Nigerian observer 05 03 2014

The Nigerian

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol . 38 NO. 433 •WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 20 14 . N 100.00 MIDWEEK MAGAZINE Page 13 Beyond Political Rascality

Options For Moving Nigeria Forward

Nurses postpone strike indefinitely

ABUJA The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has postponed its industrial action scheduled to begin on Monday, its National

President, Mr Abdulrafiu Adeniji, has said.

Adeniji, in an interview with newsmen in Abuja,

By ADAMS OYIBOKE

NATURAL MEDICINE Page 19

The Moringa crush

said the postponement was informed by progress being made in the ongoing

discussion between the union and the Federal Government.

“That ultimatum on the commencement of strike cannot be now. So far, there is progress in our Continues on page 2

Immunisation

BENIN CITY -Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State says any council chairman who fails to key into the National Immunisation Days face the risk of being sacked by the people. done well and those who Oshiomhole who have not and give a stated this yesterday, at deadline within which the winding down of the they must comply or we 4-day National ask our people to recall Immunisation Days in them. Because if Local Benin City, said Governments cannot government was happy provide these services, with the rate of compliance with the programme.

He said “let me thank the development partners for being able to identify the local governments that have heeded my advice and those that have not. We will have one more meeting in the next few days and I will request you to be in attendance.

“We will review and identify those who have

LG Chiefs risk sack then Nigeria is in trouble. Nothing can be more fundamental than this immunization”, he noted.

The governor

- Oshiomhole

explained that Nigeria is fortunate to have willing partners who are ready

to provide data, training and management of the

Edo donates N10m to Ozalla rainstorm victims OZALLA - EDO state government has donated the sum of N10 million and two hundred bundles of roofing sheets to victims of a recent rainstorm which wreaked havoc in Ozalla community in Owan West Local Government Area of the state.

Governor Adams O s h i o m h o l e announced the donation yesterday during his on-the-spot

inspection of the level of damage in the community.

During his visit to the Onotare of Ozalla, HRH, Albert Aieloshan, Okpamen VII, in his palace, Oshiomhole said: “the disaster that occurred here was an act of God but we thank God that from all the report , no life was lost. Buildings can be destroyed, it can be rebuilt, I have seen some of the buildings and they were very badly Continues on page 2

TIT BIT “When good fortune suddenly smiles on a man, sycophants would emerge as the friends, who have always been praying for his well-being by staying afar.”

- Kingsley Ogbeide-Ihama

VISIT: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and HRH Albert Aieloshan, Okpamen VII, Onotare of Ozalla, during the Governor’s visit to Ozalla, yesterday, to assess the level of damage after a recent rainstorm.

process, adding that all that is required of us is a level of political will to ensure that we see it through.

“If in spite of all these, we still have local governments who don’t understand, then we have to expose them to their people, because this is a task that must be done.

We have a duty to our people and obligation to our children and to support our mothers who are willing to participate in the exercise.

“We are happy with the rate of compliance.

Eighty per cent is obviously a good mark and there is no reason why we cannot achieve a hundred percent. It is a realistic target and it is a target we must achieve this year, not next year.

“Let me assure our people that we all must be committed to this exercise. Poverty is not an excuse because these vaccines are free.

Ignorance is not an excuse because we have Continues on page 2

NASS to lift embargo on electronic voting

By JOSES SEDE

ABUJA - Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu yesterday, declared that the National Assembly was working towards lifting embargo on electronic voting.

The DSP gave the indication while declaring open a three-day international conference on “Promoting Credible

Election in Nigeria: Opportunities and Challenges in Information and Communications Technology”, which is

being organised by the UNDP Democratic

Governance for Development Project in Abuja.

He said that life was in endless evolution and that democracy was not

an exception in mankind’s efforts towards finding new, faster, and better ways of getting things done, the National Continues on page 2

Fuel scarcity worsens

... As fuel laden ship berths in Lagos LAGOS - The current fuel scarcity in the country has

worsened the congestion and passengers hardship on the Ogun/Lagos Mass

Transit Train Services (MTTS) of the Nigerian Railway Corporation

(NRC).

Prior to the scarcity, Continues on page 2

News

NASS to lift embargo on electronic voting

Continued from page 1 Assembly was very willing and ready to support our electoral process all the way.

This was even as he called for caution in the deployment of ICT in the election process, noting that “the infusion of ICT into any sensitive aspect of our election management system in particular must be very strategic, tested, gradual, and go with adequate mobilization, education, and consensus building.”

Senator Ekweremadu who also chairs the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution said that the National Assembly was committed to matching this desire for increased ICT role in our election management and electoral process with the requisite appropriation and law reforms.

He said: “In the present amendment to the Electoral Act, we seek to delete Section 52, which bars the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from using electronic voting.

This is to allow the Commission to use its discretion to apply electronic voting at any time it deems it appropriate “ICT has highly and positively impacted all areas of the electoral process such as voter registration; voter education; electioneering campaign; data acquisition, integrity, and transmission; actual voting; vote counting;

election monitoring, election security the world over; and Nigeria cannot be an exception.”

He said that despite the ingrained fears, mutual suspicion among the political elites, and various technical challenges, Nigeria was positively disposed to

affected.

“I saw a very elderly woman whose roof was blown off by the rainstorm and she is now

homeless. I have seen several other buildings.

“What happened has brought untold hardship to many people in Ozalla, but God will use men and women of goodwill to bring succor and relief to the people of this community.

He said “I would have sent relief material much more earlier but I insisted to see the extent of the devastation, so that is why I have come.”

He commended the efforts of the Local Government Council Chairman and his management for their support towards the victims.

Oshiomhole said.”We in APC believe that government is about the people. We identify with the people when they are happy and we also identify with them when they are in distress and government must identify with the people at the time of need.”

He said a committee will be set up to properly identify those affected and determine how to share the N10 million donation, adding that Government may consider an upward review of the donation if it is determined that the N10

sponsored along with other members of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution had already passed the First Reading in Senate and would be one of the major focus of legislative attention once the 2014 National Budget was passed.

hung on the roof before or after Mushin train station to avoid arrest by the police but with the situation, the defiant now hang to Mushin daring arrest.

The corporation used four stocks to run 16 services a day from Ijoko in Ogun to Ido and Apapa in Lagos in the morning and back in the evening.

Each stock has between 12 to 14 coaches thereby reducing congestion in the trains.

The corporation about three years ago started its long distance services to Ilorin and Kano.

The corporation has reduced the coaches on its MTTS to augment the long distance

services which caused the initial congestion in the trains.

For example, the service from Ijoko to Apapa before the long distance services were restored had 14 coaches but now it has been reduced to nine.

A top official of the corporation who pleaded anonymity told newsmen that plans were on going to increase the number of coaches on the MTTS. The official added that the corporation would not because of the congestion allow hanging on train roof, saying it would continue to arrest offenders.

Meanwhile, the ever teeming passengers of the MTTS have renewed their appeal to the corporation to urgently address the congestion, saying it was unhealthy.

The passengers also appealed to the corporation to re-open its Oshodi Station.

The station was closed in 2007 after it was burnt during a clash between two rival groups of the National Union of Road Transport Workers.

Meanwhile Oil marketers in Lagos State on Tuesday said the distribution of imported petrol to filing stations has commenced nationwide.

The marketers in separate interviews with newsmen in Lagos disclosed that vessels laden with imported petroleum products had berth at the high sea.

One of the major marketers told newsmen anonymously that the delay by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) in approving the first quarter fuel allocation to marketers, was responsible for scarcity.

He added that ships laden with petrol had started to berth since the early hours of Tuesday on the high sea.

The marketer said they would immediately begin the discharge the product into system 2B for channelling to all NNPC depots.

He gave Nigerians the assurance that the observed queues at filling stations would disappear by Thursday “when all stations would have received the product before the close of work on Wednesday.

Fuel scarcity worsens

Continued from page 1

congestion in the trains was caused by the reduction in the number of coaches used to run the services.

The current fuel scarcity has forced road transport fares to go up which in turn forced many people to take train to their destinations.

The situation on the services has got more congested as the passengers were now almost doubled, leaving them to be packed like sardines.

The worsened congestion has also forced the return of the people who hang on the trains’ roof.

Before now, some people

LG Chiefs risk sack

Continued from page 1 health centres in all the villages and we have people whose business is to mobilise and sensitize the people”, he maintained.

He appealed to traditional rulers, opinion moulders, labour groups, NGOs and various interest groups to unite and ensure that the

Edo donates N10m to Ozalla rainstorm victims Continued from page 1

ensuring that ICT played greater role in every aspect of its electoral process to make our elections smoother, more transparent, efficient, participatory, freer, fairer, and indeed more credible.

Senator Ekweremadu said that the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which he

million donation is not enough to cushion the effects of the disaster.

The Onotare of Ozalla, HRH Albert Aieloshan thanked the Governor for his quick response to the alleviating the sufferings of the people, saying it shows that Comrade Oshiomhole is a listening Governor who has the interest of the people at heart.

He noted the Governor’s development efforts in all parts of the state saying the state has not witnessed anything like the transformation which has taken place since its inception.

message is taken to the grassroot.

Oshiomhole said “I want to thank our development partners who have stood with us over the years, helping us to recognise that it is a shame for Nigeria to be in the same club with Pakistan and Afghanistan, when we ought to be the leaders of the African continent.

“I am happy listening to the address of the World Bank representative that if Edo were a country, it would have long attained the hundred per cent status. I am happy to announce that I assumed office on November 12, 2008, and the state was certified free from polio in 2009. And this was a result of our hard work”, he noted.

Earlier, the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Aihanuwa Eregie commended the state government for ensuring that the state attains a polio-free status.

She disclosed that various vaccination points have been opened in the villages to ensure that the exercise gets to the grassroots.

Good will messages were delivered by the various development partners.

Oshiomhole meets Edo Confab delegates today

BENIN CITY - Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole will hold a meeting with the state’s nominees to the National Conference holding in Abuja this month.

Also expected to attend the meeting are invited Edo citizens from across the three Senatorial Districts of

the State.

A statement signed by secretary to the State Government, Professor Julius Ihonvbere indicates that the meeting will hold at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Benin City beginning at noon.

The statement requests invited guests to be seated at 11.30am.

Immigration introduces new expatriate residence permit ABUJA - The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has introduced a new Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC).

This was contained in the January/February monthly bulletin of the NIS made available to newsmen in Abuja.

According to the bulletin, the new card was one of the ways devised to tackle current security challenges in the country.

It noted that it would also enable the service to account for the location and activity of every foreigner in the country.

The bulletin said that the new CERPAC card was introduced in collaboration

with Continental Transfert Technique Ltd (CONTEC) and was to replace the old card which had been in use for some time.

It said the replacement was carried out as an improvement on the validity, durability and security features of the old card.

The bulletin said the new card would determine the duration of stay of foreign envoys in line with their accreditation.

The bulletin quoted the Comptroller-General of the service, Mr David Parradang as advising all foreigners to obtain the card and ensure complete regularisation before April.

It said that expatriates not in possession of the new card after the expiration date would be treated as persons not legally resident in Nigeria and liable for deportation.

Transport Ministry Enforcement Committee sensitises motorists BENIN CITYThe Enforcement Committee on Corporate Parking Permit and Colour Code of Edo State Ministry of Transport has embarked on sensitization of the public, particularly motorists and corporate bodies to ensure their compliance with commercial vehicles colour code and parking permit in Edo State.

The Enforcement Committee comprised of officers of Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA), Vehicle Inspection Officer (V.I.O) and staff of the ministry.

Members of the Committee took their awareness campaign to major streets in Benin City, including Airport, Akpakava and Dawson roads where they stopped over at strategic places to educate private motorists and

operators of commercial vehicles.

During the sensitization, vehicles were stopped and checked to ascertain their road worthiness and renewal of their vehicles particulars up-to-date.

However, some vehicles were apprehended for contravening various traffic offences.

Commenting on the exercise, the Head of EDSTMA Operations, Amadi Owas affirmed that the team of para-military personnel of the Transport Ministry and other civilian staff that make up the Committee were out on the road to educate all road users to make their vehicles road worthy as well as comply with corporate parking permits and colour code of commercial vehicles.

He explained that the exercise was also to ensure safety on the roads and also check criminal activities.

Nurses postpone strike indefinitely

Continued from page 1 d iscussion

with

the

government.

‘The meeting we had last was productive and it was at the instance of the Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr Clement Illoh.

“Some of the contentious issues were exhaustively discussed and the way forward was agreed to by all parties involved.

“It was agreed that a memo should be written to that effect and we are glad

that on Friday, the memo was written and all anomalies were corrected,’’ he said.

He said that the memo was presented at the meeting of the National Council on Establishment, which ended in Ilorin on Friday.

Adeniji, however, said that the council, which comprised all the permanent secretaries, ministries of health and heads of service in the 36 states, demanded further information on the memorandum.

He said that because the

required information was not immediately available, a committee was constituted to handle the issues and others contained in the memoranda submitted by the Ministry of Health at the meeting.

“We had thought that they will reject the memo on our demands but we thank God because the memo presented on our case was specially considered.

“As a result, a special committee was set up to look into the pending memos submitted to the meeting from the Ministry of

Health.

“It is that committee that we are going to sit with to clear all issues that were pending as at the Ilorin meeting due to lack of adequate information.’’

Adeniyi also said the council, at the meeting, accepted the beginning of internship by fresh graduates from Nigeria universities, adding that the committee would consider the salaries and other entitlements for the interns.

He said the outcome of the Ilorin meeting was “encouraging” but hinted that the union could

consider embarking on the strike if the report of the committee failed to properly address the issues.

It will be recalled that the union had on February 24 said that a series of court judgments since 1981 directing the Federal Government to professionalise nursing had been ignored.

It had drawn attention to the 1984 case on nurses’ professionalism, autonomy and scheme of service, among others, at the Industrial Arbitration Panel and had planned to call out its members on strike on March 3.

News Stakeholders Laud FG’s Plan To Reposition Fisheries Sub-Sector ABUJA - Stakeholders in the fish sub-sector have applauded the Federal Government’s plan to reposition the sector for self sufficiency.

Some of the stakeholders told newsmen in Abuja that the agenda was “a dream come true’’.

Mrs. Vero Igbe, the Managing Director, Vesa Fish, a fish importing company, said the reduction in the quantity of imported fish would encourage local farmers and create jobs.

“The minister’s plan to reduce the importation of fish is a welcome development.

“We have been trying to achieve this for some years now but it was frustrated.

“With the minister’s pronouncement, some importers who import above approved tonnes and engage in shady business are shaking because it would not be business as usual.

“We are happy with the pronouncement and we, Nigerians in the sub-sector, will give our full support to ensure the policy works out well,” she said.

In a separate interview, the Vice-President, Atlantic Shrimpers Limited, Mrs. Benette Okonkwo, said she was happy that problems in the sector were now receiving full attention from the government.

“I am very confident that, if what the minister has said is well implemented, the fisheries sub-sector will be positioned for the good of Nigeria.

“There would be sustainability and Nigeria would no longer be a dumping

ground,’’ she said.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, recently announced the Federal Government’s plan to sanitise the fisheries sub-sector.

He said the goal was to make Nigeria self-sufficient in fish production and this would be achieved through promoting greater investments in aquaculture, improving artisanal, inland and marine fisheries.

Adesina said Nigeria spent an estimated N125 billion on I.9 million tonnes of fish imports annually.

He said that the total demand for fish in the country was 2.7 million tonnes.

Urhonigbe Chiefs, representing the Okaevbo of Urhonigbe, Chief Igie Aimuyo, presenting beads to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, after being conferred with the title of Okakuo of Urhonigbe yesterday.

Edo Police Parade Grandfather, 2 Others For Rape, 9 For Defilement BENIN CITY-The Edo state police command has paraded a 67 year old grandfather who reportedly had carnal knowledge of a 13 year old girl.

The police gave the name of the 67 year old man as Afamu

Abudu (Abudu was among the 50 suspected criminals, including three rapists and nine persons who were allegedly, defiled their victims at various locations in the state.

Edo state commissioner of police, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo who paraded the suspects said Abudu dragged the teenage hawker into his room and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her at Warrake. Community, Owan East Local Government Area of the state, an allegation Abudu denied.

A 29 year old Kelvin Kokori,

one of the nine suspects paraded fore defilement said he was framed by his wife due to his refusal to perform his conjugal rites following matrimonial disputes.

The state police boss condemned rape and defilement in strong terms saying they are urgly trends in the state.

Disclosing that all the paraded suspects would be charged to court as soon, as investigations are completed, he thanked members of the public for their co-operation and contribution to

curbing crimes and crimmality in the state.

He solicited for more information that would give more impetus to the police at ensuring the safety of lives and property .

According to him, “On Wednesday, February 8, 2014, operatives of the command, acting on information arrested two suspects from Otoretin village, along Sapele Road, Benin City and recovered from them fire –arms and dynamite.

He listed the items recovered from some of the paraded suspects to include, high ealibe explosives electrical detonators vehicles as well as arms and ammunitions.

Church Robbery: Strain Policemen’re

On Illegal Duty - Commissioner

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State administers oral vaccine on a baby during the winding down of the National Immunisation Days, in Benin City yesterday.

IBADAN -The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr. Mohammed Indabawa, on Monday said the two policemen killed during a robbery operation in a church on Sunday in Ibadan were not on official duty.

Indabawa, who spoke to newsmen in Ibadan, described the incident as unfortunate, but insisted that the officers were not on official assignment. “ We are, however, investigating what or who took them there,” Indabawa said.

It would be recalled that two policemen were shot when armed robbers invaded the Vine Branch Church located on Queen Elizabeth Road in Ibadan.

The policemen were said to have escorted some bank officials to pick up the church offering and tithes.

Although the robbers were unable to access the money, the two policemen were shot dead while many church members were injured.

Indabawa, however, said that

press that he got initiated into the gang last month.

The victim Mrs. Celestina Ekpessu who praised the effort of the police ,said they were on their way to early morning church service being the 1st day of the month when the incident occurred .

She said she was in the company of her 18 year old son who tried to resist the robbers but was beaten up by Garba Mohammed who got infuriated by his son’s guts.

She said she was at home when she got a call that her car has been recovered.

The Delta State Police PRO

while assuring Deltans that the security agents are working round the clock to ensure the maintenance of peace,order and security called on Deltans to see police as partner in progress in the fight against crime.

She asked the people furnish the police with useful information on criminals ,their hideouts and their activities.

She said investigation is in progress while the police are on the trail of the rest fleeing members of the gang.

The Warri Area Commander, ACP Hussaini Rabiu was also present at the press briefing.

Delta Police Vow To Deal With Criminals DELTA STATE -Police Command in its averred commitment to make the State unsafe for criminals ,yesterday paraded a four - Man robbery gang that specialise in car snatching.

Parading the suspects, Delta State Police Command Public Relations Officer(PRO) DSP Celestina Kalu told pressmen that on March 1 st, 2014, at about 0600hrs,at Chevron Clinic Road opposite Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS), Warri, a four man robbery gang robbed one Mrs. Ekpesu Celestina of her HONDA CRV with registration number, BZ

115 RSH .

Speaking further ,she said on of March 2, 2014 about 0939hrs,along Warri Sapele Road, Warri, a Crack team of detectives from the Area Commander’s office Warri,saw and suspected the vehicle and immediately contacted Policemen at a nearby check point who stopped the vehicle leading to the arrest of the robbers.

The Police PRO, who gave the names of the suspects as Johnson Samuel Rarire (Driver); Ovinne Ikweweki and Garba Mohammed said they were arrested with the vehicle .

DSP Kali said the suspects

confessed to the armed robbery and previous armed robbery cases within Warri and environs and there after led the team to Owawa village where one Emmanuel Amerecca was arrested, America told newsmen that he was only giving the gang ‘spirtual bullet proof’ with a warning that they must not get involved in robbery.

Items recovered from the gang include, one double barrel gun Batch No FSA 13276, a dagger,various charms and three single barrel locally made guns.

One of the suspects identified as Garba Mohammed said he is from Zamfara State told the

the police would not condone any criminal act, adding that they would do everything to curtail crime in the state, especially with the approaching elections.

The police also paraded nine robbery suspects arrested between January and February for different robbery cases.

Two of the paraded suspects confessed to hijacking a trailer marked KRD 949 XB that was conveying soya meal on the Ibadan-Ife expressway on February. 6.

The master-mind of the incident told newsmen that he was owed four months salaries by the company conveying the product.

“I planned the hijacking with my friends to get back at the company for not paying my salaries for four months and laying me off.

“I am on N17, 500 per month and I intended selling off only the product.

“I have never stolen before now and I am, therefore, asking to be forgiven,” he said.

Another suspect was arrested with bullet wounds on his thigh.

He stated that he sustained the wound on January. 13 at about 2.18 a.m while escaping after a robbery operation at Idi Ori, Sasa, Ibadan.

News Nat Confab: Jonathan

Appoints Kutigi Chairman ABUJA -The Federa Government has approved Justice Idris Kutigi as the chairman of the National Conference.

This is contained in a statement signed by Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim the Secretary to the

Government of the Federation SGF, in Abuja.

The statement said that Prof.

Bolaji Akinyemi was apppinted as the Vice Chairman while Mrs Valerie Azingen would be the Ssecretary.

It said that the apppintees are

to assume duty in Abuja, today March 5. newsmen reports that Justice Kutigi was a one-time Chief Justice of the Federation while Prof Akinyemi served as Minister of Foreign Affairs under the administration of Gen Ibrahim Babangida.

Azura-Edo Power Plant To Gulp Economy, described the AzuraEdo IPP as “milestone project” $1bn and said that it was being

ABUJA - The Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala, has said that one billion dollars (about N163 billion) would be invested in the Azura– Edo Independent Power Project.

Okonjo-Iweala said that the funds would be raised by 15 investors who had indicated interest in the project.

She made this known at meeting of the investors and the Federal Government in Abuja.

She disclosed that the power project was a Gren-Field undertaking which would be developed “from the scratch by investors as opposed to investing in existing facilities”.

“Today, we have a visit from a group of investors for the first Green-Field Independent Power project to be built from scratch in Nigeria.

“Since we liberalised the sector as you know, we did not only privatised all the power assets, but also opened up the sector and this is a big project and the investment is quite large.

“Through this project, the combination of two sources of lender security has simultaneously unlocked more than 700 million dollars of the project-financed investment in a large scale IPP and more than 300 million dollars worth of investments in gas.

“We have more than 15 investors represented here and all of them are the best of investors internationally,’’ she said.

According to the minister, this will be the first time groups of consortium will come together to fund a power project to the tune of a billion dollars.

She said that the lead sponsor of the project was Azura Power Holdings Limited (APHL), owned by Amaya Capital and American Capital Energy and Infrastructure.

She disclosed that the cosponsors of the project include Edo State Government, Aldwych International, Africa Infrastructure Investment Fund 2 and Asset and Resource Management.

“The lenders of the project are Standard Chartered, Rand Merchant Bank, Siemens Bank, KFW, StabicIBTC, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), FMO Netherlands, World Bank group and International Finance Corporation (IFC)’’.

Others investors, she said, were German Investment Corporation (DEG), Proparco (French Investment Corporation), Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund, ICF Debt Pool, Frontier Market Fund Managers, SwedFund of Sweden and CDC of UK. Okonjo-Iweala, who is also the Coordinating Minister of the

supported with guarantees and insurance coverage by the World Bank and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency.

She said that the Federal Government would review the various consents and approvals such as the Power Purchase

Agreement and Put-Call Option Agreement needed by Azura.

In his contribution, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said that the development was significant considering the number of megawatts it would generate.

The Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (middle), Hon. Folley Ogedegbe, member, EDHA and Chief Emmanuel Odigie, following a courtesy visit by All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Edo State Chapter recently in Government House. Photo: QUEENNETH A. OROBEDO.

Gunmen Kill 3 Policemen

The Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere in a group photograph with members of All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Edo State Chapter, following a courtesy visit yesterday in Government House. Photo: QUEENNETH A. OROBEDO.

KUSADA (KATSINA STATE)- Gunmen on Monday shot dead three policemen in Kusada Local Government Area of Katsina State.

An eyewitness told newsmen that the incident occurred at the border area between Kano and Katsina in Gidan-mutum-daya town.

The eyewitness who pleaded anonymity said that gunmen arrived at about 11a.m. on a motorcycle and opened fire on the policemen at the checkpoint.

According to him, one policeman was killed on the spot, while the remaining policemen run into the bush.

The eyewitness said another set of gunmen in another

vehicle pursued the fleeing policemen and killed two of them.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Aminu Sadiq, confirmed the incident and told “We lost three of our men from Kusada Division who were on a stop and search duty.

“Four gunmen on motorcycles came out from the bush and began to shoot our men.

“Another vehicle also arrived and opened fire at the police at the same time killing three of them.’’

Sadiq, who said no arrest had been made, added that the police authorities suspect that the attackers could be cattle rustlers.

gains from scrap metals and aluminum were high given the prevailing prices.

He said that one tonne of metal costs between N35, 000 and N40, 000, while 10 tonnes or a truck load of the same product costs between N350, 000 and N400, 000.

Prince-Will also said that a tonne of aluminium costs about N130, 000, while 10 tonnes of the same product would cost N1.3 million.

Malam Yusuf Abdul, the Chief Executive Officer of MARABI Consult Nig. Ltd., said that “these things are picked freely as wastes everywhere in Lagos and other cities’’.

Explore Scrap Metals, Aluminium Business, Consultants Urge Unemployed Youths ABUJA - Some consultants said that the number of entrepreneurs in the country could increase if unemployed graduates could explore the scrap metals and aluminium business.

The consultants told newsmen in separate interviews in Abuja that the collapse of mining of iron ore had increased the demand for scrap metals.

The consultants said that the steel companies had no other option than to turn to metals and aluminum as alternatives.

Chief Udokwu Wagbara, the Chief Executive Officer of Mint Funds Nigeria Ltd., said that more persons were making a living supplying these materials and keeping the environment clean at the same time.

“If the unemployed could be encouraged to gather metals, copper or aluminum in good quantities through any reasonable means, they will be sure of good earnings.

“You will not even need to transport them because the companies you supply will come and pick them.

“Yours is to take your profit after sales. The metal is measured in weight and each weight has a price.

“I think our young men, including unemployed graduates, can start off from here,’’ Wagbara said.

Mr. Ataru Prince-Will, the

Chief Executive Officer of Zaglag Consult Ltd., said that the unemployed could eventually become entrepreneurs doing the scrap metal business.

He said that the demand for the product was high.

Prince-Will said that the prospects of making substantial

Iodine Deficiency Leads To Goitre ABUJA - A Consultant with the Federal Staff Hospital, Abuja, Dr Dades Obed, said on Monday that absence of iodine in the body often caused goitre.

Obed told newsmen in Abuja that iodine deficiency was the commonest cause of goitre in our environment, which affected more than 10 per cent of the population.

“Goitre is an abnormal enlargement of gland in the body we call thyroid gland located in the lower part of the neck in the front.

“So once it is abnormally enlarged, that is when people get

to see it. Once it starts enlarging, most times it just keeps increasing.

“The causes of the enlargement of the goitre vary but the commonest in our environment is iodine deficiency because the gland requires iodine to produce the hormones it produces.

“Those hormones it produces are vital for normal functioning of the whole body; it affects almost all systems of the body.

“In our environment, the common cause is iodine deficiency; it results to what we call endemic goitre.

“Nearly 10 per cent of the population has this enlargement of the thyroid gland.’’

Obed explained that enlarged goitre could be hereditary just as enzymes deficiency might be caused by infections, inflammation or sometimes malignances among others.

He said enlarged goitre could be hereditary.

He advised that in treatment, the important thing was to first of all determine what had caused the goitre.

“Where there is either deficiency of the hormones,

- Expert

sometimes there could be some replacement of the hormones.

“But there are times that the gland can overproduce the hormones; that can lead to enlargement of the gland “In that case, there are drugs that can be given to control the over production of the hormones by the glands.

“Generally because of the cosmetic effect of a swelling in your neck externally, commonly the enlarged gland is removed surgically.’’

Obed, therefore, urged people with symptoms of goitre to seek medical help early.

South South Cassava Farmers Urged To Begin Planting IYE (EKITI) - Cassava farmers in the Southwestern states have been advised to commence cultivation following the recent rainfall in the area.

The advice was given by Dr David Ogunsade, the zonal chairman, Cassava Growers Association, in an interview with newsmen in Iye-Ekiti, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti The newly Deacons and Deaconesses of Habitation Church of God International, Benin State.

Ogunsade charged the City in a group photograph shortly after their ordination, 4th right is Deacon John Egbeyemi, a retired staff of Ministry of Information and Orientation, Edo State. farmers to plant high-

yielding cassava stems, noting that the volume of rainfall in the past one week in the southwest was enough for cassava planting.

He appealed to the farmers to plant highyielding stem varieties that would guarantee a bumper harvest for them and meet the demands of end-users.

He commended the Federal Government for its cassava flour inclusion policy, adding that approval

for the export of cassava chips to China would make investors smile at the end of the season.

Ogunsade advised members of the association to purchase the new stem varieties from the state offices of the association and their respective Ministry of Agriculture.

He appealed to the government for early distribution of fertilisers and other farm inputs to ensure a successful farming season.

Oyo: FRSC Seeks

More Road Signs

L-R: Executive Secrtary, National Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Femi Thomas; Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu and Permanent Secretary, Amb. Sani Bala, addressing a News Conference on the Universal Health Coverage in Abuja recently.

IBADAN - The FRSC Sector Commander in Oyo State, Mr Godwin Ogagaoghene, has reiterated the need to erect more road signs in the state.

Ogagaoghene told newsmen in Ibadan that road signs play vital roles in preventing road traffic accidents.

He listed the different signs to include warning or danger, regulatory, informative signs and pavement markings.

“Road signs should come along with every new road slated for inauguration and

Cancer Registry Provides Statistics On Ailment - Director

IBADAN - A Consultant Pathologist, Prof. Femi Ogunbiyi, says the Ibadan Cancer Registry (IBCR) is offering indigenous and foreign researchers vital statistics on the various forms of the ailment.

Ogunbiyi, who is the Director of the registry, told newsmen in Ibadan that population-based cancer registries were vital tools in collecting basic statistics.

He said IBCR based at the University College Hospital was established in 1960 with the aim of providing cancer incidence rates for different types of cancer in Ibadan and its environs.

The expert said it was the duty of the registry to provide data on cancer incidence, prevalence and mortality for researchers, students, policy makers and health planners.

“Health planners are expected to make use of data on cancer to plan cancer control programmes.

“Cancer diagnostic, palliatives and treatment facilities are

available for cancer care in the UCH where the registry is based.

“Facilities like mammography, pap smear and assays for tumor markers are also available,’’ he said.

Oginbiyi also said that all data collected in the facility since inception had been offering insight into cancer frequency in Ibadan as well as its geographic

variations.

He said that the registry had been collecting cases from 11 local government areas within Ibadan metropolis and its environs.

Ogunbiyi said the local governments included Akinyele, Egbeda, Ibadan North, Ibadan North East, Ibadan North West and Ibadan South East.

Others were Ibadan South West, Ido, Lagelu, Oluyole and Ona-ara.

“Apart from this, the registry also receives cancer cases from Baptist Medical Centre Ogbomosho, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, and Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital, Ile- Ife,’’ he said.

He said the registry had over 30 sources, including general

hospitals, teaching hospitals, pathology laboratories as well as private hospitals and clinics.

Ogunbiyi, however, lamented that some challenges were inhibiting the operations of the centre.

“One major challenge in running the registry is lack of vehicle to pay regular visits to our collaboration centres,’’ he said.

“Efforts to train personnel and allocate to all these collaborating centres are on the way,” he added.

UNILAG To Train Student Leaders On Leadership

LAGOS - The University of Lagos is to train over 300 newly elected student leaders in the institution on leadership, an official said.

Mr Afolabi Yusuf, Senior Assistant Registrar, Students’ Affairs, told newsmen of the plan in Lagos.

He said that the essence of the programme was to improve the leadership skills in the students.

According to him, it will also

prepare them for future challenges that are associated with governance in the larger society.

Yusuf said the student leaders, recently sworn in by the authorities of the institution, are drawn from all the Faculties, Departments, Halls of Residence and the Distance Learning Institute of the university.

He told newsmen that the three-day leadership training, the first of its kind, would hold in March.

Yusuf said that the institution had, in 2013, sent its outgoing student leaders outside the country to expose them to best practises.

“I led a group to the G-20

Forum in Russia and sent some others to Germany and Ghana.

“These are all part of the leadership training we give to our students and hopefully before the end of the year, we shall also be taking them outside the country,” he said.

Yusuf noted that good leadership was essential to nation building and development and must be encouraged at all levels of education.

it is the responsibility of the authority providing the road to include road signs in their budget.

“Sincerely, no road should be deemed completed without signs.

“We should stop building roads for convenience without first considering relative safety issues,” he said.

Ogagaoghene said signs were important because they offer guidance, warning and direction to motorists and other road users.

The FRSC boss, however, expressed concern that most roads do not have signs, adding that the commission had been actively involved in creating awareness and ensuring that road users complied with instructions from road signs.

He also disclosed that the commission often paid visits to motor parks to enlighten residents, saying many motorists were senstised during such programmes.

Ogagaoghene said further that training programmes for both religious and secular organisations were being organised on regular basis.

“We have also made it mandatory for every fresh applicant for drivers’ licence to go through a driving school where these signs are taught,” he said.

South West N82.5m Theft: EFCC Seeks

Transporter’s Arrest

IKEJA - The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked an Ikeja High Court to issue a warrant of arrest against a transporter, Bube Okorodudu, charged with N82.8 million theft.

The commission made the request through one of its counsel, Mr Emmanuel Jackson, before Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo.

Okorodudu and his transport firm, Cross Country Ltd., were charged alongside another company, Car Link Ltd. The defendants are facing an eight-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, forgery and uttering.

According to the EFCC, the defendants stole the money through the fraudulent sale of 17 units of Volkswagen transporter buses belonging to AG Moeller Ltd and Mr Adeloye Olukemi.

During Monday’s proceedings, Jackson noted that the accused had failed to appear before the court since the matter began and had yet

to take his plea.

He, therefore, asked the court to issue the bench warrant against Okorodudu so that he would be produced to face trial.

Okorodudu’s counsel, Chief Robert Clarke (SAN), however, objected to the application, insisting that there was a subsisting application by his client challenging the jurisdiction of the court.

Clark argued that the proper procedure was for the court to first resolve the issue of jurisdiction before ruling on the EFCC’s application for bench warrant.

According to him, the court cannot make pronouncement on a case where its jurisdiction is still being challenged.

The judge, after hearing the submissions of both counsel, asked them to provide the court with relevant authorities to assist him in his ruling on the issue.

L a w a l - A k a p o , subsequently, adjourned the matter till April 8, for ruling.

L-R: Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State; members Southern Kaduna Elders Forum, Bawa Sani and Mr. Bawa Magaji during their condolence visit to the Governor over the death of Sen. Isaiah Balat in Kaduna recently.

NOA To Sensitise Students, to be used as tools Residents Against Violence themselves during elections.

Osun Election: OSOGBO - The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has said it would embark on massive sensitisation of students in Osun against all forms of vices during the governorship election slated

for August 9, this year.

Mr Remi Omowon, the Director of NOA in the state, said in an interview with newsmen in Osogbo that the campaign would mostly target students of tertiary

2 Civil Servants Docked For Assaulting FRSC Marshals

AKURE - Two civil servants, Isaac Oladoye and Motunrayo Ojo, have been arraigned before an Akure Magistrates’ Court for conspiracy, unlawful damage and assaulting three officers of the FRSC. The Prosecutor, ASP. Isah Atanegbe, alleged that the accused committed the offences on February 27 at about 11 a.m. at Iyioma Plaza Junction in Akure.

“They conspired and assaulted FRSC officers Lawal Abiodun and Ajayi Omolade, while executing their lawful duties.

“Oladoye also assaulted one Oyekila Michael, also an officer of FRSC by holding his uniform at the neck, while executing his lawful duties.”

Atanegbe said that Oladoye also damaged the uniforms of Omolade and Michael.

He said that the offences contravened Sections 516, 356(5) and 451 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

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

The prosecutor applied for an adjournment to enable him assemble his witnesses in court.

Not objecting to the application for an adjournment, Counsel to the accused, Mr Sesan

Adanlawo, urged the court to release the accused on bail.

‘The accused are first time offenders as they have no previous records; the offence is

bailable and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty,” he said.

The Magistrate, Mr Akin Akintoye, granted them bail in

the sum of N20,000 and one surety in like sum.

He said the surety should be credible and responsible, while a surety may stand for the accused and adjourned the case to March 12 for hearing.

institutions.

The director added that the agency also planned to organise similar programmes across local government areas of the state.

He said, ‘’we have written to heads of all the institutions ahead to fix dates for the sensitisation meetings. ‘’The youths have a role to play in the success of this governorship election and indeed all elections. ‘’The message we are taking to the students, is that, they should not allow

‘’They represent the very soul of the country’s march to electoral greatness, so they have to be carried along,’’ Omowon said.

According to him, the agency will also be working in concert with civil societies and other stakeholders to spread the message of having a violence-free election.

“Dedicated jingles will also be produced to ensure that citizens are properly mobilised and educated on what is expected of them’’, he stated.

CMD Calls For More Cancer Screening Centres SANGO-OTA (OGUN) Dr Babatunde Banuso, the Chief Medical Director, State Hospital, Ota, Ogun State, has

urged government at all levels to set up more cancer screening centres to attend to the increasing number of

sufferers.

He made the call in Ota, in an interview with newsmen.

He said the establishment

Empty Yusuf Dantsofo General Hospital as Kaduna State Health Workers are on strike in Kaduna recently.

of more screening centres would assist in efforts toward early detection of the ailment.

Banuso added that if more screening centres were established, people could easily go to any centre nearest to them and be screened “and as such, those with any threat can be detected early.

“This is because cancer is a disease that spreads fast to other parts of the human body if it is not discovered early.

“But early detection and treatment will go a long way toward saving the lives of many.’’

The chief medical director, who commended the Federal Government for setting up the Abuja Cander Centre, also lauded the Ogun government for planning to set up one at the Ogun State University.

He, however, said “there is still need to provide more to tackle the disease.’’

The hospital chief urged government to work toward making access to cancer treatment affordable to the people so that the purpose of creating the screening centres could be achieved.

He said that early cure and advice on Sexually Transmitted Diseases could prevent cancer of reproductive organ.

“A regular checkup that finds harmless lump in female breast could stop the precancerous condition that could later lead to cancer in the future,’’ Banuso added.

He advised Nigerians to desist from smoking because it was one of the contributing factors to cancer in the country.

Lagos Fashola Renames Hall To Honour Slain Yobe Students LAGOS- Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, has renamed a hall initially named after him, to “Peace Hall’’, in memory of slain Yobe school children.

Reports state that about 43 children of the Federal Government College, Burni Yadi, Yobe, were killed by members of the Boko Haram Sect on February 25.

Reports state that the renamed hall was constructed by the Lagos Zonal Council of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), located at Fadeyi in Lagos.

Fashola said at the inauguration of the hall earlier named after him

by NUPENG that he changed the name to honour the slain secondary school students.

“I appreciate NUPENG’s gesture but I will rename this edifice ‘Peace Hall‘, in memory of the lives of the children that were brutally slain in Yobe by insurgents.

“The Children will soon be forgotten but as a reminder to us and the need to stand up for what is right, I ask that the hall be renamed as NUPENG’s Peace Hall, as we all search for peace across Nigeria,’’ Fashola said.

The governor described the Yobe incident as a moment of mixed feelings, when many parents were mourning the loss of their children.

“While we pray for the repose

of the souls of these young ones, it is also a moment we must stand up as a nation.

“Whatever language you speak, whatever faith you practise, whatever ethnic/tribe you claim, this is the time it will not show.

“No matter how diverse we are, we are still one people, this is a time when colours and flag do not matter and political ideologies mean nothing.

“This is the time we must show and respect the values of the lives of fellow Nigerians’’ he said.

Speaking on incessant strikes in the country, Fashola urged NUPENG to ensure that due processes were followed before embarking on the actions.

“Most times, some workers do

mode of transport.

“No nation can have good roads with the tonnage of petroleum products being moved daily by tankers.

“I know that one day it will be possible for us to move our

petroleum products by rail wagons as it was done 40 years ago,’’ he said.

NUPENG President, Mr Igwe Achese, said that insecurity in Nigeria especially in the NorthEast was a cause for concern.

“We find the Boko Haram menace unacceptable and call on the new security chiefs to braze up for action to put the insurgency in check,’’ he said.

Achese also condemned the issue of continued ‘outsourcing‘

Unlawful Possession Of Firearm

Septuagenarian, 2 Others IKORODU (LAGOS)-The Arraigned police in Ikorodu, Lagos, has arraigned a septuagenarian, Surakat Liadi, Adewale Adeboye (31) and Jelili Ojedokun( 29), before a Magistrates’ Court for unlawful possession of a locallymade gun.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Bose Adegeshin, told the court that the accused conspired with one another to commit the crime.

Adegeshin said the suspects were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful possession of a gun.

He said that the suspects had in their possession a locally-made

Clergy Harps On Good Governance

LAGOS- A clergyman , Pastor Sam Adeyemi, has advised Nigerians, particularly Christians, not to entertain fear over the killing of people in some parts of the country.

Adeyemi, a Senior Pastor incharge of Daystar Christian Centre, who was speaking in Lagos at a sermon, said rather than fear, Nigerians, should be committed to God. According to him, it is God alone that can put a stop to the killings and other vices going on in the country.

The reports state that many people, including college

not even know the reason why they are called out on strike.

“Many a times, it is only the executives that decide to embark on strikes,’’ he said.

According to him, there is need for a voting process where a majority of the members must agree and must be sent to the management.

“My message is that at the end of the day, strikes do not pay; the people or the unions do not gain.

We must all look for a win-win solution,’’ he said.

He, however, urged the union to champion the cause where petroleum products could be moved by rail, noting that the future of the oil and gas sector should not be about tankers and parking space, but using rail as a

students, have lost their lives as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency in some parts of the North-East of the country.

Adeyemi noted that, with the different happenings in the country, particularly the killings in some parts of the North, some people might have been gripped by fear of the unknown.

“People should not be moved with fear over the happenings in some parts of Nigeria.

“People should deepen their commitment to God. It is only Him that can deliver persons and nations from troubles,’’ he said.

Adeyemi emphasised the need

pistol with one life cartridge, adding that they could not account for them.

The prosecutor said the offences were committed on Feb. 18 at Liadi Village, via Adamo area of Ikorodu at 10:00 a.m.

“The complainant, Mr Sikiru Odusanya told one of the accused, Surakat Liadi, to desist from selling the land which belonged to their family.

“The trio conducted themselves in likely manner to cause breach of peace by mobilising hoodlums to attack the complainant.

“It resulted into a fight and the police arrested them and found the locally-made gun,’’ she said.

Adegeshin said the offences contravened Sections 166 (d) and 296 (3) of the Criminal law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.

The Magistrate, Mrs A.S. Odusanya, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100,000 with one surety each.

“The surety must be able to show proof of identity and employment; evidence of five years tax payment should be verified,’’ Odusanya said.

She adjourned the case to March 13 for further hearing.

Elected Local Government Chairmen of Plateau taking their oath of office in Jos recently.

Lawmaker Canvasses Creation Of State Police

LAGOS- The Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA), Mr Taiwo Kolawole, has called on the Federal Government to allow the creation of state police.

Kolawole, representing APC Ajeromi-Ifelodun I, made the call while addressing newsmen in Lagos.

The reports state that Kolawole was reacting to the killing of 29 students of Federal Government College, Buni-Yadi, Yobe by suspected Boko Haram members.

“I am using this opportunity to appeal to the Federal Government again to consider the establishment of state police in the country.

“The rate at which innocent

souls are being wasted on a daily basis can no longer be tolerated.

“I think state police will solve this insurgency problem in the country.

“The solution is to allow the people that belong to the immediate community to be their police rather than posting strangers to unknown communities,’’ he said.

Kolawole also appealed to security agencies to increase intelligence gathering in the troubled states.

The reports state that following the killing of the students of the Federal Government College, BuniYadi, Yobe, the Federal Government had promised to tighten security around federal unity colleges.

Cadbury Explains Capital LAGOSMr. Emil Reduction

Moskofian, the Managing Director, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, has said the company embarked on capital reduction because it had capital in excess of its needs.

He said this at the company’s ‘facts behind the capital reduction’ at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos.

“We can fund all our investments from the current business within the next five years,” Moskofian said.

Moskofian said that the company settled for capital reduction because it would generate sufficient capital for expansion and operational requirements.

According to him, the capital reduction exercise does not mean lack of appetite for Nigerian market.

He said that the company would continue to invest and grow its business in Nigeria because of the vast investment opportunities.

“Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa and cannot be neglected by anybody,” Moskofian said.

Governor Jonah Jang (left) congratulating elected Chairman of Jos South Local Government Area, Mr. Peter Dunng, He, however, assured investors of enhanced growth during the swearing-in of Local Government Chairman in Jos recently.

and returns through new investments and new products.

Mr Sam Ndata, Doyen of Stockbrokers, commended the company for explaining the rationale behind the capital reduction.

Ndata, however, said the capital reduction was not a good investment decision, saying the excess funds could have been re-invested for additional profit.

He urged the company to carry the stockbrokers along for better investment decisions in the future.

The reports state that the company, had on December 19, 2013, sought shareholders’ approval for reduction of its capital base by about N12 billion.

Under the capital reduction plan, the company returned excess capital of N11.9 billion to its shareholders by canceling two out of every five ordinary shares held by shareholders.

The exercise reduced the share capital account by an amount equivalent to the par value of the cancelled shares and share premium accounts by about N11.27 billion.

Across The Nation Bankers’ Committee Rewards Outstanding Performance ENUGU- The Enugu Bankers’ Committee has given three awards for outstanding performance by banks and bankers in the area for 2013.

Reports say that the awards were presented at the weekend at a well-attended dinner and awards ceremony.

The Banker of the Year award was won by Mr Charles Anyaokie of Unity Bank Plc., while Zenith Bank Plc., won the Most Efficient Cash Handling and Processing Award.

Similarly, Union Bank Plc., won the award for Effective Participation in Development Financing.

The Branch Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Enugu, Mr. Patrick Okonkwor, said it would soon embark on the sensitisation of the citizenry in respect of the cashless policy which would be extended to the state from July 1.

He regretted that the ceremony could not hold in 2013 because of exigencies of the time.

In a lecture on the bank’s cashless policy, Mr. Franklin Umeh, the Cashless Champion of the CBN, Enugu branch, described cash as an integral element that fuelled many vices in Nigeria.

Umeh listed some of the consequences of huge cash transactions as inefficient treasury management,

corruption, kidnapping, armed robbery, election rigging and revenue leakages, among others.

He acknowledged that in spite of its numerous benefits, the cashless policy also came with its challenges.

Umeh identified some of the challenges to include lack of confidence, low level of internet penetration, lack of regulatory framework for e-payments, inadequate banking system and high rate of illiteracy.

He, however, said that the cashless policy remained an innovative platform of doing business the other way with reduced risk, but with an enhanced comfort.

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State was represented on the occasion by the Commissioner for Local Governments, Mr Okey Anih.

Insurgency: KANO- The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called for continuous prayers for peace, unity and development in the country.

Abubakar made the call during a national preaching session organised by an

Union Urges FG’s Intervention TIV-Fulani Crisis:

LAFIA- An appeal has been made to the Federal Government to intervene in the frequent TivFulani crisis along the border settlements of Nasarawa and Benue states.

The Secretary, Nasarawa State chapter of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Mohammed Husseini, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Lafia.

According to him, unless and until the Federal Government intervenes, I don’t think our people living along the border settlements in Keana Local Government will have peace.

L-R Head of Banking, CBN Enugu, Mr Osagie Agbonabori; Controller, CBN Enugu, Mr Patrick Okonkwo and representative of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Emeka Madu, receiving award of the most efficient bank, during Enugu Bankers’ Committee Award night in Enugu weekend.

“We have held several peace meetings at the instance of the governors of Nasarawa and Benue states but up till now our people don’t have peace,” he said.

Husseini said until the warring factions involved were disbanded, there would never be peace between the Tivs and the Fulanis.

According to him, both governments of Benue and Nasarawa should also be brought to a round table discussion by the Federal Government in order to end the disputes.

Sultan Calls For Continuous

Islamic group, the Jama’tu Izalatul Bidi’a Waikamatus Sunna (JIBWIS) in Kano.

Represented by Alhaji Garba Tambari, Emir of Maradun in Zamfara, the Sultan decried the security challenges bedevilling the North, especially the North-

Eastern part of the country.

He said: “as traditional rulers, we have since called for continuous prayers against the insecurity that is gradually taking over some parts of the North.’’

According to him, the

KEFFI (NASARAWA)-The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Nasarawa State has elected new executive members to run its affairs for the next four years.

Reports state that the election ended the union’s four years leadership crisis in the state.

The election, which took place in Keffi, was presided over by the National President of the union, Mr. Ibrahim Khaleed.

Khaleed, who announced the result, said Abdullahi Abubakar emerged winner of the state

president with 246 votes to defeat Adamu Salihu-Eladoga who got six votes.

Kahleed said Mr. Aklo Anzaku was returned unopposed as the vice president.

He said Ibrahim Jerimi polled 220 votes to defeated, Abdullahi Hussaini and Abdullahi Sambo, who got five and 28 votes, respectively for the position of treasurer.

Ahmed Isaq and Adams Zubairu were elected as auditors.

Kahleed called on the new union officials to carry

prayers are necessary in order to ensure peace, unity and development in the country.

Earlier, in his remarks, the National Chairman of the Izala Islamic group, Sheik Sani Jingir, called for

Nasarawa NULGE Ends 4-year Leadership Tussle, Elects New Executives

L-R Factory Manager, intercolor paint industries Enugu, Mr Kaartmik Kejaan; National Sales Manager, Mr Ike Ezeh; Managing Director, Mrs Juliet Okeke; representative of Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mr Terna Kudzah and son official, Mrs Maryrose Ugwueche at the presentation of son’s NANCAP award to inter color in Enugu weekend

everybody along in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Also, Governor Umar Tanko Al-Makura, expressed delighted that the leadership tussle in the union had ended.

Represented by Mohammed Danazimi, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Al-Makura urged the new leadership to cooperate with his government to deliver dividends of democracy.

Al-makura charged the new executives to live above board and be good managers of public resources “As people elected to steer the ship of local government staff, posterity will judge all of you on how best you handle the affairs of the people,” he said.

In his acceptance speech, Abubakar commended the delegates for the peaceful conduct of the conference.

Abubakar promised not to let the union down, and assured that everyone would be carried along for the progress of the union.

Reports state that Nasarawa State NULGE had been involved in a four-year leadership and legal tussle, which led to the formation of splitter groups in the union.

Prayers

collaborative efforts in the fight against insurgency.

“The fight against insurgency should be a collaborative one, especially among Muslim and Christian communities,’’ he said.

Jingir expressed concern over the senseless killing of innocent persons in the country, and called on the government to do something urgently in order to check the ugly trend.

“One cannot understand why human lives now become so valueless while those who are responsible for the protection of such lives seem to have failed in their responsibility.

“For the fact that lives have become so vulnerable while the insurgents kill at will, there is urgent need for coming together of the adherents of the two religions to rise against the perpetrators of the dastardly acts.

According to him, the activities of the Boko Haram are aimed at giving Islam a bad name so that Muslims will be the target of harassment, undue treatment and unnecessary persecution.

“We are aware that some powerful ungodly minds are behind the activities of the Boko Haram, in an effort to tarnish the beautiful names of Islam and its followers,’’ he said.

The chairman called for the establishment of a joint vigilance groups in all parts of the country to ensure peaceful coexistence.

Police Elevates 24,118 Officers

By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON ABUJA- The InspectorGeneral of Police, IGP Mohammad Abubakar has ordered the release of the promotion of 24,118 police officers with a call for rededication to duty and respect for fundamental human rights of Nigerians.

This was contained in a press release signed by the f Public Relations Officer force headquarters, Abuja, CSP Frank Mba and made available to The NIGERIAN OBSERVER online.

According to the breakdown of the promotion, a Commissioner of police was elevated to Assistant Inspector-General of Police while six Deputy Commissioners of police moved to commissioners of police.

It further disclosed that seven Assistant Commissioner of Police were promoted to Deputy Commissioners of police, and

seven chief Superintendents of police climbed to Assistant commissioners of police.

Others are 242 superintendents of police to chief superintendents. 424 Deputy superintendents of police to superintendents of police, just as 715 Assistant superintendents of police were pushed to Deputy superintendents of police.

The release however stated that 5,115 Inspectors, 55 senior Inspectors and 525 Inspectors were elevated to Assistant superintendents of police, principal Inspectors and senior Inspectors respectively.

Similarly, 2, 671 Sergeants, 2,876 corporals and 11, 474 police constables were promoted to Inspectors, sergeants and corporals respectively.

The promotion said to be the highest in the history of the force was done to boost the morale that will reward police officers who have distinguished themselves in assigned roles, particularly in the area of crime busting.

Abuja

L-R: Managing Director, Momas Electricity meters manufacturing company (MEMMCO), Mr. Lucas Scaraffiotti; Rep. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and Chairman, MEMMCO, Mr. Kola Balogun, during Rep. DabiriErewa’s visit to the Meter Manufacturing Factory in Lagos recently.

Council Distributes 5,000 Chairs AGENEBODE (EDO)-The Chairman, Etsako-East Local

Cleric Laments Disobedience

By JOEL CHUKWUAGHONIM

UTE OKPULO Venerable Roland Akowe of St Luke Anglican Church, Ute Okpulu in Ika North East local government area of Delta State has lamented general disobedience in the world. He advised Nigerians to be honest in all their endeavours while the leaders should be accountable in their services to the people.

He also advised that people should be committed to Christ who is the alfa and omega, the beginning and the end, who will also be the supreme Judge on the last day of Judgement.

Venerable Akowe called on the Political representatives to

be honest and face realities, adding that politics is not a do or die affair.

He urged President Goodluck Jonathan to hold firm to his faith as a Christian,

imitating Jesus, who carried everybody along both followers and detractors.

Besides, he appealed to Christian, Muslim leaders to show good examples and to pray for Peace in the nation.

Government Council of Edo State, Prince Abdulmalik Suleiman Afegbua, said that the council had distributed 5,000 chairs and desks to Primary Schools in the area.

Afegbua said this in Agenebode, Etsako-East Local Council, while receiving another set of chairs and desks to be distributed to other schools in the area.

“The distribution of the chairs

and desks is the third in the series, since the inception of the present administration.

“And we will continue to sustain the tempo, until all the schools in the area are furnished for conducive learning.

With the distribution of these chairs and desks, we are reemphasising that investments in education and infrastructure are an important aspect in delivering

qualitative education,’’ he said.

The council chairman added that the council would soon receive delivery of another set of furniture, to cover all schools in the area.

Receiving the items, the Supervisory Councillor for Education, Mr Ojiko Moses, promised to ensure that the furniture was adequately distributed.

remarked that haven been in the labour movement since his undergraduate days, he believes in the unity of the Nigeria nation, saying that no part of the country would like to serve itself from the whole.

According to those calling for the breakup of the country were doing so out of frustration due to bad governance which they have experienced over the years.

He noted that those opposed to the National Conference, and calling for boycott base their opinion on the premise that the outcome of previous National Conference was a total failure.

Commissioner Adodo therefore called on leaders at all levels to demonstrate quality leadership that will affect the quality of lives of the ordinary man in the society.

While advising the Nigerian youths to be focus and shun all forms of behaviour that will jeopardize their future.

He told his visitors that he is working out a plan which he said will enable the civil

society visit projects executed in the state by the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s led government.

The Commissioner, assured the civil society that the state government has absolute confidence in them, hence it will continue to involve them in the scheme of things.

Chairman of the group, Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje disclosed that the society which operates nation-wide will synergized with the state government in

meeting the desires of the people.

Mr. Austin Osekwe, a member of the civil society described the appointment of Comrade Didi Adodo as Commissioner for Establishments and Special Duties as very apt and timely.

He added that coming from the labour constituency, Comrade Adodo will be a great asset to the government and people of Edo State.

EDSG Reiterates Commitment To Workers’ Welfare

BENIN CITY – Edo State Commissioner for Establishments and Special Duties, Comrade Didi Adodo has reiterated the determination of the state government to meet the welfare needs of its workers.

Commissioner Adodo stated this when he received members of the Civil Society

for Partnership Development who paid him a courtesy call in Benin City.

The Commissioner stated that he has been in struggle for the emancipation of the Nigeria people since his undergraduate days in the University of Benin, Benin City.

Commissioner Adodo

Mrs. Halima Garba (right) administering Polio Vaccine on a baby in Kafin Madaki.

Sylvester Elugolem

Confered With Chieftaincy Title

BY JOEL CHUKWUAGHOMIN EWOHIMI – The Enogie of Ewohimi Community, H.R.H. Lord Peter Ojeniefo Usifob II of Ewohimi Community has conferred a chieftaincy title on one of their illustrious sons, chief Sylvester Elugolem who was conferred with the Azoe Obaief Ewohimi Community, because

of his contributions to the development of the community.

The event took place on February 13th Thursday 2014 at the palace in Ewohimi in Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State. The event attracted many important dignitaries from across the federation, including delegation of Ewohimi Foundation Union (E.F.U).

Business + Economy Lagos Begins Large-Scale Food Fortification Programme

Abdullahi Haji, a reporter with the Sokoto State Newspaper Company being turbaned as marafan Kwanni in Sokoto recently.

LAGOS- The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has said that the state’s large-scale “Food Fortification Programme“ would reduce high rate of micro-nutrient deficiency among residents.

Fashola made the statement while flagging-off the programme at the Ojuwoye Market in Mushin, Lagos.

The reports state that the Food Fortification Programme is an intervention by the Federal Government, aimed at addressing micro-nutrient deficiency problems in the country.

The governor was represented by the state’s Director of Fisheries, in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Funmilayo Bamtefa.

He commended both the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, for their

drive in promoting the programme.

Fashola said that food was the primary source of energy and sustenance for human beings and that consumption of unbalanced diet could result in ill health.

“This fortification programme will reduce the rate of micronutrient deficiencies, particularly among women and children through the consumption of adequately fortified food.

“The World Health Organisation (WHO), among other internationally recognised organisations said that there are over two billion people worldwide who suffered from variety of micro-nutrient deficiencies,’’ he said.

Also speaking, the DirectorGeneral of NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhi, said that social marketing campaign required total commitment of stakeholders to ensure the success of the food fortification programme in Nigeria.

Orhii, who was represented by

the Director, Food, Safety and Applied Nutrition, Mrs Ogochukwu Mainasara, said that the prevalence of micro-nutrient deficiency among the populace was still of public significance.

“The staple diet of the rural poor still lacks the essential nutrients that will enable them live healthy life.

“There is need to sustain such campaigns and also increase awareness of other micronutrient fortification, which are very crucial in eliminating malnutrition among pregnant women and children under the five years,’’ Orhi said.

He noted that improving nutrition was in line with the president’s transformation agenda of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger.

“The agency is responsible for ensuring that the mandatory food fortification policy of government and support programme from development partners is effectively implemented,’’ he said.

NERC Inaugurates Office To Tackle Electricity Consumers’ Complaints

Mr. Solomon Madaki (middle), coming out after being turbaned as the village head of Dultsu Dinki Village in Bogoro LGA of Bauchi State weekend.

LAGOS- The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission ( NERC) has inaugurated the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) forum office to address customers’ complaints.

The reports state that the inauguration of the EKEDC customers’ forum office followed the deluge of complaints by electricity consumers.

The office is expected to protect electricity consumers from exploitation by service providers.

The Chairman of NERC, Dr Sam Amadi, said the Eko office was the second level in the chain of resolving consumers’ complaints.

He said that issues beyond the forum were to be handled at the

Clearing Agents, Customs, Others Trade Blames Over Cargo Clearance LAGOS- Clearing agents at the Lilypond Container Terminal has attributed the delay in the clearing of goods at the terminal to Customs officers.

The clearing agents said this at a meeting between them, the customs personnel and Lilypond terminal operators in Lagos.

Prince Chuks Njemanze, Chairman, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Lilypond Command chapter, Ijora, alleged that some customs officers deliberately delayed goods at the terminal.

Njemanze said that goods at times stayed at the terminal up to 24 hours, instead of 15 hours.

“We do not know if there are periods allotted to jobs because some officers treat their jobs based on personal relationship and not on merit,’’ he said.

Njemanze also said that clearing agents faced challenges before their trucks were allowed through the gates.

He urged the Area Customs

Controller to solve the problem, to facilitate trade transactions.

On traffic, the ANLCA chairman urged the Lilypond police to urgently tackle rampant gridlock around the terminal axis.

He said that government agencies such as the Quarantine, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agents (NDLEA) and the

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) still clustered around the terminal.

He urged the officials of the agencies to use the designated technology such as the portal to access the cargoes according to the Federal Government directive.

The area Comptroller, Ms Talatu Isa advised the clearing agents to produce the right document to avoid cargo delays.

Isa also said that the agents should go to the right customs section for classification of their goods, instead of being ignorant of the workings of the command.

Mr John Akinditure, the Chief

Security Guard, also said that some agents were responsible for the delay of their goods at the terminal.

Akinditure said that most clearing agents do not perfect the release of cargo before heading for the gate.

Mr Victor Agu, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Lilypond, said the congestion at the terminal gate was caused by tanker drivers who plied the Ijora route, rather than taking the bridge.

NSE To Introduce New Trade Notification System

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM THE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has announced that it will discontinue the old trade notification system, Trade Alert and introduce a fresh notification system known as X-Alert to all its investors in March 2014.

According to Mr Oscar

Onyema, the Chief Executive Officer of The NSE, the X-Alert is a new and improved notification system which will provide investors with details of transactions on an investment account via a Text Message on the recipient’s mobile phone or via an e-mail to the recipient’s box.

“The service which will allow the investing public know when a transaction has been made on their account, will be run inhouse on behalf of The Exchange by the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) with reduced cost implications to both buyers and sellers in the Nigerian Capital Market” said Onyema.

“In addition to paying a lot less for transactions, customers will have updated positions of their accounts at any point in time as this new system offers convenient and easy monitoring of all accounts. There are also the added benefits of effective fraud alert in cases of unauthorized transactions on account, reduction in time spent confirming trades and an enhancement of transparency between the trader and its clients” he added.

final appeal stage by the NERC. Amadi, who was represented by Dr Abba Ibrahim, Commissioner, Government and Consumer Affairs of NERC, said that the office would significantly reduce the incidence of protracted and expensive litigations.

The chairman also congratulated the newly inaugurated forum members who had been chosen to serve in the assignment.

“Just a year ago, the Ikeja customer ’s forum was commissioned; this shows the commitment of NERC towards effective consumers’ right on electricity supply chain to reform the sector.

“The focus is for the benefit of electricity consumers in Nigeria, there is history of very poor electricity service and high level of inefficiency within the electricity sector.

“Which calls for the reform which commenced in 2001, while most of the agenda has been achieved by privatising the power sector,’’ he said.

Amadi said that the inauguration of the customers’ forum was to ensure that electricity customers had value for their money.

‘Am aware they were chosen based on their qualifications, integrity and depth of experience.

“This call to duty will require transparency, teamwork, fairness, consistency and the deployment of their professional experience”.

He said the commission was striving to ensure that vulnerable consumers were fully protected from exploitation by service providers.

“Vital consumer issues like billing, metering, connectivity, price often created disputes between consumers and the service provider.

“NERC has developed the Customer Complaints Redress Mechanism for handling customers’ complaints,’’ Amadi said.

International Features PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin ordered troops involved in a military exercise in western Russia back to base on Tuesday in an announcement that appeared intended to ease East-West tension over fears of war in Ukraine.

Russian financial markets rebounded after sharp falls on Monday, and the euro and dollar rose in Japan, though Moscow’s forces remained in control of Ukraine’s Crimea region, seized bloodlessly after Russian ally Viktor Yanukovich was ousted as Ukrainian president last month.

Russia paid a heavy financial price on Monday for its military intervention in Ukraine, with stocks, bonds and the ruble plunging as Putin’s forces tightened their grip in Crimea, whose population is mainly ethnic Russian.

The Moscow stock market fell 10.8 percent on Monday, wiping nearly $60 billion off the value of Russian firms, but Russian stock indexes rose more than 4 percent early on Tuesday before slipping back again slightly, though still up on the day.

Putin declared at the weekend that he had the right to invade Ukraine to protect Russian interests and citizens after Yanukovich’s downfall following months of popular unrest. Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has a base in Crimea.

But the military exercises in central and western Russia, which began last week and raised fears that Russia might send forces to neighbor Russian-speaking regions of east Ukraine, were completed on schedule.

“The supreme commander of the armed forces of the Russian Federation,

Russia’s vulnerable economy, making it harder to balance the budget and potentially undermining business and public support for Putin.

Ukraine called up reservists on Sunday after Putin’s action provoked what British Foreign Secretary William Hague called “the biggest crisis in Europe in the twenty-first century”.

NATO allies will hold emergency talks on the crisis on Tuesday, for the second time in three days, following a request from Poland, a neighbor of Ukraine.

EU foreign ministers held out the threat of sanctions against Russia if Moscow fails to withdraw its troops from Ukraine, while offering to mediate between the two, alongside other international

Vladimir Putin, gave the order for the troops and units, taking part in the military exercises, to return to their bases,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.

Although the end of the exercises had been planned, the announcement sent a more conciliatory message than much of the rhetoric from Russian officials, who say Moscow must defend national interests and those of compatriots in Ukraine.

Putin is dismayed that the new leadership in Ukraine, the cradle of Russian civilization, has plotted a course towards the European Union and away from what had been Moscow’s sphere of influence during Russian President, Vladimir Putin

Fallout Of Russian Incursion In Ukraine

generations of Soviet Communist rule.

Moscow’s U.N. envoy told a stormy meeting of the Security Council that Yanukovich had sent a letter to Putin requesting he use Russia’s military to restore law and order in Ukraine.

The United States has begun spelling out its response to Russia’s incursion, announcing a suspension of all military engagements with Russia, including military exercises and port visits, and freezing trade and investment talks with Moscow.

President Barack Obama had more than two hours of talks on Monday with his national security advisers to discuss what steps the United States and its allies could take to “further isolate” Russia, a White House official said.

“Over time this will be a costly proposition for Russia. And now is the time for them to consider whether they can serve their interests in a way that resorts to diplomacy as opposed to force,” Obama told reporters.

The State Department said the United States was preparing to impose sanctions on Russia over the intervention, although no decisions had yet been made.

Members of the U.S. Congress are looking at options including sanctions on Russia’s banks and freezing assets of Russian public institutions and private investors, but they said they wanted European states to step up their involvement.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will propose ways for a negotiation

between Russia and Ukraine to be overseen by a multilateral organization when he visits Kiev on Tuesday, Obama said.

An International Monetary Fund mission is also in Kiev to discuss financial assistance for Ukraine to help it avoid bankruptcy.

Kiev’s new leaders want a financial package worth at least $15 billion, with a quick release of some of the cash.

The European Union has threatened unspecified “targeted measures” unless Russia returns its forces to their bases and opens talks with Ukraine’s new government.

Western leaders have sent a barrage of warnings to Putin against armed action,

“Western leaders have sent a barrage of warnings to Putin against armed action, threatening economic and diplomatic consequences, but are not considering a military response.”

threatening economic and diplomatic consequences, but are not considering a military response.

There was no immediate sign of any new movements

by Russian forces in Crimea overnight although Ukraine’s acting president said on Monday that Russia’s military presence on the Black Sea peninsula was growing.

Ukrainian officials said Russia was building up armor on its side of the 4.5km (2.7- mile) wide Kerch strait between the Crimean peninsula and southern Russia.

Russian forces shipped three truckloads of troops by ferry into Crimea after taking control of the border post on the Ukrainian side, Ukraine’s border guards spokesman said. A Reuters news team reported no sign of more troops arriving from Russia on Tuesday and said the situation was static.

Kiev’s U.N. ambassador, Yuriy Sergeyev, said Russia had deployed roughly 16,000 troops to Crimea since last week.

Both sides have avoided bloodshed, but the market turmoil on Monday highlighted damage the crisis could wreak on

bodies.

EU leaders will hold an emergency summit on Thursday.

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, or OSCE, said it was trying to convene an international contact group to help defuse the crisis after Germany said Chancellor Angela Merkel had persuaded Putin to accept such an initiative.

Switzerland, which chairs the pan-European security body, said the group could discuss sending observers to Ukraine to monitor the rights of national minorities.

“There will be very, very broad consensus for that monitoring mission. We call on Russia to join that consensus, make the right choice and pull back its forces,” U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland told OSCE envoys in Vienna.

The Russian central bank raised its key lending rate by 1.5 percentage points on Monday after the ruble sank to all-time lows. The ruble edged up against the dollar on Tuesday.

Tension over Ukraine also knocked 2 to 3 percent off European stock markets and 1 percent off Wall Street on Monday, and sent safe haven gold to a four-month high.

Courtesy Reuters

STREET trading is the act of engaging in the buying and selling of goods and articles, in undesignated and unauthorized centres by traders and their customers alike. This in recent times in Nigeria especially in our towns and big cities has become one of the menacing social and commercial activities of some Nigerians.

IN both traditional and modern Nigerian societies, certain areas are reserved as centres for commercial activities and designated and built as markets for traders to go and occupy for purposes of displaying their wares and engaging in the buying and selling of same, and this was well organised.

BUT today, what we find is wanton blockade of major streets and centres meant for other purpose by traders, who, with impunity and effrontery engage in their businesses without due consideration for other road users, or the health implications of their actions. Centres like Ojuelegba in Lagos State, Ore in Ondo State, Obolafor in Anambra State, Dugbe in Oyo State, Lagos Street and the popular Ring Road in Edo State to mention but a few, have been notorious for acts of street trading overtime, FACTORS responsible for the use of undesignated centres for trading are not far-fetched; the lack of respect for constituted authorities by such traders; the fact that the society has become highly organic in nature, thereby attaining a level

THE NIGERIAN

Street Trading And Beautification Of Benin of sophistication that human activities are getting more and more complicated; the fact that there is population explosion to the extent that Nigerians now migrate enmasse from the rural to urban centres; the effect of urbanisation and development with all its attendant advantages and disadvantages, the high level corruption on the part of our law enforcers, who, after collecting gratifications, financially or otherwise from these traders, leave them undisturbed to carry out their illegal street trading.

BEING that the disadvantages of street trading far outweigh the advantages, governments and concerned Nigerians have individually and collectively kicked against the act, calling for a halt to such attitude.

FOR instance, there have been instances where vehicles with mechanical faults, crushed traders who display their wares very close to the road; an experience which have in the past, left relatives of victims in pains and agony.

ALSO, street trading in undesignated centres in our cities and towns, have added in no small measure, to bastardization of the

aesthetic value of such areas, even as it has also contributed to the depreciating health status of the people who live in and around such market areas, due to the high volume of filth generated from the activities of such illegal traders.

THE effort of the Edo State Government to sanitize the Ring Road, Upper Mission and other areas from the activities of street traders and other hawkers of assorted wares is commendable.

AGAINST this background, The NIGERIAN OBSERVER in addition appeals to market women to abide by and listen to wise counsel from government by moving into vacant stalls inside the markets, to help add to the aesthetic value of our cities, even as they are also admonished to help enhance their health status.

IT is something worthy of note to see how the city centre (Ring Road) looks like when it is devoid of any street trading. The fact is that the scenario provides a beautiful atmosphere to behold and equally something of pride that Benin City could be equaled to any beautiful city in the world.

HENCE, we enjoin all residents to continue to maintain the standard that has been set by the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole-led administration who is desirous to ensure that a befitting infrastructure base is put in place that will be something of pride to everyone.

Issues

Our Challenges Are Ephemeral, We Will Over Come Them -Jonathan

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan says that the nation’s challenges, no matter how daunting they seem, are ephemeral and will soon be overcome.

Jonathan said this in a remark at the centenary interdenominational thanksgiving service at the Ecumenical Centre, Abuja on Sunday.

“We have our challenges, but definitely we have more opportunities in this country than the challenges.

“Our challenges are very ephemeral, other countries have passed through even more difficulties, but they survived them and celebrate.

“Go to the history of other big and developed countries, you will thank god. Though our own seems very bad but god is still with us.

“Surely, Nigeria will get there, I have a great hope for this country in spite of the temporary challenges that we are facing.

“We will work hard to make sure that these challenges must be dealt with and reduced to the barest minimum,’’ he declared.

According to him, with love and determination among the citizens, Nigeria will attain its full potential and take its pride of place in the world.

“I see a new Nigeria fill with love, I see a new Nigeria with great determination, I see a new Nigeria with passion.

“This is my article of faith and hope for a brighter future and our commitment to realising a united Nigeria and creating a Nigeria that our children will be proud of is what I request from all of us.’’

He, therefore, appealed to the people to shun ethnicity, religious bigotry and every other evil and focus on the

good thing to make the country great.

“I appeal to all of us to show love more than ever before to one another regardless of tribe, religion or race.

“Let us show love even when it hurts most for our lives will be more fulfilling giving to others.

“As Apostle Paul enjoins us in Philippians chapter 2 verses 5, and he said, let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus, the mind of love, mind of tolerance, mind of peace and the mind of build.

“Together we shall lead a greater nation, together we shall leave a legacy for our children, together we will surely make this country great,’’ he said.

Jonathan recalled that at the beginning when his administration came up with the idea of centenary celebrations, there were dissenting voices to it.

He said the celebration had helped to shed light on the nation’s past, assess and review the present and to plan for the future.

He specifically thanked all the seven living former heads of state and presidents for their supports toward the celebration and their personal presence at the centenary award night.

Reports say that before giving his speech, the president had specially recognised a former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who was also in the service.

He noted that the centenary was made possible by Gowon who as the then head of state did not allow the country to disintegrate during and after the civil war.

Upon invitation by the president to say some few words, Gowon thanked God

for the opportunity given to him to lead the country at a very tough time.

He noted that the end of the civil war with the declaration of “no victor, no vanquish’’ and the agreement to live together as one entity after the war was second to none in the globe.

Gowon said he became more committed to the unity of the nation during the war

by the colonial masters for economic and administrative convenience, it was God ordained and not a mistake.

Makinde said the amalgamation brought together multi-ethnic, multilanguage and multi-religious nations to form the largest black country in the globe.

He said it was God ordained for Nigeria to remain one in spite of various challenges,

President Goodluck Jonathan

when Nigerians form an acronym with his name “Go On With One Nigeria (GOWON)’’.

He urged the younger generation to perpetually work toward a continued unity of the nation.

The retired Prelate, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Rev. Sunday Ola Makinde, in a sermon, said though the 1914 amalgamation was done

crisis and wars that had befell it.

Specifically, he said Nigeria had survived the crisis in the Western region, the 1966 coup which led to the massacre of Ibos in the Northern region, the attempted break away of the Eastern region and the subsequent civil war which lasted for three years.

He said the country also survived various coups and

“Notwithstanding our struggles and challenges, our centenary as a nation is an epoch deserving celebrating by the Nigerian people.It offers us a unique opportunity to focus on God who has kept us as indivisible entity to focus on our country, its history”

counter-coups, the annulment of June 12, 1997 general elections, the Gen. Mohammed Abacha’s coup de tat, the murder of Ken Saro Wiwa which led to the upsurge of Niger Delta militancy among others.

Makinde said that though, the nation had survived many challenges, it had also revealed that the 1914 amalgamation and the 1960 independence, did not give the country a desired unity.

He, therefore, commended the president for the courage to summon a National Conference that would give the opportunity for Nigerians to fashion out how they would live together.

The cleric said that though the conference was not to divide the country, it would give the opportunity to review, “where we are coming from in the last 100 years, where we are and where we are going to.

“If India and the United Kingdom can be together today, I see no reason why Nigeria should not be one.

“However, we need to review our common goals, Nigerians are not in accord or mutual agreement today.

He, therefore, urged the president and all relevant government arms to respect the outcome of the conference.

Makinde also urged the president to focus on addressing the challenges of corruption, poor infrastructure, suspicion, kidnapping, raping, unemployment, terrorism and in particular, the Boko Haram insurgency.

He said in addressing the Boko Haram insurgency, the military should be well and adequately equipped, and government should find out the sources of funding of the evil perpetrators.

On the 2015 general elections, Makinde urged the politicians not to heat up the nation, but believe that it was God that anoints a leader.

He said the politicians should rise up to build the nation and not to break it.

Earlier, the National President, Christians

Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said the service was to thank God for keeping the country in the past 100 years since amalgamation of January 1, 1914.

Oritsejafor, represented by CAN National Secretary, Rev. Musa Asake, said not all nations were privileged to have such longevity.

“Notwithstanding our struggles and challenges, our centenary as a nation is an epoch deserving celebrating by the Nigerian people.

“It offers us a unique opportunity to focus on God who has kept us as indivisible entity to focus on our country, its history, people, achievements and aspirations for the next century,” Oritsejifor said.

Reports say that the Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church, Abuja, Bishop David Abioye, took the prayers of adoration and thanksgiving at the service.

There were prayers of intercessions by different men of God, and was rounded up with prophetic declarations by the President of the living Faith Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo.

Oyedepo charges Nigerians to speak well of the country and pray for its peaceful coexistence.

There was special rendition of thanksgiving songs by the mass choir of Abuja CAN, the band unit of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence.

Present at the service are, Senate President, Sen. David Mark, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Emeka Ihedioha, and former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.

The others are: the First Lady, Dame Patience: the president’ mother, Mrs Ayi and Governor Theodore Orji of Abia; deputy governors, ministers, presidential aides, service chiefs, clergy, members of diplomatic corps.

(NAN)

View Point THE President in any democratic society leads other Cabinet ministers or members to control the affairs of such society and as Executive President dully elected by the electorate has the power to hire and fire his ministers or any political appointees he feels is not performing to standard. Sanusi was inherited by this administration.

The sack of such executive officers or political appointees may be due to underperformance in their respective responsibility or for reasons best known to the President and such persons are replaced by other qualified persons who the president feels will do better to strengthen and drive the focus of the administration.

Some of those sacked most times elicit reactions, allegations and counter allegations from both sides of the divide leading to public debate and national discourse that will occupy the front burner of the nation as long as the issue last.

Since the beginning of this year, President Goodluck Jonathan has sacked over 11 members of his cabinet for various reasons and the sack has led to various reactions from the citizens of the country. Political watchers, analysts and commentators have all took to various platform made available by the media to discuss the issue.

The discussion is based on

the issue on ground.

The suspension of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has followed the trend of issues in the nation, some are applauding the President for exercising his executive power to suspend the CBN governor while others are condemning it in totality saying the President would have just allowed him to finish his tenure on 4th of June 2014.

Commenting on the issue, the President of Jubilee Emancipation Initiative and former

Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

President Goodluck Jonathan

Jonathan And His Executive Powers Chairman of the Youth Wing of Christians Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) Dr. Dele Oluwatade has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for suspending the Central Bank Governor saying the suspension was long over due and the suspension is the right step towards the right direction.

“Right from the inception of Sanusi’s tenure, he started on a bad note by sacking bank executives and bank owners, people who through turbulent waters built their bank to where it was before Sanusi kicked them out from their businesses. Everybody was applauding as he dismantled heavy weight banking gurus, many bank workers were marooned jobless. Our people not his

By RICHARD OKORO EWEKA people suffered the most.

If Mr. Erastus CMD Intercontinental bank and Mrs Cecilia Ibru CMD oceanic bank were from the core north they would have been honoured for exceptional entrepreneurship potentials and assisted to recover.

Right from the beginning I was not satisfied with his policies and actions. He has destroyed the career of those bank executives, if not for the grace of God; those bank executives would have committed suicide by now. CBN governor came in to catch on their mistakes to mar their career, this is not good enough. This goes a long way to show the inexperience of our leaders in electing or appointing people to occupy strategic

position.

Dr. Oluwatade advocates that the disgraced banks executives should be reinstated back to their positions and their bank given back to them in peace. Sanusi’s behaviour on the issue is a deep seated animosity against a section of Nigeria, these banks executives should be compensated for the damage over the years.

Speaking further, Dr. Oluwatade said Sanusi was advised to resign but he decline and dare the Mr. President, by so doing drew the battle line. In trying to stamp his authority and exercise his executive power, President Jonathan decided to suspend the Sanusi from office for alleged financial recklessness. The advice to

“Right from the inception of Sanusi’s tenure, he started on a bad note by sacking bank executives and bank owners, people who through turbulent waters built their bank to where it was before Sanusi kicked them out from their businesses.”

resign was a soft landing provided by Mr President which Sanusi took for executive weakness.

“Sanusi is free to exercise his fundamental human right by going to Court and let the Court give a legal interpretation of the suspension, and the Court should decide whether the President is right or wrong, the Court is the best place to address the issue.

“The suspension has further appreciated the President personality, and shows that the President has step up the game proving that he is the President of Nigeria. The President is a godly man that understands how to use power and authority.

He is not a weak person, he has the right attitude to power and authority, he remains normal despite all his power, he behaves well enough. The departure of Sanusi will enhance the growth of the Banking Industry and his successor should ensure he corrects some of the wrong brought on the nation. He should do his work and not complain or making noise like Sanusi. Our economy is robust, if not, Sanusi’s

utterances would have destroyed the nation”.

Dr. Oluwatade said Sanusi deviated from his primary responsibility as CBN governor into the main stream politics and also religious issues. He single handedly started Islamic banking without the board of CBN or the president and NASS inputs. He was the most powerful man.

He appeared too bold on some national issues and his boldness and confidence has cost him his job as governor of CBN. He said the governor should have been removed before now when he openly defended Boko Haram insurgency in the North East of the country.

Occupying sensitive position like that of the CBN governor is a privilege; those lucky to have it should use it wisely to transform the society.

The National Assembly is advised to tidy up the running of the Central Bank, to prevent a worst scenario in future, a situation where the apex bank’s governor appears to be stronger than the President and Commander in Chief.

Ivbaze

Osazua

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“In the former northern Nigeria has emerged different zones and divergent tendencies through which a common ethnoreligious needle can no longer pierce through.”

2015: There is something about some Northern politicians that makes me sad and angry. They feel Nigeria is their private estate and therefore they have been divinely ordained to rule it in perpetuity. It doesn’t make any sense to them that before the emergence of OBJ in 1999, they had ruled the country for close to 40 years.

Now, as 2015 beckons, they desperately want power back.

The heat in the polity is not emanating from whether or not Jonathan has delivered on electoral promises, or how well he has performed. The real or major issue that is heating the polity is power shift. Where does the president come from in 2015? And where should he/she come from.

The northerners insist that power must come back to them. They say it is now their turn. As a matter of fact, the reason some PDP governors, minus Amaechi, defected to APC is hinged more on Jonathan’s refusal to drop his ambition to contest 2015 presidential election. If Jonathan announces today that he will no longer contest the 2015 presidential election, calm will return to the north, and by extension the country.

As stated earlier, the north had for close to 40 years dominated the affairs of this country – Tafawa Balawa, Yakubu Gowon, Murtala Muhammed, Shehu Shagari, Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babagida, Sani Abacha, Abdusalami and Yar’Adua.

And yet, the north remains the most backward region in terms of health care services, education etc. There is really nothing to show their people in terms of dividends of governance. That is a topic for another day.

Let’s come back to 2015.

As The North Insists On Power Shift

Should Jonathan bow to northern pressure to drop his ambition? My take is that it is just not possible. And I also

hurdles for him in his attempted ride into the Southern Nigeria.

I do not really know why

Does it really enjoy the endorsement of all northern politicians. Even if it does, we have to admit that it is yet too

Buhari

President Goodluck Jonathan

feel that the call is unnecessary and utterly ridiculous.

There is an option open to the northerners if they insist on power return. They have option of rallying round an opposition party to battle the ruling party. In doing that they must realise that they cannot get it all alone but must have a cross cultural and cross ideological bridge to reach out to other ethnic nationalities.

Through the defunct CPC, the northerners had opportunity in 2011. Buhari, its presidential candidate lost to Jonathan. Buhari was unable to shake off his ethno religious credentials and that became insurmountable

The restructuring of Nigeria into six geo-political zones marked the beginning of a new platform of political

northerners feel they can only realize the dram of power shift through the instrumentality of PDP. Rather than dissipating their energies on the clamour for Jonathan to abandon 2015, they should work out other alternatives in the pursuit of their desires.

Let’s face it. Gone are the years when a monolithic north existed gone too is the calculation of exploiting if for political dividends. The north as a geo-political entity was indeed very powerful in the time of Ahmadu Bello who used its (North) numerical gift to intimidate the other parts of the country.

permutation in the north. It destroyed the monolithic ambience of the north and released some form of radical probe into what was hitherto regarded as the voice and arrogance of an oligarchy.

In the former northern Nigeria has emerged different zones and divergent tendencies through which a common ethno-religious needle can no longer pierce through. Attempt to patch up the new realities in the north and present them as a unifying ethos has become starkly unattractive and unattainable.

So, where is the noise actually coming from? I mean the noise of a power shift.

early in the day for northerners to be clamouring for power shift without considering the right of other geo-political zones to have access to what they (northerners) sat on for close to 40 years of our 54 years of nationhood.

The zone that should really be complaining now is the South-East. This is a zone that parades highly industrious and enterprising people but who have found it difficult to push for national leadership. This may not be unconnected with the civil war in which the Ibos fought to have a sovereign nation of theirs. For attempting to express themselves and brake out of a country that

could not longer guarantee their security the Ibos have continued to remain in Team B in national political calculations.

These are the people that should be grumbling about power shift. They are right if they are calling for power shift.

But how they do that is their business as nobody will give it to them on a platter of gold.

They have to fight for it. It is their business if they continue to trade-off opportunities for personal gratification.

I am not a card carrying member of any of the registered political parties but certainly, I have my ideological preferences. If the north will allow, it should be considered appropriate for the two major political parties, PDP and APC, to pick their presidential candidates from the South or any of the Southern states, outside the South West. We are concerned about fairness.

If we are genuinely concerned about building an equitable polity where justice and fair play will thrive then the constitution of the registered political parties must contain clauses that would make power to rotate round the various ethnic nationalities in the country. That way, we would be seen to be entrenching equalitarianism in our sociopolitical engineering.

My calculation may be wrong. But I feel that any political party that fields a northerner as its presidential candidate may find it difficult to break into the South in the 2015 elections.

One good thing now is that there is an emerging strong opposition to the ruling party.

Political prediction as to the outcome of 2015 presidential election may be difficult to make now until APC and PDP pick their presidential candidates.

Midweek Magazine OUR enemies are the political profiteers, swindlers, the men in high and low places who seek bribes and demand ten per cent, those that seek to keep the country divided permanently so that they can remain in office as ministers and VIPs of waste, the tribalists, the nepotists.

Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu.

January 1966 Coup Broadcast.)

Are the political profiteers gone from the Nigerian society? Are the bribe takers gone? Do they demand ten per cent or more today? Are those that seek to keep Nigeria permanently divided gone? Are the VIPs of waste no longer with us?

What about the tribalists? Are they gone? Are they weaker in their politics? What about the nepotists? Have they been reformed? If we can answer “yes” to one of these questions, we can end the paper right here, go home, pop some champagne and sing hallelujah because our country has been reborn. Let me put it to you all (as if you did not already know) that our country is still in big trouble.

These troubles were not created by some invisible elements or by God. They were generated and nurtured by people that live amongst us; people that we all know very well. In fact, in many instances we have encouraged and protected these characters and this attitude has emboldened them to take more risks in perpetuating their dubious agenda. Today, we are all paying very dearly for the discipline, irresponsibility, arrogance, limited vision, wickedness and reed of this group.

Unfortunately, their pathological fixation of responsibility, nepotism, corruption, waste, and other lucrative unproductive but not really helpful ventures have percolated to the west ebbs of our society to such an extent that even ordinary people now mimic the decadent elite. This is very unfortunate for a creative and hardworking people.

I want to make bold to say that the roots of the problems of our country can be found at five major levels: 1. The nature of our history, historical experience and the consequences of that experience; 2. The nature and character of the Nigerian postcolonial state 3. The character, hegemony

and accumulative base of the Nigerian governing (as against ruling) class; 4.

The nature of contestations and engagements within and between social classes; and 5. The location and role of the Nigerian social formation in the global divisions of labour and power.

It is the coalitions, contradictions, distortions and disarticulations arising from these factors and forces that shape the content and context of our politics and society. It is the inability of the state to emerge as a relatively autonomous force; the inability of the governing class to build hegemony and emerge as a ruling class; the contradictions of production and exchange relations; and the continuing marginal location and role of the social formation in the global power balances that have created the foundations for political rascality in Nigeria. Thus, rather than build structures, ideologies, relationships, networks, and enabling environments to build a nation-state (if not a nation) out of the contending diverse interests, identities and nationalities that occupy our political landscape, the opportunistic politics of the power elite has rather, congealed alternative sites of loyalty and power. It has enthroned and reified normless politics, alienated significant communities that continue to survive and operate outside the hegemony of the state, and promoted a culture of cynicism and reliance on extra-legal processes and actions that now guide relations between the people on the one hand and the state and its custodians on the other. It is not an accident therefore that informality and informal relations continue to reign supreme whether is it to get a job, scholarship, admission, contracts, relate to public institutions and officers or whatever, Nigerians consider first an informal approach before or alongside a formal one.

WHAT IS POLITICAL RASCALITY? In the history of every society, the dynamics of production and exchange relations have significant implications for class and power balances. The mode(s) of accumulation shapes the hegemony and solidity of state and class. The power elite use the structures of power to legitimate the

Beyond Political Rascality: domination and exploitation of non-bourgeois forces and through numerous hegemonic projects try to build an ideological bloc that in turn moulds and determines the nature and direction politics as well as the world-view of dominated forces. Control and domination are exercised in civil society rather than at the political level which relies on intimidation, violence, manipulation, and the containment of the popular will. Rather, such elite has a sense of nation and a sense of mission. It might quarrel over broad issues but it shares deep ideological commitments that bind it together in the interest of larger national objectives.

For instance, Democrats and Republicans may fight in America but they all remain American capitalists. There is a limit to the degree of political irresponsibility that would not be entertained.

There is some predictability in political actions and political institutions can exercise their functions as are laid out in the constitution. There is unanimity of respect for the constitution and a near total finality in the pronouncements of the law courts. As well, when the national interest is threatened, they band together against external threats. In short, almost all, Americans, irrespective of colour or class believe in the American project. A country like South Africa is steadily working towards that. The problem is that the African elite is so irresponsible, highly factionalized, ideologically bankrupt and confused that it often lays the foundations for the subversion of its already tenuous hegemony. This is because its political rascality prevents it from generating, packaging, circulating and sustaining longer term political, economic and social strategies for building growth, development, democracy and hegemony. This is a class that lives for the day with little or no interest in longer term projects. This explains why it is in so much hurry to embezzle public funds without providing services to the people. Of course, this alienates the people, erodes the credibility of the power elite, and precipitates anger, distrust, alienation, and violence. The already tenuous hegemony dissolves into petty squabbles and political indiscipline or rascality

become the celebrated form of political engagement.

Political rascality therefore is that brand of politics that lacks ideological content and context, that is short sighted, disorganized, opportunistic, and incapable of building strong, efficient and effective institutions. This brand of politics is generally superficial, alienating, and pedestrian. It is often focused on the capture and deployment of raw power and its mobilizational capacity is often limited. In broad contexts, it is anti-people.

This is because issues of gender equality especially women’s rights, the environment, social cultural rights, community rights, minority rights, and popular participation in the making and implementation of decisions are often taken for granted, trivialized or simply ignored. Political rascality is essentially individualistic and it often expresses itself in the inability of politicians to maintain discipline within their own parties. There is an excessive focus on building personality cults, subverting laid down rules, seeking short cuts to power, and using power to marginalize already voiceless and marginal communities and citizens. Of course, political rascality is also a “strategy” for covering up monumental policy failures on the part of the elite.

It shows up as a sort of “shakara” politics where critical issues and discourses are reduced to pedestrian levels and trivialized. Thus rather than present serious minded and focused wellthought out strategies or programs for change, the politicians engage in the politics of personality and diversions. Under this mould of politics, there is often a well-packed strategy of blaming the victims rather than the perpetrators. A steady strategy of depoliticization, defensive radicalism and decolonization become the basis of political relations and competition.

The depoliticization strategy involves an effort to reduce the strength and focus of politics especially at the local level. The political rascals try to politicize trivial issues while subjecting critical questions to dubious negotiations. In fact, they appropriate the political voice of the people by anointing

Options For

By PROF. JULIUS IHONVBERE

themselves as leaders. Hence, the vice- president Atiku Abubakar declared that the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) does not and cannot speak for the north. The vicepresident was convinced that with the existence of elected legislators and executives, a group of self and non-elected persons could not claim to be speaking for the peoples of the north. Such groups exist in the West and East and among minorities be it Ohaneze, Afenifere or such groups.

Who or when were they elected? They simply called a few people, decided on what they considered important and on the best strategies of achieving their declared goals. Now they arrogantly decide who should run for office, how they should run for office, what should be the priorities of regions and ethnic groups, and when they quarrel amongst themselves they expel each other and try to rationalize their actions based on informal rules already decided in secret.

Some even declare arrogantly that party primaries would not be necessary because they were satisfied with the performance of incumbents or that “vacancies” do not exist for certain political positions.

Of course, they are accountable only to themselves. Members of the Nigerian elite have done a lot of damage to this country in the name of their “peoples” even as they act without consultation. This, simply put, is part of political rascality.

The strategy of defensive radicalism is exhibited when they adopt fake and opportunistic radical postures.

Scratch the radicalism and militancy and you would find greed, corruption, and total disregard for the short and longer term consequences of their actions. They blow a lot of hot air with no strategy, capacity, or desire to actualize their numerous threats. Often designed to gain attention or

win an invitation to the “dining table,” their actions reflect more of commitment to illiberal democracy than a peoples’ democracy. You would find a lot of this in some prodemocracy movements, human rights groups, trade unions, ethnic associations, professional groups and in the specific struggles n north-south relations, minority-majority contestations and permutations, and in the resource control or political

restructuring bates. Many that openly pretend to articulate positions on these issues,go behind the curtain to negotiate lucrative benefits for themselves. Once they get appointed to political positions, they engage in double speak or simply become silent. In the June 12 movement, there were many who openly supported the struggle but privately urged General Sani Abacha and later Abubakar Adulsalam not to concede to the June 12 demands. Similarly, many so-

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“The state inherited at violent, undemocratic, an that was barely constitute of governance or efficien

Midweek Magazine r Moving Nigeria Forward

alled radicals and militants ad o qualms with working or Abacha even when his unta was looting, maiming, illing, and brutalizing the ntire society. Some so-called adicals had no regrets in writing to invite Abacha to ake over power when a erious ideological reading of hat moment would have told hem that a character like Abacha could not be a vehicle or the restoration of emocracy and stability in Nigeria. Ironically, some of hem are today very close to he seat of power in a liberal rrangement lat they had

globalization of issues. The use of religion and other primordial proclivities is equally rampant. Because the Nigerian elite hardly read. It is largely unaware of developments in other parts of Africa and the larger world so it continues to recycle outdated and long-abandoned ideological and political tools.

Reminiscent of the traditional “planning without facts”, the elite engage the contradictions of domination. exploitation, marginalization, and underdevelopment without a philosophy or at best a

worked very hard to subvert.

Unfortunately, the ordinary eople confuse them with real r serious radicals and use heir failings deride the enuine efforts of committed atriots.

The de-ideologization rategy is simply to atomize oncrete ideological questions nd pretend that they are best andled in bits. In act, the truggle to sort out the ontradictions in ompartmentalized s against olistic) forms relies heavily n the ethnicization or

pedestrian one. If it gets as far as “pan Africanism” it has done very well though quite often it has no idea that this is all about and has no plans to alter what Nkrumah said decades ago to fit contemporary realities and challenges. In essence, the goal is to float around with no philosophical blocks to build a comprehensive national project that would outlive regimes and individuals.

Because political rascality enables the power elite to immerse itself shamelessly in

independence was a nd privatized structure ed to serve as the basis t delivery of services.”

irrelevance and waste, it can accumulate rather rapidly even if the process undermines the state and mortgages its own future. The longer run consequence however is the reproduction of negative coalitions, suspicions, poverty, disease, foreign domination, and violence. In my view, this has largely been the experience of Nigeria. Let us focus on the Nigerian elite and the state.

THE STATE IN NIGERIA AS INSTRUMENT OF DOMINATION The state inherited at independence was a violent, undemocratic, and privatized structure that was barely constituted to serve as the basis of governance or efficient delivery of services.

Under colonialism, public policy was not a public process. Democratic values were ignored or suppressed.

Primordial loyalties were politicized and used to manipulate individuals and communities. Colonialism was insensitive to local values and needs and it imposed taxes, levies, fees, and laws at will and without consultation.

Its primary concern was with maximizing profits and the general extraction of surplus to satisfy the interests of the metropolitan state and dominant classes. It relied on extreme force and used its military power to visit violence on African communities without hesitation. Communities that refused to pay taxes, contribute forced labour or acknowledge the “legitimacy” of the colonial state were attacked or razed and their leaders killed or forced into exile. Africans were made to see themselves as subjects rather than citizens and indigenous values were bastardized or wiped out. The economic, political, and social programs of the colonial state were informed by a pathological fixation on satisfying the greed of European merchants and consumers.

This state structure was not dismantled at political independence. Rather, it was simply “whitewashed” or “Africanized” and handed over to a carefully nurtured political elite that was extremely hungry for raw power. Leading members of the new African elite that had been carefully identified,

educated or nurtured in the ways of European interests were domesticated and incorporated into the colonial political machines as political apprentices after World War II. The state building project in Africa has failed to transform power into authority. It has continued to dominate society at the political level relying on violence almost at the first instance of political engagement. It has become largely irrelevant to the existential conditions of the people because they engage it only at the point where its agents are extracting resources and visiting violence on them and their communities. All over Africa, people are learning not to trust or rely on the state and have designed ingenuous strategies for avoiding, evading, confronting, and weakening the state. This is exactly the story of Nigeria. This sort of non-hegemonic state encourages political rascality because its capacity and propensity to rely on violence is very high. This capacity makes it attractive to political opportunists, mediocre politicians and persons committed to struggles of limited objectives. This in itself lay’s the foundations for instability, the abridgment of individual and collective rights, and the suffocation of civil society.

The Nigerian state, a product of history and managed by a largely unproductive elite remains very unstable and nonhegemonic. The challenge of building hegemony remains its foremost predicament. Its credibility has been severely mediated by decades of military rule, insensitivity to the plight of the majority, and its frequent resort to violence against non-bourgeois communities. To be sure, the structure of the state have been reformed or reconstructed over the decades since political independence. These reforms have not been consistent and have hardly involved the people. Speeches introducing new projects and policies are simply read on TV and the people are expected to fall in line or to support projects that they know nothing about.

Such support have often been temporary or superficial hence state creation, a new anthem and pledge, national honours, new local

governments, new states, a new federal capital, new leaders- military and civilian, new universities and other institutions to name but a few, have failed to build the sort of Nigeria we all dream of.

However, with the accumulative base of the ruling class largely located in access to the state and its resources rather than in productive activities, it has been difficult to construct an efficient, effective, legitimate, truly sensitive, transparent and democratic state. Its unsteadiness is evidenced in the numerous challenges to its tenuous hegemony; the wanton disregard for is rules and regulations its inability to extract surpluses; and its frequent resort to intimidation, manipulation and diversions. Even with the return to democratic rule in May 1999, the contradictions of the state have not diminished. Part of the problem lies with the struggle to undo the legacies of military dictatorship. This struggle often comes up, unfortunately, as moves against regions/religions and interests.

In reality, Individuals and cliques affected often transpose their narrow interests on those of regions and communities in order to build a dubious regional grievance list.

Unfortunately because of the nature of the May 1999 transition, the quality of politicians that found their ways by hook and crook into power has complicated efforts at genuine democratization Those that got into power have simply shut out those that they see as real or imaginary competitors, opponents or claimants to the throne. Though subtly, power is being used to build huge political war chests, personal fortunes and to buy the structures of violence such as the police, even the legislatures. A situation where a governor publicly denounces formal state security services and the police and hands issues of crime control to thugs and extra-legal bodies demonstrates the deepening crisis of the state. The existence of several extralegal political and ‘militant’ associations that frequently and openly challenge the power of the state is also evidence of the crisis of legitimacy It is no wonder that the campaign for the 2003 elections started in 2000: performance is on the pages of newspapers and on the lips

of sycophants and praise singers rather than in the concrete transformation of the environment. Why a local government chairman would advertise the so-called achievements of his administration in the Guardian or NewsWatch beats me. It is largely because they are not performing and are seeking dubious ways of confusing already confused and cheated citizens. In the grim struggle to keep out others and as well as in the strategizing to unseat incumbents, the norms of governance and democratic competition have been mortgaged or sacrificed by the political elite. The numerous cases of assassinations, attempted assassinations and publicly issued death threats by politicians at all levels all over the country is reflective of the premium placed on power and the unorthodox or extra-legal mechanisms of capturing power. The net result is the reproduction of a violent, wasteful, unstable and inefficient state. Certainly not the type of state that can guarantee individual and collective rights or consolidate a fragile democratic enterprise.

HISTORY AND THE NIGERIAN ELITE As stated earlier, the new elite inherited a state with limited legitimacy and without hegemony at political independence. This condition complicated the nature of political engagements. Of course, since only handful of elites were involved in the contestations for power, the various governments they formed reflected and represented those narrow interests. Thus, right from election day the legitimacy of the government was compromised. In trying to exercise control, the elites have had to rely on force, manipulation, and violence.

With time, politics degenerated into warfare.

This was a war in which everything was deployed and no prisoners were taken.

Pluralism and tolerance were thrown overboard with democracy, and intolerance and bestiality, at best, insensitivity to the plight of the disadvantaged became the order of the day. The foundation for instability, bad governance, corruption, violence, waste and the recycling of underdevelopment became firmly established. We are all familiar with the rest of the story.

To be contd

Opinion

Arousing Interest In Indigenous Languages

PEOPLE of the ‘old school’ are worried that many young Nigerians could not speak their mother tongue.

They blamed parents and the country’s educational system for the development.

Many parents of the same ethnic group, even at home prefer to discuss with their children in English language, while English remains a compulsory subject to study any course in tertiary institutions, including Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa.

Mrs. Abimbola Adetokun, a teacher, said the trend should be redressed, as “ mother tongue helps a country preserve its culture as well as strengthen the norms and values.

“Language is the power house of culture and knowledge; it controls the culture of a given people. “ This is so because you

need to know the language spoken by a group of people before learning the culture,’’ she said.

Adetokun called on parents to always communicate with their children in their mother tongue as this would enable them pick the language in the home setting.

She suggested that television and radio stations should air many indigenous languages’ programmes.

Mrs. Chiyere Ohanusi, a linguist and Head Teacher of Unique Kids Academy, blamed the declining interest in indigenous languages on parents’ refusal to speak the indigenous languages to their children.

“Parents have roles to play and to educate their children on need to learn and speak the language. The child spends greater part of his time in the home setting.

By FUNMILAYO ADEYEMI

“ So the parents have the greater responsibility of imparting such knowledge, and if the language is introduced at the formative age, it will help the child appreciate indigenous culture.

“And for schools, cultural clubs should be established to encourage the speaking of the language,’’ she stressed.

Ohanusi appealed to the Federal Ministry of Education to“ mandate schools to implement the teaching of the three major languages,’’ in order to boost their speaking

by Nigerian youths.

Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, also canvassed for the use of indigenous languages

to strengthen the culture of the country.

“Mother tongue is the oil that keeps the society running, and no society can make reasonable progress when mother tongue is relegated to the background.

“It is important to say that the use of mother tongue is central to development; it helps in the transmission of knowledge, norms and values of a people.

“It can serve as a good medium to change negative mindsets about our environment and relationships,’’ he said.

In a similar vein, Miss Ijeoma Idika-Chima, Founder of Teenz Global

“It is therefore necessary to teach, reorientate and sensitise the younger ones to learn and speak the mother tongue.”

Foundation, a nongovernmental organisation, said that encouraging teenagers to speak indigenous languages would boost sociocultural developments in the country.

“It is therefore necessary to teach, re-orientate and sensitise the younger ones to learn and speak the mother tongue.

“This will help promote unity, love and harmony among multi-cultural groups in the country,” she said.

According to Chima, most teenagers have lost their cultural orientation to westernisation, She said that “due to what technology age has offered, the teenagers feel that upholding moral values and speaking indigenous languages was archaic. ’’ Chima called on parents, teachers and relevant stakeholders to ensure the teaching of indigenous languages in schools. “It is also an avenue to showcase the pride and potential of an ethnic group, community or nation.

“Nigerians must not allow our local languages to die, because if they do, it could

lead to loss of cultural, historical and ecological knowledge of the people,’’ she added.

Mr. Ayanwale Olayanju, the UNESCO National Programme Officer on Culture, noted that many indigenous languages were now endangered, He said that it was in a bid to revive the indigenous languages across the world, that UNESCO fixed February 21 of every year as the International Mother Tongue Day. Olayanju stressed the need to teach indigenous languages in schools across the country. “ The country’s indigenous languages must however be taught at various school levels as this will facilitate its revival,’’ the UNESCO programme officer stated.

He further suggested that some textbooks for primary and secondary schools should be written in indigenous languages.

Language is an inheritance, government and stakeholders should sustain all programmes designed to promote indigenous languages.

Natural Medicine

The Moringa Crush SOME months ago, specifically in 2013, there was the scramble for Moringa Oleifera (aka Moringa) herb by the Nigerian public. In Edo State, it was Moringa all the way. Marketers of the herb were all over the place while Edo residents were falling over themselves to purchase it. To them, it was a cure-all, wonder herb.

Put simply there was what I call The Moringa Crush everywhere. At the time, some of us in natural medicine laughed. Why? We were amused at the one-stop attitude of Nigerians to health.

Imagine, most Nigerians always think that to get well and stay healthy means taking only one medication or herb. That is all.

Lies. This is the biggest untruth of the century. See, to stay relatively healthy a lot of things are involved.

You have to combine several healing systems in caring for your health like helitherapy, apitherapy, hydrotherapy, acupressure, acupuncture, homeopathy, herbology, massage etc.

Just name it.

In other words, achieving relatively good health is not a cheapget. Please, notice that I am using the words “ relatively good health”. I do so to tell you that no man born of woman is TOTALLY HEALTHY. No matter the depth of your medical knowledge, you can only achieve some level of optimal health throughout your lifetime before you die. Only God isn’t sick and is permanently health.

Therefore, don’t be deceived by anyone promising you a 100%, optimal wellness. This isn’t possible in our physical world. Any day, you are 90% healthy, you have tried.

Now, with this theoretical exposition on health in our mind, I will now give you some health tips on how to stay relatively healthy. First of all, always strive for mental, emotional and spiritual balance in life.

Without this, your body cannot achieve health equilibrium and keep out disease.

Secondly, learn to

visualize that you are healthy. It is through this mental process that the healthy force in your body can be released to prevent illness as well as assist in ensuring any medication that you are using works efficiently.

Thirdly, keep, hate anger and negative thoughts out of your mind. They perpetually make you ill through your parasympathetic nervous system fourthly, avoid overeating. Too much food is toxic to the body. It imprisons the body’s healing force, thus preventing it form accomplishing its vital role of keeping the body healthy. Also, fast at regular intervals so as to

rest the body, detoxify it and unleash its healing, restorative power. Be informed, I am talking about natural-not spiritualfast.

Fifthly, you must engage in physical activities. All work and no play is hazardous to the body.

Sedentary life kills.

Exercise therapy is it.

Don’t forget Nigerian medical doctors who ignored this fact in the past have now taken to exerasing. That is why the NMA inaugurated a biannual sporting event code-named ( LET’S THE DOCTORS’ PLAY It kicked off from February 17- 22nd, 2014 at Eket in Akwa Ibom State.

Sixthly, it is imperative you have adequate rest,

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relaxation and sleep daily.

Once, you have sleep deficits over time, you will be half-awake during the day time of productive, economic work. Also, poor sleep means your organs were still working throughout the night.

Because of this, they suffer tremendous wear and tear each day. You age fast and die early, therefore.

Seventhly, drink a minimum of eight glasses of clean, acid –free water daily if you an adult.

Without water, your body cannot function well. Try as much as possible to avoid using soft drinks and alcohol for hydrating the body. Water should be all you need as a body hydrant. Nothing more.

Eighthly, cultivate the habit of eating right. Limit intake of junk foods or completely cut them out.

Go for natural, whole and unprocessed foods.

Consume plenty of seeds, nuts, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Simply put, ensure that at least 80% of your food intake is raw.

Keep away from fried foods. Prefer fish to meat.

No red meat please.

Neither should you over use saturated foods.

Invariably, you have to be choosy in what you eat so as to ensure you only eat what nourishes the body.

Then, of course, you may need nutrient supplementations from time to time, if the occasion demands to meet your full daily allowance of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, hormones, antioxidants and other lifegiving substances. That is, if you suffer from nutrient deficiency from inadequate food intake.

Ninthly, you need a

knowledge of deep breathing techniques so as to fill up your body with the elixir of oxygen without which we will all be dead.

Also through these techniques, we expel all noxious byproducts of respiration from our bodies. Researches have shown that when oxygen uptake and use in the body as well as elimination of gaseous wastes are poor, a favourable condition for disease growth is created.

Tenthly, we must strive for all the healthy balance physiologically prescribed for body. Namely, they are sodium/ potassium balance…… Acid/alkaline balance….. Omega. 3/ Omega 6 and Omega 9 fatty acid balance …

Esentical amino acid/Nonessential acid…Calcium/ Magnesium balance …Estrogen/ Progesterone hormone balance among others.

Without these balances, you cannot achieve good health. You will be sick.

Finally, you need to do your checkups regularly at a registered hospital, medical centre or clinic approved by government check-ups helps you to know your health status, periodically. It is better to know if you have early, unnoticed signs of an ailment.

From the foregoing, it is crystal clear that it is a long walk to good health. You don’t get it free of charge.

So, now that the Moringa Crush is over, Nigerians should sit back and think more realistically how to achieve sufficient health that will give them a joyous journey through life until God’s time to die comes.

“Simply put, ensure that at least 80% of your food intake is raw. Keep away from fried foods. Prefer fish to meat.

No red meat please. Neither should you over use saturated foods. Invariably, you have to be choosy in what you eat so as to ensure you only eat what nourishes the body.”

New Horizon

With VICTOR ANIUKWU

Great Five Pillars Of Islam “May the peace of Allah be with us”. Thank you.

WITH solemn heart, I present the five great pillars of Islam. As the year comes and goes, it is pertinent to remind our sisters and brothers here and there of these spiritual qualities that is expected of not only Islam faithfuls but all human beings including animals also created by Allah.

Iman or faith: Every human being is indebted to worship Allah (God). In the Holy Quran, it is stated that “Allah is one, Allah is of all who depend, He is the biggest gift, nor He begotten”. Anyone who knows this phrase above is a true son of Almighty Allah. Nothing else goes beyond this, but I won’t stop there. This saying cuts across class nor creed, the other may belong. We should know that all human beings are created by one supreme FATHER — Allah wa Kubar. Allah loves us so much that he gives his Holy Spirit to dwell in us free of charge and whatever we do with it remains our concern and not of the lord. The lord remains as a witness to our various activities in thought, words and action, anytime, anywhere and anyhow. Faith remains the key word religiously, materially and spiritually.

A sane and an insane person have faith in neither someone nor something.

Faith in oneself, in a friend, in our parents, in our brothers and sisters, in our wives, in our children, faith in all living entities, faith in creation etc. it is our duty to link up these connections mentioned

above to the supreme lord, because having faith in the supreme is the greatest, been a quintessence of what is expected of all human beings — faith and love of Allah. The Holy Quran captioned the cowIl, part I :28&29 states “How can ye reject the faith in Allah? Seeing that ye were without life, and He gave you life, then will He cause you to die and will again bring you to life, and again to him will ye return. It is he, who hath created for you all things that are on earth, then he turned to the heaven and made them into seven firmaments, and of all things he hath perfect knowledge. Because Allah has perfect knowledge, it is in him that we should establish implicit faith at all, time. The Holy Quran warns us in the caption the cow-ll part 1:34 “to have faith in Allah. And not to reject like iblis who was haughty”.

2. Salah or prayer: A compulsory aspect of all human beings no matter where the other may belong. Prayer cuts across all ethnicity and religious practices. For example, Muslims all over the world prays five times daily. A sincere Muslim never compromise for any reason. At home, in the office, in the shop, anywhere he makes

provision for his prayer period as a daily routine, because there is faith established in Allah.

Otherwise one will loose faith. Muslims pray on their Tessy beads always

their chanting beads and this is done on daily bases as service unto the supreme lord. We can see how prayer cuts across every facet of our belief.

Prayer remains a call on

thought Christians how to’ use the chaplet to call the Holy name of God., so Mohammed thought Muslims how to use the Tessy bead to call on the Holy name of Allah. Note

and anywhere calling, on the Holy name of Allah.

On the other hand, Christians pray on their chaplet at least three times daily. Of course all God names are hallowed from sunrise to sun-set- there is no demarcation in between. Once again, the Hare Krishna devotes chant the Holy name of God on their chanting beads, sixteen rounds of

the Father to please hear us, forgive us our trespasses and make us worthy servants of Allah of whom all depends.

Generally most worshipping houses or churches don’t believe nor have any standard practice of calling on the Holy names of Allah (God).

This is the time for transformation on this path. As Isah (Jesus)

that to make adequate progress, you must learn to follow the due process recommended.

In conclusion to Salah (prayer) we draw this aspiration by asserting that: Allah (God) is great.

That none is worthy to worship except Allah (God). That Mohammed is the messager of God. That a call to prayer is a

“Financial fulfillment upon Muslims. It is a very important aspect of Muslim principle which must be honoured according to an individual’s capacity. It is strongly believed that wealth belongs to God.”

call to all and sundry.

That as you come to prayer, so also you come to success.

That there is none worthy of true worship except Allah (God).

3.

ZAKAH OR F I N A N C I A L OBLIGATION

Financial fulfillment upon Muslims. It is a very important aspect of Muslim principle which must be honoured according to an individual’s capacity. It is strongly believed that wealth belongs to God, and therefore held by human beings in trust and should be ploughed back voluntarily into the service of God and mankind.

Zakah represents purification and growth of one’s wellbeing and endeavor to serve God. Of course Zakah must be done with proper consciousness and not as a trade by barter because God loves a cheerful giver and givers never lack.

Continues on pg 24

Place Of Prayer The Immense Value Of Love LOVE is an attitude, a commitment, a form of behaviour, passionately demonstrated for the benefit of another; without intentionally expecting a reward.

Love is the bottom line of Christianity. God is love and so the true nature of every one that is His child is love. God wants us to put on love (charity) above everything else (And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness, Colossians 3:14). There are lots of things that the Lord admonished us to put off and to put on: Put on the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:11). Put off the old man, put on the new man (Ephesians 4 Colossians 3:9). But in Colossians 3:14, He says that above all these things we have been instructed to put on, we must put on love. The implication of this is that love must be your garment of identity; your recognition; your representation. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love) (1 Corinthians 13:13). Love is the greatest!

The New Testament is a testament of LOVE. Therefore, all we do must be founded on love. Everything God does is out of His love for us. Although His judgment on us may be painful, but in the end it is gainful, because it is born of love. Everything in the Kingdom is operated from the platform of love.

There is nothing on earth and in heaven (in existence) that does not have the capacity to fail. Faith, giving etc can fail, but love never fails (1Corinthians 13:8).

Ministering/Ministries have failed, but love never fails. I prefer to use an instrument that does not know failure.

Love is greater than prayers, than fasting, than worship, than giving, than faith, than holiness, than boldness, than ministering; in fact love is greater than all. Love has a guaranteed success, It is a winner always. Love is the

platform on which all other Kingdom activities should function, if it is to deliver its value.

Prayer Works By Love Prayer is a very important tool in the hand of believers for communing with God and for causing change. Prayer is so powerful that anyone who uses it properly would do exploits. God hears the prayers of His children and He responds (Psalm 65:2). Jesus taught the following about prayers in Matthew 7:7-11 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

God responds every time His children call upon His name in prayers; this makes prayer a very powerful tool.

But as powerful as prayer is, it cannot work except there is love. Prayer works by love.

See Mark 11:24-26Therefore I say unto you, What things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Forgiveness is an act of love. If you do not love, you will not be able to forgive.

And when you do not forgive, Jesus says your prayers will not be answered by the Father.

So we can see that as powerful as prayer is, it does not work without love.

Fasting Works By Love .

,Fasting is an indispensable tool in the hands of believers.

If all else fail, fasting does not fail. See Mark 9:28-29. and when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, this kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. Before Jesus began His Ministry, He has to fast for forty days and night. Most great men in bible times and in the present day have testimonies of God’s visitation and impartation

morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward.

Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here lam...

Fasting does not work except you are a lover. When love is not on ground, fasting will not deliver. Where there is love added to your fasting, you will gain benefits as seen in the reference above: your light will break forth as the

after a well carried out fast.

Yet, as powerful as fasting is, it does not work except there is love. Fasting works by love. See what the bible says in Isaiah 58:6-9- Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, end that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the

morning, you will have abundant health, you will not struggle to be holy, God’s glory shall be your defense, when you call upon the Lord, He will answer you.

Worship Works By Love Worship is another very powerful tool in the hand of believers. God inhabits the praise of His people. Even devil knows the power of worship, seeing that he got all his power from worship. He used to be a great worshipper in heaven, before his heart was overtaken by pride and he rebelled against God. While tempting Jesus, he asked Jesus to bow in worship to

“Yet, as powerful as giving is, it does not work except love is on ground.”

With Pastor Samuel O. Osaghae SMS Only 08030809339

him so that he would give him all the kingdoms of the earth.

This shows that worship gives you access to All We pray to have some things, but worship gives you access to all. That was how the devil got his power.

Yet as powerful as worship is, it will not deliver goodness to your life except you are a

because the bible says is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

Yet, as powerful as giving is, it does not work except love is on ground. In 1Corinthians 13:3, the bible says-And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor; and though I give my body to be burned, and have not

lover. Worship works by love.

In Mark 7:6-7, the bible says. . This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. How be it in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Your worship will be vain and ineffective if love is not in your heart.

Giving Works By Love In Luke 6:38, the bible saysGive, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Giving to God and to your fellow man is one way to become prosperous. Every time you give, you are sowing seeds for an harvest of wealth.

If you are a giver, you will certainly become blessed

charity it profiteth me nothing. In Matthew 5:2324, the bible says- Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar; and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave them thy gift before the altar; and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Giving works by love. If you give when you have hatred against your neighbor, your seed will be wasted. You will not reap the harvest associated with giving.

Giving of tithes and offerings work by love; not by legalistic obedience.

Forgive before you present your offering to God, otherwise, the giving will not produce fruits.

If you are a giver, but you are not a lover, you are a loser.

International Features China Looks On As Putin Poses Dilemma For The West ONE senior Obama administration official called Vladimir Putin’s actions in the Ukraine “outrageous.” A second described them as an “outlaw act.” A third said his brazen use of military force harked back to a past century.

“What we see here are distinctly 19th and 20th century decisions made by President Putin,” said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity to a group of reporters. “But what he needs to understand is that in terms of his economy, he lives in the 21st century world, an interdependent world.”

James Jeffrey, a retired career U.S. diplomat, said that view of Putin’s mindset cripples the United States’ response to the Russian leader. The issue is not that Putin fails to grasp the promise of western-style democratic capitalism. It is that he and other American rivals flatly reject it.

“All of us that have been in the last four administrations have drunk the Kool-Aid,” Jeffrey said, referring to the belief that they could talk Putin into seeing the western system as beneficial. “‘If they would just understand that it can be a win-win, if we can only convince them’ - Putin doesn’t see it,” Jeffrey said.

“The Chinese don’t see it.

And I think the Iranians don’t see it.”

Jeffrey and other experts called for short-term caution in the Ukraine. Threatening military action or publicly baiting Putin would likely prompt him to seize more of Ukraine by force.

But they said the seizure of Crimea represents the most significant challenge to the system of international relations in place since the end of the Cold War. Flouting multiple treaties, the United

Nations system and longestablished international law, Russia has set a dangerously low standard for military intervention.

“There have not been attacks on ethnic Russians,” said Kathryn Stoner, a Stanford University professor and leading expert on Russia.

“That’s just a lie. There was no threat to the (Russian naval) base in Crimea. That is just absurd.”

She also argued that the scores of people who died in clashes in the Ukrainian capital before the Russian intervention were Ukrainians, not Russians.

But an unresolved international debate over a series of post-Cold War interventions is threatening to cause sweeping instability.

From Europe to the Middle East to Asia, regional powers that might act militarily are watching events in Ukraine.

In Putin’s eyes, the United States may struggle to claim any moral high ground. Some Russian and European commentators point out that the United States intervened in Kosovo in 1999 and invaded Iraq in 2003 without United Nations approval. And Russian officials have repeatedly said they regret not vetoing the U.N.-backed 2011 NATO intervention in Libya.

Russian officials and some western commentators have portrayed all of those interventions as western plots to weaken Russia or destabilize countries in the Balkans and the Middle East.

American officials flatly reject those interpretations.

They argue that Russia and other authoritarian rulers are cynically manipulating facts and spreading false conspiracy theories to justify the use of military force to enhance their own power.

They point out that sweeping violence had erupted in Kosovo and Libya, threatening large number of civilians. Both interventions also came after months of diplomatic efforts and international public debate.

And even the much-criticized invasion of Iraq came after a decade-long cat-and-mouse game between Saddam Hussein and United Nations

sanctions were under consideration, senior Obama administration officials declined to comment.

“We’re not going to get into any more detail about what’s being considered,” said one senior official who asked not to be named. “You are absolutely right about the vulnerability of Russian banks. We’re looking at all of

re-assertion of Russian power.

“NATO and the US, in particular, but also Germany - we’ve all been caught offguard here in terms of anticipating this sort of behavior,” she said. “It’s beyond what people would have expected.”

Jeffrey, the former American diplomat, called for a renewed long-term Western

Barack Obama

Putin weapons inspectors, and a year-long effort by the Bush administration to win UN support.

Whatever Russia’s intervention represents, the immediate economic leverage the United States has over Russia is limited, according to experts. The most potent weapon Washington could use would be sanctioning Russian banks, companies or individuals, similar to the sanctions that have proven so damaging to Iran’s economy.

When asked by reporters on Sunday whether such

Russia still has economic challenges, Europe’s dependence on Russian gas supplies gives Russia a trump card that did not exist during the post-Soviet chaos of the 1990s, she said.

“In the years since Putin has come to power,” she said, “he has removed our leverage.”

Putin has also increased

the options.”

A difficulty with effective sanctions lies in Western Europe, where many nations now depend on cheap Russian natural gas to fuel their economies. Germany leads the group, with around 40 percent of its natural gas coming from Russia.

Fiona Hill, a former National Intelligence Officer for Russia and Eurasia at the National Intelligence Council, credited Putin with strengthening Russia economically since gaining power in 2000. Though

“We are tremendously more powerful than him,” Jeffrey said. “We ought to be able to bail out Ukraine. We ought to be able to make Europe less energy dependent on Russia.

Jeffrey said the days and months ahead will be vital. If Putin faces few long-term consequences for seizing Crimea, it will set a precedent for China and other regional powers who may be considering establishing 19th centurystyle spheres of influence of their own.

the capabilities of the Russian military; crushed or co-opted dissent; and gained iron control of Russia’s media.

Throughout the crisis in Ukraine, Russian media have portrayed the protests that overthrew the country’s proRussian president as an American-backed coup. Hill said recent public opinion polls show that 60 percent of Russians approve of Putin’s actions in the Ukraine.

Secure at home, Putin also fears little backlash from abroad. He believes the United States and Europe will publicly condemn Russia but implement few economic sanctions because Europe remains dependent on Russian natural gas.

“The biggest blow would be the largest companies in Germany not doing business” with Russia, Hill said. “That is what Putin banks on: Russia is too big and important.”

Stoner, the Stanford professor, said that Putin had outmaneuvered the United States and Europe. Officials in Washington and Brussels had failed to anticipate - or counter - Putin’s methodical

effort to increase leverage over Putin. He argued that the economies of the United States and Europe - which are roughly $30 trillion combined - dwarf Russia’s $2.5 trillion economy.

He said long-term steps would be accelerating the negotiation of a trans-Atlantic free trade partnership and measures that would increase American natural gas supplies to Europe. A short-term step would be offering major economic aid to Ukraine’s desperately cash-strapped new government.

“We are tremendously more powerful than him,” Jeffrey said. “We ought to be able to bail out Ukraine. We ought to be able to make Europe less energy dependent on Russia.”

Jeffrey said the days and months ahead will be vital. If Putin faces few long-term consequences for seizing Crimea, it will set a precedent for China and other regional powers who may be considering establishing 19th century-style spheres of influence of their own.

“The Chinese,” Jeffrey said, “are in the same position.”

New Horizon Continued from Pg 20

Zakah can also be done both in cash or kind as declared by Prophet Mohammed that “if you don’t have money, work with your hands and give something out of such earnings. And if one is not in the position to work with his hands, he should encourage others to always do good. And where that is not possible, one should try to do good and avoid doing evil because all these are various stages of Zakah or charity”.

Financial obligation and charity cuts’ across other religious practices known as tithe.

In many quarters, tithe is seen as compulsory instead of voluntary.

Those who have higher realization don’t want to be told. They come on their own to do their Zakah but people with low realization need to be told, reminded and encouraged to take part. Every human being is a part and parcel of this service.

Also it should be understood that it is in the good spirit of Zakah that individuals, various arms of government and nong o v e r n m e n t a l organizations establish orphanage home, trust fund, school for the blind and deaf, etc in pursuit of charity activities. Zakah and charity giving is

With VICTOR ANIUKWU

...Five Pillars Of Islam meant to check our excesses thereby sharing them amongst our places of worship and less privileged ones. It softens our heart not to look down on these people with what we have, knowing that everything comes from God and also belongs to him. Zakah is done as a fulfillment to God’s expectation from mankind and not as a trade by barter or otherwise.

4. SAWN OR FASTING Every year, all Muslims fast in the month of Ramada-n from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from food, drinks, sexual relations with their spouses or visit to unclean places. This period is of restriction and sober reflection on ourselves in order to move closer to Allah. Muslims who perform this obligation will notice that there is a realization during and after this exercise. It uplifts and makes one feel a sense of belonging within and outside of our existence. Within this period, there is no spirit of anger, rancor, fear of negative thoughts and of course this attitude during the fasting should be carried on even after the fasting period. A true Muslim must understand

the differences between him and others and know the way to accommodate them. For one to live a peaceful life, the spirit of tolerance and patience must be imbibed. If one is not peaceful how do we

you that you may learn self restraint. Self restraint is the basic thing, and if you know this fact then you are ready to fast and scale through all the hurdles. It is hereby advised that a Muslim should endeavor

aspiring Muslims all over the world to interact in the pursuit of Quuranic excellence. Lots of activities are performed and one practically sees for him or herself what it takes to be a practicing

round between the hills of Safa and Marwa as did Haijir, Abraham’s wife during her search for water. iii. Congregationally, a day is marked out for all pilgrims to confront the devil with throwing of stones. Seeing these activities on your screen is

call on God in prayer? And so during fasting and after, peace of mind is very practicable. During this period, the sick, elderly, women who are pregnant or menstruating, nursing mothers are exempted including children. As prescribed in the Holy Quran-2:183- “0 you who believe, fasting is prescribed to those before

to be a true Muslim at all time. The difference is there.

5.

HAJJ OR PILGRIMAGE The hajj or a holy place is obligatory only to those who are physically and financially able to do so.

However, this journey is annually performed in Makkah. It is a meeting point, a central point for

Muslim. This journey is performed in the twelfth month of the Islamic year.

Pilgrims wear special and simple clothes signifying oneness in the eyes of God. Hajj is not a place to show affluence but to display humility, simplicity, peace of mind to God and mankind.

At Makkah tots of activities takes place but few will be asserted here. (i) Congregationally, there is solemn prayer for forgiveness of our ‘trespasses. At this point, one should think of the present and the’ future in relationship to the Almighty God who out of his causeless mercy forgives us because he is very merciful. (ii) Congregational moving round the Ka’bah seven times and going

not enough. I wish you were there to see everything life. It’s a wonderful lesson and experience. Etc. In conclusion, the close of the Hajj is marked by a festival, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts everywhere in Muslims communities known as Id al Fitr, marking the end of Ramada-n with a sumptuous two days holiday for all Muslims and non-muslims.

Scripturally, “Allah is one, Allah is of all whom depend. HE is the biggest gift nor HE begotten”.

Because Allah is not begotten, Allah transcends the idea of being born of any woman. Allah remains totally complete of himself and his originality.

“Every year, all Muslims fast in the month of Ramada-n from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from food, drinks, sexual relations with their spouses or visit to unclean places. This period is of restriction and sober reflection on ourselves in order to move closer to Allah.”

Leadership

Understanding Management Tasks

IT is a truism to say that the specific ways in which a manager chooses to influence other people, shapes the way that manager approaches planning, organizing and controlling the other principal tasks of managing. In other words, personal leadership style can be adopted to support and encourage other managers to assume responsibility for the performance of their divisions and or departments. In this connection, leaders delegate authorities that are an organizing task and allow their subordinates to develop their own strategies for their divisions especially planning tasks and targets and periodically review their performance to evaluate their success.

However, managers at all levels and in all kinds of organizations have their own personal leadership styles that determine not only how they lead their subordinates but also how they perform the other management tasks. Some leaders especially in the private sector have the sole authorities for determining work schedules and job assignments for their employees and make all important decisions by themselves. Whatever the case may be leadership styles vary not only among individuals but also among countries or cultures.

No matter the leadership style, a key component of effective leadership is found in the power the leader has to affect other people’s behaviour and get them to act or behave in certain ways. In management, there are several types of power; legitimate, reward, coercive, expert, and referent power. It is most appropriate for efficient and effective leaders to take relevant steps to ensure that they have sufficient levels

of each type and that they use the power they have in beneficial ways. For example, legitimate power is the authority a leader has by virtue of his or position in an organization’s hierarchy. On the other hand, personal leadership styles often influence how leaders exercise legitimate power. While reward, power is the ability of a manager to give or withhold tangible rewards for example, pay rise (increment, bonuses) choice job assignments and intangible rewards that is verbal praise, a pat on the back, respect, managerial leadership handshake. It is crystal and abundantly clear that members of an organization are motivated to perform at a high level by variety of rewards.

Consequently, being able to give or withhold rewards based on performance is a major source of power that allows managers to have a highly motivated workforce.

It seems to me that effective managers use their reward power in such a way that subordinates feel that their rewards signal that they are doing a good job and their efforts are appreciated on the other hand, ineffective managers use rewards in a more controlling manner that is, wielding the ‘’stick’’ instead of offering the ‘carrot’’, which signals to the subordinate staffers that the manager has the upper hand. While coercive power is the ability of a manager to punish others.

Punishments, can range from verbal reprimands reductions in pay, suspension or interdiction to dismissal, termination or premature retirement.

It is believed in some quarters that excessive use of coercive power often produces high performance and is questionable ethnically. Occasionally, it amounts to a form of

By CHARLES I. SOEZE

mental abuse that is robbing workers of their dignity and causing excessive levels of stress.

Unfortunately, over use of coercive power can even result in dangerous working conditions.

However, better results can be obtained with reward power. There must be the

often possess technical expertise relevant to the tasks that their subordinates perform. In other words, such expertise gives them considerable influence over subordinates.

There is the need for effective leaders to take steps to ensure that they do

professionalism and excellence. It is expected that such leaders need to read widely to be aware of momentous changes in the organization’s task and general environments.

Expert power tends to be best used in a guiding or coaching manner rather than in an arrogant highhanded manner.

Unfortunately, many top-

need to create an ethical work place in which all employees would be treated with respect and dignity.

Another is expert power that is based in the special knowledge, skills, and expertise that a leader possesses. However, the nature of expert power varies, depending on the leader’s level in the hierarchy. Professional and experienced managers

have an adequate amount of expert power to perform their leadership roles. They may obtain additional training or education in their relevant fields, to ensure that they keep upto-date with the latest developments and changes in technology, that is, stay abreast of changes in their fields especially through becoming members of relevant professional associations for the sake of

level managers, lack technical expertise, as a result, cannot understand the gobbledygook, that is professional jargons of such outfit but only derive their expert power from their abilities as decision makers, planners, and strategists. This is not good enough for the progress and development of any organization.

Another is referent power, which is more

informal than the other kinds of power. What it entails is that referent power is a function of the personal characteristics of a leader; it is the power that comes from subordinates and colleagues respect, admiration, and loyalty.

Leaders who are likeable and whom subordinates wish to use as a role model are especially likely to

possess referent power.

Again, being a valuable asset as top managers, referent power can help first-line and middle managers to become efficient and effective leaders as well.

Managers can take step to increase their referent power, such as taking time to get to know their subordinates and showing interest in and concern for them.

“It seems to me that effective managers use their reward power in such a way that subordinates feel that their rewards signal that they are doing a good job and their efforts are appreciated on the other hand, ineffective managers use rewards in a more controlling manner that is, wielding the ‘’stick’’ instead of offering the ‘carrot’’, which signals to the subordinate staffers that the manager has the upper hand. While coercive power is the ability of a manager to punish others.”

EVERY WEDNESDAY, WEEK 34, 2014 LUCKY 1.2. X SELECTIONS 1 INTERNATIONAL NOS. HOT PAIRS 2 4 5

5 12 16 23

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13 UKB

DUNDEE

5. WEST BROM

1 NAP

WYCOMBE

6. COLCHESTER

5 007

7. WALSALL

10 PAY

8. ACCRINGTON

12 NAP

9. QUEEN’S PK

26 XOX

10. GRANADA

42 XOX

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23 PXT

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12. NUNEATON

34 PXT

13. SALISBURY

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36 OKP

15. BREN

4 CBK

16. COLCHESTER

5 CBK

17. GILLINGHAM

6 XXX

18. SCUN THORPE

6 XXX

19. EAST STIRLING

24 CBK

20. BLACKBURNE

2 XXX

WALSALL ACCRINGTON

19

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23

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By SAM EHEBHA GSM:08056626091

SATURDAY RITUALS

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EVERY WEDNESDAY, WEEK 34, 2014 WATSON WEST 1.2.X FORECAST

By SAM EHEBHA GSM:08056626091

Your Star

EDITOR’S NAP

RICHWELL NAP

MURPHY NAP NAP 35 XX 35 XX 35 PAIR 18 OR 15 EXECUTIVE

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PAIR 22 OR 23 WATCH OUT

PARKER NAP

J. B. NAP

SUNNY NAP

NAP 13 XX 13 XX 13 PAIR: 22 or 24 BE A WINNER

NAP 25 XX 25 XX 25 PAIR 35 OR 49 FOR SURE

OKUNS NAP

ODION NAP

PAUL NAP NAP

NAP 5 XX 5 XX 5

NAP 15 XX 15 XX 15 PAIR 6 0R 46 DRAW IS DRAW

NAP 26 XX 26 XX 26 PAIR 22 OR 25 BE MY GUEST

PAIR 32 OR 34 THERE IS HOPE

GUESSING GAMES

24

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Loss-Making Liverpool Chase Champions League Boost

‘Yaya Underrated Because He Is African’ SAMIR Nasri believes Yaya Toure does not receive the acclaim he deserves as one of the world’s top midfielders because he is African.

Nasri and Ivory Coast international Toure both scored spectacular goals as Manchester City beat Sunderland to win the Capital One Cup on Sunday, and the Frenchman argued the 30year-old is underrated because of his nationality.

Toure has been named African Player of the Year three times in a Yaya Toure row but Nasri feels he does not receive enough recognition elsewhere because is not Brazilian or Argentine.

The former Arsenal player was quoted as saying in The Guardian: “If he wasn’t African everyone will say he’s the best midfielder in the world. He can do everything — he can score goals, he can defend, he can attack. When he gets the ball he is so powerful.

HONG Kong businessman and Birmingham City owner “You should just admire the way Carson Yeung may be stripped of his shares in the club following he plays because he’s a great his guilty verdict for money-laundering, a government prosecutor player. I might be a little bit biased said Tuesday.

Shares held by Yeung in because he’s my friend, but for me A Hong Kong court on Birmingham could now be he’s in the top three of the best Monday convicted Yeung on seized as part of a criminal asset midfielders in the world. Of course five charges related to confiscation scheme under it counts against him being from laundering HK$720 million Hong Kong law.

Ivory Coast. ($93 million) between 2001 and “Any assets can be 2007, and he could face seven “If he was Argentinian or confiscated,” lead prosecution Brazilian everyone will talk about years in jail when sentenced on lawyer John Reading told AFP. him, everyone. You have some Friday.

Brazilians or Argentinians, I don’t want to say anything wrong, but just because they are from this country you pay them 40 million pounds or 50 million pounds.”

Toure’s long-range equaliser at Wembley — which the Ivorian described as his best ever goal — was the 17th goal of the most prolific season of his career.

He has also now won the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Capital One Cup in England to add to the six major honours he lifted during Barcelona’s remarkable haul in 2009.

Nasri added: “A guy like Yaya, he [has] won every trophy, he is always there. Tell me one defensive midfielder who can go forward like him, who can score 16 or 17 goals in a season. Tell me Carson Yeung one and then we can talk.”

LIVERPOOL lost almost 50 million pounds ($83.6 million) in 2012-13, accounts published on Tuesday showed, but are looking to return to the Champions League next season to boost their financial performance.

The deficit was similar to losses reported for last season by Chelsea and Manchester City, two of the big spenders who have usurped Liverpool at the top of English football in recent seasons.

Owned by U.S. businessman John W. Henry, Liverpool are in second place in the Premier League, four points behind

Chelsea with 10 matches left to play. They last won the league title in 1990 before the Premier League was established two years later.

They look well set to at least finish in the top four and claim a place in the lucrative Champions League in which they last played in 2009-10.

“To get back into the top four has been the priority absolutely,” managing director Ian Ayre told the Liverpool Echo which published details of the club accounts.

Yeung May Be Stripped Of Birmingham Shares

Bendtner Frustrated By ‘Party’ Image

ARSENAL striker Nicklas Bendtner has told Jyllands-Posten his search for a new club has been complicated by perceptions of his lifestyle, saying: “People think I’m a psychopath.”

Bendtner, 26, has been back with Arsenal this season after having spent the previous two campaigns on loan at Sunderland and Juventus but has been unable to secure regular first-team opportunities.

The Denmark international, who said in November that he was disappointed not to have moved on, feels his attempts to make a permanent switch have been difficult as he believes he has been portrayed unfairly.

“The image that people have about me is that I’m all about partying — that I’m indifferent to

football — and it’s as far from reality as could possibly be,” he told Jyllands-Posten.

“I have, for example, talked to clubs who say they have heard things about me, so I have to say that none of them are true. The perception of me is never going to be positive if clubs talk to people who have a negative view.”

Referring to an incident when he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol, he added: “Of all the things said about me, I’ve only done one thing wrong. That was in Copenhagen.”

In a separate interview with

Ekstra Bladet, Bendtner said he had not had the playing time he expected at the Emirates this season and needed a transfer to ensure he remained in the Denmark side for the Euro 2016 qualification campaign.

Asked if he would stay at Arsenal, he said: “That’s not the plan. The intention is that I will try something else. I’m open to playing in any country. The most important thing is that I get to play. It’s essential I get regular playing time.”

He added: “I know what the conditions are for representing the national team. If I want to keep my place and be part of the team for the European Championship, I must be playing for my club. Therefore, the decision I make this summer will be very important to me.”

“I see no reason why shares should not be included,” he said.

However, the judge in Yeung’s case had not yet specified the amount he regarded as representative of the proceeds of the crime, Reading said.

The confiscation process could be lengthy, Hong Kong University law professor Simon Young told AFP, adding that there would be bargaining to determine which assets belonging to a defendant should be used to satisfy the order.

“Enforcement may not take place until all avenues of appeal have been exhausted and that could take years,” Young said.

Defendants found guilty in a Hong Kong district court, where Yeung was convicted, can appeal to the Court of Appeal of the High Court and then to the Court of Final Appeal.

Judge Douglas Yau had criticised Yeung’s “selfcontradictory” testimony in his Monday verdict, and said the businessman was “making it up as he went along”.

In February Yeung resigned as chairman and executive director of Birmingham International Holdings Limited (BIHL), which owns the struggling second-tier club, but is still its largest shareholder.

On Tuesday it was revealed that a Chinese advertising company registered at the address of a government residential complex in Beijing had agreed to buy 12 percent of Birmingham City from BIHL, the Financial Times reported.

BIHL agreed to sell the stake in the club to Beijing Liangzhu Guoji Chuanmei Guanggao on February 12, according to a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange.

“The players and everyone else will be focused on winning every game and if that brings the top prize then that will be unbelievable,” he added.

“And if it brings Champions League football, then it will still be a fantastic season for us.”

Hampered by their absence from the Champions League, Liverpool reported revenue of 206 million pounds in 201213. That left them trailing behind rivals Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal in terms of income.

While Pardew considers his options, Meyler is on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, who face Serbia in Dublin on Wednesday night.

Asked how the player was after training on Monday, assistant manager Roy Keane said: “He’s fine. You have seen him training, he’s having a good season for Hull and it’s good to have him involved.

Rodgers Brenda

Pardew Considers Response To police investigation over his Charge

NEWCASTLE boss Alan Pardew has until Thursday evening to respond to a Football Association charge of improper conduct in relation to his clash with Hull’s David Meyler.

The FA, as expected, hit the 52-year-old with the charge on Monday afternoon after an incident on the touchline at the KC Stadium on Saturday.

An FA statement said: “Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has been charged in relation to an incident in his side’s game against Hull City on March 1, 2014.

“It is alleged that in the 72nd minute of the fixture, Pardew was involved in an incident with a Hull City player that amounted to improper conduct.

“Due to the serious violent and/or aggressive nature of the reported behaviour, this case has been designated as nonstandard.

“Pardew has until 6pm on Thursday, March 6 2014 to

respond to the charge.”

The allegation is that Pardew headbutted 24year-old Hull midfielder Meyler as they clashed on the sideline during the Magpies’ 4-1 Barclays Premier League victory.

Newcastle have already fined their manager £100,000 and handed him a formal warning but should he admit or be convicted of the offence, he will face further punishment by the FA. The fact that the matter has been designated “nonstandard” means it is out of the ordinary and that there is no precedent for dealing with similar incidents.

By extension, there is no fixed penalty and there is a possibility that Pardew could face a stadium ban.

However, the 52-year-old will not be subject to a

behaviour at the weekend.

Humberside Police have confirmed that neither Meyler nor the Tigers have made a complaint, and that therefore they will leave matters to the FA. Chief Inspector Rich Kirven said in a statement: “We have been working with the FA and the football club to progress the matter appropriately.

“Having reviewed the circumstances of the incident, it has been agreed that the matter will be dealt with by the FA rather than considering any criminal proceedings.

“There has been no complaint received from the player involved or Hull City Association Football Club at this time.

“Whilst we appreciate that some people may have found the behaviour displayed at the game on Saturday offensive, Humberside Police will not be taking any further action.”

Bayern Favourites In Europe - Ancelotti CARLO Ancelotti has claimed that Bayern Munich are the favourites to win the Champions League this season.

Real Madrid are looking for ‘La Decima’ – their 10th European Cup – under the Italian coach. However, Ancelotti has insisted that the Bundesliga outfit are favourites to retain their crown.

“The Décima is a big motivation for all of us. We have nine [European Cups], we’re all waiting for the tenth and we will do all we can to get it,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“Our rivals? All sides are dangerous. In the quarters onwards all teams are

competitive, although Bayern are the favourites.”

The former Chelsea manager also commented on the race for the league title, and his surprise at the form of Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

“The league is uncertain, the distances are very small and it’s all to play for. Our growth? We lost time trying to find our equilibrium, it was hard but now we’re more solid and doing things better.

“I’ve been surprised by all of them a little. I have a very professional group of players, who work well together.

“These players might possess the most quality, but the others are a young, motivated group.”

Seedorf Will Seek Ancelotti Advice

Neymar

Politician Defends Barca Over Neymar

SPAIN’S sports minister Miguel Cardenal has written an open letter in El Pais in support of Barcelona’s conduct in the controversial deal to sign Neymar.

A Madrid court is continuing to investigate an additional 40 million was potential irregularities in the paid to N&N — a company deal that took the Brazil owned by Neymar’s father — international to Barca from as a “penalty clause” because the player moved a year earlier Santos last summer.

Barca have released than had been agreed.

The club said additional side detailed figures saying they had paid 17.1 million euros deals — for services such as to the Brazilian club and that scouting, marketing and

Speaking after Sporting’s 2-1 win over Braga, Carvalho told journalists: “It’s nice being praised and to know there are some big clubs interested in me.”

And asked about his future, he added: “It could be Manchester United or Real Madrid. It’s just nice to have a great European club after me, but at the moment I’m just totally focused on Sporting and doing my best until the end of the season.

“At the end of the campaign, we will see what happens.”

development work signed with both Santos and N&N — took the total to 86.2 million euros.

Barca paid a further extra 13.6 million euros to Spain’s tax authorities last month despite disputing the notion that the “penalty clause” payment had been a means of avoiding the taxation that would have been due on a signing-on fee.

Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu has said he expects that tax payment to be returned to the club, maintaining that no fraud took place and the deal was complex but completely legal.

In a column headlined “Proud of Barca,” Popular Party (PP) politician Cardenal has now spoken out in defence of the club’s board.

“It is not my role to participate in the debate about

THIAGO Alcantara has told AS that his recent good performances for Bayern Munich have propelled him back into the reckoning for Spain’s international squad.

The 22-year-old made his debut for La Roja back in August 2011, but then spent time on the fringes of the squad as he struggled for a regular starting spot with former club Barcelona, and has picked up just four senior caps to date.

The young midfielder made

a 25 million-euro move to Bayern in the summer, and has returned to the international set-up for Wednesday’s friendly meeting with Italy in Madrid.

Thiago now looks likely to be named in Vicente Del Bosque’s final squad for this summer’s World Cup in Brazil, and the Italy-born midfielder believes that his fine current form was due to feeling more confident in his surroundings in Munich.

“News of the call-up made

Carvalho Hints At United Transfer

HIGHLY-rated Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho has hinted that he could be on his way to Manchester United in the summer.

Chelsea and La Liga giants Real Madrid are also understood to be interested in the 21-yearold Angolan-born player.

Carvalho has a £37.5million buy-out clause in his contract and still has four years left on his deal, but David Moyes is a known admirer.

However, despite the interest, Carvalho says he is completely focused on doing well for the Portuguese club until the end of the season when he will make a decision regarding his future.

Williams Carvalho

the information given by those responsible for the signing of Neymar,” Cardenal said. “Nor to go into the area of the judges or the tax authorities.

“But what I do have clear is that in this moment nobody thinks that anyone associated with Barcelona has appropriated any sum of money, and I also see the directors with the will to fulfil their legal obligations, as in the club’s tradition, which implies, if they have been mistaken in something, a rectification.”

Blaugrana fans and pundits — and even board members — have suggested the investigations in Madrid have been driven by Real Madrid fans disappointed at missing out on signing the much sought-after Brazilian, even though Barca socio Jordi Cases made the initial legal complaint into the transfer.

A claim was even made that Madrid president Florentino Perez had used his political contacts within the PP to pressure the court, which brought a quick and emphatic rebuttal from the Bernabeu club.

Cardenal nevertheless wants to see the end of a campaign of what he described as “parallel justice” — referring to the judgements being made by those not involved in the case — which he said was damaging both Barcelona’s football club and the external image of Spain.

“I hope for the disappearance of this parallel justice, which is so damaging to the image of one of the most admired institutions in our country, so negative for the perception of our sport, so unfortunate for the projection of Spain,” he wrote. “I invite everyone, from our own responsibilities, to contribute in this for the benefit of Spanish sport, which owes Barca so much.”

Thiago Relishes Spain Call-Up me very happy,” Thiago said.

“I believe this is a reward for the good work with my club.

It is the biggest honour for a footballer.

“I believe I am going through a very nice moment. I see my teammates trust in me, I trust in them 100 percent, and the result is a very good symbiosis.”

Asked if he agreed with a statement by Bayern coach Pep Guardiola that his best was still to come, Thiago said he was hopeful he could keep improving under a coach who

believed in him.

“I am getting to know my teammates better,” he continued. “This is my first year here and I have a great desire to show them, and the fans, and myself, how far I can go. It is an honour to be one of Guardiola’s favourites.”

Del Bosque selected Thiago based on his starting role with the Champions League holders, saying: “We cannot consider Thiago a new arrival, he is playing very well for Bayern Munich. They are one of best teams in Europe and he is a starter there.”

MILAN boss Clarence Seedorf has admitted he’ll be taking advice from Carlo Ancelotti ahead of his side’s game with Atletico Madrid.

The Italian giants travel to Vicente Calderon next week for the second-leg of their Last 16 Champions League clash, looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit.

And the former midfielder has revealed that he will seek advice from his ex-boss and current Real Madrid man.

“We bumped into each other today and had a bit of a chat,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“The derby was a great battle, especially in the first half. I won’t have second thoughts about calling Carlo for any information.”

Ancelotti then commented on the Rossoneri’s match with the Rojiblancos.

“I wish Seedorf a lot of luck, even though Atlético are the favourites. It will take a big effort from Milan.

“It will be an intense game because Atlético will give everything. For them reaching the quarter finals is a big goal and there will be a great atmosphere.

“We will need to see the best Milan.”

Costa ‘Set To Start...’

REPORTS in the Spanish press suggest that Diego Costa will start against Italy today but a trio of regulars will miss out.

Xavi, Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Ramos all missed Monday’s training session with slight knocks, and AS claim that the triumvirate are likely to be on the bench.

Costa however, is expected to be given his La Roja debut at Vicente Calderon, partnering Andres Iniesta and Pedro up front.

Iker Casillas is likely to be in goal, with Juanfran, Napoli’s Raul Albiol, Javi Martinez and Jordi Alba at the back.

Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich will be represented in midfield by Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso and Thiago, respectively.

Predicted Spain XI to play Italy: Casillas; Juanfran, Albiol, Javi Martínez, Alba; Busquets, Alonso, Thiago; Pedro, Diego Costa, Iniesta.

Diego Costa

Ince Rejects Campbell ‘Racism’ Claims

PAUL Ince has rejected Sol Campbell’s claim that he would have been England captain ‘for 10 years’ if he had been white.

Ince, the first black man to wear the armband for England, is the latest figure to argue against the views expressed by Campbell in a new autobiography serialised in the Sunday Times.

Campbell was capped 73 times but skippered the side only three times.

However, Ince pointed to the long list of England captains, arguing that most had to make do with relatively short stints in the job.

“There’s been me, (Tony)

Adams, (Stuart) Pearce, (David) Seaman, (Alan) Shearer, (John) Terry, (Rio) Ferdinand... that’s a lot of big names with a lot of big egos,” Ince told the Daily Mail.

“Sol’s a clever, articulate man and he’s a friend of mine but he wouldn’t have been England captain for 10 years - nobody is.

“He has obviously had different experiences to me as a footballer and I can only really talk about my own.”

Ince was made captain of England for the first time in 1993. He was initially reluctant to be known as the man to break a colour barrier, but said he later came to realise the significance

Chileshe Named Zambia Keeper Trainer EX-ZAMBIA goalkeeper Vincent Chileshe has been appointed interim Chipolopolo goalkeeper coach.

Chileshe has joined the Zambia coaching bench in Ndola ahead of Wednesday’s friendly against The Uganda Cranes at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Zambia coach Patrice Beaumelle said the ex-KK XI goalkeeper takes overfrom Davies Phiri who is away attending a goalkeeping course in Germany.

“So I spoke with Davies and spoke with the president as well and they advised me to with Vincent Chileshe come to work with the goalkeepers,” Beaumelle told MTNFootball.com.

“I didn’t know him before, the

Vincent Chileshe

of the moment.

“For me it was the pinnacle of my career when Graham Taylor made me captain, but I can remember feeling uncomfortable with the questions,” he added.

“I just wanted to be the England captain, I didn’t want to be remembered as the first black England captain because I didn’t look at it in that way.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said yesterday that Brazil’s World Cup problems are under control as preparations entered the final straight. tournament, which has been Blatter said in a message for tainted by concerns about president (Kalusha Bwalya) and the 100 day countdown to the Davies spoke about well him very well. He was a former goalkeeper for the national team as well.

“I am very happy. He is bringing a lot of experience, a lot of good things, he is humble he has a lot of experience in Zambian football and I am sure he will bring a lot of things for us in the goalkeeping department.”

Chileshe was Zambia goalkeeper from 1977 to 1984 and was first choice during the old KK XI’s era and was first choice at the 1978 Africa Cup in Ghana.

His coaching career has taken him to Swaziland and Botswana and on the home-front has coached Zesco United and most recently Sepp Blatter, FIFA President Young Green Eagles.

Cameroon Begin Warm-Up Against Portugal

CAMEROON face Portugal this evening at the Estadio Municipal Dr. Magalhaes Pessoa in Leiria, in their first warm-up game ahead of the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014.

Kick-off will be at 21h45 CAT. The two nations have only met once previously, in a friendly building up towards the South African World Cup in June 2010. The Portuguese defeated the Indomitable Lions 3-1 on that occasion.

Paulo and Belo Horizonte.

Brazil are believed to be sticking with their yellow shirt and blue shorts combination, but Germany have already caved in and they unveiled their allwhite kit last month. Spain will be all-red, Italy all blue and Portugal all monotone as well.

While no reasonable person can be in favour of FIFA dictating which colours a national team wears, England won’t do

Paul Ince

WC Problems ‘Under Control’ Says Blatter

Portugal qualified for Brazil 2014 after defeating Sweden 4-2 on aggregate in a playoff clash, and have lost only one of their last 10 games when they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Brazil last September.

The Indomitable Lions’ last defeat goes back to October 2012 against Colombia.

It is a Cameroonian squad

England Bow To FIFA Over Kit ENGLAND will not wear their traditional kit at this summer’s World Cup after bowing to demands from FIFA, reports the Daily Mirror.

The Zurich bureaucrats have urged nations to wear a single-coloured kit to improve the quality of HD pictures from Brazil meaning that England will wear white, not blue shorts with their white shirts when they run out in Manaus, Sao

“Then, after the game, I began to look at it in a different way because I had a lot of parents from the ghetto sending me letters telling me it had inspired their children to get jobs or to start playing football.

“I don’t know whether they were black, white or Asian or whatever, but it didn’t matter. That meant a lot, to think that somehow I had inspired people I had never even met.”

too badly out of this. It may be subjective, but the Three Lions all-white kit really isn’t that bad. It is even associated with some decent England performances - the quarter-final win over Argentina in ’66 and David Beckham’s defining match against Greece in 2001 are two good examples. Perhaps Hodgson’s men may be able to draw some kind of inspiration from it?

without major surprises that comes up against Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates, although Stéphane Mbia and Achille Webo have both been ruled out due to injuries.

As for Portugal head coach Paulo Bento, he will be without several of his key players such as Rui Patricio, Bruno Alves, Nani and Helder Postiga.

Nonetheless, it promises to be an exciting encounter between those two great football nations, as explained by Cameroonian Alexandre Song.

“It is going to be a big test between two teams which both feature great players and are certainly well regarded internationally. I do believe that it will be a great game for everybody,” declared the Barcelona midfielder, who insisted that they will not focus only on Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Ronaldo is an incredible player, but we are here to play against a great team which is Portugal, and not to focus only on one player.”

unfinished stadiums, will be a “great success.”

“One hundred days, its a long way to go. Its a short way to go if there are still problems but now all problems are under control,” Blatter told the international federation’s website FIFA.com.

The FIFA president added that he was sure the tournament, which starts June 12, would be “an exceptional competition.”

Brazil is racing to get at least three of the 12 stadiums ready on time and an accident which killed two workers overshadowed preparations in Sao Paulo.

Blatter said Brazil’s history as one of the most successful and innovatory football nations meant the World Cup will be a triumph.

While England “invented” the sport, Brazil had “shown the world the way to play good football,” the soccer boss added.

“The Brazilian spirit of the game and the Brazilian ability to play football makes this World Cup very very special I am sure it will be a great great success,” he said.

The Brazilian people must “get mobilized” for the tournament, Blatter added in a French language message.

Goal-Hungry Kagawa Set To Break ‘Big Wall’

SHINJI Kagawa desperately wants to end his scoring drought in Japan’s friendly against New Zealand today in a bid to gain much-needed game time at Manchester United.

“I have never experienced such a long time without scoring a goal,” he told Japanese media. “I cannot change the situation I am in without producing results on the pitch.”

The 24-year-old Japanese, in his second season at Old Trafford, has yet to convince David Moyes, who took over from Alex Ferguson as United manager last year.

Kagawa has played in just nine of the club’s 27 Premier League matches this season, neither scoring nor assisting any goals.

Nor has the attacking midfielder ruffled the net for Japan since the 3-1 friendly win over Ghana at home in September last year.

“I want to grow by overcoming such a big wall in front of me,” said Kagawa, who moved to England after helping Borussia Dortmund seal the Bundesliga title for two straight seasons.

“It is significant that it (the wall) exists in the World Cup year. To change it into something positive, I will only have to deliver results.”

In his last outing for United, on February 25, Kagawa played for the last 30 minutes in the 2-0 defeat by Olympiakos away in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 round.

Against New Zealand, Kagawa is expected to play in the second line behind a lone central forward and alongside new AC Milan signing Keisuke Honda and Mainz striker Shinji Okazaki.

Playmaker Honda has also

struggled to impress after moving from CSKA Moscow on a free deal in the winter transfer window.

Alberto Zaccheroni’s Blue Samurai will be without the services of two first-team regulars, Schalke defender Atsuto Uchida and captain and Nuremberg midfielder Makoto Hasebe, through injuries.

The friendly at Tokyo’s National Stadium is Japan’s first match of the World Cup year following their solid finish to 2013. They drew 2-2 with the Netherlands and beat Belgium 32 away in friendlies in November.

Japan, four-time Asian champions, are bunched with Colombia, Ivory Coast and Greece in the World Cup first round in Brazil.

New Zealand, who impressed at South Africa 2010 with three straight draws at the group stage, failed to qualify for Brazil after losing to Mexico in an intercontinental play-off.

Shinji Kagawa

World Cricket:

Manager Hopeful Of Nigeria’s Good Outing LAGOS- Okon Ukpong, Team Manager, Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), yesterday expressed optimism over the senior male team’s chances at the World Cricket League (WCL) Division 5 in Malaysia.

Ukpong spoke with newsmen in Lagos.

He said that he was hopeful based on the performance of the team during their training tour in Sri Lanka from February 22 to March 3.

The World Cricket League

AFN Postpones All Nigeria Relays Event LAGOS- The Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) yesterday announced the indefinite postponement of its All Nigeria Relays event initially scheduled for March 14 in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun.

Commodor Omatseye Nesiama, AFN Technical Director, in a statement said that the competition would now hold during the federation’s Golden Leagues in April and May. According to the statement, the Golden League period is the peak of every athlete and will bring the best out of them.

“The relays will now take place in between the period of the Golden League when the athletics season will be at its peak,’’ it said.

The statement added that the postponement would allow for more comprehensive preparations for the annual competition. “ The technical committee has considered it expedient to shift the competition in order to make it worthwhile.

“It has been considered that the previous programme, coming at the beginning of the season, will not likely achieve AFN’s desire of making our

relay team hit fast times.

“The initial date will not also help in the qualification process of the country for planned world class competitions,” it said.

It appealed to state associations to adjust their programmes accordingly.

Division 5 begins on March 4 and will end on March 14 in Kuala Lumpur.

“The game of cricket is tricky, the turf and weather play great roles in assisting teams’ success.

“So with the two wins and two defeats during their training tour in Sri Lanka, I expect the team to do well in Malaysia.

“And it is a morale booster for them to go into the competition with the air of victory in them though it will not be an easy tournament in Malaysia,” he said.

The team qualified for the Division 5 after emerging 2nd at the WCL Div. 6 in Jersey (UK) in 2013.

Reports say that five other countries will be competing in the tournament.

They are Jersey, Tanzania, Cayman Island, Guernsey and the host country, Malaysia.

Unknown Defender Replaces Injured Yobo UNKNOWN Germany-based defender Leon Balogun has replaced injured skipper Joseph Yobo for today’s World Cup warm-up against Mexico.

Super Eagles media officer Ben Alaiya has disclosed that Yobo is out of the match due to an injury he sustained while playing for his EPL side Norwich City against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Yobo’s late replacement is Leon Adeyemi Balogun. The light skinned 1.90m tall defender has since arrived Eagles camp in USA for the game.

The 25-year-old Leon plays for Fortuna Dusseldorf in the German

Bundesliga.

He has also played for Hertha

Berlin, Hannover and Werder Bremen, allin Germany.

Joseph Yobo

2015 AYC Qualifiers

53 Players Hit F/Eagles’ Camp For Screening ABUJA- No fewer than 53 players on Monday took part in the first screening programme of the Flying Eagles ahead of preparations for the 2015 African Youth Championship (AYC) qualifiers.

It will be recalled that the team’s “However, Etebo head coach, Manu Garba, had on Oghenekaro of Warri Wolves Friday, February 28 invited 35 FC and Hafeez Aremu of City players for a screening camp. of David (COD) FC of Lagos The camp was located at the are yet to join the camp.

FIFA Technical Centre, in the “They were in action for their Abuja National Stadium Complex. various clubs at the weekend in The coach said that 33 players, the CAF Confederation Cup out of the 35 the team’s technical and Nigeria National League crew invited, arrived camp on (NNL) respectively, and will Sunday and participated in the first hopefully be joining us on screening exercise on Monday.

Tuesday,’’ he said.

Oghenekaro featured in Warri Wolves’ 3-2 away victory against Cameroon’s Union Douala, while Aremu played for COD FC in their 0Chicago as the bad weather did not 1 loss to Ekiti United.

However that the 33 invited allow him connect to Atlanta. But we hope he joins us for our last players were joined by about training session,” stated coach 20 others, who felt they could make it, and they were tried out Stephen Keshi.

The Eagles coach also expressed by the team’s technical crew.

Garba explained the decision satisfaction with the form of his to invite 35 players and also players.

“I am happy with what I saw in encourage other players who our first training session. The fall within the specified age players are still in good shape and bracket to turn up for are raring to go. But we see how it screening.

He said this was because goes on Wednesday,” he said. there was the need to include many new names in the team.

The coach said some of the players who won the 2013 FIFA U-17 Cup in the Golden Eaglets’ team he handled had left the country for clubs abroad.

He however said he might

have to call them when the need arose in the future.

“Those who make up the nucleus of the team, which is about 10 players, are already outside the country, so we have to look for new players to

complement what we already have.

“So, by the time we finish with this two-week screening exercise, if we are lucky to find some players, we will mix them

up with what we have and beef up the team as the Nigeria will face winners of the preliminary round fixture between Kenya and Tanzania in the second round of the AYC qualifying series in May. In the fixture, the Nigerian team will play the first leg game away, and victory will take them into the final round of the qualifiers.

The continental championship is slated for Senegal in March 2015.

Flight Hitch Keeps Out Oboabona THE Super Eagles yesterday morning had their first training in Atlanta without Godfrey Oboabona, who was held back by a flight hitch.

Turkey-based defender Oboabona could not join the rest of the squad due to bad weather in Chicago as he could not connect to Atlanta in time.

“I have all the players in camp. Its only Godfrey who is not here. He is stranded in

Aminu Maigari

Coach Consoles Kickboxers Over Exclusion From NSF

Oboabona

LAGOS- A kickboxing coach, Adegboyega Adeniji-Adele, has urged kickboxers not to be discouraged following the exclusion of the sport from the 19th National Sports Festivals (NSF) in Calabar. festival, tagged “Paradise Games”, by the Cross River Government is scheduled to hold from November 23 to

December 3.

Adeniji-Adele said that there were other programmes line up at the state and national levels that would engage them to keep fit.

“Athletes that have being preparing for the Paradise Games should cheer up, being away from the NSF should be

taken as an opportunity to forge ahead for other competitions.

“There is no doubt that such a sad development will put you off but there are other available competitions that can be used to make up,” he said.

He disclosed that the

Kickboxing Federation of Nigeria would be organising a National Open Championships in Ilorin from April 22 to April 28.

The Coach added that the Agoma Open Martial Arts Festival would also hold in Benin from May 13 to May 18.