Leadership wednesday

27.08.14

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

WEDNesday

No. 2,246

NIGERIA’S MOST INFLUENTIAL NEWSPAPER

N150

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Ebola Alters Academic Calendar

BY Kuni Tyessi, Abuja

The federal government yesterday suspended the resumption of both public and private primary and secondary schools in the country till October 13,

Schools now to resume October 13

2014.

Minister of education Mal-

lam Ibrahim Shekarau stated this when he briefed journal-

ists after meeting with states’ commissioners of education to discuss the risk posed by the dreaded Ebola virus disease in

APC Alleges Campaign Of Calumny Against David Umaru > Page 8

the education sector.

The minister said the change in the resumption date would ensure adequate preventive measures are put in place be➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Fleeing Nigerian Troops Return Home — DHQ > Page 6

Adamawa Guber Divides PDP Govs, Presidency 5

Jonathan, Mu’azu, Mark, others meet over waiver as NWC splits

The Falconets arriving the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja yesterday, after their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup success. photo by nan

Chibok Diary DAY 135

BBOG Group Raises The Alarm Over Threat Of Boko Haram Activities > Page 2

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chibok diary 135

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

DAY

Chibok Tweets @Mubarakmuhd529 124 daex ago,ovar 200 galx wre kdnappd 4rm goin 2 skul!D government hs nt rscued 1 child!HELP #BringBackOurGirls @gbengasesan You can’t find what you’re not looking for. Ìwákùwá là nwá nkan tó sonù.

To #BringBackOurGirls, the task has to be a defining priority. @BBOG_Nigeria Day 125: We don't have our girls back. Please #BringBackOurGirls\ @rescueourgirls 125 days since Moda Baba was taken from #Chibok.

Will she ever come home? Never forget. #BringBackOurGirls @rescueourgirls 125 days since the #ChibokGirls were kidnapped. We ask all of you, continue to rally. We will not be silenced. @Abu_Aaid Will you raise your voice for #OurGirls kidnapped since 14th April?

125 days after...still kidnapped! #BringBackOurGirls #StopBokoHaram @BBOG_Nigeria Day 120: Its now 4 harrowing months for parents and families of over 200 chibok girls that were abducted by #bokoharam #BringBackOurGirls @etinmagbe Our hearts are crying and aching with pain! Is there anyone listening?? #BringBackOurGirls #BringBackOurGirls @rescueourgirls 121 days since Tabitha Thomas was taken from #Chibok.

Will she ever come home? Never forget. #BringBackOurGirls Compiled by Iroka Ugochukwu

Members of the #BringBackOurGirls Group (BBOG) during one of their sit-out protests in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO

BBOG Group Raises The Alarm Over Threat Of Boko Haram Activities

By Chika Mefor and Ejike Ejike, Abuja In continuation of its advocacy for the rescue of the over 200 Chibok schoolgirls abducted over four months ago, the #BringBackOurGirls Group has raised the alarm that if not put in check, the increasing rate at which Boko Haram is terrorising the country will spell doom for the nation in the future.

The group, which was reacting to the daily reports of how strong the sect was waxing, called on the federal government to take the issue of terrorism seriously, before it would lead to a situation countries like Iraq, Afghanistan and Egypt were currently going through. ”The increasing rate of Boko Haram is becoming fearful. If nothing is done, there will be a time when getting food in the country will be a problem, because even with our money, we won’t find food. In Chibok and some northern communities, for the past two years, there have not been farming activities. If this insecurity keeps escalating, the prices of food will keep going up. People should not keep mum about this.

“It is a serious situation we are having on our hands and if other countries do not come together to fight this, it is going to be a West African thing. That is the reason we must continue with our advocacy of telling the truth. We must not stop until the girls are brought back,” the BBOG Group said.

The group called on Nigerians to rise and support the clamour for the rescue of the Chibok girls, noting that there was no amount of sacrifice that would be enough until the girls were rescued.

3

our stand Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Go For Medical Checks

T

he rate of sudden death in the country has, once more, prompted medical practitioners to advise Nigerians to go for regular checks. Daily, the media are awash with news of people who slumped and died. The cause of death in some cases is known while some remain unknown.

Many roam the streets as moving corpses with life-threatening ailments, without care.

The sudden death syndrome has been linked to several ailments including high blood pressure, diabetes and heart problems. Regular checks of one’s health can arrest this slide.

It costs little or nothing, for instance, to check for one’s blood pressure. Intending couples have to determine their blood group and genotype in order to avoid having children with sickle-cell disorder.

Findings show that the number of Nigerians who visit hospitals to check their health status is a very small fraction of the population. Those involved in strenuous and energy-sapping jobs, in particular, go about their business without checking their health. They only know they are ill when they have a breakdown, at which time, rather than consult medical professionals for expert diagnosis and medication, they resort to self-medica-

tion, which is another killer on its own.

It is ironical that many people do not take their health as a priority. They take their cars to the mechanics, mend their leaking roofs and examine their phones to return calls and send short messages, but they ignore their own body. The best they do when they have a headache, for instance, is to take paracetamol tablets. But doctors advise that headache itself is not an illness but the sign of another ailment.

Sometimes, it signals the onset of a stroke!

Regardless of how busy one is, he should understand the importance of looking after his health and going for regular checks. One common complaint

by Nigerians over time has been the high cost of accessing medical care and lack of funds.

Editor Sadiq Abdullateef Deputy Editor Kazeem Akintunde Editorial Board Safiya M. Adamu, Chairman Christian Ochiama, Deputy Chairman Standards Aniebo Nwamu, Director ’Lara Olugbemi, Assistant Director

Besides, only a few have a medical insurance policy; the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has not been working.

Considering the fact that the country does not have a social security system that ensures free medical care for all its citizenry, those which the current NHIS are encouraged to take advantage of what it offers. State governments are also encouraged to adopt and domesticate the scheme in their respective states, as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration is trying to do through the FCT Health Services Scheme.

Regular medical check-ups may not necessarily prolong life but can at least help nip problems in the bud and also detect problems early, thus increasing chances of treatment and probable cure. It is also instructive to mention that the older one gets, the more the need for medical check-ups. Those aged 40 and above are advised to do comprehensive checks at least once a year.

Health is wealth. Those who pay more attention to their health obviously live longer. It is no longer advisable to wait for any government agency to solve Nigerians’ problems.

So, anyone who wishes to stay alive should be conscious of his health needs and not depend on government.

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

Leadership Holdings

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

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

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

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

4 news extra

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Group News Editor: Tony Amokeodo 2015: IPAC To Sanction Political Parties Over Campaign Guidelines The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has declared that it will slam appropriate sanctions against political parties that infringe on stipulated code of conducts guiding political party operations, ahead of the 2015 general elections.

As such, the inter party council said it has set up a committee to monitor political parties which disobey regulations governing campaigns for elections and libelous advertisements.

This was disclosed by the national chairman of IPAC, Dr. Yinusa Tanko, yesterday in Abuja after he re-emerged chairman of IPAC at an election held at Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) national headquarters in Abuja.

The existing 25 political parties participated in the election which was supervised by INEC officials.

Speaking with newsmen after his victory, Yinusa said, libelous campaigns would be discouraged. “As political parties we must campaign within the time frame stipulated by law which is 90 days before election,” he said.

So we will make sure that we in-house will have to do the right thing before INEC will have to teach us what we have to do. As political parties, we have to put our political skill in the limelight so that everybody will be happy for us.

“There is a particular committee that has been set up to deal with all of these within the Code of Conduct. So everybody that tries to contravene this aspect of the law will be referred to the appropriate committee with a view to recommending necessary sanctions and punishments because we are not an organization that cannot bite. We are committed to making sure that the right thing is done.”

While he said underscored the interface between IPAC and INEC ahead of 2015, he stated that the electoral commission has shown purposefulness and preparedness for next year’s election based on their engagements.

He noted “remember when we had the Anambra governorship election, there were a lot of challenges. In Ekiti and Osun States governorship election everybody applauded INEC for what they are doing. We have also been discussing with INEC and they have been listening to us and they have been implementing our suggestions. They have promised that elections will be better in 2015.”

By Chibuzo Ukaibe, Abuja

L-R: Dora Akunyili’s husband John, President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife Dame Patience, and Dora’s daughter during a requiem mass for the late Dora Akunyili at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria ProCathedral Catholic Church in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN.

Ebola: FG Announces Containment As 2 More Are Discharged, Last Patient Stable

By Winifred Ogbebo and Victor Okeke, Abuja

The federal government has treated and discharged two more victims of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) who have been undergoing treatment since they were infected by the Liberian American, Mr Patrict Sawyer.

The minister of health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu stated this at a joint ministerial press briefing attended by the minister of information, Mr Labaran Maku, yesterday.

‘Two of the treated patients, a male doctor and a female nurse were discharged yesterday evening, 25th August, 2014 having satisfied the criteria for discharge.

‘They might be healthier than you and I. They have been tested and declared Ebola free, but you and I have not been tested. They

are the safest people you and I can associate with,” the health minister said.

It would be recalled that Nigeria had reported 13 cases of Ebola of which five died. However, seven of the infected persons have successfully been managed and discharged from hospitals.

Chukwu said, “As I speak to you, Nigeria has only one confirmed case of EVD, a secondary contact of Mr Patrick Sawyer and spouse of one of the physicians who participated in the management of the index case. She is stable but still on treatment at the isolation ward in Lagos.”

The minister said that so far, all the reported cases of EVD in Nigeria have their root in the index case and have contained the disease in only one city-Lagos, which according to him, “is an indication, thus far that Nigeria has contained the disease

outbreak.”

He added that of the 128 persons still under surveillance, one person has been reported symptomatic and laboratory tests are being carried out to determine the state of health.

“I want to commend government offices and private companies who have introduced the use of water and soap and hand sanitizers for public use at their offices,” he said.

‘N1.9b Was Federal Ministry Of Health’s Budget Not Ebola Fund’ The health minister also used the occasion to clear issues on why states have not received money from the N1.9 billion Ebola Intervention Fund.

He disclosed that the N1.9 billion was for the Federal Ministry of Health, saying, “ Those things the ministry could han-

dle based on its budget. It is for the ministry and its agencies; not an Ebola fund.”

Chukwu explained further, “Now in the case of Lagos State that received N200million, after the meeting with commissioners of health and the president, it was clear that Lagos is under pressure because many of the workers used in this ongoing fight against Ebola are from Lagos State.

“So Lagos State too needs money. They pay these staffers and provide some incentives; they even provided the isolation wards but we laid the foundation of how to work there,” he said.

He said that he made recommendations following the President’s request that more money be made available for Lagos State different from the N1.9 billion.

Why I Quit APC – Ikimi

By Bayo Oladeji, Abuja

Despite all attempts made by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to appease the aggrieved chieftains over the June 13, 2014, national convention, Chief Tom Ikimi yesterday left the party.

Chief Ikimi, who announced the withdrawal of his membership from the party in a letter he wrote to the national chairman, hinted that he was leaving APC in order to join up with politicians who share his vision.

Ikimi has refused to attend the party’s National Caucus meeting

and the APC Board of Trustees meeting held recently and in his letter he apologised for his “inability to attend both meetings” but he told Chief John Odigie –Oyegun in his letter dated August 26, 2014 that he is no more APC member.

He asked Oyegun to read the last paragraph of the statement entitled, “APC, My Reflections” and added “This is to further confirm my decision to withdraw my membership from the All Progressives Congress from today (yesterday)”.

The paragraph read as follows: “I am at the stage of currently critically re-examining the two

dominant political parties in our country, which are the APC and the PDP, in both of which I have had close working knowledge. I have not ignored the other political parties but in the light of the foregoing I must now search to really ascertain where indeed my true political friends exist. I need to be, at this time of my life, where I have friends who share a common vision with me and where my freedom, respect, honour and dignity would be guaranteed.

“Notwithstanding my enormous contributions over the past 12 years or so to building the alternative platform, after very deep

thought and the widest consultations I have made the decision to withdraw my membership from the All Progressives Congress (APC) from today, Wednesday 27th August 2014.”

In the statement, Ikimi recalled his political voyage right from the Babangida’s political transition which led to his emergence as the national chairman of one of the two parties recognized by the military. He also brought to the fore the genesis of his problem with APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, whom he accused of playing party owner right from the ACN days.

NEWS 5

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Adamawa Guber Divides PDP Govs, One health tip daily Presidency

LIVING BE BE 100100 LIVINGTOTO May the Life Force Be with You Qi, or life force, determines your energy level and optimum function. Thinking, working, and playing all require and consume qi from your body.

Traditional Chinese culture understands the need for

energy replenishment. Plants and herbs such as lotus seed, china root, longan fruit, pearl barley, ginseng, and forx nut have long been successfully used to strengthen digestion and boost qi.

Ebola Alters Academic Calendar FROM COVER

Chukwu

fore the students report back to school.

The minister said: “All primary and secondary schools, both public and private are to remain closed until Monday, 13th October, 2014, which is the new school resumption date for all schools throughout the federation. This is to ensure that adequate preventive measures are put in place before the students report back to school. “ All state ministries of education are to immediately organize and ensure that at least two staff in each school, both public and private, are trained by appropriate health workers on how to handle any suspected case of Ebola and also embark on immediate sensitization of all teaching and non-teaching staff in all schools on preventive measures. This training of staff must be concluded not later than 15th September, 2014.”

He further directed: “ All state ministries of education should establish a working and monitoring team for effective supervision of school activities before and after opening of schools.

Each state ministry of education should appoint a designated desk officer not later than 1st September, 2014, who should also receive appropriate training and who must report on daily basis to the honourable commissioner on situation in the schools. The names of such desk officers, their phone numbers and e-mail addresses should be communicated to the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Education not later than 1st September, 2014.

“All primary and secondary schools, both public and private, should be provided with a minimum of two (2) blood pressure

measuring equipment by the state ministries of education.

The state ministries should determine the number of such equipment required and forward same to the Federal Ministry of Education not later than 1st SWeptember. [They] will liaise with the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure that appropriate equipment are procured.”

He stressed that all the above measures also apply in all federal government colleges.

He therefore directed that all ongoing summer schools in both public and private schools be suspended with immediate effect: “All private primary and secondary schools must comply with the directives given under these preventive measures. State governments are called upon to support their state ministries of education with all necessary funds to ensure effective implementation of these preventive measures.”

The federal government also directed all states government to sanction any private or public school that doesn’t comply with the directives.

He reiterated the commitment of the federal government in ensuring the safety of all the children in both public and private schools in the country.

“Our concern is for the children and we would go to any length to ensure both private and public schools comply. You can imagine if a child is infected in a boarding school of say about 600 children; it would be very dangerous. We are not saying there is Ebola in all states of the federation, but we are putting some preventive measures in place,” the minister said.

He also advised all tertiary institutions: “ All tertiary Insti➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

By Donald Ojogo And Chibuzo Ukaibe, Abuja

Barely 24 hours to the screening of aspirants seeking to contest the Adamawa governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a conflict of interest appears to have emerged at the national level of the party.

Two power blocs -- the Presidency and PDP Governors’ Forum -- are divided over the seeming moves by the Presidency to ensure the emergence of former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu who was reportedly drafted into the race by the principal private secretary to the president, Ambassador Hassan Tukur.

This is even as the party’s NWC is said to have been split over the issue of waiver for Ribadu, Mohammed Buba Marwa and Markus Gundiri who all defected to the PDP recently.

Ribadu has denied he was being sponsored by the Presidency.

As the development unfolded last night, President Goodluck Jonathan was said to have summoned a select caucus of leaders of the party to a crucial meeting where the issue of waiver for Ribadu and others was billed to be discussed.

The meeting reportedly had in attendance national chairman of the PDP Adamu Muazu, his deputy Uche Secondus, Senate president David Mark as well as governors Godswill Akpabio and Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Akwa Ibom and Katsina respectively. Hassan Tukur was also at the meeting which might likely set the tone for today’s NWC meeting where the propriety or otherwise of waiver would be discussed.

A source close to the meeting told LEADERSHIP that President Jonathan summoned the meeting as a result of the position of the PDP governors who appeared to have opposed the candidature of Ribadu.

The PDP governors had on Monday reportedly met at the residence of one of them where the issue of Adamawa governorship election was discussed and a resolution passed that Ribadu should be stopped if the PDP wanted victory at

Jonathan

the October governorship poll.

One of the PDP governors told LEADERSHIP in confidence that they had their “reservations about the Ribadu question” in the governorship contest in Adamawa State even as they chided the president’s PPS (Tukur) for the move.

The governor said: “It is not ideal for the man (Ribadu) to come close to us at all. We still don’t know why Hassan Tukur is insisting on the man.

We can’t trust him for anything. Look at the auditing job given to him concerning the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation? Do you know the problem that report caused this government?

“Before Ribadu submitted the report, he had leaked it to all the embassies in the country. Will it not be treacherous to have such a man close to the government he has denounced and condemned in the past?

“Adamawa is Adamawa but the PDP’s chances in any election are of essence to us all because, if we win, the lesser job is for us in Adamawa and the entire north-east for the PDP. “So we were amazed to discover that Hassan Tukur drafted in Ribadu and this is causing problem especially when the president’s name is being bandied all around; so we resolved that the president must be alerted to the dangers of the move because Ribadu could be playing an APC script whereby he would return to his party after using the platform of the PDP to achieve his aim.

“All we are saying is, Ribadu is the least qualified of all the aspirants; what Hassan Tukur has done is a great setback for the PDP and that is why we have to address it squarely.”

On the insinuations that the presidential aide has mobilised ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

6 NEWS

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Fleeing Nigerian Troops Return Home – DHQ

By Abdullahi Umar, with agency report; MOHAMMED ISMAIL, Yola; George Okojie, Lagos

Cameroonian authorities have repatriated about 480 Nigerian troops who had previously fled into the country after a fierce gun battle with Boko Haram insurgents. They arrived in the country through Mubi, Adamawa State.

A resident of the town (name withheld) told the Hausa service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that the troops arrived in Mubi, some with guns and some without guns while others were with armoured personnel carriers (APC).

The agency reported that “the troops were fed in Mubi Barracks; some of them were still in military fatigue while others were on vest”.

Cameroonian army spokesman on Monday told the BBC that 480 Nigerian troops fled to the country after a gun battle with the sect, but Defence Headquaters debunked the allegation saying the troops’ action was a “tactical manoeuvre”.

Meanwhile, the sect yesterday attempted to blow up a bridge linking Nigerian and Cameroon after overrunning a town and sending residents and soldiers fleeing, Cameroon police and locals said.

A Cameroon police officer stationed in the far north town of Fotokol, Cameroon, told AFP that the militants tried to destroy the bridge, which serves as the border crossing with Gamboru Ngala in Nigeria.

Boko Haram stormed Gamboru Ngala early on Monday and, by evening, had taken over the police station, a military barracks and a vocational training centre where they had based themselves.

… Fleeing soldiers start returning through Mubi Sources say the returning soldiers looked unkempt and disheveled, wearing torn uniform as they went to the popular side of the Mubi market to buy second-hand clothes popularly called “Gwanjo” to replace their torn clothes.

Residents said the soldiers started returning to the town in the early hours of Tuesday, an action that sparked anxiety in the town as many thought they were members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

However, the residents said they could not ascertain whether the returning soldiers were among the 500 soldiers that fled to Cameroun to escape the Boko Minimah Haram onslaught.

A resident, Joseph Baba, said: Nigerian soldiers in Cameroo“We saw some of them purchas- nian territory is a tactical maing second-hand clothes at the neuver from the sustained batMubi main market and were in tle it had with the Boko Haram torn uniforms. insurgents.

“Initially, we were afraid when In the meantime, residents of we sighted the troops as we Madagali town said Boko Harthought they are Boko Haram am insurgents told them to defy elements. They arrived in the the 24-hour curfew imposed by wee hours and people began to the state government.

Acting Governor Umar Fintiri scamper for safety, because no one knew their mission. I even on Sunday announced the curthought they were Boko Haram few after the terrorists invaddisguised in military uniform, ed the town, which is close to the boundary with Borno town as they used to do.’’

Another resident said some Gwoza seized by the insurgents.

Residents said the insurgents, of the returning soldiers were seen wearing short knickers who were moving freely in the town, brandishing their guns, while others were injured.

About 500 Nigerian soldiers asked them to continue with allegedly escaped to Cameroon their normal businesses withRepublic as the leader of the out fear of attack.

Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, said he has captured Gwoza APC calls territorial town from soldiers, a position gain by Boko Haram, which the military authorities Nigerian soldiers’ foray disputed, saying that the move into Cameroon national was a tactical strategy by the embarrassment The All Progressives Congress soldiers.

The Defence Headquarters (APC) has described as an unon Monday said the presence of precedented national embar-

Adamawa Guber FROM PAGE 5

members of the NWC to grant the former EFCC chairman the needed waiver, the governor said it was untrue. “A lot has gone as regards this matter because it is immoral for such to happen. The NWC is sharply divided over the waiver issue too because there

are those who are insisting on due process,” he said.

But Ribadu appears unperturbed about the seeming gang-up of the PDP governors.

His spokesman, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, told LEADERSHIP that his boss was unaware of any such move by the PDP governors.

“We are not aware of any such move that some people are working against the aspiration of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. We do not also believe it is true. The man is working on his record and on his merit for the governorship of Adamawa State and the people will decide his fate,” he said.

Ebola Alters Academic Calendar FROM PAGE 5

tutions are advised to suspend exchange of staff and students programmes, visits and major international seminars and workshops until further notice.

They are also to monitor the movement of foreign students on their campuses. They are to liaise with appropriate government health institutions to organize and ensure effective sensitization programme for all

their teaching and non-teaching staff.”

He said the minister of education and all state commissioners of education would meet again on September 23 to review the situation in all states.

rassment the increasing seizure of Nigerian towns by terrorist group Boko Haram and the reported fleeing of 480 Nigerian soldiers to Cameroon during an attack on a military base in Gamboru-Ngala on Monday.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday by its national publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party called on President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently address Nigerians on the worsening security situation in the northern part of the country that has allowed Boko Haram to proclaim its rule over a part of the nation’s territory.

It said in the face of the biggest threat to Nigeria’s unity and territorial integrity since the country’s civil war, President Jonathan must also put partisanship aside and rally the nation against Boko Haram, which by all indications seems to be getting bolder and stronger, to such an extent that the group is now hoisting its flag over parts of the nation’s territory.

APC also restated its call for an urgent national stakeholders’ conference on security that will cut across party lines to help fashion a solution to what has now become a clear and present danger to the survival of Nigeria, while pledging its unalloyed support for any sincere effort by the federal government to end the insurgency as quickly as possible.

As an immediate first step, the party called on President Jonathan to immediately halt the illegal electioneering campaign by his ministers, other appointees and supporters, saying Nigeria must survive as a nation before any party or individual can rule over it. ‘’These campaigns, ostensibly by the Transformation Ambashappened on Monday when 480 Nigerian soldiers escaped to Cameroon.

The Ministry of Defence called it ‘tactical manoeuvre’, but did not explain how soldiers fighting insurgents along Nigeria’s border with Cameroon will foray 80 kilometres into Cameroon! Also, if the Nigerian troops’ foray into Cameroon was in the spirit of the cooperation between the two countries in the fight against the terrorists, as some spin doctors have said, why were the Nigerian soldiers disarmed and then herded into schools in Maroua, 80km from the Nigerian border? ‘’The issue that should agitate the minds of Nigerians now is whether our troops are adequately equipped to battle Boko Haram and, if not, what

sadors of Nigeria (TAN) but in truth being bankrolled by the federal government, offends national sensibilities at a time our citizens are being daily slaughtered and our troops are struggling against the terrorists who are bent on balkanizing our nation. Needless to remind Nigerians, over 200 schoolgirls remain missing more than 130 days after they were abducted,’’ the party said. ‘’The president must put politics aside for now and lead the nation to defeat Boko Haram.’’

It also charged the military high command and its civilian leadership to quit politicking and fashion out ways for the military to live up to its constitutional responsibility of maintaining Nigeria’s territorial integrity. APC said it is a shame that while the minister of state for defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, has been prancing around in Ekiti and Osun states marshaling troops to harass the opposition during the elections in those states, Nigeria has been losing territory after territory to Boko Haram.

Equally worrisome, the party said, is the development that has seen some defence chiefs become the chief campaign managers to President Jonathan, an action that is a clear violation of the military’s professional ethics and which has embroiled the military unnecessarily in politics at a time they should be rallying the troops against Boko Haram. ‘’Nigeria has never had it so bad. The country’s military that was being hailed worldwide for its sterling performance at global peacekeeping missions has now reached a level where its troops are deserting, engaging in mutiny or simply unwilling to fight. ‘’There is no way to spin what has happened to the funds allocated for such in the past. As we said in our earlier comments on this issue, between 2010 and 2014, a total of US$14 billion was allocated for defence, security and the police. What has happened to these funds? ‘’Nigerians must start asking questions rather than just blaming soldiers. Nigerians must ask why the alarm raised by Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno concerning the low morale and lack of necessary fighting equipment by the military was dismissed on the altar of partisanship. Nigerians must ask what next, if a rag-tag band of marauders are now carving out territories for themselves in our nation. Things cannot and must not continue like this,’’ APC said.

news extra 7

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

WAEC Debunks Mass Failure Report In 2014 WASSCE Result

The head of National Office, West African Examination Council (WAEC), Charles Eguridu, yesterday debunked media reports that there was mass failure in the results of May/June 2014 WAEC examination, saying what happened was only a decline in performance.

Speaking as a guest on a Channels Television programme, Mr Eguridu noted that Nigeria does not have a uniform standard for secondary school education compared to other countries and, therefore, judging success based on English and Mathematics was unfair.

He stated that the government had redesigned the curriculum which envisages that “not every child that goes into primary school will end up in university,” adding that about 39 new subjects have been added to the curriculum, like GSM Repairs, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning amongst others.

Eguridu said that it amounted to a misnomer for students to focus on passing English and Mathematics, leaving other subjects, adding that this was affecting the standard of education in the country.

He further noted that there were certain peculiar subjects in other member countries, different from Nigeria’s core subjects. Comparing Ghana to Nigeria, he said that Ghana’s core subjects were Integrated Science, Social Studies, English Language and Mathematics, while Nigeria’s core subjects are only English and Mathematics.

By Taiwo Ogunmola Omilani, Lagos

UNICEF Makes Largest Emergency Supply In One Month The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that it shipped 1,000 metric tonnes of lifesaving supplies for children caught in the world’s most urgent crises, the largest emergency supply operation in the organisation’s history in a single month, in August.

According to a statement made available to LEADERSHIP yesterday in Abuja by the organisation, the supplies delivered would fill 19 cargo jumbo jets.

UNICEF’s director of supply and logistic operations, Shanelle Hall, said the organisation’s massive deployment responds to massive needs in many countries at the same time, adding, “Now it is vital to keep humanitarian corridors open, so that these supplies will continue to reach the children who desperately need them.”

The statement added that foreseeing the need to ramp up the response to the conflict in Iraq and the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, UNICEF secured as many chartered flights as possible.

By Winifred Ogbebo, Abuja

L-R: Governors Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) and PDP national chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO BY NAN.

Sokoto PDP Challenges Wamakko To Account For Sure-P Funds

By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto

programme to date and on what components of the programme The Sokoto State chairman of the such funds had been expended.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), The chairman threw the chalAlhaji Ibrahim Milgoma, has chal- lenge in his office while respondlenged Governor Aliyu Wamakko ing to issues raised by the PDP to account for the whereabouts youth leader in the state, Alhof the Subsidy Reinvestment aji Nasiru Aliyu Gidan Kanawa, and Empowerment Programme who led the 23 local governments’ (SURE-P) funds received by the youth leaders on a solidarity visit. state and its 23 local governHe noted that youths in the ments from the inception of the state had not benefited from the

various laudable components of the SURE-P programme, such as public works, maternal healthcare, youth empowerment, etc.

Alhaji Milgoma also criticised the chairman of the SURE-P programme in the state, former Governor Yahaya Abdulkarim for not doing anything to ensure judicious utilisation of the SURE-P funds by the state government.

Speaking earlier, the PDP

youth leader, Alhaji Nasiru Aliyu Gidan Kanawa assured the state chairman of his unalloyed support to the party towards landslide victory in 2015.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Sokoto State government to the allegation proved abortive, as the commissioner for information, Danladi Bako, failed to respond to calls and text messages sent to his mobile phone.

WHO Wants Tight Regulations Against E-cigarettes

By Winifred Ogbebo and Victor Okeke, Abuja with agency report

The World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday called for stiff regulation of electronic cigarettes as well as bans on indoor use, advertising and sales to minors, in its latest bid to control the booming new market.

In a long-awaited report that will be debated by member states at a meeting in October in Moscow, the United Nations health agency also expressed concern at the concentration of the $3billion market in the hands of transnational tobacco companies.

“In a nutshell, the WHO report shows that e-cigarettes and similar devices pose threats to public health,” Douglas Bettcher, director of the agency’s department on non-communicable diseases, told a news briefing in Geneva.

The uptake of e-cigarettes, which use battery-powered cartridges to produce a nicotinelaced vapour, has rocketed in the last two years, but there is fierce debate about their risks.

Because they are new, there is a lack of long-term scientific evidence to support their safety and some fear they could be a “gateway” to nicotine addiction and tobacco smoking.

The European Union has already agreed to requirements around advertising and packaging to ensure the safety and quality of e-cigarettes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has proposed banning sales to anyone under 18 but no curbs on advertising.

The WHO launched a public health campaign against tobacco a decade ago, clinching the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Since entering into force in 2005, the health treaty has been ratified by 179 countries.

The treaty recommends price and tax measures to curb demand as well as bans on tobacco advertising and illicit trade in tobacco products.

Prior to Tuesday’s report, the WHO had indicated that it would favour applying similar restrictions to all nicotinecontaining products, including

smokeless ones.

In the report, the WHO said there are 466 brands of e-cigarettes and the industry represents “an evolving frontier filled with promise and threat for tobacco control”.

It called for a range of regulatory options, including banning vending machines in most locations and preventing e-cigarette makers from making health claims such as that they help people quit smoking, until there is hard evidence.

Smokers should use a combination of already-approved treatments for kicking the habit, it said.

While e-cigarettes are likely less toxic than conventional ones, the WHO dismissed the idea that e-cigarettes merely produced “water vapour”, arguing that they exposed bystanders and non-smokers to nicotine and other toxicants.

Their use also posed a threat to adolescents and the foetuses of pregnant women, it said.

One concern is that e-cigarettes may tempt children, and the report called for a ban on fla-

vours until there was proof that they did not attract adolescents.

E-cigarettes can be customised with flavours ranging from bacon to bubble gum.

Scientists are divided on the risks and potential benefits of ecigarettes.

One group of researchers warned the WHO in May not to classify them as tobacco products, arguing that doing so would jeopardise an opportunity to slash disease and deaths caused by smoking.

Opposing experts argued a month later that the WHO should hold firm to its plan for strict regulations.

Major tobacco companies including Imperial Tobacco (IMT.L), Altria Group (MO.N), Philip Morris International (PM.N) and British American Tobacco (BATS.L) are increasingly launching their own e-cigarette brands as sales of conventional products stall in Western markets.

A Wells Fargo analyst report in July projected that U.S. sales of e-cigarettes would outpace conventional ones by 2020.

8 News north-central

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

APC Alleges Campaign Of Calumny Against Umaru

By Abu Nmodu, Minna

Barely three days to the Niger East By-election to the Senate, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has decried various steps taken to compromise the chances of the party’s candidate, Barrister David Umaru, through the district and village heads.

The outcry of the party is coming on the heels of the meeting held last week and yesterday by the commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Niger State, Alhaji Mohammed Isah Kantigi, with the district and village Heads from Suleja and Minna emirates of the Niger East Senatorial District respectively.

When LEADERSHIP visited the ministry of local government yesterday, the village and district heads were seen waiting outside up until about 11:25am that the commissioner of local government

short news Wada Vows To Stamp Out Criminality

Kogi State governor Capt Idris Wada yesterday restated that his determination to stamp out criminality in the state remained unshakable.

The governor who disclosed this at Ajaka, headquarters of Igalamela/Odolu, during the continuation of his “thank you” tour to the local government stressed that the era of thuggery in the state was over.

The governor maintained that the relative peace being enjoyed in the state so far had attracted business interests to the state, noting that whoever haboured the idea of thuggery should relocate from the state.

By Sam Egwu, Lokoja

drove in, in a convoy of three cars, before they started ushering them into the ministry.

The community leaders later came out of the meeting in the afternoon. The details of their meeting was not known but a source hinted that the meeting was not unconnected with the forthcoming by-election.

Some of those who spoke on the ground of anonymity observed that the community leaders would find it difficult to work against the wishes of their people, as they can only act on what the people want unless they want to lose their credibility.

This is also coming on the heels of the petition submitted by the APC yesterday to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo, to be transferred from the state ahead of the election.

Niger Mobilises Private Hospitals Against Ebola The Niger State Government has called on private hospital owners to synergise with the state government to take proactive measures against the likely outbreak of Ebola in the state.

The commissioner of health and hospital services, Hajiya Hadiza Abdullahi, made this position known yesterday at a meeting between private hospital proprietors and the Ministry of Health officials at Haske Hotel in Minna.

The commissioner stated that the synergy was for proper understanding of the situation at hand as it regards the Ebola fever that is already in Nigeria and some parts of West Africa.

“It is wise to have a partnership against Ebola and also have understanding on how to fight the disease in this interactive session where we will ask you questions and you will also ask us questions, to check the outbreak if, eventually, God forbid, it comes to Niger State”, the Commissioner said.

She assured that from what government had put in place, the state was ready to combat the disease and check its entrance into the state and to also adequately educate the people on the disease and its implications.

By Abu Nmodu, Minna

short news Plateau Tertiary Institutions Raise Alarm Over Exodus Of Experienced Staff The Joint Union of Plateau Stateowned Tertiary Institutions (JUPTI) has raised the alarm over the exodus of experienced professionals who have abandoned their institutions for greener pastures.

The union urged the state government to look into the situation to prevent further deterioration, and appealed to stakeholders to prevail on government to do what is right for the schools.

The lecturers accused the state government of neglecting the institutions, thereby forcing good hands in departments like engineering, sciences and the humanities to move to other institutions.

By Achor Abimaje, Jos

Niger State governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu receiving the salute during the closing of orientation course for NYSC Batch ‘B’ corp members at NYSC Camp, Paiko, yesterday. PHOTO BY GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

Nasarawa Accused Of Harbouring Fulani Insurgents, As Crisis Escalates

By Donatus Nadi, Lafia

Following renewed clashes involving Eggon and Fulani communities in Nasarawa State which have claimed about 10 lives with many others wounded, the Nasarawa State government has been accused of harbouring Fulani insurgents in different parts of the state in the guise of resettling refugees from crisis areas in Taraba State.

Mr. Zachari Alumaga, the legal adviser of Ombatse, who made this accusation while speaking to newsmen in Lafia yesterday expressed concern that less

than two months after their arrival, the refugees had been given permanent settlement and one of theirs appointed ward head in each of the settlements.

Mr. Alumaga, who said some of the settlements are found in Agyaragu Tofa, between Danka and Kwandere, and Shabu, noted that instead of working out modalities to see how the refugees would be escorted back to their ancestral homes, Nasarawa State government had permanently resettled them with a promise to ensure they register as voters to enable them exercise their franchise in the forthcoming general polls.

The Ombatse legal adviser also called for caution in the ongoing stand-off between Eggon and Fulani communities in the state, saying most of the reported casualty figures are mere rumours that cannot be substantiated. He called on both parties to sheathe their swords even as he wondered why the state government was keeping sealed lips on the matter since it started about a week ago.

He said contrary to large casualty figures being churned by media reports, only two Eggon youths have been confirmed killed around Assakio in Lafia East development area.

Ahmed Warns Against Defacement Of Bill Boards

By Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin

The Kwara State governor, Alhaji AbdulFatah Ahmed yesterday warned against the defacement of approved billboards or outdoor advertising posts in the state.

The governor said that henceforth the defacement of approved billboards or outdoor advertisements will attract heavy sanctions.

Ahmed who spoke at a stakeholders’ forum organized by the Kwara State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KWSSAA) in Il-

orin, the state capital, urged political parties, politicians and other political actors to comply with the rules of outdoor advertising and signage in the state to maintain integrity and professionalism in the sector.

The governor who was represented by his deputy, Elder Peter Kishra, added that “as we approach another general election, outdoor advertising is likely to play a more pivotal role in political campaigns.”

“Therefore, anyone or group who defaces or otherwise destroys

any approved billboard or other outdoor advertising will be breaking the law and will be dealt with accordingly. To me, the answer to the often-violent struggle for political power in this country, is very simple. If you do what the people want or inspire hope in them, they will vote for you even if the opposition tears down all your posters and tramples on your billboards.

“On the other hand, a thousand billboards will not get you elected if the voting public has no confidence in you.”

World Bank Wants Benue To Engage Private Sector In Agric

By Solomon Ayado, Makurdi

The country director of the World Bank, Marie Frantoist Marie-Nelly, has urged the Benue State government to engage the private sector to reduce wastage of agricultural farm produce.

The Word Bank director was in the agrarian state to inspect agricultural projects executed under the FADAMA development programme.

Fielding questions from newsmen yesterday, Marie-Nelly said the state was endowed with human and natural resources including agricultural produce.

He, however, noted that the sector would develop faster if private investors are involved.

She further noted that there was the need for the establishment of cottage processing and industries to harness the wastage of valued agricultural prod-

ucts and assured that the World Bank would lend support.

“Benue State is highly blessed with good agricultural produce including mangoes, citrus and tomatoes among others and there is need to reduce the waste but the state must engage the private sector to enhance rapid development. There should be establishment of cottage processing industries but there must be focus on value chains,” Marie-Nelly stated.

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Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Inclusive Governance, Secret Of My Success– Gov Lamido ``

BY MUH’D ZANGINA KURA, Dutse

Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has attributed the rapid transformation of the state to the adoption of inclusive governance in the last seven years.

Alhaji Lamido stated this while speaking at a symposium organised by the state government to

celebrate the 23 years anniversary of the state.

He said the success recorded by his government in infrastructure and human development, which transformed the state within a short time, was not done by him alone, rather it was a collective effort of the people of Jigawa State.

Lamido noted that he found

Jigawa State in a sorry condition and adopted an all-inclusive system of government where all Jigawa people from political office holders, civil servants, traditional rulers, Ulamas, trade unions, civil society to community leaders were regarded as stakeholders in policy formulation and decision making. “ Today we are all gathered to

celebrate our collective success in laying firm and strong foundation for a prosperous Jigawa State, which would be unacceptable for any one to come and tamper or reverse the state backward.

“There is never again that time that anyone would be allowed to convert our treasury and properties to his private enterprise.”

Zamfara State Governor Abdul-Azeez Yari Abubakar (left) receiving the managing director of the Rima River Basin Development, Sokoto, Alhaji Mukhtar Ahmed Anka at Government House, Gusau yesterday. He is flanked by other state government officials.

short news Kwankwaso Distributes 100 Tricycles To Meat Haulers Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has distributed 100 tricycles worth N60million to members of the state Meat Haulers Association in order to ensure neat and hygienic meat delivery system.

The tricycles were given out on concessionary loan under a special empowerment scheme, on a 50 per cent subsidy, repayable over a period of 18 months.

By Abubakar Salihi, Kano

Submissions At Adamawa Probe Panel Laced With Lies – Nyako

BY MOHAMMED ISMAIL, Yola

Impeached governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, has decried submissions made at the probe panel set up by the interim administration to probe his government, saying they are full of lies and exaggerations tailored to indict his administration at all costs.

Nyako who stated this through a press release signed by his director of press and publicity, Mallam Ahmed Sajoh and made available to LEADERSHIP, yesterday, said there was a glaring attempt to create wrong impressions about whatever policy that was enunciated by Nyako’s

regime.

“We have observed with great concern attempt by government propagandists to exaggerate and even falsify reports from the Judicial Panel of Enquiry and to create the wrong impression that whatever policy enunciated by the Nyako regime at whatever date had existed throughout the seven years he ruled the state,” he said.

On the allegations of using the ADC to the former governor to siphon state’s funds, Sajoh said that no money was deposited in the ADC’s account in the name of assistance to the police adding that the assistance to the police in the state was an inno-

vation which was started during Governor Nyako’s second tenure when the security challenges became more serious in the state and the North-East.

“The truth about the matter is that when both the state government and the Nigeria Police Command in the state felt that there was a need to ensure that the police are always mobile, a special account was opened and dedicated to the maintenance and fueling of police vehicles. to which the 21 Local Governments were to contribute N6.5 million monthly. The ADC ensured that the money is paid into the account on monthly basis.”

Kaduna Deputy Gov Inspects Ebola Isolation Centre

BY MIDAT JOSEPH, Kaduna

The deputy governor of Kaduna State and the chairman, State Steerring Committee on Ebola, Amb. Nuhu Audu Bajoga, yesterday inspected a primary healthcare facility designated for the isolation of Ebola Virus Disease victims (EVD) in Kaduna South local government.

Speaking after the inspection, Bajoga said that already a ward

has been designated at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria for the same purpose.

He assured that with the steerring committee in place, the state was ready and prepared to tackle any outbreak of the disease.

“We have step up various subcommittees under the steering committee and they are already working hard towards finding solutions on how to tackle the

Ebola virus in the state. This is the second isolation centre after the one at ABU Teaching Hospital and we hope to put them to maximum use on the Ebola issue”.

It would be recalled that a blood sample of a military officer who returned to Kaduna from Liberia was taken to Lagos for examination after exhibiting symptoms of the Ebola Virus Disease.

short news Lack of Financial Literacy Responsible For Collapse Of Small Businesses – ICAN The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, (ICAN), has identified lack of adequate book keeping knowledge and financial literacy as factors responsible for the collapse of many small businesses.

The new ICAN chairman, Kano/ Jigawa District Society, Alhaji Amusa Tajudeen Adebayo, said this at the 2014/2015 investiture of the institute held in Kano.

By Abubakar Salihi, Kano

Adamawa By-election: NYLF Makes Case For Zoning A pressure group, under the aegis of the Northern Youths Leaders Forum (NYLF), has called for the entrenchment of zoning in Adamawa State in the spirit of fairness, unity and cohesion of the state.

The national chairman of the forum, Comrade Eliot Afiyo, who made the call in an interview with newsmen, said his call is against the backdrop of the fact that since the creation of the state, the northern zone has never produced the governor of the state despite its contributions to the other zones.

“I make this call against the backdrop of the immense contributions the zone has made to the development of democracy as it has over the years given support to the other regions at the detriment of its own cause.

“It is only natural that this time around, the other two regions should allow the central zone to produce the next governor in the spirit of fair play, unity and cohesion of the state,” he added.

By Mohammed Ismail, Yola

Adamawa By-election: Presidency Did Not Anoint Fintiri – Zwingina Former deputy Senate leader, Senator Jonathan Zwingina, has dismissed speculations that acting governor of Adamawa State, Alhaji Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has been annointed by the presidency in the coming governorship by-election in the state.

Zwingina, who is the chairman of Fintiri Campaign Organisation, told journalists that their principal does not believe in being anointed by President Goodluck Jonathan, nor anyone but by God who is the one that enthrone and can dethrone at will and at His own time.

He said the 20-man campaign team is constituted to promote the ideals of Fintiri because of his indefatigable quest at entrenching good governance in the state within the span of six weeks of his leadership of the state.

“Our principal is the aspirant to beat in the next PDP primary.

His efforts in rehabilitating the deplorable infrastructures are eloquent testimonies of the performance of the acting governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri,” he said.

According to the chairman, a number of other political parties are planning to defect to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, as a result of the performance of the acting governor.

By Mohammed Ismail, Yola

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stories of the Wednesday, August 27, 2014

...NEWS WITH A HUMAN FACE

BRUTALITY: Police Hit Pregnant Woman With Gun Over N50 Bribe

By Osa Okhomina, Yenagoa

The commercial tricycle operators in Bayelsa State, popularly known as Keke NAPEP, yesterday, staged a protest against what they alleged as the excessive use of force and extortion by policemen along the streets and highways in the state.

The protest began after a policeman allegedly hit a pregnant woman with a gun over a N50 bribe.

The police inspector, whose identity is still unknown, was reported to have used the butt of his rifle to strike the pregnant woman while trying to beat the Keke NAPEP driver, who had refused to part with a N50 bribe.

While some senior officials of the Azikoro Divisional Police Headquarters described the action of the police inspector as “careless” and denied the alleged use of the butt of rifle, the protesters claimed the action of the police led to excessive bleeding of the pregnant woman from the mouth.

The pregnant woman, according to the protesters, has been rushed to a private hospital for treatment.

LEADERSHIP gathered that attempts by the protesters to barricade the premises of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) along the Azikoro road were thwarted by armed policemen, who shot tear gas into the crowd.

ARREST: Alleged Murderer, Kidnapper, 2 Others Nabbed

BY MATTHEW DIKE, Lagos

Lagos State Police Command has rearrested a man, who was initially charged with kidnapping and murder but again got involved in burglary.

According to policemen attached to the special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, the suspect broke into a jewelry store and stole gold worth N23million.

The suspect, identified as Moses Obande was arrested alongside two others, namely, Ogbulaja Ogaba and Izuchuckwu Ezeob.

The complainant, Mrs. Ekong, said the pieces of gold burgled from her shop were valued at N23m and added that the sum of N108,000 was also stolen from the shop.

The suspects burgled the shop in December, 2013 but were arrested few days ago.

Obande was said to be the security guard attached to the store.

LEADERSHIP investigation revealed that Obande allegedly invited Ogaba and Ezeobi for the operation.

A police source attached to SARS, said the modus operandi of the gang was to find work as security guards in gold stores and supermarkets with the intent of robbing it.

A pepper seller at Aleita along Aiport road, Abuja, yesterday.

Death: Woman, Teenager Electrocuted

BY MATTHEW DIKE, Lagos Tears flowed freely among residents in Amukoko area of Lagos State, yesterday, when a woman and her younger sister were electrocuted.

LEADERSHIP gathered that a high tension wire belonging to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) fell on top a residential building and sparked fire at about 3am.

Those living in the area ran for their dear lives when the wire fell. Unfortunately, luck ran out on a 12-year-old girl, Fatima, who came from Niger State to visit her elder sister, identified as Mama Ibrahim, as she was electrocuted.

The woman screamed when she saw her sister being electrocuted and ran towards her to save her but unfortunately, she was also electrocuted.

The residents were miffed that both the high tension wire and the transformer were too close

to the building.

A resident of the area said the transformer is in the veranda of the house.

A resident, Shola, said as the wires sparked on top of the roof, the metre also exploded, which caused fire outbreak that was put out by residents and policemen led by the divisional police officer of Amukoko Police Station, SP Nosiru Ayoade, before PHCN officials arrived at the scene.

She said the residents called the PHCN officials several times but they arrived very late.

A police source disclosed that the PHCN officials were afraid to move to the scene because hoodlums were ready to attack them but were encouraged by the police Ayoade was said to have uttered soothing words to the angry residents who replied that, if not for him, they would have attacked the officials.

Ebola: ‘Protect Prisoners Against Disease’

By Kunle Olasanmi, Abuja

Prisoners in the country are vulnerable to the Ebola Virus Disease and must be urgently protected to stop its further spread in the country, the acting controller-general of prisons has said.

While speaking through the deputy controller-general of prisons in charge of Admin and Supply, Mr Peter Ekpendu, at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on how to prevent the outbreak of Ebola in Nigerian prisons, organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Abuja, the CG said the spread of the EVD to Nigerian prisons will spell ominous calamity for the country.

“The presence of EVD case in prison community would result in riotous situation that will necessitate the closure of the prison yard and the relocation of both staff and

inmate as well as quarantining the suspected cases. In such situation, contact tracing becomes absolutely difficult and very expensive,” he said.

The executive secretary of the commission, Prof Bem Angwe, on his part commended the effort put in place by the federal government to check the spread of the disease.

He said the commission should not wait till the outbreak of the disease in detention centres before finding a way out.

“We feel we should not wait until the outbreak of the EVD before we act. We must put measures in place to prevent the virus in prisons. Adequate screening should be done for inmates in our detention centres.

The government is the custodian of all these people and they should be protected and not neglected”, Angwe said.

PHOTO BY OGOH JOSEPH

UNHOLY ACT: Randy Pastor Marries 2 Women In Different Churches

By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba

A randy pastor of a new generation church (name withheld) in Asaba, Delta State, has married two women in two different churches.

The pastor was said to have also impregnated a choir member of his church.

LEADERSHIP reliably gathered that the pastor married the first wife, a teacher, 10 years ago in one of the churches in Asaba.

He was said to have abandoned the woman and two children and disappeared to an unknown destination for several years.

His first wife, who lives around Cable Point area in Asaba, was embittered and reported the action of her husband to the general overseer of the church, where the husband worked as pastor.

She was said to have tendered various photographs of their wedding before the general overseer, who in response, told her he was not aware that the pastor in charge of the choir section wedded two women at different churches.

LEADERSHIP checks revealed that it was the fourth reported cases of randy men of God who had allegedly wedded different women in different churches in Asaba, in the last five years.

While men of God, who spoke to our correspondent condemned the unholy act of the pastor, whose name was given as St. Paul (surname withheld) and a native of Ngbolu near Asaba, they decreed that the wrath of God would be visited upon him in no distant time.

The general overseer, identified as Pastor Joseph Omogha, had announced to over 3,000 worshippers in the church that the head of the choir section had committed an abomination, accusing him of having sex with female members of the church at random.

STORIES OF THE DAY 11

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

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Photo News

VOTER CARD: Physically Challenged Persons Protest Exclusion

By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba

Physically challenged persons currently undergoing training under the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs have protested their exclusion in the ongoing voter registration exercise, demanding to know when they will be registered.

While they have also threatened a showdown with the government, if not registered, they also lamented that since the beginning of the registration exercise, there has been no attempt by the electoral body to get them registered considering their predicaments.

Speaking to our correspondent, one of them, Tombora Ayabotu, noted that most of them have not been registered, majorly due to their disabilities as well as lack of access to registration centers and inquired to know when they will be registered.

According to him, “Every single one of us here is over 18 years and we are supposed to be registered but there is no way for us

to go out because the road is bad. We have been waiting for them to come and register us but nobody has come so far. Does it mean we can’t vote during elections because of our disability?”

He said most of them cannot move on their own, and appealed to the State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) to take their disability into consideration and make attempt to get them as well as other physically challenged persons, registered.

Meanwhile, LEADERSHIP checks revealed that INEC had registered one Okwunebe Tony Chuks, a 50-year-old male journalist as a woman.

Speaking to our correspondent, Chuks said he immediately drew the attention of the INEC officials to it, but to his surprise, the officer said there is nothing he could do about it, saying that, “this card that registered me as a woman is unacceptable because it would affect me in future transaction”.

DRUG SMUGGLING: Police Intercepts Truck Ferrying Indian Hemp In Cheese-balls Packs

By Abdulkareem Haruna, Maiduguri

A notorious drug baron, Kolade Aladejobi, who had been on the radar of security operatives in Borno State for a long while, was yesterday paraded by the police after he was arrested for attempting to ferry 248 compressed packs of Indian hemp concealed in a truck conveying Cheese balls to Maiduguri, police said.

Operatives of Borno police command’s formidable Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), otherwise known as ‘Crack Squad’ intercepted the truck after trailing Aladejobi’s from his point of take- off to the city of Maiduguri.

The suspect, who would be charged to court after he was handed over to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), tried to deny his crime when he was answering questions from journalists.

Explaining how he was arrested, the Borno Police Public Relations Officer, Gideon Jubrin, said Aladejobi created a secret compartment inside a Mercedes Benz lorry, with registration number KW 886 XA, that was carrying cartons of Cheese balls, a popular children staple delicacy.

He was able to beat all the security checkpoints from Ondo State up to Maiduguri, a journey of about 1300km.

Aladejobi, a 35- year- old automobile mechanic, said he decided to accompany the trucks as a mobile mechanic to Maiduguri, inspite the security challenges, due to hardship.

“I’m an auto-mechanic in Akure in Ondo State. I don’t know anything about the Indian hemp. The people who own the lorry just called me to repair the lorry in Kogi and I went. They asked me to follow them to Maiduguri in case the lorry develop fault again.”

L-R: Permanent secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr Fatima Lawal; minister of women affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina, and Hajiya Rabi Galadima, during an empowerment programme for distressed families in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO

L-R: Executive secretary, Tertiary Educational Trust Fund (TETFUND), Prof Suleiman Bogoro; chairman of TETFUND Board, Dr Musa Babayo; chairman of ICPC, Barrister Ekpo Nta, and board member of TETFUND, Professor Olu Aina, during the public presentation of the report of the conference on Transparence, Accountability and Ethical Values in tertiary institutions in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY OGOH JOSEPH

L-R: Vice-chancellor, Victory International Institute of Theoloy, Abuja, Prof Sam Ale, and director, Programmes (VIIT), Pastor Ajibola Akintola, during the CAN press briefing on Bible quiz in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY OKEKE JANE

IMPERSONATION: 281 Fake NYSC Members In Camp

By Abdulkareem Haruna, Maiduguri

The Niger State Coordinator of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr. Steven Ehoda-adi, has said that 281 fake corps members were sent out of the Niger State orientation camp in Paiko because they didn’t have authentic documents.

Ehoda-Adi disclosed this yesterday at the close of the three weeks orientation exercise, at the camp as 3,259 of the Batch B corps members, 2014, successfully, completed the exercise for their primary assignment in the state.

He told journalists that all the fake corps members were immediately sent out of the orientation camp because they had nothing

to show that qualified them for admission into the camp.

According to him, some of them gave the excuse of being attacked by armed robbers on their way to Minna and their call up letters taken away from them while some said they misplaced their call up letter.

He disclosed further that some of the corps members also presented only photocopies of the call up letter pointing out that the NYSC authority does not accept photocopy of the letter for admission into the camp.

Similarly, he stated also that 230 pregnant and nursing mothers who are corps members were disallowed from taking part in routine orientation exercise in the state.

L-R: Assistant general manager, Customer Service Billing, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Mr. Drisu Ibrahim; executive director, Commercial Services, AEDC, Mr Ernest Mupwaya; senior manager, Safety, AEDC, Engr Kabir Tahir, during AEDC’s customers’ consultative forum, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY OGOH JOSEPH

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business news

Shehu Re-elected MAN President

BY Ruth Tene Natsa, Abuja

Alhaji Sani Shehu was yesterday in Abuja, re-elected, president of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN).

In an interview with journalists after the re-election, Shehu said, “We promise to perform better than what we did in the past in view of the fact that

you can notice re-organisations in the executive council, the aim of that is to bring back people with high records.What I intend to do is to expand the scope of operations through the setting up of various committees where all state chapters will be captured.”

Also speaking, chairman House Committee on Solid

Minerals, Alhaji Isa Hassa, bemoaned the lack of interest in the development of the sector “Solid minerals is the main thing, as for oil, there is no doubt that in the next two or three decades, it will dry up, but there is no doubting the fact that for solid minerals, it could take hundreds of years to fizzle out,” he said.

Stanbic IBTC Set To Float N10bn Exchange Traded Fund

BY OLUSHOLA BELLO and BUKKY IDOWU, Lagos

L-R: CEO, Tony Elumelu Foundation and director, AFEX Commodities Nigeria Limited, Dr Wiebe Boer ; minister of agriculture and rural development, Akinwunmi Adesina, and Vice President Namadi Sambo, during the commissioning of the new 100,000 MT silo complex in Kwali, Abuja, yesterday.

Jonathan To Flag-off National ID Card Tomorrow

By Chima Akwaja, Lagos

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, will tomorrow at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja inaugurate the national electronic identity card, which will kick-start the issuance of a unique National Identification Number (NIN) and electronic identity card to all eligible citizens, provide a secure means to access the national identity database to authenticate and verify identities.

A statement signed by Anthony Okwudiafor, director, corporate communications of National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) which has the responsibility to create, maintain and operate the National Identity Database said

tomorrow’s event was a remarkable milestone in the National Identity Management System (NIMS) as well as a huge achievement in the overall objectives of the commission.

NIMC has the mandate to issue a multi-purpose card for identification, electronic signatures, biometric on-card verification, and other applications. The card which would subsequently be issued to all Nigerians who have successfully enrolled for the National Identification Number (NIN), has five applications already activated at issuance, with a built- in capacity to host more applications post-issuance and on request.

The NIMC spokesman said the process of activating applications

on the card would be done in two phases. The card is an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) compliant travel application to be used as a Machine Readable Travel Document (MRTD), for local/regional travel. It is a Nigerian Electronic Identity application to be used to authenticate an individual’s identity.

Other features include Electronic Public Key Infrastructure (‘ePKI’) application to be used for Identification, authentication and digital signatures; Fingerprint Matchon-Card (‘MoC’) functionality to be used for Biometric (fingerprint) verification; and banking application (‘EMV’) to be used for deposit, withdrawal, payment, transfer, inquiry, etc.

Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc has concluded arrangements for an initial public offering (IPO) to raise N10 billion for an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) and to attract local investors.

The bank is issuing 100 million units of a new ETF to be known as IBTC NSE 30 ETF at a price of N100 per unit, which will open on September 15, 2014 and close October 15, 2014. The ETF will be built on the NSE 30 Index, a modified market capitalisation index that tracks the 30 most capitalised companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

Speaking at the signing ceremony and press briefing on the launch of the Stanbic IBTC ETF, yesterday, the group chief executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Sola David-Borha said, “the IBTC NSE 30 came on the heels of campaign by Stanbic IBTC Holdings to increase awareness for collective investment schemes and it would be the second ETF based on the NSE 30 Index and is coming amid efforts by several operators to broaden the derivatives market.”

According to the executive director, Business Development Division of the NSE, Mr Haruna Jalo-Waziri, the NSE has been working on creating more ETF products in the market as it is one of the fastest asset class growing in the world, saying that with Stanbic IBTC participate in it would allow investors to invest in a range of securities, including quoted equities and fixed income securities.

Specifically, the chief executive officer, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management, Mr Olumide Oyetan, urged investors to invest in the IBTC NSE 30.

He explained: “We want to demystify it, show its simplicity and usefulness to both sophisticated and retail investors to participate in. Also, to ensure that domestic investors understand and participate, our focus primarily is to local or domestic investors to enable them benefit.”

The NSE recently listed the Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund tracks NSE 30 Index, the value-based index that mirrors the pricing trends of the 30 most capitalised stocks on the NSE. While, the NSE had in late 2011 listed its first ETF, a goldbased ETF known as NewGold.

Follow these reports on leadership.ng/business

Construction Industry Seeks Passage Of Local Content Bill

by Juliet Alohan, Abuja

Following the success stories recorded in the oil industry due to the adoption of Nigerian content guidelines in the sector, the Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA) is currently canvassing for the passage of the bill that would enforce the implementation of local content in the construction industry.

Speaking while delivering the keynote address at the 2014 quarterly dinner organised by the Abuja chapter of the NIA, secretary to

the National Planning Commission(NPC), Fidelis Ugbo, stressed that the construction industry should aim to replicate the successes achieved with the Nigerian Content Act in the oil and gas industry.

Ugbo explained that a local content bill in the construction industry, modelled after the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act was awaiting passage by the National Assembly.

The bill he said, would boost employment opportunities and promote local trade in

building materials as well as ensure that the nation’s architects, engineers and other professionals in the industry are effectively utilised.

While charging members of the National Assembly to ensure quick passage of the bill, he canvassed that the use of foreign goods be discouraged in the industry through the application of appropriate fiscal measures.

Ugbo, who regretted that Nigeria’s construction industry, despite gulping over 80 per cent of the capital budget of all tiers

of government had been dominated by expatriate companies since independence, noted that the construction industry was regarded as the barometer for measuring the health of any economy.

He pointed out that government’s decision in 2013, that all engineering and construction projects below N5 billion be handled by Nigerian contractors who possess requisite capacity was intended to reverse the domination of Nigerian engineering and construction industry by expatriates.

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16 NEWS/BUSINESS

‘Reject IMF Conditionalities That Impoverish People’

BY Friday Atufe, Lagos with agency report

The Government of Ghana has been urged to reject any agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that would impoverish the people in that country.

The Convention People’s Party which made the appeal said the country’s team of economic negotiators at the ongoing talks with the IMF must be as-

sertive and agree to only the terms that would enhance the country’s productive capacity, as well as boost exports.

The national chairman of the party, Ms Samia Nkrumah, said that Ghana’s economy was experiencing difficulties over the last three years as far as its macroeconomic indicators were concerned.

The country faces a number of economic challenges which include

a budget deficit in double digit, rising inflation and a faster rate of currency depreciation than was anticipated.

As of the end of March 2014, the Monetary Policy Department of the Bank of Ghana indicated that Ghana’s debt burden was $23.6 billion, which represents 55.4 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Furthermore, there have been continuous hikes in

fuel prices, utility tariffs, as well as taxes on a number of food, products and services.

Although the country is rich in many natural resources such as gold, timber, diamond, cocoa and oil about a quarter of the population of the country still lives below the poverty line while about seven million jobs, more than half of the current labour force, need to be created in the next two decades.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Airtel Takes ICT To Rural Communities

BY Chima Akwaja, Lagos

Airtel Nigeria has announced an empowerment initiative that focuses on creating awareness for ICT use and uptake in the rural areas across the country.

The programme, Boost ICT Usage in Rural Areas, is designed to help consumers living in or visiting the designated locations in these underserved communities to have firsthand experience of the company’s unequalled data services with no financial implications to the consumers.

According to Airtel, the

programme would also assist to facilitate ICT/data penetration in the country’s rural settlements.

Currently, Nigeria has 55,930,391 mobile Internet users out of a population of 174,507,539 representing 32.9 per cent penetration rate with heavy concentration in the urban areas.

Speaking about the Boost ICT Usage in Rural Areas programme, Airtel’s chief commercial officer, Maurice Newa, said the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between consumers in the rural settings and the world of opportunities before them.

Petty Traders In Edo Get Empowerment Grants By patrick Ochoga, Benin City

One hundred women have benefited N10,000 each from the federal government’s grant meant for 300 women cutting across the three senatorial districts of Edo State.

The empowerment program for women is a pilot scheme for south/south geo-political zone which kick started in Benin yesterday.

The director-general of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mallam Abubakar Mohammed, who was represented by the director, Special Public Works, Don Umoru, said the aim was to support smaller business enterprises.

Some of the beneficiaries who engage in the sales of pure water, groundnuts, firewood recharge cards, Oranges and ‘Akara’ (bean cake) besieged the Edo office, venue of the NDE. Umoru told newsmen that the beneficiaries were carefully chosen through state -based non-governmental organisations, churches, mosques and community associations to identify with the poorest of the poor in the society.

He said the scheme which was the initiative of the director-general was to capture the very poor as a way of bringing succour to them so that they could support their families.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

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Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Nisa Premier HosPital

64 Congratulations

23 Anniversary

Birthday to our AMIABLE GOVERNOR & GENTLEMAN On behalf of the Board and Management of Nisa Premier HosPital limiteD, we wish to congratulate you on the occasion of your 64th birthday.

We also congratulate you and the good people of Kogi State on the 23rd anniversary of the state creation.

We are proud of your efforts to further rebuild, sustain and heighten the developmental strides in the state, particularly in the areas of health, infrastructural development, security and protection of lives and properties.

We pray that Almighty Allah (SWT) strengthen, protect and guide you in all your efforts.

Congratulations!

Signed:

ManageMent

His Excellency

Capt. Idris Ichala Wada Executive Governor, Kogi State

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

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Wednesday, August 26, 2014

Environment

Feature

Providing Affordable Housing Through FHA Commercialisation

Enforcing Development Control, Maintenance In Housing Estates

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News Project Management: Lagos Amends Regional, Urban Planning Law RTEAN To Spend $1.5 billion On Housing For Members GGW: Mallam Directs Active Paticipation Of Forestry Department

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Providing Affordable Housing Through FHA Commercialisation

By Evelyn Okoruwa, Abuja

he Federal Housing Authority (FHA) was created for the sole purpose of making affordable housing accessible to all Nigerians

The provision of affordable housing is one of the major concerns of any government due to the fact that apart from food shelter is the most important human need. In Nigeria, the low income and noincome class find it difficult to own their own house due to reasons such as high cost of housing unit, poor mortgage and even the poor salary they receive cannot afford to get them decent houses.

Government at different times has brought out housing scheme to enable people in such category own their own homes. The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) was created for the sole purpose of making affordable housing accessible to all Nigerians. The agency has the vision to be the leading provider of housing and facilitator of access to sustainable housing solutions in Nigeria and to become a model government agency. However because of poor funding, the agency has not been able to deliver on its mandate. The prices of its housing units especially in the FCT have skyrocket beyond the reach of the low and no income earners. This was linked to the fact that the agency lack access to adequately funding and had to increase the prices of its unit in order to break even.

Recall that the former managing director FHA arch. Terver Genade had lamented the agency’s removal from the budget for over ten years saying it has been funding itself through partnership, internal generated resources and borrowing from banks. He also listed the problem of land acquisition and infrastructure as part of the problems faced by the agency. He said, “If the federal government provides infrastructure, the cost of housing would reduce by 40 per cent as the building cost would be 60 per cent.” He however said if an intervention fund is given to the agency, it will go a long way in helping it achieve its mandate of providing affordable housing.

However, the federal government through the minister of lands, housing and urban development Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi

disclosed its intention to commercialise the Federal Housing Authority so it can stand on its own. The minister made this known in an interactive session with journalist while also disclosing that the problem of affordable housing is the high cost of building. She however assured that government was provided lands free in order to reduce cost and that talks are ongoing with manufactures of building material for them to reduce cost. The end result will be a reduce house cost.

For the NMRC she explained that it will serve as a refinancing house for the FMBN. While adding that, “We are intensifying action on the completion of all housing units within the purview of the ministry and its parastatals including the proto-type housing scheme, PPP scheme, FBMN funded housing scheme and the FHA housing scheme all targeted at the low and middle income earners.”

However, mixed feeling trailed government intentions to commercialise the FHA. The question that begs urgent answer is if the agency will be able to deliver on its mandate to provide affordable housing if fully commercialised.

The Senior Staff Association of Communications, Transport and Corporation (SSACTAC) admitted it was in full support of the commercialization of the FHA as against corporatization and called the federal government to recapitalize the FHA to perform its functions in accordance with the its enabling act as enshrined in the national housing policy of 2012. They asked that the agency be autonomous rather that floating a company where government appointees will be involved in ownership of the company and the benefits goes to them not Nigerians.

Explaining further, the national president comrade Mohammed Yinusa said that what government has been doing in FHA is part of the problem the organistion have.

He said right from its inception it has not been adequately funded meanwhile fund is very crucial if an agency such as FHA is to succeed in its mandate. He also al-

One of the housing scheme provided by FHA for low income earners in Iba Lagos. photo by google

leged that government has interfered in the running of the agency.

Such interference he said will only draw the agency back. If further said if the government is serious about affordable housing no private company can achieve the feat except the FHA. He said, “A private company can charge 12.5m for a 3 bedroom flat but if Federal Housing Authority is well funded, the price will not be as high like that. That is our position.”

Explaining further the dilemma faced by the agency he disclosed that though the agency has been commercilsed since 1992 under the PPP agreement and should be autonomous and recapitalised. However the capitalization did not come from government, instead government intervention crippled the agency. He said that government brought in political appointees to head critical areas.

“That was the beginning of crisis in the agency.”

“Not that the recapitalization has not been working because no government has been funding the FHA since that agreement, it is self sustained. Imagine after all this period FHA is still standing but if it was recapitialised, the sky will be the limit.”

“Take for instance the Gwarimpa housing estate, Abacha through whatever agreement of loan facility gave them 5bn. Look at what we have. As a result of lack of full support that is why the prices of houses started growing to sustain the agency. Kado was built for 600,000 for 3 bedroom flat, 814,000 for 3 bedroom in Lugbe because there is national housing programme. And now the same house of 814,000 in 2006 is now sold for 13m to 15m. So you can now see if government says it is commercialising.”

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hours in a week monitoring and effecting repair on the building

400

while the network of roads and a good number of houses in the estate made up of 400 blocks reflect picture of disrepair and neglect

Enforcing Development Control, Maintenance In Housing Estates GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos

Though 20th century saw a number of failed attempts by Nigerian governments to provide adequate housing to majority of its people, the 21st Century which inherited serious problem of inadequate housing, resulting from many years of neglect appears to be recording impressive housing development.

In the face of undeveloped housing finance system, limited supply of long term funds, low household income levels, high unemployment, high inflation rate, high interest rate on mortgages, high cost of land and building materials, poor planning and poor implementation of housing policies and programmes, among others constraints, efforts are currently being made in the country to bridge the nation’s huge housing deficit.

Administrative bottlenecks that make the processing and securing of approvals for building plans, certificates of occupancy and other necessary government permits very difficult are being reviewed in some states of the Federation.

In view of the foregoing, experts are of the view that if corruption in the allocation of government land within the framework of the Land Use Act and high incidence of corruption in all other relevant sectors of the Nigerian economy are tackled housing impact by both the government and developers will be felt very soon.

Although they agree that the

lack of adequate political will by the government to deal with the housing problem could pose serious threat to present effort, the urgent need to enforce development control and maintenance in the new housing estates have been greatly stressed.

The inability of the government to enforce maintenance culture has been fingered as one of the major reasons for the deterioration of housing and housing infrastructure in most urban areas in country.

Thus, construction pundits are canvassing development control devoid of adverse vested interest and maintenance to ensure that good housing quality delivery is sustained in the country.

Maintenance of infrastructure and building which appears to be alien in this part of the world is not treated with kid glove in frontline Arab countries like Dubai.

A renowned Civil Engineer, Amr Al Bawad, explained that the maintenance of the building forms part of the contractual agreement with the contractors, who he said must have one year as the liability period.

On why Dubai edifices are always looking radiant, Bawad said, “The contractor take responsibility for the first year. For any major break down in the building, it is covered by the building. Some of the other equipment, like pumps and other components might have three or five years warranty.

That is in terms of general maintenance.

“We appoint a facility maintenance company to work internal-

A building still under construction at Aguiyi way Maitama, Abuja, yesterday. photo by okeke jane

ly, to do all the cleaning, maintenance inside the building. They are on duty 24 hours in a week monitoring and effecting repair on the building.”

The situation is different in Nigeria where the successes recorded with the introduction of the National Housing Policy that led to the development of housing estates across the country is being eroded by lack of maintenance.

The attitude of Nigerians towards anything that has links with government did not help matters in the sustenance of the legacies of past leaders, because even though the owner had paid for the flats they still have the fear that government can come up one day and revoke the National Housing policy and reclaim the buildings from them.

A good example are buildings in Iba Housing Estate, situated behind the Lagos State University Ojo in Lagos which are now under threat of collapse following noticeable cracks on the structures, as some are already sinking.

They were built by the second republic former governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande under the platform of the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) over two decades ago on a reclaimed

swampy land; the ground floors of some of the buildings are already sipping out underground water into the surface areas.

LEADERSHIP observed that the facilities that existed in the estate no longer serve their purpose, while the network of roads and a good number of houses in the estate made up of 400 blocks reflect picture of disrepair and neglect.

Engineer Afolabi Adedeji who is Managing Director Ethical Business And Management Associates (EBAM) observed that, “What we are all witnessing today, by way of the less than perfect condition of our Infrastructure, whether Houses ,Roads, Power from the Mains, Potable Water Supply, Solid Waste Management, [Domestic] Air Transportation, the Railways, etc., is principally due to the cumulative effect of decades of neglect of Planned, Preventive and Routine Maintenance.”

As a radical departure from the past experiences, the Lagos State Government through it Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos H.O.M.S.) has appealed to the monthly emerging the home owners under the Scheme to endeavour to meet all obligations that come with the ownership.

Administrative bottlenecks that make the processing and securing of approvals for building plans, certificates of occupancy and other necessary government permits very difficult are being reviewed in some states of the Federation

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GGW: Mallam Directs Active Paticipation Of Forestry Department

L-R; Environmental Consultant, Celina Maduemezia, Representatives of the Inspector General of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Habila Joshak, Director General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency(NESREA) Dr Ngeri Benebo and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs Rabi Jimmeta during the Annual Federal\ States Regulatory Dialogue on the Implementation of Environmental Regulations in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY OGOH JOSEPH

Project Management: Lagos Amends Regional, Urban Planning Law GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos

In furtherance of its objective to deliver massive projects without hitches , Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has signed into law a bill amending the State’s Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law. This development has lifted the restriction on employment of General Manager of the State’s Urban Renewal Authority (LASURA) to include other relevant professionals in urban renewal and development.

The Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law of 2010 which created agencies

including the State’s Urban Renewal Authority (LASURA), had before now stated that the General Manager of the Authority had to be a Town Planner.

But the new law, which emanated from an Executive Bill, expands eligibility for the post of General Manager to a mix of professionals relevant to that aspect of governance.

The Law, as amended and passed by the House of Assembly, now reads that the General Manager must be a person of proven ability and integrity with relevant qualifications and at least 15 years post-qualification cognate experience in urban renewal.

In his remarks before

appending his signature to the bill Governor Fashola said the amendment has become necessary because of the requirement for more multidimensional professional capacity within LASURA. He explained that the authority would be able to undertake and complete part of the uncompleted World Bank projects which lifespan expired late last year.

The Governor added that the state government took a collaborative project with the World Bank and recently the Lagos Metropolitan and Urban Development and Governance Project (LMDGP), noting that, like all World Bank projects with limited life spans, the project

wound up late last year.

For the state’s AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, the amendment of the law has become expedient because the work of LASURA which is essentially urban regeneration, urban renewal and optimization of land use, is multi-dimensional involving a mix of professionals.

Giving a background to its amendment, Ipaye describe the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law of 2010 as “a law that is very comprehensive because it covers all aspects of our Urban and Regional Planning Policy as well as the creation of agencies for the management of that aspect of governance.”

RTEAN To Spend $1.5 billion On Housing For Members

By Evelyn Okoruwa, Abuja

The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has disclosed arrangement in collaboration with foreign partners to build over 185,000 units of houses for its members within a year.

In order to achieve the target for its members across Nigeria, RTEAN has already worked out the mode of funding for the project, which is expected to be undertak-

en through direct labour within a year from the date of take off.

The project which is estimated to be $1.5 billion, is to be executed in collaboration with two foreign firms, Havit Incorporated of the United States of America and JS Neoplans, working with Artemis Angels Global Limited.

President of the Havit Inc Rig Vincent and Mr. Tony Adepoju on behalf of JS Neoplans and Artemis Angels Global Limited have

announced the deal through a joint statement. They hinted that the efforts will go a long way in abridging Nigeria’s current deficit which has been placed at 17 million.

Already, officials of the foreign firms had visited Nigeria and signed the necessary legal documents for the take-off of the project, which would provide direct jobs for 1,000 Nigerians contractors and 5,000 artisans.

The joint venture according to

them will also enable RTEAN to secure 4,000 Nigerian assembled vehicles for members of the association in a bold move to empower them and stem the tide of joblessness among the group.

Havit INC presence in United States of America involved in major infrastructure project developments, commodity trading, housing construction and metals trading in partnership with other global partners in Europe and Asia.

Ahead of the presidential flag-off of the Great Green Wall project in eleven frontline northern states, the minsiter of environment Mrs. Laurentia Mallam has directed the active and full involvement of the department of Forestry in the implementation of the Great Green Wall project without delay.

The Minister gave this directive when she visited the department even as she asked the three Directors of Forestry to speedily come up with strategies to fastract the implementation of the project in what could be described as the “MALLAM PLAN” for the Great Green Wall project.

Mallam further said the content of the Great Green Wall project is 90 per cent afforestation in Nature and wondered why the department will not be involved, especially given the huge manpower resources available in the department.

Earlier in his address, the Director of Forest Management, Mr. Simon Adedoyin enumerated the achievements of the department to include, establishment of Forest Remote Sensing/GIS Facility, the establishment of National Forest Information System (www.nfis.

By Evelyn Okoruwa, Abuja

Environmental Degradation Poses Health Threat The Chairman Governing Board of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) Major Lancelot Anyanya (Rtd) has said the degradation of the environment by oil spill has led to negative medical conditions in affected community.

He stated this when he led a delegation from NOSDRA to assess the impact of oil spills in Omoku area of Rivers State, in the course of which he paid a courtesy visit to the Oba of Ogbaland, His Eminence, Eze Chukwuemeka Nnam Obi. He noted that Omoku and Ogbaland were among the areas in the Niger Delta that had suffered extensive ecological damage as a result of oil spills.

He said, “Across the Niger Delta, negative medical conditions hitherto unknown to the locality are being observed due to colossal environmental degradation from oil spills. That is a huge price for anyone to pay for the prosperity that people are enjoying in and out of Nigeria because of our oil.”

While thanking President Jonathan for reorganizing and bolstering NOSDRA’s corporate governance through which the agency is now improving its community relations with oil producing communities.

By Evelyn Okoruwa, Abuja

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

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Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Nuhu Ribadu: Genuine Article Or Photo Trick

By Babayola M. Toungo

I am at a lost. Am terribly, completely totally at a loss and I believe I have reached the hopeless junction as far as Nigeria is concerned.

The lust for power exhibited by the defection of Nuhu Ribadu from the All Peoples Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic (PDP) is unfathomable, not withstanding his right to freely associate with whomsoever he chooses to associate. But I believe with the kind of public image he cultivated in the past, it is a cruel deception on the teeming poor Nigerians who erroneously believed he was the genuine article.

May be I am taking the whole thing personal.

Can Ribadu truly sleep with both eyes open on the same bed with Goodluck Jonathan, whom he classified as “one of the most corrupt Nigerians I ever investigated while at EFCC and his level of corruption even as deputy governor is just disturbing.

PDP is just a disaster and a total failure. Change is the only panacea”. This was as recent as 2011. Or even DSP Alamasiyegh, Jonathan’s boss, who Ribadu humiliated by handcuffing him and dragging him from the comforts of government house, Yenagoa to the imperial feet of Obasanjo?

Or Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu, the PDP national Chairman, who was forced into self-exile by Ribadu for about two years before returning to be made the national Chairman of a party Ribadu called “a disaster and a total failure?

Or the likes of Bode George who was forced to sharpen his kleptocratic tendencies in the Kirikiri Prison finishing school?

This particular political move is incomprehensible and unexplainable, no matter which way you analyse it. Yes, Ribadu have the right to associate with the good, the bad and the ugly. That is his prerogative. But it is also our privilege to reject impostors and frauds.

It is also our right to choose the company we are identified with. While

trying to absorb the fact that Ribadu is now a PDP member, I was scandalised, to say the least, to see him on television at the PDP Adamawa State Secretariat in company of the likes of the former Adamawa State PDP Chairman and Secretary plus some other characters who played leading roles in the financial rape of the state.

The same people who were leading actors in the promotion of nepotism, bad governance and architects of the stunted political and structural growth bedevilling the state.

Was Ribadu all this while playing up a role he knew that wasn’t him?

Was he just exploiting the crave by Nigerians for good governance and accountability?

We believed him. His constant invocation of God’s name at whatever occasion he is allowed to talk; his contrived zeal and passion to give the country a better society – a society where every leader will be called to account for his deeds and misdeeds. We believed him and believed in him. We didn’t know it was all photo trick. We were gullible and trusting and look what we got. At least even if he succeeds in his quest for power, we know we are not getting the genuine article but a counterfeit – forged in the same workshop as the likes of Bode George, Alamaseiyegh, Andy Uba and the rest of the gang.

We should be thankful to God that Ribadu showed his true colours before he got into power.

Ribadu’s new associates are the same people he castigated in the media, dragged to court in publicised cases with some shedding tears like Saminu Turaki, including his former boss in the Police, Tafa Balogun. His famed reputation was solely built on these high profile prosecutions and media visibility. If today Ribadu choose to wine and dine with these same people, how could I be convinced that all that happened in the past was not a put up? Who do you trust in the trench

now? How can we move the country in to the 21st century when our selfish agenda takes precedence over national interest?

Femi Fani-Kayode was unmasked for what he is and not what he has been claiming to be, are we witnessing the beginning of the demystification of Nuhu Ribadu?

Or may be we are at fault and looking out for supermen among us who should be above board in a society noted for its decadent life style.

Why did we trust and believe that Ribadu was different? Was it because of the passion and zeal (sad to say, faked) he exhibited while he was at the EFCC or was it our unquenchable yearning for good governance which we only hear on the radio in other countries like Niger?

What ever was Ribadu’s selling power, I believe many are now the wiser of the decade-long deception. It has been laid bare by the man himself.

Only thing is that he is expecting the Adamawa people to still see him as a knight in shiny armour who is out to rescue a damsel (Adamawa state) in distress.

He has chosen his friends like the former Chairman of the Adamawa State chapter of the PDP and his secretary, it is therefore left to the people of the state to either choose to empower them with their votes to continue the primitive style of leadership that they were rescued from or tell them to go jump in River Benue for all they care.

Let’s tell those who are backing Nuhu Ribadu to come and contest elections that they are backing the wrong horse.

If we wanted Ribadu’s new friends to continue lording it over us, no one would have celebrated Nyako’s ouster. There wouldn’t have been any need for any by-election with all its attendant stresses, rancour and logistical nightmares. With the new Nuhu Ribadu, I would rather go Nyako. QED –­Toungo wrote from Abuja

27

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

YOBE AMBASADORS FOR CHANGE YOBE PDP: A CALL FOR uNiTY AMONG STAKEHOLDERS

Old PDP Secretariat

New PDP Secretariat

With barely less than 6 months to 2015 general election as proposed by independent national electoral commission (INEC) and with the poor performance recorded by the present APC led government in Yobe State, it is time to call for unity among Yobe PDP stakeholders, it is time to unite and wrestle power from the underperformed APC led Government in the state.

Comparing the APP-APC led government in Yobe state since 1999 with other neighbouring states of Taraba, Gombe and Jigawa it can be concluded that Yobe state is retrogressing instead of progressing. Going by several opinion polls, it is obvious that PDP has a great opportunity come 2015 and this cannot be realised just because APC is not performing but can be achieved more easily if ou stakeholders are united and have a common goal, a common goal of winning election and a common goal of winning for the masses and bringing federal presence in the state.

By PDP tradition, any state that doesn’t have a PDP governor, the minister from the state should serve as thae leader of the party, this was the norm since the era of Adamu Chiroma, through Lawan Gana Guba to Adamu Waziri, Hon Jibrin Maigari, Dr Yerima Lawan Ngama and now Dr Abdu Bulama.

We at the level of Yobe Ambassadors for Change, an advocate group for president Good luck Ebele Jonathan Transformation Agenda in Yobe state, with our members cut across all LGAs, within public and private sector, over the years have advocated for the need of change in Yobe State, our activities and luckily with the effort of President Good luck Jonathan Transformation Agenda by making sure that the transformation agenda has reached across to our youths, we have concluded that come 2015 PDP has a better chance to WIN 2015 in Yobe state.

We wish to call our stakeholders from Adamu Maina Waziri to the present leader of the party Dr Abdu Bulama to unite. We call on Adamu Maina Waziri who has campaign from RUHU in Gulani to DOLE Machina in Machina, Adamu Maina Waziri has seen the nook and crannies of Ngalda in Fika up to Toshia in

Yunusari, from Karasuwa to Nguru. We call on him as a major stakeholder to call a round table meeting and decide on a common goal. We will also like to advice the Serving minister and the leader of the party to maintain a good precedence, as a leader with less than 6 months to election the UNITY of the party is paramount to win election. From the time of Adamu Maina Waziri up to post 2011 election, PDP secretariat remains one, with all the factions which is normal in democracy yet the party secretariat contributed by Adamu Maina Waziri remains the only secretariat. After 2011 election going by the need of a bigger state secretariat and due to the location of the old secretariat close to APC secretariat and with no enough space to accommodate party supporters and barely just a step to a major high way, stakeholders agreed for a bigger and spacious secretariat and this warrant the leader of the party at that time Dr yerima lawan Ngama to acquire a bigger and befitting secretariat, the secretariat until few weeks ago is big enough to accommodate at least 200 cars, the location is strategic, party stalwart can converge without inconveniencing the public, big enough to mobilize security during activities without inconveniencing the activities of the general public and above all far away from the APC secretariat avoiding clash and violence.

We feel that this status quo should be maintained except if a bigger party secretariat is needed we feel uncomfortable to go back to a small secretariat along a high way with no space to accommodate our members adequately. We wish to call on the party leader to lead the party to success, if PDP wins during his reign as party leader, he will write his name in the annals of history, the credit will go to him and generation yet unborn will remember him.

We wish to restate our commitment and loyalty to the Party, our commitment and support to any meaningful steps to unite the stakeholders, we assure our total loyalty to Mr president Commander in chief of Armed force President Good luck Ebele Jonathan and our Party Chairman Dr Ahmed Adamu Muazu. We pray as always for God almighty to guide and bless our President to success in his fight against terrorism.

Signed:

MODu GREMA YuNuSARi For: YOBE AMBASSADORS FOR CHANGE 09039239266

28

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

29

30 THE NATION’S CAPITAL

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

FCTA Pays N100m CSDP Counterpart Ebola: Garki Market Revives Fund, Inaugurates Board Monthly Environmental Sanitation

By Catherine Agbo

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced the release of its N100 million counterpart funding for the FCT Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) and has also inaugurated the board of directors of the project.

CSDP is a World Bank driven grassroots empowerment intervention initiative.

The board is to be chaired by a retired Director of the FCTA, Alhaji Salihu Hussaini Ashara, while members are Salisu

Kallamu (DAF, FCT SDS); Jummai Yunana; Women Leader; Abdulsalam Yahaya (DAF, FCT ACSS); Ari Isa Mohammed; (Director, FCT EPRS); Yakassai Ado Uba (DAF FCDA); Ibrahim Bomai (Director, FCT Treasury); Zaka Sunday, (Youth Leader); Hajiya Habiba Sule (CSO) and Sam Ogbeifun, (Chairman, FCT Press Corps); with Arabi Tukur, the General Manager, CSDP as member/secretary of the new board.

FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed who inaugurated the board yesterday, said it was part of efforts to uplift

the standard of living of the less-privileged residents of the territory.

He explained that the project has been designed to sustainably increase access of poor people to social, natural resources and infrastructure services across the entire 8,000 square kilometers of the FCT. “The CSDP is concerned with the empowerment of communities to develop, implement and monitor micro-social infrastructure projects; including natural resource management interventions as well as strengthening

of the skills and capacity of grassroots tiers of government to support communities with a view to improving their standard of living.

“As an economic safety-net programme, the ideals of the CSDP is in tandem with the Transformation Agenda of the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s administration which aims to improve the living standards of Nigerians and ensuring that the positive macro-economic indices being recorded at the national level is translated to the rural populace,” the minister said.

Traders’ Group Join Call For Extension Of CVR Exercise Chika Mefor

An Abuja-based non-governmental organisation, Traders Initiative for Social Development, has called for the extension of the on-going continuous voter registration exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This, according to them, is in order to make room for more people, especially traders, to be registered as voters ahead of the 2015 general election.

Speaking to journalists during the weekend, the national coordinator of the group, Comrade Obiora Okoli, also requested that the electoral body consider locating a registration unit within the markets for easier access to the traders.

“As a group with the focus of mobilising the teeming population of Nigerian traders to come alive to their civic responsibilities while also sensitising them on political mainstreaming, we are compelled to make this call for extension of the date of this programme,” he said.

Continuing, Comrade Okoli pointed out that “Nigerian traders all over the federation and, especially, in Abuja, are now prepared, more than ever, to take their rightful place and to use their numerical strength in determining who rules this country at all levels.

To achieve this, we are mobilising them for the on-going continuous

voter registration exercise, hoping that the INEC will provide the enabling environment for us to achieve this goal by acceding to our requests.”

The group noted that the call became necessary in view of the peculiarity of traders who, unlike

public servants, are selfemployed and can hardly leave their shops for a whole day without their trade being negatively affected.

He argued that, by extending the period of voter registration and bringing the centres

closer to the traders, the commission will have succeeded in widening the political space to accommodate a group of ‘dormant giants’ who, otherwise, would have been left out in view of the peculiarities earlier mentioned.

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By Nkechi Isaac

In its bid to restore the confidence of customers in the face of the Ebola epidemic in Nigeria and Abuja, particularly, the market managers of Garki Market, Abuja Market Management Limited (AMML), yesterday, reintroduced the market’s monthly environmental sanitation exercise.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP, the market manager, Ibrahim Yahaya Joe, said that the exercise, observed between 7 and 10 am every last Tuesday of the month, is to improve sanitary conditions around and within the market.

“Being the pace-setter and the most sanitised market in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), we found it necessary to revive and inculcate in our traders the need to keep a healthy and virile market place, in the light of the Ebola scourge, as well as other sanitary issues that are potentially hazardous to human beings,” Joe said.

According to him, “we have a very vibrant informal sector that deals with a lot of food products and activities that affect human consumption and we need to have wholesome foodstuff that people eat.

So, one of the key points that these products are being marketed in a very hygienic standard environment is this kind of exercise.”

Speaking on the sustenance of the exercise, Joe promised that the exercise will be sustained, saying that the market has entered a collaboration with the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) for enhanced productivity.

“The AEPB supervised

the activities and ensured that we complied strictly with environmental guidelines and, I am sure, it’ll be a sustainable exercise with the supervision. The exercise comes up on the last Tuesday of every month, from 7:00 to 10:00 am but the board has extended it to 12 : 30 pm. Defaulters will face the full wrath of the law,” he added.

A trader in the market, Mrs Toyin Bada, welcomed the exercise.

“Although we have cleaners who come and clean up the market as early as 3:00 am in the morning and in the afternoon before they go home, there is still need for a general cleanup for a better, sanitised environment.”

In his remarks, another trader and chairman of the Abuja Coldroom Operators Cooperative Society, Mr Etanami .A. Etanami, said maintaining a clean environment, individually or collectively, is everybody’s concern, because, for now, the issue of Ebola has increased the concern and consciousness to quality health and other issues.

In his remarks, the Area Vet Officer (AVO) of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Mr Oga Stanley, said that the meat and vegetable section of the market was standard.

According to him, “ordinarily, the meat and vegetable section is a very sensitive section of the market because that is where viruses can grow and fester. But, in this case, these sections are very standard, very clean and neat. The market management should be commended for their efforts in sanitizing the market and making it safe for both traders and customers.”

31

Interval Wednesday, August 27, 2014

E N T E R TA I N M E N T S P O R T s

B.Don Records Unveils Peezray, New Singles

The Label Manager of B.Don Records, Leo Benjamin, Peace Raydon, and Praise Raydon, (PEEZRAY), during the official unveiling of their new singles at the Silverbird, Abuja

By Tunde Oguntola, Abuja

Fast-rising Abuja-based record label and artiste management company, B.Don Records has officially unveiled its newest artistes Peezray who dropped their latest singles, “My Nation” and “Time”.

The label manager of B.Don Records, Leo Benjamin, who unveiled the duo (Peezray), real names, Praise Raydon, male, born June 8 2001, and Peace Raydon, female, born March 17, 2005, who hail from Isoko North in Delta State at a press conference cum photo session at the Xquisite Studio, Silverbird Entertainment Centre, Abuja, said ’’the songs showcase high energy, fantastic beats, and lyrics

that delve into the heart of real music lovers.’’

He told journalists “the two singles are aimed at reigniting and rebuilding the spirit of hope, courage, patriotism, love for one another, and peaceful coexistence amongst Nigerians.

“The birth of this Abujabased duo who are actually siblings, is going to be the birth of a new face of music, not only in Abuja, but in Nigeria as a whole, as it shows that children can be encouraged to build their potentials in music from a tender age. These kids have over time, promoted peace in Nigeria through their music, and they will no doubt make a dramatic contribution to the restoration of peace in Nigeria.”

Chinonyelu, Eyitayo Crowned Face Of Hope 2014

Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, Others Win Big At MTV VM

LEISURE

R&B Singer Cheekuh Drops Loke Loke

‘A Place In The Stars’ Inspired By Late Akunyili

By SAMUEL ABULUDE, Lagos

By SAMUEL ABULUDE, Lagos

From the stable of 2-Digits Records comes another hit single entitled Loke Loke by a seasoned Rythm and Blues crooner with the stage name Cheekuh. The artiste born and christened Gimba Cheekuh Galadima is a native of Bida in Niger

One of Nigeria’s pioneer film companies, Native Filmworks Limited has just completed a new flick entitled, ‘A place in thestars’ which interestingly is said to have been inspired by the bravery and patriotism of former NAFDAC boss, late Prof.Dora Akinyuli.

In an industry announcement to unveil its first feature film held on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at Freedom Park, the movie director and producer, Steve Gukas, described ‘A place in thestars’ as a riveting account of drug trafficking.

“It focuses on how fake and adulterated medical drugs are being traded for billions of dollars – dangerous men willing to kill to protect this money and a young man with a nagging conscience sworn to get rich or die trying in a very corrupt country. How far is he willing to go?” says Gukas.

A place in the stars is scheduled to premiere soon in Lagos, Abuja, South Africa, Kenya and also in the West London & New York/Houston Texas later in the year.

The movie featured

Cheekuh

State, Nigeria and a graduate of petrochemical engineering from the University of Jos.

Cousins Battle Each Other On ‘Star The Winner Is’

By SOLOMON NDA-ISAIAH

The quest for the mouthwatering grand prize of Star lager-sponsored TV game show ‘Star The Winner Is’ got more exciting when two contestants who interestingly are cousins, went head to head in a duel battle for the brightest voice during the weekend.

Contestants, Jahtell Ilem and Blessing Ogainyo both equally astounding singers put all family interests aside and went up against each other in the fiercest duel round of the night. Blessing however surrendered after she witnessed the vocal prowess Jahtell commanded, walking away with 100,000 naira.

Jahtell

Plus-sized beauty, Jahtell, turned out the clear choice of the 101 jury members in that round and subsequently for the episode making it through to the semi-final round after beating another opponent Daniel Buba in the final round of the night.

Toyin Akinoso, Steve Gukas and Kufre Ekanem

some of the best local and international stars like Segun Arinze, Gideon Eche-Okeke and Dejumo Lewis. A place in the stars will give movie viewers something to cheer about.

Other casts include Yemi Blaq, Femi Branch, Matilda Obaseki, Julian Mcdowell, Armajit Deu and Amaka Mgbor.

At the event, guests were privileged to watch the first official movie trailer with exclusive behindthe-scene snippets into the storyline and recorded video conversations from key crew members such as the Producer/Director, Steve Gukas, the Music Composer, George Kallis and others.

Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Chike Maduegbuna, Seyi Siwoku, Toyin Akinosho, Jahman Anikulapo, Bola Bello, Yinka Edward, Makin Soyinka, Dotun Olakunrin are some of the film and media experts at the event. Other notable guests include Wale Ojo, Gideon Okeke, Yemi Blaq, Segun Arinze, Audu Maikori, Jeremiah Gyang, Lydia Idakula and many more.

‘Abeg, Carry Your Ebola Dey Go Jor’

Just as the bus was about to move, after loading, the driver kept on screaming “Wuse, Berger,Wuse,Berger!”

“Wuse, Beger for where now?”

Asked an irritated passenger.

“Doesn’t this fellow live in this country? Has he not been hearing about the Ebola virus?”

“Bros, na illiteracy,” said a woman who was standing, as she did the best she could to avoid touching other bodies swinging from the motion of the vehicle.

“Person wen dey call me illiterate, na him family members be illiterate. If I no go school; my money go school.

Nonsense,” the conductor roared

back.

The passengers answered with guffaws.

“Seriously, Which person who has heard about Ebola virus can go on stuffing passengers in a vehicle like this? Only a fool will.”

The first man was still pressing home.

“Oga, me and you who is the greatest fool? You see say I dey pack people for the motor, despite the Ebola thing and you still beg me to park make you enter. As you know you come enter, no be correct muntula you be?” Asked the conductor.

Some agreed the debater was the real muntula.

“Nigerians, that is why we don’t know anything,” said the standing woman, still shaking her head.

Somewhere around Kugbo, as the conductor was about to go

collecting his fare, he pulled a nose mask over his nose, to loud jeers and cat-calls.

“Yes,” he said, as an answer, “una say I no go school, but I use salt water bath this morning and now I don get wetin I go use cover my nose. Una wen go school, wetin una don do to stop Ebola? Abegi, pay me my money.”

The laughter did not abate.

“My brother, na where you sabi reach be that; but Ebola no be airborne disease o. Na only wen you touch person wen get am na him wahala go dey,” advised another woman condescendingly.

“Or if you enter the London of woman wen get Ebola,” two trouser-sagging youngsters added simultaneously. They got some very icy eye-balling from unhappy women.

“Also,continued the woman who gave the first advise, if

you know person when get am, you go wear something wen go protect you. If the person spit no mach am, if him cough no touch am. Also, you no go follow the person do love and…”

“Wetin be do love?” some vain fellow asked. “Why don’t you talk wetin we for understand?

For Nigeria we say na ‘f**k’ or ‘bang’. We no dey say ‘do love’.

Na oyinbo de that,” said a grislybearded fellow.

“Nigerians no get sense,” hissed a highly offended lady who was seated near the driver.

“Now,” continued the woman who was giving the Ebolaprevention advise, “you need to carry the person go hospital make them watch am. But the clothe wen the person wear; you no suppose touch am at all. You suppose burn am. But, make I tell you, Ebola no dey easy to catch as

we dey think.”

At this, the bus became more silent. She had said something none of them knew.

“Ebola has been in this world for more than 60 years. If na so the thing dey easy to catch, everybody for don die. So you see, all we have to do is to be careful. Simple. Leave bush meat, leave bat meat and watch any other kind of meat you eat; but for our country we go hear? As we dey talk, some people still dey go Zimbabwe for Keffi Road, to go chop pepper bush meat,” she said, to rapturous laughter.

“See as dem don turn this Ebola matter to laughing matter.

Hmm, my country people.” He shook his head with a mixture of amusement and sadness.

“Make una carry una Ebola dey go jor, I want my money!”

Announced the conductor.

32 INTERVAL

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Chinonyelu, Eyitayo Crowned Face Of Hope 2014

By Anthony Ada Abraham

It was a funfilled day as the Face of Hope for Kids competition ended in grand style with Chinonyelu Nwakalor and Eyitayo Daniel crowned little Queen and King of Hope respectively.

Held at the Nicon Luxury Hotel Abuja, the event was graced by Abuja’s best entertainers and the crème de la crème in the society, from the comedy world, dance and music industry to fashion.

Also present were Senator Sunday Fajimi, a gubernatorial candidate in Osun State during the last election, Engr. (Mrs.) M.I. Ojo (parent of the founder), the CEO of Fashion Academy, Mrs. Nina kwande, a model, Mr. Chika Uko, and the CEO, Edestar Concepts Int'l Ltd, Robert Iyinbor Roberts, amongst others.

Children from different parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja stepped out in different styles and colours to be part of the event. It was fun and laughter galore.

Those who made it to the finals

were Shalom George, Deborah Joseph, Sharon Joseph, Victory Udoka, Daniel Icheku, Omon Osagiede, Semen Dagoh, Taiye Ojo, Kehinde Ojo, Eseosa Osagiede, Phil Kanayo and Ifeoluwa Madein.

Speaking after the event, the creative director and CEO of Grazee Stitches and Collectibles, Miss Grace Ibironke Ojo told INTERVAL that the pageant was put in place to curb western influences on Nigerian children many of who she said knew little or nothing of the rich, diverse culture of Nigeria.

She thanked all for the success of the event and promised a better package in the next edition, while calling on parents to avail their children the opportunity of participating in programmes that would boost their moral upbringing.

The maiden edition had children showcasing different outfits like evening and traditional outfits and casuals, all with African touch aside the sport wear. There were exhibitions of designs by participating designers.

Eyitayo and Chinonyelu

IT’S NOT

OVER OMENESA ORUMA AKOMOLAFE

BB Pin: 2B2DA0B0 08176324382 (SMS)

Last week was a wonderful week. I got to sing the Nigerian national anthem in front of President Goodluck Jonathan at the Sheraton, for the CBN Awards event. It was wonderful.

While I basked in the euphoria of my achievement, I was knocked down with a heavy fever on Wednesday, the next day. It was terrible!

Headache, fever, typhoid, malaria...these are not unusual, but what made this sickness so unbearable was my 2 molars. It started with my right wisdom tooth. OMG! My gums were inflamed, and the fever was

Winner of Project Fame Season 5, Ayobami Ayoola, Dr. Ayuba, Nick B, Tope Sax and Moralmore, MC Bob, The General, Ruthex thrilled guests with their performance, while DJ Gabi was on the wheel of steel doing what he knows best.

The little queen, Chinonyelu Nwakalor, in her speech, said she would go round schools to encourage other children to cultivate the habit of giving back to the society and helping the needy.

On his part, the little king, Eyitayo Daniel, said he would serve as an inspiration to other children during his reign as King of Hope for Kids, promising to make other children work towards giving back to the society.

Face of Hope is primarily an advocacy programme in which the little queen and king are prooped up to engage student groups and encourage other kids and their parents to take more interest in helping the less privileged in the society. It is aimed at inculcating in children the virtue of giving at an early age.

Ayoola on stage

Product manager, info technology and mobile, Samsung Electronics WA, Mr Anish Matthew; MD Samsung Electronics WA, Mr Brovo Kim; Samsung Brand Ambassador, Reminisce; Head Product marketting, Olajumoke Okikiolu

Reminisce Unveiled As Samsung Brand Ambassador

By CHIMA AKWAJA ABULUDE, Lagos

and

SAMUEL

Samsung has unveiled indigenous rapper and songwriter, Reminisce as a brand ambassador. The rave of the moment and Alaga Ibile and Sunkere crooner has joined the likes of Banky W and Kate Henshaw as Samsung brand ambassadors.

Unveiled at its mobile division, the company plans to leverage Reminisce in its product advertising for entrylevel mobile phones. According to top executive, Revmatas, Reminisce symbolizes the values that Samsung has stood for over the years. "The Samsung brand stands for quality innovation, change, discovery, self-expression and excellence. These qualities are epitomized by Reminisce, whose quality and depth of work as well as versatility as an artiste have endeared him to Nigerians. We are very proud to have him endorse our new entry-level mobile phones.

We want to further connect with our customers at all touch points, especially through music, which is one of the passions of people worldwide,” he explained.

Also, Samsung Electronics has unveiled its new Galaxy Trend Lite and Galaxy Ace 4 Lite smartphones, two affordable solutions targeted at the new generation of mobile phone users.

The devices are already available at Samsung stores and accredited dealers nationwide. Director of Information Technology and Mobile at Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas, said that the new devices will ensure that Samsung maintains its dominance in the smartphone market by positioning itself to meet the demands of consumers desirous of optimizing value derivable from their mobile phones. He added that Samsung’s 24-month standard factory warranty is available to users of the Galaxy Trend Lite and Galaxy Ace 4 Lite.

Tougher Than My Wisdom Tooth

high. My joints were hurting from themalaria, and my stomach was tightening with the pain of typhoid. I didn't even break a sweat. It was terrible!

As I cried for days, and slept most of the time, I was invited to minister at a conference. It was all the way in Gwagalada. With a burning fever, shivering...I went to the conference. Why didn't I stay home? Why didn't I plead with the host to excuse me for not coming? Why didn't I switch off my phone? Because I was on assignment. My being alive is not a fairy tale. It is a reality with a purpose. I have a voice, so I'm gonna sing. I have a voice, so I'm gonna preach. I have a responsibility to impact the lives of God's people. I should be humbled to wipe the

tears from that prostitute’seyes.

I should thank God for having the answer to that marital need.

Somebody in that crowd needs me. Somebody needs a blessing from God, throughme. I have an assignment, and so do you.

Stop being selfish. This is not about you! For every time you delay in operating your mission, you dim your vision. Oh yes you do. The further you are, the smaller it looks.

I went to that event, sick like a dog, because I was on an assignment. I've learned not to joke with my opportunities.

I know a woman who has full blown cancer. Her hair has been shaved and her bones have become weak from her chemotherapy, yet sheis the first in church, and the last to

leave. She dances during praise and worship, and she teaches the children. You will not believe that she has cancer. If she can get up, who am I? You may say that it is her desperation that has caused her to be so zealous!

That's a lie. It is her passion. If she was zealous with an ulterior motive, she would have been discouraged by now because she still has cancer. Her zest is from a passion she has for herlife!

Ladies and Gentlemen, quit with the excuses! This is not a spiritual thing, it is a laziness thing. I'm not saying that you should harm yourself, and not rest while you're ill, but if you can get up, get up! Put on your makeup, and get up! Wear your best suit, and get up! Stop with the excuses! Excuses are

for liars who tell themselves that they are waiting to hit the jack pot. What an illusion!

Get up! Stop looking forward to hindrances, so you could use them to your advantage.

Such actions are for "chikens".

I thank God for the strength God gave me. My passion was stronger than my illness. Your zeal, zest, ambition, has to be stronger than your everyday obstacles. The stumbling blocks are inevitable, you are not in control of them, but you are in control of your responses.

How will you respond today?

What would you do the next time it rains? Will you enjoy the cool breeze and sleep under the covers, or will you use your umbrella on your way to work?

It's up to you!

INTERVAL 33

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, Others Win Big At MTV VM MTV Base hosted an epic night of music with unforgettable performances, unpredictable moments and heartfelt messages as the 2014 ‘MTV Video Music Awards’held on Sunday, August 24. SOLOMON NDA-ISAIAH, writes The awards, which took place at the Forum, Inglewood in California had Beyoncé welcome MTV and the audience to earth shattering performances of hits from her visual album ‘Beyoncé’.

After Beyoncé broke Justin Timberlake’s 2013 record for the longest VMA performance ever, JAY Z and Blue Ivy unexpectedly joined her on stage for a highly emotional moment as her family presented her with the ‘Michael Jackson Video Vanguard’ Award.

Humbled and speaking through tears, Beyoncé thanked God, her daughter, her “beloved,” MTV and her fans. She also won the most awards of the evening, taking home Moonmen in three different categories, including “Best Collaboration” for “Drunk in Love” and “Best Video With a Message” for “Pretty Hurts”.

Miley Cyrus shocked the world by leaving her twerking ways behind her and delivering a heartfelt message as she took away the “Video of the Year,” award. A former homeless youth in Los Angeles named Jesse took the stage in her place to accept her award on behalf of the 1.6 million runaways and homeless youth in the US. From the side of the stage, Miley teared up watching him make a call to action, directing fans to her Facebook page to join the fight to end youth homelessness.

Jesse ended with an emotional quote, “a dream you dream alone

is only a dream. A dream you dream together is a reality.”

The 2014 “MTV Video Music Awards” opened with the summer’s fiercest female threesome. Ariana Grande kicked it all off by starting an intergalactic dance party with her Zedd-produced hit, “Break Free”. Grande emerged from a spaceship before being joined by the Queen of Hip-Hop, Nicki Minaj, who hit the stage to unleash “Anaconda” on the world with an eye-popping, rumpshaking performance.

Finally, British singersongwriter Jessie J joined the titillating trio to bring the house down with their smash-hit, “Bang Bang”. Nicki returned with a wardrobe malfunction that left her clutching her dress.

Before introducing “Best HipHop Video”, Common asked the VMA audience for a moment of silence to mark the events taking place in Ferguson, Missouri, with some members of the inhouse audience responding by spontaneously raising their hands overhead.

Introduced by super-fan Kim Kardashian West, British singing sensation and first-time VMA performer Sam Smith mesmerized the audience and the Kardashian-Jenner sisters as he and his band orchestrated a soulful rendition of his powerful hit ballad “Stay with Me”.

Multi-platinum global R&B star Usher also delivered a funk-filled performance of his single “Give it to You,” bringing the audience to their feet and surprising everyone when Nicki Minaj once again returned to join him onstage during their rhythmically charged set.

2014 MTV Video Music Award Winners Video of the year Miley Cyrus - “Wrecking Ball” BEST HIP HOP Drake ft. Majid Jordan - “Hold On (We’re Going Home)” Best male Ed Sheeran - “Sing” Best female Katy Perry ft. Juicy J - “Dark Horse”

Jay-Z, (wife and daughter) Beyoncé and Blue Ivy at the event

Best Pop Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea “Problem”

MTV Clubland Award Zedd ft. Hayley Williams - “Stay the Night”

Best Rock Lorde - “Royals”

Best video with a social message Beyoncé - “Pretty Hurts”

MTV artist to watch Fifth Harmony - “Miss Movin On” Best collaboration Beyoncé ft. JAY Z - “Drunk In Love”

Best Cinematography Beyoncé - “Pretty Hurts” Best Editing Eminem “Rap God” Best Choreography

Sia “Chandelier” Best Direction DJ Snake & Lil Jon - “Turn Down For What” Best Art Direction Arcade Fire - “Reflektor” Best Visual Effects OK Go - “The Writing’s On the Wall” Best Lyric Video 5 Seconds of Summer – “Don’t Stop”

GOtv Lands In Benue With Digital Television

BY SOLOMON AYADO, Makurdi

Makurdi, the Benue State capital was agog when GOtv launched its service in the state, taking its digital migration campaign, Digilevelz Don Land to the agrarian communities.

Using the latest DVB-T2 technology, GOtv makes a debut in Makurdi at a retail price of N6900 for a decoder including 1 month subscription to GOtv Plus and an outdoor antenna.

For monthly subscriptions as low as N1000 for the GOtv bouquet and N1500 for GOtv Plus, GOtv subscribers in Makurdi will have access to an exciting selection of local and international channels containing news, sport, movies, music, documentaries, religion and children’s programming.

The general manager of Gotv Nigeria, Mrs.Elizabeth Amkpa explained that “GOtv prides itself on providing the best value pay-TV on the digital terrestrial platform by offering affordable decoders which guarantee subscribers an instant migration to the digital age.”

She stated that GOtv is a new digital pay television offering on the Digital Terrestrial Television platform and managed by MultiChoice with a proud legacy of providing the best digital pay-TV in Nigeria for over 20 years. It is currently available in Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Lagos, Enugu, Benin, Aba, Owerri, Kano, Kaduna, Onitsha, Asaba, Uyo, Abuja, Calabar, Osogbo, Ife, Ogbomoso, Akure, Oyo, Jos, Abeokuta, Ilesa, Ede, Iseyin and

Mrs Elizabeth Amkpa, general manager GOtv Nigeria (2nd right) and marketing manager, Dare Kafar (2nd left) at the GOtv launch in Makurdi BY SOLOMON AYADO

Makurdi.

Amkpa said Makurdi people are known to be fun-loving and that the state is home to one of Africa’s most decorated and successful Afro pop artist, Innocent Idibia otherwise known as 2Face or 2baba.

“GOtv brings to Makurdi lots of entertaining content that showcases 2baba’s work through its music channels,

namely Channel O, Hip TV, MTV Base, Soundcity and PRTV all in crystal clear pictures and sound. For subscribers seeking the best of gospel tunes, GOtv also brings them One Gospel,” she stressed.

Also speaking at the launch, marketing manager GOtv, Dare Kafar explained that Digilevelz Don Land is GOtv’s catchphrase for the digital switch-over,

urging TV lovers to migrate to the digital age with GOtv, a reliable digital terrestrial payTV. Another highlight of the GOtv launch in Makurdi was the open air concert held at the Cool-off Park with special performances

by Biggie Brown, Jumabie, TK Swags, and EyesixOne and comedians, Enenche and Pastor Nicodemus.

34 INTERVAL

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Here is a list of 10 richest entertainers in Nigeria comprehensively made by LEADERSHIP: P Square The twin pop sensation, Peter and Paul Okoye are undoubtedly reckoned the richest artistes in Nigeria due to investments and endorsements as a group. The duo has invested widely and their assets are running into billions of naira in and outside the country.

P-Square’s deal with GLO is said to be N140 million. P Square’s notable investments include a home in San Francisco, USA with an estimated cost of N434 million ($2.89million), a private jet, a mansion in Lagos worth N400m. The twin brothers who are from Anambra State have landed properties in Jos and Port Harcourt, they own Rayfield Hotel, Jos and two multi-million naira factories also in Jos. The bulk of their earnings comes from concerts, endorsements and CD sales. They are said to have sold above 14 million copies of their CDs since 2005. They won the KORA award for Best Africa Artiste in 2010 with the sum of $1m. They charge about N4m per show and in 2011, they signed a multimillion naira deal with Akon Konvict Music. They have in their garage, two SUVs, one hummer SUV, truck bus, among other cars worth millions of naira.

Tuface Idibia He was born Innocent Ujah Idibia from Benue State. A former member of Plantashun Boyz and lead vocalist of the group, he is the highest in ranking as an individual. Tu Baba with three platinum records already behind him is estimated to be worth over 600 million naira ($3.47 million).

He has had endorsement deals from companies such as Guinness, which earned him N20 million ($125,000) and Airtel, which earned him N22 million.

He was also rumoured to have collected N30 million ($189,000) from the producers of the Phat Girls movie. Tuface has invested heavily in real estate and stocks, and made big money from these. He once said his goal was to recover all the wealth taken from Africa. His clubs, Rumors, in Festac Town and GRA, Ikeja are both worth over 400 million naira.

Genevieve Nnaji The popular Nollywood actress and singer is representing or has represented brands like Lux. She bought a luxurious home in highbrow estate, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi which was estimated to be worth N220 million ($2.2million) in 2013. Cintrion Energy drink raked in N50 million for the actress. Etisalat deal acquired N100 million ($10 million) for her. Then her Polo contract was estimated 70 million naira, and

revealed he had taken delivery of a private jet.

P Square

Top 10 Richest Entertainers In Nigeria

With diversity, innovation and hard work in the Nigerian entertainment industry, several celebrities and personalities are smiling to the bank with bags full of money. Whether through endorsements, family money or investments, these following individuals are ranked from the highest visible to the least high moneybags in the industry. This analysis

by ADERIBIGBE TOLULOPE takes into consideration the artistes’ investments, assets and endorsements over the years all over Nigeria and even outside the country.

Amstel Malta signed her as its ambassador in March with the deal worth millions of naira. In 2010, she was appointed the Face of MUD in Nigeria. The actress recently acquired a 2013 Mercedes Benz G Wagon said to cost N40 million; in 2012, she signed a deal with Coscharis Motors, sole dealers of BMW and Landrover in Nigeria worth $100m as the face of Range Rover Sport, then later Evogue with a renewed deal.

D’banj He was born Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo. Apart from music, D’banj has moved into other sectors. His interests include Koko Mansion, a TV reality show, Koko Lounge, an upscale hangout in Lagos and the UK, Koko Foundation, a charity, Koko Farms that makes Koko garri and Koko Mobile. The entertainer’s endorsement deal with Globacom telecommunications is worth N70 million ($442,000). He has a multi-million naira endorsement with energy drink, Power Fist, a deal with the makers of the Virgin Colour soft drink and another huge deal with a popular jeweller.

Another of his endorsement that runs into millions is with Chris Aire, with D’banj acting as the

face of its watches. He collects between N5 million ($31,500) and N7 million ($44,200) as performance fee for local gigs, and even bigger fees across Africa and in the US and UK. Like his old boss, Don Jazzy, D’banj also bagged a recording deal with Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music. He has a number of choice cars in his garage, including a N32 million Aston Martin Vantage. He has a multimillion naira deal with UAC Foods. His endorsement deal with Globacom telecommunications earned him N70m.

Don Jazzy Real name Michael Collins Enebeli is the CEO of Mavin records which he founded in 2012 after his split with his Mo’Hits partner, Dbanj. He is one of the most sought after producers in Nigeria. As a child he was a member of Good Morning Kids, a group created by his father. He is known for his business dexterity, building Mo’Hits from scratch to become one of the biggest entertainment empires in the country. He recently signed a recording deal with Kanye West, a move that not only boosted his reputation as an entertainer, but also his wealth. According

to a report, Don Jazzy has a black Cadillac Escalade worth N12 million, a black Bentley Continental Flying Spur worth N29.6 million, a black Range Rover Sports worth N9.6 million ($95,000) and he has a Porsche 911 Carrera worth over N13 million. The Dorobucci pioneer got paid N50 million from Loya Milk. He also has a N25 million deal from MTN. He also acquired a house worth over 100 million in NICON estate in Lagos.

Davido David Adeleke has a N140 million house in Lekki, Nigeria.

According to a report, he wears a luxurious necklace from Ice Box Jewellers called Jesus Piece which is worth over N3 million ($20,000).

He also wears a diamondencrusted Rolex wrist watch worth over $25,000 (3.7 million).

Cars in his garage include a 2012 Audi Q7, a 2012 Silver Honda Accord, a N6m Chevrolet Camaro and a 2012 model Hyundai Sonata and a Mercedes G55 AMG worth about N30m. He deals with MTN Pulse, the deal is reported to be worth N30 million, while his Guinness endorsement hasn’t been made public. Recently on one of his social media pages, he

Banky W Olubankole Wellington makes the bulk of his wealth from gigs, where he charges between 2.5 million naira ($15,800) and 3 million naira ($19,000) per show and performs three to four times each week. A brand ambassador of Etisalat, one of Nigeria’s telecommunications giants, he also featured in Coca Cola-Nigeria’s World Cup theme song and Microsoft’s Anti-cyber Crime Initiative. He was also face of Samsung products in West Africa. As an entrepreneur, Banky W has invested heavily in various businesses and also doubles as a philanthropist, founding the Mr. Capable Foundation, where he provides tuition fees for indigent and brilliant students. He is also the force behind EME music which has, arguably, Nigeria’s fastest rising artiste (Wizkid) under the label.

Wizkid Born Ayo Balogun, his deal with MTN is worth N45 million, that with Pepsi is worth about $350,000. He also has an endorsement deal with Guinness and owns a 150 million naira home in Lekki. He bought a Porsche Panamera S worth N14.6 million (the first one was involved in an accident in September 2011), he acquired a N6 million blue Volkswagen convertible. In 2012, he won the ‘Next Rated’ artiste, 2012 Headies Awards, the automobile was a 2012 model of Hyundai Sonata. He charges N3 million to N6 million per show.

Kate Henshaw She is one of the Nollywood actresses who has made it real big. Unlike many others, she has tried her hands in different ventures, including owning a company that specialises in different businesses. According to a report, she currently owns three buildings and several landed properties scattered all over the country. She is a Glo ambassador and face of Onga (food seasoning company).

She is said to have earned about N20m between 2008 and 2010.

She recentlyjoined politics, which might also be lucrative for her if she wins in her consistency Iyanya Born Iyanya Mbuk, he is another successful artiste. He has a N30 million Aston Martin automobile.

Iyanya’s endorsement deal with MTN is worth N60 million.

He has a $350,000 endorsement deal with Zinox computers and a N35 million deal with phone manufacturing company Solo Mobile. In 2012, he acquired a home in Lekki, then bought a N12 million Range Rover Sport.

tribute Wednesday, August 27, 2014

By Ahuraka Yusuf Isah

Yes, Professor Francis Suleman Idachaba, a world renowned agricultural economist and teacher passed away barely at the age of 71 years on Friday August 15, 2014 in the United States of America.

The Kogi State government and his first daughter, Achenyo have since confirmed this sad news.

Last year, May 10th, 2013 to be precise, late Professor Idachaba launched three books at a time at the University of Ibadan where he lectured for 31 years (19722003) before he retired. The books, namely, ‘’No Easy Harvest” and ‘’The Agricultural Economist As Preacher’’, volumes 1&2, have been adjudged as highly inspirational for personal development.

“No Easy Harvest” is the story of the life of late Professor Idachaba covering his humble birth, primary, secondary and tertiary school education in various places and locations. It covers his work experiences in Nigeria and at the international arena. The book also puts in record late Idachaba’s family life, his philanthropic efforts and the honours he received.

Late Idachaba who became a professor at the University of Ibadan had the glory of winning the highest honour that Nigeria bestows on its citizens for academic excellence and outstanding intellectual achievements— the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) Award which was conferred on him in 2011.

Though, an unwilling administrator who shunned administrative responsibilities but had positions thrust upon him almost by force, he nevertheless headed the Federal Agricultural Coordinating Unit (FACU) and was pioneer vice-chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi and later vice-chancellor, Kogi State University. And for eight years, he was a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC) under General Ibrahim Babangida’s administration.

As an adviser in charge of agriculture in the PAC, he was instrumental to the establishment of the Directorate for Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI); National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA); the establishment of private universities as well as universities of Agriculture across the country.

DFRRI, NALDA and even late Professor Ransome Kuti’s Rural Health Care initiative were based on Idachaba’s “Survey of rural infrastructure in Nigeria” (an academic project work) funded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture from 1978 to 1982. Idachaba was appointed NALDA chairman in 1991. The DFRRI was established

Late Prof Idachaba: A Good Man Was Here in 1986 by Gen. Babangida to enhance rural development. This was meant to provide feeder roads, electricity, and potable water as well as toilet facilities for the rural dwellers. DFRRI had tremendous impact on the rural areas. For instance, between the time of inception in 1986 and 1993, DFRRI had completed over 278,526 km of roads. Over 5,000 rural communities benefited from its rural electrification programme (See CBN Annual Reports).

At the global level, he was the first African Deputy DirectorGeneral of International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR), The Hague, The Netherlands where he served for eight years. He was also Visiting Researcher at the International Food Policy Institute, Washington DC, USA; Senior Planning Consultant at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation; Consultant to the Sasakawa Global 2000 Carter Centre; Resident Fellow, Rockefeller Foundation Study and Conference Centre, Bellagio, Italy; Consultant for the International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada; Guest Lecturer, World Bank Annual Symposium Late Idachaba as well as Consultant to the Word Health Organisation (WHO).

Idachaba was a prime-mover Idachaba was a prime-mover of two philanof two philanthropic grant-giving thropic grant-giving foundations, one of which foundations. One of which is is the Igala Education Foundation founded in the Igala Education Foundation founded in 2001 to serve as 2001 to serve as primary catalyst for the revival primary catalyst for the revival of of education in Igalaland education in Igalaland. Another is the F. S Idachaba Foundation for Research and Scholarship, IFRES, “Mine is a story of hard work, ‘‘Self-Reliance As Strategy for founded in 2003. The Foundation unwavering commitment to my Nigerian Agriculture: Cornucopia makes small grants to young chosen cause and an eye on the or Pandora’s Box’’ which late researchers, mostly Ph.D holders long run in the firm belief that Professor Idachaba presented at below the age of 40 years, to in life, there is no easy harvest; the 25th Anniversary Conference engage in policy research that will there is no substitute for hard of the Nigerian Economic Society transform Nigeria, and even Africa. work and there are no sustainable on 23rd-24th April, 1984, he The erudite professor had 72 shortcuts’’. warned the country of heavy publications to his credit, including Late Idachaba who was a strong dependence on food imports. six books which featured titles/ advocate of self-sufficiency as He advised that Nigeria should topics on Agric Development, a matter of personal policy and adopt self-reliance as a national Rural Economics, Crop Subsector, national mantra recalled that he development strategy with serious Crop Marketing, Agric Policy as never succumbed to ‘’dependency- determination to rely on the well as Commodity Taxes and Farm syndrome’’ that afflicts most utilisation of domestic resources Input Subsidies. public office holders. ‘’I have had to produce most of its required In his ‘‘No Easy Harvest’’, late cause to voluntarily resign from a goods and services. ‘‘Not only do Idachaba noted that ‘‘if as a son of very powerful position with their the country’s citizens and political a farmer and a smoked fish-seller potentially corrupting perks as leadership feel humiliated that mother I could rise to serve the in Kogi State University as soon they have to be fed by others but country and the world in positions as I completed my assignment also it is soon quickly realised that of very high responsibility, God is without completing my tenure or no aid comes without strings’’. always able to reward hard work, contriving tenure elongation.”

But, it was as if he was discipline, focus and perseverance.

In a commissioned paper titled addressing the nation’s political

35

leadership of today when he also warned that there are grave consequences of implementing self-reliance programmes by corrupt and indiscipline political leadership. ‘‘There are real gains to be realized from the full mobilisation of a country’s unutilised resources.

But when does this become an invitation to anarchy? There is a real danger that policies initiated with good intention within the context of economic nationalism may, especially without disciplined political leadership degenerate into anarchy and economic chaos.

When self-reliance strategies are embarked upon as a matter of faith and domestic resource, costs of saving or earning foreign exchange are completely disregarded, a Pandora’s Box not cornucopia becomes the legacy of the programme.”

In his critique of former President Shehu Shagari government’s Green Revolution Programme, Professor Idachaba noted that the programme was self serving as it rather benefitted large class of unintended beneficiaries.

In the invited keynote papers delivered at the Second Biennial Conference of the Nigerian Agricultural Association in July 1982, he said in his paper titled ‘‘Nigerian Green Revolution Programme: Pitfalls of Public Policy’’ that despite the classical objectives of the programme, its implementation was flawed. ‘‘The Green Revolution Programme had the objectives of making the country self-sufficient in staple foods by 1985 and making the country an exporter of crops by 1987. But in the programme’s last days, the Shagari’s spokesmen started substituting the more nebulous phrase ‘‘as soon as possible” in place of 1985 as the target date for staple food selfsufficiency.

Implementation of the Green Revolution programme had several fatal-flaws which guarantee that it was neither programmatic, revolutionary nor even green’’.

The Kogi State government can also take cue after the Edo State and Ondo State governments that named its university at Ekpoma after Ambrose Ali and Owo Polytechnic after Chief Rufus Giwa respectively.

To Horatius Bonar of eternal blessed memory; the chemist of the phrases and language, ‘’Thou tell vividly their Acts, Shakesparean’s life of stage played; that he liveth long who liveth well; all else is being flung away. He liveth longest who can tell of true things truly done each day’’ Adieu Professor Idachaba – Ahuraka wrote in from Abuja

36 OPINION

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Making A Case For Fintiri

BY FRANCIS EDE

The forthcoming Adamawa State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries and the main election which will follow as has been announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), arouses great expectations of atonement for the good people of Adamawa State who have had a long drawn traumatic experience, buffeted as it were by the twin tragedies of Boko Haram insurgency in the state and other North Eastern states of Borno and Yobe leading to imposition of state of emergency in those states and the nightmare that was the leadership style of the impeached Governor Murtala Nyako.

It is hoped that the said primaries will conform to the free, fair and credible electoral process already enthroned by President Jonathan’s administration. Such high regard for the validity of voter’s choice and preference for one candidate over the other has earned the Federal Government of Nigeria and the present crop of PDP national leaders’ global commendation and applause. And sticking to it will not only buoy the enthusiasm of the aspirants but also help the party to avoid the pitfalls of imposition that led to the disaster Nyako’s administration in the state turned out to be.

And this is even as other political parties, especially the All Progressive Congress (APC) are already jostling for vantage position, hoping to select through their own party primaries, a candidate with mass appeal, requisite experience, and ability to make amends to the electorate in Adamawa State over the misdeeds of the impeached governor who last held their party’s membership card.

As it were, many prominent politicians have already indicated interest to be the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

Fintiri

– a party which many people see as having the brightest chance of winning the said election having had a stretch of electoral victories in the state since 1999 when this democratic dispensation started.

And so there is an array of time – tested politicians from the state with very impressive credentials who have picked the form for the primaries, widening the choices of the members of the party to pick from as the countdown begins.

Among these political gladiators is the acting governor of the state Alh. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who until the impeachment of Nyako as governor was the Speaker of the State Assembly, Alh. Ahmed Gulak, former Special Adviser to the president on Political Affairs, Brigadier General Buba Marwa, (rtd.), former Military Governor of Lagos State, Hon. Awal Tukur, Alh. Ahmadu Modibo, Nuhu Ribadu, AIG of Police (rtd.) who was the pioneer chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and others.

But among this impressive list, time and tide favours Acting Governor Fintiri as destiny seems to be in connivance with the wishes and aspirations of Adamawa State indigenes in his person. There is an obvious divine touch in the providential fiat that has seen him coming out twice to take over from the ousted Governor Nyako each time circumstances have forced him out of the office of the governor of Adamawa State. And many of the state voters and watchers of the state’s political process are in accord that this time around the young, ebullient and dynamic Fintiri should be allowed to continue the good work he has already started about a month ago.

Those who argue in this vain maintain he has demonstrated enough effort and zest in improving the lot of Adamawa people within so short a period that he has been in office as acting governor, which sign posts both ability and wiliness to serve the people. They also say that his democratic credentials as a two time acting governor of the state and Speaker of the State House of Assembly has no equal among the other aspirants jostling for the same position.

The National President of Speakers Conference of Nigeria, Hon. Samuel Ikon said so very succinctly while leading the executive members of the association on a solidarity visit to the acting governor in his office in Yola, when he said that after accessing the acting governor in office for 30 days that he has spent in office, it is wise for them to support the people of the state to have a leader that care for their welfare.

‘If the people want fast development, Fintiri is the right person for the job. If they want justice, transparency and fairness, Fintiri is the right person’, he was quoted to have said.

– Ede, a public affairs analyst, wrote in from Abuja

Adamawa Guber Polls: Let Due Process Emerge

By Haruna Daniel

It is with a deep sense of responsibility and respect for the tenets of democracy, and also of the unreserved loyalty I owe the leader of the largest black political party in the world, President Goodluck Jonathan that I write this. I am writing with a saddened heart and grave concern for the looming threat to the already precarious state of democracy, security and development in our dear state, Adamawa.

The agents of chaos, evil, instability and darkness are at work, trying to frustrate the collective resolve of the overtly patient and tolerant people of Adamawa State. Our concerns are borne out of the fact that any further disruption of the

peace and relative security in the state can expand space for the expansion of the activities of insurgents in the state, and by extension, the entire security fabric of the nation. Worst still, we fear that the chances of the great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to win subsequent elections in the state and to maintain its pride of place as the vanguard of the toiling people may be lost.

There should be a level playing field and an enabling environment for the entrenchment of democracy, good governance and the uplift of the living condition of the people of Adamawa.

The sapping of these critical elements in our dear state in the last seven years due to miss-governance, disregard

for the rule of law and the enthronement of impunity has kept development at bay in this state. This trend has resulted in the consistent economic backwardness and animated poverty and want in our state. All these were the result of the deficit of internal party democracy in the state PDP. Our experience with the basics of democracy and representation by popular choice has, so far, been anything but democratic.

If the forthcoming party primary election in the state is not transparently, credibly and carefully conducted, the cord holding these triple variables will snap with all its attendant consequences. At the moment, there is a formidable move by the said agents of insecurity and instability in our state to

impose a candidate who is said to be the preferred candidate of the presidency, even where that runs contrary to the aspirations and popular choice of members of the party. This is unfair and against the spirit and letters of democracy.

Let it be known that, the determination of who becomes the PDP’s flag bearer in the forth coming gubernatorial election in Adamawa State is the exclusive prerogative of the popular forces in the state’s chapter of the PDP. From the Murtala Nyako experience, the incalculable damage which could result from the imposition of unpopular candidates on PDP members is clear.

– Daniel wrote from 15 Army Barracks Road, Jimeta, Adamawa State

Rights Watch Emmanuel Onwubiko www.huriwa.blogspot.com

2015: Delta State And Gender Mainstreaming

I

t has become increasingly imperative that the Delta North senatorial zone is allowed by the major political platforms to produce their governorship candidates in next year’s election. Already highly reputable sons and daughters from the zone are engaged in democratic consultations with the people of the grassroots and leading stakeholders from across the state to convince them on the need for equity and sense of fairnessb to be applied in the coming primaries of the leading political parties in Delta State in order to build upon the legacies to be left behind by the current administration of Gov Emmanuel Uduaghan. As a consummate party loyalist, Dr. Uduaghan is expected to support constitutional fairness and justice so the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate could emerge from Delta North senatorial zone which hasn’t done that since the creation of that state nearly twenty five years ago.

From the Delta North senatorial zones comes such heavy weight political players like Mrs. Ngozi Olejeme, Dr. Sylvester Monye, Representative Elumelu among other key players but majority of people who support democracy and the principle of equity are of the opinion that the only lady among the few immensely loyal members of the ruling PDP in the state, Mrs. Ngozi Olejeme stands many miles ahead and therefore should be supported to become the candidate of the party in the coming governorship election in the state.

Dr. (Mrs.) Olejeme is said to be a woman of many parts and an astute administrator. Ngozi by dint of hard work and resilience has achieved the academic and professional prowess as a consummate Finance and Insurance expert, an entrepreneur, management consultant, philanthropist, politician, social mobilizer, human rights activist, nationalist and devout Christian.

Reading through her biography, one could decipher the facts that she rose from a humble background to national prominence during the military regime of late General Sani Abacha between 1993-1998 when she fearlessly joined other progressive forces to raise a strong opposition against the military dictator taking cognisance of the fact that military incursion into politics is an aberration to democratic ethos.

An alumni of the university of Southern California in the United States of America, Ngozi is said to be an amazon with much piety and sagacity and has distinguished herself as an exemplary public officer who uses her skills, wisdom, and uncommon brilliance as the board chairman of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and as the convener of Subsidy Re-Investment And Empowerment Program (SURE-P) on Public Works to steer the ship of these trust funds to enviable heights.

The civil society community in Nigeria are also campaigning that she should be given the opportunity to serve her state because that vibrant state needs such a professionally competent creator of employment opportunities given that the majority of graduates and school leavers from the state are in need of an enabling environment to become employers of labour. She has what it takes to industrialise that state and also be the much desired environmental vanguard that will be on the look out to ensure that multi national crude oil firms comply with global best practices and the international convention on human and peoples rights so as to save the environment from degradation and to restore the pride of place for agrarian revolution to take place. This is the view of Abubakar Umar Dankano who spoke with this writer as I was putting pen to paper.

politics today Wednesday, August 27, 2014

REPORTS ANALYSES REVIEWS INTERVIEWS

No Consensus Candidate For Adamawa Election – Tukur Awwal Tukur, a former member of the House of Representatives and son of immediate past Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman, Bamanga Tukur, is one of the aspirants for the Adamawa State governorship elections slated for October. He discusses his vision for the state, the issue of consensus amongst the aspirants as well as his political leaning with Chibuzo Ukaibe.

You collected the nomination form of your party for the election despite reports that you stepped down for one of the aspirants. What’s the true position of things?

I have picked up my expression of interest forms and nomination forms for the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Adamawa State. I have not stepped down for Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and as you see, I’ve picked my forms, that alone is an indication that I am in the race and we will see what happens after we have our elections.

How about stories of Ribadu being nominated as a consensus candidate?

Consensus is a major pinnacle of our party and as politicians, we all know that everyone will not get it at one point; but you can get it through ballot box or consensus.

To answer your question, we have not had any consensus meeting.

I don’t think anyone has had one or has told me. Like I said, we are all preparing for elections. In any case, who says the consensus is for Mallam Ribadu? It may be for me for instance, it may be for someone else. So, yes, consensus is an option under party rules but at the moment, we are all working towards elections.

We have not had any consensus meeting. I don’t think anyone has had one or has told me. Like I said, we are all preparing for elections

What would you be bringing to Government House,Yola?

This is the third time I am privileged to pick up the form for gubernatorial election in my state.

I did it in 2007 and 2011 and today.

I have been a privileged Nigerian, Nigeria has done a lot for me and I have been playing politics in my own right since 1992 under the SDP/NRC days and my own kind of politics is to give back what I can.

There is so much we can do, not

everyone will go out and do politics.

I have chosen to do so, it’s seeking leadership to do things for our people. That is what is driving me.

I have been elected before to lead people, I believe I have done what I can do the best way I can do. I also want to try my own at the executive branch which is the governorship. I was in the legislative branch, there is what you can do and what you cannot do. So it is all my belief that i can also put back and do my own quota for my people.

Is being Alhaji Bamanga Tukur’s son an edge for you?

There is no doubt I am Alhaji Bamanga Tukur’s son. I must be born to somebody, God chose it to be Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and if he is my father I will ride on my father’s back, I will not ride on someone else’s father’s back. That is nature. He gave birth to me and there is nothing I can do about it.

I have said it that people should also look at my history. I am an individual, until you show me in the constitution where it says because I am Alhaji Bamanga Tukur’s son I cannot play politics, I will rise and fall in my own right. Alhaji Bamanga Tukur’s time has come and gone, this is my time! So, let us not make that mistake. Until you tell me a butcher’s son can’t eat meat or that a politician’s son cannot play politics, I think that is falsehood. So let us leave that horse alone. I go to face electorates, not people’s father. People should leave my father out of it and face me in my own right.

How would you address the issue of Boko Haram and general security challenges in Adamawa if you are elected the governor?

My belief is that it has been systemic problem over the years.

Tukur

That there had been economic and social disconnect within the society and this has become so deep that they have given rise to this crisis.

When terrorism and evil feed, they thrive on where people have extreme poverty and problem. In the Northern part of Nigeria, we have poverty and in the North East, we have deeper and extreme poverty.

Again, we are bordering war zones; Chad, Dafur, the Libyan crises and Mali and all these have filtered down and have found a fertile ground in the zone. How do we tackle it? It is a thing that calls for all hands on deck. Government has to use the resources at its disposal to make sure that we begin to get these resources down to the people and get them engaged and occupied. I have told many people, even in Nigeria, if you look at what people do in different areas, for instance, I come from Adamawa, I lived a lot in Lagos, I’ve lived in other parts of this country because of the economic conditions in different parts of the country there is less poverty. People are busier, they are doing their own daily thing, they do not sleep having terrible thoughts because their children cannot eat or go to school, so what can I do?

Adamawa is blessed just like Nigeria is, I have been a practicing farmer for many years, that is the economy of my area. I do a lot of large scale agriculture in Adamawa and I am seeing the practical effects of what it has done with people, you see how they are beginning to forget problems, it is a lesson.

In a nutshell, it is to continue the programme of channelling resources in a deeper and more systemic way into agriculture and allied industries. I think if you look at the transformation agenda, agriculture has been of extreme benefit to our people, it has trickled down to the grassroots and I tell you a lot of these areas which today are problem areas will become zones of prosperity. I tell you that because I am practically involved in those things myself. We should have a coordinated and joint programmes among state and local governments that are channelled towards the people not just ending it at your borders. As your borders end, your programme ends, not more cooperation amongst ourselves. I will get the lives of our people economically better and socially improved.

Donald Ojogo, Group Politics Editor

37

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villa diary

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Ebola: Aso Rock’s Dilemma

a wider picture of those who were bent on spreading “fear and panic to kill as many people as possible” as Fani-Kayode further stated, or Sawyer was an embodiment of any other diction one may prefer to describe him, the issue at stake here is the extent to which the Ebola disease crippled political activities in the presidency.

Jonathan

Chukwu

In this report, GEORGE AGBA examines certain controversial issues generated from the containment of the Ebola Virus Disease so far and their negative effect which now seems to be clogging the wheels of other activities in Aso Rock.

N

othing has shaken Aso Rock of recent like issues arising from the Ebola Virus Disease. In the past few weeks, more than half of the meetings convened by President Goodluck Jonathan bordered mostly on how to contain the deadly disease brought to Nigeria by the American-Liberian, Patrick Sawyer. Although the firm and comprehensive response by the federal government in tackling the disease has received a resounding applause from the United Nations, the internal wrangling over some measures put in place by the Jonathan administration to combat the scourge is enough distraction for the presidency in an electioneering year.

If reports in the media linking the president’s private visit to Germany at the weekend is anything to go by, it was indeed justifiable for Jonathan to have to check his blood pressure which may have been raised by the Ebola ‘wahala’. Due to past experiences, a visit by a

Stakeholders raised the alarm over what they described as a seeming delay in the disbursement of the N1.9 billion intervention fund Nigerian leader to that country is always interpreted to mean ill-health. Even though his return from the private trip on Monday evening with vibrant and bubbling action forbids one to interpret that this was the case, those who believe that his health condition was involved have insisted that there is a thin line between illness and routine medical check up.

Befuddled by the fact Nigeria would have been spared the health hazard if not for the late Sawyer who flew into Nigeria on July 20 under the guise of attending an ECOWAS conference in Calabar, Jonathan described the sole importer of

the virus to the country as a madman.

“It is unfortunate that one mad man brought the Ebola to us, but we have to contain it”, he stated at an interfaith conference organised by the Interfaith Initiative for Peace in Abuja penultimate Monday.

For former minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, Sawyer’s action was too cruel, more than terms could give out.

He disagreed with President Jonathan that the AmericanLiberian was just a madman.

“I disagree with those that have described Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian/American that single-handedly brought the deadly Ebola Virus into our shores, as a madman. He was not mad at all but just evil.

He was a man that was on a mission. That mission was to spread the Ebola Virus to Nigeria and to infect and kill as many people as possible with it.

He was an evil man with an evil intention and purpose”.

Whether it was a clear case of bio-terrorism with Sawyer as a pawn in a bigger game and

The N1.9 intervention fund controversy On his return from the United States where he attended the US- African Leaders Summit, President Jonathan approved the sum of N1.9 billion as special intervention fund to contain the Ebola disease.

Special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, while announcing the approval of the money on August 8, 2014, said Jonathan directed that it must be released immediately for speedy implementation.

“President Jonathan also approved a Special Intervention Plan and the immediate release of N1. 9 billion for its implementation, to further strengthen on-going steps to contain the virus such as the establishment of additional isolation centres, case management, contact tracing, deployment of additional personnel, screening at borders, and the procurement of required items and facilities”, Abati stated.

But last week Wednesday, stakeholders raised the alarm over what they described as a seeming delay in the disbursement of the N1.9 billion intervention fund. Some states and the relevant agencies responsible for executing the intervention plan for which the money is meant for complained that they were being kept in the dark on the next step. Lagos State, which is the worse hit by the deadly Ebola disease, and the relevant agencies have said they have not received any money from the federal government.

This was just some hours after the federal government announced that President Goodluck Jonathan had approved N200 million for ➔ CONTINUES ON PAGE 39

POLITICS TODAY 39

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Ebola: Aso Rock’s Dilemma ➔ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 38

Lagos State government as federal government’s direct support to tackle the outbreak of the virus. The approval of the N200 million for Lagos added a deeper dimension to the issue as stakeholders queried the modality for disbursing the N1.9 billion. Apart from the delay in disbursing the money despite the directive by the president that it should be released immediately, the approval of N200 million for Lagos alone raised suspicion over federal government’s true motive about the N1.9 billion Ebola intervention fund.

Those who raised the issue contended that for the president to have refused to spell out the modality with which the money should be disbursed and the relevant bodies that should be directly involved in handling the fund when he announced its approval two weeks ago was an indication that something is amiss. They argued that it is now left to be imagined, what would happen to other states now that only N200 million has been approved for Lagos without the federal government specifying whether the said money was part of the N1.9 billion or not.

The matter is still pending.

President Jonathan left the country to Germany for a private visit immediately after the controversy started. While keen watchers are waiting to see how the federal government intends to address the N1.9 billion intervention fund matter. The issue, no doubt, will drag the presidency some steps back on the political turf.

Dr. Adadevoh and the immortalisation question The death of the consultant physician at First Consultant Hospital Lagos, Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh, who died after contracting Ebola Virus Disease from contact with the late American-Liberian, Patrick Sawyer, has also raised some challenges for the presidency.

Some Nigerians are insisting that the late physician should be immortalised. Others like Nigeria Interest Group (NIG), an organisation rooting for the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 general election, has called on the federal government to confer on the late Adadevoh, the second highest national honours in Nigeria, Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).

Some Nigerians argue that this request is difficult one to grant as it puts the president in a tight corner, the thinking is that the GCON title is the second highest

Fashola

watchers are waiting to see how the federal government intends to address the N1.9 billion intervention fund matter.

The issue, no doubt, will drag the presidency some steps back on the political turf national honours reserved for vice presidents alone, though President Jonathan had conferred the honours on Nigerian business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote. This is another dilemma the president is facing at the moment.

On plans to immortalise Adadevoh, Health Minister, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu said government was considering a number of options to appreciate her, though he said he could not disclose the options that are being considered by government.

“Government is considering a number of options but I cannot say that for now because no decision. Already, government appreciates not only her, the only thing is that she was the leader and did something as the leader of the team that showed the courage and patriotism she had as a doctor”, he stated.

Chukwu applauded the late doctor for physically restraining Sawyer from escaping from the hospital when the latter attempted to do so when he was informed that he was Ebola positive.

He said, “If that index case had escaped hospital at that stage, it would have spelt disaster for Nigeria. As many more persons, many of them it would have been very difficult to track, could have become primary contacts. There is no doubt that Dr. Adadevoh was

Adadevoh

not only a dedicated, committed and competent doctor but she showed rare courage, rare sense of duty, service and patriotism to her country”.

NMA strike and residency training programme The federal government’s directive suspending all residency training programme for Nigerian doctors, resident doctors and health workers is another issue the presidency is contending with. While the government may have been angered by the insensitivity of the striking doctors towards the plight of Nigerians in the face of the Ebola outbreak, some critics said its action is not unconnected to President Jonathan’s resolve to teach the doctors a lesson by tactically sacking them.

The directive, which was last week contained in an internal memo dated August 13, according to the permanent secretary of the health ministry, L.N. Awute, was given following an appraisal of the challenges facing the health sector, Dispelling rumours that the doctors were sacked, Chukwu said Jonathan did not order the sack of all resident doctors in Nigerian hospitals.

He told State House correspondents during the weekly FEC briefing that it was a matter of interpretation.

The minister clarified: “I want us to put things in perspective. Government did not sack anybody, it is true that they themselves have not been working for almost two months, except those in private hospitals. Resident doctors in both federal and state hospitals have not been working for almost two months now and they have not participated in the control of this Ebola virus disease, they have not played

any role.

“So, even if government had not taken any decision, they are not there, they are not working and I don’t know why suddenly the media starts taking interest in them. They are not part of this success story.

“But what happened is like in the aviation industry where when you buy a ticket and you fail to show up they say no show and they even penalise you. So, there is no show of the resident doctors and even government is still paying them.

“People who are unemployed, even some doctors, will be asking government a question, is it because we did not have an appointment letter? What is the difference? You are paying people who are not working, we too are not working, why are you not paying us?

“Sometimes we need to think deeply about what we do to ourselves. Government says why can’t we use this period to appraise properly the residency programme and come up with something that can help the country. Training of a doctors must be done properly. They have an allotted time to acquire skills. Anybody can pass the theoretical exams but has he acquired the skills?

“We need to be honest with ourselves if you suspend any course do you keep students redundant? You give them opportunity if they feel you are wasting their time they can apply for other courses.

“This is only in federal hospitals, the federal government is not deciding for the states or private hospitals.

It is not a permanent thing, I believe we will quickly appraise this situation and hopefully government will resume residency programme because honestly we need to train doctors in the specialist areas”.

40

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Obituary

THE PRESIDENCY

THE GOVERNING BOARD

NIGERIAN NATIONAL MERIT AWARD

BURIAL ARRANGEMENTS AS ANNOUNCED

By THE FAMILy ARE AS FOLLOWS:-

Tuesday 9th September 2014:

i.

i.

Corpse arrives Murtala Mohammed Airport Lagos, Nigeria from U.S.A

Wednesday 10th September 2014:

ii.

Late Professor Francis S. Idachaba NNOM, D.Sc (Honoris Causa) (UNAAB), FAAAE, OFR Chairman, Governing Board, NNMA

With heavy hearts but total submission to the will of God, The Governing Board of the NNMA regrets to announce the passing away of Professor Francis Sulemanu Idachaba, D.Sc (Honoris Causa) (UNAAB), OFR, NNOM. Professor Idachaba was until his death the Chairman, Governing Board of the Nigerian National Merit Award (NNMA). The death occurred on Friday 15th August, 2014 in Chicago, United States of America, after a brief illness.

The late Professor of Agricultural Economics served as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian National Merit Award following his appointment

by Mr. President in January 2014 and the subsequent inauguration of the Board in March 2014.

In his life time, Professor Francis Sulemanu Idachaba was a erudite scholar and researcher of world renown who introduced for the first time in academia the analogy between phases of the agricultural policy process; and sponsor the theory of policy varieties analogous to biological seed varieties, which qualified him for the conferment of the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) Award in 2011 by the President, and other excellence awards.

Late Professor Idachaba, aged 71years, was happily married and blessed with six (6) Children.

i. ii.

i. ii. iii.

Lying-in-State at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan (Time 10am-2pm) Service of Songs at his Residence, No. 1 F. S. Idachaba Street, New Bodija Ibadan. (Time 4pm)

Thursday 11th September, 2014.

Commendation Service at Chapel of the Resurrection, University of Ibadan.

(Time 8am-9am) Wake-keep at his residence, Castle of God’s Mercy, Ofiayi, Idah, Kogi State.

(Time 7pm-10pm)

Friday 12th September, 2014:

Funeral service at United Evangelical Church of Nigeria Headquarters, Idah, Kogi State. (Time 10am-12noon) Interment 12:45pm Reception 1:30pm

Signed:

Professor Gbolagade B. Ayoola Secretary, NNMA

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

41

42 news south-west Ondo Govt To Implement New Curriculum In September Ondo State Quality Assurance Education Agency(QED) has disclosed that new school curriculum would take off from September 2014 academic session in the state.

The secretary of QED, Mr Akin Asaniyan, stated this yesterday in Akure noting that the major responsibility of QED was to ensure that the new curriculum was fully implemented.

“We have had our meetings and have strategised that two weeks before resumption we could synergise with the relevant stakeholders and come together. We will look at the curriculum and see how it can be effectively implemented fully in the state.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Ogun’ll Continue To Promote NYSC Values – Amosun

By Gbenga Adeboye, Abeokuta

Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has promised members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) that the state will continue to support the core values of the corps.

Amosun disclosed this yesterday in Sagamu during the orientation closing ceremony for Batch B corps members in the state.

“Our state will continue to provide the necessary ambience for you to have a peaceful and hitchfree service year. Two weeks ago, our administration formally inaugurated the Ogun State Board of NYSC. This was done for the purpose of seeing to your welfare and strengthening the existing structures, so as to assist you to apply yourself fully in the course of your service year in Ogun State,”

Amosun said.

The governor assured the newly posted corps members that his administration would continue to evolve strategies that would transform the state.

“Let me assure you that we will continue to evolve strategies as well as partner any willing individual or organisation in our tireless efforts to maintain the sanctity of our dear state in line with our five cardinal programmes.

By Tope Fayehun, Akure

Ondo Cautions Traditional Birth Attendants Ondo State government has warned traditional birth attendants to refrain from attending to pregnant women but should refer them to government approved hospitals.

Ondo State commissioner of health, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, said this yesterday at a health seminar tagged: “The Role of Traditional Birth Attendants in Maternal Health and Child Survival” organised by Hala Nigeria.

Adeyanju said, “We don’t tolerate the traditional birth attendants who don’t even have any technical knowledge but claiming that it is a call from God. We have talked to their heads that birth delivery should mainly be handled by well trained medical personnel approved by government.”

By Tope Fayehun, Akure

Death Of Monarch: Ekiti, Minister Condole With Ikere Ekiti

Ekiti State government and the minister of state for works, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye have commiserated with the people of Ikere-Ekiti over the death of their monarch, Oba Samuel Adegoke Adegboye, the Ogoga of Ikere who passed on last Friday.

The state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who received an official notification of the demise of the monarch via a letter from the Ogoga-in-Council, said the Ikere community as well as the government of the state would miss the fatherly role of the late monarch whose reign was characterised by peace and development.In a statement by his chief press secretary, Mr Olayinka Oyebode, yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the governor said he received the news of the passage with sadness.

By Alo Abiola, Ado-Ekiti

L-R: Lagos State commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs Mr Ademorin Kuye, Governor Babatunde Fashola and Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos at a meeting of traditional rulers with Governor Fashola in Lagos PHOTO BY NAN

short news School Honours ArisekolaAlao With Posthumous Award An Ibadan-based international school, Mimbar Children School, has nominated late Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao, the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, as the third recipient of the Role Model Award of the school.

The chairman of the 2014 School Recognition Day Committee, Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun, in a statement in Ibadan yesterday, said that the award will take place at the school premises in new Bodija, Ibadan, on Sunday.

Balogun said the award ceremony would equally mark the end of session programme of the school where awards would be given to outstanding pupils and staff.

By Adebayo Waheed, Ibadan

Ajimobi Approves Outstanding Teachers’ Promotion Adebayo Waheed, Ibadan

Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has approved the outstanding promotion of teachers in all the public primary and secondary schools in the state.

The state chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr. Kolawole Kayode, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen shortly after a meeting with the governor at the Governor’s Office, Ibadan yesterday, said the

teachers’ promotion for 2010 and 2011 will take effect from September 1, 2014.

He stressed that promotion letters for the affected teaches will be issued to them immediately.

He said that the governor had given a directive to the State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to ensure speedy implementation of the promotion exercise.

Kayode also disclosed that the

state government had also approved career elongation for primary school teachers with additional degree qualification alongside the National Certificate in Education (NCE) from Grade Level 14 to Grade Level 15.

According to him, Governor Ajimobi expressed displeasure over the stagnation of the affected teachers, all of whom were university graduates, on GL 14 for years, directing that they should be moved to GL 15 with immedi-

ate effect.

Also, the state secretary of the union, Mr. Waheed Olojede, said the governor has approved payment of outstanding planning grants to secondary school principals and primary school head teachers, adding that grants for primary schools had been increased from N20 to N40 per pupil. He also said that the state government has approved that the appointment of teachers be gazetted.

Accord Party’s Ibadan Rally, A Show Of Shame – APC

By Adebayo Waheed, Ibadan

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has described the rally staged in Ibadan yesterday by the opposition, Accord Party, to welcome some defectors into its fold as a show of shame and demonstration of “political naivety, failure and expiration of some political players fond of

exaggerating their worth before the electorate.”

The party’s director of publicity and strategy, Olawale Sadare, faulted the Accord Party over what it called the party’s notoriety for parading the same set of pretenders and blackmailers as defectors from the APC with a view to misinforming the public and possibly winning the sympathy of the elec-

torate in a fraudulent manner or plunging the state into another era of needless crisis as its arrow-head did in 2003.

“The rally was nothing but a show of shame organised by a one-man party which is bent on returning Oyo State to the era of political terrorism. It (the rally) was held to celebrate some politically naive and overzealous individuals who have

penchant for sabotaging genuine and well-defined efforts to improve the quality of lives of the masses since their mantra revolves around individualism and self-aggrandizement.

“As a party, we can only sympathise with Senator Lanlehin who spent the last three years to destabilise our party only to end up in a ‘one-chance’ transit,” he said.

news Lagos 43

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Bianca Ojukwu’s Security Guard Allegedly Threatens To Shoot Court Sheriff The ongoing legal battle between the siblings of late Biafran warlord, Chief Chukwuemeka Ojukwu and his widow, has taken a new turn as a Lagos State court sheriff has alleged that a security guard at Bianca Ojukwu’s residence threatened to shoot him while trying to serve court processes on her.

This allegation is contained in an affidavit of non-service sworn to at the Lagos High Court Registry on August 12, 2014 by the sheriff, Ojo Adebola.

According to Adebola, his life was threatened with a gun by a security guard at the residence of the late warlord’s widow, who is also Nigeria’s ambassador to Spain, while trying to carry out his official duty at the venue.

The sheriff alleged that the security guard threatened to shoot him if he made any attempt to paste any court processes on the wall of his boss’ residence.

The Ojukwus had instituted the case through one of the lawyers of their late father, Sir Odumegwu Ojukwu’s company, Ojukwu Transport Limited (OTL).

By Olugbenga Soyele, Lagos

55% Nigerians Advocate Lifting Of Emergency Rule During Elections

By Friday Atufe, Lagos

About 55% of Nigerians in a recent survey conducted by NOIPolls Limited advocated that the removal of emergency rule imposed on three states in the North-east should be lifted during the 2015 elections.

This was the position of 72% of respondents from the North-East zone including Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states under emergency

rule. However, a slight majority across all the southern regions felt that the emergency rule should still prevail.

NOIPolls is a leading countryspecific polling services in the West African region, in technical partnership with Gallup (USA) to develop opinion research in Nigeria. NOIPolls is named after its creator, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (NOI), former vice president of the World Bank, who in 2006,

after serving the Olusegun Obasanjo regime, saw a vacuum in the system that there was no independent Opinion Polling capacity for over 170 million Nigerians and decided to create NOIPolls, as a platform where the voices of ordinary Nigerians can be collated and used to support decision making across the different facets of the economy.

The survey also showed that the majority (40%) of respondents

interviewed believed it would be “somewhat safe” for INEC to conduct elections in states under the emergency rule, while further assessment of the anticipated level of security during the 2015 elections showed that 68% of Nigerians expected nothing less than a “very secure” vicinity.

However, a fair proportion of respondents from the North-East zone (22%) anticipated an insecure vicinity during the 2015 election.

short news leadership Editor Loses Dad

Boko Haram: Lagos Deputy Gov Urges FG To Strengthen Military Lagos State deputy governor, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire has called for increased funding for the Nigerian Military to defeat the Boko Haram sect and prepare it for the task of ending terrorism currently confronting the country.

The deputy governor who expressed optimism that Boko Haram can be defeated maintained that modern fighting equipment as well as improved welfare packages must be available to the officers and men of the armed forces to motivate them in taking on the terrorists.

Adefulire who received the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr Chukwuemeka Kanu Uche, in her office added that the war against terrorism can only be won if the armed forces are well equipped and motivated to go to battle against the Boko Haram sect wreaking havoc on Nigerians particularly in the North East.

While thanking the Prelate for the visit, the deputy governor enjoined men of God of all faiths to continue to provide the needed spiritual support for the government so that the task of a better Nigeria will be jointly achieved.

By George Okojie, Lagos

L-R: Commander, Army Education Corps, Major Gen. Sunday Adebayo, representative of chief of army staff, Major Gen. Tamunomeidi Dibi and director, Directorate of Nigerian Army Library Services, Col. Charles Bossman, during the maiden Nigerian Army Library Services Book Fair in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN

Ebola: Lagos Decries Misinformation Dissemination Role Of Social Media

By George Okojie, Lagos

The Lagos State government yesterday lamented the role of social media in the dissemination of misinformation about Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak and government’s efforts at containing it, saying the falsehood is adding to the burden of the outbreak.

The commissioner for health, Dr Jide Idris disclosed this at a press briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press

Centre, Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja on the latest efforts to contain the Ebola disease in Lagos State.

He urged newsmen and users of social media to always confirm whatever facts they have at their disposal before releasing such to the public, pointing out that if correct information is not made available to the public, containing the virus in a densely populated city like Lagos might become very difficult.

The commissioner said, “Social media platforms have continued to create unnecessary and avoidable anxiety within the society. They have the capacity to undermine the efforts being made to contain and manage this outbreak as those who ought to present themselves for treatment may get discouraged, malign government in the face of residents and fuel stigmatisation of individuals and businesses.”

The deputy editor of Leadership Newspaper, Mr Kazeem Akintunde, has lost his father, Alhaji Fasasi Ishola Akintunde.

Pa Akintunde died in Lagos last Thursday after a brief illness. He was aged 79.

The eighth day Fidau prayer comes up tomorrow at his residence, No 6, Akinlolu Street, Toyin Bus Stop, Iju-Ishaga.

A retired staff of GB Olivant, Pa Akintunde was a devoted community leader and member of Akande Community Development Association.

He is survived by his wife, Alhaja Kuburat Akintunde, six children among whom is the deputy editor of Leadership Newspaper, Kazeem Akintunde and many grandchildren.

By George Okojie, Lagos

Ebola: LASAA Floods Lagos With Electronic Sensitisation Billboards

By George Okojie, Lagos

Determined to avert rapid spread of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the densely populated mega city, Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) has mounted electronic billboards in all nooks and crannies of the state to sensitise the residents

on the disease.

Speaking with journalists yesterday on the development, LASAA’s managing director, Mr George Noah, noted that the massive campaign being mounted in partnership with other organisations would focus on key areas related to the spread and management of the disease.

Noah listed the areas of sensitisation to include modes of transmission, preventive measures, symptoms and helplines.

He said, “This initiative is designed to complement efforts being made by Lagos State government in curbing the spread of Ebola. It’s also borne out of the need to enlighten the public about the disease and the need

to adopt preventive measures.

“We hope to achieve this with the use of electronic billboard ads which we would be rolling out in collaboration with our esteemed partners who see this as a corporate social responsibility initiative. In all, we would make use of a total of 32 electronic billboards across strategic locations in the state.”

44 news south-South south-East Enugu PDP Denies Leadership Crisis The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Enugu State Chapter has dismissed the allegation by the former national auditor of the party, Ray Nnaji that he conceded his position as chairman of the PDP in the state in 2008 to the current chairman, Engr. Vita Abba “on certain conditions”.

In a statement issued by its state publicity secretary, Dr Okey Eze, the party insisted that the sole aim of the statement was to mislead the public and paint the leadership of the party in the state in a bad light to register his alleged grievances.

Eze maintained that the allegation made by the former national auditor of the party was “false, laughable and a grand design by those who are uncomfortable with the steady progress being made by the party and its government in Enugu State”.

By Nnamdi Mbawike, Enugu

NLC Pickets Valleumbra Flour Mills In Aba, Chases Away Workers The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has picketed the Aba-based Valleumbra Flour Mills Ltd to compel the management of the company to reinstate the 72 workers it sacked recently.

The NLC is also incensed with the management of the company for paying its staff salaries far below the national minimum wage of N18,000 and casualizing its workforce contrary to the nation’s Labour laws.

The NLC, which swooped on the premises of Valleumbra Flour Mills as early as 8.30am in defiance of the torrential rain that began in Aba the previous night, blocked the entrance of the company, preventing vehicles carrying raw materials from entering or those carrying finished products from leaving.

By Matthias Nwogu, Umuahia

FRSC Orders Removal Of Broken Down Vehicles From Highways The corps marshal and chief executive of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Boboye Oyeyemi, has ordered the removal of all broken down vehicles along all major highways nationwide to create free movement of vehicles.

Oyeyemi said this while briefing journalists yesterday in Benin as part of the activities to mark the week-long “Operation Shield Number Four.’’

Represented by Mr Austin Aipoh, assistant corps marshal in charge of Administration and Strategy, Zone RS2, Oyeyemi said Operation Shield is a periodic activity to identify routes that “need improvement in terms of enlightenment campaign to reduce road crashes.’’

By Patrick Ochoga, Benin City

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Enugu Deputy Governor Impeached

By Nnamdi Mbawike, Enugu

The Enugu State House of Assembly has impeached the deputy governor of the state, Sunday Onyebuchi.

Onyebuchi’s removal followed the adoption of the report of the panel set up by the House of Assembly to investigate allegations of gross misconduct levelled against him.

The leader of the House and member representing Augwu North Constituency, Hon Udeh Okoye who moved the motion for the adoption of the report

of the panel, told his colleagues that having received the report, the House had come to the conclusion that the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the deputy governor by the Assembly have been proved.

After the motion sponsored

by Hon Okoye and 21 others was seconded by Kelvin Okwuta, the member representing Uzo-Uwani constituency, the speaker of the House, Eugene Odo swiftly adopted it.

The House of Assembly had on July 22 commenced impeachment proceedings against

Onyebuchi for allegedly operating a poultry farm at his official residence, flagrant disobedience to directives of the governor including refusal to represent him at the flag-off of Second Niger Bridge by President Goodluck Jonathan at Onitsha in March and at the July 6 meeting of South-east governors held in Enugu.

But Onyebuchi denied the allegations against him and provided evidence to support his claims. He said there was also a poultry at the Government House, which was evacuated

with the commencement of the panel proceedings.

Reacting to the allegation that he did not represent the governor at the flag-off of the Second Niger Bridge, Onyebuchi, who played the video coverage of the event before the panel, also drew the attention of the panel to the live coverage of the event by the AIT, adding that he was never communicated in person, by telephone or by any other means, to represent the governor at the event and also at the South-east governors’ meeting.

short news ‘EEDC Activities Threatening Jonathan’s Agenda’ The Ebonyi State House of Assembly yesterday said that the activities of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) are grossly threatening President Goodluck Jonathan’s power sector transformation agenda and called on the company to take practical Closing of orientation camp for 2014 Batch ‘B’ corps members at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Ikot Itie Udung, steps to improve on electricity supply in Nsit Atai Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN. and make available pre-paid meters.

Similarly, the PDP youth leader and national president

By Bernard Tolani Dada,Uyo of Ebonyi Youth premacy battle with the governor. eral good of Nigerians and Akwa Assembly (EYA), He condemned critics of the Ibom people in particular.

The speaker, Akwa Ibom State fifth Assembly who have always Comrade Chinedu “Such fights are meant to achieve House of Assembly, Sam Ikon has described the assembly as “rubber personal political interests and not Ogah, has also urged said that the Fifth Assembly will stamp”, adding that they should not for the general interest of the peoresidents of Abakaliki not succumb to pressures by critics expect the House to always oppose ple. The fifth Assembly will continmetropolis and its aimed at putting the House on col- policies and decisions of the exec- ue to bury parochial political interenvirons to stop lision course with Governor God- utive as a way of proving that it is ests and work for the good of the paying electricity swill Akpabio. bills to the electricity truly independent of the governor’s people”, he said.

Ikon, who said this yesterday in control. company until the Speaking on the achievements of Uyo while briefing newsmen as part company distributes Ikon, who is also the chairman, the assembly in the last legislative of activities marking the beginning Speakers Conference of Nigeria, session, the Speaker disclosed that a pre-paid meters to of the 2014/2015 legislative year, described such fights between the total of seven bills were passed into all the people. maintained that the assembly un- legislature and the executive as un- law in addition to other resolutions

By Obinna der his leadership was not in any su- healthy for democracy and the gen- made by the House.

Ogbonnaya, Abakaliki

A/Ibom Assembly Will Not Fight Akpabio – Speaker

Delta Indigenes Tasked Over 2015 Guber Poll

By Millie Ibe,Abuja

Delta State indigenes have been called upon to shun acts and utterances capable of undermining the 2015 governorship election in the state.

The call was made by the former acting managing director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and founding

secretary, Ijaw National Congress (INC), Pastor Power Ziakede Aginighan, after the voter registration exercise in Ogodobri and Bomadi local government areas in the state.

On the 2015 governorship election in Delta State, he said, “It is my position and indeed the position of many well-meaning Deltans that those who see politics as

a means of building vast economic empires for themselves should forget about the race. Those who rely on a non-existent and unconstitutional zoning formula and expect the governorship to be conceded to either their ethnic group or senatorial district on a platter of gold should have a rethink.”

Ziakede also called on registered Deltans to keep their voter

cards safe and ensure that they vote for candidates of their choice in all the forthcoming elections.

He further advised the electorate not to allow vote merchants to be in custody of their voter cards, saying “This is the only way we can enthrone leaders who will faithfully serve the higher and nobler interest of the generality of our people”.

news NATIONAL 45

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

NUJ Pledges Support For Peaceful NLC Election The national president of Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Mr Mohammed Garba has called on Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), to be prepared for courageous responsibilities ahead of its forthcoming election, saying that NLC had become a redeeming agency and have to be united to ensure peaceful election.

Garba who was speaking during a courtesy visit at the NLC national secretariat in Abuja while receiving members of the NLC under the aegis of Labour Interactive Forum (LIF), said that the union should not give room for any anti-democratic elements who will like to undermine the election.

Speaking during the courtesy visit, Comrade Raphael Okoro, chairman, LIF, said, “What we intended to do is to ensure free and fair election and ward off any fracas.

By Tunde Oguntola, Abuja

TMG Launches 2015 ‘Quick Count’ To Verify Presidential Election Results Nigeria’s premier citizen election observation group, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) yesterday launched its 2015 Quick Count Project, an independent verification methodology that will independently verify the accuracy of official presidential results, come 2015.

The 2015 Quick Count Project according to the TMG will provide the most accurate information on the conduct of voting and counting processes on election day and will be the only group able to independently verify presidential results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

By Edegbe Odemwingie, Abuja

ICPC To Probe Corruption In Varsities The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) is set to investigate corruption and sharp practices that have been going on in tertiary institutions.

Speaking at the public presentation of the report of the National Conference on Transparency, Accountability and Ethical Values in Tertiary Institutions yesterday, the ICPC chairman, Ekpo Ita noted that though complaints of corruption has reduced since the introduction of a single term for the vice chancellors in the tertiary institutions, there are still cases of corrupt practices, which the report will help in addressing.

ByEjike Ejike, Abuja

Nigeria’s Diversity, Source Of Strength – Wamakko

BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto

Sokoto State governor, Aliyu Wamakko, yesterday observed that the nation’s diversity should be considered as its source of strength.

The governor who spoke while addressing the over 2,000 Batch B, 2014 corps members who did their orientation at the Sokoto NYSC Permanent Orientation camp in Wamakko local government, also hailed former head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon for the

initiative.

Wamakko who assured that he was going to invite the former head of state and initiator of the scheme to commission the permanent camp, also assured the corps members of their safety. He assured that their welfare would be top priority.

Insisting that the scheme has helped in uniting the country, the governor said, “Our diversity should be a source of strength not disunity. God loves this country, that is why He allowed the di-

versity”.

While urging the corps members to serve the country with diligence, the governor advised them to be of good behaviour and prayed for their fruitful stay in the Seat of the Caliphate.

Wamakko also extolled the unification potential of the NYSC in Nigeria, saying that the scheme is a viable solution to the legions of challenges confronting the nation.

“NYSC is an agent of change and a reliable means of achieving

the hopes and aspirations of Nigerians hence the scheme helps in the attainment of national development and integration. and a just as well as an egalitarian society” Speaking on his part, the sokoto state Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Thomas Yamma commended the governor, the Sultan of Sokoto as well as the people of the state for their continued support, also said, no fewer than 2596 corps members were so far registered for the 2014 Batch B camp in Sokoto.

short news Nigerian Navy To Attend Int’l Seapower Symposium The chief of naval staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, has indicated the readiness of the Nigerian Navy to participate in the 21st edition of the International Seapower Symposium scheduled to take place in Rhode Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko presenting an admission letter to Maryam Isa to study at International Islamic University, Island in the US on September Chithangang, Bangladesh, yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN 2014.

The CNS revealed this when he received the new US Naval Attaché to Nigeria, Commander Rene

By Chika Mefor, Abuja and in facilitating better relations of the board and former deputy Laverde in his with the board,” he said. governor of Ekiti State, Adebisi office.

The minister of youth developHaruna disclosed that the op- Omoyeni affirmed the readiness Admiral Jibrin ment, Mr. Boni Haruna has dis- timal utilisation of the centre is of the board to take on the task of acknowledged closed that the Citizenship and ultimately part of the vision of delivering on the mandate of the the legendary Leadership Training Centre will the transformation agenda of the institution noting that the centre support of the help to provide high quality train- president which entails imple- will continue to be relevant in the United States over ing and learning experiences for menting measures that will give scheme of things in the Nigerian the years and the youths in the country. the nation a brighter future. project, especially now that Nigecalled for more Speaking at the inauguration of He congratulated the chairman ria is in dire need of more good and assistance in the the board of the centre recently, and members of the board and ad- disciplined leaders. area of surveilthe minister underscored the im- vised them to conduct the affairs He appealed to well meaning lance and amphiperative for the board to excel add- of the centre in accordance with Nigerians, both local and interous capabilities to ing that the centre is not only an the extant public service rules; national organisations to partner enhance Nigerian important part of the nation’s his- while also reminding them to set with the ministry and the federNavy’s overall tory, but a pivot of its past, pres- operational and administrative al government to reposition the operational ent and future. policies in accordance with govern- institution for greater efficiency efficiency in the “That is why we are leaving no ment policies and to supervise the which will engender the producGulf of Guinea. stone unturned towards the prac- implementation of such policies. tion of entrepreneurial youths for tical enhancement of the centre, In his remarks, the chairman the country.

By Bayo Oladeji, Abuja

Leadership Centre Will Provide Quality Training For Youths – Minister

2015: ‘Only PDP Can Accommodate All Nigerians’

By Chibuzo Ukaibe, Abuja

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said it remains the only party that can unite all the complexities in Nigeria, just as it added that the transformation agenda is working.

The PDP national youth leader, Abdullahi Maibasira, stated this af-

ter inaugurating the PDP national Youth Awareness forum at the PDP national secretariat, Abuja.

Speaking during the inauguration, the youth leader said, “PDP is the only political organisation that has what it takes to advance the cause of democracy in the country.

PDP is the only party that can manage the complexities of Nigeria re-

gardless of where we all come from.”

He noted that the inauguration provides an opportunity to reflect on the performance of President Goodluck Jonathan’s performance ahead of 2015. He said, “As youths we have come to the conclusion that our party has performed well and has kept the flag flying. We will continue to keep faith and ensure we

use our youthful disposition to play our part in peaceful endeavours.”

He continued “we have to review performance of transformation agenda. It is working and youths play essential part in President Jonathan’s transformation agenda. It is here to ensure peace prosperity hope and democracy will continue to flourish.”

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Wednesday, August 27, 2014

PUBlic notice FEDERAL MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT Zonal PUBlic DisPlay eXercise on the enVironMental iMPact assessMent (eia) For the ProPoseD constrUction oF telecoMMUnication Base transceiVer stations in the north West Zone oF niGeria (jiGaWa, soKoto, KeBBi, Katsina, Kano, ZaMFara anD KaDUna states) By ihs niGeria Plc In accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act No. 86 of 1992, which makes it mandatory for proponents of all new major development activities to carry out Environmental Impact Assessment on their proposed projects, the Federal Ministry of Environment hereby announces a twenty-one (21) working day Public Notice for information and comments on the draft EIA report submitted by IHS Nigeria Pte.

Project DescriPtion The proposed project activities will involve construction and installation of masts for base transceiver stations

the DisPlay centers are:

DUration oF DisPlay Date: 4th August - 1st September, 20 I 4 Time: 8:00am- 4 .00 pm Daily ALL COMMENTS RECEIVED SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE PERMANENT SECRETARY, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT ON OR BEFORE 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2014

SIGNED PerManent secretary FOR: HONOURABLE MINISTER

news NATIONAL 47

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Un Helicopter Crashes In South Sudan, 3 Dead

By Chika Otuchikere, , with agency reports

The United Nations has revealed that one of its cargo helicopters has crashed in South Sudan allegedly shot down by insurgents.

The UN mission in South Sudan said that three crew members died, while one survived.

South Sudanese rebel commander Peter Gadet had warned the U.N. last week not to fly over his territory, said the spokesman for the gover-

nor of Northern Bahr elGhazal state, Akol Ayom Wek. Gadet’s forces shot down the helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade, said Wek. An official for the UN told the AP news agency the Mi-8 helicopter had apparently been shot down.

Associated Press reports that a government official has accused forces loyal to rebel Commander Peter Gadet of shooting down the helicopter.

The helicopter’s downing comes one day af-

ter the two warring sides signed an agreement in Ethiopia to work toward a permanent cease-fire and form a national unity government within 45 days.

According to the BBC, thousands of people have been killed this year in bitter fighting between South Sudan’s army and rebel forces.

The UN has played a vital role in helping feed over 1.8 million people who fled their homes after fighting broke out in December 2013.

Vio Goes Tough On Traffic Offenders

By AGBO-PAUL AUGUSTINE, Abuja

The new director of FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services (FCT VIO), Danjuma Aliyu Garba has said that traffic offenders in the Federal Capital Territory would be liana tough time with the directorate in the coming days.

The director made this position known yesterday in a press conference to roll out his action plan in the directorate. Garba said FCT VIO woud be operat-

ing based on ‘Two-Point’ approach which is enlightenment and enforcement, warning all traffic offenders to turn a new leaf.

He said part his agenda for the VIO was to ensure that everything that constitute nuisance within the roads of the FCT were removed without delay.

“Let me remind you that the ban on Okada in Abuja city is still in force and all illegal car mart, unpainted taxis and illegal mechanic workshops will be routed

out of the capital city.

Keke Napep are restricted to the designated areas through the special intervention strategy by the directorate and all motorists must ensure that their vehicles are road worthy or be kept off the road,” he said.

He noted that the directorate will enforce strict compliance on drivers’ having their drivers licence and all learning drivers’ must know the regulations and apply the rules.

KADUNA STATE GOVERNMENT

INTERVIEW FOR OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME, 2014 THE IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME WISHES TO INVITE ALL APPLICANTS THAT SUBMITTED COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS TO REPORT FOR INTERVIEW SCHEDULED TO HOLD FROM THURSDAY 28TH AUGUST, 2014 TO FRIDAY 29TH AUGUST, 2014 AT 9.00AM PROMPT AT THE FOLLOWING CENTERS: I.

II.

III.

CANDIDATES FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN SENATORIAL ZONE ONE AT NUHU BAMALLI POLYTECHNIC, MAIN CAMPUS, ZARIA. CANDIDATES FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN SENATORIAL ZONE TWO AT KADUNA STATE UNIVERSITY (KASU) CAMPUS, TAFAWA BALEWA WAY, KADUNA. CANDIDATES FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN SENATORIAL ZONE THREE AT KAFANCHAN CAMPUS OF KADUNA STATE UNIVERSITY (KASU).

CANDIDATES SHOULD NOTE: (a) THAT THOSE THAT APPLIED FOR PH.D PROGRAMMES AND ARE ABOVE 40YEARS OF AGE SHOULD NOT ATTEND. (b)

APPLICANTS ABOVE THE AGE OF 35 YEARS THAT APPLIED FOR M.SC COURSES SHOULD ALSO NOT ATTEND.

CANDIDATES ARE ADVISED TO COME ALONG WITH ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS FOR VERIFICATION. SECRETARY, OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIP IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE

48

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

zonal watch

OYO STATE OGUN STATE LAGOS STATE ONDO STATE EKITI STATE OSUN STATE

Osun State: Aregbesola Won’t Victimise Anybody – Officials

By Joshua Dada, Osogbo

Osun State government has allayed the fear by some civil servants that they may be victimised or punished after Governor Rauf Aregbesola has secured his second term in office.

The state commissioner for environment and sanitation, Olubukola Oyawoye, assured that no one would be victmised based on

the pattern of voting at the recently concluded governorship election in the state.

Addressing the staff of her ministry during a thanksgiving service, Oyawoye maintained that no indigene of the state, irrespective of their political interests, will be victimised or punished for their roles in the last election.

According to her, “Since it is not in the character of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to punish, not to talk of victimising anyone, no government staff should entertain any fear, no matter how related or close to any party or interest group in the election”.

She added that since the people of the state voted massively to reelect Aregbesola for the second

term, it is incumbent on all citizens, regardless of political interest, to cooperate with government, to take the state to greater heights.

In the same vein, the special adviser on environment and sanitation, Bola Ilori, at the occasion, said that Aregbesola’s government will not run a winnertakes-all government, but will be of benefit to all.

Ekiti Community Mourns Monarch’s Exit

by ALO ABIOLA, Ado Ekiti

An unidentified person sleeping along the rail track at Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway, Ile-Zik Area, Lagos. PHOTO by BENEDICT UWALAKA

Oyo Govt Blames PDP Stalwart Over Temidire Market Relocation Dispute

By Adebayo Waheed, Ibadan

The Oyo State government has accused a leading Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart in the state of coordinating renegades among Temidire Plank Market sellers against government with the aim of causing disaffection between government and the people.

It made this known in a statement issued by the special adviser on media to the governor, Dr. Festus Adedayo, in reaction to allegation of a government agency dispersing some of the renegades from the market.

Government had acquired the market some years ago and

relocated the traders to the Fashade area of the state capital but this decision had generated bad blood between it and some members of the market who insisted that they would not move out of the market.

“It is apparent that the said PDP stalwart is doing this for an ulterior motive. He coordinates dissent against government at the market and is their arrowhead. In fuelling the renegades, he apparently hopes to score cheap political points and paint government in bad light.

“The market construction has been delayed for too long because of this prolonged, fuelled antagonism against

government.

Government considers the interest of the people first and not the narrow interest of politicians who are sponsoring the dissent,” said the statement.

The government said it had done everything humanly possible to advance the cause of building a befitting market for the people of Temidire but its efforts were frustrated by a cabal in the market whose actions were fuelled by a political undertone.

According to government, it had in the last one year or thereabout met leaders of the market several times and provided an alternative market for the plank sellers.

Osun Promises Support For Farmers

By Joshua Dada, Osogbo

The government of Osun State has reiterated its commitment to the development of the agricultural sector in a bid to make it profitable to farmers and provide food for the state.

Commissioner for agriculture and food security, Wale Adedoyin, stated this in Osogbo during a meeting with members of farm settlers across the state.

He said the present

administration will continue to support farmers by providing necessary farm inputs and agricultural facilities such as fertilisers, seedlings, chemicals and others at subsidised rates.

He added that the government has also reduced land use fees to N1000, which will be due after 24 years for arable crops and 49 years for cash crops, stressing that the agreement is renewable after the specified years of use.

The commissioner however

implored the farm settlers to henceforth ignore any issue that come to them without the authority of his ministry.

In his address, the director of Agricultural Services, Mr. Kola Ajisekola, enjoined all farm settlers to keep on abiding by the state government’s agricultural policy so as to continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy which the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola will continue to deliver.

The people of Ikere Ekiti are mourning the passing away of their monarch, Oba Adegoke Adegboye, the Ogoga of Ikere, who joined his ancestors at the weekend.

Oba Adegboye, who is from one of the town’s three ruling houses, (Akayejo dynasty) died after a brief illness at the age of 85.

The first class traditional ruler was installed as the king of the town on August 22, 1971 and reigned for 43 years, making him the longest reigning monarch in the history of the town.

Prince Adesoji Adegboye, who spoke on behalf of the children of the deceased described their father as a peace-loving man, who put the interest of the town above personal gains during his lifetime.

Prince Adegboye, a chief magistrate with the Ekiti State Ministry of Justice, noted that the community had witnessed unprecedented development since the enthronement of the late monarch whom he said served the people with zeal.

“My father died after a brief illness.

But one thing is very special about his demise, he died the very day he clocked 43 years on the throne. The people will never forget his strides for development.”

He said the town will miss him sorely having pioneered a modern Ikere Ekiti that has become a pride of all.

The caretaker chairman, Ikere West local council development area, Engr Gbenga Omole, who spoke on the virtues of the late monarch, said he received the death of Oba Adegboye with shock, describing him as a “Well focused and hardworking man, who loved Ikere Ekiti extremely.”

He urged the indigenes of the town to strive hard to ensure the sustainability of the unity the late monarch left behind.

The council boss stated that the late monarch served the people selflessly and that such must be reciprocated by being peaceful and united after his demise.Omole praised the members of Ogoga-in-Council and the youth for conducting themselves peacefully during the traditional funeral rites.

zonal watch (South-West) 49

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

project report

Lagos Eko Project Raises Fresh Hope For Academic Excellence

by George Okojie, Lagos

At a time the country is crying foul over fallen standard of education, recording 70 per cent failure by candidates in West African Senior Secondary Examination (WASSCE), Lagos State government is leveraging on its Eko Secondary School project to record steady progress in its academic activities.

The Lagos Eko Secondary School Education Project (LESEP) now credited with surge in academic improvement in Lagos State is a partnership between the Lagos State government and the World Bank.

The education policy inaugurated by the administration of Babatunde Fashola in 2009, has aided in the training of 12,000 teachers in leadership and core subjects such as English, Math and Science, and students in targeted schools have remarkably showed an improvement in learning.

Overtime, the project’s success has restored confidence in the public school system.

From inception, the primary objective of the Lagos Eko Secondary Education Project is to improve the quality of public junior and senior secondary education in Lagos State.

To achieve its objective the project was carefully tailored into four components, the first being promoting secondary school effectiveness through school development grants.

The aim of the school development grants has been to raise education outcomes in junior and senior secondary education by providing public secondary schools in Lagos access to yearly discretionary resources with an explicit focus on improving the quality of education services.

The second component is designed to enhance quality assurance for junior and senior secondary schools by establishing a standardised system for measuring student’s learning achievements in core subject areas and support teachers to develop the skills needed to better teach these areas.

The third component is the project coordination and management; under this platform the system provides the necessary resources for effective coordination and monitoring and evaluation, and the implementation of an information and communications strategy.

The fourth component of the project is the strengthening of the federal post-basic education strategy, which is geared towards

Late Gani Fawehinmi

News Behind The News

Gani Fawehinmi Park: A Political Pulpit In Lagos?

Lagos State governor Babatunde Fashola SAN (2nd left) launching the book, Lagos Eko Project (2009-2013): A Legacy of Excellence at the Vetland Senior Grammar School, Lagos. With him are the state commissioner for education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye (2nd right) and special adviser on Lagos Eko Project, Ms. Ronke Azeez (left)

providing capacity building and technical assistance to the Federal Ministry of Education to enhance the development of the national post-basic education strategy and support policy dialogue on the strategy with states.

Testifying on the importance of the project, Akpa Chigozie, a student of Vetland Senior Secondary School said, “I used to be a ‘C’ student but after the introduction of the Eko project, our teachers got trainings and everything changed. I am now comfortably an ‘A’ student.”

The success of the project has also restored some confidence in the public school system, motivated teachers and improved learning environments and have inspired some parents, such as Agboola Olabisi, to re-enroll or keep their children in public schools.

According to Olabisi, a member of the School Based Management Committee, there is a significant change after the Eko project was implemented.

She said, “I was contemplating taking two of my children from public schools to a private school until I soon noticed a dramatic improvement in their performance which I found out was due to Eko project intervention.”

Impressed by the feat, the World Bank recently supported the Lagos Eko Secondary Schools project with $42 million to enhance the education sector in the state.

The World Bank said the new fund already approved by the bank’s board was an additional amount to the existing loans to the state.

The World Bank said, “The new IDA credit of over 42 million dollars to the Lagos EKO Secondary School Project is an addition to an original

I used to be a ‘C’ student but after the introduction of the Eko project, our teachers got trainings and everything changed. I am now comfortably an ‘A’ student

credit of 95 million dollars.

“This systematically benefited over 620,000 students a year in 667 public secondary schools in Lagos State between 2009 and 2013.

“It will allow strong results to be sustained and evaluated in hundreds of secondary schools and expand others.”

The World Bank said that the grant had also helped to increase the number of poor children accessing quality secondary education.

Reeling out improved statistics, the bank pointed out that, “Student scores from beneficiary schools went up from 30 per cent to 70 per cent in English, 31 per cent to 45 per cent in Mathematics and 27 per cent to 65 per cent in Basic Sciences”.

It observed that the results of the June 2013 West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate external examinations showed that 41 per cent of students from beneficiary schools passed with five credits and above compared with over 18 per cent before the project.

According to World Bank country director for Nigeria, Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly, the grant would provide children from poor homes opportunity to access quality education “When students from poor families have the opportunity to go to secondary school and acquire sound knowledge and skills, they stand a fair chance of getting a good job or accessing economic opportunities later in life.

“This contributes to eliminating extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity in furtherance of the World Bank’s two main goals,” she said.

by GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos

For many rights activists and politicians, rallies at the Gani Fawehinmi Park located opposite a dump site in Ojota area of Lagos State is a rare sight.

Beyond the rainbow of the park named after late Chief Gani Fawehinmi , the irrepressible lawyer and human rights activist, is the belief that the motivational spirit of the man who cuts the symbol of defiance against all forms of injustice and oppression lives on in the park.

The park now renamed by the people as Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park became very popular after thousands of people including workers, unemployed musicians, actors, progressive forces, among others thronged there in 2012 to protest the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government.

Though they were later dispersed by national security officers, it is on record that never in the history of country has such an orderly assembly met to marshal their demands at one spot for days in a peaceful protest.

A replication of this feat may have informed the convergence of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by the governorelect of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayo Fayose, at the park recently for a rally.

In what observers and political pundits acknowledged as a battle taken to the door steps of the opposition, Fayose said the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) will in 2015 defeat the All Progressives Congress ( APC), in the South-West states.

In fact, he informed all the elected officials of APC not minding the terrain he was speaking to be prepared to leave the states it is currently in control of.

To show he meant business, Fayose who spoke before thousands of party chieftains and followers at Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota in Lagos was not alone.

He came for the political campaign with party chieftains like the minister of state for defence, Musiliu Obanikoro; Chairman, Lagos State chapter of the PDP, Group Captain Olatunji Shelle (rtd); Prince Buruji Kashamu; PDP interim zonal chairman, Chief Ishola Filani; PDP Lagos gubernatorial candidate in 2011, Dr. Ade Dosunmu; Chief Gbadamosi Babatunde; former Lagos State commissioner for health, Dr. Segun Ogundimu among others.

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Wednesday, August 27, 2014

SCHOOLS, EDUCATION, & FAITH PLATFORM

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF

SPECIALISED CLASSIFIEDS PAGES PEACE ADVOCACY FOR DEVELOPMENT & CONCILIATION INITIATIVE

ATTAHIRU BAFARAWA FOUNDATION

ASEJERE BANANA AND FRUITS SELLERS ASSOCIATION IROJO SABO ILESA OSUN STATE

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Initiative has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1. Chief Innocent Nyingierefaka - Chairman 2. Alhaji Abu-Bakr Bako Muhammed 3. Mr. Kingdom Blessing - Secretary 4. Mrs. Chizoba Udemezue Nengite 5. Mr. Patrick Otoro 6. Ms. Jocelyn Campbell 7. Mr. Dafe Akpedeye (SAN) 8. Mr. Jonathan Yusufu Pam 9. Barr. Chinwe Okoli

The Trustees Are: 1. ALHAJI ATTAHIRU DALHATU BAFARAWA 2. ALHAJI NASIRU DALHATU BAFARAWA 3. ALHAJI SAGIR ATTAHIRU BAFARAWA 4. BUHARI ATTAHIRU BAFARAWA 5. BABANGIDA ATTAHIRU BAFARAWA 6. MOHAMMED UMAR ZAURO

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote peace and unity among Nigerians 2. To liaise with government agencies and NGOs for the provision of frameworks foe peace and unity.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVES: 1. The relief of poverty, deprivation and distress among the youth, motherless babies, widows and the less privileged.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja within 28 days of the publication.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja within 28 days of the publication.

SIGNED: Nabufor Ikechukwu, Esq 08067601889

SIGNED: SECRETARY

STRONG TOWER SALVATION CENTRE The general public is here by notify that, the above name CENTRE has applied to corporate affairs commission, Abuja for registration under part ‘C’ of companies and allied matters act No.1 of 1990

The Trustees Are: 1. MRS ADEYEMI YEMISI 2. MRS ODEYEMI RONKE DEBORAH 3. MRS ADEOSUN FOLASADE DEBORAH 4. MRS ANIMASHAUN MONISOLA 5. MRS OLUWAFEMI FUNMILAYO 6. MRS OLALEYE SIFAU THE AIM AND OBJECTIVES: 1. FOR UNITY AND PROGRESS OF MEMBER 2. FOR THE WELFARE THE MEMBERS Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja within 28 days of the publication.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

HEAVENS CHAPEL

ORGANISATION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF IGALA CULTURE

The general public is hereby informed that the above named has applied to the corporate affairs commission for registration under part “C” of the companies and allied matters act 1 of 1990.

The general public is hereby informed that the above named body has applied to the corporate affairs commission for registration under part “C” of the companies and allied matters act 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Jov Tersoo 2. Onoh Christopher

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Rev. Prophet Oketa Jones Oche 2. Oluchi Jones Oche 3. Honourable Adah Ejiga

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. To preach salvation through Jesus Christ.

3. To win souls to the kingdom of God.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. To win souls, healing, deliverance, redemption, miracles, teaching families love and blessing worldwide.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general, Corperate Affairs Commission, plot 420 tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrargeneral, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

Signed: SECRETARY

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. DR. EMMANUEL ALHASSAN 2. NEGEDU UMORU 3. HENRY AGBONIKA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO UPHOLD THE CORE CULTURAL VALUES OF THE IGALA PEOPLE AND TO IMBIBE THE CULTURE OF RESPECT FOR CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS. 2. TO PROMOTE ONENESS AMONG THE VARIOUS DIALECTS IN IGALA LAND 3. TO TEACH THE YOUNGER GENERATION OF THE IGALA RACE AT IN DIASPORA AND AT HOME THE VALUES OF THE IGALA PEOPLE. 4. TO IMPACT CONTINUOUSLY THE ESSENCE OF CULTURE IN THE IDEAL IGALA WAY OF LIFE IN THE FACE OF THE WIDE SPREAD WESTERN CULTURE. 5. TO ORGANIZE WORKSHOPS, SYMPOSIUMS, SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES THAT WILL PROMOTE THE IGALA CULTURE. 6. TO ORGANIZE AN ANNUAL AWARD CEREMONY TO HONOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF IGALA LAND THAT HAVE STOOD OUT IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS OF ENDEAVOUR. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar-general, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: ADEJO OSMOND ELEOJO ADROIT SOLICITORS 08098739401

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE WELFARE OF RETIRED LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF, AKWA IBOM

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE Deceased name and address Applicant for grant Tarchi Patrick Taver Kpadoo Josephine Taver and Dr. Independent National Electoral Kingsley Friday Taver Commission, Abuja DA 651 Beside Pakit Foundation Who died on the 11th Febrary,2014.

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE Deceased name and address Applicant for grant Miss Ugwudi Nnenna Frederick G.C. Ugwudi and Ugwudi Nigeria Prison Service, Abuja Kelechi Who died on the 17th October,2009.

Gilugam Villa, Ndigbo, Imo State

The general public is hereby informed that the above named Association has applied to the corporate affairs commission for registration under part “C” of the companies and allied matters act 1 of 1990.

Schoo. Dakwa

Dated at Abuja this 26th August, 2014. The widow and son of the said

deceased.

Signed: Barr Hafsat Sadiq For: Probate Registrar

The father and brother of the said

Dated at Abuja this 26th August, 2014. deceased.

Signed: Barr Hafsat Sadiq For: Probate Registrar

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ENGR. EMMANUEL DANSON USOROH - CHAIRMAN 2.BARR. IDONGESIT ROBSON UDOH 3.OBONG IMOH HARRY UDOIWEH - SECRETARY 4. MRS SYLVIA ENO GEORGE 5. ELDER ADOLF EFFIONG NKANG 7. COMFORT ANTHONY EKANEM 8. COMRADE ATABONG UDO UBOKUDOM THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO FORTER UNITY AND PROGRESS OF ALL RETIREES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE IN AKWA IBOM STATE. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrargeneral, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE Deceased name and address Applicant for grant Julius Odeiga Mrs Chinyere Odeiga guardian Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment to Divine Henry Odeiga Abuja Flat 17, Iyiagu Estate Awka, Who died on the 28th June, 2013.

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE Deceased name and address Applicant for grant Abdullahi Bawa Halilu Abdullahi Usman Halilu and Block 3 Flat 1, Abriba Close area 7 Abuja Abdullahi Abdulkareem Halilu Who died on the 28th July,2012.

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE Deceased name and address Applicant for grant Paul Odah Blessing Paul and Alice Odah Paul Nigeria Police Force, Abuja guardian to Friday Paul Who died on the 5th February,2014.

Dated at Abuja this 26th August, 2014.

Dated at Abuja this 26th August, 2014.

Anambra State The widow and son of the said deceased.

Signed: Barr Hafsat Sadiq For: Probate Registrar

For booking or inquiry call

> HENRY UBIMAGO 08068640944

Ministry of Defence, Abuja The sons of the said deceased.

Block 174 Area D Nyanya, Abuja The daughter, widow and son of the Dated at Abuja this 26th August, 2014. said deceased.

Signed: Barr Hafsat Sadiq For: Probate Registrar

> augustine 08061602706

> GLORIA OKwUM 08038722368

> ABIGAIL SAMBO 08064382438

Signed: Barr Hafsat Sadiq For: Probate Registrar

> GLORIA RAPHAEL 08061356519

> GLORIA ODIO 08034285851

> GRACE OJO 08035054444

51

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

GOD IS MY VOW ELS FOUNDATION

LEGAL NOTICE

EBOLA CONTAINMENT TRUST FUND

The general public is hereby notified that the above mentioned FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration in accordance with Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act LFN (cap 20)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

The general public is hereby notified that the above named INITIATIVE has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration under part C of the companies and allied matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

TRUSTEES 1. Amaeze Viera Omma 2. Anita Soje 3. Mrs. Tyaharim Jabbe Musa 4. Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa

Chairman

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To build lives and make them count 2. To help the less privileged in facilitating access to medical care, to pay the medical bills that the foundation can afford and engage in appeal funds for those who can’t afford.

3. To promote the welfare of the underprivileged by providing those things that are considered the basic necessities of life-food, clothing, improvement on accommodation and shelter 4. To build the young persons and sensitize them for a better society 5. Skill acquisition, empowering the family and building the nation 6. Empowering women, the youth and the disabled 7. Empowering transformation politics Any objection should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Irosi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE Deceased name and address Applicant for grant Tarko Likita Rahila Tarko guardian to Joy Likita LEA Bwari, Abuja and Faith Likita Who died on the 24th December,2007.

Jaiyi Opposite Chief Palace Kado FCT The widow and daughters of the said Dated at Abuja this 26th August, 2014. deceased.

Signed: Barr Hafsat Sadiq For: Probate Registrar

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr. Felix Ohiwerei 2. Mr. Christopher Kolade 3. Mr. Gamaliel Onosode 4. Pastor. Paul Adefarasin 5. Mr. Ayuli Jemide 6. Dr. Alero Roberts 7. Mr. Victor Okigbo

- Chairman

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. A non profit organization formed for the primary purpose of raising funds, mobilising people and materials for the containment of the Ebola virus in lagos state and its environs.

2. To provide advice and support to relevant agencies of the federal and state government towards the containment of Ebola virus in lagos state and its environs.

3. Harness the creativity, enterprise and expertise of the private sector to execute the emergency purchase and deployment of necessary supplies and personnel in the support of the containment endeavour.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general, corperate affairs commission, plot 420 tigris crescent, off aguiyi ironsi street, maitama, abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

LEGAL NOTICE

plateau intelligentsia development initiative

OLUSEGUN AGAGU FOUNDATION

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

The general public is hereby informed that the above named INITIATIVE has applied to the corporate affairs commission for registration under part “C” of the companies and allied matters act 1 of 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named Foundation has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No 1 of 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Dr. Meshak Daniel Jatau - Chairman 2. Mr. Zendi Lazarus Mikuk - Secretary 3. Bishop Benjamin Argak Kwashi 4. Ms. Nakris Elaine Kwardem 5. Mr. Niyang Michael Pankyes 6. Mr. Jim Pam Wayas 7. Mr. Alex Ladan 8. Dr. Fabong Jemchang Yildam 9. Mr. Solomon Kwakfut

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. DR. ADEDEJI ADELEKE 2. FEYISAYO AGAGU 3. OLUFEMI AGAGU 4. PRINCE ADEYEMI ADEFULU 5. PROFESSOR BAMIDELE FAWOLE 6. ALHAJI KASHIM IMAM 7. CHIEF PIUS AKINYELURE 8. SOLAPE ADEFALA 9. MARIE EKPERE 10. DR. MUYIWA ALIU

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE Deceased name and address Applicant for grant Shuaibu Umar Shuaibu Yusuf and Fatima Musa Local Education Authority, Abuja guardian to Mohammed Shuaibu Who died on the 8th June, 2014.

Edju Lapaigi Niger State The widow and sons of the said Dated at Abuja this 26th August, 2014. deceased.

Signed: Barr Hafsat Sadiq For: Probate Registrar

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To provide a platform where plateau youths can actualize their potentials.

2. To undertake charitable courses with the view to assuaging the plight of the needy.

3. To encourage youthful participation in socio-economic and political activities at local, state, national and global scales.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar-general, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: B.Y. ATSEN; 08066070855

- Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer - Member - “ - “ - “ - Legal Adviser - Member - “

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: a. To create a plateform for the assistance of the needy in the society.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Maitama District, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: BARR. BUKOLA OSHUNKEYE (Solicitor)

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON EARTH

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE Deceased name and address Applicant for grant Yahaya Zakari Dodo Salamatu Yahaya and Samuel Nigerian Postal Service Abuja Yahaya Who died on the 30th September, 2013.

Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE Deceased name and address Applicant for grant Janet Awo Emmanuel Awo Block 4 Flat 4 Owner Occupier Kubwa FCT Block 4 Flat 4 Owner Uccupier Who died on the 18th July, 2013.

This is to notify the general Public that the above named MINISTRY has applied for registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja under the Part ‘C’ of Company and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

Dated at Abuja this 26th August, 2014.

Dated at Abuja this 26th August, 2014.

Nigerian Postal Services Abuja The widow and brother of the said deceased.

Signed: Barr Hafsat Sadiq For: Probate Registrar

Kubwa FCT Th e w i d owe r o f t h e s a i d deceased.

Signed: Barr Hafsat Sadiq For: Probate Registrar

UNITY ESTATE LANDLORDS ASSOCIATION RUMUOWEGWU NEW LAYOUT, ENEKA, RIVERS STATE This is to notify the general Public that the above named Association has applied for registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja under the Part ‘C’ of Company and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES 1. ENGR. ENEMOR GODSPOWER CHIJINDU 2. BARRISTER AFOLABI OLUBISI MIKAIL 3. MAJOR MADUBUIKE CHUKS 4. ONUOHA CHIMEZIE, ESQ 5. MRS OSSAI BETTY 6. MR. SATIMEHIN RICHARD 7. MR GABRIEL OLUROTIMI 8. ENGR. OKORONKWO JONAH 9. WOBO MADISE MAKUME 10. ENGR. ABDULKADIR MUHAMMED.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES i. To bring together all members under one united body for the promotion of peace, development of the estate and the community at large. ii. To create, provide, improve and enhance facilities and avenues for making available technical, professional knowledge and information to members etc. iii. To ensure that members always identify with the changing aspirations of the Estate and the larger society from time to time.

LOSS OF OF DOCUMENT DOCUMENT LOSS loss of document

THE TRUSTEES 1. ODUNTAN ABIODUN EMMANUEL 2. DADA OMOWUNMI IYANUOLUWA 3. ARIYO MOSES MORRIS

-Chairman -Secretary - MEMBER

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach Christ as the power of God and the wisdom of GOD to the poor, the sick and all men Any objection to the above should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, FCT, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

SIGNED SECRETARY

LOSS of OF document DOCUMENT LOSS loss OF DOCUMENT

This is to inform the general public that the following origianl copies of land documents belonging to the Taraba State Government are missing.

1. File Number: New-MISC. 59115/OLD-MISC. 7891. Plot No. 1515, Danjuma House, Taraba State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, FCT. 2. File Number: Old-KN. 1163. Cadastral Zone A03, Plot No. 224, 40, Cotonou Crescent, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, FCT. 3. Plot No. 1261. Cadastral Zone A03, No. 4 Street, Garki 2, Abuja, FCT. All efforts to trace the said documents proved abortive, if found, please contact the Taraba State Liaison Office at No. 4 Street, Garki 2, Abuja FCT or Abuja Geographical Information Systems (AGIS) and general public take note.

Signed: MADISON CONSULT (LAW FIRM) 07031108321, 08037050506

This is to inform the general public of the loss of original copy of his Letter of Offer of Statutory Right of Occupancy in respect of Plot No. 1961, of about 1726.21sqm, in cadastral zone A05, of Maitama District, Abuja belonging to Sen. Gada Bello Jibril was missing. All efforts made to trace the said documents proved abortive. If found, please contact the nearest police station.

General public should take note.

3X2 SPACE FOR SALE

3X2 SPACE FOR SALE

Any objection to the above should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, FCT, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

SIGNED Barrister Afolabi Olubisi Mikail, SECRETARY

OPARA

I formerly known as EKEH EDWIN STANLEY now wish to be known as OPARA EDWIN STANLEY. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

MODUPE

I formerly known and addressed as OTITOJU MODUPE OLUWATOYIN now wish to be known and addressed as GAJI MODUPE OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

TANI

I formerly known as AKA TANI now wish to be known as SAMUEL TANI. All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

BLESSING

I formerly known as MISS BLESSING HODO OZAH now wish to be known as BLESSING BAMIDELE ONIKOSI. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

52

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

SAMSON

I being called and addressed as MBACHU CHIAMAKA PEACE is also called and addressed as SAMSON CHIAMAKA PEACE. The general public should please take note.

LORITA

I formerly known as MISS OBIETOH LORITA ADAEZE now wish to be known as MRS OMUOJINE LORITA ADAEZE. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

OSHOLUAMEH

I formerly known as JEREMIAH OSHOGBA NASAMU now wish to be known as OSHOLUAMEH WOODY RALPH. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

LAWAL

I formerly known as LAWAL OJO ABEL now wish to be known as LAWAL OJO DAN-FEMITAN. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

I formerly known as ZAKARIAH MERCY B. now wish to be known as ZACHARIAH MERCY B.. All former documents remain valid. Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa and the general public to please take note.

USMAN

I formerly known as AGUYE AKARAMA now wish to be known as USMAN ZABUTU SHEGYE. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

OLACHI

SANNI

I formerly known as MISS CHIKWE CHINAZAEKPERE OLACHI now wish to be known as MRS IWEAJUNWA CHINAZAEKPERE OLACHI. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

CAROLINE

I formerly known as MISS CAROLINE CHIOMA IHUNWAEZE now wish to be known as MRS CAROLINE CHIOMA NWABUGWU. All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

OLAMIDE

I formerly known as MISS OLAMIDE GANIYAT ABIADE now wish to be known as MRS OLAMIDE DELE USMAN. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

TEMITOPE

I formerly known as AJAYI TEMITOPE CHRISTY now wish to be known as ALONGE TEMITOPE CHRISTY. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

JAMILA

I formerly known as IBRAHIM JAMILA KEANA now wish to be known as IBRAHIM JAMILA SAEED. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

OBIEZEANI

I formerly known as MISS ODJUGO EMUEJEVOKE now wish to be known as MRS OBIEZEANI EMUEJEVOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known as SANNI SIDIQ now wish to be known as SANNI SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

OCHE

I formerly known as REUBEN EMMANUEL SUNNY now wish to be known as OCHE REUBEN EMMANUEL SUNNY. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

SONIA

I formerly known as MISS ESHAREJERO EMUOBO SONIA now wish to be known as MRS OKORO EMUOBO SONIA. All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

ABDUL

I formerly known as BABA ABDUL now wish to be known as BABA ONORUOIZA ABDUL. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Service, National Open University and the general public to please take note.

CAROLYN-MARK

I formerly known as MISS MARK CAROLYN now wish to be known as MRS OCHIBA CAROLYNMARK. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

FIDELIX

I formerly known as DEBORAH DAVID now wish to be known as FIDELIX FRANKER. All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

LEGAL NOTICE IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said letters of administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE Deceased name and address Applicant for grant LT. Col. GB Yero Ishaku Yero and Nita G. Yero Nigeria Army Court of Appeal Abuja Who died on the 13th December, 2013.

The son and daughter of the said deceased.

Dated at Abuja this 26th August, 2014.

Signed: Barr Hafsat Sadiq For: Probate Registrar

LOSS OF OF DOCUMENT DOCUMENT loss LOSS of document This is to inform the general public of the loss of Original FHA Letter of Allocation No. FHA/LEM/FCT/LG/NHP/2BB dated 13th September 1999 in respect of House No. 19, 1(F) Road A-Close, Lugbe Estate, Abuja belonging to MR. LAWRENCE O. AYOOLA of No 14, Ibrahim Taiwo Street, Jos Plateau State.

All efforts made to trace the above-mentioned document have proved abortive.

If found please the owner, Federal Housing Authority (FHA) or the nearest Police Station.

zainab

I formerly known as Zainab Abdulmumini. Hence forth wish to be known and address as zainab Talatu Ahmed. All document remain valid. General public should take note please.

LARIYA

I formerly known as MISS LARIYA JA’AFARU. Hence forth wish to be known and address as MRS LARIYA SHUAIBU. All document remain valid. General public should take note please.

WORLD NEWS 53

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

PALESTINIAN CRISIS: Longterm Gaza Ceasefire Agreed Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza agree a long-term truce, ending seven weeks of fighting that has left more than 2,200 people dead Meanwhile, cheers and celebratory gunfire echoed through Gaza yesterday after a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas militants was announced.

Hamas as it has after every battle with Israel declared victory.

It’s “a day of the victories for our

people,” spokesman Fawhi Barhoum declared before a cheering, screaming crowd. He praised the “steadfastness and resistance” in Gaza.

“The occupiers have tried to break them, but the delegation spoke with one voice,” he said of the negotiations.

Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, has earlier said on that “an agreement has been reached between the two sides and we are awaiting the an-

nouncement from Cairo to determine the zero hour for implementation”.

Ofir Gendelman, the Israeli prime minister’s spokesman for the Arab world, said operations in Gaza were a victory for Israel. “Hamas gave in and accepted the same Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire it rejected until now. The reason for the change ... airstrikes,” he said.

—BBC

ECONOMY: Nigerians Urged To Participate In Netherlands/Nigeria Forum

By Tunde Oguntola, Abuja

The president Netherland-African Business Council (NABC), Nigeria chapter, Chief Cliff Ogbede, has called on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria to participate in the first edition of Netherlands-Nigeria Economic Forum, slated for 15 to 17 September, 2014 so as to take advantage of the Dutch Goods Growth Fund (DGGF).

Ogbede who said this during a courtesy visit at the NLC national secretariat in Abuja said ‘’It has become urgent to encourage SMEs and entrepreneurs generally in the country to take advantage of the Dutch Goods Growth Fund (DGGF), which is in excess of about EUR 750 million, earnmarked by

the Dutch government to support Dutch SMEs that are in the African market.’’

According to him, ‘’At a time of serious security challenges, some of which have been blamed on high unemployment, this forum is expected to help stimulate economic growth, create a strong middle class through job creation and improve the wellbeing of Nigerians.’’

Responding, the national president of the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), Mr Mohammed Garba said that the union will give confident and assure Dutch investors by creating an atmosphere of integrity, transparency and accountability, and also attract business for Nigerian media that could serve as a platform to reach other African countries.

EBOLA: WHO Pulls Staff From Sierra Leone After Expert’s Infection

By Abdullahi Umar, with agency report

The World Health Organization has withdrawn staff from a laboratory testing for Ebola at Kailahun, Sierra Leone after one of its medical expert was infected during the worst ever outbreak of the disease.

WHO spokesperson, Christy Feig told Reuters news agency that the withdrawal is a temporary measure to take care of the welfare of the remaining workers after assessment, they will return.

The WHO has sent nearly 400 people from its own staff and partner organizations to fight the outbreak in West Africa.

Meanwhile, WHO has call on governments to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, warning that they pose a “serious threat” to foetuses and young people.

The UN health body also recommended that

the cigarette-shaped electrical devices be banned from public indoor spaces “until exhaled vapour is proven to be not harmful to bystanders”.

The devices, which have grown in popularity in particular with youths, function by heating flavoured nicotine liquid into a vapour that is inhaled -- much like traditional cigarettes, but without the smoke.

“The existing evidence shows that (e-cigarette) aerosol is not ‘merely vapour’ as is often claimed in the marketing of these products,” WHO said in a statement in its website.

In a bid to set public policy, WHO said the popular nicotine-vapor products, particularly the fruit, candy and alcohol-drink flavours, could serve as gateway addictions for children and adolescents.

The WHO acknowledged that e-cigarettes were “likely to be less toxic for the smoker than conventional cigarettes”.

54

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Telecom Games: Gold Rush As MTN Regains Top Spot

By ONJEWU DICKSOn, Abuja

MTN Nigeria reaped a harvest of gold medals on Match Day 6 of the 2014 Nigeria Telecoms Games to zoom to pole position on the overall medals table after the completion of events in Athletics, Chess, Scrabble, Table Tennis and Tennis on Sunday.

MTN, formerly a powerhouse

in the football event has had a not too impressive run in the qualifiers and look like almost eliminated from the finals though a final round of games on Match Day 7 leaves them with a mathematical chance of reaching the finals to the Yhello Boys.

But they look good to end the tournament as overall champions of the Telecoms

Games on the medals table having opened an unassailable two gold medals gap over closest rivals, Etisalat who have a cache of medals with 5 gold medals, 8 silver and 7 bronze.

MTN sits atop with 7 gold and 3 bronze.

MTN’s rush of medals was spearheaded in Table Tennis by Ellen Ogbedebor who won the women singles gold.

Mark Hails Falconets

...Wants NFF to put its House in order

By Jonathan Nda-Isaiah, Abuja

President of the Senate, David Mark has showered encomiums on the Falconets of Nigeria for their impressive outing in the just concluded FIFA Women Under-20 Championship.

David Mark in a congratulatory message

I have been encouraged by this recognition and also must first appreciate my teammates because no striker starts and finishes a ball to score a goal.”

Christian Osaguona Ighodaro,

Rangers International of Enugu forward

to officials and players said the girls gave a good account of themselves during the championship.

In a press statement issued by his chief Press Secretary Paul Mumeh, he said it was the indomitable spirit of Nigerians that gave them victory, adding that “though we did not win the ultimate trophy, nobody can deny that our girls made us proud in Canada”.

Senator Mark urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to do all that is needed to keep

the girls together so that they could mature into the senior female National Team in future.

Senator Mark also enjoined the combatants at the glass House to resolve their dispute so that the crisis would not affect the fortune of our football now regaining momentum.

He was optimistic that the growing momentum in the Nigerian football would be sustained and improved upon, for Nigeria to remain a key player in globes soccer.

Falconets

Osaguano Says LMC Award Will Motivate Him Hit 21 Goals Target

By ONJEWU DICKSOn, Abuja

Rangers International of Enugu forward, Christian Osaguona Ighodaro was presented a cheque for N100, 000 and a commemorative plaque in a ceremony that marked the first ever Wonder Goal Awards which was announced by the League Management Company (LMC) last week.

The Wonder Goal Awards was instituted by the League organisers as another Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative which aims to reward players who scored spectacular goals and also support local charity as a strategy to deepen the leagues engagement with its communities through the clubs.

Receiving the cheque and awards plaque from Elder Adeyeye Michael,

2014 World Cup Superstars: DZEKO

Dzeko

Name: Eden Dzeko Date of Birth: March 17, 1986 Place of Birth: Sarajevo Club: Real MadridManchester City World Cups: 1 Appearance: 3 Goals: 1 Bosnia and Herzegovina were given an initial FIFA ranking of 173rd in the aftermath of the Bosnian War. In less than 20 years they have risen about 160 places. They make their World Cup debut this summer, and the importance of their talismanic striker Edin Dzeko can be gleaned from the fact that, during The Dragons’ 10 qualifiers, he played all 900 minutes and scored 10

goals.

The young Edins potential went unrecognised in his home town, where Zeljeznicar Sarajevo fans derided the 6ft 4in midfielder. Club directors broke out a bottle of champagne to celebrate offloading him to Teplice for €25,000.

At Zeljeznicar Sarajevo, unappreciative fans would yell out ‘kloc’ at the tall midfielderthat’s local slang for ‘lamp post’ thought wen won the lotto;’ said one. The Czech club converted him to a striker and, just two years later, sold him to Wolfsburg for 160 times what they paid for him. Now that is winning the lot.

Dzeko helped Wolfsburg qualify for the Champions League in his first season.

the Chairman of Ondo State Sports Council, the player who has netted 13 goals this season expressed appreciation to the LMC for the recognition and revealed he has made a personal commitment to score 21 goals this season. “I have been encouraged by this recognition and also must first appreciate my teammates because no striker starts and finishes a ball to score a goal.”

Osaguona

Atletico Will Appeal Simeone Ban, Insists Cerezo Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has insisted that the Liga champions will file an appeal against Diego Simeone’s eight-game ban.

The coach was hit with a heavy suspension following his conduct during the Supercopa de Espana clash with Real Madrid.

Simeone was sent from the dugout after arguing with the officials on the touchline, before patting the fourth official on the head and sarcastically applauding the referee before heading to the stands.

The Argentine’s behaviour prompted the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to dish out an

eight-match ban, and Atletico believe it’s only logical that they oppose the verdict.

“There is a committee that has issued a verdict and there is not much more to say on the suspension,” Cerezo told Canal Plus.

“We will now have to wait and see how the appeal pans out.

We will appeal the ban because that’s common sense.”

Meanwhile, Simeone himself has remained calm under the severity of his ban.

“My suspension? Very good...

I am not going to make any judgement. I respect the people who have made this decision.”

Follow these reports on leadership.ng/sports

sports 55

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Giwa Emerges NFF President • SSS quizzes Maigari

By Salifu Usman, Abuja

Christopher Giwa has been elected the new president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), following a tumultuous voting last night at the Chida International Hotel, Abuja.

Giwa got 27 of the 29 votes to defeat the immediate past NFF first vice president, Chief Mike Umeh, who got just two votes.

Ebonyi State FA chairman, Obinna Ogba, was elected unopposed with 28 votes, while Effiong Johnson retained his position as chairman of FA chairmen in the executive committee of the NFF, with 28 votes.

In other positions, one of the arrow-heads of the anti-Maigari group, Shehu Adamu, lost his reelection bid in his North-west zone, with Suleiman Mu’azu and Sharif Inuwa emerging. In the zone, Sani Muhammed Fema from Yobe and the chairman of the Gombe State Sports Commission, Farouk Yarma, were elected, respectively, to represent the zone on the board. Enyimba FC chairman, Felix Anyansi Agwu, retained his seat as the chairman of the South-east.

In the South-west zone, Deji Tinubu retained his seat. He was joined by Otunba Sunday as the zonal representative.

Kogi State FA chairman, Yahaya Adama, claimed the slot of North-central zone on the executive committee of the federation. He scored 26 votes to defeat Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, who got only three votes for the position. Felix Obuah was also elected a member of the new executive committee of the federation.

While announcing the results, the chairman of the electoral committee, Amoni Biambo, said all the delegates “voted of their will, without any undue pressure from anybody or quarter, saying all the process leading to the election meets the status of the NFF, as well as international standards.

Speaking after the election, the new president, Christopher Giwa, said that the election which produced the new executive members will mark the beginning of a new era and put an end to the recurrence crisis in Nigerian football.

“Our first assignment is to see how we can put the house together. We are just privileged; not that we are better than others. I see this as a call from God and, by the grace of God, Nigerians will be happy with us and we will not disappoint them,” he said.

Meanwhile, the elective congress was not without hitches, as some state FA chairmen loyal to Aminu Maigari opted out of the congress, following the arrest of the former president of the NFF and two other persons – NFF General Secretary Musa Amadu and former Chairman of the Technical Committee Christopher Green – by the operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS).

Addressing the congress before the election, sports minister and chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr Tammy Danagogo, said he had met with the groups led by Aminu Maigari and Mike Umeh on Sunday in the presence of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Anyim Pius Anyim and resolved that a non-elective congress takes place in Abuja to empower the electoral committee and give opportunity to other persons who were being disenfranchised.

Action from the match between Niger State and Yobe State at the on- going Goodluck Jonathan Hockey Super League at the Murtala Square, Kaduna. PHOTO BY GBENGA FOLORUNSHO ABIOLA

FCT Downs Benue In Jonathan Hockey

By ONJEWU DICKSOn, Abuja

As action hots up in the President Goodluck Jonathan Hockey Championships in Kaduna, FCT put up a good performance to beat Benue 3-2 yesterday at the Murtala Square, Kaduna venue of the event.

Borno State forced UBN to a 1-1 draw, Yobe thrashed Bauchi 7-0, Plateau fell to Niger 0-2 and Nagwamatse beat Gombe 1-0.

In other matches played, Nasarawa played a 1-1 draw with Kano, while Imo Heartland thrashed Benue 3-0 in the female category.

Speaking on phone to LEADERSHIP Sports from the venue, Hockey Federation board member, Dr. Ademola Are explained that the championship was organized to select those that will represent Nigeria at international outings.

He said that so far, he was

impressed with the standards that have been displayed by the players, assuring that hockey is set to take its rightful place in Nigeria.

“This is a game that is loved by many. Unfortunately, it was abandoned for some time but thank God for the president of the federation, Senator Abdul Ningi and other board members for their efforts at ensuring the sports remains a favourite for Nigerians,” he added.

Tennis action

8 States For Setraco Tennis Clinic/Tourney

By ONJEWU DICKSOn, Abuja

Eight states have indicated interest in participating in the 2014 edition of the Setraco/ Zenith Bank Junior Tennis Clinic and Tournament.

This was contained in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP Sports, signed

by John Ogbamgba of Setraco’s media office.

According to the statement, the expected states are Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Ekiti, Kaduna, Niger and Benue, with hosts FCT also billed to participate.

It informed that the activities will last for a whole month, beginning from August 25 to September 13, and would be held in three stages; tennis clinic from August 25 to 30, holiday training camp September 1 to 7 and tennis tournament from September 8 to 13.

“The one month long Setraco/ Zenith Bank Junior Tennis Clinic/ Tournament has recorded huge success I terms of increased number of participants and standard of play,” it stated.

The statement went on to

explain that the Managing Director of Setraco, Engineer Fayez Khalaf said that the tournament is organised to engage children positively during the long vacation, by giving those already involved in tennis opportunity to improve their skills.

“This will mark the sixth edition of the tournament which has produced players such as Edward Christopher (now in USA), Tswako Sadiq, and Peter Lawal (Africa Junior Championships held in Morocco and Kenya), Vera David, Eneh Patrick, Charity Patrick, Ifeanyi Emeruwa, Mariam Mohammed, Geraldine Abua and Goodfriday Ejikeme, Stanley Unachukwu among others. Comfort Spenser had qualified to represent Nigeria in Egypt two years ago in an International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior Championship which held in April this year,” it added.

The clinic coordinator/ national tennis coach, Rotimi Akinloye said that the venue of the clinic is the Abuja Tennis Club, Life Camp.

Mascherano Reveals ‘Renewed Ambitions’ After Signing New Barca Deal Javier Mascherano says he has “renewed ambitions” at Barcelona after signing a contract extension.

The Argentina international reached an agreement earlier this month on an improved deal which will run until June 2018 and include a €100 million buyout clause.

Following a spell of uncertainty over his future, in which the former Liverpool player was linked with a move to Napoli, Mascherano says he is now eager to achieve greatness

at Camp Nou once again following a tough end to the 2013-14 campaign.

“I am very happy to continue at this great club and to share the dressing room with great players,” he told the club’s official website after officially putting pen to paper on his new agreement.

“The dream for this season is that everything goes well.

We have renewed ambitions after having spent a season with difficult moments.

“The idea is to be committed to the club until the end of the contract.”

Follow these reports on leadership.ng/sports

AMUSEMENT PARK

27.08.14

a government that robs peter to pay paul can always depend on the support of paul — George Bernard Shaw

No. 2,246

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

N150

The Wednesday Column Hannatu Musawa

H

It is not just enough to recognize her efforts fleetingly

ow does one react to the death of a woman one didn’t know… if that woman was a true representative of what humanity should be? If she was compassionate, selfless; an unsung heroine of our age with a brave heart; a woman who gave the ultimate sacrifice of her life in order to save others… how does one react to her death? Rapidly, my mind scurried to the inner chamber that holds all thought, emotion, distress, sorrow and grief. …Maybe by celebrating, in quiet solemnity, her life or perhaps by thanking her for what she died to prevent.

Apparently, the price of wellbeing and peace is not free, but is a precious commodity paid for a million times over by the heroic people who, in spite of their own risks, serve for the benefit of all humanity. Dr Ameyo Adadevoh, a senior consultant and physician at the First Consultant Hospital in Lagos, was one of such heroines. In Nigeria today, we are able to be relatively free from an Ebola pandemic because of her.

Most of us first heard of her when a Liberian man carrying the Ebola virus treacherously sauntered into Nigeria and infected the doctor and the team who cared for him. We later came upon her story again when her colleague, Dr Ladi Okubadejo, made a public appeal for the American government to make available the experimental mystery serum (Zmapp) in order to save her life, after it was learnt that the medication had positive effects on curing two infected Americans, Dr Kent Brantly and Mrs. Nancy Writebol. By the time Dr Okubadejo made his desperate plea, the infected Liberian man, Mr Patrick Sawyer, had already died and had tragically passed the virus onto at least 14 other people (four of whom have died while five have been successfully managed and discharged).

Initially when Mr. Sawyer was admitted into hospital, he falsely denied having contact with any

WEDNESDAY

www.leadership.ng

Remarkable Heroine

Ebola patient, despite the fact that his sister had died from Ebola at the time he had been with her.

His final days and actions were a chronicle of very bad choices gone terribly wrong and in which his cruel and grave error of judgment had tragic repercussions. Whether out of fear, denial or desperation (as some accounts suggest) of finding a cure for Ebola from a spiritual and religious source in Nigeria, Mr Sawyer made the fatal decision to lie about his condition.

It was a lie, which invariably cost him his life. It was a lie that callously imposed an immediate death sentence on the group of people who were so desperate to care for and save his life.

Were it not for the professional effort of Dr Adadevoh to isolate Mr Sawyer the minute she suspected he was infected with the Ebola virus, we would have very likely been in the midst of a full-blown pandemic.

Remembering Dr Adadevoh and her fallen colleagues should not be a passing commitment; it is not a popular undertaking or a transient fad to be written in articles, blogs and posted on social media pages; rather, it is a moral requirement of the highest magnitude for each and every one of us. She deserves the praise, gratitude and respect of every single person in Nigeria and beyond. She deserves to be celebrated as the one who stood her ground to intervene in the foreseeable catastrophe that would have been caused by the desperate, yet reprehensible and severe, moral failing of a very ill and selfish man.

An American president once said, “A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honours, the men it remembers.” Now as the whole country acknowledges the sacrifice of this great lady, there seems to be a consensus that it is not just enough to recognize her efforts fleetingly. Let us be thankful and honour her courage and memory and the memory of all those who sacrificed in the way she did by never treating their

sacrifice casually. Every country worth its grain in salt has a way of recognizing the remarkable contributions of its citizens that have distinguished themselves in their services to the benefit and progress of the nation. Surely, in Nigeria, as a Nigerian, none could have given more than what this beautiful and brilliant yet simple woman gave.

I lend my voice to the overwhelming call for Dr. Adadevoh to be conferred with a posthumous national award of the highest rank, in addition to naming either a medical research or institution for infectious diseases in her memory.

Hundreds of words have been spoken about her and the professional, selfless service she gave to her family, patients and community. And, from all indications, in life, her dignity, compassion, and proficiency seem to be only a few of characteristics that lead to the respect and adoration of her associates, colleagues, patients, family and friends.

For those who were lucky to have known her in her lifetime and those of us who have come to know of her by virtue of her death, the heroic action of Dr Adadevoh anthropomorphizes a singular message: it´s a lesson for us all. It is one, which declares that, no matter our status in life, despite our calling, each and every one of us has the power to make a difference, has the power to save lives and by extension make the world a better place. Each and every minute of each and every day, someone somewhere in the world is making a singular choice with the capacity to change or even save the whole world. We read and hear about it all the time.

Her family and friends, while terribly heartbroken, should take pride in what she did, and must know that people who make the kind of sacrifice she did inspire the world. Great appreciation goes to her parents who invariably instilled the highest moral standards in Dr. Adadevoh. I

hannatu@leadership.ng

pray that her mother can find peace in knowing she birthed an extraordinarily brave woman that strived to save so many. I hope her son can find solace in the fact that his mother’s legacy of courage, determination, selflessness, professionalism, integrity and compassion will live on and that her sacrifice will never be in vain.

If Nigeria were filled with men and women that had the strength of character, the dedication, the compassion of Dr Adadevoh, malevolence and dishonesty would not find a heart to inhabit.

Each of us knows that our community and our country face difficult challenges. Let us each draw inspiration and strength from the sacrifice of a woman such as Dr Adadevoh in order to make this country better.

I join Nigerians in mourning her, Justina Obi Ejelonu, Jatto Asihu Abdulqudir, Miguel Pajares (especially), Dr Sheik Umar Khan, and all their other fallen colleagues. I further join Nigerians in praying for the speedy recovery of all the other victims who had different levels of contact with Mr Sawyer and every other victim of Ebola wherever they may be.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all the people Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh left behind. May you all find peace in the face of such a great loss!

GHANA MUST GO I have withdrawn from APC — Tom Ikimi

Obasanjo! Obasanjo!!

Obasanjo!!!

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