The Nigerian
THE NIGERIAN
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vo l. 39 • NO. 134 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2 014 • N 100.00
NATURAL MEDICINE Page 19
Health facts you should know (1)
Ogiemwonyi cautions media against ‘praise - singing’ politicians By VICTOR OMOALU/ ANYANWU CHIKODI HANNAH BENIN CITY- The 2014 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo
State Council commenced yesterday with a call on journalists to see beyond praise singing of politicians, if the media must play a vital and independent role towards nation
building. The Chairman of the occasion and former Minister of works, Chris Ogiemwonyi who gave the charge in his opening remarks, noted that the era of the press singing
praises of individuals is over. He added that it was time the media established its place as a role model for other bodies to emulate. Continues on page 2
Election riggers ’ll be excused from APC - Oshiomhole
PLACE OF PRAYER Page 21
Rapists in the Church
JATTU - Governor Adams Oshiomhole says election riggers do not fit into the “Change” slogan of the All Progressives Congress and will be excused from the party. The Governor who from the ranks of the described the primaries APC. of the All Progressives Speaking after casting Congress (APC) into the his ballot as a delegate at House of Assembly in the Azama Primary Edo State held yesterday School, Jattu, as peaceful and Oshiomhole said: “I will transparent however said be surprised if anybody if anyone is not who had participated in comfortable with the this transparent election transparent and peaceful decides to leave simply primaries and still prefers because he didn’t win. If the old methods of ballot such people want to box snatching, such leave, we will escort them persons can be excused out because it means
they cannot fit into the logic and philosophy of “Change”. “The ‘Change’ we talk about is not just to change and replace the Federal Government of PDP, we also want to
change the habit, the language of our political design and practice whereby people use guns rather than ballot papers.” Expressing satisfaction with the primaries, he said: “everybody is
smiling because they all know that whatever happens, only one person is going to emerge and because this is a party affair, there is
really no loser. All the
candidates are APC candidates. The winner will be the APC candidate, so there are no losers if we believe Continues on page 2
APC Assembly Primaries
Peaceful, orderly as Dep Speaker, to sustain others win inHe promised By OSE EHEBHA the positive
IRRUA - Deputy speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Edoror has clinched the ticket of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Esan Central Local Government Constituency to fly the party’s flag at the forthcoming state assembly elections. Edoror was returned unopposed being the only aspirant that obtained the form to contest the APC primary in Esan Central. In Esan North East Constituency 1, Hon. Henry Ogbamen picked ticket,while Hon. Anslem Adima , former transition chairman in Esan North
East Local Government Council got that of constituency 11. The Director of Rapid Response, Edo State, Chief Festus Edughele was declared winner in Esan South East Constituency, after polling the highest vote cast, just as Pastor Sam Odigie won that of Esan West Constituency. Reacting to his endorsement, the EDHA deputy speaker Hon. Edoror expressed appreciations to the party members and the entire people of his constituency for the confidence reposed in him, pledging never to take them for granted.
TIT BIT “Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.” - Steve Jobs
representation that endeared the electorates to him, restating his avowed commitment to serve them with all his strength and might. The deputy speaker expressed high optimism that he would win the general election, recalling how he had defeated the PDP candidate while in same party three and half
ASSEMBLY PRIMARIES: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State casts his ballot in the All Progressives Congress House of Assembly Primaries held at the Azama Primary School, Jattu, Etsako West Local Government Area yesterday. Photo: PETER OKHIRIA.
Jonathan’s impeachment motion for Dec 16 - Jajere
Continues on page 2
By JOSES SEDE ABUJA - Talks of impeachment process against President Goodluck Jonathan at the National Assembly has been described as much ado about nothing. There has been news reports about certain federal law makers compiling signatories to initiate impeachment
He’s a liar
- Ayogu Eze
against President Jonathan, with Sen. Alkali Jajere (Yobe South) announcing that 65 legislators have so far
sign up for the planned motion.
Sen. Jajere who spoke with journalists shortly
after yesterday’s plenary, Continues on page 2
By JOSES SEDE ABUJA - Justice Evoh Chukwu of a Federal High Court in Abuja has withdrawn from a suit
filed by a Peoples Democratic Party member of the House of
Representatives, Abiodun Akinlade against the Speaker, Mr. Aminu
Tambuwal. The development Continues on page 2
Judge withdraws from fresh anti-Tambuwal suit
THE NIGERIAN
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News
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
Ogiemwonyi cautions media against ‘praise Continued from page 1 adequate political - singing’ politicians for orientation/ education of the Engr. Ogiemwonyi stressed
Court dismisses Tukur’s suit to return as PDP Chairman
the need for journalists to always do independent reportage of candidates vying for elective positions, irrespective of their financial resources and position. While urging the media to always give actual report of the Boko Haram Insurgency, Ogiemwonyi also emphasized the need for the media to relay to the public, evaluated issues based situation report. The Chairman of the State Internal Revenue Service, Chief (Sir) Oseni Elamah who acknowledged the economic importance of clean environment assured of his support for the free tax training /retraining of journalists in the state. While assuring of his NGO, the Oseni Elamah foundation’s support to sponsor at least two members of the Union on ICT professional training, the EIRs boss used the forum to sensitize the people on Tax Identification Number (TIN) registration. Chairman of NUJ Edo State
ABUJA - A come-back attempt by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, former national chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party through legal means, suffered a major set back yesterday following dismissal of the case by an Abuja Federal High Court. The suit marked FHC/ ABJ/ CS/2014 was instituted by a member of the PDP in Adamawa State, Aliyu Gurin, but Tukur, who was a defendant in the suit filed a counter-claim, seeking the same set of main prayers like the plaintiff. Their prayers were based on the grounds that Mu’azu’s appointment flouted the provisions of Section 45(1) and (2) of the party’s constitution. Like the plaintiff, Tukur argued that his resignation from office on January 15, 2014 failed to comply with the provisions of the party’s constitution, which required that a 30-day pre-resignation notice must be given to the National Executive Committee of the party. A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit praying for the removal of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party and the reinstatement of his predecessor, to the office which he resigned from over 10 months ago. The PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were joined as defendants in the suit. Justice Evoh Chukwu in his judgment in the suit dismissed both the main suit and Tukur’s counter-claim, describing them as constituting an abuse of court process.
Council, Comrade Desmond Agbama said the event was an annual one aimed at taking stock of the Union’s activities for the past year with a view to projecting into the future. Speaking on this year’s theme: “Credible Elections, Insurgency And the Nigeria Media: The Way forward”, Guest lecturer, Austin Osakue
emphasized that the media should be seen more of setting new agenda that would ensure free, fair and credible election processes in the country. Stressing that politics must not be left in the hands of politicians alone, Comrade Osakue however canvassed
people if the nation must move forward. He noted that though the media could make or mar the society, it lacks the freedom and will to exercise such professional ethics maintaining that the survival of the nation lies on the vibrancy of the media.
Continued from page 1 in the principles of intra-
expect to win a popular election and if I decree and use or misuse my office to impose somebody at the level of the primaries, during the popular election in February, will I have the power to impose that person on the electorate?” “So I am very happy that people have turned out and I am even more happy that the place is peaceful. Nobody is shouting, nobody is fighting and the aspirants themselves are all seated together as brothers and sisters. It cannot be better than this and for me, when we begin to realize that the votes count, then our democracy is on.” The Governor while
stressing that the Party has no pre-endorsed candidate said “As you can see, I have only one vote. I was reluctant to cast it so that I can’t be accused of voting for one person but I also realize that even as a governor, though my voting shows that there is somebody I want to vote for, but I cannot order the rest not to contest nor can I ask everybody to vote for that person. So all of these are small lessons if we imbibe them, our democracy will grow from strength to strength.” He advised all the aspirants to take the outcome of the primaries in good faith and join hands with the winners to ensure victory for the APC in the 2015 General Elections.
Election riggers ’ll be excused
party democracy. “The beautiful thing here is that as the Governor of the state, this is my own constituency, this is my own ward and I didn’t have to call people to step down for one particular person to emerge because I think that if a man cannot win a primary election on his own, then how can he
Peaceful, orderly Primaries as Dep Speaker, others win
Continued from page 1 years ago. Also speaking with The NIGERIAN OBSERVER, the winner of APC primary in Esan West Constituency, Pastor Sam Odigie dedicated his victory to God Almighty and appreciated his co-contestants and the entire party members. He called on all party members to work together to secure victory for the party at the general election. The result of the APC state assembly primary was still being expected at the time of this report. The APC state assembly election was conducted under a peaceful atmosphere in Edo Central. In Edo South Senatorial District, the primaries went on smoothly, even though there were initial hitches. The primaries monitored in Oredo West produced the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Chris Okaeben as winner while Oredo East has Hon. Chris Osaigbovo as winner. The incumbent, legislators representing Ovia North East 1 and Ovia North East II in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Sunday Osazemwinde and Hon. Bright Osayande respectively emerged winners. The only female legislator in as the state House of Assembly, Hon. (Mrs) Elizabeth Ativie also won the primary for Uhumwode constituency while a former chairman, Egor Local Government Area, Hon. Crossby Eribo equally emerged winner in the constituency primary. The primaries for Orhionmwon I, Orhionmwon II and Ovia South West constituencies were still being expected as at press time. In Edo North Senatorial District, incumbent lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo I constituency, Kabiru Adjoto emerged winner; while Emmanuel Agbaje emerged winner of Akoko Edo II
primaries. Incumbent lawmaker representing Owan East, Hon. Foly Ogendengbe emerged winner of the primaries while Hon. Victor Ojo Afein emerged winner of Owan West Primaries. Other results were still being expected as at press time.
Jonathan’s impeachment motion for Dec 16 Continued from page 1
also announced that formal notice on the issue will be presented to Senate President David Mark, on December 16, when the Senate would have resumed from its two weeks break. He alleged that “in 2011, this senate approved N240bn as subsidy fund but the same government spent N1.7trn which is a clear breach of the constitution, clear breach of the appropriation act”. “As of today, the required signatures to initiate the impeachment notice had been obtained. The senate has adjourned to the 16th so by that date the impeachment notice will be presented on the floor of the senate. Sixty-three of us have signed up for the impeachment, my signature was the fourth but I can confirm to you that we have 63 signatures but after the session today, two people had called me and told me that they want to sign. One of them is an APC senator who was away doing campaign because he is contesting the governorship election of his state. The other person is a PDP senator. Before the end of today (02/ 12/14) I can assure you that the list will swell up to 70. It is on the impeachment day that we need two-third of the members to carry out the exercise, but we need only one-third, which we already have, to initiate the process. It is just a matter of one day
sitting. We will just push it before the two chambers. The impeachment issue is not just coming now. It is a process that started early in the year but there was a hiccup, but today, there are issues that have triggered the National Assembly to do what it should do”, Sen. Jajere declared. In a swift response however, former Senate spokesperson and current Chairman of Senate Committee on Works, Sen. Ayogu Eze (Enugu North) described Sen. Jajere’s declarations as tissues of lies, adding that the said list was non-existent. “Put me on record, Sen. Jajere is a blatant liar for saying that 65 or 70 Senators have signed his alleged impeachment list against President Jonathan. The said list is non existent in the Senate and why didn’t you tell him to show you the list on which he said he is number four and in particular, asked him who is number 65 there? Yes, there are some political opponents of the President in the Senate or even disgruntled ones, but the fact is that, even if they want to make such move, they cannot even get up to 10. Where are they even going to table such rubbish? We are waiting for them anyway! Even the reason reportedly cited by the senator for the so called impeachment move stands logic on its head because, how can you
bringing a non-existing Offences of 2011 as impeachment Offences in 2014? Where were they in 2011 when the alleged Offences were committed by the President? Don’t they even know that three other appropriation bills had been passed by the Senate after the 2011 one? To me, Jajere is a story teller, we are waiting for him and his other signatories who are more of spirits than human beings in the Senate and let me put it to him and his other people that if they think they can intimidate the President or PDP out of power, they are just day-dreaming because the man will contest the 2015 election and going by realities on ground, he will win. So, the earlier they realize this, the better for them”, furious Sen. Eze sounded. He however appealed to politicians to be very cautious in their conducts and utterances ahead of the 2015 elections so as not to overheat the polity beyond manageable proportions. Also, Sen. Sahaabi Yau (Zamfara North) corroborated Sen. Eze and warned that the Senate could ill afford the distraction associated with impeachment process, just as the Senate spokesperson, Sen. Eyinnaya Abaribe described the impeachment talks as “rumours”.
By JOSES SEDE
The court held that the plaintiff lacked locus standi to institute the suit. It also dismissed Tukur’s counter-claim which he filed as defendant in support of the plaintiff’s case as strange and unknown to law. The judge dismissed the main suit and awarded N100 each in favour of the PDP, Mu’azu and INEC against the plaintiff. The court held that Gurin lacked the locus standi to institute, as his interest in the issue he brought before the court was not in any way greater than the interest of the other party members. The judge agreed with the PDP and Mu’azu that Gurin’s suit was speculative because he failed to prove how Mu’azu’s appointment negatively appointed his intention to seek election into the House of Representatives, under the PDP. Justice Chukwu said Gurin had not been stopped from running for the House of Representatives seat which he claimed to be aspiring for. He therefore held that the injuries which he claimed he could suffer with Mu’azu’s continued stay in office were “speculative, self-inflicted and imaginary. They are not actual”. Tukur had claimed in an affidavit in support of the counter-claim that, he was made to merely step aside as the National Chairman following pressures mounted on President Goodluck Jonathan, who is the leader of the party, to remove him (Tukur) in order to allow seven governors who defected from the party to return to the party.
Judge withdraws from fresh anti-Tambuwal suit
Continued from page 1
followed the petition by Tambuwal to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, declaring lack of confidence in Justice Chukwu. Akinlade had in his suit sought an order declaring Tambuwal’s seat vacant on the account of his defection from the PDP, who sponsored his election to the House, to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The plaintiff had also sought an order directing the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha to take over as the Speaker, but Tambuwal had in a petition contested the assignment of the case to Justice Chukwu. The Speaker asked the Chief Judge to re-assign the case to another judge of the Federal High Court as Justice Chukwu was likely to be bias against him in view of the judge’s previous pronouncement in a related case. Justice Chukwu announced his withdrawal from the suit yesterday. The judge announced that he had returned the case file to the Chief Judge in view of Tambuwal’s petition for reassignment to another judge. The plaintiff in the suit, FHC/ ABJ/CS/871/2014, joined
Tambuwal, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Federal Government as respondents. Akinlade had sought a “judicial interpretation” of an earlier judgment of Justice Chukwu, where it held that there was no division in the PDP. The aim of the fresh suit is to justify the PDP’s stance that the defection of Tambuwal from the PDP to the APC on October 28 was “illegal” and in breach of Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). However, in Tambuwal’s petition dated November 30, he submitted he had no confidence in Chukwu to treat the case without “bias,” having given his judgment in 2013 that there was no division in the PDP. He observed that Chukwu’s judgment had been relied upon for subsequent decisions on defections, such as the one by Justice A.F.A. Ademola of the same Federal High Court, who also declared the December 2013 defection of 37 PDP lawmakers to the APC as illegal. The speaker had appealed to the chief judge to re-assign Akinlade’s case to another judge in the spirit of fairness.
THE NIGERIAN
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
News Boko Haram
Curfew Imposed On Damaturu DAMATURU - A 24-hour curfew has been imposed on Damaturu, the Yobe capital, following Monday’s attacks on the town by insurgents. This is contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the state Governor on Press Affairs and Information, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday. The statement said the curfew took immediate effect. It said Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam approved the order in consultations with heads of law enforcement agencies in the state. It said the decision was taken as part of measures to “enable the
security agents who did a great job repelling the insurgents’ attack on the town, to conclude their ongoing assignment’’. The release advised all residents of the city to remain indoors during the curfew, and thanked the people of the state for their cooperation and support to the security agencies. Reports state that gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents had attacked the state capital resulting in a gun battle between them and security operatives that lasted for several hours. Governor Gaidam condemned the attack, describing it as “
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State (in cap) queues up to vote as a delegate in the All Progressives Congress House of Assembly primaries at the Azama Primary School, Jattu, Estako West Local Government Area yesterday.
Primary Health Care, Sole Responsibility BENIN CITY – Edo State Of Govt - Commissioner Commissioner for Local He said they were soliciting Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief (Hon.) Lucky James has reiterated that Primary Health Care is a sole responsibility of the Government. The Commissioner made this known in Benin while receiving delegates from Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON), Edo chapter, Coalition of NGO’s and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency. Chief James who expressed delight at receiving the delegates said Comrade Adams Oshiomhole will readily key into any project that would enhance the health status of Edo people. According to him, bearing in mind that primary health care must continue, urgent action will be taken for the state to benefit from the National Health Bill that is about to be signed into law by the President of Nigeria. Speaking earlier, Mr. Uwaifoh James, Chairman, Edo State Chapter of
HERFON said their visit to the commissioner was to deliberate on issues that have to do with health reforms in the state.
for support for a bill in the state House of Assembly for the state to key into and benefit immensely from the National Health Bill. Also speaking, Dr. Eboireme
Ejimai, Head of Millennium Development Goals and Primary Health Care Reviews Unit, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Abuja, stressed on the need to have a primary health care on a single platform in Edo State as it would give room for optimal benefit.
L-R: The Executive Chairman, Edo State Internal Revenue Service, Chief (Sir) Oseni Elamah, Human Rights Activist, Austine Osakwe, former Minister of State for Works, Engr. Chris Ogiemwomyi and the chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Comrade Desmond Agbama at the opening ceremony of the 2014 NUJ Press Week in Benin City. Photo: IMHANZETO BRIGHT.
2015: Anglican Church Advises FG, GOMBE - The Anglican Communion, Gombe Diocese, has urged the Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently address the issues of stolen and unreleased voter’s cards ahead of the 2015 general elections. This is contained in a 16-point communique issued after the third session of the fifth Synod of the Diocese in Gombe on Tuesday. The communique, signed by the Bishop of the church, Rt. Rev. Henry Ndukuba, said failure to address the issue would result to unjust disenfranchisement of the electorate. The synod also called on INEC to relocate all polling units that
INEC On Voter Cards
were located in places of worship or people’s homes, to give credibility to the elections. The participants also called on all stakeholders to shun provocative acts and violence during the electioneering period as well as urged youths not to be used as political thugs. Making further suggestions on the election, the synod called on INEC to set up modalities where internally displaced persons could exercise their franchise in any part of the country. The communique called on Nigerians of voting age to register and vote during the elections.
The participants, who commended the efforts of the military and other security agents in the insurgency, however, called on the political leadership and the military to intensify efforts to stop the insurgency. “It further called the Federal Government to set up special agency for border patrol and control. “It condemns in unequivocal terms the recent moves to set up cattle ranches throughout the country, and the undue monetary allocation of one billion naira for states to access, as implementing this will further escalate crises between Fulani herdsmen and farmers.
“It further advises farmers to harvest their crops in due time to avoid clash between them and the herdsmen.” The communique also commended the government’s handling of the outbreak of Ebola virus, urging governments at all levels to sustain the efforts in that direction. On the report of the National Conference, the synod advised President Goodluck Jonathan to subject the decisions and submissions to a referendum by the citizens. It enjoined leaders and followers to desire righteousness for the country to move forward in all spheres of life.
Pa Enogieru Idehen’s Burial Begins Friday BENIN CITY – The family of Late Pa Godfrey Enogieru Idehen of Ubun family in Irhirhi community, Iyekogba. Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State has announced the final burial ceremony of their late father, Late Pa Godfrey Enogieru Idehen (Aka. History Man) at the age of 70 years. According to a statement by his eldest son, Mr. James Efe Enogieru Idehen, the burial begins on Friday 5, 2014 with Iwarinmwin, while on Saturday 6, 2014 family rites begins with a social dance at his residence from noon. There will also be two other afternoon dances, Izakhue and Isoton ceremony respectively on Sunday 7 and Tuesday 9 December 2014 to be rounded
up with an all night Ikpowia social wake on Wednesday 10, 2014 and Isuerhanfun to end the ceremony next day. The statement also added that all the seven days full traditional burial ceremonies will take place at the family compound No. 1, Idehen street, Irhirhi Quarters, off Airport Road, Benin City.
Late Pa Enogieru Idehen
Rowland Osagie Dies At 84 BENIN CITY – The family of Osagie in Iguodia Community and the family of Ogbomo in Iwu Community both in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State announces the death of Pa. Rowland Aghayere Osagie who died at the age of 84 years. According to a release signed by Mr. Stanley Osagie and made available to The Nigerian OBSERVER indicate that the burial arrangement will commence on Friday 5th through Sunday 7th of December 2014. On Friday 5th December 2014, is body leaves University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) to his residence at No.15 Eghemwen Street, opposite Christ Chosen Church of God before Aisosa Street off Medical Stores road Benin City from 10am prompt while Service of Songs, and interment follows thereafter by 3pm at the same venue. The release stated further that the social dance and entertainment of guest will
commence at 12 noon on Saturday 6th December 2014 at Marakana football field in Osarodion street off Medical Stores road, Benin City, while the thanksgiving service will come up on Sunday 7th of December 2014 by 10 am at Church of the Lord Aladura at No. 19, Osamuyi Street, Upper Aisosa off Medical Stores road, Benin City. He is survived by a wife, Mrs Esther Osagie, 8 children, 10 grand children. May his gentle soul rest in peace Amen.
Late Pa. Rowland Aghayere Osagie
THE NIGERIAN
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
South South
Uwaila Weds Oselumese Weekend
L-R: Mr. Egberanmwen Osawe, rtd Superintendent of Prisons, Mr. Moses Ogbeide, eldest son of the late Madam Cecilia Ogbeide (nee Izedomen (aka) Iyenokhua and wife, Hon. Eddy Ogbomon (JP) and Mr. Francis of the Ministry of Information, during the final burial rites of Madam Ogbeide last weekend in Benin City.
BENIN CITY – The families of Igbinoba N’Omi of Isomobor family of Omi Town, Ovia North-East Local Government Area and Elder and Mrs. King-David Okogbo of Ugballo, Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area, both of Edo State will come together to join their children as one in marriage this weekend. The traditional marriage ceremony under the Benin native law and customs is between their daughter Uwaila Lilian Uzamere and their son Oselumese Emmanuel Okogbo. Venue is the bride’s family
compound, No.33, Amawu Street, Off Upper Sokpoba Road, Oka Quarters, Beside NEPA office, Benin City, on Thursday December 4, 2014, beginning from Noon. The wedding ceremony holds on Saturday December, 6, 2014 at Oredo Local Government Council marriage Registry while reception follows at the NTA pavilion, TV Road, Benin City at Noon. The bride’s father, Mr.
Austin Uzamere, said he is the happiest man on earth as he look forward to giving out his eldest daughter in marriage which is an inevitable thing in life. Moreover, a family friend and neighbour of the Uzameres, Last M. Osagiede, Commercial Services Manager, Nigerian Observer, Benin City also wish the bride and groom, a very blissful, successful and fruitful married life ahead.
Community Clamours For Delta Government
ASABA- The Ndokwa community in the Delta North Senatorial District, said that it was its turn to produce the next governor of the state in 2015, as zoned to the district by the ruling PDP. The community made the demand in a communique issued in Asaba, Delta State at the end of a meeting with the Nokwa Neku Union (NNU), a socio-political organisation from the area. The community, one of the three blocks in the senatorial district, is made up of Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West and Ukwuani Local Government Areas. The communique stated: “Ndokwa nationality is a distinct nationality in the Delta North Senatorial District and government at all levels
should take full notice of this in the geo-political permutations of Delta State.” The communique, signed by the President-General of the union, Mr Paul Enebeli, said that the people were the most qualified block to produce the next governor of the oil-rich state. It said that the area was most qualified because of its unique position, acceptability, economic strength and sterling qualities of the people. It would be recalled that seven of the 24 PDP governorship aspirants in the state are from Ndokwa, the area in the senatorial district which produces oil and gas. The communique read: “There is an urgent need to prune down the number of
governorship aspirants of Ndokwa extraction. “Accordingly, the meeting, adopting international best practices, selected three from all the aspirants as the choice of the good people of Ndokwa land. “At the appropriate time, the Ndokwa people will decide on who among the aspirants will protect the interest of the state and massively vote for him/her at the general election.” It also stated that the union would embark on consultative visits to ethnic nationalities and prominent citizens of the state, in furtherance of its decisions. The communique said that all the aspirants at the meeting agreed to adopt the spirit of
ASABA- A governorship aspirant in Delta State, Mr Charles Emetulu, said that he would make agriculture a priority, if elected governor in 2015. Emetulu, a former Commissioner for Energy in the state, said this in an interview with newsmen in Asaba, Delta State. He said that prioritizing agriculture would ensure food security, reduce unemployment, create raw materials for industries and generate wealth for the state. He said that the state had the potential to lead in agriculture and should quickly harness it, especially now that oil
prices were falling in the international market. I believe very well that we can use agriculture to make our state selfsufficient. “With the micro credit programme already in place, young graduates are getting involved in fishery, poultry, and other aspects of farming, and this should be expanded,” he said. Emetulu said that he would partner All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) to realize his dream. “So, if given the mandate, I will involve AFAN in our programmes because agriculture has the capacity not only to feed us, but to
drastically reduce unemployment in the state,” he added. The aspirant also said that if elected, he would reequip the existing skill acquisition centres in the state and build new ones. He noted that the present administration in the state had performed well in the area of security, transportation, health, education and others. Emetulu added: “But there are areas to add value to, and where possible we could start a new thing. “I have been a key player in this administration, but I resigned in order for me to pursue my dream of becoming governor.”
sportsmanship and were willing to work with any of them that emerged as flag bearer. It added: “We wish to appeal to the good people of Delta State for their support, understanding and cooperation as well look forward to peaceful and crisis-free 2015 general election.”
Uwaila and Oselumese
... Governorship Aspirant Says He’ll Prioritize Agric
Cross section of journalists during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council in Benin City yesterday. Photo: BRIGHT IMHANZETO.
Farmer Commends Govt’s Initiative On Piggery
CALABAR- Mr Asuquo Blackwell, the Chairman of Steering Committee on Pig Farming in Cross River State, has lauded the state government’s initiative on piggery, saying it would increase pig production in the state. Blackwell said in an interview with newsmen in Calabar that the initiative would meet the protein needs of the people and boost the state’s economy.
He said that the formation of cooperative societies by pig farmers, as directed by the state’s Ministry of Agriculture, would enable them to have access to loans and other incentives and increase production. “This will enable government to focus attention on registered pig farmers in the state. It will also lead to increased production and the farmers will be better for it.
“I therefore appeal to pig farmers who are yet to form cooperatives to do so and registered without further delay, ‘’ he said. Blackwell stressed the need for more sensitisation of pig farmers across the state on the importance and advantage of forming cooperatives. He further appealed to the farmers to properly utilize the loans when eventually granted, noting that there were over 5000 pig farmers in the state.
THE NIGERIAN
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
News
Hoodlums Attack Hotel By FRANCA AKRAWAH
BENIN CITYProperties worth millions of Naira belonging to Ibis Private Home on 16, Aerodrome Close, Benin City, were on Monday night damaged by hoodlums. The proprietor of the hotel, Chief Don Ehijiator told newsmen that the hoodlums numbering ten, invaded the hotel premises at about 9.20 pm, broke that gate and immediately unleashed violence on members of staff and damaged substantial part of the facilities. He recalled that a customer who booked into the hotel with the name Gift Adun on November 26, 2014, left the hotel after few days without properly checking out. Chief Ehijiator said the customer later returned on Monday night, scaled through the gate and demanded for his items in the hotel room. He said when reminded of his unpaid bill, the customer went wild and threatened to burn down the hotel. According to Chief, Ehijiator, the customer left and later returned with some hoodlums to unleash damage on the hotel. He said the sum of N120,000.00 meant to
restock the hotel the following day was snatched from one of the staff after causing incalculable damage to the property.
He said the incident has been reported at the Evbuotubu Divisional Police Station
ILORIN- Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has scaled the screening of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), with a promise to make life more abundant if re-elected. Ahmed made the promise on Sunday after he was screened by the Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led screening committee at the APC state secretariat in Ilorin. The governor assured the people of the state that the tempo of governance would be enhanced if re- elected for a second term as the governor of the state. Governor Ahmed later received his certificate of eligibility from the party’s NorthCentral Zone Screening Committee
Chairman, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola. “We want to give assurance that we will be carrying out activities that will be premised on continuity of on-going projects, especially in infrastructure, “ he said. The governor also pledged to upscale his administration’s youth development agenda, especially in the areas of employment generation and entrepreneurial development initiatives. Ahmed said the opposition lacked the experience, capacity and caliber of people to successfully elevate Kwara and the people of the state to greater heights.
Gov Ahmed Scales APC Screening
2015: Don’t Heat Up The Polity,
Youths Urge Politicians
ABUJA - The Middle Belt Youth Vanguard yesterday called on politicians across the country to desist from making statements that could incite the people and heat up the polity. The group made the call in a statement issued by Mr Simeon Elaigwu, its National Organising Secretary, in Abuja. Elaigwu decried the utterance of some state governors, especially on issues relating to the Federal Government, and warned that the immunity attached to their offices
should not be abused. He stressed that no matter the misunderstanding between political stakeholders, the corporate existence of the country should be respected, adding that the country’s interest should supersede all personal interest. He noted that some politicians were over stepping their boundaries by their remarks on the Federal Government and the country’s security challenges. He reminded such politicians to note that Nigeria does not belong to
them. Elaigwu said that hurling abuses on the person of President Goodluck Jonathan and his office was a dangerous development capable of ridiculing the country’s image before international community. “Nigeria is too big for one individual or group. We all must protect this country from anyone who wishes to tear it apart for political gains,’’ he said. He urged Nigerians to be awake to the realities on ground, stressing that most politicians were only concerned on what they stand to gain.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
Across The Nation Kano Bomb Blast: FG To Supply KANO - The Federal Government has promised to supply hospitals in Kano with blood, to save the lives of victims of the Friday Juma’at bomb blast in Kano. Many victims of the attack are on admission at various hospitals in the state capital. Alhaji Musa Ilallah, the NorthWest Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said this in an interview with newsmen shortly after visiting Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital in Kano on Sunday. Already, he said the Federal Ministry of Health had directed its blood bank from Katsina to supply blood to the hospitals
Hospitals Blood
immediately. ‘’We went round the hospitals to assess the condition of those who are receiving treatment and we understand that what they needed most are blood and consumables. “I spoke with the Federal Ministry of Health and they (ministry) have assured me that they will mobilise blood bank in Katsina to supply blood to the hospitals,’’ he said. The coordinator said the ministry had also promised to supply drugs and other needed consumables from Abuja. Ilallah commended Kano State
Government for providing all the needed materials for the treatment of the injured persons. The Executive Secretary of the state Hospitals Management Board, Dr Kabir Maso-Kano, said lack of consumables was hindering the treatment of the victims. He, however, commended the residents for coming to hospitals to donate blood for the victims. Rsesidents of the city have continued to troop to hospitals, to donate blood for the victims. NEMA officials had paid similar visits to Sir Muhammadu Sanusi, Nasarawa and Aminu Kano hospitals. .
Legislators Urged To Strengthen Relations With Executive By SURAJU RAJI LAGOS -Legislators and staff at the Lagos House of Assembly have been urged to strengthen relations with the Executive arm of government. This advice was given in a paper presented at Lagos State House of Assembly Capacity Building Lecture held at Lateef Jakande Auditorium . The scope of the paper is the role of legislature in building an enduring democracy with Lagos
House of Assembly as a case study. Presenting the paper, the Head of Legislative Matters Directorate, Wasiu Bisiriyu, said “The Assembly should Strengthen its constituency relations to inform and educate constituents on legislative activities in the house and training and retraining of legislature and staff to further strengthen the capacity of the Assembly”. He remarked that legislature should be more concerned about
legislative power and legislature as an institution. The clerk of the house, Mr. Ganiyu Abiru in an interview at the occasion said “We will continue to educated our staff and honourable members”. He explained that education is a continuous process adding that nobody is a monopoly of knowledge. Mr. Abiru also remarked that there is need to assist the executive, adding that there must be good relation between the executive and legislature.
NUJ President, Malam Muhammed Garba (right), addressing a news conference on State of the Nation in Kaduna recently. With him is the Chairman, NUJ Kaduna State Council, Mallam Idris Yusuf.
Hoodlums Snatch PVCs, Register In Nasarawa LAFIA - The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Nasarawa State, Alhaji Ahmed Makama, said that some hoodlums attacked the ad hoc staff at Agyaragu village in the state and snatched a ballot box
Sokoto State Marshals waiting for posting across the 23 Local Government Areas in Sokoto recently.
Benue:
containing voters’ permanent cards and register. Makama told newsmen that the hoodlums were so inpatient to wait for the INEC staff to collect their cards and forcefully collected the materials from them. According to him, “we encountered ballot box snatching in Agyaragu ward where some hoodlums were so inpatient, they at a point said that they were the ones that will be distributing the PVCs; they didn’t know our process, so they snatched cards and were arrested”. Makama said that those arrested had been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution if found guilty. He said that his staff was faced with another challenge in Bagaji Primary School Unit in Karu Local Government Area of the state where the people prevented the staff from leaving the unit with the cards. He said the cards had to be deposited in chief’s palace. “Surprisingly, the chief supported them; you cannot imagine somebody managing or in charge of people doing this. “The villagers said our ah hoc staff will not leave their unit with the rest PVCs, saying they will have to keep them with their traditional chief. Makama, however, said for peace to reign, he directed that
they leave the cards with the chief and later informed the police. He said the police went to the palace and took custody of the PVCs for that unit, adding that those people will also be charged to court. The resident commissioner also commended on the peaceful, orderly and smooth conduct of the collection of PVCs in the state, saying that there would be no extension of time. “Certainly we will not canvass for any additional time because the cards are going to be deposited at all the 13 local government areas of the state and anyone who has not collected within this period is free to go to his or her headquarters for collection.” The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Ugochukwu Theodore, said some boys attempted to snatch the PVCs and INEC materials from Sabon Kwarra unit in Agyaragu, headquarters of Jinkwe Development Area but policemen arrested two of them. “Also at Tsowon Kasuwa, in Karshi area, our men arrested two persons who also attempted to snatch PVCs from the area, and the four of them had been transferred to state CIB for further investigation and would soon be charged to court.”
NUT To Spend N40m On Party
MAKURDI - The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Benue has said it would spend N40 million for the reception of its national president and state chairman. The NUT Chairman in the state, Mr Godwin Anya, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Makurdi. Anya said the union generated the fund from the N2,000 levy it imposed on 20,000 teachers in September.
He said the NUT constitution empowered the union to levy and make such deductions, adding that the state executive endorsed the decision. “The constitution empowers the state exco to take decisions on behalf of the members. “The money will be used to organise the reception for NUT national president and myself, having served the union for seven years as state chairman. “What the union is doing is to
appreciate the hard work of these people and the efforts they have put in place in making sure that the welfare of the teachers improve,’’ he said. Anya said his office had received a letter from a lawyer on behalf of some aggrieved teachers asking NUT and State Universal Education Board (SUBEB) to stop the deductions. He, however, said that the state government still owe teachers five months salaries, adding that
the union was working hard to ensure payment. A check by newsmen revealed some of teachers opposed the deduction on the ground that they had suffered unpaid salaries in the state for too long. The aggrieved teachers, who preferred the union renovating the teachers’ house in Makurdi instead of the appreciation party, decried impunity by the exco members to deduct their salaries.
According to them, the amount of money deducted is too much for an ordinary reception. “The unwanted deduction has caused more financial hardship to us as we are still struggling to recover from the eight months strike in the state. “The decision by the officials is an infringement on our rights. “We are demanding to know the details for the reception. We need to know what the union officials
were doing with the monthly dues deducted from our salaries,’’ they said. The Permanent Secretary of the board, Mrs Judith Hirnyam, confirmed the deduction. Hirnyam told newsmen that the board receives a letter from NUT for the salary deduction and complied with. She said the board only deals with NUT officials and not individual teachers.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
Across The Nation Auto Crash
186 Aspirants Pick APC Nomination Forms AWKA- No fewer than 186 aspirants in Anambra have so far obtained the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination forms to contest various positions in the 2015 general elections. The state Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Okelo Madukaife, announced this in an interview with newsmen in Awka yesterday. Madukaife said that out of the figure, 142 aspirants who scaled through screening, would contest the various primaries of the party beginning on December 2 with the House of Assembly seats. According to him, a breakdown of the successfully screened aspirants showed that 95 House of Assembly, 34 House of Representatives and three senatorial aspirants would vie for the party’s primaries. The publicity secretary said that the number of female aspirants was 32 while male aspirants were 110. He explained that the party’s national leadership approved the postponement of the House of Assembly primaries from December 1 to tomorrow, December 4 due to the nonconduct of governorship primaries in the state. Madukaife expressed confidence that APC would win majority of the elective seats in the polls but appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to clean up its voters’ register. “INEC is aware that the compromised register used for Anambra Governorship Elections in November 2013 was not a secret, owing to the litigations that ensued on it. “So we appeal to them as a party to clean up the register and go ahead to hold clean elections that conform to the Electoral Act,” he said.
1 Dies, 14 Injured
L-R: Secretary, Zoological Society of Nigeria (ZSN), Dr. Olajumoke Morunkeji; President, Prof. Sonnie Oniye; Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka and Chairperson, Organising Committee, Prof. Adiaha Ugwumba at ZSN Annual Conference in Ibadan recently.
SANGO-OTA (OGUN)- The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said one person died and 14 others sustained various degrees of injuries in an accident that occurred along the Toll-Gate at Sango-Ota in Ogun State. The Sango-Ota Unit Commander of the FRSC, Mr Omatu Sunday, told newsmen in Sango-Ota that the accident occurred at about 9:50 a.m., due to alleged carelessness of a Dangote Group driver. Sunday said the accident involved five vehicles, including an Acura Jeep with registration number GGE-447BJ, a commercial bus with registration number KSF-537 XK, Toyota Jeep with registration number
YAB-103 RU, a Dangote trailer with registration number XA 364GKP and IVECO truck with registration number KTU-394 XJ. He said that the brake of the Dangote trailer that was heading to Lagos failed and ran into four vehicles which resulted in the death of a conductor in a commercial bus while 14 others sustained various degrees of injuries. The commander attributed the cause of the accident to overspeeding and carelessness by the Dangote driver. ‘’The conductor died while 14 other occupants of the commercial bus sustained various degrees of injuries,” he said.
year comes with great expectation from your host communities; as immediate beneficiaries of your services, much will be expected of you by them. “Let me inform you that the task of nation building is a collective effort which, therefore, means you should be ready to face the numerous challenges that come with it. “Let me reiterate that this camp is a mini-Nigeria and the path you want the nation to follow will be mirrored under this platform,“ he said. Fashola urged the corps members to take very seriously the numerous lectures and programmes that the NYSC would organise for them. He said that the state was looking up to them for physical transformation and technological ideas that would add to socio-economic
development. Fashola said that the corps members were also expected to make impact in the areas of education, poverty eradication, rural health and combating the HIV/AIDS pandemic. He urged them to make use of the state toll free emergency lines whenever they were in distress. “This administration takes the security of corps members seriously and in case of any security challenge, call either 767 or 112 emergency toll-free help lines and be sure someone will attend to your need,’’ he said. The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Funmilayo Atilola, represented by Chief Magistrate Eniola Fabanwo, administered the oath of allegiance on the corps members.
Provide Conducive Environment For Corps Members, NYSC Urges Employers
LAGOS- The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has charged employers to provide enabling atmosphere and welfare facilities for corps members that would be posted to their organisations. Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, the Lagos State Coordinator of NYSC, spoke at the swearingin ceremony of 3,603 members of the 2014 NYSC Batch ‘C’ set at its orientation camp in Iyana-Ipaja, a suburb of Lagos. Adeyemi said that it was imperative that employers create adequate room for corps members to strive to excel during their one-year national service with their organisations. She also advised prospective employers seeking the services of corps members to send in their requests to the state coordinator during the orientation period. “Corps members are key stakeholders in our economy and our shared future; they are our next generation of business and civic leaders. We must empower them to lead. “A total of 3,603 corps members comprising 2,115 female and 1,488 male are ready to undertake the onerous
task of service to the nation. “Out of this number, 999 corps members are in Oyo State for their orientation due to space constraints in Lagos camp,’’ she said. Adeyemi said that the orientation courses were packaged to equip them physically and mentally for the demands and challenges of the service year and beyond. “Let me remind you that your call to join the vanguard of youths in the service of the fatherland is a noble one. “Therefore, avail yourselves of the opportunities provided by this orientation and be the best you can in line with the excellent nature of the state. “People of excellence go the extra mile to do what is right; remember the race for excellence has no finishing line,“ she said. According to her, the threeweek programme is characterised by military drills, lectures on topical issues, physical fitness exercises, martial arts, national consciousness, disease control, advocacy training, sports and games, skill acquisition and social activities.
“in the course of the orientation, you are expected to reflect on the formative objectives of the scheme and resolve to contribute towards its achievement. “Your participation in all activities during the course is germane to sharpen and mould you for the purpose of quality service delivery,’’ she said. Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, in a message, urged the corps members to be law-abiding citizens and partner the state government in creating the Lagos of their dream. Fashola, represented by Dr Wale Ahmed, the Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties, urged them to cultivate a healthy relationship with one another during their stay on the camp. “Fellow compatriots in national service, the service
Imbibe Politics Without Bitterness, Aspirant Advises Politician ZARIA (Kaduna State) Former Sole Administrator, Zaria Local Government, Alhaji Umar Ibrahim-Rabagaddama,
Participants at the Annual Conference of the Zoological Society of Nigeria (ZSN) in Ibadan recently.
has advised politicians aspiring for different elective positions in the country to play politics without bitterness and imbibe campaign of issues. He told newsmen in Zaria, Kaduna State, yesterday that the call became imperative in view of the current political scenario in the country. Ibrahim-Rabagaddama is aspiring to be the PDP flag bearer for House of Representatives seat of Zaria Local Government. “I want to urge all aspirants across the country to play politics without bitterness and resort to campaign of issues which will facilitate national growth and development. “Let me use this medium also to call on electorate to vote credible candidates with vision and mission who will provide quality and good representation,” he noted. He stressed the need for Nigerians, especially the youth, to eschew restiveness, political thuggery and all other forms of social vices for the country to
witness rapid growth and development. The aspirant said he brought developmental projects that touched the lives of people when he was the Sole Administrator of the Zaria council. Ibrahim-Rabagaddama promised to do everything possible to attract more democratic dividends to the area, if elected as member of the House of Representatives. “If the people of Zaria give me the opportunity to represent them at the National Assembly, I will do everything possible within my power to reduce the scourge of poverty among women and youth. “I will make sure that I operate an open door policy to carry all manner of people along, irrespective of religious, tribal and political affiliation,” he assured. Rabagaddama said that he did not buy expression of interest form but some of his political associates considered him worthy and purchased it for him.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
Across The Nation
Jonathan’s Re-Election Will Sustain Transformation Agenda - Gumburawa SOKOTO - A former board member of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Alhaji Sa’idu Gumburawa, has said that the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 will sustain the success of the ongoing
transformation agenda. ‘’ So, the endorsement of Jonathan as the sole presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) is a welcome development and a good omen for the party,
Nigerians and Nigeria,’’ Gumburawa told newsmen in Sokoto. Gumburawa, who represented the Kware/
Wamakko Federal Constituency in Sokoto State on the platform of the PDP, also expressed happiness that the party is waxing stronger at all levels.
The former lawmaker, who is now a chieftain of the PDP in Sokoto State, further expressed optimism that Jonathan was capable of surmounting all the current challenges plaguing Nigeria, including security. “The president inherited the security problem in Nigeria, just like other challenges and he is capable of diligently handling the
situation. “There will be light at the end of the tunnel, although Jonathan needs the support and fervent prayers of all Nigerians,’’ he said. Gumburawa also cautioned politicians in the country against using the religious factors to heat the polity. “Our religious, ethnic and cultural diversities should be an advantage in favour of the sustainable peace, unity and stability of the nation,’’ he appealed.
Group Tasks Govt On HIV/AIDS
Children stand by their ration at the National Emergency Management Agency Internally Displaced Persons transit camp at Girei, Yola in Adamawa
PDP Primaries My Re-Election Is A Challenge
JALINGO -The Network of People Living With HIV/ AIDS in Taraba has called on the state government to step up action against the spread of HIV/AIDS to reduce its current high prevalence rate of 10.5%. Mr Johnson Abraham, the Spokesman of the Network, who made the call at the occasion of 2014 World AIDS Day lamented that the state government had not
- Lawmaker
NSUKKA -(ENUGU STATE) Mr Chinedu Nwamba, representing Nsukka East constituency in Enugu State House of Assembly, says his reelection at the Saturday’s PDP House of Assembly primary is a great challenge to him. Nwamba told the newsmen in Nsukka that his re-election showed that the party and his constituency were satisfied with his performance. “I am overwhelmed by the confidence PDP and people of my constituency reposed on me. “It shows they are satisfied and happy with my performance. I commend the party delegates and officials for conducting peaceful primary election. “My re-election is a great challenge since to whom much is given much is expected from him or her,” he said. Nwamba assured the people that he would continue to give them effective representation by attracting dividends of democracy to the constituency. “As legislator, I will ensure that social amenities lacking in my constituency are included in the state budget. “I will also ensure that I empower more people, especially youths by creating and linking them to employment opportunities,” he said. He appealed to the electorate to vote enmasse for him and the party during the 2015 general elections.
NEMA operation officer for Gombe, Hajiya Zainah Umar addressing displaced women in Wukari during the distribution of relief materials in Ibi LGA recently.
done enough in terms of HIV/ AIDS treatment. He said people living with AIDS in the state had been depending on the treatment supports offered by international donors such as the fhi360 and World Bank, amongst others. “Only about 30,000 people of the estimated 150,000 persons living with HIV/ AIDS (PLWHA) in Taraba are said to be currently on treatment,” he said. Earlier, the Project Manager of Taraba AIDS Control Agency, Dr Garba Danjuma urged the people of the state to close the gap of discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS and show them care and support. He advised pregnant women to always go for HIV/ AIDS testing to prevent mother to child transmission, adding that HIV Counselling and Testing centres have been opened across the state for people to access free HIV services. Garba thanked the state government, donor agencies and other partners for the supports given to the agency so far and called for more to enable the state surmount the high prevalence rate of HIV/ AIDS in the state.
AAU To Host Law Students’ Competition BENIN CITY - The Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma in Edo State, is to host the 10th edition of the Client Counseling Competition among Nigerian law students, according to a statement. The statemen, signed by the AAU Organising Committee Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Akhigbe, was made available to newsmen in Benin. It quoted Akhigbe as saying the three-day programme would
hold between December. 4 and December. 7. Akhigbe said the competition was aimed at promoting knowledge and interest among law students to develop interviewing, planning, analytical and preventive skills in their relationship with clients. He noted that “it was assumed that lawyers have listening and questioning skills needed to conduct effective interview. “Regrettably, not all lawyers
have these skills.’’ The organising committee chairman said “the competition will also provide valuable educational and cultural interchange among students, law teachers and legal practitioners. “The competition simulates a law office scene in which law students acting as lawyers, are presented with a client’s matter. “The students will conduct interview with a person playing
the role of a client and then explain how they will help to resolve the client’s matter. “The students’ performance will then be assessed by a panel of two to three lawyers and other professionals who will act as judges.’’ The chiarman said that the law students would consequently be evaluated according to specific criterions that focus on listening, questioning, planning and
analytical skills. The national competition was affiliated to the Louise M. Brown International Client Consultation Competition. It would provide winners with the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the international competition. More than 11 universities across Nigeria had so far registered to participate in the competition.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
Abuja
FG To Amend Co-Operatives Law
ABUJA - The Department of Cooperatives, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, has proposed amendments to the cooperative law to enable it address current challenges facing cooperative societies in the country. The Director of Department, Dr. Dickson Okolo, revealed this in Abuja, after a meeting between officers of State Department of Cooperatives and Micro Finance officers, mentored by Rural Finance Institution Building (RUFIN), programme. He said if the law was enacted, it would further address problems
of organisation, movement and regulations of cooperative societies in the country. “We have done a revised cooperative policy for the country which is awaiting approval of the Federal Executive Council. “We have done a proposed amendment to the law which is also awaiting clearance by the Federal Executive Council and enactment into law by the National Assembly. “Once that is done, it will address all the challenges currently being faced by
cooperative societies,’’ he said. Okolo said an assessment of the skill-gap of cooperatives inspectors had been carried out and adequate training had been conducted. The director said the curriculum of Federal Cooperative Colleges in the country had been reviewed and modern techniques introduced. According to him, the department has reviewed the cooperative policy of the country which was also awaiting approval by the Federal Executive Council.
That RUFIN is being implemented in 12 states across the six geo-political zones, with two from each zone. The programme enjoys financial assistance from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a UN agency. It is being implemented over a seven-year period and specifically targets marginalised groups such as women, young people and the physicallychallenged persons. The objective of this programme is to strengthen micro-finance institutions and
establish linkages between them and financial institutions. It lays the foundation for the long-term development of a sustainable rural financial system that would eventually operate throughout the country. By reaching out to the needy rural people, the programme ensures that people gain access to financial services and could invest in improving productivity in agriculture and small businesses. Earlier, RUFIN’s Desk Officer for Stakeholder Collaboration, Ms Grace Okelole, said cooperatives development at the
grassroots was very important to RUFIN. She said they had come to discuss top creative development at the grassroots saying that they were called to serve the rural dwellers. She said IFAD was getting feedback that is enough had not been done to improve rural dwellers’ access to finance. She stressed the need for the meeting to address these constraints. She said that officials of IFAD are due to begin the supervision of RUFIN programme on Monday, December. 1.
Insurgency: Gowon Wants Nigerians To
Chairman of the occasion, Mrs. Chika Balogun (left), with the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, at the 9th Public Lecture on Youth and Electoral Violence in Africa: Lesson for Nigeria in Abuja on Monday.
ABUJA - Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, has called on Nigerians to support the Armed Forces in their fight against insurgency in the country. Gowon made the call at the Church of Nigeria’s end of year thanksgiving service held at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Abuja. He said recent happenings in the country indicated that the insurgents were not after Christians alone, stressing that all Nigerians, irrespective of their ethno-religious backgrounds, are potential targets. “It is the responsibility of every Nigerian not only the armed forces to do whatever they need to do in order to restore peace to our country. “Dealing with the problem of insurgency that is disturbing the
Children Should Given Formal, Non ABUJA - The Emir of Jiwa in the FCT, Alhaji Formal Education - Emir Idris Musa, has called on Agora of Zuba who are all parents to encourage their children to go for both formal and non-formal education. Musa made the call at the closing ceremony of the 29th Edition of the FCT Qur’anic Recitation Competition in Abuja. According to him the two will go a long way to make the children good citizens, productive and excellent leaders of tomorrow. Umar, who is the Chairman, Board of Trustee of the FCT Qur ’nic Recitation Foundation Management Committee, also appealed to Muslims to support the foundation as Allah would pay them back abundantly. “Whatever you spend in the cause of Allah, He will double whatever it is he is the one who provides for you,’’ he said. He bemoaned the attitude of some muslims toward their religion by not supporting it the way they should.
He urged parents to send their children to Islamiyya schools to learn more about their religion which would be a guide for them in the present world and would save them the punishment of hell fire in the hereafter. Also speaking, the Onah of Abaji, Alhaji Adamu Yunusa, called for peaceful coexistence among Muslims and other Nigerians adding that without peace there will be no progress. He commended the participants for excelling in the promotion of the reciting of the Holy Qur’an, saying that they should put more effort as there will be both national and international competitions coming ahead. He said 50 participants were drawn from the six area councils of the FCT with Umar Idris of Abuja Municipal Area Council becoming the overall winner in male categories.
Fauziyya Khalid from Gwagwalad Area Council was announced as the overall winner in female category. The two winners went home with one deep freezer, 10 yards of brocade, Ankara and N10, 000 each. Among the dignitaries that graced the occasion were the Gomo of Kuje, Alhaji Haruna Tanko and
first class traditional rulers in the FCT, among others.
Support Military
country requires the cooperation of all Nigerians, whether you are a Christian or a Muslim. “Few days ago, you saw what they did not only to the Christian churches but also the Muslim worship places are being targeted for attacks; “ So we need the prayers of all because only God can ultimately deal with this problem more permanently,’’ he said. Gowon expressed confidence that the military would overcome the insurgents and restore peace to the conflict-ravaged communities. In his remark, former Primate of all Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Rev. Peter Akinola, frowned at Nigeria’s over dependence on its oil and gas resources. He said apart from the consequences of Nigeria’s overreliance on oil money for development, the trend was causing disunity among Nigerians. Akinola noted that a country where oil money was the principal foreign exchange earner
was dangerous for the future and development of the economy. “Nigeria is not yet a nation; we are just a country that is trying to find its way to become a nation. “A country where the tribes are not united, a country where the only uniting factor is oil money is dangerous and should worry any good citizen. “I am afraid the way things are right now doesn’t leave any room for hope and that’s why I have been praying for change,’’ he said. Akinola urged Christians to continue with the spirit of loving God and serving Him with their skills, energy and time, saying the blessings will be immense. “Myself and all those who work with us gave ourselves up for his service. Like I said, we never paid any choir master, organist or architect. “All the buildings you see, we did not pay a penny for their designs, they were all paid by the men of God who are still here today. He said God would never hesitate to make provisions for his own work, so Christians should put Him first in all that they do.
Kano Attack: UN Pledges Support To ABUJA - The UN has While condemning the Nigeria
pledged its “full support” to Nigeria to end terrorism following the attack on Kano Central Mosque last week which left many worshippers dead and several others
injured. This is contained in a statement issued by the UN Secretary-General Ban ki-moon and made available to newsmen in Abuja.
act, Ban said that there was no justification whatsoever
for
the
attacks on civilians. Ki-Moon “reaffirms the full support of the UN to Nigeria’s efforts to fight terrorism and to provide security to the population consistent
with
international law and Nigeria’s human rights obligations.”. He
conveyed
his
“deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and to the people and Government L-R: Registrar, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Sir Mike Jukwe and representative of the Minister of Transport, Mr. Patrick Ekawu, of Nigeria” and wished swift recovery to the at the inauguration of CRFFN Headquarters in Lagos on Monday. injured.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
Business + Economy Okomu Oil Coy Awards Scholarships
Experts Call For Long Term NSE, LSEG Pact LAGOS - Some financial experts have called for a longer pact between the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), for it to have a meaningful impact on the Nigerian capital market They told newsmen in Lagos that the two-year pact was too short, to achieve its desired goals. The President, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), Mr. Boniface Okezie, said that if the pact had been for a longer period, it would have drawn a pool of funds to the capital market. Okezie said that a longer pact would enable commercial banks in both countries to benefit because of the access to large pools of funds for other businesses. According to him, the agreement would have allowed local companies to get funds from foreign banks with specialised expertise. “The initiative would have facilitated the further acquisition of Nigerian businesses by investors, who will put them on a better footing. “But these benefits may not be achieved if the pact is for just two years,” he said. The NSE and LSEG on November 18 signed a capital market agreement to strengthen cooperation and promote mutual development between the two exchanges. The agreement also supports African companies seeking the dual listings of shares in the London and Lagos stock exchanges. NSE’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Oscar Onyema, and LSEG’s Chief of Staff and Head of International Development, Nikhil Rathi, signed the agreement in Lagos. The agreement was propelled by the Seplat Petroleum Development Company, an oil and gas business outfit, which raised $500 million in an Initial Public Offer through this new mechanism in April. The agreement is for an initial period of two years. The Chief Executive Officer, Perfecter Investment Trust, Lagos, Mr. Emmanuel Eze, said that the signing of the pact between the NSE and the London Stock Exchange, would be beneficial in the long run. “Our exchange will benefit from the agreement in the future, considering that the London exchange is very stable and experienced. “The London exchange had existed for decades before ours. This will bring some level of stability to our exchange,” he said. A former director of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Chris Nemedia, however, said that although the collaboration was laudable, it alone would not transform the sector. “Although the pact will enable foreign companies doing business in the country to demand for more local currency, however, it is not the game changer for the sector. “Further stimulation of the nation’s economy by the government through adequate fiscal policy and driving the economy by the private sector will spill over to the NSE with time,” he added.
Officers from the enforcement Unit, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Bauchi Officer, sealing Bauchi investment House corporation office for non payment of tax from 2008-2014 in Bauchi recently.
OKOMU (Edo) - As part of its social corporate responsibility, Okomu Oil Company PLC has Awarded scholarships to 16 students who are indigenes of its host communities in Ovia SouthWest Local Government Area of Edo state. Speaking at a ceremony for the presentation of cheques worth eighty thousand naira (N80,000.00) to each of the students who are in tertiary institutions, the Managing Director (MD) of Okomu Oil Company PLC, Dr. Graham Hefer, congratulated the benfictaries, saying that the gesture is part of the company’s ways of contributing towards the advancement of its host
Customers at Garu Micro-Finance Bank Queueing to cash their money because of the sealing of the bank by FIRS, for non payment of tax in Bauchi recently.
Devaluation Will Reduce Imports -Association
LAGOS - The President of the Shippers’ Association, Lagos State, Mr. Jonathan Nicol, has said that the devaluation of the Naira would increase the cost of importation and consequently reduce imports. Nicol, who made the assertion in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, said that the manufacturing industries would be affected in terms of importation of raw materials. The Naira was devalued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by N13 from N155 to N168 to one dollar in order to strengthen the economy. According to Nicol, there will be a marginal reduction in imports though the nation is working toward becoming less import-dependent. “Although it may not be too bad, we envisage a reduction in imports between three to five per cent because of the
current exchange rate regime. “ Some raw materials and other items are now placed under higher tariffs and this will increase costs. From our own point of view, raw materials should be duty free due to the devaluation of the naira. “Shipping and terminal charges on raw materials should be given some concessions for them to thrive,’’ he told “Shipping and terminal charges on raw materials should be given some concessions for them to thrive,’’ he told newsmen. “Manufacturers are complaining about CBN removing certain items as raw materials. “Raw materials attract five
per cent duty and importers will have to pay more duty on the items removed and that will definitely affect their cash flow.’’ Nicol said that finished goods would be more expensive to purchase because of the high cost of production. According to him, the increase in oil pricing is already a monster that should be tackled and we expect the Federal Government at this time to redesign its economic programmes. The shipper urged the government to ensure that some refineries worked optimally for local production. Nicol said that this would solve the problem of oil pricing, adding that the
question of importation of diesel and petrol would cease. “Cottage refineries should be built within the Delta region and all the youth involved in refining crude oil in their own way should be integrated and trained to manage the cottage refineries,’’ he said. As a way out, he suggested that government should create job opportunities and that job placement should not be on the basis of quota system anymore because it had not helped the nation. He lauded the ban on luxury items, saying that shippers paid 100 per cent duty on the factory price of such items. Nicol said it was not new that government came out to ban luxury items to curtail the excesses of the elites.
communities. Dr. Hefer advised the recipients to be serious in their academic activities and judiciously utilize the scholarship. He also urged them to be good ambassadors of the company. Responding on behalf of other recipients, Miss Pereta, Eferusuoa from Ofunama community and a student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), expressed delight over the scholarship, and thanked the company for deeming it necessary to award them the scholarship. She assured that they would utilze the assistance given them to realize their academic dreams. Others who benefited from the scheme included Ebitimi Amos Agagba, Edmond D. Brasana (both from Ofunama community), Ogbemudia Etinosa, Edith Osaigbovo Ogienebo (both from Madagbayo), Preye Desting Ezekiel, Joy Powei Imafidon (both from Inikorogha community) as well as Osamede Eguavoen and George Osayande Igbinigie (both from Opuama community. Meanwhile, a two-day seminar organized for representatives of host communities by Okomu Oil company Plc has ended at Okomu. Speaking on the essence of the workshop, the Managing Director of the company, Dr. Graham Hefer said the seminar was airmed at ensuring harmonious relationship between the company and its host communities. He emphasized that it was important for the company and the host communities to come together and discuss vital issues that would bring about win-win situation for both parties. Some participants who spoke to newsmen including Prince Benjamin Ogbemudia, from Udo community, and Isaac Osabuyi, Odighi community, said the seminar would better the relationship between the host communities and the company. The workshop was attended by representatives of Udo, Ofuna, Opuama, Madagbayo, Safarogbo, Gbelebu and Inikorogha communities. Others are Gbele-Oba, Odighi, Uhure, Odiguetue and Agbede communities.
THE NIGERIAN
11
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY(02/12/2014) Stocks
Open
Close
Change
Deals
Units
Value
NB
170
170.11
0.11
0
7,648,000
1,300,597,832.00
7UP
155
155
0
0
31,052
4,762,045.02
NEIMETH
0.94
0.94
0
0
150,818
141,689.80
ABCTRANS
0.6
0.6
0
0
37,247
23,093.14
NEM
0.61
0.62
0.01
0
2,174,529
1,351,219.40
ACADEMY
0.99
0.99
0
0
36,014
37,094.42
NESTLE
840.02
798.1
-41.92
0
289,764
232,279,334.40
ACCESS
7.52
7.4
-0.12
0
10,339,526
77,452,440.05
NEWGOLD
2070
2121
51
0
562
1,190,714.00
AFRIPRUD
2.91
2.83
-0.08
0
602,724
1,702,771.15
NPFMCRFBK
0.9
0.87
-0.03
0
206,256
179,664.40
AGLEVENT
1.3
1.3
0
0
95,000
126,223.26
NSE30
1548.73
1525.27
-23.46
0
183,585,335
4,180,232,581.00
AIICO
0.82
0.82
0
0
751,566
627,613.53
NSE50
1693.2
1669.46
-23.74
0
198,358,394
4,235,260,802.00
AIRSERVICE
1.58
1.58
0
0
10,000
16,500.00
NSEASEM
1036.13
1036.13
0
0
100
141
ALUMACO
7.75
7.75
0
0
300
2,211.00
NSEASI
33914.25
33550.73
-363.52
0
218,664,281
4,577,646,783.00
ASHAKACEM
22.65
22.05
-0.6
0
258,771
5,759,318.20
NSEBNK
362.45
353.63
-8.82
0
86,610,336
1,179,944,344.00
885.34
874.99
-10.35
0
20,531,419
1,923,561,044.00
BERGER
8.7
8.7
0
0
30,751
259,805.89
NSECNSMRGDS
BOCGAS
5.48
5.48
0
0
1,000
5,210.00
NSEINDUSTR
1984.83
1971.91
-12.92
0
3,946,349
325,122,415.20
151.86
154.85
2.99
0
7,409,183
8,293,722.49
CADBURY
45.67
45.67
0
0
48,641
2,111,818.11
NSEINS
CAP
36.18
36.18
0
0
64,616
2,352,424.88
NSELOTUSISLM
2120.12
2093.75
-26.37
0
11,457,613
800,141,243.40
404.68
409.78
5.1
0
5,989,714
166,097,962.30
0.5
0
0
5,000
2,500.00
CAVERTON
3.68
3.5
-0.18
0
404,188
1,454,787.00
NSEOILGAS
CCNN
11.95
11.36
-0.59
0
200,405
2,279,078.80
NSLTECH
0.5
CHAMPION
9.93
9.89
-0.04
0
2,522,992
24,942,044.48
OANDO
19.67
19.99
0.32
0
5,450,574
106,818,156.80
CHAMS
0.5
0.5
0
0
1,289,000
644,500.00
OKOMUOIL
29
29
0
0
89,509
2,695,465.56
CILEASING
0.5
0.5
0
0
992,331
496,165.50
OMATEK
0.5
0.5
0
0
20
10
CONOIL
49.23
49.23
0
0
1,147
53,645.19
PHARMDEKO
2.36
2.36
0
0
2,740
6,767.80
CONTINSURE
0.97
0.97
0
0
100,630
97,476.10
PORTPAINT
5.04
5.04
0
0
3,000
14,610.00
CORNERST
0.5
0.5
0
0
100,858
50,429.00
PRESCO
30.2
30.2
0
0
86,900
2,627,451.00
COSTAIN
1.01
0.96
-0.05
0
222,630
216,274.26
PRESTIGE
0.5
0.5
0
0
100
50
COURTVILLE
0.5
0.51
0.01
0
100,000
51,000.00
PZ
28.05
29
0.95
0
2,837,060
81,974,363.04
CUSTODYINS
4.2
4.35
0.15
0
1,634,408
7,092,424.80
REDSTAREX
4
4
0
0
856,518
3,426,072.00
CUTIX
1.5
1.48
-0.02
0
210,232
310,216.00
ROYALEX
0.5
0.5
0
0
7,482
3,741.00
DAARCOMM
0.5
0.5
0
0
30
15
RTBRISCOE
0.89
0.85
-0.04
0
71,449
60,731.65
DANGCEM
175
175
0
0
707,447
121,395,716.10
SEPLAT
395
398
3
0
729,927
290,117,237.60
DANGFLOUR
6.23
5.92
-0.31
0
95,476
565,217.92
SKYEBANK
2.47
2.37
-0.1
0
2,014,248
4,894,724.26
DANGSUGAR
6.63
6.3
-0.33
0
288,950
1,827,633.20
STACO
0.5
0.5
0
0
110,000
55,000.00
DEAPCAP
0.79
0.79
0
0
5,000
3,800.00
STANBIC
30.74
29.21
-1.53
0
576,308
17,165,975.52
0.5
0.5
0
0
64,600
32,300.00
DIAMONDBNK
6
5.7
-0.3
0
1,714,063
9,831,383.82
STDINSURE
DUNLOP
0.5
0.5
0
0
1,000,000
500,000.00
STERLNBANK
2.35
2.35
0
0
5,138,411
12,008,528.51
2.3
2.3
0
0
37
81.03
0.5
0.5
0
0
2,020
1,010.00
EKOCORP
3.72
3.72
0
0
1,277
4,520.58
STUDPRESS
EQUITYASUR
0.5
0.5
0
0
540,000
270,000.00
TANTALIZER
ETERNA
3.29
3.13
-0.16
0
233,570
731,234.60
TOTAL
162
162
0
0
5,801
938,288.50
ETI
17.5
17.56
0.06
0
13,994,609
245,165,657.80
TRANSCORP
3.89
3.73
-0.16
0
17,017,767
63,575,662.52
ETRANZACT
2.21
2.21
0
0
130
301.6
TRANSEXPR
1.29
1.29
0
0
5,600
6,888.00
EVANSMED
1.99
1.99
0
0
30
60
UAC-PROP
10.5
10.5
0
0
97,137
1,010,954.48
FBNH
9.5
9.14
-0.36
0
58,833,601
547,483,573.80
UACN
43
42.7
-0.3
0
347,513
14,889,442.08
FCMB
3.14
3.1
-0.04
0
837,871
2,643,777.92
UBA
4.81
5
0.19
0
19,623,866
97,323,442.60
FIDELITYBK
1.55
1.53
-0.02
0
2,676,018
4,149,982.43
UBCAP
1.71
1.63
-0.08
0
2,075,584
3,395,248.42
FIDSON
3.41
3.35
-0.06
0
315,663
1,060,861.05
UBN
8.33
8.3
-0.03
0
458,285
3,773,109.74
FLOURMILL
47.63
50
2.37
0
2,004,758
96,028,836.07
UNHOMES
0.5
0.5
0
0
1,118,131
559,065.50
FO
220.98
217.9
-3.08
0
237,689
51,391,057.07
UNIC
0.5
0.5
0
0
201,387
100,693.50
FTNCOCOA
0.5
0.5
0
0
25,000
12,500.00
UNILEVER
35.01
35.1
0.09
0
3,900,100
136,609,122.40
GLAXOSMITH
52
52
0
0
28,910
1,428,491.00
UNIONDICON
13.41
13.41
0
0
16,500
224,070.00
GUARANTY
25
24.1
-0.9
0
22,780,942
569,264,672.40
UPDCREIT
10
10
0
0
3,000
30,000.00
GUINNESS
151.01
150
-1.01
0
248,567
37,256,988.17
UPL
4.13
4.13
0
0
35,307
138,756.51
HONYFLOUR
3.3
3.3
0
0
117,730
385,033.75
UTC
0.5
0.5
0
0
2,000
1,000.00
IKEJAHOTEL
3.55
3.72
0.17
0
540,998
2,009,112.56
VETGRIF30
15.5
15.29
-0.21
0
15
229.95
INTBREW
26
26
0
0
87,689
2,221,635.30
VITAFOAM
3.85
3.71
-0.14
0
284,540
1,054,390.08
1.05
1.05
0
0
2,221
2,221.00
JBERGER
60.66
60.66
0
0
750
43,222.50
VONO
JOHNHOLT
0.98
0.98
0
0
2,920
2,744.80
WAPCO
79
78
-1
0
2,471,127
192,751,245.30
0.65
0.68
0.03
0
2,373,300
1,600,806.46
JOSBREW
2.12
2.12
0
0
500
1,010.00
WAPIC
LEARNAFRCA
1.4
1.47
0.07
0
100,020
147,029.40
WEMABANK
0.95
0.95
0
0
1,364,457
1,292,286.54
ZENITHBANK
20.45
19.47
-0.98
0
7,870,368
156,080,402.00
LIVESTOCK
2.55
2.43
-0.12
0
1,469,348
3,670,900.79
LOTUSHAL15
10.6
10.47
-0.13
0
10
104.7
MANSARD
3.41
3.58
0.17
0
1,176,600
4,200,328.00
MAYBAKER
1.7
1.62
-0.08
0
85,635
139,714.30
Stock
Close
Gain
MBENEFIT
0.5
0.5
0
0
17,100
8,550.00
MCNICHOLS
1.48
1.48
0
0
100
141
NEWGOLD NSEOILGAS SEPLAT NSEINS FLOURMILL PZ OANDO UBA MANSARD IKEJAHOTEL
2121 409.78 398 154.85 50 29 19.99 5 3.58 3.72
51 5.1 3 2.99 2.37 0.95 0.32 0.19 0.17 0.17
MOBIL
165.2
165.2
0
0
27,251
4,454,987.30
MRS
56
56
0
0
33,682
1,710,592.80
NAHCO
4.87
4.63
-0.24
0
411,667
1,941,969.78
NASCON
7.87
7.87
0
0
126,100
944,750.00
TOP 10 GAINERS
TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS Stock NSEASI 363.52 NESTLE 41.92 NSELOTUSISLM 26.37 NSE50 23.74 NSE30 23.46 NSEINDUSTR 12.92 NSECNSMRGDS 10.35 NSEBNK FO STANBIC
Close 33550.73 798.1 2093.75 1669.46 1525.27 1971.91 874.99 353.63 217.9 29.21
Loss -8.82 -3.08 -1.53
THE NIGERIAN
12
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 THE basic fundamental of all economies is agriculture and all industrial nations know this. That their economies are on solid rock is basically because they have galvanized their agricultural potentials, which is also the offshoot of their industrial development That is why concerned citizens of Nigeria have continued to warn on the dangers of continued dependence by the nation on crude oil which is today the mainstay and sustaining source of the Nigerian economy. THE traditional focus of the Nigerian economy before the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantity was agriculture and it played a fundamental role in shaping the economy of the nation and regions as Nigeria was then constituted in its immediate post independence era, IN the 1960s, each region of the country was noted for producing some cash crops such as cocoa, groundnut and palm oil as well as rubber in commercial quantities. Basically, the Wet tern region, now the political South West except Lagos which was the Federal Capital was noted for producing cocoa in large commercial quantities for export. The revenue from cocoa helped in shaping the infrastructure and economic environment of then Western Nigeria and its legacies and landmarks were -very very visible, as they affected virtually all aspects of life of the people. IN the Northern region, groundnut was the mainstay of the economy, to the extent that the volume produced in the region was typified by the “groundnut pyramid”. It symbolized the success of the crop as a veritable earner of revenue which impacted economically on the life of the people. IN the eastern region, palm oil was its
THE NIGERIAN
Need To Encourage Small Scale Farmers predominant feature and similarly, it was a success in boosting the economic atmosphere of the country and the region. Interestingly, it is now an irony that Nigeria has been relegated to the background in palm oil production and has been overtaken by Malaysia, a country which took the Nigerian specimen of the plant, palm kernel, and adapted it to its own climatic condition and is today a leading producer of palm oil, which is a major derivative of palm kernel, SIGNIFICANTLY, the Midwest region was noted for its rubber plantation and was quite a huge success as the crop played its role as a major economic transformation agent to shore up principally the economy of the region. WE are concerned that there is slow progress in returning to the traditional focus of reviving these cash crops as major sources of revenue for the Federal Government. HOWEVER, we are aware that not too long ago, the Federal Government launched the Cocoa Rebirth Initiative, as launch pad to regenerate interest in the crop and encourage farmers who have abandoned the plant to come back on the scene to make cocoa play its role in the national economy. THE NIGERIAIN OBSERVER implores the Federal Government to similarly create avenues for other cash crops as well as sensitise farmers to take proactive action
towards their cultivation. WHILE the Federal Government has shown the interest to refocus attention to agriculture, there appears to be so much disinterest in the way it has pursued the goal. THERE is no conscious effort to empower small scale farmers to undertake mechanized farming for greater yields as this is stilt the exclusive preserve of the elite farmers. Thus, farmers who are interested in expansion have no way of coping with the financial demands to undertake mechanized farming. This in itself is a huge challenge for food security in Nigeria. Access to bank loans is uncertain is uncertain with high interest rate, serving as enough scare to discourage the desire for any expansion. WHILE the banks may have played significant roles in the past in assisting farmers, they did so purely on the initiative of the individual farmers and therefore expect in the new arrangement as already envisaged, a friendly lending terms that will encourage investment in the agricultural sector. THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER now calls on the Federal Government to consider an upward review of allocation to the agricultural sector. Amounts always allocated in the budget have been a pointer of the genuineness of government’s commitment to the agricultural sector. WE assert that improving the national agricultural output should be devoid of any prohibition that will limit access to the fund by small scale farmers whose contributions to agricultural development form part of the concerted effort of the production chain that will lift the nation out of the continued dependence.
THE NIGERIAN
13
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
Opinion “Man supposes that he directs his life and governs his actions, when his existence is irretrievably under the control of destiny” GOETHE (1749-1832) THE ruthless apotheosization of money, wealth, success, fame, greatness and power etc has stimulated the cacoethes and passion for multidimensional strategies for achieving them. The deification of money and power has ascended the dangerous crescendo where human spare parts, diabolical rivalry, spiritual poisoning, family feud, voodooistic proclivities and cultic magic have become the major ritualistic paraphernalia and in their wake leaving many people mad, dead, poor, deformed and some as mobile corpses. The voodooistic ritualist and ritualism have continued to maintain a banal presence in the Nigerian Society. Within the context of usage, a ritualist is anybody who performs the rites, mystery, ceremony and liturgy of life, using demonic mediums like sexual defilement of women lunatics, child virgins, human spare parts, incestuous orgies and adulterous escapades. But the concern of this writer in this submission is the rampageous prevalence of sexual assault on women lunatics in Nigeria. The ritualists say making love with or having carnal knowledge of women
“Our world is a neighborhood. We are tied together in the single Garment of destiny, caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. And whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly” (Martin Luther king Jr) THE arrogant segregationists and the Caucasoid depots thrived in their Golgotha savagery because their victims were sandwiched in the tragedy of despondency, non-violent complacency and passivity over their inheritance, legacy and their rights. Hence, the epitome of oratorical dexterity and verbal phosphorescence CICERO posited that, “falsa demonstratio legatum non perimi” (a legacy is not destroyed by an incorrect description) But the people of Okobia in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State have been crying for over 53years to successive Governments for construction of the road leading to their town to no avail. This writer has written over seven articles published in (The Guardian, Vanguard, National Mirror, Tribune, Urhobo Voice, Urhobo Vanguard, Urhobo Times Newspapers etc to draw successive Governments’ attention to the horrendously
Politicians, Voodoo And Power lunatics remains the most potent antidote to most problems. What a shame! We know why most ritualists and their patronizers are never tried in Nigeria. It is because they are the partners in crime with those at the helm of affairs, politicians and the rich. On the 5th November 2014, this writer was driving from Warri Club at about 10:15pm when four men alighted from a Prado Jeep and a Mercedes Benz 230 V-Boot. They pounced on a popular woman lunatic that used to loiter around Enerhen junction and took her into Igbudu Primary School and sexually abused her. I slowed down to observe part of this show of shame. On the 19th of February 2014 this writer was also driving into Warri from Sapele at about 10:30pm when three men accosted a woman lunatic at the Effurun/Warri Roundabout and took her into the Naval open field and made love to her in turns. I drove to Ekpan junction and told the police what was going on, they simply laughed and said, “Mind your business”. I have seen this same scenario being played out in Port Harcourt, Lagos, Jos, Abuja and Benin City. What a shame! Some of our societal and traditional values are so disparagingly skewed against our women that when things
By BOBSON GBINIJE
happen to them they are sheepishly waved away. Why will a so-called normal human descend to the desperately depredatory level of making love to a woman lunatic? It is also an unquestionable truism that beliefs, practices and customs in Nigeria are fundamentally redolent in religious archetypal and paradigms. The prevalence of gender prejudices allows for female genital mutilations (FGM), sexual harassments, rape, inheritance taboos and widow torture against our women. The woman is seen as an infrading and bovine dunderheaded noodle notwithstanding her education and status in society. Hence ritualists have also come to see the woman as the most active ingredient in their pot-pourri of demonic concoction. It is also a basic fact that some women are part of this luciferous syndicate
that are out to completely and eternally debase womanhood by their shameless involvement in women, child and girls trafficking and human rituals. If green leaves should burn, what will dry leaves do? We call on the National Assembly to enact a law that will checkmate the impurity of ritualists in our society. We call on state Commissioners of Women Affairs to immediately fine-tune logistics and orchestrate actions that will forestall the loitering of women lunatics on our streets, because it exposes them to ritualists and sexual harassments. We call on the families of women lunatics to show some remorse by attending to their own by taking them to Lunatic Psychiatric Centers or Mental Homes and we beseech all Nigerians,that we all belong to a common humanity and hence must learn to be our brother’s keepers.
When one lunatic patient is maltreated, it is our responsibility to rise to salvage him or her. We sometimes come across pregnant lunatics undergoing the trauma of childbirth and members of the society walk past and go about their business without any qualms of conscience. Sometimes we also see mad women carrying their own babies on the streets. This, no doubt, exposes the baby and the mother to ritualists and other miscreants. We call on the local Government Authorities, State Governments, NonGovernmental Organizations (NGOs) and other statutory bodies to please rise to save our women lunatics and their children. As the 2015 elections approaches, politicians and their ilk are preparing to acquire power by all means. They are much more prone to getting to their hierarchical echelon by voodooistic acrobatics and diabolical manipulations.
“Finally, our world is drifting towards the taratoid epicenter of horrific promiscuity and awesome materialism, where money, fame and power have become our God.”
Uduaghan’s Weird Legacies sordid state of disrepair of the road to Okobia Town in Okpe Local Government area of Delta State to no avail. As usual, our Okpe Politicians have made Barmecidal- dish, placebo and half- hearted efforts yielding no results. But with a promise that the Okobia Road Project will be included in the 2014 budget. What an Alice in Wonderland promise! During the Ibori administration we published three articles and now in the tenureship of His Excellency the Executive Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan, we have so far published four articles with no response to our plight. The access roads from Okuabude through Okuetolor, Okuegume to Okobia are horrendously hellish and a troglodyte Siberia. The other link roads from Aghalokpe through Arhagba to Okobia are exemplifications of lugubrious furibund and furunclestimulating contraptions. It is clear that the cardinal objective of governments, governance, leaders and shrewd leadership is the pursuit of the greatest good for the largest
Politicians are adviced in their own political and spiritual interest to steer clear of human and blood shedding. The essayist John Webster (1580-1625) said in his book ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ that “Heaven-gates are not so highly arch’d as princes palaces,. They that enter there must go upon their knees”. Finally, our world is drifting towards the taratoid epicenter of horrific promiscuity and awesome materialism, where money, fame and power have become our God. We now pharisaically and hypocritically call the name of the true “GOD ALMIGHTY” in deceit. Hence, William Somerville said “Let all the learned say what they can, it is ready money that makes the man”. But money and power are transient. Let us seek integrity, instead of voodooistic ascension to power, wealth and fame. Politicians must fear God, before, during and after the 2015 elections for Nigeria to move forward.
By BOBSON GBINIJE
number. But this is not the case in Delta State as far as the people of Okobia are concerned. It looks like we shall have to create leaders who embody virtues we can respect, who have altruistic moral and ethical principles we can applaud with an enthusiasm that enables us to rally support for
them based on confidence and trust. We will have to demand high standards and give consistent loyal support to those who merit it. Leadership is leaders acting as well as caring, inspiring and persuading others to act for certain shared goals that
Gov Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State
represent the values- the wants and needs, the aspirations and expectations of themselves and the people they represent. And the genius of leadership lies in the manner in which leaders care about, visualize and act on their own and their followers values and motivations. There are three key points to remember about the anatomy and dialectics of leadership. First, leadership omits the use of coercive power. Leaders, rather, move others by caring, by inspiring and by persuading. Tyranny and dictatorship are not only contradictory to the rights of human nature; they are contradictory to leadership itself. Second, leaders have a propellant intuitivity for action and a sense of urgency that are centered around shared goals. And third, Leaders act with respect for the values of the people they represent which are in concert with their own personal convictions. To the people of Okobia, we remind them of the eternal refrain of Martin Luther Jr. that, “these are revolutionary times: all over the globe, men are revolting against old systems of
exploitation and oppression. The shirtless and barefoot people of the world are rising up as never before. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light…..” we must move past indecision to action … if we do act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark, and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength , without right.” Finally, we believe that our amiable Governor will heed our earnest and passionate plea to construct the road to Okobia. This matter must gravitate out of the realms of politics to the promenades of altruism in governance. Chinua Achebe observed in his book “ THERE WAS A COUNTRY” that “ A man who does not know where the rain began to beat him cannot say where he dried his body” and “the man who gave you an umbrella in the midst of a torrential rain, him you must thank at the end of your journey.” LET UDUAGHAN GIVE OKOBIANS CAUSE TO THANK HIM”. Chief Bobson Gbinije Mandate Against Poverty (M.A.P) WARRI - 08023250378
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Issues
Role Of Government In Maintaining Justice ALTHOUGH we often take this point for granted, a just society requires law and order. Laws express a community’s agreement about the basic rules of conduct for its members’ lives together. In other words, laws express a society’s understanding of justice. Government articulates and implements specific laws to provide order for our public interactions. Government acts on behalf of and seeks good of all citizens of a society, not just a particular family, church, or social group. Government also has a ‘monopoly’ on the use of public force. In other words, government is the only institution in society that authorized use of force to uphold public law. Without such a monopoly, rogue groups or gangs would take it upon themselves to impose their own notion of justice on the larger society. PROTECTION FOR CIVIL SOCIETY: As we know, effective social justice strategies seek to cultivate and restore healthy relationships. These relationship are best nurtured locally, in families, neighbourhoods, and congregations – collectively referred to as civil society. Individuals in these various spheres and communities need the freedom to serve one another and to exercise their proper role in society. This is difficult to do when their personal safety or possessions are in jeopardy. It is also difficult for families and churches to cultivate relationship, and for businesses to supply economic opportunity through work if other entities interfere with their proper roles and responsibilities. Government serves to guard against such interference as various institutions intersect in public life. In addition to protecting the freedom and authority of individuals and institutions, government also protect the freedom of a society as a whole. Its freedom to pursue its way
of life. A just society is one in which members are bonded to each other through sharing common goods, traditions, and a sense of moral purpose. Government safeguard these bonds and ensures that a society’s heritage can be handed down to future generations. Not all needs are best met by government. While government is very good at protecting freedom and physical safety, it lacks the ability to provide the personal care that is necessary for healthy relationships. Government is not well equipped to address “problems of the heart” such as severe depression or destructive additions, the problems that often contribute to poverty and social breakdown. While the state can safeguard the conditions of a just society, it should not seek to respond to need it doesn’t have the capacity to address. Government has an obligation not to overstep the boundaries of its own legitimate responsibilities. That was significant concern when our nation’s founders drafted the US constitution, which was carefully written to limit government role in a way that would allow civil society to thrive. Government is at its best when it protects what civil society cultivates. No one has a monopoly on Responsibility for Social Justice: Listening to public debate, it’s easy to get the impression that government bears the primary, if not sole, responsibility for social justice. Politicians and pundits often imply that a hurting society is the result of a cold-hearted and stingy government failing to uphold its responsibilities. In contrast, Sean Liffon suggests that no single institution has the capacity to meet all the needs of social justice. Instead, responsibility for those requiring help is distributed throughout society, with different institutions called to serve in different ways. This
By LAWRENCE OMORODION/MARY OKPEBE approach matches the multidimensional nature of human need.
assistance programs rely on taxes that take money out of the hands of families, friends,
churches, and business. That leaves the institutions that are best able to care for and equip those in need with fewer resources while putting more resources into the hands of
government, which can’t provide people with the meaningful relationship they, need to flourish. When they crowd out civil society, government assistance programs actually work against the cause of social justice. Without a doubt, we should be very generous in committing resources to fighting poverty and social breakdown. However, the question is what kinds of resources are most effective, is it money? Time? emotional support? And which institutions are best equipped to deploy them given the specific circumstances – family, church, ministry, business, or government? The more government crowds out other institutions, the more we place expectations on it to solve problems. Yet the more expectations we place on government, the more likely it is to grow and crowd out civil society, institutions even more.
President Goodluck Jonathan
Social breakdown is most often due to people failing to carry out their responsibilities to others, parents to their children, spouses to their mates, churches to their members, etc. Government cannot substitute for these foundational relationships. Crowding out civil society: As we’ve seen, government promotes what society cultivates. But when government assumes more responsibility for providing goods and services directly to citizens, it can work against the cause of social justice by crowding out civil society efforts in terms of both responsibility and resources. For example, social security and similar government programmes that provide for the elderly can shape our sense of responsibility for taking care of our own parents and grand parents. Government-funded unemployment benefits can weaken a congregation’s or neighbourhood’s sense of obligation to its members who lose their jobs. Government
“No one has a monopoly on Responsibility for Social Justice: Listening to public debate, it’s easy to get the impression that government bears the primary, if not sole, responsibility for social justice.”
Woes Of APC Decampees In PDP, Sad Lesson To Political Irritants By GODWIN ERHAHON
PEOPLES Democratic Party’s sales of nomination forms to APC decampees who are obviously disqualified from contesting elections has again
exposed PDP leaders as sadist capitalists who exploit even drowning persons? PDP is aware that public officers who purportedly resigned from public offices are not qualified for election until their resignations are accepted by their employers and government properties in their possession duly handed over. Specifically, all those who resigned from the services of Edo State Government during the APC post-congress crises early this year are, under the labour law, deemed to have absconded from service because they neither waited for their employers to accept their resignations nor handed over government properties in their possession properly, thus disqualifying themselves from election under the electoral act. PDP’s sale of nomination forms to such irritants is therefore a ploy to recoup from them, the hot money with which they bought them from APC. Wise politicians are
therefore advised to learn from the woes of the ill-fated decampees who are now trapped politically as they can neither move safely
Now they have just begun their hell here on earth for their blind loyalty to a jinxed pastor whose love for fraud and violence remain a discredit to Christianity. Even the heartless pastor
“PDP is aware that public officers who purportedly resigned from public offices are not qualified for election until their resignations are accepted by their employers and government properties in their possession duly handed over.” forward nor successful backward. Acceptance of appointments to public services carries with it the challenge of leaving the office responsibly and not irrationally as these followers of the ungodly pastor did.
has emaciated to a pitiable level just as his political relevance has thinned into insignificance, thus making him a test case of patient of political kwashiorkor. Comrade Godwin Erhahon State Publicity Secretary APC.
“Even the heartless pastor has emaciated to a pitiable level just as his political relevance has thinned into insignificance, thus making him a test case of patient of political kwashiorkor.”
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
Entertainment
Becoming A Good Artist Manager By BADMUS BELLO SHAIBU
A lot of artiste out there are looking for good managers but can’t afford to pay for the services & most of the time they end up falling in the wrong hands. Most people claim to be managers but are only there to mis-manage the artiste & care for their selfish needs instead of focusing on the artiste career, they party with the artiste everyday & spend promotional money on drinks and many other un-necessary things but then lets look at who a manager/ talent manager is. A manager is the person who handles all business aspects of the act’s career. The manager is the person who consults with the act on decisions and deals with the other members of the team on behalf of the act. The manager is in charge of the day to day running of the business for the act, including promotional strategy, accounting and making key career decisions for the act. The general purpose of the manager is to handle all aspects of an act’s business so the act is free to concentrate solely on performing & making good delivery . This topic centers on both becoming a good manager & also the challenges faced altogether . Many people have the talent, some have more than others do, but being successful in the music industry is based on more than just talent. From the Wikipedia definition it says ” A talent manager, also known as an artist manager or band manager, is an individual or company who guides the professional career of artists in the entertainment industry.” Patience | Communication | Building Relationship | Publicity Be prepared for setbacks and brace yourself for recovery . People will disappoint you, especially those you depended on . Give yourself a good selfassessment by looking at the strengths you have and how you will use those to the best advantage of yourself and your artiste & remember under every circumstance, act and be professional. Always see your artiste as the key to your
success ,believe so much in him/her for things to work out well ,stay humble & honest . Managing an artist’s career requires patience and understanding of that person’s behavior and attitude. The music business is one where egos thrive, with many trying to be “somebody” or trying to assert that they already are somebody . it is necessary to manage around the ego of another “The Artiste”. The biggest problem in Managing an artist is when the manager him/herself is arrogant and egodriven but thank God that’s not a problem in the Nigerian music industry . Managing an artiste requires a good communication skill, that is interacting with people of all personality as you are bound to come across different people with pleasant & some unpleasant behaviors’ In most circumstances. Remember Leadership is an important skill of a Manager at the beginning of an Artist’s career or at the beginning of the Artist-manager relationship. Build and maintain a network of contacts, that means calling on your contacts for assistance when you need it but it also means offering help when they don’t expect it. Building a very good relationship with Promoters & the fans is a key factor to success . The influence of an Artist Manager on the early planning and development of an artist’s career is what helps the artist develop a focus and an organized purpose. It is important for the manager to keep good relationship with Booking Agencies/Promoters and key Media people. If your phone calls are not returned or your emails not acknowledged, it is not personal, it just means you haven’t developed the perception that you offer something that will improve the other person’s business Publicity is another important professional tool in assuring an act’s success. You the manager need be the publicist but it’s advisable you hire a Publicist
or PR (public relations). A PR person is responsible for getting every tidbit of publicity about your act to the media whether it be Online Promotion ,TV,
radio, magazine or newspaper. He will work closely with you the manager to obtain exposure for your act through Publications, interviews, press releases, and personal appearances for promotional considerations. Every time an
“Managing an artiste requires a good communication skill, that is interacting with people of all personality as you are bound to come across different people with pleasant & some unpleasant behaviors’ In most circumstances.”
act’s name is seen or heard it plants a seed in the mind of the reader, listener or viewer. Networking Take charge advantage of the social network & see that your artiste is doing well most especially it’s very wrong of
you can then use write up’s as cover design. Knowing the Hit Song & Brand Visibility Don’t just jump into the conclusion by saying a song is a hit song just because you like
danceable song like Iyanya’s kukere,let take for example Banky W’s “Strong Thing” , Wizkid’s Holla at your Boy , Patoranking’s Giriie O . Now take for instance Sauce Kid (Sinzu )“ You Don dey Madt”
your artiste who’s face is yet unknown to be dropping songs without his ‘her face on the art . Even 2Face uses his face till date for his promotion & also does promo cd’s & promotion except if your artiste is dead Ugly please use photoshop or
it alone. Don’t be selfish but watch & observe the expression of the listeners & ask for the sincere opinion of people you know most especially & those you don’t know also. A wack song can sometimes become a hit song as people make fun of it . A hit single that is on high rotation online, on radio and tv attracts the attention of promoters, meaning the manager no longer makes calls for bookings, they automatically come due to the artist’s popularity and relevance. A hit song must not be a
& then you will agree with me that it was a very unserious song that made a hit. You as a manger should not just drop a song for your upcoming artiste same day you know a star act is dropping his/hers ! Know when to drop the song. If your artiste stage appearance is weak, hire a choreographer to help him/her but not advisable for a start up artiste with little or no financial support . There are so many other required skill which can be self discovered & challenges also such as funding .
“Don’t just jump into the conclusion by saying a song is a hit song just because you like it alone. Don’t be selfish but watch & observe the expression of the listeners & ask for the sincere opinion of people you know most especially & those you don’t know also.”
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
Midweek Magazine READING culture and parental involvement in the development of children in their formative years are the most crucial factors which form the foundation for the child‘s education. Reading plays an integral part in the education of individual, especially young children. It is so important that it cannot be eliminated from the education process. Reading is defined as a basic life skill, it is a cornerstone for a child’s success in school, and indeed throughout life. Without the ability to read properly, opportunities for personal fulfillment and job success will inevitably be lost. Reading creates a good foundation and inspiration for a child’s development and education. It awakens children’s interest in books, which help cultivate a reading culture in them for a push to future academic excellence. Reading provides an opportunity to develop children’s minds and this helps them form enduring habits and character. It is significant that children at their formative age should acquire love for books and reading culture, which will contribute to their subsequent reading success. Reading culture and love of reading are developed in the home of the child. Cultivating reading culture in youngest readers should start right from the birth of a child and the book can be considered as the third parent of a child. A child who reads stands out to be different amidst others and outshines the ones who do not read. About 20 to 30 percent of school age children have difficulties learning to read. At this young age it
can be embarrassing for them, and can result in low motivation and selfesteem. Children who are at risk of reading difficulties are those who were not read to at home. Reading helps children enjoy and find pleasure in reading books which forms into long life recreational reading in later years. The need to inculcate this reading culture early in the life of our children is of great importance. Time investment by parent in reading to their children is a crucial factor in cultivating reading culture in the formative age of their children. Parents must dedicate time and energy if they tend to achieve the best for their children. A lot has been heard over the past couple of years about declining reading culture in Nigeria. Looking critically at Nigeria as a whole, lack of reading culture has been described as one of the major causes of the problems militating against the development of our society. The situation is even getting worse, because our leaders of tomorrow –our childrenare growing up with even less attraction to books and serious reading. They appear to be more interested in television, especially the highlyaddictive cartoon channels. Children should be discouraged from watching television all the time. A young child’s growing mind needs active play and live conversation. Television puts a child into what neurologists call the ‘Passive Alpha State’. A child cannot learn from screen because programs are meant to sell products not to teach. Television and video are now our
Cultivating The Reading C national babysitters. Our popular television culture degrades the imagination, but children who read succeed and books boost the imagination. The role of books in our constantly evolving world, appealed to policydecision makers, publishers, educators and civil society to consider once again the most effective ways of promoting that irreplaceable tool of knowledge: The book. More importantly, the fact that the reading culture in Nigeria is declining drastically and the observation is that Nigerians have poor reading culture, should be a great concern to everyone in our society. Nigerian children of today are in a disadvantaged position compared with their counterparts in other parts of the world. In more advanced countries, children from their first days of life are privileged to have access to the wonderful collections of children’s books, wellstocked children libraries and many other recreational facilities which stimulate them and move forward to a brighter future. It is necessary to recognize and pay attention to our children of today to safeguard their future. The current National Policy on Education (2004) highlights that government shall establish and monitor a minimum standard for early childcare centers in the country. It is expected that existence of library facilities in these preprimary settings is part and parcel of the minimum standard set by the government. A great
number of these early learning settings are far away from realization of this standard. In the Nigerian community, many nursery schools can hardly be found to have library facilities, and this is detrimental to the children in their formative years. The whole organism of the children’s library is aimed at awakening in the child
the desire to understand the world and himself, to broaden his knowledge by turning to books, through reading. Libraries in these schools can be used as a platform for storytelling sessions with group of children. Storytelling according to is a natural and simple way of communication and enjoyment with roots in our universal past. We live in globalized world, we have to capture and put into effect the good things that parents, wealthy
“The whole organism of the children’s library is aimed at awakening in the child the desire to understand the world and himself, to broaden his knowledge by turning to books, through reading.”
By AYOBAMI OGUNGBE/KINGSLEY MBADUGHA
individuals, corporate organizations, governments do for their children in advanced countries. According to the United States Department of Education (2011), the President of the United States of America, Barrack Obama, is committed to providing the support that the
culture tagged “Bring Back the Book” was launched by the Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan (Vanguard, 2010). This was a good push forward of the new ways of promoting reading culture in the country. The decision of the President to embark on this across the nation campaign showed interest
youngest children need to prepare to succeed later in school. He supports a seamless and comprehensive set of services and support for children, from birth through age 5 because the President is committed to helping all children succeed-regardless of where they spend their day, he urges states to impose high standards across all publicly funded early learning settings, develop new programs to improve opportunities and outcomes, engage parents in their child’s early learning and development, and improve the early education workforce. Here in Nigeria, on the 20th of December, 2010 the nationwide campaign on promoting reading
in revamping the book industry and rebuilding the reading culture. Out of concern over the dwindling reading culture in the country, children’s book author and chairman of Leadership Editorial Board, Fatima Akilu, in June 2011, launched a campaign called the 100Book Challenge. This challenge strives towards getting children to read 100 books a year - an average of two books a week. It notes that young readers can sign up for the program at their school or local library. In her words “children will get encouragement at every stage.” The program will help interested schools to keep a log of how many books the whole school is reading. Parents will also help evaluate children’s
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Midweek Magazine
Culture In Nigerian Children reading progress, and authors and celebrities will visit schools for interactive reading sessions. Individuals and schools with the highest readership will be publicly recognized for their effort. With effective implementation, such programs like these, without any doubt, will go a long way in improving the reading standard of our
children and they should be encouraged. It is important to invest in our children’s education, particularly in their formative years, to provide a solid footing for them in time to come. The economic benefits of investing in early child development for society and individuals are very great. Children are the most precious resource. With them our future lies, they are tomorrow’s citizens, leaders and policy makers. By investing in the early years of the child, we shall all be enriched. In the words of Rosemary Wells reading to your little one is just like putting coins in the bank. It will pay you back tenfold. Your daughter will learn and imagine, and become strong in herself. Your son will thrive, and give your love
back forever. To build a strong platform of reading culture for the children, which is the foundation for their future, should we be concerned about the poor reading culture of our children? Yes, we should! This is a worrying situation. One can say that majority of Nigerian children particularly in their formative years, which are very crucial years in the child’s life, are deprived of that opportunity of family bonding that is one of the central factors of cultivating the reading culture. Creating strong family bonding is the primary responsibility of all parents across the world to make children feel that they are loved and needed. As parent we should not be too busy to have time for the development of our children. Parents must read as well. You cannot give to your child what you do not have. In Nigeria, mothers devote more time for child care and same applies to mothers in all other countries. Nigerian fathers should be more involved and be active in their child’s development. Great and positive changes will come to the nation if all parents are involved in the act of inculcating reading culture in their children early enough. It is expected that well educated parents will produce children with good reading culture. The practice of early childhood reading among parent in the university is high (95.2%) and the respondents have a good perception on the need and importance of early childhood reading. On the average parents in this study spend at least one hour reading to their children but mainly during the weekends due to time constraints during the week. Parents who devote time to read to their
children observed more developmental changes than those who do not. However, limited time availability on the part of parents in devoting time for reading to their children is still a major obstacle in molding reading culture.
Lack of parental involvement is another hindrance which affects negatively the development of reading culture of our children. Parent should create time for reading to their children out of their busy
schedule, especially during children’s formative age. Scarcity of children’s books and the absence of children libraries in the country is highly detrimental for cultivating of reading culture. This research is timely and very important for further research development. It is a wake-
up call to all parents to be fully involved in cultivating reading culture in their children in the formative age, because it is the right way to set a brighter future for our children and for Nigeria as a whole. Reading culture without any doubt is crucial and should be integrated in our society.
Rethinking Learning In Nigeria THE concept of life-long learning is one that is not accorded due priority in our society. There is therefore a need for educated minds to come together to enlighten the world on the HOW, WHAT, WHERE and WHEN of learning. The word that comes to mind at the mention of learning is schooling; but is learning synonymous to schooling? Where and when does learning start and stop? These and many more were questions that inspired the November edition of #Read2Riches Twitter hangout tagged R E T H I N K I N G LEARNING. On November 1, 2014, the hangout started with Damilola Fasoranti (@fashdami), the anchor and host of the event, welcoming the guests: Simi Olusola (@simiolusola), Joshua Alade (@iamJoshuaAlade) and Ogbuagu Kenechukwu (@globalkene), who honoured participants with their wealth of knowledge. Simi Olusola, an ardent volunteer with an unrepentant passion for development in Africa in the areas of education, sustainable livelihood, human rights and genderrelated issues; enlightened us on RETHINKING HOW we learn. She described her own e-way of learning and further emphasized that every individual has an optimum way of learning. For efficient assimilation, each individual should not
By FASORANTI DAMILOLA
be made to read in any other way that is not suitable to him or her. Learning does not happen in formal settings alone and people should never be boxed into a specific way of learning. Individuals should embrace whichever method of learning that best suits them, be it reading, listening, observing or pondering. In amazing tweets,
accommodate the needs of each student and support the development of a child wholly. In rethinking what to learn, students must be supported in mastery of both content and skills. In addition, there should be avenues for internships and projects that integrate reallife math, science, design and technology skills. Students need to become media literate and learn to understand how to function
Ibrahim Shekarau, Minister for Education
Joshua Alade, an enthusiastic youth educator and a fellow of the 2014 Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative, discussed RETHINKING WHAT we learn. He explained that learning environments should
in an online collaborative, research-based environment. He further discussed the roles of teachers in what and how students learn. Ogbuagu Kenechukwu, a social entrepreneur and founder of SHINE
Academy, an organisation t hat helps young people discover, nurture and channel their greatness properly to make the world a better place, elaborately discussed RETHINKING WHERE and WHEN we learn. He sensitized the participants on the questions associated to learning and why there is a need to RETHINK LEARNING. WHERE and WHEN does one learn in this time and this century? Where and when do individuals gather the knowledge they require to live the life they desire? Is learning limited to buildings registered as schools? Does learning stop after we begin to work? Do we actually learn everywhere and every time? These were some of the questions he answered and shed light on. It takes a factor for learning to happen and until one recognizes and manage that factor, one will not control learning. Ogbuagu mentioned that curiosity is imperative for most learning. He explained that if one understands and can manage curiosity impulse, one could control one’s learning environment and time. Curiosity allows individuals to rake in and process information anywhere, anytime. It makes one look beyond age, work status and bow to any source of knowledge, just to fill that hole. By controlling this impulse, manipulating it, turning it on and off, students can control their learning.
“Ogbuagu mentioned that curiosity is imperative for most learning. He explained that if one understands and can manage curiosity impulse, one could control one’s learning environment and time.”
THE NIGERIAN
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
Health Reducing The Risk Of Diabetes Via Balanced Diet By JACINTA NWACHUKWU
PEOPLE across the world celebrate the World Diabetic Day on every November 14 to raise awareness on diabetes and its effects on human health with a view to preventing it. With the estimate of the World Health Organisation (WHO) that more than 346 million people worldwide have diabetes, observers say that observing the Day is worthwhile. They opine that stakeholders in health sector, during the observance, should focus on discussions that will ensure stronger intervention to check the disease. Medical experts advise that advocacy at the celebration should include educating the public on the need to take balanced diet apart from regular check on the level of sugar in their blood. Dr Nathaniel Adewole, a gynaecologist with the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, said: “when one gets older the chances of developing diabetes is high as a result of poor life style.’’ He said at that stage, many people would require balance diet and healthy living to prevent diabetes. He advised that people should reduce carbohydrate intake and take a lot of protein and vegetables. Corroborating this viewpoint, dieticians advised the public against eating junk food and
being overweight as such could lead to developing diabetes. “People who eat a greater number of fruits and vegetable as well as people who eat a wide variety of foods from the local diet may have a lower risk of developing diabetes,’’ Dr Adamu Onu in Garki Hospital, Abuja, observed. “The biggest problem with today’s traditional diet is too much salt and too little potassium. Boosting one’s potassium intake and curbing salt can slash one’s chances of stroke arising from diabetes by 21 per cent,’’ he said. Beside this, he advised that people should go for blood sugar tests at least once a year to ensure healthy living as early detection of insulin deficiency could prevent diabetes. Onu expressed concern that the occurrence of diabetes was on the increase, calling for collective efforts of the stakeholders to check the trend. According to him, diabetes is the absolute insulin deficiency in the blood, while insulin is a hormone, produced by the body to regulate blood sugar concentration. He insisted that diabetes could be prevented by cutting down the intake of carbohydrates, especially soft drinks and fast food. Medical experts also observe that diabetes is not limited to
COMMON among women, fibroid has become a threat to black women and is fast becoming one of the major cause of death among women. The disease is known to have some adverse effect on women and if not detected on time can lead to cause of death. Fibroids are non cancerous tumors that grow from the muscle layers of the uterus (womb) they are also known as uterie fibroid, myomas, or fibromyomas. Fibroids are growths of smooth muscles and fibrous tissues, and can vary in size, from the size of a bean to as large as a water melon. At least 20% of all women are affected aged between 3050 are most likely to develop fibroids, while overweight and obese women are at significantly higher risk of developing fibroid, compared to women of normal weight. Types of fibroid There are four types Intramural: These are located in the wall of the uterus, they can develop into pedunculated fibroids (stalks).
Subserosal fibroids: These are located outside the walls of the uterus. They can develop into pedunculated fibroids (stalks), subserosal fibroids can become quite large. Submucosal fibroids: These are located in the musecle beneath the lining of the uterus wall. Cervical fibroids: These are the kind of fibroids located in the womb (cervi), and these particular ones are very deadly because they disturb the womb from conception. What causes fibroids? A fibroid starts as a single muscle cell in the uterus. For reasons that are not known the cell changes into a fibroid tumor cell and starts to grow and multiply. Heredity may be a factor. It is thought that a muscle cell in the uterus may be programmed from birth to develop into a fibroid, sometimes perhaps many years after puberty (the start of menstrual periods). After puberty, the ovaries produce more hormones, especially estrogens. Higher levels of these hormones may help
adult alone, insisting that it has been commonly reported recently among children. Dr Nnamdi Uba, former specialist at St. Mary’s Catholic Hospital, Gwagwalada,
therefore, advised mothers to control their blood sugar level during pregnancy to reduce diabetes in children. He stressed that expectant mothers should always seek medical attention, especially those who are diabetic, adding
that complications could arise if pregnant mothers indulged in self medication. The physician further stressed that when a child is obese, it leads to high blood glucose, which leads to lack of much insulin in the body. According to him, the type of food that children eat can predispose them diabetes related infections. Uba, therefore, recommended six months exclusive breastfeeding and
subsequent six months complimentary breastfeeding and dietary control. He urged mothers to observe cleanliness while feeding their children, noting that it would boost their children’s survival and save them from diseases. For effective fight against diabetes, the Nigeria Diabetes Online Community advises that sufferers should take much of non-starchy vegetables, beans and fruits. According to it, they should also limit concentrated sweets, including high calorie foods such as ice cream and reduce fruit juice (without sugar) to no more than one cup a day. “Eat a healthful type of protein at most meals such as beans, fish and skinless chicken, choose foods with healthy fats such as olive-oil, nuts and limit saturated fats from dairy and other animal products. “Eat slowly and stop when full. Having diabetes does not mean eliminating sugar. If you have diabetes, you can still enjoy a small serving of your favourite desert now and then,’’ it said. By and large, observers urge medical experts and relevant stakeholders to increase awareness campaigns on methods of detecting, preventing and managing diabetes.
“According to it, they should also limit concentrated sweets, including high calorie foods such as ice cream and reduce fruit juice (without sugar) to no more than one cup a day.”
Fibroid: fribroid to grow, although exactly how these might happen is not understood. SYMPTOMS More than half of the women with fibroids do not know until the doctor tells them so. The basic symptoms of fibroid include: *Heavy or long menstrual periods *Pain in the pelvis *Constipation or bloating *Pain during sexual intercourse *Reproductive diffusion. TREATMENT OF FIBROID: The treatment offered for fibroid will depend on whether or not the fibroids are causing any problems, if they are not causing problems, they may need no treatment apart from regular medical checkup. This is called watchful waiting. The doctor examines a woman two or three times a year to see if the fibroids are growing and if the are beginning to cause problems. If the doctor cannot feel the woman’s ovaries
A Killer Of Women By LAWRENCE OMORODION/MARY OKPEBE
during a pelvic exam, ultrasound should be preformed once a year. Surgey is the standard treatment for fibroids that are causing pain, heavy or lengthy menstrual bleeding, or other problems. The two types of surgery mostly performed are hysterectomy and myomectomy. Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus (and usually of the cervic as well). It is the most common treatment for fibroid. Currently, hysterectomy is the only permanent cure for fibroids. However, a woman cannot become pregnant or carry a baby after having hysterectomy. Hysterctomy is often considered when the uterus reaches the size it would be at 12 weeks of pregnancy. In the past, many doctors recommended a hysterectomy because they feared that such large fibroids could hide the
presence of cancer of the uterus. Now however, test such as ultrasound and MRI can be used to see whether a fibroid is growing rapidly (a sign of cancer). Increased use of these tests has reduced the number of hysterectomies performed for fibroids. Myomectomy is the removal of fibroids without removoing the uterus. These operation preserves a woman’s ability to bear children. However, a successful pregnancy is not guranteed, only 4or 5 out of 10 women become pregnant and give birth after a myomectomy. Heavy bleeding can occur when fibroids are removed. A woman is more likely to need a blood transfusion after a myomectomy than after a hysterectomy. She is at higher risk for problems such as infection, blood dots in the legs. Fibroids may grow back
after a myomectomy and another operation may be needed to remove them. These risk of re- growth is related to the number, not the size, of fibroids removed. If not more than three fibroids are removed, the risk of regrowth is about 50-50. How to prevent fibroid Check your family history for fibroid, there has been speculations that genetics may play a role in women who get them. Check your lifestyle, women have to be careful of what they eat and should avoid foods that are high in fat, sugar and caffeine, these can encourage the growth of fibroid. Treatment options: There are several treatment options available for patients with fibroid tumors. It ‘s important to take your symptoms into consideration when talking to your doctor in order to decide which treatment option is best for you.
THE NIGERIAN
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
Natural Medicine
With Dr. MAO 08030717341
Health Facts You Should Know (1)
THERE are so many things you should know about natural medicine which we often ignore. All of them can never be put down in black and white in a life time. So, all I intend to do is to enumerate some of them. To start with, be warned that white sugar is a poison even when you consume a little quantity of it. It is used to sweeten foods and drinks making them simulating to the taste bud. That is why there is the tendency to over consume them, become addicted to white sugar products and consequently more predisposed to be sick. White sugar is hidden in soft drinks, syrups, confectioneries, sweets bread and cakes among other junk foods. Preferably, go for honey, if you are not diabetic, suffering from infections or urinary/reproductive disorders. However, note that honey should not be consumed with reckless abandon. Take it moderately. Don’t assume natural substances don’t have dose, see, even water and oxygen have required does. Excess water begets oedema while too much oxygen could case hyperventilation in your body. Also, you should realize that 95% of honey being sold are either fake, adulterated or substandard. Therefore, watch what you buy from the honey market. Then, of course, choose dark honey if available. It is richer in antioxidants for neutralizing free radicals that damages the body. Additionally, dark honey promotes lymph circulation around the body. Recall that lymph, like blood, is a tissue fluid. It helps to cleanse the body and heal it. Whenever Iymph movement is impaired –that is slow or inactive –a person is in trouble. He is prone to infection and ill-health. Lest I forget, one
fundamental difference between white sugar and pure, natural honey is that while the former kills slowly, honey can save instantenously. A few drops of honey on the tongue of a dying person could help to revive him. This is because honey contains an elixir like hydrocortisone for reviving dying persons. Another health fact you should know is that the less protein and more high complex carbohydrates you eat, the healther you will be as an adult. Every adult does not need much to grow because he is no more growing, He has stopped doing so. However, he still requires some proteins for the repair of his damaged by free radicals, the aging process, bodily injuries as well as the daily grind of metabolism. Unfortunately, most adults consume excess protein. Well, watch it. Proteins on its own interferes with medications for liver problems. That is why when you are suffering from jaundice, you are advised to temporary stay away from oils, fats and proteins. Secondly, protein inhibits the detoxification activity of the liver. Impliedly, during natural fasting when the liver is busy cleaning up the body through detoxification, stop or limit the use of oil, fats and proteins –that is, if the fast is not a total one when there is food/drink abstinence. At this juncture, let’s talk about ginger and garlic. On its part, ginger modifies the action of certain herbs and minimizes their toxicity.
For instance, it speeds up the action of aloe vera within the body while also helping to prevent spastic constipation induced by prolonged oral administration of the herb. Garlic is one of the most powerful broad-based natural products for
viscosity. You become predisposed to death from bleeding internally or externally in circumstances of body injuries. Also, don’t take garlic if you are a haemopiliac. Neither should you use garlic when you are
level that is why it is also administered for managing diabetes –not curing it. So, don’t be deceived when any natural health practitioner tells you that garlic heals diabetes. Still another health fact you must know is that the best way to optimum
and trace elements required for the optimum function of our body. This brings to mind the importance of consuming lots of fresh fruits and vegetables each day. But what do we find? Most of us eat junk foods with our eyes wide open and still
combating infections caused by viruses, bacteria and fungi among others. Much more, garlic is a blood thinner. Therefore, if you have blood-clotting disorders, garlic will be of tremendous benefit to you. Grarlic should however be used with caution. An adult should not use more than ten cloves a day. If you do, you will end up with over-thin, light blood that has lost its normial
already eating raw onions or taking apple cider vinegar except under strict medical supervision. Lastly, garlic is a hypoglycaemic herb. This means that it can reduce blood sugar level. Impliedly, don’t take it when you are hungry or your blood sugar level is already low except you are looking for trouble. It is because garlic can bring down your blood sugar
health is eating well. This involves taking a balanced meal daily. Practically, there must be a proper mix of healthy carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Similarly, we should ensure that at least 80% of the foods we eat are raw. It is only through this nutritional approach that we will be able to supply our body with the vitamins, minerals, enzymes, hormones, antioxidants
expect to be well. Some of us without common sense even naively believe in the efficacious universalism of prayers. We think that with prayers we can supply carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes, hormones and antioxidants to our body. Because of such thoughts, we ignore all rules of consuming the right foods and drink. Well, let world-renowned nutritionist, Dr. Roger Williams, advise us. He says. “If irreversible damage is not yet done by micronutrient deficiencies, supplying your body with the required nutrients can address a sick condition. However when irreversible destruction already exists in the body nothing can done. It is finished.
“Another health fact you should know is that the less protein and more high complex carbohydrates you eat, the healther you will be as an adult.”
THE NIGERIAN
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 With Victor Aniukwu
New Horizon
A Cultural History (3) Higher Consciousness:
SPARKS are beautiful as long as they are in the fire. Similarly, we have to remain in the association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and always engaged in His devotional service, for then we shall always be brilliant and illuminating. As soon we fall from the service of the Lord, our brilliance and illumination will immediately be extinguished, or at least stopped for some time. When we living entities, who are like sparks of the original fire of the Supreme Lord, fall into a material condition, we must take the mantra (chanting of the holy name) from the Supreme Personality of Godhead as it is offered by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabha. By chanting this Hare Krishna mantra, just like a baby calling on the dear mother, we shall be delivered from all the difficulties of this material world. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabha introduced the chanting of the Hare Krishna, Hara Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare as a great means of propaganda for spreading love of God. It is not that it is recommended only for this age. Actually it is recommended for every age. There have always been many devotees who have chanted and reached perfection in all ages. That is the beauty of this Krishna consciousness movement. It is not simply for one age, or for country or for class of people. Hare Krishna can be chanted is not simply for one age, or for one country, or for one class of people. Hare Krishna can be chanted by
any man in any social position, in any country and in any age, for Krishna is the Supreme Lord of all people in all social positions, in all countries and in all ages. There are things which we hear but do not see — the wind may be whistling past our ears, and we can hear it, but there is no possibility of seeing the wind. Since hearing is no less an important experience or valid one than seeing, we can hear Krshna and realize His presence through sound Sri Krsna Himself says. I am not there in my abode or in the heart of the meditating yogi, but where my pure devotees are singing”. We can feel the presence of krsna as we actually make progress. Fire will act regardless of whether handled by an innocent child or someone well aware of its burning power. For example, if a field of straw or dry grass is set afire, either by an elderly man who knows the power of fire or by a child who does not, the grass will be burnt to ashes. one may or may not know the power of chanting the holy names of the Lord, but if one chants it, he will became free from all sinful reactions. The effect of chanting the holy name of the Lord is perceived by the chanter as liberation from the conception of false egoism. False egoism is exhibited by thinking oneself to be the enjoyer of the world and thinking everything in the world to be meant for the enjoyment of one’s self only. The whole materialistic world is moving such false egoism of “I and mine,” but the factual effect of chanting the holy name is to become free from such
misconceptions. By the grace of the Lord, if a devotee, at the time of death, can simply chant His holy names, - Hare Krsna Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare — simply by chanting this maha- mantra, one immediately surpasses the great ocean of the material
sky and enters the spiritual sky. He never has to come back for repetition of birth and death. Simply by chanting the holy name of the Lord, one can surpass the ocean of death at the last breath of death. The transcendental ecstatic attachment for krsna which results from perfectly understanding that krsna’s person and name are identical is called bhava (ecstatic spiritual emotion). One who has attained bhava is certainly not contaminated by material nature and when
bhava is intensified, it is called love of Godhead; Lord Caitanya taught that the holy name of Krsna called the Mahamantra (great chanting) for deliverance enables anyone who chants it to attain the stage of love of Godhead, or intensified bhava. Sometimes krsna descends personally, and sometimes He descends as a
devotee. There are many different categories of incarnations of the Lord. In this present age, Krsna has descended in His holy name. Hare Krsna Hara Krsna, Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare. Lord Caitanya also confirmed that in this age of Kali, Krsna has descended in the form of sound vibration. Therefore it is stated that there is no difference between Krsna and His name. Christos is the Greek
“ I am not there in my abode or in the heart of the meditating yogi, but where my pure devotees are singing”. We can feel the presence of krsna as we actually make progress. Fire will act regardless of whether handled by an innocent child or someone well aware of its burning power.”
version of the word Krsna. When an Indian person calls on Krsna, he often says “Krsta”. Krsta is a Sanakrit world meaning “attraction”, so when we address God as “Christ, Krsta or Krsna” we indicate the same all attractive Supreme Persenality of Godhead. And when Jesus said, “Our Father who art in heaven, sanctified be thy name” that name of God was “Krsta” or “Krsna”. It doesn’t matter — Krsna or Christ — the name is the same. The main point is to follow the injunctions of the verdic scriptures that recommend chanting the
scriptures, you will attain the spiritual platform. We always have the beads just as you have the rosary, few Christians are chanting on the rosary, while majority of the Christians don’t chant nor have any means of chanting the holy name of God daily. The Hare Krsna movement chant on their bead of 108 by sixteen times daily, the Moslems chant on their bead of ninety-nine by five times daily and Christians chant at least three times on their rosary of fiftyfive. We have to chant without any sentiment nor insincerity of heart.4 chant to
holy name of God in this age. I have not come to teach you, but only to request you to please chant the holy name of God every day. The Bible also demands this of you while the Holy Koran also demand this of you also. So let us kindly cooperate and chant the holy name of God and if you have a prejudice against chanting the name of Krsna, then chant Christos, Krsta there is no difference. Sri Caitanya said, God has millions and millions of names according to time place and circumstance, and because there is no difference between God’s name and Himself, each one of these names has the same potency as God. Therefore even if you accept designations like “Hindu” Christian or Mohammadan, if you simply chant the name of God found in your
believe that chanting will wipe away theirs sins. You must not chant with this ugly believe. You chant soberly asking for God mercy upon you while promising at same time within your heart to try to stop all your negative thoughts, words and actions and not to chant to erase your sins so that you can continue to sin because there is a way to cleanse it. The only way to cleanse your sins is to learn to stop them. Remember that the mind is always thinking, “This will make me happy or that will make me happy. Happiness is always there just as sadness is also always there side by side. In this way, the mind is taking us anywhere and everywhere. It is as though, we are riding on a chariot behind an unbridled horse. There and then we Continues on page 24
THE NIGERIAN
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
Place Of Prayer
Rapists In The Church
A rapist is a person who takes pleasure by force, not caring about the pleasure or comfort of his partner. He is a person who exploits other people against their will. He is aggressive in taking what he is looking for, not considering the consequence of his action. A rapist will hurt the person he wants to enjoy both physically and emotionally. He has no compassion or appreciation. When you are self centred in your relationship with God, seeking your own pleasure all the time, without caring about God’s pleasure, then you become a rapist in the Church. Just like a victim of rape becomes apprehensive and suspicious of suitors, losing trust for men, so has God become suspicious of the church because a lot of people in the church have turned into rapists. People come to church just to get from God and not to give Him pleasure in return. Jesus died about 2000 years ago, yet the purpose for his death has not come to full establishment in His Church. He died to destroy the power of sin, yet sin is increasing. He died to conquer poverty, yet a lot of Christians still live in poverty. He cries daily for lost souls. It is not His wish that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Yet, everyday, people are dying in their sin and Christians look on, unconcerned. They are concerned only about their own selfish desires. Christians are in the practice of claiming their blessings by fire, by force. There is so much violence in seeking personal desires, and comes empty harvest truly is great but yet we have neglected soul winning, which is what gives God pleasure. Christians. Comes empty to Church every Sunday,
with no soul, not even one, to present to God; yet expect to go home filled with benefits. The Church is still a baby after over 2000 years; filled with miracle seekers, who are happy only when the tide is smoothly in their favour, unconcerned about lost souls. Our priorities have changed from eternal spiritual gains to selfish physical gains. Amazingly, the thing we ask for are available to believers and unbelievers alike. The birds of the air are fed by God. The flowers of the field are clothed by Him. They don’t have to pray to enjoy special attention from God. God knows our needs and will grant all of them, even without us asking, if we make His pleasure our paramount desire. The Bible says in Matt. 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. The Church is seeking “Jara” at the expense of Kingdom pursuit. You can hardly find believers who still pray for souls to be won into God’s kingdom or for Christians to grow into maturity in Christ. We have so many baby Christians, even those who are supposed to be leaders are still babies. Luke 10:2- Therefore said he unto them, the harvest truly is great but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Load of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. There are three very important issues in God’s agenda in this endtirne; For lost souls to be saved For those that are saved to grow into maturity in Christ For the Church of Christ to be united Christ wants us to pray for people to be more
willing to win souls yet weare not concerned about this, but are desperate for material benefits, which is the attitude of a rapist. When you become a rapist, God moves away from you. He stays only with those that love Him genuinely. Are you a rapist or a lover? In I Samuel 1:11, we seethe prayer of a woman who knows how to be lover And she
because Eli had expired from His agenda. Hannah’s prayer was thus a lover’s prayer, not that of a rapist. A lover? primary motive is the partners satisfaction. If you want God to help you, then you must ensure that your desire is relevant to His agenda. He will not respond to a selfish request. A Iot of Christians have a business approach to serving God. They serve God for what they can get.
Vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head’. Hannah asked for a son that she may give him back to God. This was at a time when God needed a priest that will take over from Eli
They give because they expect to get back. Their worship is selfish. A lover gives to make the receiver blessed. Let your attitude towards serving God change. The Bible says in Psalm 50:5- Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. The Church, the Lord seeks in the last days is a different kind of church; a church that has made a covenant to serve Him by sacrifice; a people that come to Him, not to
“The birds of the air are fed by God. The flowers of the field are clothed by Him. They don’t have to pray to enjoy special attention from God. God knows our needs and will grant all of them, even without us asking, if we make His pleasure our paramount desire. The Bible says in Matt. 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. The Church is seeking “Jara” at the expense of Kingdom pursuit. You can hardly find believers who still pray for souls to be won into God’s kingdom or for Christians to grow into maturity in Christ.”
With Pastor Samuel O. Osaghae SMS Only 08030809339
seek miracles, but to make Him happy. Find out what Christ needs and then make that your concern. Begin to intercede in that area. Do not try to get your blessing by fire, by force; they are already available to you. Do not meet God because of what you need, but because of what you can do for Him. Prove your love for Him by getting actively involved
in mind; little wonder then that all her requests were granted. Elijah called down fire, not to glorify himself, but that the people may know that the Lord is God, I Kings 18:36-38. Prayer must be God centred as seen in the prototype of the Lord’s Prayer in Man. 6. Your request should not be for your pleasure alone, but that the world may know that the Lord is God. Prayer is not begging; what you beg
in feeding His lambs and His sheep, John 21:15-17. In I Kings 3:3-14, we see a beautiful example of what a selfless prayer can attract to a man, God gave King Solomon a blank cheque, yet his request was not for selfish gratification, but to fulfil God’s agenda. The Bible tells us in verse 10 that Solomon’s speech pleased the Lord. For this act of love, God granted to him much more than he requested. Does your prayer please the Lord? Love is not selfish; a lover is not self seeking, see I Cor. 13:5. When your request is in line with your partner’s pleasure, then you are a lover. Queen Esther in Esther 5:8,7:3 and 8:5 made requests of the that sought for his pleasure. She did no task selfishly. She always used the phrase, ‘if it pleases the king’. The three times she made requests of the king, she had his pleasure
for has been provided already. Fall in love with the owner and. you win become the owner. As long as your request is to the pleasure and advantage of God, you can be rest assured that it will be granted. When you are in God’s purpose, He will meet your needs even without you asking and He will g you long life and good health to enjoy His blessing. Your relevance to God’s purpose is what keeps you alive, not your prayer for long life. Get committed to God’s agenda and your long life is guaranteed. Let us become the solution to God’s quest. Let us be reievant to His calendar and agenda. if you have teen a rapist, you have the opportunity right now to become a lover. Stop being self centred, place God first in all you do. Live your life to please Him and then watch and see the transformation that will certainly come upon your life.
THE NIGERIAN
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
International
Texas Shooter Harboured Extremist Views - FBI AUSTIN, USA - A Texas man who shot up downtown Austin buildings and tried to burn the Mexican Consulate before he was gunned down by police harbored extremist right-wing views and appeared to be planning a broader attack against churches and government facilities, law enforcement officials said on Monday. Larry McQuilliams had multiple weapons, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and a map of 34 downtown buildings that likely were potential targets in his predawn rampage the day after Thanksgiving, Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo said. Investigators said McQuilliams left no note describing a specific motive or why he picked his targets. However, inside his van, investigators found a copy of “Vigilantes of Christendom,” a 1990 book associated with the Christian Identity movement known as the
Zimbabwe Ruling Party Opens Key Congress HARARE, Zimbabwe’s ruling party has started a key congress at which President Robert Mugabe is poised to consolidate his grip on power by appointing a new set of loyalists, including his wife Grace. Grace Mugabe is set to take over as the head of the ZANU-PF party’s women’s league at the conference, which began yesterday and will last for several days. Mugabe’s wife has increasingly criticized Vice President Joice Mujuru, whose political influence has waned. Party officials seen as allies of Mujuru have been stripped of their posts. The state-run Sunday Mail newspaper alleged that Mujuru was involved in an assassination plot against the 90-year-old Mugabe. Mujuru, a member of Mugabe’s inner circle since the 1970s independence war, denied the allegations, saying she was prepared to defend herself in court.
Phineas Priesthood. The shadowy sect holds religious beliefs against banking, abortion and a strong central government and espouses anti-Semitic and racist views. The book describes the Phineas Priesthood as Christian guerrillas who avenge Judeo-Christian traitors. Inside the book was a handwritten note that referred to McQuilliams as a “priest in the fight against anti-God people,” Acevedo said. Christopher Combs, FBI special agent in charge of the San Antonio division, which includes Austin, also noted that some people who knew McQuilliams told investigators he’d been upset that he couldn’t find a job and believed immigrants were given more services than he was. City and federal
investigators say they are confident McQuilliams acted alone. McQuilliams, 49, started his attack on the consulate building and a federal courthouse. He was killed by a single shot to the chest from a police officer as he shot at police headquarters, Acevedo said. McQuilliams fired about 200 rounds, but no one else was killed or injured. McQuilliams had rented a van that was parked outside the police station and was loaded with ammunition and propone fuel canisters typically used for camping. McQuilliams tried to use fireworks with the canisters to make crude but ineffective bombs and used some at the Mexican Consulate, causing a fire that was quickly extinguished. Acevedo said witnesses
mostly described McQuilliams as a loner but none saw him as a threat for violence. Written in marker on his chest were the words, “Let me die,” Acevedo said.
CAIRO - Egypt’s public prosecutor said yesterday that he had appealed against a court decision to drop charges against former president Hosni Mubarak, his interior minister and six aides over the killing of protesters in a 2011 uprising. Mubarak, now 86, was sentenced to life in prison in 2012 for conspiring to murder 239 demonstrators during an 18-day revolt that ended his 30-year rule,
but an appeals court ordered a retrial. Last Saturday, the court dropped its case against Mubarak, igniting angry protests in Cairo in which two people were killed. The judge in the case said criminal charges should never have been brought against the former ruler. “A study of the reasons for the ruling (issued on Saturday) revealed legal flaws that tinged
the judgment,” public prosecutor Hesham Barakat said in a statement. Such an appeal is an integral part of the legal process in Egypt and had been expected. The appeals court must now decide whether to accept the appeal and order a retrial or to reject it, thereby upholding the decision to drop the criminal charges against Mubarak.
McQuilliams had served about seven years in federal prison for bank robbery and was released in 2000. As a convicted felon, he could
not legally possess the firearms he used in his attack. Acevedo said investigators are still trying to determine how he got them.
National Police Officers check vehicles and passengers as they look for prisoners who broke out of saint-Marc Prison, Haiti, on Monday.
Public Prosecutor Appeals Mubarak Verdict If Mubarak is retried in the case, it would be for the third and final time under Egyptian law. Many Egyptians who lived through Mubarak’s rule view it as a period of autocracy and crony capitalism. His overthrow led to Egypt’s first free election. But the winner, Mohamed Mursi, was ousted last year by then-army chief Abdel Fattah alSisi following protests against his rule. Sisi, who went on to win a presidential election in May, launched a crackdown on Mursi and his Muslim Brotherhood. Authorities have jailed
Haiti: 34
thousands of Brotherhood supporters and sentenced hundreds to death in mass trials that drew international criticism. By contrast, Mubarak-era figures are steadily being freed and a series of laws curtailing political freedoms have raised fears among activists that the old leadership is regaining influence. Two people were killed and nine were wounded on Saturday when security forces fired tear gas and birdshot to disperse about 1,000 protesters trying to enter Tahrir Square — symbolic heart of the revolt that ousted Mubarak — to protest against the verdict to drop charges against the former leader.
Inmates Flee In Prison Break
A protester holds a placard outside Delhi Police Headquarters in New Delhi, India yesterday during a rally organised after a fire destroyed a church on Monday.
SAINT MARC, Haiti — Nearly three dozen prisoners awaiting trial in a crowded jail in a provincial city north of the Haitian escaped by sawing through steel bars, authorities said Monday. Thirty-four prisoners crawled through the window at the jail in Saint Marc and fled into the darkness, according to officials with the Haitian National Police. Saint Marc Police
Christians Protest As Fire Destroys Church NEW DELHI Hundreds of Christians protested outside police headquarters in India’s capital yesterday suspecting foul play after a fire destroyed a church. While the cause of Monday’s blaze at the St. Sebastian’s Church in a northeast suburb of New Delhi was not known, the Delhi Catholic Archdiocese said that “mischief” was suspected. “The entire interior,
including the Altar, the Holy Bible and Cross were reduced to ashes,” a statement from the archdiocese said, adding that forensic samples retrieved from the church, which was built in 2001, smelled of fuel. There was no immediate comment from police, and several phone calls to officials went unanswered. Delhi’s Archbishop Anil Couto asked India’s government to order an
investigation into the cause of the fire. Hundreds of Christians gathered in front of police headquarters, demanding a swift investigation. Some carried placards that read “Church burning=nation burning.” While India is overwhelmingly Hindu, officially it is a secular nation. Christians account for about 2.5 percent of the country’s 1.2 billion people and largely coexist
peacefully with Hindus. However, the issue of conversions by Christian missionaries has sporadically provoked violence by Hindus. In 1999, an Australian missionary and his two sons, aged 8 and 10, were burned to death in their car in the eastern state of Orissa following a Bible study class. In 2007, violence against Christians flared again in Orissa, with at least 3 people killed.
Commissioner Berson Soljour said four of the men had been recaptured, but the rest remained at large. He said all of those who escaped had been awaiting trial, including one facing a murder charge. All five guards who were on overnight duty at the jail have been detained on suspicion of aiding the escape, Soljour said. Saint Marc is a port city about 60 miles (100 kilometers) north of the capital and is the largest city between Port-au-Prince and CapHaitien. Police were circulating photos of the men throughout the central Artibonite region. Haitian prisons are notoriously overcrowded and rife with problems, with many inmates spending years in pre-trial detention. There were nearly 500 prisoners inside the jail in Saint Marc at the time of the escape. About 330 prisoners, including many both charged and convicted of serious crimes, escaped in August from a prison in Croixdes-Bouquets using weapons apparently smuggled in by guards. Most have not been recaptured.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
THE NIGERIAN
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 With Victor Aniukwu
New Horizon Continued from page 20
have no power over where we are going but can only sit in horror and watch helplessly. As soon as the mind is engaged in Krsna consciousness process — specifically chanting — Hare Krsna Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare — then the wild horses of the mind will gradually come under our control. The earth is property of God, but we, the living entities, especially the socalled civilized human beings, are claiming Gods’ property as our own, under both on individual and collective false conception. If we want peace, we must have to remove this false conception from our mind and from the entire world. This false claim of proprietorship by the human race on earth is partly and wholly the cause of all disturbances of peace on earth. Foolish and so-called civilized men are claiming proprietary rights on the property of God because they have become Godless. (View the case of Israel and Palestine) in their present day tussle over land and boundaries. I, you, We cannot be happy in a Godless society. In the Bagavad Gita, Lord Krsna says that “He is the factual enjoyer of all activities of all living entities, that He is the Supreme Lord of all universes, and that He is the well-wishing friend of all beings.” When the people of the world know this as the formula for peace, it is then and there that peace will prevail. Therefore, if you want peace at all, you will have to change your consciousness into Krsna consciousness, both individually and collectively, by the simple process of chanting the holy name of God. This is sine qua non, standard and recognized process for achieving peace
in the world. Chanting softens the mind. The heart of human beings are very hard. we all chant sincerely, we will loose taste for violence, killings, bloodshed and evil vices will reduce to the bearest minimum all over the world. (view the ease of Boko Haram) in Nigeria and all over the world. Therefore we recommend that every one become God, Krsta, Krsna, Christos consciousness. This is practical, simple and sublime. Four hundred and eighty years ago, this formula was introduce in India by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and now it is available in year country. When we take to this factual process of chanting as above mentioned, we will realize our real position and re establish our lost relationship with Krsna, God. Peace and prosperity will be the immediate worldwide result. Recently an Indian mystic (yogi) came to America to give some private mantra. But if a mantra has any power, why should it be private. If a mantra is powerful, why should it not be publicly declared so that everyone can take advantage of it. So Hare Krsna mantra is for everyone. It is not a private property for hoarding, it is giving out free to everyone without charge — in parks, streets, markets, everywhere. Every living being is a spirit soul and our treatment is for spiritually diseased persons. When a person is afflicted with a disease, there is no distinction between a poor man and a rich man. They are both admitted to the same hospital. The chanting process is for everyone, because it cleanses the heart, regardless of the man’s opulence or poverty. The only way to permanently change the criminal habit is to change the heart of the criminal. As you well know, many thieves are arrested numerous times and put into
... A Cultural History (3) jail. Although they know that if they commit theft they will go to jail, still they are forced to steal, because of their unclean hearts. Therefore cleansing the heart of the criminal is vital as you cannot stop crime simply by more stringent law enforcement. The thief and the murderer already know the law, yet they still commit violent crimes, due to their unclean hearts. So our process is to cleanse the heart then all the troubles of this material world will be solved. Dr. Daniel Goleman,
“Actually everyone knows that a happy life requires good health, proper diet, adequate exercise and sufficient rest are necessary to keep our bodies strong and fit. If we neglect these demands, our bodies become weakened and resistance wanes. Highly susceptible to infection, we eventually become ill. More important, but less known, is the inner self ’s need for spiritual nourishment and attention. If we ignore our spiritual health requirements, we become overwhelmed by negative
everyone. It must, however be uncovered by a genuine spiritual process, India’s timeless Vedas tells us that meditation on the holy name of the Lord is the most powerful. Actually anyone chanting the Holy name of the Lord in course of time feels some transcendental pleasure and very quickly becomes purified of all material contamination.4 preliminary stages of chanting, the practitioner experiences, a clearing of consciousness, peace of mind, and relief from
mind, then his mind is the best friend of friends, but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will be the greatest enemy.” The materialistic mind attempts to enjoy by employing the senses to experience matter and material relationships. It is full of unlimited ideas for sense gratification, and being perpetually restless, it constantly flickers from one sense attraction to another. In doing so, the mind vacillates between hankering for some material gain and lamenting some loss or frustration. In
associate editor of Psychology Today and author of the varieties of meditative experiences, after studying the meditational techniques of members of the Hare Krsna movement said, “I found the Hare Krsna devotees to be well integrated, friendly, and productive human beings. In a culture like ours, in which inner, spiritual development is almost totally neglected in favour of materialistic pursuits, we might have something to learn from their meditational practices.
material tendencies like anxiety, hatred, loneliness, greed, prejudice, boredom, envy and anger. In order to counteract and prevent these subtle infections of the self, we should, as recommended in the Vedic literatures, incorporate into our lives program of self-examination and steady inner growth, based on spiritual strength and clarity of thought. The transcendental potency necessary for developing complete psychological and spiritual fulfillment is already present within
unwanted drives and habits. As one develops more realization by chanting the holy name of the Lord sincerely, he perceives the original, spiritual existence of the self. According to the Bagavad — Gita, this enlightened state is characterized by one’s ability to see the self by the pure mind and to relish and rejoice in the inner self. Initially meditation focuses on contorting the mind, for our normal condition, we are slave to our whimsical thoughts, desires and appetites, the mind may generate. We think of something and immediately we want to do it. But the Bagavad-Gita tells us that the meditator must learn to control the mind that is known to be turbulent. “For one who has conquered the
the Bagavad-Gita, Krsna explains, “One who is not in t r a n s c e n d e n t a l consciousness can have neither a controlled mind nor steady intelligence, without which there will be no possibility for peace. And how any happiness without peace. By chanting the Hare Krsna mantra, we can control the mind, instead letting it control us. In reality, and factually, mantra is a Sanskrit word, man means mind and tra means to deliver. Thus, a mantra is a transcendental sound vibration with much potency to liberate the turbulent, restless mind from material condition, contaminations and all negative pursuits of the mind. The mind is called “chanchala” — always unsteady. Taking you to theleft or right, up and down, nor even confused — (That’s the mind).
“Foolish and so-called civilized men are claiming proprietary rights on the property of God because they have become Godless. (View the case of Israel and Palestine) in their present day tussle over land and boundaries.”
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
Spiritual Platform
Dealing With Land Continued from penultimate week
(vi) Mineral Kingdom. The sixth kingdom is the mineral kingdom which contains minerals such as gold, silver, diamond, iron, tins, columbite, copper, crude oil, etc. They are buried beneath the earth and in the process of refining are contaminated. Empirical evidence during counseling shows that most of the shinning earrings young girls wear come from the water kingdom. How come! You can see what humans face in this world, surrounded by unseen enemies all over the place. From generations stretching many centuries backward, men are unwittingly covenanted with evil spirits in the land, over the ground, waters, trees, animals and fishes. Communities, families and individuals perform rituals, new covenants are entered into and old ones renewed. Let us recapitulate some of the evil practices of some communities, families and individuals Yam festivals (with incantation and libation) Pouring libation to the ground Fresh leaves from ukhimi leaves on the heads of those being given chieftaincy titles Burying live animals Burying human beings alive Burying Bibles Burying placentas with incantations Lands are corrupted by incantations, curses, spells and evil covenants People burying fetish things in the foundations of their houses Sacrifices being put at road junctions (evil altars). Worshipping of water spirit, tree demons, demonic animals, demonic rocks, hills etc. Burials in houses with some such graves being turned into shrines. You have to deal with these land covenants in your life: (i) You should seek to know whether a land covenant exist in your life. There are several ways to know. The community, families would be experiencing backwardness/retrogression loss of its stars (promising young ones) lack of amenities fear of indigenes of their home or place of birth constant and intractable family problems curses/spells on the people land disputes/problems mysterious deaths terrible dreams (ii) Accept that your forefathers have contravened the laws of God by worshipping and covenanting with these evil Spirits. You should renounce and reject these evil spirits from your life and from your communities. At this point know that there liberation prayers of deliverance for the community. A community which sees that there is no progress in its midst and among its citizens can jointly and corporately invite appropriate water spirits, tree demons, demonic rocks, hills etc. with some such graves being ministers of God to come and conduct a liberation exercise in the community. (iii) If you yourself have been involved in these evil practices, pray and ask God to forgive you. (iv) You need violent prayers to break through to the third heaven where God resides. (a) Confess these scriptures
Covenants
With Rt Rev (Dr.) C. I. Umane GSM: 0803579951
Isaiah 49:24 - 26 Galatians 3:13-14 Psalm 68:18 1 Samuel 7:7-11 Zech. 9:11 (a) Prayer Points - all in Jesus’ name. 1. I reject, denounce and cancel every evil covenant in my life in Jesus’ name.
community idol witchcraft spirit remote control powers strongman strongwoman 12. Every evil altar erected against me — catch fire 13. Every aggressive altar erected against me — I render it impotent
2. Land covenants in my place of birth — be broken 3. Any land covenant between me and my place of birth — be cancelled by the blood of Jesus. 4. Every evil spirit enforcing any land covenant in my life — curse you 5. Every hidden covenant in my life — be broken 6. You curse of (select) in my life, family — be broken spirit of infirmity failure and backwardness poverty/profitless hardwork family break up oppression evil report destructive tendencies stubborn problems sexual organs family strife evil dedication witchcraft 7 Inherited bondage — I loose myself from it 8. Collective evil covenant — I free myself from it 9. Collective curse — I release myself from it 10.Foundational strongmen attached to my life — fall down and die 11. Evil authority of ______ (select) over my life break by fire family shrine family idol
14. Every satanic minister ministering against me — fall down and die 15. Every owner of evil load — carry your load 16. Every stubborn altar priest — drink your own blood I withdraw my ______ (select) from every altar name ministry/calling blessings breakthrough glory prosperity anything representing me reproductive organ 18. I release myself from every satanic blood covenant evil blood covenant stronghold of evil covenants every unconscious evil covenant evil covenant linkage family blood covenant 19. I speak destruction into _______ (select) in any place of birth evil trees evil rivers evil seas evil lakes evil streams send the thunder fire of God to the evil inhabitants in these abodes
THE NIGERIAN
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
EVERY WEDNESDAY, WEEK 21, 2014 LUCKY 1.2. X FORECAST 1 INTERNATIONAL NOS. HOT PAIRS 2 37 3
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By SAM EHEBHA GSM:08056626091
SATURDAY RITUALS
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THE NIGERIAN
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
EVERY WEDNESDAY, WEEK 21, 2014 WATSON WEST 1.2.X FORECAST
By SAM EHEBHA GSM:08056626091
Your Star RICHWELL NAP
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THE NIGERIAN
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
FA To Investigate Balotelli’s Controversial Instagram Post
THE Italy international posted an image of Super Mario along with a caption referencing black people and Jewish culture, and has since apologised The Football Association to be racist and antiwill investigate Liverpool Semitic. The Italy international striker Mario Balotelli after he posted on his Instagram posted an image of video a message that was deemed game character Super
Mario accompanied with a caption that referenced black people and Jewish culture before swiftly deleting it. But the FA have been alerted to the message and will investigate as to
whether it breaches their social media rules. Liverpool have admitted they will be speaking to the player regarding the issue, while Balotelli has taken to Twitter to apologise over his actions. “I apologise if I’ve offended anyone. The post
was meant to be anti-racist with humour,” he wrote. “I now understand that out of context [it] may have the opposite effect. “Not all Mexicans have [a] moustache, not all black people jump high and not all Jewish people love money.
“I used a cartoon done by someone else because it has Super Mario and I thought it was funny and not offensive. Again, I’m sorry.” If found guilty of posting racist comments, the former Manchester City forward could face a fine and a ban despite his apology.
Ancelotti Implores LFP To Act On Fan Violence
THE National Professional Football League (LFP) attempted to postpone Deportivo’s fixture with Atletico Madrid on Sunday, following violent clashes between the two sets of fans in the Spanish capital. The result of the violence was one fatality and reports of 11 more people injured. Real Madrid boss Ancelotti who has coached in Serie A, the Premier League and Ligue 1 said the LFP needed to emulate strategies in place elsewhere in Europe, notably England, to cease fans from fighting prior to fixtures.
Mario Balotelli
CAF Finalises AFCON Draw Procedure
THE Confederation of African Football has released details over how the draw for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations will work. The draw will take place on Wednesday evening in Malabo, the capital city of host country Equatorial Guinea. Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Zambia and hosts Equatorial Guinea have been assigned top seeded positions in Pot 1 for the draw. “Following a meeting by the Organising Committee of the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, 1
December 2014 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, the procedure for the draw of the final tournament of the 30th edition scheduled for 17 January to 8 February 2015 was adopted,” CAF announced on its official website. “The 16 qualified teams were divided into four pots based on the CAF rankings established by their performances in the last three editions of the final tournament of the Africa Cup of Nations (2010, 2012, 2013) and the qualifiers of the 2012, 2013 and 2015 editions. The performance of the
concerned teams during the qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup was also taken into account. Pot 1: Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Zambia Pot 2: Burkina Faso, Mali, Tunisia, Algeria Pot 3: Cape Verde, South Africa, Cameroon, Gabon Pot 4: Guinea, Senegal, DR Congo, Congo Pot 1 includes the top seeds and hosts Equatorial Guinea will be accorded the position A1. The first part of the draw will be to designate the groups for the other
THE Bianconeri looked set to drop points at home for the first time in 25 Serie A matches when Stephan Lichtsteiner was dismissed with the game tied at one goal apiece. However, with just eight seconds of injury time remaining, Pirlo found the bottom corner with a stunning strike from distance to send Juve’s
players and fans alike into ecstasy. “This kind of win gives you such a boost and I enjoyed a lovely Monday,” Llorente told Mediaset. “The derby was a difficult match in which we luckily managed to claim all three points. “We played well and even with 10 men we went
for the win because, at Juventus, we always believe in ourselves. “It’s one of the secrets of our success. Compliments also to Torino, who gave us more problems than any other team until now. “Honestly, I was thinking that it would be an impossible game to win but instead Pirlo produced a miracle.
top seeds; Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Zambia. The balls containing the names of the countries will be placed in a pot and indexes B1, C1, D1 in another pot. The second stage will see the drawing of teams from Pot 4 with the first to be drawn designated the position A4, B4 and so on. The operation will be repeated identically for the other pots.
Pirlo One Of The All-Time Greats
Andre Ayew
“I had already experienced this in the past, in Italy,” Ancelotti said. “Today is a very sad day as this is something everybody hopes will never happen. It is key that we all censor violence in sport, violence in football and violence in general. “We all need to work together to try to prevent this
happening again in the future. “I have experienced managing in England and I think they have done a lot there to eliminate this shame from their football. They have done a very good job. “They had terrible experiences with hooligans and by working together and implementing strict rules they solved this problem.
Ayew’s Coach Plays Down Title Talk
THE coach of Marseilles, who has African stars like Andre Ayew, Nicolas Nkoulou and Alaixys Romao in his team, has played down Ligue 1 title discussions. Argentine Marcelo Bielsa’s high-flying side are a point clear of Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the table, ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Lorient. Asked why he did not want to talk about the title, Bielsa said it was simply too early.”No, not superstition,” he told a news conference.
“More because football offers so many examples where this has been done and it ended badly. It’s hard to talk about hunting the title when there is still 23 games to play.” Laurent Blanc’s PSG have been favourites for the title from the outset but they sit second despite being the league’s only unbeaten side. Marseille defender Jeremy Morel said his side’s target was to stay at the top and believes his team are playing better than PSG.
THE NIGERIAN
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
I’M Not Worried By Goal Drought - Suarez
THE Uruguay international has yet to find the net in five Primera Division appearances but he is buoyed by the fact that he is at least contributing assists Barcelona striker Luis Suarez insists that he is unconcerned by his Liga goal drought. The Uruguay international broke his Blaugrana duck in last week’s Champions League win at APOEL but he has yet to score in five Primera Division appearances. Suarez’s profligacy in front of goal has come under increasing scrutiny after his latest blank, against Valencia on Sunday, with the 27-year-old having wasted two gilt-edged opportunities to break the deadlock at Mestalla. However, the former Liverpool star says the pressure to justify his +81 million transfer fee is not getting to him and pointed out that he is at least contributing in other ways, having already racked up four assists in his four Liga outings to date. “I know I came to Barcelona to score goals but I’m not worried,” Suarez told Catalunya Radio. “I feel important to the team beyond the goals. I hope to score goals but Barca have two phenomena [in Lionel Messi and Neymar], so there’s no drama. “What is happening to me is that instead of acting on instinct, as I usually do, I hesitated [against Valencia] and so I missed some good chances. “I will try to regain that instinct.” Suarez, of course, was only able to make his debut on October 25, against Real Madrid, as he was hit with a four-month ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at last summer’s World Cup in Brazil.
Roma Better Than Man City - Benatia
Cristiano Ronaldo
Golden Goal Gotze Gives Ronaldo The Edge Over Messi In Ballon d’Or Race
ARGENTINA attacker missed out on the World Cup after the Bayern Munich man’s extra-time strike - and now looks likely to lose out on FIFA’s individual prize as well The World Cup could cost the forward tailored his training Lionel Messi the Ballon d’Or. and fitness programme in order The Argentine outshone to peak during the game’s Cristiano Ronaldo at Brazil 2014, greatest competition. Playing on but ultimately missed out on the South American soil and at the title as Mario Gotze’s goal sealed age of 26 when the tournament success for Germany. And he’ll kicked off, this was supposed to probably lose out in the battle for be Messi’s moment. Fifa’s foremost individual honour And it almost was. The as well. Argentine attacker was in Messi’s early months of 2014 inspirational form in the group were all about pertinent stages, scoring four goals as preparation for the World Cup. Alejandro Sabella’s side sealed Having won everything and more top spot in Group F ahead of with Barcelona in recent years, Nigeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran. Leo then set up Angel Di Maria for the winner in extratime against Switzerland in the last 16, before playing a part in the sole strike scored by Gonzalo Higuain versus Belgium and dispatching his penalty in the semi-final shootout success over Netherlands. But Messi missed the chance to become eternal in his country’s colours as he dragged a shot wide at the Maracana in the final and was unable to conjure up a victory for the Albiceleste. Instead, Gotze’s goal gave Germany the World
Cup and Leo looked on in sadness. “I told Gotze to go out and show the world he is better than Messi,” coach Joachim Low said afterwards. He may not have shown that, but the strike did deprive Messi of the trophy he had desired most - and it now also looks set to sabotage his hopes of a fifth Ballon d’Or when the Fifa award is handed out in January. “Without Messi, Argentina wouldn’t have got to the final,” Diego Simeone told Goal in his role as Sony ambassador after the competition had finished. And Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu said: “Messi is the best player in the world - even without the World Cup.” That maybe so, but Messi’s 2014 has been disappointing by his high standards. Had he won the tournament, the forward’s career would have been complete. The Argentine attacker has lifted every major trophy at club level and some of those on several occasions. But failure to claim the title at Brazil 2014 and a first year without silverware since 2008 at Barca means Ronaldo is more likely to win the Ballon d’Or this time. The Portuguese endured an
even tougher time in Brazil, struggling with injury and ending the competition with only one goal as Portugal crashed out in the group stages - albeit in a more difficult group than that of Argentina. Judged on his World Cup performance, Ronaldo would not merit the Ballon d’Or, but the Portuguese set a new record for Champions League goals en route to La Decima, also won the Copa del Rey and added the one trophy he had been missing in European football as Madrid claimed the Uefa Super Cup - thanks to his two goals against Sevilla - back in August. “If any other player wins, they should be ashamed given what Cristiano has been doing, beating lots of records, scoring 17 goals in the Champions League last season,” Ronaldo’s Real and Portugal team-mate Pepe said recently. “These things are almost impossible.” Playing the starring role in a World Cup win would still supercede all of that, but Messi couldn’t quite do it and Gotze’s goal means Leo looks set to miss out for the second year running, leaving Ronaldo right on course for a second straight Ballon d’Or.
THE Portuguese star says the mood in the Bernabeu dressing room is great, while Toni Kroos is delighted by how well he is settling in Cristiano Ronaldo says the current Real Madrid team is like his second family and feels the dessing room atmosphere is the best he has seen in recent years. The attacker, who has been revealed as one of the three final candidates for the Fifa Ballon d’Or alongside Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer, has been in remarkable form this season. The Portugal international has scored 26 goals in 20 games in all competitions for a side who are on a club-record winning streak of 16 games. The Madrid talisman says he is happy at the Santiago
Bernabeu, as is everyone connected with the club based on the buoyant mood behind the scenes. “The team is confident and we want to keep going like this. It is the best dressing room that I have been in over recent years,” he said at an Audi event. “Real Madrid is like a second family. We work together every day. I’m very happy and my teammates are feeling great. The coaching staff are also a very important part of that dressing room. “We hear people saying that this is the best Real Madrid side in recent years, but that’s something we will only know if we win
something important. Right now we are in very good shape, because we are on a run of 16 consecutive wins.” Toni Kroos has reiterated the forward’s comments about the happiness in the camp, stating he is content in his new surroundings following his move from Bayern Munich in the summer. “I’m very happy at the club,” the midfielder said. “Right now the most important challenge is the language, because I have a six-year contract and I will do everything I can to adapt and learn it. “On the pitch, I’m delighted and everything is going perfectly.”
Luis Suarez
Valencia Returns To Training Ahead Of West Brom Clash THE Ecuador international striker has been sidelined with injury in recent weeks but could return as the club try to cope with the demands of a hectic Christmas schedule West Ham have been boosted by Enner Valencia’s return to training as they try to cope with the demands of playing two games in three days. Allardyce’s men moved back up to fifth in the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Newcastle United at Upton Park last Saturday, but face a quick turnaround as they travel to take on West Brom on Tuesday.
The 60-year-old conceded that his side are suffering from the effects of tiredness heading into the trip to The Hawthorns, with midfielder Mark Noble a doubt, but he is hopeful that Ecuador international Valencia will be available. “We’ve got a little bit of fatigue still from Saturday’s game,” Allardyce said. “We got one or two knocks and bruises but we they should be fine. The biggest doubt is Mark Noble who had another kick on his calf which he played through against Newcastle.
... Real Madrid Are My Second Family - Ronaldo
FORMER Giallorossi defender says Rudi Garcia’s men will overcome the English titleholders at the Stadio Olimpico if they reproduce their performance in Sunday’s win over Inter Mehdi Benatia expects Roma to join Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the Champions League, claiming that his former club are a better side than qualification rivals Manchester City. The Serie A side currently sit second in Group E but are level on points with both third-placed CSKA Moscow - against whom the Italians have a better headto-head record - and basement boys City. Consequently, Roma need a win over Manuel Pellegrini’s men when the two sides meet at the Stadio Olimpico on December 10 to seal their place in the knockout stage. City appear to have rediscovered their best form over the past week, having followed up their crucial 3-2 win over Bayern with an impressive Premier League away win at Southampton. However, Benatia, who joined Bayern from Roma during the summer transfer window, was hugely impressed with his old side’s 4-2 Serie A win over Inter on Sunday and is confident that Rudi Garcia’s men will progress to the last 16.
The Referee Had A Bad Day - Benitez
THE Napoli boss was satisfied with his side’s performance in the draw with Sampdoria but feels the official, who showed Kalidou Koulibaly a red card, made mistakes Rafael Benitez believes referee Gianluca Rocchi made several mistakes in Napoli’s 1-1 draw with Sampdoria on Monday night. Napoli came from behind to rescue a point against Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side thanks to Duvan Zapata, who cancelled out Eder’s earlier goal with a 90th-minute header, despite his side going down to 10 men five minutes earlier when Kalidou Koulibaly was shown a second yellow card. The visitors had two penalty claims waved away, with David Lopez and Raul Albiol being felled inside the box, and Benitez feels the referee had a bad day at the office. “I think the in the first half we had two or three chances to score. In the second half we controlled the match and actually conceded a goal when we were controlling the game more,” he said after the game.
Rafael Benitez
THE NIGERIAN
30
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
United’s Attack Is Scary With Van Persie - Carrick MICHAEL Carrick believes Manchester United’s trio of Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Radamel Falcao will frighten any defence in the Premier League. Louis van Gaal’s side are on a run of three straight wins, while Rooney and Van Persie both struck in Saturday’s 3-0 victory at home to Hull City. Van Persie was singled out for criticism by Van Gaal for his
Koeman Underlines Wenger Respect
WENGER has been the target of heavy criticism from sections of Arsenal’s support, with a banner unfurled following Saturday’s 1-0 victory at West Brom which urged the Frenchman to step down. Koeman is enjoying an altogether more positive reaction from Southampton fans and, despite Sunday’s chastening 3-0 home loss to Manchester City, his side are third and six points clear of Arsenal. The Dutchman also guided the south-coast club to a 2-1 win in September’s League Cup match at the Emirates Stadium and is looking forward to pitting his wits against Wenger again. “I have a lot of respect for the career of Wenger, because he’s a long time in Arsenal,” he said. “He’s doing a fantastic job, but what I said before, teams like Arsenal, if they don’t fight for the title there are some critics. “It’s always nice to play against him, because he likes to play offensive, good football. That means that you will get space to play by yourself. “And we had a fantastic game in the League Cup that we won. That gives us confidence, but to play and to win against that kind of team you have to be good.” Southampton have not won a league match at Arsenal since 1987.
Lambert Is A Failure - Biscan
THE former midfielder believes Mario Balotelli is not the right fit for the club and admits countryman Dejan Lovren has not matched expectations after his summer move Former Liverpool defender Igor Biscan has labelled Rickie Lambert a “failure” and insists none of Brendan Rodgers’ signings are good enough to fill the void left by Luis Suarez. The Uruguay international’s 31 goals helped Liverpool finish second in the Premier League last season, but the striker was sold to Barcelona in a £70 million deal in July. Rodgers’ men have struggled to find consistency this term and currently sit 11th in the table with just 17 points from 13 games. Lambert and Mario Balotelli were signed in the summer but the pair have just one Premier League goal between them so far this season, while Daniel Sturridge, who scored 21 times last year, has been sidelined since the start of September with thigh and calf injuries.
performance in the 2-1 win over Arsenal, but Carrick insists the Dutchman was not affected. “Robin wasn’t low. Not at all,” said Carrick. “Players get criticised, we all get criticised at certain times and it’s something you have to deal with. The best way to answer it is the way he did it against Hull. “Strikers go through a spell and sometimes they just want a scrappy goal and are off and running again. But Robin scored a great goal and hopefully that will be the start of a good run over the weeks to come. “When you have got him scoring and Wayne scoring and Falcao coming off the bench and nearly scoring we’ll be a threat to anyone. You want those boys when they’re flying and it’s scary to play against. “What Robin and Wayne did against Hull, we’ve seen that happen so often in the past and hopefully we’ll see that in the coming weeks again.
Origi (left) displaces an opponent during a match.
Rodgers Is Wrong, Origi Is Not Liverpool’s Saviour THE young Belgian has been tipped for greatness by the underfire boss but he is nowhere near ready to star for a team as big as Liverpool. When Liverpool lined up for a major club. against Stoke City at Anfield on At only 19, Origi has been Saturday, they had more than 110 handed too much responsibility million euro worth of summer in his current side’s attack. signings sitting on the bench. Charged with replacing Salomon This helps explain why Kalou, scorer of 16 goals last manager Brendan Rodgers is term, the Belgium international under so much pressure right has found the net only three times now. The failure of the likes of (one of which was a penalty) in Dejan Lovren, Alberto Moreno, 12 Ligue 1 outings. Adam Lallana, Emre Can, Lazar Indeed, his scoring rate has Markovic and the currently actually dropped since last term, injured Mario Balotelli to replace Liverpool’s superstar of last season, Luis Suarez, has left Rodgers fighting for his future. Another addition this summer was Lille striker Divock Origi with +12 million reserved for a THE midfielder insists he player who has remained on-loan relishes the pressure of matching in France for the 2014-15 season. Arsenal’s unbeaten campaign but Rodgers has responded to is wary of suffering a similar criticism of his transfer work by upset he faced during his time at promising that Liverpool will Benfica soon have a world-class striker on Nemanja Matic has urged their books in Origi. Chelsea to become the new “For me, he can be one of the ‘Invincibles’ this season. most exciting talents in world After 13 Premier League football. I genuinely believe games, Jose Mourinho’s men sit that,” the Northern Irishman six points clear at the top of the stressed in October. table and have yet to be beaten. “I’ve seen enough of him over After their 0-0 draw at the course of the last couple of Sunderland on Saturday, Chelsea seasons to think this is a kid who, remain on track to emulate the coming into the right unbeaten 2003-04 Arsenal side environment, can genuinely be and Matic insists he is relishing world class. He can light up the pressure of matching the world football, for sure.” achievement. Rodgers is such a big fan of “We are in a determined mood Origi that, despite Lille’s and there is more pressure for us resistance, Liverpool have because we want to go through spoken to both the player and his the season unbeaten. We want to agent-father Mike Okoth about be the new Invincibles,” said the the possibility of severing his 12- midfielder. month loan deal so he can play “I want to win every game if in the Premier League from possible. People can say the January. unbeaten record is putting more Such a move would be a big pressure on us. But I would rather mistake and would only hasten have it this way because winning concerns over Liverpool’s is never boring. transfer policy. The youngster’s “When you win, training feels performances with Lille this term better and so does playing have shown that he is not ready matches. I don’t know if we are
and that’s even allowing for his extra responsibilities from the penalty spot. Granted, there have been glimpses of brilliance – in particular a moment of skill in the Europa League against Everton that went viral in Liverpool – but these have been altogether too fleeting. There is growing scepticism in Lille as to whether Origi will be able to grow into the +12m player Liverpool signed. Rodgers is correct to point out
that the forward, whose father was an international with Kenya as recently a decade ago, has the attributes to become an exciting player, yet these remain very raw. The striker’s blistering pace is well documented, while his height and build would appear to suit a league in which power is king. But in front of goal he is indecisive and at times his decision-making is poor – a flaw that would surely only become more evident in the lightningquick environment of the Premier League.
Chelsea Want To Be New ‘Invincibles’ - Matic better than the Chelsea team who won the title 10 years ago, but we know our qualities and we are a stylish team.” But Matic is wary of what could happen with a defeat, having been part of the Benfica team that lost one game and finished second to Porto in 2013. Benfica were beaten 2-1 at Porto in their penultimate league fixture, and ended up finishing
Diego Costa
second to their rivals. “[At Benfica] we lost the title, the Europa League and the Portuguese Cup in two weeks. These things happen maybe once in a thousand years,” Matic said. “But it shows what can happen and it’s a lesson for Chelsea. It shows you can never be certain of anything in football. If we want to win the Premier League, we must continue playing like this in every game - right until the end.
Costa Absent For EPL Leader The Spain international, who has scored 11 goals in as many Premier League games this term, is suspended after picking up his fifth caution of the campaign against Sunderland Chelsea will be without Diego Costa for Wednesday’s clash against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge. Costa picked up his fifth yellow card of the Premier League campaign in Saturday’s goalless draw at Sunderland and will miss the midweek visit of Spurs, with Loic Remy or Didier Drogba likely to come in. The Spain international has 11 goals in as many Premier League games this term but Tottenham striker Harry Kane is hopeful a resurgent Spurs side can make the most of his absence and record a fourth consecutive win in all competitions. “We’re full of confidence. Obviously we are coming off three wins in a row now in all competitions, so we’ll take that confidence into the game on Wednesday,” he said.
THE NIGERIAN
31
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
Cricket Has Come To Stay - Olokooba THE Chairman, Kwara State Cricket Association (KSCA), Wale Olokooba, said yesterday that the association was working hard toward reviving cricket in the state. Olokooba told reporters in Abuja that already they had started trying to bring the sport to acceptable standard that it had attained in the past. “Cricket has come to stay in Kwara. This is because of the high caliber of players in the state’s team,” he said. Olokooba was speaking against the backdrop of the state’s male team’s qualification to represent the North-Central region at the finals of the National Male Cricket Championship. Reports state that the Ilorinbased team upset a star-studded FCT team with 172 runs in 44 overs in the zonal qualifiers held in Abuja last Sunday. They surprisingly chased FCT’s 171 runs in 50 overs. “The future is bright for us for now because Kwara has been known for cricket for long. We used to play men’s championship finals in Ilorin in the 1990s until the coach then died.
AASF Sports Fiesta Holds Today At Ogbemudia Stadium By NICHOLAS EBOLGBE
THIS year’s Atom Athletic Sports Foundation (AASF) Sports fiesta tagged “Catch them young in Athletics and soccer holds today at 2pm at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. According to the co-ordinator of the body (AASF), Mrs.
Victoria Ilona said the aim is to raise talents in sports at the grassroots. “It is a project we have engaged in the last fifteen years to discover, develop and sustain
young talents in athletics and soccer at both Primary and secondary Schools, male and female. She said that it was her little
2013/2014 Women Premier League
Coach Hails Sunshine | THE Head Coach, Sunshine Queens Queens of Akure, Kayode
2015 AFCON
DRC Begins Early Preps THE national football team of the DR Congo will begin preparations in the first two weeks of December for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The event will be hosted by Equatorial Guinea. Roger Bodembe Bokanyanga, the vice-president of the Congolese Football Federation, announced that the training camp would to be held in Kinshasa and would involve local players. He said that the team would fly into Cameroon on Dec. 29 to acclimatise as Cameroon has similar climate as Equatorial Guinea. DR Congo’s foreign-based players will join the camp later. DR Congo qualified for the tournament as the best thirdplaced team. The 2015 AFCON will take place from Jan. 17 to Feb. 8 in Equatorial Guinea.
EPL Sunderland Unveil Asian Social Media Accounts
ENGLISH Premier League side Sunderland AFC have officially launched their latest social media accounts on Weibo, Asia’s largest social networking channel. English Premier League side Sunderland AFC have officially launched their latest social media accounts on Weibo, Asia’s largest social networking channel. The Sunderland accounts of Sina Weibo and Tencent Weibo will connect the club with Asian sports fans, offering them the latest club news as the Black Cats bid to increase communications with soccer fans in the region. Live score updates, club news and exclusive player interviews are just some of the items that will feature in Mandarin.
way of helping the government and the society to check youth restiveness and unemployment adding that sports all over the world has created not just employment but exciting and breath taking entertainment that tends to unite the people. She explained that the programme has made some achievement thus. “In 2008, a football team
represented Nigeria at the world youth games in Manchester, England and won the competition adding that seventeen them were from Oredo” she also added that recently courtesy their programme’s contributions Oredo won silver medal in the Edo State Football Development Programme Ilona appealed for support in cash and materials from spirited sports philanthropists and corporate organisations to help the body keep its dream (to develop sports) alive.
The Health, Safety and Environment Coordinator of Pan Ocean Oil Corporation Nigeria Limited, Mr. Simplicious Anyahara (right) presenting a trophy to a pupil of Onogborhe Primary School, Ovade Oghara, Delta State during the school’s inter-house sports competition sponsored by Pan Ocean last week.
Olujohungbe, yesterday hailed the performance of the team in the just-concluded 2013/2014 Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL). Olujoungbe in an interview with newsmen in Akure, described the team as one of the best in the country. Reports state that the Akurebased team finished third on the NWPL log with 33 points as runners up in the 2014 Women Federation Cup, losing 0-2 to Rivers Angels in the final in Lagos. “The team has done brilliantly well this season; being third in the league and second in the FA Cup, all praises go to God Almighty for the grace. “Every member of the team has done well and contributed to the success this season. “There is always room for improvement which we intend to do on time and prepare for the 2014/15 season,” he said. Olujohungbe said that he
Pan Ocean Activates Inter-House Sports In Schools By THOMPSON ERHOMONSELE
OVADE-OGHARA - PAN OCEAN Oil Corporation Nigeria Limited, operator of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC) and Pan Ocean Joint Ventures(JV) last week charted a new course in its Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) by sponsoring and activating inter-house sports in two primary schools in its host communities in Delta and Edo states. The schools are Onogborhe annals of its existence. Primary School, OvadeThis gesture of Pan Ocean Oghara, Ethiope West Local threw the authorities, staff and Government Area, Delta state, pupils of both schools into an which relished once again the atmosphere of jubilation excitement of its inter-house thereby making Ovade- Oghara athletic sports competition 10 and Ologbo communities go years after the athletic fiesta agog as the sporting events glided into oblivion and Ohen kicked-off on Wednesday and Primary School, Ologbo, Friday November 26 and 28, Ikpoba-Okha Local 2014 respectively. Government Area, Edo State Both schools’ inter-house which experienced the full sports commenced with march pleasure of intra-mural sports- past of all competing houses day for the first time in the which was followed
immediately by 100,200 and 400 metres race for both girls and boys during which the young athletes competed keenly to the admiration of the overwhelming turn out of spectators. Certificates, trophies and other prizes were given to deserving athletes and houses for emerging first, second and third positions. In his goodwill message to the separate sporting events, the Chairman and Managing Director of Pan Ocean Oil Corporation Nigeria Limited, Dr Festus Fadeyi said the oil and gas operator was pleased to partner in this vital part of the curricula of both schools hence he expected that the competition would lead to healthy rivalry and healthy conditions of the pupils, pointing out that great sportsmen and women started
NPF: Daniel Says He Won’t Go
CROWN FC striker Bode Daniel has revealed he will not play in the second-tier of Nigeria league next season with his team, who have been relegated. Daniel, who scored seven goals last season for Crown,
Down With Crown
said he has not received any offers yet, but needs a change of environment next season. “I am looking up to a better team, at least to change environment,” said the
experienced striker. “I am done with Crown and due to play in another place. I have no offers yet but I am putting everything in God’s hand, he will direct me on my next destination.”
at such early stage before they were nurtured to become global stars that they are today. Dr Fadeyi, whose message was signed by the Benin Operations Base Manager of Pan Ocean, Mr Monday Ikhureigbe and delivered by the Health, Safety and Environment Coordinator, Mr Simplicious Anyahara and Mr Williams Ugiagbe at Onogborhe and Ohen primary schools respectively, explained that Pan Ocean had existing cordial relationship with both host communities which had led to the provision of social amenities for the benefit of the indigenes and sued for its sustenance. The Head Teachers, Mr. Solomon Edafe Amarhavwie of Onogborhe primary school and Mrs. Omorodion M. E. of Ohen primary school, government officials and other dignitaries present at the sporting events commended Pan Ocean for providing the opportunity for the pupils to display their talent. Mrs. Joy Mofe Edema, Mr. Patrick Ketiku, Mrs. Vivian Obahiagbon-Irumudomon and Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwachukwu were among the staff of Pan Ocean Oil Corporation that presented trophies to representatives of the houses that emerged winners at both events.
would hold on to the good players and promised to add more talents to the team. The coach later commended the Ondo State Government’s Football Agency for supporting the team throughout the season.
U-23 Friendly
Rwanda To Test Burundi
THE Rwanda U-23 national football team will face Burundi in a friendly match on December 20. The team was meant to face Tanzania on December 9 during their Independence Day celebrations in Dar es Salaam but the encounter has been called off due to the unavailability of players who will be competing in the Ombudman’s Cup at club level from December 6-7 in Rwanda. Rwanda is keen to play friendly games in preparation for the 2016 Rio Olympic qualifiers next year to test their readiness ahead of the encounter against Somalia in the first round of qualification in March. Rwanda’s head coach Stephen Constantine said he is looking forward to playing more friendly games. Rwanda will face Somalia in the first round of qualification and victory will secure a face off against Uganda and the winner of that tie will then take on Egypt. The victor will qualify for the 2015 CAF U-23 Championships scheduled for December in Democratic Republic of Congo with the top three making the mark for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Brazil.
Issa Hayatou
CMYK THE NIGERIAN
32
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
One Invasion Too Many ON Thursday, November 20, 2014 is one day that will ever remain fresh in the memory of most Nigerians, either positively or negatively, depending on the side of the arena they were watching as the drama unfolded. It was a day when the Nigerian police invaded the National Assembly, locking out “rebellious” lawmakers, using tear gass and pepper-spray on the “recalcitrant” ones. It was a day when “Honourable” members of the House of Representatives threw caution to the dogs, scaled security barricades to access the hallowed chamber. A day full of legislative drama that amounted to near nothing other than claims and counter-claims, accusations and counter-accusations. It was akin to what Shakespeare described as a tale told by an idiot, full of fury but signified nothing. The purpose for which members were recalled from their forced recess was not achieved and the grand plot to impeach Speaker Aminu Tambuwal collapsed like a park of cards! Everything crashed due to the despiration on the part of both parties.Trust Nigerian politicians who believe nothing goes for nothing, so, all the resources put into those barren efforts can better be imagined than described. Who bears the brunt of this Shenanigans? Of course, the ordinary Nigerians. Unfortunately, both sides tried to justify their
action, giving all sorts of excuses to curry public support/sympathy for dancing naked in the public arena. All the excuses were neither here nor there but cocktail of insincerity coated in semantics, probably to convince the gullible and perhaps the uninitiated. The proTambuwal lawmakers argued that they had to pull down/scale the main gate leading to the national assembly to save the job of Tambuwal. According to them, the grand plot by the PDP hawks with the active support of the Presidency to impeach Tambuwal leaked to them a night before. They had to launch a counter attack to frustrate the plan. Hence, the desperate need to break all barriers to be in the hallowed chamber before the rug is pulled from their feet. So, who says a desperate ailment does not need a desperate treatment? It was as if the Senior Special Assistant to the president on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe was waiting patiently at the Villa for the outcome of the Assembly roforofo to react either positively or negatively. Surprisingly, Okupe wanted to play the good boy/deligent attack dog, as he swiftly reacted to the police invasion barely four hours after the unfortunate incident. Unknown to him and his paymasters, Okupe’s swift response merely betrayed the real face/faces behind the mask who was/were beating the drum for the police to dance. On one hand Okupe condemned the police siege to the National Assembly as “ regrettable and unfortunate”. On the other
“However, the reason given by the Force Headquarters for the siege is also untenable and as senseless as the action itself.”
hand, he defended the police action when he said” the IGP is not a houseboy, though he works under government, he is expected to defend law.The Inspector General of Police has the duty to enforce law. He acted in the discharge of his duty. The IGP did not invade the Assembly. It is wrong to assume that”.That is vintage Okupe speaking from both sides of the
result of security reports that some thugs were going to invade the National Assembly on the fateful Thursdays to cause mayhem. So,the police had to take some pro-active measures by carrying out thorough searches on vehicular and human traffick into the assembly premises. But the police should go a step further and tell Nigerians why the Deputy Speaker of the
Suleiman Abba, IG of Police mouth! But do we expect anything less from a man who abandoned the stethoscope and gatecrashed into a purely professional tuff? The Villa however knows better why it choses to hire a medical doctor as an attack dog in a country where we have legion of world acclaimed journalists and public relations experts. However, the reason given by the Force Headquarters for the siege is also untenable and as senseless as the action itself. If you must remove a top government functionary from office you do it with some sense of official decorum in conformity with civilised norms because the world is watching,especially as smaller African countries look up to Nigeria, the giant for direction. According to the Force Headquarters, the police siege was as a
House, Emeka Ihedioha and the PDP lawmakers were granted unfetered access into the premises, why were the Senate President and his Colleagues not fenced out like they did to Speaker Tambuwal and his APC lawmakers? And in the event of thugs invation, could the police have been able to insulate the senate
T
his Wednesday With
Ebomhiana Musa from the attack? So, if the police were sincere in their action and really proactive it could have joylly well recommended the complete shut down of the national assembly based on its intelligence reports. Given the forgoing, it is crystal clear that the police action was against Tambuwal and his APC lawmakers.Again, hear the police spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu:” ......as the Speaker was coming , he came with so many thugs, those that confirmed our intelligence reports that there may be trouble in the National Assembly .They refused to be chcked and screened” How were they able to determine the assertion that the Speaker came with thugs? Did the police bothere to asertain the identity of those who came with the speaker? Even when the speaker identified himself as revealed by the TV cameras the police brazingly ignored him.The police were simply being used as a tool to sack an elected speaker, a presiding officer of one of the chambers that make up the national assembly. Unfortunately, the request of Mr President for an extention of the emergency rule in the three North Eastern States of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe is likeky to drag on as long as the power that be does not want the Reps to reconvene for plenary ditto the passage of the 2015 appropriation. This is simply because constitutionally, in a
bicamera legislature like ours, an arm of the chamber is not enough to pass any bill into law aside some presidential requests that require the concurrence of the two chambers to give it the required force of law. So, in effect, the presidential request for an extention of emergency rule, the 2015 appropriation and of course, any other request that may by contemplated by the presidency are bound to suffer as long as this needless face off lingers. And at the end of the day Nigerians will blame nobody other than Jonathan and the rulling PDP. The reason for this is obvious, Jonathan is on the driver’s seat and the PDP was voted to run the affairs of Nigeria, at least till May 2015. For the APC, is like saying he who is down fears no fall. I am particularly happy that the Presidency has washed its hand clean from the entire mess. The sincerity of that claim is however another kettle of fish. Nobody must be absorbed of that show of shame. The actions of all the parties involved is unjustifiable and must be condemned. The political class has not learnt anything from the fall of the past three Republics. They should know that the hawks are still lurking around waiting patiently for opportunity to strike.. I believe the political should cherish our hard learned democracy and handle it with care.
TOMORROW ON THIS PAGE
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On November 17, seven members of the Ekiti House of Assembly, backed by the Nigeria police, “impeached” the Speaker of the 26-member House, Adewale Omirin, and installed a kangaroo speaker, one Olugbemi. Thus, Ekiti has now joined the league of States that run parallel legislatures – the PDP House and the APC House – and where, indeed, the majority could have its say but the minority must have its way, no thanks to the PDP administration. - Hon. Josef Omorotionmwan
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