Nigerian observer 06 01 2014

The Nigerian

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol . 38 NO. 391• MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 2014 • N100.00

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Pg 21 2013 In Retrospect Making Omellete Without Breaking Egg

VIEWPOINT Pg. 14

Improving Agriculture In Nigeria Lessons From China

Jonathan pledges support for security agencies

WUDIL (KANO STATE) - President Goodluck Jonathan weekend said that the Federal Government would continue to support the police and

other security agencies to enable them to discharge their duties effectively.

He gave the assurance at the Police Academy, Wudil, during the passing out

ceremony of Cadet A s s i s t a n t Superintendent of Police (ASP) and Inspectors.

Continues on page 2

No one can hold Nigeria to ransom - Jonathan

ABUJA - President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday declared that no individual, group or persons or terrorist organisation could hold the nation to ransom.

2014 which he attended Jonathan spoke at the at the Church of Christ first Sunday service in

in Nations (COCIN), Garki, Abuja.

He vowed to end insecurity and spate of

killings in some parts of the North being perpetrated by the Boko Haram sect.

The president, who described the terrorist’s onslaught as ephemeral, assured that

the country would soon be liberated from it.

Jonathan reiterated his administration’s commitment to working harder to ensure that “nobody or group of persons will be able to hold Nigeria to ransom’’.

Continues on page 2

Extortion: Commissioner warns traffic officers

BENIN CITY - Mr. Omo-Ojo Orobosa, the Commissioner for Transport in Edo State,

GOVERNMENT SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT EDO State Government recently experienced a warning strike by Medical Doctors in Government employment that lasted for an unprecedented period of five days. There is another threat of an indefinite strike from the 6th of January 2014 by the same body without any trade dispute between the doctors and the State Government.

Edo State Government wishes to state inter alia that; 1. The issues canvassed for the warning strike action and its continuation on 6th January 2014 are issues within the exclusive purview of the Federal Government and its employees; 2. The issues earlier raised by the various Health Associations of Edo State Hospital Management Board (HMB) are currently being addressed and Government is committed to its earlier decision to address the issues by the third week of February , 2014; 3. However, Edo State Government stands by its position of ‘no-work-no-pay’ Policy as earlier communicated to the Medical &Dental Consultant Association (MDCAN) and Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) in the Public Service of Edo State.

4. Government uses this medium therefore to appeal to the doctors in its employment in Government Hospitals and Institutions to take the health of the citizenry seriously and therefore eschew any resort to strike action that will compromise the health of our people; 5. Edo State Government will at all times continue to protect the health of the good people of the State.

Signed: MR. I. JERRY OBAZELE, Head of Service, Edo State.

weekend warned officials of Edo State Traffic Management Agency (ESTMA) against extortion of motorists.

He gave the warning while addressing ESTMA officials during their weekly drill at the ministry’s headquarters.

Orobosa said that the warning became necessary following several reports he had received on the “unwholesome acts of some officers.

“Right now, I have just ordered the suspension of one officer for taking a bribe of N15,000 from Continues on page 2

L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan; his mother, Mrs Eunice Jonathan; Chief of Staff, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commision, Mr Johnkennedy Opara; during 1st Sunday of the Year Church Service at Church of Christ In Nations (COCIN) Area I, Garki, Abuja yesterday. Pix: STATE HOUSE PHOTO

NMA suspends planned strike

ABUJA - The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Abuja yesterday announced the suspension of its plan for members to embark on an indefinite strike from today.

The President of NMA, Dr Osahon Enabulele,

. . . As Edo pleads with doctors

said in a statement that the strike was suspended to allow for full implementation of all elements of the agreement between the

association and the government within set time lines.

“Some of the welcome developments in the implementation of the

elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a human rights

group in the country, the Centre for Social Justice and Equity of Nigeria (CESJEN) has thrown

MoU reached between the NMA and the Federal Government of Nigeria include the decision by the Federal Government to redress

2015: Rights group backs EU

IBADAN - As Nigeria electorates are preparing for the conduct of 2015 general

its weight behind the recent position of the delegates from the Continues on page 2

the gross injustice done to doctors.

Others are the “establishment of a Hospital Development and Intervention Fund for health infrastructure upgrade, appointment of a Surgeon-General of the Federation and expansion of Universal Health Coverage,’’ Enabulele said.

Continues on page 2

News

No one can hold Nigeria to ransom Continued from page 1 The president said his administration was working hard to build a country that the future generation would be proud of.

“Boko Haram is temporary, Boko Haram will surely go.

We will do all our best to end it.

“A number of countries have faced similar challenges and they have been able to overcome them.

We will surely overcome Boko Haram.

“Life in the North must change, development must go to all parts of this country and nobody or group of people can hold this country to ransom.

“We will collectively liberate this country from the hands of any evil person that is trying to set us backward.

“We will do our best and build a country that our children and our grandchildren will be proud of,’’ he said.

Jonathan said his administration would work hard to improve the standard of living of Nigerians.

The president, who likened nation building to the planting of crops or the process of building a house, said that such development would not come overnight but through a process.

“Let me reassure you that we will continue to work harder and harder to improve the quality of lives of Nigerians.

“You cannot achieve this overnight. I always say that and sometimes I am always misquoted when I say we cannot achieve this

NMA suspends strike Continued from page 1

The association had embarked on a five-day warning strike from December 18 to 22, 2013, over the demands.

It had announced a plan to proceed on an indefinite strike from January 6 if its demands were not met.

The association had demanded proper funding of health care in Nigeria, provision of a regulatory environment for practice in the health sector and the expansion of universal health facilities to cover all Nigerians.

Other demands are the upgrade of health infrastructure, elimination of fundamental injustices done to doctors in terms of workplace conditions/conditions of service as well as other health sector challenges.

“The NMA convened an emergency National Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Saturday, January 4 to reappraise the efforts made so far to meet its demands.

“The resolve to suspend the strike is as a result of the possible impact of the withdrawal of services by medical and dental practitioners in Nigeria on ordinary Nigerians,’’ he said.

Enabulele also acknowledged “several honest appeals made by well-meaning people of Nigeria and our friends in the fourth estate of the realm for more time to be given by NMA for dialogue with government.’’

He applauded the ongoing efforts and commitment of President Jonathan to address some of the association’s demands.

Meanwhile, Edo State Government has appealed to doctors in the state to shelve its planned strike scheduled for today 6th January, 2014.

In a statement by the State Head of Service, Mr. Jerry Obazele, the Government said “the state experienced a warning strike by Medical Doctors in Government employment that lasted for an unprecedented period of five days. There is the threat of another strike from the 6th of January, 2014, by the same body without any trade dispute between the doctors and the state government.”

The Government said “the issues canvassed for the warning strike action and its continuation on 6th, January 2014 are issues within the exclusive preview of the Federal Government and its employees.

overnight.

“Even if you go and plant a crop, it takes a period before you start seeing the fruits.

“I always tell people that if you have all the money in this

world today to build a house and you want to build a simple two-storey building, it must still take some time to build,” he said.

Continued from page 1

Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, for his commitment efforts to reposition the police force for effective service delivery.

Jonathan expressed his administration’s determination to remould the police force into a combat ready and vibrant force.

Earlier, the inspectorgeneral of police commended Jonathan for the tremendous support which the government had provided for the police force.

Abubakar charged the new police officers to refrain from corrupt practices, urging them to be of good conduct while discharging their duties.

“You must continue to conduct yourselves, whether in or out of uniform, in manners worthy of emulation and praise,’’ he said.

He said that the first set of police cadets undergoing a degree programme had commenced training on September 22, 2013.

Reports say that a total of 577 cadet officers - 335 ASPs and 242 Inspectors graduated from the academy on Saturday.

Jonathan pledges

Jonathan, who was represented by VicePresident Namadi Sambo, said that the government support was necessary to enable the police and other security agencies to tackle all the security challenges facing the country efficiently.

“For us as a government, the challenge of terrorism remains a battle which we cannot afford not to win.

“It has, therefore, become extremely imperative that all efforts and resources be deployed towards the achievement of that primary constitutional mandate of providing security for the people’s lives and property,’’ he said.

Jonathan said that the Federal Government would also strive to improve the quality and numerical strength of the police and other security agencies.

“It is in pursuance of this objective that the government recently recruited 9,000 soldiers into the Nigerian Army,’’ he said.

The president commended the Inspector-General of

Rights group backs EU Continued from page 1 European Union(EU) on the support of Professor Attaihiru Jega-led the nation’s electoral body, saying that the electoral body should not be judged with the fall out of recent Anambra governorship election.

It would be recalled that few sections of the country particularly the All P r o g r e s s i v e s Congress(APC) and Conference of Nigeria Political Party(CNPP) have called for the resignation of Professor Jega, condemning the way and manner the electoral umpire conducted the November 16th, governorship election which

Commissioner warns traffic officers Continued from page 1 an offending motorist who drove against traffic.

“We are also now looking for the motorist; we will arrest and prosecute him for traffic violation and for giving bribe to a government official,’’ he said.

The commissioner, who later led ESTMA officials on a road traffic monitoring exercise, impounded about 40 commercial vehicles.

Orobosa said that the owners of the vehicles had yet to comply with the state government’s directive on the

approved colour for commercial vehicles.

“We have been educating the public and concerned transport unions on the government order on a uniform colour code for buses and taxis.

“Government gave a deadline of December 31, 2013, yet as of today, you can still see defaulters.

“The owners of the impounded vehicles will be made to pay to government coffers N40,000 for taxis and N60,000 for buses. The amount will cover the

vehicles’ painting and administrative handling charges,’’ he said.

Orobosa said that the government took the measure to stem the spate of robbery in the state, as suspected robbers often used unpainted cars to perpetrate their acts.

“With the colour code and the zone’s number code boldly written on the body of the vehicle, security operatives and the public can easily identify any offending commercial vehicle.

“In the next few weeks, we

marred with irregularities and logistics problem.

However, the European Union delegates that monitored the election have urged the people of the country , particularly, the vested interested group not to use the outcome of the Anambra poll where supplementary election was held as yardstick to sack Professor Jega or condemn the electoral commission in its entirety.

The group further declared their support for the Professor Attairu Jega led Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC), stating that the commission would conduct free, fair, credible and acceptable polls in 2015, insisting that the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States would be free,fair and credible because the commission had learnt its lesson from the outcome of Anambra governorship poll.

CESJEN gave the hint in a statement issued and signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Comrade Mubarak Abiola Adegoke which a copy was made available to newsmen in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, maintained that the people of the nation especially, the politicians should give Professor Jega benefit of doubt to conduct Ekiti, Osun and 2015 general elections, stating that only the electoral body should not be blamed for the

Lawyers envisage better judiciary in 2014 LAGOS - Some lawyers in Lagos have said they looked forward to a better judiciary that would fast-track the dispensation of justice with minimal cost on litigants in 2014.

The lawyers told Journalists that courts should pay attention to criminal matters and take more serious look at corruption cases.

They expressed reservations on the performances of the sector in 2013, citing as the example the delay in the handling of criminal cases involving “high profile persons”.

Mr. Onyekachi Ubani, Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, claimed that only lowly offenders were convicted while big names in politics got away unpunished.

“The criminal trials of some ex-governors which started in 2007 are still lingering with no date for the continuation of their cases.

“They hastened up in concluding criminal cases of small men while those of politically exposed persons lingers,” he said.

Ubani advised that merit, competence and experience should guide judicial appointments in the country.

He urged the judiciary to modernise court proceedings in line with global best practice, and also improve infrastructure in the courts for quick dispensation of justice.

Another lawyer, Mr.

Bamidele Aturu, called for improvement in the handling of cases and work ethics in 2014.

“A situation where a judge always comes late to court, contributes to the delay in cases.

“They need to show commitment to justice and the rule of law by attending to cases promptly.

“For a serious judiciary, cases must not last more than nine months in trial,” Aturu said.

Another lawyer, Mr. Ogedi Ogu, appreciated the steps taken by the judiciary in 2013 to enhance service delivery and was optimistic of improvement this year.

Ogu agreed however that delay and prolonged trials were the bane of the nation’s judiciary.

He therefore urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and the National Assembly to collaborate in promoting a more efficient judiciary in the country.

“We want to have a more efficient judiciary in which cases can start in a year and be concluded within that same year.

“We must not forget that judiciary is the last hope of the common man and so it must ensure that the hope is not lost,” Ogu said.

The CJN, based on the advice of the National Judicial Council, in December 2013, ordered that judges must henceforth deliver at least 24 judgments in a year.

BY MATTHEW OKAGHA

adding that the host of heavens are rejoicing and celebrating with the Queen as she marks her birthday anniversary.

While wishing Oloi Evbagharu Erediauwa a happy birthday celebration, the Evangelist prayed that the Queen would experience the grace of God in greater dimension.

Oloi Evbagharu Erediauwa will this morning present gift items to some orphanage homes in Benin City as part of activities marking her birthday celebration.

Oloi Erediauwa marks birthday

BENIN CITY – The virtues of Oloi Evbagharu Erediauwa (Omo N’Obarisiuwa N’Erie) were extolled yesterday at a special thanksgiving service held at Christ Embassy Regional headquarters, Benin City, to mark her birthday celebration which comes up today.

Represented by her daughter, Mrs. Oze Ebodeghe and other family members at the service, Oloi Evbagharu Erediauwa, expressed appreciation to God for divine health and the benefits which the Lord has bestowed on her over the years.

The Queen further thanked the President of Believers Loveworld, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and Regional Pastor, Evangelist (Dr) Eddy Owase for the opportunity to be part of the service every Sunday through the multimedia outreach of the church.

The Regional Pastor, Evangelist (Dr) Eddy Owase said the church is grateful to God for the life of Oloi Evbagharu Erediauwa,

• Oloi Evbagharu Erediauwa

Across The Nation

Quality Leadership: Ijaw Youth

Leader Commends IYC Exco

By DANIEL EDOBOR BENIN CITY – The leader of Ijaw Youths in Edo State, Comrade Andrew Igiri has commended the leadership quality of the President of Ijaw Youth Council Comrade Udengs Eradiri and his Executive Comrade in piloting the council towards achieving the set goals of the Council in the Niger Delta Region.

Comrade Igiri made this commendation in Benin City

recently in an interview with newsmen.

He noted that since the coming on Board of Comrade Udeng and his executive, they have been able to bring a sense of belonging to every Ijaw person in the region, stressing that the three council that made up the Ijaw Youth Council are now becoming waxing stronger and having a sense of oneness in all their activities in the area.

Comrade Igiri urged the

Customs Destroys N12m Poultry Products

By IJEOMA UMEH

BENIN CITY - The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘C’ Owerri, Imo State has destroyed 1,252 cartons of imported frozen turkey and chicken with duty paid value of N12,019,200.

The items were seized by men and officers of the command on Friday last week at the Benin Ekiadolor Road at

about 1205hours, the command stated.

According to the command, the items were being conveyed in a truck with registration number AUC 408 XC. The destruction, which was witnessed by officers of several security agencies of government at the Customs House, Benin City, it was gathered, was in line with federal government policies on imported frozen products (turkey and chicken).

President of the council not to rest in their bid to represent the Niger Delta Region, stressing that the task ahead of them is enormous.

He added that the Ijaw Youths in Edo State are strongly behind them as there is the need for a lot of issues to be addressed across the Niger Delta Region which he said, include unemployment and underdevelopment.

Others include embezzlement of public funds, imposition of local government chairmen in the Niger Delta Region which he said must stop in other that the people’s appoint those who will have their feelings at heart and the fear of God.

Scavengers at a refuse dump at Orile Iganmu recently.

Itulah Donates To Physically Challenged Persons

By TUNDE EIGBIREMOLEN

UROMI – Succour came the way of about 250 physically challenged persons on Thursday, January 2, 2014 at Uromi, the administrative headquarters of Esan North East

A tricycle operator taking a nap at Suru Alaba Motor Park in Lagos recently.

Local Government Area of Edo State when Rt. Hon. Friday Obomezele Itulah, (JP), member, representing Esan North East/South-East federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Abuja donated several items and cash to those living with various degrees of disability inorder to empower them in business.

The items included 250 units of grinding machines, 250 Electricity Generating sets and over 300 buckets worth millions of naira.

The empowerment programme, which was part of activities to mark Rt. Hon. Itulah’s regular Xmas/New Year get-together with his constituents, was however preceded by a mass officiated by the Catholic administrator of St. Theresa Catholic Church, Uromi.

Giving his address at the wellattended ceremony, Rt. Hon. Itulah remarked: “The idea to hold this party has been on for sometime, because I have always loved the idea of felicitating with physically challenged persons which is quite noble. For as the Bible enjoins us, we should strive, to identify with those persons who

Edebiri Family Fetes Children

By MATTHEW OKAGHA

BENIN CITY – Children have been described as direct gifts from God that should be celebrated by both their immediate families and the larger society.

Mrs. Vivian Edebiri wife of Chief Solomon Iyobosa Edebiri made the assertion while speaking at the 2014 New Year children’s party organised by the Edebiri family in Benin City last Thursday.

Mrs. Edebiri stated that

the children’s New Year Party was put together to celebrate them in an atmosphere of love, joy and merriment, adding that it was part of the contribution of the Edebiri family in putting smile on the faces of the children during the festive season.

The called on parents and governments at all levels to provide the young ones with qualitative education which would enable them to grow into responsible citizens.

Mrs. Vivian Edebiri said that though children are direct gifts from God, couple who were yet to have children of their own, should see other children in the society as their children, adding that there was nothing wrong in adopting a children.

She also advised children to cultivate the spirit of obedience, hardwork and respect for constituted authority, pointing out that such attributes would enable them become responsive and

responsible citizens in the future.

Also speaking, Mrs. Stacy Ikponmwosa Edebiri described the Edebiri family as great lovers of children.

Mrs. Stacy Ikponmwosa Edebiri thanked God for making it possible for the Edebiri family to host the children and make them happy at a time like this.

The children’s party featured dancing competitions and presentation of gifts.

will not be able to pay us for what we have done, so that Heaven will reward us.”

The former speaker, Edo State House of Assembly did not also spare the opportunity to thank the people of Esan North East/ South-East Federal Constituency for the sustained support given to him over the years to represent them at different levels including the Federal House of Representative, even as he sued for more of such support, and promised to always give qualitative and responsive representation at any level.

He restated his preparedness to always cater for the less privileged and physically challenged persons in society, stressing, “during my electioneering, I did promise to be for everybody irrespective of physical status. It is in this direction, that I co-sponsored a Bill for an Act to provide free and compulsory education for the physically challenged

persons in Nigeria. I am also putting together another Bill that will make it mandatory for public buildings to be provided with access for the physically challenged persons as obtains in all developed societies.”

Highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of the items to the beneficiaries by Rt. Hon. Friday Itulah who was ably assisted by political leaders, Associates, friends and supporters from home and in diaspora, including those from Ukraine, United States of America, United Kingdom among others.

Responding, the beneficiaries who could not hide their joy profusely thanked Hon. Itulah for his kind gesture and promised to put the items to profitable use.

The officiating priests, political leaders also expressed gratitude to Rt. Hon. Itulah for the donation and urged other political office holders and representatives of the people to emulate Itulah.

Commercial Motorists Seek Extension Of Registration Deadline LAGOS - Commercial motorists in Lagos has appealed to the Lagos State Government to extend the December 31, 2013-deadline fixed for the new registration of commercial vehicle operations.

Reports say that Lagos State Ministry of Transportation commenced the new registration of commercial vehicles on November 1, 2013 and the exercise was expected to end on December 31, 2013.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Kayode Opeifa, said at a recent meeting with transport service providers that the new vehicles’ registration was for purely security reasons.

He said that the measure was adopted to address some security issues, including

kidnapping, which were always linked to commercial vehicles in the state.

Opeifa vowed that no unlicensed commercial vehicle would be allowed to operate in the state as from Jan. 1. 2014.

However, a newsmen survey revealed that many of commercial motorists had yet to comply with the new registration order.

Mr Odunayo Daniel, a commercial driver who operates in the Oshodi-Iyana Ipaja axis, described the registration as a welcome development but stressed that the time allotted for it was insufficient.

“There is nothing bad with the new registration, considering the motive behind it; the only problem is that the time for it is too short.

News Udughan Explains Goal Of ‘Delta To

By BETTY IDIALU Beyond Oil’ Initiative WARRI - Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan said his administration’s Delta beyond Oil policy was borne out of the need to save the state from over dependence on oil money.

He explained that the main objective of the policy was to ensure that the state economy was resuscitated and conducive environment put in place for investments to thrive and thereby provide employment for the people without relying on revenue accruing from the oil sector.

Uduaghan stated this while responding to his choice by three national dailies as ‘2013 Man of the Year’ and ‘2013 Governor of the Year.’

According To Him, emphasis was on agriculture, culture and tourism among others because of their income and employment generating capacity.

He said: “The ultimate goal of Delta Beyond Oil is to provide employment for our teeming population.

“Specifically, we are concentrating on agriculture, culture, tourism, solid minerals

to achieve our Delta Beyond Oil.” The Governor in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sunny Ogefere, commended the management and editors of The Sun, Leadership and Nigerian Pilot Newspapers for the awards bestowed on him.

Uduaghan is joint winner of The Sun’s 2013 Man of the Year Award; Leadership Newspaper’s 2013 Governor of the Year. He was also awarded 2013 Man of the Year by the Nigerian Pilot Newspapers.

He commended the newspapers for acknowledging the modest achievements of his administration describing the awards as a call to more work and greater service delivery.

He promised not to let the newspapers and people of the state down in the remaining years of his administration.

“I sincerely appreciate the decision of the management and editors of the three newspapers in choosing and bestowing the 2013 Governor and Man of the Year Awards on me.”

“My administration came into

office in 2007 with a clear-cut three-point agenda of Peace and Security, Human Capital Development and Infrastructure Development.

“We have pursued these agenda with great zeal and determination to make Delta State a peaceful place, conducive for investment. “ Our human capital and infrastructure development agenda have also produced measurable results.”

The Sun in announcing its choice of Uduaghan as its 2013 joint Man of the Year, explained, that, “Uduaghan got the winning votes for envisioning Nigeria beyond Oil and taking practical steps about it in Delta State.”

Leadership Newspaper also explained, “For his vision of a state beyond oil, a vision beyond time and politics and for building bridges of peace across one of Nigeria’s most desparate communities, massive building and renewing infrastructure and placing the economy of Delta State on a solid footing, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan is Leadership Governor of the Year 2013.”

Ihogbe group presenting ‘ewere leaves to the Benin Monarch, HRM Oba Erediauwa during Ugie Ewere at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City recently. Photo: MOSES OBOH.

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Governor of Edo State with the newly sworn-in Chairman, Edo State Civil Service Commission, Princess (Mrs.) Ekiuwa Inneh, shortly after swearing -in at Government House, Benin City. Photo: MOSES OBOH.

New Year Celebration: Lagos Parks Happy With Sales LAGOS - Operators of

parks in Lagos said they enjoyed good patronage during the New Year celebration.

Mr. Abraham Ololade, the Chairman, Rosellas Amusement Parks and Events Centre, Lagos, told newsmen that the patronage was encouraging.

Ololade said he recorded good sales, compared with the previous year, stressing that “I made over N1,000 sales per day.

“The number of visitors recorded this year was higher than that of the previous year.

“This shows that Nigerians love fun.”

He added that the park witnessed more patronage by

affordable.

Malam Haruna Shehu, a business man, complained that the vehicles provided by the state government were not adequate.

“Even though the buses and Keke NAPEP are cheap, since morning I have sighted just a few buses provided by the government to ease the situation.

“I don’t think that is enough to cater for the teeming population that depends on Okada,” he said.

Another resident, Reng Ali, said with the new

development, he now had to trek long distance from his house to get a Keke NAPEP to convey him to work every day.

“The problem with the ban is that these buses and Keke NAPEP don’t ply every route like the Okada people used to do.

“I will now have to start trekking long distances from my house to be able to get a Keke like I did today,” he said.

Another commuter, Kehinde Abdulsalam, said:“I did not have it easy today, but

Jan.1 to celebrate the New Year.

“I wish we will witness same during other public holidays in the year.’’

Mr. Oma Imishue, the Facilities Manager, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, said the park recorded good sales “in spite of the N200 gate fee collected from fun seekers.

“Even though we charged N200 as gate fee instead of N100, we still enjoyed high patronage because of the face-lift given to the park.

“We received more than 2,200 visitors during the yuletide and we wish we will record even more during other public holidays in the year.’’

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has urged Christians and Muslims alike to embrace peace and unity in the New Year.

Ajibola told newsmen in Abeokuta that Nigerians needed to live peacefully with one another, and prayed for the country’s peace and unity in the New Year.

The Ogun CAN chairman advised Christians to be contented with whatever God had given them, saying they should not rush into things which would put them in trouble.

“Christians should fear God in this new year, stay away from fraudulent activities, deceit, fornication and other vices which are against the teachings of Jesus Christ,” he said.

Ajibola also advised government officials to abide by the oath they took after being elected, saying they should always provide for and take care of the masses.

He urged Nigerian leaders to stay away from corruption, saying it usually hampered the growth and development of a country.

The cleric advised President Goodluck Jonathan to continue to strengthen the security forces in the country.

“He needs to continue with that, as the current security and economic challenges facing the country will soon be a thing of the past,’’ he said.

Ajibola prayed for Nigeria to continue to experience peace, joy and the blessing of God in 2014.

Ogun CAN Urges Nigerians To Embrace ABEOKUTA - Rev. Peace, Unity In 2014 Timothy Ajibola, the Ogun State Chapter Chairman,

Minna Residents Groan As Government Enforces Ban on Okada MINNA Many commuters in Minna, Niger State, were stranded weekend following the enforcement of the ban on commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada.

Most people in the city had a difficult time accessing the buses and the tricycles provided by the state government to cushion the effects of the ban.

The buses and tricycles charged between N30 and N50 per drop, which most of the residents said were

fun seekers compared with other public holidays, adding that “the park has been refurbished to make it more user-friendly.”

Ololade advised Nigerians to be leisure-conscious to reduce stress and allow their body system to function well.

The Assistant Manager, Heritage Park, Oshodi, Lagos, Mrs. Ngozi Umeodinka, said the park was equipped with more games “which attracted more fun seekers.’’

Umeodinka said most visitors were happy with what they saw, as the upgrading had added value for the park.

She said “more than 1,500 visitors thronged the park on

I cannot go on complaining because it would not change anything, sometimes we have to make sacrifices.”

It was observed that security personnel were out on major roads in the state capital arresting defaulters of the ban, which came into effect on Jan. 2.

The government said the ban was aimed at checking the high rate of road accidents and crimes involving commercial motorcyclists.

It said that buses and tricycles had been provided to ease the effects of the ban.

News

Monarch Laments Neglect Of Border Community IMEKO (OGUN) - For the umpteenth time, Iwoye-Ketu community leaders in Yewa North area of Ogun State have called on Federal and Ogun governments to intervene in the provision of road and other infrastructure in the border town between Nigeria and Benin Republic.

Specifically, they asked the government to reconstruct and tar the 17-km Imeko-Iwoye road for ease of movement, goods and farm products.

The traditional ruler, Oba Ademola Aremu, made the appeal on Tuesday while conducting newsmen and leaders round the road and parts of the 20,000-strong community.

Iwoye of about 12km to Benin Republic, has the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) community-based farming scheme, a police post in a rented apartment, a befitting office for Benin’s Gendarmes as well as customs and immigration sheds.

Others are state forest reserve, an international market and natural resources such as cotton, cassava, yam, charcoal, water melon and cucumber.

Aremu had at a meeting of the community’s development association in Lagos in July appealed to the state government to come to their aid by rehabilitating their road.

The area had voted for a governorship candidate other than the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), now All Progressive Congress (APC), in the 2011 polls.

He decried what he called abject neglect of the community by previous administrations in the state, saying “the neglect is dehumanising and unfortunate.’’

“The Imeko-Iwoye road has not been tarred for several

decades. As an earthen road it has been destroyed by erosion thereby making it impassable.

“Driving on the dusty and crawler road is frightening and hazardous. For now few vehicles ply the road while motorcycle remains the popular means of transportation for movement of goods and people including National Youth Service members, government officials posted to the area.

“We are completely cut off from the rest of the country and Ogun State. For now, we are more accessible from Benin Republic than from Nigeria.

“On behalf of the community leaders and the people, we

neighbouring countries.

According to him, access roads are some of the strategies for removing obstacles to subregional integration and development.

He added:“The only bridge on the road was built in 1949 by a businessman from the North who came to buy cotton from the area. We are farmers and I can say proudly that we are the food basket of the state.

“We are law abiding citizens and we pledge our loyalty and support to Ogun and federal governments,’’ said Aremu, a large-scale cotton farmer.

Other problems confronting the community, Aremu said,

were power supply, water and lack of a functional health facility.

“We store rain water in underground tanks to use during the dry season. Water level is low in this area and so we cannot get water from the wells. We need boreholes; the ones sunk

by Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority are not working.

“Also, we have not been enjoying electricity provided by the Chief Olusegun Osoba administration in 2001 as we experience black-out for several weeks.’’

A community leader, Mr. V.I. Ibitokun, advocated the setting

up of a textile industry in the area with a view to harnessing the abundant raw cottons being produced by the people.

Ibitokun, a retired senior manager at the WAPCO Lafarge Cement Company, told newsmen: “We produce cotton and food in commercial quantities for Nigeria.

‘We should be encouraged by the government to increase our output to contribute more to the nation’s economy.

“FUNAAB students who stay in the community for several months for their practicals and other government officials working there are facing a lot of hardships because of the road.”

KDSG To Revive Moribund Industries

A young boy from Ihogbe group paying homage during Ugie Ewere at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City recently. Photo: MOSES OBOH.

FRSC To Digitalise Records In 2014 ONITSHA (ANAMBRA) The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Mr Osita Chidoka, said the organsisation would digitalise all its records in 2014 in order to improve on its operations.

Chidoka spoke with newsmen in Onitsha, Anambra

4,000 Patients Receive Free Eye Treatment

FUNTUA, (KATSINA STATE) - fewer than 4,000 patients with various eye diseases from 11 local government areas of Katsina South Senatorial District have received free eye treatment in Funtua.

Alhaji Qassim Muhammad, the Special Assistant to Katsina State Deputy Governor on Special Duties, told newsmen in Funtua that the exercise, tagged ‘’ Free Eye Camp’’, took place from December 26 to December 31, 2013.

Muhammad said the treatment was conducted by a team of 14 doctors from Abasar Foundation in Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with Ihsan Yardam Vakfi Foundation from Turkey.

He said the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi

passionately appeal to Gov. Ibikunle Amosun and the federal government to urgently come to our aid, ” said Aremu.

Aremu, who lamented the hardships the people and security agents go through daily on the road, disclosed that two passengers on motorcycles paid at least N600 per trip from Iwoye to Imeko, headquarters of Imeko-Afon Council Area.

He urged the federal government to revisit the border communities’ development programme of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar administration to ensure that such communities were not left at the mercy of the

Garba, facilitated the exercise and sponsored all the required logistics used for the exercise.

According to him, the six day exercise was a milestone that enhanced the health of the people, especially the elderly from the rural communities in the state.

Muhammad said that the team carried out eye surgeries on 400 patients while others received various forms of treatment with full medications together with eye glasses.

The special assistant urged the beneficiaries to adhere to medical instructions and cautioned people against self medication.

He said cataract disease was a major eye defect in northern Nigeria and advised people to monitor their feedings and improve on their nutrition.

after he delivered road safety leaflets to motorists at the Niger Bridge.

He said with the development the records of motorists, irrespective of their location in the country, would only be a click away through an online database.

“This is an important year for us in FRSC. It is a year of education and enforcement.

“We are moving our operations from the manual form to the digital form and people’s records will follow them anywhere in the country.

“I will advise road users to respect road rules and know that whatever offence or offences they commit will go along with them.

“FRSC is poised to protect the people who obey the rules on the road and punish those who disobey the rules,’’ the Corps Marshal said.

Chidoka said there was a reduction in road crashes in 2013, as well as in the number of people injured and deaths resulting from the accidents.

He said there was also a drop when the records of 2013 were compared with those of the previous three years.

The Corps Marshal also said

the issuance of new licences to convoy drivers was ongoing.

“With this, we will be able to punish any of them who goes contrary to the traffic rules and also put them in effective check,’’ he said.

The leaflets which Chidoka distributed had inscriptions such as “Safer Roads, Fuller Lives’’ and “Avoid Overloading and Over-Speeding’’.

K A F A N C H A N (KADUNA STATE) Governor Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State his administration would revive moribund industries in the state to boost its revenue base.

Yero spoke during the annual AFAN Festival held at Kagoro in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

He said that the development, when achieved, would also provide employment opportunities to the teeming youths in the state.

The governor said that the exercise would be carried out through Public Private Partnership (PPP) and that discussions with investors were ongoing.

“We have engaged the approach of the PPP. The Kachia Ginger Processing Factory and the Kafanchan Flour Mill, amongst others are industries to be considered,” he said.

Yero said his administration was also

determined to explore other areas of revenue generation.

“We have identified the potential of culture and tourism and would explore the sector,’’ he said.

The Chairman, Kaura Local Government, Mr. Kumai Badu, commended the state government for ensuring a peaceful atmosphere which guaranteed successful hosting of the festival after two years of suspension.

Earlier, Chief Ufuwai Bonet of Kagoro, said the AFAN Festival was a time for thanksgiving to God for a successful cropping season, good health and peace.

The royal father urged the state government not to forget its promise to work on the Kagoro Hill Tourism Resort.

“We are still earnestly awaiting the execution of the project,’’ he said.

Dance and cultural troops rendered traditional songs at the event attended by politicians, traditional rulers and members of civil society organisations, among others.

Justice Aluyi, former President, Customary Court of Appeal, Edo State with Barr. Kola Okeaya Inneh (SAN) as they pay homage to Benin Monarch during Ugie Ewere at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City recently. Photo: MOSES OBOH.

South-West NDPHC Lauds Workers, Promises To Deliver NIPP Project In 2014

Some palace chiefs paying homage during Ugie Ewere at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City recently. photo: MOSES OBOH.

Passengers Throng Osogbo Motor Parks Thursday.

OSOGBO - Scores of After Yuletide Another passenger, Alhaji travellers has thronged different motor parks in Osogbo, seeking transportation to various destinations after the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Lagos-bound passengers were in their hundreds at the popular Idi-seke and OgoOluwa parks with different sizes of luggage.

Some of the passengers expressed joy and delight over the peaceful and hitchfree celebrations in the metropolis and commended the government for its “giant strides”.

Mr. Goke Agbabiaka, a Lagos-based legal practitioner, said a significant thing that made the celebration a memorable one for him was constant power supply in the town.

According to him, the atmosphere in Osogbo is “a clear opposite of what is obtainable in Lagos” where he resides, going by the level of serenity and security, coupled with regular power supply.

“Sincerely, I am highly impressed with what I have been experiencing over the few days; the present administration has really tried in no small way,” he said.

He also applauded commercial drivers for not hiking transportation fares in spite of the temptation to do so due to influx of passengers.

Meanwhile, one of the passengers travelling to a northern part of the country

from the Ota-Efun park, Mrs. Olayinka Ojomo, complained of increase in the fare and delay in departure.

She said the normal fare to

Abuja before the Christmas was N3,500 but that it was jerked up to N4,800 few days to the Christmas and that it had remained unchanged on

Tajudden Komolafe, condemned the sudden increase in the fare and called on commercial drivers to always stabilise their fares.

LAGOS – Mr. James Olotu, the Managing Director of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), owners of National Integrated Power Plants (NIPPs), said that all NIPPs would be delivered in 2014.

Olotu also commended electricity workers for their support in meeting some of the nation’s energy infrastructure challenges.

The Managing Director gave the assurance and commendation in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos.

Olotu said that the company progressed successfully in 2013 with the completion of most of the NIPP projects started in 2012.

He identified the completed projects under the NDPHC as

Dr. Pius Odubu being presented with ‘Ewere’ leave during Ugie Ewere in Benin City recently. photo: MOSES OBOH.

Police College Yet To Resume Training

LAGOS - The Nigeria Police is yet to restart training at the Ikeja Police College, eight months after completion of its rehabilitation.

Newsmen who visited the college reports that the college is without activities.

The Spokesman for the college, DSP Samuel Jinadu, told newsmen that the school would begin training when directed by the Force Headquarters.

Jinadu said that the college was prepared to admit trainees following the completion of its rehabilitation.

“The college will start training recruits and officers as soon as there is a directive from the headquarters.

“Now that the college has been fully rehabilitated, it

is expected that anytime the institution is given the go ahead to train both recruits and officers, it will do so without delay,” Jinadu said.

President Goodluck Jonathan paid a visit to the college on January 19, 2013 after a television station exposed the decay

of it facilities.

The Nigerian Army Engineers rehabilitated the college in May, 2013.

The rehabilitated structures include 17 hostel blocks, a two-storey classroom block, six toilets, three dining halls, kitchens and septic tanks.

An inscription on one of the buildings indicated that the facilities would be due for facelift again in May, 2018.

the Olorunsogo Power Plant, Transmission Projects in Katampe in Abuja, Mando (Kaduna) and Kumbutso (Kano).

Others are OmotoshoCMEC, Geregu- Siemens, Ogorode-Marubeni, IhovborMarubeni, Alaoji.

“It is on record that within 16 days, two power plant projects (Geregu-434mw and Omotosho-500mw) were officially inaugurated by Mr. President in October 2013.”

According to him, President Goodluck Jonathan, within two weeks in Nov. 2013, inaugurated 20 distribution projects in the east and north parts of Nigeria as well as Abuja.

“We have never witnessed this in the nation’s power history.

“But for my proceeding on leave, several other projects lined up for commissioning would have been delivered.

“The contractors and project managers are highly commended for these large scale creditable and epoch making performances,” he said.

Olotu said that NDPHC supported contractors and project consultants with strategic and ingenious initiatives to enhance delivery.

He said that he could only say good luck to the few difficult contractors who were in the habit of delaying projects.

“Few as you contractors may be, Nigerians will hold you accountable sooner than you think.

“Performing contractors will be celebrated for project delivery and non-performing contractors will be celebrated for funds recovery and other measures.

“NIPP and its team will stand tall for doing Nigeria great service by reporting each stage accurately,” Olotu said.

He said that NDPHC performance so far has leverage global acceptance of the private sector dominant role in energy companies.

Lagos Commerical Vehicle Drivers Lament Low Patronage

LAGOS - Business was dull for commercial bus operators in Lagos State last week following the failure of many workers to resume duty after the New Year break. Few commercial buses were seen on the streets and the usual heavy traffic that characterised Lagos roads, especially during the morning period, was absent as motorists drove freely across different routes.

Our correspondent who monitored the traffic situation in the metropolis, reported that some traffic flash points were devoid of the usual chaotic gridlock on working days and passengers were sparse.

The entire stretch of Toll-Gate to Oshodi on the LagosAbeokuta Expressway and the bumper-to-bumper traffic usually witnessed on Ikorodu Road were unusually free as motorists drove through with minimal stops.

Speaking on the low patronage, some commercial bus operators said they were disappointed with the low turnout of passengers on the first working day after the New Year break.

The operators said that the usual rush at various bus stops

were absent and the buses had to wait long to pick few passengers.

A bus operator, Mr. Lukman Fasanya, who plies the IyanaIpaja-Oshodi axis, said that it was difficult getting passengers on the first working day of the year.

“We already know that many people will not resume duty today but not to this extent.

“Look inside the bus, only two passengers are there; I am waiting to pick two more to earn a few naira,” Fasanya said.

A conductor on the same route, Mr Wale Ajamu, who had been shouting for passengers, said that getting them was hard.

“My Oga does not leave the shouting for passengers to me alone, the two of us are doing it together, yet only few are available.

“We have wasted a lot of fuel and had resolved to quit after two or three more trials,” he said.

Opeyemi Akinjide, another operator on the Costain-CMS route, echoed a similar view.

“What I expected is not what I met outside; my conductor and I are tired of shouting for passengers; I think we have burned enough fuel that we need to retire home for the day,” he

said, Mr. Alaba Amao, another operator, said “this is my second trip on this route and the passengers are very few; getting to most bus stops, we found them empty,`` he said.

Mr. Musiliyu Kareem, who operates on the Ketu-Ojuelegba route, expressed disappointment over the difficulty faced in getting passengers.

“In fact, I should not have bothered to come out today but we must work to refill our purse after the New Year celebration,’’ he said.

Mr Basiru Akinwande, a driver who plies Oyingbo-Ijora route, said that it had been very hard getting passengers.

Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa (middle), flanked by Governor Adams Oshiomhole (left) and Rt. Hon. Pius Odubu, Deputy Governor of Edo State (right) during Ugie Ewere at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City recently. Photo: MOSES OBOH.

Building Collapse: LASG Intensify

LAGOS - The Lagos State Government will step up actions to reduce cases of building collapse in the state, the state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Olutoyin Ayinde, has said.

Ayinde, who disclosed this on Wednesday in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, said the government would intensify the monitoring of buildings across

Cross section of Oba Erediauwa’s Queens during the Ugie Ewere celebration at the palace recently. Photo: MOSES OBOH.

the state and implement other actions to check such incidence.

He said residents had a bigger role to play in preventing building collapse as most cases were caused by non-adherence to the law.

“This year, we are going to strengthen monitoring and

impunity of perpetrators.

It cited some of the unresolved corruption cases to include that in the aviation sector, the fuel subsidy scam and others.

The body noted that requesting the prosecution of indicted officials would send a clear signal that the government was committed to combating corruption.

“Jonathan should urgently address allegations of corruption in the privatisation of electricity, which is now denying the citizens access to

regular electricity supply.

“The matter should be urgently referred to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for action.

“Taking these simple actions will immediately send a clear message that as far as the fight against corruption is concerned, it won’t be business as usual in 2014,” SERAP said.

It also advised the president to demonstrate his total rejection of corruption by publicly declaring his assets and instructing all members of his government to do same.

intensify other necessary things to ensure that incidence of building collapse is reduced, to the barest minimum, if not totally eliminated.

“But residents have a bigger role to play because most

Cleric Urges Govt To Create More Jobs In LAGOS - Most Rev. Adebola 2014 Ademowo, Bishop Emeritus, employer of labour has suffered Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), has urged the Federal Government to address the problem of unemployment in the country.

Ademowo, said that the rate of unemployment among youths, who were keys to the achievement of the Vision 20:2020, was alarming.

He said that it was painful to know that Nigeria still had a large percentage of citizens, especially young graduates unemployed.

Ademowo advised the government to create more jobs.

“The private sector that can serve as an alternative

2014: SERAP Tasks Jonathan On Ways To Curb Corruption LAGOS - A civil society group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to refer unresolved cases of corruption to the anti-graft agencies.

SERAP gave the advice in a statement issued in Lagos, in reaction to Jonathan’s New Year day broadcast where he promised to fight corruption more in 2014.

The statement, signed by SERAP’s Executive Director, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni, said: “Promises alone can’t end corruption and the

Action

According to SERAP, the president should cut down on unnecessary expenses in the 2014 budget and dedicate the resources for the provision of drugs for hospitals across the country.

It said the president should lead the process to domesticate and effectively implement the UN Convention against corruption, within the legal system.

SERAP said: “This is the best way the president is ever going to earn the trust of millions of Nigerians yearning for good governance, development and the rule of law.”

setbacks.

“Many of them could not cope with the high cost of running those businesses that could have absorbed our graduates due to infrastructure deficiencies,” he said.

According to him, the private businesses are also contending with the problem of epileptic power supply and the lack of enabling environment to thrive.

The cleric also urged the government to address the problem of corruption in the country.

“Corruption and corrupt practises are still endemic in our nation; cases of high profile corruption among government officials, the political class and law enforcement agents are alarming,” he said.

The cleric proclaimed 2014 as a year in which God would surprise the nation and urged Nigerians to join hands with the government by being good citizens.

“In the year 2014, this nation, I believe, will experience divine intervention because it shall be a year of surprises.

“God will surprise the nation; it shall be a year of surprises because where some expect division, unity shall take preeminence and peace will triumph over violence,” he said.

Ademowo urged Nigerians to pray for the country and not to succumb to anything that would drag the country down.

buildings do not conform with the laws and standards are not complied with.

“So, people need to involve the government more in their construction and also get approvals before putting up structures, to avoid threat to lives.

“The Lagos State Building Control Agency should also be contacted and invited to inspect buildings under construction.

“All of these are necessary to ensure that buildings are in tandem with the standards and that they do not pose any threat to lives,” he said.

The commissioner said that a good number of the buildings collapse because the contractor used inferior materials.

He said it was now compulsory for anyone constructing a new building to subject the building materials for testing at the State Testing Laboratory to ensure they are safe for use.

“Some people complained that testing materials at the laboratory and getting approvals for their buildings is not cheap, but that is not true; it is affordable.

“But, can one compare the cost of the losses that would be sustained in the event of a building collapse, to the little that would be paid to do the right things? That is certainly not true.

“It is actually cheaper to comply with the law, than paying the huge Governor recalls that the State Tribunal of Enquiry on collapsed buildings had in its report presented to Governor Babatunde Fashola last year, said that no fewer than 135 buildings collapsed in 2013.

The Chairperson of the tribunal, Mrs. Abimbola Ajayi, who presented the report, blamed the problem on noncompliance with building laws and weak enforcement.

Across The Nation Passengers Express Shock As Fares Rises In Nsukka Nsukka (Enugu State) Some Nigerians, who travelled to celebrate Christmas and New Year in Nsukka area of Enugu State, have expressed concern over fare increases at motorparks in the town.

Fares increased from 50 per cent to 100 per cent on different routes from the park.

Some passengers, who spoke with newsmen described the

increases as outrageous.

Mrs. Flora Ezema, a passenger travelling to Abuja, said that before Christmas, the fare from Nsukka to Abuja was between N1,800 and N2,000, but that the fare had risen to N3,000.

Ezema said the increase was too much, adding: “I do not know why Nigerians will

always like to capitalise on one thing or the other to exploit fellow Nigerians.

“I and my three children are going back to Abuja, see our tickets, it is N3,000 each. In short, I paid N12, 000 for four of us.

“Government should try to check excesses of transporters during festive periods. ‘’

FRSC Commends Drivers Good Onitsha (Anambra) - The Federal Road Safety Conduct At Yuletide motorists’ co-operation with for three consecutive days Commission (FRSC) has commended private and commercial drivers plying major roads in the country for their exemplary conducts in this yuletide.

The Assistant Corps Marshal in-charge of Special Marshal and Partnership, Mr. Victor Nwokolo, made the commendation in an interview with newsmen in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Nwokolo noted that private and commercial drivers had shown some degree of change of attitude while on the roads.

He said the commission was still faced with the task of getting convoy and bullion van drivers to show at least the minimum traffic rule compliance.

He, however, urged Nigerians returning to their base after the holidays to be patient and orderly to aid traffic flow, especially in the South East and South-South regions.

Nwokolo said that due to

the corps, nobody spent his or her night on the Niger Bridge this year as was the practice in previous years.

“We had it better this year than last year. We are only having little busy roads within the hinterland.

“All we are saying is that drivers should maintain orderliness on the road.

“So, it is important we maintain a single lane for orderliness, and when there is orderliness there won’t be complete blockage of the road no matter the volume of traffic.

“It will only be slow and steady while within few minutes everybody will get through,’’ he said.

Nwokolo, who temporarily relocated his office close to the Upper Iweka Bridge on the Onitsha-Enugu road, warned that FRSC officials would book any driver that tried to make the road chaotic.

There was no traffic congestion on the Niger Bridge

while there was free flow of traffic on major roads in Onitsha during the period.

Mr. Richard Umezurike, an Owerri-bound passenger, attributed the increase in fares to one of the reasons that many people failed to travel home during festive periods.

“I paid N1,700 as against the normal price of N900. This increase is not for Owerri passengers alone; from Nsukka to Aba is N1,500 as against the normal fare of N1,000 “I am even lucky I was able to buy a ticket because some passengers have the money to pay but no vehicle to board.

“Some passengers are stranded, some have no money to pay due to the increase,’’

Umezurike added.

A manager of one of the transport companies, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that the reason for the increase was to compensate for the shortfall recorded on some routes.

“Our drivers from Abuja, Owerri, Aba and Lagos are coming with empty vehicles or half-filled ones, so, the only way to compensate them is this little increase.

“You know now few people are coming in while many people who came to spend Christmas and New Year are going back to their stations.

“Without this increase, many

passengers will be stranded here without any vehicle to convey them back to various stations as no driver will like to come, ‘’ he said.

Meanwhile, economic and commercial activities have started picking up in Nsukka town as shops and markets have re-opened for business.

Some major roads like Enugu, Ogurugu and University Market that were deserted during Christmas and New Year celebrations have started witnessing heavy traffic again.

However, few workers were seen at Nsukka Local Government secretariat as many offices were locked.

HRM Oba Erediauwa (middle), as he moves into the palace ground during Ugie Ewere at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City recently.

Old Boys’ Assoc Commends Resuscitation Of Teacher Training Yola, said this during the 3rd should be resuscitated,” Yola Sokoto - The resuscitation of Bello Dogon-Daji, charged efforts of the government in Colleges Annual Congress of the said.

Teacher Training Colleges is members to be united, funding education, especially The MATCOBA national very crucial in halting the falling standard of education in Nigeria, an education stakeholder said in Sokoto.

The National President of Maru Teachers’ College Old Boys Association (MATCOBA), Alhaji Yusuf

association.

He said there was an urgent need to strengthen the existing teachers’ training colleges across the country.

“New Teachers’ Training Colleges should be established, while the dormant ones in various parts of the country

president said only professional teachers should be employed to teach at all levels.

“By so doing, the quality of teaching and learning is expected to shore up, contrary to what obtains now in almost

all parts of the country,” he said.

The association’s Sokoto State Chapter Chairman, Alhaji Lawalli Namama, called for the unity of members across the country.

“We are also working round the clock to complement the

in our former school,” he added.

Eight members of the association were given merit awards at the event.

Responding on behalf of the awardees, a former Minister of State for Education, Alhaji

disciplined and uphold respect for elders.

The College, which was established in 1949 in the old Sokoto state but now in Zamfara state, has been upgraded to the status of a College of Education since 2001.

Cholera Kills 7 Persons In Kano

The Osuma of Benin Kingdom, Chief Norense Ozigbo-Esere (right) paying homage to the Oba, HRM, Oba Erediauwa during Ugie Ewere at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City recently.

Photo: MOSES OBOH.

Kano - No fewer than seven persons have died from cholera at BadawaGaladima ward in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, an official of the council has said.

The Head of Health Department of the local government, Alhaji Ma’azu Doka, told newsmen in Kano that 68 patients were now receiving treatment.

Doka said 29 of them were at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) Kano, while the remaining 39 were

outpatients. ‘’The outbreak, which started five days ago, has so far claimed seven lives. ‘’We have also treated more than 71 persons, particularly those with cases that are not severe,’’ he said.

Doka said the local government had purchased and distributed drugs worth N650, 000 for the treatment of the patients.

According to him, the council’s health personnel had visited the affected persons with a view to

giving them the necessary attention and treatment.

He said that the health department had cleared the drains in the affected area.

Doka attributed the new cases to the dirty surroundings, stressing the need to adhere to hygienic practice, including clean environment. ‘’There is poor sanitary condition in the area, so the people have to rise up to the challenges by keeping their environment clean,’’ he said.

North

Court Stops FCDA From Demolishing Ibanga argued that the Property plaintiff’s ABUJA - An FCT High application was Court has granted an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the Fedeeral Capital Development Authority (FCDA) from demolishing a property at Plot 38, Jikwoyi Cardastral Zone in Karu, FCT. The property belonged to an Abuja-based contractor, Alhaji Yakubu Oshioke.

Delivering a ruling, the vacation Judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu, held that injunctions are usually directed to ensure that parties maintain the status quo, pending the determination of the suit.

“It is my considered view that from the documents attached, there is a need to grant the applicant’s prayer after holistically taking into account the documents before the court by way of judicial notice.

“It is a remedial writ which the court issued for the sole purpose of enforcing their equity jurisdiction,’’ he said.

Halilu said, in granting the relief sought, an applicant must convince the court to exercise its discretion.

At the last hearing of the case, counsel to applicant, Mr Victor Agunzi, told the court that the essence of an order of injunction was generally passed by court to ensure that parties maintained the status quo.

Agunzi argued that the facts contained in his brief were inconrovertible and admissible in law.

He argued that exhibit ‘A’ was the power of attorney which showed that the plot belonged to the plaintiff.

He said that one Ahmadu Hassan sold the plot to the plaintiff in 2000 and, therefore, asked the court to take judicial notice of the application and uphold it.

Opposing the submission the counsel to the respondent, Mr Felix Ibanga, prayed the court to discountenance the submission of the plaintiff.

‘self-destructive’ and had failed to raise issues on point of law.

He also submitted that there was no office of Mayor in the FCT as claimed by the plaintiff in his written arguments in court.

“We urge the court to take judicial notice of the application and hold that the applicant did not take any action on behalf of the original grantor,” he said.

Jigawa Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Mahmud, presenting water pumps and other inputs to Irrigation Farmersr in Hadejia recently.

Senator Distributes Inputs To Farmers In Jigawa

KIRIKASAMMA (Jigawa) Sen. Abdul’azeez Usman has distributed water pumping machines and farm inputs worth N65 million to 1,000 farmers in the state.

The senator had also distributed 350 sewing machines to women in eight Local Government Areas, as part of effort to uplift their living standard.

Distributing the

equipment, Usman said 850 water pumping machines and 100 grinding machines, thrashers and other agricultural processing equipment were distributed to the beneficiaries.

“The effort will complement government’s drive to transform the agricultural sector, reduce poverty and enhance wealth creation in the society,” he said.

The senator urged the beneficiaries to ensure effective utilisation of the facilities.

The Deputy Governor of the state, Alhaji Ahmad Mahmud, commended Usman for the gesture, saying that the effort would enhance agriculture and food security.

Mahmud said the state government had executed viable projects to improve

SOKOTO - Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, has cautioned politicians in the country against instigating violence in the name of politics ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Aliyu said in Sokoto in a meeting with a coalition of youths associations in the state that, politicians must engage in “clean politics in 2015 and beyond”.

The commissioner chaired the meeting on behalf of Governor Aliyu Wamakko.

“This is the brand of politics without bitterness, devoid of

violence and laced with patriotism,” he said.

The commissioner warned youths in the country against allowing themselves to be used as thugs by selfish politicians.

“The youths should rather strive to be vanguards of peace, unity, national cohesion and socio-economic development.

“We in APC want a situation where Nigerians are treated equally, irrespective of social, political, religious, ethnic and cultural differences,” he said.

Aliyu noted that God had

Commissioner Calls For Non-Violent Politics In 2015

Some Water pumps and other inputs distributed to farmers in Hadejia recently.

Hajj 2013: Board Attributes Success To Collective Efforts against paying their fares KADUNA - The Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Board, Alhaji Kabir Kassim, has attributed the success of the 2013 Hajj operation in the state to the combined efforts of key stakeholders.

Kasim said this in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna.

He identified the stakeholders as the NDLEA, the Nigerian

Immigration Service, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Airports Authority and various committees set up to facilitate the exercise.

“These arms of government contributed immensely to the welfare and eventual airlift to Holy land of all the pilgrims in the state,” the executive secretray said.

“There was significant drop in problems associated with

the social and economic wellbeing of the people.

“In the last seven years, the state government had executed roads, water, clinics and schools projects to enhance transportation and economic activities of the rural dwellers.”

Malam Bashir Isa, one of the beneficiaries, commended the senator for the effort, saying that the gesture would improve their living condition.

pilgrims’ welfare both at home and in the holy land,” he said.

Kassim said the board was still compiling reports from other stakeholders to enable it map out new strategies to ensure hitch-free Hajj in 2014.

“We want to look at what we have done this year through the eyes of insiders and outsiders, put them into consideration to correct future operations,” the executive secretary said.

He said already, the board had forwarded its complaints to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria over “insufficient food” provided to the pilgrims while in the Holy land.

The executive secretary said preparations for next round of pilgrimage would commence as soon as the board was notified of the number of seats allocated to the state.

He warned intending pilgrims

through unofficial channels, saying once the process starts, they would be fully informed.

Kassim commended the media for its “excellent contributions to the successes recorded” and called for continued collaboration with the board.

More than 5,000 pilgrims from the state performed the annual religious journey to Saudi Arabia in 2013.

endowed Nigeria with abundant human and natural resources which were not being harnessed effectively.

He therefore admonished leaders at all levels in the country to give priority to the needs and aspirations of the people.

“The provision of basic needs of the people should be the main concern of the leaders if 2014 and beyond will be different from the most recent past,” Aliyu said..

Earlier, the Coordinator of the coalition, Alhaji AbdulRahman Aliyu, said the meeting was to lay out the group’s plan to sensitise the people on the programmes of the state government.

“We will also give emphasis on enlightening people of the state, especially youths, on the need to be peaceful and law abiding in all they do including politics,” Aliyu said..

The coordinator urged Nigerians to strive to “do the right thing” to enable the country forge ahead as a strong, united and prosperous nation.

Business & Economy

Investors Net Worth Up By 6.1% In December

LAGOS -Investors’ net worth on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) appreciated by 6.19 per cent in the month of December from the 3.45 per cent achieved in November.

Official statistics provided by NSE showed that the All-Share Index rose by 2408.34 points to close the year at 41,329.19 from the 38,920.85 achieved in November.

The market capitalisation grew by N778 billion to close at N13.226 trillion compared with N12.448 trillion recorded in November.

The volume of shares traded also grew by 5.57 per cent with 10.04 billion shares worth N71.12 billion traded in 90,765 deals.

This was against the 9.51 billion shares worth N95.40 billion traded in 104,233 deals in November.

The financial services sector emerged the toast of investors in December with 6.99 billion shares worth N26.1 billion traded in 45,560 deals.

Some stakeholders attributed the steady growth of the market, in spite of the festive period, to renewed confidence of foreign and local investors in the market.

They told newsmen in separate interviews in Lagos that foreign investors’ increased exposure to emerging markets contributed to the growth.

Alhaji Rasheed Yussuf, the immediate past President, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), said that the growth in economies in the West rubbed off on the nation.

He said that the market performance in 2013 had

reinvigorated investors’ expectations in 2014.

Yussuf said that investors’ growing stake in the market was in anticipation of enhanced dividend in the financial year ended December 31, 2013.

He said that investors based their stakes on current performance of stocks and not on speculation.

Yussuf said also that investors, who exited the

should encourage listing of new issues in the market to minimise pursuit of few stocks by investors with surplus funds,”

confidence led to the growth witnessed during the period.

Williams said that the new trading platform offered opportunities for better appraisal of the potential of the market.

products across the nation during the festive period.

They spoke in different interviews with newsmen in Lagos.

Newsmen, who monitored petroleum retail outlets in Lagos, reports that all filling stations visited were dispensing fuel to motorists, during the period The operators lauded government’s efforts which averted scarcity of petrol, a common occurrence during the Yuletide.

Mr. Ola Apena, a dealer with Total Filling Station in Epe, said that disappearance of queues at filling stations during festive period was an indication of the good distribution system by the PPMC. Apena said that PPMC, a subsidiary and strategic business

unit of NNPC, had shown its readiness to be transformed to compete with other operators in the downstream sector.

He commended the NNPC and the subsidiaries for the success they had recorded so far in eliminating fuel queues at filling stations in the last few years.

Apena urged the NNPC to sustain the laudable achievements.

“I am impressed with what I saw during this festive period compared with other years when people would queue up to buy fuel during the festive period.

“The management of NNPC should continue in this direction to stabilise the downstream sector of the oil and gas,’’ he said.

Mr. Abu Edu, Managing Director, Seatap Oil and Gas, Epe, said that NNPC had been able to sustain effective products monitoring and distribution which created room for steady supply in most stations.

Edu said with the acquisition of the information tracking software, the incidence of bunkering and other sharp practices would be checked.

Marketers Commend NNPC PPMC Over LAGOS - Some operators of Products Availability petrol stations have commended the NNPC and its subsidiaries for the steady supply of petroleum

Federal Corps Marshall, Mr. Osita Chidoka (right), officers and men of the Corps, distributing leaflets with Road Safety messages to motorists on the River Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra recently.

Robbery Attacks: CBN Seeks Kwara Govt Support

ILORIN - The Ilorin Office of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has demanded the intervention of Kwara State Government in curtailing the increasing spate of armed attacks on banks in the state.

The Branch Controller, Mr. Monday Olotewo, told newsmen in Ilorin that the demand was contained in a letter sent to state government.

Faskari Local Council Realises N51.8m IGR FASKARI (KATSINA STATE) - The Faskari Local Government in Katsina State it realised N51.8 million internally generated revenue in two years.

Alhaji Isiyaku FaskariAhmad, the Transition Committee Chairman of the council, made the announcement in Faskari, the headquarters of the local government.

He told newsmen that more than N400 million was spent on 389 community development projects in 10 wards in the area.

The council chairman said that the projects included education, health, water supply, electrification, rural roads and transportation.

He said that his administration recruited 260 workers to complement existing manpower in the health and education sectors.

According to him, the council disburses N3 million interest-free loans or N10, 000

market during the 2008 financial meltdown, were finding their way back due to the sustained growth.

He said that there was the need for listing of new issues to avoid over pricing of stocks and avert the bubble burst experienced in 2008.

“The market regulators

Yussuf said.

Mr. Olaleye Williams, the Managing Director, Global View Consult & Investment Ltd., said that the initiatives introduced by the market regulators to enhance investor

to 200 men and 100 women every month to enable the beneficiaries embark on small businesses.

He said that in addition to the loans, which had been on for 16 consecutive months, the council was selling 300 bags of grains at subsidised rate to less privileged families.

The chairman said that subsidised fertiliser and other farming inputs were being sold to dry and raining season farmers, while livestock farmers were benefitting from subsidised animal feeds from the council.

On capacity building, Faskari-Ahmad said that youths were trained on various skills, while graduates were offered between N25, 000 and N30, 000 loans to acquire tools.

The council boss said that the council had earmarked on 420 community projects for execution under the state- wide community development committee blue print.

Reports say that banks now close by 2.00 pm in Ilorin, the state capital, following armed attacks on some banks in parts of the state.

Olotewo said that CBN and some banks’ officials had earlier met with the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Agboola Oshodi-Glover, toward safeguarding the banks and other financial institutions.

He said the meeting with the Police and another one scheduled with the state government was because the banks planned to shutdown their services.

According to him, recent attacks on banks in Omu Aran and Oro, all in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state, is worrisome and demanded joint action.

“This is definitely affecting the economic fortunes of the state.

“We are not happy that banks in Omu Aran and Oro are not in operation too because that will take its toll on the people there.

“The Police have also said that they have written to the IGP over the matter,” Olotewo said.

The branch controller, however, appealed to the people to bear with the banks, stressing that the banks’ limited period of operation was to protect themselves.

About 20 armed robbers had

earlier attacked banks in Omu Aran, killing two bank officials, a vigilante and destroyed the police mobile vehicles.

Armed robbers also stormed some banks in Offa, killing some people and carting away millions of naira.

The situation has forced the banks in Offa to close down banking services.

NDLEA Arrests 251 With 2.64.8kg Of continue to hunt for Illicit Drugs would them.

DUTSE - The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Jigawa State said it has arrested 251 suspects with 2.7 tones (2,648kg) of illicit drugs between January and December 2013.

The Commander of the Agency, Ibrahim Abdul, disclosed this to newsmen in Dutse.

Abdul said 61 of the suspects had been convicted; 77 standing

trial, while 113 were in the Agency’s custody for counselling He said the drugs included Indian hemp, rubber solution, diazepam, Extol5, pentazocine, tramol and other hard substances.

The commander warned those involved in the illegal business to desist as the agency

Abdul commended other security agencies in the state for their support in ensuring a drugfree society.

The commander also commended the state government for assisting the agency in its effort to tackle illicit use of drugs and trafficking.

Car park at the Broad Street in Lagos as workers resumes after new year celebration.

IT is incontrovertible that the key that opens the door to the development of any society is research and this is basic to the success and growth of societies which have religiously formed the culture and tradition of unending research in all areas of development.

ESSENTIALLY, research governs all areas of human endeavour as well as all fields of life.

Any innovation that ignores the need for research and lays claim to new discoveries could at best be a fraud and is therefore bound to fail.

THAT there is a tendency to confine research to institutions of learning is a measure of how well the output from such academic institutions, particularly the universities is reliable and dependable in the processes leading to new discoveries.

INTERESTINGLY, however, these days, most large firms now have their research and development departments in order to remain relevant in a scientifically competitive environment where efficiency and precision are now the hallmarks to survive new trends and modern devices that outpace existing ones surpassing them in all respects. The field of information technology is where the pace and speed of research have led to astounding breakthroughs putting such firms as Apple, Nokia and Microsoft on top of the industry.

IT is sad to note that in the last two or three decades, there has been a gradual erosion of research culture from our universities, basically due to lack of funding and government’s indifference or fears that research grants are improperly utilized. This has also largely contributed to the worsening conditions which face genuine academics interested in engaging in profitable research work.

AGAINST this backdrop therefore, it is an admittance of fact that poor funding, disinterest by government, lack, of commitment and sometimes fraud are

THE NIGERIAN

Research And Development Data Bank inevitable drawbacks to research which is a sine qua non and an essential ingredient of the success story of any nation.

LEADING nations in the world today, such as the United States, Britain, France, Japan, Germany, Russia, China and new emerging Asian powers, including South-Korea, India, North-Korea and many more are changing the face of their societies through research where its end product, technology and scientific discoveries are the inevitable consequences.

THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER is worried that Nigeria appears not to have the interest to nurture the culture and tradition of research by granting assistance to universities in the country to embark on research in any area of interest, particularly in science and technology.

WE are of the firm belief that many intellectuals in our ivory towers are not bereft of ideas that can help develop extensive research work in their fields of study.

WE have for so long taken the Nigerian university system for granted and it is a system that holds much promise for the future if Nigerian political leaders will allow it to take its leading place in providing some level of guidance by way of research works that could propel the nation forward.

THERE are instances of many Nigerian intellectuals and egg heads who when they leave the shores of this country go to foreign institutions to make remarkable feats and

achievements in science and technology and thus contributing to the growth of their adopted society, while at home such opportunity was never given room to thrive so that they could prove the depth of their knowledge and learning.

WE implore the Federal Government to improve the capacity and ability of the Nigerian university system to deliver in the area of research and development by working through the National Universities Commission (NUC) to challenge institutes, departments and colleges of these universities to come forward with research projects that will better the Nigerian society. The government must not see any amount devoted to research and development as money poured down the drain.

At any rate, if just a quarter of the several billions of dollars embezzled and squandered by past leaders have been devoted to research, certainly, Nigeria would have been better for it.

THERE is no doubt that the neglect in this area of research contributed to the problem of brain drain and the exodus of many promising minds from our universities to that of foreign nations, hence the need to reinvigorate the research system and put it to better use for the nation’s gains and the benefit.

THEREFORE, apart from government funding and assistance, we recommend that to make funds freely available for all kinds of research, the CBN should consider the setting up of a Bank which aims and objectives should be strictly to fund research.

WITH proper guidelines and regulations, we believe that this is possible, where there should be an interface between the banking institutions and research institutions. If banks could finance businesses that are colossal failures, then there will be greater benefits to fund researches that could change the course of mankind, particularly in the Nigerian setting and the world at large.

PUBLIC NOTICE This is to inform the general public that the underlisted vehicles, and trucks towed by Riverland Services Nig Ltd (contractors to Ministry of Environment & Public Utilities) from Lagos Road

by Okada and Auchi Road by Ehor that were causing obstructions since 2nd of October, 2013 and deposited at Court Road by uncompleted State Secretariat opposite NPDC and Ehor/Auchi Old Roads. The owners are advised to come forward within 14 days of this publication to claim them or risk bring auctioned to the public.

A 1.

IVECO Truck Reg. No. XAP730KJA – Located at old Ehor Auchi Road 2.

DAF Truck Reg. No. XA 287SAA – Located at old Ehor Auchi Road B Scrap accidented 1.

DAF Truck – Unregistered -– Located at Court Road by uncompleted Secretariat.

2.

Nissan cooling van – Located at Court Road by uncompleted Secretariat Contact 08028963209 07037823229

RECONCILIATION/ CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Best Jelugbo Solomon Ekido wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as Best Jelugbo Solomon as appeared on my various documents.

Henceforth, I am properly known and addressed as Best Jelugbo Solomon Ekido.

All former documents remain valid Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OHIEGBOMWAN – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nosa Joy Ohiegbomwan now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nosa Joy Idusuyi. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

OMORODION – I, formerly known as Miss Adesuwa Henrietta Iro Omorodion now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adesuwa Henrietta Frank.

All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

EJENARHOME – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sandra Enivwenaye Ejenarhome now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Sandra Enivwenaye Isah. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

EDO STATE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE 80, New Lagos Road, Benin City, Edo State

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

FILING OF TAX RETURNS (FORM H1 & H3) The Edo State Internal Revenue Service wishes to inform the general public particularly Chief Executives of PAYE remitting establishments and employers of labour that in line with Section 81 Sub-section 2 of the Personal Income Tax Act, every employer of labour is expected to file: 1. Tax Form H1 to supply the following information: - The return of Income - Tax reliefs granted and - Total Tax deducted in year 2013.

2. Tax Form H3 to supply the following information: - Return on Income - Claim for allowances for year 2014 from the relevant tax offices.

Bride Afi Usman Aimanesi and groom Osaro Blessing Ugiagbe at the Council Wedding Registry, Auchi during 2013 yuletide

To ease the difficulty that may be associated with collecting these forms from our offices, members of staff of the State Internal Revenue Service are on the field distributing Tax Form HI and H3 to employers of labour; and hereby request to fill all the relevant details on behalf of their employees and submit same to the relevant tax office on or before the 31st of January, 2014 as stipulated in Section 81 sub-section 2 of the Personal Income Tax Act. The Act stipulates a penalty of N50, 000 fine for individual employers of labour and N500, 000 for corporate employers of labour, who fail to file these returns within the stipulated time.

For further enquiries call customer care line: 0705 411 8103.

Support and sustain good governance and development in Edo State.

PAY YOUR TAX. IT IS YOUR CIVIC DUTY. IT IS THE LAW. Auchi town in Etsako Local Government Area of Edo State stood still during 2013 Yuletide season when former Miss Afi Usman Aimanesi as bride, got hooked to her beloved heartthrob Mr. Osaro Blessing Ugiagbe. Apart from the parents of the bride and groom with their families, dignitaries from far and near graced both the traditional and Registry wedding activities at Auchi.

Signed: Oseni Elamah Executive Chairman

View Point Improving Agriculture In Nigeria: IT is known fact that agriculture is the mainstay of any economy, and is fundamental to social economic development of any nation. This is because agriculture represents a strategic asset to the overall well-being of a nation’s economy. It provides food, clothing, generates foreign exchange among others.

Oloibiri in 1958 with oil money rolling in, agriculture fell out of grace and was relegated to the background at great national and domestic cost.

Today, agriculture has lost its pride of place in the Nigerian economy as all focus lies in the oil sector for the survival of the country. As a matter of fact, Nigeria does not meet UN’s

This is why I find it very pitiful that in a great nation like Nigeria, a nation filled with agricultural potentials, agricultural development has waned considerably. In the past agriculture provided for the nation, Nigeria was a major exporter of agricultural commodities such as cocoa, groundnut, cotton and many others. That was before discovery of oil at

standard for the agricultural sector, as only 10 percent of the country’s budget goes to agriculture. The position of the nation’s economy is a matter of grave concern and call for urgent attention. Clearly, Nigeria’s agriculture need revolution and lessens can be drawn from a country like China, whose impressive agricultural achievements has raised

From China

By UTI ANIEKAN UDOH

Lessons

providing approximately four million tons annually.

Since the 1950s, China has taken agriculture as the country’s economic base.

Analysis shows that between the periods of 1981-2005, China’s agricultural sector was transformed from “one characterized by high and variable distortions to one that is relatively liberal.”

Funds were made available for farmers’ education to ensure appropriate training and uptake; and also for agricultural research and extension. China was an early adopter of Green Revelation research and hybrid rice and was the second country in world after the United States known for spending on agricultural biotechnology Agricultural markets were greatly encouraged in China, which prove to be a key factor in the alleviation of poverty in the country.

In the 1980s, food interment, production and rural income were a central pillar of the broader economic development agenda. The objective was to create food security, rural stability surplus income and labour supply to drive broader industrial development.

This development enabled a population of about 200 million small hood farmers with each utilizing an average of 0.65 hectares to feed a population of 1.3 billion people. As a matter of fact, agriculture in China, has contributed greatly to the reduction of poverty in the country.

Statistics shows that the incidence poverty in China has dropped from 31 percent in 1978, to 200 percent in 2008.

Furthermore, China adopted the land reform policy known as the “Household Responsibility System”, a privately leased land use system. The major objective of this strategy

was to boost the rural economy and increase farmers’ income so that farmers could have the incentive to work and produce more and production diversification could take place. The strategy bore fruit, and food production is greatly enhanced. Agricultural output grew at 7.7 percent annually.

The Chinese also put in place necessary institutions that ensured and enabled true classroom China created the R&D institute (Research & Development Institute) and universities focusing on agricultural innovations.

They discovered and implemented new models for seed, fertilizers, and hydraulics. Technology into played a crucial role in the Chinese’s agricultural development. It helped China improve their efficiency of production and maintain sustainable agricultural development.

Today, China is the world’s largest producer of agricultural products. Their primary produce induces rice, millet, potatoes, sorghum, peanuts, tea, fish cotton wheat, perk, barley, and oilseed. China’s agricultural sector employs over 300 million farmers and produces food capable of feeding 20 percent of the world population.

There are necessary lessons Nigeria need to learn, but first agriculture needs to be given its rightful place as the mainstay of the economy; agriculture needs to be made as a top priority in the country. And in addition, there must be proper administration, void of corruption and misappropriate of funds and the budgetary allocation to agricultural must be substantially increased. It is time for a change; it is time for a revolution.

hundreds of millions of peasants from rural poverty in the past 30 years.

Despite the history and geographical differences, there are vital lessons Nigeria can learn from

One of the poorest areas of Shandong Province in China was turned in a “Vegetable City” with more than 53,000 hectare vegetable plantations boosting of more than 700 vegetable varieties are

China’s agricultural achievements. In China, agriculture grew at an annual average rate of 4.5 percent. Agricultural development and reforms was a top priority for their government, from the central to the local units.

The steady growth in agriculture and rural economy was significant to the acceleration of China’s modernization process.

“Today, China is the world’s largest producer of agricultural products. Their primary produce induces rice, millet, potatoes, sorghum, peanuts, tea, fish cotton wheat, perk, barley, and oilseed. China’s agricultural sector employs over 300 million farmers and produces food capable of feeding 20 percent of the world population.”

Lifestyle And Culture

Globalisation Of Cultural Heritage

CULTURE is the totality of learned, socially transmitted customs, know ledged, material objects and behaviour. It includes the idea, value, customs and artifacts of a group of people.

Culture is a pattern of human activities and the symbols that gives these

institutional, philosophical and creative aspects.

The process of expanding culture has

activities significance, it is what people eat, how they dress, beliefs they hold and activities they engage in. It is the totality of the way of life evolved by a people in their attempts to meet the challenges of living in their environment, which gives order and meaning to their social, political economic, aesthetic and religious norms and modes of organization thus distinguishing people from their neighbours.

In the Federal Republic of Nigeria culture comprises of material,

been under way for many centuries, but technology have increased the speed and have also broadened the distribution of cultural elements beyond communities and nations territorial frontiers.

However, culture can be transmitted or acquired through information or symbol. Cultural identity is those attributes, behavioural patterns, lifestyles social structures and norms that distinguish a people from other peoples. These are passed on laterally or inherited

from the generation to another or horizontally passed on from one society to another through such

interconnectedness, and under dependence of different society’s around the world.” It is also seen as the breaking down of National Boundaries because of advances in communications trade and travel.

Today, the paradigm is shifting with the new opportunities and

agent as globalisation and I see globalisation as the i n c r e a s e d

challenges created by new technologies.

The messages of this paper is therefore to examine, the

BY GLADYS AYODELE ALONGE

emerging issues in the globalisation of Nigeria cultural heritage. The impacts of technologies on the globalisation of Nigeria cultural heritage.

The role of libraries in the documentation, presentation and globalisation of cultural heritage and the challenges and suggestions on how these effects may be

overcome.

Now, What Are The Issues, Impacts And

Emerging Challenges?

One of the greatest issues is that Nigeria is a heterogeneous society.

Before colonialism, the territory known as Nigeria today was inhabited by different peoples, empires, tribes and kingdoms.

These peoples have different cultures traditions and religious. The colonialists did not consider these divergent issues, but went ahead and welded them together as one country. Until 1977, when the one cultural show was performed in Nigeria called (FESTAC) there had never been attempts to nationalise Nigerian Cultural Heritage. So, when we talk or plan for globalisation of the heritage it is pertinent to start at home or at domestic level before internationalisation (i.e cultural Nationalisation before cultural globalisation).

Cultural diversity: Nigeria is a society with abundant rich cultural heritage that are scattered within the diverse ethnic nationalities.

These cultural heritage include languages, marriage rites, burial rites, birth rites, dressing, greeting, music folklore, religion, and other tangible cultural monuments, natural sites and cultural landscapes.

Some of these cultures have died due to western cultural influence and therefore needed to be revitalised and up load in the net if those who know how they are performed are still alive in our today’s generation.

“Culture is a pattern of human activities and the symbols that gives these activities significance, it is what people eat, how they dress, beliefs they hold and activities they engage in. It is the totality of the way of life evolved by a people in their attempts to meet the challenges of living in their environment, which gives order and meaning to their social, political economic, aesthetic and religious norms and modes of organization thus distinguishing people from their neighbours.”

Focus

Human Trafficking In Nig

NIGERIA is a source, transit and destination country for women and children subjected to trafficking in persons, specifically conditions of forced labour and forced prostitution.

Trafficked Nigerian women and children are recruited from rural areas within the country borders. The women and girls are recruited for involuntary domestic servitude and forced commercial sexual exploitation and boys for forced labour in street vending, domestic servitude, minning and begging.

Nigerian women and children are taken from Nigeria to other western and central African countries, primarily Gabon, Cameroon, Ghana, Chad, Togo Burkina Faso, and the Gambia, for the same purposes children from West African States like Benin, Togo, and Ghana where economic community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) rules allow for easy entry are also forced to work in Nigeria and some are subjected to hazardous jobs in Nigeria’s granite mines.

Nigerian women and girls are taken to Europe, especially to Italy and Russian and to the Middle East and North Africa, for forced prostitution.

Traffickers sometimes move their victims to Europe by Caravan, forcing them to cross the desert on foot, and subjecting them to force prostitution to repay heavy debts for travel expenses.

During reporting period, Nigerian girls were repatriated from Libya and Morocco, were they were reportedly held captive in the commercial sex trade.

The government of Nigeria fully complies with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.

It demonstrated sustained progress to combat human trafficking during the reporting period in 2009, the government convicted 25 trafficking offenders and provided care for 1,109 victims, that increased over the previous reporting period, it also continued to undertake strong efforts to raise awareness of human trafficking.

In addition, its National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) ceased the practice of interrogating trafficking suspects at the Lagos facility housing its shelter for trafficking victims.

To better ensure victims rights are respected, NAPTIP formed a committee in mid-2009 to review victim care policies, aiming to strike a balance between ensuring victims safety in shelters and promoting their freedom of movement.

The Nigerian government in 2009 pledged over $7 million in annual funds for NAPTIP’S operation and activities all g o v e r n m e n t programmes received

partial payment, pending budget approval by legislative and executive branches due to a four months delay in approval of the 2010 National budget funds were distributed

to all federal agencies in April 2010.

Nigeria continued it’s effort to protect trafficking victims in 2009. Police, customs, immigration and NAPTIP officials systematically employed procedures to identify victims among high risk persons, such as young women or girls travelling with nonfamily members.

Data provided by NAPTIP reflected a total of 1,109 victims identified and provided assistance at one

By GLADYS AYO ALONGE

NAPTIP’s eight shelters through the country.

During the reporting period; 624 victims

were cases of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation, and 328 for labor exploitation. various government agencies referred trafficking victims to NAPTIP for sheltering

and other protective services Immigration referred 465, police referred 277; social services referred 192;

and state security service nine.

The shelter staff assessed the needs of victims upon arrival and provided food, clothing, shelter, recreational activities, and instruction on various

skills, including vocational training, psychological counseling was also provided to only the most severe cases.

While at NAPTIPs shelters 70, victims

received vocational training assistance provided by government funding.

NAPTIP estimated the government’s 2009 spending on its shelter facilities to be $666,000 the 2003 trafficking in

pe en ad pr pr d pr

tra be of re du pe to vi

“Nigerian women and children are taken from Nigeri African countries, primarily Gabon, Cameroon, Ghan and the Gambia, for the same purposes children f Benin, Togo, and Ghana where economic comm (ECOWAS) rules allow for easy entry are also forced are subjected to hazardous jobs in Nigeria’s granite

Focus

geria: The Way Forward

ersons law nforcement and dministration act rovides for treatment rotection, and noniscriminating ractices for victims.

The law specified no afficking victim could e detained for any ffense committed as a esult of being trafficked uring the reporting eriod, the government ook steps to relocate ictims’ quarters a

considerable distance from detention areas for trafficking offenders, greatly reducing the possibility traffickers could exert undue influence over their victims.

contacted to take in the victims, officials encouraged victims to assist with the investigation and prosecution of traffickers and victims served as witnesses in

Victims were therefore allowed to stay in government shelters for six weeks.

If a longer time period was needed, civil society partner agencies were

all of NAPTIP’s successful cases.

Victims could theoretically seek redress through civil suits against traffickers, or claim funds from a victims trust fund set up in 2009 through assets confiscated from traffickers are transferred to victims.

The trust fund committee is chaired by the Minister of Justice and meets four times per year, the government provided a limited legal alternative to the removal of foreign victims to countries

ia to other western and central na, Chad, Togo Burkina Faso, from West African States like munity of West Africa States d to work in Nigeria and some mines.”

where they face hardship or retribution which means short term residency that cannot be extended.

Preventing human trafficking in Nigeria

The government of Nigeria sustained strong efforts to raise awareness of human trafficking over the last

year. NAPTIP’s public enlightenment unit worked throughout the reporting period on national and local programming to raise awareness for example, in rural Benue, Kogi, and Edo States.

NAPTIP introduced grassroots programs and held its first annual race against human trafficking in Edo State with 5,000 runners on the national level, it convened the 2009 model UN conference for secondary students with a theme of combating human t r a f f i c k i n g .

Furthermore, a nine state tour was launched to establish state working groups against human trafficking.

The objective of these and several related programmes was to sensitize vulnerable people, sharpen public awareness of trend and tricks traffickers used to lure victims, warn parents and share ideas among stakeholders.

Audiences ranged from 50 to 5,000 persons.

NAPTIP worked with immigration services to monitor emigration services and immigration patterns for evidence of trafficking.

The long established stakeholders forum continued quarterly meetings in Abuja to foster collaboration among agencies.

In August 2009, NAPTIP held a stakeholders workshop in Kaduna to set programme priorities and cost estimates for implementing the National plan of action, which was established in 2008. Nigerian troops under go mandatory human rights and human trafficking training in preparation for peace keeping duties abroad.

The government did not take major action to reduce the demand for commercial sex acts though officials moved to shut down two brothers in Lagos during the first quarter of 2010.

At these brothels, authorities rescued 12 females including six underage victims of trafficking, one property owner was convicted, sentenced to two years in prison, and required to forfeit his hotel; his case remained under appeal at the end of the reporting period, the second brothel owner’s trail was ongoing and he remained totally free on bail.

“In August 2009, NAPTIP held a stakeholders workshop in Kaduna to set programme priorities and cost estimates for implementing the National plan of action, which was established in 2008. Nigerian troops under go mandatory human rights and human trafficking training in preparation for peace keeping duties abroad.”

Opinion

Fresh Start: The Heart Of Christianity

NEW Year is a time to ponder on our path in life, and question if the road were in will really lead us to where we want to end up.

Having recovered from Christmas celebrations, our thoughts turn to the

reflection and thoughtfulness to encounter ourselves and the God who accompanies us through our life’s journey.

The desire to use the start of a new year to make charges for the

New Year. I’m always amazed that no matter how many times we try (and fail), we make new resolutions for the year. Human beings are perpetually hopeful. We are in a season of hope.

The New Year is a good time for reflecting on where we are, where we’ve been and where we would like to be going. In our busy world it is important in life. I would hope, though, that we not do this for the purpose of nostalgia or guilt, but in

better is a good one.

Indeed, Christian faith has at its heart in the belief that every time we turn to God we are given a new start, a chance for new life - of life in all its fullness as Jesus said in the Gospel of St. John.

It is the promise of new life, not new year’s resolutions, which characterize the life of the Christian Church.

It’s not about trying to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and make ourselves better people, but recognizing that

By BEAUTY OBAMWONYI/ANYAOHA UDOCHUKWU A

God loves us for who and what we are, it’s the promise and the hope of grace, a word layered with meaning but that can be summed up as God’s offering of himself to us, a free gift

sustenance and even transformation for those who seek it.

There’s more to this, at least in the Christian understanding of life.

This promise of new

of love, healing, forgiveness where we need it.

It’s a word that means that God promises guidance, strength,

life, of transformation is not a divine selfhelp” experience. It is for the benefit of the world around. Faith call us to shed light and

hope abroad, like the proverbial magic penny it grows as you give it always.

Alfred Nobel, the Swiss chemist who invented dynamite, realized that he would only be remembered for becoming rich by

creating something that had caused misery, death and destruction.

He then set about leaving a legacy he could be proud of and

founded awards for science, mathematics, literature and for those who had contributed to making peace.

Rather than being forced into a reevaluation of our lives by such drastic circumstances, let’s take the New Year as a time to consider what impact we are making to the world – for better or for worse?

Do we consider ourselves to be loving?

Thoughtful? Good neighbours and friends?

No one expects us to be perfect, but we can consider what we could do to make the world slightly better. For those of us who follow Jesus Christ, it is an opportunity to start a new every day.

May God give us grace to change where we need to, and to grow in faith, hope and love?

May we recognize the promise given through the Hebrew prophet Jeremiah?

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”

(Jeremiah 29:11).

“The desire to use the start of a new year to make charges for the better is a good one. Indeed, Christian faith has at its heart in the belief that every time we turn to God we are given a new start, a chance for new life - of life in all its fullness as Jesus said in the Gospel of St. John.”

Gender Issues

Why Do Marriages Fail?

THE marriage institution was created by God. And God was the first officiating minister at the wedding. A successful marriage depends on two things: finding the right

for him (Genesis 2:18).

The significance of the bone from rib have also generated a lot of controversies. Many marriages are built on wrong foundations. For example, marriages built

or her money, and inadequate preparation for marriage.

Each individual has their own unique

uniqueness brings obstacles in marriages.

Couples should be able to settle their differences

person and being the right person. And the Lord God said, it is not good that man should be alone, I will make him help meant

on lust but not love, accidental pregnancy, beauty or handsomeness physical infatuation, marrying someone for his

characteristics.

So marriages bring two unique persons together.

Yet, they must be one and failure to recognize this

without the interference of the third party, be it friends, neighours, mother or father in-law.

The day you allow this

BY GIFT ONAGHAMA

“Financial difficulties always result to malice and quarrels.

Even now, due to the poor economic situation in the country, some men do send their wives abroad for prostitution which can easily result to marital problems. Other reasons for the failure of marriages includes: Poor understanding of role of couples in marriage, division of labour and the notion that there are perfect marriages; using bad language; nagging, unfaithfulness, sexual denial, e.t.c.�

people to start settling your quarrels signifies tragedy for the marriage.

Some people are greedy, they pay more attention on themselves than any other person in the home.

Couples should learn how to listen to each other because this has overtime been one of the major obstacles in marriages.

Financial difficulties always result to malice and quarrels. Even now, due to the poor economic situation in the country, some men do send their wives abroad for prostitution which can easily result to marital problems.

Other reasons for the failure of marriages includes: Poor understanding of role of couples in marriage, division of

labour and the notion that there are perfect marriages; using bad language; nagging, unfaithfulness, sexual denial, e.t.c.

When you pray and are in complete obedience to God’s word, God should be strictly observed as a way of solving these problems.

Couples should learn to see the good side of one another not the bad side.

You should be more sacrificial in your love. If you keep nagging at your partner, he or she would not enjoy staying at home.

And never criticize your partner or compare them with other person.

Always give full respect to your in-laws, no matter what they are doing or what you have heard about them. You should be faithful to the marriage. A man or woman who keeps sexual partners outside the marital home is unfaithful.

Sexual denial, on its part, is very dangerous to marriage.

Both partners should be involved in planning their child bearing or spacing.

Family planning is very vital in the growth of the family.

The emotional, physical and the financial state of the partner should be considered. Study the likes and dislikes of your partner, husband or wife and avoid doing what he or she dislikes; half of the problems will be solved by so doing. Your husband or wife may not be the husband of your dream; so drop those dreams and learn to live with reality, praying fervently together in difficult times, which are bound to arise.

Moreover, love grows when it is deeply nurtured, groomed and pruned.

Development Revenue Generation In Local Government Areas,

THE appreciation of the importance of revenue is as old as man’s desire to make expenditure possible to improve his existing environment.

Man here embraces individuals, governments, and organizations (profitable and nonprofitable). The purpose of revenue is therefore, to have individuals, organizations and governments dispose financially to catering for their various well being.

What is however

Problems And Prospects

doubtful is if enough effort has been made over the years by any of the above categories against generation (realization) of revenue. It is becoming clearer that individual or government which generates the revenue on a weekly basis is likely to future courageously, little or no prospect exist for such bodies.

Prior to the coming of the colonial masters, there

Hon (Mrs.) Itohan Osahon-Ogbeide, ALGON Chairperson, Edo State

By HUSENAT MOHAMMED

were some forms of revenue open to the northern and southern regions of the country.

These groups of people have centralized system of administration. The bodies led by Emirs and Alafin are the agent that collect revenue from the inhabitants. Also fine and other revenue are taken care of by these bodies.

Development plans were embarked upon through communal efforts. The colonial masters made the work simple for them because they modified the work for these payers of the revenue to government.

Thus, this led to the introduction of the principles of equality.

However, it is difficult to introduce the native revenue ordinance in the eastern regions because of no recognized natural leaders. There were various attempts at improving native revenue generation in a peaceful and careful manner, but it always resists to function.

This led to Aba women riot of 1929 and claimed about fifty lives and properties worth thousand of money.

In 1976, Local Government system initiated by the federal military government was remarkable in a number of ways. In the first place, it was the first time local government was introduced in Nigeria.

The 1979 constitution improved the situation with more recognition being accorded to local government in the country. This in essence means that in Nigeria, we have the central

government, state government and the local government can be a subordinate government.

Systematically designed as close as possible to the people at the grass root levels with the objectives of facilitating development.

Emphasis on this development, each council is expected to mobilize all resources at its local and even beyond and the development of the area is ensured the spirit of the deformation was jurisdiction basically stated on the line below.

Local Government have over the years suffered the continuous showing down of their powers. Lack of adequate funds to appropriate institution had continued to make local government ineffective and inefficient. Excessive politics had made even modest progress impossible.

Consequently, there has been a problem between the people and the government has therefore realized the role which the local government plays to the nation. Then for the local government to achieve the objectives of 1976 local government reforms which the federal government made, the local government authority has to be autonomous.

Problems Associated With The Subject Matter The study is limited to some local government area of Enugu State namely Nsukka local government.

As a result of limited resources like fund e.t.c., we were restricted to certain number of area of study to the above mentioned.

A number of conclusion were drawn from study. It is seen that the importance of revenue generation is to meet up the obligation of specific project for public interest such as road, electricity, hospitals, drainage, irrigations and others.

The sources of these revenue are divided into four including taxes, rates, licenses and miscellaneous and government allocation.

The revenue collection is not an easy tax and it involves many problems in the collection process.

It is known that the local government is like a house that is built on a store that is going to last long and the revenue that would be based on efficient management is not available in the local governments. It is justified that this system can be improved if the recommendations above are implemented.

“The revenue collection is not an easy tax and it involves many problems in the collection process. It is known that the local government is like a house that is built on a store that is going to last long and the revenue that would be based on efficient management is not available in the local governments.�

Archival Matters

Making Omellete Without Breaking Egg

2013 in Retrospect: BY the day after we would have gone one whole week past 2013.

And so, a full year has gone by and a new one begins. Now, as we watch the year merge into past history, can we say things have improved attitudinally in the country? The answer is NO. Consequently, it is our extant, unprogressive attitude of doing things, we will be carrying over into the new year of 2014.

What a pity. We are still trying to make Omellete without breaking eggs.

But can you do this?

To start with, let’s look at our politics. When we do this appraisal, what immediately comes to mind is that our brand of politics is bereft of the Mandela public spiritedness, patriotism and honesty. This explains why the PDP is in deep crisis today and there is opposition scramble to form a rainbow alliance to seize power from the PDP in 2015. without mincing words, all the parties routing for 2015 are engaged in horse trading.

For instance, as at press time, the parties are selling automatic tickets of reelection to political office holders as baits to keep them within the PDP fold or attract them to the opposition.

Again, therefore, we are sacrificing the cannon rule of internal party democracy on the alter of capturing power in 2015 as well as electoral survivalism.

Yet, we shout from the rooftops that there is the need to grow our nascent democracy. A case of trying to make omellete without breaking eggs.

Impossible!!

It is this same

By MICHAEL ODIGBE dysfunctional attitude of ours that has continued to ensure we produce incompetent presidents adorn with geo-political expediency. Yes, the system we operate upholds rotational presidency based on our six geopolitical zones. According to this hackneyed paradigm, each zone is supposed to produce a president for the nation.

Even then, when it is the “turn” of a zone to do so, we find that it is not the zone that nominates the president-to-be. It is the sitting president that often exploits his power of incumbency to appoint him.

This cancerous game plan produced President Shehu Shagari in 1979, discountenanced an Abiola presidency in 1993, endorsed an Olusegun Obasanjo presidency in 1999, concocted a Musa Yar’Adua presidency in 2007 and enthroned a Goodluck Jonathan presidency in 2011. Also, it is the same game plans real flag President Goodluck Jonathan is today waving from his Aso Rock Villa telling Nigerians that he is entitled to a second term without regards to his performance indices since 2011 when he became president.

Incredible!! There in lies another internal contradiction within our ailing political system. We all want a healthy presidency but no infrastructural paradigm has been put in place since 1960 to produce one on merit.

What goes on in our political sphere runs all over the gamut of the country. Once again take

our fight against corruption. It is neither here nor there. All we are doing therefore is paying lip service to the corruption war.

Remember, Ms Aruma Oteh, Chief executive of

Security Exchange Commission. A probe indicted her for mismanaging the commission’s resources.

In reaction, the House of Representatives demanded that she should be sacked.

The presidency ignored the order. Anger, the house approved zero allocation for the commission as a strategy to force her out.

Still, she refused to go, honourably. While the

presidency maintained its stance that it is either Aruma Oteh for the job or nobody else.

And, so, corruption was deified by the presidency in the Aruma Oteh’s case.

Later, there came up the case of Hon. Farouk Lawan, Femi Ofedola and the 620,000 dollars oil subsidy scam in 2011. till date, the case is snail walking in court.

Meanwhile, Femi Otedola is still a friend of the presidency.

Close watchers tell us he goes in and out of the place with the same Abiku dexterity.

Does morality not teach the presidency to avoid people, who like Caesar’s wife, haven’t lived about corruption suspicion, eh?

Or, have we forgotten that Mrs. Victoria Mahama, Ghana’s deputy communication minister,

“As at November 2013, also, NIPOST pensioners were being owed 47 months arrears. Imagine these scenarios for a minute. Then, tell me how Nigeria can say it is genuinely tackling crime when there is corruption, hunger, bureaucratic deprivation, injustice and poverty in the country? Or do we think criminality is an idealistic thought that we can wish away rather than frontally confront it? Yes, can we make omellete without breaking eggs?

No, of course.”

was sent packing on November 8, 2013 for merely saying that she is in politics to make one million dollars?

Well, this is not the end of corruption matters. In October 2013, the nation was agog with the story that Mr. Sunday Ehindero, former Inspector – General of Police was discovered to have N16 billion in his bank account and 100 houses to boot. Although

the authenticity of the story hasn’t been verified, such a story was believed by the people – a hundred million of whom the World affirmed in November 2013 are today destitute.

Now add this.

As at November 2013, also, NIPOST pensioners were being owed 47 months arrears. Imagine these scenarios for a minute. Then, tell me how Nigeria can say it is genuinely tackling crime when there is corruption, hunger, bureaucratic deprivation, injustice and poverty in the country? Or do we think criminality is an idealistic thought that we can wish away rather than frontally confront it?

Yes, can we make omellete without breaking eggs?

No, of course.

Enter Ms Stella Oduah, aviation minister. She is a case study demonstrating that in Nigeria our leaders,

talk glibly about servicom competence with duplicity.

Well, since no one eats his cake and still keeps it, that is why she is in a mess today.

To put it simply, she isn’t at all qualified to be a minister let alone become an aviation minister. All the same, she got the office without the required job knowledge, attitude and technical skills. The end result? The aviation ministry has been mismanaged during her tenure. Hence, we have experienced two major air disasters so far. On June 2, 2013 behold DANA Air Crashed in Lagos killing over 165 people in the plane and on the ground.

Later on October 3, 2013 a plane carrying Dr. Olusegun Agagu’s remains for burial in Ondo State again crashed killing 15 persons. The sticking point in this accident is that the plane was supposed to be on a test flight and so should only have carried repair crew of engineers – not passengers or luggage.

How you are!!

Confronted with the bad air crash record under her tenure, she preaches a sermon from Aso Mountain: “Air crashes are acts of God…” Don’t blame her for her response.

She was assigned a job of managing our aviation industry for which she is not qualified. So she is making omellete without breaking eggs by waiting on God to run her minister for her so that air crashes can be prevented.

But not to worry. She Still day try – oo to justify her appointment. Atleast, she has been able to ground Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s Bombadier B700 Globla Express air craft on April 4, 2013 for “lack of air worthiness.”

Also, in mid-2013, her NCAA officials recalled Oshiomhole’s plane to Benin Airport while it was air borne for the East to attend a funeral ceremony.

What is the bottom line?

It is that 2014 doesn’t hold much promise of an attitudinal transformation in Nigerians. We will still be the way we were in 2013, always refusing to break eggs to make omellete. No change. We will remain the proverbial one – legged man chasing a prized racing car of development.

There is no catching up with the NEVER.

Focus

Budget Of Renewed Hope

EDO State budget for 2014 shows proposed capital expenditure standing at Eighty six billion naira when adjusted to two significant figures. The corresponding proposed recurrent expenditure is approximately seventy four billion naira represented as forty-six per cent of a total budget of one hundred and fifty-nine billion naira.

Political economics of development proves that a budget is said to have positive outlook when capital projects exceed recurrent expenses.

The ratio of fifty-four to forty-six percent on proposed capital expenditure and recurrent expenditure respectively eloquently illustrates a phenomenon of a civil service based economy gradually graduating into a developing economy.

In the words of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, “2014 budget is designed as a launch pad to propel the state to higher level of developmental possibilities.”

But he quickly acknowledged that security challenge tended to put Edo State in the news for the wrong reason in 2013 and thereby discouraging some potential investors, and consequently pledged to partner with security agencies and reposition Edo State neighbourhood watch.

This is a welcome calculation. When due resources are allocated to

issues bordering on security safety of lives and property could be guaranteed.

It is unclear what various stats would allocate to security sector in 2014 throughout the country.

Sentiment is high that the federal government should perform its statutory security obligations. But reality keeps showing that underfunding decaying infrastructures are fast becoming part of the defining elements of many Nigerian security agencies.

And if the federal government lethargy to security issues keeps blowing up, the other two tiers of government by instrument of unwritten aspects of Nigerian constitution, should rise up to the challenge.

It is no longer a secret that while governors cry to the President for support, the masses know their governors and local government chairmen as their Chief Security officers.

In Edo State, the Benin City bye-pass featured more notoriously in most of the crimes recorded in 2013 although, Ekehuan road towards Ughoton attempted competitive role and placed second position.

Some decades ago, there were such challenges in Okhoro, and Sapele road areas. Oba Akenzua assisted the police to procure what is now known as Okhoro police

By RANSLEY ABU-OSAGIE

Station and Zone Five Headquarters of the Nigeria police. Those locations were bushy and were easy to acquire for comprehensive policing of the society.

Emergency police stations, like those at Oba market, New Benin division and Etete area to mention just a few lack the space and comfort needed for practical and effective policing.

It may not be attractive to build multiple comprehensive police stations on Benin City byepass now, but what the society needs may not be far from that vision. Few years from now, it will be difficult to appropriate sufficient lands for multiple Police Stations in Benin City bye-pass given the geometrical rate of Benin City expansion. Then, it will

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole

dawn on people that emergency police stations cannot cope with the challenges on hand.

The state government and the State House of Assembly need to examine some of these critical security challenges and make sufficient provisions to address them in 2014 budget.

It is important for the House of Assembly to debate on possibilities of establishing multiple police stations on Benin City byepass and Ekehuan-Ughoton road to guarantee safety of lives and investment in Edo State.

Beyond the toads identified, it is disturbing that criminals destroyed vital infrastructures such as rehabilitated schools and public property with almost zero resistance in 2013. This should not be allowed to continue.

It is on record that hoodlums acting as cattle rearers colluded with highway mafias to rob and sometimes destroyed farmlands in some Communities – Edo State is moving from an agrarian society to a modern society and those wasteful cattle rearers need to listen to the riot act.

It is crystal clear that cattle are domestic animals and could be managed in centralized locations.

A law is needed to restrict cattle settlements to specific locations while their owners would be the ones that will go into the bushes and fetch herbs for their survival.

The reported and unreported cases of rape, kidnapping, and robbery involving some disgruntled cattle rearers should have terminal point and must not be tolerated in 2014 through relevant legislative intervention.

But taking actions to ensure enduring security of lives and property may be financially scaring. By the same token, the finances needed to actualize them could be spread over a number of years upfront in the spirit of a rolling security plan for the state. Acquisition of lands and approval could be addressed through political will-power which is in large supply in Edo State.

Construction of small takeoff structures in the chosen locations could be achieved through community help projects with high governmental support.

Edo State government has taken the bull by the horn to address security issues that often placed Edo State in bad light. The House of Assembly and indeed Edo people should spice governor ’s action plan with more resources.

Health Breast Cancer Has No Cure - Medical Expert

By BIJOR CELESTINA O.

THE surgical term radical MASTESTOMY, that is, the complete removal is the only solution to cancerous breast. As an expert says, breast cancer has no cure but preventive measures if adhered to will reduce the incident of breast cancer.

Breast cancer has been described as a disease of societal burden and global concern. The breast, which is a modified sweat gland in the human body, is found in the anterior chest wall of a woman between the second and sixth rib and sub serve a function to

breast-feed.

The disease originated from the lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk can be described as malignant when breast tissue and cells that make up the breast loose control to grow.

Dr. Afoke Agbara of the Central Hospital, Sapele in an exclusive chat with weekend Observer asserts that breast cancer has no cure. He equivocally asserts however, that the only treatment present is self-breast examination, the individual could easily

ascertain whether her breast is in normal condition or not. If not, a medical check up is the right option. Vital organs

of the body such as the liver, lungs, kidney and others could be affected.

Self-examination and

prompt report to the doctor is therefore the key to surviving breast cancer. He however decried the poor

state of health centres nationwide and the nonavailability of specialized x-ray machine (mammography machine) especially in Delta State.

He called for support from the Nigerian government especially in the improvement of health facilities, training and retraining of pathologist, provision of equipment in conjunction with primary health care center and ministry of health.

He called on the Federal Government to centre its policies on health, as a healthy population will bring about a developed

Style

Understanding Your Personal Power

WHAT is personal power: - IT is the ability to change the direction of your life. A simple example of exercising personal power is changing habits.

Changing a habit could be giving up smoking, implementing an exercise routine, or controlling an emotional reaction to a person at work.

How quickly and efficiently someone changes a behaviour pattern is one way to measure their personal power.

Some people might think personal power and self discipline are the same, but there are some difference to consider.

Desire is a key factor to consider when looking at the ability to change a

By HAUWA ISMAILA

failure habit into a success pattern. The stronger the desire the faster the change will occur. A person who comes face to face with serious health consequences if they don’t give up smoking is highly motivated. With the desire to live, they can overcome a lack of self discipline and access personal power they didn’t know they had.

What we may think of as a lack of personal power or self discipline might just be a lack of real desire. We can tap into reserves of personal power by getting in touch with the power of our authentic desire.

According to about.com competing desires is a big reason that people fail to

make changes in their lives. They may claim a lack self discipline or personal power, but don’t notice the effects of conflicting desires on their habitual choices. Let’s suppose that someone wants to eat healthier but keeps finding it too tempting to pass up dessert or give up those potato chips as a snack. The desire for the pleasure associated with the snack completes with the intent to eat healthy.

These conflicting desires in the mind set up a conflict of agendas. When this conflict happens we often expend some of our personal power debating back and forth between the

two choices. This simple conflict in mind can zap our energy, but there is another place where we are likely to waste even more of our personal power.

It happens after we have the dessert or eat the potato chips. If we fall to the

temptation of that piece of chocolate cake the damage doesn’t usually end there.

The critical voice in our need chimes in with condemnation about our choice, puts its down, tells us we failed, and works to convince us that we don’t have the self discipline and personal will power to succeed.

If we agree with the proposals that the mind makes we effectively hypnotize ourselves into being a person with little self discipline. We use our will power to invest in the belief that we have no personal power and no self discipline. This type of self hypnosis can be more damaging to our emotional well being than any amount of food we ate. If you have ever seen someone hypnotized you know that it can turn us into someone that we are not.

The problem for many people is not that they lack personal power and discipline. It is that they have already invested it in agreements about being powerless.

One very effective method of gaining personal will power is to refrain from agreeing with these sabotaging thoughts that the voice in our heads proposes. Having the self awareness and learning the steps to do this are only some of the techniques that you will learn in the self mastery.

Personal power is also a measure of the ability to focus your attention. The ability to focus your attention is a way to navigate through conflicting desires.

Something important to realize is that while you

may have developed great discipline in focusing your attention in some areas of your life, it doesn’t mean you have mastery in focusing your attention in any situation. If your desire is strong enough you put the element of time on your side instead of against you.

One of the most effective ways to develop personal power is to break energywasting habits that don’t serve you. Most people have an extraordinary amount of personal power that they wake up with everyday, but they are expending it in their habits and exhaust themselves by the end of the day.

Very often people commit to make a change in their life yet, they don’t have a reserve of personal power to draw from. Because they haven’t a gathered any personal power to infuse in a new habit, their commitment to change doesn’t happen and they often feel like failures. In order to be successful in making changes we will first need to gain a reserve of personal power to drawn from.

It’s just like in your day, if you were going to add gym to your schedule then you would have the time available. The same is true for personal power. If you want to focus your attention of a new habit of going to the gym, then you need to pull your attention away from something else that has your attention.

As you gain a small degree of personal power, you can use it to break other energy draining habits. Each energy draining habit that you break will return back to you more personal power with which to break other sabotaging habits.

“One of the most effective ways to develop personal power is to break energywasting habits that don’t serve you. Most people have an extraordinary amount of personal power that they wake up with everyday, but they are expending it in their habits and exhaust themselves by the end of the day.”

Thai Protesters March Again In Bid To Bring Down Government BANGKOK - Thousands of anti-government protesters marched through the Thai capital on Sunday, a prelude to a broader action next week when they say they will shut down Bangkok in their bid to scuttle a February election and topple Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The protesters, who accuse Yingluck of being the puppet of her self-exiled brother and former premier, Thaksin Shinawatra, want an appointed “people’s council” to oversee a vague reform platform, which includes electoral reform, decentralizing power, and a volunteer police force, over a 12month period before any future election.

The crisis, an outbreak of turmoil stretching back eight years, began in November and has become a drag on the Thai economy. The baht slid on Friday to its lowest against the dollar since February 2010 and the benchmark .SETI stock index has lost 15 percent since early November.

Yingluck, her brother and their support base among the rural poor in the populous north and northeast are pitted against protesters who draw support from Bangkok’s conservative, royalist elite and middle classes and the south.

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, a fiery former deputy premier from the main opposition Democrat Party, said marches would be held on Tuesday and Thursday, leading up the January 13 “shutdown”.

That event is shaping up as the biggest confrontation since the latest round of largely peaceful demonstrations began. The protests at times have brought as many as 200,000 people on to the streets, but have also sparked

sporadic clashes with police in which three people were killed and scores wounded.

“We will keep walking, we won’t stop,” Suthep said on the march. “We will walk until we win and we won’t give up.”

Sunday’s march began at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument, where some supporters had gathered overnight. Suthep said the protesters would set up stages at five rallying points through the city leading up to Jan 13.

Suthep was feted by whistleblowing supporters, many of whom handed him cash as he shook hands and walked through the crowd.

The protesters plan to shut down government offices in an attempt to force Yingluck’s administration to a standstill but, mindful of bloody crackdowns on similar protests, they have also said they will minimize the impact on ordinary Thais and will not target airports.

The protests since November have been the biggest in Thailand since 2010, when mostly “red shirt” supporters of Thaksin tried to bring down a Democrat-led government.

Those protests led to a military crackdown in which 91 people were killed.

Yingluck has steadfastly refused to bow to the protesters’ demands and is determined that the election, which her Puea Thai Party is almost certain to win, will go ahead.

“I admit that the election may not be a panacea to solve the problems immediately,” Yingluck said in a post on her Facebook page on Sunday. “But the election is the best medicine to help solve conflict under the

International

India soldiers and rescuers searching for survivors under a massive pile of broken concrete and dust that was left when a residential building under construction collapsed in southern India, killing at least 15 workers.

Building Collapse Kills 11 In India’s Goa, Many Feared Trapped

CANACONA, India - At least 11 workers were killed and many feared trapped when a half-built apartment block collapsed in the Indian resort state of Goa, police and media said on Sunday, the latest disaster to draw attention to safety standards amid a construction boom.

The three-storey building in Canacona, just over 4 km (two and a half miles) from the popular Palolem beach in the western state, India’s smallest, collapsed on Saturday.

Senior police official O.P. Mishra said 11 workers were killed and had been 21 rescued so far. Many media reports put the death toll at 14.

Around 50 people were working at the site at the time and at least a dozen were trapped under the concrete,

according to witness accounts cited in media reports. One report put the number of people trapped as high as 60.

India’s booming construction industry is set to be worth $1 trillion by 2025, which would make it the world’s third largest, according to a report by Global Construction Perspectives and Oxford Economics.

But this dazzling growth has often come at the expense of safety standards.

At least 50 people were killed when a five-storey apartment block in India’s financial centre, Mumbai, collapsed last September.

A collapse in April killed 72 people in Thane, a satellite city

ISTANBUL - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday hit out against a corruption probe that has dragged down members of his government, calling it an

“attempted assassination” and a “judicial coup”.

At a luncheon in Istanbul with generally pro-government intellectuals, writers and journalists, Erdogan reiterated his view that shadowy groups in Turkey and abroad are conspiring to oust him from power.

“What they wanted to do was an attempted assassination of the national will,” he said in the address later broadcast on television.

“They tried to carry out a judicial coup in Turkey.... But we are going to oppose this operation, this December 17 plot that targeted the future, the stability of our country,” Erdogan said.

A string of public figures including high-profile businessmen and the sons of three ministers were detained on December 17 over allegations of bribery for construction projects as well as illicit money transfers to sanctions-hit Iran.

Several MPs including a former culture minister have resigned from the ruling party AKP since the raids, which the

just outside Mumbai. Officials said the structure was built with poor materials and did not have proper approvals.

Goa police have registered a case - using a process known in India as a “first information report” - against the real estate development firm building the

Erdogan Denounces ‘Judicial Coup’ Against Turkey

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan weekend hit out against a corruption probe that has dragged down members of his government, calling it an “attempted assassination” and a “judicial coup”.

government has suggested were instigated by supporters of an influential US-based Turkish cleric.

Erdogan was also forced into a major cabinet reshuffle after the resignation of three ministers whose sons were implicated in the probe.

The corruption scandal has sparked a fresh wave of protests against Erdogan, half a year after he faced down a series of nationwide anti-government demonstrations.

It has also hurt the economy, sending the Turkish lira currency to a record low against the dollar and shares tumbling on the Istanbul stock exchange.

Erdogan on Saturday expressed confidence that Turkey would overcome its current difficulties and pointed to municipal elections set for March as a test for his government ahead of presidential elections in August.

“We will not allow a cloud to be cast over Turkey’s future,” he vowed.

Meanwhile Turkish President Abdullah Gul has promised that any corruption would not be hushed up.

International Features

Kim Jong Un, Unexcelled Art Of Leadership The leadership art of supreme leader Kim Jong Un of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea fully demonstrated in the successful building of a thriving nation is attracting growing international attention.

Kim Jong Un has put forward the highest goal and a grand plan for the building of a thriving nation.

Early in April 2013 he examined the layout plan of the Munsu Water Park which would be built in Pyongyang.

After carefully examining it, he told the officials that the water slides to be installed at the park were insufficient and some more should be set up there.

The officials were surprised, because it envisaged setting up far more slides than in the socalled modernly-equipped water parks of foreign countries which have five to seven water slides at the most.

To them, he said that some more slides, and that with dizzying heights and more complicated shapes, should be set up so that young people

sensitive to new approaches would like. He continued to say that we should build every structure to make it lead the world. Thus, 14 modern water slides were installed at the Munsu Water Park, making it as a world-class one.

Not only the Munsu Water Park but also the Mirim Riding Club, the Masikryong Ski Resort and other world-class structural creations as intended

by Kim Jong Un who puts forward the highest goal in carrying on any project, have been built one after another in the DPRK. Defining that the single-hearted unity, invincible military strength and the industrial revolution of a new century make precisely a thriving socialist country, he set the high target for building the country into an economic power and also a socialist cultured country, and then within a few coming years into a sports power.

Kim Jong Un is leading the building of a thriving nation to advance at a leaping pace on

Iraqi General: Forces Will Retake Western Cities

BAGHDAD — A senior Iraqi military commander said Sunday that it will take a few days to fully dislodge al-Qaidalinked fighters from two key western cities.

Lt. Gen. Rasheed Fleih, who leads the Anbar Military Command, told the state television Sunday that “two to three days” are needed to push the militants out of Fallujah and parts of Ramadi. Fleih added that pro-government Sunni tribes are leading the operations while the army only is offering aerial cover and logistics on the ground. He didn’t elaborate on the operations.

“The quiet and safe life that is sought by the Anbaris will not be completely restored before

few hours or two to three days, God willing,” Fleih said.

Residents say it has been quiet since Saturday night in Fallujah, where militants still control the center of the city. Sporadic clashes took place Sunday in and around Ramadi. The residents spoke on condition of anonymity for their safety.

The Islamic State in Iraq and Levant has seized control of Fallujah and Ramadi, the capital of Iraq’s Anbar province.

Ramadi was a stronghold of Sunni insurgents during the U.S.-led war. Al-Qaida militants largely took both cities over last week and have been fending off incursions by government forces there since.

ISIL is also one of the

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

the strength of great unity between the army and the people.

At the end of May 2013 he visited the Masikryong Ski Resort under construction in the eastern part of the country.

He highly praised the feats of the soldier-builders who had already carried out in no more than one year nearly half of the assignments scheduled in the giant project, though other people could not finish them even within ten years. Some days later he sent an appeal to complete the project unconditionally within the year by creating the Masikryong speed by dint of great armypeople unity.

In carrying out other gigantic projects such as reclaiming Sepho Tableland in the eastern part of the country into a large stockbreeding base and laying out the capital city and other provinces to go well with the appearance of a socialist cultured country, the Korean leader always pointed out their importance and instructed that they should be

strongest rebel units in Syria, where it has imposed a strict version of Islamic law in territories it holds and kidnapped and killed anyone it deems critical of its rule. Also on Saturday, it claimed responsibility for a suicide car bombing in a Shiite-dominated neighborhood in Lebanon.

Tensions in Anbar have run high since Dec. 28, when Iraqi security forces arrested a Sunni lawmaker sought for terrorism charges. Two days later, the government dismantled a months-old, anti-government Sunni protest camp, sparking clashes with militants.

To ease the tension, the Shiiteled government withdrew army forces from the cities. Sunni lawmakers see the army as a tool of Prime Minister Nouri alMaliki to target his rivals and consolidate power.

conducted by the general mobilization and concerted efforts of the army and the people.

His firm belief in extraordinary might of great army-people unity and unexcelled leadership to inspire them greatly to the building of a thriving socialist nation brought about great innovations and upsurges all over the country.

In the dynamic advance towards the goal of a thriving nation, the service personnel are always taking the lead and the people modeling themselves after the formers’ spirit and work style, performing miraculous achievements. Many factories and enterprises surpassed the records of their peak production years and the agricultural sector strove to hit the highest goal of grain production. The service personnel played the vanguard role in completing the construction projects of gigantic structures in only one year or even in a few months.

Among them are the Rungna People’s Recreation Ground, Ryugyong Heath Complex, People’s Open-air Ice Rink, Roller Rink, Breast Tumour Institute of the Pyongyang Maternity Hospital and other structures which were inaugurated in 2012, and many other architectural structures including the Unha Scientists Street, Munsu Water Park, Mirim Riding Club, Ryugyong Dental Hospital and Okryu Children’s Hospital that were opened to public in 2013.

Kim Jong Un’s art of leadership with which he unites the service personnel and people as one and works out miracles in the building of a thriving nation is greatly striking the international community with admiration.

Kim Jong Un continues to provide on-site guidance so as to bring about a new turn in the building of a thriving nation.

One day in July 2013 he told officials that he was making his on-site guidance tours, boarding and lodging in train, like Chairman Kim Jong

Il of the National Defence Commission had done in his lifetime, to build a thriving socialist nation and that he was accustomed to it .

His on-site guidance to the economic and cultural sectors and other relevant units is endless, indeed. Between May and June 2013 alone, he inspected over 60 units. He visited the construction projects of the Munsu Water Park and Masikryong Ski Resort on several occasions, acquainted himself with the details of the progress and took necessary steps. He himself went over 113 layout plans of the Munsu Water Park and visited its construction site three times in one month of September.

It is the reality in the DPRK that tremendous changes are made everywhere Kim Jong Un visited.

Under the unexcelled leadership of Kim Jong Un the DPRK will accomplish with credit the cause of building a thriving nation in the near future.

Israel Rejects US Proposals On Jordan Valley JERUSALEM - Israel rejects any US-proposed security concessions for the Jordan Valley, a cabinet member close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday, as US Secretary John Kerry visited the Middle East.

“Security must remain in our hands. Anyone who proposes a solution in the Jordan Valley by deploying an international force, Palestinian police or technological means ... does not understand the Middle East,” Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz told Israeli public radio.

Steinitz’s comments came after three days of intense shuttle diplomacy by Kerry, who was trying to push a framework for final status talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

With a late April deadline looming for the negotiations that he kick-started in July after a three-year hiatus, Kerry has pledged to work even more intensively in the coming months.

US officials have refused to release any details of the proposed framework, and Kerry acknowledged it would not be agreed during this trip.

Palestinian hopes of having an international force brought in to help patrol the Jordan Valley under a peace deal had been sidelined, a Palestinian source told AFP Saturday.

Instead the US was proposing a mixed Israeli-Palestinian military presence to ensure security in the area, without

setting a deadline when the Israeli troops would be withdrawn.

But Israel insists on maintaining a long-term military presence in the Jordan Valley.

Kerry has said a peace treaty will deal with all the core issues dividing the two sides. These include the contours of a future Palestinian state, refugees, the fate of Jerusalem claimed by both as a capital, security, and mutual recognition.

Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing On NYC Highway NEW YORK — A small plane traveling to Connecticut after taking a tour of the Statue of Liberty made an emergency landing Saturday on a New York City interstate highway, startling drivers but touching down safely with no serious injuries to anyone aboard or on the ground, officials said.

The aircraft, a Piper PA-28, set down at around 3:20 p.m. on the northbound side of the Major Deegan Expressway in the Bronx, in an area where the highway passes through Van Cortlandt Park.

The Federal Aviation Administration said three people were on board. Police and fire officials said neither the male pilot nor two female passengers appeared to have been badly hurt. All were taken to a Bronx hospital for non-lifethreatening injuries, said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

De Blasio told reporters the plane had departed from Danbury Municipal Airport and was making the return trip when it experienced engine problems.

“We have...extraordinary situation and actually a bit of a miracle, thank God, that happened today in our city,” he said, calling the successful highway landing, without any serious injuries or deaths, “amazing.”

“I thought I’d seen everything in my life,” he said.

The FAA said damage to the aircraft was minor. Photos taken by bystanders showed blue and white plane largely intact, but resting on its belly by the snowy edge of the road.

The plane’s landing gear appeared in the photos to have collapsed.

A maintenance crew of city Department of Transportation workers fixing potholes on the northbound side of the highway noticed the plane in distress heading toward them and stopped traffic, clearing space for the plane to land, a DOT spokesman said.

The DOT crew then helped the plane’s occupants out of the aircraft and inside a heated truck until emergency workers arrived, the spokesman said.

International

At Least 11 Killed In Bangladesh Election Violence

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Police in Bangladesh fired at protesters and opposition activists torched more than 100 polling stations Sunday during a national election boycotted by the opposition and described as flawed by the international community. At least 11 people were killed in election-related violence.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s refusal to heed opposition demands to step down and appoint a neutral caretaker to oversee the election led to the boycott, undermining the legitimacy of the vote.

Opposition activists have staged attacks, strikes and transportation blockades in unrest that has left at least 286 people dead since last year.

“We never expected such an election,” said Aminul Islam, a resident of the capital, Dhaka, who refused to vote. “For such a situation, both the government and opposition are responsible.

They don’t want to establish democracy.”

Police opened fire to stop protesters from seizing a polling center in Bangladesh’s northern Rangpur district, killing two people, authorities said. In a similar incident in neighboring Nilphamari district, police fired into about two dozen protesters, killing two people.

Police gave no further details, but Dhaka’s Daily Star newspaper said the four men who were killed belonged to the opposition Jamaat-e-Islami party.

Police said another seven people were killed in electionrelated violence elsewhere, including a polling official who was stabbed to death by suspected opposition activists.

Local media reported that attackers torched at least 127 school buildings across Bangladesh in overnight attacks. The buildings were to be used as polling stations.

As of Sunday afternoon, voter turnout appeared to be low. The voting began at 8 a.m., but local television stations showed mostly empty polling stations.

“The boycott of the election by several parties may have contributed to the low turnout,” Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad told journalists at his Dhaka office.

The opposition boycott led to 153 of Parliament’s 300 elected seats going uncontested.

The European Union, the United States and the British Commonwealth did not send observers for what they considered a flawed election.

U.S. State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf said that Washington was disappointed that the major political parties had not reached a consensus on a way to hold free, fair and credible elections.

By midmorning Sunday, voting

was suspended at least 149 polling centers because of attacks, the election commission said.

At a polling station in Dhaka’s Mirpur district, only 25 out of 24,000 registered voters cast ballots in the first two hours, with polling officials saying fear of violence and absence of any strong opposition had kept people away.

Turnout was better in Nawabganj district outside Dhaka. In one polling center there, 1,039 voters had cast ballots out of the 3,500 listed, and local TV stations reported that turnout was improving in the afternoon.

“I’ve come to exercise my voting right. I’ve found a competent candidate too,” Mohammad Asif, a hotel employee, said after casting his vote in Nawabganj.

Analysts say the political chaos could exacerbate economic woes in this deeply impoverished country of 160 million and lead to radicalization in a strategic pocket of South Asia.

Hasina’s refusal to quit and name an independent caretaker administration, which resulted

in the boycott by opposition parties, means the election was mainly a contest between candidates from the ruling Awami League and its allies.

Awami League candidates ran unchallenged in more than half of the country’s 300 parliamentary constituencies.

Bangladesh has a grim history of political violence, including the assassinations of two presidents and 19 failed coup attempts since its independence from Pakistan in 1971.

The squabbling between

Hasina and opposition leader Khaleda Zia — known as the “Battling Begums” — has become a bitter sideshow as both women, who have dominated Bangladeshi politics for two decades, vie to lead the country.

“Begum” is an honorific for Muslim women of rank.

Last weekend, after authorities barred Zia from leaving her home to join a rally, she told police that she would change the name of Gopalganj, Hasina’s home district, if she came to power. Her outburst was broadcast live on TV while roads around her home were

Rescuers Dig For India Building Collapse Survivors

John Kerry (left) and Mahmud Abbas

PANAJI, India — Rescuers using backhoes and shovels searched for survivors Sunday under a massive pile of broken concrete and dust that was left when a residential building under construction collapsed in southern India, killing at least 15 workers.

Authorities suspected dozens more may be trapped under the rubble, but were still trying to determine how many workers were on site when the five-story structure crumpled Saturday afternoon in the state of Goa. Witnesses reported seeing at least 40 workers.

Soldiers and firefighters listened for movement or cries from the wreckage as they worked overnight to clear the debris, state official Venancio Furtado said.

JERUSALEM — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Sunday that America would support Iraq in its fight against al-Qaida-linked militants who have overrun two cities in the country’s west, but said the U.S. wouldn’t send troops, calling the battle “their fight.”

Kerry made the comments as he left Jerusalem for Jordan and Saudi Arabia to discuss his effort to broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians. He’s had three days of lengthy meetings with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Kerry said some progress was made in what he described as “ very serious, very intensive conversations,” but key hurdles are yet to be overcome.

On Iraq, Kerry told reporters the U.S. was very concerned by the al-Qaida linked gunmen who have largely taken over Fallujah and Ramadi in an uprising that has been a blow to the Shiite-led government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri alMaliki.

The two cities are in Anbar province, a vast desert area on

has objected to Iran’s participation because it hasn’t publicly endorsed the principles from the first Geneva peace conference on Syria in June 2012, calling for a transitional government in Syria, and is backing militias, including the Iranian-allied Lebanese Hezbollah group that has backed the troops of President Bashar Assad.

“If Iran doesn’t support that, it’s difficult to see how they are going to be a ministerial partner in the process,” Kerry said.

“Now could they contribute from the sidelines? Are there ways for them, conceivably, to weigh in? ... It may be that there are ways that that could happen,” Kerry said.

America’s top diplomat arrived in the region on Thursday to try to keep Mideast peace talks on track amid sniping between Israel and the Palestinians.

“Now is not the time to get trapped in the sort of up and down of the day-to-day challenges,” Kerry said before leaving for Jordan. “We don’t have the luxury of dwelling on the obstacles that we all know could distract us from the goal.

US Will Support Iraq, But Without Troops - Kerry the borders with Syria and Jordan that was the heartland of the Sunni insurgency that rose up against American troops and the Iraqi government after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

Fallujah became notorious among Americans when insurgents in 2004 killed four American security contractors and hung their burned bodies from a bridge. Ramadi and other cities have remained battlegrounds as sectarian bloodshed has mounted, with Shiite militias killing Sunnis.

“We are very, very concerned about the efforts of al-Qaida and the Islamic State of Iraq in the Levant, which is affiliated with al-Qaida, who are trying to assert their authority not just in Iraq, but in Syria,” Kerry said before leaving to visit Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah .

“These are the most dangerous players in that region. Their barbarism against the civilians in Ramadi and Fallujah and against Iraqi security forces is

on display for everyone in the world to see.”

He said the U.S. stands with the Iraqi government and others seeking to push back militants who are trying to destabilize the region and undermine a democratic process in Iraq. He said the U.S. was in contact with tribal leaders in Anbar who are standing up to the terrorists.

But he added: “This is a fight that belongs to the Iraqis. That is exactly what the president and the world decided some time ago when we left Iraq, so we are not obviously contemplating returning. We are not contemplating putting boots on the ground. This is their fight. ... We will help them in their fight, but this fight, in the end, they will have to win and I am confident they can.”

On another issue roiling the Middle East, Kerry did not dismiss the idea that Iran could play a constructive role in finding a resolution to the civil war in Syria, even if Tehran is not a full participant in a conference on Syria later this month in Switzerland. The U.S.

heavily guarded and sand-laden trucks were parked to obstruct her movement.

A key factor in the latest dispute is the role of Jamaat-eIslami, the country’s largest Islamic political party. The party is a key ally of Zia, and was a coalition partner in the government Zia led from 2001 to 2006.

Opponents of Jamaat-e-Islami say it is a fundamentalist group with no place in a secular country. Bangladesh is predominantly Muslim, but is governed by largely secular laws based on British common law.

At least 10 people were pulled out alive overnight, but the chance of finding survivors was dwindling, Furtado said. By Sunday afternoon, the death toll had reached 15, according to the state government.

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said he ordered a review of the construction project, after seeing cracks that developed in the adjacent apartment building constructed by the same company, Mumbaibased Bharat Developers and Realtors Pvt. Ltd. “The design is faulty, which is why the tragedy happened,” Parrikar said.

Police began investigating both the building company and city officials who approved the construction on a patch of marshland in Canacona, about 70 kilometers (44 miles) from the state capital of Panaji. But they have been unable to track down the construction manager and building contractor.

“Without the contractor, it is impossible for us to know how many laborers were on the shift,” said state official Ajit Panchwadkar, who was supervising the rescue effort Sunday.

Many of the workers had come from other, poorer states, including Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, in search of jobs in India’s thriving construction business. One worker who was not at the scene when the building collapsed said he earned about 300 rupees ($4.80) for a day’s work, according to Press Trust of India.

Several workers took the day off Saturday to attend a nearby state cultural fair.

“We rushed from the event when we heard that the building had fallen,” said Manoj Kumar, a worker originally from the eastern state of Orissa.

Building collapses are common in India, as massive demand for housing and lax regulations often encourage builders to cut corners by using substandard materials or add unauthorized extra floors.

Friends Of Nelson Mandela “FRIENDS of Nelson Mandela Initiative seek to harness the leadership virtues of Nelson Mandela, tap lessons from his leadership virtue and raise leaders with his virtues and leadership qualities thereby transforming the attitude of present and future leaders which research has shown is greatest challenges of leadership in Nigeria.”

- Rev. David Ugolor of ANEEJ First of all I sincerely wish my numerous readers on this column a great and fulfilling new year 2014! Really, there are so many things to write about as events are occurring in quick succession. Most especially at this crucial period of the year when stocks are being taken here and there, both locally nationally and internationally.

Late last year, members of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) rose from a national Executive Meeting and reminded the presidency of the urgent need to do something drastic and comprehensively about the health sector or risk a nationwide strike anytime from now. I think NMA has a big point in their present demands.

Simply, the health sector in our country is faced with mountains of challenges, like mass exodus of Medical Doctors out of this country going outside our shores for greener pastures, because things are still not done properly here.

I am not holding brief for the Medical Doctors but as a patriot, the Federal Government should look positively at their demands, so as not to experience something like the recent crisis that engulfed the educational sector.

Come to think of it, must we embark on threats and actual strikes before the authorities will listen or

try to do something about the neglect, rot and wastages that dotted almost all sectors of the country? As I pen

(PHCN). And this was certainly not the promise handed down to the new buyers of our electricity sector: that of not retrenching any workers not due for retirement or sack.

Regrettably, here in our country things are done recklessly and ruthlessly without recourse to official promise, procedures or

that mind boggling stealing is still going on in that sector.

What I am trying to state here in essence is the fact that impunity is being institutionalized in our dear nation today.

There is lack, of budget transparency in Nigeria, necessitating leakages and huge fraud; corruption in the aviation sector; N255m

protest in Abuja on November 21 2013 e.t.c. This numerous cases of impunity in Nigeria has finally brought me to the friends of Nelson Mandela Initiative, (FONMI), which was

Late Nelson Mandela, former South Africa President

this article, the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have indicated their readiness to combat the federal Government over the planned sales of Nigerian refineries.

Now, why would the federal government want to embark on the sales of our gigantic refineries without seeing to be adequately carrying NUPENG along in this sensitive national exercise? Today a chunk of the electricity workers are being victimized brow beaten and outrightly retrenched since the dissolution of Power Holdings Company of Nigeria

modus operandi attached to certain situation.

Today, electricity workers are groaning and writing in pains, now tell me why NUPENG will not shout their voices hoarse so that they will not fall into a precarious situation if the federal government goes ahead with the planned sales of our refineries?

Even, as we have made it to 2014, numerous issues of national importance are begging to be attended to. The Governor of the Central Bank has told all of us that a chunk of proceeds from oil sales is unaccounted for in year 2013. that is to say

car scandal as House of Representatives indict Stella Odua and NCAA, yet Odua remains Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation; huge investment by the Nigerian Government in turn around maintenance of our refineries, yet such refineries are still comatose, with those involved in such fraudulent activities are still celebrating in town.

There is procurement corruption across government agencies; large scale fuel subsidy fraud, till today no marketer has been convicted; killing of antisubsidy protesters in January 2012; police disrupted anti-corruption

launched on December 19th, 2013 in Benin City.

If we have leaders like Nelson Mandela, who died on December 5th 2013 at the age of 95, all over Africa, especially in our country, such heinous cases of impunity that we experience would have been brought to a very low margin? Rev. David Ugolor, the convener of friends of Nelson Mandela Initiative (FONMI) said at the historic occasion that: the virtues that Mandela displayed throughout his life were Justice, Restraint (Temperance), Faith and Hope. It is these virtues that first Edge Book Café intend to study, explore and

inculcate into younger generations and generations yet unborn to promote true and healthy leadership in Nigeria and Africa as a continent.

Candidly, if we get it right at the centre that is if we allow cerebral and dynamic statesmen to wear the mantle of leadership, everything will change?

Everything will change because people oriented leaders such as we have seen in Julius Nyerere, Fidel Castro, Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela, Mao Tsetung, Obafemi Awolowo etc will always try to live by example and make sure that the system is not bastardized, traumatized and abandoned to faith.

If we get it right in 2015, things will actually take a drastic turn for the better? If our electoral Act is revisited by inserting digital voting system the level of election rigging will come to barest minimum? And if that is done, honest, brilliant and visionary personalities will be attracted to the political stage to slug it out with bandits, drug barons and common criminals calling themselves our leaders today.

And that is why we must encourage the likes of Rev. David Ugolor, the convener of friends of Nelson Mandela Initiative (FONMI) not to rest on his magnificent idea.

Every lover of justice, greatness and responsibility should join this noble initiative.

A Nelson Mandela is absolutely possible in Nigeria.

Empty Seats Frustrate Pulis

Lambert Defends Stance After Defeat ASTON Villa boss Paul Lambert launched an impassioned defence of his controversial FA Cup comments after watching his side get dumped out by League One strugglers Sheffield United at Villa Park.

Lambert claimed this week that the tournament had increasingly become a “distraction” and that most fellow top-flight managers would probably prefer to do without it.

But after Ryan Flynn struck an 80th-minute winner to leave the Barclays Premier League strugglers reeling from the shock result of the day, Lambert insisted his comments had been taken out of context.

Lambert said: “I never demeaned the competition one bit. I respect its history and I respect what the competition is about.

“If you look at my own career, I’ve won some nice things through cup competitions. The context of the whole interview (was missed). I was not decrying the competition at all.”

Lambert had backed up his claims by making only three changes from the New Year’s Day win at Sunderland but it did not stop Nigel Clough’s men grabbing a shock 20th-minute lead through Jamie Murphy.

Villa struggled for much of the afternoon until substitute Nicklas Helenius hit a barely deserved equaliser on 75 minutes - only for Flynn to fire his superb winner past Jed Steer five minutes later.

Lambert added: “I am bitterly disappointed, especially after a really good win on Wednesday.

I picked a really strong side to try to get through.”

Referring to the reaction of the home fans who booed the team off at the final whistle, Lambert added: “The fans pay their money to come to watch and that is part of the game.

“It is up to us to give them something to be happy about

Paul Lambert

and today we have not done that.

Everybody knows I am not the happiest person when we lose.”

Blades boss Nigel Clough sprang to Lambert’s defence but added that results such as the one earned by his side prove the magic of the FA Cup is still very much alive.

Clough said: “I don’t think he (Lambert) was disrespecting the FA Cup - he was just stating very honestly what the situation is like in the Premier League at the moment.

“It is just a bit sad that the FA Cup, such a wonderful competition, takes a back seat but that is the reality of it.

“For us and our 6,000 fans who came today, I think you saw how much it meant. It’s still a special, special competition and we’d just like a home draw next because we’ve had three away games on the spin so it would be nice to get one at Bramall Lane.”

Thony Pulis

Old Habit Die Hard For Super Sub Solskjaer

OLE Gunnar Solskjaer began his managerial career at Cardiff City with a 2-1 victory at Newcastle United that inevitably invited comparisons with his playing days at Manchester United.

Solskjaer became known as a ‘super sub’ after coming on as a substitute to score 28 times for United, most famously claiming the winner in the 1999 Champions League triumph over Bayern Munich.

Just as United did against the German side in 1999, Cardiff won in Solskjaer’s first game in charge on Saturday after trailing 1-0 and looking destined for defeat in the FA Cup third-round tie.

And much like United manager Alex Ferguson’s decision to introduce Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham against Bayern, it was two substitutions from the Norwegian that changed the game against Newcastle.

The fact that Cardiff’s success echoed elements of his playing career was not lost on Solskjaer, who sent on Fraizer Campbell and Craig Noone mid-way through the second half and saw them eclipse Papiss Cisse’s goal for Newcastle.

“I know the value of good substitutions,” Solskjaer said.

“You have 90 minutes and can use 14 players and you want players who came make an impact.

“I was part of a great team and did my best whenever I got the chance, so that’s the message to my players — come on, make an impact. You’ve got half an hour to run around.”

Noone and Campbell certainly made the kind of impact demanded by the manager.

“We had two fantastic pieces of skill,” he said. “Frazier Campbell scored a great header and Craig Noone’s goal was a fantastic piece of skill.”

Until Noone equalised, only a minute after making his appearance from the bench, Newcastle had been the superior side and deserved the 62nd-

minute lead given to them by Cisse.

“We started well for 20 minutes, then we stopped playing and Newcastle took over until they scored. Then we had to play because we came here to win,” Solskjaer said.

“It is never easy to come here to Newcastle, especially when you go 1-0 down, so it pleased me a lot that we showed character to get back into the game. They didn’t stop playing.

“When you turn games around, it’s the best feeling you can have. They deserved the win because they did it themselves.

“It’s not about me, but it is a perfect start to these new times.

I think the lads have had a lot to deal with lately and it’s nice for them to start with a win in the

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

cup.

“I am also very pleased for the supporters. It is a long journey to come up here to Newcastle, but the return journey may be a little bit shorter because they have something to cheer.”

Solskjaer will have discovered a little more about his team, which will help to shape his activity during the January transfer window.

“We have a solid foundation here,” he said.

“It’s a long season, the longest, hardest, and most intense in any football country, so the depth of the squad is something I’m looking at. We have loads of quality and maybe need some additions to blend in.”

Asked to identify his transfer targets, Solskjaer joked: “I’m thinking of asking the owner about local lads — Ryan Giggs, Aaron Ramsey, Gareth Bale.

Maybe they are the targets.”

Newcastle have now gone out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle three times in the past four seasons and manager Alan Pardew was angry about their latest early exit.

“I thought we had a good grip on the game,” he said.

“We were in control, but took our foot off the pedal a little bit and it proved costly. We should have defended better and it cost us the game.”

Walcott Could Escape FA Punishment

THEO Walcott looks likely to escape any punishment from the Football Association for his gesture towards Tottenham fans during Saturday’s FA Cup thirdround tie between the two north London rivals.

Arsenal won 2-0 and, when the England international was being stretchered off after sustaining a knee injury, he was carried in front of the travelling Spurs fans, with some seemingly throwing coins and plastic bottles towards the 24-year-old.

Walcott responded by raising both his hands in a ‘2-0’ gesture,

with Gunners’ boss Arsene Wenger defending the ‘nonoffensive’ incident after the game.

Press Association Sport understands it is unlikely the FA will dish out retrospective punishment to Walcott, with Wenger suggesting the gesture was ‘an action that didn’t offend anybody’.

“The doctors said to me that the coins had been raining over his [Walcott’s] head and they had to protect him, maybe that is why he did that. Yes [the coins came before the gesture] that is what I

have been told,” he said following the win which sees Arsenal progress into round four.

“After that, what he did is not offensive. You look for every single incident, I can understand that, but it is an action that didn’t offend anybody. I have seen the pictures after the game and it does not even look aggressive, he is smiling. They [the FA] have seen the pictures on television.

If they judge it offensive, what can I say?”

Spurs manager Tim Sherwood did not witness the gesture as it

happened but, after being informed of the situation, said it ‘could have been a bit of banter’.

If Walcott is punished by the FA it would be the second time in the last month that an Arsenal player has been charged in relation to gestures made towards opposing fans.

Jack Wilshere received a twomatch ban for aiming an obscene finger gesture at Manchester City supporters in Arsenal’s 6-3 defeat at the Etihad Stadium on December 14 but, with Walcott’s incident of a less-inflammatory nature, it seems similar

retrospective punishment is unlikely.

Theo Walcott

CRYSTAL Palace manager Tony Pulis has urged clubs to find some way of filling stadiums for FA Cup matches after his side’s 2-0 victory over West Brom at The Hawthorns attracted a crowd of just 12,700.

The status of the world’s oldest domestic cup competition has been brought into question in recent years, and has been put even further under the spotlight this week after Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert suggested the majority of topflight bosses would rather do without the distraction.

A half-empty stadium for Palace’s entertaining thirdround tie against Albion, despite the Black Country club offering cut-price ticket incentives, only seemed to suggest fans are also voting with their feet - although 2,000 Palace supporters made the trip.

Albion attracted a crowd of 26,397 for their 2-0 Barclays Premier League victory over the Eagles in early November.

But it is an issue for a large number of clubs up and down the country.

Pulis said: “There’s got to be some way of filling stadiums up, especially for third round and fourth round ties at Premier League grounds.

“That has to be looked at because it is a wonderful competition.

“For all of what is going on, we’ve go to try as a nation to make sure we keep it a great competition by filling stadiums for games - that’s certainly a help.

Pulis added: “It’s difficult because it’s just after new year, people have spent a lot of money, so you understand that.

“But, as I said, there’s got to be a way at this time of year that clubs can attract full houses, how they do it you’d have to ask chief executives.”

Asked for his views on the attendance, West Brom caretaker head coach Keith Downing added: “The club cut the prices so they tried to get people in.

“But this area is still a difficult area, it’s still trying to survive economically, and it’s tough for people to keep on producing money to watch football.”

A combined total of 13 changes were made by both teams following New Year’s Day but those present were still treated to an enjoyable encounter.

Dwight Gayle struck the game’s crucial goal midway through the first half.

The striker capitalised on a glaring error from Goran Popov as his hacked clearance fell straight to Hiram Boateng, who found Gayle and he simply wrong-footed Ben Foster with a left-footed strike from the edge of the penalty area.

Substitute Marouane Chamakh converted a second goal with the last kick of the game deep into injury time, firing into an empty net.

Too Many Foreign Coaches, Says Mourinho THERE are too many foreign coaches in the Premier League and British candidates should be given more opportunities, Chelsea’s Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho has said.

“In this moment in the in the top flight after Cardiff Premier League - and I’m City this week named speaking against myself - I Norwegian Ole Gunnar disagree with so many Solskjaer to replace Scot foreign coaches in this Malky Mackay. country,” Mourinho said.

There were none in 1992 “I don’t see a reason for when the Premier League that because I don’t feel the was launched.

English managers are in any West Bromwich Albion point behind the foreign have been considering ones. appointing a Spaniard, ex“But I think if there are no Osasuna manager Jose Luis jobs in the country as a Mendilibar, to succeed manager or a player then another sacked Scot Steve you have to go (abroad) Clarke, according to reports. because this is a short “I have to say, the ones that professional life. So go and are coming, and I can enjoy. You always have the analyse (them) one by one, chance to come back as a all of them are good coaches manager and a player.” and good people and they try There are now nine to do good jobs for them and foreign managers from for their clubs,” Mourinho outside Britain and Ireland said.

“So I’m not saying these people are not top people or people that don’t deserve to be here the same way I deserve to be here.

I just feel sorry that in a

football country like England, that is the country of so many managers, they (British managers) are not getting enough jobs in this country.

“At the end of the day,

• Jose Mourinho

Eusebio Passes Away Aged 71

FORMER Portugal and Benfica striker Eusebio, considered one of the best players of all time, has died from a heart attack at the age of 71.

The Portuguese state news agency Lusa confirmed the news on Sunday morning that one of the great figures in world football had passed away.

Nicknamed the ‘Black Panther’ for his speed and the fear he instilled in his opponents, Mozambique-born Eusebio helped Benfica reach four European Cup finals, winning the tournament in 1962 and being involved in the classic final in 1968 when Benfica lost in extra time to Manchester United.

Eusebio also helped Benfica to 11 Primeira Liga titles between 1961 and 1975, scored 638 goals in 614 matches, and won the Ballon d’Or in 1965.

• Portuguese legend Eusebio

His international fame peaked during the 1966 England World Cup, when Portugal finished third and Eusebio was top scorer after finding the net nine times during the tournament - with four of those goals coming in the incredible 5-3 quarter-final victory over North Korea at Goodison Park.

His string of stunning performances made him the most famous player in the world at the time as he picked up both the Golden Boot and the Bronze Ball for player of the tournament - as well as the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year award that year.

The death of the charismatic striker, who was idolised throughout the Portuguesespeaking world and considered one of the sport’s greatest ever players, was confirmed by state television and the country’s sports dailies.

He won 64 caps and scored 41 goals for Portugal, records that stood for almost two decades before being broken.

“He was one of the great figures of Portugal. I think he is immortal. We all know what he meant for football and especially for Portuguese football,” Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho told Portugal’s state broadcaster RTP. “He was not only a great inspiration but also an important figure in upholding the values, principles and feelings of football, even after finishing his career,” the former Porto, Inter Milan and Real Madrid coach added.

Cristiano Ronaldo also paid tribute to the great man, posting a picture of himself and Eusebio on Twitter.

Eusebio hailed from Lourenco

Marques, now Maputo, in colonial Mozambique and as a teenage prodigy was expected to join Benfica’s great rivals Sporting Lisbon but changed his mind at the last minute.

Even though he played for Portugal, he was widely regarded as the best known African player of all-time, until the emergence in more recent times of Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba and Abedi Pele.

Eusebio ended his career playing in the U.S. but returned to Portugal to various roles with Benfica and the Portuguese federation. He was referred to as the “O Rei” (the king) in his later years, enjoying widespread affection.

Among the first reactions to his death came from former Benfica and Portugal team mate Toni.

to bolster his squad during the January transfer window.

The Glasgow giants have already signed Icelandic striker Holmbert Fridjonsson on a precontract agreement and have been linked with a number of players including Sunderland and Scotland striker Steven Fletcher.

While refusing to comment on the names of his targets, the Hoops boss confirmed the club were actively looking to bring further additions in.

And Lennon says he hopes to have reinforcements in place by

next week before the Scottish champions head off to Turkey for a short winter training camp following Sunday’s match with St Mirren.

“We will see how the weekend goes,” Lennon said.

“We had a meeting this morning with chief executive Peter Lawwell and we are getting cracking on things, and hopefully we will have something maybe not by Monday but by next week.

“Names keep coming thick and fast but what we will do is do our business as quietly as we

influence from abroad is good, you can learn the differences from other cultures, but I think the main culture has to be always the English, or in this case the British culture,” he added.

Mourinho believes more British coaches should go abroad to develop their skills and he praised Derby County’s former England coach Steve McClaren, whose in-form Championship side host Chelsea in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.

“If you ask me, the first thing that comes to my memory about Steve is not being the England manager but being a champion in Holland. So I think he did well...,” he said, referring to McClaren’s 2010 league triumph with Twente FC. “In this country people shouldn’t be afraid to be a bit adventurous, like other coaches from other nationalities are,” added Mourinho, who is in his second stint at Chelsea, having initially joined the club from Porto in 2004 before then managing Inter Milan and Real Madrid.

“In Portugal, people say there are lots of Portuguese coaches working abroad and I opened the door for them.

People are not afraid to go and find a future in other countries.”

Real ‘Offered Huge Deal’ To Stop Lewandowski Going To Bayern REPORTS in the German Press have claimed that Real Madrid offered Robert Lewandowski a bumper contract to keep him away from Bayern Munich.

It was confirmed on Saturday evening that the Poland international had moved from Borussia Dortmund to the Bavarian giants.

But Der Spiegel have insisted that Los Blancos tried to tempt the goalscorer by offering him a six-year deal worth between +9.5m-+10m per season.

The paper writes that the reigning European champions learned of the move from President Florentino Perez, and considered it ‘an act of war’.

As such, Pep Guardiola’s men stepped up their efforts to sign Lewandowski, eventually bagging their man.

• Lewandowski

No Turkish deal for Kingson VETERAN goalkeeper Richard Kingson’s reported move to Turkish second-tier side Balikesirspor fell through after both parties failed to reach an agreement.

According to reports in Turkey, the 36-year-old gloves man passed a medical but the second-tier side could not meet

Manager Lennon Determined To Bolster CELTIC manager Neil Celtic Squad can.“What we want to do is to sign Lennon says he is determined players for the future -? for the second half of the season, and then obviously with the qualifiers in mind for next year.

“I want to make the squad better and give some of the players here a hand, and I think the squad needs an injection of fresh blood and that’s exactly what I have been trying to do.

“It doesn’t matter who you sign, if you think they are going to make you better then that’s what we will look to do. We are in a position to spend a bit of money and we haven’t been in a position as strong as this for quite a considerable time.

his financial demands.

Kingson, who plays for Cypriot top-flight side Doxa, was seeking a move to a much competitive league to boost his World Cup chances.

The former Blackpool goalkeeper made 10 appearances for Doxa Katokopia before the winter break.

Kingson was an unused substitute in Ghana’s 6-1 win over Egypt last October in the first leg tie of the 2014 World Cup playoff.

• Richard Kingson

DRC’s CHAN Camp Bailed Out THE DR Congo government has bailed out of its stranded CHAN team in Polokwane.

DR Congo were on Friday evicted from their Polokwane hotel for none payment of bills and was also struggling with basic logistics putting into disarray their early arrival in South Africa ahead of the January 11 CHAN tournament kick off.

Congo FA president Constant Omari told Radio Okapi that he was relieved the teams’ welfare had been promptly looked into.

“I want to reassure you that the Government is urged to release the first instalment of funds related to the presence of

our national team in South Africa for its preparation for Chan will start by January 11,” Constant Omari said.

The Congo FA initially borrowed US$60,000 from a consortium of Congolese traders to send the team for their early pre-CHAN camp just after Christmas.

The 2009 CHAN champions was the first team to arrive for the tournament on December 29 immediately set-up camp at their Polokwane base where they will play all their Group D matches.

DR Congo are in Group D together with Burundi, Gabon and Mauritania.

Meanwhile, DR Congo cancelled their scheduled Saturday friendly against fellow CHAN finalists Mozambique in Johannesburg due to operational reasons.

Mozambique instead played NFD side Jomo Cosmos on the same date drawing 1-1.

Hewitt Grinds Federer To Claim Brisbane Title LLEYTON Hewitt pulled off an incredible victory against Roger Federer to win the ATP Brisbane International - his first tournament victory since 2010.

Hewitt got off to a storming The 32-year-old Australian is start in the final, losing just one a former world number one, but point on his serve during the is now ranked 60th and had not opening set and breaking won a tournament in nearly four Federer three times thanks in years, but he comprehensively large part to some devastating out-fought the Swiss legend in returns. a 6-1 4-6 6-3 victory.

Federer turned things around

Berekum Chelsea Name Final Squad For Afrcia BEREKUM Chelsea have named their final squad for the 2014 CAF Champions League campaign without influential duo Eric Bekoe and Latif Salifu.

Bekoe, 2008 Ghana Premier League goal king, suffered a horrible injury in the off-season while playing with his friends.

He was preparing for a trial session at Finnish side FC Honka.

The former Petrojet striker has since undergone surgery and undergoing rehabilitation.

Salifu is out for nine months after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament injury during a week 2 Ghana Premier League match this season at Amidaus Professionals.

Berekum Chelsea have drawn Atlabara FC in the preliminary round qualifier.

Chelsea will host the South Sudanese champions to the Golden City Park on the weekend of 7-9 February for the first leg clash.

The return leg is scheduled for the weekend between 14-16 March at the Stade Al-Amal Atbara in South Sudan.

Berekum Chelsea Africa squad: Goalkeepers: Michael Sai, John Moosie, Idrissu Abubarkari Defenders: Wilson Akakpo, Richard Annang, Ahmed Adams, Paul Aidoo, Abdul

Rasheed, Eric Agyemang, Kelvin Kusi-Poku Boateng, Justice Annane, Yusif Ali Midfielders: Jackson Owusu, Alexander Yaw Badolo, Prince Attokora Gyimah, Abdul Basit, Awudu Moro, Gabrial Ayala, Bennett Ofori Ansu, Samuel Kyere, Micky Ofosu, Bright Kukubor Strikers: Obed Owusu, Mihan Kouaodio Arnaud Landry Bosson, Dennis Tetteh, Roger Adongo, Benjamin Boateng.

WITH next week’s Australian Open in mind, a weary Venus Williams has opted to skip the Hobart International while her American compatriot Sloane Stephens has pulled out of the Sydney International with a minor wrist injury.

Following her 6-2 5-7 6-4 defeat to fellow former world number one Ana Ivanovic in the Auckland Classic final on Saturday, Williams withdrew from the Hobart event to recover ahead of the first Grand Slam of

the season beginning next week.

“After a long week during my first tournament of the year, my body needs time to rest and recover,” the 33-year-old Williams told the Hobart International website.

“Unfortunately, I am not able to play this week in Hobart. I was looking forward to playing in Tasmania and I sincerely do hope to play there in the coming years,” the seven-times Grand Slam winner added.

Lleyton Hewitt

Ghana Beat Nambia In CHAN Warm-Up GHANA rounded up their preparations for next week’s African Nations Championship with a 1-0 win over Namibia on Saturday in Windhoek.

King Faisal striker Sulley Mohammed’s 28th minute goal for the local Black Stars proved to be the match winner.

Ghana have been camping in the Namibian capital for the past one week and wanted to test their battle-readiness against the Brave Warriors.

The 2009 silver-medalists will be based in Bloemfontein where they face Congo, Libya and Ethiopia in Group C.

Roger Federer

Venus, Stephens Opt To Rest Up Ahead Of Australia Open Stephens, the world number 12, also saw her preparations for the Australian Open compromised.

“I was having some pain in my wrist and the doctor recommended I not play this week,” the 20-year-old American, a semi-finalist at Melbourne Park a year ago, said.

“This is a difficult decision, but the best decision for me and my team to make,” she added.

Venus Williams

in the second set, finding his form on his own serve and attacking Hewitt’s second serve effectively to square the match up.

And the Swiss star was in the ascendancy for much of the final set, earning seven break points but an inspired Hewitt would not be denied in front of his home fans, saving every one of those

chances, and grabbing one of just two break points he earned before serving out the match.

It was Hewitt’s first victory since he won the German grass court tournament at Halle in 2010. The man he beat that day?

None other than Roger Federer.

“I played great obviously at the start, really well,” said Hewitt.

“It took Roger a little bit of time to get into the match. Then I just had to fight hard at the start of the third set.”

The Aussie veteran was thrilled to have broken his long win drought, but said that he had never considered walking away from the game.

“Playing the best players in the world and finals of tournaments, always it’s exciting. That’s why you still play the game,” Hewitt added.

“For me, it was motivation enough just to try to get the win out there and obviously win another title. It’s been a couple years. So I was just ready for the challenge today.

“It means a lot with the calibre of players here as well in this tournament. It’s not an easy tournament to win. I wasn’t one of the top four seeds, so I had to win all five matches to get through.

There are pleasing parts and massive positives to take out of it.”

Federer refused to be downhearted, despite making 22 unforced errors in the opening set alone - and losing his serve three times in the first set having not lost it previously during the entire tournament. “[I feel] pretty good, especially having played all the matches I have here now with the doubles in particular,” said Federer, who also made the semis of the doubles event alongside Nicolas Mahut.

“It’s a good thing. I didn’t play great today which is a bit unfortunate. But also Lleyton was the best player I played this week.

“He made it toughest on me.

So I have a clear idea what I need to work on, and I have a clear idea where my mind and body is at. I’m very hungry and eager to attack the Australian Open next week.”

CHAN Preparatory Match

Keshi Okays 2-1 Victory Over Ethiopia SUPER Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance against Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes in an international friendly. players performed.

The match, which ended 2-1 in The Super Eagles opened favour of the Eagles, was played scoring as early as the fourth at the Abuja National Stadium on minute through Ifeanyi Ede and Saturday. doubled the lead in the 29th It was to prepare the Super minute with Uzochukwu Eagles Team B for the third Ugonna’s goal. edition of the African Nations But the Walya Antelopes got Championship (CHAN) n South their consolatory goal through an Africa from Jan. 11 to Feb. 1. own goal from Eagles’ captain Keshi told newsmen after the and goalkeeper, Chigozie match that he was not bothered Agbim, in the 81st minute. about the scoreline but how the “The scoreline is not important

Coach Stephen Keshi

Eagles Lifted By Ethiopia Test EAGLES stars Solomon Kwambe and Ugonna Uzochukwu have said the warm-up against Ethiopia has given them an idea of what to

expect at CHAN. Rangers midfielder and one of the goal scorers in Nigeria’s 2-1 win over Ethiopia Uzochukwu told MTNFootball.com he was

Rabiu Ready To Fight For W/Cup Spot RUSSIA-based midfielder Mohammed Rabiu says he is ready to fight for a World Cup spot in Ghana’s crowded midfield.

The 24-year-old was a regular for Kwesi Appiah but the return of Chelsea ace Michael Essien would mean he would have to start from the bench.

Rabiu had a quiet end before the winter break at his side Kuban Krasnodar after returning from injury.

He missed the two-legged final playoffs against Egypt in October and November as a result of the injury but remains hopeful of going to Brazil.

“I am not worried about the months leading up to the World Cup,” Rabiu told the Ghana FA official website.

“I just have to play well for my Club and see how things go from there.”Rabiu, who has one World Cup winners medal - at the U20 level - amongst his collection says he is remaining calm about the task ahead after playing in four qualifying matches for the Black Stars on their way to reaching the finals.

“Once a team qualifies [for the World Cup], the expectation builds up. And that is normal.

But for me, it’s nothing. I don’t feel anything now.

“I have my ambitions and I just

have to keep going and trying to do well.”

delighted to score in a game seen by many as a real test for the Eagles.

“I am happy that I scored a goal in our victory. The game gave us part of what we should expect in CHAN because Ethiopia came strongly in the match,” Uzochukwu told MTNFootball.com Sunshine Stars right back Solomon Kwambe said the

game has put the team in the right frame of mind for CHAN. “It was a good test for the both sides, but I thank God for the victory,” he said.

“The two teams took the game seriously. This is what we should expect at CHAN.” Nigeria are due to fly out to South Africa on Tuesday and open their campaign on Saturday against Mali in Cape Town.

for me, but how key the team is in terms of discipline and tactical display, and I am happy with what I saw. ‘’This is because it was just yesterday that we did the drills and they could remember it throughout the 90 minutes. So, I am impressed,’’ Keshi said.

The Super Eagles coach added that the team met a good opposition who had been together for a long time.

“Their team (Ethiopia) is a national team and they have been together for a long time and they have experience, because it is the same team we played against in Calabar (during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers last November),’’ Keshi said.

He however noted that the Super Eagles were far from being set for the championship (in South Africa) and they needed to keep working on all departments of their game.

Ethiopia’s coach Sewnet Bishaw was also impressed with his players’ performance, saying ‘’it was a good game for my players and they played nice

Super Eagles CHAN squad

‘Keshi’s Resilience Will Propel Team’

Mohammed Rabiu

AN ex-international, Waidi Akanni, yesterday said Coach Stephen Keshi’s fighting spirit would spur the Super Eagles to greater height at the Championship of Africa Nations (CHAN) in South Africa.

Akanni, a former Green Eagles defender in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, said the home-based

Eagles had what it takes to win the championship.

He added that he was optimistic that the team would go far in the tournament based on their performance at the friendly match against the Walya Antelope of Ethiopia on Saturday in Abuja.

“I think the boys gave a good account of themselves, they won 2-1, which is not

bad; they will get better.

“Playing with the Ethiopia side gives us an idea of what to expect at the tournament.

“The tournament will help Keshi to pick more of the boys for his World Cup team too.

“Keshi’s winning spirit will help the team. I expect him to pick the best players

for the World Cup,” Akanni said.

He said that with the World Cup near, many of the players would put in their best to make the final list to Brazil.

Reports say that Eagles will confront host South Africa in Group A alongside Mail and Mozambique in Cape Town.

in spite of the scoreline.

“The purpose of the game was to gain experience and we have gained a lot. This is because both goals scored by the Eagles were from throw-ins.

“So, we have taken that as our mistake and we will have to work on that before the championship starts.

“Also, we will correct the other mistakes we discovered and build a very strong team for CHAN,” Bishaw said.

He expressed optimism that both teams would go far in the championship basically meant for players featuring in their country’s local league.

It will be recalled that the Super Eagles have been drawn in Group A of the championship with hosts South Africa, Mali and Mozambique.

Bosso Applauds Victory LADAN Bosso, the Coach of Bayelsa United FC, yesterday commended the home based Super Eagles for their 2-1 victory in the friendly match against the Wayla Antelopes of Ethiopia.

The match, played in Abuja on Saturday, was in preparation for the 3rd African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa, which begins on Saturday, January 11.

Bosso told newsmen on telephone that the victory showed that the team was improving.

“It goes to show that the team has improved on its defence since the friendly match against Kano Pillars FC which ended 2-2.

“I am not happy though that they were not able to increase the score line in spite of leading 2-0 in the first half. Rather, they conceded a goal.

“It is, however, a boost for the team to have triumphed over a country that will be participating in the competition’’, the coach said.

Bosso added that with all the friendly matches played so far, Stephen Keshi, the Coach of the Super Eagles, would have seen areas to improve upon.

“I believe with Keshi’s wealth of experience, he will know the areas that need working on in the team.’’

He commended the Nigeria Football Association for organising quality friendly matches that would boost the confidence of the home based Super Eagles.

Nigeria is in Group ‘A’ with Mali, Mozambique and host South Africa.

CHAN is a competition for professional footballers in the local league.

CMYK

LOQUACIOUS Edo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Chairman, Dan Osi Orbih came up again in his characteristic opened his mouth wide as usual at a press briefing attended by a select media practitioners and alleged that the Edo State Government under Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has failed the people of Edo State and that the administration had borrowed so much money on behalf of Edo people and as such took it upon himself to haul invectives at the governor.

He equally said the Governor had failed the stowaway boy Daniel Oikhena and his mother, Evelyn. That the boy lacked his school needs at Edo College, Benin City.

This is an understandable lie because to Daniel Orbih and his sunken PDP, there is nothing good about the Oshiomhole government in the state, but they are certainly not on the same page with Edo people. The fact that Oikhena is in Edo College, one of the best secondary schools in the state is an attestation to the fact that the boy is back to school and out of the streets. Those who came to Edo brandishing fake scholarship for Oikhena what was their intent? Was it not the same intent of Dan Orbih with the widow in Edo State? Do you play politics with peoples lives? Here is PDP that had all the opportunity to develop Edo State and its people but failed woefully to do so for ten years!

What does the PDP have to tell Edo people today?

The continuous bandying of figures by the Edo PDP relating to loans obtained by the Edo State Government for developmental purposes is unnecessary. The PDP government in Edo State equally obtained billions of naira from the capital market. What happened to the loans and where can we find the monies in Edo State today?

It is instructive to note that there is no way some problems of today can be solved in Edo without our looking at the past. If the PDP administration in

are what has endeared the party to the citizens both at home and in Diaspora.

At one time, Orbih claimed The N6b contract signed by the State

Edo PDP: Much

By DAN OWEGIE

Ado About Loans For Development

Edo had developed the ring road in Benin, or even cleared the drains, Oshiomhole would have started from Evbuotubu, Evbuoriaria, Aduwawa and other developing parts of the city, but he had to start afresh from the King Square.

The Edo PDP, for the first time in their lives is seeing walkways in their state, yet they are not appreciative of the initiator, what does the PDP have to show to Edo people for the over ten years that they held power remains a puzzle why the APC will continue to defeat them in any contest in Edo State. The APC within the period it has been in power has demonstrated to Edo people that certain impossibilities with the PDP are actually possible.

The APC has proven beyond reasonable doubts that our children can learn in decent classrooms, not under trees and leaking roofs.

The APC in Edo under Oshiomhole has proven that roads can be rehabilitated / reconstructed and new ones constructed for use by our people. The party has made a clear and bold statement with its m o n u m e n t a l achievements that our common problems of roads and drainages, education, health, job creation, women and widows empowerment and other sectors which translate to combating poverty can be responsibly addressed by government. Our various achievements and obvious commitment to doing more for our people

Government few months ago as part of the N30bn contract for flood control within Benin City will not solve the erosion problem in the city. He forgot that such a project cannot be carried out overnight.

What is important is that work is in progress. The

imagination and the Government is not running an opaque government, Edo people have never had an administration that is as transparent as that of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole since 1999.

The audited account of the state over the years are in

Chief Dan Orbih, Edo PDP Chairman Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Clem Agba is on top of the situation and the contractors are working hard to combat erosion in the city. It will take a reasonable time to complete the job and erosion in Benin would be effectively tackled, so Dan Orbih and his clique would need to exercise some patience.

His claim that the O s h i o m h o l e administration is indebted to the tune of N200bn is a figment of Orbih’s

public dormain and every detail of the expenditure of government are usually covered by the auditors.

The APC government in Edo State is not that of the PDP that believes in sharing public money. In APC puts the peoples’ money to work for them, and the vast majority of Edo people are satisfied with the government of Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole Mr. Dan Orbih, having lost out in his bid to get appointed as a Minister in President Goodluck

Jonathan’s Governemnt feels that his preoccupation should be to be insulting the Comrade Governor every day It is interesting to note the APC administration is not just expanding roads and building walkways in the state, it is also

by the supreme court and the recent rating of the country as 144th most corrupt country of the 177 countries ranked by Transparency International are pointers to a corruption ridden Federal Government under the

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State constructing and reconstructing roads as a major priority of the government and pepper soup mouthing by political shenanigans like Dan Orbih would not deter the APC from serving the people to the fullest.

It is now nationally and internationally acknowledged the PDP is a party that celebrates corruption and their fake war on corruption is proven to be a fluke after all. The pardon of Alamieyeseigha, and freedom of Borde George

PDP. Everyone in the state is aware of the numerous achievements of the All Progressive Congress Government under the leadership of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole within a relatively short period. Those who know the value of good works appreciate him, they are in majority and a few in the likes of Orbih may not see beyond their noise. · Mr. Dan Owegie is a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Edo State.

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