Ugbaja, head of editorial; Utang Ukaba, deputy head, editorial and Gbenga Aruleba, head of current affairs.

In the new appointments, Shola Aiyebola becomes the deputy head of current affairs while Emmanuel Ohiomokhare is the interim head of business desk.

Other appointees are: Tunde Orebiyi, head of sports; Kunle Adewale, head of presentation; Lara Owoeye-Wise, deputy head of presentation; Funke Fadugba, head of Raypower News and Raymond Ellamah, the head of DAAR News 24.

According to the release, the board also approved the appointment of Mr Kelly Elisha as the chairman, editorial board of the group.

Also appointed were Mrs. Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi, executive director, legal services; Mr Johnson Onime, executive director, corporate communications, and Mrs. Funke Fadugba, general manager, Raypower News.

Everything you can imagine is real.

Pablo Picasso, Spanish painter and scuiptor

The Nigeria Police force yesterday witnessed the deployment of a new Force secretary AIG Bala Hassan and public relations officer (FPRO) DCP Emmanuel Ojukwu.

While AIG Bala Hassan replaces Dan’Azumi Doma who was recently elevated to DIG, DCP Emmanuel Ojukwu replaces ACP Frank Mba as the new FPRO. A statement by the spokesman of the Police Service Commsion (PSC), Mr Ferdinand Ekpe, said the commission’s chairman, Chief Mike Okiro, enjoined the new secretary to bring to the Force his wealth of experience in his new posting.

Another statement signed yesterday by the Deputy FPRO, CSP Abayomi Sogunle and made available to LEADERSHIP Friday, said until his appointment, the new Force spokesman, Ojukwu, was in charge of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the agency’s Zone 7 headquarters, Abuja.

In a brief handover ceremony at Force Headquarters, Abuja, ACP Mba thanked the IGP for his new assignment as Lagos Command Area J. Commander, and urged the media and the public to extend the same maximum cooperation to the new spokesman as they did to him, a call his successor restated.

DCP Ojukwu, who served as FPRO between 2008 and 2010, holds B.Sc degree in Psychology (First Class Hons) from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and M.Sc in Psychology from the University of Lagos.

August 22, 2014

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14 NEWS NATIONAL Ebola Virus Scare: Osun Osogbo Festival Holds Today – Monarch The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun has said that the Osun Osogbo International Festival would hold today contrary to widespread rumour that the annual festival will not hold due to the fear of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

Speaking yesterday during an interactive session with newsmen in Osogbo on behalf of the Ataoja in Council, the chief festival consultant, Mr Ayo Olumoko, declared that the Ebola virus does not pose threat to the celebration of the festival and assured that it is safe to attend the event.

While the state government declared a low keyed celebration this year because of the fear of the spread of the dreaded virus to the state, the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo branch, had in a statement called for the postponement of the festival.

By Joshua Dada, Osogbo

August 22, 2014

TAN Rally: Bode George, Fayose, Obanikoro, Others To Storm Ibadan

By Chibuzo Ukaibe, Abuja

The nationwide zonal rally flagged off by the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) last Saturday in Awka Anambra State capital moves to the heartland of Yoruba race as the rally train makes a stopover at Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Saturday.

TAN however disclosed that at the South East rally last Saturday, over 1.6million Ndigbo signed TAN register seeking to urge President Jonathan to

contest the presidential election in 2015.

A statement from TAN head office in Abuja and signed by the director of media, Ike Abonyi, said the former deputy national chairman of PDP, Chief Bode George, the governor-elect of Ekiti State, Chief Ayo Fayose, the minister of states for defence and FCT, Musiliu Obanikoro and Jumoke Akinjides respectively are expected to led other top political leaders from the region to the rally.

TAN, a non governmental

organisation, had lined up rallies in all the six geo-political zones in the country with the sole motive of galvanizing the people to persuade President Goodluck Jonathan having performed well in his first term to come out and contest for a second term in 2015.The rally also aims at highlighting the president’s achievements in the region.

According to TAN the South West rally is also expected to feature performance from notable artists from the geopolitical zone.

L-R: Director General, National Productivity Centre, Mr. Paul Bdliya, minister of aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka and his counterpart in the Labour and Productivity Ministry, Chief Emeka Wogu, at the Productivity Order of Merit Awards ceremony in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO BY BY GBENGA

2016 Census Will Erase Past Errors –NPC Boss Given the controversies that had trailed population census data in the past, the chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Chief Eze Duruiheoma, has reiterated that the 2016 census will erase the past errors through the deployment of sophisticated gadgets.

Speaking during a courtesy call by the National Security Training Seminar team from the Defence Intelligence School in Abuja, Durui-

heoma stated that the commission was working hard to ensure a credible and reliable demographic data by 2016.

According to him, managing the country’s population through credible outcomes of data, will bring about improvements in the economic well-being of individuals.

“It is almost true that if the population of a country is well managed, it should naturally translate to prosperity and economic well-being of every person.

“There lies the basic relationships between our responsibility and the security needs of our country because it takes away economic prosperity and well-being. ” Leader of the delegation from the Intelligence School, Mrs Chinyelum Usman, in her remarks, noted that the visit was to acquaint the delegation on how critical the commission is to national security.She said training in the school is geared towards enhancing human capacity development in tackling security challenges.

Chidoka Receives National Productivity Order Of Merit Award

By NKEM OSUAGWU, Lagos

The minister of aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, has been conferred with the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) award by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on August 21, 2014.

The president who was represented by the vice president, Namadi

Former national chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Nigeria’s Ambassadorat-Large, Dr. Bamanga Tukur has called for effective international cooperation and mutual understanding between the leading political parties in Africa and the world.

He said that this relationship has become necessary now, in order to ensure the execution and implementation of programmes and manifestoes of the leading parties to the economic advantage of all citizens of different countries of the world.

A press statement from his special assistant, Prince Oliver Okpala, said that Tukur made the call when he received the Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Tagelsir Ali in his office at Abuja, yesterday.

Tukur remarked that the ideologies and manifesto of leading political parties in Africa and the world have identical features that will help to foster peace and unity in Africa and the world.

By Millie Ibe, Abuja

OLAJOBI

By Patience Ivie Ihgejirika, Abuja

Tukur Calls For Synergy Among Political Parties

Sambo, said recipients are being recognised for their productivity and commitment towards nation building.

He charged them to continue to give their best for the growth and development of the country.

The event which was chaired by the minister of labour, Chief Emeka Nwogu, also witnessed the confer-

ment of the award to other notable Nigerians who have made significant contributions to the development of the country, in their various fields of endeavour.

Chidoka was recognised, with this award, because of the significant improvement he brought to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) where he served as the corp marshal.

Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever Walt Disney, founder and CEO of the Walt Disney Company

BUSINESS NEWS /15

August 22, 2014

business news Vehicles Emitting Fumes To Be Phased Out By Dec

By Evelyn Okoruwa, Abuja

The federal government has said it will phase out vehicles emitting fumes through the National Vehicular Emission Control Programme before the end of the year.

This was made known by the director- general, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr Ngeri Benebo, while briefing the press at the federal/states regulatory dialogue on the implementation of national environmental regulations yesterday in Abuja.

She explained that identifying such vehicles would reduce toxic emission which would go a long way in improving the air quality. Benebo said the agency was working on standardising the equipment that would be used in detection. “We want to have a level playing ground for everyone so that if a vehicle does not pass the test at my centre, at the next centre, it will still not pass. We have developed an operational guideline. It is already on the

With 10 months left for the deadline set by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for television stations in Africa to migrate from analogue broadcasting to digital terrestrial television (DTT), the regulatory body, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has said the June 2015 deadline is sacrosanct.

Addressing operators at the Breakfast Session jointly organised

by Advertisers’ Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) and Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIRAN) in Lagos recently, Mr Emeka Mba, the director-general of the NBC said after the ITU deadline, there would be no more international support for analogue spectrum as any operator still operating on the platform would be technically hedged out.

BY PAUL CHIAMA, Abuja

Towards ensuring integrity and rapid business growth, the registrar-general of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Alhaji Bello Mahmud, has called on stakeholders in the Nigerian economy to fully embrace the code of corporate governance.

According to a press release made available to LEADERSHIP Friday and signed by agency’s director of public affairs, Churchill Williams, Mahmud made this call while speaking during a courtesy

visit by the chairman of the Institute of Directors (IoD), Mrs Eniola Fadayomi.

The CAC boss stressed that an effective code of corporate governance would create a suitable environment for business growth as well as improve the overall interest of business objectives.

He expressed the commitment of the commission in nation building, adding that the CAC was institutionalizing an annual corporate citizens’ award intended to stimulate a solid foundation for enterprise and proper business

ethics.

According to him, the corporate citizens’ award would promote the culture of good corporate governance in the Nigerian environment by recognising corporate citizens who have conducted their affairs in compliance with statutory requirements and best practices of corporate governance.

Speaking further, the registrargeneral expressed readiness to partner with the institute to encourage directors of companies attend its courses.

national fiscal policy for the country. There is also a white paper on it from the SGF office saying that it is mandatory that testing should be done,” she disclosed while adding that the agency would be working closely with VIO, FRSC, Nigeria Union of Transport and other consultants on the issue.

Earlier in her remarks, the minister of environment Mrs Lawrencia Mallam, who was represented by the ministry’s permanent secretary explained that NESREA was embarking on the implementation of the National Vehicular Emission Control Programme (NVECP) which is in line with the national environmental control of vehicular emissions from petrol and diesel engines regulations of 2011.

She said the major provisions in the national environmental control of vehicular emissions from petrol and diesel engines regulations were the ban of the L-R: Former Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Aji; minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka importation of 2-stroke engines Wogu, and Vice President Namadi Sambo at the National Productivity Day in Abuja yesterday. Photo By Nan and the yearly emission testing of vehicles.

NBC Rules Out Extension Of Deadline For Digital Migration

By Friday Atufe, Lagos

CAC Urges Biz Owners To Embrace Corporate Governance Code

The ITU secretary - general, Dr Hamadoun Toure, recently said that the June 2015 deadline was agreed on by all the 193 members of the organisations, which consists of governments as well as 70 private sector members.

His words: “We knew it was doable when we set the migration deadline in 2005. The benefits of the migration exercise to both consumers as well as broadcasters are also enormous.”

According to him, the migration exercise would lead to freeing up of about one-third of frequencies which could then be used for the provision of other services.

On the steps taken by the federal government so far to actualise the ITU vision, Mba disclosed that the government had finalised and harmonised discussions over the transmission network parameters with all ECOWAS member states.

CBN Okays Glo To Create 500,000 Mobile Money Outlets

By Chima Akwaja, Lagos

As part of strategy to boost the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) financial inclusion policy, the apex bank yesterday gave approval to Globacom, Nigeria’s second national operator, to create 500,000 mobile money agent outlets in the country through the Glo Xchange, a mobile money agent network which was launched yesterday in Lagos in partnership with commercial banks.

Globacom in partnership with Firstmonie, a subsidiary of First Bank, Ecobank, Stanbic IBTC and Zenith Bank unveiled the first super agent network to drive mobile money which has lagged since it was introduced in the country in 2011 by the apex bank.

The director, payment systems, CBN, Mr Dipo

Fatokun, said the launch of the mobile money agent network by the telecommunications operator supports the financial inclusion programme of the apex bank aimed at creating a cashless economy where every unbanked Nigerian could have access to financial services irrespective of the location, literacy or financial capability.

He said the “CBN believes that mobile money and agent framework is the frontier of cashless boom. Mobile money is the next thing expected to transform the CBN’s cash-less policy, the apex bank believe that such initiative like this will aid both telecommunications and banking industries to further serve Nigerians better.”

Reeling out statistics on the cashless initiative so far, Fatokun said Nigeria increased its ATM machines

Not every movement is progress; Some movements are just a way of burning fats!

― Israelmore Ayivor

from 10,727 in June 2012 to 15, 000 by June 2014 with the transaction volumes also moving from N1.3 trillion as at June 2012 to N1.7 trillion as at June 2014. Point of Sales (PoS) terminals has as well increased from 21, 400 in 2012 to 135, 000 at as June 2014. The transaction volume on the PoS has moved from N57.3 billion in 2012 to N138 billion by June this year.

Head of Glo, Prepaid Services, Kamal Shonibare said the government through the CBN canvassed cash-less revolution through relationship between banks and the telecommunications operators.

He said mobile operators are to create platforms that will drive and make the process a success.

According to him, majority of the about 170 million Nigerians have no access to financial services.

16 BUSINESS NEWS

August 22, 2014

Fashola Flays FG Over Use Of Revenue Allocation GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos

The Lagos State governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, yesterday carpeted the federal government for doing little with the huge revenue allocations it gets monthly from the federation account.

Fashola, who said this at the flag-off ceremony of the Lagos State Economic and Empowerment Programme held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Secretariat,

Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State, pointed out that the federal government gets 52 per cent of the total income of the federation, while the 36 state governments in the federation share 26 per cent but the federal government has failed in its responsibilities, especially in the provision of power and security.

Fashola said, “There are three governments in Nigeria. That is the federal, the state and the local arms

of government. We get income from three major sources, there are other ones but these are the main sources. One is oil, the other is charges and import duties. Last year in Apapa alone, between January and June, the published income for the federal government was N1.4trillion.

“We don’t collect taxes from companies. All the companies in Nigeria, once you declare your profit, certain percentage is paid

to the federal government.

What we collect is personal income tax on the employees of the companies. Yet, the federal government has failed to provide electricity.

If there is power today, many companies will pick up.

Fashola lauded Lagos residents for paying their taxes adding that it was from the taxes that the state government was able to embark on economic empowerment programmes.

Uncertainty Over Warri Refinery As PPMC Stops Crude Supply Sola Adebayo, Warri

Indications have emerged that the operations of the ailing Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) may once again be stopped following the suspension of crude oil supply to the pioneer refining plant.

LEADERSHIP Friday learnt yesterday that WRPC, one of the strategic business units of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), had not received crude feedstock for its operations in the past two weeks.

Findings by LEADERSHIP Friday showed that the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of NNPC, responsible for crude oil supply to the refinery, had failed to carry out its statutory obligation in the past two weeks.

Consequently, it was gathered that WRPC relied only on heavy gas oil, a by-product of Area 1 Topping Unit of the refinery, to sustain epileptic operations.

Reliable sources in the plant told LEADERSHIP Friday that the refinery operated with the heavy gas oil to produce only Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, in the past two weeks. The sources hinted that the plant had suspended the production of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), popularly known as kerosene and Automative Gas Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel, due to shortage of crude oil.

PPMC hitherto supplies crude to WRPC from the various fields of the energy giant, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) in Escravos, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State through a network of pipeline, known as ‘System 2C’.

The incessant attacks on the pipeline, which spans about 67 kilometres from Escravos to Warri, by oil thieves, compelled the authorities in NNPC to opt for the supply of crude oil to the

refinery through oceangoing vessels.

No reason had been given for the failure of PPMC to render its obligation to WRPC. A source that pleaded anonymity told LEADERSHIP Friday, “PPMC has cut off crude oil supply to Warri Refinery in the past two weeks. We don’t know the reason for the action from official quarters but information going round indicated that the order came from the above.

The report available to the workers showed that the authorities in Abuja asked the PPMC to stop further supply of crude oil to WRPC because the plant is operating at a loss.

“The authorities were said to be unhappy that WRPC is not operating efficiently but how can we achieve that when the plant has not been maintained in the past 20 years? The plant has been programmed to fail to pave the way for the powerful people to buy it as a scrap.”

PPMC’s manager, Public Affairs, Mr Nasir Imodagbe, refused to comment on the matter.

Imodagbe, who was contacted on the phone by our correspondent, did not fulfil his initial promise to give an official position on the matter.

He ignored subsequent calls and texts to his cell phone.

WRPC, the first government-owned refinery was inaugurated in 1978 to process 100,000 barrels of crude oil per day. However, it was redesigned in 1987 to process 125,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

But the plant had operated epileptically since inception due to poor maintenance of its strategic component units. The authorities had consistently failed to carry out mandatory TurnAround-Maintanance (TAM), which is expected to be done every four years.

This development had forced the plant to operate at less than 60 per cent of its installed capacity.

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Not every movement is progress; Some movements are just a way of burning fats!

― Israelmore Ayivor

TOURISM 17

August 22, 2014

Museum Should Not Be Seen As Shrine – NCMM

L-R: The secretary to director of Administration and Supplies, National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Mallam Musa Abdullahi; assistant director of Security, NCMM, Mr Gimba Mohammed Abdul and head of department, Educational Services and Training, NCMM, Hajiya Ruqayyat Jelilah, during the post- Ramadan lecture organised by NCMM for children in Abuja, recently. PHOTO BY CHIKA OKEKE

Stakeholders Call For Review Of Cultural Policy Stories By Chika Okeke, Abuja

The Federal Government approved a cultural policy which was officially launched in 1988. The major key objective of the Policy was to mobilize and motivate the people by disseminating and propagating ideas which promote national pride, solidarity and consciousness.

It also serves to promote an educational system that encourages creativity and represents our tradition and cultural values such as respect for humanity and human dignity, for legitimate authority and the dignity of labor as well as respect for positive Nigerian moral and religious values.

The Policy also empowered the states to enact laws that will protect Nigerian artists and writers by ensuring that they enjoy the fullest material and spiritual benefits of their artistic and literacy works.

Also, the state shall encourage Nigerian newspapers to provide adequate coverage for arts and culture and promote high critical standards through awards and prizes to journalists and among other salient issues.

Despite these longstanding objectives, the tourism industry is far from attaining some of these policies. To this end, cultural devotees are seeking for a review of the existing Policy in order to make culture occupy its appropriate position in the country.

Reacting to this issue, the traditional ruler of Onitsha in Anambra State, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Ugochukwu Achebe said the urgent review of the National Policy on Arts and Culture and its implementation was to make arts

and culture become key development resources and to serve as the defining elements of our people and identity.

Achebe, who was the guest speaker during the 5th National Symposium on Nigerian Art held in Calabar, Cross River State, noted that the new policy should provide massive investments by government, agencies and private sectors on the areas of visual arts saying that art and culture would only be a key to development if adequate steps were taken to reform the existing cultural laws.

He said, “The purpose would be to entrench and popularize arts and culture in our educational institutions as well as build relevant institutions and facilities such as museums, galleries, theatres among others that will bring our arts and culture to the level of the common man.

“After all, art should not only be appreciated by the elite for its aesthetic potentials but should also be seen as a major defining element of a people’s identity. Art and culture will only be a key to our developmental process if adequate steps are taken to reform the existing cultural laws.”

Igwe Achebe was optimistic that Nigeria arts provided readymade materials for campaigns saying that despite the ill conceived opinion about Nigeria by foreigners that works of our artists had consistently received worldwide acclaim. he said, “The challenge, therefore, is to identify the necessary measures while respective stakeholders should take proper measure to ensure that our artworks are promoted worldwide so as to achieve the lofty goals of taking Nigeria to a higher

pedestal among other countries in the world through the arts.”

In an interview with LEADERSHIP Friday, an Arts teacher at Abdul Aziz Atta Memorial College Okene, Kogi State, Mrs Jimoh OziOyiza Meimunat, called on the government to facilitate the review of National Policy on Arts and Culture maintaining that the time allotted to the teaching of art was unsatisfactory.

She said, “If government can help us to review the National Policy on Arts and Culture and establish a place where talented people can acquire more knowledge about arts, we will appreciate it. Some secondary school arts teachers are not doing anything that will satisfy our conscience because we are lack the suitable environment, materials and time that will facilitate our work and if provided will help to promote Nigeria better because Art and science goes together.”

However, a lecturer at the Department of Fine Arts, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Dr Iyabo Khadijah Tijani, suggested attitudunal change among Nigerians and not necessarily the review of the National Policy .

Dr Tijani, who is also a graphic artist, said, “The National Policy on Education (NPE, 2004) has provisions for the teaching of art at all levels of education. This is because the Nigerian Government recognized the role of art education (Fine and Applied) as one of the powerful instrument for self-reliant economy.

“If every member of our society is exposed to self-expression, they will grow into adults who will be productive contributors to the general development of Nigeria.

Against the backdrop of some religious principles, the director –general of National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Mallam Yusuf Abdallah Usman, has said that museum remains the custodian of cultural heritage of man and not a shrine saying that it was designated as a place of learning, enjoyment and entertainment.

Represented by the director, Administration and Supplies, Barr Emeka Onuegbu, Usman made the disclosure during the post- Ramadan lecture organised by the Department of Educational Services and Training, NCMM for children in Abuja.

On her part, the head of department, Educational Services and Training, Hajiya Rukkayat Jelilah, said the essence of organising the event was to enlighten children about the importance of museums and why it should not be seen as a shrine saying that religious objects were kept at Kano museum.

“The essence of the programme is to inform the children that museum is not a shrine where we keep useless objects, but we also keep the cultural heritage of man inclusive of religious heritage.

For instance, we have an Islamic gallery in Kano museum where we keep religious objects like rosary and Koran.

She noted that museum objects serve as a medium of education which would also promote peaceful co-existence between communities even as she appreciated the assistance of individuals that contributed immensely towards the success of the programme.

According to her, “All the objects are traditionally made. It educates people and helps to strengthen the peaceful co-existence between the communities because some of the objects are related and similar.

Since we are the custodian of our culture, we also keep religious objects like Koran in our archives.”

‘Nigeria’s Tourism Potentials Still Untapped’ The executive secretary of the National Planning Commission (NPC), Mr Ntufam Fidelis Ugbo, has stated that Nigeria has the greatest tourism potentials in Africa which had remained unexplored even as he promised to collaborate with the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) in developing capacity building programmes for members of staff.

Ugbo, who stated this when the director-general of NTDC, Mrs Sally Mbanefo,paid a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja, requested private sector participation towards the promotion of domestic tourism initiative of the Corporation.

“Nigeria has the greatest tourism potentials in Africa, but we are yet to harness them, so the public and private sectors must join force with the NTDC to promote and develop domestic tourism in Nigeria because it will result in creation of jobs at local government, reduction of urban migration and promotion of cultural integration,” he said.

While assuring that the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) would collaborate with NTDC in capturing data of tourists in Nigeria, he noted that capacity building and training of NTDC staff would create better opportunities of projecting better image of Nigeria in the area of tourism.

On her part, the DG of NTDC, Mrs Sally Mbanefo, was optimistic that since the industry was projecting Nigeria’s image, the staff should be well-trained and versatile with global best practices.

According to her: “NTDC staffs are the core stakeholders in the Nigeria’s tourism industry, hence they must be well-equipped and practically made ambassadors of the Nigeria’s tourism industry to drive development in the industry.”

Mbanefo stressed that good synergy and partnership between NTDC and NPC would enhance adequate and periodical training and retraining of NTDC staff saying that it would bring about rapid development in Nigeria .in the area of domestic tourism.

The system will always be defended by those countless people who have enough intellect to defend but not quite enough to innovate.

Edward de Bono, Maltese physician, author, inventor and consultant.

18 MARITIME Going by the size of your council, do you experience any zero allocation?

What we experience is not zero allocation. We have allocation but then, we also have a very large workforce and it’s one of the things that limits what we can do because the workers take a large chunk of the funds accruing to us from the federation account .

For instance, when I came into office, I met 2,082 staff on ground, and we were paying close to about N80million every month without even implementing the minimum wage.

After a screening that was authorised by the state government, the workforce came down to 1,508 and by the time we implemented the new minimum wage of N18,000 for all the workers, we were still able to meet up our salary commitment of about N74 million every month. There is allocation, but the workforce takes a large chunk of it.

August 22, 2014

interview

Power Infrastructure Is Key To Development – Adeiza

Why you embarked on power projects?

The moment I returned as the executive chairman of my council in May 2013, I held a meeting with my head of department and discovered that we have some personnel and manpower that could be deployed to do some kind of research on the power needs of the local government.

The first two things I was told was the need for us to switch over from the power Onyema connection along Okene back to Ajaokuta were we have a power plant built by the federal government and where we can draw enough power for use.

The second one, was that there were some communities where high tension transmission lines passed through and yet they lacked access to power.

An example is the Kporoko, Emiagbati and Emiadikor communities. We are also hoping that with the cooperation between the local,state and the federal governments,another transmission line would come through Obabara to Ukpake communities.There are lots of villages and communities along that route. The only way we can prove to the people that we really care, and are serious is to bring power infrastructure to The only way them and that is what we are doing apart from other efforts.From we can prove those efforts alone, they have been to the people coming in to see what we are doing that we really and giving us support in terms of the links for Obabara to Obangede, care, and are Ogodor, Apamira, Ugewene down serious is to to Ukpake communities. bring power Similarly, although this is unrelated to power, it’s about the infrastructure bridge along the Apamira River. to them and One of the things that convinced that is what the state government to buy into we are doing the project is the fact that we have been able to put in place, a very apart from good and solid bridge that crosses other efforts

Mr Okino Aloysius Adeiza is the executive chairman, Ajaokuta Local Government, Kogi State.In this interview with KINGSLEY ALU, he discusses critical issues of infrastructure development and empowerment , the need for federal and state governments’ interventions and lots more. Excerpts

that river, and now, the government has said it would come in and fix that road all the way to Ukpake.

So real infrastructural development is taking place and it is evident in these communities, that is why we decided to embark on the project.

What other projects are we expecting to see?

We want to start work on the road within the headquarters like the Achagana Road.We want to give it surface dressing. We have the Maliki Road, and then, the Eganyi Road linking the federal highway.

We want to do surface dressing for those roads.

We are also looking at doing reticulation for the whole of Eganyi District because, we have a water system constructed in the 1980’s that has been in use. We are going to see how we can reactive that and reticulate water from the top of the hill where we are going to have a reservoir to cover every area from Unosi to Adogo to Ogigiri, Achagana and Badoko area. At least, if these places are covered, we can have pipe-borne water running 24 hours.

In what other areas would you have loved the state or even the federal government to intervene ?

The Ajaokuta Steel Company

is where we need the greatest intervention.If the factory is producing steel now, the local government knows the kind of revenue that it could generate from there. Again the federal roads that pass through my local government are in very bad shape.

Before now , it was worse than that but some kind of intervention came in from Federal Roads Maintainanace Agency (FERMA) after we appealed to them for help, but a larger portion of it is not passable at the moment.

If we get an intervention there, it would help our people who are predominantly farmers to get their products to the market. For now, a lot of costs are incurred by them in conveying the products to the various markets in Okene, Lokoja and other near-by bigger markets.

Impact of the MDG programme of the federal government on your local government?

We have seen tremendous success by subscribing to the Millenium Development Goals (MDG) vehicle having been able to contribute our own share of the counterpart funding to the programme , and that is why today, we have a project worth about N200 million already running in my local government . We have had many schools fixed, and also some new ones, built.

Under the MDG scheme, we are running a successful healthcare

delivery system. We have some health personnel trained by the federal government and deployed to our local government and they are still serving in those clinics that were built under the scheme.

There have also been training programmes for people in the education sector like the teachers.

Some federal teachers have been deployed to our local government.

All these are as a result of the MDG agreement that we signed.

What have you done in the area of women empowerment?

Under our empowerment scheme, we have distributed items to some women to enable them engage in productive businesses.Others are also enlisting in our agriculture programme. We have a rice farm that we did last year, this year; we are having a cassava farm of about 100hectres that is a collaboration with the state government. We have procured equipment which will produce bio-diesel.

The women are going to get not only free stoves, but also biodiesel for those stoves. In other words, they are not going to cook with fire woods again. The fuel is going to be produced from cassava and they are very much involved.

Those are the kind of things we’ve been doing for our women.

How you are addressing unemployment problem in the local government?

We are keying into every programme of the government.

The state government is running a programme called the Youth Ambassador Development of Kogi Youth and we are very much involved in it. The programme is really yielding results.Some of our youths numbering over a hundred have benefitted from it. They are trained and given some capital to start their businesses.

Another percentage of them, about a thousand or so, have also gone into the Sure-P programme of the federal government.

We also have our own youth empowerment scheme where people work for us between 9am and 12noon on a daily basis, five days in a week and they earn about N5, 000 for doing three hours’ work like maybe cleaning. That one is for those who are really unskilled and uneducated. We do not have the capacity to absorb everybody into the civil service, but we are intervening to make life easier for the people.

What are your challenges?

We need funds to sustain governance at the local level.

Adequate funds will enable us to carry out our statutory function.

Another problem we’ve seen here is that, a lot of people don’t even want the local government to exist, but they forgot that every programme of the government must be executed through the local government for maximum impact at the grassroots.

AGRICULTURE 19

August 22, 2014

AgriC REPORT Farmers at work

Reducing Post-Harvest Losses to Create Wealth As the prices of produce continue to rise due to low supply of fresh produce to the markets, a major challenge to the Nigerian farmer has been the inability to control post-harvest losses. This has caused the farmers to under produce.

RUTH TENE NATSA looks at the current reforms aimed at curtailing post-harvest losses.

If there are processors to buy off my produce, believe me, I will produce more. After all, it will add money to my pocket, but right now, when we supply, the marketers only buy the quantity they can sell within a few days

Nigeria is one country where fruits and vegetables grow in and out of season, but the problem of preservation leads to post-harvest losses.

Post-harvest losses are caused by various factors including fruit pest diseases, poor preservation of harvested produces, poor transportation of harvested produces due to bad roads, lack of storage facilities (such as cold rooms and properly ventilated warehouses) among others.

A vegetable farmer in Dutse, Abuja, Mallam Muazu believes that if the federal government will keep to its promises of processing harvested produce, then the issue of post-harvest losses will be history in Nigeria.He called on the federal government to establish the promised Staple Crop Processing Zones (SCFZs).

Muazu said, “I farm tomatoes, fresh pepper and spinach (alefo), but my problem is that even when I harvest these produce, they get spoilt because they cannot be kept for too long. Often, I have to throw away most of them and in the end, time, money and strength are wasted. So I have to produce only to the extent I know I can sell off without wastage.

“If there are processors to buy off my produce, believe me, I will produce more. After all, it will add money to my pocket, but right now, when we supply, the marketers only buy the quantity they can sell within a few days and sometimes we are left with so much we have to throw them away because they got spoilt.”

Reacting to the formation of the SCPZs which will ensure the processing of fresh produce and fruits, Adamu said “We have been hearing about the new SCPZs, but we have not seen any of them and I do not think there is any in the FCT. So what happens to fresh produce farmers in the FCT?” Also, Mrs Kalu Egbu a house wife says she and her family consume lots of fruits and vegetables, but she can only buy a little at a time, because she lacks good ways to preserve them.

“I eat lots of fresh produce and fruits in my house, particularly the vegetables, but I cannot buy more than a little at a time because it will get spoilt. For instance tomatoes, I buy what I need for the week and then a little for frying purposes. I hate eating or buying processed tomatoes because they do not taste as fresh as the fresh tomatoes stew, so I will only buy a little at a time.”

A major activity in the transformation of the nation’s agricultural sector are the SCPZs. which are not just aimed at value addition or curtailing post harvest losses but ensuring that harvested produce are processed into wellpackaged products which can be exported.

In an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP recently, the minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said that agriculture had the greatest power to create jobs, because whether planting, weeding, harvesting, threshing, processing, or adding value you employ people. So the power to create jobs is there but first you must add value to every single thing.

“If you take the case of fruits, for instance, Nigeria is the largest producer of pineapples in Africa, producing 903,000 metric tonnes, South Africa produces about 100,000, but we import pineapple juice from South Africa. Nigeria is the largest producer of mangoes, 620,000 metric tonnes, South Africa produces about 50,000, but we import the juice from there. We produce 1.5 million metric tonnes of tomatoes making us the largest producers of tomatoes in African yet we are importing tomatoes paste from China.

“The good thing is that we are changing it very fast.

Today, Dansa Foods, that is owned by Dangote Group, puts in 40 million USDollars in Cross Rivers to plantations in pineapples and process same into juice. It put in 30 million USDollars in Kano state to build up a plant that will process all these tomatoes into paste. Now as we speak, you take Telagro, which has put up a big plant in Benue State making its own concentrates from mangoes and oranges that were rotting away before, all that within a short period of two years. Today, I can say we are on the right tract processing our fruits.”

Dangote Signs MoU With FG On N165bn Rice Deal

by Ruth Tene Natsa, Abuja

The Dangote Industries Limited recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to invest a total sum of $1billion (One billion US dollars) or about N165 billion (one hundred and sixty five billion naira) for the development of integrated rice projects across five states.

Chairman of the Group and African business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who disclosed this in Abuja during an interactive session with the minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adeshina, said the five beneficiary states are, Edo, Jigawa, Niger, Kebbi and Kwara.

Dangote said, “Apart from producing rice, the investment will ensure that Nigeria begins to export rice, while creating thousands of jobs for the many unemployed Nigerian youths through the out-grower system. If Nigeria sorts out the problem of power and agriculture in, the nation’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP) will grow at double digits.”

He said the investment will not only generate thousands of jobs, but demonstrate and reduce the fear that agriculture is a job for the poorman, and also attract other investors into agriculture.

“It will be a shame for a country such as Nigeria not to be able to produce what it consumes most,” he said.

Alhaji Dangote assured that the investment will also ensure training for farmers, provision of fertilizers for the outgrowers, as well as the assurance to buy-off of paddy rice and process them from the farmers. “Only people who are not serious and want to milk the system will want to continue to import rice” he said.

He recalled that like cement Nigeria will overcome the challenges of importation of rice which served to create jobs for the exporting countries while creating poverty for the importing countries.

Dangote said, “When Nigeria got tired of importing cement in 2002/2003, it went into massive production and in the ten years since production, it now produces 28 million metric tonnes of cement” The business mogul assured that before the end of 2014, Nigeria will be producing 37 million metric tonnes of rice.

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August 22, 2014

Gombe State UniverSity P.m.b. 127 tudun Wada, Gombe, Gombe State E-Mail: vcgsu2004@yahoo.com; www.http/gomsu.net RA/ACA/GEN/13

aPPLiCation For aDmiSSion into tHe remeDiaL ProGrammeS, 2014/2015 SeSSion Application forms for admission into the 10th set of the Remedial Studies Programmes of Gombe State University are now on sale.

The pogrammes are designed to prepare candidates for admission into the University’s Degree Programmes upon successful completion of one year Remedials and meeting the UTME National Cut off Point score. They also provide opportunities to acquire entrepreneurial skills in various trades.

Candidates who wish to apply must have a minimum of three (3) relevant credits and two passes in WAEC/NECO/NABTEB. Application forms may be obtained from the Registrar’s Office upon the payment of three thousand naira only (n3,000.00) in the Bursary Department, Gombe State University.

All completed applicatin forms should be returned to the Registrar, Gombe State University, Gombe on or before Saturday, 29th September, 2014.

15th August, 2014

August 22, 2014

21

Naerls forum

August 22, 2014

National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services, ABU Zaria Contact: Dr M.K Othman - 08065571637. mkothman@gmail.com

Review Of Research-Extension-FarmerInputs-Linkage System (REFILS) In Nigeria And The Roles Of NAERLS (3)

In-House Review Meeting and REFILLs Workshop. The coordinating NARIs organizes an Annual In-House Review Meeting where the NARIs and ADPs in the Zone are represented. At the meeting, reports of research and extension activities of the previous years and work plan for the incoming years are presented. Inputs suppliers, policy makers and farmers representatives are active participants in the meeting/workshop. Other NARIs similarly reports their research and extension activities as well as their collaborative programmes within the period under review. An in-house review meeting normally last for 2days and it is usually followed by the Zonal REFILs workshop, which also take another two days. REFILs workshop provides a forum for show lasing filed trials of new technologies. Results of previous trials are also reviewed for adaption by farmers. The workshop is usually concluded by a presentation on topical issues related to Agricultural Research and

ing agricultural extension activities is responsible for organizing NERPLM where annual activities related to research and extension are extensively reviewed. Similarly, plans are made for the coming year with harmonized annual calendar to guide stakeholders in the conduct of REFILS. This is the highest forum for making major inputs and guidance policy formulation in respect of agricultural extension in Nigeria.

NAERLS Administrative block

Extension by an expert in the selected area.

The workshop is concluded by a round table discussion where trails are selected and work plans are gravity made by ADPs and the coordinating NARLs. Communiqués are issued as the end of the end of usually a week event. The communiqués are targeted to the general public and the policy mak-

ers for further necessary actions.

National Extension Review and Planning Meeting (NERPLM): NERPLM is a national event being organized by NAERLS on annual basis. The participants at the forum are all the ADPs, NARIs, NGO, FMARD, ARCN and other stakeholders. NAERLS with a national mandate for coordinat-

Application OF REFILS in Nigeria Nigeria was divided into five zones for the purpose of REFILs application. Each zone has a REFILs coordinating NARI whose responsibilities are overall coordination, supervision monitoring and Evaluation of REFILs in collaboration with NAERLS and the PCU. The Zones and participating organization are presented in Table 3.1. ➔ TO BE CONTI UED NEXT WEEK

Happy Birthday to Our Amiable

Group Chairman/CEO

A

s you turn 69 today, may the years ahead bring you more fulfilment, blessings, wisdom, contentment and happiness.

You have continued to use your position of priviledge to touch lives and create legacy worthy of emulation.

May Almighty Allah continue to enrich you with long life, good health and wisdom.

Once more, Happy Birthday Sir!

Brig. Gen. Ahmed Abdullahi Abokie (rtd).

From the Board, Management & Staff of

ASAA Group

August 22, 2014

23

24

August 22, 2014

Bernard Okhakume MC & A Weekly Digest market consumer advertising 08053040003

So much happens with change. Though it is constant, sometimes change come with some damaging effect such that leaves more for negativity than add value. Part of the negative impact of change we talked about in our appreciation of technological development with special focus on social media vehicle. In that circumstance, we pointed out the fact that the appreciation and application of social media as a brand management tool does more harm than good in the face of IT development in our local market.

Yes, we did establish the truth in the need to be rational in our application of technology because the efficiency of our thinking cannot be divorced from the readiness of the local environment for such applications.

Take for instance the new cashless transaction planned to take place from January 1st, 2012; how else can one describe mistake: in a society where trust is the most priced currency for payment, how can you force the use of card money?

How do you want to facilitate big volume cash-based trade transaction on PROMISORY cards when we know that the average trader in Nigeria do not trust even the bank draft? Such is the negative impact of change, yet we must observe change. However, growth dynamics requires some measure of careful consideration in the acceptance and

mcaandadigestweekly@gmail.com

application of change – in the face of established norms. As it most often turn out, careless acceptance of change can be dangerous.

So we ask: of what use is change when it does not add up to growth, development or progress? How can we justify change when it ebbs away on quantifiable gains and established core values, no matter how minute?

We question hypothesis on the basis of rationalization in the face of change. So, we question CHANGE some times. One of such questions we have had to raise concerning change is the impact it has had on brands management from the angle of creative arts!

I have just come to the conclusion that in most cases, the OLD SCHOOL is better than the product of change around the world today – even in religion. But here we are looking at the incidence of CHANGE in special relation with the efficiency of creative arts in the process of brands management.

The structure of today’s advertising agency is so suspect; traditionalists like me are at a loss as to how to refer to them. But they have also turned out smart in the image perception they have made of themselves. It’s been so apt one from the old school some times doubt some of these old thinking’s. Today we hear of brand architects, brands managers, brands management consultants, and so much more. In form and substance these are

Agbaji Chinedu business 1:0:1 Agrobusiness with Agbaji Chinedu 08035004617

Gari is a major Nigerian staple food processed from cassava tubers. It comes in granular form but once mixed in hot water, turns into smooth solid paste.Gari can be eaten in different forms but the most common is with assorted soup and meat. It is not chewed like rice or yam but simply swallowed once dipped in the soup. It can be soaked in water and enhanced with sugar and milk and taken as a beverage.

Gari production has been going down considerably over the years because most of the village women who process it manually are abandoning it because of its drudgery and tedious nature.

The last administration sensitized Nigerians into planting more cassava and farmers responded positively and we are now the highest producers in the world.

There is too much cassava and few processors.

PROCESSING OF GARI Peeling: Gari processing starts with the peeling of the cassava where most of the cyanide resides. The skin of the cassava is made up of the outer thin papery

fridayleadership@leadership.ng

layer and the leathery tough inner layer.

Peeling can be done mechanically or manually. Mechanical peelers are problematic because of the non-uniform nature of the cassava roots and the irregularity in size which make smooth peeling difficulty. As a result of these problems, processors prefer manual peeling for now till the mechanical is perfected.

Grating: The washed tubers are taken to the Hammer Mill where they are grated. Proper grating disintegrates the root cells of the cassava tubers and releases the enzyme to act on its substrate thus initiating the process of fermentation and detoxification.

Fermentation: The bags are stacked in racks and depressed with hydraulic weight for three to five days to enable the liquour to drain out while fermentation takes place. Food scientists and gari experts have found that the sack-pressed method is the fastest and the best of the fermentation methods.The essence of fermenting the mash is to get rid of the hydrocyanic acid (HCN) which is natural in cassava tubers.

The expected HCN content of cassava

Brands And Visual Artists all different new reference to what we originally know as ADVERTISING AGENCY. Also annoying is the knowing that these so-called professionals do not really practice the profession in its true form.

Consequently, we now see consumers exposed to campaigns or tactical advert materials lacking in message content or functional creativity. Some time last week I was privileged to see Coca-cola’s seasonal TV Commercial conceptualized as a Christmas salutary ad on CNN. It was awesome; a masterpiece of a creative work. It refreshed my appreciation of creative ingenuity. The TVC came across as a piece from the masters, with excellent use of lighting, appropriate music and sound effect and deep-thinking casting (use of models was exact); reminds me of the work I and the team I worked with did for Procter & Gamble’s euro Pampers when they were preparing to enter Nigerian market. It all came properly put together by a team committed to agreed creative work plan.

I believe and practice by the Old School tradition because I know it is more effective. It may not be very competitive in terms of very fast response-timing, convenience and style, but it has proven to be more beneficial. As my contemporaries and I know it, the creative artist or visualize(r) is first and primarily someone naturally gifted and trained in the

expression of creative art. They are trained and prepared for creative thinking and expression in their natural medium sending messages and expressing emotion. For advertising, as we knew it then, we primarily dealt with the visual artist we called VISUALISER. The visualizer, by reason of his/her natural creative abilities is charged with the responsibility of expressing the agency’s strategic thinking in pictures.

The criterion for engaging visual artist was largely based on the extent of creativity and ability to apply same for advertising. So we had men and women proven to be naturally expressive in visual arts. Another beautiful thing about them is the tools of trade way back; the creative process was thoroughly investigative. Starting from understanding the overall creative direction agreed for a given brief, the Visualizer primarily puts his/her thought down in form of ‘pencil scamps’ – a format that allows for consideration and scrutiny. At that stage, the entire creative team inclusive of the strategic planning unit, the client service person and even the creative services person, come up to critically evaluate the pencil scamps which are essentially visual expression of the artist’s understanding and interpretation of the assignment on hand. ➔ TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

Investing In Mechanised Garri Production ranges from 16- 40 milligrams of HCN per 100gm and varies with varieties, environment and age. According to the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), the maximum HCN allowed in gari is 20 parts per million (PPM).Fermentation is the heart of gari processing because it is where the poisonous acid (HCN) is detoxified and removed to make the gari edible.

Pressing: The fermented mash in bags are stacked in the Hydraulic Jack Press and pressed mechanically to squeeze out the remaining fermented liquor.

Granulating: Granulating is breaking up the dewatered mash into small lumps to facilitate roasting or frying. The Granulator is made of stainless steel and powered with a 7.5 hp motor; the capacity is 1 ton/hr.

Roasting or Frying: The mash is emptied into the roasting pot which is a round roasting equipment of about 5ft in diameter with rotating flexible paddles or rakes for tuning the roasting mash to prevent sticking and charring. It is made of stainless steel with 2hp gear motor and is fired with charcoal, firewood, gas etc. It is well ventilated with exhaust pipes and

A patient that can swallow food makes the nurse doubtful. ― Malagasy Proverb

insulated with fiberglass.

The mash is first roasted or fried at about 150oC for about 40 minutes and then for another 20 minutes at a reduced temperature to allow air to blow over it so as to reduce the moisture content to about 9-10 percent.

Packaging: The Gari is discharged from the duct in the gari Roaster and packaged in 5,10 and 25kg bags stitched and stored in the storage area from where they are evacuated to the customers.

LIST OF MACHINERY • Stainless Steel Hammer Mill • Hydraulic Jack (Mechanical) Press • Stainless Steel Cake Granulator • Gari Roasting Pot • Generator • Avery weighing scale • Stitching machine • Well or borehole for water • Bags Note you can buy from the locals from the villages refry and package. In this case you just have to buy only the Gari Roasting pot ,weighing scale and packaging machines etc.

Your Entertainment and Lifestyle Guide August 22, 2014

Jason Owolabi Coming Through The Ranks

ESSENTIALS PLAYLIST

There are many colorful flowers on the path of life, but the prettiest have the sharpest thorns.

razak’s diary Tattles ― African Proverb

26

STARTERS

August 22, 2014

Top 10 Movies August 15-25, 2014 1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Weekend Gross $28,523,147 Gross To Date $117,765,383 2. Guardians of the Galaxy Weekend Gross: $25,115,564 Gross To Date: $222,661,385 3. Let’s Be Cops Weekend Gross: $17,813,722 Gross To Date: $26,220,986 4. The Expendables

Essentials PlaylistWith Abisola Alawode

Weekend Gross: $15,879,645 Gross To Date: $15,879,645 5.The Giver Weekend Gross: $12,305,016 Gross To Date: $12,305,016 6. Into the Storm Weekend Gross: $7,892,239 Gross To Date: $31,513,675 7. The Hundred-foot Journey Weekend Gross: $7,176,092 Gross To Date: $23,686,223

8. Lucy Weekend Gross: $5,493,685 Gross To Date: $107,713,190 9. Step Up All In Weekend Gross: $2,659,026 Gross To Date: $11,808,362 10. Hercules Weekend Gross: $2,127,874 Gross To Date: $68,169,096 fridayleadership@leadership.ng follow us on Twitter @essentialsng

one TO WATCH

Top 10 Music Producers In Nigeria Entertainment site tooxclusive.com released their list of Nigeria’s top 10 music producers recently. We ran the first 10 last week and this week, we continue. Do you agree with it? If you don’t, send your own list to friday@leadership.ng.

Chopstix Apart from churning out nice tracks with his GRIP Boiz group, the producer who is familiar with Chocolate City has produced some outstanding tracks within the year with songs like Eva Alordia’s Shuga, Ice Prince’s Shots on Shots ft. Sarkodie, Stinking Shit ft. IcePrince, Yung L and Endia, SOS by Yung L amongst others.

Legendury Beatz The music-producing duo – Uzezi Oniko and Okiemute Oniko – are behind some of Wizkid’s hit tracks such as Caro, Talk, Drop ft. Wale, Eledumare, as well as other club bangers, including Ginger by L.A.X ft.

Wizkid, SoundSultan’s Kokose ft. Wizkid, Take Care of Me by Skales, Chidinma’s Emini Baller and many more.

Spellz Another talented producer, Spellz’ notable works include; Burna Boy’s Don Gorgon, Shaydee’s Chakam, Ima Bom

by Chuddy K, Dammy Krane’s Xteristics, DJ Kentalky’s Headache ft. Yemi Alade & Dammy Krane, amongst many others.

4. Tee-Y Mix You can’t leave Tee-Y Mix out of this list. Besides being the proud owner of a record label and a judge on MTN’s Project Fame, TY

Mix still maintains his image as an outstanding producer. Songs produced by him within the year include Sound Sultan’s Natural Something (yes, it may be old, but it is still trending), Tee Blaq’s Garawa, Immaculate’s Gogo Baby, Pick Pin by P.R.E, Mama Africa by Ozzy Bosco, Waje’s Merry Xmas etc.

5. Major Bangz Young and upcoming producer Major Bangz’ work on Phyno’s No Guts No Glory album is a testament to his ingenuity. He has also produced tracks like Lil Kesh’s Shoki, Tonto Dikeh’s Hi remix, IllBliss and Chidima’s Powerful and Tai Koon’s songs; Lady, How the Thing Go, Respect my Hustle, Executive, amongst other things.

6. Maleek Berry Grabbing our attention with his production of Sinzu’s Carolina back then, Maleek Berry has not relented in giving Nigerian music lovers what they want…good music! From Wizkid’s Lagos to Soweto to Banky W’s All for You, Wande Coal’s Kilaju, Plan B and Baby Hello, as well as Sinzu’s Shine and Mallek Berry’s own single Boogie Down featuring Wizkid, the producer who is signed unto Starboy Entertainment hasn’t failed us, yet.

The Musketeers Remember the Three Musketeers?

This show is a modern twist of the famous characters. Set in 1630 Paris, D’Artagnan, Athos, Aramis and Porthos are a group of highly trained musketeers who fight to protect the king and country. The Musketeers shows the threesome, commanded

by Captain Treville, make some daunting, heroic moves to carry out their primary assignment.

Developed by the BBC, the show

is largely filmed in Prague. It has received mixed reviews, with Alessandra Stanley of The New York Times saying it is “not at all bad, just a bit old-fashioned.” Den of Geek writer Rob Kemp, states that The Musketeers had “won a lot of people over with its fun and adventurous take on this well-loved story”. The show stars Tom Burke, Howard Charles, Santiago Cabrera, Peter Capaldi, Alexandra Dowling and Ryan Gage.

movie review The Rise of the Eagles Genre Documentary Director Biola Kazeem Year 2014 For a documentary shot at the wake of the World Cup and a time when everyone was affected by the football frenzy, this documentary is exceptionally lifeless. The lifelessness is not for the lack of an interesting story or the lack of well-informed interviewees;

rather, it comes from the narrator.

It goes without saying that the narrator is meant to be the life of a documentary, but where our narrator had a very good voice, he refused to utilise it. He thereby inadvertently made the documentary slur. Besides, the documentary is fun to watch and very informative.

— Reviewed by Innocent Ekejiuba of Nollysilverscreen.com

group EDITOR Lerato Miriam Umah REPORTERS Abisola Alawode, Patience Ivie Ihejirika DESIGN & LAYOUT Chukwudi J. Nwabueze, Iniobong Ekong

ACTING EDITOR Hassan Gimba Ahmed

Founder Sam Nda-Isaiah Chairman Hajiya Ireti Kingibe GRP MANAGING DIRECTOR Azubuike Ishiekwene GRP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS Michael Okpere, Dr. Kazeem Durodoye

Your weekly ESSENTIALS is filled with exclusive interviews, amazing articles from guest columnists and contributors.

27

August 22, 2014

‘Nigerian French Movies Aimed At Providing Opportunities For Students’ In an effort to bring the movie industry closer to the people and foster good rapport between Nigeria and the francophone countries, Sandesco Productions has put together ‘Ecole Buissonniere’, a Nigerian-French movie fully subtitled in English, to educate movie lovers in Nigeria and other parts of African. Sandra Ogechi, one of the resource persons, speaks on behalf of the company with ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM. What’s the concept of this project?

It is all about a Nigerian-French home movie, being pioneered by Sandesco Nigeria Limited, an industry that has just been set-up to take the learning of French in Nigeria to another level. The learning of French has been taking place in Nigeria for over 50-years and the Nigerian government has been sponsoring it. In our higher institutions, as well as secondary and primary schools, the language has been taught for years.

Sadly, we have discovered that thousands of French students graduate yearly and we hardly feel their impact in our society. The concept, therefore, is to justify the existence of learning the language in Nigeria.

projecting you to the francophone countries to earn a living.

What is this movie titled Ecole Buissonniere all about?

The movie Ecole Buissonniere (Truancy, in English), is all about a girl that came from a very rich family, a family that loves everything about the French. They listen to French songs and watch French movies.

After thinking long and hard about getting their only daughter to be part of this language, they decide to send her to school.

She is sent to a reputable higher institution to learn the language. Unfortunately, rather than study, she gets involved in vices. Upon graduating, she returns home with nothing to show for all her years in the university.

Disappointed, her parents decide to take a break. The movie is a complete package and it is interesting.

So, in some ways, it’s going to be an opportunity to create job for French students?

Yes, infact, it’s going to be a platform for French entertainment. For example, if you feel that you can read and understand French language and you can do something positive with it, we can encourage you by

Essentials Taste

Most members of the cast were dressed in traditional attire; what are you aiming to promote?

Yes, it is about projecting the Nigerian

culture via French. It is something which we have been doing for years, so it is completely justified.

Where and when will the movie be premiered and what do you hope to achieve via this project?

The movie will be premiered this month, August, 2014 at the Women Development Centre. We are expecting a whole lot of people, especially those who have the interest of the country’s young people at heart. We expect all those who have been working towards alleviating the high rate of unemployment in Nigeria and all those who have been inspiring the nation’s young people with their unique projects and ideas at the premiere.

One of such men is Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha, who has been going out of his way to ensure that Nigeria’s youths are engaged in many ways. Others are Senator Hope Uzodimma, Hon. Nkiru Ihediocha, Onyeka Onwenu and others who have been championing the cause of women and youths.

Ogechi So what’s your message to French students who have the flair and want to be part of your project?

My message, at this stage, is that they should make up their minds because there are a number of benefits awaiting them.

For those who are graduates of French, they should be happy because succour has come for them. French is a practical language, so, rather than be about the certificate; it is more about what you can offer practically.

We believe [that] we are here to contribute to the Nigerian society through French.

By Patience Ivie Ihejirika

Coconut Rice

Coconut rice actually looks the same as Jollof Rice but the aroma and taste is different. Why not surprise your guests by preparing this easy recipe?

Ingredients/Recipe • 3 cups rice • 600mls coconut milk • Chicken (fried) • Fresh pepper (to taste) • Salt (to taste) • Medium-sized onions

Direction • Since you already have your chicken fried, just go ahead and extract the coconut milk. Set the coconut milk aside.

• Par-boil the rice, wash the parboiled rice and put in a sieve to drain.

• Pour the chicken stock, coconut milk into the selected pot and set on stove to boil. Add the drained par-boiled rice, salt and pepper to taste. If necessary, top-up with water to bring to same level as the rice. This is to ensure that all the water dries up by the time the rice is ‘done’.

• Cover the pot and leave to cook on medium heat. This way the rice does not burn before the water dries. Confirm that rice is ‘done’

by tasting it. Your coconut rice is ready. Serve with fried plantain, moi moi, salad or coleslaw.

Coconut: A Functional Food

Coconut has a long, respected history. It is a source of nutritious juice, milk and oil that has fed and nourished populations around the world for generations.

Health Benefits Of Coconut

Coconut is highly nutritious and rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals.

It is classified as a functional food, because it provides many health benefits beyond its nutritional content. Coconut oil is of special interest, because it possesses healing properties far beyond that of any other dietary oil and is extensively used in traditional medicine in some parts of the world. Pacific Islanders consider coconut oil to be the cure for all illnesses. The coconut palm is so highly valued by them as both a source of food and medicine that it is called "The Tree of Life," while the oil has been described as the

“healthiest oil on earth”.

According to a recent research, coconut can be used to treat a wide variety of health problems; abscesses, asthma, baldness, bronchitis, bruises, burns, colds, constipation, cough, dropsy, dysentery, earache, fever, flu, gingivitis, gonorrhea, irregular or

The friends of our friends are our friends. ― Congolese Africa

painful menstruation, jaundice, kidney stones, lice, malnutrition, nausea, rash, scabies, scurvy, skin infections, sore throat, swelling, syphilis, toothache, tuberculosis, tumours, typhoid, ulcers, upset stomach, weakness, and wounds among others. Now, that’s a long list!

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FEATURE

August 22, 2014

Jason Owolabi: Coming Through The Ranks

By ONUKOGU KANAYO JUBAL

1

When did you discover that you'd love to be a movie-maker?

While I was doing my MBA at Webster’s in Regents’ Park, I was driving out of the university when I spotted Chiwetel Ejiofor walking through the park. I got out of my car and went to tell him I was a fan. I told him how I always secretly wished to get into film-making but felt that it was too late to pursue that dream. He surprised me by taking several minutes out of his day to explain to me that I didn't need to study [about] film to follow my dreams. The next day I registered my first production company and the rest is history. My ultimate goal is to leave a positive mark on the world, and I feel film is one of the many ways to do that.

Far from home, in London, a complicated society, many Nigerians try You have three degrees – a BA in International Business, an MBA and an to make their way MSC in Global Banking and Finance. Do and actualise their you feel ladened with them? How have dreams. While many they helped you in your business? have succeeded in hoisting the flag with As the CEO of Nigerian-based Kingswood International, my pride, many more are passion is film, but I am an avid entrepreneur with interests in oil and gas and the automotive industry. breaking the mould. security, The three business degrees have been an asset to my production Jason Owolabi, the company; they give me an edge over some of my peers. They also allow me to not only see film from a creative point of view, but CEO of Kingswood also from a financial angle.

International and Black Sky Films, When you first broached the topic of your is one of those choice of career with your parents, what was their reaction? breaking the mould.

2 3

My parents were completely supportive from the first time I mentioned my interest in film-making. They have always believed that, by educating me, they have given me the best gift they possibly can. They have always said to my sisters and me that education is the only thing no one can ever take away from you.

They trust me to forge my own path and firmly believe that I will be successful in anything I pursue.

4

Charity, they say, begins at home; have you started something in Nigeria?

I spotted Chiwetel Ejiofor walking through the park. I got out of my car and went to tell him I was a fan.

I told him how I always secretly wished to get into film-making but felt that it was too late to pursue that dream

I have been helping out the D&E Foundation based in Kaduna. This foundation was started by my parents to provide excellent, quality food, at least, once a week to the less fortunate. We currently feed, on average, 800 people a day with plans to increase that number and expand to cover more states and, in the future, maybe, even the continent and the world. There are many individuals who cannot afford to have one hot meal in a day [so] we aim to ensure that every person can, at least, cross that need off their list. We are all God’s children and should all have access to our basic needs. Whenever I am in Nigeria I always make sure I am in Kaduna on feeding days to help out in any way I can. It is something I take very seriously.

5

Do you think London is a better place to do business or is it that you are just used to being over there?

Apart from my film business, I also have a company called Kingswood International that operates in Nigeria. I believe Nigeria is one of the best places to do business in, as it is an emerging market with a surplus of opportunities for an entrepreneur like me. However, my film company Black Sky Films operates out of London, [a place] which I feel, so far, has been a better location for that particular business.

Owolabi

6

What is your claim to fame, so far?

I wouldn't call myself famous yet, but watch this space. I am working on a project right now that I hope will put my company on the map alongside the greats. The project is going to be a US production based on a very interesting part of African history which deserves to be on the big screen for the world to see. I have an A-list Hollywood writer working on the screenplay and, in no time, we will have something massive.

7

How many movies have you made since you set out to?

To date, I have developed several projects, but in terms of completed films I have executively produced a British horror flick titled Kick. I am a producer on The Pride, which is currently in production with an A-List cast. I have in development Chasing Daisy, a romantic drama based on the best-selling book of the same title. The Graveyard Shift, a horrorcomedy based on the popular Midnight Snack book series, as well as an untitled project which is about to enter pre-production.

8

To be without a friend is to be poor indeed.

There are a number of good Nigeria-born actors scattered all over the UK. Which ones would you love to work with?

Obviously, the man who gave me the push to pursue

― Tanzanian proverb

FRIDAY EXTRA August 22, 2014

INSIDE

Land administration in Nigeria has always remained a very difficult issue. Despite the laws which have given the government control of land, activities of land speculators and other under-cutting businesses associated with land have remained a source of concern for government at every level and victims of dubious speculators who con others via land deals.

This negative development prompted Niger State governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu’s administration to introduce some land administration policies to arrest such dubious undercuts and also bring more economic values to land – one of the state’s most-priced assets.

Aliyu painted the sordid picture of such dubious instances involving land acquisition at the unveiling of the new certificate of occupancy (C of O) for the state on the August 4, 2014. He cited examples where acres of land have been sold to more than two people in the past, resulting in complicating situations and multiple ownerships. Aliyu cited an example when a certificate of occupancy purportedly signed by him when he newly assumed office was presented while he was yet to sign any document since assumption of office in May 2007.

Aliyu said he was not unaware of the fact that some officials connive with land speculators, leading, sometimes, to the burning of original files and documents of genuine land titles.

The governor also disclosed that in order to tackle the ugly scourge, his government has established the Niger State Geographic Information System, NIGIS, to undertake the recertification of all titles granted by the state, as well as the regularisation of titles from the natives and other sources, among other functions, to solve the problems associated with land administration in the state.

With the development, the issue of land administration has been computerised and made information-technology-andcommunication-compliant, a change from the usual analogue system, in which files and necessary documents could easily be altered or destroyed.

At the unveiling, the governor made it clear that, for development purposes, his administration can make use of any land in the state, as the action is protected by the Land Use Act. He also enjoined individuals who have their documents rectified to ensure that they utilise it to add more economic values to their land, the surroundings and the state.

Aliyu outlined that his government intends to issue more than 50,000 certificates of occupancy within the next five years, while, in the first instance, 5000 of such documents will be available before the end of this year.

The governor, however, warned that those who have refused to or stalled to develop their land after a specified period, having being issued with the land title, stand the risk of losing them to others who are interested in developing the land and have immediate use for the land.

To set in motion the necessary machinery for this, the governor, apparently granting semi- autonomy to the NIGIS,

By Abu Nmodu

The launch of the digitalised certificates of oocupancy is a means to wage war against criminal land speculators

Geographic Information System In Niger State And Need To Check Land Fraud announced the merging of the information system to the state’s lands department. Aliyu assured that the merging will enhance efficiency, effectiveness and curtail the duplication of functions. He, therefore, announced the posting of top officials of the Ministry of Lands to the NIGIS. The governor came down hard on those he referred to as “analogue officials” in the ministry of land, as he directed all of them who cannot fit into the NIGIS and the lands ministry to return to the office of the head of service.

He sounded that those at directorate level who lack the proper know-how on the running of the ministries, especially, can be posted anywhere within the civil service and be given new appointments within 24 hours.

The state’s commissioner for lands and housing, Dr Peter Sale Sarki, earlier said that, between 2012 and 2014, the NIGIS has been able to convert 50,000 manual files to digital format while over 1000 certificates of occupancy were prepared signed and handed over to their rightful owners.

According to Sarki, the government has realised N450m through issuance of 1000 certificates of occupancy in the on-going renewal and digitalisation of all land deals in the state.

Sarki said the realisation of the funds was due to the computerisation and establishment of the NIGIS and that since the establishment of the centre, over 50,000 land files have been converted and com-

Governor Aliyu during the digitalisation

puterised from the usual paper work.

Sarki promised that, henceforth, all land titles in the state could easily be traced through the NIGIS computer-base. The commission further promised that, at least, 5000 new certificates of occupancy will be ready for collection in the next few months and that the new process will reduce the encumbrances associated with the previous system.

Sarki stated that the NIGIS has upgraded the land administration process from analogue to digital; a development which has helped reduce the bottle-necks associ-

ated with land documentation.

The commissioner also promised that the digitalisation of the said documents will control the unplanned growth of major cities in the state through the establishment of community planning, hence, many people will be empowered through the issuance of certificates of occupancy.

No doubt, the new development will curtail the surge of litigations which normally accompany land acquisition in the state and, also, curtail the activities of fraudsters as regards the selling and acquisition of lands and landed properties in the state.

Best Places to taste... Cheese Big Questions & Answers nobel ultimate top list Why... answers to scientific questions

30 FRIDAY EXTRA/Best places to Taste and Make...

August 22, 2014

Cheese

The key to understanding cheese is to participate in the process.

If you can understand the process, you will definitely value the product.

T

he Ielpi Major family makes some of the best aged, raw milk sheep cheese in the country at the 250acre Vermont Shepherd Farm in Westminster West, Vermont.

At the farm store, you can purchase their award-winning cheeses from late August until the year’s supply runs out in the spring.

Several times a year, they do tastings and farm tours, during which time they open the vast underground cave where they age their cheeses. At any time of the year, you can see the sheep in the fields by walking along the rural valley trail, which weaves its way alongside the farm and into the town.

Perhaps the most well-known producer in Vermont is Cabot Creamery Cooperative, which is actually run by 1,200 farmers throughout New England and up state New York. Their Vermont Cheddars are renowned, and you can get an up-close view of the process in the flagship store. But if you really want to have a local experience, head to the Cabot Annex Store in the Waterbury area. Not only can you taste the cheese along with Vermont microbrews and wines, but you’re just a few miles away from the Ben & Jerry’s factory!

Three Shepherds Farm (www.threeshepherdscheese.com) in Warren, Vermont, offers 3-day cheese-making courses designed for the average cheese lover, amateur cheese makers, and more advanced artisans. The

courses, which offer a hands-on approach and individual instruction, stress the science behind cheese making, including how ingredients are combined, processed, and aged.

Meanwhile, master cheese maker Peter Dixon offers a series of 2- and 3-day workshops on making and aging cheese in Westminster, Vermont.

Shelburne Farms is another can’t-miss stop, not just for its cheeses, but also for its educational programming and sustainable practices. You can actually stay overnight at this 1,200-acre farm, at the edge of Lake Champlain, and get a hands-on agritourism experience. We’re talking working with the livestock, an on-site bakery that sources its ingredients locally, and, of course, learning about the artisan cheese-making process between May and October. Practically the entire state ofWi5con5in has a love affair with the product. At least 60 local cheese makers produce more than 600 different types of cheese, many of whom can be visited on the Wisconsin cheese trail. There are also hundreds of stores, festivals, towns, and restaurants that all promote and celebrate the state’s most famous export. While you’re at the famous Dane County Farmers’ Market in Madison, Wisconsin, don’t overlook the booth of local cheese celebrities Tony and Julie Hook from Hook’s Cheese Company.

They offer samples of their renowned Cheddars, Colby, blue cheese, and more every Sat-

urday from late April to early November. Or take a drive about 50 miles to their plant in Mineral Point to see how it’s made.

Just about 45 minutes north of Madison, in Sauk City, is Carr Valley Cheese, where “rock star” cheese maker Sid Cook produces top-of-the-line stuff. And what’s great about this place is that you can join cooking classes that highlight both tasting and cooking with the local cheeses.

The town of New Glarus, Wisconsin, is another cheese destination. Home to one of the largest Swiss population outside of Switzerland, it features gems like the New Glarus Hotel Restaurant where Swiss-trained chefs can do fondue demonstrations at your table; and the Edelweiss Creamery which brought back the ancient art of producing giant

wheels of Emmentaler cheese.

A couple of hours west of Madison is Hidden Springs Creamery in Westby, which actually makes unique sheep’s milk cheeses by hand using sustainable and organic practices. Owners Dean and Brenda Jensen also run the farm as a bed-and-breakfast, so you can get a taste of life on the farm: Meet the 250 sheep, take part in the milking or spring lambing, and even learn to make cheese, depending on the season.

You’ll be up to your elbows in curds and whey at the Massachusetts branch of the Northeast Organic Farming Association.

They supply the milk; you bring home the cheese, which could include Parmesan, Swiss, Monterey Jack, ricotta, and goat cheese.

The old saying that “success breeds success” has something to it. It’s that feeling of confidence that can banish negativity and procrastination and get you going the right way. Donald Trump, American business magnate, author and TV personality

to Taste and Make cheese FRIDAY EXTRA 31

August 22, 2014

Cheese Shops

International Just like real champagne can only be produced in France’s Champagne region, there’s only one place in the world that can produce the famously pungent Roquefort cheese. The reason for that is the caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, carved into Mont Combalou, where a certain mold contributes to the specific characteristics of flavor, odor, and texture. In fact, only a handful of producers actually make blue cheese, which is made from the milk of a very specific breed of sheep called Lacaune. That’s why a visit to this region isn’t just about tasting the product; you also want to go underground to the cellars to see the ripening process in action. Between January and June, check out the cellars to see cheeses ripening on the shelves. Societe is the largest producer in Averyon, but don’t miss a visit to the caves of Roquefort Papillon and Gabriel Coulet as well.

France’s Franche-Comte region is famous for one exceptional product, with more than 3,000 dairy farms and aging cellars. The best way to experience this region is along the Routes du Comte. In the town of Poligny is the headquarters of the Comte Cheese Association (www.comte. com). But for a really authentic experience

to see how this cheese is made in the traditional methods, go to Fort Saint-Antoine, near the town of Malbuisson. The cream of the crop, so to speak, comes from Marcel Petite, a family-run operation that ripens more than 100,000 wheels each year in an ancient stone fort.

Fans of Wallace and Gromit won’t want to miss Wensleydale Creamery in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park in England. Not only is it one of the few cheese makers that opens its doors to visitors for tastings and classes, but Wensleydale was put on the map when it became the favorite cheese of the famous Aardman Animation characters. And yes, you can pick up a special Wallace and Gromit cheese round while you’re there.

If there’s one place I always make sure to visit, it’s Tasmania’s King Island Dairy.

If you love cheese, you will never leave this area. We’re talking organic, grass-fed cows that produce an unbelievable blue cheese called the Roaring 40s and a Cheddar cheese that actually rivals most Wisconsin products. In Tasmania’s northeastern region, you want to go to Pyengana Dairy, which makes a unique Cheddar using a very old-school “stirred curd” method.

C’est Cheese is a small family-run cheese shop in Santa Barbara, California, that offers 120 different types of cheese, a small cafe, and tasting events during the third week of every month that explore cheeses from different parts of the world. They also stock cured salumi, pate, charcuterie, wine, and tea that pair well with their cheeses, so just ask for help when picking out items to bring home.

In Madison, Wisconsin, don’t miss the cheese shop Fromagination in Capitol Square, which carries international, national, and local cheeses, including more than 60 artisan Wisconsin cheeses.

Best of all, it’s just across the street from the Dane County Farmers’ Market.

The town of Monroe, Wisconsin, noted for its large Swiss community, is home to the state’s oldest cheese store. Baumgartner’s Cheese Store and Tavern has been in operation since 1931 and is a great place to stock up on Wisconsin cheeses to bring home-or eat right there and enjoy the tavern’s huge

Insider’s Tip

selection of local beers.

The Artisanal Premium Cheese Center in Manhattan offers dozens of workshops that let you not only taste, but also learn how to pair cheese with different kinds of wine and beer. But the really fun class here is the Fromager’s Favorites, which explains how a fromager assesses cheese from a professional standpoint. Ask about the five “caves” where they store and age each type of cheese in ideal conditions.

Another cool New York experience takes place at Murray’s Cheese, one of the oldest cheese shops in Manhattan. The one class you definitely want to take here is the Mystery of Caves, where you get to tour underground cellars to taste aged cheeses The town of Gouda, Holland, is known for its famous product. But if you stop in only one place, it should be Kaasland Singel, west of Centraal Station in Amsterdam. The creamy cheese comes in a dozen different flavors, including some really unique options like stinging nettle and coriander.

The Vermont Cheese Trail consists of a whopping 42 artisan cheese makers throughout the state who produce more than 150 varieties. Farms range from small mom-and-pop operations to large commercial creameries.

Cheese Events Can’t get enough cheese? The Seattle Cheese Festival is held every May at the famous Pike Place Market. There is a grilled cheese contest, to see who can create the most inventive sandwich, plus a self-guided cheese tour takes you to nearby Delaurenti, 8eecher’s, Paris Grocery, Pike Place Creamery, the Spanish Table, and Quality Cheese.

California’s Sonoma County is famous for its local goods, and cheese is no exception. Get a taste of everything this area has to offer at the Artisan Cheese Festival, held every March in Petaluma.

Dozens of local producers come together to showcase their wares, along with winemakers and other artisan food makers.

Want to observe a really ancient cheese tradition? It doesn’t get any wackier than the annual cheese-rolling festival at Coopers Hill in Gloucestershire, England. Yes, locals actually have a race rolling giant cheese wheels down the hill to see who comes in first.

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

Epictetus, Greek Stoic Philosopher

32 FRIDAY EXTRA

August 22, 2014

nobel

A Century Of Prize Winners

Aristide Briand

For his participation in the development of Locarno Pact of 1925.

Austen Chamberlain

peace

(1863-1937) Austen Chamberlain came from one of the most eminent families in Great Britain; his father, J oseph Chamberlain, was the great statesman known as “the empire builder,” and his half-brother, Neville Chamberlain, would go on to become the British prime minister between 1937 and I940.

Austen Chamberlain has gone down in history as one of the architects of the Locarno Pact 1), in which Germany, France, Belgium, Great Britain and Italy agreed to go to war only as a means of defense.

After completing his university studies at Cambridge, Chamberlain spent nine months in Paris, where he attended the School of Political Sciences, followed by a year in Berlin, Germany. When he returned to his native Birmingham, England, in 1887, he became his father’s personal secretary. At the age of 29 he was elected to the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for East Worcestershire and, when his father died in 1914, he became the Member of Parliament for West Birmingham and held this seat until his own death.

Chamberlain’s long political career can be divided into two stages. Between 1892 and I922 he concentrated on home affairs, and he had a distinguished record on home affairs as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the postwar years (1919-1921). From 1922 on his main concern was international issues, for which he became better known. In 1921, after Andrew Bonar Law retired, Chamberlain led the Conservative Party for I8 months. He lost this position when he sided with Lloyd George, then the leader of a coalition government, and his party overruled him. Bonar Law became Prime Minister in I922, who was succeeded by Stanley Baldwin, who made Chamberlain Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. He immediately rose to prominence when, speaking at the League of Nations, he rejected a protocol that gave the league authority over other states in times of crisis.

This rejection paved the way for Locarno. Supported by his French and German counter parts, Aristide Briand and Gustav Stresemann, Chamberlain meticulously prepared all eight Locarno Accords. As well as the Locarno Pact, individual treaties were signed between Germany and its wartime enemies, guaranteeing truces with France, Poland and Czechoslovakia; a collective document recommending Germany’s entry into the League of Nations was also created.

The triumph of Locarno, for which he had worked so diligently, earned Chamberlain the title of Knight of the Garter in I924, and a year later he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Sir Austen Chamberlain died of apoplexy on March I7, I937. Charles Gates Dawes also received half of the prize.

peace

(1862-1932) Aristide Briand, born in Brittany, was a great diplomat who lived his life striving to put an end to all types of war. The son of a prosperous innkeeper, he first attended school in Nantes, France. There he was befriended by Jules Verne, who was then taking the initial steps in his brilliant career as a novelist. In one of his works, Verne writes of a 13-year-old boy named Briant who was audacious, a good companion and somewhat untidy: “Intelligent but so unwilling to waste good time studying that he was usually in the last quarter of his form. Occasionally he would spurt into a period of concentrated work, and then his quick understanding and remarkable memory helped him outstrip the rest.” Throughout his life, Briand always read little and listened a lot. He never prepared a speech but was hailed as the best French orator of his generation.

Despite establishing a law practice, journalism was his great passion, and he preferred to write for newspapers like La Peuple, La Lanterne and La Petite Repuoiioue. He also collaborated with Jean [aures in founding I’Humanite. In 1894 Briand became leader of the French Socialist Party, but it was only in 1902, when he was elected a deputy, that politics became the center of his life. At the beginning of his public career he became the most visible member of the commission to promote the separation of church and state. He became premier of France for the first time in 1909, and his popularity was enormous.

Although opposed to armed conflicts, he nevertheless ended up leading his country for I8 months during World War I, when he managed, despite stiff opposition, to draw up a plan to attack Turkey, Bulgaria and Austria through Greece. He strengthened France’s position and helped find a new ally in Italy. Briand returned to politics in 1925, when Painleve made him Minister of Foreign Affairs. Five and a half years of diplomatic success followed, which started with the Locarno Pact, the result of collaboration with his German and British counterparts, Gustav Stresemann and Austen Chamberlain.

Using the Locarno model, Briand turned to the United States, proposing that this country and France renounce war as an instrument of national politics. Frank Kellogg, the American Secretary of State, preferred the treaty to be signed multilaterally, rather than bilaterally and, as a result, 15 countries signed the Paris Pact (or Kellogg-Briand Pact), renouncing war in 1928.

In 1932 Briand died unexpectedly and was buried in Cocherel. Gustav Stresemann also received half of the prize.

[For) actions which led to the Locamo Treaties of 1925.

Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain.

Henry ford, founder and president of the Ford Motor Company

Culled from the book ‘Nobel’

INVALUABLE TIPS FOR LIFE 22.08.2014

What makes a conference really irritating?

Conferences are an inescapable part of academic life. They give you a chance to polish your reputation in public.

Finance

Marriage

Getting a Raise

10 Ways Marriage Can Bring Out the Worst in You

Grooming Sick in the Office: Cold and Flu Etiquette

Motivation

Health

Managing Ebola Will Take Powerful Communication

Drug Allergy

34 FORESIGHT

August 22, 2014

WORK & CAREER

Live your perfect day Focus on the important activities. You’ll become present to the way the day can be and are more likely to experience it that way.

What makes a conference really irritating?

INFLUENCE PLUS

By Joy Jones Joylifechangers@gmail.com

How to know it’s time to change that career

I

n the midst of the benefits from conferences, they can be irritating.

The upsetting parts of conferences vary with interests, below are a few common things that make conferences irritating: The bore from the floor There is some cruel law of physics that says the dullest, most pompous person in the room is always quickest to the microphone. They’ve mastered the art of talking without pausing so it’s impossible to interrupt them.

They can use sentences so long that it’s more or less a hostage situation.

Hit-and-run ministerial speeches A classic conference opener is to find a junior minister to deliver the keynote. It suggests the purr of power and a ministerial limousine pulling up outside a hotel. There isn’t a moment for questions, mainly because the minister doesn’t know anything about the subject and then he or she is out the door quicker than a human cannonball.

Does your ego look big in this?

There is something in the conference water that makes people think they can show off without any of the usual social constraints. They self-refer, they self-congratulate, and they selfinflate. The huge air balloon of their

ego has crushed everyone else in the hall. And the ego warrior won’t even have noticed. However, loudspeaker conferences can give people a chance to subtly reveal their views.

Novelty acts Conferences have to work hard to keep people interested, because they can suck the meaning out of everything. How many times have you seen someone waving a pointer at a slide saying something vacuous like “The future is agile”?

Laptop tappers Check out the audience at the next conference and you’ll see young people typing furiously through all the speeches. They’re not reporters or bloggers. But they seem to be taking note of everything that’s being said.

Why can’t anyone ask a proper question?

There are experts on a panel, but do you get to hear them challenged about their ideas? Not a chance.

When people in the audience get up to speak, they may as well just shout out the name of their employer or the title of their latest book. It’s intellectual product placement. Blokes with sandwich boards for golf sales are more subtle in their sales technique.

Culled from.inc.com

foresight

Hassan Gimba Ahmed

group FOUNDER CHAIRMAN GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

mistake in choosing a career to pursue at the onset but after some time as a result of more self-awareness, growth and maturity, one may find their life’s purpose and make an absolute U-turn if that purpose becomes priority.

Opportunity: Sometimes people are offered a new opportunity which might be intriguing and they take it either as a challenge or out of curiosity knowing that all will not be lost if they just tried, since it is not at their expense.

Demand: This is the case where you are one thing and people keep demanding something else out of you.

Like they say, necessity is the mother of invention. A man who was an organist one time has turned into a motivational speaker because he observed that people responded more to his speech while introducing his piece more than they responded when he played his piece. He found out they loved him more as a speaker than as an organist.

So there you have it. What do you think would make you change your career? However if you are one of those, who found the right path from the beginning, long may you live and never ending may your success be.

INFLUENCING PEOPLE

CONTENT Elizabeth Martin graphics Igwe-Ngerem Michael AG. EDITOR

Change career? What do you mean by change career? Does someone go to school for five or seven years to obtain knowledge on a given subject in order to make a career out of it, only to just change it?

Well, before you rush into conclusions, Four out of five people all started out wanting to become something other than what they eventually became.

For some people in the country, you just go to school for going sake, taking whatever course you were given, just so you can get school over and done with.

But then you start up in the labour market and as time goes by, you are either lacking motivation on the job or you find no joy or fulfilment in what you’re doing. Worse still is if the people you serve or work for don’t think you’re good at what you do.

There are cases where folks have crossed carpets professionally, like from blue to red not orange, which is a closer colour to red. Lawyers have turned into nurses, architects into caterers and scientists into public servants.

What motivates or drives this kind of change?

A mistake: Where there’s no proper guidance and counselling, one might make a

Sam Nda-Isaiah Hajiya Ireti Kingibe Azubuike Ishiekwene Michael Okpere, Dr Kazeem Durodoye

Foresight published as an insert in LEADERSHIP Friday. A number of the articles here are sourced from diverse sources. Please do send your feedback and enquiries to: foresight@leadership.ng

Attention please

“People are always losing the thread of a conversation and need something explained again.”

Most people fail to recognise when somebody’s attention is wavering. It’s up to you to pick up the signals and act accordingly. The problem is this: when presenting an idea, demand, request, sales pitch or whatever, it’s usually crucial to get the point across at the first attempt, assuming conditions are conducive.

Having rejected an idea in the first instance, most people do not like to change their minds later, even if they know they’re wrong. It’s sometimes a question of pride. They may not want

to look indecisive or as though they were incapable of making the right evaluation in the first place.

People are always losing the thread of a conversation and need something explained again. This is because they don’t want to seem impolite, they don’t want to look stupid, they feel guilty for letting their minds wander, they have decided they’re not interested and they switch off and they don’t want to prolong a conversation because they have another engagement lined up; or they’ve just got a lot to do.

FORESIGHT 35

August 22, 2014 Review your day

FINANCE

Perhaps your day didn’t work out the way you intended at all. Write out the important things you want to do tomorrow. Then go to sleep.

Financial FUTURES

Basics of...

Getting a Raise Most employees would love to see more money in their pay checks.

Who couldn’t use more cash for retirement savings, a college fund or to pay down debt? Turns out, there’s a move that results in a raise for two-thirds of the workers who try it. The big secret: You have to ask. Most employees who have asked for a raise got one. That applies to men and women equally.

The problem is more than half of workers have never asked for a raise. And ladies are less likely to have asked for a raise than men.

People are usually dreadful at it, a lot of people are uncomfortable talking about money.

However there are a few things you could do to successfully negotiate for a higher salary and they are as follows: Pay attention to timing Did you just finish a large, successful project? Set up a meeting with your boss. You want to go in to ask for a raise when the sun is shining on both you and your organisation. If sales are sliding, or if there are starting to be some workforce reductions, that’s usually a clue that it’s not a great time.

Quantify your worth.

Asking for a raise shouldn’t be about your large family or tight mortgage payments, but rather the value you’re adding to the company on a daily basis. If you’re in sales, it’s easy to show how you’ve contributed.

But non-sales employees can also make a clear argument. Quantifying time-saving or cost-saving measures can help to make a persuasive case for a raise. And improving customer service can lead to client retention as well as acquisition. When employees are able to show that they brought in so much money into a new business or retained business that could have gone to a competitor, a salary increase is justifiable and reasonable.

Don’t ask for more than your position warrants.

Be sure you understand your value in the market by reviewing salary

MAKE YOURSELF

UNFORGETTABLE

comparison sites and canvassing professional associations for salary information. If you are already making the top range of the national scale for your role and industry, then asking for more money will not be successful.

Practice asking.

Asking for more money or a promotion takes confidence, and confidence takes practice. But how do you practice asking your boss for a raise? One can acquire this skill by going to farmer’s markets, flea markets, yard sales, and even department stores and dickering the price of objects for purchase.

Come in with another offer If you’re willing to go, for the most negotiating power, get an offer from another department or company that you would be willing to accept. Tell your boss that you have received the offer, that it is attractive, and that you would prefer not to leave. What can he or she do? It is far cheaper to give you a raise than to recruit and train a new candidate. There’s a risk that your boss will say goodbye and good luck, so this approach is best for workers who really are considering moving elsewhere.

Don’t make it an ultimatum.

You may get the raise, but the opportunity cost could be steep if you jeopardise any or all of the goodwill you have accumulated.

It may also raise the bar for measuring your performance that will be virtually impossible to achieve. The better bet: Express gratitude, highlight your key accomplishments and contributions, and establish that your boss agrees with you. Then, tell your boss what you want. culled from practicalmoneyskills.com

Effective listening

Of all the communications skills, effective listening can make the biggest difference in your relationships with others. yet listening doesn’t come naturally to most people. A certain amount of work is involved, especially when you’re just learning how to become an effective listener.

Unfortunately most people don’t listen with attention. They just try to keep quiet until it’s their turn to speak. Maybe its just

human nature to feel as if you can jump into a conversation and start talking, or at least want to do that. But this is one of the many areas in which class will call upon you to resist your initial impulses. So don’t just react. Put yourself in control.

Because the ability to listen well is such a valuable skill, a significant amount of research has been devoted to understanding it.

10 money myths held by teens and how to change them

What do teens know about money? It has colours, they never have enough of it and for some, it seems to magically appear from the bank of Mom and Dad. Perhaps a better question is what don’t teens know about money, or for that matter finances in general?

Thanks to the fact that most teens rely on their uninformed peers to answer their pressing financial questions, there is plenty of misinformation passed around which makes it even harder for teens to get the straight facts about money and other personal finance topics like credit scores and banking. Most teens stick to money myths like: 1. At this age, credit shouldn’t be worried about.

2. Bad credit can’t keep you from getting a job.

3. All loan companies have the same rates.

4. All credit cards are alike.

5. The job of financial advertising is to tell the truth.

6. It’s OK to bounce a few checks.

7. It’s OK to make minimum payments on a credit card.

8. Paying late occasionally can’t hurt your credit.

9. Fine print isn’t important.

10. Young people don’t have credit scores.

If you’re a parent and you think your teen might believe some of these myths you’re not alone. Even though 98 per cent of parents and guardians feel responsible for teaching their children about money, only 73per cent feel very capable of doing so. Just over half are very confident that their children would leave home with a good grasp on personal

finance topics such as money management and ATM cards.

Many teenagers take on some type of part-time after school job or full-time summer job when they are in high school. This puts them in the precarious position of earning money of their own for the first time but not necessarily knowing how to manage it.

If you are one of those teens and are just now faced with the task of learning how to handle your money, learning the basics now will put you in a good position for the rest of your life.

It is very important for teens to have a financial foundation before they head off to college and start making financial decisions, and mistakes, which will affect the rest of their lives. Responsibility with money matters should be taught by parents, but even if you are already in your teen years, it’s not too late to learn. Take a basic finance course in school, do some Internet research or talk to your parents to learn the basics. Everyone likes to think of college as a place where young people can learn from a mistake without real world consequences, but ask any college student; money mistakes made in school will follow you around for the next 5, 10 or even 15 years.

Responsibility with money matters should be taught by parents, but even if you are already in your teen years, it’s not too late to learn. Take a basic finance course in school, do some Internet research or talk to your parents to learn the basics. culled fromdailyfinance.com

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37

August 22, 2014

DR. IBRAHIM SHEMA’S FORWARD LOOKING DEVELOPMENT STRIDES IN KATSINA STATE Shema’s Legacy In Transport Subsector i. Purchase of New vehicles: From 2012 - December, 2013, the Operation Department has witnessed fleet enlargement through the purchase of 31no. additional vehicles. This greatly improved the operation of the KTSTA. The breakdown of these vehicles is shown in the table below: S/N 1.

2.

3.

DR. IBRAHIM SHEMA

Executive Governor, Katsina State

INTRODUCTION: As the saying goes action speaks louder than voice. But to be fair to Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema Sarkin Fulanin Katsina, and also to demonstrate our appreciation to him (we, the people of Katsina State) for his gigantic efforts in transforming the State for the betterment of the people, it is good to put things on record; by enumerating the achievements recorded by his administration particularly in the transport sector.

These projects include: Construction of thousands of kilometres of roads across the state that link various communities, dualization of town roads and ring road at the state capital, bridges etc.

As a major component of the transport sector and the interest shown

by Governor Shema KTSTA was given adequate attention. In order to strengthen its operation, the administration of Alh. Shema allocated funds to it in 2012 for the purchase of 4 no. additional 30 seater IVM bus In 2013 a special grant was also release to KTSTA for the purchase of 9 no. 30 seater Fuso Rosa School buses. These were in addition to the previously purchased Marco Polo, 6 no. Kia Cars to mention but a few.

As leadership is vital in the piloting of the affairs of any organization and to further consolidate his transformation agenda of the sector, His Excellency found Alhaj1 Gambo Abdulkadir Rimi as a suitable person for the job who will take KTSTA to a greater height, and he appointed him as General Manger to oversee its affairs.

PERIOD

NO. OF VEHICLES PURCHASE May, 2012 to Monthly purchase of 1 No. 18 D e c e m b e r , vehicle 2013 2012 Allocation of State grant 4 for the purchase of IVM 30 Seater bus 2013 Special grant released to KTSTA by State Government for the purchase of School Buses (Fuso Rosa) 9 31 Total

xii. Subsidy Allowed to Passengers: Standard transport fare charges are maintained, as such passengers enjoy more than 40% subsidy discount. Below is the summary of passengers carried, kilometers covered and subsidy allowed from January-December, 2013.

DETAILS

ii. Introduction of New Routes: The General Manager due to his initiative and vision for the transport sector introduced 12 new routes and reactivated 3no. dormant ones.

These include: a. Newly Introduced Routes b. Reactivated Routes 1. Katsina- Bauchi 1. Katsina-Lagos 2. Katsina - Zaria 2. Daura-FCT 3. Katsina- FCT (Tipper Garage) 3. Daura Kaduna 4. Katsina- Rimi 5. Katsina- Batsari 6. Katsina-Mashi 7. Katsina - Kanya 8. Malumfashi-Kaduna 9. Malumfashi-Funtua 10. Malumfashi-FCT 11. Daura-Kaduna 12. Funtua-Sokoto iii. Introduction of Student Bus Service Scheme at Daura, Kankia, Malumfashi and Mani a cross section of newly purchased school buses iv. Fencing of Daura Sub-station v. Establishment of Malumfashi sub-station vi. Purchase of 1 no. Standby Generator for the Operation Department vii. Construction of two Offices for Commercial Unit at the Depot newly constructed block of two offices for commercial unit at the main deport viii. Construction of Toilets at SUNCAIS (Dutsin-ma - Katsina bus stop) ix. Introduction of Quarterly Cash Prices to Drivers x. Continuation of Free Seats Allocation to Drivers on Upward and Downward Journey with Respect to the Capacity of Vehicle Viz: 1. Toyota Hiace - 1 free seat to driver 2. IVM 2 free seat to driver 3. 1418 3 free seat to driver 4. 1721 3 free seat to driver 5. MB500 5 free seat to driver xi. Prompt payment of drivers night claims and Duty Allowances

PERIOD

NO. OF PASSENGERS CARRIED

KILOMETRES COVERED

SUBSIDY ALLOWED (N)

January, 2013

124,557

910,106

10,469,568

February, 2013

117,356

890,240

9,569,400

March, 2013

130,305

960,210

11,369,736

April, 2013

122,247

905,220

10,240,360

May, 2013

120,500

904,340

10,169,445

June, 2013

118,695

894,260

9,695,740

July, 2013

125,430

959,345

10,698,776

August, 2013

122,300

889,596

9,245,200

S e p t e m b e r , 126,296 2013

980,237

10,769,691

October, 2013

iv. Financial Assistance to staff during emergencies. v. Safe and comfortable vehicles are provided to passengers. vi. Passengers complains are also entertained through mobile numbers written on each vehicle.

ADMINISTRATION DEPARJMENT The achievements witnessed by the Administration Department under the General Manager include: i.

RECRUITMENT OF ADDITIONAL STAFF: Following the purchase of more buses and the expansion of school buses operation. the General Manager recruited more than 50 drivers and more than 30no. supporting staff in 2013 on casual basis. ii. Staff Salaries are paid promptly, as salaries are paid between 23rd- 26th every month. ii. E-Payment of staff salaries was also introduced iv. Sponsorship for staff training and development v. Timely promotion of staff to boost their morale. vi Prompt payment of night allowances to drivers, mechanics and other staff on away duty vii. Introduction of best driver award. viii. Building of Structures and Maintenance:

126,433

970,246

11,697,400

November, 2013 124,793

964,294

11,243,396

December, 2013

130,238

984,643

11,922,889

a.

Total

1,486,150

11,212,917

125,728,280

b.

From the table above, it can be seen clearly that, from January December, 2013, the total no. of passengers carried are 1, 486, 150, the distance covered by KTSTA vehicles is 11, 212, 917 kilometers and the subsidy allowed is one hundred and twenty five million, seven hundred and thirty eight thousand two hundred and eighty naira only (125, 738, 280) only.

COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT To strengthen the operations of the KTSTA and improve its revenue generation, the General Manager introduced Commercial Department in 2013 whose main responsibility is to promote the commercial aspect of the Authority (hire of KIA Saloon etc) among others.

c.

Renovation and furnishing of office accommodation at the headquarters for conducive working atmosphere.

Construction of 1 no. block at the Depot, for staff of Commercial Department.

Fencing of Daura Sub-station to enhance security

Some of the IVM buses in the Authority’s Fleet

Gov Shema commissioning 9 N0. Fuso Rosa School Bus purchased for KTSA

PROPOSAL FOR MODERN TERMINUS: The Administration of Ibrahim Shehu Shema, plans to construct a modern terminus in Katsina State capital.

As such, a land was allocated to KTSTA by the State Government. The land is located immediately after Dandagoro Gate. Execution of the project is to begin this year 2014 lnsha Allah.

MISCELLANEOUS i. Purchase of 1 unit Computer System for Finance Department. ii. Acquiring of licenses from DPR. iii. Purchase of 1 unit Refrigerator for office of Director Finance.

Commissioning of newly purchased Toyota Hiace

The achievements recorded by this department include: i. ii.

Introduction of Booking System Improvement in revenue generation. The Department generate not less than N 100, 000 every week. iii. Increase in rate of hire of KTSTA vehicles due to “scouting by the Commercial staff. iv. Increase in the rate of hire of KTSTA buses to Senegal by 300%.

Initially, only 2 - 3 buses were hired but in 2013, 15 buses were hired. Hence increase in revenue generation.

WELFARE DEPARTMENT As human resources is vital to the progress of any organization, the General Manager in 2013 created the Welfare Department.

This is with a view to promote staff and passengers welfare. The achievements recorded by this department include: i. Introduction of soft loan for staff. ii. Introduction of light breakfast to early morning passengers. iii. Re-introduction of Staff Consumer Shop.

CONCLUSION: Since the inception of the Administration of Alhaji Gamba Abdulkadir, as General Manager the State Transport Authority has recorded a lot of achievements. This include increase in fleets, through the purchase of 31 no. additional vehicles, introduction of 14no. additional routes, reactivation of 3no. dormant routes, securing a land for the construction of modem terminus, frequent maintenance of vehicles, recruitment of additional staff, improvement in capacity building and man power development through training, provision of conducive working atmosphere, passengers and staff welfare to mention but a few.

All these achievements put together, enable KTSTA attain greater heights, as it is now recognized as one of the bigest, standard transport organization.

Construction of 1 N0. block at the Depot, for staff of the commercial department

KTSTA under Gov Ibrahim Shehu Shema, has impacted on the socioeconomic life of not only the people of Katsina State but also to the entire nation and West Africa Sub-region.

Considering the social relevance of transformation and the vital role it plays in the economic development of any society and to prove the Governor right, that a round peg was put in a round hole by appointing him as General Manager and also to maintain the tempo, Magatakardan Kauran Katsina together with his team immediately swung into action to ensure quick transformation of the sector.

Due to his vision, creativity and self initiative, KTSTA under the present General Manager has recorded numerous achievements within the shortest time. These achievements include: OPERATION DEPARTMENT Under the leadership of the General Manager, the Operation Department of the State Transport Authority achieved the following: Newly purchased Toyota Hiace buses

Newly constructed block of two offices for commercial unit at the main deport

A cross section of newly purchased school buses

A staff issuing breakfast to early morning passengers

38 FORESIGHT

August 22, 2014 HOW TO ORGANISE YOUR LIFE

GROOMING

If night time thoughts are keeping you awake, write them all down. This clears your head and makes it easier to sleep

Sick in the Office: Cold and Flu Etiquette Many people aren’t aware that there’s a flu etiquette, well there is because cold is contagious. No one wants to subject their clients to someone who can potentially transmit germs to them or their unsuspecting families. If you have the misfortune of getting the flu, or another seasonal bug, these are a few more tips on Cold and Flu Etiquette: Stay home and seek medical attention Don’t go to work; go to the doctor sooner rather than later. Often people wait until they are absent from work multiple days and then decide to visit the overcrowded, germ-infested emergency room. While a virus must run its course, other treatments or medications may still be required to help fight against whatever ails you. Consider making an appointment with your doctor, or visiting your neighbourhood pharmacy.

Scrub a dub dub It goes without saying that the use of soap and water are important throughout the year, but never more appreciated than when you are blowing your nose every several seconds. By simply being in close quarters with another person you risk the unfavourable sharing of your germs, even more so when in close proximity of an office space, sharing telephones, computer keyboards, writing pens and other office supplies. Some may argue you can’t spread germs by sharing a writing pen, why take the chance?

Keep a supply of hand sanitizer nearby It’s somewhat comforting to see someone use hand sanitizer after they have wiped their hand across their mouth or nose.

Cough drops tend to aid in quelling a cough, especially if you are boarding an airplane and don’t want to encounter the uncomfortable glare of your fellow passengers.

Sneeze into your left arm or shoulder This is a must do! Not only does this action keep germs to a minimum, but it also leaves your right hand sanitary and free for handshaking when you are out and meeting with clients.

Use your hankie in your left hand Doing so also helps to avoid a germy handshake. While the protocol in business

Selling Yourself

ALL THINGS SOCIAL

By Chioma Agwuegbo dfairygodsister@yahoo.com

How to build a following on Twitter

Are you new to Twitter? Welcome!

What do you think? Are you one of those who already don’t like it? Or are you excited (and maybe a bit puzzled) by the speed at which information spreads and takes on a life of its own?

This is a simple one, baby steps to take to get the most out of Twitter.

“

Good behaviour has become a matter of national prestige as well as personal reputation.

is to shake hands when you are out in public be polite enough to apologise after sneezing or blowing in your hankie. Your business associates will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Don’t share glassware or eating utensils This is not the time to share a pancake with your cubicle mate. Regardless of how close the two of you are, hold off until you are feeling better. In business you aren’t supposed to share a meal anyways, so you have no business eating from the same plate!

Stay connected with technology until you are fever free for 24 hours. Just like school children are not supposed to return to school until they are fever free for 24 hours, you should do the same. Keeping up communication via email and text allows you to interact with clients, respond to urgent matters and stay on top of your work until you are back in the office.

CULLED FROM eighthrising.com

Seek Tough Love

It’s comforting to hear you are doing great. It doesn’t help you, however.

It’s tempting to seek praise, but better to plea for criticism. You will only receive it, however, if you know how to ask.

Fortunately, the experience of marketers can help you.

Marketers have discovered the same problem.

Despite what you may think, and despite how often you are frustrated with the service you receive, you almost never complain to the company. As a result, virtually everyone in every company assumes they

are serving people well, just as you do, because they hear so few complaints.

Human beings, however, readily offer advice; many offer it without being asked and most are flattered when they are asked. To get the right help, ask the right questions.

•Have a profile photo, and a bio.

That’s like introducing yourself at a dinner party or an interview; it is the first glimpse people will have of you so make it count.

•Don’t follow everyone at once .ever seen the odd person with 1 tweet, 1 follower but is following 300 people? It doesn’t look good.

•Don’t spam people, promoting your event is great, but if pushing links at people is all you do, you risk getting marked as spam.

•Focus on conversations, not on followers having a million followers is nice, but what’s even nicer is meaningful conversations. Followers will come, but not by making ‘please follow back’ the alpha and omega of your chatter.

•Be real – talk about the things that interest you, things you’re passionate, and knowledgeable about. Follow people who share similar interests, get to know them.

•The Internet does not forget – be careful about sensitive information shared. Photos and videos you wouldn’t want potential employers/ family to see? Best not to share them then!

•Acknowledge, but don’t grovel. If you use a quote, acknowledge the source.

Gush about celebrities and people you crush on all you want, but please just as obtains in real life, there are limits.

•Be helpful – Twitter is the next Google; people ask for directions, tourist information, even academic and health questions. If you’ve got an answer, share - you might need one next!

•If there’s an opportunity to meet your fellow tweeps, take it (within reason).

•Have fun with it!

FORESIGHT 39

August 22, 2014 Face your demons

MOTIVATION

You can face your tests with confidence and a keen sense of purposeful engagement.

Highly Effective Ways to Thrive in Chaotic Times While change is constant in business and life, the world is getting just a little crazier than usual. Some organisations have broken the code they have learned how to thrive in chaotic environments. Rather than getting caught up in the swirl of fastchanging markets, technology, and business conditions, they are able to step back to see the patterns and the symmetries that underlie this seeming disarray, and they are able to capitalise on them.

Here’s how to thrive in even the most-challenging times.

Adopt fluid and situational hierarchies By their very nature, chaotic environments are extremely complex and volatile. Fluid, situational hierarchies can quickly adapt to fast-changing environments, morphing to fit tomorrow’s needs instead of forcing organisations to constantly play catch up with structures designed to meet the needs of the previous day.

Value and foster communication skills throughout the organisation Communication is the lifeblood of any organisation, but fast-moving organisations operating in chaotic environments face especially daunting communications challenges. When channels of communication are open and unfettered throughout an organisation, information can travel quickly across operational boundaries and from front-line employees to management--and back again quickly and with a minimum of filtering. Leaders convey an understanding that communication is a two-way process in which leaders listen, hunger for feedback and new ideas, and are driven by a need to compel and to influence, not to command and control.

Operate with a high degree of internal transparency Opaque organisations function very poorly in chaotic environments. It is particularly to be responsive to sudden change and radical unpredictability when employees see only walls between themselves and their colleagues, and between themselves and customers. Organisations that make a point of removing barriers and encouraging a high degree of internal transparency are better able to respond to fast-

changing business conditions because employees are able to easily see where to find the support they need from their colleagues, and where to best find the resources they need to achieve their goals.

Solve problems by “letting 1000 flowers bloom” Smart leaders empower people throughout their organisations to invent and set in motion many different individual solutions designed to meet core organisational objectives, letting the chaotic environment determine the winners through the process of natural selection. They monitor them very carefully, have rigorous criteria to evaluate them and kill off the failures fast while making it clear they’re killing off the failures and not the people who failed.

Value and make use of improvisation Just as musicians open up the gates to their own personal creativity when they improvise the playing of their instruments rather than following the strict parameters of a written musical score, so too can employees open up the gates to their personal creativity and strengthen their capacity to think on their feet, by improvising as they solve problems and seek solutions.

Organisational learning is focused on judgment, creativity, and scenarios Organisational learning can be static or dynamic. While static organisational learning can be instructive, only dynamic organisational learning can enable an organisation to effectively meet the demands and challenges of chaotic business environments.

Define your company by its mission Mission is the star you steer by.

Everything begins with mission, everything flows from mission.

Businesses that define themselves by their missions know exactly what their goals are, and how they will achieve them. Now, more than ever, they are able to see their paths clearly through the fog of chaos, and act accordingly. culled frombusinessinsider.com

Managing Ebola Will Take Powerful Communication

Whether the world’s scariest outbreak of Ebola can be managed may come down to communication. Can governments, NGOs, and doctors communicate with very different audiences with accuracy, agility, and ingenuity? Can they be convincing?

After years of civil war, many people in the affected countries don’t trust their governments or the foreigners in bio-hazard suits who seem to bring the virus with them. They don’t understand how the virus is being spread. Local custom is to bathe the bodies of the dead but in doing so, the living catch the virus.

Traditional sources of food, wild animals also carry the virus.

Think of the tough barriers that messaging must get through to stop this outbreak: don’t eat the animals you have always eaten in the past; don’t touch your loved ones if they are ill; don’t follow age-old or religious customs in washing a dead relative’s body; don’t use the shaman’s cure you have always trusted in the past; and yes, many will survive if they get proper treatment (though there is no cure).

Think of how you might try to get the message out to a rural population with little electricity (and therefore limited access to TV and radio, let alone the internet) and low literacy rates.

To find some ideas for the terrible situation unfolding in West Africa now, it may be useful to look to past efforts in fighting HIV, leprosy, and

diarrhoea (a major killer of children under the age of 5 in emerging markets).

Those campaigns educated and informed through the ancient arts of personal and personalised local folk media.

Nearly 800,000 children under the age of five die every year due to diarrhoea.

It is the second biggest killer of kids in the world.

Many of those deaths could be prevented if the caregivers would simply wash their hands with soap and water. However, in poor areas, soap is considered too precious to use all the time. Many organisations, communication agencies, and even companies have made a positive impact, however. They create street theatre, puppet shows, skits and songs that do not depend on reading leaflets or having access to TV or internet. They craft analogies to teach about concepts such as germs or viruses, since assuming they already understand basic biology is a fatal assumption.

To manage what the WHO has declared an international health emergency will of course take clear, accurate, consistent communications updated in real time and using all the always-on, digital, and social media tools at hand for 21stcentury communicators. But stopping Ebola at ground zero will require the ancient arts of story and drama that predate Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter by thousands of years.

culled from inc.com

WHAT MOTIVATORS ARE SAYING...

Some people give time, some money, some their skills and connections, some literally give their life’s blood but everyone has something to give.Barbara Bush

It’s no-nonsense side of women that is pleasant to deal with. They are the real sports men.

Phyllis McGinley

Real apprenticeship is ultimately always to the self.Cynthia Ozick

40 FORESIGHT

August 22, 2014

HEALTH

changing approach Whatever your experience tells you, adapt your approach as necessary. This renders failure obsolete.

Drug Allergy GENERAL INFORMATION DEFINITION

Drug allergy is an allergic reaction caused by drugs.

The reaction may happen immediately after taking the drug or days to weeks later.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED Skin; blood vessels; lungs.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED

Both sexes; all ages. Females are affected more often than males.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Symptoms vary and may be mild to severe.

• Rash (most common), hives (urticarial), and itching skin or eyes.

• Wheezing.

• Swelling (lips, tongue, and/or face).

• Anaphylaxis (a life-threatening reaction). It can cause difficult breathing with a wheeze, hives, swelling, fainting, light-headedness, dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, fast heart rate, diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting, and stomach pain or cramping.

CAUSES

It is a reaction of the immune system in certain people. It leads to a misdirected response against a substance that does not cause a response in most people. The body becomes sensitized by the first exposure to the drug. The second or subsequent exposure causes an immune response (production of antibodies and release of histamine). Injected drugs are more of a risk than those taken by mouth or applied to the skin.

10%

• Worldwide, adverse drug reactions may affect up to 10 per cent of the world’s population and affect up to 20per cent of all hospitalised patients.

• Worldwide, drugs may be responsible for up to 20per cent of fatalities due to anaphylaxis.

• Approximately 6per cent of allergy sufferers have food/ drug allergies as their primary allergy.

• Food allergy is more common among children than adults.

90 per cent of all food allergy reactions are cause by 8 foods: milk, soy, eggs, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish. For drug allergies, penicillin is the most common allergy trigger.

SOURCE

www.cdc.gov

- Sulpha drugs.

- Vaccines.

- Anaesthetics applied to the skin.

- Allergy extracts.

- Iodine-containing compounds in some x-rays.

• Injected drugs, especially in high doses.

• Personal or family history of other allergies, such as hay fever, asthma, or eczema.

• Serious illness.

• Weak immune system due to illness or drugs.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Drug allergies cannot be prevented. Tell any health care provider you consult about the drug reactions you have had.

• Avoid drugs that have caused a past reaction.

WHAT TO EXPECT DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES

• Your own observation of symptoms.

• Your health care provider may do a ph. exam. Questions will be asked about your symptoms and the drugs you take (including non-prescription, herbals, or other supplements.

Usually, a diagnosis can be made based on type of reaction, timing of the reaction, and a drug you used is known to cause reactions.

• Skin tests or blood tests may be done.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• The first step of treatment is to stop using drug that caused a reaction. Usually, another drug can be safely substituted.

Symptoms of drug reaction may be treated with other drugs.

• If there is no substitute drug that can be u other treatment steps may be taken. There are methods (called desensitising) that gradually introduce a drug

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Use of almost any drug. These are more likely: - Penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics.

into the body in small doses.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Anaphylaxis (can be lifethreatening).

• Serum sickness (a delayed type of reaction that occurs 1 to 3 weeks or more after exposure).

It can occur with the first time use of a drug. Symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, and nerve damage.

• Rarely, may affect internal organs.

PROBABLE OUTCOME

In many cases, stopping the drug is all that is needed. In other cases, symptoms can be relieved with treatment. Most symptoms should resolve in about 2 weeks.

HOW TO TREAT GENERAL MEASURES

• Wear or carry medical ID that shows you have the drug allergy.

• Keep an anaphylaxis kit at home, on your person, nearby at work, and in your car for emergency use if anyone in the family has had a severe drug reaction.

MEDICATION

• Cortisone drugs to decrease inflammation, antihistamines for the itching, and bronchidilators for wheezing may be prescribed.

• Epinephrine may be injected to treat anaphylaxis.

ACTIVITY

No limits once symptoms improve.

DIET

No special diet.

CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF

• You have symptoms of drug allergy or observe them in someone else.

• You or a family member has anaphylaxis symptoms. Get help immediately.

SOURCE: COMPLETE GUIDE TO SYMPTOMS , ILLNESSES & SURGERY, 2012

QUESTIONS ANSWERED: The heart Is it true that people today have fewer heart attacks than generation ago? How does this fit with the fact that far more people are obese now than then?

Yes, it’s true. There has been a massive 60 per cent fall in the numbers of heart attacks in men in the last 28 years: The improvement is due to millions stopping smoking, better control of high blood pressure, and a big change in the pattern of cholesterol in the blood.

However, the gradual rise in obesity in younger and middle-aged adults may change this for the worse as they reach their sixties. We look as if we are following the USA. There was a similar fall in heart attacks in North America until the late 1990s, but the obesity epidemic started sooner there, and there is now a U-shaped curve of death from heart attack. The Americans reached the bottom of the U around 2000, and numbers are rising again. We are about ten years behind them, so we

can’t be complacent.

I had to be put on two different drugs for high blood pressure plus a drug to lower my cholesterol. I’m only 51 and don’t want to take them permanently. When will I be able to stop them?

I have no idea, and I expect your doctor hasn’t either. The decision to stop either treatment will depend on how well the control your pressure and lipid levels, and whether they risk again after

a trial period without them. That can’t be predicted. However, taking medicines to lower your pressure and cholesterol is only a small inconvenience when you consider that the will substantially lower your chances of a stroke or heart attack Since doctors in the UK started to manage blood pressure an blood fat levels in this way, strokes and heart attacks have fallen by more than half. Taking these drugs is a small price to pay for a longer and healthier life.

FRIDAY EXTRA 41

August 22, 2014

ultimate top list LESSER-KNOWN SERIAL KILLERS

1

PETER KURTEN In the summer of 1929, a fresh corpse was found nearly weekly in the German city of Dusseldorf. Most victims were young womenhorribly slashed or bludgeoned to death. Peter Kurten (the “Vampire of Dusseldorf”) prowled for victims at night-seeking sexual satisfaction by swallowing the blood of his victims as he cut their throats. For eighteen months Kurten was on a rampage. He ultimately killed over thirty people. He was executed by guillotine.

PETER SUTCLIFFE Peter Sutcliffe (the “Yorkshire Ripper”) began killing in 1975. He was to ultimately murder thirteen women and attempt to kill another seven. The survivors were left with such emotional scars that psychologists said they would never fully recover. He would usually knock his victims unconscious with a ball- peen hammer and then mutilate them with knives and sometimes a screwdriver.

In February 2009, Sutcliffe was declared “fit” to leave Broadmoor high-security prison. It is possible he will be released on “rehabilitation leave.”

2

3

LARRY EYLER Larry Eyler (the “Highway Killer”) began picking men up along highways when he was in his thirties. He would invite the men into his car under the guise of having consensual sex with a little light bondage. He would take the men to a secluded area, handcuff and brutally beat them. Most victims were found disemboweled with their pants pulled down.

Eyler was observed dumping eight trash bags found to contain the remains of a fifteen-year-old boy into a dumpster. Eyler was sentenced to die by lethal injection but he died of AIDS before he could be executed. In all, he murdered twenty-one men.

4

CARL PANZRAM After suffering years of torture, sexual abuse, and beatings, Carl Panzram became one of America’s most violent and hateful serial killers. He committed crimes in Europe, the United States, and South America. In 1920 he committed his first murderkilling sailors in New York he lured from a bar. He also raped and killed two small boys he beat to death with a rock. Speaking of his own life, Panzram said, “my only regret is that I wasn’t born dead or not at all.”

5

BOBBY JOE LONG Bobby Joe Long had an unusual childhood; until the age of thirteen he shared a bed with his mother and the two frequently traveled from the home of one relative to another. During that time, Bobby Joe suffered many head injuries, which are believed to have been accidental. Between 1980 and 1983, Long terrorized Miami, Ocala, and Fort Lauderdale where he would seek out housewives whose husbands were at work so he could bind and rape them. He strangled and shot at least nine victims, though authorities believe there was a tenth victim. He was sentenced to death for killing nine women and raping fifty.

Bobby Joe Long Peter Sutcliffe

6

DENNIS NILSEN Dennis Nilsen was a Scottish serial killer who lived in London. He is unique in that he does not fit the standard serial killer profile. Nilsen killed for friendship and company. He would invite a young man to his home and after sexual relations would kill him out of fear he would be left alone in the morning.

He would then leave the corpse in his apartment for days so he could place it in various poses (such as watching television or sleeping in bed) as if the body were his boyfriend. When a local plumber found bones and rotting flesh in the apartment’s sewerage system, Nilsen was arrested and ultimately sentenced to life in prison for murdering fifteen young men.

7

ARTHUR SHAWCROSS Arthur Shawcross (also known as the “Genesee River Killer”) started his killing rampage when he was fighting in the Vietnam War. He claimed to have murdered and eaten two young Vietnamese girls.

When he returned to the United States he murdered a ten-year-old boy and an eight-year-old girl. He was arrested and went to jail for fifteen years for these crimes.

After his release he began murdering prostitutes (eleven in total). He was caught when the police saw him masturbating in his car near the spot where one victim had been found.

Carl Panzram

8

JOHN ROBINSON John Robinson was connected to the murders or disappearances of eleven women. A sadomasochist, Robinson would lure women through the Internet or personal ads to appease his sexual appetite. After sixteen years of killing and cashing in on the Social Security checks of his victims, Robinson was caught when two barrels, each containing a female body, were found on his Kansas property.

9

FRITZ HAARMANN Fritz Haarmann lived in Germany during a severe economic depression in 1918. He seduced a young runaway named Friedel Roth who had run away from home. Friends of Roth eventually led the police to Haarmann’s home. When they entered, they found Haarmann in bed with another young boy for which he was sentenced to nine months in prison. Unfortunately, the police did not search Haarmann’s house-if they had done so, they would have found Roth’s head stuffed behind the stove wrapped in newspaper. This was not known until Haarmann confessed five years later.

Peter Kurten

GERARD SCHAEFER Gerard Schaefer, a policeman, was convicted in 1973 of only two murders, but it is believed he was responsible for more than thirty killings in total. He was a sexual beast who would lure women off the roads with his police badge and eventually rape, torture, mutilate, and murder them. He would leave the women tied to trees while he went to work as a police officer. Parts of his victims’ bodies and clothing were found in a trunk in his mother’s attic.

10

Culled from the book ‘Ultimate top 10 list’

When people talk about successful retailers and those that are not so successful, the customer determines at the end of the day who is successful and for what reason. Gery Harvey, Australian entrepreneur

42 FRIDAY EXTRA

August 22, 2014

big

questions & answers

How do you generate electricity from waves?

As pressure to find sustainable, ‘clean’ methods of energy production mounts, engineers are seeking to hamess the power of waves. Waves are more predictable than the wind and hold a huge store of untapped energy.

Scottish company Pelamis Wave Power is among those tapping into that energy. Three of its 750kW wave-power machines were part of the world’s first commercial ‘wave farm’, which opened off

the coast of Portugal in 2008. That project is now closed, but Pelamis’s P2 has been named as one of the machines that will be used at three of the six UK offshore sites.

The machines will be located 5-1 Okm offshore, where the water is 50-150m deep. Each machine is made up of a series of cylindrical sections, up to 38m long and 4m in diameter, linked by hinged joints. It is ‘slack moored’ so it can swing

freely, naturally aligning itself at right-angles to oncoming wave fronts.

The UK has about 1000km of Atlantic coastline.

The average potential energy of Atlantic waves is 40kW per day for every metre of coastline, which is enough to power around 20 domestic kettles. So, scaling up, 65 P2 machines could generate almost 50 MW of power - enough to power up to 33,000 homes a year.

Accumulator The accumulator stores the fluid pumped by all the hydraulic rams and provides a smooth flow of it to the hydraulic motors in the generator

HYDRAULIC RAMS The motion of a wave causes motion in a joint between two sections, which is resisted by a hydraulic ram. This resistance causes the ram to pump higher pressure fluid through to an accumulator.

This is a bit like the brakes in a car pushing down on the brake pads when fluid is applied

Nose The electricity generated is fed back to shore via a cable running out of the P2’s nose section. Multiple P2s can be linked together

GENERATOR The hydraulic motors drive a pair of electricity generators in each section. One is a 125kW generator, the other switchable between 40kW and 80kW to account for wave conditions. In total, the eight generators in one P2 can produce 750kW of electricity - enough to power 500 homes per year

By believing passionately in something that still does not exist, we create it. The nonexistent is whatever we have not sufficiently desired. Franz Kafka, Bohemian fiction writer

FRIDAY EXTRA 43

August 22, 2014

why?

... answers to everyday scientific questions

Why Do Trees Drop Their Leaves Trees drop their leaves because it gets too dry, cold or dark to photosynthesize, so it’s not worth keeping them.

Not all trees drop their leaves. Trees that don’t drop their leaves are called evergreens. Trees that drop all their leaves at once are called deciduous (from the Latin for ‘falling down’).

Some evergreens, such as trees in tropical rainforests, do drop their leaves, but not all at once. So really there are two questions here.

Firstly, why does any tree ever drop a leaf? Secondly, why do some trees drop all their leaves at once?

Keeping a leaf alive costs energy.

But so does letting one drop off, since whatever nutrients are left in the leaf when it falls will be lost to the tree.

A tree drops a leaf when it will cost more to keep it alive than to let it fall.

This is a bit like having a car; usually it will be cheaper to keep repairing the car you have, rather than buying a new one. But when the car gets really crappy, it may be cheaper in the long run to scrap it and get a new one.

During dry seasons or cold, dark winters, the cost of keeping a leaf alive goes up, while the amount of photosynthesis it can do goes down. Photosynthesis depends on water and light, and as the temperature drops so does the rate of photosynthesis. For many trees living in the north or south, by the time autumn comes it is simply not worth holding on to their leaves.

This is especially true for broadleaf trees, which have big, fragile leaves that can be damaged by frost. So deciduous trees decide to cut and run, or in other words, drop all their leaves at once. A full-grown tree can have more than 200,000 leaves, and over the course of about sixty years will drop over 1.5 tonnes of leaves.

Worldwide there are more than 400 billion trees (about sixty for every human being on the planet), so that adds up to a lot of leaves.

When a tree decides that it will be cheaper in the long run to scrap one of its leaves, it drains as many nutrients as possible out of the leaf before cutting it off at the base. The

A tree drops a leaf when it will cost more to keep it alive than to let it fall order in which these nutrients are drained is what makes leaves change colour. Leaves are green because they have a lot of chlorophyll to help them harvest blue and red light (see page 13), but they also have other types of pigment to help them harvest other colours of light. These pigments include xanthophylls (which are

Chase your passion, not your pension.

Denis Waitley, American motivational speaker, writer and consultant

yellow) and carotenoids (which are yellow, orange and red). Because chlorophyll is the most valuable of these pigments, it gets drained out of the leaf first, leaving the other colours behind, and so leaves turn red, orange and yellow. Eventually even these colours are drained, leaving just tannins, which are brown.

Culled from Why?: Answers to everyday scientific questions

44 FRIDAY EXTRA

titans

August 22, 2014

of history

CICERO

106-43 BC There was a humanity in Cicero, a something almost of Christianity, a stepping forward out of the dead intellectualities of Roman life into moral perceptions, into natural affections, into domesticity, philanthropy, and conscious discharge of duty...

Cicero successfully swayed the senate into decreeing the death penalty for the conspirators, trouncing Iulius Caesar in debate in the process. When he announced their execution to the crowds with just one word, vixerunt (‘their lives are done’), Cicero was hailed with tumultuous rapture as pater patriae ‘father of the country’.

In the space of a few sentences he could move juries and crowds from laughter to tears, anger or pity. Using simple words he could expose the heart of a complex matter, but if required he could befuddle his audience with rhetoric, winning cases by, as he put it, ‘throwing dust in the jurymen’s eyes’.

His renowned declaration ‘Civis roman us sum’ (‘I am a Roman citizen’) has come to encapsulate the defence of a citizen’s rights against the overbearing power of the state. Cicero’s highly distinctive speaking style transformed the written language. His ability to layer clause upon clause while maintaining his argument’s clear line became the model for formal Latin.

A century after Cicero’s death, Plutarch eulogized him as the republic’s last true friend. In a time of civil unrest Cicero harked back to a golden age of political decorum. Idealistic yet consistent, he was convinced that virtue in public life would restore the republic to health. Refusing to be involved in political intrigue that might undermine the system, he rejected Caesar’s offer to join him in the so-called First Triumvirate of 60 BC. Cicero played no part in Caesar’s assassination in 44 BC, but he seized on the end of his dictatorship to vigorously re-enter politics. Over the following months, taking his lead from the renowned Athenian orator Demosthenes, Cicero delivered the Philippics, a series of fourteen coruscating orations against the tyranny of Caesar and against his faithful henchman Mark Antony. It was a magnificent, if ultimately forlorn, cry for political freedom.

After Caesar as dictator had encouraged the staunch republican to refrain from politics, Cicero turned to philosophy to keep himself amused. As a youth he had been tutored by the famous Greek philosophers of the day. His knowledge, as broad as it was deep, was unmatched in Rome. Cicero’s treatise on the value of philosophy, Hortensius, was practically required reading in late antiquity. St Augustine credited it as instrumental in his conversion. The early Catholic Church deemed Cicero a ‘righteous pagan’.

Cicero introduced to Rome the Greek ideas that formed the basis of Western thought for the next 2000 years. His works have sometimes been criticized as derivative, but he laid little claim to originality in his treatises. ‘They are transcripts; he wrote to a friend. ‘I simply supply words and I’ve plenty of those.’ It is a remarkably humble statement for a man who made such an extraordinary contribution to Western philosophy: he translated Greek works, invented Latin words to explain hitherto untranslatable concepts, and elucidated the main philosophical schools. His vast discourse amounted to an encyclopedia of Greek thought.

In the end, Cicero’s inability to hold his tongue proved his undoing. When Octavian, Caesar’s adopted son and the future Augustus, learned of Cicero’s remark about him - ‘the young man should be given praise, distinctions, and then disposed of’ - it spelled doom for the orator. Octavian, Mark Antony and Lepidus formed the Second Triumvirate shortly afterwards, and Cicero was declared an enemy of the state. Pursued by soldiers as he half-heartedly fled Italy, Cicero was brutally murdered, his head hacked off, and the hand with which he had written the offending speeches displayed in the Roman forum.

‘There is nothing proper about what you are doing, soldier; Cicero reportedly said to his assassin, ‘but do try to kill me properly.’

— Anthony Trollope, in the introduction to his Life of Cicero (1880)

C

icero was a supreme master of the spoken word whose stirring calls in defence of the Roman republic finally cost him his life. In his own day he was uncontested as Rome’s finest orator, a statesman whose devotion and loyalty to the republic was unquestioned. He was also a man of exceptional intellect and refinement who has exerted an enduring influence on Western civilization.

In spite of being a novus homo (‘new man’) - none of his ancestors had attained the highest offices of state - Marcus Tullius Cicero went on to become one of Rome’s leading statesmen. A brilliant youth who studied under the best minds of the day, he entered the law as a route to politics. He rose swiftly and was renowned for the brilliance of his mind and his dazzling oratorical skills.

Cicero was never troubled by false modesty, but the Roman people generally shared his high opinion of himself. An outsider to the patrician-dominated political system, he won election to the highest offices of state, in each case at the earliest permitted age. In 63 BC, after reaching the pinnacle of political preferment, the consulship, he quickly established himself as a national hero.

Discovering the Catiline conspiracy, a patrician plot to overthrow the republic,

Stone statue of Cicero Culled from the book ‘Titans of History’

A little “thank you” that you will say to someone for a “little favour” shown to you is a key to unlock the doors that hide unseen “greater favours”. Learn to say “thank you” and why not? ― Israelmore Ayivor

FEATURE

August 22, 2014

45

Q&A

The day it all began: Owolabi with Ejiofor

Owolabi with actress Gemma Arterton at the Cannes Film Festival last year

my dream, Chiwetel Ejiofor is top of the list. I am also a fan of Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, who I have also had the pleasure of meeting; he is a great actor with a lot of depth. I have recently become a fan of Carmen Ejogo, who I believe is someone to watch; she is about to be huge. As for those back in Nigeria, I have already spoken to Jim Iyke about working together on something in the future and I look forward to that. Nigeria has so many talented actors and actresses who I will love to work with and I am sure I will have that opportunity in the near future.

9 10 11

Do you shoot documentaries, short movies or fulllength movies?

At the moment, I only work on features, but I wouldn't want to rule out the possibility of doing a documentary in the future.

Documentaries are a very powerful medium and if I were ever to do one it would have to cover a subject that will change the world in a positive way, or be about something dear to my heart.

Any influences?

My influences in film are Jerry Bruckheimer, Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, Jon Favreau, Joss Whedon, Zac Snyder, there are too many more to list here.

When you see some of the world's greatest movies, how do you feel?

I feel proud. I have nothing but respect and admiration for anyone who can make a great movie. I remember watching The Great Gatsby and realising the bar had just been set. I aspire to make films that are just as great and dare I say it even greater than those made by my mentors. The film industry can only evolve if filmmakers constantly push themselves to create new innovations, and strive to tackle original subject matters and stories. Looking at some of the work of my peers this year, I can definitely say the future of film is bright, it is my turn to carry the torch until it is time to pass it on to future generations.

Amala and eforiro or eba and egusi?

Without a doubt, eba and egusi; that has to be the best combination ever!

Secondly, what are your on-set essentials?

My assistant and a good mug of Earl Grey tea: I can’t do without them.

What movies are you currently crazy about?

I’m looking forward to seeing Lucy, the sci-fi starring Scarlet Johanssen. Perhaps, that’s because I am a fan of Luc Besson.

Which genre do you love most; bios, documentaries or motion pictures?

I’m a huge fan of motion pictures. …and your favourite actress?

That should be Scarlett Johansson, without a doubt.

Lagos or London?

I’ll have to say London. I have lived in London for 16 years, so it has become my second home. I have only visited Lagos once as a child and don’t remember much, but I have heard from several sources that it is definitely worth putting on my list of future destinations. Abuja, on the other hand, feels like home to me, because whenever I am in Nigeria I spend my time here with my family. It is a lovely city with great potential and I am excited to see what the future holds for it in terms of development and the growth of its film industry. London has its highlights, but Abuja is home, any day.

Why? I’ve only visited Lagos once in my life and I was very young. I remember it being quite humid. However, I am looking forward to visiting Lagos soon, as I have heard how amazing it has become.

What do you do when you get home-sick?

I actually never get home-sick. That can probably be attributed to the fact that I first went to boarding school at the age of eight.

After a while you tend not to get home-sick anymore and become more independent. However, that being said, if that feeling was to ever return I’d simply buy a ticket and hop on a plane to Abuja to see my parents. I do miss my mum’s cooking, though.

Who is the one person you’ll do, virtually, anything for?

That’s a tricky one, as there is more than one; God, my mother, father, sisters and my niece. I take family very seriously and I’m very close to mine.

If you hadn’t become a movie-maker, what would you have been?

The president (loud laughter).

Why, of all things, the president?

That’s actually a joke, but it will be nice to be president (mild laughter). Seriously, I am a businessman who seizes opportunities.

One thing I know for sure is that, whatever it is, I’ll still give it my all.

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What do you think the future holds for the Nigerian entertainment businessman in the diaspora?

I would recommend to any entertainment businessman in the diaspora that they should embrace the idea of investing heavily in the Nigerian Film industry. Nollywood, despite still being in its infancy, has shown tremendous growth and, judging from the current speed at which Nollywood is catching up with the likes of Bollywood and Hollywood that have been around for a lot longer, it is a no-brainer. I, for instance, am setting up a film fund in Nigeria to finance coproductions between Hollywood and Nollywood. Our emphasis will be on making Hollywood features with Nigerian content, whether it be stories or cast.

13

How is this project coming?

people.

It is still at its infancy, but it will take off and it will be huge.

Nollywood can work better and it will work better. We need to tell our stories from our own point of view, with our own voice and our own

Hold a true friend with both hands.

― African proverb

42 TATTLES 46 Ray J’sHarris ‘Interesting’ GiftHighest to KimPaid AndDJ! Kanye Calvin Is World’s Forbes magazine has revealed that 30-year-old Scot and disc jockey, Calvin Harris, is ranked the world’s most paid disc jockey for the second year running, after topping the Electronic Cash Kings’ list with his huge $66m in the past 12 months, $20m more than he earned last year. Putting his success partly down to luck, the modest music-mixer told Forbes that: “The rise of dance music has been astronomical in the last three years. I happened to be in the right place at the right time,” Harris said.

Harris, who recently split from singer Rita Ora, beat off competition from the likes of David Guetta, who was second on the list with $30m earnings. Tiesto ties with Avicii in third place, with $28m.

‘Challenge’ Taylor Swift, Become Her Friend!

Taylor Swift doesn’t need dumb friends. Swift, who counts Selena Gomez and Ed Sheeran among her closest pals, likes to spend her time around “smart, exciting people”, because they inspire her to be at her best.

“I choose my friends based on people I have things in common with or people who challenge me. Honestly, I think that there’s something really inspiring about being around people who know what they want, people who are passionate about something. You want to be around smart, exciting people. I think that that brings you up,” Swift said while speaking on popular breakfast show Good Morning America. Well said Swift, well said. It’s good to choose your friends, especially when you are a 24-year-old who is worth $64m.

That Omoni Oboli’s Dress Omoni Oboli has reacted to widespread criticism of the attire she wore to the private screening of her movie Being Mrs Elliot, after pictures of her at the premiere held at the presidential villa surfaced online last week.

The actress who was hugely criticised for her choice of attire, hit back via an interview with a national daily recently, “I styled myself and I thought the outfit was appropriate, because there were no vital parts showing.

Sometimes, the angles from which pictures are taken can portray certain things you do not have [any] intention of portraying. We have pictures from the event and you won’t see what people are seeing. The truth is that a lot of people are very bitter and when people are bitter they try to look for a lot of negative things in every positive thing.” Perhaps. Perhaps.

Susan Peters’ Advice For Young Women Susan Peters (real names Abigail Oyiko Ochai) has got a piece of advice for young women but, given the speed with which they do the exact opposite, it is expected that it may be taken in bad taste.In a recent interview, the actress advised ladies to desist from using their bodies to get monetary gifts. According to her, whether they like it or not, the acts will tell on them sometime in the future.

“First, I will say that we (women) are like flowers that blossom for some time, but after a while wither away. If you misuse your body when you are growing up, it will definitely tell on you when you are ageing. I advise young women not to misuse their bodies for monetary reasons. Secondly, I will advise them to go to school and try to complete their education.

Acting Now Gateway To Prostitution Blessing Egbe, the producer of Lekki Wives, has frowned on young actresses who think that being movie stars is the gateway to prostitution.

She bared her mind in a series of Tweets posted on Twitter. “How desperate can one be in pursuit of fame\ money? In the end, where will you end up? In hell or in heaven? Not all who call God are true.

Sad! Single and married women sleeping with countless men to climb to the top! Please, when you get there, what next please?

Vanity, vanity, vanity! Some say the competition is too stiff and must do the uncanny to stay abreast. Please, if you don’t have anything to offer, go and sell recharge card! Acting is now the gateway to prostitution. People will do anything to have their faces on the screen, because market go come and, true, true, market plenty. God is merciful and forgiving, but when you do your mess and carry out your dirty act, leave the name of God out of it. If not, thunder go fire you one day!” she wrote. Hard, true words.

August 22, 2014

If recent reports are anything to go by, Halle Berry and hubby Olivier Martinez will officially divorce each other very soon. Star magazine recently revealed that the couple, both 48, who had a son, Macao, 10 months ago, have been living separately for months. Pity!

Anyone who follows the Rihanna/ Drake/Chris Brown love triangle must be having serious headaches already.

Rihanna and Drake, who broke up in April, were recently spotted partying together at a club in New York. Does this mean they are back together?

TiSPY

Which comedian is set to become a politician?

Finally, Julius Agwu Admits: ‘I’m Contesting The Elections For Real’ The news that popular comedian Julius Agwu is gearing up for Rivers State governorship election has finally been confirmed to be true. TATTLES is sure that a lot of people would have thought it was a joke. No. The ‘musicomedian’ is dead serious about his candidacy. In a recent interview with The Sun newspaper, Agwu talked about the reality, his reasons, chances, amongst others.

“Yes, it is true and, ever since that story broke, I have been receiving calls and getting text messages from people. Even on social media, people have been telling me to just stick with comedy. They think it’s just another joke from me, but it’s not.

I mean to contest in 2015. I am above 40; to be precise, I am 41 and I doubt if those who go for governorship have two heads.

I think it’s high time youths realise [that] they need to be part of the change that they so much desire and that’s exactly what I am doing.

“After consulting with my people and the subsequent pressure they mounted on me, I finally took the bait to contest.

The governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, is from my ethnic group (Ikwere) and he has done a good work for the people of Rivers State. I am here to continue the good work he has started. As a matter of fact, I don’t want anybody to come and make a mess of his achievement, so I want to continue and be able to build on his achievement.” Good luck to you, Julius!

The Things

They Said “DJ Jimmy Jatt deserves a national award”

–Uti Nwachukwu “I’m in serious debt” Actor Saidi Balogun

FLiRT “It’s not advisable to stand by a broke man” ALERT –Media personality an estranged wife of 9ice,Toni Payne

GOT A CELEB GIST? GET IN TOUCH!

August 22, 2014

TATTLES with Abisola Alawode

OUR EAR-ON-GROUND

TATTLES 47

Wonders shall never end! The latest fad in Hollywood seems to be giving kids absurd names. Singer Christin a Aguilera named her ne daughter Summer Ra w in Very soon, a celeb will . name their child ‘Hea rt Attack’!

The number of singers embracing politics is on the constant increase.

Another musician – this time it’s Kennis Music signee, Joe El – has made his intention of going into politics known.

“I’m also going into politics. We are not just singers; we are lecturers.

Irrespective of the kind of songs we do, we are sincere and we can actually be there and do what they want us to do.”

Well, good luck to him!

Jim Iyke certainly has his hands in a lot of pies.

This time, he is set to launch his own brand of bottled water, Burgeon Water. If the product is successfully launched, Iyke will be joining the likes of Terry G and Kanu Nwankwo in the business.

Eedris Abdul Kareem’s Love For ‘Change’ Eedris Abdul Kareem is no stranger to the Nigerian music industry. At some point, he was considered Nigeria’s most famous rapper. But now, the Jaga Jaga crooner seems to have forged a new career for himself as a ‘Government Musician’. If you are wondering how, well, his songs are all stinging criticisms of the government or about peace being the only solution. That was never considered a bad thing, at least by all those who listened to him.

But Eeedris has changed. Now, he is releasing an album in support of President Goodluck Jonathan. The singer was a guest on Channels TV’s Sunrise programme recently, where he revealed that his forthcoming album titled G2G is a plea with Nigerians to stop the attack on

PUBLiC DiSPLAY

President Jonathan.

“Since I was born a Nigerian growing up, I have always known that propaganda is the issue and they just share the money up and down.

This Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has been there for 15 and nothing was done about it years by the former minister of works, Baba Tony Anenih.

Goodluck is constructing that road.

That is the Federal Government road; he is working on it. Also, our airports have been reformed.” That was not all.

When he was asked if his new crusade for GEJ is geared towards getting something out of it, Eedris replied; “I was the first person who came out [to protest] at the rally when President Goodluck Jonathan increased the fuel price at Ojota. I have never seen Goodluck before but

“To the fans, I’m sorry I’ve been away for so long” –Rapper M.I

what I know is going on with that guy is a big propaganda and they should leave him alone let him work. When I sang Jagajaga, did anybody pay me? If opposition paid me, by now I go don get plenty billions. So, it’s simple; the facts must be told. I sang Nigeria Jagajaga 12 years ago, so why is everybody blaming the poor guy?

[Is it] because he is from the Niger Delta or because the presidency has left the north?” he asked.

While Eedris is fully entitled to his own opinion, suffice it to say that this is not the first time an entertainer is boldly changing his political views.

Remember when Don Jazzy did same a few years back? People say change is the only constant thing. We just hope Eedris doesn’t ‘change’ his views again.

Nigeria’s most famous disc jockey, DJ Jimmy Jatt, recently celebrated his 25th year in the Nigerian music industry. He marked this occasion with the release of a new album titled The Industry. He also released his biography Avant Garde: The Cool DJ Jimmy Jatt Story.

This is wishing the legendary disc jockey many more years in the game!

TiP FOR “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”

THE TOP –Arthur Ashe

Call Bisola on 08126995258 Or e-mail at abisolaalawode@yahoo.co.uk

48

COLUMNS

August 22, 2014

Diary

Razak’s

Relationships For You, By Me

co s y raz z y @ ya h o o. co m

I’m an impulsive guy with an insatiable thirst for adventure. This is all about my dalliances & escapades.

Trouble Versus ‘Nyanga’ I was driving to go see ‘Mama na’ in Bauchi on Friday. I’ve not seen her since she left the hospital and I felt it was time to leave the craziness of girls and the office, Etim and his mad girlfriend and the boring city of Abuja for some cool, dusty, quietness in Bauchi. At least, I was sure ‘Mama na’ would get some fish pepper-soup with some beef innards together. How I love that delicacy!

Well, I was on my way to Bauchi, driving in the Peugeot 206 Fanta got me from Kaduna. I smiled. That Gambian beauty must be drilling a huge hole in MD’s pocket, since I gave her that idea. She even started a business too.

Toop!Toop!

I looked at my cellphone. A text from Etim.

“We’ve agreed to go our separate ways. Moments agao, we had amicable sex; probably our last before we go our separate ways. She blames you for the whole thing, but I’m glad I’ll have to full concentrate on Nurse Tits.”

I smiled, as I typed: “That’s if you don’t find another one to please you at the same time. You know, you love two-timing.”

Instantly, I got a reply: “Just like you, idiot.”

At this time, I was around the Kugbo area. I laughed so hard, until other motorists and commuters started staring at me. I laughed a little more and increased the volume of Phil Collins’ ‘True Colours’.

In no time, LL Cool J’s Loving You came on. I suddenly felt my car filled with so much love. Like magic, I started thinking of Bhaira and her unconditional love. For all I’ve done and the trust I had abused, she still cared and loved me. Honestly, I wouldn’t do that; not even for myself.

I was so lost in my song, I didn’t see the young lady who was waving me down, until I was almost past. I pulled over.

She approached the front window and said in a cool voice; “Jos.” I smiled. Of course, I’d drive through Jos. “How much?” She asked.

“N5000” “Haba, oga, do you want to buy another car today?”

“I smiled some more and opened the door for her.

“I only have N1500 o. I don’t want problem.”

I noticed that her eyes were somewhat smoky.

Hmm, smoky-eyed beauty, I said to myself.

I was checking her out: full legs, finely proportioned bosom, almost invisible gut, a set jaw, slim waist…

“Can we go now?” She asked me, getting my attention off her body.

“Huh?” Brown skirt, pink body-hug and her hair packed in a tight bun. She also had on brown pumps with peeping toes.

Nice.

“I’m in. Can we go now?” She looked at me funny.

What a fool I was.

“Shebi, you’ll stop to carry other customers in Mararaba?”

“My dear, I am not a commercial motorist,” I said, almost annoyed. Was she trying to put me in my place?

Well, we’d see, wouldn’t we?

“Oh, forgive me,” she said, rubbing her legs.

“So, you like LL Cool J, huh?” She asked.

“Some of his songs, not all. I love any cool, emotional song that speaks volumes to me. Those are the only thing which makes sense in this world.”

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“Don’t you like ‘gbedu’?”

“Which one’s ‘gbedu’?” I asked, looking at her.

“Songs like Limpopo, Aye, Sekem, Over the moon and others?”

“They are okay for parties, dancing pleasures, not listening pleasure. Those songs are not for people who want to think; unless you want to think about a woman in a canal way,” I said, eyeing her.

“Is anything wrong with that?”

“Nothing; just that any 12-year-old who listens to the song will like to know what it’s all about. Simple.”

She relaxed. I was not a puritan, after all.

Shai’s ‘If I ever came’ on and I forgot about her for a spell, until my cellphone rang.

Bhaira.

I had a stupid grin on my face. “Baby, I apologise. I just passed Kwoi now and I said I would call you when I stopped to buy bottled water. How far na? How Enugu (she had gone to see her elder sister, Rakiya, in Enugu)?”

“Fine,” she answered. “How’s the trip going, so far?”

“Fine.”

“Be safe and careful,” she warned.

“Okay, love.” She was not warning me about security issues.

The reason for her warning her found her way into my car.

“Love you,” she said softly and hung up.

Some hours later, we were about leaving Jos when I remembered that my ‘passenger’ had said she would get off at Jos. “I almost forgot. Where are you getting off?”

“I’ll let you know when I get there. Where are you headed?”

“I’m going to see my mother in Bauchi,” I said.

“Won’t you branch over and sleep somewhere? It’s getting late, you know?” I gave her a side glance.

“Really?”

“Yes, this country is tough now o.”

“Well, I’m going home straight.” I knew her game right away, but I was not playing.

“Okay,” she said, when I got to the market somewhere along Bauchi Road, close to the market near the Army Barracks. “I’ll get off here.”

“Okay,” reaching across her bosom to open her door. I brushed against it slightly and caught a whiff of lavender body spray. Hmmm.

“Alright, off you go no. Take care. Use the N1500 to get things for younger ones,” I said, attempting to drive off.

“Wait now. Where you dey go?”

I smiled. “What?”

“I say where you dey go? What of my money?” Her voice was getting louder and she was getting me undue attention.

“What money?” I sensed trouble.

“Hmm, you go see pepper today o! Why you no want to give me my money?” At that, the market stood still and the problem suddenly dawned on me. I had given a hooker a free ride to Jos and she wanted me to pay for her running around. I should have known better.

She came over to the driver’s side, held me in a vice-like grip and began to yell.

“You must give me my money today o! How can you do when you don’t have money? Do I look like Mama Christmas?”

People had begun to gather and while many had smiles on their faces, I was biter deep down. How would I get out of this?

I am, actually, not asking a question that requires an in-depth answer if you are single. I am asking people who are currently in a relationship…are you really ready?

Relationships are not whirly-windy, fairy tales affairs, as the movies let us believe. There is no one manual. Just because you see your friends and parents [who are] in a relationship [being] happy, it doesn’t mean that your own relationship is failing. A real relationship involves ‘craze’, occasional doubt, pain, anger, tears, frustration as well as the usual honesty, communication etc. It is a whirlwind of emotions that will test your sanity.

Realistically, relationships do have stages and, just because you leave the initial honeymoon, the I-just-wanna-kiss-youall-day phase, it doesn’t mean that the relationship has gone to shit; it just means [that] it’s time to face reality and see all the other sides you were not privy to or were not educated on before getting into the relationship.

I see a lot of people getting into relationships for the wrong reasons and expecting the right results. People get into relationships for different reasons; to prove to themselves [that] they can actually be in a relationship, so as not to feel lonely, to have a constant sexual partner and a free househelp and many more.

For whatever reason you are in a relationship, though, there will come a stage in which you will have to decide if you are in love or just wasting your time. Now, this is the scary part.

At this stage, you have to ask a few questions about the terms and conditions of the relationship.

- Are you allowed to have friends of the opposite sex?

- How much time should you spend together a week to insure [that] he/she doesn’t get sick of you?

Who should apologise first after an argument?

- - What’s the code of behavior conduct when it comes to social networking?

- Do you still demand to go on dates?

Should you compromise or should they compromise?

- Candidly, there is no one way to address a relationship.

Just because something works for one couple doesn’t mean it will work for you. You have to find what works for you. But, again, it all has to do with the attitude to the relationship. Do you care enough about this said person to give it a try?

When you enter a relationship with someone, this person may be insecure and so in love with love and the fear of losing it that they become clingy. The individual could also be someone who is so guarded that they don’t know how to show love. Luckily, this fellow may be someone you just have to flow with. The truth is that the insecure and guarded ones are not ready for a relationship; they just like the idea of one. Why aren’t they ready? You may wonder. It could be that a relationship is based on trust or one of the two persons is vulnerable. If this said person isn’t ready to just have faith in the relationship and let their guard down with the one person they can be free with, then it really is a waste of time.

You just have someone you are dating, not a partner.

Relationships burn out so fast these days because people enter them ill-prepared to deal with mood swings, privacy, space, finances and the mistakes of the past. You must know that all these are a part of the person you have come to love.

They didn’t change from how they were in the beginning, they just showed you their real them. If you have insecurity issues and are not ready to be the leaning partner for your significant other or even lean on them, then you aren’t ready.

Be fully prepared and [be informed that] there is no manual to gauge your level of preparation. If you are ready or not, you’ll have no doubts, because this person who makes it all so easy is the one you are meant to be with. Someone’s meant to be for you, so be patient. True love exists and it will find you.

Write to us! Share your favourite recipes, TV shows, movies, and of course write to Matilda, Mimi and Rasaq. Send us your comments and suggestions on our features.

We want lots of feedback from you! fridayleadership@leadership.ng

Children are the reward of life.

Are You Really Ready For This Relationship?

— African proverb

www.miseducationofmimi.blogspot.com Mimidoo Achineku is a PR consultant in the SME, TV & Film industry.

She is a blogger, fabulous, old, depending on who you ask and she isn’t lonely!

feature 49

August 22, 2014

By Pembi David-Stephen

PCBR: From ‘Basha’ To Barracks

B

asha’, that was the derogatory term for the squalor that defined the abode of the men of Nigeria’s security forces in the time past.

The story is changing now, for the better. As part of the drive of the federal government to improve morale amongst her security operatives, the Presidential Committee on Barracks Rehabilitation, PCBR, has embarked on a nation-wide rehabilitation of barracks, breathing new life into the once dead, grimy, gloomy abodes. Once marked by the presence of ‘bashas’, these barracks now boast of proper houses.

The committee is moving steadily, from one barrack to the other, building new living quarters for the service men, reconstructing and transforming old ‘bashas’ to new homes befitting of human habitation and giving a new lease of life to once cemetery-like barracks.

Recently, the committee was in Lagos to hand over newly constructed and reconstructed buildings to army authorities at three different barracks.

The party started at the Navy Town, Ojo, the base NNS Wey, where new, ultramodern living quarters with modern conveniences to accommodate men of the navy who have been deployed from the nation’s many navy training schools.

The commandant of the base, Commodore Ignatius Iliya, was elated by the intervention of the PCBR to ease the accommodation challenge experienced by men of the navy.

According to Illiya, the base had been facing accommodation challenges for deployed posted personnel for a long time.

He, however, did point out that, thanks to the effort of the committee, the burden will now be reduced.

Illiya thanked the committee and the presidency for their efforts to alleviate the accommodation problems in military barracks. Iliya further reasoned with the committee tomake more impact by doing more, in order to further improve the living conditions in military barracks across the nation.

At the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, NAFRC, Oshodi, the story was no different. The committee had intervened as well, transforming the living quarters of the men.

It was learnt that prior to the committee’s intervention, the situation was so grave that the men had to take over some of the apartments while work was still in progress, hampering the continuation of the rehabilitation process, as minor amendments were needed to get the work done. As a result, an agreement was reached and the contractors agreed to complete the process.

The new buildings are a direct contrast to old ones and family members living in the old quarters could be seen in the open wishing their apartments could be so transformed.

The deputy commandant, who led the committee round the centre, Major General Suleiman Aliyu, expressed happiness with the work done by the committee and passed it off as ‘satisfactory’.

Aliyu, also, did not fail to thank the president for such a timely initiative. He, however, appealed to the committee to do more.

The committee then moved to the Ikeja Military Cantonment, where another set of structures were ready to be handed over to the men of the force.

At the end of the tour, the chairman

of PCBR, Engineer Binta Muazu, also commended the president for empowering her committee to alleviate the suffering of service-men in Nigeria’s barracks.

“I want to thank the president for supporting our service men. I am happy with the level of commitment on the part of these contractors to ensure that we achieve the goal which the president had in mind – which is improving the welfare and living conditions of the members of the nation’s armed forces.

“These structures you are seeing here today were completely brought down and re-constructed. What you have seen across are louvres, alumuminium sliding windows with net and separate toilets.

Every form of convenience is separated and put in the right place, as was once the case.

“It is very important that we give them the best in accordance with what is happening in the country,” Muazu said.

Muazu told LEADERSHIP FRIDAY that her committee follows the instructions of the military on where the projects are to be located.

“We don’t just go to army barracks; the services tell us where to go. As for the army barracks, we have intervened in seven (7) of them and we have more in our line of sight.

We have taken over Jaji, Demo Battalion and there we have seven blocks and quite a number of three and two-bedroom apartments.

“In Kebbi, we have taken over those ones too. We will visit Kebbi, in order to get more work done, as approved by the president.

“In Minna Barrack, as well, a lot has been done there as well. They have six blocks and all have been completed except

Nature gave us two cheeks instead of one to make it easier to eat hot food.

It is very important that we give them the best in accordance with what is happening in the country one. The air force base has not been left out. For the first time, we are having a school MDG. The difference here is that, for the defence, we upgrade by renovating the facilities and building new ones.

“Considering that education is a major MDG, we are doing all we can to ensure that every child is able to go to primary school. What we have to do is to upgrade facilities in the school (because of the on-coming session) and rehabilitate the health facilities. All things being equal, our barracks will wear a new look in the end,” Muazu said.

Muazu stated that the committee will also berth at Ibadan, where the same issues are at stake.

“From there, we will be heading to Ogoja, where 30 families need a proper abode.

We want everybody, especially, Nigeria’s armed forces personnel, to live happily, in befitting conditions. The barrack in Calabar is one of the oldest in Nigeria.

For that reason, we are constructing about eight blocks of befitting buildings,” Muazu said.

Muazu also assured that, by the time PCBR is done with its duty, the nation’s barracks will be more livelier and beautiful, and the nation’s security operatives will be transformed.

— Ghanaian Proverb

weekend flavour With Solomon Nda-Isaiah

August 22, 2014

Nicki Minaj Joins Beyonce To Perform At The Vmas

Screening Of My Movie In Aso Villa Kudos To Nollywood – Omoni Oboli

By SOLOMON NDA-ISAIAH

By SAMUEL ABULUDE, Lagos

Since the cheering news poured in of the screening of the movie, 'Being Mrs Elliot' in Aso Villa, many have wondered how it happened since no movie is known to have been so treated before in the seat of power.

Dazzling actress, Omoni Oboli, owner and director of the movie said the presidential screening of the movie shot in three Nigerian cities was indeed an achievement for Nollywood.

Last week Thursday, August 14, 2014, a movie shot by Figurine and Anchor Baby lead actress, Omoni Oboli was screened at the banquet hall of the presidential villa in Aso Rock, Abuja in the presence of President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo and other top functionaries of government.

Hounkpatin

I’ll Give My All For Talented Youths – Honore Hounkpatin

By Anthony Ada Abraham

As the entertainment industry continues to expand and fun seekers crave for innovations and new grounds to conquer, a new place has been opened in Kubwa, the largest satellite town in the

Lace Drops Hot New Single ‘Turn

By Turn’

Oboli

It was an endorsement for the movie industry and also for Oboli whose movie is her directorial debut. The mother of 3 said it was indeed an act of God and that it was the film and video producers and marketers association that planned and requested that the president screen it in his complex. After some months, it saw the light of day.

Being Mrs Elliot, a romantic comedy is a 50man cast shot in Ekiti, Asaba and in Lagos."It's God's favour that Being Mrs Elliot got the president's nod to be screened. It is an achievement for the industry and I'll like to thank the president who has supported us all the way," Oboli added .

Federal Capital Territory, called Sledge Lounge.

It was set up by the managing director and chief executive officer of Diversity Construction Company (DCC), Hono Plasta Interiors and president, Benin Republic Dwellers in Nigeria, Honore Hounkpatin.

He told LEADERSHIP FRIDAY “I set-up Sledge Lounge in Kubwa because people are used to the one in town and I wanted people who reside within that area to have fun without stress, making sure that everything is provided.”

Always looking for new grounds to break, he said "I am going to be promoting young artistes.

I want people who think they have the talent not to relent; they should come out and show what they have and if they are good enough, by God's grace we will see what we can do with them,” he said.

Nicki Minaj

By SOLOMON NDA-ISAIAH

MTV Base has announced that Grammy Awardnominated superstar Nicki Minaj will take the 2014 ‘MTV Video Music Awards’ stage for what is sure to be one of the night's most talked-about performances.

The multiplatinum hiphop queen will perform her alluring new hit single “Anaconda” for the first time, from her highly anticipated album The PinkPrint, due out later this year.

Nicki Minaj joins previously announced performers Beyoncé, Usher, Rita Ora, Iggy Azalea, Maroon 5 and 5 Seconds of Summer at the 2014 VMAs for what promises to be an electrifying live event and TV experience.

“The VMAs is a pretty

big deal so people go all out for it,” said Nicki Minaj.

“I am very, very excited and looking forward to the performance.”

Nicki Minaj is no stranger to the VMA stage, with past performances on the 2010 ‘MTV Video Music Awards’, pre-show performing her first number one single, ‘Your Love’, and in 2012, she joined Alicia Keys on the main stage for a fiery performance of ‘Girl on Fire’.

Additionally, Minaj earned a VMA Moonman trophy in 2011 for ‘Best Hip-Hop Video’ for ‘Super Bass’ and in 2012 for ‘Best Female Video’ with ‘Starships’.

Nominees for a new socially voted category, ‘Best Lyric Video’ will be announced at a later date on vma.mtv.com.

Bovi Reunites Ashanti, Ja Rule In Man On Fire

Lace

look up to people like Akon, Tuface, most especially Wande Coal, and all other artists who are doing good songs.

Seeing what they have been able to achieve gives me the strength and the will to put more effort. I want to be a model of an impactful artiste, someone who can be said to have given his all to music.

“People should watch out for lace. He has good songs, nice videos and so much talent and creativity. He has come into the industry and we feel that he has what it takes to succeed in this industry. His new single ‘Turn by Turn’ is already enjoying massive airplay and this is just the beginning of what Lace has to offer. He is aiming for the stars and nothing is impossible.”

US Organisation Donates 30 Wheeler Chairs, Ambulance To Foundation

By Ebriku John Friday, Abuja

By SAMUEL ABULUDE, Lagos

Stand-up comedian, Bovi Ugbomah has planned a surprise reunion that would rekindle the hit collaboration entitled ‘Always On Time’ featuring US rapper, Ja Rule and R&B sweetheart, Ashanti.

Both artistes will re-enact live their 2001 hit song at the comedian's popular show tagged Bovi Man On Fire scheduled for October 3 at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Packaged by Cecil Hammond's Flytime

Taiwo Agbohunsa, popularly known as Lace, who said he looks up to Akon, Tuface and Wande Coal has just dropped a hot new single entitled ‘Turn by Turn’ Lace, an artist with Dozage records, has been in the industry for a while, but after a long hiatus, he is back, better and bigger. He has re-instated himself into the industry by dropping a hot new single entitled ‘Turn by Turn’. The new single is already enjoying massive airplay.

He feels that he has what it takes to succeed in the industry. According to the ‘Se bi wo’ crooner, other established artistes are no threats to him.

“Olamide, Wizkid and other established artistes are not threats, the sky is big enough for every bird, the industry is big enough for all of us as artistes. We are not in competition, we are colleagues but at the same time we task each other to become better,” he says.

Speaking further, Lace says, “the desire to create something more than the usual is what motivates me.

I want to make a difference in the music industry. I

Bovi

Entertainment, Man On Fire in its second year has begun to generate goose bumps among fans of American artistes. Basket Mouth is expected to host the show.

A US- based organization, Grace Project International has donated an Ambulance and 30 wheeler chairs to Abujabased DSK Foundation.

This was contained in a press statement by the foundation and made available to LEADERSHIP FRIDAY, said the medical equipment which was presented to DSK officials will enhance the humanitarian work of the foundation in Taraba State, where it is currently assisting health challenged citizens.

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

Epictetus, Greek Stoic Philosopher

The statement reads in part, “This will enable the foundation to offer quick response to those in urgent medical need and get them the help they need.”

Grace Project International (GPI) is a not for-profit multidimensional ministry that demonstrates God's love and compassion to the sick and weary by reaching out with God's hand of grace to people of all classes, gender and tribes. It is based in the USA, with branches in the United Kingdom and in Nigeria.

51

August 22, 2014

BananaRepublic RESTAURANT

52

August 22, 2014

THE

ELECTABLES On August 30th, 2014

Who

Makes The List?

The best among Nigeria’s politicians; the best among those who aspire for political and elective office; the most popular candidates; the traiblazers; Nigeria ‘s most presentable candidates and those who have the vision and sense of mission to lead.

This is a must read!

A

SPECIAL PROJECTS PUBLI CATION

opinion / 53

August 22, 2014

Re: ‘Agenda For Ibrahim Babangida 2’

BY Mahmud Abdullahi

One would have just rewarded the misinformative piece written by Abu Najakku in another of his ‘Agenda for Ibrahim Babangida 2’ with silence; but like American motivational speaker Jim Rohn says, “You don’t encourage people on the negative path, you educate them”. It will amount to encouraging him on the negative path if one keeps quiet as he exposes his follies.

It is very illogical of Abu Najakku to have written that General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida spoke about the 2003 election as if he was speaking about that of 2015. Albeit, if that fact is acknowledged by Najakku, this means that, by inference, he knows that IBB is clairvoyant. Contradictorily, however, he painted his intention in lucid colours on where his sentiments lie, especially when he brought into play issues surrounding General Muhammadu Buhari’s relationship with IBB on strictly military engagements.

Most irrational is the point made earlier that Babangida is now “an ordinary Nigerian who is in tawdry time”. The same person he referred to as an ordinary Nigerian in tawdry time in his first write-up of Tuesday, August 12, 2014, is the same one he is calling on to be in the forefront of the “search for competent and Godfearing leaders who can manage our complexity, appreciate our diversity,

guarantee our national security and stability and ensure our prosperity”.

With his skewed mind he has conceded that IBB is not an ordinary Nigeria living in “tawdry times”.

Again, though, he wrote about IBB’s many failings. Lest I forget, the IBB University in Lapai was not established

by Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu as he posited; rather, it was established by the administration of Engr.

Abdulkhadir Kure! For the simple reason that Because his write-up is a product of poor research, he can be forgiven; poorly researched write-ups are always hatchet jobs.

A logical mind will not refer to IBB’s personal ventures as ‘failing’. Listing projects like the proposed university, magazines and IBB proposed book as ‘failings’ shows the depth of the writer knowledge, nay understanding. IBB, the writer will accept, is not a man you refer to as a ‘man of failings’. While I will not give his ignorance the luxury to explain the positions of all the projects listed, I will point it out that Najakku should stop dragging the name of the Daily Trust in the mud and making it look dishonourable, because of the shallowness of his write-up.

The Nigerian media will continue to fall over themselves whenever IBB speaks, because they know that IBB is one of the few Nigerians who has assumed, conveniently, the role of elder statesmanship and, always,

Babangida

takes steps which will continue to keep the nation as one. IBB has always being there, for the service to Nigeria and has remained a symbol of true nationalists.

Everybody following development of events in the country will know that the ambition of Babangida in 2011 was a product of calls from the people.

Handing over power and taking over power, to every good Muslim, should

always be seen as the act of God, no matter the scheming and aspiration of any individual. If Allah (SWT) has not granted one power, it will not be possible.

Najakku can be forgiven for his elementary and disjointed psyche about how a country should be run; there is no sustainable policy with long-term benefit which has no sideeffects. IBB is not and will not be the first Nigerian leader whose policy has been widely condemned. But, today, all his condemned policies are being rewound to make the nation relevant economically. Yet, people like Naja cannot read in-between the lines.

Babangida, as a gallant officer, took responsibility for the annulment of the election in 1993. From many interviews granted over the years, IBB has said, times without number, that the election was not annulled based on personal interest but national interest, which mechanics and systemicstructure-people like Najakku may choose to be ignorant of.

Extolling the virtues of Buhari and being insolent to IBB will not, in any way, change anything for the former.

It pays no body to try to set the two distinguished Nigerians against each other in a bid to do one a favour and discredit the other. Najakku should look for another hatchet job. This one is a bad job done.

— Abdullahi is a former chief press secretary to the Niger State government

ISSUES

Re: 2015 As Pdp Sets To Capture Sokoto State

BY Sahabi Garba

One Faruk Umar purportedly from Kofar Rini in Sokoto wrote an article with the above caption which appeared on page 69 of the leadership Newspaper of Sartuday August 16th 2014: This is not a technical rejoinder, but it is expected that the general readership would have an enlarged view of what PDP represents in Sokoto State today.

It is morally correct if I carry Faruk Umar along in history when Governor Wamakko formally joined the PDP and become its flag bearer for the 2007 gubernotorial election. Before Wamakko entry into PDP, the party was as good as Comatose, with all its members scattered about as they had nothing to hold onto.

Whether Faruk and his sponsors like it or not, Governor Wamakko breathed life into the PDP and nurtured it to a resounding success so much so that at a point in time, throughout Nigeria Sokoto PDP is the only chapter that had 100% control of all elective offices.

Again, it is undeniable that when Governor Wamakko defected to the APC, the PDP collapsed like a pack of cards. As I write this, the PDP is still mired in intra-

party squabbles. It would do well to remind Faruk Umar that an aggrieved section of the PDP has since filed a suit at a competent court challenging the conduct of the recent party congresses and by extension the present executives.

How could a party that is embroiled in court litigations be found to be sound and worthy of winning elections?

It is falsehood to hold that Wamakko’s defection suffered a setback when Mukhtari Shagari stayed behind in the PDP. It is obvious that when the Governor was in the PDP, he was its existence and its hope. The people of Sokoto State have not heard anything about Arzika Tambuwal and his co-travellers until when Wamakko left the PDP. Where was Arzika Tambuwal when the PDP was being built by Governor Wamakko, what has Arzika Tambuwal contributed to the PDP towards its successes?? Was he not the same person who was stoned by old PDP members at Giginya Hotel when he was Obasanjo’s Minister for undermining them?

It is sad that their only triumpeting sounds is that, they founded the PDP. Well, they founded the PDP but they could not nurture it and Wamakko had to salvage the

party and reposition it successfully, then left due to lack of party discipline. tell you Faruk Umar that, Ladan Shuni has no morals and was very wrong to have accused Wamakko of fuctionalizing the PDP as he (Ladan Shuni) was a beneficiary of various inclusions into the party affairs. Of course, he benefitted from many grants of contracts even though he belonged to the old PDP. I repeat that, Ladan Shuni has so moral grounds upon which to castigate Wamakko. Ask him how many of such contracts he has collected monies and left undone?

PDP as it stands now is never a threat to the APC in Sokoto State, what the PDP parades is a bunch of Abuja – based politicians who are detached from their people. The PDP is a devided house, as we approach party primaries it is very clear that the party would further disintegrate as the various gubernatorial aspirants may work against themselves and one another at the end of the day.

The greatest undoing of the PDP is the absence of grassroots support and the selfcentredness of its top echelon, these Wamakko domesticated and broutht under control while he was in the party. Now that he is not there, there are cracks everywhere

A spider’s cobweb isn’t only its sleeping spring but also its food trap.

and the centre is about to cave in, so how could such a party lost in the wilderness win election?

Ofcourse, the good people of Sokoto State know what they are about, they have tested the good spirit of Governor Wamakko and as such, the 2015 elections would definitely have the seal of Governor Wamakko.

By the grace of God, Governor Wamakko is taking Sokoto State to the next level with his array of accelerated development strategies. If Wamakko’s simplicity, generosity, compassion, accessibility, humility and grassaroots acceptance are formidable political winning points, then the APC would always carry the day. It is not about political parties now, it is about personalities in the parties, this puts PDP in the political cold room.

What this is merely saying is that Wamakko as a true son of the soil has captured Sokoto State for Centuries to come and unserious persons in the PDP, can not wrestle this from him, this is a fact Sokoto “SAI ALU” is the recurring slogan that one hears around.

— Sahabi Garba Sokoto Democratic Front No. 35 Sultan Abubakar Road, Sokoto.

— African Proverb

54

August 22, 2014

Stanley Nkwocha

HOS: Enter The Quintessential Kifasi

Our Eye On Power And Politics

Feedback: stanleyn@leadership.ng

08038011382 (text only)

Ribadu: How Not To Score An Own Goal!

Since the present democratic dispensation, not a few heads of service have had the opportunity of leading the civil service, with each contributing his or her own quota to the reformation and transformation of the civil service.

Last week, it got to the turn of one of Nigeria’s finest administrators and reputable civil servant, Mr Danladi Irmiya Kifasi, to call the shots. An accountant and lawyer by training, the choice of Kifasi by all intent and purpose can be described as a gold struck by the Jonathan administration.

In his 24 years career, the experiences being brought to the civil service by the Takum-born administrator is second to none. Having traversed and made heroic imprints in the private sector, perhaps it is his Midas touch in all ministries that he has served at upon joining the civil service that made him the ‘quintessential one’ as opined by his colleagues.

His innovations at several strategic ministries such as Agriculture, Aviation, Justice, Youth Development, Office of the Head of Service, Power, Finance and the Petroleum Ministry saw the nation benefit from reforms such as the National Youth Policy and the Aviation Road Map. Similarly, institutional reforms such as the establishment of Nigeria’s Sovereign Investment Authority (NISA) remain part of his touch of class and impact space can only accomodate for now.

It is indeed a new dawn for the nation’s civil service. Kifasi’s elevation has been lauded by all. All eyes are on him to, as has become characteristic of him, take the civil service to the next level. It is not just congratulations to Kifasi as an individual but indeed for the Jonathan administration as well.

Kifasi’s appointment underlines the seriousness of the transformation agenda of President Jonathan.

Erstwhile boss of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has, in a bid to govern Adamawa State, decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

And now day-in-day-out, he is reminded of the venoms and unprintable words he poured at the PDP. His hatred for the PDP made his control of words unbearable then and now it has come to haunt him as all his opponents are laying

emphasis on is his ‘danger’ to the PDP. I pity Ribadu as except a miracle happens, he won’t get the PDP’s ticket and then find it almost impossible to return to the APC. For me he lost it way back in 2006, when in order to please President Obasanjo, he labelled Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu a corupt crook.

Sadly, it was same Tinubu who ended up raising his hands as ACN’s presidential candidate at the 2011 presidential elections.

Mutiny: Mr President, Sir The Nigerian military on Tuesday warned decisively that soldiers who refused to battle the Boko Haram insurgents risked being executed by the military. This followed media outbursts that made the headlines last Monday suggesting that soldiers are blatantly refusing to battle insurgents, lamenting poor equipment and ammunition. This is just as fresh reports claim that the Boko Haram insurgents have

Stan’s Memo

Accept what life offers you and drink from every cup. All wines should be tasted; some should be sipped, but with others drink the whole bottle – Paulo Coelho

i

taken over some towns in Borno State.

The discordant tunes coming from the military in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents is not the best at this time which is the reason why the president must immediately launch an exhaustive investigation to bring this issue to an end.

It is time for the presidency to institute an independent investigation to actually audit the nation’s military vis-a-vis its soldiers complaint. Borno State governor it was who raised the first alarm before he was shouted down and the military insisting that its men were well motivated to confront the insurgents in the country. However, with the recent protests by the wives of soldiers posted to fight in Gwoza recently and now from the complex complaints coming from soldiers themselves, it all point out that there is need for us to get to the bottom of this issue once and for all.

The fight against Boko Haram has gone beyond threatening soldiers over mutiny or even shooting them. The dictates of the time requires concerted efforts geared at exquisite harnessing of both personnel and machinery of the military. There should be no propaganda war in this business.

It is time for the president to be told the situation of things on ground. It is either there are sufficient ammunitions and welfare for our brave soldiers or there isn’t.

No halfway measures should be accepted.

The best way President Jonathan would know this is to get reliable information from neutral parties and not from the soldiers or military authorities that are prone to sycophancy.

Musings

The impeachment proceeding going on in Enugu State is getting funnier by the day. Both Governor Sullivan Chime and his deputy, Sunday Onyebuchi are treating the nation to some good bout of laughter.

Last Wednesday, upon being asked to come and defend his operation of a poultry house at the Government House, Onyebuchi rather stormed the venue with series of documents revealing that even his boss – Sullivan Chime operated both poultry and piggery in same Government House. Didn’t know both the governor and his deputy were super farmers at the Government House. Kudos to the duo.

Nigeria’s Football House Of Fire

The rivalry, power play and game of wits going on at the secretariat of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) finally “threw up a fire” at the Glass House last Tuesday.

Funny enough, of all places it was from the Accountant’s office that the fire started.

Not a few Nigerians believe that the mystery fire at the Glass House is not unconnected with the allegations of financial impropriety leveled against the country’s football administrators; a situation that has seen Maigairi get tossed back and forth as NFF chairman.

As terrible as stealing is, in the attempt to clean up, I think that there should be some manner of ‘civilized cleansing of office’ than this ‘setting the fire option.’

So, aside the alleged missing funds, we now have to budget for new funds to fix the building. Too bad!

Power Play: Again Its Netanyanhu Vs Abbas Just what would it take for peace to return to the Middle East, specifically between Israel and the Palestinians?

It’s obvious that not even the sacrifice of human lives can make peace return to the region much less the talks that have gone on. Like a pack of

cards, the peace talks that held in Egypt has collapsed and it’s now a return to rockets galore between the cities.

For both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, the stringent conditions both attached

as pre-conditions for peace between themselves suggests that there would be no end to the war in the region. Not even the involvement of the United Nations seems to bring a solution to the crisis.

Like I said about three weeks ago, both the Israelis and the

Palestinians have their separate and collective conditions, terms and even definition of peace in the region with Hamas definitely in no mood to back down from their actions in the region. From the look of things, it seems we are just in the early days of this crisis.

Not every movement is progress; Some movements are just a way of burning fats! ― Israelmore Ayivor

politics Ribadu

Mu’azu

August 22, 2014

Jonathan

Ribadu: One Ambition, Multidimensional Hurdles The decision of the former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to decamp to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead the governorship election in Adamawa State has stirred controversy in the state, STANLEY NKWOCHA writes.

It was just few months ago. The rumor mills had gone agog with reports that the former EFCC chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was set to decamp from his All Progressives Congress (APC) party to the ruling PDP. No sooner did the story emerge that Ribadu took to his posting on facebook, declaring such reports as the handiwork of his political opponents. He branded such idea as wicked and clearly intended to embarrass him. The erstwhile EFCC chairman didn’t mince words for the PDP either.

The August rains have set in with its heavy down pour.

And not just the rains are descending hard on us, Ribadu also seems to be towing same lane as like a thunder bolt, against the expectations and permutation of pundits, last week, Ribadu returned to his vomit as he decamped truly to the PDP. No thanks to the Adamawa State governorship election slated for October, the former EFCC boss has declared his interest to run for the governorship and thus has pitched his tent with the PDP. That Ribadu like his bosom friend former FCT minister Nasir el-Rufai have assumed a controversial figure since leaving public office is to state the obvious, however, the controversy that Ribadu’s movement to the PDP has assumed is one that even he never bargained for as not only has his interest clashed with that of others in the state, for some PDP chieftains, Ribadu’s decision is one too cold for comfort and the barrage of protests trailing his decision seems to be the major hurdle he has to scale even before the palaver of the waiver he dearly needs if he would have the opportunity to fly his guber ambition under the PDP is resolved.

At the last count, no fewer than 10 aspirants have indicated interest to contest the election with the trio of Buba Marwa, Nuhu Ribadu and Marcus Gundiri all seeking for waiver to enable them contest the elections having decamped from the APC. Others who have indicated interest to contest the governorship primaries are Acting Governor Umar Ahmed Fintiri, Dr Umar Ardo, Dr Idi Hong, Awal Tukur, Senator Ahmed Barata and Ahmed Gulak.

But the most controversial of all the candidates seem to be Ribadu who is at the center of all manner of bashings. His fellow chieftain in the APC and governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, while commenting on Ribadu’s decamp stated that Ribadu would end up being the hunted and the biggest loser if he embarked on such voyage, saying “ most of those in the PDP were indicted

for corruption by him and they want him to join them; I believe at the end, he will also begin to haunt him. In my opinion, it will be better for him to remain in the APC because people see him as a man of his word, not someone who is going to be desperate for power.”

Lending his voice to Ribadu’s decamp, a PDP chieftain based in Yola, Aliyu Baba Wade called on the PDP National Working Committee not to grant waiver to Ribadu as he portends danger to the unity of the party.

Said Wade, “Ribadu’s request for waiver must therefore be rejected and he be told in plain terms to fly another party’s ticket if he is super sure of contesting and winning elections. The PDP must never be used as a convenience tool for him and his cohorts. The PDP is bigger than them individually and collectively and they must be told so directly to the face. The dark days that Nyako plunged the party into must never be allowed to stage a come-back. No matter whose ox is gored, the PDP must consolidate on its gains and forge ahead,” He wondered what Ribadu was looking for in the PDP after the erstwhile APC chieftain had blamed the PDP for the misrule in the country. Ribadu had opined that “the only things the PDP has brought to us are insecurity, suicide bombings and corruption at the highest level” and that, “PDP has failed Nigeria. It is time to give the opposition a new chance. I call on other opposition parties to join the new train of progressives”. The PDP chieftain queried why then Ribadu needed the PDP to fly his gubernatorial ambition.

At some point in time, the Presidency and the PDP had also engaged in war of words when Ribadu had called a youthful revolution while delivering a lecture in Kaduna about a year ago. The president in a statement by his spokesman, Reuben Abati in response to the accusation had described Ribadu and one not fit any public office again in Nigeria.

The statement read thus; “The Presidency totally rejects the false, hypocritical and self-serving claim by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu at a lecture in Kaduna on Saturday that Nigeria under President Goodluck Jonathan is a “sinking ship” in which the yearnings of the masses are being neglected by a tyrannical leadership.

“We find it very sad and utterly deplorable that Nuhu Ribadu has resorted to shameless wolf-crying, the peddling of arrant falsehood and the denigration of the elected government of his fatherland in furtherance of

his selfish quest for continued national political relevance after his wholesale rejection by Nigerian voters in 2011.

“It is very unfortunate indeed that the once highly respected former EFCC Chairman has now taken to political prostitution and developed a penchant for irresponsible and reckless utterances aimed at improving the electoral fortunes of his new friends and “leader”, who he once famously denounced as a crook who is “not fit to hold public office”.

“Nothing else but misguided ambition could have driven Ribadu to urge Nigerian youth to rise up and save the country from an Administration which he willingly served recently, but which he now duplicitously and insincerely claims is “imposing private interests on the majority”.

“It is certainly the height of hypocrisy for Ribadu who built his entire reputation as an anti-corruption crusader by completely disregarding the rule of law and recklessly trampling on the rights of perceived enemies of the government of the day, to now accuse an administration that has consistently upheld the rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights of being tyrannical.

“It is only a shameless man that will turn around and accept to be the political lackey of a man he once openly accused of corruption at various times between 2004 and 2007. Now that he has been used and abused by the undemocratic overlords that reign over the ACN and fearing that he may soon be dumped now that that vehicle is about to be subsumed into the so called All Progressives Congress, Ribadu is desperately seeking fresh relevance,” the Presidency had bombed Ribadu then.

But Ribadu did hit back at his critics saying he left for the PDP in order to establish good governance in the country.

“My defection shouldn’t be seen as an initiation of political antagonism with my good friends in another party. I still hold them in high esteem, and even where there are marked differences. I believe there are decorous and honorable ways of resolving them. So, kindly disregard any statement said to be by me attacking the personality of any politician since my defection.

“As for my next step in this political struggle, this would be made known in due time. For now, I wish to assure you that my defection is in pursuit of a good cause, and never out of any selfish interests as portrayed by a section,” Ribadu had said.

Clearly, the chickens have come home to roost.

For Ribadu, his might just be a political aspiration championed towards ‘good governance’ as posited by him.

But his past jabs seem to have come to haunt him. With the PDP’s waiver that he badly needs still hanging on the balance, uncertainty at best described the state the now controversial former EFCC boss has found himself in.

Wisdom is not like money to be tied up and hidden. ~ Akan proverb

56 interview

August 22, 2014

Fighting Insurgency Requires Intellegence Gathering – Gen Obene Brigadier General Williams Romeo Obene, a retired military officer was commissioned into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps on December 9th,1980.

In this interview with some journalists in Abuja, he bared his mind on the insecurity in the country and other national issues. paul chiama presents excerpts of the interview.

Talking about your military background may we know the several positions you held in the army?

I am a paratrooper by training.

I was a member of the US Army Special Forces know as the green berets an amphibious training specialist (under water instructor) and a counter terrorism and critical infrastructure protection expert and consultant. while in the army, I was the first Nigerian military officer to climb to the top of the Kilimanjaro mountain in Tanzania in four days in 1987. I was the camp commandant Lagos

Garrison Camp. Commanding Officer, 26 Battalion Sokoto, Brigade Commander 1 Brigade Sokoto, Director Personnel Services, Army, Army Headquarters and Commandant Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASIR) Jaji, Kaduna from where I retired in 2010. I have been working on counter-terrorism for the past 12 years, it was under my watch as the Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry that the pioneer Nigerian Army Counter-Terrorism and CounterInsurgency (NATRAC) Kontagora was established.

As a counter-terrorism expert what is your take on the fight against Boko Haram in the country?

You know that terrorism is not the contemplate war fare, it is not the usual war where you know your enemy. This is like the gorilla war fare, the kind the Americans fought in the Vietnam war. So it requires a lot of intelligence gathering and meticulous planning and it requires the support of the whole population. The Army inspite of

the inadequate funding has been able to contain the insurgency, so they deserve the support of all Nigerians, people can help the security agencies by volunteering information because these people are not ghosts, they are human beings, that have families and live among us , so all hands must be on deck to support our security agencies. As for the Northern elders they should come and support President Goodluck Jonathan in this challenging task and not be arm chair critics.

You would recall that when we had the issue of militancy in the Niger Delta, our political leaders, Governors and even President Jonathan as then Vice President went to the creeks to convince these young men to come out and embrace the amnesty that was offered by the Late President Umaru Yar’Adua. So this is what is expected of the leaders of the north. They must come together to work with Mr President to end this war against insurgents.

How would you assess the development in Rivers State since 1999?

Obene

There has been so much politics in the state since 1999 to date. The state must now return to economic politics, provide the much needed jobs to our teeming youths and bring prosperity to the citizens .

With Mr president who is as good as re-elected on the saddle. I will hook up the state to the national political grid while harnessing the God-given resources of the state to provide good and qualitative life to all the citizens of Rivers State. The state has no business breeding poverty. It is a very rich state both in natural and human resources.

‘Ekiti South In Need Of True Lawmakers, Not Benchwarmers’ A chief consultant in aerospace medicine, Dr Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi, and a native of Egba Ekiti, in Ekiti South Senatorial District, is aiming for the Senate of the National Assembly in 2015. In this interview with PEMBI DAVIDSTEPHEN, he explains why his people deserve better federal representation.

Seeing as you have been in north most of your professional life, how do you hope to reconnect with your people in order to get them to rally behind you?

One thing about a true African is his ability to connect with his people from wherever he is.

Though I have been in the north, I have never failed to be fully on ground and to associate and visit my people.

Moreso, I have attained the greatest height which anyone in my profession can attain in aerospace medicine and human factors. Matter of fact, I have done the best in my profession.

Also, the Bible says, in Proverbs 24:27, “Develop your business first before building your house.”

I have developed my business and I am through with that. Now, the time is appropriate to go back to my roots, my ancestral home, Egba Ekiti, to help empower the

Owolabi

people, develop the place and ring to the limelight.

The electorate has been initiated into ‘money’ politics. As someone who claims to be different, what will you do about this? How do you hope to impact on your people differently without playing ‘money’ politics?

Good enough, this is the reason why I have ventured into politics.

If we all sit back and continue to complain, nothing good will get done and we will never rescue our nation. If the majority, many of whom are well-exposed, determined, change-inclined and patriotic can come out to give a different concept, make an impact and create a different experience for our people, the nation and our people at the grassroots will be better off.

I am seeking election as the federal lawmaker of my people as

a result of ideas. I am going into politics because I want to identify with them. The people want to identify with positive change that will make their lives more useful.

My people have been deceived by people in other political parties in time past, people who promised to give them a better deal. However, we have convinced them that the local government needs to identify with the federal government, which has the capability and empowerment to help every other part of the country.

The groundwork has been done. What remains is bringing in my colleagues from all over the country to contribute their quota to the development of my people in any way which may be fitting for them (my people). I want to add value to their lives and make things better in my senatorial district. We have criticised, we have talked and we have consulted; now is the time to act.

There a number of interests and individuals involved in becoming a federal lawmaker.

What are your chances?

I come from a state where everything, including politics is wisely and critically analysed.

When it comes to assessing candidate, I do not think they will do any less. My people know my family background, they know how I relate with them, they know how far I have gone in my

profession and they know my achievements as a person.

However, I must say that the time has come for Nigerians to begin to accept people, not just at face value; they must also check and be sure that these people who come seeking to be elected in political offices must have achieved some measure of success in their lives, so that, at least, they can show the people that they can be trusted.

What will be your focal point?

To be honest, everything I hope to do will be in line with the transformation agenda of the president: adequate food production, education, primary health care delivery, as well as women and youth empowerment.

Now, the PDP, which is the party on whose platform I will contest the elections, has zoning formulae for most of these offices in the state. However, I come from a portion of the state which has been marginalised by past administrations of the state. For this reason, we have never produced any governor or any individual who occupies an elective office.

I now come as a celebrated son of this portion of the state to represent my people based on their clarion call. I have come to honour their mandate and bring everything that pertains to them closer home.

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August 22, 2014

BENUE STATE GOVERNMENT

73 Hearty CHeers to a Great Leader!

general ibrahim badamasi babangida (rtd), gCFr Former president, Federal republiC oF nigeria

On behalf of myself, family and the good people of Benue State, I heartily rejoice and congratulate you on your 73rd birthday.

As the nation rejoices with you on this occasion, it acknowledges and pays tribute to your commitment and contributions to our great country.

We pray that may Almighty God enrich you with long life, good health and prosperity in the service of the nation and humanity.

Happy BirtHday Sir! His Excellency

Signed:

rt. Hon. GaBriEl SuSwam pHd, Con Executive Governor, Benue State

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August 22, 2014

Hauwa Booth WOMAN ON THE LOOSE

Ff:@ofastupidwoman: Read @ www.diaryofastupidwoman.com So Sorry Just Got In Today...

I’m glad a new Minister of Aviation has been sworn in. I’m sure he should have settled in right about now. He might need to start an immediate tour of the airports. He should insist on going in the opposite direction of the tour path his officials might want to take him. I can point out one area he should see. As you descend from the escalator into Immigration, there is a portion of the ceiling that is leaking. As a customer of the airport who has to pay N400 to use the trolley, I think it is only fair that it doesn’t rain on me while I go through Immigration in a newly refurbished/ remodeled/upgraded airport!

Frankly, I don’t understand the political calculations that Ribadu made. Then again, the calculations that the politicians make is very different from what logic can calculate.

I honestly don’t think he expects to be governor on the platform of PDP but then again this is my silly opinion; what is it against the logic of politicians.

Well....

Contemplating this weekend what the recommendations of the National Conference would be. Thankfully, it has ended in peace.

Coordinate The Fight!

I went to use the ATM at Ecobank Utako and the security man was stopping people as they entered the bank and was squirting what looked like diluted hand sanitizer into the hands of the customers?

It was the travel size contain which was almost finished. I wondered, what next?

Would he go and have the hand sanitizer replenished? Was it a case of ‘if you don’t sanitize, no access into the banking hall?

What about the ATM users? What about his primary responsibility to secure the bank?

At GTB Wuse II, it looked like a ‘banking ward! Everyone had surgical gloves on and others completed the look with face masks.

Diamond bank, my next stop, seemed to have placed total dependence in God; nothing different about their appearance; after all this branch had survived a bomb

blast so what was Ebola?!

Apparently we have implemented (Ebola Detection) Health Landing Forms on international routes. We hurriedly filled the forms and braced ourselves for some sort of quarantine as we arrived. The only thing new was a couple of Nurses and Immigration officials with handheld thermometers going through the somewhat disorganized Immigration queue taking our temperatures. ( I am assuming the batteries hadn’t run out) As we waited in line, of course you know those who are VIP on Nigerian soil are also VIP when it comes to Ebola and so a couple of VIP Nigerians didn’t have their temperatures taken. What was most amusing in a not funny way was while we saw some official collecting the forms, ours is still with us........

‘Mutiny’ In The Army One thing I have always admired about the Army is their cultlike loyalty and commitment and pride about to being in the Army, not forgetting the discipline and zero tolerance to indiscipline and disobedience. With the recent happenings in the army in relation to the fight against Boko Haram and protecting us from external and internal threats and realities, you can’t help but wonder what happened to the Army that restored peace in Liberia and Sierra Leone and even formed part of the troops that went to Mali. Aren’t we cringing with embarrassment each time we either hear of a revolt, the wives protesting and rumors of this and that; all relating to their equipment to work!! This is why it is worse; the soldiers are ready to fight, they haven’t refused to fight and in the face of all they have to deal with they should be commended but who doesn’t get this? I don’t know what to make out of the Chadians rescue of 85 of our Nigerian men and boys abducted by Boko Haram. I honestly thought it was going to be a case of #BringBackourBoys. I hope the Chadians have been thanked profusely for their kind aid. But then I am a bl**dy civilian!

The Passion Of The Football I saw this on someone’s display picture and I still wonder what is it about 22 grown men running after a ball for 90minutes?

‘LADIES PLEASE NOTE: Between the hours of 1&6 today, a special event will take place. In case you ping and I don’t reply KEEP CALM English Premier League has started!’

Another one read; If Arsenal has one million fans, know I am one of them. If Arsenal has

WEEKEND

BiTES

Be the DJ of your thoughts; play happy thoughts!

only one fan, know I am that one fan. If Arsenal doesn’t have any fan, then know that I am dead’ And that is just an expression of one fan from one club.

For the purposes of trying to fit in for football discussions, I am a ManU fan. I became one while David Beckham was still there for obvious reasons. then Rooney the Savage caught my attention for not so obvious reasons. The passion we have for English football is amazing, it would be interesting to see us adopt say, Plateau Riders(?is that correct) with such passion!!

FEEDBACK: LET’S HEAR FROM YOU

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60/ ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

August 22, 2014

Ustaz Abubakr Siddeeq Muhammad Focus On Faith 08076760011 (sms only) www.abubakrsiddeeq.com, email: deedat@gmail.com

T

he National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMH) organised a oneday sensitisation workshop on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and Hajj 2014 operations. The workshop, which brought Hajj stakeholders from all over the country, was held on Thursday, 14th August 2014, in the Tafawa Balewa Hall of Nicon Luxury Hotel, Area 11, Abuja.

Dignitaries at the event included NAHCON Chairman/CEO, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, the Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, and Sheikh Ibrahim Al Qayidy, the Head of Consular Section, Saudi Arabian Embassy, Abuja. Others were Catherine Avery, Deputy Director, US, Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Mary Stephen, Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), and Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, Head of NAHCON Medical Committee.

In his welcome address, NAHCON Chairman/CEO, expressed delight at the large turnout of participants to this important workshop, hoping that ‘at the end of the day’ everybody present will be well informed to play their role effectively and ‘appropriately’ in our collective struggle against EVD. Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, Head of NAHCON Medical Committee presented a paper on Screening Modalities for Nigerian Pilgrims, where he informed the gathering on government’s efforts in controlling and preventing the spread of EVD in Nigerian. This could not have come at a better time when over 70,000 pilgrims are soon to commence their journey to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj.

He stressed the need for getting information on what Hajj stakeholders must do, and how pilgrims should conduct themselves during their stay in, and at the time of their return from Saudi Arabia. NAHCON, according to him, ‘is working hard, the Nigerian government is working hard’ to ensure, through the protocol laid down by WHO, that no pilgrim takes EVD to Saudi Arabia. There shall be screening of all pilgrims throughout the federation before they embark on the Hajj journey, he said; ‘NAHCON will prevent from travelling, any pilgrim suspected of carrying the disease, even at the point of departure. We are all here, the air carriers, the tour operators, and we are all working together to ensure that no single pilgrim is infected in Nigeria, and if he is, he is not taking the virus out of this country.’

Mary Stephen, Representative of WHO, said such workshop would help in curtailing the spread of EVD in Nigeria, especially among the intending pilgrims. ‘We wish to commend the efforts of Federal Ministry of Health and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria for organising this important workshop;’ she said, ‘as we all know, the WHO is currently supporting the Nigerian government in

Catherine Avery, Deputy Director, US, CDC, Sheikh Ibrahim Al Qayidy, the Consul, Saudi Embassy, Abuja, NAHCON Chairman/CEO, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr Khalliru Alhassan

Hajj And Ebola its effort to contain the Ebola outbreak.

I, therefore, wish all of you fruitful deliberations, and a successful Hajj 2014.’

Catherine Avery, Deputy Director, United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), expressed appreciation to the organisers for giving her the opportunity to participate in the workshop. She joined other speakers before her in commending the efforts of FMoH and NAHCON in the control or the outbreak of EVD. ‘The United States, Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’ she said, ‘fully aligns itself with the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health in controlling the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Nigeria, and is committed to seeing it through. Since the report of the first confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria, CDC has deployed its human and material resources to the Federal Ministry of Health in controlling the situation. Several of our experienced in-country staff as well as staff deployed from our Atlanta office are in Lagos to provide assistance for surveillance, contact tracing, entry and exit screening, infection control and communications.

They are working closely with the Federal Ministry of Health and other stakeholders in developing guidelines from laboratory diagnosis to screening inbound and outbound passengers at ports of entry and exit. … CDC is always committed to saving lives and protecting people. It will continue to support Nigeria in the control of EVD, and other disease twenty hour a day, seven days a week.

I am quite impressed by the number of pilgrims from Nigeria. If the information provided here today is adhered to Ebola will not be a problem to any of Nigeria’s pilgrims.’

Catherine’s statement above looks and sounds impressive but in practice, what the CDC has done for Nigeria is scarcely anything Nigerians could not have done for themselves. Where we really need their help is in getting the experimental ZMAPP serum which, despite the fact that it was an American citizen that infected Nigeria, they have refused to give Nigeria. This makes nonsense of the claim that the CDC is committed to saving lives and protecting people. It looks more like saving their pockets to me. But that is for another time.

Sheikh Ibrahim Al Qayidy, the Head of Consular Section, Saudi Arabian Embassy, was glad that NAHCON brought about this workshop at a time when Nigerian pilgrims are preparing for the holy trip of Hajj into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He

Sheikh Ibrahim Al Qayidy, the Head of Consular Section, Saudi Arabian Embassy, was glad that NAHCON brought about this workshop at a time when Nigerian pilgrims are preparing for the holy trip of Hajj into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

commended FMoH and NAHCON for sensitising the stakeholders on EVD in relation to Hajj 2014 operations.

The Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, said , on a lighter mood, that he would not say anything until he made sure that people from his constituency of Sokoto State were represented at the event.

When the Minister confirmed the Sokoto State was indeed represented, as many participants indicated by either standing up or raising their hands, he commenced his extempore speech by congratulating ‘NAHCON for accepting our proposal to invite this distinguished gathering to discuss the current situation.’ In his view, ‘even though Ebola is on our minds,’ there are other diseases that should concern us due to the kind of journey that we are speaking about, namely Hajj.

He said respiratory infections, cholera, etc. should also engage our concern. He called on the gathering to remember that Ebola was alien to us because the disease came into the country ‘by accident through a Liberian’.

This man, in the Minister’s view, should not have been allowed to leave his country, in the first place, or allowed in Nigeria. He said as at the time of his address, Ebola was confined to Lagos state, kept in check due to collaborative efforts with bodies like WHO, US - CDC and others. ‘As of today,’ he said, ‘there are eleven confirmed cases in Nigeria, out of which 3 had died – the index case, that is the person who brought the disease, plus two health workers, who were dealing with the patient. So presently, the eight remaining are receiving treatment, and they are making good progress.

Alhamdulillah, we have been able to do a lot of contact tracing to ensure that any person who came into contact with Patrick Sawyer has been traced.

Those who have shown sign of infection are being quarantined. Those who had primary contact we kept them under observation. Today is the 24th day since Patrick came into Nigeria, going by the medical history of the disease, it has incubation period of 2 to 21 days, so, all primary contacts of Mr Sawyer should be in the clear, except those who have contracted the disease. Alhamdulillah, the collaborative effort is yielding progress.

65 out of 177 under clinical review were withdrawn, so we are doing well. We should continue to do more. Presently, Ebola is more of a problem to health workers than the general public because an Ebola patient is more dangerous when he has high fever, he can be infectious, and most of the time they are not mobile, they are at home or in the hospital. Sadly it is no more business as usual for our health workers to see patients. I know the experts will educate you on this more.

I appeal to you to remain calm, there is no panic, because with simple personal hygiene, good hand washing, which Muslims do five times a day, we should do, we should use soap as this is enough to control 80 per cent of cross infection.

The subsistence mentality of a person is a prison in which his personal joy is detained. If you want to live in joy, you don’t live for yourself alone. Live for others too! ― Israelmore Ayivor

August 22, 2014

61

62

August 22, 2014

NASARAWA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

OFFICE OF THE CLERK

The Chairman, National Judicial Council, Supreme Court Complex, Three Arms Zone, Central District, Abuja - Nigeria.

NSHA/OFF/7/VOL. 11/87 18th August, 2014

RESOLUTION NO 79 OF NASARAWA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY URGING THE NATIONAL JUDICIAL COUNCIL TO INVESTIGATE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE HON. CHIEF JUDGE OF NASARAWA STATE, HON. JUSTICE SULEIMAN UMARU DIKKO ON HIS ROLE DURING THE IMPEACHMENT MOVE ON GOVERNOR UMARU TANKO AL-MAKURA OF NASARAWA STATE

Whereas Nasarawa State House of Assembly resolved to request the Hon. Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, Hon. Justice Suleiman Umaru Dikko to appoint a seven man panel in line with the provision of section 188 subsections 5 and 7 of the Constitution, Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended), to investigate the allegations levelled against Governor AI-makura of Nasarawa State; WHEREAS the Hon. Chief Judge, while constituting the seven man panel, did not comply with the provisions of the Constitution, and this Hon. House drew his attention immediately; AND WHREAS the said constituted panel sat and concluded its work without the sitting procedure which this Hon. House was to prescribe, in line with the provisions of section 188 subsection 7 (a) of the Constitution, Federal Republic

of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended): NOW THEREFORE Nasarawa State House of Assembly has unanimously resolved this 18th day of August, 2014 that the Hon. Chairman, National Judicial Council should direct for an investigation on the role(s) the Hon. Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, Hon. Justice Suleiman Umaru Dikko played during the impeachment move by the Nasarawa State House of Assembly on Governor Umaru Tanko AImakura of Nasarawa State.

While hoping you will grant us this auspicious request, please accept the esteem regards of all the Principal Officers and Legislators of this Legislature.

63

August 22, 2014

NASARAWA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

OFFICE OF THE CLERK 19th August, 2014 The Chairman, National Judicial Council, Supreme Court Complex, 3 Arms Zone, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.

My Lord.

PETITION AGAINST THE CONDUCT OF THE HONOURABLE CHIEF JUDGE OF NASARAWA STATE; JUSTICE SULEIMAN UMARU DIKKO 1. 0 1.1

PREAMBLE On Monday the 18th day of August, 2014 the Nasarawa State House of Assembly in the execution of its legislative functions met in plenary wherein several complaints and/or petitions concerning the conduct of His Lordship Justice Suleiman Umaru Dikko were considered and debated.

1.01 The outcome of which was resolution No. 79 dated the 18th day of August 2014. (A copy of which is hereby attached for ease of reference as Appendix “A”).

1.02 This petition is therefore entered into consequent upon the resolution aforesaid.

2.0

THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIS LORDSHIP JUSTICE SUlEIMAN UMARU DIKKO

2.1

Breach of section 188 (5) of, the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of igeria (as amended) in 2011 by appointing members of political parties, friends of the Governor subject to investigation by the panel and appointment of a public servant on the impeachment panel, appointment of a person (who converted Church Funds to his personal use) is clearly lacking in character (lmpeccable or otherwise).

2.2 Facts in support of the allegation; 2.2.1 On the 14th day of July 2014 the Nasarawa State House of Assembly commenced impeachment proceedings against His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State Umaru Tanko Almakura pursuant to the provisions of Section 188 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended in 2011).

2.2.3 Following a further resolution in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly that the allegation made against the Governor be investigated, the Honourable speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly requested His Lordship Justice Suleiman Umaru Dikko to constitute a panel for that purpose pursuant to Sectioril 188(5) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

2.2.4 In purported compliance with the request of the Honourable speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, the chief judge of Nasarawa State constituted a seven (7) man panel consisting of the following persons i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii.

Yusuf Shehu Usman Mohammed Sabo Keana Reverend Dr. Joel Galadima Alh. Usman Abdullahi Galadima Pastor Daniel Chaga Mr. Samuel Chaku Mohemrned Sani Usman

“ “ “ “ “

Chairman; Member; “ “ “ “ “

2.2.5 Shortly after the list was made public, the Nasarawa State House of Assembly was inundated with several petitions and protests against the membership of the said panel.

Some of these petitions were accompanied by documents showing or seeking to establish the ineligibility of the panellsts, 2.2.6 The ineligibility of the panelists was predicated on the following facts; i.

Reverend Joel Galadima is a serving appointee of the Governor of Nasarawa State as a Board Member of the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board of Nasarawa State.

He is also of the same Gwandara ethnic extraction as His Excellency f the Governor of Nasarawa State whose allegations of misconduct he is supposed to investigate.

Furthermore, he is the serving Chairman of the Gwandara Development Educational and Cultural Association (GWADECA), a cultural association to which His Excellency, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji -Tanko Al-makura belongs. The principal objective of the Gwandara Development Educational and Cultural Association (GWADECA) is to advance the cause of persons of Gwandara extraction.

In further proof of the assertions made were annexed the following:-a) Payment vouchers of the Nasarawa State Christian Pilqrirn Welfare Board made to Reverend Joel Galadima for allowances collected in June, 2014; b) A video Computer Disk of Reverend Joel Galadima regarding his Membership; and c) A letter of suspension of Reverend Joel Galadima by the Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ (ERCC) for financial impropriety for which he was made to refund some money. ii. Alhaji Mohammed Sabo Keana is a registered member of a political party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He is registered in the Amiri Ward, Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State with Number 8794402 In the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) membership register of the Amiri Ward of Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. In proof was attached People’s Democratic Party (PDP) membership register for the ward showing the registration particulars of the rnember. iii. Alhaji Abdullahi Usman Galadima was alleged to be a registered member of a political party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He is registered in the Angwan Rimi Ward, Keff Local Government Area of Nasarawa State with Number 9880967 in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) membership register of the Angwan Rimi Ward of Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. In proof of the assertion is the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) membership register for the ward showing the registration particulars of the member. iv. The chairman of the Panel, Mallam Yusuf Shehu Usman is a childhood friend of His Excellency, Alhaji Tanko AI-Makura, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State and his wife is a Special Adviser to Mairo AI-Makura, the second wife of the State Governor of Nasarawa State. v.

Alhajl Mohammed Sani Usman has also been a childhood friend of His Excellency, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State whom the Chief Judge of the High Court of Nasarawa State had no hesitation in appointing. The sarne applies to Daniel Chaga and SarnuelChaku who are both close personal friends of the person whose conduct is the subject of the investigation and played visible roles during his election. Their independence and objectivity is not guaranteed as they were nominated by the All Progressive Congress (APC), the Governor’s Political Party.

2.2.7. On the receipt of the Petition which was signed by Musa Aihaji Danjuma and Alhaji Isa Abubakar, The Nasarawa State House of Assembly timeously instructed its solicitors (Messrs J.K. Gadzama) to quickly petition the Chief Judge of Nasarawa State drawing his attention to the legal disabilities of the panelists in view of the clear provisions of Section 188(5) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As amended in 2011). A copy of the solicitor’s letter dated 2dh day of July, 2014 which had attached to it evidences of legal disabilities are hereby attached for ease of reference and marked Appendix “B”.

2.2.8. In addition, on the 30th day of July, 2014, the Nasarawa State House of Assernbly also passed resolution No. 78 which was conveyed through a correspondence with Reference No. NSHA/OFF /7/VOl.2/85 requesting the Honourable Chief Judge to reconstitute the panel in view of the obvious legal disabilities of the panel members. CA copy is attached as Appendix “C’’) 2.2.9. When both of these correspondences were ignored by the Honourable Chief Judge, the Nasarawa State House of Assembly wrote a reminder to the Chief Judge on the 4th day of August, 2014 on the same subject matter, which he again ignored. ‘It was conveyed via a letter with Reference No: NSHA/OFF/1/VOl.2/86 dated the 4th day of August, 2014 CA copy is attached as Appendix “DV’)

2.2.10 His Lordship, the Chief Judge failed to cause any investigation to be conducted into these grave alleqations, ignored the solicitor’s letter and resolutions of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly and did not invite the comments of the panel members on the allegation made against them, The resultant effect is that the panel continued its assignment with impunity.

A few instances of this manifest display of impunity by the panel can be seen below; a) Indeed, the panel to confirm they were acting on a script, drafted their own rules of procedure in violation of Section 188(7) (a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended in 2011) which provides thus; “A Panel appointed under this section shall (a) have such powers and exercise its functions in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly.”

The rules of procedure drafted by the panel members is attached as Appendix “E” b) (b)

The Panel to confirm their skullduggery has since the 5th day of August, 2014 announced that it had absolved the Governor of all allegations made against him but has failed, refused and neglected to submit the purported report of their investigations to the Nasarawa State House of Assembly as required by Section 188 (7) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended in 2011) which provides thus:-

“A Panel appointed under this section shallWithin three months of it’s appointment, report its findings to the House of Assembly”.

2.3

Breach of Section 36 (5) of the 1999 Constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) by appointing persons with close affinity to Governor Tanko AI-makura to conduct proceedings in respect of the local Government Appeals Tribunal.

2.4

Facts in support of the allegation

2.4.1 The Chief Judge of Nasarawa State pursuant to the relevant Nasarawa State Local Government ... Election Law, constituted a local Government Election Appeals Tribunal with three panehsts as follows; i.

Justice Aisha Ahmed Mohammed; ii, Barrister Tim Yigga; and iii. Her Worship, Esther G. Ejeh 2.4.2 Two litigants who had pending appeals before the Appeals Tribunal namely; the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Haruna Osegba, the chairman of Keana Local Government Council of Nasarawa State Petitioned His Lordship Honourable Justice Suleiman Umaru Dikko alleging bias against two of the members of the Tribunal and requesting that the membership of the Panel be reconstituted.

Specifically, the allegations against Honourable Justice Aisha Ahmed Mohammed is that she is a close personal friend of the Governor’s wife and was most likely to be sympathetic to the All Progressive Congress (APC) who had several appeals pending before the Tribunal.

2.4.3 As for Barrister Tim Yigga, he was alleged to be one of the Governor’s personal counsel and a member of the All Proqressive Congress (APC). His impartiality in adjudicating over appeals wherein the Ail Progressive Congress (APC) is a party cannot be guaranteed. One of these petitions is attached and marked Appendix “F”7.

2.4.4 In His usual characteristic manner, the Honourable Chief Judge lqnored these petitions and allowed the Appeals Tribunal to continue proceedings with the result that all the appeals so far decided by the Tribunal were against the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidates in an unrestrained display of open bias with the knowledge that their decisions were not subject to further appeals.

2.5

Breach of Order 4 Rule 4 and Order 41 Rule 4 of the High Court of Nasarawa State (Civ’n Procedure) Rules 2010.

2.6 Facts in support of the allegation; 2.6.1 On the 25th day of March, 2014 the Attorney General of Nasarawa State commenced SUIT NO. NSD/LF/21/2014 at the High Court of Nasarawa State by a Motion Ex-parte without filing along the Originating Summons, affidavit and exhibits in dear violation of Order 41 Rule 2 (2) of the High Court of Nasarawa State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2010 which provides;“Wo applicaluion for an injunction shall be made ex-parte unless the applicant files with it a motion on notice in respect of the appiication” 2.6.2 In clear violation of Order 41 Rule 2 (2) of the High Court of Nasarawa State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2010, His Lordship, the Chief Judge of the High Court of Nasarawa State not only entertained a matter he dearly lacked jurisdiction to entertain, but proceeded to grant an Order of Injunction Ex-parte.

2.6.3 The Nasarawa State House of Assembly was compelled to petition this same office. My Lord, a copy of the said petition which speaks for itself together with all the attachments are annexed herewith as Appendix “G” for your kind perusal and retention.

3.0 RELIEFS SOUGHT We urge you to use your good office to:3.1 Thoroughly investigate the allegations above made against His Lordship the Chief Judge of the High Court of Nasarawa State; 3.2

Within the period of the investigation which may be made, His Lordship, the Chief Judge of the High Court of Nasarawa State be suspended forthwith from office to ensure that the investigation is not hampered in any form.

3.3

If any. of the above allegations are found to be true, His Lordship, the Chief Judge of the High Court of Nasarawa State should be appropriately sancttoned.

4.0 CONCLUSION We hope our Petition will be expeditiously considered and the reliefs sought will be graciously granted.

Yours faithfully, For: THE NASARAWA STATE HOUSE Of ASSEMBLY,

64 NEWS NATIONAL

August 22, 2014

Niger By-election: David Umaru Moves Campaign To Core Rural Areas

By Abu Nmodu, Minna

The campaign team of Barrister David Umaru for Niger East Senatorial by-election has moved to the core rural areas in the final lap of the campaign that has already covered key areas in all the emirates of the zone.

The Coordinator of the campaign organization, Mallam Azozo said the campaign was aimed at reaching all the nooks and crannies of the state to ensure that the popularity of the candidate of All Progressives Congress was consolidated upon.

Already the campaign team has moved to Shiroro area of the zone with the team going as far as Erena , Allawa and Gurmana areas.

The campaign co-ordination said that from the reception received so far from the people the people were truly happy with David Umar.

Azozo said it was obvious that the emergence of David Umaru for the by-election was the desire of the people and the support was overwhelming.

He however called on the people to be steadfast in their support for David Umaru and make sure it translated to large votes maintaining that because he was asked To contest by the people he will certainly serve the interest of the people.

The by-election is scheduled for August 30th 2014 and the contest is between David Umaru and the PDP candidate Dr Shem Nuhu Zagbayi.

Niger Denies Rigging Allegation

Niger State government has denied the allegation that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has concluded

plans to rig the Niger East Senatorial byelection, describing it as a fallacy.

The government said that the allegation only existed in the bucket list of the Niger All Progressives Congress (APC).

The chief press secretary to the governor of Niger State, Mr Israel Ebije, said in a signed statement yesterday in Minna, that the state opposition party, realising the fact that its chances are slim in the forthcoming by-election, has resorted to cheap blackmail.

We’ ll Deploy 3,569 men- Police Meanwhile, the Niger State Police Command has said that 3,569 officers and men will be deployed to the 1,122 polling units and collation centres for the Niger East Senatrial by-election coming up next week.

Director General, Nigeria Tourism Development corporation, Mrs Sally Mbanefo (l), receiving an art work from Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, at the opening of World Sango Festival in Oyo yesterday. With them is commissioner for culture Oyo State, Princess Adetutu Adeyemi. PHOTO

through his public relations officer, Andrew Enwerem, yesterday, the state commissioner of police, AbdulMajid Ali said that the police got a hint through an intelligence report and moved into the troubled area.

He stated that the police were reliably informed that the MASSOB leader had a misunderstanding with a faction of the organisation over “money sharing” and invited a group

from Anambra State to dislodge the faction at Onuimo, where the incident occurred.

Ali stated that Uwazurike has been given 24 hours to report to the police to clarify the circumstances that led to the incident or be declared wanted.

The CP, however, disclosed that some arrests have been made in connection with the Onuimo fracas.

Northern Nigeria Not A Parasite – Northern Govs Forum

By Abu Nmodu,, Minna

The chairman, Northern States Governors’ Forum and governor of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has said that the region is not a parasite on other parts of the country.

He made the clarification in Minna yesterday when he received ‘The Peace and Development Award’ bestowed on him by the popular Zumunta Zabi Sonka Social Association in recognition of the governor’s peace and development initiatives in the country.

He said the North is made up of hard working and serious minded peo-

The chief of army staff, Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah has re-assured that the Boko Haram sect is not in the South East.

Minimah, who was in Owerri, the Imo State capital on Wednesday on a familiarisation tour of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, said the two incidents in Imo and Abia states allegedly linked to the Islamist terrorists might have been the handiwork of some elements in the states who wanted to take advantage of the insurgency in the country to cause mischief.

“What happened at the Winners’ Chapel and Abia, even though I don’t want to talk about that of Abia because it has been established that some people were arrested, we cannot say it is an extension of insurgency.

“Some elements within the states may want to cause problem; some mischief makers might want to take advantage of the insurgency in the country to foment trouble,” Minimah said. the chief of army staff who seized the opportunity to commission the modern officers’ mess at the barracks affirmed that his tour to all the army Divisions in the country would help strengthen the morale of his men and provide ideas for the protection of the nation.

Onukogu Kanayo Jubal, Abuja

Police Summon Uwazurike Over Death Of 2 MASSOB Members The Imo State Police Command has summoned the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign States of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazurike over the fracas at his country home in Okwe, Onuimo local government of the state, resulting in the death of two members of the movement.

Confirming the incident at a press briefing

By Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri

‘Achievement Of MDGs Hinged On Access To Clean Water’

BY NAN

By Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri

Boko Haram Not In South East – Minimah

ple who have contributed and are still contributing their quota to national development. “We should reject the claim by some people that the North is a parasite in Nigeria; the North has shown capability to make the difference in the country before and after independence”.

He challenged the people of the region to be more industrious by creating opportunities for employment and economic development of the states and the region.

On the insurgency that has hampered the economic growth of some parts of the North, Governor Aliyu said

no one should accommodate members of the Boko Haram group who are in the forefront of the crisis rocking the region, adding that shielding the sect members will be un-Islamic and a betrayal of the nation.

“Don’t pity Boko Haram; anything they do will affect everyone not minding religion or tribe’; ‘No one prays for another civil war; anyone that wants to cause it should be ostracized,” he declared, adding that the North as a whole should unite against insurgency because “what is happening in the north was never thought would happen”.

Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever Walt Disney, founder and CEO of the Walt Disney Company

If the nation is ever going to meet the global deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, she has to do something urgent about access to clean water. The success or otherwise of the MDGs depend on it.

This was revealed by a hydrological engineering expert, Engr. Mohammed Ibrahim, during the parallel session of the presidential summit on MDGs, held at the Transcorp Hilton,Abuja.

While delivering the keynote address, Ibrahim pointed out that Nigeria has to overcome every challenge, in order to provide safe drinking water for her populace.

“The World Health Organisation has stated that clean water should be, at least, a kilometre from the dwelling. But how can this be done when some villagers have to trek almost five kilometres to get water for bathing and other things? If we can overcome this huge challenge, then all other MDGs will not be so far-fetched.

People need their primary needs met before you can go on to more complex ones,” Ibrahim said.

Ibraqhim, a specialist in hydrology, also pointed out that since the global percentage for achievement of the MDGs has been pegged at 85 per cent, Nigeria is expected to achieve, at least, 75 per cent by 2015.

Ibrahim regretted that the nation has achieved just 60 per cent of her MDGs, but assured that the acceptable percentage can be achieved before the end of 2015.

65

August 22, 2014

SCHOOLS, EDUCATION, & FAITH PLATFORM

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF

SPECIALISED CLASSIFIEDS PAGES SAMUEL ABIODUN AWE FOUNDATION

PAROUSIA EVANGELICAL MINISTRY

PUBLIC NOTICE

The general public is hereby notified that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration under part C of the companies and allied matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration under part C of the companies and allied matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

CHANGE OF TRUSTEES/AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. SAMUEL ABIODUN AWE 2. OLANIYI AWE 3. OLADIMEJI AWE 4. OLAJIDE AWE

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR EMMANUEL ABU BELLO 2. PROPHETESS FUNMILAYO REBECCA BELLO 3. PASTOR BABATUNDE PETER BELLO

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To unite the family 2. To serve as a charitable organisation.

3. To help the underprivileged.

Signed: SECRETARY

OF

DIADEM EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for change of trustees/amendment of its constitution under part ‘‘C’’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Oyediran Lukman Abiodun 2. Pastor Ilesanmi Olanrewaju 3. Adetunji Oluwaseun Aladejebi 4. Kayode Bukola Olufunke 5. Afolabi Salisu

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus to all mankind.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general, corperate affairs commission, plot 420 tigris crescent, off aguiyi ironsi street, maitama, abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

FOR

- Retained - Retained - Retained - Retained - Retained

THE NEW TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Rev’d Olusegun Oladele Olaobaju - Newly Appointed 2. Pastor Temitope Abayomi Kayode - Newly Appointed

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general, corperate affairs commission, plot 420 tigris crescent, off aguiyi ironsi street, maitama, abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To empower the less privileged through credit assistance.

2. To enable the underprivileged to live a sustainable better life through promotion of basic hygiene and sanitation.

Any objection to this change/amendment should be forwarded to the registrar general, Corperate Affairs Commission, plot 420 tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: chairman

Signed: Secretary

WINNING YOUTHS FOR DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

MASTERCARE DENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION

FOUNTIAN OF POWER CATHEDRAL

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1 OF 1990.

The general public is here by notify that, the above name FOUNDATION has applied to corporate affairs commission, Abuja for registration under part ‘C’ of companies and allied matters act No.1 of 1990

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Cathedral has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mbachu Anthony 2. Okakpu Ikechukwu 3. Ohwomado Derek 4. Mbachu Daphine 5. Okoye Chuka 6. Ugwu Ikechukwu 7. Mbachu Gabriel

The Trustees Are: 1. THOMAS HENRY 2. THOMAS THERESA 3. ABEDNEGO OCHASO 4. ACHILIKE EJEMANU 5. VICTORIA CHUKWEKE 6. COSMUS OMOKHUALE 7. AKUJOBI OBINNA 8. FREEMAN FELIX

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Dunama Dzarma Azura 2. Mrs. Helen Jacob Tumba AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1 To empower youths in achieving their goals in life.

2. To engage youths in postive awareness campaign against HIV and AIDs ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRISCRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: K. N. MUNMBO ESQ

- Chairman

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To promote a good oral health environment.

2. To create the needed awareness for the maintenance and inculcation of oral health practices among Nigeria.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general, Corperate Affairs Commission, plot 420 tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: Secretary

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach God’s word Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja within 28 days of the publication.

SIGNED: Secretary

NIGERIAN MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

UCHE OGAH FANS CLUB INTERNATIONAL

HEAVEN CHAPEL

The general public is hereby informed that the above named SOCIETY has applied to the corporate affairs commission for registration under part “C” of the companies and allied matters act 1 of 1990.

The general public is hereby informed that the above named CLUB has applied to the corporate affairs commission for registration under part “C” of the companies and allied matters act 1 of 1990.

The general public is hereby informed that the above named has applied to the corporate affairs commission for registration under part “C” of the companies and allied matters act 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Prof. Micah Osilike - President 2. Dr. Bashir Alli - Vice President 3. Ninuola Ifeoluwa - Secretary 4. Prof. Godwin Ezike Mbah 5. Prof. Samuel Okoya 6. Obey Henry Adagba

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr. Kingsley Obiora Nduka 2. Mr. Chidiebere Godwin Ogah 3. Arc. Kelechi Orji 4. Mr. David Okai 5. Mr. Chibueze Nwadinobi

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Rev. Prophet Oketa Jones Oche 2. Oluchi Jones Oche 3. Honourable Adah Ejiga

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote mathematical research and its application.

2. Publishing of mathematical journals and other similar publications.

3. To cooperate/affiliate with similar bodies like the society both locally and internationally.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To protect the interest of the members.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrargeneral, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrargeneral, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: ONWU INNOCENT C. 08035105079

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. To win souls, healing, deliverance, redemption, miracles, teaching families love and blessing worldwide.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrargeneral, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

plateau intelligentsia development initiative

PEAK MINDS INTERNATIONAL CLUB

THE KINGDOM CLUB

The general public is hereby informed that the above named INITIATIVE has applied to the corporate affairs commission for registration under part “C” of the companies and allied matters act 1 of 1990.

The general public is hereby informed that the above named CLUB has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

This is to notify the general public that the above named CLUB has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of Companies and Allied Matters Act. of 1990.

THE TRUSTESS ARE: 1. Okpara Bethel Nnaemeka - Chairman 2. Ejimbe Chioma Favour - Secretary 3. Onyerisara Godwin Ikechukwu 4. Ayika George Ifeanyi 5. Anyanacho Obinna Oscar 6. Ezeiruaku Freeman

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr. Kola Adewale 2. Mr. Tunde Disu 3. Mr. Leslie Omokhodion 4. Mr. Ben Akaneme 5. Mr. Hyacinth Ayozie 6. Mr. Tony Ofoman 7. Mr. Ifeanyi Ifeka

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Dr. Meshak Daniel Jatau - Chairman 2. Mr. Zendi Lazarus Mikuk - Secretary 3. Bishop Benjamin Argak Kwashi 4. Ms. Nakris Elain Kwardem 5. Mr. Niyang Michael Pankyes 6. Mr. Jim Pam Wayas 7. Mr. Alex Ladan 8. Dr. Fabong Jemchang Yildam 9. Mr. Solomon Kwakfut THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To undertake activities which promote and advance the cultures, literatures and economic of Plateau State.

2. To promote peaceful and mutual coexistence among the residents of Plateau State.

3. To advocate and suggest policies that will engender good governance and improve the wellbeing of Plateau State and Nigeria at large.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar-general, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: B.Y. ATSEN; 08066070855

For booking or inquiry call

> HENRY UBIMAGO 08068640944

> augustine 08061602706

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. Enlightening members of the club and the public on the recipe for success and greatness.

AIMS/OBJECTIVES: 1. To foster unity among members.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

SIGNED: GSA SOLICITORS; gsa.solicitors@gmail.com

Signed: SECRETARY

> GLORIA OKwUM 08038722368

> ABIGAIL SAMBO 08064382438

> GLORIA RAPHAEL 08061356519

> GLORIA ODIO 08034285851

> GRACE OJO 08035054444

66

August 22, 2014

PARENTS INHERITANCE INITIATIVE

DELIGHT GLOBAL FOUNDATIONTION FOR HUMAN RESOURCES AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

LEGAL NOTICE

This is to inform the General Public that the above named INITIATIVE has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies And Allied Matters Act, 1 of 1990.

This is to inform the General Public that the above named BODY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies And Allied Matters Act, 1 of 1990.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Ms. Esther Bolou Boro 2. Lawal Femi Mark Africas 3. Comrade Joseph Evah 4. Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse 5. Mr. Barri Pereomongu 6. Mr. Isaac Thankgod 7. Mr. Enoch Etimighan

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Dr. Francis Udoka Okpor - President/Founder 2. Bishop (Dr) Ebiye Philip Tuaweri 3. Princess Tina Amuziam 4. Hon. (Dr.) Olubunmi Usim-W 5. Mr. Kelechi Nwankwo 6. Fidelis E. Akporeha 7. Mr. Emmanuel Segun Olatinwo 8. Dr. Vivian Uche Gogor

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To assist indigent/less privileged parents and orphans.

2. To assist parents and children of those who lost their parents whilst addressing issues involving injustice in the country Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: BARR. ANORUO NORA 08037144131

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To foster peace, unity and encourage the development of the communities.

2. To embark on empowerment projects, aimed at helping global youths widows, widowers, aged group/less privileged people and physically challenged or disable people.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE

Applicant for grant Fr a n c i s c a D aw a m a n d Francis Dawam 5 Ibrahi Kassai Street, Bauchi Ring Road, Jos Dated at Abuja this 21st August, 2014. The widow and sons of the said deceased.

Deceased name and address Dr. Dawam Jacob Ambrose University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Abuja Who died on the 14th April,2014.

Signed: Barr Hafsat Sadiq For: Probate Registrar

SIGNED: BARR. FIDELIS E. AKPOREHA; SOLICITOR

YAURI EMIRATE JOINT ISLAMIC FOUNDATION

balm of gilead jesus christ ministry

KYENB’GA TRUST AND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

The general public is hereby notified that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named INITIATIVE has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Abdullahi Umar 2. Jabir Yusuf Abubakar 3. Hamidu Umar 4. Lawal Mustapha 5. Abdulrazak Ayela Ahmed 6. Amadu Alhaji Usman 7. Alhaji Aliyu Kwabando Saidu 8. Usmanu Adamu Araha 9. Tijjani Saidu

- Chairman - Secretary

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.To propagate and enligten both Muslim and Non-Muslims about the true position of Islam as against the distroted preachings.

2. To bring unity among the Muslim Ummah 3. To assist one another.

4. To strenthen harmonious relationship in our communities and the whole Yauri Emirate.

5. To raise funds for the association.

6. To serve as a beacon of hope to larger society that peace, unity andprogress is possible in an ethnically and religiously divers society like Nigeria.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar-general, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: A.A. SADIQ MARAFA ESQ (ATTORNEY)

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Evang. Ngozi Constance Gilbert 2. Hon. Barr. Nelson Achukwu 3. Chidimma Achukwu AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the word of God to sinners to all nation of the word.

2. To organise seminars, crusades and workshops in association with others ministries.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar-general, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Chief Jatau Salame Anga - Chairman 2. Dr. (Evangelist) Anthony Abimiku Magaji 3. Mr. Amos Hosea Kuje 4. Mrs. Cecilia Chris Abashi 5. Hajiya Maryam Ama Buba 6. Dr. Umaru Danladi Mohammed 7. Mr. Stephen Yakubu Azizi - Secretary AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. Encourage group and communal efforts toward economic development and good governance.

2. To establish skills acquisition centres towards entrepreneurial development.

3. To promote the development of microfinance at community levels.

4. To support local, national and international humanitarian initiatives with similar objectives as a means of alleviating poverty.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar-general, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: ALEXANDER AYESON EPU ESQ

Signed: SECRETARY

DIGITS VILLAGE SOLUTIONS & WELFARE INITIATIVE

LEGAL NOTICE

FOUNDATION FOR YOUTH EMPOWERMENT ON PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT

The general public is hereby notified that the above named ORGANISATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

The general public is hereby notified that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Mr. Dominic Killian Thompson 2. Mrs. Edith Thompson 3. Dr. Edidiong Sunday 4. Mr. Ernest Usanga 5. Mr. Enobong Micah 6. Mr. Emem Harry Ekanem 7. Engineer Nkereuwem Ekanem 8. Mr. Okesina Ibrahim AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To create solutions to the medical and educational needs of rural communities.

2. To create an avenue for the empowerment of women through information communication technology.

3. enhancing societies and lives digitally, creating and maintaining ICT solutions that enhance the medical care of African mothers and children of rural and under development communities.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar-general, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SYLVESTER UNOAKHE, ESQ (SOLICITOR) 08037878201

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE Deceased name and address Applicant for grant Itabor Godfrey Nwanne Itabor Chijioke Nicholas and Itabor Flat 2 Block 100 Daloa Street Zone 1 Oluremi Theresa Wuse, Abuja Flat 2 Block 100 Daloa Street Zone 1 Who died on the 3rd June,2014.

Wuse, Abuja Dated at Abuja this 21st August, 2014.

The son and widow of the said deceased.

Signed: Barr Hafsat Sadiq For: Probate Registrar

GRAND AFRICA ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUPPORT & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

SPERABAM FOUNDATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above named CENTRE has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Ojukwu Kodilinye Ogonna 2. Joseph Victor 3. Victor Efeobane Eunice 4. John Rabi Mosunmola

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Yusuf Danladi Musa 2. Ibrahim Alhassan 3. Lawal Aliyu Kofa 4. Danladi Idris Kofa

- Chairman - Member - Member - Secretary

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promote unity and peaceful coexistence among members of the community.

2. To promote capacity building and skills for unskilled youth.

3. To empower the youth to enjoy humane and decent means of livelihood.

4. To complement and support government (Federal, State and Local Government) efforts aimed at reducing poverty among the youth.

5. To collaborate and synergize with similar organisation both within and outside the country towards empowerment of the vulnerable youth, women, orphan and the needy in general.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar-general, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Chinonso Ben Odoh - Chairman 2. Chris Obi - Secretary 3. Ibe Nwawaego Jean - Treasurer 4. Onyibor Benedict Ifeanyi - Member 5. Chief Mrs. Maria Okwo - Member

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. Entrepreneurship development & youth empowerment

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To cater for women, widows, orphans children and the less priviledged in the society.

2. To establish a charity home for widows, orphans, children and the less priviledged in the society.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar-general, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrargeneral, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

Signed: YETUNDE ATANDA ESQ 07031025158

LOSS OF OF DOCUMENT DOCUMENT loss LOSS of document

LOSS of OF document DOCUMENT loss LOSS OF DOCUMENT

This is to inform the general public of the loss of origianl copy of offer of statutory right of occupancy with new file N0. DT 61114 and with right occupancy in respect of Plot No. 189 having an area approximately 1730.11m cadastral zone E05 of aviation village and a coopy of offer of statutory right of occupancy with an Arik Way Bill N0. 37168 A.A belonging to Charles Okiemute Iyeyemi got missing. All efforts made to trace the said missing document proved abortive. If found, please kindly report to the nearest police station. Authorities concerned and the general public to take note.

This is to inform the general public of the following documents in a stolen vehicle belonging to Olowo Oluwakayode of Area 1 section 2 Block 1 flat 7, Atani Close, Garki, Abuja: 1. Original Land Document with plot N0: KW 20104 2. Original Copy of Vehicle Particulars 3. DSTV Card N0: 4133604423 4. Uniform Passport All efforts made to trace the said missing document proved abortive. If found, please kindly report to the nearest police station Authorities concerned and the general public to take note.

Signed: MR. FOLORUNSHO OLOWO 08052676244

67

August 22, 2014 EZU EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION

SHOBUKOLA STREET IKOSI IDIMU LANDLORD AND TENANTS ASSOCIATION

JESUS THE POWER OF VICTORY HEALING MINISTRY

This is to inform the General Public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies And Allied Matters Act, 1 of 1990.

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART’ C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO .1 OF 1990.

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART’ C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO .1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. EZU, RIZZY CHIBUDHOM HEZEKIAH 2. EZU, ABIGAIL CHIBUDHOM 3. EZU, EZE KENNETH

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ABIONA JOSEPH OLAWALE 2. SULEIMAN ALAO 3. ADEBOLA MONSURU ALAO 4. OGUNTOLA MUHAMMED ATANDA 5. OKUNOLA RIDWAN BABATUNDE 6. RASAK OYERO OLATUNJI 7.ADEKANMIBI VICTOR OLUSOJI 8. KUPOLUYI EBENEZER ODUNAYO

- PRESIDENT - SECRETARY - MEMBER

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES : 1. TO EMPOWR THE YOUTHS AND LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE COMMUNITY AND SOCIETY AT LARGE. Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: EZU, RIZZY CHIBUDHOM HEZEKIAH (PRESIDENT)

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1) JOHNPAUL MARY IGWE EVANGELIST

2) MICHAEL IGWE 3) ALI PASCAL

- CHAIRMAN/GENERAL OVERSEER

AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST JESUS AND TO WORSHIP GOD.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1. TO RENDER HUMANITARIAN SERVICES ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: JOHNPAUL MARY IGWE EVANGELIST CHAIRMAN/GENERAL OVERSEER

FULLNESS OF LIFE & POWER MINISTRY

Jesus is the key to open heaven ministry

KEKE OWNERS AND RIDERS ASSOCIATION OF AKWA IBOM STATE

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ministry HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART’ C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO .1 OF 1990.

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ministry HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART’ C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO .1 OF 1990.

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART’ C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO .1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor Olusegun Erinle - Snr Pastor 2. Mrs Hannah Aderemi Erinle - Secretary 3. Pastor Kehinde Owoeye

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Prophet Otiti Chukwuka 2. Rev.Mrs Otiti Faith 3. Mrs Omorodion Victoria Ereboyen Eseka 4. Mrs Obianke Joy Anwuri 5. Mr Ugboarimiewe Moses

AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and baptise and anoint in the name of Jesus Christ.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: pastor olusegun erinle President 08062926610

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. JEREMIAH ESEME JACKSON 2. EMMANUEL EDET BASSEY 3. UDO FRIDAY UMANA 4. FRIDAY TOM AKPABIO 5. EDET UDO NDUESO 6. JEREMIAH GEOGE IKOTIDEM 7. ETOP UFOT UDOUMOH 8. SUNDAY JACOB UDO 9. RAPHAEL ANIEKAN BASSEY 10. INI ROBERT EKPO

AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of our lord jesus christ ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote the welfare of members.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: Chairman

ODUA YOUNG STARS UNITED ASSOCIATION

SHEPHERD’S LIGHT TO THE NATIONS MISSION TEAM

PRESBYTERIAN COVENANT CHILD ORPHANAGE FOUNDATION

The general public is hereby informed that the above named Association has applied to the corporate affairs commission for registration under part “C” of the companies and allied matters act 1 of 1990.

The general public is hereby informed that the above named body has applied to the corporate affairs commission for registration under part “C” of the companies and allied matters act 1 of 1990.

The general public is hereby informed that the above named foundation has applied to the corporate affairs commission for registration under part “C” of the companies and allied matters act 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ALHAJI LATEEF ELEPOARAN 2. ADEMOLA ADEBUSUYI 3. BABALOLA ADEMOYEWA 4. BARR. ATOLAGBE BODE-JOHNSON 5. MRS IYABO OTAN 6. AFUSAT AZEEZ 7. ENGR. BABALOLA RASHEED 8. MR ADEWALE ADEOGUN 9. ELDER ADEBAYO SADE

NAMES OF TRUSTEES: 1. MAGNUS OKOI ABENG 2. ANN-MARY MAGNUS ABENG (MRS) 3. AKIN MACSUNNY KAYODE 4. DR MOSES OBIA ONOH 5. TIMOTHY IDIDIDI

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO PROMOTE UNITY AMONG THE YORUBAS WITHIN AND OUTSIDE NIGERIA. 2.TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF ALL THE MEMBERS. 3.TO SEE TO THE WELFARE OF THE MEMBERS Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar-general, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: BARR.KINDNESS A.J 08187917504

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL 2. TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEGE IN THE SOCIETY

NAMES OF TRUSTEES: 1. REV. OKORONKWO IJEOMA JOY 2. MARY IKPEME ESUABANA 3. ELDER NKANG ENIANG ESSIEN 4. UDUMA EKANEM OJI 5. KALU- UKOHA NNENA ORIE 6. PETER STELLA THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO RUN ORPHANAGE HOME 2. TO ASSIST THE LESS PRIVILEGE

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrargeneral, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrargeneral, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: CORNELIUS OKOLO ESQ

SIGNED: CORNELIUS OKOLO ESQ

IGSOSA FOUNDATION

CHRIST FAITH DIVINE POWER MINISTRY

LEGAL NOTICE

This is to inform the General Public that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies And Allied Matters Act, 1 of 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Pastor/Prophet Esannbo Joel Olusanmi Oyetunde - President 2. Mrs. Maria Bukola Oyetunde - Vice President 3. Joshua Wada Okenyi - Secretary 4. Mrs. Regina Olaito Faleye - Treasurer 5. Mr. Emmanuel Olugbenga Kolade

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Mr. Goodie Minaborae Ibru, Oon 2. Ambassador Edward Olusola Sanu, Ofr 3. Mr. Adegoke Kolade Adeniji 4. Mrs. Yetunde Oladunni Merrimam-Johnson 5. Engr. Foluseke Abidemi Somolu 6. Olusunmade Babajinmi Akin-Olugbade AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To cater for the welfare of the less privileged.

2. To assist the indigent student of Ibadan Grammar School.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: BARR. UMOREN; 08037131854

OLUWATOBI

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OLUWATOBI JOY OKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLUWATOBI JOY OLOGUNDUDU. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CLEMENTINA

I formerly known and addressed as miss CHIEMEKE CLEMENTINA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NELSON IGWE C. CLEMENTINA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to all mankind for the salvation of soul.

2. To engage inevangelization and soul winning.

3. To propage christian religion and belief in worship, teaching pratice and observance.

4. To establish branches werever converts are made for expansion of the kingdom of God. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar-general, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: M. A. ELAIGWU ESQ M. A. ELAIGWU & CO COJILIMA CHAMBERS, N0. 3 MAIN STREET, SABON GARI, ZAIRA

ELIZABETH

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ODOH ELIZABETH CHINASA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UGWUOKE ELIZABETH CHINASA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

KANENG

I formerly known and addressed as KANENG PAM DACHOMO, now wish to be known and addressed as KANENG ALEXANDRA OKALA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

SANDRA

I formerly known as SANDRA ONYEBUCHI IBILI now wish to be known as SANDRA ONYEBUCHI ILODUBA. All former documents remain valid, University of Abuja and the general public to please take note.

SEGUN

I formerly known and addressed as SEGUN OLUMIDE ONASILE, now wish to be known and addressed as SEGUN OLU OLUMIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ELIZABETH

I formerly known as ELIZABETH ABIMBOLA ADEDEJI now wish to be known as OGUNKUNLE-JIMMY ELIZABETH ABIMBOLA. All former documents remain valid, D.R.T.S, Benue State Polytechnic and the General public to please take note.

CLARA

I formerly known and addressed as MISS EKHAYEME EKPEKOSE CLARA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGUJI EKHAYEME CLARA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE

Deceased name and address Mohammed A. Lawal Nigeria Police Force, Abuja Who died on the 12th May,2014.

Dated at Abuja this 21st August, 2014.

Applicant for grant Hauwa Abubakar and Aisha Abubakar Block 2 Flat 2, Pankshine Close Area 11, Abuja The daughters of the said deceased.

Signed: Barr Hafsat Sadiq For: Probate Registrar

SHAMSIYYAH

I formerly known as SHAMSIYYAH MOHAMMED KABEER now wish to be known as SHAMSIYYAH MOHAMMED UMAR. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

NWACHUKWU

I formerly known and addressed as NWAOGWUGWU NDUBUISI CHUKWUDUBEM, now wish to be known and addressed as NWACHUKWU NDUBUISI CHUKWUDUBEM. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

FADIMATU

I formerly known and addressed as MRS FADIMATU MOHAMMED MALAH KACHALLA , now wish to be known and addressed as MRS FADIMATU ABUBAKAR DALIL. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

EMMANUEL

I formerly known and addressed as EMMANUEL CHILAKA SAVIA, now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUEL DUKE SAVIA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

68

August 22, 2014

AMINA

I formerly known and addressed as MISS AMINA IBRAHIM LAME now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AMINA LAME ABUBAKAR. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

MARYAM

I formerly known and addressed as MARYAM ISMAIL MOHAMMED now wish to be known and addressed as MARYAM MUSA IBRAHIM. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

IDRIS

I formerly known and addressed as YUSUF IDRIS AMOKE now wish to be known and addressed as YUSUF IDRIS YUSUF. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

BILKISU

I FORMERLY BEAR ADAMA SALE DIGGOL NOW WISH TO BE CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS BILKISU UMAR BELLO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. KANO AGRICULTURAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

ELIZABETH

I formerly known and addressed as PELEMO ELIZABETH, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. IBITOYE ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. Kaduna Polytechnic and the general public should take note.

CHRISTIANAH

I formerly known and addressed as CHRISTIANAH ADEOLA OJO, now wish to be known and addressed as CHRISTIANAH ADEOLA GBOLAGADE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

JOSHUA

I formerly known and addressed as JOSHUA AYUBA, now wish to be known and addressed as JOSHUA INUSA. All concerned authorities and concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

NIKE

I formerly known and addressed as NIKE JULIE OGUNTOMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NIKE JULIE IBIKUNLE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AUGUSTINA

I formerly known and addressed as ADAH AUGUSTINA ONOME, now wish to be known and addressed as OKIGBE ULAGU AUGUSTINA ONOME. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ARINZE

LOSS OF OF DOCUMENT DOCUMENT LOSS

AHMED

This is to inform the general public of the loss of the Original Conveyance of Provisional Approval bearing MR. ANTHONY ASOGWA (CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP) WITH REF. N0. BAC/FCDA/ PL&S/1 DATED 19/10/1999 IN RESPECT OF PLOT NO. BSV/B/17 MEASURING ABOUT 850 SQM2 LOCATED AT SHAGARI VILLAGE LAYOUT, ABUJA got missing. All efforts made to trace the said missing document proved abortive. If found, please kindly report to the nearest police station. Authorities concerned and the general public to take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ARINZE ODUNUKWE now wish to be known and addressed as ARINZE IKECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as AHMED ABUBAKAR now wish to be known and addressed as AHMED RUFA’I ABUBAKAR. All former documents remain valid. Federal inland revenue service and the general public should please take note.

GEORGELINE

I formerly known and addressed as GEORGELINE CHIOMA ONYEJELEM, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. GEORGELINE ONYEJELEM CHIJIAKU. All former documents remain valid. Kaduna Polytechnic and the general public should take note.

JOY

I formerly known and addressed as JOY ENE IDUH, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. JOY ENE WILLIAM BABA. All former documents remain valid. Kaduna Polytechnic and the general public should take note.

PRISCA

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ONUOHA PRISCA OGECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS HOGAN-BASSEY PRISCA OGECHI. All former documents remain valid. Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, NYSC, NTI and the general public should take note.

VERONICA

I formerly known and addressed as IBINEWO VERONICA OLAJUMOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. VERONICA OLAJUMOKE OLORUNMAIYE. All former documents remain valid. Kaduna Polytechnic and the general public should take note.

CHRISTIANA

I formerly known and addressed as AMEH OJONIDE CHRISTIANA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. CHRISTIANA O. KEREWI. All former documents remain valid. Kaduna Polytechnic and the general public should take note.

OKIGBE

I formerly known as ADAH AUGUSTINA ONOME now wish to be known as OKIGBE ULAGU AUGUSTINA ONOME. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

ISA KAITA COLLEGE OF EDUCATION P.M. B. 5007 DUTSIN-MA KATSINA STATE

TERTIARY EDUCATION TRUST FUND (TETFUND) YEAR 2013 SPECIAL INTERVENTION PROJECTS Tenders are invited from interested and competent contractors to pre-qualify for construction/ procurement of the following in the College: LOT 1LOT 2LOT 3LOT 4LOT 5LOT 6LOT 7-

Construction of 2NO blocks of 15 NO offices fully furnished.

Construction of 1NO. Ultra-Modern College Auditorium, fully furnished Construction of a block of double classrooms fully furnished with 2NO detached VIP latrine.

Supply and installation of 1NO. 500KVA Perkins Generator (Basic Model).

Procurement of 1NO TOYOTA HILUX 4X4 Wheel Drive, Central Lock Electronic System.

Procurement of 2NO Tractors for Agricultural Education Students’ Practical.

Procurement of Teaching Equipment and Materials for School of Vocational and Technical Education.

LOT 8Procurement of Teaching Equipment and Materials for School of Sciences.

LOT 9Procurement of Teaching Equipment and Materials for Schools of Education, Languages and Arts and Social Sciences.

LOT10A- Procurement of General Office Equipment and Materials LOT 10B- Procurement of General Office Equipment and Materials (Special).

LOT 11A- Procurement of 15NO Laptop Computers and 10NO Desktop Computers.

LOT 11B- Procurement of 15NO various Printers and 2NO Scan Boards.

PRE-QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS I. Evidence of registration of Company with Corporate Affairs Commission with Contractor’s TIN number.

II. Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three years.

III. Evidence of VAT Registration Certificate.

IV. Evidence of executing similar construction work in relevant areas of large construction work in Ultra-Modern Auditorium, Large Lecture Theatre and well-furnished Office Construction.

V. Evidence of three years Audited financial statement with company staff strength, site equipment and current engagements (work undergoing).

SUBMISSION OF PRE-QUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS I. The Pre-qualification documents must be sealed and returned/sent to the Office of the Registrar not later than two weeks from the date of this publication.

II. Pre-qualification is not a commitment by the College nor shall it entitle tenders to any claim whatsoever. It is not an invitation to tender.

SUBMISSION OF BID DOCUMENTS I. The Bid documents must be sealed and returned to the Office of the Registrar not later than six weeks from the date of this publication.

II. Tender documents can be obtained from the Office of the Registrar between the hours of 10:00am and 2:30pm on Mondays to Thursdays and from 10:00am to 12:00 noon on Fridays.

III. Payment of non-refundable processing fee of N15, 000.00 per lot.

Signed: REGISTRAR

BOSEDE

I formerly known and addressed as JENNIFER ABOGU BOSEDE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. BOSEDE JOSHUA. All former documents remain valid. Kaduna Polytechnic and the general public should take note.

MARY

I formerly known and addressed as MARY EJUMA INNOCENT, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MARY EJUMA ONOJA. All former documents remain valid.

Kaduna Polytechnic and the general public should take note.

ONYEKACHI

I formerly known as DR. ONYEKACHI OBIOMA UWAEZUOKE now wish to be known as DR. ONYEKACHI OBIOMA CHIJOKE-AKANIRO. All former documents remain valid.

Federal Ministry of Health and the general public to please take note.

LEGAL NOTICE IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE Deceased name and address Odiwe Josephine Ngozi Federal Ministry of Toursism, Culture and National Orientation Who died on the 3rd June,2014.

Dated at Abuja this 21st August, 2014.

Applicant for grant Mr Peter Okey Odiwe and Mrs Roseline Nwodu No 14 Adebayo-Itire, Ijesha, Lagos State The brother and sister of the said deceased.

Signed: Barr Hafsat Sadiq For: Probate Registrar

SARAH

I formerly known and addressed as SARAH ENUZAZI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. SARAH ENUZAZI ADADUA. All former documents remain valid.

Kaduna Polytechnic and the general public should take note.

ROSE

I formerly known and addressed as ALHASSAN ROSE LADIDI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ROSE LADIDI OJOGBE. All former documents remain valid.

Kaduna Polytechnic and the general public should take note.

FYNE

I formerly known as MISS FYNE JOY OKITA now wish to be known as MRS FYNE OKITA UWEMEDIMO. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

AGNES

I formerly known and addressed as AGNES ONOJA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AGNES ONOJA. All former documents remain valid. Kaduna Polytechnic and the general public should take note.

FELICIA

I formerly known and addressed as AUDU FELICIA ENE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. FELICIA ENE YUSUF. All former documents remain valid. Kaduna Polytechnic and the general public should take note.

OMENGE

I formerly known as ADEDEJI MOJISOLA ABIGAIL ADEDOYIN now wish to be known as OMENGE MOJISOLA ABIGAIL ADEDOYIN, D.R.T.S, Dorben Polytechnic and the general public to please take note. All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

Bring U-20 World Cup Home - Kanu Former Super Eagles captain, Kanu Nwankwo has charged the Nigeria’s women U-20 national team, the Falconets to beat their German counterparts on Sunday in the final of the ongoing 2014 FIFA U-20 Women World Cup in Canada. He said he wants the girls to bring the trophy to Nigeria for the first time.

He commended the girls for their decisive victory against North Korea on Wednesday in the semi-final and wants them to put on the same spirit and performance against Germany in the final and bring the cup home.

“Congrats to our Falconets. We are happy with your win and now it is only one game to be champions of the world. You all can do it and make history. You know what you all have been doing to reach

finals so do it and bring the cup home.

Wish you all the best,” Kanu stated.

The Nigerian girls routed the Asian giants 6-2 in the semifinal at the Moncton Stadium, Moncton to the reach the final for the second time in four years. Falconets flew to the final of the biannual championship four years ago in Germany and loss 2-0 to the host nation to finish with the silver medals. A goal from forward, Courtney Dike, four goals from Rivers Angels lethal finisher and championship seven-goal heroine, Asisat Oshoala and teammate, Uchechi Sunday proved adequate to hand the Nigerians a final ticket of the biennial football showpiece. The Koreans scored their consolation goals through speedsters, Ri Un Sim and Jon So Yon.

European Clubs Eye Yuguda Boys Starlets

By ONJEWU DICKSON Abuja

At least three players of Yuguda Boys, who this summer won the Iber Cup tournament in Estoril, Portugal are on the verge of landing in big European clubs.

This is because scouts of European clubs who flooded Estoril during the Iber Cup have been making enquiries about some of the players and this much had been confirmed by the sports consultants who facilitated the participation of the Nigerian side in the competition, Serahana Sports management.

Serahana’s Chief Operating Officer, Godson Ekadi disclosed that agents of a Portuguese first division side may be in Nigeria later this year to monitor the progress of the players.

“Three lucky players of Yuguda Boys were identified by scouting agents of a first division club in Portugal and the president of the club intends to visit Nigeria in November to monitor their progress before the January transfer window opens,” Newman disclosed.

It would be noted that Yuguda Boys FC of Bauchi State became the first government sponsored team to participate in the Iber Cup, when they featured and won the U-17 cup this summer.

At a reception organised for the contingent by the Embassy of Nigeria in Portugal, Her Excellency, Ambassador Ijeoma Bristol, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Portugal congratulated Yuguda Boys for lifting the trophy of the maiden edition.

NEWS NATIONAL /69

August 22, 2014

Adamawa Guber: Atiku Moves To Displace PDP

By MILLIE IBE, Abuja

Following the crisis currently rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State, former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has begun moves to capture his home state for his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the governorship election billed to hold next month.

LEADERSHIP Friday gathered that Atiku is banking strongly on his growing profile as the undisputed leader of the APC in the state which has blossomed with the impeachment of former Governor Murtala Nyako and the defection of the former chairman of the Economic and Financial

Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu to the PDP last Saturday to test his political might in the forthcoming governorship by-election in the state.

A source close to the state chapter of the APC told our correspondent that the party leaders have turned to Atiku for direction in the battle to capture Adamawa by ensuring the choice of a formidable candidate who would take advantage of the confusion created by the defection of Ribadu to the PDP. He said the crisis generated by the alleged bid by the national chairman of the PDP, Adamu Mu’azu and the principal personal secretary to the president, Hassan Tukur to impose Ribadu on the

party as its candidate for the October 11 governorship poll, some elders in the state have approached Atiku to lead the way and give a sense of belonging to the generality of the people of the state to ensure equity and fair play.

The source said the former VP has cashed in on the crisis rocking the PDP in the state and is believed to have thrown his weight behind Barrister Boss Mustapha, a Christian from Kilba ethnic group for the governorship race. It was further gathered that Atiku’s resolve to support Mustapha is based on the request of some Christian leaders who met and pleaded with him to give them a Christian candidate as a form of compensation.

Deputy editor, LEADERSHIP Newspapers, Mr. Kazeem Akintunde with the Imams and Alfas, during the burial of his father, Fasasi Akin tunde, at Ifako -Ijaye, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO BY Benedict uwalaka

2015: Ex-Militant Leaders Insist Jonathan Must Contest *Want Ijaw To Produce Delta State Governor

By Patrick Ochoga, Benin City

Repentant militant leaders under the aegis of the Niger Delta Youths for Democracy, yesterday vowed to resist any orchestrated plan aimed at frustrating President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2015 presidential election.

The agitators also insisted that the politicisation of the activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group is aimed

at portraying the president as incapable of leading the country and urged all Nigerians to close ranks regardless of their political or religious affiliations to end the insurgency.

Addressing newsmen in Benin, leader of the group, General Roland Abanara, flanked by Figbele Joseph and Austin Aboh, also noted that the time is right for an Ijaw person to be given the opportunity to occupy the governorship position in Delta State, just as he drummed up support for the governorship ambition of Elder Peter Godsday Orubebe.

He said it is only the Ijaws that have not produced a governor since the creation of Delta State, adding that it would only be fair to allow them to do so now in the spirit of equity, fair play and justice.

Abanara said, “We are calling on Mr President to declare his intention to seek re-election in 2015 without further delay; this call on Jonathan is based on his performance in office, to ensure that he continues with the transformation agenda which has affected the nooks and crannies of the country.

Impeachment: Enugu Deputy Governor Lied – Chime’s Aide

By Nnamdi Mbawike,Enugu

Enugu State government yesterday described as false and misleading the allegation by the deputy governor of the state, Mr Sunday Onyebuchi that Governor Sullivan Chime operates a poultry and piggery at the Government House, saying the deputy governor’s claims are malicious and intended to deceive the public.

A statement signed by Chukwudi Achife,

the chief press secretary to Governor Sullivan Chime, said though government maintains an Agriculture Unit as part of the Government House structure where livestock are kept for slaughter to serve the needs of the staff as well as the governor and deputy governor’s premises, the unit was neither commercially operated nor owned by the governor.

The statement said, “The unit is manned by civil servants including a veterinary doctor. Funds for its maintenance are provided

for in the annual budget of the government.

The unit also serves the deputy governor. As a matter of fact, staff of the unit slaughtered a cow from the unit at the request of the deputy governor on August 4, 2014.

“So, if the unit as he (Onyebuchi) erroneously claims belongs to the governor, why should it form part of the state’s annual budgets? Why would the deputy governor request the unit to slaughter cows for him from its livestock holding.”

Spending time being can be just as, if not more, fulfilling as spending time doing.

Federal Pensioners Demand Maina’s Reinstatement

By Christiana Nwaogu, Abuja

Federal pensioners, under the aegis of National Association of Federal Retirees, have demanded the immediate reinstatement of Maina-led Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT) in the interest of retirees who have served the country meritoriously.

The federal retirees, who made the demand at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, said the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) which had allegedly stolen N2.7billion had no moral right to interfere in the demand of the association on the immediate reinstatement of the disbanded PRTT. Speaking on behalf of the federal retirees, the chairman of the association, Chief Emmanuel Omoyeni, said it was an established fact today in Nigeria that the PRTT had recorded successes that should be upheld and jealously guarded by all Nigerian pensioners.

“It is important for Nigerians to know that Nigeria Union of Pensioners has no business in interfering in the demand of the Federal Public Service Retirees for the reinstatement of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT).

The NUP officials are not federal pensioners and are part of the stealing machinery in the pension sector. The NUP is alleged to have stolen over N2.7 billion of pension funds”, he said.

DPP vs PLASIEC: Tribunal Fixes Sept 1 For Written Addresses

BY ACHOR ABIMAJE, Jos

The chairperson of Plateau State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal, Justice Halima Nshi has fixed 1st of September, 2014 for all the counsel to file in their written addresses in the ongoing hearing of the petition of Chief Dan Dul of DPP against Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC).

The resident electoral officer of PLASIEC, Langtang North local government, Charles Dala, who was the last witness to testify for PLASIEC at the tribunal under cross-examination by counsel to the petitioner, Barrister Sunday Obende, confirmed that he played no role in supervising the election in Jat ward.

Our correspondent gathered that the appearance of Charles Dala brought to an end testimonies from witnesses in the case.

The witness also admitted that all he did during the election was to distribute election materials to all the wards and could not confirm if some were distributed to all the polling units.

― Faydra D. Fields

sports PREVIEWS AND NIGERIANS ABROAD August 22, 2014

NFF Cancels August 26 Elections

By ONJEWU DICKSON, Abuja

The Nigeria Football Federation has called on all Nigerians to discountenance a statement by the Chairman of NFF Electoral Committee, Mr. Amoni Biambo, to the effect that elections into the NFF Executive Committee will hold at the General Assembly of Tuesday, 26th August, 2014.

“The statement must have been made in error. As far as the NFF is concerned, there will be no elections at the General Assembly of Tuesday, 26th August.

There is a proposal that we are taking to the General Assembly (the supreme body of Nigeria football) for consideration and approval, with regards to the elections. “It is for the NFF and the General Assembly to propose the date for elections, not that of the Electoral Committee, which was put in place by the General Assembly,” NFF General Secretary, Barr. Musa Amadu, said yesterday.

Amadu expatiated that the proposal to be taken before the General Assembly on Tuesday will see to the elections being conducted not later than two weeks after the assembly, on the advice of world governing body, FIFA. “The elections will definitely take place in early September,

Bayern München vs Wolfsburg

Maigari

2014. All hands are on deck to ensure that we hold the elections not later than two weeks after the Congress on Tuesday, to usher in a new Executive Committee of NFF. “What the NFF is concerned with, even before a similar advice

by FIFA, is to ensure an open and transparent process that will guarantee a level –playing field for everyone. Every person eligible to purchase form and contest the elections should be able to do so, and the process must be one that dovetails into credible, free and fair elections, that will stand the test of time, devoid of challenges by aggrieved persons that will

affect the smooth running of the NFF by the incoming Executive Committee.”

The NFF scribe also made it clear that the persons who will be in Warri for Tuesday’s General Assembly will be the same delegates who were at the November 2013 General Assembly in the same city, except where there have been changes that comply with the Statutes.

“For example, the unbanning of Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi and Mr. Chidi Ofor Okenwa means these persons will represent Osun and Enugu States respectively, as Chairmen of their State FA. Other than these two, the roll – call remains the same.”

House Of Reps Want NFF Probed

By ONJEWU DICKSON, Abuja

The House Of Representatives at the National Assembly want the Nigeria Football Federation thoroughly investigated. To this end they have called on relevant authorities to thoroughly get into the root of the mysterious fire incident that gutted the headquarters of the federation referred to as the Glass House

located at Wuse Zone 7, Abuja.

Chairman House Committee On Sports, Hon Godfrey Gaiya made this call while commenting on the incident stating and wondering why the fire razed the chief accountant and secretary general’s offices at a time his committee called on the federation eggheads to make their financial records available. ``This happened when my committee

requested for NFF’s financial records, which makes it suspicious.

Now all evidence may be lost in the fire that affected strategic offices,” he said. ‘’Arsonists must be arrested and punished. Whoever is found wanting should be brought to book,’’ he added.

Meanwhile the police which said they have begun investigation into the incident is yet to make arrests.

Balotelli Says Farewell To Milan, Joins Liverpool For £16m Mario Balotelli’s rollercoaster career took another twist on Thursday when he said goodbye to his AC Milan teammates after training before an expected transfer to Liverpool.

In a brief statement on their website (www.acmilan.com), the Italian club said: “Mario Balotelli drove out of Milanello at 1330 after saying goodbye to his teammates and the club’s press staff.”

Balotelli’s likely move signals a return to the Premier League where

must watch

he shone, glowered, delighted and dismayed in equal measure during his time with Manchester City from 2011 to 2013.

Premier League side, Liverpool agreed a £16m fee with AC Milan to sign former Manchester City striker. Reds boss Brendan Rodgers wants the Italy international, 24, to strengthen his attack after last season’s top scorer Luis Suarez joined Barcelona.

Balotelli moved to Milan for £19m from City last year and has

scored 30 goals in 54 games for the Serie A club. Liverpool will travel to Etihad Stadium in their next Premier League match on Monday.

Balotelli was a big hit with City supporters during his first spell in England, helping the club win a first league title since 1968.

But he was also in the headlines for several off-the-pitch incidents - including a training-ground bustup with then-manager Roberto Mancini.

The Bavarians’ head coach will have to make do without a host of first-team players through a combination of fitness problems and suspensions at the Allianz Arena Holger Badstuber knows that Bayern Munich are in for a tough test on Friday when they begin their Bundesliga title defence at home to Wolfsburg.

Pep Guardiola’s men raced to a second successive title in record time last season and were confirmed as champions with seven matches remaining. Bayern eventually finished 19 points clear of nearest challengers Borussia Dortmund, having scored 94 goals and conceding just 23, winning 29 of their 34 matches in total.

Before starting in Bayern’s 4-1 DFB-Pokal win over Preussen Munster on Sunday, Badstuber’s last competitive appearance for the club came back in December 2012, when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a league clash with Dortmund.

Friday’s opponents, Wolfsburg, finished fifth at the end of last season, missing out on Champions League football by one point, and Badstuber, while excited at the prospect of a return to action, is aware that Bayern must be mindful of the threat posed by their visitors to the Allianz Arena.

Action involving Munich

NIGERIANS ABROAD

Odemwingie Under Investigation Over Transfer The transfer of Nigeria international striker, Peter Odemwingie from West Bromwich Albion to Cardiff is been investigated by the Football Association (England FA).

Respected British Newspaper, the Daily Mail reports that Odemwingie is embroiled in a legal dispute with Rob Segal, who represented him in that September 2013 move, over the payment of agents’ fees.

The Nigeria striker’s subsequent January move to Stoke is also part of the dispute. The issue is now heading for an FA tribunal.

Albion have not yet commented on the matter but there is absolutely no

suggestion of any wrongdoing on their part.

Odemwingie was part of the Nigeria squad that reached the round of 16 at the 2014 Fifa World Cup. The forward who netted the Super Eagles’ winner against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Brazil has been capped 65 times by Nigeria at the senior level.

Slowly, slowly, porridge goes into the gourd. Kuria People of Kenyan & Tanzania Once shares food not words.

— Somali Proverb

ROUND-UP /71

August 22, 2014

Elegbeleye Lauds Falconets’ Impressive Runs NFF: Our Financial Documents Are Intact – Amadu, Accountant

By Salifu Usman, Abuja

By Salifu Usman, Abuja

General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Musa Amadu has stated that the inferno that razed the head office of the NFF on Wednesday will not in any way affect the running of football in the country.

According to him no any vital or sensitive document was burnt in the fire incident. He said all official documents and trophies won by all the national teams are intact, adding that he suspects no foul play in the incident.

“We suspect no foul play and it will not in any way affect our programmes. The accounts department was not affected and all

our financial documents are intact, and the trophies that we have won are also intact,” he said.

The Chief Accountant, Andekin Christopher, whose office it was alleged that the fire started from before spreading to General Secretary and ICT unit offices also confirmed that no any document containing financial expenditure and transactions of the football house were destroyed in the fire incident. “All the financial documents are in accounts department and are intact. The only documents in my office that were affected are files concerning competitions which need clarification before I forward them to the account,” he stated.

Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Gbenga has described Falconets 6-2 thrashing of their Korean counterparts on Wednesday in the semi-final of the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women World Cup in Canada as highly impressive.

He commended the girls for their doggedness, patriotism, dedication and the will power to make Nigeria proud in a global competition despite the crisis bedeviling football in the country.

He urged the team not to rest

on their oars, instead he want them re-double their efforts to beat two time Champion Germany comprehensively in the final to lift the cup. “Firstly I am highly impressed with the performance of our ladies in the ongoing FIFA U- 20 Women’s World Cup in Canada. I have a strong feeling and very confident that they will emerge winners of this year’s edition of the tournament. Quote me, Falconets will beat Germany; this time around.

It won’t be like in 2010 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup hosted by Germany where Nigeria lost 2-0 in the final. I foresee revenge.”

UNIVERSITY OF JOS, NIGERIA OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR

INVITATION FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR CONSULTANCY SERVICES The University of Jos, a renowned Educational Institution situated within the North Central Zone of Nigeria wishes to invite qualified and experienced Consulting Firms of Estate Surveyors and Valuers for Expression Of Interest (EOI) for the valuation of the University Assets.

SCOPE OF SERVICE The Scope of Service shall be the Valuation of all University of Jos Assets (Fixed and Movable) for the determination of their current and Insurance Values, Coding and Preparation of Fixed Asset and Register.

Interested Consultancy firms must meet the following mandatory requirements: i. Evidence of incorporation and registration with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) inclusive of Articles and Memorandum of Association. ii. Firm’s tax clearance certificate for the preceding three (3) years i.e.

2011-2013. iii. Firm’s Audited Accounts for the last three (3) years including annual turnover i.e. 2011-2013. iv. Evidence of compliance with ITF Amendment Act, 2011. v. Evidence of registration of the firm with the relevant professional bodies with current practicing license.

SUBMISSION OF EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) In addition to the above requirements, the document should include: a) Evidence of Registration with Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria. b) Evidence of compliance with the Pension Reform Act, 2004. c) Profile of the firm/consortium including ownership/partnership structure. d) List of similar verifiable and successfully completed or on-going projects.

Enclose copies of letters of award, interim payment certificates and practical completion certificates, in the last five (5) years (i.e. 2009 to date only) together with the telephone numbers and names of contact persons. e) Evidence of core business and years in business. f) Administrative and Financial Strengths g) List of key managerial, technical and administrative staff of the company.

This should include names, qualifications, curriculum vitae and copies of certificates and professional certificates of registration. h) Having fulfilled its entire obligation to pay taxes, Company Income Tax,

Education Tax, ITF Tax, Pensions, and Social Security Contributions as contained in Section 16 Sub-section 6 (d) of the Public Procurement Act 2007. i) Proof of alliances/partnerships (if applicable) j) VAT registration with evidence of remittances in the last three (3) years. k) A sworn affidavit indicating that all documents submitted are genuine, verifiable and that, no officer of the University has a pecuniary interest or is a former, present Director or Shareholder in the company. l) Evidence of community social responsibility (if any).

Submission of Expression of Interest Documents The Expression of Interest must be submitted in two (2) hard copies in a sealed envelope clearly marked “Expression of Interest for the Provision of Consultancy Service for the Valuation of University of Jos Assets”.

The Expression of Interest should be addressed to: The Registrar University of Jos P M B 2014 Jos, Nigeria It should be submitted in the Registrar’s Office, Room 94, Bauchi Road Campus not later than 11.00 a.m., three weeks from the date of this publication. i.e. Wednesday, September 16, 2014.

The documents shall be opened on that same day in the Senate Chambers, Bauchi Road Campus, University of Jos. All applicants are invited to attend the meeting for the opening of the documents. Interested Consultants are requested to bring along the originals of the documents for sighting during the opening of the bids.

Please note that the University of Jos reserves the right to reject any or all the Expression of Interest documents and is not bound to give reasons to any unsuccessful applicant(s). Only pre-qualified Firms/Companies will be notified to bid for the job.

Signed

Jilli-Dandam D. Esq. Registrar

AMUSEMENT PARK

the easiest way for your children to learn about money is for you not to have any — Katharine Whitehorn

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY c

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NIGERIA'S FIRST FRIDAY NEWSPAPER

No. 66

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Gwoza Wives Fighting With Bare Hands

I

knew it would come to this.

I knew it would come to the point where the troops would rather face execution for mutiny than agree to fight Boko Haram with bare hands. The army spokesperson, Major General Chris Olukolade, has said it’s not true that the soldiers were sent to die. But I hope he doesn’t expect us to believe him after he goofed on the rescue of the Chibok girls and, in an interview with CNN, went on to add 20,000 sq. km to the size of Borno State, to exaggerate the scope of the mission.

About two weeks ago when the wives of the soldiers filed out in a Maiduguri barracks to block the deployment of their husbands in Gwoza, a town now controlled by the terrorists, it was clear that matters had come to a head.

Not that the women needed Olukolade to remind them that they were married to soldiers who signed up to die for the country. They know. But their misery had gone way beyond anything they could bear. The blockade was a desperate cry for attention and help.

What the Gwoza soldiers’ wives wanted was someone to tell them why their husbands were sent to die; why two or three soldiers had to share one gun and why even that one gun might not have enough ammunition.

The women wanted to know if the government is serious about winning the war against Boko Haram or are simply in the business of making widows.

There are no easy answers.

Major General Abubakar Mohammed, who was removed after a mutiny in May, was the fourth GOC to be posted to the 7th Division in Maiduguri in 10 months. The instability shows just how serious the problem is; it shows that the protest of the soldiers’ wives was more than a

If Mrs Moses, a mother of three whose husband Corporal Sylvester died at the hands of Boko Haram last August, had been waiting for Felly’s rice, she might have starved to death by now stunt by some angry housewives to annoy Olukolade or the army chief.

Depending on whose book you’re quoting from, Boko Haram has killed nearly 3,000 people in the first half of this year alone. That includes scores of soldiers killed in combat.

When soldiers are killed in combat, it hardly makes the news headline for several reasons. The military authorities are reluctant to release the details because they fear it might demoralise the troops. The public doesn’t worry much because it assumes the soldiers are only paying the price they signed up for. The families of the dead soldiers are left to bury their dead, and, after that, carry on with their grief.

Once in a while, they get a break. Like on August 1, when the wife of the army chief, Felly Minimah, led the army officers’ wives to Kaduna to distribute food and non-food items to

widows of fallen soldiers. But surely if Mrs Moses, a mother of three whose husband Corporal Sylvester died at the hands of Boko Haram last August, had been waiting for Felly’s rice, she might have starved to death by now. And who knows when Felly will come by again?

The stirrings of the wives of Gwoza and their mutinous husbands are a bitter message by troops that they have had enough of the malicious neglect costing the country too many needless casualties in troop and civilian lives.

One hundred and thirty days after Boko Haram masskidnapped 200+ girls, President Goodluck Jonathan is unable or unwilling (or both unable and unwilling) to visit the distressed community and families. He needs protection from Boko Haram – and now from his own troops – to even think of visiting.

Whenever this matter comes up,

the government says that the war on terror caught Nigeria on the back foot.

That’s only part of the story.

The inconvenient part is for the government to admit that its own denial of, and confusion about, how to deal with the problem have made things worse. The president didn’t want to hear that Boko Haram was better armed than the troops or that it couldn’t possibly be the north’s bogeyman to stop him from re-contesting for office.

He played the ostrich while the problem festered.

When he finally came around after the global outrage over Chibok, all his government wanted to do was throw money at the problem. Some sources have estimated that the government has been spending an average of N1.1trillion every year in the last three years on the fight against insurgency.

If it’s taking long for

sophisticated surveillance equipment to be ordered, produced and delivered and for the troops to be trained, what about the basics – guns, ammunition, night goggles, trucks and boots? What about allowances for the troops and care for the wounded?

Army chief General Kenneth Minimah is upset with a story by the BBC on Tuesday during which a soldier said that “soldiers are dying like fowl”. He has warned that any soldier who refused to take orders would be executed.

I understand his frustration but I don’t think the troops care anymore. They have seen four generals come and go in 10 months; they have seen colleagues fall in combat never to be remembered; they have heard of trillions of naira released for war but yet depend on faith as firepower; they are even accused of war crimes by rights watch groups when the enemy observes no rules of combat.

I don’t think the troops care anymore. They appear to have taken their fate in their own hands. Which is even more dangerous than the threat of execution.

GHANA MUST GO Confab: We proved critics wrong, says Jonathan

— News

Ameyo Adadevoh Will Live In Our Hearts The woman who laid down her life to save Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian-American infected with Ebola, finally succumbed to the virus on Tuesday. My heart bleeds for Ameyo Stella Adadevoh. Her loss was particularly painful not because we value the others who contracted the

virus from Sawyer less, but because Adadevoh tried to save Sawyer knowing full well she was taking a big risk. In a country where service and sacrifice are scarce commodities, Adadevoh reminds us that all hope is not lost. She died to live in our hearts forever.

By Squandering N7bn?

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