Nigerian observer 04 10 2013

THE NIGERIAN

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The Nigerian

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol . 38 NO. 325 • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013 • N 100.00 ART & CULTURE Page 19

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Sacred anthems in culture

W’Bank, others, move to tackle Auchi erosion menace

By MORRISON HAYBLE AUCHI - An inaugural meeting of Auchi gully Erosion committee has been held with the community by the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed

Management Project (NEWMAP) as part of measures to seek solution to the land degradation plaguing

the area in the past years.

The meeting which is a basic requirement by the World Bank for the

effectiveness of NEWMAP in Edo state, also witnessed the formal inauguration Continues on page 2

Aircraft conveying Agagu’s remains crashes

By ANDY EGBON With Agency Report

REFLECTION Page 23 Nigeria @ 53

Celebration of freedom

IKEJA - A chartered aircraft belonging to Associated Aviation Ltd., which had 20 persons and the remains of the late Governor Segun Agagu of Ondo State on board, crashed yesterday near the international terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport(MMA).

The accident, involving Lagos, claiming 159 the aircraft with lives on June 3, 2012. registration mark 5NBJY, The survivors of the occurred at about Associated Airline 9.00a.m., leaving 16 crash were taken to the passengers dead and five others rescued. One later died in the hospital.

Mr Yakubu Dati, General Manager, C o r p o r a t e Communications, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed the figures of the dead and survivors in the accident.

The crash happened 16 months after that of an MD 83 aircraft belonging to Dana Airline occurred in Iju-Ishaga area of

.16 die, 4 survive . Family got premonition

Nigerian Air Force Hospital for treatment, while the dead were also

taken to its morgue.

Dr Wale Ahmed , the Lagos State

Commissioner for Special Duties, said that the aircraft was

- Kinsman

transporting the casket containing Agagu’s Continues on page 2

South-South Govs pledge economic intergration

By ADAMS OYIBOKE BENIN CITY - The 7th Session of the South/ South Governors Council has ended in Benin City, the Edo State capital with a firm determination to promote social and economic integration of the region.

This formed part of the communiqué at the end of the council meeting held in Government House, yesterday in Benin City.

Addressing journalists shortly after the meeting, the chairman of the Governors Council made up of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta (BRACED Commission) Liyel Imoke said.

“Council is more than ever determined to reinvigorate the South/ South region into a

global economy.

He said” council will map out strategies to advance the rapid development of the region of Nigeria.

According to him “The council commits to put resources together to promote strong regional economy as a means of reducing poverty and facilitate regional economic co-operation.

“Also to strengthen and promote the development of the BRACED commission and institutions as the region development agencies to drive the region development agenda.

The communiqué added “the council of Governors of the six states of the South/South commits to engage the Federal Government on Fiscal development issues affecting the region.

“Notably is the speedy Continues on page 2

PLANE CRASH: Wreckage of the crashed plane conveying the remains of the former Governor of Ondo State, Chief Olusegun Agagu from Lagos to Akure yesterday.

FG crippling Nigeria’s economy - Oshiomhole

By ADAMS OYIBOKE

ABUJA - Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State says failure of the federal government to remit allocation to states from the federation account is crippling the nation’s economy.

The Governor in a media chat as part of activities to mark the nation’s 53rd Independence Anniversary said many states are unable to pay salaries and meet other

financial obligations with serious security implications for the society.

The Governor who said

he cannot say if the Federal Government is broke as some people insinuate said this is the first time since 1999 that

the Federal Government will be finding it difficult to meet its obligation to states.

road accidents in 2012.

An FRSC annual report, a copy of which was made available to

newsmen in Abuja puts the total casualty figure recorded across the country during the period

“I don’t know if the federal government is broke, but I know there Continues on page 2

Road accident claims 4,260 lives in ABUJA - The Federal at 25,017.

2012 - FRSC Road Safety The report indicated Commission (FRSC) has said that 4,260 persons died and 20,757 others were injured in

that Bauchi recorded the highest number of deaths in road Continues on page 2

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

News

FG crippling Nigeria’s economy Continued from page 1 is serious crisis and it is unprecedented in the history of this country.

“For the first time since 1999, allocations can no longer come as at when due to states.

“I have been involved in trying to understand what the reasons are and I have not seen anything yet. Whether we use the word broke or you deny the word broke, the truth is that there is financial crisis in Nigeria which has very

serious national security implication.

“Because, we can’t pay salaries, federal government can’t pay salaries as at when due, and you can’t pay your contractors and your contractors will begin to retrench their workers, that is recipe for national disaster.

“So, I am hoping that NNPC should wake up and meet its obligation to the federation account otherwise, the integrity of government is at stake, if I can’t keep my

promise, federal government can’t keep its promise, all other governors can’t keep their promises, the Nigerian electorate will be so disillusioned and it could be a disaster. So I am hoping that the NNPC recognizes that it cannot be business as usual and they have few cases to answer as far as I am concerned” he said.

Oshiomhole narrated further that “two years ago it was about the kind of money we were spending on subsidy.

Road accident claims 4,260 lives dangerous driving, Continued from page 1 in 2012 and accounted for more than 35, accidents for the period with 293 killed and 1,112 injured.

Kaduna and Ogun came second and third with 281 deaths, 1,311 injured, and 247 killed and 1,398 injured respectively, while Oyo followed with 245 deaths and 1,240 injured.

The states with the lowest deaths and injured in accidents during the period were Bayelsa, 10 deaths, 70 injured and Abia, 17 killed and 260 injured.

The report stated that 10,356 vehicles, including motorcycles were involved in

road accidents during the period.

A breakdown shows that of the number, 4,632 were cars; 2,239, buses; 1,037, trucks; 641, tankers and 1,807, motorcycles.

A total of 886 vehicles were involved in accidents in the FCT, being the highest, followed by Ogun, 683 and Edo, 633.

Kebbi, with 20 vehicles involved in accidents, recorded the lowest during the period.

It said that speed violation

17 (16 per cent) of the accidents recorded during the period.

The FRSC listed inadequate funding and budgetary allocation, lack of commitment by states and local government areas and unchanging behaviours of motorists, among others as some of its challenges in 2012.

It, however, promised to do all within its powers to reduce accidents by 20 per cent and deaths by 30 per cent in 2013 through improved service delivery.

Aircraft conveying Agagu’s remains crashes

Continued from page 1

corpse from Lagos to Akure, ahead of his burial slated for the weekend.

He said that the Lagos State Government would perform autopsy on those that died in the crash before releasing their remains to their families.

The crash happened within Sahara Group tank farm, one of the companies supplying aviation fuel to airlines.

The tank farm is situated some 200 metres away from the perimeter fence of the international wing of the MMA, and it happened a few minutes after take-off.

The aircraft broke into two with its cockpit compartment seriously burnt, while the remaining part that included the luggage compartment, was slightly burnt.

However , the casket containing the remains of Agagu, kept in the luggage compartment, was intact as it was not burnt when it was finally removed from the wreckage.

The casket was conveyed in a NAF Ambulance with registration no AF 054 -Eo1 to the nearby NAF hospital, a few hours after the accident.

The Associated Aviation counter at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 terminal was empty and deserted when our reporter visited the place.

All relevant security and emergency agencies comprising Lagos State Emergency Management Agency(LASEMA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC), members of the Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps, Red Cross and Lagos State Fire Services, were present at the crash site.

Others include the Nigerian Air Force personnel and officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

On ground to supervise the operations were Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu , General

Manager Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA); Mr Rasaq Fadipe, Director, Lagos State Fire Service and Mr Waheed Salau , the head, Airport Police Command.

Fadipe said that his office received a distress call around 9.30a.m. and he had to mobilise his men and equipment to the site and engaged in rescue and search operations “We took three fire fighting trucks,each with 10,000 litres of water, which my men used to extinguish the fire that affected the cockpit compartment of the aircraft,” he said.

Some officials of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) retrieving personal belongings and effects of the passengers from the aircraft into their waiting vehicle for identification.

Some of the retrieved belongings were : a small camera, laptop bags, one ipad, a travelling bag containing personal effect, a torchlight , a walkie talkie, a wallet and the case of a reading glass.

The crash led to a heavy human and vehicular traffic along the roads leading to the airport.

Many people wanted to catch glimpses of the incident and used their camera phones to snap pictures of the site.

However, the security agents had to cordon off the area to be able to dismantle the luggage compartment and bring out the casket.

Meanwhile, A member of the late Dr Olusegun Agagu’s family, Chief Sehindemi Oguntoye, on Thursday said the community had received premonition of a tragedy before the burial of the former governor.

Reports say that an Associated Airline plane

conveying the remains of Agagu, family members and state government officials crashed minutes after takeoff in Lagos enroute Akure.

Oguntoye, who is also the Ojomo of Osooroland, said in Iju-Odo in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State that the community had organised a prayer session to avert the tragedy.

“The community had been informed of an impending tragedy and the community had held a vigil, praying to avert it.

“The vigil even ended today (Thursday)”, Oguntoye said.

Also, Akure, the Ondo State capital, was thrown into confusion on Thursday as news of the crash of the plane conveying the corpse of a former governor of the state, Olusegun Agagu, filtered into town.

Reports say that the plane was also conveying some relatives of Agagu and some members of the burial committee comprising top government officials.

Reports say that as early as 9. 00 a.m., a huge crowd of supporters and wellwishers, especially members of the PDP, had gathered at the Democracy Park in the state capital, venue of the lying-in state organised by the state government.

The report of the crash, however, led to the sudden dispersal of the crowd and heightened tension as traders hurriedly closed their shops.

Newsmen sighted many residents discussing the incident in hushed tones while vehicular traffic was light on major highways.

At the state secretariat, workers left their offices and gathered in groups discussing the development while others wept uncontrollably.

When newsmen visited the Government House, commissioners, aides of the governor and many other sympathisers wore mournful looks.

In no time, following series of probes and enquiries by the National Assembly and by the presidency they have since discovered the kind of money they stole as regards subsidy, all the people that conspired with them and I believe the EFCC is dealing with that.

“But, just as we are dealing with that now, we begin to hear about the theft of our crude oil such that what is accruing to the federation account is not enough to meet budgetary provision.

“As you know this year’s budget was based on $79 per barrel, that is about 2.4, 2.5 million barrels per day. Now, the good news is that contrary to all the forecast, nothing is getting better. And it is sad that we are not doing enough to change things for the better.

The challenge of government in any part of the world is to deal with the issues. If the economy is not doing well, you do certain things differently and recover.

“Well, it is no more matter for debate, we are ten months into the New year and oil has performed very well, at about $105 and $110 per barrel throughout 2013.

Which means that, if we have budgetary provision of $79, we ought to have a surplus of about 30 per cent which should be in the crude oil account. But rather than having this surplus, we are witnessing a situation where Federal allocations no longer come as at when due, states can’t pay salaries.

“In Edo State, like the rest of our 36 states, part of our July allocation has not been paid. About a third of our August allocation has not been paid and nothing has been paid for September allocation. “It is the first time since 1999 that this thing has happened. The explanation

by NNPC is completely watery.

“They collect 455,000 barrels per day for domestic refinery, but they also agreed that the refineries are not working, that, the very best, they can not refine more than 100,000 barrels per day so, the question is what you are

Ora-Ekpen holds AGM tomorrow EVBIOBE-ORA – All is now Committee Chairman, Mr. set for the Annual General Meeting of the Pan-Ora SocioCultural Organisation, OraEkpen Development Association (ODA).

Activities to mark this year’s AGM began yesterday with visits to all six Ora towns namely: Evbiobe UhonmoraOra, Eme-Ora, Ohia, Oke and Ovbiokhuarin.

President of the ODA, Prof.

S. I. Ahonkhai, secretary E. S. Ohiro Esq and AGM planning

Daniel Omoruan in separate statements experessed delight with the visits and preparations for the AGM. The Annual General Meeting is scheduled to hold at the Sir Akin ArumemiJohnson Hall, ODA Social Centre Complex along Evbiobe-Eme-Ora Road in Evbiobe beginning at 10.00am prompt.

ODA enjoins all members to attend the event punctually.

Association plans mass weddings for 100 widows GUSAU - Alhaji Ibrahim Sani, Chairman Zamfara State Businessmen Association, says the association will sponsor the wedding of 100 widows to interested suitors in the state.

Sani told newsmen in Gusau that the gesture was part of its efforts to complement the state government in reducing the number of widows in the state.

He said that the association decided to intervene considering the increasing number of widows in the state and the need to assist in addressing the problem.

Sani said that all the arrangements towards the exercise had been concluded and a suitable date would soon be fixed.

He said that the association had already contacted the state Ministry for Religious

Affairs, Zakkat and Endowment Board as well as the Hisba Commission for their guidance and advice.

He called on the state government to introduce a policy that would regulate the issue of marriage so as to minimise the incidence of broken homes in the state.

Sani urged nongovernmental organisations in the state to contribute to the programme as government alone could not cater for the needs of all citizens.

He commended wealthy individuals in the state who already contributed to the programme.

Reports say that over 8,000 widows in the state had on Sept. 26 appealed to the state government to assist look for suitors and to organise the Kano-style mass wedding for them.

IPAC wants confab to

resolve nation’s problems ABUJA - The National Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Alhaji Yinusa Tanko, has said that the proposed National Confab should address the many challenges facing Nigeria.

Tanko made the remark in an interview with newsmen in Abuja while reacting to the setting up of Advisory Committee on National conference by the President.

“We need to be careful at the same time we must ensure that there is no hidden agenda that will derail the interest of the

people.

“The wish of the people is that the wealth of the country is equitably distributed with transparency, care and love.

“Most of the challenges that we have seen that led to the agitation by different groups and sections were due to the fact that people feel that they have been alienated from the affairs of the country,’’ he said.

Tanko said the focus of the confab should be ways and means of moving the country forward and not dismembering it.

W’Bank, others, move to tackle Auchi erosion menace

Continued from page 1

of a ten man site committee headed by Chief Aziz Ogboanoh who is expected,

to participate in site monitoring, and identifying local erosion problem and helping to select possible solution, for inclusion in the sub-catchment plans.

Addressing the meeting which was presided over by the Otaru of Auchi Kingdom, His Royal Highness HA Momoh Ikelebe III, Edo State project coordinator, NEWMAP, Engr. John Adisa explained that the project executions is in conjunction with the World Bank. He said it is a new initiative by federal government and had a counterpart funding by the affected states, including Edo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo. The project coordinator who spoke on behalf of the state commissioner for Environment, Mr. Clem Agba

observed that failure in the past to carry communities along was responsible for project failure, pointing out

that the new approach would involve the people and allow them to provide inputs.

South-South Govs

Continued from page 1

completion of the East/West roads, proposed coastal roads, the proposed railways East/ West Calabar to Lagos.

On the issue of oil theft, the South/South Governors Council also known as BRACED Commission urged the Federal government, its agencies, oil companies and all other stakeholders to take necessary measures to stem the tide and deal decisively with the perpetrators”.

The commission expressed its condolence to the government, the people of Ondo State as well as family members of Late Olusegun Agagu in the unfortunate Air mishap of yesterday morning and all others that may have been involved in the crash.

The council while calling on

the federal government to address the problem of kidnapping and Boko Haram, commiserated with the government of Yobe State and Borno State on the attack by Boko Haram on the people of the states.

Present at the council meeting were Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta, Dr. Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers and Liyel Imoke of Cross River State.

Others were the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom, Iriren Ebe and that of Bayelsa Rear Admirar Gbogbogha Jonah John and the Director-General of the commission.

The next meeting of BRACED commission of the 6 Governors of South/South region comes up April 24th – 26th 2014.

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

News Electoral Body Justifies Disqualification Of APC

By SUCCESS OSAYI

BENIN CITY – The Cross River Independent Electoral Commission, (CROISEC) has defended its decision to disqualify the All Progressive Congress (APC) from contesting the September 21, 2013, Local Government Elections of the state, saying they acted within the law.

The chairman of commission, Mr. Patrick Otu gave the hint in an early

morning discussion programme on Channel Television monitored in Benin City.

According to him, INEC, shortly after the registration of APC, referred us to the Electoral Act (2010, as amended), section 84 (6) that the newly registered party shall only participate in elections after 90 days.

“We did not make the law, we are only guided by the law in carrying out our activities, he added.

Church Ends Revival Programme

BENIN CITY – The fourday third quarterly revival service of New Benin Baptist Church, New Benin, Benin City which commenced on Sunday, August 29, 2013 has ended with a call by the Revivalist, Evangelist (Dr.) Olu Omotosho on believers to work in obedience to the word of God. Omotosho also urged believers to live in righteousness and fear of God as anything done outside the righteousness of God be unpleasing to God. He admonished Christians to work in accordance with God’s

commandment, stressing that this would enable them have revelation of God’s plan for their lives.

Host minister, Rev’d Wellington Jesurobo told the congregation to dwell in the will of God in order to dwell in safety in an insecured environment.

He stated that every believe in Christ is in a state of mind to heal and live, to build and to make wealth.

“We must be in a state of forgiveness because if you retain any sin, any sin will be on you” he said. We must learn to forgive to get the blessings of God.

Addressing the decision of the commission to reject the request made by the APC to push forward the election date so as to accommodate the party, Mr. Otu said that it was not within his powers to reschedule election dates because of party’s requests.

“CROISEC has only an aspect in our law that will enable us shift elections and it is about security, he said.

“When there is an imminent breakdown of law and order, then we will shift the election. It must be based on that and that is what the law says,” he added.

L-R: Pharm Olumide Akintola, President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and Governor Adams Oshiomhole at the 2013 Pharmacy Week of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria in Benin City yesterday.

Insecurity: Hotel Owner Laments the state and local ABUJA - THE current to avoid the Low Patronage councils security challenge is issue of multiple affecting the tourism industry in the Northern part of the country, including Abuja with hotels recording low patronage, Hotel Owners Forum (HOFA), has said.

The chairman of HOFA, Mr. Oniefiok Ekong, told newsmen in Abuja that the situation had caused the relocation

L-R: Pharm Olumide Akintola, President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, Chief of Staff at the 2013 Pharmacy Week of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria in Benin City yesterday.

of events from Abuja to other states in the country.

“Because of the current security situation in the north, the industry is recording low patronage, the security situation has affected the industry as most events are no longer held in Abuja.

“They are being relocated to other countries and sometimes to the southern part of Nigeria, when people are not coming to Abuja, it is the hotels that suffer.

“When there are no activities why will somebody come to Abuja knowing that Abuja is a place people come for either conferences or government contracts,” he said.

Ekong, however, commended government for the steps being taken to address the challenge, saying: “we believe that very soon the future of the industry in the area

Trado-Med Practitioner Urges FG To Establish Clinic

By JOEL CHUKWUAGHONIM AGBOR – A member of the National Association of Nigeria Traditional Medicine Practitioners, Delta State chapter, Dr. Banda Dumbiri has appealed to the three tiers of

government to establish tradomedical center in every local government area of the state.

Dr. Dumbiri made the appeal in

a chat with The NIGERIAN OBSERVER in Agbor, Delta State.

The move, he said would boost

traditional medicine practice in the state. He however admonished his colleagues in traditional medicine practice to be circumspect and bring honour and respect to the profession.

will turn around for the better.

“We are happy that government has taken some positive steps toward curtailing the high level of insecurity,” Ekong added.

He appealed to visitors and tourists to continue patronising hotels in Abuja, adding that adequate security measure has been put in place to ensure safety of lives and property.

Ekong called for understanding between

taxations in the industry, adding that only one agency of government should be charged with responsility regulating the activities of the tourism industry.

“All that we are saying is that, only one agency should regulate tourism, following the High Court judgement in the case involving the NTDC and the Lagos State Government; it is the states that are in control,” he said.

Check Oil Theft with Technology, Ugolor Urges BENIN CITY - Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director of the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), an NGO, has advised the Federal Government to adopt modern technology to check oil theft.

Ugolor told newsmen in Benin City that government should adopt the latest technology to monitor oil production in the country.

“We can completely eliminate the problem, if the Federal Government will apply latest technology to avoid these

wastes.”

According to him, government can employ the latest technology of satellite mapping to monitor the coastal areas, while still using the metering system to capture crude oil production.

“The earlier government tackles it head on, the better for the country.

“Oil theft is responsible for the majority of crimes that happen in Nigeria.

“All that is required to put an end to this nefarious act is for the President to strengthen all key institutions.” he said.

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

News Maritime Academy To Award Degrees

CALABAR - The Minister of Transport, Senator. Idris Umar, said that the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, would be upgraded to award degrees.

Umar made the statement at the 2013 World Maritime Day Celebration in Calabar. The theme of the event is: “Sustainable Development, IMO’s Contribution Beyond Rio+20".

He said that a Memorandum of

Understanding (MoU) was expected to be signed soon with the World Maritime University, Maimo in Sweden.

According to him, the Federal Government is also addressing the challenges of berthing facilities in the academy.

“Government is also addressing the challenges of berthing facilities for Nautical Science and Marine Engineering

EIRS Loses Perm Sec

By VICTOR OMOALU

BENIN CITY- The Permanent Secretary of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), Elder (Deacon) Sunny Okundia is dead. He died on Tuesday October 1, 2013 during a brief illness.

Earlier on Monday the deceased was said to have resumed office hale until mid-day when he complained of slight headache.

Reacting to the death, the Executive Chairman, EIRS, Chief (Sir) Oseni Elamah, described the late Elder Okundia’s death as sad and shock.

The Executive Chairman who led other management staff of the agency on a condolence visit to the deceased family yesterday in Benin City, described the late Elder Okundia as a symbol of virtue whose professional contribution towards the revenue generation which brings about development achievement in the state can not be overemphasized.

It is very rare to have professionals like him (late Okundia) in the civil service today he said.

He added, we are here to assure you that in giving thanks to God for the life a

our brother, Sunny Okundia, whatever is due to the family will be given to them, the EIRS boss assured.

He prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

Responding on behalf of the mother, Mrs. Esther Sunny Okundia for the family, Miss Emilola Okundia, thanked the Executive Chairman, and his entourage for the visit.

“We really appreciate you for the concern you have shown both in text messages and calls, stated Emilola.

Cadets for their mandatory sea time to enable them obtain various classes of certificates of competency.’’

The minister said that Nigeria had appointed the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) , the designate authority to coordinate the implementation of the International Ship and Port Security Code (ISPS Code).

Umar, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Nebeolisa Emordi, said that NIMASA and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) were working jointly to ensure security at Nigerian ports.

L-R: Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Goni Aji; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; Vice President Namadi Sambo and President Goodluck Jonathan at the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

Empower Youths To Reduce Restiveness, PORT HARCOURT - Mr. support and empower the youth.

NGO Urges Govt Adonis Nwammah, the Nwammah said that eight of President of Goldberg Media Foundation, an NGO, has called on Governments and Multinational Companies to exploit the talents of youths and empower them.

Nwammah made the call in Port Harcourt at the Niger Delta Talent Festival in Port Harcourt adding that empowering the youth through their talents

would reduce youth restiveness.

He said that Goldberg Media Foundation’s aim was to discover and empower the youth through their talents to achieve peace and unity in the country.

He observed that skills acquisition programmes in the country had not yielded great results because most youths enrolled in such programmes to

the 1,000 contestants that featured in the Niger Delta Talent Fiesta, were chosen after thorough screening.

Mr Franklin Aboyewa from Warri zone, who emerged winner of the Talent Festival and N3 million prize, called on Nigerian youth to use their talents to be better citizens.

He said that youth should go to organisations that would recognise and develop their talents.

Aboyewa said that youths should not pretend to do what they knew they could not accomplish because of unemployment.

Miss Toju Etsitso, another contestant from Warri zone, also advised the youth to use their talents wisely instead of waiting for white collar jobs.

Isuku Installed Odionwere Of Otua

By VICTOR OMOALU L-R: Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Darius Ishaku; Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Dezieani AlizonMadueke, Minister of Police Affairs, Retired Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade and Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo at the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

Dickson Orders Arrest Of Public Servants Over Sharp Practices

YENAGOA - Governor.

Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa Statehas said he has ordered the arrest and prosecution of some accounts officers in the state’s public service over an attempt to defraud the state government.

Dickson, who disclosed this at his Monthly Transparency Media Briefing in Yenagoa, however, declined to give the names and number of officials involved in the aborted fraud.

He said it was unfortunate that “few misguided civil servants’’ were bent on derailing the efforts of his administration to build a better Bayelsa.

“This morning, I have directed that some civil servants be

get other incentives attached to them.

“Most youths are not talented in the skills they are asked to join and this makes them to go through the training without learning anything useful.

“Some of them go for the training because they heard that government will give money or materials after the programme.

“They end up going home with the materials without using them to establish themselves.

“But if the youth are trained through their talent, they will continue using it because it’s in them.

“For instance, a youth that has a talent to sing will never forget it when he is trained and empowered financially to develop on his talent,” he said.

He also called on stakeholders and multinational companies to

arrested and investigation into their activities be carried out immediately.

“I saw from a report brought before me how some fraudulent people are trying to beat the system by manipulating figures in our financial records.

“What they record on paper is different, while the actual money they send to the banks is totally different from the figures recorded,” Dickson said.

The governor who was briefing on the state’s accounts and activities in August warned that “Bayelsa government is not a place where people come and become millionaires overnight at the expense of the development

of the state’’.

He said the state’s resources were not even enough to build roads and provide other social amenities for its people.

“As such, we will not tolerate the antics of some individuals to defraud the state,” Dickson said.

The deputy governor, retired Rear Admiral John Jonah, later disclosed the financial position of the state by giving details of the state government’s income and expenditure for August.

He said the state government received the sum of N13.69 billion as gross inflow from the Federation Account in August.

“The sum total of N2.77 billion was spent as monthly

payments for the month of August, while capital payments stood at N6.987 billion,’’ Jonah said.

He also said the state realised N833 million as InternallyGenerated Revenue (IGR) in the same month, apart from other forms of income.

The deputy governor said, aside from other expenses, N3.96 billion was spent on paying workers’ salaries for the month under review, while political appointees’ salaries stood at N414.45 million.

“The balance in the coffers of the state government as at the end of August was N14.67 billion,’’ he said.

OTUA - The installation ceremony of the High Chief Jimoh Isuku as the Odionwere of Otua kingdom took place recently amidst galaxy of personalities from all walks of life in attendant.

Present at the ceremony included the member representing the Owan West/ West in the House of Representatives, Hon Pally Iriase, the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service, Chief Sir oseni Elamah, Chief Whip of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Folly Ogedengbe, Alhaji, Usman Shagadi, former Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Friday Eboreime, Owan East Local Government Council Chairman, Hon. Jimoh Ijegbai represented by his vice Andrew Osigwe, Barr. John Obazee and Barr. Emma Usoh, Executive amongst others.

Speaking with newsmen, the celebrant “son and Executive

Director of the Edo State Internal Revenue, Prince Felix Isuku, celebration of life. He noted that with his father’s attainment of the Odionwereship which is strictly by age was a clear attestation to the fact that longevity is divine.

It is an opportunity to give thanks to God for His support and kindness upon my father’s life.

He wished his father long life and prosperity, on the throne.

The celebrant Chief Jimoh Isuku, the Odionwere of Otua kingdom, assured that he would use his position to enthrone peace, love and unity in the land for the interest of progress.

The Edo North Senatorial leader of the All Progressive Congress, Alhaji Usman Shagadi described the occasion as a unique on, adding.

The occasion is a rare one because the Odionwereship is not by might or wealth but by the divine grace of God upon the oldest person in the community, stated Alhaji Shagadi

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News Ports Operate Daily, Including Public Holiday - Port Authority LAGOS - The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said that all terminal operators and other port users at the Lagos ports worked on daily basis, including public holidays. some officials of the NPA told newsmen in Lagos that there were cargo clearance operations at the various terminals on October 1.

The reports state that the Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, on September. 27, agreed with port operators to work on all days, including Sundays and public holidays, to avoid congestion.

Mr Musa Iliya, an Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs in NPA, told newsmen that the terminal operators worked on Oct. 1.

He said that it was the usual practice by the terminal operators to work on all days, including public holidays.

“I confirm to you that the terminal operators worked on October. 1. It has been the usual work routine because they must attend to clearance procedures for cargoes to leave the ports.

“Even before the minister mentioned it as one of the points adopted as a possible solution to congestion at the ports, the terminals had always worked 24 hours on daily basis,’’ Iliya said.

The Apapa Port Manager, Mr. Nasir Mohammed, told newsmen that as directed by the minister, the traffic department gave its report that the terminals carried out their operations on Oct. 1.

“I confirm here to you that the terminals operated on October.

1. The traffic department monitored their activities and reported as appropriate.”

Also speaking on the issue, Mr. Bolaji Akinola, the Spokesman of Seaports Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), said the terminal

operators worked on October 1.

“Of course, the terminals did work on Oct. 1 because everyday counts when you talk of cargo clearance from the ports,’’

Akinola said.

“All parties involved in the cargo clearance process just need to be time-conscious, in order to have a good result in the sector,’’ he added.

Develop Entertainment Industry, Comedy Promoter LAGOS - A veteran comedy Urges FG promoter, Opa Williams, urged the Federal Government to create an environment conducive for the development of the entertainment industry in Nigeria.

Williams made the call in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

He said that the industry had the capacity to provide an alternative source of revenue for the government.

“Nigeria, after oil, entertainment is key. There are other sectors the government should be looking into that can make people grow, can create employment for people.

“Government should look into entertainment to create employment, create enabling environment for entertainment, to encourage entrepreneurs because the image of Nigeria outside has got to do with entertainment.

“If you go the whole of Africa and the western world you have Nigerian entertainers- musicians, comedians, and actors being recognised.

“So, you should also acknowledge the fact that this thing is something that we need to look into and build it very well.

“There’s income to get out of it; there’s development to get out of it; there’s image to build out of it. The image of Nigeria is projected by what you see on radio/television here.

“So, government should also understand that to launder image for good, you have to drive that by entertainment, by visuals, by acts, by audios.“ Williams urged government at all levels to exploit entertainment to promote the country and launder its image.

The ‘Nite of a Thousand Laughs’, organised by him, on October.1, in Lagos, was to celebrate Nigeria at 53.

“It is a date I chose to celebrate Nigeria. It is a date that I decided that okay on this day, let’s celebrate ourselves; lets laugh about our achievements and our misfortunes.

“It’s glaring the major achievements of Nite of a Thousand Laughs. It created a platform for people to grow, so you have fantastic comedians who didn’t come 18 years ago.

“It’s a platform that has created people to emulate itself. From 1995 to now, we’ve been able to create that industry. Now you find comedians being major parts of any event.

“Comedians are beginning to live well; you now begin to have comedy shows on television, comedy shows live and NIPOST workers locked out of their office during a protest over non-payment of their allowances in Abuja on comedians also being seen as Wednesday. people who can endorse brands.”

Clerics Task Leaders On Selfless Leadership LAGOS - An Islamic cleric, Imam Tajudeen Yusuf, said that Nigeria needed selfless leaders to harness its potential and enhance national development.

Yusuf, the Imam of the University of Lagos mosque, told newsmen in Lagos that the leaders need to formulate policies and provide basic amenities to boost the living standard of citizens.

According to him, the Godgiven potential that this country is endowed with have not been actualised and utilised judiciously.

“Nigeria needs leaders that will sacrifice to lay a solid foundation for the growth and development of the country.

“Do things that may for now not give you immediate reward, but that has far reaching and long term reward for Nigerians, living and yet unborn.

“The middle class is being eroded; you either belong to the rich or you are one of those struggling,’’ he said.

The cleric noted that the country witnessed a lot of monumental achievements in the first republic because the leaders were selfless.

Also, the Executive Director, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, Imam Shuaib Abdullahi, urged the leaders to review their strategy on food security for the citizens.

He said that when the issue of food security was effectively addressed, every other thing would fall into place.

“The journey has been very

turbulent; we have not reached the promised land. We are confronted with so many challenges.

“The problem of this country

is not religion but the people. We have not been able to give to Nigerians what we have taken away from Nigeria.

“The most important thing

Nigerians are looking forward to in this country is the day, when food will be the cheapest thing, “But as long as food is the most expensive commodity for the average Nigerian to come by,

2 Men Docked For Rape

LAGOS - Two men, Segun Olagbebi, 37, and Tokunbo Olukoya, 38, were arraigned in Lagos, over the alleged rape of two daughters of their neighbours.

The victims were aged 11 and 13 years, respectively.

Segun and Tokunbo are standing trial at an Abule-Egba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, on a four-count charge of rape.

The accused, who reside at No. 85, Akinpelumi Close, OkoPaki, Kola Bus stop, AgbadoIjaiye, are both carpenters.

The prosecutor, Insp. Racheal Williams, told the court that the offences was committed on July 12 and Aug. 4, respectively, at their residence.

According to the prosecution, on July 12, the accused raped an 11-year-old daughter of one of their neighbours in the room of the first accused.

“Also, on Aug. 4, the first accused, Segun raped the 13year-old daughter of the second accused in his (Olukoya’s) room.

“It was the screaming of the girl that attracted the neighbours and the first accused (Olagbebi) was arrested.

“It was at the police station that Segun told the police that both himself and Olukoya had previously raped an 11-year-old daughter of one of their neighbours,” she said.

The prosecutor said the

offences contravened Sections 137 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Mr. Tajudeen Elias, granted them bail in the sum of N250,000 each, with two sureties in like sum.

Elias adjourned the case till October 15, for mention.

we have a long way to go, Abdullahi said.

According to him, “if an average Nigerian can eat three square meals a day, I think it will reduce more than 50 per cent of the crime that we have in the country’’ “So our government should refocus its energy in the area of food security in order to ensure adequate provision for the welfare of the citizenry,’’ he added.

EMS speed Post Office, under lock and key at Marina, Lagos as NIPOST workers begin strike on Wednesday.

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News Haji: 57,616 Pilgrims IBADAN- The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria Airlifted

Applicants being screened by an official during Post UTME Computer based Test (CBT) at Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra recently.

(NAHCON) said it had transported 57,616 out of 76,000 Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2013 Hajj within 18 days.

Alhaji Abdullah Muhktar, National Commissioner in charge of Operations, announced this in a telephone interview with newsmen in Ibadan.

He said that the commission transported the pilgrims in 118 flights out of the slated 152.

The commission, which had its inaugural flight from Maiduguri on September 14, is expected to conclude the flights

by October 9.

Muhktar said the deadline for transportation of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia was October 9, ahead of the Arafat on October

Gynaecologist Warns Pregnant Women Against Intake Of Unauthorised Drugs

ABUJA- A gynaecologist with Garki Hospital, Abuja, Dr Kayode Obende, has warned pregnant women against taking of unauthorised drugs such as herbal remedies that could cause complications.

Obende told newsmen in Abuja that pregnant women and those preparing for conception should not take herbal remedy because of its dangerous side effects.

He, however, advised pregnant women and those awaiting conception to desist from drugs that they did not know the

constituents and dosage.

According to him, the synthetic sciencetification medication contains 5mg of folic acid or 200mg of iron but that of herbal drugs is not disclosed.

Obende said that in the scientific research, there were procedures - first was animal study, then the human subject, which if successful, research would be carried out before finally approving the usage. ‘’When we give drugs, we will

want to weigh the adverse effect with the beneficial effect, because all drugs have side effects.’’

The doctor explained that scientists weighed the beneficial effect and the adverse effect, adding that if the beneficial effect weighed more, then the drug would be administered. ‘’For instance, a pregnant woman who has malaria and not treated can have a miscarriage from malaria or even die from malaria.

Insurgency: PFN Calls For

Community Policy

CALABAR- Bishop Emma Isong, Chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Cross River chapter, has advocated community policing to tackle terrorism and other vices in the country.

Isong, who said this on Tuesday in Calabar in an interview with newsmen, also suggested more synergy among the various security agencies in the country.

“There must be adequate shared information; there must be connivance in the rank and file of the security system.

“When the security forces collaborate and share information, things are bound to change, ‘’ he said.

According to him, there is the need for every Nigerian to be subjected to security check, including the elected and the appointed political office holders.

He said it was time people stopped blaming the Presidency for the Boko Haram insurgency.

According to him, the problem requires the efforts of all wellmeaning Nigerians, especially northern elite to be addressed.

“Northern leaders should speak out about this miscreants and when that is done, I would go to sleep, ‘’ he said.

He said it was difficult for criminal elements to operate in a particular environment without the knowledge or connivance of

some people in that environment.

Isong expressed the belief that attacks in the country were not perpetrated by Nigerians.

“We are talking about taking responsibility as Nigerians as it is practised elsewhere, ‘’ he said.

The PFN leader further appealed to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to return to the classroom in the interest of Nigerian students.

“In the event of any deadlock in negotiation, one party should step down and that is ASUU. “You can step down with a warning. He that fights and runs away will always come back to fight another day,” he said.

According to him, strike is no longer an option for resolving industrial disputes, adding that “the continued strike by ASUU is damaging the future of the students’’.

“So, I am appealing to ASUU to shift ground in the interest of the future of our children. ASUU could be wrong if they continue to be right, ‘’ Isong said.

He condemned the call for the closure of Nigerian universities for two years, saying that this would give room for mushroom private universities to spring up.

He commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his humility, adding that he was God-send to ensure peace in the country.

Isong called on Nigerians to have faith in the current administration’s transportation agenda, saying that it was meant to bring economic prosperity to the people.

‘’There are drugs that are a bit safe in pregnancy because we know the dose and what the drugs contain and then we administer the drugs. ‘’But it is not every drug that we can prescribe for a pregnant woman,’’ he said.

Obende said that research done also showed drugs that were harmful to the baby and the mother. ‘’With research we also know the dose we should not exceed but most of the herbal drugs, their constituents are not known.’’

He said that for the herbal medications, their side effects and dosage were not known because they would just give a bottle of the herbal drugs.

He said that if a pregnant woman took any of those drugs that could harm the baby and affect the development of the

organs, there was the tendency that the baby could come out malformed.

Obende explained that sometimes some of the things we thought were cheap could be harmful to our health as there were many cases of people with kidney failure.

14 or 15.

He assured Nigerians and the remaining 18,384 prospective pilgrims that they would be transported to Saudi Arabia before the close of Saudi’s airspace.

The commissioner said this year’s Hajj was so good “ that everything went on smoothly beyond our imagination’’.

“Everybody, including the airlines, the pilgrims, the state welfare boards as well as other Hajj operators, cooperated with the commission for the success so far recorded.

Muhktar also expressed appreciation, on behalf of the commission, to the President and his vice as well as the national Amirul Hajj for their support.

Reports say that due to the early transportation of the pilgrims, 50 per cent of them were taken directly to Medina, as against Jeddah in the past, to ease their difficulties.

Before now, pilgrims from Nigeria had to travel by road from Jeddah to Medina, a distance of over 600 kilometres.

Nigeria’s allocation and other countries were slashed by 20 per cent due to the on-going expansion of Ka’abah in Makkah.

Cleric Welcomes National Conference

ABUJA- The Anglican Bishop of Ngbo in Ebonyi, Rt. Rev Christian Ebisike, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to set up a committee to work out modalities for a national conference.

In a telephone interview with newsmen in Abuja, Ebisike said the convocation was a reflection of the aspirations of millions of Nigerians.

He advised the Federal Government to show commitment to the conference and avoid another ‘’political

Applicants undergoing Post UTME Computer Based Test (CBT) at Federal Polytechnic Oko in Anambra on Wednesday.

jamboree’’ reminiscent of past national conferences held to decide Nigeria’s future.

Ebisike noted that the Anglican Church in Nigeria, under the leadership of Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, had been at the vanguard of a national dialogue to address the myriad of problems confronting the country. ‘’One hundred years ago, the colonial masters decided on our amalgamation as a country without consulting us. ‘’Now that we will be 100 years in 2014 after that amalgamation, it is time for us to re-examine our union,’’ he said.

The cleric called on the national dialogue committee to focus on the unity of the nation and the nation’s wobbling democratic institutions.

Also speaking, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, Anglican Bishop of Enugu, urged the Federal Government to show honesty to the outcome of the committee’s work and the recommendations of the conference. ‘’We had conferences before and all the outcomes were swept under the carpet, we will be happy to see this one succeed,’’ he said.

Chukwuma said delegates to the conference should comprise eminent Nigerians, ‘’not sycophants,’’ from different zones.

He added that ‘’religious leaders’’ should also be represented in the conference.

Reports say that in his Independence Day broadcast, Jonathan said the advisory committee would establish modalities for a national conference, aimed at resolving

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Across The Nation Shift In LG Elections

Political Parties React JOS - There has been mixed reactions among political parties in Plateau over the shifting of the date of the Local Government elections earlier slated for Dec. 7 to Dec. 21 by the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC).

The reports that the change of date was announced in a press release signed by the Commission’s Executive Chairman, Mr. Peter Dalyop.

The Commission said the decision to change the date was due to “some unanticipated operational challenges”.

Reacting to the development, the APC said that shifting the polls date to Dec 21, just 4-days to Christmas, was not acceptable to it.

An official of the party, who was the former State Secretary of the CPC, Pastor, David Joseph said “we are going to release our protest letter soon’’.

Joseph, who is a member of the Interim Caretaker Committee of the party in Plateau said: “Take it from me and this is authoritative, shifting the polls to four days before Christmas is not acceptable to us.

“We are not going to participate in those elections, they are not prepared for it, and we are not ready for it, they are only playing on our intelligence.

“They must take all the parties into confidence if they have to shift the date, they have not consulted us, they are not umpires unto themselves,” he said.

State Chairman of ADC, Alhaji Sabiu Ibrahim described the unilateral postponement of the LG polls by PLASIEC as unfortunate and clear evidence of bad leadership.

“We the leadership of ADC in the state and our teeming supporters do not have confidence in what the PLASIEC. “At least they should have called a meeting of chairmen of the various political parties in Plateau before reaching such a decision considering that the polls are critical to the security of the state,” he said.

Former Chairman of ANPP in the state and now member of the APC said “personally I am not comfortable with the change of date close to the Christmas day.

“We Christian celebrate Christmas and we have to prepare for it, “he said.

Thomas Namfa, State Secretary of DPP told NAN that though taken unawares by the announcement, his party was “partially” comfortable with the new date

Publicity Secretary, Committee of Wives of Lagos State officials (COWLSO), Mrs. Ladun Ogunbanwo, wife of Lagos State Governor and Chairman of COWLSO, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola and Conference Chairperson, Mrs. Rhoda Ayinde at a news conference on the forthcoming National Women Conference in Lagos recently.

Trader, 43, Arraigned For Sex Slavery LAGOS - For allegedly luring a woman into sex slavery in Libya, a trader, Iyabo Adefioye, was charged before a Somolu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

Adefioye, 43, who resides at No. 14, Umoru St., Olosa in Mushin area of Lagos, is being tried for conspiracy and human trafficking.

The reports state that a Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action had called for international efforts to eradicate sexual slavery as a human rights issue.

Sexual slavery is the slavery of unwilling people for sexual exploitation.

According to the prosecution, the accused sold a hairdresser, Risi Adegbite, 30, into sex slavery in Libya under the guise of assisting her to seek “greener

pastures.”

ASP Akinlabi Adegoke told the court that the accused with others still at large committed the offences sometime in August.

He said the accused, who was a regular caller at the complainant’s saloon at Fadeyi

Bus Stop, had promised to secure employment for her in Libya.

“When the complainant arrived in Libya on Sept. 2, she

realised that she had been defrauded and sold into sex slavery.

“She promptly contacted her family to intimate them of her

predicament.

“The accused, however, claimed ignorance of the development,” the prosecutor said.

Adegoke noted that the offences contravened Sections 274 and 409 of the Criminal

Murdered Banker: Court Fines Defence Counsel IKEJA - An Ikeja High Court For Delaying Proceedings Obafunwa, a Consultant Pathologist and Chief Medical adjourned the adoption of final written addresses in the trial of Akolade Arowolo, who was charged with the murder of his wife, Titilayo, till October 31.

The trial judge, Justice Lateefat Okunnu, also imposed a N10, 000 fine on Arowolo’s counsel, Mr Olarenwaju Ajanaku, for wasting the time of the court.

Transition Council Chairman, Faskari, Alhaji Isiyakyu Faskari-Ahmad (3rd right), handing over items and grants to tea sellers leader, Malam Mustapha Dogon-Shayi (2nd right), in Faskari recently.

Okunnu said Ajanaku’s failure to file and regularise the defence processes was a setback to the speedy conclusion of the case.

Mrs. Olabisi Ogungbesan, Director, Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions, also expressed dissatisfaction with the delay.

Ogungbesan said: “I am surprised that up till now, we have not been served with his written address.

“The charge of murder is a serious offence and we can only urge the court to give him a deadline.”

The reports state that Arowolo, 31, was charged to court for allegedly stabbing his wife, a banker, to death.

He was arraigned on December 21, 2011, on a onecount charge of murder and had pleaded not guilty.

The accused was, thereafter, remanded in Ikoyi Prison.

The Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions alleged that the accused murdered Titilayo on June 24, 2011 at their residence at 8, Akindeinde St., Isolo, Lagos.

The prosecution had closed its case against the accused on Nov. 19, 2012, after calling 12 witnesses.

Relatives of the deceased, including her father, George

Oyakhire, and her step-mother, Adetoun Oyakhire, had testified that the marriage of the Arowolos was characterised by domestic violence.

Another witness, Prof. John

Examiner of Lagos State, had also testified that Titilayo was stabbed 76 times.

However, Arowolo, who testified before the court on May 22, had blamed his in-laws for

Illegal Possession Of Firearms

Court Jails 2 For Conspiracy JOS - An upper Area Court in Jos, has sentenced two young men to various terms of imprisonment for conspiracy and illegal possession of arms.

The court sentenced Ndubuisi Eluwa and Usman Sarki to nine months imprisonment each, with an option of N9, 000 fine on the first-count charge of conspiracy.

Eluwa was also sentenced to 9 months imprisonment with an option of N9, 000 fine for the second-count charge of illegal possession of a locally made gun and and ammunition.

Sarki on the other hand, bagged a prison term of 30 calendar months without option of fine on the second-count charge, having previously appeared before the same court on similar charges.

The Judge, Malam Mustapha Hassan, said the prosecution had done an excellent job of convincing the court on the culpability of the two.

“The prosecution has tendered evidences against the accused that convinced the court beyond reasonable doubt that they committed the offence.

“The court has relied heavily on the confessional statement of the accused to convict them.

“The court has also relied on section 157 (i) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) that stipulates quick judgement for anybody that pleads guilty to his or her crime.”

Earlier, the Police prosecutor, Mr. Shuaibu Tambaya, told the court that the accused persons committed the offence on Aug. 7, 2013, at about 8 p.m.

Tambaya further told the court that the accused were arrested at West of Mines Area of Jos by a police constable, Daniel Michael, while in possession of the gun and cartridge.

“The accused persons were taken to ‘A’ division police station by the police officer that arrested them.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Across The Nation Strike: Doctors Attend To Patients In Bauchi

BAUCHI - Doctors serving in Bauchi State government-owned hospitals attended to patients on the first day of the strike action embarked on by National Association of Resident Doctors.

Our Correspondent who visited the different arms of the Bauchi State specialists’ Hospital, reports that that normal services are being rendered.

At the Bauchi Urban Maternity Clinic and the hospital located along Bakin Kura road in Bauchi metropolis, most of the patients were not even aware that Doctors had commenced strike.

“I have just been attended to by a Doctor. As you can see, there are others patients here. I am just hearing from you that strike commenced today,” said one of the patients, Mohammed Ali, while fielding questions

from newsmen.

However, Doctors at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), commenced strike in the early hours of Wednesday.

Our Correspondent who visited the hospital reports that only nurses and other health workers were on duty.

Malam Auwal Bala, a Bauchi resident, told newsmen that he took his pregnant wife to the hospital around 1am, but was told that Doctors were on strike, and advised to move her to a private clinic.

“My wife was in labour when we rushed her to the hospital, but were told that there may be no Doctor to attend to her. So we took her to a private hospital,” he said.

Officials of the NARD ATBUTH branch, were not available for comments when newsmen visited.

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital was said to be

out of town and none of his subordinates was willing to comment.

In a related development,junior staff of Nigeria Postal Service, Bauchi Territory, have also joined their colleagues nationwide in embarking on three days warning strike.

Our Correspondent who visited NIPOST territorial headquarters in Bauchi,

reports that only senior staff were seen rendering skeletal service.

Comrade Musa Adaji, State Chairman of NIPOST Senior Staff Association (SSA), told newsmen that only members of the National Union of Postal and Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n Employees (NUPTE), comprising of staff from GL 1 to 7, were on strike.

“We are not part of the strike because we belong to different associations. We will be rendering skeletal service pending the time of the resolution of the dispute,” he explained.

Meanwhile, staff of Power Holdings Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in Bauchi have resumed work after embarking on strike for two days over the issue of their

disengagement entitlements.

Our Correspondent who visited the headquarters of the Bauchi Business District of the company, reports seeing the staff discharging their duties, with power supply restored to the town.

Malam Zakari Musa, Public Relations Officer of the District, confirmed to newsmen that normal activities had resumed.

Court To Hear Ndume’s Appeal Nov 1 ABUJA - The Court of Appeal in Abuja reserved November 1 for the hearing of an appeal in a no-case submission filed by Mohammed Ndume.

Ndume is standing trial on terrorism related charges at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Justice Amiru Sanusi reserved the date after Mr. Rickey Tarfa (SAN), counsel to the applicant, withdrew an earlier motion to stay the trial at the Federal High Court, pending the determination of the appeal.

Sanusi held that the withdrawal of the motion gave the appellate court the power to deal with the substantive appeal.

“Already, the parties have filed their briefs in relation to the main appeal; in the circumstance the matter is reserved for November1 for

definite hearing,’’ he remarked.

Ndume is also challenging Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court’s decision to admit all the DVDs and 73 call data as evidence to be used against him.

He is accused of sponsoring the Boko Haram sect, and failing to disclose the cell phone number of a spokesman of the sect, Ali Sanda Umar Konduga, which was in his (Ndume’s) possession.

However, Ndume had sought to invalidate the admitted evidence on the ground that the trial judge erred in law when he admitted the non-admissible materials.

Members of Young Leaders Network Drama Group performing, during 53rd Independence Day celebration in Bauchi on Tuesday.

Postal Workers Begin 3-Day Warning Strike

ABUJA - The National Union of Postal and Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Employees (NUPTE) has commenced a three-day warning strike to protest against alleged insensitivity to its

members’ welfare.

Mr. Alhassan Sunday, the National President of the union, told newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday that the protest would not have

... Workers In Kaduna Join Strike

KADUNA - Workers of the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) in Kaduna have joined the ongoing three-day nationwide warning strike to press for improved working

and retirement conditions.

The workers, under the aegis of the National Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees (NUPTE), were protesting over non promotion,

Queue at Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) at Ikorodu in Lagos on Tuesday.

delay in payment of allowances and non remittance of deductions into the National Housing Fund.

At the office located on Yakubu Gowon road, the workers were seeing discussing the issue in groups while officials of the union shut the entrance to the NIPOST building to prevent members from going in.

Abdlkareem Akande, the Kaduna State Chairman of NUPTE told newsmen that the strike was in line with the resolution of the national body and was meant to accelerate compliance to their demands.

Akande said all the issues in contention had been discussed and agreed by the union with NIPOST management, but that nothing had been done to implement any of them.

“We issued a 21-day and 14day ultimatum, respectively, on these issues a few months ago and management did not address them.”

He said all activities were suspended in all the NIPOST offices in the state, assuring that the union would decide on the next line of action at the end of the warning strike.

taken place if the management had done the right thing.

He said the strike was being observed by members of the union throughout the country.

“For sometime now, we have been discussing with the management on the payment of allowances and incentives but without any headway. “ One of the issues is the transfer allowance. The management transferred some workers to different states and more than two years now, most of them are yet to get their allowances.

“Also, our members were promoted two years back without financial benefits.

We have complained but the management has done nothing,’’ Alhassan said.

He also complained of the failure of the organisation to give productivity incentives to workers as earlier agreed.

He accused the management of a discriminatory tendency

toward junior staff members.

“There is something we call rent enhancement, which the organisation pays officers from level 14 and above. It has been implementing this for more than seven years now.

“We have been asking the management to extend the package to all categories of staff but it ignored our request.

“Think of the people who carry your bags, the people who convey the mails, yet, the management refused to address this over the years,’’ Alhasasan said..

Mr. Taiye Olaniyi, the General Manager incharge of Cooperate Communication, told newsmen that the issues raised by the union were being considered.

He said the union should embrace dialogue rather than confrontation, adding that nothing could be achieved in such a situation.

“The money they are talking about runs into millions. You and l know that we cannot pay such money.

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News Spilling Of Innocent Blood UN Islamic - NSCIA

L-R: Representative of Bauchi Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Tijjani Gwani; Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Alhaji Mohammed Lassi and Bauchi State Vice President, Young Men’s Christian Association, Aisa Akapson during 53rd Independence Day Celebration in Bauchi on Tuesday.

FG Withdraws Sponsorship Of 6 Niger-Delta ABUJA - The Federal Youths In Russia University Government has withdrawn sponsorship of six Niger Delta student-delegates in the Peoples Friendship University in Russia.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja from the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and signed

by Mr Daniel Alabrah, the Head of Media and Communication in the office.

The statement said the withdrawal followed the student-delegates’ involvement in an attack on the Nigerian Embassy in Moscow on Sept.

30.

According to the statement, six of the 24 student-delegates studying in the university under a special scholarship scheme for Niger Delta youths were found to be behind the condemnable act.

It quoted Kuku as saying that the incident at the Mission resulted in the arrest of 16 student-delegates by the Russian police.

“Six of the students breached the Code of Conduct they all signed before their departure from Nigeria and this amounts to gross misconduct that the Nigerian government cannot tolerate.

“Students on the office’s sponsorship cannot go on rampage on flimsy excuses in a foreign country and damage the image and reputation of Nigeria.’’

The statement said records showed that the students were not being owed their InTraining Allowance (ITA) for six months as they alleged.

“In fact, the only unremitted allowance was for the month of September, which had been approved and was being processed by the Central Bank of Nigeria at the time they attacked the Mission,’’ it said.

The statement said communication was made with the students by Kuku’s office

on Friday, Sept. 27 about the processing of their ITA for the months of September and October, and the need for them to be patient while it was being handled by the CBN. “We were therefore shocked when information got to us that the delegates had invaded the Embassy, destroyed property and attacked Mission officials over unpaid allowances.

“This is absolutely unacceptable,’’ it quoted Kuku as saying, adding that the school authorities would be communicated on the development.

The statement also dismissed speculations among former agitators in the Niger Delta that they would soon be paid the sum of N2 million each by the

raped two daughters of his neighbour, was arraigned in Lagos.

Onifade, 34, is standing trial at an Abule-Egba Magistrates’ Court on a 12-count charge bordering on rape.

The prosecutor, Insp. Racheal Williams, told the court that the accused, who lives at No. 6, Anuoluwapo St., AgbadoIjaiye, a Lagos suburb, committed the offences at his apartment on Sept. 20.

She alleged that the accused invited the girls of between ages eight and 13 to his room under the pretext of sending them on an errand.

“He sent one of them on an errand and raped the other before she could return. On arrival, the accused later raped her.

“The accused covered their mouths with clothes to prevent them from shouting and also threatened to kill them if they failed to cooperate,’’ Williams said.

According to her, the wailings of the rape victims caught the attention of people in the neighbourhood.

“They started crying after they left the room of the accused ... neighbours, who rushed to the scene, reported the case to the police immediately.’’

The offences, Williams noted, contravened Sections

135, 137 and 259 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused pleaded innocence of the offences.

In his ruling, the Magistrate, Tajudeen Elias, granted him

Amnesty Office.

“There is no such plan to pay any of them such amount,” it said, adding that the rumour had caused serious tension in some of the Niger Delta states.

Man, 34, Arraigned For Alleged LAGOS A sales representative, Onifade Rape Of 2 Sisters Oluwasola, who allegedly bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

The case was adjourned to October. 15 for mention.

IBADAN - The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has described the spilling of innocent blood of students of the College of Agriculture in Yobe as “unislamic and sadistic’’.

This is contained in a statement entitled “Spilling Innocent Blood is Unislamic’’ issued in Ibadan and signed by Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Secretary-General of NSCIA. “No group or person, militant or terrorist, should take pleasure in brutal elimination of innocent lives,’’ the statement stated.

It described as sadistic, anachronistic and unislamic, the attack in which scores of innocent students were killed and many others injured.

“There is no justification for such murder in any religion, especially Islam,’’ the statement added.

“The NSCIA in the strongest terms condemns the attacks and the attackers and prayed God to grant the families of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss.

“The council also sympathises with the Government and People of Yobe.’’

The statement urged Nigerians to be united and resolute in efforts to unmask the

perpetrators of the act and fight “evil in whatever guise it appears’’.

“It is a notorious fact that, from its emergence to date, overwhelming majority of the victims of the Boko Haram malady are innocent helpless Muslims.

“Our prime concern therefore is finding ways to stop this heinous crime rather than hustling for compensation since the affliction is unquantifiable,’’ the statement added.

It reiterated that Islam denounces terrorism and such terrorists are not Muslims even if they claim to be.

“One does not become a citizen of a country by making claims but by meeting some conditions and one is not a Muslim by bearing a name or hailing from a particular area but by fulfilling the tenets of Islam.

“Terrorists are terrorists and we should stop draping them in religious toga,’’ the statement said.

It appealed to perpetrators of atrocities to think of the judgment day and stop all hostilities in the interest of “the religion they claim and our common humanity’’.

“Nigerians are sick and tired of this bloodletting and they are strongly advising the perpetrators to halt it with immediate effect,’’ the statement said.

Man, 30, Remanded For Theft ABUJA - An Abuja Magistrates’ Court has ordered that a 30-year-old mechanic, Kabiru Hassan be remanded in prison till October. 7.

The Magistrate, Mr. Abdullahi Illelah, gave the order, after Hassan pleaded guilty on charges of joint act and theft.

Hassan had also told the court that he belonged to a gang of thieves who specialises in stealing motorcycles.

Illelah said that he was suspending sentencing Hassan, to enable him assist the police in apprehending the other members of the gang.

Hassan who was arraigned before Illelah in the Life Camp Magistrates’ Court, Abuja,

promised to assist the police to apprehend other members of the gang.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp.

Audu Bitrus, had told the court that Hassan was arrested by officers of the Life Camp division police station on September.

10.

He said the accused who conspired with three others, belonged to a notorious gang of thieves who steal motorcycles in Lafia, Nasarawa state; Lokoja, Kogi and Dutse Alhaji, FCT and environs.

The prosecutor prayed the court to suspend the conviction and sentence pending the arrest of the three accomplice who are at large.

Children at the sitting of the National Children’s Parliament and Speakers Forum in Abuja recently.

THE NIGERIAN

10

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Business + Economy Disagreement Stalls Redevelopment Of Lagos International Trade Fair Site

L-R:Acting General Secretary, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), employees severed in 2006/2007, Mr. Silva Aluku; Chairman, Mr. Charles Binitie; Chairman, Civil Liberty Organisation (CLO), Lagos State Chapter, Mr. Kenny Bakare and Secretary, CLO Disciplinary Committee, Mr. Inno Onuoha at a news conference on Non-payment of Pension to NPA employees severed in 2006/2007 from August 2001 in Lagos recently.

Staff of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) severed in 2006/2007 protesting over non-payment of Pension to NPA employees severed in 2006/2007 from August 2001 in Lagos recently.

LAGOS - Redevelopment of the Lagos International Trade Fair site has stopped due to some disagreement between the concessionaire and traders at the complex.

Mr. Geff Nwokolo, the Director of Operations of Aulic Nigeria Ltd, the concessionaire, said that development was stalled because the company could not gain control of the site.

Nwokolo told newsmen in Lagos that one of the reasons for this was that Federal Government had not granted the company total control of the complex.

According to him, the trade fair complex is one of the Federal Government’s assets which were privatised in 2008.

“We bided and won, having met all the criteria stipulated for us. “ We are yet to gain total control of the complex because of the agitation of the traders within the complex.

“These traders have refused to acknowledge the management concession granted to our organisation by the government,’’ he said.

Nwokolo said that the problem had been deliberated upon by the National Assembly and other stakeholders.

“Five years have rolled by without a meaningful resolution on the complex,’’ he said.

Nwokolo said that the company had not abandoned any infrastructure and

Cooperative Wants FG, State Govt To Develop 1,000-Hectare Cassava Project

LAGOS Muideen Adekunle, Chairman, Nigeria Cassava Growers Association’s Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative Union (FMCU) in Oyo has called for federal and state governments assistance to develop the union’s 1,000 hectares cassava farm project.

Adekunle, who spoke with newsmenin Lagos yesterday, said the cassava plantation was at Komu village in Itesiwaju local government area of Oyo. He said the union planned to spend a total of N194.5 million on the project known as ‘Cassava Vanguard Farm Project’.

The chairman said the project, officially launched at the Oyo State Agricultural Development Project’s farmers’ hall in Oyo town in September, was meant to revolutionise cassava production in the state.

It will also to complement Federal Government’s initiative on cassava under the

Agricultural Transformation Agenda.’’

He said the farm would be a cassava stem variety multiplication centre where different varieties of stem of the crop would be produced and multiplied.

Adekunle said part of the project included three local garri processing centres to be located at Atiba, Abidogun - Okaka and Biiro communities.

Adekunle said the cassava growers’ farmers’ cooperative union was presented with a certificate of registration by the state Ministry of Commerce and Cooperative in December 2010.

“Presently, the Nigeria Cassava Growers Association’s has 176 cooperative societies all dealing with cassava production.

“It is our financial contributions as cooperative

farmers that we used in acquiring land for the Komu cassava plantation.”

He appealed to the state government to assist the union with tractors as it did for local government councils.

Adekunle further suggested that the signing of a

Memorandum of Understanding between the government and the union, for the latter to be given a special loan through the agricultural credit corporation to fully the Komu project.

“We appeal to the state government to give us full

support on the Cassava Vanguard Farm Project, especially with funds and tractors.

“We also assure the Federal Government of our readiness to partner with it in making the cassava transformation agenda a huge success in the state.

dilapidated structure within the complex, adding that the company was working hard to put the complex in good condition.

“Our company is financially incapacitated to run the entire complex because the traders refused to pay their annual rents.

“We have renovated the exhibition arena and completely roofed the administrative block that was leaking when we took over.

“We have fixed the nine satellite halls that were overgrown with weeds before the complex was concessioned to us,’’ he said.

Some of the traders in the complex, however, alleged that the concessionaire (Aulic Nigeria Ltd.) imposed gate fees on trucks and buses entering the complex without properly maintaining the facilities.

Mr. Okwudili Chukwuma , the Secretary General, Auto Spare Parts and Machineries Dealers Association (ASPAMDA), told newsmen that there was no meaningful development in the complex.

He said that this was in spite of the daily gate fees being collected by the concessionaire.

“Bus owners and truck drivers often pay between N200 and N800 to gain access into the complex. Traders pay money at the gate before they can bring in their goods.

“The only people exempted from paying money are private car owners.

“The roads in the complex are full of potholes.

“The lawns are overgrown with weeds, yet they collect N5, 000 from whoever crosses them,’’ he said.

Chukwuma appealed to the Federal Government to resolve the lingering problem between the traders in the complex and Aulic Nigeria Ltd. to guarantee proper maintenance of the complex

Manufacturing Sector Doing Well - MAN AWKA - The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has said that the sector has grown considerably over the years in spite of the obvious challenges facing it.

Mr. Chris Oranu, the Second Vice Chairman of the Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu branch of the association, told newsmen in Awka that the growth arose from the backward integration strategy of the Federal Government.

Oranu said the strategy was

yielding positive results as most firms in the country were now relying on locally-sourced raw materials.

He admitted that some enabling factors like power and good road networks were lacking, but expressed confidence that President Goodluck Jonathan was making

efforts to improve the situation.

“The Nigerian manufacturing sector has not been as bad as people would think. There may be few factors that are not friendly to it at the moment like infrastructure and security, but honestly, a lot has been done to improve the situation.

“The truth is that there are challenges facing the sector. We may not be able to get the entire prerequisite like energy, security, cost of credit and good

roads overnight but if these things are provided satisfactorily, the industrialisation process will be a lot easier.

“The various commercial policies of the present government have encouraged manufacturing greatly and Nigeria is still the best place to invest; that is why the foreign investors are here, so it is wrong for us to take our investments elsewhere,” he said.

THE NIGERIAN

11

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY (03/10/13) Stocks

Open

Close

Change

Deals

Units

Value

MAYBAKER

2.2

2.2

0

0

34,400

71,896.00

ABCTRANS

0.78

0.78

0

0

440,000

340,800.00

MOBIL

107

107

0

0

29,430

3,267,724.45

ACADEMY

1.8

1.8

0

0

30,600

55,594.00

MRS

36.14

36.14

0

0

1,697

58,274.98

ACCESS

10.5

10.5

0

0

24,631,086

257,711,089.30

NAHCO

6.07

6.3

0.23

0

419,086

2,605,067.01

AFRIPRUD

1.87

1.87

0

0

108,883

200,777.51

NASCON

12.5

12.09

-0.41

0

527,393

6,414,481.55

AGLEVENT

1.65

1.65

0

0

20,000

31,600.00

NB

168

169.4

1.4

0

2,268,088

379,117,341.90

AIICO

0.75

0.78

0.03

0

764,833

594,916.84

NCR

16.83

16.83

0

0

1,541

24,640.59

AIRSERVICE

4.23

4.23

0

0

52,510

211,090.20

NEIMETH

1.2

1.2

0

0

48,022

55,225.30

ARBICO

5.05

5.05

0

0

600

3,030.00

NEM

0.69

0.7

0.01

0

2,859,524

1,984,059.12

ASHAKACEM

20.9

20.9

0

0

228,007

4,666,114.08

NESTLE

998.5

998.5

0

0

73,627

71,389,629.52

BERGER

8.7

8.7

0

0

63,400

526,220.00

NIG-GERMAN

7.36

7.36

0

0

500

3,500.00

BOCGAS

6.5

6.5

0

0

16,278

103,989.60

NIGERINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

360,786

180,393.00

CADBURY

46.07

47

0.93

0

1,359,081

63,920,541.98

NNFM

25.65

25.65

0

0

10

243.7

CAP

37

37

0

0

130,395

5,051,458.70

NPFMCRFBK

0.82

0.8

-0.02

0

456,642

368,446.44

CAPALBETO

95.49

95.49

0

0

224

21,280.00

OANDO

10.5

10.55

0.05

0

8,094,241

85,334,713.56

CCNN

8.89

9

0.11

0

306,955

2,764,170.00

OASISINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

150,000

75,000.00

CILEASING

0.5

0.5

0

0

98,300

49,150.00

OKOMUOIL

43.7

41.53

-2.17

0

1,650,447

68,807,511.67

CONOIL

28.8

28.8

0

0

24,973

686,540.22

PAINTCOM

2.13

2.22

0.09

0

89,227

195,199.40

CONTINSURE

1.2

1.2

0

0

25,001

28,501.14

PORTPAINT

5.6

5.6

0

0

400

2,128.00

CORNERST

0.5

0.5

0

0

69,000

34,500.00

PRESCO

33.97

33.5

-0.47

0

1,020,536

34,135,332.10

COSTAIN

1.1

1.08

-0.02

0

357,000

388,205.00

PZ

38

38

0

0

266,356

9,871,096.26

COURTVILLE

0.62

0.59

-0.03

0

2,017,946

1,210,609.60

REDSTAREX

4.35

4.49

0.14

0

233,045

1,008,321.26

CUSTODYINS

1.5

1.45

-0.05

0

568,975

825,432.25

RESORTSAL

0.5

0.5

0

0

3,000

1,500.00

CUTIX

1.9

1.9

0

0

204,047

371,935.20

ROYALEX

0.5

0.5

0

0

109,510

54,817.00

DANGCEM

190

190

0

0

2,266,711

430,699,874.50

RTBRISCOE

1.44

1.44

0

0

48,000

67,680.00

DANGFLOUR

9.05

9.05

0

0

201,955

1,834,364.95

SKYEBANK

4.15

4.19

0.04

0

4,354,470

18,165,199.81

DANGSUGAR

10.9

11.2

0.3

0

13,427,042

148,638,397.30

SOVRENINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

500

250

DIAMONDBNK

6.23

6.2

-0.03

0

9,757,195

61,419,106.32

STANBIC

19.2

19.28

0.08

0

265,880

5,123,135.51

DUNLOP

0.5

0.5

0

0

80,000

40,000.00

STARCOMMS

0.5

0.5

0

0

11,000

5,500.00

ETERNA

2.89

2.9

0.01

0

172,698

484,676.48

STERLNBANK

2.3

2.28

-0.02

0

41,251,595

92,858,263.09

ETI

13.61

13.63

0.02

0

2,763,132

37,627,563.26

TOTAL

157

157

0

0

59,017

9,254,627.77

FBNH

16.9

16.7

-0.2

0

25,321,731

424,745,842.60

TRANSCORP

1.76

1.84

0.08

0

34,016,445

62,565,738.80

FCMB

3.72

3.88

0.16

0

894,385

3,464,734.82

TRANSEXPR

1.28

1.26

-0.02

0

371,374

475,562.50

FIDELITYBK

2.64

2.64

0

0

6,270,266

16,395,338.69

UAC-PROP

16.35

16.35

0

0

55,300

884,516.00

FIDSON

1.97

1.97

0

0

638,377

1,244,982.69

UACN

61.1

61.2

0.1

0

1,451,655

88,839,426.90

FLOURMILL

83

83

0

0

212,126

16,782,574.09

UBA

7.6

7.5

-0.1

0

38,679,129

290,656,255.20

FO

38.01

37.51

-0.5

0

543,613

20,756,629.22

UBCAP

1.44

1.5

0.06

0

1,961,195

2,823,723.19

FTNCOCOA

0.5

0.5

0

0

34,000

17,000.00

UBN

10.2

10.21

0.01

0

851,186

8,706,791.25

GLAXOSMITH

65.55

65.5

-0.05

0

446,806

28,242,735.49

UNILEVER

60.61

59.5

-1.11

0

401,794

23,917,377.98

GUARANTY

25.6

25.7

0.1

0

18,890,309

485,156,524.80

UNITYBNK

0.58

0.57

-0.01

0

11,491,560

6,686,272.66

GUINEAINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

125,000

62,500.00

UPL

3.93

3.93

0

0

123,341

478,484.65

GUINNESS

266.7

256.04

-10.66

0

157,767

40,881,943.38

UTC

0.59

0.59

0

0

12,200

7,431.00

HMARKINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

50,000,000

25,000,000.00

VITAFOAM

4.08

3.94

-0.14

0

265,487

1,061,257.45

HONYFLOUR

2.99

2.97

-0.02

0

393,957

1,177,555.01

VONO

1.9

1.93

0.03

0

729,938

1,392,236.42

IHS

2.8

2.93

0.13

0

401,050

1,132,946.50

WAPCO

99

99

0

0

199,748

19,575,526.24

IKEJAHOTEL

0.77

0.8

0.03

0

341,127

271,401.60

WAPIC

0.85

0.87

0.02

0

10,347,273

8,890,790.41

INTBREW

19.84

19.84

0

0

87,730

1,714,825.50

WEMABANK

0.97

0.98

0.01

0

590,920

574,165.81

INTENEGINS

0.68

0.71

0.03

0

2,007,774

1,425,519.54

ZENITHBANK

20

20.01

0.01

0

74,809,126

1,496,394,914.00

IPWA

0.96

0.96

0

0

10,000

9,200.00

JAPAULOIL

0.52

0.5

-0.02

0

3,411,649

1,706,614.50

JBERGER

76.99

76.99

0

0

28,970

2,122,102.00

Gain

Stock

1.4 0.93 0.3 0.23 0.16 0.14 0.13 0.11 0.1 0.1

GUINNESS OKOMUOIL UNILEVER FO PRESCO NASCON FBNH JOSBREW VITAFOAM UBA

JOHNHOLT

1.09

1.09

0

0

2,583

2,841.30

JOSBREW

3.97

3.78

-0.19

0

56,280

212,738.40

LEARNAFRCA

1.86

1.86

0

0

112,646

208,871.56

LIVESTOCK

3.7

3.75

0.05

0

254,913

952,121.26

MANSARD

2.15

2.13

-0.02

0

216,097

460,844.87

TOP 10 GAINERS Stock NB CADBURY DANGSUGAR NAHCO FCMB REDSTAREX IHS CCNN GUARANTY UACN

Close 169.4 47 11.2 6.3 3.88 4.49 2.93 9 25.7 61.2

TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS Close 256.04 41.53 59.5 37.51 33.5 12.09 16.7 3.78 3.94 7.5

Loss -10.66 -2.17 -1.11 -0.5 -0.47 -0.41 -0.2 -0.19 -0.14 -0.1

THE NIGERIAN

12 ON the occasion of the 53rd independence anniversary of Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan in a nationwide broadcast announced an Advisory Committee mandated to establish modalities for a national conference aimed at resolving issues that currently cause friction in the polity.

PRESIDENT Jonathan said that the committee, which will have Dr. Femi Okurounmu as its Chairperson and Dr. Akilu Indabawa as its Secretary, is expected to complete its assignment within one month.

WE welcome the decision of President Jonathan since it takes into cognizance suggestions over the years by well-meaning Nigerians on the need for a national dialogue on the future of our beloved country. There is consensus that there has been discontentment in the land. The discontentment and alienation has fueled extremism, apathy and even predictions of catastrophe for the country. This means that, if one united Nigeria is still cherished, the bases for such unity must be negotiated and agreed upon.

WE must be quick to point that the conference must not be the soap opera that was organized by former President Olusegun Obasanjo or Abdulsalami Abubakar which select friends and well wishers were the attendees.

WE are also in agreement with Mr. President that “when there are issues that constantly stoke tension and bring about friction, it makes perfect sense for the interested parties to come together to discuss.” We are also glad that the Senate President, David Mark who is well known opponent of a national conference with the argument that “there cannot be a sovereign within a sovereign,” was the harbinger of the President Jonathan’s announcement. Mark, while welcoming senators from their seven-week annual vacation, said “every matter about the union of ethnic groups that made up the country should be opened to discussion but warned that the dismemberment of the country should be a

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013 THE NIGERIAN

Expectations From Confab Advisory Committee no-go area for the conference.”

IN setting clear agenda for the Advisory committee which will be inaugurated by Mr. President next week, we disagree with Senate President and all those thinking along with him on “no-go areas.” There should be no restrictions as to the issues to be discussed by the conference.

We believe that the first item that should be on the agenda is whether Nigeria should remain or not. Nigerians must be in agreement to remain as one indivisible entity. Nobody can force a union that so many have questioned in the country on the people. That is the beginning point of discussions. If Nigerians from various backgrounds decide to go their separate ways peacefully, no one should halt them. Professor Ango Abdulahi, Spokesman for the Northern Elders Forum has said the north is not afraid of a break up. Chief Uwazuruike of MASSOB has offered their willingness to go their own way. The people of Oduduwa, have equally aired their position. Nigerians know the benefits of our diversity but we must agree as a people to continue with the union or not.

SECONDLY, if we agree to remain as one Nigeria, we must also look at the current structure if we are satisfied with the military balkanized country. Thirty six states, with only four viable is not sustainable. The conference must review and agree on either a return to the 1963 constitution that provides for regional government or a reviewed structure of such, so that with or without crude oil, the regions can survive. We also

recommend that the local government structure should be discussed. We cannot continue with military contrived states or whatever nomenclature the federating units may assume should determine how many local governments or counties they can sustainably put in place, perhaps through a plebiscite after the conference.

THIRDLY, we expect a loose federation if Nigeria is to remain one at the end of the day, whereby the regions or states will observe strictly the true fiscal federalism, producing and generating their incomes and paying an agreed percentage to the centre. We believe that for sustainable economic productivity and faster development, we must make the centre less attractive to avoid the “do or die” politics currently witnessed at the centre. There should be devolution of powers to the federating regions or states to further make the centre less attractive.

FOURTHLY, parliamentary system of government is desirable for a country like Nigeria because, the presidential system of government is very expensive to maintain. Nigeria has experimented this system in its early days post independence and could jolly well return to the arrangement.

LASTLY on expectations at the conference proper, Nigerians look forward to a new constitution at the end of the day if they agree to be one or a number of constitutions for the number of countries that may emerge. We believe that if transparently and honestly executed, the planned conference would resolve once and for all the myriad of problems buffeting the Nigerian state.

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Discourse

Sustained Moral Values As Tool For Social Development

THE National Christian Campaign on Social Transformation recently organised a programme in Abuja tagged: “Be the change you want to see’’.

The theme was, perhaps, meant to elicit public reaction and stimulate discuss on the issues of values and morals in the Nigerian society.

President Goodluck Jonathan has often stated that the Nigerian society needed both moral and spiritual transformations which, he according to him, are necessary ingredients for peace and unity in the nation.

Both religious and political leaders have also expressed similar views, noting that the absence of a national value system anchored on social ethical standards of morality are the fault of the family, religious organisations and the community.

They have argued that this was because these institutions had failed to uphold that which is right and just.

“Indeed, we have lost our moral values and principles. So much has gone wrong in our family life, schools, churches and society in general.

“We have lost the values of hard-work, respect for elders, truthfulness, contentment, humility, patience, compassion, fairness, love, justice and obedience,’’ said President Jonathan.

According to him, religious organisations and community leaders should lead in the return to values and morals for transformation.

Observers and opinion leaders have, however, asked whose duty it is to restore and sustain values and morals in the Nigerian society.

Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor,

President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said change can only take place when an individual decides to change for the better rather than expect it from other people.

“For this country to change for the better, I

Observers have also noted that Nigerians should be able to sustain high social values and morals in addition to upholding ethical standard of fairness, truthfulness, hospitality, love and mutual respect.

Malam Lawal Ado, a

the norms acceptable to Nigerians,’’ he said.

Stressing the need for sustained values and morals among Nigerians, Chief Nwosu Ibe, Eze Ndi Igbo in Abuja, noted that any cultural values that are not sustained are as good

National Issues at CAN, noted that Nigerian’s love for each other was a good basis for sustainable values and morals.

“You must love your neighbour like yourself; if you love others like yourself, you will not discriminate; you will not

Saad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto and Ayo Oritsejafor PFN Chairman

must change. I should not expect the change to come from others first. It must begin with me,’’ he said.

Sharing similar views, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Secretary-General of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, said that fairness, tolerance and love should be upheld by all Nigerians for the country to develop.

According him, Islam enjoins Muslims to be fair in their dealings with everyone irrespective of their religious leanings.

Insisting that fairness must be one of the key values that should be practiced by all human beings, Oloyede said if people were fair in their dealings, the society would be free from corruption and crime.

resident of FCT, agreed that Nigerian values and morals include truthfulness, fairness and hospitality, adding that they should be sustained for them to impact on the society.

“If any of these values is missing in any society, I believe that such a society can be said to be pursuing personal agenda, strange to

as non-existent.

Mr Olusegun Salawu, Head of Yoruba Community in Abuja, agreed with Ibe and insisted that truthfulness, fairness, hard work and mutual respect should be upheld and sustained by various religious and community leaders.

Rev. William Okoye, Director, Directorate of

cheat when you have access to what belongs to all.

“This will make you be at peace with one another; and since every religion preaches peace, the world will be a better place to live in. So what you don’t want to receive, don’t give,’’ he said.

Observers have also suggested that parents and

other stakeholders should take steps to train their children to sustain high morals and ethical values.

They also offered opinion on effective means to ensure that morals and values are instilled in people for development.

For instance, How Mom, a specialist online journal on family and relationships, says that strong moral adherence by parents was essential.

“Explain why good morals are important to you and your family; children need to understand why you feel the way you do; tell children why you believe what you do.

“State your beliefs and then live by them. Be clear.

Don’t confuse children by saying one thing and then doing the other.

“Be strict with your children. Be firm in your beliefs by not letting children get away with things that you deem morally wrong.

“Teach your religious or spiritual beliefs to your children. Often, moral beliefs stem from religious beliefs”, the journal stated.

Observers have noted that when people are taught values that help build strong moral fibre, they tend to acquire the ability to choose the right way to success and d e v e l o p m e n t .

(NANFeatures)

“Observers have also noted that Nigerians should be able to sustain high social values and morals in addition to upholding ethical standard of fairness, truthfulness, hospitality, love and mutual respect.”

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Insight

OCTOBER 1, 2013, made it exactly 53 years since Nigeria gained her independence and three months to its 100 years of the amalgamation of the southern and northern protectorates to create Nigeria. While some people thinks it’s time to thank God for the journey so far, others think it is time to take stock and assess the journey so far.

But for me, I think it’s just time to thank God, take stock and assess the journey so far. Some people think it not time to thank God because the country has not achieved anything up to their expectations but the truth is, the level the country is now, is not God’s making but that of our past and present leaders.

As I was preparing this write up, I stumbled on a write up by LEADERSHIP online newspaper, where Nigeria was described as “one of the largest, richest and best British imperial possession in the world”, and I totally agreed with that description of our country.

Nigeria has the largest population in Africa and she is one of the most endowed countries in terms of resources. Nigeria is destined and supposed to be a great nation not only in Africa but in the world. It is the anchor nation of the black race. The potentials of this great country are enormous but are yet to be actualised largely due to the absence of disciplined and visionary leaders.

Unlike patriotic leaders like the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the late Nnamdi Azikiwe, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, etc, who started the Nigerian project on a very solid note, anchored on maximizing the greatest goods for the greatest number of people.

Most of the modern day leaders after independence era have been running aground the Nigeria nation, being small minded leaders.

In those days there were competitions between regional government on which region would be more outstanding, having the people in that region at heart.

This is so glaring when Chief Obafemi Awolowo introduced television broadcasting in the western region, on October 31, 1959, this action was immediately imitated by the eastern and northern regions. All the regional governors were up and doing, satisfying the people’s need in a bid to gain political power but this day, party candidates come out to read a long list of manifesto, deceiving the people of Nigeria and at the end when they win the election, they turn the office position to their village palace where until death do they part and even when they manage to leave the office ( since death did not show up), the garner enough of the country’s money that will serve them and their families till they die.

Prior to the 53 rd Independence anniversary of Nigeria, there was a debate in the senate, it was however confirmed by one of them that bad leadership has been a major setback of Nigeria. Senator Smart Adeyemi who contributed to the debate stated that “at 53, were Nigeria nation being governed the way it is supposed to have been governed over the years, we shouldn’t be talking about federal character”.

He further explained that the problem of parochial (small minded) leadership rocking the country at the moment had turned most of the state governors to be governors of the ethnic group they belong to in the states, as well as other highly placed public officers, thus adversely affecting the country’s development.

Apart from the patriotic

Nigeria @ 53: Need To A

By PRAISE EGWURUDJI

and nationalist who fought for the good of all, most leaders of this current time fight for their personal gains, leaving other Nigerians to suffer because that was how they met them, so they wouldn’t be the first.

Take a look at Delta State; one of the major oil producing states in the country for instance, the state is as poor as anything poverty had laid hands upon. The former Governor of that State left office with unquantifiable sum of money that can actually turn the state around for better and forever.

In our educational sector, although many schools are now available for people to attend in order to gain knowledge but many of the schools are suffering from lack of maintenance. At 53, our educational system is struggling not to get drown, as incessant strikes have taken over most of our federal and state schools from primary to tertiary institutions. The incessant strikes are threatening to yank the head of our state and federal varsities apart.

The private universities owned by churches and some top politicians are so expensive that most average Nigerians cannot afford to send their children and wards to such schools.

Our medical system is in a sorry state, that even the top leaders who are supposed to make it better are running outside the country to seek better treatments while those who cannot afford that perish in the languishing medical facilities they are left with.

There are no or very few ambulances available to save lives as some of these ambulances have being taken by some higher

authorities. Recently an accident happened in Ibadan where a lorry driver ran into people standing around the road and crushed five persons; it took time for an ambulance to arrive as they had to call an ambulance from Oyo state to pick the injured persons.

Meanwhile, in time past,

Independence Day celebration, people look forward to presidential and governors visit with excitement. People buy Nigeria jersey or anything that represents the country, but today people are ashamed of anything that has Green-White-Green…. because they feel those colours or anything that represents this country is as disappointing as the country

census since 1863.

Population is a major asset, as resource for development, and is also the prime beneficiary of development in society. It constitutes the bulk of the producers and consumers of goods and services. Having a fair estimate of the population of a country enables the government to plan effectively for the betterment of the citizenry.

Otherwise, economy

President Goodluck Jonathan

there were ambulances in every government hospital 24hours. Uncountable Nigerians have died out of the unavailability of “Common Ambulance” to pick them to the hospital where treatment would be administered……ah!

While there are ambulance going everywhere with our leaders in case of emergency.

In the past, people looked forward to the

“Our medical system is in a sorry state, that even the top leaders who are supposed to make it better are running outside the country to seek better treatments while those who cannot afford that perish in the languishing medical facilities they are left with.”

itself. A lot of people from this country cannot proudly represent the country except those who have what they gain at the end.

As old as Nigeria is, there is one question she has never been able to answer and that question is…. What is the total number of Nigerians? This question as simple as it appears has been difficult to answer in the last 150 years.

Nigeria has never had a true and accurate population representation. This was confirmed by the National Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Chief Festus Odimegwu, who told journalist during an interview section in Abuja last August that the country has never had any credible

planners will be groping in the dark. And this is an area Nigeria has missed for too long a time and we can see how the population problem affects Nigeria economically and other aspects of the country.

Nigeria so far has no documented list of citizens and non-citizen, this is one reason people go missing and cannot be traced or acknowledged, except the individual’s family or probably if the person is one important personality in the society. These and many other things happening in our country today makes me want to conclude that Nigeria is retrogressing not even to the better days of the late Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and

oth wh com Nig sla

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THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Insight

Address Our Problems

hers, but rather to the day hen white men started ming into Nigeria. When geria was like a clean ate and needed to be

developed.

I think on this day, Nigeria leaders should look back to what and where the country

THE true test of vilization is not the nsus, not the size of es, nor crops, no, but the nd of men the country ns out.”

wisp. Mirage and a wild goose chase as corrupt Leaders, Politicians etc are caught corpus delicti and inflagrante delicto, but no reasonable action is taken as a deterrent. The corrupt syndicates are protected by technocratic legal acrobatics, reprobate judiciary and Political rhetorics.

No Nation can make true developmental strides on its march to Nationhood when its Leadership and Citizenry are sunken in the lethal labyrinth of depraved, immoral, perverted, putrescent, crapulently rotten and the decomposed cauldron of bribery and corruption. It has been a recurrent decimal in our climes.

From dependence in 1960 through various despotic military juntas back to our so-called democratically elected politicians, the story has been the same.

It is frightening that with over 120 universities, with churches and mosques decorating virtually every street in Nigeria, we cannot boost of great moral education, exemplary characters, reverential obedience and submissions to our boisterously professed faith in God and moral education. The essayist Albert Schweitzer (1875 - 1965) observed in his book, “The Decay and Restoration of Civilization” that “A Civilization which develops only on its material side, and not in corresponding measure on its mental and spiritual side, is like a vessel with a defective steering gear”.

The octopoidal tentacles of corruption must be exterminated hook, line and sinker for Nigeria to make any meaningful progress. It has attained the ascendancy of our culture, tradition and soap opera in

would have been if they had served selflessly. They should judge themselves with the standard and quality of life obtainable in Britain and other

developed countries and not to measure up our country with what is obtainable in other African countries as we are supposed to have gone

higher than them by virtue of what God has blessed this nation with.

Our leaders should dare to be patriotic and be nationalist as this was the foundation upon which our Independence was

founded and built. And this is the strong hold of any successful country in the world. A patriotic, visionary and nationalist spirit is what our country needs in order to move out of third or developing countries level.

Corruption Incorporated, Imperative Of Death Penalty

ALPH WALDO MERSON [1803 – 1882] N Axiological Ethics, the rdinal importances of yagrahi values are nsidered to be ndamentally crucial to rmative standards in cision making. When a ciety, nation or institution becomes befuddled by emingly ineradicable, stiferously gangrenous d cancerously stubborn ease, it behooves it to pply a drastic measure to vage it from the cipitous precipice. Can s happen to ORRUPTION in the geria Society?

We need no cyclopean cyclopedic studies, erview, analysis and earch to know that rruption is deeply rooted % in the foundational bstratum of the Nigerian tion. It is the corpulent derpinning, Culture, ligion, caprophilic position, Custom and adition of the Nigerian adership and it’s izenry. It is indeed, the utish beast that runs ough the gamut, length d breath of the Nigerian tion and the body, Soul d Spirit of it’s adership, Institutions and oples. What a shame! he current Global rruption Perception dex rates Nigeria as one the most corrupt untries on earth. It is rated 5th out of 176 countries the World. The formation the code of conduct reau (CCB) Independent rrupt Practices and other ated Offences mmission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial mes Commission etc has ned out to be will ‘o’

By CHIEF BOBSON GBINIJE

Nigeria – an odoriferous chameleonic feaces into which we have stepped. All strategies mapped out and contraptions put in place by successive regimes and governments have turned out to be mere placeboes. We have seen the War against corruption (WAC), LOW profile and now contraptions like Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

entrusted with the onerous task of eradicating corruption in our country.

The syndicate of corrupt Nigerians in the top echelon of government and the private sector who want to maintain the status quo will continue to be corrupt because nothing can happen to them in a country where the press, the police and the judiciary are totally corrupt.

• Ibrahim Lamorde, EFCC Chairman

and Corrupt Practice and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). So far, the EFCC and ICPC are government stooges. It is clear that they cannot go far enough because the enabling legislations are not completely in place and indeed, a terrible problem requires a drastic solution. From all indications, it is obvious that EFCC is still under the grip of the Presidency and its alleged selective Justice System. It still portrays itself as an instrument for political witch-hunting and vengeance. Until the EFCC and ICPC rededicate themselves to high standard of diligence, objectivity, integrity and fairness, it will go the way of other agencies that were

A corrupt country like a dull student cannot attain the highest of excellence, because its value standards are defective and full of normative gaps. Every attempt at wiping away corruption from our system has failed, because they are all devious attempts laced with pusillanimous tergiversations and insincerity. There are so many sacred cows and untouchables in Nigeria.

Hence, injustice and oppression will continue to prevail and they have completely rubbished the sacrosanct tenets of democracy. The essayist Herbert Spencer posits that “Every unpunished delinquency has a family of delinquencies”. “This is corroborated by Publillus Syrus, he said “Qui Culpae

ignoscit uni, suadet pluribus (Pardon one offence and you encourage the commission of many).

What is the way forward?

It is in the light of this harrowing anguish which corruption has been used to dehumanize Nigerians that one makes bold to suggest that proven cases of corruption should be faced with the “DEATH PENALTY”. Any public officer that has not declared his assets should face the wrath of the law immediately and should be banned from holding public office for 20 years. It is a hideous pity that after 53years of independence, Nigeria cannot boast of a corruption-free society and integrity in service. The cases of Dipreye Alamiesegha, Dariye Joshua, Tafa Balogun, former Governor Ibori, Farouk Lawan, Maina etc must be thoroughly reinvestigated and findings made public. The immunity clause has be abused by President Goodluck Jonathan over his ludibrastic pardon granted former governor Alamieyeseigbha. It must be deleted from our constitution if we must fight corruption to a standstill. Government will be reducing the urge for Nigerians to be corrupt if it provides social amenities for the poverty stricken masses, at all levels.

The United Nations sponsored first international treaty against government corruption, a major obstacle to development in poor countries, received the 30th ratification it needs to go into effect on the 11th September, 2005. The United Nation convention against corruption provides for international cooperation in the return of

assets illicitly acquired by corrupt officials, as well as preventive measures to detect the plundering of national wealth. Our hope is that the cost that corruption takes on development will now be confronted by the robust articles on corruption to some extent, since a good amount of such crime sector involves the bribing of officials. Through provisions on banking transparency and against money laundering, it will also help to fight organized crime. The menace of corruption at all levels in the Nigerian society must be fought to a standstill. It is a war we must win by all means.

Finally, the people power and the oppressed must rise in Nigeria to stamp away corruption.

The common wealth is being plundered and pillage by the political elite and their cohorts. The solution is for you and me to rise to possess our possessions. Do not blame any other person, the fault is ours. In his book, Crusades in Europe, Dwight Eisenhower [1890 – 1960] posited that “Freedom from fear, injustice and oppression will be ours only in the measure that men who value such freedoms are ready to sustain their positions – to defend it against every thrust from within or without”.

“ARISE O’ COMPATRIOTS TO POSESS YOUR POSESSIONS. Corrupt Leaders and their cohorts must die.

Chief Bobson Gbinije Mandate Against Poverty (M.A.P) Warri - 08023250378

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Art Alive Pedagogy Of Visual Journalism: Brief Description of the Cartoon: This severally published cartoon on the editorial page of The NIGERIAN OBSERVER Newspapers depicts a couple apparently performing their conjugal assignment for procreation. A heavenly presence interferes into the scene, with two glorious hands emerging from the clouds pointing at the couple. The left hand holds a tablet of stone depicting the biblical Decalogue (delivered to Moses for the Children of Israel during the Exodus from Egypt to the Promise land) while the right hand points to the man on top of his wife, as a loud voice rented the air with the following commands: “...THOU SHALT PLAN THY FAMILY, RESPECT THY WIFE’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS, AND PROTECT THY ENVIRONMENT! SO SHALL THY EARTH SUSTAIN THEE AND THY SEEDS THROUGHOUT THY VAIN YEARS...”

Within the prism of humour, in the context of drawing on faith for fresh approaches to awareness creation/public persuasion, this cartoon argues, among other things, that the population-environmentdevelopment nexus is for real: a planned family makes for a manageable population at the home front and or in the

LITERARY WHY has fitness center become so relevant today?

Apart from the fact that people want to exercise to keep healthy, most people now go to the gym because of the food style which people are leading, mainly the fast life and the consequent fast food which result in unhealthiness and subsequently, short life span. The major reason is the style of food which we take.

One major reason for the consumption and patronage of this fast food is because people are busy and this results to obesity. People are least bothered about their healthy body in the beginning as time goes on they start to realize the changes that has been made in them as a result of this unhealthy food.

It is human nature that after consulting a dietician, collecting directions from them and applying it for few days or probably months they fall back to their old food style.

Compared to the previous generation, the present generation has short life span, one of the main reasons

With Francis Odupute

“The 11th Commandment”

community, a manageable population impacts positively on the environment and the socio-economic life of its population, which ultimately results in sustainable development. In Nigeria, however, population/family planning awareness and understanding is still grossly low, vis-a-vis the nation’s

proactive actions in favour of improved reproductive health, healthy environment and population control, especially at the grassroots.

Consequently, today in Edo State - one of the mostly vulnerable states in terms of poor family planning/ reproductive health culture – this newspaper reporter has

print media and well complimented by some NGOs, which appears to be yielding tangible results, especially in the religious circles.

Here and there, for instance - unlike before - pockets of Sunday school lessons, Church sermons and even simple outof church events like Christian Couples’ seminars now

product of such gatherings sometime in 2010, has strategically been drawing attention to the role of the Church and religious leaders to integrating reproductive health/family planning as well as environment, hygiene/ sanitation culture issues into its scheme of indoctrination/ moral suasions.

demographic challenges.

There have been increasing global calls for more aggressive media interventions and fresh ideas for efficacious public education, enlightenment, awareness and public persuasions and

observed a gradual but consistent increase in aggressive media enlightenment/awareness creation and creative education/advocacy by the mainstream electronic and

emphasize on reproductive health and strategic procreation for a better future in most of their religious teachings and moral suasions.

This editorial cartoon, “THE 11TH COMMANDMENT”, a

I believe this repeatedly published editorial cartoon is playing a strategic role, through the print media, in broadening awareness of religious leaders, faith-based groups and the general public on the need to integrate social

SPORT Fast Food: according to research is our food intake. People are advised to try and select healthy food in quality and not always about quantity alone.

Doctors say that the metabolism rate varies in different people. For some it is slow, while for others it is fast people with slow metabolism rate put on weight very fast.

Obesity is related to weight of body, it differs in its terms like excess weight, relates to our bones, muscles. Obesity means excess fat in the body. This can be controlled if we can try to bring changes in the food available. Some people put on weight very soon the reason maybe genetic hereditary, food style etc.

Obesity result to too many health problems like high blood pressure, diabetic, cancer and many other diseases.

Steps can be taken to reduce your obese through proper exercise and healthy diet. Fast food that people depend on due to lack of time has a lot of calories which fills the stomach very fast like the popular jung food, burgers, pizza.

Threat To Body Fitness

By VERA KILBAKWACHE

Most times people dont bother the moment they take food but later on when they realize they put on weight they run behind gym centers to burn it out.

Alternatively we should try and take less amount of food which is healthy and do exercise regularly by this. We can maintain our health to a certain level.

According to many study, young adults that eat at fast food restaurants gain more weight and have increase in insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells within the pancreas. When the beta cells detect that food has been eaten, the cells releases insulin into the blood stream.

Insulin triggers the body cells to allow glucose to enter them. The body’s cells need insulin for energy to perform necessary body functions. If glucose isn’t helped by insulin, the body’s cells stave and begin to break down fats to get energy.

Children are not left out on obesity, it’s not because of the more food they take but because

development issues such as reproductive health/family planning, etc, into their moral suasions and doctrinal framework; it re-echoes the ‘God Factor’ in the reproductive health/ population campaigns.

The cartoon is fair in its judgment and is clearly understood by its target audience.

“THE 11 TH COMMANDMENT” is making a strong, valuable and positive statement that the public cannot and should not ignore on the matter of population/family planning, especially as it affects the environment and fiscal development of the Nigerian society.

It has also contributed in enhancing knowledge and understanding in religious circles on the priority of a planned family as catalytic and central to sustainable development. Given their proximity to, and their intimacy with, the target audience/most vulnerable people in context, plus their influence over the adherents’ beliefs and behaviours, Christian religious leaders’ growing awareness, understanding and enthusiasm in strategically integrating family planning/reproductive health issues into their moral suasions and doctrines across Edo State, makes this cartoon commentary an imperative “Impact Story” worthy of reckon.

of the little activities they have, briefly to say an in-balance between input and output. But

processed food and many.

In order to try and curb this situation, good advice, and seminars should be organized

vegetables to our meals. It is important to understand that obesity has certain health effect which are overweight, coronary

for some it might be genetic problems. Try to add healthy foods for small children instead of double cream milk give low fat milk, boiled vegetables, add black beans, give egg white only, avoid cheese products,

regarding the unhealthy food that results to obesity likewise one should take in food according to his/her body metabolism. Eat healthy foods such as grain food, leafy vegetables and add more

heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancers, hypertension, stroke, liver and gallbladder disease among others. It is therefore important that we watch our food intake and eat healthy meals.

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013 With Ambrose O. Ekhosuehi

Art & Culture

Sacred Anthems In Culture

SACRED anthems are prayers of praises perform in religious rites. Religion has always inspired singing of anthems and the music is religious in character while classical music of the olden days grew out of the religious plain chants.

People, ordinarily, have been singing about their lives and handling the folk-songs to their generation as future trustees.

It is Unity in Faith and Charity, as their diversity is manifested in multiplicity of vernacular chants and languages, which in the context of share Faith gives expression to each person’s sentiment in vocal drawn from the culture.

On the other hand the unity has nourished the Faith and has fostered piety in the process of achieving artistic perfection which the people consider inestimable value.

Most Anthems has been translated to the vernacular languages of the people to enable the chant emerge in popular action to which the music forms part of the Faith it expresses in beauty and power of expression.

The words of a national anthem are

prayer of praises to the nation and its people. It is an expression of joy and prayer which every person should be able to recite and sing well, because the qualities have genuine sacred sources which may be used in sacred worships.

National Anthems are praise songs of Nations.

They are sung and played on ceremonial occasions. They are also played and sung as greetings to sovereigns and Heads of State.

They are played during national festivities, at many public gatherings, political rallies and sporting events.

The singing may be done by everyone present or the anthem is played and no one sings.

The words of Sacred Anthems are prayer of praises for the people the nation, and the providence. When people gathered together to sing an anthem, they manifest at once the diversity of people drawn from every language, tribe and tongue.

Their diversity is manifested in multiplicity of languages which in the context of share Faith, give expression to each person’s sentiment in

music or vocal drawn from culture and traditions.

These actions are performed with solemnity accompanied by the kind of

is an official praise song of a Nation, sung or played on ceremonial occasions to honour the nation.

When a national

from the moment the signal is given to adapt the posture and gesture suitable for the occasion; so that they may remain suited to the meaning and

national hymn of gladness, honour and praise to God. The Nigeria national anthem is an official song of praises and

instruments, the sound of which added wonderful splendour to the ceremony and powerful thoughts that lift up hearts and minds in lofty heights.

Sovereign rulers treasure sacred anthem of praise songs, compose to honour them and give gladness; while National Anthem

anthem is sung, a bodily posture common to all present is a sign of their Unity with each other.

It expresses the mental attitude and disposition of those who are taking part.

To achieve the bodily posture, people heed the instruction given in the course of celebration and stand

purpose of the anthem.

These actions with solemnity are performed by the kind of instruments, the sound of which can add wonderful splendor to the occasion and powerful lofty height.

Sacred anthem in culture means expressing the dictates of religion’s cultural understanding of the society to place religion on its proper place as a root of genuine normal behavior in all human cultures.

Sacred Anthem and hymns are songs of praise worship to celebrate and adore, but sacred Anthem is an officially recognized

prayer for the Nation and the people. Every person should be able to hymn, recite and sing the anthem well.

Sacred Anthem in Liturgy applies to the faithful when they worship God, the source of all holiness; are themselves drawn with all the warriors of the heavenly army, sing hymn to the Lord’s glory, venerating the memory of the saints and the faithful to fellowship with them and become “imitators of the heavenly Zion” in the Sacred Anthem of the culture.

“Sacred Anthem in Liturgy applies to the faithful when they worship God, the source of all holiness; are themselves drawn with all the warriors of the heavenly army, sing hymn to the Lord’s glory, venerating the memory of the saints and the faithful to fellowship with them and become “imitators of the heavenly Zion” in the Sacred Anthem of the culture.”

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Issues

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been in control of the nation since the return to democratic rule in 1999, claiming to have won all presidential election conducted in Nigeria despite the sincere confession made by late President Umaru Musa Ya’Adua who expressed dissatisfaction on the conduct of the election that brought him to power and stated even before the international community that the election was rigged but promised to implement the rule of law to check future occurrence of such scenario.

The party appeared to have been in unity or pretends to be united all these years and every internal crisis was well managed by board of trustee of the party led by prominent Nigerians, some former head of state, president and elder state men of the party.

No one would believe that the acclaimed largest party in African would find herself in a state of confusion, disagreement and near total collapse to a point where the party has spited into two factions (new and old PDP) with each claiming to be the authentic party. New PDP and old PDP are struggling to get the attention of party faithful with each playing sentiment with politics to get the trust of party members.

Political analyst and commentators are watching with rapped attention the political game plan of each side as they both are busy trading words, allegations and counter allegations of who is right and wrong on the whole issues. Some believe that this crisis is the beginning of the fall of the party; others view it as an internal problem that will be settled sooner than expected. Some say it is a political strategy and game plan to outsmart other

parties, others feel otherwise calling on the leadership of the party to put their house in order in other not to overheat the already tensed situation as a result of the security challenges facing the nation.

The issue is in the front burner of discussion in the Nigeria political stage as political watchers, analysts and commentators are xraying the issues, consequences, implication on democracy, the rule of law and the conduct of 2015 general election in Nigeria.

The former chairman Youth Wing Christian Association of Nigeria Dr. Dele Oluwatade while commenting on the development and the crisis facing the acclaimed largest party in Africa said the crisis facing the party is not a game plan as some would say; the party is facing real trouble that must be handled and settled before the next election.

The fire power of the crisis is not a child’s play, the language is hash, this is not a drama but serious political business, it is not a game plan but a real show and craves for power and supremacy.

In his words, he had this to say“As humans, crisis is part of everyday life as well as solution, crisis and solution are together in the life of man but the way we handle it makes the difference. The crisis facing the party is over celebrated and it is affecting and threatening the peace and existence of the nation”.

According to Dr. Oluwatade, politics ought to be like a football game where you play two halves and in each half you need to rest to regain your lost strength.

“Nigerian politicians don’t have time to rest at all, there is no resting time for them especially those from the upper North, they always want power and to remain

Towards A Free, Fair 2015 General Elections

By RICHARD OKORO-EWEKA

relevant. We are already debating about 2015 (since 2012) as if we are already in 2015, for God’s sake, it is two years away. We have other currents issue facing the nation that need attention. Boko Haram is a

discussing 2015. As far as I am concern, the crisis in PDP is another Boko Haram activity.

“Jonathan is not Jonathan but South-South

administration to arrest the security situation in the country, Dr. Oluwatade said government alone can’t stop Boko Haram security threat until the

Prof Attahiru Jega, INEC Chairman

major security challenges that need 100% cooperation to overcome, but politics of 2015 has stolen the attention. If the country is not settled, how can we have a credible election? We need a peaceful country to conduct a peaceful election come 2015. The president’s table is full of security challenges which he is struggling to curtail instead of teaming up with him; they are busy rubbishing Mr. President and

zone. He is a product and pride of the zone, any political aggression against Jonathan is a rejection and hostility against the SouthSouth Zone. Those that don’t want Jonathan are anti-Nigeria and are not thinking on equity for the South-South.

The belligerent political attitude of the sharia north against Jonathan and the southsouth may become fatal for Nigeria.” He said Speaking on the effort of the Jonathan’s

“Political analyst and commentators are watching with rapped attention the political game plan of each side as they both are busy trading words, allegations and counter allegations of who is right and wrong on the whole issues. Some believe that this crisis is the beginning of the fall of the party; others view it as an internal problem that will be settled sooner than expected.”

entire citizens rise up together to curtail the security challenges facing us as a nation, until the nationalities rise up in unity to fight against Boko Haram, the insurgent will continue.

Continuing he said that some Fulani herds men are part of Boko Haram in the nation. He said they used their cattle to destroy farms and rendered the effort of farmers useless and any attempt to complain or ask questions is met with violent reactions from the Fulani herds’ men- they are testing the strength of host communities to law and order. “Boko Haram is neighbourhood hostility to foster neocolonisation” - it is a national agenda.

Threatened communities must rise up to resist and flush out these bad elements from their communities. Until we

come to this level of action and cooperation, we are not yet ready to contain Boko Haram havoc and activities in our backyard. The herdsmen are a branch of Boko Haram incursions take it or leave it.” he said.

Commenting on the effect of this crisis on the conduct of 2015 general election, Dr. Oluwatade said as at today, arrangement for 2015 is not possible in the Sharia North. This is so because non indigenes are leaving or have left as such any election result from such areas cannot be trusted.

“For example election results from the North East zone will be fake, but you can be sure that any northern candidate will score millions of votes. If the situation is not properly addressed, there will never be a free and fair election in Nigeria especially the core Sharia North come 2015. And there may no election at all or anymore in Nigeria.

“For those who feel Jonathan is the problem, they are wrong. Jonathan has the right to run like any other Nigeria come 2015.

“President Jonathan’s tenure starts from this term, he only constitutionally helped late President Yar’Adua to complete his term, and he has the right to run for a second term, there is no constitutional barrier to his ambition. The South-South zone is the most oppressed and exploited in the nation. The zone should be allowed through her illustrious son, President Goodluck Jonathan to enjoy her full political rights that is, to go in for a second term in office like others before him.

“Anybody from southern Nigeria working against south-south is on the wrong tract, whatever your political affiliation. The bible advises “love your neighbor as yourself” not more than yourself. The north under the same condition will not gang up with the south against her own. Herein is political wisdom To Whom It May Concern.” he said.

THE NIGERIAN

21

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Education Quality Education For National Transformation, A Collective Responsibility

Continued from last week

Use of Technologies to Improve Learning.

THE vast diversity of school facilities in the developing world concerns many who believe that technology and students’ development of technology-related skills are crucial factors in the 21st century knowledgebased global economy (Denny, 2000). These authors advocate the use of technology to reduce global inequalities through such vehicles as Internetbased distance learning, interactive video and educational television. In areas where electricity and telephone lines are available, such approaches to learning may contribute significantly to improve the quality of educational processes.

V. Quality Outcomes The environment, content and processes that learners encounter in school lead to diverse results, some intended and others unintended. Quality learner outcomes are intentional, expected effects of the educational system. They include what children know and can do, as well as the attitudes and expectations they have for themselves and their societies.

Achievement in Literacy and Numeracy.

Academic achievement in general and achievement in literacy and numeracy in particular represent key educational outcomes.

Teaching students to read, write and calculate is often considered the primary purpose of formal education, but students’ regular attendance and attention in school does not guarantee this outcome. Investigations into literacy levels in recent years have shown that children in developing countries had lower levels of literacy than children in high-income countries who had received similar amounts of schooling (Willms, 2000).

Use of Formative Assessment to Improve Achievement Outcomes.

Assessment of academic achievement outcomes has most often been used in a summative rather than formative way. Testing information tends to be used primarily as a screening device to decide who can continue to the next grade of level rather than as a tool to help improve educational quality for individuals and systems. A project in Ghana has demonstrated that ongoing assessment of student performance can provide teachers with the information they need to improve student learning.

The philosophical basis of the project was that “it is critically student to identify what skills each student possesses and to use instruction to progress impulsively build on this foundation” (Harris, 1996).

Outcomes sought by parents.

Parents tend to see academic achievement as closely related to the opportunity for social promotion and employment.

These anticipated outcomes tend to be highly valued by families: future employment possibilities that result from education seem to be a primary factor in the demand for primary education (Bergmann, 1996).

Parents who view education unfavourably cite the following potential outcomes: children do not respect their parents, school leavers consider themselves superior to their fellow villagers, school leavers become

By PROF IGNATIUS ONIMAWO PHD FNSN delinquents, girls object to the traditional rules governing marriage, and school girls do not master the required domestic duties (Bergmann, 1996).

knowledge of areas such as human rights, the rights of the child and governmental institutions; second, students’ ability to analyse social situations related to citizenship

Outcomes related to c o m m u n i t y participation, learner confidence and life-long learning.

Academic achievement is often used as an indicator of school quality because it is easily measurable using standardized tests, while other outcomes may be more complex and less tangible. Such outcomes are possible to evaluate, however. One approach distinguishes four levels of citizenship education outcomes: first, students’

values; third, the degree to which students are able to work cooperatively and demonstrate curiosity and autonomy (an outcome related to teachers’ use of participative pedagogy); and fourth, the degree to which students demonstrate responsibility to each other and to the community (an outcome related to student and teacher participation in school management and decision making) (DeKetele, 2000).

Health outcomes.

Educational quality also implies positive outcomes for participants’ health.

Students should receive services to improve their health, such as treatment for illness and infection and school feeding

programmes to improve nutrition, as well as curricular content that increases their knowledge and affects their behaviour related to health and hygiene. General literacy and socialization provided by schools have been shown in particular to affect women’s maternal behaviour and reproductive health (LeVine, 2000).

Life skills and outcomes.

Psychosocial and interpersonal skills can be applied to many contexts

“Government alone cannot provide all that is needed for quality education. Everybody has something to contributegovernment, parents, students, NGOs, Religious Organizations, Industries, individuals etc. This is a task that must be done if the desired quality education is to be achieved in Nigeria.”

— HIV/AIDS prevention, drug abuse prevention, nutrition and hygiene behaviour and many non-health contexts as well. However, these skills are better assessed within a particular context.

Conclusion Bringing together the many dimensions that

contribute to educational quality — learners, environment, content, process, and outcomes — is a difficult task. It requires knowledge, resources, commitment and willingness to change.

These efforts must continue and expand if children’s right to quality education is to be ensured and fulfilled.

Government alone cannot provide all that is needed for quality education. Everybody has something to contributegovernment, parents, students, NGOs, Religious Organizations, Industries, individuals etc. This is a task that must be done if the desired quality education is to be achieved in Nigeria.

THE NIGERIAN

22

INFLATION refers to a persistent rise in the general price level. The price of most goods and services rise steadily but not necessarily at the same rate.

According to experts, inflation could also be referred to as a sign of an economy overheating.

During inflationary period, there is too much money in circulation and too much money choses fewer goods and services. In other words, large quality of money purchases fewer commodities.

The value of money therefore falls during inflation.

When inflation involves a slow but steady rise in general price level increase at a very rapid rate it is referred to as galloping inflation or hyper-inflation.

Reports have noted that as at July 2013, the inflation rate in Nigeria was recorded at 8.70 percent. Inflation rate in Nigeria is reported by the Nigeria National Bureau of Statistic (NBS) was on an average of 10.50 per cent from 2006 until 2013, reaching on all time high of 15.60 per cent in February 2010 and a record low of three per cent in July 2006.

In Nigeria, the consumer price index (CPI), measure the changes over time in price of 740 goods and services consumed by people for day-to-day living.

The index weights are based on expenditure of both urban and rural households in the 36 states.

The bureau said while changes in the headline index have remained in single digits for the seven consecutive months, price edged higher as a result of increase in all twelve classification of individual consumption. According to purpose (COICOP) Divisions. It highlighted that these increase were also exhibited in food and core sub-index.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

The core sub-index recorded its largest monthon-month change since the 1.4 per cent change recorded in January due to changes across some non-food subdivision food price as exhibited by the food subindex also continued to edge higher in July while market began to observe a trickle in all of newly harvested crops, their qualities have not been substantial to impact in the price, the bureau said.

Also, the composite food index increased year-onyear by 10.0 per cent and was at 148.4 point in July.

This was 0.4 percent point higher than the 9.6 per cent recorded in June.

On a month by basis, food sub-index increased by the same rate in July as in June 0.7 per cent.

“While there have been reports of the beginning of harvest of some crops, for example yam tubers, the impact on total supply chains remain relatively negligible to bring substantial relief of consumer due to tight supplies” explained NBS. This reduces economic need, it does not improve finance investment which boosts economic growth.

Similarly, inflation makes business plans difficult for the future. It is not easy to decide how much to produce, because business cannot predict the demand for their product at the higher price they will have to charge in order to cover their costs.

High inflation does not only disrupt the operation of a nation’s financial institutions and markets, it also discourages their integration with the rest of the world’s markets.

Inflation causes uncertainty about future prices, interest rates and exchange rates and this in turn increase the risk among potential trade partner and discourages trade as well as

Economy The Economic Implications Of Inflation commercial bank.

Furthermore, inflation rate affects all aspect of goods and services, the increase in price is almost every products or goods.

According to reports, inflation increases in the price of good, and services in may, this year, the inflation rate was about 9%

By WINIFRED OSASOBO

financing by government. If it is spent more than it received through tax and other sources. In order to finance the various development projects, the government could borrow more money, or the central Bank will print more money

goods is handicapped.

There are shortage of supply relative demand and the price of manufacture goods are high. Also, low productivity in the agricultural sector has led to a storage of essential food stuff as garri, rice, yam etc.

hurts retired people living on a fixed income. When there is price increase, the consumers cannot buy much goods as they could previously.

Inspite of all these problem brought by inflation, there are solutions set out for both demand and supply.

• Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Finance

• Sanusi Lamido, CBN Governor

but in July the annual inflation rate increased to 8.7 per cent from 8.4 per cent in June, mainly because of the higher food and house price yet, the quality of new harvested crops has not been enough to impact price and reduces. The inflation rate in the country.

Experts have noted the major causes of inflation in any country as: Excessive deficit: this is noted as one of the major causes financing and rapidly increasing government expenditure, they are deficit

this is due to problems of agricultural development such as poor climate conditions, limited use of modern farming techniques, storage of agricultural products, poor transportation, lack of supply of chemical fertilizer etc. storage of these food stuffs result in higher price.

Similarly, population increase in many west African countries, this means increased demand for goods and services since the number of consumer increase.

As the population increased, the demand if not matched by increases in food supplies tend to decreases the face of the rural-urban migration.

Therefore increase in price of others.

In this sense inflation is a monetary phenomenon. But its effect on the economy and investment bring distortion to the economy, it

to meet demands.

Sometimes, money are spent on projects which are non productive. This increases money in circulation. If the increasing amount of money is not matched by increased productivity, price will increase.

It causes low domestic productivity in both industrial development such as lack of capital, adequate manpower, poor electricity infrastructure, etc. the production of manufactured

“While there have been reports of the beginning of harvest of some crops, for example yam tubers, the impact on total supply chains remain relatively negligible to bring substantial relief of consumer due to tight supplies”

According to unescomigeriatue.org, inflation that relate to demand can be solved through fiscal policy, which simply means government’s use of tax (income) and expenditure policies to regulate the economy. It includes Taxation policy-(this is whereby the government increase taxes on income) and thus reducing the disposable income of people.

This will consequently reduce the demand for goods and services and subsequently a falling in prices.

Inflation is not a friendly phenomenon for any nation who which to develop in its economy, social and educational aspects in all its human capacity, most fight against any avenue in which inflation may penetrate to it nation and effective eradicate or reduce the rate of inflation in the country.

THE NIGERIAN

23

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013 With Danien Adizie 08076635886

Reflection

Nigeria @ 53: Celebration Of Freedom YOU will not understand the importance of good health until one day you find yourself on a sick bed. You will not know the importance of healthy teeth until you suffer from tooth ache. You will not even understand and appreciate the importance of freedom until one day you find yourself inside a prison wall or in spiritual bondage.

Those who knew when Nigeria was under colonial rule, when our tax money and other revenues were managed by the colonial masters; are the ones that know the importance of Independence. if you really know what our founding fathers went through before they were finally granted independence you will agree with me that1 st October to be celebrated by every Nigerian.

At times we, the younger generation, are tempted to ask, what are we actually celebrating on Independence Day? Is Nigeria truly an independent nation? What has 1st October to do with my life as a Nigeria? If Nigeria is truly an independent nation why are we still suffering? Why is it that some of our political leaders are making life so difficult for their citizens through taxation? Why are we fighting ourselves? Why Boko Harram?

Why kidnapping and robbery attacks by fellow Nigerians?

Why are we still going on strike? Is 1st October a day to celebrate the Independence of Nigeria and the freedom of Nigerians or has it become another special day for political rally? Apart from politicians, how many people are even ready and willing to celebrate the Nigerian independence? The nation Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians and should be celebrated by all Nigerians.

Gold is given to those who know the value. Not everyone understands the value of freedom and independence.

Without a good understanding of the value of freedom and independence we Nigerians will never appreciate what happened on 1st October 1960.

Without proper enlightenment Nigerians will continue to relegate the Independence Day to few politicians. The day the Nigerians will understand the importance of

national freedom that will be the day they will start celebrating Independence the way it is celebrated in most parts of the world.

Each time I reflect on national freedom as a value what normally comes to mind is the experience of the Israelite while they were in the land of Egypt and how God finally used Moses to liberate the Israelites from bondage and slavery. Before this liberation took place the writer of the book of Exodus narrated, “The Egyptians made the people of Israel to serve with rigour, and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field; in all their work they made them serve with rigour” (Exodus 1:14). The more they oppressed the Israelites the more they multiplied. At a stage the king of Egypt even gave an order that every male child born by the Hebrew women must be killed. It was indeed a horrible situation.

The Israelites were helpless.

When they finally discovered that they could not help themselves they cried to God: “The people of Israel groaned under their bondage, and cried out for help, and their cry under bondage came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob” (Exodus 2:23-24) It was then that God raised Moses to deliver the Israelites from bondage. Before this deliverance took place God told Moses, “I have seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and I have heard their cry because of their taskmasters; I know their sufferings, and I have come to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:7-8). That was exactly what God did. He delivered the Israelites from bondage. No wonder the psalmist wrote, “When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, it was like a dream” (Psalm 126:1). The day God will deliver you it will also be like a dream.

The situation of the Israelites in Egypt was comparatively the situation in

which Nigeria found itself during the colonial rule. If you really want to get a clearer picture of what it really means to be under bondage or under the colonial rule, then pick up the late Professor Achebe’s famous novel, Things Fall Apart. Try to read this novel if you haven’t. In this novel you will find how the colonial masters disorganized our people’s politician system and imposed their own system on them by force.

During the colonial rule the

African customs and traditions were destroyed by the colonial masters.

1st October 1960, the day Nigeria was finally declared an Independent nation, was like a dream for many Nigerians. Imagine what would have happened if people like Okonkwu and Obierika were to be alive the day Nigeria gained her Independence. imagine the kind of joy our founding fathers experienced when they finally got the Good News

must lie on it. My joy is that we can no longer blame the colonial Masters for our predicaments. We cannot blame them for present day bribery and corruption, mismanagement of public fund, political thurgery, etc.

We are in charge! And we now have ourselves to blame. After all, to whom much is given much is expected.

This year’s Independence celebration calls for sober reflection. We must ask ourselves honestly and

Above all, image a nation with the fear of the Lord; a nation where Jesus is made the centre and Saviour of our nation.

As you imagine these and many other wonderful things concerning Nigeria, always remember that change begins with the self. You may be the next Moses God can use to deliver Nigeria from bondage and distress. If Nigeria must move forward, child of God, you must move forward. If for instance according to record, there are one million

The Matron of Orphanage of the Holy Spirit cutting birthday cake as Nigeria celebrates independence

local chiefs, the traditional rulers and other prominent people in the traditional society were not regarded.

They were treated with disrespect and harshness.

Most of them were imprisoned and some of them like Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart hanged himself out of frustration. The lamentation of Obierika concerning the Whiteman says it all, “We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.” Indeed most traditional

that Nigeria was no longer under the colonial rule but is hereby declared an Independent Nation, a nation that can rule itself, a nation that is considered matured enough to manage its revenue and political affairs.

Only God knows, if Nigerians are beginning to enjoy the dividends of Independence and democracy.

But whatever be the case there is need for celebration. What then are we celebrating? We are celebrating our freedom!

Obi cannot remain a boy forever. Nigeria has finally gained her Independence. the ball is now in your court. As you make your bed, so you

“The situation of the Israelites in Egypt was comparatively the situation in which Nigeria found itself during the colonial rule. If you really want to get a clearer picture of what it really means to be under bondage or under the colonial rule, then pick up the late Professor Achebe’s famous novel, Things Fall Apart.”

realistically, since the white men left Nigeria what have we achieved? Are we moving forward or backward? Is Nigeria becoming more secured or insecure? Why are we still going on strike? With the level of fractions in our political parties and verbal and terrorists attacks can we still talk of a united Nigeria?

When will Nigeria finally get to its promised land?

As you reflect of these questions you can as well imagine and pray for a better Nigeria. You can imagine a situation where the nation’s revenue is distributed equitably to all parts of Nigeria. Try to imagine and pray for a nation where people are free to express themselves freely without any constraint whatsoever. Imagine a nation where the political leaders do not mystified themselves and their offices and are close to the people they are leading?

Imagine a nation with regular power and water supply.

Nigerians that are corrupt the day you will change the number will no longer be the same. Just because of you the number of corrupt people in Nigeria will then be less than one million.

Child of God, be proud of who you are. Be proud of where you come from. Do not regret being a Nigeria.

Traveling out of Nigeria or claiming dual citizenship will not solve the problem. It is not by accident that you were born a Nigeria. God brought you into this nation for a purpose. That purpose must sure be actualized in Jesus name. You are the change that Nigeria need desperately. Yes, you can make a difference.

You can start now! Be a good Nigeria. Be patriotic and righteous in the sight of God. As you do so you will be richly blessed in Jesus name – Amen!

Happy Independence!

THE NIGERIAN

24

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

International Afghan Military Faces Surge In Roadside Bombs

Gambia Exits Commonwealth BANJUL - The Gambian government announced that the former British colony is pulling out of the Commonwealth with immediate effect, saying it would “never be a member of any neo-colonial institution”.

“The general public is hereby informed that the government of the Gambia has left the Commonwealth of Nations with immediate effect,” it said in a statement. “(The) government has withdrawn its membership of the British Commonwealth and decided that the Gambia will never be a member of any neocolonial institution and will never be a party to any institution that represents an extension of colonialism.”

The Commonwealth bloc is a voluntary association of more than 50 countries, many of them former territories of the British empire.

No further details were given but a foreign ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that the decision came after the government rejected a proposal by the Commonwealth last year to create commissions in Banjul to protect human rights, media rights and fight against corruption.

The proposal followed an April 2012 visit to the Gambia

by Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma, during which he met with President Yahya Jammeh and other top government officials.

Jammeh, who is regularly accused of rights abuses, has ruled mainland Africa’s smallest country with an aura of mysticism and an iron fist since seizing power in 1994.

Earlier this year, the Gambia was singled out for its poor rights record in Britain’s annual Human Rights and Democracy report, which cited cases of unlawful detentions, illegal closures of newspapers and radio stations and discrimination against minority groups.

Putin, Obama To Discuss Sysria

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama may discuss the Syria crisis on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific summit next week in Bali, a Kremlin aide said on Thursday.

“It would be rather logical to meet (Obama) in Bali, taking into account the work on the Syrian issue,” Putin’s top foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, told reporters.

He said U.S. and Russian officials were discussing arrangements for a possible meeting during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Putin is expected to leave Moscow for the Indonesian island of Bali on Sunday.

Russia, which is Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s main ally, and the United States have long been at odds over the conflict in Syria.

But the two countries, which are permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, agreed last month on a plan for the Syrian government to hand over its chemical weapons and are trying to arrange an international peace conference.

Afghan soldier Ali Raza, 30, uses an x-ray machine during an IED, or improvised explosive device, defusing training exercise in Jalalabad east of Kabul, Afghanistan. After 12 years of war, roadside bombs are the No. 1 killer, claiming thousands of lives every year.

GARDEZ - Raqam Jan was at home on furlough after two years of fighting for the Afghan army when he stepped out of his house and onto a homemade mine. It had been planted not just to kill him but to send a message to his fellow villagers about the perils of serving in the Afghan security forces.

Recovering from shrapnel wounds to his legs in a military hospital in Gardez, near the border with Pakistan, the 24year-old private vented his frustration with the Taliban’s increasing use of what the U.S. military calls IEDs, or improvised explosive devices.

“Fighting them face-to-face is not a problem for us; our weakness is mines, we have some weakness countering mines,” Jan said.

After 12 years of war, roadside bombs are the No. 1 killer, claiming thousands of lives every year. And as foreign troops wind down operations in preparation for their withdrawal

Shutdown: Obama, Congress Fail To Resolve Impass WASHINGTON— The government limped into a third day of partial shutdown Thursday after a White House meeting among President Barack Obama and top congressional leaders yielded no signs of progress but plenty of evidence that Democrats and Republicans remained riven over a dispute that has idled hundreds of thousands of federal workers and curtailed services nationwide.

“The House could act today to reopen the government and stop the harm this shutdown is causing to the economy and families across the country,” the White House said in a written statement after the session. In a jab at the GOP-led chamber, it added, “The president remains hopeful that common sense will prevail.”

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, complained to reporters that Obama had said anew that “he will not negotiate.” Boehner made clear that curbing the health care overhaul that Obama pushed into law three years ago remains part of the price for returning 800,000 furloughed federal workers to their jobs and resuscitating programs ranging from feeding pregnant women to staffing Internal Revenue Service call centers.

“All we’re asking for here is a discussion and fairness for the American people under Obamacare,” Boehner said, using the name Republicans often use for the 2010 law.

Wednesday’s lack of progress did little to dispel the widening impression that the dispute could persist into mid-October and become tangled with an even more consequential battle.

The Obama administration has said Congress must renew the government’s authority to borrow money by Oct. 17 or risk a first-ever federal default, which many economists say would dangerously jangle the world economy.

The shutdown stalemate is already rattling investors. Stock markets in the U.S. and overseas faded Wednesday, and

Europe’s top central banker, Mario Draghi, called the shutdown “a risk if protracted.”

Leading financial executives met with Obama, and one, Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein, said politicians should not use a potential default “as a cudgel.”

On Thursday, Republicans planned to continue pursuing their latest strategy: muscling bills through the House that would restart some popular programs.

Votes were on tap for restoring funds for veterans and paying members of the National Guard and Reserves. On Wednesday, the chamber voted to finance the national parks and biomedical research and let the District of Columbia’s municipal government spend federally controlled dollars.

Democrats demanded that the entire government be reopened, and the White House and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, DNev., made clear that the GOP’s narrower bills have no chance of survival. They said the strategy showed that Republicans were buckling under public pressure, with Rep. Louise Slaughter, DN.Y., saying groups like veterans were being “used as a pawn in this cynical political game.”

Republicans countered that Democrats were being inflexible and were to blame for the continued closure of programs the GOP was trying to reopen. A favorite target was Reid, who has made clear that the Senate will be a graveyard for the Republican effort.

“The Senate’s refusal to work with the House is an all-time low,” Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., said.

Reid told reporters that Obama and Democrats are “locked in tight” on not diluting the health care law. And the White House said that during his meeting with congressional leaders, Obama repeated his refusal to negotiate over extending the government’s debt limit. The White House said Obama believed it was Congress’ job “to pay the bills it has racked up and spare the nation from a devastating default.”

In an interview afterward,

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., scoffed at the president’s stance.

“He can’t get his way exactly the way he wants it because he doesn’t control the entire government,” McConnell said on CNBC’s “The Kudlow Report.”

Democrats continued lambasting Boehner and freshman Sen. Ted Cruz, RTexas, the tea party hero who has helped sell fellow conservatives in both chambers on keeping the government shuttered until Obama retreats on his coveted health care law.

“Sadly, he’s become a puppet,” Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said of Boehner, “with Ted Cruz pulling the strings.”

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and other House conservatives said they met with Cruz and other Senate conservatives Wednesday to update each other on what was happening.

“We think we just have to keep talking about our message, which is real simple: ‘Treat people fairly,’” Jordan said.

Republican leaders and many

rank-and-file GOP lawmakers, especially in the Senate, had been reluctant to link demands for curbing the health care law to legislation keeping government open, concerned that voters would blame Republicans for any shutdown.

But Wednesday, Republicans solidly opposed an unsuccessful Democratic move to force the House to vote on a Senate-passed bill keeping government open until Nov. 15 without any strings on the health care law.

“Now that we’ve jumped off the cliff, lit ourselves on fire, we’ve entered the valley of death,” said Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., who has criticized the conservatives’ strategy. “So now we’ve got to keep running and we have to hold together.”

The House has approved legislation keeping the entire government funded through Dec. 15. It also would impose a one-year delay in the health care law’s requirement that individuals buy health insurance, which would threaten to cripple the program, and block federal subsidies for health coverage bought by lawmakers and their staff.

in 15 months, insurgents are using an ever larger number of these explosives to assert their grip and recapture territory.

Afghan and coalition military officials say their enemy is resorting to hidden bombs because it can’t take on the Afghan security forces in open battle. Now they are equipping Afghan forces with metal detectors and specialized vehicles to clear roads, and running a school for bomb squads.

Gen. Mohammad Sharif Yaftali, commander of Afghanistan’s 203rd Thunder Corps, said these soldiers and police are neutralizing 90 percent of the IEDs they find.

New Leak At Fukushima Nuclear Plant

TOKYO - Another leak of radioactive water has been found at Fukushima, the plant’s Japanese operator said Thursday, the latest setback for the troubled clean-up at the broken nuclear power station.

Tokyo Electric Power said highly-polluted water, which spilled out of a storage tank as it was being filled, may have made its way out to the Pacific Ocean.

The utility, whose efforts to fix the mess at Fukushima have been derided as sloppy, said 430 litres (110 US gallons) with a radioactive load of up to 580,000 becquerels per litre, had leaked from one of the 450-tonne tanks because of recent typhoonbrought heavy rainfall.

A spokesman said it was possible “contaminated water may well have flowed into the sea.”

The tank holds water filtered to remove caesium but still containing strontium, an element that accumulates in bones and can cause cancer, if consumed.

The contamination level of the water in the new leak compares with government limits of 100 becquerels per kilogramme in food and 10 becquerels per litre in drinking water.

TEPCO has found increasing difficulty in dealing with waste water at the plant, which ran out of control following a huge earthquake and tsunami in 2011.

The company poured thousands of tonnes of water onto runaway reactors to tame them and continues to douse them to keep them cool.

Image provided by TEPCO on September 26, 2013 shows a broken silt fence (yellow floats) at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

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International Features

Turkey Questions EU Future

TURKEY has been trying for years to join the European Union, presenting itself as a growing economic and political power and a bridge to Asian and Middle Eastern markets.

But the next country to join the EU’s existing 28 members is more likely to be one of six small Balkan countries, five of which still formed part of Yugoslavia when Turkey made its first membership bid.

Several powerful EU states are reluctant to open the door to a large, mainly Muslim country, even a member of the NATO Western military alliance, fearing a troublesome integration whereas small countries have a track record of smooth accession.

While the EU focuses its attention elsewhere, the Turkish government and public are increasingly despondent and have started to wonder whether it really needs Europe after all.

“I guess that nobody wants to say that we are not going to continue with the accession process, neither the EU nor Turkey,” said Turkey’s ambassador to the EU, Selim Yenel, speaking at a Brussels think-tank in September.

“But there will be one day in which we will have to decide on what to do about it, because this is going nowhere.”

Joining the EU can bring the benefits of easy access to the world’s largest trading bloc, free movement of workers, funding for poorer regions and infrastructure and the chance to belong to a relatively stable political

union.

Over the next decade or so, Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania, Bosnia and Kosovo may all be able to take advantage of those perks, following Slovenia and Croatia to a spot on the members’ list.

Meanwhile Turkey’s membership bid has been virtually frozen for three years, held back by political obstacles and resistance in some EU countries, including Germany, France and Austria.

Support for EU membership among the Turkish public fell to 44 percent this year from 73 percent in 2004, according to a recent German Marshall Fund report.

Ankara’s chief EU negotiator Egemen Bagis said last month his country would probably never join the EU because of the attitudes of the bloc’s existing members.

GEOGRAPHY A senior official with direct knowledge of enlargement discussions said EU leaders were not focused on Turkey which would be the most populous member, giving it the largest share of seats in the European Parliament and influence across Europe’s institutions.

“There is a real openness to enlargement to the Balkans and further east (in eastern Europe),” the official said, pointing out that “six or seven” countries in the region could ultimately become members, boosting the EU’s total to 34 or 35 states.

“The Western Balkans are very close to Europe. But Turkey is qualitatively different for all sorts of reasons. It’s an issue of geography, the fact that it is a Muslim country, the fact that public opinion in some

for a political party to enter parliament, was welcomed by the European Commission.

The steps, designed to salvage a peace process with Kurdish insurgents, could help Turkey get

the overall picture of a stuttering negotiation.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives oppose Turkish EU membership on the grounds that its size would “overburden” the bloc. While she may be forced into a coalition with the Social Democrats or the Greens who want the EU to continue accession talks with Turkey, it is not a top priority.

• Recep Typ Erdogan, Turkey Prime Minister

member states is very strongly against it becoming a member.”

Turkey is still trying to win favor in Brussels. A package of reforms unveiled on Monday, including allowing education in languages other than Turkish at nonstate schools and a possible lowering of the threshold

higher marks in the Commission’s annual progress report due on October 16, helping its prospects of winning approval from EU states to open talks on a new policy area, known as a chapter, towards membership.

But opening a new chapter - one of 35 it must complete - will not change

“Turkey is starting to look at what a relationship with the EU would look like if membership does not look achievable.

Turkish-EU ties are already strong. A U.S. ally which joined NATO in 1952 and is a committed member of the Western alliance with its second-largest deployable military force, Turkey is a valuable foreign policy partner.”

Some EU states, including Britain, strongly support Turkey’s membership bid, seeing the addition of a dynamic economy and a powerful player in Middle East politics as a benefit for the EU. Marietje Schaake, a Dutch liberal member of the European Parliament, believes the EU must continue to work on Turkish accession while pushing for reforms.

“Our relationship is going through difficult times ... but as a trade partner, as a NATO ally, as a neighbor in a complicated Middle East, we must be aware of the importance of the relationship between the EU and Turkey,” she said.

“It doesn’t mean that we

should be without criticism.”

Rights group Amnesty International accused Turkish authorities on Wednesday of committing human rights violations on a massive scale in their attempts to crush protests earlier this year, a report likely to be used as ammunition by those skeptical of Turkish membership.

Turkey became an associate of the bloc in the 1960s but accession talks launched in 2005 got bogged down in a dispute over the divided island of Cyprus, an EU member Diplomats say making progress on reuniting Cyprus at talks this month could be the key to moving talks forward.

ALTERNATIVES Turkey is starting to look at what a relationship with the EU would look like if membership does not look achievable.

Turkish-EU ties are already strong. A U.S. ally which joined NATO in 1952 and is a committed member of the Western alliance with its secondlargest deployable military force, Turkey is a valuable foreign policy partner.

Trade and economic partnerships are also close.

Yenel, the Turkish ambassador, was confident these ties would continue regardless of whether Turkey joins the bloc.

“The intrinsic link, the complex link with the EU will continue no matter what,” he said.

But if talks on Cyprus fail, Ankara should recognize its EU membership bid has stalled and tell Brussels what it wants instead, for example a free trade agreement, to replace the existing customs union, Yenel said.

Chief negotiator Bagis

was also confident that the EU and Turkey would continue to work side by side.

“In the long run I think Turkey will end up like Norway. We will be at European standards, very closely aligned but not as a member,” he said.

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International Features TOP U.S. intelligence officials are revealing more about their spying in an effort to defend the National Security Agency from charges that it has invaded the privacy of Americans on a mass scale. Yet the latest disclosure — the NSA tried to track Americans’ cellphone locations — has only added to the concerns of lawmakers.

NSA chief Gen. Keith Alexander told Congress on Wednesday that his spy agency ran tests in 2010 and 2011 to see if it was technically possible to gather U.S. cell-site data, which can show where a cellphone user traveled. The information was never used, Alexander said, and the testing was reported to congressional intelligence committees.

Alexander also defended his agency, denying reports that it has mined Americans’ social media. He also detailed 12 previously revealed cases of abuse by NSA employees who used the network to spy on a spouse or conduct other unsanctioned missions. He said all the employees, with one exception, were disciplined.

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper joined Alexander in testifying at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on proposed reforms to the NSA’s surveillance of phone and Internet usage around the world, exposed in June by former NSA systems analyst Edward Snowden.

Congress is considering changes in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which some believe allows the NSA too much freedom in gathering U.S. phone and Internet data as part of spying on targets overseas. But neither spy chief spent much time

More About US Spy Programme

discussing the proposed reforms. Instead, lawmakers questioned them about newly reported abuses.

“We only work within the law,” Clapper said. “On occasion, we’ve made mistakes, some quite significant. ... Whenever we found such mistakes, we’ve reported, addressed and corrected them.”

Alexander described the testing of gathering Americans’ cellphone data, but he said the NSA did not use the data collected and does not use that capability now. The agency leaves it to the FBI to build a criminal

right now because when we identify a number, we give it to the FBI,” he said.

“When they get their probable cause, they can get the locational data.”

Alexander said if the NSA thought it needed to track someone that way, it would go back to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court — the secret court that authorizes its spying missions — for approval.

The NSA reported the U.S. cell data tests to the House and Senate intelligence committees, Alexander said, and that the data was never used for intelligence

hypothetically.

Only last week, Alexander refused to answer questions from Sen. Ron Wyden, DOre., about whether his agency had ever collected or planned to collect such cellsite data, saying it was classified. In his testimony Wednesday, the general said the NSA had released the information in letters to the intelligence committees ahead of the Judiciary Committee meeting.

Wyden was not satisfied with Alexander’s answer.

“After years of stonewalling on whether the government has ever tracked

when the truth would not compromise national security,” Wyden said.

In his defense of the NSA, Alexander denied a New York Times report Saturday that said the NSA searched social networks of Americans.

He acknowledged his agency collects data from social networks and other commercial databases to hunt foreign terror suspects but said it is not using the information to build private files on Americans. He said the operations are only used in pursuing foreign agents and sweeping up

National Intelligence Director James Clapper listens at left, as National Security Agency Director Gen. Keith Alexander testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act . U.S. intelligence officials say the government shutdown is seriously damaging the intelligence community’s ability to guard against threats.

or foreign intelligence case against a suspect and to track the suspect, he said.

“This may be something that is a future requirement for the country, but it is not

analysis. He did not say how many Americans’ cellphones were tracked, however, or why his agency thought it might need that capability even

or planned to track the location of law-abiding Americans through their cellphones, once again, the intelligence leadership has decided to leave most of the real story secret — even

information on Americans if they are connected to those suspects by phone calls or other data.

Alexander said that not all social network searches are

authorized by the secret FISA court, but he added that the agency’s searches are proper and audited internally. The authority flows from an executive order on national security dating to the Reagan administration in 1981, he said, adding: “It allows us to understand what the foreign nexus is.”

Alexander called the Times report on the searches “inaccurate and wrong.” The Times reported that the NSA was exploiting huge collections of personal data to create sophisticated graphs of some Americans’ social connections. The newspaper said the private data included Facebook posts and banking, flight, GPS location and voting records.

Alexander and Clapper also told lawmakers that the government shutdown that began Tuesday is seriously damaging the intelligence community’s ability to guard against threats. They said that they’re keeping counterterrorism staff at work as well as those providing intelligence to troops in Afghanistan, but that some 70 percent of the civilian workforce has been furloughed.

Clapper said he has tried to keep on enough employees to guard against “imminent threats to life or property” but may have to call more back to work if the shutdown continues.

“The danger here ... will accumulate over time. The damage will be insidious,” Clapper said. He raised the specter of treason, saying financial stress could make his intelligence officers vulnerable to being bought off by foreign spies.

“After years of stonewalling on whether the government has ever tracked or planned to track the location of law-abiding Americans through their cellphones, once again, the intelligence leadership has decided to leave most of the real story secret — even when the truth would not compromise national security”

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Magpies Look To Bounce Back In Cardiff

Hammers Face In-Form Spurs WEST Ham will be hoping to rid themselves of their slow start to the Premier League campaign when they face third-placed Tottenham Hotspurs on Sunday afternoon.

West Ham finished 10th last season, but they have struggled so far this term, winning just one of their opening six fixtures.

Their cause hasn’t been aided by the absence of injured striker Andy Carroll (Achilles), and in his non-attendance they have only managed to find the back of the net just five times.

And to make matters worse, they will have to face an in-form Tottenham side before coming up against Manchester City soon after.

However, captain Kevin Nolan has attempted to woo the woes by suggesting there is no reason to panic, yet.

“We can’t afford to panic. We understand the position we’re in. I’ve been in this type of position at this stage of the season before,” he told West Ham’s official website.

“At the minute, things are just not falling for us and refereeing decisions are absolutely killing us.

“Tottenham are in a great run of form but it’s a local derby and we’re going to go there with nothing to lose and have a good go at them.

“Hopefully it’ll be the start of the little run that we need.”

In contrast, Andre-Villas Boas’ side have accumulated four wins from six encounters have only tasted defeat just once so far.

West Ham will be praying that the Lilywhites arrive into the game carrying a certain element of fatigue and jetlag as they will face Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala in an Europa league encounter on Thursday evening.

NEWCASTLE United will be eager to bounce back from two consecutive defeats in the Barclays Premier league when they travel to Wales to face newly-promoted Cardiff City at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon, kick off at 16h00 (CAT).

The Magpies slumped to their second successive 3-2 defeat on Monday evening on the road at Goodison Park. The loss meant that the Tyneside club slid down to 16th place on the Premier League log after looking certain to break into the top eight two weeks ago.

Newcastle looked to have turned their fortunes around with back-to-back victories over Fulham and Aston Villa, but the Tyneside club squandered a 2-0 lead to go down 3-2 at home against Hull City before losing to Everton by the same score line.

Cardiff City, on the other hand, head into the fixture on

• Sir Alex Ferguson

David Beckham’s Focus Changed - Fergie

SIR Alex Ferguson claims David Beckham’s focus changed from football to the celebrity lifestyle when he married wife Victoria.

Ferguson revealed in the same interview with US TV network PBS on Tuesday night that he was offered a chance to become Chelsea boss when Roman Abramovich arrived, but turned it down.

And, in a transcript of the PBS interview published by The Times, the Scot added that his relationship with Beckham changed after he married Victoria, a former Spice Girl, causing United to eventually sell him to Real Madrid.

“As a young kid when I got him at 12 years of age his great desire was [to play] some of the

best football,” Ferguson said.

“He was a fantastic trainer, practised all the time. At nighttime he would come by with the schoolboys and practise with them. And he was in that collection.

“And then of course, his life changed, when he married the girl from The Spice Girls, yeah.

And his focus changed.

“He got drawn into that

celebrity status, you know? And for me, I’m a football man. I’m a football man. He lost the focus. And when we sold him to Real Madrid, he did well.”

Ferguson also paid tribute to the way in which Beckham reinvented himself when he left Old Trafford, insisting that he was somewhat shocked by his decision to carry on his career in Major League Soccer with the

Tottenham Not Getting Carried Away - Holtby

TOTTENHAM Hotspur midfielder Lewis Holtby insists his side aren’t getting carried away by talk of a title challenge.

Despite the North London side’s solid start to the season which sees them occupy third spot on the Barclays Premier League table after six rounds of fixtures, Holtby insists Spurs’ main target is still ending in the Champions League spots.

Spurs’ winter signings have adapted well to North London, as life after the world’s most expensive player in Gareth Bale doesn’t seem to look too bad.

Talking to Mail Online, Holtby explained that Spurs’ main aim is to ensure Champions League qualification rather than ending their 52-year wait for

a league championship title.

“Everyone can dream, but our main aim is to get Champions League football.

I think we’ve got the quality and the ability in the whole squad to do that, I’m very confident,” said Holtby.

“It’s a long season and everyone has to be at the top level to reach that.”

Los Angeles Galaxy.

“I couldn’t believe that he goes to LA Galaxy. I couldn’t believe that. I couldn’t understand that. I would never do that, you know?” he added.

“If I was going to go, I would be making sure he would go to the best, and Real Madrid was the best, I would say, and United.

“But he reinvented himself.

He goes and plays for the English national team for a couple more years. He goes and plays for AC Milan [in the] European Cup. He’s unbelievable. He really is — and good, well done to him. You can’t argue with the status he has in life.’’

Chelsea To Rival Arsenal CHELSEA and Arsenal are For Draxler set to battle it out over the signing of Julian Draxler; Juventus are targeting Romelu Lukaku; and Arsenal are preparing to offer Arsene a bigmoney deal to stay at the Emirates - here are the main stories making headlines in this morning’s papers.

London clubs eye Draxler: Chelsea have joined the race to sign Germany wunderkind

• Ju Uan Draxler

Wenger To Discuss Three-Year Deal ARSENE Wenger is set for talks over a new three-year contract at Arsenal, according to the Daily Mail and Daily Mirror.

Wenger’s current contract expires at the end of the 201314 season, but the Frenchman recently indicated he is open to agreeing an extension, while majority shareholder Stan Kroenke echoed those

the back of a 2-1 win at Fulham.

The victory, which was the Bluebirds’ second of the campaign and their first away from home, propelled the Welsh side into 11th spot on the log, one point above defending champions Manchester United.

Cardiff coach Malky Mackay will fancy his side’s chances against a wounded Newcastle outfit having already beaten Manchester City on their home turf this season.

The Bluebirds also came close to holding Tottenham Hotspur at home, but Paulinho scored late to steal all three points for the North London club.

Magpies boss Alan Pardew has urged his side to “work like they have never worked before” when they face their Welsh counterparts as they look to get back to winning ways.

Yohan Cabaye and Loic Remy will be instrumental if the Magpies are to leave Cardiff with all three points.

Cabaye showed his worth to the side when he came on as a second half substitute in the game against Everton, scoring within six minutes of arriving on the pitch.

Remy, on the other hand, has scored three goals in the last two games. French midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa will also cause the Cardiff defence some problems if he gets into his stride.

City will be looking to the likes of Gary Medel and Nigerian forward Peter Odemwingie.

Medel has been arguably the Bluebirds’ best player this season, showing his class not only in holding the midfield together, but also in constructing an attack.

sentiments.

The Frenchman said last week: “Honestly, I would love to be here forever because it would mean I am immortal.”

The 63-year-old’s future at Emirates Stadium was the subject of conjecture last season until a strong end to the campaign clinched Champions League qualification.

The club have since been boosted by the £42.5 million signing of Mesut Ozil, who has helped the Gunners put together ten straight wins in all competitions, including their Capital One Cup penalty shoot-out win over West Brom.

And it is claimed Wenger is set to be rewarded for Arsenal’s upturn in fortunes,

with the Daily Mail and Daily Mirror both reporting he will receive a “£500,000-per-year increase” to his existing terms, making the deal worth £24 million over three years.

The newspapers also suggest Arsenal will be active in the January transfer window after they failed to bring in a striker during the summer.

Julian Draxler, after the Schalke midfielder again impressed in the Champions League this week. The Daily Star reports that Jose Mourinho is keen on landing the 20-year-old, who was being tracked by Arsenal and Manchester City over the summer.

Paper Round’s view: Draxler has just signed a new deal, ‘tying’ him to the Bundesliga club until 2018, but since when has a long-term deal been a barrier to a transfer in modernday football? As such, a hefty bid from either club - or even City - could tempt the German club into parting ways. The player himself admitted in the summer that a move to England would be enticing, according to the report, and a summer move could well materialise if either side stumps up £25m.

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Inter Eyeing First Roma Defeat

Manchester City’s Micah Richards (left) and Luis Fernandinho (right) battle for the ball with Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery

SITTING two points shy of Roma on the Serie A log, Inter will hope to become the first team to inflict defeat on the Giallorossi this season.

Kick-off at the San Siro on Saturday evening will be at 20h45 (CAT).

The Nerazzurri’s only blemish on an otherwise perfect start to the new campaign may have come in a 1-1 draw to defending Champions Juventus, but their form will certainly be put to the test when they welcome a revitalized Roma side.

Rudi Garcia’s Lupi are the sole leaders on the log and are the only team to have taken maximum points off all their adversaries.

Not only are the Romans winning, but they are playing attractive football too and that has been aided by Francesco Totti, Lorenzo Florenzi and Gervinho’s attacking combination up front.

Brilliant Bayern Leave City In Ruins

BAYERN Munich dominated Manchester City to take all three points at the Etihad Stadium, while Manchester United claimed a draw from their trip to Shakhtar Donetsk. Elsewhere, Real Madrid recorded another big victory as they faced Copenhagen, while Juventus were held at home to Galatasaray and Paris Saint-Germain won big against Benfica.

Franck Ribery gave Manchester City Bayern the lead after six slumped to a 3-1 home minutes when his powerful defeat as Bayern Munich shot beat Joe Hart at his put on a masterclass to near post, with the City maintain their perfect start goalkeeper getting a strong to the defence of their hand onto the effort but European crown.

Juventus Welcome Balotelli - Less Milan

A Mario Balotelli-less Milan will be hoping to defy the odds and inflict a first defeat on Juventus this season when they meet on Sunday.

In a rare occasion both Milan and Juventus will come into the game fresh off similar results in their UEFA Champions League outings in the midweek.

The Bianconeri were stunned

by Roberto Mancini’s new Galatasaray on Wednesday evening in which they clawed their way from a two-goal deficit to salvage a late 2-2 draw.

Arturo Vidal narrowed the deficit with his second-half penalty, while Fabio Quagliarella ensured Juventus made it two successive draws in Europe with a late 87th minute goal.

Similarly, Milan needed a stoppage time penalty by Balotelli to deny Ajax Amsterdam of what they thought would be a late victory after Stefano Denswil scored on the 90.

The former Manchester City man made it 22 goals out of 23 penalties taken, but on Sunday he will be forced to watch from the sidelines as he fills out the last of his three-match ban in

the league.

However, on a domestic front, the two outfits have travelled on contrasting paths of form.

Milan have struggled to find any form of consistency and sit ninth on the log, while the Old Lady have stormed into jointsecond place and sit two points shy of leaders, Roma.

And defender Philippe Mexes believes that Milan need to work on specific aspects of their game after conceding similar goals week in and week out.

“We must pay more attention to the dead-balls. We didn’t pay enough attention to these and must improve this aspect if we want to go forward,” he said in reflection to the game against Ajax.

“AC Milan can always comeback from doing bad in the standings. However, we shouldn’t have come to this point.

“The amount of effort in the Netherlands is positive and important for the classification of the group. We are absolutely not satisfied with the draw, as our intention was to win. There are another 12 points to play for, so we have to give more to qualify without problems.”

being unable to prevent the ball from hitting the back of the net.

Thomas Muller then doubled the lead for Bayern ten minutes into the second half as Hart was exposed at the back, with Gael Clichy suffering a lapse in concentration to leave the Germany international unmarked.

Arjen Robben added a third four minutes later as Hart was once again beaten at his near post.

Alvaro Negredo came off the bench to net a consolation for City, spinning his marker and curling his effort beyond Manuel Neuer in the 79th minute.

Jerome Boateng was given a straight red card for bringing down Yaya

Toure after denying the City man a clear goalscoring opportunity, but from the resulting freekick David Silva struck the crossbar.

David Moyes came within 15 minutes of a morale-boosting victory, but Manchester United were pegged back for a 11 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk in their Champions League Group A encounter in Ukraine.

Danny Welbeck had struck in the first half to put United ahead, but Taison equalised in the 75th minute to ensure honours were even. There was even a late scare for United as Taison’s cross deflected off Chris Smalling, forcing David de

streak in La Liga when they host Real Valladolid at the Camp Nou on Saturdaynight.

The Catalans have won all seven of their league fixtures so far this season and defeated Almeria 2-0 in their last league encounter to remain at the top of the log standings with 21 points from seven matches.

Gerardo Martino’s side are also unbeaten in at home in their last 25 La Liga matches, a record they will look to maintain against a Valladolid side that hasn’t managed a

victory in their last four matches.

The Pucela will go into this clash on the back of consecutive draw as they played to a 1-1 draw against Levante before they were held to a 2-2 stalemate at home by Malaga.

Barcelona will go into this clash without star forward Lionel Messi, who is currently out with a thigh injury, but midfielder Andres Iniesta is confident that the team will continue from their hard-fought 1-0 win over Celtic in a midweek

Gea into a fine stop.

The match also saw Ryan Giggs become the all-time record holder for appearances in the competition when he came on as a substitute midway through the second half.

It proved to be the case when Roma ousted Bologna 5-0 on Sunday evening, with the Gervinho striking a double to confirm the victory.

The French tactician has managed to rediscover the form of the Ivoirian international and he will no doubt be looking to terrorize Inter’s backline, who have only conceded three times in their first six domestic fixtures.

And defender Hugo Campagnaro is playing down the mighty challenge that lies ahead of them: “I do not think more about Roma than I have done with any other opponent, as we are still in the beginning of the season.

“We know what kind of team Roma is and we respect them, but right now we need to think of ourselves and focus on making our play work even better. We know that they have a strong team, they score plenty of goals and let in very few.

“We are not worried by this, but we know that we will have to work hard.

“Roma has always been good at finding new players that do well for the team, and this year I am impressed with [Mehdi] Benatia and [Morgan] De Sanctis, a big reason why Roma doesn’t concede much.”

Lazio Captain Mauri Incures Ban Increase

LAZIO captain Stefano Mauri has had his ban for failing to report match-fixing increased to nine months after losing an appeal against the original sixmonth suspension. taly’s federal court of appeal (CGF) increased the ban on Thursday and said that a 40,000 euro (£33,500) fine imposed on Lazio would be increased to 50,000 (£41,940) euro, the Italian soccer federation (FIGC) said in a statement.

“The CGF... rejects the appeals of the footballer Stefano Mauri and of Lazio football club,” it said.

The player’s legal team, who described the ruling as “not only unjust but incomprehensible”,

Confident Barca Prepare For League clash.

BARCELONA will look Valladolid Champions “It’s not easy when a team to extend their winning defends well,” said Iniesta.

“We moved the ball quickly, we created chances, we always try to minimise the chances our opponents make.

“The team is continuing to grow in the idea of how we’d like to play and in confidence.

I think that our hopes and eagerness are intact and we hope to continue like this.”

Valladolid are currently in 16th place on the table with six points from seven matches, their only win of the season being the 1-0 home victory over Getafe back in August.

have 10 days to contest the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

“After prison, house arrest, allegations of illegal sports betting ban and after two degrees in front of the sports justice, I am paying for my friendship with Alessandro Zamperini with nine months disqualification,” the midfielder wrote on his own website (www.smauri.it) on Friday.

Zamperini was banned from the game for seven years for his role in the “calcioscommesse” scandal. During his testimony he claimed that Mauri was not involved in match-fixing.

Mauri, 33, had initially been banned for six months by the football federation for keeping quiet about match-fixing in Lazio’s game against Lecce in May 2011.

The midfielder was one of eight players accused of sporting fraud relating to the Lecce match and a game against Genoa, both of which ended in 4-2 wins to the Rome side.

Stefan Mauri.

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Basel Face UEFA Action After Protest

UEFA has charged FC Basel with “inadequate organisation” after their Champions League tie at home to Schalke was interrupted by a Greenpeace protest against competition sponsors Gazprom.

Activists descended from the roof at St. Jakob-Park shortly after kick-off and unveiled a banner protesting the Russian-owned company — the largest extractor of natural gas in the world — which also sponsors Schalke.

The banner read: “Gazprom, don’t foul the Arctic.”

It is reported that the activists likely accessed the stadium roof through an adjacent apartment building.

A Greenpeace statement explaining the incident read: “With this action, the defenders of the Arctic showed the red card to the Russian sponsors of the Champions League and German club, and to their oildrilling and dirty tricks in the

Jurgen Klopp’s UCL Ban Extended UEFA have banned Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp for a second game, Borussia Dortmund have confirmed on their website.

Klopp was banned for an initial game following his sending off during Dortmund’s 2-1 Champions League defeat at Napoli, where he subjected the fourth official to a torrent of abuse after Gonzalo Higuain opened the scoring for the Italian side.

On Thursday, the UEFA disciplinary commission banned Klopp for a second game, after he sat out his obligatory one-match ban against Marseille on Tuesday.

“I don’t need that all the time,” Klopp said following the 3-0 victory over Marseille. “When a game runs into the direction like today, I am able to cope with it.”

Klopp will now miss Dortmund’s away game at Arsenal, with his assistant Zeljko Buvac taking control from the sidelines again. In an official statement Dortmund said that they are currently “examining” whether to appeal against the ban or not.

Arctic.”

Schalke general manager Horst Heldt said he understood the protest, which briefly held up his side’s 1-0 victory, but the Swiss champions now face the prospect of disciplinary action for failing to prevent it. Basel president Bernhard Heusler told the media on Wednesday that it was unfair that the game had been abused as a vehicle for political protest and he felt his club were victims.

Stadium operator Basel United has filed criminal charges against 17 people accused of participating in the incident for trespassing.

Tennis

Serena Passes Kirilenko Test To Reach China Quarters

• Emenike takes on Ethiopian defence at AFCON

2014 World Cup Playoff

Ghana Names Team for Egypt Clash GHANA’s coach Kwesi Appiah on Wednesday in Accra named a 25-man squad for the first leg tie of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Playoff fixture against Egypt.

The match is scheduled for the central Ghanaian city of Kumasi.

The list released by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) however does not have any local player.

The squad has recalled goalkeeper Richard Kingson, midfielders Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari, and striker Jordan Ayew.

Kingson has been called up for the first time in two years after he lost his first spot to Adam Kwarasey, who plays for Stromgodset in Norway.

The following is the full list: Goalkeepers: Fatau Dauda (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Adam Kwarasey (Stromgodset, Norway), Richard Kingson (Doxa Katokopias, Cyprus).

Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (Dnipro, Ukraine), Daniel Opare (Standard Liege, Belgium), David Addy (Vitoria Guimaraes, Portugal), Baba AbdulRahman (Greuther Furth, Germany) and John Boye (Rennes, France).

Others are Jerry Akaminko (Eskisehirspor, Turkey), Rashid Sumaila (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), and Mohammed Awal (Maritzburg United, South Africa).

Midfielders: Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Emmanuel Frimpong (Arsenal, England), Sulley Muntari (AC Milan, Italy), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus, Italy), Emmanuel Badu (Udinese, Italy) and Kevin Prince-Boateng (Schalke, Germany).

travelled to South Africa on Wednesday to attend a series of meetings.

Rogers Mulindwa, the FA spokesperson, told MTNFootball.com that Magogo will attend a series of events organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in partnership with the Local Organising Committee in preparation for next year’s Africa Nations Championship.

The Team Workshop will take place on Friday at the Southern Sun Hotel.

“The workshop forms part of a standard component in the preparations of organising a tournament of this magnitude and will provide the participating nations with all the essential guidelines and information to assist them in their preparations for the tournament,” explained Mulindwa.

Uganda qualified for their second straight CHAN competition after seeing off Tanzania on a 4-1 goal

The rest midfielders are Albert Adomah (Middlesbrough, England), Mubarak Wakaso (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Christian Atsu (Vitesse Arnhem, Holland) and Andre Ayew (Marseille, France).

Strikers: Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain, UAE), AbdulMajeed Waris (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Jordan Ayew (Marseille, France) and Mahatma Otoo (Sogndal, Norway).(PANA/NAN)

. . . And Senegal Too SENEGAL’s football coach, Alain Giresse, on Wednesday in Dakar named 23 players for the first leg tie of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Playoff fixture against Cote D’Ivoire.

The match will be played in Abidjan on October 12, with the second leg scheduled for Dakar between November 15 and November 19.

Following is the list:Goalkeepers: Bouna Coundoul (Ethnikos, Cyprius), Cheikh Ndiaye (Rennes,

FA President In SA For CHAN aggregate.

UGANDA’s newly elected FA The regional CECAFA Senior President, Moses Magogo, Workshop Challenge Cup champions will, however, have to be at their best if they are to perform better than in 2011 in Khartoum, Sudan.

Under Scotsman Robert ‘Bobby’ Williamson, the Cranes failed to go past the group stage and lost all their three games.

But their new coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic, who took charge in May, is optimistic they will make it to the knockout stage of the competition.

Uganda is grouped alongside Morocco, Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe.

France), Issa Ndoye (Creteil, France).

Defenders: Lamine Gassama (Lorient, France), Issa Cissokho and Pape Mison Djilobodji (FC Nantes, France), Lamine Sane (Bordeaux, France) and Cheikh Kouyate (Anderlecht, Belgium).

Other defenders are Kara Mbodj (Genk, Belgium), Cheikh Mbengue (Toulouse, France) and Pape Souare (Lille, France).

Midfielders: Mouhamed Diame (West Ham, UK), Idrissa Gueye (Lille, France), Salif Sane (Hannover, Germany), Stephane Badji (SK Bramm, Norway), Alfred Ndiaye (Eskishirspor, Turkey).

Strikers: Sadio Mane (Salzburg Red Bull, Austria), Moussa Sow (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Dame Ndoye (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia) and Papiss Cisse (Newcastle, UK).

The rest are Modou Sougou (Evian, France), Ibrahima Balde (Kuban Krasnodar, Russia) and Henri Saivet (Bordeaux, France). (PANA/ NAN)

WORLD number one Serena yesterday to advance to the quarter-finals of the China Open with her 70th win of the season.

The top-seeded American had won all seven of her previous encounters against the 18thranked Kirilenko but was forced to dig deep on many occasions to ensure her eighth victory over the Russian would be completed in straight sets.

Kirilenko secured the first break of the match in the ninth game and had three set points on her serve in the next but Williams rallied to break back before sealing the set after her opponent double faulted.

“I just thought, ‘what else can I do except fight for this point and the next point,’” Williams told the WTA website of the prospect of losing the first set.

“Maybe I got lucky a little bit - I just started to relax and kind of swing and not think about it too much out there. I’m obviously just really happy to get through this match today.”

Williams fell behind again in the second set after being broken in the fifth game but the 17-time Grand Slam singles winner, who has won more than $9 million (£5.5 million) in prize money in 2013, rallied again to close out the set and the match.

Earlier, eighth seeded Serb Jelena Jankovic dished up a double bagel 6-0 6-0 beating of Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro to also advance to the last eight.

Djokovic Cruises Past Verdasco NOVAK Djokovic beat Fernando Verdasco 7-5 2-6 6-2 to move into the quarter-finals of the China Open.

Djokovic raced into a 4-1 lead in the first set but was pegged back as Verdasco took three games in a row.

The first set looked to be heading to a tie-break following three consecutive holds of serve, but Djokovic broke courtesy of a Verdasco double-fault to secure the set.

Verdasco re-grouped to take the second set. He broke Djokovic in the third game before breaking again at 4-2 and serving out to force a decider.

Djokovic took the first three games of the final set before weathering an attempted Verdasco resurgence to see out the match and move into the quarters of a tournament he has won on three previous occasions.

THE NIGERIAN

31

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Ethiopia/Nigeria Showdown

Super Eagles Open Camp Oct 6

THE Nigeria Football Association (NFA) has said the Super Eagles would open camp in Abuja October. 6 for preparations against the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia.

Musa Amadu, the association’s Secretary-General, told the African newsmen in Abuja that against champions, they will prepare Nigeria could not afford to seriously,’’ Amadu said. take things for granted in the He added that arrangements crucial World Cup playoff.

Reports say that the first leg had been made for the tie of the 2014 Brazil World Nigerian Ambassador to Cup Playoff between Nigeria Ethiopia to meet with the and Ethiopia will hold in country’s advance party in Addis Ababa on Sunday, Addis Ababa, before the arrival of the main delegation.

October 13.

“This will enable the Amadu said the Eagles Nigerian contingent to put all would be expected to train in necessary requirements in Abuja from October 7 to place before the match, so as October 11, before departing to enhance Nigeria’s chances for Addis Ababa aboard a of picking the maximum chartered flight on October 12.

He said the NFA was liaising points at stake,’’ the NFA with the National Sports secretary-general said.

He disclosed also that the Commission (NSC) to make NFA was working towards the Abuja National Stadium making the return leg game in available for the Eagles to Calabar on November 16 an train in. easy game for Nigeria.

“This game is very critical It will be recalled that Super to us and we are giving it all Eagles’ head coach Stephen the seriousness it deserves.

“We are doing all we can to secure entry visas for the delegation and team officials before departure.

“You know the Ethiopians are eager to qualify for their first-ever World Cup finals and, because they are playing

Moses, Sunday Mba and Nnamdi Oduamadi.(NAN)

Stephen Keshi

... Nigeria Playdown Ethopia Today Kick-off NIGERIA officials have played down an early kick-off time picked by Ethiopia for a 2014 World Cup playoff in Addis Ababa.

Ethiopia host the Super Eagles on Sunday, October 13,

Championship League

CSKA Back On Track

AHMED Musa has said CSKA Moscow’s Champions League campaign is back on course after they beat Czech club Viktoria Plzen 3-2 on Wednesday.

CSKA got off to a losing start after they lost 3-0 to champions Bayern Munich on Match Day One. The Russia double champions are now third in Group D on three points behind second-placed Manchester City and leaders Bayern, who are on six points.

“I am very happy that we won this game. It was a tough game but we put in our best as usual to win,” Nigeria forward Musa told MTNFootball.com “With this victory, we are back on track.”

Though Musa did not score, he gave an assist for the first goal and had his effort deflected in for the third goal.

“I did not score, what mattered most was the three

Keshi had on September 20 released a 23-man list for the October 13 match against Ethiopia.

There were no new additions to the squad which defeated Malawi 2-0 in Calabar, as Keshi decided to stick with the same team which secured the playoff berth.

The list has goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide and Chigozie Agbim, as well as strikers Ahmed Musa, Brown Ideye, Shola Ameobi, Emmanuel Emenike, Obinna Nsofor and Uche Nwofor.

The defenders are Elderson Echiejile, Francis Benjamin, Efe Ambrose, Solomon Kwambe, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe and James Okwuosa.

The invited midfielders are Mikel Obi, John Ogu, Ogenyi Onazi, Nosa Igiebor, Victor

SUPER Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has escaped FIFA hammer for an alleged racial remark towards former Malawi coach Tom Saintfiet.

Keshi described Belgian coach Saintfiet as “a white dude” leading up to last month’s World Cup qualifier in Calabar.

FIFA spokesman told

points for my team,” he said.

“I gave an assist for first goal and have a shot deflected in for the third goal. I would have loved to have scored, but it doesn’t matter as we won.

CSKA will welcome Manchester City on October 23 in their next Champions League tie.

In Group C, Nigeria U20 star Michael Olaitan made his Champions League debut for Olympiacos as they won 3-0 at Anderlecht of Belgium.

Olaitan saw action for 57 minutes before he was replaced.

in a first leg World Cup playoff to next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

Reports have suggested the match will be played from 2pm Ethiopian time.

“The early kick-off will not have any adverse effect on our team,” maintained the general secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Musa Amadu.

“We believe it will be a game between 11 players on one side

and 11 on the other side and the best team will win on the day.”

Ethiopia have had a proposed match date of October 20 rejected by world football governing body FIFA as it does not fall within the FIFA window.

Officials said this was another ploy by Ethiopia to see if they could make it difficult for Nigeria to get their Europebased stars released for the match.

Both teams played out a 2-2

Ahmed Musa

2014 Commonwealth Games

Athletics Coach Seeks Early Preparations TOBIAS Igwe, a renowned grassroots athletics coach, has urged authorities of the country’s sports to commence early preparations for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Hs told newsmen in Lagos that the relevant authorities should take the necessary steps toward a successful outing for

Team Nigeria at the quadrennial event.

Reports say that the Commonwealth Games will hold in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 3.

“I sincerely believe that with early preparations, we will make a huge impact in Scotland; we have athletes that are as fast as Usain Bolt, but they need to train for a long time.

“By now we should understand that camping athletes for two months will not give us the desired results. Our athletes do not start training early enough unlike the Jamaicans.

“The National Sports Commission should please put in place all the necessary logistics to ensure that athletes’ welfare and that of their coaches is taken care of,’’ Igwe said.

draw when they last clashed in Addis Ababa two years ago in a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Star-studded Nigeria needed a last-gasp equaliser to get a result on a day they struggled with the conditions against a highly inspired Walya Antelopes.

Keshi Escapes FIFA Hammer ThisDay newspaper that FIFA disciplinary committee after investigating Saintfiet’s complaint, decided not to sanction Keshi over the matter.

He said that a decision was reached on the matter after the Chairman of the FIFA disciplinary committee, Claudio Sulser, referred to Article 57 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

Sulser, a swiss, warned and requested that Keshi must guarantee that incidents of such high gravity do not occur again in the future.

“If such incidents should happen again, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee will be left with no other option than to impose sanctions against the coach, Mr. Stephen Keshi,” the FIFA spokesman said.

By the tone of Article 57, it is assumed that Keshi only escaped with a warning as his conduct was deemed to fall under offensive behaviour and fair play and not racism as Saintfiet claimed.

The article states that: “Anyone who insults someone in way by using offensive gestures or language, or who violates the principle of fair play or whose behaviour is unsporting in any other way may be subject to sanctions in accordance with Article 10 ff”.

Boxing Coach Urges Parents To Support Their Wards SUNDAY Nwamuda, the Proprietor, Sunny Clay Boxing Club, Lagos, implored parents to take the pains to watch their wards during competitions, to encourage them.

Nwamuda told newsmen in Lagos that such a step would go a long way to motivate the children to step up their performances in the sport.

He noted that the active participation of parents in competitions as spectators, would strengthen the resolve of the children to make positive career decisions in their preferred discipline.

“Parents should be interested and also develop a passion for the sport that their children have chosen to develop themselves in, basically to give them confidence.

“The children, on the other hand, seeing their parents, will be motivated to perform well, and they will feel assured that they have the support of their parents,’’ he said.

Nwamuda told newsmen that the development would provide the platform for

parents, to have a practical knowledge of the required safety measures to guide their children in the sport.

“Ordinarily, most parents would not want their children to develop interest in boxing, for the fear of being injured in sensitive areas; but we have safety measures and fighting rules.

“Parents can only confirm this when they make out time to watch live boxing contests because these measures will prevent problems,’’ he said.

The coach added that the primary objective of the club was to identify upcoming male and female boxers in schools and in turn groom them to stardom.

Nwamuda also told newsmen that 16 potential talents were discovered in a competition his club organised in September, at the National Stadium, Lagos.

He added that another competition would be organised in December, to ensure that aspiring grassroots talents were provided the opportunity to showcase their talents.

THE NIGERIAN

CMYK

32

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

Oshiomhole, Madam Odewingie And The Lessons

LIKE a thief in the night, he walked in quietly and caught everybody napping .Such unscheduled visits are usually devoid of sirens.

But for the hord of aides and security personnel, his presence would not have been noticed . Of course, the diminutive frame is his asset as he could easily sneak Into anywhere unnoticed. That was the scenario that played out on August 13,2013 when Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole visited the state staff training centre, venue of the verification exercise for school teachers. It was an exercise embarked upon by the state government to ascertain the quality and quantity of teachers on its pay roll.

It was against the backdrop of the constancy of the number of teachers and their wage bill in the face of regularity of retirements in the state. As a responsible government with zero tolerance for corruption, the Edo state government was worried that the wage bill of pensioners kept on rising while that of the teachers in active service remained constant, yet, there have been no fresh recruitment .

Given this scenario, one does not really need to consult an oracle to know that something was wrong somewhere. It was against this background that the state chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT gave their full backing to the exercise.

Revelations from the exercise have proved that, indeed, something fundamental was wrong with the education system in the state, especially at the level of recruitment of teachers. Even those who condemned the exercise as a ploy by government to rationalize teaching staff could not help but to applaud it.

Barely a week into the exercise, the state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and critical stakeholders got the first shocker as a primary school teacher with many years teaching experience, Mrs. Augusta Odewingie could not read the content of an

affidavit she purportedly deposed to at a law court. A bewildered Oshiomhole who was apparently enraged at the level of decay in the state education system could not but asked Mrs Odewingie: ‘ If you cannot read, what do you teach pupils? What do you write on the board?

Chairman of the state NUT, Comrade Patrick Ikosimo who was present as the drama played out was struggling to express himself as he was short of

maxim that you cannot give what you do not have. So, to impact knowledge one has to be sufficiently knowledgeable. Madam Odewingie did not employ herself into the state teaching service.

The panel saddled with that exercise should use Madam Odewingie as a case study to get to the root of the problems in our public schools system. The panel should, among others, dig into how she got

rationalization exercises carried out by previous governments?

This exercise could not have been the first in the 21 years history of Edo State. If the panel could painstakingly beam its searchlight into these areas, it would have ended up doing a Yeoman’s job. Officials responsible for the recruitment, promotion and discipline of teachers in the state must be persons of impeccable character who will not look the other way and allow all manner of

State governor vowed to get to the root of the decay in the public school system having invested heavily in education in the last four and a half years. A quantum of the state’s budget goes to education every year and this has reflected in what is generally referred to in the

job seekers to sneak into the teaching service. It could be excused in other sectors but not teaching, because education is the bedrock of any society. Any society that fails to get it right at that level is doomed.

One is therefore not surprised when the Edo

state today as the “red roof revolution” “Red roof revolution” is a conscious effort by the government to make all public schools across the state as good as the best private schools if not better. These schools roofed with aluminium sheets are complete with

By EBOMHIANA MUSA

• Governor Adams Oshiomhole

words . He however managed to mutter: ‘ This is an embarrassment and a show of shame’.

It is worthy of note here that there have been an avalanche of media write ups and commentaries on Madam Odewingie gaffe .

Unfortunately, some print media that ventured to editorialize on it glossed over the fundamental issues. To do proper justice to this, one must get to the root of the problem rather than scratching the surface.

In doing this, we must go beyond Madam Odewingie and address the substance.

No doubt, Madam Odewingie is a reflection of the rot in our public schools and this goes beyond Edo State.

It is a general malaise in our public school system. It is a popular

her certificate, if at all there is any in her file .It should investigate how she found herself into the state teaching service. How has she been able to pull through all these years to remain in service in the face of the series of certificate verifications and

floor tiles, ceiling fans, flush windows and steel doors .In fact, teachers in the state earn more than their counterparts in other sectors of the pu8blic service, especially with the recent approval by government for the payment of their special salary package. The reason behind this, according to the governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is to attract the best brains into the teaching profession.

Again, Madam Odewingie saga has thrown up another issue here that needs a critical probe. In the course of deposing to an affidavit in court, one is expected to read the content before the court registrar appends the signature. In this instance, it is either Madam Odewingie deposed to the affidavit by proxy or the document itself was forged.

Because no court registrar with integrity will stick out the neck for one who cannot read an affidavit, especially one who claims to be a school teacher . Though this may be out of its terms of reference, there is need for the committee to seek the cooperation of the relevant body in the state judiciary to fish out the official who may have helped Madam Odewingie to procure the controversial affidavit. This must be done in the overall interest of the state . These are the issues that must be addressed if lessons had actually been learnt from the Madam Odewingie saga.

Musa is a public affairs analyst based in Auchi, Edo State.

“Again, Madam Odewingie saga has thrown up another issue here that needs a critical probe. In the course of deposing to an affidavit in court, one is expected to read the content before the court registrar appends the signature. In this instance, it is either Madam Odewingie deposed to the affidavit by proxy or the document itself was forged. Because no court registrar with integrity will stick out the neck for one who cannot read an affidavit, especially one who claims to be a school teacher . Though this may be out of its terms of reference, there is need for the committee to seek the cooperation of the relevant body in the state judiciary to fish out the official who may have helped Madam Odewingie to procure the controversial affidavit.”

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