Nigerian observer 02 05 2014

The Nigerian

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968

• Vol . 38 NO. 473• FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014 • N100.00

Safety considerations hinder swift rescue operations - CDS

Abducted School Girls:

ART AND CULTURE Page 19

May Day Culture

REFLECTION Page 23

Workers’ Day and the dignity of labour

By JOSES SEDE

ABUJA - The Nigerian Armed Forces have broken their disturbing silence over alleged faint-

heartedness of the guards in the face of Boko Haram unchecked insurgency in the country, saying that quest for assured

safety of lives had hindered swift military action.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief

Marshal Alex Badeh explained that though the military know the location of the over 200 Continues on page 2

May Day

No going back on teachers’ competency - Oshiomhole test

By ADAMS OYIBOKE

BENIN CITY - Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said the competency test for teachers in the state will hold in the interest of the Edo child. test for teachers, he Addressing workers at said: “I have a duty to the May Day rally to mark restore the dignity of the 2014 Workers’ Day at teachers. I am sure the Samuel Ogbemudia comrades no matter the Stadium, yesterday, Oshiomhole said he would not be intimidated to give up the idea.

Oshiomhhole also urged workers to unite in the fight against insurgency in parts of the country, saying no nation develops under an insecure environment.

On the competency

bitterness in our minds that in recognition of the fact that our future begins today, and that today means investing in education. I did not start

by building an ultramodern government house, as many governors have done in many parts of the country.

“I did not start by building ultra modern

residential guest house and I have made no investment in building guest house for my visiting guests, but I decided from day one that I should build schools that can

compete with many private ones in the state.

“We have introduced one pupil one desk and I am doing these because proper teaching and learning cannot take place in an atmosphere that is not conducive.

“If I have made such Continues on page 2

PENGASSAN boycotts May Day rally over kidnapped school girls

ABUJA - The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), has boycotted the May Day rally at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

The PENSGASSAN President, Mr Babatunde Ogun, told newsmen that the boycott was to show solidarity with parents of the more than 200 school girls kidnapped in Chibok, Borno.

He called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts toward rescuing the girls without further delay.

Ogun urged the government to take

steps to end all forms of violence and restore peace and security to all parts of the country.

He described the inability of the security Continues from page 1

Another Bomb Blast rocks Nyanya.

See details later

TIT BIT

“Evil gets sweeter when the doomsday is nearer”.”

- Kinglsey Ogbeide-Ihama

MAY DAY CELEBRATION: Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (2nd right) , his Deputy, Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu (right), Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State, Comrade Emma Ademokun (left) and the State Commissioner for Establishment and Special Duties, Comrade Didi Adodo during the 2014 May Day celebration at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City yesterday. Photo: BRIGHT IMHANZETO.

Nigeria not a poor nation - Jonathan

ABUJA - President Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday, faulted the World Bank report which placed Nigeria among the five poorest countries in the world, saying “the nation is not

poor.’’

Addressing workers at the May Day rally held at the Eagle Square, Abuja, the President said “the challenge of the country is not poverty, but redistribution of wealth.’’

He said that the realities on ground did not portray the country as a poor nation, but a

Congress in Owan West Local Government Area has elected a new Chairman, Local

Government Congress that took place at the Council Secretariat on Wednesday.

The election which was

conducted in a peaceful atmosphere with the officials from the state led

by Mr. Andrew Momodu, presence of the

nation with abundant wealth needed to be evenly redistributed.

The President added

Owan West APC elects new Chairman, SABONGIDA-ORADivisional Police Officer Youth leader The All progressive in Sabongida-Ora, Mr. M. A b u b a k a r , representative of State Security Service, other security agents and Continues on page 2

that his administration was working assiduously and putting policies in place to ensure that Nigerians have access to financial resources to create wealth for themselves.

“Nigeria is not a poor country. Nigerians are the most travelled people. There is no country you go that you will not see Nigerians.

The GDP of Nigeria is over half a trillion dollars and the economy is growing at close to 7 per Continues on page 2

News

Safety considerations hinder swift rescue operation Continued from page 1

girls abducted in Chibok, Borno State over two weeks ago, it is mindful of deploying its full might to rescue them for the safety of the students, He feared that the insurgents might kill the girls if the military deploy its full strength to rescue them but assured that the military would free the girls.

“It is not the number of those abducted that is the issue but the attendant psychological trauma of every parent.

We were given information about where they are; we cannot use heavy power attack because

we will kill the school girls but I assure you that we will free them’’, he assured Nigerians.

The Air Chief Marshal made the remark when the Board and Management of National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, paid a visit to the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday and condemned the insurgents, describing their activities as “pure madness.”

The CDS spoke as Nigerians across the country demanded swift action to rescue the girls believed to be kidnapped by members of the insurgent group, Boko Haram.

In a series of protests across Nigeria,parents of the abducted girls and other sympathisers called on government to bring back the abducted girls.

Senate President David Mark and the Speaker of House of Representatives received the protesters led by

Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, a former minister at the National Assembly under heavy rain.

Both leaders of the National Assembly assured the protesters that government is doing everything possible to rescue the girls.

The Senate President and 21 other Senators also met with President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday night to brainstorm on how to rescue the girls.

you stable outlook but give you negative outlook, which is same BB minus.

“When so many countries have been

downgraded, they said Nigeria is one of the five poorest countries.’’

Jonathan assured that with the support of Nigerians and

in particular, the organised labour, the nation would overcome its challenges and take its pride of palce in the globe.

you that Continued from page 1 assure competency test is not investment to build about sack.

Other schools and I proudly governors could be show them on intimidated to abandon it. I television to show what have a duty to the Edo child has changed, God will and that that duty I must give us the courage to perform. And I will not be look at the teacher in intimidated to abandon it”, the face and ask him if he said. he is qualified to be a While urging workers to teacher. stand and speak for “I want you to Nigeria in the face of remember me when I insurgency and ethnic have vacated office as champions, he said: “We one who had the should be united in the fight courage to look at his against Boko Haram. We electors who are his should be united against employers and ask terrorism, because we them if they were need a peaceful state for qualified to teach the us to do politics. students. I have a duty “Right now, across the to the Edo child and I country, I only hear the want you to remember voices of ethnic that it is the children of champions, people who the poor that are in speak for the east, people government schools. who speak for the SouthOshiomhole said as South, people who speak a product of a public for the South-West, speak school, he would not for the North-East and allow the future of the North-Central among Edo child to be others. undermined.

“Where are the He said “the purpose spokespersons for of the competency test Nigeria? Everyone has for teachers is not to become an ethnic sack anybody. We champion. Even those who need more teachers in have the opportunity to the state and I have preside at the national employed more level, they have recoiled to teachers since I came their parts of the country. I here than any previous ask you and I, as workers government has done. to build solidarity across The previous PDP the Niger. You must build governments did not solidarity across all the only retrench but they primordial sentiment. placed embargo on “Not even national employment in the boundaries will define our state.” relationship. So I ask you He said: “let me to remain dogged in the

fight for Nigeria, to remain dogged on issues of national security. They are not issues to be politicized.

“The truth is that poverty has united the poor between the North and South and wealth has united the rich across the North and South. You must not allow people to play up this divide; and play brothers against brothers.

In fact, in the Trade Union Congress we talk about the working class of the world. “ On Edo Line, Oshiomhole said: “I have already directed beginning from today all those workers who were laid off to be reinstated and their salary should commerce.”

He assured that those whose names were removed from vouchers and had legitimate approval to go on study leave should have their names restored in the pay rolls.

Earlier the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Emma Ademokun and his Trade Union counterpart, Comrade Charles Oronsaye, appreciated the governor for approving salary relativity for workers.

They appealed to the governor to regularize the employment of identified casual workers and improve on the relationship between labour and government.

Nigeria not a poor nation

Continued from page 1 cent.’’ “ Aliko Dangote was recently classified among the 25 richest people in the World.

“I visited Kenya recently on a state visit and there was a programme for Nigerian and Kenyan business men to interact

and the number of private jets that landed in Nairobi that day was a subject of discussion in Kenyan media for over a week.

“If you talk about ownership of private jets, Nigeria will be among the first 10 countries, yet they are saying that Nigeria is among the five poorest countries.

“Some of you will experience that there is an amount of money you will give to a Nigerian who needs help and will not even regard it and thank you but if you travel to other countries and give such an amount, the person will celebrate.

“But the World Bank statistics shows that Nigeria is among the five poorest countries. Our problem is not poverty, our problem is redistribution of wealth.’’

The President added that “probably wealth is concentrated in very few hands and a number of people do not have access to it and that is why my administration is committed in terms of financial inclusiveness and we are working very hard to achieve this.’’

Jonathan specifically noted that in the agriculture sector, government introduced the electronic wallet for farmers in rural areas so they could access income through bank facilities.

He said government was also moving agriculture from just a rural development programme to wealth creation and major business programme, adding that government had taken pro-active steps and policies to stabilise power “so that small and medium-scale enterprises will thrive.

“The key commitment of government is to make sure that so many Nigerians have access to finance so that they will be able to create wealth for themselves.’’

The President also read certain political undertones in the processes of ratings by international bodies and global rating agencies.

He explained that “so many countries were downgraded economically in the few past months including some African countries.

“They looked at Nigeria and we gave explanations and they could not see any convincing reason but to downgrade our economy, they left us as BB minus.

“They said elections are coming, politicians are shouting at themselves, it may affect their economy, we will no longer give

No going back on teachers’ competency test

PENGASSAN boycotts May Day rally

Continued from page 1 agencies to rescue the girls so far as worrisome, saying it had put the nation in a mournful state.

He said “we demand that all machinery, including collaborating with foreign countries that have sophisticated and hi-technology equipment for surveillance, be put in

place.

“Government must ensure that the girls are rescued and reunited with their parents and guardians as soon as possible.’’

The PENGASSAN boss also called on the National Assembly to expedite action and pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

He said that the delay in passing the bill was discouraging investments into the oil and gas sector.

Outside the Eagle Square, Abuja, some women under the aegis of “Women for Peace Initiative’’ staged a peaceful protest to demand the release of the Chibok school girls.

National Delegates Election

NAWOJ clears 30 candidates ABUJA - Thirty out of the 34 candidates vying for various positions in the forth coming NAWOJ National delegates election have been cleared by the 10man Electoral Committee set up to conduct the elections.

During the final screening exercise which was conducted at the committee’s third meeting in Abuja, held between Wednesday 23rd and Thursday the 24 th , two candidates were disqualified for anti- union activities, one for lack of relevant qualification and another voluntarily withdrew from the contest.

Similarly, in fulfilment of one of the constitutional requirements to contest, six serving states NAWOJ

officers have resigned their positions.

They are Ruth AbubakarChairperson, Gombe, Halima Musa- Secretary, Kano, Chibuzor Maduka – Financial Secretary, Abia, Ade-Adeniji Folake – Chairperson, Ogun, Arawole Jacobs AdesolaChairperson, Osun, and Anifowose Adenike AdijatAssistant Secretary, Ogun.

Meanwhile, for the purpose of emphasis, delegates who are yet to pay their stipulated one year annual dues of N2000 should endeavour to do so by April 30th, to enable them vote in the forthcoming elections scheduled to hold at ASCON, Badagry, Lagos State from 16th to 18th of May 2014.

The committee wishes all delegates journey mercy.

Catholics charged on hardwork

By PIUS EDE BENIN CITY – Catholics have been told that the dignity of man lies in his ability to engage in some meaningful and fulfilling work.

Rev. Fr. Kenneth Imasua stated this yesterday in a Homily at the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, Eyaen Benin City to mark the memorial of St. Joseph the worker.

He charged the congregation to take diligence as their watchword, adding that if nobody sees them and reward them, God who sees everybody’s attitude and actions will reward them. In his message from the Book of Genesis 1: 26 – 2:3 the priest emphasised that man has a duty to work

hard and conquer the earth.

“Saint Joseph fulfils this task through his work as a Carpenter,” and “it is by working that man realizes his fullest potentials”, he said.

While urging the Catholic faithfuls to work hard to earn a living, the clergy advised employers of labour to always create conducive a atmosphere for workers to put in their best all times.

Citing the book of St. Paul, Rev. Imasua reiterated that there is no food for a lazy man. We should compliment each other with our various vocations to get the system going.

Everybody is important in the task of making the society a better place for all of us, he said.

Owan West APC elects new Chairman, Youth leader Continued from page 1 officials of INEC adopted the option A4 method of voting were Hon. Tunde Omoruan (aka Makomasan) and Hon. Monday Jatto emerged as the Chairman and youth leaders representatively having pulled a total of 243 of the delegates accredited by the officials.

Mr. Momodu the official and coordinator of the Local Government Congress in Edo State North said the absence of the other contestants, Mr. S.P. Imolode Chairman and Hon. Frank Davies for youth leader will not stop the rescheduled election and having waited for them for more than two hours accredited the delegates and election was conducted with Tunde Omoruan emerging as Chairman and Monday Jatto as youth leader as stipulated in the rules.

In a remark after the election the Chairman Owan West Local Government Council, Hon. Godwin Aigbodion congratulated the officials for conducting free, fair, credible election adding that APC is not a party were an individual take

the decision but the entire members of the party and that what is being witness in Owan West marks the beginning of new things to come which is also the slogan of the party “change”.

He then appealed to all members of the party to sacrifice personal interest for the overall interest of the party for it to be a reference point not only in the state but the country as a whole.

Also speaking, a leader of APC in the area, Mr. Tony Ezekiel commended the party members for their steadfastness and urged them to always stand by what will bring about progress to the local government for the benefit of all adding that Owan West remains one and nobody can divide the local government area.

The Chairman elect Hon. Tunde Omoruan (aka Makamasan) pledged to work hard for the success of the party in the area and also to ensure that all the aggrieved members of the party are reconciled for the progress of the party.

He then saluted cooperation of the members to ensure that the party emerge victorious at the 2015 general election in the state.

News Confab Proposes 65 Year Retirement Age

Police Gun Down 3 Suspected Herdsmen

By INNEH BARTH ASABA- Delta State Police Command has gunned down three Herdsmen suspected to have carried out robbery operations along Agbor, Abavo axis of Agbor Abraka Road and that of IsseleAzagba area along the Benin Asaba expressway which occurred within three days.

The Spokesman of the Command, Selestina Kalu, DSP, who paraded the dead bodies at the Command Headquarters in Asaba, said that Operatives of Special Anti-Robbery Squad SARS Asaba received information that hoodlums who have been terrorizing motorists at IsseleAsagba axis of the highway were sighted in the forest linking Issele-Azagba, Ibusa and Ogwuash-Uku by a hunter.

According to her; “Sequel to the information, SARS patrol teams were swiftly mobilized to comb the said forest.

On sighting the policemen, the hoodlums who have been identified as Fulani herdsmen opened fire on the patrol team.

“The police teams, following the rules of engagement returned fire and fatally wounded three of the miscreants while one escaped with bullet wounds.”

Items recovered from them included, one AK.47 rifle with rusty breach number, two AK.47 live ammunition, one locally made single barrel gun, one dagger and a cutlass, six different handsets and assorted female bags.

The PPRO however, warned all criminally minded Fulani herdsmen and other criminal elements to either have a change of heart or relocate from the state as the command will not spare any effort in bringing all hoodlums to justice, saying that operatives are still combing the forest with a view to arresting the fleeing suspect.

By JOSES SEDE ABUJA - National Conference Committee on Public Service has recommended the increase of retirement age to 65 years or 40 years in service.

This is against the existing 60year retirement age or 35 years in service.

The Committee’s Chairman, Mrs. Ebele Okeke, who disclosed this in a press chat yesterday in Abuja said it was also proposed that the labour laws should remain on the exclusive list in the constitution.

Nigeria To Promote Gender Mainstreaming - Centre ABUJA- The Federal Government, in partnership with the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre, is set to formulate policies to increase women participation in decision-

making.

The Director of the centre, Dr. Aminatta Dibba, stated this at the opening of a 3-day National Gender Training Workshop in Abuja.

Dibba said the aim of the workshop was to lay institutional foundations for effective gender

mainstreaming in ECOWAS member states.

Mainstreaming gender into development processes would go a long way in bettering the lives of all Nigerians, said at the workshop organised for gender focal persons in ministries, departments and agencies.

First Year Anniversary, LG Boss Commissions Project

UBIAJA- To mark his one year in office, the Chairman, Esan South East Local Government Council, Edo State, Hon. Joseph Ikpea has commenced the commissioning of projects executed by his administration.

So far commissioned included the lock-up stores at Ofuri Market in Ewohimi and a water closet toilet facility in Agbado.

Performing the commissioning ceremony, the council boss disclosed that since assuming office in April last year, the local government had initiated several land mark projects aimed at giving people of the locality greater sense of belonging across the 10 political ward in the area.

In separate remarks, people in the locality appreciated the local government for making them have a feel of the benefit of good governance.

Principal officers of the local government were present in office.

She stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to achieve gender equality and women empowerment.

Dibba added that it was also important for the West African region to utilise its female population, said to be in the majority, to its advantage.

She reiterated the commissions’ commitment to supporting gender-sensitive policies to aid development, saying all stakeholders must be involved.

Hajiya Zainab Maina, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, said gender issues were cross-sectoral, and called for conscious effort to integrate gender perspectives

into developmental programmes.

Maina, who was represented by Mrs Iran Ajufo, Director, Women at the Ministry, said government was collaborating with the centre to develop requisite capacities for gender in developmental processes.

She said that the establishment of gender units in all its ministries, departments and agencies had shown government’s commitment to mainstreaming gender in its policies.

The minister expressed the hope that the participants would be able to recognise and deal more sensitively with gender issues to influence policy formulation.

BENIN CITY- The Spiritual Leader and General Overseer of Christ Chosen Church of God Worldwide, Most Snr. Apostle Joshua E.E Osasuyi (MRF) has urged Christian faithful to adore the devine efficacy of Jesus Christ who voluntarily laid down his life on the cross for the reconciliation of man with God.

Apostle Osasuyi, who spoke through one of his clerics, the Divisional Pastor, Ihinmwinrin Branch 1, Pastor Sunday Okpeye to the congregation in Upper Sakponba in Benin City, enjoined faithful to always make endeavour.

In his sermon titled”, who is this Jesus to you” taken from the book of Luke 6:4 and Matthew 16:1316, he appealed to the congregation not to shy away from the truth as written in the scriptures, particularly as people now indulge in the pursuit of material wealth.

He stated that many faithful who claimed to be Christians do not profess Christ, with their minds worse than that of satan.

This, he said would portend grave consequences to such people on the last day.

According to the clergy, “the sufferings of Jesus Christ through the cross was enough testimony to show that Christ loving kindness is to rescue mankind from the pit of hell.

He noted that those who strictly follow Christ teachings to the end would have everlasting life” and therefore called on the people to see their temporary sufferings, persecution, hatred because of God as a ticket that would translate them to eternity which already is prepared for them by Jesus Christ.

Cleric Urges Christians To Adore The Efficacy Of Christ

By ROLAND OSAKUE

Naval Officers Destroy 1.5m Litres Of Crude Oil

BY BETTY IDIALU WARRI- It was a bad day for some crude oil thieves in Gbekbo community of Burutu Local Government Area as men of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS Delta) destroyed about 1.5 million liters of stolen crude oil, 203 drums of diesel and seven drums of premium motor spirit (PMS).

Four hundred of the 1.5 million liters of crude oil was discovered laden in a Cotonou boat which services all the illegal refineries lining the area in the creeks.

The Naval officers carried out the destruction of 12 sites of illegal refineries spread around the creeks of Gbekbo community.

Captain Musa Gemu ,Commander NNS Delta led men of the anti-crude oil theft task force to the creeks around 10.00a.m, plundering old and new illegal refineries where the illicit business has been ongoing.

The men took to their heels on sighting the two naval gun boats carrying the combatant naval men to the creeks.

Items such as one outboat engine,two pumping machines,one petrol generating

set,and one sawing machine which the thieves apparently used for the illegal business were consficated during the raid.

Speaking with journalists after the destructions were carried out, Captain Gemu said although he was sad, the exercise was a successful one.

Gemu, who said the exercise was in compliance with the Chief of Naval Staff’s directive on zero tolerance on illegal oil bunkering, expressed sadness because of the resilience of the oil thieves who keep returning to sites after they had been destroyed.

“This is in compliance with the Chief of Nava Staff directives that there should be zero

tolerance on illegal oil bunkering.

“This is the fifth time we will be coming out to dislodge them since I resumed this year and they keep coming from time to time.

“I feel sad to see the sites of already destroyed refineries being rebuilt. Those sites that were destroyed earlier, we thought it would end there, only for us to discover these great sites again.

“It means we must begin to take further steps to always crosscheck and move more into the creeks to discover more illegal refineries that are springing up daily,” the naval boss reiterated.

News NBS Warns Against Using GDP To Evaluate Poverty Rate ABUJA - The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has urged Nigerians not to use the rebased Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to evaluate the unemployment and poverty rate in the country.

The NBS Statistician-General, Dr Yemi Kale, gave the advice at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Learning series, when he spoke on the “Rebased GDP: Understanding the statistics’’ in Abuja “The rebasing of the GDP is combination of all indicators, those who try to analyse what we do should not use the report to evaluate the unemployment or poverty rate in the country.

“The idea of the rebasing was to ensure that the policy makers are well informed of the growth indices in the economy.

“This will help them to make better policies that will triple changes in the economy and affect the lives of ordinary Nigerians,’’ he said.

According to him, the idea of rebasing is to ensure that the growth rates is properly measured and reflected.

He said it also captured all sectors of the economy and identified where the economy was doing well and where it needed to be improved.

The statistician-general added

that the rebasing had showed that agriculture sector was at 23 per cent, while industry dropped from 43 in 1990 to 25 per cent presently.

Kale said that the informal sector had been identified as the major contributor to the economic growth in the country, adding that rebasing was yet to capture the entire sector.

“We still have no much information on this sector, take for instance, the recharge card sellers, okada riders and taxi drivers, but what we did better reflect what was existing,’’ he said.

He called for effective tax system that would also capture the informal sector in the country to help generate revenue for much development in the country.

Commenting on the effect of the rebasing to the Nigerian capital market, he said that the structure of the country GDP did not reflect in the market.

He said that it was unfortunate that many companies were doing business in the country without being quoted in the Nigerian capital market.

He said that about 1116 agrobased companies were registered in Nigeria but only six were listed in the capital market.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Martin Uhomoibhi (right), leading Nigeria’s delegation during a bilateral meeting between Nigeria and the UK on Immigration in Abuja on Wednesday.

Good Governance: UN, Kumuyi

By BETTY IDIALU

WARRI (DELTA) - The United Nations (UN)and world renowned evangelist, Pastor William Kumuyi, General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church in their separate remarks about the administration, said that the Delta State Government was setting the pace in good

Commend Uduaghan

governance and development in the country.

UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Daouda Toure in his goodwill message at the preparatory workshop on Delta State Development Performance Assessment, observed with delight the decision of the State

Commissioners Undergo Computer Literacy Course JOS - Governor. Jonah Jang of Plateau said all members of the State Executive Council were expected to be computer literate to speed up governance by minimising delays.

Jang, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Francis Bot, stated this at the beginning of Comprehensive Computer Literacy training for members of the state executive council in Jos yesterday.

He said that ICT knowledge would enhance governance and improve efficiency.

“One thing I know, and the world now knows, is that we don’t have, and can’t have computer illiterates in Plateau executive council.

“This is made possible by the collaboration of the State Government through the Ministry of Science and Technology and Directorate of

ICT of the University of Jos.’’ Jang explained that the training was initiated because of government’s interest in transforming the entire state.

He added that it was to bring it in tune with the computerliterate world and that the trend had only started with the executive and would trickle down.

The governor advised those trained to put the knowledge into constant use, pointing out that failure to do so would make them lose what they had acquired.

“Let us dedicate 30 minutes a day to work with our computers because we will become experts by so doing.’’

Prof. Comfort Piwuna, Commissioner for Science and Technology, whose ministry is coordinating the training, commended Jang for investing heavily on ICT and e-

governance.

Piwuna noted that egovernance was a global phenomenon as many countries had embraced it for its numerous and obvious advantages.

“The advantages are many. It aids transparency, productivity and efficiency.

“With e-governance, we can hold our meetings with the governor without coming to sit in one place; all we need to do is to link up via the Skype’’, she said.

Mr Solomon Maren, Commissioner for Urban Development, one of the trainees, said officials were being empowered to search for help online.

“We have to be able to type our memos ourselves, without necessarily involving secretaries.

That way, we shall minimise mistakes usually made in the

rush to meet deadlines’’, he said.

He said the commissioners also needed the knowledge to use the ICT gadgets given to them by the governor to enhance their jobs.

Dr Tanko Ishaya, Director of ICT, University of Jos, said the executive members were being taught how to use ICT to shore up efficiency.

Ishaya said focus would be on general computer operation, use of social media to interact with the community and how to search for information in the internet.

“We also teach them how to organise distant meetings using the Skype. It means that the executive council meetings could be held even if the governor is not in the state’’, he said.

Commissioners, heads of parastatal agencies and permanent secretaries are among those attending the training.

Dr. John Egharevba of the Department of Educational Psychology and Curriculum Studies University of Benin, Hon. Fidelis Okuzuwa and Prince Ehioze Erediauwa both members of Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Area Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC at a statesholders meeting organised in Benin City by the Commission.

Government, the first in the country, to subject its performance in key sectors: health, education, agriculture, water and sanitation for assessment with regard to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the global body.

Toure, who was represented by FAO Country Representative in Nigeria, Ms Louise Sethswaelo, noted that monitoring performance and progress of development was one powerful tool which leads to positive transformation and evidence based planning in a state or nation.

“The UN System commends Your Excellency (Uduaghan), for signing up Delta State, for the objective performance assessment of key sectors of agriculture, water and sanitation, education and health, as well as the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“This assessment is an indication of the state’s commitment to the broad ideals of good and accountable governance, democracy, peace and security among others,” he said.

According to him, the assessment would enable the UN and the State Government to determine “what progress has been made, the shortcomings encountered and where to strengthen efforts in the future.”

Pastor Kumuyi, during a courtesy call on the Governor at the weekend, also observed, “I thank the Lord for the great strides of development that I see in the state. As I pass through and came to your capital here, I wondered has it been that long since I came to Delta State because everything has virtually changed.

“As I see the members of your able team especially in education and other areas and I really thanked the Lord and say no wonder such a great

thing is being done in this state.

“I believe that as we move on with selfless efforts to be a blessing to all our people in the state, I will not be surprised if this state becomes a model state for the states in the country.

“The Executive Governor, even though looks so simple and unassuming, is a great gift to this state and I thank God for the cooperation of the citizens with the governor.”

Governor Uduaghan speaking at the UN preassessment workshop explained, “We have taken the bold and the courageous step to invite the UN to assess us on how far we have done in our human development agenda.

“It is a bold and courageous step because in Nigeria people have different ways of assessing the leadership and people are always ready to condemn.”

Dr. Uduaghan noted that the assessment was not aimed at determining whether the state government passed or failed but to help it evaluate its performance on the key sectors with a view to ascertaining how it has fared and identify areas that needed improvement.

He told the visiting cleric, that his administration through the help of God has recorded modest achievements despite the challenges it had faced.

The governor emphasized that the State was passionate about education and was pursuing a compressive educational programme which is free at the primary and secondary levels, adding that tertiary students are paid bursaries and scholarships, with over 180 students benefitting from the government’s scholarship of N5 million per session for first class graduates to pursue their academic careers up to doctorate degree.

South/South Improve Cropping Method IFAD Advises Farmers O V I R I - O G O R (DELTA)The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has advised vegetable farmers in Delta to improve on their farming method to increase productivity.

A consultant to IFAD, Mr Paul Shoen, gave the advice on Sunday at Oviri-Ogor in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta in an interview with newsmen.

The consultant was in the town to inspect a vegetable farm owned by Emameya Multi-purpose Cooperative.

Scheon urged members of the cooperative who comprised only women, to use the knowledge they acquired from a technical training organised by IFAD to improve on vegetable cultivation.

He commended the women for their commitment, saying these

“women are very enthusiastic in handling the vegetable farm project.

“I must also say that there is prospect here and the farmers are doing very well.”

Earlier, the President of the

cooperative, Mrs Victoria Igben commended IFAD for granting them more than N500, 000 to support their farming activities.

She said that the cooperative had released

N900, 000 take off loan to its members.

She said that income from the farm had assisted the women in catering for their families including payment of school fees of their

children.

Igben, however, said that transportation of farm produce to markets was one of the major challenge facing

Group Wants Ogoni Indigene As Governor

2015:

- Group Warns Contending Parties

By ELIZABETH AGBOEGBULEM

L-R: Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Vice President Namadi Sambo, and former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, at the three-day prayer for the Vic President, Late Brother, Capt. Yusuf Sambo in Abuja recently.

PORT HARCOURT - The United States Chapter of the Ogoni Democratic Movement (ODM) has warned the two major political parties in Rivers State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), asking them to forget Ogoni votes if they don’t pick an ogoni as governorship candidate in 2015.

The Movement expressed dismay that Ogoni as significant as it is does not reflect in the ethnic calculations of Rivers State, a situation the group claimed has shut Ogoni ethnic Nationality from producing a Governor, Deputy Governor or Speaker of the House of Assembly. The Ogoni is one of the three ethnic group that broker

Uduaghan Pledges Committment To Rural Healthcare

By BETTY IDIALU

WARRI (DELTA) GOVERNOR of Delta State,Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has said getting health care to the rural populace is sacrosanct to his administration According to him, there are so many people in the rural areas of the country that are still in need of medical

healthcare, explaining that his administration embarked on free rural health scheme and other health programmes to ensure that all Deltans no matter where they are have access to quality healthcare.

Speaking yesterday (28/04/14) in Asaba at the formal handover of an ultra-modern mobile clinic under the first phase of the MTN Foundation (MTNF) Y’ello Doctor Mobile Medical Intervention Scheme, the

Governor stressed that getting quality medical healthcare to the rural communities must be achieved in the country.

While noting that the mobile clinic provided by the MTNF will make movement of medical facilities from one rural communities to the other easier, the Governor said that his administration’s mobile

hospital entails erecting of tents in the rural areas and so spend more time with the people in the rural areas.

“One of the challenges people at the rural communities face is quality healthcare and this mobile clinic will give a great boost to our rural healthcare programmes,” the

improved their performance will be promoted while those who fall below the minimum standard will be asked to work harder.

However, officers who performed up to the required standard will be promoted.

“The corps will ensure that officers who comply with core

values of our corporate values will be complimented with courses abroad. We have intensified our surveillance activities to weed bad eggs from the FRSC.” Lawal counseled: “Don’t go on the road to abuse road users.

Remember that you are the first

Governor said, adding: “In Delta State, we take rural healthcare and everything that concerns healthcare delivery very seriously, we have a mobile hospital, and we want to assure you that the state government will give you all the necessary support for our people to benefit maximally from this initiative.”

Shun Corruption, FRSC Warns Officers

By ELIZABETH AGBOEGBULEM

PORT HARCOURT - The Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC) have warned its men and officers to shun graft and corruption, declaring that anyone caught contravening its core corporate values will be sacked.

Speaking at the headquarters of the Rivers State Sector Command, in Port Harcourt, yesterday, the Assistant Corps Marshall, Command Administration, Survelliance and Strategy, Ademola Lawal, maintained that the corps has chosen to adopt a mantra of zero tolerance for graft and corruption in 2014.

He emphasized: “Any officer who engages in corruption, personal aggrandizement, touting and taking of bribes will have his or her appointment terminated.

Zero tolerance for indiscipline will henceforth drive our core corporate value for excellence”.

Lawal who was in Port

the women.

She appealed for more funding to enable the cooperative expand on its 2.8 hectares of farm land.

Harcourt to inaugurate the 2014 FRSC Enlightment Campaign for Corporate Strategy Goals, stresses that the corps belonged to all Nigerians and not to a particular officer and as such none of them should do anything that is inimical to the corporate interest of the corps.

He disclosed that the corporate strategy goals for 2014 were articulated because an assessment of men and officers in 2013 failed to meet the set standard of the FRSC. Lawal then intimated the officers that it was in furtherance of the need to elevate the performance level of corps members that the Corp Marshall General Osita Chidoka, set up a special department to drew up a plan for 2014.

Lawal itemized the goals as the improved suspension corps wide; improved regulatory in enforcement capacity; reduction in road traffic crash by 15 per cent; reduce fatality by 25 per cent; improved road safety motor vehicle administration and improved public communication and road use.

He stated that officers who

contact the road users have with the public, so do not antagonize road users even though they are at fault. Talk to them respectfully and reasonably. Always endeavour to pacify them to come over to the office rather than abuse and threaten them”.

power in the emerging political battle in the state.

The two other ethnic groups, the Kalabaris (Ijaws) and the Ikwerres all are currently jockeying to produce the next governor of the state. From the Ogoni axis is Senator Magnus Ngei Abe from Ogoni and a Member of the House of Representatives, Dakuku Peterside from /Opobo/Nkoro.

In a seven point communiqué issued at the end of its meeting in Atlanta-Georgia, the body observed that such reasoning places the Ogonis as marginalized people, which according to the Movement should be rectified in 2015 through the election of an Ogoni as Governor in Rivers State.

The communiqué signed by the National Coordinator, ODMUSA, Godwin Kpea, said; “Political parties in Nigeria, stakeholders of political groups, and party chieftains who are interested in governorship position in Rivers State should invoke an Ogoni candidature in its primary election to enjoy the benefit of Ogoni votes in 2015.

“We will never allow the world and in particular other Rivers State ethnic nationalities to cheat us anymore as we hold to keep our destinies in our cling fists. ODM stakeholders appeal to Ogonis in the Continental USA to support this campaign because it is just and realistic.

“The high intellectual capacity of Ogonis in the USA will be harnessed to benefit this aspiration. Ogonis are urged to deploy every resource available to achieve this noble and achievable cause. Considering the obvious marginalization of Ogonis in the political scheme since the creation of Rivers State in 1967, the 2015 governorship election must produce an Ogoni as governor.

The Executive Chairman of Esan South East Local Government Council, Hon. Joseph Ikpea cutting the tape to formally commission lock-up stores in Ewohimi built by the Local Government.

South-West Ekiti Guber Poll

INEC Clears 18 Parties

ADO-EKITIThe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says candidates of 18 political parties have been cleared to contest the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner,(REC), in the state, Alhaji Halilu Pai, announced this on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti.

The reports state that four women, who will contest the position of deputy governor, were among those cleared to contest.

They are Prof. Modupe Adelabu, who is the running mate to the incumbent governor, Mrs. Bolanle Bruce who stands on the platform of Labour Party, Mrs. taiwo Phebe of Action Alliance and Mrs. Adegoro Adolu of the National Conscience Party.

The list includes the incumbent governor. Dr. Kayode Fayemi of the APC, a former governor Chief Ayo Fayose of the PDP, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele of the Labour Party, Mr. Kole Ajayi, of the Accord Party and Mr. Opeyemi Akinyemi of the

Action Alliance.

Citizens Popular Party (CPP) is fielding Mr. Ayodele Olayinka while Social Democratic Party (SDP) has Mr. Adekola Ayo as its candidate.

Other parties are KOWA Party which is fielding Pastor Ade Joseph, National Conscience Party, (NCP) with Mr. Ilesanmi Emmanuel, Mega Progressive Peoples Party, (MPPP) with Mr. Akinbola Joseph, and United Democratic Party, (UDP) with Mr. Adeniyi Philip.

Others are Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, (ACPN) which has Mr. Peter Bamigbade and African Democratic Congress (ADC) with Mr. Okoko Bola.

Also on the list are African People’s Alliance, (APA) with Mr. Adebayo Ogunlola, as its candidate and Progressive Peoples Alliance, (PPA) which has Mr. Animasanu Goke, as its candidate, Alliance for Democracy, with Mr. Osekita Victor, People’s Democratic Change, with Mr. Banjo Gboyega and Peoples Party of Nigeria, which has Mr. Gbenga Adekunle as candidate.

Pai said that the parties have until May 18, 2014 to substitute names of any of their candidates.

L-R: Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr. Musa Kimo; Commissioner of Police, Oyo State, Mr. Muhammad Indabawa and Area Commander, Agodi Command, Mr. Sunday Odukoya, at a news conference in Ibadan on Wednesday.

Group Warns Politicians Against OSOGBO- The Osun Good Governance Forum (OGGF), has warned politicians in Osun against any act of violence before, during and after the

August 9 governorship election.

The OGGF, a sociopolitical group, gave the warning on Tuesday in a statement signed by its

Base Campaign On Issues, Group Urges Politicians OSOGBOOsun Liberation Movement, an NGO, has called on politicians in Osun to make their campaigns issue-based and avoid casting aspersions on each other.

Mr. Kazeem Olusola, the coordinator of the group, who gave the charge in a statement on Tuesday in Osogbo, explained that the call had become necessary to avoid chaos.

“One of the ways to avoid overheating the polity in the state is for our politicians to show maturity in the way they go about their campaigns.

“They should as much as possible exhibit maturity and decorum without inciting the people against one another.

“We also expect that the police, party leadership and traditional rulers will find a way of streamlining campaigns to avoid clash of

supporters when opposing groups meet,’’ he said.

According to him, what the people of Osun want is for the parties and aspirants to tell them what they will do to better their lives and not insults trading.

Olusola stressed that the use of thugs during campaigns should be discouraged by the political parties.

“When an election is transparently conducted, there

Cross section of officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) during a quarterly retreat for Unit Commanders and Principal Officers of the FRSC Lagos State Command, in Lagos State on Wednesday.

is no reason to resort to violence. In every contest, it is expected that a party will win and the others should prepare for the next round.’’

It will be recalled that INEC fixed campaigns in Osun for May 11 to August 7, with the governorship election fixed for August 9.

Coordinator, Mr. Adebayo Obagun, in Osogbo.

OGGF said in the statement that all hands must be on deck to sustain the existing peace in every part of the state.

The group called on governorship candidates of political parties and their leaders to sustain the peace by playing the game according to rules and regulations of INEC. “Rather than engaging in violence, each candidate should come up with programmes and policies

Violence

that will transform the lives of the electorate ,” it said.

It also gave an assurance that OGGF will work with security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure free and fair election.

“We, therefore, advise all the eligible voters in the state to exercise their franchise, protect their votes and resist any attempt to rig the poll, ‘’ the statement said.

British Council To Train Nigerians

LAGOS - The British Council in Nigeria has said that plans had been concluded to train Nigerians in fashion business to make them compete on the world stage.

This is contained in a statement issued by the council’s Communication Manager, Mr. Desmond Omovie, made available to newsmen in Lagos.

According to the statement, the programme is designed to expand skills in styling in the business of fashion among interested Nigerian designers.

It said that interested Nigerians must ensure that

they meet up with laid down requirements not later than May 2.

The statement also said that the IstitutoMarangoni in London would be collaborating with British Council Nigeria and Style House Files, producers of Lagos Fashion and Design Week to organise the training for the designers.

It said that owners of boutiques, brand managers and stakeholders in the fashion industry were also free to come for training, which would be rounded off with a competition.

The three weeks training tagged: “Your Fashion

Head Start” will expose those attending to courses in basics of fashion business, basics of fashion image and styling, and a short course at the famous IstitutoMarangoni, London campus.

“The participants who must be 18 years and above should be citizens of Nigeria and must be resident in Nigeria.

“The winner of the image and styling course may also get the opportunity to style for Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2014.

“The training is expected to commence from 30 June to 18 July 2014,” the statement said.

Lagos Bench Warrant

Electricity Consumers Protest At EKEDC Office LAGOS- No fewer than 100 electricity consumers from Iponri Housing Estate in Lagos protested at the premises of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).

The electricity consumers were demanding for the restoration of electricity supply to the area.

They were carrying different placards with different inscriptions, including “No Electricity Supply, No Payment”.

“We are tired of darkness give us light. No more fixed charges you are cheating us”.

Mr. Abdul-Rasak Osho, the Chairman, Iponri Housing Estate Association, who led the protesters, told newsmen that the estate’s residents were spending close to N10 million daily on fuel.

“The whole estate has 935 units and more than 200 shops and we buy at least N1,000 worth of petroleum products to use our electricity generating sets.

“If you multiply it, this means that we are spending close to N10 million on petrol daily.

“The EKEDC should tell us why they refused to change our

damaged poles since we reported the case on April 6,” he said.

Osho said that until power supply was restored in the estate, no residents would pay his or her electricity bills.

The chairman warned the management of EKEDC not to send any of their staff to disconnect the resident because there is no justification for it.

He said the residents were more than convinced that the company lacked the financial muscle to handle the power project efficiently.

She said that the residents would no longer accept outrageous electricity bills on supply of power.

Meanwhile, Mr. Peter Ayiwe, the Public Relations Officer of Ijora unit of EKEDC has appealed to the protesters for understanding and the need for restraint.

He promised that power would be restored to the estate on May 1.

Ayiwe said that the delay in restoration was due to the swampy nature of area.

He said the residents would not pay for the period that power supply was not available.

Court Refuses EFCC’s Request

L-R: Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina; Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris and his Information and Strategy counterpart, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, at a news conference by Idris on the activities of his Ministry in the last one year in Lagos State yesterday.

NUJ Distances Self From Ogunlusi’s “The union is compelled Book On Nigerian Media LAGOS- The Central Working Committee of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has disassociated itself from a book written by a former National Secretary of the

union, Mr. Jola Ogunlusi.

The union said in a statement that the book entitled, “NUJ: The History of The Nigerian Media’’, contained “distorted facts and tissues of lies”.

Political, Legislative Powers Bureau Has Promoted Good Governance -Aide LAGOS- Mr. Muslim Folami, a Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, has said the Political and Legislative Powers Bureau of the state government had helped to promote good governance.

Folami, Special Adviser on Political and Legislative Matters, spoke in Ikeja during the Ministerial Press Briefing in commemoration of Fashola’s seventh year in office.

He said that the Bureau was set up to promote a harmonious

relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government and it had done so creditably.

Folami noted that the Bureau had been in the forefront of promoting political harmony, good governance and creating an enabling environment for the political class in the state.

He said through the Bureau, the Governor assented to 25 of the bills passed by the state legislature in the last one year.

According to him, the new

laws have been forwarded to the appropriate Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the state for proper implementation.

Folami said that the bureau had been facilitating the hosting of breakfast meetings between the Governor and the legislature to promote good governance.

He restated that the Cremation Bill passed and signed into law in June 2013 does not compel residents to cremate their loved ones.

Folami said that the law was

put in place in order to provide solution to the problem of unclaimed corpses in various mortuaries.

“The problem of corpse abandonment in mortuaries poses a big problem to many hospitals.

“This was why the government had to come up with a practical solution to ease the hardship many of the health institutions are facing,” he said.

According to Folami, the law is to allow anyone who chose to cremate the remains of a loved one to be able to do so under the law.

to distance itself from the publication based on distortion of facts and tissues of lies contained in it.

“The NUJ frowns at name calling and character assassination of its past leaders.

“The publication portrayed our revered leaders in bad light,” said the statement made available to the newsmen.

It also described the publication as a deliberate attempt to ridicule the NUJ and its past leaders in the eyes of an average and right thinking Nigerian.

The statement urged the public to regard the publication which had no input from the union, describing it as “strictly the personal opinion of the author.’’

IKEJA -An Ikeja High Court has refused to grant the request made by the EFCC to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of a popular transporter, Bube Okorodudu.

In his ruling, Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo dismissed the application, which was filed by the Counsel of the EFCC, Mr Emmanuel Jackson.

The EFCC had requested for the warrant, following Okorodudu’s refusal to appear before the court to take his plea.

The reports state Okorodudu and his transport firm, Cross Country Ltd are charged with alleged N82.8 million theft.

They are charged alongside another company, Car Link Ltd. They are facing an eight-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, forgery and uttering.

In the ruling, the judge held that an accused presence’s was not mandatory at the hearing of the preliminary objection.

“The Court of Appeal held that the presence of the accused can be dispensed with pending the hearing and determination of the application challenging the charge.

“The lower court is bound by the decision of the higher court.

“Therefore, the invitation to issue the bench warrant is declined and the application is hereby refused.”

Lawal-Akapo adjourned until May 7 for hearing of Okorodudu’s application challenging the jurisdiction of the court.

Newsmen report that in the application, the EFCC alleged that the accused stole the money through the fraudulent sale of 17 units of Volkswagen transporter buses, belonging to AG Moeller Ltd and Mr. Adeloye Olukemi.

The EFCC had on March 3 prayed the court to issue the bench warrant against Okorodudu to enable him to be produced before the court.

Okorodudu’s Counsel, Chief Robert Clarke (SAN), had objected to the application, insisting that there was a subsisting application by his client, challenging the

Review Education Policy, Cleric Urges LAGOS- Bishop Joseph hands it could have provided.

FG Dike, the Director of “Then you come into the

Traffic gridlock on Victoria Island in Lagos State yesterday.

Information, Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, has urged the Federal Government to change the country’s existing educational policy to produce more entrepreneurs. Dike made the call in an interview with newsmen in Lagos. He said that the present education sector had been producing seekers of white collar jobs rather than being employers of labour. · Cue in audio “The first step to address the security challenge is first we must re-address our educational policy, to produce people who are employers of

labour. “What we are producing now is manpower for consumption in industries that do not exist, virtually all the states in Nigeria, the industries they set up in the 80s are not functioning. “Our refineries are not functioning instead we take our oil abroad, we only bring the diesel, PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) and AGO(Kerosene).What about the grease? What about the petroleum jelly? “What other derivatives of that same substance we leave in that part of the world? Then talk about the thousands of employed

mainstream and watch the volume of employment it generates. All these things are flushed away. Why wouldn’t we have security challenges?

“Unemployment is one of the biggest causes of our security challenges. “So for us to arrest the security situation, we must create an environment whereby the restive youths will be given a means of livelihood, so we have to be proactive as a people.’’ · Cue out audio The cleric urged leaders to shun corruption as the bane of national development.

Across The Nation Publisher Donates Books To Govt

Group Hails Recommendation Of Additional State In S/East ONITSHA (Anambra) - The National Coalition for Justice and Equity has lauded the ongoing national conference committee on political restructuring for recommending the creation of one additional state for the South East.

A statement from the coalition also called for the creation of more local government areas in the geo-political zone.

The statement, signed by the Chairman of the group, Mr Vincent Ezekwueme, said that if the state was created with more council areas, the cry of marginalization by the people of the zone would be addressed.

“We appeal to other committees to emulate the selflessness, magnanimity, maturity and patriotism displayed by the political restructuring committee.

“They should as well ensure its endorsement at the plenary of the confderence,’’ it said.

It called on President Goodluck Jonathan to appoint a minister from Anambra to replace former Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah.

The statement commended Gov. Willie Obiano for his

wisdom in tackling the security challenge in Anambra head-long.

It said that the joint security taskforce he set up had reduced kidnapping, armed robbery, extortion, exploitation and intimidation of the residents by hoodlums.

“The people of Anambra are happy and satisfied with your security performance so far; especially as criminals and criminal activities have been put under check.

“Obiano’s administration has restored people’s hope and trust in the government’s ability to create conducive environment for both local and foreign investors,’’ it said.

APC members at the distribution of materials for the rescheduled Ward Congress, at the party’s headquarters in Katsina State yesterday.

Niger Set Up C’ttee To Investigate Sect MINNA Governor.

Babangida Aliyu of Niger set up a two-man Committee to Investigate an Islamic Sect in Bida suspected to be linked to Boko Harm sect.

Deceased Ex-Legislators

This followed a report to the governor by the state’s League of Imams.

The governor announced this while receiving the members of the league led by the Chief Imam of Minna Central Mosque, Alhaji Ibrahim Fari during a visit.

Aliyu said the committee would be headed by the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Shehu Haruna.

He said the committee should report the mode of operations of the sect to him within three days.

He charged the committee to look into their religious belief

Enugu Assembly Holds Valedictory Session ENUGU - The Enugu State House of Assembly held a valedictory session in honour of two former legislators, Chief Andrew Umeoji, and Chief Linus Ali.

Umeoji, 77, who hailed from Ezinifite in Aguata Local Government Area in Anambra, was a member of the old Anambra State House of Assembly and represented Aguata North 1 Constituency on the platform of the defunct National Party of Nigeria for

Ekweremadu Congratulates Archbishop Chukwuma ENUGU - The Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekwerenmadu, has congratulated the new Archbishop-elect of Enugu Province of the Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma on his 25th Episcopal consecration anniversary.

Speaking during a church service in honour of the bishop in Enugu Ekwerenmadu described him as a mentor and a man courageous in all he did.

“I learnt from the bishop how to speak out when things are not going well. Chukwuma taught me how to visit the less privileged in the society.

“The archbishop-elect has mentored many pastors, bishops and is still mentoring many upcoming youths in the service of God,’’ Ekwerenmadu said.

Also speaking, retired Maj.Gen. Theophilus Danjuma urged Chukwuma, who was also celebrating his 60th birthday, to continue to do the good work he had been doing.

Danjuma prayed God to bless his ministry, grant him good health and long life and thanked

the bishop for presenting an award of recognition to him.

The Executive Secretary of the National Christian Pilgrims Welfare Commission, Mr Kennedy Okpara, thanked God for using the archbishop positively in his vineyard.

“I make bold to say that Bishop Chukwuma is a voice of the voiceless, especially when and where other men of God will keep quiet.

“In pilgrimage, I always call him the voice of the voiceless.

God has used him to speak out for us especially when necessary.

I want to thank God for His Grace upon his life,” Okpara said.

Earlier in his sermon, the Bishop of Ibadan Anglican Diocese, Most Rev. J.A. Akinfenwa, encouraged Chukwuma to put in more efforts than he had done.

“Whatever the height you have attained in your work with the Lord, as long as you are still on earth, there is more room for improvement, so do not relent.

“You are now at the beginning of another era, not only has your age changed but your status,

three months in 1983.

Ali, 59, from Enugu Ezike, Igboeze North Local Government Area in Enugu State, was the Deputy Speaker between 1999 and 2003 and represented Igboeze North 1 Constituency on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

In his speech during the session in Enugu, the Speaker, Mr Eugene Odo, noted that the best legacy legislators would leave behind was to assist each other while alive.

“What is important now is not the good things we say about the dead because when they were alive, some of us continued to be in enmity. “ As we assemble here, we can continue to encourage their families to keep their flags flying because legislators do not die but they evolve,’’ he said.

Odo described Umeoji as ‘an astute politician’ who was instrumental to the development of the assembly during his three months in office.

He said that Ali was ‘a rare gem, a strong, patriotic and courageous politician’ who contributed a lot to the development of politics in Igboeze North and Enugu State.

In his tribute, Mr Ikechukwu Ezeugwu (PDP-Udenu), noted that what mattered in one’s life was not the number of years spent but the number of lives touched.

All the serving and past lawmakers who were present at the event took turns to eulogise the two deceased lawmakers.

Responding, Mr Chuma

Umeoji, the first son of the late Umeoji and the current Chairman of Aguata LGA, commended the assembly for the honour done to his father through the valedictory session.

He noted that the assembly was not only organised and peaceful but had maintained the lead in legislative and democratic principles.

On his part, the first son of the late Ali, Mr Ikechukwu Nwali, said the solidarity by the assembly would encourage him to uplift the legacies of his father.

and their association with Boko Haram sect so that the State Government could take decisive action against them.

He told the committee to liaise with the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, on the operations of the sect and any other persons that could give it more information about the sect.

Aliyu urged residents to be proactive on security issues by reporting any suspicious persons or materials promptly to security agents.

He said this would help to forestall any breakdown of law and order in the state and the country.

The chief imam of Minna central mosque, Alhaji Ibrahim Fari, appealed to the governor for the inclusion of a member of the league in the state into the Amirul hajj committee.

He also advised that the Federal Government hands off feeding of pilgrims in the holy land especially during the pilgrims’ stay in Muna and on Arafat day.

BAUCHI - Standard Plus, a U.S.-based publishing company donated books worth about N48 million to the Bauchi State Government.

Dr Umar Baba, the Managing Director, Global Mega Education, a U.S.-based NGO, presented the books on behalf of the company in Bauchi.

He said the gesture was to support the state’s quest to transform the education sector in the state.

He explained that the books, totaling 26,000 in 109 different subjects, were aimed at assisting the Bauchi State Government to add value to the teaching profession and raise the standard of education in the state.

According to him, education transformation takes time and experts need resources to gradually achieve the desired goals.

“You have to continuously look for resources, build the capacity of teachers, provide infrastructure, and ensure teachers motivation to completely transform the sector.

“This is what Gov. Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State is doing and I commend his commitment, his consistency about what he wants to achieve in the education sector for the benefit of the people.’’

Receiving the books, Yuguda thanked the management of Standard Plus for the gesture, saying it would go a long way in addressing the challenge of book deficit in the state’s public schools.

He equally commended Global Mega Education Ltd for facilitating the donation of the books.

Yuguda said the donation came at a time when the state was making every effort to equip its public schools with needed textbooks for effective and efficient teaching and learning.

“Investing in education is paramount in our quest to completely ensure consistent drive for inclusive socioeconomic development.

Adamawa APC delegates at the rescheduled state congress of the party in Yola Yesterday.

Abuja Maternal, Newborn

Canada Partners ABUJA - The Minister Nigeria of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi

L-R: President, Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, a retiring Supreme Court Judge, Justice Christopher Chukwuma-Eneh and his wife, Mariam, at the Valedictory Court Session in honour of Justice Chukwuma-Eneh at the Supreme Court in Abuja recently.

Chukwu, said the ministry would partner with the Canadian Government to strengthen the health sector to improve the lives of Nigerians.

Chukwu said this in Abuja when, Mr. Perry Calderwood, Canadian Ambassador to Nigeria, paid him a courtesy visit to exchange views on the partnership.

“Canadian High Commissioner came to discuss areas we can

FG Trains 2,000 Unemployed Youths

ABUJA - The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, has inducted 2,000 beneficiaries of SURE-P on Information Communications Technology (ICT) capacity building.

The minister said at the occasion that the programme, which was organised for unemployed youths, would run for six months.

According to him, the programme will form the hub of the nation’s certified and skilled manpower in the ICT industry.

Wogu commended the Federal Government for its efforts at tackling unemployment in the country and urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the opportunity provided.

Mr Gerald Ilukwe, the Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Back Bone National ICT Centre, pledged the company’s commitment to the programme, to empower the youth.

He thanked the government for the opportunity to train the beneficiaries and commended its efforts at tackling unemployment in the country.

Ilukwe urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the opportunity provided to develop their skills in the ICT enterprise.

The reports state that the induction was for Nigerian graduates and non-graduates unemployed youths.

The programme is targeted at building their capacity in the ICT sector, through the deployment and utilisation of an ICT platform.

A cross-section of Judges at the Valedictory Court Session in honour of Justice Christopher Chukwuma-Eneh at the Supreme Court in Abuja recently.

strengthen partnership, we have been working already, particularly in the area of primary health care.

“This is one country that have been so interested in all the pillars of saving one million lives initiative, immunisation, maternal and child health and nutrition,’’ he said.

Chukwu said the country would tap the areas that Canada had the greater advantage that would benefit Nigeria to improve its health indices.

Earlier, Calderwood said he came to discuss about the Canadian development assistance in the health sector.

Calderwood said they would assist Nigeria in the areas of maternal and newborn health care, polio eradication and strengthening the health infrastructure across the country.

“We are delighted to work with the minister who is very committed in improving the health of Nigerians and we discuss ways we can work together to help improve the health of Nigerians,’’ he said.

INEC To Issue Permanent Voter Cards

ABUJA- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the commission would issue permanent voter cards for the 2015 elections to guard against the challenges that trailed previous elections in Nigeria.

The INEC Commissioner for Operations, Mr Nuhu Yakubu, made this known in Abuja on Tuesday when he visited the National Conference Committee on Political Parties and Electoral Matters.

Yakubu said the commission had almost concluded the production of the card to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2015.

According to him, registration of voters for election is synonymous to a credible election.

“The commission has almost completed the production of permanent voter card.

“The permanent voter card is a smart card; it is similar to a credit card which has a chip imbedded in it.

“The chip captures all one’s

biometrics and data like finger print, photograph, address, and photograph as well as telephone number, among others.

“It transmits signal. That is

the kind of card that the commission is going to use during 2015 elections,” he said.

Yakubu said the commission was determined to take necessary measures that would ensure that 2015 general elections were properly conducted.

He urged all stakeholders to assist the commission to actualise this in the forthcoming elections, adding that the success of election was not solely dependent on the commission alone.

NHRC Tasks FG On Care For The Elderly ABUJA- Prof. Bem Angwe, the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has urged the Federal Government to adopt a national policy to adequately cater for the elderly in the country.

He made the call in Abuja at an interactive session on the rights and welfare of senior citizens in Nigeria.

The programme was organised

by NHRC, in collaboration with a Non Governmental Organisation, the Senior Citizens Advocacy Network of Nigeria.

Angwe said “we are all aware of the immense contributions of our very senior citizens who gave all their productive and useful years to the service of their motherland.

“They are now at a vulnerable stage which requires urgent intervention through wellarticulated policies and

structures by government at all levels.

“The commission, in pursuit of its mandate for the protection, promotion and enforcement of human rights of all persons, previously engaged all relevant stakeholders for an effective advocacy.’’

The NHRC boss added that a UN demographic projection had revealed that there would be 26 billion aged persons in the world by 2050 and that the number in Africa would rise from 38 million to 2.2 billion.

He noted that the UN projection made it expedient for government to adopt a national policy, review the social development policy and introduce a welfare scheme for the aged.

Retired Rear Admiral Christopher Ehanmo, the Chairman of the Senior Citizens Advocacy Network of Nigeria,

urged government to provide a stipend for those who were not pensionable.

He said that the aged in the country were often confronted with numerous challenges which make life unbearable for them.

He added that “we are here to discuss all the challenges and proffer possible solutions to the challenges faced by senior citizens who have given their best and sacrificed their youth for the development of the country.

“The challenges of senior citizens include health, poverty, loneliness, stigmatisation, transportation, housing problem and a host of others.

“Rural-urban migration and changing family structures leave many older persons without traditional support and with little social protection; many have no source of income.’’

The chairman, who is a delegate to the National Conference, representing Senior Citizens, said he would use the opportunity to ensure that issues surrounding the aged in the country were adequately addressed.

He also stressed the need for a national framework for the aged in the country, saying “the framework must meet the challenges of ageing in any nation and must include the establishment of specific national coordinating body on ageing.

“There is a need for the enactment of specific legislation to promote and protect the rights of older persons.

“There is also a need for a national policy or plan of action on ageing with strategies for active and quality ageing social security.’’

Business + Economy Credit Bureaux Register 33 Million Loan Acquisitors LAGOS- Dr Sarah Alade, Acting Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has said nation’s credit bureaux had recorded about 33 million registered borrowers in the last four years.

Alade made the disclosure at a Public-Private Dialogue on the role of credit bureaux in creating access to finance for businesses in Lagos.

She said that credit bureaux had been assisting the CBN in the effective management of banks credit risks through the provision of adequate information on entrepreneurs seeking loans.

According to her, there was a need for financial institutions to utilise the services of the credit bureaux to encourage more lending to the economy.

“We have already mandated all financial institutions to have data exchange agreements with at least two credit bureaux.

“All banks are required to obtain credit report from these credit bureaux before granting any facility to customers,” she said.

Alade said that CBN through various intervention funds would continue to enhance the growth of MSMEs in the country.

Mrs. Mobolanle Adesanya, Chairman, Credit Bureau

Association of Nigeria, said that lack of affordable financial products and services had alienated many Nigerians from the financial sector.

She noted that credit bureaux, through the issuance of credit scores and ratings would speed up loan acquisition processes and encourage more lending to the economy.

Adesanya also said that the adoption of alternative data such as utility bills would help credit bureaux create a veritable substitute for financial records of MSMEs. “From these records, credit bureaux can build a character profile for entrepreneurs vis-avis their monetary obligations as well as their fidelity with payment,” she said.

Also speaking, Dr Ezekiel Oseni, General Manager, Risk Management, Bank of Industry, appealed to the National Identity Management Commission to speed up registration of Nigerians in order to resolve the problem identity verification.

He condemned the fraudulent attitude of some Nigerians who often changed their identity to escape loan repayment.

ABUJA- The Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), has inaugurated a laboratory for testing construction materials.

Chief Dele Okeya, the Chairman, Governing Board of NBRRI, said at the occasion that the purpose was to ensure that construction materials in the country conformed to standards.

Okeya explained that the laboratory was established, considering the demands for a facility where testing of construction materials could be conducted, especially in Abuja.

“This is further confirmed by the volume of construction

Capital Territory (FCT), regarded as one of the fastest growing urban centres in the world’’, he said.

The chairman added that the laboratory had state-of-the-art equipment to ensure accurate results whenever any construction material was subjected to testing in it.

Also inaugurated was a library.

He said the idea behind it was to eradicate the dearth of knowledge in the construction industry.

“It is also to enhance research

Participants at a Regional Operational Management meeting of the Federal Inland Revenue Service for the SouthEast Region in Owerri recently.

Rewane Suggests Depreciation Of Naira

ABUJA- The Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, said the recent rebasing of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would only be meaningful when the naira depreciated.

Rewane made this remark at the Lecture Series of Securities and Exchange Commission in

Abuja.

He said the drop in global commodity prices had made the call inevitable.

He stressed that the rebasing of the GDP raised a compelling need for the redirection of the nation’s economy.

Rewane explained that the currency pressure on the economy generated by the

Institute Inaugurates Laboratory For Testing charge of the facilities to be Construction Materials incareful when handling the taking place in the Federal and development in the construction industry and assist researchers within and outside the institute to accomplish their various studies for the benefit of the country.’’

Okeya said the board had agreed to allow external public companies and individuals limited access to the facilities.

He urged professional bodies, regulatory bodies, tertiary institutions, as well as groups and individuals to make use of the facilities.

“I will, however, caution staff

equipment in the laboratory, as considerable amount of resources had been and would be invested in it’’, he said.

Earlier, the Director-General of NBRRI, Prof. Slim Matawal, said the laboratory was the basic requirement for research institutes to carry out its research and development.

Matawal said the laboratory would also serve as a training outlet for human capacity in the industry, especially for students embarking on industrial attachment in engineering.

Plateau Head of Service, Mr. Ezekiel Dalyop (right), presenting Certificate of Participation to the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mrs. Comfort Piwuna, at the close of Information Technology (IT) training for Commissioners and top Government Officials in Jos on Wednesday.

rebasing would continue to increase.

According to him, the monetary tightening measures currently being adopted by the Central Bank of Nigeria is a temporary solution to the exchange rate problem.

Rewane said the divergence between the official and parallel market exchange rates had risen to six naira.

“The 22.02 per cent decline in external reserves from N48.86 billion to N38.1billion has made it imperative to depreciate the naira”, he said.

He called on the monetary authorities to consider official depreciation of the naira by three per cent from between N150 and N160 to a dollar to N155 and 165 to a dollar.

“There is need for an adjustment in the currency value.

We need a depreciation of the currency because anything less than 10 per cent is not devaluation but depreciation.

“The adjustment we are talking about is moving the band from between N150 and N160 to N155 and 165 to a dollar.

“So, if you have a three-per cent movement, it is not going to destroy the country’’, he said.

Rewane said that global commodity prices had gone down below the adjustment of the currency, adding that aluminium prices had gone down by about 40 per cent and wheat prices by 25 per cent.

He stated that since the economies of most of Nigeria’s trading partners were not controlled by the dollar, a threeper cent depreciation of the nation’s currency would not harm its economy.

Standardisation Of Building Materials A Major Challenge LAGOSMr. Joseph Odumodu, Director-General, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), said standardisation of building materials in the country was a major challenge to the organisation.

Odomodu made the disclosure while speaking on “Standardisation for Quality Assurance: The Challenges of Standard Organisation of Nigeria” at the ongoing 14th Lagos Housing Fair.

He said there were still cases of availability of sub-standard materials in the market in spite of SON’s efforts at inspecting and monitoring building materials manufacturing companies every quarter.

“This is why our market survey department storms the markets at random to check and seize sub-standard building materials.

“We also have a means of visiting building material manufacturers occasionally and seal up their premises if they had returned to producing sub-

- Son

standard materials.

“SON is aware of the alarming rate of building collapse in the country and is doing everything within its means as regulator to reduce it,” said Odumodu, represented by SON’s Standard Engineer, Mr. Adeoye Onipede.

He said that standardisation and quality played important roles in building, explaining that SON had a system of issuing identification marks to companies which they attached to their products.

Odumodu said that standardisation of cement was being reviewed, adding that the organisation was monitoring block makers across the country to ensure that the right measurement of cement and sand were used in block production.

He disclosed that the organisation was working with professionals to ensure that standard was maintained in building construction.

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT WEDNESDAY (30/04/14) Stocks

Open

Close

Change

Deals

Units

Value

MULTITREX

0.5

0.5

0

0

2,000

1,040.00

7UP

90

90

0

0

9,800

837,900.00

NAHCO

4.65

4.6

-0.05

0

2,776,484

13,362,378.04

ABCTRANS

0.86

0.82

-0.04

0

46,798,570

38,684,336.65

NASCON

11.51

11.51

0

0

1,406,100

16,180,641.77

ACADEMY

1.8

1.8

0

0

1,500

2,565.00

NB

148.9

150

1.1

0

13,690,468

2,045,252,982.00

ACCESS

7.8

8.19

0.39

0

9,384,764

76,592,194.54

NEIMETH

1.24

1.24

0

0

97,079

114,874.01

AFRIPRUD

2.9

3.04

0.14

0

5,926,528

17,910,593.58

NEM

0.77

0.76

-0.01

0

3,588,490

2,725,456.23

AFRPAINTS

2.72

2.72

0

0

2,000

5,180.00

NESTLE

1080

1040

-40

0

130,383

134,522,113.00

AGLEVENT

1.56

1.56

0

0

7,629

12,035.23

NEWGOLD

2008

2016

8

0

13

26,208.00

AIICO

0.78

0.79

0.01

0

840,145

668,003.94

NIGERINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

150,000

75,000.00

AIRSERVICE

2.25

2.14

-0.11

0

861,580

1,843,781.20

NNFM

22.01

22.01

0

0

5

104.55

ALEX

10.5

10.5

0

0

220

2,195.60

NPFMCRFBK

0.84

0.81

-0.03

0

100,280

81,236.20

ASHAKACEM

16.5

16.5

0

0

1,382,027

22,739,655.15

NSE30

1738.39

1739.47

1.08

0

196,603,945

4,850,198,120.00

BECOPETRO

0.5

0.5

0

0

393

196.5

NSE50

1887.44

1886.27

-1.17

0

226,644,933

5,010,466,790.00

BERGER

9

8.75

-0.25

0

107,878

947,963.19

NSEASEM

950.94

950.94

0

0

200

138

BETAGLAS

18.97

18.97

0

0

333

6,003.99

NSEASI

38480.6

38485.56

4.96

0

300,257,816

5,377,945,759.00

BOCGAS

6.47

6.47

0

0

5,620

34,563.00

NSEBNK

385.8

391.72

5.92

0

79,971,226

1,046,772,051.00

15,310,499.55

NSECNSMRGDS

962.41

953.79

-8.62

0

23,407,820

2,355,056,354.00

CADBURY

79

75.05

-3.95

0

203,991

CAP

40.26

40.35

0.09

0

196,646

7,920,469.90

NSEINDUSTR

2504.57

2485.45

-19.12

0

2,900,385

177,860,664.00

CAPHOTEL

4.55

4.55

0

0

60

259.8

NSEINS

138.5

138.59

0.09

0

9,199,958

6,914,324.94

CCNN

9.21

9.15

-0.06

0

122,265

1,120,174.25

NSELOTUSISLM

2724.21

2685.39

-38.82

0

9,722,161

481,635,260.30

CHAMS

0.5

0.5

0

0

53,400

26,700.00

NSEOILGAS

319.5

318.35

-1.15

0

4,119,475

106,602,533.10

CHELLARAM

3.95

3.95

0

0

7,535

28,331.60

NSLTECH

0.5

0.5

0

0

170

85

CONTINSURE

0.99

0.98

-0.01

0

2,001,340

1,927,628.20

OANDO

16

16

0

0

3,615,930

57,767,491.50

0.55

0.55

0

0

764,390

409,547.79

CORNERST

0.5

0.5

0

0

614,146

307,075.00

OASISINS

COSTAIN

1.41

1.47

0.06

0

797,887

1,084,863.50

OKOMUOIL

35

33.5

-1.5

0

555,512

18,965,123.86

CUSTODYINS

2.25

2.35

0.1

0

3,485,000

7,948,320.00

OMATEK

0.5

0.5

0

0

200

100

CUTIX

1.99

1.9

-0.09

0

59,033

112,162.70

PHARMDEKO

1.57

1.57

0

0

160

251.2

CWG

5.48

5.48

0

0

100

521

PRESCO

42

40.12

-1.88

0

257,460

10,366,453.80

DAARCOMM

0.5

0.5

0

0

424,200

212,100.00

PRESTIGE

0.6

0.6

0

0

4,293

2,575.80

DANGCEM

227

226.01

-0.99

0

286,710

65,011,556.29

PZ

36.02

36

-0.02

0

335,897

12,011,484.40

299,120

2,350,679.09

REDSTAREX

4.19

4.16

-0.03

0

627,500

2,644,910.00

DANGFLOUR

8.08

8.08

0

0

DANGSUGAR

9.5

9.9

0.4

0

4,712,212

46,034,338.20

ROYALEX

0.62

0.62

0

0

45,500

27,304.00

DIAMONDBNK

6.04

6.06

0.02

0

4,964,174

30,091,799.39

RTBRISCOE

1.25

1.19

-0.06

0

133,447

158,801.93

DNMEYER

1.06

1.06

0

0

2,250

2,497.50

SEPLAT

596.5

626.31

29.81

0

430,954

265,348,473.30

DUNLOP

0.5

0.5

0

0

500,000

250,000.00

SKYEBANK

3.43

3.49

0.06

0

10,590,775

36,522,920.63 59,547,843.05

EKOCORP

3.72

3.72

0

0

1,000

3,540.00

STANBIC

23.2

23

-0.2

0

2,591,315

ETERNA

3.79

3.61

-0.18

0

65,040

234,794.40

STDINSURE

0.5

0.5

0

0

1,020,000

510,000.00

2.25

2.2

-0.05

0

13,041,076

29,042,789.15

ETI

13.1

13.5

0.4

0

5,811,911

76,943,907.25

STERLNBANK

EVANSMED

2.35

2.46

0.11

0

156,576

381,116.32

TOTAL

161.2

161.2

0

0

38,104

5,876,769.92

FBNH

13.62

14.16

0.54

0

72,060,978

1,028,011,225.00

TRANSCORP

3.6

3.45

-0.15

0

13,619,027

47,365,648.79

FCMB

3.48

3.54

0.06

0

5,252,248

18,415,470.91

TRANSEXPR

2.13

2.13

0

0

49,901

101,316.03

FIDELITYBK

1.92

1.95

0.03

0

1,665,609

3,229,861.60

TRIPPLEG

1.97

1.97

0

0

50

94

FIDSON

2.85

2.83

-0.02

0

420,872

1,167,221.78

UAC-PROP

24.5

24.06

-0.44

0

876,385

21,104,927.21

FIRSTALUM

0.5

0.5

0

0

136,533

68,266.50

UACN

58.25

56.56

-1.69

0

311,937

17,798,112.47

6.94

6.75

-0.19

0

13,327,144

90,754,247.46

FLOURMILL

68.43

68.43

0

0

213,025

14,464,953.65

UBA

FO

148.99

148.99

0

0

231,710

31,195,710.80

UBCAP

2.36

2.25

-0.11

0

3,242,954

7,296,701.50

FORTISMFB

6.27

6.27

0

0

100

596

UBN

9.99

9.95

-0.04

0

997,187

9,887,746.88

GLAXOSMITH

69.5

69.5

0

0

246,156

16,997,130.23

UNILEVER

47.5

47.5

0

0

379,693

18,215,434.52

GNI

0.5

0.5

0

0

10

5

UNIONDICON

13.44

14.11

0.67

0

453,551

6,056,752.27

GUARANTY

26.05

26.23

0.18

0

9,727,800

259,118,538.70

UNITYBNK

0.5

0.5

0

0

1,004,300

502,150.00

GUINNESS

178

176

-2

0

217,459

38,108,914.30

UNITYKAP

0.5

0.5

0

0

300

150

HMARKINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

100

50

UPDCREIT

11.02

11.02

0

0

100

1,047.00

HONYFLOUR

3.69

3.69

0

0

1,077,001

3,920,162.05

UPL

4.15

4

-0.15

0

170,000

680,000.00

IKEJAHOTEL

0.63

0.63

0

0

45,050

29,283.00

UTC

0.53

0.53

0

0

9,887

5,240.11

INFINITY

1.61

1.61

0

0

300

468

VETGRIF30

17.35

17.47

0.12

0

1,000

17,470.00

INTBREW

26

26

0

0

230,960

5,722,288.70

VITAFOAM

4.44

4.3

-0.14

0

501,706

2,123,858.32

120,136.26

WAPCO

110.04

108.5

-1.54

0

745,493

80,002,678.56

INTENEGINS

0.53

0.54

0.01

0

223,994

JAPAULOIL

0.5

0.5

0

0

603,127

301,563.50

WAPIC

0.71

0.72

0.01

0

977,682

692,583.17

JBERGER

68.89

70.9

2.01

0

697,344

48,909,466.99

WEMABANK

1

0.98

-0.02

0

3,178,321

3,116,043.24

ZENITHBANK

21.92

22.7

0.78

0

20,323,541

460,514,791.60

LEARNAFRCA

1.65

1.61

-0.04

0

519,297

835,568.96

LENNARDS

3.31

3.31

0

0

10,000

31,500.00

LIVESTOCK

3.3

3.3

0

0

56,881

178,606.34

TOP 10 GAINERS

MANSARD

2.31

2.31

0

0

2,262

5,202.60

Stock

MAYBAKER

1.78

1.78

0

0

124,545

212,384.46

MBENEFIT

0.5

0.5

0

0

1,500

750

MOBIL

116.1

118.22

2.12

0

53,522

6,310,213.80

MRS

51.72

51.72

0

0

122

5,995.08

MTI

0.5

0.5

0

0

300

150

SEPLAT NEWGOLD NSEBNK NSEASI MOBIL JBERGER NB NSE30 ZENITHBANK UNIONDICON

TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS

Close

Gain

626.31 2016 391.72 38485.56 118.22 70.9 150 1739.47 22.7 14.11

29.81 8 5.92 4.96 2.12 2.01 1.1 1.08 0.78 0.67

Stock NESTLE NSELOTUSISLM 38.82 NSEINDUSTR 19.12 NSECNSMRGDS 8.62 CADBURY 3.95 GUINNESS PRESCO 1.88 UACN 1.69 WAPCO 1.54 OKOMUOIL

Close 1040 2685.39 2485.45 953.79 75.05 176 40.12 56.56 108.5 33.5

Loss -40 -2 -1.5

THE violation of women’s rights both at the national and domestic strata have become burning and vexatious issues. What we find happening in this country as regards the denial to women of certain privileges and rights, much more pervades other nations of the world to some varying degree and extent. In some countries women are never heard but they are only seen and are not offered opportunities to make their contributions to national growth and development.

THE refrain has always been that we are in a male dominated society and as such the dominance is carried over to other sectors of life, where it becomes very obvious that the male-folks are always in the position to wield power and control. However, the tendency to keep women at the background in most societies is derived from the tradition and custom of old in predominantly medieval communities where women are consigned to basic task of up-keeping of the home and the rearing and bearing of children.

AGAIN, there is the perceived social and environmental factors that women are not endowed with equal natural abilities seen against the superiority and innate physical attributes of man, which makes him the stronger sex while the women are regarded as the weaker sex.

WHILE it is still in contention that women are spiritually more gifted than the men, there are however, certain, religious practices in traditional religion, Christianity and Islam and many other faith-exercising beliefs where women are barred from priestly role for reasons peculiar to those faith.

OVER the years however, women have risen to these challenges to combat and eliminate these practices and to elevate womanhood to the pedestal of dignity and to take their pride of place in society.

THESE situations have also given rise to such concepts as women liberation and women empowerment to such extent it appears that there has been an attempt to rewrite the English language to make it reflect the sense of womanhood were such words as “Chairman”

THE NIGERIAN

Advancing Political Rights Of Women and “mankind” are facing the challenges of some etymologists and lexical experts to make them lose their male connotations.

WHILE the war to institute the female privilege and the sense of womanhood in the language sector is a continuing one, there are still other areas of human endeavour where our womenfolk are carrying on the battle. It is a matter of fact, that women more often than not now concern themselves with issues such as the problem of development, female health reproductive issues, prostitution, trafficking in women, wife-battering and the political participation of women in the affairs of state.

FOR instance, a study by the population reference bureau, “conveying concerns: women write on Reproductive Health,” indicate that the global community is beginning to recognize a crucial, yet long overlooked piece of development puzzle. The study states that the ideas and participation of women are essential for planning appropriate, comprehensive and effective development programs.

A DEVELOPMENT effort of particular significance to women, it says is the design of reproductive health policies and programmes to meet the needs of all women, at different stages in their reproductive lives, from different socio economic setting, of different religious and cultural backgrounds.

IT also noted that efforts in the past to provide women. reproductive health services seemed to have been implanted without fully understanding the needs and sensitivities of the women they were to serve, following ‘which many women and women’s group became disillusioned with the

development process.

HOWEVER, “the increasing problem that women face in our world is that of discrimination which is occasioned by traditional practices in all ramifications, even discrimination in office places and in appointments. In effect, no matter how highly placed a woman might be in respect of achievements and in office; her status is still low because of male chauvinism and its dominating characteristics not to regard a woman’s profile as worth anything not even by men who may have achieved less.

WOMEN’s standing has risen dramatically in recent times due mainly to their efforts and that of the international community and many nongovernmental organizations who insist on the rights and privileges which not only they should take from society but what the constitutions and codes of human freedom had also conferred on them.

IN this regard a number of international decisions which have helped to legitimize the rights and privileges of women include the 1952 convention on the political rights of women, the 1979 convention on the political rights of women, the 1979 convention on the elimination of Discrimination ‘Against Women and the 1995 Beijing Conference, China, sponsored by the Untied Nations. It was the fourth world conference on women with 189 governments and 2,600 non-governmental groups in attendance.

RESOLUTIONS at the conference agreed to a set of strategic objectives and action including efforts to advance the role of women in politics and environment stewardship.

BESIDES, the Commonwealth has also been committed to the problem of gender inequality and presented plan of action at the Beijing Conference as well as an update to it in 1997.

AT this point, we the women groups yearning for improvements in women conditions nationally and globally to pursue the course relentlessly and not give up. Further, we implore the Nigerian government and other nations globally to address the socio-cultural factors that hinder women from the realization of their full potentials.

3. The Prophet is Poisoned Since the instrument of the threats of death and exile did not work against the Prophet, the enemies decided to launch a different kind of warfare. They conspired to kill the Prophet. Through the wife of Sallam ibn Mishkam, they presented a roasted goat to the Prophet.

Knowing that the Prophet relished the shoulder, she peppered that portion liberally with poison. One morsel was enough to warn the Prophet, who quickly spat it out saying, “This is poisoned.”

Upon being summoned by the Prophet who wished to ascertain the facts, the Jews and the women confessed their crime and said, “We thought that if you were a pretender, we would get rid of you, but if you were truly a prophet, the poison would be ineffective.” At that the Prophet forgave them. This is another high level of tolerance exhibited by the Holy Prophet.

4. How the Prophet tolerated the young man who came and urinated in the Prophet Mosque in Medinah.

5. The Prophet’s encountered with the people of Ta’if Soon the Prophet felt that it was time to take the message of Islam to neighbouring tribes. He made his way on foot to Ta’if, about thirty miles east of Makkah, traveling with his former slave, Zayd bin Haritha.

Along the way to Ta’if, the Prophet invited each tribe he encountered to embrace Islam. Finally, he reached Ta’if and met three brothers, all chieftains of the Thaqif tribe. He invited them to Islam and asked them to help him spread his message, but they responded with hostility.

The Prophet left the chieftains and looked for others to talk with about Islam.

For the next few days he continued his search to find anyone who would open his heart to Allah’s word, but no one was interested. Each chieftain he met proved arrogant and unfriendly when he explained his mission and requested help.

Instead of accepting his call to Islam, they asked him to leave Ta’if and return from whence he came. They even stirred up children, slaves and the rabble against him. As the Prophet made his way out of the township, a rag tag band ran after him, abusing him and throwing stones at him until even his feet dripped blood.

Zayd tried to protect the Prophet from their blows, and in doing so suffered several cuts on his head. The Prophet and Zayd escaped and sought refuge three miles away in an orchard belonging to Utbah and Sheba, the sons of Rabi’a.

The sons of Rabi’a, who saw the Prophet taking refuge in their orchard, were moved by the sight of a weary traveler with a long road ahead of him, and sent their slave Addas to him with a bunch of grapes. The Prophet took the grapes, and only after saying Bismillah (in the name of Allah) did he begin to eat. Addas was surprised to hear the Prophet invoke Allah’s name before eating.

“The people around this area never utter such phrases,” he told the Prophet.

The Prophet asked Addas, “Where are you from, and what is your religion?”

“I am a Christian and belong to Ninevah,” replied Addas.

Voice Of

Islam

Every Friday With Mallam Abdulfattah Enabulele Chief Imam of Benin

We must show the spirit of tolerance towards each others

The Spirit Of Tolerance “Are you from the village of the pious man, Yunus bin Mati?” the Prophet asked.

“He is my brother,” the Prophet responded. “He was a prophet and so am I.” The Prophet then recited some verses from the Qur’an referring to the Prophet Yunus (Jonah). Addas was so impressed that he accepted the Prophet’s call to Islam.

The Prophet resumed his journey back to Makkah, and dejection set in. At Qarn Al-Manazil, a cloud bearing the angel Jibreel appeared before the Prophet. With him was another angel.

“Allah has sent to you the angel of the mountains,” Jibreel said. “He is at your command.”

The angel of the mountains said, “O Muhammad, I am here to do as you say. The choice is yours: I can crush the people of Ta’if between two hills, if that is your wish.”

The Prophet, however, was not looking for revenge. “No. I hope Allah will bring forth from their loins people who will worship Allah alone without associating any partners with Him.” 6. The Truce of Hudaibiya: The high level of tolerance exhibited by the Prophet during the negotiation between the Muslims and the Quraysh is another example worthy of narration.

The Muslims resolve to shed the last drop of their blood in the defence of their faith, brought the Quraish to their senses. Their past experience stood them in good stead. They could now realize what such a resolve on the part of the Muslims meant.

Unarmed though they were, and numerically weak besides, the Quraish could foresee what disaster was in store for them, should the worst come to the worst. Thus chastened in spirits, they deputed one Suhail-ibn-Amr to resume the peace negotiations. A truce was drawn up restoring the state of peace between the two parties for a period of ten years. The main clauses of the treaty were as follows: 1. The Muslims shall this year return without performing the pilgrimage.

2. Next year they may come, but shall not stay at Mecca longer than three days.

3. They shall not take with them any of the Muslims already living in Mecca, and, on the other hand, they shall not stand in the way of any one from among themselves, should be wish to remain behind at Mecca.

4. Should any of the Meccans go over to Medina, the Muslims shall hand him over to the Meccans; but if any of the Medinite Muslims should rejoin the Meccans, the latter shall not restore him to the Muslims.

5. The Arab tribes shall be at liberty to enter into alliance with whichever party they chose.

When putting the agreement in writing, ‘Ali, who acted as a scribe, began with the words, Bism-illah-irrahman-irrahim, i.e., in the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. (just like the way Pastor Bakare challenged Hon. Justice Idris Kutigi, Chairman National Conference started his speech with Bism-illah-irrahman-irrahim) Suhail objected to the adoption of this form of Muslim opening to the document, insisting that he must have the traditional form that had all along been in vogue in Arabia viz., Bism-i-kallahumma, i.e., in Thy name, O God. To this the Prophet agreed.

Further on, he again took exception to the words: This is an agreement between Muhammad, the Apostle of Allah, and the Quraish.” “If we were to admit,” he remonstrated, “that you are the Apostle of God, why all this bloodshed?” But Ali said he would not expunge the words “The Apostle of Allah,” with his own hand. The Prophet, has never, attached no importance to such an insignificant detail. He asked to be shown where the words in dispute were. The spot being pointed out to him, he

blotted out the words with his own hand, and dictated the words “Muhammad son of Abdullah” instead.

As a truthful and sincere Muslims, every one of us must imbibe the moral virtue of tolerance exhibited and practiced by the Prophet of Islam especially when dealing with every human being whether Muslim or not.

The only people who can correct the wrong impression about Islam are the Muslims through sincere actions and good conduct.

Demonstrating earnest leniency, tolerance and benevolence is the best way for the beauty of Islam to be seen in our own lives with our non-Muslim family members, neighbours, colleagues, workmates, schoolmates and all our fellow human beings that we interact with.

Benevolence in whatever actions we undertake is the best form of da’wah that we can give to another person. This is because our actions speak louder than our words: no matter how much we try to convince people that Muslims are generous, peaceful, tolerant, kind, emicable, charitable and so on, words alone are not convincing enough. If our moral values and compassion are not reflected in our actions, the words become meaningless.

One of the major issues causing problems of insecurity and tension in Nigeria today is lack of tolerance among the Nigerian people, particularly between the followers of the two major religions – Christianity and Islam. The leadership of both religion, must come together and understand, tolerate and respect their differences for the interest of peace, stability, progress, development and unity of this great nation called Nigeria.

Expression of irresponsible utterances by religious leaders cannot help anyone.

There is deep rooted hatred and mistrust among the adherents of the two major religions. It is the suspicion that is presently playing out in the National Conference.

The Islamization of Nigeria For the avoidance of doubt, Almighty Allah has clearly stated in His Glorious Book, chapter 2 v 256, that there is no compulsion in religion. Surely, the right way has become distinct from error; so whosoever refuses to be led by those who transgress, and believe in Allah, has surely grasped a strong handle which knows no breaking. And Allah is AllHearing and All-knowing.

The fear being expressed in some quarters by some individuals that the activities of Boko Haram and the Fulani herdsmen is another grand design to Islamize the nation. This accusation is another calculated attempt to paint Islam negatively in the eye of the non-Muslims.

It is totally misleading, mischievous, fallacious and purely a cheap blackmail that cannot be substantiated with facts and figurative analysis.

Every right thinking human being knows that the Islamization of Nigeria is not just possible and practicable.

Muslims has no business in imposing Islam on other Nigerians because, we know that there is no compulsion in religion (2:256). Nigeria is a multireligious society, so shall it remain so.

STATE EMPLOYMENT AND EXPENDITURE FOR RESULTS (SEEFOR) PROJECT AND EDO STATE WASTE MANAGEMENT BOARD

REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS CREDIT NO: 5022 RFQ NO: ED/SEEFOR/NS/WM/2014/LOT 1-10 1. The Federal Government of Nigeria has received approval from the International Development Association (IDA) for a credit towards the cost of State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) Project. Edo State is one of the Beneficiary States and intends to apply part of the proceeds of this credit to payments under contracts for waste disposal within Benin City.

2. The SEEFOR Project now invites sealed quotation from eligible and qualified bidders for the collection of wastes from the locations within Benin City mentioned below; LOT NO

DESCRIPTION

COMPLETION P ERIOD (MONTHS)

QUOTATION V ALIDITY PERIOD (DAYS)

SITE LOCATION

From Idia Street along Textile Mill Road left terminating at Ogida Siluko Road left terminating at 2nd West Junction back to Textile Mill Road terminating at Textile Mill on Uselu Lagos.

From Uwasota Junction to Adolor College Road on Ugbowo-Lagos Road through Adolor College Road to Uwelu Secondary School.

12

45

Benin City

12

45

Benin City

3

From Omore Road, Junction along Benin-Lagos to Iduomwina (Idele Sawmill Road) to the River.

12

45

Benin City

4

From Igue-Iheye left terminating at Oluku by the Bye- pass.

12

45

Benin City

5

From Uwelu Road Junction left along Siluko Road through Obanosa Street right to Uwelu Spare Part back to Textile Mill Road Junction.

12 45

Benin City

6

From Mobile Avenue Junction along Siluko Road to Useh and Egor.

12

45

Benin City

7

From Iyayi Sawmill Junction right to the River, through the River to Upper Lawani back to the Catholic Church along Upper Lawani.

12

45

Benin City

8

From Presbyterian Church to the River, then left through Ewah Road Junction through Isonobobo back to Presbyterian Church.

12

45

Benin City

9

From 1st Cattle market to Bye Pass

12

45

Benin City

10

From Rio Petrol Station to Bye Pass

12

45

Benin City

1

2

3. Bidding will be conducted through the shopping procedures specified in the World Bank Guidelines: Procurement under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits, and is open to all bidders resident in Edo State.

4. Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information from the Office of the Project Coordinator, State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) Project, 8th Floor, Palm House, Sapele Road, Benin City, Edo State. E-mail address: edoseefor@gmail.com and inspect and obtain the bid document at the address given from 9.00am to 4.00pm, Mondays to Fridays. Bidders are to pay a non-refundable fee of N5, 000 (Five Thousand Naira) only payable to State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) Project Account before obtaining the bid document.

Qualification requirement include: Evidence of business registration (CAC), current Tax clearance certificate, Evidence of financial capability to carry out the job and registration with the Edo State Waste Management Board (EDWMB). Additional details are provided in the Quotation Solicitation Document.

5. There shall be a pre bid conference which will hold on the Monday the 12th of May 2014 at 3pm at the address below.

6. Quotation must be delivered at the in a sealed envelope address below before 2.00pm Friday May 16, 2014. Late quotation will be rejected. Quotation will be opened in the presence of bidders representatives, who choose to attend in person at the address below immediately after the deadline for submission i.e. 2.00pm Monday, May 16, 2014.

The Project Coordinator, State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) Project Ministry of Budget and Planning and Economic Development, 8th Floor, Palm House, Sapele Road, Benin City, Edo State.

E-mail address: edoseefor@gmail.com

Insight

YOUTHS are the future leaders and builders of the nation and as such their training and up bringing should not be underestimated or taken for granted but rather a collaborative effort is required between the parents, teachers, government, NonG o v e r n m e n t a l Organisation (NGOs), concerned Nigerians, and the likes to position them with the necessary leadership skills appropriately refined with patriotism to take this nation to the desired height.

This combined effort from all and sundry if properly utilised will bring out the best in the youths and they will in turn transfer that skills and ability learnt into the development of the nation which will lead to transformational development in both human and material resources and the changes will make life worth living in Nigeria, the acclaimed giant of Africa.

Several governmental and Non Governmental Organisations are in the fore front of championing the course of building vibrant youths that will take over from the present crops of leaders we parade today whose leadership style over the years have yielded nothing but infrastructural decay, insecurity, unemployment, high crime rate in the nation and the youths now engage themselves in various nefarious activities that has brought nothing but stagnancy and retrogression to the land.

The National Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN) is one body that believed in the youths. All their members and executives are all vibrant youths who have all come

together to take the destiny of this nation in their hands and are focused to change the story of the nation from the sorry state it has found herself to that of great achievement beyond human comprehension.

The NYCN is a vehicle and a platform for building a better nation through direct contributions from refined patriotic youths with great leadership skills.

NYCN is the apex/ umbrella body of all Youth Organisation in Nigeria. It acts as an intermediary body between the government and Youth Organisation for proper coordination of all youth activities in the country.

The Act incorporating the National Youth Council of Nigeria formally came into operation in 1964, following which it was affiliated to World Assembly of Youth. The body is guided in its works by the Nation Youth Policy of Nigeria.

Membership of the Council comprises of uniform, non uniform voluntary youth organisations and affiliate Community Youth Development Associations within the Local Government Areas, irrespective of tribe or religion.

Based on the aims and objective of NYCN, the Ovia North East and Egor chapter organised a one week youth entrepreneurial and leadership training camp programme where over 300 youths across the state where adequately trained in various field and professions.

The camp which started from Sunday 13th through Friday 18th of April 2014 saw youths from Egor, Ovia North East and other local government areas in Edo state made use of the opportunity to acquire

Youth Empowerment various skills to set them apart from the crowd and position them for the leadership position of the nation in future as well as make them employers of labour employing their fellow youths and together develop the nation.

Speaking to participant at the programme, the chairman of NYCN Ovia North East Local government chapter Comrade Wilson Etinosa Ekhomogiazin expressed his delight for the turn out of great number of youth who forsook other activities to embrace the training programme to make a difference in life and contribute their quota to the development of their local government areas, state and nation at large.

Comrade Ekhomogiazin thanked all the youth present for the camping programme urging them to be serious with the programme and utilise the opportunity graciously and put it to proper perspective to distinguish themselves from their fellow youths as well as making themselves useful to the society, state and nation at large.

“Organising this programme was not that easy as funds became the major problem and an obstacle that threatened the camping program but however support came from various quarters including that of Egor and Ovia North East Local Government bosses who stopped at nothing but to support the programme and ensure that the one week programme was successful. Other institution also supports the programme because they believe in the youths of this nation and the need to equip them for the leadership of

this nation in future”.

The NYCN chairman Egor local government chapter Comrade Peter Aguebor thanked the youth and guest that made the occasion worth while saying that the youth should know that they are the leaders of the nation and should use the skills learnt at this camping to improve

By RICHARD

youths in all ways to ensure that the youths are strong enough to face the challenges created by the leadership style of some of our leaders, the NYCN Ovia North East chapter as a body also specially acknowledge Nigerians who may be politicians, captains of industries, royal fathers and other

where is the development going on? Who is responsible? What are the motives? Who and who are benefiting from such development?

Any political under tone? Who is creating the job? Why is he creating such job? What are the reasons? Who are

oth rec exc exe and rep in Rep rep Co

concerned Nigerians who have the love of the youths at heart and work passionately to assist the youths achieve their dreams by creating the enabling environment that will help propel them to greater height. Such people are closely monitored by the executives and when satisfied using some laid down measures to judge them and found them worthy of recognition they are singled out and honoured to keep them on their toe to continue to contribute their quota for the development of the youths as well as all citizens.

The group major focus is on youth empowerment through employment opportunity or infrastructural development.

The questions guiding and leading the body are thus;

benefiting from such jobs?

The body follow these laid down rules and procedure to present award to deserving Nigerians who will stop at nothing to position the youths for the leadership of this nation.

In this vain NYCN Ovia North East Chapter year in year out continue to monitor their leaders in their locality to know how these people are contributing to the development of their people. They follow their activities to find out how they are using their good offices to affect the people positively in other to make life better for them.

NYCN Ovia North East Chapter lead by Comrade Wilson Etinosa Ekhomogiazin was singled out, Hon. Engr. Osahon.

Isaac Nosakhare amongst

nat A lai exe No Ho him for dev con inf and the giv de sup you Ov fin sup S Co ext lea No peo con

ICT

not only their lives but that of their families and the nation at large.

Speaking further Comrade Aguebor said the youth constitute the backbone of this nation and the development depends on the youths. “The place of the youth in nation building can not be underestimated and I call on concerned Nigeria to always support the youth and her various activities in the local government areas”.

Aside supporting the

“In this vain NYCN Ovia North East Chapter year in year out continue to monitor their leaders in their locality to know how these people are contributing to the development of their people. They follow their activities to find out how they are using their good offices to affect the people positively in other to make life better for them.”

Insight

Via NYCN Initiative OKORO EWEKA

her leaders from the areas ceived an award of cellence due to his emplary leadership style d his adequate presentation of his people the House of presentative as member presenting Ovia nstituency in Abuja the

tions capital.

After meeting the required d down rules, the ecutives of NYCN Ovia orth East paid a visit to on. Nosakhare to invest m as the patron of the body r his contribution to the velopment of his nstituency in the area of frastructural development d sitting quality projects in e locality. He has also ven scholarship to serving students, pported not only the uths but the people of via constituency through nancial and material pport.

Speaking at the occasion omrade Ekhomogiazin tol the outstanding adership quality of Hon. osakhare in attracting ople oriented project to his nstituency that have

improved not only the lives of the youths but all the people from his constituency. “We have observed with great delight that you have been a personified agent of change. We are not unaware of your dogged struggle to bring the desired development to our constituency and indeed Edo state through your contribution at the National Assembly and your recent

disbursement of financial support worth millions of naira to assist the people of your constituency. We also thank you for facilitating the construction of Ogbese bridge, Uhen – Ondo bridge and Egboha – Yuruba Camp bridge all in Ovia North East Local Government Area amongst others”.

“Its on record that

since you assumed office as honourable member House of Representative, you have consistently defended what belong to Edo people; your recent open defence of who truly reconstructed the Benin-Lagos road by five junctions round about is an example of uncommon leadership style. In a bid to be self reliant we have decided to go into farming to reduce the burden on government.

We have acquired a land on lease in Ugbogiobo Community in Isiuwa Ward. We need your support and help”.

The Caretaker Committee Chairman NYCN Edo State and chairman National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Egor Local Government Chapter, Comrade Ekpen Uyigwe appreciated the fatherly and leadership role played by Hon Nosakhare to enhance the lives of his people through various

constituency project sited in the constituency.

Hon. Nosakhare was excited with the honour done him and pledged his support for the body, the youths as well as for good governance that would make life meaningful for the people of Ovia constituency. He also expresses delight for the resolve of the youths to go into farming to provide not only for themselves but for their family, state and nation at large.

Nigeria’s True Democracy, Albeit Marketplace Style

WE are enjoying a true democracy in Nigeria at the moment; most especially so these last few months to the next elections.

A true democracy is a government for the people, of the people and by the people. In a true democracy, you expect the people’s wishes to be done.

This is what is happening in Nigeria today.

We scream, we shout, we protest and the government does what we demand, almost. Fuel subsidy removal, we screamed, we shouted, we shut down the nation, we died and the government reversed the abrupt removal, well halfway.

Government reneged on their promise to our teachers. We screamed, we threatened, we struck, we sat at home and then at last the government took some of ‘their’ billions to settle us to return to work and school after 6 months, in ‘compliance’ with our democratic wishes.

Stella Oduah and Coscharis’ BMW robbery: we screamed, we shouted, we protested, we were arrested and then the government nudged her to retire. Well, that’s somewhere midway between her going to jail as we demanded and her remaining in authority.

And though Coscharis got off the hook, they at least saw their government business partner retire.

The Tokunbo car ban: We

screamed, we shouted, we danced and the government has thus far kept postponing the ban, which is somewhere between the complete expulsion we want and the total ban their pockets crave.

Where Is Our Money: Yes, the ‘missing’ 20127 billion United States dollars; we shouted, we tore our pants, we protested at embassies from New York to Berlin and on streets from Lagos through Abuja to Kaduna; they tried to sack Sanusi in response, we kept protesting, they ‘suspended=sacked’ Sanusi, we kept at it, BBC joined us, CNN, Aljazeera, Wendell Simlin, aka, Reno Omokri launched Boko Haram at us, but we did not falter, finally they ‘set up an audit’ to ‘look into it.’ Democracyexecuting the will of the people, not so?

Selling the refineries: we screamed, we yelled, we threatened and suddenly president Jonathan came out to tell us that Diezani was lying, they never

By DR PEREGRINO BRIMAH

Interior ministry… and they have at least called a panel in which they got Moro to blame it on the devil. That is something.

As we continue to shout across the world, and be arrested as Omojuwa was,

intended any such. Diezani is back at it again, but we can predict that as we scream, shout and protest—the NLC has already warned her and the Jonathan government not to dare sell any more public

President Goodluck Jonathan

asset—they will again listen and postpone till perhaps after re-election.

Abba Moro and his Immigration bloody scam: We are screaming, shouting, Omojuwa and Ms Azeerah Mohammed painted “Bloody Murderers,” in front of the

this Wednesday as he delivered 18 coffins to the Ministry of Interior, perhaps in 2 months like Stella, we will see Moro systematically, honourably resign.

Oil goddess Diezani: we are screaming, we are

shouting, we have been protesting for years now, even pro-Jonathan diehards as they call themselves are protesting for her and Moro’s sack in Delta state; and at last the government is responding to our democratic desires.

Though the presidency has said they will not probe her, the senate is at least. That is something, right?

Perhaps her excesses will be limited or at least hidden from our view a little bit (her sack or resignation, we should not hold our breaths on). But at least we are getting something; a whole oil goddess is having to explain herself!

I think we Nigerians can celebrate our democracy.

The shouting of the people gets heard and done…well, almost.

The fresh air has been good… that’s the copious amounts we enjoy when we recurrently engage in street protests against governance terror or run from the growing free flowing, epidemic, violent terror that now abounds.

We have all been turned into activists. (NAN)

“The fresh air has been good… that’s the copious amounts we enjoy when we recurrently engage in street protests against governance terror or run from the growing free flowing, epidemic, violent terror that now abounds.

With Francis U. Odupute

Art Alive

Role Of The Artist In Society

THE role of the artist and the artiste is to educate and impact knowledge to the people around him and to the larger society.

The fine Artist is prolific and specializes in many sections of the arts numerous to mention. As a result, he can participate in exhibitions, conferences, seminars, symposia etc. The Artiste on the other hand is a specialist in the arts of performing as this is expressed in the dance, drama, music etc. Both the Artist and the Artiste are randomly saddled with one aim and objectives geared toward quality deliverance to the audience, which they (the audience) either appreciates or hates. The audience believes in being entertained. So when the audience is thrilled with any good performance, they respond by applauding in appreciation but when the opposite is the case- when they are not impressed with any exhibition or a performance, they respond with criticism. In these circumstances.

The audience disseminates their conclusion to any display to members of the public. In this case, the Artist /Artiste performs while the audience reacts to the performance either positively or negatively.

Meanwhile, the Artist as an art historian is concerned with how to explore the possibility of an art piece or a mere work. Since the world we live in is a world of visual communication which includes. Television, films, videos, advertisements, signs and symbols in public places and artwork, graffiti, photography both in newspapers and other magazines, pictures in National Gallery, comic strips and cartoons, packaging on consumer goods etc, the art historian can convey to the general audience the factual knowledge about the history of art, a history of art object, its sources, the style and the materials involved. He critiques of an

By MARY YOUNG

art piece, writes on the rights of an object, reposition an art and if well packaged such an art piece would be appreciated at the end of the day.

Traditionally, one of the characteristics of the visual work of art has been the uniqueness of the work which the art historians are sometimes as much preoccupied with locating

and authenticating and eventually doing justice to by interpreting in order to have human appeal. It is mainly in connection with painting and sculpture that the technology of Art History plays an important role. This is because the above mentioned two branches of visual art, are what the laymen sees as the main works of art and sees

Poetry

Downpour STARTED like drops from the sky Then the thoughts of men on the road began to fly The cloud had began to cry Getting a covering we had to try Oh! We discovered that the ground had a smell The meeting point of the two elements was evident with holes Sun gave way for this marriage of giants Day looked Like night Play ended but had just begun in some corners Jumping laughing and shouting with wet clothes The shallow roots smiled in reception While the legs of the Iroko stored for the dry days

Leaves were made to jump and dance Roofs sang and made melodies without choice As the flood gates of heaven were opened Drizzles became downpours The wind felicitated with her brother Giving him the power to scare further Lightning and effects on the stage were added by thunder Sitting in the hut, we meditated in the weather Those that have shades get it employed Those without have their skin bathed To some its showers of blessing Others experience flogging of nature

By OLUGBEFMIRO OPEYEMI MICHAEL

FRANCODUS ON FRIDAY

the painters and sculptors as the original artists. For this reason, both the Artist and

the Artiste will play their roles in different ways but with one aim and objective,

to educate the general audience as to what the work of art is all about.

Textile Industry And The Way Forward

By ISAAC KELVIN BACK in the 80’s Nigeria’s textile and cotton industry was a major contributor to the economic base of the country.

Statistics revealed that it provided a source of livelihood for over 20 percent of the population.

Then over 170 textile mills, dotted the entire landscape and generated a yearly turnouer of 8.95 billion.

This amounted to 25 percent of the sector’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

However the sector has suffered neglect and abandonment which in turn has made the textile industries more or less dead. From figures gotten, the number of textile factories, went down from 175 in the 90’s to about 25 in 2010 just as the number of people employed in the sector shrink from 137,000 to 24,000 as at 2010.

According to stakeholders, the almost dead textile industry has been undone by lack of modern equipment-A visit to most textile factories will show that they operate with archaic equipments when other nations have gone past that stage.

Similarly the rate at which textile material are imported is also a reason for the dwindling fortunes of the textile sector. Records show that 85% of textile materials are imported from Asian countries.

There is also the problem of funding and low technical penetration among the existing textile factories, says the Director General of the Nigeria Textile manufacturers Association, Jaiyeola Olarenwaju.

As expected, this decay in the sector has lead to loss of jobs. If the sector were to be functional, it will get the needed jobs to most Nigerians as the unemployment level is on the increase.

Facts available indicates that from the 1960’s to the 1970’s over 600,000 workers were in the sector making it the second largest employer of labour.

Furthermore, the dearth of textile factories have reduced the countries Gross Domestic profit (GDP).

In a country as India, it contributes about 17 percent to their export earnings.

However, there seems to be

light at the end of the tunnel with the Federal Government providing a N100 billion bond-funded Cotton Textiles and Garment industry (CTG) revival scheme.

With the country’s teeming population, this move by the federal government, if not hijacked by political jobbers, will go a long way in resuscitating the textile industries as manufacturers association of Nigeria (MAN), revealed that utilization in this sector has tremendously increased from 29.14 in 2010 to 49.70% as at 2011. This has saved about 8,070 jobs and created 5,00 new jobs.

Besides, there is need to pluck the holes that have made Nigeria a dumping ground for foreign textile materials. High import duties must be placed just as there is need to ensure that only quality materials are brought into the country.

This singular steps will help in reviving the dead industries.

Therefore, with the economy struggling to stand, unemployment rising higher, insecurity staring the country, crime rate soaring etc, there is therefore, the need for more drastic measures to bring back these dead textile industries to what they used to be in their glory days.

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Art And Culture

Workers Celebrating May Day

May Day Culture

MAY, in symbolism, is the great grand daughter of Uranus the first of the gods and mother of mercury.

Mercury was the Roman god of merchandise, theft and eloquence, messenger of the gods identified with the GreekHermes.

May is now the fifth month, of the year, sacred to Maia, mother of mercury, and one of the beautiful, lovely months.

May is now a Christian name meaning a maid or a kinswoman, form of Mary, sometimes used as an independent name and associated with the name of the month-May (April, May, June are female Christian names) the early or gay part of life.

May day, the first day of may is given to

sports, to socialist and l a b o u r demonstrations, May games and other activities associated with May time season such as May Queen-a young woman crowned with May blossom, flowers as queen on May day; observed as public holiday in many cultures or countries.

Maia, Maria, diminutive of Mary and other formsMarie, Marianne, are commonly used as English names.

Maria is star shinning, that denotes any of the darkish level areas in the moon and mars, and in culture Maria, Mary is Queen; and is spoken of as an angel sent by God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ on earth.

The name of the

Blessed Virgin Mary was long held to be too sacred for common use and in Sienese culture for instance, would not allow no woman so named Maria, to practice the calling of a prostitute.

In Spain, girls whom it was wished to put under the patronage of Mary were given names connected with her life; attributes, however, the name Mary has gradually came into use in the World. Its growing popularity reflects the growing devotion to the Virgin Mary.

Maria is now quite common, the original source area of the

Moon, and Mars, a song in West side story and Maryan popularity acclaimed in culture.

Maria, Mary, Queen of Angels- “Regina Angelium” is the shekinah in some culture, Pistis Sophia in Gnostism.

Pistis, Sophia-Faith, Wisdom, is a female.

One of the greatest in Gnostic lore said to have procreated the superior Angels.

Shekinah is the female manifestation of God in human person the divine indwelling the bride of the Lord. “The Angel which redeemed me from all evil” uttered

by Jacob.

Shekinah is the glory

With AMBROSE EKHOSUEHI

emanating from God, His effulgence. When two persons sit together and are occupied with the word of the Law, Shekinah is the Liberating angel.

According to Jewish Legend, it is related that Abraham caused Shekinah to come down from Heaven, and when God drove Adam out of the earthly paradise, Shekindah remained behind, enthroned above a cherub under the tree of Life, her splendour being brighter as the sun.

This radiance make all upon whom it fell exempt from diseases, that neither insects nor demons could come nigh unto such, to do them harm.

Shekinah hovels over all conjugal unions between husbands and blesses such unions with her presence.

Maria is identified with the moon, a woman who had the moon under her feet and according to cultural heritage had the belief that Mary is mother of children.

In Folklores spinsters hail the new moon charming appearance; saying “All hail to thee moon, all hail to thee.

I pray thee good moon, reveal to me this night, who my husband must be”. The spinster would dream of her future husband.

In Benin Culture, the woman who has the

moon under her feet is said to be spinning cotton wool-odede ne lye Emo, the begetter of children.

The old woman is seen spinning thread as spinner would admire.

Children would go out to hail the new moon, giving a token of sand (soap) to wash her child mankind.

“Uki Mien evbakhue, ne u yak hue ovbue ne ogbeide” Again, people rejoice on seeing the new moon, so no one does harm to the feeble mother, so as to have a child on her back.

“Ede ne a mien Uki, a ghogho ne uki, Ne O gbe odede ghi rrie omo vbovbo.”

They sang praise song, dance, pray for peace and progress while the New moon light play would commence.

May day is cherished by all, as all workers day, labour day, sports event day, dedicated to Queen woman crown with May blossom flowers and the bride with twelve stars on her head, the moon under her feet, though the woman look on the lonely from the starry high where her apparition reflects on those she admires on this beautiful month, May in Maria, in Mary, in diverse May day cultures.

“May day is cherished by all, as all workers day, labour day, sports event day, dedicated to Queen woman crown with May blossom flowers and the bride with twelve stars on her head, the moon under her feet.”

Sambisa: Forest

Behind Our House WE can’t be talking of anything else now. We are in mourning over our missing daughters, over 2000 of them disappearing like apparitions from our touch, leaving sad memories and feverish rays of hope behind.

Now everyone is talking at the same time while most of us are demanding for the unmediated intervention of our security agencies and safe release of the girls from the hands of their abductors, some other are sermonizing over their ineptitude, like the security operatives. They are absolving themselves from complicity in the whole matter. They are attempting to tell us that they do not have alkalines, definitely not blood, of insurgency running through veins.

And it hurts, but let us leave them for now as they lick their wounds of shame.

However, it is important to tell our good friend, the IGP, M.D. Abubakar, that asking us to guard over ‘unguided comments does not help the issue. We expect him and the service chiefs to come forth with proactive details of what they have done to relieve every well- meaning persons of this seemingly endless agony; of what they couldn’t do and why it as been difficult to do so. It is hightime their own insecurity hit them smack dab in the face. That is the only way they too can be helped, assisted to earn their pay. For now, whatever remunerations they clamoured for and got, they did not earn. And that is talking mildly.

There is also a group of

others who are beating the media to the work of reportage and disseminating information on the current status of the girls and it is now our turn to ask them the source of their information; if they are the true source, how cogent is the information they are passing to the public. If journalists are daily required to authenticate their source and the information they are passing being co-chief information officers with state governors wherever they operated from; then it is high time others apply caution too. Our emotions are thinning out as it is.

A Senator from Borno state led the bandwagon two days ago when he announced that the abducted girls have been relocated to a new camp, while some of them have been married out to gullible malams in neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and the rest of those ‘bad’ neighbours.

That information is making the fast rounds, sweeping the airwaves like a whirlwind.

For us, that is very sad, but it is far better than hearing that the girls have beeen murdered and dumped in an anaconda’s nest in Sambisa forest. Are they not safer with gullible malams who thrive on child marriage than in the hands of insurgents who do not have any regard for life that they cannot create? They may be helped by the Malams’ senior wives and daughters and escape… We are consoling ourselves, but we also fear that the death that didn’t catch up with this young girls in Sambisa forest may end up confronting them in the

FEMINIQUE With IJEOMA UMEH email: ladywithegoldenpen@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 08182382839

unknown Malams’ houses.

For one, resisting the sexual overtures of their new Lords may expose them to violent rape, injury of vital reproductive organs and even murder where their hosts see them as potential

organs are not ripe enough to be burdened with childbirth, even sexual intercourse for that matter.

We are very unhappy with this one too. We are very very unhappy. We wouldn’t be asking the distinguished

lower legislative arms, for how they have coutinued to allot ample time to debate on the way forward. Mark and Tambuwal remain the best among the rest.

Sambisa. It gives us the jitters, the mind –juggling sound of it, we will be

threat and objects of exposure.

Again, if their hosts succeed in impregnating them, that is vasicovirginia fistula (vvf) waiting to happen because considering their age, their reproductive

senator to confirm if he is the proverbial horse’s mouth, but it is important for him to help the security operatives get to the root of the matter. We also commend the hallowed chambers, both upper and

amazed if Nollywood is not yet doing a movie on that name full of ogre. That forest could well be behind anyone’s house, in our innocent, serene looking backyards. People live around Sambisa, infact,

THE loss of this veteran movie producer in Nollywood is equally

as painful as the ‘loss’ of over 200 school girls to the whims and caprices

of insurgents and their sponsors.

In her life time, Amaka

was inhabited until the insurgents invaded it, killed the residents and took it over as a stronghold.

How on earth did that come about? How could terrorists make entry, take over a place in a country where apparently there is no war? so… we have been living a war and we knew it not? Seriously, there is war!

This is no time for politicking; 2015 may never come. This is time for us to sit back and look critically at the war in our backyard, the war base called Sambisa and see how we could square up with it, arsenal for arsenal, wit for wit!

The United Nations, the U.S and our other allies should come and help us.

We actually will do with commandos now.

To start with, we need to furnish them with information regarding the number of Sambisas we have in and around the region of West Africa called Nigeria. Since we already know the terrorists in our ‘cabinet and all other cabins and nets all over the North East and beyond.

It also behoves on us to reel out their names, their parties/political affiliations, their mothers maiden names and their fathers origins.

God help us.

Rest In Peace, Sister Amaka

“Again, if their hosts succeed in impregnating them, that is vasicovirginia fistula (vvf) waiting to happen because considering their age, their reproductive organs are not ripe enough to be burdened with childbirth, even sexual intercourse for that matter.

We are very unhappy with this one too.

We are very very unhappy.”

Late Amaka Igwe

Igwe churned out movies which touched and helped shapen the lives of people, particularly women, emotionally, psychologically and otherwise and gave us the first insight in women empowerment by the strong female character, for instance checkmate she died this week in an asthma attack at the age of 51.

We will miss her sorely.

May her gentle soul find rest in the bosom of the Lord. Amen.

Issues Opinion Oshiomhole Will Produce Next Governor Of Edo State -Prince Shaka Momodu

PRINCE Udo Shaka Momodu is the Chairman of the Edo State Taskforce on Illegal Structures in the present administration led by Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole. He is the president of Lookwell Truth Organisation and the former Director of Operation Clean Edo state. He is an activist to the core and believes in good governance which is the ingredient to the development of any society He has won awards from notable Nigerians and Institutions.

In this chat with The Nigerian OBSERVER, Prince Udo Shaka Momodu bares his mind on the need and essence of pulling down illegal structures obstructing the right of way or structures built under high tension cables that can be dangerous to the life of people and also to maintain the master plan and sustain the beautification and development being witnessed in the state. He spoke on the challenges facing the Taskforce, the need for Edo Central to produce the next governor of the state because of their high intellectual capability which is a requirement for purposeful leadership. These and many more other interesting issues are here for your reading delight as anchored by Friday Obanor and Richard Eweka.

Excerpts:As Chairman of Taskforce on Illegal Structures, what has been your impact on the state since you assumed office?

We have worked tremendously in line with the goals to maintain the master plan, sustain the beautification and enhance developmental achievements of the present government led by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. We have been working very hard to ensure that all illegal structures built on the right of way as well as those built under high tension cables which pose a risk for citizens of the state are removed to sustain the master plan of the state. This act will go a long way to help the state and keep her citizens safe from electrocution.

We also advise those building or want to build to go to the urban development to get the necessary guidance.

Are people complying and cooperating with your committee when they are asked to remove their structures?

Yes they do. They have no choice but to comply and cooperate with us when their buildings have been marked for remover. We give them time to remove their structures and at the expiration of the deadline, we move in ourselves to remove the structures which they will be asked to pay for since they refused to remove them before the expiration of the deadline.

Is there any political consideration on your line of duty?

No, there is no political

consideration in the course of doing our job and doing what is right. We do our job as it is expected of us. We do not take into consideration political affiliation, once your building violates the laid down rules and needs to be removed we will follow the procedure of removal and we eventually remove such structures without fear or favour. The governor gave us a serious warning never to use this body for witch hunting or vengeance but rather follow the purpose of establishment. We favour no one; we do to one what we do to the other. Those houses whose owners need compensation are adequately compensated before their houses are destroyed especially those that need to be remove for road expansion. We don’t just go to destroy other people’s property, we are humans and have feelings and don’t take delight in inflicting pains on people. We know what it is to build a house so we take time and caution to do what we do to ensure justice and equity prevail in all our dealings in carrying out our job.

We are aware that you are now in the Ugbiyoko axis, what is going on there?

Yes, we are there now to do our job, nothing more, nothing less. Any house on the right of way or under high tension wires must go. Those obstructing the on-going construction must also give way for the construction to continue for the benefit of the people of the state. In all, we put the people in mind and don’t just go indiscriminately destroying people’s homes.

Is this body set up to generate revenue?

No, it is not. We are not set up to generate revenue for the government. We are there for the good of the people and ensure that illegality does not thrive in the state. As Taskforce established by government, we are there to put things right for a better and a well organised society, We can not live in a state where houses are built on the right of way, built on the moat or flood channels. All these are what we are out there to correct and ensure we have a well organised society where life is worth living. Flood water must flow freely to its destination unobstructed by illegal buildings.

Some people build on the right of way and they are pardoned, why?

That is not true. Whoever is saying that is peddling wrong information. There is no preferential treatment on this matter; if your house is located in the wrong place and violates the laid down procedures, such structures will go no matter who owns it. You must build according to specification and there are no two ways about it.

The state has a master plan and it is important to follow it while erecting your structure.

Do you give enough notice before houses are destroyed?

Yes we do. Like I said before, we don’t just go about destroying people’s property even if you have violated the rules. We give enough notice to owners of buildings before we come to remove them. Before destroying, we let the people know what they have done wrong and why the buildings need to give way. In all, we follow the legal procedure to do what we do. We will do this across the state, we are now in the Edo South, and we will go

are you handling this situation?

I don’t like criticising those that are ahead of me, I don’t and will not criticise them. We are handling all criticisms with wisdom, doing everything to carry the people along. We are not perfect but we are doing our best to avoid litigations. When it comes, we are equal to the task, it must come but we will handle it wisely and ensure justice is done and due process is followed.

etc. Comrade Oshiomhole has moved the state forward and as such, I decided to join him to move the state to a greater height.

Six years gone and two more years to go for the present administration should we ask for a third term for the governor?

No. we can’t ask for a third term for the governor because constitutionally it is wrong. The governor has done well in six years. He has transformed the

Are you satisfied with a job of this nature?

Yes I’m very satisfied. When you are called upon to do a job like this, you should be happy because out of the multitude you were chosen. When you are doing a job right and following the procedures, you will not feel pain but be happy doing that job. The job is satisfying because I’m doing the right thing and not inflicting pain on people.

You are a critic of this administration, why then work for this government?

When you see something good you have no choice than to support it. The present administration has done so much for the people of the state.

I’m a progressive and love to join the progressive. The governor has transformed the state and has developed all the sectors of the economy in the state. He has built schools, constructed roads; drainages

state and brought the dividend of democracy to the people of the state. I must tell you, Oshiomhole will produce the next governor of the state come the 2016 gubernatorial election in the state who will continue with his developmental projects.

He has done well, he has built a vibrant and strong economy for the state and it is important to bring in someone with a vision to continue with the good work of the governor.

Looking at the situation in the state, is the party APC still popular?

I must tell you this; in a family you don’t expect everybody to be satisfied; same applies to the party. Not everybody in the party is happy or satisfied with the party but the governor is capable of handling the party. The party is still in charge and will continue to be on top even winning the 2016 election. The governor has done well for the state and people don’t know that

Prince Udo Shaka Momodu

to Edo Central, likewise Edo North. We must visit all illegal structures in the state and right the wrong.

Is there enough awareness campaign against illegal structures in the state?

Yes of course. Our jingles are right now on air. We are embarking on massive campaign through the radio, television, newspaper and fliers.

We are going to also embark on house to house campaign to ensure that they get our message on illegal structures. It is important to enlighten the people. The governor has taken this very seriously, Edo state must be kept clean of illegal structures, to achieve this we must spread the message. The message must get to all areas in the state and the Taskforce will equally visit all areas in the state to correct the defect in the state.

Before you came in, there were lots of litigations against the former chairman. How

now until he leaves the office before they will know the worth of the Comrade Governor. If PDP is voted in, they will do more damage to the state and be pushing it backward instead of forward.

Looking at the fall out from the just concluded congress, don’t you think the party has lost its balance in the state?

The party is still in control and the party has not and will not lose its balance in the state. This happens in other parties, the crux of the matter is the ability to handle the situation and the governor is doing just that meeting with leaders in the party to ensure that the party maintains the legacy it has built over the years. This will only make the party stronger than it is now. The governor will produce the next governor that will take over from him and the seat will go to Edo Central because it is the turn of Edo Central to produce the governor of the state. John Oyegun ruled for two years and eight months and Lucky Igbenedion ruled for eight years making it ten years and eight months. Oshiomhole will rule for just eight years while Osareihmen Osunbor ruled for just a year. You see why I said it is still the turn of Edo Central.

How will you describe the Nyanyan bomb blast in Abuja?

What happened in Abuja is barbaric, inhuman treatment against other fellow citizens. It was very shocking and really unbelievable that we now witness killings everyday in Nigeria. This act has continued for too long and I expect the president and the leaders of this nation to act fast before we are all killed. This is guerrilla warfare that requires lots of concentration to win and the earlier we know this, the better for the nation. These people are not spirits but live with us, it is high time we moved to deal with the situation before they turn Nigeria to a land flowing with tears and blood Can the National conference address the nation’s problem?

The national conference can always address our problem as a nation. I once had a family problem and was told that problems will always be with men and will only be over when a man dies. National conference will come and go but we should learn to live as one and in peace and unity. The problem with Nigerians is that we are too greedy. People have big houses that they don’t need, they build houses they have not visited in the past 20 years, what kind of wealth is that? People don’t have shelter yet some people have houses they don’t need.

The problem facing us is caused by us. We don’t love ourselves but when we do; Nigeria will be a better place to live in.

Religion

What Is Truth? Part 2

AS we said in part one of this series, the Truth is beyond human knowledge to discover. Only the Holy Spirit of God can reveal it to the privileged few who find grace in the sight of God. This is because the bible is a sealed book and the Truth consists of those deep things, hidden inside the bible. In John 3:27, John the Baptist said “a man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven”. In Matthew 13:52 Jesus likened every scribe who has found grace, to know these Mysteries of the kingdom of heaven to a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. For example, the carnal Christian or the natural man, or the moralist sees adultery, which is an old truth, as having extramarital affairs, with another person, but the new found truth is that adultery exists when a so-called Christian is in friendship with the world as written in James 4:4; “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity

with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God”. From this new found truth, we now know that to commit adultery is also to be a friend of the world, not only having extramarital sexual relationship with another person.

Another old truth of the law of Moses, which has been abolished through the death of Jesus, is the payment of a certain “fixed” amount, as a “fine” to the father of a daughter, (who had been defiled before marriage), while giving out their daughter in marriage.

This is what is commonly referred to as “dowry”. BUT THE NEW TRUTH HAS TAUGHT US THAT IT IS A “CURSE” FOR ALL C H R I S T I A N FATHERS, TO RECEIVE SUCH “DOWRY” FROM WOULD-BE SONSIN-LAW EVEN WHEN THEIR DAUGHTERS ARE NOT DEFILED. This law of Moses is found in Deuteronomy 22:28-29, and it reads, “If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not

betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her and they be found; then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife, because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days”.

The new truth is that ‘dowry’ represents a gift, given in cash and in kind only to the chaste bride that is to be married to any groom, after God’s approval of such marriage proposal, as seen by the example of the historical marriage between Isaac and Rebecca in Genesis 24:53; and I quote “And the Servant brought forth Jewels of silver, and jewels of gold and raiment and gave them to Rebekah (the bride); he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.” Bethuel, the father was present, but was not given any cash neither did he demand any fixed amount as a “dowry”.

Through the death of Christ Christian fathers have been redeemed from the curse of this particular law of Moses as we

With

REV. OLU GEORGE

“Finally, Truth can be likened to the strong meat referred to in Hebrews 5:13-14, and I quote “For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil”. find in Galatians 3:10, 13. Therefore, Christians that still obey the unbiblical traditions of the land and of the elders in marriage rites are transgressing the commandment of God by their tradition as questioned by Jesus Christ in Matthew 15:3 “But He answered and said unto them, why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition”?

Finally, Truth can be likened to the strong meat referred to in Hebrews 5:13-14, and I quote “For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised

to discern both good and evil”.

But u n f o r t u n a t e l y, majority of Christians cannot easily adapt to new truth, because they have been preconditioned and grounded in the old things that they have known from the beginning, even if such things are not right in the sight of God. This is what Jesus spoke about in Luke 5:39, and I quote, “No man also having drunk old wine straight away, desireth new; for he saith, the old is better”. This is the spiritual condition of most Christians today. Many Christians want to remain as babes practising rudimentary Christianity, still feeding on breast milk, refusing to eat strong meat. Whereas

“The new truth is that ‘dowry’ represents a gift, given in cash and in kind only to the chaste bride that is to be married to any groom, after God’s approval of such marriage proposal, as seen by the example of the historical marriage between Isaac and Rebecca in Genesis 24:53; and I quote “And the Servant brought forth Jewels of silver, and jewels of gold and raiment and gave them to Rebekah (the bride); he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.”

the harder the Truth, the stronger the meat, and the nearer we are to the kingdom of heaven. Feeding only on milk will not make Christians grow spiritually, and it is only the strong meat that will bring Christians nearer and nearer to the gate of heaven. Only those who agree with God to be weaned from milk, and be drawn from the breasts of the world and of the things of the world, will be taught by the Spirit of Truth more deep doctrines of this Truth as written in Isaiah 28:9 and I quote, “Whom shall he teach knowledge?

Them that are weaned from milk and drawn from the breasts.”

Now that we know what is the Truth, our hearts’ desire and prayer is that God might give Christians repentance to the acknowledging of the truth and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will as written in II Timothy 2:25-26.

COURTESY: REV. OLU GEORGE CHRISTIAN GOSPEL CHURCH ( The Truth Centre ) Benin City.

Reflection

Labour’s Day And The Dignity Of Labour

THE world is celebrating Labour’s Day, a day set aside to celebrate labourers and the benefit of human labour. It is also a day to reflect on the importance and dignity of human labour.

This year we are going to reflect on the essence of labour and some of the current challenges facing the Nigerian labour.

The Christian Bible presents God as the Creator of heaven and earth. Through creation God brought order where there was no order, light where there was no light, and life where there was no life. Before creation, “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

And God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light” (Genesis 1:2-3). God brought light where there was no light.

Just as God brought light where there was no light, labour means bringing development where there is no development.

For instance, it means bringing water where there is no water, electricity where there is no electricity, health facility where there is no health facility, education where there is no education, food where there is no food, good roads where there are no good roads, It also means bringing entertainment, peace and other humanitarian services where there are none.

Every human being that is created in God’s image and likeness is called to be a labourer. The first mandate God gave to man was the mandate to work. God said to the first man and woman, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth” (Genesis 1:28). God wants us to be fruitful, hardworking and efficient in our work. Jesus even said, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples” (John 15:8). If you truly want to be a disciple of Christ Jesus then you must be productive, creative and inventive.

People often think that when they work they are doing favour to the government or their employers. That is why any little dispute leads to strike. Some even see labour as punishment.

Labour is not punishment. God told Adam and Eve, “By the labour of your hand you shall eat” (Genesis 3:19). Without labour there will be no food! We are not simply working for the government we are all working for ourselves, for the glory of God and for the good of humanity. We are the immediate beneficiaries of our labour. Practice, they say, makes perfect.

The more we work the more we actualize our potentialities.

An idle mind is devil’s workshop.

Every labourer deserves his or her wages. The Christian and the Islamic law strongly advocates for just wages. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Give the labourer his wage before his sweat dries”. [Ibn-e-Majah] The worst injustice is to deny labourers their wages. Jesus told those he sent on mission to “eat and drink whatever that is provided for them, “for the labourer deserves his wages” (Luke 10:7; 1 Timothy 5:18).

Every labourer deserves a just wage. To withhold a labourer’s wage is to withhold justice. It is a crime against nature and against humanity. It is an indirect way of committing murder.

It is in fact, the peak of injustice. We should not even allow the sweat of the labourer to dry before paying his wages. Any attempt to delay people their salaries is a sin against God and humanity. God defends the defenseless as he did in the case of the Israelites when they were marginalized by the Egyptian taskmasters (Exodus 1:11-14).

Labourers, as we have acknowledged, deserve their wages

but not all labourers deserve their pay. For instance St. Paul wrote in his letter to the Thessalonians, “For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: if any one will not work, let him not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work” (2 Thess. 3:10-11). A good number of people live in idleness and yet they expect salaries for job they have not done. The Islamic law places curse on fraudulent, “Woe to those that deal in fraud, those who, when they have to receive by

measure from men, exact full measure, but, when they have to give by measure or weight to men, give less than due. Do they not think that they will be called to account?” [AlMutaffifin:1-4]. Fraud attracts divine curses.

Fraud is the major problem Nigerian labour is facing. When you go to government owned offices and sectors you will notice a nonchalant attitude. Most people do not want to put in their best. Government job they think is nobody’s job.

Whether you work or not you must surely receive your monthly salaries. It is unfair! St. Paul wrote to such labourers, “Now such persons we command and exhort in Lord Jesus Christ to do their work in quietness and to earn their own living” (2 Thess 3:12). St. Paul encourages the believers not to be weary in doing good. You will never regret any service you render to humanity whether the government pays you or not, God will always reward you for every hard work.

Another problem that is facing the Nigerian economy is the issue of salary racketeers popularly known as ‘ghost workers.’

‘Ghost workers’ is a common phenomenon among Nigerians.

They are invisible workers whose names are included in the government payroll. At the end of every month they receive salaries they never worked for. It is estimated that about 45,000 ghosts worker were on the federal government payroll. If the

“People often think that when they work they are doing favour to the government or their employers. That is why any little dispute leads to strike. Some even see labour as punishment. Labour is not punishment. God told Adam and Eve, “By the labour of your hand you shall eat” (Genesis 3:19). Without labour there will be no food! We are not simply working for the government we are all working for ourselves, for the glory of God and for the good of humanity.”

With REV. FR. JOHN DAMIAN ADIZIE PHONE: 08076635886

Nigerian economy must improve then Ghost workers must be fished out and flushed out, this includes the sacred cows among them.

If there is anything that has consistently affected the Nigerian economy in a very negative way it is the constant strike actions that the labour union and other sectors usually embark on.

When you consider the amount of money that goes to drain on daily basis each time there is strike action in Nigeria you will know that Nigeria is loosing a lot. For instance, during the industrial strike embarked upon during the removal of fuel subsidy it was reported that the country lost N158.9bn daily to the strike. Apart from billions of Naira that are lost whenever there is strike, Nigeria usually loose manpower, time, energy and its reputation in the international community.

Another major problem that is facing Nigeria is the problem of youth unemployment. Thousands of young men and women who graduate every year are jobless. Almost every street you

go you will find young graduates carrying their CVs from one office to another looking for job, jobs that are not in existence.

The few jobs that are available are already occupied by old people who are not ready to retire. From the recent teachers’ screening in Edo State it was even discovered that most civil servants falsified their age so as to remain in office even in their old age. Think of the recent stamped that took the lives of young Nigerians during the Immigration recruitment exercise.

If the government really want to create job for the timid youths they should ensure that on a yearly basis the number of graduates must be equal to the number of those who are retiring.

Without retirement there will be no space for new employment.

The government should rather make retirement attractive. They should ensure that people’s pension and gratuity are paid as at when due. Even if it means increasing the amount people receive for their pension and gratuity the government should consider it so that people will no longer see retirement as a curse.

In addition, the government should try to create more agrobased and other forms of industries where young graduates could be absorbed immediately after their studies. The government should also encourage small scale factories and industries. They should not use tax and other malicious agencies to frustrate private entrepreneur. These private entrepreneurs are also creating job for the youths in Nigeria; instead of discouraging them the government should in fact encourage them with grants to enable them create more employment in the nation.

I bless your labour with the words of the psalmist, “You shall eat the fruit of your labour; you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife (husband) will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table and you live to see your children’s children! (Psalm 128) Peace be upon Nigeria! From Rev. Fr. John Damian Adizie of the Holy Spirit.

International Features PRO-MOSCOW separatists seized government offices in more Ukrainian towns on Wednesday, in a further sign that authorities in Kiev are losing control of the country’s eastern industrial heartland bordering Russia.

Gunmen who turned up at dawn took control of official buildings in Horlivka, a town of almost 300,000 people, said a Reuters photographer. They

forces repeatedly outmaneuvered by the separatists. The West and the new Ukrainian government accuse Russia of being behind the unrest, a charge Moscow denies.

Daniel Baer, the U.S. ambassador to the OSCE, a European security watchdog which has monitors in the region, told reporters in Vienna: “I think it’s very clear that what is happening would not be

province, driving home just how far control over the densely populated region has slipped from the central government in Kiev.

“They’ve taken them. The government administration and police,” the police official said of Horlivka.

S E C E S S I O N REFERENDUM The town sits just north of Donetsk, unofficial capital of the whole Donbass area, where mainly Russian-

tens of thousands of Russian troops massed on the border.

Many Russian-speaking business “oligarchs” from the Donbass backed Yanukovich and exercise great influence over the region.

On Wednesday, the most powerful of these, Ukraine’s richest man Rinat Akhmetov issued a formal statement saying he remained committed to his

Ukraine’s acting president until after an election on May 25, reiterated on Wednesday that police were incapable of reasserting control in the region and said the armed forces were on full alert for a Russian invasion.

That prompted a return volley from Moscow, where the Foreign Ministry demanded that Kiev “immediately ceases the bellicose rhetoric, which is

excluded.”

SANCTIONS COST There were further signs on Monday that Russia is paying an economic price for its involvement in Ukraine. The International Monetary Fund said international sanctions imposed on Moscow over the crisis in Ukraine were hurting the economy.

The IMF cut its 2014 growth forecast for Russia to 0.2 percent from 1.3

Ukraine’s Restive East Slipping From Govt Grasp refused to be photographed.

The heavily armed men wore the same military uniforms without insignia as other unidentified “green men” who have joined proRussian protesters with

happening without Russian involvement.”

A police official in Donetsk, the provincial capital where separatists have declared a “People’s Republic of Donetsk”, said

speaking separatists have called a referendum on secession for May 11.

Many hope to follow Crimea’s break from Ukraine in March and subsequent annexation by

investments in the Donbass and to keeping the region as part of Ukraine.

Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk warned his ministers their jobs were on the line if the east remained

Pro-Russian armed men stand in the seized regional prosecutor’s office in Luhansk, eastern Ukraine yesterday.

clubs and chains in seizing control of towns across Ukraine’s Donbass coal and steel belt.

Some 30 pro-Russian separatists also seized a city council building in Alchevsk, further east in Luhansk region, InterfaxUkraine news agency said.

They took down the Ukrainian flag and flew a city banner before allowing workers to leave.

Attempts to contain the insurgency by the government in Kiev have proved largely unsuccessful, with security

separatists were also in control of the Horlivka police station, having seized the regional police headquarters earlier in April.

The murder of a town councilor from Horlivka who opposed the separatists was cited by Kiev last week among reasons for launching new efforts to regain control of the region.

Wednesday’s takeovers followed the fall of the main government buildings on Tuesday further east in Luhansk, capital of Ukraine’s easternmost

Russia, following the overthrow of Ukraine’s Moscow-backed president Viktor Yanukovich in late February in a tug-of-war between the West and Russia over the strategic direction of the former Soviet republic.

The Donbass region is home to giant steel smelters and heavy plants that produce up to a third of Ukraine’s industrial output.

An armed uprising began there in early April, with Kiev almost powerless to respond for fear of provoking an invasion by

out of reach - “The country demands action,” he said.

Oleksander Turchinov,

aimed at intimidating its own population”.

There were, however, more conciliatory noises elsewhere.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia would not “do stupid things” in response to Western sanctions.

Describing a phone call between President Vladimir Putin and British Prime Minister David Cameron, the Kremlin said they agreed that only “peaceful means” could resolve the conflict - although Putin has shown little sign of backing down to sanctions.

In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel said she ruled out any military solution to the conflict over Ukraine, which is sandwiched between Russia and the U.S.-led NATO bloc: “Would we have learned anything 100 years after the start of World War One and 75 years after the start of World War Two if we resorted to the same methods? No,” said Merkel, who will visit U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday. “We will not resolve our conflicts in Europe with military means.

“Military solutions can be

percent and forecast capital outflows of $100 billion this year.

The IMF mission chief to Russia, Antonio Spilimbergo, also told reporters that Russia was “experiencing recession” and that a resolution of the Ukraine crisis would significantly reduce Russia’s own economic uncertainties.

“If you understand by recession two quarters of negative economic growth then Russia is experiencing recession now,” Spilimbergo said.

Ukraine is also suffering from the turmoil, with economic output falling 1.1 percent year-on-year in the first three months of 2014, according to government figures released on Wednesday. Gazprom said Ukraine’s unpaid bill for gas supplied by the Russian energy giant was now $3.5 billion.

However, the European Union said it was ready to provide economic aid to Ukraine along with the IMF, which on Wednesday approved a $17-billion aid package, including an immediate disbursement of $3.2 billion.

“The IMF mission chief to Russia, Antonio Spilimbergo, also told reporters that Russia was experiencing recession and that a resolution of the Ukraine crisis would significantly reduce Russia’s own economic uncertainties.”

International Riot Police Clash With May Day Protesters ISTANBUL(Turkey) Turkish police fired tear gas, water cannon and rubber pellets yesterday to try to stop thousands of people, some armed with fire bombs and fireworks, from defying a ban on May Day rallies and reaching Istanbul’s central Taksim square.

Citing security fears, authorities shut parts of the city’s public transport system and deployed thousands of riot police, blocking access to Taksim, a traditional union rallying point and the focus of weeks of anti-government protests last summer.

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, who warned last week against efforts to march on Taksim, has cast both last year’s street protests and a corruption scandal dogging

his government since December as part of a plot to undermine him.

The Istanbul governor’s office said it had advance information that “illegal terror organizations and their extensions” would resort to violence to stoke unrest.

Pockets of protesters played cat-and-mouse in several neighborhoods on the fringes of Taksim, a huge square surrounded by stores, restaurants and hotels usually thronged by commuters, shoppers and tourists.

F l a g - w a v i n g demonstrators, some throwing fireworks and stones, at one point breached barricades in Besiktas, a neighborhood near Taksim on the shores of the Bosphorus, before police forced them back into side streets.

...As Rallies Hold Around The World PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - May Day demonstrators denounced low wages and called for better treatment of workers during rallies yesterday that turned violent in Cambodia and in Turkey, where police tried to enforce a ban on public protests.

Security forces in Istanbul’s iconic Taksim Square pushed back demonstrators with water cannons and tear gas. Protesters retaliated by throwing objects at police.

In Phnom Pehn, civilian auxiliary police, armed with clubs and often used by the government to break up protests, turned on the demonstrators after opposition leaders spoke to the crowd of nearly 1,000. The assaults appeared to be random and limited, and were over in less than an hour.

At least five people were hurt, said Om Sam Ath, an officer of the human rights group Licadho.

“These security forces seem to be addicted to beating people,” he said. “Every time they disperse protesters, they beat people, and not one of them has been arrested.”

A ban on demonstrations has been in place since January, following numerous labor protests for a higher minimum wage and opposition demonstrations denouncing last July’s general election as rigged.

Cambodia is formally democratic, but Prime Minister Hun Sen’s authoritarian government has been in power for almost three decades while his opponents have complained of intimidation.

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy, speaking before the violence, condemned the government for banning workers from holding a May Day rally. He said he supports labor’s demands for a higher minimum wage for garment factory workers. Textile exports are Cambodia’s main foreign exchange earner.

Thousands of workers in

Bangladesh, including many from garment factories, took to streets demanding the execution for the owner of a building that collapsed last year, killing more than 1,100 laborers in the worst disaster the garment industry has seen.

Sohel Rana, the owner of the illegally constructed Rana Plaza, is behind bars and an investigation against him is pending on charges of violating building codes. The building included five garment factories, which were contracted by many Western brands to make clothes.

The protesters, including several trade unions, carried red flags and banners reading “We want execution of Sohel Rana,” and “No more deaths in factories.”

“He must be punished so that such incidents do not happen again,” said Najma Akter, a former garment worker who is now a leading workers’ rights activist.

Hundreds of workers in Hong Kong joined the Labor Day march, calling for improved working conditions and for the government to restrict the number of working hours — a complaint felt by many, including construction workers, bus drivers and restaurant cooks.

Lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan said that regulation of work time was one of the oldest concerns of the International Labor Organization Convention, but Hong Kong has yet to legislate for it.

“Hong Kong is a first world, first class world economy, but our labor law is really very backward,” he said.

In Moscow, about 100,000 people marched through Red Square, the first time the annual parade has been held on the vast cobblestoned square outside the Kremlin since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

In keeping with Soviet-era traditions, Thursday’s par ade was organized by trade unions and honored the working man.

But it also celebrated Russia’s annexation of Crimea and was

In the working class Okmeydani district, members of leftist groups threw fire bombs and fireworks at police, who responded with rubber pellets and tear gas.

Similar clashes erupted in March at the funeral of teenager Berkin Elvan, who had lain in a coma after being wounded in last year’s unrest.

“Berkin’s murderers!” shouted one protester as he threw stones at police lines.

Clouds of tear gas also wafted near the Tarlabasi district, a neighborhood of crumbling buildings adjoining Taksim, which is heavily populated by migrants and subject of a government regeneration plan.

Erdogan said last week he would not let unions march on Taksim and the government suggested instead the gathering should take place at a venue on the outskirts of Istanbul. The unions rejected that idea.

“We will be in Taksim despite the irrational and illegal ban. All roads will lead to Taksim on May Day, and our struggle for labor, equality, freedom, justice and peace will continue,” the main unions said in a joint statement on Wednesday.

On the main Istiklal shopping street leading to Taksim, hundreds of police, some in plain clothes others in riot gear, sat outside shuttered shops. Disgruntled tourists were searched at dozens of police checkpoints thrown up around the square.

“This is supposed to be a friendly place for tourists.

This is a terrible way to treat visitors,” said Mustafa, from Cairo.

The authorities issued a similar ban last year, leading to thousands of antigovernment protesters fighting with police as they tried to breach barricades around the huge square, which in previous years was a focal point for labor demonstrations.

That violence was followed by mass protests that spread across Turkey late last May, in one of the biggest challenges to Erdogan’s rule since his AK Party came to power in 2002.

“Give up your hope of

Taksim,” Erdogan said at a meeting of his ruling AK Party lawmakers in parliament last week.

The prime minister has in the past dismissed protesters as “riff-raff” and “terrorists” and pointed to his AK Party’s

strong showing in elections.

The AK Party dominated the electoral map in municipal elections on March 30, retaining control of both Istanbul and the capital Ankara despite the corruption scandal and last summer’s unrest.

Protesters shield themselves from tear gas fired by riot police during a May Day demonstration in Istanbul yesterday.

Blasts In India Kill Passenger CHENNAI, India - Two bombs went off on a train in the southern Indian city of Chennai yesterday, killing a woman and wounding nine people, officials said, prompting a security alert in the middle of a mammoth election.

No group has claimed responsibility for the rare attack in the city and police officials said they had no suspects for the moment.

Security is already tight in India as it nears the finish line

of the world’s biggest election that began early last month and is due to end later in May. Tens of thousands of police have been deployed for the vote.

Explosive devices concealed under seats went off in two coaches shortly after the train stopped at Chennai’s central station at about 7 a.m. Two of the nine injured were seriously hurt.

“The incident consists of minor-intensity blasts in two

People holding Russian flags and posters march during the May Day celebration at the Red Square in Moscow, Russia yesterday.

coaches,” Rakesh Misra, general manager of Southern Railway, told reporters. “Both are sleeper-class coaches.”

No arrests have been made so far, said Anoop Jaiswal, a senior police officer.

“We’re questioning a lot of passengers,” he said.

A team from the National Investigation Agency has joined the investigation in Chennai, an official said.

A security alert was issued in Tamil Nadu state as well as in neighboring Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh further afield. Hindu nationalist Narendra Modi, tipped to be India’s next prime minister as head of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was due to campaign in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday.

Even before the explosions, security agencies had increased surveillance on suspected members of the Islamist Indian Mujahideen group, which has carried out a wave of low-level attacks in towns across India in recent years.

Police believe the IM was behind blasts at a campaign rally that Modi addressed in eastern India last October. The IM, which says it wants to establish a caliphate, poses the most serious threat so far from a home-grown group in Hindumajority India.

International News South Sudan War Dominates As Kerry Opens Africa Tour ADDIS ABABA - Fears of genocide and famine in war-torn South Sudan dominated the agenda yesterday of US Secretary of State John Kerry, as he launched an Africa tour focusing on the continent’s most brutal conflicts.

Kerry arrived late Wednesday in the Ethiopian capital on his first major tour of Africa, which will also include Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola.

Ethiopia has been hosting peace talks between South Sudan’s government and rebels aimed at ending a bloody fourmonth civil war.

But there is mounting outrage at the scale of killings, with both government forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and rebels backing ex-vice president Riek Machar implicated in massacres, rapes, attacks on UN bases and recruiting child soldiers.

Public Notice

Caveat Emptor

This is to inform the general public that House No. 25, Victor Avenue, Off Oguola Street, Benin City belongs to MR. EFOSA PHILIP OKUNS. The documents of title to the house are missing. Whoever transacts, purports to transact and/or deals with anyone parading any document does so at his, her or their own risk and peril.

Signed by: M.I.Oyakhire Esq. For: M.I. Oyakhire & Co., (Ahonkhai Chambers) No. 82, Siluko Road, Benin City, Edo State.

OGUNMWENYIN COMMUNITY

Oredo Ward 2, Iyekogba, GRA, Benin City

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT This is to inform the general public particularly Land developers, our sons and daughters in Ogunmwenyin Community Iyekogba, Oredo Local Government Area, Benin City that following the report submitted by the verification committee set up by the house on the 18th of February, 2014 to carry out internal verification of all Lands in the Community, that the Elders’ Council met and resolved that all forms of development in the community is hereby suspended until all issues arising from the verification exercise are resolved.

Furthermore, the Elders’ Council would commence meeting with all stakeholders/land developers with effect from Thursday 15th May, 2014.

Thousands of people have already been killed — and possibly tens of thousands — with at least 1.2 million people forced to flee their homes in the country, the world’s youngest, which won independence from Sudan only in 2011.

Addis Ababa is the headquarters of the African Union, and in meetings yesterday Kerry is expected to discuss conflicts not only in South Sudan, but also in Central African Republic (CAR), Somalia and DR Congo.

South Sudan peace talks resumed again on Monday after long delays but have made little progress.

A ceasefire signed in January is in tatters, with tens of thousands of people sheltering in UN bases following a wave of ethnic massacres and other war crimes.

Kerry will “push for both sides to honour the agreement that they signed”, a US diplomat travelling with the delegation said.

The United States was instrumental in helping South Sudan gain independence, and Kerry is expected to try to press the negotiators at dragging peace talks.

“Both sides think that they can win this militarily, and they have certainly not participated in any committed way to finding a negotiated settlement for the conflict,” the diplomat added.

ADDITION OF NAME IRIVBOJE -

I, formerly known as Irivboje Solomon now wish to be known as E b h o m e n y a Solomon Irivboje.

Former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME This is to inform the general pubic, First Bank Plc, other concerned authorities and the general public that the correct spelling of my name is John Ohiengbomwan as in my First Bank Account name and John Offinegbomwan as in my Driver’s Licence.

All former documents remain valid. Please take note.

An Afghan National Army Officer stand among tank before a military exercise on the outskirts of Kabul recently.

India Contracts Russia To Supply Arms To Afghanistan NEW DELHI - India has signed an agreement under which it will pay Russia to supply arms and equipment to the Afghan military as foreign combat troops prepare to leave the country, in a move that risks infuriating Pakistan.

Under the deal, smaller arms such as light artillery and mortars will be sourced from Russia and moved to Afghanistan.

But it could eventually involve the transfer of heavy artillery, tanks and even combat helicopters that the Afghans have been asking India for since last year.

India has already been training military officers from Afghanistan, hosted a 60member Special Forces group last year in the deserts of Rajasthan and supplied equipment such as combat vehicles and field medical support facilities.

But the decision to meet some of Afghanistan’s military

hardware demands - albeit sourcing them from Russia points to a deepening role in Afghanistan aimed at preventing it from slipping back into the hands of the Taliban and other Islamist groups that are hostile to India.

It comes as China, another big player in the region which borders Afghanistan via a small, remote strip of land, is preparing for a more robust role in Afghanistan, also concerned that the withdrawal of NATO troops will leave a hotbed of militancy on its doorstep.

Like China, India is unlikely to put boots on the ground to reinforce its strategy in Afghanistan.

“We can’t commit troops on the ground, we can’t give them the military equipment that they have been asking us for, for all sorts of reasons including the lack of surplus stocks,” said an Indian foreign ministry official, declining to be named because of the

sensitivity of the issue.

“Involving a third party is the next best option,” the official said, referring to plans to source military supplies from Russia for Afghan forces.

The lack of direct access to Afghanistan poses additional hurdles to arms transfers.

An Indian team visited Moscow in February to firm up the deal, the official said.

The two countries will also help Afghanistan restart an old armaments factory near Kabul and prepare an inventory of Russian military equipment in Afghanistan that could be refitted for use. That dates back to the Soviet invasion of 1979-89, although much of the hardware is beyond repair.

“We’ll work with India directly as well as trilaterally involving Russia,” said an Afghan official in New Delhi.

“Most of India’s weapons are made in Russia or co-produced with Russia, so it makes sense.

Also the three-way arrangement is cost-effective.”

TOKYO - Japan will conduct a military exercise this month to practice defending an island, the Defense Ministry said yesterday, underscoring concern about East China Sea islands controlled by Japan but claimed by China.

The dispute over the islands, called the Senkaku in Japan and

Diaoyu in China, has raised fears of a clash between the Asian neighbors which could even drag in the United States.

Separately, China said on Wednesday it would carry out naval exercises with Russia in the East China Sea in what it called a bid to deepen military cooperation.

Japan’s Defense Ministry said the island defense exercise would run from May 10 to May 27 on a small uninhabited island in the Ryukyu chain, some 600 km (375 miles) northeast of the disputed isles.

Some parts of the exercise will be held in southwestern Japan’s Nagasaki prefecture and waters off Okinawa Island’s east coast. Okinawa is home is a major U.S. military base and Japan also bases forces there.

It will be the first time that Japan’s military, known as the Self-Defense Forces, will use an actual island for island defense training involving its ground, air and maritime divisions.

About 1,300 troops, as well

as several fighter jets and destroyers, will practice landing on and retaking the island, the ministry said.

But it said the exercise was not a response to the tension with China.

“Boosting island defense is something that has been mentioned in the defense white paper in recent years. This is not a drill that is responding to the current security situation surrounding Japan,” a ministry spokesman said.

U.S. President Barack Obama said last month while on a visit to Japan that the disputed islands were covered by a U.S.-Japan security treaty, angering China.

Last month, Japan announced it would break ground on a radar base in the area, on a tropical Japanese island close to Taiwan.

The radar station on Yonaguni Island, just 150 km (93 miles) from the disputed islands in the East China Sea, marks Japan’s first military expansion at the western end of its island chain in more than 40 years.

Japan To Conduct Island Defense Drill Amid Tension With China

Egypt: Top Sunni Cleric’s Slam Death DOHA - A Qatar-based Sunni Muslim group led by influential cleric Sheikh Yusef al-Qaradawi has condemned as “politicised” an Egyptian court’s decision to sentence hundreds of Islamists to death.

The court on Monday imposed death sentences on 683 suspected Islamists — including Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie — amid a crackdown on supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

The Association of Muslim Scholars responded by saying it “rejects these verdicts

Sentences

coming from a court that takes orders from those who came to power in a military coup and govern Egypt using coercion and repression.”

In a statement issued late on Tuesday, the Qatar-based organisation said the sentences were “politicised and considered an insult to justice” in Egypt.

The Minya court in southern Egypt is set to confirm the death sentences on June 21.

It reversed 492 of 529 death

sentences it passed in March, commuting most of them to life imprisonment.

Since the army toppled Morsi in July 2013, a crackdown targeting his supporters has left more than 1,400 people dead and 15,000 in jail.

Qaradawi, who was born in Egypt and is seen as a spiritual guide to the Brotherhood, issued a fatwa urging Egyptians to support Morsi, following his overthrow.

The cleric is himself wanted

by Egypt’s military-installed authorities and faces being tried in absentia.

Qatar had close ties with Egypt during Morsi’s turbulent single year in power but relations nose-dived after his overthrow.

The gas-rich Gulf state has given refuge to a number of Brotherhood leaders who fled the bloody crackdown that followed Morsi’s ouster.

Egypt has called on Qatar to respect a 1998 Arab counterterrorism treaty and hand over Qaradawi and other wanted Islamists.

EVERY FRIDAY WEEK 42, 2014 LAST SEASON RESULT Anderson Richwell 1.2. X. Forecast

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United Ban Fan ‘Indefinitely’ A Manchester United fan has been banned ‘indefinitely’ from away matches after being caught with a can of beer in his bag while trying to enter a stadium.

Jamie Bazley was given a police caution on entering the away end at St James’ Park when United faced Newcastle earlier his month after police found an unopened can of Stella Artois in his bag while entering the ground.

Bazley insisted that it was an honest mistake, saying that he believed he had drunk the beer on the train to the game.

United wrote a strongly worded letter to Bazley instructing him of his ban, while Bazley also said he felt cheated because the club are still letting him renew his season ticket and attend home matches.

“This is how a club treats you after spending all your money following them??” he wrote on Twitter before publishing United’s letter.

“They still let me renew my season ticket though won’t they…sick of them treating fans like idiots,” he wrote in reply to another user.

The letter from Manchester United’s Ticket & Membership Services department said: “We have been informed by the Police that you were arrested at the above game and subsequently cautioned for possession of alcohol on entry.

“The club has worked extensively with the FA, the Police and a number of local authorities to ensure our supporters are treated fairly and safely when supporting the Club at away grounds. This process is also linked to the allocation of tickets given to us as the away support.

“People who breach these safety measures are jeopardising our ticket allocations for future matches.

“As a result you will be banned from attending domestic and European away matches indefinitely.”

He has been given 14 days to appeal.

What do you think? Are Manchester United being too harsh? Or should Bazley be held accountable for having the can of beer – even if it was an honest mistake. Leave your thoughts below.

Mourinho

Premier League Title Race

Positivity Is High - Fernandinho

Fernandinho

MANCHESTER City midfielder Fernandinho is hoping to seize the moment and make next week the cause for double celebration.

Manchester City’s Luis Fernandinho celebrates scoring the opening goal of the game with Sergio Aguero (left) and Alvaro Negredo (PA Photos) City have regained the initiative in the Barclays Premier League title race and can take another huge step towards reclaiming the crown with victory at Everton on Saturday.

City could then finish the job in their final games against Aston Villa and West Ham next week - a week in which

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will also name his World Cup squad.

Fernandinho told the club’s website: “We have waited a long time for this moment, and the positivity of the group is now very high.

“I think we will get better and better until the last game, and then we must see what happens at the end of the season.

“It would be amazing, fantastic for me to win the title in my first season in Premier League, and that is why I want to win these three games.

“Next week could be the best week in my professional life, so I need to keep calm and keep working, and wait for the moment.”

Mourinho Full Of Praise For Atletico

CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho was magnanimous in defeat after his side lost their Champions League semifinal following a 3-1 defeat against Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge.

Diego Simeone and his Atletico Mourinho is rarely team as they sealed a meeting complimentary of his with local rivals Real Madrid in opponents after a defeat of this next month’s Lisbon final. magnitude, but the Portuguese “Congratulations to them,” showed real humility as he Mourinho said in an interview offered warm compliments to with Sky Sports. “They are a very good side and what they are doing also in the Spanish league is fantastic. I hope it’s a good final.

“If both teams are there it is because they deserve to be there.

Sometimes in the Champions League we see things that happen and you ask why, but it looks for me that this season it is normal.

Real beat Bayern deservedly, Atletico deserve to win here too.

I hope they enjoy it and I hope it’s a good game.”

Mourinho’s honest assessment of a semifinal that went away from his side following a second-half penalty from Diego Costa was equally polite, as he suggested the tide was turned after 60 minutes as Atletico’s spot-kick and their keeper Thibaut Courtois — on loan from Chelsea — pulled off a stunning save from John Terry.

“I think the game until a certain

minute was very, very, very equal. The first half was more ours than them, but finish with a 1-1 which is a completely open result,” he stated.

“Then one minute decided everything. Atletico’s keeper makes an impossible save to John Terry’s header and in the same minute they have the penalty that kills the game. It was the crucial minute.

“After that 2-1 against Atletico is almost impossible. After that there was only one with morale high, knowing that with half an hour to go they had the game and the result under control.

“The last period of the game was difficult for us, but for about 60 minutes, we had the game more than them, but semifinals and big matches are decided by small details and these were very

NEWCASTLE midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa has said he is desperate to stay at the club even if he continues to be out of favour with manager Alan Pardew.

The France international has been on the fringes of the Newcastle side because of a combination of injuries and a lack of fitness.

Ben Arfa — who was left out of the squad for Monday’s defeat at Arsenal — said he had a frank

allow a player to go it is because, that season for whatever reason, everyone is happy to see him at another club.

“I think the fairest way is to see what we see in European competition and see a player fully focused for the team he is at and at the end of the season it is a matter of reassessing the situation.

“The loan (system) has a real need in the modern game. It is a very interesting debate and should be something that needs to be

any risks,” said the Spaniard.

“It has been difficult to control Phil, not to get him back too early, and I think now is the next step to make sure he has a real strong ending to the campaign and make sure he is available for everything that is needed at England level.

“Phil’s season has been terrific on and off the pitch.

“The only thing I want is for Phil to feel like a footballer again and make sure the enjoyment he gets in the next two games is something that reflects what he had for the whole season.”

exchange with Pardew following the 4-0 defeat by Manchester United on April 5, and it was reported that he was made to train with the reserves last week.

But the former Lyon and Marseille man told the Daily Mail he wants to stay at St James’ Park and added: “I don’t know why I’m not playing. You have to ask the manager. After the defeat against Manchester United, we had a strong exchange of words, but that is it.

“He doesn’t want me to play. I respect it. If he wants, I will play.

I’m here for the club. I enjoy training. I just want to play. I’m fit.

“If the manager says to me he doesn’t believe in me for next season, I want to stay, but if the chairman wants to sell me I have to go. I want to stay here even if the manager doesn’t believe in me because I will show him I can play here.”

Ben Arfa Wants To Stay At Newcastle

Martinez Calls For Loan Rules To Match European Regulations

EVERTON manager Roberto Martinez has called for a change in Premier League loan rules to bring them into line with European regulations.

On-loan midfielder Gareth Barry is unavailable against parent club Manchester City on Saturday yet Atletico Madrid were able to play goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in their successful Champions League semifinal against Chelsea, despite the Belgian technically belonging to the Stamford Bridge side.

Martinez, who has come in for criticism this season for utilising the loan system to

bring in Barry, Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, Barcelona’s Gerard Deulofeu and Monaco’s Lacina Traore, believes that is an anomaly which needs rectifying.

“In my eyes when you reach an agreement for a player to go whether a loan or permanent transfer - he should be allowed to play,” he said.

“It is a decision you make in a window and I don’t see it as a healthy way to treat a loan player in not letting him play against his parent club.

“If you make the decision to

looked at.

“Clearly we shouldn’t have two different rules in two different competitions - I think domestic rules should be the same as the European laws in that respect.”

Captain Phil Jagielka returns to the squad this weekend after 10 weeks out with a hamstring problem.

Martinez has been cautious with the centre-back’s recovery but had targeted this game for his comeback.

“It is really important that he is back fully fit and not taking

Ben Arfa

Tiago Hails Simeone’s Positive Changes Atleico midfielder Tiago hailed manager Diego Simeone for reviving Atleti’s fortunes after a 3-1 thrashing of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

The Madrid side are not only in the Champions League final but they top the table in La Liga by four points over Barcelona, with the league title firmly in their sights.

“Simeone has a lot to do with it. He has changed our mentality,” Tiago said.

“We all work together, we work as a team. Playing like we play we are the strongest team in the world and we deserve what we have in this moment. We don’t have anything, it’s true, but we’re close to having something.”

Tiago, who spent a season at Chelsea in 2004-05 and lost a

Tiago

Madrid Media Revels In Atleti Success

There was unconfined joy across the media in Spanish capital yesterday morning following Atletico Madrid’s 3-1 win in their Champions League semifinal win with Chelsea, which set up a final meeting with neighbours Real Madrid in Lisbon.

Following a 0-0 draw at the Vicente Calderon, Atletico fell behind to a goal from former Rojiblancos star Fernando Torres but hit back through Adrian Lopez, a Diego Costa penalty and Arda Turan to secure a convincing win at Stamford Bridge.

“From Madrid to Heaven” was the headline on the front cover of AS, which bore a photo of the victorious players lined up saluting the 4,000 travelling fans, along with the line: “Atletico wipe out Chelsea in a second half for the ages.” The paper also published a gallery of the Atleti fans celebrating the victory at the Neptuno statue in Madrid city centre on its website.

Marca had key pair Diego Costa and Koke roaring from its cover and added: “A memorable football lesson — Atletico delirium after rolling over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

Simeone

having buried three other European champions: Porto, Milan and Barca.” Marca also pointed out that, whatever happened in the final, the trophy was headed for the Spanish capital — “Lisbon will crown one of ours on May 24.”

AS’ match report said that total belief in coach Diego Simeone had helped Atletico’s players keep the faith when going 1-0 down in the first half, while hailing his surprise selection of the man who scored the key equaliser just before the break: “Simeone — this man who could ask the Atleticos to jump off a bridge, and they would do while thinking him, giving him a kiss, and the keys to their houses — looked again for his secret Champions League weapon: Adrian.”

El Pais praised Atletico’s bravery in not sitting back at 11.

“After the equaliser, Chelsea

did not emerge more ambitious after the break; instead it was an imperial and choral Atletico,” its match report said. “Koke let loose, Filipe too. Mario began to play with authority, Arda imposed his art, and the movement of Diego Costa and Adrian ripped apart the Blues’ defence.”

El Mundo’s report praised the way Simeone’s men dominated the match’s final stages: “Atletico ended the game dancing on the corpse of Chelsea, crouched over on the kerb, trampled over by an uncommon collective, mad with itself, with its football.”

Amid the celebrations, Marca found space to point out that Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho had now fallen at the semifinal stage in four successive years, in a piece with an English headline: “Mourinho, ‘The Semifinal One.’” In the British press, Atletico were widely praised as worthy winners, with former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino, writing in The Times, full of admiration for Simeone’s approach.

“Relentless and resilient, but with more skilful players, you have to applaud Atletico,” he wrote. “Chelsea found out just how difficult their style, Mourinho’s style, is to play against. In the final analysis, they did not have the variation.”

Cascarino, who said Chelsea just need “more power and dynamism in attack” to be a major force next season, also commented on the evolution of the sport, writing: “Football is being played by incredible physical specimens at a sprinter ’s pace. They are heavyweights of endurance and you can no longer afford to switch off for a second because,

as Eden Hazard, the Chelsea midfielder, can testify, it results in a goal.”

Michael Cox wrote a piece for The Guardian focusing on Hazard’s culpability for the loss but, in the same newspaper, Barney Ronay put the emphasis on the visitors’ qualities.

Ronay wrote: “All good things — or bad, depending on your tactical tastes — must come to an end and at Stamford Bridge Chelsea’s defensive juggernaut was duly halted by an Atletico Madrid team too well-grooved, too canny and ultimately too vibrant in attack to be smothered for a second time.”

In the Daily Telegraph, Paul Hayward said Simeone was so animated on the touchline he made Mourinho “look like the Dalai Lama in the technical area.”

Champions League semifinal to Liverpool during his time at the club, feels the equaliser was the turning point in the match.

“It was very important to go to half-time at 1-1. That’s the way we like to play,” he said. “In that moment we knew in the second half Chelsea would have to play more and we would have more spaces in the defence, and

we scored again.

“Of course it’s not easy to play here at Stamford Bridge but we knew Chelsea had to play more.

They had to score a goal.

“We had confidence because we know we are very good playing away from home and we scored. After our goal I think Chelsea went a little bit down, we got confident and we won here.

Atletico Went To Win Thibaut Courtois has said Atletico Madrid’s desire to win the Champions League semifinal against Chelsea was evident in the second-half.

Atletico beat the Blues 3-1 with Courtois making a number of saves against his parent club, to the point Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said the goalkeeper was the game’s decisive player.

Mourinho pointed to one save Courtois made from John Terry but while Courtois agreed it was a crucial stop, he insisted it was also a straightforward one.

“I tried to have a good game, especially with high balls as that’s one of Chelsea’s qualities,” Marca reports Courtois as saying post-match.

“The stop from Terry is not that difficult but it was important. Then there were others which helped decide the game. We’ve been strong at the back and good further forward.”

Courtois added that Chelsea showed greater endeavour in this game than in the first-leg goalless draw, but that Atletico’s eagerness to progress won through.

“I think Chelsea were more offensive here than in Vicente Calderon,” Courtois continued.

-Courtois

“We had bad luck with Koke hitting the crossbar and then we conceded the goal and didn’t defend well.

“But the response was very good. In the second-half we went out to win, not to defend.

“Getting to the final in Lisbon is important.”

The game was Courtois’ first at Stamford Bridge despite having been a contracted Chelsea player since 2011. He has spent the entire time on loan at Atletico but was impressed with his first experience of his ‘home’ ground.

“It’s a mythical stadium where there have been important and special games,” Courtois said.

“I leave here with a very good feeling.”

Thibant Courtois

No Favourites For The Final Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti felt Atletico Madrid were deserving winners against Chelsea and insisted his side cannot be considered favourites for the final.

Ancelotti is looking forward to an all-Madrid Champions League final in Lisbon later this month and, speaking after Atletico’s 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge, the Italian said Real’s city rivals outperformed his former club on Wednesday.

“I think if Chelsea had qualified, they would have had more experience but less enthusiasm and quality than Atletico,” Ancelotti, who managed the Blues from 2009 to 2011, told Sky Sport Italia.

“They are two sides with similar characteristics.

Atletico deserved to win, though — they were simply better and deserve to be in the final. Everybody in Madrid’s happy now.

“There can’t be a favourite in a game like the final, especially against a side who are doing very well. It’s going to be a very uncertain and even game.”

Ancelotti said he has only positive memories of his time at Chelsea, where he won the Premier League and FA Cup in 2010.

“When one door closes, a bigger one opens,” he said.

“That’s what happened with me, but I want to emphasise

-Ancelotti

that I was treated like a king at Chelsea. Of course there are moments of disappointment when you leave a club and of course you’re not happy, but only for brief moments.

“I’m now working for maybe the biggest club in the world, doing all I can to take them as high as we can possibly go. Football has given me a great deal and I’ve been extremely fortunate.

I’ve relaxed a lot as a person and that’s crucial in football as it allows you to see things in the right way. I’m quite reserved about reaching the final, even if it’s hugely satisfying to take Real there for the first time in 12 years.”

Simeone Might Not Be World’s Best...

THERE was a telling moment at around 86 minutes of this wonderful occasion for Atletico Madrid, with his team having remarkably fought from a goal down to take a 3-1 lead, when the ever demanding Diego Simeone spun angrily towards his bench and hurled what seemed like a mouthful of abuse at his staff before leaping furiously up and down on the spot in the manner of a child denied their favourite teddy. You would not have imagined from his furious demeanour that Atleti were about to secure a place in their first European Cup final for 40 years His apparent stream of invective was rather less decipherable than the lusty taunts of “Jose Mourinho, hijo de puta (son of a whore)” spilling down from the away fans at the conclusion of a match which confirmed Simeone’s star is inexorably in the ascendant. The night ended on a rather blue note too, Simeone telling the press: “I want to congratulate the mothers of these pleases because they gave them the big cojones to play the way they played tonight.”

This final, colourful declaration came moments after a member of the Spanish media asked Simeone whether he was the best coach in football. The query seemed rather rash, and Simeone batted it away in classic managerial fashion - “I don’t

think it is the right time to even talk about that right now because now I am thinking only of the next game against Levante” - but on closer inspection, it was not so ridiculous.

Top of La Liga and with a Champions League final against Real Madrid to look forward to, Atleti are wildly surpassing all expectations. Does anyone’s body of work compare to Simeone’s this season? He has forged a brilliant team very much in his own image: uncompromising, unforgiving, meticulous and menacing. But above all the key word is control.

Both managers cited it after Chelsea’s Champions League hopes were extinguished on a night when they were comprehensively outclassed by their visitors from Spain. “We were the owners of the game – we controlled the game from 21,” said Simeone. “The lasting memory will be that, against a world class opponent, we controlled the game in the second half.” Mourinho added: “My team played with pride, honour and professionalism, but Atletico were very mature and intelligent in the way they controlled the game and they had complete control.”

Atleti’s control manifested itself in many ways: Koke controlled the tempo with his use of the ball; Diego Costa just about controlled his emotions to

FIFA’s President Joseph Blatter has backed the decision

by National Basketball Association (NBA) Commissioner, Adam Silver, to ban LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling from basketball for life.

Sepp Blatter

Sterling was sanctioned after he was recorded making racist comments.

“Sports says no to racism and I fully support NBA’s decision to ban LA Clippers owner for life after his racist words,’’ Blatter, who heads the world football governing body, said.

Also, UEFA spokesman, Pedro Pinto, said Michel Platini, president of the European football governing body, welcomed the sanctions.

Patrick Vieira, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, also said: “Well done to NBA, another organisation dealing with racism in exactly the right way. I say again, zero tolerance.”

So it will be an all-Madrid Champions League final in Lisbon on May 24 as big-name coaches Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho endured semi-finals to forget on home turf this week.

Here is what caught our eye from two intriguing semi-finals....

As Madrid celebrates an allSpanish Champions League final, it was clear that the big decisions did not go the way of the big coaches this week. In

Munich, Pep Guardiola needs to win the German Cup final to call his first season a proper success, given that the title was a minimum requirement.

That he has been without Thiago Alcantara for the crucial part of the season has not helped, but his decision to drop Javi Martinez for the start of the second leg looked flawed. His attacking formation left too many gaps for Real Madrid and

bury a delayed penalty under extreme pressure; right-back Juanfran set up the other two goals with the kind of control in the penalty box that eluded Chelsea’s defenders at critical moments.

But above all, control pervades Atleti’s whole approach to the game; they perform as one unit, compact in defence and effective on the break. Their success here was founded on their extraordinary organisation and match intelligence. From the off they sat back when Chelsea had the ball in their own half, inviting the home side to come at them. But

But He’s Getting There

this was not a total surrender of territory. When they had the chance to attack they did just that, with alacrity and enthusiasm. Atleti’s superior control of the game allowed them to ruthlessly expose the few mistakes Chelsea made.

“Tonight was the result of a big collective effort,” said Simeone. “We generated that possibility of us reaching a beautiful final. It was a smashing game in the first half, tactically speaking, until the first goal opened it up. They had the first

chance but we managed to equalise relatively soon afterwards.”

Mourinho, magnanimous in front of the press, added: “They were a real team.”

While his unit were remarkably well drilled and disciplined, Simeone at all times looked like a tightly-coiled spring on the touchline, full of potential energy and ready to explode at any moment. Dressed all in black, with skinny jeans, skinny tie, designer stubble and an undercut complete with a

Blatter Backs NBA’s Anti-Racism Stance

Simeone

Van Gaal Delays Announcing Squad

LOUIS van Gaal has delayed announcing the Netherlands’ preliminary squad for the World Cup, the Dutch FA (KNVB) has announced.

The 62-year-old, who has been in talks over the possibility he will take charge at Manchester United after the

World Cup, had been due to name his party on Friday the announcement has been put back to Monday.

A KNVB statement said: “The coach prefers would prefer to wait until after the final round of

by the time Sergio Ramos headed Madrid ahead, Bayern already looked physically and emotionally rattled. They were only a goal down after the first leg - why did Guardiola feel the need to rush the response?

The same was true of Jose Mourinho, whose call to pick Cesar Azpilicueta as the rightsided attacking midfielder looked vindicated when he set up Torres for the opener. But for

those expecting him to keep it tight at 1-1 and go for a winner late on, as he did with success in the previous round against PSG, he pulled a surprise: taking off Ashley Cole and bringing on Samuel Eto’o only five minutes into the second half. It was Eto’o who gave away the penalty (not Mourinho’s fault) that put Atletico ahead. it doesn’t happen very often, but they were two big calls, which the two big coaches got wrong.

Death Of The “Super Coach”

matches in the league [Eredivisie] to make clear which clubs will participate in the playoffs for European competition.”

The teams finishing fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth in the Dutch top flight compete for a place in the second qualifying round of the Europa League, and Van Gaal — who will lead training sessions taking places on May 7-9, May 11-13 and May 15-17 — wants to avoid calling up players who would not be available as a result.

The Manchester Evening News and Daily Mirror have speculated that the delay may be down to a desire for the coach to finalise negotiations with United before beginning his World Cup preparations. Algemeen Dagblad reported on Wednesday that Van Gaal was awaiting developments but no deal was in place.

slicked-back top, Simeone looked like an ageing TV producer who had outstayed his welcome in Hoxton, a hipster Paddy Considine.

But his constant gesticulations on the touchline – barking at his players to push up, move across, switch position - simply proved Simeone is a perfectionist. He is also a man who inspires his players to great feats, culminating, almost unbelievably, in a Champions League final against Real Madrid in Lisbon. A local rivalry which in its latest iteration will be played out on an international stage.

Mourinho, meanwhile, became the first coach to have been knocked out in four straight Champions League semi-finals and has lost a record six in eight in total. His ‘little horse’ fell at the penultimate hurdle, and after watching another final slip his grasp, Mourinho underlined that his second Chelsea team, compared to Simeone’s fullyevolved Atletico, is still very much a work in progress.

“One year compared to three,” he said, of the managers’ respective time in charge of their clubs. “They are a very good side, very well adapted to the ideas of this man; every player fits his idea.”

Mourinho does not fully trust this Chelsea side yet. Having written them off as Premier League contenders from the start of the season, he would only dare to instruct them to adopt a cautious approach in the deadlocked first leg in Madrid and on Wednesday started with as many as six natural defenders, with Cesar Azpilicueta pushing up as a right winger. Simeone makes no pretensions to expansive football himself, but his strategy has been fully realised and he has faith in his players.

Of his opposite number, Mourinho said Simeone had proved himself to be a formidable coach whatever happens in Lisbon on May 24: “There are many managers in football that have never won the Champions League and they are very good, so I don’t think it is fair to say he needs to win the Champions League to be considered a great manager. He is a very good manager who is doing fantastic work in Atletico.”

The best manager in the world? The fact the question is even being asked speaks eloquently to the impact made by a coach who is at times both combustible and controllled, even if it is premature. Mourinho still sits above him in the pantheon, but on this evidence, Simeone is the coming force.

Deriba Merga

Moses Masai

Marathon Runners Take Rivalry To Okpekpe

THE rivalry between Paul Tergat and Haile Gebrselassie remains one of the best chapters in a lengthy book: The story of Kenya and Ethiopia’s distance-running rivalry.

It’s the best kind of rivalry: It’s fractal, with its national- scale patterns repeated in the careers of individual athletes, in the cycles of major championships, and down to the level of individual races. Athletes are initiated into the rivalry at the youth and junior levels and contest it until their rivals sometimes become their close friends. It’s intense, with both countries unwavering in their confidence and pushing each other to the limits of their abilities.

Another chapter will be opened tomorrow in Okpekpe, a living modern village of approximately 50,000 people where such accomplished Kenyan and Ethiopian stars as Deriba Merga, J Tilahun Regassa (Ethiopia) and Georgina Rono (Kenya) who top the list of athletes who will go head-tohead at the10km race on Nigerian soil.

It will be the third chapter on Nigerian soil following the first opened in 2005 at the Obudu Mountain Race in Obudu, Cross River State. Between the two great rivals, they won 13 of the 16 titles that have been given out at the race reputed to be the highest paying mountain race in the world.

Ethiopia have won 11 of the 13 with Kenya winning only two.

The setting at Okpekpe is slightly different from that of Obudu where all the running will be done on the road.

By AHMED AIGBONA Like Obudu, the Okpekpe road race is highest paying complete road race in Nigeria.

The Okpkekpe media team reveals some of the major actors who will help open the new chapter as well as make the race a truly world class event that it is designed to be.

Deriba Merga 2013 Houston Half Marathon runner-up Deriba Merga Ejigu is an Ethiopian long-distance runner.

Merga made his international debut in 2006, winning the Paris Half Marathon in a time of 60:45. Later that year, he finished sixth at the 2006 IAAF World Road Running Championships, helping Ethiopia to a bronze medal in the team competition.

He took the half marathon gold medal at the 2007 AllAfrica Games but just missed out on a medal at the 2007 IAAF World Road Running Championships, finishing in fourth place.

He made his marathon debut at the Fukuoka Marathon in December 2007, finishing second to Sammy Wanjiru. He opened 2008 with a win at the World’s Best 10K in Puerto Rico.

He finished sixth at London in April that year, running a personal best of 2:06:38. In August, he finished fourth in the Olympic marathon, after being

passed by teammate Tsegay Kebede in the final 400m. Later in the year he won the Delhi Half Marathon, and defended his title in 2009.

In May 2009, he sped to victory at the World 10K Bangalore.

Merga also won the 113 Boston Marathon on April 20, 2009, with a time of 2:08:42.

One of his most notable performances also came in 2012 when he finished second at the 2012 New York City Half Marathon.

This year a total prize purse of about N20 million will be paid by the organizers of Okpekpe 10km Road Race when the second edition holds on Saturday, May 3rd, 2014 in Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government in Edo state.

According to Pamodzi Sports Marketing, financial prizes will be given to the first eight finishers in the men’s race while the first seven finishers will have a share of the prize money in the women’s race.

The winner of the men’s race will pocket $25,000 while the first and the second runners-up will get $15,000 and $10,000 respectively.

For the women, the winner will get $15,000; the second placed athlete will get $10,000 while the third placed athlete will go home with $8,000. There are also cash prizes for the first eighth-place Edo state indigenes (men and women).

The first man will pocket N100,000 while the second and third placed finishers will get

N75,000 and N50,000 respectively. In the women’s category, the first three finishers will get N70,000, N50,000 and N25,000 respectively. The payment of all prize money is dependant upon athletes undergoing and clearing the usual anti-doping procedures.

Last year, Kenya’s Moses Masai emerged the inaugural winner of the men’s title and the accompanying $25,000 top prize.

Gov Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State

One Year Anniversary

Esan S/East Holds Novelling Match A novelty match was played between the Executive and Legislative arms of Esan South East Local Government Council as part of activities to

mark the administration’s one year in office.

The march was played at the Ubiaja mini Township Stadium with the chairperson,

The Executive Chairman of Esan South East Local Government Council, Hon. Joseph Ikpea in action during the novelty match between the Executive and Legislative arms of the Local Government.

Mrs. Evelyn Ikpea declaring the event open.

The Executive arm team which was captained by the council chairman, Hon. Joseph Ikpea defeated the Legislative arm by two unreplied goals to carry the day.

Both goals were scored by the council boss in the 8th minute and moments later, through a spot kick.

In a brief remark, Hon. Ikpea thanked the people for finding time to celebrate with him and the council’s management and staff as he marks one year in office as the Executive Chairman of the council.

The day also marked the birthday celebration of his wife, Mrs. Evelyn Ikpea who is the Chairperson of Women Development Programme in the locality.

CMYK

Between Our Locomotive And Their Train AT creation, all men were equal but the circumstances of birth and the accident of geography played major roles in determining the final outcome.

In graduate school, we were at par with other students from the developed world, so-called.

The difference only came in after we graduated and parted ways: while they were devoted to advancing their electoral process; we were assigned with the responsibility for seeking the best ways to rig elections. This was replicated in virtually all aspects of our society.

In essence, while they moved forward, we moved backwards.

Government and governance have become like one continuous campaign trail where politicians dish out some deliberate falsehood and we still clap for them. A presidential candidate would mount the rostrum and announce that if elected, he would aircondition all our roads and we applaud him to the high heavens.

After victory and on assumption of office, he would not even lift a finger to fulfill the promise. Instead, he gets pre-occupied with smart thoughts on how to justify the promise, albeit dubiously.

It soon occurs to him that, after all, all Nigerian roads have been air-conditioned by nature. He quickly engages a smart professor; not to find ways and means of air-conditioning our roads, but to embellish the fact that, truly, all Nigerian roads have been air-conditioned by nature. This is what he now records as a major achievement in

the proverbial first 100 days in office and we applaud him.

President Goodluck J o n a t h a n ’ s Administration suddenly came up with a transformation agenda in the transport sector, which seeks, among other things, to connect

approach in the remaining part of this essay.

Since the lowering of Union Jack on October 1 1960, not only has Nigeria not added an inch to what we inherited from the colonial masters, most of the tracks have also been vandalized and turned

understandably so. After all, Nigerian railways may not have been lifted far beyond the James Watts experimental level of the 18th century. Even the deaf is forced to hear and feel its presence because of the menacing noise and deafening horns.

Over the years, our

all state capitals with railway lines. My grandson asked if they had carefully considered the cost implication of the promise as well as the clumsy nature of the rail network that would result from that achievement.

He quipped: do they think the map of Nigeria is drawn on a straight line?

Or, are they doing some of the connections from the air?

Our friend has tried to draw a distinction between the locomotive and the train. He owned up the other day that he had not bothered to check on the dictionary definitions of both words but rather, he has depended on their sound to know that the locomotive is Nigerian while the train is foreign.

We intend to adopt his

to trading posts in our cities. Lately, though, the much-touched transformation agenda may have succeeded in exhuming some of the rail lines that had been buried in the sands of time.

Rather than add even a single coach to what we inherited from Queen Elizabeth at independence, the transformation agenda may have been procuring more colours to paint up the Elizabethan coaches to make them look new.

This is a cosmetic approach to railways.

But William Shakespeare has not forgotten to remind us that “Anything that is amended is patched”.

Our locomotive is known for its cranky and noisy nature,

population has exploded and imploded but the growth of the locomotive has remained dwarfed.

Consequently, a ride in the locomotive from say Alagbado-Apapa has become an ordeal. The congestion in those locomotives is simply horrendous.

The overcrowding has reached the dangerous proportion where it is a rare luxury for a passenger to be able to secure the toilet

compartment where he sits throughout the journey. What this means is that any passenger who loves himself should take care of his bowel before boarding the locomotive as the toilets are p e r m a n e n t l y encumbered.

By comparison, an overcrowded molue bus is a lot better than the locomotive, particularly if by any stroke of hard luck, you are unable to sit by the window where you can get some semblance of air, and you end up on the seat edges, otherwise known as “sorry zone”, where all manner of people trample upon you from head to toe and all you ever get is “sorry”.

Essentially, a ride on mass transit locomotive is almost akin to a selfinflicted death sentence because once you are there, the fans and the lights never work. All you have is total darkness while you sweat like Christmas goat. At destination, your white shirt struggles between black and brown.

Elsewhere, the modern trend is that train stations are built into airports so as to make arrivals to, and departures from, airports easy. Modern trains are powered by electricity and so they are clean, fast and noiseless. A few

examples will do here: one, those smooth machines that sneak up on you at Heathrow Airport; move you between terminals; and from there link you up with any part of the country, are trains.

Two, when Norway won the right to host the 1994 Olympic Games, many good things followed.

The Norwegian authorities built the Oslo Airport and also built a modern train station into it. The result today is that the two-hour train ride from Oslo Airport to Lillehammer is sweeter, smoother and safer than any flight in an airplane.

If any transformation agenda is to move us from the locomotive to the train’s level, a few quick steps must be taken – resuscitated our railways, at least, to the pre-independence level, from where genuine expansion would begin; and the idea of building train stations into airports must transcend the level of their sleeping in the master plan into concrete reality. We must draw from our experience in road transportation where private participation has s u c c e e d e d tremendously. All told, government has no business in rail business!

“Over the years, our population has exploded and imploded but the growth of the locomotive has remained dwarfed.

Consequently, a ride in the locomotive from say Alagbado-Apapa has become an ordeal.

The congestion in those locomotives is simply horrendous.”

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