Nigerian observer 02 12 2014

The Nigerian

THE NIGERIAN

1

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vo l. 39 • NO. 133 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 20 14 • N100.00 POINT-BLANK Page 18

Little drops of water

Ugie Festival begins Dec 14 BENIN CITY – The palace of the Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa has released the programme of events to mark the 2014 annual Ugie (festival) which commences on Sunday December 14th 2014 with

Ugierhoba (indoor) event.

A notice to the effect which was released by the palace and made available to the Nigerian Observer in Benin City yesterday indicated that the events will end on December 28, 2014 with

a worship at the Holy Aruosa, Cathedral by the Benin Monarch.

According to the programme, subject to the discretion of the palace, activities could be fixed for December 29th -31st, 2014.

On Tuesday December

16th will feature Otueoba (when all palace Chiefs are expected to pay homage to the Oba) while the monarch performs Igue-Oba indoors.

Ugie-Emobo when palace Chiefs and functionaries are Continues on page 2

Ebola

MATTERS IN FOCUS

Page 32 It’s Nigeria Police Force, Not PDP Police

FG begins training of 250 volunteers

LAGOS - The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) yesterday started training volunteers to be sent to help to contain the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

The Permanent In addition, Lagos is Secretary of FMoH, Mr. contributing 28 doctors Linus Awute, made the who are not part of the disclosure at the opening training to join in the of The Ebola Containment containment,’’ he said.

Training in Lagos.

Awute said the first Awute, represented by ever EVD in West Africa Prof. Abdulsalami Nasidi, started in Guinea and Director, Nigeria Centre for was first reported to the Disease Control (NCDC), World Health said that there were 504 Organisation (WHO) in volunteers.

March 2014.

Nasidi said the first He said: “Since then, batch of the trainees were the outbreak has spread 250 people drawn from all to Liberia, Sierre Leone, over the country, adding Nigeria and Senegal. that almost 98 per cent of “This current outbreak them participated in attributed to EV Zaire containing the EVD in strain is the most Nigeria. extensive outbreak of “They are mostly from Ebola, affecting multiple Lagos and Rivers states. countries, including

Nigeria.

“The total case counts and deaths are well

beyond the cumulative total of all cases from previous known

outbreaks, since its discovery in 1976’’.

He noted that a

confirmed outbreak of EVD was declared in Nigeria on July 22.

“An effective multisectorial response was mobilised to contain the outbreak. The nation is now without a case of Continues on page 2

Oshiomhole bags award of Excellence

BENIN CITY – The Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has been honoured with an Award of Excellence in Good Governance by beneficiaries of Extension of Service and Restoration members.

Receiving the Award on behalf of the Governor, the State Head of Service, Mr. Igbaekemen Jerry Obazele disclosed that the exercise was never meant to victimize or punish any public officer, rather, was meant

to instill probity and uprightness in the service.

Mr. Obazele stated that the Governor has the passion to govern the state and to impart positively in the populace, saying that this is the driving force behind the actions of the governor.

The Head of Service however regretted that as noble and genuine the plans of the governor were, civil servants tend to out-do one another, pointing out that that was the reason it took the civil servants over one month

TIT BIT “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

- Winston Churchill

to implement the restoration approval granted by the state government.

He maintained that the zeal to develop the state has ignited a desire in the heart of the governor Continues on page 2

48TH INAUGURAL LECTURE: L-R: Prof. V. O. A. Aghayere, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Admin.), Prof.

Cordelia Agbebaku, Vice Chancellor, Ambrose Alli, University and Prof. Jack Aigbediola, DVC Academic during the 48th inaugural lecture of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. Photo: LUCKY AGIE.

Suspended PDP lawmakers crash out

Assembly Primaries: UROMI – The suspended members of the Edo State House of Assembly representing Esan North East Constituency II and Igueben Constituency; Hon. Emmanuel Okoduwa and Hon. Kingsley Ehigiamusor respectively lost out in the State Assembly primaries of their party held weekend.

While Okoduwa lost in Esan North East Constituency II to his rival, Mr. Ezehi Igbas, Ehigiamusor was routed

by one Mr. Odiana Eriata in Igueben Constituency who garnered 44 votes as against the incumbent’s 19 votes.

The suspended deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Festus Ebea in Esan South East Constituency, the

member representing Esan West Constituency, Hon. Monday Ehighahia, as well as the members representing Esan North

East Constituency I, Hon. Patrick Iluobe were returned unopposed, as their supposed Continues on page 2

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM LAGOS - The Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji

Fashola, his wife and the entire people from his constituency are missing from the on-going

distribution by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as the state

government plans to sue the electoral body.

INEC in a notice placed Continues on page 2

Fashola’s family, constituency PVCs missing - INEC

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

News FG begins training of 250 volunteers

Continued from page 1

EVD and has been declared free by WHO on Oct. 20.

“Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea still harbour this deadly disease along the West African Coast.

“In view of this, all the ECOWAS countries are still at risk since our borders are not restricted and WHO has not announced closure of borders.

“These Ebola infected countries are our neighbors and we need to assist them so that the coast can be free of the disease,’’ he said.

He commended the health workers for having shown the spirit of togetherness by making up their minds to assist our neighbouring countries.

Awute tasked the volunteers to be law abiding and diligent in their duties.

“The Federal Government is solidly behind you and we have made arrangements for your insurance in case of any eventuality.

“The Nigerian government and African Union have guaranteed that all volunteers will be paid their full allowances in dollars.

“In addition, life insurance will be provided incase of disability, injury and possible deaths,’’ he said.

“We will also make our isolation centre active throughout your stay outside the country.

“The government has declared that we are providing our treatment centre for any Nigerian or volunteer from any country to be flown into Nigeria at Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja,’’ he said.

Also, Dr Jide Idris, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, said that the the country was still vulnerable.

He said that the state government had decided not to disband the structure on Ebola but would always build upon it.

“We will continue public enlightenment and Nigeria must continue this effort to contain Ebola worldwide because we still stand the risk.

“You are our ambassadors, so do well.

You must adhere to stipulated standard guidelines,’’ Idris said.

Dr Tamuno Parker, the Rivers Commissioner for Health, said: “We have established what should

be good standards in the management of public health challenges.

“If we apply the practices and strategy used in containing EVD in Lagos and Rivers, we should be able to eradicate EVD in the region.

“The Rivers State Government is also supporting with 5,000 Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) to be worn by the volunteers.

“We can’t say we have contained and controlled the war against EVD in Nigeria if these countries around us are still being ravaged by EVD. We wish you safe arrival back,’’ he said.

representatives of Restored Public Officers that the two issues they raised will be looked into and a memo written to the governor on them where necessary.

In his address on behalf of the 227 Public Officers on Extension of Service, Mr. Ignatius Omeke stated that they were in Government House to express their profound gratitude to the Governor for the restoration of their names in the salary payroll.

Mr. Omeke described the Governor as a man with a large heart, hence he is known as the, “people Governor.”

He appealed to the Governor to effect the re-installment of 13 officers who got due approval for study leave without pay and who are deemed qualified for extension service as resolved by the House of Assembly, while praying the Governor to look into the issue of deduction from their terminal benefit.

A plague for the award was given to the Governor through the Head of Service.

conducting the primary for constituency one in Etsako West as controversies almost marred the exercise which was delayed till 6pm yesterday.

Clamour by large number of angry supporters and faithful who besieged the venue has called for free and fair primary alleging attempt by the leaders to subvert the wish of the people.

Impatience and frustrated youths had at about 1pm caused commotion as they pulled down the various ward flags at the party’s Secretariat, venue of the exercise thereby creating embarrassing scenes which made many to take to their heels.

The arrival of heavily armed security operatives calmed the otherwise volatile situation.

In any case, one of the two contestants for the tickets, Hon. Abdul Razak Momoh seeking a second tenure told newsmen before leaving the venue in protest that the volatile situation of the primary could not guarantee a free, fair and democratic exercise alleging that some of his delegates had been scared away and called for postponement of the primary.

The grouse was also that six, out of the 39 delegates were absent, a development that caused protracted arguments until clearance was finally gotten from the state Chairman of the party to proceed with the exercise, which commenced at long last at 5pm under ranchorous and cacophonous voices outside the building.

Oshiomhole bags award of Excellence Continued from page 1

to meet the needs of all.

According to the Head of Service, in spite of the economy downturn being experienced across the country leading to many states in ability to pay salaries, Edo State story is different.

He therefore encouraged the public officers in Edo State to reciprocate the government gesture by demonstrating commitment in carrying out their duties.

Mr. Obazele assured the

Suspended PDP lawmakers crash out

Continued from page 1

opponents stepped down.

However, the party primary in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State could not hold following alleged shortage of materials.

The Esan Central Local Government PDP chairman, Mr. Adekunle Oboh said delegates and majority of the aspirants rejected the exercise, hence its postponement to a yet to be determined date.

According to him, the returning officer came with only a booklet of 50 voting sheets, when the total number of delegates was put at 62.

Corroborating the views of the chairman, one of the contestants and former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Sunny Ereghan said the exercise was postponed when suggestion of the returning officer to complete the ballot papers with certified papers was jettisoned by majority of the aspirants.

He explained that the returning officer had wanted to complete the ballot papers with papers to be signed by him, the local government party chairman, but was rejected by the aspirants.

Also, the results of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP House of Assembly primaries held across the state weekend sprang surprises in some constituencies in Edo North as many favoured candidates

failed to make it in Edo North senatorial district.

In Akoko Edo local government area, Pastor Johnson Ojo Momoh won the ticket for constituency one while Barr Bisi Idaomi had it for constituency two.

Etsako Central produced Tijani Abubakar while Etsako East settled on Hon. Moses Abokor.

Mr. Blessing Agbebaku took the ticket for Owan West and his counterpart Mr. Amiola John is to contest the seat for Owan East.

In Etsako West, Mr Sylvanus Erhuaga got the ticket for constituency two while Dada Abubakar is to stand in for constituency one.

It was however a dramatic and contentious process

Fashola’s family, constituency Continued from page 1 at their respective polling PVCs missing booths told them that they could not get their PVCs and would have to register afresh as the computer bearing their database has crashed.

The governor, and his wife Dame Abimbola who after arriving at his Ward G3, polling Unit E002, State Junior Secondary School, Surulere, where had registered in 2010, did not see any INEC official at the venue at about 2:00 pm.

The governor, after waiting for a while saw a notice pasted on the entrance of the school, advising residents who had

Ugie Festival begins Dec 14

Continued from page 1

expected to be in attendance holds in December 18th while Igue-Ivbioba (in which prince and princess are expected to fix their own time) comes up in the evening of same day.

Saturday December 20th 2014 is Igue-Edohia in which

all Edo people are expected to perform their individual worship in their respective homes while Ugie-Ewere comes up the next day.

The notice added that during the period of the festival, members of the public are not to embark on any funeral rites.

registered at the polling unit to revisit the unit in December for another registration exercise.

The notice placed at the gate informed those who registered at the polling unit, including Fashola and his wife, that they would not get their PVCs as there was no provision for such.

The notice read in part, “We regret to inform you that those who registered in this polling unit do not have permanent voters’ cards.

Please come back between 3rd and 8th December 2014 for fresh registration”.

Fashola was furious after reading the notice, saying INEC represented the biggest threat to the nation’s democracy.

“We have seen that INEC is the biggest threat to our democracy. They set a date for the distribution of PVC, the state mobilised its residents for the exercise.

We put all machinery in place, only for the electoral body to change the date of

the exercise.

“They said that the distribution and registration of voters would be done in 11 councils and not the 20 local governments.

“While the 11 had been handled in an unsatisfactory way, now the exercises in nine local governments are not ready. If I, the governor of the state cannot vote, it states what the electoral body had done.

They came in the midnight and said that we should all come back and register on December 3rd, 2014. We registered and voted in that place. And there are evidences to show that,” he said.

According to Fashola, “now, there are questions that must be answered by INEC. Was the PVC for those units which they have cancelled printed? And if yes, who have they given them to?”

He said one could not wipe datas gathered like that, saying he wants INEC to know that he still has his temporary voter’s card and that he expects all those who still have theirs to keep them, adding that, “INEC registered us and they cannot deregister us because we are still alive.”

Illegal arrest:

Court orders

release of 5 APC workers

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM LAGOS - A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the immediate release of five workers of All Progressive Congress (APC) who were arrested and detained by the Department of State Security (DSS) in Lagos, about two weeks ago.

The five APC staff, Chinedu Atuche, Fayemi Olaposi, Chika Augustine, Ebun Ilori, and Esther Eninumue, were arrested at a Lagos’ APC data office about two weeks ago.

The court presided over

by Justice Muhammed Nasir Yunusa, had at the last adjourned date, ordered the DSS to bring the detained staff to court on Monday December 1,

2014 for hearing.

The judge also made an order restraining the DSS and any other security agency from arresting the five applicants on the suit before the court and also ordered that the five APC staff should not travel outside the jurisdiction of the court, and that if there is need or cause for them to travel, they should obtain permission from the court.

Justice Yunusa gave the order while ruling on the human rights application filed before the court by the five APC staff, after their lawyer, Professor Yemi Osibajo, and Mr. Osagie, counsel to the DSS had argued and adopted their applications on the matter.

Nigeria to launch indigenous satelite in 2018 ABUJA - The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Abdu Bulama, said yesterday Nigeria would launch its first “made-in-Nigeria satellite” by 2018, in the bid to hasten the pace of socio-economic development in Nigeria.

Bulama told journalists in Abuja that science and technology would fast track the Federal Government’s transformation agenda and sustain the growth of national economy.

“The African economy, I believe in the last couple of years, has shown a remarkable sign of growth; but this growth is unfortunately more of community drive, not of the manufacturing sector.

“For this growth to be sustained and for it to be transformed into a real national transformation agenda for the development of the nation it must be productivity-based; productivity aspect must come in.

“And the only way you can do that is to develop your time and technology, to apply science and technology in your economy.

“Such that the economy, while growing, the productivity of the manufacturer will have played a key role. This is what is happening in developed societies.’’

He said the ministry was

deploying science and technology apparatus to enhance the pace of socioeconomic development and infrastructure such as roads, power, water supply, and transportation “This is against the backdrop of our cross-cutting role with other sectors of s o c i o - e c o n o m i c development,” he added.

He said ministry was working hard to lead Nigeria into the new developmental model through integration of a national culture of science, technology and innovation.

The minister said the ministry would play role of an effective strategist and coordinator of all the research and development activities in the country.

“By this, Nigeria in the nearest future will be an acknowledged member of the fast developing scientific and technologically progressive nations of the world,’’ he said.

He said the ministry had excelled in the production of made -in-Nigeria tricycles, curtailing of trypanosomiasis, design and fabrication of interlocking blocks and launching of road safety guidelines among others.

Bulama added that the effort to partner international bodies to complete the science and technology park at SHESTCO was on-going.

Armed-Conflict Resolution Training

Navy partners Red Cross

ONNE (RIVERS) - The Nigerian Navy on Monday said it was partnering the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on training of its personnel on international arms laws and conflict resolution.

Commodore Atiku Abdulkadir, the Commandant of the Nigerian Navy College (NNC), Onne, said this while declaring open a three-day naval training in Onne, Rivers.

According to him, the exercise would also focus on counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency.

“All officers and trainees must be adequately informed on what their responsibilities are when they find themselves in

situations that they have to apply the import of this (international arms) law.

“The armed forces, particularly, the navy are always involved in resolution of one conflict or the other, be it in direct conventional warfare and counterinsurgency or counterterrorism.

“In all these, it is expected that personnel will be getting in contact either with armed personnel who are no longer in capacity to continue to fight or a civilian who acted against the law, and maybe carrying arms.

“So, we need to educate our officers and men on how they should relate and how they should behave in conflict and in resolution of conflict.”

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

EDO STATE GOVERNMENT MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT EDPA Building, Sakponba Road, Benin City, Edo State. e-mail: MiHUD@edostate.gov.ng www.edostate.gov.ng/MiHUD DIRECTORATE OF ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPLIES

INVITATION OF PRE-QUALIFY TO TENDER FOR GOODS AND CIVIL WORKS FOR CONSTITUENCY PROJECTS 2015 IN EDO STATE

The Edo State Government in continuation of the transformation in the various constituencies across the State hereby request for tenders for 2015 constituency projects.

S/NO

CONSTITUENCY

PROJECT

1.

Akoko Edo I

Grading of Ikiran-Oke - Ikakumoh earth road and construction of 4 kilometers drains on the same road

2.

Akoko Edo II

Construction of open drains and culverts and grading on existing earth road at Ekpedo; construction of a block of 3 classrooms/offices at Ogun pry school, Ekpedo.

3.

Egor

4.

Esan Central

5.

Etsako Central

6.

Etsako West II

7.

Oredo West

Drilling of borehole and installation of generator at 32 Owoseni street, Renovation of 6 classroom blocks at Adolo pry school, constain road borehole and generator at Ozolua and 68 Igun Street Benin. Fencing of Oza pry school and renovation of six (6) classroom block at Arize Pry school Benin

8.

Owan East

Construction of 38 lock up market stores at Afuze mini stadium, and 10 lock up stores at Otuo market.

9.

Ovia North East II

Construction of open drains and earth culvert, filling and grading in Uhen, Yoruba camp/Ezegbughe camp, construction of three classroom block with office at Ighile pry school Oghede.

10.

Uhumwonde

11.

Owan West

12.

Ovia North East I

Construction of a block of 3 classrooms with Headmaster office at Evbuomore pry school, Evbuomore, Drilling of industrial borehole at Ugboke and supply of 120,000 exercise books of 60 leaves and biros to pry schools across the six (6)wards in the constituency.

13.

Ovia South West

Construction of a block of three (3) classrooms at Gbolowoshio Pry school Gbolowoshio. Drilling of Domestic borehole at Iguobazuwa and Iguosa community. Grading of road across the local government.

14

. Orhionmwon I

Construction of 3 classroom block with office at Useh secondary school, Useh (ward 3), provision of 300 KVA transformer at Siluko road by palace junction, drilling of borehole at 2nd Egua-Iha Street, Off Omozegiee lane Uselu, provision of 300 KVA transformer at Edokpolor street off Medical store (ward 7) Drilling of borehole at Usugbenu, provision of 2000 comrade chairs and desks, provision of 120,000 note books and biros to pupils in the constituency, grading of ldumebo/Oghagbo earth road.

Grading of 35.6km road, Fugar Ukho Road, Oghomhere- Ogochi-Okpenaeda-Ogbago-Weppa Road and 500 comrade chairs / desks A block of three (3) classroom in Nursery/pry school Jattu-Uzaru and Ayaoghena pry school Ayaogbane, provision of comrade chairs/desks

Construction of 3 blocks of three (3) classrooms/offices each at Akugbe pry school, Uhi, Iguomo pry school, Iguomo and construction of comrade chairs/desks for various schools in the constituency.

Renovation of Oke secondary school, Oke old Ora (ward 3) and Avbiosi secondary school, Avbiosi (ward 6)

Drilling of domestic borehole at Evbuebi street, oza, domestic borehole at Otoaye I, Domestic borehole at Otoaye II. Domestic borehole at Uson village. Construction of open market and lock up stores at Egbokor village. Renovation of a block of six (6) classrooms at Idumodin pry school Igbanke west.

Conditions for Pre-qualification and Tendering Interested companies should submit applications for pre-qualification with the under listed requirements to the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, EDPA Building, Sakponba Road, Benin City not later than six (6) weeks from the date of this publication. i. Evidence of registration as a contractor in appropriate category with the State Ministry of Works. ii. Evidence of registration with Corporate Affairs Commission. iii. Tax clearance of the company and 2 Directors of the company for the past 3 years. iv. Evidence of similar projects executed. v. Evidence of financial viability. vi. Evidence of VAT registration and remittances.

Only pre-qualified companies would be invited to submit Tenders for the projects Signed: Arc. Francis Evbuomwan, MNIA, FMP Honourable Commissioner

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

News 2015:

Legislature Backs Shaibu

BY MORRISON HAYBLE

Cordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) transit camp for Internally Displaced Persons, Mr. Sa’Ad Bello (righ), supervising Food Sharing at Girei, Yola in Adamawa recently.

AUCHI – The political ambition of the Majority Leader, Edo state House of Assembly, Hon Philip Shaibu to vie for the ticket of the Federal House of Representatives has received the backing of the legislative arm of Etsako West Local Government Council.

In a statement signed by the Chief Whip, Hon. Felix Oshiobugie Ughiovhe, the house said it unanimously endorsed and supports the quest of the Majority Leader to contest the National Assembly seat in 2015 on behalf of Etsako federal constituency.

The statement made

Pa Omoruyi Dies At 82 BENIN CITY – The death has been announced of Chief John Omoruyi Enaziegbeneguan-Enabulele Ikiukponorogho, at the age of 82.

Chief Enabulele passed on to glory on October 11, 2014 in Benin City.

He is survived by a wife, Mrs. Grace Uyinmwonmwan Enabulele, seven children and 18 grand children amongst whom are Deacon Mathias Nosahoro Enabulele; Deaconess ImwenOghomwen Ikponmwosa, Engr.

Leslie Eghosa Enabulele; Miss Suzy Agbonkpaiwegbe Enabulele; Mrs. Esosa Aireuhia Ekundayo; Mr. Ovenseri Osaze Enabulele and Mrs. Gloria Jegede.

According to the burial programme signed by Deacon Mathias Enabulele, there will be a service of songs on Friday, December 5, 2014 at No. 3 Omoregbe Street, Off Upper Siluko Road, Ogida Quarters, Benin City while a social dance will hold on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at the same venue.

Thanksgiving service will hold on Sunday, December 7, 2014 at Christ Embassy, Ogida Satelite Church, Benin City.

Late Chief John Omoruyi

available to The Nigerian OBSERVER reads in part: “Based on the immense contributions of Hon Philip Shaibu to the All Progressives Congress, APC at the ward, local government and state

levels and for sustaining democracy in Edo state, we the APC members of Etsako West legislative council do hereby unanimously endorse him for Etsako Federal constituency.

BENIN CITY - The 2014 Press Week of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists begins today, December 2, 2014.

The State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is expected to declare the programme open.

A statement issue by the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Mr. Joe Apili stated that Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi,

former Minister of Works will chair the occasion while the Oba of Benin will be the Royal father of the day.

The statement adds that the programme will feature, free medical screening for journalist tomorrow December 3, 2014; visit to orphanages on Thursday, December 4 and an award ceremony/fund raising on Friday December 5, 2014.

The week long event which has its theme: “Credible election, insurgency and the media: the way forward and will be rounded up with thanksgiving service on Sunday December 7, 2014 at the New Covenant Gospel Church, Benin City.

The statement appeals to journalists and other stakeholders to participate actively.

NUJ Press Week Begins Today

Funeral For Pa Enofe

The Acting General Managing, Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, Publishers of Observer titles Rev. Monday Aigbe (left) and Pastor Ohiogbauan I. Imafidon at the 2014 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols organised in Benin City by the Youth Wing of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Oredo Chapter. Photo: OSADESAMWEN SUNDAY.

2015: Play By The Rules, Cleric

By RICHARD EWEKA

BENIN CITY – The General Overseer of the Habitation Church of God International, Rev. Olu Aderibigbe has called on Nigerian Politician to play by the rules, especially as the nation faces another election year.

He made the call while delivering a sermon titled “Harvest of prosperity” at this year’s harvest thanksgiving of the church in Benin City.

Rev. Aderibigbe said that in 2015, politicians should play by the rules of the game as not all contestants would win, but those that have the fear of God. “They should seek the face of God to reach their destination, for those that will get there, they should remember the electorate who voted for them and must not allow them go hungry,” they should equally fear God who gave them victory.

“We retrogress as a nation because we don’t seek God; if we do, certainly, our ways will

Charges Politicians

please God and he will make us prosper! This is a period to thank God for all he has done for us; as such, we should always thank him; the bigger God make you, the bigger your thanksgiving.”

He concluded.

Deputy Inspector General

(DIG) of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase who took the only lesson expressed satisfaction over the success of the programme and thanked God for the life of Rev. Aderibigbe whom he describe as a true man of God. “It has been a great day for

me and I am happy to be part of the celebration. The man of God is my father in the Lord and a great man; I respect him and came in from Abuja to celebrate with him. I thank God for him, his family and the church,” he said.

BENIN CITY – The families of Igbinoba N’Omi of Isomobor family of Omi Town, Ovia North-East Local Government Area and Elder and Mrs. King-David Okogbo of Ugballo, Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area, both of Edo State will come together to join their children as one in marriage this weekend.

The traditional marriage ceremony under the Benin native law and customs is between their daughter

Uwaila Lilian Uzamere and their son Oselumese Emmanuel Okogbo.

Venue is the bride’s family compound, No.33, Amawu Street, Off Upper Sokpoba Road, Oka Quarters, Beside NEPA office, Benin City, on Thursday December 4, 2014, beginning from Noon. The wedding ceremony holds on Saturday December, 6, 2014 at Oredo Local Government Council marriage Registry while reception follows at the NTA pavilion, TV Road, Benin City at Noon.

The bride’s father, Mr. Austin Uzamere, said he is the happiest man on earth as he look forward to giving out his eldest daughter in marriage which is an inevitable thing in life.

Moreover, a family friend and neighbour of the Uzameres, Last M. Osagiede, Commercial Services Manager, Nigerian Observer, Benin City also wish the bride and groom, a very blissful, successful and fruitful married life ahead.

Uwaila Weds Oselumese Weekend

BENIN CITY – The families of late Pa. Enofe and late Pa. Ugie, both of Ekodobo Village in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State have announced the demise of Pa. Mathias Oghogho Enofe on September 2, 2014 at the age of 84 years.

He is survived by two brothers, a wife, 10 children and five grand children.

According to the programme for the funeral signed by K.O. Enofe for the family, 10 am on Friday December 5, 2014, the corpse will be taken from Gods care Mortuary, Ekenwan Road, to his residence, No. 5 Ewuare Street, Off Akugbe Street, New Lagos Road, New Benin, Benin City for lying-in-state, family rites and internment.

Saturday, December 6, 2014 at noon, there will be social activities/dance and entertainment of guests at his residence.

The funeral will climax on Sunday December 7, 2014 with a thanksgiving service at Jesus is my Saviour Ministry, Benin City beginning at 10am.

late Pa. Enofe

THE NIGERIAN

5

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

News Presidential Ambition Atiku Solicits Gombe, Yobe Delegates’ Support GOMBE - Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and APC presidential aspirant, has solicited the support of party delegates for his ambition to become Nigeria’s president in 2015.

Abubakar called for the support while addressing the delegates of Gombe and Yobe states in Gombe on Sunday.

He expressed the desire for their votes during the party’s primaries, to enable him to succeed during the exercise.

According to him, he has

spent over 30 years in politics and he deserves to be the president of Nigeria, “being the person who knows Nigeria’s problems”.

He said if voted into power, he would protect the rights of ordinary Nigerians and promote peaceful coexistence among all interest groups nationwide.

Abubakar called on Nigerians to also protect themselves from the current insurgency in the country, especially in the North East.

He said that the insurgency in the zone had disrupted the economy of the region.

Magaji Doho, Chairman, APC Gombe State, assured Atiku of full support by the state chapter and the delegates.

According to him, the insecurity in the zone has affected many people, adding that Atiku’s efforts has reduced the menace in Adamawa.

He expressed optimism that this time around, the presidential seat would return to North East.

The chairman further commended the aspirant for his foresight to invest in his North East zone and the country at large.

Third-Party Assembly Of Trucks ENUGU - The Anambra Begins In Enugu Motor Manufacturing Company (ANAMMCO) has begun third-party assembly of trucks, bringing its factory in Enugu partially back to life.

The company now assembles Shacman trucks for Transit Support Services, a Nigerian company, after recalling some of its previously downsized personnel.

Speaking during a policy monitoring visit by the National Council on Privatisation at the weekend in Enugu, the Chairman of the company, Dr Godwin Okeke, said the development was made possible by the new Nigeria Automobile Industry Development Policy.

Okeke said the policy, pronounced in 2013, had enhanced investment, employment and capacity utilisation of assembly plants which had been “overtly sub-optimal’’.

“In order to sustain the growth and development of this policy, it is expedient that it is entrenched by appropriate legislation to guard against frequent and arbitrary policy reversal which has constituted a high risk factor to investment in the country.

“Faithfulness in adhering to the implementation timelines would engender confidence of global stakeholders on the viability,’’ he said.

The industrialist also called on the Federal Government to curb the activities of smugglers which threatened the industry.

He also pleaded with the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria to reschedule the company’s legacy debts by one year and to stop the litigation arising from the debts.

He also called on the Federal Government to contribute its preprivatisation equity holding for the settlement of the retirement benefits inherited by the company to the tune of about N1 billion.

Responding, the Chief Economic Adviser to the President, Prof. Nwanze Okidegbe, who led the delegation, said the visit was to assess the performance of companies privatised under the auspices of the National

Council on Privatisation.

Okidegbe said the Federal Government was determined to provide the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive in the country.

He said the visit was not a fault-finding one but to give the government first-hand information about how the companies were doing.

ANAMMCO was established in 1977 as a joint venture between the Federal Government and Daimler AG of Germany. Its factory was commissioned in 1981 and has a capacity to assemble 7,500 units of trucks and 1,000 units of buses in one shift of production.

No Attempted Jail-Break In Yola Prison - NPS

ABUJA - The Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) has denied reports on alleged attempted jail break by some convicted soldiers in Yola Prison in Adamawa.

The spokesperson of the NPS, Mr Ope Fatinukun made the denial in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja.

“There was no pandemonium, commotion nor gun shot fired into the air in Yola prison as reported.

“What really happened was argument among inmates around 7.30 pm after prayers on Thursday, November 27.

“The argument was quickly brought under control,” he added.

Fatinukun said the Controller, Adamawa Prison Command, CP A.S. Ekijere was at the Yola prison on Friday for his fourth quarter visit to all prisons under his command between 8 a.m. and 3p.m.

He appealed to journalists to use appropriate nomenclature in describing inmates for legal and security reasons.

“Inmates can either be addressed as convicted inmates (CM) or Awaiting Trial inmates (ATI) rather than the derogatory words of incarcerated soldiers or civilians,” he said.

He assured that the NPS would continue to work round the clock to beef up security around prisons across the country .

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Across The Nation Graduate Internship Scheme Orientation Opens

By THOMPSON ERHOMONSELE/ OBOH SYLVESTER

BENIN CITY Unemployed youths across Nigeria have been admonished to be committed to the development of their innate potentials to add values to their lives in order to be employable and acquire entrepreneurial skills.

This advice was given by the Deputy Media Head, Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS), Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr. Tochukwu Ikezue at the commencement of a three-Day orientation and training for interns and firms representatives organised by Morel International Consultants in Benin City yesterday.

Mr. Ikezue observed that our educational curricula in higher institutions as currently designed does not provide for the development of the need for work place skills which accounts for why large number of graduates do not get employed. He also said that the GIS is to enable interns optimise their internship period by developing useful skills and positive work habits, provide them opportunities to share experiences with other participants, including firm representatives on opportunities and challenges in the workplace as well as expose them to opportunities for life after internship.

He explained that the GIS had been designed and introduced as part of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Program (SURE-P) for graduates to be placed in interested and demonstrated viable firms and organisations where they would be mentored and supported to develop or strengthen core skills with potential to enhance their employability; stressing that GIS is a stopgap measure to addressing graduate unemployment.

Declaring the programme open, the Chairman and Managing Consultant, Morel International Consultants, Olorogun Lucky OgheneOmoru, who also delivered a lecture, urged the interns to avail themselves of the training with a great sense of commitment and diligence.

He commended President Goodluck Jonathan for the initiative to empower teeming jobless youths to improve their employability and to be employers of labour adding that three-day programme is loaded with training activities

to fully equip them for a bright future.

While emphasising that the training exercise is also to further sensitise the people of Edo state, he however, commended the high level of awareness among the unemployed graduates in the state.

Participants expressed their gratitude to the federal government for the opportunity given them to be trained to be employable and become entrepreneurs.

About 100 interns are participating in the orientation and training programme, which also featured interactive sessions among the participants, representative of firms and the organisers.

The Deputy Media Head, Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS), Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr. Tochukwu Ikezue, the Chairman and Managing Consultant, Morel International, Olorogun Lucky Oghene-Omoru and another Consultant, Mr. Festus Eligbo at the opening of a three-day GIS Orientation and Employability Training for Interns in Edo State holding in Benin City.

Assembly Primaries

Consensus Candidate have a consensus Emerges already candidate, what we are here to

A cross section of interns from Edo State participating at the on-going three-day Graduate Internship Scheme Orientation and Training Programme being organised in Benin City by Morel International Consultants.

HIV/AIDS: A/Ibom UYO - Akwa Ibom Government says it has so far established 397 sites for Prevention-of-Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV/ AIDS in the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Emem Bassey, made the disclosure in Uyo while interacting with newsmen on the theme of this year’s World AIDS Day. The theme of the 2014 World AIDS Day to be celebrated on December 1, is “Close the Gap, Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-free Generation.”

Bassey said that two years ago the government established only 40 PMTCT sites as against 397 sites today.

He explained that the increase in the number of sites to 397 was a deliberate effort by the government to stop new HIV infections among its citizens.

“These sites are in both public and private health facilities across the state,” he said, adding that the state Health Ministry in

CALABAR - Mr Efa Esua has emerged as consensus candidate for Calabar Municipality State Constituency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State.

Esua emerged as the consensus candidate when other aspirants stepped down for him during Saturday’s State House of Assembly primaries.

Commenting on the development, Mr William Archibong, PDP Caucus Chairman in Calabar Municipality, said the decision on consensus candidate was taken by the party’s caucus on November 28.

“We in Calabar Municipality

Establishes 397 PMTCT Sites

collaboration with international partners had also established 411 HIV/AIDS care service delivery points within the state.

“This is where people can walk in and have free HIV test done for them,” Bassey explained.

He said that the care service delivery points had also witnessed tremendous increase from the 100 recorded last year.

Bassey said that government’s efforts had resulted in reduction of HIV prevalence in the state from 10.9 per cent in the 2010 national survey to 6.5 per cent in the 2012 survey.

Commenting on this year’s celebration, Bassey said that the 2014 World AIDS Day was an opportunity to harness the power of social change to put people first and close the access gap.”

He said that closing the gap means empowering the citizens to access the services they

needed.

“By closing the HIV testing gap, the about two million people in this state who are unaware of their HIV status, can get their test done.

“By closing the treatment gap, the about 200, 000 people in the

state living with HIV will have access to life-saving medicine.

“By closing the gap in access to medicine for children, living with HIV will be able to access treatment,” Bassey said.

The commissioner said that less than 15 per cent of children living with HIV in the state had access to treatment, hence the need to close the gap.

do today is to affirm him before INEC. “We took time yesterday to sort out our matters so that today the process of affirming our candidate would not be hectic.

“As you can see, everywhere is peaceful, the security men are around and we are happy with that.

“I am assuring you that Calabar Municipality will hold its primaries and everything is in order.

Mr Eta Mbora, a delegate and the former Chairman of Calabar Municipality, described the process as ‘peaceful and orderly.’

“Today we are finally here to affirm the House of Assembly member for Calabar Municipal State Constituency after our consensus agreement,’’ he said.

Out of the 65 delegates in Calabar Municipality, 62 voted for Esua while three were absent.

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who monitored the voting declined to speak with journalists after the exercise.

Agriculturist Counsels Farmers On Judicious Use Of Proceeds IKOLE(EKITI) - Farmers in Ekiti State have been urged to spend the money realised from the sale of their farm produce wisely.

Mr Durojaye Omole, an agriculture extension officer, made the call in an interview with newsmen at Odo-Ayedun in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

Omole noted that most farmers recorded bumper

harvest which would lead to improvement in their living standards if the money realised from the sale of their produce is spent wisely.

He appealed to farmers not to follow the paths of some of them who marry more wives whenever they had bumper harvest.

“They should use the money on valuable projects

and the education of their children.’’

He also called on farmers to plan for the next farming season by securing seeds and other planting items ahead of the season.

The agriculturist cautioned them against falling victims to fraudsters who might want to dupe them of their money on the pretence of assisting them.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Lagos Extortion: Lecturers Promise To Stem The Tide

LAGOS - Stakeholders in some tertiary institutions in Lagos State have agreed to stem the tide of unwholesome developments on their campuses, so as to return them to their pride of place.

They told newsmen who visited the University of

Lagos(UNILAG), Yaba College of Technology and the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin in Lagos, that efforts were being made to ensure that their students were not burdened.

They said they were making efforts individually and

collectively to stop cultism, extortion, exploitation, sexual harassment, sale of course handouts and irrelevant text books, as well as other vices on their campuses.

Lecturers had been alleged of being involved in sexually harassing their students, extorting

The Managing Director, Total Nigeria Plc, Mr. Alexis Vovk (2nd left) presenting a trophy to the Benin Sales Area team, winner of this year’s NIGOSCARS competition of the Total Company. Photo: VICTOR OMOALU

Army Officer Canvasses Proper Youth Development LAGOS - The Director, Nigerian Army Chaplain Services (Protestant), Col. (Rev.) Dawuk Danfulani, has said that proper nurturing of the youths would build a greater Nigeria.

Danfulani spoke during a public presentation of a book entitled: “Youth Restiveness in Nigeria: A theological Reflection’’.

“The event held at the All Saints’ Cathedral, Abalti Barracks, Lagos State.

Danfulani co-authored the book with Rev. (Dr) Ayo Atowoju.

Danfulani also used the occasion to thank God for healing him of injuries he sustained from a road accident.

“There is dire need for everyone to focus on the development of our youths because they determine the success or failure of any nation,” he said.

The army officer urged older Nigerians to properly guide the youth on the path of honesty, hard work, patriotism and selflessness to enable them to be good leaders of tomorrow.

The Director, Nigerian Army Chaplain Services (Catholic), Col. (Rev) Charles Ireogbu, said at the event that the youth were vital to societal development. “ If youths are rightly guided, the world will be a better place for us to dwell in; the challenges will be minimal,” he said.

He commended Danfulani for identifying with the youth.

The book reviewer, Capt.

(Rev) Bitrus Nyam, remarked that the publishing of the book was timely as some youths had

become restive.

“The book has analysed the challenges of the youths in the society, the causes and the possible ways to address such challenges.

“The book calls for a collaborative effort in tackling vices ranging from thuggery, robbery, cultism and others associated with the youth,” he said.

Earlier in a sermon, the C haplain in charge of the church, Capt. (Ven.) Titi Ogbonyemi, urged Christians to be steadfast in the service of God. “The church is inviting everyone this season to welcome the coming of Christ,” he said.

He noted that Danfulani used the occasion to thank God for saving his life from the accident.

monies and other inducements from them before they would pass them or made to buy handouts that were not relevant to their courses.

Dr Adelaja Odukoya, Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Lagos chapter, told journalists that the union was aware that there were reports of incessant sexual harassment against female students , extortion and intimidation of students by lecturers in universities across the country.

According to him, reports of such are becoming a common place in tertiary institutions in the country. He noted that the development must be tackled headlong if the country intended to attain its quest for qualitative and sound educational environment.

“Here in the University of Lagos, we frown at such things and tend to deal with it with all seriousness.

“Basically, there are standards and ethics expected to be seen in every university environment or any other institutions of higher learning.

“As lecturers, we must be seen as parents and role models to all the students and again, we must realise that no lecturer is above the law of the university. By virtue of this, it is only necessary that we come up with a code of conduct that will constantly check lecturers’ actions .

“Lecturers must strive to be the custodians of morals, given the kind of environment within which they operate,’’ he said.

He said that lecturers must be able to comport themselves with a degree of self-esteem and integrity at all times in order to win the respect of the general public.

He noted that lecturers must also exhibit high moral standards in dealing with students ,especially the female students, in order to guarantee them secure

APC House of Assembly Primaries LAGOS - The All Hold Today Nigerians to demonstrate the “Nigerian spirit of Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed its House of Assembly primary election earlier scheduled for yesterday December 1, holds today nationwide.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the party said that the election would hold on December 2.

The statement, signed by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, was made available to newsmen in Lagos.

It said that the postponement was to show respect for those killed or injured in Friday’s terrorist attack in a mosque in Kano. ‘’All the dates for other primaries remain unchanged,’’ it said.

The party described the attack as a tragedy, adding that it was a condemnable and totally incomprehensible attack on

defenceless citizens in a hallowed place such as a mosque.

The APC urged all

compassion and strength of character’’ by providing succour and support for one another.

and conducive teaching and learning environment.

“It also behooves on us to keep sensitising our members on the need to promote cordial teacherstudent relationship at all time.

“We will also ensure, through our various chapters, that we will equally come down hard on any of our members who will want to take advantage of the students in an inappropriate way.

“As an academic body, we will not want to do anything that brings the name of the union or the university into disrepute as there are disciplinary committees that have equally been set aside to look into such matters,” he said.

He said that ASUU would continue to sensitise its members on the need to sustain cordial student-lecturer relationship.

Also, Mr Austin Okoh, the immediate past chairman, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), Yaba College of Technology,Lagos, said that the authorities of the college have been doing all within its power to prevent crises on the campus.

Okoh said that the authorities had been operating an open door policy to ensure that issues that could lead to industrial dispute were promptly addressed by the stakeholders.

FRSC Tasks School Owners On Use Of Recommended Buses Child Safety:

LAGOS- The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has urged proprietors of schools to desist from using buses not recommended for conveying school children.

The Lagos State Sector Commander of the corps, Mr Hyginus Omeje, said that some school children had lost their lives to use of inappropriate buses by schools.

Omeje spoke to newsmen in Lagos.

“It is no longer a case of using any bus to carry school children.

“There are appropriate school buses recommended by FRSC in partnership with the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

“We want to bring to the notice of all Nigerians especially the motoring public that a lot of children have been lost to avoidable accidents.

“Use of the appropriate child restraint seats is vital to the safety of children in cases of unavoidable crashes,’’ Omeje said.

The official said that safety of school children should be paramount to both parents and school owners. “ We must all ensure the safety of our children while in transit.’’

A chair at the 2014 festival of Nine lessons and Carols organised in Benin City by the Youth Wing of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigerian Oredo Chapter. Photo: OSADESAMWEN SUNDAY

He said that some private school owners ‘packed pupils like sardines’ in buses without observing safety standards.

Omeje called on individuals, parent-teacher associations and religious organisations to support the corps in its campaign against road accidents, particularly those involving children.

“We are going to engage proprietors of school to ensure that necessary safety devices are put in place, including seat belts and others.

“We are going to ensure that lapping children in school buses is stopped.

“A child will be entitled to a seat and will be strapped to it. In the event of eventuality, the child’s live will be safe,’’ he said.

The sector commander promised that the presence of the corps would be more noticeable in schools, churches and mosques for sensitisation.

He urged schools to ensure that their bus drivers were well trained.

The corps, in collaboration with the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), recently flagged off the 2014 Child Safety Campaign in Lagos.

The campaign was tagged: “Ensuring Child Safety in Vehicles”.

Omeje had said that no fewer than 1,569 children were involved in road traffic crashes in Nigeria in the last quarter of 2013.

He said that 760 children were injured while 171 lost their lives to the crashes.

According to him, from December 19 to December 28, 2013, 489 children were involved in road crashes, with 55 children losing their lives and 227 others getting injured.

He said that no fewer than 165, 202, 166 and 227 were injured in road accidents in September, October, November and December 2013, respectively, while 38, 43, 35 and 55 children were killed in the same order.

THE NIGERIAN

8

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Across The Nation

Attempted Murder: NSCDC Arrests Suspect DUTSE - The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in Jigawa said it had arrested three suspects for allegedly attempting to kill a pregnant woman.

The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr Muhammad Gidado, told the newsmen in Dutse that the suspects were arrested in Gusau quarters, Gumel Local Government Area of the state.

Gidado said the suspects were

arrested after receiving a tip-

off from one of the residents of the area.

He said that the corps had received information that some three men were seen taking the victim into one of the houses in the area.

The commandant said the source informed his men operating in the area that immediately the lady entered the house, she started shouting and calling for help.

According to him, the officers rushed to the scene immediately, rescued the victim and arrested the suspects.

Gidado said the suspects allegedly held the victim by her neck and marched on her stomach severally in an attempt

to abort the pregnancy.

The commandant said that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects, who were close friends, allegedly impregnated the victim, adding that “that is why they tried to abort the pregnancy by all

means”.

He said the victim was taken to hospital for medical attention as she sustained injuries but was later discharged.

Gidado, however, said the pregnancy was intact as confirmed at the hospital.

He further said the victim was handed over to her parents, while the suspects were being investigated.

The commandant said that the suspects would soon be arraigned.

Kano Condoles Families Of Blast Victims KANO - The Deputy Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has condoled with the families of those who died during the twin blasts at the Kano Central Mosque last Friday.

Ganduje expressed the condolences when he spoke with newsmen in Kano on Friday.

Ganduje, who described the incident as very unfortunate, prayed for the quick recovery of those who sustained injuries in the blasts.

The deputy governor called on the people of the state to continue to pray to God to prevent future occurrence.

“It is unfortunate that the ugly incident is happening when the state has started enjoying relative peace.

“We should continue to pray for the sustenance of peace in our state and the country at large’’, he said.

As at the time of filing this

FERMA To Re-Launch Operation Zero Pot Holes ABUJA - The Managing Director of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Mr Gabriel Amuchi, said the agency was mobilising to relaunch its operation zero potholes programme.

A statement issued by FERMA Public Relations Officer, Mrs Maryam Sanusi , said Amuchi stated this in Kabba, Kogi State, while inspecting some federal roads.

He said the aim was to make all arterial Federal roads motorable nationwide for the yuletide period.

Amuchi added that FERMA engineers were being mobilised to use the dry season to carry out massive road repairs.

According to the statement, Amuchi inspected the failing expansion joints on Murtala Mohammed Bridge at Kotonkarfe.

“The bridge is an old one with an old design; heavy traffic on the bridge has necessitated continuous maintenance.’’

It said that the FERMA boss also inspected the failed sections of the Lokoja – Okene road where he instructed the contractor handling repair work to speed up action on it.

According to the statement, Amuchi also inspected a bridge at the Ahmadu Bello University College of Agriculture campus in Kabba.

report, security agents were yet to confirm the actual number of those who lost their lives in the blasts.

Efforts to contact the Commissioner of Police, Mr Aderenle Shinaba, were not successful as he was said to have travelled out of the state for an official engagement.

When contacted, the AIG in charge of Zone One, Alhaji Tambari Yabo, said he could not give the exact figure of the casualties.

However, the spokesman for the Joint Security Taskforce, Capt. Eze Ikechukwu, said investigation was still going on and that details would be made public as soon as they were available.

Prospective voters checking for their names during the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards at Eko Club juncition, Surulere in Lagos recently.

OWERRI - Chief Sam Ejelonu, the father of Justina, the first Nigerian nurse, who died of Ebola virus disease, has decried alleged inhuman treatment to his family by his daughter’s employer.

Justina, who was employed by the First Consultants

Medical Centre, Lagos, died on August 12, following her contact with the index Ebola case in Nigeria, the late Mr Patrick Sawyer, a Liberian.

Ejelonu made the allegation in an interview with newsmen in Owerri.

He said that since the death

Ebola: Victim’s Father Decries Neglect of Justina, no member of staff of the hospital had visited the family.

Justina contacted Ebola virus on her first day at work at the hospital, where the late Sawyer was rushed to, on July 20.

Sawyer died four days later

Prospective voters collecting their Permanent Voter Cards at a distribution centre in Port Harcourt recently.

at the hospital.

Justina was said to be pregnant as at the time she was infected with the virus while attending to Sawyer.

Ejelonu said, “I heard of my daughter’s predicament leading to her untimely death, in the news.

“No person from the hospital or Imo State Government has visited to sympathise with my family on her death.

He told the newsmen that he only received calls from two people who probably called from the hospital to express their sympathy.

“The most painful report to the family is that Imo Government wants to immortalise Justina for her patriotism.

“No contact was made with the family from the government’s side,’’ he said.

Ejelonu described the treatment from Justina’s employer as unfair.

“My late daughter just finished national service when she secured the nursing job.

“Even, if it was one day she worked, the record has it that she was in the employment of an organisation.

Suspected Cow Rustlers Arrested KAFUR (KATSINA STATE) - The Police in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State have arrested two suspected cow rustlers and recovered 14 cows in the area.

Mr Aminu Sadiq, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), told the newsmen in

Kafur that the suspects were arrested on Kafur market day.

He said that some suspects had robbed one herdsman in Zamfara and raped his wife and daughter and made away with their cows.

The PRO explained that the victim trailed his cows to the

Kafur weekly market.

“After identifying them, the victim reported to the police, who consequently arrested the two suspects.

“The suspects are now in police custody while investigation is in progress,’’ Sadiq said.

He urged the people to always report suspicious movements to the nearest police authorities and cautioned them against taking laws into their hands.

Many victims of cattle rustlers are now trooping to Kafur with the hope of recovering their stolen cows.

“If my daughter was a house servant to somebody, will it not be honourable for people to visit the family and condole with the parents over her death?

“I must be sincere with you, I do not want anybody to bring my mind back to Justina’s case.

“The hospital and the government are being managed by human beings; the people know what is fair and just,” he said.

He said that the death of his daughter was traumatic, adding that the family members had yet to recover from the trauma.

However, when the newsmen visited the hospital, Mr Simon Tashie, the hospital’s Director of Administration, said that the hospital had identified with Justina’s family.

“We are in touch with the family. We also sent a delegation to attend her funeral ceremony at the Church of Advent, Anglican Communion, Umubo, Ubonukam Onicha, Ezinihitte Mbaise, Imo State, on Nov. 1,’’ he said.

Also, Mrs Florence Emeribe, the Director of Nursing Services at the hospital, said that Dr Benjamin Ohiaeri, the hospital’s Managing Director, was aware of the complaint.

Emeribe, who was Justina’s supervisor, said that she was not in a position to comment on the matter.

According to her, it is only the managing director that can respond.

“The managing director has been told of your mission to this hospital. He is busy right now and will get back to you as soon as possible,” she said.

THE NIGERIAN

9

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Abuja Electoral Violence

Institute To Hold Lecture Series

Cross section of principals of Federal Unity Colleges, during the Executive Leadership Training and Development for Principals of Federal Unity Colleges in Abuja recently.

ABUJA - The Electoral Institute (TEI), a centre of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has expressed readiness to hold a lecture series on youths and electoral violence today.

The Director-General of the Institute, Prof. Abubakar Momoh, told newsmen in Abuja that the lecture series would be geared towards curbing violence in 2015 general elections.

“We intend to use lecture series as we have always done, as a way of drawing attention not only on public but also the commission to key issues.

“The lecture is also expected to upscale and improve the quality of electoral service to us in 2015.

“In the past, we have done lectures on delimitation, we have done on electoral system

Minister Warns Principals Against Corruption

Admission:

ABUJA - Prof. Viola Onwuliri, the Minister of State for Education, has cautioned principals of Federal Government Colleges against involvement in bribery and other corrupt practices in admission processes.

Onwuliri gave the warning when she declared a two-day Executive Leadership Training Programme for Federal Government Colleges (FUCS) opened in Abuja.

She said the principals were representatives of the Federal Government at their various schools and should not constitute stumbling blocks to efforts being made to re-position the education sector.

“I have received petitions against some principals alleging corruption and bribery for admission; they are allegations that will be investigated.

“Any principal found wanting will face the law; the President must get kudos for your actions and not the other way round because you are the eyes of the President in your schools’’, she said.

She explained that the training was of immense importance as secondary education occupies an important place in the education system being the link between the primary and tertiary levels.

Onwuliri said that principals requires adequate training and preparation in order to place Nigeria’s education system on the pedestal for qualitative delivery and global competitiveness.

“Manpower development is a necessary tool for improving the capacity of the work force of any organisation.

“Government will equip and improve the standards of our education.

“This is to reverse failures as reflected in the last West African Senior School Examination and regain the confidence of the populace in our schools’’, she said.

According to her, the professional training of school administrators, particularly principals, has not been given the attention it deserves.

She said that teaching and school administration were not the same thing; as school administration was an art which must be learnt and mastered.

The minister said that at the end

of training, the principals should be able to lead through professional knowledge, discipline, organisational and administrative competence.

Other expectations, according to her, are ability to develop a good policy and put it into effect, skilful delegation of authority, ability to manage students, teachers and examination

processes, among others.

Dr MacJohn Nwaobiala, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, said contemporary school administrators played many roles.

He listed some of the roles as agents, instructional leaders, curriculum and assessment experts, budget analysts, facility

mangers, and community builders, among others.

He said there was need to expose principals to additional opportunities for professional learning and growth as they work to improve their managerial capabilities.

A resource person, Dr Rosemary Nwangwu, said principals would be put through leadership dynamics and models in order to select the model most suitable to their environment.

and so on, just to improve the quality of electoral process.

“Fundamentally, the reason we are holding this lecture is precisely because all over the continent, youths have been very active participants in the electoral process.

“But the unfortunate thing, however, is that some youths have often been used negatively to undermine the electoral and political process,’’.

Momoh said the ideal was to get the views of an expert who has been working on youths, security issues and conflicts and who has written widely on the subject.

“Dr Funmi Olonisakin had been the Director of Conflict, Security and Development Group King’s College, London; she had also worked and headed different organisations in Africa and at global level,’’ he explained.

Momoh said that the lecture would be attended by political stakeholders, including NGOs, development partners, such as USAID, UNDP, youths organisations and others.

“We are inviting a lot of youth organisations, including 10 prominent organisations that are going to be active in the lecture.

“At the end of the day, they will take something away to adopt at their own levels.”

He said that the institute would continue to do things that would improve the electoral process in the country.

Educationist Proposes Best Principal Award

Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri (right), speaking at the Executive leadership Training and Develoment for Principals of Federal Unity Colleges in Abuja recently. With her are Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. MacJohn Nwaobiala (middle) and Director, Human Resources Management, Dr. Bello Umar.

ABUJA - An Educationist , Dr Rosemary Nwangwu, has advocated the introduction of ‘’best principal award’’ to boost performance in the education sector.

Nwangwu told the newsmen in Abuja that monitoring and evaluation of the principals’ performances would encourage superlative performances.

“It is a way of actually celebrating principals who have begun to practice what they learn at this workshop.

“The award will be like selecting best principal of the year following some of the

FG To Relocate Ministries, Agencies

ABUJA - Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Sen. Bala Muhammed has said that some federal ministries, departments, and agencies would be relocated to Kyami District to decongest the city-centre.

Muhammed told State House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja that the council had already approved N60.8 billion for the provision of

engineering infrastructure in the district.

“The Centenary City is also directly opposite this place and because of the increase in population, we need to do something very quickly.

“And the Federal Government is doing this directly as per what we have always done as FCT as a Federal Government project to provide for the development of the city.

“Again, in this district, we are moving some of the ministries and departments to that area because we envisage that in tandem with city growth - city growth is always dynamic - and that of course as the population is increasing and the city centre is increasingly moving as per the master plan from the central business district to the centre of the city where you have the city gate and the centenary city, we

need to provide for some federal ministries and organisations.“ According to him, the master plan and land usage of the FCT have been changed to accommodate the movement of the ministries and departments to the new districts.

He said the FCT administration had set aside N5 billion for the payment of advance payment for the provision of the engineering infrastructure at the Kyami district.

expectations-role modelling, instructional leadership.

“We will now begin to every year collect what they are doing in their schools and know which principal is emerging as the best. “ That will encourage others to lead better in their schools; not just focus on administration but also focus on leading for learning because in the end if learning doesn’t happen, we have not achieved anything.’’

The expert said that the idea requires a mechanism for achieving it with the ministry’s support.

A participant, Mrs Omasilem Ejiohue, told newsmen that it was wise to train principals in order to take the knowledge back to their teachers.

Ejiohue, who is the Principal of Federal Science and Technical College, Ahoada, Rivers, said that the training was in tandem with President Goodluck Jonathan’s innovation in education “It is wise thing to train the principals to train their teachers; they will go home and become drivers of development in their schools.

THE NIGERIAN

10

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Opinion MANY a time, Treasures are hidden in the dark; only light reveals them. There are Treasures that are personal and there are others which belong to Nations. There are substantial Treasures like gold, arable land, good climate and real money and materials, however there is a type of Treasure which are embodied in humans and these belong to families, communities and Nations. These individual humans are men of substance; not substance as per material or financial possessions, but substance as pertaining to sound wisdom, knowledge, impeccable character, strong-willed men in patriotism that leads to human and National development. Such include men like Tafawa Balewa, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, Muhamadu Buhari, Tunde Idiagbon, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Aminu Kano, Adams Oshiomhole, Ambrose Alli, Samuel Ogbemudia, Oba Erediauwa II, George Washiongton, Barak Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., Winston Churchill, Benson Idahosa and Chairman Isetong Mao to mention but a few.

Permit me to say that so far from the present assessment of Julius Ihonvbere he belongs to these “Treasures” of Nations.

Although from the same ethnic group with this man, we grew up in different environments, I did not know him. He grew up as a tender plant; thoroughly furnished in Western Education and attained the apex of academics as a Professor; but he was hidden in the dark in far away foreign Nations where as a Treasure, he benefitted their peoples and governments. His country

Give Julius Ihonvbere A Chance

By REV. DR. RAPHAEL U. OIZIMENDE

Nigeria and people missed him greatly.

We did not know him but a few people like Olusegun Obasanjo did. He knew his worth just like he knew Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Obi Ezekwesili and others who as Treasures were blessings to other Nations and people. Obasanjo brought him home and appointed him to serve in his government as Senior Special Adviser on Programs Implementation and Policy Monitoring, a job he did excellently. He could have been a Minister, but for political quota system, he was not.

In March 2007, while mobilizing support for his G u b e r n a t o r i a l Candidatureship in Edo State under PDP at Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre, Benin City, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia in his speech, revealed to the public that Prof. Julius Ihonvbere was the voice behind the RADIO KUDIRAT. This was the powerful organ which NADECO (National Democratic Coalition) used to fight the regime of Gen. Sani Abacha to a standstill to see that Democracy was entrenched in our dear Nation Nigeria. This man was a strong member of that coalition. His bravery, eloquence, articulacy and experience endeared him to be qualified as the voice (spokesman) behind the RADIO KUDIRAT just like Mr. Kokodem was the voice behind RADIO BIAFRA that forestalled GENOCIDE as part of the Civil War in Nigeria. This man has a lot more to offer.

Let us give him a chance.

To decamp from one political party to another is part of politicking.

However, it should be done with decorum. Decamping that is based on personal gains is erroneous. I was glad at the news of the decamping of Julius Ihonvbere from PDP (People Democratic Party) to AC (Action Congress) now APC (All Progressives Congress) party. As a

he would get for self aggrandizement; as a dependable Leader from his own Constituency not clamoring for any position.

From his background and antecedence, it is obvious that humility made him to accept the position of Secretary to Edo State Government. In secondary school, we were taught something about Osmosis

further chance to serve.

Out of the spirit of humility, he has recently declared his intension to serve his Nation and immediate constituency in the capacity as a Senator.

He is not fool-hardened to say “I wanted to be Governor, and Governor, I must be”. You will agree with me that a Senatorial District is a small integral

which is the movement of water molecules from an area of lower concentration to an area of higher concentration through a semi permeable membrane. The Bible says that “Deep calls unto Deep”.

Oshiomhole’s administration in Edo State is the area of higher concentration in good governance and yielding of dividends of democracy. This is the reason that other party men are leaving their areas of lower concentration to APC area of higher concentration and men of same minds like Ihonvbere are joining him as “Deep calls unto Deep”.

This man is humane and humble. Lets give him a

part of a wide State. Agreed that there is an incumbent in this position. However, let us not forget the fact that there is a Legislator, whether as a Senator, House of Representative Member, State House of Assembly or a Councilor at Local Government level can always contest to go back. At present, I am too convinced that Nigerians and Edo State people need the caliber of Prof. Julius Ihonvbere as a Senator.

Lets give this man a chance.

Let us not be desperate in this matter. Let us take a leaf from the Lagos State Government under APC in recent happening. When Governor Fashola Tunde finished his first tenure, the party asked the incumbent

Prof. Julius Ihonvbere

patriot, service to humanity is the issue not minding in whatever capacity this is done. Even though he served at National level and intended to be Edo State Governor, yet he only decamped to identify with an accredited statesman like him, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole whose government was a doing one; not primarily for what

“I wanted to be Governor, and Governor, I must be”. You will agree with me that a Senatorial District is a small integral part of a wide State. Agreed that there is an incumbent in this position. However, let us not forget the fact that there is a Legislator, whether as a Senator, House of Representative Member, State House of Assembly or a Councilor at Local Government level can always contest to go back. At present, I am too convinced that Nigerians and Edo State people need the caliber of Prof. Julius Ihonvbere as a Senator. Lets give this man a chance.”

Deputy Governor to step down for another person (a woman also) to come in. she readily agreed. When interviewed by the Press, she explained that no position was permanent and that as a member of the party, she was obligated to obey her party’s decisions.

She did not decamp but remains a resolute member of the party serving in other capacity to keep the party cohesive.

I see this issue as a Relay Race. At this point in time, let us give the Senate relay baton to Julius Ihonvbere; he will do a very impressive run. He will do us proud. The ultimate is that we win and have the trophy. Give Julius Ihonvbere a chance.

Once I went to pay courtesy visit on him in his new office at the Government House on appointment. I could not access him on time because of his busy itinerary. The human traffic in his office was heavy with himself going out and coming in for extra curricular activities outside his office environment. After a while, I indicated my intention to leave but the people there told me that no matter how late it might be, for the fact that we were in his office that he would ensure he attended to everybody.

That was what happened, I was happy for the good report.

When you meet Ihonvbere, you meet a lover of the people, he is moved with the infirmities and afflictions of men, an epitome of humility and patriotism. He is famous, hardworking, vast and vibrant. He has the antecedence as a helper of giving scholarship and jobs to several people. He has spark dynamism. He is a man of impeccable character. A gap builder. A reconciler of disputers. A mender of broken fences. A man of transparent honesty, honourable personality and noble mien. He will certainly do more if given the chance. Give Ihonvbere a chance.

Rev. Dr. Raphael U. Oizimende (JP) rafelide@gmail.com 0 8 0 5 5 3 7 5 3 0 3 , 07033227427

THE NIGERIAN

11

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY(01/12/2014) Stocks

Open

Close

Change

Deals

Units

Value

NAHCO

4.9

4.87

-0.03

0

168,865

828,156.05

7.87

7.87

0

0

424,310

3,265,900.35

7UP

155

155

0

0

28,213

4,204,206.40

NASCON

ABBEYBDS

1.3

1.3

0

0

100,000

130,000.00

NB

172.12

170

-2.12

0

5,294,429

901,070,720.00

0.94

0.94

0

0

19,910

17,939.00

ABCTRANS

0.6

0.6

0

0

92,200

55,983.51

NEIMETH

ACADEMY

0.95

0.99

0.04

0

82,520

81,694.80

NEM

0.64

0.61

-0.03

0

1,304,570

796,002.03

ACCESS

7.61

7.52

-0.09

0

3,973,765

30,097,037.89

NESTLE

860

840.02

-19.98

0

153,824

129,453,879.50

AFRIPRUD

3

2.91

-0.09

0

322,177

936,986.27

NEWGOLD

2042

2070

28

0

126

260,820.00

AFROMEDIA

0.5

0.5

0

0

300

150

NIG-GERMAN

7

7

0

0

50

332.5

AGLEVENT

1.3

1.3

0

0

48,500

65,208.25

NIGERINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

10,000

5,000.00

AIICO

0.79

0.82

0.03

0

3,022,598

2,477,530.36

NIWICABLE

0.5

0.5

0

0

100,000

50,000.00

AIRSERVICE

1.58

1.58

0

0

20,000

32,000.00

NNFM

19

19

0

0

1,500

27,075.00

ASHAKACEM

22.7

22.65

-0.05

0

609,180

13,776,752.54

NPFMCRFBK

0.88

0.88

0

0

29,501

26,763.66

ASOSAVINGS

0.5

0.5

0

0

9,000,000

4,500,000.00

NSE30

1575.87

1548.73

-27.14

0

166,143,095

4,280,766,613.00

AVONCROWN

1.59

1.59

0

0

50

76

NSE50

1719.58

1693.2

-26.38

0

183,653,721

4,350,371,035.00

BERGER

8.7

8.7

0

0

21,000

184,200.00

NSEASI

34543.05

33914.25

-628.8

0

213,606,230

4,435,133,912.00

CADBURY

45.67

45.67

0

0

113,132

5,058,503.56

NSEBNK

366.13

362.45

-3.68

0

68,134,847

856,064,680.60

CAP

36.18

36.18

0

0

25,875

935,078.59

NSECNSMRGDS

899.6

885.34

-14.26

0

10,985,049

1,221,456,977.00

CAVERTON

3.61

3.68

0.07

0

396,376

1,431,803.63

NSEINDUSTR

2020.88

1984.83

-36.05

0

5,459,961

391,483,172.50

CCNN

11.29

11.45

0.16

0

149,860

1,658,681.40

NSEINS

147.71

151.86

4.15

0

7,648,978

8,566,642.10

CHAMPION

9.8

9.93

0.13

0

78,774

764,461.42

NSELOTUSISLM

2150.13

2120.12

-30.01

0

10,406,448

701,421,577.00

CHAMS

0.5

0.5

0

0

1,100,500

550,250.00

NSEOILGAS

416.86

404.68

-12.18

0

6,123,472

159,785,103.60

CILEASING

0.5

0.5

0

0

143,800

71,900.00

NSLTECH

0.5

0.5

0

0

20,000

10,000.00

CONOIL

49.23

49.23

0

0

3,318

147,475.22

OANDO

19.73

18.8

-0.93

0

5,776,851

110,509,055.30

30

29

-1

0

139,575

4,042,798.50

CONTINSURE

0.93

0.97

0.04

0

744,521

719,296.45

OKOMUOIL

COSTAIN

1.01

1.06

0.05

0

1,844,018

1,950,103.91

PAINTCOM

1.53

1.53

0

0

330

495

COURTVILLE

0.5

0.5

0

0

28,889

14,484.50

PHARMDEKO

2.36

2.36

0

0

990

2,249.50

CUSTODYINS

4

4

0

0

2,573,688

10,673,410.36

PRESCO

28.8

30.2

1.4

0

230,205

6,917,397.80

CUTIX

1.5

1.5

0

0

166,539

250,005.07

PZ

28.5

28.05

-0.45

0

494,232

13,807,930.52

CWG

4.34

4.34

0

0

110

467.5

REDSTAREX

4.04

4

-0.04

0

572,900

2,290,751.00

DANGCEM

179.9

175

-4.9

0

154,919

27,104,867.92

RESORTSAL

0.5

0.5

0

0

1,000

500

DANGFLOUR

6.23

6.23

0

0

18,350

108,632.00

ROADS

6.29

6.29

0

0

5,612

37,039.20

DANGSUGAR

6.97

6.63

-0.34

0

732,655

4,878,417.33

RTBRISCOE

0.85

0.89

0.04

0

523,151

443,620.75

414.48

395

-19.48

0

90,505

35,834,892.12

DIAMONDBNK

6.2

6

-0.2

0

655,086

3,894,547.32

SEPLAT

DUNLOP

0.5

0.5

0

0

40,060

20,030.00

SKYEBANK

2.48

2.47

-0.01

0

4,567,309

11,322,823.95

EQUITYASUR

0.5

0.5

0

0

499,773

249,886.50

SKYESHELT

100

100

0

0

2,500

250,000.00

ETI

17.5

17.5

0

0

9,081,839

158,928,643.30

SOVRENINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

52,000

26,000.00

ETRANZACT

2.21

2.21

0

0

30

69.6

STACO

0.5

0.5

0

0

1,000

500

EVANSMED

1.99

1.99

0

0

50,250

96,497.50

STANBIC

31

30.74

-0.26

0

42,245,692

1,309,350,583.00

FBNH

9.81

9.5

-0.31

0

18,144,663

175,295,451.10

STDINSURE

0.5

0.5

0

0

60

30

FCMB

3.3

3.14

-0.16

0

1,078,404

3,396,658.07

STERLNBANK

2.36

2.35

-0.01

0

5,245,062

12,311,075.01

FIDELITYBK

1.6

1.55

-0.05

0

2,776,124

4,385,801.86

STUDPRESS

2.3

2.3

0

0

200

438

FIDSON

3.4

3.41

0.01

0

576,064

1,968,023.24

TANTALIZER

0.5

0.5

0

0

600

300

FIRSTALUM

0.5

0.5

0

0

20,000

10,000.00

TOTAL

155.47

162

6.53

0

19,424

3,122,814.87

4.09

3.89

-0.2

0

23,056,541

89,795,250.91

FLOURMILL

52.45

49.83

-2.62

0

1,491,361

74,384,496.89

TRANSCORP

FO

222

220.98

-1.02

0

190,225

41,789,037.17

UAC-PROP

10.5

10.5

0

0

188,585

1,984,123.85

GLAXOSMITH

52

52

0

0

52,223

2,609,083.00

UACN

43.3

43

-0.3

0

2,634,128

113,297,399.10

GUARANTY

25

25.04

0.04

0

15,742,103

392,716,832.60

UBA

4.95

4.81

-0.14

0

18,146,682

89,181,759.56

GUINEAINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

10,000

5,000.00

UBCAP

1.8

1.71

-0.09

0

1,249,978

2,175,256.64

GUINNESS

158

151.01

-6.99

0

321,096

49,281,986.29

UBN

8.43

8.33

-0.1

0

705,721

5,851,853.05

HONYFLOUR

3.44

3.3

-0.14

0

789,646

2,599,599.30

UNHOMES

0.5

0.5

0

0

35,925

17,962.50

IKEJAHOTEL

3.78

3.73

-0.05

0

5,648,285

21,642,735.44

UNILEVER

35.79

35.01

-0.78

0

880,554

31,218,594.43

INTBREW

26

26

0

0

32,655

859,640.15

UNITYBNK

0.5

0.5

0

0

57,850

28,925.00

INTERLINK

4.66

4.66

0

0

34

150.62

UNIVINSURE

0.5

0.5

0

0

100,000

50,000.00

IPWA

0.5

0.5

0

0

172,795

86,397.50

UPL

4.13

4.13

0

0

51,593

205,903.49

JAPAULOIL

0.5

0.5

0

0

75,200

37,600.00

VETGRIF30

15.66

15.5

-0.16

0

60

940

JBERGER

60.66

60.66

0

0

12,173

701,617.91

VITAFOAM

3.85

3.85

0

0

131,818

500,008.92

JOHNHOLT

0.98

0.98

0

0

22,484

21,134.96

WAPCO

80

79

-1

0

4,332,258

347,573,092.00

LASACO

0.5

0.5

0

0

515,300

257,650.00

WAPIC

0.66

0.65

-0.01

0

294,467

190,276.72

LEARNAFRCA

1.4

1.4

0

0

6,122

8,264.70

WEMABANK

0.95

0.95

0

0

902,564

847,387.16

LIVESTOCK

2.45

2.55

0.1

0

1,070,191

2,700,976.90

ZENITHBANK

20.8

20.33

-0.47

0

7,241,156

147,374,306.10

LOTUSHAL15

10.66

10.6

-0.06

0

10,010

101,606.00

MANSARD

3.3

3.41

0.11

0

1,103,574

3,793,912.54

Stock

Close

Gain

MAYBAKER

1.7

1.7

0

0

91,897

150,082.12

MBENEFIT

0.5

0.5

0

0

1,115

557.5

MOBIL

165.2

165.2

0

0

23,136

3,825,863.50

MRS

56

56

0

0

518

27,557.60

NEWGOLD TOTAL NSEINS PRESCO CCNN CHAMPION MANSARD LIVESTOCK CAVERTON COSTAIN

2070 162 151.86 30.2 11.45 9.93 3.41 2.55 3.68 1.06

28 6.53 4.15 1.4 0.16 0.13 0.11 0.1 0.07 0.05

MTI

0.5

0.5

0

0

50,000

25,000.00

MULTIVERSE

0.5

0.5

0

0

50,000

25,000.00

TOP 10 GAINERS

TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS Stock

Close

Loss

NSEASI 628.8 NSEINDUSTR 36.05 NSELOTUSISLM 30.01 NSE30 27.14 NSE50 26.38 NESTLE 19.98 SEPLAT 19.48 NSECNSMRGDS 14.26 NSEOILGAS 12.18 GUINNESS

33914.25

-

1984.83

-

2120.12

-

1548.73

-

1693.2

-

840.02

-

395

-

885.34

-

404.68

-

151.01

-6.99

THE NIGERIAN

12

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 THE core premise of the 2014 Human Development Report, launched in Tokyo, Japan last week by Prime Minister of Japan Shinzô Abe, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Helen Clark and Director of the Human Development Report Office Khalid Malik focuses on persistent vulnerability as a major threat to human development, and warns that unless it is systematically tackled by policies and social norms, progress will be neither equitable nor sustainable.

ACCORDING to income-based measures of poverty, 1.2 billion people live with $1.25 or less a day. However, the latest estimates of the UNDP Multidimensional Poverty Index reveal that almost 1.5 billion people in 91 developing countries, including Nigeria are living in poverty with overlapping deprivations in health, education and living standards. And although poverty is declining overall, almost 800 million people are at risk of falling back into poverty if setbacks occur.

WE believe that by addressing vulnerabilities, all people may share in development progress, and human development will become increasingly equitable and sustainable globally and Nigeria must key into various development processes to be part of solution and also be in position to benefit from same.

IT is equally heart-warming to know that the 2014 Human Development Report comes at a critical time, as attention turns to the creation of a new development agenda following the 2015 deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. It is therefore an imperative for the post-2015 SDGs to have a standalone Goal to address vulnerability in the next 15 years.

THE NIGERIAN

Still On 2014 Human Development Report THE Report holds that as crises spread ever faster and further, it is critical to understand vulnerability in order to secure gains and sustain progress. It points to a slowdown in human development growth across all regions, as measured by the Human Development Index (HDI). It notes that threats such as financial crises, fluctuations in food prices, natural disasters and violent conflict significantly impede progress.

OBVIOUSLY , the Boko Haram insurgency poses a great threat to human development in Nigeria and the global community must come to the rescue of the country beyond skeletal military assistance from some developed countries of the world. Boko Haram insurgency alone is not only leading to heavy losses of human lives and property, millions are already rendered homeless and are refugees in their homeland. Livelihoods of over six million persons have been affected and economic life in North Eastern Nigeria have been crippled. Investments in Nigeria are already threatened even though government grandstands that it has what it takes to curtail the threat.

BESIDES, floods and desertification occasioned by Climate Change have continued to wreak havoc and render millions homeless destroying livelihoods and exacerbating food crisis in the country.

AT the moment, the President, Goodluck Jonathan is seeking $1bn to combat terrorism

in the country. This request must not be politicised by anyone and we urge the National Assembly to expeditiously approve the request. The President must demonstrate prudence, transparency and accountability in the use of such funds to assuage the fears of those opposed to the securing of such a facility given our past history as a nation.

Additionally, government needs to make conscious efforts to mitigate impact of Climate Change and tackle ocean surge, desertification and flooding in Nigerian coastal communities. There should be clear cut plans and actions for rehabilitation, resettlements and empowerments for affected and vulnerable persons and communities.

IT is also instructive to point that reducing both poverty and people’s vulnerability to falling into poverty must be a central objective of the post-2015 agenda. For us, eliminating extreme poverty as roundly canvassed by the report, is not just about ‘getting to zero’; it is also about staying there.

FINALLY, the Report calls for governments to recommit to the objective of full employment, a mainstay of macroeconomic policies of the 1950s and 1960s that was overtaken by competing policy goals following the oil shocks of the 1970s. It argues that full employment yields social dividends that surpass private benefits, such as fostering social stability and cohesion. We believe that Nigeria, having had its fair share of the oil shocks during the era should abide by recommendations and prescriptions of the 2014 Human Development Report, if it hopes to overcome its vulnerability challenges by 2030.

THE NIGERIAN

13

ON this, Forster was right. While democracy is a good thing as anyone will tell you who has experience the alternatives, it isn’t something we should worship, and it shouldn’t be a creed we try to impose on the world. But what Forster argued about democracy is also true of human rights today. From providing a useful safeguard against the abuse of power, human rights are turning into a comforting dogma through which we try to escape the painful dilemmas of war and politics.

Human rights have two large virtues-they empower us against government, and anyone can claim them. If we have rights we needn’t approach power on our knees, as supplicants begging for favours. We can demand that our freedoms be respected. And it doesn’t matter who governs us. Human rights can be invoked wherever they exist.

For many people the universality of rights is their principal attraction, but for me, it’s also their chief weakness. John Lockes, the 17th century English thinker who founded the modern theory or rights, believed rights were grounded in our duties to God. For him, human freedom was divinely ordained.

That’s why he believed we didn’t have the right to commit suicide, or to sell ourselves into salvery. We always remember God’s creature.

Nowadays, many believers in rights are indifferent or hostile to religion. The fact remains that human rights originated in monotheism –they believed that there’s only one God, who creates a single moral law for all human rights still depend on some sort of religious commitment. For unless these rights are grounded in something beyond the human world, they can only be a human invention.

As someone without any religious beliefs that’s a conclusion I’m happy to accept, but it has uncomfortable consequences for those who think human rights have universal authority.

It’s one thing to say there are bad for, everyone –being subject to the threat of torture or persecution, for example. But human beings have devised a variety of ways offending off these universal evils, and right haven’t always been the most reliable or effective. A highly developed culture of rights in us didn’t stop torture being regarded by some as a legitimate weapon in the so-called “war on terror”. For example.

We’ve forgotten that rights aren’t the only way to protect universal values. For several centuries, the Ottoman empire was a haven where religious minorities that were persecuted in Christian countries could live together in peace. The Ottoman regime wasn’t based on rights. Infact, since it involved separate systems of law for each community, it was incompatible with a system in which everyone had the same rights. Where something like peace between religious has been achieved, it’s because the difficult art of toleration has been learnt. Where it’s deeply rooted, the practice of tolerance is a more reliable safeguard against persecution then code of rights. The European convention on Human Rights was incorporated into UK law only in 1998, but Britain, despite all its flaws, has a better historical record of respecting human freedom than many European states. The elaborates in the Weimar Republic didn’t stem the rise of Nazism, Human rights can’t defend anyone when the state that upholds them is swept away away.

Many people seem to think that once tyranny is demolished, human rights will emerge naturally from the rubble. But rights are artifacts of civilisation, not a natural human condition. If they protect us against the state, they are also created and enforced by states. Where the states is

Issues

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Two Cheers For Human Rights

By HUSENAT MOHAMMED

weak or collapsed, as in many parts of the world today, human rights simply don’t exist.

It’s consoling to believe that horrendous cruelty in Syria could be stopped by deposing the dictator and ending the war. In fact, if Assad were toppled at this point, the most likely result would be a country without any state at all that was stuck in a condition of chronic war. That’s pretty much

what has happened in Libya, where even the Prime Minister isn’t safe from kidnap by armed gangs.

If a new state could be installed in such conditions, it’s not clear, it would be one that respected human rights. Rights are like money and the law-they only exist if enough people accept that they exist. But what if large sections of the population, or those that are the most ruthless in imposing their values, don’t accept them? What if many people don’t want human rights?

For believers in rights, the answer is that everyone really does want them – or if they don’t, they can be persuaded to want them. The similarity between this view and that of

“Nowadays, many believers in rights are indifferent or hostile to religion. The fact remains that human rights originated in monotheism –they believed that there’s only one God, who creates a single moral law for all human rights still depend on some sort of religious commitment.”

religious evangelists is obvious and striking. Evangelists are convinced that all that’s needed for human and to see the light is that it should be shown to them. Once they’ve seen the true faith, everyone will embrace it. If there are some who don’t accept the saving gospel (as will surely be the case) the mission must continue until they do. Believers in human rights think the same. Both are engaged in an unending project of conversion.

It’s not surprising that human rights movements should exhibit some of the attributes of evangelical religion. Like other secular creeds, they’re continuations of proselytising monotheism by other means. The certainty of rights advocates that only one type of state can be legitimate continues the conviction that only one way of life can be good.

A world in which all rights are protected isn’t just impracticable – it’s not even conceivable. Freedom of expression is a good thing, but so is protection from hate speech. We all want to be free to voice our views without fear, but we also want to be free from being insulted or stigmatised.

The ideal of a world ruled by rights distracts us from an unalterable reality – we’ll always be mired in dangerous and only partly soluble conflicts. Human rights can’t get round the fact that human values are at odds with another. The freedom from conflict that many people seek in rights is just an illusion.

This doesn’t mean rights should be scrapped. Like the religion from which they sprang, they’re a valuable part of the human inheritance. But rather than thinking of rights as a militant creed that can deliver the world from its conflicts, we should recognise rights for what they are, useful devices that quite often don’t work.

THE NIGERIAN

14

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Nutritional Health And Dietetics

Little Health Tweats

SOME changes that are good for your overall health, could also, provide benefits in helping to maintain a healthy level of testostone-male hormone.

Get enough sleep, according to George Yu, many men with low testosterone, poor sleep is the most important factor.

Lack of sleep affects a variety of hormones and chemicals in your body. This in turn, can have a harmful impact on you testosterone. Therefore, make sleep priority, aiming for 7 to 8 hours for night. Even if it means rearranging your schedule or dropping your habit of late-night T.V. Prize your sleep, just like you would prize a healthy diet and active lifestyle. It’s very important.

If you are having problems getting good sleep on a regular basis. Do not worry, there are many natural herbs that will lure you to sleep like a baby.

Keep a healthy weighty men who are overweight or obese often have low testosterone level says Alvin Mat su moto.

Losing the extra weight can help bring testosterone back.

Likewise, for men who are underweight getting your weight up to a healthy level can also have a positive effect on the hormone.

Be Active – When you are physically active, your brain sends out the signal for more of the hormone. At least, walking briskly at least 10 to 20 minutes a day. Remember, extreme amounts of endurance exercise, working out at the level of elite athletes can also, lower your testosterone.

Take control of your stress.

If your are under constant stress, your body will churn out a steady stream of the stress hormone cortisol.

When it does, it will be less able to create testosterone. So controlling your stress is important for keeping up your testosterone. Minen says

To the over-stressed men cut back on long working hours. If you are logging lots of overtime, try to whittle your workday down to 10 hours or less. Spend 2 hours a day on activities you like that are not work or exerciserelated such as reading or playing music.

The importance of water to you. Older people should drink 8 cups of water a day.

Getting dehydrated can cause symptoms like confusion and memory loss, keep track of amount of water you are taking a day and make sure it is enough.

Walk backward. People perform difficult tasks faster after walking backward than they do after walking forward or even sideways. In a recent study, the researchers believe that the “avoidance” mode of walking backward, similar to how you might retreat from a dangerous situation, helps focus your thinking.

Try walking forward for 5 minutes and backward for 2 minutes, then repeat the pattern throughout your workout. Remember that walking in reverse is much harder, so, slow your pace by at least, 50 percent.

Wait to brush your teeth after meals. Acids in foods and drinks can soften tooth enamel; making teeth more sensitive and vulnerable to damage from brushing. Since you don’t always know if a meal contains highly acidic foods, wait an hour before you pick up your toothbrush regardless of what you eat.

Waiting gives your saliva a chance to wash away acids and for the enamel to reharden.

Then rinse thoroughly with water or unsweetened tea to dilute acid while you wait the hour to brush or if you are not able to brush, both green and black tea kill germs that cause took decay and bad breath and they are natural sources of protective fluoride.

Too much sugar in the form of crystalline sugar, syrups, jellies and candies causes excessive fermentation and the formation of much gas and irritating substances, which leads to catarrh and inflammation of the stomach.

On the other hand, some sweet dessert or a few candies at the end of a meal gives a feeling of satisfaction, satiety and completeness to the meal and adds to the carbohydrate content of the meal, which is especially desirable for people who do much physical work or need an increase in their body weight.

In some people, chocolate candies or chocolate desserts, as chocolate pudding or

carbohydrate, as in all other body functions, nature has provided us with a great margin of safety. If we take with any meal more carbohydrate than we need for immediate use, the unused portion is stored in the live or converted into fat and deposited in the tissues for future use. Storing up too much of these materials (fat and glycogen) is unwieldy, unnecessary and often harmful, therefore, an over bundance of carbohydrate in the diet had better be avoided, especially, the concentrated forms like crystalline sugars, syrups, jellies.

The intestines swarm with bacteria, that the flow of

chocolate ice-cream, will interfere with digestion because of the difficulty of digesting the fat that chocolate contains. Such people will do better to have dessert of other flavours than chocolate and if they must have chocolate, to indulge in it an hour or two after a meal.

Too much of the carbohydrates.

In the digestion and assimilation of

digestive juices is greatly decreased, when one is hurried, worried and upset and that with decreased digestive juices the unchewed or otherwise indigestible food will undergo decomposition and putrefaction be absorbed into the circulation and cause symptoms of poisoning or auto-intoxication, from one’s own waste product.

The symptoms may vary

“Overfeeding and wrong feeding will produce a self-poisoning within the digestive tract (autointoxication) that will do about the same to the system as alcohol and narcotics. The beginning of Bright’s Disease usually comes from an abused digestive tract that has to throw off so much poison through the kidneys that the kidneys become diseased and can no longer function.”

With

O.C. Madu GSM: 08056379608 greatly depending on the nature of the decomposed products absorbed. But usually, they are headaches, dizziness, heart palpitation, disagreeable taste in the mouth and even nausea and vomiting.

The way to prevent this condition from becoming chronic and more serious is to retain a happy and peaceful state of mind to chew well, to eat your food with zest and relish so as to assure rich and plentiful digestive secretions and to make sure the food you

kidneys become diseased and can no longer function.

This form of trouble is very common with the busiman.

Remember that hate, fear, excitement or any strenuous depressing or fighting emotion stops the peristalsis of the digestive tract (the wave motion) and the food is not carried on and digested as it should be. There is fermentation and putrefaction.

There is fermentation and putrefaction and the product of fermentation

eat is fresh, clean and cleanly handled!

Respond promptly to your bowel’s demands at any time, in any place and under all circumstances. Delaying to respond because of childish shyness and embarrassment or because of laziness causes stagnation in the bowel and absorption of the products of decomposition and putrefaction.

Overfeeding and wrong feeding will produce a selfpoisoning within the digestive tract (autointoxication) that will do about the same to the system as alcohol and narcotics. The beginning of Bright’s Disease usually comes from an abused digestive tract that has to throw off so much poison through the kidneys that the

(autointoxication) is carried through the system and all the glands and tissues suffer.

Friends often write about an inscrutable providence that carried a brother away.

We must learn the effects on all of us as individuals and as races of hate, fear, anger, jealousy, business worry, quarrels, shocks and of hope, faith, happiness, laughter, service, interest, religion and of alcoholics, tobacco, teas and coffee, drugs that are not foods and all pure thoughts and evil thoughts and lusts and indiscretions, and of wellpoised life. We must learn to be honest with ourselves. You cannot fool the endocrines.

You can radiate what you wish. The power is within you.

Love and Peace.

THE NIGERIAN

15

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Bottomline BY the grace of God this question can’t be logically or psycholerically answered by men, but by God Almighty himself. One may say Oh! How and where can we meet with God as to be able to get or receive answer to this question? Just hold your peace, this God who made the universe including human beings speaks, from the time of the first man and woman (Adam and Eve), He’s been speaking so he still speaks. His word of counsel, admonition, warning, solution to problems, love, and purpose for men are recorded in a book called the Holy Bible, therefore we shall go there to carefully search out the answer to the above question and subject of discussion.

There is no way the word “forgive or forgiveness” would be mentioned if there is no offence committed, it is as a result of offence committed that forgiveness was imitated to put things right, so that existing relationship should continue. It’s no news to all in the world that the first man and woman created

by God sinned (disobeyed or rebelled against God’s sovereignty and authority) for having obeyed the devil, as a result sentence was passed and executed against them speedily.

This account we can find in Genesis 3:8-19, but when the fullness of time has come, according to God’s purpose he sent his Son (Jesus) that through him this sin or offence committed

by Adam and Eve and the calamities that follows which become “a generational problem” to us the inhabitants of the earth might receive forgiveness for this offense and the curse revoked.

Therefore, Jesus sacrificial death on the cross has brought forgiveness, curse destroyed and freedom gained by all men (mankind) this we are told by God as written In lst John 1:8, “he that committed sin is of the devil, for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that “HE” might destroy the works of the devil. God is speaking to us right now, that the person that commits sin belongs to the devil, have the nature and life style of the devil, because all that the devil know how to do is evil (Sin), the Lord is stressing that because of this nature of sin transferred and infused into mankind by Satan through deception, necessitated the coming of the Son of God (Jesus) to this planet-earth, the habitation of sinful men, to destroy the “Works” which the devil had done in and to men, beginning from Adam and Eve. As we progress in this all important matter, I want to ask this very wonderful question thus: is it true that Jesus the Son of God has come to this world of mankind and died or was crucified on the cross? If your answer is yes! as mine is, then the works (Misery, evil, curses,

deceptive powers, diseases, fear, unbelief ungodly death, and all negative things) that Satan does has been destroyed once and for all, never to be found again in the life of those that have known and believed that this great destruction done to Satan by Jesus Christ, is done on their behalf- because of God’s love and grace. On the cross, Jesus Christ said it is “FINISED”.

Satan’s expectation and purpose concerning us- human beings has

committed unto God, then we are completely or totally forgiven.

Hear what the Lord has said, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we agree we all are sinners and consciously sincerely confess to him, he will without doubt forgive “all our sins” not some but all.

If this is true that God forgives all sins and its supposed repercussion, at repentance

children unto the third and fourth generation,” but don’t see “of them that hate me” and this wonderful verse (6) that says “And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments” Have you seen for yourself now, that Satan has been playing the smart one on you? This is why it is extremely relevant to read and study God’s word “the Holy Bible” with carefulness, and understanding, by even yielding

and relocated from his domain to God’s own kingdom of “life and true freedom” only to now obey and follow Christ and God alone.

We are no more subject to Satan and sin, but to God, and living a righteous - holy life that can never incur a curse or curses, because the life we now live, is God kind of life though Christ, it is the evildoers - the wicked, the disobedient to God’s instruction or commandments that are into or under a curse, “ as a born

matter, I want to draw in this word of truth from the Lord. He is saying; and hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ. So being saved from sin, buried with Christ in baptism, we are also raised with Christ as He resurrected from the dead (grave) and sitted with him in heavenly places.

Meanwhile as long as we are sitted with Christ in heavenly places there is no curse released

Exposing Heresies In Christendom be aborted for ever. Again Jesus said as written in John 8:32-36.

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be freed indeed.

In truth and in spirit we have been set free, all of mankind has been delivered or redeemed, Jesus Christ paid the ransom “by His Blood” praise and thanks be to God Almighty and His Son Jesus of Nazareth” Amen! So what is the “Truth” Jesus wants us to know? Simply that “HE” has paid the price (consequences of the sins committed, the eternal condemnation and woes) which is the gain or reward or vengeance for disobedience, knowing this and acting accordingly - by confessing remorsefully, being very sorry for breaking God’s heart of love, angered and insulted him in time past, because we obeyed and did what the devil moved or manipulated us to do then, now we realize that Satan has abused and cheated on us — meanwhile, we can at this point decide never to obey Satan or follow his ways!

You then pledge your loyalty to God through Jesus Christ, having known and understood that HE has taken our place of condemnation and woes.

Galatians 3:13-14 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us, for it is written cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree: that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the spirit through faith. Jesus died on the cross (tree) for us, put upon himself the curse that was on us as offenders (Sinners). The consequence or calamities that sinfulness, which I know is truly true, where then does some so called Christians going by the name deliverance minister got their theory and revelation from, that is completely opposite what God is saying as scripture has it. In our generation many are opposing the outstanding reality of the “Full price of Redemption” that Jesus Christ paid to buy us back to the Father. Redemption or deliverance from Satan, sin and its powers came to us through Jesus Christ, He died because of us, believing on his death- burial and resurrection whole heartedly having confessed all sins ever

J.O ISRAEL YOUNG ASEMOTA

where then is the place of generational or inherited curse that many so called “Ministers of Deliverances” are teaching come from? Is salvation transferable

to the Holy Spirit for help.

Jesus and God hasn’t saved us in pretence, to in another form

again” child of God or a Christian, the Lord is telling us that no weapon that is formed

from father to son or daughter, does gift of eternal life (Salvation) received by one person in a family spread through to others of same family from generation to generation? If your answer is no which is same as mine, then the doctrine of inherited or generational curse is of Satan, is from the pit of hell, is not of God (pure heresy). When a sinner go to God for forgiveness of sins with a sincere heart and not ready to go back to sin afterward, the Lord forgives completely and cleanses by the Blood of Jesus, the sins and its power are destroyed and blotted away forever and all the curses attached. Read this from Psalm 103:3 “who forgiveth all thine iniquities who healeth all thine disease; you can see for yourself here that those teaching or promoting this doctrine are liars.

This is where they quickly run to any time they are empty of words, Exodus 20:5 “Thou shall not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God “Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation” of then that hate me.

They easily see “visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the

place us in or under a curse, no!

God is not a liar or a deceiver, He has saved or delivered us from Satan’s kingdom of sin and darkness into His (God) kingdom of light, righteousness and holiness of power and authority, of blessing, joy and peace, a kingdom void of curses and misery as against what some men teaches! read what the Lord is saying about the people whose sins are forgiven: Colossians 1:13 says “giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (qualify or worthy) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saint (saved, holy and righteous men and women) in light: who hath delivered (rescued or saved) us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear son. Can there be better reference of assurance of freedom than this?

Neighbours, God hasn’t saved us from sin and Satan’s dominion into a curse. Satan and his demons are the powers that place and effect curses on people through various means and those that suffer this wicked acts of the devil are the unsaved (those not yet born again) not the Christian, truth being that we have been loosed from the grip of the devil

against thee (us) shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee (you and I) in judgment thou (we) shall condemn, This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me saith the Lord. Isaiah 54:17, let’s again hear from the Lord: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father; neither shall the father bear the iniquity of son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. Ezekiel 18:20.

The Lord God has spoken, what else can we say? Maybe to just add this Proverb 26:2 As the bird by wandering as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. Evil word or deeds done or pronounced or fired to kill or destroy a person (curse), without the target being guilty can never have effect on him or her. This is one of the reasons while we Christians must be determined to live transparent and holy life, must try to please God in all we do, so that our horribly wicked enemy, (Satan) and his agents will not be able to come close to us, how much more touch us.

To quickly conclude on this

or fired by any created entity that can reach us except we backslide, fall away completely form Christ or commit sin. As long as we remain in Christ, obeying and doing the will of God, and get strong in prayer life, no curse can reach us at all, moreover after being born again it is important you make restitution, if you had quarreled with anybody before, go and reconcile, if you have cheated or stolen, go and confess and settle it. If you have inherited anything from your parents, that you know is ill-forgotten or by diabolical means, you either reject or pray over it by the Blood of Jesus! As this may be the only way the rude and wicked devil would want to come through.

Remember that a genuinely saved soul (Born again) “new creature in Christ” don’t and mustn’t think neither believe he or she is under or inherited a curse that is or was upon your parents of past generations whom you never knew, not even knew what they did or never did. We children of God never will inherit a curse but blessing- God is yet saying we are joint heirs with Christ, what Jesus is, same God wants us to be.

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint- heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Roman 8:16-17).

Once more I say unto you that Born Again (Christians) don’t inherits a curse, rather we are born (delivered) out of curses into blessings, those preaching inherited or generational curse are looking for customers, so be wise.

If you are privilege to come across this message this day, having read through, you now discover it is the sinner that suffers curses, why don’t you simply and sincerely confess all your sins before God and ask for forgiveness in Jesus name! Just do it, and the Lord will have mercy on you, right now you will be changed and the Blood of Jesus will destroy that curse upon your life. You backslider, run back to Jesus, He is coming very soon, and to my beloved brethren in Christ, I say remain connected and be watchful unto prayers, if you are led by the Spirit, pray for me. God bless “U” all! It’s been your neighbor or friend in Christ.

THE NIGERIAN

16

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Perspective THE last few years have been both traumatic and revolutionary for the Nigerian banking industry.

Accustomed to steady profits and little or no problems since 1959 when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was established, the industry has, in recent times, produced the largest number of technically insolvent and undercapitalised banks.

Currently, the magnitude of distress in the nation’s banking industry has reached an unprecedented level thereby making it an issue of concern to the government, the regulatory authorities, the bankers and the general public.

It should be stressed that the banking system was already in distress by the time the NDIC was established. By then, about seven banks were known to be technically insolvent. The government, at that time, did not embark upon a cleansing exercise that would have removed the distressed institutions from the system because it was feared that such an action would lead to loss of public confidence and flight of foreign capital more so when there was no deposit insurance institution to expeditiously manage such bank closures. The NDIC was, nevertheless, required to insure all banks.

That means that the Corporation has been involved in managing distressed banks even before it could settle down and muster enough resources for this important task.

The purpose of this paper is to highlight measures that have been employed by the regulatory/supervisory authorities to manage distress in the nation’s banking system. The rest of the paper has been organised into six sections. The next section, section 2, considers some related conceptual issues in distress management. In section 3, we examine the extent of distress in the nation’s banking industry as well as the implication of distress for the economy. In section 4, we discuss the major factors responsible for bank distress. This is necessary because to be able to effectively manage banking distress, the fundamental causes must be addressed with a view to containing them. In section 5, we examine distress management measures adopted in Nigeria. Section

6 considers some preventive strategies while the last section summarises and concludes the paper.

2.2 Conceptual Issues in Distress Management Banking distress occurs when a bank or some banks in the system experience illiquidity or insolvency, resulting in a situation where depositors fear the loss of their deposits and a consequent breakdown of contractual obligations.

While a bank is said to be illiquid when it could no longer meet its liabilities as they mature for payment, it is said to be insolvent when the value of its realisable assets is less than the total value of its liabilities, a case of “negative networth”.

These could lead to bank runs as depositors lose confidence in the system and seek to avoid capital loss.

The uncertainty generated as a result of distress in banking institutions, if left unchecked often raises real interest rates, creates higher costs of transactions and disrupts the payment mechanism with the attendant economic consequences.

Management of distress implies restructuring which, according to Andrew Sheng (1990), essentially involves the apportionment of losses arising from the failure of a set of existing contracts, and the renegotiation of a fresh set of contracts - a new institutional set-up.

According to him, a bank engages in financial intermediation through two basic sets of contracts. The first is civil contract between the depositor and the bank, in which the bank borrows funds from the depositor and warrants to pay the nominal value of the deposit plus interest at due date; and another contract between the borrower and the bank on a loan in which the bank deploys depositors’ funds.

The second set is a social

Nigerian Bank

Distress Ma

By JOHN EBHODAGHO

contract between the state, the banks, the depositors and the borrowers, It is through the social contract that the citizens expect that the state will protect individual property rights by enforcing the civil contract through regulatory agencies, in the same way as an impartial judiciary does. In Nigeria, as obtains in many countries, these property rights have not been effective and so the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) was established to protect the rights of depositors if, and when, the civil contract breaks down.

The management of distress or restructuring is therefore embarked upon by the regulatory authorities to restore public confidence in the banking system, preserve the sanctity of the social contract, and provide an opportunity to build a banking system that can better provide the efficient services necessary to enhance the development of the economy. Let it be emphasised that management of distress also includes measures such as improvement of bank accounting standards, portfolio audit and diagnostic studies of ailing banks, greater bank financial disclosure, reform of banking laws and regulations, and upgrading of bank supervisory capacity, especially in offsite surveillance and on-site examination.

Generally, the resolution of the problems of distressed

banks involves either rehabilitation or liquidation through the use of an appropriate option. Bank restructuring or management of banking distress is an umbrella concept that covers bank rehabilitation as well as liquidation. A distressed bank is said to be rehabilitated if it is revived or brought back to life. In order to rehabilitate an ailing bank, it has to be given a special and an intensive care capable of restoring it to its former state of viability. This is what bank rehabilitation is all about and there are various options that can be adopted to realise this objective. In the case of bank liquidation, the distressed bank is closed and there are different options to accomplish this as well.

Failure resolution options are therefore the strategies adopted to effectively manage a distressed bank for the purpose of rehabilitating or liquidating it in an orderly and efficient manner so as to prevent the distress from affecting others and to sustain public confidence in the system by ensuring that depositors are protected and the stability of the system is not compromised.

2.3 Extent and Implication of Distress 2.3.1 Extent of Distress The distress phenomenon in the Nigerian banking industry is not of recent origin. However, its manifestation became discernible with some policy shocks starting in 1988 with

the CBN directive to banks that naira backing for foreign exchange application be lodged with

a temporary liquidity problem for a few banks soon caught up with a lot more banks.

This

dist dep requ pro

Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor the CBN. This was followed in 1989 by another directive requiring public sector deposits to be transferred to the CBN. These two directives exposed the precarious liquidity positions of some banks and the distress they had subterranously harboured.

What was then thought to be

“Banking distress occurs when a bank or some banks in the system experience illiquidity or insolvency, resulting in a situation where depositors fear the loss of their deposits and a consequent breakdown of contractual obligations.”

development spurred the supervisory authorities to more rigorously examine the safety and soundness of the banks by assessing the extent and depth of their distress.

With the implementation of prudential standards, the number of distressed banks which stood at 9 in 1990 rose to 16 in 1992. As at December 1994, there were 55 distressed banks compared with 38 in December 1993. The number rose to an unprecedented level of 60 at year end of 1995. This implies that at the end of 1995, an average of about 1 out of every 2 banks was distressed.

Table 2. 1 shows a fouryear trend of the deterioration in the banking industry. It indicates both the magnitude of distress as implied by the number of

perf Dec distr 9 p bank #70 33.5 indu bill adva The acco aver rati addi ban #444 of t #57.

Thu cred in cons of t imp nair thes abo colle

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Perspective

king Sector

anagement

tressed banks and the pth by the extent of uired recapitalisation and oportion of non-

forming credits. As at cember 1995, the 60 ressed banks, including otentially distressed ks, had a deposit base of .8 billion constituting 5 per cent of the total ustry deposit of #2l1 ion and loans and ances of # l 75.9 billion, distressed banks were ordingly over-lent with rage loans to deposit o of 94 per cent. In ition, these distressed ks accounted for the 4.5 billion or 77 per cent the total bad debts of .8 billion in the system. us, the non-performing dits of over #44.5 billion distressed banks stituted about 67 per cent heir total credit. This lies that for every one a of credit given out by se distressed banks only ut 33 kobo was ectable.

The capital invested by the owners in the distressed banks had been completely eroded due largely to

Table 2.1 Four-Year Trend Of Distress In The Banking Industry And Related Induces Parameters Dec. 1993 Dec. 1994 Dec. 1995 Dec. 1996 Number of Distressed Bank 38 55 60 47 Total Assets (# billions) 55.1 73.1 95.6 65.1 Total Loans &Leases (#billions) 23.6 45.6 66.5 50.6 Non-Performing Loans and Leases (# billions) 13.1 29.5 44.5 40.3

mism anagement, insider loans, frauds and large amount of non-performing credits. The 47 distressed banks altogether had a recapitalisation requirement of about N’42.2 billion. Thus, the

Ratio of Non-Performing Loans and Leases (# billions ) to Total Loans &l Leases (per cent) 56 65 67.4 79.8 Amount Required for Recapitalisation (# billions) 12.8 16.7 24.3 42.4

Total Deposits (# billion) 27.7 48.8 70.8 29.3 Deposit Insurance Fund (#billions) 2.8 4.2 6.0 7.8 recapitalisation required which was #12.8 billion by December 1993 had risen to N42.4 billion as at December 1996. While the option of sourcing funds to recapitalise the banks from the private sector could be in consonance with the present administration’s determination to remove distortions in the economy and restore depositors and investors’ confidence, the magnitude of the funding requirements are however enormous.

The insurance risk exposure of the NDIC to the 47 distressed banks was estimated at about N30 billion, which was about four times the Corporations Insurance Fund of about #7.8 billion as at December 1996. This figure had been adjudged by the Corporation’s auditors to be grossly inadequate in meeting the attendant depositors’ pay-off in the event of liquidating the already terminally distressed banks.

2.3.2 Implications of Distress for an Economy The intermediating role of banks and their relevance, both in the transmission of

monetary policies and in the payment system, underscore their importance as well as the problem that bank distress at the prevailing dimension in our economy could precipitate. Arising from their intermediation, banks generate financial resources and put these at the disposal of deficit economic units in the form of increased employment of otherwise idle resources and this in turn leads to increased output. Therefore, an industry-wide insolvency of banks, such as the one being experienced in Nigeria, should be expected to retard the economy’s rate of capital formation, reduce its level of employment and output and, ultimately, the pace of economic growth.

In the course of mobilising financial surpluses, banks issue claims (securities) on themselves to the fund owners. Such securities become less attractive in the event of wide-spread insolvency thereby increasing the holder’s risk exposure and also making them lose confidence in the banking system. This clearly paralyses the development of a good banking culture.

More importantly, however, this development will cause the bank’s cost of intermediation to rise as banks will need to pay higher returns to attract act and retain deposits. Coupled with this is the fact that there will also be great and pervasive uncertainty such that the perceived real returns on financial assets will be lowered. Other indirect cost will also go up as in the case of more frequent intervention by the regulatory authorities. In the worse circumstance in which the banks become terminally distressed, depositors’ fund is lost unless there is an explicit/ implicit provision for protecting depositors.

“Another serious danger posed by widespread distress among banks is the threat to the development of an efficient payment mechanism. Settlement of transactions will become predominantly cash-based with its associated risks.”

Another serious danger posed by widespread distress among banks is the threat to the development of an efficient payment mechanism. Settlement of transactions will become predominantly cash-based with its associated risks.

Also, the effectiveness of monetary policies will be reduced in direct proportion to the extent of loss of confidence in the banking system as reflected in the instability that will characterise the demand for money and the proportion of money in circulation that will be outside the banking system as banks no longer serve as safe depositories.

In Nigeria today, it is puzzling that in spite of the global trend towards creditbased economies and the growth of this culture in most emerging markets, most economic transactions in our economy are carried out on a cash-and-carry basis. This phenomenon accounts for the huge pool of fund in the informal sector, estimated to be as much as about 50 per cent of total money supply.

A good proportion of this represents idle fund that could have been effectively utilised in the productive sector if the banking system is stable, safe and sound.

The cash-based nature of our economy not only chokes the development of the financial services industry by hampering efficient resource allocation and financial intermediation, but it also encourages distortion in money supply and macroeconomic management.

Also, there will be financial cost to be incurred by the economy in order to resolve the distress problem.

This is invariably borne by tax payers at large. The implications would even be more severe for a depressed economy that is already on the path of declining growth.

For example, the present financial condition of the hard core distressed banks are tending towards irreversible distress situation. The cost of recapitalising the distressed banks amounts to #36.6 billion while that of liquidation is up to #18 billion. Given that these funds have alternative uses which will have their multiple effects on the economy, the loss to the economy as a result of this magnitude of bank failure is better imagined than quantified.

To be continued

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Point-Blank Issues EVERY conscience, whether right or wrong, whether it concerns things evil in themselves or things morally wrong, whether it concerns things evil in themselves or things morally indifferent, obliges us to act in such a way that he who acts against his conscience sins.”

-St. Thomas Aquinas, Quadlibetun 3,27 St. Thomas Aquinas was one of the foremost Christian philosophers who lived. According to him human beings have a natural instinct to grasp the principles of morality which he opines are self evident.

He wrote from his conviction that the innate ability of human beings to distinguish between good and evil is given. What cannot be taken for granted though is the ability to apply these principles which is a function of the conscience. This for him is where the issue of sin comes in. For refusal to do that which is good and beneficial especially to other human beings is evil. As another philosopher says, “he who can live without other people is either a god or a beast,” The challenge then becomes living with other humans in a way that is mutually beneficial and not exploiting the weaknesses of others or abusing positions of trust and authority.

This has indeed proved to be a very serious challenge.

All over the world poverty is on the increase. Interestingly, studies have shown that the poorest nations on earth are also those with the highest rate of corruption, where the few who make up the ruling class exploit the resources of the whole for their own selfish ends, leaving the vast majority with little or no means of

livelihood.

It is said of Professor Muhamad Yunus: “He could not reconcile the differences between the elegant economic theories he taught at the university with the economic situation of majority of his country

Little Drops Of Water

By SABINA IDOWU-OSEHOBO

people.” In Bangladesh poverty walked tall on the streets aided by the perennial floods. His conscience called and he responded by dropping his’ chalk and working among the people on the streets, providing token amounts of money for poor people to rebuild their lives. That bold step did not just give food to

the hungry, it built self confidence and esteem in people who were seen as outcasts without ability; giving back humanity to the bastardized and dehumanized, those Franz Franon describe as the “wretched of the earth”. Of course as

Franon also demonstrates these “wretched” were and are daily being assisted to wretchedness by policies, persons and circumstances beyond their control.

Here lies the beauty of Professor Yunus. The fact that though his background, education and opportunities

predisposed him to comfort, (he was not poor though there was poverty in his land), he chose not to sin. He chose not to be indifferent. He chose to act in a way that will better the lots of other people.

“As has become widely accepted, some are born great, some achieve greatness and others have greatness thrust upon them. Irrespective of how greatness comes, retaining it is what counts as there is a thin line between greatness and smallness.”

That decision led to what is today known as micro-finance; lending to the otherwise excluded and marginalized so poverty can be reversed.

All over the world, micro- finance is acknowledged as a veritable tool for leveraging out of poverty. What ever the arguments for or against micro finance, the fact

inequitable distribution of resources, to increasing violence, hunger and disease. An attempt at poverty reduction therefore is a contribution to world peace.

As has become widely accepted, some are born great, some achieve greatness and others have greatness thrust upon them. Irrespective of how greatness comes,

remains that it is a bulwark against hunger, deprivation, low self esteem and lack of access to life transforming opportunities like education which in most of the poorest nations of the world only money can buy.

While a lot of people expected the Nobel to be in Economics, it is not surprising that it is in Peace considering his contribution to poverty alleviation, which in our world is basically caused by unjust/

retaining it is what counts as there is a thin line between greatness and smallness. The side of the divide on which persons are remembered depends on the acts in which they are consistent. For over two decades now Professor Yunus has been consistent in the fight against poverty, pioneering a model which is acknowledged all over the world. We at LAPO salute this man who truly is an epitome of greatness.

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Drumbeats

Power Of Dream God’s Dream ANALYZING God’s dream is like a child who takes a cup to the sea to dry the water in it.

Such a mission is detrimental to the life and destiny of the child.

In other words, God’s dream is unfathomable.

His dream can never be quantified by any human being on earth. Infact, God is dream personified. Everything about God speaks of his greatness. The size of Nigeria alone is with a total area of 923, 770, sq km.

The population of Nigeria is over one hundred and sixty million people (160,000,000) Nigeria accommodates 25% of the entire black race.

Friends compare the size of Nigeria and use it to comprehend the size of the whole world. The entire universe came as a result of God’s dream.

A thorough and a careful study of the Solar System will unveil to you the size of God’s dream.

The solar system consists of the sun and the nine planets. The sun is at the center of the Solar System and all other planet revolves around it in their elliptical orbit.

THE SUN: The sun is the largest star in the solar system and with over 6,000°c with an interims temperature of over 20, 000,000°C. In size, the sun is about 300,000 times as big as the earth. The stars which appear singly when viewed from the earth actually exist in groups or clusters which are better referred to as galaxies or nebulas.

MERCURY: this is the smallest, hottest and the closest planet to the sun. It takes 88 days for Mercury to go round the sun being very close to the sun, the gravitational pull of the sun is very strong. Mercury, has the shortest orbit around the sun and its distance is 57, 600, 000km.

Mercury has no satellite of its own.

VENUS: Venus is the second closest planet to the sun and the closest to the earth. Although Venus contains no living thing but it is similar to the earth in terms of size, weight and density, hence, it is termed as Earth twin. It has no natural satellite, but it takes 225 days to complete its revolution round the sun. Its distance from the sun is about 107, 200, 000km.

EARTH: spacemen have often described the Earth as a beautiful “Jewel” when seen from the space. Earth is the only planet which supports the existence of plants and animals.

It lakes the Earth about 365 V days to complete ITS orbit. The distance between the sun and the Earth is about I 48,800 it has one natural satellite called the moon which revolves eastward around

the Earth once in every 27days.

The distance of the Earth from the moon is 384,629km.

MARS: Astronomers think there may be the possibility of some tiny plants living on Mars.

Pictures taken from space by spacecrafts have shown pictures which give indication of two natural satellites. Mars distance from the sun is about 227,200,000km. And it takes 687 days to complete its orbit.

JUPITER: This is the largest ii) the solar system and its surface contains hydrogen and n gases with light and dark bands. The aim o sphere am tin d Jupiter is said I K characterized by violent thunderstorms many times stronger than those natural satellites than these natural satellites and its distance from the sun is 772,800,000. it takes Jupiter 119 years to complete its orbit around the sun.

SATURN: Saturn is the second largest planet after Jupiter. It takes about thirty years to make one trip around the sun, compared with one year from the earth. Saturn has three rigs and ten natural satellites. The distance of Saturn from the sun is about 1,4,17,600,000km.

URANUS: Uranus is about fifty times the size of the earth. Its orbit unlike other planets around the sun is a clockwise direction from east to west. This plant has five natural satellites around it and its distance form the sun is 2,854,400,000km hence it takes about 84 years to complete its orbits.

NEPTUNE: Neptune as planet is cold with two natural satellites. It takes Neptune about 164.8 years to complete its orbit.

The distance of Neptune front the sun is 4,468,800,000km PLUTO: As a planet it was discovered in ‘i930, it is the last planet known to exist in the solar system. Very little is known about Pluto because of its remote Location from the earth.

This planet is the coldest and the longest orbit round the sun, hence it takes about 247.7year to complete its orbit. The distance of Pluto from the sun is about 5,850,000km.

From the Solar system you could see how big God is and his dream. There is no doubt in my mind that there are some other Planets which have not been discovered by man. The earth in which we live is the least among all the Nine Planets. If God through His dream was able to use Nine planet to achieve his plan for mankind, then I see no reason why you and I can not use our dream to enhance our aims and objective and effect positive changes in our lives and destiny and beautify the world around us.

God’s dream and love for mankind motivated him to send

With Apostle Dr. Raphael O. Ayemere 08035459593

his only begotten son to die for the remission of our sin. Our sin, disobedient wickedness and rebellion towards God and our fellow neighbours are sufficient to make Him abort His plan toward us, but His dream propels Him to endure and be patient towards us. God bothers about His dream for mankind, why we bothers about lack of money, shelter, family and friends.

I will therefore appeal to you to learn from God’s dream and use such experience to beautify the world around you.

How Big is Your Dream?

The size of your dream

realize it makes sense. The size of what you give birth to seems to determine the size of your dream and how long your gestation period lasts.

I accede to the fact that our physical size or height does not determine the size of our dream, neither does it determine the height of our success in life, but the truth is that there is nobody without a dream.

Suffice it to say that our educational background does not determine the size of ones dream. I have heard, read and met thousands of people who claimed that their lack of success could be tied to their

Midianites.

And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, the Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

And Gideon said unto him, ho my Lord, if Lord be with us, why them is all this befallen us? And where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? But now the Lord hath, forsaken us, and delivered us into the

unfulfilled destiny.

“The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones.

And caused me to pass by them round about, and, behold there were very many in the open valley, and, lo, they were very dry.

And he said unto me, son of man , can these bones live? And answered O Lord God, thou

determines the size of your financial growth, spiritual and physical growth.

How big is your dream? if God through his dream for humanity can create the heavens and earth and made us in his image and likeness and told us to reproduce after his kind and also assured us of doing greater works, then I see no reason why we should fail. “Verily, Verily, I say unto you lie that believeth on me, tire works that I do shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do, be cause I go unto any father” (John 1 4v 12).

The size of your dream determines your input and output in your generation. For example it takes 21 days for a rat to reproduce and 22 days to hatch a chick. The dog gives birth in 61 days and cat in 64 days. The donkey and the Zebra both require 365 days for their pregnancy, while it will take 624 days (21 months) for an elephant to reproduce. When you think about it for a moment, you

lack of education.

Friends, I say to you again that your lack of formal education does not determine the level of your dream or success. Every human being on earth has been endowed with a dream by God to enhance his or her status in any given society.

We fail in life because of over dependent on others to help interpret our dreams.

Each time we approach rich people in our society for money or help to achieve our aims and objective we are simply telling them that we lack the power, wisdom and strength to interpret or implement our dream.

I have also discovered that the size of our dream determines our language in public and in privates ate places.

“And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat wider an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abierite: and his son Gideon Threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the

hands of the Midianites.

And the Lord looked upon him, and said, go in this thy might and thou shalt Save Israel from the hand of the Midianites, have not 1 sent thee?

And he said unto him, oh my Lord, where with shall I save Israel? Behold, my family is poor in Menasseh, and I am the least in my Father’s house.

And the Lord said unto him surely I will be with thee, and thou shall smite the Midianites as one man” Judges 6v I - 6.

The Biblical passages of the scripture unveil to you the language of Gideon as regards fulfilling God’s dream in his life.

God has to persuade Gideon time without number before Gideon could believe in Him and in himself.

Friends, our negative language have the potent weapons that could pull down the actualization of dreams and then end up generating

knowest Ezekiel 37 1-3.

The language of prophet Ezekiel in his life time as reflected in the biblical reference is synonymous with our life and language as regards implementing our dreams which more often than not, are characterised by fears and doubts.

God already knew that you can succeed in this world by the size of the dream which he mercifully gave to you and I. If we fail to implement our dream and succeed in this world the fault lies in our weaknesses and laziness Friends, I ask you again how big is your dream? God expects you to affect your generation positively by the size of the dream which he placed upon your life.

Beloved, you have divine enablement to fulfill your dream and achieve your aims and objective in life. Dare to do the impossible by constantly speaking positively about your dreams to others.

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

THE Victory of any political party or candidate in an election in a democratic nation is greatly determined by the level and power to persuade and influence the voting attitude of the electorate to support their idea.

This however could be liken to advertising which is a process of packaging, communicating and marketing a product or idea using believability, credibility and persuasive messages to capture the interest of the targeted buyer or audience through mass media such as Television, Radio, Newspaper, Posters etc.

Meanwhile, the relationship between politics and advertising could be traceable to the advent of political advertising by most developed nations of the world.

According to Forman, “there is linkage between politics and advertising for better for worse, we live in an age which is characterized by the widespread use of various channels communication including “political advertising for a broad range of political and other purpose.

Therefore, political advertising is a process through which advertisers package election candidates (aspirants) and political party before the electorate through the various communication channels which include Television, Radio, Poster, Newspaper, Rally etc. It is also aim at informing, educating and persuading the electorate to favourably support the idea of a particular candidate or party with the intention to change their voting attitude for the advantage of their clients.

However, research has it that the act of packaging election candidates as goods meant for sale, had long taken its root in most

developed countries such as U.S.A, Britain, Germany etc only, to recently found its way to developing countries such as Nigeria.

Meanwhile, as the 2015 election draws near in the multi ethnic nation of Nigeria, there is no doubt that, a thousand and one questions have flooded the hearts of Nigerians about who will become their leader following the numerous and sophisticated political advertisement of various political parties and their aspirants (election candidates) that have taken the front burner of the Nigerian Mass Media.

There is no gain saying that, Nigeria politicians spend huge sums of money on political adverts in any election period ranging from local government to presidency.

Furthermore, Nigerian politicians, having discovered the immeasurable, persuasive power of political advertising to influence eligible voters especially, to support their idea and favourably get their votes.

They however, renew their relationship to win the Nigerian Press and Advertising Agencies during election period, where they spend more of their financial resources to package themselves before the electorate.

Although, modern politics is considered incomplete without political advertising which had made many democratic nation of the world including Nigeria to adopt the concept as part of their political culture in the country.

In other words, most researchers had considered the act of packaging and selling political aspirants or party through the various media as the best acceptable means to affect the voting behaviour of

Political Issues Platform Political Advertising A Viable Tool For Victory

By MARTIN ERHARUYI

most electorate especially the illiterates among them, owing to the visual symbols or logo adopted by advertisers and media.

More over, Nigeria being a third world country, where illiteracy level is still on a high side, the use of visual symbols or logos to represent any political party or aspirants while preparing political advert had played an unprecedented role in

classes embargo amongst electorates in Nigeria following the fact that, even an aged or uneducated voter who live in the rural area in Nigeria can on the spot identify the “bunch of Broom,” or the umbrella representing the two most powerful political parties in Nigeria APC and PDP respectively as well as the picture of their choice candidates even when they

blind voting which in the past engulfed the political system due to the low practices of the concept by most politicians of that time, probably because most of them had financial constrains.

The drastic change of political behaviour or attitude among Nigerians in modern politics is traceable to the high educating and informative

the voters, because majority of Nigerians cannot read nor write.”

Previously, voting opinions and attitudes were influenced in Nigeria by past performance of aspirants, ethnic and religious affiliation while party programme, manifesto, position on issues of national interest and past record were used in packaging the aspirants.

Meanwhile, some scholars who condemned

affecting the voting behaviour of the illiterates voters who had over the years to read or write but, can now easily identify the symbols of the different political parties and the pictures voted blindly as a result of their inability of their choice election candidates.

Also, the symbolic feature of the concept, has help to put an end to the educative

know nothing or little about the candidates.

Outside the visual symbols used by the advertising agencies, they also, in most cases employed the use of the local languages or pidgin English to disseminate ideas to the electorate.

However, vigorous use of political advertising by politicians in Nigeria has greatly liberated the multiethnic Nigeria nation from

effect of political advertising particularly the visual symbols.

According to Prossembloom “party identification was the best form of voting behaviour.

It is on record that the use of political advert by Nigerian politicians to project the image of an aspirant during election, increase geometrically in every election conducted in Nigeria since the return of government to civilian rule in 1999. Also, as electorate gain more knowledge about politics as well as get involved in political activities, politicians have also deviced modern means of projecting themselves to the electorate.

According to Ibrahim “political advertising increase with each election in Nigeria despite the fact that it has less impact on

the persuasive and low impact of political adverts on mostly illiterate voters, however, based their argument on the ground of deceit, noting that many illiterate voters had been deceived to vote against their choice because of the visual pictures used by advertisers to project the image of their political clients who only achieve their victory at the detriment of the electorate.

In spite of the foregoing condemnation, the incontestable effect of political advertising remain unbeatable in political sphere. It is the core weapon to securing victory in any election.

In conclusion, political advertisers should not only consider how to please their clients but also, to always take time to screen their client for the interest of national growth.

“More over, Nigeria being a third world country, where illiteracy level is still on a high side, the use of visual symbols or logos to represent any political party or aspirants while preparing political advert had played an unprecedented role in affecting the voting behaviour of the illiterates voters who had over the years to read or write but, can now easily identify the symbols of the different political parties and the pictures voted blindly as a result of their inability of their choice election candidates.”

THE NIGERIAN

21

IT is important to consider the fact that much difficulty and disagreement had arisen in defining the term: ‘media convergence’. Most theorists agree that in general terms, convergence means “coming together of two or more things”, however a variety of different arguments have been put forward in an attempt to define what exactly is coming together (Grant and Wilkinson, 2009).

On the other hand, convergence can be viewed as coming together of different equipment and tools for producing and distributing news- I bid.

Jenkins (2006) in his own definition defined convergence as flow of content across multiple media platforms; suggesting that media audiences nowadays play a crucial role in creating and distributing content, and convergence therefore has to be examined in terms of social, as well as technological changes within the society.

According to him, media convergence is an ongoing process that should not be viewed as a displacement of the old media, but rather as interaction between different media forms and platforms. So, that is to say that media convergence can be viewed as cooperation and collaboration between previously unconnected media forms and platforms. (Denze cited in Erdal, 2011).

The gap between the different media platforms and uniting them into one digital form, that is what media convergence is out for.

One question that needs to be asked, however, is whether or not these recent developments are beneficial to the society and the industry itself. In other words, whether or not media convergence presents more opportunities than challenges to both media producers and consumers. One of the areas of particular concern when critically examining positive and negative consequences of media convergence is media ownership.

Nowadays, the power to control media organisation is centred and concentrated in the hands of private owners and relatively small number of big media corporations. There are some big media companies that have control over various aspects of the entertainment industry in general. For example, computer games, books, magazines, websites, and toys which is all part of the process of media convergence.

According to Jenkins (2006), consequences of this trend can be viewed as both positive and negative. On the other hand, it may cause the decline in the diversity of material offered and result in a tendency that voices of those lacking economic power will not be taken into account.

Now, it is argued that market-driven media owned and controlled by big media corporation can actually improve the value of the service and the flexibility of topics and the competence of the contributors’ as well as enable technological developments, change the elitism of media professionals and create new general awareness (Grant 2009).

Another aspect of media convergence that can be seen as its major drawback is what Jenkins calls the “participation gap”.

This concept refers to the fact that while media convergence in general has encouraged audiences to participate in the process of content creation, it requires extended access to modern technologies, familiarity with the new forms of media, as well as developing certain skills. As a result, certain segments of the audience arguably remain neglected and unable to fully participate in the new media culture.

Drawing on the definitions of media convergence given so far, it can be argued or rather gathered that one of the ways of understanding media concergence is in terms of interaction between old and new forms of media. This concept can be explained more clearly using the example of television industry

Issues Media

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Impact Of Media Convergence On Society

By KINGSLEY MBADUGHA

and its development over the years. The idea of transition from analogue media to digital media stands at the core of media convergence debate.

The Term “Analogue” is used to describe something “that resemble something else according Dewdney and Ride, 2006; therefore signals transmitted through television can be seen as being analogous to the light and sound of the actual scence. In case of analogue media, each form was separate and independent from the others due to the need to use different materials, properties and apparatuses. With the introduction or the invention of digital code however, the situation changed

rapidly and opened new possibilities for media creation and convergence, for example, new forms of interaction between producers and consumers.

The amazing truth is that media convergence has drastically changed our lives in many ways. The merging of technological content in different mass media which is a product of media convergence is the evolution of technology that cannot be undermined. This constant convergence of technology has made out lives easier as users by allowing us to search the web more quickly, efficiently and conveniently. We have the worldwide web at the touch of a fingertip. People are to do business quickly, constantly and much more effectively.

Social network applications on phones allow users to stay constantly connected to their friends and colleagues at the

“The merit of media convergence is in no doubt but even at that, there is also a negative side to this technological convergence which has made a huge impacts on our society, infact almost all the countries of the world that have adopted digitalization.”

touch of a button. Even people living thousands of miles apart can stay connected through social media on their phone and computers at all times.

Video games can chat online with one another as they play the same game together in different countries. It is absolutely amazing what technology convergence has created for people and how we can all stay in tune and constantly connected at any moment. The fact still remains that technological convergence has brought about interactionalization.

The merit of media convergence is in no doubt but even at that, there is also a negative side to this technological convergence which has made a huge impacts on our society, infact almost all the countries of the world that have adopted digitalization. This constant ability to be at arms reach of

information, media, and the web has created an addictive behaviour in today’s Nigerians and world wide.

People are addicted to checking their e-mail, facebook, twitter, instagram, whatsapp etc. They have picked up this addictive behaviour which has become a way of life, in which users nowadays might not be able to function on a daily basis without some sort of technology. This has become an epidemic and is quite sad as we see less face-to-face time with people and more time with technology. People choose to use the internet, phone, text, video-chat, and e-mail to communicate with others rather than face-to-face communication or in other words called inter-personal communication, which definitely takes a lot of the intimacy out of true communication.

However, the impact of media convergence has been and still pretty huge toward mass media. One way is through the improvement of digital technology, the cost and quality and quantity of media outlets.

Nevertheless, media convergence is really good and is something that has contributed immensely to the media coverage and to the growth and development of our society at large.

The advert of ICTs led to the innovation of technological convergence. It is a concept that almost every member of the society must adapt but we should as much as possible not be too addicted to it because already we are glued to our keypads on gadgets like smart phones, ipads and the rest.

THE NIGERIAN

22

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Gender Issues WOMEN are unique and special in the society and their importance can not be underrated or over emphasized. They help in many ways in their homes, as in the family which they belong, the society, help to curtail violence and restore peace in their immediate environment.

Women all over the world have contributed and are still in the act of developing and helping to sustain the cultural and national integrity of their country. We have different classes of women, but most of them have in one way or the other helped their environment to grow.

Many women around the globe are pulling huge strings in different sectors.

They are doing great things and executing dreams and assignments. Though these people were created to be help mates to men and probably second in command after men, most of them are handling what their male counterpart wouldn’t dare to.

They handle herculean projects and execute them in no time. Most women have taken over the work and the professions that belong to men, and they are doing it even more than the men could. They work diligently without complain because they know what it takes to pull things together for the benefit of a person, family, group or the entire nation.

There are different and several roles being played by women in nation building, and the following are some of the most important ones.

Women serve as home organizers; wherever they are or maybe, they are explicitly smart in organizing a home. There is a fact in a statement that says “There is no home without a wife to serve the role of a mother to children, and a wife to the husband.

The woman in every home is the caretaker of that particular home because she knows everything that goes around in that home and eventually solve any problem that confronts her.

Women serves as teachers in theirs home to their children and their husbands. They teach and lecture them on how to live and behave in a society.

They are responsible for the up-bring of their children in the way they want them to be and live.

They serve as mentors and a good examples to their children, especially the

female children who need their mothers because of the advise and protection they could get from them.

When these children are properly brought up by the love and passion of their mothers, they will necessarily extend this love to the society at large and this process will cause peace and tranquility to reign in the society, thereby curing some of the social vices and menace which are capable of causing injuries, tragedy.

Women serve as medical consultants to their homes and the society.

Many women of today, due to the awareness and orientation they have gotten from higher bodies enlightens, their female children on how to keep good personal hygiene.

For example, with the issues of HIV/AIDS, many women are able to advise their children to abstain from premarital sex that tend to endanger their lives because of the dreaded HIV/AIDS. Though women/mothers, many female children are lecturered on how to keep themselves clean and safe.

These female children are enlightened on the effects and the side effects of premarital sex.

Many Nigerians have shunned personal hygiene as a very vital role they should have being playing.

But with the emergency of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), many women and mothers who tend to keep their family safe and alive has taken upon themselves the role of teaching their children and wards on how to live their day to day life without contracting the virus. Examples are: they should avoid hand shake with strangers, washing their hands regularly and letting them know the symptoms of Ebola. And by doing these, they are definitely helping the nation in curtailing the spread of Ebola Virus Disease.

Women enhance and improve the political growth of a nation. The most alarming institution in the world that controls other institutions is politics.

Politics tends to hold a very vital and prominent position in every society.

This is because every part of human lives are political and politicized. Politics is being played in our homes, and the nation at large. In our world today, women are now involved in political activities which

Role Of Women In Nation Building has reduced political tensions and upheavals in Nigeria compared to when only the men were allowed to handle all political spheres.

These women helps to solve some political puzzle plaguing the nation by

example is the case of one time Speaker of House of Representatives, the lower Chamber of Nigeria National Assembly, Hon. Patricia Etteh, who soiled her name and that of her family by looting or better still embezzled N628 million from the

note that their positions are not opportunities to loot or steal the people’s money but they should rather see themselves as having privileges to represent and to handle the tasks which are being given to them by their bosses, who could be the president, governors, or other private CEOs of organizations.

including the tactics they use in their various homes to the political state of a nation. They help to settle disputes and conflict by solving it in a motherly way. They are mostly advisers, ministers, commissioner, senators and local government chairmen.

There is a saying that “Any woman that is not capable of taking care of her home, can not probably handle the heat of the society and therefore a waste to her children, husband and the society which in she lives. Though there are heats that comes from politics, but with the help of women, those heats are put off gradually.

But there are cases where women are the cause of the heat in a nation,

government coffers as the money for renovating her official apartment. This act made all Nigerians to wonder the kind of mother she would be to her family.

Another, is the case of the former Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah who spent N255 million on the purchase of two bullet proof cars for official purposes. This act almost divided the lower House members and also created a gap between the upper House which is the Senate and the lower house which is the House of Representatives. Her act forced her out of office.

Women in Nigeria and across the world are therefore urged to do what is right, and what will bring development to their homes and nation. They should

Women are economic boosters, this is because women around the world are innovative, creative and resourceful. These women engage in so many activities and other things that increase their income and those of the government. If we take statistics on skill acquisition, we would discover that there are more women than men.

Most women are fashion designers, hair stylists, caterers, and lots more.

They love their profession and do the things they do diligently and joyfully.

There are some cases where we have female conductors and drivers, bricklayers, labourers and other odd jobs. They engage themselves in different kinds of works/

By OMORODION LAWRENCE

jobs not selfish reasons but for the purpose of the well being of the entire nation.

A woman can survey an area and definitely know what the residents of the area lack and need. They would therefore, look for ways of improving the lots of the people in such area.

There are lots of women

around the world that have contributed immensely to the development of the world. examples are Oprah Wilfrey, who has improved the lives of women in Africa. President Ellen Salef Johnson of Liberia, the first African female President. So there are many more women in the world especially the USA like Hillary Clinton who settled and cut diplomatic deals with terrorists prone countries.

These women should be respected because it is not easy to be a wife and also attend to national issues like economy, oil and gas and other important prevailing issues.

THE NIGERIAN

23

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Economy

Role Of Deposit Insurance

Financial Systems Stability In Nigeria:

Introduction PRIOR to the establishment of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, there were only two major formalized governmentprovided safety nets for the Nigerian banking industry These were the lender of last resort facility by the Central Bank (through the provision of temporary liquidity support to solvent depository institutions) and bank supervision. The government provided implicit guarantee to depositors and, by extension, other stakeholders by bailing out troubled banks.

Thus, there was no explicit deposit insurance scheme. The government used its discretionary powers to prop up some failing deposit-taking financial institutions which were mainly state-owned banks.

Under implicit insurance, the government provided protection to depositors, creditors and shareholders alike -a form of blanket insurance. There was also no formal arrangement regarding how the implicit protection could be funded. Funding was largely provided through government budget. Thus, the scheme was a contingent liability on the Federal Government budget and was characterised by uncertainties about the level and scope of coverage. The implicit scheme could not therefore provide the required public confidence.

Other problems associated with the implicit scheme included slow response to crisis due to debate on required budgetary provision and government’s sole burden to resolve banking distress.

In 1986, The Nigerian Government commenced the implementation of a Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) which entailed liberalization and deregulation of the Nigerian economy. As a result, the number of banks increased phenomenally from 48 in 1988 to 120 in 1990. The development triggered keen competition as well as increase in the risks to which banks and consequently depositors were exposed. An explicit deposit insurance system (DIS) was therefore considered necessary to protect the depositors, particularly the small ones, from the adverse consequences of risks being taken by banks in the process of competition.

The phenomenal growth in the number of banks over-taxed the available managerial capacity in the banking system.

The fore-going necessitated the introduction of an explicit DIS in Nigeria through the enactment of Act 22 of 1988, which established the Nigeria

Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), the Agency vested with the responsibility of implementing the system in the country. The NDIC commenced operations in March 1989. The scheme was introduced to provide a further layer of protection to depositors and complement the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) supervisory activities in ensuring a safe and sound banking system.

The DIS in Nigeria like most other explicit schemes, has specified maximum insured sum, a clearly defined ex-ante funding arrangement, and a specified administrative structure, Participation in the scheme is compulsory for all licensed deposit-taking financial institutions while the implementing agency is owned by government. The implementing agency, NDIC also has responsibilities for monitoring the health of insured institutions as well as the risk exposure of the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) and providing an orderly failure resolution mechanism, as clearly enunciated in the Corporation’s enabling law. In effect, the DIS in Nigeria was designed as a risk minimizer.

To fully appreciate the role of the DIS in ensuring the financial system stability in Nigeria, the next section (Section 2) of this paper takes an overview of the regulatory framework and informationsharing arrangement in Nigeria while Section 3 discusses the functions of the NDIC and the design features of the DIS in Nigeria. In Section 4, we highlight the main contribution of the NDIC to financial system stability in Nigeria. Section 5 summarises and concludes the paper.

10.1 Regulatory Framework In Nigeria The critical areas of regulation can be broadly grouped into three, namely: entry, risk evaluation and containment; and failure resolution. In essence, regulatory activities in Nigeria span from cradle of a financial institution to its grave.

The main activity in entry is licensing. Regulators should have ability to screen access to ownership and management so as to ensure that only individuals with requisite qualifications, professional competence, experience, financial capacity, and sound ethical standards are allowed to obtain a banking licence. In most emerging markets, this

By GANIYU OGULEYE

responsibility of licensing is either that of the central bank, or a separate regulatory body or Ministry of Finance for banks and other deposit-taking financial institutions and other regulatory authorities in the capital and insurance markets.

In the case of Nigeria, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is the apex regulatory authority for the banking industry as enshrined in the Banks and Other

approval for dc-licensing was however removed in 1998 through an amendment to BOFIA, thus giving the CBN full failure resolution powers.

Furthermore, up to 1998, the CBN had the power to appoint NDIC as provisional liquidator of failed banks and such appointment was deemed to have been made by the Federal High Court (FHC). That arrangement ensured effective

report is sent to the other institution. Banks examined by an institution in a year are allocated to the other institution in the following year to minimise over-familiarity with employees of examined institutions as well as promote peer review mechanism.

In the case of off-site surveillance, the two institutions use the same set of prudential bank returns for appraising financial condition and performance of both the industry and individual

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Finance Minister

Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 1991. Under the Act, the CBN has the powers to license banks and other deposittaking financial institutions and supervise licensed institutions.

While under BOFIA, the CBN had licensing power, it was required to obtain the approval of Mr. President to de-license a banking institution. That requirement subjected revocation of banking licence or de-licensing to approval of the political authority.

Consequently, between 1988 and 1998, NDIC was confronted with the agency problem associated with delays in granting approvals for the revocation of the licences of terminally distressed banking institutions.

Indeed, a scenario of “free entry, no exit” prevailed over the period as illiquid and insolvent banks remained open. The requirement of Mr. President’s

exit mechanism. Unfortunately, CBN lost that power when BOFIA was amended in 1998 and NDIC was required to apply to the FHC to be appointed as liquidator. The new dispensation created opportunities for legal challenges and protracted litigations.

Banking supervision in Nigeria is the joint responsibility of the CBN and NDIC. The responsibility is carried out through on-site examination and off-site surveillance. In order to avoid duplication of efforts and roleconflict, the two institutions engage in consultations. In particular, the two institutions meet at the beginning of every year to agree on bank examination programme. This arrangement has guaranteed that a bank is examined once a year. At the end of each examination by any of the institutions, the examination

institutions.

The two institutions also developed a Bank Analysis System software as a tool for off-site surveillance. This has been enhanced to electronic Financial Analysis and Surveillance System (e-FASS).

Bank ratings generated individually by the two institutions are compared to harmonize the results of their off-site analysis.

The two institutions have also established joint committees on supervision both at the executive and technical levels which meet on a regular basis.

This arrangement enables the two institutions to review developments in the banking industry and pro-actively address emerging supervisory challenges.

The NDIC shares the responsibility of failure resolution with the CBN. In

order to delineate the roles of individual institutions in that regard, the two institutions jointly developed a Contingency Planning Framework for Banking Systemic Crisis, with thresholds for intervention indicating when and how each institution is to intervene. In order to avoid conflict of role in provision of liquidity support, the two institutions also jointly developed a framework for liquidity support. This framework clearly demarcates when the NDIC liquidity support is needed as against the lender-oflast-resort role of the CBN. When a banking licence is revoked by the CBN, the NDIC serves as Liquidator.

Given that the licensed banks in Nigeria are universal banks engaging in money, capital and insurance markets’ activities with different regulatory authorities, the need for cooperation amongst the regulatory agencies became imperative. The Financial Services Regulation Coordinating’ Committee (FSRCC) with the CBN Governor as Chairman was therefore, established. Other members of the committee are the Chief Executive Officers of the NDIC; the Securities and Exchange Commission, the apex regulatory body for the capital market; the National Insurance Commission, regulatory agency for Insurance business; the Corporate Affairs and a representative of the Federal Ministry of Finance. The specific objectives of the Committee are to: i) co-ordinate the supervision of financial institutions especially conglomerates; ii) minimize arbitrage opportunities usually created by differing regulations and supervision standards among supervisory authorities in the economy; iii) deliberate on problems experienced by any member in its relationship with any financial institution; iv) eliminate any information gap encountered by any regulatory agency in its relationship with any group of financial institutions; v) articulate the strategies for the promotion of safe, sound and efficient practices by financial intermediaries; and vi) deliberate on such other issues as may be specified from time to time.

THE NIGERIAN

24

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

International

Militant Group Kills US Oil Worker

CAIRO — An Egyptian militant organization allied with the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the killing of an American oil worker.

Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, which now refers to itself as the Sinai Province, said on its official Twitter account late Sunday that it killed William Henderson.

It published pictures of his passport and two identification cards. It did not say when or how it killed him.

The passport said he was a 58-year-old from Texas and his identification cards said he worked for Texasbased energy company Apache Corp. and Qarun Petroleum Co., a joint

Woman Stabs Israeli, Shot

By Security Forces

JERUSALEMA Palestinian woman stabbed an Israeli in the occupied West Bank yesterday and was then shot and wounded by security forces, the military and police said.

Violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories has risen in the past months. Attacks carried out by Palestinians have killed 11 Israelis. Twelve Palestinians have been killed, including several of the assailants.

The latest incident occurred in the Etzion bloc of Jewish settlements near Jerusalem. The Israeli was lightly wounded.

A military spokesman said the Israeli was a civilian and that security forces “overcame the suspect and transferred her for further medical assistance”.

A police spokeswoman said the Palestinian woman who carried out the attack was shot.

Reuters witnesses saw her being taken to Jerusalem’s Hadassah hospital.

A hospital spokeswoman said she was seriously wounded.

In July, a Palestinian youth was burned to death by Jewish attackers, allegedly in revenge for the killing of three Israeli teens by Palestinian militants in the West Bank in June.

A 50-day war that began in July between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of more than 2,100 Palestinians, many of them civilians, as well as 67 Israeli soldiers and six civilians on the Israeli side.

Tensions have also risen in past weeks over access to a Jerusalem religious site holy to both Muslims and Jews, triggering Palestinian street protests.

venture with Egypt.

Apache said in August that one of its supervisors had been killed in an apparent carjacking in Egypt’s Western Desert.

The company did not identify the man.

The Enid News & Eagle in northwestern Oklahoma published an obituary for a man named William Henderson in August, saying he had “passed suddenly” while working in Egypt. It said he had worked for Apache for 28 years and was 58 when he died.

The U.S. embassy declined to comment on the militant group’s claim, and Apache could not immediately be reached for comment.

Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, a Sinai-based jihadi group, has carried out scores of attacks mainly targeting Egyptian security forces,

particularly since the July 2013 overthrow of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi. Last month it pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, which controls vast swaths of

Syria and Iraq.

In a separate statement late Sunday, the Egyptian group claimed to have carried out more than 10 attacks in the past four weeks. It said it blew up six

army and police armored vehicles, killed seven police officers and conscripts, and demolished the house of a man accused of being a spy for the army.

The northern part of the

Sinai Peninsula has been under a state of emergency since the group attacked an army checkpoint in October, killing 31 soldiers.

Obama Holds White House Meetings

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will discuss the situation in Ferguson, Missouri, with his Cabinet, civil rights leaders, law enforcement officials and others .

The White House says Obama’s Cabinet meeting will focus on his administration’s review of federal programs that provide militarystyle equipment to law enforcement agencies.

The president will also meet with young civil rights leaders to discuss the challenges posed by “mistrust between law enforcement and communities of color.” He’ll then meet with government and law enforcement officials, as well as other community leaders, to discuss how to strengthen neighborhoods.

Protests have continued in Ferguson, but have been more muted than the violence sparked last week by a grand jury’s decision not to indict a police officer in the shooting of 18-year-old Michael

US President, Barack Obama

Brown.

Australia Opens Door To Nuclear Energy

AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Tony Abbott has opened the door to the use of nuclear energy as the country faces growing pressure to bring down its greenhouse gas emissions Prime Minister Tony Abbott yesterday opened the door to the use of nuclear energy as

Australia faces growing pressure to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

Australia is the world’s third-ranking uranium producer behind Kazakhstan and Canada but does not use nuclear power, largely due to its abundance of low-cost coal and natural gas reserves, and

community sentiment.

But with demands growing for Canberra to announce its climate targets for beyond 2020 at global talks in France late next year, Abbott said he was open to the idea.

“On nuclear energy, as I have said on many occasions,

I don’t have any theological objection to nuclear,” said the prime minister, who recently called coal “good for humanity” and once said climate change science was “absolute crap”.

Australia is among the world’s worst per capita polluters due to its reliance on coal-fired power and mining exports.

Canberra has so far

committed to reducing emissions to 5.0 percent below 2000 levels by 2020.

Environmentalists say it ought to target 15 percent.

A reopening of the nuclear debate in Australia comes after the United States and China — the world’s two biggest polluters — announced a surprise deal last month to ramp up their efforts to combat climate change.

BRUSSELS - A strike in par ts of Belgium over

the second regional stoppage, caused rail operators Deutsche Bahn [DBN.UL] and Thalys to scrap all of their services between Belgium and Germany.

Luxembourg’s rail operator CFL added that there would be no cross border trains to or from Belgium.

Local rail and bus services in Belgium were also severely impacted, especially for connections to and from Ghent, Bruges and Liege. The action affected a number of company sites, including the plants in Ghent of steelmaker ArcelorMittal and Volvo Cars.

While Eurostar services to London operated normally yesterday, the company said there would be no trains operating on Dec. 8 and 15, when the strikes will hit Brussels.

Belgium’s government says the cuts to pensions and social security benefits are needed to make the country more competitive and balance its books. Unions argue the measures target working families while sparing the rich.

Belgian Strike Hits International Rail Services

government austerity measures halted international rail services to and from Germany and Luxembourg and disrupted public transport across the country.

Unions, disgruntled over pension and social security reforms planned by Belgium’s new center-right government, are staging a series of regional strikes yesterday until December. 15, when they plan a day of nationwide action.

Yesterday’s strike in parts of Western and Eastern Belgium,

Pro-Russian rebels mounting a road block.

Ukraine Gets Loan To Modernize Gas pipelines will be replaced KIEV - Ukraine has Pipelines under the project, which is secured a 150 million euro ($187 million) loan to modernize its section of the natural gas pipeline used to deliver gas from Russia to Europe.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Asreniy Yatsenyuk said yesterday that optimization

of the country’s gas pipelines would lower the cost of transporting the fuel by 20 percent.

The loan is being provided to state-owned pipeline operator Ukrtransgaz by the EU’s lender, the European

Investment Bank.

Yatsenyuk says refurbishment of Ukraine’s section of the UrengoyPomary-Uzhgorod pipeline will boost energy efficiency and reduce harmful emissions.

Almost 120 kilometers of

also to be co-funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The pipeline system has the capacity to supply Europe with 142.5 billion cubic meters of gas annually.

THE NIGERIAN

25

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

UNIVERSITY OF BENIN BENIN CITY, NIGERIA

RECONCILIATION OF NAME I, Mrs. Obazenu Jennifer Itohan is the same person as Ajayi Jennifer Itohan.

Henceforth, I now wish to be properly known and addressed as MRS AJAYI JENNIFER ITOHAN. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

RECONCILIATION OF NAME

148TH INAUGURAL LECTURE The Vice-Chancellor, Professor F.F.O. Orumwense, on behalf of Senate, Staff and Students, cordially invites the general public to the 148th Inaugural Lecture Series of the University of Benin to be delivered by:

PROFESSOR (MRS) ROSELINE IWOLOMA OGBIMI ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS: • University of Ibadan, Ph.D (Public Health Management) 1992 • University of Benin, M.Sc (Public Administration), 1984 • University of Ibadan, B.Sc. (Honours),Nursing Education, 1979 • Nigerian Registered Midwife (NRN) 1976 • State Registered Nurse (SRN) England and Wales 1972 • Nigeria Registered Nurse (NRN) 1972 PROFESSOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT TOPIC: “THE HEALTH SYSTEM: LEADERSHIP IMPERATIVE FOR EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA” The Lecture will be delivered under the distinguished Chairmanship of Professor F.F.O. Orumwense, Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin, Benin City.

Date: Venue: Time:

Thursday, 4th December, 2014 Akin Deko Main Auditorium, Ugbowo Campus 4.00p.m Prompt

Guests are to be seated by 3.30p.m.

Signed: G.O. OGBOGHODO (MRS) Registrar

This is to inform the general public that Omongbale Azeta and Omongbale Roseline Azeta are one and the same person. I am now properly known as O M O N G B A L E ROSELINE AZETA. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

RECONCILIATION OF NAME I, Ovuworie Chidinma Mamuzo Stephanie is the same person as Ovuworie Chidinma Stephanie and Ovuworie Chidinma. I now wish to be known and addressed as OVUWORIE CHIDINMA MAMUZO STEPHANIE. All former documents remain valid.

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RECONCILIATION OF NAME I, Mrs. Egharevba Osarhieme Patience is the same person as Mrs. Egharevba Patience.

Henceforth, I now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. EGHAREVBA O S A R H I E M E PATIENCE. All former documents remain valid.

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RECONCILIATION OF NAME

I, Mr. Kingsley David Odeajata is the same person as Kingsley Odeajata. Henceforth, I now wish to be known and addressed as MR. KINGSLEY DAVID ODEAJATA. Former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

RECONCILIATION OF NAME This is to inform the general public that Akhigbe Veronica and Akhigbe Veronica Ehizibue are one and the same person. I am now properly known as A K H I G B E V E R O N I C A EHIZIBUE. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

RECONCILIATION OF NAME This is to inform the general public that Egbiki Ambrose and Egbiki Ambrose Aifobhokhan are one and the same person. I am now properly known as EGBIKI A M B R O S E AIFOBHOKHAN. All documents bearing my former name remain valid.

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RECONCILIATION OF NAME This is to inform the general public that Okoirhon Juliana Omoghie and Okoirhon Juliana are one and the same person. I am now properly known as OKOIRHON JULIANA OMOGHIE. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

CORRECTION/ CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, ANIETIE FELIX ATING wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person called Ating Anietie Fidelis as stated in some of my documents. However, I am properly called ANIETIE FELIX ATING as Fidelis was wrongly stated in some of my documents. All former documents remain valid.

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RECONCILIATION OF NAME This is to inform the general public that Ogbebor Osamudiamen Sandra and Ogbebor Sandra are one and the same person. I am now properly known, called and addressed as OGBEBOR OSAMUDIAMEN SANDRA. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OSAGHAE – I, formerly called Miss. Osaghae Elizabeth now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IDEMUDIA ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid.

First Bank Plc, Benin City, Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME IGBAGBON – I formerly known as Miss Loveth Igbagbon, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS LOVETH I G B A G B O N OSAZUWA. All former documents remain valid.

Teaching Service Board and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, Mrs. Obazenu Jennifer Itohan is the same person as Ajayi Jennifer Itohan.

Henceforth, I now wish to be properly known and addressed as MRS AJAYI JENNIFER ITOHAN. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OMORODION – I, formerly called Miss.

Omorodion Susan now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ERONMONSELE SUSAN. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ABOLOYE – I formerly called Miss.

Aboloye Oluwatoyin is now known and called MRS. OLUWATOYIN AGHEDO. All former documents remain valid.

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CHANGE OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, ANETOR FRIDAY wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person called Anetor Ogbemudia as appeared in some of my valuable documents, I am now properly known and called ANETOR FRIDAY. All former documents remain valid. United Bank of Africa (UBA). Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

THE NIGERIAN

26

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

International Features A judge dismissed murder charges on Saturday against former President Hosni Mubarak and acquitted his security chief over the killing of protesters during Egypt’s 2011 uprising, crushing any hope of a judicial reckoning on behalf of the hundreds victims of the revolt that toppled him.

Yet instead of outrage, a largely muted initial reaction greeted the decision in an Egypt where unlicensed protests draw stiff prison terms and many remain fearful over their security four years after the nation’s Arab Spring revolt.

Some 2,000 young people protested the verdict near Cairo’s Tahrir Square, the birthplace of the 2011 uprising closed off on Saturday by soldiers and police, though open a day earlier despite widespread fears of violent Islamist protests. They chanted against the military, whose former chief, Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, is now the president.

“The people want to bring down the regime!” they shouted, using one of the chief slogans in the 18day, anti-Mubarak uprising.

In the evening, police broke up the gathering, firing water cannon and tear gas and driving protesters into side streets after supporters of the banned Muslim Brotherhood joined the protest. An Interior Ministry statement said that Brotherhood supporters pelted security forces with rocks and fought with the protesters.

Security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to brief reporters, said police arrested 29 people.

A statement from the health ministry early Sunday said that one person was killed and nine were injured in the clashes.

Ousted Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, 86, lies on a gurney nest to his son Gamal, second left, in the defendants cage during a court hearing in Cairo, Egypt recently.

Murder Charges Against Mubarak Dismissed The dispersal of protesters contrasted with the jubilant well-wishers who greeted Mubarak after the decision when he returned to his temporary home at a Nile-side military hospital. He later triumphantly waved back to supporters from his hospital window.

A television interviewer reached him by telephone, asking whether he had ordered the killing.

“I did not do anything at all,” replied Mubarak, who was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in 2012 on charges related to the killing of protesters.

The verdict was overturned on appeal the following year.

The monarch of close U.S. ally Bahrain, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, also called to congratulate Mubarak, according to the official news agency of the Gulf Arab island nation.

Mubarak, who assumed Egypt’s highest office in 1981 following the assassination of Anwar

Sadat, has spent virtually all the time since he was detained in April 2011 in hospitals due to poor health. On Saturday, he came to the courtroom on a gurney, wearing dark glasses, a navy blue tie and a matching cardigan.

In his ruling, judge Mahmoud al-Rashidi cited the “inadmissibility” of the case against Mubarak due to a technicality. He said that Mubarak’s May 2011 referral to trial by prosecutors ignored the “implicit” decision that no criminal charges be filed against him when his security chief and six of his top aides were referred to trial by the same prosecutors two months earlier.

After the decision, Cairo resident Nermine Fathy

simply asked: “Who killed the martyrs? I want to know who killed the martyrs.”

That question likely won’t be answered in Egypt’s courts. Already, nearly 170 police officers and security officials put on trial in connection to the killings have either been acquitted for lack of evidence or were found to have acted in self-defense.

Some received short, suspended sentences.

The Mubarak trial, however, was concerned only with the killing of 239 protesters whose names were cited in charge documents, not the nearly 900 killed in total during the 18 days of the revolt.

Saturday’s ruling marks another major setback for the young activists who led

the 2011 Egyptian uprising, many of whom are now in prison or have withdrawn from politics. It likely will reinforce the perception that Mubarak’s autocratic state remains in place, albeit led by el-Sissi, the former military chief who later led the overthrow of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in 2013.

It concludes Mubarak’s retrial along with his two sons, his security chief Habib el-Adly and six top security commanders, who were all acquitted. Also acquitted was wealthy businessman Hussein Salem, a longtime Mubarak friend tried in absentia.

Hossam Bahgat, a prominent human rights advocate, said Saturday’s verdict would be used by the government to signal the end of the upheavals associated with the 2011

“Mubarak was also acquitted of corruption charges that he faced along with his sons Alaa and Gamal — his one-time heir apparent — over the statute of limitations in the case running out.”

revolt.

“The regime’s message: It’s time to look forward, time to move on, time to focus on building the nation. But I doubt this will work. It will deepen the grievance and feeling of injustice felt by many young people,” Bahgat said by telephone from New York.

Mubarak was also acquitted of corruption charges that he faced along with his sons Alaa and Gamal — his one-time heir apparent — over the statute of limitations in the case running out. The case involves their purchase from Salem of luxury villas in a Red Sea resort at a vastly discounted price, something that the prosecution had said amounted to bribery. The two sons face a separate trial on charges of insider trading.

All the rulings can be appealed.

It was not immediately clear whether Mubarak would now walk free since he is serving a three-year jail term for separate corruption charges he was convicted of in May. He has been in detention since April 2011, but it is unclear if the past 3 1/2 years will be treated as time served.

Al-Rashidi, the judge, said the dismissal of the charges did not absolve Mubarak of the corruption and “feebleness” of the latter years of his 29-year rule. The judge praised the 2011 uprising, saying that its goals — freedom, bread and social justice — were legitimate.

He also said Mubarak, like any other human, erred at times and suggested that his old age should have spared him a criminal trial.

“To rule for or against him after he has become old will be left to history and the Judge of Judges, ... (God), who will question him about his rule,” the judge said.

Couresy AP

THE NIGERIAN

27

Opinion

THE Nigeria Police Standard was designed in 1965 and is intended to be carried on important ceremonial occasions by a standard bearer. It is made of blue supper lure silk richly embroidered in silver with the Police crest and scrolls bearing the history of the Force from 1861 to 1930 on one side. On the other side is the Nigerian coat of arms in proper colours and scrolls bearing the campaigns and expeditions in which the Force had been engaged from 1893.

THE POLICE CREST The eagle on the crest represents strength. The crossed staves stand for office and authority. The elephant represents steadfastness and reliability. The green lawn which the elephant stands is the rich vegetation of Nigeria.

THE POLICE FLAG The Nigeria Police Flag has three colours namely blue, yellow and green. Blue stands for love and unity, yellow for discipline and resourcefulness and green for energy.

CRIME PREVENTION In its true perspective, crime prevention is a civic responsibility of every patriotic and law-abiding citizen.

THE INSIGNIA OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE (IGP) AND WHAT THEY SIGNIFY IN THE PRESENT DISPENSATION. The insignia are four in number as follows:(a). The crossed swords with a wreath round it denotes his duty to protect life and property of all and sundry in Nigeria. (b) The first star represents his duty to direct and see to the welfare of officers and men of the force of which he is head. (c) The second star stands for his special duty to all politicians. (d) And last but not the least, the crown-like insignia represents his unalloyed loyalty to the government.

THE WOES OF THE POLICEMAN “The police is denounced by the public, criticised by preachers, ridiculed by newspapers and supported by prosecuting officers and judges.

He is shunned by the respectables, hated by criminals, deceived by everyone, kicked about like football by brianless and crooked politicians. Exposed to countless temptations and dangers. Condemned when he enforces the law and dismissed when he does not. He is supposed to posses the qualification of a soldier, doctor, lawyer, diplomat and educator but with remuneration less than that of a daily paid labourer”- (Police Chief and Professor of Police Administration, University of

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Hints For Better Policing Chicago, USA).

HELPFUL HINTS FOR BETTER POLICING The policeman who would not give or accept bribe keeps his integrity, credibility and also respects his uniform. Bribery and corruption are the cause of lawlessness “The greatest cause of crime is lust” Pluto “Hunger begets crime” “Society prepares the crime, the criminal commits it” (Henry Thomas Burke) “Great crimes are committed by ignoramuses. (Voltaire) “He who overlooks crime invites the commission of another.” (Syrus) “Serve God and you will never serve time” (Max L. Forman).

But Mathma Ghandi posits that “All crime is a disease and should be treated as such” The police therefore must have great empathy with their suspects, as doctors do with their patients.

The police should not give in or succumb to the corruptive influence of money. The police must say No! to bribery and corruption. Luke 3:14 says “When soldiers came to be baptised by John, they said “And what shall we do?” John said to them “No intimidation! No extortion! Be content with your pay” In other words do not ever rough anyone up or bring false charges against anyone, let your pay be enough for you.” A wise man will live as much within his income” (Lord Chesterfield) A pure-minded person can never fall suddenly into crime by stress of any external force. You aid and abet crime if and when you give or accept bribe. A Policeman must not have itchy palm. When investigating a crime the police must never use a paucity of information to arrive at a conclusion. The police must never act on supposition. They must not jump into conclusions when investigating a crime. The investigation should be carried out thoroughly, completely painstakingly, absolutely and exhaustively before arriving at a conclusion. In investigating a crime, the police must not be lightning quick or slower than the average. The police must be very, very thorough. In other words, logical deductions must be used to arrive at a conclusion.

Remember that a little knowledge could be dangerous when it is used in a sphere where much knowledge is required in order to be certain. The criminal always tries to cover its tracks and if the police can not uncover them, the criminal will always go scot-free. Polygraph test must be applied if and when necessary to detect crime. Super-grass must also be used when necessary to detect crime. The police must breathalyse drivers to see if they have drunk too much alcohol and

By FOSTER A. OSAGIEDE OGBORO

to charge culprits with DWI (Driving while Intoxicated). The police should avoid torture because it is enshrined in the constitution that “Every

been apprehended after ten years of sustained surveillance.

Therefore suspected criminals must be kept under constant surveillance. The police must never take time-out when

wear bullet proof jackets. For the police to be trusted, it must deal with complaints expeditiously.

Laws must not be slackly enforced but strictly applied. The policeman must discharge his duties with integrity. A policeman should not display shocking indifference when a

Suleiman Abbah, IGP individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person and accordingly no person shall be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment” Torture or coercive suppression is also forbidden in international law.

The Police must not use physical strength on suspects and criminals. Torture is a criminal act. There must be zero tolerance to torture. There have never been cases of a perfect crime, but cases of imperfect investigation (Sir Sydney Smith). A police officer on point-duty must avoid distraction. Should a police investigation prove inconclusive, it must not be abandoned or swept under the carpet. Statistics are available that fugitives have

investigating a crime. It is sometimes necessary to use under- cover police officers to detect crime . The constable on the beat helps to prevent crime.

The police must avoid unlawful detention of suspects and not interfere with the constitutional liberty of Nigerian citizens.

The police should only entertain purely criminal matters in their stations. The police must also take measures to defuse trouble before it starts. The police must act within the ambit of the law and not overstep the constitutional rights of Nigerians. Police brutality and impropriety should be consigned to history books. All operational officers of the police force must

“The police force is more of a service than a force. It is indeed a service because it serves the people more than the government, the organ of which it is supposed to be.”

crime is being committed under his nose. It is a breach of confidentiality to reveal information. The police must break completely with the past and be civil to members of the public. Abuse of power by the police must be avoided. Extra judicial killings should be discouraged because the law does not look kindly on it. The police must therefore never be trigger hungry. The police must never ever shoot to kill but shoot to scare. The police must not be heavy handed. A Policeman is not only a law enforcement officer, but also a peace maker.

Most importantly, the police must be community friendly. The police should engage more in crime prevention than in crime detection which is more or less like a post mortem examination.

The police must never go against their ethics. The police motto “To serve and protect with integrity” must be up- held by every policeman. When a policeman is convicted of corruption, it brings the whole system into disrepute.

When you lose your job you lose your identity. The police of today should not be the criminal of tomorrow. Reputation is like a

fresh egg and when it falls it is never easy to gather.

HELP THE POLICE TO HELPYOU Every policeman is your friend, join hands with the police to rid our society of crime. It is our collective responsibility.

Report suspicious movement within your locality to the police.

Call him whenever you are in distress. Call him whenever you find any person or group of persons committing crimes.

Always volunteer information to the police. You could be considered as aiding and abetting crime if you should become neglectful of your responsibility to call the police whenever a crime is being committed. You could be charged with obstruction of justice if you shield a criminal from arrest.

Lastly, ignorance of the law is no excuse and neither is it a defence.

(Leviticus. 5: 17) OBSERVATION The police force is more of a service than a force. It is indeed a service because it serves the people more than the government, the organ of which it is supposed to be. The pressure on the police to immediately produce results is responsible for their harassment of the people.

It is this behaviour which has earned the police discredit. The police should be made accountable to the community they serve. Continuous inservice-training is needed to redeem the tarnished image of the police. What do you expect when the salary of a policeman is pitifully low as to yield the barest subsistence?. The answer depends on whom you ask. An expensive gift is hard to resist in grinding poverty. Do you possess money or money possesses you?

Of course not. A policeman’s pay packet must therefore be matched with effort, in other words, performance related pay and in the alternative a living wage would suffice. It is high time a broad solution is found to the problem. To rise to the privileged ranks takes donkey’s years. To assault or kill a policeman is a serious breach of the law and decisive action should be taken. To curb the excesses of the police, an Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) must be put in place and also Police Performance Monitoring Unit.

(PPMU). In order to reduce crime to a low level, the police must introduce “Neighbourhood Watch” in the strong belief that “with God all things are possible, “the police like the army must have a teaching priest (a chaplain), who will also inculcate them with moral principles. A priest who looks after the religious needs of soldiers in the army, navy, air force etc is called a chaplain but can also be called a pedre. The bible says in 2 Chr. 15:3-4 “For a long time Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest and without law ,but when in their trouble, they turned to Him, the Lord of Israel and sought Him, He was found by them”, The police must therefore turn to God for help in their fight against crime. The statistical figures of approximately one policeman to three hundred and fifty Citizens (1: 350) speak for themselves .There must be moral revolution in the organization.

THE NIGERIAN

28

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Di Maria Missing For United DI Maria missing for UnitedManchester United will be without forward Angel di Maria for Tuesday’s Barclays Premier League clash against Stoke at Old Trafford with a hamstring injury.

The club’s British record B£59.7million signing was forced off early in Saturday’s victory over Hull. United are still to learn the full extent of the problem but he will definitely miss the visit of the Potters.

Captain Wayne Rooney is expected to shake off a bang to the knee while fellow striker Radamel Falcao could be pushing for a start after coming off the bench against Hull.

Provisional squad: De Gea, Lindegaard, Amos, Vermijl, Rojo, Smalling, Blackett, Thorpe, McNair, Pereira, Fletcher, Valencia, Lingard, Fellaini, Anderson, Carrick, Young, Herrera, Mata, Januzaj, Falcao, Rooney, Van Persie, W Keane.

Blatter Dismisses Qatar, Russia W/Cup Bid Claims

MANILA – FIFA 25 president Sepp Blatter responded to the latest criticism of the World Cup bidding process by assuring Asian football delegates that the tournament will go ahead in Qatar in 2022.

Earlier that day, a dossier Blatter made his latest remarks about the World Cup during a compiled by the Sunday Times speech at the Asian Football and published by the UK Confederation’s 60th anniversary Government’s Culture, Media celebrations in Manila on Sunday and Sport select committee accused Russia and Qatar of evening.

engaging in vote-trading and vote-buying, while England’s 2018 bid team are alleged to have engineered a failed vote-swap with their counterparts in the South Korea 2022 bid.

“Believe me, with all what has

been said, what is told around the world, by whom? By those... not involved exactly [with] what has happened or what happens in football,” Blatter said. “The World Cup 2022 will be played in Qatar.”

Allegations of bribery and favour-seeking have engulfed world football in the four years since Russia was awarded the 2018 World Cup and Qatar was selected as host for 2022.

The Swiss attorney general has already received a criminal complaint from FIFA against possible law-breaking by unnamed individuals mentioned in American attorney Michael Garcia’s investigation into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process, and the British

Government is considering launching a criminal investigation.

Although the Swiss authorities have a full copy of the bid probe, the 430-page report into impropriety remains secret, with only a 42-page summary judgment from FIFA ethics judge Joachim Eckert having been published.

Eckert said there is not enough evidence to strip Russia of the 2018 World Cup or Qatar of the 2022 tournament, which were both awarded in a December 2010 vote by FIFA’s executive committee.

The sense of disarray at FIFA heightened when Garcia objected to Eckert’s interpretation of his investigation, appealing to FIFA citing “numerous materially incomplete and erroneous representations” of his work.

Rivers Angels’ Double Feat Excites Oshoala, Nwabuoku

Villa Refute Keane Row Reports

VILLA refute Keane row reportsAston Villa have rubbished claims Roy Keane had a bust-up with players before he quit the club last week.

Newspaper reports emerged on Monday suggesting there had been a falling out but the club have dismissed any speculation the former Manchester United star’s exit was anything out of the ordinary.

Keane left Villa on Friday saying he could not juggle his role as Paul Lambert’s number two and his job as Republic of Ireland assistant manager.

He had only joined in July, replacing Ian Culverhouse who was sacked at the end of last season following an internal club investigation.

Keane said on Friday: “Ultimately, my roles with Villa and Ireland, and combining my commitment to these, has become too much.

“It isn’t fair to either Villa or Ireland, so I’ve made this decision. I’d like to thank Paul for giving me a great opportunity to come to a brilliant football club.

FORMER Amavubi skipper Olivier Karekezi last week received a UEFA Coaching ‘A’ license in Sweden.

Karekezi, who retired from football this year after 14 years, is also keen on upgrading to the UEFA Pro licence. “I will come to coach in Rwanda at the end of next year, I can coach any team but it must have good structures and should not be disorganized,” added Karekezi.

The UEFA coaching ‘A’ licence is one step below the UEFA Pro licence, which is the highest

FORMER Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes has lamented the loss of Toni Kroos to Real Madrid, revealing that he tried to persuade the midfielder to remain in Bavaria instead of join another of the coach’s former haunts.

Kroos swapped the Allianz Arena for the Santiago Bernabeu after helping Germany win this summer’s World Cup in Brazil, with the 24-year-old joining the reigning European champions for a reported +30 million.

He was a member of the Bayern side that Heynckes led to a historic treble in 2013 and his former boss was sorry to see a player he holds in the highest esteem leave the Bundesliga champions.

“At the moment, there is no better player in his position in the world,” the 69-year-old told Kicker. “Toni plays the midfield

role so cleverly.

“I would have rather seen him remain at Bayern and I had advised him to.

“But in a telephone call during the World Cup he told me that the move was perfect. For him, personally, it’s another step that suits him.”

Indeed, Kroos has wasted little time in settling in the Spanish capital and is currently playing a key role in Madrid’s club-record run of 16 consecutive victories.

Heynckes, though, is not in the least bit surprised that Kroos has already established himself as a key cog at a club he guided to Champions League glory in 1998.

“The top stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale know very well that they are even better with Toni in the team,” he argued.

OSHOALA says winning the 2014 African Women Player of the Year award will crown her year The duo has revelled in the amazing achievement of a double title for the Port Harcourt ladies after their final day away victory

Sepp Blatter

Ex-Rwanda Skipper Attains UEFA Coaching License

I Advised Kroos To Stay At Bayern - Heynckes

qualification needed to coach elite football teams.

Coaches like Pep Guadiola of Bayern Munich and Jurgen Kopp of Borussia Dortmund have a UEFA Pro licence.

Local coaches, who have the UEFA A licence include Eric Nshimiyimana (AS Kigali), Jean Baptiste Kayiranga, Vincent

Mashami (Assistant APR coach), Sosthene Habimana (Rayon Sports Assistant Coach), Andre Cassa Mbungo (Police) and Abdoul Mbarushimana (Rayon Sport Academy Coach).

APR Head Coach Ljubomir “Ljupko” Petrovic and Amavubi

windowR oberto Mancini has only been in charge of Inter Milan for two weeks and the new coach is already itching for the January transfer window.

Mancini complained that he had the wrong players for the system he wanted to play after his side went down 4-2 at AS Roma on Sunday, leaving them in eleventh place in Serie A with only four wins from 13 games.

“This squad has been built to play a different system, so it’s inevitable that there are some teething problems,” he told reporters.

“We don’t have any outand-out wingers, but the players are doing well to adapt. We’ve now got a month to do what we can, then we’ll see,” said

for dissent during the match. “We need to improve quickly,” A new centre forward is likely to be top of Mancini’s list after Rodrigo Palacio, partnering Pablo Daniel Osvaldo in attack in place of the rested Mauro Icardi, again failed to hit the target.

The Argentine forward has not yet scored this season.

“The defeat doesn’t change our ideas,” said Mancini, who has ditched predecessor Walter Mazzarri’s three-man defence and given Colombia midfielder Fredy Guarin a more attacking role.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be perfect straight away, but we need to adapt to the

Coach Stephen Constantine both possess the UEFA Pro licence.

Widely regarded as the best player of his generation, Karekezi was part of the Amavubi side that featured in 2004 Nations Cup finals in Tunisia – the country’s most successful football team to date.

in Benin last Wednesday Rivers Angels pair of Asisat Oshoala and Evelyn Nwabuoku have separately expressed excitement at helping their side clinch a double after Wednesday’s 3-1 away victory over Edo Queens.

A brace from Asisat Oshoala and a goal from Ngozi Ebere secured Rivers Angels their first league title since 2010 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium four days after they won the 2014 Women Federation Cup with a 20 victory over Sunshine Stars at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

Oshoala, who scored three goals in two games in the space of four days, said she was fulfilled winning her first double titles in a season as it will remain a great legacy if she eventually leaves the Port Harcourt outfit.

“I feel very happy and coming out victorious in the game against Edo Queens is something very special for me as an individual and for the team as well,” Oshoala told Goal.

Mancini Already Impatient For The natural position is as a MANCINI already Transfer Window creative midfielder, but he impatient for the transfer Mancini, who was sent off has to understand when to new system quickly.

“I think Guarin’s most

Roberto Mancini

go it alone and when to move the ball on.

THE NIGERIAN

29

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

No Ronaldo Extension, Messi Records Won’t Count In Ballon d’ Or Race

CRISTIANO Ronaldo claimed his second Ballon d’Or in January, but only after the voting deadline was changed to

include his decisive display in the World Cup play-off against Sweden last November. For Lionel Messi, there will be no

such luxury in 2014.

“Messi, Ballon d’Or!” screamed the front page of Barcelona-based sports daily El

Mundo Deportivo last Monday.

Two days earlier, the Argentine had hit a brilliant hat-trick to lead the Blaugrana to a 5-1 win at home to Sevilla and overhaul 1950s legend Telmo Zarra as the greatest goalscorer in the history of La Liga.

And the day after that headline, the 27-year-old was at it again as he netted three more at APOEL in the Champions League to surpass Real Madrid icon Raul as the all-time top scorer in the history of Europe’s premier club competition. Two remarkable records smashed in the space of just four days in a timely return to form for Barcelona.

Unfortunately, however, they will count for little in the race for the Ballon d’Or. The voting deadline for football’s foremost individual

award closed on Friday, November 21 - just a day before Messi broke the first of those two long-standing marks.

Last year, the voting period was extended and allowed coaches and captains of national teams and journalists to consider Cristiano’s hat-trick against Sweden in the second leg of Portugal’s play-off against Zlatan Ibrahimovic et al, which sealed a place at Brazil 2014 for the Selecao.

Whatever really happened with the voting, the truth is that the extension worked in the forward’s favour and the Portuguese went on to win the award for the second time in his career on the back of the votes registered after what was probably the finest week of his entire 2013 (he also scored the winner in the first leg against Sweden in Lisbon on November 15, just hours before the original

voting deadline).

This year, the posturing has already started. Uefa president Michel Platini claimed the gong should go to a German player following the side’s World Cup win, but Madrid have hit back and coach Carlo Ancelotti has said the Frenchman should keep his opinions to himself. “I don’t think the president of Uefa should opine about the Ballon d’Or,” the Italian said after the club released a statement to complain about the 59-yearold’s public stance.

Meanwhile, Barca boss Luis Enrique backed his man.

“Everyone is allowed his opinion,” he said. “The prize is for the best player this season and that is Messi, so I would give the Ballon d’Or to Leo.”

Vermaelen Will prove His Worth To Barca

BARCELONA’S sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has justified the signing and handling of Thomas Vermaelen, claiming that the defender will make an instant impact at Camp Nou - just as soon as he returns

Lionel Messi

Serie A Must Adopt Goal-Line Technology - Galliani ADIL Rami looked to have opened the scoring 17 minutes into the game at San Siro when he rose highest to connect with a Giacomo Bonaventura header.

However, although the ball crossed the line, Udinese goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis pushed it onto the post and away to safety, thus deceiving the officials into thinking that it had stayed out.

Milan went on to win the game 2-0 thanks to a second-half double from Jeremy Menez but that was not the point, according to Galliani, who was reminded of Sulley Muntari’s infamously disallowed ‘ghost’ goal in a crucial Serie A clash with Juventus two years ago.

“The fault is ours,” the Rossoneri vice-president said of the lack of goal-line technology. “Fifa allows us to use technology and we don’t do it.

“I invite Italian football to use the technology. Like in tennis, for example. There is nothing stopping us.

Technology is not a bad thing.

“I’m not blaming the referee.

There are instruments available - let’s use them. It’s obvious that the Muntari goal came to my mind, also because of the black and white jerseys!

“Then I thought about it: if there were technology available, we could have evaluated Rami’s goal

Valencia Vow To Ban Messi Bottle Thrower THE Barca star was hit by the object in injury time of the La Liga encounter as he and his team-mates celebrated Sergio Busquets’ last-gasp goal, which gave the Catalan club a 1-0 victory.

And Valencia have been quick to blast the actions of the supporter, promising to locate the person in question and and hand down a severe punishment.

A statement on Valencia’s official website read: “Valencia CF regrets and condemns the isolated incident in the game against FC Barcelona, in which

a small, uncapped bottle of water was thrown from the stands at opposition player Lionel Messi.

“The club will endeavour to locate the person who threw the bottle, and they will be banned for life from Mestalla.

“Valencia CF operates a zero tolerance policy on such actions and rigorously enforce all security measures set out by legislation.”

Barca stay second in the table as a result of Busquets’ winner, while Valencia drop out of the top four and down to fifth.

better.

“If there’s the technology there, let’s use it. I will begin the battle for it as of Monday.”

Meanwhile, Galliani was also full of praise for matchwinner Menez, particularly as the French forward had been a doubt for the game due to illness.

“Menez has proven himself a true No.9,” he

declared. “Enough with this urban legend that he’s a ‘false nine’.

“And to think, he nearly didn’t play. At 10.30 on Sunday morning he wasn’t well. He had a bit of a fever.

The coach called me, worried.

Then he recovered.”

Galliani also lavished praise on Marco van Ginkel, who impressed in his first Serie

THE +86 million summer signing failed to find the net in Sunday’s 1-0 at Valencia, meaning he has now gone five Primera Division games without a goal Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has admitted his frustration at finding himself unable to end his Liga goal drought, lamenting that “the ball doesn’t want to go in” for him.

The Uruguay international netted for the first time in a Blaugrana shirt in Tuesday’s Champions League win at APOEL but he has yet to open his Primera Division account since making his debut against Real Madrid on October 25.

Suarez had two major chances to score in Sunday’s 10 victory at Valencia, which came courtesy of Sergio Busquets’ last-gasp strike, but he was denied by a brilliant

first-half save from Diego Alves before then being incorrectly flagged offside after tapping home with 20

to full fitness.

The Belgium international joined the Blaugrana from Arsenal for a reported +19 million transfer fee in August but is yet to make a single competitive appearance because of a hamstring problem dating back to this summer’s World Cup. It was announced last week that Vermaelen now requires surgery on the problem, thus ruling the 29year-old out of action for between four and six months.

Despite the injury-prone centrehalf’s latest setback, Zubizarreta remains adamant that Vermaelen has an important role to play at Barca in the coming years.

“He is a player who performs immediately,” the former goalkeeper told Canal Plus.

“Obviously, when I first said that, I didn’t mean he would play the next day.

“But rather that when he is fully

recovered, he will start producing straight away because he is a player who has already played in the Champions League, the World Cup, etc.”

Zubizarreta also insisted that Barca did not try to rush Vermaelen back to full fitness and that his continued suffering behind the scenes has simply been a freak coincidence.

“His rehabilitation was a conservative process,” the exSpain international stated. “He spent 15 days training perfectly but then suffered a new problem.

“So, we finally decided it was best for him to be operated on.

The doctors say [he will return] four months after the operation.

[Injuries] are just a fact of football.”

In Vermaelen’s absence, the likes of Javier Mascherano, Jeremy Mathieu, Marc Bartra and Gerard Pique have been deputising at centre-back this season.

Suarez Stumped By Liga Goal Drought

Luis Suarez

minutes to go.

“It’s an odd situation,” the former Liverpool striker told reporters after the game. “The ball doesn’t want to go in but I’m

always working on it.

“The goalkeeper saved the first one, but the second made me angry because I could see that I wasn’t offside.

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Pastore Wants Cabaye To Stay At PSG JAVIER Pastore says Paris Saint-Germain teammate and Arsenal target Yohan Cabaye is unlikely to leave the French champions in January.

After a 20 million-euro move to PSG last January, Cabaye has made just 16 league starts under Laurent Blanc with the former Newcastle United man unable to force his way into a three-man midfield.

In addition to last season’s established trio of Thiago Motta, Marco Verratti and Blaise Matuidi, Cabaye has seen Javier Pastore drop into a deeper role this season while teenage prodigy Adrien Rabiot is back in favour after eventually signing a new deal.

Arsenal were reportedly interested in Cabaye when he left Newcastle and, aware of his predicament at the Parc des Princes, are said to have bid 10 million pounds for him last summer and Arsene Wenger is reportedly set to try and tempt Cabaye into a Premier League return.

Liverpool ’Ve Offered Gerrard New Deal - Rodgers

BRENDAN Rodgers has confirmed Liverpool have offered captain Steven Gerrard a new contract.

Gerrard’s future was the subject of much speculation over the weekend after Rodgers left him on the bench for Saturday’s game against Stoke City.

The match came on the 16th anniversary of Gerrard’s debut for the club and the matchday programme carried a special tribute.

Sunday’s papers were full of speculation about a falling out between the two men – something Gerrard firmly denied on a post on his Instagram account later that day.

And now Rodgers has confirmed in a press conference that the club have offered Gerrard an extension to his current deal, which expires at the end of the season.

However, the Daily Mirror reported on Monday morning that Gerrard “is in no rush to accept” the one-year rolling contract which would see a small reduction in his wages, and is holding out for a two-year deal.

I Must Be A Genius To Have Hidden My Tactical Ineptitude For So Long ARSENE Wenger has launched a staunch defence such a consistency, affected by the banner - Wenger shown of his managerial ability after a section of Arsenal fans Wenger insists that he it’s because we have that at displayed a banner calling for his resignation.

Despite beating West Brom 1-0 on Saturday, a banner was unfurled at fulltime which read: “Arsene, thanks for the memories but it is time to say goodbye,” with supporters frustrated by the club’s lack of silverware in recent years.

The Frenchman has hit back at his critics, though, citing his remarkable record of having qualified for the Champions League knockout rounds in 15 consecutive seasons as proof of his ability.

“I started to manage a team at the top level in 1983. If I am completely useless tactically, I am a genius [because] I can hide it very well,” Wenger told reporters.

“Look, in [each of] the last 15 years, we are qualified for the last 16 in the Champions League.

Give me another club who has done that. I think we have shown extreme

consistency and that’s all we can do.

“We’ve had ups and downs in the league - yes,

the club. We have values and we respect them.”

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES | Wenger is adamant he will not be

Arsene Wenger

Man City Face Wait Over Kompany Hamstring Problem

MANCHESTER City captain Vincent Kompany will find out on Monday whether the hamstring problem he suffered against Southampton was a strain or cramp.

The Belgium centre-back “Kompany has a problem with struggled with a leg problem his hamstring, but we’ll see towards the end of City’s 3-0 win whether it’s just a cramp or an at Southampton on Sunday, and injury,’’ the City boss said. will undergo scans to determine He saw his side ease past Saints the extent of the injury. on the south coast on Sunday, City boss Manuel Pellegrini making light of referee Mike confirmed that Kompany would Jones’ controversial decision not be assessed ahead of his side’s to award a penalty when Jose Premier League trip to Fonte upended Sergio Aguero.

Sunderland on Wednesday.

Jones instead booked Aguero Eliaquim Mangala is banned for diving, but City went on to following his red card for two take control through goals from bookings at St Mary’s, meaning Yaya Toure, Frank Lampard and Pellegrini will be forced to rejig Gael Clichy. his defence if Kompany is unable Southampton’s first home to play. defeat of the season was also the

beaten in the MLS Eastern Conference final by New England Revolution on Saturday.

The 37-year-old has been strongly linked with a return to the Gunners to work alongside manager Arsene Wenger, but his former France team-mate has got his request in early.

“If he wants, yes,” Sagnol, 42, told reporters when asked if Henry could join the club. “If there are some finances [available], then perhaps.

was not affected by the banner displayed at the Hawthorns and is confident he is still the right man for the job, even if he no longer has the full support of the Arsenal fanbase.

“I can do my job,” the 65year-old added. “I do my job with total commitment, I would like people to live with me and see for seven days what kind of work we produce, and you will see that it is total commitment.

“I do what I love, but I think I do it with honesty and total commitment.”

Benteke Back For Villa

Bordeaux Boss Moves To Gazump Arsenal With Henry Offer

THE striker has been widely tipped to rejoin the Gunners to work alongside manager Arsene Wenger, but his former France team-mate has opened the door to a move to Ligue 1 Bordeaux boss Willy Sagnol has moved to gazump Arsenal in offering Thierry Henry a coaching role at the Ligue 1 club.

Henry is widely expected to hang up his playing boots after New York Red Bulls were

it’s true, but you only come back again when the spirit is strong and healthy and united inside the club.

“And I think if you have

“I saw in an interview that he still wasn’t sure what was going to do with the rest of his life.

“I take this opportunity just to get a message across: If he wants to train and become a coach, if he wants to learn some craft, to come and give a hand to the attackers at Girondins de Bordeaux, on everything, on the analysis of the game, the analysis of movement, on specific sessions, he is welcome. The door is open at Girondins for him.”

first in a series of December games that could define their season.

Ronald Koeman’s men face Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday before taking on

Manchester United and Chelsea as they play seven games in 25 days.

City, meanwhile, closed to within six points of early Premier League pacesetters Chelsea, with Pellegrini hailing the attitude and application of his side.

BENTEKE back for VillaAston Villa striker Christian Benteke returns from suspension for Tuesday’s Barclays Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.

Manager Paul Lambert expects defender Ciaran Clark to be fit despite suffering blurred vision in the draw with Burnley at the weekend.

Villa are already short of defensive options with Ron Vlaar, Philippe Senderos and Nathan Baker still out injured.

Provisional squad: Guzan, Given, Hutton, Lowton, Okore, Clark, Herd, Cissokho, Westwood, Richardson, Sanchez, N’Zogbia, Cleverley, Grealish, Cole, Bacuna, Weimann, Agbonlahor, Robinson.

Chelsea Can Face Spurs Without Suspended Costa - Matic THE Brazil-born Spaniard picked up his fifth booking of the season as the Blues were held to a goalless draw by a dogged Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday Nemanja Matic insists he and his Chelsea team-mates are “not scared” of facing Tottenham without the suspended Diego Costa on Wednesday.

Costa, who has scored 11 goals in 11 Premier League games this season, picked up his fifth booking of the campaign in the Blues’ goalless draw with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

The 26-year-old will now miss the visit of Spurs to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, but Matic remains confident that Didier Drogba or Loic Remy can step up for the unbeaten Premier League leaders.

“I’m not scared,” Matic told

reporters. “Of course we need to have everybody available but in Didier Drogba and Loic Remy, we have good strikers.”

Sunderland were the first team in any competition to stop Chelsea scoring this season and Matic admits the Blues must be prepared for future opponents trying to replicate the Black Cats’ spoiling tactics.

“Now every team is going to try to defend like that against us,” he added. “We know that and we’re ready for that. But we will find the space to score.

“We knew they would create problems for us and we were ready for that.

“We didn’t play badly. They played well even though I felt comfortable on the pitch and for 90 minutes we controlled the game.

“But they were compact and had 10 players on the edge of the box all the time, it was difficult to find space out there.

“We are not happy with one point but it is better than to go home with zero. If you don’t score, you cannot win but [against Tottenham] we cannot let this happen again, we have to score.”

Jose Mourinho

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

FG To Equip 1000 ABUJA - The Federal Schools Government will soon distribute sports equipment to about 1,000 primary schools nationwide, the Executive Secretary, National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF), Habu Gumel, said in Abuja on Sunday.

Gumel told newsmen that at least nine primary schools will benefit from the programme in each senatorial district of the country.

“This will result from the contract agreements worth $3.7 million, which the Federal Government signed with Messrs China Sports International Co. Ltd. and Messrs CAAN Sports Organisations Ltd. of Turkey to supply sports equipment to schools.

“Messrs China Sports International Co. Ltd. of China signed contracts worth about $2.8 million dollars, while Messrs CAAN Sports Organisations Ltd, Turkey signed contracts worth $914,967.10 dollars,’’ he said.

Gumel said the contracts involved the supply of various branded sports equipment covering nine types of sports designed for public primary schools.

“The equipment are athletics, volleyball, football, handball, badminton, table tennis, basketball, judo and taekwondo,’’ he said.

The Lottery Trust Fund executive secretary said the companies had met due process requirements under the Public Procurement Act of 2007, which led to the contracts being awarded to them.

Gumel said the

programme was to enhance NLTF’s vision of promoting social activities among all Nigerians.

“This is as defined by our mandate and driven through our intervention policy and strategy,’’ he said.

Gumel said he was hopeful the programme would be a significant boost to the lottery industry and business, adding that it would also promote the country’s grassroots sports development.

“The objective of the programme is to enhance the capacity to grow and expand the nation‘s talentbase by securing the interest of children of primary schools in sporting activities,’’ he said.

The executive secretary said the contract agreement marked the launching of the implementation of 2014 “Good Cause Intervention Programme’’.

FOREIGN-based pros are expected to join Nigeria U23s from December 7, officials have announced.

The overseas based are to join Samson Siasia’s team for a screening till December 12 after which they plan a friendly in Bauchi.

Siasia said aside the players from Enyimba who were invited and did not show up for the Olympic team trials, all other invited players from the Premier League honoured the invitation.

He again defended the rigorous process.

“We want to be very meticulous this time around in the players who we will eventually settle for. I have used this method in the past and in the process discovered some players, who were not known and today they are stars,” he said.

“We have over 50,000 youths eligible to play in this team, so inviting only a handful of league players to camp is shutting the doors to over 49, 000 other eligible players.”

The team will reconvene on January 4 after going on break on December 20.

CAF Award

Musa, Enyeama Make NIGERIA stars Vincent List Enyeama and Ahmed Musa have made the five-man shortlist for the CAF African Footballer of the Year for 2014.

The other players on the shortlist are Yaya Toure of Cote d’Ivoire, Asamoah Gyan of Ghana and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Gabon.

Manchester City star Yaya has won the prestigious award for the past three years.

There are also two Nigeria stars for the women’s version of the award – Asisat Oshoala and Desire Oparanozie. They will battle Annette Ngo Ndom of Cameroon, Portia Modise of South Africa and Zenatha Coleman of Namibia for Woman Player of the Year.

The Youth Player of the Year has Oshoala and Uchechi Sunday from Nigeria, Fabrice Ondoa of Cameroon and Kader Bidimbou of Congo Brazaville as nominees.

In the African Player of the Year (Based in Africa) category, the five shortlisted players are the duo of Akram Djahnit and El Hedi Belamieri of Algeria and ES Setif, Firmin Mubel Ndombe of Congo and AS Vita, Fakhereddine Ben

Late Mrs. Clara Oshiomhole

Clara Oshiomhole Memorial Cup Starts Today

By NICHOLAS EBOIGBE

THE popular town of Ubiaja will come alive from today as the female football clubs from the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State to battle for honours of her Excellency Mrs. Clara Oshiomhole Memorial Cup begins.

The President of Edo State Youth Clubs Coaches Association, Sam Pele Uwachiae explained that the yearly events is organized by the body to honour and commemorate the former first lady, Mrs. Clara Oshiomhole.

“Mrs. Clara Oshiomhole Memorial Cup is to honour the former Edo State first

lady.. she is a rare gem, a great woman whose contributions to football development cannot be qualified.”

He explained that the competition offers an opportunity for the people of Ubiaja to get entertained and to also discover talents.

“It is also an opportunity for young people in the locality

Foreign Pros Join Nigeria U23s Siasia’s first assignment will be to qualify the team for the men’s football event of the 11th All-Africa Games, which will be staged by Congo Brazzaville in July 2015).

Their first hurdle will be a qualifying fixture against Gabon, with the first leg away in Libreville towards the end of February and the return leg early March in Nigeria.

The winners of that fixture squares up against the winner of the fixture between Zambia and Madagascar in late March.

to show interest in the game and make a living from it in future.

He advised the people of Ubiaj to encourage their wards to participate in the game of football.

“If the youths in Ubiaja participate in the game or play football, they would not have the time to go into crime.

Her Excellency, the wife of the Deputy Governor, Endurance Odubu will be in attendance as the special guest of honour at the opener.

Others are Chief Victor Eboigbe who would chair the ceremony, Hajia Maimuna Momodu, Honourable Andrew Akhabue while the chairman of Esan South-East, Hon. Joe Ikpea would be the host.

Youssef of Tunisia and CS Sfaxien and late Senso Meyiwa of South Africa and Orlando Pirates.

For Most promising Talent Award, the shortlisted players are Clinton N’jie of Cameroon and Olympic Lyon, Mubele Ndombe of Congo DR and AS VIta, Vincent Aboubakar of Cameroon and FC Porto and Yacini Brahimi of Algeria and also FC Porto Florent Mbenge, Kherireddine Madoui of Algeria, Rigo Gervais of Cote d’Ivoire, Stephen Keshi of Nigeria and Vahid Halilhdzich of Bosnia and Algeria were nominated for Coach of the Year.

Other nominees are the trio of Nigeria, Algeria and Libya listed for National Team of the Year, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Nigeria U-20 for Women’s National Team of the Year and Club of the Year with Al-Ahly of Egypt, AS Vita of Congo, ES Setif of Algeria and Sewe Sports of Cote d’Ivoire as nominees.

The winners will be decided by votes from the head coaches and technical directors of the national associations affiliated to CAF. The CAF Awards Gala night will take place on Thursday January 8, 2015, in Lagos, Nigeria.

Ahmed Musa

Dr Amusan Cup Billed For Dec 20

By NICHALAS EBOIGBE

THE annual Dr. Amusan Birthday Anniversary Cup for under 13 Youth Teams in Edo State begins December 12 at

Dr. T. Amusan

the Garrick Memorial College.

According to the President of Edo State Youth Club Coaches Association (ESYCCA), Sam Pele

Uwadiae, the body is organizing the tournament to honour Dr. Amusan who is the Medical Director of Time Hospital on the occasion of his birthday anniversary which holds on December, 20, 2014.

He disclosed that over 18 teams drawn from the different parts of the state have been registered by the organization (ESYCCA) for the tournament.

He described Dr. Amusan who is the patron of ESYCCA as a sports spirited philanthropists who has demonstrated keen interest and develop the game in the state.

“Dr. Amusan is a great man, a rare football philanthropist.

He believes in taking the game of football to its greatest heights.”

He said talents will be discovered from the tournament as part of effort re-direct the energies of the youths from criminal activities.

CMYK THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 THE Nigerian constitution is very clear on roles of various tiers of government in the country and various organs as well. The Nigeria Police Force as provided for by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended in 2010 is statutorily empowered to maintain law and order in the country. It is being financed by resources from the Nigeria Tax payers and not resources of any political party.

The way and manner the Nigeria Police Force has been carrying out its duties from the days of M.D. Abubakar as Inspector General and up till the current IGP is suggestive of partisanship of the Nigerian Police. Beyond their obnoxious culture of impunity, the Nigeria Police under the current IGP has even gone to the extent of performing judicial functions of interpreting the Constitution of the country!

There is no other country in the world that experiences the brutish and constitutional interpretative role of its police as experienced in Nigeria. The Nigeria Police is carried away by the fact that it is a federal agency to unleash terror on hapless citizens, particularly those of opposition political parties.

I come to these conclusions because very recently, heavily armed policemen, invaded the National Assembly complex, tear-gassed and tried to prevent members of the House of Representatives, including the Speaker, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, from entering the complex. The action of officers and men of the Nigeria Police forced some lawmakers to scale the fence in order to enter the chambers to perform their legislative duties.

When some media men asked the police men why they acted the way they did, they replied they were “obeying orders from above.” Who gave the order? Same night, the Police spokesperson, Emmanuel Ojukwu was defending their horrible action that attracted widespread local and international condemnation.

He said “ it was based on intelligence reports on the possible invasion of the National Assembly by hoodlums.” Who are the hoodlums who invaded the National Assembly? By now, Nigerians would have gotten the benefit of knowing the hoodlums. How many have been charged to court? In the face of all of

IN FOCUS It’s Nigeria Police MATTERSWITH Force, Not PDP Police DAN OWEGIE these shameful outing, President Goodluck Jonathan who supervises the Nigeria Police kept sealed lips.

Most Nigerians attest to the fact that since return to democratic rule, it is the first time the police would fire tear gas in the arcade of the complex after several legislators, who had escorted

men attached to the Governor of Borno and Ondo States when they defected from the APC and Labour Party respectively to the PDP or did the Police lose its senses? To them, it is not the constitutional powers when people cross over to PDP and they remember the powers when politicians leave PDP

Adamu Muazu, National Chairman, PDP the speaker, into the National Assembly complex.

Senate President David Mark had to immediately shut the assembly with these words: “Because of the unfortunate incident of security invasion of the National Assembly today, as the Chairman of the National Assembly, I announce the shutdown of both the Senate and the House of Representatives till Tuesday next week when Senate will reconvene to hear what brought about the invasion from the Inspector-General of Police”. Sadly too, the Senate President, David Mark who sought to make peace and get the Nigeria police respect constituted authority was equally tear-gassed when he visited the House.

Going by the police barbarism at the National Assembly, it is crystal clear that Nigeria is in a big mess and not just in crises. What may have led to all of these avoidable quagmire is the mere fact that the Speaker of the House, Aminu Tabuwal left the failing PDP and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). Why did the Nigeria Police not withdraw the police

for APC. Our minds are fresh to what the Police did and are still doing in Rivers State because Governor Rotimi Amaechi left the PDP for APC. Commissioner of Police Mathew Mbu was notorious for supervising the decimation of the APC and its members in Rivers before the local and international outrage that greeted his madness led to his summary redeployment to Abuja. But this was after he had wreaked havoc on the APC and its fortunes in the state. Mbu it is that introduced five law makers removing a Speaker who has 19 members’ support. A man with four lawmkers wakes up and announces the impeachment of a governor who no longer sides the President. That was the same insanity that was going to be introduced in Edo State where four suspended lawmakers and one whose position has been declared vacant by two thirds majority finds some four or five PDP lawmakers sitting under police cover in what mocks democracy as the PDP Edo House of Assembly. This same insanity is repeating itself in Ekiti where seven

lawmakers woke up from a nightmare and declared that they had impeached the constitutionally elected Speaker, Hon Omirin who has over 19 lawmakers in his control. Yet the police give such illegality full cover. This, to say the least is dangerous for our shaky democracy.

What with the police and

Okoli, for allegedly refusing to give them N5, 000 as bribe.

Another report in year 2011 by the Legal Defense and Assistance Project on extrajudicial, arbitrary and summary executions in Nigeria, noted that between 2006 and 2010, over 1,600 Nigerians were killed by law enforcement agents. In 2010

Suleiman Abbah, IGP airport authorities grounding the aircrafts of the Edo State Comrade Governor, Adams Eric Oshiomhole, preventing him from attending an important function in Ekiti State? What about the grounding of the aircraft of Rivers State Government that was to move Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and Governor Rotimi Amaechi to attend another important function of the opposition party? All of these suggest that we are gradually sliding into a Gestapo state of fascism and it is the responsibility of all Nigerians to call the police to order.

Cases of Police extra judicial killings abound. In July, 2012, the Nigerian Police at Iba New Town in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos reportedly killed a 27-year-old motorcycle dealer, Sunday

alone, the police allegedly killed about 21 persons unjustifiably.

In 2006, according to the report, the impunity rate was 83 per cent; in 2007, it was 89 per cent; in 2008, it was 83 per cent; in 2009, it was 88 per cent; while in 2010, it was 95 per cent.

This means that, rather than reduce, cases of extrajudicial killings in Nigeria have continued to rise.

Abuses of this nature had occurred in the past without any punishment meted out to the perpetrators. A few years ago, some six young Nigerians were allegedly murdered by the police in Abuja. Popularly referred to as Apo Six, these victims have not received full justice up until now.

Equally disturbing is the unlawful arrest and detention of Environmental and Human Rights activist, Rev. David

Ugolor by the Nigeria Police under M.D Abubakar. This remains another clear indication of the high level of impunity in the Nigeria Police Force where the Police alleged that Ugolor was involved in the murder of Olaitan Oyerinde, principal private secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who was killed on May 4, 2012.

Till date, the police bungled the case by arresting wrong sets of persons as suspects whereas the suspects who were arrested by the DSS who confessed to committing the crime are on the verge of escaping justice. This was a celebrated high profile murder case in which the APC accused top notchers of PDP in the state of being the mastermind. To prove to Nigerians that PDP does not have hand, the police chose to drag innocent persons into their investigations by

altering their own records but were not smart enough.

Today, the police officers who carried out the dirty job have been promoted and the slain Olaitan forgotten in the grave. How many do we count against the police?

But the Nigeria Police must go back to the drawing board and take itself away from partisan politics. It should stop supporting PDP as we approach 2015 elections because, Nigerians as a whole own the police not the PDP. The Nigeria Police must not only be heard to be neutral, they must be seen to be neutral.

The police must equally go back to prosecute effective reform agenda that would ensure that all bad eggs within the system are gotten rid of.

Also, the National Assembly must give vent to the emergence of state police to balance the monopolistic tendencies of the federal executive arm of government. Nigerians deserve better policing devoid of partisanship.

Mr. Dan Owegie is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State.

‘Going by the police barbarism at the National Assembly, it is crystal clear that Nigeria is in a big mess and not just in crises. What may have led to all of these avoidable quagmire is the mere fact that the Speaker of the House, Aminu Tabuwal left the failing PDP and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

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