Nigerian observer 04 03 2014

The Nigerian

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol . 38 • N O .432 • TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014 • N100.00 PERSPECTIVE Pages 16 - 17

CBN and the suspension of Sanusi Lamido

EIRS suspends Sawn Wood/Produce collections produce collection fees till further notice.

This directive was made known by the Executive Chairman, Edo State Internal Revenue Service, Chief

Oseni Elamah following a peaceful protest to the Corporate Headquarters of Edo State Internal Revenue Service by dealers of sawn planks/ wood in the state.

The spokesperson of the protesting group, Prince Osahon Idehen, complained to the revenue boss that dealers of sawn wood Continues on page 2

BENIN CITY - The Head of Service, Edo State Mr. Igbakemhen Jerry Obazele has made a passionate appeal to the organized labour in Edo State to maintain the status quo.

The Head of Service, Oshiomhole has who led the demonstrated enough Commissioner for courage and commitment Establishment and to improve the welfare of Special Duties, Comrade the civil servants in the Didi Adodo to meet with state.

Nigeria Labour Congress The Head of Service (NLC), Trade Union having enumerated the Congress (TUC), Joint demand of labour stated Negotiating Council that the Governor has (JNC) and other Union virtually met all the leaders persuaded the demands. organized labour to He stated that many rescind its earlier officers have been called decision to go on strike. for promotion interview Mr. Obazele pointed and commended the Civil out that the Comrade Service Commission for Governor, Adams Aliyu their prompt response to

clear the promotion arrears.

In addition, the Head of Service said he has approved promotion for officers in parastatals and promised that all who are due for promotion will be promoted.

On the rumors making the rounds that the government will

implement the sack of civil servants, following the ICTA report, Mr. Obazele stated categorically that the said report was smuggled out. He maintained that the release of the document was not authorized by the state government and called on the labour

BENIN CITY - The Edo State Internal Revenue Service has suspended all forms of collection on the roads in the state which includes Log control fees and

Edo govt meets Labour

INTERNATIONAL FEATURES Page 24

What has gone wrong in Syria?

and civil servants respectively to disregard it.

The Head of Service urged the Organized Labour to send their

representatives to the committee set-up to work out the implementation modality on the contributory Pension Scheme.

He commended the

organized labour for maturity demonstrated by attending the meeting and further appealled to them to maintain industrial harmony reminding them that the Governor is one of them.

On his part, the Commissioner for Establishment and Special Duties, Comrade Didi

Continues on page 2

... As NLC puts off planned strike

BENIN CITY - The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Edo Council, said in Benin City that it had shelved its industrial action scheduled for yesterday.

The NLC said in a communiqué that the decision to shelve the strike was reached at its enlarged State Executive Council meeting held yesterday afternoon.

The planned strike was to protest the nonimplementation of salary relativity, non-

payment of arrears of 10.5 percent Teachers Salary Allowance and non-release of o u t s t a n d i n g promotions.

Workers in the State employ had in December 2013 embarked on a strike which was suspended after three days following the intervention of the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa.

The congress said the government had made an offer on its

TIT BIT “Never allow your revenge to portray you as a more evil person; otherwise, none would remember how badly you were initially hurt.”.

- Kingsley-Ogbeide-Ihama

request for 53.37 per cent salary relativity.

“Collective bargaining is ongoing and at the end, the outcome will be beneficial to all workers.’’

The NLC also called on the State Government to implement without further delay payment of weigh-in allowance for its media workers.

It expressed support for the rejection of assessment test by teachers in the State as proposed by the state government.

COURTESY VISIT: Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu, Deputy Governor of Edo State welcoming Comrade Igbinevbo Clive Oziegbe, National President, National Association of Edo State Students during courtesy visit to Government House. Photo: MOSES OBOH.

Mark canvasses stringent measures against kidnappers

By JOSES SEDE ABAGANA - President of the Senate Senator David Mark has renewed his call for draconian measures against kidnappers submitting that the perpetrators do not deserve to live among normal human

beings.

Senator Mark in apparent call for the

application of Hammurabi’s ancient Mesopotamian law of ‘an

eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth’ said “if that is the only way to stop

kidnapping, we can as well apply it here.”

Continues on page 2

By CLIFFORD AGBAJOR BENIN CITY- Edo State Deputy Governor,

Rt. Hon. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu has charged students to shun cultism as well as

being used by politicians.

He gave the charge when the newly Elected Executive Members of National Association of

Edo State Students (NAESS) paid him a courtesy visit in Benin Continues on page 2

Shun cultism,

Dep Gov tells students

News

EIRS suspends Sawn Wood/Produce Continued from page 1 collections

and planks have been faced with double taxation and ticketing at their planks shops and on the high ways. Prince Osahon claimed that most of their vehicles used for loading are also excessively levied. A situation which has brought

untold hardship.

In his response, Chief Oseni Elamah commended the protesters for organizing themselves in a civilized and orderly manner, saying government would sanitize the

payment and collection system in Edo State.

“This administration is ever committed and determined to creating a tax friendly environment and to better the welfare of its citizens in the State. That was why, at the

Mark canvasses stringent measures against Continued from page 1 a life of service to the kidnappers

Speaking at the funeral mass at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Abagana in Anambra State for late Chief James Emeka Iloenyosi who died in the hands of kidnappers , Senator Mark added, “ the unabating cases of kidnapping is a big shame. If stringent measure is not adopted, the perpetrators would not stop. “ it is a big challenge to all of us. Government is there to take responsibilities, but the community cannot absolve herself of basic responsibilities.

These kidnappers live among us. It is therefore incumbent on community leaders to fish them out . Today, it is Chief Iloenyosi , who knows the next victim tomorrow .

“If a traditional ruler like Chief Iloenyosi is kidnapped and died in the hands of his abductors, then who is safe in this community. That is why everybody must vow to say enough is enough and no more to kidnapping in Anambra State.”

Anambra, Edo and Delta state governments have already sanctioned the law prescribing death penalty for

Transport fares soars as fuel scarcity worsens in Ekpoma

By OSE EHEBHA EKPOMA - The on-going fuel scarcity, worsened in Ekpoma and its environs as most filling stations ran out of the product.

The development caused transport fares to skyrocket, leaving passengers groaning.

Operators of black market however took advantage of the situation to make brisk business.

While a litre of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) sold for N130 at the few filling stations that have the product, same quantity went for N200 at the black market.

Despite the outrageous price, fuel attendants had hectic times controlling long queues of vehicles and motorcycles that beseeched the stations.

A commercial motorcyclist, Ehis Arebo while commenting on the scarcity said it has precipitated untold hardship, calling on the government to do the needful to restore normalcy.

He lamented that he hitherto filled his motorcycle fuel tank with maximum of N800, but now cost him up to N1300.

Also speaking, a university lecturer, Mr. Solomon Ibhasebhor, who described the scarcity as biting, however expressed his beliefe that relevant government agencies would soon bring the situation under control.

kidnappers including destruction of their homes forthwith.

In his remarks, the Governor of Anambra state Mr. Peter Obi promised that government will not rest until the last kidnapper is flushed out of the State. To achieve this, he pleaded with the people especially community leaders to support and cooperate with government.

Responding on behalf of the family, daughter of the deceased Mrs. Ogugua Agagbo told the bewildered congregation that the family was planning for the Chief’s 80th birthday which turned out to be the burial on account of his death in the hands of kidnappers.

Mrs. . Agagbo said the family has been traumatized but has equally taken the incident in good faith saying “ we are consoled that our father lived

community which everybody attested to. “ Earlier in his homily, Rev. Fr. Michael Anozie preached a message of forgiveness even as he implored perpetrators of all sorts of crime to turn a new leaf in order to avoid the consequences of their misdemeanor .

Also yesterday, a worried Senator Mark asked all Nigerians to be combat ready against terrorists ravaging the North Eastern States of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

Reacting to the latest attacks on Michika in Adamawa State and Maiduguri , Borno State at the weekend, the Senate President noted that the dimension of the renewed attacks have gone beyond human comprehension but “with cooperation and support of the citizenry, we can savage the situation .”

Lagos Deputy Speaker tells own life story mathematics”.

By SURAJU RAJI

LAGOS -The Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly. Hon. Musibau Kolawole Taiwo has given an insight into his academic background, saying he did poorly in English Language during his secondary school days.

Hon. Taiwo in a chat with the Assembly correspondents in Lagos noted that, not withstanding he performed excellently in mathematics.

According to him, “I was not good in English at secondary school, but was the best in

He disclosed that the excellent grade he made in mathematics qualified him for admission to study statistics at the university and later proceeded to the University of Ibadan for his masters degree programme.

The deputy speaker disclosed that he could not take up his admission to study for a Doctorate degree programme due to lack of finance.

He attributed his membership of the Lagos State House of Assembly to the handwork of his constituent members who had faith in him and subsequently elected him.

Edo govt meets Labour

Continued from page 1 representatives to their Adodo assured them union members and that the issues raised thereafter get back to concerning the weigh-in government.

The Permanent allowance for Journalists Secretaries for Directorate in the State Media, Institute of Continuing of Administration and of Education and other Directorate Tertiary Institutions in the Establishments, Training and Management Services state will be addressed.

Responding, Mr. Emma attended the meeting.

Ademokun, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress and his Joint Negotiating Council counterpart Chairman, Mr. Otoide Shaka while thanking the Governor for approving 10 (Ten) percent for Medical workers appealed to the Governor to consider the core civil servant.

They promised to relay Mr. Igbaekemen Jerry the discussion at the Obazele, Head of meeting with government Service, Edo State

inception of Adams Oshiomhole’s administration in 2008, the Comrade Governor abolished ticketing and all forms of illegal collections.” He stated Chief Elamah used the opportunity to enlighten the protesters by informing them that taxes are not collected and paid on our roads but through government IGR banks or the use of Point of Sales (PoS) machines in line with the state governments’ cashless policy.

He further advised them to present themselves for the ongoing free Joint Tax Board (JTB) Taxpayers Identification Number (TIN) registration.

“The Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) shows your tax status, it integrates your taxes into one single accessible number anywhere in the country which also prevents double taxation”.

The revenue boss added that all forms of revenue and fees collected from the sawn wood dealers should stop till further notice and threatened to arrest and prosecute all those involved in illegal revenue collections.

A meeting with dealers in sawn woods and planks with the management of EIRS to streamline the levies to be collected is scheduled for Friday, 7th March, 2014.

Shun cultism

Continued from page 1 City yesterday.

Dr. Odubu advised students to form study groups and face their studies as education has no substitute.

He pointed out that to become future leaders, they must work hard in order to be competent and to be at the helm of affairs, adding that the Oshiomhole –led administration will continue to do its best for youths in the state to enable them achieve greater heights.

The deputy governor urged the visiting students to set positive goals for themselves, and be determined to realize such goals.

The national president of NAESS, comrade clive Igbinevbo lauded the developmental strides of the Oshiomhole –led administration in the state.

Comrade Igbinevbo appreciated the leadership qualities of the deputy governor, stressing that the association, will continue to work with him for the overall advancement of Edo state.

The NAESS president informed the deputy governor that his Exco came on board on January 21, 2014, and assured that the association is ready to contribute its quota towards the development of the state.

Credible Polls: NASS to

assist INEC with legislation

BENIN CITY- The National Assembly (NASS) is ready to assist the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) with relevant legislation to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2015, Senator. Obende Domingo (APC- Edo North), has said.

Domingo, who said this yesterday in Benin while fielding questions from newsmen, said that to get the support of the legislature, INEC must first admit its challenges to conduct free and fair elections.

He described the November. 16 2013 governorship election in Anambra as ‘an embarrassment’ to the country, stressing that everything must be done to avoid a repeat of such embarrassment.

“When you have a challenge, you must first of all understand it.

“When you understand the challenge and discuss it, then of course you are having a head way to finding a solution to the problem.

“In all the elections INEC has conducted so far, they will always tell you that all arrangements are in place and that they are going to have a perfect and fine

election or outing as you will call it.

“But at the end of the day, you will always see those challenges staring them in the face.

“For me, officials of INEC have never admitted that they have challenges; if they admit that they have one, then they must tell us what these challenges are.

“If it is human challenge, it is easy, do more of orientation; if is financial, it is also simple, request for more funds to be able to tackle the election that you have at hand.

“If the Anambra election went the way it went how do we know what is going to happen in Ekiti and Osun states.

“So, I am of the view that INEC must buckle up. I am also of the view that the commission needs to tell us what their problems are.

He said it was only when these problems were placed on the table that the NASS would be able to discuss them and find solutions to them.

“We cannot do anything about it when we do not know what their problems are,’’ Domingo said, and promised that the legislature would be prepared to assist the commission conduct a free, fair and credible elections.

Knights of St John Int’l task members on virtues BENIN CITY – The Ancient and Noble Order

of Knights of St. John International and ladies Auxiliary has enjoined members to reflect on the seven virtues of the Church which are humility, liberality, chastity, meekness, temperate, love and diligence.

Grand President, Benin Grand Commandery, Noble Knight Brig.

General G.O. Ojobu gave the change last Sunday at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Benin City during the inauguration and installation of the Auxiliary and officers, of our lady Queen of Angels Laux 676 Benin.

He also advised them to make frantic efforts to avoid the seven deadly sins spotted by the Church which include pride, covetousness, lust, Anger, Envy and Sloth.

He pointed out that once they are guided by these reflections they should be able to toe the path of purity to excel as

good and true leaders.

Brig – General Ojobu added that also significant are the four cardinal virtues which include prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance, noting that non adherence to them would open them to the flood gate of the working of satan.

Besides, he told the Auxiliary and Officers to resist distractions by way of calumny and back biting which has afflicted the order, saying “satan is indeed at work with the pull down syndrome of some desperadoes.”

“These set of people are out to misinterpret anything done by a leader in the church and give a wrong connotation to every good deed and intention,” he stated.

He emphasized the role of the order, which he pointed out was established to defend the church and complement the activities in the church, stressing that the hierarchy of the church must be obeyed to the letter.

Ebo Community Commends Gov Oshiomhole, PCRC

By ROLAND OSAKUE

EBO (BENIN CITY) -The Council of Elders, headed by the Odionwere Pa Otarobo Ogunrobo and the new chairman, Community Development Association (CDA) of Ebo Community, Iyekegba in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State have commended Governor Adams Oshiomhole for bringing peace to the community through the Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee (PCRC).

The community had been bedeviled by internal wrangling and alleged shooting of guns by some unknown persons alleged to have been loyal to the formal executives.

Speaking with newsmen in the community, the new CDA chairman, Amb Austin Enehizena commended Governor Adams Oshiomhole on his initiative to bring a lasting peace to the community through the wisdom of the PCRC headed

by Chief Eduwu Ekhator, the Obasogie of Benin kingdom.

The CDA Chairman chronicled the persistent destruction of properties

Amb. Austin Enehizena, Ebo CDA Chairman

owned by developers, as well as the extortion of money from them by the past administration of the CDA, a situation he said was not tenable in a civilised society, which consequently prompted Chief Eduwu Ekhator-led committee to wade into the crisis and resolve it amicably.

Amb Enehizena, who noted that most developers have fled the community as a result of the atrocities of the past CDA administration, however advised the developers to return and continue with the development of their property as the newly constituted CDA executives would not tolerate any act of molestation and intimidation of land developers.

He therefore charged youths in the community to indulge in the acquisition of trade or skills empowerment designed by Governor Oshiomhole led administration rather than putting their full weight in land speculation which provides temporary gains.

Meanwhile, the chairman of PRC, Chief Obasogie has congratulated Pa. Otarobo Ogunrobo and Amb. Austin Enehizna, as the new community Odionwere and CDA chairman respectively even as he urged them to carry everyone along in other to ensure a lasting peace in the community.

Chief Obasogie further asked the new Chairman of the CDA to report any person trying to cause confusion in the community to the police and members of the PCRC, saying, “we can no longer fold our hands to allow miscreants disturb the existing peace in the state”.

News

L-R: FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide; former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Helen Mark; Senate President David Mark; President Goodluck Jonathan, first Lady Patience Jonathan; mother of the President; Mrs. Eunice Jonathan and the Deputy Speaker, House of Represenatives, Emeka Ihedioha at the Centenary Interdemonational Church Service in Abuja on Sunday.

Lawmaker Calls For Tapping Of Local Resources

By KESTER OGIESEWU

BENIN CITY- The Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon Samson Osagie has identified underdevelopment of National resources as one of the problems plaguing the Nigeria nation.

Speaking at a symposium of Edo Community Development Round Table in Benin City at the weekend, Hon. Osagie said Edo State is not exempted.

He however noted that the Benin nation is not deficient in fertile land, adding that its Mineral resources still remain untapped.

“The Benin nation resources remain unutilised due to various inhibitions, such as their inaccessibility, lack of technical knowledge, nonavailability of capital, among the Benin nation.

“With the present average

annual growth rate in urban population, a greater percentage of the labour force in urban population is unemployed.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Osagie

Obayuwana, a former Commissioner for Justice in Edo State, Stated that the symposium with the theme “ Nigerian Politics: The Road Map for the Relevance and Reward for Benin nation” represents a legacy for the

promotion of Benin Culture and heritage.

In his speech, the Isekhure of Benin Kingdom, Chief Nosakhare Isekhure noted that, the time has come for the Benin nation to begin to work to together for the overall progress and development of the kingdom.

Council Boss Inaugurates Immunisation Exercise UBIAJA - The Chairman Esan South East Local Government Council, Hon Joseph Ikpea has inaugurated the first round of the National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs) and Interrupting the Transmitting of Wild Polio Virus Campaign in Ubiaja, the headquarters of the council.

In his address at the ceremony, Hon Ikpea noted that the

Cross Section of members of the Federal Executive Council at the Centenary Interdenominational Church Service in Abuja weekend.

nationwide exercise is geared towards the eradication of polio across the country, including the local government area.

He described polio as a very dangerous killer disease that cripples its victims while advising care givers, and parents, especially mothers of children of ages between 0-59

months old to make their children available for the free immunization. The council boss advocated that with safe and effective vaccine, polio can be prevented. Council officials at the ceremony included, secretary, Hon Solomon Oyedo and Head of Local Government Administration, Barrister Osagiator Ojo.

Paul Igori For Burial THE death has occurred in March 7 Benin City of Inspector Paul Igori (Rtd).

Aged 84, the late Inspector Paul Igori is survived by children, grand children and great-grand children amongst whom are Mr. Joseph Igori, Mrs. Nekpen Adams, Mr. Tony Igori, Mr. Humphrey Igori and Mrs. Uyimwen Ulekpen.

A statement by Joseph Igori on behalf of the family said that the burial ceremony of their late father would begin on Friday, March 7, 2014 with a service of songs at his residence, 75 Wire Road, Benin City, to be followed by interment.

There will be social dance on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at Ighogbe College ground

opposite ICE, Benin City.

While thanksgiving service comes up on Sunday, March 9, 2014 at Christ Apostolic Church of God Mission, Isihor, Benin City.

Late Inspector Paul Igori (Rtd).

News Total Donates Baby Care Unit To NDUTH YENAGOA - Dr Onyaye Kunle-Olowu, Chief Medical Director, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, said Total Exploration and Production

Akwa Ibom To Improve Power Supply

UYO - The Akwa Ibom Government says it has adopted strategies aimed at ensuring regular power supply in the State.

Dr Victor Udoh, the Special Assistant to Governor Godswill Akpabio on Power, stated this in Uyo during interview with newsmen.

According to Udoh, the strategies involved ensuring steady gas supply to the Ibom Power Plant in Ikot Abasi for sufficient electricity generation as well as transmission capacity enhancements.

He said the State Government took a bold step toward power generation by building the power plant, and had realized that steady gas supply to it was needed to ensure steady generation.

He said government had provided enabling environment for the private sector to establish a gas processing plant to ensure steady supply of gas.

The special assistant said that such processing plant would also ensure supply to other independent power plants and gas users within and outside the state.

“The administration has invested significant amount of money into the plant to generate 191 megawatts of electricity with plans for additional 500 megawatts.

“The plant has not been properly operated over the years, so the governor appointed a new board that is repositioning it and the plant is now functioning and producing 115 megawatts.

He, however, noted that transmission was the responsibility the Federal Government under the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

“But this administration has invested in the construction of the Ikot Abasi-Eket 132KV transmission line, designed to evacuate power from the plant”, Udoh added.

Udoh said that the state government also supported the upgrading of the EketUyo-Itu 132kv line, to improve power supply in the state.

He added that the present administration had committed significant resources to providing electricity in over 80 per cent of the communities in the state.

had donated baby care unit valued N203 million to the hospital.

Kunle-Olowu, who made this known to newsmen in Okolobiri near Yenagoa, added that it would help to reduce infant mortality by about 40 per cent in the State.

The chief medical director said that the facility comprised wards, beds, baby incubators and others.

According to her, the donation of the facility by the oil firm had also helped Bayelsa to achieve the Millennium

Development Goals (MDGs) on maternal mortality reduction.

She said that premature babies now stood higher chances of survival with the use of the state-of-the-art facility.

“Bayelsa is committed to the attainment of the MDGs in 2015 and the well-equipped special care baby unit with trained personnel is key to the reduction of infant mortality.

“It is important to note that the facility will take care of neonatal mortality which accounts for 40 per cent of the infant mortality rate in

Bayelsa”, Kunle-Olowu said.

She added that the hospital was grateful for the construction and equipping of

the unit with a dedicated laboratory and mothers’ room.

The chief medical director pointed out that Total had also

donated ambulances to the hospital in the past, commending it for the gesture and urging others to emulate it.

JTF Arrest 8 Suspected Oil Thieves YENAGOA - The Joint Task

Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield, has said that it arrested eight suspected oil thieves and destroyed 17 illegal refineries in multiple raids.

A statement issued by Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, Media Coordination of JTF in Yenagoa, said the anti-oil theft raids were conducted from February 11 to February 18.

Nwachukwu said that several items were seized during the operation in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Edo. He said that the JTF troops in Edo and Delta destroyed five illegal oil distillation sites and 40 boats and seized 300 metal tanks, 64 plastic storage tanks, 72 drums and 68 cooking ovens.

He added that four pumping machines and one Lister Generator were seized at Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta.

The spokesman said the troops also intercepted a locally made tug boat conveying 30 drums of stolen petroleum at Ajide on Benin River in Edo. He said that six suspects were arrested during the operation and moved to the Tactical Headquarters of the Battalions

for preliminary investigation.

In another development, Nwachukwu said JTF personnel patrolling the waterways and creeks on SokuOfumakiri, Bolo, Oloma and Isaka in Rivers, destroyed four illegal refineries.

He said 40 cooking ovens, 30 plastic storage tanks, 50 drums, one welding machine, two pumping machines and a 45 KVA generator were seized.

He said two suspects arrested in the operation were assisting investigators at the Sector 2 of the JTF in Port Harcourt.

“Our troops patrolling the waterways in Bayelsa have shutdown eight illegal crude oil distillation sites.

“The troops also destroyed six “cotonou“ boats used by oil thieves in Tebidaba and Igbematoru communities of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

The operatives also destroyed 69 metal drums and two pumping machines used by the oil thieves to operate their illegal refineries,” Nwachukwu said.

He said that the eight suspects would be handed over to relevant prosecuting agencies after preliminary investigations.

The Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Samson Osagie delivering an address at a Symposium of Edo Communities Development Round Table in Benin City at the weekend. Photo: SOLOMON ENAIGBE.

SURE-P: 15,000 Persons

Benefit From CCT Prog

ABUJA - The Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment programme (SURE-P) paid N18 million to 15, 000 beneficiaries under the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme in 2013, Hajia Halima Alfa, has said.

Alfa, Convener, SURE-P Maternal and Child Health

Hon. Joseph Ikpea, Chairman of Esan South East Local Government Council administering an Oral Vaccine on a child during the inauguration of the on-going immunization exercise in Ubiaja.

Care programme, made this known in an Interview with newsmen in Abuja.

“We have nine pilot states for now, that is eight plus FCT, and currently we have 15,000 women beneficiaries registered in these states.

“We have paid in cash of about N18 million to beneficiaries and we want to scale up after the 2014 budget is passed.

“As soon as it is passed, we want to scale up to another nine states making it 18 in 2014.

“The effect of this programme is very interesting because women who are not eager to attend antenatal clinics, because of the incentives of CCT, the turnout has been very impressive,’’ she said.

Alfa said the introduction of the incentive had helped a lot of women to register for antenatal, adding that it would help in reducing maternal mortality.

“Basically, we have about 32 per cent increase in the turnout of women

attending antenatal clinic, about 500,000 women accessing the facilities.

“And we have 79,000 women who actually deliver in the clinics, one thing is to attend, another is to deliver there.

“Most times, it is not the number who registers that comes for delivery,’’ she said.

According to her, the rate of women coming to deliver in the various facilities at present is about 51 per cent.

She attributed this to the engagement of Traditional Birth Attendants and Midwives to work in rural areas by the programme.

“We want to go extra mile by providing accommodation for some of the midwives,’’ Alfa said, adding that this would encourage them to work in the areas.

Alfa said that in 2013, the programme spread to over 500 of 774 local government areas across the country.

News MDG Registers 62 Vulnerable Children For Rehabilitation EZZA SOUTH (EBONYI) The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Office has said that it had registered 62 Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in Ezza South Local Government Area for its rehabilitation programme.

Mrs. Ngozi Obichukwu, the MDGs Focal Person in the state, said at a ceremony that the beneficiaries were under the Mother and Child Care Initiative (MCCI) project of the state governor’s wife, Mrs. Josephine Elechi.

“The biometric capturing is under the MDG’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme for 2012/ 2013, which the state is a participant.

“We are targeting about 2,250 OVC for the programme and they would be trained in various vocational fields and

empowered to become entrepreneurs.”

According to her, the beneficiaries will soon be given handsets powered by Globacom Communication Limited, which would be used to send payment alerts of the empowerment packages to the beneficiaries.

“Those who are planning to steal the phones from the beneficiaries should have a rethink because they are biometrically registered to avoid alteration.

Elechi, in her remark, thanked council chairmen who assisted the MCCI to independently choose the real vulnerable children who mostly need the assistance.

She advised women to ensure proper upbringing of their children to make the society safe and habitable for all.

“Traditional rulers should also ensure that their subjects, especially the youths, are well-behaved so that peace will reign in their domains.’’

Chief Lazarus Ogbee, the Council’s Chairman,

expressed the council’s commitment to Elechi’s efforts to improve the lot of women and children, especially the widows and OVCs.

“My administration has always provided the enabling environment for all the MCCI programmes to succeed and would continue in such manner,” he said.

Master Nkemdirim Alo, one of the beneficiaries, thanked all those who ensured that their welfare was enhanced and prayed for God’s continued guidance fo r them.

Check Environmental Degradation, Group Urges Rivers

ETCHE (RIVERS) - A pressure group, the Etche People’s Congress (EPLC), has called on Rivers Government to check the environmental degradation in Etche Local Government Area of the state.

Mr. Gashon Bob-Achor, the Secretary-General of the group, made the call in Port Harcourt in an interview with newsmen.

Bob-Achor said that Etche had been damaged by the sand dredging companies operating in Chokocho, Umuechem, Abrara-ozuzu road, Igbo Eleme junction road, Igbo and Umuebulu Oyibo road.

He said that environmental degradation was the worst damage that could ruin lives in the communities.

“Etche community is one of the oil producing communities and other natural resources but is in dire need of development because of the environmental pollution in the area.”

“We are known to be industrious in farming before our lands were polluted and destroyed by the dredging companies.

“Our communities have been facing environmental pollution since the

inception of British colony Acting General Manager, Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, Pastor Monday Aigbe (right) receiving a document from the in Nigeria.

Edo/Delta Co-ordinator, Copyright Society of Nigeria, Prince Biodun Eguakhide during a courtesy visit to the Newspaper “We do not have good House in Benin City. Photo: BRIGHT IMHANZETO. water, good roads, no electricity in some areas, no schools and hospitals to AWKA - Nigerian women She promised continued killing, a situation where any enhance the growth of our have called for more stringent woman perceived to have “There should be accelerated assistance to women after laws to reduce their brought shame to her family efforts to prevent and distributing gifts including communities. eliminate all forms of vulnerability to rape and other “We are calling on the forms of violence against is killed. discrimination against women food items to mothers who Others are stalking, forced and girls to ensure equal had multiple births of three them in the country.

Rivers State Ministry of and above as part of efforts to marriage, acid bath, mob Environment to call the Mrs. Charity Analikwu, a violence, sexual harassment, enjoyment of all fundamental enhance their welfare. resource person, made the call rights and freedoms. attention of the companies in a lecture entitled maltreatment of widows, “More laws and should be One of the couples who Mr. and Mrs. and oil companies to “Elimination and Prevention female genital mutilation, introduced to protect the benefitted, Kelvn Atulegwu from Ukpor, All forms of Violence forced abortion and develop the communities of Against Women and Girls’’ discrimination based on women from violence,’’ she Nnewi South, expressed said. gratitude to the state where they extract their which she delivered at the gender. government, noting that it was Also speaking, the International Rural Women’s products,” he said.

Day celebration in Awka on She said Nigeria, being a Commissioner for Women not easy nurturing triplets He also urged the multi- Tuesday. signatory to the various UN and Social Development, with other children. national companies to Analikwu listed some of the agreements on gender Mrs. Henrrieta Agbata, who Reports state that the event organised in develop the communities, violence against women to equality, should enforce the distributed cancer self- was include rape, marital rape, relevant laws and urged examination kits to the collaboration with the Office to avoid crises. of the Wife of the Governor, domestic violence and honour women lawmakers to sponsor

Rape: Women Seek Stricter Laws

Healthcare Programmes

Association To Support Govt UYO - General medical and dental practitioners in the employment of Akwa Ibom State Government, had reiterated that they would continue to support government’s healthcare delivery programmes.

Dr Aniekan Uwa, the newly elected chairman of the state branch of the Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, made the pledge in Uyo. Uwa, who spoke after the inauguration of the new executive, said that the association would use its platform to make professional inputs that would help to sustain government’s health policies and programmes, “We are into partnership with government in rendering quality health to the people, and we shall do this in line with our

constitutional provision,” he said.

Also speaking, the immediate past chairman of the association, Dr Charles Ekanem, enjoined the new elected officers to work towards actualising the aims and objectives of the association.

“As you render services to the people, it will be pertinent for you to ensure that the aims and objectives of the association is not relegated to the background,” he said.

Dr Etebong Umana, a consultant, in his lecture entitled: “Medical Ethics and Clinical Care of the Patients,” reminded medical doctors that they were trained to save lives.

He also advised the new executive members to strive at all times to work for the betterment of members and enhancement of healthcare delivery in the state.

more legislation to protect women.

women, urged rural women to exploit the opportunities in the agriculture sector.

NAPTIP, UNDP, wives of council chairmen and councillors.

Acting General Manager, Bendel Newspapers Company Limited (BNCL), Publisher of OBSERVER titles, Pastor Monday Aigbe (left) chatting with the Edo/Delta Co-ordinator, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) at the BNCL premises in Benin City. Photo: BRIGHT IMHANZETO

South-West Ekiti Adopts Vocational Training To die, knitting and sowing.

Stem Unemployment “Our intention is to equip our ADO-EKITI - The Ekiti Government has expressed its determination to check the high rate of unemployment among its youths through vocational training.

The deputy governor of the state, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, who doubles as Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, stated this at a trade fair.

Reports state that the fair was organised by the board for the more than 500 public primary schools in the state in collaboration with Honeywell Flour Mills Plc. “Today’s exposition is a call for us to return to the old era when much emphasis was placed on handiwork such as weaving, pottery, wood carving, tie and

Hajj 2014

Board Gives Prospective Pilgrims Ultimatum

ABEOKUTA - The Ogun Muslim Pilgrim’s Welfare Board has called on prospective pilgrims for the 2014 Hajj to ensure that their documents were regularised before March 14.

The Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Sefiu Rasheed, made this known in a statement in Abeokuta.

Rasheed said that the intending pilgrims were expected to pay a deposit of N500,000 on or before the deadline.

“Intending pilgrims are requested to note that their completed application forms should be submitted on or before March 14 with a

minimum deposit of N500,000,” he said.

He enjoined those who could not perform the exercise last year but still had their documents and N400,000 deposit in the coffers of the board to pay up the balance of N100,000.

Rasheed said that the board was starting early preparation for the exercise because of its intention to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

The secretary warned that allocation of slots would be based strictly on merit because of the limited number of slots given by the National Hajj Commission headquarters in Abuja.

public primary school pupils with the relevant skills that will enable them to stand on their own without necessarily running after non-existing white-collar jobs after leaving school as adults,’’ she said.

She noted that the high level of graduate unemployment in the country has made the introduction of entrepreneurial education into the school curricula imperative.

Reports state that no fewer than 2,000 primary school pupils from the 16 local government areas of the state took part in the fair.

During the exercise, each school showcased the work of their pupils in different areas.

Anxious Kerosene buyers at the NNPC Mega Station in Benin City yesterday.

Photo: LUCKY AGIE.

Centenary Celebration,

Period Of Sober Reflection - Group OSOGBO - A group, Advocacy for Advancement of Peace and Harmony in Africa Initiative, has advised Nigerians to use the centenary celebrations to reflect on how to build a better nation.

The group in a statement in Osogbo on Saturday, urged Nigerians to reflect on the virtues of tolerance, justice and other values that would uphold the status of Nigeria as a leading nation.

The statement, signed by the group’s National Coordinator, Mrs. Olayinka Ojomo, challenged Nigerians to reflect and evaluate the past so as to take a better stock of the present.

“As the nation celebrates a hundred years of our corporate existence, this should be an avenue for all and sundry to be sober in total reflection of our past and make necessary corrections for better future. ‘’We have learnt from our political history that justice and tolerance make a nation while injustice and intolerance mar it; it is our collective

responsibility to uphold such virtues.

“Again, the continuity and survival of our nation is too important to be left in the hands of politicians alone.

“This is the time to put parochial interests aside and work together in unity and oneness,’’ the statement said.

The group also challenged Nigerians, who would participate in the forthcoming national dialogue, to be “patriotic and nationalistic” in their contributions.

“They must consistently put national interest above any other consideration.”

Unending queues of motorists at the NNPC Mega Station in Benin City yesterday following scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) in Edo State. Photo: LUCKY AGIE.

Traffic Offenders: FRSC

Secures 892 Convictions OSOGBO - The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Osun has said that

it secured the conviction of 892 road traffic offenders in its mobile courts between

January and December 2013.

The FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Mr.

Ekiti To Go Tough With Environmental Offenders ADO-EKITI - The Ekiti State Government has said that it would henceforth, sanction any resident who flouted environment laws.

The Chairman of the State Waste Management Authority, Mr. Adebayo Morakinyo, gave the warning in an interview with newsmen in Ado Ekiti.

Morakinyo expressed regret

that in spite of ceaseless sensitisation campaigns in the mass media, many residents still engaged in indiscriminate refuse dumping.

He said that the agency arrested an average of seven environmental offenders every week and about 30 persons per month.

He warned those in the habit of dumping refuse in gutters

and drains be careful, noting that anyone caught would not only be arrested, but treated as a saboteur.

He said those committing environmental offences for the first time would not only be caution, but also fined.

He said that anyone arrested more than once would be arraigned where the court would decide on the

punishment.

Morakinyo said that the government was concerned that a good number of drainages provided recently, had been blocked by unscrupulous persons dumping refuse into them.

He pleaded with residents to ensure that their environments were well maintained to avoid the twin evil of erosion and flooding.

Muhammed Husaini, said this in an interview with newsmen in Osogbo.

Husaini said the offences of the convicts ranged from noncompliance with the use of seat belts to driving without valid documents.

He said in addition to those prosecuted and convicted, 31 other offenders were cautioned and discharged by the court.

The FRSC boss warned motorists to stop breaking traffic rules, adding that the commission would not relent in its efforts at keeping the road safe for every road user.

Lagos 781 Students Get Bursary

Making economic sense out of scraps. Photo: BRIGHT IMHANZETO

BADAGRY (LAGOS STATE) - Seven hundred and eighty one students in Badagry, near Lagos, benefited from a bursary awarded by a member of the House of Representative, Mrs. Rafeequat Onabamiro.

Onabamiro, who represents Badagry Federal Constituency, said that the N10,000 stipend was a gesture to assist students in their educational pursuits.

“In furtherance of my campaign promise, I have also tried to establish better careers for our youths because it is not good to see able-bodied men and women loitering the streets.’’

She said that beneficiaries of the bursary cut across political divides and were selected from the 20 wards in her constituency.

The lawmaker advised students

against misusing the token, stressing that it should be spent “solely for educational purpose’’.

Onabamiro cautioned the youths against vices, regretting that nothing much had changed among many of them “in spite of all the counsel given to them’’.

She particularly regretted that recipients of three buses, which she gave out for commercial use, had misused and damaged the vehicles.

“Also, the youths provided with barbing equipments have had their shops burgled twice, this is not encouraging,’’ she said.

She said, however, that the disturbing development would not stop her from improving the living standards of the people.

The Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu Toyi 1, who witnessed the disbursement, lauded the efforts of the lawmaker toward a better life for Badagry youths.

“Other lawmakers must

emulate Mrs. Onabamiro so as to ensure a better future for youths in Badagry because they are the leaders of tomorrow.’’

He said that the only way to discourage youth from crime was to support them to be self-reliant and contribute positively to societal development.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Badagry West Local Council Development Area, Mr. Bamgbose Hontonyon, advised the recipients to use the money judiciously.

He advised them against the temptation to spend the money on clothes and social outings.

One of the recipients of the bursary, Miss Tayo Majoyegbe, who spoke to newsmen, thanked the lawmaker for the gesture, saying it would help her to pay her school fees.

“I am so excited and lucky to be amongst those chosen,” she said.

Fuel Shortage

Lagos Resident Task FG LAGOS - Some Lagos residents have urged the Federal Government to address the lingering fuel scarcity in the state, to make life more meaningful for the people.

The residents told newsmen in Lagos that commuters now wasted a lot of time at bus stops as the fuel crisis takes a turn for the worse.

Fuel queues were long at some filling stations, slowing down traffic on major highways.

An artisan, Mr. Yusuf Ismaila, told newsmen that he was at a filling station for over two hours and was not able to buy fuel.

When a vehicle becomes a burden. Photo: BRIGHT IMHANZETO

LASTMA Official Arraigned For Fraud

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM LAGOS - A senior staff of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Olufowora Taofik, 48, has been arrested and charged before Ijeshatedo Magistrates’ Court for allegedly converting to personal use of a Mercedes Benz van which he seized from its owner over a traffic offence.

He was arraigned on a twocount charge of conspiracy and stealing.

Taofik attached to Base 7, Zebra Ejigbo allegedly seized the van with registration number XU 140 JJJ along Iyana Ejigbo area.

The van belonging to Marvelous Peace who was apprehended for non use a seat belt by the driver.

His arrest and arraignment followed a petition written by Peace’s lawyer, Barrister Ajibola, when Peace saw Taofik cruising around with the van.

The petition addressed to the Area Commander of Zone D, Mushin and the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, accused Taofik and

another man at large of converting the seized van to personal use.

In the petition, Peace alleged that Taofik arrested him along Iyana Ejigbo-Ikotun road for not using a seat belt.

He said he pleaded with Taofik and his team after his arrest but they refused and drove the vehicle to their office at Ejigbo Yard.

Peace narrated that they asked him to pay certain amount as fine for the offence which he paid and thereafter they asked him to pay a fine of N180, 000 before the

vehicle will be released to him.

According to him, “I pleaded with them to accept N90, 000 and they refused. Taofik insisted that the money must be fully paid before they will release the car to me. I went home to get the money and paid and when I returned to their office and presented the receipt, they started dribbling him, telling to come again and again for almost two weeks”.

Peace said he was going regularly to their office with his receipt of payment and Taofik told him on one occasion to forget

the vehicle because it had been confiscated by the Lagos State Government.

He said he became frustrated and was thinking about what to do next when information got to him that Taofik was using the vehicle.

He said he confirmed the information and saw Taofik with the vehicle. And when he confronted the LASTMA man, he said the van now belonged to him because he bought it from the government.

Peace said he went to Ejigbo police division and reported the

matter and Taofik was arrested.

The matter was transferred to Area D Command in Mushin where Taofik admitted that he was among those who seized the vehicle and the owner did not come early to pay the fine so he had to buy the van from the state government.

He pleaded that he was ready to settle the matter with the owner out of court and return his vehicle to him.

When the police charged Taofik to court, he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N500, 000 with three sureties in like sum.

and assault.

The prosecutor, SP Austin Orji, told the court that the offences were committed on February 22 at 10.30 a.m. at Flat 999, Ikota Housing Estate, Ajah, Lagos.

Orji alleged that Obinna stole the battery of the mobile phone when he went to the house of the complainant, Kingsley Nweokocha, to iron his clothes.

“Immediately the accused left,

the complainant’s wife, Esther, discovered that the battery of her Techno phone was missing and she alerted her husband.

“Kingsley confronted Obinna about the missing battery which led to exchange of words between them.”

Ori said out of anger, the accused picked a broken bottle and stabbed Kingsley and his wife particularly in the head, hands and shoulders.

He noted that the offences contravened Sections 243, 285(5) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Obinna, however, entered a plea of “not-guilty”.

The Magistrate, Mrs. Salama Matepo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case to March 25.

Clergyman Docked For Stabbing Couple LAGOS - A 31-year-old clergyman, John Obinna, was brought before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly stabbing a couple with a broken bottle over his missing phone battery.

Obinna, who lives at Flat 825, Ikota Housing Estate, Ajah, is facing a four-count charge bothering on conspiracy, stealing

“I do not know why we suffer for basically everything in this country.

“There is no frequent power supply and now that we have a generator to use, getting fuel is also a problem.

“I have been on the queue for over two hours,” he said.

Ismaila advised government to tackle the fuel shortage and to also address the epileptic power supply in the country.

A commercial bus driver, Mr. Jare Olawale, said it was unfortunate that Nigerians were experiencing fuel shortage at this point in time.

Olawale said the scarcity had encouraged sharp practices by filling station attendants, who now made brisk business.

He said that a litre of petrol now attracts over N100 at some filling stations against the official price of N97.

“I have been on this queue for about an hour before I was able to buy petrol. This is very bad,’’ Olawale said.

A businessman, Wale Shogeyinbo, said he was not happy with the fuel scarcity as it had disrupted his business.

“As a businessman, I operate a viewing centre, where you can watch football and play games but now, the business is affected because of scarcity of fuel,” he lamented.

A lawyer, Mr. Andrew Rotimi, expressed disappointment over the lingering fuel shortage in the country.

Report checks indicated that commuters now pay more with a trip from Ikotun to CMS on Lagos Island, which used to cost N300 now attracting between N350 and N400.

Some attendants at the stations told newsmen on condition of anonymity that they were selling at the price they got the new stock, which they said, was now higher.

Across The Nation NSCDC Canvasses More Emergency Services

SOKOTO - The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has called for accelerated development of structures for civil protection

7 Arrested For Murder

MINNA - The Police command in Niger has said that it had arrested seven persons, suspected to have killed one Safiyanu Zakari, a member of a cult gang.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Richard Oguche, named the arrested people as Abdullahi Jibrin, Abdullahi Hashimu, Yusuf Mohammed, Ubaida Abubakar, Salim Abdullahi, Salha Sulaiman and Salihu Abubakar.

Oguche told newsmen that the murder occurred at about 3 p.m. on February 14, during a clash between two suspected cult groups in some communities in Minna.

“The two groups — the ‘Yandaba’ cult group of Dutse Hausa, clashed with their Dutse-Gwari rivals along London Street in Minna, during the Eid-el Maulud celebrations, following some disagreements,’’ he explained.

Oguche said that during the clash, dangerous weapons like cutlasses, knives, iron rods, broken bottles and sticks were used.

The spokesman said that the deceased suffered deep cuts during the fight and was rushed to the Minna General Hospital, where he died.

He said that one Alhaji Isah Abdullahi, a retired police officer, who is the deceased’s father, reported the matter to the GRA Police Station in Minna.

“The suspected cultists have since confessed to the crime and will soon be charged for culpable homicide,’’ Oguche said.

and emergency services in the country.

The Sokoto State Commandant of the corps, Alhaji Yushau Aliyu, made the call at a news conference to mark the 2014 World Defence Day in Sokoto.

The theme of the celebration is “Civil Defence and Culture of Prevention for a Safer Society’’.

“We must create a culture of civil defence, based on prevention rather than response,” he said.

Aliyu said the prevention programme played a crucial role in saving people’s lives and that it helped in preventing material losses by improving the capacity of national structures of civil protection.

“However, while prevention is a vital factor, it is also a complex task that requires adaptation to each new situation.

“Many emergency response simulation services should be inspired from the various types of risks that exist to specialise in response capacity and proper handling of emergency interventions.”

Aliyu advised that prevention programmes should focus on areas such as risk assessment through the adoption and development of national as well as regional mechanisms and tools.

“The implementation of these programmes involve close cooperation with national higher authorities and monitoring from the private sector as well as public sector utilities.”

Aliyu said the consequences of global warming, resulting from intensive industrial and technological development were threatening civil defence

Police Advise Against Do-Or-Die Politics LAFIA - The Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, has advised politicians against “do-or-die politics.’’

The commissioner gave the advice at an interactive session with leaders of the APC and PDP, ahead of the state’s Local Government polls, slated for March 22.

He said that politicians should make decorum their watchword while playing politics, describing that as necessary for peaceful elections.

“Politicians must avoid acts that portray them as desperate, they must avoid being selfish.’’

Idris admonished the leadership of the two parties to

enlighten their followers on the need to be orderly during the election, vowing to deal decisively with anybody or group, who might want to foment trouble.

He said that the police had made adequate arrangements toward a peaceful election, calling for support from stakeholders toward a rancourfree poll.

Idris cautioned politicians against using thugs to disrupt the elections, saying that he would arrest such thugs and make examples of them.

In their responses, the representatives of the APC and PDP, Alhaji Suleimon Tanko and Alhaji Yusuf Egya, assured the police boss full cooperation during the polls.

and emergency services nowadays.

“To fight this new crisis and to ensure the safeguard of the

population and the environment, we need to

disseminate and implement prevention measures.’’

Unsafe loading invokes the wrath of traffic Police in Benin City.

Nigerians Must Unite To Defeat Extremism, Terrorism - Sultan

JOS - The Sultan of Sokoto, Ahaji Sa’ad Abubukar, has urged traditional rulers and other Nigerians to unite to collectively fight extremism and terrorism.

Abubakar made the appeal in Jos, when he visited the Gbong Gwom Jos, Jacob Gyang Buba.

The sultan said that Nigerians, irrespective of religious leanings, had a common problem in terrorism.

“We have common problems in this country - religious extremism, terrorism, poverty, unemployment, strikes, dearth of basic infrastructure, among others.

“These problems have no religious or tribal colour, and we must unite and defeat them so that God Almighty, who created us, will bless us.

“We must close ranks and work for our people,’’ he stated.

The sultan said that he was

visiting the Gbong Gwom to strengthen the bond of relationship that had existed between them, and also examine ways to help the country.

“We have done a lot as traditional leaders, but now is time for us to do much more as fathers of the people.

“When your children are crying for obvious problems which are very glaring for everybody to see, it is left for a father to stand and bring succour. “We must stand up to see how the children can survive and live a good life,’’ he added.

The sultan commended the people of Jos for the peace that had returned to Plateau, and expressed happiness at the heavy traffic flow, attesting to the return of normalcy in the metropolis.

“The heavy traffic is a sign that peace has indeed returned to Jos; the town is becoming the same

Jos we knew as young people.

“It is important that we keep this peace and ensure it is never thrown away.

“We must work hard to bring permanent peace not only to Plateau or North East, but every part of this country.

“We should keep on praying to God and I believe he will answer, but we also follow up such prayers with practical deeds and the teaching of morals to our people,” he said.

The Gbong Gwom Jos, in his remarks, said that the visit would further strengthen the brotherly relationship that existed between the two monarchs.

Buba challenged Nigerians to return to God so that he would strengthen their lives and put things right for the nation.

“Visits such as this are cementing factors; they are evidences that peace would

definitely reign again in the country “As you have noted, peace has returned to the Plateau but we will not claim that we have 100 per cent peace because other parts of Nigeria are still burning.

“As far as we are Nigerians, anything that affects any part of Nigeria affects all of us, so let us pray together and work together for peace of Nigeria, not just in parts of Nigeria.

“We will achieve peace if we sit together and talk with each other openly with sincerity of purpose so that God will help us,’’ he said.

The monarch advised Nigerians against leaving the current violence for only the military or presidency to tackle, saying that everyone must contribute his quota.

Taking a nap after a stressful day.

Photo: BRIGHT IMHANZETO

Abuja UNESCO Moves To Empower Nigerian Women ABUJA- Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisations (UNESCO), has said that educating women, particularly girls, has a deep impact on national development.

The view is contained in a statement issued by Mrs. Ngozi Amanze, UNESCO National Programme Officer on Education on Monday.

The statement quoted Bokova as saying that reducing gender gaps would also facilitate the promotion of democracy. “ In view of this, UNESCO and Procter and Gamble, manufacturer of Always sanitary towel, will, on March 10, launch a literacy project for women and girls in Nigeria.

“The project is tagged: Empowerment of Girls and Women in Literacy and Skills Development through ICTs,’’ Bokova said.

She said that the project was aimed at providing 60,000 Nigerian girls and women with basic literacy and life skills.

Bokova added that it would also complement government’s efforts in revitalising literacy in the country through a selfbenefiting Funds-in-Trust Project with UNESCO called,“ Revitalising Adult and Youth Literacy in Nigeria’’.

According to the directorgeneral, the ultimate beneficiaries of the project are girls and young women who cannot read or write because they did not attend school.

She said that strategies had been put in place to reach out to the female gender in the semiurban low performing Junior Secondary Schools.

“The partnership between UNESCO and Always on this project will go a long way to ensure that girls are given every opportunity to succeed in life.

“Education is the best investment for any nation, especially, to encourage girls to go to school as staying in school is a fundamental factor for success.

“Education is a key to individual opportunity, national growth and dignity of self-reliance,’’ she said.

Bokova said that increased female education would both empower individual women and contribute to improving the wellbeing of their children and transform the society itself.

“A mother’s education has significant impact on the life chances of her children. The more educated the mother, the healthier she and her child are likely to be,’’ she said.

Bakova said that the project would be piloted in Rivers and the Federal Capital Territory.

She said that the UNESCO Global Monitoring Report (GMR) 2013/14 revealed that Nigeria was one of the countries with the highest number of out-of-school children in the world.

She added that the government of Nigeria had, however, developed and supported several interventions aimed at addressing these illiteracy challenges.

Deserted out patient area of Yusuf Dantsofo, General Hospital as Kaduna State Health Workers are on strike yesterday.

Association Kicks Against Relocation Of Market

implementation and enforcement had allowed the menace to continue.

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says that no less than 15 million children under 14 years old are working in Nigeria, with many exposed to long hours of work in dangerous and unhealthy environment.

BWARI (FCT) -The president of Bwari Central Market Women Association, Mrs Helen Isaac, has appealed to the Chairman of the Bwari Area Council, Mr Peter Yohanna, to rescind the decision to relocate the town’s central market Isaac said in Bwari that commercial activities would continue to thrive in Bwari Area Council provided that the relocation of the existing market was backed by the right policies.

According to her, the relocation of the central market is not necessary and the council should shelve the move.

“In this Bwari market; there are no clear cut positions and linking roads to encourage people residing in the area to carry out adequate buying and selling of products.

“There is need for the area council to rearrange the market to meet the yearnings of Bwari residents.

“Proper arrangement of the market to reflect gender balance will help to encourage our obligation of paying market taxes when due and also increase the revenue base of the council.

“Doing that will be a lot better than relocating us to places we don’t even know about.

“The authority should leave us here and arrange the market for us.

problem of scarcity of kerosene and cooking gas,’’ she said.

Obi, who is also the VicePresident of Jatropha Growers, Processors and Exporters Association of Nigeria (JAGPEN), called for support in the cultivation and processing of the plant.

She said the association had achieved a lot in sensitising farmers and stakeholders on the planting, processing and benefits of the plant.

“The association now coordinates the activities of farmers across the country and supports them to embrace the planting of jatropha.

“Initially, when they planted it, there was no market, because it was not popular and there was no means of processing it.

“We now have some American investors, based in Kano, and they have established a refinery.

But the problem is for us to move it from one end of the country to another.

Wreckage from a bomb blast at Binta Suga evening market near Ngomari in Maiduguri that claimed 51 lives and several others injured on Saturday evening.

Human Trafficking: WOTCLEF To The Women

ABUJA Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF) is to train 8,000 school children as peer group educators in the campaign against child trafficking and labour.

The WOTCLEF National Coordinator, Mrs Veronica Umar, stated this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

She said that the organisation has inaugurated a team comprising of pupils and students to help in the campaign against human trafficking.

“We will train 400 children who will in turn reach out to 20 others each; this will give us 8,000 trained children altogether in the long term.

“These 400 children will undergo training to enable them train other children on child’s rights, children’s responsibilities, child abuse, reproductive health, peer group pressure as well as how to reach out to other children.

“We have also trained over 600 children who, apart from being fed, are given clothing and

Train 8,000 Children

shelter. They will be sent to school by NAPTIP in partnership with the European Union,’’ she said.

Umar said that the menace of child trafficking and labour was on the increase in spite of efforts to curb it.

She advised stakeholders to encourage children to participate in the fight against

human trafficking and child labour.

“We need to continue to talk about this issue; it is not a oneway thing, everyone has a part to play. Children are the future, so let us come together and put a stop to these acts.”

Umar said that in spite of the enactment of the Child Rights Act in 2003, lack of proper

Focus On Provision Of Domestic Gas, Environmentalist Tasks FG

ABUJA- An environmentalist, Mrs. Bridget Obi, has called on the Federal Government to focus more on the provision of gas and make it available for domestic purposes.

Obi told newsmen that the country has enough gas to meet the needs of its populace.

She said there were so many clean cooking energy technologies which the government could support to better the lives of Nigerians, especially women.

Obi said government could exploit the waste-to-energy technology from agricultural

waste.

“People can be trained on how to use the machine which can convert waste to energy and utilise the quantum of waste being generated on a daily basis.

“It is a simple technology which can use any waste material that is inflammable. It will be compacted and used to fuel cooking stoves.

“It is all about using agricultural waste, using it for cooking fuel, just like firewood and saw-dust.

“I believe that Nigeria can actually use it to solve the

“We appeal to the authority to leave us at this permanent place; it is not proper to reposition one market, separate it into different parts and different locations, within a particular community.

“If the authority really wants to reposition the market by relocating it to another place, it must do that to ensure that the new place can accommodate everybody.”

She, however, said promotion of commerce through relocation of markets required proper planning.

Sanitation

Association Decries Dearth Of Workers ABUJA - The Environmental Health Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON) in Abuja have urged the Federal Government to absorb members of the Environmental Safety Corps (ESCORP) into the agency.

Mr. Dominic Abonyi, the Head, Registration, Ethics and Standards Enforcement Unit of the agency, made the call in an interview with newsmen.

ESCORP is a group of 8,000 volunteers inaugurated in Abuja

by Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, the Chairman, House Committee on Environment.

It seeks to implement the New Centenary Cleaner Environment Campaign programme titled “Be Ethical, Be Centenary Clean”.

Abonyi said that the call became necessary to fill the deficiency gap in the council’s workforce.

He said the dearth of personnel was affecting the council’s performance, resulting in the impression that sanitary officers had abandoned their responsibilities.

He told newsmen that every three months, the council leaves about 28.8 million premises uninspected nationwide due to the lack of enough personnel.

“ESCORP is intended to play the

News NSE Listed Bond Wins African Deal Of The Year Award

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM

Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State (right) presenting certificate 35th to the Corporate Manager, (North) Dangote Group, Alhaji Jibrin Abubakar during the closing ceremony of 35th Kaduna International Trade Fair in Kaduna weekend.

LAGOS- The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) joined foremost Halal Investment Management Firm, Lotus Capital at the prestigious 2013 Islamic Finance News (IFN) Awards recently in the United Arab Emirates.

In a statement issued by the NSE, Lotus Capital won the Africa Deal of the Year category as the Lead Issuing House for the N11.4bn Osun State Sukuk issue which was listed on the NSE in September 2013.

This was the first ever subsovereign Sukuk in Africa. The issue was oversubscribed by about 20% which was a positive confirmation of the trust and confidence the market placed on

the offer.

The Osun State Government, represented by the Honourable Commissioner of Finance, and the Solicitors to the Issue, Kola Awodein and Co, were also award recipients for the deal.

Close to 400 transactions were nominated for 2013 in over 30 categories in the IFN Awards Deal of the Year, signifying a 33% rise in the number of nominations and a 20% increase in categories over the previous year.

Mrs. Taba Peterside General Manager, Listings Sales and Retention, who represented the NSE at the event in Dubai, said “The NSE is focussed on broadening investor choice by introducing a variety of new products to the market” “We are therefore delighted that Lotus Capital has been recognised with this prestigious award in structuring the first subsovereign African listed Sukuk.

Lotus also developed our first

Islamic Index on the NSE and we look forward to a continued fruitful partnership with them” It will be recalled that Lotus Capital Limited had partnered with The NSE in July 2012 for the development and management of a certified Shari’ah compliant Index known as the “NSE Lotus Islamic Index” or NSE LII. The index consists of companies in conformity with the principles of Shari’ah and was the first index created to track the performance of Shari’ah compliant equities on the floor of the bourse.

Investment instruments like Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are expected to be built on the Index which ethically minded investors, both in Nigeria and overseas can invest in. The Index recorded +44.21% in 2012 (NSE ASI: +35.45% same year) and +61.84% in 2013 (NSE ASI: +47.19% same year)

ABUJA - The out-going Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Mr. Reginald Stanley, has said that the agency attracted investments worth over N70 billion to the Nigerian economy in the past two years.

Stanley made the announcement in Abuja at a ceremony to hand over to the new PPPRA Executive Secretary, Mr. Farouk Ahmed.

“In the past 24 months, over N70 billion has been invested in the downstream.

“Many depots and jetties have been built by private initiatives, thereby generating thousands of jobs in the Nigerian economy,” he stated.

Stanley said that the performance by the PPPRA demonstrated that President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda was working and had successfully worked in the PPPRA. The out-going PPPRA chief thanked Jonathan and the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, for giving him an opportunity to serve.

Stanley also thanked labour unions in the downstream for the industrial harmony recorded during his tenure.

He said that his efforts at the PPPRA had paid off in the stability witnessed in the downstream in recent years.

“One of the most remarkable achievements of my

time was the stability of supply, which was driven by the issuance of laycans to marketers.

“During this period queues became a thing of the past.

Nigerians no longer kept vigil at filling stations in their bid to purchase fuel.

“Today, the downstream has been completely sanitised.

“PPPRA’s processes and procedures are all aligned to global best practices. This has engendered confidence, transparency and accountability.” he stated.

Stanley said that the PPPRA under his watch was able to reduce daily fuel consumption from 60.25 million litres per day in 2011 to 39.79 million litres per day in 2012.

He said that the agency in 2013 recorded 42.11 million litres per day, which was 18.14 million litres per day less than what was recorded in 2011 “What is so spectacular of the 2013 consumption is that it showed a modest increase of 5.5 per cent on the 2012 figure in an economy growing at 6.9 per cent per annum.

“Statistically, gasoline consumption tracks the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth very closely. Therefore, this was an excellent result.

“Equally arising from this reduction in volume of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is the huge savings to the subsidy payment of N409B in 2012 and N326.57B in 2013,” he said.

Reports state that analysts have praised Stanley for the transparency, integrity and sense of purpose recorded in the PPPRA during his short tenure.

Ahmed in his remarks, pledged the agency’s commitment to ensuring the success of the Federal Government’s Transformation Agenda in the oil sector.

“We must ensure that PPPRA imbibes best practices in order to ensure the success of the transformation agenda of Mr. President in the oil sector.

The new PPPRA helmsman commended his predecessor for the structure he had put in place to accelerate the transformation of the agency and the downstream.

PPPRA Attracts N70bn Investment To Nigeria

Cross section of Fulani dancers at the closing ceremony of 35th Kaduna International Trade Fair weekend.

Sokoto To Establish More Micro-Finance Banks SOKOTO (SOKOTO STATE) - The Sokoto State Government is to establish more micro-finance banks to promote economic empowerment of the masses.

Governor Aliyu Wamakko announced this in Sokoto, at the 2013 Bankers’ Committee Dinner and Award Night.

According to the governor, micro-finance has proven to be a vibrant tool to improve the living standards of the people, especially those at the grassroots.

“The few ones operating in Gwadabawa, Yabo, Sokoto and Goronyo, among others, are really helping in revamping the rural economies’’, Wamakko said.

Wamakko, represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Aliyu Rabah, expressed happiness with the mode of operation of all commercial and deposit banks in the state.

“The banks have been operating in the most decent and transparent manner and executing various corporate social responsibility projects.

“They should sustain the tempo and the state government would continue to partner with them to further improve the living standards of the people’’, the governor said.

Wamakko promised to protect all the public structures that had been renovated by the banks.

Also speaking, the Branch Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the state, Alhaji

Mohammed Idris, said the apex bank’s cashless policy will officially take off nationwide on July 1.

Idris commended the Sokoto state government and the security agencies in the state for “providing environment conducive and peaceful to carry our operations.’’

Mr Danjuma Lawal, Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Criminal

Investigation Department in the state, urged the banks and the people to continue to be security conscious.

“Do not deceive yourselves that nothing is happening in Sokoto. What about other places?

“There is the need to be security conscious wherever you are’’, Aliyu said in a paper entitled, ‘Security Awareness.’’

Reports state that highlight of the event was the conferment of an award on the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III by the Sokoto Bankers’ Committee.

Gov Obi Inaugurates 2014 Christian Pilgrimage ENUGU - Governor Peter Obi of Anambra has inaugurated the 2014 Christian pilgrimage for the South East Zone at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

Reports state that 189 of the 720 intending pilgrims from Anambra were transported to Israel via the airport during the inauguration.

The governor urged the pilgrims to be good ambassadors, cautioning them against absconding or engaging in activities capable of tarnishing

the image of the country.

He thanked the Federal Government for providing facilities at the airport and implored the pilgrims to pray for President Goodluck Jonathan.

Obi also commended the National Christian Pilgrims Welfare Commission for organising the trip and pledged the support and cooperation of government in ensuring a successful pilgrimage.

The Executive Secretary of the Christian Pilgrims’ Welfare

Commission, Mr. John-Kennedy Okpara, advised the pilgrims to view the trip as a period for spiritual transformation.

The South East Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. David Eberechukwu, told the pilgrims to use the trip for sober reflection and improve their lives.

The Anambra State Chairman of the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr. Levi Muonanu, said the pilgrims would be transported in four

batches within a week.

Muonanu said that the state had the highest contingent in the zone, adding that adequate arrangement had been made for the trips.

The ceremony was witnessed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe and the Anglican Primate, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, among others.

Very recently, gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect attacked children in Federal Government College in Yobe state, killing over 59 of them while asleep. The Boko Haram which claimed responsibility equally attacked Bama in Borno State, killing hundreds of people and sacked several villages wiping out entre families and rendering so many widows and widowers.

Some months ago, the sect attacked the Government College of Agriculture, Yobe State, Killing over fifty students while they were asleep in the middle of the night.

It was reported that some victims were severed with sharp knives by the attackers, others were shot while trying to escape.

Several other students were said to have sustained various degrees of injuries as they tried to flee and are reportedly in critical conditions in the hospitals in the North East.

The Same group reported killed 29 Secondary school pupils and their teachers at night in Potiskum, Yobe State not too long ago. some of the pupils were set ablaze alive and others shot at close range.

Also, the same group killed seven pupils and two teachers in Damaturu, the state capital in a similar attack in a Primary school in June. As a fact, a total of 48 pupils and seven teachers have so far been massacred by the insurgents since June 16 in addition to the latest figure.

We are shocked at the continued targeting of harmless school pupils/

THE NIGERIAN

Killing Of 59 School Children

By Boko Haram students by the dare devils who cruelly killed the harmless and innocent students while asleep at night in their hostels and condemn their gruesome murder in its entirety. The killings are barbaric and unimaginable in a 21st century global world. It is our view, there can be no justification, whatsoever for the deliberate targeting of students and those looking after them.

Ordinarily, in a war situation, women and children and even innocent civilian populations are not fired by warring parties as a rule. But sadly, Boko Haram disregards these war time rules in their armed campaign whose mission or grouse is still unclear to many Nigerians, including the Islamic community. It is highly reprehensible targeting harmless children and their teachers who did not contribute to the problem of society in any way.

It is sad that this ugly incident occurred in an environment where a State of Emergency is being implemented. The question is where were the security men at the time of incident?

Why did government chose to disconnected mobile telephony in affected states where the

emergency rule is operational? We believe that if the cell phones of residents were functional, the miscreants would not have been able to escape after perpetrating the dastardly act.

We therefore call on the federal government to track down the perpetrators of this heinous crime against humanity and bring them to justice.

Nigeria cannot be reduced to a barbaric society where innocent children would be massacred with impunity by Boko Haram insurgents.

Government has to take further steps to forestall any other occurrence of this wickedness by beefing up security around all public schools and institutions in troubled parts of the state. We equally appeal to military authorities and the Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC, to take urgent steps to restore mobile communications services in the affected states , so that information could be easily passed by citizens to security authorities, when the unexpected occur. We believe that if mobile telephones were functional, citizens around the schools would have made contacts that would have dealt with the impunity of the hoodlums.

Beyond the recent activities, we are still worried about the unending bloodletting in Northern Nigeria by this group. We urge a more holistic approach to dealing with the insurgency and impunity of the insurgents to put a final stop to this menace.

True Wealth According Cutting Edge To Jesus Christ

THERE is a critical issue of life and death that most of us take for granted, but which will ultimately determine our future relationship with our creator-owner – Jehovah when we transit this physical plain: “Spiritual Wealth”, which is the major theme of the Bible, and which, though has been muffled by the prosperity doctrines of some of today’s churches, will ultimately determine our final destination after judgment day.

Whether we are going to “Heaven” or “Hell” will be determined by the kind of wealth we choose to acquire on this earthly plain.

The seductive doctrines of some contemporary prosperity churches have largely coloured the Bible’s connotations of true wealth.

With particular reference to Third World countries, where the harsh economic realities have transformed people into Tele-guided zombies, who are susceptible to the manipulations of false religious doctrines, the wrong notions of wealth have found willing disciples.

Today, Christianity is no longer about salvation, holiness, righteousness, love, forgiveness, tolerance, patience, meekness, humility, and other heavenly virtues, but about what one can grab and enjoy on this earthly plain. when you attend some church services, only scant attention is given to the future joys of heavenly bliss, as our fake apostles of moral correctness focus basically on earthly prosperity, in their morbid greed to swell the size of their congregations and make more money from the tithes and offerings of their ignorant, miracle-seeking disciples.

This is quite unfortunate, for when the supposed shepherds of the lord totally deviate from the core dictates of their “calling” to focus on fleeting earthly issues, it calls for serious concern.

The idea of material prosperity at the expense of spiritual increase is alien to the core teachings of Christianity as enthused by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is a Western capitalist idea that was inserted into the pure

teachings of Christianity after the religion came in contact with Europe, and later, America, in later centuries, after the followers of Christ were first called “Christians” at Antioch; a Mercantilist ideology that was meant to justify the debauched and greed-driven aims of the socalled system of free enterprise; a Satanic infusion into the undiluted teachings of the Bible; demonic insertions that were meant to divert the elect from focusing on acquiring the only true wealth that matters: An eternal, boundless, and unconditional spiritual relationship with God, through the benevolent sacrifice of His son, our Lord and personal Saviour, Jesus the Christ – the only relationship that can guarantee us true wealth in this life and in the hereafter.

Prosperity gospels have created a very materialistic generation which believes that everything begins and ends on this earth. If I may ask, how many of today’s professed Christians believe in an afterlife? How many Christians believe that heaven and hellfire are not mere myths? How many Christians truly believe in the Bible and the existence of God? If one does a rough sampling of opinions centered around these pertinent questions, the answers that are likely to emanate from such an enquiry is the painful truth that most of the people you see masquerading as Christians are not really Christians in the Biblical sense, but a bunch of selfseeking, self-deceiving, selfrighteous, attention-seekers, who have lost their way and have not realized it; worshipers of Mammon, who, in their quest for money, power, reverence, fame, and connections, have relegated the love of God to the background.

In their selfish cravings after material wealth, some Christians have sold their souls to the Devil (1 Timothy

With Obuseh Jude

6:10). Some of today’s Christians engage in the most contemptible enterprises in their desperate quests to “make it”. From advanced fee fraudsters, con artists, armed robbers, hired assassins, corrupt politicians, ritual killers, kidnappers, commercial sex workers, gossips, backbiters and backstabbers, mudslingers, to other despicable characters too numerous to mention, our churches have become assemblies of caterpillars; evil melting pots where the incarnates of Satan converge from time to time to

will be shocked to witness, first hand, the hypocrisies that the worship of God has become muddled up in, as they will be faced with the gospel truth that some churches are actually havens for thieves, murderers, and other shady characters; that most church leaders don’t

Christians. The slogan of these doomsday pastors is “seek yea first the financial kingdom and its accoutrements, and all other things shall be added unto you”. These apostates equate the Biblical kingdom of God with the possession of mere material trappings of life.

and preserving the souls of their flock from eternal damnation; for it is not out of the altruistic dispositions of these end-time heretics that they hold countless church programs every year, in tandem with other commercial enterprises they engage in, but out of their

blaspheme the spotless name of the Lord; covens where witches and warlocks whose unbridled love for money, power, fame, and respect, rendezvous.

The most annoying part of the whole madness is the shameless manner some of our church ministers “proprietors” is more appropriate - honour these angels of darkness with the most revered positions – Elders, Deacons, etc - in their churches. A visit to some churches will be heartbreaking experiences for some highly perceptive members of the public, who

practice what they preach; that while overtly condemning evil, they covertly support it; that some church leaders are actually agents of Satan sent to corrupt the body of Christ and disrupt Jehovah’s future plans for His earthly wards.

Some Church leaders, who are supposed to be the earthly “shepherds” of the flock, have through their conduct, helped in promoting the wrong notions about true wealth. The ostentatious lifestyles some pastors live, has contributed towards fuelling the mad craze for earthly acquisitions among contemporary

When members of a congregation see their pastor driving choice wonders-onwheels, globetrotting in customized private jets, living in cozy Igloos and castles, stepping out in designer attires, at the expense of sincerely reaching out to the doomed souls in his assembly with the message of true salvation for their souls, there is a large tendency for even the elect to be deceived into beginning to see material wealth as an end in itself.

Most church leaders are shylock businessmen; commercial syndicates who ventured into ministry for purely monetary considerations; shameless journeymen whose claims to divine authority are as blasphemous as they are ignominious - empty claims that are as hollow as clanging cymbals. Jokes apart, the fraudsters masquerading as the GOs of some churches do not give a hoot about rescuing

larcenous quests to continually pilfer the hardearned funds of their bewildered herd in the name of the lord.

I am piqued at the shameless manner some professed bornagain Christians hanker after material possessions at the expense of eternal life; marvel at the rate supposed children of God are enamoured by fleeting man-made luxuries, when they have the promise of a heavenly paradise to look forward to; amazed at the foolishness of individuals who consider themselves better than others simply because they are better appareled; astonished that luxurious items, which are vain in reality, are more highly valued than man himself, who for his own purposes conferred value on these items, in the first place; revolted at those who deify a rich man simply because he is

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“I am piqued at the shameless manner some professed bornagain Christians hanker after material possessions at the expense of eternal life; marvel at the rate supposed children of God are enamoured by fleeting man-made luxuries, when they have the promise of a heavenly paradise to look forward to...”

Continues on pg 15

Nutritional Health And Dietetics

Internal Bleeding And What To Do

HEAVY bleeding from any part of the body must be regarded as abnormal. There are different causes of internal bleeding. A hemorrhage may come from any cavity in the body. The more serious types of bleeding usually occur in the lungs or the stomach.

Bleeding or hemorrhage may come from the organs as well. It is always important to know where the blood is actually coming from, so that, proper treatment can be instituted.

Bleeding from the lungs Bleeding from the lungs is a bad sign. The blood appears bright red, and may be frothy.

Tuberculosis is still a major cause of bleeding from the lungs (Brink, 2000).

Bleeding from the lungs, which comes on suddenly without any warning, could be due to tuberculosis. A hemorrhage of this type, usually means that a large blood vessel has been eroded by the presence of disease.

Cancer of the lungs may also, cause bleeding, so will an injury to the chest, such as, a hand blow or perhaps of traffic accident. A bad case of bronchitis might also, result in hemorrhage or violent coughing. Apart from the lungs, there is another cause of bleeding such as pneumonia.

Bleeding from the heart – Rheumatic heart disease may at times, cause a certain amount of bleeding from the lungs. With heavy exercise, the back pressure on the lungs may arise far above normal level, causing some of the smaller vessels to rupture (Joe, 1999).

If blood clot somewhere in the body, such as, in the leg or pelvis, it would break up and enter the blood stream. It will usually lodge in one of the larger vessels or the lungs, known as pulmonary embolus. This is followed by

sudden pain in the chest, followed by fever, cough and perhaps some bleeding. This may last for several days, severe bleeding may occur in a case of ruptures aneurysm of the aorta.

This is the large artery that carries blood from the heart to all the larger blood vessels of the body. When the aorta becomes diseased, because of some conditions such as syphilis or arteriosclerosis, the weakened walls become very dilated. This mass may then press one of the bronchial tubes, causing a certain amount of bleeding.

If the aneurism ruptures into bronchitis. There will be sudden rush of blood through the mouth and death comes suddenly. Certain bleeding diseases should also be mentioned.

Such as hemophilia, in which the blood fails to clot properly.

Leukaemia may result in bleeding too.

Bleeding from the Vagina – Bleeding from the vagina is perfectly normal when it occurs as at every twentyeight days (28). Heavy bleeding between this period should be thoroughly investigated (Wilson, 2002).

Bleeding through pregnancy must always be considered serious. Scientists say bleeding after the menopause may indicate the presence of cancer.

Bleeding from the bladder – When blood appears in the urine, there is always some definite cause. The only exception to this is during “menstruation”. Bleeding from the bladder accordingly to Simon (2005) may be due to an injury to either one of the kidneys or bladder. Stone in the bladder he said, may also at times, give rise to some bleeding.

Tumours, inflammation and tuberculosis may also, do this.

With

O.C. Madu GSM: 08056379608

Bleeding Ulcer – Peptic ulcers are the most frequent cause of bleeding in the stomach and small bowel.

Bleeding may be the first sign that the patient has an ulcer (Brink, 2000).

Gastritis is another cause of bleeding from the stomach.

This may be due to alcohol and occasionally even due to aspirin. Sometimes, cancer of stomach may cause severe

Bleeding from the rectum – Researchers confirmed that blood from rectum or lower bowel is bright red. But usually, blood from the stomach is dark due to digestion. The most frequent cause of rectal bleeding is hemorrhoids or “piles” often there is pain as well.

Cancer of the lower bowel – Sometimes, give rise to bleeding from the rectum. But

further digestion has taken place while in the bowel.

Bleeding from the stomach or small bowel is always serious. If too much blood is lost, a condition known as “shock” may develop. The patient may appear very pale.

He may be restless and his breathing may be irregular.

The skin according to clef (2005) is cold and chammy.

The pulse is rapid and weak.

Treatment for Nose Bleeding – Keep the patient sitting upright in a comfortable position with his head held back. Apply steady pressure to the side of the nose that is bleeding. Press firmly on the nostril. The patient should breathe through his mouth. He must not blow the nose.

Apply cold bath cloths to the back of the neck or to the face,

bleeding from the stomach.

Cirrhosis of the liver is another frequent cause of bleeding from the stomach and esophagus. Simon (2005) said, it is more likely to occur in people who drink larger quantities of alcohol. Because of the damage of the liver.

Large veins may appear on the surface of stomach or esophagus. One of these may rupture, cause a massive hemorrhage. Unless the bleeding is brought under control, the patient may not survive.

other causes are usually present such as constipation which has never existed before.

Bleeding from the stomach – When there is bleeding into the stomach, the blood may go into two different directions.

Some of it may be vomited.

This will be dark brown in colour, due to the contact with the digestive juices of the stomach. The other may pass through the bowel and appear as a black, tarry stool. This change in colour means that

The tips of his fingers may appear blue and cold.

Something must be done for such a patient without delay.

Nose Bleeding – Nose bleeding according to Brink (2000) is common at every age in life. In elderly people, it is often an indication of high blood pressure. Any injury to the nose or skull may cause nose bleeding. If there is a mixture of blood and watery (spinal) fluid, this strongly suggests a fracture of the base of the skull. It may follow a severe blow on the head. It is wise to have an X-ray of the skull in such causes.

An inflammation or irritation inside the nose may bring on a nasal hemorrhage.

Syphilis and tuberculosis are other conditions that cause nose to bleed, but the most frequent causes are injury imitation, picking and heavy blowing of the nose.

may also, help-before calling your health-provider.

If the bleeding is coming from rectum or vagina, keep the patient lying flat. Elevate the foot of the bed.

If the patient is frequent, notify her doctor at once, keep her absolutely quiet. Do not let her move around any more than absolutely necessary.

Keep an ice – bag over the lower abdomen constantly.

Useful herbs for bleeding – There are bitter leaf, Horsetail, shephard purse, knot grass or cosmopolitan weed.

Horsetail is a very valuable herb, not only for nose bleeding, but also, bleeding generally. Hemorrhoid, boil, infected wounds. It cleanses and heals stomach, kidneys and wound with pus accumulation and eases urination.

“Horsetail is a very valuable herb, not only for nose bleeding, but also, bleeding generally. Hemorrhoid, boil, infected wounds. It cleanses and heals stomach, kidneys and wound with pus accumulation and eases urination.”

Continued from pg 13 rich, despite owing him nothing; astounded when I see my Christian brothers and sisters sharing God’s glory with mere specks of dust because of the vain earthly possessions of the later. So many other imported traditions astound me in the church today.

The truth is that most Christians attend church, not out of deep spiritual convictions, but as socioreligious duties. They come to church to increase their social standings, not to worship God in spirit and in truth. To these individuals, coming to church is a mere routine; a mechanical response to the promptings of societal expectations; an obligation that is as superficial as it is directionless; a make-belief exercise in every sense of the word. That is why so many socalled Christians still live in spiritual squalor and emptiness, despite the amount of material wealth in their possessions; the kind of poverty that is induced by sterile religiosity – a spiritless condition that is the logical consequence of a stereotypical, materialistic worldview that defines contemporary Christianity.

That is why a rich man will see his fellow brethren going through torrid times and ignore him. That is why a needy member of an assembly will come to a General Overseer, who owns a private Jet, with a serious financial challenge, only to be encouraged with mere words such as: “Have faith”, “the Lord will provide”, “God’s time is the best”. That is why social vices continue to burgeon exponentially out of control as mortals are forced to become more engrossed in the mad rush for the acquisition of ephemeral worldly treasures.

True wealth, according to Biblical injunction, is more of a spiritual undertaking than anything material. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible’s view of heavenly wealth remains constant.

Christ in several analogies spoke about the vanity and banality of material possessions; about the stupidity in putting ones faith in such perishable items that

... According Cutting Edge To Jesus Christ cannot stand the test of time; about the foolishness in chasing after transient things that will not guarantee us a future of limitless enjoyment (Luke 12:15; 16:19-31; 18:22).

The Eden debacle is one of the most graphic expositions on the emptiness of material wealth in juxtaposition with its spiritual equivalent. God created man in His image and likeness, equipping him with all that was required to make his life on this earthly plain successful and fulfilling (Gen 1:26-27; 29,30; 2:8,9). Man was spiritually empowered by the Almighty to the extent that nothing was impossible for him to achieve. He was free from all the challenges associated with earthly pursuits (Genesis 1:28-30).

That was before he fell from his exalted heights.

When man disobeyed his maker by siding with the rebellious “sun of the morning”, Lucifer, in his insurgency against the Most High God, he instantly became poverty-stricken. He fell from the pinnacle of his first estate into the depths of penury, pain, fear, anxiety, hopelessness, helplessness, and death. In his former station, he had all he needed at his finger tips, while in his decadent state, he had to struggle to make a living; now had to scratch a living out of an earth that had been created for his enjoyment; now had to work hard to eke out those things that were initially his for the asking – material acquisitions that were originally his before he blew it all by taking those false steps of disobedience that led him off course.

Man’s fall from his Olympian heights was of both spiritual and physical significance. Spiritually, man died; the kind of death that prevented him from having a relationship with Jehovah, his life source; a relationship that had kept him supplied with all his needs; a relationship that had kept him rich and wealthy. Physically, man’s disobedience opened him up to the challenges he currently

With Obuseh Jude

grapples with; challenges that are fitting consequences for his betrayal of the trust reposed in him by a loving, gracious Father (Genesis 3: 17-19).

Let it not be misconstrued that I am against material prosperity. Far from it, my chief grouse is not with material wealth per se, but against its pursuit at the expense of the one true wealth that matters most; the kind of wealth that should form the primary basis of a true Christian’s relationship with God, and the chief parameter on which we shall be judged “guilty or not guilty” on the

to death (Romans 5:12) in its tripartite dimensions: in our relationship with God (Isaiah 59:2; Colossians 1:21; Habakkuk 1:13), in our bodily existence (Psalm 104:29), and to a future joy – the second death (Revelation 20:11-15; 21:8). It is that redemptive sacrifice of Christ that brings every true believer back into

consequently pile up future heavenly riches that will last us for eternity. As true children of God, we must not focus on trifling empty pursuits that are strictly directed at satiating our sinful canal appetites, for it is written that “man must not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from

Biblically speaking, nothing!

We stand to gain nothing if after enjoying all the material trappings of life, we end up in Hellfire – that place of everlasting torment – that place of real poverty; that state of emptiness that cannot be filled by anything material.

Wherever you are right now, as you read this article, go

last day; spiritual wealth against which our physical accoutrements pail into insignificance; the kind of wealth that is not subject to the vagaries of the elements or the passage of time; the kind of wealth that leads to everlasting peace, tranquility, contentment and immortality (Matthew 6:19; 6:20-21; Luke 18: 22). That is the kind of wealth I am talking about.

The children of God are not supposed to suffer on this earth and in the hereafter, for Christ has won our liberation from the dire consequences of the mortal sins of our first parents – Adam and Eve – which initially condemned us

a new relationship with God – the source of true wealth, and the only one who ultimately determines those that are qualified to enjoy it to the fullest, when the time comes.

True Christianity produces true spiritual wealth; the kind of wealth that produces the fruits of love, patience, charity, tolerance, forgiveness, obedience, meekness et al. Any church where these spiritual fruits are in short display is not a safe haven for any wise, paradiseminded child of God. When we steadfastly seek to always do God’s divine will during our brief stints on earth, we

the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). When we adhere completely to the commandments of God pertaining to our earthly conduct, we shall accordingly reap abundant wealth both here on earth and in the afterlife.

In these end times, the true church of Jesus Christ must revert to the strict teachings of the Bible on what constitutes true wealth, if it expects to be taken seriously.

The subsisting ideas on this subject are not only misleading, but constitutes sacrileges against the pure standards of the Most High – anathemas that must be checked; purely human constructs; mercantilist inventions that have estranged the flock from the truth that material wealth does not guarantee us access to heaven or eternal life.“What shall it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and losses his own soul (Mark 8:36)?”

down immediately on your knees and start asking God to forgive you for having been two-faced Christian all these while; for having not been fully committed to serving him; for having concentrated much of your time and energy serving two masters – God and Marmon (Luke 16:13); for having focused on pursuing ephemeral wealth at the expense of the true wealth of eternal life in a heavenly paradise. Promise to, from this day onwards, focus only on seeking his face always and obeying His commandments’; to henceforth focus on doing those things that will qualify you for an afterlife of unlimited wealth and riches beyond your wildest dreams.

Thank Him for answering your prayers. God bless you as you do this. “May the good Lord imbue us all with the wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and grace to keep to the terms of His relationship with us, in Jesus name, Amen”!

GSM: 08033510173

“In these end times, the true church of Jesus Christ must revert to the strict teachings of the Bible on what constitutes true wealth, if it expects to be taken seriously. The subsisting ideas on this subject are not only misleading, but constitutes sacrileges against the pure standards of the Most High – anathemas that must be checked...”

Perspective

THE CBN was established by an Act of Parliament in 1958. It is Nigeria’s number one and most superior Bank. It has Legal Operational Guidelines. It protects Nigeria’s economy and currency. It has a Board of Directors. It regulates the operations of other Banks and Financial Houses in Nigeria. The CBN began its operations on 1 of July, 1959 with thirteen Branches and five Currency Centres.

Progressively, it has grown and established more Branches with a fewer Currency Centres in different States of Nigeria.

The CBN, the Bank of England and other Banks elsewhere in the World are largely insulated and strongly protected from political interference by partisan politicians in power.

The Nigerian economy has been in serious crisis since after the inception of Democracy. The Currency was relatively strong prior to year 2000. The failure of an economy usually leads to several failures in a Country. The naira is weak when compared to other currencies. Nigerian currency was the strongest in the World in 1984 and 1985 when General Buhari was Head of State. A Country with weak currency has no strong voice in International Community. No tangible actions and measures have hitherto been seriously taken by Government to

CBN And The Suspens

strengthen the naira.

Nigeria’s economic policy is unhealthy. Nigeria is on her journey to bankruptcy.

Most industries are m o r i b u n d .

Recapitalisation in the Banking Sector by Professor Soludo during President Obasanjo’s regime without thorough research, adequate consultation and co ordination complicated Nigeria’s economic problems. Indeed, a genuinely reformed and recapitalised banking sector would give entrepreneurs, industrialists, businessmen and serious economicminded individuals the opportunity to source reasonably cheap funds with reduced interest rates with which to establish small and medium scale enterprises, expand production and for resuscitation of ailing industries. The ill-fated recapitalisation resulted in mass retrenchment of many hardworking, patriotic, productive, strong and trained Nigerians because only 25 banks survived the earthquake. There are five very strong Banks in Africa. Is anyone in Nigeria? Where is it?

Three are in South Africa.

Nigeria is the most populous Country in Africa and the 10 largest Country by population in

By DR PRINCE OYAKHIRE OON, PHD

the World. An economy serves people because Government has a social contract with people to improve their living standards.

Africa’s contribution to the World’s economy is below ten percent. The reasons for poor development in African Continent are many.

Creative, missionary and visionary leadership is lacking because most African leaders lack self control, discipline and foresight.

The quality of political leadership in most of Africa’s fifty four Countries is not exactly high.

Development is truly a rise in the standard of living of the populace in such a way that most people can satisfy their economic and social needs adequately and enjoy life more comfortably. Indeed, development is the realisation of human personality through the progressive reduction of poverty, unemployment and inequality. It involves increase in possession and utilisation of resources most satisfactorily to meet people’s needs more fully.

In Nigeria today, the possession of a cellular mobile telephone has ceased to be an exclusive preserve of Governors, Senators, Generals,

Commissioners and expatriate officials of Oil Companies.

Almost

Banks have computerised their operations. A few of them are already through brilliant, professional and managerial skills returning

industrialised Country in Africa. Many politicians in top positions did not grow through the normal ladder of Senior Management

b G o c N k

experience in well a d m i n i s t e r e d establishments before they started handling high level management positions in Government. Candidly, our current services are not sophisticated enough to support and enhance knowledgedriven economy that will achieve the vision 20:20:20 target.

Strong economy is predicated on discipline, diligence, commitment and patriotism on the part of the citizenry in a Country. It is always strongly supported by strong economic policies.

THE SUSPENSION OF CBN GOVERNOR IS HASTY The appointment of Sanusi Lamido SANUSI

h o B a e i B g h w a b h a F i o r a o s t t G e

President Goodluck Jonathan

everybody, at least in the Cities, carries one kind of a handset or another. There is no equity in the distribution and utilisation of resources. The Central Bank of Nigeria has already re-introduced Merchant Banks with the required level of capital adequacy, liquidity and cash reserve. Nigeria has all the endowments needed for greatness. All the

quickly to profitability with commendable financial results that are vibrantly giving investors hope for a bright future.

Populist oriented policies are desirable for National growth, unity and sustainable development.

With the arguable exception of South Africa, built by the British, there is no genuinely technologically

“Many politicians in top positions did not grow through the normal ladder of Senior Management experience in well administered establishments before they started handling high level management positions in Government. Candidly, our current services are not sophisticated enough to support and enhance knowledge- driven economy that will achieve the vision 20:20:20 target.”

Perspective

ion Of Sanusi Lamido

by President Yar’Adua as Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria was well complimented by Nigerians because of his knowledge, confidence,

against “seven pointless agenda” of President Yar’Adua and proffered relevant alternatives.

Tongues wagged. He spoke to improve and not

professional breaches and unethical conduct were severely dealt with. In consequence, some Managing Directors in some big Banks lost their

Suspended CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido

honesty, skills and wealth of experience in the Banking Industry. He has a credible history of excellent integrity and impressive performance in Banking Operations. He gave a credible account of himself in the banking world prior to his appointment. In his brilliant Banking Career, he headed (led) the biggest and widest- spread Bank, First Bank of Nigeria impressively and handed over to a successor without rancour on his appointment as Governor of CBN. When being screened, by the Senate of the National Assembly for the post of Central Bank Governor, he spoke eloquently and specifically

to destroy. He appeared at the National Assembly severally on diverse issues and has diligently impressed Nigerians by his presentations and submissions. He has remained consistent with his indomitable courage, gut, diligence, transparency, patriotism and sincerity of purpose in the performance of his duties as the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria.

Shortly after his appointment as CBN Governor, the Board of CBN decided to cleanse the Banking Industry of filth. The industry is a major actor in every Economy. It is the driver of the Economy. By the Board’s radical analysis,

p o s i t i o n s unceremoniously. They were also criminally held for fraud, corruption, profligacy, lack of accountability and gross internal mismanage The Board also intervened in areas of Educational Institutions in Nigeria aimed at filling major gaps in infrastructure, humanitarian disasters by mobilising Commercial Banks to contribute to

flood disaster relief, Christmas day bomb blast in Madalla in Sulejah near Abuja with twenty five million naira, Boko Haram massacre in Kano with one hundred million naira approved by the Board .

This practice by CBN is a Worldwide recognised tradition designed to assist humanity. The Central Bank of Nigeria does not take money monthly from the Federation Account or the consolidated Re Fund.

The CBN Governor has consistently maintained the posture of absolute transparency. He has also tried to make public officers accountable. In recent times, he openly accused the NNPC of failing to reconcile its accounts with the Central Bank. He also told Senate Committee of the scam in NNPC over kerosine subsidy involving twenty billion dollars. This sum is about 66% (2/3) of our current National budget.

This is preposterous. This is corruption galore. The NNPC has no known history of honesty in its operations. The NNPC was last audited in 2005.

His disclosure angered many people in NNPC and made other relevant Agencies uncomfortable.

Sadly, many Nigerians outrightly detest truth.

Most Nigerians do not naturally want the truth to be told in serious matters and whosoever dares to tell

the truth is marked for destruction.

The suspension from duty of the CBN Governor who is billed to retire in June 2014 is hasty and seemingly not in the interest of justice and by implication not in National interest. The CBN and NNPC are Public Institutions that came into existence through proper procedures (due processes). People who lead or head these Institutions must be persons who have been seriously tested and found to be of sound professionalism, diligence, patriotism and of unquestionable integrity.

There are defined procedures for dealing with erring officers in the Public Service. Sanusi is not known to have been previously queried for fraud, incompetence, misconduct or for any wrong doing. The CBN is audited mandatorily every year. Sanusi was not accused of dishonesty.

There is no existing criminal charge against him by the Police or EFCC in any Court of law in Nigeria. He has boldly accused NNPC as an Institution of dereliction of duty and fraud in transactions. All the disputants in CBN and NNPC agreed to the fact that some billions of dollars have not been accounted for by NNPC. There is no dispute about

this fact. The disagreement is only about the exact figure of dollars that is missing. There are Six Committees that statutorily perform oversight functions in NNPC. For 18 months, from January 2011 to June 2012, remittances were not made to CBN by NNPC. Is it that none of the Six Committees saw this default or dereliction or is it simply an issue of conspiracy in high places?

The President of Nigeria, however, has suspended Sanusi. The President acted ultra vires against the CBN Act. He did not even consult the National Assembly.

It is implied that whatever the President does is done in National interest. It must not be seen as hastily done with multifarious sinister interpretations.

Government has crossed the rubicon. Government’s action is morally unpleasant and politically inexcusable. Government could afford to wait for him to complete his tenure rather than getting involved in controversial attempts to remove him from office. He is a man of strong integrity. His suspension has sent negative signals clearly to global economic investors.

This is a costly political decision in view of the large stakes involved.

Besides, security reasons preclude me from saying more on this issue of suspension for now.

“It is implied that whatever the President does is done in National interest. It must not be seen as hastily done with multifarious sinister interpretations. Government has crossed the rubicon. Government’s action is morally unpleasant and politically inexcusable. Government could afford to wait for him to complete his tenure rather than getting involved in controversial attempts to remove him from office.”

Education STAKEHOLDERS in the education sector regard the Universal Basic Education (UBE) scheme as a pragmatic programme aimed at boosting literacy in Nigeria.

Basic education refers to the whole range of educational activities taking place in different settings — formal, non-formal and informal — which aim to meet basic learning needs.

UBE, which is regarded as a priority for all developing countries, is the focus of the “Education for All’’ movement led by UNESCO. It is also one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Analysts observe that the “Education for All’’ campaign of UNESCO has been repackaged to include useful components that would engender the effective delivery of knowledge in lower secondary schools.

They vouch for the desirability of the campaign, stressing that basic education is the bedrock of a society’s development and the foundation for other levels of education.

The analysts note that the recognition of basic education as a dependent variable in all spheres of human development has somewhat compelled UNESCO to insist on promoting quality basic education globally.

To that end, UNESCO ensures that it holds regular contacts via quarterly meetings with relevant stakeholders on the UBE scheme, as part of designed efforts to promote basic education.

For instance, UNESCO recently organised a quarterly meeting of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and States’ Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEBs) in Osogbo to ensure and sustain quality basic

education delivery in Nigeria.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, who was represented by Deputy Governor Titi Laoye-Tomori, declared the meeting open and expressed his administration’s commitment to the growth of basic education.

To boost basic education in the state, Aregbesola said that the state government had improved the feeding allowances for all the pupils of public elementary schools in the state.

He also said that 2,330 qualified teachers had been recruited by Osun SUBEB to fill existing vacancies in elementary and middle schools.

Mr Felix Awofisayo, the Executive Chairman of Osun SUBEB, said that one of the six-point action plan of Osun Government for the state’s development entailed the provision of quality basic education.

However, the participants in the meeting made some observations on the implementation of the UBE programme in Nigeria, while making resolutions and offering recommendations.

They observed that physical education and sports were not receiving enough attention in most schools across the country because of inadequate facilities in the schools.

The participants also urged SUBEBs to establish functional units of the Education Management Information System (EMIS) in their organisations and in the Local Government Education Authorities (LGEA).

They stressed that the units would facilitate the collection and analysis of school data, while enhancing the capacity of head teachers in record keeping.

“SUBEBs are to ensure that instructional materials

Boosting Universal Basic

are distributed according to needs, using the enrolment data and availability of books in their states.

“This is to ensure value for money and support the Federal Government’s Universal Basic Education Textbook Initiative,’’ they said.

The participants, nonetheless, recommended that Nigeria should develop its human resources and build the human capacity for socio-economic and industrial growth so as to lay a solid foundation for quality basic education.

However, Dr Dikko Suleiman, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, conveyed the Federal Government’s commitment to adopting UNESCO’s policy, saying that 33 model Almajiri schools were established in 22 states and the FCT in 2013.

Speaking after the meeting,

Education In Nigeria

By TOLA OKINBALOYE

he noted that 34 Model III Almajiri Schools and three special schools were equally established in the year.

Suleiman said that the National Implementation Committee on Almajiri Education and UBEC would soon embark on an inspection of all the Almajiri schools.

He stressed that textbooks and teachers’ guides for Almajiri education had been produced and distributed to states.

He, however, said that tangible efforts would be made to verify claims made on the usage of instructional materials and recruitment of teachers by state governments.

Besides, Suleiman said that

“They observed that physical education and sports were not receiving enough attention in most schools across the country because of inadequate facilities in the schools. The participants also urged SUBEBs to establish functional units of the Education Management Information System (EMIS) in their organisations and in the Local Government Education Authorities (LGEA).”

the commission would hold consultative meetings with major stakeholders, including commissioners for education and proprietors of private schools, on a regular basis.

The executive secretary, however, commended Delta, Kano State, Imo and Lagos states for their various innovations aimed at enhancing the effective implementation of the UBE programme.

Suleiman urged states, which had yet to access the UBE Intervention Funds, to take necessary steps to do so without any further delay so as to boost basic education.

One of the participants, Mr Adewale Bamidele, a Local Education Officer from Ondo State, urged UBEC and SUBEBs to ensure the regular monitoring of the Federal Teachers’ Scheme in their states in order to maximise its benefits.

“UBEC and SUBEBs and other stakeholders should also collaborate to ensure the successful conduct of the forthcoming national school census.

“States should encourage the participation of schools in co-curricular activities such as sports, quizzes, debates, essay-writing competitions, sign language clubs, readers’ clubs and drug-free clubs, among others,’’ he said.

Bamidele also called for the rehabilitation of all dilapidated public elementary and middle schools as well as the provision of adequate classroom furniture as a matter of priority.

All in all, the participants agreed that there was a need to provide qualified manpower and adequate funds as well as monitoring vehicles for states across the country to boost basic education.

They particularly underscored the need to recruit and post adequate qualified teachers to public elementary and middle schools across the country.

“Besides, the sustained professional development of teachers will complement efforts of the Federal Government and UNESCO to boost basic education in Nigeria,’’ the participants added.

Drumbeats How To Achieve Wealth And Fame (6) INVESTING in property and real estate has the potential to showcase you into wealth and fame.

1 have seen and heard of numerous people who became billionaires by investing in property and real estate.

Donald Trump is known globally and also regarded as a major billionaire because he has made numerous success in property and real estate. He owns various skyscrapers in major countries of the world.

Peter Daniels was an unusual man whose life reads like a Horatio Alger story. Born in Australia, his parents were thirdgeneration welfare recipients used to being poor. Peter attended elementary school in Adelaide. Because of learning disability, he found it difficult to understand and assemble words.

Consequently he was labeled stupid by teachers who were either too busy or didn’t care enough to find out why he struggled. One teacher in particular, Miss Philips, would make Peter stand in front of the class where she would berate him with, Peter Daniels, you are a bad boy and you will never amount to anything.

Of course this did nothing for his- self esteem. As a result, he failed every grade in school. One of his earliest career choice was to become a bricklayer.

A few years later, married with a young family, he decided to go into business for himself. The first venture failed miserably and he was broke within a year.

Undaunted, he saw another opportunity and channeled his energy into making it a success.

A similar fate awaited him, he was broke, within eighteen months.

With steely determination to overcome these setback, Peter again launched himself into the competitive word of business, only to end up broke for a third time. He now had the unbelievable track record of going broke three times within five years.

Most people would give up at this point. Not Peter Daniels. His attitude was, I am learning and I haven’t made the same mistake twice. This is excellent experience. Asking his wife Robena to support him one more time, he decided to sell residential and commercial real estate. One skill Peter had honed over the years was his ability to persuade. He was a naturally good promoter. Much of this came from the necessity to deal with a constant stream of creditors who wanted payment.

During the next ten years, the name Peter Daniels became synonymous with residential and commercial real estate. Through careful selection and astute negotiation he accumulated a portfolio worth several million dollars.

Today Peter Daniel is an internationally acclaimed businessman who has created successful ventures in many countries around the world. His

friends include royalty, heads of state, and the leading movers and shakers of the commercial world. He is also a philanthropist who is passionate about helping others, and whose generosity has funded many Christian endeavors.

When asked what turned his life from triple indebtedness to unprecedented success, he replied, I scheduled time to think. In fact, I reserve one day a week on my calendar just to think. All of my greatest ideas, opportunities and moneymaking ventures started with the days I took off to think. I used to lock myself away in my den with strict instructions to my family that under no circumstance was I to be disturbed. The same strategy worked for Einstein who actually did his pondering in a special thinking chair.

And it transformed the life of Peter Daniels from school failure to multimillionaire. By the way, Peter has now written several bestselling books, one of which was titled Miss Phillip, you were wrong! A reminder to his old teacher not to give up too quickly on her students.

If Peter Daniels can become rich and famous through property and real estate in spite of his poor family background, negative opinion by his teacher who gave false prediction that he will never amount to anything in life, and loss of money and business which he encountered due to inexperience and lack of adequate finances to complement his dream and goals, then I see no reason why you cannot venture into property and real estate and through it, beautify your life and destiny.

I have met people who were dropped out from secondary school who are now billionaires through investments in property and real estate.

Investing in property and real estate will not make you a millionaire or billionaire overnight, but with determination, courage, strong will, positive mind-set, risk taking and obedience to God, fame, wealth and riches will certainly not elude you in Jesus Name. Amen.

Book Writing Do you have flair for writing?

Do people appreciate each time you write an article, letter or deliver speeches at public places?

One of the quickest ways to prosperity and fame is through book writing. Book writing could enhance your riches and fame.

The world of writing has produced many millionaires and billionaires and people are fast coming to the reality that writing is a business of its own, especially, with publishers around the world.

Develop good writing skills.

Writing skills can be developed.

What will enhance your writing skills is determination. If you are determined, disciplined, persistent and dedicated to

writing, then you will soon discover that writing is pleasurable.

For those who possess writing skills, writing is sure one of the quickest means of making quick money from the scratch, and making it huge too.

All you need is constructive creativeness that will be gathered up in a book that will interest people.

In this business of writing, if you are able to get a reliable and competent publisher, you don’t need a dime to start. All you need is your presentation of sound manuscripts.

Another important point worthy of note is that you do not necessarily need to be a graduate of English or Literature to be a

ideas that can help to enhance your writing skills.

Your ability to sharpen your writing skills can make you a best-seller in the world of writers.

Anybody who wishes to be successful in book writing must know one or two things about essays. For you to be successful, you have to come up with ideas that are strange to others. As much as possible, you should give people information that they need.

Your focus as a writer is to solve people’s problems and also seek to solve problems that tend to destroy your country through book writing.

Your ideas in your book could

good writer.

You may have the talent through merely having read a lot of other writer’s works. Develop the habit of reading popular authors and non popular authors’ books.

Writing is simple. Through patience, discipline and perseverance you will discover that writing, whether fiction, or non-fiction is not difficult.

There are different kinds of books in the market, ranging from motivational, business, politics, science, academic, biographical and fictional books, and huge market exists for these.

IT IS NOT ABOUT BIG GRAMMAR One of the greatest obstacles why many people avoid writing or take writing as a hobby is fear of not having big grammar to back up their writings.

Friends, big grammar does not make you a good writer, neither does it determine the market audience.

Your ability to communicate your writing in simple terms or form is what makes you a good writer.

SHARPEN YOUR WRITING SKILLS There are however some things which are critical for someone venturing into writing a successful book or writing career. You need to sharpen your writing skills first, if you hope or want to succeed as a career writer. Find out people that have

solve global financial problem or resolve national conflict or help to avert war between two or more countries.

It is through this you carve out a niche for yourself.

You must conduct an extensive research in order to enrich your work and achieve the desired results.

If possible, it will do you a lot of good to attend a writing course or workshop so that you can learn how to write in a way that is both interesting and pleasurable. Writing is a career that has made so many famous and rich in our society.

Some people believe that books don’t sell fast. I find this statement very offensive and insulting.

Book sales depend on the theme, content, context and style of writing. For example while I was still writing this book, a major topic that can make millions of naira and fame for me came into my mind. The title is Ten Things President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Must Do. Do you need an angel or a prophet to tell you that such book will be best-seller in the market? Of course, different shades of personalities, in the society and beyond will want to know ten things Goodluck Jonathan should or must do.

I say to you again that book writing can give you wealth, fame and leverage in the shortest

With Apostle Dr. Raphael O. Ayemere 08035459593

possible time.

Who should write books?

Anybody can write a book.

You may not need to be a grammarian, graduate or have Ph.D before you can be a good writer.

Nevertheless, these qualities are added assets.

HOW TO WRITE A BOOK 1. Look for a conducive environment to write.

One of the major things that enable writers to develop writing skills and be celebrated globally

is their ability to write in a conducive environment. For example avoid playing music or staying in a noisy environment when trying to write a book. A noiseless environment is the best place to write. This will help you to develop new ideas while writing.

2. CHOOSE A GOOD TOPIC: The reason why most of my books sell very well and are found in the hands of those in government and in private places is due to the kind of topic I write about. For example, The Church and Politics, How to Handle Fame, Women in Politics in Biblical and None Biblical Perspectives, Secret of Success, Secret of Billionaires, How to Exercise Your Authority, Faith for Your Zero Hour Crises Management, The Nigeria of My Dream, What to Do in Tunes of Trouble, to mention but a few.

Before anybody buys your book, the first things he looks out for is the topic, table of contents, about the book and about the author.

3. YOU MUST BE KNOWLEDGEABLE IN THE AREA YOU CHOOSE You don’t write one book in ten or twenty years. The reason why many people spend several years in writing a single book is lack of knowledge or material to complete the book. You must have adequate knowledge about what you intend writing about.

4. HAVE A GOOD STORY. You should endeavor to have good story to tell. Most books sell much in the market because of the story they carry.

A good story can market your book faster than your personal effort to market it.

5. BE CONSISTENT IN WRITING Develop consistency in writing, don’t allow writers’ block to hinder you from writing.

6. GO FOR HUGE MARKET. Most common books sell between 2,000, 5000, and ten thousand in the market. A good and well refined book can sell 100,000, 500,000 and 5,000,000 copies.

7. DO NOT HURRY TO FINISH A BOOK The book you hurry to sell may be neglected, because of lack of value and content. You should settle down properly to write a book. Avoid distraction while writing a book.

8. TELL PEOPLE ABOUT IT Some years ago, a pastor once told me that he had a good book to write. As a writer, I asked him to tell me the title of the book he intended to write. He said the topic is “Adultery is Not a Sin “.

Friends, to be candid with you, I almost fainted. To say I was angry would be an understatement. Thank God he voiced it out and I quickly stopped him from writing such a useless book. That was how he stopped writing a satanic book.

Learn to discuss the book you intend to write with people.

Their ideas could help enhance your books or dissuade you from writing the book. Except you have established yourself as a good writer, then you can avoid showing or narrating your book to others. This will help to avoid plagiarism and the stealing of your dream.

9. HAVE A GOOD INTRODUCTION AND TABLE OF CONTENTS Your introduction should not be narrow minded. It should cover your entire ideas in the book you intend to write. Make your introduction and table of contents. Satisfy your audience, else they could avoid buying your book even when the topic is good and attractive.

10. SELL YOUR BOOK YOURSELF OR GIVE IT TO A GOOD PUBLISHER Your ability to sell your book on your own will help to avoid cheating by dubious publishers.

You may have restrictions compared to professional publisher, yet it is worthwhile considering the activities of some dishonest publishers. It could cost you much to find good ones.

View Point “For instance, some residents of certain communities do trek several kilometres in search of water, and in other communities, the sources of water are usually not healthy for human consumption.”

As part of efforts to achieve this goal, Mr Peter Gai, the Coordinator, Project Support Unit (PSU) of the MDGs Office in Plateau, said that the PSU had sunk 566 boreholes in rural communities across the state.

Gai said that the boreholes, which were either handpumped or motorised, were provided under the track projects of the federal, state and local governments, which were executed by the PSU. He said that the boreholes were sited in communities that were in dire need of potable water supply.

“These boreholes are in

“We have situations where people go to streams and rivers to fetch water to drink; and the water could be very hazardous to their health.

“We have intervened by siting water projects in areas which we considered to be in dire need of such facilities,’’ he says.

However, Gai noted that the major challenge facing the drilling of boreholes in most of the areas was the rocky nature of the terrain.

He said that while it was difficult to access water in some areas, the water yield in other areas was somewhat low.

various rural communities, cutting across the 17 local governments of the state.

“Our choice of benefitting communities is purely based on the outcome of a needs’ assessment survey conducted by our office.

“For instance, some residents of certain communities do trek several kilometres in search of water, and in other communities, the sources of water are usually not healthy for human consumption,’’ he says.

Gai said that in spite of the water projects of the PSU, some rural communities still required more boreholes so as to curtail the high rate of water-borne diseases.

He, however, reiterated the determination of the MDGs Office to tackle the water supply challenges facing rural communities in Plateau, as part of efforts to deal with the rising menace of waterborne diseases in the areas.

“As part of efforts to meet up with the targets of the MDGs in relation to environmental sanitation and water supply to the people, we want to make sure that the incidence of cholera is drastically reduced in the state.

The coordinator conceded that the PSU faced some serious challenges in Kabong, Jos North Local Government Area, in efforts to provide potable water for the residents.

He assured the people that the MDGs Office would do everything possible within its mandate to improve the water yield and drill more boreholes in the area if necessary.

Gai stressed that the MDGs Office would look into the requests made by some communities for more boreholes.

He said that decisions on the request would be strictly based on available resources and approvals from the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs. He, nonetheless, commended the Plateau State Government for its genuine commitment to efforts aimed at alleviating the people’s sufferings.

“The success we have so far attained wouldn’t have been possible without the consistent and prompt release of counterpart funds by the state government,’’ he adds.

Tackling Water Supply Challanges In Plateau Rural Communities

“No water, no life, ’’ so says a popular slogan.

THE maxim aptly underscores the importance of water to human existence, as human beings, and even animals, cannot survive without water.

Observers note that the importance of water notwithstanding, several communities in Plateau State have yet to have good, reliable sources of water for drinking and other uses.

They say that the situation appears dismal, as many residents of these communities often trek long distances, particularly during dry seasons, in search of water which, in most cases, is not good enough for human consumption.

This is because many people have contracted different water borne-

By PETER AMINE

diseases, while some people even died as a result of these diseases, they add.

Some of the waterborne diseases that are prevalent in the communities include typhoid fever, cholera, diarrhoea, hookworm infection and Hepatitis A. Mr Markus Bako, the Chairman of Badni Community Development Association in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau, said that many residents of Badni community had been afflicted with different waterborne diseases due to the lack of potable water.

“Many people died as a result of waterborne infections,’’ he said.

Bako said that the community’s main sources of

water were streams and handdug wells, adding that even though the water from these sources was not always clean, the people had no other option than to drink it.

Mrs Victoria Tali, a nurse in a primary health centre at Wuseli, Pankshin Local Government Area, appealed to the government to initiate water supply programmes for rural communities so as to curb the rising incidence of water-related diseases.

“More than half of the patients that come to the clinic suffer mostly from waterborne ailments,’’ she said.

Tali noted that some residents of Wuseli often travelled to far places like Pankshin town, several kilometres away, in search of

clean water.

Mr Samson Iliya, a nurse working with Bukata Clinic, a private hospital in Konnet community in Bokkos Local Government Area, said that the clinic had recorded many cases of waterborne diseases.

Iliya also urged the state government to provide the community with clean, potable water so as to check the incidence of waterborne diseases in the area.

One of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the United Nations (UN) gives priority attention to the provision of potable water to the people.

To be specific, Target 7C of MDG 7 aims to halve the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation by 2015.

“They say that the situation appears dismal, as many residents of these communities often trek long distances, particularly during dry seasons, in search of water which, in most cases, is not good enough for human consumption. This is because many people have contracted different water borne-diseases, while some people even died as a result of these diseases, they add.”

Continues on pg 21

Issues View Point

Continued from pg 20 Gai said that the MDGs Office would sign an agreement with the benefiting communities and local governments to ensure the protection of the facilities.

Meanwhile, some benefitting communities have been lauding the MDGs Office for the water projects.

For instance, the people of Gagdi community in Kanam Local Government Area have commended the MDGs Office for providing them a solar-powered borehole.

The people, who danced round the town to demonstrate their appreciation for the project, expressed the hope that the facility would aid efforts to check the incidence of waterborne diseases in their neighbourhood.

“This borehole has reduced the cases of typhoid in our community; we are, indeed,

happy over it,’’ Mr. Nuhu Sanusi, the President of Gagdi Youth Movement, told visiting MDGs officials.

“Before the borehole was sunk, we used to have several cases of typhoid because the stream, which was our only source of water, is not clean.

“We used to share the stream with animals, especially goats, sheep and cows. But since we got the borehole, the situation is different.

“We are eternally grateful for the borehole and we appeal to the government to sink more boreholes in Gagdi because the community is quite large; one borehole cannot serve all the residents,’’ he said.

Sanusi said that youths of the community were currently taking turns to guard the borehole on a 24hour basis.

“We also tax ourselves to

Water Challanges In Plateau ...

raise money to replace any faulty component of the borehole,’’ he added.

In Karamin Dengi, another benefitting community in Kanam Local Government Area, Mr Ibrahim Sale, a community leader, thanked the government for coming to their aid.

“We used to travel long distances to fetch water, which is usually not clean, but with the borehole, we now have a good and reliable source of drinking water.

“This development has

reduced the cases of waterborne diseases in our community. We thank the government for this project but we are also asking for more projects to further reduce our suffering,’’ Sale said.

Mr Chuwang Pwajok, the Information and Communication Officer of the PSU of the MDGs Office, however, advised the benefiting communities to

“Before the borehole was sunk, we used to have several cases of typhoid because the stream, which was our only source of water, is not clean. We used to share the stream with animals, especially goats, sheep and cows.

But since we got the borehole, the situation is different.”

Boosting Food Production Via Dry Season Farming

THE Federal Government recently approved the release of N14 billion for dry season farming.

The release of funds for dry season farming has indeed become a practice as N9 billion was released in 2013 for the same purpose.

The release of the funds underscores the importance government attaches to dry season farming.

According to available statistics, Nigeria has over 82 million hectares of arable land not fully utilised because of predominantly rain-fed farming practised in the country.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who spoke recently in Abuja at the official launch of the Dry Season Farm Support Programme, said government would sustain the dry season food support programme.

“Our resolve to expand this dry season programme is strong and subsequently it has to come up in October so that they will get all that they need before the commencement of dry season.

“To demonstrate this, I am today announcing N14 billion to support dry seasoning farming for 2014 season.

“As more states come on board we will continue to increase the amount of money.

“We will continue to work with farmers and that is why I am announcing today that the support will become a national

By CHIJIOKE OKORONKWO

policy.

“Our nation shall be green, our barns shall be filled and our farmers shall prosper,’’ the president said.

The president said that the programme launched in 2011, was designed to add an additional 20 million metric tonnes of food to the country’s domestic food supply.

Alhaji Mohammed Yusuf, Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, who spoke recently in Bauchi at a stakeholders meeting of the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme, said agricultural inputs would be provided for farmers under the dry season farming programme.

Yusuf said that in Bauchi State alone, the Federal Government provided incentives to 10,000 dry season rice farmers.

According to him, each farmer received three bags of fertiliser at 50 per cent discount and 25kg of improved rice seeds.

Yusuf said that more than 400,000 farmers from 19 participating states were being supported under the 2013/2014 dry season GES scheme.

“The effort produced more than one million tonnes of rice during last year’s dry season farming with just over 200,000 farmers drawn from 10 states.

“We intend to double or even triple the production this year.

take good care of the boreholes.

“Providing water facilities is one thing, ensuring their sustenance is another thing.

So, I urge all of you to jealously guard the boreholes if you want to use them for a very long time,’’ he added.

Pwajok said that the water projects were owned by the communities, adding that the PSU would not be responsible for their

maintenance.

He bemoaned a situation where a motorised borehole would break down because of a nut or bolt that cost only N200, urging benefiting communities to always assume responsibility and repair the faulty parts of their boreholes.

All the same, Pwajok appealed to the people to always strive to contact their local government authorities for assistance if any situation was obviously beyond them.

“We have already carried out sensitisation campaign across the state, identified genuine farmers, enlightened them and assessed their level of preparedness in respect of land and source of water.

“I am happy to inform you that our farmers are ready; they have prepared their lands in clusters and ready for planting.

Very soon, we will commence distribution of the inputs,’’ he said.

The director advised the farmers to utilise the inputs to

expand their production capacity, adding that the problems of processing and marketing had been addressed through the value chain initiative.

Dr Emmanuel Adanu, Director, Dams and Reservoir Operations, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, urged farmers to embrace irrigation farming, as it can deliver greater crop yield than rain-fed farming.

He noted that irrigation farming was more productive because it was usually

regulated and more focused than rain-fed farming.

According to him, that is why the southern part of the country is being encouraged to use the dams located in their areas for irrigation.

“We are encouraging people in the South now to go into it, though in the South we don’t have a long period of dry season for them to do continuous irrigation.

“So, we encourage them to go into some irrigation because the production from irrigation normally is better than rain-fed agriculture,“ Adanu said.

Adanu said the North engaged in irrigation agriculture more because it has a longer period of dry season and abundant expanse of land than the South.

Mr Charles Ovweigho, the Manager, Asaba Area Office of Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority, said that dry season rice farming would soon start at Illah, Delta after the inauguration of Illah irrigation project.

He said that the N200 million irrigation project was for dry season rice farming.

Ovweigho explained that 100 hectares, out of the 200 hectares earmarked for rice farming, was irrigated for dry season farming.

“The contract for the irrigation was awarded in 2012 and the project will soon be inaugurated by the Minister of Agriculture,” he said.

Ovweigho said the farm project extended to the neighbouring Ebu community, where 100 hectares was acquired, adding that 15 hectares had also been cleared in the community.

Ovweigho said interested large-scale farmers would be allowed to farm on the land after fulfilling some obligations.

“This is a Federal Government project and it is all over the country; no restrictions or discrimination is placed on anybody,’’ adding that interests of host communities would be protected.

Ovweigho said that farmers currently on the land, only paid for the cost of land preparations, adding that when the irrigation system becomes operational the cost would also be subsidised.

Stakeholders want the government to complete the various irrigation projects spread across the country, to ensure the success of the dry season farming programme.

Issues Issues

Encouraging Local Vehicle Assembly Plants

IN an effort to boost industrialisation and encourage local manufacturing in the country, the Federal Government established five vehicle assembly plants in the 1970s.

The plants were Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Ltd. (PAN), Kaduna; Volkswagen of Nigeria Ltd. (VWoN), Lagos; Anambra Motor Manufacturing Company (ANAMMCO), Enugu; Styer Nigeria Ltd., Bauchi; National Truck Manufacturers (NTM), Kano; and Leyland Nigeria Ltd., Ibadan.

Less than 20 years after, some of the plants became moribund due largely to the effects of global economic recession of the 1990s and early 2000s, leading to the inability of the plants to cope with the challenges of import substitution.

The few surviving ones now operate at far less than their installed capacities.

A fresh pronouncement aimed at reviving the automotive industry through private sector participation was made recently by President Goodluck Jonathan.

This was during his visit to inaugurate Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited (IVM) plant in Nnewi, Anambra.

He noted that Innoson’s strides were in tandem with government’s economic policy of encouraging the development of the private sector.

By CHIJIOKE OKORONKWO

“I am indeed happy that Innoson is not just assembling parts that are imported from other countries.

“From all indications, it is only the engine that is imported; apart from that, every other thing is manufactured in Nigeria,’’ he said.

Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, The Chief Executive Officer of Innoson, solicited government’s support through the formulation of enabling policies and creating a favourable investment climate.

“Mr. President, with adequate encouragement, we can go beyond our present level of operation; and when we operate fully, the auto plant alone can employ as many as 3,200 workers.

“Most of the raw materials were raised in Nigeria and all the car parts are made in Nigeria, except the imported engine blocks,’’ he said.

Mr. Aminu Jalal, Director-General, National Automotive Council (NAC), Abuja, appraised Nigeria’s automotive sector, saying that Innoson produced 1,600 units of vehicles in 2012, and called for more patronage for the company.

He said that the plant produced different models of vehicles, amounting to about 300 to 400 units per model.

He regretted that

Nigeria spends about N600 billion annually on vehicle importations, adding that about 50,000 new and 150,000 used

constraint is the low import duty which made the vehicles cheap.

“Our current policy structure encourages importation and discourages production.

country under its auto development scheme.

He said that only five of the 10 companies that applied for the loans had accessed it, noting that PAN got three billion naira; IVM got one billion naira, while Dunlop (Nigeria) Ltd. received N1.2 billion.

Jalal said that the remaining amount was

President Goodluck Jonathan

vehicles were imported into the country yearly.

“Nigerians spend an average of N400 billion on the importation of passenger cars, and by the time you add trucks and other vehicles, the amount Nigerians spend on imported vehicles will be running to N600 billion annually.

“The market is there; with this market, automotive companies will be willing to invest in the country. But the

“Nigerians spend an average of N400 billion on the importation of passenger cars, and by the time you add trucks and other vehicles, the amount Nigerians spend on imported vehicles will be running to N600 billion annually. “The market is there; with this market, automotive companies will be willing to invest in the country.”

“That is why we are trying to reverse it to something that is obtainable in India and other countries where it is easier to set up manufacturing plants than to import vehicles.

“The easiest way to do it is by putting in place a tariff structure that will discourage importation and encourage production of vehicles,’’ he said.

Jalal regretted that Nigeria’s import duty regime was not skewed in favour of local manufacturers in order to further encourage them.

“Nigeria’s import duty is 10 per cent for commercial vehicles and 20 per cent for cars; right now complete knock down (CKD) parts is imported at five per cent,’’ he said.

He said that NAC had disbursed seven billion naira in loans to vehicle manufacturers in the

allocated to microfinance banks for disbursement to other small and medium-scale industrialists.

He also said that the NAC had concluded arrangements to establish automotive test centres in the country where trained mechanics would effectively handle modern vehicles to ensure their durability.

He said that the project would boost the development of local content in the automotive sector.

“It will also not only ensure good operation and maintenance of Nigerian vehicles; it will also help to obtain capacity to conduct approval tests in vehicles.’’

Jalal said that the project would be done in two phases, adding that the feasibility and

consultancy aspects had been concluded.

He stated that necessary and appropriate approvals from government agencies had been obtained, adding that laboratories would be established in some parts of the country to fully realise the objectives of the project.

He said that the laboratories include a component testing laboratory, automotive material laboratory, emission testing laboratory, and a vehicle evaluation laboratory.

According to him, the council had trained some highly skilled mechanics on mechatronics programmes to man the centres.

Mechatronics is a combined training in mechanics, hydraulics, electrical/electronic and computer applications in modern vehicle operations.

Mr. Kolapo Odetoro, NAC’s Director, Industrial and Infrastructural Development, said that the council was collaborating with a Japanese firm to establish an autorecycling company for non-serviceable vehicles in Abuja.

“We have reached an advanced stage of negotiations for the establishment of an autorecycling company.

“The company which will be sited in Abuja is to serve as a model centre, and will be replicated in other parts of the country,’’ he said.

Analysts say more should be done to encourage indigenous auto companies to enable Nigeria join the league of developing countries known as vehicle manufacturing nations.

They include Thailand, South Korea, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. (NAN).

Opinion

Managing Problem Of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

IF this is your first urinary tract infection (UTI), you can take solace in the fact that you’re not alone.

According to Best Health Magazine, more than 10 percent of women suffer from a UTI at least once a year. Treatment may now be only a phone call away, and you could feel better in a single day.

What is a Urinary tract infection (UTI)?

Most urinary tract infections are called “lower UTIs”, meaning the germs have taken hold in your urethra (a condition called urethritis) or in your bladder (a condition called cystitis) if the germs travel further, an “upper UTI” can develop, affecting the narrow tubes (ureters) leading to the kidneys or even the kidneys themselves.

This potentially serious infection is known as pyelonephritis.

Between 80 and 90 percent of urinary tract infections are caused by Escherichia Coli (E. Coli), a bacterium usually confined to the colon and rectum that can spread from the anus to the urethra. Because a woman’s urethra is relatively short, women are more prone to UTIs than men (whose much longer urethra in the penis makes it harder for the bacteria to travel to the bladder). After menopause, some women are increasingly

By ISEMHENBITA FAITH

susceptible to infection because of a lack of estrogen.

Treatment For Urinary Tract Infections.

The good news for uncomplicated bacterial urinary tract infections, including cystitis, is that doctors will now often prescribe antibiotics over the phone, skipping the need for an in-office urine culture. The bad news is that so many strains of bacteria have become antibiotic- resistant, your initial drug may not work. A recent study of 75, 000 UTI patients ages 15 to 44, for example, found that roughly 14 percent needed a second course of treatment within 28 days regardless of which antibiotic they took initially.

So-called “complicated UTIs”, which strike men and women equally, are a different story. These infections are more likely to occur if you have kidney involvement, if pregnant, have had a catheter put in or have an abnormally structured urinary tract. Your doctor will want to carefully monitor you and aggressively treat any problem to prevent permanent damage or a system-wide infection.

While uncommon, surgery for UTIs is extremely effective if anatomical problems are

obstructing urine flow.

Medications For Urinary Tract Infections Although some doctors prescribe a one –day dose of an antibiotic for a routine

urinary tract infection, you’ll probably be given a minimum of three days on the combination drug TMPSMX (trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole), best known by its brand names: Bactrim and septra. If your symptoms warrant it, your doctor may instead choose a class of potent antibiotics called fluoroquinolones (quinolones), which

includes ciprofloxacin (cipro) as well as norfloxacin (Noroxin), oflaxacin (floxin), and gatifloxacin (Tequin), the newest member of the group. A recent study showed that a single dose of Tequin worked just as

infective drugs, such as nitrofurantoin (macrodantin) or methenamine (prosed).

Whichever medication you take and however tedious it becomes, make sure you complete the entire course. If you don’t,

urethra. Be sure to cleanse your genitals before and after sexual intercourse.

If your vaginal tissues are sensitive, avoid potential irritants.

Feminine hygiene sprays and scented douches can aggravate the urethra, making it more susceptible to infection. If you’re postmenopausal

well for an uncomplicated UTI as a regular dose taken over three days.

PREGNANCY If these standard treatments are ineffective for your urinary tract infection, you may have to move on to the antibiotic cephalexin (keflex) or, depending on the organism involved to anti-

germ can fight back and find a way to resist the drugs, making future UTIs harder to treat.

Life Style Changes You can do a member of thing on your own to make urinary tract infections less overwhelming. At the first sign of an infection, start drinking plenty of fluids. An eight-ounce glass of water once an ‘hour during the day is a great way to flush germs from your urinary tract.

Never try to “hold it” when you have to urinate.

Delayed urination is a major cause of UTIs. Also keep your genital and anal areas clean. Wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria around the anus from entering your

and have been experiencing vaginal dryness, consider using a water-based, never a petroleum-based vaginal lubricant (Astroglide, Lubifax, K-Y Jelly) during sex.

Alternative Therapies For UTIs Lab studies have discovered that cranberry juice prevent E.COLI from adhering to the bladder walls. A 2001 finish study found that women prone to UTIs were half as likely to suffer a recurrence within six months if they drank an eight-ounce glass of cranberry juice every day.

If possible, always purchase the unsweetened juice, available at health food stores.

“The good news for uncomplicated bacterial urinary tract infections, including cystitis, is that doctors will now often prescribe antibiotics over the phone, skipping the need for an in-office urine culture. The bad news is that so many strains of bacteria have become antibiotic- resistant, your initial drug may not work.”

International Features RECENTLY retired US Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford offered a bleak assessment of the Syrian civil war in his first remarks since departing his post last week.

In his first public comments since stepping down as US ambassador to Syria on Friday, Robert Ford addressed the failure to contain Syria’s bloody civil war, laying most of the blame at the feet of President Bashar al-Assad and his government’s international backers.

Speaking at a conference at Tufts University last night, his outlook was bleak, warning that a fractured rebellion, the presence of Al Qaeda inspired fighters on the battlefield, and the fears of the country’s minorities are a recipe for prolonged conflict.

“You have one Al Qaeda faction fighting another Al Qaeda faction. That’s how fractured this is. One sharp sliver fighting another sharp sliver,” he said, a measure of disbelief in his voice. “I bring no good news to you tonight about Syria.”

His remarks had seven key takeaways.

RECOMMENDED: Stranded in Morocco, Syrians join African migrants in storming Europe’s door 1. It’s the regime’s fault.

Ford placed the blame for the failure of two rounds of peace talks in Geneva squarely on the regime.

Citing private comments by the United Nations special envoy to Syria, he said: “The major reason for the deadlock, I want to be clear with everyone here. The mediator, Lakhdar Brahimi, who has decades, decades of experience negotiating transitions and negotiating cease-fires, negotiating political settlements… was extremely clear as to what was the problem. He said it is – and this is a quote – 100 percent the fault of Jaafari,” he said, referring to Syria’s UN ambassador, Bashar Jaafari, who led the regime delegation at peace talks.

“I’ll give you this little detail about it. Most of the discussions behind closed doors were the regime throwing out insults at the opposition delegation, basically saying they weren’t representative.”

2. But the opposition isn’t helping its cause.

The US believes more of that needs to be happening.

The consent to negotiations from groups like the Saudibacked Islamist Front, a collection of jihadi brigades, puts that within reach, according to Ford.

“You can’t have a negotiation, a serious

issued an invitation to Geneva II. It was revoked just before the talks collapsed because of an opposition boycott.

“I think the Iranians would have been saying to them in private, ‘Hold fast.

Make no concessions.

We’re with you.’ I don’t

being willing to follow through – whatever the unpredictable end.

“What the president will decide, I’m not sure, but I do know that this factor weighs in discussions. If we do use kinetic force, and the civil war doesn’t end… people are going to say, ‘Well, now what are you

What Has Gone Wrong In Syria?

Assad’s Alawite support base is much shakier than it appears, Ford said, noting that there have been antig o v e r n m e n t demonstrations even in his family hometown of Qerdaha. What keeps the Alawites and other minorities from deserting is a genuine fear that they will be massacred by foreign terrorists if Assad falls.

Only the opposition can assuage those fears, he said.

“The Syrian opposition itself has done a miserable job distinguishing itself from the Al Qaeda elements. There are some really bad people in Syria right now, on the opposition side. Can the opposition show that it is willing to reach out and figure out a way securitywise and politics-wise to reunify across that sectarian divide?”

“The sooner the opposition does that, the faster Assad’s support base will crumble.”

At the last round of talks, i n t e r n a t i o n a l representatives were surprised at the number of messages they got from Damascus saying that they hoped the talks succeeded.

“Even in the Alawi community, they want an out. They don’t like where they are,” he said.

3. Armed groups will have to be at the table – even jihadis.

The US relationship with the opposition’s armed groups has deepened. Four representatives of such groups – “not the terrorist groups,” Ford was careful to say – were at Geneva II. He would not specify which ones.

negotiation, without negotiating with the people who have the guns. This is a war, so they’re going to

think we lost anything,” Ford said, referring to the fact that Iran was absent.

But Iran has more

going to do?’ You end up having to escalate. That, I think, gives the president great pause,” Ford said.

can’t happen, Ford said.

“I can’t in any way imagine circumstances where most of the fighters who are now fighting against the regime or the countries that are backing them… are going to stand down if Assad remains,” he said.

“One man should not hold a country hostage.” Syria is not ready for elections this summer, period, he said.

With 9 million displaced and no history of free elections, they would have no credibility.

7. The end game is a

Bashir al-assad, Syrian President

have to be brought in,” he said.

That inclusion should extend to the regime side.

The Syrian Army and other regime forces; the Lebanese Shiite militant group, Hezbollah, which has sent thousands of fighters to Syria to fight on behalf of the regime; and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is less overtly but still seriously assisting the regime; will all have to be represented, he said.

4. Iran, too.

The handling of Iran’s invitation to Geneva II was “a mess,” Ford acknowledged, referring to the chain of events that led to Iran being preemptively

influence over Syria than any other country, as well as real interests in keeping Assad in power, so while its inclusion is unlikely to deliver a more desirable outcome – for the international community, at least — it’s going to be have to be at the table in the future.

5. Could the US use military force in Syria?

The US threat of a military strike last year resulted in a chemical weapons agreement because Syria and its Russian backer believed the US meant it. Ford warned that such credibility could be easily squandered if the US threatened military involvement again without

“I think he would like to understand if we start, what do we achieve? And if we have to escalate, how do we control where we’re going? It’s very hard to say we’ve got it all covered, Mr. President,” he said.

But President Obama is not afraid of using military force, he asserts.

“He took a chance on Bin Laden and got great results,” he said. “I don’t want to say the United States will never use force in Syria. I don’t believe it.”

6. Assad should not run in June presidential elections.

Assad has assured the Syrians that he will run in presidential elections scheduled for June. That

bunch of cantons controlled by armed local factions.

So what happens?

Ford was unsparing in his summary: The state is “little by little collapsing.” It lacks the manpower to take back places like Raqaa province and Deir al-Zour, or the Kurdish north. The foreign fighters the regime increasingly relies on cannot be compelled to take on that fight. But neither can the opposition overcome the regime in much of the country.

The most likely end game? De-facto cantons, some of them controlled by local armed factions.

Certainly nothing like the Syria Ford saw when he arrived in Damascus in 2010.

International Pro-Russian Troops Take Crimea He says he is still president. Since then, troops that Ukraine says are Terminal In Ukraine Russian soldiers have moved into

Communist new people’s Army militants stand at attention during the celebration of the 42nd anniversary of the communist party of the philippines weekend.

KERCH, Ukraine — ProRussian troops controlled a ferry terminal on the easternmost tip of Ukraine’s Crimea region close to Russia yesterday, intensifying fears that Moscow will send even more troops into the strategic Black Sea region in its tense dispute with its Slavic neighbor.

The seizure of the terminal in the Ukrainian city of Kerch about 20 kilometers (12 miles) by boat to Russia, comes as the U.S. and European governments try to figure out ways to halt and reverse the Russian incursion.

Early yesterday, soldiers were operating the terminal, which serves as a common departure point for many Russian-bound ships. The men refused to identify themselves, but they spoke Russian and the vehicles transporting them had Russian

license plates.

Russia has taken effective control of the Crimean peninsula without firing a shot. Now, the fears in the Ukrainian capital and beyond are that that Russia might seek to expand its control by seizing other parts of eastern Ukraine. Senior Obama administration officials said the U.S. now believes that Russia has complete operational control of Crimea, a pro-Russian area of the country, and has more than 6,000 troops in the region.

Tension between Ukraine and Moscow rose sharply after Ukraine’s pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych was pushed out by a protest movement among people who wanted closer ties with the European Union.

Yanukovych fled to Russia after more than 80 demonstrators were killed near Kiev’s central square.

Uganda Anti-Gay Bill Author Says Aid Cuts Small Price To Pay

KAMPALA - The author of Uganda’s new anti-gay bill that imposes tough jail terms for homosexual acts said aid cuts imposed by disapproving Western donors were a price worth paying to protect the east African nation’s moral values.

Lawmaker David Bahati, who first sought the death penalty for some acts when he introduced the law in 2009, said aid suspensions were tantamount to blackmail but that he expected more to follow.

The donor backlash after President Yoweri Museveni’s approval of the bill last week, imposing jail sentences of up to life for gay sex, reflects a gulf in social attitudes between the West and conservative African governments.

The World Bank, Norway and Denmark have withheld or diverted aid totaling about $110 million. The United States, the biggest Western donor, says it is reviewing ties. “(The law) is very much worth it because it will protect our values. I think a society that has no moral values is a contradiction to development,” Bahati told Reuters.

Gay activists say the bill has forced many homosexuals into hiding. They report a surge in night-time house raids and harassment since parliament passed the law in December.

Uganda’s leading Red Pepper tabloid last week began outing those it called the country’s “top homos” and some gay-rights campaigners say a small number have fled the country.

Western nations were swift to condemn the AntiHomosexuality Act, but the law received broad support in Uganda, two years ahead of the next presidential election, and in neighboring states on a continent where gay sex is illegal in 37 countries.

“It’s also unfortunate that the World Bank would take such a decision ... and create an impression that accepting homosexuality is a condition for World Bank money when it is not,” Bahati said, referring to the bank’s decision to freeze aid worth $90 million.

The political shockwaves have reverberated through Uganda’s markets. The shilling weakened about 3 percent last week on investor fears of deeper aid cuts.

Sweden said the new law could deter foreign investors, in particular from liberal nations.

Bahati said Uganda could cope with the aid blocks, seeking loans from less interfering countries in order to resist what he called the “social imperialism” of traditional Western donors.

Russia, China and India backed Uganda’s stance, he said.

“This blackmail will go on,” Bahati said. “It might get worse before it gets better but at the end of the day, the sovereignty of our nation will triumph,” the legislator said in an interview on Sunday.

The new law imposes up to life in jail for “aggravated homosexuality” - including sex with a minor or while HIVpositive. It also criminalizes aiding homosexuality, which

opponents fear could include health clinics and counselors.

Bahati’s critics label him a demagogue who champions the anti-gay agenda to raise his own profile in the staunchly conservative east African country.

They also say he has ties to U.S. evangelicals who are widely seen as having a growing influence in social and health policy, for example in tackling HIV AIDS,

in Uganda - an allegation Bahati denied.

Several Ugandan Christian and Muslim organizations supported the law.

“We have political friends in the U.S.,” Bahati said, but added that those relations had been distorted by the media.

Bahati, a devout Christian, urged gay people to come forward so they could be “rehabilitated”.

Fighting In Damascus District Halt Aid To Palestinians - UN DAMASCUS - Fighting in the Damascus district of Yarmouk have interrupted aid distribution to thousands of besieged Palestinian refugees, the United Nations said yesterday.

The clashes broke out on Sunday in Yarmouk, where 20,000 people have been trapped for months by Syria’s civil war and are dependent on humanitarian supplies delivered

by UNRWA, the U.N. agency which supports Palestinian refugees.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based

monitoring group, said an ambulance driver was killed in mortar fire on Sunday and residents reported several explosions.

A Palestinian group that supports President Bashar alAssad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command, blamed the fighting on al Qaeda’s Syrian branch, the Nusra Front.

It said “terrorist groups from the Nusra Front and their takfiri brothers... infiltrated Yarmouk Camp” on Sunday. A “takfiri” denotes someone who brands others, including some Muslims,

as infidels, often as justification for fighting and killing them.

UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness said the U.N. agency was unable to distribute food parcels in Yarmouk on Sunday and called on all sides in the conflict to immediately allow the resumption of the aid operation.

“UNRWA remains deeply concerned about the desperate humanitarian situation in Yarmouk and the fact that increasing tensions and resort to armed force have disrupted its efforts to alleviate the desperate plight of civilians,” he said.

Filipino Communist Rebels Detonate Mines; 16 Hurt MANILA — Philippine communist rebels using land mines have wounded 11 troops and five civilians in the south of the country, military officials said yesterday.

Army Col. Marcos Norman Flores, Jr, a brigade commander in the area, condemned the attacks as a violation of international humanitarian law.

New People’s Army guerrillas encountered troops Sunday morning in Davao del Sur province, triggering an hour-long clash. As troops maneuvered, the rebels exploded a land mine, wounding 11 soldiers, a military statement said. It quoted villagers as saying the rebels carried away four dead colleagues.

The guerrillas later set off a land mine as three ambulances were heading to evacuate injured

troops, wounding five civilian volunteers.

The rebellion began in the late 1960s with a ragtag group armed with a few rifles. The movement peaked during the repressive years under dictator Ferdinand Marcos with several thousand full-time guerrillas.

Though it remains one of the world’s longest-running Marxist insurgencies, the rebel movement has grown considerably weaker in recent years due to battle setbacks, surrenders and factionalism.

They remain a national security concern.

Talks to end the rebellion have stalled since 2011 due to disagreements between the government and guerrillas over the release of several jailed rebel leaders.

Russian soldiers walk as a local resident waves with Russian flag outside of a Ukrainian military base in the village of Perevalne, outside of Simferopol, Ukraine.

Crimea, patrolling airport, smashing equipment at an airbase and besieging Ukrainian military installations.

Outrage over Russia’s military moves mounted in world capitals, with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry calling on President Vladimir Putin to pull back from “an incredible act of aggression.”

Kerry is to travel to Ukraine on Tuesday.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary William Hague met with Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and laid a bouquet of flowers on Kiev’s Independence Square where the slain demonstrators are being commemorated. Hague said it was urgent to get Russia and Ukraine “in direct communication with each other.”

Hague said on the BBC that Moscow would face “significant costs” for taking control of Crimea.

“If Russia continues on this course we have to be clear this is not an acceptable way to conduct international relations. That is something that Russia has to recognize ... There will certainly be significant costs,” Hague said.

“There are things that we can do about it and must do about it.”

He suggested economic sanctions were possible. “The world cannot just allow this to happen,” he said.

Putin has defied calls from the West to pull back his troops, insisting that Russia has a right to protect its interests and those of Russian-speakers in Crimea and elsewhere in Ukraine. His confidence is matched by the knowledge that Ukraine’s 46 million people have divided loyalties. While much of western Ukraine wants closer ties with the 28-nation European Union, its eastern and southern regions like Crimea look to Russia for support.

Faced with the Russian threat, Ukraine’s new government has moved to consolidate its authority, naming new regional governors in the pro-Russia east, enlisting the support of the country’s wealthy businessmen and dismissing the head of the country’s navy after he declared allegiance to the pro-Russian government in Crimea.

NATO held an emergency meeting in Brussels and the U.S., France and Britain debated the possibility of boycotting the next Group of Eight economic summit, to be held in June in Sochi, the host of Russia’s successful Winter Olympics. On Sunday evening, the White House issued a joint statement on behalf of the Group of Seven saying they are suspending participation in the planning for the upcoming summit because Russia’s advances in the Ukraine violate the “principles and values” on which the G-7 and G8 operate.

So far, however, Ukraine’s new government and the West have been powerless to counter Russia’s tactics.

Russia has long wanted to reclaim the lush Crimean Peninsula, part of its territory until 1954. Russia’s Black Sea Fleet pays Ukraine millions annually to be stationed at the Crimean port of Sevastopol and nearly 60 percent of Crimea’s residents identify themselves as Russian.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

ONYEJEKWE – I, formerly known as Miss Ifeoma Ogheneyovbe Onyejekwe now wish to be known as Mrs. Ifeoma Ogheneyovbe Woghiren. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

AGELEKHAI – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Agelekhai Racheal now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Odiete Racheal. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ADOLOR – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adolor Sonia Imuetinyanosa now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs.Ithenumah Sonia Imuetinyanosa. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME CONDE BARAHONA – I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Conde Barahona Bully Irene now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Obasogie Bully Irene. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

JANET CHANGE OF NAME

Weds

EKOMWENRENREN – I, formerly Isoken Ekomwenrenren now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Isoken Omokaro. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note CHANGE OF NAME

ADAMU – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adamu Patience now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mamudu Oshiozekha Ganiyu Patience. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

OSASERE

The solemnization of marriage between former Miss Braimah Janet Onose (A public servant) and Mr. Efionayi Osasere Osemwegie took place on Saturday 22nd February, 2014 at the Oredo Local Government Council Marriage Registry, in Benin City, Amongst dignitaries present were Mr. Abubakar Anslem, Mudi .S. Mr. K. I. Sanu (Sec J.S.C) Barr .B.O. Saiki, Hon & Mrs. Joe Braimah (Brides parents) Prince M. Oare (Chief Magistrate) family members, relations, friends and well wishers, picture shows the couple at the registry. Congratulations. PHOTO: SONNIE .E.

LEGAL NOTICE IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE EDO STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY BENIN CITY

CHANGE OF NAME

MOMODU – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Faith Momodu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Faith Nathaniel Umoru. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME/DATE OF BIRTH

I, Imadiyi Mattis wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as Ayemien Mattis and also my date of birth was stated in error as 1st May, 1980 instead of 1st May, 1970.

Emphatically, my correct date of birth is 1st May, 1970. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

WIHEREAS the persons whose names are set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and at the place stated in the column; AND WHEREAS the persons whose names, addresses and claimed relationship to the deceased are set in the second column hereunder have applied to the Probate Registrar, High Court of Justice, Edo State of Nigeria for the Resealing of the Letters of Administration already granted by the High Court of Justice, Benue State of Nigeria of the real and personal property of the deceased.

NOTICE IS BY THIS GIVEN that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE to prohibit the grant is filed in this Registry within seven (7) days from the date of the publication of this notice.

NO 1.

NAMES

APPLICANTS FOR GRANT

PED/152/2014 JAMES YUSUF, Mr. Jackson Yusuf and Lae of Hong Clarkson Yusuf of Angwan Adamawa State, Police, Masaka, Nasarawa who died on the 23rd day of Novem- State, brothers of the deber, 2012 at ceased.

Makurdi DATED THIS 3RD DAY OF MARCH, 2014 Signed: H.I. ENEMAKU ESQ. PROBATE REGISTRAR

International Thai Protesters Look To Courts BANGKOK Antigovernment protesters in Thailand have retreated to a central Bangkok park, freeing up traffic after blocking big intersections for more than a month, but Thailand’s fourmonth political crisis looks no closer to a solution.

The protesters, who moved to Lumpini Park over the weekend after orders from protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, are now banking on judicial intervention from courts hostile to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to bring down her government.

“Bangkokians are able to go to work more easily but the state of play in Thailand has not changed since protesters scaled back,” said Siripan Nogsuan Sawasdee, a political analyst at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.

“He (Suthep) realizes that the fate of the government won’t be determined by his group but lies in the hands of independent organizations - the anticorruption body and the courts.”

Demonstrators seeking to overthrow Yingluck took to the streets in November and have since blockaded ministries, occupied government offices and, in January, set up camp at major traffic intersections in Bangkok.

They want Yingluck to resign to make way for an appointed “people’s council” to overhaul a political system they say has been taken hostage by her billionaire brother and former premier, Thaksin Shinawatra.

Yingluck faces several legal challenges, the most significant being negligence charges for mishandling a disastrous rice subsidy scheme.

The scheme paid farmers above the market price and has run out of funds, prompting farmers - normally the prime minister’s biggest supporters to demonstrate in Bangkok.

Hundreds of farmers joined anti-government protesters led

by Buddhist monk Luang Pu Buddha Issara in a rally at the Finance Ministry yesterday demanding faster payments.

Yingluck has been given until March 14 by the National AntiCorruption Commission

(NACC) to defend herself. It will then decide whether there is a case to pursue.

“It seems likely she will be found guilty,” said Kan Yuenyong, an analyst at the Siam Intelligence Unit think tank.

“At that point, she will have to suspend her duties if the case goes to court. The endgame that protesters are hoping for is a way to suspend the whole cabinet so that an interim, so-called neutral, prime minister can be elected,” Kan said.

The confrontation broadly pits middle-class Bangkokians and southern Thais against supporters of Thaksin and Yingluck who mostly hail from the poorer, rural north and northeast.

The protesters rejected and disrupted a snap election called

by Yingluck for February 2. Fresh elections were held in five provinces on Sunday and passed off peacefully.

But there is still no date set for elections in nine southern provinces where there was no voting on February 2, meaning it is still impossible to get a quorum to open parliament, elect a prime minister and get a government with full powers.

Yingluck heads a caretaker administration with only limited spending and borrowing powers, which has complicated the rice scheme problems and other aspects of government business.

She has kept away from the capital for much of the past two weeks. yesterday morning, Yingluck went to the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order, the body set up to oversee a state of emergency imposed in January.

She spent several days last week in the north, a stronghold of the “red shirt” movement loyal to her brother Thaksin.

Thousands of “red shirts” have gathered in Nakhon Ratchasima, northeast of the capital, and some of their leaders have threatened to come down to Bangkok if Yingluck was removed from power, adding to fears of civil strife.

“The red shirt mobilisation is extremely worrying. They really see this situation as the work of the elite who are trying to undermine their democratic rights,” analyst Kan said.

Twenty people have been killed in protest-related violence in Bangkok since November 30 and three in eastern Trat province.

At Least 11 Killed In Attack On Pakistani Court ISLAMABAD Gunmen burst into a court in a busy shopping area in the heart of Pakistan’s capital yesterday, killing at least 11 people in a suicide-bomb and gun attack likely to shatter any prospect of meaningful peace talks with Taliban insurgents.

The Pakistani Taliban, who have declared a month-long ceasefire to pursue peace talks with the government, immediately distanced themselves from the attack as well as a separate blast on the Afghan border which

killed two soldiers.

An explosion reverberated in central Islamabad just after 9 a.m., followed by bursts of gunfire. Police said at least 30 were wounded. A judge was among those killed.

“There was a blast, then there was a lot of gunfire.

Gunmen were spraying bullets at everyone,” said Faisal Ali, a businessman who witnessed the attack.

Even as the Taliban declared willingness to talk peace, almost daily attacks have continued around Pakistan in past weeks, showing that the central Taliban leadership is not entirely in control of its operations.

Pistorius Murder Trial Begins After the court official said. Also, a PRETORIA - Oscar Pistorius woman attempted to intervene in pleaded not guilty yesterday to Delay murdering his girlfriend on earlier entered the court dressed the court proceedings saying she Valentine’s Day last year, marking the start of the Olympian’s murder trial that had South Africans watching live broadcasting of the proceedings against their country’s most famous living citizen.

The trial started 90 minutes late with Pistorius pleading not guilty to all four charges against him: murder, two charges relating to discharge of firearm in a public place and one charge of illegal possession of ammunition.

Before the trial started he walked past the victim’s mother who says she came to court so she can “really look him in the eyes.”

The double-amputee athlete is charged with murder with premeditation in the shooting death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in the pre-dawn hours of Feb. 14, 2013. Pistorius says he shot Steenkamp by accident, thinking she was an intruder inside his bathroom.

Steenkamp’s mother, June,

in black. She was quoted in the Pretoria News, which published an interview she gave to a British newspaper, saying that she wants to see Pistorius.

“I want to look at Oscar, really look him in the eyes, and see for myself the truth about what he did to Reeva,” said June Steenkamp, 67. “Whatever the court decides at the end of his trial, I will be ready to forgive him ... But first I want to force him to look at me, Reeva’s mother, and see the pain and anguish he has inflicted on me. I feel I need that.”

Pistorius arrived at the high court in Pretoria wearing a dark gray suit and black tie. June Steenkamp was seated on the same bench as Pistorius’ family, and behind Pistorius so there is a possibility that their eyes will lock during the trial.

The delay was caused by a problem with one of the Afrikaans language interpreters,

knew Pistorius’ late mother, Sheila, and had knowledge of Pistorius’ character. The woman said she wanted to speak to the judge, but was escorted out of court by officials and two policemen.

Earlier, a drone carrying cameras flew over the entrance to the courthouse in gray, drizzly skies. Several broadcasters massed live broadcast satellite trucks around the courthouse. A 24-hour cable channel devoted to covering the trial was launched in South Africa on Sunday.

Prosecutors charged Pistorius, 27, with murder and say it was with premeditation. They say they will seek a life sentence if Pistorius is convicted. South Africa has no death penalty.

If convicted on the murder charge, Pistorius could be sent to prison for at least 25 years before the chance of parole, the minimum time someone must serve if given a life sentence in South Africa.

Health

Tackling The Menace Of Cancer

By TOSIN KOLADE

MRS. ENE Adoda, a resident of Abuja, narrated a story of how her mother died of cervical cancer after managing the disease for more than two years at various hospitals.

“As a girl, I watched my mother suffer from constant illnesses and the psychological trauma of being alone.

“She was left to cater for us because she was not living with our father for personal reasons, and this compelled her to engage in odd jobs so as to train me and my five siblings.

“She was diagnosed of cervical cancer and the development marked her deteriorating health condition; she died at the age of 47 when I was still a little girl,’’ she recalled.

Adoda’s experience aptly typifies the plight of many others, as health experts note that cancer has negatively affected the lives of several people via death of relations, particularly parents or guardians.

The experts observe that the situation is more problematic as investigations reveal that cancer has more than 100 types.

They also cite a report of the International Agency for Research on Cancer which indicates that there will be 21 million new cases of cancer across the world every year.

The reports also states that more than13 million deaths from cancer will be recorded by 2030.

All the same, Dr Festus Igbinoba, an oncologist with the National Hospital, Abuja, said: “Most cancers are named after the organ or type of cell which they infect.

“For instance, cancer that begins in the colon is called colon cancer and cancer cells spread to other parts of the body via the blood and lymph systems.’’

Experts, therefore, call for a pragmatic approach to deal with cancer via effective disease control, prevention and management methods.

Citing the effects of cancer, Mrs Betty AnyanwuAkeredolu, a breast cancer survivor and the Founder of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria, said that no fewer than 80,000 cancer deaths occurred in Nigeria yearly.

“In Nigeria, the commonest cancers in women are breast and cervical cancers, while prostate cancer is the commonest in men.

However, liver and colorectal cancers are common in both sexes.

“Cervical cancer is preventable; yet, it kills one Nigerian woman every hour; we need to start preaching disease prevention methods as the only way of taming this monster,’’ AnyanwuAkeredolu said.

Sharing similar sentiments, Dr Celsius Undie, an Abujabased medical consultant, said that prostate cancer could be controlled or prevented if its symptoms were detected early enough.

He called for the introduction of a comprehensive cancer screening programme in the country, insisting that deaths arising from prostate cancer would be reduced significantly via such programmes.

The good news is that modern cancer treatment facilities now exist in the country.

Prof. Temitope Alonge, the Chief Medical Director of University College Hospital, Ibadan, said that the hospital had recently installed a machine for the treatment of cancer.

“We looked at the causes of death in the hospital and found that one of the major causes is cancer; that is why we brought this machine.

“The simulator detects the tumour, while the machine which is called Colbat-60 works through radiation and eliminates the disease; if there is steady electricity, close to 50 patients can be treated within a short time.

“Nigerians should learn to always come for checkups

chemicals and additives to prolong their shelf lives, can predispose people to cancer.

He also warned that saturated fats from red meat, including hamburger and fat dairy products, were linked with cancers.

Katibi called for the establishment of a national

quickly whenever they detect any tumour in any part of their bodies,’’ he said.

But questions are always asked about the factors that predispose people to cancer.

Prof. Ibrahim Katibi, an expert in cardiovascular diseases at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, said that eating processed foods, which contained additives and preservatives, was one of the risk factors.

According to him, processed foods, particularly canned foods, which contain

cancer institute to promote research and training in cancer.

Dr Femi Olaleye, the Medical Director, Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, said that high level of testosterone (male hormone) in black men exposed them to higher risks of contracting prostate cancer.

He explained that prostate cancer was a cancer which developed in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system.

“Being a black person increases one’s risks of

“In Nigeria, the commonest cancers in women are breast and cervical cancers, while prostate cancer is the commonest in men.

However, liver and colorectal cancers are common in both sexes.

“Cervical cancer is preventable; yet, it kills one Nigerian woman every hour; we need to start preaching disease prevention methods as the only way of taming this monster.’’

contracting prostate cancer, not only black communities in Africa, even those in UK and the U.S. “There is higher incidence of prostate cancer in black men, compared to white men, and prostate cancer affects only men.

“The common risk factor is genetics; if your father had prostate cancer, there is a fiveper-cent to 10-per-cent likelihood that you could have it.

“Smoking is another risk factor; so if you are a smoker, your risk is almost 1.5 per-

increasing the public awareness on prostate cancer by mobilising the citizens to undergo cancer screening so as to curb unnecessary deaths from prostate cancer.

Echoing Olaleye’s views, Mrs Irene Audu, the President of Nigerian Cancer Initiative, said that cancer patients in Nigeria needed adequate care.

“However, machine breakdown is a common problem; treatment is also unaffordable for cancer patients. Besides, some patients, who are diagnosed, do not receive treatment

cent increased; taking alcohol in excess, obesity and sedentary lifestyle also increase the risk of contracting prostate cancer,’’ he noted.

Olaleye said that prostate cancer occurred more commonly among black men, as they matured in age, particularly if they were above 45 years old.

He noted that prostate cancer often went undiagnosed because most men tended to ignore its symptoms such as excessive or frequent urination, adding that in most cases, the manifestation of prostate cancer was somewhat slow.

Olaleye said that the cancer could progress to a point of painful urination and erectile dysfunction if it was not treated on time.

He urged the Federal Government to work towards

because of the cost,’’ she said.

Using breast cancer treatment as reference, Audu said that the treatment was quite expensive “because of breast scan, mammogram, biopsy and other tests, which could cost about N67, 000.

“At the treatment level, an average surgery costs between N50, 000 and N150, 000, while chemotherapy is between N90, 000 and N500, 000.

“The minimum cost of radiotherapy in Nigeria is N100, 000 and anti estrogen treatment is between N2, 500 and N18,000 per month; and the patient is supposed to be on the therapy for five years,’’ Audu said Health experts, nonetheless, insist that cancer cases are on the increase and warn that they will continue to rise unless adequate steps are taken to ensure cancer prevention, care and management.

I Would Swap Places With City -Mourinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he would swap places with Manchester City in the Premier League title run-in due to Manuel Pellegrini’s side having control over their own destiny.

The Stamford Bridge side lead City by six points after a 3-1 win over Fulham on Sunday, but the Capital One Cup winners have two games in hand and a superior goal difference to Chelsea.

Pellegrini is targeting an unprecedented Quadruple after collecting his first silverware as City boss with a 3-1 success over Sunderland at Wembley on Sunday, and Mourinho insists the Chilean’s team currently have the edge in the title race.

“I prefer to have the destiny in my

hands, and only City have destiny in their hands,” Mourinho said. “If I win every game until the end of the season, all 10 — which we won’t — maybe we are not champions.

“If they [City] win all 12 games they have, they are champions.

They have their destiny in their hands.”

Mourinho elected to leave Samuel Eto’o out of Chelsea’s squad for the trip to Craven Cottage, but stated that the decision was tactical, rather than due to the recent furore over his disparaging remarks after the Cameroonian striker being recorded by Canal Plus.

“There’s nothing wrong with Samuel. I just felt in this kind of

Jose Mourinho

Wilshere Believes Arsenal Will Bounce Back Jack Wilshere says Arsenal will fight to the end for the title despitetheir 1-0 setback at Stoke on Saturday.

Arsenal tumbled from second to third after the loss, losing ground onleaders Chelsea on 59 and 63 points respectively after 28 gamesplayed.

“The good thing is that this month we play all the teams at the top,”Wilshere told Mirriorfootball.

“If we win those games, we can

be up there. We’ve got to keep going tothe end. Anything can happen in this league as you’ve seen thisweekend and in previous weeks.”

Arsenal have three big league dates coming up in March starting withtwo massive backto-back London derbies away to Tottenham on March 16and Chelsea on March 22 while Manchester City visit The Emirates onMarch 29.

match — away from home, against normally defensive teams, aggressive defenders — I thought to go with Fernando [Torres] and, if I need to risk in the last part of the game I’d use Demba [Ba],” Mourinho continued.

“You see, Eto’o scores goals but at home. He scores in the league, in the Champions League but all of them at home. Playing away is more difficult for him.

“I think he is our best striker to play at home because of his technique, his movement and his understanding with Eden [Hazard] and Oscar. For me, he is best to play at home. Away he is showing some difficulties.”

Robin van Persie has described Manchester United as “lousy” but says manager David Moyes should be given time to put things right.

United’s season went from bad to worse last week when they went down 2-0 to Greek champions Olympiakos in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Given United, the defending champions, are currently some 11 points off fourth spot in the Premier League, it has been suggested that Moyes is on borrowed time.

Van Persie, however, has backed his boss.

“He is new and needs time.

He’s working hard and so are we,” van Persie is quoted as saying by The Sun.

RVP Describes United As “Lousy” “It’s easy to point at the manager but that’s not who I am. We need to do it on the pitch.”

But the former Arsenal man refused to pull any punches on their current plight.

“We are lousy - in a lousy position in the league, out of the cups and this looks a difficult one also,” he said.

“We are very disappointed.

It’s a tough season.

“Sometimes we play good but not always. And we are not lucky. That’s no excuse, though. We need to turn it

League Cup Triumph Whets Man City Apetite Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini ambitiously declared that one trophy would not suffice for his team this season after they overcame Sunderland 3-1 to win the League Cup. “I don’t think the top players Sunderland took an early lead through Fabio Borini in Sunday’s from important clubs are ever final at Wembley, but a pair of satisfied with one trophy.”

City’s hopes of an memorable goals from Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri put City unprecedented quadruple were in charge before Jesus Navas hit by a 2-0 loss to Barcelona in sealed victory in the final minute. the home leg of their Champions It was Pellegrini’s first major League last 16 tie, but they could trophy in European football, but still become the first English with City still in contention for team ever to win the domestic honours in the Premier League, treble.

Mindful of the psychological the FA Cup and the Champions League, there could be more to damage inflicted by last season’s loss in the FA Cup final, come.

City have a chance to avenge their shock loss to Wigan Athletic in last season’s FA Cup final when the teams meet in the quarter-finals of this season’s tournament next weekend and Pellegrini said that his side would quickly shift their focus to that game.

“We are going to have (had) a great season when the season ends in May,” said the 60-yearold Chilean, who previously spent nine years in Spain with Villarreal, Real Madrid and Malaga.

“We won today (Sunday) just one trophy, but nobody can think that that’s enough. Why? We have to win (against) Wigan next Sunday and we will have another Manuel Pellegrini semi-final here at Wembley.

Pellegrini said that it was important that his side had avoided another upset against a valiant Sunderland side.

“Of course it gives us a lot of confidence,” he said.

“When you have a chance to win a title, if you don’t do it, maybe you don’t work with your mind the same way.

“We are the only club that has the chance to continue trying to win all the competitions. If you have the chance to win the first, you must do it.

“I think that for such important players and such a big club as

Eto’O More Suited At Stamford Bridge

Jack Wilshere

around.

“We are able to play in a high tempo with massive power but in Greece it was all too slow.

“Olympiakos didn’t create a lot either. The first goal was lucky, the second goal was a great one and for the rest of the game they didn’t have any good chances.”

Van Persie insists that United can still go through against Olympiakos but concedes things won’t be easy.

“It is possible to beat them at home with 2-0 or 3-0, but it won’t be easy,” he concluded.

Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho says Cameroon international Samuel Eto’o is more suited to playing at Stamford Bridge.

The 32-year-old was left out of the squad during Saturday’s 3-1 win over Fulham with Fernando Torres being handed a start, while Demba Ba was introduced off the bench.

“There’s nothing wrong with Samuel,” he told reporters.

“I just felt in this kind of match away from home, against normally defensive teams, aggressive defenders - I thought

to go with Fernando and, if I need to risk in the last part of the game, I’d use Demba.

“You see, Eto’o scores goals but at home. He scores in the league, in the Champions League but all of them at home.

“Playing away is more difficult for him. I think he is our best striker to play at home because of his technique, his movement and his understanding with Eden (Hazard) and Oscar.

“For me, he is best to play at home. Away he is showing some difficulties.”

The Blues are currently at the top of the Premier League standings with 63 points but Mourinho believes that Manchester City, who are six points two games in hand, are favourites for the title.

“I prefer to have the destiny in my hands, and only City have destiny in their hands,” Mourinho said.

“If I win every game until the end of the season, all 10 - which we won’t - maybe we are not champions.

“If they win all 12 games they have, they are champions. They have their destiny in their hands.”

Manchester City, to fail for the second time is not good. They failed last year, but today it was very important for all of us to win.”

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet conceded that City’s superior quality had made the difference, joking that there was no way to stop a player like Toure “unless we shoot him”.

Toure’s 55th-minute equaliser, a nonchalant 30-yard lob, was one of the finest goals that Wembley has witnessed, and City’s second goal, a devilishly swerving strike by Nasri, arrived just one minutes and 45 seconds later.

Poyet could console himself with the knowledge that his side also remain in contention in the FA Cup, with a quarter-final at Hull City awaiting next weekend.

However, Premier League survival remains his top priority and he expressed hope that Sunderland’s determined display against City would inspire the players to haul themselves out of the relegation zone.

“I’ve said from day one, it was nearly an impossible job to stay in the Premier League,” said the Uruguayan, who succeeded Paolo Di Canio last October when Sunderland were six points adrift at the foot of the table.

“We were at the bottom, too far from the rest, but we have done some special things and I hope this gives us the experience to stay in the Premier League.”

The former Chelsea midfielder also offered an apology for his po-faced post-match demeanour and called on the club’s fans to sustain the fervour of their support over the closing weeks of the season.

“The Sunderland fans made me feel better because of the way they talked to us on the walk up at the end,” he said.

“It’s a horrible walk to get the losers’ medal. It’s difficult to take. I’m sorry I wasn’t the happiest when I was going up there. We need them now.”

Balotelli, De Rossi To Miss Spain Match Mario Balotelli will miss Italy’s friendly with Spain on Wednesday due to injury while Daniele De Rossi has been dropped due to a code of ethics violation.

Balotelli injured his right shoulder towards the end of AC Milan’s 1-0 defeat at home to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on February 19.

De Rossi was punished for hitting Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi while playing for Roma in a 0-0 draw on Saturday. De Rossi was not punished by the referee but is expected to be banned by the Serie A judge with the use of TV replays on Monday.

The 24-year-old Immobile is among Serie A’s top scorers with 13 goals this season. The Argentine-born Paletta, 28, just obtained Italian citizenship.

Italy are also without injured forward Giuseppe Rossi for the match at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid. Rossi had an explosive first half of the Serie A season before reinjuring his right knee at the beginning of the year.

He is still tied with Carlos Tevez at the top of the Serie A scoring charts with 14 goals.

In their last meeting, Italy were beaten by Spain on penalties in the semifinals of last year’s Confederations Cup. The two European powers also met twice at the 2012 European Championship. They drew 1-1 in the group stage then Spain thrashed Italy 4-0 in the final.

Full squad Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Mattia Perin (Genoa),

Salvatore Sirigu (Paris SaintGermain).

Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Davide Astori (Cagliari), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Zenit St. Petersburg), Mattia De Sciglio (AC Milan), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Gabriel Paletta (Parma).

Midfielders: Andrea Candreva (Lazio), Emanuele Giaccherini (Sunderland), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (AC Milan), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain), Marco Parolo (Parma), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Marco Verratti (Paris SaintGermain).

Forwards: Alessio Cerci (Torino), Mattia Destro (Roma), Alberto Gilardino (Genoa), Ciro Immobile (Torino), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Pablo Osvaldo (Juventus).

Carlo Ancelotti

Pep Guardiola

PSG Continue Quest To Retain Crown Paris Saint-Germain continued their relentless quest to retain the Ligue 1 crown on Sunday as they overcame bitter rivals Marseille 2-0 at the Parc des Princes to move eight points clear.

Laurent Blanc’s side notched up their 19th win in 27 outings, against just one defeat, as they rode second half goals from Brazilian left-back Maxwell and Uruguayan Edinson Cavani to see off Jose Anigo’s side.

Ligue 1 top scorer Zlatan

Ancelotti Slams ‘Violent’ Atleti

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has claimed that Atletico Madrid used dirty tactics during Sunday’s 2-2 derby draw at the Vicente Calderon Stadium..

Koke and Gabi were on target for the hosts, while Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo scored for the Whites but Ancelotti believes the physicality of the game overshadowed the football.

“Atletico tried to play a violent match, not our style,” he told reporters. “Our response was just to play, to think only of playing and not other things.

Bayern Closer To Title

“We must take the draw. It was a difficult game. We tried to play but it was not so easy.

“Our second half was very good. In the first half we tried to defend high up but we let Atletico back into the game.

“Atletico had more difficulty in the second half because we moved the ball across our front line, left to right.

“We were not patient in the first half. They got tired in the second.

“We lost the ball too easily in the first half, that’s why Atletico could get into the game.”

Real Madrid remain in first place with 64 points, just one point of Barcelona, who defeated Almeria 4-1 on Sunday night.

However, Ancelotti believes his side did well to fight to what should be a valuable point away from home.

“We’ve drawn a game we were losing. We can be happy with that,” he added. “Atletico are a great team, especially at home.

“Now we are leading the table and we’ve got seven more home games and five away, so we must consider this as well.”

Ibrahimovic released former Inter Milan and Barcelona defender Maxwell on 50 minutes and the Brazilian international calmly placed the ball beyond Steve Mandanda in the visitors’ goal.

Blanc’s men locked up shop following the goal and rarely gave Marseille a clear cut chance as they extended their record to 16 wins and three draws after opening the scoring.

Cavani, who came on as a second-half substitute after a month out injured, then sent the Paris faithful into raptures with a powerful headed finish with 11 minutes remaining to put the gloss on a fine evening’s work.

“It was very hard to be out injured for a month so I’m very happy tonight,” Cavani told Canal Plus TV following the match.

“It was a great goal and I just want to thank my teammates and to thank God for allowing me to come back tonight and score,” he added.

Following second-placed Monaco’s 2-0 reverse at SaintEtienne on Saturday, PSG are red hot favourites to retain the title they won last season for the first time since 1994.

The capital club also play Lyon in the French League Cup final and stand on the brink of the Champions League quarter-finals after thrashing Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 in the first leg of their last-16 tie in Germany.

Earlier on Sunday, Lille’s Ivory Coast international Salomon Kalou fired a hat-trick to lift the northern French club past Ajaccio 3-2 in Corsica and back into third

spot.

The former Chelsea striker cancelled out compatriot Junior Tallo’s shock first minute opener to level the match from the penalty spot on 25 minutes before scoring again seven minutes before half-time to put the visitors ahead.

Tallo levelled the match for the basement dwellers, who have won just two games all season, just before half-time before Kalou completed his hattrick, again from the penalty spot, 16 minutes from time to give Rene Girard’s side three crucial points.

“It’s really a miracle that we won tonight,” said Girard.

“It was crucial to get third place back. Saint-Etienne have come back strong the last five matches and we have been battling for results for some

Edinson Cavani

time.

“The only thing positive from this match is the three points and we’re going to have to show a lot more in the coming weeks to keep our position.”

Lille now have 49 points, one ahead of Saint-Etienne in the race for third place and the final Champions League spot.

Ajaccio remain rooted to the foot of the table 13 points adrift of safety, and looking increasingly doomed to playing second division football next season.

Elsewhere, Lyon were held up in their bid to gatecrash the top three with a 0-0 home draw against Montpellier.

In a match that lacked inspiration for the neutrals, Remi Garde’s men moved into a tie for sixth with Reims but remain seven points back of third-placed Lille.

Montpellier, the 2012 champions under Lille coach Girard, continue to ease away from the relegation zone under Rolland Courbis and are now joint 11th with Lorient and 11 points above the drop zone.

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola says his side’s 5-1 win over Schalke has moved them closer to the league title.

Arjen Robben scored a hattrick as the Bavarians registered their 15th straight win in the Bundesliga, increasing their lead to 20 points.

Bayern went into the break with a 4-0 lead but Guardiola says they were determined to keep playing in the second half.

“In the break, we talked about respect for the opponent and about how we needed to keep serious,” said Guardiola.

“Congratulations to the team.

With every game, we move a little closer to defending the league title.”

Meanwhile, Robben admitted that he was pleased with the way his side dominated the match from the onset to score four goals within the opening half hour.

“It was one of the best first halves I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” said Robben. “We were aggressive and didn’t let them play.

“We want to stay in this form; we’re playing with so much passion. We want to carry that on in the Champions League.”

Emery Pleased With Clean Sliced Sevilla manager Unai Emery says he was happy to see his side keeping a clean sheet during Sunday’s 1-0 win over Real Sociedad.

Kevin Gameiro scored the only goal of the match late in the game to help his side move up to seventh place with 38 points.

“We set out our game, without looking at the league table,” Emery told reporters. “We were looking to win, at how to win and we’ve done just that.

“We’ve had a good game and on the right path that we’d set ourselves, with patience and competing for the whole ninety minutes.

“The benchmark was to keep a clean sheet and after we scored, they hardly had any chances.

“At times we’ve played more offensively, even more so than our opponents, but we haven’t won.

“If you attack well whilst being fine in defence, you feel much stronger. We’re finding ourselves more solid at the back.

“Every game is a test and getting these clean sheets is a nice step and good for our confidence.”

Sevilla will look to maintain their winning form when they visit Almeria on Saturday afternoon.

Campbell FA Racism Claim Rejected

By Former England Mgr Eriksson FORMER England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has emphatically denied Sol Campbell’s claim that he would have been captain of the national team “for more than 10 years” had he been white.

“I think the FA wished I was Campbell, who played 73 times white. I had the credibility, for his country, claims in a new performance-wise to be captain.”

On the appointment of Michael authorised biography serialised in the Sunday Times that the Owen, who wore the armband on Football Association and the eight occasions, ahead of him, majority of fans do not want a Campbell added: “I think the FA black England skipper.

The 39-year-old said: “I believe if I was white, I would have been England captain for more than 10 years - it’s as simple as that.

didn’t want me to have a voice.

Owen was a fantastic forward but nowhere near being a captain. It was embarrassing.

“I’ve asked myself many times why I wasn’t. I keep coming up with the same answer. It was the colour of my skin.”

The 39-year-old led his country three times in friendly matches, and Eriksson - who selected

Campbell 32 times during his five-year reign - insisted in the Daily Telegraph that he had come under no pressure from the FA not to give the defender the armband on a more permanent basis.

“Not a chance - during my years, not a chance,” the Swede said. “As you know, from my first to my last game, I had David

W/Cup Warmups

Australia To Play South Africa, Croatia

AUSTRALIA will play a friendly against South Africa in May in a farewell match to local fans before embarking on their third successive World Cup campaign.

The Socceroos will play “Bafana Bafana” at Sydney’s Olympic stadium on May 26 after a final home training camp in New South Wales state’s Central Coast, Football Federation Australia said in a statement on Monday.

The match will be the teams’ first clash since a 2-2 draw in London in 2008.

The Ange Postecogloucoached Socceroos will also play a warmup against fellow World Cup qualifiers Croatia in Brazil on June 6, a week before their opening match of the June 12 July 13 finals against Chile.

Australia have been drawn in the tough Group B with Spain, Chile and Netherlands.

Bafana Face World Cup Hosts SOUTH Africa will welcome 2014 FIFA World Cup hosts Brazil to the FNB Stadium for an international friendly on Wednesday, 5 March 2014, kickoff at19h00.

It is the second successive

Sven-Goran Eriksson

Birmingham City Owner Guilty Of Money Laundering A Hong Kong court on Monday found Birmingham City owner Carson Yeung guilty of five counts of money laundering.

The 54-year-old businessman had denied laundering HK$720 million (US$93 million) between 2001 and 2007.

Judge Douglas Yau said

Mensah Boost For Ghana

E X I N T E R N AT I O N A L Augustine Arhinful says the Black Stars will benefit immensely if John Mensah returns to first team football.

Mensah has moved to

John Mensah

Beckham (as captain) and there were never, ever any discussions at all in the team or in the FA about the captain.”

Former England striker Ian Wright also disputed his exinternational team-mate’s accusations, pointing out there were more suitable candidates around for the captaincy at the time.

“I think he’s got the credentials to be captain, but to be captain for 10 years? I’m not sure when you see some of the players that were around then,” said Wright, who played with Campbell for the Three Lions in the late 1990s.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s 606 show, Wright added: “I want a captain that goes in and gets you going. Sol has never had the demeanour where he is aggressive on the pitch and put people in their place.

“People say David Beckham

wasn’t like that, but he only had to raise his eyebrows to put someone in their place. Maybe Sol could have grown into it but it’s down to the manager who he wants.

“Sol was more than good enough to be a captain but I personally believe there were better candidates at the time.”

It is understood the FA is not planning to respond directly to the allegations.

Former FA executive director David Davies, who was at the organisation when Campbell was a player, said he was “surprised” by the allegations and believed they were “wrong”.

“I am surprised by this because the reality is that in my time the managers selected the captain,” Davies told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Sportsweek programme.

“I never - and to my knowledge nobody else in the FA - ever sought to influence them.

“My belief is (the allegations) are wrong.”

Slovakian top-flight side FC Nitra on loan and ready to be active after close to a year out.

The former Olympique Lyon defender, who has been without a club since leaving French side Rennes last season.

“I’m delighted for him and I hope that he goes there and start playing because you can sign a contract but I hope as he has been able to make the transfer he will be able to start playing,” he told Joy sports.

“So if he starts playing and stays fit I believe he will be invited. He is a very good player who has been there before.

“All that we were hoping for was for him to recover fully and so if he claims he is recovered and would have playing time and definitely sure that the coach will invite him.”

Mensah can gatecrash Ghana’s World Cup squad if he remains active from now till the naming of the final 23man squad in May.

Yeung was “selfcontradictory” in his testimony and that he was “making it up as he went along” to a courthouse packed full of reporters and members of the public.

The tycoon, wearing a dark suit, appeared calm as the verdict was read out.

Yeung was arrested and charged with ill-gotten gains in the southern Chinese city in June 2011, two years after he acquired the “Blues”.

Carson Yeung

Yeung, who was little known prior to his emergence in English football, took control of the club in October 2009 in an 81-million pound ($130 million) takeover from David Sullivan and David Gold, now the coowners of West Ham. In February Yeung resigned as chairman and executive director of Birmingham International Holdings Limited (BIHL), which owns the struggling second-tier club.

friendly at ‘Soccer City’ against a high-profile team, with Bafana Bafana having beaten reigning World Cup champions Spain 1-0 at the Johannesburg venue in November last year.

In between, South Africa’s locally-based squad was eliminated I the first round from the 2014 African Nations Championship on home soil, but the call-ups of overseas-based players such as Bongani Khumalo, Anele Ngcongca, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Dean Fuman, Andile Jali, Thulani Serero and Tokelo Rantie will significantly strengthen the team.

“It is not every day that one gets to play against five-time world champions. This is a great opportunity for us to continue from where we left off against Spain last year,” said coach Gordon Igesund upon naming his 23-man squad.

“We played Brazil in Sao Paolo and narrowly lost 1-0. They are the hosts of the 2014 World Cup, so they will definitely be taking this match seriously as you can see from the squad they have selected. “Ï also have a lot of confidence in the squad I have selected and I believe we will be very competitive on the night. This should be a very good challenge for the players.”

South Africa and Brazil have clashed in four official matches heading back as far as their first meeting at the old ‘Soccer City’ in April 1996 when the South Americans came from two goals down (scored by Phil Masinga and Doctor Khumalo) to win 32.

That victory set the tone for the rivalry, as Brazil have won all four matches in which they have tackled Bafana, including a 1-0 victory in the semifinals of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and a win by the same score line when the teams met in Sao Paulo in August 2012, Igesund’s first match in charge of the national team.

Lagos FA Aims At Breeding Talents

National League

Kwara Utd FC Raps Supporters

funds they are requesting for.

“If we discover that they don’t need as much of what they are requesting for, of course we will slash it.’’

He also said that if it was discovered that they needed more, then we find other ways

to increase it, to enable them execute their programmes and bring success to Nigeria,’’ Gaiya said.

NAN reports that the budget defence for sports was earlier fixed for March 4, but shifted to March 10.

accordingly, so that they will be fully grounded before climaxing,’’ he said.

According to him, the children are being guided by seasoned coaches who also take them through moral teachings, discipline, as well as creating an enabling forum for social interaction within their ranks.

“The idea is for them to be disciplined, educated and be able to mix freely and get familiar with people in their age-categories, as against having any inferiority complex,‘’ Akinwunmi said.

The LSFA chairman also noted that the academic performance of young footballers would be a criteria to move them from the lower to the higher stages, saying that there must be a balance.

“In as much as we want them to excel in their footballing careers, their education is very important and we make them to realise that we cannot compromise on that.

“We will monitor their academic performances, once we confirm that they are not doing well, the bitter truth is that we will drop such players, because it is now education and sports,’’ he said.

He, however, applauded parents who create time to come and watch their wards during training and competitions at the National Stadium, stressing that this was a motivation for them to be more committed.

16-year-old Sylvester Emmanuel, who emerged as the champion of the 8th Central Bank Open on Saturday, has attributed his victory to hard work.

The match was held at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

Emmanuel, the winner and a student of Central Point Secondary School, Kaduna, told the newsmen shortly after defeating Michael Amos, of

Rivers, 9-2 in an exciting match, that he was proud of his performance at the competition.

“I am a proud boy today (Saturday), and truly, I am really short of words to express my joy.

I practised hard to win, even when I had an opponent who gave me a tough time.

“I like to hit the ball hard and play close to the net,’’ he said.

The 16-year-old Amos, who was runner up at the event, said he was tensed up during the match, especially after his opponent won the first game.

“I have played against my opponent on a number of occasions and I have beaten him in some games in the past. I really know his game plan. But I failed to stop him in time.

“I could not settle down well enough, when I lost the first few games and this put me under more pressure”.

Zaniab Oladimeji emerged winner of the U-16 girls event as she defeated 8-year-old rising star, Marylove Edwards, 9-1 in a pro-set.

Oladimeji said that she was nervous initially in playing the highly-rated Edwards, who had defeated several big names on her way to the finals.

“My heart skipped as I played my game, because I was playing

against a junior player who was as determined to win.

“The first 10 minutes into the set gave me the jitters, but I had to psyche myself up to go for a win. I am happy I finally won the game,’’ she said.

In U-14 boys’ event, Christopher Itodo defeated Tochukwu Ezeh, 9-7, in a game that lasted for about two hours.

In the U- 12 boys’ event, Kaduna-based, Gabriel Friday, defeated Matthew Abamu, 9-2, to win the title.

And in U-10 boys’ event, Usman Kushimu, 10, from Ogun State defeated Victor Tom of Rivers, 9-7 to win the title.

Meanwhile, in the girls U-12, Edwards defeated an Ibadanbased, Kasara Adegboyega, 9-O, to win the category, while in the U-10, Chidinma Ezeh defeated Iya Onoja, 9-7, for the title.

The winners of the various categories were presented with tennis equipment and trophies.

Aderemi Omolade, in the U-16 girls category was adjudged the most outstanding player of the tournament, while Tochukwu Ezeh won that of the boys’ U-16.

An exhibition match featured a veteran football star, Segun Onigbinde and Ace musician, Dare Art-Alade was won by Onigbinde, 2-1 (7-4, 4-7, 7-5).

SEYI Akinwunmi, the Chairman, Lagos State Football Association (LSFA), said on Sunday that its current pre-occupation is to identify six grassroots talents to make the senior national team, the Super Eagles.

Akinwunmi told newsmen in Lagos that the road map for the project commenced since 2012, with the grassroots talent-hunt from the U-13 and U-15 boys.

He said young players from various schools and clubs in Lagos, referred to as ‘EKO Football Future Stars’ were training regularly at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Lagos.

“The initiative for the grassroots developmental programmes is to produce at least six footballers from this group that will make the Eagles team in a few years from now.

“We strongly believe in ‘catching them young’, take them through the rudiments of football as they progress

THE technical adviser of Kwara Utd FC of Ilorin, Samson Unuanel, has urged the club supporters to be patient with it over its lone goal victory over visiting Mighty Jets of Jos on March 1.

Unuanel told newsmen on Sunday in Ilorin that the club was a newly assembled team that would soon rise to the occasion.

He said his target was to bring the darling team of Kwarans back to the Premiership, next season.

Unuanel noted that his boys were relatively new to the system but promised that the team would soon take its proper shape and deliver as expected.

Ugbade Delighted Over Victory

NDUKA Ugbade, Head Coach of MFM Football Club, says he is delighted over his club’s defeat of Stationery Stores of Lagos in the 2013/ 2014 Nigeria National League (NNL).

Ugbade told newsmen on Sunday in Lagos that the defeat was remarkable.

MFM Football Club defeated Stationery Stores of Lagos 4-0 at the Agege Stadium on Saturday, March 1.

The first three goals of the match were scored in the first half, while the fourth goal came in the second half.

Ugbade said that recording a win over Stationery Stores was a wonderful result and “I’m very happy we won.

Kogi Utd Coach Hails Officiating

COACH Fatai Osho of Kogi United Football Club of Lokoja on Sunday commended the referees who officiated the club’s Week Four match against Supreme Court Football Club in Abuja.

Osho told newsmen after the club lost 0-1 to Supreme Court FC in a 2013/2014 Nigeria National League (NNL) match that the referees did well in spite of the club’s defeat.

The reports NNL Group A match was played at the Old Parade Ground sports centre.

A 58th minute strike from substitute Endurance Osaghai had separated the two sides in the match.

“The officiating here today (Sunday) is the best that my club has seen so far this season and if we have this kind of officiating in all our leagues, it will help us grow.

“This is because this is the first time we are getting a good officiating playing away from home.

“And I am happy because this is what we always advocate during our home matches. So, if we can get such kind of officiating away from home, it is a good one,’’ Osho said.

Bolaji Abdullahi, Sports Minister

NSC, NFA Defend 2014 Budget On March 10

THE National Sports Commission (NSC) will defend its 2014 budget at the House of Representatives on March 10.

The Chairman, House of Representative Committee on the other, we have shifted our Sports, Rep. Godfrey Gaiya, own to March 10.

“This is to enable our made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in members who are in other committees to be present and Abuja on Sunday.

Gaiya said that the shift from take part at the session.’’

He further said, “normally, March 4 to March10 was to allow for full participation of we take them all in one day; the NSC will come first to be all committee members.

He said that apart from the followed by all other NSC, the Nigeria Football parastatals under it.

“There will also be NFA and Association (NFA) and the National Institute for Sports NIS that will appear on the (NIS) would also defend their same day,’’ Gaiya said.

“Surely they (NSC, NFA budget on the same date.

“There are about 89 standing and NIS) have come with their committees in the house and request; it is a proposal from every member of the house the executive.

“They are the ones that belongs to about eight proposed the budget, so when committees.

“So, to avoid a situation they come, the envelope will where everybody will be be opened and then we ask running from one committee to them the desirability of the

Emmanuel, Oladimeji, Others Win CBN Junior Tennis Tourney

CAF Champions League

Anyansi-Agwu Rues Enyimba’s ensure that we sustain the Home Loss tovictory we had over Enyimba in

THE Chairman, Enyimba FC of Aba, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, has expressed shock over his team’s 1-2 loss to AS Real of Bamako in the first leg of their first round CAF Champions League match.

Anyansi-Agwu spoke with newsmen on Sunday after Enyimba lost the match played at the Aba Township Stadium, Aba. The chairman remarked that in his years of following football, he had never been as disappointed as he was, following the home loss.

Anyansi-Agwu, however, said good teams sometimes lost home matches and there was still hope for Enyimba.

“While I’m admitting that the loss has put us in a tight corner, it is, however, not the end of the team,’’ he said.

According to him, if his team worked hard, they could also beat AS Real at home.

Coach Nouhome Diane of AS Real said that they defeated Enyimba because his boys played functional football.

The coach said that his club would defeat Enyimba again in the return leg.

“We are going to prepare more

Aba,’’ Diane said.

Some football analysts said after the match that Enyimba lost due to carelessness of the coach and his players.

Enyimba took the lead in the 43rd minute through Sibi Gwar and ended the first half of the match on that note.

The home team’s lack of coordination, however, resulted in the visiting team recording an equaliser in the 64th minute through Moctar Cisse.

AS Real went on to score a winning goal in the 76th minute through Ahmadu Samake.

CMYK

ONE of the most disheartening political ironies played out recently during Nigeria’s centenary celebration. If they listened in, Nigeria’s independence heroes, and victims of a perverse system that held most of the world bondage for several centuries, must have turned in their graves and cringed in anger as the nation that they fought so hard to free from the shackles of political and social overlordship proclaimed before a global audience it’s appreciation for a colonial doctrine that they had fought so vehemently to topple. It came as a shock to many of us when Frederick Lugard’s name appeared on the list of those that the Nigerian government had given honours as part of activities to mark the nation’s centenary.

After over fifty years of consistently insisting that colonialism and it’s adverse policies were a social and political aberration, we turn around many years later to thank the colonial administrators for a job well done. Imagine South Africa turning around many years later to celebrate the architects of Apartheid, or African Americans endorsing a decision to honour the former southern slave trading conglomerates for accepting defeat during the American civil war; as if there was any other option. It would even be more upsetting to hear that the Congolese government gets up one day and say it is honoring King Leopold for the zeal and commitment with which he built a unified Congo that has become one of Africa’s largest and most diverse nations, but also one frought with immense social and political challenges that are direct consequences of his depraved actions.

This is what our government has done with this honour. The atrocities perpetrated by Leopold may not find

easy comparisons but the spirit behind the vicious acts carried out in the Congo runs across the full gamut of Africa’s colonial experience.

If President Jonathan had done a thorough research before honouring former colonial overlord Frederick Lugard, he would have seen that the man

something of the animals’ placidity and want of desire to rise beyond the State he has reached. Through the ages the African appears to have evolved no organised religious creed, and though some tribes appear to believe in a deity, the religious sense seldom rises above pantheistic animalism and seems

The Absurdity Of Honouring Colonialists

and his cohorts had not acted in the interest of the people they controlled but rather to serve some avaricious interests, the same that propelled all metropolitan powers to sustain their control over their colonial domains; He would have read about Lugard’s disregard for the locals whom he considered as irrelevant in his political scheme, except where they served Britain’s fiscal needs. Like all other colonial administratorsrecruited from a crude, discourteous and uncivil ilk, Lugard hardly hid his disdain for the people in the territories he administered and he made this very clear.

Lugard never masked his disregard for Nigerians or his perception of them as lesser creatures who did not possess the abilities expected of humans. If they missed it, this text should make the president’s researchers have a rethink: “In character and temperament, the typical African of this race-type is a happy, thriftless, excitable person. Lacking in self control, discipline, and foresight. Naturally courageous, and naturally courteous and polite, full of personal vanity, with little sense of veracity, fond of music and loving weapons as an oriental loves jewelry.

His thoughts are concentrated on the events and feelings of the moment, and he suffers little from the apprehension for the future, or grief for the past. His mind is far nearer to the animal world than that of the European or Asiatic, and exhibits

more often to take the form of a vague dread of the supernatural”.

“He lacks the power of organisation, and is conspicuously deficient in

of apprehension and his lack of ability to visualise the future” If President Jonathan and his advisers had probed just a little deeper,

Lugard’s impressions is put in better perspective when his words are juxtaposed with the counter position that has always been held by

President Goodluck Jonathan the management and control alike of men or business. HE loves the display of power, but fails to realize its responsibility... he will work hard with a less incentive than most races... In brief, the virtues and defects of this racetype are those of attractive children, whose confidence when it is won is given ungrudgingly as to an older and wiser superior and without envy...Perhaps the two traits which have impressed me as those most characteristic of the African native are his lack

lugard’s words, crisp and lucid in their vile detestation of the Africans and disregard for whatever mental advancements they (Africans) may have made before colonialism, should have made them realise that they were honouring someone who cared less about the social or political benefits of a forced amalgamation. Those words do not only speak of disregard for the people but reveal the misperception that shaped colonial attitudes and commenced the process of undermining everything African.

The outright rejection of

African leaders and intellectuals. In one of the most emphatic declarations of Africa’s political emancipation ever delivered, Nigeria’s Murtala Mohammed proclaimed a new political path, hinged on sovereignty and selfassertion.

For those who remember, these words will forever resonate: “Africa has come of age. It is no longer under the orbit of any extra continental power. It should no longer take orders from any country, however powerful.

The fortunes of Africa are in our hands to make or to

mar. For too long have we been kicked around: for too long have we been treated like adolescents who cannot discern their interests and act accordingly.

“For too long has it been presumed that the African needs outside ‘experts’ to tell him who are his friends and who are his enemies. The time has come when we should make it clear that we can decide for ourselves; that we know our own interests and how to protect those interests; that we are capable of resolving African problems without presumptuous lessons in ideological dangers which, more often than not, have no relevance for us, nor for the problem at hand.”

These words are a reminder of what the struggle for political Liberation was about.

They speak candidly of the reasons why we must always condemn all facets of a vicious system that was a flagrant abuse of our humanity. No matter the consequences of the policies that were implemented during the colonial era, history beckons us no to lose sight of the overall purpose for which these policies were intended; Avarice. We must never mistake this for altruism.

I may go on a whim here and predict that the next event, and it’s organisers, that we would be celebrating would be the 1884 Berlin conference and it’s conveners, and people like Bismark and King Leopold would both receive esteemed national honours from the same African people they so blatantly undermined to suit their own desires.

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