Leadership tuesday count by LEADERSHIP Newspaper

26 SCIENCE/feature

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

As Nigeria Takes Centre Stage In Commonwealth Telecoms Administration By Nkechi Isaac, Abuja

short BIO OF Dr. Eugene Ikemefuna Juwah

Juwah is the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). He holds a PhD in Systems Engineering (1981) from the University of Manchester, Manchester England. He has over 30 years of experience in the IT and telecommunications sectors, including over 20 years of the above in top managementlevel positions. Appointed in July 2010, in his current position at the NCC, the industry, under his watch, has championed the introduction of emergency communication services, mobile number portability, SIM card registrations and broadband access expansion in Nigeria

With over 170 million people, Nigeria is about the biggest and fastest growing telecom markets in Africa, attracting huge amounts of foreign investment. Far reaching liberalisation has led to hundreds of companies providing virtually all kinds of telecom and value-added services in an independently regulated market. Describing the growth the nation has recorded in the sector, the Minister of Communication, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, in a recent interview, said Nigeria had grown tremendously recording an annual growth rate of 30 percent in the telecommunication sector in 2014. It was therefore not suprising that Nigeria was elected to chair the council and executive committee of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) during the organisation’s forum and 54th council meeting which held in Dhaka, Bangladesh from September 8 to 12, 2014. With the election, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Eugene Juwah, will assume this position on behalf of the country. He took over from the director for human capital and administration at the Communications Authority of Kenya, Juma Kandie. Giving his acceptance speech, Juwah said Nigeria was honoured to take on the leadership of the organisation. He said, “We are delighted and honoured to be elected to this position, and we look forward to working with all members to continue to guide management in its ICT4D efforts.” Juwah recounted some of the major developments in the Nigerian telecoms sector that have catapulted the industry onto the global ICT stage. He said Nigeria, which hosted

Construction Of Ghana’s First Utility-Scale Wind Facility Takes Off

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the 2013 CTO council meeting in Abuja with the theme, “Broadband through innovation”, had adopted the open access model as the country’s choice of broadband deployment and in line with its national broadband plan approved by the Presidency early 2013. “In February, an operator was licensed on the 2.3GHz band as a wholesale wireless broadband access provider in what analysts have described transparent process to build out a network that can provide quality data services across the country,” he pointed out. He further told the gathering that “taking into consideration the huge population and landmass of the country, the country has been delineated into regions as a deliberate strategy to achieve rapid rollout of infrastructure for access.” The NCC boss said the NCC is currently in the process of licensing infrastructure companies (InfraCos) to serve each region in meeting with the demands of open access model. He also disclosed that an industry consultation process had also commenced which would lead to the auctioning of spectrum on the 2.6GHz band for the facilitation of 4G services. “We hope to complete the licensing process before the end of the year,” he added. Juwah said the country was much aware of the importance of data in improving the overall wellbeing and transformation in the developmental process of its people, stressing that the commission was working hard to ensure that the genre of technology (4G) was properly primed to attract the interest of local and international investors who would be well protected by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, operated by a regulatory authority that had been hailed as one of the best in the world. “Also, the stability of the regula-

L-R: Director, public affairs, Tony Ojobo; EVC of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Eugene Juwah; director, policy competition and economic analysis, Josephine Amua; secretary, universal service provision fund, Abdullahi Maikano; head, competition and tariff, A.K. Yakubu; senior manager, policy and competition, Ibrahim Galadima; principal manager, universal service provision fund, Kelechi Nwankwo; SA media, EVC, Okoh Aihe; head, international affairs, Nnena Ukoha and chief of staff, EVC, Jerry Ugwu, in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

tory environment is demonstrated in a highly competitive market that has attracted over $32 billion worth of investment in just over a decade and a mobile phone proliferation of 132 million active subscribers from a paltry 400,000 lines at the beginning of this period in 2001,” he remarked. Even with all these achievements, Juwah said the NCC did not claim to have arrived yet at the comfort zone, while instilling confidence in investors to come and invest in the nation’s telecoms market. He said, “this is why we have come here with a mind to learn and to solicit for more investment from the international community. We have the market. We have the population. Our appeal is for investors to take advantage of what the Nigerian market stands to offer by investing in our market. I will add very emphatically that we have the law and market demonstrated independence to protect both the market and the investors.” Juwah who was previously 1st

vice-chair of the CTO, has over 30 years of experience in the IT and telecommunications sectors, with 20 years of it in top managementlevel positions. The other officers on the eightmember Executive Committee of the CTO are: 1st Vice-Chair: Trinidad & Tobago, held by Cris Seecheran, Chief Executive Officer, Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad & Tobago; 2nd ViceChair: Mauritius, held by Vimalen Reddi, Chairman, Information and Communication Technologies Authority, Mauritius; Development Partners’ Representative: Telecommunications Regulatory Board of Cameroon, held by Jean Louis Beh Mengue, General Manager while Abigail Sono of Telkom South Africa will act as International Business Development Manager. Members of the executive committee of the CTO are elected for one year. Kenya remains on the executive committee as immediate past chair, together with Professor Tim Unwin as Secretary-General, both as non-elected members

Nigeria Plans 2,483MW Generation From Renewable Sources

The Nigerian Federal Government has presented a draft of its Renewable Energy and ➊ Fluid Mechanics Efficiency Policy to stakeholders, a successMainstream Renewable Power has Suggests Alternaful Implementation of which will see the adagreed to purchase the 225MW Ay- tive to Quantum dition of 2,483 megawatts (MW) of electricitepa wind project from Swiss wind Orthodoxy ity to the national grid by 2015. farm developer, NEK Umwelttechnik. ➋ Martian This was revealed by Mr Abayomi AdebiMeteorite Yields The $525 million wind farm which si, Director of the Electrical Inspectorate SerMore Evidence of is located 40 kilometers from Accra, the Possibility of Life vices (EIS) of the Ministry of Power during will be the country’s first utility-scale on Mars a presentation of the draft policy which will wind facility. According to Mainstream’s CEO, ➌ First Water-Based be appraised by stakeholders before it will be Eddie O’Connor “this wind farm is the Nuclear Battery Can presented to the Federal Executive Council. Apart from the 2,483MW target for 2015, ideal solution for Ghana because wind Be Used to Generate there are broader goals: 8,188MW for 2020 and solar power are the only proven Electrical Energy and 23,134MW for 2030. Therefore, renew➍ Q uick-Change technologies in the world which can able sources will contribute about 1.3 percent Materials Break achieve the dual objectives of speed Silicon Speed Limit for of Nigeria’s energy mix by 2015, with further of deployment and scale.” Computers projections of 8 percent for 2020 and 16 per–VENTURES AFRICA Science Daily cent for 2030. – VENTURES AFRICA

Nigeria had grown tremendously recording an annual growth rate of 30 percent in the telecommunication sector in 2014

Kenya To Begin Energy Exportation By 2016 Top 3 electricity distribution companies IN NIGERIA

Kenya’s power generation would be more than sufficient for the East African country that it would export surplus to neighbouring countries by the end of 2016, according to the Energy and Petroleum ministry. “Any excess power will be exported to the Abuja neighbouring states that will face production electricity dis- deficits,” said Davis Chirchir, Cabinet Secretary tribution company in charge of Energy and Petroleum. Although Kenya had in July doubled electricIbadan ity imports from Uganda, the country’s energy distribution ministry is hopeful that Kenya’s power genercompany ation would have been ramped up to the projected 5,000MW by the end of 2016 and there would be surplus to export to Kampala. Kenya will also export to South Sudan and Tanzania. – VENTURES AFRICA

➊ 1.3 per cent Therefore, renewable sources will contribute about 1.3 percent of Nigeria’s energy mix by 2015

➋

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Congratulations on your conferment with OFR and for your extension of tenure of office. No one is ever rewarded for what he is going to do,honour has always been a reward for what has been accomplished. May Allah continue to be your guide and guardian.

Once more, congratulations.

Alhaji Muhammad Sani Sidi Director General NEMA

Maimuna Abdu Ali, Aisha Bappah, Maryam Adamu Muhammad, Safiya M Adamu. (For Big sisters).

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

30 issues

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

2015: Ganduje As Case Study Of Loyalty And Continuity By Mustapha salihu Zayyad

The whistle as expected is near sounding. In fact, in a couple of weeks it will be blown to formally declare campaigns open for the various offices in the 2015 general polls. Obviously, one state where the focus will be is Kano, not just because when it sneezes, the nation stands still. Politically speaking in Nigeria, the pyramid state is erstwhile noted for its talakawa brand of political hue consciously introduced by the late Mallam Aminu Kano. Little wonder, politicians and political analysts have attached particular attention and sentiment in how and where the pendulum swings as the struggle for who occupies which position attains fiery dimension. Interestingly too, the build-up to 2015 is more so intense this time around because Kano is the main base of two All Progressives Congress (APC) hopefuls, three time presidential aspirant, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) with his cult-followership in the state as well as the ‘new kid on the block’, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the sitting governor of the state and progenitor of the Kwankwasiyya political philosophy or faith which is cued to the political sagacity of Aminu Kano and robustness of Buhari. Though, the politics of the cur-

not to jostle for any governorship seat but to ensure that we have fulfilled our promises of delivering the dividends of democracy to our people. All these rumours are being caused by agents of the PDP in order to cause confusion and destabilize our party, the All Progressives Congress”, he said. “The deputy governor is not the one initiating any campaign activities; it is his supporters who want him to contest that are doing this. If the deputy governor can stand by his principal for 16 years, then I don’t see any reason why he would not stand by him now. He is willing to support Kwankwaso and obey whichever directives he receives from him.” Also during the nationwide membership registration by the All Progressives Congress (APC) months back, the Deputy Governor had hollered back to the main opposition party that the massive turnout for the registration has sent “shivers down the spine of the crumbling People Democratic Party, (PDP)”. Ganduje, who made the remarks after obtaining the APC membership card, dismissed allegations by the ruling PDP that the exercise was designed to rig elections, as the “ranting of a loser”. He observed that the massive turn out of people for the registration exercise was an indication that the par-

rent dispensation is not fashioned along any known ideology, however, some of the players are known to be honed along this factor. However, this is not the topic of this write-up hence there would be no need to digress to it, but put aside as topic for another day. The issue as it were is 2015 and who should grab the exalted seat for the most populated and most politically enticing state in the country. The subject is Kano and why not just any politician or character should be handed the mantle of leadership to steer the ship in the coming dispensation. Apparently, several of the aspirants across party affiliations have gone beyond body language as we had witnessed a lot of it, to actual groundwork and open declarations. Ganduje is one of those who have subtly declared and have in fact, maintained he will like to fill the void when he boss leaves office. To this end, there are reports that the deputy governor had already set up campaign machineries in most of the 44 local governments of the state ahead of a possible declaration of his intention to contest the 2015 governorship election. This is in spite of what one of his top aides said sometime ago when it became obvious that Ganduje had thrown his hat into the gubernatorial ring. That aide had disclosed: “Our main focus now is

ty is quickly gaining wide acceptability across the country, adding that the peaceful conduct of the exercise nationwide signified unity of purpose in the party. The Kano state deputy governor therefore advised that the only option left for all patriotic Nigerians that have the interest of the country at heart is to join APC “in order to wrest power and end the misrule of the PDP”. What then could the party require to test the patriotism of this astute politician as the one that merits its ticket to jostle for the prime seat in the state? But first thing first, which is that why the various parties are busy strategising to pick those to fly their flags in the forthcoming contest, the focus will again be on the ruling APC for some special reasons which includes the fact that in this clime, as in Nigeria-leaders have taken it as an unwritten norm not to allow their deputies succeed them. The only governor who dared to be different in recent times as one who installed his deputy is Zamfara state former henchman, Ahmad Sani, Yerima Bakura who foisted his then No. 2, Aliyu Shinkafi though they later fell out with one another during the latter’s control of the state. Besides the Bakura prince, there is no other governor in the country that had trusted his deputy, even though their tenure as a

tag-team affair in the real sense of it; positions the assistant as one to consolidate on their achievements. Secondly, whilst those in control often say they don’t know who will succeed them, except those who will not, they have as a matter of fact ended up backing unsellable and unacceptable candidates, except maybe; for Bola Ahmed Tinubu who supported Raji Fashola, then Secretary to the State Government (SSG) as the next governor ahead of his deputy and he was massively voted into office. Nevertheless, the case of Kano has always been different since the advent of the latest political experiment which teed-off in May 29, 1999. First, it was Kwankwaso who backed the wrong candidate against popular demand in 2007, though not as a serving governor; but as the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state as he had to frantically wade through intense opposition to present Ahmed Garba Bichi as his preferred choice for the 2007 governor. The outcome is that some cardcarrying members of the party voted enmass for incumbent governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau in protest. –Zayyad wrote in from Kano

A call to the

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fct watch

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

400

About four years ago the development control department published a list of about 400 abandoned buildings in the FCT

ABAJI AMAC BWARI GWAGWALADA KUJE KWALI

ABAJI Garba Urges Youth To Be Agents Of Change The chairman of Abaji area council, Hon. Yahaya Garba, has called on youth in the council to see themselves as agents of change and not destruction. Garba appealed to the young people not be give in to being used as political thugs, saying that they are the livewire of every society and that how they play their role as agents of change will go a long way in improving the council’s future. –By Igho Oyoyo

AMAC Jiba Commends FG For Fight Against Insurgency The chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Hon. Micah Jiba has commended the federal government for rising up in the fight against insurgency in Nigeria, saying that with the successes being recording by the military against the dreaded Boko Haram the government’s sincerest which has been long questioned by many can now be seen to be sincere. – By Igho Oyoyo

BWARI Residents Want Restriction Of Herdsmen The residents of Bwari area council has called on its administration to see to the restriction of nomads and their beasts along major roads of the area. Residents who spoke to LEADERSHIP stated that the animals tend to pose a nuisance and that, sometimes, cause accidents along roads. –By Chika Mefor

The temperature of a customer being checked by a security guard

FCT: Residents Take Measures To End Ebola Spread By Igho oyoyo

Residents of the FCT have begun to take steps towards stemming the spread of the Ebola virus. It was reported that the virus which has killed many people in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, is now a big threat to Nigeria. That it has killed about 1,900 people in West Africa is no longer news, but it has brought in its wake panic, sorrow, death, closure of schools and an imminent closure of the nation’s borders. Following this development, the FCT administration and other agencies have stepped up measures to prevent the virus from spreading to the FCT –

which hosts the seat of power and other top public officers – in order to ensure that the various health policies put in place by the FCT administration are not rubbished by the Ebola virus. Not too long after the killer virus was detected to have arrived the shores of Nigeria, the FCT minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, constituted a highpowered technical committee to see to managing and curtailing the spread of the virus in the FCT and the designation of the Kuje General Hospital as the isolation centre for discovered cases in the capital – though residents of Kuje have not ceased to air their

displeasure over the choice. Although there are no confirmed cases of the break-out of the virus in the FCT, no one is taking any chances, as everyone now considers it a point of duty to protect themselves from the deadly virus. Also, the chairmen of the six area councils have taken to sensitising and educating their residents on observing simple hygiene in order to prevent the spread of the deadly virus. When LEADERSHIP visited some hotels, agencies, private and public offices in the FCT, it was discovered that the management of most organisations have put in place measures like provision of hand-sanitisers and portable thermometer to screen any suspected victim carrying the virus in the FCT. Donald Ukpom, one of private personnel responsible for checking the temperature of customers using digital thermometers check the temperature of visitors entering one of the city’s most prestigious hotels, revealed that the hotel management decided to take the preventive step, because, they do not want to be caught unawares if any of their visitors is detected to be a carrier of the deadly virus.

GWAGWALADA Council To Begin Public Campaign Against Open Defecation Gwagwalada area council has put finishing touches to its public enlightenment campaign on the dangers of open defecation in the area. Speaking in an interview, the council’s environmental department head, Tijani Ado, stated that the residents of the council will be sensitised against open defecation and the dangers it could cause to their health. –By Chika Mefor

KUJE Tete Completes COCIN Church Road Project In his bid to bring government closer to the people, the administration of the chairman of Kuje area council, Hon. Shaban Tete, has completed the COCIN Church Road which was an inherited project from the previous administration, that of Danladi Zhin, saying that his administration will ensure that all inherited projects are completed. –By Igho Oyoyo

KWALI Chairman Reiterates Resolve To Council Transformation

The chairman of Kwali area council, Ibrahim Daniel, has reiterated the resolve of his administration to bring about transformation in various sectors in the council. Daniel stated that the major focus of his administration is to rebuild the educational system of the council. –By Chika Mefor

32 FCT watch/NEWS

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

FCT EXCO Moves To Save Abuja Master Plan By Catherine Agbo

In a move thought to be reactive to criticisms about the serial abuse of the Abuja master plan and the seeming lack-luster approach of the authorities toward halting the trend, the FCT Executive Committee in that regard has approved the immediate setting up a committee to identify all violations of the master plan in order to reverse such violations accordingly. The committee chaired by the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Adamu Ismaila, has the mandate to identify all the violations and extent of the violations in order to urgently remedy such desecration. Press secretary to the FCT minister, Muhammad Sule, said in a statement yesterday that the minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, had while disclosing the decision of the EXCO after it’s meeting yesterday, emphasised that no part of the Abuja Master Plan would be compromised and that the committees job is a key to restoring the Abuja Master Plan and urged members to take the job very seriously by giving it the attention its deserves. Senator Mohammed said noted that President Goodluck Jonathan has previously expressed concern over the unwarranted violations on the master plan and directed that such encroachments should not be allowed to stand, adding that the FCT administration under him is committed and determined to correct all the wrongs perpetuated on the Abuja Master Plan. According to the statement, the minister reiterated that all the encroachment must be reversed and that his administration is ready to step on toes to get this achieved as Abuja will not be allowed to go the way of other older cities in the country. On the fate of identified encroachments, the statement quoted the minister to have said that all encroached plots when identified and recovered would be deed and titled in the names of respective Secretariats, Departments and Agencies (SDAs) to avoid future bastardisation.

FCT: Residents Take Measures To End Ebola Spread

“Since the last Ebola episode in one of the big hotels in Port Harcourt, where a doctor had to treat an Ebola-infected person in the hotel room, our management has vowed not to allow such occur in our hotel. That is why we were given this portable thermometer to check the temperature of people from the gate before they enter the hotel premises. “Even when they enter the premises, before they enter inside the hotel building they will still be screened at the entrance and when their temperature is higher than normal, they will be taken to an isolated area in the hotel and be given medical attention to find out the reason for the high temperature. We have been told not to allow anybody with abnormally high temperature into the hotel,” he

said. When LEADERSHIP visited the FCT secretariat and some other agencies, hand sanitisers could be seen mounted on the walls or placed on the receptionist’s table. One of the senior officers in a private post office, Ms. Angelina Simon, revealed that the organisation’s staff have been educated on proper relations with customers – especially as relates to handshakes – which is why the bottles of sanitisers have been provided. “It is good that we adhere to the sensitisation going on; that we should always use sanitisers to wash our hands as often as possible, because prevention is better than cure. We do not want to take chances. That is why we consider it our duty to educate

our staff on the preventive measures to follow in combating the spread of the deadly virus. “Although, there is no confirmed report of the virus’ presence in the FCT, we do not have to wait to hear anything before we take actions. Life has no duplicate, so we must do all it takes to maintain and protect the only one [life] we have. Our prayer is that this deadly disease leaves Nigeria completely and not come near the FCT,” she said. A native of the FCT, Suleiman Mohammad, commended the steps residents are taking to protect themselves and fight against the spread of the deadly Ebola virus. Mohammed thinks that, save for the sensitisation programmes which have been going on, the virus would have spread far and wide.

“I will commend the FCT minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed for the steps taken against the spread of the virus and the initiation of sentisation programmes. This step has made it possible for even the illiterate in the most remote villages to know what Ebola is. The fear of the virus is now the beginning of wisdom for the rich, poor, educated and ignorant. “I was surprise to see a man from one of the city’s remote villages demand for a sanitiser to rub his hands in one of the public offices in town. When I asked him why he needed it, he asked if I was ignorant of the spread of the Ebola virus in Nigeria. FCT residents are doing their best to protect themselves and I like it that way, because, it makes me feel safe,” Mohammed said.

NEWS /FCT watch 33

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Jiba Reaffirms Commitment To Improve Life Of Rural Dwellers

NGO Calls For Encouragement Of Girl Child Education In FCT

By Igho Oyoyo

With two years left for his administration, the chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Hon. Micah Jiba has called on residents of the council to be patient and support his administration for him to be able to deliver the dividends of democracy to them, especially at the grassroots. Jiba, who made this known while speaking with journalists, said that his administration has not concluded all projects aimed

at improving the lives of people, saying that “there are more things going to be put in place for residents of the AMAC, mostly at the grassroots”. According to Jiba, a government which means well for the people does not stop delivering dividends of democracy to the electorate, until the last day of its administration. He also reiterated his commitment to improve on the living standard of the people to the best of his ability. “There many people that we are yet to reach in the council, mostly at the rural area and I believe that, with the remaining period to go in this administration, we will

be able to reach out to them. We will ensure that nobody is left out, as far as benefitting from this government is concerned. “My desire is to reduce poverty to the barest minimum, especially as it affects the rural people, if I can, because, they are part of this administration and they need us to improve their lives. “That is why we always go back to our people to find out what they need. If they tell us their immediate needs, we ensure that we give it to them. That is what we are still doing, because, we have to satisfy our people. We cannot afford to disappoint them,” he said.

A family illegally living in an abandoned building at Anthony Enaharo Street by S.O Williams Crescent, Utako

Abandoned Buildings: FCTA Commence City-wide Structural Integrity Test By Nkechi Isaac

In its drive to prevent building collapse in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) the development control department of the FCT Administration (FCTA) has commenced a city-wide structural integrity test on abandoned buildings in the city. Speaking to journalists at a building site in Abuja, the deputy director, building inspectorate division of the department, Engr. Ogunkuade Omotayo Gabriel, stressed the need for buildings that have been abandoned over a period of time to undergo the test to prevent building collapse within the territory. Ogunkuade said, “we have observed that most of the structures that collapsed in the FCT in the past and even the one that collapsed recently in Lagos was due to structural failure. You’ll real-

ise that when you’ve leave a building for a very long time and you want to start adding a new building, it has a sort of structural stability issues. “ So, instead of out rightly removing these buildings, the FCTA engage the services of consultants to carryout structural integrity test on these buildings to be 100 per cent sure that there are still buildable or not. If it fails the test then a memo will be written to the FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed for its removal.” He further said that these abandoned properties scattered across the city landscape spoil the aesthetics of the FCT and also pose a security threat to residents. Ogunkuade said, “it has been observed that a lot of people have abandoned properties in town and some of these properties are being used by miscreants. It is also a security threat to the na-

tion.” In a chat with journalists, a principal partner at King and Associates, Adegoke Adeyemi, a consultant to the department, highlighted the importance of the test, saying the analysis will help the department in carrying out its decision. Adeyemi said, “there is the tendency for the structural elements of buildings this nature that has been abandoned for some period to deteriorate depending on the quality as at the beginning of the construction. According to him, “We are called by the department to carry out the exercise from time to time. It entails knowing the structural element from the foundation to the elements, the concrete, the reinforcement, the steel and even test the sizes, and we still do sub soil investigation in some cases to know the kind

of soil if necessary depending on the number of floors the building is going to be.” In his comments, the public relations officer of the department, Mr Kalu Emetu, said that owners of abandoned properties is required to get a re-approval from the department before they can continue any development. According to him, “about four years ago the department published a list of about 400 abandoned buildings in the FCT. Some of the people we’ve published their names have come forward and our contractors have carried out a stability text on the structures and have approved for some of them to continue building while those that failed the stability text but are remediable have made the necessary corrections and have continued building but the ones that are not remediable will have to be pulled down.”

By Igho Oyoyo

A non-governmental organisation under the auspices of Maimuna Education Foundation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has called for the government to set up modalities to encourage girlchild education in the FCT and Nigeria. The chairman of the foundation, Alhaji Abdulahi Adamu, who made this call at the foundation’s Annual Lecture and Financial Assistance programme in Jiwa Community of the FCT, said the foundation decided to champion the course for girl-child education in the FCT through scholarship, because of the degree of neglect which the girl-child suffers. According to Adamu, in the society where he comes from, little or no concern is given to the education of the girl-child, mostly in the FCT. He also revealed that as the reason behind early marriage of many girls, after their secondary education. “We are trying to see how we can encourage them not to ignore education completely, that even when they get married, they can still continue their education. That is why we are trying to see how we can encourage female education and discard the idea of getting married after a secondary education. “We want to stop that and make sure that after their secondary education, they can still further higher, that even after marriage, their education should not be left behind. What we do is to identify the best pupils among the young girls we invite for lectures and give them special assistance, just to compliment the effort of their parents, until they get through higher education. “In this society, not much is being done to encourage the girl child education,that is why year-

Did You Know That The development control department is in charge of issuing building plan approval in the FCT.

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The department published a list of over 400 abandoned building in the FCT about four years ago.

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A developer has to obtain re-approval for abandoned buildings before he can continue development.

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Structural elements of abandoned buildings tend to deteriorate.

34 FCT watch/feature

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Members of a nongovernmental organisation

Day NGO Showered Love On Less-privileged In Karimajiji By Chika Mefor & Anthony Ada Abraham

Recently, a non-governmental organisation, Shade of Hope, was at the Karamajiji Disable Colony to educate the inhabitants about the deadly Ebola virus disease (EVD) ravaging some West African countries, including Nigeria. The visit to Karamajiji, a settlement along the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Way, Abuja, was a purely humanitarian one by a concerned group to ensure the well-being and welfare of the lessprivileged people in area. The NGO was in the community to enlighten the people on the Ebola outbreak and how to avoid being infected by the deadly virus which has claimed a couple of lives in the country. It was not surprising that the group chose the disabled colony as its port of call. The visit was educative as it was enlightening. The founder, Shade of Hope, Henrrietta Igbinoba, said the NGO

was in the colony to sensitise the people about the virus and also provide succour to the people in need. “We are here to enlighten and educate the people of Karamajiji on how to prevent the spread of Ebola by sharing sanitisers and other relief materials. “Shade of Hope is an NGO which helps the less-privileged and empowers the youths of the country, irrespective of their ethnic inclinations. Our organisation, founded in 2010, has touched lots of lives around the country. Many orphanages have benefited from our gestures and we hope to continue working towards providing the basic needs of the people in our own way. We will go places and I call on all well-meaning Nigerians to, please, give back to the less privileged of the society. I didn’t even know there is a place called Karamajiji until we visited. I’m happy that I came here,” Igbinoba revealed. The secretary of the colony, Mu-

hammad Dantini, who spoke on behalf of the community, said that they were pleased to receive the organisation. He explained that since the traditional ruler of the settlement set up a committee to ensure the cleanliness of the environment, every inhabitant has embraced hygiene, in order to check the outbreak of diseases in the colony. “We are very happy about this visit. This shows that the Shade of Hope is an organisation that truly cares for the less-privileged. We pray to Almighty Allah to bless the organisation. It is better to have good health than have food, because without health you can’t even eat. We thank them for the sensitisation to prevent [the spread of] Ebola in our community. As they have started it with us, we pray that they continue. “I call on the government to also support the effort of the organisation, as its responsibilities are to take care of the people. We are

happy to receive the donations and they will go a long way in preventing the spread of this virus,” he said. The NGO’s national secretary, Ejiro Ariko, explained that the group has always lived the Nigerian dream of assisting the lessprivileged members of the society by reaching out to them in the remotest of places. The group’s northern national youth leader, Daudu Danladi, said “our ideology is giving back to the society. We live in a country where over hundreds of millions live on $1 a day. We live in a society where no one cares about the less-privileged. This is Abuja; yet in this place called Karamajiji there are no infrastructures and we are just tired of distancing ourselves from reality on ground. “These are disabled men, women and children. You can hear them screaming and see their malnourished bodies, yet some of us live in

luxurious apartments with everything. We are calling on well-meaning Nigerians and philanthropists to join hands and help us give peace a chance. Let’s be our brothers’ keepers, because without a united Nigeria there is no us. Our dream is to have a Nigeria where no child will go to bed hungry and where everyone is equal,” he added. The NGO’s health consultant, Dr Reuben Ndaiya, stressed on the importance of hygiene and asked the members of the colony to keep-up the spirit of cleanliness. He was pleased with the level of education in the colony and, as a result, promised that his organisation will work towards helping to bring more awareness to the people and their plight. “The information we want to pass across is to inform them on how to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus; the signs which can inform you that someone is infected,

OPINION 35

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Power Sector: Case For Technological Capacity Development By UCHE ANEKE

There has been deliberate distortion of facts and figures in the last few weeks in some Nigerian media about the public hearing on the bill for the establishment of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services (NEMSA), organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Power on Wednesday, 16th July 2014. Indeed it is a planned media distortion aimed at misinforming the Nigerian public and discrediting a bill that is not only popular in the Power sector but enjoys the support of overwhelming majority of stakeholders. The establishment of NEMSA will afford the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), the opportunity to develop its technological capacity in the area of enforcement of technical and safety standards, inspection, testing and certification responsibilities instead of depending mainly and continuously on foreign technology and expertise by outsourcing these responsibilities to them. This is to ensure that the right technical specifications, standards and quality of materials and equipment used in the production/ generation and delivery of electricity supply to consumers are in place. Also, it is to ensure that the power systems and networks put in place have been properly planned, designed and executed before use and guarantee robust networks/ power systems capable of delivering safe, reliable and regular power supply to the consumers nationwide. Furthermore, it will enhance efficiency and guarantee safety of lives and property in the NESI.

Nebo

Declaring the public hearing open, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal stated that post privatisation era in the power sector has shown the urgent need for a technical and professional agency of government that can rise up to the challenge of bridging this obvious gaps and perform the enforcement of technical and safety standards in NESI. In his words, “in this regard, we cannot afford to leave the enforcement of technical standards, inspection, testing and certification of all electrical installations, equipment and materials in the industry without effective enforcement regime.” Similarly, Senator Phillip Aduda, chairman Senate Committee on Power, while concurring with the Speaker, said the Senate was in support of the bill so that safe and reliable electricity could be delivered to Nigerians. The man who was in charge of the proceedings of the public hearing in his capacity as

The establishment of NEMSA will afford the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), the opportunity to develop its technological capacity

the chairman House Committee on Power, Hon Patrick Ikhariale, posited that the bill was to give legal backing to an agency that would be involved in ensuring the enforcement of technical and safety standards and regulation in adherence to best practices in the power sector. There is no doubt that the issue of technical gaps in the enforcement of technical and safety standards, inspection, testing and certification in the NESI has been of serious concern to policy makers in the power sector especially after privatisation and hand over to new owners. T he Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which unarguably is the industry regulator, has in the last 10 years only concentrated its efforts at ensuring that economic/ commercial regulation is right for the consumers, licensees and other stakeholders. Enforcement o f t e c h n i c a l s t a n d a rd s / regulations, inspections, testing and certification functions have always been performed/ executed by Electrical Inspectorate Services (EIS), department of the Federal Ministry of Power, now Electricity Management Services Limited (EMSL), with seasoned, well trained professionals to effectively deal with the issue of enforcement. As at today, the skill and expertise to deal with the enforcement functions in the power sector exist only in the Electrical Inspectorate Services (EIS), department of the Federal Ministry of Power. – Aneke contributed this piece from Abuja

Dele Fatokun

Reasoning Together reasoningtogether2013@yahoo.com 08158594386 (SMS only)

Righteousness Versus Religion (2) It is appalling to read of some unprintable information about the activities of certain atrocities committed by some respected officers in both private and public service in our dear country today. Some of these activities range from creation of ‘ghost’ workers to ghost pensioners who were ghost workers that retired and started collecting pensions. What a country, a religious country for that matter! The list is endless and everybody is passing the blame on the other person, just like the proverbial man with log of wool in his eyes but can only see the speck in the other’s eye. Who is free and who can be free from this monstrous evil in the land? Biblical righteousness is

not self-generated or selfperpetuated. It is different from self-righteousness which is simply filthy rags. True righteousness is a gift from God. Those who thirst for it are filled with it. This righteousness gives priority to relationship with God. “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, All other things shall be added unto you” says the Holy writ. Religion without righteousness has always had devastating results even from Biblical times. God has always emphasised that righteousness is more important than religion in the life of His people. The following scriptural statements attest to this fact: “For I desired mercy,

and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offering. Wherewith shall I come before the Lord and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruits of my body for the sin of my soul?” Mere religion does not have the capacity to transform. But evidences abound that the power of true righteousness has transformed the lives of individuals, families, societies and nations. Prostitutes have become saints; chronic

armed robbers and swindlers have turned into a new life; cheats who were involved in examination malpractices have made restitutions – the list is endless! In my conclusion, I wish to appeal to the conscience of every individual to strive to attain true righteousness from the right source. There is the dire need for the sinner to repent from his/her sins and believe that God loves him and that Jesus died for him. He should invite Jesus into his life through the prayer of faith. You can have His righteousness imputed into your life today if you allow Him. Our lives, families, workplaces, communities and entire nation can enjoy a rebirth and real righteousness.

Every Tuesday Ahmad B Kaita (MHR) 07081888802 (SMS only) email: babbaahmed@yahoo.com

President Jonathan’s PDP: When Failure Is An Asset

ot many people could comprehend the logic (if any) behind the unanimous albeit, induced endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan by PDP Governors in a comic jamboree that could easily pass as the worst assault on our nascent democracy. If anything, the jamboree only explained in unequivocal terms how far the current set of leaders are willing to go to keep Nigeria perpetually in their suffocating grips. Of course, nobody was fooled into believing the gesture was sincerely generated by the endless strings of “good works” of President Jonathan as reeled out by one speaker after another all trying to outdo the next. Sadly, one simple message lost to the “endorsing” crowd was the faint pulse of the nation. The ridiculosity guiding the spirits of these pseudo-democrats could not be lost even to a novice. While busy endorsing the continuation of the inept and hopelessly crippled regime of President Jonathan, most of them seemed ignorant of the true definition of “peace” which, incidentally, they choose default campaign topic whenever they are faced with a new opportunity to sell their irretrievably bad candidate. As if by consensus, these lot make it a duty to insult our collective intelligence by constant preaching of a non-existent scenario of peace. How could there be peace in a country that could not account for almost 300 young girls kidnapped in their school. People will be happy to know what concoction is powering the thinking faculties of these guys. In the most insensitive assault to our collective respectability and intelligence, funny guys like former Adamawa State Governor, Boni Haruna kept hammering on a supposed idea of “peace” when people in his home Local Government could no longer say whether they are effectively under Nigeria’s geographical boundaries or if they have been abandoned to Shekau’s new “caliphate”. The arrogance with which the PDP rule the present democratic atmosphere could be likened to the arrogance of an amateur magician - equipped with little skills and loaded with ambition to make the best use of an opportunity. How else could one explain the dream of these jokers to sell a nationally acclaimed bad and substandard product by simply dancing and reeling out lies that only exist in their monetarily induced imagination? There are fundamental issues that this bunch will touch with a mile long pole and, sadly for them, these are the issues trending within the polity as well, issues which every Nigeria is desperately asking for answers. Let somebody explain the role of President Jonathan and his regime in the ongoing $9.3m intercepted in South Africa in the private jet of one of his closest friends and ardent supporter, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor - the imposed leader of CAN. Despite the deceitful campaign of “peace” unleashed by the regime’s foot soldiers on Nigerians, common sense (if it’s common among them) should have allowed them review the current precarious security situation and juxtapose it with their deadly ambition to prevent the possible descent of Nigeria into an uncontrollable anarchy which, like it or not, is always the result of such an unjustifiable expectation on a meager political investment as President Jonathan invested on Nigeria and Nigerians.

36 ISSUES

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

That 66th PDP NEC By Akin Oyegoke

It was one of the most successful national executive committee meetings of the Peoples Democratic Party and the second to be convened by Adamu Mu’azu, former Governor of Bauchi State, who emerged the national chairman of the party last January. Like in the beginning so was the attendance . The conviviality of the atmosphere, the NEC hall of the Watada Plaza national secretariat of the party, recreated in the mind of members similar ambiance under which the founding fathers of the party met on August, 31, 1998, almost 16 years ago, at the International Conference Centre in Abuja to declare “ so help us God,” signaling the birth of what has turned out to be Africa’s largest political party. But the PDP has had its ups and downs. That however, is not the concern of this piece but it suffices that the reference serves as a guide in enabling a locale which is necessary to appreciate the journey of the party through the years and the milage so far covered though in not so long a history. The PDP has no doubt come a long way as events at the 66th NEC conveyed. It has tasted the waters and where others faltered, the party apart from occasional bruises still stands firmly on its feet, lifting the banner of unity and of democracy even higher. The ability to aggregate diverse interests and forge a common front for the sake of the party and the nation has remained its greatest strength. This feature played out eloquently at the last NEC when the PDP Governors Forum set the tone as it spoke through Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, the Governor of Niger State. “ The PDP governors in one accord, has decided on the president as the sole presidential candidate of the party in 2015 general elections.” Governor

Mu’azu then went for the clincher when he beckoned on the Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido for corroboration which he promptly did , raising his thumbs. He added, “ we have also decided that we shall win back all the states we lost as a result of defection.” The Senate President, David Mark, Chief Shuabu Oyedoku, a former Deputy National Chairman who spoke for the Board of Trustees and Bello Haliru Mohammed representing all former national chairmen further provided insight into this party position, affirming President Goodluck Jonathan as the sole presidential candidate of the ruling party in 2015 general election. And that’s the greatest success of that meeting of the national executive committee. However, this feat would be better appreciated in the background of the larger picture of its import, the tremendous progress the party has made

Mu’azu

There was balancing and counter balancing, give and take, indeed, real time politicking as effectively engineered by Adamu Mu’azu’s sagacity; thus taking away from NEC, rancour, indecision and stagnated debate which hitherto characterised such gatherings since pulling away from the brinks months back, the place of the in-built regenerative factors which form the back bone of the party as well as the place of the current Mu’azu leadership in galvanising these factors to return the party to pre-eminent position. First is that precedent has been set in line with traditions in advanced democracy where siting presidents enjoy automatic ticket. The cohesive effects of this on the party in an election year is salutary as it also gives more time for the candidate to concentrate on governance while working for the main election. The passage of time despite incipient contradictions

has seen the party make tremendous progress in internalising democratic norms. The truth is that it has gone beyond the prima in learning the ropes. The unanimous resolution of NEC without any form of coercion, adopting President Goodluck Jonathan as the sole presidential candidate is clear departure from the past and the first in its history. In 2003 , Chief Audu Ogbe, the then national chairman of the party had in one of the tension-soaked NEC meetings preceding the 2003 presidential convention declared that “ordinarily, a sitting president should enjoy automatic reelection ticket but we are in a peculiar situation.” Dr. Alex Ekwueme later slogged it out

with the incumbent President Obasanjo at the presidential primaries which Obasanjo won. Today, what Audu Ogbe termed peculiar situation has effectively been put behind the party as a result of suave political engineering by its leaders, especially in the past six months. For those waiting to cash in on the expected fissure arising from disagreements, the usual bad loser syndrome characterising politics here, especially an expectedly hotly contested presidential primaries that may touch on our fault lines, a big disappointment, once again ! Besides, with the near war situation in the North Eastern part of the country, the leaders of the PDP have once more risen to the occasion demanded of quality leadership by preempting division that aggravates and fuels ethnic suspicion and further vex an already threatening situation. A little spark on the party whose centripetal pull approximates the unity of Nigeria could detail unimaginable consequences. Similarly, the expansive route,

the democratic manner through which the decision to draft the president as the sole candidate of the party was arrived at, is an expose on direction and the determination of the Mu’azu leadership to return the party to the people . For the the first time in the recent history of the PDP, all organs and bodies which directly represent the ordinary members of the party were united in taking a common stand over an issue as serious and as formerly divisive as presidential election ticket. From the National Assembly where all the members of the party said “ aye”, to the Governors Forum, the state chairmen who are directly in charge of state membership, Board of Trustees, the guardians of the party and the NEC as fully constituted, all speaking in one accord and without any form of pressure, who else are the people and who else represent the people better than these? There was balancing and counter balancing, give and take, indeed, real time politicking as effectively engineered by Adamu Mu’azu’s sagacity; thus taking away from NEC, rancour, indecision and stagnated debate which hitherto characterised such gatherings. This fact, he raised prominently in his address, “ PDP will assume its rightful place in our polity as engineers of vision , managers of aspiration, promoters of stability and functional vehicles for authentic power acquisition.” The unrivaled successes of the 66th NEC echoed loudly in the closing prayers by Sen. Smart Adeyemi who journeyed across solemn verses in the books of Psalm, Wisdom and the gospels, declaring that Nigerians ought to rejoice as “God will surely heal the land.” To this, both Moslems and Christians , all chorused Amen! –Oyegoke wrote in from Abuja

Beware, Your Stamp Of Approval by Evangeline Udenyi

I watched one of these comedy seasonal movies and something happened that caught my attention. There were these five very close friends and they were about to make a decision whether or not to go to a place. Then everyone started making their suggestions some of which were considered or not based on how their suggestions in the past turned out to be. So there was this guy (Mr X) who gave a suggestion and everyone went

“naaaahhhhh…” he was so shocked and when he asked why, they helped him look through some suggestions he made it the past that turned out to be their worst experiences yet. I have since learnt a very profound lesson here. A lot of the time people go for things because they are recommended either by a friend they love or trust or if they have heard it one too many times. I have been in a situation where someone tried to convince me to purchase a product. She was not the one selling, and indeed she

almost convinced me until I found out that she had never used it herself, her very good friend recommended it and that was enough for her, enough to sell it to me. On the flip side, when what you recommend does not meet the standard advertised and this goes on for a while, people begin to lose faith in your recommendation or “stamp of approval”. You will hear things like “the other product you talked about was crap oh! How am I sure this one won’t be?”… So be careful where or on what you

put your stamp of approval. Make sure it is tested and tried before you recommend. When you do, you can say “I have never used this before, but it looks like it will work” or “ people are talking about this new place, I don’t know that much about it, but I think it should be worth the try”. That way nothing is really stuck to you. My personal recommendation however, is ask someone who actually knows or simply keep quiet.

When what you recommend does not meet the standard advertised and this goes on for a while, people begin to lose faith in your recommendation –Udenyi sent in this piece from or “stamp of approval” Abuja

politics today Tuesday, September 23 , 2014

REPORTS ANALYSES REVIEWS INTERVIEWS

Jonathan

Mu’azu

2015: Now That Jonathan Has Emerged PDP’s Sole Candidate Chibuzo Ukaibe looks at the significance and consequences of PDP’s adoption of President Jonathan as sole candidate ahead of 2015 presidential election.

T Needless of a premonition that Jonathan would get the party’s ticket if he decides to run for the position in 2015, those against Jonathan’s seeking another term moved early to halt such endorsements

he emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan as the only candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for 2015 presidential election was only a matter of meetings as last week has proved. The meetings, which cut across all critical organs of the party, came in torrents, culminating in the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party endorsing the president. This endorsement was long expected even though it met stiff resistance. Before now, key stakeholders of the party, especially, the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, had canvassed for the adoption of a tradition which offers a sitting president, who has another tenure to serve, the right of first refusal as practised in other climes, particularly the United States. But such moves had met resistance by some party members, especially the then G7 governors, five of which eventually defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Amidst other reasons for their

grouse with the leadership of the party under former national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and by extension President Jonathan, was their insistence that the president was not eligible to run on grounds of an agreement for him to run for one term. Needless of a premonition that Jonathan would get the party’s ticket if he decides to run for the position in 2015, those against Jonathan’s seeking another term moved early to halt such endorsements. But Tukur, a war time national chairman, dared the G7 governors, on their threat that the party will lose its dominance if they defected. While five eventually defected two others stayed back- Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido and his Niger State counterpart, Babangida Aliyu. But Lamido and Aliyu, having assumed symbols of internal opposition within the party, dramatically turned out to be critical puns in the sole candidature of Jonathan. For Aliyu, it was an irony of sorts having to be the one to

announce the decision of PDP governors endorsing Jonathan at the NEC meeting, having being the governor who in 2012, declared the ineligibility of Jonathan on grounds of the alleged “one term pact.” But it was even more significant that he speaks for the governors being the chairman of Northern Governors Forum. But Lamido had carried the air of a top challenger to President Goodluck Jonathan for the top job ahead of 2015. This much was evident after the PDP in Jigawa State disassociated itself from the endorsement of Jonathan by the North West PDP at a meeting in Kaduna two weeks ago. He further spun the suspense over his ambition as he refused to attend any of the pre-NEC meetings, delegating his deputy instead, only to turn up at the NEC meeting nodding to the president, his acquiesces to sole candidature. Lamido’s decision to “step down” for Jonathan has kept party pundits wondering what it spells for relationship between the president and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, a huge supporter of Lamido for the number one job. Obasanjo, who was absent at the meeting, having resigned from participating in the activities of the party at the height of his fall out with

Jonathan, had as far back as December 2009, started lobbying for Lamido to be the PDP’s vice presidential candidate in the 2011 elections, it was gathered. While some political watchers still opine that Obasanjo’s resignation from PDP was due to his waning influence in a Jonathan’s government, others believe it was connected to the perceived ambition of Jonathan to continue in office beyond 2015, as contained in the former president’s now famous letter written last year. But with the emergence of Jonathan as sole candidate of the party and Lamido out of the way, it is left to be seen what influence the former president wields in the affairs of the party, or what role he will play in the party ahead of 2015. Still, it does appear that the former president was somewhat relegated to the background at a time the party was taking such a critical decision as crowning its champion for the 2015 contest. Nevertheless, Jonathan can’t be grateful enough to PDP governors led by the Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio, for the role they played in his becoming the sole candidate of the party. ➔ CONTINUES ON PAGE 38 Donald Ojogo, Group Politics Editor

38 POLITICS TODAY

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

2015: Now That Jonathan Has Emerged PDP’s Sole Candidate

Anenih ➔ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37

In any case, for PDP, with the smooth endorsement of Jonathan the spotlight on how a presidential candidate will emerge has been shifted to the APC

Since the emergence of PDP Governors Forum in Feburary, 2013, the commitment of the governors to ensure a fresh mandate for Jonathan in 2015 was never in doubt. In his inaugural remarks before the gathering of members of PDP NEC held last year, Akpabio outrightly declared support for Jonathan in 2015 on the basis that Jonathan’s predecessor, the late Umaru Yar’Adua enjoyed total cooperation from the party governors. His words: ‘’We are ready to stand solidly behind the leader of the PDP in the nation. Mr. President, we have never failed in supporting any president in power. We always respect and support any president in power. When our late President Yar’Adua was in power, there was no single PDP governor that challenged him, either on the pages of newspaper or at any meeting. We even went to the extent of organising prayers for him and we supported all his policies; yours cannot be different. Leadership comes from God and He gives it to whom He pleases.’’ And so when last week Wednesday, after the PDP governors meeting in Abuja, Akpabio declared thet “PDP governors forum hereby endorses President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term in office and urged all PDP faithful to support this gesture which should enable the president become the sole candidate of the PDP come 2015,it was more than just a forecast of the NEC’s resolution but a promise fulfilled. Jonathan, in a feat of gratitude, likened the governors support

Akpabio

as “atomic bomb”, underscoring how easy they made his 2015 ambition seem compared to the 2011 experience. A clear indication to how tough it was for Jonathan to get the party’s ticket back in 2011 was reflective of the purported one term agreement he was alleged to have signed with the governors then under the leadership of Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State. For a Jonathan, who was still coming to terms with the circumstances that brought him to presidency, he had to deal with governors who wielded absolute control of the party’s structures. However, with most of the governors in 2011 eligible for a second term, it was gathered that the perennial deal was reached with the presidency for all of them to be get return tickets without interference. This time, however, it is reported that an arrangement was reached, one that will not have the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) sniffing for dirt over their eight year tenures. More so, part of the deal, it was alleged, is to allow the governors have decide their successors and for those that want to go to the Senate to have a hitch free ticket. Naturally, for those who still have another tenure, like in Gombe, Kogi, among others, a second term ticket is guaranteed. Still, last Thursday’s endorsement, is in some way, the beginning of a new trend in the party, one that would make for less rancourous presidential primaries in the PDP. Some party faithful believe that with what transpired at the NEC meeting, the perpetual near combustible state the party gets

to at most presidential primary will be a thing of the past. Post 2011 election, the polity was heated over Jonathan’s aspiration to fly the party’s flag at the election. He had to face with what was to be seen then as the “Northern gang up” against him within the party, solely to ensure power returns to the north- as a fallout to the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and the zoning arrangement. Jonathan, however, emerged the party’s candidate, defeating former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, now a contender for the All progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket. In 1998, Obasanjo had rode the wave of sympathy for the South West over the death of MKO Abiola to emerge the party’s candidate. In 2003 however, he had a tough tussle getting the party’s ticket as his vice, Atiku Abubakar, held the aces. At the time, Atiku had the support of most of the PDP governors to contest the party’s presidential ticket against Obasanjo, but he declined to contest on moral grounds, he claimed. But the threat he posed to Obasanjo resulted in a long face-off with the former president. In 2007, Obasanjo, smarting from his experience in 2003, ensured that the coast was clear for the late Yar’Adua, singlehandedly picking the former Katsina governor and sending a clear indication to other aspirants to back down. With Jonathan now in the clear to fly the party’s flag, the nagging question of who will be his running mate has yet again resurfaced. There have been moves to

unseat the vice president, Namadi Sambo, on claims that he does not pull his weight in the North, specifically the North West, were the party foresees a tough huddle. Some party hawks are posturing that Lamido might be brought in for the position. Others are pointing in the direction of Katsina State governor, Ibrahim Shema. But the national publicity secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, said, “I believe a lot of people are trying to speculate on this issue. Why don’t we wait till when Mr. President declares for such issues to be highlighted? “But I must inform that PDP has mentioned that it is a winning team. The president has done very well and it is a winning team. I believe that there is no need to magnify or attempt to import any differences between the president and his vice president. “They have worked so well. The vice president has continued to be the second most loyal vice in the history of this country besides President Jonathan when he was vice president. So I believe he enjoys the confidence of Jonathan. And in the 2015 election, if Jonathan accepts to run, then we will be able to take it to the next level”. In any case, for PDP, with the smooth endorsement of Jonathan the spotlight on how a presidential candidate will emerge has been shifted to the APC. The ruling party would boast that it has set the tone for the APC to produce its candidate as easily and rancour free as it did last Thursday.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

CELEBRATING BAZE UNIVERSITY’S FIRST GRADUATION CEREMONY

Baze University, a world class private university in Abuja holds its first graduation ceremony on Saturday October 11, 2014. 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 meassages!

www.bazeuniversity.edu.ng

Please contact the following numbers for adverts placement:

HENRY on 08068640944 e-mail: henro101@yahoo.com MR. IBE REGINALD on 08037880164 e-mail: ibereginald@yahoo.com

YOU CAN’T BEAT THIS!

SENSITIZATION WORKSHOP ON PENSION MANAGEMENT UNDER PENSION TRANSITIONAL RESTAURANT ARRANGEMENT DIRECTORATE (PTAD)

BananaRepublic

he Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), an agency created by Federal Government of Nigeria under Pension Reform Act 2004 and amended by Pension Reform Act 2014, to manage and administer pensions under the Dened Benets Scheme, is organizing a sensitization workshop on pension management th under the Dened Benet Scheme in Minna and Kaduna on Thursday 25 and Monday th 29 September, 2014, respectively. The workshop will provide the opportunity to explain the role and mandate of PTAD, discuss the general issues affecting pensioners and articulate the road map for a seamless consolidation of Parastatals Pension and their Pension Boards of Trustees under PTAD. The workshop will be enriched with the attendance of all critical stakeholders, such as representative of Coordinating Minister of Economy and Minister of Finance, Ofce of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Ofce of Accountant General of the Federation, Budget Ofce of the Federation, National Pension Commission, National Insurance Commission, the National Assembly, Ofce of the Auditor General of the Federation and Public Complaints Commission.

42 news NATIONAL 2014 Hajj: Pilgrims Counselled Against Stampede An expert in handling Hajj operations has advised intending pilgrims in the 2014 Hajj on how to perform a peaceful pilgrimage and avoid cases of stampede as usually recorded during the religious exercise. The chairman, COMEREL Travels and Tours Ltd, Umaru Usman Karaye, gave this advice during a twoday induction course organised by COMEREL in Abuja to give orientation to Nigeria’s intending pilgrims. Speaking exclusively to LEADERSHIP at the event, Karaye advised intending pilgrims to ask questions in order to know the right route to follow. By Paul Chiama, Abuja

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

UNICEF, FG Launch Cash For Girls’ Education In Sokoto By Winifred Ogbebo, Abuja

Thousands of girls in northern Nigeria are set to receive cash to pay for textbooks and other school-related costs, as part of a UNICEF-supported programme - launched in Sokoto yesterday - which aims at encouraging parents to send their daughters to school. At the ceremony outside the primary school in Wurno local government area in Sokoto, several mothers received a first quarter payment of N5,000 ($ 31) for each daughter aged 6 to 15, the first payment of

an annual N20,000. “Today we are here to officially flag off the 2014/2015 enrolment drive campaign disbursement of cash”, said Sokoto State education commissioner, Alhaji Bello Yusuf Danchadi speaking on behalf of Governor Aliyu Magatarda Wammakko. “The cash disbursement will continue every quarter for the next two years”, he added. Getting girls to enroll and remain in school is particularly important in a country where 10.5 million children are out of school, 60 per cent of them in the north, and mostly girls.

“An educated girl will have a better life, as will her family. We know that educated girls will have healthier children. Every additional year of schooling further reduces the probability of child mortality,” said Utpal Moitra, who heads the UNICEF office for north-central and northwest Nigeria. In all, 23,000 girls will benefit from the cash transfer programme in the northern states. of Sokoto and Niger this year, and as many as 50,000 the next year. The programme is expected to expand and also be replicated in other states.

There is still resistance to sending children to school in northern Nigeria, in part because of a low perception of the value of education, particularly for girls, but also because many parents just can’t afford to send their children to school. Among those attending the ceremony was Nollywood star Zack Amata, who is currently producing a film that aims to encourage parents to send their daughters to school. “We want to tell parents: ‘If you send a girl to secondary school, you will get more money later’,” he said.

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Insurgency: NEMA Flags Off Distribution Of Relief Materials The federal government has flagged off massive distribution of relief materials in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, by the committee set up by the president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to procure adequate relief materials for distribution to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in states affected by the insurgency at the weekend. The director general of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Muhammad Sani Sidi, who is the chairman of the committee, said the exercise was part of the federal government’s efforts to ensure that the internally displaced persons were catered for. By Ejike Ejike, Abuja

DINJA Worried Over Mounting Corruption In Nigeria Nigerians in Diaspora, under the aegis of Diaspora Institute for Nigerian Justice and Accountability (DINJA), have expressed concern over the incessant cases of corruption overriding the affairs of Nigeria just as they lamented the replacement of public officials L-R: Niger Delta Affairs minister Dr. Stephen Oru, minister of state Arc Darius Ishaku and the permanent secretary in the without regard to ministry Mrs Fatima Bamidele during a meeting with the House Committee on Niger Delta Affairs at the National Assembly civil service rules. In a statement Complex in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO made available to LEADERSHIP, the spokesman of the group, Professor Bitrus Gwamna was optimistic that By Chika Mefor, Abuja tecting the corps members in adding that with the servicthe institute would es rendered those things will the camps. proffer solutions to The chairman of the National While speaking about the be a thing of the past. the country’s socioYouth Service Corps (NYSC) newly introduced full comBozimo pointed out that, economic problems National Governing Board, puterisation of the mobili- with the online registration, by organising issueChief Gordon Bozimo has sation process, the chairman prospective corps membased seminars and disclosed that Ebola testing said that it will help to reduce bers could now print their conferences. devices would be deployed to hardship faced by prospective call-up letters online adding Gwamna noted orientation camps during the corps members. that prospective corps memthat the members next orientation course. He added that before now, bers could reprint a lost callof the organisation Bozimo who was speaking corps members had to travel up letter unlike in the past, were committed to while commissioning four back to their respective insti- when those that lost theirs educating Nigerians coaster staff buses donated tutions of graduation to col- had to present police report on the sanctity of to the scheme by stakehold- lect their call-up letters with and sworn affidavit, and the rule of law. ers recently, said that these the attendant risks, including would wait to be mobilised He said, “The measures were to help in pro- incidence of road accidents in another batch. democratic experience witnessed in the country will fail to satisfy the people’s yearning By Kuni Tyessi, Abuja with some journalists in his ances since 2007, but stressed for fruitful political office yesterday, in response to that the authority had never re- and economic diviThe permanent secretary, Fed- the strike action by some staff lented in its efforts to secure re- dends if Nigerians eral Ministry of Education, of the ministry, the permanent lease of the funds from the rele- shy away from Dr. MacJohn Nwaobiala, has secretary said it was sad that vant offices to settle these bills. demanding justice dismissed the claim by Senior senior civil servants who have “We have written we have fol- and fair play from Staff Association of Nigeria all the opportunities to obtain lowed up formally and infor- those they have that the ministry received the accurate information are dis- mally without success” he said. elected to shepherd sum of N1.8 billion from the rupting official transactions He however assured that them to peace and federal government to settle based on mere hearsay. within the meager overhead al- prosperity.” debt owed the staff, describDr. Nwaobiala acknowledged locations of the ministry, manBy Chika Okeke, ing the claim as false. that it is sad enough that staff agement has resolved to settle Abuja Speaking in an interview were being owed some allow- some of the bills in phases.

Ebola: NYSC To Deploy Testing Devices To Orientation Camps

N1.8bn: Perm Sec Refutes Union’s Claim

news north-East, north-west 43 PDP Sets Up Caretaker C’ttee For Yobe

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Kaduna Killings: Nude Women Barricade Yero’s Convoy We’ve Lost 300 Lives In Less Than 3 Months – CAN By Midat Joseph, Kaduna

Angered by the recent killings of over 50 persons in their villages, hundreds of half-nude women yesterday protested before the convoy of Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero in Sanga local government of Kaduna

State, accusing the state government of neglecting to protect their lives and properties. The half-nude women, dressed in black attire, booed and threw objects at the long convoy of the governor in Fadan Karshi, Sanga local government area. The women were angry that after not less than seven attacks on their villages, in which not less than 300 villagers were

killed since last July, the governor did not visit the place until a few weeks to the primary elections. Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), yesterday alleged that the killings that had occurred in Sanga LGC were carried out by terrorists and that 300 lives had been lost in the invasions. This was contained in a letter written to the visiting Gov-

ernor Yero and handed to him at Fadan Karshi yesterday, as protesting women wailed and pelted his convoy with mud and sand at the palace of the district head of Fadan Karshi while it was raining. The letter signed by Kaduna CAN chairman, Rev Fadan Matthew Anana, urged the governor to urgently end the killings and incessant attacks on innocent people in the area.

Nude women protesting before the convoy of Governor Mukhtar Yero over the recent killings of over 50 people in Sanga local government area of Kaduna, yesterday.

short news ‘1,334 Pilgrims To Perform This Year’s Hajj From Taraba’ The acting governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Garba Umar has said that 1,334 pilgrims from the state are to perform this year’s pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Umar, who stated this yesterday in Jalingo, while addressing intending Muslim pilgrims, said that the state government had sponsored 230 pilgrims including officials. He added that the performance of pilgrimage to Mecca was one of the five pillars of Islam. By Andrew Ojih, Jalingo

Shun Settler/Indigene Division, Kwankwaso Tells Nigerians By Abubakar Salihi, Kano

Kano State governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has urged host communities to stop regarding fellow Nigerians from other places domiciled with them as non-indigenes, saying irrespective of one’s place of origin, the nation’s unity in diversity must not be compromised. Governor Kwankwaso made the assertion during a meeting with different communities resident in the state, at Africa House, Kano Government House yesterday, pointing out that to him, where anybody is residing is his home,

irrespective of where he comes from. He stated, “I believe Nigerians should come together to throw away this idea of non-indigenes, especially people who have been in a place for a very long time - people who have contributed so much to the development of that area. I believe these are some of the issues that must be addressed”. “Therefore, let me call on my brothers and sisters especially politicians who gain so much by bringing this division; the issue of ethnicity, issue of religion, issue of north and south or some-

times, you even find some people from neighbouring states living together, yet these people are considered as non-indigenes. I do not believe that this is correct, and we have to find a way of making people as comfortable as possible in places where they choose to stay in this country.” The governor continued: “We are lucky that we have so many people from every part of the country living in this state. In fact, Nigerians from all the states of the federation live here and vice-versa and that is exactly how it should be.”

Gombe Youths Ask CP To Halt Re-introduction Of ‘Kalare Youths’ By Abdullahi Maha, Gombe

Ahead of the 2015 general elections, the Gombe Youth Development Forum has called on the commissioner of police in Gombe State to halt the alleged re-introduction of Kalare youths by former Governor Danjuma Goje, saying it is regrettable that such ugly trend is rearing its head in the state again. Addressing newsmen in Abuja on the recent invitation of the former governor to the police command in Gombe, the nation-

al coordinator of the group, Barr. Salihu Mohammed said the people of the state would not fold their arms and watch the lives of Gombe youths being ruined again after the dark years of the previous administration when the youths were being used for thuggery. Mohammed urged the police commissioner to ensure that any attempt by any unscrupulous politician to reintroduce the Yankalare youths is brought to a halt, noting that it would be disastrous if the police allow

the hitherto peaceful nature of Gombe State to be jeopardised for selfish interests. “It is on record that the incumbent Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo has expended over N500million on the rehabilitation of the Yankalare youths that the administration of Danjuma Goje unleashed on the state. This is after crimes such as alleged murder, robbery, kidnapping and uncontrolled thuggery had been the lot of these youths whose lives were destroyed on this note”, he said.

short news UNICEF, DFID Sponsor 10,700 Girls’ Education In Sokoto

The United Nations International Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) and the Department for International Development (DFID) yesterday in Wurno local government of Sokoto State flagged off the 2014/2015 Enrolment Drive Campaign, Cash Transfer Programme and Disbursement of Cash to 10,700 girls in Sokoto to give them access to formal education. The head, UNICEF office, North West and North Central, Mr Utbal Moitra, said the programme was designed to assist the girl-child to get education. By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up an eight-man Caretaker Committee to oversee the affairs of the party in Yobe State. According to a statement by the party’s spokesman, Chief Olisa Metuh, the committee has Alhaji Sule Abdulkadir Doguwa as chairman and Ahmad Sani Kaura as secretary. The statement, however, did not include the names of the other members of the committee. Meanwhile, PDP in the same statement, blamed the opposition for trying to cause confusion over the activities of its zonal integration committees. The party last week, inaugurated zonal integration committees to facilitate reconciliation among members and cause smooth operations of the party across the six geo-political zones ahead of 2015. The PDP said the opposition was trying to disrupt the activities of the committees in some states while attempting to distort the facts regarding their roles in relation to the party structures in the states. By Chibuzo Ukaibe, Abuja

We Are Complying With PDP Registration Directive – Adamawa LG Chairmen The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) local government chairmen and councillors in Adamawa State have said that they are complying with the party’s directive to re-register in order to become authentic members of the party. The PDP in Adamawa State had given all the 21 local government chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors in the state till September 26 to reregister as members of the party or lose their seats during a stakeholders’ meeting last Friday in Yola. It was gathered that the move was designed to secure the loyalty of the LGA chairmen to the acting governor and ensure the victory of PDP at the governorship poll on October 11. There was suspicion that the LGA chairmen, who are still loyal to ex-Governor Murtala Nyako, might work for the All Progressives Congress (APC). Some of the chairmen of the local councils who spoke to our correspondent over the phone said they are complying with the directive as no one can be a legitimate member without being duly registered. The chairman of Gombi LG, Alhaji Rufai Umar said he has since registered with the party to be a bonafide member. By Mohammed Ismail, Yola

44 news Lagos Sasore Announces Trust Fund For Late Adadevoh

Former Lagos State attorneygeneral and commissioner for justice, Mr. Olasupo Shasore, SAN, has announced the establishment of a health trust for late Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh who treated the American-Liberian Ebola Virus Disease patient, Mr. Patrick Sawyer, in a Lagos hospital. Dr. Stella Adadevoh, a medical consultant at the First Consultants Hospital, Obalende, attended to Sawyer and later reported the state of health of the patient to the Lagos State government when she suspected the symptoms being manifested by Sawyer as being those of the dreaded disease. She fell ill a few days later and died at the Lagos Isolation Centre in Yaba having tested positive of the virus. By George Okojie, Lagos

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Judiciary: Full Financial Autonomy Not Feasible – Fashola By Olugbenga Soyele, Lagos

The Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola yesterday appealed to judicial workers in the state to shelve their proposed strike because full financial autonomy for the sector is not feasible without an amendment to existing laws. Fashola, who was speaking through the state’s attorney general and commissioner for

justice, Ade Ipaye at the annual Lagos State’s Judiciary Legal Year Celebrations stated that the release of the full annual budgetary allocation to the state judiciary is not feasible for now. The governor also maintained that at no time has the state government showed any opposition to the independence of the judiciary, but maintained that it will be difficult for the government to release the

wholesome money meant for the financing of the judiciary’s budget for a fiscal year as demanded by workers. Fashola further stated that, “The idea of judiciary autonomy is a welcome development, but in reality, it is not achievable due to the fact that Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) are not paid to the government in advance. “Besides, the full implementation of the various

court judgement on the matter will cause another round of legal fireworks, because it would be perceived as preferential treatment,” he noted. Governor Fashola therefore urged members of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), to always be diplomatic when fighting for their cause because whatever action they take may have negative consequences on the country.

short news Lawmaker Condemns Assassination Of APC Chieftain In Lagos

Unions Disrupt Academic Activities At AOCOED The students of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED)were locked outside the school gate when the Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education, Nigeria (SSUCOEN) and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (AOCOED) disrupted academic activities in the school. Both the students and the lecturers were unable to gain entrance into the school while those who could not wait went back. Addressing newsmen, the chairman of COEASU, Avosetinye Micheal explained that the unions will give three days ultimatum to the management to resolve all outstanding issues, saying academic activities will be put on hold for one week. By Taiwo Ogunmola-Omilani, Lagos

Cement Standardisation: Lafarge Urges Court To Bar SON From Sealing Off Factory Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc, has dragged the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) before the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, seeking an order restraining the organisation from closing its business premises over recent directive on product labeling and traceability requirements. Lafarge, which wants the restraining order to hold till the hearing and determination of the suit, is challenging the power of SON to pre-approve all advertisement/commercials of the plaintiff’s as well as certify block makers in Nigeria. By Olugbenga Soyele, Lagos

L-R: Anglican Bishop of Lagos, Bishop Adebola Ademowo; Chief Judge Of Lagos, Justice Oluwafunmilayo Atilade; Bishop Of Lagos Mainland, Rev Adebayo Akinde and Bishop Of Lagos West, Rt Revd James Odedeji, at the 2014/2015 Legal year Church Service in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN.

Schools Comply To New Resumption Date Except Few By Taiwo Ogunmola-Omilani, Lagos

As Lagos State government postponed the resumption date of private and public schools to October 8, 2014, parents and guardians have complied strictly to the instruction except Saint Anthony International School at Ijaiye area among few others. LEADERSHIP gathered that parents feel relaxed when they got the news that resumption has been shifted. Only few parents took their children to school and immediately the teachers sent them back. It was gathered that parents who saw the school opening yesterday with few students were not happy, saying it

contravenes the governor’s directive. One of the parents who did not disclose her identity said government ordered the school to close until the new date given to them. Effort to speak with the management of the school proved abortive. It would be recalled that parents have decided not to release their children until October. Governor Fashola announced the new date on Sunday in an interactive session with principals, vice principals, head teachers and assistant head teachers of public secondary and primary schools in the state. He noted that the additional two weeks of holiday will allow the state

government to further put in place all necessary precautionary measures against the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Lagos State schools. Fashola who commended the concern, commitment and dedication of Lagos teachers to their work and concern against the spread of the EVD explained that there is no compromise on containing the virus. in state as both the government and the teachers are on the same side. Said he, “let me assure you that there are no divisions or sides to the issue at hand. All of us i. e. government and you teachers are on the same side, the side of safety and that is why I commend you for your concern for safety.”

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas has condemned the gruesome murder of an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Alhaji Ottun Azeez in Lagos. The APC chieftain was killed at Enuowa Street in Lagos Island on Saturday, after the Southwest Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Lagos rally, the federal lawmaker alleges. Okoya-Thomas representing Lagos Island Federal Constituency 1, made the disclosure in a statement to newsmen. “Alhaji Ottun Azeez (Ashake) was shot at close range by PDP hoodlums who terrorised residents of Lagos Island. By Edegbe Odemwingie, Abuja

4 Feared Killed As Thugs Clash In Lagos Island By Taiwo Ogunmola-Omilani, Lagos

No fewer than four people have so far been killed in Lagos Island as rival cult groups and thugs clashed in Lagos Island. LEADERSHIP investigation revealed that a prominent political

thug was allegedly killed on Saturday few hours after the PDP rally in Lagos. As a result of his death, three persons have also been killed in a riot that broke out in Lagos Island on Sunday. As at the time of filing this story, specific number of the dead was

yet to be confirmed. It was learnt that the political thug, one Otun Azeez Asake, regarded as the “most powerful Area Boy” on the Island, was killed by some unidentified suspected political thugs after the PDP rally at the Tafawa Balewa Square on Saturday. Trouble was said to have esca-

lated on Sunday afternoon when rival Area Boys, suspected to be from the camp of the late Asake, stormed the camp of one Abija and allegedly killed three persons. The casualty figure has not been confirmed. Police have however been drafted to the area.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

SENSITIZATION WORKSHOP ON PENSION MANAGEMENT UNDER PENSION TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENT DIRECTORATE (PTAD)

Pensioners Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) Representatives Sector Unions Representatives (pensioners) in Parastatals Pension, Police, Civil Service and Paramilitary (Customs, Immigration and Prisons): Pension Board of Trustees (PBOT) Underwriters and Brokers to PBOT

Workshop Details: Participants from North Central Zone excluding FCT are to attend the workshop as below: th  Date: Thursday 25 September, 2014  Time: 9.00am (Registration )  Venue: Shiroro Hotel, Nnamdi Azikiwe Way, Minna, Niger State. Participants from North West Zone are to attend the workshop as below: th  Date: Monday 29 September, 2014  Time: 9.00am (Registration)  Venue: Hotel Seventeen, No. 6 Tafawa Balewa Way/Laa, Kaduna, Kaduna State. For further information or to RSVP contact: 08023142419, 08033914467 and 08051073366 Email: info@ptad.gov.ng

46 news south-South south-East Course Participants Tasked With Improving Service Delivery Delta State head of service, Sir Paul Evuarherhe has called on participants at the seven-weekend management course organised for senior management staff in the State Civil Service to reciprocate government’s gesture by ploughing back into the service the knowledge they acquired during the training to improve the quality of service delivery for the benefit of Deltans. Evuarherhe made the call yesterday while formally declaring closed the 11th batch of the seven-weekend management course organised by his office in collaboration with the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON). Represented by the permanent secretary, Ministry of Justice, Barr. Gobean Emmanuel Okirhiengefa, the HOS said the course was expected to prepare participants for a higher level of responsibility at the top management hierarchy of the civil service where decision making must be knowledge-driven and effective. By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Stand Against Disobedience Of Court Orders, Oshiomhole Tells Lawyers

ByPatrick Ochoga, Benin City

Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has challenged members of the Bar to speak up against disobedience of court orders, saying it portends danger for the rule of law. Speaking at the opening of the 2014/2015 Legal Year in Benin City on Friday, Oshiomhole said, “Every lawyer must endeavour to uphold

the law and it is dangerous for either the Bar or the Bench to encourage trade unions to become the enforcers of court orders. “Those who live by the court must not be seen to aid and abet disobedience of court orders. If Senior Advocates of Nigeria advise people to disobey court orders, it is a sad thing for the rule of law and if the Bar keeps quiet in the face of disobedience of court order, it is a

terrible thing for the rule of law.” Four suspended members of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Festus Ebea (Esan South-East), Hon Friday Ogieriakhi (OrhionwonSouth), Hon Patrick Osayimwen (Oredo-East) and Hon Jude Ise-Idehen (Ikpoba Okha) have continued to flout the order of a State High Court which barred them from forcibly gaining entrance into the chambers of the State House of Assem-

bly, and another order of the Appeal Court which ordered them to obey the High Court order before seeking further reliefs at the Appeal Court. The governor said: “If court bailiffs are assaulted in public, and Senior Advocates and other learned members of the community keep quiet, it is not the best for the rule of law because those who may not be affected today may be the people to be affected tomorrow.”

short news PDP Chieftain Carpets Jega On Additional Polling Units

Ministry Okays 150 Housing Units In Asaba The Federal Ministry of Lands and Housing has expressed satisfaction with the pace and standard of work on the 150 housing units being constructed for civil servants along Ibusa road, Asaba, Delta State. The inspection team led by the assistant director, Architectural Service in the ministry, Arc. Suara Akiola, expressed surprise at the pace of work and the sum of N614.9million spent by the state government on the project, and said the project was commendable and affordable for the state civil servants. The 150 housing units, nearing completion are made up of 50 one bedroom apartments, 50 two-bedroom apartments and 50 threebedroom apartments. By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba

2015: Mrs Okadigbo Gets Support For Reelection Bid Senator Margery Okadigbo, widow of the late Senate president, Dr Chuba Okadigbo, has been endorsed by the youths from the seven local government areas in Anambra North senatorial zone for a second term at the National Assembly in the 2015 general election. The chairman, Coalition of Anambra North Youth Leaders, Mr Ifeanyi Emeka David said the choice of Senator Okadigbo apart from immortalising her late husband was informed by her numerous developmental initiatives across the zone. By Okechukwu Obeta, Awka

Bad portion on Ikom-Ogoja road at Ekpugrinya/Ekajuk communities in Cross River State, yesterday. PHOTOBY NAN

Ex-Militant Leaders Back Jonathan’s Aide In Delta, Raise N10.5m For Guber Form By Osa Okhomina, Yenagoa

Former militant leaders from six South-South states yesterday declared support for the special adviser to the president on performance monitoring and evaluation, Professor Sylvester Monye ahead of the governorship election in Delta State, announcing that they have raised the sum of N10.5million to procure the governorship form for him on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). According to the ex-militant leaders led by General Dick Sese,

the decision to back the governorship aspiration of the presidential aide was based on the conviction that his leadership will provide equity, justice and fairness in the state. The ex-militant leaders, who gathered in Yenagoa at the weekend to flag off a campaign plan tagged “Operation Save Delta Equity 2015” and set up contact groups in the region, said it is in the interest of Delta State if Prof Sylvester Monye is allowed to contest the 2015 governorship election. Dick Sese said, “To ensure

that he enters the gubernatorial race, the group has earmarked N10.5million to purchase the gubernatorial form for Professor Sylvester Monye when he eventually declares to contest the gubernatorial election in the state.” “Though we are of the belief that the political terrain is known to be tough and rough, we believe in Professor Monye’s ability to weather the storm, especially as the terrain is akin to slander, backbiting, betrayal and other vices, which are necessary obstacles to refine and define a true leader.”

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Anambra State, Chief Ugochukwu Okeke has criticised the additional polling units recently created by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing the commission’s chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega of bias in the handling of the exercise. INEC recently announced the approval of additional polling units for some parts of the country, a move which drew the ire of some stakeholders, who accused the commission of favouring some geo-political zones of the country in the exercise. By Okechukwu Obeta, Awka

Ebola: Imo Schools’ Resumption Date Indefinite By Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri

Students and pupils of Imo State public schools will have to wait for a while before resuming school as the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) said it would join its national body in ensuring that their demand for preventive measures against Ebola are put in place in all the public schools in the state.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP in his office along Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, the state chairman of NUT, Dr Cletus Iwu Okeke maintained that the state NUT would abide by the decision of its national body to ensure a safe environment for its students. He, however, pointed out that the state NUT has no powers to announce resumption dates for the schools, noting that govern-

ment at both the national and state levels would consider the schools’ academic calendar before announcing a date for their resumption. Nevertheless, he said that the NUT as a major stakeholder would always make input considered to be in the best interest of the children’s education. “NUT argued that materials necessary for the prevention of

Ebola should be provided in the public schools; anytime the facilities are made available, the national body will approve the resumption dates,” Okeke said. When LEADERSHIP visited Owerri Girls Secondary School, some students were seen going out of the school premises with their luggage, claiming that they were asked to go home by their teachers.

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Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Police Kill 37 Robbers, Arrests 220 Suspects In Ogun Ogun State command of the Nigeria police has killed 37 armed robbers and arrested over 200 robbery suspects in various operations in the first three quarters of 2014. This was disclosed yesterday by the commissioner of police in the state, Ikemefuna Okoye at the Eleweran headquarters of the command, while parading suspects arrested for offences ranging from robbery to cultism. Ikemefuna said his men arrested the suspects at a hotel during initiation into secret cult. The banner recovered from the suspects had a picture of a bird with the inscription, “National Association of Airlords, Determination Regime”. By Gbenga Adeboye, Abeokuta

Fayemi Explains Delay In Payment Of Salary by ALO ABIOLA, , Ado-Ekiti

Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has attributed the delay in the payment of public workers’ August salary to dwindling state resources. The governor who assured that the salaries would be paid before the end of the week said the state’s allocation has reduced by 40 per cent. Governor Fayemi who gave the assurance during the flag off of his ‘thank you’ tour of the 35 councils in the state,

said it was a known fact among the workers in the state that his administration has not defaulted in the payment of salaries since it came on board in October 2010. The governor who got rousing welcome at the councils visited said the thrust of the tour was to express his appreciation to the people of the state for their support for his administration since October 16, 2010 when he assumed office. While explaining the circumstances surrounding the

delay in the payment of August salary to workers in the state, he said that in spite of delay in the release of federal allocation, Ekiti State government had always paid salaries before month end. He added that the government used to get overdraft to pay salaries before the state gets allocation until the opposition approached the bank in June to prevent the state from getting the loan. Fayemi explained, “We are a civil service state and many of our workers are agitat-

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ed on what is happening to their salaries. Very soon, the efforts that we are making to ensure that their salaries are paid would yield fruits. This is the first time in four years of being in office that we have not had the payment of salaries as and when due. And the reason is simple: first the resources of the state has dwindled considerably. The allocation had reduced by 40 per cent in many states, not just in Ekiti and as a result of that, we also had a shortfall in what comes to Ekiti.

$9.3m Cash: Educationist Warns Jonathan Against Sweeping Case Under Carpet An educationist, Dr Ibrahim Saka Ominiwe has warned President Goodluck Jonathan not to sweep under the carpet the issue of aircraft caught in South Africa with $9.3 million. Ominiwe who is the president, Educational Legacy College, Ibadan, Oyo State while speaking with newsmen, stated that Nigeria as a state, needs total overhauling. According to him, until this is done with God’s intervention, things might continue to fall apart. “Those involve shall incur the wrath of God by His Grace,” he said. He said that the aircraft must be impounded for life, while those involved no matter how highly placed must be prosecuted. By Adebayo Waheed, Ibadan

NMA Appeals To Lagos Assembly Over Aug Salary

Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) yesterday appealed to the state Assembly to intervene over the refusal of the state government to pay the August salary of resident doctors. NMA made the appeal in a letter which was read on the floor of the House by the Clerk, Ganiyu Abiru, calling on state governor Babatunde Fashola to pay the doctors their salaries in the interest of industrial harmony. It would be recalled that the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) had embarked on a national industrial action which lasted for about two months before suspending it in August as a result of popular demand to contain the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). By Gbenga Adeboye, Abeokuta

Lagos State First Lady and chairman, Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola (3rd left) with the award recipients - Iya Oge of Lagos Chief Opral Benson (3rd right), Iyalode of Lagos Hajia Bintu Tinubu (2nd right), Mrs. Wonu Folami (2nd left), Mrs. Feyintola Muri-Okunola (left) and former Special Adviser on Central Business District Mrs. Derin Disu (right) during the opening ceremony of the 2014 COWLSO Awards programme at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos, on Monday PHOTO BY GBENGA OLAJOBI

Fayose Case: Supporters Disrupt Court Hearing

by ALO ABIOLA, , Ado-Ekiti

There was confusion at the Ekiti State High Court premises yesterday as some youths disrupted the hearing of the case involving a socio-cultural group, E-11, and the Ekiti State governor-elect, Mr Ayodele Fayose at a high court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. The group had approached the court to challenge the eligibility of Mr Fayose to contest the June 21 governorship election in the state,

joining the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) in the suit. Justice Segun Ogunyemi, who is the presiding judge escaped being beaten by the youths after ruling against the preliminary objection raised by the defendant which was viewed as desperation for expeditious hearing on the case. One of the plaintiffs, Mr Adeniyi Ajakaye were beaten and others who were present at the

hearing were chased out of the court premises, leading to abrupt termination of the hearing of the case. Armed with dangerous weapons like clubs, cudgels and stones, the youths stopped Justice Ogunyemi from commencing the hearing of the case or give adjournment date, as they invaded the Court room leaving court officials, including lawyers, to run in different directions. The hearing had begun peace-

APC Decries Killing Of Party Chieftain

The APC, Lagos State chapter, has decried the killing of its party chieftain identified as Alhaji Azeez Asake in Lagos Island, saying the killing is a rehearsal of the orgy of violence that would play out in 2015 general elections in the state. In a statement signed by APC Lagos State publicity secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, the party said Asake was shot dead in Lagos Island after the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) held its southwest rally at the Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, at the weekend. According to the statement, “After the PDP Southwest rally in Lagos, Alhaji Azeez Asake of APC was allegedly shot and killed by the notorious Abija group led by one Olokodana and Ade Lawyer said to be loyal to Senator Musliu Obanikoro. George Okojie, Lagos

fully in the morning but turned violent after the application brought by Fayose, challenging the jurisdictional powers of the Court to hear the case was dismissed. The judge also struck out the defendant’s application for the reversal of the earlier ruling delivered by Justice Ogunyemi , which granted the plaintiffs’ request for the abridgement of days by which the defendants must reply to issues raised in the substantive suit.

Chibok Girls: MSSN Demands Probe Of Modu Sheriff, Ihejirika By JOSHUA DADA,Osogbo

Following the allegation by the Australian, Stephen Davis that the former chief of army staff, General Azuibike Ihejirika (rtd) and former Borno State governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, were the main sponsors of the dreaded Boko Haram sect, an Islamic organisation has called for thorough investigation into the matter. The Muslim Students Society of

Nigeria (MSSN) in a communiqué issued and signed by the national president, Brother Sirajudeen Folayemi Abdul-Azeez and secretary, Alh. Ibrahim Giwa at the end of its 8th National Executive Council meeting held in Osogbo stated that the findings of the negotiator need to be considered with the seriousness it deserve. According to the communiqué, “A mere dismissal of the allegations by the State Security Service or any

parastatal of the federal government is not and will never be sufficient enough. “An independent, objective and trustworthy body has to be involved to examine the claims and counter claims of the parties involved”. Besides, MSSN also challenged the federal government to make fact-based clarifications to Nigerians and the rest of the world on the security situation in the country. The MSSN condemned the num-

ber of the casualties on harmless civilians and lamented that the current security situation in the country is the worst ever in the history of Nigeria. MSSN also urged the federal government to explain the circumstances surrounding an airplane apprehended in South Africa in relation to weapon importation. The group said full identity of the two Nigerians caught with the plane should be made clear to the world.

48 news NATIONAL

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Ebola: School Resumption Nationwide By Kuni Tyessi, Abuja, Donatus Nadi, Lafia, Okechukwu Obeta, Awka, Achor Abimaje,Jos, Bernard Tolani DadA, Uyo and Patrick Ochoga, Benin City

Federal Capital Territory Witnessed Low Turnout In response to the federal government’s call that schools should resume on the 22nd of September, all private schools in the Mararaba axis of Nasarawa State opened classes for the commencement of a new session even though low turn out was recorded. A trip to some of the schools revealed that infra-red themometre, hand sanitizers, hand gloves, liquid soap and water were made available in order to check the spread of the dreaded ebola virus. When LEADERSHIP visited Emmanuels’ Learning Spring Academy, it was observed that all the classes had a maximum of only five pupils as others were yet to resume. The head teacher, who craved anonymity, said the absence of the pupils cannot be ascertained as yesterday was the first day after a long period of staying at home. In Perryhall International School, turn out of students was very poor even though the school had made available some basic needs to curtail the virus apart

Supreme Court Passes Amended Practice Direction

The chief justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam AlomaMukhtar has said that it has passed amended Supreme Court Practice Directions to guard against the delay experienced in the administration of justice last year in the new legal year. The CJN, during a special session to mark the commencement of the 2014/15 new legal year and the swearing in of lawyers conferred with the rank of Senior Advocates of Nigeria called for the appointment of more judges and magistrates on merit to aid disposal of cases. Speaking on the progress recorded in the last legal year, the CJN stated that the apex court had 1,288 cases, made up of 180 civil appeals, 86 criminal appeals and 44 political appeals. The CJN added that in all 146 judgement were delivered by the court. The breakdown of the judgement show 83 civil judgement, 42 criminal judgement and 21 political judgement. She however charged the new SANs to be of good conduct so as to portray the judiciary in good light. By Kunle Olasanmi, Abuja

from the thermometer which the head teacher assured will be ready by today. For Skycrest Academy, only 35 per cent of students resumed which the headmaster who also craved to be anonymous said is not surprising. LEADERSHIP was taken round the school and shown the complete equipment to fight against the virus. It would be recalled that the Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT) had directed its members to remain at home on the 22nd of September until all necessary equipment had been put in place including the training of teachers concerning the ebola virus. Similarly, it has gone ahead to cancel the World Teachers’ Day celebration which is scheduled for 5th October, 2014. Rather than celebrate, the national president of the NUT, Comrade Micheal Olukoya said “For this year, the NUT has been constrained to adjust the celebration to suit the prevailing situation in the country vis-a-vis the ebola virus threat.” Rather than celebrations, “Teachers should be allowed to use the said day to organise all necessary sensitisation programmes to get themselves ready for a purposeful resumption of schools from which they will be

fully prepared to take appropriate action peradventure any trace of EVD is noticed in their schools.”

the state government, and mission schools, but those privately owned remained on holiday.

NASARAWA Schools Defy FG’s Resumption Date Schools in Nasarawa State have defied federal government’s directive for academic activities to resume yesterday in view of the Ebola threat facing the country. When contacted, the state chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Mr. Francis Tete, said the state chapter of the union is still awaiting directive from the national secretariat of the body before taking any step on recalling students back to school.

PLATEAU Witnessed Low Turnout As public and private schools resume in some part of the country yesterday following federal government’s directive that schools should resume, primary and secondary schools in Jos, Plateau State recorded low turnout of pupils and students. LEADERSHIP reporter who visited some schools in the city observed that few schools have resumed, while some are still under lock and key. When contacted, the commissioner for education, Dr Nanle Dashen disclosed that the state government has approved N93 million for the purchase of equipment used in detecting the ebola disease and called on schools to be patient as the equipment would soon be distributed.

ANAMBRA Some Schools Resume, Others Did Not The federal government’s directive asking schools to resume for the academic year yesterday notwithstanding, there was mixed reactions to the order in Anambra State as some schools heeded the order, while others shunned it, leaving their schools under locks and keys still. Our reporter who was in some schools in the state capital observed that some of the schools that resumed for the academic session were schools belonging to

AKWA IBOM 7,800 Teachers Receive Training On Ebola A total of 7,800 teachers from both public and private secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State were yesterday trained on how to monitor cases of ebola. Declaring open the workshop

the state commissioner for education, Professor Atim Antai said that the mandatory programme was one of the federal government’s efforts in the fight against the deadly ebola disease. Antai said that since the death toll from the virus disease is rising by the day in West Africa it was necessary for teachers to be abreast of its implications and ways to prevent it from the school children. EDO Pupils Get Ebola Screening In Private Schools Pupils in some major private schools in Benin City, Edo State capital were yesterday screened for ebola following resumption of schools for the 2014-2015 academic session. Most of the private primary and secondary schools visited in Benin had taken measures to prevent the ebola disease. Some of the private schools have installed running waters and thermometer at the entrance to their school premises. Meanwhile, students and teachers of government owned primary and secondary schools decried the absence of Ebola screening materials in their schools.

No Going Back On Impeachment – Nasarawa Assembly By Donatus Nadi, Lafia

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly (NSHA) has restated its resolve to continue with its planned impeachment of Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura even as the exercise has suffered legal technical hitches which forced the investigative panel set up to investigate their allegations to threw out the case for want of evidence. Reiterating the position of the Assembly, the House Committee chairman on Information, Security and Special Duties, Mohammed Baba Ibaku, said the Assembly is

not reconsidering its position on the impeachment and is ready to use all available means to see to it that their objective is fulfilled based on the grounds of their allegations. He said, “You cannot start talking of fresh impeachment move now as if the first one is dead or has been abandoned because we have not decided on the contrary and we earlier told the world that the investigative panel does not exist. “We pointed accusing finger at them that they are corrupt and cannot sit through our counsel

short news and since they dismissed the case they are yet to submit any report to the Assembly.” A legal counsel to the lawmakers who craved anonymity however confirmed that they have filed a petition before the National Judicial Council (NJC )and are patiently waiting for their resumption from break to take up the matter. It would be recalled that the NSHA had refused to appear before the investigative panel set up by the state Chief Judge, Justice Suleiman Dikko, for constitutional breach in the composition of the panel.

Niger Delta: East-West Road Needs N36.6 bn For 2015 Completion – Minister By Edegbe Odemwingie and Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja

The strategic 338 km East-West road which links the crude oil bearing Niger Delta states requires N36.6billion to be completed by the second quarter of 2015, the minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Steve Oru has said. He made the disclosure at a tripartite meeting between the House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta, the ministry and contractors handling the

five sections of the project – Setraco, Renolds Construction Co. (RCC), Gitto Construcauoli Generali (GCC), and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). The minister said N349,866,255,942. 76 was the total contract sum for four sections of the road. Out of the sum, N268,469,689,118.33 had been paid to contractors out of the N274,726,357,326.76 certified, thereby leaving a balance of N6,256,668,208.43 yet to be

paid. A new fifth section of the EastWest road was awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Company, CCECC, the minister told the House Committee. “It is pertinent to report that there still exists a funding gap of N36,598,304,621.10, assuming all funds appropriated in 2014 Budget, including the main budget, SURE-P, the African Development Bank (AfDB) are released as at when due,” Oru said.

FG Ready To Tackle Road Abuse In Lagos – Minister The Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen, on Monday said that a new template for proper right of way management was being designed to prevent road abuse in Lagos. Onolememen made the disclosure during his inspection of a section of the Eko Bridge gutted by fire in 2008, which was caused by activities of illegal occupants under the bridge The minister, who made an on-the-spot assessment of the damaged section of the bridge, said that a `radical` action would be taken. By NAN

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

zonal watch

ANAMBRA IMO ABIA EBONYI ENUGU

South-East APC Commends Abia For Slamming FG Over Road Decay BY mike uBani, Enugu

The South-East chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the Abia Patriots for drawing the attention of the federal government to the poor state of federal roads in the zone, saying that elected public officers from the zone should desist

from asking Ndigbo to vote for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forth-coming general elections when President Goodluck Jonathan is unable to fix the roads in the zone. In a statement by the spokesman of APC in the SouthEast, Mr. Osita Okechukwu the party expressed happiness that

the observation on the poor state of the roads came from responsible members of the group including the secretary to Abia State government, Prof. Mkpa A. Mkpa, the attorney general and commissioner for justice, Barrister Umeh Kalu, and commissioner for works, Sir Emeka Longman Nwachukwu.

The APC regretted that federal roads in the South-East geopolitical zone have collapsed despite the presence of ministers from Igbo extraction in President Jonathan’s cabinet, as well as the fact that the chairmen of works committee in the two chambers of the National Assembly are from the zone.

Okechukwu said, “We maintain that what the South East needs and indeed Nigeria to stop our dear country’s dangerous slide to failed state, is good representation at the executive and legislative levels by public spirited individuals.

Former Legislator Urges FG To Revoke Ohafia/ Arochukwu Road Contract BY mathias nwOgu, Umuahia

Heads FROM tHe ZONe

➔ the immediate past governor of anambra state, Chief Peter Obi, has called for the declaration of state of emergency in the education sector, saying that only 20% of the money budgeted for education is accounted for.

➔ Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state says the former governor of abia state, dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, lacks knowledge about political developments in the state, and therefore is not qualified to declare that the Peoples democratic Party (PdP), would re-take the state during the 2015 general elections.

Students of the Federal Government Girls College Owerri locked out over strike by the association of Senior Civil Service of nigeria in Owerri yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN

ex-Ohanaeze scribe Cautions Politicians Over Looting

BY nnamdi mBawike, Enugu

elder statesman and former secretary-general of apex igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze ndigbo, Chief nduka eya, has expressed dismay over the state of the nation, saying the country is suffering from under-development because politicians view politics as access to wealth. eya who spoke at the 2014 Free Public Sector Human Resource Forum, organised by the Chartered institute of Personnel management,

(CiPm), which took place at the University of nigeria, enugu Campus, regretted that the quest by the country’s politicians to hold elective public offices by all means had led to the election of the wrong people to power. while describing the CiPm as a wonderful organisation, he berated the organisers for making the workshop free, saying nigerians don’t appreciate free things. “nigerians don’t appreciate anything free. nigeria is going bad today because people think

that politics is free access to wealth,” he said. earlier in his address, the president/chairman of the Council of CiPm, mr. Victor Famuyibo, who was represented by, dr Charles Ugwu, director of professional development, described CiPm as a regulatory body for the practice of human resource management in nigeria. dr Ugwu said the main objective of the forum was to create a platform for all managers of people especially in the public sector.

The former representative of Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency of Abia state in the House of Representatives, Hon. Mao Ohuabunwa, has called on the National Assembly members from the state to liaise with their counterparts in the state House of Assembly to ensure the repair of all federal roads in the state to complement the efforts of the state Governor Chief Theodore Orji, in road infrastructure. This was just as he called on the Minister of Works Mr. Mike Onolememen, to revoke the contract for the Ohafia/Arochukwu federal road over what he described as the contractor’s unimpressive performance. He said the contractor was yet to convince anyone that he has the capacity to execute the project two years after the contract was awarded to him, emphasizing that “nothing significant has been done on the road”. Ohuabunwa who spoke when the executive members of the Abia North Progressives visited him at his country home in Arochukwu, to persuade him to contest the Senate seat of Abia North Senatorial district on the platform of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in the forthcoming general elections, regretted that most contractors handling some federal roads in the state were moving at snail speed. On the request to contest the 2015 National Assembly election, he told the group that he would make his position on the issue known at the appropriate time.

2 NGOs Offer Free Surgical Operation To 66 Ebonyi Children BY OBinna OgBOnnaYa, Abakaliki

Two non-governmental organisations, Frajon Educational Foundation and Alpha Health Alert in collaboration with a United States-based medical group, Uplift Help International, have conducted free surgical operations on 66 children of indigent parents suffering from hernia and appendicitis. The beneficiaries were drawn

from Ishiagu, Ivo and Ikwo local government areas of Ebonyi State. The operation was carried out by a team of medical experts from US led by a pediatrician, Rev. Sister Karen Schneider, from the Sister of Mercy, USA. The medical mission which started the programme in the state since 10 years ago, was attracted by Rev. Fr. Chuks Cornelius Okochie, an indigene of Ishiagu in Ivo LGA of Ebonyi

State, who is based in New York, where he works in a hospital, as well as teaches at St. John University, New York, USA. Speaking after performing the surgical operation Rev. Fr. Okochie, said the team was initially confronted with cases of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, but later realised that most children from poor homes were victims of hernia and appendicitis.

Onolememen

50 zonal watch (South-East)

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

project report

Ebonyi 2015: Why Governor Elechi May Not Determine His Successor BY obinna ogbonnaya, Abakaliki

Barely five months to the 2015 general elections, there is a consensus among political experts and commentators in Ebonyi State that it would be easier for the camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for Governor Martin Elechi, to determine who succeeds him in office. For now, several top PDP members in the state have shown interests - albeit covertly -to wear the shoes soon to be relinquished by Governor Elechi, known to be the oldest state chief executive in the country. Elechi rode to power in 2007 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was said to have been imposed on the state by then President Olusegun Obasanjo, against the will of the then governor of the state, Dr. Sam Ominyi Egwu, as well as that of several party stakeholders in the state. Beyond being one of the founding fathers of Ebonyi State, Elechi’s greatest credential was said to be his membership of the cabinet of late administrator of the defunct East Central State, Chief Ukpabi Asika. Asika was an ardent loyalist of former military head of state, General Yakubu Gowon. After Gowon created the East Central State out of the former Eastern region, alongside 11 other states on the eve of the 30-month Nigeria-Biafra War, Asika accepted Gowon’s offer as sole administrator of former East Central State, to the chagrin of his kinsmen. In January 1970, when the Biafran leadership surrendered to Obasanjo, who was then commander of the third marine commando of the Nigerian Army, Elechi was one of the Igbo intellectuals that constituted Asika’s cabinet. And before he left office in 2007 as a democratically elected president on the platform of PDP, LEADERSHIP gathered that Obasanjo brought pressure to bear on Egwu to ensure that Elechi emerged as the PDP gubernatorial candidate in Ebonyi State. For Obasanjo, it was indeed a pay-back time. But as Governor Elechi prepares to pack his baggage out of Government House, Abakaliki, several PDP governorship aspirants and party stakeholders in the state, say the PDP gubernatorial candidate must emerge through credible, free and

Elechi

fair primaries. The political structure is already changing with more determined key players emerging as against the old order where only one or two persons came out to contest the exalted position. The consensus is that Governor Elechi should allow the people of the state decide who govern them, as well as who represent them at both the national and state assemblies. Nevertheless, some say that as a second term governor and one who is seriously nursing the ambition to contest the Ebonyi Central senatorial seat, Governor Elechi may not be in a strong position to impose anybody on the state. And even where he does, there are strong indications that the electorate may go ahead to vote for candidates of their choice, irrespective of their political parties. It would be recalled that the people of Ezza ethnic group, the stronghold of then opposition ANPP, now in APC - voted for the candidates of their choice, irrespective of harassments from the PDP, a development which saw Hon. Peter Edeh, Hon Enyi Enyi and Hon. Joseph Nwobasi of the then ANPP, emerging victorious at the polls. Similarly, during the state House of Assembly election in 2011, Governor Elechi had rooted for the former speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Augustine Nwankwagu from Izzi clan and several other contestants to return to the House of Assembly, but the electorate spurned the governor and voted for candidates of their

The consensus is that Governor Elechi should allow the people of the state decide who govern them, as well as who represent them at both the national and state assemblies

choice. Today, there is widespread belief that Governor Elechi is steadily losing grip of the politics of the state and several evidences abound to support this conviction. For instance, after the impeachment of Hon. Chukwuma Nwazunku, as speaker of the state House of Assembly by 18 out of the 24-member legislature, the masterminds of the impeachment refused to heed the governor’s appeals to reverse the impeachment. The lawmakers rather queried the rationale behind the governor’s intervention in what is purely a legislative matter. The 18 lawmakers elected Mrs. Helen Nwobashi, as the new speaker and subsequently proceeded to sit irrespective of the governor’s appeal to sheathe their sword. Not a few political analysts believe that the governor may no longer be in-charge of the PDP in the state, and therefore politicians angling to contest any position on the party’s platform next year are at liberty to do so. Not a few leaders of the PDP in the state say that following the avalanche of opposition against Governor Elechi from party men, the PDP may lose some of its stalwarts to the APC if the governor insists on the imposition of candidates on the party, a development which may possibly lead to the party losing the state to APC in 2015. Already, the political terrain in the state is hot with contentions as to who succeeds Elechi. Though most of the gubernatorial aspirants have not publicly declared their intentions to run it is believed that the elder brother to the wife of the governor, Senator Chris Nwankwo may be in the race. Others include the incumbent deputy governor, David Umahi, the minister of health, Dr. Onyebuchi Chukwu, his brother Dave Chukwu, Mr. Paul Okorie, Senator Sonni Ogbuoji, Chief Dave Nwachukwu, Senator Paulinus Igwe Nwagu, Senator Tony Agbo, Dr. Igwe AjaNwachukwu among others. While some aspirants are eagerly waiting for the governor’s endorsement, others are of the opinion that they would contest the gubernatorial primaries with or without the governor’s endorsement. They do not foresee a situation where the governor would endorse a sole PDP governorship candidate as the PDP governors did in the case of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Obiano

News Behind The News

Anambra: Christian Pilgrims Board Begins Work On Trip To Holy Land BY okechukwu obeta, Awka

The state chairman of Anambra State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board (ASCPWB) Dr. Levi Monanu, said at the weekend that the group has commenced work on this year’s Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and appealed to intending pilgrims to apply on time to facilitate the processing of their travelling documents. In an interview with LEADERSHIP, Dr. Monanu, promised that the issues which prevented pilgrims from visiting Rome and Greece in 2013, had been sorted out, and would never reoccur. Monanu who is also the national vice chairman of all chairmen and secretaries of Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board of Nigeria (CPWBN), stated that the pilgrimage helps to improve the spiritual strength of Christians, and assured that the commission would help pilgrims achieve their spiritual transformation. He said that about 300 people had so far collected forms at the cost of N3, 500 each since the sale of the forms commenced in August. Monanu said that the breakdown of the fees to be paid for the 2014 Christian pilgrimage showed that air fare, ground handling and visa would cost N367, 540.00, while administrative charges would cost N5000; insurance, uniform, workshop, transport to and from airport would cost N18,000, totaling N390,540.00.

Only God Can Stop MeAbia Aspirant BY matthias nwogu, Umuahia

Despite the zoning by the Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of its governorship candidate in the 2015 general elections to Abia South senatorial district, a governorship aspirant on the party’s platform, Dr. Uche Ogar, has warned that only God can stop him from contesting the governorship poll on the party’s platform. Fielding questions from journalists in Umuahia, Dr Ogar who comes from Abia North senatorial district, the same zone with the erstwhile governor of the state, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, claimed that God had directed him to contest the gubernatorial election, saying that he won’t be swayed by the zoning formula of the state chapter of the party.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

world

news ➌

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➐ ➏

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➎ New Afghan President Hails Election Deal

Afghanistan’s new Presidentelect Ashraf Ghani congratulated the country on what he called its first democratic transfer of power, with the Taliban, an Islamic movement which took

control and continues to fight in Afghanistan, rejecting the pact. Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah struck an agreement on Sunday to form a “unity government”, after months of disputes.

➏ Ebola Lockdown

One hundred thirty new cases of Ebola were identified during a three-day lockdown in Sierra Leone, Stephen Gaojia, the country’s head of emergency operations, said yesterday.

Officials are awaiting tests on another 39 potential cases, he said. During the lockdown from Friday through Sunday, no one was allowed to leave home.

➐ Thousands Of Hong

Thousands of students in Hong Kong have converged on a university campus to begin a week-long boycott of classes. They are protesting against

China’s stance on electoral reform in the territory. Students from more than two dozen institutions are taking part.

➊ Ukraine To Pull ➋ Yemen Rebels

Back Artillery

Ukraine is preparing to withdraw heavy weaponry away from separatist rebel lines in the east, the military says. The two sides agreed on Saturday to set up a buffer zone in eastern Ukraine, more than a fortnight after a shaky ceasefire came into force. Although the truce is still in place, clashes have continued around the cities of Donetsk and Mariupol.

Raid Army Commander’s House

Houthi rebels in Yemen have raided the houses of a powerful military commander and his allies in the capital Sanaa. The raid on the home of Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, an adviser on defence and security affairs for the president, came a day after the signing of a UN-brokered peace deal between the government and the Shia rebel group.

Workers Find Dozens Of Cases

➌ Syrian Kurds ‘Halt ➍ France Launches ISIL Push’ Near Turkey First Strikes On ISIL Syrian Kurdish fighters say they In Iraq have stopped the advance of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group in northern Syria near the Turkish border. The Kurdish forces engaged in heavy clashes with ISIL fighters yesterday, as the group laid siege on an area east of the city of Kobane in Aleppo province, a spokesman said.

France has carried out its first air strikes in Iraq against positions of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, joining a US-led operation to defeat the rebel group. In a statement issued on Friday, French President Francois Hollande said the strike destroyed a logistics depot held by ISIL.

Kong Students Start Week-long Boycott

52 Bussiness/WORLD NEWS

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Pilots Reject Air France Offer To End Strike

French union the National Syndicate of Airline Pilots (SNPL) has rejected an Air France proposal that would end a week-long strike, stating that the offer failed to resolve the pilots’ grievances. On Monday, management at Air France offered what they described as its “last offer” to end the strike, which is costing up $25 million a day. The company has described talks with the union as “deadlocked”, effecting Air France flights, half of which have been cancelled since

the strike began. Pilots’ unions went on strike last week after Air France-KLM, the parent company of Air France, announced cost-cutting plans to save $1.3 billion over several years by transferring European operations to its low-cost carrier, Transvania. Unions have accused Air France-KLM of outsourcing jobs to countries with lower taxes and cheaper labour. They fear “social dumping” with pilots employed on local contracts.

Eariler Monday, managers at Air-France-KLM offered to postpone the roll-out of its lowcost operation outside of France and the Netherlands until the end of the year in an attempt to bring the strike to a close. The proposal to freeze development of the airline’s lowcost subsidiary was described in a statement by the SNPL as a “smoke screen” that failed to improve on Some Syrian refugees at the Turkish border previous negotiations. The SNPL said that the offer does not address issues related to pilot pay and working conditions within Transavia, which is being launched in a bid to compete with low-cost competitors. Air France Chief Executive The UN refugee agency says Tur- known as Ayn al-Arabon, would Frederic Gagey said at a news key urgently needs help to care for give the jihadists complete conconference last week that the 130,000 Syrian refugees who have trol of the area. Even before the latest influx, positions of French pilots have crossed the border in recent days. Turkey was struggling to cope The UNHCR said this was the hardened as talks have gone on. with more than a million Syrian largest influx in such a short periGagey also expressed concerns refugees who have crossed into its od since the start of the Syrian conabout the strike’s financial impact flict in 2011. territory since the uprising against as well as the defection of loyal The Kurdish refugees are flee- President Bashar al-Assad began passengers. The carrier’s share price has ing an advance by Islamic State (IS) more than three years ago. Carol Batchelor, the UNHCR’s fallen across the week, with a loss militants, who have seized swathes of Iraq and Syria in recent months. envoy in Turkey, told the BBC that of 6.4%. IS fighters are reported to be such high numbers of refugees closing in on the Syrian town of would place a strain on any host Kobane. community. The capture of Kobane, also

US Existing Home Sales Fall, Investors Pulling Back

US home resales unexpectedly fell in August as investors stepped away from the market, but the decline probably does not signal renewed weakness in the housing sector. The National Association of Realtors said on Monday existing home sales dropped 1.8 percent to an annual rate of 5.05 million units. The decline followed four straight months of gains and the sales pace was still the second highest for the year. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast sales increasing to a 5.20 million-unit pace. Compared to August last year, sales were down 5.3 percent. Sales rose in two of the four regions. “We continue to expect the housing recovery to be sustained, and we look for the pace of sales activity to pick-up in the coming months” said Millan Mulraine, deputy chief economist at TD

Securities in New York. US financial markets were little moved by the report. Investors who have been propping up the market almost deserted it last month, accounting for only 12 percent of transactions, the smallest share since November 2009. They are likely pulling back in anticipation of higher interest rates next year. While first-time buyers did not step up in August, the Realtors group was optimistic that a strengthening labor market and some easing of lending practices would see their increased participation in the months ahead. “First-time buyers have a better chance of purchasing a home now that bidding wars are receding and supply constraints have significantly eased in many parts of the country,” said NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun. All cash sales made up 23 percent of transactions in August, the smallest share since December 2009. The share of first-time buyers was steady at 29 percent. A market share of 40 percent to 45 percent is considered by economists and real estate agents as ideal. Housing is steadily regaining its footing after stagnating in the second half of 2013 as interest rates increased and prices surged against the backdrop of a dwindling supply of properties available for sale.

Rockefellers To Switch Investments To ‘Clean Energy’ Heirs to the Rockefeller family, which made its vast fortune from oil, are to sell investments in fossil fuels and reinvest in clean energy, reports say. The Rockefeller Brothers Fund is joining a coalition of philanthropists pledging to rid themselves of more than $50 bn (£31 bn) in fossil fuel assets. The announcement was made yesterday, a day before the UN climate change summit opens today. Some 650 individuals and 180 institutions have joined the coalition. It is part of a growing global initiative called Global Divest-Invest, which began on university campuses several years ago, the New York Times reports. Pledges from pension funds, religious groups and big universities have reportedly doubled since the start of 2014. Rockefeller Brothers Fund director Stephen Heintz

said the move to divest from fossil fuels would be in line with oil tycoon John D Rockefeller’s wishes, “We are quite convinced that if he were alive today, as an astute businessman looking out to the future, he would be moving out of fossil fuels and investing in clean, renewable energy,” Mr Heintz said in a statement. The philanthropic organisation was founded in 1940 by the sons of John D Rockefeller. As of 31 July 2014, the fund’s investment assets were worth $860 million. “There is a moral imperative to preserve a healthy planet,” Valerie Rockefeller Wayne, a great-greatgranddaughter of Mr Rockefeller and a trustee of the fund, is quoted by the Washington Post as saying. A climate change summit is due to start on Tuesday at the UN headquarters in New York, with 125 heads of state and government members expected to attend.

Un Appeal As Syrian Refugees Flood Over Turkish Border

Appointment: IGD Appoints Komolafe 2014 Jennifer Potter Fellow BY Ejike Ejike, Abuja

The Initiative for Global Development (IGD) has announced the 2014 Jennifer Potter Emerging Leaders Fellow, Ms. Adeshola Komolafe, who exemplifies the next generation of African leadership. This fellowship, named in honour of IGD’s Founding President and CEO, Jennifer Potter, supports the rise of African leaders by giving Fellows access to an influential network of senior executives from top tier companies who invest strategically in high-need, high-potential areas of Africa. The ultimate goal is poverty reduction through business investment in the developing world, a cornerstone of IGD’s original mission. Ms. Adeshola Komolafe is the CEO of Media Insight, a Nigerian integrated marketing communications firm, and Save Our Future, a non-governmental organization that focuses on introducing young people in less privileged educational environments to information and communications technology (ICT) and the use of technology for enhancing the entrepreneurial skills of young women. While describing Komolafe,Dr. Mima Nedelcovych, IGD President and CEO noted that “Komolafe exemplifies the qualities of an Emerging Leaders Fellow. She has demonstrated a commitment to building a democratic, transparent, and modern market economy and fostering a society of inclusion and progress in Africa.”

Adeshola

As a media expert, Komolafe has worked with governments, international organisations, and development agencies, working to enhance the Nigerian business environment, transform health, and map conflict in the country. Additionally, her continued commitment to empowering the rising generation in Africa demonstrates her leadership and capacity to catalyze change. Komolafe has been one of the young leaders in the International Youth Conference, a nominee for the Future Awards, a member of the World Bank Youth Forum, and a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers. “Adeshola maintains a strong commitment to promoting women’s entrepreneurship and women’s leadership in Africa. Through IGD’s influential network of business leaders, we hope to support her continued success and advance her capacity and determination to make a difference,” said Jennifer Potter, the founding CEO of IGD.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Ahmed Musa Thrilled With Goals For Club On-form Nigeria striker Ahmed Musa has revealed he is thrilled to have scored the winner for CSKA Moscow in 1-0 win over city rivals Locomotiv Moscow on Sunday. Russian champions CSKA Moscow are now second on the league table with 18 points after eight games. The former VVV Venlo forward scored the only goal of the match

in the 33rd minute when he fired in a shot from outside the box to send the home fans into celebration. “I am so happy and delighted to have scored the goal that gave us victory in the match. It was a derby and it was tough,” Ahmed Musa told AfricanFootball.com He also informed AfricanFootball.com that the

goal is for his mother for her support. “The goal is for my sweet mother, she has always been there for me, she encouraged me a lot in my choice of career,” he said. On his present form which has seen him score four goals in his last four games in all competitions, the Jos-born star attributed it to hard work.”

12 Months Unpaid Salaries: Kaduna United Players Protest By ONJEWU DICKSON, Abuja

Barely 24 hours after Kaduna United defeated Crown of Ogbomosho 5-0 in a week 27 NPFL fixture, players of the club yesterday staged a peaceful protest to demand for their 12 months unpaid salaries. The protest, which started at about 10:15 am at the premises of the Kaduna State Ministry of Youth and Sports took the players to the Kaduna State Government House and later back to the office of the State Commissioner of Youth and Sports Hon. Bashir Zubairu. Spokesman of the protesting players and captain of the team, Emmanuel Ambrose said they are not fighting the government, but only demanding for their rights. He continued by saying most

of the players are breadwinners of their family and they have bills to settle. He further added that the lack of salary has really affected their morales and as well was responsible for their poor standing on the log. Linus Adams a player of the club expressed sadness at their plight and urged the authority concerned to rise to the occassion. Also speaking, David Amani who pleaded with the state governor to please consider their plight and find a solution to their problems. Most of the players were carrying placard with different inscription; some of the inscription on their placard were; Pay us our 12 months salaries, Governor Yero Kaduna United is your responsibility, we are hungry, pay us our money, no

money, no football among many others. The Commissioner of Sports Hon. Bashir Zubairu later addressed the players. He admitted that the players were owed salaries, but disagreed that the amount owed is up to 12 months, but promised to check their records and ensure something positive is done. He blamed the past management of the club for the huge debt profile of the club, adding that the previous management did not build any structure for the club and on his assumption to duty as commissioner he liaised with other stakeholders in the club with the governor’s directive, they are doing their best to build a better structure that would guaranteed a better future for the club.

Kaduna United players protesting

NFF Elections Electoral C’ttee Under Pressure – Ajunwa The pressure will be on electoral committee to deliver acceptable elections. The job of my committee is on technical matters Okey Ajunwa, NFF electoral appeals ommittee, chairman

Balotelli

By SALIFU USMAN, Abuja

Ahead of next week’s Tuesday elections into the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Executive Committee, chairman of the electoral appeals committees, Barrister Okey Ajunwa said that the electoral committee is under intense pressure to deliver credible, transparent and fair elections that will be devoid of rancour and protests. Speaking to newsmen yesterday at the NFF secretariat shortly after the two committees were inaugurated, he expressed confidence in the ability of the Barrister Samson

Ebomhe-led NFF electoral committee to deliver on their mandate without hitches. He said his committee will have less or no work to do if the electoral committee does a thorough job without any breach of the electoral guidelines. “The pressure will be on electoral committee to deliver acceptable elections. The job of my committee is on technical matters. “The electoral guidelines are very clear and if the electoral committee follow them strictly and delivers credible, free and fair elections and there is no room to contest the results, there will be no

appeal and my committee would have no work. “So, the pressure will be on the electoral committee and the chairman of the committee is a very experienced lawyer and he will deliver well,” he stated. The congress of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) during weekend at their Extra-Ordinary General Assembly in Warri, had, in line with a FIFA directive, elected persons into a new NFF Electoral and Appeals Committees and also fixed next week’s Tuesday, September 30, for elections to compose a new NFF Executive Committee.

Maigari

2014 WORLD CUP SUPERSTARS

Nigerian Defender Happy To Stop Emenike

Name: Mario Barwuah Balotelli Date of Birth: August 12, 1990 Place of Birth: RotterdamClub: Liverpool World Cups: 1

Nigeria defender Gbenga Arokoyo has told AfricanFootball.com he is delighted to have stopped compatriot Emmanuel Emenike from scoring in a Turkish league clash Sunday night. Arokoyo’s club Gaziantepspor would even have run away with at least a draw against the champions, but for a dubious refereeing call, according to the defender. Mighty Fenerbahce barely won the game 1-0 courtesy a late penalty. But former Nigeria U20 star Arokoyo, who played the entire du- Emenike ration on Sunday, said they did not deserve to lose this game. py to be involved in stopping a strik“It was a tough game for us really, er like Emenike from getting any we defended very well, and I was hap- goal,” Arokoyo said. Follow these reports on leadership.ng/sports

Italy will want to forget their last World Cup. In South Africa the mighty Azzurri, World Champions at the time, drew with Paraguay, drew with New Zealand and crashed out of the competition with a 3-2 defeat to the, erm, mighty Slovakia. “It was the darkest and most terrible day in the history of Italian football;’ said La Gazzetta’s edito-

rial in a typically understated way. It was the end of the road for Marcello Lippi. Two months later a new Italy debuted in a friendly against the Ivory Coast, and up front was the relatively unknown 19-year-old ‘Super’ Mario Balotelli. Their new coach, Cesare Prandelli, has taken a special interest in Mario, Mario is one of only 20 players to have moved from Inter to AC Milan in the last 100 years and is one manager who can get results from the maverick media darling. Italian pride was restored two years later as Italy reached the European Championships final by edging past Germany 2•1.

54 sports

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

NOA Backs President Cup By SAlIfU USMAN, Abuja

Some of the kids that participated at the clinic

‘2014 Setraco Holiday Tennis Clinic Successful’ By ONJEWU DICKSON, Abuja

The 2014 edition of the Setraco, Zenith Bank Tennis Clinic was very successful as it produced a total of 22 talented kids from the three categories featured. This was contained in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP Sports, signed by Setraco’s Media Officer, Mr. John Ogbamgba, which added that the three categories are U-12, U-14 and U-16. “From the U-12 category, 12

talented kids were discovered. Six and four kids were also discovered in the U-14 and U-16 categories respectively,” it added. Speaking further, it explained that the essence of the clinic, aimed at discovering talents was not defeated, as those discovered would be nurtured and groomed into future stars. “The commitment and passion displayed by the participants is an indication that soon, Nigeria would boast of players who can do the

country proud,” it added. According to the statement, one of the participants, Osi Oshame who is in the U-10 category said that he was excited throughout the exercise. “I have been playing table tennis with my dad and so this new experience is good for me. I know how to handle the racket and hit the ball hard,” he was quoted. It explained that participants that distinguished themselves at the end of the clinic were presented with assorted prizes and trophies.

N6m For Grabs In CBN Governor’s Cup By SAlIfU USMAN, Abuja

The 2014 Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Governors football competition for all financial institutions in the country would commence October 2 across four designated centres. Not less than 24 financial institutions are expected to compete for honours in this year’s edition. Making this known to newsmen yesterday at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) secretariat, director, corporate communications department, CBN, Ibrahim Muazu, said the apex bank is delighted that many teams from deposit money banks, financial regulatory agencies and other financial institutions have shown willingness to participate

in the 28th edition of the annual event. He noted that the competition would serve as a platform for promotion of unity, harmony and peaceful co- existence among key players in Nigeria’s financial system, saying football is a unifying force that brings national pride that is devoid of ethnic, regional and political colorations. “CBN is committed to making positive contributions towards the promotion and development of the game of football by sponsoring the competition annually, which is in line with the bank’s corporate social responsibility programme. We therefore urged all the teams that are registered to participate

actively and exhibit an unrelenting spirit of sportsmanship,” he stated. Preliminary rounds of the competition would kick-off October 2 and end October 7 in four centres of Oshogbo, Kaduna, Enugu and Benin. While the quarter final matches will hold at the same venue on the 9th October, 2014. The semifinals matches will hold in Asaba and Lokoja October 12 respectively with the final scheduled to take place at the Township Stadium, Ilorin, Kwara State October, 18. The winner is expected to go home with N2m, while the first and second runners up will smile to bank the sum of N1.5m and N1m respectively. The fourth place will take home conciliation prize of N500,000.

Exits Have Affected Atletico – Miranda Miranda has conceded Atletico Madrid have been affected by the summer exits of Thibaut Courtois, Filipe Luis and Diego Costa. Los Colchoneros conceded three goals in the 3-2 Champions League defeat at Olympiakos in midweek and followed it up with a 2-2 draw at home to Celta Vigo in La Liga, and the centre-

back pointed to the summer upheaval as a key factor. “It’s not normal for us to concede five goals,” Miranda told reporters. “But we’re working hard on that and we’re going to correct what we’ve done badly in these last two games and it probably won’t happen again. “It affects us because this team

Director general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mike Omeri has applauded retired athletes for contributing to the development of sports at the grassroots level. He gave the commendation yesterday when he received members of the organizing committee of the maiden President Cup headed by former Super Eagles captain, Ambassador Kanu Nwankwo, who is out of the country for national assignment. Ex-international, Folorunso Okenla, Tijani Babangida and Patrick Pascal are all members of the committee. Omeri expressed satisfaction with the committee, saying the idea of the President Cup is in line with President Goodluck Jonathan believes of providing opportunities for youths to put in their best.

He assured the committee of the agency’s support, saying the NOA staff will be mobilised to partner and participate in the competition. “I am highly proud that this committee is made up of prominent Nigerians who have contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria in the field of sports. It is an opportunity to realise the dream of Mr President. The President was very clear when he came in and made us to know that we should come up with programmes and ideas that will challenge Nigerian youth to put in their best. “Our highly mobilised staff will partner and participate to do the right thing, give the youths of Nigeria a sporting chance in line with our vision,” he stated. The cup will kickoff in all 774 local government areas in October.

defends from the strikers through to the defenders and when things change you lose the fine-tuning of the team a little. “I think we’re a group that’s still being formed during this start to the season. Important players have left, so it’s only natural that the team is a little slow responding.

President Jonathan

Kaduna SWAN Gets New Executives By ISAIAH BENJAMIN, Abuja

Kaduna State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) now have newly set of executives with Abdulraheem Aodu of the Blue Print Newspapers as the new state chairman. Others elected are Isaiah Benjamin of Leadership Newspaper vice Chairman; Beni Adams of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Secretary, Shehu Usman Deputy Secretary, Stella Kabruk of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) emerged as the Financial Secretary while Amina Anebi of the Core Television was elected as the Treasurer. The new officials were all nominated un-opposed to serve a period of three years according to the status of the SWAN. At the oath taking and inauguration which took place at the weekend, the Director General Media and Publicity

to the state governor Ahmed Maiyaki tasked the new executives to rise up to build a virile association. He said, sports all over the world is a unifying factor and the new exco should do all within their powers to take sport in the state to its highest level while pledging the support of the state government in any way possible. He assured that the government of the state will support the new exco to see that SWAN in the state becomes second to none in the entire country. Responding, the chairman, Mr Aodu, also assured the members and the state government that the confidence reposed on the entre exco will not be let down, he however appealed for necessary support to make the exco succeed. While assuring of open door policy, he said constructive criticism will be welcomed at all times.

sports 55

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Anceletti Won’t Rest Ronaldo

Emeka Ezeh receiving Award Plaque from Hon. Festus Onuh, Chairman, Enugu State House of Assembly Committee on Sports, with him is former Rangers and Eagles captain, Christian Chukwu and Match Commissioner, Aminu Jafaru

Wonder Goal: Eze Dedicates Award To Family By onjewu dickson, Abuja

Family and friends of Enugu Rangers International FC Player, Emeka Eze joined him on the occasion of the presentation of the Glo Premier League Wonder Goal Award at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium at which he thanked the family for supporting his career and the League Management Company (LMC) for innovations in the league. Eze’s goal against Kano Pillars on Match Day 5 had secured 51.6% of the voting by fans to beat Sunshine Star’s Cletus Itodo whose goal for Abia Warriors against Enyimba International got 41.9% of the votes.

The third nominee, Chikatara Chisom also of Abia Warriors had 6.5% of the votes. Eze received the award prize money and plaque of honour from former national team captain, Christian Chukwu and said he was dedicating it to his family members, especially the parents who supported him through school and in building a football career. “I come from a family of sports people…my father is a retired Referee, my mother won medals in Athletics at the National Sports Festival in Ilorin while my sister is very active in volleyball and my only brother is showing potentials to do better than I have done so far. They are the source

of my strength and motivation to succeed”, Eze stated in a voice that was calm but emotional. The player who will be 22 in December and a graduate of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) with a degree in Management Science is undergoing the compulsory National Youth Service Corps scheme at Rangers. Eze was signed over to Rangers International from an Enugu-based academy, FC Inter Academy four seasons ago and he also expressed appreciation to the Management of Rangers International for accommodating his academics with the job.

I’m Not A Diver – Okoro By onjewu dickson, Abuja

Giwa FC marksman, Okoro Charles who started from the bench against FC Taraba on Matchday 27 in Jos, at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium has described himself as a no diver after centre referee Ben Neji booked him for diving in the second half. For bagging a second yellow, Okoro has also been ruled out of Giwa’s away game and the player says it is painful that he will not be going away to do what he knows how to do best for his club. Asked why he had to employ theatrics to get a chance to score, he said. “I’m not a diver, I don’t dive or play tricks and I don’t know what

happened in that particular situation that got me booked. The referee saw it differently I think. The referee saw it as diving but to me it was not a dive because I was actually hacked down.” Okoro reveals. On why he thought his coach Duke Udi started him from the bench, the former Dolphins striker said the coach felt like resting him. “That depends on the coach’s tactics; he felt like starting me from the bench which he did and I am okay with it.” Speaking on some of his goals this season for his club which have helped it consolidate on the log as NPFL debutants, he said it is unfortunate the two yellow cards have ruled him out of the next away fixture where he could have grabbed

of Canberra, Australia is a Sports Medicine Fellow of the University of North Carolina, USA and has worked closely with several National basketball and soccer teams in the last 25 years. He also holds membership of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine with a keen interest in the prevention of sudden

Despite that emphatic win over Deportivo last weekend, Ancelotti is calling for an improvement from his side after an indifferent start to their league campaign. Real are seventh in the table with two wins and two defeats from four games. “The result against Deportivo was very good but it could be misleading because we still have to improve certain aspects of our game,” added the Italian. “We have to improve in defence but I think we are in better shape than this time last year.” Ancelotti could be without first-choice centre-backs Sergio Ramos and Pepe for the Elche game. Portugal international Pepe is receiving treatment for a hamstring injury while Spain World Cup winner Ramos has a foot problem. Elche are 13th in the table with four points from as many games.

Ronaldo

another. “I am happy with the goals I have scored that have kept my team comfortably on the league and I feel happy and promise my fans that the goals have not dried up; more are coming.” The former Dolphins player said he is enjoying his ride on the Plateau with Giwa FC. “I am okay in Jos with the team. We are a determined side and have been working very hard to see that we prove a point in our first season on the top flight. As a team we are working and praying hard and it has worked for us. Unfortunately for me I won’t be going for our next away game because I have picked two yellow cards now. But I wish my teammates well.”

FIBA Appoints Dr Mu’azu Into Medical Commission The International Basketball Federation (Fiba) has appointed Dr. Abdulkadir Mu’azu, Sports Physician and Director Sports Medicine National Sports Commission to the Fiba Medical Commission for the 2014-2019 term of office.Dr.Mu’azu, who obtained Sports Medicine specialization from the University

Carlo Ancelotti says he has no intention of resting forward Cristiano Ronaldo despite a demanding run of four games in 12 days for Real Madrid. Ronaldo has featured in seven games already this season, including the Uefa Super Cup win over Sevilla and both legs of the Spanish Super Cup. Real start a busy run of games at home to Elche in La Liga on Tuesday. “Cristiano doesn’t need a rest, we need him because he’s at his best,” said Real boss Ancelotti. Ronaldo, 29, has scored six times in his last four outings, including a hat-trick in last Saturday’s 8-2 win at Deportivo La Coruna. Real visit Villarreal on Saturday before travelling to Bulgaria to face Ludogorets Razgrad in the Champions League on 1 October. Ancelotti’s team then entertain Athletic Bilbao on 5 October before the next international break.

cardiac death especially in soccer and basketball. His nomination was forwarded by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF). Following the appointment, he is expected to work with the chairman and members of the commission in the next five years to raise the quality and standard of sports medicine care.

‘We’ll Wriggle Out Of Relegation’ By onjewu dickson, Abuja

Technical Adviser of FC Taraba, Ndubusi Nduka who guided his side to a 0-3 loss to Giwa FC of Jos on Matchday 27 at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium in Jos on Sunday, is optimistic his team can still wriggle out of relegation even though the season has gone past halfway. Nduka who had coached big clubs before in the Nigerian Premier League including Heartland of Owerri and Plateau United of Jos said even though they unfortunately among the last four compounded by the big loss in Jos, the fight out of the murky waters of relegation continues. “No! We will not go on relegation, we shall fight, battle to escape relegation. We know we are at the relegation zone, but we will fight to come out of

the murky waters of relegation.” On why his team failed to at least pick a point in Jos, had revealed his team’s best was not good enough to give them victory even though he queried the penalties awarded against his boys by centre referee Ben Neji. “Our best was not good enough to give us the kind of result we wanted. We tried but it did not just work for us. I don’t complain about referees but the referee, Ben Neji should go and re-examine himself if he knows the rules of the game. On those two penalties, he should go back and review them very well. My boys allowed the shortcomings of the referee to make them lose concentration so in the dressing room l asked them to put the referee aside and concentrate on the game.

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AMUSEMENT PARK families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream

— George W. Bush

23.09.14 www.leadership.ng

Comrade Timi Frank

Tuesday Column:

till smarting from his indiscretion and colossal psychological blow to the war against terrorism in Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan caused to be circulated a statement through his spokesman, Reuben Abati, that he was “fully aware” that former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu-Sheriff is being investigated over allegations that he is one of the chief sponsors of Boko Haram in the country. “President Jonathan is fully aware of the allegation made against Senator Sheriff by Stephen Davis. That allegation is already being investigated by the security agencies who will make their findings known to the public in due course. The President assures all Nigerians that he has not wilfully taken any action that could prejudice the outcome of that ongoing inquiry. He seizes this opportunity to reassure the nation once again of his total commitment to doing all within his powers to bring all identified and verified sponsors of terrorism to justice, and ending the menace of violent extremism in the country,” Abati said. Ask me, at what point was Jonathan apprised of this intel? Was it after he embraced Sheriff at the Ndjamena airport or after a conference with President Idris Derby of Chad that the investigation file was passed to him by his chief security detail? If he was aware that Sheriff is under investigation, why did he wait for the Australian hostage negotiator, Stephen Davies, to finger Sheriff before telling the world that he was aware of Sheriff’s evil activities? Well, suffice to say that Mr President only acted characteristically when it comes to responding to matters of national significance. He has been running a government in reverse and autoreminder since he assumed office. Mr President once shocked the nation when he described the Boko Haram insurgents as “faceless or ghosts.” Yet he set up a committee to dialogue with them. He only lately accepted that 219 Chibok girls were abducted by the Boko Haram following wide criticism of

his government by the international media, an action that was fuelled by the #BringBackOurGirls campaigners. It also took the intervention of the Pakistani girlchild education campaigner, Malala Yousafzai, for Mr President to agree to see the anguished parents of the Chibok girls; not in Borno State, but reluctantly, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Only recently, it took a Washington Post editorial for Mr President to take down a mockery #BringBackJonathan2015 campaign banner strategically hoisted at the Abuja City Gate. Again, it took the outspoken Australian for him to publicly admit that Sheriff was under investigation. This is not the time for a president to tell the people what they knew a long time ago. After all, Mohammed Yusuf, the late leader of the sect, was a commissioner in Sheriff’s government. He was said to have allocated the large expanse of land from where the group carried out its murderous activities against innocent citizens before Mohammed met his untimely death. Even though we are almost blinded by the letter of the law and the spirit, which spell out freedom for every individual, why did Sheriff choose a relatively stable neighbouring country to set up his business empire after setting aflame his own country? If Chad were to be riddled with the activities of the daredevil Boko Haram, would his businesses be safe there? Granted he was not officially listed on the entourage of Mr President, as claimed by Abati, but how then did a man who is being investigated for the same terrorist activities for which Mr President was in Chad to get needed help, shake hands with and embrace Mr President on the red carpet? Why was he so strategically positioned in a photograph taken of Mr President and Derby on that fateful day? Even the top security personnel listed by Abati as being on the entourage, like the national security adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, was not in the photo in which Sheriff was given such pride

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Ali Modu-Sheriff: Let’s Hope And Pray of place, sitting in conference with two presidents. Again, the photo was allegedly circulated by the State House. Haba Mr President! Nobody can say that the president lied, but the facts speak for themselves. Why do we always wait for others to prod us to do our duty? Why has governance in our country been turned into an instrument of patronage? Only recently, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it arrested a gubernatorial aspirant on the ticket of the PDP in Edo State, allegedly for oil theft. But the commission was said to have reluctantly acted after a foreign country also investigating the case prodded it to. Even then, according to SaharaReporters, the suspect reportedly “shocked investigators as he revealed to them he had enjoyed the cover of several top government officials and politicians, naming Mike Oghiadomhe, a former chief of staff to President Goodluck Jonathan; Tony Anenih, chair of the PDP Board of Trustees and Diezani Alison-Madueke, the Petroleum Resources minister. However, the EFCC has vehemently denied the allegations. According to a statement by the commission, “It is important to state here that no serving or former petroleum resources minister or public figure has been linked to the investigation in question. Claims, that the Commission had been under intense pressure from several quarters to muddle up the case in order to spring the suspect free is an ingenious invention to impugn the integrity of the EFCC.” Again the EFCC cannot lie! Notwithstanding, the EFCC cannot deny that there has been a lot of cover-ups when the issues concern some perceived untouchables in government. For instance, why has Mr President not ordered the EFCC to investigate Diezani over the countless allegations of fraud and mismanagement that have been levelled against her and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation? Better still, the EFCC is not supposed to wait for

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How then did a man who is being investigated for the same terrorist activities for which Mr President was in Chad to get needed help, shake hands with and embrace Mr President on the red carpet?

handing over the flag, he will then swear to Nigerians that he knows that Ihejirika is supposed to be investigated. He will also not fail to assure Nigerians that he will ensure that all identified and verified sponsors of Boko Haram are brought to justice by being installed at the Government House in Umuahia. There is no better way to end this column than to toe the path already beaten by Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, who had revealed that the name of an alleged Boko Haram financier working within the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been uncovered and “passed on” to President Goodluck Jonathan already. Soyinka, in a statement condemning the unholy display of insensitivity by President Jonathan and Modu-Sheriff to the plight of Nigerians being massacred and displaced on a daily basis by the Boko Haram sect, insisted that when Mr President discards his “passive” attitude towards alleged sponsors of Boko Haram, “we shall gladly supply that name.” I cannot agree less. Now that Mr President knows some of the financiers of Boko Haram who can lead him to those they are financing, I pray that the insurgency war will end in no distant time, if the desperation for re-election in 2015 will allow Mr President take needed action. Let’s hope and pray.

the nod of Mr President to act, because the EFCC Establishment Act gives the commission power to initiate investigation into economic crimes without a formal petition from anybody. Over N10billion allegedly spent on private jets is still outstanding against Diezani. The EFCC is not protecting her. Mr President is not protecting her either. She is simply above the law! The Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led panel on the missing $49.8billion oil revenue said, “All parties, that is, CBN, NNPC, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Petroleum Resources had resolved through reconciliation undertaken by them that $47billion had been received into the Federation Account out of the total oil lifting valued at $67billion between January 2012 and July 2013.” Where is the balance of $20billion? Will Mr President wait for another editorial by a foreign publication before accepting that the money is actually missing? As it stands today, it is doubtful if the audit firm said to be combing the books of the NNPC would say anything different from the public stance of Mr President, who has said no money is missing. Again, Modu-Sheriff was received into the PDP despite his alleged sponsorship of Boko Haram. He was at the Ndjamena airport to welcome Mr President to Chad without being officially invited. He sat in conference with Jonathan and Derby in Chad. He is an ally of Mr President. Soon, Jonathan shall present the 2015 governorship flag of the PDP in Abia State to the former chief of army staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika. After

GHANA MUST GO Security, infrastructure our focus — Jonathan

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