THE NIGERIAN
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The Nigerian
PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 NIGERIA AT 53
cmyk
Page 23 Need To Support Transformation Agenda
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
• Vol. 38 NO. 324• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2 013 • N100.00
Apo killings: Witnesses ’ll be protected - Mark
ABUJA - Senate President David Mark said yesterday in Abuja that witnesses, who come forward to testify in the Apo killings of Sept. 22, would be ‘adequately’ protected.
Mark gave the assurance at the beginning of investigations into the cause of the killings, by
the joint Senate Committees on National Security, Intelligence and Judiciary. About 10 occupants of
an uncompleted building behind Apo Legislators quarters were killed in September when
Continues on page 2
Doctors strike paralyse hospitals nationwide
SECURITY ISSUES Page 18 The Nigeria Police and National Security
ZARIA (KADUNA) - The nationwide strike embarked by Resident Doctors has crippled activities at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria as patients were seen vacating the hospital. Yakasai told newsmen Resident Doctors at that they have decided to the University of Benin seek for alternative Teaching Hospital medication elsewhere. (UBTH) are observing the indefinite strike action. Also affected was the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, where the doctors have also joined the strike. Our correspondent gathered that many patients and their relations were busy leaving the hospitals. A relation to one of the patients on admission at ABUTH, Malam Gambo
“We were shocked when the information about the commencement of the strike reached us, we therefore have to think of how to transfer our patients elsewhere, since
we cannot allow them to be knocked down by sickness” he said. Mrs Maryam Ibrahim, said she was in the hospital on appointment, adding, “this strike is neither
good for the patients nor for the nation.” When contacted, the Chief Medical Director, ABUTH, Prof. Khalid Lawal said consultants had been deployed to provide skeletal services
at the hospital. “Our consultants are providing skeletal services in the hospital, our Accident and Emergency unit is also providing its usual essential services. Even during the previous strike our consultants had provided skeletal services,” he said. On patients vacating
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Dako bags award BENIN CITY - An aide of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Engr. Stanley Dako has been conferred with the Sir Ahmadu Bello Platinum Leadership Award by the Northern Youth Assembly of Nigeria (NYAN) for his exemplary leadership. Speaking at the award ceremony in Benin City, Speaker, Northern Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Hon. Gideon Obande said the Sir Ahmadu Bello Platinum Leadership Award is for a purpose-driven, credible and exemplary person to serve as role models for the younger generation. “We are here today in our unrepentant and fervent belief in the victory of light over darkness, triumph of meritocracy and acceptability of logic over irrationality. Our presence here today gives credence and testimony to this assertion and we are indeed elated to identify
with our distinguished awardees because we believe that identifying with you is like identifying with competence and performance, which is what our great association stands for” he noted. Hon Obande who led other executive member of the association to Benin City stated that they have found a true leader in the recipient. “You have shown us through your unprecedented achievements in the infrastructural development of Edo State that some leaders can still be trusted if given a chance. We are here to celebrate focus, determination, doggedness and resilience. Your resolute and uncompromising approach in making sure that the youth get their rightful place is well commendable. These u n c o m m o n achievements remain a source of encouragement
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2013 PHARMACY WEEK: L-R: Pharm Olumide Akintola, President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, Chief of Staff and Dr. (Mrs.) Aihanuwa Eregie, Commissioner for Health at the 2013 Pharmacy Week of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria in Benin City, yesterday.
Oshiomhole tasks pharmacists on Int’l standard
By ADAMS OYIBOKE/ OYENMWN OMOROGBE
BENIN CITY - Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has charged Pharmaceutical society of Nigeria (PSN) to imbibe International Best Practices in the pharmacy profession. He gave the charge yesterday while
declaring open, the 2013 pharmacy week in Benin City.
He said the flagrant advertisement of drugs with solutions to all
manner of ailments has Governor Oshiomhole become a thing of said, “When we concern. Continues on page 2
a report published by an Indian-based online publication on global health issues, the Citizens News Service (CNS), made available to
newsmen in Abuja. It stated that the roadmap was launched by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Stop TB Partnership,
WHO, others move to end childhood International Union ABUJA - The first ever TB deaths against Tuberculosis roadmap designed to and Lung Disease, also end childhood Tuberculosis deaths globally has been launched on Tuesday in Washington DC, U.S. This is made known in
known as The Union and other partners. According to the report, the WHO
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THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
News
Witnesses ’ll be protected
Continued from page 1
security operatives invaded the building. Members of the Boko Haram sect were suspected to be staying in the building. Following a motion on the incident sponsored by Senator Sahabi Ya’u (PDPZamfara), the Senate mandated the joint committee to investigate the cause of the killings. In his speech while declaring the hearing open, Mark pleaded with Nigerians, who had facts about the incident to ‘freely come forward’ with such information. “This is not the time for blame game. It is time to find facts. “We must hear from all sides of the divide so that we can establish the truth and proffer solutions to the crisis. “I want to plead with all witnesses to come forward with facts; I want to assure them that the Senate will give them adequate protection guarantee,” he said. The senate president gave the assurance that the findings would not be swept under the carpet, saying that members of the committee were open minded. “The Senate and indeed the National Assembly will ensure that facts are not shrouded in secrecy and we shall encourage all witnesses to be frank,” he added. He said that the current security situation in the country had become worrisome and intolerable “since no one knows who the terrorists are.” “This is absurd and totally alien to us. We can no longer understand ourselves; we need to tackle this menace headlong. “The insurgents now have international connections. That is why everybody must
work hard to tackle the menace before we are doomed,” Mark said. Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the joint committee, Senator Mohammed Magoro (PDPKebbi), promised that the committee would be honest, just and fair in carrying out its assignment. He said that all sides would be given fair hearing without bias, fear or favour.
“We cannot manufacture any information. We shall ask questions from all those involved. “Security agencies and stakeholders will appear before us and after, we shall visit the site,” he said. The hearing, which later went into a closed session, was attended by the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Azubuike
WHO, others move to end childhood TB deaths
Continued from page 1 recently estimated that six to 10
per cent of all TB cases were among children, and that the number can be much higher because TB in children was often undiagnosed. The programme was titled: “Roadmap for Childhood Tuberculosis: Towards Zero Deaths’’. According to The Union, “the roadmap builds on what is already known about the disease to identify clear steps that can prevent these child deaths.’’ It said that the roadmap estimated at least 120 million dollars per year would be needed to address childhood TB, including in children infected with both TB and HIV. It said that the amount was needed to improve detection, develop better medicines for children and integrate TB treatment into existing maternal and child health programmes. According to Dr Mario Raviglione, the Director, Global Tuberculosis Programme with WHO, “any child who dies from TB is one child too many.” “As we know, TB is preventable and treatable; this roadmap shifts our focus from the challenges we face to immediate actions we can take.’’ Mr Nicholas Alipui, Director of
programmes, UNICEF, said that too many children with tuberculosis were not getting the treatment they needed. “Most of these children live in the poorest, most vulnerable households. “It is wrong that any child should die for want of a simple, affordable cure, especially where there are communitybased options to deliver lifesaving interventions.” Mr. Luis Castro, Interim Executive Director, of The Union, said: “If we can shift TB diagnosis and treatment out of specialised programmes into other existing maternal and child health activities, we can automatically gain reach and scale.’’ Castro said that combining that scale with investments in tools and medicine, would save “10 of thousands of lives.”
The roadmap recommends 10 actions to be taken at national and global levels. They include participation of children and adolescents in research, policy development and clinical practices, collecting and reporting better data, including preventive measures. Others are development of training and reference materials on childhood TB for healthcare workers, and fostering local expertise and leadership among child-health workers at all levels of the health care system. It also recommended engaging key stakeholders and establishment of effective communication and collaboration between the healthcare sector and other sectors to address the social determinant of health and access to care.
Continued from page 1 advertise and simplify complicated health issues, including cure, we are promoting what you (PSN) describe as open market drug vendor. “You go across the table or counter, drugs that you won’t find elsewhere are easily dispensed not by pharmacists, but those claim
to be experts by putting on white overall. “All of us, beyond rhetoric do need to interrogate some of those things we have taken for granted, and learn thoroughly in practices to adopt and internalize those things we often referred to as International Best Practices. Congratulating members of PSN for organizing the programme, he assured that government would encourage young people going into the study of pharmacy and related courses. He however re-affirmed the commitment of his administration to the completion of the new building at the center Hospital Benin City, and to be equipped with the state of the art equipment. He promised to continue with the free medical treatment for pregnant women in the state in order to reduce the rate of maternal mortality in the state. Welcoming guests, the chairman of PSN, Edo State branch, pharmacist Solomon Ikpefa expressed PSN’s willingness to collaborate with the state government to achieve its laudable health programme. Ikpefa appealed for the appointment of PSN members into the State Hospital Management Board so as to contribute to the healthcare delivery system in the state, promising to build a bi-lateral consortium with the state government. Appreciating the development stride of Governor Oshiomhole, the State Chairman PSN appealed to the state governor to continually strengthen the work force in the health sector. A lecture entitled,
Oshiomhole tasks pharmacists on Int’l standard
Doctors’ strike paralyse hospitals nationwide
Continued from page 1 the hospital, Lawal assured that most of them had “less severe illnesses” and were discharged by the doctors.
At the National Eye Centre, patients were also seeing waiting at the OutPatient Department with no doctors to attend to them. Dr. Yohanna Joseph, the Chairman of the Resident Doctors Association of the centre said they had joined the indefinite strike. According to him, the strike will continue until all issues of training, work conditions and salary are fully addressed. On his part, Lawal Bala, the Public Relations Officer of the centre said the management had deployed consultants to fill in the gap caused by the strike, assuring that services at the hospital would not be grounded. Reacting to the development, the Chairman, Kaduna State Diabetic Association, Alhaji Sani Hassan described the yesterday in Abeokuta. Adewale, who noted that patients were always at the receiving end whenever doctors embarked on strike, urged the two
Ihejirika and the Director of State Security Service, Mr Ita Ekpeyong. Others are the representatives of the Inspector-General of Police; Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr. Ade Abulorin, and Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Bem Angwe.
parties to resolve the dispute. Also reacting to the strike, Prof. Mikail Buhari, the Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kwara Chapter, said the doctors were committed to full implementation of the strike option. He said that the strike followed the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum earlier declared by NARD. Buhari said members were directed to embark on the strike due to “persistent unwillingness of the Federal Government to articulate a comprehensive guideline for residency training.” He said the development had led to inadequate funding of residency training and failure of the recently re-introduced overseas clinical attachment for resident doctors. Buhari said this had caused persistent disharmony in manpower training centres across the country due to the disengagement of members. He said the doctors were also dissatisfied with the
operation of the IPPIS following inexplicable deductions in salaries.
Dako bags award Continued from page 1
to the younger generation and this heroic act cannot go unnoticed as you have performed creditably well in all spheres of your constitutional assignments and this deserve to be acceleration, he noted. He further disclosed that by the virtue of this award, Engr. Dako has automatically been inducted into the Northern Youth of Assembly Nigeria Platinum Hall of fame which explains that in all future endeavor, whether socially or political he will always have the unalloyed loyalty and support of the members. Responding Engr. Dako, Managing Director, Edo State Rapid Response Agency, thanked the Northern Youth Assembly of Nigeria for the award, saying that the award should go to the governor of the state. “Whatever we are doing, we are working under the governor. I have never worked with a man so passionate about his job, putting you under pressure to get result. There is nothing I could also have achieved without the Governor. To choose me in South all the way from the North shows that our nation still has a future”, he noted.
N4.7b fraud
Lagos CJ reassigns Babalakin’s case IKEJA-The trial of the chairman of Bi-Courtney Ltd., Wale Babalakin, accused of a N4.7 billion fraud, has been reassigned to a new judge. The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, has reassigned the case to Justice Lateef LawalAkapo. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged Babalakin to court for allegedly transferring the sum of N4.7 billion on behalf of convicted former Delta governor, James Ibori. He is being prosecuted alongside Alex Okoh and their companies — Stabilini Visinoni Ltd., BiCourtney Ltd. and Renix Nig. Ltd. The defendants are facing a 27-count charge bordering on conspiracy, retention of proceeds of a criminal conduct, and corruptly conferring benefit on account of
public action. At the continuation of the matter on Wednesday, the former trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, notified the parties about the development. Onigbanjo said the transfer of the case was necessitated by his recent transfer to the Commercial Division of the High Court. Notwithstanding, the judge said the court would still deliver its pending ruling on the defendants’ applications to quash the charge. In the applications filed by their respective counsel, the defendants had urged the court to quash the charges preferred against them by the EFCC. They had argued that the EFCC had no power to institute criminal proceedings at a state high court, without a valid fiat duly issued to it by the state attorney-general. The matter was adjourned till October for ruling.
Child rights law
Commissioner lauds Oshiomhole By FUNMI BABATOPE
BENIN CITY- Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has been commended for creating the enabling environment for the development, survival and protection of orphans and vulnerable children in the state in line with the Child Rights law. State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Blessing Maigida made the commendation on Tuesday during the nation’s 53 rd Independence Anniversary party organized in Benin City by the Ministry for orphans and vulnerable children. Maigida explained that the party was organized to honour the category of children as well as to enable them have a sense of belonging during the anniversary period. Describing the orphans and vulnerable children as special assets and future leaders, the commissioner stated that it was necessary to show them love and care. She assured them of
the state government’s commitment to their overall-well-being because he is a child friendly governor. While re-affirming that, the ministry has the statutory responsibility of tacking the Affairs of Women and Children in the state, she promised to always identify with all children, especially the orphans and vulnerable children in the state. Mrs. Maigida used the occasion to advice them to be serious with their studies and shun social vices inorder to contribute meaningfully to the society and country at large. Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Barr. Augustine Akhuanmhekun expressed gratitude to the state governor for his child friendly disposition and his support towards hosting the special category of children. The party was attended by inmates from different orphanages in the state. Prizes and Award were also presented to children that distinguished themselves in various events meant to showcase their talent.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
News 53rd Independence Anniversary Don Calls For Rededication By ROLAND OSAKUE/ INNOCENT OMOAKA BENIN CITY- As the country marked its 53rd Independence anniversary, Nigerians have been urged to reunite and rededicate themselves towards the country’s integrity and national development in the interest of future generations. A senior lecturers in the University of Benin, Bar. Faith Osadolor gave the hint while addressing a forum, “Peace and National Development” organised by the Apex club of
Nigeria in Benin City as part of activities to mark the country’s independence. Bar. Osadolor re-called the lowering of the Union Jack, 53 years ago after the struggle of the nations patriots to free the country from the exploitations of its country’s economic wealth by the white coloniatists. He said the anniversary was worth-while in the minds of true progressives and social democrats. He stated that, the anniversary was not just for a cause of jubilation but a period
Group Debunks Alleged Misappropriation Of Fund By Council Boss IGARRA -A non-partisan organization, Akoko-Edo Reformers Network, has described the alleged misappropriation of fund by the incumbent chairman of AkokoEdo Local Government Council, Hon. Folorunsho Akerejola, as baseless,malicious and a calculated attempt to mislead the people of AkokoEdo local government area. The group in a statement endorsed by its National Coordinator, Hon. Jeffery Obasami, said the publication in the Nigerian Tribune edition of Monday, September 30, 2013, smacked of desperation by the petitioner, Hon. Samuel Oyewole to bring the presentation administration in Akoko-Edo under the leadership of Hon. Folorusho Akerejola to public ridicule and cause disaffection in the locality. “Our attention has been drawn to a false publication captioned: “Akoko-Edo LG boss dragged before Assembly; EFCC”, and wish to state categorically that the report was not only false, politically-motivated and mischievous but also a calculated attempt to tarnish the image of the council boss”, the group stated. The group sad it is aware that some disgruntled persons are now bent on creating unrest in the local government area and thus destabilize the good work of the council boss, and by so doing, reduce the popularity of the ruling party and that of the comrade governor- led administration. The National Co-ordinator of Akoko-Edo Reformers Organisation wondered why the petitioner, Samuel Oyewole would accuse the council boss of expending #430 million on fictitious projects under the guise of direct labour, when it is on record that barely five months in office, the council boss has executed over 35 projects across the local government area which are visible. He also faulted the petitioner over the allegation of inflation of contracts which he described as baseless, pointing out that
contracts advertised by the council were yet to be awarded because the tenders received had not been opened to that effect. While calling on the relevant agencies to discountenance the petitioner who has a reputation of rocking the smooth sailing boat of successive governments in the council area, the group’s coordinator pointed out that the recent visit by the House Committee to the council, was not to investigate the alleged misappropriation of fund but as an oversight function carried out by the committee across the 18 local government area of the State.
for sober reflection on the journey so far. Moreso, he also informed the people that the celebration was not just a PDP members affairs, but a celebration to re-trace our steps as a nation that still live in squalor in the midst of abundance. The don ex-rayed the over dependence on oil as the nations major source of revenue which he described as an “economic fallacy that has given birth to power struggles, unemployment, bad leadership and insecurity. He therefore called on the political class to exercise restrain by working together in unity in order to see the move the country to greater height. While urging the political office holders to emulate the government of other countries and the western world, Bar. Osadolor also adviced the political class not to over hest the nation’s polity in order to ensure the security of lives and property of the people.
L-R: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Senator Domingo Obende and Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Secretary to State Government (SSG), Edo State arrive the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium for the celebration of the nation’s 53rd Independence anniversary Tuesday.
Stop Extortion, Clerics Urged By JOEL CHUKWUAGHONIM
AGBOR - The General Overseer, Divine Faith
Evangelical Mission, Agbor and proprietor, Job Orphanage, prophet Joseph Igbodo has advised religious ministers
against extorting money from their members in the name of ‘consultation fee’. Rather, he said they should give to the poor out of the abundance they (Ministers) receive from God. Prophet Igbodo who spoke with newsmen in Agbor said this practice is acceptable in the sight of God”. According to him”, the
problem of men of God is that they do not know the importance of being a faithful servant of God. He said many ministers failed in their assignment because they have deviated from their calling to give attention to businesses and politics. “How can they succeed”, he said, adding one cannot serve two masters at the same time.
LAGOS- Food vendors and horse riders at the Bar Beach in Lagos have complained that the development of the Eko Atlantic City had affected the patronage of their businesses. Some of the vendors and operators who spoke with newsmen said that the proposed city was gradually bringing their businesses to an end at the beach. Mr Segun Arogundade, who has been a horse rider at the beach for about 20 years, said that before now, more than 50 persons patronised him daily, during public holidays. Arogundade stressed that he hardly had up to 20 persons now. Another horse rider, who simply identified himself as Daniel, said he used to have more than 100 persons daily, while he made between N40, 000 and N50, 000 during public holidays. “The sand filling of the beach has run us out of business. People don’t want to ride the horses outside the sea shore. It is difficult for me to make up to
N10, 000 daily now, during public holidays,’’ Daniel said. Mrs Bola Alao, a food vendor at the beach, of about three years, said that before now, she usually cooked one bag of rice daily during holidays, complaining that she now cooked only four ‘derica’ cans of rice for the same period. “I use to sell three cartons of fish at the beach daily, but now, I hardly can sell half a carton. People are not comfortable seating close to the road, instead of the sea shore. “I have operated this business for about 20 years; this is the worse time for us,’’ Mrs Evelyn Ajose told newsmen. Some picnickers also complained that the beach had changed from what they used to know. Mr Collins Nwakwo, an engineer, said that all the fun associated with the beach that attracted many people were all gone. For Miss Amarachi Awuzu, “the crowd is synonymous with the beach during public holidays, but now, the crowd is no longer there.
Food Vendors Complain Of Low Patronage
Governor Adams Oshiomhole takes the salute during the march past to celebrate Nigeria’s 53rd Independence anniversary at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Tuesday.
Cleric Calls For Altitudinal Changed By VICTOR IMADE BENIN CITY- The General Overseer of Christ Apostolic Church of God Mission, (CACGM) Rev’d Dr. Godspower Ogbonmwan has called on critics of the Nigeria nation to change their attitude. Rev’d Ogbonmwan made the statement while delivering a
sermon tagged “Standing in the gap” during the Independence day prayer conference held at the jubilide centre of the church at isihor, Benin City. The cleric who took his sermon from 2 kings chapter 7 verse urged Nigerians to have hope for the future of the nation. According him, there was a time that the Israelites went through similar period and God
raised Elisha to change things for good for them. He therefore called on the nation’s leadership to seek God, as he alone has the answers to man’s problems. The spiritual leader of the CACGM ask churches in the country to pray for God’s Intervention in the affairs of Nigeria instead of joining others to lament.
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National Conference Proposal
Fayemi, Eminent Nigerians React ADO-EKITI- The resolve of President Goodluck Jonathan to organise a national conference has been welcomed by Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti as well as some eminent Nigerians across the country. Fayemi, who addressed the people of the state said the acceptance of dialogue as means of resolving the challenges confronting the nation was long overdue. He, however, said that the fact that support for such a national dialogue was now coming from prominent members of the ruling PDP was a surprise. Fayemi warned that the conference may be viewed with suspicion if no sincerity of purpose was attached to its organisation. He argued that any meaningful dialogue must start immediately with the re-ordering of the fiscal structure of the federation. Also commenting, a former deputy governor of the state, Chief Abiodun Aluko, commended the “ uncommon courage’’ displayed by the president in proposing the conference. “Mr. President is right to have conceded to the dialogue option because he knew himself that the exercise will help fashion ways out of our current crisis. “It is my candid opinion that his bold step will resolve cries about marginalisation, religious intolerance, political bigotry and resource control among others,” he said. A former deputy Governor of the old Ondo State, Alhaji Musa Ayeni, told newsmen that the fact that the president’s call for dialogue was coming barely two weeks after that of Senate President David Mark indicated a positive development. “This is the first time a Nigerian leader will openly agree on common cause aimed at moving the nation forward,”
Ayeni said. In Abeokuta, the Ogun capital, some politicians, however, insist that a sovereign national conference was the best option for the country. The Ogun Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Bayo Dayo, commended the president for giving Nigerians opportunity for their views to be expressed. He, however, said that the conference would not be necessary if its resolutions would be subjected to ratification by the National Assembly. ‘’If the resolutions of the conference would not be binding, then we do not need to go and be spending our funds or wasting our time at the conference,’’ he said. The chairman recalled that similar conferences had been organised before without any appreciable result due to the nature of the conference. He said such conference would not have been necessary if members of the National Assembly had lived up to expectations. Dayo, who noted that the views of Nigerians should have been expressed through their representatives for discussion at the National Assembly, lamented that many lawmakers were not close to their people. The Publicity Secretary of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr Sola Lawal, said the idea of a national dialogue was a right step in the right direction. He, however, said that the success of the conference would depend on the mode of selection of participants and the nature of the conference itself. The All Progressive Congress chieftain expressed confidence in the choice of Sen. Femi Okunrounmu as the chairman of the advisory committee., noting he had always championed the call for the conference. The Secretary of the Labour
party in Ogun, Mr Sunday Oginni, also commended the president over the planned conference. Oginni said what was most important was the dialogue, saying ‘’ the nomenclature
should not generate controversy.’’ He said those who were insisting on the sovereign nature of the conference were calling for anarchy. Oginni, however, called on
the Federal Government to be sincere in the implementation of any resolution that might come up from the conference. But the Chairman, Ogun chapter of the Nigeria Bar Association, Mr Ayodele
Adebayo, said that there was no need for the president to call for the conference. “ A hungry man cannot proffer solutions, government should concentrate more on providing electricity, employment, good roads and other amenities and leave dialogue for the National Assembly.
Cross section of traditional rulers during Independence Day celebration at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Tuesday.
Mixed Reaction’s Greet Proposal
IBADAN- Some politicians expressed mixed reactions over the proposed setting up of a committee on national conference as announced by President Goodluck Jonathan. The politicians, in separate interviews with newsmen in Ibadan, agreed that there was a need for such a forum but expressed divergent opinions on modalities. The president had in his Independence Day broadcast promised to set up a committee
Cross section of service Chiefs during the independence day celebration.
to define the modalities for the convocation of a national conference. Sen. Olufemi Lanlehin (APCOyo South) described government’s move as a welcome development needed to move the nation forward. ‘’Nobody can fault the fact that Nigerians need to sit down together, talk, dialogue and reach consensus on how to live together and be governed,” Lanlehin said. Lanlehin, however, faulted the
call for a sovereign national conference in place of a national conference, adding that it was not practicable and unrealistic. “Sovereignty is all about the freedom of the people to take decisions. “There is no way the government would surrender its powers and sovereignty given to it by the people to a collection of people to decide how it operates. “It should be a conference that can change the constitution to meet the demands and yearnings of the people while the government domesticates and implements through its organs,” he said. On the contrary, Alhaji Bayo Shittu, a former governorship candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Oyo state, described the move for a conference as a distraction. He said the distraction was to prevent government from tackling some pressing national issues. Shittu, who was part of the national conference convoked by the Obasanjo-led administration, said that the forum would not achieve any tangible result, adding that it was unclear whether it would be sovereign. A former Minister and Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN),however, declined comments. But a cross section of other Nigerians have applauded the president for proposing the idea of a national conference. Human rights lawyer, Mr.
Kayode Ajulo, described the proposed conference as the best independence gift Nigeria had ever received. Ajulo, who noted that Nigerians have been clamouring for a national conference in the last 12 years said the president had demonstrated his responsiveness to the yearnings and aspirations of the people. “ This will afford us an opportunity of dialogue among the various ethnic groups in the country,’’ he said. Also speaking with newsmen Mr. Dayo Fadahunsi, the Special Adviser to Governor Olusegun Mimiko on Union Matters, described the idea of a national conference as a welcome development. He, however, advised that “it should be representative if we want it to achieve the desired development associated with it.’’ “It is long overdue, but it is better late than never. The president should ensure that every component part of the entity called Nigeria is carried along in this all important conference. “This is to ensure equity and fairness to all concerned. It will definitely move our great nation forward,” Fadahunsi said. Mrs. Juliana Fayehun, Director of Information Service, Ondo State Ministry of Information, said the president must have consulted widely before he took the decision. According to her, Jonathan had been portraying himself as a listening president because Nigerians had for long been clamouring for a conference.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
Across The Nation
Master Edokpayi Emerges Second Runners-Up In Essay Competition BENIN CITY – Ecobank Nigria Plc has presented an award to Master Monarch Uyinmwonmwan Edokpayi an SS2 student of Oghosa Education Centre in Benin City for emerging second runners –up in the bank’s essay competition organized for secondary school students nationwide.
Presenting the award to Master Edokpayi, the bank’s Manager, New Lagos Road Branch, Mrs. OlabowaleOluyide Nnohoibuk, commended him for his outstanding performance in the competition, while urging him to sustain it. In his acceptance speech,
Master Edokpayi appreciated the management of Ecobank for organizing the essay competition. He urged the bank to sustain the competition, as it serves as avenue for students
to showcase their talent. According to him the award was even more special to him because it came two days after he celebrated his birthday. He used the opportunity to express his appreciation to his parents, Mr and Mrs. Joshua Edokpayi, as well as
Management of Oghosa Education Centre for the opportunity to participate in the competition. On her part, the proprietress of Oghosa Education Centre Dr. Mrs. H.E. AtekhaOdemwingie commended Master Monarch Edokpayi
for doing the school proud and therefore urged him to keep the flag flying. She also commended the bank for organizing the competition. It would be recalled that Master Edokpayi, last year emerged winner of a similar essay competition organized by the bank for secondary school students in SouthSouth Zone of the country.
Commission Tasks Health Workers On Safety Consciouswas encouraging the hospitals LAGOS - Mrs. Ronke so everybody should take to develop a safety manual for Odeneye, the Director, and ness protection of their patients, Compliance Monitoring and responsibility.“
Mrs Olabowale-Oluyide Nnohoibuk, (left) Ecobank Manager, New Lagos Road branch congratulating Dr (Mrs) H.E. Atekha-Odemwingie, Proprietress Oghosa Education Centre, after an award won by Master Monarch Edokpayi (2nd left) for emerging second runnersup in national essay competition organized by the bank for secondary schools in Nigeria. With them is his father, Mr Joshua Edokpayi
Enforcement, Lagos State Safety Commission, has urged Nigerians, especially health workers and care givers to be safety-conscious. Odeneye told newsmen in Lagos that many preventable accidents occurred on a daily basis because Nigerians failed to consider safety first. ‘‘Safety is everybody’s responsibility. The first thing is to be responsible; to do things right; to identify hazard and control it; don’t say it’s not my business because it could be you. “If you see something that can trigger a fall and you don’t remove it, it could be you that would fall or somebody that you know. So, safety cascades
The director said that safety was not just for the patients, but also for the care givers, urging health workers to always wear protective gear such as gloves and masks. She said that the commission was using enlightenment and advocacy to stop preventable accidents, incidents, and diseases from occurring in the healthcare facilities. Odeneye also urged hospitals to develop a safety manual for their patients and staff members. According to her, a comprehensive health and safety guide should be put in place to protect the workers and clients while helping to ensure work efficiency. She said that the commission
Vegetarian Advises On Healthy Living Habit LAGOS - Lagos-based vegetarians has urged the people to consume a healthy vegetarian diet, rich in fruits and vegetables. They told newsmen in Lagos, ahead of the 2013 World Vegetarian Day, that Nigerians should cultivate healthy eating habits. Reports say that the World Vegetarian Day is commemorated every October. 1
and it initiates the month of October as the Vegetarian Awareness Month, which ends with World Vegan Day on November. 1. A web site - www.brown.edu - says, “A vegetarian is a person who does not eat meat, poultry, and fish. Vegetarians eat mainly fruit, vegetables, legumes, grains, seeds and nuts. “Many vegetarians eat eggs
and/or dairy products but avoid hidden animal products such as beef and chicken stocks, lard, and gelatin. “There are vegans or total vegetarians who exclude all animal products such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, cheese, and other dairy products from their diet. Many vegans do not eat honey. “Lacto-vegetarians exclude
is impossible not to put a sharper focus on the role drugs play in the conduct of those who perpetrate crimes. “I have come to the resolute belief that it takes some degree of abnormality for someone to go out and take people’s lives. And often times, those who perpetrate these crimes do it under the influence of drugs and other substances. “It is based on the danger posed to our collective security by drug trade that I advocate stiffer penalties to serve as a disincentive to those engaged in it.” Fashola explained that drug trafficking had contributed to arms proliferation and had increased crime rate. The governor urged security agencies to collaborate with the NDLEA in its efforts to confront crime. “The first fight against crime is to rid the country of illicit drugs. For me, every security
agency that wants to fight crime must collaborate with the NDLEA. ‘Most crimes are motivated by drugs and if you don’t fight drugs, you can’t fight crime.“ Fashola said the State Government would strengthen collaboration with the NDLEA to rid the state of drugs. Earlier, Giade said that the agency was winning the war against drugs as it had, through a number of efforts, reduced trafficking and use. He said that the removal of Nigeria from the list of biggest drug transit countries in 2010 was proof of the progress made. Giade thanked Fashola for supporting the operations of the NDLEA, saying the support had helped the agency to record some successes in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fashola, at the end of the meeting, provided two patrol vans to the NDLEA to enhance its operations in the state.
Fashola Urges Stiffer Penalty For Drug Peddlers
IKEJA - Governor. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State said that stiffer penalties should be put in place for drug traffickers and manufacturers to achieve success in the fight against drug peddlers. The governor made the statement when he received the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, at the Government House, Ikeja. He said that the drug trade was “too dangerous” to be treated with a kid gloves, noting that the country’s anti-drug law must be made more punitive to fight the menace. According to him, drug trafficking and use often motivate terrorism and other violent crimes. “I support calls and campaigns for stiffer penalties for drug traffickers, manufacturers and others who are one way or the other engaged in this unhealthy trade. “In the face of increasing national and global insecurity, it
meat, poultry, fish and eggs, but include dairy products, while Lacto-ovovegetarians exclude meat, poultry, and fish but include dairy products and eggs,’’ the web site noted. Mr Hakeem Jimoh, a vegetarian and the founder of Veggie Victory Restaurant, Lagos, said that the World Vegetarian Day was instituted to create awareness on the benefits of vegetarian lifestyle.
“World Vegetarian Day is a day established by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977 and endorsed by the International Vegetarian Union in 1978. We now celebrate it in Nigeria. “It is a great opportunity to promote a better and more sustainable world, through a vegetarian lifestyle, because this diet has proven health benefits and helps to preserve the earth.
workers and care givers. Odeneye said that the manual would tell hospitals the illuminate signs for exits, entrances and fire assembly points in order to aid entrance or evacuation in emergency situations. “We’ve seen that we’ve lost so many people unnecessarily to a lot of preventable deaths, and so, it goes without saying that we should go back to having a good safety culture. “We used to have it in the past, but it wasn’t with a lot of regulation, it was more with ethics, morality. The way to bring it back is to regulate it and that’s what the safety commission is doing in Lagos State. “Safety of patients, safety of workers is so key in the health management system; patients who go to the hospital to get healthcare should be administered safely. “You shouldn’t go with malaria and back with hepatitis B or tuberculosis. The way they even administer their profession also should be done safely.”
The Executive Chairman Edo State Internal Revenue Service, Chief Sir Oseni Elamah (right) condoling the wife of the late Permanent Secretary of the EIRs, Elder Sunny Nosakhare Okundia, Mrs. Esther Sunny Okundia and children during a condolence visit to the family yesterday in Benin City.
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Across The Nation
Enugu To Give MDAs Revenue Targets ENUGU - As part of efforts to enhance the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) the Enugu State Government says it will give its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) revenue targets from next year. Mr Dan Onyishi, the Executive Secretary, Enugu
State Economic Planning Commission, told newsmen in Enugu that the task would be contained in the 2014 appropriation bill. He said it would be presented to the state House of Assembly for approval and noted that the state’s IGR increased by 300 per cent between 2008 and 2012.
He said, “As at December 2012, our IGR was at N12.3 billion, as against 2008 when it was N4 billion, so we have been able to move it to that level. “As at 2011, it was N10.7 billion. We are making progress. The fine thing about the whole thing is that we are not carried away with the
little progress. “The IGR committee is still meeting, appraising situation and even coming up with new strategy on how to increase the IGR. “In 2014 budget, one of the critical issues is giving revenue target to all the MDAs. The target for this year, 2013 is about N14
President Goodluck Jonathan (right) being received by service Chiefs at the Presidential Change of Guards parade at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday.
billion.“ The executive secretary said the Chairman of the Board of Internal Revenue was making efforts to confront the challenge of getting federal agencies to pay their taxes. He said that government
Independence NSGF Says Nigeria Will Overcome Challenges MINNA - The Northern States Governors Forum has urged Nigerians to exercise patience with its leaders in the effort to transform the country, saying the nation will overcome its current challenges. The forum Chairman and Governor of Niger, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, made the call in an independence anniversary message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo. He said the country might not have fared well in all the critical sectors of the economy, but had nevertheless, made remarkable strides, especially in respect of the rule of law. “Daunting as our security and developmental challenges may appear, we are confident that the nation will emerge from this trying period stronger, more united and more prosperous,” he said. Aliyu urged Nigerians to live
53-Yr-Old Man Held For Incest LOKOJA - A 53-year-old man, has been arrested by police in Lokoja for allegedly indulging in sexual intercourse with his two daughters aged 15 years and 20 years. The state Acting Commissioner of Police , Mr. Austin Ebvakhavbokun, told newsmen in Lokoja that the suspect was caught in the act by his son who later reported the matter to the police. He said the man gave himself out when he threatened to kill his son for his audacity to challenge him. According to him, the threat made the son, a secondary school student, to report the matter to the police. “Detectives immediately rushed to the scene to arrest the suspect,’’ the police chief said. Police said investigations revealed that the suspect had been involved in serial sexual acts with his daughters for the past 10 years. The suspect when interviewed by newsmen, admitted having sex with his
daughters to cure “ their slimming ailment.” He claimed that the sex cure was recommended to him 11 years ago by a herbalist based in Omupo, Kwara. The suspect confessed that he had been having sex with his 20-year-old first daughter for the past five years when she was 15 years old. He also confessed without remorse that he had been having sex with his 15-yearold daughter who also happened to be his last child. Police said the suspect would be charged to court very soon.
Members of National Union of Electricity Employees in a nationwide protest in Benin City recently.
Communal Feud: ABAKALIKI - Chief Chijioke Enyi, the Minority Leader of the Ebonyi House of Assembly, said that 86 Ezza indigenes were still in detention at the Abakaliki prisons over the Ezza/Ezillo communal crisis. It would be recalled that the crisis between both neighbours which started since 2010, had claimed hundreds of lives and property worth millions of naira. Enyi (ANPP Ezza North-West)
had set up a committee comprising the public and private sector to harmonise all taxes in the state. Onyishi appealed to the people of the state to endeavour to pay their taxes to enable the government to deliver democracy dividends to residents.
above sectional tendencies which could only compromise the growth of the nation. He enjoined citizens to imbibe the spirit of selflessness “which the nation’s founding fathers preached and practised. “Nigeria will only attain lofty heights if citizens are prepared to make sacrifices”, the statement said. He urged Nigerians to drop the dangerous mindset, prejudices and biases that held the nation down for a long time.
Govt Appoints New District Head SOKOTO - Governor. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has approved the appointment of four new District Heads in the state. This is contained in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Political, Alhaji Malami Ladan, which was made available to newsmen in Sokoto. The statement said the new appointees were Malam Garba Marafa for Tangaza district; Alhaji Aminu Balarabe for Wauru district; Alhaji Muhammadu Jabbi for Shuni district and Ibrahim Buda-Badau for Badau district in Tangaza, Gada, Dange/Shuni and Bodinga local government areas, respectively. The release also quoted Ladan as saying that all the appointments were with immediate effect.
86 Suspects Still In Detention
said at the plenary of the assembly which resumed sitting after a long break, that the detainees were members of his constituency held without trial. “They were arrested after the December. 31, 2011 killing of over 66 Ezillo indigenes, which included mainly the aged, women and children. “This situation is appalling as it infringes on the fundamental
rights of these people, who have the constitutional rights to fair and speedy trial, if accused of conspiracy in such crime.” Enyi, who is also the House Committee Chairman on Public Utilities, called on the state government to ensure the immediate release of the detainees. He urged the speaker to convey the message to the state
governor, to save the detainees from further suffering. The lawmaker also complained that apart from the ongoing constituency projects, the state government was not executing any project in his area. “The only road project started in 2007, covering from the 135 axis of the Abakaliki-Enugu Express road to Onueke, has been abandoned.
“Every member of the House is thanking the government for locating projects in their areas but I have none of such reports to give. “The government should know that any project sited in the constituency and the entire Ezza North Local Government Area, will be enjoyed by all as we have Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the area.
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Across The Nation
Oil Spill: AKKO (GOMBE) Residents of Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State have appealed to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to provide them with alternative sources of water. The residents, who are in Tudun Wada Malam Jamo, Konkeje and Jauro Baba communities, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Gombe. The reports state that an NNPC oil pipeline in Tudun Wada Malam Jamo burst on Friday evening resulting in oil spill which led to the adulteration of the river and only water source in the area. Spokespersons of the communities, Alhaji Yayari
Residents Seek Alternative Source of Water Jungudo and Umar Ajiya, said that following the spillage, the three communities had been without portable water as the only water available was contaminated. “We woke up around 4.30 a.m. on Saturday only to discover that the stream had been contaminated with petroleum due to the pipeline burst. “Today, all the residents of these three villages went as far as Gamadaji village, about four kilometres away, to fetch water. “We do not have wells or boreholes or any other source of water but the river and it has now been contaminated by petroleum. “We appeal to the NNPC or the authorities concerned to provide us with alternative
sources of water supply,’’ Jungudo said. Also speaking, Ajiya, who is the Youth Leader in the area, said the people in the area were facing difficulty following the development. He said that a similar incident
occurred at the beginning of the raining season this year, when the pipeline burst. Ajiya appealed to NNPC to address the problem to ease the
difficulty being faced by people in the area. All attempts by newsmen to get comments from officials of the NNPC failed. A staff of the NNPC, who pleaded anonymity told newsmen that “nobody will talk to you; even the Branch
Pray For Peace, Jang Urges Muslim Pilgrims
JOS - Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau urged intending Muslim pilgrims from the state,to pray for ever-lasting peace in Plateau while in the Holy land. In his farewell address to the 1300 pilgrims, the governor also appealed to them, to pray for the unity of the country and quick resolution of the current security challenges. Represented by the state Commissioner of Water Resources, Alhaji Idi Waziri, Jang called on Plateau residents to respect each others’ religion. While assuring the people of the state that government would continue to provide conductive atmosphere for all citizens to practise their religion, he urged them to also be alert and security conscious. He advised the pilgrims to expose anyone harbouring criminal intents in Saudi Arabia, warning against any behaviour that could embarrass the state
and the country.. Jang also called on corporate organisations and wealthy individuals, to assist in sponsoring people on pilgrimage to the Holy land, to reduce the burden on the government. Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Secretary, Plateau Muslim Pilgrims Board, Alhaji Salisu Musa, had commended the Plateau government for appointing the Emir of Kanam, Alhaji Babangida Muazu, as the state Amirul Hajj for this year. Musa said that the Board had secured a befitting accommodation for the entire state contingent, while visas and other travelling documents, had been secured for all the intending pilgrims. The secretary said that 900 intending pilgrims were selfsponsored, while the state and local governments spent N250 million on the sponsorship of 400 others.
L-R: Senate President David Mark; former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Vice President Namadi Sambo; President Goodluck Jonathan; former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim and others cutting the anniversary cake, during Presidential Change of Guards parade at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Free Hospital Feeding
Borno Votes 15m
MAIDUGURI - The Borno State Government plans to allocate N15 million for free feeding of patients in government hospitals in the state. Governor. Kashim Shettima stated this while inspecting samples of meals served to
patients at the Umaru Shehu Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri. Shettima said that the objective of the gesture was to ensure that all patients receiving treatment at government hospitals were captured in the scheme. He said that the scheme was introduced last month with a N5
million grant to provide succour to less privileged patients in hospitals. “The state government decided to introduce the feeding system for the first time in 20 years as a pilot scheme in hospitals within Maiduguri city with a N5 million grant.
MINNA- Alhaji Shehu Fawa, a member of the Niger State House of Assembly, in Kontagora, gave N1.5 million as
constituency. The news report state that each of the beneficiaries in tertiary
institutions received N10,000. Fawa, who is the chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, representing Kontagora II constituency, said that the gesture was to alleviate the financial plight of the beneficiaries. He said that the gesture was also part of his pet Project, ‘Education Advancement Scheme’ (EAS), to students in
Manager will not talk to you.’’ The reports state that by Sunday morning, the NNPC engineers had completed repairs of the burst pipeline.
NGO Expresses Concern Over Failure To Conduct LG Polls
KANO - An NGO, Resource Centre for Human Right and Civic Education (CHRICED), has expressed concern over the failure of the Kano State government to conduct local government elections in the state. he Executive Director of the organisation, Malam Ibrahim Zikirullahi, said this in Kano on Sunday during an interactive session with journalists. He decried what he described as the ‘non-chalant attitude’ of the government toward promoting democratic governance at the local level. “Since May 2011, the state government has continued to impose individuals to run the affairs of the local governments in Kano State. “We must emphasise that no matter the beautiful infrastructure that is put in place, without the participation of the citizens, they can only be treated with disdain and criticism by the public”, he said. Zikirullahi said: “It is sad and regrettable that despite the achievements recorded by the state administration in the last two years, the promotion of democratic governance at the local level is lacking in his agenda.
Legislator Provides Scholarship To Students scholarship to 150 students in his
his constituency studying in tertiary institutions. The legislator, who was represented by his Personal Assistant, Alhaji Mamman Gwadebe, said that he had spent N500,000 as school fees to married women attending Islamic schools in the area under the project. Fawa appealed to the beneficiaries to use the money judiciously.
Kogi Dep Gov Escapes Unhurt In Road Accident
Cross section of members of the Diplomatic Corps at the Presidential Change of Guards parade at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
LOKOJA - Mr. Yomi Awoniyi, the Kogi Deputy Governor, has escaped unhurt in an accident which involved his convoy on the Abuja-Lokoja highway. A statement by his Press Secretary, Mr Michael Abu, said an escort van in the convoy ran into two stationary vehicles which were involved in an earlier accident. The affected vehicles, a Mercedes Benz jeep with Lagos registration number, YAB 966 AQ and a Honda Accord with Lagos registration number LND
742 BE had earlier collided before the van ran into them near Kwali. The statement which said the driver of the Honda Accord lost control while trying to overtake the Mercedes Benz added that Awoniyi, who was on his way to Lokoja after an official engagement in Abuja, escaped unhurt. Abu disclosed that those in the escort van sustained minor injuries along with four policemen and were receiving treatment at the Kwali General Hospital and were responding to treatments.
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Lagos
Training: LAGOS Twenty commercial licensed pilots have departed Lagos for jet/typerating training at the Lufthansa Pilot Institute, Germany. The pilots are 19 males and a female, who had earlier completed their Private Pilot Licence (PPL) and Commercial Pilot License (CPL) in South Africa. They were the first batch trained in South Africa, under a special scheme by the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta. Mr. Kingsley Kuku, the
Cleric Calls For Proactive Leadership
LAGOS - The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Adewale Martins, has called on the country’s leadership to entrench purposeful leadership to build a strong and united country. In a statement released in Lagos Martins, who is also the Catholic prelate, expressed regrets that the country had yet to attain progressive governance in line with the ideals of the Founding Fathers. It said that in spite of the 53 years of the country’s existence, lack of purposeful leadership had deprived it of truly becoming the giant of Africa. The statement blamed past and present leaders for failing to properly address the root causes of the widening disenchantment among the various ethnic nationalities. It said that unless the agitation of the federating units were properly addressed through the convocation of a national conference, the unity of the country would continue to hang in the balance. “I want to thank God for making it possible for us to come together once more as a country to celebrate our independence anniversary. ‘However, I am sad that we have yet to evolve into a truly united and progressive country as was envisaged by our Founding Fathers at independence. “There is so much disenchantment owing to unemployment, lack of electric power and general decay in the polity; our educational and healthcare sectors are comatose,’’ the statement said. It adds: “all these have led to the endemic state of insecurity and corruption in the system. It’s time for us to appraise where we are as a nation, and where we are heading to. “Unless we do this, the unity of this country will continue to remain a mirage,’’ the statement said.
FG Sends Pilots To Germany
Special Adviser disclosed that another batch of 10 pilots would soon be sent to the CAE Aviation Academy, Oxford, UK for same training. Kuku made the disclosure while speaking at a pre-departure orientation ceremony for the pilots at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja. “The training in Germany will be for 14 months as the pilots will be equipped to fly the modern Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft used by most countries in the world,’’ Kuku said. He disclosed that his office was partnering with some domestic airlines to facilitate job opportunities for the pilots upon completion of their professional training. “The training programme is unique because it is the first time the Nigerian government is training such large number of
youths as key professionals in a strategic sector as aviation,’’ he said. He said that the training of the pilots would address manpower needs of the sector, which was dominated by foreigners. Kuku urged them to take their training seriously to so that domestic and foreign airlines would compete to engage them on account of their proficiency in handling modern aircrafts. The adviser described the pilots as the next generation of aviation professionals that would take the industry to the next level. The special adviser said that over 200 professionals would be trained to meet the needs of the aviation sector. Kuku said that his office was already collaborating with the relevant agencies to train air traffic controllers, aeronautical engineers and other
professionals critical in promoting air safety. The Principal Manager (Aviation) in the Presidential Amnesty Office, Capt. Perekeme
Porbeni, called on industry stakeholders to assist the pilots with jobs. “These pilots are proceeding to Lufthansa Pilots Institute in
Germany and will return with the type rating of the most popular and latest commercial aircraft.
Speaker, National Children’s Parliament, Master Idara Thompson (2nd right), with other leaders of the Children’s Parliament in Abuja yesterday.
Community Leader Tasks Nigerian Youths
L-R: Director, Child Development, Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Rabi Galadima, Speaker, National Children’s Parliament, Master Idara Thompson and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Habiba Lawal, at the sitting of the National Children’s Parliament and Speakers Forum in Abuja yesterday
ICT Has Taken Over Textbooks LAGOS - Stakeholders complained that the advent of the internet has reduced the relevance of textbooks in schools in Nigeria. They told newsmen in Lagos that textbooks no longer constitute a major academic research companion in secondary and tertiary institutions. Mrs. Stella Ogwu, a biology teacher at the Federal Government Boys College, Abuja, said that the internet had contributed to the decline in the reading culture of students. “The challenge is that children have lost the culture of reading because of the advent of the computer and the internet, which now provide a readymade alternative to research,” she said. According to her, instead of
- Stakeholders
students to obtain textbooks for research, they prefer to go the easy way of copying materials from the internet. In his comment, Mr. Martins Nwabuwa, the proprietor, Patrician School, Ijegamo, Lagos, said that parents should also share the blame because they did not provide the basic foundation for their children. “Parents have a greater part of the blame, because they failed to provide the required textbooks for their children to aid their studies,” he said. Also, Mr. Kenechukwu Nwaka, a publisher of primary and secondary textbooks, told Newsmen that textbooks were being underused in schools, and that this posed production
challenge to publishers. “The patronage for textbooks has reduced as computer makes study less stressful, more so for those students who are lazy to carry out extensive research,” he said. Mrs. Bimbola Malomo of Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, said that children and youths had abandoned their books for television and computer games. “Instead of consulting the knowledge of intellectuals like Williams Shakespeare, James Hardley Chase, Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe, they spend more time in cyber cafes and pinging on phones,” she said. She advised parents to keep reading materials in the house, take their children to public
libraries, buy them books as birthday gifts, and establish mini libraries at their homes. According to her, other factors responsible for the decline in reading culture include inadequate provision of library materials, insufficient reading materials and the emergence of Information Communication Technology (ICT). “Nigerians need to be strongly educated on the importance of reading, stakeholders should collaborate to promote reading, and governments should establish functional and wellequipped libraries in states and local government areas,” she said. She, however, urged all stakeholders to join hands with a view to scaling up the reading culture of Nigerians for the development of the nation.
BENIN CITY – As Nigeria Mark its 53 rd Independence Anniversary, a youth leader and chairman of Ulemo Community Development Association, Iyekogba in Oredo Ward 02, Comrade Julius Iredia Adun, has called on Nigerian Youths to be peace – loving and promote mutual coexistence in their various communities. He noted that the only way Nigeria can move forward and attain the much talked about national Integration was for Nigerian Youths to be patriotic and contribute their own quota to the overall development of the Nation. Comrade Julius Adun also admonished youths in Edo State to be peaceful and law-abiding in order to attract investors to their various communities, maintaining that development can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. He called on individuals and corporate organization to feel free to come and invest in Ulemo Community as it is safe and secured, while advising land owners in the community to take full advantage of the forth coming dry season to develop their plots without let or hindrance and described Ulemo Community as a land of
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Abuja Yoghurt Prevents Typhoid, Coronary Heart Disease - Nutritionist
Gov Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo, acknowledging cheers from school children during the 53rd Independence Day celebration in Ibadan.
ABUJA - Hajiya Jummai Abdul, a Nutritionist with the Wuse General Hospital, Abuja, said yoghurt was good for the prevention of various diseases such as typhoid and coronary heart disease. Abdul toldnewsmen in Abuja that yoghurt, could not only prevent heart diseases but also lowers the risks of many ailments, including colon cancer. “Yoghurt is a rich source of calcium and mineral that contributes to colon health and decreases the risk of colon cancer,’’ she said. Abdul said that yoghurt was a great source of protein, calcium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin B12 which
Members of the Oyo State Children Cyclist Foundation, displaying during the 53rd Independence Day celebration in Ibadan.
Anambra Poll
were important for bone health. She said that yoghurt was also a good source of phosphorous, riboflavinVitamin B2, Pantothenic acid-vitamin B5, iodine, zinc, potassium, protein and molybdenum. “It also contains essential amino acids that cannot be produced by your body itself and must be provided for in your diet.’’ “Yoghurts that contain good bacteria or probiotics can help balance a woman’s body, provide better health to certain body parts and naturally lower the PH levels of the vaginal tract,“ Abdul said. She also explained that yoghurt could provide energy that helped in keeping the blood sugar levels constant and could keep one going in busy day. “The lactic acid in the yoghurt aids in the digestion of the milk calcium, making it easier to absorb.’’ Abdul explained that yoghurt had also been shown to be beneficial for inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disorders and arthritis. “ Yoghurt can also shut down the bacterium responsible for ulcers.’’ She also explained that the bacterial cultures in yoghurt had been shown to stimulate infection-fighting white cells in the bloodstream. “Eating yoghurt regularly can be beneficial to your health whether you’re a man
Nwoye Withdraws Suit Against PDP, INEC ABUJA - The Federal High Court in Abuja granted an application to withdraw a suit by a PDP Anambra governorship candidate, Mr Tony Nwoye, on his candidature. Giving the ruling, Justice Elvis Chukwu held that the order was predicated on an application brought before the court by the plaintiff. “In view of the application filed by Mr Alex Akoja on behalf of the plaintiff, I hereby grant an order for the withdrawal of the suit,’’ he said. Addressing the court on the motion, Akoja said that the withdrawal became
imperative to pave the way for the pursuit of an appeal on the decision of the Port Harcourt jurisdiction of the court. Justice Suleiman Aliyu of the Port Harcourt Federal High Court, had in a judgment on a case bothering on the candidacy, upheld Nicholas Ukachukwu as the governorship candidate of the PDP. Chukwu had at the last sitting, reserved Sept. 30 for counsel to Nwoye, the INEC and PDP to address it on the implication of the judgment on the suit. Justice Chukwu ordered counsel to the parties to address the court on the
matter. On September 17, hearing in the suit was derailed when Ukachukwu, through his counsel, Mr Orji Orizu, applied to be joined as a
respondent. Orizu had announced to the court of an ongoing judgment in the Port Harcourt jurisdiction over a similar matter.
He told the court that his client had approached the court, seeking to be upheld as the governorship candidate of the party.
or woman.’’ Abdul said that the calcium content of yoghurt was important for pregnant women whose calcium reserves were used by their growing baby. She explained that drinking yoghurt would support the normal growth and development of bones in children and would help provide nutrients that maintained bone solidity and strength throughout life. Abdul said that children could consume all kinds of yoghurt and enjoy its benefits as a source of protein, calcium, and high phosphorus. She said that the essential mineral in yoghurt known as zinc could help male infertility and also consuming adequate amounts of this mineral improves the quality of a man’s sperm. Abdul said that the vitamin D and calcium content of yoghurt were beneficial to the prevention of osteoporosis, adding that the combination of the nutrients could help improve bone density in adult women. She, therefore, recommended yoghurts with high doses of Vitamin D and calcium for people diagnosed with osteoporosis as it could help with their condition after consultation with their doctor. “Yoghurt is a fermented dairy product made from milk, you can enjoy it plain, flavoured, or mixed with fruit or fruit syrups.’’ “If one is allergic to milk, yoghurt should be avoided because it contains milk proteins which trigger one’s allergies and reaction could lead to wheezing, hives and vomiting.
FCTA Completes Archives Computerisation ABUJA- The FCT Minister, represented by the Permanent students as well as other seekers Sen. Bala Mohammed, said Secretary, Mr John Chukwu, said knowledge,’’ he said. - Minister ofThe FCT Administration had FCTA was training relevant staff on Director of the Bureau, completed the computerisation of the FCT Archives and History Bureau with “an impeccable’’ data centre in place. Mohammed, who stated this at the Legacy Exhibition 2013 of the FCT Archives in Abuja, said that the centre would ensure institutional documentation of historical personalities for posterity. The minister, who was
the total automation of hard records into easy-to access computerised data base information in the centre. “This is critical for planning and policy development for the FCT. “We have also approved the re-engagement of the centre for Democratic Development, Research and Training (CEDDERT) at Zaria for the collation of relevant
documentary,’’ he said. He urged all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to make it a duty to always move relevant archival materials to the FCT Archives and History Bureau. “With this, we can have a central pool of data that is protected and accessible for both present and future policy makers, researchers and
Alhaji Isa Jalo, lauded efforts of Nigeria’s founding fathers to free the country from the shackles of colonial subjugation into an independent nation. He solicited for more capacity building and manpower development through the use of information technology. Reports say that the exhibition was in honor of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
THE NIGERIAN
10
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
News Waste Management
NEMA Tasks Govt ABUJA - NEMA has tasked government on the implementation of waste management policies. This is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a solid and liquid waste management workshop organised by NEMA Abuja Operations Office. The communiqué was made available to newsmen in Abuja. It urged agencies of government in charge of waste management at all levels to re-evaluate methods of waste collection and disposal in the country. It advocated for more sensitisation and awareness creation on waste collection points, especially in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). the communiqué decried the high cost of waste bins in the FCT and urged the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) to provide affordable bins to residents. it advocated for better collaboration between disaster managers and community volunteers for improved disaster response. “There should be proper funding on the part of government and a proper collaboration through public private partnership.
“There should be provision of waste commodities like incinerators, while agencies of government should be more proactive by stepping up awareness campaigns in waste management.’’ The workshop decried poor collaboration and lack of synergy on the part of government agencies and lack of compliance to land use regulations. it urged relevant authorities to show more political will in the management of solid and liquid waste in the country.
Students waving flags during the 53rd Independence celebration in Lagos.
“Music Industry Requires Urgent Attention”
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos acknowledges cheers during the 53rd Independence celebration in Lagos.
Nigeria, Spain Trade Hits 7Billion Euro ABUJA - The Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Alvaro Aguilar, said has that the volume of bilateral trade between Nigeria and Spain stood at seven billion euro in 2012. Aguilar disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Abuja. The reports state that the briefing was to herald the 2nd Nigeria-EU Business Forum organised by the EU Delegation to Nigeria. The reports state that the forum will hold in Lagos between October. 3 and October. 4. He said that oil and gas accounted for 98 per cent of the country’s import volume from Nigeria. “Spanish investments in Nigeria have increased by 25 per cent in the last year. “In our commercial office in Lagos as well as our embassy in Abuja, almost every week we
have new Spanish companies coming to Nigeria. “They are interested in several sectors including infrastructure, construction, pharmaceuticals and industrial agreements,’’ he said. The ambassador said that Spain was the fourth largest EU trading partner to Nigeria and observed that trade deficit which stood at about 400 million euro favoured Nigeria. Also speaking, the Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Dirk Verheyen put the volume of imports from Nigeria at three billion euro. He said that Belgium was the third largest importer of goods from Nigeria, “majority of which are from the oil and gas sector.’’ On the 2nd Nigeria-EU Business Forum, Mr. Andre Ronne, a Delegate of German Industry and Commerce, disclosed that 12 EU member countries have signified their
intentions to participate. Ronne said countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the UK. “It is an exchange platform for European and Nigerian companies, particularly in the private sector. “The EU private sector stands for good quality products, reliability and interest in long term relations with countries like Nigeria,“ Ronne said. Highlighting the importance of European-Nigeria trade and commerce, the German official said: “Nigeria is sub-Saharan Africa second largest economy after South Africa and the most promising business destination now for European companies. ‘If they are interested in doing business in the continent it is definitely Nigeria. “This is particularly so
because South Africa is considered to be a saturated development market,’’ he said. Ronne said that the forum would discuss the major challenges facing the Nigerian economy and proffer solutions, based on the viewpoint of the European private sector. “One of the challenges is security, related to oil theft and the situation in Niger Delta and also related to the North,’’ he said. He however commended the Nigerian government for doing quite a lot to create a stable business environment, particularly in Lagos. Ms Paulette Van Trier, an official of the Nigerian-Belgian Commercial Information and Documentation Centre, said a major challenge for the forum was to change the perception of European companies on Nigeria. “One of the main reasons for the forum is not only to create a
platform for European business but also what we are trying to do is to get people from Europe to have confidence in Nigeria. ‘We are still after so many years battling with the same thing; the bad image of Nigeria and we have been trying to create confidence in Nigeria among Europeans,’’ she said. Trier maintained that Europe still remained the “best trading partner for Nigeria, for distance, for quality and for the fair services we provide. “We can be more expensive for tools, machinery but we are the best in advices and training,’’ she said. Trier predicted that the forum would grow to become World Economic Summit, adding “we started small with two countries but we have grown to twelve’’. Mr. Massimso De Luca, Trade Counsellor, EU delegation to Nigeria, said three key areas had been identified for discussion at this year’s forum.
LAGOS - The Chief Executive Officer of Green36 Concerts, Mr. Dapo Ajeniya, said the music industry required urgent attention for it to grow and impact the country’s economy. Ajeniya, who co-founded Loopy Music Record Label with Jude Abaga popularly known as M.I. made the remark in an interview with newsmen in Lagos. “The entertainment industry in Nigeria is constantly being exploited by massive piracy, and artistes are constantly loosing from the fruits of their hard work. “There are daily cases of piracy which cannot be fought due the advent of I-tunes and downloading free music from the internet. “Musicians that work very hard to record and produce an album alternatively require shows and concerts to make ends meet,’’ he said. jeniya described his approach of changing the face of entertainment in Nigeria as a “democratisation’’. ‘I intend to address these areas by democratising the business concepts of the music industry through staging various concerts across the Nigerian and African globe. “By democratisation I meant the producer, the musician and the fans will have their reward in full,’’ Ajenioya said. Ajeniya said that these concerts would follow the likes of Woodstock Arts and Music Festival, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festivals and the Lollapaloozas festivals annually organised in the U.S. “We have the capacity to bring at least a total of 300,000 fun seekers to watch their artistes perform and thrill them with their songs,’’ he said.
THE NIGERIAN
11
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY (02/10/13) Stocks
Open
Close
Change
Deals
Units
Value
LIVESTOCK
3.72
3.7
-0.02
0
3,493,419
12,486,042.56
ABBEYBDS
1.49
1.49
0
0
600
852
MANSARD
2.15
2.15
0
0
117,039
251,528.85
ABCTRANS
0.75
0.78
0.03
0
533,000
412,740.00
MAYBAKER
2.2
2.2
0
0
20,100
42,009.00
ACADEMY
1.8
1.8
0
0
86,569
162,519.41
MOBIL
107
107
0
0
12,355
1,327,736.05
ACCESS
10.35
10.5
0.15
0
23,092,715
238,714,031.30
NAHCO
6
6.07
0.07
0
602,601
3,641,357.23
AFRIPRUD
1.87
1.87
0
0
134,348
255,903.12
NASCON
12.21
12.5
0.29
0
464,667
5,796,709.54
AGLEVENT
1.65
1.65
0
0
450
711
NB
165
168
3
0
3,525,650
589,248,198.10
AIICO
0.78
0.75
-0.03
0
2,906,713
2,231,719.05
NEIMETH
1.15
1.2
0.05
0
167,371
197,466.28
ASHAKACEM
20.9
20.9
0
0
166,881
3,370,411.73
NEM
0.7
0.69
-0.01
0
2,884,492
2,004,799.32
ASOSAVINGS
0.5
0.5
0
0
700
350
NESTLE
980
998.5
18.5
0
187,575
185,745,764.50
AVONCROWN
1.66
1.71
0.05
0
3,334
5,267.72
NNFM
25.65
25.65
0
0
2,500
61,000.00
BECOPETRO
0.5
0.5
0
0
5,000
2,500.00
NPFMCRFBK
0.79
0.82
0.03
0
181,137
144,786.86
BERGER
8.7
8.7
0
0
18,495
152,953.65
OANDO
10.35
10.5
0.15
0
4,736,611
49,833,185.10
BETAGLAS
11.87
11.87
0
0
100
1,246.00
OKOMUOIL
46
43.7
-2.3
0
1,464,068
64,216,989.70
BOCGAS
6.5
6.5
0
0
5,000
31,000.00
PAINTCOM
2.13
2.13
0
0
25,000
52,500.00
CADBURY
45.5
46.07
0.57
0
749,505
34,553,214.52
PORTPAINT
5.6
5.6
0
0
10,620
56,498.40
CAP
37
37
0
0
55,191
2,101,933.90
PRESCO
32.5
33.97
1.47
0
1,245,992
42,261,679.20
CAPALBETO
95.49
95.49
0
0
491
46,645.00
PRESTIGE
0.6
0.6
0
0
56,999
32,489.43
CAPHOTEL
4.55
4.55
0
0
577
2,498.41
PZ
38
38
0
0
117,032
4,341,676.06
CCNN
9.09
8.89
-0.2
0
109,381
977,888.09
REDSTAREX
4.15
4.35
0.2
0
184,500
791,615.00
CILEASING
0.5
0.5
0
0
1,935
967.5
RESORTSAL
0.5
0.5
0
0
11,200
5,600.00
CONOIL
28.8
28.8
0
0
9,480
265,173.54
ROADS
8.46
8.46
0
0
100
880
CONTINSURE
1.2
1.2
0
0
40,096,500
48,115,800.00
ROYALEX
0.52
0.5
-0.02
0
255,314
130,110.14
CORNERST
0.5
0.5
0
0
950
475
RTBRISCOE
1.44
1.44
0
0
169,300
232,991.00
COSTAIN
1.05
1.1
0.05
0
390,280
424,796.40
SKYEBANK
4.1
4.15
0.05
0
991,288
4,095,487.42
COURTVILLE
0.62
0.62
0
0
1,796,400
1,071,702.83
SOVRENINS
0.5
0.5
0
0
255,000
127,500.00
CUTIX
1.9
1.9
0
0
33,497
65,670.06
STANBIC
19.2
19.2
0
0
148,164
2,806,639.57
DAARCOMM
0.5
0.5
0
0
10,000
5,000.00
STERLNBANK
2.29
2.3
0.01
0
5,517,479
12,702,660.87
DANGCEM
190
190
0
0
519,165
98,627,160.06
THOMASWY
0.99
0.95
-0.04
0
50,556
48,028.20
DANGFLOUR
9.05
9.05
0
0
353,050
3,195,582.50
TOTAL
157
157
0
0
8,994
1,403,353.66
DANGSUGAR
10.8
11
0.2
0
6,115,600
66,172,752.66
TRANSCORP
1.6
1.68
0.08
0
30,417,675
50,639,751.75
DIAMONDBNK
6.1
6.23
0.13
0
47,529,447
292,420,742.80
TRANSEXPR
1.28
1.28
0
0
197,500
254,875.00
DNMEYER
1.9
1.9
0
0
1,000
1,820.00
UAC-PROP
16.35
16.35
0
0
58,300
914,400.00
EKOCORP
4.32
4.32
0
0
252
1,035.72
UACN
58.5
61.1
2.6
0
2,092,811
127,553,418.10
ETERNA
2.8
2.89
0.09
0
1,280,846
3,672,098.66
UBA
7.41
7.6
0.19
0
10,240,693
77,042,068.11
ETI
13.3
13.61
0.31
0
24,196,350
330,059,056.20
UBCAP
1.45
1.44
-0.01
0
1,758,923
2,508,835.78
ETRANZACT
3.13
3.13
0
0
4,000
11,920.00
UBN
10.25
10.2
-0.05
0
383,723
3,910,918.26
FBNH
16.47
16.9
0.43
0
22,895,125
383,191,964.30
UNILEVER
60.61
60.61
0
0
182,155
10,700,589.50
FCMB
3.8
3.8
0
0
27,878,365
106,131,920.70
UNIONDAC
0.5
0.5
0
0
280
140
FIDELITYBK
2.57
2.64
0.07
0
8,530,648
21,800,453.08
UNITYBNK
0.58
0.58
0
0
9,652,301
5,579,846.84
FIDSON
1.94
1.97
0.03
0
2,412,326
4,714,251.98
UNITYKAP
0.5
0.5
0
0
10,000,000
5,000,000.00
FLOURMILL
83
83
0
0
93,791
7,407,001.33
UPDCREIT
10.5
10.5
0
0
80
798.4
FO
37.39
37.39
0
0
171,371
6,562,903.69
UPL
3.8
3.93
0.13
0
152,715
600,309.90
FTNCOCOA
0.5
0.5
0
0
2,000
1,000.00
UTC
0.59
0.59
0
0
11,434
6,966.06
GLAXOSMITH
69
65.55
-3.45
0
103,511
6,787,346.05
VITAFOAM
4
4.08
0.08
0
308,070
1,246,178.60
GUARANTY
25.05
25.4
0.35
0
23,886,794
606,092,898.10
VONO
1.9
1.9
0
0
15,750
28,507.50
GUINNESS
266.7
266.7
0
0
44,540
11,486,032.86
WAPCO
99
99
0
0
949,905
94,021,063.85
HONYFLOUR
2.99
2.99
0
0
454,909
1,357,146.45
WAPIC
0.88
0.86
-0.02
0
578,366
499,919.62
IKEJAHOTEL
0.77
0.77
0
0
794,385
625,786.45
WEMABANK
1
0.97
-0.03
0
358,482
360,514.64
INTBREW
19.05
19.84
0.79
0
144,902
2,815,796.95
ZENITHBANK
19.99
20
0.01
0
61,751,042
1,236,039,362.00
INTENEGINS
0.65
0.68
0.03
0
263,000
177,295.00
IPWA
0.96
0.96
0
0
47,000
44,237.38
JAPAULOIL
0.5
0.52
0.02
0
1,639,129
823,725.50
JBERGER
76.99
76.99
0
0
39,600
2,906,890.00
JOHNHOLT
1.09
1.09
0
0
91,672
104,396.00
JOSBREW
4.17
3.97
-0.2
0
62,600
248,522.00
LEARNAFRCA
1.95
1.86
-0.09
0
300,000
558,000.00
TOP 10 GAINERS Stock GLAXOSMITH OKOMUOIL CCNN JOSBREW LEARNAFRCA UBN THOMASWY AIICO WEMABANK ROYALEX
Close 65.55 43.7 8.89 3.97 1.86 10.2 0.95 0.75 0.97 0.5
TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS Gain
Stock
-3.45 -2.3 -0.2 -0.2 -0.09 -0.05 -0.04 -0.03 -0.03 -0.02
ZENITHBANK DIAMONDBNK CONTINSURE TRANSCORP FCMB ETI GUARANTY ACCESS FBNH UBA
Close 61,751,042 47,529,447 40,096,500 30,417,675 27,878,365 24,196,350 23,886,794 23,092,715 22,895,125 10,240,693
Loss 0.01 0.13 0.00 0.08 0.00 0.31 0.35 0.15 0.43 0.19
THE NIGERIAN
12 RECENTLY, President Goodluck Jonathan, distributed share certificates to 13 investors who had earlier paid for the 14 electricity generation and distribution companies in the country and said the Federal Government had capitalised the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company to the tune of over $750m so as to ensure the successful operation of the companies by the private sector operators. HOWEVER, the handover of the certificates to the investors was protested nationwide by workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, who insisted that the government had not fully addressed all labour issues. WE welcome efforts of government to improve electricity generation and supply in the country because it remains a major issue affecting economic growth and development over the years. The cost of power generation by both high and low investors in Nigeria is heavy and takes a huge chunk of total cost of inputs, thereby making it extremely difficult for made-inNigeria goods to compete with imported products in the open market, a situation which has almost crippled local production efforts. WITH the unbundling of the Power Holding Company, we believe that the privatisation of the Nigerian power industry has taken a closer step to completion with the handing over of share certificates to the core investors. WE are, however, worried over government’s inconsistencies in settling unresolved liabilities in the privatised companies even though it explained that the new owners of would have to wait till November before they would be able to
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013 THE NIGERIAN
Privatisation Of Nigeria Power Sector
fully take over the firms so as to give it time to settle all outstanding liabilities. The protest by workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria same day the handing over of share certificates was being done over severance benefits which it had paid portrays the Federal Government as lacking truth and untrustworthy. It was wrong for the government to hand over the Gencos and the Discos to private operators without paying all workers their severance packages. WE recall that in July this year, the Federal Government said it released N8.27 billion for Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and Power Generating Companies (GENCOS). Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu, spokesman for the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in a statement said “the money was released, following approval by President Goodluck Jonathan. In the same release, the government said the Ministry of Finance had paid N72.7 billion to the Federal Ministry of Power, so far this year, to cover various items in line with the implementation of the power roadmap.” THE amount, it said, included the N45 billion paid to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) workers, as part of the power
privatisation programme. If this happened in July, we wonder why by September 30, the workers were yet to receive their severance benefits at the time the power outfit was being sold out to private owners. Which workers got the N45billion the federal government claimed it released in July? Why fool the workers and Nigerians? Government, in our opinion should take steps to resolve this issue as agreed with the workers immediately. WE are encouraged to know from Mr. President that “arrangements are ongoing to ensure that the Nigerian Electricity Liability Company is adequately funded to assume all of the liabilities associated with the privatisation of the PHCN successor companies as well as other related liabilities.” We expect government to act quickly and live up to its promise in this regard. BUT more importantly, Nigerians expect a power sector revitalised to meet their electricity needs. We urge the new owners of the companies to move swiftly to ensure steady power supply across the country. Lessons learnt from Communications sector privatization must be called to bear this time around by the authorities. The electricity regulatory agency must be catalysed immediately by government to ensure that the new investors do not exploit Nigerians to their selfish advantage as it is common knowledge that the aim of business concerns is profit maximization. The consumer Protection Council must also swing into action to ensure that Nigerians get value for money and that citizens are not unduly exploited by the new investors.
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
Child Health And You
Barriers To Immunization IMMUNIZATION is one of the most cost effective public health interventions. In earlier publications the benefits of immunization were highlighted. With important benefits such as preventing morbidity (sickness), mortality (death) and disability it becomes a source of concern that such and important tool(provided free by the government) is not being optimally utilized in Nigeria. Vaccine preventable diseases contribute to 22% of deaths among children aged below 5 years in Nigeria. According to the National Bureau of Statistics report in 2011only 23% of the children surveyed received all the requisite vaccines in the first year of life while another 23% did not receive any vaccine at all. The coverage for the various vaccines is shown in table 1. Table 1. Vaccination coverage for different antigens among 1223 month old Nigerian children Vaccine Coverage (%) BCG OPV 0 HBV 1 OPV1 DPT 1 HBV2 OPV2 DPT 2 OPV3 DPT3 HBV3 Measles Yellow fever All vaccines No vaccine
55.4 39.4 26.3 73.2 53.1 47.3 64.8 47.9 45.0 37.0 29.5 49.6 43.0 22.9 23.8
None of the coverages is up to the 90% target recommended by the World Health Organization. So what are the barriers to immunization in Nigeria? The barriers to immunization can be viewed from different perspectives. There are consumer related factors, factors related to supply and systemic factors. Consumer Related Factors Who are the consumers of immunization? In the Nigerian context these are children and women of child bearing age( who should receive Tetanus toxoid to prevent neonatal tetanus in babies born to them). By proxy, since the children cannot demand for immunization on their own their parents and caregivers are the consumers of immunization. In developed countries other categories of persons including adults and the elderly receive statutory vaccines. Ignorance/Parental Education Studies have shown that parental/caregiver ignorance is an important barrier to immunization. Some parents do not know when to commence immunization for their children. This results in delays in commencement of immunization such that some children become infected before they commence immunization. The Nigerian schedule ( table 2) recommends the commencement of immunization at birth. Babies should be immunized with BCG, Oral Polio vaccine and Hepatitis B vaccine on the day they are born. Table 2a The Nigerian immunization schedule for children Vaccine Recommended Age for administration BCG Birth Oral Polio vaccine (OPV0) Birth Hepatitis B vaccine(Hep B birth) Birth Oral Polio vaccine(OPV1) 6weeks Pentavalent vaccine(Penta 1) 6weeks Oral Polio vaccine (OPV2) 10weeks Pentavalent vaccine(Penta 2) 10weeks Oral Polio vaccine(OPV3) 14weeks
By DR. MRS AYEBO E SADOH Pentavalent vaccine(Penta 3) Measles vaccine Yellow fever vaccine
14weeks 9months 9months
Table 2b Nigerian immunization schedule for women of childbearing age Vaccine Recommended time of administration Tetanus toxoid (TT1) - At first contact or as early as possible in pregnancy TT 2 At least 4 weeks after TT1 TT3 At least 6 months after TT2 TT4 At least 1 year after TT3 or in a subsequent pregnancy TT5 At least 1 year after TT4 or in a subsequentpregnancy
Some parents do not know where to take their children for immunization while others do not know that the children require several vaccines at different times. According to the Nigerian schedule the primary immunization series should be completed after 5 visits. A lot of parents also have misconceptions about vaccines and therefore deny their children the opportunity of being protected by immunization. Parental education has been shown in studies to be associated with immunization status of children. Children born to parents who are not educated are more likely not be immunized. It is thus important for Nigeria to ensure that her citizens are educated. Education ensures that parents able to obtain health information, understand the information and utilize the information appropriately. Maternal Age Children born to young mothers (teenaged mothers) are also more likely to be unimmunized. This due to the fact that such mothers are often ill prepared for motherhood. Some of these
“In most Nigerian communities, mothers often have the responsibility of ensuring that the infant gets the requisite immunization. When the mother is ill or unable to take the child for immunization, the child remains unimmunized. This calls for the increased roles of fathers in child care.”
mothers do not receive antenatal care and hence do not receive tetanus toxoid immunization. Babies born to such mothers are susceptible to neonatal tetanus an infection that is associated with very high mortality. In addition, some of the pregnancies are unwanted. Some of these mothers are unmarried and often lack family support. Efforts should be made to prevent teenage pregnancies as these end up producing mothers who are still children. Distance /Place of residence Some mothers do not have money for transportation to health centres for immunization sessions. There are communities that are difficult to reach. Children from such communities often end up being incompletely immunized. Immunization outreaches should be conducted for such communities. Studies have also found that children who live in rural communities are often underimmunized compare to children living in urban areas Role of fathers in immunization In most Nigerian communities, mothers often have the
responsibility of ensuring that the infant gets the requisite immunization. When the mother is ill or unable to take the child for immunization, the child remains unimmunized. This calls for the increased roles of fathers in child care. If the mother is unable to take her childr for immunization the father should steip in to ensure the child does not miss the immunization. Only very few fathers are seen at routine immunization sessions. Fathers should get more involved in these activities. Ignorance on the part of fathers on the benefits and side effects of vaccines has resulted in children not being immunized in some communities. Thus even if the mother knows the correct information, the father who is the gatekeeper may be uninformed and may become a hindrance to the child receiving optimal immunization. Health workers should take cognizance of the important roles of fathers as gatekeepers and include them as important target audience health information. DR (MRS) sadoh e ayebo Senior Research Fellow & Consultant Paediatrician Institute of Child Health, University of Benin/University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City Edo State Nigeria ******************************************************* UNIVERSI‘CHILD HEALTH AND YOU’, a Weekly Thursday Feature, is a collaborative initiative between the Institute of Child Health, University of Benin, and the Bendel Newspapers Company Limited (BNCL), Benin City. Comments on this page should be forwarded to The Editor, Observer newspaper or Director, Institute of Child Health University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. To be continued
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
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THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
Security Issues
THE rising incidences of terrorism, kidnappings, armed robbery, assassinations, and other acts of crime and criminality across the country has elicited critical questions from Nigerians bordering on the readiness of the country’s security forces to rise up to the mounting threats posed to the lives and property of fellow Nigerians. These questions became pertinent due to the preventable deaths and destruction of properties running into billions that have been recorded across the country over the years; unfortunate occurrences that are being blamed on the inability of the country’s security operatives to effectively do their jobs. Of all the security organizations operating within the shores of the country, the Nigerian Police Force has received the hardest knocks. This is not surprising since the police – among other security organizations - is the closest to the people. As the chief custodian of law and order, protector of lives and properties, and averter of crimes in the society, the police has been naturally blamed for the country’s gradual descent into anarchy, as it is seen to have failed in properly discharging its core duties to its chief constituents – the Nigerian people. With the fearless and flagrant manner violent groups continue to run amok across the country, the NPF and its operatives continue to score the lowest in national opinion ratings. However, methinks the crude censorships the police has so far received from the public, in the wake of recent events, are quite unfair considering the fact that other security organizations in the country, having performed equally poorly, should also share in the blame. Just like the police, the army, the State Security Services, the Directorate of Military Intelligence, in tandem with other security agencies and organizations in the country have all failed in their duties by their inability to do their jobs. National security is not the duty of the police alone – although it has a part to play. It consists of a compendium
The Nigeria Police And National Security
of relationships among plethora of actors or parties all working for the common national interest. The police force – like other security organizations – is just a party in this wide gamut of relationships. (These personal opinions do not in any way constitute tacit support for the police force – we all know its shortcomings – but are impassioned, expansive observations of a largely misunderstood issue.) Considering the limited resources at its disposal, the purported inability of the NPF to perform to full capacity should be seen as a function of the institutional structures it has been forced to subsist in. Despite these inhibitions, the NPF has churned out series of outstanding achievements over the years, ranging from: Control of the Tiv Unrest in the early 1960s; control of the Bakolori riots of 1982; control of several communal clashes in the country, such as Bauchi (1985, ZangoKataf (1992), Ogoni (199496), Warri (19997-1999), etc; control of several religious riots in the country, like the Maitatsine uprising in Kano (1980), Bulunkutu and Maiduguri (1982), Yola (1983), etc; corperation with International Police (INTERPOL) on crime control; several peace keeping missions; training of police forces of sister countries, etc (Nwolise B.C.O, The Nigerian Police in International PeaceKeeping under the United nations, 2004; Pg 95-96). These successes were recorded under very risky circumstances as the force lacked the required equipment and other significant resources to intervene in such high intensity conflicts. On the other hand, the police has also recorded some failures ranging from: its inability to unravel the culprits behind several assassinations and bombings of prominent Nigerian citizens over the years, starting with the parcel bombing of Mr. Dele Giwa,
the late Chief Editor of News Watch Magazine; inability of the police to properly manage some student riots and
However, some of the challenges that have militated against the ability of the NPF to satisfactorily perform its functions to the
inadequate accommodation facilities for both office and residential use; mobility challenges, which makes it difficult to respond to
core includes: inadequate manpower, which has made it practically impossible to adequately police a country as highly populated and expansive as Nigeria; inadequate and obsolete equipment – especially communication gadgets, arms, and ammunitions – which reduces the speed of responding to distress calls and getting information across to other units; poor remuneration, which has tends to deflate the morale of officers, and confronts those with weak willpower with extortionist temptations; inadequate public cooperation, which has restricts access to crucial intelligence; poor and
distress calls and carry out patrols; activities of bad eggs, which has tended to give the force a negative public image; inadequate training, etc. It’s the writer’s humble opinion that if the above challenges facing the force are speedily addressed by the Nigerian Government, the NPF will be better equipped to begin to contribute its quota to the security of the Nigerian State and its people. Considering the increasing sophistication of most violent groups, a police force as underfunded, illequipped, poorly staffed, poorly remunerated as the NPF cannot cope with the
• Mohammed Abubakar, IG-P
demonstrations by other unarmed protesters without resorting to the use of naked force; inability of the force to transform itself into a people-friendly organization; inability of the force to transform itself into a service-oriented organization in practice, rather than the forceful face it still bears; inability of the force to stay politically neutral, etc. But like I mentioned earlier, these shortcomings should be assessed from the perspective of the operationally encumbrances that have traditionally bedeviled the ability of the force to perform to full capacity.
With Obuseh Jude 08033310173 onerous task of safeguarding the lives and properties of a country as complex and vast as Nigeria. Acts of violence by groups such as terrorists and criminal cartels are now carried out with a combination of unorthodox and clandestine styles that are becoming more difficult to detect or fight. There is an urgent need for a total redress of the aforementioned anomalies together with other much needed reforms in the security sector as a whole, for the police and other security agencies in the country to begin to live up to their billings as the guarantors of peace and security within the borders of Nigeria. The rot in the NPF is simply a minute reflection of the general systems failure afflicting the Nigerian project; a mirror image of a much bigger problem. It requires an enquiry into the structural/background factors responsible for the supposed laxity in the country’s security sector as a whole for proper remedies to be found. The commendable performance of the NPF in all the foreign Peace-keeping Missions (Congo, 1960-65; Namibia, 1989-1990; Angola, 1991-1998; Croatia, 1995-1996; Western Sahara, 1991; Mozambique, 19931994; Bosnia-Herzegovina, 1992-1993, 193-1994; Somalia, 1993-1995; Rwanda, 1993-1996; Macedonia, 1995; Yugoslavia, 1992-95, 1999) (Ibid; Pgs 122, 166) it has participated in over the years is testament of what it can do when properly propped up. The Nigerian Police Force is simply the unfortunate victim of the tradition of buck-passing in a country peopled by individuals who will never accept it when they have failed. Let’s do the right things and stop blaming the police for what is obviously a collective national failure. See you next week!
“Of all the security organizations operating within the shores of the country, the Nigerian Police Force has received the hardest knocks. This is not surprising since the police – among other security organizations - is the closest to the people.”
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
Motoring IT is cheaper to prevent terminal e n g i n e overheating and damage than to cure them. All it takes is vigilance
With OSAGIE AIFUWA 08023412452
Cooling System
Understanding Steering System THE operation of the steering gearbox can be mechanical as we have on most vehicles on our Roads or hydraulic (power steering) also as we have on some cars on our roads. The power steering reduces the effort needed to turn the steering wheel and makes maneuvering in a confined space much easier than with the conventional steering (mechanical steering). With conventional steering some steering wheels may be wrenched out of a driver grip if a tyre bursts at high speed or if the car hits a large bump. This does not happen with power steering. Another
advantage of the power steering is that the car can be steered manually if the power falls. The main components of a power steering are the same as the conventional type but plus a pump which supplies the fluid, driven by the engine, sensing valves operated by movement of the steering wheels, the ram and piston assembly and the connecting pipes. The maintenances procedures from the two systems are similar. But the power steering has the hydraulic system to be maintained in addition.
Advantages Of Power Steering System
1. The system enables heavier car and vehicle to be steered with ease without the physical strain experienced by the driver on long journeys. 2. It can be maneuvered to a small space and at a low speed e.g. when parking on roads or in car parks (without appreciable effort as compared with manual system). 3. It provides greater road safety since in the event of a burst tyre or
other heavy shock, the power unit maintains control of the vehicle. (whereas in manual steering the driving. control might be lost and an accident caused. 4. Reduction of wheel wobbles 5. Reduction in number of turns of the steering wheel from lock to lockquicker steering especially at high speed. 6. More responsive and
sensitive steering together with an almost complete observes of steering wheel shock and vibration. Front wheel alignment is checked with different kinds of alignment equipments available in workshop and most petrol stations. In checking front alignment, you will measure camber, castor, and toe-in. The toe-in can be adjusted if
found incorrect. You can measure steering axis-inclination and toe-out. If they are wrong, it means parts is bent or damage and must be replaced The levels of fluid in power steering systems should be Maintained between the minimum and maximum level. Else the other pump will not build up enough pressure for the system. Leaks should be repaired immediately by skilled mechanic
“The main components of a power steering are the same as the conventional type but plus a pump which supplies the fluid, driven by the engine, sensing valves operated by movement of the steering wheels, the ram and piston assembly and the connecting pipes.”
and a modest monetary outlay. Here is what do. Don’t just put any water in the radiator. The water has to be clean and preferably tap water. It is better to get a good coolant additive to add to it hut make sure it is a good one. Some coolant additives are worse than useless. I once used a coolant additive, which within weeks, dissolved sealing glue on the radiator hoses. This reduced the radiator’s effectiveness and rendered the heater useless. But a good additive will prevent rust arid raise the coolants boiling point. Drain the radiator and replace with clean water once in three months and while at it, make a visual check for leaks or any damage on the radiator and the hoses. Repair any damaged fast. Daily, check the coolant level on the overflow container. Any usually noise from the water pump should be investigated. If the pump is damaged, repair is not always effective, so replace it. Belt. should be tight. A fan with broken fins won’t work properly. Buying a spare fan belt is a good idea, but buy a good quality type. Ascertain the engine’s normal working temperature while driving, if there is a substantial increase, stop the car and check. Engine oil also is a coolant. Use a good brand. Don’t set engine idle speed to high. Avoid excessive idling. The tachometer has a red band, which should he avoided in normal driving. For air-coolant cars, inspect these components regularly; oil level, farm, belt, fan housing, intake ducts and vents, if any intercooler is fitted, ensure it works properly.
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
Nigeria @ 53
Need To Support Transformation Agenda
CONSEQUENT upon the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates of Nigeria in 1914 by the British colonialist, Sir Frederick Lord Lugard, a federating state called Nigeria emerged. This same entity won independence from Britain on the 1st of October 1960. It may be appropriate to say that what Nigeria actually got was mere political independence. As a result, British withdrew their governance and handed over same to Nigerians. However, it was revealed that some of the British officials settled in some parts of Nigeria and continued to advise them politically in such region/s without seeing Nigeria as one political entity until the civil war broke out and they quickly found their way. In this connection, there will be celebration of centennial of 1914 amalgamation by next year 2014. In the threshold of Nigeria’s history, our past leaders molded this country with great zeal for success. This was manifest in the way and manner they collectively fought and achieved at least political independence for Nigeria. It is a truism to say that these crops of leaders exhibited sound leadership qualities and moral pedigree as well as professionalism. In this regard, the result of their tested, trusted, and sincere leadership styles gave birth to a peaceful one Nigeria because there was no blood shed as the Nigerian flag of greenwhite-green was hoisted and the union jack lowered accordingly to the admiration of all Nigerians. They defended the territorial integrity of Nigeria with full restoration and preservation of our cultural values to the best of their ability and agility.
By CHARLES I. SOEZE
However, the current president of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, GCFR, popularly known as “GEJ”, an academic, administrator par excellence, politician of the highest level and father of the biggest political party in Africa if not in the whole world, that is, the People Democratic Party (PDP) well known as “power de people” will be able to move Nigeria to the next level for the admiration of the international communities with his sincere and sound transformation agenda. No doubt, Mr. President’s transformation agenda is necessitated by the need to correct the flaws in the country’s drive for development where there is absence of long-term perspective and lack of continuity, consistency and commitment (3cs) to agreed policies. What His Excellency needs is the support of every Tom, Dick and Harry. In other words, all hands must be on the pump with GEJ to make Nigeria better and comparable to other developed nations. We should support His Excellency and stop making inflammatory statements that eventually gave birth to deadly sect groups. Therefore, we must not make Nigeria ungovernable but support whoever that is voted into power and pray for our turn in the future if necessary or possible. Nigeria will not continue to remain as a developing nation after 53-years of independence. Like the Christians will say “We reject this in Jesus name Amen”. Furthermore, President Jonathan has accepted to improve on the workings of the public service of the
federation hence His Excellency declared during the Presidential Award Ceremony (PAC) for the first batch of winners of the National Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YOWIN) business plan competition on April 12, 2012 in Abuja. Without hesitation, Mr. President
enshrined in the Public Service Rules (PSRs) for proper guidance and appropriate follow-up. Without mincing words, we need to change our ways and make statements and suggestions that will bring peace and development to our beloved country and make it stand gidi gba like the Union Bank in its advert slogan
Nigeria in order to sustain our democratic structure. It is crystal and abundantly clear that under the current tenure of President Jonathan, some mistakes are being corrected and we are all learning properly for effective administration is one of the biggest gains because under His Excellency is the true rebirth of the rule of law, with a freer judicial system, that has restored confidence of the people in the Nigerian judiciary. In the words of Martin Luther King Jnr,
President Goodluck Jonathan
announced that all leadership of tenured public agencies should henceforth be based on merit. This is a welcome development for Nigeria, Nigerians to avoid inefficiency and ineffectiveness at the top echelons in the public service. This is so because once the head is rotten, all other parts of the body will follow. In view of this arrangement, we should make it a sustained standard policy and be
because we have nowhere to check out to courtesy of our brother, Andrew (of blessed memory) “I am checking out”. We have to change our ways to make Nigeria a better place for all of us. Like in the words of Mr. President on Democracy Day, that is 29th of May 2012, “Our democracy is stable. Its foundation is strong and firm. Its future is bright. As Nigeria celebrates 53, let us give kudos to this particular statement and support
“In the threshold of Nigeria’s history, our past leaders molded this country with great zeal for success. This was manifest in the way and manner they collectively fought and achieved at least political independence for Nigeria. It is a truism to say that these crops of leaders exhibited sound leadership qualities and moral pedigree as well as professionalism. In this regard, the result of their tested, trusted, and sincere leadership styles gave birth to a peaceful one Nigeria because there was no blood shed as the Nigerian flag of green-white-green was hoisted and the union jack lowered accordingly to the admiration of all Nigerians.”
“Constructive, non-violent tension is good for growth”. I think and believe that, if we must criticize, let it be constructive criticism for the benefits of all Nigerians, we need not be selfish either on ethnic or religious grounds or go beyond these. The issue of power supply to all Nigerians is being addressed by Mr. President with speed and alacrity while petroleum products are no longer ‘essenco’ that is, essential commodities due to the transformation of the petroleum industry. Nigerians get the products easily without sleeping at filling stations or indiscriminately store them away in buildings and later cause havoc to tenants and items of property as it used to be under previous governments. For example, it was disclosed recently by the
responsible and respectable mother of the oil industry, who incidentally is the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke that the federal government saved N850b from oil sector reforms. What a very big achievement indeed! Refer to Hallmark newspaper of Wednesday, September 25, 2013 p. 19. Furthermore, it may be true to say that our country is not perfect yet because of poor leadership in the past by some leaders, though there is no perfection in humanity. We may say that the nation is gradually surviving the imperfection. It seems to me there will be hope for Nigeria especially if and when the political elites learn to use power for effective service not for destruction and strictly respect the opinions and views of the electorate as demonstrated or showed through the ballot and not by killings and maiming. Professor Attahiru Jega, a political scientist and the current Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman actually gave the best description of our past leaders, when he said in a lecture at Abuja that “If the truth be told, past Nigerian leaders with few exceptions were self-serving rulers, not leaders. Some were even despots. There is perhaps no other country in the world where power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely as in Nigeria. They have generally lacked vision, focus, and selflessness and even enlightened self-interest. Many in leadership positions are unimaginably corrupt, they are greedy, they are vindictive, they are reckless and in many fundamental respects senseless”. However, thanks to the current leadership and its transformation agenda that is yielding positive results. To this end therefore, Nigeria will be better. Finally, I wish to quote Abraham Lincoln’s statement in Gethysbury, on the 19th of November, 1863 for our information and guidance, “That this country under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people for the people shall not perish from the earth”. May Nigeria’s Democracy not perish in Jesus name, AMEN.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
Religion
With REV. DR. A. A. OPARA
Let My People Go Continued from last week
IT possesses unbelievers and drives them into terrible vices. I can say that it is the demon of vices, the social evils prevailing in our time, this is why again I have called it the “Mother demon”. It possesses the unbeliever and controls the spirit, soul and body. It pollutes the mind of its captive with morbid fear of the future and when this fear is instilled into such, he may be dragged into other vices as an escape route You see, I told you that the demon of fear paves way for other demons. It is a terrible instrument satan is using to bewilder the world today; When the victim is possessed with fear; the demon of fear controls the mind and paves way for other demons to come into the individual, then the individual begins to manifest various vices. They go into drug addiction, smoking, alcoholism, stealing cheating, murder; robbery, prostitution, cultism e.t.c as a way to assuage their fear; but more demons have come into that individual. Reader, do you understand what I am writing about now? that the problem in our society today is satan masquerading through the demon of fear to wreck the society. Spiritually, this explains the increase in social vices in our society today that it requires men of God, full of faith in Christ to do battle with the demon of fear. The demon of fear can oppress the believer. When it oppresses the believer, it causes the believer to go into delusions instead of visions. To understand the concept of oppression, please read the preceding chapters of this book. It oppresses the believer and paves way for other oppressive demons to come over. It begins by frightening the believer not to believe what the Bible says: The believer becomes encapsulated in doubt; He is overshadowed by fear;
soon it leads to stubbornness; then the believer degenerates further into delusions meaning “I am right, every other person is wrong even including my pastor”. No matter the hours you spend in counselling with such a believer, the believer will never bulge; the demon of fear is at work. Please do recognise this and put such on deliverance and deliver the evil spirit out of that person, that is, the demon of fear. Many Christians today even including the clergy may be oppressed by the demon of fear, they may not be aware, they will blame it on something else. I have known a servant of God who is so extremely careful though good, not to hurt his flock, yet has because of this indulged in complaisance, so that anybody can do whatever he likes in the Church; thus giving room for indiscipline; just because the man of God is afraid of the consequences of right actions: then to such I say you may beware of the demon of fear oppressing you therefore making you lead Gods people into unrighteousness than righteousness. This is a manifestation of the demon of fear, or Christian parents who will be afraid to rebuke their children for fear that the children may overreact, these parents go into complaisance; the children grow up not reflecting the good image of their parents. This is a manifestation of the demon of oppression; or a Christian in administrative authority; not being able to exert such authority to discipline subordinates or correct them for fear of the social consequences and the organisation eventually goes hay-wire or output may diminish, then, such a person should beware of the fear demon of oppression. So many other examples on how the demon of fear can oppress the christian in his personal capacity or social life.
The right thing to do when you get these manifestations is to subject yourself to deliverance, you may wish to visit a deliverance minister to assist you; or you may use your authority if you are a believer in Christ - to rebuke, command and dislodge the demon of fear and cast it back to its habitation the air, then cover yourself with the blood of Jesus; for if Jesus sets you
free then you are free indeed. The case study of King Saul is to show the effect of the demon of fear and how it can bring ruins to the individual. Saul was chosen as a King specially by God to preside over His people (1 Sam 9 & 10) God had planned that Saul’s kingdom in Israel be established forever from one lineage to the other, but he forfeited this; As Samuel put it: “Now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue Sam
“They go into drug addiction, smoking, alcoholism, stealing cheating, murder; robbery, prostitution, cultism e.t.c as a way to assuage their fear; but more demons have come into that individual. Reader, do you understand what I am writing about now? that the problem in our society today is satan masquerading through the demon of fear to wreck the society. Spiritually, this explains the increase in social vices in our society today that it requires men of God, full of faith in Christ to do battle with the demon of fear.”
13:13-14. What did Saul do? He had yielded himself to the spirit of fear for out of fear of the people he had offered the sacrifice at Gilgal meant to be done by the Priest Samuel (1 Sam 13: 7-10). His total rejection to the throne of Israelite kingship came up again in proceeding chapters; when Samuel told King Saul plainly: “Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being King’ (1 Sam 15:23). Now what led to Saul’s rejection? Well, we readily and easily
“And Saul said unto Samuel I have sinned; for l have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and thy words because I feared the people and obeyed their voice” I Sam. 15:24. Do you know that it was still that demonic fear that gripped Saul into hating David his subject after the latter gallantly defeated Goliath to save the whole nation of Israel? (1 Sam .17:14, 44-50; 18:7-9)”
explain it to the fact that he disobeyed God’s command given to him through Samuel the Prophet, to destroy the Amalekites (1 Sam 15:1-3, 10-11) But why did Saul disobey God? This is the antecedent that is being overlooked: for every action that is a causative effect. King Saul himself explained it that it was due to fear. It was a demonic fear. He had said to Samuel that he did not just take delight in disobeying God but feared the people. But why should it be that in normal circumstances a King should fear the people than his God? Indeed Saul was under demonic oppression of fear. Hear him again: “And Saul said unto Samuel I have sinned; for l have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and thy words because I feared the people and obeyed their voice” I Sam. 15:24.
Do you know that it was still that demonic fear that gripped Saul into hating David his subject after the latter gallantly defeated Goliath to save the whole nation of Israel? (1 Sam .17:14, 44-50; 18:7-9) The Bible says: “And Saul was very wrath .... and Saul eyed David from that day and forward’ 1 Sam 18:8,9. When the spirit of God had departed from Saul, the demon of fear gripped Saul further and led him into spiritism to consult the witch of Endor (1 Sam. 28:5-8); and eventually Saul died in battle. Now you can see the demon of fear in the life of King Saul as a ‘Mother demon’ for from fear it led him to hatred, then into demonism (spiritism), then eventually to his death. Satan has accomplished his mission in the life of Gods chosen King due to his carelessness: for satan (the thief) “cometh not but for to steal, and to kill and to destroy”. ,Jn 10:10.
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
International Egyptian Authorities ‘Beat Up’ Ohio State Graduate In Cairo Prison CARIO - An EgyptianAmerican activist arrested in August claims in a letter smuggled from prison that Egyptian security personnel beat him, denied him medical attention and joked about killing detainees. Dual citizen Mohamed Soltan, a graduate of Ohio State University, had been a press spokesperson for the protest camp in Cairo’s Rabaa alAdawiya Square demanding the reinstatement of deposed President Mohamed Morsi. He was shot in the arm when security forces firing live ammunition forcibly dispersed protesters from the square on Aug. 14, killing hundreds. The government asserts that police simply responded to gunfire CHANGE OF NAME
MACGREGOR - I formerly Ameze Macgregor Mirian Osarenmwinda now wish to be known and addressed as Jecintta Osabohien Amezee. All former documents remain valid. General public and all concerned authorities should please take note. ADDITION OF NAME
I, Nwafor Maduabunachukwu Ernest wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as Nwafor Ernest as appeared in my various documents. Henceforth, I am now addressed as Nwafor Maduabunachukwu Ernest. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture should please take note.
from the protesters, though a Human Rights Watch investigation found that the number of gunmen in the camp was small. In an interview then with TIME, Soltan said he feared he could face arrest in a public hospital, so he had the bullet removed by a private doctor. Days later, Soltan was arrested. “The brutality with which I have been treated has been mind boggling,” he writes in a letter addressed to his mother and given to TIME by his family. “During the day, soldiers and police would get in two straight lines, and we would have to run in between them as they beat us with rocks and sticks.” He continues: “The officers stripped off our pants and shirts as they beat us with clubs. They put us in jail cells with what must have been 60 other inmates, and it was terribly hot and water was not made available to us. I saw an inmate suffer a heart attack right before my eyes and not receive proper medical attention. The surgical wound on my arm was open and oozing, and not one of the guards seemed to care because I was labeled a political prisoner.” The account emerges amid mounting concern over conditions for those detained in the summer crackdown on the pro-Morsi movement. Since July 3, at least 3,000 people were ADDITION OF NAME I, Osasuyi Eseosa Liora Deborah wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as Osasuyi Eseosa. It should be known therefore that I am properly known and addressed as Osasuyi Eseosa Liora Deborah. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities should please take note.
PUBLIC NOTICE
DOF INSTITUTE This is to notify the general public that DOF Institute of Catering and Hotel Management situated at 29 Osaretin Street, is now under a New Management. Student’s and general public please take note. Admission is still on Hurry and Register Now!!! Tel: 08033028062
PUBLIC NOTICE
DOF INSTITUTE STAFF VACANCIES 1. Head of Institute Qualification: HND, B.Sc., in Catering and Hotel Mgt with experience. 2. Lecturers Should be able to teach Cookery Practicals, and other related Mgt. Subjects, in Catering and Hotel Mgt, Event Mgt/Planning and Decoration. 3. Security Guards Please submit application in person. @ DOF Institute Campus, 29 Osaretin Street, Off Eweka Street, Behind Igbinedion Education Centre, Near St. Mary Magdalene Hospital, Benin City, Edo State. Tel: 08033028062
arrested, though at least 600 were released by midSeptember, according to Amnesty International. The detainees also include two Canadians — medical doctor Tarek Loubani and filmmaker John Greyson – who are now on hunger strike. The pair was arrested after asking police officers for help after the deadly clashes between protesters and security forces in Cairo’s Ramses Square on Aug. 16. In a newly released letter the pair wrote from prison, they said they witnessed more than 50 Egyptians die in the square, many of them from bullet wounds. Asked about the claims in Soltan’s letter, a U.S. embassy spokesperson said, “We continue to provide all appropriate consular assistance, which includes routine prison visits. We take any allegations of mistreatment seriously and investigate them to the fullest extent possible.” Brigadier Hatem Fathy, the director of the International Relations Department at Egypt’s Ministry of the Interior, said he could not speak to the specifics of Soltan’s case. As for the abuse allegations, he said, “The Egyptian government has several mechanisms for complaints of any ill-treatment by police or any other department of the government.” Officials at Egypt’s public prosecutor’s office could not be immediately reached for comment. In his letter, Soltan also described the conditions in the
initial hours and days after his arrest in August: “We were taken to a police station and tossed into a room nicknamed ‘The Fridge,’ which was a room without seats, benches, windows, and lights,” he writes. “I was not allowed a phone call, nor any communication with a lawyer, with one guard quipping that he could get me anything I wanted, drugs, alcohol, prostitutes. Just not due process.” “The next morning the officers
blindfolded me and led me to a room where a man I could not see asked me a series of questions about our home, our family, and our reasons for being in the country,” he writes. “One officer sarcastically shared with a fellow officer that he was confused as to why they hadn’t just shot us dead and that he hoped we would attempt to escape so they could hunt us like chickens and kill us,” he writes. “At one of the prisons, I was
handcuffed to another inmate, mandating that when I used the bathroom I had to take him in with me.” During interrogation, security officials accused him of a range of crimes including membership in a terrorist organization and attempting to kill protesters, he says in the letter. “I was completely shocked that such charges, none of which had any basis in reality,” he writes. His attorney, Ahmed Alghayesh, said in a phone interview that the
Herman Wallace at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola
Mall Attack To Cost Kenya $200 Million In Tourism
NAIROBI, Kenya — When Ohio resident Bill Haynes heard about the shooting at Westgate Mall by Islamic extremist gunmen last month, he considered canceling his upcoming 17-day safari to Kenya and Tanzania. “You can’t help but be concerned,” said Haynes, 67. “Here’s a place we’re going to be in about five days and there are some terrorists shooting the place up. That would cause CHANGE OF NAME
AMEH – I formerly called Miss Ameh Egbatheye Karen is now known and called Mrs. Akpeokhai Egbatheye Karen. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME
ADEBAYO – I formerly known and addressed as Mrs Okiemute Rachael Adebayo now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Okiemute Rachael Aya. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
anybody to give some pause.” Acting on advice from a friend in Nairobi, Haynes went through with his trip except for a stop at Lamu, a coastal city near Somalia where a French woman was kidnapped in 2011. The risk to tourism was one of the first concerns officials expressed after the attack that left at least 67 dead including 18 foreigners. Tourism generates 14 percent of Kenya’s GDP and employs 12 percent of its workforce, according to Moody’s Investment Services and the World Travel and Tourism Council. Moody’s predicts the attack will cost Kenya’s economy $200 million to $250 million in lost
tourism revenue, estimating it will slow growth of Kenya’s GDP by 0.5 percent. Kenya’s 2012 GDP was $41 billion. “Evidence would seem to indicate that 2013 could well be a very difficult year for the local tourism industry,” according to a report released Tuesday by Business Monitor International, which revised its 2013 outlook for Kenya’s tourism growth from 3 percent down to 1.5 percent. Tourism is Kenya’s largest earner of foreign exchange after tea and coffee exports, generating $4.7 billion in 2011, according to Moody’s and the World Travel and Tourism Council.
Canada Reinforces African Union Forces In Somalia OTTAWA - Canada announced Tuesday funding to bolster African Union forces in Somalia, after a deadly mall attack in Nairobi by Shebab Islamists last month. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird pledged Can$5 million for enhancing counterterrorism efforts through the African Union mission in Somalia, as well as $1 million for other security and conflict resolution programs in the Horn of Africa. The funds are in addition to Can$37 million already committed by Ottawa for Somalia, and $2.4 billion committed by the world. At a joint press conference, Somalia’s visiting Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Fawzia Yusuf Adam
said her government in partnership with the African Union “is defeating” Shebab. “El Shebab is on its last legs, they lost numbers, they lost morale, they lost ground, they’re only in small pockets. We’re not worried about them. We’re in control of the situation, but we need a last push” with aid from the international community to strengthen its security forces, she said. “We need to stand on our feet and defend our shores and defend our ground and finish el Shebab.” The four-day bloodbath at the upmarket Westgate shopping mall, which Kenyan forces brought to an end last Tuesday, left at least 67 people dead. The Kenyan Red Cross said Monday
Kenya is Africa’s fifth largest tourist destination, welcoming approximately 1.8 million visitors each year. Nearly half come from Britain and Europe, while visitors from the United States became an increasing share of the total during the past two years, according to Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism. The anticipated toll on tourism is expected to magnify the decline in tourist arrivals caused by the massive fire to Nairobi airport’s arrivals terminal in August. Tourists continue to fly here to visit Maasai Mara National Reserve, where the great wildebeest migration is underway as 2 million animals move north for the season. Authorities are sensitive to anything that could keep visitors away from Kenya’s Indian Ocean beaches and its game parks teeming with giraffes, zebras and other wild animals. Just hours after the mall attack began, Kenya’s tourism ministry rushed to reassure travelers “that Kenya is peaceful and our security agencies are doing everything possible to ensure that everyone is safe.” Kenya’s tourism minister said the attack was “a small hiccup” in Kenya’s “resilient” tourism sector and predicted long-term growth to continue. “This was a very unfortunate, isolated case and it’s being managed,” Phyllis Kandie told the Associated Press over the phone Tuesday. “I believe it’s safe to go to any part of Kenya, and I’d advise travelers to travel as normal.”
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
International Features
US Government Shut Down Chokes Washington THE first US government shutdown in 17 years has put a choke hold on Washington, with the White House and Republicans digging in for an extended struggle with no way out in sight. National monuments were barricaded on Tuesday, US war cemeteries in Europe closed, and hundreds of thousands of federal workers were sent home without pay, after dawn revealed the wreckage of America’s latest paralyzing political crisis. President Barack Obama accused conservatives in the House of Representatives of waging an “ideological crusade” by making government funding conditional on gutting his landmark health care law. His top foe, Republican House Speaker John Boehner, meanwhile claimed Obama was pursuing a “scorched earth” policy by refusing to negotiate, as the rhetoric hit new heights and hopes for a swift end to the standoff faded. The president was in feisty form at a White House event marking the rollout of a key portion of Obamacare, which turned into an extended taunt at Republicans for failing to halt implementation of the sweeping law. “This Republican shutdown did not have to happen — I want every American to understand why it did happen,” Obama said. “They have shut down the government over an ideological crusade to deny affordable health care to millions of Americans.” It was the morning after on Capitol Hill, where late night brinkmanship sent America into its first government shutdown in 17 years when the money ran out at midnight. Boehner, who effectively chose to side with the uproarious Tea Party faction of his party rather than risk his job by attempting to pass a straight funding resolution stripped of political poison pills, lit into the president. “Washington Democrats have slammed the door on reopening the government by refusing to engage in bipartisan talks,” he wrote in an opinion piece in USA Today. The political paralysis remained unbroken as the Senate followed through on Majority Leader Harry Reid’s promise, rejecting the House’s demand that the two chambers appoint formal negotiators to thrash out a deal. So far at least, Boehner is dancing on precarious political ground. A Quinnipiac University poll found voters, by a margin of 72 percent to 22 percent,
oppose the shutdown of the government as a way to derail Obamacare. The New York Daily News tabloid had a more blunt summation: “House of Turds” its front page read, in a swipe at Republicans modeled on the hit Netflix political mini-series “House of Cards.” Thousands of federal workers trekked into town only to clear their desks and be told they were not “essential” to running the US government machine. Young aides trooped out of the White House, leaving Obama with only a skeleton crew on hand. Perplexed tourists were turned away from monuments and museums on the National Mall secured behind barriers and tape reading “Police Line: Do not Cross.” But one hardy group was made of sterner stuff — an ageing band of the so-called Greatest Generation showed up at the World War II memorial and refused to be denied entry. Those visiting their dead comrades in France, Belgium, Italy and elsewhere were turned away, as funding dried up for American cemeteries in 20 foreign fields. Another symbol of hardwon freedoms — The Statue of Liberty in New York — was off limits to disappointed tourists. The military and border patrol were kept at full strength, but the Pentagon was due to stand down almost half of its 800,000 civilian employees. Warring lawmakers, exhausted by Monday night’s political theatrics, stirred under the serene Capitol Rotunda, but early hopes that a compromise would emerge once the shock of the shutdown had hit proved premature. House Republicans sought to pass a trio of measures funding popular parts of government, including veterans benefits and museums. The plan appeared to be an attempt to shame Democrats who say they will not negotiate with “a gun to their head” with the government closed. “That proposal shows the utter lack of seriousness that we’re seeing from Republicans,” said White House spokesman Jay Carney. All three bills were defeated, heaping more pressure on Congress to end the stalemate. Democratic leader in the Senate, Reid, added: “We won’t be forced to choose between parks and cancer research... or the FBI.” Democratic tactics were
designed to thwart every Republican attempt for a face-saving exit and to force an eventual climbdown by Boehner. Obama warned that the shutdown could have disastrous consequences for America’s sluggish economic recovery. “We know that the last time Republicans shut down the government in 1996, it hurt our economy. And unlike 1996, our economy is still recovering from the worst recession in generations,” the president said. To highlight his case, Obama was due to meet CEOs of some top Wall Street firms at the White House on Wednesday. Obama also scrapped a visit to Malaysia due to the shutdown, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said Wednesday, raising questions over the US leader’s attendance at two regional summits. Obama was to deliver an address in Malaysia on October 11 as part of a fourcountry swing through Southeast Asia including international summits in Indonesia and Brunei.
US President Barack Obama
No Progress For Unending Stalemate
THE political stare-down on Capitol Hill shows no signs of easing, leaving federal government functions — from informational websites, to national parks, to processing veterans’ claims — in limbo from coast to coast. Lawmakers in both parties ominously suggested the partial shutdown might last for weeks. A funding cutoff for much of the government began Tuesday as a Republican effort to kill or delay the nation’s health care law stalled action on a short-term, traditionally routine spending bill. Republicans pivoted to a strategy to try to reopen the government piecemeal but were unable to immediately advance the idea in the House. National parks like Yellowstone and Alcatraz Island were shuttered, government websites went dark and hundreds of thousands of nonessential workers reported for a half-day to fill out time cards, hand in their government cellphones and laptops, and change voicemail messages to gird for a deepening shutdown. The Defense Department said it wasn’t clear that service academies would be able to participate in sports, putting Saturday’s Army vs. Boston College and Air Force vs. Navy football games on hold, with a decision to be made Thursday. Even as many government agencies closed their doors, health insurance exchanges that are at the core of President Barack Obama’s health care law were up and running, taking applications for coverage that would start Jan. 1. “Shutting down our government doesn’t accomplish their stated goal,” Obama said of his Republican opponents at a
Rose Garden event hailing implementation of the law. “The Affordable Care Act is a law that passed the House; it passed the Senate. The Supreme Court ruled it constitutional. It was a central issue in last year ’s election. It is settled, and it is here to stay. And because of its funding sources, it’s not impacted by a government shutdown.” GOP leaders faulted the Senate for killing a House request to open official negotiations on the temporary spending bill. Senate Democrats led by Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada insist that Republicans give in and pass their simple, straightforward temporary funding bill, known as a continuing resolution. “None of us want to be in a shutdown. And we’re here to say to the Senate Democrats, ‘Come and talk to us,’” House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., said as GOP lawmakers designated to negotiate the shutdown legislation met among themselves before cameras and reporters. “At each and every turn, the Senate Democrats refused to even discuss these proposals.” Late Tuesday, House Republicans sought passage of legislation aimed at reopening small slices of the government. The bills covered the national parks, the Veterans Affairs Department and city services in Washington, D.C., such as garbage collection funded with local tax revenues. The move presented Democrats with politically challenging votes but they rejected the idea, saying it was unfair to pick winners and losers as federal employees worked without a guarantee of getting
paid and the effects of the partial shutdown rippled through the country and the economy. The White House promised a veto. Since the measures were brought before the House under expedited procedures requiring a two-thirds vote to pass, House Democrats scuttled them, despite an impassioned plea by Democratic D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, who recalled that in the last shutdown 17 years ago she prevailed on House Speaker Newt Gingrich to win an exemption to keep the D.C. government running. “I must support this piecemeal approach,” Norton said. “What would you do if your local budget was here?” But other Democrats said Republicans shouldn’t be permitted to choose which agencies should open and which remain shut. “This piecemeal approach will only prolong a shutdown,” Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said. Republicans said there could be more votes Wednesday, perhaps to allow the National Institutes of Health to continue pediatric cancer research. The NIH’s famed hospital of last resort wasn’t admitting new patients because of the shutdown. Dr. Francis Collins, agency director, estimated that each week the shutdown lasts would force the facility to turn away about 200 patients, 30 of them children, who want to enroll in studies of experimental treatments. Patients already at the hospital are permitted to stay. Republicans also said the House may vote anew on the three measures that failed Tuesday, this time under normal rules requiring a simple majority to pass. Republicans hoped such votes
would create pressure on Democrats to drop their insistence that they won’t negotiate on the spending bill or an even more important subsequent measure, required in a couple of weeks or so, to increase the government’s borrowing limit. There were suggestions from leaders in both parties that the shutdown could last for weeks and grow to encompass the measure to increase the debt limit. “This is now all together,” Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said. “It’s untenable not to negotiate,” House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said. “I’ve always believed it was the debt limit that would be the forcing action.” While GOP leaders seemed determined to press on, some Republicans conceded they might bear the brunt of any public anger over the shutdown — and seemed resigned to an eventual surrender in their latest bruising struggle with Obama. Democrats have “all the leverage and we’ve got none,” Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia said. Rep. Scott Rigell of Virginia said it was time to pass legislation reopening the government without any health care impediments. “The shutdown is hurting my district — including the military and the hardworking men and women who have been furloughed due to the defense sequester,” he said. But that was far from the majority view among House Republicans, where tea partyaligned lawmakers prevailed more than a week ago on a reluctant leadership to link federal funding legislation to the health care law. In fact, some conservatives fretted the GOP
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
International Thai Woman Jailed For Five Years For Anti-Royal Web Post
Gren peace ship seized by Russian authorities
S/Korea, US Sign New Pact To Deter North Korea Nuclear Threat SEOUL - The United States and South Korea signed a new pact to deter North Korea’s potential use of nuclear arms and other weapons of mass destruction amid growing threats from Pyongyang, their defense chiefs said yesterday. The defense ministers also agreed to review the timing of the transfer of war-time command control of their combined forces on the Korean peninsula from the U.S. military to South Korea, a joint statement issued after their meeting said. The transfer is scheduled to take place in December 2015, but there have been calls in South Korea for it to be postponed while North Korea continues to push ahead with its nuclear weapons and long-range missile programmes. “Of particular concern are North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, its proliferation activities, and its
chemical weapons,” U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told a joint news conference with South Korea’s Kim Kwan-jin. “Given these concerns, as Minister Kim noted, today we signed a bilateral strategy for tailored deterrence against the threat of North Korean nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction,” he said. The ministers did not give any immediate indication of what the “tailored deterrence” strategy might entail despite questions from the media. Hagel said it was prompted by a recent push by Pyongyang to build and deploy nuclear weapons. “It has increased its capabilities, its missile capabilities, its three nuclear tests. So that is constantly forcing a review of our strategies.” South Korean media reported the new strategy involved the use of all available military assets to
launch a pre-emptive strike against the North if there is a clear indication of an imminent nuclear attack by Pyongyang. A senior U.S. defense official denied the pact addressed the possibility of such a strike and said it provided a framework for discussions on the use of various defense capabilities to generate an effective deterrent against the North. North Korea conducted its third nuclear test in February, two months after successfully launching a long-range rocket that put an object, which Pyongyang says was a satellite, into space. The launch resulted in tougher U.N. sanctions against the impoverished and isolated North by trying to cut off its arms trade, which had been a lucrative source of income, and disrupt financial transactions in support of those activities.
government’s survival yerterday ahead of confidence votes in Parliament amid a divisive split in Silvio Berlusconi’s party that could at least temporarily save his fragile ruling coalition. In a speech to the Senate before the vote, Letta hailed his 5-month-old government’s successes and outlined his agenda to revive Italy’s moribund economy and turnaround its record unemployment as he warned lawmakers that Italy “runs a risk, a fatal risk” depending on the choices they make. “Give us your confidence to realize these objectives. Give us your confidence for all that has been accomplished,” Letta said to applause. “A confidence vote that isn’t against anyone, but a confidence vote for Italy and Italians.” It was a last-ditch attempt to persuade enough lawmakers to defy Berlusconi’s call to bring down the government. The key vote is in the Senate, where Berlusconi’s allies have a narrow majority. Entering the senate, Berlusconi appeared less combative than he has in recent
days: “We’ll see what happens,” Italian news agencies quoted him as saying. “We’ll listen to Letta’s speech and then decide.” Berlusconi’s People of Freedom party has been thrown into chaos, with several lawmakers and his closest ally and political heir Angelino Alfano openly defying him and saying they would support the government. Berlusconi had demanded Alfano and his four other ministers quit Letta’s government ahead of a vote Friday that could strip the former premier of his Senate seat following his tax fraud conviction and four-year prison sentence. A law passed in 2012 says anyone receiving sentences longer than two years cannot hold public office for six years. Berlusconi has challenged the law’s constitutionality and has accused judges who handed down the sentence of trying to eliminate him from Italy’s political life. Letta addressed his claims straight on in his speech to the Senate, saying Italy is a country
sentences are respected and applied, always with the right to the defense without treatment in favor or against individuals, whether they be citizens or senators,” he said. The unusual defiance of Berlusconi by his stalwart allies could signal that the three-time former premier’s influence is seriously eroding after two decades leading Italy’s centerright and being the main point of reference in Italy’s political scene. And the 77-year-old billionaire media mogul has reacted by making seemingly erratic demands that some Italian commentators have likened to the desperate, fitful sparks of a candle going out. But Berlusconi has endured numerous political setbacks in the past, only to re-emerge strong. “Berlusconi has nine lives and we can’t exclude a tenth,” leading daily Corriere della Sera wrote on its front page yesterday. “He knows the art of seducing senators and still has enough wiggle room for a turnabout at the last minute.”
Parliament Showdown Looms For Italy ROME — Premier Enrico based on the rule of law. PM Letta Letta appealed for his “In a democratic state,
BANGKOK - A Thai court jailed a woman for five years yesterday for posting online comments insulting to the monarchy, the second ruling of its kind this week under tough lese-majeste laws carrying penalties activists say are too harsh. A judge ruled Noppawan Tangudomsuk, nicknamed “Bento”, posted messages in 2008 on the web board of news website Prachatai that were deemed offensive to the monarchy, a breach of Thailand’s Computer Crimes Act, a controversial law passed by a legislature hand-picked by generals after a 2006 coup. “Investigations determined the computer ’s IP address and showed that the messages posted originated from the defendant’s computer,” said the judge when reading the verdict. Thailand has some of the world’s toughest lese-majeste laws, with royal insults punishable by up to 15 years in prison for each offence committed. The ruling overturned a criminal court’s dismissal of the case in 2011 on the grounds there was insufficient evidence to show Noppawan posted the comments herself. Her sentence follows a twoyear prison term handed down on Tuesday to Sondhi Limthongkul, a media tycoon and founder of Thailand’s royalist “yellow shirt” movement. He was ruled to have defamed the monarchy by repeating during a public speech comments deemed offensive made by a political opponent. Thailand’s 85-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej is often portrayed as an almost divine figure. Even though the king said in a 2005 speech that he should not be above criticism, the number of lese-majeste cases has spiraled following the 2006 coup
that toppled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was accused of republican sympathies. His sister, Yingluck, is now prime minister and has been reluctant to pursue any kind of amendment to the laws, despite pressure from Thaksin’s most loyal supporters, the “red shirt” movement, whose votes swept her to power in 2011. Independent political analysts say Yingluck is treading carefully, avoiding Thailand’s most sensitive issue to ensure her brother’s enemies among the military and conservative elite
have no legal pretext to move against her government. David Streckfuss, a Thailandbased expert on the lese-majeste laws, said many of the recent court verdicts were cases launched under previous governments, but there was no sign the current one would review the laws. “We cannot point the finger solely at Yingluck and her administration,” he said. “On the other hand, sentences are not getting any lighter and Yingluck’s government certainly hasn’t tried to alter the public discourse on this topic.”
Iran Parliament Endorses President Rouhani’s Diplomatic Outreach TEHRAN - Iran’s parliament strongly endorsed President Hassan Rouhani’s diplomatic bid to dispel mistrust at the United Nations last week during a visit which ended with an historic phone call with President Barack Obama, Iranian media said. The backing from the assembly, controlled by political factions deeply loyal to Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is a further sign that Rouhani has the support of the Iranian establishment. Khamenei, the most powerful figure in Iran, has yet to publicly comment on Rouhani’s trip. In the first joint meeting between president and parliament, Rouhani briefed parliamentarians on his trip, including discussions on Iran’s nuclear dispute with the West and regional relations, the student news agency ISNA said late on Tuesday. Two hundred and thirty parliamentarians, out of the total of 290, signed a statement expressing their support of Rouhani for presenting the image of a “powerful and peaceseeking Iran which seeks talks and interaction for the settlement
President Hassan Rouhani of Iran
of regional and international issues”, Fars news agency said. Parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani praised Rouhani’s address to the U.N. General Assembly, ISNA said. But Larijani, a champion of the conservative establishment, did not mention Rouhani’s phone call with Obama. The head of the powerful Revolutionary Guards said on Monday the call had been premature, a signal of unease and the possible beginning of resistance to the relative moderate Rouhani from Iranian hardliners. While Rouhani’s visit to New York has boosted hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough in talks to resolve the 10-year-old dispute over Iran’s nuclear program, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed it on Tuesday as a ruse concocted by a “wolf in sheep’s clothing”. The United States, Israel and other countries accuse Iran of using its nuclear program as a veil for efforts to try to develop the capability to produce weapons. Iran says the program is for peaceful energy purposes only. The next round of nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers is set to take place in Geneva in two weeks.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
Man & Nature
With O.C Madu
The Law Of Almighty God
THE law of Almighty God for you is. You are permitted to wander through Creation, go in such a manner as to cause no harm to others in pursuit of your personal desires. Otherwise, threads will be woven into the carpet of your paths which will hold you down and prevent you from ascending to the Luminous Heights of conscious and joy ful activity in the gardens of all the Realm of your God. That is the basic law containing everything you need to know. If you follow this, nothing can happen to you. You will only be led upwards by all the threads created by you r thinking, volition and action. That is why, the son of God once said in all simplicity;. “love thyneighbour as thyself” fundamentally, this has exactly the same meaning. You are allowed to wander through creations. This holds the command to constant movement. You must not stand still. You could not in fact, do so, because, the self created threads which form your paths always drive you forward according to their nature –either upwards or straight a head for a time or also, downwards. You can never stop, even if you yourselve should wish to do so. Abd-ru-shin the author of “Grail message”- In the light of Truth says during this wandering you shall not harm any others, who like you are also, journeying through creation, just to satisfy some personal desires. You may enjoy every you may taste everything, but, it must not bring harm to your fellow-man. Again Abd-ru-shin says it occurs if you become a slaves to your desires. You must not get one sided an idea of what this desire implies. Not only earthly property and the physical body are included, but also, the desired to undermine the reputation of your fellow-man, giving way to your own weaknesses and yet it falls into the catergory of fulfilling one’s own desires to the detriment or suffering of your neighbour. The threads which become knotted thereby, are dense and thus, hold down every soul which has acted in this fashion. Such weaknesses Abd-ru-shin says comprise distrust and envy, irritability, corkwood, the lack of self-control and refinement, the latter signifying nothing less than the necessary consideration for your fellow-men, which must be present if harmony is to prevail. For harmony alone furthers creation and yourselves. Abd-ru-shin asserts that it is a close weaving which comes about through such weaknesses, forcing many to fall just because so little attention is paid to it, although, it inflicts disquietude, pressure, annoyance and often even severe suffering upon your fellow-men. But in each case, harm. If men Abd-ru-shin says let themselves go to such an extend, there immediately arises through the radiation of the slightly or greatly excited blood a strongly dimmed layer which places itself separating between man’s spirit and his luminous guidance. He thus, immediately stands alone and also, completely unprotected, which may cause such damage as proves to be irreparable.
Abd-ru-shin admonishes everyone wishing to ascend to engrave this upon his mind. This advice is a life belt which may save him from drowning, from destruction. It is of the utmost importance for everybody in their earthly existence. You may journey through creation consciously. However, you must not harm others in order to satisfy your personal desires. Live accordingly and you will then be happy and wander upwards into the Luminous Gardens of your God, there to help in joyful activity with the further and eternal development of this creation. At your desire you are allowed to wander through the creations, thereby, because owing self-conscious, but in so doing, you must not harm others in order to satisfy your personal desires. Abd-ru-shin says there is nothing in creation you would not be allowed to enjoy in the sense in which creation gives it to you, that as that for which it is developed. However, you do not know the real purpose of so many things and erroneously commit if many excess harm instead of benefit. Thus, the desire to taste to get to know and to enjoy often increase until it becomes a prosperity, which finally, keeps you enchained and quickly enslaves your free volition, so that, through your own selves, you become servants instead of masters. Abd-ru-shin admonishes us never to let ourselves be subjugated through enjoying, but take only what is necessary in life on earth for the maintenance and development of the good things entrusted to us. You hinder all development by excess, no matter, whether the body or soul is involved. Just as you hold things up through excess, so also, through negligence or imperfection. You disturb the great God-willed development. Everything which you now wish to do with the best volition to adjust and compensate for such mistakes
remains nothing but patchwork, leaving traces of repair which do not look nice and which ca never be the same as one uniform and unpatched work. The fulfillment of the promise that “everything must become new” does not contain the sense of remadelling, but of forming a new everything that has been distorted and poisoned by the human spirit after it has collapsed. And as there is nothing, which has not yet been touched and poisoned by man in his conceit, every afterwards to become new again, not, however, in accordance with men’s volition as hitterto, but according to the will of God, which has never yet been understood by the human sould that has begun to decay through its obstinacy. Abd-ru-shin says man must now become new in everything new and strong within himself, no longer cause any harm to your fellow men in order to fulfil your personal desires thereby. It is the best staff for a man’s journey through the various parts of creation to paradise. Abd-ru-shin gives a second piece of advice “Take care of the good things entnsted to you upon earth, which also, include your physical body, in the right manner. Never let pleasure become a propensity and you will then remain free from the chains holding you down”. Man needs obstacles in order to attain to the goal only in this way, does he still gather all his strength, which he is no longer able to do when he is confronted with it in a simple way. There is not-single thing that man couldreally create without taking it from that whicg has already come into existence through the will of God. He would be unable to create a new single grain of sand without finding all the material for it already to hand in Creation. Note that the laws in Creation should be quite natural, simple and without confusion because each creature came into existence through them.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
Moyes To Be Given Big Cash For Transfers
DAVID Moyes will reportedly be given major financial backing to bring reinforcements into Manchester United in the January transfer window. The Red Devils have a a top Italian club,” the 21-yearChampions League encounter old told talkSPORT. “I am honoured, I honestly did with Shakhtar Donetsk this evening that has taken on not expect that. Actually my goal additional significance is to stay here, but in any case I following Saturday’s Premier will talk to my agent and League defeat by West Brom. The loss was the club’s third in six games this season. It represents their worst start to a league campaign since 1989 and has seen them slide into the bottom half of the table and pushed out to fourth favourites to retain their crown, with the bookmakers believing United will be battling Tottenham for the final Champions League place. Yet, despite the intense glare of scrutiny on United from the outside, inside the club there is a sense of calm. It is understood that work is continuing to identify suitable targets and the Glazer family, having handed Moyes a six-year contract as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor, are determined to provide the Scot with the required financial muscle to strengthen his squad as he sees fit. Yet fans hoping for an influx of players in January may be disappointed. Although United have made significant signings during the mid-season window, Patrice David Moyes Evra and Nemanja Vidic being the most obvious examples in 2006, it is a notoriously difficult time to do business. Many top players are cup-tied from European competition and SIR Alex Ferguson insists he even though two of the most has no interest in returning to obvious options - Leighton manage Manchester United. Baines and Ander Herrera - do With United slumped in the not fall into that category, bottom half of the Premier Everton and Athletic Bilbao may League table and David Moyes view them as essential in under increasing pressure, it had reaching targets that have been been suggested that Ferguson set for their respective clubs. might eventually be ushered out Red Bull Salzburg defender of retirement in order to salvage Martin Hinteregger, who is the situation. However, speaking to US TV capable of operating both at leftback and in central defence, is network PBS, Ferguson ruled apparently also on United’s that scenario out, and underlined his belief Moyes is the right man radar. “I confirm there is interest in for the job. “I’m not interested in me from Manchester United and managing again or getting
consider whether a transfer might be beneficial.” There is an acknowledgement at United that a difficult adjustment was not helped by the decision not to buy Moyes out of the final six weeks of his contract at Everton once it had
been confirmed he would replace Ferguson. The decision cost Moyes the chance to get to know some members of staff, including the scouting network, which meant he was effectively starting from scratch when he officially took charge on July 1.
FORMER Liverpool players Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and Rob Jones have been drafted in by manager Brendan Rodgers to help coach the club’s youngsters. The trio are to assist the Under-21 and Under-18 squads at the Kirkby Academy. “It’s great to have Robbie, Steve and Rob on board,” Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo. “I wanted to get more former players involved and over the off-season I spoke to a number of them about a possible role here. “For me it’s so important to have players like that around. These are players who the young guys look up to. “The three of them have come in recently and I know they have thoroughly enjoyed having that involvement of working with the
PAOLO Di Canio has vowed to learn from his experience at Sunderland and return to English football as a better manager. The Italian has ended his silence since his sacking at the Stadium of Light by insisting he will “take something positive” from his tumultuous 13-game spell in charge. And he dismissed reports that a training ground bust-up were responsible for his dismissal, claiming players sent messages of support in the wake of his exit. In a statement issued to the Press Association, Di Canio said: “I remain confident in my ability and I want to manage again in England as soon as I can. “When things like this happen it is important to take something positive from it. I have learnt a
myself worked up about Manchester United’s results,” said the 71-year-old. “You would be throwing your money down the drain if you put any money on me coming back as a manager.
“United are in good hands with David Moyes. He will be fine. He’s a good manager. “I made my decision. The timing was perfect. There is no way back for me now. I’ve got a new life. “I want to go to the Kentucky Derby and the US Masters, the
It’s Tough For English - Gerrard
desire for instant success, is making it more and more difficult for managers to take risks. “Managers are only ever eight to 10 days away from the sack so to take risks on unknown young players is difficult,” he told BBC Breakfast. “I mean (Liverpool manager) Brendan Rodgers has been fantastic at this club because he’s been brave and he’s given young players a chance. “But there’s no two ways about it, it’s a lot more difficult to break through nowadays because of the standard of players and because there is a lot more foreigners about. “That’s the whole top and
kids. “We’re starting with the older academy players as they are ones they can really affect at this moment. “It’s both coaching and mentoring.” Rodgers has spoken previously about wanting to utilise the experience of the recently-retired Jamie Carragher, who has opted for a career in television. The Northern Irishman has immersed himself in the club’s history since arriving in the summer of 2012 and will continue to do so.
Di Canio Vows To Bounce Back
Ferguson Rules Out United Return
ENGLAND captain Steven Gerrard believes the influx of foreigners into the English game is making it harder for young players to break through at top clubs. New Football Association chairman Greg Dyke stated his concern over the amount of imports into the Barclays Premier League in his first major speech last month and announced the setting up of a commission to look into the problem of dwindling English players in the top flight. Raheem Sterling and Andre Wisdom have both managed to make an impact alongside Gerrard at Liverpool in recent seasons but the Reds skipper admits that competition from overseas talent, coupled with the
Ex-Players Join Anfield Staff
Sir Alex Ferguson
Melbourne Cup. I want to visit vineyards in Tuscany and France.” In a wide-ranging hour-long interview, Ferguson, who left United in the summer after almost 27 years in charge, revealed he was asked to manage Chelsea not long after Russian Roman Abramovich bought the club. “They used an agent to approach me when Abramovich first took over the club,” he said. “And I said, ‘No chance’. “I always come back to this point - why would you leave?” Ferguson also praised Wayne Rooney for his return to form, whilst repeating a claim the United striker’s camp has always denied, namely that he asked for a transfer towards the end of last season. The former Red Devils chief, whose autobiography is due to be released later this month, also gave an insight into the managerial techniques that brought him so much success over his long career. “Never hold a grudge, it’s very important,” he said, adding: “I always say to them [the team] at half-time, the last 15 minutes throw the kitchen sink.” believes is an injustice. “There is simply no consistency in all this and failing to act in this instance has reduced the FA to a laughing stock,” he is quoted as saying in the Sun. “If that incident had happened in any other league in Europe,
lot from my brief time at Sunderland and I am sure that this will only make me a better manager in my next job. “Even though my time at the club ended prematurely, I would like to thank Sunderland for giving me my first opportunity to be a Premier League manager.” Di Canio was axed after the Black Cats’ 3-0 defeat at West Brom, having reportedly alienated some senior players by singling them out for criticism. But Di Canio described reports that a delegation of senior players had demanded his exit as “wholly untrue”. Di Canio added: “There was no training ground bust-up as some are reporting and many of the players have since sent me messages thanking me for my time as their manager and helping them improve as footballers.” Di Canio replaced Martin O’Neill at the end of March and was credited with saving the club from relegation after inspiring a famous 3-0 win at north east rivals Newcastle in only his second match in charge.
Di Canio
FA Blasted Over Fernando Torres Ban
MARK Halsey has claimed the Football Association are a “laughing stock” for failing to punish Fernando Torres for his clash with Jan Vertonghen. The Chelsea striker appeared to scratch the Tottenham defender during the 50th minute of the sides’ 1-1 Premier League
draw on Saturday. Torres was later sent off after receiving a second yellow card and a four-match ban was expected, but the FA announced on Tuesday that no further action will be taken against the Spain striker, something the former Premier League referee Halsey
there is no way Torres would have escaped a violent conduct charge. “And if it happened in any of this week’s Champions League matches, UEFA would have come down on it like a ton of bricks.
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Bayern Call On UEFA To Punish Ibra BAYERN Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has called for UEFA to punish Zlatan Ibrahimovic following the Paris Saint-Germain striker ’s attack on Pep Guardiola. Ibrahimovic, who played under Bayern coach Guardiola at Barcelona in the 2009-10 season, called him “a coward” and claimed “he is no man” The Sweden international left the Nou Camp after just one campaign, returning to Serie A where he joined AC Milan but on the release of his autobiography “I am Zlatan” in Germany, he renewed his criticism of the Catalan coach. On Tuesday, Rummenigge hit back in defence of Guardiola, saying: “Stupidity is part of the personality development of every man. It is, as you can see with Ibrahimovic, also allowed.” He then called for UEFA punishment, adding: “That was crass, unsportsmanlike. UEFA could reflect over it.” Rummenigge added that Ibrahimovic, who had a twomatch ban reduced by one match last season, was “previously convicted” Speaking in Manchester ahead of Bayern’s Champions League game against Manchester City, Guardiola refused to comment on Ibrahimovic’s statements. “There are more important things than to mull over Zlatan,” he said. However, he did not rule out replying in the future, adding: “I might say something about it in the next couple of days.”
Fabregas Hails Team Performance BARCELONA midfielder Cesc Fabregas believes Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Celtic was a result of a true team effort. The Catalans went into the clash without star forward Lionel Messi, who is out with a thigh injury. However, Fabregas did score the all-important goal, following some good work from Neymar and Alexis Sanchez, to keep his side at the top of the group with six points. Fabregas goal hands Barca win. Nonetheless, Gerardo Martino’s men did not have things their way throughout the match against a Celtic side that threatened to cause another upset before they were reduced to ten men. Captain Scott Brown was given his marching orders deep into the second half after fouling and then kicking out at Neymar. “We knew that it would cost us because they defend well and they need very little to generate chances,” said Fabregas. “It was a great atmosphere to play in. They were a genuinely tough opponent. “I think the whole team played a complete game, probably the most complete of the season.”
Cesc Fabregas
Dortmund March On, Unfazed By Coach Kloop’s Absence SUSPENDED Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp was allowed to enjoy a rare relaxed evening in the stands as his team shrugged off his absence in their 3-0 victory over Olympique Marseille to bounce back in the Champions League. Klopp, who was suspended from the touchline following an outburst in their opening Group F defeat to Napoli last month, sat high in the stands on Tuesday to watch Dortmund cruise past their French opponents in style.
“It was a bit strange not having our coach around,” said right back Kevin Grosskreutz. “I kept looking over to the right and he was not there and that was unusual.”
progressing to the latter stages of Europe’s elite club competition. A combative and passionately committed midfielder for his country and during stints at Atletico, Sevilla, Inter Milan and Lazio, Simeone has instilled the same qualities in his players and praised their grit in Tuesday’s post-match news conference. Their success against the Portuguese side was all the more remarkable given that forward and top scorer Diego Costa was suspended and that they sold prolific Colombia striker Radamel Falcao to Monaco in the close season. “We have an extraordinary group,” Simeone said. “I am no doctor but the players were wounded and tired and that is a source of satisfaction as it shows they gave their all.” Atletico’s Uruguay centre back Diego Godin headed the equaliser in the 58th minute before a well-worked free kick routine set up Turkey playmaker
Arda Turan to snatch the winner four minutes from time. The Spanish side top the group with six points from two games, with Porto on four in second and Zenit St Petersburg and Austria Wien, who drew 0-0 in Russia on Tuesday, on one point each in third and fourth respectively. “We are just taking each match at a time,” Godin told reporters. “We are fighting to the death in every game and I think that is the right path to follow,” he added. “Then we’ll see how far that takes us.”
Atletico Demonstrate Credential ATLETICO Madrid’s impressive 2-1 comeback win atWith Victory At Porto Porto in Champions League Group G on Tuesday was another sign the in-form La Liga side may have what it takes to mount a genuine challenge for the European title this season. Buoyed by a stunning 1-0 win at Real Madrid on Saturday, their first success against their bitter city rivals in La Liga this century, Atletico recovered from conceding a 16th-minute Jackson Martinez goal at the Dragao stadium to secure a ninth victory in 11 matches in all competitions this term. Their only blemish was a reverse on away goals to Barcelona in the two-legged Spanish Super Cup and they top the La Liga table alongside the champions with a perfect 21 points from seven matches. Atletico’s progress under coach Diego Simeone has been spectacular since the Argentine took over at the end of 2011 and he has moulded his squad into an outfit that looks capable of challenging the Barca-Real duopoly in Spain and
“So we won this one for him because he knows exactly where to deploy each one of us.” Klopp, whose suspension has yet to be officially announced by UEFA, watched and cheered wildly as Dortmund overran Marseille in a one-sided affair that lifted last season’s runnersup to second place in the group. “The good thing is you can see a lot better from up there but it is still not something I want to do often,” said the coach. “But when the game goes so well then it is bearable. “The team applied exactly everything we had set out to do. We can always get an advantage by working more and harder and the team did exactly that.” For Bundesliga leaders and last season’s Champions League runners-up the win was crucial to get their European campaign back on track as they extended their winning run at home in the competition to seven straight games. Klopp’s magic touch may have been missing in the dugout but it was clearly visible in his
starting line-up with 21-year-old Erik Durm slipping in for injured Marcel Schmelzer and enjoying a flawless Champions League debut. With Durm joining Jonas Hofmann and Marvin Ducksch as a new set of young players in the senior squad this season, Klopp is spoilt for choice despite the absence of injured captain Sebastian Kehl, Ilkay Guendogan, Lukasz Piszczek and Schmelzer. “I am super happy with the cool way Erik set up the first goal. He could have even scored one himself on his debut. His performance was exceptionally cool.” Klopp is now faced with the dilemma of who to pick next time around. “There are so many games coming up that the work load is that big so we will need every single player. That is why Kevin Grosskreutz will be happy when (regular right back) Lukasz Piszczek is back and Erik will be happy when Marcel Schmelzer is back.”
Rusescu Awaits Sevilla Chance
SEVILLA forward Raul Rusescu says he is working hard to meet the standards of the coach and challenge for game time. The 25-year-old joined the Andalusians from Romanian side Steaua Bucharest and is yet to make his La Liga debut as he has been put on a special programme to improve his fitness. Rusescu seals Sevilla move “I think the coach was right about my lack of fitness, I had the longest vacation in my footballing career, from May 25 to July 6, but I’ve never had a weight problem,” he said. “Physically, I haven’t had any problems but when I came here I was not one hundred percent. “I need a chance to show what I can do. This is not the real Rusescu but everyone will see him soon.” Rusescu scored 21 goals in 34 league appearances for Steaua last season.
Inter And Roma Fourites For Seria A Title
GIOVANNI Trapattoni believes Inter and Roma are at an advantage to win this year’s Scudetto due to their failure to qualify for Europe. Both teams failed to qualify for the European action with Inter finishing a disappointing ninth place, while Roma raked up only one position higher in the Serie A log. Inter and Roma both remain
undefeated in the league with Giallorossi topping the league table with a 100% record. “The Scudetto? Roma and Inter have the advantage, so to speak, by not playing during the weeks. From a physical point of view, this can be an advantage,” Trapattoni told Radio Kiss Kiss. “Today, however, the teams consist of 20 starting players and the so-called substitutes no
longer exists. Achieving results in league and the cup with the right balance can be beneficial over time.” Napoli, who finished eight points shy of champions Juventus last term, sit joint second of the log and are one of the favourites to win the crown. “Napoli, from this perspective, should not dream about the Scudetto, but believe that they
Raul Rusesia
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23 Injured At Champions League Match
TWENTY-three people were injured amid clashes between supporters on the sidelines of a Champions League match in Basel, police said yesterday. Twenty-seven people were clashed outside the Saint Jakobalso arrested at the game, Park Stadium before the match including 17 Greenpeace began Tuesday evening, and campaigners taking part in a local police intervened, using demonstration inside the rubber bullets and teargas, police stadium against sponsor and spokesman Andreas Knuchel Russian energy giant Gazprom, told AFP. “Police were between the two police said. groups and were trying to avoid Supporters of Switzerland’s Basel and Schalke of Germany an escalation, and also to protect themselves,” he said, adding “it
was violent.” Three people were sent to hospital, but the extent of their injuries remained unclear, while nine others were treated on site for smaller injuries. Another 11 people were also treated for cuts and bruises as well as discomfort related to drunkeness, police said. Police had briefly detained 10 of the troublemakers, and had separately arrested 17
CAPE Verde will not be reinstated in the World Cup after FIFA dismissed the tiny
FIFA say the Cape Verdean Football Association were informed on Tuesday of the ruling which confirms Tunisia’s place in the qualifying playoffs. Tunisia will face Cameroon in a twoleg playoff on October 13 and November 17. Cape Verde beat Tunisia 2-0 in a decisive group match last month, but did so with defender Fernando Varela, who was serving a four-match suspension for a red card in a previous qualifier, included in their squad. FIFA awarded Tunisia a 3-0 victory by default, reversing the standings at the top of the group. Varela’s red card stayed on the record despite opponent Equatorial Guinea forfeiting that match in March for also fielding an ineligible player.
FIFA Rejects Cape Verde Appeal African nation’s appeal in an ineligible player case.
Greenpeace campaigners protesting inside the stadium against Gazprom. Four of the protesters had briefly interrupted the match when, clad in orange jumpsuits, they abseiled from the roof of the stadium and unfurled a massive yellow banner reading “Gazprom, Don’t Foul the Arctic,” and “Free the Arctic 30”. The campaigners then climbed back onto the stadium’s roof, allowing the game to continue. Schalke, whose players wear the Gazprom logo on their shirts, won the match 1-0. The four protesters and their fellow campaigners were detained by security staff on the roof of the stadium and were handed over to police, Knuchel said. “Police checked their identities and released them,” he said. The Greenpeace protest came shortly after news that Russia would formally charge 30 Greenpeace activists detained there with piracy. The crew of Greenpeace’s Arctic Sunrise icebreaker was detained last month as they protested close to a Gazprom oil rig. If found guilty, the activists could face a maximum punishment of 15 years in jail.
JOHN Tomic, father and coach of Australian tennis player Bernard Tomic, will be barred from the Australian Open as he continues his suspension from the ATP tour for assaulting his son’s former training partner. The Bosnia-born former taxi driver was sentenced to eight months in prison by a Spanish court last month for headbutting Frenchman Thomas Drouet in the face and breaking his nose. Tomic was not required to serve jail time because his sentence was under two years in length. The ATP banned Tomic’s accreditation for all tour events earlier this year and will decide whether to lift the ban next May. “The Grand Slams as well as the ATP work together on this,” Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley told reporters at Melbourne Park on Wednesday. “The rule is he’s not accredited and does not have permission to purchase a ticket. “And the systems we have in place - John (or) anyone else who is banned, they are not allowed on the grounds and our security personnel will take care of that appropriately.” Bernard Tomic has stood by his father throughout the controversy, and criticised the ATP for being quick to impose the ban. At Wimbledon, the 20-yearold said he would ask tournament officials to allow his father to be courtside at his
Tennis No Australian Open Ticket For Banned John Tomic matches but the ban remained in place. Tiley said any similar request from the local favourite would be given short shrift. “It still falls within the oneyear ban so regardless of what happens at the Australian Open our position will hold,” he said. Tomic, ranked world number 55 but touted a future top 10 player, broke through for his maiden ATP title in Sydney in January, but has struggled for fitness and form during his father’s exile. Apart from an encouraging run to the fourth round at Wimbledon, Tomic was knocked out at the first hurdle at Roland Garros and the second at Flushing Meadows.
Bafana, Morocco To Meet In First Friendly Sepp Blatter, FIFA President
Egypt Face Crane In 2nd Friendly Tie EGYPTIAN coach Bob Bradley has said the second friendly match with Uganda will be their last ahead of a crucial 2014 World Cup qualifier playoff against Ghana. The Cranes will have another chance to take on the six-time African champions Egypt this evening at the army-owned Air Defence Stadium in Cairo. A second-string Egypt side eased past Uganda on Monday, thanks to goals from Zamalek duo Ahmed Eid and Hazem Emam. The Pharaohs will also have to do without Ahly players and the foreign-based footballers. Ahly are busy preparing for Saturday’s clash away to Cameroon’s Coton Sport in the first leg of the African Champions League semifinal. Fred Katende, the Cranes media officer, also confirmed that the game is on before the Cranes team leaves after the game back to Uganda. “After a good performance by the Cranes on Monday, the Egyptian coach was impressed with the challenge the boys gave
his side and requested a second game,” said Katende. The Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic also said the game is very important for his team to get exposure ahead of the 2013 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup and 2014 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN). The game will be officiated by Tunisian referees and a match commissioner from Ethiopia.
SOUTH Africa’s friendly international against Morocco in Agadir on October 11 will be the first such match between the teams, though they have met four times in competitive circumstances, all in the Africa Cup of Nations. Bafana Bafana and the Atlas Lions first crossed swords in the quarterfinals of the 1998 AFCON in Burkina Faso. Goals from Benni McCarthy and David Nyathi sandwiched an equaliser from Said Chiba as South Africa
won 2-1 en-route to ending as runners-up in the tournament. Four years later the teams met in Group B of the AFCON in Mali and again South Africa claimed the victory, with goals from Sibusiso Zuma, Thabo Mngomeni and Siyabonga Nomvethe sealing a 3-1 score line. Two years later in Tunisia the teams played to a 1-1 draw in the group phase, but it was the North Africans who were the stronger side in the
tournament, as they reached the final before losing to the hosts. The teams’ most recent clash was early this year in the AFCON hosted in South Africa. A thrilling match in which Bafana twice found themselves behind and in danger of being eliminated in Group A, ended 2-2 after Siyabonga Sangweni’s icecool 86th-minute finish. South Africa therefore boast an unbeaten record against Morocco (two wins and two draws), but have never played the North Africans on their home turf before.
Singapore Issues Detention Orders Over Match-Fixing
SINGAPORE’s Minister for Home Affairs has issued detention orders on four people for their alleged roles in a global soccer match-fixing syndicate, the ministry said yesterday. The move followed the arrest on Sept. 18 of 14 people on suspicion of being part of an organised crime syndicate involved in trying to rig soccer matches. The detention orders mean the four can continue to be detained for up to 12 months, provided the
orders are approved by Singapore’s President. The orders need to be referred to a Criminal Law Advisory Committee within 28 days, and the committee will then make recommendations to the President. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said a fifth person has been issued with a Police Supervision Order while the remaining nine people arrested
last month have been released on bail. Law enforcement agency Interpol last week said the people arrested by Singapore authorities included the mastermind of the world’s largest soccer match-fixing syndicate. The MHA said it could not release the names of those issued
with the orders as the process has not yet being completed. Singaporean Tan Seet Eng, also known as Dan Tan, is believed to be the mastermind behind a global match-fixing organisation and Italian police issued an arrest warrant for him earlier this year. European police shone a spotlight on Southeast Asia in February when they announced a Singapore-based syndicate had directed match-fixing for at least 380 soccer games in Europe
John Tomic
Tsonga Dumped Out Of Japan Open JO-Wilfried Tsonga slumped out of the Japan Open at the second round following a 6-4 76 loss to Ivan Dodig. The world number eight only returned to action last week having picked up a knee injury at Wimbledon in June. And Tsonga, who beat Gael Monfils in the first round, struggled throughout as a dogged Dodig forced the Frenchman into a number of unforced errors. Dodig took the second set and match courtesy of a Tsonga forehand that found the net in the tie-break. “I’m not shocked by this result,” the second seed told reporters. “This game is difficult enough with two legs. With one and a
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Abuja Emerge Winners
Unity Tourney:
Keshi Clears Ameobi For Ethiopia NIGERIA coach Stephen Keshi has disclosed that injured Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi will be fit for a 2014 World Cup playoff in Ethiopia. Ethiopia host the Super Eagles on October 13 in a first leg playoff for a place at next year’s World Cup in Brazil. Ameobi has been sidelined by a knock he picked up while on international duty last month with his club saying he will be sidelined for several weeks thus raising fears he may miss the match in Addis Ababa. But Keshi has now told MTNFootball.com the experienced striker will be available for the qualifier. Injured Ameobi doubtful for playoff “Shola is fine. He will be ready for the game against Ethiopia. I spoke with him last week and he said he is good. In any case he is a very disciplined player who really wants to play for his country,” Keshi said. “So, my list remains intact, there would be no changes what so ever.” Ameobi has won four caps for Nigeria and scored a goal since he made his longawaited international debut against Venezuela last year in the United States of America.
Eagles Get Oct 8 Deadline NIGERIA expect all 23 invited players for a 2014 World Cup playoff in Ethiopia to report to training camp in Abuja latest October 8. “We expect all the players to be here latest by noon on Tuesday, October 8, to begin the preparations for the match,” disclosed Emmanuel Ikpeme, director of the technical department of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). “It’s very important that they arrive early because the coach needs all the time available to do the work ahead of the game. Give or take he would have four days to train with the players before we leave by noon on October 12.” Coach Stephen Keshi has called up 18 players based in Europe and five from the domestic league for the qualifier in Ethiopia on October 13. The squad are expected to be flown out of Abuja on a chartered flight to Addis Ababa on the eve of the
ABUJA Football College on Tuesday emerged winners of the first edition of the Under-20 Unity Football Competition for the country’s six geo-political zones tagged “FCT 2013’’. A non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Nigeria Youth Movement for Peace Empowerment and Transformation (NYMPET), organised the competition for youths across the country. Eight teams took part in the competitio, including the Kwara Football Academy (North Central) and Yarma Light Football Academy of Gombe (North East). The rest are Sokoto Football Academy (North West), Greater Tomorrow of Akwa-Ibom (South-South), Enugu Rangers Junior Team (South-East) and Pepsi Football Academy of Lagos (South-West). Also, Amakson Soccer Academy and Abuja Football College represented the FCT in the competition. In the final match played at the practice pitch of the Abuja National Stadium, Abuja Football College thrashed Sokoto Football Academy 41 to emerge winners of the competition.
Ameobi
Nigeria Football League
3SC, Wikki Doomed For Relegation FAMOUS Shooting Stars and Wikki Tourists are doomed for the lower league while Nembe City, Akwa United, ABS and Lobi will battle to stay up. Wikki are currently bottom United and Gombe United of the 20-team league table with two away games against with 42 points and minus six Kwara United and Dolphins. They should grab the six goals’ difference, with four games to end the season, two points from their two home home games against Kaduna
Aminu Maigari, NFF Chairman
games which will make them end the season on 48 points. 3SC, on the other hand, have 42 points will also not survive the drop. The Ibadan club have two home games against Enyimba and Warri Wolves with two away games at Nembe City, who are equally battling for survival, and Kaduna United, who also need the points to stay clear for survival. Salami in hot water yet again 3SC will be expected to win the six points at home, but on Wednesday they face a most daunting task at home against championship contenders Enyimba without their best player for the past two seasons, Gbolahan Salami, who has been banned till the end of the season. Akwa United may also not survive the drop as they have two tough away fixtures against Warri Wolves and Kwara United, both of whom are in search for continental tickets this season. They could get six points from the remaining two home games against Nembe City and Kaduna United which will give them 49 points, which will not be enough to save them. ABS FC also look destined for the lower Nigeria National League after they barely escaped relegation last season.
The Ilorin club are 17th on the table with 44 points. They have two home games against Nembe City and Nasarawa United, getting six points from those games, they will end up with 50 points which is not enough to escape the drop. Their away ties are against Enyimba and Warri Wolves. These are games they are not expected to win any points from because both teams need to win to enhance their aspirations. Nembe City (45 points), Lobi Stars (45 points), Nasarawa United (46 points) and Heartland FC (46 points) must not drop points in their home fixtures as that would spell doom for them.
Jibril Abubakar opened scores for the winners in the 5th minute, while Orji Okonkwo and Fred Omorege scored their second and third goals in the 26th and 38th minutes respectively. However, Hajo Ilah got a consolation for Sokoto Football Academy in the 68th minute, before Etim Emmanuel added the winners’ fourth goal from the penalty spot in the 78th minute. Coach Ahmed Ahmed of Abuja Football College, told newsmen after the match, expressed joy at the team’s victory, adding that he was not surprised that his team won the competition. “We approached each game differently, right from the beginning of the competition to the final. “Our opponents in the final were not new to us because we had met them earlier in the preliminary round, where we played out a 2-2 draw. “So, we went back to the drawing board and worked on our mistakes. We also analysed their weak points as well and simply capitalised on them,” he said. Earlier in the day at the same venue, Amakson Soccer Academy of Abuja had won the third-place match by beating Kwara Football Academy 2-0. At the end of the competition, Philip Ikeocha of Abuja Football College was adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP). Emmanuel Etim, also of Abuja Football College, won the highest goalscorer award with five goals. Also, Barnabas Ogundare of Kwara Football Academy won the best goalkeeper award, while, the most disciplined team of the competition award went to Pepsi Football Academy of Lagos. The winners of the competition received N1 million, while the runners-up smiled home with N800,000 and the third-place winners pocketed N500,000. The competition, which is its first edition, started at the training pitch of the Abuja National Stadium on September 23.
Gov Okorocha Promises Protesting Heartland
IMO State Governor Rochas Okorocha has promised to resolve the pay dispute of Heartland after he met with the protesting players on Tuesday. A player told MTNFootball.com they finally met with the governor on Tuesday and he promised to see to their case. Heartland threaten to boycott match over pay “We met the Governor and he said he will get to us through the Deputy
Governor, who he asked to meet with our general manager. He promised to make things right soon,” the player told MTNFootball.com another player told MTNFootball.com the Governor demanded for all the documentations in respect of their sign-on fees and bonuses. “The Governor promised to settle us but asked our GM to bring all the documents as it concern the sign-on fees and every other thing that he will
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Paralysis Of The Judiciary
and who wear suits President Goodluck more expensive than Jonathan should have they can afford.” realized that because We agree essentially he wears this big with the President that crown, there are many society has its due people out there share of the fault in wanting to do things encouraging his way, particularly corruption. At the point because our society remains largely one of monkey see, monkey do. The War Commander must remain resilient and courageous even at the edge of doom because in him lies the strength of the entire army. As soon as the protagonist (known in local parlance as the actor) dies, the movie must grind to a halt. Our President made a point at the 54th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Economic Society when he opined that corruption is allpervasive as it spreads across the public and private sectors as well as individuals and • President Goodluck Jonathan communities. He of arrival, national accused society of honours and various celebrating corruption chieftaincy titles await and corrupt persons. the Nigerian who has According to him, “If a made it. His address is young man who just immediately available started a job and to those who hawk within six months or a those bogus degrees year comes up with a from universities car of N7 million to without walls and N15 million and you churches do not even clap for him, then you care to find out the are rewarding sources of the wealth corruption.” before admitting the He spoke further, successful one to the “So for us as a nation front pew and to bring corruption sometimes, to the down in Nigeria, it is highest point at the not just blaming altar. Some people government and make a good living out blaming police, but of sniffing around for individuals must the nouveau riche. frown at people who They are paid have what they are handsome commission not supposed to have; for every client who live in houses introduced. they are not supposed Jonathan started well to live in; who drive but missed the point cars they are not mid-way. He has an eye supposed to drive;
on the merchants of corruption but maintains, “I wouldn’t want to mention names so that I will not be attacked.” This stance is most unpresidential. Cowardice is not the stuff of which leaders
actual thievery. Jonathan’s frustration in the fight against corruption is pathetic. We can understand the frustration of a man who presides over the
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
which resides permanently at the official level. It begins at the top and permeates through the entire system. Who will not be disillusioned to hear that Nigeria has the largest Presidential Air Fleet, PAF, of 10 aircraft for which it spends around N9.08 billion annually in running cost when most of the wealthy countries of the world have a PAF of not more than two aircraft? Even in England, only the Queen and the Prime Minister are entitled to British Airways chartered flights for long distance trips. Ghana, Algeria and many European countries maintain only one aircraft in their PAF. We know it must be extremely hot at the top. But as advised by Joseph Campbell (1904-1987), “We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” After a leader sermonizes all day on the need for probity in the fight against corruption, it becomes the more frustrating for him to return home to a wife who has an unquenchable appetite for wealth
accumulation. We are reminded of the multimillion Naira Megals Resort in Otuoke, as well as other multimillion Naira investments said to be owned by the First Lady (The Nation, Sunday, 29 July 2012, pp. 23-26). The issue here is that no matter how deafening the applauds get, the point of corruption still resides with the corrupt official, not with the applauding public. Applauds are not necessarily always bad. They sometimes come with good deeds. Our President cannot deny acknowledging the applauds that greeted the church he singlehandedly caused to be donated to the Otuoke Community, even where the conflict of are made. We are affairs of a country interest situation reminded of the early whose former Head generated by that warning: “If you can’t once invited President donation still lingers stand the smoke, you Julius Nyerere of on. should get out of the Tanzania to come and In any case, it is kitchen.” No one ever have a feel of his naive to expect that solves a problem by wealth. After moving corrupt practices running away from it. round the man’s estate, would come to an end Corruption must be Nyerere surmised, “All the moment we properly situated. The this cannot be for one stopped clapping for President may try but man in one life time.” corrupt people. Any there is no way he can And the Nigerians in attempt to trivialize convince anyone that this category are many. the crime of the offence of clapping Whichever way one corruption by equating for a thief can ever be looks at it, the issue at it with the moral action higher than that of the hand is ostentation, of clapping for the corrupt merely begs the question and admits of chasing the shadow while the substance eludes us. By talking glibly about corruption, Jonathan only succeeds in insulting our collective sensibilities. He lacks all it takes to win the fight. Elsewhere, the war is raging. Printed and published by Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, 24, Airport Road, P.M.B. 1334 Benin City. Telephone; Lagos: 01 4930929, Benin: Associated 052 257492, 257531 Press has Editor. BARR. SOLOMON IMOHIOSEN (KSJI) - (07030699646), Deputy General Manager (Marketing) (08023457566), Assistant General Manager(Advertisement) just made(08023808856) a single Lagos Office: 3/4 Amode Close, Kudirat Abiola Way, By Olushonsun Bus Stop, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos. Abuja Office: Floor 1, Edo House, 75 Ralph Shodeinde Street, Central entry that captures the
“Jonathan started well but missed the point mid-way. He has an eye on the merchants of corruption but maintains, “I wouldn’t want to mention names so that I will not be attacked.” This stance is most unpresidential. Cowardice is not the stuff of which leaders are made.”
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