08.10.14
wEDNESDAY
FOR GOD AND COUNTRY
Years
No. 2,270
N150
NIGERIA’S MOST INFLUENTIAL NEwSPAPER
Chibok DAY Diary
177
BBOG Group Plans Mega Protest For Day 180
Leadership Newspapers
@leadershipNGa
3 DAYS TO GO... GRADUATION CEREMONY OF 20 > Page 2 FIRST BaZe UNIVersItY, aBUJa
Badeh to troops
Flush out Boko haram Before saturday poll 5
Adamawa election ‘ll hold as scheduled – INEC
President Goodluck Jonathan (right) being received by President Issoufou Mahamadu of Niger Republic, on his arrival at the Niamey International Airport for the extraordinary summit of heads of state and governments of Lake Chad Basin Commission, in Niamey, yesterday. Photo By nan
Bi-Courtney Denies Owing AMCON N50bn By OLUGBENGA SOyELE, Lagos
The management of Bi-Courtney Ltd yesterday maintained that the company did not owe the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) N50billion
and that any allegation to that effect had not been confirmed by any court. The company also accused
the corporation of insincerity, breach of trust and feeding Nigerians with falsehood over a debt recovery suit between the
two organisations. These assertions were made by head of litigation, Babalakin and Company, Tola Oshobi, at
surgery: I’ll soon Be Back From Germany – IBB > Page 4
a press conference held at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two in Lagos, in reaction to AMCON’s claims over the alleged debt. ➔ CONTINUES ON PAGE 5
$5.7m Arms Deal: Stop Embarrassing Nigeria, APC Tells Jonathan > Page 4
2
chibok diary 177
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
DAY
Chibok TweeTs @obyezeks
DaY177 of #Chibokgirls I've had to ask myself if our DEMaND 4 Fg to #BringBackourgirls is fruitless @ this stage. I answered No. wE DEMaND!
@abdulhabiba12
Day 177 without good hygiene. #BringBackourgirls
Chairman, Chibok community in abuja, Mr hosea abana (left), leading other members of the #BringBackourGirls (BBoG) Group in a solidarity song during a meeting at the Unity fountain, abuja.
@perfectskones
Very soon, those #Bringbackourgirls banner carriers will soon start lifting their brooms. @angelo365
Do NoT oppress the seemingly weak. we are all equal in god's eyes. #BringBackourgirls @danielachinny
Fg wants us to forget? Then #BringBackourgirls that's the oNLY way we would. If not we keep demanding!
@SenJaffer
DaY 177 since more than 200 of our Nigerian daughters were taken. we must not lose hope. #BringBackourgirls
@Danburam11
U don't have to b someone frm Borno, Yobe, adamawa or the North east to care. Just b human kawai. #BringBackourgirls @aishaYesufu @ Fatiskira @mohammus
Imagine missing som1 u luv for only 24hrs, how would you feel for god sake? 177 days since #Chibokgirls were abducted #BringBackourgirls
@borie_nla
In the time it takes to count from 1 to 175 , imagine the agony of captivity and depravation of life #BringBackourgirls Compiled by Iroka UgoChUkwU
PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO
BBOG Group Plans Mega Protest For Day 180 By Chika Mefor aND ejike ejike, Abuja
The #BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) group is planning a mega protest to commemorate the Day 180 of the abduction of the Chibok girls and its continued advocacy for the safe return of the schoolgirls abducted on April 14, 2014. Speaking during its normal sitting protest in Abuja, the group said that as part of its plan, it will engage different stakeholders and mobilise some members of Chibok community both within and outside Abuja. The group, which stated that the Chibok girls’ abduction had unravelled certain hidden things in the country and had brought about accountability, added that it would continue on its advocacy until its demand has been met. The vice chairman who spoke on behalf of the chairman, Tsambido Hosea-Abana said, “Whether we are few or many, we have made an impact for the fact that we have stood for this long. We should know that we are not alone and the international com-
munity is still with us in this advocacy. We should never think about giving up. We should be persistent until our demand has been met. “The lives of the Chibok girls have already been altered but we want them to come back so that we will heal together. They have stayed for too long in the hands of their captors and we want them back”. He stated that Chibok has been neglected by the federal government for so long and pleaded with the government to end the insurgency quickly. “Two of my nieces are among those that are yet to be rescued. The place is badly neglected. The road that was supposed to be constucted, I was in primary five when it was being surveyed for construction but up until now, the story remains the same. There are no good roads and no social amenities. Apart from the local community, nobody would like to send their children to a school like Government Secondary School, Chibok”. Explaining further on the situation of Chibok, he said, “Even people in Borno State do not send their children there”.
Improving Opportunities For Women Farmers In Africa EVEN THOUGH WOMEN MAKE UP A LARGE SHARE OF AFRICA’S FARMERS, THEY TEND TO BE LOCKED OUT OF LAND OWNERSHIP, ACCESS TO CREDIT AND PRODUCTIVE FARM INPUTS LIKE FERTILIZERS, PESTICIDES AND FARMING TOOLS, SUPPORT FROM EXTENSION SERVICES, AND ACCESS TO MARKETS AND OTHER FACTORS ESSENTIAL TO THEIR PRODUCTIVITY
20%
to
30%
If women worldwide had the same access to productive resources as men, they could increase yields on their farms by 20–30% and raise total agricultural output by 2.5–4%. Gains in agricultural production alone could lift 100 to 150 million people out of hunger, according to a UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimate
ALTHOUGH ALMOST HALF OF THE AGRICULTURAL WORKERS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA ARE WOMEN, PRODUCTIVITY ON THEIR FARMS IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER PER HECTARE COMPARED TO MEN
How African Leaders Can Empower Women Farmers Strengthen women’s land rights Improve their access to hired labour
Provide community-based child care centres FISH
Give them adequate training
Report has it that productivity on women’s farms is significantly lower per hectare compared to men, ranging from
13% in Uganda to
Ease their access to loans
25% in Malawi INFOGRAPHICS BY Matthew Akhabue
3
our stand Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Nigerians Left Suffering Under Boko Haram Siege
F
rom Buni Yadi in Yobe, Konduga and Gwoza in Borno to Madagali and Michika in Adamawa, the scourge of Boko Haram has become a perennial sore. These towns, especially Madagali, are fast becoming centres of the dark evil that Boko Haram represents. Exactly one month ago today, the dreaded Boko Haram sect sacked the inhabitants of Michika, Bazza and other villages in Michika local government area of Adamawa State, North East Nigeria. It was also in Michika that the insurgents dumped the four months pregnant Susan Ishaya, who was one of the 219 girls abducted from Government Secondary School in Chibok in April. Her ordeal is similar to what most women in Michika, young and old are experiencing. Tales of rape, looting, physical abuse and torture abound. The people of that area insist that contrary to the claims of the military authorities, the towns are yet to be recaptured by federal troops from the insurgents that overran the communities.
The residents lament that the insurgents have maintained their grip on Marghi and Kamueland and allege that they continue to slaughter innocent people while plundering property, without anyone challenging them. In Michika, it is said that insurgents are seen on motorcycles, shooting the citizens, ransacking and vandalising shops, while also plundering churches and mosques. It is regrettable that the armed forces have been unable to root out the insurgents that are on this savage mission. The reality on ground disproves that the towns are now secure, as claimed by the army. It is sad
Editor Sadiq Abdullateef Deputy Editor Kazeem Akintunde Editorial Board Safiya M. Adamu, Chairman Christian Ochiama, Deputy Chairman Standards Aniebo Nwamu, Director ’Lara Olugbemi, Assistant Director
that many of the displaced villagers are dying of hunger in caves and refugee camps and the bodies of many of those killed in the maelstrom are left littering the towns’ streets, since their relations cannot bury them. More than ever before in the history of Nigeria, the spectre of insecurity has continued to undermine our territorial integrity and the government needs to stem the tide before it leads us to a failed state destination. The free fall into anarchy should not be beyond the capacity of our security agencies. Our government, we insist, has a sacred duty to rise up to its responsibility as enshrined in chapter 11 section 14 sub section 2b of the 1st schedule of the constitution, to cater for the security and welfare of the people, which is the primary purpose of its existence. Except the security agencies up their game to investigate, arrest, prosecute and convict those found guilty of contravening our laws, it will be difficult for Nigerians to ever regain faith in government’s avowed ability to defend them and the nation’s territorial integrity.
Founder Sam Nda-Isaiah Chairman Hajiya Ireti Kingibe Group Managing Director Azubuike Ishiekwene Group Executive Directors Michael Okpere Dr Kazeem Durodoye Divisional Directors Iyobosa Uwugiaren Ademola Oladosu Salisu Alhassan Bichi General Managers Aminu Abubakar Sule Abdulmumin Balogun 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
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!
4 news extra
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Group News Editor: Tony Amokeodo Ex-Gov Peter Obi Bows To Pressure, Defects To PDP The former governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, yesterday formally defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Obi declared his defection while hosting some top notchers of the PDP in the South East, led by the deputy Senate president, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, at his Onitsha home. Others in the team included the deputy speaker, Emeka Ihedioha; secretary to the government of the federation, Sen. Pius Anyim, and the chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, Chief Theodore Orji. The team also included the governor of Akwa-Ibom, Dr Godswill Akpabio; Ebonyi State governor, Martin Elechi; former national chairman of PDP, Okwesilieze Nwodo; former Senate president, Adolphus Wabara and Sen. Uche Chukwumerije. Members of the Federal Executive Council at the occasion were Chief Emeka Nwogu, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, Mr Osita Chidoka, Prof. Valerie Onwuliri, among many others. By NAN
Mimiko’s Defection: TUC, NLC Disown Labour Party’s Akure Convention The leadership of the organised labour in the country has dissociated itself from the planned national convention of the Labour Party (LP) scheduled to take place in Akure anytime from now. This is coming just as the two leading unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have expressed their resolve to reposition the LP as the platform for the teeming working population of the country. In a joint communiqué issued by the presidents of TUC and the NLC, Comrades Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Abdulwaheed I.Omar yesterday, a copy of which was received by LEADERSHIP, the two groups stated that their members would not be part of the convention in Akure, saying by Mimiko’s defection, he ceases to be a member of their party. Reacting to the defection of the governor, the two unions wrote, “The die has now been cast, and Governor Mimiko who was elected governor of Ondo State for the second time running, has defected to the PDP. This has obviously brought remarkable changes and challenges to the Labour Party.” By Olaolu Oladipo, Lagos
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi (middle) with the PDP chieftains from the South-East and South-South shortly after Obi joined the PDP at his Onitsha GRA residence, yesterday. PHOTO BY OKECHUKWU OBETA
$5.7m Arms Deal: Stop Embarrassing Nigeria, APC Tells Jonathan By George Okojie, Lagos and Chibuzo Ukaibe, Abuja
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently address Nigerians on the serial embarrassments to which his administration is subjecting the country in the comity of nations, after another seizure of $5.7million of Nigerian arms money by the South African authorities In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its national publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the issues surrounding the first seizure of $9.3million were yet to be resolved before this latest scandal, wondering why the government would want to turn Nigeria to a rogue nation by engaging in money laundering and other acts of illegality, thus devaluing the currency of every Nigerian.
“Again, Mr President, Nigerians are urging you to please come clean on these cash-forarms scandals. They want you to answer critical questions on the legality of your administration’s repeated conduct. They want to know the identities of the two Nigerians who were arrested with an Israeli in South Africa over the first illegal deal, especially since the Israeli has been named. “Nigerians want to know why the purported arms procurement for the government is done illegally between private companies that are neither known nor registered for dealing in arms; and why are the movement of monies not transparently documented for what they really are, if they are truly for legitimate purposes? “They want to know whether indeed the weapons which the government is seeking so furi-
ously to procure are for the battle against Boko Haram or for a sinister motive, considering the desperation of your administration to continue to rule at all costs and by any means possible. “They want to know whether every Nigerian should begin to fear what will happen in the days and weeks leading to the forthcoming general elections, against the backdrop of your administration and party’s do-ordie politics. “Mr President, if the funds involved in the latest seizure were sent through bank transfer, can the government explain why Oritsejafor’s plane was stuffed with cash and transported to South Africa?” $5.7m: We Are Behind Jonathan, PDP Replies APC The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday backed the efforts of President Goodluck Jon-
athan in the fight against insurgents and lambasted the APC for what it described as the opposition’s attack on the efforts to win the war against insurgency in the country. Replying the APC over its comments on the $5.7million arms money from Nigeria seized in South Africa, the PDP spokesman, Oliseh Metuh, in a statement accused the opposition party of being in connivance with foreign interests to embarrass the government and people of Nigeria. PDP said, “We state categorically that the actions preferred by some foreign nations against our dear country as we seek solution to our security challenges are unacceptable and totally uncalled for, especially given our cordial relationship with them and the roles Nigeria and Nigerian citizens played in assisting them in their internal struggles”.
Surgery: I’ll Soon Be Back From Germany – IBB By Abu Nmodu, Minna
Former president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has confirmed to journalists in Minna that he is recuperating from his surgery in Germany. The former leader who spoke to the journalists through the telephone of another former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar when he paid a Sallah homage to Niger State governor, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu said he will soon be back home. IBB who did not specify the time
he would come home confirmed the earlier report of LEADERSHIP that he underwent a surgery in Germany and he is recovering as expected. “I miss all of you; I wish you all Barka Da Sallah; I am better now; I will be back in few days time,” IBB said. LEADERSHIP gathered from a source close to the family that IBB is expected back next week Friday and that he would have been back before Sallah but he was advised to undergo some routine medical examinations before returning home.
The source added that it was because of his appreciable level of recovery that he told Mohammed his son to come and celebrate Sallah with his friends as usual in Minna. IBB left Nigeria on the 6th of September, 2014 for Germany where he underwent a surgery to relieve him of some back pains. Meanwhile, General Abdulsalami Abubakar said he came for the Sallah homage with two of IBB’s closest friends because the tradition was for him and IBB to pay Sallah homage to the governor. Speaking on the 2015 gener-
al elections, he said, “Politicians should learn to play the game of politics without bitterness. We are all one as we are all brothers and sisters.” Also speaking, Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu said he was pleased when the team sent by the state government to see IBB came back home with the news that he was recuperating, adding “When the team came back, they told us they had a conversation with him for over four hours. This is a pleasant piece of information compared to what we heard before.”
NEWS 5
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
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Flush Out Boko Haram Before Saturday Poll By Bayo Oladeji, Chibuzo Ukaibe, Patience Ivie Ihejirika Abuja; and MOHAMMED ISMAIL, Yola
As the people of Adamawa State fret over Saturday’s by-election for the state governorship, the chief of defence staff (CDS) Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh has ordered the troops to flush out the terrorists rampaging the state to ensure that the election holds in every local government. Adamawa is one of the three states where the terrorists have been killing, maiming and destroying life and property. The other two states are Borno and Yobe. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the by-election for next Saturday to replace the impeached former governor the state, Murtala Nyako, but the terrorists have had a stronghold in some of the major town, a factor that constitutes a threat to the election. However, the military leadership has assured INEC that the poll would be held without any hitches. Military sources have attributed the recent successes recorded by the troops in Adamawa State to the order given by the defence chief, Air Chief Marshal Badeh, to the chief of army staff (COAS) LtGen Kenneth Minimah and chief of air staff (CAS) Air Marshal Adesola Amosu to flush out all terrorist from the state before the weekend to allow INEC to conduct a violence-free election. ‘‘It is true our troops have been doing a yeoman’s job in the northeast, especially in
Adamawa State. Kudos should be given to the CDS who asked the COAS and CAS to intensify actions to ensure the coming governorship poll holds in Adamawa and the order also covers the other two states because of the February election. “This is why you see our troops killing those terrorists in hundreds daily. They are many, that is true, but they cannot withstand our fire power. The air troops and the ground troops are synergizing and that is the result of the successes that you see. The two chiefs are always on the move to ensure continuing success of the troops. You cannot know whether CAS and COAS are operating in Abuja or from Yola/Maiduguri axis,” a source disclosed. Corroborating him, another security source said there is an ongoing battle in the areas that the terrorists used to operate and many of them are being killed while many are also surrendering to the troops. “The battle that liberated Michika and Gulak and other communities in that axis was a fierce one because those criminals did not want to give up, but when they saw the firepower both from the air and on the ground, they fled and our troops pursued them. The good news is (that) the war against the terrorists is almost over, God willing.” Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will hold a grand rally for the Saturday’s poll today in Yola, the state capital, and all the chieftains of the party from ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
naphthalene and other widely used chemicals. Avoid air fresheners, which are just chemical cocktails. Ditto for materials impregnated with flame retardants.
Bi-Courtney Denies Owing AMCON N50bn FROM FRONT PAGE
LEADERSHIP recalls that Justice Ibrahim Buba last week vacated an earlier order made by a fellow judge, Justice Okon Abang, empowering AMCON to take over the assets of BiCourtney Group in order to liquidate an alleged N50 billion debt. Bi-Courtney lamented that more than two years after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered federal government to pay the sum of N132 billion to Bi-Courtney, the judgement was yet to be obeyed. Dissatisfied with Justice Buba’s order, AMCON, through its lawyer, Olisa Agbakoba, filed a notice of appeal and formulated four grounds before the appellate court. AMCON also filed another application before the same court for an injunction pending appeal to stop anyone whatsoever or howsoever from giving effect to Justice Buba’s order vacating that of Justice Abang. According to AMCON, the fresh application became necessary owing to the need to “restrain the respondents (Bi-Courtney Group) from dissipating their assets and rendering nugatory the possible outcome of the appeal at the Court of Appeal.” AMCON insisted that the Federal High Court had a duty to stay further proceedings in the suit pending appeal to avoid foisting a fait accompli on the Court of Appeal. But Oshobi, in his reaction to the two application, stated that “the position of Bi-Courtney is that it is not indebted to AMCON and the reason is that there is a subsisting judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja,
that expressly awarded damages in the sum of N132 billion to BiCourtney and against the federal government.’’ “The same judgement specifically said that whatever claims AMCON has against BiCourtney should be deducted from the debt the federal government owes Bi-Courtney and remit the balance to BiCourtney.’’ “The debt owed the company by the Federal Government was predicated on the breach of an agreement between the firm and the government,” he said. Oshobi further pointed out that that the refusal of the federal government to hand over the old domestic terminal of the Lagos airport was responsible for the default in the firm paying the loan it took from a consortium of banks. The lawyer also described the purported takeover of the MM2 terminal and the old Federal Secretariat in Lagos by AMCON as a contrived reckless action and a deliberate assault on the integrity of the judicial system by the corporation and its appointed receiver. The company stated that the assertion by AMCON that BiCourtney and its associated entities had signed an offer letter with AMCON which constitutes an admission of liability in the sum of N50 billion was not sincere. He added that an offer letter being paraded by AMCON is not binding on it as the condition precedent had not been met. According Oshobi: ‘’Every second year law student in any university that has studied contract law knows that it is elementary that when an agreement is made contingent on the occurrence of certain conditions precedent, that
6 NEWS
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Flush Out Boko Haram Before Saturday Poll FROM PAGE 5
every state of the federation are expected to be there. Adamawa is the home state of a leading presidential aspirant of the party, former vice president Atiku Abubakar, and the party’s national vice chairman, North East, Engineer B. D. Lawal. Both are expected to lead the party in the quest to reclaim the state. Although the party belonged to the PDP until the defection of the then governor, Nyako, to the APC after the controversial PDP convention held in Abuja, the PDP regained the state through his impeachment. “Adamawa State is a stronghold of the APC; they used an illegal process called impeachment to steal the state from us and, this weekend, our people are ready to free the state from the PDP. I can assure you that we are getting the state back. APC belongs to Adamawa and Adamawa belongs to APC,” Lawal told our correspondent yesterday. Insurgency: Adamawa Guber Election Will Hold As Scheduled- INEC The fierce battle between the military and insurgents in some parts of Adamawa State will not derail Saturday’s governorship by-election in Adamawa State, INEC said yesterday. However, there are strong indications that elections might not be held in two local government areas, Madagali and Michika, where troops are trying to remove Boko Haram insurgents who had held sway here in the last few weeks. On Monday, the military said about 71 members of the sect were killed. Alongside Madagali and Michika, INEC last week identified 11 other local government areas as vulnerable to “constant state of fear, insurgency, thuggery, violence and ballot box snatching.” INEC specifically mentioned Maha, Mubi North and South local government areas are being adversely affected by the activities of the sect. However, the INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, is already in Yola, the state capital, to assess the situation.
But responding to an inquiry by LEADERSHIP whether or not the election will continue as planned in the face of insecurity, Jega’s chief press secretary, Kayode Idowu, who is also in Yola, said “as we speak now, no area is exempt from the election, which will hold as scheduled.” Responding to a question over whether election will hold in Madagali and Michika, he said: “I can’t confirm whether or not elections will be postponed in the two local governments yet, but anywhere security is not guaranteed, we will not endanger voters. We will not have elections anywhere it is not practicable to have elections in accordance with the Dasuki constitution and the law.” On whether cancellation of elections in the two local and the Peoples Democratic governments will affect the Party (PDP) members contrary results, he said: “Anything can to the directive of President affect the result of the election, Goodluck Jonathan who had but we cannot determine that warned that the items should until after the election; the be strictly given to the affected constitution is clear on this.” persons. Meanwhile, seven political Meanwhile, the IDPs from parties and their candidates Michika and Madagali who were have been cleared to participate invited to attend a meeting with in the election, while a total of acting Governor Umaru Fintiri 1.5 million registered voters are said they were left stranded expected to cast their votes in and hungry for many hours at 2,609 polling units in the state. Government House, Yola. The commission is expected The acting governor hails from to move sensitive and non- Madagali local government sensitive materials for the which was seized for close to a election to the state before month by insurgents who killed many residents and displaced Friday. thousands others. Ahead of the Saturday byThousands of refugees election, the acting governor stranded at Yola Govt had asked all the displaced House …as relief materials were people from Michika and diverted to PDP secretariat Madagali to assemble at the Internally displaced persons Government House for a (IDPs) in Adamawa State are meeting. About 10,000 of the IDPs, going through hell as some of the relief material sent by the including the aged, children federal government through the and women all converged on Special Presidential Committee Government House thinking on Relief have allegedly been that part of the relief materials diverting them to individuals would be shared to them only and organizations in the state. for them to observe that the Two trailer loads of relief meeting was a political gimmick materials meant for the IDPs to woo them to vote for the were diverted to the PDP ruling party in Saturday’s secretariat, sparking a protest gubernatorial by election. Most of them expressed with the IDPs telling the acting governor that the materials had dismay at the lackadaisical been cornered by individuals. attitude of the government Investigation has unravelled which deemed it fit to keep that the relief materials were them throughout the day shared to unions, individuals without food, water or
Minimah
transport fare to go back home only to be told to go and vote on election day. While delivering his speech during the occasion, the acting governor was heckled when he mentioned that the relief materials had been shared among the IDPs. They were said to have told the acting governor that they had received nothing as relief materials, and that they did not have confidence in the committee set up to distribute the materials. Some of the angry IDPs tried to gain access to the council chambers but were prevented by stern-looking security operatives. An IDP who complained that he was left stranded despite walking long hours to the Government House wondered what would happen when the acting governor became the substantive governor if he could treat like this. Boko Haram: Omeri Appeals To Sponsors To Surrender The coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mr Mike Omeri, has appealed to sponsors and agents of the Boko Haram insurgency and terrorism in the country to see the wisdom of abandoning the fight against citizens by immediately surrendering to the security forces. In a statement made available to newsmen yesterday
in Abuja, Omeri asked them to follow the example of others in Konduga. “They should know that this war can never be won by them,” he said while reinforcing government greater interest in the rescue of all persons and communities that are being traumatized by the insurgency. Omeri assured Nigerians that concerted efforts are being marshalled to ensure a return to normalcy in the affected communities. He also commended Nigerians for their steadfast support and cooperation with the security forces which had helped to ensure the successes so far recorded in the campaign to defeat terrorism and end insurgency in the country. “Although there was intense fighting in parts of Adamawa, especially in Michika and Bazza, among other areas, it must be noted that the military action in the north east to flush out insurgents is going on according to operational plans, and the security forces have been recording tremendous gains in recent weeks. “As part of the security measures, we continue to enjoin Nigerians to report suspicious persons and movements to nearby security agencies or simply send sms to 112 , a security code meant to pass information to the security forces” he said.
Bi-Courtney Denies Owing AMCON N50bn FROM PAGE 5
agreement does not become enforceable or binding until the occurrence of those event(s). The question AMCON needs to answer is which, if any, of these
conditions precedent have been fulfilled?’’ “Bi-Courtney went into the concession for the development of the burnt terminal of the airport on build, operate and transfer basis.
The understanding is that BiCourtney would source the funds to build the airport and run it for a number of years to recover its investment.’’ According to him, part of the understanding is that all flights
in and out of Lagos would be operated to and from that terminal during the life of the concession and this is because it is the only way Bi-Courtney could recover its revenue, that right from the commencement
of the concession, the federal government was in breach. “At a point, about 70 percent of passengers were routed through MMA2 contrary to the agreement and we were losing huge revenue,’’ he added..
news extra 7
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Borno PDP Hands Over Leadership To Ex-Gov Modu Sheriff Chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Borno State yesterday handed over the leadership of the party to their former state governor Ali Modu Sheriff, pledging loyalty and support for him. Sheriff, who was once the board of trustees (BoT) chairman of the defunct opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) under which he persistently defeated the PDP since 1999, recently dumped his new party, All Progressives Congress (APC), to join the PDP. Leaders of Borno PDP, in the letter addressed to Sheriff, also enjoined him to the state to national limelight. In a letter signed by the Borno state chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Baba Basharu, which was circulated to journalists yesterday, he said receiving Sheriff as a member and leader of the party was an honour to the party. “Through this letter, I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter informing us of your intention and willingness to join our great party. The decision of the former governor to join the PDP will add positive value, promote progress and prosperity to all PDP family and good people of Borno State,” he said. By Kareem Haruna, Maiduguri
APC Will Rule Imo For 20 Years – Okorocha Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will govern the state for the next 20 years and even beyond, given his administration’s Rescue Mission agenda. According to him, from 2015 APC would hand over one Rescue Mission administration to another. Okorocha stated this yesterday while inaugurating officers and members of the state campaign council, adding that the philosophies of the Rescue Mission had to be institutionalised for the rapid development of the state. “We are working and, with that, we have been able to silence the PDP, and we intend to sustain that for life. We have no gun, but the people. Our work or the performance of the administration has destroyed the PDP in the state. We only need to close ranks to achieve the goal. I am preparing the ground so that the younger ones will have opportunities tomorrow. “We have sent those who held the state to ground for decades parking. The Rescue Mission administration under the aegis of APC will continue to grow from strength to strength. The masses are behind us because they have seen the difference,” he said. By Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
L-R: Managing partner, SIAO, Ituah Ighodalo, founding partners, SIAO, Robert Ade Odiachi and Ladi Smith, and representative of the acting executive chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Queensley Seghosime, during a courtesy visit by SIAO to FIRS in Abuja. PHOTO BY ADEFEMI ADEWUYI
Ebola: FG Convenes Stakeholders’ Meeting To Review Containment Strategy BY WINIFRED OGBEBO AND VICTOR OKEKE, Abuja
The federal government says it is convening a meeting of experts and stakeholders to review current efforts by the country in the fight against Ebola Virus Disease and research. The country also continues to receive global applause for the efficient way it managed and contained the disease. In statement made available to LEADERSHIP yesterday in Abuja, the director of information at the Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. Ayotunde Adesugba, said the minister of health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, would declare open the high
level meeting of stakeholders on EVD at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, on October 9, 2014.” She said the meeting which will attract experts and stakeholders from across the nation was being convened under the auspices of the Treatment Research Group (TRG) on EVD. The statement said experts would review the current national efforts, available resources, and develop a roadmap for research on Ebola and other emerging diseases among Nigerians, both in-country and in the Diaspora. “The outcome of the high level meeting will help to galvanize support on a common
agenda among experts and stakeholders, including the organized private sector, that share similar concerns on EVD and other diseases in sub Saharan Africa and globally,” he said. LEADERSHIP recalls that on August 4, 2014, as part of the national response to the Ebola disease outbreak in Nigeria, the health minister had inaugurated the Treatment Research Group on the disease which immediately began work according to its terms of reference. “Consequently, the work and expertise of TRG members is to facilitate the closure of knowledge gaps in the understand-
ing of the Ebola disease, develop potential treatment options, while formulating a more efficient containment framework to better equip the nation against any future outbreak of Ebola or any other related emergent disease,” the statement added. Nigeria has been commended nationally and internationally for its robust and effective national response to Ebola. Since August 31, 2014, no new case of the virus has been reported in Nigeria. On October 20, it is expected that the World Health Organisation (WHO) will officially declare the EVD over in Nigeria based on its protocols.
Bukola Saraki Faults 2014 Budget Implementation By Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin
The chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Dr Bukola Saraki has faulted the implementation of the 2014 federal budget, claiming that contracts are just being awarded now by a majority of the federal ministries and parastatals. The senator, who is also a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, said, “When we passed the 2014 budget last time, I
got up and made a comment that I was not happy with the way the budget was passed because I believe that we did not deliberate enough on actual expenditure. Budget is an estimate and when you do not review your actual, then it is likely that your revenue estimate may be wrong. “In 2013 when we had done budget estimate that we will be producing 2.5 million barrels of oil and, at the end of the day, we were only doing 2 million barrels; that is what distorted the budget.
“Again in 2014, now in majority of the ministries, contracts are just being awarded. So if they are just awarding contracts in October, is it possible to have implementation? The answer is no; these are some of the challenges that make us say the budget implementation is faulty and will not meet the expectations of Nigerians. “I think we at the National Assembly needs to review the way we go about the budget implementation, because, for example, the key issue is revenue
as without revenue there can’t be expenditure. But if you open the news every month, about six pages are dedicated to all the allocations given to every local government, but do we have publications of revenue? Do we know how much the country is making on volume of oil production? We don’t.” He added that to have the budget implemented, the revenue must not be distorted, asking: “If you are expecting N10 and you only get N7 which budget are you going to implement?”
8 News north-central
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
2015: Eggon Elders Vow To Resist Maku’s Guber Bid By Donatus Nadi, Lafia
Elders of the Eggon ethnic group in Nasarawa State have restated their commitment to resist efforts by the minister for Information and their kinsman, Mr. Labaran Maku, to polarise their people ahead of the 2015 general election. This resolution follows Mr. Maku’s insistence to contest the governorship of the state despite the endorsement of Senator Solomon Ewuga by Eggon elders as their sole candidate for the upcoming polls. Spokesman of the Eggon elders, Mr. Dogara Angbo, who made the declaration at a joint press conference yesterday in Lafia, the state capital, declared that the minister ‘is on his own’ as the Eggon elders had unanimously endorsed Ewuga as the only Eggon son that would slug it out with other governorship candidates of the PDP at the
short news Nigeria’s Has 48m Active Internet Users – NITDA Nigeria’s active internet users currently stands at over 48 million, Dr Peter Jack, the director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has said. A statement issued by NITDA’s head of public Affairs, Mrs Hadiza Umar in Abuja on Tuesday, stated that Jack made the assertion in a speech at the global media meet in Dubai. The meeting was preparatory to the Global Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) Week 2014. ``In Nigeria, with over 48 million regular internet users, various activities are being carried out online. By NAN
primaries and, hopefully, the general election. He advised the information minister to remain in service at the federal level rather than come back to oppose Ewuga for the governorship contest. Angbo said it was unfortunate that Maku, who had benefitted from a conscientious arrangement reached by the same Eggon elders that enabled him (Maku) emerge the state deputy governor during the second tenure of former Governor Abdullahi Adamu in 2007, could descend so low to work against a similar arrangement made for another son of Eggon. Meanwhile, some youths under the umbrella of Solomon Ewuga Youth Solidarity Forum (SEYSF) has affirmed that Solomon Ewuga remained the sole candidate for Eggon nation in next year’s gubernatorial election in Nasarawa State.
Ponmo Consumption Is Dangerous To Health, Says NILEST DG Indications have emerged that the Niger State People Democratic Party (PDP) may not go into the Governorship primary, as the stakeholders may be force to endorse an anointed candidate ahead of the 2015 governorship election. Already there are speculations that Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu might have ordered some of the aspirants within his cabinet to drop their ambition in support of his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Umar Nasko as the anointed candidate. The Governor yesterday while receiving PDP stakeholders from Niger East Senatorial Zone, gave credence to the fact that in the next one week the party would make it public, who it has endorsed as gubernatorial candidate for the state ahead of 2015. Aliyu restated that eight persons have officially approached him to be his successor within his party but him as a person has not endorsed anybody but said that the zoning arrangement stands and the party would endorse the candidate for the governorship. By Abu Nmodu, Minna
short news
‘Ponmo Consumption Is Dangerous To Health’ The director-general, Nigerian Institute of Leather Science and Technology (NILEST), Zaria, Dr Isuwa Adamu, yesterday warned against the consumption of animal hides and skin known locally as ponmo. Adamu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the consumption of the product as meat substitute was dangerous to health, adding that, scientifically, ponmo does not have any nutritional value to human health. ``In fact, it is not advisable for you to consume ponmo in the sense that some of the animals killed and used for ponmo actually have skin diseases. Some of these skin diseases are such that boiling them ordinarily, may not kill the bacteria,’’ Adamu said. By NAN
A trader attending to consumers during the opening of the ‘Made in Aba’ goods trade fair in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY JANE OKEKE .
Former Ambassador Keffi Dies At 82 BY DONATUS NADI, Lafia
Nigeria’s former ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Amb. Yahaya Abdullahi Keffi, has passed away at the age of 82 after over 50 years of service to the nation. Until his death after a protracted illness, Amb. Abdullahi served the nation and humanity in many private and political positions, including serving
as the national publicity secretary of the defunct Northern Elements Progressives Union (NEPU) among others. At many occasions he held ambassadorial positions to many countries including France, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan as head of Chancery as well as to FESTAC as chief protocol and later acting secretary from 1976 -1977. He was later appointed am-
bassador to the Republic of Uganda with the concurrent responsibility to Malawi, Rwanda and Burundi from 1977-1979 and later as the ambassador to the Republic of Benin from 1979-1984 by the then President Shehu Shagari. The late ambassador was also appointed the electoral commissioner to Ebonyi State by the late General Sani Abacha.
Minister Pledges Developmental Projects In Offa By Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin
The minister of national planning, Dr. Abubakar Suleiman, has assured the people of Offa in Kwara State that the town will witness new developmental projects that will be captured in the 2015 budget. He gave the assurance when he visited the Olofa of offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, in his palace. The minister lamented the state of under-development in the town, expressing regret that “Offa had not received any development in the last 15 years.” Suleiman recounted his experience while travelling on the Offa-Ajase-Ipo road which he said took him about 40 minutes’ drive to the palace because of its deplorable condition.
He urged the “people of the town to key into the ruling PDP and the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan to be free from bondage, unfair treatment and lopsided development, saying the PDP of today stands for justice, fairness and development. “We believe in our search for liberation for the people of Kwara State. We must start from Offa. Offa is assumed as the strong hold of opposition in Kwara South. They are not just in the opposition for nothing sake; they are known to be progressives because they don’t condone injustice and tyrants,” he said. In his response, the Oloffa, said he was short of words because the minister had captured his feelings, particular-
ly on the deplorable condition of the Ajase-Ipo road offa road, even as he recalled that successive administrations had made promises to fix the road without redeeming it. “At a time they said it was a federal road; today we cannot even come out of our houses because of the bad portion of the road. For us, we rest our case with God. Our prayers is that God will choose a leader that will touch the lives of our people and Nigerians as whole; that is our prayer, Oloffa said. The minister who paid similar visit to the Asiwaju of Offa, Chief Emmanuel Adesoye, was latter received by the party at Offa Descendants Progressive Union (ODU) hall where he also addressed a mammoth crowd of PDP supporters.
Sallah: Kogi First Lady Fetes 500 Beggars, Qur’anic By sam egwu, lokoja
Kogi State first lady, Hajiya Halima Ladi Wada, has embarked on distribution of food items and consumables to beggars, Qu’ranic schools and orphanages. The beggars, numbering over 500, are scattered around Lokoja metropolis, the Old Lokoja market roundabout, Paparanda Square and orphanages to mark
the eid-el-kabir celebration. The gesture, which normally characterises sallah and Christmas celebrations and special occasions like Children’s Day and Independence Day, was in line with her commitment to empowering the less privileged in society. Hajiya Wada had on several fora advised wealthy individuals, corporate organisations and
other philanthropists to extend show love and concern for the less privileged, women, children, widows and the disabled. In their separate remarks, the cross-section of the beggars and Qur’anic school pupils thanked the wife of the governor, and prayed to Allah to guide her and her husband in their quest to bequeath lasting legacies in the state.
news north-East, north-west 9 Gwaram LG Releases N75m For Infrastructure
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Kukah Gets 2014 Outstanding African Leadership Award BY MIDAT JOSEPH, Kaduna
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah has bagged the 2014 Outstanding African Leadership award by Voice Magazine in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The organisation in the award letter to Bishop Kukah, disclosed that the event will take place on October 17, 2014 in Netherlands. Kukah who accepted the award in return said he will continue to do his best to the glory of God and humanity.
The selection committee in the letter signed by Pastor Elvis Iruh, who chairs the committee said “On behalf of The Voice Magazine and The Voice Achievers Award Committee, we have the honour to inform you sir that the Award Committee for 2014 has proud-
ly nominated and conferred on your person, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese in Nigeria as our Outstanding African Leadership Award winner for 2014. “Your selection for this award was a unanimous choice.
Gwaram local government area of Jigawa State has awarded contract worthy over N75million for the execution of development projects across the area. The chairman of the council, Alhaji Hannafi Yakubu announced this while speaking to newsmen in his office. He explained that N8.25million was approved for the drilling of 11 hand pumps in some communities to ensure constant supply of potable drinking water. Other projects to be executed with the money include construction of culvert at Sumangara town and purchase of generator for the FM Radio station Basirka. The chairman added that the council has approved the construction of two block of four classroom at Kawari and Masha Primary School. He noted that renovation of local government secreteriat, purchase of furnitures for the chairman’s house, construction of Mosque at Chadako, Kaho, Sara, Sharifori and Laya villages were also approved. He also reiterated the commitment of the council to execute programmes and projects that would improve the lives of the people. By Muh’d Zangina Kura, Dutse
Construction of maize cribs and granaries at Lamurde Lafiya Sanga ward.
short news Foundation Donates 30 Wheelchairs To Disabled In Taraba A foundation known as DSK Foundation has donated wheelchairs to 30 physically challenged persons from the Southern zone of the state. Speaking recently at the presentation in Wukari, president of DSK Foundation, David Sabo Kente said the gesture was to ease their mobility and make life more meaningful for them. He urged the physically challenged persons not be discouraged by their condition. By Andrew Ojih, Jalingo.
‘Fintiri ‘ll Respect Gentleman’s Agreement’ In 2015’ BY MOHAMMED ISMAIL, Yola
A pressure group, under the aegis of Adamawa Youth for Good Governance has faulted speculations to the effect that the Adamawa State acting governor, Ahmadu Fintiri will not leave office in 2015 in line with the agreement he reached with the PDP gubernatorial aspirants and the party top hierarchy in Abuja recently. The spokesman of the group, Mr James Adamu made this known during an interactive
session with journalists in Yola. Adamu said he was compelled to make the clarification because his group was actively involved in the events leading to the emergence of the acting governor to lead the state in order to complete the tenure of ousted Governor Murtala Nyako. He further explained that several well meaning citizens of the state had at various times sought to persuade the acting governor to step into the contest following the laudable de-
velopmental strides he accomplished within a short time including payment of backlog of civil servants salaries and sundry allowances. Adamu noted that the acting governor has no hand in the campaign for 2015 adding that he has assured them of superintending over free and fair polls to usher in the next regime in the state.The spokesperson noted that the acting governor was forced under pressure to contest the byelection.
Jere Communities Drum Support For Gurara State BY MIDAT JOSEPH,Kaduna
Indigenous people of Jere Chiefdom in Kagarko local government area of Kaduna State yesterday lend their support to the agitation for the creation of Gurara State out of the present Kaduna State. The two major native groups that make up Jere Chiefdom
who also disowned a statement made by one Alhaji Hayutteen Sulieman, in which he said that Jere people do not support the creation of Gurara State, urged all and sundry to support the agitation in the interest of development. Speaking at a combined press conference in Kaduna yesterday, the Gyagyi and Koro people
said they constitute 95 per cent of the population of Jere Chiefdom, and were in total support of the creation of a new state from the present 13 LGAs that make up Southern Kaduna. Chairman Gbagyi Development Union, Mr. John T. Bako and the secretary Mr. Joseph Gajere spoke on behalf of the Gbagyi.
short news Rep Sinks 72 Boreholes In Kaura Communities A member of the House of Representatives, Mr Gideon Gwani, has sunk 72 boreholes to ensure clean water for rural communities in Kaura local government area of Kaduna State. Gwani, who conducted newsmen round some of the projects yesterday, said that the boreholes became necessary to minimise water-borne diseases that were common among the rural dwellers in the state. ``A healthy people are an asset to the nation and that is the essence of these projects,.’ By NAN
2015: Yobe PDP Endorses Jonathan Yobe State Executive Committee members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday endorsed President GoodLuck Ebele Jonathan to contest for second term in 2015 elections. The endorsement of the state executive party members is coming on the heels of a report that Jonathan has concluded plan to re-contest in 2015 general elections. In a communique issued at the end of the Peoples Democratic Party state Executive Committee held at the PDP state secretariat, 48 members of the committee threw their weight behind the ambition of President Jonathan in 2015 elections. The meeting commended the Transformation Agenda of Jonathan and the construction and rehabilitation of numerous road projects in northeast region. Others include the establishment of 330/132 KVA sub-station in Damaturu the state capital and oil and gas exploration in the Chad Basin frontier states of Yobe and Borno. Still other accomplishments include the distribution of 222 trucks of grains to the people free of charge during Ramadan by the federal government. Hussaini Jirgi Damaturu
10
stories of the Wednesday October 8, 2014
...NEWS WITH A HUMAN FACE
Sallah Drama: Man Flushes Phone Into Toilet, Walks Out Naked BY MATTHEW DIKE, Lagos
There was mild drama in Ajegunle area of Lagos State, on Sunday, when a drunken man who wanted to urinate inserted his handset into the toilet facility before urinating on his body. LEADERSHIP investigation revealed that the man, identified as Hamed Adekoya, after putting his phone inside the facility, urinated on his body, erroneously believing that he was doing so in the facility. The wife, Mrs Adekoya, was said to have slapped the husband twice to bring him to his senses but to no avail. Mr Adekoya was said to have left his two- room apartment and gone outside, displaying his manhood an act which provoked his wife the more. The woman was said to have lifted her husband and carried him into his bedroom. The woman , while weeping, said that her husband’s behaviour was not ordinary. She said she suspected witchcraft manipulation from her husband’s village, Ikale, in Ondo State, as he had never misbehaved that way before.
THEFT: Housewife Beaten Up For Stealing Phone By: Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba
A desperate housewife identified as Mama Chiwe (surname withheld) in Asaba, Delta State, was yesterday beaten up after she allegedly stole a Nokia phone in a shop. Eye witness said the woman was later taken to the A’ Division Police station in Asaba and, upon interrogation, confessed to stealing the GSM. She said while negotiation to buy the phone for N5,000 failed, with the trader insisting on selling for N15,000, she took advantage of him moving out to answer calls to remove the phone and put it into her bag. It was gathered that luck ran out of the woman, a mother of two, when she was sighted by another trader who raised the alarm that attracted other traders to the scene. She was said to have been beaten up before the police was invited to the scene. At the A’ Division, police officers who did not want their name in print confirmed the story, adding that the GSM phone was found in her bag. Family sources said it was a common habit of the suspect before she got married to the husband.
A woman attending to custumer at Gwarimpa bridge in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY JANE OKEKE
MURDER: Brother Slashes Sister’s Throat By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba
Tragedy struck in Agbor town, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, at the weekend when a man allegedly killed his sister. The 31-year-old mother of three was said to have been killed over a little disagreement between them. Reports said that the brother killed his sister after a prolonged war of words between them. He allegedly drew a cutlass and slashed
the throat of the victim identified as Lizzy (surname withheld). Police authorities in the area confirmed that the suspect is currently helping the police with further investigation after his attempt to escape was foiled by neighbours, who rushed to the scene of the incident. Family sources said that the suspect had been on the wanted list of the police since four years ago when he committed the same offence and escaped to the northern part of the country.
RAPE: Suspected Cultists Rape 12-year-old Girl By: Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba
A group of suspected cultists terrorizing Warri metropolis in Delta State were said to have raped a 12-year-old girl (name withheld) as part of her initiation rites into their cult. Reports said that the teenage girl had sought the assistance of a cult group member when she was molested by her boyfriend. The police were said to have arrested about 12 suspected cultists in one of their clashes As it were, the rival cult group had lost each of their members to the crisis which is also said to have affected the night life around Giniwa, Okandaji, lower Erejuwa road, Ometa and Isi layout around the
popular Igbudu market area, Warri. It was further gathered that the police had a difficult time in its initial attempt to arrest members of the feuding cult clashes as their suspected mothers including other women in the area where they live, resisted their arrest before the police had to forcefully arrest them. Sources said that the rapists descended on their victim at night during the initiation process. But when she bluntly refused their advances, she was beaten up and raped. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Celestina Kalu, confirmed that the police have intensified efforts to bring the suspected rapists to book, adding that the victim had since been taken to the hospital for treatment.
Communal Clash: Many Injured, Property Destroyed by Abu Nmodu, Minna
Several people were injured and many houses as well as cars were destroyed in a communal clash between the people of Gulu Angwua and Vatsa people of Lapai local government area of Niger State. LEADERSHIP gathered that the clash started last Monday and extended to yesterday morning between the two communities that have been living side by side for several years. It was learnt that the clash was caused by a dispute over a piece of land between the two communities and has been bone of contention between them in recent years; they both claimed ownership to the land that separated them. An eyewitness told LEADERSHIP that trouble started on Monday when the youths who came for the Sallah break decided to solve the lingering problem caused by the land dispute between the two communities. It was learnt that the youths decided to plant flower between the two communities to clearly delineate the area but trouble started when the two communities were unable to reach an agreement on a defined delineation. Consequently, it was learnt that people started burning each other’s property, including cars and houses as well as inflicting injury on one another, among the youths, who instead of resolving the problem as earlier planned, joined in the fight. LEADERSHIP further gathered that many of those injured were rushed to hospitals in Gulu and Lapai for medical attention and no life was lost in the clash, but some of those injured were said to be in critical condition.
STORIES OF THE DAY 11
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
day
Photo News
ACCIDENT: Unidentified Man Killed By Hit-and-run Driver BY MILLIE IBE, Abuja
An unidentified middle-aged man has been reportedly killed by a hit-and-run driver under Apo Bridge by Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, Abuja. The man who was said to be crossing the road was knocked down by a saloon car at 12:30 pm. The driver of the vehicle immediately sped off. The man died immediately on the spot, according to the two men that brought the picture of his lifeless body to our office, Michael Odetunde and Buliyan Salawu. They said attempts to ascertain the identity of the man were futile, as he was said not to be carrying any identification item with him. LEADERSHIP learnt that his corpse had been deposited at the National Hospital morgue by police authorities from Apo police station, waiting for identification by family members or friends.
L-R: Special representative of the President of Cameroon, Mr Edgard Nebe Ngo’o; President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic; President Goodluck Jonathan; President Issoufou Mahamadu of Niger Republic; President Idris Deby Itno of Chad and the Executive Secretary, Lake Chad Basin Commission, Mr Sanusi Abdoulahi, at the Extra-Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Governments of Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) Member-States and Benin Republic in Niamey, Niger Republic, yesterday. Photo By Nan
ARREST: NSCDC Officials Arrested Over Killing Of Boat Owner BY Osa Okhomina, Yenagoa
Authorities of the Bayelsa State Police Command yesterday confirmed the arrest of two officials of the state command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over their alleged involvement in the killing of Mr. Akunama Agunza, a 25year-old boat owner in the state. According to the police, though the arrested NSCDC officials have not been handed over for interrogation, the accused were alleged to have conspired with some other unidentified persons in the incident that led to the arrest and drowning of the boat owner. LEADERSHIP gathered that the deceased boat owner, Akunama Agunza, was allegedly arrested over his attempt to secure the release of his wooden boat impounded by the Illegal Oil Bunkering Task Force set up by the Southern Ijaw Local Government Council. The deceased boat owner was alleged to have hired out his boat to some youths but
the boat was used for illegal oil bunkering and got impounded. The attempt by the boat owner to secure the release of the boat led to his death in a controversial circumstance. According to the spokesman of the deceased family and elder brother, Silas Okiri, the case was reported to Oporoma Police Station after the family discovered the decomposing body of Akunama Agunza along the Ofonigbene river in Southern Ijaw. According to Okiri, the two accused NSCDC officials were unable to tell the family the whereabouts of the deceased boat owner while his mobile phones and boat were in their custody. Contacted on the development, the Public Relations Officer of the State Command, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, who confirmed the development, said though investigation is on-going into the circumstances surrounding the death of the boat owner with the arrest of two NSCDC personnel, new twist, has, however, been added.
L-R: Special adviser to the governor on Culture Mr Paddy Obinna, Imo State governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha and his deputy Prince Eze Madumere at the Imo Carnival in Owerri on Monday. Photo By Nan
L-R: Acting CMD, National Hospital Abuja, Dr Jaf Momoh; executive secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Mr John Kennedy Opara and his wife, Amaka; board chairman, National Hospital, Abuja, Dr Tony Okam, and a nurse during a presentation of an Autoclave machine for sterilising medical instrument by Opara’s family to the National Trauma Centre at the hospital, yesterday.
NABBED: Robbery Suspect In Police Net BY NNAMDI MBAWIKE, Enugu
The police in Enugu have arrested a suspected armed robber and kidnapper, Chukwuma Ukala, who allegedly terrorised residents of the state capital. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, said in a statement in Enugu yesterday that the suspect was arrested on October 5, at Udi Siding in Enugu North Local Government Area. The statement said the suspect also known as ``Akidi’’ had been on the
wanted list of the operatives following his involvement in the perpetration of crimes ranging from kidnapping to armed robbery. It said the suspect was currently helping the police in their investigations on his alleged nefarious activities. According to the statement, the suspect, who has shown remorse for his actions, advised youths to eschew crime and embrace good virtues. The statement quoted the alleged criminal as saying that ``every day is for a thief and one day for the owner.’’
A cross section of Gwarimpa Junior Secondary School Students displaying their school materials received from Julius Berger Plc when the company visited the institution to distribute literacy backpacks to them in Abuja. PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO
12 NEWS/BUSINESS
business
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Banks Adopt Sustainable Policies By Friday Atufe, Lagos
Discerning banks in Nigeria have begun to embrace the concept of sustainable banking in a bid to enhance their risk management, revenues and reputation as well as comply with the Nigerian sustainable banking principles enunciated by the Central Banking of Nigeria (CBN) in July 2012. Speaking recently at a media parley organised by First City Monument Bank (FCMB) with the theme:“Sustainable Banking in Nigeria: The Role of the Media,” the group managing director of the bank, Mr Ladi Baolgun, observed that members of the public were not really interested in the size and revenue of the bank but its impact on their lives. He said this development has made
the bank to shift its focus from profit maximisation to how its operations affect the members of the public as well. He said the development has led to shrinking revenues in the banking industry in the short term as well as enhanced stability and increased reputation for operators. Also speaking, an expert in the field of sustainable development, who also doubles as the managing director of the Sustainable Finance Advisory, Carey Bohjanen, asked a rhetorical question: Does business as usual still work? According to her, businesses, especially banks, are being inundated with global issues of population growth, resource constraints, climate change, technology and identity crisis of the banking industry.
Sale of Banks: We Are Not Carried Along – ASSBIFI By Taiwo OgunmolaOmilani, Lagos
The Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) has complained that it was not carried along in the sale of Enterprise Bank to Heritage Bank and Mainstreet Bank to Skye Bank. The national president of ASSBIFI, Comrade Sunday Salako, disclosed this at the World Day for Decent Work held on yesterday at Airport Hotel, Ikeja. He also spoke about the inability of the banks to carry them along in other to avert industrial crises in the sales of the banks. “The ASSBIFI cannot stop them from selling the banks but I believe as a stakeholder in the
bank, they should have been consulted before selling the banks. “There are workers in this enterprises and their interest need to be captured in whatever arrangement they are making and you cannot do it behind us,” he noted. Salako stated that the process was fraudulent, saying the process should be put on hold. Also, the ASSBIFI president, while speaking on the theme: “Creating a Climate for Change in Work Place,” said there was the need to have equality, justice and fairness for workers in their work place. The trade union president, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, praised the leadership of the ASSBIFI for organising the programme.
L-R: Consultant to SMEDAN, Adeniyi Ojengbede; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and event manager, Made - in- Aba Trade Fair, Michael Jacobs, during the official opening ceremony of the fair in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY JANE OEKE
Bill On Made-in-Nigeria Products Underway – Abaribe By Kingsley Alu, Abuja
The National Assembly is putting finishing touches on a bill that would ensure the patronage of made-in-Nigeria products by enforcing compliance to the policy. The senator representing Abia South Senatorial District and chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Enyinnaya Abaribe, dropped this hint during the 2nd edition of the Made-inAba Trade Fair yesterday in Abuja, where he stated that the proposed bill would focus on patronage of products that Nigeria has the capacity to produce. While stating that the fair was to celebrate the successes of cottage industries in Aba, which multiplier effects have, no doubt, contributed immensely to the economic growth and development of Nigeria, the senator who said, “Nigeria has no business importing those goods which do not measure up to the quality being produced in the country,” commended the people,
manufacturers and traders in Aba for doing the nation proud through their spirit of enterprise and innovation demonstrated in quality products made available through local skills. Abaribe, who described this year’s fair, billed to end this weekend, as a consolidation of last year’s, also called for a radical transformation of Nigeria’s industrial base by providing adequate facilities to support the efforts of indigenous producers to boost economic growth. While urging relevant agencies of government to create adequate awareness on the need for introduction of policies that would enable local initiatives to thrive, Abaribe, who is also the facilitator of the fair, said it was his constituency project and was aimed at giving opportunity to Aba producers to showcase their products to the world. “This fair is to encourage Made-inNigeria products, but specifically Made-inAba goods. We need to
be able to create wealth the procurement process and employment by of government can come patronising local here and see that some producers to reduce of the things they want crime in the society. If to go and buy outside we neglect our domestic are actually produced goods and continue to here. What we have patronise foreign ones, here are quality products there is no way that that can match the best foreigners will see us as standards anywhere talented,” he said. in the world,” he said, Abaribe also while disclosing that argued that reliance the leather industry in on imported goods the country was already at the expense of choking under stiff quality goods that competition from cheap were locally produced foreign made goods, would not allow the especially from China, nation’s economy to which were not by any develop. According to means superior. him, if given adequate Abaribe observed patronage, indigenous that there was not producers would help to only a remarkable create employment for improvement on the the youth and wealth for quality of products the country. being exhibited this year, He said the only way but also a remarkable the local industries improvement in terms could thrive was if they of ingenuous designs. were patronised by the He further added that government and the the maiden edition of Nigerian public. the fair, held in Abuja last “We’ve been telling year, not only x-rayed the policy makers to stop the ingenuity of the people, importation of finished but also attested to the leather and allied fact that Aba is a veritable products into Nigeria so platform to pilot Nigeria’s that we can produce for industrial revolution. Nigeria. We want to make sure that those Follow these reports on leaderwho are involved in ship. Anohu-Amazu
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Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Anambra To Partner Corporate Bodies In lighting-up Onitsha BY nan,
The Anambra Government has started negotiations with corporate bodies on how to constantly light-up Onitsha during the night to fully restore night life in the commercial city. The new idea will also improve the aesthetics and security of the
commercial city. The commissioner for information, Chief Tony Onyima, said yesterday in Onitsha that the present lighting-up of strategic locations in Onitsha by the state government was not sustainable, noting that there was the need for the private sector, especially corporate bodies to get involved.
“When we went to Lagos for security summit, part of the mission is to seek private sector initiative and participation. “For the street and road lights, we want to get corporate bodies involved for it to be sustainable. “And for any corporate body that takes up lighting-up a street or road, all the advertisement
placement on the poles of the street lights would be left for them. “They will have sole franchise right for advertising in that street or road.You know that is the way they do it in Lagos State which has made its sustainable,’’ the commissioner said. He said that a consultant had
been appointed by the government to see how the corporate bodies would be engaged in sustaining the Onitsha lighting-up programme. NAN reports that the Niger Bridge entrance and other major locations and roads in Onitsha metropolis were being lit-up at night by the government using generators.
‘Utilisation Of Eastern Port ‘ill Decongest Lagos Port ‘ By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba
The minister of transport, Senator Idris Umar, has identified adequate utilisation of the eastern port as one of the most effective ways of decongesting the Lagos port frequently patronised by importers and exporters alike. As it were, the eastern ports comprised the Onne, Calabar, Port Harcourt, Warri, Sapele and Koko. But the minister disclosed that government was at the threshold of doubling the sustainable growth of the maritime sector. He said that part of the ongoing efforts to grow the sector include four sector rail reform bills currently at the National Assembly, the bills include the National Transport Commission Bills,the Nigerian Port and
Habour Bill, the National Inland Water Ways Bill and the Nigerian Railway Authority Bill. “We are convinced that encouraging patronage of the eastern port will further help to decongest the Lagos port, this exercise is al,” he said. so to enhance opportunities that are inherent in the leakages of these ports with the inland waterways and the attendant opportunities associated with the rehabilitation, we are intensifying efforts to enhance the potential of the maritime sector for sustainable national economy growth. The minister who spoke to Journalists in Warri at the weekend stated that a number of deep sea ports were currently in the process of being established in various states.
Nigerian Customer Service Awards Reveal Criteria For Winners BY MILlIE IBE, Abuja
The Nigerian Customer Service Awards (NCSA) organisers have v explained the criteria for the selection of winners from the nominations received for the event coming up tomorrow at Ibeto Hotel, Abuja. The coordinator of the NCSA, Dr Aliyu Ilias, said the selection follows basic steps which include the nomination by Nigerians of the winners/companies they believed deserved the awards or by close watchers who believed the nominated companies deserved them. According to him, “The next step is the interaction of a nominated company with shoppers to verify claims in the event that the companys’ performances escaped the searchlight of the awards organisers. “While relating with a company upon nomination, we review the staff and management process in the areas of customer service. “We also rely on feedbacks from the company’s customers, including indirect service users,
and make our deductions. We send out questionnaires and use other forms of research to determine the winners of the awards. He said the awards does not encourage companies to compete against each other, but to strive to be unique and better their own products and services. Commenting on the partnership with Heritage Bank, sponsors of this year’s edition of the awards, the coordinator said they chose the best among the willing sponsors. On the significance of the awards, Ilias said it was basically aimed at celebrating service excellence in Nigeria. “We encourage Nigerian companies to go beyond paying lip service and eye service to customers because the customer deserves better. We also preach that dealing fairly with the customer is both rewarding tc the organisation as it is to the customer, and that is why WE promote and project such hare working organisations that excel in the business of fulfilling.
L-R: Chairman/MD Mobil Producing Nigeria (ExxonMobil), Mr Nolan O’Neal, and Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, chairman Heirs Holdings, at the signing ceremony of the agreement between ExxonMobil and Tenoil, a subsidiary of Heirs Holdings to commence Tenoil’s drilling programme in Ata oil field, held in Lagos, recently
Navy Impounds 2,000 Gallons Of Petroleum Products BY nan
The Nigerian Navy yesterday in Lagos said it impounded over 2,000 gallons of petroleum products from some suspected vandals’ hideout at Majidun in Ikorodu, Lagos State. The products, which were concealed in 50 litres jerry cans were lifted from the hideout by the Navy. The Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Ilesanmi Alade, told newsmen that the operation, which took his men sleepless nights, was carried out following a tip-off from the public. He said: “As you may be aware the federal government has been confronted with the challenges of combating illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism. “These illegal activities have not only led to significant loss in revenue accruable to the federal government, but also caused damage to strategic installations which require colossal amount of
money to repair. “Pipeline vandalism has also led to pollution of the maritime environment and in some cases, fire disasters resulting in loss of lives and property. “Communities like Majidun, Arepo, Ogolonto and Makoko in Ikorodu Local Government area of Lagos State are renowned for illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism. “The perpetrators use selfpropelled barges and wooden boats to ferry the stolen products to their destinations. “They are also usually armed to confront anyone that attempts to stop their operation.’’ Alade said the operation, codenamed ``AWATSE,” which literally means ‘scatter,’ was aimed at dislodging the perpetrators of the illegal act. “The operation was initiated by the Nigerian Navy and supported by the Nigerian Army and it is still ongoing. “The operation has yielded success and so far.Persons
arrested after interrogation and confirmed as culprits, would be handed over to the appropriate prosecuting agency. “The products will be handed over to the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) for storage, pending termination of the operation,’’ he said. The Naval chief said that on completion of the operation, the Navy would consider establishing a base in the area. He appealed to residents of Majidun to be patient and assured them that the operation would soon be over. “Whatever we are doing here is also in the interest of the residents of Majidun and the economic survival of the nation,’’ he said. Alade also appealed to the public to provide the Navy with useful information to assist it in apprehending the perpetrators. He said that the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Usman Jibrin, had zero tolerance for maritime Chime crimes in the country.
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LEADERSHIP CONFERENCES LIMITED (A SUBSIDIARY OF LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPERS GROUP)
2014 ANNUAL
CONFERENCE & AWARDS CEREMONY Chairman MR. SAM AMUKA Publisher, Vanguard Media Limited Keynote Speaker MR. BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN Executive Governor, Lagos State STAR AWARDS 2013
LEADERSHIP PERSON OF THE YEAR General Yakubu Gowon GCFR LEADERSHIP GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan
LEADERSHIP POLITICIANS OF THE YEAR The G-7 Governors Dr. Babangida Aliyu (Niger) Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) Alh. Sule Lamido (Jigawa) Alh. Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto) Alh. Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) Alh. Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) LEADERSHIP BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR Mr. Olatunde Ayeni
AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 2013 LEADERSHIP CEO OF THE YEAR Simdul Shagaya CEO, Konga.com LEADERSHIP COMPANY OF THE YEAR Chi Limited LEADERSHIP BANK OF THE YEAR Diamond Bank LEADERSHIP ICT COMPANY OF THE YEAR Jumia LEADERSHIP BANKER OF THE YEAR Mr. Philips Oduoza GMD, UBA LEADERSHIP GOVERNMENT AGENCY OF THE YEAR Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) LEADERSHIP AUTHOR OF THE YEAR Malam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai
LEADERSHIP PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Nagari Farm Yoghurt LEADERSHIP MICROFINANCE BANK OF THE YEAR LAPO Microfinance Bank Limited LEADERSHIP TELECOM COMPANY OF THE YEAR Swift Networks Limited LEADERSHIP PUBLIC OFFICER OF THE YEAR Dr. Akinwumi Adesina Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development LEADERSHIP BRAND OF THE YEAR SAMSUNG LEADERSHIP ARTISTE OF THE YEAR Ice Prince LEADERSHIP YOUNG PERSONS OF THE YEAR The Golden Eaglets LEADERSHIP SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR Stephen Okechukwu Keshi
Venue: ThisDay Dome, Abuja Time: 9:00am Date: October 14th, 2014
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LEADERSHIP CONFERENCES LIMITED (A SUBSIDIARY OF LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPERS GROUP)
2014
ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND AWARDS PROGRAMME
9:00am
Arrival
9:05am
National Anthem
9:10am
Opening Prayers
9:15am
Introduction of conference theme and dignitaries by conference comperes
9:25am
Welcome address by the Chairman, LEADERSHIP GROUP, Hajiya Ireti Kingibe
9:35am
Opening remarks by the Chairman, Mr. Sam Amuka, Chairman, Vanguard Newspaper
10:05am Lecture by the Executive Governor, Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN Title: “Rebuilding the Nation: Lessons from other Lands” 12:25pm The Awards Ceremony 12:45pm Responses 1:15pm
Vote of Thanks
1:20pm
Closing Prayer
1:25pm
National Anthem
Date: Tuesday, October 14th, 2014
Venue: ThisDay Dome
Signed: ABDULMUMIN S. BALOGUN Director, Conference 0806 972 7798
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Wednesday, October 8, 2014
CELEBRATING BAZE UNIVERSITY’S Baze University, a world class private university in Abuja holds its first graduation ceremony on Saturday October 11, 2014.
FIRST GRADUATION CEREMONY
The visioner and Pro-chancellor, Senator Baba Datti Ahmed Phd, invites friends and well-wishers to witness the making of history. LEADERSHIP, the official newspaper of the university, will publish a special pull-out on the landmark achievements and defining impact of the school. It’s an inevitable platform for your adverts and congratulatory messages!
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Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Environment
7 Months After: N6.5bn Wuye Market Yet To Open For Business Page 22
Feature
Reforming Nigeria’s Land Administration For Economic Growth Page 23
News Fashola Educates Real Estate Developers On Best Housing Delivery Models Cost, Quantity And Standards Vital To Quality Construction Products – Minister Ambassador Heights To Provide Luxury Apartments In Nigeria
22 HOMES & PROPERTY
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
7 Months After: N6.5bn Wuye Market Yet To Open For Business Built in the heart of the federal capital city to provide a conducive atmosphere for trade and business as well as create employment opportunities, the over 1,700 shops Wuye market is now wasting away seven months after it was commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan. Michael Oche writes on some of the salient issues. When President Goodluck Jonathan commissioned the UltraModern Wuye market in February 2014, his intention and that of the federal government was to use the market as a catalyst for economic growth and enhancement of commercial activities in the federal capital territory. However, seven months after it was commissioned, business activities is yet to kickoff at the ultra-modern Wuye market valued at more than N6.5 billion. The government is losing money it could have made as revenue, shop owners who have paid for shops have their rent monies tied down, while the interest from bank loan continue to pile up for the developer. The market was built on 7.3 hectares of land under the publicprivate partnership (PPP) and Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) agreement. It was done in collaboration with All Purpose Shelter Limited, a Nigerian company. The modern market project started in 2004 and was completed 10 years after. Its commissioning was greeted with applaud by FCT residents who saw the coming of the market as a relief due to the congestion at the popular Wuse market. Apart from providing a conducive business environment with modern facilities, the market was expected to provide employment to young Nigerians who will either be employed as sales girls or boys
or even as cleaners. President Jonathan during the commissioning said “Nigerians must now begin to modernise our markets with good facilities. Market must become accessible to families.” The federal capital territory administration as part of its drive to attract investment to the nation’s capital sort ways of partnering with the private sectors. However, the story of the market is one that will discourage private individual from investing in infrastructural development if measures are not taken by authorities to protect them. Findings by our reporter indicated that more that 10 months after it was completed, business activities is yet to kick start at the market due to an order of the court restraining the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), All Purpose Shelters Limited and Abuja Property Development Company, who are defendants in the case, “from allocating any of the offices in the market pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.” Checks by LEADERSHIP showed that over 370 individuals, under the aegis of Wuye Ultramodern Market Owners, dragged the defendants to court to challenge the allocation of shops in the market. But speaking to our reporter, the director of All Purpose Shel-
Wuye market
ter Ltd, Mr Felix Balogun said his company had won the bid for the construction of the market in 2004 after elaborate advertisements in national dailies that prequalified 49 companies. He said as the developer, All Purpose Shelter Ltd was charged with the responsibility of sourcing for funds, technical and administrative know-how to deliver a modern, functioning market with free flow of traffic. However, to attract bank interest, a list of off-takers who have expressed interest as subscribers to the public market was given to the developer by the Abuja investment Ltd to assure bankers that development is viable and people were interested. Explaining further he said the interested subscribers paid between N5000 to N8000 for their subscription. The essence was that when the shops go up for sale, these off-takers would have a right of first refusal. However, he explained that being a subscriber does not make you a shop owner, as only full payment for the shop makes you a shop owner. But After being given letters of provisional offer of allocation of shops/open space, the plaintiff demanded keys to the shops. However the developer said they have no right to use and occupy shops at the market without paying for the shops because the All Purpose Shelters Limited built the shops with its own resources
and bank loan. He explained that, “when we first came here in 2004, Wuye was a huge forest, we even had to settle the natives living here with our own money. We have invested a lot of money in this project” But the plaintiffs had said in their case before the court that the offer letter was released to them because they had met the terms of their allocation. But the defendant told the court that it was untrue that they met the terms of agreement. “The letters released to the plaintiffs were clearly marked “Letter of Provisional Offer of Allocation of Shops/Open Space” which is dependent on other conditions stipulated in their letters of provisional offer”, the company said. The developer however stated that it built the market with bank loan and interest on the money is running on a daily basis. It also said that the time within which it ought to recoup its investment has started running since 6th February, 2014 when the market was commissioned. “The 3rd defendant humbly urges the honourable court in view of its investment to hold that the plaintiffs are not entitled to shops at Wuye Ultramodern Market, order that the shops be allocated to people who have paid for the value of development, and order that full-scale business transactions be commenced to avoid dilapidation of the buildings”, it said.
The story of the market is one that will discourage private individuals from investing in infrastructural development if measures are not taken by authorities to protect them
HOMES & PROPERTY 23
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the project ia an 11-storey building comprising a 5-star 89 apartments/ rooms and 23
2.2bn
the cost of the project has been estimated at N2.2 billion.
Reforming Land Administration For Economic Growth GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos
Anyone who is abreast of land administration in Nigeria will agree that greater percentage of the land mass of the country are still dead assets, thus lowering economic growth in the country. The trend is more disturbing right now given the wobbling nature of the Nigeria economy at 54. Sociologically, it is believed that a child born 54 ago, if not a grandparent presently, will soon be one savouring fruits of his labour after years of hard work. But such is not the case in Nigeria which attained its independence in 1960 and it is yet to find her feet and manage its natural resources efficiently. Successive governments in the country seem to be oblivious of the fact that land is a central issue in development process and that secured land rights underpins sustainable development, especially when its access are made possible and attractive for long term investments. In highly developed climes it also go without saying that the more assessable land and real estate assets become, the greater the possibility of their use as collateral for mortgage purposes and the more likely they are to contribute to the economic growth process for the alleviation of poverty. Thus, to stimulate economic growth process, governments need to monitor and manage the ownership and value of land. It is for this reason that land administration system plays an important part in the growth process, since an effective land administration process is necessary to determine, record and disseminate information about ownership of land, its value and
of course its use. One government in the country that tend to be thinking in the direction of boosting its economic prosperity with land resources is the Lagos State Government who in line with its comprehensive vision to transform Lagos into the model mega-city in Africa. At inception, the immediate past administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the state accepted the burden of the overhaul of the land administration system established by successive administrations in the state. The administration mandated itself, through stated policy statements, to make land administration a strategic resource block for the realization of the beneficial social and economic prosperity promises it made to the people during campaign. As an expression of that determination, the government established a “Think Tank” on land administration reforms with clear mandate to look at land administration in its entirety and make recommendation for its overhaul. The committee as it were consisted of the best in land administration and other estate management related matters. Therefore no one was surprised at the far reaching policies, changes that were recommended for implementation. The successes have been seen in the proceeds accruing to the Lagos government from land transactions. In 2011, the state government generated the sum of N11billion, 2012 N10.275 billion, 2013 N10, 955 from land transactions. Not long after Governor Mr. Babatunde Fashola took over the mantle of leadership in the state, he carried out digital mapping,
A block of flats in Abuja
Geographic Information System (GIS) in the state to smoothen the process of land administration in the state. He explained that the mapping process is aimed at creating wealth by awakening dead assets through a series of initiatives to give an identity to every inch of real estate in Lagos. The governor noted that,” the power of the state economy depends on how much land we are able to turn into prosperity. We are determined to create wealth through lands for the benefits of all our citizens.” The state government has also leveraged on digital revolution in land policy and management to reduce administrative and bureaucratic bottlenecks in smooth administration, documentation, and perfection of land business in the country. Determined to realize it objective, the Lagos State government in 2005 embarked on computerization programme to take Lagos State into the vintage position of corporate e-governance through a robust financial reengineering anchored on the world renowned Application Implementation Methodology (AIM) powered by Oracle financials. To this end, the state government promulgated its Land Use Act (Title Document Registration) 2012 saying the purpose was to improve service in the ad-
ministration of land in the state. On this Fashola noted that the process of land administration in the state would be greatly enhanced by the operation of the Act pointing out that it would also empower citizens of the state. Fashola said with the conversion of all land documents into an electronic format by his predecessor and the Geographic mapping of all the land in the state by the present administration as well as the automation of the process, the stage has been set to fast track all land transactions in the State for the prosperity of the residents. He said the state government has embarked on series of reforms, including the present Act, to eliminate the problem of implementation adding, “Many years ago, the only way to conduct research on land issues was to go to the land registry and open records and begin to search and that led to so many anomalies including mutilation and destruction of documents. My predecessor took a bold step by scanning all the documents and putting them in an electronic format. “Now, at least, the originals of the documents are safe in the strong room while you can conduct your research on the screen. But we are not done yet because you still need to get there to conduct the search.
Land is a central issue in development process and secured land rights underpins sustainable development, especially when its access are made possible and attractive for long term investments
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Ambassador Heights To Provide Luxury Apartments In Nigeria
An estate in Abuja
Fashola Educates Real Estate Developers On Best Housing Delivery Models By GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has educated the nation’s housing developers on best ways to ease housing delivery in the country. The governor spoke at a two-day conference with the theme “Igniting the Finance, Infrastructure, Red-tapism and Education,(F.I.R.E). Where lies the Key?” organised by Real Estate Unite, held recently in Lagos. He stressed the need for education of Nigerians on home ownership in the country ,saying as long as the society is stuck with the idea that a home could be purchased on cash and carry basis the economy of the country will suffer stagnation. Harping on Education as part of the F.I.R.E. he described the issue as a serious matter of self
and public education, adding that until that end is tidied it would remain difficult for the people to understand and embrace the mortgage system. The Governor noted that there is no economy anywhere in the world where all the citizens own houses, saying the understanding is very vital in order to disabuse the minds of people about low cost housing. He pointed out that such concept was wrong since there can be no low cost output when input is not low cost. According to him, there are all sorts of debates around housing that tend to create the impression that such a concept is possible . He said , “And so whether it is private or public housing, I have had debates about low cost housing and I have told people that I don’t know where the output can be low cost when the
input is not low cost. It doesn’t match unless you can give me low cost input before we can begin to talk about low cost output.” “The more we remain locked down with the idea that we can actually walk into a store and buy a house like off the shelf and pay cash and go home, something is wrong”. He charged the conference participants to make it a point of discussion at the sessions in order to arrive at a resolution that would truly enlighten the public on the issue of housing. The Governor emphasized that there is need to arrive at a common position on the issue of low cost housing arguing that there are no low cost building inputs in country such as cement and iron rods. According to him, manufacturers of building materials would testify that there
are no low cost funds and no low cost roofing sheets. He frowned at the situation whereby residents were asked to pay a two-year rent in advance in an economy where they receive their salaries in arrears describing such a situation as wrong. “So we see it as wrong when a society pretends that all is well when people are asked to put forward two years rent in advance when they are getting monthly wages in arrears something is wrong. And if we are also comfortable with it there is something wrong with us”, he said. He Pointed out that the Lagos HOMS initiative was also initiated to revitalize the economy of the state, arguing that a society that stops building and constructing would soon experience stagnation.
Cost, Quantity, Standards Vital To Quality Construction – Minister By Patience Ivie Ihejirika, Abuja
The Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Akon Etim Eyakenyi, has said that there is urgent need to establish standards to ensure quality of construction products which must be properly costed The minister who stated this in Abuja said current lack of harmony
between the cost, quantity and standards is a major cause odf collapsed buildings, roads and major infrastructure in the country Eyakenyi stated that the revised national building building code is the major response to the chanllenges of building collapse and declining quality and standard in the building industry adding
that the QSRBN is expected to She further stated that the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN) is expected to produce the practice note for quantity surveyors as a component part of the revised national building code “The ministry is in receipt of the masterplan for the QSRBN as a body corporate, particularly the
component that deal with the setting up of a construction cost data centre to house and manage a construction cost data base under the superintendents of the agency” she explained She reiterated that the ministry will always support laudable projects aimed at providing cost data base for construction contract costing in the country.
Ambassador Heights, one of the leading luxury residential developers in Ghana is set to extend its project to Nigeria. The sales manager of Movenpick Ambassador Hotels, developers of Ambassador Heights Luxury Apartments, Mr. Robert Davis, stated this while briefing journalists on the company’s new luxurious residential development in Accra Ghana, which is currently under construction According to him, Nigerians currently make up to 50 per cent of the project’s clientele, adding that very soon, Ambassador Heights will be in Nigeria to provide luxury apartment for the top end of the market. “The project since inception has seem impressive demand from wealthy Nigerian’s who have been acquiring the housing unit because of the coveted location, brand association, lifestyle, and potential investment returns” he said Davis said Nigerians are the prime movers of premium real estate transactions in Accra, Ghana’s capital. He stated that with the encouraging demand from Nigeria, Ghana was their next destination, affirming that Nigeria property market has great growth potential and huge opportunities for investment. Davis further stated that though, Nigerians are more visible in the residential segment of the market, they are at the same time no pushovers in the commercial segment where the development and ownership of some quality high-rise office buildings in the heart of Accra, are linked to Nigerian business moguls. He described Ambassador Heights by virtue of its location as a 5-Star mixed use development in which the hotel and the commercial space have been fully completed. He assured that buying into this development even as an investment makes much economic sense. According to him, Home owners within the exclusive community will enjoy the services and amenities of the surrounding hotel enclosed within the comfort of a beautiful, safe, and secure environment. “Positioned across the land to the north and west of the Moevenpick Hotel, surrounding one of West Africa’s largest pools and most impressive sets of amenities, Ambassador Heights offers three and four bedroom City Homes with individual gardens for private ownership. By Evelyn Okoruwa, Abuja
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healthful
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Anopheles mosquito
. . . C O N D U C I V E TO G O O D H E A LT H O F B O D Y O R M I N D
Stop The Martyr Syndrome
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fter a hectic day at work, you’re preparing dinner and supervising a homework project on Stone Age mammals. Somewhere between your spot-on impression of a woolly mammoth, serving up pasta and getting tomorrow’s packed lunches ready, your best friend calls and asks you to look after her three-year-old while she goes to a parenVteacher meeting at her older child’s school. You say, ‘Yes, of course!’, quietly seething. That’s the last thing you need. Unfortunately, this innate urge to take on extra obligations (no matter how grudgingly) means we’re all spreading ourselves too thinly. Which could be why a recent survey of 2,000 mums revealed that the average woman gets a measly 17 minutes to herself every day, with almost three-quarters saying they feel as though they live their lives entirely for others. And we don’t need an official survey to know it’s not just mothers who feel this way. In fact, a straw poll of the office found that the non-mums have fallen into this trap, too (exacerbated by the fact that people assume you’re more available because you don’t have children). It seems we’ve become a nation of martyrs - and it’s not much fun. ‘We’ve been hard-wired to put everyone else before ourselves,’ explains Psychologist, Emma Kenny. ‘It’s partly down to cultural stereotypes of women as “the caregivers”, partly due to our increasingly busy lives. And when women give birth, they feel
ownership and responsibility for their child’s welfare in a way that men just don’t.’ But by continuing with the martyr routine, we’re in danger of buming out and/ or dropping those balls we’re so carefully juggling. Time to say goodbye to that halo. Here’s how to shake off those saintly tendencies and move yourself up the ‘to-do’ list. .. Feeling guilty . Ever beaten yourself up for being a rubbish mum because you didn’t bake your child’s birthday cake from scratch, or for being an undutiful daughter because you didn’t drive your elderly mum to her chiropodist appointment? Hello martyr symptom number 1 : guilt. FREE YOURSELF: ‘We’re constantly feeling pressure, from ourselves and those around us, to be the best employee, mum, partner, friend,’ says Emma. ‘Accept that you can’t excel at everything. Prioritise your tasks by asking what really matters.’ Does that paperwork have to be done now, or can you spend more time cuddling up with your other half on the sofa? Could that mountain of washing wait for 30 minutes while you read your little girl a bedtime story? ‘Start by cutting out at least three things from your daily todo list that you feel can wait,’ Emma adds. ‘Even better, chop the list in half. Be ruthless.’ you but everyone else as well if you’re tired, grumpy and unable to give them your full attention. And guess what? If you say no, the world won’t end, nor will
your friends/family cross you off their Christmas card list. ‘People won’t take it as badly as you think,’ assures Emma. ‘When you’re asked for help, it’s your choice to say yes or no - and people respect those who take control of their decisions.’ Easier said than done? ‘Take a deep breath and explain that you have other things to do; that you’re busy with work; or simply say, ‘Sorry, I’m exhausted.” It shows the other person you’ve acknowledged their needs, but you also have needs of your own.’ Control freakery ‘But nobody else does it property ... .’ Sound familiar? ‘It’s what social scientists call “maternal gatekeeping”, explains Brigid Schulte, author of Overwhelmed: Work, Love, And Play When No One Has The Time (£12.99, Bloomsbury Publishing). ‘We want help but our inner perfectionist doesn’t believe anyone else will do the job as well as we can. But do you really want to waste time re-making the beds because your husband didn’t fold the sheets “just so”?’ FREE YOURSELF: Perfection is not realistic. ‘Start by accepting you can’t be in charge of everything,’ says Brigid. ‘Work out the tasks that need doing and share the load with your partner (and kids, if they’re old enough). Create a system whereby chores are simply not up for discussion, so you don’t become the chief nag. If things don’t get done, don’t let them default to you. Or set up a “time bank” so if you’ve done someone else’s assigned chore, you can claim your time back by getting them to do one of your tasks in repayment.’ Can’t sleep, won’t sleep You’re finally in bed, but with so much on your plate you’re finding it hard to switch off. ‘You need to find a way to stop stressing (because the brain works best in rest mode) and to recharge your batteries to make you more creative and better at multi-tasking,’ says Brigid. Cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, infections and obesity have all been linked to reduced sleep, according to the NHS, so it’s time we made it a priority. FREE YOURSELF: Apps such as Headspace or Mindfulness provide relaxation techniques to help switch your mind into rest mode, even for just 10 minutes a day. You can use them first thing in the morning to feel more ready to face the day (worth waking up a bit earlier for!). And turn off all screens and your phone an hour before bedtime, to help your eyes and brain shut down.
Lowering Blood Sugar
Pizza Made Possible
Top 7 What You Need to Know About Hepatitis C
➊
Hepatitis C: What Is It? Hepatitis C is an inflammation of your liver that is caused by a virus.
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How You Get Hepa-
titis C The most common way to get hepatitis C is by sharing needles or other equipment used to inject illegal drugs.
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Who Gets Hepatitis C Baby boomers are most likely to have the infection, but we’re not exactly sure why.
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Hepatitis C Symptoms Most people who have hepatitis C won’t have any symptoms at all.
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Long-Term Risks of Hepatitis C If it goes untreated for many years, you can get serious liver damage.
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Diagnosing Hepatitis C Your doctor can tell if you have hepatitis C with a simple blood test.
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Common treatment for hepatitis C is a combination of interferon (a shot) and ribavirin (a pill), and either the antivirus drug Victrelis or Incivek.
Making dietary changes is not that hard. Losing weight is not particularly difficult. Lots of people do it every year. But making permanent dietary changes, especially when it involves giving up foods you have cher- ished and delighted in all of your life, is extremely difficult. Most people who lose weight by a change in diet will sooner or later, and probably sooner, return to their old ways, habits, and foods and gain back every pound they have lostwith interest! In order for a new, improved diet and lifestyle to be permanent there have to be two factors present: 1) there must be some real motivation to make those changes, and 2) the new lifestyle has to be as realistic and easy as possible while still bringing the desired results. This is why drastic, dra- conian, unrealistic cutbacks on everything that has ever given us comfort and pleasure are simply not going to work. Most folks can make those sac- rifices for a few weeks; almost nobody can make them for a year, let alone a lifetime. As we seek to turn from the lifestyle that led us into the land of run- away blood sugar, there will have to be some serious changes made-no doubt about it. But we want to make it as much like your old lifestyle as possible. Although you need to turn from the standard American diet, you don’t need to stop being American. Superman used to make it his motto to fight for truth, justice, and the American way. And the American way is to go out to restaurants frequently: Italian restaurants, Chinese restau- rants, steak restaurants, Mexican restaurants, and yes, pizza restaurants. Is it possible to go out for pizza and stay low-carb? It is indeed. Let’s consider the makeup of a pizza. While most health purists consider pizza a monstrous concoction, in truth many of the ingredients are either harm- less or actually good for you. Pizza sauce is mostly tomatoes-a little higher in carbs than we would prefer, but not too bad. And of course pizzas have to cheese-a fairly lowearb food. No problem with any meats they might have on top-meats have so few carbs they’re not worth mention- ing. Mushroomsno problem there. Culled from 60 ways to Lower Your BLOOD SUGAR
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Wednesday,October 8, 2014
87,000
No fewer than 87,000 people have enrolled in the Kwara State community health insurance scheme, the commissioner for health, Abdul K. Isah has said.
Im
Anopheles mosquito
The Lagos branch of the Nigeria Optometric Association has revealed that over one million Nigerian adults are blind, while additional three million are visually impaired.
Control freakery
How to deal with an abnormal pap smear
Ways to live to 100
We’ve compiled what we consider the 100 most important pieces of advice we’ve written over the years into a handy reference guide for how to live a long and healthy life. In many cases, the advice runs counter to what your doctor or the government is telling you, yet all these recommendations are backed by solid medical evidence. We’ve included general tips on the best diets and supplements, the healthiest ways to raise children and the most important measures for a healthy lifestyle. Plus we’ve steered you away from those medical drugs, practices and tests
Feeling Hangry? Do you ever find yourself throwing a Hulk-like hissy fit over the most trivial of things? You might be ‘hangry’. Yep, that’s when you’re angry because you’re hungry. Experts say we’re more likely to lash out at our partner on an empty stomach because a drop in blood-sugar levels means our brain lacks the energy to exert self-control.
that are less than helpful or even downright dangerous. Included in this recipe for longevity is our best advice for cleaning up your home and environment. The typical house contains a toxic soup of organic chemical compounds, electromagnetic fields (EMFs), combustion gases and other pollutants; in fact, indoor air often contains levels of hazardous chemicals five to la times higher than outdoor air does!’ We’ve also puttogetherthe most powerful ways to nourish the spirit. As we continue to discover in our research, perhaps the best
‘But nobody else does it property .. .’ Sound familiar? ‘It’s what social scientists call “maternal gate keeping”, explains Brigid Schulte, author of Overwhelmed: Work, Love, And Play When No One Has The Time (£12.99, Bloomsbury Publishing). ‘We want help but our inner perfectionist doesn’t believe anyone else will do the job as well as we can. But do you really want to waste time remaking the beds because your husband didn’t fold the sheets “just so”?’ Free Yourself: Perfection is not real-
istic. ‘Start by accepting you can’t be in charge of everything,’ says Brigid. ‘Work out the tasks that need doing and share the load with your partner (and kids, if they’re old enough). Create a system whereby chores are simply not up for discussion, so you don’t become the chief nag. If things don’t get done, don’t let them default to you. Or set up a “time bank” so if you’ve done someone else’s assigned chore, you can claim your time back by getting them to do one of your tasks in repayment.’
Customize Your Diet To Match Your Biochemistry William Wolcott, the world’s leading authority on metabolic typing and author of The Metabolic Typing Diet(New York, NY Double ;day,2000),followed in the footsteps of his mentor, cancer pioneer Dr William Kelley, by exploring how the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the nervous system each regulate a different set of metabolic activities and thus different organs and glands. Most of us are influenced more strongly by one or the other neurological system, according to Kelleys theory, depending on whether we are ‘sympatheticdominant’ or parasympathetic- dominant’ -so one man’s meat may literally be another man’s poison.
Insider fact: Most Red-carpet Looks Secretly Rely On Contouring A little artful shading here and there and a sharp jaw line and killer cheekbones are yours! And the best news? It’s really easy to do. Here’s how ... Choose a blusher colour that’s a shade or two warmer than your own skin tone. Load your brush, tap off the excess and, starting at the middle of your ear, carve into the hollow of your cheek. ‘Buff into the skin in an upwards motion to create a contour just under the cheekbone,’ says Jenna Menard, global colour artist at Clinique. Apply on either side of your nose, beneath the jaw line from ear to chin, and into the eye sockets, then soften any hard lines with face powder. ‘Next, apply a pop of pink or peach blusher to the apples of your cheeks, ‘ says Jenna. Smile into the mirror and apply to the fullest part of your cheek, either with a brush (for powder blush), or with your fingers if you prefer a cream formulation. ‘Choose a highlighting product and dab it high on cheekbones to bounce off light,’ says Jenna. Use light-reflective concealer for a subtle effect, or a liquid high lighter cream for more of a sheen. Angelina, eat your heart out.
healthful Q &A I’m hearing a lot lately about inversion tables. Do they work for back pain? Probably not. Inversion tables are a form of traction therapy, which stretches the spine to theoretically increase space between vertebrae and reduce pressure on the back’s disks. Inversion therapy involves lying at an incline with your head below your feet, and sometimes completely upside down. There’s little or no evidence to support traction in general. Any benefits appear to be short-lived, and in some cases it might lead to increased pain. Lying in an inverted position can also drive up blood pressure. And several inversion products have been re- called over the years for equipment failure that could lead to falls.
Culled from Guide to Better Health
30 THE NATION’S CAPITAL
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Corps Member Donates Medical Equipment To Hospital by Chika Mefor
A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has donated a set of medical equipment to the Kubwa General Hospital. The corps member, Dr Agbonlahor Osaze Joseph (NYSC/FCT/13C/0097), an optometrist who served in the Kubwa General Hospital, told FCT Watch that he made the donation to the hospital’s eye clinic on October 2, 2014, in order to enhance the quality of primary eye-care given to patients. While making the donations, Osaze said that the need for the donation arose when he saw the high patient-load (made up of, especially common and indigent people) registered in the eye-clinic over time which outweighed the resources needed to meet their primary eye-care needs quicker and more effectively. The equipment donated by the optometrist include; a four-face illuminated visual acuity chart, 3 four-feet wall-mounted mirrors, consulting chairs, 1 lensometre, a trail lens box, packs of disposable elastic gloves, among others.
Jonathan Can’t Fight Insecurity Alone – Jiba By Igho Oyoyo
The chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, Hon. Micah Jiba, has called on all Nigerians to support the present administration in its fight against insecurity, as the president, Goodluck Jonathan, cannot handle the security challenges facing the country alone. Jiba, who is also the chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), gave this charge in Abuja while speaking with journalists on the state of the nation, stating that it was high time Nigerians contributed their ideas for fast development and growth of the nation’s economy. Jiba said that if the accusers of the present administration are interested in the progress of the country and for it to move forward to greater heights, they will suspend all negative formula against the government and forge towards finding solutions to challenges confronting the country. “We cannot claim to be Nigerians and, at the same time, destroy it with our actions and body languages. These people are the ones making propaganda of the kidnap of the Chibok girls. “It is time our politicians place Nigeria over every other personal interests and aspirations; we should think of what we can do for this country and not what the country can do for us. Let us take a cue from the Americans fighting for the development of their country. “With the infrastructural development set u0p by this government, and the way the federal government contained the deadly Ebola virus disease which many other countries are still battling with, the government deserves commendation; not condemnation,” he said. He further called on youths in Nigeria, especially in the Northern part of the country to unite, speak with one voice and resist any attempt by any group of politicians to destroy the north,” he said.
Deserted Federal Secretariat, yesterday. PHOTO BY JANE OKEKE
Tete Urges Residents To Be Law-Abiding By Igho Oyoyo
The chairman of the Kuje area council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Shaban Tete, has charged residents of rural communities in the council to be law-abiding in order to bring about peace and development in the communities. Tete gave this charge when he paid a visit to the traditional ruler of Gwargwada Community, Alhaji Hussani Mam, in his palace, during the Eid el Kabir celebration. According to Tete, the visit was borne out of Mam’s outstanding leadership and role in the maintenance of peace, law and order, despite the cultural and ethnic diversity of
the people in his domain. The council boss reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to develop and strengthen rural communities and urged Muslims to to pray for God’s guidance as they conclude the eid celebraton. “We need prayers more than anything now; we need Him to guide us to vote rightly and correctly in the forthcoming general election in 2015, so that peace will reign. Also, we need to pray to God to give us Tete the strength to monitor our votes as we march forward as councillor, urged the people a people, united in faith, hope to be conscious about their and love,” he said. permanent voter’s card (PVC) Also speaking, Senator and take it seriously, as it is Jibrin Usman Wowo, who the only way to authenticate hails from Gwargwada, the one’s eligibility during the community visited by the election.
Responding, Mam expressed gratitude to the chairman for the confidence reposed on him and promised to be more committed in the maintenance of law and order in his domain.
Work Resumes After Eid Holidays By Chika Mefor
Workers will today resume for work, following the public holidays declared by the Federal Government on Monday, October 6 and Tuesday, October 7, 2014, in commemoration of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration. Civil servants in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are expected to be at their work places to resume work after a long holiday which encroached
on the weekend. FCT residents who spoke with FCT Watch stated that the holidays granted them the opportunity to rest and celebrate the Eid with family and friends. Some parents were evidently happy that they spent quality time with their wards and children, though others lamented that their pockets were drained by the constant spending and fun-seeking which had to take them
from spot to spot. “Even the ATM machines were drained of cash. As of yesterday, there were unending queues of people who wanted to get some money, because they’ve spent all they had. Anyways, it is good that the break has come to an end,” one of the residents, Innocent Ugwu said. Many public and private schools in the city have also resumed after the holidays, as most of them
used the long holidays as an opportunity to observe the mid-term break. “We started the midterm break from October 3 and ended yesterday. It was a long break for us. We are resuming proper today and hope to start rigorous teaching, so as to finish the examination before the Christmas break,” a teacher in one of the private schools in the city, Anthony Ibadu, said.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
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Wednesday, October 8, 2014
The NYSC Fee Controversy By Moses Agada
The debate over the desirability or otherwise of the computerisation process of the call-up for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has again exposed a grievous shortcoming in our approach to topical issues. The debate is specifically focused on the fees of N4000 that prospective corps members who wish to print their call-up letters online are required to pay while other facts and component about the initiative are conveniently disregarded. This fixation on the cost, which has been interpreted as the NYSC asking fresh graduates to pay before they can serve the nation, is not the issue for me. The issue is the now entrenched penchant of some Nigerians to decide for others in manners that are at best the intellectual equivalent of mob action or lynching. In this case, the prospective corps members have scarcely been allowed a say in the matter. After all, they and their parents are the ones who are directly affected in this matter. Career critics, some of whom completed their youth service before the oldest person among this incoming batch of corps members was born, are insistent on the scheme sticking to the old ways of doing things even when there are proven innovations that can make things better. The NYSC has assured that it studied trends in addition to feedback from past and present corps members to arrive at the decision to computerise the callup process. It has also repeatedly stressed that payment to print the letter is optional. So why is the law of demand and supply not allowed to determine whether this exercise succeeds or fails based on its
Brig-Gen. Olawumi
adoption by those it is meant for? Certainly, there are those who live in the same city their alma mater is located in with bus fares to and from the school being below N1000 so it may not be logical to print the letter online for four times that amount especially if the person in question is a borderline indigent. Next are those who want to catch up with friends or have that last time tryst with old flames in addition to those who have to recover the soft loans extended to friends during the economic crunch that characterizes the last days on campus – call-up letters collection point is usually a nice point to apprehend elusive debtors. One can add to this growing list those who are too estranged from their parents that any opportunity to travel away from home is always welcome. Then there is the other side of the equation led by those for whom the N4000 is a fraction of the travel costs to pick up the callup letter from schools that may be the whole of 14-hour drive from the city in which they are resident. Also included on this list are those who have phobias for plying our roads for any reason, some of them dread
The NYSC has never been responsible for paying the transport fare of prospective corps members when they go to collect their call-up letters
the roads enough that they don’t travel during the breaks in between semesters and only venture back home at the end of sessions. Some will still rather quietly print their letters by themselves even if the trip to and from their schools cost less than N500 – the desire to avoid the queues and sometimes unpleasant memories and friends that trigger them is enough impetus for this type. What right do we have collectively then to dictate or impose what those who fall into either category must adopt? If the online printing of call-up letters is mandatory then those who prefer a trip to the school would have been short changed. Those who will rather print the letter on their own terms would also have their choice taken away if the system reverts to the old way. So what the NYSC did in providing options is the best. Should this debate continue, those who will be making contributions will do well not to make it look like a lynch-mob affair. This they can do by speaking against the background of facts that respect the rights of those affected by the exercise. Fortunately, these facts are available in the public space. The NYSC has never been responsible for paying the transport fare of prospective corps members when they go to collect their callup letters. They only become the organisation’s responsibility when they have been duly registered in orientation camps. It will thus be illogical to expect that the cost of getting the same letter online be borne by another entity other than the recipient who would have shouldered the cost of transportation with attendant risks to pick up same. –Agada wrote in fromLokoja, Kogi State
Dele Fatokun
Reasoning Together reasoningtogether2013@yahoo.com 08158594386 (SMS only)
Keeping Your Most Precious Gift What does purity mean to the average Christian? Today we are bombarded by the “sex sells” marketing scheme of our culture; pornography is just one click away; and one-night stands and “shacking up” are the norm. I wish I could give a pious answer and say that once you become born again, sexual temptations are no longer an issue, but then I’d be lying. The fact of the matter is, maintaining sexual purity and abstinence in today’s culture is a battle, but not a hopeless one. What is the source of this battle? Many times when I’m ministering, I like to
use an analogy about little children and freshly baked cookies. If you take a plate of freshly baked cookies and place them on a table in the center of a room with a group of five-year-olds and tell them repeatedly they are not to touch those cookies, as soon as you walk out of the room, what is the first thing the children will do? They go straight for the cookies! We, as Christians, are the same way. For many generations the church has shaken its finger and said we are not to engage in sexual sin, but without giving Biblical reasons why or instructions
on how to overcome sexual temptation. So like the small children, the first thing we do is run straight to the things we are told not to do. What are the Biblical reasons to maintain sexual purity? Number one is your faithfulness to the Lord. In my own personal walk with the Lord, it has never been the rules and regulations that has kept me on the straight and narrow in the area of sexual purity, but it has been my covenant and love relationship with Christ. Another Biblical reason to remain sexually pure is save yourself from spiritual,
emotional, and physical pain. Our culture is all about “hooking up”, and then never seeing or talking to that individual again. What people do not realize is that simple act of casual sex is creating what God put in motion and was intended for a husband and wife–oneness. That is why a “casual” act of sex is not really casual. A soul to soul bond is created which is not easily broken. I once heard it said that this bond, or soul-tie, can be compared to having a rubber band tied to your head and attached to those who you give yourself to in a sexual relationship.
Rights Watch Emmanuel Onwubiko www.huriwa.blogspot.com
The Genocide In Southern Kaduna
G
overnor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State, North West Nigeria has been tasked to implement proactive and fool proof security and communitybased measures to bring to an end to the on-going mass killings of indigenous people of Southern Kaduna State by suspected armed Fulani mercenary fighters or be prepared to be dragged to the International Criminal Court [ICC] in The Hague, Netherlands for alleged crimes against humanity and failing to stop genocide with his executive might. Making the call in a media statement signed jointly by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Affairs Director Miss. Zainab Yusuf, the prodemocracy Non-Governmental OrganizationHUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA [HURIWA] also urged the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Dr. Good luck Jonathan to compel the Comptrollers General of Immigration and Nigerian Customs Service to arrest and prosecute the alleged foreign and local collaborators who smuggle sophisticated arms, ammunition and small weapons which are deployed in the intermittent massive bloody attacks targeted against the largely Christian dominated Southern Kaduna villages and towns which in the last count have caused the untimely and gruesome murders of over 10,000 persons. HURIWA expressed shock and consternation that the various armed security services and agencies based in the Northern parts of the country and especially those manning communities neighbouring Niger, Cameroon and Chad have looked the other way while arms’ smugglers seem to be having field days going by the frequency and high casualty rates of the well choreographed genocidal attacks against the people of Southern Kaduna and the spate of organized arsons that have successfully happened without been repelled in that endangered parts of Kaduna State. ‘’The bloodbath and needless killings of hapless and innocent villagers of Southern Kaduna State must stop forthwith and all the suspected killers brought to justice.’’ In the considered thinking of HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA [HURIWA] there is more to it than meets the eyes therefore the Rights group has called on the President to compel the hierarchies of the armed security community and especially the Comptrollers General of Nigeria Customs and Immigration to immediately effect massive transfer of top management staff coordinating operations in the border communities around Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Zamfara, Borno and Kebbi States even as the hierarchies of these security agencies should devise effective and efficient measures to track down smugglers of illegal weapons who are in the tradition of financially compromising top security operatives who conspire to allow the inflow of these sophisticated arms and ammunition. The Rights Group has also expressed disappointment that even as the nation is yet to overcome constant terrorists attacks by armed Islamic insurgents and their foreign partners, the men and officers of the Nigerian Customs and Nigerian Immigration have failed spectacularly to end of the spectacles of self inflicted episodes of allowing the infiltration of undesirable elements from the neighbouring nations. The Kaduna State government is expected to immediately swing into action to stop this conflagration and threats to wipe out the entire indigenous ethnic nationalities of Southern Kaduna.
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Wednesday, October 8, 2014
FOR GOD AND COUNTRY
MISSING VEHICLE This is to notify the general public that a white-coloured Hyundai Sonata saloon car with registration number BWR 642 AH and chassis number KMHEB41BABA097759 belonging to LEADERSHIP Newspapers Group Ltd is missing. The vehicle was last seen with Hajiya Mariya Ibrahim Baba. Any person with useful information regarding the missing vehicle should please contact the nearest police station or LEADERSHIP Newspapers Group Ltd through this phone number: 07035782552 Signed: Management
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E N T E R TA I N M E N T S P O R T s
LEISURE
Job’s Unforgettable Loss In ‘Star The Winner Is’ Final
Tinsel’s Seyi Babatope Reunites With School Mates By SAMUEL ABULUDE, Lagos
Duker
Abuja Film Festival Records Massive Turnout By anthony ada abraham, abuja
The 11th Edition of the Abuja international Film festival recorded a massive turnout as industry practitioners all over the world registered their productions for different award categories. The 2014 edition, according to the organiser, Fidelis Duker, is one of the most successful since inception because it had many foreign movies in different categories from Hollywood and other recognised industries in the movie world. Emma Bricks Oko, who is one of the participants at the festival, said he has been attending the festival for the past three years because it helps him meet with people in the industry, learn from different movies premiered as well as networking with movie makers around the world. "I can't tell how many movies I have done through contacts established here over the years that I have been coming,"Oko said. The premiered movies include Invasion 1876 and The Yellow Cassava. The centenary-themed 11th edition saw the world premier and launch of 5 Nollywood movies, including Invasion 1897 at the Silverbird Cinema, Abuja. Invasion 1897, a Lancelott Oduwa Imausuen film, is a 100 minute movie shot in Nigeria, that tells the story of the British invasion of the Binin Empire in 1897. The four other movies on Vitamin A Cassava: The Yellow Cassava – a Zeb Ejiro film; Dada Oni Paki – a Fidelis Duker film; Ebiyemi – a Chico Ejiro film and Sakani – an Obi Osotule film came
in the four major languages of English, Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa. The Vitamin A Cassava movie is an advocacy film and a joint effort of Smile Africa Network limited and HarvestPlus Nigeria and produced by Zeb Ejiro, aimed at creating adequate awareness on the federal government’s new policy on cassava flour to the Nigerian populace and to fight malnutrition among children under five. The annual event, arguably the largest in AngloAfrica, drew top Nollywood stars together to network and share ideas on how to make the industry globally competitive. The founder of Abuja International Film Festival, Fidelis Duker, said the successful running of the event in an unbroken period of 11 years has made the event a pivotal moment in the history of cinema in Nigeria. He said the Abuja International Film festival is the first completely international film festival in Nigeria to have had eleven uninterrupted and successive editions in Nigeria and Anglophone West Africa. According to him, about 200 films were submitted this year for the festival, which for him is a pointer to the growth and global acceptance of the films festival. Of the 200 films submitted, he explained that 55 cutting edge films were screened and 34 were up for the awards this year, which has added, two new categories for music score and student films for aspiring filmmakers in film schools.
Celebs Storm Port Harcourt As BON AWARDS 2014 Berths
It was a great reunion for young film maker Seyi Babatope, one of the directors of the awardwinning Tinsel soap. Seyi, a movie director recently bonded with school mates of his alma mater, Nigeria Navy Secondary School, OjoLagos. The coming together of the old paddies came 20 years after Seyi and his mates graduated from the school. Interestingly, Tara FelaDurotoye, CEO of House of Tara and top professionals in various fields were part of the more than thirtyexstudents that met at the Lagoon Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos. After wining and dining, renewing friendship on the occasion tagged NNSS'94
Ladies of NNSS94 Pose For Photograph- Tara Durotoye- seen-third from right
Reunion, the group resolved to give back to the school that influenced them in their formative days. The reunion was initiated on the Facebook and suddenly took a life on its own after a member of the '94 set, Segun Thomspon rubbed minds with colleagues on the possibility of a get together. Virtually everyone contacted got interested and the the discusssion progressed, and a date was eventually decided on for the get together. It was gathered that the UK edition of NNSS 94 reunion holds soon while the US-anchor holds next weekend.
Charly Boy Communes With Late Father By SAMUEL ABULUDE, Lagos
To some folks, it looks rather weird but to iconic showbiz impresario, Charles Oputa, popularly called Charly Boy, it is nothing but a way of maintaining the connection with the dead. The pretty girls called Virgin Angels who are associated with Charly Boy, in an interview with a national newspaper, claimed to be spiritualists, otherwise called necromancers who talk to the dead. These girls who claim to be virgins, Zaza and Zizi both undergraduates, are presently assisting the weird one, Charly Boy to overcome the bereavement of his late father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa. Sound strange isn't it? The practice is not new in Africa, though condemned in Christian and Muslim religions. Zaza and Zizi help people to connect to their loved ones spiritually, emotionally and mentally and the duo have been helping Charly Boy to do just that. Whether it is right or
Charly Boy
wrong to consult the dead is for readers to determine but the duo said of the area fada, Charly Boy: "He's special. He's wonderful, He's in touch with spiritual side that we don't see often. I think that was what brought us to him. Charly Boy is the first of his kind. We have notfound another person like him. We comfort him and heal him in our own way, not physically. Our virginity is an ideology, not the physical virginity that we are talking because we are untouched physically, mentally and spiritually," said Zizi, the necromancer.
Michael Achu’s Winning Moment By Solomon Nda-Isaiah
In what could be described as a most unusual twist of all times, Star The Winner Is, Nigeria’s first music game show over the weekend presented the most epic climax to the maiden season of the show. After six semi-finalists went against one another, the battle for the lifechanging grand prize of N10 million and a brand new car intensified in the final round with two great singers, Job Idoko and Michael Achu delivering their best in a determination to wear the much desired crown. The highlight of the night was the decision time after both contestants as usual had fought the good fight by proving the superiority of their vocal power. As is the tradition on the show, both contestants were offered N2 million each to walk away or wait to see the 101-jury result which would reveal who actually won the coveted crown and would be going home with a brand new car and N10 million. Both contestants were tested with the money and Job not wanting to take any chance walked away with the money on the table, thus automatically making Michael the winner of Star The Winner Is Season 1. However, when the results were eventually announced, Job had the higher votes but had opted to walk away with N2 million. He thus forfeited the winning spot and the crown to Michael Achu. Fate and luck definitely
smiled on the eventual winner, Michael, who would have had a bitter experience of going home with nothing had Job not pressed the dreadful buzzer to walk away with N2 million Naira. Other impressive contestants on the semifinal show include Brenda, Rhema, Shimar, Daniel, and Roxy. The fans and supporters of Star The Winner Is all over the country later took to the social media to express their thoughts on the most shocking results of all time, with many seeing the hand of God in the final resolution of the contest. Star The Winner Is definitely kept the promise made from the maiden episode of the show in July to deliver nail biting and intriguing experiences to viewers nationwide who are already looking forward to the next season of the lifechanging show.
Job
36 INTERVAL
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Celebs Storm Port Harcourt As BON Awards 2014 Berths By SAMUEL ABULUDE, Lagos
For Special Recognition Awards, Nollywood veterans, Liz BensonAmeye, Nobert Young, Adebayo Salami known as Oga Bello and legendary Kannywood actor, Kasimu Yaro will be decorated at the ceremony
Come Saturday, October 11, 2014, the place to be is Port Harcourt, Rivers State as celebrities from Nollywood and Ghollywood meet to celebrate the Best of Nollywood BON Awards and its ideals. The 6th edition of the Best of Nollywood Awards promises to be a celebration of the movie industry in Nigeria and beyond as over 250 celebrities from Nigeria and Accra have signified intent to grace the event. The award will be hosted by the duo of beautiful, sexy and curvy Toolz (on-air-personality with Beat 99.9FM) and Dumas Joselyn (Ghanaian diva actress). Okey Bakassi delivers comedy performance per excellence while hip hop star, Wizkid is billed to entertain guests at the event. The awards will be broadcast live on AIT and Africa Magic. For Special Recognition Awards, Nollywood veterans, Liz BensonAmeye, Nobert Young, Adebayo Salami known as Oga Bello and legendary Kannywood actor, Kasimu Yaro will be decorated at the ceremony. The quartet would be garlanded by the chief host, Governor Rotimi Amaechi. Kasimu Yaro is a legend in the Hausa entertainment industry. He is best known for his 2007 movie, ‘Who Will Tell The President’ and the Amstel Malta Box Office-produced Cindy’s Notes. There will be a series of events like the Children’s Day winners reading with BON awards 2013 Best Actor O. C Ukeje and actress Omoni Oboli along with Mike Ezuruonye, Rita Dominic who motivated thousands of kids in Port Harcourt on children’s day, May 27, 2014. It was an unforgettable experience for the children whose role models are these thespians. Apart from the unveiling of the nominees held on August 1 and chaired by the Rivers first lady, Dame Judith Amaechi, a corporate talent event tagged ‘Talent Meets Class’ afforded movie industry stakeholders to network with captains of industries on how to move the industry forward and combat piracy. Held last month, September 12, 2014 in Apapa, Lagos, with the director-general of Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. Afam Ezekude as the guest speaker, the event dealt with how to combat piracy. Who Wins BON 2014 Award Top Prize? This year’s award is a close contest with many movies and actors trying to outdo one another. For her first directorial movie, Being Mrs Elliot, Omoni Oboli deserves the Best Actress in English category. Her movie screened at the Presidential Villa got rave reviews, but Omoni, mother of 3 boys competes fiercely with Ivie Okubaye (Black Silhouette), Mary Lazarus (Don’t Cry for Me), Clarion Chukwurah (Apaye), Fati Zanna
(Our Difference) and Ijeoma Grace Agu in Misfit. Veteran actor cum politician, Kanayo O. Kanayo in the movie Apaye competes for the Best Actor in English role award with stalwarts like Bob Manuel-Udokwu, Joseph Benjamin, Femi Jacobs and relatively new artiste Tope Tedela. An interesting category in the BON Awards is the Best Kiss Award and it is competed among Gabriel Afolayan and Jackie Idumogu in “First Cause”, Majid Michel and Beverly Naya in “Forgetting June”, Joseph Benjamin and Ini Edo in “Perfect Plan”, Monalisa Chinda and Lugo Tourton in “Lagos Cougar” and Blossom Chukwujekwu and Ini Edo in “Knocking on Heaven’s Door“ The Yoruba equivalent of Best Actor award is contested among top stars, namely Odunlade Adekola, Muyiwa Ademola, Femi Adebayo, Niti Johnson and veteran actor, Yinka Quadri. Odunlade Adekola has been the busiest of them all and with his role in the movie ‘Ina Loju Ekun’ which has been nominated, he may go home with the prize. Veteran actress, Bimbo OshinIbironke, in her Silence movie competes with other actresses like Yewande Adekoya, Bidemi Kosoko, Sheyi Ashekun and Iyabo Ojo for the Best Actress in Yoruba category. For Actress in Leading Role (Hausa), Fati Washa – Bincike, Fati Laden – Byrin Zuriya, Nafisat Abdullahi – Ruwan Jakara and Asmau Abubakar – Hadarin Gabas compete for the award. Other 23 categories have men and women, professionals who have distinguished themselves. BON 2014 Nominees List Actor In Leading Role (English) Kanayo O. Kanayo – Apaye Joseph Benjamin – Don’t Cry for Me Gbenga Akinnade – Render to Ceaser Tope Tedela – A Mile from Home Femi Jacobs – The Meeting Bob Manuel Udokwu – Dining with a Long Spoon Actor In Leading Role (Yoruba) Odunade Adekola – Ina Loju Ekun Niyi Johnson – Oritoke Yinka Quadri – Aremo Ite Muyiwa Ademola- Eja Nla Femi Adebayo- Fifehanmi Actor In Leading Role (Hausa) Yakubu Mohammed – Duniya Han Sani Danja – Byrin Zuciya Ibrahim Maishunk – Aduniya Adam A Zango – Ruwan Jakara Sadik Sani- Hadarin Gabas Actor In Leading Role (Igbo) Okey Bakasi – Onye Ozi Actress In Leading Role (English) Omoni Oboli – Being Mrs Elliot Ivie Okubaye – Black Silhouette Mary Lazarus – Don’t Cry for Me Clarion Chukwurah – Apaye Fati Zanna – Our Difference Ijeoma Grace Agu – Misfit Actress In Leading Role (Yoruba) Bimbo Oshin-Ibironke – Feresisemi Yewande Adekoya – Kudi Klepto
Sani Danja
Bidemi Kosoko – Kori Koto Sheyi Ashekun – Fifehanmi Iyabo Ojo – Silence Actress In Leading Role (Igbo) Ngozi Igwebike – Onye Ozi Best Supporting Actor (English) Sidney Esiri – Last 3 Digits Chidozie Nzeribe – A Mile From Home Ayo Maku – Being Mrs Elliot Kalu Ikeagwu – Blue Flames Femi Jacobs – Dream Walker Best Supporting Actress (English) Mercy Johnson – Hustlers Uru Eke – Dining with a Long Spoon Evelyn Sin – Seven Rivers Rita Dominic – The Meeting Nse Ikpe-Etim – Dream Walker Best Supporting Actor (Yoruba) Razak Olayiwola – Sanbe Dele Odule – Kori-koto Muyiwa Ademola – Oritoke Tamilore Martins – Kudi Klepto Jamiu Azeez – Orofo Best Supporting Actress (Yoruba) Biola Segun-Willams – Silence Fathia Balogun – Ina Loju Ekun Biodun Okeowo – Orofo Ayo Adesanya – Sanbe Odunayo Agoro – Osunfunke Most Promising Actor Jamiu Azeez – Orofo Tamilore Martins – Kudi Klepto Temisan Etsede Sidney Esiri – 3 Digits Most Promising Actress Ivie Okujaye – Black Silo Ijeoma Agumis – Fit Jackie Idumogu -Fit Oyinka Elebuibon – Sanbe Child Actor In Movie Olamide Davids – Black Silhouette Chisom Okusua – Mama Africa Elitim Wari – Apaye D’Kachy Emelonye – Onye Ozi Child Actress in Movie Carol Micheal – Apaye Toyin Eniola – Oritoke Chinny Okemuo – Onye Ozi Priscilla Ojo – Silence Movie Of The Year Apaye A Mile from Home
The Meeting First Cause Silence Comedy Of The Year I Come Lagos Onye Ozi 30 Days in Atlanta Our lucky Day Mimiado Director Of The Year Eric Aghimien – A Mile for Home Desmond Eliiot – Apaye Mildred Okwo – The Meeting Dj Tee – Osunfunke Alex Mouth – Silence Revelation Of The Year (Male) Tope Tedela Adams Kehinde Blossom Chukwujekwu Daniel Ugorije Daniel K Daniel Revelation Of The Year (Female) Seyi Edun Biola Olasheni Uche nwayanwu Linda Ejiofor Movie With Best Social Message Oritoke Knocking on Heaven’s Door Black Silhouette Our Difference Dream Walker First Cause Movie With Best Special Effect A Mile from Home Aduniya Seven Rivers The Origin Ina loju Ekun Best Use Of Make-up In A Movie Seven Rivers Kudi Klepto Cobra Mama Africa Aremo Ife Best Kiss In A Movie Gabriel Afolayan and Jackie Idumogu in “First Cause“ Majid Michel and Beverly Naya in “Forgetting June“ Joseph Benjamin and Ini Edo in “Perfect Plan” Monalisa Chinda and Lugo Tourton in “Lagos Cougar” Blossom Chukwujekwu and Ini Edo in “Knocking on Heaven’s Door“
politics today Wednesday, October 8, 2014
REPORTS ANALYSES REVIEWS INTERVIEWS
Ekiti: Another Crisis Era In The Making? In a few days, precisely on the 16th of October, Ekiti State is expected to transit from one government to another. OLAOLU OLADIPO in this piece looks at the tension generated as the government of Dr Kayode Fayemi winds down. He also looks at the controversies generated by the desperate attempts by the governor–elect, Peter Ayodele Fayose to prevent what he terms moves to stall his swearing-in.
Known as a man who abhors opposition, especially from quarters he considers hostile to his desires, the governor elect was in the news again in a controversial episode that will put him in the spot for sometime
The venue was the hallowed chambers of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and the date was October was Monday October 16 2006. The atmosphere was very perfect for the usual ritual of proceedings of the House was nothing suggested that an event of epochal significance was in the offing. On that day, 24 of 26 lawmakers impeached the then governor Peter Ayodele Fayose and his deputy, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi, a former member of the Federal House of Representatives. Prior to their removal, the two had been served impeachment notices detailing allegations of corruption practice but amidst palpable tension and tight security, the House led by the then Speaker, Mr. Friday Aderemi convened an emergency session approving the removal of Fayose and Olujimi. Members passed a guilty judgment on the governor who they earlier accused of embezzling state funds, particularly the Ekiti State Poultry Project handled by his childhood friend and contractor, Gbenga James. The desire of Aderemi (now late) to act in Fayose’s stead was to set up a constitutional crisis that brought with it emergency rule that propped up a retired army general, Adetunji Olurin who managed the affairs of the state for some time before normalcy was restored. Prior to the emergence of Olurin, Olujimi had claimed to be in charge of affairs of the state citing some extant provisions of the 1999 Constitution. Observers of the politics
of the state that prides itself as the FOUNTAIN OF KNOWLEDGE had argued that the undisclosed reason for the sack of the duo might not be unconnected to the leadership style of Fayose, which many consider as unorthodox at best with others describing it as sheer brute force. With the state doing away with him (Fayose) at the helms, it was believed that the state had broken away from his stranglehold thus bringing with it a clear slate and a fresh breath. Since then, the Afao-Ekiti born politician had hibernated until he made an abortive or futile bid to contest the central senatorial district on the platform of the Labour Party but he lost to the incumbent, Babafemi Ojudu. He soon found his back to the PDP, a platform that provided an opportunity for him to become the governor of the state. After settling down for some time, he soon became the candidate of the party for the June 21, 2014 governorship polls using a combination of sleuth and brute tactics to outwit his opponents. Knowing the political terrain of the state perfectly, he soon defeated the incumbent Kayode Fayemi, the same way his defeated Fayemi’s leader, Niyi Adebayo in 2003. No sooner had the victory dance begun that his past started to hunt him. Shortly before the polls, a group, Ekiti-11 took the now governor-elect to court to contest his eligibility for the poll, arguing that extant laws relating to eligibility for public office preclude persons found liable for impeachment by the
Fayemi
state House of Assembly not to seek or be appointed into government positions until after 10 years. By October 16 when Fayose is expected to mount the saddle as the state’s chief executive, it would be eight years since his sudden removal from office, a clear departure to the laws stipulating 10 years ‘ban’. Owing to the nature of the process of justice administration in the country, the suit could not be dispensed with before the conduct of the polls hence after the election, the plaintiffs continued in their bid to secure judicial pronouncement on his eligibility. Known as a man who abhors opposition, especially from quarters he considers hostile to his desires, the governor elect was in the news again in a controversial episode that will put him in the spot for sometime. He presence prompted the
atmosphere to become charged when he confronted Justice John Adeyeye at the premises of the Ekiti State High Court last Thursday. Reports stated that Fayose was on his way to the venue of the Ekiti State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal when he collided with Adeyeye who had the ‘effrontery’ to ask the governor-elect to call his supporters to order when they (Fayose’s supporters) became unruly. Sensing perceived efforts to puncture his ego, an altercation soon ensued between Fayose and the ‘rude’ judge he soon launched into physical assault on the judge, Justice Adeyeye, thus causing pandemonium that later scuttled proceedings at the election petition tribunal sitting billed to hold that day. Judicial workers abandoned ➔ CONTINUES ON PAGE 38 Donald Ojogo, Group Politics Editor
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Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Ekiti: Another Crisis Era In The Making? ➔ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37
On his part, Fayose had blamed Fayemi and the APC for trying to abort his swearing in, saying they intend to make the speaker of the state House of Assembly take over the affairs of the state after October 16, the 8th anniversary of his ouster from power
their duty post and ran for safety when thugs believed to be loyal to Fayose went on rampage by not only allegedly beating up Adeyeye but destroying property within the sprawling High Court Complex. Witnesses said the proFayose thugs had besieged the court premises as early as 6a.m., while a detachment of policemen from the police headquarters were also seen on major streets and around the court. A similar scenario had played out few days earlier when suspected PDP thugs stormed the high court premises, attacked the trial judge, some litigants and judicial workers in the bid to prevent hearing in a case to determine Mr. Fayose’s eligibility for the June 21 governorship election. Not done yet, the thugs went on rampage by invading the campaign secretariat of the governor in the last polls and partially burning it down as a section was badly damaged. Some vehicles parked within the premises were not spared as they were razed by the irate thugs. The seeming descent to anarchy prompted the outgoing governor declared dusk till dawn curfew in the state in a live broadcast in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, Fayemi. Fayemi said, “There would be no movement between the hours of 7.00 p.m and 7.00 am everyday till further notice. We urge the citizenry to be vigilant and provide the security agencies with details of suspicious activities that can undermine the peace in our state.” Another victim of the crisis was a former Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Omolafe Aderiye who was shot dead by yet-to-be identified gunmen. The PDP and Fayose have been on the defensive since the crisis began blaming it on Fayemi and his party. Reacting to Fayemi’s comment in which he tactically blamed Fayose for inciting the mob action against the court officials, the governor-elect said, “Fayemi is a defeated man, so I don’t expect anything better from him. I see him as governor until his time is over. So, I would rather not join issues with him. It is reckless for anybody to be making assertions on an incident he didn’t witness.” A statement issued in AdoEkiti by the state PDP Publicity Secretary, Kola Oluwawole, described the killing as an act
Fayose
of wickedness, barbaric and satanic just as he absolved Fayose of any wrongdoing in the court fracas. The statement read, “We have raised the alarm on the clandestine move by Fayemi and his men to attack Fayose and some notable leaders in all the 16 local government areas as from September 22, 2014 while the killing of Aderiye, who is one of the notable leaders of the PDP in Ado Ekiti occurred on the 25th of the same month, this has vindicated our earlier claims. “We don’t have any doubt in our mind if the information at our disposal is anything to go by and the murder incident that has been linked directly with the All Progressives Congress members across the state in the past.” On his part, Fayose had blamed Fayemi and the APC for trying to abort his swearing in, saying they intend to make the speaker of the state House of Assembly take over the affairs of the state after October 16, the 8th anniversary of his ouster from power. According to Fayose, the
governor alongside a pressure group, E-11 group are scheming to stop his October 16 inauguration through a backdoor court injunction. “The whole scheming in Ekiti State is just about the APC obtaining judgement through the back door after losing elections on June 20, 2014. You will recall that Segun Oni’s tenure was truncated through this back door judgement by some judicial officers who have compromised. He even accused the outgoing governor of complicity in the death of Aderiye, whom he described as his staunch supporter while alive, saying the governor was doing everything possible to scuttle his take over, an accusation that was to be debunked by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Yinka Oyebode. According to Oyebode, Fayose was being economical with the truth, saying the state government has nothing to do with the members of the Ekiti-11 whom he described as prominent citizens of the state who are merely interested in the affairs of the state.
Oyebode added that the case is a civil one which the government has no hand in it and that it was instituted by E-11 prior to the June 20 governorship polls. While debunking the allegations as ‘lies’ he said the case though a civil one was instituted by some professionals in the state, who are looking for judicial pronouncement regarding the eligibility or otherwise of Fayose to contest the polls. “What I can tell you is that the whole allegations coming from Fayose are lies. The government has no hands in the litigation. The case was taken to court by some Ekiti State born professionals. It will interest you to note that the case was instituted before the election but that it was not decided before the election. “Don’t forget that the EFCC has stated shortly before the election that it has not cleared Fayose to contest the election. What if the EFCC say that they want to go ahead with the case, will he now blame the state government for this?” Oyebode said.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
zonal watch
OYO STATE OGUN STATE LAGOS STATE ONDO STATE EKITI STATE OSUN STATE
We’ve Completed 60 Rural Projects-Aregbesola by Joshua dada, Osogbo
No fewer than 60 rural projects have been completed by the Osun State government and are awaiting commissioning. 25 of them have been commissioned while the remaining ones would soon be commissioned by the state government very soon. While performing the
commissioning of the projects, Governor Rauf Aregbesola said that rural transformation is the only key to overall development of the state and stride towards attainment of a six-point integral action plan of the present administration in the state. The projects, which were executed under the Second Phase of Replication of UNICEF Community Development Initiative Programme
and Osun State government in conjunction with local governments across the state was aimed at enhancing standard of living of rural dwellers. Inaugurating electrification project in Anarun and a modern palace in Agberire communities in Iwo local government area of the state, Aregbesola who was represented by his special
adviser on Water Resources, Rural Development and Community Affairs, Mr. Kunle Ige, noted that government was key to rural development for overall transformation of the state. Governor Aregbesola who noted that the facilities had the potential of improving standard of living of rural dwellers, urged people of the area to guide the project jealously.
We’re Formidable Force In Education, Says Fayemi by aLo abioLa, Ado-Ekiti
L-R: Prof Kolawole Raheem of university of education Ghana, chief promoter, olokun Festival Foundation Chief Gani adams and committee member, Prince Lambert dike, during a press briefing on 2014 edition of olokun Festival organised by olokun Festival Foundation in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO BY GBENGA OLAJOBI
Monarchs Warn Against Use Of Beaded Crowns, Walking Sticks By Joshua DaDa, Osogbo
Traditional rulers in osun state have warned unauthorised persons to desist from wearing beaded crown, walking stick and other insignia of traditional institution. In a communiqué signed by its chairman and the orangun of Ila, oba Wahab Kayode oyedotun and secretary, the aragbiji of Iragbiji, oba abdulrasheed olabomi, the monarchs under the aegis of the osun Divisional
Conference of obas, called on relevant agencies of government to sanction violators of the directive. The traditional rulers further called on the state government, the house of assembly, Commissioner of Police, Department of state security service (Dss), and the Ministry of Justice to implement relevant portion of Cap 25 Laws of osun state Nigeria and prosecute all the violators of the law. The traditional rulers argued, “In as much as
nobody is above the law, we desire that nobody should be treated as a sacred cow. Whoever that is not authorised by extant law to adorn himself with the paraphernalia of an oba should be arrested and prosecuted.” They also congratulated the state governor, Rauf aregbesola, on his “landslide victory” at the august 9, state governorship election in spite of all the challenges before, during and after the poll.
Police Ready To Tackle Cultists – Commissioner GbenGa adeboye, Abeokuta
The commissioner of police, Ogun State command, Ikemefuna Okoye, has assured the people of the state of the resolve of his men to continue to tackle cultists and their illegal activities.
Okoye made this known while addressing senior officers of the command in Abeokuta on general security of the state with specific focus on Ijebu Ode axis where the command has recorded some killings amongst cult members in recent times. While addressing the officers,
the commissioner of police confirmed the arrest of some cult members belonging to Eye(Air lords) and Aiye (Black Axe) confraternities who have been attacking one another in Ijebu Ode axis where two of the cult groups have been confirmed dead.
The Ekiti State government has said that the feat attained by 24-year old Oluwadara Olaoluwa as the youngest doctorate degree holder in Physics in Africa and in Mathematics in Nigeria has justified its investment in education. It described the feat as a reflection of the quality of education in the state and an attestation that Ekiti remained in the forefront in education, not only in Nigeria but also in Africa. The government vowed to provide all necessary infrastructural facilities, educational materials and conducive learning environment in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the state to enable the state keep its pride of place in the education sector. Governor Kayode Fayemi renews the commitment at inauguration of the Main Gate to the College of Education (COED), Ikere-Ekiti as part of the projects to mark the 4th anniversary of his administration in office. Represented by his deputy, Prof Modupe Adelabu, the governor pointed out that education, which remained the main industry of the state, has earned Ekiti the Fountain of Knowledge sobriquet. He said the government was proud of the COED as one of the best in the country and with the highest enrollment of students among such institutions in Nigeria. He said, “This institution is one of the best you can find anywhere in Nigeria with the kind of educational facilities such as lecture theatres, technical workshops, laboratories that are in place, as well as academic and non-academic members of staff whose capacities have been adequately developed with local, national and international training and workshops to enable them compete favourably with their colleagues anywhere in the country and even lecturers in universities.” The governor said the gate, which will create the first impression on passers-by and visitors to the institution will add to the good image it has earned through academic performance.
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Wednesday, October 8, 2014
news behind the news
Building Collapse: TB Joshua In The Eye Of The Storm GEORGE OKOJIE
The man famed to be the greatest faith healer of this era regularly hosts tens of thousands of people from around the world that flocked to the Lagos church headquarters to receive blessings and seek healing
Whenever the name Temitope Joshua is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is controversy, spiritual healings and powers. The globally connected clergyman shot into limelight with his healing ministry usually beamed in his own TV network known as Emmanuel TV, where his Sunday sermons are broadcast live to millions of viewers around the world. His church is one of the biggest churches in Africa, accommodating over 15,000 worshipers on Sundays, and he is also rated by many portals to be one of the 10th richest pastors in the world. The Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) which he heads has branches in South Africa, Greece, Ghana, and the United Kingdom. The man famed to be the greatest faith healer of this era regularly hosts tens of thousands of people from around the world that flocked to the Lagos church headquarters to receive blessings and seek healing. Pastor T. B. Joshua famously claims to have the ability to heal the terminally ill and perform miracles. At one time or the other international figures like late Ghanaian president, Professor Atta Mills, former Malawi president, Joyce Banda, King Goodwill Zwelethini, Frederick Chiluba, Julius Malema, and Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai came to his church in Nigeria testifying to his ability to thread terrains ordinary men detest. Ironically, that entire spiritual feat seems to be history now in the face of the unfortunate collapse of the Synagogue Guest House on September 12, 2014 incident in which 115 people mainly spiritual tourists from across continents were killed. While both Joshua and his congregation see the collapse as an attack on the church fingering a low-flying aeroplane which he alleged had hovered severally around the building before its collapse, responders say it is more of criminal negligence because a foundation for a building that is supposed to sustain a two-storey building was burdened to take six-storey. But members of the public seems not happy with the kid glove manner the state government is treating the issue. This is because “Section 74(1)
of the Physical Planning and Development Law of Lagos State states inter alia that at any time there is a collapsed building within the state, wherever it is discovered that there is negligence on the part of the owner or the developer, that land will be confiscated and whoever is at the other side of the law will be prosecuted. Because it is the Lagos State government that signed it into law, tongues have been wagging on why the state government has refused to implement its owns law that has been applied in the past on owners of property that collapsed in the state. Observers are even more piqued because the commissioner for Physical Planning and Development, Mr. Toyin Ayinde, town planner, from the outset said the state government is unaware that such heavy construction was going on in the vicinity. As far as he is concerned he could not remember the state government giving approval for the construction of the collapsed building. Ayinde explained that it is statutory obligation of any individual or group who wants to embark on construction of high rise building to seek approval from the state government. Again, the Lagos State Building and Control Agency, (LASBCA) who should know better on whether the buildings have approvals in the state has denied any knowledge of building approval on the structure. The general manager, Mrs. Abimbola Animashaun has told whoever cared to listen that the government could not confirm trace of any document, stating approval for the building construction before it came down. Animashaun said, “We have been here challenging them on the building approval but they haven’t said anything convincing. They claimed to have approval but we could not confirm it. They were told to bring the building approval authorised by the government none of them could that.” This probably informed why police team had already swung into action to verify extensively the issue of a low-flying aeroplane which he alleged, had hovered severally around the building before its collapse. Due to the discrepancy in figure of casualty recorded in
Joshua
the collapse, the police team LEADERSHIP learnt will probe the status of foreigners that throng the church in their large numbers to find out whether they were officially cleared by the relevant departments before entering the country or not, their official status and duration of stay in the church and actions taken by the church to keep accurate record of events in the church. Lots of Nigerians had given President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State knocks for the manner of visit they paid to the troubled preacher to commiserate with him on the disaster that befell his church. While lots of people took Jonathan up for not making any meaningful pronouncement about the tragedy Fashola was lambasted for visiting Pastor Joshua and keeping their conversation private. According to a Lagos-based lawyer, Samuel Ilori, of Vote for Service Initiative, which advocates for good governance and human rights the Lagos State government is footdragging on the issue by not implementing its law on building collapse. The corporate property consultant said he has started the campaign of bringing Pastor T.B. Joshua to book over the
collapse, saying justice must be done. His reason for this is that, “This is not the first time we will have a collapsed building, and this is not the first time that the Lagos State government has confiscated such land and made sure that the developer or the owner of the land face the law. “What we are asking for is that government should do the needful. I believe they have concluded their investigation, as far as evacuation is concerned evacuation has been done. Everything that needed to be done, I believe has been done. “A five-storey building inside the church’s premises in Ikotun, Lagos, collapsed on September 12 as three additional floors were being added to the original two-storey structure. “Till now they are still dilly dallying, up till now they are still trying to do it in a palliative way to see that they give the man a soft landing. All those shenanigan visits, I am not interested.” Amid the controversy trailing government’s handling of the collapse of Synagogue Guest House that killed over 100 people, Lagos State government has said it would wait for a comprehensive report on the ongoing investigation into the cause of the collapse before taking necessary actions.
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Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Resumption: Ekiti Nut Directs Teachers To Shun Classes The Ekiti State chapter of the Nigeria Union Teachers (NUT) has directed its members to stay off the classrooms until their August and September salaries, as well as the July deductions are paid. This was coming just a day before the October 8 resumption date for the 2014/2015 session of public and private schools in the state. The state NUT chairman, Comrade Samuel Akosile, lamented that Governor Kayode Fayemi had allegedly sidelined the public teachers in Ekiti in the payment of two months salaries. He said members of the union would not be coerced to resume duties when they are being owed two months salaries and other allowances, while other government employees particularly the local government staff have been paid up to September. Teachers in the state were supposed to resume for the 2014/2015 session on September 17, but it was postponed due to the threat of the spread of the dreaded Ebola disease. Akosile said the body has no option than to continue with the strike embarked upon by other civil servants in the state last Thursday over similar agitations. By Alo Abiola, Ado-Ekiti
Only Troublemakers Are Leaving Ekiti, Fayose Replies Falana Ekiti State governor-elect, Mr Ayodele Fayose, yesterday said that there is no truth in the claim by the Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) that people are set to move out of the state in large numbers ahead of his October 16 inauguration. Fayose who spoke through his chief press secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi in Ado-Ekiti yesterday was reacting to a national newspaper publication in which Falana was quoted as claiming that residents are set to leave Ekiti State because they are afraid of what would happen to them after Fayose’s inauguration as governor. Describing the claim by the human rights lawyer as irrational and baseless, Adelusi, who wondered how Falana came about such claims, noted that the overwhelming people of Ekiti State that voted for Fayose in the June 21 poll, are eagerly awaiting his inauguration as governor. “If troublemakers and people that the Bible calls ‘the troublers of Israel’ are relocating, then, it is good riddance to bad rubbish. If those who have looted the state’s treasury and are afraid of probe are relocating, they should know that the long arm of the law will catch up with them”, he said. By Alo Abiola, Ado-Ekiti
Sallah Celebration: Aregbesola Distributes Relief Materials To Less-privileged In Osun By Joshua Dada, Ado-Osogbo
As part of his efforts to assist the lessprivileged, Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has distributed relief materials to no fewer than 305 Muslim widows and orphans in Iwo to give them succour during the celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir. Distributing the items at Tahawun Mosque in Iwo, the leader of Tahawun Muslim Organisation, Sheikh Daud Imran Molaasan described Aregbesola as a kind person who has excelled in his ser-
vice to humanity. The Islamic scholar said: “The governor in his wisdom took the step to alleviate the suffering of the needy in the society because he is a concerned leader.” He advised those at the helm of affairs to emulate the good governance of Aregbesola and embrace his selfless service to humanity. Molaasan charged the Muslim community to be tolerant of other religions and embrace peace at all times, saying: “It is only when there is tolerance and peace among the people liv-
ing in our community irrespective of their religious differences that remarkable achievements and harmony could be achieved”. The director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the office of the Governor who represented his boss at the event, Mr Semiu Okanlawon linked Aregbesola’s kind gesture to Prophet Ibrahim who did not find it difficult to sacrifice his son. According to him, there was nothing too much or too dear to Ibrahim for him to lose in order to fulfill a pledge to Allah.
Omoluabi Free Train Ride offered by Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola for this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration at Osogbo Terminus, in Osun State. Inset: Passengers boarding the free train ride for a return journey to Lagos in Osogbo.
401 Kara Fire Victims Get Relief Materials From Ogun Govt By Gbenga Adeboye, Abeokuta
Ogun State government has donated relief materials to over 400 victims of the recent Oluwanisola Kara cattle market in Ifo local government area of the state as part of its efforts to give succour to the affected traders. The fire incident which ravaged a section of the market, according to a statement by the press officer, Ministry of Environment, Miss Olawunmi Fadairo, affected 401 victims and 256 shanties. It was the second fire incident within
one year. Speaking during the distribution of the relief materials held at Kara market, the state commissioner for environment, Engr. Ayo Olubori expressed government’s concern over the incident, calling on traders in the market to ensure that all hands are on deck to prevent future occurrence of the incident. “Remember last year, we had a similar experience and investigation revealed it was actually caused by the storage of petroleum product within
the shanties. That is not acceptable; government alone cannot monitor the shanties on daily basis, so the people need to do a lot on their own concerning their health and safety issues; they have to be cautious,” he said. Olubori assured that government would continue to provide succour to disaster victims across the state irrespective of their tribe, culture and religion, adding that government has concluded plans to relocate the Kara market.
short news Abdulsalami To Inaugurate 5 Projects In Ekiti A former head of state and commander-inchief of the armed forces, General Abdusalami Abubakar is to commission five major projects in Ado-Ekiti today, as part of activities marking the fourth anniversary of Dr Kayode Fayemi’s administration. General Abubakar is well respected for his successful transition to civil rule programme that culminated in the current democratic dispensation in 1999. According to a statement by Governor Fayemi’s chief press secretary, Mr Yinka Oyebode, the former head of state will be commissioning the Erinjiyan Water Treatment Plant at Erinjiyan-Ekiti, accompanied by the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi and other prominent citizens. He will also commission the Ekiti State Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) Library; the Works Department and General Out-Patient Department of the Teaching Hospital, and the Administrative Building of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ado-Ekiti. By Alo Abiola, Ado-Ekiti
2015: Oyomesi Declares Support For Ajimobi’s Second Term By Adebayo Waheed, Ibadan
One of the Oyo kingmakers, otherwise called the “Oyomesi”, the Samu of Oyo, High Chief Lamidi Oyewole, yesterday said that there is no quarrel between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III and the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. Giving the clarification in Oyo
town where traditional chiefs numbering about 75 gathered to declare their support for the second term ambition of Governor Ajimobi, he used the occasion to declare the son of the Alaafin and incumbent chairman of Atiba local government, Prince Akeem Adeyemi, as the sole candidate for the February 15, 2015 House of Representatives election on the
platform of All Progressives Congress (APC). The traditional chiefs and baales were from the Oyo East, Oyo West and Atiba local government areas of the state. Chief Oyewole, while speaking on behalf of the others, said “Our support for Governor Ajimobi is total and we stand like the Rock of Gibraltar. Alaafin is everything
in Oyo politics and losing his support is like losing the entire Oyo votes”. Speaking also, the Baariyun of Oyo, Chief John Adeleke, said “Prince Adeyemi as council chairman is not only exceptional but also distinct”. He called on all to support the prince, describing him as “caring, articulate, compassionate and adorable.”
42 news Lagos Commuters Groan As Military Raids Ikorodu Community For Oil Thieves Commuters plying the Ikorodu-Mile 12 Road have been groaning from traffic jam caused by the decision of military personnel to raid Majidun, a Lagos riverine community close to Ikorodu township for oil thieves. Overtime, the community has been famous for hosting oil thieves who usually break into oil pipeline installation to steal fuel from the pipelines while the soldiers were acting on a tip off to seal off the place and arrest the vandals. However, motorists have been having difficulty plying the road being the only one that leads in and out of the ancient Ikorodu community due to the continuous raids being carried out to fish out suspected pipeline vandals. When LEADERSHIP got to the area a large contingent of military personnel composed majorly of men of the Nigeria Army, their counterparts in the Navy as well as a small band of police officers were seen moving from house to house trying to apprehend oil thieves.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Ebola: Lagos Distributes Sanitary Wares, Infection Control Materials By George Okojie, Lagos
As schools resume for full academic activities today, Lagos State government has commenced the distribution of sanitary wares and Ebola Virus Disease infection control materials to schools. The special adviser to the Lagos State governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina disclosed this yesterday while addressing teachers and heads of
schools on schools’ resumption at the Eko FM ground, Agidingbi, Ikeja area of the state. She noted that the state government postponed the resumption of schools earlier slated for September 22 to October 8 in order to put some preventive mechanism in place prior to resumption of schools. Adeshina explained that part of the preventive and infection control mechanism being put in place include the
training of teachers and focal persons for each schools on Ebola Virus Disease prevention, procurement and distribution of thermoscans, a device for checking temperature, production and distribution of information, education and enlightenment materials. The materials include posters and handbills on Ebola Virus Disease. She expressed the need to mobilise heads of schools on how to source and make water
available in their respective schools. Adeshina added that the state government has data on the availability of water in public schools across the state stressing that temporary measures are being put in place by the state government on the provision of water in schools with no water. According to the special adviser the measures include the provision of water tanks and water tanks’ stands.
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Doctor Urges Parents To Deworm Children Every 3 Months
By Olaolu Oladipo, Lagos
‘Lagos Governor Must Come From Ikorodu’ A former secretary to the Lagos State government, Princess Adenrele Adeniran-Ogunsanya, has disclosed that the next governor of the state must come from the Ikorodu division, stressing that the division has never produced a governor. She disclosed this when 40 leaders in the state signed an agreement to support the call for an Ikorodu governor. According to her, it would be unfair not to allow the people of Ikorodu to produce the next governor because the area has never produced a governor before. “Ikorodu people are hardworking and we have many sons and daughters that can run Lagos State. By George Okojie, Lagos
Physician Tasks Nigerians On Healthy Lifestyle A general physician, Dr Abiola Ajala, yesterday in Lagos appealed to Nigerians to make healthy lifestyle choices and go for regular medical checks to reduce risk of chronic diseases. Ajala, of Optimal Children Clinic, Surulere, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that healthy living could prevent diseases identified as lifestyle diseases. ``Nigerians should take their health more seriously through healthy lifestyle choices to prevent lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, obesity, hypertension, liver disease, stroke and osteoporosis. By NAN
Some travellers arriving in Lagos at the Berger Bus Stop after the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, yesterday. PHOTO BY GBENGA OLAJOBI.
ASUSS Rewards Retirees With N110,000, Other Items By Taiwo Ogunmola-Omilani, Lagos
The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools of Nigeria (ASUSS) has compensated 22 teachers who retired from teaching profession with the sum of N110,000 each and some other valuable items. ASUSS gave out the gifts to the retirees at the World Teachers Day celebration held at Nigeria Army Officers’ Mess, Yaba yesterday. It would be recalled that large
number of teachers from both secondary and primary schools in Lagos State left NUT to form ASUSS in 2009 as a result of a rift between the teachers. In his speech, president of ASUSS, Comrade Kazeem Labaika called on stakeholders to acknowledge teachers’ crucial roles in the transformation processes of the nation. Speaking on the theme “Teaching Today: An International Overview of Professional Development and Con-
ditions of Work” he said if the nation plans for its future development, it must invest in the teachers. Labaika therefore appealed to both federal and state governments to develop teaching standard and improve teachers’ working conditions. The chairman of the occasion, Dr. Ayodele Ogunleye, who is an associate professor of Science Education called for urgent training opportunities for millions of teachers who received half baked training.
UNFPA Donates IEC Materials For Ebola Emergency Operations By Ruth Tene Natsa, Abuja
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has revealed that it has donated thousands of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials to the Lagos Ebola Emergency Operation Committee to enhance prevention, preparedness and response efforts. Making the public presentation of the materials in Lagos over the weekend, UN-
FPA Country Representative, Ms Rati Ndhlovu said, “The IEC materials would strengthen public sensitisation about the disease as part of the intervention to prevent a relapse”. Amongst items presented to the Lagos Ebola Emergency Operation Committee were 10,000 copies of standard information for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) contact self-care; 500 copies of Filovirus hemorrhagic fever guidelines; 500 copies of stan-
dard operating procedures for controlling Ebola and Marburg virus epidemics; and 500 copies of interim infection control recommendations for care of patients with suspected or confirmed filovirus (Ebola, Marburg) Hemorrhagic fever. The effort according to the country representative is in continuation of its commitments to the government and to the United Nations Country Team on a number of preparedness and response areas.
A General Physician, Dr Abiola Ajala, yesterday advised parents to deworm their children periodically, at least every three months to prevent intestinal worms infestation. Ajala, a paediatrician with Optimal Children Clinic Surulere, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that children had a higher risk of worm infestations. She said regular deworming improves a child’s nutritional status and growth which could otherwise be hindered by worm infestation. ``Parents are advised to deworm their children at least every three months with effective worm expellers. ``Regular deworming is in line with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommendation and it ensures a child remains healthy and develops properly,’’ she said. She said that worm infestation in children could cause severe malnutrition, poor learning abilities.
By NAN
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Students’ Riot: Dep Speaker Wants Perpetrators Punished Deputy speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Leyii Kwanee has called on the rector of the Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori, Sir Obianko Worlu Elechi to work with the police to ensure that those behind the recent riot that damaged parts of the institution are brought to book. Scores of people especially students were injured while business and commercial activities were brought to a standstill on October 1, 2014 in Bori, headquarters of Khana local government area of the state, when students of the polytechnic took to the streets to protest the rumoured death of one of them, a final year Electrical/ Electronic Engineering student, Nsikak Effiong, in police custody. By Anayo Onukwugha, Port Harcourt
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I’ll Remain In Office Till May 29 – Amaechi By Anayo Onukwugha, Port Harcourt
Rivers State governor, Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has declared that he will remain in office till May 29, 2015, when his tenure will expire, despite attempts to remove him from office. Amaechi made the declaration while speaking at a special thanksgiving service held in hon-
our of the retired permanent secretary of the state Ministry of Lands and Survey, Pastor Christopher Briggs, at Redemption Ministries, Port Harcourt. The governor, who was represented by the commissioner for lands and survey, Mr Ezemonye Ezekiel-Amadi, urged the people of the state to continue to pray for his administration. He said, “To Rivers people, I stand on the altar of God to assure
you, particularly those who have in one way or the other supported this administration, that no matter the storm, this administration will serve out its tenure. “When you pray for us, pray with confidence; until May 29, 2015, this government will not hand over. Let me on behalf of the government and people of Rivers State thank you for your support and your prayers and hope that you will continue to support us until
May 2015.” The governor lauded the retiring permanent secretary for his meritorious service to the state, describing him as a fulfilled man. He said, “It is a wonderful thing at the end of your service to gather your friends to thank God, especially when you don’t have any skeleton in your cupboard, to be found with $9.3 million. I am sure if I say you are feeling fulfilled, it is an understatement.”
short news Itsekiri Youths Urge Jonathan To Inaugurate Ogidigben EPZ Project
2015 Guber: A/Ibom PDP Assures Of Level Playing Ground Akwa Ibom State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Obong Paul Ekpo has assured that the party will give equal opportunities to all eligible party members seeking elective positions ahead of the 2015 general elections in the state. Mr Ekpo spoke when he received the secretary to the state government, Mr Udom Emmanuel, in company of party elders, senior citizens, captains of industries, political chieftains, women and youth supporters who went on a consultative visit to the party secretariat in Uyo. The party chairman emphasised that the doors of the party are perpetually open to all aspirants. By Bernard Tolani Dada, Uyo
Enugu Guber: Group Commends Ugwuanyi’s Endorsement
A group, Nsukka Zonal Citizens, Abuja, has commended the emergence of Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the consensus candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State ahead of the 2015 governorship election. The president of the group, Barr Paul C. Eze, gave the commendation over the weekend in Abuja while addressing newsmen. He said the choice of Hon Ugwuanyi by consensus is an indication that he is generally accepted, and commended Enugu State governor, Sullivan Chime for endorsing him. “Governor Chime has always been a candid leader and his contributions to the development of the state speak volumes,” he said. By Millie Ibe, Abuja
Imo women at the 2014 Imo Carnival in Owerri on Monday.
PHOTO BY NAN.
Akpabio Is Best Governor In Infrastructure – Assam By Bernard Tolani Dada, Uyo
Former Nigerian ambassador to Russia and the Belarus, Chief Assam E. Assam (SAN) has rated Akwa Ibom State governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio as the best governor in Nigeria in terms of infrastructural development. Speaking with some newsmen in Eket yesterday, Assam said Akpabio’s landmark infrastructural facilities in every nook and cranny of the state would provide the solid foundation upon which the next government would massively in-
dustrialise the state. According to him, the plethora of road networks across the state, the Ibom International Airport, flyovers, Ibom Power Plant among other key projects of Akpabio’s administration are major incentives for local and foreign investors in the state. Assam, who is also a contender for the office of governor in 2015, promised that if he steps into the Hilltop Mansion next year, he would leverage on these infrastructural facilities to attract massive investments in agriculture and hydrocarbons. He said that the main thrust
of his administration would be industrialisation, education and job creation for the teeming unemployed, stressing that his government would not be directly involved in the setting up of industries but in the creation of the enabling environment for investments. Describing Akpabio as a prudent manager of the state’s resources, the former diplomat disagreed with those who think the governor has not judiciously applied the finances of the state, adding that posterity will judge Akpabio fairly when he leaves office next year.
Itsekiri youths in Warri South West LGA of Delta State have appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to inaugurate the $16bn Export Processing Zone (EPZ), Ogidigben. A youth leader Chief Ayiri Emani said the people of the Niger Delta had waited for long for the formal groundbreaking ceremony of the project which is expected to create wealth and employment for youths. In a statement made available to our correspondent, Emani also said that the rail renovation, power privatisation and agricultural development, etc, were some of the cardinal points why President Goodluck Jonathan should be re-elected. By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba
Delta 2015: Ibori Dumps Urhobo Aspirants, Insists On Obuh By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba
Former governor of Delta State currently serving a jail term, Chief James Ibori, ahead of the 2015 governorship election in the state, has endorsed Mr Tony Obuh and directed all Oghara politicians to support him. The endorsement of Mr Tony
Obuh, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in the state by the Ibori/Uduaghan dynasty is an indication that Ibori has been convinced that Tony Obuh will sustain the legacies of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. There are also indications that the former governor has dumped the Urhobo governor-
ship aspirants for Tony Obuh, the alleged anointed candidate of Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan. At a recent political meeting held in Oghara, the state commissioner for transport, Mr Benson Igbakpa, believed by many to be representing Ibori’s political interest in Uduaghan’s government, was quoted as saying that it is the turn of Delta
North to produce the next governor of the state. In the build-up to the 2011 general election, Chief Ibori had allegedly called Igbakpa on phone and directed him to assemble all the PDP chieftains for a meeting, during which he also called, directing them on the way to go, while the phone was put on loudspeaker.
44 news NATIONAL Taraba Group Condemns Kente Over Refusal To Step Down For Ishaku A political group, Southern Taraba Power Shift Vanguard, has condemned a Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Chief David Sabo Kente, for what the group termed his refusal to step down for a fellow southern Taraba colleague, Arch Darius Ishaku. The group, which made this known in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP, said that Kente’s action would jeopardise southern Taraba chances of producing the next governor. Kente was reported in a media interview (not LEADERSHIP) to have said that he was endorsed by the elders from the home front while Ishaku was endorsed by Southern Taraba people in Abuja and that he was ready to prove his popularity before the electorate. However, the Southern Taraba group averred that the current political situation would put Southern Taraba at a disadvantage. “If Darius wants to be the next governor of Taraba State, that is within his rights as a human being but he must not jeopardise the collective will of our people,” the statement read. By Chika Otuchikere, Abuja
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Buhari Declares Presidential Interest Oct 15 Names Audu Ogbeh DG of campaign organisation by Bayo Oladeji, Abuja
Former head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari, will on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 formally declare his presidential interest on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) instead of declaring today as earlier scheduled. The declaration is expected to take place at the Eagle Square,
Abuja. In preparation for the presidential primaries which have been dubbed the battle of the titans on the grounds of others formidable contestants, Buhari has appointed former national chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Audu Ogbeh, as the director of his campaign organisation. Others in the race with Buhari include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, state governors Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Adams
Oshiomole (Edo), and founding chairman, LEADERSHIP Group, Sam Nda -Isaiah and a few others. Although Buhari told his supporters last week in Abuja of his intention to run for the presidency for the fourth time, he did not disclose the date because of the party’s grand rally for governorship poll holding in Yola today. The new date of Buhari’s declaration was announced yesterday in a terse statement by Ogbeh who gave no reason for the shift in date.
Another reason given by some of his foot soldiers was to enable some of his supporters who travelled to Mecca for the holy pilgrimage to return. The statement reads in part, “The Buhari Presidential Campaign Organization has announced that the formal declaration ceremony by General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) of his intention to contest the 2015 presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been postponed for one week.”
Why Nigeria Democratic System Could Not Produce Good Leaders – Shehu Sani Abu Nmodu, Minna
The chairman of Civil Rights Congress, Comrade Shehu Sani, has said that the distortion in the democratic processes of Nigeria was worsened by the fact that those who fought for Nigeria’s democracy did not participate in the governance process and activities. Sani, who spoke to journalists yesterday in Minna, noted that many people who fought the military to enthrone democracy, in-
stead of participating, left without aspiring to the leadership of Nigeria at various levels. According to him, the situation made those who never valued democratic culture to get into the position of leadership and enthrone the culture of corruption against the people’s wish for development inherent with democracy. Sani stated that, in 2015, those who fought for the freedom of Nigeria have decided to fight and rescue the nation from
the hands of undemocratic elements that have been in power since 1999. He therefore said that he was in the race for the Kaduna Central Senatorial district in 2015 to give his people voice and responsible leadership that have been lacking. He said ,“As an activist, I know that we have faced lots of questions over why we want to venture into politics. But politics should not be left for corrupt people or incompetent politicians. It should not be left for those who
have no interest to bring development to the country. “Particularly, I am from the Northern part of Nigeria, and it is very clear that our senators from the north have not be living up to expectation. “If you look at statistics from 1999 to date you will discover that over 60% to 70% of members of National Assembly are from the north and if you again look very well, you will discover that most of our senators are not active.”
Onabis Joins APC 2015 Presidency Race By Edegbe Odemwingie, Abuja
A presidential aspirant in the 2011 general election and chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Francis Onabis, has declared his intention to contest for Nigeria’s presidency in 2015 under the APC. Onabis, an Italy-based businessman and APC chieftain in Esan area of Edo State, said although he had no political experience, his love for the country and desire for change motivated him to contest the 2015 presidency. In a chat with newsmen, the presidential aspirant said he had acquired knowledge and experience in good governance from his stay and legitimate business dealings abroad and he was ready to replicate best practices garnered in the nation’s governance. Onabis, who was recently awarded a fellow-
ship award of the Chartered Institute of Commerce of Nigeria, said if given the opportunity to serve, he will eradicate unemployment in Nigeria and provide basic amenities for the Nigerian masses. Speaker further, he lamented what he described as a “complete breakdown of Nigeria’s infrastructure, economy, and security” which he attributed to the failure of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which has been in power since 1999. “They (PDP) run the government of Nigeria as their own personal property; government should not be run like that. Nigeria belongs to all of us and any person who is elected to a public office must understand he or she is there to serve the people. PDP has ruled Nigeria for the past 12 years; Nigeria is not better off,” he said.
Auto Crash Claims Kaduna APC Chieftain Daughter’s Life BY ISAIAH BENJAMIN, Kaduna
Kaduna State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Hajiya Hafsat Ahmed Baba yesterday lost her daughter in an auto crash. Hajia Baba was the former national women leader of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and presently a chieftain of APC in Kaduna She lost her daughter, Hajia Imra Ahmed Baba, in a ghastly motor accident along Kaduna-Abuja expressway while she was returning to Abuja after the Eid-el-Kabir celebration with a family in Kaduna. The late Imra died in her private car after another car hit her while trying to overtake
her vehicle, causing her car to somersault. According a source close the family, the late Imra died on the spot. The deceased was a broadcaster who had worked with several television stations in Nigeria before she joined a non -governmental organization, Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI). Among the early callers to the family house of Hajia Hafsat at Angwar-Rimi, GRA, Kaduna was the former Head of State and APC national leader, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), Mr. Tom Maiyashi and other party stalwarts. The late Imra had since been laid to rest according to Islamic rite at Angwar-Rimi cemetery.
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MINT, NASS And The Committee System By Jessica Okezie
On assumption of office, four years ago, the highly resourceful Maikasuwa thoroughly revamped the committee system which is critical to the oversighting of the MDAs in the nation’s bureaucratic amalgam
In recent years, the realm of economic theory and postulations has buzzed with predictions of the emergence of several countries as key players in the global economic stage. The most famous has been Thomas O’Neills’ thesis on the creeping economic dominance of MINT countries (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey) towards the end of the decade if they adhere strictly to the hallowed tenets of probity, sanity, transparency, accountability, due process and the rule of law in the conduct of governmental operations, duties, activities and functions. Also identified as necessary prerequisites in the attainment of MINT stardom were the existence of a responsive legislature, an impartial and independent judiciary, an incorruptible civil service, a free and vibrant press and an activist and socially responsible civil society. But one blunt economist referred to Nigeria’s MINT aspirations as “dead on arrival” and “a foolhardy wild goose chase embarked upon a mirage encapsulated landscape”. However, I refuse to belong to the group of gloomy
forecasters. I strongly believe that while corruption and a debilitating culture of cronyism, favouritism, nepotism and even “godfatherism” continue to blight our governmental institutions especially the civil service, judiciary and even legislature, it must be stated that not all hope is lost in the nation’s quest for rapid transformation and reinvigoration of our institutions and the entrenchment of the sacrosanct principles of good governance and the delivery of democracy dividends to the Nigerian people. Take, for instance, the National Assembly which has the awesome functions of oversighting the vast array of MDAs that dot the bureaucratic landscape of the nation in order to check fraud, mismanagement and wastage of the funds appropriated for the provision of services and infrastructure in the key areas of health, education, water, power, roads, rural infrastructure, agriculture, manpower development and women and youths empowerment. Without a vigorous and robust supervision of the MDAs to ensure that they carry out their official mandate, the country and its 170 million citizens will
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continue to suffer from poverty, disease, homelessness and illiteracy for a long time to come; sound development not to talk of elevation to MINT superstar status will remain a mirage for a long time to come. However, there is a bright light in the tunnel as the National Assembly’s administrative leadership led by the visionary Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, clerk to the National Assembly, has embarked on key administrative, operational, policy and institutional reforms geared towards repositioning the National Assembly for more
effective, efficient and seamless service delivery to the elected political leadership as well as the Nigerian people. On assumption of office, four years ago, the highly resourceful Maikasuwa thoroughly revamped the committee system which is critical to the oversighting of the MDAs in the nation’s bureaucratic amalgam. Appointment of committee clerks and secretaries are now based strictly on the revolutionary principle of “squarepegism”, that is, a square peg must be firmly ensconced in a square hole. Therefore, those whose professional and academic qualifications tallied with the relevant committees were assigned to those committees and the past practice whereby “grade A” or “juicy” committees were assigned to “favoured” clerks or secretaries was discarded and thoroughly discredited. As far as the unwavering and principled Maikasuwa was concerned, if your credentials were unsuitable to head a committee as clerk or secretary, too bad, you would not be assigned to such committee, no matter your sectional, religious or linguistic inclination. –Okezie sent in this piece from Maitama, Abuja.
Policy Reforms In NASS By Joy Gyakyor
Indeed, the National Assembly’s bureaucratic and operational indices have witnessed unprecedented transformation since the fortuitous ascension of Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa as the clerk to the National Assembly four years ago. Many editorialists and parliamentary experts have scored him quite high on account of the numerous creative policy formulations and implementations that have placed NASS at the highest levels of parliamentary practice and procedure in the world; it has rivaled and even overtaken those of the advanced democracies of US, UK, France, Canada and Australia etc. While many have dwelt on the remarkable adherence to sanity, probity, due process, transparency and accountability of the Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa regime, others have applauded the legendary knack for unvarnished professionalism, technical competence and exemplary professionalism which is widely acknowledged as one of the organizational pillars of the CNA’s leadership focus and vigour. Even Salisu Maikasuwa’s penchant for strict political neutrality and lack of bias for any political faction or interest
coupled with his uncompromising pursuit of the welfare and wellbeing of the NASS staff has been widely chronicled by savvy pundits of the legislative schools of thought as well as numerous technocratic think-tanks. However, many are not aware of the visionary and intuitive progression of the Chiroman Keffi’s administrative, organizational and operational blueprint that led to this transformational revolution and has placed the NASS at the pinnacle of the global parliamentary comity. The tenacious CNA literally burnt the midnight oil for days, months and years in order to assemble this awesome and record-shattering blueprint. As a highly regarded and wellcalibrated interlocutor, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa chooses his words carefully and has never been known to engage in careless talk or aimless chatter as is common with many in the administrative or political class. But once he speaks, he resonates with clear authority, brevity and matchless lucidity. His statements on policy issues and critical matters of the day are clad with iron-cast vision and purpose and geared towards illuminating, dissecting and resolving complex and contentious issues of national, regional and
Tambuwal
international implications. It took a long, tortuous and tasking process involving extensive research, critical analysis, wide-ranging consultations and extensive deliberation and consultation, mainly with international parliamentary officials, experts, scholars, diplomats, the mass media as well as the NASS legislators, management and staff before a resolute Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa could lay out his inspirational administrative blueprint for the re-organization and restructuring of the vast NASS bureaucracy. Even then, the blueprint had to be worked and reworked several times.
The CNA’s penchant for administrative fastidiousness and excellence is well documented. As far as he is concerned, mediocrity is an option worse than death. After the painstaking preparation of this historic blueprint which undoubtedly represents a magnus opus as far as parliamentary organization, practice, procedure and management is concerned, a perceptive Maikasuwa did not force down or unilaterally impose it on the staff and management as some top-level administrators may be wont to do. Rather, key aspects of this revolutionary precursor was disseminated among strategic and pivotal organs of the NASS bureaucracy, and the task no doubt was made easier by the earlier widespread consultations that the CNA had embarked upon in the early stages of the blueprint designation. In any case, the credible and forward-looking policy thrusts of Maikasuwa’s progressive policy desiderata received overwhelming acceptance and encouragement from the length and breadth of the NASS landscape, especially among the rank and file who tended to feel left out of the scheme of things in previous dispensations. –Gyakyor, sent in this piece from Garki, Abuja.
As a highly regarded and wellcalibrated interlocutor, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa chooses his words carefully and has never been known to engage in careless talk or aimless chatter as is common with many in the administrative or political class
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Wednesday, October 8, 2014
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Wednesday, October 8, 2014
world
news ➌
➊ Myanmar
➊ ➋
➐ ➏
➍➎
➎ Spain Quarantines 4 People In Ebola Scare
Spain has quarantined a total of four people in an attempt to prevent the spread of Ebola after a nurse became the first confirmed case of infection outside West Africa.
The 40-year-old nurse, her husband, another health worker and a Spaniard who travelled to Liberia are in isolation in hospital, Madrid health officials said yesterday.
Eleven members of a remote indigenous tribe along Colombia’s Caribbean coast have been killed after a lightning bolt struck a thatch-roofed hut where they were gathered.
Military officials said on Monday that another 15 members of the Wiwa tribe that live high in the coastal Sierra Nevada range were injured with burns, six of them seriously.
North and South Korean naval patrol boats have briefly exchanged fire near their disputed maritime border, according to the South’s defence ministry, which said the North’s vessel had violated the boundary.
The incident took place about 9:50am (00:50 GMT) yesterday near the South Korean border island of Yeonpyeong, when the North Korean patrol boat crossed into the South’s water, a ministry spokesman told the media.
➋ Invention Of Blue
Pardons More Than LEDs Wins Physics Nobel The 2014 Nobel Prize for physics 3,000 Prisoners has been awarded to a trio of
Myanmar’s government has pardoned 3,073 prisoners, including 58 foreign nationals, as part of an amnesty that rights groups said included more than a dozen political prisoners. The Information Ministry announced the amnesty on its website, saying the prisoners were freed “on humanitarian grounds”.
scientists in Japan and the US for the invention of blue light emitting diodes (LEDs). Professors Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura made the first blue LEDs in the early 1990s. This enabled a new generation of energy-efficient white lamps, as well as colour LED screens.
➏ Colombian Tribe
Members Killed By Lightning
Alleged ISIS militants stand next to the terror group’s flag on a hill in Kobani, Syria, yesterday
➌ Mexico Vows To
➍ Cyprus Halts Turkish
Mexico’s President Enrique Pena Nieto has vowed to hunt down those responsible for the reported massacre of dozens of students in the southwest of the country that authorities said involved local security officials. In a televised address Pena said the federal government would identify those behind the massacre in Iguala in the state of Guerrero.
talks on reunifying the divided island in response to Turkey’s plan to search for oil and gas in waters where Cyprus had already licensed drilling. A government spokesman said Nicos Anastasiades’ decision was the result of Turkey’s “provocative” and “aggressive” actions to start seismic tests off the island’s southern coast later this month.
Arrest Masterminds Of Unification Talks Students’ Murder Cyprus’ president has suspended
➐ Korean Navy Boats
Exchange Warning Shots
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Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Enyimba’s Olabiyi Is 4th Wonder Goal Award Winner Enyimba International’s Rashid Olabiyi’s goal against Abia Warriors received majority favorable rating in the Glo Premier League Wonder Goal Series voting which ended at midnight on Saturday, October 4. Olabiyi’s goal in one of the Match Day 24 fixtures on August 17 was a blinder fired from 25 yards that got Enyimba back into the game a second time. The encounter ended 3-3 between the two Abia State clubs. At the conclusion of voting,
Olabiyi polled 71.1% of the total votes in the poll conducted through the League Management Company (LMC) media platforms including www.lmc-ng.org , the facebook and twitter accounts. El-Kanemi Warriors Emmanuel Ajia edged Dolphins Ifeanyi Egwim to third place after securing 14.5% of the votes against Egwim’s 13. 3%. “We are delighted to announce the latest winner in our Wonder Goal campaign which was initiated
to deepen Club-Community engagement and also show-case spectacular goals scored this season in the Glo Premier League”, read a statement from the office of the LMC Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar. He announced that the N100, 000 cash prize presentation will hold on Wednesday, October 8 at half time of the Match Day 31 fixture between Enyimba International and Sharks of Port Harcourt at the in Aba.
Full House In Super Eagles Camp For Sudan The Super Eagles camp is full to capacity in an effort to leave no stone unturned as they seek a qualification ticket for the Maroc 2015 Nations Cup, with all the invited 24 players training yesterday evening at the Mainbowl of the Abuja National Stadium. There had been early morning training at the Atro Turf of the Abuja National Stadium that had 17 players in attendance with all the others sending words to head Coach, Stephen Keshi that it will be a full house by the evening
training session and it was. The session was graced by newly elected President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr Pinnick Amaju. Head Coach Stephen Keshi said after the evening session that he has ruled out Ukraine based midfielder Babatunde Michael from the encounter because he picked up a knock on the knee while playing for his club. “We have good cover for him and we pray that he bounces back before the return leg against Sudan in Nigeria”, he declared.
Michael himself was emphatic when he spoke about his injury. “I really want to play this game against Sudan but fate says I will not but by the return leg in Nigeria I should be back. The doctors have assured me that I will be fit between four and five days time”. Apart from that blot the team is perfect in health with travel plans being made for Thursday by the NFF. The team will continue its preparation for the must win game against Sudan today at the Goal Project site of Super Eagles and Coach Stephen Keshi celebrating the Abuja National Stadium.
Enyeama Says No Shaking For Maroc 2015 Qualification Super Eagles skipper, Vincent Enyeama has declared that Nigeria Mr President, will qualify for the 2015 African no shaking. championship despite being found at a tight corner. Enyeam was reBut we must sponding on behalf of the playcongratulate ers and officials including newly you on your election and elected NFF president Amaju Pinnick who visited the team’s trainassure Nigerians that with ing session yesterday evening. He God all things are possible assured that the team will not let the nation down in the course of qualifying for Maroc 2015 Nations Cup. “Mr President, no shaking. But we must congratulate you on your election and assure Nigerians Super Eagles Captain, Vincent Enyeama that with God all things are possible”, he declared. The newly elected President of
the Nigeria Football Federation, Melvin Amaju Pinnick, yesterday stormed the training session of the national team as they prepare for a game against Sudan on Saturday, declaring that he will bring the much desired changes to Nigerian football. Addressing the players during the evening session after a hectic two hours training, Amaju, said he was intune with most of the players, assuring them that trust will be the hallmark of his administration, even as declared that the game against Sudan should be the take off point for his administration. “The last NFF regime has been
2014 WORLD CUP SUPERSTARS Full Name: Diego Costa Date Of Birth: 7 October 1988 Place Of Birth: Lagarto, Brazil Club: Chelsea
Costa
Diego Costa is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for English club Chelsea and the Spain national team, as a striker. He has been described by pundits as a player whose main attributes are his physicality, goalscoring and ability to keep possession. He began his career with Braga in Portugal, and was signed by Atlético Madrid in 2007. Costa was loaned him back to Braga,
and then to Celta and Albacete before being sold to Valladolid in 2009. He returned to Atlético the following season and went on to become a key part of their attack, scoring 27 goals as they won the league title in 2014, and then joined Chelsea for £32 million. Costa played twice for Brazil in 2013, but later declared his desire to represent Spain, having been granted Spanish citizenship in September 2013. He made his début for his adopted nation in March 2014, and was selected for the 2014 World Cup.
wonderful in terms of achievement and we want to continue from there. That is why I must say the Sudan game is a must win for us, because it’s the first competitive game under this dispensation. On our part we are determined to continue to support the team and soon you will see what we would do through Corporate Nigeria and the rest of the game’s supporters and sponsors”, he declared. He said all rumours regarding pronouncements allegedly made by him should be disregarded, assuring that he was starting on a clean slate to build on the immense achievements of his predecessors.
Enyeama
Eduok Happy With Eagles’ Call Up New invitee Emem Eduok has expressed delight at his first ever senior national team invitation to the Super Eagles for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Sudan. Edouk, who was picked as a late replacement for injured Stoke Ciy winger Victor Moses, spoke to Goal about his excitement securing his first international call-up for his country. The Dolphins attacker admitted he had waited in patience for the opportunity and is fully prepared to grab it with both hands when given his international debut. The 20-year-old, who featured for the Flying Eagles at the 2013 Fifa U20
World Cup against Cuba and Korea Republic, said he is unfazed by the challenge for a starting place in the team. Eduok has notched a total of 12 goals in the league for Dolphins and 15 in all competition this season including three in the Federation Cup with his club in the final to face defending champions Enyimba. “First and foremost, I have to thank God for this opprtunity becuase as an upcoming player, our desire is to represent the country at the national or international level,” Edouk told Goal on his arrival at the Super Eagles camp on Monday.
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54 sports
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Hazard Is Like Messi – Fabregas
Executive Director Operation, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Prince Aghatise Erediauwa congratulating the team captain of Deposit Insurance Scheme- Star Football Club, Alhaji Aminu Ahamed after defeating Depositors United Football Club 3-0, during the 25th anniversary game (NDIC), in Abuja. PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO
Cesc Fabregas believes Chelsea team-mate Eden Hazard can have the same impact on the Blues as Lionel Messi has at Barcelona. Fabregas played alongside four-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi for three years before making a closeseason move to Stamford Bridge where, alongside Hazard, he has helped Chelsea to the top of the Premier League. While the ex-Arsenal captain has been consistently impressive since returning to the English top flight, Hazard too has been in fine form - winning and scoring the penalty that helped lead Chelsea to victory against Fabregas’ for-
mer club on Sunday. And Fabregas feels the performances of Hazard will be key to Chelsea’s success this term. “He is the link between midfield and attack for us; he is our Messi because he makes the difference,” the Spaniard told radio station Cope. “We have a young team but we are very positive about the future.” Much of the discussion prior to Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Arsenal had centred on Fabregas coming up against a club he spent eight years at before returning to Barca. After Arsenal passed up their first option to re-sign him, Chelsea made their move, but Fabregas re-
vealed there was a third party interested in him. “I’ve always played in clubs where I wanted to play. At the end of last season, I saw Chelsea as the best option,” he continued. “I always thought about a return to England and I talked to Mourinho and realised this was the best option. “It was arranged through my agent. There was no call with Mourinho, just a face-to-face meeting. Jose showed great respect and convinced me quickly. “We were honest, we put aside any history and I made my decision after talking with him. Overall I had three options in England.”
Van Gaal Believes Blind Is Great Player Louis van Gaal suggested the Dutchman was a better player than his father - who was the manager’s assistant with the Netherlands - and the midfielder wants to live up to the praise. Daley Blind believes he can emulate his father Danny and become a leader on the pitch for Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal. The Netherlands international has been a key feature of Van Gaal’s United side so far, with the former Barcelona and Bayern Mu-
nich boss suggesting recently the 24-year-old was a better player than his father. Danny Blind was captain of Van Gaal’s Champions Leaguewinning Ajax side in 1995 and was his assistant alongside Patrick Kluivert at the recent World Cup in Brazil. Asked by the Manchester Evening News about Van Gaal’s comments, he told reporters: “I read it. I hope I become a bit of a leader like my dad was, but I am still young. “I am still im-
proving and this is a new era for me, coming to a new area. But I can be [a leader]. I have to learn it and have to keep it up but I am learning every day, including about being a leader.” Having played under Van Gaal at the World Cup in Brazil, the younger Blind is well versed in how the 63-year-old operates and feels his United team-mates are beginning to adapt to the new regime. I think the players are getting used to [Van Gaal’s methods].
Barcelona Face La Liga Expulsion If Catalonia Splits Barcelona would not be allowed to play in La Liga if Catalonia broke away from Spain, the country’s football league chief Javier Tebas said as tensions mounted in the region over the possibility of an independence referendum next month. Politics have been interwoven with the football club almost since it was formed and is summed up by the team’s motto: ‘more than a club’. Barca’s role in pushing the Catalan nationalist cause varies depending on the board in power, but it always plays a central role in cultural life. The present board, first under president Sandro Rosell and now Josep Maria Bartomeu, have taken a back-seat
Barcelona
role in the heated debate currently taking place in the region about whether to hold an independence referendum on November 9. Catalan independence would
clearly impact on the future of Barca, who, along with Real Madrid, are the major powerhouses of the Spanish game with support throughout the country.
Ronaldo Sets Sight On Messi’s Record Not content with setting a record of 17 goals for one edition of the Champions League last season, Cristiano Ronaldo is already well on the way towards breaking Lionel Messi’s La Liga best haul of 50 goals in one campaign. Ronaldo netted his third hat-trick this term in Sunday’s 5-0 drubbing of a sorry Athletic Bilbao at the Bernabeu, taking his overall tally to an outrageous 13 in six appearances in 2014-15. It was the Portuguese World Player of the Year’s 22nd treble for the European champi-
ons, equalling the La Liga record jointly held by Alfredo Di Stefano and Telmo Zarra, and putting him three clear of Barcelona forward Messi’s hat-trick haul. On a night when he again appeared simply unstoppable, Ronaldo unselfishly set up Karim Benzema to score and Gareth Bale made two assists as Real’s formidable attacking trio known as “BBC” destroyed the struggling Basque side. “The three up front played fantastically,” coach Carlo Ancelotti purred at his post-match news confer-
ence. When they are in that kind of mood they are fundamental for the team,” added the Italian. Ronaldo broke Messi’s fouryear stranglehold on the Fifa Ballon d’Or when he was voted 2013 World Player of the Year and Ancelotti said he had little doubt the Portuguese would claim his second straight award and third overall when the 2014 winner is announced in January. “This year, I don’t think there is much doubt,” Ancelotti said. “I don’t think there’s any point in even talking about it.”
The players like to work with him. Everyone is picking it up very well,” he added. “Training is very hard and very serious and we improve every day and you could see that in the first half [of the 2-1 win] against Everton. “We have seen that in the first half but now we have to see it over 90 minutes. The play is better though. “It’s important to do it [for] 90 minutes if you want to beat the big clubs. I don’t think one single game is easy in the Premier League.”
Blind
Shanghai Masters: Nadal To Play Despite Appendicitis Rafael Nadal intends to play his second-round match at the Shanghai Masters against Feliciano Lopez despite being diagnosed with appendicitis. Nadal, 28, complained of stomach pains on Sunday and doctors subsequently confirmed he had the condition. He has been given antibiotics to enable him to face Lopez on Wednesday, but will require surgery in the future. “I’m in Shanghai. I am here to play a tournament. If I don’t play, I don’t have the chance to win,” Nadal said. Ra-
fael Nadal has competed in just one tournament since he lost to Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon “It seems like everything is under control now. The normal thing is for the improvement to continue.” World number two Nadal has struggled with injuries since the summer and missed the US Open with a wrist problem. He has competed just once, at the China Open last week, since he was beaten by Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios in the fourth round at Wimbledon.
Murray Battles To First-round Win Andy Murray overcame a second-set blip against Teymuraz Gabashvili to win 6-1 7-5 in the Shanghai Masters first round. The two-time champion took little time to take the first set, but numerous forehand errors in the next set saw him struggle to get over the line. The world number 11 also complained about the Russian qualifier’s grunting in a match that lasted 84 minutes. The 27-year-old will play world number 37 Jerzy Janowicz in his next match. “I started the match well - I was dictating a lot of the points and using good variety,” said the former Wimbledon champion. “At the beginning of the second set there was sloppiness on my serve.
Murray is currently ninth in the race to reach the November ATP Finals - the top eight qualify for the season-ending event. However, Murray might need to rise to seventh with the eighth spot going to a 2014 Grand Slam champion ranked between eighth and 20th. Croat Marin Cilic, who won the US Open, is currently ranked sixth. “I started using variety towards the end. The short slice started working better. It was a good start for me, but there is a lot of work to be done.” Murray defeated Janowicz at the China Open last week, but only after recovering from a set behind. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to start against Jerzy a little bit better,” he said.
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Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Ronaldo Praise Thrills Benzema Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema admits it is a pleasure to hear Cristiano Ronaldo describe him as La Liga’s best striker. The Portugal star hailed his team-mate as the best in his position in Spain’s top flight after his two goals in the 5-0 rout of Athletic Bilbao. Ronaldo himself scored his third Liga hat-trick in four games against Ernesto Valverde’s side and Benzema says he is delighted to hear such praise from a player he believes is currently the best on the planet. “It’s a pleasure to hear it from him, because right now he’s the best player in the world and he knows a little about this. I really appreciate it,” the France
international told Marca. Benzema added that the understanding of the so-called ‘BBC’ partnership between himself, Ronaldo and Gareth Bale is continuing to develop as his side’s form begins to reach that which saw them win the Champions League last season. “We understand each other very well, we complement each other and always try to help each other out. Everyone has their way of playing, but we always look for the good of the team,” he added. “Last year was a big year. I think that, this year, we needed to find a little rhthym, but bit by bit we’re getting closer to our goals.”
Benzema
Nigeria Women League Champions 2014
Basketball: First Bank Moves Into Close Camping In a bid to make it to the final round of the Africa Champions Cup for Women slated for Tunisia next month, two-time champions of the continent’s biggest women club competition, First Bank basketball club of Nigeria will from this Thursday move into a close camp in Akure, Ondo State to further strategise for the FIBA Africa Zone-3 qualifier holding in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. First Bank basketball club head coach, Adewumi Aderemi started that the team’s aim for this competition is to make it to the final round and put up a big show with an eye for the title it won in 2003 (Mozambique) and 2009 (Benin). The Elephant Girls as the bankers are also known started the 2014 campaign by reclaiming the Nigeria domestic title which has eluded it for four seasons to be one of the two representatives that
will fly Nigeria’s flag at the Burkina Faso Zone-3 qualifiers. “We are more determined this time to see that we are not just participants but contenders and we aim to qualify for the final round. “We have played second fiddle for too long and we really appreciate what our management is doing for us and our desire to reciprocate their gesture of good management towards our goals. “We will respect every team that have confirmed participation in the FIBA Africa Zone-3 qualifier which comes up from October 20 through 29 and the final round billed for November in Tunisia.“We know our onions and what we can do to give our club and Nigeria good representation so the reason why we are moving into close
camp away from distractions is so that we can achieve our goal of being among the top contenders for the title. “The club continental competition is not new to us as a team and we will present the best team ever with a mixture of young and experienced players who can compete for honours. First Bank and Dolphins basketball club will represent Nigeria at the Burkina Faso Zone-3 qualifiers alongside other teams from the other seven FIBA Africa Zone-3 nations.
MVP Chioma Udeaja receiving award.
Trigeminal Neuralgia; Alfred’s Story FROM BACK PAGE
the most painful condition known to mankind, including, childbirth. Referred to a neurologist, Alfred learnt that the condition was a disorder of the trigeminal nerve in the face, resulting in its overreaction to everyday stimuli, such as eating, talking, touch or even just standing outside in the breeze. Often wrongly diagnosed, sufferers endure for years and go through painful, unnecessary dental procedures before knowing they have TN. Ordinary painkillers have no effect in easing the pain. Instead, epileptic medication and an anti-convulsant drug called carbamazepine are used to treat it. However, the tendency of such drugs having negative side effects and after effects is high and at some point, they may cease to be effective. Even
in a situation where the pain has been controlled and the sufferer feels comfortable enough to stop taking medication, the condition and pain may return after some time and medication would have to be restarted. While there is no cure for TN, a Microvascular Decompression (MVD) brain surgery is the closest thing to a cure. However, even with the MVD brain surgery, TN is likely to reoccur, because the effect of the procedure may only last for a couple of months or years and has a likelihood of activating a different kind of pain in the nerve, mouth, eye, ear or head. Due to this, many sufferers do not subscribe to the procedure and put themselves through delicate brain surgery when there is no guarantee whether it will ease the pain at all. In Alfred’s case, initially, he was put on carbamazepine,
which eased his pain for a very short while. To cope further, Alfred had nerve blocks from the neurologist directly into the nerves in his head and he also self-administered prescribed injections. But despite all of that, the brutal electrical stabbing pain he was experiencing became more regular and more intense, bearing across the right side of his face, through his mouth, eyes, ears, gums and forehead, to the extent he was unable to smile. Six years since that fateful day in court when he was attacked by an enemy living inside him, Alfred arrived at the hospital where he would be undergoing brain surgery for the third time. For six years, Alfred has lived with a cruel condition that has devastated his life. His once vibrant legal career has had to take a back seat to his journey
of finding a solution to this constant pain. Alfred is nervous, but somewhat optimistic that one day there will be a cure for TN. As he walks through the door, he knows that he must keep hope alive and so he defies the excruciating pain and forces his lips to move so that he can smile at the neuro-surgeon that is about to open his brain and operate on it for the third time in the last six years! *Trigeminal Neuralgia is not recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), because it is often misdiagnosed and so rare. As a result, it gets no funding, little publicity and not enough research is done to make sure sufferers get an accurate diagnosis, health professionals are properly informed and trained, successful treatment and a lasting cure.
To contribute in the battle against this chronic illness, one does not have to give money. By learning about TN, telling others about the condition, displaying the TN ribbon on social media pages or buying a TN ribbon online, one is contributing immensely. There is also an online petition that can be signed, where over 10,000 signatures are needed for WHO to recognise Trigeminal Neuralgia and add it to its Health-Topic-List on http://www.tnnme.com/ index.html. October 7 has been marked as the International Trigeminal Neuralgia Day. You can view examples of the effect of Trigeminal Neuralgia Attack on sufferers on the following YouTube channels: —https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=M-Y67grdpoE —https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=WGJkxHzK4EY.
AMUSEMENT PARK
i don’t care what they say, women make the best wives
08.10.14 No. 2,270
FOR GOD AND COUNTRY
Hannatu Musawa
WEDNESDAY
www.leadership.ng
N150
The Wednesday Column
— Chic Young
Trigeminal Neuralgia; Alfred’s Story hannatu@leadership.ng
A
The disorder is a vicious, unyielding and volatile illness referred to as the ‘suicide disease’, because the intense pain it brings about is so unbearable, sufferers have been known to commit suicide rather than have to face the pain
s he got ready to walk towards the building to, once again, confront his archenemy, Alfred was full of fear and anxiety. He had been here two times before in this battle he had fought for the last six years, but this time it was different. This time, he felt drained, defeated and unoptimistic. Unlike the first two battles when he thought he would defeat his enemy, Alfred knew the enemy was strong and had the propensity to revive itself. As he got closer to the door, his mind started to wander back down memory lane to when this ‘battle of his life’ started… It began six years ago in the early hours of a chilly Wednesday morning, Alfred King, an upcoming lawyer woke up to get ready for work. Having qualified as a lawyer five years ago, Alfred had hit what he thought would be the case of his life. It was a multi million Naira class action, which Alfred had spent the better part of eleven months putting together. As he got ready for his day in court, Alfred was anxious and excited about presenting the case he had worked so hard on. Alfred arrived in court and rushed straight to the room where the case would be heard. As he might have guessed, he was the first person to arrive in court; he had arrived two hours early. The timing worked perfectly for Alfred, because it gave him enough time to arrange his documents, get his mind into ‘legal eagle mode’ and relax, ready for his great courtroom performance. This was certainly Alfred’s day and nothing was going to stop him from squashing this case, because, if nothing else, Alfred was prepared to address the court. He was prepared to
express his legal arguments like he had never done before. He was prepared to impress his clients, his colleagues and the judge. Little did he know that in precisely two hours and fortyeight minutes’ time, the choice to address, express, and impress would be completely taken out of his hands. In precisely that time, a vicious and unforgiving ‘enemy’ would prevent him from addressing the court, expressing his case and impressing his clients. It was an enemy that Alfred unknowingly lived with. It was an enemy that silently grew stronger by the day. It was an enemy that had followed him to court on that fateful day. It was an enemy that had not made its existence known, because like Alfred, it too, had chosen the moment it was to make its grand performance. The judge arrived thirty-three minutes late and two minutes after her arrival, the court was in session. After the usual court proceedings, the time came for Alfred to present his case. It was precisely two hours and fortyfive minutes from the time he had arrived and settled in court. As he began to express himself
in the most impressive manner, Alfred didn’t feel the enemy that was creeping towards him. Getting ready to attack, it reached out to the right side of his face and before Alfred knew what hit him, the enemy took aim and struck! The first Alfred knew he was under attack was when he felt a sharp electric current strike his right cheek. He lifted his hand to feel what it was but before he could do so, his right cheek felt like it had been stabbed with a hot and sharp blade. He managed to yell in agony, but the motion of opening his mouth only made the pain more intense. The final agonising assault, which was a mixture of a violent electric shock-like pain, severe burning and repeated stabbing, paralysed him. Slumping to the ground under the weight of such excruciating torment, the likes of which Alfred had never previously experienced, the room began to blur and as his body and head reached the floor, his eyes closed and everything faded to black. When Alfred woke up, he found himself lying on a hospital bed with his doctor standing over him. Barely able
to remember the events that led him there, his doctor, Dr Stober, sat down to have a chat with him. After a brief explanation, Dr Stober recommended that Alfred go for an MRI, among other laboratory tests to determine what had actually caused such a brutal attack. When the tests and X-rays came back, Alfred was diagnosed with a rare and chronic disorder known as Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN). Never having heard of the condition, Dr Stober explained to Alfred that the disorder is a vicious, unyielding and volatile illness referred to as the ‘suicide disease’, because the intense pain it brings about is so unbearable, sufferers have been known to commit suicide rather than have to face the pain. The disorder is characterised with bouts of intense and painful attacks, which can last from a few seconds to a few minutes and repeat in episodes lasting weeks and months. Depression is often seen in patients with trigeminal neuralgia. Most sufferers incur TN when they are older than 60 years and there is no known cure for it. Medical experts cite it as ➔ CONTINUES ON PAGE 55
GHANA MUST GO Ghana plans to export electricity to Nigeria — News
Chai!!
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