Nigerian observer 08 04 2014

THE NIGERIAN

The Nigerian

1

TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol . 38 • NO. 456 TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 20 14 • N100.00 NUTRITIONAL HEALTH AND DIEETICS

Page 14

Free Radicals And Your Brain

Public Finance Reforms

Edo partners European Union, IDA BENIN CITY – The European Union (EU) and the International D e v e l o p m e n t Association (IDA) is partnering with Edo State Government through the SEEFOR

and DPO programs to improve and strengthen the Public Finance Management (PFM) systems of the state.

The engagement which was consummated yesterday saw the engagement of

international reputable firms PwC and LINPICO of France to help Edo State improve the budgeting processes and the development of

Medium Term Sector Strategies (MTSS).

The Project Coordinator of Edo SEEFOR, Mr. Taiwo Akerele who made a brief remark before the signing of the agreement under Continues on page 2

APC Ward congresses

DRUM\BEATS Page 19

Billionaires Have Focus!

Ihonvbere calls for orderliness

By ADAMS OYIBOKE

BENIN CITY-As the All Progressives Congress (APC) In Edo holds its ward congress today, Secretary to Edo State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere has harped on peace and orderliness among party members in Edo State and Owan west in particular.

Prof. Ihonvbere by the guidelines set by disclosed this yesterday the party”. in a chat with Journalists He said “We have in Government House, harmonized our wards Benin City as party and a few places where chieftains gathered to there are hitches, the strategise for a hitch free leaders are talking with a ward congress. view to learn to build He said ‘We have been concensus of dialogue, working so hard to abide give and take rather than

one of mobilizing thugs, snatching ballot papers and fighting”.

According to him “All progressives Congress is not a party of violence; as

reports from the different wards in my local Government say things were going on very well”.

Prof. Julius Ihonvbere however maintained that

all agreements reached by leaders would be affirmed in the field, stressing that where there is disagreement, members would have to

go and slot it out in the field.

In the same vein, the Executive Director, Edo State Committee on Continues on page 2

... Police assures on security

By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON

BENIN CITY-Edo State Police Command has assured of watertight security in the rescheduled All Progressive Congress (APC) ward congress, holding today across the state.

The command advised politicians and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully during and after the exercise as it would not condone any act of lawlessness.

The spokesman, Edo State Police Command, DSP Moses Eguavoen stated in an exclusive

chat with The NIGERIAN OBSERVER in Benin City that “adequate security arrangement have been made for the APC ward congress, we are fully ready in Edo”.

Dependable source at the police headquarters in Benin hinted our reporter that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Foluso Adebajo may personally visit some of the wards to ensure a water-tight security.

It was further gathered that other security agents, including men of the Department of Security Services (DSS) are collaborating with the police in today’s exercise.

TIT BIT “ If you do not make today your friend; the future would always remain a stranger to you.”

- Kingsley Ogbeide-Ihama

Insider sources revealed that intelligent officers have since been deployed to the 197 political wards across Edo State.

It would be recalled that the APC ward congresses scheduled to take place nation-wide last Saturday was rescheduled for today in Edo State by the state wing of the party, due to logistics challenges.

ELECTORAL REFORM REPORT: President Goodluck Jonathan (right) receiving the report of the National Stakeholders’ Forum on Electoral Reform from Senator Ken Nnamani, Chairman, Ken Nnamani, Centre for Leadership and Development in Abuja, yesterday.

INEC’s N45bn budget inadequate

ABJUA The N45billion INEC’s 2014 envelope budget sent to National Assembly by the Budget Office is far less than what the commission requires for the conduct of 2015 elections.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said this in Abuja yesterday at an Interactive Session with Editors and News Directors.

INEC had requested for N93 billion in the 2014

- Jega

. Plans new salary structure for staff

Appropriation Bill to conduct the 2015 elections.

He said that fund needed by the commission to conduct

elections appeared much but justifiable.

“Our figure may appear huge but we can defend every aspect of it’’, he said.

He stressed that the commission’s request had always been granted by the National Assembly. “We are optimistic that we will get

our fund before 2015’’, he added.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Continues on page 2

Nigeria’s revenue ratio to GDP drops to 12%

ABUJA - Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, yesterday said that the tax revenue ratio to the

country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had declined from 20 per

cent to 12 per cent.

Okonjo-Iweala spoke at the inauguration of the

Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Multipurpose Training School in Abuja.

She said that the Continues on page 2

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

News

Edo partners European Union, IDA

Continued from page 1

the SEEFOR arrangement, explained that the process for selecting a consultant for the Public Financial Management Reform began in 2012 with only four firms out of eight that responded emerging responsive, stressing that after careful evaluation of the LINPICO, France came out the most responsive.

Mr. Akerele explained that

the Public Financial Management Reforms include strengthening budgeting processes, financial reporting, and strengthening legislation to meet with international financial standards which is the best practice all over the world.

He remarked that all priorities of government in the area budgeting processes , public financial accounting have

been captured in the terms of reference to ensure that the international best practices are replicated in Edo state at the end of the Consultancy.

In a remark, Representative of the Commissioner for Budget, Planning and Economic Development, and Director of Planning, Mr. Charles Odigie admitted that the process for selecting the executing partner was long

Ihonvbere calls forfullyorderliness has been

Continued from page 1 Produce Mr. Omoike Romeo said “the ward congress is going to be on concensus because the party constitution allows it.

Omoike further said” all arrangement for internal democracy for the ward congress slated for today

harmomised.

According to him: “APC is a family and tomorrow’s congress is going to be very peaceful.

Dialogues and consultations from the various local Government Areas with the state

Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was still ongoing at press time.

It will be recalled that the All Progressive Congress (APC) Ward Congress earlier slated for Saturday last week was rescheduled for today, Tuesday.

elections.

He said the commission had committed members of staff who were determined to conduct credible elections.

The INEC chairman explained that the commission had commenced training and retraining of staff through bridge workshops.

He said that the commission had also been restructured to eliminate the duplication and overlapping of roles.

Earlier, Dr Mourtada Deme, Director of Project, UNDP Democratic Governance for Democracy ( DGD), said that the project was designed to strengthen the accountability

and responsiveness of social institutions.

According to Deme, knowing the critical role of the media, the project had priortised media engagement as a primary focus under component four of its programme.

“The media play a crucial role in keeping citizens engaged in the business of governance, because healthy political process require pluralism and open communication,” he said.

Deme said that the media could be a champion for the promotion of a well-informed citizenry through clear public communication and provision of information on policies and processes.

INEC’s N45bn budget inadequate

Continued from page 1

Commission ( INEC), Prof.

Attahiru Jega, yesterday in Abuja said the commission was working on new salary structure for its members of staff.

Jega, who made this disclosure during an interactive session with editors and news directors, said that this would go a long way to enhance their performances.

He said that the commission had screened its personnel to determine those who would be eligible to be part of the 2015 general elections.

According to him, the screening was necessary to enable the commission conduct a free, fair and credible

Nigeria’s revenue ratio to GDP drops to 12%

Continued from page 1 country’s GDP increased from N42.3 trillion to N80.3 trillion, an increase of 89.22 per cent in 2013, which made Nigeria Africa’s largest economy.

The minister added that of the 12 per cent, non-oil revenue was four per cent and described the development as not good for the country.

She urged FIRS to redouble its efforts by improving the capacity of the staff in ensuring that the situation was reversed, while improving the revenue collection system.

“We just celebrated the fact that Nigeria has now become the largest economy in Africa with N80 trillion of GDP (509.9 billion Dollars).

“This makes us the 26th largest economy in the world and advances us on our goal to become one of the 20 largest economies in the world.

“But now with this recalculation, our revenue to GDP ratio is 12 per cent and our non-oil revenue ratio to GDP is four per cent, which means that we

live worse than before.

“As you know, our revenue ratio to GDP before was 20 per cent, just about in the middle of the emerging market economy, not as good as the 22 per cent that we want to be.

“For tax revenue to GDP, we now have to redouble our efforts to get back to the 20 per cent ratio at least to where we were before,” she said.

Okonjo-Iweala expressed confidence that FIRS would rise up to the challenge and bring the country’s revenue ratio to GDP back on track with its initiative to establishing a training school.

She urged FIRS to step up Nigeria’s capacity to handle transfer pricing to address the issue of tax evasion, adding that billions of Dollars was lost every year.

“I hope that this academy will bring in experts who know how to handle transfer pricing and I know that FIRS will live up to its mandate to do more, even though it is currently doing well.

“The news I bring to you

this morning is not a deterrent but an incentive to do more,” she added.

In an address of welcome, the Acting Executive Chairman of FIRS, Mr Kabir Mashi, said that capacity development was an integral part of the tax reform programme of the Federal Government.

Mashi added that the establishment of the multidisciplinary training centre was the main platform upon which FIRS had implemented the reform agenda.

He also stated that the ultimate goal of FIRS in establishing the training school was to have a Tax Academy which would offer accredited tax courses to tax officers and taxpayers.

“We also intend to make the training centre available for taxpayers’ education as part of our continuous efforts to institutionalise a tax culture among Nigerians.

“It is also our intention as time goes on to make this facility available for use by other ministries, departments and agencies when available,” he said.

and painstaking and expressed happiness that the agreement has been signed which begins another phase for the PFM sub component.

The EU/IDA Consultant and the Representative of LINPICO France, Mr. Ivan Linhart explained that his company was happy to work with Edo State Government which is their first in the South South geo political Zone. He stated that they are working with Lagos state government and other northern states in Nigeria on similar and related reforms programs.

He expressed optimism and assured of a productive synergy among the officials of Price Water House Cooper and all key MDAs to achieve key results.

INEC to monitor campaign funds of pol parties, candidates ABUJA -Prof. Attahiru Jega, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said in Abuja that the commission would monitor campaign funds of political parties in the 2015 General Election.

Jega, who said this at an interactive session with Editors and News Directors, said the commission would also monitor funds of candidates.

He said that the commission would partner with nong o v e r n m e n t a l organisations to achieve this objective.

“We are setting a mechanism in place to monitor campaign funds of political parties and candidates,’’ he said.

On the call for conduct of elections in one day, Jega said the commission was not disposed to conducting elections in one day.

“We are hesitant to conduct election in one day in 2015, but we are thinking about it for the future. We in INEC do not believe we can do it in 2015,’’ he said.

The chairman said that the logistics involved in holding elections in one day were enormous.

Jega said that the country’s terrain could not be compared to countries like Kenya and Ghana where elections were held in one day.

He said that the 2015 elections timetable was not designed to favour any group of persons or political parties contrary to insinuations in some quarters.

The chairman said that adequate planning and timing was critical to credible elections.

Constitution Amendment

Ekweremadu to deliver lecture in USA ... As CLO tasks

By JOSES SEDE ABUJA - The Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Ike Ekweremadu is to speak on “Constitution Amendment in an Emerging Democracy: The Nigerian Experience” at the Johns Hopkins University, Washington DC, the United States of America.

The event, which holds on Monday, April 14, 2014 is at the instance of the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, SAIS based in Washington.

A letter by the Director of African Studies Programme, Prof. Peter Lewis, says it is in line with SAIS’ tradition of hosting “prominent speakers, including heads of state, governors, cabinet ministers, and prominent public intellectuals from across the globe”.

The university hinges its invitation to Senator Ekweremadu on his role as a member of the Senate leadership and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Review of the 1999 Constitution.

The letter says that Ekweremadu’s “prominent role as a leader of the Senate in Nigeria will undoubtedly prompt a very interested audience of students, policymakers, private sector participants and the NGO community in Washington DC”.

It would be recalled that Senator Ekweremadu spearheaded the first successful amendment of the 1999 Constitution after several failed attempts.

He has so far presented over nineteen public lectures and papers within and outside the African continent mainly on the themes of democracy, good governance, federalism, and constitution making.

Meanwhile, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) yesterday urged senators to be on the side of Nigerians when voting on the proposed amendments to the 1999 constitution.

CLO’s Executive Director, Mr Steve Aluko, told

NASS

newsmen in Abuja that senators and their counterparts in the House of Representatives must jettison personal interests while voting.

Aluko said it was worrisome that the planned alteration to section 9 of the constitution to allow the president to initiate the process of a new constitution, divided the senate.

“It is better that the best of reasoning should prevail in the constitution amendment because the issue goes beyond just having an input or initiating a bill.

“It is more of a moral burden than a legal issue; whoever initiates the bill does not matter, it is the substance of the bill and to what effect it will promote issues of good governance and the rule of law in this country.

“So either the executive or the legislator should be free to initiate bill but let the legislators play their oversight functions as expected and envisaged by the constitution.

“They should make sure that at the end of the day, it is not just a bill that will serve their own personal interests or that will be parochial political interest that they pass.

“This should be another novel opportunity to have a complementary role from the executive and the legislature; the issue is the substance of the bill that is being initiated.

“Giving room for the president to initiate bill is also widening the space to complement the legislature because even under the presidential system, the separation is not water-tight, there’s room for checks and balances,” he explained.

Aluko, also a delegate to the national conference, said voting on the proposed amendments to the constitution on Wednesday was another opportunity for Nigeria to get it right.

The CLO official called on the upper legislative chamber to learn from history and avoid the mistake of the senate in 2006 over the third term debate.

He cautioned senators against the sentiment being shared that the conference was taking much out of their power.

Economic Rating

NUJ tasks FG on inflation, unemployment ABUJA -The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhaji Garba Muhammed, has called on the Federal Government to address the issue of inflation and unemployment in the country.

Muhammed, who spoke at a news conference in Abuja yesterday also urged the government to address the issue of poverty and insecurity.

He commended the government on its giant stride of becoming one of the biggest economies in Africa, and described the development as a positive trend for the country.

The NUJ president said that the achievement should, however, reflect on the livelihood of

Nigerians.

According to him, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala, says Nigeria is now one of Africa’s biggest economies.

Muhammed said: “we see this as a great feat and we are using this medium to commend the government for achieving this status.

“It is pertinent to mention here that while we commend the government on the success, they should make effort to reflect same on the existing reality in Nigeria today.

“Government should strive to address the issue of inflation, unemployment, poverty and insecurity in the country”.

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

News Senate To Pass Bill On Sexual Violence

UYO - Senator Helen Esuene, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs and Youths Matters, on Sunday said that bill on sexual violence and harassment against women would soon be passed by the Senate.

Esuene, representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, stated this at the Inauguration of the National Executive Council of Ibom Consolidated Assembly (ICA), in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

She said the bill sought to address the issue of rape and make it easier for the victims to come out to report.

“There is a bill currently in the Senate on sexual violence against women. It is supposed to address the issue of rape, to make it easier for victims to come out to report,’’ Esuene said.

She said the bill, when passed, would create provision for victims of rape to seek justice and the

perpetrators to be properly punished.

Esuene described rape against women and girls as “really unfortunate and very sad.’’

“The issue of rape on women is very unfortunate because it is one crime that shouldn’t be since there are more women than men, why should a man rape a woman or a girl that he shouldn’t even go near.

“The laws are there but for the inhibition people have.

Rape victims are already traumatised and often times scared to even go to report at the police stations,’’ she said.

Esuene regretted that the already existing laws had also made it very difficult for a rape victim to report and seek justice.

“The laws as we have them now is not enabling at all because it makes it very difficult for the rape victim to go and report, because the

Edo High Court To Begin Easter Recess April 21 BENIN CITY – The Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Cromwell Idahosa has directed High Court of the state to proceed on the 2014 Easter Recess beginning Monday April 21, 2014 and to resume Friday April 25, 2014.

A statement endorsed by

the chief Registrar of the High Court, Hillary Enemaku indicated that the directive is in line with order 48, Rule 4(1) (B) of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rule 2012.

The statement advised all members of the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Ekpoma and Auchi branches and the general public to please note.

victim will be asked all manner of questions and because of that, they don’t even want to bother.

“If we don’t report and make the victim to pay according to law, then the crime will continue and increase,’’ she stated.

Esuene said that bills in the national assembly were not delayed, saying that bills involved gradual processes.

“The process of law making is very gradual and is not one stuff thing. One bill has to go through three readings in one house, then it is taken to the other house and it will have to go through three readings.

“And then you must have a public hearing on it before the two houses (the Representatives and the Senate) will now have a consensus bill which will again be passed by each of them before it will be assumed to be passed.

“It is a very long drawn out process; unfortunately that is why we have bicameral legislature, if it was just one house then the process will be shortened,’’ she said.

Esuene said that democracy had come to stay in Nigeria as the country would soon celebrates 15 years of uninterrupted democracy.

The lawmaker said that the National Assembly was a symbol of democratic governance, and urged Nigerians not to lose faith in

the system.

“Democracy is a partnership with the people, that is why it will continue to excel and grow in Nigeria. ‘’Whatever you see now that may not be to our delight

Ex-Police Boss Advises Muslims IBADAN -A retired Commissioner of police, Olayinka Balogun, has advised Muslims to show exemplary conduct to encourage their children to grow up as responsible citizens.

Balogun gave the advice

Landlord Sacks Alleged Killer Cop BENIN CITY – Corporal Samuel Abiola, the police officer who allegedly beat his 19 years baby to death has been sack from his residence by the landlord of the house, Chief Samuel Enobakhare Omorogieva.

The development seems to have compounded the

problem of the police officer who is now at large, haven abandoned his duty post since the death of his son.

It was gathered that his wife, Abigail Abiola (Nee Omoruyi) has been locked out of their rented three bedroom apartment following the expiration of their rent last month and is now taken refuge somewhere else.

Chief Omorogieva disclosed that his action was

informed by the series of complaints of domestic violence resulting from matrimonial issues.

“Other tenants were always coming to me, complaining that the quarrel from that flat is disturbing them, he has a record of coming home late at night”, he said.

He also disclosed that, a quit notice which expires this

continue to be a baby at 100 years,’’ Esuene said.

The Senator lauded the State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio for his achievement, which had raised the political profile of the state.

Pakistani Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Mr. Shahid Abbasi (left), with Minister of State (1) for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri at the 2nd session of Nigeria-Pakistan Joint Ministerial Commission meeting in Abuja yesterday.

President Goodluck Jonathan (4th right), Chairman; Ken Nnamani, Centre for leadership and Development, Sen. Ken Nnamani (4th left) and other members of the delegation during the presentation of report of the national stakeholders forum in Abuja yesterday.

By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON

is because the democracy is till new and fresh.

“Nigeria is celebrating its centenary of 100 years as a nation, it is time that we start doing thing slightly differently, we cannot

month has been issued to the police officer.

Mrs. Abiola told our reporter that her husband, though on the run had called her twice, exonerating himself from the death of their baby.

Corporal Abiola who allegedly hails from IjebuOde in Ogun State is presently expecting a baby from another woman from Oghara in Delta State whom he was said to have impregnated.

while delivering the quarterly distinguished lecture organised by the Muslim Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ibadan branch.

The lecture was entitled: “ Security Challenges in Nigeria: Causes, Effects and Panacea in Islamic Perspective’’.

He said parents’ actions and in-actions have a lifelong influence on their children, as such they must learn to always do the right thing.

Balogun also advised parents to monitor their children and correct them whenever they notice any negative behaviour in them, adding that the children of nowadays needed to be closely monitored.

The retired police commissioner observed that parents laxity in the moral upbringing of their children

had contributed to the present level of insecurity in the country.

He advised government to provide education, water, health care system and other infrastructure for the benefit of the people, adding that these would solve the problem of insecurity in the country.

He said that without development there would be no security, adding that weak and incapable government cannot guarantee the genuine expectations of decent society.

Balogun urged the Federal Government to employ more police personnel to bridge existing gap.

Earlier, Dr. Dhikrullah Yagboyaju, chairman of MAN, said that the lecture was organised to encourage Muslims to do the right thing.

Christians Urged To Identify With The Needy

By FAITH ISIKHUEMEN/ MARTINS ERHAUYI BENIN CITY – The Coordinator of Christian Legacies Ministry, Evangelist (Mrs.) Funmi Agho has stressed the need for Christians to give a sense of belonging to the needy members of the society.

She gave the admonition at the Annual Revival of Love for the Needy/thanksgiving held in Benin City at the weekend.

Evangelist (Mrs.) Agho who gave the testimony of her miraculous recovery from a terminal illness in 2009 said she got inspiration of the Holy Spirit to establish the Revival of Love which is now five years old.

She advised Nigerians not to despise the needy while appreciating the management of Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, the publishers of the OBSERVER titles for contributing towards the success of this years edition.

In his exhortation, Pastor Matthew Effionayi of the Foursquare Gospel Church, Benin City charged Christians to give due attention to their salvation, adding that evangelism is the key to making impact on Christians lives.

The event featured praise, workshop, testimonies, prayers session and thanksgiving. High point of the occasion was the distribution of gifts to the needy.

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

News

APC Chieftain Charges Members On Hitch Free Congress

BENIN CITY –A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress in Oredo Ward 2, Comrade Sunny Omokaro, has charged his members to embrace peace and love in the forth coming party congress to be held today, Tuesday 8 th April 2014 across the state. Comrade Omokaro made this known to newsmen in Ward 2 secretanat of the APC in Benin City, Monday, during a sensitization meeting organized for the

party members.

The one time state chairman of the Butchers’ union in Edo State, thanked APC members in Ward 2, for coordinating themselves in a decent manner that adjudged the ward 2 as the watch dog of APC in Edo State.

He noted that though APC in Edo State was characterised with factions also formed pant of the party, but that APC is regarded as a united family working towards winning

By IJEOMA UMEH

NAFDAC enforcement unit for thorough investigations, while warning the public to beware of such medications.

On his part, the customs boss stated that the customs service is not relenting in its effort to stamp out smugglings from the nation’s porous borders by strengthening and fortifying its vigilance around it.

subsequent election at Federal, State and Local government levels..

He posited that the members of Ward2 are

peace loving people and that he was optimistic that congress will be free, fair and credible across the state. In a related development the ward 2

APC Woman Leader, Deaconess Mrs. Rebecca Imuentinyan assured victory on the forth coming congress. She averred that

they have also brought the experiences of home building to the party at ward 2 and thanked them for their support

Customs To Rid Nigeria Of Contraband Goods

BENIN CITY-The Nigeria Customs Service (N.CS.) has reiterated its commitment at ensuring that the country is rid of contraband goods and services through the entrenchment of the culture of adherence to guidelines and standards by importers.

This indication was made yesterday in Benin City by the controller of Customs, Zone C, Owerri,.

Deputy Superintendent of Customs Dimka Victor during a media tour of the customs House to inspect the items seized by men of the Federal Operations unit of the Zone .

The goods which were impounded along the Benin –Lagos axis included trucks loaded with 7,640 bags various kinds of parboiled rice with Duty paid value of N160, 440.000.00 million, 31 vehicles of various makes valued at N75 million and packs of medicine labeled was however over to “Tramadol”.

The medicine was however handed over to NAFDAC officials.

Receiving the packs of contraband drugs, the chief pegulatory officer of NAFDAC, Mrs. Esther Itua noted that the seizure was a remaikable result of the collaborative efforts of NAFDAC and the Nigerian Customs Service.

She observed that the medicine do not have NAFDAC number and therefore possed as potential poision to the consuming public.

She stated that they would in turn be handed over to

Federal Inland Revenue Service training centre inaugurated in Abuja recently.

Oredo APC Ward II Chieftains Commend Gov Oshiomhole On Appointments

BENIN CITY – The Executive Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, MNI, has been commended by the APC leaders in ward Eleven in Oredo Local Government Area, on the recent appointments of their members into committees and boards.

They noted this while

speaking to newsmen in Benin during harmonization meeting held with their members as a prelude to the forth coming party congress to be held across the state.

The party chieftains described Governor Oshiomhole’s appointment of one of their leaders, Rtn Prince Austine Esarvey Edegbe, Chairman of the

committee of Government properties protection in Edo State, as well deserved, considering the roles played by the ward 11 members of the APC to stabilize democracy in the state.

They pledged their unflinching loyalty and support to the government of Gov. Oshiomhole to actualize his dreams of transforming Edo State and assured him of

a hitch-free congress in ward 11.

The members of Oredo ward Eleven who spoke through chief Joseph Obasee, JP, Rtn, Mr. Ogiamien Richard, Amb. Elizabeth Owegie, Pastor Rtn. Omorogbe Joseph, Mrs. Doris Osariemen, Mr. Nosa Edosomwan and chief (Barr) Uwagboe Ewaen, advised members in other wards

across the state to play the game of politics according to the rules to avoid conflict.

Positing further, Prince Austine Ganvey Edegbe reminded APC members that as one family, whatever they shall do should be in the best interest of the party to win subsequent elections at both the local, state and federal levels for purposes of impacting positively on the lives of the people.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala inaugurating the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Training Centre in Abuja recently.

With him is he Acting Executive Chairman of FIRS, Alhaji Kabir Mashi.

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

South South Delta NUJ Sues For Cooperation

By INNEH BARTH

Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, Amb. Eheneden Erediauwa (middle) flanked by the Secretary to Edo State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (2nd right) Chairman, Economic Team, Godwin Obaseki (right) and the Executive Chairman of Edo State Internal Revenue Service, Chief (Sir) Oseni Elamah and his wife, Cynthia during the commissioning of the NIIT Benin Centre.

ASABA - Journalists in Delta State have been called upon to show continued support to the upliftment of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Chairman of the Delta State Council of NUJ, Comrade Norbert Chiazor made the appeal at the inaugural meeting of the State Executive Committee (SEC) of the Council in Asaba.

Comrade Chiazor however thanked every journalist for ensuring that the election that brought in the new executive was peaceful, transparent and credible, saying that the free and fair nature of the election had further strengthened the bond among journalists in the State.

He promised to ensure that every journalist in the State collectively gained from the

Jonathan Tasks Couples On Love

YENAGOA - President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerian couples to love and endure each other to guarantee a successful marriage.

Jonathan spoke in Yenagoa during the traditional marriage of his daughter, Faith, to Godswill Edwards.

“Endurance is the ingredient for marriage; for any marriage to last endurance is key, ‘he said.

Jonathan expressed appreciation to dignitaries who attended the marriage and described the ceremony as a ‘painful joy that could not be avoided.’

“It is a painful joy; my wife and I are happy and we appreciate you for witnessing

the marriage of our daughter.

“People that saw me today didn’t recognise me. I am

occasion, advised the couple to be tolerant, friendly, and obedient to the marriage institution.

The reports state that several dignitaries including governors, ministers, captains of industries attended the marriage.

Bad Practice: Delta Shuts Two Health

By INNEH BARTH ASABA - The Delta State Ministry of Health has shut down two health facilities for perpetrating bad medical practice.

The health facilities were The Ark Medical Centre, located opposite Sam Jose filling station, Okpanam and Rock of Ages Hospital and Maternity, Maduemezie Avenue, behind Hope Mark Filling Station, Asaba.

Inter-State Marriage Is A Channel To Unite Nigeria - Vice President YENAGOA - Vice-President Namadi Sambo has described inter-state marriage as ‘an effective channel to unite Nigeria.’

Sambo made the remark in Yenagoa during the traditional marriage of President Goodluck Jonathan’s daughter, Faith, to Godswill Edwards.

The Vice-President who chaired the ceremony, said that inter-state marriage had contributed to Nigeria’s unity and peace.

He said: “I urge all Nigerians to take advantage of inter-state marriage to build a more unified nation because the incumbent administration is committed to oneness.

“For the couple, who have married today, I prayed that God’s blessing shall continue to

preparing to be a grandfather,” Jonathan said humorously.

Vice-President Namadi Sambo, who chaired the

manifest in your union; learn to be each other’s companion and friend.

“I congratulate you and President Goodluck Jonathan for this colourful occasion,” he said.

Also speaking, Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River described inter-state marriage as an avenue “to extend good fortunes to states, communities and villages in the country.’’

He thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for giving his daughter to the son of an indigene of Cross River and promised that the people of the state would take good care of her.

In his remark, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa expressed gratitude to dignitaries who graced the occasion and prayed that God should grant the couple fruitful marriage.

Facilities

The two health facilities were sealed up for their failure to register and for operating below standard medical practice such as admitting patients without a doctor on duty, managing medical cases that were beyond their capacity and employing quacks to deliver medical care.

According to Dr Alfred Ebiakofa, who led other officials of the Ministry on the operation, the negligence of the operators of the affected health facilities resulted in the avoidable death

of their patients.

He said that the State Government was already investigating such deaths and would report the findings to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for appropriate sanctions on the medical practitioners concerned.

Dr Ebiakofa, who is in charge of inspection in the Department of Medical Services and Training, said that the monitoring of the activities of private health facilities was on-

going and advised defaulting operators to retrace their steps.

He said the auditing of the activities of medical and health personnel was not restricted to private health facilities alone, adding that doctors, nurses and other health workers in government hospitals were equally not left out, stressing that the setting up recently of the Maternal Death Review Committee was one measure aimed at checking maternalrelated death caused by negligence from medical and health personnel.

dividends that would be coming to the Council.

While announcing that a high profile personality in the State would join the NUJ membership in praying for the progress of the Union at the site for the construction of the Council’s secretariat, Comrade Chiazor said the Director-General of the Direct Labour Agency (DLA), Engineer Edafe Igbini had already given the site a facelift in preparation for the prayer session.

He called for a one-minute silence in honour of two distinguished members of the Council Mr Andy Omokri and Mr Michael Egbuniwe that died recently.

Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the SEC meeting, the State Secretary of the Council, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, said SEC in Council agreed to ensure that their members remained law abiding and dignified.

Comrade Oyowe also revealed that SEC had agreed to sanction any member of the Council that brings the name of the Union to disrepute and warned journalists who were in the habit of soiling the image of the Union to retrace their steps henceforth.

He said SEC was appreciated of the State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, for his numerous supports to the Council, especially the land allocated to the union and his commitment to build a befitting secretariat for the Council.

SEC members, representing the 15 Chapels in the Delta State Council of the NUJ, in company of the new executive members, paid a visit to the site for the construction of the NUJ’s secretariat, where the Chairman of the Council, Comrade Norbert Chiazor, conducted them round and explained how the allocation of the land in a choiced area of Asaba became a reality.

Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, Amb. Eheneden Erediauwa (2nd right) cutting the tape to commission the NIIT Benin Centre while Chief (Sir) Oseni Elamah, Executive Chairman of Edo State Internal Revenue Service/ founder, Oseni Elamah ICT Institute and wife Cynthia watch with admiration.

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

South-West Grace Edosonwan Weds Alex Okojie

Oyo APC Holds Primaries, Amidst Tension IBADAN - Primaries to elect All Progressives Congress (APC) ward executives were held in only six out of the 33 council areas of Oyo State amidst tension in Iseyin and Oyo West Local Government Areas.

Investigation by newsmen revealed that party members in 27 other council areas resolved on consensus arrangement to choose their ward executives.

The councils where primaries were held were Atiba, Oyo West, Afijio, Surulere, Ogo-Oluwa and Ogbomoso North.

The party’s Interim Chairman, Chief Akin Oke, confirmed the development in an interview with newsmen.

The congress was, however, marred by threat to peace in some council areas such as Iseyin and Oyo West where party members disagreed on the mode of voting and choice of party leaders.

Reports state that there was tension in Enkunle Ward 2 and 3, Ado-Awaye Ward 1 and Faramara in Ward 5 in Iseyin Local Government Area where party members opted for primaries but could not agree on the mode of voting.

Some party faithful were said to have opted for open ballot system of voting while others insisted on secret ballot.

Reports state that the quick intervention of the party’s interim leadership in the council area doused tension although election was yet to commence as at the time of filing this report.

However, there was orderly conduct of the congress in the other eight wards across the council.

The Caretaker Chairman of the council, Alhaji Saheed Yusuf, in an interview with newsmen commended party members for displaying the spirit of sportsmanship.

He said it was important for the party to remain focused ahead of the local government, state and national congress of the party on April 12, April 23 and May 24 respectively.

Yusuf appealed to those who emerged winners in the various wards to be humble in victory and remain dedicated to the doctrines of the party.

There was also tension in Oyo West Local Government which

witnessed non-availability of voting materials as at 3.p.m. at Ward 2 Oke-Afin Akesan.

There were disagreements in Ward 9 between warring factions of the party over mode of voting and choice of leaders.

But Alhaji Olayide Abas, APC Chieftain in Ibarapa Zone of the state, told newsmen that the ward congress in the area, which comprises Ibarapa Central, North and East, was peacefully conducted.

He said that the members in the various wards of the zone adopted the consensus method.

He said that the interests of the various groups were considered and harmonised.

Reports also state that the congress in Surulere, Ogbomoso South and Oriire Local Government Area were conducted without rancor.

BY JOEL CHUKWUAGHONIM

Infrastructure being constructed for Abuja-Kaduna rail line at Kagini in Abuja recently. The standard gauge rail line started in 2011 and is expected to be completed in 2014 to facilitate movement of goods and people between the two cities.

Ward Congress: Aggrieved APC Members

LAGOS - Some aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from wards in different Local Government Areas of the state stormed the party’s state secretariat, demanding cancellation of congresses in some areas.

Reports state that the members, from Ikeja, Ojodu, Ifako Ijaiye, Agege and Onigbongbo among others, demanded for fresh congresses in their areas.

They came separately in chartered vehicles to the APC secretariat, chanting songs and displaying placards.

Some of the placards read, “No more rigging,” “Say no to manipulation and” “We demand free and fair congress,” among others.

Mr. Adesanya Oluwaseyi, the APC Youth Leader, Ward D, Ikeja, who was wounded, bled as he led the protest, and alleged that he and other members of his ward that sustained injuries were beaten up by some thugs.

Oluwaseyi told newsmen that they sustained the injuries when they tried to stop an order by a leader of the party in the area that the congress should hold without accreditation.

“This is contrary to the stipulations for the congress. All members were to be accredited before congress, that way, non members will be detected,” he

Mobile hawkers of assorted items in Abuja recently.

Storm Party Secretariat

said.

Also speaking with newsmen, the leader of the protest by Ward D members of the APC in Ojodu Local Council Development Area, Mr. Wale Larinde, said they wanted a fresh congress in the ward.

Mr. Adewale Olanisimi, from Ward C in Ojodu, said that another chieftain of the party unleashed thugs on the members for refusing to allow him to manipulate the congress.

“You can see our wounds. Even women were wounded as you can see. We were beaten up for protesting what is wrong,” he said.

Speaking to the crowd, Dr Garuba Abari, the Lagos State Chairman of the Congress Supervisory Committee, assured them that all complaints would be investigated and treated.

“My team believes in justice and fair play. We will sit to discuss all the allegations and will communicate our decision to the party.” he said.

Reports state that the protests came just as some former members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), said that they did not participate in the congress.

Mr. Blessing Okere, a Deputy Governorship candidate in Lagos

State in the 2011 general elections, told newsmen in Lagos that “ the MOU for merging with Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was not followed.

“In the Apapa-Iganmu LCDA for instance, we have seven wards with seven members called the G-7 and all the members of the G-7 are made up of all former ACN members.

“The wards have 26 positions and only four slots were given to other parties that merged with the ACN while the ACN took 22 slots for themselves,’’ he said.

He said that the members who joined from CPC in Lagos State would not partake in any activity of APC unless the national leaders of the party had a meaningful harmonisation of the merger parties.

“We know that Lagos State was an ACN state but the constitution of the APC says that the dominant former party should have 60 per cent slot while the other parties share 40 per cent.

“Now we do not know what formula they used for the sharing, it is unfair,’’ he said

APC Will Deliver Nigeria

BY JOEL CHUKWUAGHONIM IGBANKE - An APC Chieftain, Elder Lawson Omorodion was speaking with the Nigerian Observer at IdumuIru (Igbanke) in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. He said, APC will bring changes to the State and Nigeria in general. That APC Political Party is the only party that has structured up to the polling booth level in the State and it will take over the State and Nigeria in general. He further said that those presently flooding into APC will come in to learn that greatness never comes by accident. He also added that, the new APC supporters will soon find out that every great thing has always been achieved by great person.

According to him, soon they will discover that the APC that they are coming into is disciplined; idea driven ideological platform which desires to do things differently in Nigeria; a product of many years of hardwork. The truth is that, if there are no good men and women, to stand up to PDP after 53 years of independence, then we can say as well disband the entity called “Nigeria”. If Nigeria cannot produce men and women who will stand up to challenge the excesses of PDP, then it is wise to conclude that all of us are mere children; if decent men and women cannot remove the kid gloves to fight for the soul of Nigeria then it is right to conclude that Nigeria is simply a “basket case’

- Chieftain

Elder Lawson Omorodion

ORHIONMWON-On Saturday 28 March 2014, Grace Edosonwan, Alex Okojie lyoha were joined together as husband and wife, in a well attended traditional marriage ceremony.

The traditional wedding ceremony which took place at the bride’s compound at Ake (Igbanke). In Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, was full of glitz glamour.

In a ground reception held in honour of the couple, H.R.H I.O Uwaifo congratulated the couple.

He charges them to remain in the love that brought them to marriage and to always avoid a third party in their marital home by settling their problems themselves.

His Royal Highness prayed: God to bless the Union. Beaming with smiles, the groom Mr. Alex Okojie lyoha said that he is very happy marrying his heartthrob (Grace). According to him, it is a day I have long waited to see and my joy is that it has come to pass.

Among the dignitaries’ who were present in the ceremony Hon Peter Ikem Former Commissioner, Oil and Gas Edo Sate, Chairman.

Professor Paul Aigbogun Erie of Ambrose Ali University, All the Enigie in Igbanke Community and all members of all progressive congress APC in Orhionmwon local government Area (ALAODAGHO). Also the Idumu-Igwue Community members (Ake) Igbanke on the part of the bride Mrs. Grace Okojie Iyoha said that she is so excited and full of joy for what the Lord has done for her and the husband both thanked all those who joined them in the celebration. The retired W 02 Hon. J. K Edosonwan, the father to the bride, thank all those who come to grace the occasion wish all safe Journey back to their various destinations.

Community Leader Preaches Peace

BY JOEL CHUKWIJAGHONIM IDUMUESAH-The Chairman, Idumuesah Community Task Force, Dr. Onyemaechi Oil aka Shakara in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State, has advised members of Idumuesah Community to be law abiding , avoiding Evil Vices so as not to bring ridicule to the Community.

Dr. Onyemaechi who is also a member of National Association of Nigeria Traditional Medical Practitioners (NANTMP), Idumuesah Chapter has also advises his colleagues to obtain Traditional Medical License and also consult their colleagues for any case they do not understand.

Dr. Onyemaechi appealed to

the three tiers of government to open Trado-Medical Centres in each Local Government of the State and Trado Medical Schools, where interested citizens can go and learn the Trade.

Speaking with the Nigerian Observer in an exclusive interview, Dr. Onyemaechi who specialized in the cure of Stroke, Mental Problems, Pile, Bareness, Weak-Erection and others thanked Chief Barrister Nwaugo aka Okenosisi, Chief P.M. Egbule,. the Oziomo of Ika Land for their meaningful contribution to the taskforce members in Idumuesah Community. The Chairman prayed God to give them wisdom, strength, resources to pilot Idumuesah Community to a greater height.

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Lagos 11 Men Arraigned For Burning LAGOS- Eleven men, who bottles at the police. allegedly torched a police van Police Van “The mob decided to burn valued at N500, 000, were brought before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

The accused are Lekan Abolomo, 33; Mikky Jaji, 29; Uchenna Innocent, 20; Aigbe Ekosua, 32; Olalesan Azees, 25; Adonde Gbenupo, 50; and Tope Hassan, 32.

Others include Joshua Akinola, 27; Goodwill Agha, 18; Patrick Felix, 29; and Wasiri Bada, 22.

They are facing a threecount charge of conspiracy, unlawful damage and breach of peace.

The prosecutor, SP Chidi Okoye, said the offences were committed on March 29 at about 10.20 p.m. in front of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Multipurpose Hall, Adeniji Adele on Lagos Island.

Okoye said one of the accused, Abolomo, a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), was christening his daughter, when some of the invited guests engaged in a free-for-all.

“A special anti-robbery squad attached to the Adeniyi Adele Division went to the scene to restore normalcy.

“The host (Abolomo) was invited by the police and asked to produce the permit given to him to organise a party in a public place at that time of the day.

“Abolomo could not produce the permit and he was invited to the station. This infuriated the guests and they started throwing stones and

a police patrol van at the scene,” he told the court.

The prosecutor said the police threw tear gas to disperse the mob and in the process, one Sgt. Ayo Okandeji shot at the crowd, killing a man identified as Hammed Amoo.

Okoye said the offences contravened Sections 166 (d), 339 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

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

The Chief Magistrate, A.O. Awogboro, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

The case was adjourned to April 23 for mention.

Acting Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Sarah Alade; (left), DirectorGeneral, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr. Benjamin Dikki and Director-General, Debt Management Office, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo at the news conference on rebasing of Nigeria’s GDP in Abuja recently.

Don Calls For Documentation LAGOS-Prof.

Tunde Of Histories Babawale, the DirectorGeneral, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), has said that there was need for Nigerians and Africans to document their history and circumstances.

Babawale told newsmen in Lagos that there was also the need for research, documentation and possibly publication of Nigerian arts and culture in various states.

According to him, Africans and Nigerians in particular need to go into their grassroots, research into their arts, culture, and traditional ways of life for people to appreciate.

“Some of our tradition are going into extinction, so we need the traditional documentation so that our youths will know what our histories are when they read them.

“We also need to document them so that our own stories are told by ourselves so as to enlighten our people on what we have in the country.

“We are making conceited efforts to ensure that more of our cultures and traditions are archived in document forms so that we make reference to them in future,” he said.

The CBAAC boss said that most of the activities happening in the centre were being treated carefully because they were delicate things to handle.

“We packaged all the lectures in a book so that

people can buy and make reference to them and they cannot be destroyed.

“We are encouraging more people to come and publish their works to showcase what they have. We have created the platform for them to collaborate with us,” Babawale.

He, however, lamented the paucity of funds, which he said, had limited the centre to do more for arts and culture.

“We are not deterred. My passion is to make the best we can for the arts and culture to be more visible even without

funds.

“Government has a lot to do.

Much funding is not coming from them, so we have to look for ways to sustain what we do.

“We have a lot of things that are of African origin but we have failed to document that and our children do not know that.

“Arithmetic, mathematics, astrology, arts, crafts and so many others have African origin, but now many of us do not know that.

“So, we must now do more work in terms of producing books and letting our stories be told by ourselves,” he said.

Area under construction for installation of turbines at Kashimbila MultiPurpose Dam in Taraba.

LASG Provides Free Legal Services

LAGOS- The Lagos State Government has said it had provided free quality legal representation to 423 indigent persons under its Public Interest Law Partnership (LPILP) programme.

Mr Ade Ipaye, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, made this known in a statement issued ahead of the state’s 2014 Pro bono Week.

The reports state that the Pro bono Week scheduled for April 7 to April 11, is aimed at rendering free legal services to indigent citizens in the state.

“Access to justice by deserving, disadvantaged selfrepresented parties, who have meritorious legal issues, is

classified as a right for all Lagos residents.

“The orientation of the state government has changed and more emphasis is now placed on rendering free legal services to the indigent and

disadvantaged in our society,” he said.

Ipaye said the government decided to inaugurate the LPILP in November 2012 as a platform for partnering with private law firms and NGOs.

Okoi, told the court that the accused committed the offence at about 1.00 a.m. on April 3 at Sobiotimo Street, Dopemu in Agege area of Lagos.

Okoi said the accused was caught by local vigilance group while attempting to rape a mad woman.

“In his statement at the station,

Ipaye said the LPILP currently had 61 law firms and four NGOs as its partners.

He added that 166 pro bono cases had been screened and transferred to registered law firms through the collaborative effort.

1.7m Students Enrol For 2014 May/June WASSCE LAGOS- No fewer than 1.7 million students are currently writing the ongoing 2014 May/ June West African Senior School Certificate Examination nationwide.

Mr Yusuf Ari, the Deputy Director, Public Affairs, West African Examinations Council, disclosed this to newsmen in Lagos.

Ari said the machinery had

Man Charged For Attempted Rape IKEJA- A 23-year-old factory worker, Tope Akanji, who allegedly attempted to rape a lunatic in the wee hours, was on Friday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

The accused, whose address is unknown, is standing trial on a charge of attempted rape.

The prosecutor, Insp. Edet

According to him, the provision of pro bono services will expand access to justice and further secure the rights of every citizen to justice, irrespective of his or her financial means.

Akanji claimed that he suddenly felt a sexual urge and noticed the woman on the street.

“He said he did not realise that she was a lunatic.”

He said the offence contravened Section 404 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded

not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Mrs Abimbola Oshodi-Makanju, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety in like sum.

The reports state that Section 404 prescribes seven years imprisonment for offenders.

The case was adjourned to May 5 for mention.

been put in place to ensure the peaceful conduct of the examination.

He said the examination commenced in February with Oral and Practicals, while the written ones started on March 31.

Ari, however, expressed happiness over the conduct of students, noting that the examination had so far been taken in well secured environment.

According to him, the Council was looking forward to a peaceful conduct of the examination, especially in states with security challenges.

“We on our part have done

our bit by ensuring that our materials and personnel are safe in the various centres across the country.

“It is only expected that the various state governments join hands with us in providing the enabling environment by way of putting the various security agencies on the alert so that together, we achieve a common goal.

“We shall always do our best in ensuring that every Nigerian child is given a chance to define his or her future and a right to access to education.

“We shall continue to ensure that we do not compromise standards and be at the vanguard in the area of test administration in the country,” he added.

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Across The Nation LG, Monarch Urge FG To Repair Roads KAIAMA (KWARA) The Kaiama Local Government Council and the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Shehu Muazu, in Kwara, have urged the Federal Government to rehabilitate the bad roads linking the area with other communities.

Alhaji Hassan Bagudu, the council chairman, and the traditional ruler made the appeal in separate interviews with newsmen in Kaiama.

According to them, the major challenge facing people in the area was lack of good access roads.

Bagudu said that the deplorable roads were posing serious security challenges because armed gangs were exploiting the situation to attack people plying the routes.

According to him, the roads are owned by the Federal Government and they include Kishi-Kaiama, Kaiama-Kosubosu and

Kaiama-Wara.

“The worrisome state of these roads is not only affecting our health, but also hampering our security and the socio-economic development of this area,” he said.

He noted that it was always difficult for the affected communities to engage in socio-economic activities with neighbouring Niger and Oyo States for fear of robberies, vehicle maintenance and high cost of transportation.

Bagudu added that his people would forever be grateful to government if the roads were constructed.

Similarly, the Emir of Kaiama said the poor state of the roads in the area had cut off the area from other parts of the state.

“What could have been the closest communities take us hours to get there because of this situation,” he told.

National Coordinator, FRSC Special Marshal, Mr. Sini Kwabe (left), decorating the Executive Director, National Veterinary Research Institute, VOM, Dr. Mohammed Ahmed, as a Special Marshal recently. He is assisted by the Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone RS4, Mr. Yakubu Attah (right).

NGO Trains Students On HIV/AIDS Prevention

KADUNA - The Society for Family Health (SFH) has said that it trained 140 students in public schools in

We Are Out For A Change BENIN CITY - A youth leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Comrade Frank Ogundeze has stated that the Youths and people of Ward 3 in Oredo Local Government Area are set to effect a change in the leadership of the Ward in the forthcoming Ward Congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

According to Comrade Frank Ogundeze, who is also the Chairman of Uzebu Community in Benin City,

the Ward has been led by a particular man in the person of Mr. Daniel Orobedo, who has spent 16 Years as a Ward Chairman, Spanning Eight Years respectively for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Comrade Ogundeze revealed that the youths and people of Ward 3 in the APC want to inject new blood into the system by electing a credible youth in the person of Comrade Sunday

Kaduna State on HIV/AIDS prevention under its ‘Zip Up’ advocacy campaign.

Reports state that the

- Frank Ogundeze

Osaguona as Chairman of Ward 3, APC in Oredo Local Government Area.

He further stated that the vibrant leadership that will be enthroned in the Ward for the APC, will be able to meet the challenges ahead of the 2015 and 2016 general elections in the state, as they are bent on enthroning the APC Government in the Ward, Local Government and the State in general.

The APC stalwart therefore called on well meaning

members of the APC and indigenes of the ward and state to support the wind of change blowing across the Country that is capable of installing the APC as the Federal Government in 2015.

The youth leader also emphasized that the era of godfatherism and leaders who Lord it over the party and people is over, stressing that transparency and accountability will be used as Yardsticks for electing officers into party and elective positions in this new dispensation.

Residents fetching water from a broken pipe in Suleja, Niger State recently.

campaign is tagged “My Future, I Care to Abstain’’.

Its spokesperson, Aisha Dadi, told newsmen in Kaduna that the students were trained as peer educators to help create awareness on HIV/AIDS in their various schools and communities.

She said that the students would through rallies, drama, debates, songs and games sensitise the public on HIV/ AIDS prevention.

Dadi said that the students were also trained in family life education with emphasis on

goal setting, decision making and self esteem “We teach them gender skills and HIV prevention so that they will not be deceived by the opposite sex.

“The Federal Ministry of Education did a survey and discovered that children at the age of nine are now exposed to early sex,” the SFH spokesperson said.

Dadi said that consequently, the training also emphasised abstinence from sex before marriage to check the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Ward Congress

APC Dispels Rumour Of Favouritism

KADUNA - The Kaduna State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), has urged its supporters to ignore the rumours that it had already selected officials for the various wards in the state.

Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the interim state chairman of the party made the call at a news briefing in Kaduna.

He said it was untrue that the 17-member congress committee constituted to conduct the ward congress had since anointed those to be presented to members for ratification on Saturday.

Baba-Ahmed, who cochairs the committee together with Senator Sani Sale.

He said: “Party members should ignore the rumours that the committee or any of its members, has directed that positions should be shared or a specific persons must emerge as consensus

candidate.”

He said that all members of APC are entitled to contest for any positions during the congress in line with the party’s constitution and guideline.

The chairman said even where a consensus candidate emerges, the person must be endorsed by party members at the ward.

“In an event where there is no consensus, election will hold. For the avoidance of doubt, the committee is not compiling any list of anointed candidates,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed assured all those wishing to contest, that the election would be “safe, secure and transparent”.

He advised all party members to be orderly, law abiding and shun any conduct that would threaten the peaceful conduct of the congress.

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Abuja DHQ To Investigate Alleged Human Right Abuse ABUJA - The Defence Headquarters has said it would investigate the Amnesty International’s allegation of human rig ht abuses by

security operatives in the ongoing operations in the North-East.

This information is contained in a statement issued by Major.-General Chris Olukolade, Director of Defence Information, in Abuja.

“The report titled: “Nigeria: More than 1,500 killed in Armed Conflict in NorthEastern Nigeria in early 2014”, contain allegations of human right abuses in the north eastern part of Nigeria.

“Notwithstanding the fact that the report is not consistent with the actual situation on ground, security authorities will ensure that the allegations as it affects government forces

Pension Commission Approves Transfers Of N71m To Contributors’ Account

ABUJA - The National Pension Commission (NPC) says it approved the transfer of N71.35 million into the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) of 1,094 applicants in the third quarter of 2013.

Its Acting Director-General, Chinelu Anohu-Amozu, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

She said that 3,408 applications were received for the transfer of National Pension Fund contributions totaling N232.67 million into the contributors’ RSAs in the quarter.

Anohu-Amozu, however, said that out of the number, 2,314 applications were rejected due to incomplete documentation, zero balances and duplicated applications.

According to her, all retirees or contributors are expected to abide by the aforementioned criteria in their quest for the transfer of their National Pension Funds (NPFs).

She also said that a total amount of N8.11 billion had been transferred into the RSAs of 107,695 NPFs contributors at the end of the quarter.

“The commission received 3,408 requests for the transfer of NPF contributions which amounted to N232.69 million into the contributors’ RSAs in the third quarter of 2013.

“Upon revision of the applications, the commission approved the transfer of N71.35 million into the RSAs of 1,094 applicants.

“The remaining 2,314 applications were rejected due to incomplete documentation, zero balances and duplicated applications,’’ she said.

“As at the end of the third quarter, the sum of N8.11 billion had been transferred into the RSAs of 107,695 NPF/NSITF contributors,’’ she added.

are duly investigated.

“This will be with a view to taking necessary action to address any case of human right breach on the part of troops,’’ Olukolade said.

The report, he said, was a new dimension to the fact that the operation in the NorthEast was necessitated by need to address the human rights abuses perpetrated by terrorists.

He said that in spite of the peculiar asymmetric nature of the security challenge,

measures were being taken by troops to comply with tenets of human rights and rules of engagement.

Olukolade said apart from inculcating the necessity for observance of human rights in troops, regular programmes had been conducted to review human rights situation related to the conduct of the operations

“It is in this respect that most of those apprehended in the counter-terrorist operations are kept in custody.

“These detention facilities have been visited by nongovernmental organisations, including International Committee of the Red Cross and others to verify the conditions of detainees.

“This is even in the face of destruction of relevant amenities by the terrorists who have burnt down prisons, courts and government facilities in that part of the country in the course of their ceaseless attacks,’’ he said.

Olukolade said the allegation contained in the report, attributing gross

abuses of human rights of Nigerians to both the terrorists and the security forces was confounded.

“Nigerians are once again assured that in carrying out the mandate of ridding the country of terrorism, necessary efforts will be made to respect the fundamental rights of all citizens,’’ he said.

DPR Blames Fuel Scarcity On Motorists

ABUJA - The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has attributed the prevailing fuel scarcity in Abuja to pressure from motorists in the neighbouring states.

The Abuja DPR Zonal Controller, Mr. Aliyu Halidu, stated this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

Halidu, who was reacting to recurrence of petrol scarcity in Abuja and its environs, said that there was enough supply to take care of the need of motorists in the nation’s capital city.

The controller, who said Abuja receives up to 120 trucks of fuel daily, said ordinarily, 100 trucks of petroleum products was supposed to serve the city without any problem.

While noting with concern that in spite of the availability of fuel in the city, there were still queues in filling stations, Halidu said the influx of motorists from neighbouring states was compounding the fuel scarcity problem.

According to him, most motorists in the neighbouring states come to Abuja to buy fuel because of the availability of the products.

“The supply to Abuja fluctuates between 80 and 120 trucks per day.

“Also, why we have queues even if we have 120 trucks in Abuja is because the environs are not being served and they are dried.

“If anybody comes to Abuja, the tendency is there to say look let me fuel my car before I go back.

“Those coming from Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi congregate here to take fuel.

“There are commercial vehicles that come with dry tank and they fill their tanks here before they go back,” he said.

Another contributing factor, according to him, is the stable pump price in Abuja, which he attributed to the effective and efficient monitoring measure put in place by the agency.

Halidu explained that the agency most often prevent the marketers from hoarding and diverting the products, stressing that there were times the agency would force them to sell to motorists.

According to him, the agency at times does routine checking to ensure that the products released are discharged at the stations.

He said that in addition to ensuring that products were being sold at official pump price, the DPR also tried to make sure that stations sold with maximum nu

An indonesian in the Diaspora, Ms Elvira Bhowmich, casting her vote at a polling unit in Wuse 2 Abuja, during the Indonesia Legislative Elections in Abuja on Sunday.

NUPENG Urges FG To Tackle Pipeline Vandalism

ABUJA - The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has said that pipeline vandalism remained a monster that was affecting its operations nationwide.

Mr. Achese Igwe, the President of the union, said this in Abuja at the quadrennia delegates’ conference of NUPENG, PPMC branch.

He explained that pipeline vandalism was a challenge that must be tackled, noting that almost all the depots owned by PPMC were not functioning due to vandalism.

“Pipeline vandalism is a challenge to us at PPMC. “It is a serious problem; today, we have about 29 depots owned

by PPMC but most of them are not functioning because they have been vandalised.

“As members of staff, we are afraid because our jobs are also on the line if this continues.’’

The union boss challenged the delegates to use the occasion to discuss the way out of the incessant problem of pipeline vandalism.

Igwe also urged the participants to discuss the future of the PPMC, NNPC and the preservation of both companies for generations yet unborn.

“We need to discuss the best options to tackle the challenge we are facing in the country.

“We should also begin to look at the challenge facing the oil sector in general and find lasting

solutions that can move us forward.’’

Earlier, Mr Udofia Benja, Chairman, NUPENG PPMC branch, said that pipeline vandalism was a major source of revenue loss in spite of collaboration with other stakeholders to tackle the menace.

He called on the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to curb the economic monster.

Benja said that some of the union’s major problems at the

depots were the petroleum tanker drivers and marketers.

He, however, noted that the joint efforts of NUPENG and PENGASSAN had reduced the problems, making them partners in progress.

The chairman urged the incoming executive members of the branch to keep a tab on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) which, according to him, is aimed at reforming the oil and gas industry.

“It is hoped that the bill will place us in a better position as a company.

“The incoming executive members are also urged to monitor the development of the Petroleum Industry Bill as events concerning it unfold at the National Assembly.’’

Reports state that the conference, with the theme: “The role of trade union in the present transformation programme’’, will end on Thursday.

A new executive team, which will pilot the affairs of the branch for four years, is expected to be sworn in at the end of the conference.

Corporate Beggars: A team of drummers that specialised in praise singing for dignitaries at Public Functions in Abuja.

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Business + Economy Nigeria-India Trade Hits $16.5bn ENUGU - The Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Shri Suresh Makhijani, said Nigeria-India bilateral trade reached 16.5 billion dollars in 2013.

Makhijani made the disclosure in Enugu at a ceremony to mark the Indian Embassy Day at the ongoing 25th Enugu International Trade Fair.

The deputy high commissioner expressed optimism that the figure would be surpassed in the current financial year.

According to him, India has become Nigeria’s largest trading partner with strong market presence in pharmaceutical, information technology, steel, power transmission equipment, transport and agricultural.

“Rapid growth in Indian investments in Nigeria in such sectors as power, manufacturing, fertilisers and textiles is visible,’’ he said.

In an address, Dr Ifeanyi Okoye, President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), said the participation of India at the fair would offer opportunities for crossfertilisation of ideas.

According to him, it will also encourage exchange of information and enlightenment for better understanding of immense business opportunities to

link Nigerian business men with their Indian counterparts.

“We do believe that forum such as this will further provide inherent opportunities to boost trade and investment among the nations and their people.

“I have no doubt that this forum will yield expected result that will be beneficial and impactful,’’ he said.

The event was attended by some officials from the high commission.

Egg Glut: JOS - The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Plateau State chapter, has appealed to the state government and other stakeholders to help to mop up excess eggs caused by egg glut in the state.

Vice Chairman of association, Mr. Hyacienth Na’anmiap, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Jos. Na’anmiap said that the glut was affecting their business in the state.

There was serious glut in 2012, which led the state government to intervene by releasing N30 million for a mop up.

It would be recalled that the eggs, which the Plateau State government bought through its ministries of agriculture, women affairs and education, were

Kwara Advises Loan Beneficiaries

L-R: Representative of Vice Chairman Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Okechukwu Itanyi; President Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Dr. Ifeanyi Okoye and Indian Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Suresh Makhijani during NCC Special Day at the ongoing 25th Enugu International Trade Fair recently.

Poultry Farmers Seek Govt Intervention distributed to primary school pupils and pregnant women.

Na’anmiap noted that the glut was almost becoming a yearly occurrence in the state because of the weather condition which made the birds to thrive and produce more eggs.

“As a result, there are so many large and small scale poultry farms all over the state.

“In every 10 houses in Jos for instance, seven of the houses have poultry farms.’’

The vice chairman added that a crate of eggs, which was being sold for between N680 and N700 in February this year, crashed to about N400 because of excess production.

He lamented that in spite of the radical drop in the price,

there were still no buyers and being perishable, most eggs do go bad before they were bought.

“In spite of the drop in price, the cost of feeding the birds is still very high because a bag of poultry feed, depending on the brand, still goes for between N1,950 to N2,250.

“The situation is making some farmers to sell off the birds to ease the challenge of feeding them at no particular gain.

“We are calling on the state government to step in as it did in 2012 to save the industry, which is a mainstay of the Plateau economy, from collapse.

“We are also calling on other stakeholders; feed millers, hatcheries, NGOs and other organisations to also come in

and assist in salvaging the situation,’’ he appealed.

While commending government for previous interventions, the vice chairman, however, suggested the introduction of a revolving fund through the Poultry Cooperative Society to address the situation.

He said “we were happy that the state government released N30 million to save the situation in 2012, but if it was made a revolving fund, it would have taken care of this year’s glut.’’

He added that trustees for the fund could be selected by government in collaboration with the association from experienced and responsible persons in the industry as public servants or private individuals.

ILORIN - The Kwara State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Tunji Moronfoye, has advised beneficiaries of agriculture loans to manage the funds properly and wisely.

Moronfoye gave then advice in a statement signed by the Press Secretary to the ministry, Mrs. Olupinla Ayobola.

The statement quoted the commissioner as describing the loans as part of agriculture policy initiated to boost food production in the state by former Governor Bukola Saraki.

It said that Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed disbursed the loans to members of the farmer associations in the state to empower them to make the state a hub for agriculture.

It said that for the loans to achieve their purpose, the beneficiaries should use them in a way that they would yield the expected effects.

The statement reiterated government desire to complete all ongoing projects in the state, pledging that government would not exclude any part of the state in its development projects.

NCC Blames Poor Telecom Services On Multiple Taxation

ENUGU - The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has attributed the problem of poor quality of telecommunication services to multiple taxation and regulations

by governments at all levels.

Speaking at the commission’s special day at the 25th Enugu

L-R: Director-General, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Sir Emeka Okereke; Vice President Works, ECCIMA, Mr. Nonye Osakwe and Ebonyi State Commissioner for Commerce, Dr. Ifeanyi Ikeh during a reception for Ebonyi State for participating at the ongoing 25th Enugu International Trade Fair recently.

International Trade Fair, its Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Eugene Juwah, expressed regrets that some state governments had restricted the spread of critical telecommunications infrastructures.

Juwah, who was represented by the commission’s Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Dr Okechukwu Itanyi, appealed to state governments to create an enabling environments to encourage service providers in the interest of their citizens.

Juwah said that telecommunications had contributed 8.5 per cent to Nigeria’s gross domestic product.

He said that Nigeria had maintained the lead in Africa as the fastest growing telecommunications market for

five consecutive years, hence the contribution to the GDP. He said the commission had as of January recorded more than 127 million active lines from less than 400,000 in 2001 and earned a teledensity of more than 91 per cent.

The vice chairman emphasised the commitment of the commission to providing affordable and pervasive telecommunication services to the citizens.

“We have been confronted with the issue of multiple taxation and multiple regulations at the various strata of the government.

“This has contributed its own challenge to the quality of service as the spread of these critical infrastructures are restricted on account of some of these actions.

“Some state governments are

beginning to see the benefits of having pervasive telecommunication infrastructures in their domain and are now very cooperative to focus less on taxation.

“We urge other states and local governments that have not joined to do so,’’ Juwah said.

In a speech, Dr Ifeanyi Okoye, the President of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), urged NCC to regulate telecommunication operators to protect their vulnerable customers.

“There is no doubt that a high level of positive change has taken place in this sector of our economy which has equally accelerated socio-economic development of our nation,’’ he said.

The event featured traditional dances and raffle draws where phones were won by some telecommunications customers.

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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 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

Data Bank For Economic Growth And Development 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, NorthKorea 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.

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ISSUES

Tackling Violence Against Women

By OLAGOKE OLATOYE

EXPERIENCE of coerced sex reduces a woman’s ability to see her sexuality as something over which she has control,” says the World Health Organisation (WHO) in its First World Report on Violence and Health.

This tacitly summarises the focus and discussions of a training programme on women’s health and rights that was recently organised for journalists by IPAS Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation.

The training was held in Abuja with - Women’s Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights and the VAPP Bill’’ as its theme: VAPP Bill is Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Bill, 2011.

VAPP Bill is the amalgamation of nine different bills brought before the 5th and 6th National Assembly now awaiting passage. The bill seeks to eliminate or reduce to the barest minimum, the occurrence of gender-based violence in the Nigerian society, especially in homes, public spaces or even in conflict situations, Analysts, however, observe that sexual violence occurs in times of peace and armed conflict and it is considered to be one of the most traumatic, pervasive and common man rights abuses.

The believe that sexual violence is a serious public health concern which has serious short-term or long-term impact on the victims’ physical and mental health, while heightening the risks of sexual and reproductive health problems. Sexual violence includes rape, sodomy and sex abuse, while violence against women comes in different forms such as battery, rape, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, sexual harassment, human trafficking and harmful widowhood rites. Sexual violence often occurs when a person engages in a sexual act with another person by force; that is without the consent of the other party.

The Gender in Nigeria Report of 2012 says: ‘One in three of all women and girls aged 15-24 years has been a victim of sexual violence.

Women who are not married are more likely to have been attacked than married women.

Up to one -third of Nigerian women report that they have been subjected to some forms of violence.

“One in five women has experienced physical violence.”

According to the report, a study in Kano State from 2002 to 2006 reveals that 306 rape cases were recorded in the state.

An illustration of sexual violence which was presented at the journalists’ training involved a minor, a 16-year— old house help who was raped and impregnated by her employer’s husband.

The maid’s employer reportedly noticed the maid’s strange behaviour and took her to the hospital where it was discovered that she was pregnant for her husband.

In the ensuing dilemma, the hypothetical options available to the maid are having the baby and staying within the family; terminating the pregnancy or having the baby and putting him or her up for adoption.

Another scenario presented was the invasion of a family by a gang of eight armed robbers in a sleepy community on a rainy Saturday night.

During the attack, the robbers raped the mother in the presence of her children and husband.

After two months of the traumatic experience, the woman was found to be pregnant. The negative outcomes of the two scenarios are the result of systemic and deeply entrenched evils being perpetrated daily against girls and women, analysts say. They note that this not only undermines the victims’ current lives but it also adversely affects their future and that of the entire community.

According to the Gender in Nigeria Report 2012, sexual violence is endemic in some public institutions with an entrenched culture of impunity which protects perpetrators of rape and other forms of violence.

The report notes that most crimes are under-reported, while only few cases are brought to court.

Observers note that sexual violence is more pronounced in many tertiary institutions, with young ladies falling prey to randy lecturers.

Ms Hauwa Shekarau, the IPAS Senior Advisor (Policy), said that the organisation’s media tracking showed that a minimum of 3,800 rape cases in the country were reported in the print media in the last three years.

Perpetrators of rape cut across class, status and religious orientation; comprising pastors, imams, traditional rulers, teachers,

policemen, soldiers and ordinary citizens,” she said.

Shekarau said that the prevalence of rape cut across ethnicity.

The percentage of rape by acquaintances is far higher than rape by strangers. Rape victims cut across ages, with the rape of minors and the elderly on a startling increase in Nigeria,’’ she added.

The IPAS official stressed that rape could have harmful and lasting physical, psychological and reproductive health consequences for the victims, their families and communities.

The growing cases of violence against women, particularly rape of minors and elderly women, do not only call for concern but also for concerted efforts to eliminate it in the country,’’ she said.

Shekarau, however, frowned

at a situation where some victims of sexual violence and their families kept mum, while others were stigmatised by some communities. She argued that this development fuelled violence against women, adding that the situation was compounded by the poor prosecution of suspects.

Besides, Shekarau frowned at Section 55 of the Penal code (applicable only in the northern part of the country) which

allows a man to chastise his wife so long as it does not lead to grievous bodily harm.

She emphasised that the provision encouraged wife battery, another form of violence against women.

The law allows a man to chastise his wife in order to correct her.

Grievous bodily harm includes chopping off arms, legs and maiming; once these are absent, the law permits a man to chastise his wife,’’ she added.

Shekarau expressed reservations about the law which empowered a man to chastise his wife whereas corporal punishment had been outlawed in several countries.

The IPAS official underscored the need to mobilise the people to eschew sexual violence so as to

promote women’s reproductive health for the betterment of the society.

Moreover, Shekarau noted that the criminal Code supported the idea of aborting a pregnancy if it was carried out to save life.

Section 297 of the code states: - ‘A person is not criminally responsible for performing, in good faith and with reasonable care and skill,

“The growing cases of violence against women, particularly rape of minors and elderly women, do not only call for concern but also for concerted efforts to eliminate it in the country...”

a surgical operation upon an unborn child for the preservation of the mother’s life-” Shekarau observed that abortion in Nigeria was quite restrictive, adding that it could be carried out to save a woman’s life.

“Consequently, women who do not fall under this category are left to their own devices.

Those who are not economically viable often resort to quacks and herbalists; thus, ‘making unsafe abortion a silent and persistent pandemic,’’ she said.

The IPAS advisor drummed support for access to abortion services by women and girls who were victims of sexual violence, rape and incest.

Shekarau advocated a review of restrictive abortion laws because of the human rights implications of unsafe abortion.

According to her, the lack of

political will, on the part of government, to legalise abortion will continue to send some women to early graves.

She noted that Nigeria was a signatory to -international and regional treaties which promoted women’s reproductive health and rights such as the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa (2003).

Sharing similar sentiments, M. Edosa Oviawe, IPAS Advisor on Policy and Advocacy, said that sexual violence could cause severe physical injuries and traumarelated psychological disorders which might affect the victims for a long time.

The social effects of sexual violence can also be severe as the victims may experience social death’ by being stigmatised within their communities following the assault,” he said.

Oviawe stressed that the more

common consequences of sexual violence were those relating to reproductive health, mental health and social wellbeing. According to him, more than 32,000 pregnancies result from rape every year, while migraines and other frequent headaches, gastrointestinal disorders (abdominal pain), back pain, facial pain and even death are some of the physical effects.

He argued that the victims of sexual violence usually faced immediate problems such as shock, fear, anxiety, withdrawal, guilt, self-blame, nervousness, distrust of others and chronic depression, as well as some psychological problems.

Oviawe lamented that attempted or completed suicides and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) such as emotional detachment, sleep

disturbances and mental replay of the violence were some consequences of sexual violence.

He said that the reproductive health consequences included unwanted pregnancies which might result in unsafe abortion and death, as well as sexually transmitted infections including HIV and AIDS. Oviawe, nonetheless, underscored the need to carry out a holistic review of laws which were inimical to the promotion of women’s sexual rights and health.

He suggested that these laws should be replaced with the provisions of the proposed VAPP Bill.

Analysts solicit the domestication of international and regional instruments which promote women’s health, women empowerment, gender equality, while outlawing harmful traditional practices.

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Nutritional Health And Dietetics

Free Radicals And Your Brain FREE radicals are your brains, most malicious enemies. Your brain is the most vulnerable target of free radicals than other bodily tissue, because, it uses so much oxygen and is the fattiest organ in the body.

HOW FREE RADICALS ARE GENERATED Free radicals are generated when you breath or burn calories and glucose during normal metabolism.

They are also, got in your body through cigarette smoke, air pollution and toxic waste or chemicals in the air and water.

They are also, carried into the cell in foods, notably fatty foods. Fat is the favourite breeding ground for free radicals.

Oxygen reacts with fat molecules in ways that generate free radicals through a process called oxidation which leaves the fat oxidized or in other word, rancid.

A rancid brain is not a well functioning brain.

Rancid fats in brain cell membranes cause incredible havoc.

The oxidation of animal fat produces hydrogen peroxide (free radical) and this destroys blood cells.

Free radicals attach fatty cell membrane and genetic

The brain iron, which sparks the formation of free radicals and fat oxidation.

FREE RADICALS AND BRAIN. Your brain is particularly, vulnerable to free radical damage for two reasons first; it is a hot bed of activity, it never stops working. Brain cells need constant flow of blood and oxygen to produce energy which increase the production of free radicals.

Secondly, the brain is composed of 50 per cent fat, which makes it vulnerable to lipid perioxidation.

Chemicals attack unsaturated acid molecules in cells membrane. During the hit, chemical reaction leaves the fat spoilt and rancid crippling the cell, so that, they can no longer properly move calcium out of the cell and glucose into the cell.

Calcium can rise to toxic levels, resulting to events that activate poisonous glutamate and generate more free radicals as well as arachidonic acid, a nerve poison. It ends when the cell’s command Centre the mitochondria dispatches “Suicide protein” and signal enzymes to deplorise inner membrane in a fit of self- electrocution, the cell disintegrate and it shrinks into oblivious. Another

effect of free radicals because, it is relatively deficient in anti-oxidation.

Every instance of your

existence is an elegant dance of life and death between free radicals and antioxidants.

When free radical activity gets the upper hand over antioxidant activity, the result is imbalance known as oxidative stress. That is, free radicals can overpower

antioxidants. This may result towards mental and physical decline, antioxidant starts slowing

down at the age of 25.

Antioxidants Your body needs plenty of antioxidants to defend itself against the assult of free radicals on healthy cells.

Antioxidant minimizes damage to your cells from free radical.

An apple slice turns brown. Fish becomes

“When the free radicals are on attack, they don’t just kill cells to acquire their missing molecules. If free radicals simply killed a cell, it wouldn’t be so bad. The body could just regenerate another one. The problem Blumberg says is free radical, often injure the cell, damaging the DNA, which creates the seed for disease.” material (DNA) creating permanent cellular damage leading to accelerated ageing and virtually every chronic disease imaginable, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis and degenerative brain problems.

Oxidized fat cripples the functions of mitochondria (energy factories of cells).

Prompting a cascade of events that can cause cell death (scientists)

brain cell vanished and enough are destroy, the brain grows weaker and dysfunctional.

Your brain is the number one target of destructive chemicals that rampage, through your body, damaging cells and including premature ageing, brain dysfunction and virtually all other chronic diseases.

Brain may be particularly vulnerable to the damaging

the antioxidants causing the membranes to leak their neuronal connection or dendrites and synapses to shrink, their energy to be depleted, possible ending in cell death, if free radicals, predominate, your brain is headed for trouble.

If antioxidant predominates, your brain is crept to stay in good shape.

Unfortunately, as you age, your body tender more free radicals and fewer

rancid. A cut on your skin is raw and inflamed. All of these result from a natural process called Oxidation. It happens to all cells in nature, including the ones in your body.

To help your body protect itself from the rigors of oxidation, mother nature provides thousands of different antioxidants in various amounts of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes. When

With

O.C. Madu GSM: 08056379608

your body needs to put up its best defense, especially, in today’s environment, antioxidants are crucial to your health.

How Antioxidants Help Prevent Oxidation As oxygen interacts with cells of any type, an apple slice or in your body, the cells lining your lungs or in a cut on your skin.

Oxidation occurs. This produces some type of change in those cells. They may die, such as with rotting fruit. In the case of cut skin, dead cells are replaced in time by fresh new cells resulting in a healed cut.

The birth and death of cell in the body goes on continuously, 24 hours a day. It is a process that is necessary to keep the body healthy. “Oxidation is a very natural process that happens during normal celluar functions researcher Jeffrey Blumberg-Professor of Nutrition.

Free radical is a term often used to described cells that can be problematic. They are “Free” because they are missing a critical molecule,

which sends them on a rampage to pair with another molecule. These molecules will rob any molecule to quench that need, Blumberg says.

THE DANGERS OF FREE RADICALS When the free radicals are on attack, they don’t just kill cells to acquire their missing molecules. If free radicals simply killed a cell, it wouldn’t be so bad. The body could just regenerate another one. The problem Blumberg says is free radical, often injure the cell, damaging the DNA, which creates the seed for disease.

When a cell DNA changes the cell becomes mutated.

It grows abnormally and reproduce abnormally and quickly.

Normal cell function produce a small percentage of free radicals, much like a car engine that emits fumes. But those free radicals are generally, not a big problem. They are kept under control by antioxidants that the body produces naturally.

External toxins, especially, cigarette smoke and air pollution are free radical generators, he says.

Cigarette smoke is a huge source of free radical.

Infact, our water and food also harbour free radicals.

Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol also, triggers substance free radical production.

Eating 5-8 servings per day of anti-oxidant rich fruits and vegetables can benefit your health.

The vitamins C and E are thought to protect the body against the destructive effects free radicals.

Antioxidants neutralize free radical by denoting one of their own electrons, ending the electron-stealing of their own reaction. Antioxidants act as scavengers, helping to prevent cell and tissue damage that could lead to cellular damage and diseases.

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View Point

Understanding Management Tasks

IT is a truism to say that the specific ways in which a manager chooses to influence other people, shapes the way that manager approaches planning, organizing and controlling the other principal tasks of managing. In other words, personal leadership style can be adopted to support and encourage other managers to assume responsibility for the performance of their divisions and or departments. In this connection, leaders delegate authorities that are an organizing task and allow their subordinates to develop their own strategies for their divisions especially planning tasks and targets and periodically review their performance to evaluate their success.

However, managers at all levels and in all kinds of organizations have their own personal leadership styles that determine not only how they lead their subordinates but also how they perform the other management tasks. Some leaders especially in the private sector have the sole authorities for determining work schedules and job assignments for their employees and make all important decisions by themselves. Whatever the case may be leadership styles vary not only among individuals but also among countries or cultures.

No matter the leadership style, a key component of effective leadership is found in the power the leader has to affect other people’s behaviour and get them to act or behave in certain ways. In management, there are several types of power; legitimate, reward, coercive, expert, and referent power. It is most appropriate for efficient and effective leaders to take relevant steps to ensure that they have sufficient levels

of each type and that they use the power they have in beneficial ways. For example, legitimate power is the authority a leader has by virtue of his or position in an organization’s hierarchy. On the other hand, personal leadership styles often influence how leaders exercise legitimate power. While reward, power is the ability of a manager to give or withhold tangible rewards for example, pay rise (increment, bonuses) choice job assignments and intangible rewards that is verbal praise, a pat on the back, respect, managerial leadership handshake. It is crystal and abundantly clear that members of an organization are motivated to perform at a high level by variety of rewards.

Consequently, being able to give or withhold rewards based on performance is a major source of power that allows managers to have a highly motivated workforce.

It seems to me that effective managers use their reward power in such a way that subordinates feel that their rewards signal that they are doing a good job and their efforts are appreciated on the other hand, ineffective managers use rewards in a more controlling manner that is, wielding the ‘’stick’’ instead of offering the ‘carrot’’, which signals to the subordinate staffers that the manager has the upper hand. While coercive power is the ability of a manager to punish others.

Punishments, can range from verbal reprimands reductions in pay, suspension or interdiction to dismissal, termination or premature retirement.

It is believed in some quarters that excessive use of coercive power often produces high performance and is questionable ethnically. Occasionally, it amounts to a form of

By CHARLES I. SOEZE

mental abuse that is robbing workers of their dignity and causing excessive levels of stress.

Unfortunately, over use of coercive power can even result in dangerous working conditions.

However, better results can be obtained with reward power. There must be the

often possess technical expertise relevant to the tasks that their subordinates perform. In other words, such expertise gives them considerable influence over subordinates.

There is the need for effective leaders to take steps to ensure that they do

professionalism and excellence. It is expected that such leaders need to read widely to be aware of momentous changes in the organization’s task and general environments.

Expert power tends to be best used in a guiding or coaching manner rather than in an arrogant highhanded manner.

Unfortunately, many top-

need to create an ethical work place in which all employees would be treated with respect and dignity.

Another is expert power that is based in the special knowledge, skills, and expertise that a leader possesses. However, the nature of expert power varies, depending on the leader’s level in the hierarchy. Professional and experienced managers

have an adequate amount of expert power to perform their leadership roles. They may obtain additional training or education in their relevant fields, to ensure that they keep upto-date with the latest developments and changes in technology, that is, stay abreast of changes in their fields especially through becoming members of relevant professional associations for the sake of

level managers, lack technical expertise, as a result, cannot understand the gobbledygook, that is professional jargons of such outfit but only derive their expert power from their abilities as decision makers, planners, and strategists. This is not good enough for the progress and development of any organization.

Another is referent power, which is more

informal than the other kinds of power. What it entails is that referent power is a function of the personal characteristics of a leader; it is the power that comes from subordinates and colleagues respect, admiration, and loyalty.

Leaders who are likeable and whom subordinates wish to use as a role model are especially likely to

possess referent power.

Again, being a valuable asset as top managers, referent power can help first-line and middle managers to become efficient and effective leaders as well.

Managers can take step to increase their referent power, such as taking time to get to know their subordinates and showing interest in and concern for them.

“It seems to me that effective managers use their reward power in such a way that subordinates feel that their rewards signal that they are doing a good job and their efforts are appreciated on the other hand, ineffective managers use rewards in a more controlling manner that is, wielding the ‘’stick’’ instead of offering the ‘carrot’’, which signals to the subordinate staffers that the manager has the upper hand. While coercive power is the ability of a manager to punish others.”

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Perspective Being Text of paper delivered by Comrade Ijeoma Umeh, FCAI, at the event to mark the international Women’s Day celebration organized by the Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO), held on Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at the LAPO hall, Benin.

Opening quote: “The fastest way to change society is to mobilize the women of the world”. — Charles Malik THE international women’s day, originally called the International Working Women’s Day is a day set aside by the United Nations (the U.N) to, among other rightsbased issues, acknowledge how far the women’s rights movement has come globally and also address all the other vital areas of women’s development where there are still perceived gaps, particularly in the area of gender equality, women empowerment and violence.

“The day also offers a good platform to reappraise the role of women in development and reflect on outcomes for equality for all rather than for women alone, so that no gender, or subgroup of any kind has to feel prejudiced and discriminated against” in the words of Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary General.

The theme of this year’s celebration is INSPIRING CHANGE, however, the themes vary from regions to regions globally. In Nigeria and some parts of the world, the theme has been merged with sub-themes from other regions because of the relevance of such sub-themes in advancing measures to end inequality in all spheres of life, particularly in the strategic positioning of women in the scheme of things.

Therefore, Equality for Women, Progress for all was included by the United Nations as a sub-theme which is not just topical, but very apt in consideration of how inequality has so far militated against the progress of women as they moved towards self actualization.

The dual themes not withstanding, we will attempt to tackle both themes with a view to entrenching their workability in the subconsciousness of every stakeholder, both men and women. Of utmost importance however, is that the UN has suggested that in attempting to bridge the gap, we positively deplore platform, such as hereby graciously provided by LAPO, to consider and make recommendation on areas where changes are still desired.

Will also give credence and

acknowledge LAPO, an organization which, more than been in itself a change agent and a bridge builder also stands as a formidable advocate for and strong ally of women in their pursuit of self actualization in both health and wealth.

Gender Equality The term ‘Gender Equality’ has been so weighed down by scholars that the average Nigerian woman who is content to be under the “headship” of a man, be him her ‘husband’ or ‘lord’ or ‘socially-bound soulmates or partners’ gets confused about such scholarlistic compositions and definitions. How would the average Nigerian woman, a chip of the traditional block of women who were child bearers, water and wood fetchers and home keepers, who were seen in the background attending to the needs of the family (seen and not heard), and simply listened to the commands, or better still, instructions of their ‘lord’ or ‘master’ without saying a word in return, understand the import of Gender Equality as explained away by top-ranking feminists and human Rights Scholars?

Let’s consider some of these definitions of the term, ‘Gender Equality’ from various perspectives.

1. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1995 stated, “Gender Equality reflects an equal sharing of power between women and men, in their equal access to education, health, administrative and managerial positions, equal pay for work of value and equal seats in parliament, among others.

2. In the context of international human rights, the legal concept of gender equality is enshrined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as in the 1978 United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women. * CEDAW, the AntiDiscrimination Convention, was ratified by over 100 countries and states clearly and unequivocally that, “discrimination against women violated the principles of equality of rights and respect

for human dignity” * The governments of the world reaffirmed their commitment in 1995 to the “equal rights and inherent human dignity of all women and men,” in the Beijing Declaration and platform for action from the United Nations fourth world conference for women in Beijing, China, in 1995.

The conference built on the perspective and strategies outlined at the previous United Nations conferences on: • Education (Jontein, 1990) • Environment (Rio de Janeiro, 1992) • Human Rights (Vienna, 1993) • Population (Cairo, 1994) and • Social Development (Copenhagen, 1995) including • The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979).

Based on the principles of Human Rights and social Justice, it (CEDAW) clearly recognizes that gender equality and women’s empowerment are essential for addressing the central concerns of poverty and insecurity, and for achieving sustainable, people-centred development.

On its part, Gender Equity is concerned with the promotion of personal, social, cultural, political and economic equality for all. The term, according to gender experts, emerged out of a growing recognition in society of pervasive gender inequities.

There were continuing traditions of stereotypical conceptions and discriminative practices which have resulted in the systemic devaluation of attitudes, activities and abilities attributed to and associated with girls and women. The negative consequences of stereotypical conceptions and discriminatory practices adversely affect males as well as females. However, in the short-term, greater emphasis in the gender equity initiatives is placed on improving conditions and attitudes as they affect girls and women. In the long-term, gender experts hope that these initiatives will also improve the situation for boys and men.

Now, let’s stare Discrimination in the face!

Discrimination has been

Equality For W

By IJEOMA UMEH

defined as difference in treatment based on age, sex, ethnicity, religion or other factors rather than on individual merit (IPSS, 1996).

The CEDAW, approved by the United Nations in 1979 states that, “Discrimination against women shall mean distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.”

Back to our mothers who were child bearers, home keepers, wood hewers and water fetchers who simply stayed in the shadows, content with status quo, what kind of lives did they live and were they really content with status quo?

Were the women of old happy with the lives they lived?

The lives they lived!

• Lives of foreclosure (seen but not heard) • Illiteracy pervaded the system. Education was a no mean achievement and families who could afford it only held a meeting where they deliberated on which of the sons could represent the family in pursuit of the whiteman’s (western) education. The daughters were busy helping their mothers in running the home, tending to the babies, fetching water and hewing firewood. They were totally excluded in the deliberations.

• Women were not engaged in any income-earning or profit making ventures. So they couldn’t help themselves or their families, they couldn’t contribute anything to family and societal growth. However, because the society of yore was a highly communal one, women (who were tucked away) also contributed to their family’s survival through the barter system, exchanging salt for palm oil and vice versa.

• Women were highly dependent on men for sustenance, to the extent that they lived impoverished lives, most of them dying in silence because they couldn’t speak

“Women were highly dependent on men for sustenance, to the extent that they lived impoverished lives, most of them dying in silence because they couldn’t speak out to avoid judgment and condemnation.”

out to avoid judgment and condemnation.

• In those days, women’s survival hinged upon the survival of other women in the communal existence.

Borrowing from one and giving back to another was a norm, an old way of life and a tradition that had continued to thrive. Women rallied around one another in planting season and harvest time, in labour and child delivery, in mourning and rejoicing time and everything

appeared to move smoothly, happiness and peace appeared to thrive. But did they? Events would prove otherwise.

Nigeria recently celebrated her centenary (100 years since the amalgamation in 1914). 1914 is significant and only a few women are still living after being born on that date, a pair of the lucky few are the centenary twin sisters, Esther Taiwo Olukoya and Emily Kehinde Ogunde, except that one of the sisters, Emily Kehinde Oguride recently passed on. The surviving twin, Esther Taiwo Olukoya asked

by Journalists recently in Lagos how it was when she was a young wife and mother, with regard to gender-based violence, discrimination and marginalization, said, “whatever you go through these days, in this 21 century as a young wife and mother, we also went through them, our mothers also did. In fact, our own mothers survived by helping one another because

husbands couldn’t do it all, they couldn’t do everything for their wives and children, but that male ego and pride could not let them allow their wives to work to earn a living; any man whose wife worked in those days was regarded as effeminate, but those homes thrived more than homes where wives stayed at home.

They became the rich homes we heard about till today because the women worked openly with the knowledge of their husbands or stole out secretly to go and work at construction sites, sold palm

oil, cloth, fish or just exchanged what she had with what she needed. They exchanged oil and salt, they exchanged yam and cassava, or sold their trinkets to get new pieces of cloth. Even the male children that were sent to school at the detriment of the females survived in school because of the effort of their mothers to keep them in mission schools to the end. No one talked about the female child going to school, those who did, it was by the cunning of the mothers. Wife beating was happening but no one talked about it. A wife did not come out in the open compound when her husband’s friends were around. She just stayed in the background receiving instructions from him and serving food to the visitors.

If she came out on his orders it is for him to show her off to his friends if she was very beautiful. I was a young girl when the Aba Women’s Riot happened in 1929. I heard it

was be about c they sta all over they wo break d are pea stated.

She sa perceiv have be educatio Essent educate need s empow own is a if it is de

she d schoo She provi but a empo contr of the of the say i empo nothi with CHA TO C • Pov wom • Illi world illiter • Eco to pov is par live b • Acc busin diffic Mate due t prov must

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Perspective

Women, Progress For All

cause the women were unhappy certain policies and activities that aged a major riot which was heard r the world. If women were happy, ouldn’t have allowed such major own of law and order because they ace-loving people.” Ma Taiwo

aid although the challenges are still ved today in womanhood, Women een able to surmount them by their on, their economic empowerment. ially, she noted that both the ed woman and her uneducated sister sufficient level of economic werment, but that education on its a potential economic empowerment eplored meaningfully. Of what use,

demanded, if a woman went to ol and remains jobless afterwards? canvassed for government to ide jobs for both women and men, dvised women to learn a skill and ower themselves so that they could ribute meaningfully to the growth eir families and the development e nation. “I love that thing women in politics, empower a woman, ower a nation. It is the truth and ing but the truth,” Ma Taiwo stated a note of finality.

ALLENGES THAT CONTINUE CONFRONT WOMEN verty, the UN says it wears a man’s face(Beijing, 1996) iteracy (over 75 percent of the d’s women are still described as rate) onomic insufficiency, also related verty, the average Nigerian woman rt of the family where members below one dollar per day cess to micro credit for small scale nesses, access to bank loans are cult ernal mortality still on the increase o insufficient health care viders and cost of antenatal. We however acknowledge the efforts

of government at all tiers to ensure women get the best antenatal, postnatal care, even at no cost in some states, Edo, Anambra, Lagos, Delta and some states in the North are already implementing free maternal and newborn care.

The Federal Government also recently announce its plan to start the MATERNAL EARN AS YOU GO, where women would get a monetary reward, through bank alert every time they attend antenatal and deliver in a federal health centre. It will be unveiled soon.

Many women still attend homes of traditional birth attendants.

They are encouraged to register in hospitals when they are pregnant.

• Population explosion, lack of requisite knowledge of family planning methods.

• HIV, Cancer of the breast, uterus and cervix still kill women on a daily basis • Discrimination in work places, marginalization in politics and trade unions • Retrogressive Government policies • Male joblessness, unemployment of partners.

• Housing deficiency, etc.

WOMEN BEFORE POLITICS SET IN In the days of yore, our great grand mothers lived the communal life, we had to reiterate it here for emphasis on expected outcomes for women’s cooperation through formation of cooperatives.

That life entailed a closeknit, open-door kind of living where the matriarchy of one

woman extended to and revolved around the matriarchy of another; where matriarchs directly or indirectly supervised, monitored and kept an observatory of hat in her neighbours’ homes to ensure everything went well — the household was in order, the children were well fed and playing safe, there was clean drinking water in the pot, the yam barn is not encroached by rodents and other invaders, the goat is not strangled by its tether; clearing of farmlands, sowing and reaping, planting and harvesting were jointly done, all hands were usually on deck; even child deliveries were done with every matriarch’s supervision to ensure safe deliveries. Child upbringing was every one’s business too. In the case of ugly incident occasioning maternal mortality, matriarchs swore to oaths that they did their utmost best. They henceforth put on sack cloth to mourn their deceased fellow woman (Echoes of Good Days, compiled, edited by Ijeoma Umeh for Civil Society).

This narrative is indicative, that contrary to the popularly touted opinion that women were said to be only seen and not heard, they were seen and heard among their fellow women and they achieved a lot in friendly cooperation. We may say, without fear of contradiction, that in their clannish congregations where they drank palm wine, ate meat roasted by women, discussed local politics concerning headship of clans and kindred, harems, land and communal matters, men did not want women to hear them!

However, emphasis is on reenacting that life that entailed sharing, motivating, inspiring, encouraging and supporting.

THE THINGS WOMEN OUGHT TO BE DOING NOW! 1. Reinvent, recreate. Develop skills, learn a trade, be creative on your own, try something new and see how you would blow everyone’s mind. Get an education, no matter how infinitesimal you may think it is.

2. THE CHANGE THE UNITED NATIONS TALKS ABOUT, THE CHANGE WE OUGHT TO INSPIRE is to go

back to the roots, go back to living that communal life lived by the forebears in order to inspire change among women to positively affect the lives of women, for themselves and for others.

Back to our opening quote: “The fastest way to change society is to mobilize the women of the world”- Charles Malik NOTE; Charles Malik, like his fellow men all over the world, understand that the key to women’s development is women uniting in their sheer might and numbers and cooperating to effect change, one woman holding out the ladder for her fellow woman and the woman at the top not taking the ladder along, but leaving it there and lending a hand to help other women up!

Having understood how tough it would be to break the power and might of women when they are in their element through unity and cooperation, gullible men, especially in politics, industry, civil service and society, even in the market and trade unions, try to disunite women through rumour mongering, gossip, backbiting, blackmail and the pull her down syndrome, make women hate one another, unnecessary rivalry, jealousy and so on.

Such attitudes appear to be the Achilles’ Heel of women in various sphere of human endeavour. Women could see through these smokescreens, shun or totally ignore them, forge on ahead, united among themselves to develop themselves and the society.

WHAT TO DO, WHAT NOT TO DO I. Women should no longer be in the back seat. Come out and take your position in the front.

2. Find out what happens in your environment, in your communities, in your local government, in your state, in your country, and join in developing the nation. In so doing, one day you may be called upon to serve or to lead.

3. Be your partner’s best friend, be supportive and a attentive. Join in every plan that is in the pipeline in your family, contribute your quota too.

4. Do not support your husband in any evil plot, but be there beside him in any good endeavour. Don’t plan evil yourself.

5. Take your spiritual life with

every sense of seriousness.

Don’t leave the prayers for others alone.

6; Periodical health checks are important, breast and cervical cancers are easy to tackle with early detection. Do pap smear test, go for mammogram. Do not tuck money under your bra. It is unhealthy, clean the toilet seat or cover it with tissue or toilet seat lining before you sit on it.

7. Go to hospital when you are pregnant; do not patronize quacks or birth attendants that you are not sure of.

8. Do not traffic your daughters for prostitution, don’t let anyone traffic you too; don’t allow your sons play thugs during elections.

9. Do not leave your baby girls in the company of men of questionable character. Do not let any man sexually defile your baby girl.

10. Make peace among your neighbours, extend a hand of fellowship to extended family members, send them gifts, call them on phone to exchange goodwill.

11.

No matter the misunderstanding, do not allow your family to break up.

Ensure you exhaust all avenue for settlement of misunderstandings. Don’t let them degenerate into disputes.

12. If your rights are abused (as a widow) and widowhood rites that are violent in nature are administered to you against your will, talk to women’s rights advocate.

13. If your inheritance rights are denied you or your children, also call human rights defenders immediately 14. If you have been raped, or violated in any form, call for justice. Don’t keep it to yourself, delay could be dangerous.

A T T I T U D E !

I N S P I R AT I O N A L QUOTES!!! NEW * Remember the dignity of your womanhood. Do not appeal, do not beg, do not grovel. Take courage, join hands, stand beside us, one for another, fight with us. — Christabel Pankhurst * Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you are not. — Margaret Thatcher * Be thankful for what you have; you will end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough. -

Ophrah Winfrey * When I though I couldn’t go on, I forced myself to keep going. My success is based on persistence, not luck. - Estee Lauder * f you were born without wings, do nothing to prevent them from growing.

- Coco Channel * Women’s equality has made positive gains, but the world is still unequal.

Everyone can be an advocateThe UN Women * The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights — Gloria Steinem * Countries with more gender equality have better economic growth.

Companies with more women leaders perform better. Peace agreements that include women as committee members or heads work better. — The U.N. * Woman is the companion of man, gifted with equal mental capacity Ghandhi * God gave women intuition and fertility used properly, the combination easily jumbles the brain of any man I have ever met- Farrah Fawcett * Women have served all these centuries as looking glasses possessing the magic and delicious power of reflecting the figure of a man as twice its natural size — Virginia Woolf * Somewhere out in this audience may even be someone who will one day follow in my footsteps and preside over the Whitehouse as the President’s spouse. I wish her well. Barbara Bush * Women are leaders everywhere you look, from the CEO who runs Fortune 500 company to the housewife who raises her children and heads her household. Our country was built by strong women and we will continue to break down walls and defy stereotypes —Nancy Pelosi * A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult.- Melinda Gates * Whatever glory belongs to the race for a development unprecedented in history for the given length of time, a full share belongs to the womanhood of the race — Mary Mcleod Bethune * Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission. — Eleanor Roosevelt * Dream the dreams that have never been dreamt — David Bower.

“Women have served all these centuries as looking glasses possessing the magic and delicious power of reflecting the figure of a man as twice its natural size.”

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TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Book Review

Listening To Helen Bazuaye’s Still Small Voice!

Book Title: Reflection On Human Life On Earth Author: Helen I.O. Bazuaye Printed By: Bendel Newspapers Company Limited Pages: 75 Chapters: 7 Year of Publication: March, 2014 Reviewer: Ijeoma Umeh READING Helen Bazuaye’s book is like listening to the proverbial still small voice!

The society that the author views in her mind’s eye is not the society that reality confronts her with, it is not the society she envisages that Christ should meet in his second coming, and like most change advocates, the author hopes for a saner society, a morally upright world she pins for it and she deplores every weapon at her disposal to clamour for a less morally depraved society; a society where the love for, and fear of the Lord Jesus Christ would pervade the hearts of those who profess Christianity and she coos it like a songbird into the mind’s of her reader.

The author particularly singled out Christians as those more deserving of the spiritual rods of correction which she hopes her modest contribution would portend, and from one page to another, she makes it clear that this little book of counsels should be the Christians digest.

She is miffed that despite all the efforts made by servants of God on the pulpit, the church is still saturated with all manner of morally depraved people who do more than cloaking their immorality, therefore allowing it to seep into the spiritual frame works of the true believers in Christ.

She writes: “Christians are supposed to influence

and change the world by forsaking the worldly pleasure and doing the right things. Christians are also expected to put the wrong things right. If we say we are born again, we should totally surrender to our Lord Jesus and then we can change the world’s character to that of Him who made us in His own image and likeness; to conform with the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Helen Bazuaye’s Reflection on Human Life on Earth, though a pocket book, weighs more than it looks. Beginning from the title itself, it evokes a feeling of angels and saints dilly-dallying between heaven and earth and recapitulating on the lives of mortals on earth. The title makes a clear-cut demarcation between heaven and earth, between God’s abode and the place of damnation, which, she reflects, is the final abode for those who pursue after vain things and ultimately lose their souls.

From straight-forward reprimands on indecent dressing and the dangers thereof, to admonitions on both the inherent physical and spiritual dangers in sexual immorality (the risks of unveiling before the marital bliss).

She also takes a swipe at everyone whose responsibility it is for the society to be remoulded, from parents to the church and to the high-rung people in government and various

other leadership positions; appealing to them: “Our leaders should not let the sufferings of Jesus be in vain…”

Why her readers may ask?

Does Bazuaye’s intervention apparently pass the baulk to professing Christians rather than the unbelievers? She rides smoothly on the biblical position that “…the kingdom of God suffereth violence…” and hopes that all right-thinking believers would take it back ‘by force’ for Christ sake?

According to her, the invasion of the spiritual epicenters of Christ must follow with commensurate invasion of the kingdom of satan!

While adducing the drastic ebbing away of longevity to morally care free life of humans on earth, the writer advised that for humans to revert to the successful, long and healthy life of the great patriarch, Abraham, they have to learn and painstakingly live lives that are pleasing to God. “..The earth is the Lord’s

and the fullness thereof. If you allow the fullness of God into your life, then, and only then, will man see himself in the plan of God, his creator and maker and would work (consciously and deliberately) to change his ways of life.”

Helen Bazuaye also rested the age-long question over the involvement of Christians in politics, stating categorically that it is the lot of Christians, and not unbelievers, to partake in politics, which, according to her, is a divine way of sanitizing the society.

From major mishaps in the healthcare system to the falling standard of education in Nigeria, Bazuaye ascribes all the negatives, including corruption to spiritual decadence, noting that the future of Christians and the society as a whole are already predetermined by God who gives knowledge and wisdom for his people to do ‘all things’. She therefore enjoined Christians to strive to win God’s divine friendship.

The book’s centre point is clear and the author achieves the intent of her

work by acquainting the reader with the reality of the times in variance to the normal copious scriptural quotations which takes a young believer through the ordeals of undulating references. With a little more attention to language content and styles, the book will eventually be a reference point.

The writer, Helen I. O. Bazuaye is an activist, a passionate tiller of the vineyard of Christ and an unmistakable evangelist.

She is a staff of the Bendel Newspapers Company Limited.

“Helen Bazuaye’s Reflection on Human Life on Earth, though a pocket book, weighs more than it looks. Beginning from the title itself, it evokes a feeling of angels and saints dillydallying between heaven and earth and recapitulating on the lives of mortals on earth.”

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Drumbeats

Billionaires Have Focus!

ONE of the major things that I have observed in the lives of billionaires is their focus in life. Billionaires are not jack of all trade and master of none. They have areas of specialization and they build their focus there.

Most billionaires have their focus on construction, banking, oil and gas, export and import, shipping, manufacturing, while others have their focus on communication, property and real estate, transport, politics and pasturing.

Success does not dwell with any pastor, politician, professor, banker, lawyers, and Doctors who lack focus in their lives. Most billionaires invest in so many businesses, but they have areas of specialization where their focus lie that generate millions and billions of naira and dol Jars into their resources.

I have lost some millions of money, because of Jack of focus and I have also seen, heard and read about many people who had lost several millions and billions of money due to lack of focus. I am grateful to God because he has allowed me to learn so many things, I would not have learned by experience. Focus is the key to one’s happiness, satisfaction and fulfillment.

“After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tibberias, and on this wise showed he himself There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymius, and Nathaniel of Canaan in Galilee, anti the sons of Zebede, and two other of his disciples.

Simon Peter saith unto them, 1 go a fishing. They say unto him, we also go with thee.

They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately, and that night they caught nothing.

But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

Then Jesus sail unto them, children, have ye meat? They answered him, no.

And he said unto them, cast the net on the right side of the s/zip, and ye shah/find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw the multitude of fishes.

Therefore that disciples whom Jesus Loved saith unto

Peter, it is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was necked,) and did cast himself unto the sea.

And the other disciples come in a Little ship, (for they were not far from Land, but as it were two hundred cubits) dragging the net with fishes.

As soon then as they were come to Land, they saw a fire of coats there and fish Laid thereon, and bread.

Jesus saith unto them, Bring the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to Land full of great fishes, and hundred and fifty and three and for all (here were so many, yet was the izet not broken. Jesus sail/ unto then conic and i/inc. And none oft/ ic disciples durs ask him, who art thee? Knowing that it was the Lord”.

John2lvlWhen you read carefully the scriptures aho\ e you will discover that Peter and the rest of other disciples of Jesus started experiencing lack and failure in their lives because they lost focus oftheir primary assignment which Jesus uave to them.

Jesus had already commissioned them to be fishers of men, but the moment they Lost sight of Jesus, they went back into their formal occupation which Jesus delivered them from.

Often times you have seen or heard of many people casting their blames on others and also accusing Satan and his agents for their failure in life. Stop finding fault with people who are not responsible for your failure.

Your Lack of focus is the reason for your f and has prevented yOU ftom being successful.

As a matter of urgency lets learn from major Billionaires who by focus built empire and have left and are living good legacies behind for generation yet unborn to enjoy.

M ost Billionaires 1 know and the ones I have read about do not Live in fear and allow fear to intimidate them.

The Bible says “ Fear has

torment and perfect Love casteth out fear”. Billionaires will never allow fear to torment them and allow it to hinder them from reaching their goals and dreams in Life.

Someone defines fear, “ as force evidence appearing real”. The truth is that the thing we fear mostly are afraid of us. imagine someone Like me (Apostle Raphael Ayemere) being fearful because of death, sickness and poverty.

How can I ever fear death,

them in your heart and in your life. Fear will always show you the opposite of what you are. 1 am sure most Billionaires derive their secrets of conquering fear from Genesis chapter 1v2628. and Isaiah chapter 43v “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our Likeness, and Let them have dominion over the fish ofthe sea, and over the foul of the air, andover the cattle, andover all the earth, and over every creeping tiring that creepeth upon the earth.

With Apostle Dr. Raphael O. Ayemere 08035459593 lord that created thee, a [ fear not, fhr / have redeemed thee, I have calledthee h thy naive, thou art mine.

When thou passes! f/ trough (lie waters, / will he wit/i thee, (111(1 through the rivers, they s/tall not overflow i/ice. When i/iou walkest through the fire, thou s/tall not be burned,

gave us land and the sea full olall iutura! resources e.g gold, diamond, silver, oil, animals, fruit, etc. and told us to use them for our own benetit and satisfaction and then commanded us to be fruitful, replenish, subdue and have dominion over everything including fear and yet many people still allow fear to dent their destiny.

neither s/tall (lice flame kindle upon three. Isaiah 43v 1—2.

Friends, if someone with a lot of money gives you one billion do today will you still meet him after one month or year and complain to the person that you have no food to eat, car to ride, clothes to wear and good house to stay?

God Almighty has given you and I more than one billion dollar through his word (the bible) and also leli us with great resources to enjoy. 1-Ic

Any billionaire who lives, walks, talks, eats and sleeps in fear will lose all that he or she has ever laboured for, please be warned!

The only fear billionaires have is the fear of God. The reason is because they know that God has the capacity to cause their wealth to disappear and make them to be miserable, penneless, forsaken, in debt and forgotten by their friends and their relations.

Bill Gate, World’s Richest man sickness and poverty when I know that they are afraid of me. At the appropriate time I know that I will die; but to now allow the fear of death to hurt me is something I will never entertain and allow in my Life. As of sickness and poverty they know they can never get me, because we are distance apart and I will never accommodate them.

Friends with all humility I am not boasting, but simply telling you the truth about me. I have been living in sound health for years. If the world has Ninety percent of people like me doctors and nurses will have no job and money to feed themselves and their family.

God told me some years ago that “If! am poor it’s because of my ignorance of what I have which I fail to use to achieve what I want”.

I urge you to conquer fear in your Life. Don’t entertain

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him, make and female created he them.

And God blessed them, titid God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earl/i, and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish oft/ ic sea, and over the fbwl of the air, and over every living thing 1/rat moveth upon the earth. “Genesis 1v26-28. “bitt now (hits saUl the

“After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tibberias, and on this wise showed he himself There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymius, and Nathaniel of Canaan in Galilee, anti the sons of Zebede, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, 1 go a fishing. They say unto him, we also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately, and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus sail unto them, children, have ye meat? They answered him, no. And he said unto them, cast the net on the right side of the s/zip, and ye shah/find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw the multitude of fishes.”

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Development

Creating A Road Map For Solid Minerals’ Dev In Nigeria STAKEHOLDERS in the mining sector argue that Nigeria is vastly endowed with a lot of mineral resources and underscore the need for the creation of a pragmatic roadmap for their development and sustainable exploitation.

They, however, concede that the roadmap, which the Federal Government presented in 2013, could serve as a veritable guide for all the solid minerals’ development processes in the country.

In January 2013, the Federal Government announced a roadmap for solid minerals’ development and economists laud the plan as a pragmatic effort to grow and diversify the nation’s economy.

At the presentation of the roadmap, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said that the blueprint had articulated strategies for the diversification of the economy.

He urged the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to ensure that the roadmap was utilised by foreign and local investors in the solid minerals sector so as to achieve better results.

Malam Musa Sada, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, said that the ministry would ensure that the solid minerals sector was repositioned to provide job opportunities for the youth.

Apart from this, economists believe that the roadmap will tackle some challenges facing mining operations such as inadequate geosciences data which is needed to facilitate comprehensive minerals’ exploration by the private sector.

In a recent interview, Sada said that the policy thrust of the roadmap entailed import substitution, job creation and promotion of modern mining practices, among

By FATIMA SULE others.

He said that the roadmap would increase per capita consumption of steel, provide legal and regulatory framework for the metals sub-sector, and guarantee transparency in the grant of mining titles and permits.

The minister noted that although the roadmap had been implemented in some parts of the country, its full implementation had been hindered by factors such as poor funding, security issues and inadequate infrastructural facilities at mines sites.

Nevertheless, Malam Muhammad Amate, the Director-General of Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office, said that the office had been working hard to address the challenges.

According to him, the office has become a credible Federal Government agency mandated to facilitate the development of mineral resources in the country and function as a gateway to mining.

Amate said that the office guaranteed an independent, efficient and transparent system in the granting, administration and management of all mining titles.

“In modern term, the office is the combination of geographic information system, database and procedures relating to the application, processing and grant of mining rights,’’ he said.

He said that four foreign companies would soon begin the mining of gold and iron ore in Kebbi, Osun and Kogi.

He also said more than 20 foreign companies from Australia, Canada, United

during the period.

Mr John Jegede, a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, said that the roadmap would facilitate Nigeria’s efforts to attain some socio-economic and environmental objectives via sustainable exploration

roadmap was its capacity to attract investments into the solid minerals sector.

“The agency is discussing with the International Mining for Development Centre, an initiative supported by the Australian government, to provide training and capacity building in mining, geology, environment, laboratory training and mineral processing,’’ he

becoming a major world player in the mining industry require a conscious and focused development of professional manpower in mining and geosciences.

“Government recognises the need to expand the scope of the mandate of the institute to reflect the current realities in the global minerals industry,’’ he said.

He said that ever since the ministry launched the roadmap, the institute had

Malam Musa Sada, Minister of Mines and Steel development

Kingdom, Italy, China, Republic of Niger, India, South Africa and Ukraine had obtained exploration licences to carry out solid minerals’ exploration across the country.

Amate stressed that the office had issued more than 4,000 mineral titles from 2011 to date, while generating N2.2-billion income via the issuance of titles to mining companies

of mineral resources.

Jegede said that after the launch of the roadmap, it had become the reference document that guided the ministry, stakeholders and the public in efforts to assess the performance of the solid minerals sector.

Mr Utsu Adie, the Chairman of Solid Minerals Development Fund, said that the strategic critical success factor of the

said.

However, Malam Idris Umar, the DirectorGeneral, Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Jos, said that the global increase in demand for mineral commodities had necessitated the production of a good roadmap for the development of the country’s solid minerals.

“The challenges of

“The minister noted that although the roadmap had been implemented in some parts of the country, its full implementation had been hindered by factors such as poor funding, security issues and inadequate infrastructural facilities at mines sites.”

been working in line with the roadmap’s objectives, conceding, however, that several challenges had hindered the implementation of the roadmap.

All the same, economic experts note that the challenges should not be allowed to truncate the execution of the roadmap.

They insist that the government has no other choice than to diversify Nigeria’s economy, considering the abundance of the country’s solid minerals and their economic potential.

The experts insist that the roadmap will reposition the solid minerals sector and strengthen it to foster the growth of the national economy. (NAN)

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Religion The Endtime Christian Woman In Business

By OBIRINANWA ANGELA

THE business world today is characterised with evil acts such as high levels of deception and fraud.

Business men and women are only concerned about making exorbitant profit not minding how it affects their customers.

Business today, looking at it from this End-time period is characterised with the following; I. Cheating 2. Girls Prostituting for money 3. Killing one another for more profit 4. Getting diabolical to attract more customers and profits.

5. Inflating price for more profit 6. Involvement in Human Trafficking 7. Involvement in drug trafficking There are so many evils in our world today, so as Christian business women we should uphold Christ both in our homes and our businesses. There should be an extend where a Christian can go; she cannot do business like the unbeliever. A Christian business woman cannot get involved in all kinds of businesses; she should draw a line. Some businesses should be a No-Go area for us because it will not bring glory to God. A Christian woman is the light of the world and symbol of Jesus Christ, so she should show Christlike examples because even though we are in the world, we are not of the world; we should radiate the glory of God in our business dealings. Today the search for wealth has made the church so weak and worldly such that a sizeable number of Christian have turned away from the truth. (1 Tim I vs. 1-2) that in the later days, some have departed from the faith yielding to seducing spirits and doctrines taught by false prophets.

Unfortunately, most Christian business women being Christ representatives often fall short of God’s expectation for them in their business locations and shops; this ought not to be so. We must take our stand for God in our stand for God in our businesses, get more committed to knowledge by applying biblical principles in the running of our businesses because even though she runs a business, she is first a new creature; the old man had gone and a new life has begun 2Cor 5 17.

Apostle Paul explained this in Rom 12:2, “he admonished us not to conform to the dictates and customs of this world, but live with new freshness in our thoughts and actions that is the role of every Christian”. Your person and mode of operation in business should be different from the way the world does theirs. Our goal is to please God, not ourselves, so conduct your business in a godly manner. From us as his representative in our business premises.

Therefore, end time Christian business woman should take a strong stand for God in their business.

They should be committed to knowing and applying

biblical principles of doing business because when someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside.

He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun 2Cor 5 vs. 17. Paul expanded on this by saying in Rom 12 vs. 2 that we should not copy the behaviour and customs of the world, but be a new and different person with fresh newness in all you do and think.

Yes that is the goal of every Christian.

We are to be different from the world and the way it operates. We are to be different persons, once we become Christian, our goal is to please God, not self.

As you can see in the above scripture, the Christian is to differ from non Christian and if that’s true, then you would expect the Christian to do business differently from the rest of the ways the non-Christian are doing it.

Always put God first in your life and business- Deut 6: 5 says Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might-strength; “Simply put God first in everything including your business. Do not rely on your resourcefulness to succeed in business rather trust Him to be your director Luke 1:37, and nothing shall be impossible with God. Get to know the Word of God and apply it to your life and business Sadly most Christian business women know little of God’s word - the

Bible, let alone knowing how it relates to the dayto-day transactions of their businesses. The bible is the best text book ever written on business, it contains Principles of Business, from decision making to evaluation of e m p l o y e e ’ s performance. Jos 1:8

apply His Word to your situation and business daily, He fulfils His promises.

Pay your Tithes and offerings -Your tithe is 1/10 of your profit, salary, as well as all increase in promotion or another business breakthrough. Malachi

Proverbs 21:6 points out to us that profits derived from dishonest gains in business is risky and that business is likely to fail if there is no repentance.

Be diligent in your pursuit of business success— Lazy hands make a man poor but diligent hands bring

encourages us to take time out daily to study and meditate on the Word of God and more importantly, we should apply it to our homes and businesses, it promises us a successful and prosperous life.

Expect big thingsGod is the source of all good and perfect gifts, when you study and

3: 8 equates neglect of tithes with robbing God. Tithes and offerings are commandments from God; our offering is a show of our love for God. The principle of prosperity is giving offerings, tithe and giving to the poor; there is no short cut to blessings without these.

Give God the peak of your profit - If God is your senior partner, then, he should be given free hand to decide on how the profits of your business will be spent.

Your best investment as a business woman is to give to the needy.

wealth. Proverbs 10:4.

Here we are admonished to work hard and be diligent in all that we do.

CONCLUSION: The world is full of atrocities, the Christian Business Woman should gird, her lions with the belt of truth, and she must not get herself involved in shady Businesses that will not glorify God. She must uphold Christ both inside and outside, she must be good example to the world by radiating His glory in the ways she handles her business.

God Bless You..

“Always put God first in your life and business- Deut 6: 5 says Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might-strength; “Simply put God first in everything including your business.

Do not rely on your resourcefulness to succeed in business rather trust Him to be your director Luke 1:37, and nothing shall be impossible with God.”

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

View Point THE President of Nigeria is accusing its eastern neighbor, Cameroon of not cooperating with it and allowing cross-border pursuit of Boko Haram terrorists it claims return to Cameroon after attacks in Nigeria.

The Boko Haram insurgency has claimed thousands of lives in Nigeria since the President assumed power over Africa’s most populous nation. The economy of the north has been seriously impacted by the uncontrolled spate of terror and the President has come under increasing pressure to act or resign as his administration loses its remaining credibility within Nigeria and abroad.

This would not however be the first time the President looks for candidates to blame for failures of the administration, both locally and internationally.

It would be recalled that at the beginning of his tenure, with each initial event of Boko Haram terrorism, the President of Nigeria encouraged the blame of ‘northern elements.’ As time progressed, with the amalgamation of several political parties, forming the merger, APC party, the Presidency blamed all matters including the provision of stable power and resolving an intractable ASUU education sector strike on the ‘opposition.’ It can be recalled that during an interview with CNN international anchor, Christian Amanpour, the President claimed Nigerians were celebrating better power and accused Christian Amanpour of being ‘with’ the ‘opposition,’ who denied this ‘better service.’

Blaming others for the problems of the current administration is also not unique to the President.

Recently at the Powerlist 2014 programme in London, an intimately close minister, the embattled minister of oil, Diezani Alison-Madukwe

accused foreign nations of ‘economic terrorism,’ for being the ones who purchased stolen oil. However in the face of accusations of NNPC theft of up to and over 100 billion dollars, the minister did not claim to be a terrorist as she had labeled such gravid acts of financial sabotage, but submitted that investigations of the illegal looting activities of the national oil corporation must extend to the predecessor regime. On the topic of oil theft, the President of Nigeria also played the same blame card in an interview with CNN’s Amanpour, accusing foreigners who purchased stolen oil.

It is quickly becoming the defining feature of the Jonathan administration to either flat-out deny or find others to accuse of all its challenges and inadequacies.

During the recent escalation in Boko Haram terrorism, the Presidents media man, Reno Omokri was found to have even gone as far as preparing press releases under an alias, Wendel Simlin, to accuse the whistleblower, suspended CBN governor of being behind the escalation in Boko Haram attacks which followed a replacement of army chiefs and appointment of a questionable character, three-time failed NSA as minister of defence.

Though the need for cooperation with Nigeria’s neighbors in the battle against terrorism cannot be undermined, the difficult position of Nigeria’s neighbors can be appreciated given the administration’s record of recklessness, incompetence and protection, appointment and recognition of terror masterminds and corrupt thieves.

In April of 2012 when the ex-governor of Borno, Ali Modu Sherif, who has been clearly implicated in the metamorphosis of Boko Haram terrorism and is indicted in the Abba Moro White-paper report with the

Tackling Challenges Of Boko Haram Insurgency

president, was arrested by the Cameroon government for Boko Haram terrorism, the Nigerian Presidency facilitated his release with another senator who was arrested with him.

Upon his arrest, Ali Modu Sheriff said, “I did not know that Cameroonians are like this, I prefer to go back to where I came from.” Indeed, Nigeria where he came from under the Jonathan administration embraces and rewards terror sponsors. Here is where he is most comfortable.

Again, when another nonrepentant MEND terrorist who has admitted a relationship with Boko Haram founder, late Mohammed Yusuf, Mujahid

By PEREGRINO BRIMAH

Dokubo-Asari” was arrested by the Benenoise security services, the Nigerian Presidency immediately sent to his rescue. The relationship of the Nigerian President with terror sponsors and terrorists has challenged his repute and commitment to the battle against terrorism both locally and internationally. In a current lament, Noble Laureate, Wole Soyinka who has called the ruling PDP party a ‘terrorist organization,’ described Nigeria’s president as having ‘canonised terrorism’ by awarding a confirmed ex-dictator who looted billions of dollars, of which up to $1.2 billion has been certified and recovered,

“Rather than a policy of denial of responsibility for failure and trading blame with local and international players, how about the Presidency accepting its credit for enabling terror and mass murder of Nigerians reminiscent of the progrom years?”

and a known killer, an award of ‘national honor.’ Professor Soyinka described exdictator Abacha as equivalent to Boko Haram terrorists.

The terror impact of the billions he looted which has been confirmed, to the nation cannot be debated.

With a history of dining with and protecting terrorists and facilitating the release of terror sponsors from neighboring countries, the cooperation of such nations and their permission for Nigerian troops to crisscross their borders freely is unfortunately legitimately jeopardized.

Without a true commitment to abating and fighting terror, which selectively targets the poor and less affluent, Nigeria fails to garner international support in its ‘war against terror.’ It will be remembered that until Nigeria showed some seriousness and declared a state of emergency against the wishes of his head of national security, as impressed on the President

by certain intelligence media i n a May 8 2013 article captioned, “Nigeria at war,” did the US and UK government swiftly adjust their positions, declaring Boko Haram members wanted and freezing their assets.

Rather than a policy of denial of responsibility for failure and trading blame with local and international players, how about the Presidency accepting its credit for enabling terror and mass murder of Nigerians reminiscent of the progrom years? Denial can never solve this problem, and there is urgency for critical action or resignation. A friend of the President said ‘he is still learning.’ Well, people are dying, if he hasn’t learned enough in 7 years so-far in Aso rock, he should have pity on the poor who are dying and give way to people who have commitment, moral competence, respect and balls. It is enough of politics with Nigerian lives.

At this critical point in Nigeria’s history, Nigeria needs a strong President who can cross party lines and also international borders with respect and regard.

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 THE position of the law is clear on the issue of celebration of court marriage in Nigeria. The matrimonial cause Act (CAPM) and the marriage Apt (CAPMB) of the laws of the federation, 2004 explicitly spells out the

format, scheduled as form A in section 7 of the Act. The form would have the names of the bride and groom spelt out, their statutory condition (widowed or single) as at the time of their intention, their occupation, rank or

gratuitously to any person applying for same by the registrars concerned.

Sub-section 10 provides that the notice should be entered in the marriage notice book and published, while sub-section 11 provides that the Registrar

annexed to such affidavit; c) That there is not any impediment of kindred of affinity, or any other lawful hindrance to the marriage. d) That neither of the parties to the intended marriage is married by

profession, age, dwelling or place of abode, consent, if any, and by whom given.

SUB-SECTION 8 provides for the signature of notice by person unable

should issue a certificate on proof of condition by affidavit after the expiration of twenty one days and before the expiration of three months from the date of the notice, upon payment of the

customary law to any person other than the person with whom such marriage is proposed to be contracted.

2. Such affidavit is sworn before a registrar, or before

to write or to understand English Language. “if the person giving such notice is unable to write or is insufficiently acquainted with the English language, or both, then it shall be sufficient if he places his mark or cross thereto in the presence of some literate persons who shall attest the same as in FORMB in the first schedule.

The forms of notice, as provides in sub-section 9, shall be supplied,

prescribed fee, he wherefore is satisfied that a) One of the parties has been resident within the district in which the marriage is intended to be celebrated at least 15 days proceeding the granting of the certificate. b) That each of the parties to the intended marriage (not being a widow or a widower) is 21 years old or that if he or she is under that age, the consent herein after made requisite has been obtained in writing and is

an administrative officer or before a recognized minister or religion.

3. The person taking such affidavit shall explain to the person making the same what are the prohibited degree of kindred and affinity and the penalties which may be incurred under section 42 and 43 of this Act, and if he willfully fails to make such explanation required by this section to the person making such affidavit and that such per person has

Marriage Platform With Evang Dolly Uyi

Procedures For Celebration Of Court Marriages In Nigeria

procedures wherefore court or registry marriages should be conducted.

The aforementioned Acts, in like manner, also stipulates the places, i.e. marriage districts and

registries where such marriages are to be celebrated. The marriage Act as recorded in chapter 218 of the said Act, commenced in 31 December, 1914.

Chapter 218 subsections 7 provides that a notice of marriage should be signed and given to the registrar of the district in which the marriage is intended to take place by one of the parties to the intended marriage. The notice is in a particular

appeared fully to understand the same.

12. Explanations to be given If the marriage shall not take place within 3 months after the date of the notice, the notice and all proceedings consequent there upon shall be void; and fresh notice shall be given before the parties can lawfully marry.

Section 27 of the marriage act provides therefore that marriage can be celebrated in a registrar’s office. The form to be observed is as follows: After the issue of a certificate under section 11, or of a license under section 13 of this act, the parties may, if they think fit, contract a marriage before a registrar, in the presence of two witnesses in his office, with open doors, between the hours of ten o’ clock in the morning and four o’clock in the afternoon, and in the following manners; The registrar, after production to him of certificate of license, shall; either directly or indirectly or through an interpreter address the parties thus “Do I understand that you, A.B, and CD, come here for the purpose of becoming man and wife”.

If the parties answer in the affirmative he shall proceed thus- “knowing that by the pub taking of each other as man and wife in my presence and presence of the persons now here, and by the subsequent attestation thereof by signing your names to that effect, you

become legally married to each other, although no other rite of a child or religious nature shall take place, and that this marriage cannot be dissolved during your lifetime; except by a valid judgment of divorce; and if either of you before the death of the other shall contract another marriage while this remain undisolved you will be thereby guilty of bigamy and reliable to punishment for that offence”.

Each of the parties shall then say to the other” I call upon all persons here present to witness that I, A.B, do take thee D.C, to be my lawful wife (or husband)”.

Wherefore, the registrar shall then fill up, and he and the parties and witness shall sign the certificate of marriage in duplicate, and the registrar shall then fill up and sign the counterfoil and deliver one certificate to the parties and shall file the other in his office.

(30) ‘Whereupon, every registrar shall forthwith register in a book to be kept in his office for such purpose and to be called the marriage register book, every certificate of marriage shall be filed in his office according to the specified form herein, and every such entry shall be made in the order of the date from the beginning to the end of the book, and every entry so made shall be dated on the day on which it is so entered, shall be signed by the registrar, and such book shall be indexed in such manner as is best suited for easy reference thereto.

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

International Features

Absentee Bouteflika Dominates Algerian Presidential Poll

AT a packed sports hall in western Algeria, portraits of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika gaze down on supporters rallying for his re-election. But the leader himself, weakened by a stroke a year ago, is a no-show.

Throughout campaigning for the April 17 polls, Bouteflika has remained mostly out of the public eye apart from brief television appearances, as he has done since falling ill.

His absences, and his health, have raised doubts about what will happen after the election in an OPEC oil exporter that supplies a fifth of Europe’s gas, and plays a significant role in the Western war on Islamist militants.

For now, Bouteflika is campaigning by proxy. With his former prime minister and allies crisscrossing Algeria in his name, the 77-year-old independence veteran is almost assured of a fourth term after 15 years leading the nation.

They promise that Bouteflika, who is credited with ending a civil war in the 1990s between the state and domestic Islamist militants, can keep Algeria stable.

This is a powerful message in a country still traumatized by the conflict that killed 200,000 and left little appetite for the turmoil unleashed on its neighbors after the revolts of 2011 in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya.

It is a theme that goes down well at the sports hall in Chlef.

This is deep in loyalist territory, the farming provinces ravaged by the war where Bouteflika is hailed as the man who delivered peace, and who can keep delivering it.

“He is like a father to us,” said Fatima Benahou, a public administrator at the rally. “He

means stability, security. We supported him yesterday, and we are loyal so the least we can do is recognize what he has done.”

Opponents dismiss Bouteflika’s bid as the last breath of the old guard from the ruling Front de Liberation Nationale party (FLN) which has dominated Algerian politics since 1962 independence from France.

With the backing of the political machinery of the FLN, army factions and business elite, Bouteflika faces little challenge from rival candidates despite his absences.

On Thursday, state television showed him greeting the Emir of Qatar, and talking and joking in French with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, his longest public appearance in a year.

Algeria resisted the upheaval of the Arab Spring, largely due to the aversion to instability. With $200 billion in reserves built up from oil and gas exports, state spending on social programs, credits and housing eased any unrest.

Instead, Algeria’s struggles go on behind closed doors between the independence-era clans - the FLN elite and the army intelligence agency DRS - which see themselves as guardians of stability.

Since Bouteflika’s illness his allies have strengthened their hand, transferring and firing generals to curb DRS influence over politics, and placing loyalists in top posts.

Once Bouteflika wins another term, however, rival clans may again stake their claims for power under him, positioning for the day they expect he will step aside.

“They are preparing for what comes next. The struggle to see who will succeed will resume after April 17,” said one diplomat.

Bouteflika, a hero of the independence war against France, was first elected in 1999.

In office, he helped negotiate a truce ending the civil war that broke out after the FLN cancelled

elections which Islamists were poised to win.

In Chlef, many still credit Bouteflika with making Algeria more stable, peaceful and rich.

Several thousand supporters and youths rallied at the hall to hear former premier Abdelmalek Sellal praise his credentials, and offer housing, and a new sports stadium.

Horsemen in traditional garb carrying hunting shotguns greeted Sellal outside the hall where banners reading “He gave

us a lot, time for us to be loyal” and “My Oath for Algeria” drove home the message that Bouteflika equals stability.

“I am a veteran of the independence war. The only choice I have is to vote for someone like me, someone I can trust,” said Bourezag Bgillali, 83, dressed in traditional robes and turban.

The president’s allies point to instability in the region. Turmoil blamed on militias over the border in Libya worries Algeria,

as well as Western powers who support the central government in Tripoli struggling to impose security.

“Look at the neighborhood around us, make a comparison,” Sellal said. “Algeria is like an island of peace.”

Militant violence, while rarer now, is not absent. Last year 40 oil workers, most of them foreigners, died in an Islamist attack on the Amenas gas plant.

Some of the fighters had slipped over the border from Libya’s selection.”

Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika addresses the 64th United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, September 23, 2009.

US Defense Chief Visits China’s Aircraft Carrier U.S. official said the visit to the carrier the Liaoning, at a port in the northern city of Qingdao, lasted about two hours. No other details were immediately available.

The official believed Hagel was the first official visitor from outside China to be allowed on board the Liaoning, although that could not be immediately confirmed.

China’s Defence Ministry confirmed the visit would happen but did not provide details.

Chinese security experts said Beijing could be trying to quell U.S. criticism that it was not transparent about its military modernization.

Hagel’s carrier visit, at the start of his three-day trip to China, was quietly approved by Beijing at Washington’s request, the U.S. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The 60,000-tonne Liaoning, a Soviet-era vessel bought from Ukraine in 1998 and re-fitted in a Chinese shipyard, is seen as a symbol of China’s growing naval power and ambition for greater global influence.

The carrier has yet to become fully operational, however, and military experts say it could be

decades before China catches up to the far superior and larger U.S. carriers - if ever.

Hagel arrived in Qingdao after a trip to Japan.

Reporters travelling with Hagel did not accompany him on the vessel, in what is a rare visit to a sensitive Chinese military site.

“It’s a sign of openness, of sincerity, that China has nothing to hide and wants to improve military relations with the United States,” said Ni Lexiong, a naval expert at the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law. “It will also be a good opportunity for the Americans to see the difference between the Liaoning and their aircraft carriers,” Ni said, referring to the technological gulf between the two countries.

Chinese military brass are no strangers to U.S. warships, including aircraft carriers.

Officers from the People’s Liberation Army are routinely flown to U.S. aircraft carriers en route to occasional port stops in Hong Kong, according

to U.S. military officials.

Their U.S. counterparts provide tours of the ship and flight deck during operations efforts U.S. diplomats say are geared to nudging China towards greater transparency about its capabilities.

Ian Storey, a Singapore-based regional security expert, said earlier that Hagel’s visit would be “long on symbolism but short on actual operational capabilities”.

“By showing him a vessel that was built in Ukraine in the 1980s and remains only a training platform that is still not fully operational, the Chinese will be keeping him away from their more sensitive capabilities, such as their missile programs or submarine fleets,” said Storey, of Singapore’s Institute of South East Asian Studies.

China is building submarines, surface ships and anti-ship ballistic missiles, and has tested emerging technology aimed at destroying missiles in mid-air.

The carrier visit came a day after Hagel said he would use his first trip to China as defense

secretary to press Beijing to use its “great power” wisely and respect its neighbors, who have been put on edge by the country’s growing assertiveness in Asia’s disputed waters.

China claims 90 percent of the 3.5 million sq km (1.35 million sq mile) South China Sea, which is believed to be rich in oil and gas. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan all claim parts of those waters.

China has a separate dispute with Japan in the East China Sea over uninhabited islets that are administered by Japan.

China’s decision in November to declare an air defence identification zone in the area that includes those islands sparked protests from the United States, Japan and South Korea.

China’s official Xinhua news agency, in a commentary released as Hagel arrived, said Hagel had to show he was sincere about improving ties and the United States had to “assure its China friend of its

intentions”.

“As the world’s second- and first-largest economies, China and America have a shared interest in a stable environment to facilitate economic prosperity. Neither of them, nor the global economy, can afford confrontation or conflict,” Xinhua said.

Hagel, in his talks in Japan over the weekend and last week at a gathering of Southeast Asian defense chiefs in Hawaii, had sought to reassure allies of the U.S. security commitment to the region and has promised frank discussions in China.

China, in turn, has repeatedly urged the United States not to take sides in any of its disputes in the region, and has watched warily as Washington moves to strengthen its military alliances, especially with Tokyo and Manila, as part of its strategic “pivot” toward Asia.

“Both sides are aware of the potential for military clashes, and the need to increase understanding and manage and reduce the risks, so this visit is a positive sign,” said Zhu Feng,

director of the International Security Programme at Peking University.

The risks of a mishap were highlighted in December when the American guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens had to take evasive action in the South China Sea to avoid hitting a Chinese warship operating in support of the Liaoning.

The Chinese carrier is the first step in what state media and some military experts believe will be China’s deployment of several locally built carriers by 2020.

While President Xi Jinping recently urged China’s military leadership to work faster to get the carrier combat-ready, some Chinese analysts and parts of the state media appear keen to dampen expectations about the Liaoning, which went on its first training mission into the South China Sea late last year.

The Liaoning would serve as a training platform rather than a fighting weapon, some Chinese experts have said.

Considerable doubt also remains over when it will be fully operational. Earlier estimates of two or three years had grown rubbery, with some hints internally that it could stretch to a decade, some experts say.

THE NIGERIAN

25

TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

International

Egypt Court Upholds Prison Terms For Protest Leaders

A pro Russia protester in the Eartern Ukrainean City of Donesk.

Libyan Militia Agrees To Give Up 4 Oil Terminals

TRIPOLI - A key Libyan militia in the east has agreed to hand back control of four oil terminals it captured and shut down last summer in its demand for a share in oil revenues, the official Libyan news agency reported.

The seizure and the shutdown of the terminals has cost Libya billions of dollars and escalated a political crisis that has threatened to plunge the country into even greater turmoil, unseen since the 2011 civil war that ousted longtime strongman Moammar Gadhafi.

After months of a tense standoff — exacerbated by an attempt by the eastern militia to use a North Korean-flagged tanker to export oil from one of the seized terminals — the state news agency LANA reported that a deal was reached with representatives from eastern Libya late on Sunday.

The deal could help bolster the authority of the weak central Libyan government in the face of the country’s powerful militias, most of which have drawn their members from the former rebels who fought against Gadhafi.

LANA quoted Justice Minister Salah Margani as

saying that under the deal, the militia would immediately hand over the terminals of Zuwaitina and al-Hariga. Two other oil terminals, Ras Lanouf and Sidra, would be returned to government control in two to four weeks.

According to the report, the deal was signed by Ibrahim Jedran, head of a militia demanding more autonomy for eastern Libya, where most of its oil resources are located.

Libya’s Justice Ministry website reported the details of the six-point deal. They include an investigation into militia allegations of government corruption in oil sales and also probes into ways to more justly distribute oil revenues among the country’s regions, which was a key complaint by the eastern militia.

The deal also includes a planned mediation with the general prosecutor’s office to halt any prosecution of militiamen who took part in the seizure of the terminals.

According to the reports, the deal paves way for a smooth handover and return to operations at the terminals, and includes a pledge that there will be no more attempts of mutiny or seizure of oil terminals.

Since Gadhafi’s fall, Libya has been torn among multiple rival and heavily armed militias

affiliated to regions, cities and tribes, while the central government has been weak, unable to bring its authority over the country, inheriting Gadhafiera military and police forces in disarray.

The eastern half of Libya has long complained of discrimination by Tripoli, saying Gadhafi’s government starved it of resources during his 42-year rule. In 2012, a group of politicians, activists and some powerful tribes declared autonomy for the region, which is historically called Cyrenaica or, in Arabic, Barqa.

A year later, the Jedran militia, complaining of government corruption — which it claims allegedly marred oil sales — and advocating for regional autonomy, occupied the terminals and shut them down.

In neighboring Egypt, the Cairo international airport announced that flights resumed Monday to the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi. All flight were grounded after protesters set up a blockade Sunday around the Benghazi airport and burned tires, demanding the dissolution of parliament. The house was supposed to dissolve in early February but an Islamist-led motion prevailed to extend its mandate by another year.

KABUL - Afghans and the international community hailed its presidential election as a triumph of democracy over violence Sunday, despite complaints about ballot shortages and sporadic fraud after millions of people braved a Taliban threat to vote for a new president. But some cautioned against declaring a premature defeat of the Islamic militants.

Securing the vote was a test for Afghan government forces as they prepare to take full responsibility for their own security as the U.S. and allied forces end their combat mission at the end of this year. The consensus was that they largely passed, though there was sporadic violence.

A roadside bomb hit a pickup truck transporting ballot boxes Sunday in the northern province of Kunduz, killing three people,

officials said. But the major attacks that had been feared did not materialize.

“This in itself is a victory over violence and a victory over all those who wanted to deter democracy by threats and violence,” said Thijs Berman, the head of the European Union’s election assessment team in Kabul.

Electoral officials, meanwhile, urged patience, saying officials continued to log complaints and tally ballots. The ballots were coming from more than 20,000 polling stations nationwide, some in extremely remote and rural areas. They were being transported to tally centers in all 34 provinces before the results reach Kabul.

Some candidate forecasts and partial results are expected in the coming days. Noor Mohammad Noor, a spokesman for the Independent Election

Commission, said preliminary results were due April 24 and final results will be announced May 14.

With a crowded field of eight candidates, nobody was expected to get the majority needed to win outright. That would force a runoff between the top two votegetters, which would be held at the end of May. President Hamid Karzai was constitutionally banned from seeking a third term.

Noor said initial reports show a turnout of more than 7 million people, nearly 60 percent of eligible voters. That was sharply up from the estimated 4.5 million people vote in 2009’s presidential and provincial council elections, which were marred by wi“The enemy, after this defeat, will surely intensify its senseless violence and the prospect for peace is still precarious — but there is hope and that is everything,” he said in an email.

Afghan Election Hailed As Taliban Threat Remains

CAIRO - An Egyptian appeals court yesterday upheld three-year prison sentences for three prominent activists charged with violating a controversial law restricting protests.

The three, including the founder of the April 6 movement Ahmed Maher, rose to prominence in the 2011 uprising that toppled veteran strongman Hosni Mubarak.

The interim government in place after the army overthrew Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July jailed them for violating a law it had passed banning all but policesanctioned protests.

Maher, Mohamed Adel and Ahmed Douma were charged with organising an unauthorised and violent protest in November, days after the passage of the law.

The sentencing in December of the activists, members of a broad coalition of groups that supported Morsi’s ouster, had raised concerns of a return to Mubarak-era practices under the new military-installed

regime.

The ex-army chief who overthrew Morsi, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, is running in elections next month. He has promised there would be “no return” to Mubarak’s era.

The retired field marshal is expected to easily win the May 26-27 vote, riding on a wave of popularity for ending Morsi’s divisive year in power.

But secular leaning activists have increasingly been targeted in an extensive crackdown on the opposition, mainly Islamists, that has seen an estimated 15,000 people jailed.

Another prominent leftwing activist, Alaa Abdel Fattah, is standing trial on similar charges to those the trio faced.

Ahmed Seif, lawyer for Maher and his co-defendants, said they will appeal the ruling before the Court of Cassation and if that fails will take the case to the African Court of Human and People’s Rights.

“There are no indications that the state is willing to

loosen its grip,” Seif told AFP after the ruling.

Critics say the government has given police a free hand to clamp down on dissent, amid a crackdown that has killed more than 1,400 people in street clashes since Morsi’s overthrow.

Courts have tried hundreds of Islamists en masse, with one court sentencing 529 to death for allegedly participating in a deadly riot. That sentencing is likely to be overturned on appeal.

Militants have also unleashed a deadly campaign against security forces that has killed nearly 500 policemen and soldiers in bombings and shootings since Morsi’s ouster.

The government said last week it had boosted punishment for “terrorist” offences and expanded the scope of the crimes that fall under that category.

The legal amendments will come in force when interim president Adly Mansour approves the government-penned draft.

NEED FOR TRANSPORTERS The Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc. a leading player in the Agricultural sector requires the services of transporters to be engaged in the transportation of Fresh Fruit bunches (FFB), Wetcup lumps, laterite, labour, tools etc.

Interested transporters whose vehicles are in good condition are to purchase bid forms at the rate of Ten thousand naira (N10,000) from office of the Internal Auditor before the 18th of April, 2014.

Submission of bids will close 5pm, 25th April, 2014.

The bid opening date will be communicated to applicants when they submit their bids.

THE NIGERIAN

26

TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

International

Misssing Jet Co-ordinator Of Hunt Makes Statement

THE first part of the opening statement from yesterday’s press conference by retired Australian Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, who is head of the joint agency coordinating the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 out of Perth, Australia: “Well, good afternoon.

Yesterday I outlined a number of leads we were pursuing in relation to the search, the missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370. Namely, the electronic pulse signals detected by the Chinese ship Haixun 01 and an acoustic noise being pursued by

the Australian defense vessel Ocean Shield in her current location. I stated that the Ocean Shield would be delayed from going to the approximate area where the Haixun 01 had detected the signals while she continued her own investigations.

“Today I can report some very encouraging information which has unfolded over the last 24 hours. The towed pinger locator deployed from the Australian defense vessel Ocean Shield has detected signals consistent with those emitted by aircraft black boxes.

“Two separate signal detections have occurred within the northern part of the defined search area. The first detection was held for approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. The ship then lost contact before conducting a turn and attempting to re-acquire the signal.

“The second detection on the return leg was held for approximately 13 minutes. On this occasion, two distinct pinger returns were audible.

Significantly, this would be

consistent with transmissions from both the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder.

“Clearly, this is a most promising lead. And probably in the search so far, it’s probably the best information that we have had.

“Again, I would ask all of you to treat this information cautiously and responsibly until such time as we can provide an unequivocal determination. We haven’t found the aircraft yet; we need the confirmation. And I really stress this; it’s very

important.

“Ocean Shield remains in the immediate area and continues to try and regain contact with the towed pinger locator. To this point, it has not been able to re-acquire the signals.

“There are many steps yet before these detections can be positively verified as being from missing Flight MH370.

“Firstly, we need to fix the position. Then the Ocean Shield can lower the autonomous underwater vehicle ‘Bluefin 21’ into the water and attempt to locate wreckage on the sea floor. Another source of evidence such as wreckage

PRETORIA - Lawyers for Oscar Pistorius began their defence case yesterday, which should see the star athlete take the stand, and opened with the testimony of a forensic pathologist.

Barry Roux called former state pathologist Jan Botha, who has carried out about 25,000 autopsies, to testify. Pistorius is expected to follow.

Roux said he will call 14 to 17 witnesses in his case to testify on ballistics, urine emptying, damage to the toilet door, sound, and “disability and vulnerability.”

Kicking off the first week of defence testimony, Roux asked Botha, a private pathologist, about gastric emptying and calculating Reeva Steenkamp’s time of death.

Earlier, the state called forensic pathologist Gert Saayman who said vegetable

matter in Steenkamp’s stomach suggested she ate around two hours prior to her death at 3:17 am, an event that conflicts with Pistorius’s version of events.

Botha, a tall man wearing black-rimmed glasses and a charcoal grey suit, disputed this conclusion, saying that determining the time of death through gastric emptying is guesswork, calling it a “highly controversial and inexact science”.

“It could have been an hour or two it could have been significantly longer,” said Botha about when Steenkamp could have ingested the food.

Pistorius bent down in the dock plugging his ears with his fingers as Botha gave testimony about Steenkamp’s cause of death.

Contradicting the state’s

would verify this lead. The area in which the signals have been received has a depth of approximately 4,500 meters (15,000 feet). This is also the limit of capability of the autonomous underwater vehicle.

“I need to be honest with you. It could take some days before the information is available to establish whether these detections can be confirmed as being from MH370.

“In very deep oceanic water, nothing happens fast. Of course, I will update you once we have an unequivocal determination.”

Pistorius Defence Calls Expert As First Witness

Kuwait City shows Kuwaiti Minister of Justice Awqaf (Islamic Endowments) and Islamic Affairs, Nayef al-Ajmi talks during a parliament session at Kuwait’s National Assembly.

Kuwait Minister Accused Of Jihad Links ‘To Stay’

KUWAIT CITY Kuwait’s Islamic affairs minister, accused by a senior US official of promoting jihad in Syria, was reported yesterday as saying he will stay on after his resignation was rejected.

Al-Qabas daily cited Nayef al-Ajmi as saying he will remain in the post after a request from the “political leadership” following a meeting on Sunday.

The term “political leadership” generally refers to the ruler of the oilrich Gulf state.

“I will obey the orders of the political leadership and will continue along the same path I have started,” Ajmi, who is also justice minister, said.

Ajmi, who strongly denied the US accusations, said on Friday he had

raising campaigns for Syria, but insisted they had been for humanitarian purposes and not for Syria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front as alleged

by Cohen.

A statement released comments “with great tendered his resignation, after a March 31 cabinet attention and displeasure”. citing health problems.

The US Treasury under meeting said ministers had Ajmi acknowledged he Cohen’s had taken part in fundsecretary for terrorism and followed financial intelligence, David Cohen, charged earlier this year that Ajmi “has a history of promoting jihad in Syria”.

His appointment as minister in January was a “step in the wrong direction”, Cohen said in a lecture in the United States, parts of which were carried by the Kuwait press last month.

Ajmi said on Friday he was resigning because of health problems predating the US accusation.

He said he had been undergoing tests in London when the reports of Cohen’s comments surfaced in the Kuwaiti media, and had cut the tests Oscar Pistorius wipes his face in the courtroom in Pretoria recently. short to head home.

account, Botha said Steenkamp was first shot in the hip, then in the arm. The third bullet hit her hand and the fourth hit her head, he said.

The state said Steenkamp was first shot in the hip, that the second bullet missed, the third bullet hit her arm, and the fourth went through her hand and head.

Later Pistorius is expected to tell the court his first-hand account of why he shot dead his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine’s Day in 2013.

Pistorius has cut a lonely figure since his trial started on March 3, saying little since his “not guilty” plea besides the occasional “yes, milady” to Judge Thokozile Masipa.

How the double amputee known as the “Blade Runner” will hold up during the state’s cross-examination may prove a turning point in the case.

In the five weeks since the trial began, Pistorius has appeared fragile and annoyed, frequently crying in court and being physically sick when the gruesome details of Steenkamp’s death were discussed.

Pistorius, who denies murder, has to explain why he fired four shots at Steenkamp through a locked toilet door at his home.

To do this, he has hired an extensive team of forensic experts to describe the events in the early hours of February 14, 2013, including an American animation firm that will visually depict the crime scene using three-dimensional computer generated images.

The experts will have to cast doubt on the state’s version of events, including testimony from witnesses who said they heard a woman screaming on the night of the murder, which would show Pistorius knew his target was Steenkamp.

Pistorius says he shot his girlfriend through a bathroom door after mistaking her for an intruder.

The judge adjourned the trial a week ago after a judicial assistant fell ill. Media interest in the case has slowly been declining, but Pistorius’s testimony is likely to grab global headlines.

The trial is slated to run to at least mid-May.

THE NIGERIAN

27

TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Agrosphere

INTRODUCTION FARM records are those records of any transaction or operations that are carried out in a farm at a given period of time.

The importance of record keeping in any business venture like agricultural business cannot be over emphasised.

Good record keeping will assist the farmer or manager to measure the profitability of the farm enterprise over a period the farming lasts. For example, records can be taken daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, biannually or on yearly basis depending on the type of farm business.

Poor habit or attitude of some farmers as regards keeping of records of their farming transaction is very common among illiterate small holder farmers in rural communities of Nigeria.

For instance, in Edo ADP, the Extension agents are trained on fortnightly basis by subject matter specialists in each of the 3 senatorial zones of Edo State to visit and train farmers (T and V Extension system) on the importance of keeping good farm records or Farm Diary.

Some of the areas farmers can keep

Importance Of Record-Keeping In Farm Business (1)

records include sales account, daily routine operations, input

By OLUMESE MARK purchases, inventory, cash book, wages the state ministries of collection in any account, journal, ledger Agriculture and ADPs Agricultural Research (general), personal by organising periodic work, there is always a ledger, bank account, labour account, Insurance account, tax account, salaries account, Discount/ Depreciation account, Equipment owned, others, weather records etc.

Specifically, in crop production business, farmers are advised to keep records of farm operations such as sales of harvested products, spraying of insecticides or Agro-chemicals, harvesting, Ridging/ heap making, Bush clearing, Tree felling and burning.

In addition, other areas farmers are advised to be keeping records are planting date, staking, mulching, weeding, fertilizer application, supplying, thinning and so on. farmers’ workshops or lot of data gap due to It is the opinion of the seminars/field trips, the fact that when you writer that for our Agric shows and are interviewing our country Nigeria to have Excursions through farmers, most of them a good Agro-statistics such forum. The rely on information Data bank on importance of farm from their memory Agriculture for record keeping in Agric rather than from Planning/Decision business can be records. They failed to making by policy emphasised to our keep their farm makers, peasant farmers. transactions during the farmers should be Secondly, if one is past years of farming. It motivated by involved in using is the suggestion of the government through, primary source for data writer that government

should find a lasting solution to this problem on her to improve on this poor habit of farm record keeping among

institutions like banks and micro-finance agency equally request farmers, farm records of previous years

small holders farmers in Nigeria who produce over 80% of the food consumed by about 100 million population of people in Nigeria as at today.

Farm Records are very important for planning and decision making purposes on the farm business.

Also, most credit

farming before approving their loans to either individual farmers or cooperative society.

To be continued.

Olumese is the Ag. Director, Liaison office headquarters of Edo State Agricultural Development Programme, Ogba Farm Benin City.

“It is the opinion of the writer that for our country Nigeria to have a good Agro-statistics Data bank on Agriculture for Planning/Decision making by policy makers, peasant farmers should be motivated by government through, the state ministries of Agriculture and ADPs.�

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

English Premier League...English Premier League...English Premier League...

Top Four Will Be Difficult For Arsenal

ARSENE Wenger has admitted that it will be difficult for his side to finish in the top four after a 3-0 defeat to Everton.

The Gunners were taken apart at Goodison Park where Steven Naismith and Romelu Lukaku put Everton 2-0 up at half-time before former Toffees midfielder Mikel Arteta scored an own goal after the break.

It put the Merseysiders within one point of their fourth-placed opponents with a match in hand at home to Crystal Palace, placing Arsenal’s chances of a 17th successive season in Europe’s elite club competition in serious jeopardy.

“I am absolutely 100% determined to fight to make the top four but it will be difficult,”

said Wenger.

“We have still a programme that is feasible but we have to first focus on the quality of our performances before we dream of places.

“Let’s get back to playing better than that. Our performance was not convincing, not defensively, not offensively.

“We had a lot of the ball and were not really dangerous. At the moment we lack a bit of confidence to be dangerous and lack penetration as well.

“You feel from outside that the penetration and incisiveness of

our games is missing.

“Everton were better and deserved to win. It was a very disappointing result and a very disappointing performance.

“We have to regroup and get back to basics.

“The fight is very open and is depending not only on us.

Everton are in a strong position but we have confronted that before and it is how we respond.”

Wenger was asked whether fear was gripping his side as their previously unchallenged place in the top four came under threat.

“I don’t know. It is very difficult to identify that it is fear,” he added.

“Our big team defeats away

from home have taken something of our charisma from the team.

Is that belief? Is it fear? Is it confidence?

“I wouldn’t question the spirit of this team. They are focused and want to do well but they have lost something on the confidence front.”

Everton manager Roberto Martinez won the tactical battle as his side played Arsenal off the park to register their sixth consecutive league win, equalling a club record dating back to November 2002.

“The work-rate and discipline in a group sport was as good as it gets,” said the Spaniard.

“Playing a top-four team at this stage of season we have never had this demand, so I can’t compare the performance to another.

“The implications today were quite unique. We were hoping for a result but what was needed today was breaking many barriers.

“In 22 games we have played against Arsenal we only scored one goal or less: today we kept a clean sheet and scored three and looked like we could have scored more.

“The performance had an arrogant focus which was very pleasing to see.”

MANUEL Pellegrini has vowed Manchester City will aim to win Sunday’s potential titledecider at Anfield, even though a draw could position them to become champions.

City go to Liverpool four points behind their hosts but with two games in hand and, while both clubs know their destiny is in their own hands, that will change for Brendan Rodgers’ side if Pellegrini’s team avoid defeat.

But the Chilean is adamant there is no way he will send his side out to play for a point.

He told British national newspapers: “Maybe I am wrong but I always think in the same way as a manager — if you play to draw, you will lose. So we are going to play to win. Of course, after the game, if we couldn’t win the game and we draw it’s a good result, but we are not going to play against Liverpool thinking we must draw. We don’t know to play in that way.”

City, who have struck 84 times, are the second highest scorers in the Premier League behind

Pellegrini Will Go To Anfield To Win Liverpool, whose 2-1 win over West Ham took their tally to 90.

And Pellegrini is pleased that Rodgers shares his attacking ethos and believes it benefits the game that both sides play the right way.

He added: “I am very happy for football: for attractive football, creative football. That’s why I think Liverpool have a lot of merits in the year they are having so far, because they are an attractive team and they always score.

“Maybe I also am wrong, but I prefer important teams, big teams, than those that just want to win 1-0 and give all the possession of the ball to the other team, score one goal and always defend during 90 minutes.”

Manuel Pellegrini

Richardson Eyes Fulham Great Escape

Arsene Wenger

Liverpool Wants Title For The 96 BRENDAN Rodgers says Liverpool’s title challenge is being inspired by the drive to honour the memory of the 96 fans who lost their lives at Hillsborough.

His team reclaimed top spot in the Premier League from Chelsea with a 2-1 victory at West Ham on Sunday and are in impressive form ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Manchester City.

The win was Liverpool’s ninth in succession and, as the Reds prepare to mark the 25th anniversary of the tragedy that claimed 96 lives next weekend, Rodgers said he was hoping to honour the victims.

“As a manager, I know coming into the football club there are 96 people in the sky that will always be supporting this team,” he said on the club’s official website.

“We want to do it for the great support and the football family of Liverpool. If we’re to achieve anything this year, certainly they

- Rodgers

will always be in our thoughts — the 96 in the sky and the families that go with them.”

Liverpool are two points clear of Chelsea and four ahead of City with five games remaining, but Manuel Pellegrini’s men have two games in hand.

Rodgers has repeated his claim that his players are taking a “fearless mentality” into their run-in despite the desperation that may be felt by fans who want to see an end to the club’s 24-year wait without a league title.

He insists Liverpool remain the underdogs.

“There’s a number of great teams in this league, big clubs with titles under their belts in the last 10 years,” Rodgers said.

“We’re fighting them.

“Manchester City are strong and have every component to do well. They’ve spent money and what they’ve done is fantastic.

They’re a wonderful club and

they’ve invested well in top players. They’ll be looking to come to Anfield and get a result.

“We’re embracing whatever pressure is supposed to be and enjoying our football. There’s no nerves. Nine games in a row at this level is incredible.”

KIERAN Richardson is keeping the faith that Fulham will escape relegation from the Premier League.

The 29-year-old scored the opening goal in Saturday’s crucial 2-1 victory over Aston Villa that reignited Fulham’s survival push.

After losing at home to Everton the previous week, there was a feeling the Cottagers were condemned to Championship football, but Richardson’s belief did not waver.

The midfielder knows just what can be achieved at the end of the season, with his goal against Portsmouth on the final day in

2004-05 helping West Brom stay up against all the odds.

Richardson does not believe Fulham’s situation is as grave, even though they are still five points from safety with only five games remaining.

He said: “West Brom was a bit different. We weren’t expected to come out of there at all. With Fulham, with the players we have, I’m always confident we can get a result.

“The manager’s a top-class manager, from the get-go he’s come in and done a great job, so I’m not worried. I do believe we’ll get out of it because we have the quality.

Mel Could Leave West Brom In PEPE Mel admits he does he would like to keep hold of.

Summer not know whether he will still “This is a different country, be in charge at West Brom next season - even if he keeps them in the Barclays Premier League.

The Baggies boosted their survival hopes with a 1-0 win at fellow strugglers Norwich, to bring a positive end to a week which had been dominated by reports of a dressing-room bust-up after the 3-3 draw against Cardiff.

Spaniard Mel was appointed as successor to

Steve Clarke in January on an 18-month deal.

However, the 51-year-old former Rayo Vallecano and Betis boss admits he cannot think past the remaining matches of what has been a testing campaign for The Hawthorns club.

“I don’t know where I am going to be next season,” said Mel when asked if goalscorer Morgan Amalfitano, on loan from Marseille, was a player

a different language, another way of doing things, but I said at the time (of my appointment) I would make sure that I met the objective (of staying up) and that is what is taking place.

“This is a league in which anyone can take points of anyone, you can take points off Chelsea and you can take points off Liverpool which is why it is the most competitive league in the world.”

“I’m ready if it goes to the last game. It doesn’t matter if it’s last day, last minute, last second, staying in the Premier League is all that matters.”

Richardson’s belief is also bolstered by his Christian faith.

“My faith is very, very strong,” he said. “I know my fate’s in one person’s hands. And Fulham’s fate is in one person’s hands.”

Only Fulham have lost more matches at home that Villa this season and the visitors struck first just after the hour mark when Richardson drilled a shot into the top corner.

Grant Holt equalised nine minutes later and it looked like Fulham’s best chance of taking three points might have gone when Matthew Lowton somehow cleared Lewis Holtby’s shot off the line.

But with four minutes of normal time remaining Holtby crossed for Hugo Rodallega to head the winner.

Richardson said: “We’d been saying all week we believed we could come here and win. The last two games they conceded eight goals so their confidence was maybe a bit down.

“They maybe thought they’d turn up and roll us over but when you’re fighting teams in the bottom three, there’s a lot riding on it. We were going to be running our hearts out. It’s a massive result.”

THE NIGERIAN

29

TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Yohan Cabaye Wary Of Chelsea Threat

Yohan Cabaye

Catania Sack Maran Again, Cagliari Fire Lopez

SERIE A table-proppers Catania have sacked hapless coach Rolando Maran for the second time this season and Cagliari have fired Diego Lopez following defeats at the weekend.

Catania, facing almost certain relegation one season after equalling their best-ever Serie A finish, immediately named Maurizio Pellegrino as Maran’s replacement while Cagliari described the decision to part company with Lopez as “painful”.

Maran, 50, who led Catania to eighth place last season when they just missed out on the Europa League, was sacked for the first time in October after a poor start to the season.

His replacement Luigi De Canio fared little better and was himself dismissed in mid-January with Maran returning to the hotseat.

However, Catania have taken only one point from their last eight games, leaving seven points adrift of safety and almost certain to be relegated after eight seasons in the top flight.

The final straw was Sunday’s 2-1 home to defeat from Torino, when the Sicilians led from the second minute before conceding two goals in the final half hour.

Pellegrino has coached several clubs in the second and third tiers of Italian football and was in

Rolando Maran

charge of Catania when they were a Serie B side in 2002.

Cagliari parted company with Lopez after losing 3-1 at home defeat to AS Roma on Sunday.

“The need to steer the team back on course and to safety at the end of the championship means that a change on the first

team bench is indispensable,” Cagliari said in a statement.

“The decision is all the more painful because of how much Lopez has devoted as a professional and a person today, and in the past as captain of the team.”

Lopez, a former Uruguay

defender who spent 12 years of his playing career at the club where he retired in 2010, had been promoted from assistant coach at the start of the season.

The Sardinians have lost four of their last five matches and dropped to 15th in the table with 32 points, seven clear of the relegation zone with six games to play.

YOHAN Cabaye has warned Paris Saint-Germain Chelsea will be in “the same frame of mind” as France were when they dramatically clinched their World Cup place.

Cabaye, 28, was part of Les Bleus’ side that left the Stade de France in raptures as they overturned their 2-0 first-leg deficit to pip Ukraine to a berth in Brazil with a thrilling 3-0 triumph in Paris.

The former Newcastle United midfielder now finds himself on the opposite side of the equation following PSG’s 3-1 Champions League quarterfinal first-leg triumph in the French capital last week.

With his own experience at international level in mind, Cabaye told media the French champions would not be taking Jose Mourinho’s men lightly when they head out onto the pitch at Stamford Bridge.

He said: “It’s going to be a great match, a great fight that has to still be delivered. Personally, I remember the match that we had against Ukraine. We were two goals down and in the end, we won 3-0. I think that they’ll be in the same frame of mind as we were against the Ukrainians. All the same, I hope that, in the end, we’re going to qualify.”

Bayern Munich Accept Sun Apology

BAYERN Munich have accepted an apology from The Sun newspaper, which will now be allowed to send reporters to Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Manchester United at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern revoked accreditations

Mourinho ‘Called Real Madrid Players Traitors’

JOSE Mourinho accused Real Madrid’s players of being traitors and passing information to the press, a new book has claimed.

“You are the most treacherous Mundo Deportivo cites an excerpt published by the Times team I have had in my life,” from The Special One: The Dark Mourinho is quoted as adding.

Mourinho then took the matter Side of Jose Mourinho, which gives details on a combustible to president Florentino Perez. meeting between the coach and the squad.

Mourinho was upset his starting XI had appeared in the Spanish press before Madrid were to play Barcelona and Mourinho flew into a rage at the players.

He also ordered an investigation into the players’ phone records, as well of those of other club employees, but was unable to find the source of the alleged leak.

“You are traitors. I asked you not to say anything on the phone but you have betrayed me and shown that you are not on my side,” Mourinho is alleged to have said.

Mourinho’s rant continued with a handful of expletives before he pointed to Esteban Granero and described the midfielder as ‘the only friend I have here.’

Jose Mourinho The Portuguese added that he wasn’t sure he could trust him anymore either.

Mundo Deportivo adds that Mourinho also told the players they were too close to Barca, citing the examples of Carles Puyol, Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique and Xavi Hernandez at Barcelona. “[They] are taught from

Cabaye is part of the 22-man PSG squad that will make the short flight across the Channel later on Monday, a journey Zlatan Ibrahimovic will also make despite being sidelined with a thigh injury sustained in the first-leg which means he will travel only to support his teammates.

Should they require further motivation other than helping their injured teammate continue his quest for an elusive Champions League winner’s medal, the PSG squad may find it in the boost victory over Chelsea would give their bank balances.

Le Parisien reported on Monday that on top of the 100,000 euros for progressing through the group stage and the 150,000 euros they will receive for reaching the quarterfinals, Laurent Blanc’s men will pocket a further 200,000 euros should they see off Chelsea and make it into the last four.

Victory in the semifinals would guarantee 250,000 euros more with an additional 300,000 euros on offer should they triumph in the final in Lisbon on May 24.

childhood to distance themselves from the Spanish, from Casillas, Ramos and Arbeloa.

“You’re wrong if you thought you’ve made friends with the Barcelona players.

“If anyone is outside my plan then you are turning your back on your colleagues and me.”

for the quarterfinal second-leg tie for both The Sun and the Daily Mirror as a response to their headlines following the 11 first-leg draw at Old Trafford last week.

The club said that the British newspapers had “personally insulted” Bastian Schweinsteiger with their postmatch headlines.

In response to the midfielder first scoring his side’s equaliser and then being sent off, the Daily Mirror ran the headline: “You Dirty Schwein,” while The Sun’s online edition went for: “You Schwein.”

Bayern condemned the headlines and said they were “without respect, discriminatory and personally insulting.”

However, the club’s media director Marcus Hoerwick said that should the newspapers apologise, then they could still receive accreditation for the second leg.

On Saturday, The Sun issued an apology, which read: “Sorry, Bastian.”

The newspaper claimed that “it was never our intention to embarrass Bastian or Bayern Munich” and that the headline had been “removed after one hour and never appeared in any [printed] editions of The Sun.” As a result, Bayern announced on Sunday that they had accepted the apology and so journalists covering the Champions League clash for The Sun will now receive accreditation.

“The Sun has, also in appropriate size, apologised.

Thus, this is history for us now,” Bayern media director Marcus Hoerwick was quoted as saying

by Bild.

The Daily Mirror has so far yet to issue an apology.

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TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Champions League...Champions League...Champions League...

Dortmund Need A Real Miracle BORUSSIA Dortmund will need to produce something special in hope of overturning Real Madrid when they meet in the reverse leg at the BVB Stadion.

Kick-off will be on Tuesday evening at 20h45 (CAT).

Real Madrid lost twice at Borussia Dortmund last season in the knockout stages of the competition and will make a quick return to Germany looking to extract a double dose of revenge enroute to the quarter-finals.

It will be a highly remarkable turnaround should the Germans be able to extract a win worthy of sending the game into extra time.

The nine-time European champions won 3-0 in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, meaning they could even afford a repeat of last year’s 4-1 defeat at Dortmund and still progress.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s first-leg goal took his personal tally to 14, matching the record for a European Cup season jointly held by José Altafini (1962/63) and Lionel Messi (2011/12), and he will be out to go beyond the already impressive tally.

Last year’s emphatic result at home will certainly buoy Dortmund to come out with their guns firing and winger, Marco Reus, insists his side have not given up hope.

“We have not given up (against Real),” said Reus. “If we play like we did (against Wolfsburg) in the first half, then it will be very difficult.

“If we play as well as we did in the second, we honestly have a chance. It will be damn hard, but we’ll give it everything.”

Things in the Madrid camp are going exceptionally well as the Galacticos responded to Atletico de Madrid and

CRISTIANO Ronaldo has returned to training with Real Madrid and has been included in the 20-man squad for Tuesday’s Champions League quarterfinal second leg at Borussia Dortmund.

Ronaldo was rested for Madrid’s 4-0 La Liga win at Real Sociedad on Saturday night, with coach Carlo Ancelotti saying the knee problem that has hampered the Portugal captain during recent matches required some rest.

Given Madrid’s 3-0 advantage from the first leg, Ronaldo could be rested again in Dortmund to give the knee further time to recover fully, but the current Champions League top scorer took a full part in Los Blancos’ training session on Sunday and is in the squad.

A statement on the club’s

Barcelona’s victories by dismantling Real Sociedad with a 4-0 win.

Goals from Asier Illarramendi, Gareth Bale, Pepe and Alvaro Morata contributed to the win as head coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted his joy in his team’s response.

We played very well, intelligently. We started at a very high pace and had more intensity in the second half.

Everyone had a good game and I’m pleased because it wasn’t easy,” he said.

“I’m very proud to manage this team. I have players who like to fight and we’re going to fight until the last match.”

Cristiano Ronaldo

Evra Hopeful Of Progress Vs Bayern PATRICE Evra said Manchester United’s excellent European and away form gives them the confidence that they can shock European champions Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena.

United drew 1-1 with Pep Guardiola’s team on Tuesday and while left-back Evra accepts they are underdogs for Wednesday’s second leg, he sees similarities with the Chelsea team who finished sixth in England in 2012 but won the Champions League by beating Bayern at their home ground.

And Evra believes United have shown their spirit in Europe, telling British national newspapers: “We always believe when you play for Manchester United. It is not because you win 4-0 against Newcastle that we start to believe we can win against Bayern.

Chelsea In ‘Impossible Tie’ FRANK Lampard insists Chelsea must get the balance right as they chase Champions League success against Paris St Germain in a contest Jose Mourinho has described as “almost impossible”.

A 3-1 loss at the Parc des Princes means the Blues need to overturn a two-goal deficit on Tuesday night to advance to the Champions League semi-finals for a seventh time in 11 years.

“This is almost the impossible job,” Mourinho said. “It can be (a) special (night), for sure.”

The absences of Ramires (suspended), Nemanja Matic (ineligible) and John Obi Mikel (injured) means Lampard is likely to start after scoring his 250th club goal in Saturday’s 30 defeat of Stoke.

The 35-year-old midfielder

Ronaldo May Feature Against Dortmund

said: “We have to be positive and try to win the game.

“We will have to keep our heads because with the squad we’ve got we can win by two goals for sure.

“But we can’t be too gung-ho.

It’s all about finding the right balance.

“We can certainly win by two goals. We have to take away that feeling of chasing goals from minute one a little bit.

“It’s more about getting our focus and attitude, pacing our game right.

“If we do that, the consequence could be winning by a couple of goals.”

Mohamed Salah, like Matic, is ineligible and Samuel Eto’o is injured, so Mourinho’s options are limited.

“Everything is easy,” the Blues boss said.

“Before the first leg everyone was expecting us to lose 5-0 or something like that but in the end we drew. I think it is not a good result but it is not a bad result because they scored an away goal. I’m confident we can score an away goal at Bayern.

“We must make sure we pull off a shock, because Bayern are favourites for this game.”

While United are enduring their worst domestic season in the Premier League era, they have only been beaten once in nine European games under David Moyes.

And Evra added: “You have to believe and, to be fair, this season we have played not so bad in the Champions League.

“We are confident and it looks

Patrice Evra

like we are all up for it more than the league and in the cup.

“I know it is not professional to say that but it is the truth. We look more like we have the Man United spirit when we play in the Champions League.

“It was funny because all season reminded me of the Chelsea season they won the Champions League when they were not playing well in the league.

“I am not saying we are going to do the same but sometimes you have to be positive, so why not?

“Of course it is unusual for us to say we can save our season in one game. Now we must make sure the fans will be proud for the second leg against Bayern.”

Evra, who was suspended for the first leg against Bayern, is set to return in the Allianz Arena after playing in Saturday’s

victory at Newcastle.

While United have taken fewer points than Hull at home, they have the Premier League’s best away record.

And the Frenchman added: “I think everyone has noticed that we play much better away.

“It is frustrating because maybe at Old Trafford it is different, it is a different pressure. We have good away form so let’s try against Bayern away and make sure we give everything.

official website on Sunday read: “Cristiano Ronaldo joined the training session on the pitch [as] Madrid returned to training and completed a recovery session two days before the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal against Borussia Dortmund in Signal Iduna Park.

“Carlo Ancelotti oversaw Casillas and Jesus, who worked on specifics with goalkeeper coach Villiam Vecchi, and outfield players Cristiano Ronaldo, [Angel] Di Maria, [Alvaro] Morata, [Raphael] Varane, Casemiro, [Fabio] Coentrao and Castilla striker Willian Jose. The 11 players who started in the rout against Real Sociedad worked inside Madrid’s facilities, while [Sami] Khedira, [Alvaro] Arbeloa, Jese and Marcelo were the absentees.”

Gareth Bale again stepped up in Ronaldo’s absence against Real Sociedad, brilliantly capitalising on a mistake by Carlos Bravo to fire a low 35 yard strike past the stranded goalkeeper to make it 2-0 early in the second half. That goal came soon after he had been caught in the knee by La Real midfielder Markel Bergara, opening a wound that required two stitches after the game but is not expected to keep him from starting in Dortmund on Tuesday.

Madrid-based newspaper AS noted that Madrid have a better record without Ronaldo in the side this season, having won all five of the La Liga games which the current Ballon d’Or holder has missed — beating Real Valladolid 4-0, Elche 3-0, Getafe 3-0, Villarreal 4-2 and Real Sociedad 4-0. The only Champions League game Ronaldo has missed this season ended in a 4-1 win at home to Galatasaray.

Xherdan Shaqiri To Miss Utd Game BAYERN Munich’s midfield options continued to dwindle ahead of the Champions League quarterfinal second-leg against Manchester United with an injury to Xherdan Shaqiri.

The Switzerland international suffered a muscle injury in his right thigh during Bayern’s 1-0 defeat at Augsburg.

The 22-year-old stayed in the dressing room at half time, and was replaced with Germany international Mario Goetze. In the evening Shaqiri was examined by Bayern team doctor Hans-Wilhelm MuellerWohlfahrt, who confirmed the news.

“The FCB chief medical officer diagnosed a badly torn muscle in the right thigh,” A statement said on Bayern’s official website. “Shaqiri will be sidelined until further notice.”

Shaqiri is the fourth midfielder to become unavailable for selection by Pep Guardiola when Bayern attempt to take another step

towards retaining their Champions League title against United on Wednesday evening.

Bayern Munich lost Bastian Schweinsteiger and Javi Martinez to suspension in the dying minutes of the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture last week, while Thiago Alcantara suffered a knee injury in Bayern’s 3-3 draw with Hoffenheim in late March, and is not expected to return before May.

Xherdan Shaqiri

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TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

F/Eagles Spy On Kenya, Tanzania Draw

NCF Explains Low-Level Activities In First Quarter

RAFIU Yusuf from the NFF technical department was in the crowd in Machaskos when Kenya were held to a goalless draw by visiting Tanzania in a 2015 African Youth Championship qualifier on Sunday.

Ex-international Yusuf, who also spied on the team’s possible opponents leading up to last year ’s AYC in Algeria, is expected to now make available his findings to coach Manu Garba and his crew.

The overall winners of this clash will face Nigeria in the next round of the qualifying tournament in early May. Incidentally, the Flying Eagles eliminated Tanzania 5-1 on aggregate to qualify for the 2013 AYC.

Ndidi Captains Flying Eagles In Morocco Wilfred Ndidi

WILFRED Ndidi will captain the Flying Eagles for two warm-up games against Morocco this week, coach Manu Garba has announced.

“Wilfred was one of the assistant captains of the Golden Eaglets last year before he went on to join the Flying Eagles at the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey,” Manu said.

“He will captain the team for the matches in Morocco.”

The Flying Eagles battle their Moroccan counterparts on Wednesday and again two days later.

Manu said his substantive captain will be Besiktas of

Turkey defender Musa Muhammed, who led the country’s team to win a record fourth U17 World Cup in Abu Dhabi in November.

Muhammed is due in Nigeria

by Sunday and he will join the other half of the squad left behind in Abuja.

Manchester City pair of Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidiebere Nwakali met up with the Flying Eagles in Lagos on Saturday and they are expected to join up with the rest of squad

in Abuja.

Meanwhile, the Flying Eagles have settled down quickly at the Wellness & Sports Center on the outskirts of Casablanca ahead of their two test games against their Moroccan counterparts.

It is a four-star facility with several well-kept football pitches, a standard swimming pool as well as basketball, handball and tennis courts.

The first match against their hosts will be on Wednesday by 4pm in the capital city of Rabat, which is a 35 minute-drive from where the team are staying.

Discussions are on-going where the second game will be played on Friday more so because the Morocco football federation polls will be conducted in the coming week.

meanwhile, it was great news for the Flying Eagles when on arrival in Morocco they learnt that the wife of team secretary, Aliyu Auwal Ibrahim aka ‘Ali Cairo’, had put to bed.

Ali, like the rest of the squad, was airborne on the way to

Casablanca when his wife went into labour and you could only imagine the mental torture all through the four-hour flight from Lagos for him.

“I was really not myself during the flight, but I’m relieved that everything went very well,” said Ali, a father for the second time.

“Allah be praised.”

Pillars Cancel Out High-Riding Abia Warriors

DEFENDING champions Kano Pillars survived at giant killers Abia Warriors in Umuahia as the game ended goalless on Sunday.

Kano Pillars now have five points from four matches, while Abia Warriors have six points from four games.

Abia Warriors still basking in the euphoria of their 1-0 win at

Enyimba could not break the Kano pillars wall of the defence marshaled by Kingsley Udoh and Umar Zango, with Theophilus Afelokhai making some big saves.

Pillars striker Kabiru Umar told MTNFootball.com that it was a tough match and he was happy

Tennis Umpire Tasks Former Players

Coach Manu Garba

AN Umpire with Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Saidu Musa, on Sunday called on former national players to assist budding talents in the sport to achieve their dreams of becoming professionals.

Musa told newsmen in Lagos that former players should be able to give back to the society that made them.

“I am calling on players that benefitted from tennis in the country to make positive impact on the sport by sponsoring programmes.

“The sport gave them the fame and made them and so

THE Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF) on Sunday said that it experienced low-level activities in the first quarter of the year due to lack of funds and poor response from sponsors.

NCF Secretary, Bidemi Ganiyu-Opolo, told newsmen in Lagos that the federation had therefore decided to start the second quarter on good note.

“The first quarter of the year for chess had not been good enough; our intention was not planned this way.

“We had hoped that we would have sponsors for our programmes in the first quarter, but the low response from sponsors and funds crumbled the situation in the last three months.

“However, we intend to improve on the scope of the sport and we also promise to start executing our programmes early in the second quarters,’’ she said.

According to her, the federation will not rest on its oars in its bid to attract more sponsors for its activities as the quarters go by.

She said that the federation still needed more sponsors to be able to organise more competitions, especially at the grassroots.

The secretary said that with funding and sponsors, the federation was determined to take the game to children at schools.

they should reciprocate by sponsoring programmes,’’ he said.

Musa, a member of the NTF technical committee, said that the National Sports Commission could not carry the sport development alone without the help of the federation itself.

“The development of tennis should not be left for government alone, but rather a collective responsibility of the past players in collaboration with the national body,” he said.

Musa said that the coaches also need to regularly acquaint themselves with the current trends in the game.

“If we must move forward at all, coaches must update their knowledge regularly because technical rules keep changing.

“Let them watch video tapes of international championships, read and study the do’s and don’ts of tennis.

“The more they involve themselves in workshops and seminars, the better for them in their career,’’ he said.

According to him, everything is not about the players, coaches needed experience too and that nobody buys experience, it is acquired.

for the point away from home.

“It was a tough match, we battled against all odds to get the one point. I am happy we didn’t lose. We will build on that,” Umar promised.

In Ibadan, Crown FC defeated Gombe United in another Week 5 game 1-0.

Francis Nnedum scored the lone goal in the 36th minute with a free header off Bode Daniel’s inviting cross.

The game was interesting. The goal scorer was adjudged to have handled the ball in the 18-yard box and the resulting penalty taken by Suleiman Usman was blazed over the goal post.

Onyekachi Okafor and Frank Ikechukwujewu were denied goals by the brilliant Super Eagles goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim of Gombe United.

According to Crown media officer Oyekunle Oyeleye, the centre referee Bethel Nnwaneri from Imo state almost put the game in disrepute with his funny and frivolous calls but all thanks to the maturity of the home fans even in the presence of the League Management Company Official.

Crown now have nine points from five games.

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THE recent discoveries of ritual dens and so called “Baby Factories” in several states have once again raised awareness to some of Nigeria’s most macabre crimes. It is really heart wrenching to find out that, even with the spiralling membership of our pentecostal evangelical missions and constant canard by government officials of immense successes in curbing crime, sinister crimes that strip us of our humanity persist. How Nigeria got to this point where human lives have become objects for a sadistic quest for wealth is incomprehensible.

While some would say that such crimes are perpetuated in other countries as well- and they are right- it should be pointed out that nowhere have vast slaughter houses and forests been found with decaying human parts, including those of babies, like they have in Nigeria. It seems, as is consistent with the Nigerian character, acts that are treated as crimes in other climes have been turned into thriving businesses here. This is what makes the situation even more frightening. Over the years, the discovery of such locations and scenes of mass murder have exposed Nigeria as a nation that has completely lost its sense of morality. If the government claims it has made serious efforts to tackle these crimes then we have not seen the effect of these efforts yet. This must have something to do with the fact that our crime prevention initiatives have been bedevilled by the incompetence that now defines governance in the country.

A history of kidnap cases that are never resolved, and gruesome murders with the perpetrators forever at large, reveal a sinister dimension to a phenomenon that has become the source of so many theories. The incidences have been too many. In 1996, the police in Owerri arrested a man named Innocent Ekeanyanwu, with the head of a young boy,

CMYK

Ikechukwu Okonkwo. During investigation, the police discovered the buried torso of the boy on the premises of Otokoto Hotel, owned by one Chief Dury. They also uncovered a syndicate that specialised in ritual killing and the sale and procurement of human parts. The horrifying discoveries sparked off violent protests

TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

decapitating a four-yearold boy for ritual purposes.

There was also the murder of an 18-year-old girl, identified as Chioma, by suspected ritualists in Mbaise, Imo State.

These are just some cases of unfortunate victims but the picture becomes even more gory with the recent discovery of an uninhab-

What These Ritual And Child Stealing Tell Us About Ourselves in the city which led to the burning and looting of properties belonging to suspected killers. Otokoto and his ritualist syndicate were arrested and put on trial, and in February 2003, they were sentenced to death by hanging. No news house has reported if this sentence has been implemented.

Apart from the Otokoto incident, there have been other instances of ritual murder and mutilation in other parts of the country.

In Calabar, there were reports that two men plucked out the eyes of a young lady, Adlyne Eze, for money-making ritual. In Ifo, Ogun state, a businessman inflicted the same harm on his younger sister. In Ibadan, the police in December arrested a taxi driver, Abbas, who used his fourteen-month-old baby for rituals. Abbas killed his child in order to secure a human head, which was one of the materials listed for him by a local witchdoctor for a money-making ritual.

In another horrific ritual act in Onitsha, Anambra State, two young men, Tobechukwu Okorie and Peter Obasi, were said to have seized a boy, Monday Emenike, and cut off his sexual organ with the intention of delivering it to a man, who allegedly offered to pay 1.5 million naira for it. In Kaduna, a man named Danladi Damina was arrested after he exhumed the corpse of a 9year-old boy, plucked out his eyes and cut off his lips, intending to use them for charms. Recently a woman was caught in a bush in Warri, Delta State,

ited piece of land in the Soka area near Ibadan where several human skulls, skeletons, decomposing corpses and even

The question is: why do Nigerians still engage in such bloody, brutal, and barbaric acts and atrocities even in the twenty-first

where most beliefs are still informed by primordial dogmas and myths. The belief in ghosts, juju, charms, and witchcraft is

Mohammed Abubakar, Inspector General of Police

some living but very feeble persons were found after a tip off. The gory pictures of the spot in the bushy plot of land have left many Nigerians shocked by the audacity of these killers. The police found no fewer than 20 corpses and 21 living persons described as lunatics in various horrible health conditions from the scene. The discovery of so many human skulls and the continued exhuming of many more, suggest that the spot might have existed for a long time. The problem has finally assumed uncontrollable proportions and the discoveries seem to be getting worse by the week.

century? There are several reasons: for one, Nigeria is a country that been totally entranced by its religious beliefs, and the belief that there are supernatural beings that should be appeased through ritual acts and sacrifices continues to inspire these acts. It is also a result of the demands of some occult practices that have been accepted by many Nigerians over the years. Sadly, the perpetrators of these acts are completely blind to the social crisis that these acts stir because all sense of appreciation of societal bond is lost.

There is also the fact that Nigeria remains a society

prevalent and widespread and further encouraged by pentecostal evangelism, which has sadly come to fill in gaping hole of social orientation that government neglect has created. The belief that magical potions prepared with human heads, breasts, tongues, eyes, and sexual organs can enhance one’s political and financial fortunes remain one of the sad consequences of a failed educational system and government’s less than honest re orientation programme.

Poverty is obviously a major factor that drives these sinister practices. I

say poverty not because of the desperation for survival that it stirs but rather because of the illiteracy that it breeds.

This is the only way I see that poverty plays a role in this. Many Nigerians believe that people who engage in ritual killing do so simply for moneymaking purposes. There is no doubt that a popular belief exists that some special kind of ritual, performed with human blood or body parts, can bring money or wealth, even as such a belief lacks any basis in reason, science or common sense, but this is not the only motivation. There is a combination of factors. For those who claim that these acts are simply the consequences of a desperate need to put food on the table, I would ask them to explain why the situation is not the same in other countries.

These gruesome acts are the consequences of a combination of factors.

In Nigeria, a continually declining education system and a total collapse of government’s influence over the actions of people, as a result of its eroded role in delivering basic services or sense of security, and the continued susceptibility of poorly educated minds to puerile concepts and beliefs, have been responsible for these practices. The complete failure of government structures over the years are telling on the lives of Nigerians in macabre ways. These acts are just some of them.

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