Nigerian observer 03 07 2013

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The Nigerian

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 PLACE OF PRAYER

Page 21 How intimate are you with God? (4)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

• Vol . 38 NO. 267 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013 . N100.00

Oba Erediauwa meets stakeholders over

By THOMPSON oil well, boundary dispute ERHOMONSELE BENIN CITY – The Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, Oba of Benin yesterday in Benin City met with the Edo State

Commissioner for Special Duties, Oil and Gas, Ambassador Orobosa Omo-Ojo (JP), representatives of Orogho Community and

Seplat Petroleum Development Company Limited on the lingering dispute on oil well and boundary with Boboroku Community in Delta

State.

At the stakeholders’ meeting, Ambassador Omo-Ojo narrated all efforts he had made towards finding a lasting

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Execution Of Condemned Criminals

HEALTHY LIVING Page 25

Staying healthy during pregnancy

Pol parties back Oshiomhole

By RICHARD EWEKA

BENIN CITY – Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), Edo State has lashed at critics of the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole over recent execution of four condemned criminals in the state, saying the criticisms are unjustified.

The CRPP in a into pieces and the statement signed by its decapitated bodies were chairman, Dr. Samson, Mr. Omorogbe Joseph and Isibor and secretary made available to the Nigerian Observer yesterday decried the heinous crimes committed by the criminals.

“They killed their victims and the victims remains were dismembered, cut

buried in different places.

These heinous crimes were committed many

years ago. Their death sentence was signed by the past administrations

for over ten years ago.”

CRPP said.

“Recently the

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Fund Police adequately, FG urged

STOP OIL BUNKERING

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· · · · · ·

People of Edo State, Government has discovered that inspite of measures taken by security agents in the State to stop illegal oil bunkering, perpetrators of this shady business have continued unabated.

The State Government is warning all those still involved in oil bunkering in the State to, in their own interest, stop this shady and dubious business forthwith as stiffer penalties await them.

Any person or group of persons caught in the illegal business will be dealt with according to the law.

All vehicles and equipment used will be burnt.

Be patriotic, report any person suspected to be in the business of oil bunkering to the authorities concerned.

Join Government to rid the State of enemies of progress.

Edo State must continue to move forward.

This message is from the Edo State Ministry of Information and Orientation

President of Nigeria (Dr. Goodluck Jonathan) delegated the power to sign the death warrant of condemned criminals to the state Governors.

Governor Oshiomhole exercised that powers conferred on him by signing the death warrant

FIRE INCIDENT: Members of the Panel of Inquiry into the fire incident that gutted the Ministry of Secondary, Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, Hon. Justice R. I. Amaize (rtd) Chairman of the Panel, Mr. Stephen Omoruyi and A.C.P PULCUMA T. Mustapha, Edo State.

By QUEENTETH A. ORODEDO BENIN CITY-The federal government has been called upon to adequately fund the Nigeria Police which is the panacea to exploit the abundant potentials in officers and men of the force.

Secretary to the Edo State Government, Prof.

Julius Ihonvbere stated

2013 Budget Amendment

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NASS, Okonjo-Iweala fight dirty

By JOSES SEDE ABUJA – The maxim that grasses always suffer when two elephants fight, is set to play out in an escalating war of supremacy between the federal legislators and the executive arm over the 2013 Budget implementation.

The Budget which was presented to the National Assembly (NASS) by President Goodluck Jonathan in November

2012, was passed the following month of December (2012) to allow for 100% implementation, from January 2013 to December 2013.

However, the Appropriation Bill was not

signed into law until February 2013; and on March 14, an amendment proposal was transmitted to NASS by the presidency, an act that

unsettled the legislators.

Also in June 26, a new version of the categorised 2013 amendment budget

proposal indicating

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Kidnap of S-Court Judge’s wife

SSS parades suspects

BENIN CITY- Three members of a gang that kidnapped the wife, daughter and driver of a Judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Bode

Rhodes-Vivour, in May, this year, were among seven suspects paraded by the State Security Services in Benin City, yesterday.

The other suspects paraded were three extortionists who threatened to kill their victim if he didn’t pay up and a musician who was

paraded for trafficking in persons.

The State Director of the SSS, Mr. Bello Bakori who paraded the

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

News

Oba Erediauwa meets stakeholders over oil the Benin Monarch was read by the secretary to the Benin well, boundary dispute and amicable resolution of the Monarch, O. Oronsaye impasse to the extent of Continued from page 1

leading directors of the Minstry of Special Duties, Oil and Gas to the administrative headquarters of Seplat in Lagos to table the matter before the oil company’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Austin Avuru as well as involving the Edo State Surveyor-General to Professionally determine the location of the oil well dispute.

According to the commissioner, the outcome of the survey indicated that the oil well that was being contested was more than two kilometers into the land of Orogho Community in Edo State.

While drawing the Oba’s attention to the brewing controversy in Obagienunuamwen Community in Edo State, Ambassador OmoOjo also told His Royal Majesty

that the state governor had approved his official journey to Abuja to take the Orogho boundary dispute with Boboroku to the National Boundaries Commission pointing out that the Owe Community crisis with the neighbouring community in Delta was another pathetic situation.

At the meeting, the letter written by the commissioner to

called Human Rights Organisations.” The statement said.

The CRPP urged the Comrade Governor to ignore those jobless, ill motivated critics and self style human rights activists condemning the execution of these hardened criminals who deserve no sympathy of any responsible organisations.”

CRPP accused civil society organisations of not being sincere to themselves, they are playing to the gallery to justify the money they collected fraudulently from the unsuspecting foreign donors in

the name of fighting injustice, human rights and good Governance, they are all pretenders.”

“These NGOs should be asked what about the victims mudered and the families they left behind, who cares for them, where were the so called NGOs till now when the offence were committed. The holy books abhors killing the innocent souls. That is why they place injunction that “whatsoever kills by the sword much surely die by the sword.” It is only God that giveth life and also taketh life.”

CRPP stated.

Police.

Prof. Ihonvbere said most officers and men of the Nigeria Police have demonstrated high level of patriotism and commitment to the Nigeria state and expressed concern that insufficient funding has been the major bane to their performance when compared to their contemporaries else where.

The SSG said his newly

elevated orderly has remained a dutiful, courageous, experienced and honest police officer even while he was in the state anti-robbery squad, adding that the promotion is well deserved.

The decoration of the newly promoted Inspector, Oruamen Vincent, was witnessed by some of his colleagues in Government House and members of staff, office of the SSG.

Pol parties back Oshiomhole

Continued from page 1

of the devilish criminals who

have no value for human life.

“The CRPP is in support of the signing of their death warrant to serve as a deterrent to those whom devil will use again to commit such dastardly act. As Edo State is noted for notoriety, cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and other social vices. We are much grateful to the Governor for not allowing the tax payers money to be used in feeding notorious killers under the pretext of converting their death sentence to life imprisonment as been canvassed by the so

Fund Police adequately, FG urged

Continued from page 1

this in Government House, Benin City, shortly after he decorated his police orderly who was recently promoted.

Prof. Ihonvbere, assisted by the ADC to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Haruna Yusuf decorated Mr. Oruamen Vincent, orderly to the SSG who was newly promoted to the rank of inspector in the Nigeria

NASS, Okonjo-Iweala fight dirty

Continued from page 1

changes proposed across the expenditure categories was forwarded to the NASS. In the new version, President Jonathan canvassed restoration of about N72.2 billion he alleged was cut from his initial proposal.

“This cut will have the adverse effect of severely undermining our capacity to create the jobs needed for our teeming unemployed youths, women and physically challenged citizens.

Personnel cost was cut across all MDAs (Ministries, Departments and Agencies) which will make it difficult to meet government’s obligations to its workers.

I therefore seek your kind understanding for the restoration of the said cuts in order to maintain industrial harmony”, the presidential letter read in part.

While the presidential letter is under consideration, the minister of finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala allegedly remarked that unless the cuts were restored, October salaries of federal government workers would be impossible.

In his response however, Senate Committee chairman on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Sen. Eyinnaya Abaribe insisted on the constitutional rights of NASS to approve national budget as they deem fit and necessary for the country.

He therefore warned the minister to desist from

comments that “tend to give the impression of a collision course between the executive and the legislature” adding, “we are all working towards the same purpose and our purpose is to make sure that we take care of the welfare of Nigerians”.

Speaking on the new amendment version, the Senate spokesperson regretted that it was contrary to an earlier agreement, stressing that the proposed amendments was more voluminous than the original Budget document.

He added that the amendment consideration would only be possible after the August/September recess, during which time 2014 Budget proposal is expected to be transmitted to NASS by the president.

What we got from the President which is actually a third amendment is a set of documents amending the budget.

Now, we find that these documents are even larger than the budget itself and there is no way the Senate and indeed the National Assembly can consider these amendments until we come back from our vacation this year.

There is absolutely no way amendments of this nature would be considered with the short time we have until we go on our national vacation.

The point really, is that, we thought that if there are differences, and this was discussed with the Presidency, that we take those few differences and deal with them.

Coming to now bring up a

whole list of amendments that are even much more than the original documents, I do not expect that the Presidency will not expect us to take time to look through it.

In addition to all this we already have other things that we have to deal with; so, what we want to appeal is that, effort should not be made to put us on a collision course”, he added.

The 2013 Budget is N62,598,425,601 above N4,924,604,000,000 total package earlier submitted to the NASS by President Goodluck Jonathan on October 10, 2012.

These increases are reflected in Capital Expenditure of N1,621,477,655,252 which is N80,703,655,252 above the N1,540,774,000,000 approved for 2012; and Statutory Transfers of N387.976 billion which is N7.956 billion above N380.020 billion approved for 2012.

However, the Recurrent Expenditure package of N2,386,024,770,349 for 2013 is N2,602,122,965 less than the N2,412,046,000,000 approved for 2012, while the N591,764,000,000 for Debt Service in 2012 remains for 2013.

The NASS also increased the executive proposed crude oil Benchmark of US$75 per barrel to US$79 per barrel, but approved the proposals of 2.53 million barrels per day, Gross Domestic Product rate of 6.5%, and inflation rate of 9.5%, while Exchange rate of Naira to the US Dollar is N160.

Guobadia.

In his comments, the Iyasere of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe who expressed displeasure over the situation, said the quietness and peaceful disposition of Edo people should not be mistaken as weakness adding that Seplat should not also use the funds sourced from the natural resource of Orogho Community to pay persons not from the state.

He, however, urged the federal government and that of Edo State and Delta States to urgently step into the matter and resolve it soonest.

Also, the Enogie of Orogho Dukedom, Prince (Engr.)

Osayande Patrick Akenzua, disclosed that Seplat had met the requirement of paying the indigenes of Orogho and Boboroku equally and that the oil company had promised to pay the royalty.

In his remarks, the Obobaifo of Benin Kingdom, Chief Esosa Eghobamien, said he is a member of the Edo State Boundaries Committee and recalled a boundary meeting held in Delta which did not end amicably even as he hinted that the state Boundaries Committee had not met for the past three years.

Chief Eduwu Ekhator, the Ekhator of Benin Kingdom admitted that he was aware of the controversy and commended Ambassador OmoOjo for being pro-active in resolving the issue.

Speaking on behalf of Seplat Petroleum Development Company Limited, the Base Manager and Logistics Support, Prince Dr. Chuks’ Igelenyah reiterated that the company had commenced equal payment royalties to indigenes of both Orogho and Boborolu and promised that the royalty would also be paid just as he expressed hope that the boundary dispute would be resolved once and for all.

SSS parades suspects

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suspects before the Governor and the Press said the suspects had confessed to the crime and that three members of the kidnappers of the Judge’s wife are still at large.

He said Mrs. Rhodes-Vivour and her daughter were kept in a house in Upper Sokponba, area of Benin City from where the kidnap suspects were arrested. All the kidnap suspects were from Delta State while the trafficker in persons is from Edo State.

The Governor who was miffed that despite Government’s warning that landlords should screen their tenants to ensure that their properties are not used by criminal elements said the buildings used by the kidnap suspects to hold the Judge’s wife, daughter and driver will be demolished at the appropriate time.

“For the landlords, we have already made the decision that anyone that aids and abets kidnapping will have his structure demolished. Any hotelier who does not follow the instruction of documenting who stays in the hotel and such are used for kidnapping or human trafficking, we will demolish it.

Nobody has the right to make money out of the pains of Nigerians”, he said.

Itohan Osahon-Ogbeide emerges ALGON Chairman BENIN CITY – The Chairman, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Council, Hon. (Mrs.) Itohan OsahonOgbeide has emerged chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Edo State chapter after an election in Benin City.

Also elected was the chairman, Esan Central Local Government Council, Hon. Solomon Eremosele as Vice Chairman, and the Chairman, Owan East Local government Council, Hon. Jimoh Ijegbai as Secretary of ALGON. The chairman, Ovia South West Local Government Council, Hon. Morrison Ogunrobo Ovia emerged the ALGON Public Relations Officer; Chairman, Etsako East Local Government

Council, Hon. Suleiman Afegbua, Treasurer while the Chairman Esan South East Local Government Council, Hon. Joseph Ikpea emerged the ALGON financial secretary.

After the election, the ALGON executive members visited the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Lucky James to formally introduce themselves.

Addressing the new executives, the commissioner urged them to be role models, focused, positive in thinking and people – oriented in governance.

He urged them to be united and work as a team towards enhancing the welfare of the people at the grassroots.

8 Fuel Laden Ship wait to discharge at Lagos Ports LAGOS - Eight ship are waiting to discharge petroleum products at the various oil terminals in Lagos ports, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said.

The “Shipping Position’’, a daily publication of the NPA, made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos, reported that seven of the ships were laden with petrol, while a ship would discharge ethanol.

The document

indicated that six other ships were waiting to discharge bulk wheat, bulk sugar, bulk fertilizer and containers.

It also reported that 93 ships, carrying different cargoes, would arrive Lagos ports from July 2 to July 28.

NPA said that 17 of the expected ships would arrive with petroleum products.

It said that other ships would sail in with new and used vehicles, general cargoes, bulk wheat, bulk fertilizer, fresh fish, rice, steel products and containers.

Monarch tasks Nigerians on cultural practices LAGOS - Oba Abiodun Adekoya, the Onigegbo of Ibonwon Land, Epe Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, has urged Nigerians to develop a good attitude towards government property and cultural practices.

Adekoya told newsmen in Lagos yesterday that most Nigerians had negative attitude toward culture and government properties.

“Many people vandalise government properties and neglect indigenous culture because of the negative attitude they have towards public facilities and cultural practices. “ M a i n t a i n i n g government property and embracing the nation’s culture would build the

society and encourage development, “ Adekoya said.

He urged Nigerians to see government properties as their own and ensure their proper maintenance.

Adekoya urged youths to embrace, appreciate and value the nation’s rich culture for peaceful coexistence.

“Most Nigerian youths dress indecently, thereby causing public harassment by the people.

“The uncultured attitude by youths is as a result of civilisation and modernisation, “ he said.

He said that for peace to reign in the country, parents, teachers and leaders should inculcate maintenance culture in their children and wards, and teach them how to embrace the Nigerian culture.

By OSE EHEBHA

by the clan Head of the community, Chief Ike Ikebodi, investigation revealed, is being resisted by some youths led by the community youth leader, Mr. Jonathan Mawa.

After series of confrontations, it was learnt that one of the groups allegedly mobilized cultists from neighbouring community to invade Illushi with dangerous weapons, resulting in the death of one Abiodun Ojobor and injuring of several others.

1 die in Illushi crisis, as clan head flees

ILLUSHI Uneasy calm now pervades Illushi Community in Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State, following violent clashes that have claimed one life.

THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER gathered that the clashes were occasioned by disagreements between two rival groups over collection of revenue in the community.

A group allegedly backed

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Inside Edo Etsako Central LG Boss Inaugurates Land Allocation Advisory C’tee FUGAR-The Executive Chairman of Etsako Central Local Government Council, Hon Emmanuel Ozemede Momoh has charged members of Land Allocation Advisory Committee to ensure that they work within the ambit of the land use law as enshrined in the Nigeria constitution and applicable in Edo state.

The chairman stated this while inaugurating the 8 member committee at the council secretariat in Fugar, the administrative headquarters of the local government.

He noted that the committee was the first to be inaugurated since his assumption of office a sign of the importance of the committee to his administration’s agenda for the development of the local government Area.

Hon Momoh said the decision to set up the committee was as a result of calls the civil servants who emphasized on the need to set up a body to advice the chairman on land allocation committee in the local government Area.

He urged the committee members to show more dedication and commitment to the service of the local government and to boost the revenue of the local government, saying the task ahead of the committee was rigorous but however expressed confidence in them.

The council boss said it was the responsibility of the committee to formulate policies within the ambit of the law which will affect the indigenes of the area positively hence the selection of the members was based on their credibility and commitment which he said should be brought to bear in the discharge of their duty.

Responding on behalf of other members, the chairman of the committee, Mr. John Ogah thanked the council boss for finding them worthy of appointment and promised not to betray the confidence reposed in them.

Mr. Ogah said he is not unfamiliar with the local government system of administration as he has

worked with them for many years abroad and assured the chairman that they will put in their best by ensuring that the council gets the needed advice and support.

He promised that the

committee would devote its time and service towards the provision of all the necessary advice needed by the local government and the necessary resources to run the council.

Pr actice Your Belief Practice Belief,, Spiritual Leader Ur ges Urg Faithfuls

By INOCENT OMOAKA BENIN CITY- His Holiness, Bhakti Dhira

Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu (Arrowed) flanked by his wife, children and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Women Leaders in the state cutting the birthday annivery cake of the deputy governor in Benin City.

Edo Assures Of Cancer Cure, Blindness

BENIN CITY- The Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), Professor Julius Ihonvbere, has reiterated the state government’s resolve in the prevention and cure of cancer and blindness in the state.

He made this known at the re-launch of the Amen Health Foundation in Benin recently.

According to the SSG who was represented by the Permanent Secretary office

of the Secretary to the state Government, Barrister M. Abu, cancer and blindness has become a peculiar health problem that needs serious medical attention.

He advised people to always check themselves regularly to ensure that their body is functioning well, adding that a functioning body always leads to good health and long life.

Also speaking Chairman, Order Local Government

Area, Mr. Osaro Obazee, assured of his administration’s support for the foundation.

He said that this council is committed to the wellness of all, adding noting that the foundations goals were in line with the council vision in the health sector.

He therefore charged well-meaning individuals and organisations within the state to embark on similar developmental project.

Speaking during the occasion the Founder and President of Amen Health Care Foundation, Mrs. Aizehi Oguntoyinto, said that the re-launch of the foundation was to redirect and reinforce approach of

communities towards cancer and blindness.

She said the foundation is providing glasses, performing cataract surgeries, cervical cancer screening training on self-breast examination, lectures on hygiene and family planning.

She stated that these services are meant to enhance the well-being of the general public.

The event which was done in collaboration with the Department of Eye, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) had health workers and organisations in attendance. The Amen Health Care Foundation was launched in 2004.

Damodara Swami of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON), Hare Krishna movement in West has called on Nigerians of different religious persuation to put into practice the true teachings of their faith.

He gave this call during the ISKON Annual West Africa Festivals and Memorial of a leader of the movement, at the weekend in Benin City.

According to His Holiness Bhakti Dhira, the festival celebration is aimed at promoting the consciousness of God among men and the need to draw closer to him.

Speaking with The NIGERIAN OBSERVER, he said the problems confronting today’s society are consequences of the lost of consciousness’ of God among men.

He however, warned that Nigerians should not mistake religion as a goal in life, rather, it should be utilized as a vehicle for attaining the true goal of life, which is God’s kingdom.

According to him, “the only true way to achieving the goal of life is to put into practice what each religion teaches its adherents.”

He noted that since religion is more about God, people should endevour to be like God in their daily conduct and relationship and not competing with animals that only focus on eating, sleeping and mating.

EDSOP ADEC Pr oject To Be EDSOPADEC Project Completed In 2 Weeks

Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Oius Egberanmwen Odubu and his wife, Deaconess Endurance with inmates of Orphanage who graced the 56 birthday anniversary of the Deputy Governor cutting the anniversary cake. PHOTO: MOSES OBOH

BENIN CITY- The construction of a block of six classrooms in the newly established Oba Erediauwa Primary School located in the interior part of Upper Mission Road Aduwawa axis, Benin City is to be completed within two weeks.

The construction work is under the auspices of Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development C o m m i s s i o n (EDSOPADEC). When of-

ficials of the state Ministry of Special Duties, Oil and Gas led by the Director of Administration and Supply Mr. Osa Asemota visited the site of the project as part of ongoing inspection of EDSOPADEC projects it was observed that work had reached advanced stage.

Speaking about the project, the project manager, Mr. Charles Daudu expressed optimism that, with timely release of fund, the

project would be completed on the scheduled date.

Other EDSOPADEC projects inspected were the construction of toilets and water borehole at Ugiomo Junior Secondary Schools at Evboriaria and the Solar powered Water borehole at Army Day secondary school on Lucky Way , between Ramat part and Upper Mission Road, Benin City.

All the projects are cited in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.

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Inside Edo

(L-R): Dr. Osagie Obayuwana (left) and Hon. Justice R. I. Amaize (rtd) Chairman of the panel of Inquiry into the fire outbreak at the Ministry of Secondary, Technical and Higher Education, Iyaro,Benin City.

Public Service Drivers Trained On Road Safety

BENIN CITY – A one day seminar on road safety and good human relation for drivers in Edo State public Service has been held in Benin City, Edo State.

The seminar, organized by the Directorate of Establishment, Training and Management Services of the office of the state Head of Service in conjunction with Isaac Rufus Associates was borne out of the need to further acquaint participants with relevant safety codes and technique.

According to the State Head of Service Princess Ekiuwa Inneh, who was represented by Mr. A.T. Idahosa, the seminar became necessary following observation that government drivers who are supposed to be role models to other road users after times exhibits habits which fall short of public expectation.

She commended the state Governor, Comrade Adams

Oshiomhole for his commitment to capacity building of all categories of staff in the state public service with a view to enhancing quality service delivery.

Speaking on the topic, “Discipline and Good Human Relationship,” a Management Consultant and Human Resources expert, Elder Reads Alufohai charged the drivers to

exhibit characters that would not bring the public service to disrepute.

On his part, Major P.U. Udugbezi advised the drivers to adopt preventive maintenance as it is the best and most appropriate way to manage their vehicles.

He noted that 80 percent of road accidents are preventable ones that are due to human error.

Participants at the seminar were drawn from various ministries and government agencies and department.

ASUU Strike: Students Call For Dialogue

By EMMANUEL EGOBIAMBU/GEORGE OGBOLU/OYENMWENN OMOROGBE BENIN CITY – Students have expressed displeasure over the strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), saying it would have a negative effect on the academic calendar of institutions of higher learning and might lure students to engage in nefarious acts.

According to a 200 level students of Business Administration, DELSU, Reginal Usarrier the strike will affect the smooth running of academic programmes. She noted that though the federal government is doing its best to improve

noted that the best way Among Stakeholders to Rhoda forestall the strike from

education is the country, there is need to do more.

She said that the last strike action embarked upon by the lecturers is still affecting most schools as they are still struggling to meet up with the normal academic calendar.

Also speaking, Anthony Okpala, of the political science department, UNIBEN, regretted the ongoing strike by ASUU. He said that it was not in the best interest of the students and the country’s education at large.

Anthony advised the appropriate stakeholders to come to the round table and resolve the matter amicably.

Also Isaiah Imharria, a 300

level student of Mass Communication, UNIBEN said that the strike action is a bad omen for the nation’s academic advancement.

Isaiah’s said that the strike will affect the academic programmes in the country, adding that no other country will have their programmes running with the country lagging behind.

Another student Musa Rhoda, 300 level Mass Communication student UNIBEN, bemoaned government’s inability to meet up with the demands of ASUU. She said that the strike action will hamper the growth of the nation’s educational system.

pronouncement on the Enogieship seat in Igbontor Community as reached on 11th

June, 2013.

It will be recalled that following the solution of the leadership tussle in Igbontor in Igbanke Community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State on the 11th of June, 2013, the Royal Legal Adviser, Evbuomwan Sylvester Esq in a letter dated June 13th 2013, and forwarded to the Palace of the Benin Monarch, requested for a copy of the Omo N’Oba’s pronouncement which was subsequently obliged.

dragging on is to adopt dialogue.

However, Chizzy Opara, a Theatre Arts student, UNIBEN charged the Federal Government and ASUU to mend fences immediately so as to avoid further crime in the country.

He said that allowing the strike to continue will only make students roam the streets and therefore become tools in the hands of criminally minded individuals.

Disregard Misinformation About My Tenure - IPMAN

By ROLAND OSAKUE Zonal Boss BENIN CITY - The acting zonal chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPMAN), the Uwayoba of Benin Kingdom, Chief Solomon Nosakhare Ogbewe (JP) has called on marketers and entire people in the zone to discountenance the purported statement by one of its members alleging that his tenure was over.

Chief Ogbewe, who was reacting to a newspaper publication allegedly signed by one Elder Francis Ogunsuyi urged the public to disregard the empty venom as there was nothing like “Elders Council” in IPMAN, even as his claims were ridiculously designed.

The Zonal Chairman further explained that all members of IPMAN, as well as its zonal executives were merely holding forth for the National Executive Council, which is the highest decision making body in the Association.

According to him, “the body has been very peaceful and there is no looming crisis in the zone” He lamented why somebody could sit down in the corner of his office and continue to fabricate lies, just as he described it as the figment of his imagination.

He further asserted that the National Secretariat in a letter duly signed by Alhaji Aminu Abdulkadir and Mr Mike Osatuyi, National President and Secretary of the Association respectively further re-appointed him to be acting as the Zonal Chairman of IPMAN, Midwestern Zone, which comprises of Benin and Warri Units.

Chief Ogbewe, therefore

called on the law-abiding marketers in the Zone to put behind them the spirit of insurrection as the association was bigger than any individual or group of persons who wish to toe the line of peace.

Meanwhile, a group of Concerned Marketers in the Zone has disassociated itself from the said newspaper publication, which they described as the “face of undue personality” in the paper.

The group in a communiqué signed by one Douglas Osagie Iyike and Adesuwa Emuze and others, made available to The NIGERIAN OBSERVER condemned the said publication in strong terms, particularly as the author, Francis Ogunsuyi urged the marketers to stop the legitimate levy paid by its members to the association.

The communiqué however, stated that the said “elders forum” was unknown to the IPMAN constitution and therefore advised all its members to disregard the antics of the forum to cause feud within its members.

Chief Solomon N. Ogbewe Ag. Zonal Chairman, IPMAN

Cleric Urges Christians To Be Focused In Their Vision In Life

By EMMANUEL EGOBIAMBU BENIN CITY – Christians have been charged to guard their focus as it is the only way to make their visions in life not to crash.

Pastor Prosper Opute, made the call while ministering at the Christ Ambassadors Students Outreach (CASOR), UNIBEN/UBTH CCA convocation.

According to him, focus allows a Christian not to be distracted in the pursuit of their goals in life.

He said that as light givers, the believers, attract all sorts of people and should therefore take heed of people in their lives.

Pastor Prosper however urged them to pursue fervent love for one another.

He stated that it is the only way to fulfill God’s command adding that showing love should be practical and not by words of mouth. He also called on them to be submissive to leaders as they are God’s representatives on earth.

Benin Monarch Reaffirms HRH Jeremiah Omorodion As Enogie Of Igbontor

BENIN CITY – The Benin Monarch, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba of Benin, has reaffirmed His Royal Highness (HRH) Jeremiah Omorodion as the Enogie of Igbontor in Igbanke Community.

In a letter referenced Palace 113/Vol.X1/S/178 dated 25th June 2013 and signed by the Secretary to the Oba of Benin, O. Oronsaye-Guobadia, a copy of which was made available to The NIGERIAN OBSERVER, THE Benin Monarch stated that the reaffirmation was sequel to a request for a copy of his

HRH Jeremiah Omorodion

(Left): Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Secondary, Technical and Higher Education, Mrs. Gladys Idahor (left) and the Secretary of the Panel of Inquiry into the fire incident that guited the Ministry last month, Mrs P. E. Aziegbemhin during the inaugural sitting of thepanel

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Across The Nation Reha bilita tion of Mission Sc hools: ehabilita bilitation Schools:

AWKA -Governor Peter Obi of Anambra has presented cheques worth N733 million to churches for the rehabilitation of mission primary schools in the state.

Reports that the schools were returned to the churches by his administration in 2011.

Presenting the say cheques at the Government Lodge, Awka, Obi expressed satisfaction that

his partnership with the Church in the area of education and infrastructure development was yielding positive results.

“Last year, Anambra came first in NECO. This year the state produced the best in Unity Schools,” Obi said.

He said the aim of returning the schools to missions was to restore the schools to its pride

of place, especially in the area of quality upbringing of children.

Go v Obi Dona tes N733m Gov Donates The governor said more buses, computers, generators

and internet facilities would be provided to government, church and privately owned

Painter, One Other, Acquited Of Murder

LAGOS -An Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, has discharged and acquitted a painter, Gbadebo Oladejo, who was earlier charged with the murder of his 40-year-old wife, Olajumoke.

Oladejo, 46, and his apprentice, Simeon Abiona, 34, were arraigned before the court on March 19, on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder.

The accused, whose pleas were not taken, were subsequently remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons At the resumed hearing of the case, the Magistrate, Miss Y.B. Okusanya-Badejo, discharged and acquitted the two men, following a legal advice from Mrs. Olayide Eboda, the State Director of Public Prosecutions.

The advice, which was read by the prosecutor, Mr. Cyriacus Osuji, quotes Eboda as saying “after a careful consideration of the facts of the case, a prima facie case of murder cannot be established against the accused.’’

She said that for prosecution to sustain a charge of murder, the following must be established: that death had occurred and that such death was caused by the accused.

Others are that the act was done with intention to cause grievous bodily harm or death, and that the accused knew that death would be a probable consequence of his action.

The director said that the police duplicate case file revealed that on the Feb.14, the two accused returned home from work, ate dinner and later retired to different rooms to sleep.

“In the morning, the husband, sent for his wife and unfortunately she was found dead with the loss of one of her eyes and there were marks of violence on her, but no sign of forceful entry,” she said.

Eboda noted that the deceased was buried without an autopsy, which would have thrown light on the cause of death.

According to her, there are no facts in the case linking the accused to the death of his wife.

The director, who further noted that there was also no eyewitness account, said“ thus it will be impossible for prosecution to prove its case against the accused and sustain conviction.’’

She ordered that the two accused should be discharged and released immediately, if still in custody.

Eboda said that the legal ad-

vice was attached for service on each of the accused, in compliance with the provisions of Section 74(5) of the Administration of Criminal Law 2011.

Earlier at their arraignment, the prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 221 and 231 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

schools before the end of the year.

Obi expressed satisfaction that his partnership with the Church in the area of education and infrastructure development were yielding positive results.

The Anglican Church was represented by Archbishop Christian Efobi while the Catholic Church was represented by the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor.

“Today our secondary schools can boast of buses; we want to thank God because Obi is doing this because he has the fear of God,” he said.

He assured the governor that the beneficiaries would continue to support him and the state in prayers.

Ezeokafor, who represented Archbishop Valerie Okeke, thanked the governor for the courage to return the schools and for the continued support to rehabilitate them.

From left: Former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and Senate President David Mark, at the 4th National Civil Military Dialigue resently.

Improved Maternal Health

Govt Donates N320 MAIDUGURI -The Borno and Shani in the Southern SenaMOU Government has signed a N320 torial Zone, hospitals in Mafa,

Leader, Federal Government Delegation to China on Poverty Alleviation, Chief Aroh Nweke (L), addressing newsmen in Enugu recently with him is member, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mrs. Ify Igwe.

million Memorandum of Understanding with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), to improve maternal health care services in the state.

Dr Salma Kolo, the Commissioner for Health, signed on behalf of the state, while the NHIS Zonal Coordinator, Alhaji Ma’aji Abdu, signed on behalf of the scheme.

Speaking at the ceremony, Kolo said that the MoU was aimed at providing access to free maternal health care services for women of productive age in all parts of the state.

She said that the programme would take off as a pilot scheme in three hospitals in each of the three senatorial districts.

“We have selected the General Hospitals in Askira-Uba, Biu

NHF Contributions Hit N22b

ABUJA - Chief Bisi Ogunjobi, the Board Chairman, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), said the National Housing Fund(NHF) contributions hit N22 billion in the last two years.

He gave the figure at a sensitisation workshop on the national housing fund organised for stakeholders in the housing sector in Abuja.

Ogunjobi said that through the bank’s “aggressive pursuit’’ of more contributory states, contributions to the scheme rose from N17 billion in 2011 to N22 billion in 2012.

He said the figure accounted for about 40 per cent of total collections since inception about 21 years ago.

He said the workshop was part of the bank’s strategic campaigns to enlighten the public and other stakeholders on the roles, rules and operations of the fund in providing affordable houses to Nigerians.

He, however, said that in spite of the gains of the last two years, the scheme had failed to achieve its set target as a window of housing provision in Nigeria.

According to him, some of the factors affecting the smooth operations of the fund are the failure of some states and organisations to contribute to it.

He also mentioned lack of finance from banks and insurance companies and poor management of the fund.

“With the establishment of the NHF 21 years ago, it should have become an adult, having reached the age of puberty and be eligible to vote and be voted for and ready to take on responsibilities.

“Unfortunately, the high hopes enshrined in the NHF Act have not all been realised.

“For example, while NHF is a mandatory contributory scheme for all Nigerian workers, not all states and organisations are contributors to

- FMBN Chairman

the scheme, while the investments expected from the banks and insurance companies are non-existent.

“At the same time, the management and performance of the fund have been less than optimal’’, he added.

Amid the constraints, the chairman said the focus of the

bank was to increase the NHF base, coverage, collection, remittance and achieve overall efficiency and persuade the noncompliant states and organisations to join the scheme.

He identified lack of access to funding, difficulties with property registration, titling, cost and time of foreclosing, high interest rate and lack of housing supply in new construction as major challenges of the sector.

Dikwa and Guzamala will host the scheme in the central zone.

“In Northern zone, the scheme will take off in hospitals in Mobbar, Magumeri and Malamfatori,” Kolo said.

She said that the state government had provided the counterpart funds needed for the takeoff of the scheme.

“Gov. Kashim Shettima has approved the release of N160 million being the counterpart fund for the take-off of the scheme.

“The money represents 50 per cent of the total cost of the scheme as contained in the MoU,” Kolo said, adding that NHIS would provide the balance.

The commissioner said that under the scheme, free medical services would be provided for children under five, as well as nutritional support for pregnant women.

“All women of reproductive age, pregnant women and children under the age of five will have free medical services.

“We also provide free drugs and nutritional support for pregnant women right from conception to three months after delivery,” Kolo said.

Also speaking, Abdu said that the agreement would fast-track the attainment of the Millennium Development Goal 4, to provide access to quality health care services to the people.

Security Guard Remanded Over Alleged address.

Murder Of Employer mentioned He said that the accused, and LAGOS - An Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos has remanded a 27-yearold security guard, Abdullahi Hassan, at the Ikoyi Prisons, over the alleged murder of his employer, Mrs. Azighode Idoko.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Y.O. Aje-Ajunwa, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody, pending legal

advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions.

The accused, who resides at his employer’s residence at No. 8, Ladipo Latinwo Crescent, Lekki Phase I, Lagos, is facing a charge of murder.

The Prosecutor, ASP Etim Nkankuk, said that the offence was committed on June 5 at about 1:30 a.m., at the above

others still at large, allegedly strangled Idoko, 27, at midnight in her house.

Nkankuk said the offence committed contravened Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Reports that Section 221 provides a death penalty for convicted offenders.

The case was adjourned to July 17 for mention.

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South West Sacked Lecturers: Osun Assembly

Orders Reinstatement

L-R: Principal, Sunshine International High School, Ibadan, Mr. Kayode Bakare, Teacher, Mr. Adegb ulukigbe Joseph, Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Nasir Ayilara and another teacher, Mr. Lanre Bakare, during voters education exercise in the School recently.

Students of the Sunshine School, Ibadan, casting their votes during the voters education exercise in the school recently in Ibadan.

OSOGBO -The Osun State House of Assembly has issued a two-week ultimatum to the management of the state College of Education in IlaOrangun to reinstate sacked lecturers of the institution.

Mr. Johnson Ojo, the Vice Chairman, House Committee on Education, Science and Technology, gave the directive in Osogbo when the committee met with the management and governing council of the College.

Ojo warned the management that failure to comply with the order of the House would attract sanctions.

The committee expressed dismay that the College had flouted the directive given by the House to reinstate the lecturers more than three months ago.

It was learnt that the affected lecturers were sacked over a loan package acquired by the cooperative society of the school.

The House also urged the newly-appointed governing council to look for ways of generating revenue and improving standards in the school.

In his response, the Chairman of the council, Mr. Oyeniyi Akande, represented by a member, Mr. Oyewole Otitoola, lauded the House

committee for its intervention.

Oyewole told the legislators

Jail Break: 54 Fleeing Inmates Re-Arrested AKURE -The Ondo Police Command says 54 of the 175 prisoners that escaped when gunmen attacked the Olokuta Medium Prison on Sunday have been re-arrested.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Wole Ogodo, told newsmen in Akure that the arrested inmates had been returned to custody.

Ogodo described as incorrect the report in some newspapers that 10 travellers were killed during the jail break.

The police spokesman said no death was recorded during the incident, adding that the attack was mainly aimed at freeing some members of the gang being held in the prison.

He urged journalists to always cross check their information before going to press.

Reports state that no fewer than 175 inmates early on Sunday escaped from the facility when gunmen numbering about 30 attacked the prison located on Ondo Road on the outskirts of Akure.

The Comptroller of Prisons in the state, Mr. Tunde Olayiwola, had told newsmen that the attack was unusual and that the culprits would soon be brought to book.

Olayiwola said the incident happened around 12.05 a.m., adding that the attack was not masterminded by the Boko Haram

Ajimobi Tasks Africans On Cultural Heritage

IBADAN - Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has stressed the need for Africans to show greater commitment to promotion of their culture.

Ajimobi made the call in Ibadan while declaring open the third Toyin Falola Annual International Conference (TOFAC) on Africa and the African Diaspora “Our rich African culture faces the risk of extinction if stakeholders do not embrace the drive to promote the values of Africa,’’ he said.

Ajimobi, who was represented by Mrs. Adetutu Akhigbe-Adeyemi, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, tasked TOFAC to do its best in setting agenda for the promotion of Yoruba culture.

“I am very happy about the whole idea and the personalities behind this programme.

“I am expecting that the conference will, no doubt, offer recommendations and

suggestions that would be beneficial to Oyo State and the entire nation,’’ she said.

Prof. Ademola Dasilva, the convener of TOFAC 2013 said the forum engaged the minds in matters of serious concern on Africa and the African Diaspora.

“The main objectives are the promotion of excellence in Africa and the African Diaspora cultural studies.

We create general awareness and proffer enduring solutions on matters that

Audit Query:

concern Africa.

“TOFAC is originally designed to go round Africa to engender a network of budding scholars, to facilitate effective mentorship, global exposure and visibility’’, Dasilva said.

Prof. Gabriel Ogunmola, the Chancellor, Lead City University (LCU), said the conference was named after

Prof. Toyin Falola under the auspices of the Ibadan Cultural Group, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan.

Ogunmola said Falola was honoured with the programme in recognition of his contributions to the promotion of African values.

Reports say that the occasion featured the formal transfer of the TOFAC

plaque to LCU by the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism.

Dr. Doyin Aguoru of the University of Ilorin; Dr. Ayo Owolabi, LCU; Dr. Abimbola Asojo, University of Minnesota; and Dr. Olufadekemi Adagbada, Olabisi Onabanjo University were presented with the TOFAC Awards at the occasion.

The theme of TOFAC 2013 is “‘Ethnicity, race and peace in Africa and the African Diaspora.’’

Ogun Assembly Threatens LG Officials

ABEOKUTA -The Ogun Assembly has said that any local government official who refused to answer an audit query would be sanctioned in line with public service rules.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Mr. Abiodun Akovonyon, stated this in Abeokuta.

He spoke while conducting a check on the 2011 audited account of local government councils in the state.

Akovonyon said that refusal to answer an audit query was a serious offence, adding that the check being conducted was not to witch-hunt any ministry or agency.

Noting that the exercise was to correct anomalies noticed in the 2011 auditor’s report, he advised the affected local government councils to allow internal auditors to operate according to rules and regulations.

He urged also the AuditorGeneral for Local Government to take a second look at all the financial queries with a view to determining whether there were inflated contracts.

The lawmaker expressed the determination of the Assembly to ensure repayment of such funds into government’s coffers.

Also speaking, the committee’s vice chairman,

that the council would look into the matter and take appropriate steps.

Mrs. Adijat Adeleye-oladapo, stressed the need to re-orientate local government officials.

Adeleye-Oladapo advised local government officials to allow internal auditors to operate freely, saying this would make the auditorgeneral’s job more effective.

Reports say that local government councils in attendance included those of Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Ifo and Ado- Odo Ota.

as being speculated in some quarters.

“We cannot specifically identify those behind the attack, but the attack is unusual.

“One of our officers was injured during the attack and he is in the hospital right now receiving treatment. “ But I am assuring that those behind the attack will brought to book,” he said.

Olayiwola said the attack was the first of its kind in the history of the prison.

Commissioner Laments Poor State Of Hospital OSOGBO -The Osun Commissioner for Finance, Economic Planning and Budget, Dr Wale Bolorunduro has expressed dismay over the poor state of governmentowned hospitals in the state.

Bolorunduro made the remark in Osogbo when he received a monitoring team led

by Mr. Ayanleye Aina, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary saddled with the responsibility of assessing the hospitals.

He said that due to the long period of neglect by past administrations, health infrastructure in the affected hospitals had become deplorable.

According to the commissioner, most warehouses and corps members’ lodges have become abode of wild animals while labour rooms and kitchens are not better than abattoirs.

“Mortuaries, x-ray departments, bed rooms and other hospital equipment have been damaged beyond reasonable level,” Bolorunduro lamented.

The commissioner urged contractors handling the ongoing rehabilitation and renovation of the nine government-owned hospitals to meet the stipulated deadline for completion of work.

Bolorunduro told them that Gov. Rauf Aregbesola was eager to have high quality service and that they should not disappoint.

He said that Aregbesola had approved N1.7 billion to upgrade neglected hospitals at Ile-Ife, Ipetu-Ijesa, Ede, Iwo, Osogbo, Ila, Ikire, Ilesa and Ikirun.

The commissioner said the approval became necessary to “fast-track’’ the free health care services of the current administration as enshrined in its Six-Point Integral Action Plan.

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FCT Minister Commends Army’s Role In Internal Security ABUJA - The FCT Minister, Mr. Bala Mohammed, has commended the Nigerian Army for its role in internal security, especially in the FCT. The minister gave the commendation when the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, together with his principal officers paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

He said that the FCT was highly delighted and appreciative of what the army was doing in the territory, especially in the area of security. “We cannot pay you for what you are doing for us in the FCT and we say with all sense of humility we are appreciative of what you do.

“We cannot pay you as our security welfare and that of the residents cannot be better without your support and services, especially from the various formations that you have in the FCT. “We remain very loyal and whatever support we give is a tip of the iceberg as we cannot pay you.”

Mohammed said that the FCT would continue to make sure that it established a vibrant relationship with the army.

He said that the visit by the army authority was an attestation that the army and the FCT could be in partnership to render mutual support whenever called upon to do so.

“On behalf of myself and my colleagues, I want to say we are highly delighted on the visit to us and to say this relationship will blossom more than what it is now.

“The army day is something that had been established in the country and we will do all we can to give you the necessary publicity needed.”

Ihejirika had told the minister that they were in the office to formally thank the minister for accepting to host the Army Day Celebration.

He said that the visit was to appreciate him for his support in ensuring that necessary logistics were put in place for a hitch-free event.

He said that the purpose of the annual Army Day Celebration was to enable the army to recap its rich history, values and renew its resolve to defend the territorial integrity of the country.

“It is also to review other roles assigned to us in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The last time the event was held in Abuja was 2009, and we have held this event in various states but this time we decided to hold it in the Federal Capital Territory for several reasons.

“But the most important reason why we are holding it here in Abuja is because of our good relationship with the FCT minister,’’ he said.

WAEC:

L-R: Physiotherapist, Dr. Michael Akintunde; Assistant Corps Commander, Mainland Unit, FRSC, Commander Arinze Igwe and Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Samuel Adesanya, at the 2013 Annual Children Road Show in Lagos yesterday.

Teachers Advocate Higher Pay

LAGOS - Some teachers marking examination scripts of students who wrote the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSSCE), has urged the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to make the exercise more attractive by enhancing their pay.

They spoke with newsmen in separate interviews in Lagos on the ongoing marking of the 2013 SSCE scripts.

Some of the markers, who sought anonymity, told newsmen that the current payment of an average of N13 per script was not commensurate to the marking exercise.

One of them, a Mathematics teacher in a public school in Akure, told newsmen that she decided to mark this year’s SSCE scripts merely to improve on her teaching techniques. “I decided to mark this year’s scripts not because of the meagre pay but to further discover weaknesses and challenges of students in solving

equations in exams,” she said.

She noted that if the payment was attractive, subject specialists would be more interested in marking, thereby improving productivity and efficiency in the field.

“I get paid N12.38 k for marking one mathematics script, and I marked 300 scripts which would attract only N11,800, while coordinators for mathematics get N2,868.75k for supervising, “ she told newsmen.

According to an English Language teacher in a Unity school in Benin, the payment for marking English language is discouraging, because of the length of essays and stories.

“Marking English Language is peculiar and demanding for just N14; we have to read through the lines, observing the grammar and tense: only a few in dire need of money would risk the stress,” she told newsmen.

She noted that many English Language teachers were getting

Students at the annual Children Road Show in Lagos yesterday

discouraged by the poor remuneration.

A Geography teacher, who marked scripts in Jos, Plateau State, told newsmen that markers of SSSCE scripts should be given special consideration.

“Those who mark scripts should be paid well because to whom much is given, much is expected. Good marking determines the fate of the candidates, and so, should not be handled shabbily,” he said.

Another teacher, who simply gave his name as Jerome, said apart from the pay, the process of indicating those suspected to have been involved in malpractice was too severe.

He said that the process the markers had to follow to indicate such students was rigorous.

A Chemistry teacher in Ago Iwoye, Ogun, Mr. Paul Newman, told newsmen that he did not take up marking of the scripts because

of the meagre payment and the short period for the exercise.

“I was invited to mark this year’s scripts, but I rejected the offer because I cannot stress myself trying to meet the deadline for just N13 per script’’ he said.

A chemistry teacher in a missionary school in Idimu, Lagos, Miss Angela Ogbor, told.

Reporter says that training the markers would also improve their performance.

“It is not only when marking is needed that we are called, there should be some incentives for us that would improve our productivity, “ she said.

However, newsmen investigation shows that marking of external examinations was carried out by both junior and senior teachers who are graduates.

Reports say that the stipends

paid for script coordination was -N2, 868.75, except English and Literature coordinators who get N3,206.25.

Markers get N1,407. 00 for attendance and N13.50 per script as “lump sum.”

Those who mark all subjects get N12.38 per script as marking fee, except English Language and Literature markers who get N14 per script.

Reacting to the claims of the teachers, Deputy Registrar of WAEC, Mrs. Comfort Agu, told journalists that the amount being paid the markers was not too small.

She noted that when the “lump sum’’ and the payment per scrip were put together, a marker got over N20 per script and there was no immediate plan for increment.

The Deputy-Registrar also faulted the complaint that the procedure the markers had to follow in indicating those

Endorses NNPP For Anambra Nweke urged members of the National Chairman and Founder Elections of NAGAFF, Dr Boniface Assoc:

LAGOS - The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has endorsed the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the forthcoming Governorship and Council elections in Anambra.

Reports say that the endorsement was made during an interactive session in Lagos

by Anambra indigenes who are members of NAGAFF. Reports also indicate that the Council elections in Anambra have been slated for Oct. 2013, while the Governorship election may hold at the end of the year or in 2014.

Speaking at the interactive session, the NAGAFF President, Chief Eugene Nweke, tasked the members to fully support the NNPP for the elections.

association to ensure that the NNPP emerged victorious in the state. “Our greatest task now is to go home and participate actively in the politics of Anambra.

“We must sensitise our people that the time has come for a change.

“NNPP is the party to join. We should also go home and pick up forms from the party to contest all elective positions on the platform of the NNPP,’’ Nweke said.

He said that those who refused to participate in governance should not complain when they get bad leadership. “This is no time for fear or complaints. With our large number across Anambra, it will be difficult to defeat our party of choice if we are determined to truly see change in Anambra,’’ he said.

In his response, the NNPP

Aniebonam, commended members of NAGAFF for the endorsement.

Aniebonam said that NNPP, now in 28 states, came from the background of the transport industry in Nigeria.

He, however, assured those willing to contest the coming elections in Anambra on the platform of the NNPP, a level playing ground.

“The party has also decided to allow as many people as possible to pick nomination forms at no cost.

“We already have two aspirants for the governorship election and many more are welcome to pick up the forms,’’ he said.

Aniebonam added that the NNPP would contest all positions in both the council and gubernatorial polls.

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New Board Assures Corps Members Of Improved Facilities

JOS - The new Governing Board of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has assured youth corps members of improved facilities, security and welfare, as part of efforts to maximise their commitment to the goal of the scheme.

Chief Gordon Bozimo, the Board Chairman, gave the assurance in Jos when he led members of the board on a visit to the temporary orientation camp of the scheme.

Bozimo, who was represented by Prof. Riskuwa Shehu, the Vice Chancellor, Usman Danfodio University Sokoto, who is also a board member, said that the board was “very conscious of the problems facing the entire NYSC”.

He listed some of the problems to include stretched facilities on camp, accommodation, placement of corps members and insecurity.

According to him, the new

Langtang elders urge weapon owners to surrender them JOS - Elders in Langtang, Plateau, have implored owners of weapons to surrender them to the security agencies.

The call came after a meeting of key political office holders in the area recently.

In a communiqué, the elders said they have noticed influx of aliens into many settlements in the Senatorial District.

They urged the security agents “to fish out such elements as their presence portended danger.’’

While condemning the recent violence in Langtang, the elders expressed disgust over reports of cattle rustling.

They also condemned the reported hiring of mercenaries by some communities to attack perceived enemies.

The elders resolved to constitute a committee from among themselves to visit the six local government areas of the zone to sensitise people on the need for peaceful co-existence.

They commended the security agencies’ efforts to end the violence and urged them to step up action to avoid a reoccurrence.

The elders drew attention to the presence of heavily armed militia men in the forest borders of Taraba, Nassarawa and Plateau saying such causes cross-border attacks.

They decried the lack of good roads that had made movements difficult for security agents, and emphasised the need to open up some of the roads to ease movements.

The communiqué was signed

by Deputy Governor Ignatius Longjan, Deputy Speaker Johnbull Shekarau and Special Adviser to the President on Security Matters, Timothy Parlong.

board which was inaugurated two months ago has mapped out strategies to tackle the concerns.

“Already, members of the board are reaching out to

relevant stakeholders to rally support for proper and effective repositioning of the

scheme, especially in the areas of facilities and corps members welfare.

“Although these problems may not be fixed in one day, I want to assure you that it will certainly not take long for the

L-R: Former Senators Olorunnibe Mamora, Olabiyi Durojaiye and Iyiola Omisore, at a lecture in honour of Pa Abraham Adesanya in Lagos recently.

Kaduna To Build Girls Schools

KADUNA - Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State has said that the state government would establish four new girls science secondary schools in 2014.

Yero told the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina, in Kaduna that the aim was to boost girl-child education.

“Plans are already being put in place for the building of the schools,” he told the minister who paid him an advocacy visit to push for the domestication of the Child Rights Act in the state.

The governor disclosed that the administration plans to provide adequate welfare services to the destitute and an education-for-all programme in 2014.

He assured the minister of the government’s resolve to domesticate the act, saying that the administration would adopt

relevant sections that were of peculiar interest to the people.

The governor said: “Government is committed to being fair and equitable to all, especially women and children.

“We have captured women in our SURE-P empowerment scheme to improve their economic well being.

“Fifty women have been selected from each of the 23 LGAs to take part in skills acquisition and empowerment programmes.

We are determined to reduce poverty among our women.”

Maina had earlier said the delegation was in Kaduna on advocacy, including compliance to the Affirmative Action and gender equality in political appointments and economic opportunities.

Meanwhile, Yero has inaugurated the Organising Committee of the International conference on ‘Cities in

DUTSE - The Jigawa Government said it had offered free eye surgery to 36,000 patients suffering from cataract in the last six years.

Dr Umar Balangu, the Director, Disease Control in the state Ministry of Health, said this in an interview with newsmen in Dutse.

Balangu said the exercise was carried out between 2007 and 2012 in all the 27 local government areas of the state.

“Since the inception of the present administration, every year, we operate over 6,000 patients suffering from cataract in the 27 local government areas,” he said.

The director said that cataract was a common disease in the state especially among the rural dwellers.

Balangu said that the routine free surgery was to assist the residents who could not afford the cost of the operation.

According to him, the programme is in collaboration with the state government, local governments and the Christafelle Blinded Mission, a Vision 20:20 support programme.

He urged people to always visit hospitals whenever they had eye problem and desist from patronising unqualified health workers in their localities.

Jigawa Conducts Free Eye Surgery

Transition’.

The committee, headed by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Alhaji Aminu Yahaya, is to arrange the successful hosting of the conference from November 4 to 8.

The 25-member committee has among others the Permanent Secretaries Religious Affairs; Dr Alimi Bello, the President of KADCIMMA; Hajia Bilkisu

Yusuf, Women NGO; Dr Lydia Umar, and the Coordinator of the state security outfit, Operation Yaki, as members.

The governor said the hosting of the conference was in line with measures adopted to engender peace and unity in the state, as well as ensure that “people live together, side by side, irrespective of their backgrounds”.

impact to be felt.

“The board will leave no stone unturned in its bid to ensure that there is increased funding for the scheme from all tiers of government to effectively carry out its programmes,’’ he said.

He said also that “Apart from the heavy deployment of security personnel to carry out 24-hour surveillance, arrangements have been made for close watch on all corps members’ lodges in crisesprone areas.

“There is also the NYSC distress contact centre at the NYSC directorate headquarters that is operational for 24 hours. This is to give prompt response to issues of security threat to corps members.

“Do not hesitate to access the facility anytime you found yourself or your colleagues in danger.”

He called on them to take advantage of the variety of skills acquisition training programmes at the orientation camps to develop their entrepreneurship skills for self employment.

Also speaking, a member of the board, Chief Dominic Gambo, called on the state government to speed up work at the permanent orientation camp at Mangu, so that the next group of corps members would use it.

Katsina Donates To Yari of Zamfara, said Victims Abdul’Aziz the assistance would complement

Zamfara Killings: GUSAU - The Katsina State Government has donated 100 bags of maize to families of victims of last month’s killings at Kizara Village in the state.

The Head of the Civil Service of the state, Alhaji Muhammad Aliyu, who led a three-man delegation to the Government House, Gusau presented the foodstuff on behalf of Gov. Ibrahim Shema.

Aliyu said that Shema had condemned the killings in its entirety, assuring that Katsina

State would join neighbouring states to fight crime.

The governor urged families of the victims to regard the incident as “an act of God”, praying that they would have the fortitude to bear the loss.

He said the donation was an extension of the brotherhood that existed among the states of the federation.

Receiving the donation, Gov.

the ones being provided by the State Government and good Samaritans.

Yari said the foodstuff would immediately be released to the state’s Emergency Management Agency for onward delivery to the beneficiaries.

It would be recalled that gunmen had attacked Kizara Village in the Tsafe Local Government Area, killing over 30 persons.

L-R: Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, Mr. Tunde Adelaja, Rear Adm. Adetoye Sode (rtd) and former Minister of State (Defence), Mrs. Modupe Adelaja, at a lecture in honour of Modupe’s father, Pa Abraham Adesanya, in Lagos recently.

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Abuja HOS Advocates Leadership Management, Succession Planning ABUJA -Alhaji Bukar Aji, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, has called for leadership management and succession planning modalities in the country Aji made the call in Abuja when he declared open a oneday workshop on Leadership Management and Succession Planning in the Federal Civil Service.

He said for Nigeria to achieve its vision of building a world class civil service, it must develop a process that would put the suggestion in place.

Okiro Pledges Professionalism In Police ABUJA -The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Mr. Mike Okiro, has promised to bring his wealth of experience to bear in enhancing professionalism in the Nigeria Police Force.

A statement issued by Mr. Ferdinand Ekpe, the PSC’s Assistant Director, Information, said that Okiro made the pledge when a delegation of the NigeriaTurkish Chamber of Commerce paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

The statement quoted the PSC boss as also promising to work toward disabusing the minds of Nigerians in the Diaspora on the wrong impression that the country was witnessing a “precarious’’ security situation that was inimical to investment.

He said that Nigeria was not the only nation facing security challenges, assuring investors adequate security.

Earlier, the Executive Chairman of the chamber, Dr Hyacinth Eze, congratulated Okiro on his appointment as the chairman of the commission.

Eze said that the purpose of the visit was to inform the PSC chief of his appointment as an ambassador of the chamber.

He invited Okiro to Istanbul, Turkey, to deliver a keynote address on security challenges in Nigeria, during an investment conference, scheduled to take place between August 19 and August 24.

“The civil service we crave for is one that is highly professional, performancedriven and anchored on stewardship to the people.

He disclosed that a new leadership management and succession planning process had begun in the federal civil service.

“The process is aimed at sustaining effective and efficient service delivery.

He implored participants to see the civil service as an essential pillar of a modern state that must continue to renew and re-invigorate itself to meet up with the contemporary world challenges.

Aji told the participants to deliberate on the leadership challenges of the Federal Civil Service and come up with implementable management planning and succession

planning models.

Sen. Aloysius Etok , the Chairman, Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters, assured that the Senate would continue to be in partnership with the Federal Civil Service.

He reiterated the Senate’s commitment to support the service in its current reform efforts to deliver effective and efficient services to Nigerians.

The workshop was organised by the Service Policies and Strategies Office in the OHCSF the Department for International Development’ (DFID), and Federal Public Administration Reform (FEPAR).

It was designed to acquaint staff of the new Department of Leadership and Succession Planning in the OHS Civil Service of the Federation with its mandates and functions.

Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Group of Companies, Mr. Joseph Makoju; exchanging an MoU with Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Olusegun Aganga during the signing of an MoU on the bid plans of the refineries in Abuja yesterday.

Forum Demands Adequate Information On Suntai’s Health ABUJA -The Taraba Justice Forum, a political pressure group in the State, has called for adequate information on the true state of health of Governor Danbaba Suntai.

It would be recalled that Suntai had been receiving medical treatment abroad following the crash of an aircraft he piloted on October 25, 2012 The group made the call in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Bala Yaya and made available to newsmen in Abuja.

“We wonder why it is difficult for the ailing governor to directly address the people of the state on public television.

“We are at a loss as to why governors who had been visiting him cannot take NTA, Channels and AIT to the USA to interview the governor in his sick bed,’’ the statement said.

It called on Governor Gabriel Suswam and Jonah Jang of Benue and Plateau respectively to desist from meddling in the politics of Taraba.

The statement frowned at the recent trips of the two governors abroad “during which they reportedly visited Suntai in hospital.

The forum described the two governors’ involvement in Suntai’s health issue as “politically unhelpful’’ in finding a lasting solution to Taraba’s present political problem.

“We all remember that Jang, months ago, came back with pictures published in several newspapers. Now it is the turn of Suswam with pictures also syndicated in major newspapers.’’

The statement urged Suswam to release the unedited video clips

of his encounter with Suntai conversing with guests in the USA, if any, to independent broadcast channels.

“What we are kicking against is the culture of deceit and silence over the true nature of the governor’s health.

“As our governor, we have the right to know his state of health and are seeking the invocation of the relevant section of the 1999 Constitution without further delay,’’ the forum said.

Queue for petrol in Abuja yesterday.

Senate Suspends Plenary In Honour of Late Ewherido ABUJA -Senate President David Mark has said the Senate would suspend Tuesday’s plenary session as a mark of respect for the late Sen. Pius Ewherido who died on Sunday.

Mark stated this when he led Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta and some senators to the residence of the late senator in Asokoro, Abuja, on a condolence visit.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Kola Ologbondiyan, Mark said, “in line with our tradition and as a mark of respect to our departed colleague, the senate will suspend plenary yesterday.”

He urged the late senator’s wife, Mrs. Doye Ewherido, and other family members to continue to have faith in God noting that death always subjected peoples faith in God to test.

“As Catholics, it is easy to say the Creed that I believe in God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

“But when death comes, we question God. This is the time to increase our faith in God. “If there was anything we could

have done to save the life of our distinguished colleague, we could have done it but the Lord owns his life,” Mark said.

Uduaghan also extolled the virtues of the late Ewherido, describing him as a strong voice from Delta.

According to Uduaghan, in the last two years, Ewherido has brought his experience to bear on the floor of the senate.

Receiving the delegation, the

late senator’s elder brother, Rev. Fr. Anthony Ewherido, expressed the family’s gratitude, saying the show of support meant a lot to the family.

Meanwhile, the Senate Leader, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, has described the death of late Sen. Pius Ewherido as an “unspeakable tragedy’’.

Ewherido died on Sunday at the National Hospital, Abuja.

In a statement signed by

Ndoma-Egba and made available to newsmen, Ndoma-Egba described the late Ewherido as a quintessential legislator, cerebral, insightful and clear in language and thought.

According to him, Ewherido had the courage of his convictions and had an excellent grasp of legislative practice drawing from his experience as speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.

CNPP Tasks presidency To Recover Nigeria’s ABUJA -The Conference of Looted Fund opened by the United Nations

Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), has tasked the presidency to recover the over 400 billion dollars Nigeria’s looted fund.

This is contained in a communiqué signed by CNPP’s spokesman, Mr. Osita Okechukwu and made available to newsmen in Abuja.

“We demand as a matter of urgency national importance for President Goodluck Jonathan to request for the recovery of over 400 billion dollars fleeced off our treasury in the last two

decades.”

Okechukwu said that the CNPP was reacting to a report by the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, that the Federal Government had recovered about N5.5 billion looted fund.

The report added that the negotiation had reached advanced stage to recover N36.7 billion fund looted by Sani Abacha.

The CNPP urged President Jonathan to “utilise the window

Convention against Corruption, which bound countries to render mutual legal assistance in gathering and transferring evidence.’’

Chapter five of the Convention makes asset recovery explicitly a fundamental principle of the convention.

“The looted funds if recovered will be needed to invest in critical infrastructure, revamp our decayed social services and stem gross unemployment.’’

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Across The Nation NUPENG Strike: Lagos Motorists Yet To Feel Impact

LAGOS - Motorists in Lagos are yet to feel the impact of the warning strike embarked by members of NUPENG. Reports that most of the petrol stations in Lagos were still dispensing petroleum products.

Mr. Tayo Oduleke, Station Manager, Mobil Filling Station

at Ojuelegba, said that motorists would soon begin to feel the impact of the strike.

“Beyond today, the strike will be felt by every Nigerian,” he said.

Our correspondent, who monitored the situation in Lagos, reported that activities at

the depots were paralysed as all the depots in Lagos were under locks and key.

It would be recalled that NUPENG, had issued a statement an June 30 that its members would embark on a three-day nationwide warning

Business Relations Manager, SNEPCO, Mr. Ijere Kanu (left), presenting the ICT centre handover certificate to the Vice-Chancellor, Cross River University of Techniology, Prof.

Ene-Obong Effiom Ene-Obong during the inauguration of the centre in Calabar yesterday.

ANSIEC Boss Alleges Threat To LIfe

AWKA - Mr. Sylvester Okonkwo, chairman, Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC), said the commission was poised to conduct credible polls in the state.

Okonkwo said this was in spite of text messages and phone calls from unknown persons threatening his life.

Okonkwo stated in Awka while releasing the election guidelines and time table for the conduct of local council elections in the state scheduled for October 5 that he had received many of such threats.

“They call me at night threatening me that they will kill me and even burn down ANSIEC building. That the previous mayhem visited on the state would be a joke.

“I am however determined to go on with the exercise not minding the activities of the detractors,” the ANSIEC boss said.

He urged the political parties and stakeholders participating in the polls to ensure that internal democracy was entrenched in their various political parties through free, fair and credible primaries.

Okonkwo said that the commission would not entertain multiple candidates from any party, saying that all factions were expected to reconcile and present a common candidate for the election.

He said any political party that failed to abide by the rules would face automatic disqualification.

He also said that the commission would not tolerate any court injunction to truncate the exercise.

The chairman said the chairmanship aspirants should

be minimum of 30 years old while the counsellorship aspirants were expected to be at least 25 years.

Okonkwo said the commission would soon embark on a sensitisation tour of the 21 local government areas to educate the people on their civic responsibilities toward the conduct of the election.

However, the spokesman of the Anambra State Police Command, Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka, told Reporter on phone that he was not aware of any threat to the life of the ANSIEC boss.

“It there is any thing like threat to the life of the Acting chairman of the commission, I am not aware.

“No report of such has come.

If his life is being threatened, he should make a formal report to the office of the CP, who will provide security for him,’’ DSP Chukwuemeka said.

Meanwhile, the Transition Chairman for Anambra East Council Area, Mr. Chinedu Obidigwe, has described the release of the election guideline and time table as a mark of commitment on the part of the commission.

He said that the polls would enable political parties to test their popularity ahead of the governorship poll in the state.

Obidigwe, who is also the President, Anambra Youth Assembly, said the election, if conducted as scheduled, would transform the economic and social lives of the youth in the state.

“The polls would further broaden the minds of the youth on the real concept of democracy as they would be elected into positions of leadership,” he said.

strike from July 1.

The strike is to protest the “unfair labour practices“ by major oil companies.

Mr. Isiaka Yahaya, Auditor General, Sahara Unit of NUPENG at the Apapa Depot, told Newsmen that they had stopped loading of products.

He said that tanker drivers and the Apapa depot workers were observing the strike.

“If the pending issues are resolved, loading of product will commence.

“I urge the government to find a lasting solution to the inhuman treatment meted out to tanker drivers by some major oil companies in this country,” he said.

Mr. Taye Ogunleye, a tanker driver with the Sahara Unit of NUPENG, however, said that he was not aware of the strike.

He said that he came from Benin City to load petrol from the Apapa Depot, but would have to stay back for days to achieve his aim.

Ogunleye appealed to the Federal Government to resolve the issues with NUPENG so as not to inflict hardship on Nigerians.

Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, Lagos Chapter South-West Chairman of NUPENG, told newsmen that the union had earlier given a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve their grievances.

“We were called for a stakeholder meeting in Abuja and we are yet to be attended to.

“Many of us came from

Examination Malpractice

NOA Canvasses Media ABAKALIKI - National Support Orientation Agency has in Abakaliki called for the media support in the war against examination malpractice in the country.

Mr. Mathew Odonor, Chief Orientation and Mobilisation officer in the agency, told newsmen that the mass media were critical instrument in the fight against examination malpractice.

According to him the, Nigerian media has steered many positive changes in the society.

He said that the time had come for them to actively support and join in the crusade against examination malpractice to save the educational sector from collapse.

He recalled the leading roles played by the media in the struggle to achieve independence and end colonial dominance in Nigeria as well as their struggle during the military rule.

Odonor said that the media

L-R: Vice-Chancellor, Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), Prof. Ene-Obong Effiom Ene-Obong; Permanent Secretary, Cross River State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Ann Odeh; Business Relations Manager, SNEPCO, Mr. Ijere Kanu and Cross Rivers State Commissioner for Lands, Mr. Raphael Uche, browsing the internet during the inauguration of the centre in Calabar yesterday.

remained the conscience of the nation, and that their support would facilitate an end to examination fraud in the nation’s educational institutions.

Odonor, who led other officials from the agency to monitor the ongoing National Examination Council (NECO), examination commended the level of sanity prevailing in the various centres.

He, however, said that a lot still needed to be done in order to free the state from the monstrous effects of examination malpractice.

The officer said that though the conduct of both the students and the examiners represented a departure from the old order when students and external examiners committed examination fraud with impunity but there were some pockets of occurrences in some of the centres.

He said that what was needed was a media awareness campaign to further sensitise the public and critical stakeholders on the importance of stamping out the evil to consolidate the gains made in the education transformation programme.

“The conduct of the students writing the ongoing NECO exam is commendable and a pointer that the war against examination malpractice by government is yielding result.

“In many of the centres, the candidates and the examiners were doing the right thing while some pockets of malpractice existed in some other centres.

“I therefore call on the media to join the crusade and support efforts being made in this regard,’’ he said.

According to him, the press will leverage the fight, take the war to all nooks and crannies of the state and expose the latest techniques used by perpetrators.

“If the media fully identify with the campaign they will use their professional know how to leverage on the war and expose the latest techniques in use by these perpetrators,’’ he said.

Oba Of Lagos Condemns posit Proposed £3,000 De Deposit

British Visa: LAGOS -The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has condemned the British proposed 3,000 pounds deposit for visa by Nigerian travellers.

Akiolu said this at the opening ceremony of a fiveday workshop on corporate fraud organised by the police Special Fraud Unit in collaboration with the City of London Police in Lagos.

“It is unacceptable to us as a nation, we will not take it. It is a big insult on us for British to demand 3,000 pounds before we can go to London. We are not criminals,’’ he said.

On the corruption in the nation, the monarch stressed the need for the government to release the reports of the some major probe on corruption,

different parts of the country and will not expect to be provoked further by any delay to hold the meeting to address the issues,” he said.

including Halliburton case among others.

Declaring the workshop open, the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, said that lack of strict enforcement of the law against corruption was responsible to it striving in Nigeria.

Ekweremadu noted that only the poor were found in the Nigeria’s prison, while the rich bailed themselves to enjoy their loots.

He described corruption as threat to humanity, stressing that the major effect of it was the introduction of wrong values, where some people believed in overnight wealth.

“Wrong value is what corruption breeds.

It encourages overnight millionaire, suggesting that hard work doesn’t pay. Some people are encouraging corruption in the society by giving chieftaincy titles and honour in churches to corrupt persons,’’ he noted.

The senator said that for corruption to be checked there should be creation of jobs opportunities, good business environment for big and small business to strive, provision of electricity and ICT introduction to crime detector.

He noted that Nigeria could not

run a federal system of government and maintain a good police force.

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, who was represented by DIG Peter Gana, described corporate fraud as a difficult crime to prevent.

“With the creation of effective policies, a system of checks and balances and physical security, a company may limit the extent to which fraud can take place.

“Corporate fraud is considered a white collar crime and the gate keepers in the financial market can perform better if properly equipped with modern tool of prevention,’’ Abubakar noted.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

AMBROSE ALLI UNIVERSITY, EKPOMA

GOVERNMENT SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT It is hereby announced for the information of the general public especially candidates from Edo State who sat for the Nigerian Defence Academy Entrance Examination for the 65th Regular Course held on Saturday 18th May, 2013 that the result of the examination has been released.

2. The under-listed candidates have been invited to attend the Armed Forces selection Board interview at the Nigerian Defence Academy old site Kaduna from l4th July — 9th August, 2013.

Serial Exam No. Name FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES: (1) 000357 Akhigbe Michael Isimenme (M) (2) 004025 Imoesemi Great Elijah (3) 008073 Unuigbe Sunday (4) 010602 Uwague Bobmanuel Ehijale (m) (5) 012054 lyoha Theophilus 0.

(6) 012624 Aganwonyi Victory Daniels (M) (7) 014679 Eviebor Derrick Oghimire (8) 016295 Ebojele Lucky (9) 016579 Ufuah Ellisha Osezele (10) 018051 Osewa Joseph Osamagbe (11) 018810 Odinegun Kingsley (12) 020824 Raji Enahoro David (13) 021669 Joseph Margret Omoh (14) 026506 Ehigbe Nosaikake (15) 028663 Ekpenga Osayande Felix (16) 031403 Ilevbaoje Joan Kelly FACULTY OF ENGINEERING: (17) 001212 Omoaka Leonard (18) 003086 Osazuwa Osagioduwa (19) 00766 Ogudugu Isa Ebanitta (20) 009074 Ilegogie Kindheart Uzoma (21) 009410 Martins Ayo Evans (M) (22) 009805 lgbinosa Favour Esohe (23) 012003 Arase Peter ldus (24) 012449 Egbe Solomon Ofuje (25) 013351 Agboneni Uyinome lgbelokoto (26) 014018 Ekpen Marvellous Osayamen (27) 014784 Amanokhal Usman (M) (28) 016258 Akubor Kelvin Osighe (29) 018520 Iseghohimen Ehigiator O. (30) 020053 Okolo Augustine Enakhe (31) 020521 Aideloje Ohireme Oluwatobi (32) 021368 Ighalo Israel Osamudiame (33) 026484 Unuigbe Dorcas Omohunwen (34) 030124 Enoruwa Osakpolor Paradise (35) 030369 Young Gabriel Ganaka (36) 032772 Odigie Evans FACULTY OF SCIENCE: (37) 004044 Yusuf Usman (38) 005130 Enagbare Ighosa Moses (39) 005350 lyere Judith llokugbe (40) 010705 Aguele Superior Osasunmhen (41) 011061 Buhari Usman Ehikioya (42) 012798 Obaro Ameh Kathrine (43) 014289 Osigbheimhe Joseph Pius (44) 019022 Akhabue Kenneth Odianose (M) (45) 020644 Osarobo Precious Osayamen (M) (46) 021981 Ogbomon Ernest Osamudiamen (47) 024529 Okiki Oghena-Osai Peter (48) 024682 Sanni Jonathan Daniel (49) 027717 Momodu Mohammed Success (50) 027780 Bamidele Kingsley Omoh

SCREENING OF THE UTME/DIRECT ENTRY CANDIDATES FOR 2013/2014 ACADEMIC SESSION ADMISSION EXERCISE

All 2013/2014 UTME candidates who applied to Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma as Institution of First Choice, with a UTME score of 180 and above are invited to attend a screening exercise in the University on the days and venues indicated below: Screening Time-Table Screening exercise for the various Faculties is scheduled to take place at 9.00 a.m. each day on the following dates.

DAY

DATE

FACULTY

1.

Thursday, 18th July, 2013 Faculty of Arts, Agriculture and Management Sciences

As shown on the application slip

2.

Friday, 19th July, 2013

Faculty of Social Sciences, Law, Natural Sciences and Environmental Studies.

As shown on the application slip

3.

Saturday, 20th July, 2013

Faculty of Engineering & Technology, As shown on the Faculty of Education and College application slip of Medicine.

Sex (m) (M) (M) (M) (m) (M) (M) (M) (M) (F) (M) (M) (F).

(M) (M) (M) (M) (F) (M) (M) (M) (M).

(M) (M) (M) (M) (M) (F) (M) (M) (M) (M) (M) (F) (M) (M) (F) (M) (M) (M) (M) (M) (M)

3. Successful candidates are by this announcement advised to check their names in The Nigerian observer of Wednesday 3 July, 2013 for details.

4. The successful candidates are required to attend the Armed Forces selection Board Interview at the Nigerian Defence Academy old site, Kaduna from 14th July, - 9th August, 2013.

Signed: Odion O. Ogun For: Secretary to the State Government.

VENUE

Candidates are expected to report at the venues of screening at 7.30a.m prompt.

Subject for Screening: Candidates will be screened in subjects relating to their first Choice course of study in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.

Method of Application: Applicants are required to purchase an eTranzact PIN (Payment Voucher) for Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma Post UTME on-line application form at a fee of N2,000.00 (Two thouseand Naira) only from any of the under listed Banks Nation wide.

1.

ACCESS BANK OF NIGERIA LTD 2.

ECOBANK OF NIGERIA LTD 3.

FIDELITY BANK PLC 4.

FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA, PLC 5.

FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK 6.

GUARANTY TRUST BANK, PLC 7.

KEYSTONE BANK LTD 8.

UNION BANK OF NIGERIA, PLC 9.

UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA, PLC 10.

ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK, PLC Procedure for Online Application: Only candidates with their names on the cPortal as uploaded from the JAMB First Choice list and with a score of 180 and above are eligible to make payments at the designated banks and also participate in the Ambrose Alli University Post-UTME screening exercise.

Consequently, candidates are advised to first check the Ambrose Alli University cPortal @ www.myaau.com for their details by logging onto the cPortal with their JAMB UTME registration number as access code. Such details containing the student’s bio data and AAU application number should be printed out by the candidates and used as payment instrument at the banks for the purchase of the eTranzact PIN. On purchase of the eTranzact PIN (Payment Voucher), all candidates are to visit the Ambrose Alli University cPortal @www.myaau.com to complete and submit the post-UTME online application form. All such candidates must upload their coloured passport photograph and scanned copies of all relevant certificates/documents to the cPortal.

Candidates should preview and confirm that the photograph is properly uploaded as no complaint of wrong or blank picture will be entertained after submission of forms. Candidates are with other documents on the screening dates stated above. The examination study guide is available for download on completion of the application process.

All candidates are to come to the screening exercise with the following: 1.

UTME e-registration slip and UTME result slip.

2.

HB pencil, eraser and biro.

3.

A print-out of the duly completed post-UTME online Application form.

Direct Entry: All Direct Entry Candidates who applied to JAMB for admission and chose Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma as Institution of First Choice are also required to complete the o online application form for their screening exercise. All such candidates must upload scanned copies of all relevant certificates/documents to the cPortal.

Screening exercise for Direct Entry (DE) candidates is scheduled to take place from Thursday, 1st August, 2013 to Friday, 2nd August, 2013, from 9.00am each day.

Please, be informed that there shall be NO Direct Entry into Medicine, Medical Laboratory Science and Law. All Direct Entry candidates should follow the online application procedure as stated above and also obtain the eTranzact PIN (Payment Voucher) for Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma postUTME online application form at a fee of N2,000.00 (two thousand naira) only from any of the (i) Examination study guide: N1,350 (One thousand, three hundred and fifty naira) only, Technology fee: N1,000 (One thousand Naira) only and bank charges, will be charged at the point of purchase of the eTranzact PIN (Payment Voucher) Duration of Application: Application forms for UTME and Direct Entry (DE) candidates will be available online for completion and submission form Monday 1st July, 2013 to Friday, 12th July, 2013.

ADVICE: Candidates should check the University website @ www.aauekpoma.edu.ng and cPortal @www.myaau.com regularly for further details on the application/admission procedure.

Warning! (a) (b) (c)

Any candidate (UTME) and DE) who fails to appear for the screening exercise automatically forfeits his/her eligibility for consideration in the 2013/2014 academic session’s admission exercise.

Anyone caught impersonating will be handed over to the Police and the candidate so impersonated will be automatically disqualified.

All communication gadgets/telephone handsets are strictly prohibited as invigilators are mandated to confiscate any of such items and penalize erring candidate(s).

Signed: Mr. Fola Ojo-Maliki, MNIM, MANUPA Registrar

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

FOR five weeks running, Primary School teachers in Edo, like their counterparts in a few other states of Nigeria, operating under the aegis of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) stayed away from their official duty posts for state governments to implement a 27.5% Teachers Enhanced Allowance agreement, purportedly entered into by 16 state chapters which were directed by the national body to embark on an indefinite strike action.

ALSO on Monday, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) commenced a nationwide industrial action in protest of Federal Government’s non-implementation of an Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) entered into with the union in December 2011.

AGAIN, the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Monday began a three-day nationwide warning strike which ends today, with a further threat to progress into a full blown strike if their employers- Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Chevron Nigeria Limited and Agip Oil Company do not meet their demands.

ALL these actions have crippled essential services in affected sectors as public Primary Schools have remained closed while the nation’s public universities are under lock and key. Long queues have resurfaced in fuel stations across the country occasioned by NUPENG strike.

THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER condemns the multiple strike actions currently going on across the country. We denounce resort to strike actions by feuding trade unions who from every indications did not exhaust other options of dispute resolution before embarking on the disturbing strike actions and shutting down

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Stemming Harvest Of Strikes services considered very essential.

THE Strike action embarked upon by the Edo State wing of the Nigerian Union of Teachers is most reprehensible given the huge investment the Edo State Government has made in transforming basic education in the state in the past four and half years of the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole regime.

THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER detests hiding under national directives of a trade union as claimed by Edo NUT to prosecute the current strike action, more so, when the Comrade Governor was one of the first state governors to implement the new Teachers Salary Structure in the country, even when buoyant states like Lagos and Rivers were yet to do so. What the issue is, from our understanding is resolvable. We expected the NUT in Edo to hold the Comrade Governor, who himself is a labour activist extraordinaire in confidence and go into dialogue for the implementation of the 27.5 per cent Enhanced Allowance and not declare full scale war along other states which have not even implemented the TSS trail-blazed by Edo. WE, however, recommend a quick resolution of the face-off in the interest of innocent primary school children who have not in any way contributed to the logjam, yet their future is currently at risk. We call on both Government and the NUT to go into dialogue and resolve the

impasse.

WE further call on well meaning individuals and public spirited institutions, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to take a lead in bringing feuding parties to a roundtable with an aim of ending the dispute so that public primary schools could re-open to conclude current academic session in Edo. THE frequent resort to nationwide strike by the ASUU is also very disturbing as the nation’s public universities have come to be synonymous with strike actions characterised with dislocated academic sessions, an ugly development which has continued to tell on the quality of the nation’s University graduates.

THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER, however, is very worried about a situation where the Federal Government, with its officials’ eyes wide open, enters into agreements with ASUU without keeping to the terms of agreements being reason often adduced for most ASUU strike for some years now. This is irresponsible and we urge the federal government to desist from such acts forthwith. It is against this backdrop, we call on the Federal Government to take necessary steps to respect its pact with ASUU or renegotiate their agreement with an aim of ending the current nationwide strike.

LASTLY, we do not expect that NUPENG would afford to dislocate the nation’s economy and public life by grounding fuel supply chain because of some unresolved issues with their employers, most of which are privately-owned.

While we urge the private employers of the NUPENG to move quickly to end the current action, we urge NUPENG members nationwide to consider the consequences of dislocating the chain of fuel supply to the economy and chose other options in getting their employers meet their demands outside the strike action option.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

Issues

Combating Impunity: Media

THE mass media is the fourth estate of the realm and the watch dog of the society.

The media has played a significant role in the development of the nation and has continued to contribute its quota to the entire well being of the people.

Mass media which comprises of radio, television, newspapers, magazines, cable and satellite stations has over the years serve as a medium of dissemination of information to the people and keeping them abreast of the happenings around them both the good, the bad and the ugly.

Despite the immense contribution of the media in sanitizing the society, the society still remain in a stagnant position that has continually hindered the progress, prosperity, unity and development of the society.

Some of the weighing problems that this nation is facing is that of IMPUNITY which has become prevalent in the Nigerian society of today. Impunity has now become the order of the day in our nation as many engage in the act and throw caution to the winds and operate as if there is no law governing us as a people.

Talking about impunity in Nigeria, it has assumed a worrisome state in the country, and international media reports state that Nigeria has consistently ranked low in numerous development studies by global institutions despite huge potentials. The statistic shows that the 2011 Human Development Report of UNDP ranked Nigeria 156 out of 187 countries while Transparency International’s

2012 report ranked her 139 out of 179 countries. This is not a healthy development for us as a nation.

In addition to the developmental challenges brought about by impunity, it has also fueled human rights violations, aided organized crime, contributed significantly to the spread of violence and fear across the country.

Impunity continues to undermine the rule of law, allowing a class of powerful people to steal, plunder, kill, and generally behave as if they are exempted from the rules by which civilized societies are governed. In most cases, such people are not prosecuted for their criminal behaviours and when they are, it is done without rigour.

Looking at the state of the nation as regards impunity, the citizenry have a whole lot of role to play in combating the scourge eating deep into the annals of the nation and her development. The media especially have a more important role to play in reducing if not totally eradicating this dreaded disease threatening to devour this nation.

In a media workshop attended by 22 journalists across the nation recently at Benizia Hotel, Off Summit Road, Asaba in Delta State the importance of using the media to fight impunity to a standstill in the nation was unveiled. Mr. Edetaen Ojo of Media Rights Agenda, Lagos was one of the facilitators at the programme and he delivered a lecture tilted “Why The Media Is a Critical Tool In Combating Impunity”. This becomes necessary because of the power and important role of

By RICHARD OKORO-EWEKA

the media in developing the nation.

Ojo said that there was no single Institution, agency, government or indeed any single sector of the society that can successfully combat impunity on its own without a collective effort from various quarters which must importantly include the media. According to the facilitator, all hands must be on deck to halt the wide

that action be taken against impunity.

He said the media remain an important tool and instrument for combating a lot of social ills and vices in the society including impunity which has giving rise to the wave of crime in the nation. The media is important in all this due to its essential characteristics and its power to impact greatly on the citizenry.

spread of impunity.

For the entire society to be involved in the campaign against impunity, a number of things need to happen.

According to Ojo, people must be aware of what impunity is, as well as knows how it affects their social lives and economic well-being. They must be able to mobilized to act against impunity or insist

What is the nature of Media Power? The media has the power to create awareness. It has the great capacity to reach masses of people and provide them with reliable information about all manner of issues happening around them.

Media channels are more effective than other avenues in getting reliable

“The media has the power to create awareness. It has the great capacity to reach masses of people and provide them with reliable information about all manner of issues happening around them. Media channels are more effective than other avenues in getting reliable information into the society system quickly.”

As A Tool information into the society system quickly. They are fastest means of disseminating reliable information to a large number of the general public including the low and most powerful.

The media can be used to influence government decisions and policies on a wide variety of issues. It is equally used to set agenda for public policy-making. If properly used, it can force government to take action on

government action- By setting the agenda and mobilizing public opinion around it, the media can force the government or policy makers to put in place appropriate policies and measures required to combat impunity effectively.

It is worthy of note that people who engage in acts of impunity fear exposure (especially when there are sanctions mechanisms that can be applied against

a wide variety of matters which may include, economic, social, political, and cultural and the likes.

The media should be effectively used to propagate the problem of impunity in the country because it has the power to influence and shape public opinion. This is made possible because of its great capacity to reach the masses when used strategically.

Media practitioners, should remember that the media has enormous power that can be put into action to mobilize the people. With its capacity to reach masses of people and influence their thought processes and opinion, media can also be used to mobilize people around issues.

Power to force

them). They will only do it if they believe they can get away with it. The media is very important to stop the wide spread of this act that has continually soiled the image and name of this great country.

The media has an herculean task to carry out if this scourge must stop.

The media must engage in war with this cancer worm through investigative and other forms of journalism.

They can expose impunity, consistently focus the searchlight on cases of impunity and ensure that action is taken. If this is done people will begin to realize that they will be exposed and that they can no longer get away with breaking the law.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

Communique

One Thing You Still Lack Diocese of Esan, The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Bishopscourt, Ujoelen, Ekpoma. The second session of the Fourth Synod held from Sunday, June 23 to Thursday, June 27, 2013.

Introduction many who profess to be THE Second Session of the Christians and followers of Fourth Synod of the Diocese Christ. Synod, therefore, of Esan, The Church of enjoins all Christians to Nigeria (Anglican embrace brotherliness, love Communion) was held for others and surrendering under the guidance of the all they have for the overall Holy Spirit and the welfare of all in obedience leadership of The Most to the teaching of our Lord, Rev’d F.J. Imaekhai, Ph.D, Jesus Christ.

Diocesan Bishop of Esan, 2.2. In the same vein, and Archbishop of the Synod notes with grave Ecclesiastical Province of concern and outrightly Bendel from Sunday, June condemns the alarming level 23 to Wednesday, June 26, of the quest for personal 2013 and with the Clergy enrichment among members Conference on Thursday, of the political class and the June 27, 2013 at St. Paul’s consequent impoverishing Church, Iruekpen, Ekpoma. of the populace, who they The theme of the Synod was, were elected to serve. Synod “… One Thing You Still calls on political, business Lack …” (Mark 10:21). The and religious leaders to Rt. Rev’d John U. Aruakpor, exemplify the servantBishop of the Diocese of leadership style and Oleh preached the sermon sacrificial life of Jesus Christ while the Bible study and be ready and willing to sessions were led by The Rt. make every necessary Rev’d Dr. O.O. Obijole, the sacrifice for the common retired Bishop of the good of all.

Diocese of Akoko. Synod 3.0. The State of the Nation: was also ministered to 3.1. Synod commends the through The Rt. Rev’d Dapo President, Dr. Goodluck E. F. Asaju, the Bishop Jonathan for the declaration Theologian and Rector, of emergency rule in the Crowther Graduate states of Adamawa, Yobe Theological Seminary, and Borno to curb the Church of Nigeria (Anglican activities of Boko Haram Communion). religious sect. However, The Synod featured the Synod calls on the Federal opening Thanksgiving Government to go a step service on Sunday, June 23, further by fishing out their 2013, the delivering of the sponsors and bringing them Presidential address on to book according to the law Monday, June 24, 2013 and of the land. Furthermore, the deliberations on various Synod calls on the religious, political, and Government to completely socio-economic issues dislodge the insurgents and raised in the address from return normalcy to the all Monday, June 24 to affected parts of the country.

Thursday, June 27, 2013 by Synod expresses dismay and the houses of Bishop, Clergy concern over the political and the Laity. crisis that has engulfed the At the end of all sessions and nation due to the leadership deliberations, Synod issued tussle in the Nigeria the following communiqué. Governors Forum (NGF).

THE COMMUNIQUÉ 2.0. The Synod Theme: 2.1. Synod commends the Diocesan for the aptness of the theme which was also considered to be appropriate.

Pursuant to the theme, which was, “… One Thing You Still Lack …” (Mark 10:21) Synod views with great concern the high level of selfishness and selfcenteredness in our society today, especially among

Synod calls on the Governors to stop chasing shadows and concentrate on solving the visible and numerous challenges facing their various States across the Federation. Synod calls on the Governors not to put their selfish interest over and above the common good of the country by providing the desired leadership in the States that would enhance the delivery of democratic dividends to the people.

Synod identifies poverty and the high rate of unemployment, in Nigeria as potential threat to the security of lives and property in the country and, therefore, calls on governments at all levels to address the situation with the urgency it deserves. In a practical application of the theme to the present situation in our country, Synod notes that it would go a long way to improving the lot of millions of povertystricken Nigerians and unemployed youths roaming the streets, in search of jobs, if only the Nigerian political and business class will be more inclined to a life of self denial and genuine concern for the poor and helpless in our society. Synod, therefore, prays God to open the eyes of all concerned to see that there is indeed “one thing which they still lack” and grant them the grace to do the needful.

Synod commends the transformation agenda of the present administration at the Federal level. However, Synod notes that the transformation agenda has not been able to address the key areas of improved health services, poverty alleviation, quality education, power supply, agriculture and

u n e m p l o y m e n t .

Consequently, Synod calls on the Federal Government to make its impact felt by the people in the aforementioned areas for the transformation agenda to positively affect the citizenry.

Synod commends the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) for its consistent campaign against homosexualism and same sex marriage, which culminated in its endorsement of the recent legislation of the National Assembly against homosexualism. Synod also commends the patriotism and courage of the National Assembly in passing the anti-homosexualism legislation, in spite of all threats and intimidation from some key actors of the global community, especially of EuroAmerican stock. Synod calls for steadfastness in maintaining this laudable position of defending the authentic faith.

Synod frowns at the increasing level of corruption in high places which, has in recent times assumed an alarming and scandalous level, with people who occupy very high positions looting from the national treasury, huge sums of money, running into billions of naira, otherwise meant for very important national commitments such as fuel subsidy and pension funds. Synod, therefore, calls on Government at all levels, anti-corruption and anti-crime agencies such as of EFCC, ICPC, the Police and SSS to step up the fight against corruption and efforts to save Nigeria from economic strangulation and total collapse.

4.0. Edo State:

Synod commends the State Government for the giant strides it has taken in advancing the course of general development in the State through massive construction of roads and renovation of schools and hospitals in different parts of the State. Synod however notes with concern, that the people need a safe and secure environment to enjoy the full benefits of these laudable development efforts of government.

Synod, therefore, frowns at the rising incidents of kidnapping, rape, loss of human lives in questionable circumstances, and others.

Heinous crimes, particularly within the State.

Synod, therefore, calls on the State Government to take decisive steps in curbing these anomalies with a view to ensuring that people have a better sense of safety and security of their lives and property.

Synod, while appreciating the reasons for the banning of motor bikes popularly called “Okada” within Benin metropolis (3 Local Government Areas), however, notes with concern that if the policy is to be extended to other Local Government Areas in Edo State as is being suggested in some quarters, there is need for the State Government to assist those affected with alternative means of livelihood and also improve on alternative means of public transportation to mitigate the current hardship being experienced by people and other associated problems.

Synod calls on the State Government to urgently address the issues it has with the NUT that resulted in the teachers’ strike that has been on for about a month now, with a view to ensuring

return of teachers and pupils to school. Synod also calls on teachers to be open to dialogue and willing to make some concessions where it becomes necessary in the course of negotiation, in the spirit of give-and- take, in the larger interest of society at large.

Charge to Christians: 5.1. Synod admonishes Christians all over the world to continue to heed uncompromisingly, the timeless teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ to focus less on material and temporal things of the world but more on things spiritual and eternal. Synod, accordingly, calls on Christians, not only in the Diocese of Esan but in Nigeria and the world all over, to acknowledge and accept the theme, “one thing that you still lack,” as a pointer to the cost of discipleship, which includes a renunciation of the self as well as the pursuit of wealth and other earthly possessions at the expense of total commitment to the quest for eternal life. Synod also calls on Christians to live out the example of Christ, to teach and defend the authentic Christian faith they profess.

Synod calls on Christians in positions of authority to bring to the fore the humility, servant attitude and self sacrificing ideals exemplified by Jesus Christ as they serve in their various capacities and to use the opportunities provided by their God-given positions to support and assist the Church and humanity.

The Most Rev’d F.J. Imaekhai, Ph.D, JP The Ven. A.O. Isibor Archbishop of Bendel Province and Synod Clerical Secretary Bishop, Diocese of Esan Diocese of Esan June 27, 2013 June 27, 2013

“While appreciating the reasons for the banning of motor bikes popularly called Okada within Benin metropolis (3 Local Government Areas), however, notes with concern that if the policy is to be extended to other Local Government Areas in Edo State as is being suggested in some quarters, there is need for the State Government to assist those affected with alternative means of livelihood and also improve on alternative means of public transportation to mitigate the current hardship being experienced by people and other associated problems.”

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Education

Challenges Of Polytechnic Education In Nigeria - Idogho

AUCHI Polytechnic was a beehive penultimate week when it played host to dignitaries from all walks of life who had converged on its main campus. The venue was its recently refurbished school auditorium They came in their droves, all with diverse reasons, but unified by the mission to give honour to whom honour is due, Dr. (Mrs.) Phillipa ldogho, who is currently enjoying her 2nd spell as Rector of the Institution, having been re-appointed last year.

Graceful and exuding positive vibes, she was the cynosure of attention and her charm nearly overshadowed the main attraction of the day, which was the institution’s second inaugural lecture.

The last one took place 11 years ago. Since then, a lot of good water has passed under the Auchi Poly Bridge, courtesy of the Rector and her management team.

Auchi Poly is highly rated as one of the very best in the country and the menace of cultism in the school is at its lowest ebb.

Highly regarded in education circles as a resolute and hard nosed intellectual, Dr. Idogho probably faced the toughest challenge in her academic career as she mounted the rostrum in front of a large audience made up of the chairman of the school’s governing council who also chaired the event, top government officials, captains of industry, academicians,

traditional rulers, students’ body, etc. the auditorium was jam-packed.

Guests, friends and well wishers, were very much around to give her the much needed moral support. There were different categories of guests at the event: those who came to credence to her famed academic credentials. the doubting Thomases who came to find out if indeed her reputation as a performer and iron lady were true; the chauvinists who wanted to witness her being unmasked as a weakling and finally, her admirers who felt the event will serve as a proof that brain and beauty can be enhanced in a single individual.

As it turned out, everyone must have gone home satisfied that the encounter with this amazon was a richly rewarding experience, Indeed, stereotypes and this gave way to pragmatism and efficacy and reality. Such is the power of presentation and delivery encapsulated in very simple and plain English over outlandish and abstract languages which leaves the intended audiences even more confused.

Now to the lecture proper titled, “Educational Resource and Polytechnic Education in Nigeria: Issues of Management for Quality Assurance” in looking at the past, reviewing the present and forecasting the future.

In so doing, she was able to show how the role of

By SAM DADA AYOKHAI

education as catalyst to national development and human capital development has been constrained by several mitigating factors such as underfunding, persistent shut downs, dearth of

noting that the country can still catch up with the rest of the world if our leaders give vent to the recommendations contained in several white papers on strategies to revamp education,

Dr. Philipa Idogho, Rector, Auchi Polytechnic

infrastructure, just to mention a few, thereby, leading to the rot and low rating of the Nigerian educational system.

Though emotional in discussing the troubled Nigerian educational sector, which is quite understandable anyway, she was, however, able to paint a graphic picture of the rot in the system,

particularly increased budgetary allocation in conformity with UNESCO benchmark.

She pointed out that good education can solve a lot of the challenges confronting us as a nation, stressing that sound education produces quality and effective leadership, good governance, strong institutions, behavioural

modifications, etc. Sadly, this has not been so lately because our education is seriously troubled and on fast decline as a result of the disparity between educational resources such as workshops, manpower, funds, libraries, laboratories, etc and quality assurance.

Perhaps, to demonstrate her undying love for education, with special bias for polytechnic education, her forte in the past 30 years or so, she took the pains to provide a proper roadmap towards revamping the sector and the various efforts she has made in the past five years as Rector of Auchi Poly to redress the situation, even if it was just a microcosm of the global rot in the system.

This then leads one to the major flaw of the lecture.

Having spoken about the fundamentals in the beginning portion of the paper, she took a full plunge into an account of her rectorship. This is a classical example in self adulation.

To an extent, critics may find this portion boring and less intellectual, in the sense that the paper quickly swung into story telling; about the do’s and don’ts and the pit falls a good Rector should avoid.

Basically, this part of the paper is replete with descriptive details of milestones attained n administering a crisis prone institution such as student’s teachers’ reorientation, provision of conducive learning environment, partnering

with immediate communities, etc.

Without being told, anyone would know that she was telling her success story as a Rector. On the other hand, however, she can be easily pardoned because there are few Nigerians who can discuss the rot of our educational system undetached, without emotions. If a Nigerian minister can weep over the state of our roads, then, Dr. Idogho deserves praises for transforming Auchi Poly with the little resources at her disposal.

For her eloquence and good delivery, she got a standing ovation from the audience that worth the ink, paper and time invested into the research.

What was even more striking about the timing of the lecture is the fact that it came just when polytechnic teachers were on strike over the deplorable state of polytechnic education in the country. Thus, it serves as a wake-up call on state and federal governments to proffer quick-fix solutions to the challenges in the sector.

Above all, Dr. Idogho has raised consciousness and the job now rests on society to decide what best legacy of education it desires for the Nigerian child.

Finally, to this writer, she has set her ship sailing smoothly in the direction of her professional quest.

SAM DADA AYOKHAI, MEDIA CONSULTANT, BENIN, EDO STATE

“As it turned out, everyone must have gone home satisfied that the encounter with this amazon was a richly rewarding experience, Indeed, stereotypes and this gave way to pragmatism and efficacy and reality. Such is the power of presentation and delivery encapsulated in very simple and plain English over outlandish and abstract languages which leaves the intended audiences even more confused.”

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

Midweek AS the states Craft of the Nigerian statehood zooms near the dawn of her Centenary landmark, mixed feelings are rife on the part of various schools of thoughts with deep concerns and reminiscences which include arguments, that for almost 50 years post independence, the nation had stuck in a precarious state due to her colonial circumstances; while others would contrarily and more discernibly put it cynically, bluntly that the nation is simply what and where she is Democratically due to her own delinquent or diligent making of the fortune or misfortune of her SelfRule: insisting that Mother Land ought to have fared exceedingly better on the socio-economic-political clime.

This is particularly so from the hindsight appraisals of performances as are selfexplanatory from the barometer of the cumulative and prevailing events as reflected in, amongst other things, the uncherry state of her receded industrial growth, the parlous state of basic infrastructure, let alone the multiplicity of socioeconomic challenges all through the tenures of various Administrations of incumbent Governments way back in time Yet, this is as it ominously reflected in the observable indices of democratic evolution of the Nation, as compared to what obtains ideally globally with other upward-mobile societies; but that such a state of retardation is heightened by the fixity of continued social unrests which derived proximately from vicious political differences; while of much more overwhelmingly daunting with a surfeit of worry is the pall of the ravages of sufferings and miseries in the midst of plentiful resources with which the nation is roundly endowed by Mother Nature — all of these fundamental national questions that have been the purports of Executive Engagements of Generations of the Ruling Class as the nation journeyed through the chequered course of Statehood, particularly within the matrix of political tenures of the last near One Hundred Years.

This is with a objective introspection, when it would not be out of place to note that the personages in whose hands were the administrative runs of the nation were arguably some committed

compatriots who gave their ‘all’ to the best and the limits of their ability: as may have been spurred by the liberation uphoria which spelt the momentum for the socio political cultivation of the Nigerian nationhood by the pantheon of the founding fathers.

But ironically, it is from the crucibles of all this that the nation is still this far left seemingly with repletes of all that leaves much to be desired; with the rebounds of the appalling turn of events as traceable to the cumulative socio—political actions or inactions at the tenural milieu of the said compatriot individuals or group who were and/or are still in the saddle of the nation’s leadership undertakings; such that stoke up the pains and pangs and lamentations of majority of the citizenry; and which must have evoked the rueful sighing by the said compatriot-leadershipstakeholders with some sort of quibbling in selfpreservatory alibis: that they probably came aboard the podium of National Service at the right places but the wrong times; and/ or the wrong times at the right places.

This could be a somber exercise in ‘had-I- known...’ from the inner minds of the said Leadership- Steward(s) to whom the cliché may go as “to-err-is-man...”; save that in all of this irony, hardly would there be justifiable exoneration on the apologetic state of the comparative socio-economic index of the nation, due to the unfortunately resultant antecedents of the servicedelivery-dispositions of the nation’s Ruling Class; this being a typical background to the reality of the service against which achievements were seen to be infinitesimally low in contrast to the lofty goals that were the dreams to have been scaled — such that hallmarked the crux of the nagging question of the stakeholder-leaderships which cannot but pander to the clamoring of the bystander-majority of the populace; particularly at the thorny levels of the nation’s decriable manifold troubles, that were not only selfinflicted and avoidable, but never were without the marked presence of cadirs of the leaders at the helm of affairs — such that were circumstantially evidential to the points of the upheavals in which the disastrous sociopolitical leadership had

Magazine

attracted the ongoing simmering public restiveness; save also by the way, that such outrage of reactions by the publics would hardly be of the guilt of the leaderships alone - on a deeply charitable appraisal, without the relative complicity of the followerships - that is, the generality of the citizenry.

This is as a matter of what quality of performance as dispensed by the leaderships on one hand, as compared to the levels of the corresponding receptiveness and cooperativeness, adaptability and/or governability on the part of the followerships; this again, is when viewed against the backdrop of the diverse cultural make-ups and generic world views of the said citizens in such vastly and more or less complex ethnic entities: this is as regards HOW psychologically, conducive is the foreground for efficient management of POWER by the leaderships, for the ultimate good of the people of the nation under governance — this being a realm at which is the saying that “a People Get the Leadership they deserve”; but this should also be a saying to be equally juxtaposed to the notion, that those who rose up to the exalted stool of leadership must do well to be of benignly distinguishing qualities of the Creed that wheels our common humanity: this is with exemplariness and demonstrability of such traits that are of the preserve of the idea/leadership roles; such as may be cursorily summed to include, a life’s station of one’s excellent self-mastery to have blossomed in spirit and the purity of human goodness; to earn the seat that confers one with superiority in capability at pace-setting, as model and fore-front fender that defines one as being worthy to be looked-up-to by others!

Thus, it would be aptly admitted that a retrospect to the historiology of the nation’s Ruling Class would show a pedigree of statesmen and compatriots who never lacked the prerequisites of these leadership traits — this is as can be deduced from the freedom fighting and liberative exploits of the nation’s founding fathers; save that along the line there were fortuitously intervening forces, which smacks of some shock-wives in which the nation was not only caught unawares, but hit by a

Nigerian Leadersh

By PAUL AMEN-AIFUWA

seeming social and political paranoia, resulting in disorientation on the psyche and temperament of the unsuspecting polity ... ever since when things were never again the same!! This is to the extent that the nation perhaps unknowingly, drifted into such abysmal chaos; such that had been of tension-filled hazards in which any one could hardly be emotionally well enough to think clearly, neither nurse hopes nor

Reconstruction, Reintegration and Rehabilitation...”; the aftermath of which were subsequent coups and counter coups through military interregnums: when democratic dispensation was shoved aside: during which interlude that is better likened to the twist of fate in which the nation fell prey to undue social and political fermentation that occasioned wide-spread touchiness in

President Goodluck Jonathan

contemplate towards a better ‘tomorrow’ - a deplorable scenario as of hostilities and violence to which the jolted polity had been exposed: with dire threats to life expectancy which is now at its lowest ebb, due to crisis-induced uncertainties which now contends even with the short span of nature’s mortality for the nation’s inhabitants!!!

WHERE THE NATION MISSED IT It would be said that it is from the above untoward experiences that the nation was taunted to wobble and stumble into a trip from her democratic gait - such that were like the point that marked her socio-political eclipse, as generated by ethnic differences, biases and prejudices which were laced with disenchantments — such that sparked the 30-month old civil war; which though was prosecuted to an end on a vaunted “Three Rs” as

All!”; when the citizens (out of which stock are the same breeds as the said leaders), began to sag and sap out of the fabrics of pristine values, which are necessary spiritual artifacts for integrated humanism; such that are indispensable social nutrients for a nation that must be synergized in resourceful and meaningful growth - needless to say that these were the antecedents that cast undue tolls with waned effect on the nation’s systemic-scheme-of-things;

assu effo Adm tran the G all o deb ech unfo civi soot the p no p who haun LIV

Senate President, David Mark

mistrusts and distrusts within the hierarchy of the Ruling Class.

This was more so at the point of procurements of the yields of the resources and the determination of the nation’s commonwealth - the axis of which became the fertile ground of bitter feuds, rancor and deep-seated acrimonies among the diverse interests that soon mushroomed virulently in nepotic interpersonal and intergroup relationships amongst the citizenry; with upsurge of a legion of Religious houses of Worship, Party Alliances and lots of mis-match-intimacies of strange bedfellows: all in desperate quests for outlets of survival - this is such that soon led to furies and heated public disillusionments; and as if the polity was now charged into a stage that was like “To Thy Tent 0 Ye Israel!”; and/or “Everymanto-Himself and God-to-Us-

and this that was not farfetched from a demoralizing slant on the otherwise vouchable credibility of the nation’s leaderships, amongst which personages as events unfolded, were the abrasively uncouth, the morally uncircumcised, the ethical neophytes, including those in the class of attitudinal senility, who soon fell prey to intrigues and contemptible vices as clandestine plotting, self aggrandizements, abuse of office and the rest of the strands of social misdemeneaur, popularly branded as CORRUPTION: and that these distortionate behavioral traits had become the contaminants on the otherwise puritanical AFRICANESS and ennobling CORE VALUES as characteristics of the nation’s leaders; but such that now quaked and vitiated under the rude trails of a deluge of societal malfeasciances, that

heav the sord perh the daw glo ong of tr subj of c vivi refe ‘exc Gom dem wro with prag wou exe reva that mod tuit scho nati mor acts Wal

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Midweek

hip Can Make It

umed a defiance of the orts of successive ministrations through the sformational exploits of Governments of the Day: of these sordid national acles that were the reoing vestiges of the ortunate events of the said il war that needs no thsaying to be likened to proverbial DEAD that was properly buried, but of ose ghost resurrected to nt, taunt, and torment the VING: while one may

from the perspectives of the factors that exigently require a revisit to the aforesaid Civil War antecedents, which necessitated the said ‘cliché’ as “Reconstruction, Reintegration and Rehabilitation” - of which laudable intendment an significance that should be introspectively re-examined especially from the stance of the said “Reintegration’, which suggests a purposeful fine-tuning on functional Unity and Co-existential understanding amongst the

ve a sigh of optimism in euphemism that these did experiences are haps a somewhat sign of “darkest-before-the wn’... but let it not be ssed over that such oing debilitating moments ravails which had almost jected the nation to a kind cross-road that compares idly with the Scriptural erences of the amoral cesses’ of Sodom and morrah, are in desperate mand for the righting of the ngs that would be a matter h premium of exhaustive gmatic action: such that uld, by the way, elicit rcises for a drastically amped educational system should include specially dulated syllabus on civic ion in all strata of the ools’ grades; and that the on would brace up much re assiduously to get her s together in a focus to lk the Talks, doggedly

breeds of populace; this being an axis from which the sociopolitical turbulences actually triggered; and that this remotely Division and Separatist orgy be tactically targeted and Resolved for the benefits of its beneficently farreaching effect on the tricky issues of ‘Survival’ which is the spell that the notoriety of ethnicism had arbitrarily cast on the harpless citizens, in other words, it’s the fundamental question of ethnic cohesion that must as of priority be tackled from a Take-The-Bull-By-The-Horn range; as it has all along remained the un-healing ulcer within the genetics of the sociology of the populace — given the peculiarly sensitive and emotive human angle which form the confounding dilemma of the nation’s demography, as configured by the Colonial Order of 1914 Amalgamation; and this needs to be further stressed as being

what became the undoing element of segregative and negative reflexes in - mutual disaffection, and discriminatory tendencies within the ranks and files of the Political Class; such that robbed off malevolently on the attitudinal temperament of the polity that soon assumed a stigma of mutative social defect with corruptible effect on the otherwise Spartan character of the Nation, out of which were the engendered tracks of issues that arose from the imbroglios of the

Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker, House of Reps

antecedents of the said civil war; and the inability of the Political Class to have risen to the occasion, to move the nation away from ever racing against the tide in quest of the panacea to the seeming mirage of the swelling National challenges, which require the determination of envisioned GOAL with the mustered Political WILL to ascertain the right footing in the right direction which leads to a train of FORWARD-EVER...

This is needless to say that all of this would need intensified efforts and passions with a proven superseding maturity in Leadership. This is for the nation to be alive to the prospects of all that believe the by-gone stories foretold of Her as a potentially SUPER POWER nation, but steeped in avoidable jeopardy, as even now aggravated by subversive reactions of some lay-about members of the public who are now prowling in a free-for-all

Magazine crime waves; just as some concerned irate civil society group now on the let-loose hankering for all manner of uprising and revolution; this being heightened by the mother-of-all-terror insurgency in unprecedented devastations that had almost erased the Northern Region out of demographic and economic existence — this being a reality that is of an omen with a pall of implication that is gravely dicey as it reflects an aperture of perilous threat to the nations democracy: needless to say that the critical situation beckons the quickest of constructive action from concerned Stakeholders, especially from the stable of the nation’s Leaderships whose performance abilities are now on edge of a trial.

EXCORCISING INSURGENCY & INSECURITY FROM THE LAND It is for the gravely weighty implication of the above observations that one would digress cursorily, with the Caution: that the seeming combative engagements of the pro-Northern Stakeholderships against the Spirited Efforts of the Federal Government in the face of the recrudescence of the insurgents’ aggression, were as unfortunate as they are ironically uncalled for: that is, given if there’s not more to it than meets the eye; neither any intent for pussy-footing on the part of either party; and if political differences must be sunk in lieu of the gravity of the looming offensives, it is to be found that options of more result-oriented and tactfully logical attention and action abound: this is what exigently calls for a pertinent and pertinacity of the exact response by every concerned interests; from the purview of what ought to be done initially, that should be considered aptly expedient even now. — this is in order of First-thing. First, that centres on due process with judicious dissection of the peculiarity of the very reasons and/or grievances of the warring Sect: that a first-hand spontaneous reaction be dispassionately established, from the stand point of the fraternity and aboriginal concerned Body of the Muslim Hierarchy, and the pantheon assemblage of the Northern Governor’s Stakeholderships, with the eminent personages of Northern descents, along with the ex-

Heads of States, together with the Royal Fathers including the Emirs and the pre-eminent Sultan - all together of whom with such majestic patriarchate to say “Nd’!

“That the out-break of the terror incident is abominable to our Founding Fathers, and to our Motherland, and even as it is a profanity and anathema to the peaceful Brotherhood of Islamic Faith, and our common humanity under Allah”!

That all of the stakeholders to meet jointly in the spirit and manner in which a parent would, for example, tend to one’s child or ward with a first-aid attention, in a situation of sudden injury or attack of affliction— such as this to be the initially mediatory exercise to be complemented in earnest with fairness and firmness, to spare not the rod and spoil not the child’; and a thrust of skindeep conciliatory rapport with the said sect, that their mind may be tempered, by the robustly unassailable clouts of the said leaderships of the Northern Statesmen, which include the overriding advantage of the congeniality of their kindredship as fellow indigenes; and in the order of the conducive logistics and proximity of the geographic locality in which the sect operates predominantly - with the candor and sincerity of purpose that are bound by the comparative aboriginal lineage, nay the dog-don’teat-dog goodwill, as would be conjured by the inherently collective filial aura of the said Northern Prime Movers, that can not fail to put the ‘Northern intervention to be drastically on top of the matter: Such amicably tactical moves in a family setting to be equally anchored by the Federal Government (perhaps by the representation of the Amnesty Committee), that cannot but yield much sooner to a full-scale peaceful resolve; this is as such calculated moves would have enhanced in-depth scrutiny into the anatomy of the Sect’s posture of the said insurgency ... which would have provided a chance for the eminent Islamic Doyens and worthy Northern paternity to deploy situation and enlightening didactics towards their reorientation; to enlist their remorse towards voluntary surrender of the unprovoked hostilities.

This is more so against the backdrop of the Sect’s enigmatic and hard-to

decipher culture of guerillawarfare inclinations: this now being a way that would be in favor of their longings, perhaps, for a self-assertive bid for clemency that they may be saved to save them from themselves: needless to say that this would be a concisely dignified way to meander tidily out of the Sect’s spasmodic insecurity menace; and of noteworthy would be the foray of this envisaged troubleshooting masterpiece, that it is not only without prejudice to the limits of the concerns and commitments of the Federal Government so far (especially with the Schedule of the Stateof-Emergency), but would ultimately be seen to reflect an all-sided judicious decisiveness, in which the embattled Federal Government is not entrapped with a precipitate political step that may turn out to be a boomerang of a dangerous precede--0------nce, that would seem to scotch-the snake-in-the-bush...:, an action that would not be a seeming open license for other similar criminallyminded to be rather spured in their ‘trade-in-stock’, as regards the handling of the somewhat amorphous magnitude of the unfortunate insecurity saga: just as one would be equally mindful of the victims of the fratricidal attacks who now lurk in the waiting and moaning for a befitting justice!

This is for the so bewildered Northern Region and the rest of the Nation to heave a sigh of relief; and that the aftermath degree of success thereto, would be a triumphant credit to the overall leadership sagacity of which the North is traditionally not known to be a push-over neither a lilliputian but an inimitable stalwart.

This is also not only for the hostility of the insurgency war to be won preferably with ease, and at its cost-effective ratio, but for the preservation of ultimate peace that is the ensuing desire ... Just yet as such victory would have evinced a profound breakthrough in a somewhat Litmus Test for the nation’s leadership generally; such that I would usher in opportune moment not only for hopes in the said nation’s leadership to rise to the delight of the citizens, but would attract a far-reaching and gratifying nods by the international community to be resilient in the confidence tthat Nigeria, after-all, has what it takes in latent Leadership Preserve to be so entrusted with the leadership chair, not just of the Continental Negroid Race, but as a formidable selfesteemed leadership that can be reckoned with at the strata of the larger World that is now a global village.

THE

NIGERIAN

18

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

Viewpoint

Proposed UK Visa, Lesson For Nigeria

By OLUGBEMIRO MICHAEL

SO many reactions have plagued the recent proposal by the British government to force citizens from Nigeria and four other countries to pay a £3,000(N 750,000) bond to be allowed to enter Britain. In view of this proposal, they will only get their money back once they leave the country, in a bid to end abuse of the Visa system.

The other countries affected by this proposition include Ghana,Pakistan, Bangladesh and India. In the proposal by the Home Secretary, Theresa May, the proposal is targeted at nationals of the countries tagged as “High Risks”. I will be approaching this issue from a perspective, which might not be so obvious. But before then, let me bring some other reactions to the same plan.

The intention is to make the immigration system more selective and deter people from overstaying once their visitor’s visa has expired.

There are plans that the Australian style- bond scheme will also include foreign workers and students.

In a report by Adekunle Adekoya in Vanguard, he observed that the UK visa policy has in reality always been discriminatory to Nigerians and if you like, nationals of other countries included. According to him, it started in September 1986 when the Margret Thatcher administration decided, at the end of a cabinet meeting that in future, travellers from Nigeria, India, Ghana and Bangladesh and Pakistan will need to obtain Visa from their own countries before travelling. Before the 1986 decision, nationals of all common wealth nations except Sri lanka did not need visas to travel to the UK. On the other hand, the House of Representatives

committee on foreign Affairs slammed the move as “discriminatory and unacceptable”. Nnenna Elendu – Ukeje, chairman of the committee in a statement said such a policy was not in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians. She said that they will take a ‘critical look at the policy’ as it affects Nigerians and come up with a way forward. The Minister of foreign affairs, Olugbenga Ashiru, said Nigeria “will do everything within its means to protect its citizens from any harsh policy by any country.” In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, 25th of June, 2013, it was said that the Minister had already summoned the UK commissioner, Mr Andrew pockock, to formally register federal governments’ displeasure to the policy. The statement quoted the minister as describing the policy as “not only discriminatory but also capable of undermining the commonwealth family”. It added that the proposed policy would negate the joint commitment signed

by Prime Minister David Cameron and President Goodluck Jonathan, to double the volume of trade of both countries by 2014.

However, as the twist in the issue continues to develop, the British High commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Andrew pockock said it was regrettable that the yet- to – be announced policy was leaked to the media as the modality for implementation was yet to be worked out, while also assuring the Minister that the views and concerns of Nigerians would be conveyed to his home government.

While there have been some reverse reactions towards the plans, the idea

has been welcomed by backbench Tony MPs, who have been urging the government to take a tougher line on immigration. The policy also has the backing of Lib Dem Leader, Nick Clegg, who suggested the introduction of bonds in March, though was

countries would be “likely to retaliate”.

It is important to note that there was a similar plan of £1,000 bond in 2008 amid an outcry from migrant right groups. . Unarguably, this policy if implemented is going to be a double edged sword.

“In perspective, the policy if

Nigeria reciprocates, as government may be required to, business on both sides will suffer irreparably...” (Adekunle Adekoya,Vanguard).

However, my heart cry is not even about the effect of this proposal on students, parents, immigrants etc, but on a lesson that the citizens and government of this nation are supposed to learn. Not that the things

people of Nigeria to learn from this insult and do everything possible in their power to bring back respect to this nation. On various occasions, I have been opportuned to be around discussions of young people, who just talk about looking for ways of leaving this country to find greener pastures in various European countries.

Majority of them, always end with statements like “I no go just come back again, this country too hard...”

President Goodluck Jonathan proposing the level should be fixed at £1000.

Although, Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs select committee, said the idea was ‘unworkable’ and ‘impractical’. Mr. Vaz, an ex- foreign Office Minister, claimed it would not deter people from trying to stay on after their visas ended and said the targeted

implemented will have repercussions on both sides. If dealing with the illegal immigration is the sole object of the policy, then Nigerians who see the UK as an escape destination will be affected.

On the contrary, Nigeria is a business destination for many United Kingdom Nations, including those of Nigerian descent. If

mentioned above are not important, but just that they are not my main focus. One can hardly blame them, if we want to be sincere, because no country wants an uncontrolled influx of people, as it has its own effect on them. My heart cry is that is that this nation should be made liveable in all ramifications and I want the government of and

hence the struggle by many Nigerian future leaders to find their way out of this country, to go and do menial jobs; going through different hardships and issues just to get papers.

A home office official in Britain said the six countries highlighted were those with “the most Continues on Pg 24

“It is important to note that there was a similar plan of £1,000 bond in 2008 amid an outcry from migrant right groups. . Unarguably, this policy if implemented is going to be a double edged sword.”

THE

NIGERIAN

19

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

Natural Medicine

With

Dr. MAO

08030717341

Healing Power Of Quail Egg WHILE growing up in the North, we ate a lot of guinea fowl and bush fowl eggs.

Our preference at the time was not for chicken eggs at all. We chose the higher guinea/bush fowl eggs because of their nourishing contents and taste. A taste of the pudding is in the eating.

Later, as we grew older, another egg appeared on our table. It was quail eggs from Japan. I don’t know how these eggs came into Nigeria. Well, this didn’t bother us as children. All we were interested in was that it was a good health food for us and every adult who ate or drank it alone or did so with orange juice, After all, in our primary at St. Michael’s Catholic School, Minna in Niger State, we equally ate free lunches of either cooked whole wheat grains or yellow wheat flour and drank powdered milk as well. They were gifts from America. In 2013 as I rifled through my natural medicine files, I stumbled on documents detailing Quail Eggs and their healing powers. I had kept these documents away for years and seemed to have forgotten about them. So, I was happy about the discovery. I celebrated it and told myself that I must seek out the Quail Eggs in Benin City before I goggle where it can be obtained from in Japan.

This set of mind propelled me three weeks ago to visit the shops at the vegetable market near the Nigerian Observer office along Airport Road, Benin. First, I was at shop one which I know so well because the wife of my friend, Mr. Usi, operates it. No show. There are no Quail Eggs there.

Well, I wasn’t disappointed, the exhausting search for Quail Eggs continued until I got to shop A7B. Eureka!, There I found the eggs. I bought lots of them as my friends stared at me in surprise. One of them asked: “what are you going to do with these eggs.

I smiled. In response, I informed him to wait for my future article on the healing power of Quail Eggs in The Nigerian Observer. It was no use therefore talking about it. How many people can you really explain natural medicine to on a one-on-one basis? Very few. Hence one of the best medium is a newspaper platform or a public one.

So, now to business. What is a Quail Eggs? To start with, the egg is laid by a bird called Quail. The egg, which is small, weighs between 10 – 12 grams.

If you flip through the Bible, reference is made to the quail egg. Check, for example, Exodus 16:13 … Psalm 105:40 … and Number 11: 31 – 32. The Holy Book talks about the Quail. It is a creation of God Almighty.

Similarly, the Quran in 2:51 mentions the bird.

Nature – wise medicine men in Chinese, now leading the world in herbal medicine, have been using Quail Egg as a healer and as food for hundreds of years. However, it is only recently that the egg is receiving serious attention in Nigeria. Yet it’s use has long taken a foothold in South Africa and Ghana several decades ahead of Nigeria in natural medicine.

A quail egg may be smaller than a chicken’s egg. But that is where the greatness of the chicken egg ends. Beyond this, a Quail Egg has

comparatively more unquantifiable nutritional and health benefits than the chicken egg. Here are some of the benefits.

A Quail Egg has more digestible protein than chicken egg. Researches show that a quail egg contains more protein than chicken egg. Specifically, if you focus on the egg yolk

alone, a quail egg has 1.4% of cholesterol unlike 4% in chicken egg. Thus, a quail egg is heart friendly and is less likely to cause hypertension.

Furthermore, the protein content in a quail egg is 23% compared to 17% in chicken egg. Now, let’s us selectively look at the comparative values of micronutrients in both a Quail Egg and Chicken Egg, using this

linear, modular explanation.

Vitamin A: There is twice of this vitamin in a quail egg than in a chicken egg.

Vitamin B-One: A quail egg contains six times of this vitamin than in a chicken egg.

Vitamin B-Two: A chicken egg has fifteen times less of this vitamin than a quail egg.

Vitamin D: A quail egg has more of this vitamin than that

Calcium/phosphorus: A quail egg has six times more calcium and phosphorus than those found in a chicken egg.

Iron: This mineral in a quail egg is five times of the one in a chicken egg. It is for this reason a quail egg is a better food for oxygenating the blood, enlivening life and preventing iron-deficiency anaemia.

anaemia cases, therefore. Are you interested in weight reduction, elimination of deadly toxins from the blood, fighting depression, panic, anxiety and stress as well as acquiring brain power? Then, go for quail egg. Also, the egg helps in post-surgery and radiotherapy recovery.

Similarly, the egg is of great

found in a chicken egg. Two eggs of quail bird supplies you with over 20% of an adult’s daily recommended intake of vitamin D. anyone who works in doors should take note of this fact. He/she cannot get adequate vitamin D. A deficiency of this vitamin pre-disposes a person to cancer, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis and other degenerative illnesses that lead to untimely death.

Because of these nutrients in a quail egg as well as several others not mentioned. In this article, a quail egg is not only a nourishing food but a quintessential healer. For instance, consumption of the egg slows down the ageing process, enhances hair/skin beauty and remedies gastric problems like poor digestion, gastritis as well as stomach ulcers.

Also, it improves libido sexual potency in men and women. It aids diabetes and blood vessels treatment.

Fourthly, the egg assists in the management of osteoporosis.

This is because it promotes bone density. Fifthly, when you take quail egg, your immunity against several illnesses increases while your body is more able to cope with allergy problems like asthma, skin rash, rhinitis or eczematous conjunctivitis.

Quail egg boosts your haemoglobin level. It helps

value in treating respiratory disorders, migraine and central nervous system problems.

Children also benefit from quail egg consumption just like pregnant/nursing mothers and the elderly.

Studies indicate that the egg improves the intelligence quotient of children and gives them mental as well as physical balance. Also, the studies reveal the egg renews the body and slows the onset as well as progress of degenerative diseases in the elderly. What is more, similar studies have demonstrated that the egg fortifies the body of a woman before and during pregnancy while it improves her breast milk production.

In deed, quail egg is a health food of choice. It may be small in size, but it is a strong and reliable healer. Try to explore it now. Go for it.

“Children also benefit from quail egg consumption just like pregnant/nursing mothers and the elderly.

Studies indicate that the egg improves the intelligence quotient of children and gives them mental as well as physical balance. Also, the studies reveal the egg renews the body and slows the onset as well as progress of degenerative diseases in the elderly.”

THE

NIGERIAN

20

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

New Horizon

Father, Father Forgive Them...

JESUS Christ thought his disciples and people in general how to pray — “Our Father who art in Heaven, Hollowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, forgive us our sins as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation now and forever more — Amen.

Jesus Christ never taught people to pray against but to pray for people who express their sincerity of heart for help. When Jesus was on the planet His main assignment was to preach the word of the Bible without compromise and to deliver all those who have faith in God. Jesus Christ so had great faith in his Father, God Almighty that he never preached otherwise. He never did campaign nor ask people to come to him to be healed.

Jesus Christ was too busy preaching the words of the Bible that he doesn’t know what is happening around him. Except one comes to Jesus and declare himself will Jesus assist. Jesus Christ don ‘t tell people about power which is in today’s preacher’s habit. Preachers in most cases of today will do everything that will make his ministry grow. The man of God will use any means to capture the audience. The people may say that he had noble ideas and not so as recommended by Jesus.

Jesus Christ was a first class master and preacher who taught that: 1. As a preacher if you get to any one’s door who did not welcome you, dust your feet and move to the next door, for someone is waiting there.

2. As a preacher, you don’t ask people to come to be healed. You let them come to you by their faith which they will express by themselves.

For example with Jesus Christ, people come to him and said master I am blind for 15 years and now that I have heard about you, 1 know that you can help me to regain my sight, please help me. And Jesus Christ answered “Go your faith had healed you, tell no one and sin no more”.

And this fellow became well again. Jesus Christ never told anyone that he can heal and that is why he never advertises himself for any reason. Neither does he compete with anyone. He humbly goes about preaching the words of the Holy Bible. He does not add

nor subtract — it has been found through research that the Holy Bible contains 65,000 mistakes — from genesis to revelation. Majority of the bible we see today are not the Holy Bible but just a Bible. Frankly and painfully, the Holy Bible has been distorted in many ways which mislead, misguide, and misinform people about the true words of the Holy Bible what about our children who will grow with this negative mentality. Our elders who read the Holy Bible in the 50‘s, 60‘s and 70’s knew what I mean for example, thou shall not kill is now thou shall not murder. Jesus Christ is the true Son of God, is now translated as Jesus Christ is God. Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ is now translated as Virgin Mary, mother of God. Thou shall not use the name of God in vain, people generally use the name of God in vain in many aspects of life including preachers who should know better. Have a run down on the ten commandments the reverse is the case. Here we are talking about the Holy Bible and commandments, what about ordinary morals and etiquette which is the beginning of discipline — hardly taught in school and at home and if thought, the percent remains at below 25 percent. In the fifties and sixties, a teacher can Cain a child at school and secondary level. No teacher can try that now because of the ugly implications that parents subject the teachers into, These implications which were not addressed at top level lead to the withdrawal of teachers from having the full right to discipline the children within their jurisdiction. This above analysis tells us why Pastors, Reverend fathers, Reverend Doctors, Bishops and Arch Bishops in their own interdenominational capacity, encroached, on the legal rights of the Holy Bible to make alternations using their own words jugglery. This does not help the doer nor the future of the children. When our children are told in the churches that Jesus is God and virgin many is the mother of God whereby the Almighty God was and still remains unborn. Anything that is born must grow old and die.

Almighty God is unborn, does not grow old nor does he die but remains ever young. And that’s why the Holy Bible inserted that seek and you shall find, of-course we are seeking knowledge and an

With VICTOR ANIUKWU

intelligent person knows that one cannot seek knowledge from one source. The knowledge of God, is unlimited and the source is also unlimited. For example, if one reads only the Bible and concludes about the knowledge of God, such a person is not a wise person. A wise man is someone who knows a little about everything. Jesus Christ never discriminates. He attends to Christians and non-Christians equally. Jesus Christ at year 12, left home to the far East to equip himself with higher

and not business us usual.

Today such activities arc going on in all churches as church programmes, and so Jesus warned before he left the planet, that “He will come again, but as a thief”, and so many churches and preachers had preached and are still preaching that Jesus is coming again. This is hap-hazard preaching. When is he coming, no one knows, many had died waiting yet he is yet to come. To come as a thief means that he will come in spirit to oversee what he had thought the people of the

doing”. Furthermore, when Jesus Christ was carrying his cross, Simon Peter out of compassion for Jesus, chopped off the ear of one of the soldiers in question. But Jesus Christ out of higher knowledge calmed down Simon Peter and plucked the chopped off ear back to its position. Jesus Christ also pleaded to his Father to forgive them, for they don’t know what they do. This is an attitude of mercy, compassion, forgiveness which ushers in love of mankind. See what is going on in today’s world of preaching.

No more forgiveness, no more mercy

knowledge of God before he returned home to flag off his preaching carrier. Today anyone can become a preacher or pastor far as you can pay for a shop or a room anywhere. The next thing is to claim to be a visioneer, a prophet, a healer, a man of God who eats and dines with the Lord every day. People will immediately want to be part of it without knowing the deadly implications. Ignorant of the law and its practice is not an excuse. This diversification has lead to church prolification. The churches are now a place of laizez faire affair. Anyone can come, do whatever he or she wants and get away with it.

Jesus Christ did not waste anytime when he chased the Jews away from the Synagogue (House of God) when it was turned to a business centre. Where were the leaders of that Synagogue that Jesus Christ had to come himself to put such a caution about the do and don’t of his Father House of Preaching

world. Right now as I am writing this piece of article, Jesus Christ is around watching closely at our activities. Can you see a thief around you — No. So you can’t see Jesus as a thief.

That’s why Jesus Christ said, “Where two people are gathered in my name, I am present in their mist. Has anyone seen Jesus Christ while preaching? He is the unseen guest and master but now overseeing us in spirit, and taking record of our various activities. Every one is hereby reminded that what you sow, you shall reap, what you reap now, you have sown in the past. Because there is no halfway to paradise, preachers should learn to preach the accurate words of the Holy Bible — For example — “Jesus Christ is coming again, but as a thief’.

Messages of the Bible must be fully delivered at all times. On the other hand, Jesus Christ called to his Father, Father, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are

but fire for fire everywhere.

Holy Ghost -Fire, Holy Ghost Fire, Holy Ghost- fire ya ya ya. Holy Ghost burn them, consume them, pursue them, kill them, demolish them, finish them, swallow them, capture them and throw them into everlasting fire in the name of Jesus, and the congregation will answerAmen. Show me where Jesus taught such kind of prayer.

Jesus Christ taught his disciples to pray — “Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be they name, they kingdom come, they will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven, give us this day our daily bread, forgive us our sins as we forgive those who trespass against us.... That is the prayer of master Jesus and not Holy Ghost fire-fire them.

This kind of prayer is counterproductive and anti Jesus in nature, and yet people are there to give them kudos to the incumbent man of God who has no sense of forgiveness. Finally, the Devil, the witch craft, the

ghost are all children of God in their own capacity. God is all powerful, all horrowful, all fearful, all deadly, all horrific, etc at same time very compassionate to us 8,400,000 species of life that exist within the three world — The higher planet, the middle planet and the lower planetary system). Everything emanates from God and nothing is outside of God. God is the beginning, the middle and end of everything that exist. God is beyond these three world’s because they are a temporary place of existence. Anyone within these three regions is bound to die no matter the duration of life - 1 00 years, 1000 years, 1,000,000 years, 1 Billion years, I trillion years, etc.

All are but, bound to die at the duration of their life span.

This material world is called a place of anxiety (Kunta) and the kingdom of God is called (Vaikunta) a place of no anxiety. What is anxiety — No food, no money, no wife, no friend, no drinks, no job, no security, no peace of mind, no hope, no gain but loss, no trust, fear of the unknown, etc.

All these and more contribute to the great anxiety of man.

This affects both the rich and the poor. The kingdom of God bears no anxiety and an intelligent person strives to be there in the kingdom of God by strictly following the precepts and laid down step by step regulative principles to clean up our filthy mind, words, and actions that bind us in this material world.

Jesus Christ told us that “In my Father House, there are many mansions there”. He did not accumulate nor carried away by the glittering of this world which has led many human beings astray just like seeing the mirage in the desert, which is water like but never water to quench your taste. So it is in this material world. That’s one of the reasons why nothing is satisfying in this world because it is a place of illusion controlled by the illusory energy of the Supreme Lord.

Finally, this material world is compared to the river bank where you have trees by the bank. Look into the river and you will find those trees just upside down. Is it not miserable to find trees standing on their roots to be standing on their branches?

Where is their survival and where is our survival? In this situation, who bells the cat?

Except you are a serious practitioner, you may not understand, this game. This is not academics, professionalism nor business.

THE

NIGERIAN

21

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

Place Of Prayer

How Intimate Are You With God? (4)

INTIMACY is a season of expression of love to divinity.

It is a place where worship predominates and listening is crucial. It is not a place where you do spiritual warfare, here you forget your enemies, problems and challenges and shift your focus to God you seek Him to know more of Him and to make Him happy.

It is a place where worship predominates, and where the worshipper has one purpose in mind; to make God happy.

Every aspect of it is done in the consciousness of God’s presence and the activities carried out during this period include worship, intercession, personal petitions, meditative study, listening and reaffirming of your love for God indeed when divinity is made happy by your worship, then be rest assured that heaven will also satisfy you and make you happy.

The success of your day’s activities is determined by what you gained in your intimate fellowship with Him at the break of that day. The strength to overcome, wisdom for good decisions and all other benefits that will make your day fulfilling is received in your intimacy with God. Today, we continue the series on the benefits of intimacy with a look at Daniel 6 (Daniel 6:10, 21-23, 28). In that scripture, we see the intriguing story of a man who had implicit confidence in the ability of his God to save him. This was a man who even though he was an honoured Prince and a friend to the king of Babylon, the most exalted and powerful king in the world at the time, preferred to please God rather than please man. Over time, Daniel had built up the habit

of spending time daily in intimacy with the Father, this part of his day was so important that he never toyed with it. At this time, he would retire from all activities and from all friends and colleagues and turn his undivided attention to God. This was an activity that he placed above every other engagement, nothing was as important to him as his intimacy period. His colleagues came to know how much value he placed on his God and they discovered that the only way they can bring an accusation against him was on an issue that concerned his God. Many of us have worked in offices and lived in our neighbourhood for some years now and yet no one can really say with certainty that we are children of God, we have completely masked this part of our lives because we are not proud of the God that we serve, what a shame. Daniel prospered in Babylon and was preferred above the presidents and princes because an excellent spirit was in him, this spirit came upon him because he knew the value of spending time daily in intimacy with God. The exploits that he recorded was because he knew his God intimately (Daniel 11:32). You cannot hope to live a victorious and successful life when you do not know God intimately.

Some of us give an excuse that we have a very busy schedule and therefore have no time to spend in intimacy with God, I wonder if you are busier than Daniel was.

Daniel was one of three Presidents that had been placed over the very great and vast kingdom of Babylon and had to report regularly to the king, yet in the midst of

all these tasking activities, he still found time for intimacy with the father on a very regular basis. Little wonder then that he found favour both in the sight of God and in the sight of the King of Babylon. He not only found, he became a candidate for all the other numerous benefits of intimacy. The jealous presidents and princes

planned to bring him down but God over turned their wicked plot because Daniel was a man after His heart. Isa 54:15 Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.

This scripture came to bare in the life of Daniel as revealed in the scripture we are studying. In the selected verses of Daniel 6, we see

With Pastor Samuel O. Osaghae SMS Only 08030809339

five benefits Daniel enjoyed as a result of his intimacy with the Father; you too can enjoy these benefits if you make it a constant practice to spend quality time daily in intimacy with God. 1. Gods guiding angels will always be with you. My God hath sent His angels vs 22. God’s angels are always with those that spend time in

with Got, harm can befall you because God will daily give His angels charge over you (Mail. 4:6).

2. Your enemies will have no power over you. And hath shut the lion’s mouths that they have not hurt me vs 22.

When you dwell daily in intimacy with God, He will shut the mouths of all those that are trying to consume

used by God to lift you up, they will suddenly find themselves speaking in your favour.

4. When you go through dangerous territories, you will come out unhurt. So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no manner of hurt was found upon him vs 23. If a den of hungry lions is not dangerous territory, then I

intimacy with Him, He never leaves them defenseless. In 2 Kings 6, the king of Syria sent his army to arrest the Prophet Elisha, it was such a great army that the servant of the Prophet was thrown into panic, alas when God opened the eyes of this servant, he saw that the host of angels that were with them was more than the host of the Syrian army. When you spend time daily in intimacy

you and take their strength from them, they will suddenly discover that you have an immunity to their enchantments. You don’t have to pray against your enemies when you dwell in the secret place of the Most High God, you will naturally abide under the shadow of the Almighty God (Psalm 91:1).

3. Those that planned evil for you will turn around to help you. Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den vs 23. The same king that ordered that Daniel be thrown into the pit was now the one seeking his promotion and elevation. When you dwell in intimacy with God, the same people who have been trying to bring you down will be

wonder what is. Daniel spent a full night with dangerous, hungry lions yet he came out of the den unscathed. When you practice intimacy, it doesn’t matter the danger you go through, no evil will befall you, God by Himself will take you through (Psalm 23:4).

5. Sustained Prosperity. So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian vs 28. All those that spend time consistently in intimacy with God are members of the commonwealth of heaven.

Their prosperity is not affected by times and season, they prosper both in good times and in bad times, when men are cast down, then you will say there is lifting up (Job 22:29).

“The success of your day’s activities is determined by what you gained in your intimate fellowship with Him at the break of that day. The strength to overcome, wisdom for good decisions and all other benefits that will make your day fulfilling is received in your intimacy with God.”

THE

NIGERIAN

22

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

International

Compliled By

ISAH STELLA

Snowden’s Assylum Search Hits Iceland, India, Italy, Hurdles France, Ireland, Netherlands,

Russia’s president Vladimir Putin, right, looks on as his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro, left, shakes hands with presidental spokeman Dmitry Peskov during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow.

MOSCOW — NSA leaker Edward Snowden’s best chance of finding refuge outside the United States may hinge on the president of Venezuela, who was in Moscow yesterday meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela told Russian reporters yesterday that his country has not received an application for asylum from Snowden and dodged the question of whether he would take Snowden away with him.

But Maduro also defended the former National Security Agency contractor who released sensitive documents on U.S. intelligence-gathering operations.

“He did not kill anyone and did not plant a bomb,” Maduro said ahead of his meeting with Putin, the Interfax news agency reported. “What he did was tell a great truth in an effort to prevent wars. He deserves protection under international and humanitarian law.”

During his Kremlin meeting with Putin, Maduro spoke about plans to build on the strong ties with Russia formed under his late predecessor, Hugo Chavez.

Neither he nor Putin mentioned Snowden in their public statements.

The Kremlin-friendly newspaper Izvestia reported

Monday that the two presidents would discuss Snowden, adding to speculation that arrangements would be made for Snowden to travel to Venezuela. Snowden had initially booked flights to Havana, Cuba, and then on to Caracas, Venezuela, before becoming trapped in legal limbo in a Moscow airport more than a week ago. .”Snowden withdrew his bid for asylum in Russia when he learned the terms Moscow had set out, according to Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Putin said on Monday that Russia was ready to shelter Snowden as long as he stopped leaking U.S. secrets.

At the same time, Putin said he had no plans to turn over Snowden to the United States.

Snowden also has applied for asylum in 20 other countries, according to WikiLeaks, a secret spilling website, but many of those countries said he cannot apply from abroad.

Officials in Austria, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain and Switzerland all said he must make his request on their soil.

WikiLeaks said requests have also been made to Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cuba, Ecuador,

protesters and the military challenge his authority.

The official says career diplomats Omar Amer and Ihab Fahmy have stepped down after nearly five months speaking on behalf of Morsi.

The official spoke yesterday on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

The move compounds the woes for Morsi as he faces massive protests calling for his ouster.

On Monday, six Cabinet ministers quit and the military gave the president a 48-hour ultimatum to work out his differences with the opposition or it will intervene and oversee the implementation of its own political road map. The ultimatum expires today.

Nicaragua, Spain and Venezuela.

India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said Delhi has carefully examined the asylum request and decided to turn it down.

WikiLeaks also posted a statement attributed to Snowden on its website late Monday, in which he slams President Barack Obama for “using citizenship as a weapon.”

“Although I am convicted of nothing, (the United States) has unilaterally revoked my passport, leaving me a stateless person,” Snowden says in the statement. “Without any judicial order, the administration now seeks to stop me exercising a basic right.

A right that belongs to everybody. The right to seek asylum.

“Their purpose is to frighten, not me, but those who would come after me.”

Snowden, who has been on the run since releasing the sensitive NSA documents, is believed to have been in the transit zone of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport since his arrival from Hong Kong on June 23.

WikiLeaks legal adviser Sarah Harrison delivered the request for asylum to an official at the Russian consulate at the Moscow airport on Sunday, according to the group that has adopted Snowden and his cause.

Ecuador, where he had initially hoped to get asylum, has been giving mixed signals about offering him shelter.

Britain’s Press Association news agency said it had obtained a letter from Snowden to Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa thanking him for considering his asylum request.

“There are few world leaders who would risk standing for the human rights of an individual against the most powerful government on earth, and the bravery of Ecuador and its people is an example to the world,” PA quoted the letter as saying. The agency said it had obtained the Spanish-language letter from sources in Quito, the capital of Ecuador.

saying the North Korean nuclear standoff won’t be resolved unless the U.S. changes its tone, according to Choe. .”Shortly after Choe spoke, South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se told reporters that most diplomats at the forum expressed a “very strong message” to the North Korean delegation that Pyongyang must scrap its nuclear program and refrain from launching another provocation.

“So they must have listened to this message very, very seriously,” he said, speaking in English.

North Korea surprisingly

offered to talk with the U.S. and rejoin long-stalled international nuclear disarmament talks last month after weeks of tension following its February nuclear test. The country also recently eased its warlike rhetoric, but has still vowed to bolster its nuclear arsenal, citing what it calls U.S. military threats.

U.S. officials have coolly responded to North Korea’s overtures, and analysts say the impoverished country often calls for talks after raising tensions with provocative behavior in order to win outside concessions.

Kerry on Monday stepped up pressure on the North to abandon its atomic ambitions after meeting with his counterparts from China, South Korea and Japan.

Morsi’s 2 Spokesmen Quit Egypt:

File: South African President Nelson Mandela, left, and Deputy President F.W. de Klerk chat outside parliament after the approval of south Africa’s new constitution.

CAIRO — A foreign ministry official says two spokesmen for President Mohammed Morsi have quit in the latest defections from his embattled administration as

South Africa: Apartheid-Era Leader Sick

JOHANNESBURG - F.W. de Klerk, the last leader of South Africa’s apartheid era and a corecipient of the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize with Nelson Mandela, has suffered dizziness and will be fitted with a pacemaker to help his heart function, a foundation said yesterday.

A Cape Town-based foundation named after 77-yearold de Klerk said the former president felt dizzy after returning home on Sunday from a trip to Europe, and consulted his specialist on Monday.

“He has had several such spells in recent weeks and his specialist recommended the immediate installation of a pacemaker. He will be fitted with a pacemaker later today and will spend the night in hospital,” the foundation said in a statement.

On Saturday, the foundation issued a statement on behalf of de Klerk and his wife Elita, saying they had decided to suspend a working visit and vacation in Europe because Mandela is critically ill, and that they were praying for an improvement in the health of the anti-apartheid leader.

Mandela, 94, was taken to a Pretoria hospital on June 8 to be treated for what the government said at the time was a recurring lung infection. Since then, there has been a groundswell of concern in South Africa and around the world for the man who spent 27 years as a prisoner under

apartheid and then emerged to negotiate an end to white racist rule before becoming president in the country’s first all-race elections in 1994.

De Klerk, a former education minister who had backed segregated schooling, was a key figure in a delicate transition that turned out to be relatively peaceful despite fears of widespread racial conflict. In 1990, a year after becoming South Africa’s president, he announced he was legalizing the African National Congress, the banned group that led the anti-

apartheid movement, and would free Mandela. He received the Nobel prize along with Mandela for his reformist initiatives and effectively negotiating himself out of power.

De Klerk later served as a deputy president during Mandela’s single five-year term as president. Since his retirement from political life, he has traveled widely and delivered lectures.

His foundation says its mission is to help poor and disabled children, contribute to conflict resolution and uphold South Africa’s constitution, which

robustly supports the protection of human rights.

Last year, Mandela’s archivists and Google announced a project to digitally preserve a record of Mandela’s life. In one online video, de Klerk recalled being asked to address parliament alongside Mandela in 2004. It was the 10th anniversary of the day Mandela became president.

Mandela took de Klerk’s arm as lawmakers applauded.

“It is, if you now look back, a symbol of how reconciliation can manifest itself,” de Klerk said, reflecting on his encounter with Mandela.

North Korea Seeks Talks With US To Ease Tensions

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brune— North Korea’s top diplomat said yesterday that the U.S. must accept its offer for dialogue without preconditions if it wants to ease tensions on the divided Korean Peninsula. He drew a quick rebuttal from his South Korean counterpart, who said the international community has made clear that Pyongyang must give up its nuclear ambitions if it wants better relations.

The Koreas were among 27 nations at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum in Brunei, where the North’s nuclear weapons program was a key topic, along with other hot-button regional issues such as South China Sea territorial

disputes. Asia’s largest security forum includes the U.S., North Korea and the four other countries involved in long-stalled nuclear talks on ending North Korea’s nuclear ambitions in return for aid.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday that the U.S., South Korea, Japan and China — North Korea’s chief ally — were “absolutely united” in their insistence on a denuclearized North Korea. Washington says Pyongyang must move in that direction before it will agree to talks, but North Korean Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun said during the conference Tuesday that it is America that must act.

“The U.S. must accede to our courageous decision and

goodwill gesture (to offer talks) without preconditions if it is truly interested in ending the vicious circle of intensifying tension on the Korean Peninsula and safeguarding peace and stability,” Pak said, according to North Korean delegation official Choe Myong Nam. Pak said that “a touch-and-go situation in which a war can break out anytime is fostered” on the Korean Peninsula, and that U.S. hostility against the North was primarily responsible for that, Choe told reporters. Pak said the U.S. must normalize relations with North Korea and lift sanctions against the country,

THE

NIGERIAN

23

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

In evergreen memories Priceless Mum, Late Madam Rose Jugah

Late Madam Rose Jugah CHANGE OF NAME

Palace 113/Vol. XI/S/178

Compliled By

ISAH STELLA

Syrian Rebels Threaten To Target Shi’ite Villages In Aleppo

YOUR prayers and struggles for all of your children have not been in vain this past eleven years that you went to be with the Lord.

The values you taught us place you on a pedestal that is unrivalled.

We know you are at peace and you will forever be in our heart.

Adieu! Sweet Mother.

Fondly remembered by your Daughter.

Signed: Princess Theresa Erediauwa

International

25th June 2013

Evbuomwan Sylvester Esq., Royal Legal Adviser, Enogie of lgbontor Palace, lgbontor Community, lgbanke, Edo State.

I am directed by the Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba of Benin, to refer to your letter dated l3th June, 2013 requesting for a copy of Omo N’Oba pronouncement on the Enogieship seat in Igbontor Community as reached on 11th June, 2013 and to say that Omo N’Oba reaffirmed his earlier decision that HRH Jeremiah Omorodion is the Enogie of Igbontor in Igbanke Community.

Above for your record purpose, please.

ORIAKHI – I, formerly Miss Gloria Oriakhi now Mrs. Gloria Osagie. All former documents remain valid. General public and all concerned authorities should please take note.

DAMASCUS - Syrian rebels in the northern province of Aleppo on Monday threatened to seize two Shi’ite Muslim villages that back President Bashar al-Assad unless they surrendered to the opposition.

Activists say both Nubl and Zahra villages had been reinforced

by Assad’s allies in the increasingly sectarian war, among them fighters from Iran and Lebanon’s powerful Shi’ite guerrilla group, Hezbollah.

“We announce our intention to liberate Nubl and Zahra from the regime and its shabbiha (pro-Assad militia), and from the Hezbollah and Iranian elements,” the rebels said in an Internet video.

The 27-month-old conflict, which pits mostly Sunni insurgents against Assad, from an offshoot of Shi’ite Islam, has already killed more than 100,000 people and driven 1.7 million Syrians to seek refuge in neighboring countries.

Assad’s forces, spearheaded by Hezbollah, have made a number of gains since they seized the border town of Qusair last month. There have also been heavy clashes in Aleppo and surrounding districts, fuelling expectations that Assad aims to re-establish control of Syria’s largest city.

On Sunday rebels shot down a helicopter close to Nubl, which activists said had been carrying supplies to the villages. Authorities in Damascus said they were taking Education Ministry employees to supervise school exams. Seven employees and the helicopter crew were killed, they said.

A video released by activists a few weeks earlier showed an army officer apparently recruiting Shi’ite villagers in Zahra and Nubl to form fighting units to support the army against the rebels.

“PREVENT A SINGLE DROP OF BLOOD” “In order to prevent a single drop of blood from being spilled and to find a peaceful solution, we have set the following conditions,” the video statement by the rebels said.

Among the demands were the CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OMOSORIA – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Omosoria Patience now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Arebamen Obhenke Joy. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities, Rapid Response Agency (RRA) and the general public should please take note.

SUNDAY – I, formerly known as Mrs. Hope Nkeiruka Sunday now wish to be known as Mrs. Hope Nkeiruka Felix Onyeri. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

IGIE-AKHAGBE – I, formerly known and addressed as Elizabeth Nita Akhagbe Elizabeth Igietseme and Elizabeth Nita Igie-Akhagbe now wish to be known and addressed as Elizabeth Nita Igietseme. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

IGBINOVIA – I, formerly called Miss Igbinovia Ivie Ewaen is now known and called Mrs. Egharevba Ivie Ewaen. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

surrender of Assad’s forces and their weapons, followed by a power sharing deal between the locals and the rebels. “”If there is no response (to rebel demands for surrender) there will be a major military operation on those two villages,” the statement said.

The sectarian nature of the conflict has set regional Sunni Muslim powers - notably Gulf Arab states and Turkey - against Assad’s Shi’ite Iranian and Hezbollah allies in a deepening proxy war on Syrian soil.

Deputy U.S. Secretary of State William Burns, speaking at the

end of a visit to neighboring Lebanon, condemned Hezbollah’s military intervention in Syria.

“Despite its membership in the Lebanese government, Hezbollah has decided to put its own interests and those of its foreign backers above those of the Lebanese people,” Burns said.

“We condemn in the strongest terms Hezbollah’s actions in Syria. They ... stand in direct violation of Lebanon’s disassociation policy (from Syria) and place the future of Lebanon at risk.”

DUBAI - Iran has played down the impact of U.S. sanctions that came into effect this week, but said the measures would complicate a resolution to the dispute over its nuclear program.

The new sanctions, which came into effect on Monday, target trade with Iran’s shipping and automobile sectors, gold sales to Iran and handling of the Iranian currency, the rial - a further attempt to force Tehran to curb its nuclear activities.

In recent years, Iran has vigorously pursued its development of nuclear technology which Western countries suspect is masking its attempts to develop a weapons capability, allegations Iranian officials have repeatedly denied.

“We have no doubt that sanctions are a broken policy and we are surprised about why the

American government and other governments who take part in these sanctions continually repeat a mistaken and failed policy,” the state television website quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Araqchi as saying late on Monday.

“Removing sanctions would count as a confidence-building measure and can assist in a resolution of the issue but increasing sanctions would have no result, apart from making the issue more complex and harder to resolve,” he said.

Hopes for a resolution to the nuclear dispute were boosted last month with the election as president of Hassan Rouhani, a former nuclear negotiator who promises a softer approach to foreign relations than hardline incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania - Democratic President Barack Obama and Republican predecessor President George W. Bush found common ground in Africa yesterday, honoring the victims of a terrorist attack in an unprecedented chance encounter a world away from home.

The U.S. presidents had a brief, silent appearance together at a monument to victims of the 1998 embassy bombing here in the east African city where Bush coincidentally happened to be as Obama wrapped up a weeklong tour of the continent. While the two U.S. leaders didn’t say anything publicly, their wives engaged in a warm and chatty joint appearance at a summit on

African women.

Initially the two presidents weren’t even planning to meet while in town, but first lady Michelle Obama joked as she sat next to her predecessor: “They’re learning from us.”

The Obamas departed Africa for home shortly after crossing paths with the Bushes, who were hosting the summit promoting the role of African first ladies in bringing change to their countries. Bush ended up joining the current president for the wreath-laying ceremony honoring the Tanzanian victims of the simultaneous attacks at the U.S. embassies here and in Kenya masterminded by Osama bin Laden.

New US Sanctions Will Complicate Nuclear Issue - Iran

Obama Ends Africa Trip By Joining Bush At Memorial

PUBLIC NOTICE

CAVEAT EMPTOR I, Mr. John Longe of No. 38, Idahor Street, Off Upper Sokponba Road, Benin City wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the bonafide owner of a landed property measuring 50ft by 100ft (fifty feet by one hundred feet) situate at Evborhan Plot Layout in Ward 34/F. The general public, agents and concerned authorities are advised not to go into transaction with anybody concerning the land as the land is not for sale.

You are warned.

Signed: JOHN LONGE

THE

NIGERIAN

24

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

Viewpoint Proposed UK Visa, ...

Contd. from Pg 18

significant risk of Abuse”. “ Last year 296,000 people granted six month visas were from India, 101,000 from Nigeria, 53,000 from Pakistan and 14,000 each were from Sri Lanka and Bangledesh”( AFP).

Imagine the figures! Let us learn from this “Insult” (that is what it is to me), and make this nation an envy for people outside.

We can make this country beautiful enough for people to want to come in and our youths ready to stay and work. We have very wonderful professional Nigerians working in different places in European countries, who have refused to come back home, because of better quality of job terms; we have read in the News of Nigerians making giant strides in their various endeavours. All this would have been things enjoyed in this country if things were as good as they ought to be.

This is my plea!

Government, please you can continue your complaints on the discriminatory policy, but please also focus on making this nation a golden street that people will want to walk on. For the supposed giant of Africa to be put to this kind of treatment speaks volumes in few lines. Please Sirs and Madams, OGAs at the Top, think deeply on this situation, and pick up lessons, that will kick start a developmental revolutions that will affect all aspect of this nation.

Please! For the government officials that embezzle or that have embezzled, I want to say that you are part of the reason for this

insult. Money meant for development, were pocketed and used for selfish gains, anyway some people are at the corner praying for you and God is listening.

Mr. Government and her officials, Nigeria needs

and nobody will insult us by calling us high risk for contributing illegal immigrants. I sincerely know that with the way things have gone bad, it will not take just one day to solve the years of decay, but the process should

To my fellow citizens, you have every right to want to leave the country oh!, things are not well and we watch in the Television of the beautiful things happening in the European countries (thanks to the information flow imbalance). The reasons not to say are pretty obvious, but again hard

nation great, the train is gradually gaining pace; so please do not be left behind. Let us break the barrier of corruption by first of all not being corrupt, kill ethnicity and tribalism from the roots, join with adequate information in the electoral processes. The good people should contest and

work and integrity pays. I just want to encourage us to stay with one another and develop this nation, the America, Britain we run to today were built by the sweats of people. For some, the inputs of some of our forefathers via slave trade forms the foundation of their development, hence we should stick together in Unity and develop this nation. I strongly believe that we can make it. I call on all the children, Youths, aged, Mothers, fathers etc to join the train of those with the heart to make this

continue to contest so that this nation enjoys the beauty that comes when a righteous man rules. Fight corruption with all sense of sincerity and love for this nation, not a fight tainted with selfish reasons.

Please let us not wait for the government, if they are not working let us kick them to the work by taking up their functions to make sure the citizens are comfortable. You live in a street as a Millionaire and the streets are very bad, why wait for the government, when you can begin the process. The well to-do could create scholarship platforms for the bright minds in the society and provide the right environment for their talents to be horned.

Parents should stop encouraging their children

David Cameron, British Prime Minister steady power supply, we need good roads, we need employment for our youths, we need uninterrupted terms in our schools (No strikes), well secured neighbourhoods and properly equipped security agents. We the citizens of Nigeria need comfortable houses at affordable rates and policies that will greatly improve the comfort of the general public. Sincerely sir, if all these things are provided, we will be the ones making this kind of policy, to control the influx

begin and the heart of restoration should be in every of the government officials. The government of South Africa has to make comments regularly regarding the conditions of a citizen not in government, churches hold prayers for him to remain alive even though he is more than 90, even death respects his achievements and have refused to take him...this tells you that being a good government official pays. Thumbs up Mandela “Madiba”, may you live long for us.

“The reasons not to say are pretty obvious, but again hard work and integrity pays. I just want to encourage us to stay with one another and develop this nation, the America, Britain we run to today were built by the sweats of people.”

that the grasses are always greener on the other side of the lawn. That is not how it is Oh. Get to ask questions from those that made it back, some have had to do very obscene things just to make ends meet, so many of them are even ashamed to say the true stories of their experiences. Some of those that tried to go through the desert have lost their lives.

The Richest man in Africa started and survived the environmental hurdles, Jim Ovia started in the Delta state environments, Michael Adenuga began Globacom in Nigeria, and the list continues.

Mentioning people that have survived the stress in this great nation, who have also made it and respected all over the world will take too much space, hence I still wish to assert that making it is possible in this nation. I know of the CEO of a leading communication firm in Victoria Island, who started in school not having slippers to go to class with but today runs a multi Million naira company in the communication sector.

The good people still make it, because it’s on their shoulders that the greatness of this nation lies. It is not a mistake that the theme for our image transformation agenda is “Nigeria, good people, great nation”. Our greatness as a nation is hinged on the availability of good people who have gone beyond any barrier available, from poverty to religion, ethnic backgrounds etc. Be the great person and not a source of insult to this country. Greatness even when you are born into it, does not just fall on someone, it is nurtured.

This matter of £3000, Slammed on visitors from the giant of African should bring reflections and not only reactions. Let the world just continue to wait, we are coming! They will not wait for too long, people like me that love this country sincerely are

THE

NIGERIAN

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

Healthy Living

Staying Healthy During Pregnancy

NOW that you’re pregnant, taking care of yourself has never been more important. Of course, you’ll probably get advice from everyone – your doctor, family members, friends, coworkers, and even complete strangers about what you should and shouldn’t be doing.

But staying healthy during pregnancy depends on you.

According to kidHealth.Com, its crucial to arm yourself with information about the many ways to keep you and your baby as healthy as possible.

Parental Health Care Key to protecting the health of your child is to get regular prenatal care. If you think you’re pregnant, call your health care provider to schedule an appointment. You should schedule your first examination as soon as you think you might be pregnant.

At first visit, your health care provider will probably do a pregnancy test, and will figure out how many weeks pregnant you are based on a physical examination and the date of your last period. He or she will also use this information to predict your delivery date (an ultra sound done sometime later in your pregnancy will help to verify that date).

If you’re healthy and there are no complicating risk factors, most health care providers will want to see you: · Every 4 weeks until the 28th week of pregnancy · Then every 2 weeks until 36 weeks · Then once a week until delivery.

Throughout your pregnancy, your healthcare provider will check your weight and blood pressure while also checking the growth and development of your baby (by doing things like feeling your abdomen, listening for the fetal heartbeat starting during the second trimester, and measuring your belly). During the span of your pregnancy, you’ll also have prenatal tests, including blood, urine, and cervical tests, and probably at least one ultrasound.

NUTRITION AND SUPPLEMENTS Now that you’re eating for two (or more), this is not the time to cut calories or go on a diet. In fact, it’s just the opposite – you need even more. But if you’re overweight, your healthcare provider may advise you to consume fewer extra calories.

Healthy eating is always important, but especially when you’re pregnant. So, make sure your calories come from nutritious foods that will contribute to you baby’s growth and development.

Try to maintain a well-balanced diet that incorporates the dietary guidelines including: · Lean meats · Fruits · Vegetables · Whole-grain breads · Low-fat dairy product By eating a healthy, balanced diet you’re more likely to get the nutrients you need. But you will need more of the essential nutrients (especially calcium, iron, and folic acid) than you did before you became pregnant. Your health care provider will prescribe prenatal vitamins to be sure both you and your growing baby are getting enough.

But taking prenatal vitamins doesn’t mean you can eat a diet that’s lacking in nutrients. It’s important to remember that you still need to eat well while pregnant. Prenatal vitamins are meant to supplement your diet, and aren’t meant to be your only source of much needed nutrients.

Calcium Most women 19 and older including those who are pregnant don’t often get the daily 1,000mg of calcium that’s recommended. Because your growing baby’s calcium demands are high, you should increase your calcium consumption to prevent a loss of calcium from your own bones. Good sources

By ISEMHENBITA FAITH of calcium include: · Low-fat dairy product including milk, pasteurized cheese, and yogurt. · Calcium – fortified products, including orange juice, soy milk, and cereals · Dark green vegetables including spinach, kale, and broccoli · Dried beans etc.

Iron Pregnant women need about 30mg of iron every day. Why? Because iron is needed to make hemoglobin, the oxygencarrying component of red blood cells. Without enough iron,

the body can’t make enough red blood cells and the body’s tissues and organs won’t get the oxygen they need to function well.

Iron rich foods include: · Red meat · Dark Poultry · Eggs · Enriched grains · Dried fruits, beans and peas etc.

Fluids:

“Low impact, moderate-intensity exercise activities (such as walking and swimming) are great choices. It’s also important to be aware of how your body changes. During pregnancy, your body produces a hormone known as relaxin, which is believed to help prepare the pubic area and the cervix for birth.”

It’s important to drink plenty of fluids, especially water, during pregnancy. And drinking enough water each day can help prevent common problems such as dehydration and constipation.

Exercise The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes (that’s 2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate – intensity aerobic activity each week if you’re not already highly active of doing vigorous-intensity activity.

Exercising during pregnancy has been shown to be extremely beneficial. Regular exercise can help; · Prevent excess weight gain · Reduce pregnancy related problems, like back pain, swelling, and constipation · Improve sleep · Increase energy · Improve outlook · Prepare for labour · Lessen recovery time Low impact, moderate-intensity exercise activities (such as walking and swimming) are great choices.

It’s also important to be aware of how your body changes.

During pregnancy, your body produces a hormone known as relaxin, which is believed to help prepare the pubic area and the cervix for birth.

Sleep It’s important to get enough sleep during your pregnancy.

Your body is working hard to accommodate a new life, so you’ll probably feel more tired than usual. And as your baby gets bigger, it will be harder to find a comfortable position when you’re trying to sleep. Lying on your side with your knees bent is likely to be the most comfortable position as your pregnancy progresses according to KidHealth.com o n l i n e .

Some Things To Avoid During Pregnancy When you’re pregnant, what you don’t put into your body (or expose your body to) is almost as important as what you do. Here are some things to avoid. · Alcohol · Recreational Drugs · Nicotine · Caffeine Source:KidHealth.Com.

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